Envoy Capital Group Inc.
Under National Instrument 51-102, Part 4, subsection 4.3(3)(a), if an auditor has not performed a review of the interim financial statements; they must be accompanied by a notice indicating that the financial statements have not been reviewed by an auditor.
The accompanying unaudited interim financial statements of the Company have been prepared by and are the responsibility of the Company’s management.
The Company’s independent auditor has not performed a review of these financial statements in accordance with standards established by the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants for a review of interim financial statements by an entity’s auditor.
Envoy Capital Group Inc.
Management Discussion and Analysis
First Quarter of Fiscal 2011
February 1, 2011
This section of our interim report sets forth Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) of the financial performance of Envoy Capital Group Inc. (“Envoy”, “the Company”, “we” or “us”) for the three month period ended December 31, 2010 compared to the three month period ended December 31, 2009.
The analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements (the “Financial Statements”) for the period ended December 31, 2010, including the accompanying notes, which are presented elsewhere in this report as well as the annual audited consolidated financial statements and the MD&A presented in the Annual Report to Shareholders for the year ended September 30, 2010
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in Canada, which vary in certain significant respects from generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. A description of the significant differences, as applicable to the Company, is included in Note 21 to the September 30, 2010 year end audited financial statements.
The discussion, analysis and financial review are presented in the following sections:
| 3. | Summary of Quarterly Results |
| 4. | Commitments and Contractual Obligations |
| 5. | Liquidity and Capital Resources |
| 6. | Related Party Transactions |
| 7. | Critical Accounting Policies |
| 8. | Risks and Uncertainties |
| 9. | Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures |
| 10. | Updated Share Information |
| 12. | Forward Looking Statements |
Envoy conducts its business through two reportable operating segments: the Consumer and Retail Branding Group and the Merchant Banking Group. In addition, Envoy has a “Corporate Group” which provides certain administrative, accounting, financial, regulatory reporting and legal functions.
Corporate Overview
At the Company’s annual general meeting held on March 30, 2007 the shareholders voted to amend the Company’s articles of incorporation by changing its name to Envoy Capital Group Inc. and removing the maximum number of common shares that the Company is authorized to issue. In addition, the shareholders also voted to reduce the stated capital of the Company’s common shares by $40.3 million for the purpose of eliminating the deficit on the consolidated balance sheet of the Company as at September 30, 2006.
On February 6, 2008 the Company initiated a Normal Course Issuer (“NCIB”) whereby the Company was authorized to purchase from time to time, if considered advisable, up to an aggregate of 903,880 common shares over the ensuing twelve month period. In fiscal 2008, the Company repurchased and cancelled 876,621 common shares for cash consideration of $2,359,778, an average of $2.69 per share. In fiscal 2009, the Company completed the purchases under this NCIB, repurchasing 27,259 shares for cash consideration of $59,477, or an average price of $2.18 per share.
On May 1, 2009, the Company initiated a new NCIB. Envoy proposed to purchase from time to time over the next 12 months, if considered advisable, up to an aggregate of 682,723 common shares, being 10% of the public float. Purchases were approved to commence on May 1, 2009 and conclude on the earlier of the date on which purchases under the NCIB have been completed and April 30, 2010. In fiscal 2010, the Company repurchased and cancelled 530,000 common shares under this NCIB for cash consideration of $620,158.
On June 30, 2010, the Company received notice of acceptance by the Toronto Stock Exchange (the “TSX”) for its most recent NCIB. Pursuant to the NCIB, Envoy proposes to purchase from time to time over the next 12 months, if considered advisable, up to an aggregate of 632,394 common shares, being 10% of the public float. Purchases were approved to commence on July 6, 2010 and conclude on the earlier of the date on which purchases under the NCIB have been completed and July 5, 2011. No purchases have yet been made under this issuer bid.
On November 25, 2008, the Company established a new foreign subsidiary, Envoy Capital Group Monaco, S.A.M (“Envoy Monaco”) which will be responsible for carrying on Envoy’s existing merchant banking business. Envoy Monaco’s investment portfolio will be comprised of securities of mostly public and some private issuers in a broad range of sectors. It will also continue to try to identify compelling investment opportunities in energy-related, technology and biotechnology businesses.
