UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
| | |
þ | | Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended February 29, 2008
| | |
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 No. 000-50916
Peoples Educational Holdings, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| | |
Delaware | | 41-1368898 |
| | |
(State or other jurisdiction of | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
incorporation or organization) | | |
299 Market Street, Saddle Brook, NJ 07663
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(201) 712-0090
(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. Yesþ Noo
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
| | | | | | |
Large accelerated filero | | Accelerated filero | Non-accelerated filero (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | Smaller reporting companyþ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yeso Noþ
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practical date: 4,454,502 shares of Common Stock (par value $0.02 per share) outstanding on April 1, 2008.
Part I
Item 1. Financial Statements
PEOPLES EDUCATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | UNAUDITED | | | | | | | UNAUDITED | |
(In Thousands-Except Share Data) | | February 29, 2008 | | | May 31, 2007 | | | February 28, 2007 | |
ASSETS | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash | | $ | 131 | | | $ | 98 | | | $ | 187 | |
Accounts Receivable Net of Allowances for Doubtful Accounts and Returns | | | 2,625 | | | | 3,961 | | | | 2,139 | |
Inventory | | | 4,807 | | | | 5,270 | | | | 5,396 | |
Prepaid Expenses and Other | | | 431 | | | | 334 | | | | 350 | |
Prepaid Marketing Expenses | | | 735 | | | | 638 | | | | 412 | |
Deferred Income Taxes | | | 1,157 | | | | 871 | | | | 655 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total Current Assets | | | 9,886 | | | | 11,172 | | | | 9,139 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Equipment and Leasehold Improvements- At Cost, Less Accumulated Depreciation of $1,917, $1,692 and $1,620, respectively | | | 634 | | | | 697 | | | | 745 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other Assets | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Deferred Prepublication Costs, Net | | | 16,003 | | | | 17,180 | | | | 17,540 | |
Deferred Income Taxes | | | 1,028 | | | | 1,155 | | | | 1,307 | |
Trademarks, Net | | | 167 | | | | 141 | | | | 135 | |
Prepaid Expenses and Other | | | 329 | | | | 370 | | | | 377 | |
Prepaid Marketing Expenses | | | 630 | | | | 1,036 | | | | 1,274 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total Other Assets | | | 18,157 | | | | 19,882 | | | | 20,633 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Assets | | $ | 28,677 | | | $ | 31,751 | | | $ | 30,517 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current Liabilities | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Current Maturities of Long Term Obligations | | $ | 2,048 | | | $ | 649 | | | $ | 187 | |
Accounts Payable | | | 3,228 | | | | 6,304 | | | | 7,831 | |
Accrued Compensation | | | 322 | | | | 547 | | | | 313 | |
Other Accrued Expenses | | | 555 | | | | 327 | | | | 306 | |
Deferred Revenue | | | 634 | | | | 327 | | | | 372 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total Current Liabilities | | | 6,787 | | | | 8,154 | | | | 9,009 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long Term Obligations, Less Current Maturities | | | 14,696 | | | | 16,405 | | | | 14,358 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Liabilities | | | 21,483 | | | | 24,559 | | | | 23,367 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Commitments and Contingencies | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stockholders’ Equity | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Preferred Stock, authorized 1,500,000 shares; none issued | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Common Stock, $0.02 par value; authorized 8,500,000 shares; issued: 4,470,734 as of February 2008 and 4,441,173 as of May 2007 & February 2007 | | | 89 | | | | 89 | | | | 89 | |
Additional Paid In Capital | | | 7,989 | | | | 7,875 | | | | 7,864 | |
Accumulated Deficit | | | (820 | ) | | | (708 | ) | | | (739 | ) |
Treasury Stock - 16,232 shares as for all periods, at cost | | | (64 | ) | | | (64 | ) | | | (64 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total Stockholders’ Equity | | | 7,194 | | | | 7,192 | | | | 7,150 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | | $ | 28,677 | | | $ | 31,751 | | | $ | 30,517 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
3
PEOPLES EDUCATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended |
| | February | | February |
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data) | | 2008 | | 2007 | | 2008 | | 2007 |
| | | | |
