The increase in net interest income is primarily the result of increased cash balances and higher interest rates.
In June 2005, the Company committed to a plan to discontinue the operations of the Company’s securities research and brokerage segment. Accordingly, the operating results relating to this segment have been segregated from continuing operations and reported as a separate line item on the consolidated statements of operations.
For the six months ended June 30, 2006, gain on disposal of discontinued operations represents reductions to previously estimated shutdown costs, partially offset by additional legal fees incurred in connection with the liquidation process.
The fair market values of the remaining assets and liabilities of the discontinued operation are as follows:
As of June 30, 2006, current assets of discontinued operations consists of a rent security deposit, and current liabilities of discontinued operations consists primarily of accrued shutdown costs.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company invests in money market funds and other short-term, investment grade instruments that are highly liquid, of high-quality, and can have maturities of up to two years, with the intent that such funds can easily be made available for operating purposes. As of June 30, 2006, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and current and non-current restricted cash amounted to $45,853,313, representing 82% of total assets.
Cash generated from operations was sufficient to cover expenses during the six months ended June 30, 2006. Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $10,184,891 for the six months ended June 30, 2006, as compared to net cash used in operating activities totaling $2,339,066 for the six months ended June 30, 2005. The increase in net cash provided by operating activities was primarily the result of the following:
| | |
| • | Improved operating results from continuing operations; |
| | |
| • | Lower incentive compensation payments during the three months ended March 31, 2006 related to the 2005 fiscal year, as compared to payments made during the three months ended March 31, 2005 related to the 2004 fiscal year; |
| | |
| • | Reduced expenditures due to the shutdown of IRG Research’s operations; |
| | |
| • | Increased cash from strong sales of subscription services leading to an increase in the growth of deferred revenue; and |
| | |
| • | Increased noncash expenditures. |
Net cash provided by operating activities of $10,184,891 for the six months ended June 30, 2006 was primarily the result of the Company’s net income of $5,804,510 combined with an increase in deferred revenue (resulting from strong subscription sales), non cash expenses and an increase in accrued expenses, the sum of which totals $4,897,451. This total was partially offset by an increase in prepaid expenses (primarily related to the timing of the renewal of the Company’s directors and officers insurance) and an increase in accounts receivable (primarily the result of increased billings caused by higher advertising revenue), the sum of which totals $665,838.
Net cash used in investing activities of $129,904 for the six months ended June 30, 2006 was the result of capital expenditures partially offset by the sale of a short-term investment. Capital expenditures generally consisted of purchases of computer software and hardware, and telephone equipment.
Net cash provided by financing activities of $2,283,787 for the six months ended June 30, 2006 consisted of the proceeds from the exercise of stock options, totaling $4,216,978, partially offset by cash dividends paid, the purchase of treasury stock and a decrease in note payable, the sum of which totals $1,933,191.
The Company has a total of $1,100,000 of cash invested in certificates of deposit and money market investments which serves as collateral for outstanding letters of credit and is therefore restricted. The letters of credit serve as security deposits for operating leases. Of this amount, the Company anticipates that $600,000 will become unrestricted within the next 12 months and is therefore classified as a current asset on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The Company anticipates that the remaining $500,000 of restricted cash will become unrestricted in November 2009.
The Company believes that its current cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to meet its anticipated cash needs for at least the next 12 months. The Company is committed to cash expenditures in an aggregate amount of approximately $4.2 million through June 30, 2007, in respect of the contractual obligations set forth below under “Commitments and Contingencies.” Additionally, the Company’s Board of Directors declared both a first and second quarter cash dividend in the amount of $0.025 per share of common stock, which resulted in a cash
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expenditure of approximately $0.7 million and $1.3 million in the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2006, respectively. The Company intends, although there can be no assurance, to pay regular quarterly cash dividends in the future.
Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is committed under operating leases, principally for office space, furniture and fixtures, and equipment. Certain leases are subject to rent reviews and require payment of expenses under escalation clauses. Rent and equipment rental expenses decreased to $404,585 for the three month period ended June 30, 2006, as compared to $431,500 for the three month period ended June 30, 2005. Rent and equipment rental expenses increased to $807,279 for the six month period ended June 30, 2006, as compared to $769,158 for the six month period ended June 30, 2005. The changes in rent and equipment rental expenses reflect the allocation to the Company’s discontinued securities research and brokerage segment of expenses totaling $33,307 and $64,410 in the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2005. Such allocation was not made in the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2006. The change in rent and equipment rental expense is also the result of the timing and amount of retroactive operating expense escalation charges. Additionally, the Company has employment agreements with certain of its employees and outside contributors, whose future minimum payments are dependent on the future fulfillment of their services thereunder. As of June 30, 2006, total future minimum cash payments are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Payments Due by Period | |
| |
| |
| | | | Less Than | | | | | | After | |
Contractual obligations: | | Total | | 1 Year | | 1 – 3 Years | | 4 – 5 Years | | 5 Years | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Operating leases | | $ | 3,512,422 | | $ | 1,258,856 | | $ | 1,899,619 | | $ | 353,947 | | $ | — | |
Employment agreements | | | 2,574,875 | | | 1,866,875 | | | 708,000 | | | — | | | — | |
Outside contributor agreements | | | 262,719 | | | 262,719 | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Note payable | | | 74,434 | | | 74,434 | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Total contractual cash obligations | | $ | 6,424,450 | | $ | 3,462,884 | | $ | 2,607,619 | | $ | 353,947 | | $ | — | |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Four additional agreements were signed subsequent to June 30, 2006 that guarantee payments of $727,479 and $819,671 within the next year and within the one to three year period, respectively, and are dependent on the future fulfillment of the services thereunder.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
The Company believes that its market risk exposures are immaterial, as the Company does not have instruments for trading purposes, and reasonable possible near-term changes in market rates or prices are not expected to result in material near-term losses in earnings, material changes in fair values or cash flows for all instruments.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the control system’s objectives will be met. 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. Further, because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that misstatements due to error or fraud will not occur or 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. Controls can also be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part on 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. Projections of any evaluation of controls effectiveness to future periods are subject to risks. Over time,
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controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions or deterioration in the degree of compliance with policies or procedures.
The Company carried out, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Controller, who performed the functions associated with the position of Chief Financial Officer during the quarterly period covered by this report, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the quarterly period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Controller concluded that, as of June 30, 2006, the design and operation of these disclosure controls and procedures were effective. During the quarterly period covered by this report, there have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
On December 5, 2001, a class action lawsuit alleging violations of the federal securities laws was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York naming as defendants TheStreet.com, Inc., certain of its former officers and directors and James J. Cramer, a current director, and certain underwriters of the Company’s initial public offering (The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc., Chase H&Q, Thomas Weisel Partners LLC, FleetBoston Robertson Stephens, and Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith, Inc.). Plaintiffs allege that the underwriters of TheStreet.com, Inc.’s initial public offering violated the securities laws by failing to disclose certain alleged compensation arrangements (such as undisclosed commissions or stock stabilization practices) in the offering’s registration statement. The plaintiffs seek damages and statutory compensation against each defendant in an amount to be determined at trial, plus pre-judgment interest thereon, together with costs and expenses, including attorneys’ fees. Similar suits were filed against over 300 other issuers that had initial public offerings between 1998 and December 2001, and they have all been consolidated into a single action. Pursuant to a Court Order dated October 9, 2002, each of the individual defendants to the action, including Mr. Cramer, has been dismissed without prejudice. On June 8, 2004, the Company and its individual defendants (together with the Company’s insurance carriers) entered into a settlement with the plaintiffs. The settlement is subject to approval by the court overseeing the litigation.
Although the lawsuit against us is an independent cause of action vis-à-vis the lawsuits pending against other issuers in the consolidated proceeding, and no issuer is liable for any wrongdoing allegedly committed by any other issuer, the proposed settlement between the plaintiffs and the issuers is being done on a collective basis. Generally, under the terms of the settlement, in exchange for the delivery by our insurers and those of the other defendants of an undertaking guaranteeing that the plaintiffs will recover, in the aggregate, at least $1 billion from the underwriters, and the assignment to the plaintiffs by the issuers of their interests in claims against the underwriters for excess compensation in connection with their IPOs, the plaintiffs will release the non-bankrupt issuers from all claims against them (the bankrupt issuers will receive a covenant not to sue) and their individual defendants. The costs and expenses of the settlement are expected to be borne by the Company’s insurers.
Pursuant to an Opinion and Order dated February 15, 2005, the settlement was preliminarily approved by the court, subject to certain minor modifications. Such modifications have been made and were approved by the Court pursuant to an Order dated August 31, 2005. Notice of the settlement was distributed to all settlement class members beginning on November 15, 2005. The settlement fairness hearing was held on April 24, 2006. A decision from the court on whether the settlement is fair to the class members is expected in the near future. In the event the settlement does not receive final approval and the Company remains a defendant or any of its former individual defendants is again named as a defendant in the lawsuit, any unfavorable outcome of this litigation could have an adverse impact on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
In the ordinary course of our business, we are from time to time subject to various other legal proceedings. We do not believe that any such other legal proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
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Item 1A. Risk Factors.
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.