Effective September 15, 2006, Envoy sold its wholly owned subsidiary, ECGH, including Parker Williams and Watt Gilchrist Limited (“Gilchrist”), for $27.0 million cash and recorded a net gain of $5.7 million on the sale.
On September 15, 2006, the Company announced its intention to repurchase its common shares under a substantial issuer bid in the form of a modified “Dutch Auction” tender offer. On January 25, 2007, pursuant to this Dutch Auction tender offer, the Company announced that it would take up and pay for the shares at a purchase price of US$2.70 (CDN$3.19) per share for a total purchase price of US$24.4 million (CDN$28.7 million). Costs relating to the offering totaled approximately $1.5 million. On January 30, 2007, the Company took up and paid for 9,002,383 shares. Payment for the shares was made from available cash on hand.
Based on the 2010 year-end financial statements, the Company confirms that it will be characterized as a passive foreign investment company (“PFIC”) under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010, and may be a PFIC for subsequent fiscal years.
The application of the PFIC rules is complex. U.S. shareholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors about the U.S. federal income tax consequences of owning and disposing of stock in a PFIC, and about the advisability, procedure and timing of their making any of the available tax elections, including a “qualified electing fund” or "mark-to-market" elections. U.S. shareholders who choose to make a QEF election should refer to the Envoy website at www.envoy.to following Envoy's fiscal year end in order to receive the necessary financial information.
Consumer and Retail Branding Overview
The operations of the Branding segment are carried out through Envoy’s wholly owned Canadian subsidiary, Watt International Inc. (“Watt”). Watt’s services, including brand strategy and design, retail consulting and package design, are provided to a broad range of customers in various segments of the market. In the last few years, Watt has transformed its business model to become a more strategically driven agency better positioned to retain and service existing clients by providing innovative solutions in domestic and international markets.
Operating costs for the Branding business are comprised of salaries and benefits, general and administrative expenses and occupancy costs. Salaries and benefits expenses include salaries, employee benefits, incentive compensation, contract labour and other payroll related costs, which are expensed as incurred. General and administrative costs include business development, office costs, technology, professional services and foreign exchange. Occupancy costs represent the costs of leasing and maintaining company premises.
Because the Branding business operates in a service business, management monitors these operating costs on a percentage of revenue basis. Salaries and benefits tend to fluctuate in conjunction with revenues. To avoid adding permanent overhead, management uses contract labour whenever possible to manage the business through short term periods of heavy workflow. Occupancy costs and general and administrative expenses are not directly related to servicing clients and therefore tend not to increase or decrease in direct proportion to revenue fluctuations because a significant portion of these expenses are relatively fixed.
Merchant Banking Overview
In Fiscal 2006, Envoy’s board of directors approved the creation of a merchant banking operation focused on providing financial services as well as equity and debt capital to small and mid-cap companies. Envoy Capital Group was officially launched in fiscal 2007.
The Merchant Banking segment investments currently consist of a blend of professionally managed market diversified funds and direct investments in growth stage public companies. The Merchant Bank business earnings consist of both realized and unrealized gains in the fair value of its investments, plus dividends and interest income.
Operating costs for the Merchant Banking segment are comprised of salaries and benefits, general and administrative expenses and occupancy costs. Salaries and benefits expenses include salaries, employee benefits, incentive compensation, contract labour and other payroll related costs, which are expensed as incurred. General and administrative costs include business development, office costs, technology, professional services and foreign exchange gains and losses. Occupancy costs represent the costs of leasing and maintaining company premises.
Three Months Ended December 31, 2010 Compared To Three Months Ended December 31, 2009
On a consolidated basis, the net income for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 was $0.7 million compared with net loss of ($4.0) million for the first quarter of fiscal 2010.
On a fully diluted per share basis the net earnings for this year’s first quarter were $0.09 per share compared to net loss of ($0.47) per share last year.
Consumer and Retail Branding Segment
Net revenue for the Branding Segment represents compensation for services rendered, net of any pass-through costs such as production costs incurred on behalf of clients in acting as agent for them.
