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 October 31, 2008
or
o | 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: 0-11306
VALUE LINE, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
New York | 13-3139843 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
220 East 42nd Street, New York, New York | 10017-5891 | |
(Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) |
(212) 907-1500
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
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 such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an 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 x | Smaller reporting company ¨ |
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes ¨ No x
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Outstanding at October 31, 2008 | ||
Common stock, $.10 par value | 9,981,600 Shares |
VALUE LINE INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page No. | ||
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION | ||
Item 1. | Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements: | |
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as of October 31, 2008 and April 30, 2008 | 3 | |
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income for the three and six months ended October 31, 2008 and 2007 | 4 | |
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the three and six months ended October 31, 2008 and 2007 | 5 | |
Consolidated Condensed Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the six months ended October 31, 2008 | 6 | |
Consolidated Condensed Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the six months ended October 31, 2007 | 7 | |
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements | 8 | |
Item 2. | Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 15 |
Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 21 |
Item 4. | Controls and Procedures | 22 |
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION | ||
Item 1. | Legal Proceedings | 23 |
Item 1A. | Risk Factors | 23 |
Item 6. | Exhibits | 23 |
Signatures | 24 |
EX-31.1 (Certifications required under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) |
EX-31.2 (Certifications required under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) |
EX-32.1 (Certifications required under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) |
Part I - Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
Value Line, Inc.
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
(in thousands, except share amounts)
October 31, | Apr. 30, | |||||||
2008 | 2008 | |||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||||
Assets | ||||||||
Current Assets: | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents (including short term investments of $38,405 and $8,159, respectively) | $ | 39,082 | $ | 8,955 | ||||
Trading securities | 17,091 | 19,857 | ||||||
Securities available for sale | 50,589 | 97,043 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $49, and $107, respectively | 2,527 | 2,733 | ||||||
Receivable from affiliates | 1,941 | 2,445 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 992 | 1,048 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes | 759 | 155 | ||||||
Total current assets | 112,981 | 132,236 | ||||||
Long term assets | ||||||||
Property and equipment, net | 4,616 | 4,709 | ||||||
Capitalized software and other intangible assets, net | 807 | 1,008 | ||||||
Total long term assets | 5,423 | 5,717 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 118,404 | $ | 137,953 | ||||
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity | ||||||||
Current Liabilities: | ||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | $ | 4,002 | $ | 5,135 | ||||
Accrued salaries | 1,461 | 1,471 | ||||||
Dividends payable | 3,993 | 2,995 | ||||||
Accrued taxes payable | 26 | 129 | ||||||
Unearned revenue | 23,185 | 26,610 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes | 0 | 7,839 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 32,667 | 44,179 | ||||||
Long term liabilities | ||||||||
Unearned revenue | 5,974 | 5,920 | ||||||
Total long term liabilities | 5,974 | 5,920 | ||||||
Shareholders' Equity: | ||||||||
Common stock, $.10 par value; authorized 30,000,000 shares; issued 10,000,000 shares | 1,000 | 1,000 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 991 | 991 | ||||||
Retained earnings | 78,572 | 70,954 | ||||||
Treasury stock, at cost (18,400 shares on 10/31/08 and 4/30/08) | (354 | ) | (354 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax | (446 | ) | 15,263 | |||||
Total shareholders' equity | 79,763 | 87,854 | ||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 118,404 | $ | 137,953 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.
3
Part I - Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
Value Line, Inc.
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income
(in thousands, except share & per share amounts)
(unaudited)
Three months ended October 31, | Six months ended October 31, | |||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | 2008 | 2007 | |||||||||||||
Revenues: | ||||||||||||||||
Investment periodicals and related publications | $ | 9,956 | $ | 10,860 | $ | 20,293 | $ | 21,823 | ||||||||
Licensing fees | 1,239 | 1,792 | 2,920 | 3,445 | ||||||||||||
Investment management fees & services | 7,132 | 8,458 | 15,327 | 16,643 | ||||||||||||
Total revenues | 18,327 | 21,110 | 38,540 | 41,911 | ||||||||||||
Expenses: | ||||||||||||||||
Advertising and promotion | 3,328 | 3,478 | 6,569 | 7,074 | ||||||||||||
Salaries and employee benefits | 4,809 | 4,524 | 9,666 | 9,133 | ||||||||||||
Production and distribution | 1,459 | 1,611 | 2,989 | 3,274 | ||||||||||||
Office and administration | 2,465 | 2,081 | 5,585 | 4,049 | ||||||||||||
Total expenses | 12,061 | 11,694 | 24,809 | 23,530 | ||||||||||||
Income from operations | 6,266 | 9,416 | 13,731 | 18,381 | ||||||||||||
Income from securities transactions, net | 10,084 | 885 | 10,716 | 1,586 | ||||||||||||
Income before income taxes | 16,350 | 10,301 | 24,447 | 19,967 | ||||||||||||
Provision for income taxes | 5,808 | 3,942 | 8,843 | 7,665 | ||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 10,542 | $ | 6,359 | $ | 15,604 | $ | 12,302 | ||||||||
Earnings per share, basic & fully diluted | $ | 1.05 | $ | 0.64 | $ | 1.56 | $ | 1.23 | ||||||||
Weighted average number of common shares | 9,981,600 | 9,981,600 | 9,981,600 | 9,981,600 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.
4
Part I - Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
Value Line, Inc.