Revenue, Net | | $ | 6,390 | | | $ | 5,934 | | | $ | 31,759 | | | $ | 29,520 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of Revenue | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Direct Costs | | | 2,086 | | | | 1,994 | | | | 13,825 | | | | 12,561 | |
Prepublication Cost Amortization | | | 1,671 | | | | 1,498 | | | | 5,066 | | | | 4,390 | |
| | | | |
Total | | | 3,757 | | | | 3,492 | | | | 18,891 | | | | 16,951 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross Profit | | | 2,633 | | | | 2,442 | | | | 12,868 | | | | 12,569 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | | | 3,611 | | | | 3,853 | | | | 11,967 | | | | 12,224 | |
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (Loss) from Operations | | | (978 | ) | | | (1,411 | ) | | | 901 | | | | 345 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other Expenses, Net | | | 18 | | | | 2 | | | | 42 | | | | 22 | |
Interest Expense | | | 392 | | | | 212 | | | | 1,134 | | | | 781 | |
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Loss Before Income Taxes | | | (1,388 | ) | | | (1,625 | ) | | | (275 | ) | | | (458 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income Tax Benefit | | | (536 | ) | | | (618 | ) | | | (163 | ) | | | (151 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | |
Net Loss | | $ | (852 | ) | | $ | (1,007 | ) | | $ | (112 | ) | | $ | (307 | ) |
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Loss per Common Share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic and Diluted | | $ | (0.19 | ) | | $ | (0.23 | ) | | $ | (0.03 | ) | | $ | (0.07 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted-average Number of Common Shares Outstanding: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic and Diluted | | | 4,455 | | | | 4,425 | | | | 4,441 | | | | 4,431 | |
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
4
PEOPLES EDUCATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Additional | | | | | | |
| | Common | | Paid-In | | Accumulated | | Treasury | | |
(In Thousands) | | Stock | | Capital | | Deficit | | Stock | | Total |
| | |
Balance at May 31, 2007 | | $ | 89 | | | $ | 7,875 | | | $ | (708 | ) | | $ | (64 | ) | | $ | 7,192 | |
Stock Options Exercised | | | — | | | | 88 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 88 | |
Stock-Based Compensation | | | — | | | | 26 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 26 | |
Net Loss | | | — | | | | — | | | | (112 | ) | | | — | | | | (112 | ) |
| | |
Balance at February 29, 2008 | | $ | 89 | | | $ | 7,989 | | | $ | (820 | ) | | $ | (64 | ) | | $ | 7,194 | |
| | |
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
5
PEOPLES EDUCATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
| | | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended | |
| | February | |
(In Thousands) | | 2008 | | | 2007 | |
Cash Flows From Operating Activities | | | | | | | | |
Net Loss | | $ | (112 | ) | | $ | (307 | ) |
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Loss to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation | | | 232 | | | | 244 | |
Amortization of Prepublication Costs and Intangible Assets | | | 5,092 | | | | 4,407 | |
Stock-Based Compensation | | | 26 | | | | 77 | |
Market Value Adjustment of Interest Rate Swap | | | 238 | | | | — | |
Deferred Income Taxes | | | (159 | ) | | | (160 | ) |
Changes in Assets and Liabilities | | | | | | | | |
Accounts Receivable | | | 1,336 | | | | 1,213 | |
Inventory | | | 463 | | | | (1,504 | ) |
Prepaid Expenses and Other | | | (56 | ) | | | (301 | ) |
Prepaid Marketing Expenses | | | 309 | | | | (787 | ) |
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses | | | (3,311 | ) | | | (298 | ) |
Deferred Revenue | | | 307 | | | | 115 | |
Income Taxes Payable or Refundable | | | — | | | | 667 | |
| | | | | | |
Net Cash Provided By Operating Activities | | | 4,365 | | | | 3,366 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash Flows From Investing Activities | | | | | | | | |
Purchases of Equipment and Leasehold Improvements | | | (169 | ) | | | (160 | ) |
Expenditures for Intangibles | | | (52 | ) | | | (26 | ) |
Expenditures for Prepublication Costs | | | (3,889 | ) | | | (5,324 | ) |
| | | | | | |
Net Cash Used In Investing Activities | | | (4,110 | ) | | | (5,510 | ) |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash Flows From Financing Activities | | | | | | | | |
Net Payments Under Line of Credit | | | (178 | ) | | | (2,164 | ) |
Purchases of Treasury Stock | | | — | | | | (56 | ) |
Proceeds From the Exercise of Stock Options | | | 88 | | | | — | |
Principal Payments On Short Term Loan | | | — | | | | (1,000 | ) |
Net (Payments) Borrowings On Long-Term Debt | | | (132 | ) | | | 4,801 | |
| | | | | | |
