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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2006.
Registration Number 333-130964
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Amendment No. 1 to
FORM S-1
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
WHITNEY INFORMATION NETWORK, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
Colorado (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | 8200 (Primary Standard Industrial Classification Code Number) | | 84-1475486 (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
| | 1612 East Cape Coral Parkway Cape Coral, Florida 33904 (239) 542-0643 | | |
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
Russell A. Whitney, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Whitney Information Network, Inc.
1612 East Cape Coral Parkway
Cape Coral, Florida 33904
(239) 542-0643
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies of all communications to:
Gary A. Agron, Esq.
Law Office of Gary A. Agron
5445 DTC Pkwy., Suite 520
Greenwood Village, Colorado 80111
(303) 770-7254
(303) 770-7257 (fax)
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to public: As soon as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, check the following box. /x/
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act Registration Statement number of the earlier effective Registration Statement for the same offering. / /
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act Registration Statement number of the earlier effective Registration Statement for the same offering. / /
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act Registration Statement number of the earlier effective Registration Statement for the same offering. / /
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, check the following box. / /
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
|
Title of each class of securities to be registered
| | Amount to be registered
| | Proposed maximum offering price per share(1)
| | Proposed maximum aggregate offering price
| | Amount of registration fee
|
---|
|
Common stock, no par value | | 3,300,000 shares | | $10.07 | | $33,231,000 | | $3,556 |
|
Common stock underlying common stock purchase warrants | | 1,650,000 shares | | $10.07 | | $16,615,500 | | $1,778 |
|
Totals | | 4,950,000 shares | | $10.07 | | $49,846,500 | | $5,334(2) |
|
- (1)
- Estimated solely for computing the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(a) under the Securities Act. Based upon the closing price of common stock on the NASD's Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board as of March , 2006.
- (2)
- Paid previously.
The Registrant hereby amends the Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the Registration Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and we are not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject to Completion
Preliminary Prospectus Dated March 31, 2006
4,950,000 shares of common stock
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Our selling stockholders are offering for sale an aggregate of 4,950,000 shares of our common stock, comprised of 3,300,000 shares of common stock and 1,650,000 shares of common stock underlying common stock purchase warrants. The shares of common stock will be offered from time to time in open market transactions at prevailing market prices. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the common stock offered by the selling stockholders.
Our common stock is quoted on the NASD's Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board under the symbol "RUSS." On March 27, 2006, the closing price of the common stock was $9.80 per share.
Investing in our common stock involves substantial risks. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 6.
The Securities and Exchange Commission and state securities regulators have not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is , 2006.
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus. We have not authorized anyone to provide information different from that contained in this prospectus. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor the sale of common stock means that information contained in this prospectus is correct after the date of this prospectus. This prospectus is not an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy these securities in any circumstances under which the offer or solicitation is unlawful.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Until April 25, 2006 (25 days after the date of this prospectus), all dealers that buy, sell or trade these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to the dealers' obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as underwriters and with respect to their unsold allotments or subscriptions.
i
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
The summary highlights key aspects of the information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, including the section describing the risks factors and consolidated financial statements and the notes to the consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in the prospectus.
Our Business
Since 1992, we have provided postsecondary educational and training courses for students throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, interested in learning about the real estate and financial markets. The postsecondary education and training industry is large and highly fragmented. According to the United States Department of Education estimates and Eduventures, LLC, the postsecondary and training market exceeds $400 billion. We develop and deliver branded and private label education content spanning over twenty courses of study, including:
- •
- real estate investing;
- •
- business strategies;
- •
- stock market investment techniques;
- •
- cash management;
- •
- asset protection;
- •
- other financially oriented subjects.
In addition, we develop and sell educational resource materials which we prepare to support our course offerings and for sale to the general public. We are also aligning ourselves with other education brands to deliver our educational content.
Although we reported a net loss in 2003 and 2004 of $1.2 million and $30.1 million, respectively, in 2005 our net earnings amounted to $17.4 million.
Our Strategy
In recent years, we have expanded our course offerings and marketing areas, which has resulted in significant revenue growth. Our strategy is to continue our leadership in real estate and financial markets by:
- •
- increasing the number and types of our course offerings, both branded and private label, to reflect student interests;
- •
- expanding our international markets;
- •
- marketing our reference materials and online courses on a stand-alone basis;
- •
- identifying and developing strategic alliances with other education brands;
- •
- diversifying our media advertising;
- •
- developing or acquiring accredited or licensed proprietary schools.
We deliver our curricula in various formats, including live instruction in classroom settings, onsite mentoring, telephonic coaching, electronic access and through multi-day conferences.
1
About Us and our Principal Executive Office
We were incorporated in Colorado in 1996 under the name Gimmel Enterprises, Inc. In 1998, we acquired all of the outstanding common stock of Whitney Education Group, Inc., a Florida corporation organized in 1992, and Whitney Education became our wholly owned subsidiary. In August 1998, we changed our name to WIN Systems International, Inc. and in February 1999 we changed our name to Whitney Information Network, Inc. We conduct our operations through nine wholly owned subsidiaries in the United States and overseas. Our principal executive office is located at 1612 East Cape Coral Parkway, Cape Coral, Florida, and our telephone number is (239) 542-0643. Our website is located at www.russwhitney.com. Information on our website is not a part of this prospectus.
In August 2005, we contributed our financial markets education course content, intellectual property, brands, other assets and working capital into a new wholly owned subsidiary, EduTrades, Inc. in exchange for 5,200,000 shares of EduTrades, Inc. common stock. We now operate EduTrades, Inc. as a wholly owned subsidiary. In November 2005. EduTrades, Inc. filed a registration statement on Form S-1 to sell 2,600,000 shares of its common stock to the public at between $6.00 and $8.00 per share. The registration statement has not as yet been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Our Brands
The brands ofBuilding Wealth™,Cash Flow Generator®,Teach Me To Trade®,Star Trader™,Options Success™ andWealth Intelligence Academy™ are our registered trademarks, pending applications or exist under common law.
2
The Offering
| |
|
---|
Common Stock Outstanding | | 10,878,016 shares of common stock as of March 27, 2006 |
Securities Offered by the Selling Stockholders | | 3,000,000 shares of common stock and 1,500,000 shares of common stock underlying common stock purchase warrants |
NASD Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board Symbol | | RUSS |
Risk Factors | | Investment in our securities involves a high degree of risk and could result in a loss of your entire investment. |
Use of Proceeds | | We did not receive any proceeds from the sale of the common stock offered by the selling stockholders. Any funds received upon exercise of the warrants will be added to our working capital. |
The 3,000,000 shares registered are issued and outstanding and comprise 27.6% of the total amount of our outstanding shares as of March 27, 2006. At March 27, 2006, we also had outstanding stock options to purchase up to 2,178,350 shares of our common stock issued under our 1998 Stock Option Plan. Assuming all stock options and warrants are exercised and converted into shares of common stock, the total amount outstanding would increase to 14,581,366 shares, with the 4,950,000 additional shares from this offering (inclusive of warrants for 300,000 shares and 150,000 shares issued to our placement agent) representing 33.9% of the total.
Description of Selling Stockholders
Through this prospectus, we are registering the resale of 3,300,000 shares of common stock and 1,650,000 shares of common stock underlying common stock purchase warrants. The common stock and warrants were issued in a December 2005, $13.5 million private placement in which 3,000,000 units of our securities were sold, each unit consisting of one share of common stock at $4.50 per share and one-half common stock purchase warrant, exercisable at $6.00 per share, to a group of 17 nonaffiliated accredited investors. We also issued a unit warrant to our placement agent exercisable to purchase 300,000 units at $4.50 per share and another unit warrant exercisable to purchase 150,000 shares at $6.00 per share. None of the selling stockholders are officers or directors of WIN and only one selling stockholder is a 10% or greater stockholder.
3
SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following table sets forth our summary consolidated financial data as of and for the five year period ended December 31, 2005. This data has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements which appear elsewhere in this prospectus. The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto which appear elsewhere in this prospectus.
All financial information, except per share data, is expressed in thousands.
| | Years ended December 31,
| |
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| | 2005
| | 2004
| | 2003
| | 2002
| | 2001
| |
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Income Statement Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenue | | $ | 178,564 | | $ | 139,859 | | $ | 94,958 | | $ | 62,145 | | $ | 42,158 | |
Net earnings (loss) | | $ | 17,388 | | $ | (30,062 | ) | $ | (1,210 | ) | $ | 6,230 | | $ | 2,534 | |
Diluted net earnings (loss) per share | | $ | 1.86 | | $ | (3.50 | ) | $ | (0.15 | ) | $ | 0.70 | | $ | 0.33 | |
Statement of Cash Flows Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash provided by (used in) operations | | $ | 17,086 | | $ | (1,478 | ) | $ | 10,769 | | $ | 9,731 | | $ | 5,277 | |
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities | | $ | 8,640 | | $ | (10,438 | ) | $ | (8,018 | ) | $ | (4,907 | ) | $ | (829 | ) |
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities | | $ | 3,015 | | $ | 1,387 | | $ | 537 | | $ | 366 | | $ | (875 | ) |
Increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents | | $ | 28,586 | | $ | (10,363 | ) | $ | 2,940 | | $ | 5,191 | | $ | 3,572 | |
Other Operating Data:
As used in the following operating data and our reconciliation, EBITDA means net earnings (loss) before income taxes plus interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense, as well as the impact of gain from the sale of assets, interest and other nonoperating income, and minority interest and equity earnings in related parties. We refer to "Adjusted EBITDA" to mean EBITDA adjusted for the net change in deferred revenue less deferred course expenses.
Adjusted EBITDA is not a financial performance measurement under generally accepted accounting principles. Items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA are significant components in understanding our financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA is a key measure we use to evaluate our operations and compare operating results to the operating results of other businesses in our industry. In addition, we provide our Adjusted EBITDA because we believe that investors and securities analysts will find Adjusted EBITDA to be a useful measure for evaluating our performance. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net earnings (loss), cash flows provided by operations, investing or financing activities or other financial statement data presented in the consolidated financial statements as indicators of financial performance or liquidity. Because Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of the United States of America and is susceptible to varying calculations, Adjusted EBITDA as presented may not be comparable to other similar titled measures of performance from other companies.
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| | Years ended December 31,
| |
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| | 2005
| | 2004
| | 2003
| | 2002
| | 2001
| |
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Net earnings (loss) | | $ | 17,388 | | $ | (30,062 | ) | $ | (1,210 | ) | $ | 6,230 | | $ | 2,534 | |
Interest expense | | | 614 | | | 540 | | | 86 | | | 71 | | | 104 | |
Interest and other income | | | (2,386 | ) | | (129 | ) | | (585 | ) | | (340 | ) | | (357 | ) |
Income tax benefit, net of minority interest | | | (6,798 | ) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 1,856 | | | 1,610 | | | 950 | | | 598 | | | 293 | |
Minority interest and equity earnings | | | 2,138 | | | (182 | ) | | | | | | | | | |
(Gain) loss on sale of assets | | | (6,579 | ) | | (305 | ) | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
EBITDA | | | 6,233 | | | (28,528 | ) | | (759 | ) | | 6,559 | | | 2,574 | |
Net change in deferred revenue | | | 17,891 | | | 24,096 | | | 14,044 | | | 612 | | | 1,297 | |
Net change in deferred seminar costs | | | (688 | ) | | (1,991 | ) | | (3,926 | ) | | 731 | | | (994 | ) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | 23,436 | | $ | (6,423 | ) | $ | 9,359 | | $ | 7,902 | | $ | 2,877 | |
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| |
| |
| |
Balance Sheet Data:
| | December 31,
| |
---|
| | 2005
| | 2004
| | 2003
| | 2002
| | 2001
| |
---|
Total assets | | $ | 97,216 | | $ | 56,955 | | $ | 54,034 | | $ | 26,167 | | $ | 16,626 | |
Long term debt | | $ | 2,912 | | $ | 11,808 | | $ | 9,421 | | $ | 1,606 | | $ | 575 | |
Stockholders' deficit | | $ | (9,052 | ) | $ | (33,609 | ) | $ | (4,157 | ) | $ | (3,103 | ) | $ | (10,383 | ) |
Book value per share deficit | | $ | (0.87 | ) | $ | (3.90 | ) | $ | (0.49 | ) | $ | (0.38 | ) | $ | (1.32 | ) |
Shares outstanding | | | 10,456 | | | 8,618 | | | 8,548 | | | 8,097 | | | 7,878 | |
5
RISK FACTORS
You should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below and the other information in this prospectus before deciding whether to invest in the common stock.
Volatility in the real estate or securities markets may reduce interest in our educational courses, thereby reducing our revenue.
The level of public interest in investing in real estate or in securities significantly influences the demand for our educational and training programs. The real estate and securities markets have experienced varying levels of volatility in recent years. Negative developments in either market could cause a reduced demand for our programs, products and services, thereby reducing our revenue.
Failure to comply with state laws regulating the marketing and sale of our educational courses could harm our reputation and reduce the demand for our course offerings.
Many states regulate the marketing and sale of our educational courses, including the content of advertisements to attract students. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in legal action instituted by the states, including cease and desist and injunction actions. In the event we are subject to such legal action, our reputation would be harmed and the demand for our course offerings could be significantly reduced.
If we do not successfully introduce new programs, products and services, our growth rate and revenue will be reduced.
Our growth strategy is dependent on our ability to sell existing training programs, products and services to new students, to open new markets and to develop and introduce new educational programs, products and services. If we are unable to expand our markets and products, our growth rate and revenue will be reduced. Market conditions and the level of customer interest may be different for our current products than for new products, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to compete favorably with, and obtain market acceptance for, any such new programs, products or services.
If we fail to develop and then maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent financial fraud. As a result, current and potential stockholders could lose confidence in our financial reporting, which would reduce our ability to obtain subsequent financing, if necessary, as well as reduce the trading price of our common stock.
We are not currently subject to the internal control requirements of Section 404 of theSarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 but expect to be subject to Section 404 requirements for our 2007 calendar year. Should we fail to develop an effective system of internal controls for our 2007 calendar year, our ability to obtain subsequent financing as well as our stock price would be reduced. We have in the past discovered, and may in the future discover, areas of our internal controls that need improvement. For example, in 2005 our independent auditors noted in a letter to management some potential material weaknesses in our internal controls regarding financial reporting and offered suggestions regarding our internal controls and operations. According to the letter, we currently do not have a sufficient amount or type of staff in the financial, accounting and external reporting areas. We are seeking additional experienced finance and accounting professionals with a background in public reporting responsibilities, and we intend to add further to our financial and reporting staff in order to meet our public reporting responsibilities. Areas for improvement in our accounting and financial reporting functions related to reconciliation of our accounts; proper recordation of expenses and liabilities in the period to which they relate; proof of internal review and approval of accounting items; documentation of key accounting assumptions, estimates and/or conclusions; and documentation of accounting policies and procedures.
We have taken steps to address these issues including hiring an experienced Chief Financial Officer and recruiting 15 employees to our 30 person finance organization, but we may be hampered in this regard by our current level of staffing and our current accounting system. We cannot be certain
6
that our efforts to improve our internal controls will be successful or that we will be able to maintain adequate controls over our financial processes and reporting in the future. Any failure to develop or maintain effective controls, or difficulties encountered in the effective improvement of our internal controls, could harm our operating results, cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations, or cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which would likely have a negative effect on the trading price of our common stock. If our internal controls are deemed to be inadequate, or if other unforeseen events occur, our external auditors could resign, leading to a delay in the preparation of our financial statements and an increase in our audit fees. If we were required to obtain new external auditors, those auditors could require a lengthy period to become familiar with our operations. The process of retaining new external auditors could also limit our access to the capital markets for an extended period of time.
The current market price of our common stock significantly exceeds our book value per share and increases the risk that our market value per share may decline in the future.
The market price of our common stock was $9.80 per share at the close of business on March 27, 2006 and greatly exceeded our December 31, 2005 book value, which was a deficit of $(9.8) million or $(0.93) per share. The lower book value per share compared to our market price per share increases the risk that our market price per share may decline in the future.
Our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer owns over 50% of our outstanding capital stock, which means that he has the ability to approve or disapprove any matter requiring stockholder approval or prevent a change of control in our Company.
Russell A. Whitney, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, owns over 50% of our outstanding capital stock. As such, Mr. Whitney can approve or disapprove any matter requiring the vote of our stockholders, including the election of directors. Mr. Whitney could, without other stockholders, vote to approve a transaction that may not be in the best interests of other stockholders or reject a transaction that may be in the best interests of other stockholders. Moreover, Mr. Whitney's stock ownership may prevent a third party from acquiring a controlling position in our common stock because in many instances, a third party desiring to purchase a controlling position in a public company is willing to pay a premium to the market price. Mr. Whitney's stock ownership would likely prevent such an event from occurring.
The loss of any of our key personnel, especially Mr. Whitney, could disrupt our operations and reduce our profitability.
Our future success depends to a significant extent on the continued services of our senior management, including Mr. Whitney. We do not maintain key-man life insurance on the life of Mr. Whitney. The loss of the services of Mr. Whitney or other senior management could disrupt our operations and reduce our profitability.
Our Board of Directors, without stockholder approval, may issue preferred stock which could reduce the voting power or rights of our other stockholders and make it more difficult for a third party to acquire a majority of our outstanding voters stock.
Our Board of Directors, without stockholder approval, may issue up to 10.0 million shares of preferred stock. The Board of Directors can fix the rights, preferences and privileges of the shares of each series and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions, which could reduce the voting power or other rights of the holders of common stock. Issuance of preferred stock could also have the effect of making it more difficult for a third-party to acquire, or of discouraging a third-party from attempting to acquire, a majority of our outstanding voting stock.
7
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains certain forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements deal with our current plans, intentions, beliefs and expectations and statements of future economic performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "expects," "plans," "intends," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," or "predicts" or the negative of such terms. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements about our market opportunity, our strategies, competition, expected activities and expenditures as we pursue our business plan, and the adequacy of our available cash resources. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may cause our actual results in future periods to differ materially from what is currently anticipated. We make cautionary statements in certain sections of this prospectus, including under the heading "Risk Factors." You should read these cautionary statements as being applicable to all related forward-looking statements wherever they appear in this prospectus, in the materials referred to in this prospectus, in the materials incorporated by reference into this prospectus, or in our press releases. No forward-looking statement is a guarantee of future performance, and you should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future.
Industry data and other statistical information used in this prospectus are based on independent publications, government publications, reports by market research firms or other published independent sources. Some data are based on pur good faith estimates, derived from our review of internal surveys and the independent sources just listed. Although we believe these sources to be reliable, we have not independently verified the information.
8
PRICE RANGE OF OUR COMMON STOCK
Our common stock is quoted on NASD's Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board under the trading symbol "RUSS" since August 1998. The high and low closing prices of our common stock for the last two years, by calendar quarter, are set forth below. These quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, markdown or commissions and may not represent actual transactions.
| | High Closing Price
| | Low Closing Price
|
---|
Year ended December 31, 2005 | | | | | | |
Fourth Quarter | | $ | 9.75 | | $ | 4.55 |
Third Quarter | | $ | 5.00 | | $ | 2.82 |
Second Quarter | | $ | 3.40 | | $ | 1.20 |
First Quarter | | $ | 2.38 | | $ | 1.10 |
| | High Closing Price
| | Low Closing Price
|
---|
Year ended December 31, 2004 | | | | | | |
Fourth Quarter | | $ | 4.00 | | $ | 1.90 |
Third Quarter | | $ | 4.65 | | $ | 3.25 |
Second Quarter | | $ | 4.90 | | $ | 3.95 |
First Quarter | | $ | 5.05 | | $ | 4.20 |
As of March 27, 2006, we had approximately 406 record and beneficial stockholders.
DIVIDEND POLICY
We have not paid dividends on our common stock in the past and do not intend to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. Instead, we will retain any earnings to finance the expansion of our business and for general corporate purposes.
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash and our consolidated capitalization at December 31, 2005. You should read this data in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes to the consolidated financial statements contained elsewhere in this prospectus (in thousands, except share amounts).
| | December 31, 2005
| |
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Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | | $ | 38,650 | |
| |
| |
Total long term debt | | $ | 2,912 | |
| |
| |
Stockholders' deficit: | | | | |
Common stock, no par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized, 10,455,910 issued and outstanding(1) | | $ | 10,593 | |
Paid in capital | | | 449 | |
Foreign currency translation adjustment | | | (337 | ) |
Accumulated deficit | | | (19,757 | ) |
| |
| |
Total stockholders' deficit | | $ | (9,052 | ) |
| |
| |
Total capitalization | | $ | (6,140 | ) |
| |
| |
- (1)
- Excludes 1,435,850 shares of common stock issuable on the exercise of outstanding stock options, 742,500 shares of outstanding nonvested common stock options, 9,150 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under the 1998 Stock Option Plan, 200,000 warrants issued in 2004, 875,000 shares of common stock underlying common stock purchase warrants in connection with the Offering, and the unit purchase warrant issued to our placement agent for 300,000 shares of common stock and 150,000 unit warrants. An additional 625,000 shares of common stock underlying common stock purchase warrants will be personally provided by our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
9
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The following table sets forth our selected consolidated financial information as of and for the five year period ended December 31, 2005. The data for the five years has been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements, which appear elsewhere in this prospectus. The following selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto.
All financial information, except per share data, is expressed in thousands.
| | Years ended December 31,
| |
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| | 2005
| | 2004
| | 2003
| | 2002
| | 2001
| |
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Income Statement Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenue | | $ | 178,564 | | $ | 139,859 | | $ | 94,958 | | $ | 62,145 | | $ | 42,158 | |
Earnings (loss) from operations | | $ | 4,377 | | $ | (30,138 | ) | $ | (1,709 | ) | $ | (5,960 | ) | $ | 2,281 | |
Net earnings (loss) | | $ | 17,388 | | $ | (30,062 | ) | $ | (1,210 | ) | $ | 6,230 | | $ | 2,534 | |
Diluted earnings (loss) per share | | $ | 1.86 | | $ | (3.50 | ) | $ | (0.15 | ) | $ | 0.70 | | $ | 0.33 | |
Statement of Cash Flows Data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash provided by (used in) operations | | $ | 17,086 | | $ | (1,478 | ) | $ | 10,769 | | $ | 9,731 | | $ | 5,277 | |
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities | | $ | 8,640 | | $ | (10,438 | ) | $ | (8,018 | ) | $ | (4,907 | ) | $ | (829 | ) |
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities | | $ | 3,015 | | $ | 1,387 | | $ | 537 | | $ | 366 | | $ | (875 | ) |
Increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents | | $ | 28,586 | | $ | (10,363 | ) | $ | 2,940 | | $ | 5,191 | | $ | 3,572 | |
Other Operating Data:
As used in the following operating data and our reconciliation, EBITDA means operating loss before income taxes plus interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense, as well as the gain from the sale of assets, interest and nonoperating income, and minority interest and equity earnings in related parties. We refer to "Adjusted EBITDA" to mean EBITDA adjusted for the net change in deferred revenue less deferred seminar expenses.
