UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended July 31, 2009
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ____________ to ____________
Commission File Number 000-31989
CONVERA CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware | | 54-1987541 |
(State or other jurisdiction of | | (I.R.S. Employer |
incorporation or organization) | | Identification No.) |
1921 Gallows Road, Suite 200, Vienna, Virginia | | 22182 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | | (Zip Code) |
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (703) 761-3700
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to the filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes ü No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large Accelerated Filer Accelerated Filer Non-Accelerated Filer ü Smaller reporting company ü
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No ü
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant's Class A common stock as of September 9, 2009 was 53,501,183.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JULY 31, 2009
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. | Financial Statements: | Page |
| | |
| | 3 |
| | |
| | 4 |
| | |
| | 5 |
| | |
| | 6 |
| | |
Item 2. | | 15 |
| | |
Item 3. | | 22 |
| | |
Item 4. | | 22 |
| | |
| | |
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION |
| | |
| | 22 |
| | |
| | 24 |
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share data)
ASSETS | | July 31, 2009 | | | January 31, 2009 | |
| | (Unaudited) | | | | |
Current Assets: | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 17,887 | | | $ | 22,754 | |
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $74 and $165, respectively | | | 260 | | | | 620 | |
Prepaid expenses and other | | | 244 | | | | 447 | |
Total current assets | | | 18,391 | | | | 23,821 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Equipment and leasehold improvements, net of accumulated depreciation of $8,299 and $9,672, respectively | | | 184 | | | | 460 | |
Other assets | | | 611 | | | | 596 | |
Total assets | | $ | 19,186 | | | $ | 24,877 | |
| | | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Current Liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Accounts payable | | $ | 735 | | | $ | 502 | |
Accrued expenses | | | 1,478 | | | | 1,675 | |
Deferred revenues | | | - | | | | 4 | |
Total liabilities | | | 2,213 | | | | 2,181 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Commitments and Contingencies | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Shareholders' Equity: | | | | | | | | |
Common stock Class A, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 54,157,738 and 54,157,738 shares issued, respectively; 53,501,183 and 53,501,183 shares outstanding, respectively | | | 540 | | | | 540 | |
Treasury stock at cost, 656,555 and 656,555 shares, respectively | | | (1,517 | ) | | | (1,517 | ) |
Additional paid-in-capital | | | 1,173,215 | | | | 1,172,965 | |
Accumulated deficit | | | (1,153,297 | ) | | | (1,147,215 | ) |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | (1,968 | ) | | | (2,077 | ) |
Total shareholders' equity | | | 16,973 | | | | 22,696 | |
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | | $ | 19,186 | | | $ | 24,877 | |
| | | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
| | Three Months Ended | | | Six Months Ended | |
| | July 31, | | | July 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Hosted services | | $ | 190 | | | $ | 469 | | | $ | 390 | | | $ | 871 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of revenues | | | 634 | | | | 1,854 | | | | 1,402 | | | | 3,682 | |
Sales and marketing | | | 230 | | | | 772 | | | | 472 | | | | 1,648 | |
Research and product development | | | 742 | | | | 1,059 | | | | 1,570 | | | | 2,293 | |
General and administrative | | | 1,701 | | | | 1,355 | | | | 3,052 | | | | 3,424 | |
| | | 3,307 | | | | 5,040 | | | | 6,496 | | | | 11,047 | |
Operating loss | | | (3,117 | ) | | | (4,571 | ) | | | (6,106 | ) | | | (10,176 | ) |
Other income, net | | | 13 | | | | 945 | | | | 24 | | | | 1,124 | |
Loss before income tax expense | | $ | (3,104 | ) | | $ | (3,626 | ) | | $ | (6,082 | ) | | $ | (9,052 | ) |
Income tax | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Net loss | | $ | (3,104 | ) | | $ | (3,626 | ) | | $ | (6,082 | ) | | $ | (9,052 | ) |
Basic and diluted net loss per common share | | $ | (0.06 | ) | | $ | (0.07 | ) | | $ | (0.11 | ) | | $ | (0.17 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding – Basic and diluted | | | 53,501,183 | | | | 53,327,033 | | | | 53,501,183 | | | | 53,316,596 | |
Other comprehensive loss: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss | | $ | (3,104 | ) | | $ | (3,626 | ) | | $ | (6,082 | ) | | $ | (9,052 | ) |
Foreign currency translation adjustment | | | 89 | | | | (9 | ) | | | 110 | | | | (25 | ) |
Comprehensive loss | | $ | (3,015 | ) | | $ | (3,635 | ) | | $ | (5,972 | ) | | $ | (9,077 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
(in thousands)
| | For the Six Months Ended July 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Cash Flows from Operating Activities: | | | | | | |
Net loss | | $ | (6,082 | ) | | $ | (9,052 | ) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities from continuing operations: | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 280 | | | | 1,422 | |
Provision for doubtful accounts | | | 61 | | | | - | |
Stock-based compensation | | | 250 | | | | 1,283 | |
Gain on disposal of assets | | | (4 | ) | | | (26 | ) |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable | | | 333 | | | | (510 | ) |
Prepaid expenses and other assets | | | 190 | | | | (10 | ) |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses | | | 40 | | | | (682 | ) |
Deferred revenues | | | (7 | ) | | | (644 | ) |
Net cash used in operating activities �� | | | (4,939 | ) | | | (8,219 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash Flows from Investing Activities: | | | | | | | | |
Purchases of equipment and leasehold improvements | | | (23 | ) | | | (73 | ) |
Proceeds from disposal of assets | | | 4 | | | | 63 | |
Net cash used in investing activities | | | (19 | ) | | | (10 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: | | | | | | | | |
Payment of working capital adjustment related to the sale of the RetrievalWare business | | | - | | | | (968 | ) |
Net cash used in financing activities | | | - | | | | (968 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash | | | 91 | | | | (23 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | | | (4,867 | ) | | | (9,220 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | | | 22,754 | | | | 36,641 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | | $ | 17,887 | | | $ | 27,421 | |
Non-cash Operating and Investing Activities : | | | | | | | | |
Payables for the acquisition of equipment and other assets | | $ | - | | | $ | 1,000 | |
See accompanying notes.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(tabular amounts expressed in thousands except share and per share data)
Nature of Operations
Convera Corporation (“Convera,” “us,” “our” or “we”) provides vertical search services to the websites of trade publishers. Our technology and services help publishers to build a loyal online community and increase their internet advertising revenues. With the use of our vertical search services, our customers can create search engines customized to meet the specialized information needs of their audience by combining publisher proprietary content with an authoritative subset of the World Wide Web (“the Web”.) The result is a more relevant and comprehensive search experience for the user designed to drive traffic to the publishers’ websites. We also offer web site hosting and vertical search related professional services and training to publishers.
