UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30,December 31, 2015

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: 1-34167

ePlus inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
54-1817218
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

13595 Dulles Technology Drive, Herndon, VA 20171-3413
(Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices)

 Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (703) 984-8400

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes ☒   No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ☐
Accelerated filer ☒
Non-accelerated filer ☐  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company ☐

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

The number of shares of common stock outstanding as of October 30, 2015January 29, 2016 was 7,482,008482,213
 
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ePlus inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Part I. Financial Information: 
   
Item 1.Financial Statements 
   
 
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30,December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015
5
   
 
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and SixNine Months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 and 2014
6
   
 
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Three and SixNine Months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 and 2014
7
   
 
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the SixNine Months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 and 2014
8
   
 
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for the SixNine Months ended September 30,December 31, 2015
10
   
 
Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
11
   
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
2426
   
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
3841
   
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
3841
   
Part II. Other Information:
 
   
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
3942
   
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
3942
   
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
4043
   
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
4044
   
Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
4044
   
Item 5.
Other Information
4044
   
Item 6.
Exhibits
4145
   
Signatures & Certifications
4246
 
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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains certain statements that are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or “Exchange Act,” and are made in reliance upon the protections provided by such acts for forward-looking statements. Such statements are not based on historical fact, but are based upon numerous assumptions about future conditions that may not occur. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of forward-looking words such as “may,” “should,” “would,” “intend,” “estimate,” “will,” “potential,” “possible,” “could,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “project,” and similar expressions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. Forward-looking statements are made based upon information that is currently available or management’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects upon us, speak only as of the date hereof, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or correct any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that subsequently occur, or of which we hereafter become aware. Actual events, transactions and results may materially differ from the anticipated events, transactions or results described in such statements. Our ability to consummate such transactions and achieve such events or results is subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the matters set forth below:

·uncertainty and volatility in the global economy and financial markets;markets including exposure to fluctuation in foreign currency rates, and downward pressure on prices;
·significant adverse changes in, reductions in, or losses of relationships with several of our larger customers or vendors;
·the creditworthiness of our customers and our ability to reserve adequately for credit losses;
·reduction of vendor incentives provided to us;
·we offer a comprehensive set of solutions— integrating information technology (IT) product sales, third-party software assurance and maintenance, our advanced professional and managed services, our proprietary software, and financing, and may encounter some of the challenges, risks, difficulties and uncertainties frequently faced by similar companies, such as:
omanaging a diverse product set of solutions in highly competitive markets with a number of key vendors;
oincreasing the total number of customers utilizing integrated solutions by up-selling within our customer base and gaining new customers;
oadapting to meet changes in markets and competitive developments;
omaintaining and increasing advanced professional services by retaining highly skilled personnel and vendor certifications;
oincreasing the total number of customers who utilize our managed services and professional services and continuing to enhance our managed services offerings to remain competitive in the marketplace;
omaintain our proprietary software and update our technology infrastructure to remain competitive in the marketplace; and
oreliance on third parties to perform some of our service obligations;
·changes in the IT industry and/or rapid changes in product offerings, including the proliferation of the cloud, infrastructure as a service and software as a service;
·our dependency on continued innovations in hardware, software, and services offerings by our vendors and our ability to partner with them;
·future growth rates in our core businesses;
·failure to comply with public sector contracts or applicable laws;
·changes to or loss of any members of our senior management team and/or failure to successfully implement succession plans;
·our dependence on key personnel, and our ability to hire, train, and retain sufficient qualified personnel;
·our ability to implement comprehensive plans for the integration of sales forces, cost containment, asset rationalization, systems integration and other key strategies;
·a possible decrease in the capital spending budgets of our customers or a decrease in purchases from us;
·our contracts may not be adequate to protect us and our professional and liability insurance policies coverage may be insufficient to cover a claim;
·disruptions in our IT systems and data and audio communication networks;
·our ability to secure our and our customers’ electronic and other confidential information, and remain secure during a cyber-security attack;
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·our ability to raise capital, maintain or increase as needed our lines of credit with vendors or floor planning facility, or obtain debt for our financing transactions or the effect of those changes on our common stock or its holders;
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·our ability to realize our investment in leased equipment;
·our ability to successfully integrate acquired businesses;
·the possibility of goodwill impairment charges in the future;
·our ability to protect our intellectual property rights and successfully defend any challenges to the validity of our patents, and, when appropriate, license required technology;
·exposure to changes in, interpretations of, or enforcement trends in legislation; and
·significant changes in accounting standards including changes to the financial reporting of leases which could impact the demand for our leasing services, or misclassification of products and services we sell resulting in the misapplication of revenue recognition policies.

We cannot be certain that our business strategy will be successful or that we will successfully address these and other challenges, risks and uncertainties. For a further list and description of various risks, relevant factors and uncertainties that could cause future results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements, see the Item 1A, “Risk Factors” and Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections contained elsewhere in this report, as well as other reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
 
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.Financial Statements

ePlus inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETSSHEET

 
As of
September 30, 2015
  
As of
March 31, 2015
  
As of
December 31, 2015
 
As of
March 31, 2015
 
ASSETS (in thousands, except per share data)  (in thousands, except per share data) 
       
Current assets:       
Cash and cash equivalents $62,842  $76,175  $66,567 $76,175 
Accounts receivable—trade, net  259,089   218,458   258,553  218,458 
Accounts receivable—other, net  31,740   31,345   35,908  31,345 
Inventories—net  18,773   19,835   24,971  19,835 
Financing receivables—net, current  64,268   66,909   68,466  66,909 
Deferred costs  9,087   20,499   11,170  20,499 
Deferred tax assets  3,643   3,643 
Other current assets  4,718   7,413   8,198  7,413 
Total current assets  454,160   444,277   473,833  440,634 
               
Financing receivables and operating leases—net  87,847   76,991   88,443  76,991 
Deferred tax assets  4,311  3,875 
Property, equipment and other assets  8,969   9,480   8,989  9,248 
Goodwill and other intangible assets  39,511   40,798   54,858  40,798 
TOTAL ASSETS $590,487  $571,546  $630,434 $571,546 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY               
               
LIABILITIES               
               
Current liabilities:               
Accounts payable—equipment $11,369  $20,330  $28,995 $20,330 
Accounts payable—trade  46,707   46,090   47,610  46,090 
Accounts payable—floor plan  127,053   99,418   127,999  99,418 
Salaries and commissions payable  13,994   14,860   15,002  14,860 
Deferred revenue  20,665   34,363   24,950  34,363 
Recourse notes payable—current  1,204   889   2,327  889 
Non-recourse notes payable—current  28,137   28,560   34,800  28,560 
Other current liabilities  16,476   13,575   13,499  13,575 
Total current liabilities  265,605   258,085   295,182  258,085 
               
Recourse notes payable—long term  2,815   2,801   1,782  2,801 
Non-recourse notes payable—long term  10,510   24,314   10,656  24,314 
Deferred tax liability—long term  3,271   3,271 
Deferred tax liability  3,707  3,271 
Other liabilities  3,277   3,813   2,433    3,813 
TOTAL LIABILITIES  285,478   292,284   313,760  292,284 
               
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 7)               
               
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY               
               
Preferred stock, $.01 per share par value; 2,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding  -   -   -  - 
Common stock, $.01 per share par value; 25,000 shares authorized; 13,237 issued and 7,482 outstanding at September 30, 2015 and 13,114 issued and 7,389 outstanding at March 31, 2015  132   131 
Common stock, $.01 per share par value; 25,000 shares authorized; 13,237 issued and 7,482 outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 13,114 issued and 7,389 outstanding at March 31, 2015
  132  131 
Additional paid-in capital  114,934   111,072   116,441  111,072 
Treasury stock, at cost, 5,755 and 5,725 shares at September 30, 2015 and March 31, 2015, respectively  (120,654)  (118,179)
Treasury stock, at cost, 5,755 and 5,725 shares at December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015, respectively  (120,654)  (118,179)
Retained earnings  310,970   286,477   321,267  286,477 
Accumulated other comprehensive income—foreign currency translation adjustment  (373)  (239)  (512)  (239)
Total Stockholders' Equity  305,009   279,262   316,674  279,262 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $590,487  $571,546  $630,434 $571,546 

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
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ePlus inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
  
Six Months Ended
September 30,
  
Three Months Ended
December 31,
  
Nine Months Ended
December 31,
 
 2015  2014  2015  2014  2015  2014  2015  2014 
                
 (in thousands, except per share data)  (in thousands, except per share data) 
                
Net sales $336,286  $297,472  $606,152  $569,776  $298,644  $306,241  $904,796  $876,017��
Cost of sales  264,365   233,548   475,101   449,413   234,584   240,803   709,685   690,216 
Gross profit  71,921   63,924   131,051   120,363   64,060   65,438   195,111   185,801 
                                
Professional and other fees  1,513   1,577   3,031   3,410   1,882   1,436   4,913   4,846 
Salaries and benefits  35,740   34,252   70,954   67,199   37,372   35,632   108,326   102,831 
General and administrative expenses  7,585   7,158   14,364   13,431   6,765   7,233   21,129   20,664 
Interest and financing costs  422   611   975   1,255   396   575   1,371   1,830 
Operating expenses  45,260   43,598   89,324   85,295   46,415   44,876   135,739   130,171 
                                
Operating income  26,661   20,326   41,727   35,068   17,645   20,562   59,372   55,630 
                                
Other income  -   -   -   1,434   -   6,169   -   7,603 
                                
Earnings before tax  26,661   20,326   41,727   36,502   17,645   26,731   59,372   63,233 
                                
Provision for income taxes  10,982   8,374   17,234   15,073   7,348   11,230   24,582   26,303 
                                
Net earnings $15,679  $11,952  $24,493  $21,429  $10,297  $15,501  $34,790  $36,930 
                                
Net earnings per common share—basic $2.16  $1.63  $3.38  $2.88  $1.41  $2.14  $4.79  $5.02 
Net earnings per common share—diluted $2.15  $1.63  $3.35  $2.86  $1.40  $2.13  $4.74  $4.97 
                                
Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic  7,274   7,320   7,249   7,412   7,280   7,230   7,260   7,351 
Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted  7,297   7,345   7,310   7,461   7,329   7,279   7,336   7,413 

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
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ePlus inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
  
Six Months Ended
September 30,
  
Three Months Ended
December 31,
  
Nine Months Ended
December 31,
 
 2015  2014  2015  2014  2015  2014  2015  2014 
 (amounts in thousands)  (amounts in thousands) 
                
NET EARNINGS $15,679  $11,952  $24,493  $21,429  $10,297  $15,501  $34,790  $36,930 
                                
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAX:                                
Foreign currency translation adjustments  (177)  (160)  (134)  (44)  (139)  (153)  (273)  (197)
Other comprehensive income (loss)  (177)  (160)  (134)  (44)  (139)  (153)  (273)  (197)
                                
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $15,502  $11,792  $24,359  $21,385  $10,158  $15,348  $34,517  $36,733 

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
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ePlus inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 
Six Months Ended
September 30,
  
Nine Months Ended
December 31,
 
 2015  2014  2015  2014 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:        
Net earnings $24,493  $21,429  $34,790  $36,930 
                
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:                
Depreciation and amortization  8,503   7,631   13,020   11,441 
Reserve for credit losses, inventory obsolescence and sales returns  (123)  245   (91)  275 
Share-based compensation expense  2,711   2,247   4,210   3,428 
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation  (1,151)  (824)  (1,159)  (734)
Payments from lessees directly to lenders—operating leases
  (2,560)  (4,445)  (3,587)  (6,011)
Gain on disposal of property, equipment and operating lease equipment  (517)  (2,120)  (2,621)  (2,438)
Gain on sale of financing receivables  (3,991)  (3,179)  (5,439)  (4,640)
Gain on settlement  -   (1,434)  -   (1,434)
Other  6   50   224   46 
Changes in:                
Accounts receivable—trade  (40,015)  13,236   (31,692)  (27,378)
Accounts receivable—other  (2,270)  (854)  (1,176)  4,492 
Inventories  538   (7,006)  (5,643)  (314)
Financing receivables  (1,171)  (14,187)
Financing receivables—net  (10,670)  (14,927)
Deferred costs, other intangible assets and other assets  11,035   1,333   5,888   (6,309)
Accounts payable—equipment
  258   (162)  (197)  (578)
Accounts payable—trade
  (7,442 )  (29,315)  (5,715)  (15,451)
Salaries and commissions payable, deferred revenue and other liabilities  (10,964)  6,360   (9,018)  13,672 
Net cash used in operating activities $(22,660) $(10,995) $(18,876) $(9,930)
                
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:                
Maturities of supplemental benefit plan investments $-  $2,544  $-  $2,544 
Proceeds from sale of property, equipment and operating lease equipment  3,199   5,751   5,349   7,401 
Purchases of property, equipment and operating lease equipment  (15,618)  (1,919)  (17,008)  (7,571)
Purchases of assets to be leased or financed  (9,363)  (10,000)  (10,828)  (7,628)
Issuance of financing receivables  (67,623)  (51,163)  (102,612)  (93,205)
Repayments of financing receivables  35,460   28,082   49,230   50,577 
Proceeds from sale of financing receivables  26,021   12,341   48,174   24,216 
Premiums paid on life insurance  -   (47)
Cash used in acquisitions, net of cash acquired  -   (7,818)  (16,649)  (7,992)
Net cash used in investing activities $(27,924) $(22,182) $(44,344) $(31,705)
 
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UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS -– continued

 
Six Months Ended
September 30,
  
Nine Months Ended
December 31,
 
 2015  2014  2015  2014 
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:        
Borrowings of non-recourse and recourse notes payable $11,239  $30,104  $27,865  $40,329 
Repayments of non-recourse and recourse notes payable  (186)  (802)  (254)  (1,580)
Repurchase of common stock  (2,475)  (34,782)  (2,475)  (37,080)
Dividends paid  (80)  (90)  (80)  (90)
Payments of contingent consideration  (1,158)  - 
Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation  1,151   824   1,159   734 
Net borrowings (repayments) on floor plan facility  27,635   20,694   28,581   10,689 
Net cash provided by financing activities  37,284   15,948   53,638   13,002 
                
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash  (33)  (9)  (26)  (24)
                
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents  (13,333)  (17,238)  (9,608)  (28,657)
                
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period  76,175   80,179   76,175   80,179 
                
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period $62,842  $62,941  $66,567  $51,522 
                
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:                
Cash paid for interest $50  $128  $65  $201 
Cash paid for income taxes $13,901  $12,770  $26,463  $26,233 
                
Schedule of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities:                
Proceeds from sales of property, equipment and operating lease equipment $6,726  $910  $7,993  $297 
Purchase of property, equipment, and operating leases $(8,181) $(335) $(11,985) $(336)
Purchase of assets to be leased or financed included in accounts payable $(5,615) $(18,578) $(8,554) $(15,633)
Issuance of financing receivables $(76,876) $-  $(91,022) $- 
Repayment of financing receivables $8,671  $-  $12,357  $- 
Proceeds from sale of financing receivables $58,520  $47,213  $75,584  $79,663 
Borrowing of recourse and nonrecourse notes payable $31,715  $-  $42,840  $- 
Repayments of non-recourse and recourse notes payable $(16,462) $(19,171) $(22,292) $(26,469)
Vesting of share-based compensation $7,687  $6,407  $7,743  $6,439 
Contingent consideration $-  $1,960  $-  $1,980 