Adjusted EBITDA is not a financial performance measurement under generally accepted accounting principles. Items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA are significant components in understanding our financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA is a key measure we use to evaluate our operations and compare operating results to the operating results of other businesses in our industry. In addition, we provide our Adjusted EBITDA because we believe that investors and securities analysts will find adjusted EBITDA to be a useful measure for evaluating our performance. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net loss, cash flows generated by operating, investing or financing activities or other financial statement data presented in the consolidated financial statements as indicators of financial performance or liquidity. Because Adjusted EBITDA is not a measurement determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of the United States of
10
America and is susceptible to varying calculations, Adjusted EBITDA as presented may not be comparable to other similar titled measures of performance from other companies.
| | Years ended December 31,
| |
---|
| | 2005
| | 2004
| | 2003
| | 2002
| | 2001
| |
---|
Net earnings (loss) | | $ | 17,388 | | $ | (30,062 | ) | $ | (1,210 | ) | $ | 6,230 | | $ | 2,534 | |
Interest expense | | | 614 | | | 540 | | | 86 | | | 71 | | | 104 | |
Interest and other income | | | (2,386 | ) | | (129 | ) | | (585 | ) | | (340 | ) | | (357 | ) |
Income tax benefit, net of minority interest | | | (6,798 | ) | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 1,856 | | | 1,610 | | | 950 | | | 598 | | | 293 | |
Minority interest and equity earnings | | | 2,138 | | | (182 | ) | | — | | | — | | | — | |
(Gain) loss on sale of assets | | | (6,579 | ) | | (305 | ) | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
EBITDA | | | 6,233 | | | (28,528 | ) | | (759 | ) | | 6,559 | | | 2,574 | |
Net change in deferred revenue | | | 17,891 | | | 24,096 | | | 14,044 | | | 612 | | | 1,297 | |
Net change in deferred seminar costs | | | (688 | ) | | (1,991 | ) | | (3,926 | ) | | 731 | | | (994 | ) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | 23,436 | | $ | (6,423 | ) | $ | 9,359 | | $ | 7,902 | | $ | 2,877 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Balance Sheet Data:
| | December 31,
| |
---|
| | 2005
| | 2004
| | 2003
| | 2002
| | 2001
| |
---|
Total assets | | $ | 97,216 | | $ | 56,955 | | $ | 54,034 | | $ | 26,167 | | $ | 16,626 | |
Long term debt | | $ | 2,912 | | $ | 11,808 | | $ | 9,421 | | $ | 1,606 | | $ | 575 | |
Stockholders' deficit | | $ | (9,052 | ) | $ | (33,609 | ) | $ | (4,157 | ) | $ | (3,103 | ) | $ | (10,383 | ) |
Book value per share deficit | | $ | (0.87 | ) | $ | (3.90 | ) | $ | (0.49 | ) | $ | (0.38 | ) | $ | (1.32 | ) |
Shares outstanding | | | 10,456 | | | 8,618 | | | 8,548 | | | 8,097 | | | 7,878 | |
11
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion of ourconsolidated financial condition and results of operations for the periods indicated should be read in conjunction with ourconsolidated financial statements, related notes and the other financial data included elsewhere in this prospectus. The discussion contains forward-looking statements involving risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause our results to differ materially from expectations. Factors that might cause such differences include those described under "Risk Factors", "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Starements" and elsewhere in this prospectus.
Executive Overview
In the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, we offer postsecondary nonaccredited introductory workshops, primary and advanced courses and training in two primary fields of study:
- •
- Real estate investing
- •
- Financial markets investing
Through our branded and private label curricula, our content is expansive and our significant investment in these brands provides for the opportunity to build long term value. Our brand portfolio includes:
- •
- For real estate investment workshops and introductory courses:
- —
- Building Wealth™
- —
- Cash Flow Generator®
- —
- Private label brands:
- •
- M2 Advantage®
- •
- RE Success System
- •
- For financial investment workshops and introductory courses:
- —
- Teach Me To Trade®
- —
- Star Trader™
- —
- Options Success™
- —
- Private label brands:
- •
- Stock Success™ System
- •
- Our umbrella brand for advanced courses:
- —
- Wealth Intelligence Academy™
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The advanced courses of study under theWealth Intelligence Academy™ brand include:
| • | Intensified real estate training |
| • | Wholesale buying |
| • | Foreclosure training |
| • | Lease option |
| • | Property management and cash flow |
| • | Keys to creative real estate financing |
| • | Asset protection & tax relief |
| • | Mentor field training |
| • | Discount notes and mortgages |
| • | Manufactured mobile homes and recreational vehicle parks |
| • | Rehabbing for profit |
| • | Tax liens and deeds |
| • | Commercial real estate investing |
| • | Domestic and international land investment and development |
| • | Master Trader™ | | — practical advanced technical analysis |
| • | The Trading P.I.T.™ | | — hedging techniques |
| • | The Advanced P.I.T.™ | | — spread strategies |
| • | H.I.T.S.™ | | — single stock futures and ETFs |
| • | The Trading Room™ | | — practical trading structures and routines |
| • | Advanced Covered Calls | | — strategies to use options to improve cash flow and hedge risk |
We offer our students several ways to access our educational content:
- •
- Live instruction in classroom settings
- •
- Onsite mentoring
- •
- Telephonic coaching
- •
- Electronic access
- •
- Conferences
We are also aware of other macroeconomic trends—including changes in the real estate markets, financial markets, overall employment, early retirement, consumer confidence that may impact overall demand, and believe we can adapt our curriculum development and marketing message accordingly to changing trends. Moreover, we are also cognizant that we compete in an area where the barrier is low with respect to content development, however, access to students and the fulfillment of the courses require substantial cash outflow before cash inflow is realized in the form of tuition.
Our international presence in the United Kingdom and Canada represents approximately 5.4% of the cash received from course and product sales in 2005. We intend to review our entire international strategy during the upcoming year.
Over the past five years, revenue has grown at a compounded annual rate of 40.3% while our operating expenses grew at a 33.1% compounded annual growth rate. Through continued leveraging of our fixed costs, improving our overall marketing efficiency and course delivery, we endeavor to grow revenue at a faster rate than the growth of operating expenses.
13
Our operating results are expressed as a percentage of revenue below:
| | Years ended December 31,
| |
---|
| | 2005
| | 2004
| | 2003
| | 2002
| | 2001
| |
---|
Revenue | | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Direct course expenses | | 54.1 | | 66.7 | | 54.0 | | 45.7 | | 46.8 | |
| Advertising and sales expenses | | 28.0 | | 35.5 | | 31.7 | | 22.4 | | 27.4 | |
| General and administrative expense | | 15.3 | | 19.3 | | 16.1 | | 22.3 | | 20.3 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | 97.5 | | 121.5 | | 101.8 | | 90.4 | | 94.6 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Earnings (loss) from operations | | 2.5 | | (21.5 | ) | (1.8 | ) | 9.6 | | 5.4 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Other income (expense): | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest and other income | | 1.3 | | 0.1 | | 0.6 | | 0.5 | | 0.8 | |
| Interest expense | | (0.3 | ) | (0.4 | ) | (0.1 | ) | (0.1 | ) | (0.2 | ) |
| Equity earnings from related parties | | (0.1 | ) | 0.1 | | | | | | | |
| Gain on sale of assets | | 3.7 | | 0.2 | | | | | | | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | 4.6 | | 0.0 | | 0.5 | | 0.4 | | 0.6 | |
Earnings (loss) before income taxes | | 7.0 | | (21.5 | ) | (1.3 | ) | 10.0 | | 6.0 | |
| Income tax benefit | | 3.8 | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| Minority interest | | (1.1 | ) | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings (loss) | | 9.7 | % | (21.5 | )% | (1.3 | )% | 10.0 | % | 6.0 | % |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Our cost structure is particularly sensitive to increasing television advertising and production costs and travel related expenses. However, a very meaningful part of our cost structure is variable in nature, such as instructor related costs which are primarily a function of sales realized.
We obtain the majority of our students through introductory workshops. These introductory workshops are established in various metropolitan areas in the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. Prior to the actual workshop, we expend a significant amount of money in the form of advertising through various media channels, as reflected in the following chart:
| | Years ended December 31,
| |
---|
| | 2005
| | 2004
| | 2003
| |
---|
Television | | 79.8 | % | 73.7 | % | 79.2 | % |
Direct mail | | 12.1 | | 16.2 | | 15.4 | |
Newspaper | | 8.0 | | 7.1 | | 4.8 | |
Other | | 0.1 | | 3.0 | | 0.6 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Our advertising and sales expense represented approximately 28.0% of our revenue in 2005. Overall advertising and sales expense over the past five years have grown at a 32.6% compound annual growth rate, 7.7 percentage points below revenue's compound annual growth rate of 40.3%.
Approximately 22.4% of those students attending the introductory workshops purchase one or more of our courses. For advanced courses the student pays the tuition at the time of registering for the course or program and has the opportunity to attend that course over the next 12 months. As
14
reflected in the following chart, cash sales from course or product sales differs from the revenue reported for financial statement purposes (in thousands).
| | Years ended December 31,
|
---|
| | 2005
| | 2004
| | 2003
| | 2002
| | 2001
|
---|
Cash received from course or product sales | | $ | 196,455 | | $ | 163,955 | | $ | 109,002 | | $ | 62,757 | | $ | 43,455 |
Less: Net change in deferred revenue | | | 17,891 | | | 24,096 | | | 14,044 | | | 612 | | | 1,297 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Revenue for financial reporting purposes | | $ | 178,564 | | $ | 139,859 | | $ | 94,958 | | $ | 62,145 | | $ | 42,158 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
Due to the timing differences between cash collection and the time at which our students actually take the course (or course expiration, which ever is earlier), we have historically recorded a substantial amount of deferred revenue. Most of the deferred revenue at the end of each year will result in reported revenues in the next year. As reflected in the table below, our deferred revenue as a percentage of total revenue have ranged from the high 30% to mid 40% range since 2002 (in thousands).
| | Year ended December 31,
| |
---|
| | 2005
| | 2004
| | 2003
| | 2002
| | 2001
| |
---|
Deferred revenue | | $ | 80,580 | | $ | 62,689 | | $ | 38,593 | | $ | 24,549 | | $ | 23,937 | |
Revenue for financial reporting purposes | | | 178,564 | | | 139,859 | | | 94,958 | | | 62,145 | | | 42,158 | |
Deferred as a percentage of revenue | | | 45.1 | % | | 44.8 | % | | 40.6 | % | | 39.5 | % | | 56.8 | % |
The vast majority of our costs to acquire the student has been expended up to the point of registration, such as media, travel, facilities and instructor fees for the introductory workshops; these costs are expensed when incurred. However, the tuition paid at registration is deferred until the course is attended by the student, the student received the course content in an electronic format, or the contract expires, at which time the revenue is deemed earned. Thus, reporting under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America creates significant timing differences with respect to revenue and expenses, both in the form of cash flows and in the form of our consolidated income statement. As a result of these factors, our operating cash flows can vary significantly from our results of operations for the same period. For this reason we believe Adjusted EBITDA is an important non generally accepted accounting principles operating metric.
We can continue to have differences between cash flows and reported revenues in our consolidated income statement as the students have yet to take the courses they have paid for. The overall expenses associated with delivering the advanced courses are significantly lower than the expenses surrounding the introductory courses. We hire speakers, instructors, trainers and mentors on an independent contractor basis. These individuals are compensated primarily on a commission basis or sometimes on a fixed fee basis.
EduTrades
EduTrades, our financial markets education division, began operations in July 2002, with the acquisition ofTeach Me to Trade®, with sales commencing in the fourth quarter of 2002.
One-half of all U.S. households own stocks, either directly or through a mutual fund or retirement plan, according to a 2005 survey by the Securities Industry Association. Federal Reserve Board and U.S. Census Bureau. This represents 56.9 million households in 2005, when compared to 40.0 million ten years ago, and 15.9 million in 1983. Investment in the stock market and in mutual funds continues to be significant. In 2005, equity fund inflows amounted to $147.6 billion.
Approximately 67% of all equity investors are between the ages of 35 and 64, with a 51 years of age mean and median, the peak earning and investing years, according to the Securities Industry
15
Association/Investment Company Institute survey. According to the U.S. Census Bureau and the same survey, of the 9.1 million, or approximately one-third of all individuals in the U.S., individuals who own equities, the median household income is $65,000, the median financial household assets are $125,000 70% are married, 56% college graduates and 70% are employed.
Since that time, investment in the stock market and mutual funds continues to be substantial, and there has been significant growth in investments in alternate financial instruments such as options, single stock futures and indexes. Trading in option contracts reached record levels in 2005. According to the Chicago Board of Options Exchange, there were 468.2 million option contracts traded in 2005 compared to 361.1 million in 2004, a 29.7% increase. This trend has continued through January and February 2006, where trades in option contracts have increased 49.5% over the same period in 2005.
Accordingly, in July 2005, we established EduTrades as a separate subsidiary for our financial markets education division. In November 2005 EduTrades filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission to sell a minority interest to the public. The registration statement has not been declared effective by the SEC. We are expected to own 66.7% of EduTrades after its initial public offering and have agreed to an Administrative Services Agreement to provide shared administrative services for both EduTrades and us to maximize our cost leverage in both companies. Also, we have entered into a Fulfillment Agreement with EduTrades, a Revised Lead Marketing Agreement, an Assignment Agreement and a Voting Agreement with EduTrades. A summary of each agreement follows:
We will provide administrative and operational assistance as needed, in the following areas:
- •
- Executive Management
- •
- Finance and Business Planning
- •
- Accounting and Financial Reporting
- •
- Business Development
- •
- Human Resources
- •
- Facilities Management
- •
- Marketing
- •
- Education Content and Product Development
- •
- Strategic Alliances
- •
- Legal
- •
- Booking
- •
- Confirmations
- •
- Information Technology
- •
- Operations
- •
- Sales
- •
- Shipping
We shall be compensated for all services provided under this Agreement at a monthly rate consisting of actual expenses incurred or an allocation of shared expenses plus an administrative fee of 15%.
We are obligated to fulfill all of EduTrades's outstanding financial market education obligations sold to students and incurred by EduTrades prior to August 1, 2005. These training obligations shall encompass all obligations related to the stock market training, including mentoring sessions, sold by us or any of our business entities prior to August 1, 2005 that have not yet been fulfilled. We are entitled to and will retain all revenue for courses sold prior to August 1, 2005. Each outstanding course or
16
mentorship that has not been fulfilled by August 1, 2006 shall be deemed an unfulfilled training obligation.
We will provide marketing services to EduTrades to be conducted and targeted at EduTrades's customer leads database.
We assigned to EduTrades as of July 25, 2005 all of our rights, title and interest, on a worldwide basis, including, without limitation, all intellectual property rights, including copyrights, and moral rights, in and to certain proprietary products, patent applications, copyrights, internet property and proprietary information related to financial market education products and services.
Commencing on the date of the consummation of EduTrades's initial public offering and for a period of five years thereafter, we agreed that the voting securities we now own or hereafter acquire in EduTrades will be voted by a majority vote of the independent directors serving on our Board of Directors with respect to any vote submitted to the shareholders of EduTrades at any annual or special meeting of the shareholders of EduTrades. In the event there are no independent directors serving on our Board at the time of any such meeting during the five year term of the agreement, we agreed that the voting securities we now own or hereafter acquire in EduTrades will be voted by the remaining directors serving on the our Board at any such meeting in the same manner as the majority of the voting securities not owned by us are voted at a shareholders meeting.
We have and are operating EduTrades as we have been since we started financial markets education in 2002. We do not expect a significant disruption to our day to day operations of the business as a result of EduTrades public offering. However, additional staff is being added to support the administrative needs of EduTrades as a public company.
On an operating basis, EduTrades contributed approximately 30.6%, 27.8% and 18.0% of our revenue for 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
Noncore Investments
We also have investments in various projects that are noncore to our mission. These investments were opportunistic in nature and leverage the experience of our Chief Executive Officer and management team in real estate development. The investments we currently hold have not materially impacted our liquidity.
As of December 31, 2005, our noncore investments consisted of equity interests in real estate ventures in Costa Rica and Southwest Florida.
Our total investment, including initial and working capital advances, in Costa Rica as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, amounted to $2.1 million and $1.8 million, respectively, representing a:
- •
- 30% equity interest in a company, Rancho Monterey, S.A., that owns approximately 350 acres of undeveloped land on the Pacific coast;
- •
- 20% equity interest in a company, Monterey del Mar, that owns an ocean front hotel on the Pacific coast or Costa Rica;
17
- •
- 8% equity interest in a company, Monterey del Este, organized to develop unimproved land in Costa Rica of approximately 425 acres contiguous to our investment in Rancho Monterey, S.A.
Included in these amounts are working capital advances of $1.4 million and $1.1 million as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
For the year ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, under the equity method of accounting, we reflected our share of the (loss) earnings in the amounts of $(0.2) million, $0.2 million and nil, respectively.
It is our intention to divest our interests in Costa Rica at the appropriate time.
In 2004, we entered into a joint venture under which we hold a 50% interest in Tranquility Bay of Southwest Florida, LLC which owns 74 acres of land zoned for residential development in Southwest Florida. We do not intend to keep our interest as a long term holding and will divest this investment at the appropriate time. The investment entity has no ongoing activity other than minimal costs of carrying the land. Under the equity method of accounting, we record our share of these costs which were less than $0.1 million in 2005 and nil in 2004.
Critical Accounting Policies
Deferred revenue
We are engaged primarily in the business of providing real estate and financial education to individual investors through courses of study, as well as educational materials. Students pay for the courses in advance and we record the proceeds from the sale of courses as deferred revenue when it is received. Revenue is earned when the student attends the training program or at the expiration of our obligation to provide training, whichever comes first. The fees are generally nonrefundable, and the students are allowed one year to complete their program. A student may receive a refund within three days of their purchase by exercising a right of rescission. In such cases, the corresponding amount of deferred revenue is relieved with no impact on the consolidated income statement.
Advertising and sales expense and prepaid advertising
Advertising costs and direct sales expenses are expensed as incurred. Advertising paid in advance is recorded as prepaid until such time as the advertisement is published.
Deferred expenses
Certain direct course expenses are deferred until such time the course is conducted and the related revenue is earned.
Historically, the amount of revenue collected is directly related to the amount of advertising and direct sales expenses incurred. The revenue from the training courses can be deferred as much as one year after the advertising and sales expenses are incurred. An income statement can show increase losses, or reduced net earnings, in periods in which course registration and cash receipts are growing at a fast rate.
From a balance sheet perspective, the liability which we designate as "deferred revenue," will increase as cash receipts are collected in advance and the classes to which they pertain have not yet taken place or have not expired. When there are more training courses completed, as compared to the amount of new program sales, our deferred revenue will decrease and therefore increase our earnings. Furthermore, since we receive cash in advance of providing the training, we need to retain sufficient cash to pay final course costs.
18
We make no estimates with respect to our critical accounting policies. All amounts recorded under these policies reflect the actual amount of cash collected or expended.
2005 compared to 2004
Revenue and Deferred Revenue
Our revenue for the year ended December 31, 2005 amounted to $178.6 million, an increase of 27.7% over revenue of $139.9 million in 2004. The increase was driven by expanded advance course offerings and attendees per event, offset by a decrease in the number of introductory courses, as reflected in the following chart (in thousands):
| | Year ended December 31,
| |
---|
| | 2005
| | 2004
| | % change
| |
---|
Cash received from course and product sales: | | | | | | | | | |
Basic courses | | $ | 25,017 | | | 34,202 | | (26.9 | )% |
Advanced courses | | | 112,008 | | | 91,855 | | 21.9 | |
Outreach programs | | | 40,415 | | | 23,723 | | 70.4 | |
Products sales | | | 12,317 | | | 8,828 | | 39.5 | |
Other | | | 6,698 | | | 5,347 | | 25.3 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Total cash received from course and product sales | | | 196,455 | | | 163,955 | | 19.8 | |
Net change in deferred revenue | | | (17,891 | ) | | (24,096 | ) | (25.8 | ) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Revenue for financial reporting purposes | | $ | 178,564 | | $ | 139,859 | | 27.7 | % |
| |
| |
| |
| |
19
The following illustrates the number of educational events, the number of students, the average number of students and average tuition paid per course for the comparative periods:
| | Years ended December 31,
| |
| |
---|
| | % Change
| |
---|
| | 2005
| | 2004
| |
---|
Number of Courses | | | | | | | |
| Free workshops | | 4,744 | | 4,826 | | -1.7 | % |
| Introductory courses | | 992 | | 915 | | 8.4 | % |
| Advanced courses | | 582 | | 537 | | 8.4 | % |
| Electronic courses | | 162 | | 25 | | 548.0 | % |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | 6,480 | | 6,303 | | 2.8 | % |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Number of Students | | | | | | | |
| Free workshops | | 282,925 | | 286,509 | | -1.3 | % |
| Introductory courses | | 53,742 | | 30,280 | | 77.5 | % |
| Advanced courses | | 21,662 | | 19,978 | | 8.4 | % |
| Electronic courses | | 9,832 | | 741 | | 1226.9 | % |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | 368,161 | | 337,508 | | 9.1 | % |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Average Students per Course | | | | | | | |
| Free workshops | | 59.6 | | 59.4 | | 0.5 | % |
| Introductory courses | | 54.2 | | 33.1 | | 63.7 | % |
| Advanced courses | | 37.2 | | 37.2 | | 0.0 | % |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | 56.7 | | 53.6 | | 5.7 | % |
| |
| |
| |
| |
We decided to reduce the tuition prices at our basic courses to provide the opportunity for more students to benefit from our offerings and provide the opportunity for our students to be exposed to our advanced courses. Our blended average tuition level per student declined 63.9%, while the number of students taking the basic courses increased 95.2%.
Our weighted average tuition for advanced courses fell slightly by 3.8% reflecting a shift in course mix, while the number of students enrolled increased by 8.4%.
Our financial markets education division's cash received from courses and product sales grew 72.3% over 2004, to $78.3 million, while the domestic real estate division increased 9.1% to $108.1 million. International saw a 32.1% decline in 2004 to $10.1 million.
On a brand level, all domestic brands had strong performance over 2004. Leading the way wasStar Trader™ with a 214% increase in cash received from course and product sales over 2004, followed byTeach Me To Trade® with a 38.8% increase, while our most mature brand,Building Wealth™ grew at 15.5% andCash Flow Generator® at 10.8%, rounding out our major brands.
Revenue recognized on expired contracts was $38.5 million in 2005, compared to $17.9 million in 2004, an increase of $20.6 million. $11.3 million of this increase was in our financial markets education division, corresponding to the 131% increase in this division's collections in 2004 over 2003. Of the $9.3 million increase in the real estate division, $4.9 million is in our United Kingdom subsidiary which began enforcing its contract expiration terms in the second quarter of 2005 and recorded $1.3 million in revenue in the third quarter of 2005 for contracts expired in previous periods. As a percentage of the previous years cash collections for tuition, revenue from expired contracts was 24.2% and 18.7%, respectively for 2005 and 2004.