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
(in thousands)
(unaudited)
For the six months ended | ||||||||
October 31, 2008 | October 31, 2007 | |||||||
Cash flows from operating activities: | ||||||||
Net income | $ | 15,604 | $ | 12,302 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 621 | 901 | ||||||
Gains on sales of trading securities and securities available for sale | (9,389 | ) | (7 | ) | ||||
Unrealized losses on trading securities | 197 | 41 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes | (69 | ) | (14 | ) | ||||
Changes in assets and liabilities: | ||||||||
Proceeds from sales of trading securities | 9,026 | - | ||||||
Purchases of trading securities | (6,583 | ) | (3,926 | ) | ||||
(Decrease) in unearned revenue | (3,371 | ) | (2,570 | ) | ||||
Increase/(decrease) in deferred charges | 110 | (12 | ) | |||||
(Decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses | (1,243 | ) | (1,341 | ) | ||||
Decrease in accrued salaries | (10 | ) | (220 | ) | ||||
Decrease in accrued taxes payable | (103 | ) | - | |||||
Decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets | 125 | 244 | ||||||
Decrease/(increase) in accounts receivable | 206 | (341 | ) | |||||
Decrease/(increase) in receivable from affiliates | 504 | (163 | ) | |||||
Total adjustments | (9,979 | ) | (7,408 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by operations | 5,625 | 4,894 | ||||||
Cash flows from investing activities: | ||||||||
Purchases and sales of securities classified as available for sale: | ||||||||
Proceeds from sales of fixed income securities | 14,669 | 5,137 | ||||||
Proceeds from sales of equity securities | 37,755 | - | ||||||
Purchase of fixed income securities | (20,598 | ) | (9,270 | ) | ||||
Purchases of equity securities | (9 | ) | (8 | ) | ||||
Acquisition of property and equipment | (150 | ) | (176 | ) | ||||
Expenditures for capitalized software | (177 | ) | (32 | ) | ||||
Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities | 31,490 | (4,349 | ) | |||||
Cash flows from financing activities: | ||||||||
Dividends paid | (6,988 | ) | (5,989 | ) | ||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (6,988 | ) | (5,989 | ) | ||||
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 30,127 | (5,444 | ) | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | 8,955 | 20,605 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 39,082 | $ | 15,161 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.
5
Part I - Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
Value Line, Inc.
Consolidated Condensed Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity
For the Six Months Ended October 31, 2008
(in thousands, except share amounts)
(unaudited)
Common stock | Accumulated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number | Additional | Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
of | paid-in | Treasury | Comprehensive | Retained | Comprehensive | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
shares | Amount | capital | Stock | income | earnings | income | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at April 30, 2008 | 9,981,600 | $ | 1,000 | $ | 991 | $ | (354 | ) | $ | 70,954 | $ | 15,263 | $ | 87,854 | ||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 15,604 | 15,604 | 15,604 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income, net of tax: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in unrealized gains on securities, net of taxes | (15,709 | ) | (15,709 | ) | (15,709 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income | $ | (105 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends declared | (7,986 | ) | (7,986 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at October 31, 2008 | 9,981,600 | $ | 1,000 | $ | 991 | $ | (354 | ) | $ | 78,572 | $ | (446 | ) | $ | 79,763 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.
6
Part I - Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements
Value Line, Inc.
Consolidated Condensed Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity
For the Six Months Ended October 31, 2007
(in thousands, except share amounts)
(unaudited)
Common stock | Accumulated | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Number | Additional | Other | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
of | paid-in | Treasury | Comprehensive | Retained | Comprehensive | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
shares | Amount | capital | Stock | income | earnings | income | Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at April 30, 2007 | 9,981,600 | $ | 1,000 | $ | 991 | $ | (354 | ) | $ | 57,383 | $ | 16,552 | $ | 75,572 | ||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 12,302 | 12,302 | 12,302 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income, net of tax: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Change in unrealized gains on securities, net of taxes | 3,444 | 3,444 | 3,444 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Comprehensive income | $ | 15,746 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dividends declared | (5,989 | ) | (5,989 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance at October 31, 2007 | 9,981,600 | $ | 1,000 | $ | 991 | $ | (354 | ) | $ | 63,696 | $ | 19,996 | $ | 85,329 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.
7
Value Line, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
Note 1-Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:
The interim consolidated condensed financial statements of Value Line, Inc., together with its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company”), are unaudited. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals except as noted below) considered necessary for a fair presentation. This report should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and footnotes contained in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K, dated July 17, 2008 for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2008. Results of operations covered by this report may not be indicative of the results of operations for the entire year.
Value Line, Inc. ("VLI") is incorporated in the State of New York. The Company's primary businesses are producing investment related periodical publications and data, licensing certain Value Line trademarks and Value Line proprietary ranking system information to third parties under written agreements for use in third party managed and marketed investment products, providing investment management services to the Value Line Funds, institutions and individual accounts and providing distribution, marketing, and administrative services to the Value Line Funds. The name "Value Line" as used to describe the Company, its products, and its subsidiaries, is a registered trademark of the Company.
Principles of consolidation:
The consolidated condensed financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Revenue Recognition:
Depending upon the product, subscription fulfillment is available in print, via internet access, and CD-ROM. The length of a subscription varies by product and offer received by the subscriber. Generally, subscriptions are available as trial subscriptions, annual subscriptions and/or multi-year subscriptions. Subscription revenues are recognized on a straight line basis over the life of the subscription. Accordingly, the amount of subscription fees to be earned by fulfilling subscriptions after the date of the balance sheet is shown as unearned revenue within current and long-term liabilities.
Licensing revenues are derived from licensing certain Value Line trademarks and Value Line proprietary ranking system information to third parties under written agreements for use in selecting securities for third party marketed products, including unit investment trusts, annuities and exchange traded funds. Value Line earns an asset based licensing fee as specified in the individual licensing agreements. Revenue is recognized monthly over the term of the agreement and will fluctuate as the market value of the underlying portfolio increases or decreases in value.
Investment management fees consist of management fees from the Value Line Mutual Funds ("Value Line Funds"), and from asset management clients. Investment management fees for the mutual funds are earned on a monthly basis as services are performed and the fee is calculated based on average daily net assets of the mutual funds in accordance with each fund's advisory agreement. Investment management fees for the asset management accounts are earned on a monthly basis as services are performed and the fee is calculated on assets in accordance with each of the management agreements (see note 6).
Service and distribution fees are received from the Value Line Funds in accordance with service and distribution plans under rule 12b-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. The plans are compensation plans, which means that the distributor’s fees under the plans are payable without regard to actual expenses incurred by the distributor, and therefore the distributor may earn a profit under the plan. Expenses incurred by Value Line Securities, Inc. ("VLS"), the distributor of the Value Line Funds, include payments to securities dealers, banks, financial institutions and other organizations (including an allocation of VLI expenses), that provide distribution, marketing, and administrative services with respect to the distribution of the mutual funds’ shares. Service and distribution fees are received on a monthly basis and calculated on the average daily net assets of the respective mutual fund in accordance with each fund prospectus (see note 6).
Valuation of Securities:
The Company's securities classified as available for sale consist of shares of the Value Line Funds and/or government debt securities accounted for in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities". The securities available for sale and trading securities reflected in the consolidated condensed financial statements at fair value are valued at market and unrealized gains and losses on securities available for sale, net of applicable taxes, are reported as a separate component of Shareholders' Equity. Realized gains and losses on sales of the securities available for sale are recorded in earnings on trade date and are determined on the identified cost method.