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
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ePlus inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 Common Stock  
Additional
Paid-In
  Treasury  Retained  
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
   
 Shares  Par Value  Capital  Stock  Earnings  Income  Total  Common Stock  
Additional
Paid-In
  Treasury  Retained  
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
   
 (in thousands)  Shares  Par Value  Capital  Stock  Earnings  Income  Total 
    (in thousands) 
Balance, April 1, 2015  7,389  $131  $111,072  $(118,179) $286,477  $(239) $279,262   7,389  $131  $111,072  $(118,179) $286,477  $(239) $279,262 
                                                        
Excess tax benefit of share- based compensation  -   -   1,151   -   -   -   1,151 
                            
Excess tax benefit of share-based ompensation  -   -   1,159   -   -   -   1,159 
Issuance of restricted stock awards  123   1   -   -   -   -   1   123   1   -   -   -   -   1 
Share-based compensation  -   -   2,711   -   -   -   2,711   -   -   4,210   -   -   -   4,210 
Repurchase of common stock  (30)  -   -   (2,475)  -   -   (2,475)  (30)  -   -   (2,475)  -   -   (2,475)
Net earnings  -   -   -   -   24,493   -   24,493   -   -   -   -   34,790   -   34,790 
Foreign currency translation adjustment  -   -   -   -   -   (134)  (134)  -   -   -   -   -   (273)  (273)
                            
Balance, September 30, 2015  7,482  $132  $114,934  $(120,654) $310,970  $(373) $305,009 
Balance, December 31, 2015  7,482  $132  $116,441  $(120,654) $321,267  $(512) $316,674 

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
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ePlus inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

BASIS OF PRESENTATION — Our company was founded in 1990 and is a Delaware corporation. ePlus inc. is sometimes referred to in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as “we,” “our,” “us,” or “ePlus.” The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of ePlus inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — The condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 and 2014 were prepared by us, without audit, and include all normal and recurring adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position, results of operations, changes in comprehensive income and cash flows for such periods. Operating results for the three and sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 and 2014 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full fiscal year ending March 31, 2016 or any other future period. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all disclosures required by the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) for annual financial statements. Our audited consolidated financial statements are contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2015 (“2015 Annual Report”), which should be read in conjunction with these interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

USE OF ESTIMATES — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Estimates are used when accounting for items and matters including, but not limited to, revenue recognition, residual values, vendor consideration, lease classification, goodwill and intangibles, reserves for credit losses, inventory obsolescence, and the recognition and measurement of income tax assets and other provisions and contingencies. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The notes to the consolidated financial statements contained in the 2015 Annual Report include additional discussion of the significant accounting policies and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. There have been no material changes to our significant accounting policies and estimates during the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015.

CONCENTRATIONS OF RISK —A substantial portion of our sales of product and services are from sales of Cisco Systems, Hewlett-Packard, and NetApp products, which represented approximately 50%48%, 7%6% and 4%7%, and 50%49%, 8% and 4%5%, respectively, of our technology segment sales of product and services for the three and sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015, as compared to 56%45%, 7%, and 8%, and 50%, 8%, and 6%, and 52%, 8%, and 6%7%, respectively, of our technology segment sales of product and services for the three and sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2014. Any changes in our vendors’ ability to provide products could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS —. On November 20, 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. To simplify the presentation of deferred income taxes, the amendments in this ASU require that deferred tax assets and liabilities be classified as noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. As permitted, we elected to early adopt this ASU using the retrospective approach, effective with our current Form 10-Q filing for December 31, 2015. As a result of adopting this ASU, we recast our March 31, 2015 balance sheet by decreasing deferred tax assets-current and Property, equipment and other assets by $3,643 thousand and $232 thousand, respectively, and creating a new line item for non-current deferred tax assets in the amount of $3,875 thousand. There is no impact to our condensed consolidated statement of operations and cash flows.
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RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS NOT YET ADOPTED — In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which will supersede all current USU.S. GAAP on this topic. The principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB deferred the effective date of this standard by one year. Including the one-year deferral, the new guidance becomes effective for us in our quarter ending June 30, 2018, and early adoption is permitted for us in our quarter ending June 30, 2017. The standard can be applied either retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. We are currently evaluating the impact it will have on our financial statements and disclosures and have not yet selected our planned transition approach.
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2.FINANCING RECEIVABLES AND OPERATING LEASES

Our financing receivables and operating leases consist of assets that we financed for our customers, which we manage as a portfolio of investments. Equipment financed for our customers areis accounted for as investments in direct financing, sales-type or operating leases in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 840, Leases. We also finance third-party software, maintenance, and services for our customers, which are classified as notes receivables. Our notes receivables are interest bearing and are often due over a period of time that corresponds with the terms of the leased products.

FINANCING RECEIVABLES—NET

Our financing receivables, net consist of the following (in thousands):

September 30, 2015
 
Notes
Receivables
  
Lease-Related
Receivables
  
Total Financing
Receivables
 
December 31, 2015 
Notes
Receivables
  
Lease-Related
Receivables
  
Total Financing
Receivables
 
Minimum payments $61,555  $67,238  $128,793  $56,311  $74,551  $130,862 
Estimated unguaranteed residual value (1)  -   9,287   9,287   -   10,893   10,893 
Initial direct costs, net of amortization (2)  431   536   967   439   845   1,284 
Unearned income  -   (5,403)  (5,403)  -   (6,405)  (6,405)
Reserve for credit losses (3)  (3,584)  (848)  (4,432)  (3,580)  (831)  (4,411)
Total, net $58,402  $70,810  $129,212  $53,170  $79,053  $132,223 
Reported as:                        
Current $30,811  $33,457  $64,268  $29,733  $38,733  $68,466 
Long-term  27,591   37,353   64,944   23,437   40,320   63,757 
Total, net $58,402  $70,810  $129,212  $53,170  $79,053  $132,223 
 
(1)Includes estimated unguaranteed residual values of $4,216$4,438 thousand for direct financing leases, which have been sold and accounted for as sales under ASC Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing.
(2)Initial direct costs are shown net of amortization of $710$706 thousand.
(3)For details on reserve for credit losses, refer to Note 4, “Reserves for Credit Losses.”

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March 31, 2015 
Notes
Receivables
  
Lease-Related
Receivables
  
Total Financing
Receivables
 
Minimum payments $59,943  $66,415  $126,358 
Estimated unguaranteed residual value (1)  -   8,376   8,376 
Initial direct costs, net of amortization (2)  429   495   924 
Unearned income  -   (5,233)  (5,233)
Reserve for credit losses (3)  (3,573)  (881)  (4,454)
Total, net $56,799  $69,172  $125,971 
Reported as:            
Current $33,484  $33,425  $66,909 
Long-term  23,315   35,747   59,062 
Total, net $56,799  $69,172  $125,971 

(1)Includes estimated unguaranteed residual values of $3,977 thousand for direct financing leases which have been sold and accounted for as sales under ASC Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing.
(2)Initial direct costs are shown net of amortization of $647 thousand.
(3)For details on reserve for credit losses, refer to Note 4, “Reserves for Credit Losses.”
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OPERATING LEASES—NET

Operating leases—net represents leases that do not qualify as direct financing leases. The components of the operating leases—net are as follows (in thousands):

 
September 30,
2015
  
March 31,
2015
  
December 31,
2015
  
March 31,
2015
 
Cost of equipment under operating leases $41,373  $36,283  $43,240  $36,283 
Accumulated depreciation  (18,470)  (18,354)  (18,554)  (18,354)
Investment in operating lease equipment—net (1) $22,903  $17,929  $24,686  $17,929 

(1)These totals include estimated unguaranteed residual values of $4,409$4,452 thousand and $4,340 thousand as of September 30,December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015, respectively.

TRANSFERS OF FINANCIAL ASSETS

We enter into arrangements to transfer the contractual payments due under financing receivables and operating leases, which are accounted for as sales or secured borrowings in accordance with ASC Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing. For transfers accounted for as a secured borrowing, the corresponding investments serve as collateral for non-recourse notes payable. As of September 30,December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015, we had financing receivables and operating leases of $46.5$54.6 million and $61.9 million, respectively, which were collateral for non-recourse notes payable. See Note 6, “Notes Payable and Credit Facility.”

For transfers accounted for as sales, we derecognize the carrying value of the asset transferred and recognize a net gain or loss on the sale, which is presented within net sales in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations. During the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 and 2014, we recognized net gains of $2.5$1.4 million and $0.9$1.5 million, respectively. The fair value of assets received from these sales was $84.4$54.1 million and $37.6$44.8 million for the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. During the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 and 2014, we recognized net gains of $4.0$5.4 million and $3.2$4.6 million, respectively. The fair value of assets received from these sales was $108.7$162.7 million and $93.8$138.6 million for the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

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3.GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Our goodwill and other intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands):

 September 30, 2015  March 31, 2015  December 31, 2015  March 31, 2015 
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
  
Accumulated
Amortization
/ Impairment
Loss
  
Net
Carrying
Amount
  
Gross
Carrying
Amount
  
Accumulated
Amortization
/ Impairment
Loss
  
Net
Carrying
Amount
  
Gross
Carrying
Amount
  
Accumulated
Amortization
/ Impairment
Loss
  
Net
Carrying
Amount
  
Gross
Carrying
Amount
  
Accumulated
Amortization
/ Impairment
Loss
  
Net
Carrying
Amount
 
                        
Goodwill $42,785  $(8,673) $34,112  $42,785  $(8,673) $34,112  $51,026  $(8,673) $42,353  $42,785  $(8,673) $34,112 
Customer relationships & other intangibles  11,778   (7,389)  4,389   12,005   (6,560)  5,445   19,680   (8,069)  11,611   12,005   (6,560)  5,445 
Capitalized software development  2,693   (1,683)  1,010   2,693   (1,452)  1,241   2,693   (1,799)  894   2,693   (1,452)  1,241 
Total $57,256  $(17,745) $39,511  $57,483  $(16,685) $40,798  $73,399  $(18,541) $54,858  $57,483  $(16,685) $40,798 

Goodwill represents the premium paid over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets that are individually identified and separately recognized in business combinations. Customer relationships and capitalized software development costs are amortized over an estimated useful life, which is generally between 3 to 67 years.

We perform our goodwill impairment test annually during our third quarter of each year. For the year ended March 31, 2015, we performed a qualitative assessment and concluded that the fair value of our reporting units were, more likely than not, greater than their respective carrying amounts.
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All of our goodwill as of September 30,December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015 is related to our technology segment. The following table summarizes the amount of goodwill allocated to our reporting units (in thousands):

Reporting Unit 
September 30,
2015
  
March 31,
2015
  
December 31,
2015
  
March 31,
2015
 
Technology $33,023  $33,023  $41,264  $33,023 
Software Document Management  1,089   1,089   1,089   1,089 

Goodwill increased by $8.2 million due to addition of $8.3 million from the acquisition of the businesses of IGX Acquisition Global, LLC, IGXGlobal UK Limited, and IGX Support, LLC (collectively, “IGX”) in December, 2015 and offset by a negligible amount due to foreign currency translation. See Note 14, “Business Combinations,” for additional information.

We test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, as of the first day of our third fiscal quarter, and between annual tests if an event occurs, or circumstances change, that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount.
During the quarter ended December 31, 2015, we performed a qualitative assessment for goodwill in accordance with the provisions of Codification Topic Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, and concluded that the fair value of technology and software document management reporting units, more likely than not, exceed their respective carrying amounts as of October 1, 2015.

During the quarter ended December 31, 2014, we elected to bypass the qualitative assessment of goodwill and estimate the fair values of the reporting units. The fair value of the Technology and Software Document Management reporting units substantially exceeded their respective carrying values as of October 1, 2014, and our conclusions regarding the recoverability of goodwill would not be impacted by a ten percent change in their fair values.

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Total amortization expense for other intangible assets was $0.7$0.8 million and $0.6$0.7 million for the three months and $1.3$2.1 and $1.0$1.7 million for the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

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4.RESERVES FOR CREDIT LOSSES

Activity in our reserves for credit losses for the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (in thousands):

 
Accounts
Receivable
  
Notes
 Receivable
  
Lease-Related
 Receivables
  Total  
Accounts
Receivable
  
Notes
Receivable
  
Lease-Related
Receivables
  Total 
Balance April 1, 2015 $1,169  $3,573  $881  $5,623  $1,169  $3,573  $881  $5,623 
Provision for credit losses  46   11   (33)  24   12   7   (50)  (31)
Write-offs and other  (119)  -   -   (119)  (119)  -   -   (119)
Balance September 30, 2015 $1,096  $3,584  $848  $5,528 
                
 
Accounts
Receivable
  
Notes
Receivable
  
Lease-Related
 Receivables
  Total 
Balance April 1, 2014 $1,364  $3,364  $1,024  $5,752 
Provision for credit losses  (99)  309   11   221 
Write-offs and other  (122)  -   (31)  (153)
Balance September 30, 2014 $1,143  $3,673  $1,004  $5,820 
Balance December 31, 2015 $1,062  $3,580  $831  $5,473 

  
Accounts
Receivable
  
Notes
Receivable
  
Lease-Related
Receivables
  Total 
Balance April 1, 2014 $1,364  $3,364  $1,024  $5,752 
Provision for credit losses  69   244   39   352 
Write-offs and other  (228)  -   (31)  (259)
Balance December 31, 2014 $1,205  $3,608  $1,032  $5,845 

Our reserves for credit losses and minimum payments associated with our notes receivables and lease-related receivables disaggregated on the basis of our impairment method were as follows (in thousands):

 September 30, 2015  March 31, 2015  December 31, 2015  March 31, 2015 
 
Notes
Receivable
  
Lease-
Related
Receivables
  
Notes
Receivable
  
Lease-
Related
Receivables
  
Notes
Receivable
  
Lease-
Related
Receivables
  
Notes
Receivable
  
Lease-
Related
Receivables
 
Reserves for credit losses:                
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment $384  $725  $440  $740  $427  $708  $440  $740 
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment  3,200   123   3,133   141   3,153   123   3,133   141 
Ending balance $3,584  $848  $3,573  $881  $3,580  $831  $3,573  $881 
                                
Minimum payments:                                
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment $58,035  $67,096  $56,525  $66,255  $53,109  $74,409  $56,525  $66,255 
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment  3,520   142   3,418   160   3,202   142   3,418   160 
Ending balance $61,555  $67,238  $59,943  $66,415  $56,311  $74,551  $59,943  $66,415 

The net credit exposure for the balance evaluated individually for impairment as of September 30,December 31, 2015 was $3.7$3.3 million, $3.2 million of which is related to one customer. During fiscal year 2012, we began selling and financing various products and services to a large law firm, which filed for bankruptcy in May 2012. As of September 30,March 31, and December 31, 2015, we had $3.2 million of notes and lease-related receivables from this customer and total reserves for credit losses of $3.2 million, which represented our estimated probable loss. As of March 31, 2015, we had $3.2 million of notes and lease-related receivables from this customer and total reserves for credit losses of $3.2 million. The note and lease receivables associated with this customer are on non-accrual status.
 