We provide publishers with our vertical search technology on a “software as a service” basis. We provide the technical infrastructure, search expertise and best practice advice required to build vertical search applications. The publisher provides the insight into the information needs of the target community, which is used to customize the look, feel and functionality of the search experience to the needs of that community. Search results can be presented to the user through an intuitive and dynamic page layout that is designed, controlled and branded by the publisher. Our vertical search offering can be integrated into one or more of the publisher’s existing websites or used to establish a new brand or product. As an option, we can host the search results but still present the results under the publisher’s brand. Our advertising server capabilities, which are built into our Web Search Platform, allow us to serve any type of ad and measure all key analytics.
On May 29, 2009, Convera and its wholly owned subsidiary B2BNetSearch, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“B2B”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Firstlight Online Limited, a UK company (“Firstlight”). Prior to the closing of the merger, Convera will undergo an internal restructuring, whereby Convera and certain of its subsidiaries will assign all the operating business and business related assets of Convera (including, without limitation, internet-search related patents and $3 million in cash) to B2B, and B2B will assume all the liabilities of Convera and certain of its subsidiaries. When the merger becomes effective, Convera and Firstlight will each own 33.3% and 66.7% of the total outstanding common stock of the new company, respectively, subject to certain adjustments which may enable Convera to own up to 42% of the new company. See Note 10 – Merger Agreement.
Convera is traded on the NASDAQ stock market (CNVR) and is headquartered at 1921 Gallows Road, Vienna, VA 22182. Our main corporate telephone number (703) 761-3700.
As of July 31, 2009 and 2008, Allen Holding, Inc., together with Allen & Company Incorporated, Herbert A Allen and certain related parties (collectively “Allen & Company”) beneficially owned approximately 42% of the voting power of Convera and held three seats on the Board of Directors, and would therefore be able to influence the outcome of matters requiring a stockholder vote.
Our operations are subject to certain risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the effect of general business and economic trends, including the recent global economic turmoil and slowdown; the ability to continue funding operating losses and achieve profitability; the ability of our vertical search business to achieve market acceptance; the ability to compete effectively and respond to rapid technological changes; possible adverse changes to our intellectual property which could harm our ability to compete; actual and potential competition by entities with greater financial resources, experience and market presence than Convera; reliance on a third party hosting facility; a dependence on international sales; the need to attract and retain highly skilled personnel; the ability to use our net operating loss carryforwards; the sufficiency of our internal controls; the availability of additional capital financing on terms acceptable to us, if at all; and the present ownership structure which includes Allen Holdings Inc. and related parties who are able collectively to significantly influence the outcome of matters requiring a stockholder vote, such that other shareholders will not have an influence over any such matters.
(2) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Unaudited Interim Financial Information
These consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission regarding interim financial reporting. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements. It is suggested that these consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements, and the notes thereto, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009. In the opinion of management, the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal periods presented herein include all normal and recurring adjustments that are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for these interim periods. The results of operations for the three-month period ended July 31, 2009 are not necessarily indicative of the results for the entire fiscal year ending January 31, 2010. We have evaluated all subsequent events through September xx, 2009, the date the financial statements were issued.
Principles of consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Convera Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues, expenses and contingent assets and liabilities. We base those estimates on historical experience and other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets, liabilities and equity that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash equivalents and accounts receivable. We believe that our investment policy limits our exposure to concentrations of credit risk. Our customers are primarily large publishing companies, many of which are located outside the United States. For the quarters ended July 31, 2009 and 2008, total revenues derived from international sales were approximately $37,000 and $437,000, representing approximately 19% and 93% of total revenues, respectively. For the six month periods ended July 31, 2009 and 2008, total revenues derived from international sales were approximately $83,000 and $817,000, representing approximately 21% and 94% of total revenues, respectively. Most of our international sales are in the United Kingdom. Our international operations have historically exposed us to longer accounts receivable and payment cycles and fluctuations. We extend credit to our customers based on an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition, typically without requiring a deposit or collateral. Exposure to losses on receivables is principally dependent on each customer’s financial condition. We perform ongoing evaluations of our exposure for credit losses, examining our historical collection experience and our portfolio of customers, taking into consideration the general economic environment as well as the industry in which we operate. We currently maintain an allowance of $74,000 for anticipated losses. As our customer base grows, we will periodically review whether this provision is adequate. One customer accounted for a total of 27% and 65% of the revenues for the quarters ended July 31, 2009 and July 31, 2008, respectively. Three customers accounted for a total of 46% of the revenues for the six months ended July 31, 2009, individually accounting for 26%, 10% and 10% of total revenues, respectively. For the six-month period ended July 31, 2008 two customers accounted for 72% and 13%, respectively, of total revenues.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue from our vertical search service offering can consist of hosted services, professional services and advertising revenue shares.
Our vertical search services revenues are recognized in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104 (SAB 104) “Revenue Recognition.” We evaluate vertical search services arrangements that have multiple deliverables, in accordance with as Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Abstract Issue No. 00-21 “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.” Revenue is recognized when the services have been performed, the price is fixed and determinable, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists and collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. Multiple deliverable arrangements that contain elements that do not qualify as separate units of accounting are recognized ratably over the term of the hosting arrangement.
Our contracts entitle us to receive either: (1) a percentage of the advertising revenue generated by the customer search site (“ad share revenue”) or, (2) fees based on the search volume consumed by the customer (“search volume revenue”). The majority of our current contracts are ad share arrangements that entitle us to receive a percentage of customer search-related advertising revenue earned (typically between 20% and 50% of net advertising revenues). Many of these ad share contracts also contain monthly minimum service fees that we continue to receive until monthly website advertising revenue generated by the publishers’ search sites exceeds these monthly minimum amounts. Search volume contracts entitle us to receive fees based on the search volume consumed by the customer. These arrangements typically include a fixed monthly minimum fee based on the contracted search volume the customer expects to consume on a monthly basis. We are entitled to receive additional fees from customers whose monthly search volumes exceed the contracted amounts. Contract minimums, including both ad share and search volume contract minimums, and other hosting fees or set-up fees are recognized ratably over the term of the vertical search service agreement. Advertising share and search volume revenues in excess of these minimums are recognized when earned under the provisions of the vertical search services agreement.
Revenues from training and professional services are recognized when the services are performed, provided they qualify as separate units of accounting.
