SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2008
o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from ____________ to ____________
Commission File Number: 001-13387
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AeroCentury Corp.
(Exact name of small business issuer as specified in its charter)
Delaware | 94-3263974 | |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
1440 Chapin Avenue, Suite 310
Burlingame, California 94010
(Address of principal executive offices)
(650) 340-1888
(Issuer’s telephone number)
None
(Former Name, Former address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)
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 xNo o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes oNo x
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: As of November 13, 2008 the Issuer had 1,606,557 Shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, issued, of which 63,300 are held as Treasury Stock.
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. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer oAccelerated filer o
Non-accelerated filer oSmaller reporting company x
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PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“the Exchange Act”). All statements in this Report other than statements of historical fact are "forward-looking statements" for purposes of these provisions, including any statements of plans and objectives for future operations and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Statements that include the use of terminology such as "may," "will," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "estimates," "potential," or "continue," or the negative thereof, or other comparable terminology are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include: (i) in Item 1 “Financial Statements” the Company’s statements that the adoption of FSP 157-1 and 157-2 will not have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements; and that the Company expects to lease a DHC-8-300 aircraft in the fourth quarter to a current lessee; (ii) in Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Liquidity and Capital Resources” the Company’s statements regarding its belief that it will remain in compliance with the covenants of its Credit Facility; that it will re-lease a DHC-8-300 in the fourth quarter of 2008; that the other leases expiring in 2008 will be extended by their lessees; and that the Company will have adequate cash flow to meet its ongoing operational needs, including required repayments under its Credit Facility, Subordinated Notes financing and special purpose financings; (iii) in Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Outlook” the Company’s statements regarding its belief that it will have sufficient debt capacity under its Credit Facility to fund planned acquisitions for the remainder of 2008 and 2009; that the Company will incur maintenance expense in the fourth quarter for work performed on an aircraft that was returned early in August 2008; that the Company expects to deliver a DHC-8-300 aircraft to a current lessee in the fourth quarter of 2008; that the Company will be successful in extending the leases or find new lessees for aircraft with leases expiring during the fourth quarter of 2008; that, even if the aircraft that are currently off lease and may come off lease in the remainder of 2008 remain off lease for an extended period of time, the Company will be able to meet its operational needs and remain in compliance with the terms of its Credit Facility and Subordinated Notes; and that the Company’s reported net income may be subject to significant fluctuations from quarter-to-quarter as a result of the adoption of FSP AUG AIR-1 and that with the recent acquisitions of Fokker 100s the fluctuations may have greater magnitude; and (iv) in Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Factors that May Affect Future Results,” the Company’s statements regarding its belief that the current banking crisis will not have an immediate effect on the Company; that the lenders in its Credit Facility will continue to be able to honor their commitment to provide loans as committed in the Credit Facility agreements and that the unused capacity under the Credit Facility provides sufficient capital to fund acquisitions through the end of 2009; that the Company will have sufficient cash funds to make any payment that arises due to borrowing base limitations caused by assets scheduled to come off lease in the near term; that JMC personnel's overall industry experience and its technical resources should permit the Company to effectively manage new aircraft types and engines; that the bulk of the equipment the Company acquires will be used aircraft equipment; that the Company intends to focus on regional air carriers and typically is able to obtain generally higher lease rates from regional carriers than mainline carriers; and that the Company is competitive because of JMC’s experience and operational efficiency in identifying and obtaining financing for the transaction types desired by regional air carriers and that it benefits from JMC’s reputation. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and it is important to note that the Company's actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in such forward-looking statements. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are the factors detailed under the heading "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Factors That May Affect Future Results," including continued availability of Credit Facility financing; the compliance of the Company's lessees with obligations under their respective leases, risks related to use of debt financing for acquisitions; a sudden worsening in demand for regional aircraft or severe reduction in regional airline capacity; general economic conditions, particularly those that affect the air travel industry; the Company’s success in finding additional financing and appropriate assets to acquire with such financing; deviations from the assumption that future major maintenance expenses will be relatively evenly spaced over the entire portfolio; and future trends and results which cannot be predicted with certainty. The cautionary statements made in this Report should be read as being applicable to all related forward-looking statements wherever they appear herein. All forward-looking statements and risk factors included in this document are made as of the date hereof, based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or risk factor. You should consult the risk factors listed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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Item 1. Financial Statements.
AeroCentury Corp.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
Unaudited
ASSETS | ||||||||
September 30, 2008 | December 31, 2007 | |||||||
Assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 2,471,500 | $ | 2,843,200 | ||||
Accounts receivable, including deferred rent of $215,400 and $675,600 at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively | 1,659,000 | 1,647,700 | ||||||
Aircraft and aircraft engine held for lease, net of accumulated depreciation of $31,489,600 and $26,163,200 at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively | 127,481,300 | 118,924,000 | ||||||
Taxes receivable | 1,626,800 | 1,835,600 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other | 1,145,400 | 1,402,300 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 134,384,000 | $ | 126,652,800 | ||||
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | ||||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | 434,600 | $ | 811,000 | ||||
Notes payable and accrued interest | 75,431,400 | 73,074,500 | ||||||
Maintenance reserves and accrued costs | 7,727,800 | 6,025,500 | ||||||
Security deposits | 5,467,900 | 5,696,500 | ||||||
Prepaid rent | 971,800 | 1,028,000 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes | 9,325,800 | 7,649,000 | ||||||
Taxes payable | 29,900 | 228,600 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 99,389,200 | 94,513,100 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies | ||||||||
Stockholders’ equity: | ||||||||
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 2,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding | - | - | ||||||
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, 1,606,557 shares issued and outstanding | 1,600 | 1,600 | ||||||
Paid in capital | 14,780,100 | 15,377,600 | ||||||
Retained earnings | 20,717,200 | 17,264,600 | ||||||
35,498,900 | 32,643,800 | |||||||
Treasury stock at cost, 63,300 shares | (504,100 | ) | (504,100 | ) | ||||
Total stockholders’ equity | 34,994,800 | 32,139,700 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | $ | 134,384,000 | $ | 126,652,800 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
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AeroCentury Corp.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Unaudited
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | For the Three Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||||
(as restated) | (as restated) | |||||||||||||||
Revenues and other income: | ||||||||||||||||
Operating lease revenue | $ | 17,995,300 | $ | 13,811,500 | $ | 6,342,200 | $ | 5,300,500 | ||||||||
Maintenance reserves income | 5,534,000 | 2,826,800 | 1,883,900 | 1,152,500 | ||||||||||||
Gain on sale of aircraft and aircraft engines | 15,000 | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
Other | 199,900 | 20,000 | 10,100 | 11,500 | ||||||||||||
23,744,200 | 16,658,300 | 8,236,200 | 6,464,500 | |||||||||||||
Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Interest | 4,979,900 | 4,369,900 | 1,749,800 | 1,724,100 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation | 5,326,400 | 3,986,000 | 1,876,700 | 1,493,000 | ||||||||||||
Management fees | 2,730,000 | 2,161,600 | 957,300 | 794,400 | ||||||||||||
Maintenance costs | 4,555,500 | 1,301,200 | 920,800 | 375,300 | ||||||||||||
Professional fees and general and administrative | 584,200 | 490,300 | 149,200 | 159,700 | ||||||||||||
Other taxes | (92,600 | ) | 313,600 | (47,300 | ) | 291,800 | ||||||||||
Insurance | 287,800 | 133,100 | 116,600 | 57,600 | ||||||||||||
Bad debt expense | 1,300 | 15,700 | 1,300 | - | ||||||||||||
18,372,500 | 12,771,400 | 5,724,400 | 4,895,900 | |||||||||||||
Income before income taxes | 5,371,700 | 3,886,900 | 2,511,800 | 1,568,600 | ||||||||||||
Income tax provision | 1,919,100 | 1,235,500 | 940,400 | 454,300 | ||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 3,452,600 | $ | 2,651,400 | $ | 1,571,400 | $ | 1,114,300 | ||||||||
Earnings per share: | ||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 2.24 | $ | 1.72 | $ | 1.02 | $ | 0.72 | ||||||||
Diluted | $ | 2.16 | $ | 1.67 | $ | 1.00 | $ | 0.69 | ||||||||
Shares used in per share computations: | ||||||||||||||||
Basic | 1,543,257 | 1,543,257 | 1,543,257 | 1,543,257 | ||||||||||||
Diluted | 1,596,850 | 1,588,082 | 1,572,.420 | 1,618,674 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
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AeroCentury Corp.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Unaudited
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
(as restated) | ||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 11,975,000 | $ | 11,605,300 | ||||
Investing activities: | ||||||||
Proceeds from sale of aircraft engine | 15,000 | - | ||||||
Purchases of aircraft | (13,883,800 | ) | (25,873,200 | ) | ||||
Net cash used by investing activities | (13,868,800 | ) | (25,873,200 | ) | ||||
Financing activities: | ||||||||
Borrowings under Credit Facility | 12,500,000 | 21,500,000 | ||||||
Net proceeds received from issuance of subordinated notes payable | 3,960,000 | 9,237,400 | ||||||
Debt issuance costs | 285,800 | (735,200 | ) | |||||
Repayment of notes payable | (15,223,700 | ) | (16,249,300 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by financing activities | 1,522,100 | 13,752,900 | ||||||
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (371,700 | ) | (515,000 | ) | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 2,843,200 | 3,383,900 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 2,471,500 | $ | 2,868,900 |
During the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, the Company paid interest totaling $4,554,300 and $4,555,700 respectively.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company paid income taxes totaling $3,700 and received $210,500 of federal tax refunds. During the nine months ended September 30, 2007, the Company paid income taxes totaling $1,200 and received a $64,600 federal tax refund.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
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AeroCentury Corp.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2008
1. Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(a) Basis of Presentation
AeroCentury Corp., a Delaware corporation (the Company, as defined below) acquires used regional aircraft for lease to foreign and domestic regional carriers. Financial information for AeroCentury Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, AeroCentury Investments V LLC (“AeroCentury V LLC”), dissolved on August 25, 2008, and AeroCentury Investments VI LLC (“AeroCentury VI LLC”) (collectively, the “Company”), is presented on a consolidated basis. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information, the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2008.