We have expanded our options for course delivery towards our goal of minimizing the number of expired contracts. We have increased the number of courses offered on DVD and the opportunities to take courses via the Internet, and have expanded our live presentations within the United States. We have also implemented outreach notifications as courses near expiration by e-mail and the U.S. mail.
20
Direct Course Expenses
Direct course expenses relate to our basic and advanced courses and consist of instructor fees, facility costs, salaries associaied with our field travel team coordinators and related travel expenses.
In 2005, direct course expenses increased $3.2 million to $96.5 million, or 3.5% from $93.3 million in 2004. As a percentage of revenue, direct course expenses decreased from 66.7% of revenue in 2004 to 54.1% in 2005. The components of this 12.6 percentage point (pp) reduction include:
| | Margin change 2005 vs. 2004
|
---|
Efficiency gains in course delivery | | | 2.7 | | pp |
Reduced effective sales commissions rate | | | 3.6 | | |
Event administration | | | 5.6 | | |
Other direct course expenses | | | 2.7 | | |
| | |
| | |
Improved direct course expense margins | | | 12.6 | | pp |
| | |
| | |
The effective sales commission rate is indicative of the increase in the average number of students attending our introductory courses and free workshops. The improvement in course delivery and event management is the result of cost control measures implemented in the 4th quarter of 2004 that were realized throughout 2005 along with our ability to leverage revenue increases without corresponding increases in costs.
We anticipate direct course expense efficiencies in 2006, however, not at the same level as achieved in 2005.
Advertising and Sales Expense
Advertising and sales expense as a category consists of two components:
- •
- Purchased media to generate registrations to our free workshops
- •
- Costs associated with supporting student recruitment
Approximately 80% of all advertising is through television commercials and infomercials, with the balance consisting of direct mail and newspaper advertisement. Sales expenses are costs of staging the initial free workshops and acquiring new students, including presenter's sales commissions, assistants and coordinators expenses and travel expenses.
Advertising and sales expense for 2005 amounted to $50.0 million, an increase of 0.7% or $0.3 million compared to $49.7 million in 2004. Advertising and sales expense in 2005 was 28.0% of revenue, as compared to 35.5% of revenue for 2004. The following chart illustrates this improvement of 7.5 percentage points:
| | Margin change 2005 vs. 2004
|
---|
Television | | | 4.0 | | pp |
Direct Mail | | | 2.1 | | |
Other media | | | 1.2 | | |
Sales expenses, net | | | 0.2 | | |
| | |
| | |
| | | 7.5 | | pp |
| | |
| | |
The number of prospective students registering for our events increased 15.6% over 2004, and yet our advertising expenditures in 2005 on a dollar basis was essentially flat compared to 2004. Many improvements with respect to media purchases and scheduling were realized in 2005. We also benefited from our cost per television placement, which decreased by 4.0% in 2005 compared to 2004.
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While continued improvement is expected into the future, efficiency gains are not expected to be realized at the same levels realized in 2005.
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses primarily consist of compensation, benefits, insurance, facility expenses, and travel for the corporate staff.
General and administrative expenses were $27.7 million in 2005, an increase of $0.7 million, or 2.3% as compared to $27.0 million in 2004. As a percentage of revenue, general and administrative expenses decreased from 19.3% of revenues in 2004, to 15.5% in 2005, due primarily to cost control measures initiated in the fourth quarter of 2004 and realized throughout 2005, and our ability to leverage the increase in revenue without a corresponding increase in overhead.
Primary contributers to the 3.8% reduction in general and administrative costs as a percentage of revenue include:
| | Margin change 2005 vs. 2004
|
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Payroll and benefit costs | | | 2.0 | | pp |
Professional fees | | | 0.7 | | |
Other general and administrative expenses, net | | | 1.1 | | |
| | |
| | |
| | | 3.8 | | pp |
| | |
| | |
We expect to continue benefiting from overhead leverage, however not at the same levels realized in 2005. Moreover, we continue to invest in our infrastructure to support the continued growth. Staff increases of approximately 50 employees worldwide, additional research and development of new education courses and support necessary to further expand our geographical penetration within the United States will all require increased resources in 2006.
Earnings (loss) from operations
We earned $4.4 million from operations in 2005, compared to a loss from operations of $30.1 million in 2004. Our increase in revenues combined with the marketing efficiencies, reduced sales costs and reduced general and administrative expenses described above were the primary contributing factors to this year over year improvement. Earnings from operations in 2005 was 2.5% of revenues as compared to a loss from operations of 21.5% of revenues in 2004.
Other income (expense)
Other income was $8.2 million in 2005, an $8.1 million increase over the $0.1 million for 2004. The increase was primarily due to increases in gain on sale of assets of $6.6 million, and interest and other income of $2.4 million. The increase in gain on sale of assets was primarily due to a gain of $5.6 million ($3.5 million after minority interest expense) realized on the sale of an office building in Orlando, Florida.
Interest and other income increased by $2.3 million to $2.4 million. Other income for 2005 includes $1.2 million in insurance proceeds from a business interruption claim arising from the impact of hurricane Charley in 2004. In addition, interest and investment income increased as a result of the increase in cash on hand resulting from increased course registration receipts, and proceeds from the real estate investment sales and stock offering.
Interest expense increased 13.7% to $0.6 million in 2005.
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Equity loss for our related parties investment in Costa Rica amounted to a $0.2 million compared to $0.2 million in equity earnings to 2004.
Income tax benefit
We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities, at enacted income tax rates, based on the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of our asset and liabilities. We include any effects of changes in income tax rates or tax laws in the provision for income taxes in the period of enactment. When it is more likely than not that a portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized in the future, we provide a corresponding valuation allowance against the deferred tax asset. In 2005, we determined that it was more likely than not that we would realize our deferred tax assets and we reversed our valuation allowance of $11.3 million. Accordingly, this resulted in a net tax benefit of $6.0 million being realized in our consolidated income statement.
Net earnings (loss)
Net earnings in 2005 amounted to $17.4 million, a $47.5 million improvement over 2004's $30.1 million net loss. Improved revenue growth, operating and overhead cost controls, sale of assets, gain on sale of noncore investments, along with the recognition of a deferred tax asset contributed to the improved 2005 results.
Liquidity and Capital Resources at December 31, 2005
In December 2005, we closed a private placement of 3.0 million units of our securities, each unit consisting of one share of common stock at $4.50 per share and one-half common stock purchase warrant to purchase an additional share at $6.00 per share. The securities are being registered for sale pursuant to this prospectus. Russell A. Whitney, our Chief Executive Officer, sold 1.25 million of the units and we sold the remaining 1.75 million units. The private placement generated net proceeds to us of $7.2 million after offering costs.
Our capital requirements consist primarily of working capital, capital expenditures and acquisitions. Historically, we have funded our working capital and capital expenditures using cash and cash equivalents on hand. Cash increased by $28.6 million in 2005 to $33.2 million, compared to a decrease of $10.3 million in 2004. Cash generation from tuition, proceeds from the sale of noncore investments and the sale of common stock were the primary reasons for the $38.9 million year over year improvement, with respect to cash generation.
Cash provided by operations was $17.1 million versus $1.5 million used in operations in 2004. The increase is primarily attributable to cash collections on courses and products, evidenced by the increase in deferred revenue of $17.9 million, offset by an increase in deferred course expenses of $0.7 million.
Cash provided by investing activities was $8.6 million in 2005, as compared to a usage of $7.9 million for the same period last year. The increase is primarily due to the sale of real estate investments resulting in cash proceeds of $9.8 million in 2005. In 2004, we purchased $7.0 million in property and equipment and invested $2.8 million in related parties, as compared to $0.7 million in property and equipment purchases in 2005. We will continue to invest in property and equipment in future periods for expansion, computer and software upgrades and geographic expansion. We will continue to pursue other opportunistic, strategic acquisitions.
Cash provided by financing activities amounted to $3.0 million in 2005. Nearly $12.3 million in cash was received from the sale of stock in December 2005, comprised of $7.2 million net proceeds to the Company and $5.1 million from shares sold by our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer that was subsequently paid in January 2006. Offsetting this was $9.0 million in payments of long term debt, principally from the proceeds of the SCB Building sale. As we continue to generate cash flow from operations, we may consider some additional reduction of long term debt as a financing option.
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Merchant account reserves which represent funds on deposit with credit card processors, was $5.4 million on December 31, 2005 as compared with $2.2 million on December 31, 2004. At December 31, 2005, we had used letters of credit to secure merchant accounts and certain state bonding requirements aggregating $1.8 million, which are supported by certificates of deposit which carry an interest rate of 2.9% and 3.7%, respectively
Historically, we have been able to fund all of our operations primarily through existing working capital.
As a result of significant and growing deferred revenue balance, our working capital deficit will continue to grow. We intend to continue to use working capital for operating purposes. We intend to establish a credit facility to support the our growth strategy. From time to time, we evaluate potential acquisitions of business products or technologies that complement our business. To the extent that resources are insufficient to fund future activities, we may need to raise additional funds. However, there can be no assurance that additional funding, if needed, will be available. If adequate funds are not available on acceptable terms, we may be unable to expand our business, develop or enhance our products and services, take advantage of future opportunities or respond to competitive pressures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
The following reflects our commitments for debt and other commitments as of December 31, 2005 (in thousands):
| | Debt
| | Operating Lease Commitments
| | Total
|
---|
2006 | | $ | 462 | | $ | 748 | | $ | 1,210 |
2007 | | | 444 | | | 446 | | | 890 |
2008 | | | 377 | | | 186 | | | 563 |
2009 | | | 307 | | | 192 | | | 499 |
Thereafter | | | 1,784 | | | 137 | | | 1,921 |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | $ | 3,374 | | $ | 1,709 | | $ | 5,083 |
| |
| |
| |
|
Additionally in December 2005 we entered into a commitment for a new computer software package. The total commitment of approximately $2.5 million includes installation, training and support services.
We believe our cash resources are sufficient to fund our operations and growth plans in 2006.
Impact of Inflation
Inflationary factors such as increases in the cost of labor directly affect our operations. Most of our leases provide for cost-of-living adjustments and require us to pay taxes, insurance and maintenance expenses, all of which are subject to inflation. Additionally, our future lease costs for new facilities may include potentially escalating costs of real estate and construction. There is no assurance that we will be able to pass on increased costs to our customers.
Depreciation expense is based on historical cost of fixed assets, and is therefore potentially less than it would be if it were based on current replacement cost. While property and equipment acquired in prior years will ultimately have to be replaced at higher prices, it is expected that replacement will be a gradual process over many years.
Reclassification
Certain amounts in 2004 and 2003 have been reclassified to conform to the 2005 presentation.
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2004 Compared to 2003
Revenue
Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2004 was $139.9 million, an increase of $44.9 million or 47.3%, compared to revenue of $95.0 million in 2003. There was significant growth in all segments of the business. Within the real estate segment, theCash Flow Generator® brand, which was introduced in 2003, had revenue of $22.5 million in 2004. Revenue in the financial markets segment were insignificant in 2003 but accounted for 28% of total revenue in 2004. Within the financial markets segment theStar Trader™ brand began training programs in November 2003 and did not show significant revenue in 2003, but had revenue of $8.7 million in 2004. OurTeach Me To Trade® brand showed a 100% increase in sales ($36.0 million vs. $18.0 million in 2003). In addition to growth in our training segments, our telemarketing sales increased by 107% from $12.1 million in 2003 to $25.1 million in 2004. The foreign-based sales for 2004 were approximately 14% of gross revenue, or $17.3 million, an increase of $4.0 million, or 30%, of the 2003 revenue of $13.3 million.
Revenue from expired contracts increased to $17.9 million from $15.1 million in 2003. As a percentage of total revenue, expired contracts decreased to 12.8% in 2004 from 15.9% in 2003. As a percentage of the previous years cash collections for tuition, revenue from expired contracts was 18.7% and 24.0%, respectively.
In addition to an increase in the number of courses held, in November, 2004, we raised the price of our courses an average of 10.2%. It was the first price increase in our courses for over two years.
Direct Course Expenses
Direct course expenses were $93.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, an increase of $42.0 million or 82.0% compared to $51.3 million in 2003. Direct course expenses as a percent of revenue were 66.7% for 2004 versus 54.0% for 2003. The overall increase in direct course expenses is primarily attributable to the increase in number of courses held which were 2,468 in 2004 compared to 2,132 in 2003. Speaker fee commissions are approximately 8.4% of the revenue amount generated.
The primary components of the 12.7% increase in direct course expenses as a percentage of revenue are:
| | Margin change 2004 vs. 2003
|
---|
Speaker fees and commissions | | | 6.6 | | pp |
Introductory course delivery | | | 5.2 | | |
Coaching and mentoring | | | 2.0 | | |
Event administration | | | 2.2 | | |
Product cost | | | (3.3 | ) | |
| | |
| | |
| | | 12.7 | | pp |
| | |
| | |
Advertising and Sales Expenses
Advertising and sales expense, of which advertising represents approximately 86% of the expense for the year ended December 31, 2004, were $49.7 million, an increase of $19.6 million or 65.0%, compared to $30.1 million in 2003. As a percentage of revenue, advertising and sales expenses were 35.5% and 31.7%, respectively, in 2004 and 2003. The growth of the advertising and sales expense over the comparable period of 2003 is primarily due to the increase in free preview trainings held, from 476 to 842 in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Advertising and sales expense is primarily driven by the number of free previews held as this is where the initial investment is made. The addition of more brands, the continued expansion of the brands internationally, and the expansion in the number of selling teams for each brand are also reflected in this increase.
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The increase in advertsing and sales expense from 2003 as a percentage of revenue by component is illustrated below:
| | Margin change 2004 vs. 2003
|
---|
Television | | | 1.5 | | pp |
Direct mail | | | 0.9 | | |
Newspaper | | | 0.9 | | |
Other media | | | 0.8 | | |
Sales expenses | | | (0.4 | ) | |
| | |
| | |
| | | 3.8 | | pp |
| | |
| | |
General and Administrative Expenses
General and administrative expenses were $27.7 million in 2004, an increase of $12.4 million or 80.6%, compared to $15.3 million in 2003. This increase was due primarily to increased personnel hired to handle the increase in our volume of business. Payroll and payroll benefits account for approximately 89% of general and administrative expenses. It includes bonuses to executive officers of $1.5 million. This makes general and administrative expenses highly variable and thus controllable as our volume grows or contracts. General and administrative expenses as a percent of sales were 19.8% and 16.1% in 2004 and 2003, respectively.
The 3.2% increase in general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue are illustrated in the chart below:
| | Margin change 2004 vs. 2003
|
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Payroll and benefit costs | | | 2.4 | | pp |
Professional fees | | | 0.9 | | |
Other general and administrative expenses | | | (0.1 | ) | |
| |
|
|
|
|
| | | 3.2 | | pp |
| |
|
|
|
|
Loss from operations
Loss from operations for 2004 was $(30.1) million, as compared with a net loss of $(1.7) million for 2003. The increased loss from operations is directly attributable to increased expenses in all categories in 2004 over the prior period, and to the fact that new sales of advanced training courses continue to outpace the rate at which courses are offered and delivered to students. This is reflected in the fact that deferred revenue increased by $24.1 million in 2004, as compared to an increase of only $14.0 million in 2003.
Other income
Other income decreased by $0.4 million from 2003. This was primarily due to an increase in interest expense of $0.5 million due to additional borrowings in 2004 used to finance improvements to a real estate investment.
Net loss
Net loss for 2004 was $30.1 million or $3.50 per share compared to $1.2 million or $.15 per share, in 2003. The increase in net loss is attributable to the aforementioned increase in loss from operations.
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OUR BUSINESS
Current Operations
Since 1992 we have provided postsecondary educational and training courses for students throughout the United States. In recent years we have expanded our operations to include course offerings to students in Canada and the United Kingdom. Our courses provide instruction in:
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- real estate investing
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- business strategies
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- stock market investment techniques
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- cash management
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- asset protection
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- other financially-oriented subjects.
We also develop and sell educational resource materials, which we prepare, to support our course offerings and for sale to the general public.
Beginning in 1992, we focused primarily on basic and advanced real estate training programs which we offered throughout the United States. In 2002, we expanded our offerings to include financial markets education, which has come to represent an substantial part of our business, as reflected in the following table showing the relative percentage of revenue by segment.
| | Years ended December 31,
| |
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| | 2005
| | 2004
| | 2003
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Real estate education | | 69.4 | % | 72.2 | % | 82.0 | % |
Financial markets education | | 30.6 | | 27.8 | | 18.0 | |
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| | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % |
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| |
Since 2001, we have gradually expanded our course offerings and geographical markets. We currently offer approximately 200 educational courses and training programs per month covering more than 27 financially-oriented subjects which we provide either for free or on a fee basis.
For the year ended December 31, 2005, approximately 95% of our revenue was generated from domestic sales and 5% was generated from sales made in Canada and the United Kingdom. Our tuition weighted average is approximately $411 for a basic course and $14,159 for an advanced course package. We conduct our coursework at:
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- leased training and meeting facilities and conference centers;
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- regional training centers located in hotels or other temporarily rented facilities selected by us; and
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- our own facilities in the United States, United Kingdom or Costa Rica.
Our students are primarily recruited by attending free introductory workshops related to a specific educational subject which is hosted by one of our trainers or others and held at a local hotel or other rented auditorium facility. The subject, date and location of the training session are generally advertised in local newspapers, on our Web site atwww.russwhitney.com, in television advertisements and through direct mailings and telemarketing. We hold these sessions in metropolitan areas throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Costa Rica. Following the free informational training workshop, the student may purchase reference materials on the subject discussed or may elect to receive further fee-based training in the many courses we offer, either in the student's hometown or in regional training centers. We engage over 200 trainers, instructors and mentors in connection with our various educational course offerings.
Following the first fee-based training session, students interested in learning more on the course topics may also subscribe to our periodic publications, purchase books or software programs or attend advanced training courses. In addition to our over 25 resource publications, we offer advanced courses
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throughout the United States, in Canada and the United Kingdom. We also provide post-training programs conducted by over 80 mentors, who travel to students' hometowns for "hands on" business training.
Our telemarketing business is responsible for approximately 20.6% of cash receipts. We telemarket our products and services to four types of people, those who:
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- registered to attend one of our free preview workshops, but did not attend
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- attended one of our workshop events, who purchased another of our courses, and who completed training within the last six months
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- attended one of our free introductory workshops and chose not to purchase anything
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- contact us via the Internet and request to be contacted
Our Strategy
Our goal is to continue to expand our coursework breadth and geographic reach within the real estate education and financial market education industry operations in the financial education industry. In order to do so, we have implemented a strategy that includes:
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- Increasing the number and types of our course offerings both branded and private label, to reflect student interests. We intend to continue to increase the number and type of our educational course offerings in order to attract more students. New courses will further diversify our offerings and include subjects which we believe are gaining in interest and popularity among students.
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- Expanding our international markets. Consistent with our earlier expansions to Canada and the United Kingdom, we intend to add new markets in order to attract students we do not currently reach. Initially, we expect to focus our expansion efforts on English speaking European countries, beginning with Ireland, Scotland, Australia and India.
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- Marketing our reference materials and online courses. We intend to emphasize the direct marketing of educational products and reference materials which we currently use primarily to support our training programs. These products will be marketed on a stand alone basis through direct mail campaigns and promotions on our websites. We also intend to develop selected courses electronically, primarily online, as well as through traditional student-attended programs and classes. Our electronic courses will be used to supplement our existing courses and will be marketed using television informercials developed and produced by us. Responses generated from our direct mail and informercials will be used to market our existing training programs and courses to those who respond.
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- Identifying and developing strategic alliances with other education brands. We seek to align ourselves with relevant consumer brands and leverage our respective strengths to deliver an superior student education experience.
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- Diversifying our media advertising. We intend to increase our print and television advertising and test new forms of marketing, including direct mail campaigns, e-mail campaigns, database marketing and conventions. We also intend to develop and produce television commercials and infomercials to specifically market our reference materials and our electronic courses.
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- Developing or acquiring accredited or licensed proprietary schools. We are licensed in Texas as a proprietary school and intend to explore this portion of our education business. We may seek to expand our proprietary school operations by developing new schools that offer postsecondary education technical courses or by acquiring existing schools or education brands from third parties. We have no understandings or agreements to develop or acquire any such schools at the present time.
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Educational Training
Following a free informational workshop, we offer our students a variety of educational courses, as well as educational materials. These courses provide the opportunity to train either in the student's home town or at local or regional camps. Our trainers take students step-by-step through a curriculum that stresses a broad range of financial educational training, money management and asset protection. We do not have any specific educational requirements for our trainers, but we do require that they have experience with respect to the subjects they teach and that they have completed training programs which we provide that prepares them to teach their particular subjects. Our financial educational training is taught to students in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom through traditional course study and hands-on training, and includes the following subjects:
Basic Training. Following the free educational training session, our students may elect to learn more about the subject by attending a basic course in the student's home town.
Real Estate. OurBuilding Wealth™ workshop training is a local training program offering a curriculum that focuses on the general business of real estate and teaches the fundamentals of negotiating real estate purchases with sellers, rehabilitating distressed properties, leasing rental units to tenants and using a database to generate multiple sources of cash flow. Students are taught the mechanics of completing a real estate transaction in their community, from making an offer to closing the transaction, with emphasis upon creative financing strategies.
OurCash Flow Generator® training is also a local training program offering a curriculum in real estate but with a different emphasis. It concentrates on the "buy, fix up and sell concept." It emphasizes turning real estate quickly rather than holding long-term.
Business. Our three-day business local training workshops currently are in development and are being designed to teach students how to organize and build a business, how to broker or buy judgments, discount notes and mortgages, how to fund a retirement plan at maximum levels, how to purchase property at discount prices through auctions or online trading and how to arrange E-commerce accounts for clients and customers.
Financial. OurTeach Me To Trade® is a local training program offering a curriculum that focuses on stock market trading strategies and uses software and specific teaching techniques designed by us. Students are taught to understand the stock markets, investment strategies, risks and how to maximize returns in both bull and bear markets.
OurStar Trader training is similar to theTeach Me To Trade® training, but with different emphasis.Star Trader™ emphasizes stock trading and the use of options and option trading in its program. Similar to our two real estate training brands,Star Trader appeals to students who have a higher risk tolerance than Teach Me To Trade students.
Advanced Real Estate Courses
Upon completion of a local basic training program, students may seek more advanced training at our specialized regional training centers, which are generally three days in length and are held in locations around the country. Many of these programs offer local tours so that students can observe negotiating techniques and view properties in the area. Students are led through real estate acquisition and financing transactions from beginning to end and are provided with a number of real estate acquisition strategies.
