UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
x | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2007
OR
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: 0-26053
MDU COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware (State of incorporation) | 84-1342898 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| |
60-D Commerce Way, Totowa, New Jersey (Address of principal executive offices) | 07512 (Zip Code) |
(973) 237-9499
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
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 x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:
Large accelerated filer o Accelerated filer o Non-accelerated filer x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act):
Yes o No x
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
Class | | Outstanding at May 10, 2007 |
Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share | | 51,339,316 shares |
MDU COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
| | | Page |
PART I. | FINANCIAL INFORMATION | | 4 |
| | | |
| Item 1. | Financial Statements | | 4 |
| | | | |
| | Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - March 31, 2007 (unaudited) and September 30, 2006 | | 4 |
| | | | |
| | Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - Six and Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 (unaudited) | | 5 |
| | | | |
| | Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity - Six Months Ended March 31, 2007 (unaudited) | | 6 |
| | | | |
| | Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Six Months Ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 (unaudited) | | 7 |
| | | | |
| | Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) | | 9 |
| | | | |
| Item 2. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | | 12 |
| | | | |
| Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk | | 23 |
| | | | |
| Item 4. | Controls and Procedures | | 24 |
| | | |
PART II. | OTHER INFORMATION | | 24 |
| | | |
| Item 1. | Legal Proceedings | | 24 |
| | | | |
| Item 1A. | Risk Factors | | 24 |
| | | | |
| Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | | 24 |
| | | | |
| Item 3. | Defaults upon Senior Securities | | 24 |
| | | | |
| Item 4. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders | | 24 |
| | | | |
| Item 5. | Other Information | | 24 |
| | | | |
| Item 6. | Exhibits | | 25 |
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
MDU COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
March 31, 2007 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2006
| | March 31, 2007 | | September 30, 2006 | |
ASSETS | | | | | |
CURRENT ASSETS | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 72,658 | | $ | 3,238,939 | |
Accounts receivable-trade, net of an allowance of $144,406 and $162,402 | | | 1,813,702 | | | 1,642,179 | |
Prepaid expenses and deposits | | | 390,664 | | | 387,812 | |
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS | | | 2,277,024 | | | 5,268,930 | |
| | | | | | | |
Telecommunications equipment inventory | | | 912,598 | | | 906,448 | |
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $10,476,490 and $8,384,705 | | | 19,546,903 | | | 18,719,922 | |
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $3,652,563 and $3,241,154 | | | 2,157,528 | | | 1,822,415 | |
Deferred finance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $57,607 and $7,415 | | | 451,112 | | | 451,304 | |
TOTAL ASSETS | | $ | 25,345,165 | | $ | 27,169,019 | |
| | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES and STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | | |
CURRENT LIABILITIES | | | | | | | |
Accounts payable | | $ | 1,387,609 | | $ | 1,131,462 | |
Other accrued liabilities | | | 600,019 | | | 1,348,999 | |
Current portion of deferred revenue | | | 533,878 | | | 597,356 | |
Current portion of note payable | | | 49,365 | | | 48,732 | |
Current portion of capital lease obligations | | | 78,272 | | | 79,306 | |
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES | | | 2,649,143 | | | 3,205,855 | |
| | | | | | | |
Deferred revenue, net of current portion | | | 273,162 | | | 251,522 | |
Credit line borrowing, net of debt discount | | | 4,891,903 | | | 3,603,378 | |
Note payable, net of current portion | | | 77,298 | | | 102,115 | |
Capital lease obligations, net of current portion | | | 55,864 | | | 88,043 | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES | | | 7,947,370 | | | 7,250,913 | |
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | | |
Preferred stock, par value $0.001; 5,000,000 shares authorized | | | — | | | — | |
Common stock, par value $0.001; 70,000,000 shares authorized, 51,339,316 and 50,462,121 shares issued and outstanding | | | 51,338 | | | 50,462 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 59,689,990 | | | 58,823,997 | |
Accumulated deficit | | | (42,343,533 | ) | | (38,956,353 | ) |
TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | 17,397,795 | | | 19,918,106 | |
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | $ | 25,345,165 | | $ | 27,169,019 | |
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
MDU COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Six and Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 and 2006
(Unaudited)
| | Six Months Ended March 31, | | Three Months Ended March 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | | 2007 | | 2006 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
REVENUE | | $ | 7,915,835 | | $ | 6,244,197 | | $ | 3,981,485 | | $ | 3,326,136 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
OPERATING EXPENSES | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Direct costs | | | 3,278,458 | | | 2,465,413 | | | 1,739,477 | | | 1,267,252 | |
Sales expenses | | | 663,768 | | | 887,232 | | | 330,994 | | | 477,939 | |
Customer service and operating expenses | | | 2,309,798 | | | 2,435,325 | | | 1,176,995 | | | 1,333,422 | |
General and administrative expenses | | | 2,164,099 | | | 2,533,443 | | | 1,003,365 | | | 1,341,469 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 2,503,165 | | | 2,076,373 | | | 1,259,521 | | | 1,085,695 | |
TOTALS | | | 10,919,288 | | | 10,397,786 | | | 5,510,352 | | | 5,505,777 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
OPERATING LOSS | | | (3,003,453 | ) | | (4,153,589 | ) | | (1,528,867 | ) | | (2,179,641 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other income (expense) | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest income | | | 26,183 | | | 101,992 | | | 3,366 | | | 40,660 | |
Interest expense | | | (409,910 | ) | | (9,772 | ) | | (203,668 | ) | | (4,844 | ) |
NET LOSS | | $ | (3,387,180 | ) | $ | (4,061,369 | ) | $ | (1,729,169 | ) | $ | (2,143,825 | ) |
BASIC AND DILUTED LOSS PER COMMON SHARE | | $ | (0.07 | ) | $ | (0.08 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.04 | ) |
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING | | | 51,162,242 | | | 50,077,618 | | | 51,324,899 | | | 50,185,014 | |
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
MDU COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Six Months Ended March 31, 2007
(Unaudited)
| | Common stock | | Additional paid-in | | Accumulated | | | |
| | Shares | | Amount | | capital | | deficit | | Total | |
Balance, October 1, 2006 | | | 50,462,121 | | $ | 50,462 | | $ | 58,823,997 | | $ | (38,956,353 | ) | $ | 19,918,106 | |
Issuance of common stock for employee wages | | | 311,008 | | | 311 | | | 192,513 | | | | | | 192,824 | |
Issuance of common stock for employee bonuses | | | 207,395 | | | 207 | | | 128,840 | | | | | | 129,047 | |
Issuance of common stock through employee stock purchase plan | | | 24,394 | | | 24 | | | 32,880 | | | | | | 32,904 | |
Issuance of common stock for options exercised, including effects of net share settlements | | | 334,398 | | | 334 | | | 74,920 | | | | | | 75,254 | |
Share-based compensation - employees | | | | | | | | | 436,840 | | | | | | 436,840 | |
Net loss | | | | | | | | | | | | (3,387,180 | ) | | (3,387,180 | ) |
Balance, March 31, 2007 | | | 51,339,316 | | $ | 51,338 | | $ | 59,689,990 | | $ | (42,343,533 | ) | $ | 17,397,795 | |
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
MDU COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Six Months Ended March 31, 2007 and 2006
(Unaudited)
| | For the Six Months Ended March 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