Deferred revenue is recorded when payments are received in advance of our performance in the underlying agreements.
Stock-based Compensation
On February 1, 2006, we adopted the provisions of and accounted for stock-based compensation in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (Revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (“SFAS 123(R)”), that addresses the accounting for share-based payment transactions in which an enterprise receives employee services in exchange for either: (a) equity instruments of the enterprise or (b) liabilities that are based on the fair value of the enterprise’s equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of such equity instruments. SFAS 123(R) requires that stock-based compensation be accounted for using a fair value based method. We use the Black-Scholes-Merton (“Black–Scholes”) option pricing model to determine the fair value of stock-based awards under SFAS 123(R).
Research and Product Development Costs
Our software development costs are accounted for in accordance with AICPA Statement of Position 98-1 (SOP98-1) “Accounting for the Cost of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use”. We expense costs incurred in the preliminary project stage and, thereafter, we capitalize permitted costs incurred in the development or acquisition of internal use software.
Certain costs such as research and development, maintenance and training are expensed as incurred. Amortization of the capitalized costs begins on a straight-line basis over the estimated use life of the asset.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
We evaluate all of our long-lived assets for impairment in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (“SFAS No. 144”). SFAS No. 144 requires that long-lived assets, including property and equipment, be evaluated for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable based on expected undiscounted cash flows attributable to that asset. Should events indicate that any of our assets are impaired, the amount of such impairment will be measured as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the impaired asset and the impairment will be recorded in earnings during the period of such impairment.
Exit and Disposal Activities
We recognize exit and disposal costs in accordance with SFAS 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities”. SFAS 146 generally requires the recognition of an expense and related liability for one-time employee termination benefits at the communication date and contract termination costs at the cease-use date. The expense and liability are measured at fair value, which is generally determined by estimating the future cash flows to be used in settling the liability.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-4, “Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly.” This FSP provides additional guidance for estimating fair value in accordance with FASB Statement No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased. This FSP also includes guidance on identifying circumstances that indicate a transaction is not orderly. This FSP emphasizes that even if there has been a significant decrease in the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability and regardless of the valuation technique(s) used, the objective of a fair value measurement remains the same. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction (that is, not a forced liquidation or distressed sale) between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. FSP FAS 157-4 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009, and is applied prospectively. The Company adopted FSP FAS No. 157-4 during the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2010. The implementation of FSP FAS No.157-4 did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial position.
In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments”. This FSP amends FASB Statement No. 107, “Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments” to require disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods of publicly traded companies as well as in annual financial statements. This FSP also amends APB Opinion No. 28, Interim Financial Reporting, to require those disclosures in summarized financial information at interim reporting periods. FSP FAS 107-1 and APB 28-1 are effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. The Company adopted FSP FAS No. 107-1 and APB No. 28-1 during the second quarter of Fiscal Year 2010.. The implementation of FSP FAS No. 107-1 and APB No. 28-1 did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial position.
In May 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 165, Subsequent Events (“SFAS 165”), which provides guidance to establish general standards of accounting for and disclosures of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. SFAS 165 also requires entities to disclose the date through which subsequent events were evaluated as well as the rational as to why the date was selected. SFAS 165 is effective for interim and annual periods ended after June 15, 2009. The implementation of SFAS 165 did not have a material effect on the Company’s results of operations and financial position.
In July 2009, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 168, FASB Accounting Standards Codification ™ and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles — a replacement of FASB Statement No. 162 (“SFAS 168”). With the issuance of SFAS 168, the FASB Standards Codification (“Codification”) becomes the single source of authoritative U.S. accounting and reporting standards applicable for all non-governmental entities, with the exception of guidance issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Codification does not change current U.S. GAAP, but changes the referencing of financial standards and is intended to simplify user access to authoritative U.S. GAAP, by providing all the authoritative literature related to a particular topic in one place. The Codification is effective for interim and annual periods ended after September 15, 2009. At that time, all references made to U.S. GAAP will use the new Codification numbering system prescribed by the FASB. We do not expect adoption to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
(3) | NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE |
We follow SFAS No. 128, “Earnings per Share,” for computing and presenting per share information. Basic income or loss per common share is computed by dividing net income or (loss) available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted loss per common share excludes common stock equivalent shares and unexercised stock options as the computation would be anti-dilutive.
The following tables set forth the computation of basic and diluted net income (loss) per common share (in thousands, except share and per share data):
| | Three Months Ended July 31, | | | Six Months Ended July 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Numerator – Net loss | | $ | (3,104 | ) | | $ | (3,626 | ) | | $ | (6,082 | ) | | $ | (9,052 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Denominator | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic and diluted | | | 53,501,183 | | | | 53,327,033 | | | | 53,501,183 | | | | 53,316,596 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic and diluted net loss per common share | | $ | (0.06 | ) | | $ | (0.07 | ) | | $ | (0.11 | ) | | $ | (0.17 | ) |
The following equity instruments were not included in the computation of diluted net loss per common share because their effect would be anti-dilutive.
| | Three and Six Months Ended July 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | |
Stock options | | | 6,191,396 | | | | 8,215,877 | |
Deferred stock | | | - | | | | 300,000 | |
| | | 6,191,396 | | | | 8,515,877 | |
Our chief operating decision-makers review financial information presented on a consolidated basis, accompanied by disaggregated information about revenues by geographic region for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance. There are no segment managers who are held accountable by our chief operating decision-makers, or anyone else, for operations, operating results and planning for levels or components below the consolidated unit level. Accordingly, we consider ourselves to be in a single reporting segment and operating unit structure.
Operations by Geographic Area
Revenues by geographic region are based on the billing addresses of our customers. The following table sets forth revenues and long-lived assets by geographic region (in thousands):
| | Three Months Ended July 31, | | | Six Months Ended July 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
Sales to Customers: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
United States | | $ | 153 | | | $ | 32 | | | $ | 307 | | | $ | 54 | |
United Kingdom | | | 37 | | | | 352 | | | | 83 | | | | 704 | |
All other | | | - | | | | 85 | | | | - | | | | 113 | |
| | $ | 190 | | | $ | 469 | | | $ | 390 | | | $ | 871 | |
| | July 31, 2009 | | | January 31, 2009 | |
Long-lived assets: | | | | | | |
United States | | $ | 795 | | | $ | 1,042 | |
All Other | | | - | | | | 14 | |
| | $ | 795 | | | $ | 1,056 | |
Major Customers
One customer accounted for a total of 27% and 65% of the revenues for the quarters ended July 31, 2009 and July 31, 2008, respectively. Three customers accounted for a total of 46% of the revenues for the six months ended July 31, 2009, individually accounting for 26%, 10% and 10% of total revenues, respectively. For the six-month period ended July 31, 2008 two customers accounted for 72% and 13%, respectively, of total revenues.
