Operating revenue decreased $83,841, or 9.1%, for the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008. Operating revenue decreased $90,158, or 4.6%, for the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the same period in 2008.
Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization, decreased $53,625 or 9.2% for the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2008. Operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization, decreased $67,604 or 5.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008. The decrease is primarily due to lower overhead costs. This segment remains focused on cost efficiencies, while striving to reach the customer service goal of 100% customer satisfaction. The Phonery segment continues to seek new technologies to better serve customer needs and to operate efficiently.
Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased $4,457 or 10.3% for the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the same period ended 2008. Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased $10,828 or 12.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the same period ended 2008. The decrease is primarily due to the fact that some long-lived assets have become fully depreciated.
Operating income decreased $25,759 for the three months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2008. Operating income decreased $11,726 for the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2008.
The total long-term capital structure (long-term debt plus shareholders’ equity) for the Company was $104,146,575 at June 30, 2009, reflecting 50.2% equity and 49.8% debt. This compares to a capital structure of $103,472,730 at December 31, 2008, reflecting 50% equity and 50% debt. The debt results from the borrowings used to acquire HTC. Management believes adequate internal and external resources are available to finance ongoing operating requirements, including capital expenditures, business development and debt service for at least the next 12 months.
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Cash Flows
Cash provided by operations was $2,116,890 for the six-month period ended June 30, 2009 compared to cash provided by operations of $4,411,679 in the same period in 2008. The reduction in cash flows provided by operations for the six months ended June 30, 2009 was the result of several factors in the 2008 period including a higher level of net income in 2008, the 2008 receipts of funds from the sale of MWH, the 2008 acquisition of HTC, and the result of 2009 income tax payments related to the 2008 tax year. The cash flows provided by operations for the six months ended June 30, 2008 were primarily attributable to net income. In correlation with the presentation of the HTC acquisition, the Company has reclassified some operating and investing activities in the statement of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2008.
Cash flows used in investing activities were $2,907,501 for the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to cash flows used in investing activities of $62,172,841 in the same period in 2008. In 2008, the Company used approximately $67 million of cash to purchase HTC. The Company received approximately $5.1 million in proceeds from the MWH sale of its cellular investment and $1.5 million from the sale of marketable securities. In 2009, cash was primarily used in the acquisition of capital assets. The Company expects total plant additions of approximately $6,000,000 in 2009. The Company will finance these upgrades from existing working capital and operating cash flows. Capital expenditures were $2,719,029 during the first six months of 2009 as compared to $1,412,962 for the same period in 2008. The Company operates in a capital-intensive business. The Company is continuing to upgrade its local networks for changes in technology to provide the most advanced services to its customers.
Cash flows used in financing activities were $892,091 for the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to cash flows provided by financing activities of $55,410,156 for the six months ended June 30, 2008. In 2009, the change consisted of debt proceeds of $400,000 reflecting the Company’s draw down on its revolver, less repayments of $269,004, and dividends paid of $1,023,087. In 2008, the Company used debt proceeds of $59,700,000 for the purchase of HTC.
Dividends
The Company paid dividends of approximately $1,023,000 during the first six months of 2009 and 2008. This represented dividends of $.10 per share for the first two quarters of 2009 and 2008. The Company continues to reinvest in its infrastructure while maintaining dividends to shareholders. The Board of Directors reviews dividend declarations based on anticipated earnings, capital requirements, the operating and financial condition of the Company, and any loan requirements.
The Company’s loan agreements have put restrictions on the ability of the Company to pay cash dividends to its shareholders. However, the Company is allowed to pay dividends (a) (i) in an amount up to $2,050,000 in any year and (ii) in any amount if New Ulm’s “Total Leverage Ratio,” that is, the ratio of its “Indebtedness” to “EBITDA” (in each case as defined in the loan documents) is equal to or less than 3:50 to 1:00, and (b) in either case if New Ulm is not in default or potential default under the loan agreements.