For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2007.
(b) Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable for making judgments that are not readily apparent from other sources.
(c) Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Accounting for Derivative Instrument
The Company’s financial instruments, other than cash, consist principally of cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, amounts borrowed under a credit facility, borrowings under notes payable and a derivative instrument. The fair value of cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximates the carrying value of these financial instruments because of their short-term nature.
Borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) and certain notes payable bear floating rates of interest that reset periodically to a market benchmark rate plus a credit margin. The Company believes the effective rates of the Credit Facility and debt agreements approximate current market rates for such indebtedness at the balance sheet date. The Company believes the carrying amount of its fixed rate debt approximates fair value at the balance sheet date. As discussed in Note 5, the fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap derivative instrument is determined by reference to banker quotations.
(d) Reclassifications
Certain of the prior period financial statement amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on previously reported net income or cash flows.
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AeroCentury Corp.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2008
1. Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
(e) Recent Accounting Pronouncements
On May 14, 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles,” which codified the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles to be used in preparation of financial statements of non-governmental entities that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. This statement is effective sixty days following the adoption by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU 411, “The Meaning of Fairly Presented in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles,” and is not expected to have any effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
On March 19, 2008, the FASB issued SFAS 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 161”), which is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2008 and which requires enhanced disclosure about derivatives and hedging transactions. Early adoption is encouraged. SFAS 161 amends SFAS 133, and requires that objectives for using derivative instruments be disclosed in terms of the underlying risk and accounting designation, better conveying the purpose underlying the derivatives’ use in terms of the risk the reporting entity is intending to manage. It further requires disclosure of the fair value of derivative instruments and their gains or losses in tabular format, information about credit risk-related contingent features providing information on the potential effect on the reporting entity’s liquidity from using derivatives, and cross-referencing within footnotes. The Company has not yet adopted the provisions of SFAS 161. Adoption of SFAS 161 will require additional footnote disclosure but will not impact the amount of gain or loss recognized, or the financial position, of the Company.
The Company adopted SFAS 157, “Fair Value Measurements,” on
January 1, 2008. Information regarding the Company’s fair value measurements is presented in Note 5. During February 2008, two FASB Staff Positions (“FSP”) related to implementation of SFAS 157 were issued. SFAS 157 provides guidance on the use of fair value measurements in generally accepted accounting standards. FSP 157-1, “Application of FASB Statement No. 157 to FASB Statement No. 13 and Other Accounting Pronouncements That Address Fair Value Measurements for Purposes of Lease Classification or Measurement under Statement 13,” amends SFAS 157 to exclude SFAS 13 and other pronouncements that address fair value measurements for purposes of lease classification or amendment from the provisions of SFAS 157, except in the case of a business combination where such measures are governed by SFAS 141. FSP 157-1 is effective upon adoption of SFAS 157. FSP 157-2, “Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157,” delays the effective date of SFAS 157 for non-financial assets and liabilities that are not recognized or disclosed at fair value, to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008 and interim periods within such years. The Company does not believe that adoption of either of these FSPs will have a material effect upon its condensed consolidated financial statements.
In June 2008, the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") reached a consensus on EITF Issue No. 07-5, "Determining Whether an Instrument (or Embedded Feature) is Indexed to an Entity's Own Stock" ("EITF 07-5"). EITF 07-5 provides that an entity should use a two step approach to evaluate whether an equity-linked financial instrument (or embedded feature) is indexed to its own stock, including evaluating the instrument's contingent exercise and settlement provisions. EITF 07-5 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact the new pronouncement will have on its condensed consolidated financial statements.
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AeroCentury Corp.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2008
2. Restatement of Previously Issued Financial Statements –
Correction of an Error
In connection with the year-end audit of the Company’s 2007 consolidated financial statements, the Company identified certain errors in the unaudited interim financial statements for each of the fiscal quarters during years 2007 and 2006 and the annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006. The errors principally related to incorrect treatment of two $450,000 non-contingent termination payments due from a lessee under two leases terminating in October 2007 and February 2008, respectively, that should have been recognized as operating lease revenue ratably over the three-year terms of the leases.
The Company restated its 2006 and 2007 quarterly and its 2006 annual results to correct the errors and reported the effects of such restatements in its Form 8-K filing dated February 27, 2008.
The following table shows the effect of that restatement on the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007. The restatement had no effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007 | For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2007 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
As previously reported | As restated due to correction of an error | Increase | As previously reported | As restated due to correction of an error | Increase | |||||||||||||||||||
Operating lease revenue | $ | 13,582,900 | $ | 13,811,500 | $ | 228,600 | $ | 5,224,300 | $ | 5,300,500 | $ | 76,200 | ||||||||||||
Maintenance reserves income | 2,826,800 | 2,826,800 | - | 1,152,500 | 1,152,500 | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Other | 20,000 | 20,000 | - | 11,500 | 11,500 | - | ||||||||||||||||||
16,429,700 | 16,658,300 | 228,600 | 6,388,300 | 6,464,500 | 76,200 | |||||||||||||||||||
Interest | 4,369,900 | 4,369,900 | - | 1,724,100 | 1,724,100 | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Depreciation | 3,986,000 | 3,986,000 | - | 1,493,000 | 1,493,000 | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Maintenance | 1,301,200 | 1,301,200 | - | 375,300 | 375,300 | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Management fees | 2,161,600 | 2,161,600 | - | 794,400 | 794,400 | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Professional fees and other | 952,700 | 952,700 | - | 509,100 | 509,100 | - | ||||||||||||||||||
12,771,400 | 12,771,400 | - | 4,895,900 | 4,895,900 | - | |||||||||||||||||||
Income before taxes | 3,658,300 | 3,886,900 | 228,600 | 1,492,400 | 1,568,600 | 76,200 | ||||||||||||||||||
Income tax provision | 1,157,000 | 1,235,500 | 78,500 | 428,100 | 454,300 | 26,100 | ||||||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 2,501,300 | $ | 2,651,400 | $ | 150,100 | $ | 1,064,300 | $ | 1,114,300 | $ | 50,100 | ||||||||||||
Earnings per share: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | $ | 1.62 | $ | 1.72 | $ | 0.10 | $ | 0.69 | $ | 0.72 | $ | 0.03 | ||||||||||||
Diluted | $ | 1.58 | $ | 1.67 | $ | 0.09 | $ | 0.66 | $ | 0.69 | $ | 0.03 | ||||||||||||
Shares used in per share computations: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Basic | 1,543,257 | 1,543,257 | - | 1,543,257 | 1,543,257 | - | ||||||||||||||||||
Diluted | 1,588,082 | 1,588,082 | - | 1,618,674 | 1,618,674 | - |
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AeroCentury Corp.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2008
3.Aircraft and Aircraft Engine Held for Lease
During the three months ended September 30, 2008, the Company did not purchase or sell any aircraft. At September 30, 2008, the Company’s two Saab 340A aircraft, one of the Company’s deHavilland DHC-8-300 aircraft, one of the Company’s Fokker 50 aircraft and one turboprop engine were off lease. As discussed in Note 9, the Company has a signed term sheet for the re-lease of the DHC-8-300 aircraft. The Fokker 50, the lease for which was to expire in November 2008, was returned to the Company in August 2008 pursuant to an early termination agreement with the lessee. The aircraft is undergoing maintenance to prepare it for re-lease.