Net Cash Provided By (Used In) Financing Activities | | | (222 | ) | | | 1,581 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash | | | 33 | | | | (563 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash | | | | | | | | |
Beginning of Period | | | 98 | | | | 750 | |
| | | | | | |
End of Period | | $ | 131 | | | $ | 187 | |
| | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Supplemental Cash Flow Information | | | | | | | | |
Cash Payments for: | | | | | | | | |
Interest | | $ | 929 | | | $ | 737 | |
| | | | | | |
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
6
Peoples Educational Holdings, Inc., and Subsidiary
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (UNAUDITED)
NOTE 1— Basis of Presentation
Nature of business: Peoples Educational Holdings, Inc. (PEH), through its wholly owned subsidiary, Peoples Education, Inc. (PE), formerly known as The Peoples Publishing Group, Inc., publishes and markets its own supplementary educational textbooks and materials for the K —12 school market. The materials are predominantly state-specific and standards-based, focused on state-required tests. PE distributes other publisher’s college textbooks and supplements to the high school Advanced Placement market. In addition, PE also publishes its own proprietary supplemental material for the Advanced Placement market. Marketing channels include direct and commission sales representatives, telemarketing, direct mail, and catalogs. PE and PEH are together referred to herein as the Company.
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company without audit and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and therefore do not include all information and disclosures necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These condensed consolidated financial statements contain, in the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal accruals and other recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of the consolidated financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented. The operating results for the three and nine-month periods ended February 29, 2008, are not necessarily indicative of the operating results to be expected for the full fiscal year. Accordingly, these condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2007.
Management is required to make certain estimates and assumptions which affect the amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses we have reported and our disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates and assumptions.
NOTE 2— Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable
Revenue is recognized when products are shipped, the customer takes title and assumes risk of loss, and collection of related receivable is probable. The allowances for returns as of February 29, 2008, May 31, 2007 and February 28, 2007 were approximately $524,000, $478,000, and $460,000, respectively. This allowance is recorded at the time of revenue recognition, if the right of return exists, and is recorded as a reduction of accounts receivable. The Company recognizes shipping and handling revenues as part of revenue, and shipping and handling expenses as part of cost of revenue on the statements of operations. The Company recognizes subscription based revenue on its Measuring Up e-Path® prorata over the life of the agreement.
The Company provides credit to its customers determined on a customer-by-customer basis. Trade receivables are carried at original invoice amount less an estimate made for doubtful accounts based on a review of all outstanding amounts on a monthly basis. Management determines the allowance for doubtful accounts after reviewing individual customer accounts as well as considering both historical and expected credit loss experience. Trade receivables are written off when deemed uncollectible. Recoveries of trade receivables previously written off are recorded when received. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $40,000 at February 29, 2008, May 31, 2007, and February 28, 2007.
NOTE 3— Basic and Diluted Per Share Amounts
Basic per share amounts are computed, generally, by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted per share amounts assume the conversion, exercise or issuance of all potential common stock instruments, unless their effect is anti-dilutive thereby reducing the loss or increasing the income per common share. Due to the Company’s net losses for the three month period ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007, -0- and 205,844 shares respectively, were excluded from the diluted share calculation, as the impact was antidilutive.
Due to the Company’s net losses for the nine month period ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007, 35,315 and 186,841 shares, respectively, were excluded from the diluted share calculation, as the impact was antidilutive.