MillionaireU™ Intensified Real Estate Training. Our Intensified Real Estate Training course is offered at training centers in Cape Coral, Florida and in other locations in Florida and in other states. This course expands upon the students' knowledge of real estate gained from our basic course. During Intensified Real Estate Training, students learn how to locate and analyze various property types and how to effectively analyze property income and expense. Students telephone actual sellers and then tour properties offered for sale throughout the Cape Coral and Fort Myers, Florida areas. Students
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then conduct real estate investment negotiations and may complete transactions under the supervision of their instructor. Guest speakers including investors, property managers, developers, grant officers, loan officers, realtors and mortgage brokers explain how students can locate financing for a variety of transactions, from multi-unit apartment complexes to unimproved land.
Wholesale Buying. Our Wholesale Buying training course instructs students on the fundamentals of identifying, locating, negotiating, financing and disposing of wholesale properties. Students are also taught how to develop an investor database and how to manage out-of-state properties. While enrolled in this program, students develop a five-year investment plan with the help of our instructors. This program is focused upon taking students from the level of novice investor to a proficiency in managing a real estate investment portfolio.
Foreclosure. Our Foreclosure Training course teaches the intricacies of the real estate foreclosure process, how and why foreclosures occur, the role of secured lenders in foreclosure actions and discusses laws that affect lenders and borrowers. Students visit a local county courthouse to search foreclosure records and review title and tax information. Students visit with owners of properties that are in foreclosure and learn how to negotiate transactions for properties in foreclosure. Our instructors also teach students how to read foreclosure notices and how to refinance their acquisitions to generate cash at the closing. Students also learn how to inspect, estimate the value of and rehabilitate houses.
Purchase Options. Our Purchase Option training course is designed to teach students how to control an equitable interest in property without actually owning the property and how to create lease options on properties. Students learn how to structure lease options and purchase options and how to generate cash from purchase real estate transactions. Included with the course is a field trip and detailed information on how to select appropriate properties for option or purchase. Other sessions include negotiating with prospective sellers and prospecting for tenants, buyers and lessees.
Property Management Cash Flow. Our Property Management & Cash Flow training course teaches students how to manage their rental properties, including how to analyze monthly cash flows. Students also learn how to earn income by managing the properties of others and how to find and retain tenants. The course curriculum includes numerous approaches to resolving tenant-landlord problems such as delinquent rents, raising rents and evicting tenants. Our instructors discuss governmental regulations and the tax implications associated with real estate. Students learn about the profit potential for acquiring student housing and rooming houses as well as learning how to find and rehabilitate distressed properties. The program also teaches basic marketing techniques to increase profits.
Investing in Mobile Homes. Our Manufactured/Mobile Homes & RV Parks training course teaches students how to buy, sell and rent mobile homes and parks, an often overlooked segment of the real estate market. While mobile homes cost far less than frame constructed homes, they can yield a significant rate of return on investment. Other subjects include developing and operating a mobile home park, expanding rental "pads" and lots to hold more units, obtaining standard and unconventional financings, estimating fix-up, improvement and moving costs, obtaining seller financing terms and identifying attractive properties at foreclosures and repossessions.
Commercial Real Estate Investing. Our Commercial Real Estate Investing training course highlights the fundamentals of analyzing, buying, managing and disposing of commercial properties. Students also learn how to establish relationships with lenders and government financing agencies. This course, like many of our courses, teaches students how to rehabilitate properties and how to locate and pre-qualify tenants. Our trainers also teach students about various leasing arrangements and describe various legal forms used in commercial property management. Students finish their training with a four-hour analysis tour of commercial properties.
Keys to Creative Real Estate Financing. Our Keys to Creative Real Estate Financing course teaches students how to create and refinance mortgages, how to exchange properties without tax consequences
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and how to structure financings in light of prior credit problems. Discussions also include determining home equity, engaging in real estate negotiations and the use of hard-money lenders.
Business Success Training
Our Business Success programs offer a series of training courses associated with starting a business, growing a business and protecting assets.
Asset Protection and Tax Relief. Our Asset Protection and Tax Relief training course describes various legal entities used to hold property such as partnerships, corporations, and land and international trusts and the use of these entities to protect assets. Students also learn how to minimize income tax and estate tax liabilities and to develop their own personal investment plans.
Discount Notes and Mortgages. Our Discount Notes and Mortgages training course teaches students how to broker and buy commercial paper at a discount. Students learn how to locate funding sources for discounted notes and mortgages. Trainers also teach students how to discount other sources of debt such as business leases, business notes, inheritances, lotteries, life insurance policies and structured settlements.
Financial Market Education Courses
Our Financial Training programs are designed to help students learn about stock market and international equity investing.
Master Trader™. Our Master Trader Advanced Training course is a three-day program offering intensified training designed to provide traders and investors with the knowledge needed to prosper in various market environments. This program offers the students a selection of long and short-term strategies and uses state of the art proprietary software. Course work includes technical analysis, fundamental analysis and our Master Training techniques.
Trading P.I.T.™ Our Trading P.I.T. ("pros-in-training") course describes the trading approaches of top money managers. The course teaches students how to create an income stream using more conservative trading techniques and other strategies designed to limit risk while increasing the probability of success. Strategies covered include a number of trading approaches such as bidirectional trading, hedged directional trading, non-directional trading, floor-trading strategies and capital preservation. Our 5-Point STAR Trader Formula allows users to quickly scan the market, generate forecasts and select strategies.
Single Stock Futures. Our Single Stock Futures course addresses changes in rules regarding single stock futures. We discuss new tools associated with spread trading and leveraged trading. Students are taught the legal framework of single stock futures, set-ups and strategies and where single stock futures fit into their diversified portfolios.
Advanced P.I.T.™ Training Camp. Our Advanced P.I.T. Training™ course offers our students the opportunity to experience the market from the inside—directly from the floor of an organized exchange during a market visit followed by a simulated floor trading session after the market closes. Instruction is provided by our options trainers. Subjects include advanced spread trading strategies, portfolio repair and creating a personal mutual fund.
International Finance and Investment Training Course. We have recently developed a new advanced training program in international finance and investment which is offered in our Costa Rica conference center. This program offers a curriculum that includes wealth building and investment opportunities overseas. The training also addresses the benefits of establishing a business internationally, investing in foreign markets, raising venture and working capital internationally and asset protection.
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Mentoring Programs
We offer advanced training programs conducted by our over 80 mentors, who work with students individually in "hands-on" business training.
Real Estate. Our real estate mentoring program applies the curriculum of the basic real estate camps to the student's city of choice. Under this program, one of our mentors travels to the student's city for three to four days and often guides the student through an investment transaction. Students review the real estate acquisition techniques involved and learn the real estate characteristics of the local market. Students can put to practice the skills they have gained while working directly with an experienced mentor.
Financial Markets. For mentored financial markets education, our students travel to our state-of-the-art learning center in Salt Lake City and spend three and one-half days coached by an experienced stock market trader.
Each of these brands appeals to different students depending upon business acumen and risk tolerances.
Additional Offerings
We market directly to customers a wide range of educational and reference products that supplement our training programs, such as ourBuilding Wealth™ Real Estate Home Study Course; Real Estate Success System Software; Business Success System Software; Discount Notes and Mortgages Home Study Course; self-help courses and manuals that provide students with information about their credit along with first-time homebuyers' manuals.
Sales and Marketing
We create interest in and demand for our educational programs, products and services through a mix of television advertising, print advertising, direct mail, e-mail, attendance at trade shows and Internet marketing. We employ a sales force of over 100 individuals trained to handle the needs of new students, to promote new products and services to existing and former students and to respond to customer inquiries via phone, e-mail or the Internet.
Our marketing programs include:
- •
- Television advertising, which is our primary means for promoting our educational courses. We generally concentrate our television advertising in the cities where our courses are scheduled to be held. Television advertising is often used in coordination with direct mail marketing and newspaper advertising, in order to maximize sales efforts and create greater name recognition within the target population. For the future, we are investigating the use of television infomercials to sell our new electronic course offerings.
- •
- Limited news print advertising, which we also purchase in markets where our training courses are scheduled to be held.
- •
- Direct mail and e-mail marketing, which we use in promoting our educational training courses and marketing new educational products, programs and services to our current and former students and to prospects whose names have been provided to us by third party vendors.
- •
- Internet marketing is primarily focused on our Web site at http: //www.russwhitney.com. The site contains information about our products, programs and services, many of which may be purchased online.
- •
- Cross promotional advertising campaigns, which we employ from time to time in conjunction with other financial education service providers.
We also enter into strategic alliances with promoters that market products and services other than ours to potential students in large and small venues. These alliances allow us an agreed upon amount
32
of time at the programs to attract students for our initial three-day basic training. Our alliances are with unrelated third parties and create students for us with no requirement for us to expend funds on initial advertising or marketing. Our strategic alliance partners receive from us a portion of our advanced course tuition in exchange for providing us students. The amount of compensation these alliance partners receive varies depending on the quality of the student, the negotiated amounts with the partner, the costs associated with enrollment and the cost of delivery.
Competition
The financial education training business is highly-fragmented and intensely competitive. In a broad sense, we compete with national and international postsecondary education companies, such as Apollo Group, Inc., ITT Education Services, Inc., DeVry, Inc. and United Technical Institute, Inc., which offer technical and industrial training and career training. We do not, however, compete with these or other companies that offer undergraduate or advanced degrees or continuing education programs. More specifically, we compete with a number of smaller companies, such as Investools, Inc., Wizetrade™, Robbins Research International and Dynetech Corporation, which offer training on specific business subjects including real estate and stock market investing. Generally, competitive factors within the proprietary educational market include the range and depth of course offerings, the quality of teachers and trainers, the quality of reference materials provided in connection with course studies and the cost of the educational process.
We believe that the range and depth of our course offerings and our brand name offer competitive advantages over many of our direct competitors. We train our own teachers and trainers and we prepare most of our own course materials which we believe offer us competitive advantages over companies that do not train their own teachers or develop their own educational materials. As a result of constantly attending the training sessions of our competitors, we believe that the quality of our teachers, trainers and reference materials are consistent or superior to those of our competitors. Our charges for our educational courses are also consistent with those of our competitors.
Intellectual Property
We regard our educational materials and products, trademarks, service marks and trade symbols as proprietary and we rely primarily on statutory and common law protections, such as copyrights and trademarks, to protect our interests in these materials. While some of our products and trade names are commonly used terms and do not afford us significant copyright or trademark protection, we also use employee and third-party noncompetition and nondisclosure agreements and other contractual methods of protecting proprietary rights to safeguard our intellectual property.
Employees
At March 27, 2006, we had approximately 370 employees, plus 187 independent contractors who act as trainers, instructors and mentors. Our employees are not represented by a labor union, and we believe our relations with our employees are satisfactory. Our independent contractors are paid commissions based upon the tuition dollar value of courses selected by students at our free informational workshops and are paid fixed fees for teaching and mentoring individual courses. All independent contractors execute letter agreements with us which set forth commission structure and provide for confidentiality and covenants not to compete.
Government Regulation
We rely on advertising to attract new students and most states regulate postsecondary education advertising practices. Since our inception we are aware of four occasions in which states have investigated our advertising practices. These states were Florida, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. In 1996 Florida terminated its investigation into our advertising practices without charges or penalties. In 1998 we agreed to a Michigan Assurance of Discontinuance that required us to be licensed to sell
33
business opportunities. We paid an investigation fee of $250, did not admit wrongdoing and have been conducting business in Michigan since 1998 without incident. In 1998 we agreed to a Pennsylvania Assurance of Voluntary Compliance pursuant to which we agreed to comply with all applicable requirements of the Consumer Protection Law. We did not admit wrongdoing and have been conducting business in Pennsylvania since 1998 without incident. We paid Pennsylvania $4,000 to cover investigative costs. In 1997 we agreed to a Tennessee Agreed Final Order in which we agreed not to violate the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act in connection with our advertisements. We did not admit wrongdoing and have been conducting business in Tennessee since 1997 without incident. We paid Tennessee $9,500, of which $7,500 was to cover investigative costs.
From time to time, we receive inquires from state regulators relative to our business operations and our advertising efforts to attract new students. Although we believe we are currently in full compliance with all applicable state regulations, we are aware of four current inquiries or investigations in the states of Florida, Kansas, Wisconsin and Illinois.
The Florida investigation was commenced in 2005 and stems from consumer complaints made to the state from years 2002-2005. According to information provided to us by the state, there were approximately 50 complaints from across the country made to the Attorney General's telephone hotline over the past four years. This averages about 13 complaints per year or approximately 1 complaint for every 21,000 students we have educated over the four year period. Our records indicate that many of these complaints were already handled directly with the consumer or resolved through another agency. Our legal team has worked diligently to resolve the few remaining complaints and we believe that our continued cooperation with Florida regulators will result in closure of the investigation without any further legal proceedings.
Indiana filed a lawsuit against us in March of 2005 alleging that our operations fall within certain business opportunity regulations and that we failed to register accordingly. We believe the lawsuit has no merit and are aggressively defending the action.
In March of 2005 and February of 2006 we received subpoenas from Wisconsin and Kansas, respectively, requesting information about our advertising and student testimonials. We believe these are routine inquires and expect no further action.
Subsidiaries
We conduct a portion of our business through the following nine subsidiaries.
- •
- Whitney Education Group provides educational programs in the U.S.
- •
- Wealth Intelligence Academy provides advanced educational programs in the U.S.
- •
- Whitney Canada, Inc. provides educational programs in Canada.
- •
- Whitney International Limited provides education and training, primarily in the U.K.
- •
- Whitney Consulting Services, Inc. performs telemarketing services in real estate, investments and financial training seminars and individual one-on-one coaching programs.
- •
- Whitney U.K. Limited provides educational programs throughout the United Kingdom.
- •
- Whitney Leadership Group holds all of the copyright and intellectual property rights associated with our educational materials and licenses these rights for payments.
- •
- MRS Equity Corp. manages the processing of the payments of homeowners that purchase a program we offer that allows for them to pay their mortgages every two weeks instead of monthly.
- •
- EduTrades, Inc. provides financial markets education courses.
34
Facilities
The following chart summarizes our office locations (in thousands, except square footage).
Purpose
| | Location
| | Own/Lease
| | Approximate Square Footage
| | Lease Expiration
| | Annual Rental
|
---|
Corporate headquarters | | Cape Coral, FL | | Own | | 30,000 | | — | | | — |
Conference center | | San Jose, Costa Rica | | Own | | 7,000 | | — | | | — |
European headquarters | | London, England | | Own | | 5,600 | | — | | | — |
EDX and Telemarketing headquarters | | Draper, UT | | Lease | | 13,553 | | October 2006 | | $ | 74 |
Canadian headquarters | | Ontario, Canada | | Lease | | 1,200 | | May 2005 | | | 20 |
Training center | | Salt Lake City, UT | | Lease | | 6,783 | | June 2010 | | | 112 |
Training center | | Cape Coral, FL | | Lease(1) | | 2,200 | | February 2007 | | | 23 |
Support facility | | Cape Coral, FL | | Lease(1) | | 9,000 | | February 2007 | | | 95 |
Training center | | Cape Coral, FL | | Lease(1) | | 5,000 | | June 2007 | | | 87 |
| | | | | |
| | | |
|
| | | | | | 80,336 | | | | $ | 411 |
| | | | | |
| | | |
|
- (1)
- Related party lease.
Our executive offices are located in an approximately 30,000 square foot office building we own at 1612 East Cape Coral Parkway, Cape Coral, Florida 33904. We own a 7,000 square foot conference and training center in Costa Rica, which we designed and built in 2002. We also own a 5,600 square foot building on Bath Road, Chiswick, London, England which is our European headquarter offices and a training facility.
We lease 13,553 square feet of office space at 12244 South Business Park Drive, Suite 230, in Draper, Utah. The lease expires in October 2006 and is payable at the rate of $6,128 per month. We are actively negotiating for new office space in the metropolitan Salt Lake City market to support our expanding business operations.
Our Canadian subsidiary leases 1,200 square feet of office space at 3780-14th Avenue, Unit 20, Ontario, Canada. The lease expires in May 2005 and is payable at rates increasing from $1,081 to $1,654 per month over the term of the lease.
We lease approximately 6,783 square feet of office space at 2 South 400 West in Salt Lake City, Utah. The lease expires in 2010 and is payable at the rate of $9,327 per month. The facilities are being used as a training center.
Related party leases
We lease 2,200 square feet of training facilities at 1611 East Cape Coral Parkway ("1611 Cape Coral"), 9,000 square feet of space at 1625 East Cape Coral Parkway ("1625 Cape Coral") which is used for shipping, and 5,000 square feet at 1630 SE 47th Terrace which we use as a training facility and for storage, all in Cape Coral, Florida from Cape Promenade Trust which is for the benefit of Russell A. Whitney, our Chief Executive Officer and his wife, Ingrid. The leases are for three years and began on March 1, 2003, March 1, 2003 and June 1, 2004 respectively. The monthly rentals are $1,943, $7,950 and $7,238 respectively. We are on a month-to-month basis with respect to the 1611 Cape Coral and 1625 Cape Coral leases that expired in March 2006.
We locate what we refer to as regional training centers in hotels in a number of cities across our market areas. We rent, generally for three to five days, meeting rooms in these hotels for use in training our students.
35
OUR MANAGEMENT
Executives and Directors
Information concerning each of our executives and directors is set forth below:
Name
| | Age
| | Position
|
---|
Russell A. Whitney | | 50 | | Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer |
Nicholas S. Maturo | | 58 | | President and Chief Operating Officer |
Ronald S. Simon | | 62 | | Executive Vice President, Secretary and Director |
John F. Kane | | 51 | | Executive Vice President, Real Estate Education Division |
Anil K. Singh | | 50 | | Vice President, Marketing |
Frederick A. Cardin | | 58 | | Director |
Chester P. Schwartz | | 60 | | Director |
Stephen L. Cootey | | 37 | | Director |
Anthony B. Petrelli | | 53 | | Director |
Directors hold office for a period of one year from their election at the annual meeting of stockholders or until their successors is duly elected and qualified. Officers are elected by, and serve at the discretion of, the Board of Directors.
Russell A. Whitney, Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer, is our founder and has been Chief Executive Officer of our company and its predecessors since 1987. Mr. Whitney is also an active real estate investor for his own account and has written and published several books on wealth building topics.
Nicholas S. Maturo, President and Chief Operating Officer, joined us in 2002 and became our Chief Operating Officer in 2003 and was elected as President in 2004. He was the Chief Operating Officer of Food Trader, Inc. from 2000 to 2002. From 1981 to 2000, he held a number of executive positions with Kraft Foods and was Chief Information Officer when he left Kraft.
Ronald S. Simon, Executive Vice President, Secretary and Director, is a Certified Public Accountant and has been our Acting Chief Financial Officer from 2004 through 2006 and a member of our Board of Directors since 1998. Mr. Simon was a self-employed certified public accountant from 1987 until he joined us as our Chief Financial Officer in 1998. In 2002, he was appointed our Executive Vice President. Mr. Simon holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from the University of Illinois.
John F. Kane, Executive Vice President, Real Estate Education Division, has been the President of Precision Software Services, Inc., one of our wholly owned subsidiaries since 1993. Precision develops real estate investment and other basic business software and was purchased by us in 2001. We appointed Mr. Kane our Executive Vice President, Real Estate Education Division in 2003.
Anil K. Singh, Vice President, Marketing, was appointed in 2004. Prior to joining us, he was Vice President, Marketing for The Markets, LLC from 2002 to 2004. Mr. Singh was Chief Marketing Officer at Paytrust, Inc. from 2000 to 2001. He also held senior marketing positions at American Business Financial Services, Inc., Advanta Corporation and Time Warner, Inc.
Frederick A. Cardin, Director, joined us as a director in 2003. Since 1996, Mr. Cardin has been managing director of Harvard Growth Strategies, a consulting firm which advises clients on business strategies, financing and marketing. Dr. Cardin publishes articles and lectures on such topics as corporate, investment and international finance, strategic planning, financing, entrepreneurship, management, merger and acquisition planning and health care and environmental economics. Dr. Cardin earned his MBA with distinction and his Doctorate in Finance from the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration. He earned a Bachelor's degree in economics summa cum laude from Tufts University, where he fulfilled degree requirements in economics, math and astronomy, minoring in physics. In 1968 he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.
36
Chester P. Schwartz, Director, joined us as a director in 2003. Since 1970 he has been engaged in the private practice of law in Denver, Colorado, specializing in real estate and commercial law. He earned a Bachelor of Science and Juris Doctor degree from the University of Colorado.
Stephen L. Cootey, Director, joined us as a director in 2006. Since 2004 he has been a Principal at Prides Capital LLC, an investment firm specializing in strategic block, active investing in small- and micro-cap public and private companies. From 2001 to 2004, Mr. Cootey was a Vice President with Credit Suisse First Boston. Prior to that time, Mr. Cootey maintained over six years of management, consulting and operational experience at the Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. and Andersen Consulting. Mr. Cootey holds a B.A. in Physics and Government from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine and a Masters in Business Administration from the Columbia Business School in New York, New York.
Anthony B. Petrelli, Director, joined as a director in 2006. Since 1987 he has been the Senior Vice President and a director of Neidiger, Tucker, Bruner, Inc. a Denver, Colorado based securities brokerage firm. His responsibilities at Neidiger include managing its Corporate Finance and Investment Banking Department. He is also a member of the firm's Management Committee and administers the distribution and syndication of its public underwritings and private placements. Since 2003 he has been Chairman, President and a director of the National Investment Banking Association (NIBA). Since 1991 he has served on a number of committees of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. (NASD), most recently as a member of the NASD's Statutory Disqualifications Committee, Vice Chairman of the NASD's National Adjudicatory Council and member of the NASD's Corporate Finance Committee and its Small Firm Advisory Board. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Colorado.
Committees of the Board of Directors
Audit Committee
Our Board of Directors has established a standing Audit Committee that consists of three directors. The current members of the Audit Committee are Messrs. Schwartz, Cardin and Petrelli. Mr. Schwartz is the Audit Committee Chairman. The Board of Directors has determined that each of these directors is "independent" as defined by the applicable rules of the American Stock Exchange and as required by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Board of Directors has also determined that each of these directors is financially literate and that Mr. Schwartz further qualifies as an "audit committee financial expert" as such term is defined in the applicable rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Audit Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its responsibility to provide oversight with respect to our financial statements and reports and other disclosures provided to stockholders, the system of internal controls and the audit process. Its duties include reviewing the adequacy of our internal accounting and financial controls, reviewing the scope and results of the audit plans of our independent and internal auditors, reviewing the objectivity, effectiveness and resources of the internal audit function, and assessing our financial reporting activities and accounting standards and principles. The Audit Committee also selects and engages our independent auditors and approves their fees. In 2005, the Committee met four times.
The Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of nonaudit services performed by our independent auditors is compatible with maintaining that firm's independence.
Compensation Committee
Our Compensation Committee is comprised of Messrs. Schwartz, Cardin and Cootey, all of whom are independent directors. Mr. Cardin is our Compensation Committee Chairman. The Compensation Committee recommends approval by the Board of the compensation of our executive officers, the
37
annual compensation budget for all other employees, together with bonuses, grants of stock options and any changes to our benefit plans.