The Company classifies its securities available for sale as current assets. It does so to properly reflect its liquidity and to recognize the fact that it has assets available for sale to fully satisfy its current liabilities should the need arise.
Market valuation of securities listed on a securities exchange is based on the closing sales prices on the last business day of each month. Valuation of open-end mutual fund shares is based upon the publicly quoted net asset value of the shares. The market value of the Company's fixed maturity government debt obligations are determined utilizing publicly quoted market prices.
8
Effective for fiscal 2009, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“FAS 157"). In accordance with FAS 157, fair value is defined as the price that the Company would receive upon selling an investment in a timely transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market of the investment. FAS 157 established a three-tier hierarchy to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Inputs refer broadly to the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk, for example, the risk inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value including such a pricing model and/or the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. Inputs may be observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below.
Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical investments
Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)
Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Company’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)
The valuation techniques used by the Company to measure fair value during the six months ended October 31, 2008 consisted exclusively of quoted prices and other observable inputs.
The following is a summary of the inputs used as of October 31, 2008 in valuing the Company’s investments carried at fair value:
(In Thousands) | ||||||||||||||||
Valuation Inputs | Total Investments | Cash Equivalents | Investments in Trading Securities | Investments in Securities Available for Sale | ||||||||||||
Level 1 - Quoted Prices | $ | 38,405 | $ | 38,405 | - | $ | 0 | |||||||||
Level 2 - Other Significant Observable Inputs | $ | 67,680 | $ | 17,091 | 50,589 | |||||||||||
Level 3 - Significant Unobservable Inputs | - | - | - | - | ||||||||||||
Total | $ | 106,085 | $ | 38,405 | $ | 17,091 | $ | 50,589 |
The Company had no other financial instruments including futures, forwards and swap contracts. For the period ended October 31, 2008, there were no Level 3 investments. The Company does not have any liabilities subject to FAS 157.
Advertising expenses:
The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred.
Income Taxes:
The Company computes its income tax provision in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes". Deferred tax liabilities and assets are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been reflected in the consolidated condensed financial statements. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the differences between the book values and the tax bases of particular assets and liabilities, using tax rates currently in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse.
In July 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Interpretation No. 48, "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109" (the "Interpretation" or "FIN 48"). The Interpretation establishes for all entities, a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of positions taken in filing tax returns (including whether an entity is taxable in a particular jurisdiction), and requires certain expanded tax disclosures. The Interpretation is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006, and is to be applied to all open tax years as of the date of effectiveness. Management has reviewed the tax positions for the years still subject to tax audit under the statute of limitations, evaluated the implications of FIN 48, and determined that there is no impact to the Company's financial statements.
Earnings per share:
Earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock and common stock equivalents outstanding during each year.
9
Cash and Cash Equivalents:
For purposes of the consolidated condensed Statements of Cash Flows, the Company considers all cash held at banks and short term liquid investments with an original maturity of less than three months to be cash and cash equivalents. As of October 31, 2008 and April 30, 2008, cash equivalents included $38,405,000 and $8,159,000, respectively, invested in the Value Line Cash Fund.
Use of Estimates:
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates.
Note 2-Investments:
Securities held by the Company are classified as Trading Securities and Available-for-Sale Securities. All securities held in VLS, as a broker/dealer, are classified as trading securities. Securities held by the Company and its other subsidiaries, are classified as available-for-sale securities.
Trading Securities:
Trading securities held by the Company at October 31, 2008 had an aggregate cost of $17,472,000 and a market value of $17,091,000. Trading securities held by the Company at April 30, 2008 had an aggregate cost of $20,042,000 and a market value of $19,857,000. The proceeds from sales of trading securities during the first six months of fiscal 2009 were $9,027,000 and related net realized trading losses amounted to $126,000. There were no sales and no realized trading gains or losses during the first six months of fiscal year 2008. The net increases in unrealized losses of $197,000 and $41,000 for the period ended October 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, were included in the Consolidated Condensed Statement of Income.
Securities Available-for-Sale:
Equity Securities:
As of April 30, 2008, the aggregate cost of the equity securities classified as available for sale, which consist of investments in the Value Line Funds, was $28,149,000 and the market value was $51,870,000. The Company sold its portfolio of equity securities subsequent to April 30, 2008 and did not hold any equity securities as of October 31, 2008. The total gains for equity securities with net gains included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet were $23,972,000, net of deferred taxes of $8,438,000, as of April 30, 2008. The total losses for equity securities with net losses included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet were $251,000, net of deferred tax benefit of $89,000, as of April 30, 2008.
The proceeds from sales of equity securities during the six months ended October 31, 2008 were $37,755,000 and the related net realized capital gain was $9,600,000. There were no sales and no realized gains or losses on equity securities, for which unrealized gains and losses were included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income as of October 31, 2008. The increase in gross unrealized gains on equity securities classified as available for sale of $5,340,000, net of deferred taxes of $1,880,000, were included in Shareholders' Equity at October 31 2007.
Government Debt Securities:
Government debt securities consist of federal, state, and local government securities within the United States. The aggregate cost and fair value at October 31, 2008 for government debt securities classified as available for sale were as follows:
(In Thousands) | ||||||||||||
Historical | Gross Unrealized | |||||||||||
Maturity | Cost | Fair Value | Holding Losses | |||||||||
Due in less than 2 years | $ | 41,164 | $ | 40,633 | $ | (531 | ) | |||||
Due in 2 - 5 years | 10,023 | 9,956 | (67 | ) | ||||||||
Total investment in government debt securities | $ | 51,187 | $ | 50,589 | $ | (598 | ) |
The aggregate cost and fair value at April 30, 2008 for government debt securities classified as available for sale were as follows:
(In Thousands) | ||||||||||||
Historical | Gross Unrealized | |||||||||||
Maturity | Cost | Fair Value | Holding Losses | |||||||||
Due in less than 2 years | $ | 24,261 | $ | 23,921 | $ | (340 | ) | |||||
Due in 2 - 5 years | 21,079 | 21,252 | 173 | |||||||||
Total investment in government debt securities | $ | 45,340 | $ | 45,173 | $ | (167 | ) |
The unrealized losses of $598,000 and $167,000 in government debt securities net of deferred income tax benefits of $152,000 and $59,000, respectively, were included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as of October 31, 2008 and April 30, 2008, respectively.