7
NOTE 4— Deferred Prepublication Costs
Deferred prepublication costs are capitalized and amortized over a three or five-year period (the estimated lives of the related publication) using the straight-line method beginning on the in-stock date of the publication. The activity in deferred prepublication costs and the balances as of February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007 are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended |
| | February | | February |
(In Thousands) | | 2008 | | 2007 | | 2008 | | 2007 |
| | | | |
Balances, Beginning | | $ | 16,555 | | | $ | 17,518 | | | $ | 17,180 | | | $ | 16,606 | |
Prepublication Cost Additions | | | 1,119 | | | | 1,520 | | | | 3,889 | | | | 5,324 | |
Amortization Expense | | | (1,671 | ) | | | (1,498 | ) | | | (5,066 | ) | | | (4,390 | ) |
| | | | |
Balances, Ending | | $ | 16,003 | | | $ | 17,540 | | | $ | 16,003 | | | $ | 17,540 | |
| | | | |
The estimated future amortization expense over the next five years as related to the above deferred prepublication costs is as follows:
| | | | |
For the remainder of fiscal 2008 | | $ | 1,630 | |
For the year ended May 31, 2009 | | | 6,191 | |
For the year ended May 31, 2010 | | | 4,080 | |
For the year ended May 31, 2011 | | | 2,534 | |
For the year ended May 31, 2012 | | | 1,287 | |
Thereafter | | | 281 | |
| | | |
| | $ | 16,003 | |
| | | |
Future estimated expense amount is expected to increase as the Company continues its investments in additional prepublication costs.
NOTE 5— Trademarks Trademark costs are capitalized and amortized over their estimated lives, generally 15 years, using the straight-line method. The activity and balances as of February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007 are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended |
| | February | | February |
(In Thousands) | | 2008 | | 2007 | | 2008 | | 2007 |
| | | | |
Balances, Beginning | | $ | 170 | | | $ | 136 | | | $ | 141 | | | $ | 126 | |
Additions | | | 6 | | | | 2 | | | | 52 | | | | 26 | |
Amortization Expense | | | (9 | ) | | | (3 | ) | | | (26 | ) | | | (17 | ) |
| | | | |
Balances, Ending | | $ | 167 | | | $ | 135 | | | $ | 167 | | | $ | 135 | |
| | | | |
The estimated future annual amortization expense related to these intangibles is expected to range from approximately $4,000 to $8,000 in each of the next five years. During the three months ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007, certain trademarks were written off, which accounted for $7,000 and $2,000, in additional amortization expense, respectively.
NOTE 6— Prepaid Marketing Expense
The costs of catalogs and promotional materials that have not been completed or delivered to customers are carried as a prepaid expense until the actual date of completion and mailing. Prepaid samples consist of workbooks that will be distributed to educators over the next three years and are expensed as they are distributed. Marketing expenses include samples, catalogs and promotional materials.
8
Prepaid marketing expenses are presented in the balance sheets as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | February 29, | | | May 31, | | | February 28, | |
(In Thousands) | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2007 | |
Total Prepaid Balance | | $ | 1,365 | | | $ | 1,674 | | | $ | 1,686 | |
Less current portion | | | 735 | | | | 638 | | | | 412 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Long-term balance | | $ | 630 | | | $ | 1,036 | | | $ | 1,274 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
The estimated recognition of prepaid marketing expense is expected to be as follows:
| | | | |
(In Thousands) | | | | |
For the remainder of fiscal 2008 | | $ | 329 | |
For the year ended May 31, 2009 | | | 541 | |
For the year ended May 31, 2010 | | | 495 | |
NOTE 7— Financing Arrangements
The Company has a $20 million credit agreement with Sovereign Bank. Amounts borrowed under the agreement are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company. The agreement provides for a $10 million revolving line of credit and a $10 million term loan.
| • | | The revolving line of credit provides for advances up to $10 million and expires in March 2012. The interest rate on the revolving line of credit is in a range from LIBOR plus 2.0% to LIBOR plus 2.25%, or prime to prime plus 0.5%, with the exact interest rate based on the ratio of the Company’s Total Funded Debt to EBITDA. At February 29, 2008, $6.7 million was outstanding under this facility, and $3.3 million was available for borrowing. |
|
| • | | The term loan is for $10 million and matures in December 2012. The term loan provides for payments of interest only for the first twelve months and for 20 equal quarterly payments of principal and interest thereafter until maturity, beginning on March 31, 2008. The term loan bears interest at the same rate as the revolving line of credit for $5 million of the $10 million outstanding. We entered into a swap agreement to fix the interest rate on the balance of the term loan for three years at a rate of 5.3% plus an interest spread of 2.00% to 2.25% based upon our total funded debt to EBITDA ratio. After the three-year period, the interest rate reverts back to a variable rate. The change in the fair value of the interest rate swap is recognized as interest expense or income during each reporting period. For the three and nine month periods ended February 29, 2008, we have recorded $102,000 and $238,000 of interest expense as a result of the mark-to-market interest rate adjustment. |
The credit agreement contains certain financial covenants, calculated on a consolidated basis for the Company and its subsidiary, which, among other things, impose a maximum ratio of total funded debt to EBITDA, and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. These financial covenants restrict the payment of dividends on the Company’s common stock.