(5) | FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS |
Effective February 1, 2008, we adopted SFAS 157, except as it applies to the nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities subject to FSP SFAS 157-2. SFAS 157 defines fair value as a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. SFAS 157 requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed according to the following three-tier value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value:
Level 1 - Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2 – Inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs which are not supported by market data
The fair value hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are summarized below (unaudited, in thousands):
| | | | | Fair value measurement at reporting date using | |
Description | | July 31, 2009 | | | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | | | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | | | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | |
Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash equivalents: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Money market funds | | $ | 16,593 | | | $ | 16,593 | | | $ | - | | | $ | - | |
Our interim effective income tax rate is based on management’s best current estimate of the expected annual effective income tax rate. Based on current projections of taxable income for the year ending January 31, 2010, we expect to generate additional Net Operating Losses (“NOLs”) for the remainder of the year.
As of July 31, 2009, our deferred tax assets exceed our deferred tax liabilities. As we have not generated earnings and no assurance can be made of future earnings needed to utilize these assets, a valuation allowance in the amount of the net deferred tax assets has been recorded.
We adopted the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”) on February 1, 2007. As of the date of this report FIN 48 has not had an impact our financial position or results of operations. We concluded that there are no uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in our consolidated financial statements. Our policy is to recognize interest and penalties in the period in which they occur in the income tax provision (benefit). We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various states and local jurisdictions and in foreign jurisdictions, primarily the U.K. and Canada. Tax years that remain subject to examination include: US federal and state tax returns from fiscal 2005 to present; Tax returns in the U.K. from fiscal 2006 to present and Canadian tax returns from fiscal 2005 to present. We are not currently under audit for income taxes in any jurisdiction.
From time to time, we may be a party to various legal proceedings, claims, disputes and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. We believe that the ultimate outcome of these matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse affect on our financial position, operations or cash flow. However, because of the nature and inherent uncertainties of litigation, should the outcome of these actions or future actions be unfavorable, our financial position, operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.
(8) | RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS |
John C. Botts, a member of the board of directors of Convera, is also Chairman of United Business Media PLC, the parent company of CMP Information LTD (“CMP”) which is a customer of Convera. Sales to CMP for the three and six months ended July 31, 2009 were $16,000 and $39,000, respectively. Amounts due from CMP were $16,000, and $377,000 (excluding deferred revenue) as of July 31, 2009 and January 31, 2009, respectively.
(9) | STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION |
SFAS No. 123(R) requires the use of a valuation model to calculate the fair value of stock-based awards. We have elected to use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which incorporates various assumptions including volatility, expected life, risk free interest rates and dividend yields. The expected volatility is based on term-matching historical volatility. The expected life of an award is computed using a combination of historical holding periods combined with hypothetical holding periods on a weighted average basis. We have determined that directors and non-directors display significantly different exercise behavior, and accordingly established two groups for option valuation: Group 1 is comprised of directors; Group 2 includes all other employees. As SFAS No.123(R) requires that stock-based compensation expense be based on awards that are ultimately expected to vest, stock-based compensation expense for the three and six months ended July 31, 2009 and 2008 have been reduced for estimated forfeitures.
Performance Stock Options:
During the first quarter of fiscal 2009, 3.1 million common stock options were issued at an exercise price of $1.92 per share to members of the senior management team. The vesting of the options is contingent upon the Company achieving revenue and EBIDTA of $25 million and $2.5 million, respectively, for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2011. These options were valued using the Black-Scholes option pricing model on the grant date and the aggregate compensation expense for these awards, provided all such options vest, was determined to be $3.4 million. Performance stock options are evaluated in accordance with SFAS No.123(R) on a quarterly-basis over the performance period to determine whether achievement of the underlying performance goals is probable. As of July 31, 2009 and 2008, the Company has concluded that the achievement of the performance measurements is not probable and therefore has recorded no compensation expense. If the Company determines in a subsequent period that achievement of the performance goals is now probable, a cumulative catch-up expense adjustment will be required equal to that portion of the total compensation expense attributable to the three year vesting period that has elapsed.
The following table shows the weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the fair values for all stock option grants that occurred in the periods presented. There were no options granted during the three and six months ended July 31, 2009.
| | Three Months ended July 31, 2008 | | | Six months Ended July 31, 2008 | |
Expected term of stock options | | 4.19 Years | | | 4.68 Years | |
Expected volatility | | | 65% | | | | 68% | |
Risk free interest rates | | | 2.56% | | | | 2.63% | |
Dividend yield | | None | | | None | |
Weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the period | | $ | 0.81 | | | $ | 1.06 | |
As of July 31, 2009 a total of $0.6 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.1 years.
Deferred Stock Compensation Plan
Beginning in fiscal year 2004 several of our senior officers were awarded shares of deferred stock pursuant to the Company’s 2000 Stock Option Plan. The fair value of these awards was recognized as compensation expense over the corresponding service period in accordance with the provisions of FAS 123(R). All non-vested shares of deferred stock vested prior to the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009. As a result there was no impact of recording stock-based compensation related to deferred stock on our results of operations during the three and six month periods ended July 31, 2009.
The impact on our results of operations of recording stock-based compensation related to stock options and deferred stock for the three and six month periods ended July 31, 2009 and 2008 was as follows (in thousands):
| | Three Months Ended July 31, | | | Six Months Ended July 31, | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | 2009 | | | 2008 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of revenues | | $ | 17 | | | $ | 51 | | | $ | 17 | | | $ | 104 | |
Sales and marketing | | | 12 | | | | 140 | | | | 25 | | | | 186 | |
Research and product development | | | (14 | ) | | | 210 | | | | 37 | | | | 440 | |
General and administrative | | | 86 | | | | (5 | ) | | | 171 | | | | 484 | |
Total | | $ | 101 | | | $ | 396 | | | $ | 250 | | | $ | 1,214 | |
On May 29, 2009, Convera and its wholly owned subsidiary B2BNetSearch, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“B2B”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Firstlight Online Limited, a UK company (“Firstlight”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, unless the form of combination is modified, B2B will merge with and into an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Firstlight (“Merger Sub”), which is owned by a wholly owned direct subsidiary of Firstlight or a surviving company of Firstlight after Firstlight’s internal restructuring (“Company”), with Merger Sub as the surviving corporation. When the merger becomes effective, Convera and Firstlight will each own 33.3% and 66.7% of the total outstanding common stock of Company, respectively, subject to certain adjustments which may enable Convera to own up to 42% of Company prior to the distribution as described below. Firstlight and its subsidiaries are in the business of online advertising sales and marketing. The combined new company will bring together the vertical search technology of Convera and the advertising sales and marketing capabilities of Firstlight. The merger is subject to customary closing conditions. The merger is expected to close during the fall of 2009.