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The age of the recorded minimum lease payments and net credit exposure associated with our investment in direct financing and sales-type leases that are past due disaggregated based on our internally assigned credit quality rating (“CQR”) were as follows as of September 30,December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015 (in thousands):

 
31-60
Days
Past
Due
  
61-90
Days
Past
Due
  
Greater
than 90
Days
Past
Due
  
Total
Past
Due
  Current  
Unbilled
Minimum
Lease
Payments
  
Total
Minimum
Lease
Payments
  
Unearned
Income
  
Non-
Recourse
Notes
Payable
  
Net
Credit
Exposure
  
31-60
 Days
Past
Due
  
61-90
Days
 Past
 Due
  
Greater
 than 90
Days
 Past
 Due
  
Total
 Past
 Due
  Current  
Unbilled Minimum
Lease
Payments
  
Total
Minimum
 Lease
Payments
  
Unearned
Income
  
Non-
Recourse
Notes
Payable
  
Net
Credit
Exposure
 
                                        
September 30, 2015                   
December 31, 2015December 31, 2015                   
                                        
High CQR $131  $83  $186  $400  $193  $47,143  $47,736  $(2,744) $(10,664) $34,328  $175  $78  $422  $675  $935  $54,323  $55,933  $(3,664) $(23,362) $28,907 
Average CQR  3   -   102   105   64   19,191   19,360   (1,454)  (6,077)  11,829   50   13   66   129   79   18,268   18,476   (1,394)  (6,566)  10,516 
Low CQR  -   -   142   142   -   -   142   (19)  -   123   -   -   142   142   -   -   142   (19)  -   123 
Total $134  $83  $430  $647  $257  $66,334  $67,238  $(4,217) $(16,741) $46,280  $225  $91  $630  $946  $1,014  $72,591  $74,551  $(5,077) $(29,928) $39,546 
                                                                                
March 31, 2015March 31, 2015                                     March 31, 2015                                     
                                                                                
High CQR $70  $185  $133  $388  $430  $41,213  $42,031  $(2,340) $(16,561) $23,130  $70  $185  $133  $388  $430  $41,213  $42,031  $(2,340) $(16,561) $23,130 
Average CQR  15   68   19   102   75   24,047   24,224   (1,742)  (9,397)  13,085   15   68   19   102   75   24,047   24,224   (1,742)  (9,397)  13,085 
Low CQR  -   -   -   -   -   160   160   (19)  -   141   -   -   -   -   -   160   160   (19)  -   141 
Total $85  $253  $152  $490  $505  $65,420  $66,415  $(4,101) $(25,958) $36,356  $85  $253  $152  $490  $505  $65,420  $66,415  $(4,101) $(25,958) $36,356 

The age of the recorded notes receivable balance disaggregated based on our internally assigned CQR were as follows as September 30,December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015 (in thousands):

 
31-60
Days
Past
Due
  
61-90
Days
Past
Due
  
Greater
than 90
Days
Past Due
  
Total
Past
Due
  Current  
Unbilled
Notes
Receivable
  
Total
Notes
Receivable
  
Non-
Recourse
Notes
Payable
  
Net
Credit
Exposure
  
31-60
 Days
Past
Due
  
61-90
Days
Past
Due
  
Greater
than 90
 Days
 Past Due
  
Total
Past
Due
  Current  
Unbilled
Notes
 Receivable
  
Total
Notes
Receivable
  
Non-
Recourse
Notes
 Payable
  
Net
Credit
Exposure
 
                                    
September 30, 2015                 
December 31, 2015December 31, 2015                 
                                    
High CQR $-  $5  $174  $179  $34  $44,843  $45,056  $(25,890) $19,166  $837  $585  $2,253  $3,675  $252  $30,416  $34,343  $(20,690) $13,653 
Average CQR  6   6   118   130   202   12,647   12,979   (7,763)  5,216   265   -   174   439   97   18,230   18,766   (11,536)  7,230 
Low CQR  -   -   3,520   3,520   -   -   3,520   -   3,520   -   -   3,102   3,102   -   100   3,202   -   3,202 
Total $6  $11  $3,812  $3,829  $236  $57,490  $61,555  $(33,653) $27,902  $1,102  $585  $5,529  $7,216  $349  $48,746  $56,311  $(32,226) $24,085 
                                                                        
March 31, 2015March 31, 2015                                 March 31, 2015                                 
                                                                        
High CQR $338  $260  $161  $759  $2,455  $35,996  $39,210  $(18,255) $20,955  $338  $260  $161  $759  $2,455  $35,996  $39,210  $(18,255) $20,955 
Average CQR  57   -   -   57   376   16,882   17,315   (11,665)  5,650   57   -   -   57   376   16,882   17,315   (11,665)  5,650 
Low CQR  -   -   656   656   -   2,762   3,418   -   3,418   -   -   656   656   -   2,762   3,418   -   3,418 
Total $395  $260  $817  $1,472  $2,831  $55,640  $59,943  $(29,920) $30,023  $395  $260  $817  $1,472  $2,831  $55,640  $59,943  $(29,920) $30,023 

We estimate losses on our net credit exposure to be between 0% - 5% for customers with highest CQR, as these customers are investment grade or the equivalent of investment grade. We estimate losses on our net credit exposure to be between 2% - 15% for customers with average CQR, and between 15% - 100% for customers with low CQR, which includes customers in bankruptcy.
 
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5.PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Our property, equipment, other assets and liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):

 
September 30,
2015
  
March 31,
2015
  
December 31,
2015
  
March 31,
2015
 
Other current assets:
        
Deposits & funds held in escrow $916  $4,281  $565  $4,281 
Prepaid assets  3,120   2,652   3,165   2,652 
Other  682   480   4,468   480 
Total other current assets $4,718  $7,413  $8,198  $7,413 
                
Other assets:
                
Deferred costs $2,302  $2,308  $2,155  $2,308 
Property and equipment, net  5,957   6,127   6,160   6,127 
Other  710   1,045   674   813 
Total other assets - long term $8,969  $9,480  $8,989  $9,248 
        
 
September 30,
2015
  
March 31,
2015
 
Other current liabilities:
        
Accrued expenses $6,590  $5,302 
Deferred compensation  -   222 
Other  9,886   8,051 
Total other current liabilities $16,476  $13,575 
        
Other liabilities:
        
Deferred revenue $2,382  $2,923 
Other  895   890 
Total other liabilities - long term $3,277  $3,813 

  
December 31,
2015
  
March 31,
2015
 
Other current liabilities:
    
Accrued expenses $5,244  $5,302 
Deferred compensation  -   222 
Other  8,255   8,051 
Total other current liabilities $13,499  $13,575 
         
Other liabilities:
        
Deferred revenue $2,049  $2,923 
Other  384   890 
Total other liabilities - long term $2,433  $3,813 

6.NOTES PAYABLE AND CREDIT FACILITY

Non-recourse and recourse obligations consist of the following (in thousands):

 
September 30,
2015
  
March 31,
2015
  
December 31,
2015
  
March 31,
2015
 
        
Recourse notes payable with interest rates ranging from 2.24% and 4.13% at September 30, 2015 and ranging from 2.24% and 4.13% at March 31, 2015.    
Recourse notes payable with interest rates ranging from 2.70% and 5.00% at December 31, 2015 and ranging from 2.24% and 4.13% at March 31, 2015.    
Current $1,204  $889  $2,327  $889 
Long-term  2,815   2,801   1,782   2,801 
Total recourse notes payable $4,019  $3,690  $4,109  $3,690 
                
Non-recourse notes payable secured by financing receivables and investments in operating leases with interest rates ranging from 1.70% to 7.50% at September 30, 2015 and ranging from 1.70% to 10.00% as of March 31, 2015.        
Non-recourse notes payable secured by financing receivables and investments in operating leases with interest rates ranging from 1.70% to 7.50% at December 31, 2015 and ranging from 1.70% to 10.00% as of March 31, 2015.        
Current $28,137  $28,560  $34,800  $28,560 
Long-term  10,510   24,314   10,656   24,314 
Total non-recourse notes payable $38,647  $52,874  $45,456  $52,874 
 
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Principal and interest payments on the non-recourse notes payable are generally due monthly in amounts that are approximately equal to the total payments due from the customer under the leases or notes receivable that collateralize the notes payable. The weighted average interest rate for our non-recourse notes payable was 3.183.09%% and 3.23%, as of September 30,December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015, respectively. The weighted average interest rate for our recourse notes payable was 3.21%3.54% and 3.19%, as of September 30,December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015, respectively. Under recourse financing, in the event of a default by a customer, the lender has recourse to the customer, the assets serving as collateral, and us. Under non-recourse financing, in the event of a default by a customer, the lender generally only has recourse against the customer, and the assets serving as collateral, but not against us.
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In May 2014, we entered into an agreement to repurchase the rights, title, and interest to payments due under a financing agreement. This financing agreement was previously assigned to a third party financial institution and accounted for as a secured borrowing. In conjunction with the repurchase agreement, we recognized a gain of $1.4 million in the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2014, which is presented within other income in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Our technology segment, through our subsidiary ePlus Technology, inc., finances its operations with funds generated from operations, and with a credit facility with GE Commercial Distribution Finance Corporation (“GECDF”). This facility provides short-term capital for our technology segment. There are two components of the GECDF credit facility: (1) a floor plan component and (2) an accounts receivable component. Under the floor plan component, we had outstanding balances of $127.1$128.0 million and $99.4 million as of September 30,December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015, respectively. Under the accounts receivable component, we had no outstanding balances as of September 30,December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015. As of September 30,December 31, 2015, the facility agreement had an aggregate limit of the two components of $250 million, and the accounts receivable component had a sub-limit of $30 million, which bears interest assessed at a rate of the One Month LIBOR plus two and one half percent.

The credit facility has full recourse to ePlus Technology, inc. and its subsidiary, ePlus Technology Services, inc., and is secured by a blanket lien against all their assets, such as receivables and inventory. Availability under the facility may be limited by the asset value of equipment we purchase or accounts receivable, and may be further limited by certain covenants and terms and conditions of the facility. These covenants include but are not limited to a minimum excess availability of the facility and minimum earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) of ePlus Technology, inc. and its subsidiary. We were in compliance with these covenants as of September 30,December 31, 2015. In addition, the facility restricts the ability of ePlus Technology, inc. and its subsidiary to transfer funds to its affiliates in the form of dividends, loans or advances with certain exceptions for dividends to ePlus inc. The facility also requires that financial statements of ePlus Technology, inc. and its subsidiary be provided within 45 days of each quarter and 90 days of each fiscal year end and also includes that other operational reports be provided on a regular basis. Either party may terminate with 90 days’ advance notice. We are not, and do not believe that we are reasonably likely to be, in breach of the GECDF credit facility. In addition, we do not believe that the covenants of the GECDF credit facility materially limit our ability to undertake financing. In this regard, the covenants apply only to our subsidiary, ePlus Technology, inc. and its subsidiary. This credit facility is secured by the assets of ePlus Technology, inc. and its subsidiary, ePlus Technology Services, inc. and the guaranty as described below.

The facility provided by GECDF requires a guaranty of $10.5 million by ePlus inc. The guaranty requires ePlus inc. to deliver its annual audited financial statements by certain dates. We have delivered the annual audited financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2015, as required. The loss of the GECDF credit facility could have a material adverse effect on our future results as we currently rely on this facility and its components for daily working capital and liquidity for our technology segment and as an operational function of our accounts payable process.

Fair Value

As of September 30,December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015, the fair value of our long-term recourse and non-recourse notes payable approximated their carrying value.
 
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7.COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings

We were the plaintiff in a lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (“the Trial Court”) in which, on January 27, 2011, a jury unanimously found that Lawson Software, Inc. (“Lawson”) infringed certain ePlus patents. On August 16, 2013, the Trial Court found, by clear and convincing evidence, that Lawson was in contempt of the Trial Court’s May 23, 2011, injunction which restricted Lawson from taking certain actions that infringed one our patents, and entered judgment in our favor in the amount of our patents.$18.2 million. Lawson appealed, and while the appeal was pending, on April 3, 2014, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued a notice canceling the patent. On July 25, 2014, the United StatesAppeals Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (“the Appeals Court”) vacated the injunction and the contempt order. On June 18, 2015, the Appeals Court, in a 5-5 split opinion, denied our petition for rehearing. We intend to askhave filed a petition asking the United States Supreme Court to consider the case.

These types of cases are complex in nature, are likely to have significant expenses associated with them, and we cannot predict when any litigation will be resolved, whether we will be successful in any claim for monetary or equitable relief, whether any award ultimately received will exceed the costs incurred to pursue thisthe matter, or how long it will take to bring any matter to resolution.

We filed a claim in a class action suit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. The suit alleged that ten groups of companies conspired to fix, raise, maintain or stabilize prices of certain flat panels used in many flat screen televisions, monitors and notebook computers. On August 6, 2014, the Claims Administrator issued to us a Notice of Claim Final Determination. On October 20, 2014, the court issued an order directing that approved claims be paid, and on October 31, 2014, we received a payment of $6.2 million, which is presented within other income in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Other Matters

We may become party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business including preference payment claims asserted in customer bankruptcy proceedings, claims of alleged infringement of patents, trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property rights, claims of alleged non-compliance with contract provisions, employment related claims, claims by competitors, vendors or customers, claims related to alleged violations of laws and regulations, and claims relating to alleged security or privacy breaches. Although we do not expect that the outcome in any of these matters, individually or collectively, will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations, litigation is inherently unpredictable. Therefore, judgments could be rendered or settlements entered that could adversely affect our results of operations or cash flows in a particular period. We provide for costs related to contingencies when a loss is probable and the amount is reasonably determinable.

8.         ��  EARNINGS PER SHARE
8.EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings attributable to common shares by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net earnings per share include the potential dilution of securities that could participate in our earnings, but not securities that are anti-dilutive. In the past, certain unvested shares of restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) that contained a service period also contained non-forfeitable rights to dividends, whether paid or unpaid. As a result, these RSAs were considered participating securities because their holders had the right to participate in earnings with common stockholders. We used the two-class method to allocate net income between common shares and other participating securities for the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2014. As of September 30,December 31, 2015, we had no unvested shares of RSAs that contained a service period and non-forfeitable rights to dividends. We no longer grant RSAs that contain a service period and non-forfeitable rights to dividends.
 
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The following table provides a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used to calculate basic and diluted net earnings per common share for the three and sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 and September 30,December 31, 2014 (in thousands, except per share data).

 
Three months ended
September 30,
  
Six months ended
September 30,
  
Three months ended
December 31,
  
Nine months ended
December 31,
 
 2015  2014  2015  2014  2015  2014  2015  2014 
Basic and diluted common shares outstanding:
                
Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic  7,274   7,320   7,249   7,412   7,280   7,230   7,260   7,351 
Effect of dilutive shares  23   25   61   49   49   49   76   62 
Weighted average shares common outstanding — diluted  7,297   7,345   7,310   7,461   7,329   7,279   7,336   7,413 
                                
Calculation of earnings per common share - basic:
                                
Net earnings $15,679  $11,952  $24,493  $21,429  $10,297  $15,501  $34,790  $36,930 
Net earnings attributable to participating securities  -   -   -   55   -   -   -   63 
Net earnings attributable to common shareholders $15,679  $11,952  $24,493  $21,374  $10,297  $15,501  $34,790  $36,867 
                                
Earnings per common share - basic $2.16  $1.63  $3.38  $2.88  $1.41  $2.14  $4.79  $5.02 
                                
Calculation of earnings per common share - diluted:
                                
Net earnings attributable to common shareholders— basic $15,679  $11,952  $24,493  $21,374  $10,297  $15,501  $34,790  $36,867 
Add: undistributed earnings attributable to participating securities  -   -   -   1   -   -   -   1 
Net earnings attributable to common shareholders— diluted $15,679  $11,952  $24,493  $21,375  $10,297  $15,501  $34,790  $36,868 
                                
Earnings per common share - diluted $2.15  $1.63  $3.35  $2.86  $1.40  $2.13  $4.74  $4.97 

As of September 30,December 31, 2015 and 2014, we did not have any unexercised stock options.