10
The average yield on the Government debt securities at October 31, 2008 and April 30, 2008 was 2.33% and 2.91%, respectively.
Proceeds from sales of government debt securities classified as available for sale during the six months ended October 31, 2008 and 2007 were $14,669,000 and $5,137,000, respectively. The company recognized total capital losses net of capital gains of $85,000 and a capital gain of $7,000 on the sales of government debt securities during the six months ended October 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
For the six months ended October 31, 2008 and 2007, income from securities transactions also included $156,000 and $461,000 of dividend income and $1,388,000 and $1,152,000 of interest income. There was no interest expense during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 or 2008.
Note 3-Supplementary Cash Flow Information:
Cash payments for income taxes were $8,946,000 and $8,054,000 for the six months ended October 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Note 4-Employees' Profit Sharing and Savings Plan:
Substantially all employees of the Company and its subsidiaries are members of the Value Line, Inc. Profit Sharing and Savings Plan (the "Plan"). In general, this is a qualified, contributory plan which provides for a discretionary annual Company contribution which is determined by a formula based on the salaries of eligible employees as defined in the Plan. The estimated profit sharing plan contribution, which is included as an expense in salaries and employee benefits in the Consolidated Condensed Statement of Income, was $515,000 and $480,000 for the six months ended October 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively.
Note 5-Comprehensive Income:
Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income", requires the reporting of comprehensive income in addition to net income from operations. Comprehensive income is a more inclusive financial reporting methodology that includes disclosure of certain financial information that otherwise would not be recognized in the calculation of net income.
At October 31, 2008 and October 31, 2007, the Company held equity securities and/or U.S. Government debt securities that are classified as Available for Sale on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. The change in valuation of these securities, net of deferred income taxes, has been recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in the Company's Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.
The components of comprehensive income that are included in the Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity are as follows:
(in thousands) | ||||||||||||
Before | Tax | Net of | ||||||||||
Tax | (Expense) | Tax | ||||||||||
Amount | or Benefit | Amount | ||||||||||
Six months ended October 31, 2008 | ||||||||||||
Unrealized Gains on Securities: | ||||||||||||
Decrease in Unrealized Holding Gains arising during the period | $ | (14,637 | ) | $ | 5,153 | $ | (9,484 | ) | ||||
Add: Reclassification adjustments for losses realized in net income | 99 | (35 | ) | 64 | ||||||||
Less: Reclassification adjustments for gains realized in net income | (9,614 | ) | 3,325 | (6,289 | ) | |||||||
Change in Other Comprehensive Income | $ | (24,152 | ) | $ | 8,443 | $ | (15,709 | ) | ||||
Six months ended October 31, 2007 | ||||||||||||
Unrealized Gains on Securities: | ||||||||||||
Increase in Unrealized Holding Gains arising during the period | $ | 5,314 | $ | (1,870 | ) | $ | 3,444 | |||||
Change in Other Comprehensive Income | $ | 5,314 | $ | (1,870 | ) | $ | 3,444 |
11
Note 6-Related Party Transactions:
The Company's subsidiary, EULAV Asset Management LLC ("EULAV") acts as investment adviser and manager for fourteen open-end investment companies, the Value Line Funds. EULAV earns investment management fees based upon the average daily net asset values of the respective Value Line Funds. Service and distribution fees are received from the Value Line Funds in accordance with service and distribution plans under rule 12b-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. The plans are compensation plans, which means that the distributor’s fees under the plans are payable without regard to actual expenses incurred by the distributor, and therefore the distributor may earn a profit under the plan. Expenses incurred by VLS include payments to securities dealers, banks, financial institutions and other organizations which provide distribution, marketing, and administrative services (including payments by VLS to VLI for allocated compensation and administration expenses) with respect to the distribution of the mutual funds’ shares. Service and distribution fees are received on a monthly basis and calculated on the average daily net assets of the respective mutual fund in accordance with each fund's prospectus.
For the six months ended October 31, 2008 and 2007, investment management fees and 12b-1 service and distribution fees amounted to $14,825,000 and $16,032,000, respectively, which included fee waivers for certain of the Value Line Funds. These amounts included service and distribution fees of $3,362,000 and $3,537,000 earned by VLS in fiscal years 2009 and 2008, respectively. The related receivables from the funds for investment management fees and service and distribution fees included in Receivables from affiliates were $1,905,000 and $2,557,000 at October 31, 2008 and April 30, 2008, respectively.
For the six months ended October 31, 2008 and 2007, total management fee waivers were $101,000 and $117,000 respectively, and service and distribution fee waivers were $1,658,000 and $2,042,000, respectively. EULAV and VLS, have no right to recoup the previously waived amounts of management fees and 12b-1 fees.
As of October 31, 2008, the Company had $38,405,000 invested in the Value Line Cash Fund ("Cash Fund"), which represents approximately 1.4% of total assets of the Value Line Funds and 16% of the Cash Fund. Purchases and redemptions routinely occur in the Value Line Cash Fund as part of business operations.
For the six months ended October 31, 2008 and 2007, the Company was reimbursed $653,000 and $739,000, respectively, for payments it made on behalf of and services it provided to Arnold Bernhard & Co., Inc. (the "Parent"). At October 31, 2008, Receivables from affiliates included a Receivable from the Parent of $35,000. At April 30, 2008, Receivables from affiliates were reduced by a Payable to the Parent in the amount of $130,000. These transactions are in accordance with the tax sharing arrangement described in Note 7.
From time to time, the Parent has purchased additional shares of the Company in the market when and as the Parent has determined it to be appropriate. As stated several times in the past, the public is reminded that the Parent may make additional purchases from time to time in the future. The Parent owns approximately 86.5% of the issued and outstanding common stock of the Company. For the six months ended October 31, 2008, the Parent made no purchases of Company's shares.
Note 7-Federal, State and Local Income Taxes:
The Company computes its income tax provision in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes".
The provision for income taxes includes the following:
Six months ended October 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||
Current: | ||||||||
Federal | $ | 7,945 | $ | 5,964 | ||||
State and local | 1,048 | 1,733 | ||||||
8,993 | 7,697 | |||||||
Deferred: | ||||||||
Federal | (126 | ) | (30 | ) | ||||
State and local | (24 | ) | (2 | ) | ||||
(150 | ) | (32 | ) | |||||
Provision for income taxes | $ | 8,843 | $ | 7,665 |
Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company's assets and liabilities. The tax effect of temporary differences giving rise to the Company's deferred tax (liability)/assets are primarily a result of unrealized gains on the Company's available for sale securities portfolios.