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During the first six months of 2009 and at June 30, 2009, the Company was in compliance with the financial ratios in the loan agreements. At December 31, 2008, the Company did not meet its “Equity to Total Asset Ratio” requirement of 40.0%, but had “Equity to Total Asset Ratio” of 39.59%. The Company obtained a waiver from CoBank, ACB for the Company’s non-compliance with this covenant at December 31, 2008. At December 31, 2008, the Company was in compliance with all other financial ratios contained in the loan agreement. In connection with the granting of the waiver, the Company and CoBank, ACB amended the MLA to lower the Total Leverage Ratio for the period from March 31, 2008 through December 31, 2010 to 4:25:1:0. The Total Leverage Ratio had been 4:5:1:0 for the period from March 31, 2008 through December 31, 2009.
Contractual Obligations
The Company has had a series of borrowings from CoBank in the past. On October 30, 2006, the Company paid the balance on its $10 million CoBank, ACB reducing revolving credit facility. On December 22, 2006, the Company paid the remaining balance on its $15 million term loan and terminated that credit facility.
As of June 30, 2009, the Company had an unsecured loan in the amount of $51,824 with the City of Redwood Falls, Minnesota that bears interest at 5% and matures on January 1, 2012.
In connection with its acquisition of HTC in 2008, New Ulm and HTC as New Ulm’s new subsidiary entered into a credit facility with CoBank, ACB. For information about the Company’s contractual obligations as of March 31, 2009, along with the cash principal payments due each period on its unsecured note payable and long-term debt, see Note 4 – Secured Credit Facility of the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Description | | Total | | July-December 2009 | | 2010-2011 | | 2012-2013 | | Thereafter | |
Deferred Compensation | | $ | 2,855,739 | | $ | 362,502 | | $ | 1,364,374 | | $ | 262,989 | | $ | 865,874 | |
Long-term Debt | | | 51,901,824 | | | 250,000 | | | 6,416,941 | | | 6,886,883 | | | 38,348,000 | |
Interest on Long-term Debt (A) | | | 14,552,609 | | | 1,416,600 | | | 5,675,729 | | | 5,170,905 | | | 2,289,375 | |
Loan Guarantees (B) | | | 6,109,883 | | | 584,968 | | | 1,559,402 | | | 2,002,039 | | | 1,963,474 | |
Operating Lease | | | 73,350 | | | 14,670 | | | 58,680 | | | — | | | — | |
Purchase Obligation (C) | | | 981,609 | | | 981,609 | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Total Contractual Cash Obligations | | $ | 76,475,014 | | $ | 3,610,349 | | $ | 15,075,126 | | $ | 14,322,816 | | $ | 43,466,723 | |
| | |
| A. | Interest on long-term debt is estimated using rates in effect as of June 30, 2009. The Company uses interest rate swap agreements to manage its cash flow exposure to interest rate movements on a portion of its variable rate debt obligations (see Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q). |
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| B. | On June 30, 2009, the Company entered into an agreement under which it would sell its ownership interests in several entities and be released from approximately $5.7 million in loan guarantees. |
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| C. | Purchase obligations consist primarily of commitments incurred for capital improvements. |
Working Capital
The Company had working capital of $4,088,009 as of June 30, 2009, compared to working capital of $2,399,276 as of December 31, 2008. The ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 1.9:1.0 as of June 30, 2009 and 1.3:1.0 as of December 31, 2008.
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Long-Term Debt
See Note 4 – Secured Credit Facility of the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q.
Other
The Company has not conducted a public equity offering. It operates with original equity capital, retained earnings and indebtedness in the form of senior debt and bank lines of credit.
By utilizing cash flow from operations and current cash balances, the Company feels it has adequate resources to meet its anticipated operating, capital expenditures, and debt service requirements for at least the next twelve months.
Recent Economic Developments and Effects of Inflation
The Company believes it has been able to mitigate the effects of the recent economic swings by (i) prudent borrowing practices, (ii) anticipating the need for enhancements to equipment and acquiring this equipment, and (iii) pursuing appropriate budgeting strategies. While the trend is uncertain, the Company anticipates that even with the downturn in the current economy, customers will continue to utilize telecommunications systems and services in levels that will enable the Company to operate profitably.