The breakdown of net revenue is as follows:
| | | Net revenue for the three months ended December 31 (in millions) | |
| By type of service: | | 2010 | | | % of total | | | 2009 | | | % of total | |
| Consumer and retail branding | | $ | 1.8 | | | | 100 | % | | $ | 1.6 | | | | 100 | % |
| By customer location: | | | 2010 | | | % of total | | | | 2009 | | | % of total | |
| Canada | | $ | 1.5 | | | | 85 | % | | $ | 1.0 | | | | 63 | % |
| USA and South America | | | 0.3 | | | | 15 | % | | | 0.5 | | | | 31 | % |
| Middle East and Asia | | | — | | | | — | % | | | 0.1 | | | | 6 | % |
| | | $ | 1.8 | | | | 100 | % | | $ | 1.6 | | | | 100 | % |
Net revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2010 was $1.8 million, compared to $1.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2009, an increase of $0.2 million or 12%. The reason for the increase in net revenue from last year to this year was increased client spending. Consumer and retail branding projects seem to be increasing in scope as clients become more comfortable that the worst of the economic concerns are behind us.
Net revenue from Canadian customers increased by approximately $0.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 as compared to the same period last year, while net revenue from U.S. and South American based customers decreased $0.2 million in the current quarter as compared to the same period last year. Net revenue from the Middle East and Asian region has decreased to nil since the closure of the Dubai office in late fiscal 2009. As client spending patterns vary by region and by season the Company’s geographic revenue will also shift from quarter to quarter.
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation, for the first quarter of 2011 were $2.0 million, compared with $2.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2010, primarily as a result of decreased general and administrative costs. Expressed as a percentage of revenue, operating expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2011 and 2010 were 113.6% and 132.0%, respectively.
Salaries and benefits expenses for the current quarter were $1.6 million compared to $1.5 million for the first quarter last year, an increase of $0.1 million. Salaries and benefits expense as a percent of net revenue was 90.4% for this year’s first quarter compared to 97.2% for the same period last year. Labour ratios in both the current and prior year period are significantly higher than desired, mainly due to lower than expected revenue. While it is possible to manage staff costs to some degree, as most staff are full-time, fixed salary personnel, it is difficult to manage short-term fluctuations. Salaries cost are continually monitored to align costs with current and expected revenues.
General and administrative expenses were $0.2 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 compared to $0.3 million for the same period last year. The Company made a strong effort to reduce, postpone or eliminate all non-essential expenditures during the period.
Occupancy costs for both the current quarter and the same period last year were $0.2 million. Occupancy costs as a percent of net revenue were 10.8% this year compared to 13.0% last year.
Depreciation expense for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and three months ended December 31, 2009 was $0.1 million.
Interest expense was minimal for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and nil for the three months ended December 31, 2009.
Merchant Banking Segment
Investment income from merchant banking activities includes realized and unrealized gains and losses from the Company’s investments plus interest and dividend income earned during the period.
Net investment gains for the merchant banking division were $1.6 million for the three month period ended December 31, 2010, compared to net investment losses of ($0.1) million for the same period last year. Envoy entered fiscal 2011 with a positive attitude toward the market. Overall sentiment seemed to be improving, with most analysts predicting a continuing upward trend. The Company was slightly more aggressive in its investment strategy in the first quarter in order to take advantage of the positive momentum. For the first three months of the fiscal year, Envoy’s portfolio performed substantially on par with the overall market, with a positive return of approximately 9.4%. As benchmarks, the major indexes generated gains of approximately 7.3% for the Dow Jones Industrial Average, 10 .2% for the S&P 500 Index and 8.7% for the TSX Composite.
During the first quarter, the Company continued to employ a relatively conservative foreign exchange strategy by hedging the majority of its exposure to the U.S. dollar. As a result, the Company was able to minimize the impact of the depreciating US currency as it dropped below par with the Canadian dollar. The Company plans to continue to take a conservative approach to currency exposures.
Going forward, investment gains will be a function of general market and economic conditions as well as the success of individual securities selected for investment. Accordingly, the income generated from such investment activity is unlikely to be consistent from period to period.