9.STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

On August 13, 2015, our board of directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to 500,000 shares of its outstanding common stock over a 12-month period beginning on August 17, 2015 through August 16, 2016. The plan authorized purchases to be made from time to time in the open market, or in privately negotiated transactions, subject to availability. Any repurchased shares will have the status of treasury shares and may be used, when needed, for general corporate purposes.

During the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015, we did not purchase any shares of our outstanding common stock under theany share repurchase plan;plans; however, we did purchase 30,447 shares of common stock at a value of $2.5 million to satisfy tax withholding obligations relating to the vesting of employees’ restricted stock.

During the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2014, we repurchased 651,019690,922 shares of our outstanding common stock at an average cost of $50.31$50.73 per share for a total purchase price of $32.8$35.1 million under a share repurchase plan. We also purchased 35,158 shares of common stock at a value of $2.0 million to satisfy tax withholding obligations relating to the vesting of employees’ restricted stock.

Since the inception of our initial repurchase program on September 20, 2001 to September 30,December 31, 2015, we have repurchased approximately 5.6 million shares of our outstanding common stock at an average cost of $20.00 per share for a total purchase price of $111.6 million.
 
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10.SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

Share-Based Plans

As of September 30,December 31, 2015, we had share-based awards outstanding under the following plans: (1) the 2008 Non-Employee Director Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2008 Director LTIP”), and (2) the 2012 Employee Long-Term Incentive Plan ("2012 Employee LTIP"). All the share-based plans define fair market value as the previous trading day's closing price when the grant date falls on a date the stock was not traded.

For a summary of descriptions and vesting periods of the 2008 Director LTIP, and the 2012 Employee LTIP discussed above, refer to our 2015 Annual Report.

Restricted Stock Activity

For the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015, we granted 6,1516,383 restricted shares under the 2008 Director LTIP, and 118,974 restricted shares under the 2012 Employee LTIP. For the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2014, we granted 9,39010,058 restricted shares under the 2008 Director LTIP, and 78,165 restricted shares under the 2012 Employee LTIP. A summary of the restricted shares is as follows:

 Number of Shares  
Weighted
Average Grant-
date Fair Value
  
Number of
Shares
  
Weighted
Average Grant-
date Fair Value
 
        
Nonvested April 1, 2015  176,514  $52.75   176,514  $52.75 
Granted  125,125  $81.76   125,357  $81.76 
Vested  (94,625) $48.75   (95,321) $48.79 
Forfeited  (2,321) $64.06   (2,321) $64.06 
Nonvested September 30, 2015  204,693  $72.21 
Nonvested December 31, 2015  204,229  $72.28 

Upon each vesting period of the restricted stock awards, employees are subject to minimum tax withholding obligations. Under the 2012 Employee LTIP, we may purchase a sufficient number of shares due to the participant to satisfy their minimum tax withholding on employee stock awards.

Compensation Expense

We recognize compensation cost for awards of restricted stock with graded vesting on a straight line basis over the requisite service period and estimate the forfeiture rate to be zero, which is based on historical experience. There are no additional conditions for vesting other than service conditions. During the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 and 2014, we recognized $1.5 million and $1.2 million, respectively, of total share-based compensation expense. During the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 and 2014, we recognized $2.7$4.2 million and $2.2$3.4 million, respectively, of total share-based compensation expense. Unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock was $13.0$11.5 million as of September 30,December 31, 2015, which will be fully recognized over the next fifty-sevenfifty-four months.

We also provide our employees with a contributory 401(k) plan. Employer contribution percentages are determined by us and are discretionary each year. The employer contributions vest pro-ratably over a four-year service period by the employees, after which all employer contributions will be fully vested. For the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 and 2014, our estimated contribution expense for the plan was $0.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively.million. For the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 and 2014, our estimated contribution expense for the plan was $0.7$1.1 million and $0.6$1.0 million, respectively.

11.INCOME TAXES

We recognize interest and penalties for uncertain tax positions. As of September 30,December 31, 2015 our gross liability related to uncertain tax positions was $72 thousand. At September 30,December 31, 2015 if the unrecognized tax benefits of $72 thousand were to be recognized, including the effect of interest, penalties and federal tax benefit, the impact would be $102$103 thousand. We also recognize accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of tax expense. We did not recognize any additional penalties. We had $46$47 thousand and $67$68 thousand accrued for the payment of interest at September 30,December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectivelyrespectively.
 
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12.FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

We account for the fair values of our assets and liabilities in accordance with ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure. The following table summarizes the fair value hierarchy of our financial instruments as of September 30,December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015 (in thousands):

   Fair Value Measurement Using    Fair Value Measurement Using 
 Recorded Amount  
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
  
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)
  
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
  
Recorded
Amount
  
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
  
Significant
Other
Observable
 Inputs (Level 2)
  
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
 
September 30, 2015:
        
December 31, 2015:
        
Assets:                
                
Money market funds $39,504  $39,504  $-  $-  $9,505  $9,505  $-  $- 
                                
Liabilities:                                
                                
Contingent consideration $2,145  $-  $-  $2,145  $990  $-  $-  $990 

   Fair Value Measurement Using    Fair Value Measurement Using 
 Recorded Amount  
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
  
Significant
Other
Observable I
nputs (Level 2)
  
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
  
Recorded
 Amount
  
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets (Level 1)
  
Significant
 Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)
  
Significant
 Unobservable
Inputs (Level 3)
 
March 31, 2015:
                
Assets:                
                
Money market funds $25,004  $25,004  $-  $-  $25,004  $25,004  $-  $- 
                                
Liabilities:                                
                                
Contingent consideration $1,830  $-  $-  $1,830  $1,830  $-  $-  $1,830 

For the three and sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015, we recorded adjustments that increased the fair value of our liability for contingent consideration by $205$3 thousand and $315$318 thousand, respectively, and such adjustments were presented within general and administrative expenses in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations. There was no adjustment in fair value recognized in either the three or the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2014.  We estimated the fair value using a Monte Carlo simulation model.

During the quarter ended December 31, 2015, we paid $1.2 million to satisfy the first year of the contingent consideration arrangement.
 
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13.SEGMENT REPORTING

Our operations are conducted through two segments. Our technology segment includes sales of information technology products, third-party software, third-party maintenance, advanced professional and managed services and our proprietary software to commercial enterprises, state and local governments, and government contractors. Our financing segment consists of the financing of IT equipment, software and related services to commercial enterprises, state and local governments, and government contractors. Our reportable segment information was as follows (in thousands):

 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
 September 30, 2015  September 30, 2014  December 31, 2015  December 31, 2014 
 Technology  Financing  Total  Technology  Financing  Total  Technology  Financing  Total  Technology  Financing  Total 
                        
Sales of product and services $324,259  $-  $324,259  $286,584  $-  $286,584  $287,859  $-  $287,859  $295,679  $-  $295,679 
Financing revenue  -   10,279   10,279   -   9,059   9,059   -   9,289   9,289   -   8,406   8,406 
Fee and other income  1,721   27   1,748   1,782   47   1,829   1,506   (10)  1,496   2,140   16   2,156 
Net sales  325,980   10,306   336,286   288,366   9,106   297,472   289,365   9,279   298,644   297,819   8,422   306,241 
                                                
Cost of sales, product and services  261,208   -   261,208   230,742   -   230,742   231,503   -   231,503   238,202   -   238,202 
Direct lease costs  -   3,157   3,157   -   2,806   2,806   -   3,081   3,081   -   2,601   2,601 
Cost of sales  261,208   3,157   264,365   230,742   2,806   233,548   231,503   3,081   234,584   238,202   2,601   240,803 
                                                
Professional and other fees  1,305   208   1,513   1,321   256   1,577   1,608   274   1,882   1,158   278   1,436 
Salaries and benefits  33,476   2,264   35,740   31,963   2,289   34,252   35,043   2,329   37,372   33,507   2,125   35,632 
                        
General and administrative expenses  7,322   263   7,585   6,703   455   7,158   6,530   235   6,765   6,918   315   7,233 
Interest and financing costs  22   400   422   19   592   611   10   386   396   19   556   575 
Operating expenses  42,125   3,135   45,260   40,006   3,592   43,598   43,191   3,224   46,415   41,602   3,274   44,876 
                        
Operating income  14,671   2,974   17,645   18,015   2,547   20,562 
                        
Other income  -   -   -   -   6,169   6,169 
                                                
Earnings before provision for income taxes $22,647  $4,014  $26,661  $17,618  $2,708  $20,326  $14,671  $2,974  $17,645  $18,015  $8,716  $26,731 
                                                
Depreciation and amortization $1,229  $3,039  $4,268  $1,081  $2,709  $3,790  $1,327  $3,078  $4,405  $1,244  $2,566  $3,810 
Purchases of property, equipment and operating lease equipment $576  $8,118  $8,694  $744  $706  $1,450  $506  $884  $1,390  $1,846  $3,774  $5,620 
Total assets $379,378  $211,109  $590,487  $341,893  $222,553  $564,446  $401,422  $229,012  $630,434  $366,740  $224,625  $591,365 
 
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  Six Months Ended 
  September 30, 2015  September 30, 2014 
  Technology  Financing  Total  Technology  Financing  Total 
             
Sales of product and services $583,955  $-  $583,955  $547,940  $-  $547,940 
Financing revenue  -   18,625   18,625   -   17,933   17,933 
Fee and other income  3,532   40   3,572   3,829   74   3,903 
Net sales  587,487   18,665   606,152   551,769   18,007   569,776 
                         
Cost of sales, product and services  468,926   -   468,926   443,650   -   443,650 
Direct lease costs  -   6,175   6,175   -   5,763   5,763 
Cost of sales  468,926   6,175   475,101   443,650   5,763   449,413 
                         
Professional and other fees  2,567   464   3,031   2,907   503   3,410 
Salaries and benefits  66,428   4,526   70,954   62,633   4,566   67,199 
                         
General and administrative expenses  13,851   513   14,364   12,461   970   13,431 
Interest and financing costs  41   934   975   58   1,197   1,255 
Operating expenses  82,887   6,437   89,324   78,059   7,236   85,295 
                         
Operating income  35,674   6,053   41,727   30,060   5,008   35,068 
                         
Other income  -   -   -   -   1,434   1,434 
                         
Earnings before provision for income taxes $35,674  $6,053  $41,727  $30,060  $6,442  $36,502 
                         
Depreciation and amortization $2,466  $6,037  $8,503  $1,975  $5,656  $7,631 
Purchases of property, equipment and operating lease equipment $1,194  $14,424  $15,618  $1,086  $833  $1,919 
Total assets $379,378  $211,109  $590,487  $341,893  $222,553  $564,446 
  Nine Months Ended 
  December 31, 2015  December 31, 2014 
  Technology  Financing  Total  Technology  Financing  Total 
             
Sales of product and services $871,814  $-  $871,814  $843,619  $-  $843,619 
Financing revenue  -   27,914   27,914   -   26,339   26,339 
Fee and other income  5,038   30   5,068   5,969   90   6,059 
Net sales  876,852   27,944   904,796   849,588   26,429   876,017 
                         
Cost of sales, product and services  700,429   -   700,429   681,852   -   681,852 
Direct lease costs  -   9,256   9,256   -   8,364   8,364 
Cost of sales  700,429   9,256   709,685   681,852   8,364   690,216 
                         
Professional and other fees  4,175   738   4,913   4,065   781   4,846 
Salaries and benefits  101,471   6,855   108,326   96,140   6,691   102,831 
General and administrative expenses  20,381   748   21,129   19,379   1,285   20,664 
Interest and financing costs  51   1,320   1,371   77   1,753   1,830 
Operating expenses  126,078   9,661   135,739   119,661   10,510   130,171 
                         
Operating income  50,345   9,027   59,372   48,075   7,555   55,630 
                         
Other income  -   -   -   -   7,603   7,603 
                         
Earnings before provision for income taxes $50,345  $9,027  $59,372  $48,075  $15,158  $63,233 
                         
Depreciation and amortization $3,728  $9,243  $12,971  $3,219  $8,222  $11,441 
Purchases of property, equipment and operating lease equipment $1,700  $15,308  $17,008  $2,932  $4,639  $7,571 
Total assets $401,422  $229,012  $630,434  $366,740  $224,625  $591,365 

14.BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

IGX acquisition

On December 4, 2015, our subsidiary ePlus Technology, inc., acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of IGX Acquisition Global, LLC (“IGX Acquisition”), and IGX Support, LLC, including IGX Acquisition’s wholly-owned subsidiary, IGXGlobal UK Limited (collectively, “IGX”), which provide advanced security solutions, secured networking products and related professional services to a diverse set of domestic and international customers including commercial, enterprise, and state, local, and education (SLED) organizations. IGX is headquartered near Hartford, CT and has a sales presence in New York and Boston as well as an operating branch in London that serves its United Kingdom (“UK”) and global customers. IGXGlobal UK Limited is a private limited company, registered in England and Wales.

The total purchase price, net of cash acquired, was $16.6 million paid in cash. The purchase price has been allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values on the transaction date, including identifiable intangible assets of $7.9 million related to customer relationships with an estimated useful life of 7 years, and other net assets of $0.4 million. Our purchase price allocation is preliminary and subject to revision as additional information related to the fair value of assets and liabilities becomes available. We recognized goodwill related to this transaction of $8.3 million, which was assigned to our technology reporting unit. The goodwill recognized in the acquisition is attributable to the acquired assembled workforce, an entry into the UK and European markets and expected synergies, none of which qualify for recognition as a separate intangible asset. The total amount of goodwill that is expected to be deductible for tax purposes is $5.7 million.
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Evolve acquisition

On August 18, 2014, our subsidiary, ePlus Technology, inc., acquired the operating assets and assumed certain liabilities of Granite Business Solutions, Inc. dba Evolve Technology Group (“Evolve”). Located in Sacramento, CA, Evolve provided information security, collaboration, virtualization and data center solutions to an established customer base of state, local and educational institutions, as well as commercial enterprises. Our acquisition expands our presence in the western United States.

The total purchase price was $10.5 million, which consists of cash paid, amounts to be paid to Evolve upon collection of certain accounts receivables, and the fair value of contingent consideration. We estimated the fair value of the contingent consideration to be $2.0 million as of the acquisition date using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The maximum payout for contingent consideration is $2.5 million over 3 years. The purchase price has been allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values on the transaction date, including identifiable intangible assets of $4.0 million related to customer relationships with an estimated useful life of 6 years, and other net assets of $0.6 million. We recognized goodwill related to this transaction of $4.5 million, which was assigned to our technology reporting unit. The goodwill recognized in the acquisition is attributable to the acquired assembled workforce, their presence in the western United States, and expected synergies, none of which qualify for recognition as a separate intangible asset. Goodwill associated with the acquisition is deductible for tax purposes.
 