OPERATING ACTIVITIES | | | | | |
Net loss | | $ | (3,387,180 | ) | $ | (4,061,369 | ) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | | | | | | | |
Bad debt provision | | | 176,094 | | | 84,923 | |
Inventory provision | | | — | | | 57,977 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 2,503,165 | | | 2,076,373 | |
Share-based compensation expense - employees | | | 436,840 | | | 559,192 | |
Share-based compensation expense - nonemployees | | | 63,125 | | | 192,708 | |
Charge to interest expense for amortization of deferred finance costs and debt discount | | | 80,882 | | | — | |
Compensation expense for issuance of common stock through employee stock purchase plan | | | 17,030 | | | 10,285 | |
Compensation expense for issuance of common stock for employee bonuses | | | 34,932 | | | 30,145 | |
Compensation expense for issuance of common stock for employee wages | | | 33,945 | | | — | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable | | | (347,617 | ) | | (58,527 | ) |
Prepaid expenses and deposits | | | (65,977 | ) | | (33,544 | ) |
Accounts payable | | | 256,147 | | | (186,601 | ) |
Other accrued liabilities | | | (495,986 | ) | | (196,599 | ) |
Deferred revenue | | | (41,838 | ) | | 32,244 | |
Net cash used in operating activities | | | (736,438 | ) | | (1,492,793 | ) |
INVESTING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | |
Purchase of property and equipment | | | (2,924,887 | ) | | (4,468,353 | ) |
Acquisition of intangible assets | | | (746,522 | ) | | (42,864 | ) |
Net cash used in investing activities | | | (3,671,409 | ) | | (4,511,217 | ) |
FINANCING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | |
Net proceeds from credit line borrowing | | | 1,257,835 | | | — | |
Deferred finance costs | | | (50,000 | ) | | — | |
Payments of notes payable | | | (24,184 | ) | | (22,305 | ) |
Proceeds from purchase of common stock through employee stock purchase plan | | | 15,874 | | | 24,332 | |
Proceeds from options exercised | | | 75,254 | | | — | |
Proceeds from warrants exercised | | | — | | | 87,500 | |
Payments of capital lease obligations | | | (33,213 | ) | | (30,043 | ) |
Net cash provided by financing activities | | | 1,241,566 | | | 59,484 | |
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | | | (3,166,281 | ) | | (5,944,526 | ) |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD | | | 3,238,939 | | | 9,358,021 | |
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD | | $ | 72,658 | | $ | 3,413,495 | |
| | For the Six Months Ended March 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Issuance of 256,258 shares of common stock for accrued compensation | | $ | 158,879 | | $ | 0 | |
| | | | | | | |
Issuance of 151,799 shares of common stock for employee bonuses | | $ | 94,115 | | $ | 0 | |
| | | | | | | |
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION | | |
| | | | | | | |
Interest paid | | $ | 329,028 | | $ | 9,772 | |
See accompanying notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
MDU COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Unaudited)
1. | BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND OTHER MATTERS |
Basis of Presentation:
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of MDU Communications International, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“United States GAAP”) for interim financial information for public companies and, therefore, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with United States GAAP have been condensed, or omitted, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the opinion of management, the financial statements include all material adjustments necessary (which are of a normal and recurring nature) for the fair presentation of the financial statements for the interim periods presented. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto (the “Audited Financial Statements”) contained in the Company’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006 on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 2, 2007. The results of operations for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for any other interim period or for a full fiscal year.
Description of Business:
The Company provides delivery of digital satellite television programming and high-speed (broadband) Internet service to residents of multi-dwelling unit properties (“MDUs”) such as apartment buildings, condominiums, gated communities, hotels and universities. Management considers all of the Company’s operations to be in one industry segment.
Use of Estimates:
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with United States GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates are used for, but not limited to, revenue recognition with respect to a new subscriber activation subsidy, allowance for doubtful accounts, useful lives of property and equipment, fair value of equity instruments, valuation of deferred tax assets and potentially impaired long-lived assets. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Principles of Consolidation:
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of MDU Communications International, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries, MDU Communications Inc. and MDU Communications (USA) Inc. All inter-company balances and transactions are eliminated.
The Company presents “basic” earnings (loss) per common share and, if applicable, “diluted” earnings per common share pursuant to the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, “Earnings Per Share.” Basic earnings (loss) per common share is computed by dividing the net income or loss by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. The calculation of diluted earnings per common share is similar to that of basic earnings per common share, except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if all potentially dilutive common shares, such as those issueable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants, were issued during the period and the treasury stock method was applied.
For the six and three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, basic and diluted loss per common share are the same as the Company had net losses for these periods and the effect of the assumed exercise of options and warrants would be anti-dilutive. For the six and three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company had potentially dilutive common shares attributable to options and warrants that were exercisable (or potentially exercisable) into shares of common stock as presented in the following table:
| | March 31, 2007 | | March 31, 2006 | |
Warrants | | | 5,385,550 | | | 5,298,884 | |
Options | | | 2,837,674 | | | 3,278,925 | |
Potentially dilutive common shares | | | 8,223,224 | | | 8,577,809 | |
3. | COMMON STOCK, STOCK OPTION AND WARRANT ACTIVITY |
Share-Based Compensation:
Share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, are recognized in the financial statements based on the portion of their grant date fair values expected to vest over the period during which the employees are required to provide services in exchange for the equity instruments. The Company has selected the Black-Scholes method of valuation for share-based compensation. During the six months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company recognized share-based compensation expense for employees of $436,840 and $559,192, respectively, and $216,221 and $279,614 for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Additionally, during the six months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company recognized share-based compensation expense for non-employees that were also based on grant date fair values of $63,125 and $192,708, respectively, and $21,042 and $96,533 for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively.
The fair values of options granted during the six months ended March 31, 2007 were determined using a Black-Scholes option pricing model in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123R (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment,” (“SFAS 123R”) based on the following weighted average assumptions:
| | Six Months Ended March 31, 2007 | |
Expected volatility | | | 52 | % | |
Risk-free interest rate | | | 4.72 | % | |
Expected option term | | | 5 | years | |
Expected dividends | | | 0 | % | |
No options were granted for the six months ended March 31, 2006.