12
The provision for income taxes differs from the amount of income tax determined by applying the applicable U.S. statutory income tax rate to pretax income as a result of the following:
Six months ended October 31, | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
(in thousands) | ||||||||
Tax expense at the U.S. statutory rate | $ | 8,556 | $ | 6,988 | ||||
Increase (decrease) in tax expense from: | ||||||||
State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit | 666 | 1,125 | ||||||
Effect of tax exempt income and dividend exclusion | (383 | ) | (365 | ) | ||||
Other, net | 4 | �� | (83 | ) | ||||
Provision for income taxes | $ | 8,843 | $ | 7,665 |
The Company is included in the consolidated federal income tax return of the Parent. The Company has a tax sharing arrangement which requires it to make tax payments to the Parent equal to the Company's liability as if it filed a separate return.
Note 8-Business Segments:
The Company operates two reportable business segments: (1) Investment Periodicals, Publishing & Licensing and (2) Investment Management. The Investment Periodicals, Publishing & Licensing segment produces investment related periodical publications (retail and institutional) in both print and electronic form, and receives licensing fees for Value Line proprietary ranking system information and Value Line trademarks. The Investment Management segment provides advisory services to the Value Line Funds, as well as institutional and individual accounts. The segments are differentiated by the products and services they offer. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. The Company allocates all revenues and expenses, except for depreciation and income from securities transactions related to corporate assets, between the two reportable segments.
Disclosure of Reportable Segment Profit and Segment Assets (in thousands)
Six months ended October 31, 2008 | ||||||||||||
Investment | ||||||||||||
Periodicals, | Investment | Total | ||||||||||
Publishing & | Management | |||||||||||
Licensing | ||||||||||||
Revenues from external customers | $ | 23,213 | $ | 15,327 | $ | 38,540 | ||||||
Intersegment revenues | 8 | - | 8 | |||||||||
Income from securities transactions | (11 | ) | 175 | 164 | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 594 | 23 | 617 | |||||||||
Segment profit from operations | 8,535 | 5,200 | 13,735 | |||||||||
Segment assets | 9,881 | 26,681 | 36,562 | |||||||||
Expenditures for segment assets | 327 | - | 327 |
Six months ended October 31, 2007 | ||||||||||||
Investment | ||||||||||||
Periodicals, | Investment | Total | ||||||||||
Publishing & | Management | |||||||||||
Licensing | ||||||||||||
Revenues from external customers | $ | 25,268 | $ | 16,643 | $ | 41,911 | ||||||
Intersegment revenues | 50 | - | 50 | |||||||||
Income from securities transactions | 165 | 645 | 810 | |||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 857 | 36 | 893 | |||||||||
Segment profit from operations | 10,603 | 7,786 | 18,389 | |||||||||
Segment assets | 16,737 | 86,403 | 103,140 | |||||||||
Expenditures for segment assets | 208 | - | 208 |
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Reconciliation of Reportable Segment Revenues, Operating Profit and Assets
(in thousands) | ||||||||
2008 | 2007 | |||||||
Revenues | ||||||||
Total revenues for reportable segments | $ | 38,548 | $ | 41,961 | ||||
Elimination of intersegment revenues | (8 | ) | (50 | ) | ||||
Total consolidated revenues | $ | 38,540 | $ | 41,911 | ||||
Segment profit | ||||||||
Total profit for reportable segments | 13,899 | 19,199 | ||||||
Add: Income from securities transactions related to corporate assets | 10,552 | 776 | ||||||
Less: Depreciation related to corporate assets | (4 | ) | (8 | ) | ||||
Income before income taxes | $ | 24,447 | $ | 19,967 | ||||
Assets | ||||||||
Total assets for reportable segments | 36,562 | 103,140 | ||||||
Corporate assets | 81,842 | 33,307 | ||||||
Consolidated total assets | $ | 118,404 | $ | 136,447 |
Note 9-Contingencies:
By letter dated June 15, 2005, the staff of the Northeast Regional Office of the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") informed the Company that it was conducting an informal inquiry primarily regarding the execution of portfolio transactions by VLS for the Value Line Funds. The Company has supplied numerous documents to the SEC in response to its requests and various employees and former employees of the Company have provided testimony to the SEC. On May 8, 2008 the SEC issued a formal order of private investigation regarding whether the VLS' brokerage charges and related expense reimbursements during periods prior to 2005 were excessive and whether adequate disclosure was made to the SEC and the boards of directors and shareholders of the Value Line Funds. Thereafter, certain senior officers of the Company asserted their constitutional privilege not to provide testimony. Management believes that the SEC has completed the fact finding phase of its investigation and the Company will seek to settle this matter with the SEC. Management cannot determine the effect that the investigation will have on the Company's financial statements although it believes that any settlement is likely to be material.
On September 3, 2008, the Company was served with a derivative shareholder's suit filed in New York County Supreme Court naming all of the Company's Directors and alleging breach of fiduciary duty and related allegations, all arising from the above SEC matter. The complaint seeks return of remuneration by the Directors and other remedies.
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Item 2. | MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS. |
Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
This report contains statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions (including certain projections and business trends) accompanied by such phrases as “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “will”, “intend” and other similar or negative expressions, that are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the following:
· | dependence on key personnel; |
· | maintaining revenue from subscriptions for the Company’s products; |
· | protection of intellectual property rights; |
· | changes in market and economic conditions; |
· | fluctuations in the Company’s assets under management due to broadly based changes in the values of equity and debt securities, redemptions by investors and other factors; |
· | dependence on Value Line Funds for investment management and related fees; |
· | competition in the fields of publishing, licensing and investment management; |
· | the impact of government regulation on the Company’s business and the uncertainties of litigation and regulatory proceedings; |
· | terrorist attacks; and |
· | other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the risks described in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2008, and other risks and uncertainties from time to time. |
Any forward-looking statements are made only as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Results of Operations
The second fiscal quarter, which ended on October 31, 2008, was a difficult one domestically, and, in particular, within the financial services industry. The economy, which appeared to be in an orderly slowdown as the period began in August, quickly deteriorated into a serious recession, marked by a full-blown crisis in banking, widening pessimism among consumers and businesses, and a meltdown in the stock market which is impacting the entire asset management industry. According to the Investment Company Institute, (“ICI”) the combined assets of the mutual funds in the United States decreased by $1.087 trillion, or 10.2 percent, to $9.6 trillion in October alone. For the calendar year through October, net new sales are negative as redemptions outweigh new sales for the mutual fund industry. Within the Company’s Investment Management and Licensing businesses, we have experienced significant asset erosion, similar to other money managers, which has impacted the Company’s revenues and operating income. However, despite the decline in assets under management, we have not seen the account closures that many other fund families have experienced. As compared to a year ago, the total number of shareholder accounts in the Value Line Funds (exclusive of the variable annuity accounts) has slightly increased by 1%.