Recent Accounting Developments
On January 1, 2009, the Company adopted FASB issued SFAS No. 161, “Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and hedging Activities – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133” (SFAS No. 161). SFAS No. 161 expands quarterly disclosure requirements in SFAS No. 133 about an entity’s derivative instruments and hedging activities. SFAS No. 161 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. All derivatives are recorded on the balance sheet as assets or liabilities and measured at fair value. For derivatives designated as hedges of the fair value of assets or liabilities, the changes in fair values of both the derivatives and the hedged items are recorded in current earnings. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the changes in fair value of the derivatives are recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) and subsequently recognized in earnings when the hedged items affect earnings. Cash flows of such derivative financial instruments are classified consistent with the underlying hedged item. The implementation of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 157-4, “Determining Whether a Market Is Not Active and a Transaction Is Not Distressed”. FSP 157-4 provides additional guidance on factors to consider in estimating fair value when there has been a significant decrease in market activity for a financial asset. FSP 157-4 is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The implementation of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
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In April 2009, the FASB issued FSP FAS 107-1, APB 28-1, “Interim Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments”. FSP FAS 107-1, APB 28-1 requires fair value disclosures in both interim as well as annual financial statements in order to provide more timely information about the effects of current market conditions on financial instruments. FSP FAS 107-1, APB 28-1 is effective for interim and annual periods ending after June 15, 2009. The implementation of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In May 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 165,Subsequent Events. This standard is intended to establish general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. Specifically, this standard sets forth the period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements, and the disclosures that an entity should make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date. SFAS No. 165 is effective for interim and annual periods ended after June 15, 2009. The Company adopted this standard effective June 15, 2009 and has evaluated any subsequent events through the date of this filing. The Company does not believe there are any subsequent events that required disclosure.
In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 168,The “FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles”. This standard replaces SFAS No. 162,The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, and establishes only two levels of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), authoritative and non-authoritative. The FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”) will become the source of authoritative, nongovernmental GAAP, except for rules and interpretive releases of the SEC, which are sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. All other non-grandfathered, non-SEC accounting literature not included in the Codification will become non-authoritative. This standard is effective for financial statements for interim or annual reporting periods ending after September 15, 2009. The Company will begin to use the new guidelines and numbering system prescribed by the Codification when referring to GAAP for the period ended September 30, 2009. As the Codification was not intended to change or alter existing GAAP, it will not have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The Company does not have operations subject to risks of foreign currency fluctuations. The Company does, however, use derivative financial instruments to manage exposure to interest rate fluctuations. The Company’s objectives for holding derivatives are to minimize interest rate risks using the most effective methods to eliminate or reduce the impact of these exposures. Variable rate debt instruments are subject to interest rate risk. On March 19, 2008, the Company executed interest-rate swap agreements, effectively locking in the interest rate on $6,000,000 of variable-rate debt through March of 2011 and $33,000,000 of variable-rate debt through March 2013. On June 23, 2008, the company executed interest-rate swap agreements, effectively locking in the interest rate on $3,000,000 of variable-rate debt through June of 2011 and $3,000,000 of variable-rate debt through June 2013. A summary of these agreements is contained in Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of this Form 10-Q.
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The gain or loss on current derivative instruments is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholder’s equity. It is recognized in retained earnings when the protection agreement is terminated. At the conclusion of the full term maturity of the protection agreement, no gain or loss is recognized. The Company’s earnings are affected by changes in interest rates as a portion of our long-term debt has variable interest rates based on LIBOR. If interest rates for the portion of our long-term debt based on variable rates had averaged 10% more for the six months ended June 30, 2009, interest expense would have increased approximately $147,000.
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As of December 31, 2008, under the supervision of and with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, and the Chief Operating Officer, an assessment of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(b) was carried out by management. In the course of completing management’s assessment of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, management has identified a control deficiency that is a material weakness, as reported in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2008, which was filed on March 30, 2009 (the “2008 Form 10-K”). As of the date of that assessment, the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Operating Officer concluded that as a result of the material weakness, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2008. Specifically, the Company did not have, and through its engagement of an independent tax consultant, did not acquire, adequate technical expertise to effectively oversee and review the Company’s tax accounting for the Company’s ownership of an equity method investment. The Company hired an independent tax consultant to prepare its income tax provision and returns. There was an error in the tax treatment of its equity method investment that has been corrected in the 2008 financial statements. As a result of this material weakness above, management had determined that its internal control over financial reporting was not effective as of December 31, 2008.
A material weakness is a significant deficiency (as defined in Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing Standard No. 2), or a combination of significant deficiencies, that results in more than a remote likelihood that a material misstatement of the annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected.
