Expenses
Total expenses for the first quarter of 2011 decreased by $250 thousand, or 12%, as compared to the prior year period. The net reduction in total expenses was primarily due to decreases in depreciation expense, asset management fees paid to AFS, interest expense, professional fees and amortization of initial direct costs related to asset purchases offset, in part, by increases in the provision for doubtful accounts, the provision for losses on investment securities and acquisition expense.
Depreciation expense for the first quarter of 2011 decreased by $278 thousand, or 18%, as compared to the prior year period, largely due to run-off and sales of lease assets. Asset management fees paid to AFS decreased by $35 thousand largely due to the continued decline in managed assets and related rents resulting from lease asset dispositions. Interest expense declined by $22 thousand largely as a result of continued scheduled payments of outstanding debt offset, in part, by an approximate $2.3 million of new non-recourse debt added during the fourth quarter of 2010 of which the proceeds were used to purchase lease assets.
Moreover, professional fees was lower by $21 thousand mainly due to a period over period decline in audit fees; and, amortization of initial direct costs related to asset purchases decreased by $17 thousand largely due to a reduction in capitalized acquisition costs.
The aforementioned decreases in expenses were partially offset by increases in the provision for doubtful accounts, the provision for losses on investment securities and acquisition expense totaling $60 thousand, $55 thousand and $23 thousand, respectively. The net increase in the provision for doubtful accounts was a result of a $36 thousand first quarter 2011 provision relative to certain delinquent receivables coupled with a $24 thousand first quarter 2010 reversal of a prior period provision. The increase in the provision for losses on investment securities reflects an approximate 87% reduction in valuation of an equity investment as determined by investee cash burn and potential for additional venture investors; and, the increase in acquisition expense reflects allocated costs related to business development efforts.
Other loss, net
The Company recorded other loss, net totaling $7 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2010 related to losses from foreign currency transactions. There were no such foreign currency gains or losses for the current year quarter.
The foreign currency loss recognized in the prior year quarter was a result of the weakness of the U.S. currency against the British pound, which comprises the majority of the Company’s foreign currency transactions.
Capital Resources and Liquidity
At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents totaled $2.6 million and $3.0 million, 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 lease assets are acquired, as distributions are made to the Members and to the extent expenses exceed cash flows from leases and proceeds from asset sales.
The primary source of liquidity for the Company is its cash flow from leasing activities. As the lease terms expire, the Company will re-lease or sell the equipment. The future liquidity beyond the contractual minimum rentals will depend on AFS’s success in remarketing or selling the equipment as it comes off rental.
Throughout the Reinvestment Period (as defined in the Operating Agreement), the Company anticipates reinvesting a portion of lease payments from assets owned, and/or payments received on notes receivable, in new leasing or financing transactions. Such reinvestment will occur only after the payment of all obligations, including debt service (both principal and interest), the payment of management fees to AFS and providing for cash distributions to the Members.
In a normal economy, if inflation in the general economy becomes significant, it may affect the Company in as much as the residual (resale) values and rates on re-leases of the Company’s leased assets may increase as the costs of similar assets increase. However, the Company’s revenues from existing leases and notes would not increase as such rates are generally fixed for the terms of the leases and notes without adjustment for