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation, were $0.3 million for both the current quarter and for the same period last year. Much of the operating expenses are fixed in nature.
Salaries and benefits expenses for the current quarter were $0.2 million, compared to $0.3 million in the first quarter last year, mainly as a result of the executive restructuring undertaken in December 2009. General and administrative expenses were less than $0.1 million in both the current quarter and the same quarter last year.
Occupancy costs in the first quarter of fiscal 2011 and for the same period last year was less than $0.1 million. Depreciation expense was minimal for both the current quarter and the same period last year.
Corporate
Corporate expenses include salaries and benefits for the accounting, financial and administrative functions of Envoy. In addition, the corporate expenses include the costs of regulatory compliance such as audit and legal expenses, board fees, listing fees and shareholder relations. Costs incurred by the corporate component during the quarter totaled $0.3 million, compared to $0.6 million in the first quarter last year. The main reason for the reduction was lower labour costs as a result of restructuring the executive group last year.
Income Taxes
There was no income tax expense or recovery for the current period. The reason for the disparity from the substantially enacted tax rate of 31% was an adjustment to the value of the future tax asset based on the Company’s results for the first quarter. The Company has considerable tax loss carryforwards and other tax assets related to timing differences, but has not reflected these assets on the books as they are not considered more likely than not to be realized.
Net earnings
Net income for the three months ended December 31, 2010 was $0.7 million, compared to a loss of ($4.0) million for the three months ended December 31, 2009. Excluding one-time restructuring charges, the net loss for the three months ended December 31, 2009 was ($1.6) million. On a per share basis the net earnings in the current quarter were $0.09 per share compared to a loss of ($0.47) per share in the same period last year.
The earnings per share calculations are based on fully diluted weighted average shares outstanding of 8,028,377 for the current quarter compared to 8,558,377 in the same period last year.
| 3. | SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS |
| | | | Q1 2011 | | | | Q4 2010 | | | | Q3 2010 | | | | Q2 2010 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net revenue | | $3.3 million | | | $3.2 million | | | $1.4 million | | | $3.5 million | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net earnings (loss) | | $0.72 million | | | $0.42 million | | | ($1.44) million | | | $0.89 million | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net loss per share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Basic | | | $0.09 | | | | $0.05 | | | | ($0.18 | ) | | | $0.15 | |
| Diluted | | | $0.09 | | | | $0.05 | | | | ($0.18 | ) | | | $0.15 | |
| | | | Q1 2010 | | | | Q4 2009 | | | | Q3 2009 | | | | Q2 2009 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net revenue | | $1.5 million | | | $2.4 million | | | $2.9 million | | | $3.3 million | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net earnings (loss) | | ($4.02) million | | | ($6.38) million | | | ($1.81) million | | | ($1.24) million | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net earnings (loss) per share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Basic | | | ($0.47 | ) | | | ($0.74 | ) | | | ($0.21 | ) | | | ($0.15 | ) |
| Diluted | | | ($0.47 | ) | | | ($0.74 | ) | | | ($0.21 | ) | | | ($0.15 | ) |
| 4. | COMMITMENTS AND CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS |
Set out below is a summary of the amounts due and committed under contractual obligations at December 31, 2010:
| | | Total | | | Due in year 1 | | | Due in year 2 | | | Due in year 3 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Operating leases | | $ | 776,868 | | | $ | 587,070 | | | $ | 189,798 | | | $ | — | |
| Capital leases | | | 105,445 | | | | 35,864 | | | | 35,864 | | | | 33,717 | |
| Total contractual cash obligations | | $ | 882,313 | | | $ | 622,934 | | | $ | 225,662 | | | $ | 33,717 | |
| 5. | LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES |
As at December 31, 2010, Envoy had working capital of $16.0 million, compared to approximately $15.2 million as at September 30, 2010. Included in working capital is an investment portfolio of marketable securities, the current portion of which was $7.6 million at December 31, 2010 and $6.7 million at September 30, 2010. The principal reason for the increase was the reinvestment of cash from operations as well as excess cash on hand.