Although bound by the negotiated annual salary requirements of employment agreements we have with our executives, the Compensation Committee is charged with determining bonus compensation for our executive officers. The Compensation Committee is charged with determining bonus compensation for our executive officers. Under our bonus plan, executive officers are limited to 50% of their salaries. Bonuses for our Chief Executive Officer may range from 50% to 150% of his salary. Within these parameters, we consider year over year net earnings, cash flows and revenue growth, as well as whether we met business plans and forecasts set for the year. We do not have a specific formula to apply these factors which are weighed on an individual basis by our Compensation Committee.
Governance and Nominating Committee
Our Governance and Nominating Committee consists of Messrs. Schwartz, Cardin and Perrelli. Mr. Schwartz is our Governance and Nominating Committee Chairman. The Governance and Nominating Committee monitor the implementation of the Company's corporate Governance Guidelines, to prepare and supervise the Board's Annual Reviews and Director Independence and to identify review and evaluate candidates for election as director.
38
Code of Ethics
Our Board of Directors has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to our executive officers, senior financial officers and directors of our company. We have filed a copy of our Code of Ethics with the Securities and Exchange Commission and have also posted the Code of Ethics on our Web site.
In accordance with theSarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we have adopted procedures to facilitate the submission, on a confidential and anonymous basis, of complaints, reports and concerns by any person regarding (1) accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, (2) actual or potential violations of laws, rules or regulations, and (3) other suspected wrongdoing, including in connection with our Code of Ethics.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | Long Term Compensation Awards
|
---|
| | Annual Compensation
| |
|
---|
Name and Principal Position in 2005
| | Other Annual Compensation(1)
| | Restricted Stock Award(s)
| | Shares Underlying Options
| | All Other Compensation
|
---|
| Year
| | Salary
| | Bonus
|
---|
Russell A. Whitney, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer | | 2005 2004 2003 | | $
| 659,189 553,846 400,000 | | $
| 850,000 600,000 275,000 | | $
| 78,170 — — | (2)
| — — — | | 125,000 — 75,000 | | — — — |
Nicholas S. Maturo, President and Chief Operating Officer | | 2005 2004 2003 | | $
| 275,000 230,769 180,000 | | $
| 250,000 125,000 20,000 | | |
— — | |
— — | | 100,000 100,000 45,000 | |
— — |
Ronald S. Simon, Exec. Vice President, Acting Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Director | | 2005 2004 2003 | | $
| 275,000 230,769 180,000 | | $
| 300,000 125,000 75,000 | | |
— — | |
— — | | 100,000 100,000 50,000 | |
— — |
John F. Kane, Executive Vice President, Real Estate Education Division | | 2005 2004 2003 | | $
| 215,385 190,785 120,000 | | $
| 200,000 75,000 15,000 | | |
— — | |
— — | | 100,000 25,000 25,000 | |
— — |
Anil K. Singh, Vice President, Marketing | | 2005 2004 | | $
| 184,423 131,924 | | $
| 100,000 15,000 | |
$ | — 22,904 |
(3) | — — | | 50,000 20,000 | |
— |
- (1)
- In accordance with SEC rules, disclosure is omitted where total Other Annual Compensation is less than $50,000 or 10% of the total annual salary and bonus.
- (2)
- Represents speaker fees at conferences of $65,135 and nonbusiness use of corporate airplane in the amount of $13,035.
- (3)
- Represents relocation expense reimbursement.
Employment Agreements
In 2003, we entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Whitney which expires at the end of 2007. The agreement provided an initial salary of $400,000 per year, together with bonuses to be granted by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors, and customary employee benefits, including health insurance. The Compensation Committee established Mr. Whitney's salary at $600,000 for 2006. Bonuses granted by the Board of Directors to Mr. Whitney are determined by the Compensation Committee and have historically been between 50% and 150% of his salary, depending upon our level of net earnings, cash flows and revenue growth.
Also in 2003, we also entered into employment agreements with Messrs. Maturo, Simon and Kane, providing for initial annual salaries of $180,000, $180,000, and $172,000, respectively, which expire in 2007. The Compensation Committee established annual salaries of $300,000, $300,000 and $250,000 for Messrs. Maturo, Simon and Kane, respectively in 2006. We have instituted a cash bonus plan which will
39
be administered by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. Under the bonus plan, employees, including all of our executive officers, except our Chief Executive Officer, may receive cash bonuses in accordance with the Company's Incentive Plan based upon a number of factors, including the meeting or exceeding of internally prepared budgets and forecasts, along with other subjective criteria.
The following table sets forth certain information regarding grants of stock options to Russell A. Whitney, Nicholas S. Maturo, Ronald S. Simon, John F. Kane and Anil K. Singh, the executive officers who received stock options during the years 2003 through 2005. The fair value of the grants has been estimated utilizing the Black-Scholes option pricing.
Name
| | Number of Underlying Securities Options/SARs Granted During Last 12 Months
| | % of Total Options/SARs Granted During Last 12 Months
| | Exercise or Base Price Per Share
| | Expiration Date
| | Grant Date Present Value
|
---|
Russell A. Whitney | | 125,000 | | 21.2 | % | $ | 5.60 | | 11/1/2015 | | $ | 1,057,500 |
Nicholas S. Maturo | | 100,000 | | 16.9 | % | $ | 5.60 | | 11/1/2015 | | $ | 846,000 |
Ronald S. Simon | | 100,000 | | 16.9 | % | $ | 5.60 | | 11/1/2015 | | $ | 846,000 |
John F. Kane | | 100,000 | | 16.9 | % | $ | 5.60 | | 11/1/2015 | | $ | 846,000 |
Anil K. Singh | | 50,000 | | 8.5 | % | $ | 5.60 | | 11/1/2015 | | $ | 423,000 |
- (1)
- Our present value computations were based upon the following assumptions: 77.9% volatility, ten year life, risk free rate of return of 4.35% and a 0% dividend yield.
The following table sets forth, on an aggregated basis, each exercise of stock options (or tandem SARs) and freestanding SARs during the last completed fiscal year by each of the named executive officers and the fiscal year-end value of unexercised options.
Name
| | Shares Acquired on Exercise
| | Value Realized
| | # of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options/SARs at December 31, 2005
| | Value of Unexercised In-The-Money Options/SARs at December 31, 2005
|
---|
Russell A. Whitney | | 0 | | 0 | | 192,200 | | $ | 989,028 |
Nicholas S. Maturo | | 0 | | 0 | | 245,000 | | $ | 1,206,250 |
Ronald S. Simon | | 0 | | 0 | | 543,000 | | $ | 3,543,125 |
John F. Kane | | 0 | | 0 | | 165,000 | | $ | 816,600 |
Anil K. Singh | | 0 | | 0 | | 70,500 | | $ | 324,500 |
We have not adopted any retirement, pension or profit sharing plans for the benefit of our officers or directors although we adopted our 1998 Stock Option Plan for the benefit of our officers, directors, employees and consultants. We also offer our employees a 401(k) plan. Our contributions to the plan, charged to operations, for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003, were $0.2 million, $0.1 million, $0.0 million, respectively.
Compensation of Directors
Independent directors receive $10,000 per year for serving as members of the Board of Directors. Members of the Audit Committee receive an additional $2,500 per year. Expenses incurred by our directors in attending Board meetings are reimbursed, and independent directors each receive 5,000 stock options under our 1998 Stock Option Plan upon joining our Board. Additional stock options have been and will be granted to our Board members from time to time in the future.
40
Stock Option Plan
In 1998 we adopted a stock option plan which provides for the grant of options intended to qualify as "incentive stock options" or "nonqualified stock options" within the meaning of Section 422 of the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code"). Incentive stock options are issuable only to employees.
The purposes of the plan are to attract and retain the best available personnel, to provide additional incentives to our employees and to promote the success of our business.
We have reserved 2,187,500 shares of common stock for issuance under the plan, which is administered by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. Under the plan, the Compensation Committee determines which individuals will receive options, the time period during which the options may be partially or fully exercised, the number of shares of common stock that may be purchased under each option and the option price. As of March 27, 2006, options to purchase 2,178,350 shares of common stock at exercise prices ranging from $1.75 per share to $10.80 per share were outstanding under the plan. Of these options, 1,308,000 have been issued to executives and directors at exercise prices ranging from $1.81 per share to $10.80 per share.
The per share exercise price of the common stock subject to options must not be less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date the option is granted. In the case of incentive stock options, the aggregate fair market value, determined as of the date the option is granted, of the common stock that any person may purchase in any calendar year pursuant to the exercise of incentive stock options must not exceed $100,000. No person who owns, directly or indirectly, at the time of the granting of an incentive stock option, more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of our stock is eligible to receive incentive stock options under the plan unless the option price is at least 110% of the fair market value of the common stock subject to the option on the date of grant. The stock options are subject to anti-dilution provisions in the event of stock splits, stock dividends and the like.
No incentive stock options are transferable by an optionee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and during the lifetime of an optionee, the option is only exercisable by the optionee. The exercise date of an option granted under the plan must not be later than ten years from the date of grant. Any options that expire unexercised or that terminate upon an optionee's ceasing to be employed by us will become available once again for issuance. Shares issued upon exercise of an option rank equally with other shares then outstanding.
41
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth the common stock ownership of each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of five percent or more of our common stock, by each of our officers and directors and by all officers and directors as a group. Each person holds record and beneficial ownership and has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares of common stock shown. The address of all of these individuals is in our care at 1612 East Cape Coral Parkway, Cape Coral, Florida 33904.
Name of Owner
| | Number of Shares
| | Percent of Class(1)
| |
---|
Russell A. Whitney(2) | | 5,638,619 | | 51.8 | % |
Nicholas S. Maturo(3) | | 250,000 | | 2.3 | % |
Ronald S. Simon(4) | | 578,175 | | 5.3 | % |
John F. Kane(5) | | 390,000 | | 3.6 | % |
Anil K. Singh(6) | | 60,500 | | * | |
Frederick A. Cardin(7) | | 25,000 | | * | |
Chester P. Schwartz(8) | | 25,269 | | * | |
Stephen L. Cootey(9) | | 5,000 | | * | |
Anthony B. Petrelli(10) | | 5,000 | | * | |
All officers and directors as a group (nine persons) | | 6,977,563 | | 64.1 | % |
Prides Capital Fund I, LP(11) | | 1,650,000 | | 15.2 | % |
Heartland Value Fund(12) | | 900,000 | | 8.3 | % |
QVT Financial Group LLC(13) | | 600,000 | | 5.5 | % |
- *
- Less than 1%
- (1)
- Includes stock options and common stock purchase warrants exercisable within 60 days from the date of the prospectus
- (2)
- Includes 297,200 stock options held by members of Mr. Whitney's family
- (3)
- Includes 245,000 stock options
- (4)
- Includes 443,000 stock options
- (5)
- Comprised of 165,000 stock options
- (6)
- Includes 60,000 stock options
- (7)
- Comprised of 25,000 stock options
- (8)
- Includes 25,000 stock options
- (9)
- Mr. Cootey, an employee of Prides Capital LLC, does not vote the shares owned by Prides Capital Fund I, LP and disclaims beneficial ownership of the securities, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest in Prides Capital LLC
- (10)
- Comprised of 5,000 stock options
- (11)
- Includes 550,000 common stock purchase warrants
- (12)
- Includes 300,000 common stock purchase warrants
- (13)
- Includes 200,000 common stock purchase warrants
42
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
We lease 2,200 square feet of training facilities at 1611 East Cape Coral Parkway, 9,000 square feet of space at 1625 E. Cape Coral Parkway which is used for shipping, and 5,000 square feet at 1630 SE 47th Terrace which we use as a Training Center and for storage, all in Cape Coral, Florida from Cape Promenade Trust which is for the benefit of Russell A. Whitney, our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and his wife, Ingrid Whitney. The leases are for three years and began on March 1, 2003, March 1, 2003 and June 1, 2004, respectively. We are on a month-to-month basis on two of the leases that expire in March 2006 while an extension is negotiated.
From time to time, Mr. Whitney benefits from our students' purchase of residential lots and the construction of homes on lots they acquire in the Cape Coral, Florida area because the students may purchase these lots from Mr. Whitney or from other lot owners. The students are presented this opportunity at one of our advanced real estate courses by realtors representing Gulfstream Development Corp. ("Gulfstream"), a company owned 25% by Mr. Whitney. We have no involvement in the students' decision to purchase lots or in their dealings with the realtor or Gulfstream. The purchase price of lots sold by Mr. Whitney is consistent with lot prices sold by others in the Cape Coral area. Gulfstream often constructs homes on lots owned by our students. Through an informal arrangement with Gulfstream, we receive $1,000 for every Gulfstream home built for our students, amounting to $0.3 million and $0.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
We also have investments in entities in which our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and Executive Vice President, Secretary have minority ownership interests. The entities are Rancho Monterey, S.A., Monterey del Este and Monterey del Mar, which is described in more detail under Noncore Investments under Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation. Our Chief Executive Officer owns 11% of Rancho Monterey, S.A. and 6% of Monterey del Este. Our Executive Vice President, Secretary owns 1% of Rancho Monterey, S.A.
In our view, the terms of the transactions described above are no less favorable than could have been obtained from independent third parties. All affiliated transactions must be approved by a majority of the independent and disinterested members of our Board of Directors.
43
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
The following tables set forth the names of selling stockholders who are offering common stock and common stock upon exercise of warrants, together with the number of shares of our common stock beneficially owned by the selling stockholders as of the date hereof. Each selling stockholder is offering all shares owned by him or her.
The following shares may be offered from time to time by the selling stockholders named below who are not obligated to sell any of their shares of common stock. Since the selling stockholders may sell all or part of the shares of common stock offered in this prospectus, we cannot estimate the number of shares of our common stock that will be held by the selling stockholders upon termination of this offering.
None of the selling stockholders are officers or directors of our company and only Prides Capital Fund I, LP owns in excess of 10% of our common stock. All of the selling stockholders are accredited investors and purchased units of our securities in a December 2005 private placement, each unit consisting of one share of common stock at $4.50 per share and one-half common stock purchase warrant, at $6.00 per share. The address of each selling stockholder is in care of our company at 1612 East Cape Coral Parkway, Cape Coral, Florida 33904.
Name of Beneficial Owner
| | Shares Owned Prior to Offering
| | Shares Underlying Warrants Owned Prior to Offering
| | Shares Owned After Offering
| | Percent Owned After Offering
|
---|
Cerisano, Michael | | 10,000 | | 5,000 | | 0 | | 0 |
CSL Associates, LP | | 35,000 | | 17,500 | | 0 | | 0 |
Credit Agricole (Suisse) SA Mosaic Europe Agrichgg Funds | | 55,000 | | 27,500 | | 0 | | 0 |
Double U Master Fund LP c/o Navigator Management Ltd. | | 11,110 | | 5,555 | | 0 | | 0 |
Ferkin, Martin J. | | 13,404 | | 6,702 | | 0 | | 0 |
Heartland Value Fund | | 600,000 | | 300,000 | | 0 | | 0 |
Iroquois Master Fund Ltd. | | 50,000 | | 25,000 | | 0 | | 0 |
Lazarus Investment Partners LLLP | | 222,222 | | 111,111 | | 0 | | 0 |
Lewis Opportunity Fund LP | | 20,000 | | 10,000 | | 0 | | 0 |
Mosaic Partners Fund | | 37,000 | | 18,500 | | 0 | | 0 |
Mosaic Partners Fund (U.S.), LP | | 28,000 | | 14,000 | | 0 | | 0 |
Noble International Investments, Inc.(1) | | 300,000 | | 150,000 | | 0 | | 0 |
Noble Special Situations Fund, LP | | 40,000 | | 20,000 | | 0 | | 0 |
Pequot Mariner Master Fund, L.P. c/o Pequot | | | | | | | | |
Pequot Capital Management, Inc.(2) | | 333,264 | | 166,632 | | 0 | | 0 |
Prides Capital Fund I, LP c/o Prides Capital | | 1,100,000 | | 550,000 | | 0 | | 0 |
QVT Financial Group LLC | | 400,000 | | 200,000 | | 0 | | 0 |
Radcliffe Investment Partners I | | 5,000 | | 2,500 | | 0 | | 0 |
Sunrise Equity Partners, L.P. | | 30,000 | | 15,000 | | 0 | | 0 |
Wasserman, Eric | | 10,000 | | 5,000 | | 0 | | 0 |
| |
| |
| | | | |
Totals | | 3,300,000 | | 1,650,000 | | 0 | | 0 |
| |
| |
| | | | |
- (1)
- Represents shares and warrants issuable pursuant to Noble's unit purchase warrant to purchase up to 300,000 units of our securities at $4.50 per unit. Each unit consists of one share of common stock and one-half common stock purchase warrant and another unit warrant exercisable to purchase 150,000 at $6.00 per unit. The unit warrants were earned by Noble in consideration of its
44
acting as our placement agent in connection with our private placement of units to the selling stockholders.
- (2)
- Shares beneficially owned by Pequot Capital Management, Inc. are held of record by the following funds in the following amounts: Pequot Scout Fund, L.P., 329,484 Shares; Pequot Mariner Master Fund, L.P., 170,412 Shares.
- Pequot Capital Management, Inc. which is the Investment Manager/Advisor (as applicable) to the above named funds exercises sole dispositive, investment and voting power for all the Shares. Arthur J. Samberg is the controlling shareholder of Pequot Capital Management, Inc. and disclaims beneficial ownership of the Shares except for his pecuniary interest.
Information Regarding the Selling Stockholders
The shares of our common stock which the selling stockholders are offering for resale will be sold from time to time in one or more of the following transactions:
- •
- block transactions;
- •
- transactions on the Bulletin Board or on such other market on which our common stock may trade from time to time;
- •
- privately negotiated transactions;
- •
- through the writing of options on the shares; or
- •
- any combination of these transactions
The sale price to the public in these transactions may be:
- •
- the market price prevailing at the time of sale;
- •
- a price related to the prevailing market price;
- •
- negotiated prices; or
- •
- such other price as the selling stockholders determine from time to time.
In the event that we permit or cause this prospectus to lapse, the selling stockholders may sell shares of our common stock pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933. The selling stockholders will have the sole and absolute discretion not to accept any purchase offer or make any sale of these shares of our common stock if they deem the purchase price to be unsatisfactory at any particular time.
The selling stockholders or their pledges, donees, transferees or other successors in interest, may also sell these shares of our common stock directly to market makers acting as principals and/or broker-dealers acting as agents for themselves or their customers. These broker-dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling stockholders and/or the purchasers of these shares of our common stock for whom such broker-dealers may act as agents or to whom they sell as principal, or both. As to a particular broker-dealer, this compensation might be in excess of customary commissions. Market makers and block purchasers purchasing these shares of our common stock will do so for their own account and at their own risk. It is possible that a selling stockholder will attempt to sell shares of our common stock in block transactions to market makers or other purchasers at a price per share which may be below the prevailing market price of our common stock. There can be no assurance that all or any of these shares of our common stock offered hereby will be issued to, or sold by, the selling stockholders. Upon effecting the sale of any of these shares of our common stock offered under this prospectus, the selling stockholders and any brokers, dealers or
45
agents, hereby, will be deemed to be "underwriters" as that term is defined under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the rules and regulations thereunder.
Alternatively, the selling stockholders may sell all or any part of the shares of our common stock offered hereby through an underwriter. No selling stockholder has entered into any agreement with a prospective underwriter and there is no assurance that any such agreement will be entered into. If a selling stockholder enters into an agreement or agreements with an underwriter, then the relevant details will be set forth in a supplement or revision to this prospectus.
The selling stockholders and any other persons participating in the sale or distribution of these shares of our common stock will be subject to applicable provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the rules and regulations thereunder including, without limitation, Regulation M. These provisions may restrict activities of, and limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of these shares of our common stock by, the selling stockholders. Furthermore, pursuant to Regulation M, a person engaged in a distribution of our securities is prohibited from bidding for, purchasing, or attempting to induce any person to bid for or purchase our securities for a period beginning five business days prior to the date of this prospectus until such person is no longer a selling stockholder. These regulations may affect the marketability of these shares of our common stock.
We will pay substantially all of the expenses incident to the registration and offering of our securities, other than commissions or discounts of underwriters, broker-dealers or agents.
46
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
Common Stock
We are authorized to issue up to 25,000,000 shares of no par value common stock, of which 10,878,016 shares were outstanding on March 27, 2006. Each share of common stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders, and cumulative voting is not permitted. Upon issuance, shares of common stock are not subject to further assessment or call. Subject to the prior rights of any series of preferred stock that may be issued by us in the future, holders of common stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends that may be declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor and are entitled to share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities in the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up. Holders of our common stock have no preemptive rights or rights to convert their common stock into any other securities. Our outstanding common stock is fully paid and nonassessable.
We have not paid dividends on our common stock since inception and do not plan to pay dividends in the foreseeable future. Any earnings will be retained to finance growth.
Preferred Stock
We are authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock with such rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by our Board of Directors. Accordingly, under our articles of incorporation, our Board of Directors may, without stockholder approval, issue preferred stock with dividend, liquidation, conversion, voting, redemption or other rights which could adversely affect the voting power or other rights of the holders of the common stock. The issuance of any shares of preferred stock having rights superior to those of the common stock may result in a decrease of the value or market price of the common stock and could further be used by the Board of Directors as a device to prevent a change in our control. We have no other anti-takeover provisions in our articles of incorporation or bylaws. Holders of the preferred stock may have the right to receive dividends, certain preferences in liquidation and conversion rights.
Common Stock Eligible for Future Sale
We have 10,878,016 shares currently outstanding, of which 3,000,000 shares are being registered hereby, and the remaining 7,878,016 shares are free trading or, in the case of our officers and directors, may be sold pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933. On the effective date of this prospectus, we will also have registered for resale 1,500,000 shares underlying warrants issued to the selling stockholders and 450,000 units issuable to Noble International Investments, Inc. upon exercise of its unit purchase warrant consisting of 300,000 shares and 150,000 underlying warrants.
Rule 144
In general, under Rule 144, a person (or persons whose shares are aggregated) who has held securities acquired in anon public offering for at least one year may under certain circumstances, sell, within any three month period, that number of shares which does not exceed the greater of one percent of the then outstanding shares of common stock (approximately 108,780 shares), or the average weekly trading volume during the four calendar weeks prior to such sale. Rule 144 also permits, under certain circumstances, the sale of shares by a person without any quantity limitation after the securities have been held for two years. We are unable to predict what affect, if any, such sale of shares of common stock, under Rule 144 or otherwise, may have on the then prevailing per share market price of the common stock.
47
Transfer Agent and Warrant Agent
Our transfer agent and warrant agent is Corporate Stock Transfer, Inc., 3200 Cherry Creek Drive South, Suite 430, Denver, Colorado 80209.
Limitation on Liabilities
Our articles of incorporation provide that the liability of our directors for monetary damages is eliminated to the full extent provided by Colorado law. Under Colorado law, a director is not personally liable to a company or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director except for liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to our company and our stockholders; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) for authorizing the unlawful payment of a dividend or other distribution on our capital stock or the unlawful purchases of our capital stock; or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived any improper personal benefit.