NOTE 8— Stock-Based Compensation
During the three and nine month periods ended February 29, 2008 and 2007, we recognized stock-based compensation expense as follows:
9
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended | |
| | February | | February |
(Amounts in Thousands) | | 2008 | | 2007 | | 2008 | | 2007 |
| | | | |
Stock Based Compensation Expense | | $ | 9 | | | $ | 32 | | | $ | 26 | | | $ | 77 | |
To calculate the option-based compensation expense under SFAS 123R, we use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Our determination of fair value of option-based awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model is affected by our stock price as well as assumptions regarding certain subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, our expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards, the risk-free interest rate, and the expected life of the options. The risk-free interest rate assumption is based on a treasury instrument whose term is consistent with the expected life of the stock options granted. The expected volatility, holding period, and forfeitures of options assumptions are based on historical experience.
The following table represents stock option activity for the nine months ended February 29, 2008:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Weighted |
| | | | | | Weighted | | Average |
| | | | | | Average | | Remaining |
| | Number | | Exercise | | Contract |
| | of Shares | | Price | | Life |
Outstanding options at 5/31/07 | | | 856,036 | | | $ | 3.44 | | | | | |
Granted | | | 10,000 | | | $ | 4.05 | | | | | |
Exercised | | | (29,561 | ) | | $ | 3.00 | | | | | |
Canceled | | | (75,439 | ) | | $ | 3.15 | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding options at 2/29/08 | | | 761,036 | | | $ | 3.49 | | | 3.75 Yrs. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Outstanding exercisable at 2/29/08 | | | 735,915 | | | $ | 3.46 | | | 3.56 Yrs. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
The weighted average fair value at date of grant for options granted was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Assumptions used by the Company related to the nine months ended February 29, 2008 were an expected dividend yield rate of 0%, an expected stock price volatility of 34%, a risk free interest rate of 4.4%, and an expected life of the options of five years. Shares available for future stock grants to employees and directors under existing plans were 113,475 at February 29, 2008. At February 29, 2008, the aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and the aggregate intrinsic value of options exercisable was $0. Total intrinsic value of options exercised was $18,306 for the nine months ended February 29, 2008.
At February 29, 2008, there was approximately $34,000 of unrecognized compensation cost related to share-based payments, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of five years.
NOTE 9— Income Taxes
On a quarterly basis, we estimate what our effective tax rate will be for the full fiscal year and record a quarterly income tax provision based on the anticipated rate. As the year progresses, we refine our estimate based on the facts and circumstances by each tax jurisdiction. The effective tax rates for the quarters ended February 29, 2008 and February 28, 2007 were approximately 40%.
We adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 48,Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes-an Interpretation of FASB Statement 109(“FIN 48”), on June 1, 2007 with no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
10
We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various state jurisdictions. Tax regulations within each jurisdiction are subject to the interpretation of the related tax laws and regulations and require significant judgment to apply. With few exceptions, we are no longer subject to U.S. federal, state or local income tax examinations by tax authorities for the years before 2004. We are not currently under examination by any taxing jurisdiction.
NOTE 10— Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 157 (SFAS 157),“Fair Value Measurements". SFAS 157 establishes a common definition for fair value to be applied to U.S. GAAP guidance requiring use of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and expands disclosure about such fair value measurements. SFAS 157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We are currently assessing the impact SFAS 157 may have on our consolidated financial statements.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159,The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. SFAS No. 159 gives companies an irrevocable option to carry many financial assets and liabilities at fair values, with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. SFAS No. 159 is effective for us beginning June 1, 2008, although early adoption is permitted. We are currently assessing the potential impact that adoption of SFAS No. 159 will have on our consolidated financial statements.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141R, “Business Combinations,” which changes how the Company would account for business acquisitions. SFAS No. 141R requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all (and only) the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction and establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Certain provisions of this standard will, among other things, impact the determination of acquisition-date fair value of consideration paid in a business combination (including contingent consideration); exclude transaction costs from acquisition accounting; and change accounting practices for acquired contingencies, acquisition-related restructuring costs, in-process research and development, indemnification assets, and tax benefits. For the Company, SFAS No. 141R is effective for business combinations and adjustments to an acquired entity’s deferred tax asset and liability balances occurring after December 31, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the future impacts and disclosures of this standard.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements, an amendment of ARB No. 51,” which establishes new standards governing the accounting for and reporting of noncontrolling interests (NCIs) in partially owned consolidated subsidiaries and the loss of control of subsidiaries. Certain provisions of this standard indicate, among other things, that NCIs (previously referred to as minority interests) be treated as a separate component of equity, not as a liability; that increases and decrease in the parent’s ownership interest that leave control intact be treated as equity transactions, rather than as step acquisitions or dilution gains or losses; and that losses of a partially owned consolidated subsidiary be allocated to the NCI even when such allocation might result in a deficit balance. This standard also requires changes to certain presentation and disclosure requirements. For the Company, SFAS No. 160 is effective beginning January 1, 2009. The provisions of the standard are to be applied to all NCIs prospectively, except for the presentation and disclosure requirements, which are to be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. The Company is currently evaluating the future impacts and disclosures of this standard.