Approximately $0.3 million in cash was used by operations during the three months ended December 31, 2010, compared to approximately $5.7 million cash used by operations for the three months ended December 31, 2009. The main uses of funds in the current period were a reinvestment of gains on the portfolio and payment of accounts payable. Main uses of funds in the prior year period were the payment of restructuring expenses and funding of the Company’s operating loss.
The Company’s investment portfolio is highly liquid and currently includes a large cash component. The Company also maintains an operating line of credit. The revolving credit facility is available up to a maximum of $1.0 million, of which $870,000 was utilized at December 31, 2010. The Company uses the operating line for day-to-day requirements only and has no current or expected future requirements for access to additional credit.
| 6. | TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PARTIES |
At December 31, 2010 Envoy owned an approximate 21% interest in Sereno Capital Corporation (“Sereno”), a Capital Pool Company. Members of Envoy’s management group are also officers and directors of Sereno and exercise significant influence. The investment in Sereno has been accounted for using the equity method.
Related party transactions are recorded at the exchange amount, being the amount agreed to by the related parties.
| 7. | CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES |
The significant accounting policies used by Envoy in preparing its Financial Statements are described in Note 2 to the Financial Statements and should be read to ensure a proper understanding and evaluation of the estimates and judgments made by management in preparing those Financial Statements. Envoy’s Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles. Envoy also prepared a reconciliation to United States generally accepted accounting principles, which is included in Note 21 to the annual consolidated financial statements.
Inherent in the application of some of these policies is the judgment by management as to which of the various methods allowed under generally accepted accounting principles is the most appropriate to apply in the case of Envoy. As well, management must take appropriate estimates at the time the Financial Statements are prepared.
Although all of the policies identified in Note 2 to the Financial Statements are important in understanding the Financial Statements, the policies discussed below are considered by management to be central to understanding the Financial Statements, because of the higher level of measurement uncertainties involved in their application.
The Company presents as net revenue its net commission and fee income earned as compensation for its services. Further, the balance sheet reflects the following:
| | (i) | deferred revenue representing fees billed and collected in advance of such fees being earned; |
| | (ii) | unbilled revenue (included in accounts receivable) representing fees earned but not yet billed as well as well as reimbursable pass-through costs; and |
| | (iii) | work in process (included in accounts receivable) represents costs incurred on projects for which revenue has not yet been recognized for accounting purposes. |
Included in work in process are charges for staff time at standard cost and third party charges. The standard cost rate provides for the recovery of actual labour and overhead costs incurred. The third party charges are for actual costs related to outsourced goods and services for specific projects.
The Company recognizes net revenue and profits for Consumer and Retail Branding on the completed contract basis, and accordingly revenue and profit are recognized only when the contract or contract milestone is substantially complete. Anticipated losses are provided for when the estimate of total costs on a contract indicates a loss.
Net revenue for the Consumer and Retail Branding segment represents compensation for services rendered, net of any pass-through costs such as production costs incurred on behalf of clients in acting as agent for them. In circumstances where the Company retains subcontractors, such as architects or engineers, to perform services as an agent to the Company, the revenue for such services is included in net revenue and the cost of the subcontractor’s services is included in salaries and benefits expense or general and administrative expenses, as appropriate.
Revenue Recognition – Merchant banking segment
Securities transactions are recorded on a trade-date basis. Changes in fair value of held-for-trading investments are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis.
Financial Instruments
Financial assets and financial liabilities are initially recognized at fair value and their subsequent measurement is dependent on their classification as described below. Their classification depends on the purpose for which the financial instruments were acquired or issued, their characteristics and the Company’s designation of such instruments. The standards require that all financial assets be classified either as held-for-trading (“HFT”), available-for-sale (“AFS”), held-to-maturity (“HTM”), or loans and receivables. The standards require that all financial assets, including all derivatives, be measured at fair value with the exception of loans and receivables, debt securities classified as HTM, and AFS financial assets that do not have quoted market prices in an active market.
HFT financial assets are financial assets typically acquired for resale prior to maturity. They are measured at fair value at the balance sheet date. Interest and dividends earned, gains and losses realized on disposal and unrealized gains and losses from market fluctuations are included in net revenue for the period.