For the six months ended October 31, 2008 the Company’s net income of $15,604,000 or $1.56 per share was $3,302,000 or 27% above net income of $12,302,000 or $1.23 per share for the six months ended October 31, 2007. Net income for the second quarter ended October 31, 2008 of $10,542,000 or $1.05 per share was $4,183,000 or 66% above net income of $6,359,000 or $0.64 per share for the second quarter of the prior fiscal year. Operating income of $13,731,000 for the six months ended October 31, 2008 was $4,650,000 or 25% below operating income of $18,381,000 last fiscal year. Operating income of $6,266,000 for the second quarter ended October 31, 2008 was $3,150,000 or 33% below operating income of $9,416,000 for the second quarter of the prior fiscal year. The Company’s income from securities transactions of $10,716,000 for the six months ended October 31, 2008 was 576% above last year’s income of $1,586,000. Shareholders’ equity of $79,763,000 at October 31, 2008 was 7% lower than shareholders’ equity of $85,329,000 at October 31, 2007.
15
Operating revenues which consist of investment periodicals and related publications revenues, licensing fees, and investment management fees and services all suffered declines for the quarter and fiscal year to date:
Three Months Ended October 31, | Six Months Ended October 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Percentage Change | Percentage Change | |||||||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | FY 09 vs. 08 | 2008 | 2007 | FY 09 vs. 08 | ||||||||||||||||||
Investment periodicals and related publications | $ | 9,956 | $ | 10,860 | -8.3 | % | $ | 20,293 | $ | 21,823 | -7.0 | % | ||||||||||||
Licensing fees | $ | 1,239 | $ | 1,792 | -30.9 | % | $ | 2,920 | $ | 3,445 | -15.2 | % | ||||||||||||
Investment management fees and services | $ | 7,132 | $ | 8,458 | -15.7 | % | $ | 15,327 | $ | 16,643 | -7.9 | % | ||||||||||||
Total Operating Revenues | $ | 18,327 | $ | 21,110 | -13.2 | % | $ | 38,540 | $ | 41,911 | -8.0 | % |
Investment periodicals and related publications revenues
The investment periodicals and related publications revenues were down $1,530,000 or 7% for the six months ended October 31, 2008 as compared to the first six months of the prior fiscal year. While the Company continues to attract new subscribers through various marketing channels, primarily direct mail and the Internet, total product line circulation continues to decline. Factors that have contributed to the decline in the investment periodicals and related publications revenues include the increasing amount of competition in the form of free or low cost investment research on the Internet and research provided by brokerage firms at no cost to their clients. The unfolding recession and turmoil in the markets have also contributed to the decline in subscriptions as individuals cut back on many forms of discretionary spending.
Within investment periodicals and related publications are subscription revenues derived from print and electronic products. The following chart illustrates the year to year change in the revenues associated with print and electronic subscriptions.
Six Months Ended October 31, | Percentage Change | |||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | FY 09 vs. 08 | |||||||||
Print publication revenues | $ | 13,917 | $ | 15,788 | -11.9 | % | ||||||
Electronic publication revenues | $ | 6,376 | $ | 6,035 | 5.7 | % | ||||||
Total Investment periodicals and related publications revenue | $ | 20,293 | $ | 21,823 | -7.0 | % | ||||||
Unearned Revenues (Short and Long Term) | $ | 29,159 | $ | 31,930 | -8.7 | % |
For the six months ended October 31, 2008 print publication revenues decreased $1,871,000 or 11.9% below last fiscal year for the reasons described above. Electronic publications revenues grew by $341,000 or 5.7% for the six months ended October 31, 2008. The electronic revenues are broken down into institutional accounts and retail subscribers. For the six months ended October 31, 2008, institutional revenues increased $659,000 or 24%, while revenues from retail subscribers were down $318,000 or 10% as compared to the six months ended October 31, 2007. The decrease in electronic retail publications revenues is primarily attributable to the decrease in circulation within the Company’s software products. Circulation of The Value Line Investment Analyzer decreased 14%, which resulted in a $229,000 decline in revenues from this product. The increase in institutional revenues is a result of expanding the sales force on the institutional side of the business.
16
Licensing revenues
Licensing fee revenues have decreased $525,000 or 15% for the six months ended October 31, 2008 as compared to the six months ended October 31, 2007. As of October 31, 2008, total third party sponsored assets attributable to the licensing business represent $3.6 billion in various products. The broad and deep declines throughout the equity markets have impacted assets attributable to the licensing business and resulted in lower asset based fees paid to the Company. While the third party sponsors continue to raise assets the broad market decline has eroded those assets as well as previous appreciation in existing assets. The Company is in discussion with new sponsors to increase products offered, but no new agreements have been signed in fiscal 2009. The Company believes the growth of the business is dependent upon the desire of third party marketers to use the Value Line trademarks and proprietary research for their products, signing new licensing agreements, and the marketplace’s acceptance of new products. As stated in the past, Value Line believes it was an early entrant into this new market seven years ago. Today this market has significantly broadened as a result of product diversification and growth of the use of indexes by portfolio managers, and the Company and its third party sponsors face more competition in the marketplace.
Investment management fees and distribution services revenues
The financial markets have experienced unprecedented volatility and declines over the past year some of which have not been seen in decades. Equity indexes such as the DJIA, NASDAQ, and S&P 500 are down 33%, 40%, and 37% respectively from October 31, 2007 to October 31, 2008. Such market pressures have resulted in a contraction in total assets within the Value Line Funds of 34.4% as compared to a year ago. The following tables illustrate the total fund assets as of October 31, 2008 as compared to October 31, 2007.