4.Maintenance Reserves and Accrued Costs
The accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets reflect liabilities for maintenance reserves and accrued costs, which include refundable maintenance payments received from lessees based on usage. At September 30, 2008, the Company’s maintenance reserves and accruals consisted of the following:
Refundable maintenance reserves | $ | 5,427,200 | ||
Accrued costs | 2,300,600 | |||
$ | 7,727,800 |
Additions to and deductions from the Company’s accrued costs during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 for aircraft maintenance were as follows:
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
(as restated) | ||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 1,591,300 | $ | 3,846,700 | ||||
Adjustment pursuant to FSP AUG AIR-1 | - | (3,499,300 | ) | |||||
Balance, beginning of period, adjusted for adoption of FSP AUG AIR-1 | 1,591,300 | 347,400 | ||||||
Additions: | ||||||||
Charged to expense | 4,308,100 | 1,340,700 | ||||||
Deductions: | ||||||||
Paid for previously accrued maintenance | 3,598,800 | 466,100 | ||||||
Reversals of over-accrued maintenance | - | 172,500 | ||||||
3,598,800 | 638,600 | |||||||
Net increase in accrued maintenance costs | 709,300 | 702,100 | ||||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 2,300,600 | $ | 1,049,500 |
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AeroCentury Corp.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2008
5. Notes Payable and Accrued Interest
At September 30, 2008, the Company’s notes payable and accrued interest consisted of the following:
Credit Facility principal | $ | 61,596,000 | ||
Credit Facility accrued interest | 84,500 | |||
Subordinated Notes principal | 14,000,000 | |||
Subordinated Notes discount | (1,333,700 | ) | ||
Special purpose financing principal | 840,800 | |||
Special purpose financing accrued interest | 1,300 | |||
Interest Swap valuation | 214,500 | |||
Interest Swap accrued interest | 28,000 | |||
$ | 75,431,400 |
(a) Credit Facility
During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company borrowed $12,500,000 and repaid $10,500,000 of the outstanding principal under its Credit Facility. As of September 30, 2008, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Credit Facility agreement.
The weighted average interest rate on the Credit Facility at September 30, 2008 and 2007 was 6.22% and 8.14%, respectively.
(b) Derivative instrument
In December 2007, the Company entered into a two-year interest rate swap (the “Swap”) with a notional amount of $20 million, under which it committed to make or receive a net settlement for the difference in interest receivable computed monthly on the basis of 30-day LIBOR and interest payable monthly on the basis of a fixed rate of 4.04% per annum.
At September 30, 2008, the Company recorded the fair value of the Swap of $214,500 as a liability on its condensed consolidated balance sheet as a component of notes payable and accrued interest. The Company recorded a gain on the Swap of $50,200 for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and a loss of $64,500 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 as a component of interest expense. The Company also recognized additional interest expense on the net settlement of the Swap of $80,200 and $165,000 for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, as a component of interest expense.
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AeroCentury Corp.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2008
5.Notes Payable and Accrued Interest (continued)
(b) Derivative instrument (continued)
SFAS No. 157 discusses valuation techniques, such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flow), and the cost approach (cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost). The statement utilizes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. The following is a brief description of those three levels:
Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. |
Level 2: Inputs, other than quoted prices, that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active. |
Level 3: Unobservable inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions. |
The following table summarizes the bases used to measure applicable financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis in the balance sheet:
Basis of Fair Value Measurements | ||||||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2008 | Quoted prices in active markets for identical items (Level 1) | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | |||||||||||||
Interest rate swap derivative | $ | 214,500 | $ | - | $ | 214,500 | $ | - |
The Company’s interest rate swap agreement effectively converts a portion of the Company’s short-term variable rate debt to a fixed rate. Under this agreement, the Company pays a fixed rate and receives a variable rate of LIBOR. The fair value of this interest rate derivative is based on quoted prices for similar instruments from a commercial bank and, therefore, the interest rate derivative is considered a level 2 input.
(c) Senior unsecured subordinated debt
As of September 30, 2008, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the securities purchase agreement that governs its subordinated debt (the “Subordinated Notes”). In July 2008, the Company and the holders of Subordinated Notes agreed to amend the Subordinated Notes securities purchase agreement (the “Subordinated Notes Agreement”) to reduce the maximum amount of Subordinated Notes to be issued under the Agreement from $28 million to $14 million and to reduce the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants issued to the holders of Subordinated Notes under the Subordinated Notes Agreement from 171,473 to 81,224. The estimated fair value of the warrants cancelled was $597,400 and was recorded as a reduction to paid-in capital and debt discount. The amendment also provided for the refund to the Company of certain fees paid to the purchasers of Subordinated Notes at the initial closing of the Subordinated Notes Agreement, as well as a portion of the unused commitment fees paid to the noteholders through June 30, 2008, and revised certain prepayment provisions of the Subordinated Notes Agreement. The amendment was accounted for as a debt modification. The net proceeds from the $4,000,000 of Subordinated Notes that were issued pursuant to the amendment were used to repay a portion of the Company’s Credit Facility debt.
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AeroCentury Corp.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2008
5. Notes Payable and Accrued Interest (continued)
(d) Special purpose financings
Until August 2008, the Company had two special purpose financings in connection with AeroCentury V LLC and AeroCentury VI LLC. In April 2008, the Company repaid the outstanding principal of $4,109,900 owed by AeroCentury V LLC under its special purpose financing and paid a prepayment penalty of $8,200. In August 2008, the Company transferred ownership of the two aircraft that served as collateral for the financing from AeroCentury V LLC to AeroCentury Corp., at which time the aircraft became eligible as collateral under the Credit Facility. On August 25, 2008, AeroCentury V LLC was dissolved.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, AeroCentury VI LLC repaid $268,400 of principal. The principal amount owed under that note was $840,800 and interest of $1,300 was accrued at September 30, 2008. As of September 30, 2008, the Company was in compliance with all covenants of the AeroCentury VI LLC note obligation.
6. Income Taxes
The Company’s effective tax rates of approximately 37% and 36% for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, were substantially higher than the 29% and 32% for the same periods ended September 30, 2007, respectively, as a result of (i) the Company’s recognition of the tax benefits associated with foreign tax credits in the 2007 periods and (ii) recognition in 2008 of the effect of a difference for GAAP and tax purposes in the valuation of warrants issued in connection with the Company’s issuance of senior subordinated debt.
7. Computation of Earnings Per Share
Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated as follows:
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, | For the Three Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||||
(as restated) | (as restated) | |||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 3,452,600 | $ | 2,651,400 | $ | 1,571,400 | $ | 1,114,300 | ||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding for the period | 1,543,257 | 1,543,257 | 1,543,257 | 1,543,257 | ||||||||||||
Dilutive effect of warrants | 53,593 | 44,825 | 29,163 | 75,417 | ||||||||||||
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding | 1,596,850 | 1,588,082 | 1,572,420 | 1,618,674 | ||||||||||||
Basic earnings per share | $ | 2.24 | $ | 1.72 | $ | 1.02 | $ | 0.72 | ||||||||
Diluted earnings per share | $ | 2.16 | $ | 1.67 | $ | 1.00 | $ | 0.69 |
Basic earnings per common share is computed using net income and the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share is computed using net income and the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, assuming dilution. Weighted average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution, includes potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. Potentially dilutive common shares include the assumed exercise of warrants using the treasury stock method.
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AeroCentury Corp.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
September 30, 2008
8. Related Party Transactions
The Company’s portfolio of leased aircraft assets is managed and administered under the terms of a management agreement with JetFleet Management Corp. (“JMC”), which is an integrated aircraft management, marketing and financing business and a subsidiary of JetFleet Holding Corp. ("JHC"). Certain officers of the Company are also officers of JHC and JMC and hold significant ownership positions in both JHC and the Company. The Company recorded management fees of $2,730,000 and $2,161,600 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Company paid acquisition fees totaling $437,000 and $855,800 to JMC during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, which are included in the cost basis of the aircraft purchased. No remarketing fees were paid to JMC during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 or 2007.