Convera’s board of directors adopted a plan of dissolution, which will become effective upon Convera stockholder’s approval. Convera will file a certificate of dissolution with the Delaware Secretary of State after the plan of dissolution is approved by Convera’s stockholders.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, prior to the closing of the merger, Convera will undergo an internal restructuring, whereby Convera and certain of its subsidiaries will assign all the operating business and business related assets of Convera (including, without limitation, internet-search related patents and $3 million in cash) to B2B, and B2B will assume all the liabilities of Convera and certain of its subsidiaries.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the $3 million cash funding assigned by Convera to B2B will be subject to reduction on a dollar-for-dollar basis by an agreed upon daily amount for delays in the closing beyond 60 days after the Merger Agreement is signed, with specified exceptions. In addition, Convera will provide Company with a $1 million line of credit, which is convertible into common stock of Company. Company will be entitled to draw down the line of credit in whole or in part, for a six-month period following the closing date of the merger. Any portion of the credit line drawn down by Company will accrue a 10% annual interest and will become due and payable by Company upon the first anniversary of the closing date of the merger. Convera has the right to convert all or any portion of the draw-down amount into Company common stock anytime before its repayment in full. The full conversion of the credit line will result in an increase of Convera’s ownership in Company to up to 42.5% of the total outstanding Company common stock. If Convera elects to convert less than the entire amount, Company will issue shares to Convera on a pro rata basis.
On May 29, 2009, Convera entered into a Transition Agreement with Mr. Patrick Condo, its President and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to which Mr. Condo will transition employment from Convera to B2B. According to the Transition Agreement, Convera will pay Mr. Condo, among other benefits, an aggregate amount of $480,000 in cash in a lump sum on the 30th day after the closing of the merger, provided that Mr. Condo has signed and delivered a general release in favor of Convera and the release has become effective. All of Mr. Condo’s stock options will vest on the closing date of the merger, and Mr. Condo may exercise vested stock options for a period of 90 days after the merger. Convera and Mr. Condo have previously entered into an Employment Agreement dated on October 26, 2005, under which Mr. Condo would be entitled to, among other benefits, a severance payment equal to 18 months of his current regular base salary and bonus paid out over Convera’s regular payroll schedule following the effective date of his employment termination. Upon the completion of the merger, Mr. Condo’s previous Employment Agreement will be superseded by the Transition Agreement. Mr. Condo will not resign from his positions at Convera until the closing of the merger.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Forward Looking Statements
The statements contained in the following discussion that are not purely historical are “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, including without limitation statements about the expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future of our business. Words such as “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “believes,” “estimates,” and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These include, among others, statements regarding our future expectations, performance, plans and prospects as well as assumptions about future events. All forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are based on information available to us on the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained herein involve risks and uncertainties discussed in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of such factors, including those set forth in our Annual Report.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009 and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
We provide vertical search services to trade publishers. Our technology and services help publishers to build a loyal online community and increase their internet advertising revenues. With the use of our vertical search services, our customers can create search engines customized to meet the specialized information needs of their audience by combining publisher proprietary content with an authoritative subset of the Web. |
Our principal source of revenue is provided through sales of our vertical search services to the websites of publishers of trade business and specialist publications. Our vertical search technology is a hosted application sold as a service to the publishers. We generate our revenues by receiving a percentage of publishers’ advertising revenues earned by the search sites and by charging minimum fees for our vertical search and advertising services. Many of our contracts with publishers contain monthly minimum fees that we are entitled to receive until website advertising revenue generated by the publishers’ search sites exceeds these monthly minimum amounts. We can also generate revenues from hosting publisher web sites and from providing technical staff training. We offer professional services to customize publisher web sites and optimize search engines, as well as web site monetization consulting. |
We use an AT&T facility to host our vertical search offering. This facility, located in Dallas, TX, is operated under a master hosting arrangement that expires in July 2009. We intend to extend this hosting arrangement in accordance with the terms off our agreement. We also maintained a hosting facility in San Diego, CA, which was vacated on January 31, 2008 in an effort to appropriately scale our hosting infrastructure. We believe that our Dallas hosting center environment has sufficient equipment capacity and redundancy to host vertical search websites for 200 trade publications each with an average community of 40,000 users at competitive search performance levels, providing sufficient capacity to meet our current needs. |
On May 29, 2009, Convera and its wholly owned subsidiary B2BNetSearch, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“B2B”) entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger with Firstlight Online Limited, a UK company (“Firstlight”). Prior to the closing of the merger, Convera will undergo an internal restructuring, whereby Convera and certain of its subsidiaries will assign all the operating business and business related assets of Convera (including, without limitation, internet-search related patents and $3 million in cash) to B2B, and B2B will assume all the liabilities of Convera and certain of its subsidiaries. When the merger becomes effective, Convera and Firstlight will each own 33.3% and 66.7% of the total outstanding common stock of the new company, respectively, subject to certain adjustments which may enable Convera to own up to 42% of the new company.
Firstlight and its subsidiaries are in the business of online advertising sales and marketing. The combined new company will bring together the vertical search technology of Convera and the advertising sales and marketing capabilities of Firstlight. It is expected to have over 60 corporate customer accounts and 120 existing websites with approximately 1500 advertisers. The new company will provide technology and advertising to the publishing market and expects to generate revenue from advertising sales and subscriptions. In addition, it plans to build a series of its own industry search engines.
Trends
As of July 31, 2009, Convera has 64 vertical search websites with 24 separate publishers under contract, with 54 of these vertical search sites in production and 10 of the websites in development awaiting launch. At July 31, 2008, Convera had 75 vertical search websites from 26 publishers under contract, of which 46 were in production and 29 were in development awaiting launch. Despite the overall increase in sites in production on a year over year basis, revenues generated by the sites have declined. This decline is due in part to the renegotiation of contract rates with a major customer as well as reduced ad rates earned. Our ad share levels have suffered as publisher’s online ad revenues have declined as a result of the current economic downturn.
