Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Statements contained in this Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, which are not historical facts, may be forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. In particular, economic recession and changes in general economic conditions, including fluctuations in demand for equipment, lease rates, and interest rates, may result in delays in investment and reinvestment, delays in leasing, re-leasing, and disposition of equipment, and reduced returns on invested capital. The Company’s performance is subject to risks relating to lessee defaults and the creditworthiness of its lessees. The Company’s performance is also subject to risks relating to the value of its equipment at the end of its leases, which may be affected by the condition of the equipment, technological obsolescence and the markets for new and used equipment at the end of lease terms. Investors are cautioned not to attribute undue certainty to these forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date of this Form 10-Q. We undertake no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Form 10-Q or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, other than as required by law.
Overview
ATEL Capital Equipment Fund IX, LLC (the “Company” or the “Fund”) is a California limited liability company that was formed in September 2000 for the purpose of engaging in the sale of limited liability company investment units and acquiring equipment to generate revenues from equipment leasing, lending and sales activities, primarily in the United States. The Managing Member of the Company is ATEL Financial Services, LLC (“AFS”), a California limited liability company.
Results of Operations
The three months ended March 31, 2017 versus the three months ended March 31, 2016
The Company had net income of $183 thousand, and $524 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The net results for 2017 reflected decreases in both total revenues and total operating expenses when compared to prior year.
Revenues
Total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2017 decreased by $440 thousand, or 41%, as compared to the prior year period. Such decrease was largely due to a $358 thousand, or 100%, reduction in revenues from direct financing leases, the result of run-off of the portfolio as well as the sales of lease assets; and a $42 thousand, or 6%, decrease in operating lease revenues, also the result of continued run-off. In addition, there was a reduced gain on sales of lease assets of $35 thousand, or 92%, primarily due to a change in the volume and mix of assets sold.
Expenses
Total expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2017 decreased by $97 thousand, or 17%, as compared to the prior year period. Such net decrease in total expenses was largely the result of a $53 thousand, or a total reduction in interest expense burden, corresponding to a $2.9 million net drop in outstanding borrowings since March 31, 2016; and a $44 thousand, or 64%, decrease in asset management fees to the Managing Member, reflecting a diminished level of operating and direct finance lease revenues which is consistent with the Company's continued liquidation phase activities. Partially offsetting these, and other reductions in expense, was a $25 thousand, or 27%, increase in cost reimbursement to the managing member and/or affiliates the result of higher payroll cost allocations.
Capital Resources and Liquidity
The Company’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $1.1 million and $3.4 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The liquidity of the Company varies, increasing to the extent cash flows from leases and proceeds of asset sales exceed expenses and decreasing as distributions are made to Members and to the extent expenses exceed cash flows from leases and proceeds from asset sales.