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Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This discussion is intended to further the reader’s understanding of our consolidated financial condition and results of operations. It should be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q and our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2015 (“2015 Annual Report”). These historical financial statements may not be indicative of our future performance. This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations may contain forward-looking statements, all of which are based on our current expectations and could be affected by the uncertainties and risks described in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in our 2015 Annual Report.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Business Description

We are a leading integrator of technology solutions for information technology (IT) lifecycle management. We enable organizations to optimize their IT infrastructure and supply chain processes by delivering world-class IT products from top vendors, providing a consultative approach to professional and managed services, and providing our proprietary software, as well as flexible financing solutions for all our offerings. We have been in the business of selling, leasing, financing, and managing information technology and other assets for more than 24 years and have been licensing our proprietary software for more than 15 years.

Our primary focus is to deliver integrated technology solutions for our customers’ data center, network, and collaboration needs, including hosted, on-premise, hybrid and cloud infrastructures. These solutions consist of services and products encompassing initial and periodic assessments, consultative engagements, architecture, design, and implementation of security, storage, cloud, mobility, hyper-converged infrastructure, and other advanced technologies. We design, implement and provide an array of IT solutions from multiple leading IT vendors. We are an authorized reseller from over 1,000 vendors including Check Point, Cisco Systems, Dell, EMC, FireEye, F5 Networks, Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, HP Inc., Juniper, McAfee, NetApp, Nimble, Oracle, Palo Alto Networks, Pure Storage, and VMware, among many others. We possess top-level engineering certifications with a broad range of leading IT vendors that enable us to offer multi-vendor IT solutions that are optimized for each of our customers’ specific requirements. Our proprietary software solutions are focused on giving our customers more control over their IT supply chain, by automating and optimizing the procurement and management of their assets.

Our scale and strong financial position have enabled us to invest in the engineering and technology resources required to deliver leading edge IT solutions. We believe we are a trusted IT advisor to our customers, delivering turn-key IT solutions that incorporate hardware, software, security and both managed and professional services. In addition, we offer a wide range of leasing and financing options for technology and other capital assets. We believe our offering of integrated IT products, services, financing, and our proprietary supply chain software, is unique in the industry. It allows us to offer a customer service strategy that spans the continuum from fast delivery of competitively priced products, services, subsequent management and upkeep, through to end-of-life disposal services. This selling approach also permits us to grow with our customers and solidify our relationships through hands-on engagement and understanding of their needs.

We focus exclusively on middle market and large enterprises. For the twelve months ended September 30,December 31, 2015, the percentage of revenue by customer end market within our technology segment includeincludes state and local government, and educational institutions, 23%; technology, 21%23%; telecommunications, media and entertainment, 17%14%; financial services, 10%12%; and healthcare, 10%. The majority of our sales were generated within the United States; however, weStates.  We also have the ability to support our customers internationally.internationally, and our December 2015 acquisition of IGXGlobal UK Limited expanded our international presence.

Our revenues are composed of sales of product and services, financing revenues and fee and other income. Our operations are conducted through two segments: technology and financing. Our technology segment accounted for 97% of our net sales in both the three and sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015, and 83% and 85% of our operating income for both the three and sixnine months ended September 30, 2015.December 31, 2015, respectively. The financing segment accounted for 3% of our net sales in both the three and sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015, and 17% and 15% of our operating income for both the three and sixnine months ended September 30, 2015.December 31, 2015, respectively.
 
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Key Business Metrics

Our management monitors a number of financial and non-financial measures and ratios on a regular basis in order to track the progress of our business. We believe that the most important of these measures and ratios include gross margin, gross margin on product and services, operating income margin, net earnings, net earnings per common share, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, non-GAAP gross sales of product and services, non-GAAP gross cost of sales, product and services. We use a variety of operating and other information to evaluate the operating performance of our business, develop financial forecasts, make strategic decisions, and prepare and approve annual budgets. These key indicators include financial information that is prepared in accordance with GAAP and presented in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as well as non-GAAP performance measurement tools.

A summary of these key indicators which are not included in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements is presented as follows, (in(dollars in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
    
Six Months Ended
September 30,
    
Three Months Ended
December 31,
    
Nine Months Ended
December 31,
   
 2015  2014  Change  2015  2014  Change  2015  2014  Change  2015  2014  Change 
                        
Gross margin  21.4%  21.5% (10 bps)   21.6%  21.1% 50 bps   21.5%  21.4% 10 bps   21.6%  21.2% 40 bps 
Gross margin, product and services  19.4%  19.5% (10 bps)   19.7%  19.0% 70 bps   19.6%  19.4% 20 bps   19.7%  19.2% 50 bps 
Operating income margin  7.9%  6.8% 110 bps   6.9%  6.2% 70 bps   5.9%  6.7% (80 bps)   6.6%  6.4% 20 bps 
                                        
Non-GAAP gross sales of product and services (1) $431,096  $392,238   9.9% $763,404  $717,696   6.4% $393,922  $377,262   4.4% $1,157,327  $1,094,958   5.7%
Non-GAAP gross cost of sales, product and services (1) $368,045  $336,396   9.4% $648,375  $613,406   5.7% $337,566  $319,785   5.6% $985,942  $933,191   5.7%
                                                
Adjusted EBITDA (2) $27,861  $21,376   30.3% $44,135  $36,989   19.3% $18,976  $21,779   (12.9%) $63,111  $58,768   7.4%
Adjusted EBITDA margin (2)  8.3%  7.2% 110 bps   7.3%  6.5% 80 bps   6.4%  7.1% (70 bps)   7.0%  6.7% 30 bps 
                                                
Purchases of property and equipment used internally $576  $744  $(168) $1,194  $1,086  $108  $504  $1,846  $(1,342) $1,698  $2,932  $(1,234)
Purchases of equipment under operating leases  8,118   706   7,412   14,424   833   13,591   5,328   3,774   1,554   19,752   4,639   15,113 
Total capital expenditures $8,694  $1,450  $7,244  $15,618  $1,919  $13,699  $5,832  $5,620  $212  $21,450  $7,571  $13,879 

(1)We define non-GAAP gross sales of product and services as our sales of product and services calculated in accordance with GAAP, adjusted to exclude the costs incurred related to sales of third party software assurance, maintenance and services. We define non-GAAP gross cost of sales, product and services as our cost of sales, product and services calculated in accordance with GAAP, adjusted to include the costs incurred related to sales of third party software assurance, maintenance and services. We provide below a reconciliation of non-GAAP gross sales of product and services to sales of product and services, which is the most closelydirectly comparable financial measure to this non-GAAP financial measure. We also provide below a reconciliation of non-GAAP gross cost of sales of product and services to cost of sales, product and services, which is the most closelydirectly comparable financial measure to this non-GAAP financial measure.

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We use non-GAAP gross sales of product and services and non-GAAP gross cost of sales, product and services as supplemental measures of our performance to gain insight into the volume of business generated by our technology segment. Our use of non-GAAP gross sales of product and services and non-GAAP gross cost of sales, product and services as analytical tools has limitations, and you should not consider them in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our financial results as reported under GAAP. In addition, other companies, including companies in our industry, might calculate non-GAAP gross sales of product and services and non-GAAP gross cost of sales, product and services or similarly titled measures differently, which may reduce their usefulness as comparative measures.

  
Three Months Ended
December 31,
  
Nine Months Ended
December 31,
 
  2015  2014  2015  2014 
Sales of products and services $287,859  $295,679  $871,814  $843,619 
Costs incurred related to sales of third party software assurance, maintenance and services�� 106,063  $81,583   285,513  $251,339 
Non-GAAP gross sales of products and services $393,922  $377,262  $1,157,327  $1,094,958 
                 
Cost of sales, product and services $231,503  $238,202  $700,429  $681,852 
Costs incurred related to sales of third party software assurance, maintenance and services  106,063   81,583   285,513   251,339 
Non-GAAP gross cost of sales, product and services $337,566  $319,785  $985,942  $933,191 
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Three Months Ended
September 30,
  
Six Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2015  2014  2015  2014 
Sales of products and services $324,259  $286,584  $583,955  $547,940 
Costs incurred related to sales of third party software assurance, maintenance and services  106,837   105,654   179,449   169,756 
Non-GAAP gross sales of products and services $431,096  $392,238  $763,404  $717,696 
                 
Cost of sales, product and services $261,208  $230,742  $468,926  $443,650 
Costs incurred related to sales of third party software assurance, maintenance and services  106,837   105,654   179,449   169,756 
Non-GAAP gross cost of sales, product and services $368,045  $336,396  $648,375  $613,406 

(2)We define Adjusted EBITDA as net earnings calculated in accordance with GAAP, adjusted for the following: interest expense, depreciation and amortization, provision for income taxes, and other income. We consider the interest on notes payable from our financing segment and depreciation expense presented within cost of sales, which includes depreciation on assets financed as operating leases, to be operating expenses. As such, they are not included in the amounts added back to net earnings in the Adjusted EBITDA calculation. We provide below a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net earnings, which is the most closelydirectly comparable financial measure to this non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted EBITDA margin is our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA divided by net sales.

We use Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure of our performance to gain insight into our operating performance. We believe that the exclusion of other income in calculating Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin provides management and investors a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons of our core business and operating results by excluding items that are not comparable across reporting periods. Accordingly, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin provide useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results. However, our use of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin as analytical tools has limitations, and you should not consider them in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our financial results as reported under GAAP. In addition, other companies, including companies in our industry, might calculate Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin or similarly titled measures differently, which may reduce their usefulness as comparative measures.

 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
  
Six Months Ended
September 30,
  
Three Months Ended
December 31,
  
Nine Months Ended
December 31,
 
 2015  2014  2015  2014  2015  2014  2015  2014 
Net earnings $15,679  $11,952  $24,493  $21,429  $10,297  $15,501  $34,790  $36,930 
Provision for income taxes  10,982   8,374   17,234   15,073   7,348   11,230   24,582   26,303 
Depreciation and amortization  1,200   1,050   2,408   1,921   1,331   1,217   3,739   3,138 
Less: Other income  -   -   -   1,434   -   6,169   -   7,603 
Adjusted EBITDA $27,861  $21,376  $44,135  $36,989  $18,976  $21,779  $63,111  $58,768 
 
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Consolidated Results of Operations

During the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2015, net sales decreased 2.5%, or $7.6 million to $298.6 million, compared to $306.2 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. Non-GAAP gross sales of product and services increased 4.4%, or $16.7 million to $393.9 million from $377.3 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2015, however, this increase was more than offset by a shift in mix, as we sold a higher proportion of third party software assurance, maintenance and services, which are presented on a net basis. Net sales of product and services decreased 2.6% or $7.8 million to $287.9 million, from $295.7 million in the prior year quarter ended December 31, 2014. The decrease in net sales of product and services revenues was a result of lower demand from telecom, state and local government and education (“SLED”) customers, and energy/utility companies, which was partially offset by an increase in demand from companies in the technology, financial, and state and retail customers.

During the nine months ended December 31, 2015, net sales increased 13.0%3.3%, or $38.8$28.8 million to $336.3$904.8 million, compared to $297.5$876.0 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. Sales of productsproduct and services rose 13.1%were $871.8 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2015, an increase of 3.3% compared to $324.3$843.6 million from $286.6 million infor the prior year quarter ended September 30, 2014. The increase reflects a 9.9% increase in non-GAAPsame period last year. Non-GAAP gross sales of product and services increasingwere $1,157.3 million compared to $431.1$1,095.0 million from $392.2 million, as well as a higher proportionduring the nine months ended December 31, 2014, an increase of sales from products, which is presented on a gross basis. The5.7% or $62.4 million. For the nine months ended December 31, 2015, the increase in net sales of product and services revenues was a result of an increase in demand from companies in the technology, health care industries, financial, and stateSLED customers; which was partially offset by lower demand from telecom and local government and education (“SLED”) customers.

During the six months ended September 30, 2015, net sales increased 6.4%, or $36.4 million to $606.2 million, compared to $569.8 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. Sales of product and services were $584.0 million for the six months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $547.9 million for the same period last year, an increase of 6.6%. Non-GAAP gross sales of product and services were $763.4 million compared to $717.7 million during the six months ended September 30, 2014, an increase of 6.4% or $45.7 million.energy/utility companies.

Consolidated gross profit rose 12.5%decreased 2.1% to $71.9$64.1 million, compared with $63.9$65.4 million in the secondthird quarter of fiscal 2015. Consolidated gross margins were 21.5% for the three months ended December 31, 2015, compared to 21.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to 21.5% for the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2014. Our gross margin for product and services was 19.6% during the three months ended December 31, 2015 compared to 19.4% during the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to 19.5% during the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2014. The decrease in gross margins was due to shifts in our product revenue mix resulting from changes in demand from our customer base.

Consolidated gross profit rose 8.9%5.0% to $131.1$195.1 million, compared with $120.4$185.8 million induring the first half of fiscal 2015.nine months ended December 31, 2014. For the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015, consolidated gross margins were 21.6%, compared to 21.1%21.2% for the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2014. Our gross margin for product and services was 19.7% during the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 compared to 19.0%19.2% during the same period last year. Contributing to our margins for both the three and sixnine month periods was our continued focus on value added services for our customers, including the increase in sales of our professional and managed services. Vendorservices, partially offset by a decline in vendor incentives earned as a percentage of sales of product and services for the three and sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 declined 50of 20 basis points and 4030 basis points, respectively, from the prior periods.

Operating income for the quarter increased 31.2%decreased 14.2% to $26.7$17.6 million, as compared to $20.3$20.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2014. Net earnings for the quarter increased 31.2% to $15.7 million, as compared to $12.0 million for the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2014. Operating income margin for the quarter increased 110decreased 80 basis points to 7.9%5.9% for the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 from 6.8%6.7% for the prior year.

Operating income for the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 increased 19.0%6.7% to $41.7$59.4 million, as compared to $35.1$55.6 million for the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2014. For the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015, the operating income margin increased 7020 basis points to 6.9%6.6% from 6.2%6.4% for the same period in the prior year.

Consolidated net earnings for the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 were $15.7$10.3 million, and increasea decrease of 31.2%33.6%, or $3.7$5.2 million, over the prior year's results. Net earnings for the six months ended September 30, 2015 increased 14.3% to $24.5year’s results of $15.5 million, as compared to $21.4 million for the six months ended September 30, 2014, which included other income of $6.2 million. The other income of $6.2 million realized in the prior year was a result of a class action suit which alleged that a group of companies conspired to fix, raise, maintain or stabilize prices of certain flat panels used in many flat screen televisions, monitors and notebook computers.
Net earnings for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 were $34.8 million, a decrease of 5.8% or $2.1 million, as compared to $36.9 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2014. Net earnings included other non-operating income totaling $7.6 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2014. The $7.6 million included the $6.2 million in other income realized from the class action suit, and $1.4 million related to a gain recognized onfrom an arrangement we entered into to repurchase the rights, title, and interest to payments due under a financing arrangement. This financing arrangement was previously assigned to a third party financial institution and accounted for as a secured borrowing.

Adjusted EBITDA increased $6.5decreased $2.8 million, or 30.3%12.9%, to $27.9$19.0 million and Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased 70 basis points to 6.4% for the three months ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the prior period of 7.1%. Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended December 31, 2015 increased $4.3 million, or 7.4%, to $63.1 million and Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 11030 basis points to 8.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2015, as compared to the prior period. Adjusted EBITDA for the six months ended September 30, 2015 increased $7.1 million, or 19.3%, to $44.1 million and Adjusted EBITDA margin increased 80 basis points to 7.3%7.0% compared to the prior year period of 6.5%6.7%.
 
Diluted earnings per share increased 31.9%decreased 34.3%, or $0.52$0.73 to $2.15$1.40 per share for the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2015, as compared to $1.63$2.13 per share for the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2014. Diluted earnings per share increased 17.1%decreased 4.6%, or $0.23 to $3.35$4.74 per share for the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015, as compared to $2.86$4.97 per share for the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2014.