Employee Stock Option Plan:
Stock options awards are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company’s stock on the date of the grant. The option awards vest quarterly over three years and have a five year contractual life. The following table summarizes information about all of the Company’s stock options outstanding and exercisable as of and for the six months ended March 31, 2007:
| | Number of Options Outstanding | | Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share | | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (years) | | Aggregate Intrinsic Value | |
Outstanding at September 30, 2006 | | | 2,602,072 | | $ | 1.81 | | | | | | | |
Granted (weighted average fair value of $0.38 per share) | | | 595,000 | | $ | 0.75 | | | | | | | |
Expired | | | (25,000 | ) | $ | 0.99 | | | | | | | |
Exercised (1) | | | (334,398 | ) | $ | 0.33 | | | | | $ | 165,600 | |
Outstanding at March 31, 2007 | | | 2,837,674 | | $ | 1.77 | | | 3.0 | | $ | 252,574 | |
Exercisable at March 31, 2007 | | | 1,968,228 | | $ | 1.86 | | | 2.6 | | $ | 175,407 | |
(1) | Of the 334,398 options exercised during the three months ended December 31, 2006, 191,958 options were granted cashless exercise status by the Board of Directors, so that upon exercise of these options, 85,602 options were surrendered back to the Company at fair market value of $0.74 per share in lieu of the exercise price, with the remaining 106,356 shares issued to the employees. No options were granted or exercised during the three months ended March 31, 2007. |
As of March 31, 2007, options to purchase 121,994 shares were available for grant under the Company’s 2001 Employee Stock Option Plan.
An additional charge of approximately $837,000 is expected to vest and be recognized subsequent to March 31, 2007 over a weighted average period of 33 months. The charge will be amortized to general and administrative expenses as the options vest in subsequent periods.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan:
During the six months ended March 31, 2007, the Company issued 24,394 shares of common stock for aggregate proceeds of $15,874 from employees who purchased shares under the 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan through accrued compensation. The purchase price per share under the Purchase Plan is equal to 85% of the fair market value of a share of Company common stock at the beginning of the purchase period or on the exercise date (the last day in a purchase period) whichever is lower. The Company recognized expense for the full discount for the six and three months ended March 31, 2007 of $17,030 and $2,562, respectively.
Additionally, during the six months ended March 31, 2007, (i) the Company recognized compensation expense of $33,945 for the issuance of 54,750 shares of common stock for employee severance and wages and $34,932 for the issuance of 55,596 shares of common stock for employee bonuses, and (ii) the Company issued 256,258 shares of common stock for $158,879 in compensation expense and 151,799 shares of common stock for $94,115 in employee bonuses that were previously accrued in the year ended in September 30, 2006, but had not yet been issued.
Warrants:
During the six months ended March 31, 2007, no warrants were granted or exercised and 913,335 warrants expired and 5,385,550 warrants remained outstanding at a weighted average exercise price of $2.13 per share.
4. | COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
The Company has entered into an open ended management agreement with a senior executive that provides for annual compensation, excluding bonuses, of $275,000. The Company can terminate this agreement at any time upon reasonable notice and the payment of an amount equal to 24 months of salary. In the event of a change in control of the Company, either party may, during a period of 12 months from the date of the change of control, terminate the agreement upon reasonable notice and the payment by the Company of an amount equal to 36 months of salary.
On September 11, 2006, the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement and ancillary Transaction Documents with FCC, LLC, d/b/a First Capital, and Full Circle Funding, LP for a senior secured $20,000,000 credit facility (“Credit Facility”) to fund the Company’s subscriber growth.
The Credit Facility has a term of five years with interest only payable monthly on the principal outstanding. The Credit Facility is divided into four $5,000,000 increments with the interest rate per increment declining as principal is drawn from each increment. The first $5,000,000 increment carries an interest rate of prime rate plus 4.1%, the second $5,000,000 at prime plus 3%, the third $5,000,000 at prime plus 2%, and the final $5,000,000 at prime plus 1%. The Company is under no obligation to draw an entire increment at one time. As of March 31, 2007, the Company had drawn into the second increment and has borrowed a total of $5,137,404 under the Credit Facility, which is reflected in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2007, net of debt discount of $245,501. The outstanding principal is payable on September 11, 2011 (see Note 3 of Audited Financial Statements). Currently, $14,862,596 remains available for borrowing under the Credit Facility subject to covenants described below.
As a result of drawing into the second $5,000,000 increment, the Company incurred an annual $50,000 deferred finance cost that will be amortized to interest expense using the straight-line method over a twelve month period ending in February 2008.
The amount that the Company can draw from the Credit Facility is equal to the Company’s borrowing base which, in large part, is determined by future revenue and costs accruing from the Company’s access agreements. The borrowing base of the Company currently exceeds $20,000,000. To access the Credit Facility above $10,000,000, the Company must have positive Earnings before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“EBITDA”), as defined, and 50,000 subscribers. To access the Credit Facility above $15,000,000, the Company must have positive EBITDA and 55,000 subscribers.
During the six month period ended March 31, 2007, the Company acquired access agreements and/or telecommunications equipment for a number of properties in various stages of completion and/or deployment. The acquisition costs were allocated to the fair value of the net assets acquired, as set forth below:
Property and equipment | | $ | 242,578 | |
Amortizable intangible assets | | | 746,522 | |
Total Acquisition Cost | | $ | 989,100 | |
Intangible assets are being amortized on a straight line basis over five years.
| MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
The purpose of this discussion is to provide an understanding of the Company’s financial results and condition by focusing on changes in certain key measures from year to year. Management’s Discussion and Analysis is organized in the following sections:
· | Forward-Looking Statements |
· | Summary of Results and Recent Events |
· | Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates |
· | Recently Issued and Not Yet Effective Accounting Pronouncements |
· | Results of Operations - Six Months Ended March 31, 2007 Compared to Six Months Ended March 31, 2006 |
| |
· | Results of Operations - Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 |
· | Liquidity and Capital Resources - Six Months Ended March 31, 2007 |
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The statements contained in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis that are not historical in nature are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by our use of words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” ”plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative or other variations of these words, or other comparable words or phrases. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, the fact that we are dependent on our program providers for satellite signals and programming, our ability to successfully expand our sales force and marketing programs, the need for additional funds to meet business plan expectations, changes in our suppliers’ or competitors’ pricing policies, the risks that competition, technological change or evolving customer preferences could adversely affect the sale of our products, unexpected changes in regulatory requirements and other factors identified from time to time in the Company’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on January 2, 2007.
Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements or other future events. Moreover, neither we nor anyone else assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of forward-looking statements. We are under no duty to update any of our forward-looking statements after the date of this report. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
In this discussion, the words “MDU Communications,” “the Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” refer to MDU Communications International, Inc. together with its subsidiaries, where appropriate.
OVERVIEW
MDU Communications International, Inc. concentrates exclusively on delivering state-of-the-art digital satellite television and high-speed Internet solutions to the United States multi-dwelling unit (“MDU”) residential market, estimated to include 26 million residences. MDUs include apartment buildings, condominiums, gated communities, universities, nursing homes and other properties having multiple units located within a defined area. We seek to differentiate ourselves from other service providers through a unique strategy of balancing the information and communication needs of today’s MDU residents with the technology concerns of property managers and owners and providing the best overall service to both. To accomplish this objective, we have partnered with DIRECTV and have been working with large U.S. property owners and real estate investment trusts (“REITs”) such as AvalonBay Communities, Trammell Crow Residential, Roseland Property Company, KSI Services, The Related Companies, as well as many others, to understand and meet the technology needs of these groups.