The effect of this provision in our articles of incorporation is to eliminate our rights and the rights of our security holders (through security holders' derivative suits on our behalf) to recover monetary damages from a director for breach of the fiduciary duty of care as a director, including any breach resulting from negligent or grossly negligent behavior, except in the situations described in clauses (i) through (iv) above. This provision does not limit or eliminate our rights or the rights of any security holder to seek non-monetary relief, such as an injunction or rescission, in the event of a breach of a director's duty of care or any liability for violation of the federal securities laws.
Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, may be permitted to our directors, officers and controlling persons pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the 1933 Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.
48
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the common stock offered hereby will be passed upon for us by the Law Office of Gary A. Agron, Greenwood Village, Colorado. Mr. Agron owns 250,000 shares of our common stock.
EXPERTS
Our financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 have been audited by Ehrhardt Keefe Steiner & Hottman PC, an independent registered public accounting firm as set forth in their report appearing elsewhere herein and are included in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
We have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission a registration statement on Form S-1, as amended, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, covering securities offered hereby. Our wholly owned subsidiary, EDX, has filed a registration statement of Form S-1, as amended, covering securities offered in connection with the EduTrades, Inc. spin off. As permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission, this prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement and the exhibits. For further information with respect to our Company and our securities, reference is made to the Registration Statement and the exhibits, which may be examined without charge at the Public Reference Room maintained by the Commission at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549, copies of which may be obtained from the Commission upon payment of the prescribed fees. You may also contact the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information regarding the Public Reference Room and its facilities.
We are subject to the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the Commission. Such reports, proxy statements and other information may be inspected at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. Copies of these materials may be obtained at prescribed rates from the Commission at that address. The reports, proxy statements and other information can also be inspected on the Commission's Web site atwww.sec.gov.
49
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
Whitney Information Network, Inc.
F-1
WHITNEY INFORMATION NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share data)
| | December 31, 2005
| | December 31, 2004
| |
---|
Assets | | | | | | | |
Current assets: | | | | | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 33,244 | | $ | 4,658 | |
| Restricted cash | | | 5,406 | | | 2,190 | |
| Accounts receivable, net | | | 3,789 | | | 448 | |
| Accounts receivable, related parties | | | | | | 1,168 | |
| Notes receivable, current portion | | | 1,785 | | | | |
| Deferred course expenses | | | 9,513 | | | 8,825 | |
| Prepaid advertising and other | | | 2,841 | | | 1,977 | |
| Inventory | | | 1,087 | | | 1,390 | |
| Deferred registration costs | | | 315 | | | | |
| |
| |
| |
Total current assets | | | 57,980 | | | 20,656 | |
| |
| |
| |
| Notes receivable, net of current portion | | | 9,158 | | | | |
| Property and equipment, net | | | 10,082 | | | 24,558 | |
| Investment in related parties | | | 2,103 | | | 847 | |
| Investment in real estate joint venture | | | 2,716 | | | 2,701 | |
| Intangible assets, net | | | 5,754 | | | 6,576 | |
| Goodwill | | | 2,000 | | | 1,500 | |
| Deferred income tax asset | | | 7,287 | | | | |
| Other assets | | | 136 | | | 117 | |
| |
| |
| |
| | $ | 97,216 | | $ | 56,955 | |
| |
| |
| |
Liabilities and Stockholders' Deficit | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | | | | | |
| Accounts payable | | $ | 3,691 | | $ | 7,413 | |
| Income taxes payable | | | 356 | | | | |
| Accrued course expenses | | | 1,841 | | | 2,174 | |
| Other accrued expenses | | | 7,377 | | | 3,999 | |
| Due to stockholders from sale of common stock | | | 5,110 | | | | |
| Current installments of long term debt | | | 462 | | | 504 | |
| Deferred revenue | | | 80,580 | | | 62,689 | |
| |
| |
| |
Total current liabilities | | | 99,417 | | | 76,779 | |
Long term debt, net of current installments | | | 2,912 | | | 11,808 | |
Minority interest | | | 3,939 | | | 1,977 | |
Stockholders' deficit: | | | | | | | |
| Preferred stock, no par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding | | | | | | | |
| Common stock, no par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized, 10,455,910 and 8,618,186 shares issued and outstanding, as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively | | | 10,593 | | | 3,269 | |
| Paid-in capital | | | 449 | | | 449 | |
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | | | (337 | ) | | (182 | ) |
| Accumulated deficit | | | (19,757 | ) | | (37,145 | ) |
| |
| |
| |
Total stockholders' deficit | | | (9,052 | ) | | (33,609 | ) |
| |
| |
| |
| | $ | 97,216 | | $ | 56,955 | |
| |
| |
| |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-2
WHITNEY INFORMATION NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Earnings (Loss)
(in thousands, except per share data)
| | Years ended December 31,
| |
---|
| | 2005
| | 2004
| | 2003
| |
---|
Revenue | | $ | 178,564 | | $ | 139,859 | | $ | 94,958 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Direct course expenses | | | 96,520 | | | 93,295 | | | 51,254 | |
| Advertising and sales expense | | | 50,003 | | | 49,664 | | | 30,092 | |
| General and administrative expense | | | 27,664 | | | 27,038 | | | 15,321 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | | 174,187 | | | 169,997 | | | 96,667 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Earnings (loss) from operations | | | 4,377 | | | (30,138 | ) | | (1,709 | ) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Other income (expense): | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest and other income | | | 2,386 | | | 129 | | | 585 | |
| Interest expense | | | (614 | ) | | (540 | ) | | (86 | ) |
| Equity earnings from related parties | | | (176 | ) | | 159 | | | | |
| Gain on sale of assets | | | 6,579 | | | 305 | | | | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | | 8,175 | | | 53 | | | 499 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Earnings (loss) before income taxes | | | 12,552 | | | (30,085 | ) | | (1,210 | ) |
| Minority interest | | | (1,962 | ) | | 23 | | | | |
| Income tax benefit | | | 6,798 | | | | | | | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Net earnings (loss) | | $ | 17,388 | | $ | (30,062 | ) | $ | (1,210 | ) |
| Effect of foreign exchange rates | | | (155 | ) | | 166 | | | (348 | ) |
Comprehensive earnings (loss) | | $ | 17,233 | | $ | (29,896 | ) | $ | (1,558 | ) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Earnings (loss) per share: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Diluted | | $ | 1.86 | | $ | (3.50 | ) | $ | (0.15 | ) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| Basic | | $ | 1.96 | | $ | (3.50 | ) | $ | (0.15 | ) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Weighted average common shares outstanding: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Diluted | | | 9,360 | | | 8,589 | | | 8,188 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| Basic | | | 8,859 | | | 8,589 | | | 8,188 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-3
WHITNEY INFORMATION NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
| | Years ended December 31,
| |
---|
| | 2005
| | 2004
| | 2003
| |
---|
Operating activities: | | | | | | | | | | |
Net earnings (loss) | | $ | 17,388 | | $ | (30,062 | ) | $ | (1,210 | ) |
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | 1,856 | | | 1,610 | | | 950 | |
| Gain on sale of assets | | | (6,579 | ) | | (305 | ) | | | |
| Minority interest | | | 1,962 | | | (23 | ) | | | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Restricted cash | | | (3,216 | ) | | (2,190 | ) | | | |
| Accounts receivable, net | | | (3,341 | ) | | 867 | | | (807 | ) |
| Prepaid advertising and other | | | (864 | ) | | 353 | | | (1,633 | ) |
| Inventory | | | 303 | | | (677 | ) | | (349 | ) |
| Deferred tax asset, net of deferred tax liability | | | (7,287 | ) | | | | | | |
| Deferred course expenses | | | (688 | ) | | (1,991 | ) | | (3,926 | ) |
| Other assets | | | (19 | ) | | (97 | ) | | 7 | |
| Accounts payable | | | (3,722 | ) | | 4,195 | | | 1,456 | |
| Accrued course expenses | | | (333 | ) | | 528 | | | 1,582 | |
| Deferred revenue | | | 17,891 | | | 24,096 | | | 14,044 | |
| Other accrued expenses | | | 3,379 | | | 2,218 | | | 655 | |
| Income taxes payable | | | 356 | | | | | | | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | | 2,459 | | | 27,302 | | | 11,029 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Cash provided (used in) by operations | | | 17,086 | | | (1,478 | ) | | 10,769 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Investing activities: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Purchase of property and equipment | | | (701 | ) | | (9,516 | ) | | (3,170 | ) |
| Proceeds from sale of investment properties | | | 9,777 | | | 827 | | | | |
| Purchase of goodwill and intangible assets | | | (333 | ) | | (250 | ) | | (470 | ) |
| Purchase of equity interest in investment properties | | | | | | (2,701 | ) | | (2,000 | ) |
| Investments in and advances to related parties, net | | | (103 | ) | | 1,202 | | | (2,378 | ) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Cash provided by (used in) investing activities | | | 8,640 | | | (10,438 | ) | | (8,018 | ) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Financing activities: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Proceeds from sale of common stock | | | 7,155 | | | | | | | |
| Due to stockholders from sale of common stock | | | 5,110 | | | | | | | |
| Proceeds of long term debt | | | 103 | | | 6,250 | | | 2,500 | |
| Principal payments on long term debt | | | (9,041 | ) | | (178 | ) | | (560 | ) |
| Principal payments on note payable to officer | | | | | | (4,713 | ) | | (1,119 | ) |
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options | | | 3 | | | 28 | | | 16 | |
| Distribution to officer | | | | | | | | | (300 | ) |
| Stock registration costs | | | (315 | ) | | | | | | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities | | | 3,015 | | | 1,387 | | | 537 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Effect of foreign currency translation | | | (155 | ) | | 166 | | | (348 | ) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | | 28,586 | | | (10,363 | ) | | 2,940 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year | | | 4,658 | | | 15,021 | | | 12,081 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year | | $ | 33,244 | | $ | 4,658 | | $ | 15,021 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest was $0.2 million, $0.5 million and $0.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
Supplemental disclosure of noncash activity:
During the second quarter of 2005, 85,470 shares of common stock valued at $0.2 were issued along with cash of $0.3 million for the final payment of theStar Trader™ brand purchase agreement, with the total of $0.5 million being recorded as goodwill.
A portion of the consideration received on the sale of the SCB Building, as discussed in Note 1, includes $11.0 million in notes receivable out of $20.3 million in total proceeds.
F-4
WHITNEY INFORMATION NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Deficit
Years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003
(in thousands)
| | Common Stock
| |
| | Foreign Currency Translatioin Adjustment
| |
| |
| |
---|
| | Additional Paid-in Capital
| | Accumulated Deficit
| | Total Stockholders' Deficit
| |
---|
| | Shares
| | Amount
| |
---|
Balance at December 31, 2002 | | 8,097 | | $ | 940 | | $ | 449 | | | — | | $ | (4,491 | ) | $ | (3,102 | ) |
| Issuance of stock for the stock purchased of MRS Equity Corp. | | 63 | | | 125 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 125 | |
| Issuance of stock for assets purchased of Success Development, Inc. | | 180 | | | 900 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 900 | |
| Issuance of stock for the stock purchased of SpeakTek, Inc. | | 200 | | | 1,000 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 1,000 | |
| Issuance of stock for assets purchased | | 2 | | | 10 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 10 | |
| Issuance of stock for stock options exercised | | 6 | | | 16 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 16 | |
| Issuance of cash and note payable to majority stockholder for interest in Whitney Leadership Group, Inc. | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (1,200 | ) | | (1,200 | ) |
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (348 | ) | | — | | | (348 | ) |
| Net loss | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (1,558 | ) | | (1,558 | ) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Balance at December 31, 2003 | | 8,548 | | | 2,991 | | | 449 | | | (348 | ) | | (7,249 | ) | | (4,157 | ) |
| Issuance of stock for the stock purchased of SpeakTek, Inc. | | 56 | | | 250 | | | | | | | | | | | | 250 | |
| Issuance of stock for stock options exercised | | 15 | | | 28 | | | | | | | | | | | | 28 | |
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | | | | | | | | | | | 166 | | | | | | 166 | |
| Net loss | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | (29,896 | ) | | (29,896 | ) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Balance at December 31, 2004 | | 8,619 | | $ | 3,269 | | $ | 449 | | $ | (182 | ) | $ | (37,145 | ) | $ | (33,609 | ) |
| Issuance of stock for the stock purchased of SpeakTek, Inc. | | 85 | | | 166 | | | | | | | | | | | | 166 | |
| Issuance of stock for stock options exercised | | 2 | | | 3 | | | | | | | | | | | | 3 | |
| Private placement of securities, net of offering costs of $720 | | 1,750 | | | 7,155 | | | | | | | | | | | | 7,155 | |
| Foreign currency translation adjustment | | | | | | | | | | | (155 | ) | | | | | (155 | ) |
| Net earnings | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 17,388 | | | 17,388 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Balance at December 31, 2005 | | 10,456 | | $ | 10,593 | | $ | 449 | | $ | (337 | ) | $ | (19,757 | ) | $ | (9,052 | ) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5
WHITNEY INFORMATION NETWORK, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1—Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization and History
Whitney Information Network, Inc. and Subsidiaries (collectively referred to a the "Company" or "WIN") has provided postsecondary education and training courses for students throughout the United States, Canada and Europe, interested in learning about the real estate and financial markets.
The Company incorporated in Colorado in 1996 under the name Gimmel Enterprises, Inc. In 1998, we acquired all of the outstanding common stock of Whitney Education Group, Inc. ("WEG"), a Florida company organized in 1992, and changed our name to WIN Systems International, Inc. In 1999, we changed our name to Whitney Information Network, Inc.
In July 2005, EduTrades, Inc. ("EDX") was formed as a wholly owned subsidiary for holding the rights and brands of the financial markets education division of the Company. In November 2005 and February 2006, the Company filed a registration statement of Form S-1 and Amended Form S-1, respectively, with the Securities and Exchange commission for the purpose of an initial public offering. The registration statement has not been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts and balances of Whitney Information Network, Inc. and its wholly owned and majority owned subsidiaries.
Significant Accounting Policies
The vast majority of our costs to acquire the student has been expended up to the point of registration, such as media, travel, facilities and instructor fees for the introductory workshops; these costs are expensed when incurred. However, the tuition paid at registration is deferred until the course is attended by the student, the student received the course content in an electronic format, or the contract expires, at which time the revenue is deemed earned.
Thus, reporting under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America creates significant timing differences with respect to revenue and expenses, both in the form of cash flows and in the form of our operating results in that we recognize the bulk of our expenses before we recognize revenue in the form of fees and tuition from attendees at our introductory courses. In addition, we recognize all our expenses associated with the introductory courses at the time they occur and any money that is collected as a result of those programs is deferred until the student actually takes the course or receives the product offered. As a result of these factors, our cash flows are significantly different than our reported results of operations.
Speaker fee commission payments earned for generating revenue are deferred until such time as the revenue is earned. Advertising costs, training room rentals and direct selling expenses are expensed as incurred. Advertising paid in advance is recorded as prepaid until such time as the advertisement is published.
The Company's contracts for courses require that courses must be attended within one year of registration. The Company's policy has been to recognize revenue at the earlier of the attendance of the course or one year from the date of registration. Prior to 2005, our United Kingdom subsidiary allowed students to attend courses after the expiration of our one year obligation to provide the course as specified in the contract and continued to report these student's tuition collected as deferred revenue past the expiration date. During the second quarter of 2005, the Company's United Kingdom subsidiary changed its practices and began to enforce the terms of its contracts to be consistent with
F-6
that of its North American subsidiaries and recognized approximately $1.3 million of revenue from course registrations that had been outstanding for greater than one year.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
We consider all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company continually monitors its positions with, and the credit quality of, the financial institutions it invests with. Restricted cash reflects amount retained by credit card merchants as a reserve for returns on credit card transactions and deposit balances required under letters of credit. We consider restricted cash as a current asset as credit card merchants can typically hold such reserve funds only up to one year, and our letters of credit are for annual terms.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Financial instruments, which potentially subject us to concentration of credit risk, consist principally of cash and short-term cash investments and accounts receivable. We place temporary cash investments with what management believes are high-credit, quality financial institutions. As of the balance sheet date, and periodically throughout the year, we have maintained balances in various operating accounts in excess of federally insured limits. We periodically perform credit analysis and monitor the financial condition of its customers in order to minimize credit risk.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable consists of trade receivables from the sale of educational products and services for which a contract has been entered into, payments have not been received, and the related revenue has been deferred. An adjustment is recorded to write off any amounts deemed to be unrealizable and uncollectible.
Inventory
Inventory consists primarily of books, videos and training materials and is stated at the lower of cost or market, determined using the first-in, first-out method (FIFO).
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts of financial instruments including cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, receivables, deferred seminar expense, accounts payable, accrued expenses, deferred educational revenues, and notes payable approximated fair value as of December 31, 2005 because of the relatively short maturity of these instruments. The fair value of long term notes payable approximates fair value based on current market rates available for similar debt instruments.
Prepaid Advertising and Sales Expense
We expense advertising and sales costs as incurred. Advertising and sales expenses were approximately $50.0 million, $49.7 million, and $30.1 million for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Advertising paid for in advance is recorded as prepaid until such time as the advertisement is published. Advertising costs recorded as prepaid as of December 31, 2005 and 2004 were $1.9 million and $1.5 million respectively.
Deferred Registration Costs
We are in the process of a registration of the Company's EDX subsidiary. Expenses related to this offering have been accounted for as deferred registration costs, and will be charged against the gross proceeds received. The registration statement has not been declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
F-7
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment is stated at cost. Depreciation is provided utilizing the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives for owned assets as follows:
Buildings | | 40 years |
Furniture fixtures and equipment | | 7 years |
Other assets | | 5 years |
Purchased software | | 3 years |
Intangible Assets and Goodwill
Intangible assets include customer lists, trademarks, and loan costs and are recorded at cost. Customer lists and trademarks are being amortized over their estimated useful lives of 3 and 15 years, respectively. Loan costs are amortized over the term of the loan. Goodwill is not amortized. At December 31, 2005, management performed impairment testing in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard ("SFAS") No. 142,Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets and SFAS No. 144,Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long Lived Assets for all intangible assets and goodwill determined that impairment was not considered necessary.
Investments in Related Parties
We acquired a 20% ownership interest in Rancho Monterey, S.A., a Panama corporation, in 2001. This corporation was formed with the purpose of acquiring, developing, and selling land on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. We are an investor in phase one of this project which includes approximately 830 acres. Prior to January 2004, this venture has incurred solely capitalized development costs and had not had any sales activity. We account for our investment using the equity method of accounting and record its proportionate share of the corporation's profit or loss. In 2003, we acquired an additional 10% equity interest in the investment for $0.7 million through the issuance of debt. As part of this transaction, we also received an 8% interest in Monterey del Este, a Panama Corporation organized to develop unimproved real estate in Costa Rica; and a 20% interest in Monterey del Mar, a Panama Corporation organized to develop an ocean front hotel on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The Company's share of the corporation's losses and profits for the years ended December 31, 2005 and 2004 were a loss of $(0.2) million and a profit of $0.2 million respectively. Our Chief Executive Officer individually indirectly owns 11% of Rancho Monterey, S.A. and 6% of Monterey del Este. Our Company's Executive Vice President individually indirectly owns 1% of Rancho Monterey, S.A.
We have, at times, advanced funds to this entity for working capital purposes to secure and protect its investment. Our agreement with the management of this venture is that we will be repaid for these funds from future land sales. At December 31, 2005, $1.4 million in such advances is included in investment in related parties. At December 31, 2004 $1.2 million of such advances is shown on the consolidated balance sheet as accounts receivable related parties.
Investment in Joint Ventures
In 2003 we acquired a 50% equity interest in SCB Building, LLC ("SCB"), an office building in Orlando, Florida. The other 50% member had a $2.0 million minority interest in SCB, which was contributed in the form of a $4.0 million building subject to a $2.0 million mortgage. Subsequent improvements of approximately $9.6 million were made to the building and were financed primarily by long term debt. As the guarantor of the debt of SCB, the financial statements and results from operations are consolidated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements with a provision for minority interest of the other 50% owner.
F-8
In November 2005 we sold the office building, which was the primary asset of SCB, for a pretax gain of $5.6 million, before minority interest, or a pretax $3.5 million after minority interest. The debt on the building was paid in full and SCB issued a note receivable, secured by the building, totaling $11.0 million as part of the $20.3 million selling price.
In 2004, we entered into a joint venture with an unrelated party. Our contribution to the joint venture of $2.7 million represents a 50% interest in Tranquility Bay of Southwest Florida LLC ("Tranquility"), which owns 74 acres of land for residential development in Lee County Florida. Tranquility has no ongoing activity other than the costs of holding the land. Under the equity method of accounting we record our share of these costs which for 2005 and 2004 were insignificant.
Revenue Recognition, Deferred Revenue and Deferred Seminar Expenses
We recognize revenue for the sale of products and software, upon delivery. Revenue from educational seminars is recognized upon the earlier of (1) when the nonrefundable deposit is received for the seminars and the seminar has taken place; or (2) upon the contractual expiration of our obligation to provide a seminar only if the seminar was paid for. Deferred revenue is recorded when the seminar proceeds are received prior to the related seminar taking place. Expenses for commission payments made to our speakers directly related to additional courses sold are considered acquisition costs of those revenues and deferred until the related revenue is recognized in accordance with the guidance in SAB 104.
The following table illustrates the impact of deferring revenue by reconciling gross receipts to recorded revenue for the years ended 2005 and 2004.
| | Year ended December 31,
| |
---|
| | 2005
| | 2004
| | % change
| |
---|
Cash received from course and product sales: | | | | | | | | | |
Basic courses | | $ | 25,017 | | $ | 34,202 | | (26.9 | )% |
Advanced courses | | | 112,008 | | | 91,855 | | 21.9 | |
Outreach programs | | | 40,415 | | | 23,723 | | 70.4 | |
Products sales | | | 12,317 | | | 8,828 | | 39.5 | |
Other | | | 6,698 | | | 5,347 | | 25.3 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| Total cash received from course and product sales | | | 196,455 | | | 163,955 | | 19.8 | |
Net change in deferred revenue | | | (17,891 | ) | | (24,096 | ) | (25.8 | ) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| Revenue for financial reporting purposes | | $ | 178,564 | | $ | 139,859 | | 27.7 | % |
| |
| |
| |
| |
We record commission revenue related to sales made by the Company for other parties. Only the commission part of these transactions is recorded. The commissions are recognized as revenue when the amount is earned.
Long-Lived Assets
The Company reviews propery and equipment, intangible assets and goodwill for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by the comparison of its carrying amount with the future net cash flows the assets are expected to generate. We look primarily to the undiscounted future cash flows in the assessment of whether or not long-lived assets have been impaired. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impaired amount is measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the present value of the future net cash flows expected to be generated by the respective long lived assets. As of December 31, 2005, according our most recent assessments, there are no impairments in the carrying values of our long-lived assets.