9. Subsequent Events
In October 2008, the Company signed a term sheet for the re-lease of its off-lease DHC-8-300 aircraft. Delivery to the new lessee, which also leases two of the Company’s DHC-8-100 aircraft, is expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2008.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2007 and the unaudited financial statements and the related notes that appear elsewhere in this report.
Results of Operations for the Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 and 2007
(a) Revenues
Operating lease revenue was $1,041,700 and $4,183,800 greater in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2007, primarily because of increased operating lease revenue from aircraft purchased during 2007 and 2008 and re-leases of several of the Company’s aircraft during 2007 at increased rental rates. The aggregate effect of these increases was partially offset by a decrease in revenue related to aircraft that were off lease for all or part of the 2008 periods.
Maintenance reserves revenue, comprised of non-refundable reserves which are earned based on lessee aircraft usage, was $1,883,900 and $1,152,500 for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and $5,534,000 and $2,826,800 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Such income was $731,400 and $2,707,200 greater in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, compared to the 2007 periods primarily as a result of the increase in maintenance reserves resulting from the acquisition of aircraft in 2007.
Other income was $179,900 greater in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007, primarily as a result of $150,000 of compensation in 2008 for a potential re-lease transaction that was not consummated.
(b) Expense items
Interest expense was $25,700 greater in the three months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. The Company incurred $356,700 more in interest expense related to its Subordinated Notes in the 2008 period than in 2007 as a result of a higher principal balance and amortization of fees. During the three months ended September 30, 2008, the Company recorded $80,200 of net settlement interest related to the Swap, which was entered into on December 31, 2007. The aggregate effect of these increases was almost entirely offset by $314,400 less interest related to the Company’s Credit Facility debt in the three months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. This decrease was a result of the net effect of lower average index rates upon which the Credit Facility’s interest rates were based, and a higher average Credit Facility balance. The Company also recorded a gain of $50,200 for the change in fair value of the Swap and $46,500 less in commitment fees related to the unused portion of its Credit Facility and Subordinated Notes debt.
Interest expense was $610,000 greater in the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to the same period in 2007. The Company incurred $924,300 more in interest expense related to its Subordinated Notes in the 2008 period than in 2007 as a result of a higher principal balance and amortization of fees. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company recorded $164,900 of net settlement interest related to the Swap and a loss of $64,500 for the change in fair value of the Swap. The aggregate effect of these increases was partially offset by $518,900 less interest related to the Company’s Credit Facility debt in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. This decrease was a result of the net effect of lower average index rates upon which the Credit Facility’s interest rates were based, and a higher average Credit Facility balance. The Company also recorded $24,800 less in commitment fees related to the unused portion of its Credit Facility and Subordinated Notes debt.
Depreciation was $383,700 and $1,340,400 greater in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same periods in 2007, primarily because of purchases of aircraft during 2007 and 2008. Management fees, which are calculated on the net book value of the aircraft owned by the Company, were $162,900 and $568,400 greater in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2007 because of higher net book values as a result of aircraft acquisitions. The effects of this increase were partially offset by the effect of depreciation on the net book value of the Company’s aircraft.
The Company’s maintenance expense is dependent on the aggregate amount of the maintenance claims submitted by lessees for reimbursement from non-refundable reserves and expenses incurred in connection with off-lease aircraft. Primarily as a result of higher expense related to off-lease aircraft, the Company incurred $545,500 more in maintenance expense in the three months ended September 30, 2008 than in the same period in 2007. In the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company incurred $3,254,300 more in maintenance expense than in the same period of 2007, as a result of an increase in total lessee claims in 2008, as well as an increase in expense related to off-lease aircraft. During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2008, $454,900 and $1,887,400 respectively, of the Company’s maintenance expense was funded by non-refundable maintenance reserves which were recorded as income when accrued. The amounts funded by non-refundable maintenance reserves during the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007 were $347,100 and $1,127,600, respectively.
The Company records non-income based sales, use, value-added and franchise taxes as other tax expense. Such expenses were $339,100 and $406,200 lower in the three months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2007. Based on the Company’s analysis of value-added taxes related to an aircraft leased in Australia, the Company recorded value-added taxes, penalties and interest totaling $283,900 and $290,100 in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively. Upon completion of further analysis and confirmation from the Australian tax authority, the Company reduced the accruals for such amounts in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2008 by $63,400 and $177,100 respectively.
The Company's insurance expense consists primarily of directors and officers insurance, as well as product liability insurance and insurance for off-lease aircraft and aircraft engines, which varies depending on the type and length of time each off-lease asset is insured. Aircraft insurance expense was $59,000 and $154,700 greater in the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2007 as a result of differences in the type of and length of time the insured assets were off lease.
The Company’s effective tax rates of approximately 37% and 36% for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, were substantially higher than the 29% and 32% for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, as a result of (i) the Company’s recognition of the tax benefits associated with foreign tax credits in the 2007 periods and (ii) recognition in 2008 of the effect of a difference for GAAP and tax purposes in the valuation of warrants issued in connection with the Company’s issuance of the Subordinated Notes.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company is currently financing its assets primarily through debt borrowings, special purpose financing and excess cash flows.
(a) Credit Facility
During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company borrowed $12,500,000 and repaid $10,500,000 of the outstanding principal under its revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”). The balance of the principal amount owed under the Credit Facility at September 30, 2008 was $61,596,000 and interest of $84,500 was accrued. At September 30, 2008, the Company was in compliance with all covenants of the Credit Facility.
The Company is currently in compliance with all covenants and, based on its current projections, the Company believes it will continue to be in compliance with all covenants of its Credit Facility, but there can be no assurance of such compliance in the future. See "Factors That May Affect Future Results – 'Risks of Debt Financing’ and 'Credit Facility Obligations,’” below.
The Company's interest expense in connection with the Credit Facility generally increases and decreases with prevailing interest rates. Because aircraft owners seeking financing generally can obtain financing through either leasing transactions or traditional secured debt financings, prevailing interest rates are a significant factor in determining market lease rates, and market lease rates generally move up or down with prevailing interest rates, assuming supply and demand of the desired equipment remain constant. However, because lease rates for the Company’s assets typically are fixed under existing leases, the Company normally does not experience any positive or negative impact in revenue from changes in market lease rates due to interest rate changes until existing leases have terminated and new lease rates are set as aircraft are re-leased. As discussed in (b) below, the Company entered into an interest rate swap in December 2007.
(b) Derivative instrument
In December 2007, the Company entered into a two-year interest rate swap (the “Swap”) with a notional amount of $20 million, under which it committed to make or receive a net settlement for the difference in interest receivable computed monthly on the basis of 30-day LIBOR and interest payable monthly on the basis of a fixed rate of 4.04% per annum.
The Company recognized net settlement expense related to the Swap of $80,200 and $164,900 for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, as a component of interest expense. Short-term interest rates are currently below the fixed rate of the Swap. If short-term interest rates remain below the fixed rate of the Swap, the Company will incur additional interest expense as a result.
At September 30, 2008, the Company also recognized a $214,500 liability for the Swap on its condensed consolidated balance sheet as a component of notes payable and accrued interest. The Company also recognized a gain of $50,200 for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and a loss of $64,500 for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 as a component of interest expense for the change in fair value of the swap contract. Market expectations of increasing interest rates will tend to decrease the fair value of the swap, and expectations of decreasing interest rates will tend to increase the fair value of the swap.
(c) Senior unsecured subordinated debt
As of September 30, 2008, the carrying amount of the Subordinated Notes was $12,666,300 (outstanding principal amount of $14,000,000 less unamortized debt discount of $1,333,700) and accrued interest payable was $0. As of September 30, 2008, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under the Subordinated Notes Agreement and is currently in compliance.
In July 2008, the Company and the holders of Subordinated Notes agreed to amend the Subordinated Notes Agreement to reduce the maximum amount of Subordinated Notes to be issued under the Subordinated Notes Agreement from $28 million to $14 million and to reduce the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants from 171,473 to 81,224. The Company recorded a reduction to paid-in capital and debt discount of $597,400 related to the reduction in Warrants. The amendment also provided for the refund to the Company of certain fees paid at the initial closing of the Subordinated Notes Agreement, as well as a portion of the unused commitment fees paid through June 30, 2008 and revised certain prepayment provisions of the Subordinated Notes Agreement. The net proceeds from the $4,000,000 of Subordinated Notes that were issued pursuant to the amendment were used to repay a portion of the Company’s Credit Facility debt. Future acquisitions may be financed from funds available under the Credit Facility.