The Company earns its revenue through the sale of digital satellite television programming and high-speed Internet services to owners and residents of MDUs. It negotiates long-term access agreements with the owners and managers of MDU properties allowing it the right to provide digital satellite television and high-speed Internet services, and potentially other services, to their residents, resulting in monthly annuity-like revenue streams. The Company offers two types of satellite television service, Direct Broadcast Satellite (“DBS”) (also called Direct to Home (“DTH”)) and Private Cable (“PC”). The DBS service uses a set-top digital receiver for residents to receive state-of-the-art digital satellite and local channel programming. For DBS, the Company exclusively offers DIRECTV® programming packages. From the DBS offerings the Company receives the following revenue; (i) a substantial upfront subscriber commission from DIRECTV for each new subscriber, (ii) a percentage of the fees charged by DIRECTV to the subscriber each month for programming, (iii) a per subscriber monthly digital access fee that is billed to subscribers for rental of the set-top box and connection to the property satellite network system, and (iv) occasional other marketing incentives from DIRECTV. Secondly, the Company offers a Private Cable video service, where analog or digital satellite television programming can be tailored to the needs of an individual property and received through normal cable-ready televisions. Net revenues from Private Cable result from the difference between the wholesale prices charged by programming providers and the price the Company charges subscribers for the private cable programming package. The Company provides the DBS, Private Cable and Internet services on an individual subscriber basis, but in many properties we provide these services in bulk, directly to the property owner, resulting in one invoice and thus minimizing churn, collection and bad debt exposure. These subscribers are referred to as either Bulk DTH, Bulk PC, Bulk Choice Advantage (“BCA”) or Bulk ISP type subscribers in the Company’s periodic filings. From subscribers to the Internet service, the Company earns a monthly Internet access service fee. Again, in many properties, this service is provided in bulk.
Our common stock trades under the symbol “MDTV” on the OTC Bulletin Board. Our principal executive offices are located at 60-D Commerce Way, Totowa, New Jersey 07512 and our telephone number is (973) 237-9499. Our website is located at www.mduc.com.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS AND RECENT EVENTS
The Company’s revenue for the current quarter ended March 31, 2007 was $3,981,485, an increase of 20% over the same period ended March 31, 2006. The Company’s average monthly revenue per subscriber (“ARPU”) at March 31, 2007 was $26.95, an increase of 3% over the year ended September 30, 2006. ARPU is calculated by dividing average monthly revenues for the period (total revenues during the period divided by the number of months in the period) by average subscribers for the period. The average subscribers for the period is calculated by adding the number of subscribers as of the beginning of the period and for each quarter end in the current year or period and dividing by the sum of the number of quarters in the period plus one.
For the six and three months ended March 31, 2007, the Company reports positive earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and noncash charges (“EBITDA”) of $287,861 and $53,074, respectively. The Company uses the common performance gauge of EBITDA to evidence earnings exclusive of mainly noncash events, as is common in the technology, and particularly the cable and telecommunications, industries. EBITDA is an important gauge because investors who follow this industry frequently use it as a measure of financial performance. The most comparable GAAP reference is simply the removal from net income or loss of - in the Company’s case - interest, depreciation, amortization and noncash charges related to its shares, warrants and stock options. EBITDA is not, and should not be considered, an alternative to income from operations, net income, net cash provided by operating activities, or any other measure for determining our operating performance or liquidity, as determined under accounting principles generally accepted in the Unites States of America. EBITDA also does not necessarily indicate whether our cash flow will be sufficient to fund working capital, capital expenditures or to react to changes in our industry or the economy generally. The following table reconciles the comparative EBITDA of the Company to our consolidated net loss as computed under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America:
| | For the Six Months Ended March 31, | | For the Three Months Ended March 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | | 2007 | | 2006 | |
EBITDA | | $ | 287,861 | | $ | (1,039,994 | ) | $ | 53,074 | | $ | (552,247 | ) |
Interest Expense | | | (329,028 | ) | | (9,772 | ) | | (162,755 | ) | | (4,844 | ) |
Deferred finance costs and debt discount amortization (interest expense) | | | (80,882 | ) | | — | | | (40,913 | ) | | — | |
Provision for doubtful accounts | | | (176,094 | ) | | (84,923 | ) | | (75,587 | ) | | (28,024 | ) |
Provision for inventory reserve | | | — | | | (57,977 | ) | | — | | | (57,977 | ) |
Depreciation and Amortization | | | (2,503,165 | ) | | (2,076,373 | ) | | (1,259,521 | ) | | (1,085,695 | ) |
Share-based compensation expense - employees | | | (436,840 | ) | | (559,192 | ) | | (216,221 | ) | | (279,614 | ) |
Compensation expense for issuance of common stock through employee stock purchase plan | | | (17,030 | ) | | (10,285 | ) | | (2,562 | ) | | (8,726 | ) |
Compensation expense for issuance of common stock for employee bonuses | | | (34,932 | ) | | (30,145 | ) | | (7,459 | ) | | (30,145 | ) |
Compensation expense for issuance of common stock for employee wages | | | (33,945 | ) | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Compensation expense accrued to be settled through the issuance of common stock | | | — | | | — | | | 3,817 | | | — | |
Share-based compensation expense - nonemployees | | | (63,125 | ) | | (192,708 | ) | | (21,042 | ) | | (96,553 | ) |
Net Loss | | $ | (3,387,180 | ) | $ | (4,061,369 | ) | $ | (1,729,169 | ) | $ | (2,143,825 | ) |
The Company added 2,542 net subscribers during the quarter and reports 51,381 total billable subscribers as of March 31, 2007, a 15% increase over total billable subscribers reported one year ago. The Company’s breakdown of total subscribers by type and kind is outlined in the following chart:
Service Type | | Subscribers as of March 31, 2006 | | Subscribers as of June 30, 2006 | | Subscribers as of Sept. 30, 2006 | | Subscribers as of Dec. 31, 2006 | | Subscribers as of March 31, 2007 | |
Bulk DTH | | | 7,226 | | | 7,830 | | | 8,475 | | | 9,079 | | | 9,823 | |
DTH Choice / Exclusive | | | 7,857 | | | 7,703 | | | 8,095 | | | 7,988 | | | 8,225 | |
Bulk PC | | | 18,011 | | | 17,778 | | | 17,596 | | | 16,107 | | | 15,825 | |
PC Choice / Exclusive | | | 1,303 | | | 1,230 | | | 1,240 | | | 1,219 | | | 1,397 | |
Bulk Choice Advantage (BCA) | | | 4,627 | | | 4,818 | | | 5,334 | | | 7,420 | | | 8,164 | |
Bulk ISP | | | 3,116 | | | 3,100 | | | 3,118 | | | 4,093 | | | 4,857 | |
ISP Choice / Exclusive | | | 2,586 | | | 2,625 | | | 2,795 | | | 2,933 | | | 3,090 | |
Total Subscribers | | | 44,726 | | | 45,084 | | | 46,653 | | | 48,839 | | | 51,381 | |
As of March 31, 2007, the Company’s Midwest regional office served 12,769 subscribers, the Southeast regional office served 13,099 subscribers, the Mid-Atlantic regional office served 9,590 subscribers and the Company’s Northeast regional office served 15,923 subscribers. As of March 31, 2007, the Company had 116 full-time employees.