NOTE 11— Related-Party Transactions
Mr. Casabonne, one of the Company’s directors, is a principal in Casabonne Associates and was a principal until October 1, 2006 in Marketing Works. The table below summarizes payments made to Casabonne Associates and Marketing Works for the three and nine month periods ended February 29, 2008 and 2007.
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| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended | | Nine Months Ended |
| | February | | February |
| | 2008 | | 2007 | | 2008 | | 2007 |
| | | | |
Casabonne Associates | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 10 | | | $ | 19 | |
Marketing Works (1) | | | — | | | | 4 | | | | — | | | | 36 | |
| | | | |
Total Payments | | $ | — | | | $ | 4 | | | $ | 10 | | | $ | 55 | |
| | | | |
| | |
(1) | | As Mr. Casabonne is no longer a related party of the organization. |
NOTE 12— Reclassifications
Certain amounts on the consolidated balance sheet as of February 28, 2007 have been reclassified, with no effect on net earnings, to be consistent with classifications as of February 29, 2008 and May 31, 2007.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
FORWARD—LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” (as defined in section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) regarding the Company and its markets. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including (1) changes in demand from customers, (2) changes in product or customer mix or revenues and in the level of operating expenses, (3) rapidly changing technologies and the Company’s ability to respond thereto, (4) the impact of competitive products and pricing, (5) federal, state and local levels of educational spending, (6) the Company’s ability to retain qualified personnel, (7) the Company’s ability to retain its distribution agreements in the College Preparation market, (8) the sufficiency of the Company’s copyright protection, and (9) the Company’s ability to continue to rely on the services of a third-party warehouse, and other factors disclosed below and throughout this report. The actual results that the Company achieves may differ materially from any forward-looking statements due to such risks and uncertainties. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this report. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by the Company in this report, including the discussion set forth below, and in the Company’s other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time that attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect the Company’s business and results of operations.
SEASONALITY
Each of our product lines has its own seasonality. The average revenue percentage by quarter for the last two full fiscal years is summarized in the table below.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Jun - Aug | | | Sep - Nov | | | Dec - Feb | | | Mar - May | |
| | 1st Quarter | | | 2nd Quarter | | | 3rd Quarter | | | 4th Quarter | |
Test Preparation, Assessment, and Instruction | | | 27 | % | | | 27 | % | | | 20 | % | | | 26 | % |
College Preparation | | | 64 | % | | | 15 | % | | | 7 | % | | | 14 | % |
Total Revenue | | | 39 | % | | | 23 | % | | | 16 | % | | | 22 | % |
OVERVIEW
We develop and sell our own proprietary products and distribute other publishers’ products. Our products are organized in two product groups, one designated as Test Preparation, Assessment, and Instruction, and the other as College Preparation. The Test Preparation, Assessment, and Instruction materials are almost exclusively proprietary products, while the College Preparation materials are mainly distributed products accompanied by a limited number of proprietary titles.