October 31, | Percentage Change | |||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | FY 09 vs. 08 | |||||||||
Equity funds | $ | 2,212,011 | $ | 3,656,441 | -39.5 | % | ||||||
Fixed income funds | $ | 231,834 | $ | 278,999 | -16.9 | % | ||||||
Money market fund | $ | 241,624 | $ | 159,810 | 51.2 | % | ||||||
Total net assets | $ | 2,685,469 | $ | 4,095,250 | -34.4 | % |
As a result of the decline in assets under management, investment management fees and distribution services revenues for the six months ended October 31, 2008 were $1,316,000 or 8% below the prior fiscal year. Management fees for the first six months of fiscal year 2009 were down $1,032,000 or 8% as compared to the first six months of fiscal year 2008. There was a net decrease of $175,000 or 5% in distribution services revenues. During the period, voluntary and contractual fee waivers exist for certain of the Value Line Funds. For the six months ended October 31, 2008 and 2007, 12b-1 fee waivers were $1,658,000 and $2,042,000, respectively. For the six months ended October 31, 2008 and 2007, total management fee waivers were $101,000 and $117,000, respectively. The Company’s subsidiaries, EULAV Asset Management and Value Line Securities, have no right to recoup the previously waived management fees and 12b-1 fees from the Value Line Funds. Separately managed accounts revenues decreased $109,000 or 18% for the six months ended October 31, 2008 as compared to the six months ended October 31, 2007 due to market decline in the portfolios.
17
Of the 14 funds managed by the Company, shares of Value Line Strategic Asset Management Trust (“SAM”) and Value Line Centurion Fund are available to the public only through the purchase of certain variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts issued by The Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company, Inc. (“GIAC”). The table below shows the assets in the equity funds broken down into the two channels the equity funds are available.
October 31, | Percentage Change | |||||||||||
(in thousands) | 2008 | 2007 | FY 09 vs. 08 | |||||||||
Equity fund assets sold through GIAC | $ | 521,810 | $ | 948,673 | -45.0 | % | ||||||
All other equity fund assets | $ | 1,690,201 | $ | 2,707,768 | -37.6 | % | ||||||
Total Equity fund net assets | $ | 2,212,011 | $ | 3,656,441 | -39.5 | % |
As of October 31, 2008, 80% of the equity funds, excluding SAM and Centurion, had four or five star ratings by Morningstar, Inc. The largest distribution channel for the Value Line Funds remains the fund supermarket platforms such as Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. The Company believes the platforms will continue to grow as a percentage of assets under management as more shareholders come into the Value Line Funds through intermediaries rather than by opening direct accounts.
The Value Line fixed income fund assets (excluding the Value Line Cash Fund), represent 9% of total fund assets at October 31, 2008 and are down 16.9% from the previous year. Cash Fund assets represent 9% of the total fund assets at October 31, 2008 and have increased 51% from the previous year. The increase in the Value Line Cash Fund is due to purchases by Arnold Bernhard & Co., Inc. (“Parent”) in the fourth quarter of last fiscal year and purchases by the Company in the second quarter ended October 31, 2008. The Parent has made no representations to the Company as to how long the cash will remain in the Value Line Cash Fund. The increase in the Cash Fund assets by the Company is due to the sale in the second quarter of equity investments and will remain in the Cash Fund until redeployed by the Company.
Expenses within the Company are categorized into Advertising and promotion, Salaries and employee benefits, Production and distribution, and Office and administration. Operating expenses of $24,809,000 for the six months ended October 31, 2008 were $1,279,000 or 5% above operating expenses of $23,530,000 last fiscal year. Operating expenses of $12,061,000 for the second quarter ended October 31, 2008 were $367,000 or 3% above operating expenses of $11,694,000 for the second quarter of the prior fiscal year.
Advertising and promotion
Three Months Ended October 31, | Six Months Ended October 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | Percentage Change | 2008 | 2007 | Percentage Change | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | FY 09 vs. 08 | FY 09 vs. 08 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Advertising and promotion | $ | 3,328 | $ | 3,478 | -4.3 | % | $ | 6,569 | $ | 7,074 | -7.1 | % |
Advertising and promotion expenses for the six months ended October 31, 2008 decreased $505,000 as compared to the first six months ended October 31, 2007. Costs associated with direct mail decreased $568,000 or 31% below last fiscal year, due to an ongoing targeted reduction in the overall number of pieces mailed year to year. Print advertising promoting the Value Line Funds in select markets increased by $239,000 for the six months ended October 31, 2008. While supermarket platform expenses were level with the prior year, the platform expenses are expected to be lower in the upcoming months due to the decline in fund assets under management.
18
Salaries and employee benefits
Three Months Ended October 31, | Six Months Ended October 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | Percentage Change | 2008 | 2007 | Percentage Change | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | FY 09 vs. 08 | FY 09 vs. 08 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Salaries and employee benefits | $ | 4,809 | $ | 4,524 | 6.3 | % | $ | 9,666 | $ | 9,133 | 5.8 | % |
Over the past several years, the Company has increased productivity by combining the roles and responsibilities and by selective outsourcing. Some duplication of effort has been eliminated and certain tasks, such as some data entry, have been outsourced to third party vendors that the Company believes can provide better controls and results at a favorable cost. As of October 31, 2008, the Company employed 205 employees comparable to 203 employees last fiscal year. Salaries and employee benefits are higher by $533,000 from the previous year due to cost of living increases to staff and additional hiring of new salesmen in Institutional Sales to expand the department.
Production and distribution
Three Months Ended October 31, | Six Months Ended October 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | Percentage Change | 2008 | 2007 | Percentage Change | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | FY 09 vs. 08 | FY 09 vs. 08 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Production and distribution | $ | 1,459 | $ | 1,611 | -9.4 | % | $ | 2,989 | $ | 3,274 | -8.7 | % |
Production and distribution expenses for the six months ended October 31, 2008 were $285,000 below expenses for the six months ended October 31, 2007. Amortized software costs decreased $187,000 below last fiscal year due to a decrease in expenditures for capitalized projects. In addition, the decline in expenses was due to volume reductions in paper, printing and mailing that resulted primarily from a decrease in circulation of the print products. Partially offsetting the savings during the six months ended October 31, 2008 was an approximate 8% increase in the cost of paper mid fiscal year 2008 and an increase in postage rates. The Company anticipates paper prices will increase again in the fiscal year as raw material prices increase. The Company continues to look at purchasing and delivery options in an effort to reduce costs of the print products to offset raw material price increases.