As of March 31, 2007, the Company had 58 properties and 24,333 units in work-in-progress (“WIP”). During the quarter, the Company completed work on 4,343 units that moved out of WIP and started construction on 975 units that entered WIP. Of the current WIP, 15,203 units (or 62%) are in new construction properties and 9,130 units (or 38%) are in existing conversion properties. The Company’s breakdown of WIP units by type of service is as follows: (i) Bulk DTH 1,898; (ii) DTH Choice/Exclusive 10,660; (iii) BCA 1,371; (iv) Bulk PC 303; (v) PC Choice/Exclusive 2,593; (vi) Bulk ISP 1,589; and (vii) ISP Choice/Exclusive 5,919. The Company defines its WIP as the number of units in properties where it has planned construction on a signed access agreement property, up through the conclusion of a billing phase in schedule, marketing campaign, or 120 days after property construction completion, whichever is later, at which time the property exits WIP. WIP is not reduced by the number of units turned billable in WIP properties during any given quarter.
The Company had 8,794 “under contract” subscribers in WIP at March 31, 2007 that the Company expects will become “billable” subscribers in the next few quarters. In many competitive properties, the Company is charging the property owner for installation of the satellite distribution system. Under contract is defined in actual potential subscribers, not as units being constructed. The under contract subscribers are an important component of the Company’s subscriber base evaluation in that they represent the number of remaining “billable” subscribers the Company expects to realize from WIP. The Company breaks down and reports its under contract subscribers into new construction and existing conversion properties, due to the time differential that new construction properties remain in under contract. A breakdown of these “under contract” subscribers for new construction and existing conversion properties (already reduced to reflect appropriate property type and penetration rate) shows the following:
| | Bulk Subscribers | | Exclusive Subscribers | | Competitive Subscribers | | Total Subscribers | |
New construction “under contract” subscribers as of March 31, 2007: | | | 4,326 | | | 763 | | | 1,965 | | | 7,054 | |
Existing conversion “under contract” subscribers as of March 31, 2007: | | | 201 | | | 434 | | | 1,105 | | | 1,740 | |
Total “under contract” subscribers: | | | 4,527 | | | 1,197 | | | 3,070 | | | 8,794 | |
During the remainder of fiscal 2007, the Company intends to remain EBITDA positive on a quarterly basis, continue to convert low revenue producing private cable bulk properties to the DIRECTV platform, increase its broadband penetration in its DIRECTV properties and to accelerate its subscriber growth. In particular, the Company is undertaking several initiatives, including implementing a new marketing program in several exclusive and choice properties designed to encourage customers to subscribe to DIRECTV services, and in many instances, bundle the Company’s broadband services with the DIRECTV service.
On April 11, 2007, the Company signed a nonbinding letter of intent with Multiband Corporation regarding the purchase of certain subscribers and associated assets from Multiband and the simultaneous provisioning of certain ongoing Multiband supplied subscriber management services.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Our condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Significant estimates are used for, but not limited to, revenue recognition with respect to a new subscriber activation subsidy, allowance for doubtful accounts, useful lives of property and equipment, fair value of equity instruments and valuation of deferred tax assets and long-lived assets. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates. We base our estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Accordingly, actual results could differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. During the six months ended March 31, 2007, there were no material changes to accounting estimates or judgments.
RECENTLY ISSUED AND NOT YET EFFECTIVE ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with SFAS No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes. FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. FIN 48 will apply to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006, with earlier adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this pronouncement, if any, on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurement (“SFAS 157”). SFAS 157 defines fair value and establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. SFAS 157 also expands the disclosures related to the fair value measurements used to value assets and liabilities. SFAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently evaluating whether the adoption of SFAS 157 will have a material impact on our financial statements.
In September 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) released Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements When Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements (“SAB 108”). SAB 108 provides guidance on how the effects of the carryover or reversal of prior year financial statement misstatements should be considered in quantifying a current year misstatement. Prior practice allowed the evaluation of materiality on the basis of (i) the error quantified as the amount by which the current year income statement was misstated (rollover method) or (ii) the cumulative error quantified as the cumulative amount by which the current year balance sheet was misstated (iron curtain method). Reliance on either method in prior years could have resulted in misstatement of the financial statements. The guidance provided in SAB 108 requires both methods to be used in evaluating materiality. Immaterial prior year errors may be corrected with the first filing of prior year financial statements after adoption. The cumulative effect of the correction would be reflected in the opening balance sheet with appropriate disclosure of the nature and amount of each individual error corrected in the cumulative adjustment, as well as a disclosure of the cause of the error and that the error had been deemed to be immaterial in the past. We do not believe the adoption of this pronouncement will have any material effects on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
In September 2006, the Emerging Issues Task Force, or EITF, issued EITF No. 06-1, Accounting for Consideration Given by a Service Provider to a Manufacturer or Reseller of Equipment Necessary for an End-Customer to Receive Service from the Service Provider (" EITF No. 06-1”), which provides guidance to service providers regarding the proper reporting of consideration given to manufacturers or resellers of equipment necessary for an end-customer to receive its services. Depending on the circumstances, such consideration is reported as either an expense or a reduction of revenues. EITF No. 06-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2007. We are currently assessing the effect EITF No. 06-1 may have, if any, to our consolidated results of operations.