(d) Special purpose financings
Until August 2008, the Company had two special purpose financings in connection with AeroCentury V LLC and AeroCentury VI LLC. In April 2008, the Company repaid the outstanding principal of $4,109,900 owed by AeroCentury V LLC under its special purpose financing and paid a prepayment penalty of $8,200. In August 2008, the Company transferred ownership of the two aircraft that served as collateral for the financing from AeroCentury V LLC to AeroCentury Corp., upon which the aircraft became eligible as collateral under the Credit Facility. On August 25, 2008, AeroCentury V LLC dissolved. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, AeroCentury VI LLC repaid $268,400 of principal. The principal amount owed under that note was $840,800 and interest of $1,300 was accrued at September 30, 2008. As of September 30, 2008, the Company was in compliance with all covenants of the note obligations of AeroCentury Investments VI LLC and is currently in compliance.
(e) Cash flow
The Company's primary source of cash is lease rentals of its aircraft assets. Currently, one of the Company’s deHavilland DHC-8-300 aircraft, one of its Fokker 50 aircraft, its two Saab 340A aircraft and one turboprop engine are off lease. The Company is not receiving rent income for its off-lease aircraft and may incur significant maintenance expense in order to prepare the aircraft for re-lease. In October 2008, the Company signed a term sheet for the re-lease of its off-lease DHC-8-300 aircraft and delivery to the new lessee, which also leases two of the Company’s DHC-8-100 aircraft, is expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2008. In addition, two of the Company’s other aircraft leases expire in 2008; however, the Company believes that it is likely that the aircraft will be retained by the lessee pursuant to lease extensions.
The Company’s primary uses of cash are for aircraft maintenance and interest. The amount and timing of the Company’s maintenance expenditures are dependent on the aggregate amount of the maintenance claims submitted by lessees for reimbursement from reserves and expenses incurred in connection with off-lease aircraft and preparation of such aircraft for re-lease. The amount of interest paid by the Company is dependent on the outstanding balance of its Credit Facility, Subordinated Notes and special purpose financing debt. In addition, the amount of interest expenditures related to the Company’s Credit Facility and special purpose financing debt are dependent on changes in prevailing interest rates.
Management believes that the Company will have adequate cash flow to meet its ongoing operational needs, including required repayments under its Credit Facility, Subordinated Notes financing and special purpose financings, based upon its estimates of future revenues and expenditures. The Company’s expectations concerning such cash flows are based on existing lease terms and rents, as well as numerous estimates, including (i) rents on assets to be re-leased, (ii) timely use of proceeds of unused debt capacity toward additional acquisitions of income producing assets, and (iii) the cost and anticipated timing of maintenance to be performed. While the Company believes that the assumptions it has made in forecasting its cash flow are reasonable in light of experience, actual results could deviate from such assumptions. Among the more significant external factors outside the Company’s control that could have an impact on the accuracy of cash flow assumptions are (i) an increase in interest rates that negatively affects the Company’s profitability and causes the Company to violate covenants of its Credit Facility or its Subordinated Notes, which may in turn require repayment of some or all of the amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility or the Subordinated Notes, (ii) lessee non-performance or non-compliance with lease obligations (which may affect Credit Facility collateral limitations and Subordinated Notes covenants, as well as revenue and expenses), (iii) inability to locate and acquire a sufficient volume of additional aircraft assets at prices that will produce acceptable net returns and (iv) lessee performance of maintenance earlier than anticipated.
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(i) Operating activities
The Company’s cash flow from operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to 2007 increased by $369,700. The change in cash flow is a result of changes in several cash flow items during the year, including principally the following:
Lease rents, maintenance reserves and security deposits
Payments received from lessees for rent were $3,977,900 greater in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to 2007, due primarily to the effect of increased rent payments for aircraft acquired during 2007 and 2008, and re-leases during 2007 at increased rental rates for several of the Company’s aircraft. The aggregate effect of these increases was partially offset by a decrease in revenue related to aircraft that were off lease for all or part of the 2008 period.
Although increased demand generally in the turboprop market has caused lease rates to stabilize and, in some cases, rise, there can be no assurance that rental rates on aircraft to be re-leased will not decline, so that, absent additional acquisitions by the Company beyond those made in 2007 and in 2008, aggregate lease revenues for the current portfolio could decline in the future.
Payments received for refundable and non-refundable maintenance reserves are based on usage of the Company’s aircraft. Such payments were $2,989,400 greater in the first nine months of 2008 than in the first nine months of 2007 as a result of usage of the five aircraft acquired in 2007, the effect of which was partially offset by a net decrease in average lessee usage of other aircraft owned by the Company.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company returned a $307,980 security deposit to a lessee upon return of an aircraft at lease end and received $210,000 of deposits in connection with the proposed re-lease of three of the Company’s off-lease aircraft. During the same period in 2007, the Company received $1,705,000 of security deposits in connection with four aircraft purchased in 2007 and re-leases of two aircraft.
Payments for maintenance
Payments for maintenance were $3,758,100 greater in the first nine months of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 as a result of increases in the amount of maintenance claims submitted by lessees in 2008 and the amount of maintenance for off-lease aircraft. The amount of payments for maintenance in future periods will be dependent on the amount and timing of maintenance paid from lessee maintenance reserves held by the Company and maintenance paid for off-lease aircraft.
Payments for management fees
Payments for management fees increased by $603,500 in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 because of an overall higher net book value as a result of aircraft acquisitions.
Payments for professional fees and general and administrative expenses
Payments for professional fees and general and administrative expenses increased by $254,200 in the first nine months of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 primarily because of higher accounting and legal fees.
Payments for aircraft insurance
Payments for aircraft insurance were $184,500 greater in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 because the Company had more aircraft off lease in the 2008 period.
Income taxes
During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company received $210,500 of federal tax refunds and paid taxes of $1,500. The Company received a federal tax refund of $64,600 and paid taxes of $1,200 in the nine months ended September 30, 2007.
(ii) Investing activities
During the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, the Company used cash of $14,502,980 and $25,873,200 respectively, for aircraft acquisitions and capital equipment installed on aircraft.
(iii) Financing activities
The Company borrowed $12,500,000 and $21,500,000 for aircraft financing and repaid $15,223,700 and $16,249,300 of its outstanding debt in the first nine months of 2008 and 2007, respectively. The Company also issued $4,000,000 and $10,000,000 of principal amount of Subordinated Notes, the net proceeds of which were used to repay a portion of the Company’s Credit Facility debt in the first nine months of 2008 and 2007, respectively.
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Outlook
As discussed above in “Liquidity and Capital Resources – (c) Senior unsecured subordinated debt,” the Company received $4,000,000 through the issuance of Subordinated Notes in July 2008. The proceeds were used to pay down Credit Facility debt. The Company anticipates that the available debt capacity under the Credit Facility will be sufficient to fund planned acquisitions for the remainder of 2008 and 2009.
In the second quarter of 2008, the Company and a regional carrier signed a term sheet for a four-year re-lease of two aircraft and the carrier tendered a refundable security deposit. As a result, the Company began performing maintenance on one of the aircraft and such work was substantially complete at September 30, 2008. In early October, based on the financial condition of the potential lessee, the Company and the regional carrier terminated negotiations for the lease of both aircraft, and the Company returned the security deposit. The Company is currently seeking other re-lease opportunities for both aircraft, and maintenance on the second aircraft will not commence until a new lessee is identified.
In August 2008, due to its cessation of operations, the lessee of one aircraft signed a return agreement with the Company that provided for an early return of the aircraft and the termination of the lessee’s obligation to pay rent after the execution date. The Company is taking possession of the aircraft and assuming responsibility for its repair. Maintenance reserves of approximately $1.1 million previously collected from the lessee and recorded as income will be used to prepare the aircraft for re-lease. Approximately $157,000 of such work was recorded as expense in the third quarter of 2008. The balance of such work will be recognized as expense when the work is performed in the fourth quarter of 2008.
In October 2008, the Company and a lessee signed a term sheet for a three-year re-lease of the Company’s off lease DHC-8-300 aircraft and delivery is expected to occur in the fourth quarter of 2008. The Company and the lessee, which also leases two of the Company’s DHC-8-100 aircraft, also agreed to a three-year extension of the lease for one of those aircraft.