Cash and cash equivalents decreased $13.3$9.6 million or 17.5%12.6% to $62.8$66.6 million at September 30,December 31, 2015 compared to March 31, 2015. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents was due in part to the cash purchase of the businesses of IGX for $16.6 million. Our cash on hand, funds generated from operations, amounts available under our credit facility and the possible monetization of our investment portfolio provide sufficient liquidity for our business.
Segment Overview

Our operations are conducted through two segments: technology and financing.

Technology Segment

The technology segment sells IT equipment and software and related services primarily to corporate customers, state and local governments, and higher education institutions on a nationwide basis, with geographic concentrations relating to our physical locations. The technology segment also provides Internet-based business-to-business supply chain management solutions for information technology products.

Customers who purchase IT equipment and services from us may have customer master agreements, or CMAs, with our company, which stipulate the terms and conditions of the relationship. Some CMAs contain pricing arrangements, and most contain mutual voluntary termination clauses. Our other customers place orders using purchase orders without a CMA in place or with other documentation customary for the business. Often, our work with state and local governments is based on public bids and our written bid responses. Our service engagements are generally governed by statements of work, and are primarily fixed price (with allowance for changes); however, some service agreements are based on time and materials.

We endeavor to minimize the cost of sales through incentive programs provided by vendors and distributors. The programs we qualify for are generally set by our reseller authorization level with the vendor. The authorization level we achieve and maintain governs the types of products we can resell as well as such items as pricing received, funds provided for the marketing of these products and other special promotions. These authorization levels are achieved by us through purchase volume, certifications held by sales executives or engineers and/or contractual commitments by us. The authorization levels are costly to maintain and these programs continually change and, therefore, there is no guarantee of future reductions of costs provided by these vendor consideration programs.

Financing Segment

Our financing segment offers financing solutions to corporations, governmental entities, and educational institutions nationwide and also in the United Kingdom, Canada and Iceland. The financing segment derives revenue from leasing IT and medical equipment and the disposition of that equipment at the end of the lease. The financing segment also derives revenues from the financing of third-party software licenses, software assurance, maintenance and other services.

Financing revenue generally falls into the following three categories:

·Portfolio income: Interest income from financing receivables and rents due under operating leases;
·Transactional gains: Net gains or losses on the sale of financial assets; and
·Post-contract earnings: Month-to-month rents; early termination, prepayment, make-whole, or buyout fees; and net gains on the sale of off-lease (used) equipment.

Our financing segment sells the equipment underlying a lease to the lessee or a third-party other than the lessee. These sales occur at the end of the lease term and revenues from the sales of such equipment are recognized at the date of sale. We also recognize revenue from events that occur after the initial sale of a financial asset and remarketing fees from certain residual value investments.

Fluctuations in Revenues

Our results of operations are susceptible to fluctuations for a number of reasons, including, without limitation, customer demand for our products and services, supplier costs, changes in vendor incentive programs, interest rate fluctuations, general economic conditions, and differences between estimated residual values and actual amounts realized related to the equipment we lease. Operating results could also fluctuate as a result of a sale prior to the expiration of the lease term to the lessee or to a third-party or from post-term events.

We expect to continue to expand by opening new sales locations and hiring additional staff for specific targeted market areas in the near future whenever we can find both experienced personnel and desirable geographic areas. These investments may reduce our results from operations in the short term.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to use judgment in the application of accounting policies, including making estimates and assumptions. If our judgment or interpretation of the facts and circumstances relating to various transactions had been different, or different assumptions were made, it is possible that alternative accounting policies would have been applied, resulting in a change in financial results. On an ongoing basis, we reevaluate our estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, residual values, vendor incentives, lease classification, goodwill and intangibles, reserves for credit losses and income taxes specifically relating to uncertain tax positions. We base estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. For all such estimates, we caution that future events rarely develop exactly as forecasted, and therefore, these estimates may require adjustment.

Our critical accounting estimates have not changed from those reported in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our 2015 Annual Report.

SEGMENT RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The three and sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 Comparedcompared to the three and sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2014

Technology Segment

The results of operations for our technology segment for the three and sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 Three Months Ended September 30,  Six Months Ended September 30, Three Months Ended December 31,Nine Months Ended December 31,
 2015  2014  Change  2015  2014  Change 20152014Change20152014Change
Sales of product and services $324,259  $286,584  $37,675   13.1% $583,955  $547,940  $36,015   6.6%$287,859$295,679$(7,820)(2.6%)$871,814$843,619$28,1953.3%
Fee and other income  1,721   1,782   (61)  (3.4%)  3,532   3,829   (297)  (7.8%) 1,506 2,140 (634) (29.6%) 5,038 5,969 (931) (15.6%)
Net sales  325,980   288,366   37,614   13.0%  587,487   551,769   35,718   6.5%289,365 297,819(8,454)(2.8%)876,852849,58827,2643.2%
Cost of sales, product and services  261,208   230,742   30,466   13.2%  468,926   443,650   25,276   5.7% 231,503 238,202 (6,699) (2.8%) 700,429 681,852 18,577 2.7%
Gross profit  64,772   57,624   7,148   12.4%  118,561   108,119   10,442   9.7%57,86259,617(1,755)(2.9%)176,423167,7368,6875.2%
                                                                
Professional and other fees  1,305   1,321   (16)  (1.2%)  2,567   2,907   (340)  (11.7%)1,6081,15845038.9%4,1754,0651102.7%
Salaries and benefits  33,476   31,963   1,513   4.7%  66,428   62,633   3,795   6.1%35,04333,5071,5364.6%101,47196,1405,3315.5%
General and administrative  7,322   6,703   619   9.2%  13,851   12,461   1,390   11.2%6,5306,918(388)(5.6%)20,38119,3791,0025.2%
Interest and financing costs  22   19   3   15.8%  41   58   (17)  (29.3%) 10 19 (9) (47.4%) 51 77 (26) (33.8%)
Operating expenses  42,125   40,006   2,119   5.3%  82,887   78,059   4,828   6.2%43,19141,6021,5893.8%126,078119,6616,4175.4%
                                                                
Segment earnings $22,647  $17,618  $5,029   28.5% $35,674  $30,060  $5,614   18.7%$14,671$18,015$(3,344) (18.6%)$50,345$48,075$2,270 4.7%

Net sales: Net sales for the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 were $326.0289.4 million compared to $288.4297.8 million during the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2014, an increasea decrease of 13.0%2.8%, or $37.68.5 million. The decrease in net sales revenues was a result of a change in sales mix to a higher proportion of sales of third party maintenance and services which are recognized on a net basis. The decrease in net sales of product and services revenues was a result of lower demand from telecom, SLED customers, and energy/utility companies, which was partially offset by an increase in demand from companies in the technology, financial, and state and retail customers.

Net sales for the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 were $587.5876.9 million compared to $551.8849.6 million during the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2014, an increase of 6.5%3.2%, or $35.727.3 million. The increase in net sales of product and services revenues was a result of an increase in demand from companies in the technology, health care industries, financial, and SLED market segments.customers; which was partially offset by lower demand from telecom and energy/utility companies.

Non-GAAP gross sales of product and services for the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 were $431.1$393.9 million compared to $392.2$377.3 million during the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2014, an increase of 9.9%4.4% or $38.9$16.7 million. Sales of product and services during the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 were $324.3$287.9 million compared to $286.6$295.7 million during the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2014, an increasea decrease of 13.1%2.6% or $37.7$7.8 million. This reflected a higher proportion of sales from products,third party maintenance and services, which are presented on a grossnet basis.

Non-GAAP gross sales of product and services for the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 were $763.4$1,157.3 million compared to $717.7$1,095.0 million during the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2014, an increase of 6.4%5.7% or $45.7$62.4 million. Sales of product and services during the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 were $584.0$871.8 million compared to $547.9$843.6 million during the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2014, an increase of 6.6%3.3%.
Summarized below are the sequential and year over year changes in net sales of product and services:

Quarter Ended Sequential  Year over Year 
September 30, 2015  24.9%  13.1%
June 30,2015  0.9%  (0.6%)
March 31, 2015  (13.0%)  3.2%
December 31, 2014  3.2%  15.6%
September 30, 2014  9.7%  9.7%
Quarter Ended Sequential  Year over Year
December 31, 2015(2.6%)(11.2%)
September 30, 201524.9%13.1%
June 30,20150.9%(0.6%)
March 31, 2015(13.0%)3.2%
December 31, 20143.2%15.6%

We rely on our vendors to fulfill a large majority of shipments to our customers. As of September 30,December 31, 2015, we had open orders of $73.9$87.9 million and deferred revenue of $22.6$26.3 million. As of September 30,December 31, 2014, we had open orders of $89.8$92.1 million and deferred revenues of $24.228.5 million.

Gross profit: Our gross margin for product and services was 19.6% during the three months ended December 31, 2015 compared to 19.4% during the three months ended September 30, 2015 compared to 19.5% during the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2014. The decreaseincrease in gross margins was due to shifts in our product revenue mix resulting from changes in demand from our customer base.

Our gross margin for product and services was 19.7% during the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 compared to 19.0%19.2% during the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2014. Contributing to our margins for both the three and sixnine month periods was our continued focus on value added services for our customers, including the increase in sales of our professional and managed services. Vendor incentives earned as a percentage of sales of product and services for the three and sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 declined 5020 basis points and 4030 basis points, respectively, from the prior year.

Operating expenses: Operating expenses were $42.1 million,$43.2million, an increase of $2.1$1.6 million or 5.3%3.8% higher for the current quarter compared to $40.0$41.6 million for the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2014. Operating expenses for the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 were $82.9$126.1 million compared to $78.1$119.7 million or 6.2%5.4% higher than the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2014.

Professional and other fees were $1.3$1.6 million for the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2015, compared to $1.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2014, due primarily to increased legal and 2014.consulting fees of $0.3 million related to the acquisition of IGX. Professional and other fees for the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 were $2.6$4.2 million compared to $2.9$4.1 million or 11.7% lower2.7% higher than the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2014. The decrease for the six months ended September 30, 2015 was primarily due to a decrease in fees related to the secondary offering

Salaries and benefits increased $1.5 million, or 4.7%4.6%, to $35.0 million during the three months ended December 31, 2015, compared to $33.5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2015, compared to $32.0 million during the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2014. For the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015, salaries and benefits were $66.4$101.5 million compared to $62.6$96.1 million or 6.1%5.5% higher than the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2014. The increase in salaries and benefits is due to additional personnel, merit increases, and merit increases.higher fringe benefits. Our technology segment had 9451,006 employees as of September 30,December 31, 2015, an increase of 1779 or 1.8%8.5% from 928927 as of September 30, 2014, all of which wereDecember 31, 2014. The position additions included 36 organic sales and engineering positions.positions, and the acquisition of IGX brought us 48 new employees, 44 of which are sales and engineering.

General and administrative expenses increased $0.6decreased $0.4 million, or 9.2%5.6% during the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 over the same period for the prior year.year, primarily due to lower software licenses and maintenance expense. During the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 general and administrative expenses increased $1.4$1.0 million, or 11.2%5.2% over the same period for the prior year. This increase was primarily due to incremental coststhe amortization of intangible assets associated with the acquisitionacquisitions of Evolve and IGX and other costs related to the ongoing geographical expansion of our business.

Segment earnings: As a result of the foregoing, segment earnings were $22.6$14.7 million, an increasea decrease of $5.0$3.3 million, or 28.5%18.6% for the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2015, and segment earnings were $35.7$50.3 million, an increase of $5.6$2.3 million, or 18.7%4.7% for the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015, as compared to the same periods for the prior year.
Financing Segment

The results of operations for our financing segment for the three and sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 and 2014 were as follows (dollars in thousands):

Three Months Ended September 30, Six Months Ended September 30, Three Months Ended December 31,
Nine Months Ended December 31,
 2015  2014  Change  2015  2014  Change 20152014Change20152014Change
Financing revenue $10,279  $9,059  $1,220   13.5% $18,625  $17,933  $692   3.9%$9,289$8,406$88310.5%$27,914$26,339$1,5756.0%
Fee and other income  27   47   (20)  (42.6%)  40   74   (34)  (45.9%) (10) 16 (26) (162.5%) 30 90 (60) (66.7%)
Net sales  10,306   9,106   1,200   13.2%  18,665   18,007   658   3.7%9,2798,42285710.2%27,94426,4291,5155.7%
Direct lease costs  3,157   2,806   351   12.5%  6,175   5,763   412   7.1% 3,081 2,601 480 18.5% 9,256 8,364 892 10.7%
Gross profit  7,149   6,300   849   13.5%  12,490   12,244   246   2.0%6,1985,8213776.5%18,68818,0656233.4%
                                                                
Professional and other fees  208   256   (48)  (18.8%)  464   503   (39)  (7.8%)274278(4)(1.4%)738781(43)(5.5%)
Salaries and benefits  2,264   2,289   (25)  (1.1%)  4,526   4,566   (40)  (0.9%)2,3292,1252049.6%6,8556,6911642.5%
General and administrative  263   455   (192)  (42.2%)  513   970   (457)  (47.1%)235315(80)(25.4%)7481,285(537)(41.8%)
Interest and financing costs  400   592   (192)  (32.4%)  934   1,197   (263)  (22.0%) 386 556 (170) (30.6%) 1,320 1,753 (433) (24.7%)
Operating expenses  3,135   3,592   (457)  (12.7%)  6,437   7,236   (799)  (11.0%)3,2243,274(50)(1.5%)9,66110,510(849)(8.1%)
                                                                
Operating income  4,014   2,708   1,306   48.2%  6,053   5,008   1,045   20.9%2,9742,54742716.8%9,0277,5551,47219.5%
Other income  -   -   -   n/a   -   1,434   (1,434)  n/a  -6,169 (6,169) n/a   - 7,603 (7,603) n/a 
Segment earnings $4,014  $2,708  $1,306   48.2% $6,053  $6,442  $(389)  (6.0%)$2,974$8,716$(5,742) (65.9%)$9,027$15,158$(6,131) (40.4%)

Net sales: Net sales increased by $1.2$0.9 million, or 13.2%10.2%, to $10.3$9.3 million for the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2015, as compared to the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2014 due to higher transactional gains.post-contract earnings. During the quarters ended September 30,December 31, 2015 and 2014, we recognized net gains on sales of financial assets of $2.5$1.4 million and $0.9$1.5 million, respectively, and the fair value of assets received from these sales were $84.4$54.1 million and $37.6$44.8 million, respectively. Post contract earnings decreased $0.3increased $1.1 million to $3.2$3.3 million for the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 over the prior year.

For the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015, net sales increased by $0.7$1.5 million, or 3.7%5.7%, to $18.7$27.9 million, as compared to the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2014 due to higher transactional gains.gains and higher post-contract earnings. During the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 and 2014, we recognized net gains on sales of financial assets of $4.0$5.4 million and $3.2$4.6 million, respectively, and the fair value of assets received from these sales were $108.7$162.7 million and $93.8$138.6 million, respectively. Post contractPost-contract earnings decreased $0.1increased $0.9 million to $5.4$8.7 million for the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 over the prior year.

At September 30,December 31, 2015, we had $152.1$156.9 million in financing receivables and operating leases, compared to $159.4$165.1 million as of September 30,December 31, 2014, a decrease of $7.3$8.2 million or 4.6%5.0%.