In February 2007, the FASB, issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities—Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115 (" SFAS 159”) which permits, but does not require, companies to report at fair value the majority of recognized financial assets, financial liabilities and firm commitments. Under this standard, unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option is elected are reported in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. We are currently assessing the effect SFAS 159 may have, if any, on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion of the results of operations and financial condition of the Company should be read in conjunction with the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2007 COMPARED TO SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2006
The following table sets forth for the six months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, the percentages which selected items in the Statement of Operations bear to total revenue and respective dollar and percentage changes between the periods:
| | Six Months Ended March 31, 2007 | | Six Months Ended March 31, 2006 | | Change ($) | | Change (%) | |
REVENUE | | $ | 7,915,835 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 6,244,197 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 1,671,638 | | | 27 | % | |
Direct costs | | | 3,278,458 | | | 42 | % | | | 2,465,413 | | | 39 | % | | | 813,045 | | | 33 | % | |
Sales expenses | | | 663,768 | | | 8 | % | | | 887,232 | | | 14 | % | | | (223,464 | ) | | -25 | % | |
Customer service and operating expenses | | | 2,309,798 | | | 29 | % | | | 2,435,325 | | | 39 | % | | | (125,527 | ) | | -5 | % | |
General and administrative expenses | | | 2,164,099 | | | 27 | % | | | 2,533,443 | | | 41 | % | | | (369,344 | ) | | -15 | % | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 2,503,165 | | | 32 | % | | | 2,076,373 | | | 33 | % | | | 426,792 | | | 21 | % | |
OPERATING LOSS | | | (3,003,453 | ) | | -38 | % | | | (4,153,589 | ) | | -66 | % | | | 1,150,136 | | | -28 | % | |
Total other income (expense) | | | (383,727 | ) | | -5 | % | | | 92,220 | | | 1 | % | | | (475,947 | ) | | -516 | % | |
NET LOSS | | $ | (3,387,180 | ) | | -43 | % | | $ | (4,061,369 | ) | | -65 | % | | $ | 674,189 | | | -17 | % | |
Revenue. Revenue for the six months ended March 31, 2007 increased 27% to $7,915,835 compared to revenue of $6,244,197 for the six months ended March 31, 2006. The revenue increase is directly attributable to the (i) 15% increase in the number of subscribers between the two periods, (ii) shift in subscribers from private cable to higher earning revenue streams of bulk DTH and BCA, and (iii) 53% increase in installation revenue. We expect an increase in revenue as our subscriber growth and conversion to DTH from private cable continues. Our six months revenue has been derived, as a percent, from the following sources:
| | Six Months Ended March 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
Private Cable Programming Revenue | | | 22 | % | | 30 | % |
DTH Programming Revenue and Subsidy | | | 57 | % | | 53 | % |
Internet Access Fees | | | 13 | % | | 11 | % |
Installation Fees, Wiring and other Sales | | | 8 | % | | 6 | % |
The shift between the revenue streams is the result of the Company continuing to emphasize the conversion of low average revenue private cable subscribers to DIRECTV service subscribers. For the six months ended March 31, 2007, approximately 1,900 subscribers have been converted from Private Cable to DIRECTV services. This emphasis is expected to continue in fiscal 2007.
Direct Costs. Direct costs are comprised of private cable programming costs, monthly recurring Internet T-1 line connections and costs relating directly to installation services. Direct costs stayed fairly constant as a percent of revenue, however, direct costs increased to $3,278,458 for the period ended March 31, 2007, as compared to $2,465,413 for the period ended March 31, 2006, primarily as a result of the increase in the number of subscribers over the six months as a whole from the prior period. While we expect a proportionate increase in direct costs as our subscriber growth continues, direct costs are linked to the type of subscribers we add. We expect to continue to increase the number of DIRECTV and broadband subscribers and convert certain private cable subscribers to DIRECTV services throughout 2007. Therefore, direct costs should decline as a percentage of revenue in fiscal 2007.
Sales Expenses. Sales expenses were $663,768 for the six months ended March 31, 2007, compared to $887,232 for the six months ended March 31, 2006. The decrease in sales expenses primarily results from the elimination of one time charges from the expansion into the Midwest, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions and the transfer of certain personnel into operational roles during 2006. New marketing initiatives to increase our subscriber base, including expansion into the Midwest, Southeast, inclusive of expansion into the Atlanta area, and Mid-Atlantic regions are continuing. We anticipate that sales expense as a percent of revenue will remain at a level below that of 2006.
Customer Service and Operating Expenses. Customer service and operating expenses are comprised of expenses related to the Company’s call center, technical support, project management and general operations. Customer service and operating expenses were $2,309,798, inclusive of $56,904 in noncash charges, for the six months ended March 31, 2007, as compared to $2,435,325, with no noncash charges incurred, in the six months ended March 31, 2006, a 10% decrease as a percent of revenue. These expenses remained comparable to the same period ended March 31, 2006, but are expected to increase throughout 2007 primarily as the result of (i) an increase in the number of subscribers the Company will service during these time periods, (ii) an increase in our customer service quality levels, and (iii) positioning the Company to expand its services to a larger subscriber base in the future.
| | Six Months Ended March 31, 2007 | | Six Months Ended March 31, 2006 | |
Call center expenses | | $ | 758,987 | | | 33 | % | | $ | 847,973 | | | 35 | % | |
General operation expenses | | | 725,431 | | | 31 | % | | | 727,014 | | | 30 | % | |
Property system maintenance expenses | | | 825,380 | | | 36 | % | | | 860,338 | | | 35 | % | |
Total customer service and operating expense | | $ | 2,309,798 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 2,435,325 | | | 100 | % | |
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses decreased to $2,164,099 for the six months ended March 31, 2007, from $2,533,443 for the six months ended March 31, 2006. This also resulted in a 14% decrease as a percent of revenue, primarily the result of the effect of fixed expenses and reduced expenditures.
The Company had total noncash charges included in general and administrative expenses for the six months ended March 31, 2007 of $705,062; including $63,125 for share-based compensation for nonemployees attributable to the fair value of warrants issued for services, $17,030 for discount for the issuance of common stock through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, compensation expense of $11,973 for the issuance of common stock for bonuses, a provision of $176,094 for bad debt expense, and a recognition of noncash share-based compensation expense of $436,840 based upon the fair value at the grant dates for all option awards (current and previously granted) to employees for the period ended March 31, 2007. The total stock-based compensation expense not yet recognized and expected to vest over the next 33 months is approximately $837,000.
Excluding these noncash charges for the six months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 of $705,062 and $935,230, respectively, general and administrative expenses were $1,459,037 (18% of revenue) for the six months ended March 31, 2007, compared to $1,598,213 (26% of revenue) for the six months ended March 31, 2006.
Other Non-Cash Charges. Depreciation and amortization expenses increased from $2,076,373 during the six months ended March 31, 2006, to $2,503,165 during the six months ended March 31, 2007. The increase in depreciation and amortization is associated with the additional equipment being deployed. Interest expense included noncash charges of $80,882 for the amortization of deferred finance costs and debt discount and is higher due to the new Credit Facility which was entered into on September 11, 2006.
Net Loss. Primarily as a result of the above, and noncash charges of $3,346,013, the Company reports a net loss of $3,387,180 for the six months ended March 31, 2007, compared to a net loss of $4,061,369 for the six months ended March 31, 2006.