Two of the Company’s other aircraft leases expire in the fourth quarter of 2008. The Company believes that it will be successful in extending the leases for these aircraft. If the aircraft are returned at lease end, it is likely the Company will incur significant maintenance expense in the fourth quarter of 2008 and the first quarter of 2009, as a result of the use of previously collected reserves for maintenance that the lessee will be required to perform to meet the return obligations under the leases.
Even if the aircraft that are currently off lease and may come off lease in the remainder of 2008 remain off lease for an extended period of time, the Company believes it will be able to meet its operational needs and remain in compliance with the terms of its Credit Facility and Subordinated Notes.
The Company continually monitors the financial condition of its lessees to avoid unanticipated creditworthiness issues, and where necessary, works with lessees to ensure continued compliance with obligations under their respective leases. Currently, the Company is closely monitoring the performance of two lessees with a total of three aircraft under lease. The Company continues to work closely with these lessees to ensure compliance with their current obligations. If any of the Company's current lessees are unable to meet their lease payment obligations, the Company's future operating results could be materially impacted. Any weakening in the aircraft industry may also affect the performance of lessees that currently appear to the Company to be creditworthy. See "Factors that May Affect Future Results – General Economic Conditions," below.
Beginning on January 1, 2007, due to the adoption of FSP AUG AIR-1, the Company began to accrue non-refundable maintenance reserves received from lessees as income based on aircraft usage and record maintenance expenses as incurred. The Company accrues estimated maintenance costs based on information provided by its third party lessees and, accordingly, estimates of such expenses depend on timely and accurate reporting by such parties. The Company believes that its reported net income may be subject to significant fluctuations from quarter-to-quarter as a result of the adoption of FSP AUG AIR-1. Due to the recent acquisition of Fokker 100 jet engine powered aircraft, the magnitude of these fluctuations may be greater as a result of the higher maintenance reserve rates and related maintenance expense for jet engines as compared to turboprop engines.
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Factors that May Affect Future Results
Availability of Financing. The Company’s continued growth will depend on its ability to obtain capital, either through debt or equity financings. The financial markets have experienced certain setbacks related in many cases to certain financial institutions’ investments in mortgage-backed securities. As a result, commercial lending origination has dramatically decreased, and asset based debt financing is now more difficult to obtain. The Company believes that the current banking crisis will not have an immediate effect on the Company. The Company believes the lenders in its Credit Facility will continue to be able to honor their commitment to provide loans as committed in the Credit Facility agreements and that the unused capacity under the Credit Facility provides sufficient capital to fund acquisitions through the end of 2009. The Company, however, will eventually need to seek additional capital once its Credit Facility is fully drawn. The Company is currently seeking additional lenders for participation in its Credit Facility, and investigating other sources of debt financing. There is no assurance that the Company will succeed in finding such additional capital, and if such financing is found, it may not be on terms as favorable as its current debt financings.
Risks of Debt Financing. The Company’s use of debt as the primary form of acquisition financing subjects the Company to increased risks of leveraging. Indebtedness owed under the Credit Facility is secured by the Company’s existing assets as well as the specific assets acquired with each financing. In addition to payment obligations, the Credit Facility also requires the Company to comply with certain financial covenants, including a requirement of positive earnings, interest coverage and net worth ratios. Any default under the Credit Facility, if not waived by the lenders, could result in foreclosure upon not only the asset acquired using such financing, but also the existing assets of the Company securing the loan. Any such default could also result in a cross default under the Subordinated Notes.
The addition of the Subordinated Notes, while providing additional resources for acquisition by the Company of revenue generating assets, also has the effect of increasing the Company’s overall cost of capital, as the Subordinated Notes bear an effective overall interest rate that is currently higher than the rate payable under the Credit Facility. Since the Subordinated Notes bear interest immediately upon issuance, the Company’s success in utilizing the proceeds to purchase income-generating assets will be critical to the financial results of the Company. The agreement under which the Subordinated Notes were issued also contains financial and other covenants which, if violated, could cause a default under the Subordinated Notes.
Credit Facility Obligations. The Company is obligated to make repayments of principal under the Credit Facility in order to maintain certain debt ratios with respect to its assets in the borrowing base. Assets that come off lease and remain off-lease for a period of time, as well as assets with lease payments more than 30 days past due, are excluded from the borrowing base. The Company believes it will have sufficient cash funds to make any payment that arises due to borrowing base limitations caused by assets scheduled to come off lease in the near term. The Company’s belief is based on certain assumptions regarding renewal of existing leases, a lack of extraordinary interest rate increases, continuing profitability, no lessee defaults or bankruptcies, and certain other matters that the Company deems reasonable in light of its experience in the industry. There can be no assurance that the Company’s assumptions will prove to be correct. If the assumptions are incorrect (for example, if an asset in the collateral base unexpectedly goes off lease for an extended period of time) and the Company has not obtained an applicable waiver or amendment of applicable covenants from its lenders to mitigate the situation, the Company may have to sell a significant portion of its portfolio in order to maintain compliance with covenants or face default on its Credit Facility.
General Economic Conditions. The Company’s business is dependent upon general economic conditions and the strength of the travel and transportation industry. The industry is in a period of financial difficulty and contraction caused primarily by recent record-high fuel prices and may be severely affected by a possible global recession brought on by the ongoing credit crisis. Continuing unavailability of additional debt financing relied on by many regional carriers caused by the current credit crisis and a possible global economic recession, which will certainly affect carriers’ revenue, may result in more failures. A widespread economic setback in the industry may result in the increased possibility of an economic failure of one or more of the Company’s lessees. If lessees experience financial difficulties, this could, in turn, affect the Company’s financial performance.
During any periods of economic contraction, carriers generally reduce capacity in response to lower passenger loads, and as a result, there is a reduced demand for aircraft and a corresponding decrease in market lease rental rates and aircraft values. This reduced market value for aircraft could affect the Company’s results if the market value of an asset or assets in the Company’s aircraft portfolio falls below carrying value, and the Company determines that a write-down of the value on the Company’s balance sheet is appropriate. Furthermore, as older leases expire and are replaced by lease renewals or re-leases at decreasing lease rates, the lease revenue from the Company’s existing portfolio is likely to decline, with the magnitude of the decline dependent on the length of the downturn and the depth of the decline in market rents.
Economic downturns can affect specific regions of the world exclusively. As the Company’s portfolio is not entirely globally diversified, a localized downturn in one of the key regions in which the Company leases aircraft (e.g., Latin America or Europe) could have a significant adverse impact on the Company.
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Investment in New Aircraft Types. The Company has traditionally invested in a limited number of types of turboprop aircraft and engines. While the Company intends to continue to focus solely on regional aircraft and engines, the Company has acquired Fokker 100 regional jet aircraft, and may continue to seek acquisition opportunities for new types and models of regional jet and turboprop aircraft and engines used in the Company's targeted customer base of regional air carriers. Acquisition of other aircraft types and engines not previously acquired by the Company entails greater ownership risk due to the Company's lack of experience managing those aircraft and engine types. The Company believes, however, that the overall industry experience of JMC’s personnel and its technical resources should permit the Company to effectively manage such new aircraft types and engines. Further, the broadening of the asset types in the aircraft portfolio may have a benefit of diversifying the Company's portfolio (see "Factors That May Affect Future Results – Concentration of Lessees and Aircraft Type,” below).
Warrant Issuance. As part of the Subordinated Notes financing, as revised upon the second and final closing in July 2008, the holders of Subordinated Notes hold warrants to purchase up to 81,224 shares of the Company’s common stock, which represents 5% of the post-exercise fully diluted capitalization of the Company as of the initial closing of the Subordinated Notes financing. The exercise price under the Warrants is $8.75 per share. If the warrants to purchase shares are exercised, there could be dilution to the existing holders of Common Stock. This dilution of the Company’s common stock could depress its trading price.
Concentration of Lessees and Aircraft Type. Currently, the Company’s five largest customers are located in Mexico, Antigua, Norway, Netherlands Antilles and Germany and currently account for approximately 17%, 14%, 11%, 11% and 11%, respectively, of the Company’s monthly lease revenue. A lease default by or collection problem with one or a combination of any of these significant customers could have a disproportionate negative impact on the Company’s financial results, and therefore, the Company’s operating results are especially sensitive to any negative developments with respect to these customers in terms of lease compliance or collection. Such concentration of lessee credit risk decreases as the Company leases additional assets to new lessees.