The Company’s management with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based upon that evaluation, they have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are not effective in ensuring that all material information required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time period specified in the rules and forms of the Commission because of the material weakness in its internal control over financial reporting as discussed and reported in the Company’s 2008 Form 10-K.
In light of the material weaknesses described in the 2008 Form 10-K, management continues to assess options and is determining appropriate remediation steps to ensure adequate oversight in relation to its income tax provision and return preparation. Management believes that the interim consolidated financial statements included in this report fairly presents in all material respects, the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows for the period presented.
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There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2009, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, its internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Other than the additional risk factor described below, there have been no material changes to the risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.
The Company is experiencing higher operating costs that it may not be able to pass along to its customers.
In the quarter ended June 30, 2009, the Company incurred higher operating expenses than in the prior year’s comparable quarter, due in part to (i) higher costs of programming, including video, (ii) increased administrative costs and (iii) higher costs related to maintaining a high level of customer service. Given the current economic environment, the Company has not implemented price increases to cover these additional expenses. As a result, its operating margin and operating income for the first six months of 2009 were lower than in the prior year. The Company continues to focus on high quality products and services to maintain its customer base and believes that this level of service will enable it to maintain and increase revenues. If the Company is unable to significantly cut costs or increase its revenues, either through price increases or selling additional services to existing and future customers, the Company will continue to experience lower operating margins and operating income.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
The annual meeting of the shareholders of the Company was held on May 28, 2009, in New Ulm, Minnesota. The total numbers of shares outstanding and entitled to vote at the meeting was 5,115,435, of which 3,372,142 shares were present either in person or by proxy.
Three directors were elected to serve three-year terms. The names of the directors elected at the annual meeting and the applicable votes were as follows:
| | | | | | |
Director | | For | | Withheld | | Broker Non-Votes |
Rosemary Dittrich | | 3,220,492 | | 135,450 | | 35,769 |
Mary Ellen Domeier | | 3,219,727 | | 136,215 | | 35,769 |
Dennis Miller | | 3,224,413 | | 131,529 | | 35,769 |
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The Board Members continuing and whose terms expire at subsequent annual meetings are as follows:
| | |
2010 Annual Meeting | | 2011 Annual Meeting |
James Jensen | | Paul Erick |
Perry Meyer | | Duane Lambrecht |
The shareholders of the Company also voted and approved the following amendments to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation:
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| (i) | An amendment to Article IV of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation to provide that the number of directors on the Board shall be no fewer than seven, but no more than nine. |
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| (ii) | An amendment to Article V of the Company’s Articles of Incorporation regarding director liability. The effect of this amendment references correct Minnesota Statutes in regard to director liability. Other than correcting and updating these references, the Amendment has no substantive change to the Company’s articles. |
The votes for these amendments were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | |
Amendment to | | For | | Against | | Abstain | | Broker Non-Votes | |
Article IV | | 3,261,020 | | 72,532 | | 38,589 | | 35,769 | |
Article V | | 3,346,827 | | 10,425 | | 14,889 | | 35,769 | |
A copy of the amended and restated Articles of Incorporation was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 8-K on June 3, 2009.
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION
Board of Directors Separation Compensation Policy
On May 26, 2009, the Board of Directors of the Company amended the Board of Directors Separation Compensation Policy to provide that any payment made to a director who is also a “specified employee” (as determined in accordance with Internal Revenue Code §409A) may be made no earlier than on the first day of the seventh month following separation. The Policy was amended to comply with Code §409A. A copy of the Policy as amended is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Form 10-Q.
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS
See “Index to Exhibits” on page 42 of this Form 10-Q.
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SIGNATURES
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.
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| NEW ULM TELECOM, INC. |
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Dated: August 7, 2009 | By | /s/ Bill Otis |
| | Bill Otis, President and Chief Executive Officer |
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Dated: August 7, 2009 | By | /s/ Nancy Blankenhagen |
| | Nancy Blankenhagen, Chief Financial Officer |
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
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Exhibit Number | | Description | |
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10.1 | | Amended Director Separation Compensation Policy dated May 26, 2009 |
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31.1 | | Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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31.2 | | Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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32.1 | | Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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32.2 | | Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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