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2007 COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2006
The following table sets forth for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, the percentages which selected items in the Statement of Operations bear to total revenue and respective dollar and percentages changes between the periods:
| | Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 | | Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 | | Change ($) | | Change (%) | |
REVENUE | | $ | 3,981,485 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 3,326,136 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 655,349 | | | 20 | % |
Direct costs | | | 1,739,477 | | | 44 | % | | | 1,267,252 | | | 38 | % | | | 472,225 | | | 37 | % |
Sales expenses | | | 330,994 | | | 8 | % | | | 477,939 | | | 14 | % | | | (146,945 | ) | | -31 | % |
Customer service and operating expenses | | | 1,176,995 | | | 30 | % | | | 1,333,422 | | | 40 | % | | | (156,427 | ) | | -12 | % |
General and administrative expenses | | | 1,003,365 | | | 25 | % | | | 1,341,469 | | | 40 | % | | | (338,104 | ) | | -25 | % |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 1,259,521 | | | 31 | % | | | 1,085,695 | | | 33 | % | | | 173,826 | | | 16 | % |
OPERATING LOSS | | | (1,528,867 | ) | | -38 | % | | | (2,179,641 | ) | | -65 | % | | | 650,774 | | | -30 | % |
Total other income (expense) | | | (200,302 | ) | | -5 | % | | | 35,816 | | | 1 | % | | | (236,118 | ) | | -659 | % |
NET LOSS | | $ | (1,729,169 | ) | | -43 | % | | $ | (2,143,825 | ) | | -64 | % | | $ | 414,656 | | | -19 | % |
Revenue. Revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2007 increased 20% to $3,981,485, compared to revenue of $3,326,136 for the three months ended March 31, 2006. The revenue increase is directly attributable to the (i) 15% increase in the number of subscribers between the two periods, (ii) shift in subscribers from private cable to higher earning revenue streams of bulk DTH and BCA, and (iii) 19% increase in installation revenue. We expect an increase in revenue as our subscriber growth and conversion to DTH from Private Cable continues. The three months revenue has been derived, as a percent, from the following sources:
| | Three Months Ended March 31, | |
| | 2007 | | 2006 | |
Private Cable Programming Revenue | | | 22 | % | | 28 | % |
DTH Programming Revenue and Subsidy | | | 57 | % | | 54 | % |
Internet Access Fees | | | 13 | % | | 11 | % |
Installation Fees, Wiring and other Sales | | | 8 | % | | 7 | % |
The shift between the revenue streams is the result of the Company continuing to emphasize the conversion of low average revenue Private Cable subscribers to DIRECTV service subscribers. This emphasis is expected to continue throughout the remainder of fiscal 2007.
Direct Costs. Direct costs are comprised of satellite and private cable programming costs, monthly recurring Internet T-1 line connections and costs relating directly to installation services. Direct costs increased to $1,739,477 for the three months ended March 31, 2007, as compared to $1,267,252 for the three months ended March 31, 2006, primarily attributable to the 15% increase in number of subscribers between the two periods. We expect a proportionate increase in direct costs as our subscriber growth continues.
Sales Expenses. Sales expenses were $330,994 for the three months ended March 31, 2007, compared to $477,939 for the three months ended March 31, 2006, which is a decrease as a percentage of revenue between the periods from 14% to 8%. The decrease in sales expenses primarily results from the elimination of one time charges from the expansion into the Midwest, Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions and the transfer of certain personnel into operational roles. New marketing initiatives to increase our subscriber base, including continued efforts to expand into the aforementioned regions, will result in increased sales expenses. We expect this trend of a reduction as a percent of revenue to continue as our subscriber growth and regional expansion continues.
Customer Service and Operating Expenses. Customer service and operating expenses are comprised of expenses related to the Company’s call center, technical support, project management and general operations. Customer service and operating expenses were $1,176,995, inclusive of $3,642 in noncash charges, for the three months ended March 31, 2007, as compared to $1,333,422, with no noncash charges incurred, in the three months ended March 31, 2006, and resulted in a 10% decrease as a percent of revenue. It is anticipated that expenses will increase, but continue to decrease as a percent of revenue, primarily as the result of (i) the utilization of contractors in new regions to assist with service, maintenance and project management, (ii) an increase in our customer service quality levels, and (iii) positioning the Company to expand its services to a larger subscriber base in the future. Certain personnel and expense reductions were a factor in the decrease of 10% as a percent of revenue and a 12% reduction in expense between the two periods. A breakdown of customer service and operating expenses is as follows:
| | Three Months Ended March 31, 2007 | | Three Months Ended March 31, 2006 | |
Call center expenses | | $ | 384,333 | | | 33 | % | | $ | 443,823 | | | 33 | % | |
General operation expenses | | | 370,979 | | | 31 | % | | | 357,946 | | | 27 | % | |
Property system maintenance expenses | | | 421,683 | | | 36 | % | | | 531,653 | | | 40 | % | |
Total customer service and operating expense | | $ | 1,176,995 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 1,333,422 | | | 100 | % | |
General and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses decreased to $1,003,365 for the three months ended March 31, 2007, from $1,341,469 for the three months ended March 31, 2006, primarily the result of expense reduction initiatives and lower noncash charges.
The Company had total noncash charges included in general and administrative expenses in the three months ended March 31, 2007 of $315,412; including $21,042 for share-based compensation for nonemployees attributable to the fair value of warrants issued for services, $2,562 for discount for the issuance of common stock through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, a provision of $75,587 for bad debt expense, and a recognition of noncash share-based compensation expense of $216,221 based upon the fair value at the grant dates for all option awards (current and previously granted) to employees for the quarter ended March 31, 2007. The total stock-based compensation expense not yet recognized and expected to vest over the next 33 months is approximately $837,000.
Excluding these noncash charges for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 of $315,412 and $501,039, respectively, general and administrative expenses were $687,953 (17% of revenue) for the three months ended March 31, 2007, compared to the $840,430 (25% of revenue) for the three months ended March 31, 2006.
Other Non-Cash Charges. Depreciation and amortization expenses increased from $1,085,695 during the three months ended March 31, 2006 to $1,259,521 during the three months ended March 31, 2007. The increase in depreciation and amortization is associated with the additional equipment being deployed. Interest expense included noncash charges of $40,913 for the amortization of deferred finance costs and debt discount and is higher due to the new Credit Facility which was entered into on September 11, 2006.
Net Loss. As a result of the above, and primarily the noncash charges of $1,619,488, the Company reports a net loss of $1,729,169 for the three months ended March 31, 2007, compared to net loss of $2,143,825 for the three months ended March 31, 2006.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
SIX MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2007
During the six months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, the Company recorded a net loss of $3,387,180 and $4,061,369, respectively. At March 31, 2007, the Company had an accumulated deficit of $42,343,533.
On September 11, 2006, the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement and ancillary Transaction Documents with FCC, LLC, d/b/a First Capital, and Full Circle Funding, LP for a senior secured $20 million revolving five year credit facility (“Credit Facility”) to fund the Company’s subscriber growth. The Credit Facility was specifically designed to provide a permanent funding solution to the Company’s subscriber growth capital requirements. The Credit Facility (subject to a borrowing base) is a non-amortizing five year term facility. The size of the Credit Facility is ultimately determined by factors relating to the present value of the Company’s future revenue as determined by its access agreements. Therefore, as the Company’s subscriber base increases through the signing of new access agreements and renewal of existing access agreements, the Company’s borrowing base potential increases concurrently. Given the Company’s focus on EBITDA and subscriber growth, and given the Company realized positive EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2007, an increasing percentage of future subscriber acquisition costs should be funded from anticipated earnings in fiscal 2007, despite the availability of more capital through an increasing borrowing base.