Currently, the Company owns eight DHC-8-300, fourteen Fokker 50 and seven Fokker 100 aircraft, making these three aircraft types the dominant types in the portfolio and representing 25%, 23% and 34%, respectively, of net book value. As a result, a change in the desirability and availability of any of these types of aircraft, which would in turn affect valuations of such aircraft, would have a disproportionately large impact on the Company’s portfolio value. Such aircraft type concentration will diminish if the Company acquires additional assets of other types. Conversely, acquisition of these types of aircraft will increase the Company’s risks related to its concentration of those aircraft types.
Lessee Credit Risk. If a customer defaults upon its lease obligations, the Company may be limited in its ability to enforce remedies. Most of the Company’s lessees are small regional passenger airlines, which may be even more sensitive to airline industry market conditions than the major airlines. As a result, the Company’s inability to collect rent under a lease or to repossess equipment in the event of a default by a lessee could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s revenue. If a lessee that is a certified U.S. airline is in default under the lease and seeks protection under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, Section 1110 of the Bankruptcy Code would automatically prevent the Company from exercising any remedies for a period of 60 days. After the 60-day period has passed, the lessee must agree to perform the obligations and cure any defaults, or the Company will have the right to repossess the equipment. This procedure under the Bankruptcy Code has been subject to significant litigation, however, and it is possible that the Company’s enforcement rights may be further adversely affected by a declaration of bankruptcy by a defaulting lessee. Most of the Company’s lessees are foreign and not subject to U.S. bankruptcy laws but there may be similar applicable foreign bankruptcy debtor protection schemes available to foreign lessees.
Leasing Risks. The Company’s successful negotiation of lease extensions, re-leases and sales may be critical to its ability to achieve its financial objectives, and involves a number of risks. Demand for lease or purchase of the assets depends on the economic condition of the airline industry, which is, in turn, sensitive to general economic conditions. The ability to remarket equipment at acceptable rates may depend on the demand and market values at the time of remarketing. The Company anticipates that the bulk of the equipment it acquires will be used aircraft equipment. The market for used aircraft equipment is cyclical, and generally reflects economic conditions and the strength of the travel and transportation industry. The demand for and value of many types of used aircraft in the recent past has been depressed by such factors as airline financial difficulties, increased fuel costs, the number of new aircraft on order and the number of aircraft coming off-lease. Values may also increase for certain aircraft types that become desirable based on market conditions and changing airline capacity. If the Company were to purchase an aircraft during a period of increasing values, it would in turn need to lease such aircraft at a corresponding higher lease rate.
Risks Related to Regional Air Carriers. Because the Company’s customer base is regional air carriers and the Company continues to focus on regional carriers, it is subject to additional risks. Some of the lessees in the regional air carrier market are companies that are start-up, low-capital, low-margin operations. Often, the success of such carriers is dependent upon contractual arrangements with major trunk carriers or franchises from governmental agencies that provide subsidies for operating essential air routes, both of which may be subject to termination or cancellation with short notice periods. Because of this exposure, the Company typically is able to obtain generally higher lease rates from these types of lessees. In the event of a business failure or bankruptcy of the lessee, the Company can generally regain possession of its aircraft, but the aircraft could be in substantially worse condition than would be the case if the aircraft were returned in accordance with the lease provisions at lease expiration.
The Company evaluates the credit risk of each lessee carefully, and attempts to obtain a third party guaranty, letters of credit or other credit enhancements, if it deems them necessary in addition to customary security deposits. There is no assurance, however, that such enhancements will be available or that, if obtained, they will fully protect the Company from losses resulting from a lessee default or bankruptcy. Also, a significant area of market growth is outside of the United States, where collection and enforcement are often more difficult and complicated than in the United States. If any of the Company's current or future lessees are unable to meet their lease obligations, the Company's future results could be materially impacted.
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Interest Rate Risk. The Company’s current Credit Facility and the indebtedness of one of its special purpose subsidiaries carry a floating interest rate based upon short-term interest rate indices. Lease rates typically, but not always, move with interest rates, but market demand for the asset also affects lease rates. Because lease rates are fixed at the origination of leases, interest rate changes during the term of a lease have no effect on existing lease payments. Therefore, if interest rates rise significantly, and there is relatively little lease origination by the Company following such rate increases, the Company could experience lower net income. Further, even if significant lease origination occurs following such rate increases, if the contemporaneous aircraft market forces result in lower or flat rental rates, the Company could also experience lower net income.
The Company has chosen to hedge some, but not all, of its variable interest rate exposure. Nonetheless, if an interest rate increase were great enough, the Company might not be able to generate sufficient lease revenue to meet its unhedged interest payment and other obligations and comply with the other covenants of its Credit Facility or indebtedness of one of its special purpose subsidiaries. Furthermore, a drop in prevailing LIBOR rates would cause the hedge transaction to have a negative impact on the Company’s results. If the one-month LIBOR rate applicable for an interest period is below the fixed swap rate set in the hedge, the Company will be obligated to pay the swap counterparty the difference between the fixed swap rate of 4.04% and that one-month LIBOR rate. As of November 12, 2008, the one-month LIBOR rate was 1.4375%.
International Risks. The Company has focused on leases in overseas markets. Leases with foreign lessees, however, may present different risks than those with domestic lessees.
Foreign laws, regulations and judicial procedures may be more or less protective of lessor rights than those which apply in the United States. The Company could experience collection or repossession problems related to the enforcement of its lease agreements under foreign local laws and remedies in foreign jurisdictions. The protections potentially offered by Section 1110 of the Bankruptcy Code do not apply to non-U.S. carriers, and applicable local law may not offer similar protections. Certain countries do not have a central registration or recording system with which to locally establish the Company’s interest in equipment and related leases. This could make it more difficult for the Company to recover an aircraft in the event of a default by a foreign lessee.
A lease with a foreign lessee is subject to risks related to the economy of the country or region in which such lessee is located, which may be weaker than the U.S. economy. A foreign economic downturn may impact a foreign lessee’s ability to make lease payments, even though the U.S. and other economies remain stable.
Furthermore, foreign lessees are subject to risks related to currency conversion fluctuations. Although the Company’s current leases are all payable in U.S. dollars, the Company may agree in the future to leases that permit payment in foreign currency, which would subject such lease revenue to monetary risk due to currency fluctuations. In addition, if the Company undertakes certain obligations under a lease to contribute to a repair or improvement and if the work is performed in a foreign jurisdiction and paid for in foreign currency, currency fluctuations causing a weaker dollar between the time such agreement is made and the time payment for the work is made may result in an unanticipated increase in dollar cost for the Company.
Even with U.S. dollar-denominated lease payment provisions, the Company could still be affected by a devaluation of the lessee’s local currency that would make it more difficult for a lessee to meet its U.S. dollar-denominated lease payments, increasing the risk of default of that lessee, particularly if its revenue is primarily derived in the local currency.
Finally, ownership of a leased asset operating in a foreign country and/or by a foreign carrier may subject the Company to additional tax liabilities that are not present with domestically operated aircraft. Depending on the jurisdiction, laws governing such tax liabilities may be complex or not well formed or not uniformly enforced. In such jurisdictions, the Company may decide to take an uncertain tax position based on the best advice of the local tax experts it engages, which position may be challenged by the taxing authority. If the taxing authority later assesses a liability, the Company may be required to pay penalties and interest on the assessed amount, which penalties and interest would not give rise to a corresponding foreign tax credit on the Company’s U. S. tax return.
Reliance on JMC. All management of the Company is performed by JMC under a Management Agreement between the Company and JMC, which is in the eleventh year of a 20-year term and provides for an asset-based management fee. JMC is not a fiduciary to the Company or its stockholders. The Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) has ultimate control and supervisory responsibility over all aspects of the Company and owes fiduciary duties to the Company and its stockholders. The Board has no control over the internal operations of JMC, but the Board does have the ability and responsibility to manage the Company's relationship with JMC and the performance of JMC's obligations to the Company under the Management Agreement, as it would have for any third party service provider to the Company. While JMC may not owe any fiduciary duties to the Company by virtue of the Management Agreement, all of the officers of JMC are also officers of the Company, and in that capacity owe fiduciary duties to the Company and its stockholders. In addition, certain officers of the Company hold significant ownership positions in the Company and JHC, the parent company of JMC.