Office and administration
Three Months Ended October 31, | Six Months Ended October 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2008 | 2007 | Percentage Change | 2008 | 2007 | Percentage Change | |||||||||||||||||||
(in thousands) | FY 09 vs. 08 | FY 09 vs. 08 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Office and administration | $ | 2,465 | $ | 2,081 | 18.5 | % | $ | 5,585 | $ | 4,049 | 37.9 | % |
Office and administration expenses for the six months ended October 31, 2008 were $1,536,000 above expenses for the six months ended October 31, 2007. Professional fees significantly increased as compared to fiscal year 2008 primarily as a result of the SEC proceeding. Professional fees fluctuate year to year based on the level of operations, litigation or regulatory activity requiring the use of outside professionals.
19
Income from securities transactions, net
During the six months ended October 31, 2008 the Company’s income from securities transactions, net, of $10,716,000 was $9,130,000 higher than income from securities transactions, net, of $1,586,000 during the six months ended October 31, 2007. Income from securities transactions, net, includes dividend and interest income of $1,544,000 at October 31, 2008 that was $70,000 or 4% lower than income of $1,614,000 for the six months ended October 31, 2007 due to a decline in interest rates. Capital gains, net of capital losses during the six months ended October 31, 2008 were $9,192,000, which include a realized capital gain of $9,600,000 from the sale of equity securities within the Company’s portfolio. This compares to capital losses, net of capital gains of $34,000 during the six months ended October 31, 2007.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company had working capital of $80,314,000 as of October 31, 2008 and $85,872,000 as of October 31, 2007. Cash and short-term securities totaled $106,762,000 as of October 31, 2008 and $121,179,000 as of October 31, 2007.
Cash from operating activities
The Company’s cash flow from operations of $5,625,000 for the six months ended October 31, 2008 was 15% above cash flow from operations of $4,894,000 for the six months ended October 31, 2007. The primary change was the timing of purchases and maturity of fixed income government debt securities within the company’s trading portfolio and a lower effective tax rate on the Company’s investment income.
Cash from investing activities
The Company’s cash inflow from investing activities is $31,490,000 for the six months ended October 31, 2008 compared to cash outflow from investing activities of $4,349,000 for the six months ended October 31, 2007. The significant increase in cash inflows is a result of sales in the equity portfolio and the maturity of fixed income securities during the six months of the fiscal year 2009.
Cash from financing activities
The Company’s net cash outflow from financing activities was $6,988,000 that represents a quarterly dividend of $.30 per share paid in May 2008 for the last quarter of fiscal 2008 and $.40 per share paid for the first quarter of fiscal 2009. At the July 2008 board meeting, the board approved a quarterly dividend of $.40 per share, an increase of $.10 per share, paid in August 2008. Therefore, fiscal 2009 net cash outflow from financing activities was 17% higher than cash outflow from financing activities of $5,989,000 in the prior fiscal year.
Management believes that the Company’s cash and other liquid asset resources used in its business together with the future cash flows from operations will be sufficient to finance current and forecasted operations. Management does not anticipate any borrowing in fiscal 2009.
Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies
The Company’s Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies have not changed from those reported in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2008.
20
Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Market Risk Disclosures
The Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet includes a substantial amount of assets whose fair values are subject to market risks. The Company’s significant market risks are primarily associated with interest rates and equity prices. The following sections address the significant market risks associated with the Company’s business activities.
Interest Rate Risk
The Company’s strategy has been to acquire debt securities with low credit risk. Despite this strategy management recognizes and accepts the possibility that losses may occur. To limit the price fluctuation in these securities from interest rate changes, the Company’s management invests primarily, if not exclusively in short-term obligations maturing in less than 5 years.
The fair values of the Company’s fixed maturity investments will fluctuate in response to changes in market interest rates. Increases and decreases in prevailing interest rates generally translate into decreases and increases in fair values of those instruments. Additionally, fair values of interest rate sensitive instruments may be affected by prepayment options, relative values of alternative investments, and other general market conditions.
The following table summarizes the estimated effects of hypothetical increases and decreases in interest rates on assets that are subject to interest rate risk. It is assumed that the changes occur immediately and uniformly to each category of instrument containing interest rate risks. The hypothetical changes in market interest rates do not reflect what could be deemed best or worst case scenarios. Variations in market interest rates could produce significant changes in the timing of repayments due to prepayment options available. For these reasons, actual results might differ from those reflected in the table. Dollars are in thousands.
Estimated Fair Value after | ||||||||||||||||||||
Hypothetical Change in Interest Rates | ||||||||||||||||||||
(bp = basis points) | ||||||||||||||||||||
6 mos. | 6 mos. | 1 yr. | 1 yr. | |||||||||||||||||
Fair | 50bp | 50bp | 100bp | 100bp | ||||||||||||||||
Fixed Income Securities | Value | increase | decrease | increase | decrease | |||||||||||||||
As of October 31, 2008 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Investments in securities with fixed maturities | $ | 67,677 | $ | 66,553 | $ | 67,046 | $ | 66,049 | $ | 66,729 | ||||||||||
Investments in securities with fixed maturities | $ | 65,030 | $ | 63,947 | $ | 64,753 | $ | 63,146 | $ | 64,250 |
Management regularly monitors the maturity structure of the Company’s investments in debt securities in order to maintain an acceptable price risk associated with changes in interest rates.
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Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) | The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports filed with the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure. |
The Company’s management has evaluated, with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.
(b) | The registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have determined that there have been no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. |
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Part II - Other Information
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Refer to Note 9 (Contingencies) of the consolidated condensed financial statements for discussion of legal proceedings.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A – Risk Factors in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2008.
Item 6. Exhibits
31.1 Certificate of Chief Executive Officer Required Under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2 Certificate of Chief Financial Officer Required Under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1 Joint Chief Executive Officer/Chief Financial Officer Certificate Required Under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
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VALUE LINE, INC.
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.
Value Line, Inc. (Registrant) | ||
Date: December 15, 2008 | By: | /s/Jean Bernhard Buttner |
Jean Bernhard Buttner | ||
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer | ||
Date: December 15, 2008 | By: | /s/Mitchell E. Appel |
Mitchell E. Appel | ||
Chief Financial Officer |
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