Gross profit: Gross profit increased $0.8$0.4 million due to higher transactional gainspost-contract earnings, partially offset by increased depreciation expense related to operating leases in the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 as compared to same period in the prior year. For the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 gross profit increased $0.2$0.6 million due to higher transactional gains being offset in part by lowerand higher post-contract earnings, andbeing partially offset by increased depreciation expense related to operating leases as compared to the prior year period.

Operating expenses: For the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2015, operating expenses decreased $0.5slightly by 1.5%, which was due primarily to both lower interest and financing costs and higher prior year reserves for credit losses stemming from an increase in our portfolio balance. Salaries and benefits partially offset these operating expense reductions due to higher commission expense related to higher sales volume. Our financing segment had 54 employees as of both December 31, 2015 and 2014.

For the nine months ended December 31, 2015, operating expenses decreased $0.8 million, or 12.7%8.1%, which was due primarily to both lower interest and financing costs and additional reserves for credit losses recorded in the prior year stemming from an increase in our portfolio balance. Salaries and benefits remained consistent withincreased $0.2 million over the prior year. Our financing segment had 52 employees as of September 30, 2015 up from 51 employees as of September 30, 2014.
For the six months ended September 30, 2015, operating expenses decreased $0.8 million, or 11.0%, which wasyear due primarily to both lower interest and financing costs and additional reserves for credit losses recorded in the prior year stemming from an increase in our portfolio balance. Salaries and benefits remained consistent with prior year.higher commission expense related to higher sales volume.

Interest and financing costs decreased $0.2 million and $0.3$0.4 million for the three and sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015, respectively, compared to the prior year periods due to a decrease in the average total notes payable outstanding and slightly lower average interest rates for the three and sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015. Total notes payable were $42.7$49.6 million as of September 30,December 31, 2015, a decrease of $25.5$22.9 million or 37.4%31.6% compared to $68.1$72.5 million as of September 30,December 31, 2014. Our weighted average interest rate for non-recourse notes payable was 3.1809% and 3.31%3.35%, as of September 30,December 31, 2015 and September 30,December 31, 2014, respectively.

Other income: There was no other income during the three months ended December 31, 2015. During the sixthree months ended September 30,December 31, 2014, we received payment in the amount of $6.2 million related to a claim in a class action suit which alleged that a group of companies conspired to fix, raise, maintain or stabilize prices of certain flat panels used in many flat screen televisions, monitors and notebook computers.

There was no other income during the nine months ended December 31, 2015. During the nine months ended December 31, 2014 we recognized other income totaling $7.6 million. In addition to the other income of $6.2 million related to the class action suit, we also recognized other income gain of $1.4 million in conjunction with a repurchase agreement. We entered into an arrangement to repurchase the rights, title, and interest to payments due under a financing arrangement. This financing arrangement was previously assigned to a third party financial institution and accounted for as a secured borrowing. In conjunction with the repurchase agreement, we recognized a gain of $1.4 million.

Segment earnings: As a result of the foregoing, earnings increased $1.3decreased $5.7 million and decreased $0.4$6.1 million for the three and sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015, respectively, over the prior year periods.

Consolidated

Income taxes:Our .Our provision for income tax expense increased $2.6decreased $3.9 million to $11.0$7.3 million for the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2015, and increased $2.2decreased $1.7 million to $17.2$24.6 million for the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 as compared to the same periods last year. Our effective income tax rates for the three and sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 were 41.2%41.6% and 41.3%41.4%, respectively. For the three and sixnine months ended SeptemberDecember 30, 2014 the effective income tax rates were also 41.2%42.0% and 41.3%41.6%, respectively.

Net earnings: The foregoing resulted in net earnings of $15.7$10.3 million for the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2015, an increasea decrease of 31.2%33.6%, as compared to $12.0$15.5 million during the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2014. Net earnings were $24.5$34.8 million for the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 an increasea decrease of 14.3%5.8%, as compared to $21.4$36.9 million during the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2014.

Basic and fully diluted earnings per common share were $2.16$1.41 and $2.15,$1.40, for the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2015, an increasea decrease of 32.5%34.1% and 31.9%34.3% as compared to $1.63$2.14 and $1.63,$2.13, respectively, for the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2014. For the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015, basic and fully diluted earnings per common share were $3.38$4.79 and $3.35, an increase$4.74, a decrease of 17.4%4.6% and 17.1%4.6% as compared to $2.88$5.02 and $2.86,$4.97, respectively, for the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2014.

Weighted average common shares outstanding used in the calculation of both basic and diluted earnings per common share were 7.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2015 was 7.3 million.December 31, 2015. Weighted average common shares outstanding used in the calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per common share for the three months ended September 30,December 31, 2014 was 7.2 million and 7.3 million.million respectively.

Weighted average common shares outstanding used in the calculation of both basic and diluted earnings per common share were 7.3 million for the sixnine months ended September 30, 2015 were 7.2 million and 7.3 million, respectively.December 31, 2015. Weighted average common shares outstanding used in the calculation of both the basic and diluted earnings per common share were 7.4 million for the sixnine months ended September 30, 2014 was 7.4 million and 7.5 million, respectively.December 31, 2014.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Liquidity Overview

Our primary sources of liquidity have historically been cash and cash equivalents, internally generated funds from operations, and borrowings, both non-recourse and recourse. We have used those funds to meet our capital requirements, which have historically consisted primarily of working capital for operational needs, capital expenditures, purchases of equipment for lease, payments of principal and interest on indebtedness outstanding, acquisitions and the repurchase of shares of our common stock.
Our subsidiary ePlus Technology, inc., part of our technology segment, finances its operations with funds generated from operations, and with a credit facility with GE Commercial Distribution Finance, or GECDF, with an aggregate credit limit of $250 million. There are two components of this facility: (1) a floor plan component; and (2) an accounts receivable component. After a customer places a purchase order with us and we have completed our credit check, we place an order for the equipment with one of our vendors. Generally, most purchase orders from us to our vendors are first financed under the floor plan component and reflected in “accounts payable—floor plan” in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Payments on the floor plan component are due on three specified dates each month, generally 30-60 days from the invoice date. On the due date of the invoices financed by the floor plan component, the invoices are paid by the accounts receivable component of the credit facility. The balance of the accounts receivable component is then reduced by payments from our available cash. The outstanding balance under the accounts receivable component is recorded as recourse notes payable on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. There was no outstanding balance at September 30,December 31, 2015 or September 30,December 31, 2014, while the maximum credit limit was $30.0 million for both periods. The borrowings and repayments under the floor plan component are reflected as “net borrowings on floor plan facility” in the cash flows from financing activities section of our consolidated statements of cash flows.

Most customer payments in our technology segment are remitted to our lockboxes. Once payments are cleared, the monies in the lockbox accounts are automatically transferred to our operating account on a daily basis. On the due dates of the floor plan component, we make cash payments to GECDF. These payments from the accounts receivable component to the floor plan component and repayments from our cash are reflected as “net borrowings on floor plan facility” in the cash flows from financing activities section of our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. We engage in this payment structure in order to minimize our interest expense and bank fees in connection with financing the operations of our technology segment.

We believe that cash on hand, and funds generated from operations, together with available credit under our credit facility, will be sufficient to finance our working capital, capital expenditures and other requirements for at least the next twelve calendar months.

Our ability to continue to fund our planned growth, both internally and externally, is dependent upon our ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations or to obtain additional funds through equity or debt financing, or from other sources of financing, as may be required. While at this time we do not anticipate requiring any additional sources of financing to fund operations, ifIf demand for IT products declines, our cash flows from operations may be substantially affected.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our sources and uses of cash over the periods indicated (in thousands):

 Six Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended December 31,
 2015  2014 20152014
Net cash used in operating activities $(22,660) $(10,995)$(18,876)$(9,930)
Net cash used in investing activities  (27,924)  (22,182)(44,344)(31,705)
Net cash provided by financing activities  37,284   15,948 53,63813,002
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash  (33)  (9)(26)(24)
                
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents $(13,333) $(17,238)$(9,608)$(28,657)

Cash flows from operating activities. Cash used in operating activities totaled $22.718.9 million during the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015. Net earnings adjusted for the impact of non-cash items was $27.4$39.3 million. Net changes in assets and liabilities resulted in a decrease of cash and cash equivalents of $50.0$58.2 million, primarily due to additions to accounts receivables of $42.3$32.9 million, financing receivables—net of $10.7 million, and reductions in salaries and commissions payable, deferred revenues and other liabilities of $11.0 million, partially offset by reductions in deferred cost, other intangible assets and other assets of $11.0$9.0 million.

Cash used in operating activities totaled $11.0$9.9 million during the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2014. Net earnings adjusted for the impact of non-cash items was $19.6$36.9 million. Net changes in assets and liabilities resulted in a decrease of cash and cash equivalents of $30.6$46.8 million, primarily due to increases of accounts receivable—trade cash of $27.4 million, and investments in financing receivables—net of $14.9 million, and cash used for accounts payable—trade of $29.3$15.5 million, cash used for inventories and financing receivables, partially offset by changes in accounts receivable—trade, salaries and commissions payable and deferred costs and other assets.of $5.5 million.
In order to manage our working capital, we monitor our cash conversion cycle for our Technology segment, which is defined as days sales outstanding (“DSO”) in accounts receivable plus days of supply in inventory (“DIO”) minus days of purchases outstanding in accounts payable (“DPO”). The following table presents the components of the cash conversion cycle for our Technology segment:

 As of September 30, As of December 31,
 2015  2014 2015  2014
    
Days sales outstanding (1)  47   48 5651
Days inventory outstanding (2)  6   8 67
Days payable outstanding (3)  (41)  (44) (42)  (40)
Cash conversion cycle  12   12  20   18

(1)Represents the rolling three-month average of the balance of trade accounts receivable-trade, net for our Technology segment at the end of the period divided by non-GAAP gross sales of product and services for the same three-month period.
(2)Represents the rolling three-month average of the balance of inventory, net for our Technology segment at the end of the period divided by non-GAAP gross cost of sales, product and services for the same three-month period.
(3)Represents the rolling three-month average of the combined balance of accounts payable-trade and accounts payable-floor plan for our Technology segment at the end of the period divided by non-GAAP gross cost of sales, product and services for the same three-month period.

Our standard payment term for customers is between 30-60 days; however, certain customers are approved for extended payment terms. Invoices processed through our credit facility, or the accounts payable—floor plan balance, are typically paid within 45-60 days from the invoice date, while accounts payable—trade invoices are typically paid within 30 days from the invoice date. Our cash conversion cycle was 1220 days as of September 30,December 31, 2015 and 18 days as of December 31, 2014.

Cash flows related to investing activities. Cash used in investing activities was $27.9$44.3 million during the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015, compared to cash used in investing activities of $22.2$31.7 million during the same period last year. Cash used in investing activities during the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015 was primarily driven by issuance of financing receivables of $67.6$102.6 million, purchasethe acquisition of assets to be leasedthe business of $9.4IGX of $16.6 million and purchases of property, equipment, and operating lease equipment of $15.6$17.0 million purchase of assets to be leased of $10.8 million, which was partially offset by cash proceeds from the repayment financing receivable of $35.5$49.2 million, proceeds from the sale of financing receivables of $26.0$48.2 million, and proceeds from the sale of property, equipment and operating lease equipment of $3.2$5.3 million.

Cash used in investing activities was $22.2$31.7 million during the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2014. Cash used in investing activities during the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2014 was primarily driven by issuance of financing receivables of $51.2$93.2 million, purchase of assets to be leased and property and equipment of $11.9$15.2 million, and cash used in acquisitions of $7.8$8.0 million, which was partially offset by cash proceeds from the sale of financing receivable of $12.3$24.2 million and the repayment of financing receivables of $28.1$50.6 million, and proceeds from the sale of property, equipment and operating lease equipment of $5.8$7.4 million.

Cash flows from financing activities. Cash provided by financing activities was $37.3$53.6 million during the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015, which was primarily due to net borrowings on the floor plan facility of $27.6$28.6 million and net borrowings of non-recourse and recourse notes payable of $11.1$27.9 million, which was partially offset by $2.5 million in cash used for the repurchase of common stock. During the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2014, cash provided by financing activities was $15.9$13.0 million, which was due to net borrowings on the floor plan facility of $20.7 million and net borrowings of non-recourse and recourse notes payable of $29.3$38.7 million and net borrowings on the floor plan facility of $10.7 million, which was partially offset by the repurchase of treasurycommon stock of $34.8$37.1 million.
Non-Cash Activities

We assign contractual payments due under lease and financing agreements to third-party financial institutions, which are accounted for as non-recourse notes payable. As a condition to the assignment agreement, certain financial institutions may request that the customer remit their contractual payments to a trust; rather than to us, and the trust pays the financial institution. Alternatively, if the structure of the agreement does not require a trustee, the customer will continue to make payments to us, and we will remit the payment to the financial institution. The economic impact to us under either assignment structure is similar, in that the assigned contractual payments are paid by the customer and remitted to the lender to pay down the corresponding non-recourse notes payable. However, these assignment structures are classified differently within our consolidated statements of cash flows. More specifically, we are required to exclude non-cash transactions from our consolidated statement of cash flows, so certain contractual payments made by the customer to the trust are excluded from our operating cash receipts and the corresponding repayment of the non-recourse notes payable from the trust to the third-party financial institution are excluded from our cash flows from financing activities. Contractual payments received by the trust and paid to the lender on our behalf are disclosed as a non-cash financing activity.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We may utilize non-recourse notes payable to finance approximately 80% to 100% of the purchase price of the assets being leased or financed by our customers. Any balance of the purchase price remaining after non-recourse funding and any upfront payments received from the customer (our equity investment in the equipment) must generally be financed by cash flows from our operations, the sale of the equipment leased to third parties, or other internal means. Although we expect that the credit quality of our financing arrangements and our residual return history will continue to allow us to obtain such financing, such financing may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all.

The financing necessary to support our lease and financing activities has been provided by our cash and non-recourse borrowings. We monitor our exposure closely. Historically, we have obtained mostly non-recourse borrowings from third party banks and finance companies. We continue to be able to obtain financing through our traditional lending sources. Non-recourse financings are loans whose repayment is the responsibility of a specific customer, although we may make representations and warranties to the lender regarding the specific contract or have ongoing loan servicing obligations. Under a non-recourse loan, we borrow from a lender an amount based on the present value of the contractually committed lease payments under the lease at a fixed rate of interest, and the lender secures a lien on the financed assets. When the lender is fully repaid from the lease payments, the lien is released and all further rental or sale proceeds are ours. We are not liable for the repayment of non-recourse loans unless we breach our representations and warranties in the loan agreements. The lender assumes the credit risk of each lease, and the lender’s only recourse, upon default by the lessee, is against the lessee and the specific equipment under lease.

At September 30,December 31, 2015, our non-recourse notes payable decreased 26.9%14.0% to $38.6$45.5 million, as compared to $52.9 million at March 31, 2015. Recourse notes payable increased 8.9%11.4% to $4.0$4.1 million as of September 30,December 31, 2015 compared to $3.7 million as of March 31, 2015.

Whenever desirable, we arrange for equity investment financing, which includes selling lease payments, including the residual portions, to third parties and financing the equity investment on a non-recourse basis. We generally retain customer control and operational services, and have minimal residual risk. We usually reserve the right to share in remarketing proceeds of the equipment on a subordinated basis after the investor has received an agreed-to return on its investment.