While revenues during the past fiscal year have declined we have continued to reduce our expense base by eliminating redundant costs and reducing staff headcount. In November 2008, we reduced operating costs by streamlining our sales process and reducing the cost structure of our sales, marketing and customer service functions. This effort resulted in the closing of our U.K. sales office in January 2009 and reduced our overall headcount by nine. In February 2009, we further reduced our operating costs by reorganizing our engineering and hosting operations group. This action reduced headcount in our Carlsbad, CA facility by 23 and reduced our expense base by approximately $2.8 million on an annual basis. The reductions in our operating expenses in the first quarter of 2009 compared to the first quarter of the prior fiscal year are primarily attributable to staff reductions throughout the Company.
The following table compares the average headcount by reporting group for the quarters ending July 31, 2009 and 2008.
| | Three months ended July 31, | | | | | | | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | Decrease | | | % Decrease | |
Cost of Revenues | | | 6 | | | | 20 | | | | (14 | ) | | | -70 | % |
Sales and Marketing | | | 3 | | | | 8 | | | | (5 | ) | | | -63 | % |
Research and Development | | | 8 | | | | 20 | | | | (12 | ) | | | -60 | % |
General and Administrative | | | 10 | | | | 16 | | | | (6 | ) | | | -38 | % |
Total | | | 27 | | | | 64 | | | | (37 | ) | | | -58 | % |
The following table compares the average headcount by reporting group for the six months ending July 31, 2009 and 2008.
| | Six months ended July 31, | | | | | | | |
| | 2009 | | | 2008 | | | Decrease | | | % Decrease | |
Cost of Revenues | | | 6 | | | | 20 | | | | (14 | ) | | | -70 | % |
Sales and Marketing | | | 3 | | | | 8 | | | | (5 | ) | | | -63 | % |
Research and Development | | | 9 | | | | 21 | | | | (12 | ) | | | -57 | % |
General and Administrative | | | 11 | | | | 18 | | | | (6 | ) | | | -38 | % |
Total | | | 29 | | | | 67 | | | | (38 | ) | | | -57 | % |
We incurred approximately $322,000 in severance expense in the second quarter of fiscal 2010 and approximately $581,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2009 related to the reduction in staff.. As of July 31, 2009 there was an unpaid balance of approximately $170,000 in severance related expenses outstanding. Our expenses during the three and six-month periods ended July 31, 2009 were lower as a consequence of these actions.
Results of Operations
For the three months ended July 31, 2009, total revenues were $0.2 million, as compared to revenues of $0.5 million in the comparable period of the prior year. The net loss for the six months ended July 31, 2009 was $3.1 million, or $(0.06) per common share, compared to a net loss of $3.6 million, or $(0.07) per common share for the three months ended July 31, 2008. |
The following chart summarizes the components of revenues and the categories of expenses, including the amounts expressed as a percentage of total revenues, for the three months ended July 31, 2009 and 2008.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Components of Revenue and Expense | | | Increase |
| | Three Months Ended July 31, | | (Decrease) |
| | 2009 | | | % | | 2008 | | | % | | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenue | | $ | 190 | | | | 100 | % | | $ | 469 | | | | 100 | % | | | -59 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of revenues | | | 634 | | | | 334 | % | | | 1,854 | | | | 395 | % | | | -66 | % |
Sales and marketing | | | 230 | | | | 121 | % | | | 772 | | | | 165 | % | | | -70 | % |
Research and product development | | | 742 | | | | 391 | % | | | 1,059 | | | | 226 | % | | | -30 | % |
General and administrative | | | 1,701 | | | | 895 | % | | | 1,355 | | | | 289 | % | | | 26 | % |
Total operating expenses | | | 3,307 | | | | 1741 | % | | | 5,040 | | | | 1075 | % | | | -34 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating loss | | | (3,117 | ) | | | | | | | (4,571 | ) | | | | | | | -32 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other income, net | | | 13 | | | | | | | | 945 | | | | | | | | -99 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss before taxes | | | (3,104 | ) | | | | | | | (3,626 | ) | | | | | | | -14 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income tax | | | - | | | | | | | | - | | | | | | | | 0 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss | | $ | (3,104 | ) | | | | | | $ | (3,626 | ) | | | | | | | -14 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues
Hosted services revenue from our vertical search services offering for the three months ended July 31, 2009 decreased 59% to $0.2 from $0.5 million in the same period of the prior fiscal year. As of July 31, 2009, there were a total of 54 Convera supported websites in production compared to 46 at the end of the first fiscal quarter last year. Along with the decline of sites in production from the first quarter, several factors contributed to the revenue decline in the quarter ended July 31, 2009. As previously discussed, the current economic slowdown has resulted in reduced ad sales to publishers which have contributed to the decrease in our ad share revenues. A contract settlement with a major customer resulted in renegotiated lower ad rates and additional revenue to another customer was deferred due to an uncertainty in the collectibility of their account balance.
International revenue is generated from publishers located primarily in the United Kingdom. In a cost saving measure we closed our international sales operation headquartered in the United Kingdom in January 2009. International sales are now generated and supported from our U.S. offices. International revenues decreased to $37,000 during the quarter ended July 31, 2009 from $0.4 million in the quarter ended July 31, 2008.
Three customers accounted for a total of 27% of the revenues for the quarter ended July 31, 2009. One customer, CMP Information LTD., accounted for a total of 65% of the revenues for the quarter ended July 31, 2008.
Operating Expenses:
Cost of Revenues
Our hosted services cost of revenue decreased 66% to $0.6 million for the three months ended July 31, 2009 from $1.9 million in the comparable period of the prior fiscal year. This decrease is primarily attributable to a $0.5 million decrease in depreciation expense as a result of the impairment of hosting-related equipment and purchased software in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2009. Personnel-related costs were reduced by $0.5 million as a result of the headcount reduction stemming from reorganization of our hosting operations group in February 2009. Cost of revenue headcount decreased to an average of 6 for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 from an average of 20 in the comparable period of the prior year.
Sales & Marketing
Sales and marketing expense decreased 70% to $0.2 million for the three months ended July 31, 2009 from $0.8 million in the comparable period of the prior fiscal year. The decrease in sales and marketing expense is attributable to the reorganization of our sales and marketing operations in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2009. As a result of this effort we closed our UK office and reduced our headcount by five. Personnel-related costs, as well as rent, office expenses, travel and corporate marketing expenses have all been reduced. Sales and marketing headcount decreased to an average of three for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 from an average of nine for the comparable period of the prior fiscal year.