We May Have Difficulty Increasing Our Advertising Revenue, a Significant Portion of Which Is Concentrated Among Our Top Advertisers
Our ability to increase our advertising revenue depends on a variety of factors, including general market conditions, seasonal fluctuations in financial news consumption and overall online usage, our ability to increase our unique visitors and page view inventory, and our ability to win our share of advertisers’ total advertising budgets from other Web sites, television, radio and print media. While we have recently experienced increases in our online advertising revenue, there can be no assurance that such increases will continue. If our advertising revenue decreases because of the foregoing, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
In the second quarter of 2006, our top five advertisers accounted for approximately 40% of our total advertising revenue, as compared to approximately 46% for the first quarter of 2006 and approximately 38% for the second quarter of 2005. Furthermore, although we have had success attracting advertisers from outside the financial services industry, such as advertisers of automotive and luxury goods, a large proportion of our top advertisers are concentrated in financial services, particularly in the online brokerage business. If these industries were to weaken significantly or to consolidate, or if other factors caused us to lose a number of our top advertisers, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected. As is typical in the advertising industry, our advertising contracts have short notice cancellation provisions.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
The following table presents information related to repurchases of its common stock made by the Company during the three months ended June 30, 2006.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Period | | (a) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased | | (b) Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit) | | (c) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | | (d) Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs * | |
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| |
| |
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April 1 – 30, 2006 | | | — | | $ | — | | | — | | $ | 2,678,878 | |
May 1 – 31, 2006 | | | — | | $ | — | | | — | | $ | 2,678,878 | |
June 1 – 30, 2006 | | | — | | $ | — | | | — | | $ | 2,678,878 | |
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|
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|
| | | | |
Total | | | — | | $ | — | | | — | | $ | 2,678,878 | |
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|
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|
| | | | |
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* In December 2000, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $10 million worth of the Company’s common stock, from time to time, in private purchases or in the open market. In February 2004, the Company’s Board approved the resumption of this program under new price and volume parameters, leaving unchanged the maximum amount available for repurchase under the program. The program does not have a specified expiration date. See Note 3 to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
The following matters were submitted to a vote at the annual meeting of stockholders of the Company, held on May 24, 2006, and the results of the voting were as follows:
| | |
| • | The election of James J. Cramer (votes for: 23,477,829; withheld: 895,409), and Martin Peretz (votes for: 23,465,776; withheld: 907,462) as Class I directors of the Company, to serve until the annual meeting in 2009 or until their successors are elected and qualified; and |
| | |
| • | The ratification of the appointment of Marcum & Kliegman LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2006 (votes for: 24,256,644; votes against: 10,922; abstain: 105,672). |
Item 5. Other Information.
Not applicable.
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Item 6. Exhibits.
The following exhibits are filed herewith or are incorporated by reference to exhibits previously filed with the Commission:
| | |
Exhibit Number | | Description |
| |
|
*3.1 | | Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation |
**3.2 | | Amended and Restated Bylaws |
*4.1 | | Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 21, 1998, among TheStreet.com and the stockholders named therein |
*4.2 | | TheStreet.com Rights Agreement |
†4.3 | | Amendment No. 1, dated as of August 7, 2000, to Rights Agreement |
††4.4 | | Specimen Certificate for TheStreet.com’s common stock |
10.1 | | Employment Agreement, dated July 5, 2006, between Eric Ashman and TheStreet.com, Inc. ² |
| | |
31.1 | | Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of CEO |
31.2 | | Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer |
32.1 | | Section 1350 Certification of CEO |
32.2 | | Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer |
| | |
* | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibits to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed February 23, 1999 (File No. 333-72799). |
** | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibits to the Company’s 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 30, 2000. |
† | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibits to the Company’s 2000 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed April 2, 2001. |
†† | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibits to Amendment 3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed April 19, 1999. |
| | |
² | | Indicates compensatory plan or arrangement. |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| | | |
| THESTREET.COM, INC. |
| | | |
Date: August 9, 2006 | By: | /s/ Thomas J. Clarke, Jr. |
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|
| | | Thomas J. Clarke, Jr. |
| | | Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer |
| | | |
Date: August 9, 2006 | By: | /s/ Eric Ashman |
| |
|
| | | Eric Ashman |
| | | Chief Financial Officer |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
| | |
Exhibit Number | | Description |
| |
|
| | |
*3.1 | | Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation |
**3.2 | | Amended and Restated Bylaws |
*4.1 | | Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of December 21, 1998, among TheStreet.com and the stockholders named therein |
*4.2 | | TheStreet.com Rights Agreement |
†4.3 | | Amendment No. 1, dated as of August 7, 2000, to Rights Agreement |
††4.4 | | Specimen Certificate for TheStreet.com’s common stock |
10.1 | | Employment Agreement, dated July 5, 2006, between Eric Ashman and TheStreet.com, Inc. ² |
| | |
31.1 | | Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of CEO |
31.2 | | Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer |
32.1 | | Section 1350 Certification of CEO |
32.2 | | Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer |
| | |
* | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibits to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed February 23, 1999 (File No. 333-72799). |
** | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibits to the Company’s 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed March 30, 2000. |
† | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibits to the Company’s 2000 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed April 2, 2001. |
†† | | Incorporated by reference to Exhibits to Amendment 3 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 filed April 19, 1999. |
² | | Indicates compensatory plan or arrangement. |
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