Credit Facility — Technology

Our subsidiary, ePlus Technology, inc., has a financing facility from GECDF to finance its working capital requirements for inventories and accounts receivable. There are two components of this facility: (1) a floor plan component; and (2) an accounts receivable component. This facility has full recourse to ePlus Technology, inc. and its subsidiary ePlus Technology Services, inc. and is secured by a blanket lien against all their assets, such as chattel paper, receivables and inventory. As of September 30,December 31, 2015, the facility had an aggregate limit of the two components of $250.0 million with an accounts receivable sub-limit of $30.0 million.
Availability under the facility may be limited by the asset value of equipment we purchase or accounts receivable, and may be further limited by certain covenants and terms and conditions of the facility. These covenants include but are not limited to a minimum excess availability of the facility and minimum earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of ePlus Technology, inc. and its subsidiary. We were in compliance with these covenants as of September 30,December 31, 2015. Interest on the facility is assessed at a rate of the One Month LIBOR plus two and one half percent if the payments are not made on the three specified dates each month. The facility also requires that financial statements of ePlus Technology, inc. and its subsidiary besubsidiarybe provided within 45 days of each quarter and 90 days of each fiscal year end and also requires other operational reports be provided on a regular basis. Either party may terminate the facility with 90 days advance written notice.

We are not, and do not believe that we are reasonably likely to be, in breach of the GECDF credit facility. In addition, we do not believe that the covenants of the GECDF credit facility materially limit our ability to undertake financing. In this regard, the covenants apply only to our subsidiary, ePlus Technology, inc. and its subsidiary. This credit facility is secured by the assets of ePlus Technology, inc. and its subsidiary ePlus Technology Services, inc. andinc.and the guaranty as described below.

The facility provided by GECDF requires a guaranty of $10.5 million by ePlus inc. The guaranty requires ePlus inc. to deliver its annual audited financial statements by a certain date. We have delivered the annual audited financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2015, as required. The loss of the GECDF credit facility could have a material adverse effect on our future results as we currently rely on this facility and its components for daily working capital and liquidity for our technology segment and as an operational function of our accounts payable process.

Floor Plan Component

The traditional business of ePlus Technology, inc. and its subsidiary assubsidiaryas a seller of computer technology, related peripherals and software products, is in part financed through a floor plan component in which interest expense for the first thirty to sixty days, in general, is not charged. The floor plan liabilities are recorded as accounts payable—floor plan on our condensed consolidated balance sheets, as they are normally repaid within the fifteen to sixty-day time frame and represent assigned accounts payable originally generated with the manufacturer/distributor. In some cases we are able to pay invoices early and receive a discount, but if the fifteen to sixty-day obligation is not paid timely, interest is then assessed at stated contractual rates.

The respective floor plan component credit limits and actual outstanding balance payables for the dates indicated were as follows (in thousands):

Maximum Credit Limit
at December 31, 2015
Balance as of
December 31, 2015
Maximum Credit Limit
at March 31,2015
Balance as of
March 31, 2015
$250,000$127,999$225,000$99,418
Maximum Credit Limit
at September 30, 2015
 
Balance as of
September 30, 2015
 
Maximum Credit Limit
at March 31,2015
 
Balance as of
 March 31, 2015
$250,000 $127,053 $225,000 $99,418

Accounts Receivable Component

Included within the credit facility, ePlus Technology, inc. and its subsidiary have an accounts receivable component from GECDF, which has a revolving line of credit. On the due date of the invoices financed by the floor plan component, the invoices are paid by the accounts receivable component of the credit facility. The balance of the accounts receivable component is then reduced by payments from our available cash. The outstanding balance under the accounts receivable component is recorded as recourse notes payable on our consolidated balance sheets. There was no balance outstanding for the accounts receivable component at September 30,December 31, 2015 or March 31, 2015, while the maximum credit limit was $30.0 million for both periods.

Performance Guarantees

In the normal course of business, we may provide certain customers with performance guarantees, which are generally backed by surety bonds. In general, we would only be liable for the amount of these guarantees in the event of default in the performance of our obligations. We are in compliance with the performance obligations under all service contracts for which there is a performance guarantee, and we believe that any liability incurred in connection with these guarantees would not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated statements of operations.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As part of our ongoing business, we do not participate in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. As of September 30,December 31, 2015, we were not involved in any unconsolidated special purpose entity transactions.
Adequacy of Capital Resources

The continued implementation of our business strategy will require a significant investment in both resources and managerial focus. In addition, we may selectively acquire other companies that have attractive customer relationships and skilled sales and/or engineering forces. We may also start offices in new geographic areas, which may require a significant investment of cash. We may also acquire technology companies to expand and enhance the platform of bundled solutions to provide additional functionality and value-added services. We may continue to use our internally generated funds to finance investments in leased assets or investments in notes receivables due from our customers. As a result, we may require additional financing to fund our strategy, implementation and potential future acquisitions, which may include additional debt and equity financing.

Inflation

For the periods presented herein, inflation has been relatively low and we believe that inflation has not had a material effect on our results of operations.

Potential Fluctuations in Quarterly Operating Results

Our future quarterly operating results and the market price of our common stock may fluctuate. In the event our revenues or earnings for any quarter are less than the level expected by securities analysts or the market in general, such shortfall could have an immediate and significant adverse impact on the market price of our common stock. Any such adverse impact could be greater if any such shortfall occurs near the time of any material decrease in any widely followed stock index or in the market price of the stock of one or more public equipment leasing and financing companies, IT resellers, software competitors, major customers or vendors of ours.
 
Our quarterly results of operations are susceptible to fluctuations for a number of reasons, including, but not limited to currency fluctuations, reduction in IT spending, any reduction of expected residual values related to the equipment under our leases, the timing and mix of specific transactions, the reduction of manufacturer incentive programs, and other factors. Quarterly operating results could also fluctuate as a result of our sale of equipment in our lease portfolio at the expiration of a lease term or prior to such expiration, to a lessee or to a third party and the transfer of financial assets. Sales of equipment and transfers of financial assets may have the effect of increasing revenues and net income during the quarter in which the sale occurs, and reducing revenues and net income otherwise expected in subsequent quarters. See Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in our 2015 Annual Report.

We believe that comparisons of quarterly results of our operations are not necessarily meaningful and that results for one quarter should not be relied upon as an indication of future performance.

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Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Although a portion of our liabilities are non-recourse, fixed-interest-rate instruments, we utilize our line of credit and other financing facilities which are subject to fluctuations in short-term interest rates. These instruments, which are denominated in U.S. dollars, were entered into for other than trading purposes and, with the exception of amounts drawn under the GECDF facility, bear interest at a fixed rate. Because the interest rate on these instruments is fixed, changes in interest rates will not directly impact our cash flows. Changes in interest rates may affect our ability to fund or transfer our financing arrangements if the rate rises above the fixed rate of the instrument. Borrowings under the GECDF facility bear interest at a market-based variable rate. As of September 30,December 31, 2015, the aggregate fair value of our non-recourse notes payable approximated their carrying value.

In December 2015, we purchased 100% of the stock of IGXGlobal UK, Ltd, a company formed and operated in the United Kingdom with a functional currency of Great British Pounds. In addition, the company also transacts in Euros and U. S. Dollars. There is a potential for exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency rates resulting primarily from the translation exposure associated with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. In addition, we have foreign currency exposure when transactions are not denominated in the subsidiary’s functional currency. To date, our United Kingdom operations are insignificant in relation to total consolidated operations and we believe that potential fluctuations in currency exchange rates will not have a material effect on our financial position.

We have financed certain customer leases for equipment which is located in Canada and Iceland. As such, we have entered into lease contracts and non-recourse, fixed-interest-rate financing denominated in Canadian dollars and Icelandic krona. To date, our Canadian and Icelandic operations have been insignificant and we believe that potential fluctuations in currency exchange rates will not have a material effect on our financial position. We also transact business in other foreign currencies which are subject to fluctuations,fluctuation, however, the dollar volume of these transactions is immaterial.

Item 4.Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and our Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, or “disclosure controls,” as defined in the Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e). Disclosure controls are controls and procedures designed to reasonably ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act, such as this quarterly report, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our disclosure controls include some, but not all, components of our internal control over financial reporting. Based upon that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30,December 31, 2015.

Changes in Internal Controls

There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended September 30,December 31, 2015, which have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
 
Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls

Our management, including our CEO and CFO, does not expect that our disclosure controls or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system cannot provide absolute assurance due to its inherent limitations; it is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. A control system also can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of such limitations, disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting cannot prevent or detect all misstatements, whether unintentional errors or fraud. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process; therefore, it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk.
 
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.Legal Proceedings

We were the plaintiff in a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia (“the Trial Court”) in which, on January 27, 2011, a jury unanimously found that Lawson Software, Inc. (“Lawson”) infringed certain ePlusePlus patents. On August 16, 2013, the Trial Court found, by clear and convincing evidence, that Lawson was in contempt of the Trial Court’s May 23, 2011, injunction which restricted Lawson from taking certain actions that infringed one of our patents.patents, and entered judgment in our favor in the amount of $18.2 million. Lawson appealed, and while the appeal was pending, on April 3, 2014, the United States Patent and Trademark Office issued a notice canceling the patent. On July 25, 2014, the Appeals Court vacated the injunction and the contempt order. On June 18, 2015, the Appeals Court, in a 5-5 split opinion, denied our petition for rehearing. We intend to askhave filed a petition asking the United States Supreme Court to consider the case.

Court calendars and rulings are inherently unpredictable, and we cannot predict whether the Supreme Court will hear our case, when any litigation will be resolved, or the outcome thereof.

Other Matters

We may become party to various legal proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business including preference payment claims asserted in customer bankruptcy proceedings, claims of alleged infringement of patents, trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property rights, claims of alleged non-compliance with contract provisions, employment related claims, claims by competitors, vendors or customers, claims related to alleged violations of laws and regulations, and claims relating to alleged security or privacy breaches. Although we do not expect that the outcome in any of these matters, individually or collectively, will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations, litigation is inherently unpredictable. Therefore, judgments could be rendered or settlements entered that could adversely affect our results of operations or cash flows in a particular period. We provide for costs related to contingencies when a loss is probable and the amount is reasonably determinable.

Item 1A.Risk Factors

There havehas not been any material changeschange in the risk factors previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of our 2015 Annual Report. Report, except as noted below:

Our Results of Operations are Subject to Fluctuations in Foreign Currency

In December 2015, we purchased 100% of the stock of IGXGlobal UK Limited, a company formed and operating in the United Kingdom. As result of this acquisition, although not significant, we have additional exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency rates results primarily from the translation exposure associated with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. While our consolidated financial statements are reported in U.S. dollars, the financial statements of our subsidiaries outside the U.S. are prepared using the local currency as the functional currency and translated into U.S. dollars. As a result, fluctuations in the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar relative to the local currencies of our international subsidiaries in Canada and the United Kingdom could cause fluctuations in our results of operations. We also have foreign currency exposure to the extent net sales and purchases are not denominated in a subsidiary’s functional currency, which could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations or cash flows.
 
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following table provides information regarding our purchases of ePlus inc. common stock during the sixnine months ended September 30,December 31, 2015.

Period 
Total
number of
shares
purchased (1)
  
Average
price paid
per share
  
Total number of
shares
purchased as
part of publicly
announced plans
or programs
  
Maximum number (or
approximate dollar
value) of shares that
may yet be purchased
under the plans or
programs
 
Total
number of
shares
purchased
(1)
  
Average
price paid
per share
  
Total number of
shares
purchased as
part of publicly
announced plans
or programs
  
Maximum number (or
approximate dollar
value) of shares that
may yet be purchased
under the plans or
programs
April 1, 2015 through April 30, 2015  -     -   351,960 (2)--351,960(2)
May 1, 2015 through May 31, 2015  -     -   351,960 (3)--351,960(3)
June 1, 2015 through June 15, 2015  18,284  $82.63   -   351,960 (4)18,284$82.63-351,960(4)
June 16, 2015 through August 16, 2015  12,163  $79.32   -   - (5)12,163$79.32--(5)
August 17, 2015 through August 31, 2015  -   n/a  -   500,000 (6)-n/a -500,000(6)
September 1, 2015 through September 30, 2015  -   n/a  -   500,000 (7)-n/a -500,000(7)
October 1, 2015 through October 31, 2015-n/a -500,000(8)
November 1, 2015 through November 30, 2015-n/a -500,000(9)
December 1, 2015 through December 31, 2015-n/a -500,000(10)

(1)All shares acquired were in open-market purchases, except for 30,447 shares, which were repurchased to satisfy tax withholding obligations that arose due to the vesting of shares of restricted stock.
(2)The share purchase authorization in place for the month ended April 30, 2015 had purchase limitations on the number of shares of up to 500,000 shares. As of April 30, 2015, the remaining authorized shares to be purchased were 351,960.
(3)The share purchase authorization in place for the month ended May 31, 2015 had purchase limitations on the number of shares of up to 500,000 shares. As of May 31, 2015, the remaining authorized shares to be purchased were 351,960.
(4)The share purchase authorization expired June 15, 2015 and had purchase limitations on the number of shares of up to 500,000 shares. As of June 15, 2015, the remaining number of authorized shares that could have been purchased was 351,960.
(5)There was no share purchase authorization plan in place from June 16, 2015 to August 16, 2015. The previous plan expired on June 15, 2015.
(6)On August 13, 2015, the board of directors authorized the company to repurchase up to 500,000 shares of its outstanding common stock commencing on August 17, 2015 through August 16, 2016. As of August 31, 2015, no stock purchases have beenwere made under this authorization.
(7)The share purchase authorization in place for the month ended September 30, 2015 had purchase limitations on the number of shares of up to 500,000 shares. As of September 30, 2015, no stock purchases have beenwere made under this authorization.
(8)The share purchase authorization in place for the month ended October 31, 2015 had purchase limitations on the number of shares of up to 500,000 shares. As of October 31, 2015, no stock purchases were made under this authorization.
(9)The share purchase authorization in place for the month ended November 30, 2015 had purchase limitations on the number of shares of up to 500,000 shares. As of November 30, 2015, no stock purchases were made under this authorization.
(10)The share purchase authorization in place for the month ended December 31, 2015 had purchase limitations on the number of shares of up to 500,000 shares. As of December 31, 2015, no stock purchases were made under this authorization.

The timing and expiration date of the current stock repurchase authorizations are included in Note 9, “Stockholders’ Equity” to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not Applicable.

Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable.

Item 5.Other Information

None.
 
Item 6.Exhibits

10.1
Amendment No. 3 to Amended and Restated Agreement for Wholesale Financing, dated October 20, 2015, by and among ePlus Technology, inc. and its subsidary ePlus Technology Services, inc. and GE Commercial Distribution Finance Corporation.
10.2
Amendment No. 3 to Amended and Restated Agreement for Business Financing, dated October 20, 2015, by and among ePlus Technology, inc. and its subsidary ePlus Technology Services, inc. and GE Commercial Distribution Finance Corporation.
31.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of ePlus inc. pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a).
  
31.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of ePlus inc. pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a).
  
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Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of ePlus inc. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350.
  
101.INSXBRL Instance Document
  
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
  
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
  
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
  
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
  
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

ePlus inc.
   
Date: NovemberFebruary 4, 20152016/s/ PHILLIP G. NORTON
By: Phillip G. Norton, Chairman of the Board,
President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
   
Date: NovemberFebruary 4, 20152016/s/ ELAINE D. MARION
By: Elaine D. Marion
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
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