The Credit Facility is secured by the Company’s cash and temporary investments, accounts receivable, inventory, access agreements and certain property and equipment. The Credit Facility contains covenants limiting the Company’s ability to, among other things:
| · | | incur other indebtedness; |
| · | | undergo any fundamental changes; |
| · | | engage in transactions with affiliates; |
| · | | issue certain equity, grant dividends or repurchase shares; |
| · | | change our fiscal periods; |
| · | | enter into mergers or consolidations; |
The Credit Facility also includes certain events of default, including nonpayment of obligations, bankruptcy and change of control. Borrowings will generally be available subject to a borrowing base and to the accuracy of all representations and warranties, including the absence of a material adverse change and the absence of any default or event of default. The Credit Facility has a term of five years with interest payable monthly only on the principal outstanding and is specially tailored to the Company’s needs by being divided into four $5 million increments. The Company is under no obligation to draw any increment beyond the first $5 million nor is it obligated to draw an entire increment at one time. The first $5 million increment carries an interest rate of prime rate plus 4.1%, the second $5 million at prime plus 3%, the third $5 million at prime plus 2%, and the final $5 million at prime plus 1%. The Credit Facility requires that to access increments above $10 million that the Company comply with a quarterly covenant of positive EBITDA and maintain certain subscriber growth rates. As of March 31, 2007, the Company partially accessed the second increment and has borrowings with a principal balance of $5,137,404 under the Credit Facility and $14,862,596 remains available for borrowing. The outstanding principal is payable on September 11, 2011.
Cash Balance. At March 31, 2007, we had cash and cash equivalents of $72,658, compared to $3,238,939 at September 30, 2006. The decrease in our cash balance was primarily due to the purchase of equipment and cash used in operations.
Considering our revenues and cash position as of March 31, 2007 and funds available from the Credit Facility, we believe that the Company has adequate financial resources to fund operations through at least March 31, 2008. The Company accessed a portion of the second $5 million increment of the $20 million revolving Credit Facility. The Company further believes that the requirements of ongoing positive EBITDA and the incremental growth requirements to access the third and fourth increments of the $20 million revolving Credit Facility are attainable.
Operating Activities. Net cash used from operating activities included a $239,839 and $383,200 decrease in our accounts payable and other accrued liabilities during the six months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Additionally, during the six months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006 the net increase in accounts receivable was $347,617 and $58,527, respectively. Our net losses of $3,387,180 and $4,061,369 for the six months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively, were significantly offset by net noncash charges associated primarily with depreciation and amortization and stock options and warrants of $3,346,013 and $3,011,603 for the same periods.
As at March 31, 2007, we had negative working capital of approximately $372,000, compared to working capital of approximately $2,063,000 as at September 30, 2006. To minimize the draw on the credit facility and the liability, the Company expects to be at a break-even or negative working capital. However, we believe that we have the ability to meet current operating activities through current revenue levels, expected revenue growth, and in conjunction with the funds available through the Credit Facility, will have sufficient funds to support the Company’s growth through March 31, 2008.
Investing Activities. During the six months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, we purchased $2,924,887 and $4,468,353, respectively, of equipment relating to subscriber additions during the periods and for future periods. During the same periods, we paid $746,522 and $42,864 for the acquisition of intangible assets.
Financing Activities. During the six months ended March 31, 2007, we used $57,397 for the repayment of certain notes payable and capital lease obligations. Equity financing activity provided $75,254 through the issuance of 334,398 shares of common stock from the exercise of options and $15,874 from 24,394 shares of common stock purchased by employees through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Additionally, we incurred $50,000 in deferred finance costs and borrowed $1,257,835 through the Credit Facility. During the six months ended March 31, 2006, we used $52,348 for the repayment of certain notes payable and capital lease obligations. Regarding equity financing activities in 2006, we issued 350,000 common shares upon the exercise of previously issued warrants to purchase common shares, which resulted in net proceeds to the Company of $87,500 and issued 16,426 shares of common stock through the Employee Stock Purchase Plan for proceeds of $24,332.
Capital Commitments and Contingencies. We have access agreements with the owners of multiple dwelling unit properties to supply our digital satellite programming and Internet systems and services to the residents of those properties; however, we have no obligation to build out those properties and no penalties will accrue if we elect not to do so.
Future Commitments and Contingencies. We believe that we have sufficient cash resources and availability from revenues and under the Credit Facility to cover current levels of operating expenses and working capital needs. Should the Company not be able to access additional increments under the $20 million Credit Facility, it will still be able to meet its current level of operating expenses through current revenues, however, it would have to scale back its capital expenditures and growth.
| QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
Our operating results and cash flows are subject to minor fluctuations from changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.
We maintain relationships with certain suppliers in Canada. To date, the market risk associated with foreign currency exchange rates has not been material in relation to the Company’s financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. The Company does not have any significant trade accounts receivable, trade accounts payable, or commitments in a currency other than that of the reporting unit’s functional currency. A 10% adverse change in the underlying foreign currency exchange rates would not have a material impact to our financial condition. As such, the Company does not currently use derivative financial instruments to manage the exposure in its non-U.S. operations or for trading or speculative purposes.
The Company seeks to manage its exposure to adverse interest rate changes through its normal operations and does not use any derivative financial instruments to manage such exposure. The Company uses a Credit Facility to provide for a portion of its financing needs. At March 31, 2007, the principal balance outstanding under this arrangement was $4,891,903, net of debt discount of $245,501. Interest costs would increase by approximately $52,000, annually, for each percentage point increase in the rate of interest on the Credit Facility, assuming current balances.
Our interest income is immaterially exposed to interest rate fluctuations on our short-term investments that are comprised of United States government treasury notes, which we hold on an available-for-sale basis. We have not entered into derivative financial instruments.
Our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)) are designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, such as this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms. Our disclosure controls and procedures are also designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Finance and Administration, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
The Company, under the supervision and with the participation of its management, including the Chief Executive Officer, who is also the Chief Financial Officer, as well as the Vice President of Finance and Administration, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. We perform this evaluation on a quarterly basis so that the conclusions concerning the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures can be reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.
Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer, who is also the Chief Financial Officer, and the Vice President of Finance and Administration, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of March 31, 2007. There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended March 31, 2007 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
None.
For a discussion of the Company’s risk factors, please refer to Part 1, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2006 filed on January 2, 2007.
| UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS |
None.
| DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES |
None.
| SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS |
None.
None.
31.1- Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification, executed by Sheldon Nelson, Chairman, Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of MDU Communications International, Inc.
31.2- Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification, executed by Carmen Ragusa, Jr., Vice President of Finance and Administration of MDU Communications International, Inc.
32.1- Certifications required by Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350), executed by Sheldon Nelson, Chairman, Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of MDU Communications International, Inc.
32.2- Certifications required by Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code (18 U.S.C. 1350), executed by Carmen Ragusa, Jr., Vice President of Finance of MDU Communications International, Inc.
SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| | |
| MDU COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC. |
| | |
Date: May 10, 2007 | By: | /s/ SHELDON NELSON |
|
Sheldon Nelson Chief Financial Officer |
| | |
| MDU COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL, INC. |
| | |
Date: May 10, 2007 | By: | /s/ CARMEN RAGUSA, JR. |
|
Carmen Ragusa, Jr. Vice President of Finance and Administration |