F-9
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made in the 2004 and 2003 consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2005 presentation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Income Taxes
We recognize deferred tax liabilities and assets based on the differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years. The temporary differences result primarily from the recognition of deferred expenses for tax purposes. A valuation allowance is established, when necessary, to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
Translation of Foreign Currency
We account for foreign currency translation in accordance with SFAS No. 52,Foreign Currency Translation. As such, the financial position and results of operations of our foreign subsidiaries are measured using local currency as the functional currency. Revenues and expenses of the subsidiaries have been translated into U.S. dollars at average exchange rates prevailing during the period. Assets and liabilities have been translated at the rates of exchange as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
Earnings (Loss) Per Share
We apply the provisions of SFAS No. 128, Earnings Per Share. All dilutive potential common shares in 2005 were included in the diluted earnings per share calculation. All dilutive potential common shares in 2004 had an antidilutive effect on diluted per share amounts and therefore were excluded in determining net loss per share. At December 31, 2005 we had 1,677 stock options, 1,075 warrants and 300 warrants to purchase units offered in our offering (Note 3) for 300 shares of stock and 150 warrants which were excluded from earnings per share as their effect was antidilutive. The total 3,202 potential dilutive securities excluded could be dilutive to future earnings.
Stock Options and Stock-Based Compensation
SFAS No. 123,Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation encourages, but does not require companies to record compensation cost for stock-based employee compensation plans at fair value. The Company has chosen to continue to account for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method prescribed in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (APB No. 25),Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees and provides the required pro forma disclosures prescribed by SFAS No. 123 and SFAS No. 148.
We have adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 123. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized for the stock option plans. Had compensation cost for the Company's option plan and the option plan of our wholly owned subsidiary EduTrades, Inc. been determined based on the fair value at the grant date for awards consistent with the provisions of SFAS No. 123, the
F-10
Company's net earnings (loss) and basic earnings (loss) per common share would have been changed to the pro forma amounts indicated below (in thousands, except for per share data):
| | Years ended December 31
| |
---|
| | 2005
| | 2004
| | 2003
| |
---|
Net earnings (loss)—as reported | | $ | 17,388 | | $ | (30,062 | ) | $ | (1,210 | ) |
Add: stock-based compensation included in net profit (loss) as reported | | | | | | | | | | |
Deduct: Total stock-based compensation using the fair market value method under SFAS No. 123 | | | 1,535 | | | 1,374 | | | 398 | |
Net earnings (loss)—pro forma | | $ | 15,853 | | $ | (31,436 | ) | $ | (1,608 | ) |
Basic loss per common share—as reported | | $ | 1.96 | | $ | (3.50 | ) | $ | (0.15 | ) |
Basic loss per common share—pro forma | | $ | 1.79 | | $ | (3.66 | ) | $ | (0.20 | ) |
The fair value of each option is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing mode with the following assumptions (average weight):
| | Years ended December 31
| |
---|
| | 2005
| | 2004
| | 2003
| |
---|
Expected life in years | | 7 | | 10 | | 10 | |
Expected volatility | | 77.88 | % | 56.97 | % | 33.77 | % |
Risk free interest rate | | 4.39 | % | 4.24 | % | 4.25 | % |
Expected dividend | | | | | | | |
The pro forma disclosure includes approximately $0.8 million of compensation expense for stock options granted by our wholly owned subsidiary EduTrades, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2005.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2004, SFAS No. 123R,Share-Based Payment, was issued, which supersedes APB No. 25,Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and its related implementation guidance. Under SFAS No. 123R all share-based payments would be treated as other forms of compensation by recognizing the costs, generally measured as the fair market value at the date of grant, in the consolidated income statement. The Company will adopt, as required, SFAS No. 123R for its fiscal year beginning January 1, 2006. Share-based payment expense amounts historically disclosed as required by SFAS No.123R will now be recognized as an expense in the consolidated income statement.
We have chosen the modified prospective application (MPA) method for implementing SFAS No. 123(R). Under the MPA method, new awards will be valued and accounted for prospectively upon adoption. Outstanding prior awards that are unvested will be recognized as compensation expense over the remaining requisite service period. Prior periods will not be restated. At December 31, 2005 we had approximately $1.8 million of unvested stock compensation that will be recognized as an expense over future service periods.
The impact of adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) is that future share based payment awards will be recorded as compensation expense over their requisite service period, and such expense is expected to be material to future earnings. Had we adopted SFAS No. 123(R) in prior periods, the impact of that standard would have approximated the impact of SFAS No. 123 as described in the disclosure of pro forma net earnings (loss) per share above.
Note 2—Mergers, Acquisitions and Capital Accounts
In September 2004, we entered into a six-month agreement with Discount Buyers Association of America ("DBAA") to assume operational control over it business and postsecondary education products. Simultaneously, we were granted an option to purchase all of the assets of DBAA. We paid
F-11
$0.5 million to DBAA for control of the business operations. We have allowed the option to expire and charged $0.5 million to expense for the year ended December 31, 2004.
In June 2004, we issued warrants to purchase 200,000 shares of our no par value common stock in exchange for professional services provided for the Company. The warrants will expire in June 2008, and are exercisable at the following prices: 100,000 shares at $5.25 per share; and 100,000 shares at $8.00 per share
In October 2003, we acquired the stock of SpeakTek, Inc. for $1.6 million, which resulted in $1.0 million in goodwill, $0.5 million in customer lists and other intangibles and $0.1 million in current assets. SpeakTek, Inc. is the holding company for Quantum Vision, Inc., which is the operating entity and provides financial markets education. Of this amount $0.6 million is payable in cash, and $1.0 million is payable through 200,000 shares of our newly issued, restricted common stock.
In July 2003, we purchased two related companies, Equity Corp. Holdings, Inc. ("Equity Corp.") and Whitney Leadership Group, Inc. The purchase price of Whitney Leadership, Inc. was $1.2 million paid to our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and his wife, payable $0.3 million in cash at closing and a $0.9 million promissory note payable in semiannual installments beginning in February 2004 bearing an interest rate of 7% per annum. The payments and debt issued were recorded as a distribution as Whitney Leadership Group, Inc. and we were under common control. The acquisition of Equity Corp. from our Executive Vice President, Real Estate Education Division resulted in $4.9 million of intellectual property. The purchase price of $0.3 million, comprised of $0.1 million in cash, 62,500 shares of our common stock valued at $0.1 million at closing, and $0.1 million payable one year from the closing date evidenced by a promissory note bearing interest at 7% per annum. We also agreed to assume and pay a promissory note issued to our chairman by Equity Corp. in June, 2002 in the amount of $4.8 million payable $1.0 million in July 2003 and July 2004 and ten installments of $0.3 million payable in January and July beginning in 2005 through 2009. The unpaid balance bears interest at 7% per annum. Equity Corp. incurred this $4.8 million obligation when it elected to redeem all of our chairman's stock ownership in Equity Corp., which amounted to 90% of the outstanding stock of Equity Corp., as of June 1, 2002. This note was paid in full during 2004.
In May 2003, we paid $0.5 million under a six-month management agreement with Success Development, Inc. ("SDI"). Under the agreement, we acquired SDI's customer database and operated is Cash Flow Generator brand. Under this agreement, we received 30% of SDI's profits. During this time period, we also made advances to SDI for working capital purposes. We believe that this balance is collateralized by a bank account maintained by SDI. In November 2003, we exercised the option to purchase Success Development, Inc. for 180,000 shares of common stock, valued at $0.9 million. This resulted in a $0.6 million trademark, $0.3 million customer list and $0.1 million noncompete agreement.
Note 3—The Offering
In December 2005, 3.0 million shares of common stock and common stock purchase warrants representing 1.5 million shares of common stock were sold. The Company sold 1.75 million shares of common stock and issued warrants for 875,000 shares. The Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer sold 1.25 million shares and warrants for 625,000 shares. In both cases, each warrant allows one share to be purchased for $6.00. The Company received $7.9 million in proceeds and netted $7.2 million after expenses for its 1.75 million shares.
The common stock and warrants were issued as a $13.5 million private placement in which 3.0 million units of our securities, each unit consisting of one share of common stock and one-half common stock purchase warrant at $4.50 per unit, were issued to a group of 17 nonaffiliated accredited investors. In addition, a unit warrant was issued to our placement agent exercisable to purchase 0.3 million units at $4.50 per unit including the underlying one-half common stock purchase warrants. Including the units to our placement agent, the Company is registering a total 3.3 million shares of
F-12
common stock, plus 1.65 million units underlying common stock purchase warrants. We collected $5.6 milion of proceeds on behalf of our Chief Executive Officer, who was a selling shareholder in the offering. At December 31, 2005 we have recorded a liability to our Chief Executive Officer of $5.1 million, net of $0.5 million in offering costs, on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet, which was paid in the first quarter of 2006.
In connection with this transaction, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement which provides for the Company to use its "best efforts" to file a registration statement for the resale of the 3.3 million common shares and the shares underlying the common stock purchase warrant to be declared effective by April 11, 2006 as well as require us to maintain the effectiveness of the registration statement for one year subsequent to the effective date. If the Company fails to have the registration statement declared effective by April 11, 2006 (or if effectiveness is not maintained), the registration rights agreement requires the payment of liquidated damages to the investors on a daily basis of $4,500 (which represents 1% per month of the proceeds in cash) until the registration statement is declared effective or effectiveness is maintained. We have a maximum liability of one year under the registration rights agreement.
The Financial Accounting Standard Board's Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) has exposed for deliberation the Financial Accounting Standards Board Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 05-04,The Effect of a Liquidated Damages Clause on a Freestanding Financial Instrument Subject to EITF Issue No. 00-19, "Accounting for a Derivative Financial Instrument Indexed to, and Potentially Settled in, a Company's Own Stock." (See Note 14—Committments and Contingencies).
Accordingly, the Company estimates a probable liability of approximately $0.2 million in connection with the liquidated damages provision of the registration rights agreement and is reflected as a current liability in other accrued expenses in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2005.
Note 4—Related Parties Transactions
MRS Equity Corp. was wholly owned by Equity Corp. Holdings, Inc., which manages the processing of payments through customers' accounts to the mortgage holder. Equity Corp. Holdings, Inc. was acquired by the Company in 2003 and was previously owned by our Executive Vice President, Real Estate Division (See Note 2)—Mergers, Acquisitions and Capital Accounts.
In 2003, the Company provided payroll services in the amount of $0.1 million to MRS Equity Corp., and purchased goods and services in the aggregate amount of $0.1 million from MRS Equity Corp., and Whitney Leadership Group, Inc. prior to its acquisition.
Whitney Leadership Group, Inc. is a company that holds all the copyright and intellectual property rights associated with the education materials and licenses. It was acquired in July, 2003 and was previously owned by the Company's Chairman and his wife (who is also employed by the Company) (See Note 2—Mergers, Acquisitions and Capital Accounts).
We have rented a training facility located in Cape Coral, Florida, since 1992 from the Chairman of the Board and chief Executive Officer which pays rent on annual leases. Rentals under the related party lease were $0.2 million, $0.2 million, and $0.1 million during 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. We lease 2,200 square feet of training facilities at 1611 East Cape Coral Parkway, 9,000 square feet of space at 1625 East Cape Coral Parkway which is used for shipping, and 5,000 square feet at 1630 SE 47th Terrace which we use as a Training Center and for storage, all in Cape Coral Florida, from Cape Promenade Trust which is for the benefit of Russell A. Whitney, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and his wife Ingrid. The leases are for three years and began in March 2003, March 2003 and June 2004, respectively. We are currently paying rent on a month-to-month basis on two of the leases that expired March 2006.
F-13
Included in revenue for 2005 and 2004 is $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively, received under an arrangement with Gulfstream Development Corp., a company owned 25% by our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Under this arrangement we receive $1,000 for each home constructed by Gulfstream for one of our students, who are presented an opportunity to purchase lots at one of our advanced real estate courses by realtors representing Gulfstream. We have no interest in the lots nor any involvement in dealings between students and the realtors or Gulfstream.
Those items above that are reasonably expected to be collected within one year are shown as current.
Note 5—Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):
| | December 31,
| |
---|
| | 2005
| | 2004
| |
---|
Building | | $ | 4,778 | | $ | 17,437 | |
Airplane | | | 2,114 | | | 2,114 | |
Software | | | 1,114 | | | 1,000 | |
Land | | | 1,728 | | | 2,807 | |
Equipment | | | 1,253 | | | 1,173 | |
Furniture and fixtures | | | 772 | | | 819 | |
Leasehold improvements | | | 1,474 | | | 1,428 | |
| |
| |
| |
| | | 13,233 | | | 26,778 | |
Less accumulated depreciation | | | (3,151 | ) | | (2,220 | ) |
| |
| |
| |
| | $ | 10,082 | | $ | 24,558 | |
| |
| |
| |
| | Years ended December 31,
|
---|
| | 2005
| | 2004
| | 2003
|
---|
Depreciation expense | | $ | 1,034 | | $ | 964 | | $ | 692 |
| |
| |
| |
|
Note 6—Intangible Assets
Intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands):
| | December 31,
| |
---|
| | 2005
| | 2004
| |
---|
Customer lists | | $ | 5,943 | | $ | 5,943 | |
Trademarks | | | 1,050 | | | 1,050 | |
Other intangibles | | | 795 | | | 795 | |
| |
| |
| |
| | | 7,788 | | | 7,788 | |
Less accumulated amortization | | | (2,034 | ) | | (1,212 | ) |
| |
| |
| |
| | $ | 5,754 | | $ | 6,576 | |
| |
| |
| |
| | Years ended December 31,
|
---|
| | 2005
| | 2004
| | 2003
|
---|
Amortization expense | | $ | 822 | | $ | 646 | | $ | 258 |
| |
| |
| |
|
F-14
Future amortization expense of intangibles is as follows:
Years ending December 31,
| |
|
---|
2006 | | $ | 790 |
2007 | | | 629 |
2008 | | | 629 |
2009 | | | 629 |
2010 | | | 629 |
Thereafter | | | 2,448 |
| |
|
| | $ | 5,754 |
| |
|
Note 7—Long Term Debt
Long term debt consists of (in thousands):
| | December 31,
| |
---|
| | 2005
| | 2004
| |
---|
Mortgage payable to a bank. Principal plus interest at 5.7% due monthly until August 2014 and is collateralized by real estate located in the United Kingdom. | | $ | 1,962 | | $ | 2,442 | |
Note payable to a finance company. Monthly principal and interest through December 2018. Interest at the LIBOR rate plus 3.4% and is collateralized by an airplane. The note is personally guaranteed (up to $0.2 million) by the majority stockholder. | | | 1,035 | | | 1,090 | |
Note payable to an individual for purchase of equity interest in Rancho Monterey. Principal and interest payments beginning in July 2003 at an interest rate of 5%. The note matures in June 2008 and is collateralized by the Company's stock. | | | 345 | | | 472 | |
Note payable to a bank. Interest only payments beginning in July 2003 due monthly until June 2005. Principal and interest payments due beginning July 2005 and amortized over 20 years. Interest at a fixed rate of 7.5%. The note was paid in full in 2005. | | | | | | 7,289 | |
Mortgage payable to a bank. Monthly principal and interest payments through June 2007 with a balloon payment of $1.0 million due on July 28, 2007 and is collateralized by the building on North Frontage Road, Orlando, Florida. This was paid in full in June 2005. | | | | | | 1,019 | |
Other installment notes payable | | | 32 | | | | |
| |
| |
| |
| | | 3,374 | | | 12,312 | |
Less current portion | | | (462 | ) | | (504 | ) |
| |
| |
| |
| | $ | 2,912 | | $ | 11,808 | |
| |
| |
| |
F-15
Maturities of long term obligations are as follows (in thousands):
Years ending December 31,
| |
|
---|
2006 | | $ | 462 |
2007 | | | 444 |
2008 | | | 377 |
2009 | | | 307 |
2010 | | | 310 |
Thereafter | | | 1,474 |
| |
|
| | $ | 3,374 |
| |
|
Note 8—Stock Options and Warrants
Stock Based Compensation Plans
The Company's 1998 Stock Option Plan provides for the granting of stock options to key employees. Under the terms and conditions of this plan, any time between the grant date and two years of service, the employee may purchase up to 25% of the option shares. Between two and three years of continuous service, the employee may purchase up to 50% of the option share, and after three years of continuous service, the employee may purchase all remaining option shares. All options expire ten years from the date of the grant.
The following table presents the activity for options outstanding (in thousands, except per share data):
| | Number of Options
| | Weighted Average Exercise Price
| |
---|
Outstanding as of December 31, 2002 | | 1,376 | | $ | 1.93 | |
Granted | | 203 | | | 3.79 | |
Forfeited/canceled | | (165 | ) | | (2.16 | ) |
Exercised | | (5 | ) | | (3.00 | ) |
| |
| |
| |
Outstanding as of December 31, 2003 | | 1,409 | | $ | 2.16 | |
Granted | | 435 | | | 4.47 | |
Forfeited/canceled | | (77 | ) | | (3.94 | ) |
Exercised | | (15 | ) | | (1.87 | ) |
| |
| |
| |
Outstanding as of December 31, 2004 | | 1,752 | | $ | 2.66 | |
Granted | | 540 | | | 5.43 | |
Forfeited/canceled | | (112 | ) | | (3.05 | ) |
Exercised | | (2 | ) | | (1.50 | ) |
| |
| |
| |
Outstanding as of December 31, 2005 | | 2,178 | | $ | 3.33 | |
| |
| |
| |
F-16
The following table presents the composition of options outstanding and exercisable (options in thousands):
Range of Exercise Prices
| | Options Outstanding
| | Price(a)
| | Options Exercisable
| | Price(a)
| | Life(a)
|
---|
$1.75 | | 20 | | $ | 1.75 | | 20 | | $ | 1.75 | | 4.33 |
$1.81 | | 297 | | $ | 1.81 | | 297 | | $ | 1.81 | | 6.25 |
$1.88 | | 242 | | $ | 1.88 | | 242 | | $ | 1.88 | | 3.75 |
$2.00 | | 557 | | $ | 2.00 | | 557 | | $ | 2.00 | | 4.58 |
$2.55 | | 30 | | $ | 2.55 | | 8 | | $ | 2.55 | | 9.50 |
$3.10 | | 15 | | $ | 3.10 | | 15 | | $ | 3.10 | | 6.67 |
$3.70 | | 142 | | $ | 3.70 | | 71 | | $ | 3.70 | | 7.16 |
$3.90 | | 40 | | $ | 3.90 | | 15 | | $ | 3.90 | | 8.00 |
$4.10 | | 10 | | $ | 4.10 | | 5 | | $ | 4.10 | | 7.25 |
$4.50 | | 315 | | $ | 4.50 | | 79 | | $ | 4.50 | | 7.25 |
$5.60 | | 510 | | $ | 5.60 | | 127 | | $ | 5.60 | | 9.80 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
$1.75 to $5.60 | | 2,178 | | $ | 3.33 | | 1,436 | | $ | 2.52 | | 5.61 |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
|
- (a)
- Price and Life reflect the weighted average exercise price and weighted average remaining contractual life, respectively.
Warrants
The following table illustrates the activity for warrants outstanding (in thousands except per share data);
| | Number of Warrants
| | Weighted Average Exercise Price
|
---|
Outstanding as of December 31, 2003 | | — | | | — |
Granted | | 200 | | $ | 6.63 |
Forfeited/canceled | | | | | |
Exercised | | | | | |
| |
| |
|
Outstanding as of December 31, 2004 | | 200 | | | 6.63 |
Granted | | 875 | | $ | 6.00 |
Forfeited/canceled | | | | | |
Exercised | | | | | |
| |
| |
|
Outstanding as of December 31, 2005 | | 1,075 | | $ | 6.12 |
| |
| |
|
The following table presents the composition of warrants outstanding (warrants in thousands):
Exercise Prices
| | Warrants Granted
| | Warrants Exercisable
| | Remaining Life
|
---|
$5.25 | | 100 | | 100 | | 3.50 |
$6.00 | | 875 | | 875 | | 4.00 |
$8.00 | | 100 | | 100 | | 3.50 |
| |
| |
| |
|
$5.25 - $8.00 | | 1,075 | | 1,075 | | 3.90 |
| |
| |
| |
|
In conjunction with the offering, the Company issued a unit warrant to our placement agent exercisable to purchase 300,000 units at $4.50 per share and another unit warrant exercisable to purchase 150,000 shares at $6.00 per share.
F-17
During 2005:
The Company issued 85,470 shares of common stock valued at $0.2 million, plus cash of $0.3 million for assets we recorded as goodwill for the final payment as part of theStar Trader™ brand purchase agreement.
Stock options for 40,000 shares were granted to members of the Board of Directors.
Stock options for 475,000 shares were granted to executive of the Company.
The Company sold 1.75 million shares of common stock and issued warrants for 875,000 shares. The Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer sold 1.25 million shares of common stock and warrants for 625,000 shares. In addition we issued a unit warrant to our placement agent exercisable to purchase 300,000 units at $4.50 per unit (a unit is comprised of one share of stock plus a warrant for one-half share). See Note 3—The Offering.
Note 9—Employee Benefit Plan
We have a 401(k) employee savings plan for eligible employees, which provide for a matching contribution from us, determined each year at our discretion. Our contributions, charged to earnings for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004, and 2003, were $0.2 million, $0.1 million, and $0.0 million, respectively.
Note 10—Income Taxes
We had net operating losses of approximately $27.4 million at December 31, 2005 to offset future federal taxable income for U.S. domestic operations. The net operating losses expire in the years 2020 through 2024. The Company also has $19.5 million representing net operating losses for state income taxes that expire in years 2010 through 2024. Generally accepted accounting principles requires the future utilization to be recorded as a deferred tax asset if management believes if it is more likely than not that the Company will generate future taxable income.
As of the end of 2004, the Company established a valuation allowance to offset all future tax benefits from the operating losses that would have been recorded as deferred tax assets. In assessing the recoverability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible. During 2005, management concluded that it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefits of some of our net operating loss carryforwards creating future tax deductible amounts for the current year and future periods beyond 2005.
We estimate that we will be liable for approximately $0.2 million in alternative minimum taxes for 2005, which will be carried forward into future periods to offset future taxes. The net operating loss carryforwards from prior years can only be applied to 90% of the current year profits. The deferred tax assets recorded in 2005 represent management's estimate of all deferred tax benefits to be utilized in the current fiscal year and future periods beyond 2005.