The Management Agreement may be terminated if JMC defaults on its obligations to the Company. However, the agreement provides for liquidated damages in the event of its wrongful termination by the Company. All of the officers of JMC are also officers of the Company, and certain directors of the Company are also directors of JMC. Consequently, the directors and officers of JMC may have a conflict of interest in the event of a dispute between the Company and JMC. Although the Company has taken steps to prevent conflicts of interest arising from such dual roles, such conflicts may still occur.
JMC has acted as the management company for two other aircraft portfolio owners, JetFleet III, which raised approximately $13,000,000 in bond issuance proceeds, and AeroCentury IV, Inc. (“AeroCentury IV”), which raised approximately $5,000,000 in bond issuance proceeds. In the first quarter of 2002, AeroCentury IV defaulted on certain bond obligations. In June 2002, the indenture trustee for AeroCentury IV’s bondholders repossessed AeroCentury IV’s assets and took over management of AeroCentury IV’s remaining assets. JetFleet III defaulted on its bond obligation of $11,076,350 in May 2004. The indenture trustee for JetFleet III bondholders repossessed JetFleet III’s unsold assets in late May 2004.
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Ownership Risks. The Company’s portfolio is leased under operating leases, where the terms of the leases are less than the entire anticipated useful life of an asset. The Company’s ability to recover its purchase investment in an asset subject to an operating lease is dependent upon the Company’s ability to profitably re-lease or sell the asset after the expiration of the initial lease term. Some of the factors that have an impact on the Company’s ability to re-lease or sell include worldwide economic conditions, general aircraft market conditions, regulatory changes that may make an asset’s use more expensive or preclude use unless the asset is modified, changes in the supply or cost of aircraft equipment and technological developments which cause the asset to become obsolete. If the Company is unable to remarket its aircraft equipment on favorable terms when the operating leases for such equipment expire, the Company’s business, financial condition, cash flow, ability to service debt and results of operations could be adversely affected.
In addition, a successful investment in an asset subject to an operating lease depends in part upon having the asset returned by the lessee in the condition as required under the lease. In the ordinary course, a lessee has the obligation to return an aircraft to the Company in the condition required under a lease, which generally requires the aircraft be returned in equal or better condition than that at delivery to the lessee. If the lessee becomes insolvent during the term of its lease and the Company has to repossess the aircraft from the lessee, it is unlikely that the lessee will have the financial ability to meet these return obligations. Thus upon repossession, the Company will be required to expend its own resources to return the aircraft to a remarketable condition, and maintenance reserves collected from the lessee during the term of the lease may be insufficient to fund the total expense of such repair and maintenance.
Furthermore, an asset impairment charge against the Company’s earnings may result from the occurrence of unexpected adverse changes that impact the Company’s estimates of expected cash flows generated from such asset. The Company periodically reviews long-term assets for impairment, in particular, when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of an asset is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The Company may be required to recognize asset impairment charges in the future as a result of a prolonged weak economic environment, challenging market conditions in the airline industry or events related to particular lessees, assets or asset types.
Government Regulation. There are a number of areas in which government regulation may result in costs to the Company. These include aircraft registration, safety requirements, required equipment modifications, and aircraft noise requirements. Although it is contemplated that the burden and cost of complying with such requirements will fall primarily upon lessees of equipment, there can be no assurance that the cost will not fall on the Company. Furthermore, future government regulations could cause the value of any non-complying equipment owned by the Company to decline substantially.
Competition. The aircraft leasing industry is highly competitive. The Company competes with aircraft manufacturers, distributors, airlines and other operators, equipment managers, leasing companies, equipment leasing programs, financial institutions and other parties engaged in leasing, managing or remarketing aircraft, many of which have significantly greater financial resources. However, the Company believes that it is competitive because of JMC’s experience and operational efficiency in identifying and obtaining financing for the transaction types desired by regional air carriers. This market segment, which is characterized by transaction sizes of less than $10 million and lessee creditworthiness that may be strong, but generally unrated, is not well served by the Company’s larger competitors. JMC has developed a reputation as a global participant in this segment of the market, and the Company believes that JMC’s reputation benefits the Company. There is, however, no assurance that competition from larger aircraft leasing companies will not increase significantly or that JMC’s reputation will continue to be strong in this market segment.
Casualties, Insurance Coverage. The Company, as owner of transportation equipment, may be named in a suit claiming damages for injuries or damage to property caused by its assets. As a triple net lessor, the Company is generally protected against such claims, since the lessee would be responsible for, insure against and indemnify the Company for such claims. Further, some protection may be provided by the United States Aviation Act with respect to the Company’s aircraft assets. It is, however, not clear to what extent such statutory protection would be available to the Company, and the United States Aviation Act may not apply to aircraft operated in foreign countries. Also, although the Company’s leases generally require a lessee to insure against likely risks, there may be certain cases where the loss is not entirely covered by the lessee or its insurance. Though this is a remote possibility, an uninsured loss with respect to the equipment, or an insured loss for which insurance proceeds are inadequate, would result in a possible loss of invested capital in and any profits anticipated from, such equipment, as well as a potential claim directly against the Company.
Possible Volatility of Stock Price. The market price of the Company’s common stock has been subject to fluctuations in response to the Company’s operating results, changes in general conditions in the economy, the financial markets, the airline industry, changes in accounting principles or tax laws applicable to the Company or its lessees, or other developments affecting the Company, its customers or its competitors, some of which may be unrelated to the Company’s performance. Also, because the Company has a relatively small capitalization of approximately 1.5 million shares outstanding, there is a correspondingly limited amount of trading of the Company’s shares. Consequently, a single or small number of trades could result in a market fluctuation not related to any business or financial development concerning the Company.
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
This report does not include information described under Item 3 of Form 10-Q pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit “smaller reporting companies” to omit such information.
Item 4T. Controls and Procedures.
Quarterly evaluation of the Company’s Disclosure Controls and Procedures. As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of its “disclosure controls and procedures” (“Disclosure Controls”). This evaluation (the “Controls Evaluation”) was done under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”). Rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) require that in this section of the report, the Company present the conclusions of the CEO and the CFO about the effectiveness of the Company’s Disclosure Controls as of September 30, 2008.
Disclosure Controls. Disclosure Controls are procedures that are designed with the objective of ensuring that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), such as this report, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure Controls are also designed with the objective of ensuring that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Limitations on the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls. The Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, does not expect that its Disclosure Controls will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. 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 the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within the Company have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
Scope of the Controls Evaluation. The CEO/CFO evaluation of the Company’s Disclosure Controls included a review of the controls objectives and design, the controls implementation by the Company and the effect of the controls on the information generated for use in this report. In the course of the Controls Evaluation, the CEO and CFO sought to identify data errors, controls problems or acts of fraud and to confirm that appropriate corrective action, including process improvements, were being undertaken. This type of evaluation is being done on a quarterly basis so that the conclusions concerning controls effectiveness can be reported in the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual report on Form 10-K. The overall goals of these various evaluation activities are to monitor the Company’s Disclosure Controls and to make modifications as necessary; the Company’s intent in this regard is that the Disclosure Controls and the Internal Controls will be maintained as dynamic systems that change (reflecting improvements and corrections) as conditions warrant.
Conclusions. Based upon the Controls Evaluation, the Company’s CEO and CFO have concluded that, as of September 30, 2008, the Company’s Disclosure Controls are effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms and then accumulated and communicated to Company management, including the CEO and CFO, as appropriate to make timely decisions regarding required disclosures.
Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting. In accordance with SEC requirements, the CEO and CFO note that there has been no significant change in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2008 that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6.Exhibits
Exhibits
Exhibit Number | Description |
3.6 | Form of Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99.1 of the Company’s Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission on May 7, 2008 |
10.32 | Form of Second Amendment to Securities Purchase Agreement between the Company and Satellite Fund II, L.P., Satellite Fund IV, L.P., The Apogee Group, LLC and Satellite Fund V, LLC, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on July 23, 2008 |
31.1 | Certification of Neal D. Crispin, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
31.2 | Certification of Toni M. Perazzo, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
32.1* | Certification of Neal D. Crispin, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
32.2* | Certification of Toni M. Perazzo, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
* These certificates are furnished to, but shall not be deemed to be filed with, the Securities and Exchange Commission.
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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.
AeroCentury Corp. | |||
Date: November 13, 2008 | By: | /s/ Toni M. Perazzo | |
Name: Toni M. Perazzo | |||
Title: Sr. V. P. & C.F.O. | |||