Research and Development
Research and product development costs decreased 30% to $0.7 million for the three months ended July 31, 2009 from $1.1 million in the comparable period of the prior fiscal year. The decrease in research and development costs is primarily due to the reorganization of the engineering group in February 2009. As a result of this reorganization there was a reduction in personnel-related costs of $0.4 million as well, offset by severance costs of $0.3 million due to the departure of an officer in the current quarter. Stock option expense also declined $0.1 million as a consequence of the lower headcount and there was a $0.1 million decrease in depreciation expense. Research and development headcount decreased to an average of 8 for the second quarter of fiscal 2010 from an average of 20 for the comparable period of the prior year.
General and Administrative
General and administrative expense increased 26% to $1.7 million for the three months ended July 31, 2009 from $1.4 million in the comparable period of the prior fiscal year. Staff reductions over the past year have resulted in a decrease in personnel-related expenses of $0.1 million. Reductions to accounting fees of $0.1 million were offset by a $0.4 million increase in legal fees incurred as a result of the pending Firstlight merger and $0.1 million in corporate expenses related to a employment settlement. General and administrative headcount decreased to an average of 10 in the second quarter of fiscal 2010 from an average of 16 in the comparable period of the prior fiscal year.
Other income
Other income, which consists almost entirely of net interest income, decreased 99% to $13,000 during the three months ended July 31, 2009 from $0.9 million in the comparable period of the prior fiscal year. The decrease in the second quarter of fiscal 2010 was primarily due to the absence of deferred income of $0.7 million that occurred in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 and the declining interest rates as well as a lower average cash balance.
Six Months Ended July 31, 2009 as compared to July 31, 2008
The following chart summarizes the components of revenues and the categories of expenses, including the amounts expressed as a percentage of total revenues, for the six months ended July 31, 2009 and 2008.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Components of Revenue and Expense | | | Increase |
| | Six Months Ended July 31, | | (Decrease) |
| | 2009 | | | % | | 2008 | | | % | | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenue | | $ | 390 | | | | 100 | % | | $ | 871 | | | | 100 | % | | | -55 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of revenues | | | 1,402 | | | | 738 | % | | | 3,682 | | | | 785 | % | | | -62 | % |
Sales and marketing | | | 472 | | | | 248 | % | | | 1,648 | | | | 351 | % | | | -71 | % |
Research and product development | | | 1,570 | | | | 826 | % | | | 2,293 | | | | 489 | % | | | -32 | % |
General and administrative | | | 3,052 | | | | 1606 | % | | | 3,424 | | | | 730 | % | | | -11 | % |
Total operating expenses | | | 6,496 | | | | 3418 | % | | | 11,047 | | | | 2355 | % | | | -41 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating loss | | | (6,106 | ) | | | | | | | (10,176 | ) | | | | | | | -40 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other income, net | | | 24 | | | | | | | | 1,124 | | | | | | | | -98 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss before taxes | | | (6,082 | ) | | | | | | | (9,052 | ) | | | | | | | -33 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income tax | | | - | | | | | | | | - | | | | | | | | 0 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss | | $ | (6,082 | ) | | | | | | $ | (9,052 | ) | | | | | | | -33 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenues
Hosted services revenue from our vertical search services offering for the six months ended July 31, 2009 decreased 55% to $0.4 million from $0.9 million in the same period of the prior fiscal year due to a contract settlement with a major customer which resulted in renegotiated lower ad rates and additional revenue to another customer was deferred due to an uncertainty in the collectibility of their account balance. As of July 31, 2009, there were a total of 54 Convera supported websites in production compared to 46 such sites at July 31, 2008.
Revenue from international operations is generated from publishers located primarily in the United Kingdom. International revenues were $0.1 million in the six months ended July 31, 2009 and were $0.8 million in the six months ended July 31, 2008.
Three customers accounted for 46% of the revenues for the six months ended July 31, 2009, individually accounting for 26%, 10%, and 10% of total revenues, respectively. One customer accounted for 72% of the revenues generated in the six months ended July 31, 2008.
Operating Expenses:
Cost of Revenues
Our hosted services cost of revenue decreased 62% to $1.4 million for the six months ended July 31, 2009 from $3.7 million in the comparable period of the prior fiscal year. This decrease is primarily attributable to a $1.0 million decrease in depreciation expense as a result of the impairment of hosting-related equipment and purchased software in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2009, a $0.2 million decrease in equipment/maintenance expense, and a decrease of $0.8 million in personnel-related costs due to the reduction in headcount as a result of the reorganization in February 2009. Cost of revenue headcount decreased to an average of 6 for the first six months of fiscal 2009 from an average of 19 in the comparable period of the prior year.
Sales & Marketing
Sales and marketing expense decreased 71% to $0.5 million for the six months ended July 31, 2008 from $1.6 million in the comparable period of the prior fiscal year. The decrease in sales and marketing expense is attributable to the combination of a decrease in personnel-related costs of $0.7 million and stock option expense of $0.2 million from lower staffing levels resulting from the restructuring actions taken throughout fiscal 2008, and lower marketing program expenditures. Sales and marketing head count decreased to an average of 3 for the first six months of fiscal 2009 from an average of 9 for the comparable period of the prior fiscal year.
Research and Development
Research and product development costs decreased 32% to $1.6 million for the six months ended July 31, 2009 from $2.3 million in the comparable period of the prior fiscal year. The decrease in research and development costs is primarily due to the reorganization of the engineering group in February 2009. As a result of this reorganization there was a reduction in personnel-related costs of $0.6 million, stock option costs of $0.2 million and bonus expense of $0.1million, offset by severance costs of $0.3 million due to the departure of an executive in the current quarter. Research and development headcount decreased to an average of 9 for the first six months of fiscal 2009 from an average of 21 for the comparable period of the prior year.
General and Administrative
General and administrative expense decreased 11% to $3.1 million for the six months ended July 31, 2009 from $3.4 million in the comparable period of the prior fiscal year. The decrease includes a $0.3 million reduction in personnel-related costs and $0.3 million in stock option expense due to staff reductions, and a $0.2 million decrease in accounting expense offset by increased legal fees of $0.5 million incurred due to the pending Firstlight merger. General and administrative headcount decreased to an average of 11 in the first six months of fiscal 2009 from an average of 15 in the comparable period of the prior fiscal year.