F-18
A change in the valuation allowance for net operating losses that affect deferred tax assets is as follows (in thousands):
Our income tax provision is as follows (in thousands):
| | Years ended December 31,
| |
---|
| | 2005
| | 2004
| | 2003
| |
---|
Earnings before taxes: | | | | | | | | | | |
| U.S. | | $ | 7,857 | | $ | (23,777 | ) | $ | (1,210 | ) |
| Non-U.S. | | | 2,775 | | | (6,285 | ) | | | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Total earnings before income taxes | | $ | 10,632 | | $ | (30,062 | ) | $ | (1,210 | ) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Provision for taxes: | | | | | | | | | | |
Current: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Federal | | $ | 160 | | | | | | | |
| State | | | 101 | | | | | | | |
| Non-U.S. | | | 228 | | | | | | | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | | 489 | | | — | | | — | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Deferred: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Federal | | | 2,637 | | | (8,322 | ) | | (424 | ) |
| State | | | 328 | | | (975 | ) | | (49 | ) |
| Non-U.S. | | | 733 | | | (764 | ) | | | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | | 3,698 | | | (10,061 | ) | | (473 | ) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Valuation allowance | | | (10,985 | ) | | 10,061 | | | 473 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Total income tax provision | | $ | (6,798 | ) | $ | — | | $ | — | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Effective income tax rate | | | (63.9 | )% | | 0.0 | % | �� | 0.0 | % |
| |
| |
| |
| |
The difference between the tax provision at the statutory federal income tax rate and the tax provision attributable to income before income taxes was as follows:
| | Years ended December 31,
| |
---|
| | 2005
| | 2004
| | 2003
| |
---|
| | (in percentages)
| |
---|
Statutory federal income tax rate | | 35.0 | % | 35.0 | % | 35.0 | % |
State income net of federal benefit | | 4.0 | % | 3.2 | % | 4.1 | % |
Non-U.S. income taxed at different notes | | 0.4 | % | 2.5 | % | | |
Valuation allowance | | (103.3 | )% | (39.3 | )% | (39.1 | )% |
Other | | | | (1.4 | )% | | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Effective income tax rate | | (63.9 | )% | 0.0 | % | 0.0 | % |
| |
| |
| |
| |
F-19
Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:
| | December 31,
| |
---|
| | 2005
| | 2004
| | 2003
| |
---|
Deferred tax assets: | | | | | | | | | | |
Net operating losses, federal | | $ | 9,595 | | $ | 12,120 | | $ | 906 | |
Net operating losses, state | | | 790 | | | 1,104 | | | 49 | |
Net operating losses, non-U.S. | | | 31 | | | 764 | | | | |
Depreciation | | | 44 | | | | | | | |
Intangible amortization | | | 421 | | | 537 | | | | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | | 10,881 | | | 14,525 | | | 955 | |
Valuation allowance | | | (31 | ) | | (11,016 | ) | | (955 | ) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Total deferred tax assets | | $ | 10,850 | | $ | 3,509 | | $ | — | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Deferred tax liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | |
Deferred course expenses | | | 3,563 | | | 3,035 | | | | |
Depreciation | | | | | | 474 | | | | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Total deferred tax liabilities | | $ | 3,563 | | $ | 3,509 | | $ | — | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Reported as: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Current deferred tax assets | | | | | | | | | | |
| Noncurrent deferred tax assets | | | 7,287 | | | 3,509 | | | | |
| Current deferred tax liabilities | | | | | | (3,509 | ) | | | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Net deferred taxes | | $ | 7,287 | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Note 11—Earnings (Loss) Per Share
Basic earnings per share are calculated using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share reflect the potential dilution that could occur from common shares issuable through stock options and warrants, including 0.5 million, nil and nil options that were dilutive for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 respectively. There are a total of 2,178,350 stock options, 1,075,000 warrants to purchase common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2005 and a combined 450,000 unit placement warrants issued to our placement agent. The following table sets forth the computation for basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except for per share data):
| | Years ended December 31,
| |
---|
| | 2005
| | 2004
| | 2003
| |
---|
Numerator for diluted earnings (loss) per common share | | $ | 17,388 | | $ | (30,062 | ) | $ | (1,210 | ) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Denominator for basic earnings per share—weighted average shares | | | 8,859 | | | 8,589 | | | 8,188 | |
Effect of dilutive securities—options and warrants | | | 501 | | | | | | | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Denominator for diluted earnings per share—adjusted weighted average shares | | | 9,360 | | | 8,589 | | | 8,188 | |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share | | $ | 1.86 | | $ | (3.50 | ) | $ | (0.15 | ) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
Where the inclusion of potential common shares is anti-dilutive, such shares are excluded from the computation.
F-20
Note 12—Business Segment Information
We operate primarily in two business segments: Real estate education and Financial market education. Our revenues are generated through the sale of real estate and financial market education courses, programs and products. The operating segments reported below are for which segments financial information is available and for which operating results are evaluated regularly by executive management in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.
Segment operating results evaluates earnings before corporate and unallocated shared expenses, amortization of intangible assets, gain on sale of assets, net interest income, equity earnings from foreign investment, income tax benefits and minority interests.
The following segment results include allocations of certain costs, including shared administrative costs-based metrics designed to correlate with the consumption of such services. These allocations are agreed-upon amounts between the businesses and may differ from amounts that would be negotiated in arm's length transactions (in thousands):
| | Years ended December 31,
|
---|
Segment revenues
|
---|
| 2005
| | 2004
| | 2003
|
---|
Real estate education | | $ | 123,960 | | $ | 101,000 | | $ | 77,833 |
Financial market education | | | 54,604 | | | 38,859 | | | 17,125 |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | $ | 178,564 | | $ | 139,859 | | $ | 94,958 |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | Years ended December 31,
| |
---|
Segment operating earnings (loss)
| |
---|
| 2005
| | 2004
| | 2003
| |
---|
Real estate education | | $ | 13,551 | | $ | (17,888 | ) | $ | 6,828 | |
Financial market education | | | (9,174 | ) | | (12,888 | ) | | (8,537 | ) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | $ | 4,377 | | $ | (30,776 | ) | $ | (1,709 | ) |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | Years ended December 31,
|
---|
Depreciation expense
|
---|
| 2005
| | 2004
| | 2003
|
---|
Real estate education | | $ | 789 | | $ | 719 | | $ | 471 |
Financial market education | | | 245 | | | 245 | | | 221 |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | $ | 1,034 | | $ | 964 | | $ | 692 |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | Years ended December 31,
|
---|
Segment identifiable assets
|
---|
| 2005
| | 2004
| | 2003
|
---|
Real estate education | | $ | 14,369 | | $ | 29,032 | | $ | 24,584 |
Financial market education | | | 3,782 | | | 3,602 | | | |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | $ | 18,151 | | $ | 32,634 | | $ | 24,584 |
| |
| |
| |
|
F-21
| | Years ended December 31,
|
---|
Geographic revenues
|
---|
| 2005
| | 2004
| | 2003
|
---|
United States | | $ | 162,762 | | $ | 122,559 | | $ | 81,633 |
Foreign | | | 15,802 | | | 17,300 | | | 13,325 |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | $ | 178,564 | | $ | 139,859 | | $ | 94,958 |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | Years ended December 31,
|
---|
Geographic identifiable assets
|
---|
| 2005
| | 2004
| | 2003
|
---|
United States | | $ | 14,518 | | $ | 28,738 | | $ | 24,469 |
Foreign | | | 3,633 | | | 3,896 | | | 115 |
| |
| |
| |
|
| | $ | 18,151 | | $ | 32,634 | | $ | 24,584 |
| |
| |
| |
|
Note 13—Summarized Quarterly Results (Unaudited)
The following table presents unaudited operating results for each quarter within the two most recent years. We believe that all necessary adjustments consisting only of normal recurring adjustments have been included in the amounts stated below to present fairly the following quarterly results when read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements. Results of operations for any particular quarter are not necessarily indicative of results of operations for a full year (in thousands, except for per share data)
| | Three months ended,
| |
---|
| | Q1(a)
| | Q2(a)
| | Q3(b)
| | Q4(c)
| | Full Year
| |
---|
2005 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues | | $ | 40,170 | | $ | 46,520 | | $ | 46,820 | | $ | 45,054 | | $ | 178,564 | |
Operating expenses | | | 36,062 | | | 44,053 | | | 45,407 | | | 48,665 | | | 174,187 | |
Earnings (loss) from operations | | | 4,108 | | | 2,467 | | | 1,413 | | | (3,611 | ) | | 4,377 | |
Net earnings (loss) | | | 4,149 | | | 3,159 | | | 9,069 | | | 1,011 | | | 17,388 | |
Basic earnings per share(1) | | | 0.48 | | | 0.36 | | | 1.04 | | | .11 | | | 1.96 | |
Diluted earnings per share(1) | | | 0.48 | | | 0.35 | | | 0.97 | | | .10 | | | 1.86 | |
2004 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues | | $ | 38,509 | | $ | 38,606 | | $ | 32,155 | | $ | 30,589 | | $ | 139,859 | |
Operating expenses | | | 38,461 | | | 43,579 | | | 44,348 | | | 43,609 | | | 169,997 | |
Earnings (loss) from operations | | | 48 | | | (4,973 | ) | | (12,193 | ) | | (13,020 | ) | | (30,138 | ) |
Net earnings (loss) | | | 208 | | | (4,264 | ) | | (11,964 | ) | | (14,042 | ) | | (30,062 | ) |
Basic earnings (loss) per share(1) | | | 0.02 | | | (0.49 | ) | | (1.40 | ) | | (1.61 | ) | | (3.48 | ) |
Diluted earnings (loss) per share(1) | | | 0.02 | | | (0.49 | ) | | (1.40 | ) | | (1.61 | ) | | (3.48 | ) |
- (1)
- Earnings per share are computed independently for each quarter and the full year based upon respective average shares outstanding. Therefore, the sum of the quarterly net earnings per share amounts may not equal the annual amounts reported.
- (a)
- In the first and second quarters of 2005 we received approximately $0.3 million and $0.9 million respectively, of an insurance claim that resulted from the interruption of our business caused by hurricane Charley in 2004. This amount is recorded in Other Income.
- (b)
- In the third quarter of 2005, we recorded a deferred tax asset, net of deferred tax liability, of $6.7 million.
F-22
- (c)
- In the fourth quarter of 2005, we recorded $3.0 million in bonus expense and realized a $5.6 million gain before minority interest on the sale of an office building.
Note 14—Commitments and Contingencies
Liquidated Damages Provision in Registration Rights Agreement
In December 2005, 3.0 million shares of common stock and 1.5 million shares of common stock underlying common stock purchase warrants were sold. The Company sold 1.75 million shares of common stock and issued a warrant for 50% of those shares. The Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer concurrently the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer sold 1.25 million and issued common stock purchase warrants for 50% of those shares.
We issued the common stock and warrants in a December 2005, $13.5 million in private placement in which we sold 3.0 million units of our securities, each unit consisting of one share of common stock and one-half common stock purchase warrant, at $4.50 per unit, to a group of 17 nonaffiliated accredited investors and issued a unit warrant to our placement agent exercisable to purchase 0.3 million units at $4.50 per unit. The Company received $7.9 million in proceeds and netted $7.4 million after expenses.
In connection with the transaction, the Company entered into a registration rights agreement which provides, for the Company to use its "best efforts" to file a registration statement for the resale of the 3.3 million common shares and the 1.65 million shares underlying the common stock purchase warrant to be declared effective by April 11, 2006 as well as require us to maintain the effectiveness of the registration statement for a one year period subsequent to the effective date. If the issuer fails to have the registration statement declared effective by April 11, 2006 (or if effectiveness is not maintained), the registration rights agreement requires the payment of liquidated damages to the investors on a daily basis of $4,500 (which represents 1% (per month) of the proceeds in cash) until the registration statement is declared effective or effectiveness is maintained. We have a maximum liability of six months under the registration rights agreement.
The Financial Accounting Standard Board's Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) has exposed for deliberation the Financial Accounting Standards Board Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 05-04,the Effect of a Liquidated Damages Clause on a Freestanding Financial Instrument Subject to EITF Issue No. 00-19, "Accounting for a Derivative Financial Instrument Indexed to and Potentially Settled in, a Company's Own Stock." As articulated under View C in Issue No. 05-04, the Company views the registration rights agreement and the common stock purchase warrant agreement as separate freestanding agreements which should be accounted for separately. The common stock purchase warrant is classified as equity under the provisions of Issue 00-19, and the registration rights agreement is accounted for under SFAS No. 133Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.
Accordingly, the Company estimates a probable liability of approximately $0.2 million in connection with the liquidated damages provision of the registration rights agreement and is reflected as a current liability in Other Accrued Expenses in our consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2005.
Software Commitment
In December 2005 we entered into a commitment for approximately $2.5 million for new software which includes licensing, training and maintenance.
F-23
Operating Leases
The Company leases office space for administrative and training requirements. These leases expire from May 2005 to October 2010 (in thousands).
| | Years ended December 31,
|
---|
| | 2005
| | 2004
| | 2003
|
---|
Rental expense for operating leases | | $ | 823 | | $ | 425 | | $ | 384 |
| |
| |
| |
|
Future minimum rental payments under these noncancelable leases are as follows (in thousands):
Years ending December 31,
| |
|
---|
2006 | | $ | 748 |
2007 | | | 446 |
2008 | | | 186 |
2009 | | | 192 |
2010 | | | 137 |
| |
|
| | $ | 1,709 |
| |
|
Litigation
The Company is not involved in any material asserted or unasserted claims and action arising out of the normal course of its business that in our opinion, based upon knowledge of facts and advice of counsel, will result in a material adverse effect on our financial position.
Other
The Company, in the ordinary course of conducting our business, is subject to various state and federal requirements. In the opinion of management, the Company is in compliance with these requirements.
Note 15—Subsequent Event
On March 8, 2006, the Company issued 98,156 shares of common stock as a gift to the estate of Richard Brevoort, the Company's former President and Chief Operating Officer who passed away in 2002. The Company has recorded an expense in the first quarter of $0.9 million represent the fair value of the securities issued, and the gross up of related income taxes of $0.3 million.
F-24
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors and Stockholders
Whitney Information Network, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Cape Coral, Florida
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Whitney Information Network, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive earnings (loss), stockholders' deficit and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Whitney Information Network, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
| /s/ EHRHARDT KEEFE STEINER & HOTTMAN PC Ehrhardt Keefe Steiner & Hottman PC |
March 31, 2006 Denver, Colorado | |
F-25
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 13.Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution(1).
SEC Registration Fee | | $ | 5,334 |
Printing Expenses | | | 25,000 |
Legal Fees and Expenses | | | 100,000 |
Accounting Fees | | | 225,000 |
Transfer Agent Fees | | | 5,000 |
Miscellaneous Expenses | | | 39,666 |
| |
|
Total | | $ | 400,000 |
| |
|
- (1)
- All expenses, except the SEC registration fee, are estimated.
Item 14.Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Article Seventh (d) of the Registrant's articles of incorporation provides as follows:
"(d) Limitation on Director's Liability. No director of this corporation shall have any personal liability for monetary damages to the corporation or its stockholders for breach of his fiduciary duty as a director, except that this provision shall not eliminate or limit the personal liability of a director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for: (i) any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders; (ii) acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) voting for or assenting to a distribution in violation of Colorado Revised Statutes Section 7-106-401 or the articles of incorporation if it is established that the director did not perform his duties in compliance with Colorado Revised Statutes Section 7-108-401, provided that the personal liability of a director in this circumstance shall be limited to the amount of the distribution which exceeds what could have been distributed without violation of Colorado Revised Statutes Section 7-106-401 or the articles of incorporation; or (iv) any transaction from which the director directly or indirectly derives an improper personal benefit. Nothing contained herein will be construed to deprive any director of his right to all defenses ordinarily available to a director nor will anything herein be construed to deprive any director of any right he may have for contribution from any other director or other person."
Item 15.Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.
During the last three years, the Registrant has not sold any securities which were not registered under the Securities Act, except:
- (i)
- In October 2003 the Registrant issued 200,000 shares to the principals of SpeakTek, Inc. to acquire all of its outstanding common stock.
- (ii)
- In December 2005 the Registrant issued 1,750,000 shares and 875,000 warrants and Russell A. Whitney, its Chief Executive Officer, issued 1,250,000 shares and 625,000 warrants to the 17 accredited investors whose names and securities amounts are listed in the prospectus under "Selling Stockholders." The securities were issued in units consisting of one share and one-half warrant for $4.50 per unit. The Registrant also issued a unit purchase warrant to Noble International Investments, Inc. to purchase up to 300,000 units at $4.50 per unit as part of its compensation for acting as the Registrant's placement agent in the offering, each unit
II-1
With respect to common stock issued under paragraph (i) and (ii) above, the Registrant relied on Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") and/or Rule 506 promulgated thereunder. No advertising or general solicitation was employed in offering the securities. The securities were restricted pursuant to legend printed on each certificate. The purchasers were all accredited investors, capable of analyzing the merits and risks of the investment, who acknowledged in writing that they were acquiring the securities for investment and not with a view toward distribution or resale and understood the speculative nature of the investment.
Item 16.Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
Exhibit No.
| | Title
|
---|
3.01 | | Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended(1) |
3.02 | | Bylaws of the Registrant(2) |
5.01 | | Opinion of Law Office of Gary A. Agron regarding legality of the common stock (includes consent)(5) |
5.02 | | Opinion of Law Office of Gary A. Agron regarding legality of the common stock (revised) |
10.01 | | Securities Purchase Agreement—Private Placement(5) |
10.02 | | Stockholders Agreement—Private Placement(5) |
10.03 | | Registration Rights Agreement—Private Placement(5) |
10.04 | | Warrant Agreement—Private Placement(5) |
10.05 | | 1998 Stock Option Plan(3) |
10.06 | | Employment Agreement with Mr. Whitney(4) |
10.07 | | Employment Agreement with Mr. Simon(4) |
10.08 | | Employment Agreement with Mr. Maturo(4) |
10.10 | | Employment Agreement with Mr. Kane(4) |
21.01 | | The Registrant has 11 active subsidiaries as follows: Precision Software Services, Inc.; Intelligence Network, Inc.; Whitney Canada, Inc.; Whitney Consulting Services, Inc.; Whitney Education Group, Inc.; Whitney Internet Services, Inc.; Whitney Mortgage.com, Inc.; Whitney U.K., Limited; Coral Aviation, Inc.; American Home Buyers Alliance, Inc., and EduTrades, Inc. The Registrant also has two inactive subsidiaries. |
23.01 | | Consent of Law Office of Gary A. Agron (included in Exhibit 5.01 above)(5) |
23.02 | | Consent of Ehrhardt Keefe Steiner & Hottman, PC, an independent registered certified public accounting firm(5) |
23.03 | | Consent of Ehrhardt Keefe Steiner & Hottman, PC, an independent registered certified public accounting firm |
- (1)
- Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 10 SB/12G dated March 6, 2001, designated Exhibit 3.1 therein.
II-2
- (2)
- Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 10 SB/12G dated March 6, 2001, designated Exhibit 3.2 therein.
- (3)
- Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 10 SB/12G dated March 6, 2001, designated Exhibit 99.3 therein.
- (4)
- Incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-103156 dated July 9, 2003, designated Exhibits 10.07 through 10.11 therein.
- (5)
- Previously filed.
Item 17.Undertakings.
The Registrant hereby undertakes:
(a) That insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant, the Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question of whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
(b) That subject to the terms and conditions of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, it will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission such supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports as may be prescribed by any rule or regulation of the Commission heretofore or hereafter duly adopted pursuant to authority conferred in that section.
(c) That any post-effective amendment filed will comply with the applicable forms, rules and regulations of the Commission in effect at the time such post-effective amendment is filed.
(d) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
- (i)
- To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
- (ii)
- To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement; and
- (iii)
- To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement.
(e) That:
- (i)
- For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new Registration Statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
II-3
- (ii)
- That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
- (i)
- If the registrant is relying on Rule 430B:
(A) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(B) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 414(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initialbona fide offering thereof.Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date; or
- (ii)
- If the registrant is subject to Rule 430C, each prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) as part of a registration statement relating to an offering, other than registration statements relying on Rule 430B or other than prospectuses filed in reliance on Rule 430A, shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the date it is first used after effectiveness.Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such first use, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such date of first use.
- (iii)
- That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities:
The undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
II-4
- (i)
- Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
- (ii)
- Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
- (iii)
- The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
- (iv)
- Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(f) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(g) To provide to the underwriter at the closing specified in the Underwriting Agreement certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
II-5
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the city of Cape Coral, state of Florida, on March 31, 2006.
| | Whitney Information Network, Inc. |
| | By: | /s/ RUSSELL A. WHITNEY Russell A. Whitney Chief Executive Officer |
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Russell A. Whitney, as his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons on March 31, 2006.
Signature
| | Title
|
---|
| | |
/s/ RUSSELL A. WHITNEY Russell A. Whitney | | Chief Executive Officer |
/s/ NICHOLAS S. MATURO Nicholas S. Maturo | | President and Chief Operating Officer |
/s/ RONALD S. SIMON Ronald S. Simon | | Executive Vice President, Secretary and Director |
/s/ FREDERICK A. CARDIN Frederick A. Cardin | | Director |
/s/ CHESTER P. SCHWARTZ Chester P. Schwartz | | Director |
/s/ STEPHEN L. COOTEY Stephen L. Cootey | | Director |
/s/ ANTHONY B. PETRELLI Anthony B. Petrelli | | Director |
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Exhibit Index
Exhibit No.
| | Title
|
---|
3.01 | | Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended(1) |
3.02 | | Bylaws of the Registrant(2) |
5.01 | | Opinion of Law Office of Gary A. Agron regarding legality of the common stock (includes consent)(5) |
5.02 | | Opinion of Law Office of Gary A. Agron regarding legality of the common stock (revised) |
10.01 | | Securities Purchase Agreement—Private Placement(5) |
10.02 | | Stockholders Agreement—Private Placement(5) |
10.03 | | Registration Rights Agreement—Private Placement(5) |
10.04 | | Warrant Agreement—Private Placement(5) |
10.05 | | 1998 Stock Option Plan(3) |
10.06 | | Employment Agreement with Mr. Whitney(4) |
10.07 | | Employment Agreement with Mr. Simon(4) |
10.08 | | Employment Agreement with Mr. Maturo(4) |
10.10 | | Employment Agreement with Mr. Kane(4) |
21.01 | | The Registrant has ten active subsidiaries as follows: Precision Software Services, Inc.; Intelligence Network, Inc.; Whitney Canada, Inc.; Whitney Consulting Services, Inc.; Whitney Education Group, Inc.; Whitney Internet Services, Inc.; Whitney Mortgage.com, Inc.; Whitney U.K., Limited; Coral Aviation, Inc.; American Home Buyers Alliance, Inc., and EduTrades, Inc. The Registrant also has two inactive subsidiaries. |
23.01 | | Consent of Law Office of Gary A. Agron (included in Exhibit 5.01 above)(5) |
23.02 | | Consent of Ehrhardt Keefe Steiner & Hottman, PC, an independent registered certified public accounting firm(5) |
23.03 | | Consent of Ehrhardt Keefe Steiner & Hottman, PC, an independent registered certified public accounting firm |
- (1)
- Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 10 SB/12G dated March 6, 2001, designated Exhibit 3.1 therein.
- (2)
- Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 10 SB/12G dated March 6, 2001, designated Exhibit 3.2 therein.
- (3)
- Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 10 SB/12G dated March 6, 2001, designated Exhibit 99.3 therein.
- (4)
- Incorporated by reference to Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-1, File No. 333-102156 dated July 9, 2003, designated Exhibits 10.07 through 10.11 therein.
- (5)
- Previously filed.