HTM financial assets are those non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments and a fixed maturity, other than loans and receivables that an entity has the positive intention and ability to hold to maturity. These financial assets are measured at amortized cost.
AFS financial assets are those non-derivative financial assets that are designated as AFS, or that are not classified as loans and receivables, HTM investments or HFT. AFS financial assets are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in Other Comprehensive Income (OCI) until realized when the cumulative gain or loss is recognized in net income.
Loans and receivables are accounted for at amortized cost using the effective interest method.
At each financial reporting period, the Company’s management estimates the fair value of investments based on the criteria below and reflects such valuations in the consolidated financial statements.
(i) Publicly-traded investments:
Securities which are traded on a recognized securities exchange and for which no sales restrictions apply are recorded at fair values based on quoted market prices at the consolidated balance sheet dates or the closing price on the last day the security traded if there were no trades at the consolidated balance sheet dates.
Securities which are traded on a recognized securities exchange but which are escrowed or otherwise restricted as to sale or transfer may be recorded at amounts discounted from market value. In determining whether a discount is appropriate for such investments, the Company considers the nature and length of the restriction, the business risk of the investee company, its stage of development, market potential, relative trading volume and price volatility and any other factors that may be relevant to the ongoing and realizable value of the investments.
(ii) Privately-held investments:
Securities in privately-held companies designated as HFT are recorded at fair value based on objective evidence including recent arm’s length transactions between knowledgeable, willing parties, such as significant subsequent equity financing by an unrelated, professional investor, discounted cash flow analysis, operational results, forecasts and other developments since acquisition.
Income Taxes
Envoy accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under this method, future income taxes are recognized at the enacted or substantially enacted tax rate expected to be applicable at the anticipated date of the reversal for all significant temporary differences between the tax and accounting bases of assets and liabilities and for certain tax carryforward items. Future income tax assets and liabilities are recognized only to the extent that, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that the future income tax assets will be realized. Future operating results and future tax rates could vary materially, and accordingly the value of income tax assets and liabilities could change by material amounts.
| 8. | RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES |
Envoy management monitors, understands and manages the risks associated with its business transactions and the general economic environment in which it operates. Risks reflect uncertainty regarding potential outcomes from changes in political, economic and capital market conditions. Envoy is subject to these risks and uncertainties and actively manages them as follows:
General economic conditions
The marketing and communication industry is cyclical and as a result it is subject to downturns in general economic conditions and changes in client business and marketing budgets. These fluctuations may affect the ability of the branding segment to generate consistent returns. However, a significant portion of our business is with large multinational businesses, including large packaged goods companies and large food retailers who are less impacted by downturns in the economy. In an effort to offer our clients services on an international scale, and to manage our exposure to broad economic conditions, Envoy has diversified geographically, with clients in over 30 countries around the world.
The merchant banking industry is subject to general market conditions and investment returns may vary significantly from period to period. Envoy attempts to manage its business with a focus on wealth protection while maintaining steady growth. Investments are usually very liquid and investment horizons consistently monitored.
Client concentration
The Company receives a significant portion of its revenues from a limited number of large clients. The loss of any such clients could adversely impact the Company’s prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations. For the three months ended December 31, 2010, the Company’s top three clients accounted for 62% of its consolidated net revenue, compared to 64% concentration in the top three clients for the three months ended December 31, 2009. The Company expects reliance on a limited number of its clients to continue into the future. The failure to achieve continued design wins from one or more of these significant clients, without adding new sources of net revenue, could have an adverse effect on the Company’s financial results.
Market risk
Market risk is the risk of loss of value in Envoy's portfolios resulting from changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates, credit spreads, and equity prices. The Company mitigates this risk by employing a professional investment manager and by ensuring that the portfolio is well diversified.
Foreign currency risk
Envoy is subject to currency risk through its activities in Europe and sales to foreign based clients. Unfavorable changes in the exchange rate may adversely affect the operating results of Envoy. The Company has begun to actively use derivative instruments to reduce its exposure to foreign currency risk. In addition, dependent on the nature, amount and timing of foreign currency receipts and payments, the Company may from time to time enter into foreign currency contracts to mitigate the associated risks.