Other income
Other income for the six months ended July 31, 2009 decreased 98% to $24,000 from $1.1 million in the comparable period of the prior fiscal year. The prior fiscal year includes $0.7 million of income that had been previously deferred until the Company satisfied its contractual obligations, which occurred during the quarter ended July 31, 2008, and $0.4 million of interest income. The decrease in interest income was due to the combined effects of a lower average cash balance and declining interest rates.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our combined balance of cash and cash equivalents at July 31, 2009 as compared to January 31, 2009 is summarized below (in thousands).
| | July 31, 2009 | | | January 31, 2009 | | | Change | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 17,887 | | | $ | 22,754 | | | $ | (4,867 | ) |
At July 31, 2009, our principal source of liquidity was cash and cash equivalents of $17.9 million.
Operating activities used $4.9 million in cash during the six months ended July 31, 2009. The principal use of cash from operating activities was the net loss of $6.1 million. Non-cash expenses consisting of depreciation of $280,000, the provision for doubtful accounts of $61,000 and stock-based compensation of $250,000 offset the net loss. Decreases to accounts receivable and prepaid expenses and other assets provided $333,000 and $190,000, respectively. Increases to accounts payable and accrued expenses provided $40,000 while decreases to deferred revenues used $7,000.
Operating activities consumed $8.2 million in cash during the six months ended July 31, 2008. The primary use of cash from operating activities was the net loss from continuing operations of $9.1 million. The net loss was reduced for non-cash expenses represented by depreciation of $1.4 million and stock-based compensation of $1.3 million. Increases to accounts receivable used $0.5 million and payments of accounts payable and accrued expenses used $0.7 million. In addition the Company recognized $0.6 million of previously deferred revenue for which cash had previously been received.
Investing activities consisting of equipment purchases used $23,000 in cash during the six months ended July 31, 2009. Investing activities used $10,000 in cash during the six months ended July 31, 2008. Purchases of equipment totaling $73,000 were partially offset by proceeds from the sale of assets of $63,000.
There were no cash flows from financing activities for the six months ended July 31, 2009. For the six months ended July 31, 2008 financing activities consumed approximately $1.0 million attributable to a payment to FAST to finalize the working capital adjustment stipulated in the agreement for the sale of the RetrievalWare Enterprise Search Business. The working capital adjustment had been accrued at January 31, 2008 as an offset to the $4.0 million held in escrow.
On June 1, 2009, we announced our plans to merge our search business with Firstlight and our expectation to adopt a plan of dissolution with orderly wind down and liquidation of Convera before the closing of the merger. The merger with Firstlight contemplates the transfer of all the business assets and obligations of the search business, including $3.0 million in cash and a $1.0 million line of credit to the merged company. The plan of dissolution contemplates a $10.0 million dividend to shareholders of record at the close of the Firstlight transaction and an orderly wind up of Convera’s remaining obligations over the twelve months after closing. We believe that we have sufficient cash resources on hand to complete the merger and the plan of dissolution. We expect the conditions for the closing of the Firstlight transaction will be met in the third quarter of the current fiscal year. However, we make no assurances that either the merger or the plan of dissolution will be completed.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk
Currency Risk
Our market risk is principally confined to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and potentially adverse effects of differing tax structures. With the closure of our foreign sales subsidiary located in the United Kingdom international sales are now made from our U.S. office and are typically denominated in British pounds. International revenues were approximately 19% of total revenues for the quarter ended July 31, 2009. For the quarter ended July 31, 2008 international revenues were approximately 93% of total revenues. As of July 31, 2009, approximately 64% of total consolidated accounts receivable was denominated in British pounds. The majority of these receivables are due within 90 days of the end of the first fiscal quarter, and all receivables are due within one year. Additionally, we are exposed to potential foreign currency gains or losses resulting from intercompany accounts that are not of a long-term nature. We are also exposed to foreign exchange rate fluctuations as the financial results of CTIL are translated into U.S. dollars in consolidation. As exchange rates vary, those results when translated may vary from expectations and adversely impact overall expected profitability.
As of July 31, 2009, approximately three percent of our cash and cash equivalents were denominated in British pounds, EUROs or Canadian dollars. Cash equivalents consist of funds deposited in money market accounts with original maturities of six months or less. These money market funds are only invested in US Government notes and Treasury bills and are less likely to be negatively impacted by redemptions of funds than money market funds invested in commercial paper and other securities and consequently are considered more liquid. We also have certificates of deposit of $76,000 and $450,000 included in Other assets which are pledged to collateralize letters of credit required for leased facilities. Given the relatively short maturity periods of these cash equivalents, the cost of these investments approximates their fair values and our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates is limited.
Credit Risk
Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash equivalents and accounts receivable. We believe that our investment policy limits our exposure to concentrations of credit risk. Our customers are primarily large publishing companies, many of which are located outside the United States. Our international operations have historically exposed us to longer accounts receivable and payment cycles and fluctuations. We extend credit to our customers based on an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition, typically without requiring a deposit or collateral. Exposure to losses on receivables is principally dependent on each customer’s financial condition. We perform ongoing evaluations of our exposure for credit losses, examining our historical collection experience and our portfolio of customers, taking into consideration the general economic environment as well as the industry in which we operate. We currently maintain an allowance of $74,000 for anticipated losses. As our customer base grows, we will periodically review whether this provision is adequate. The credit and financial markets are currently experiencing unprecedented volatility, stress, illiquidity and disruption around the world. Many of our customers may encounter much uncertainty and risks due to the weakening business environment and credit availability, particularly in the publishing area. As a result, these customers may be unable to satisfy their contract obligations, may delay payments, or may delay purchasing our services, which could negatively affect our business and financial performance.
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) and determined that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. The evaluation considered the procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and communicated to our management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
(b) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
During the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
(c) Inherent Limitations of Disclosure Controls and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Item 1. | Legal Proceedings | None. |
| | |
Item 1A. | Risk Factors | |
In addition to the information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2009, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results. There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2009.
Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds | None. |
| | |
| | |
Item 3. | Defaults upon Senior Securities | None. |
| | |
| | |
Item 4. | Submission of Matters to Vote of Security Holders | None |
| | |
| | |
Item 5. | Other Information | None. |
| | |
| | |
Item 6. | | |
Exhibit No. | | Exhibit Title |
2.1 | | |
| | |
2.2 | | |
| | |
10.1 | | |
| | |
31.1 | | |
| | |
31.2 | | |
| | |
32.1 | | |
| | |
32.2 | | |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. |
| |
| CONVERA CORPORATION |
| |
| |
| |
September 14, 2009 | By:/s/ Patrick C. Condo |
| Patrick C. Condo |
| President and Chief Executive Officer |
| (Principal Executive Officer) |
| |
| |
| |
September 14, 2009 | By:/s/ Matthew G. Jones |
| Matthew G. Jones |
| Chief Financial Officer |
| (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) |
| |