International exposure
The Company’s international operations are subject to a number of risks inherent in operating in different countries. These include, but are not limited to risks regarding restrictions on repatriation of earnings and changes in the political or economic conditions of a specific country or region, particularly in emerging markets. The occurrence of any of these events or conditions could adversely affect the Company’s ability to increase or maintain its operations in various countries.
Key personnel
Envoy’s success depends in part upon its ability to hire and retain key senior management and skilled technical, client service and creative personnel able to create and maintain solid relationships with clients. An inability to hire or retain qualified personnel could have a material adverse effect on Envoy. To reduce the risk of losing valued employees, Envoy strives to maintain a positive work environment that values the contributions of its employees.
Interest and Credit risk
Envoy manages its credit risk with respect to accounts receivable by acting as an agent for its customers, by dealing primarily with large creditworthy customers and by billing whenever possible in advance of rendering services or making commitments. As at December 31, 2010, Envoy had two customers, who represented 44% of accounts receivable and two customers who represented 47% of accounts receivable as at September 30, 2010. Management believes that Envoy is not subject to significant concentration of credit risk based on the fact that the clients from whom the receivables are due are large, national corporations with extensive financial resources.
Certain of the Company’s financial assets, including cash and investments are exposed to the risk of financial loss occurring as a result of default of a counterparty on its obligations to the Company. The Company may, from time to time, invest in debt obligations. The Company is also exposed, in the normal course of business, to credit risk from the sale of its investments and advances to investee companies.
The Company believes it is not significantly exposed to interest risk as investments in loans and debt obligations comprise a small percentage of the Company’s total investments. Interest exposure is limited on fixed income securities as they are held for trading and bought and sold on a short term basis. As at December 31, 2010, the Company had minimal exposure to liabilities which bore interest at rates fluctuating with the prime rate or overnight lending rate. The Company has a credit facility which can be repaid by the Company at any time, without notice or penalty, which provides the Company with some ability to manage and mitigate its interest risk.
Future investments
The Company identifies, assesses and reviews potential investment opportunities on an ongoing basis. As part of the review, the Company conducts business, legal and financial due diligence with the goal of identifying and evaluating material risks involved in any particular transaction. Despite the Company’s efforts, it may be unsuccessful in ascertaining or evaluating all such risks. As a result, it might not realize the intended advantages of any given investment and may not identify all of the risks relating to the investment which could adversely impact the Company’s business, operating results and financial condition.
| 9. | EVALUATION OF DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
The Company has established, and is maintaining, disclosure controls and procedures to provide reasonable assurance that material information relating to the Company is disclosed in annual filings, interim filings or other reports and recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified as required by securities regulations. Management has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as at December 31, 2010 and, given the size of the Company and the involvement at all levels of the Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and other senior officers, believes that they are sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that the Company's disclosures are compliant with securities regulations.
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting for the Company. Management has designed such internal control over financial reporting to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with Canadian GAAP, and reconciled to US GAAP, as applicable.
Because of its inherent limitations, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all possible misstatements or frauds. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management has assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting and concluded that such internal control over financial reporting is effective as of December 31, 2010.
| 10. | UPDATED SHARE INFORMATION |
As at December 31, 2010, there were 8,028,377 common shares of Envoy issued and outstanding. The same number of shares was issued and outstanding at September 30, 2010.
Additional information relating to Envoy, including our Annual Information Form is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
| 12. | FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS |
All statements in this MD&A that do not directly and exclusively relate to historical facts constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements represent Envoy’s intentions, plans, expectations and beliefs, and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of Envoy. These factors could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. These factors include but are not restricted to the timing and size of contracts, acquisitions and other corporate developments; the ability to attract and retain qualified employees; market competition in our industry; g eneral economic and business conditions, foreign exchange and other risks identified in the MD&A, in Envoy’s Annual Report or Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or Envoy’s Annual Information Form filed with the Canadian securities authorities. The words “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “anticipate”, “foresee”, “plan”, and similar expressions identify certain of such forward looking statements, which are valid only as of the date on which they are made. In particular, statements relating to future growth are forward looking statements. Envoy disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements