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Test Preparation, Assessment, and Instruction Product Group
Test Preparation, Assessment
| • | | We create and sell print and web-based materials targeted to grades 2-12 to help students prepare for state proficiency tests. The Measuring Up®Test Preparation and assessment print products are sold in twelve states. MeasuringUp® is positioned as standards-based, state customized instruction and classroom assessment, designed to be an integral part of a school’s instructional program throughout the school year. |
|
| • | | Measuring Up e-Pathä, a web-based assessment product developed in conjunction with Cisco Learning Systems, provides schools and districts the ability to provide formative classroom level assessments, which, in turn, allows for informed instruction relative to state standards. Measuring Up e-Pathä delivers a detailed prescriptive instructional path for individual students tied into our instructional materials or to other products in use within a school or district. The strategy is to help educators assess a child’s strengths and weaknesses relative to the state standards and then provide a Personal Prescriptive Path™ for remediation. The assessment data can be aggregated using NCLB-compliant reporting at the class, school and district level and can be used to drive not only student learning, but teacher professional development as well. |
| • | | We have two product lines within this grouping: Focused Instruction, and remedial, multicultural text and professional development related materials. Focused Instruction materials provide standards—based, state-specific supplemental instruction on particular subject areas such as reading comprehension, mathematics problem solving, and vocabulary development. Essential to this strategy is the market alignment of the Focused Instruction and Test Preparation and Assessment products so that both product lines are suitable for sale to an identical customer base with an identical sales force. We continue to sell our backlist remedial, multicultural and professional development materials, but we are not investing in new development for these products. |
College Preparation Product Group
| • | | We have the exclusive U.S. high school distribution rights for college textbooks and related instruction materials published by two major college publishers. In addition to these distributed products, we also publish our own proprietary products for the college preparation market. The college preparation products that we offer are utilized in a wide range of Advanced Placement, honors, electives and other high-level high school courses. Distribution revenue consists of direct billings to customers, as well as commissions earned on sales generated by our marketing efforts though billed directly by the college publishers. Such sales, for which the commission rate varies, include purchases by schools through online bookstores and sales derived as a result of purchases made through state adoption contracts. |
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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended February 29, 2008 vs. Three Months Ended February 28, 2007
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended February |
(Amounts in Thousands) | | 2008 | | 2007 |
| | | | |
Revenue | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Test Preparation, Assessment and Instruction | | $ | 5,619 | | | | 87.9 | % | | $ | 5,150 | | | | 86.8 | % |
College Preparation | | | 771 | | | | 12.1 | % | | | 784 | | | | 13.2 | % |
| | | | |
Total Revenue | | | 6,390 | | | | 100.0 | % | | | 5,934 | | | | 100.0 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of Revenue | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Direct Costs | | | 2,086 | | | | 32.6 | % | | | 1,994 | | | | 33.6 | % |
Prepublication Cost Amortization | | | 1,671 | | | | 26.2 | % | | | 1,498 | | | | 25.2 | % |
| | | | |
Total Cost Of Revenue | | | 3,757 | | | | 58.8 | % | | | 3,492 | | | | 58.8 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Marketing and Selling | | | 2,405 | | | | 37.6 | % | | | 2,697 | | | | 45.4 | % |
General and Administrative | | | 1,206 | | | | 18.9 | % | | | 1,156 | | | | 19.5 | % |
| | | | |
Total Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | | | 3,611 | | | | 56.5 | % | | | 3,853 | | | | 64.9 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating Loss | | | (978 | ) | | | -15.3 | % | | | (1,411 | ) | | | -23.7 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other Expenses | | | 18 | | | | 0.3 | % | | | 2 | | | | 0.0 | % |
Interest Expense | | | 392 | | | | 6.1 | % | | | 212 | | | | 3.6 | % |
Income Tax Benefit | | | (536 | ) | | | -8.3 | % | | | (618 | ) | | | -10.4 | % |
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Loss | | $ | (852 | ) | | | -13.3 | % | | $ | (1,007 | ) | | | -16.9 | % |
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
EPS Basic and Diluted | | $ | (0.19 | ) | | | | | | $ | (0.23 | ) | | | | |
Overview
Net revenue for the three-month period ended February 29, 2008 increased 7.7% compared to the same period in the prior year. This increase was comprised of a 9.1% increase in our Test Preparation, Assessment, and Instruction revenue and a decrease of 1.7% in College Preparation revenue. Net loss for the three months ended February 29, 2008 was $0.9 million or ($0.19) per basic and diluted common share, compared to net loss of $1.0 million or ($0.23) per basic and diluted common share for the same period last year.
REVENUE
Test Preparation, Assessment, and Instruction
Revenue from the Test Preparation, Assessment, and Instruction product group was $5.6 million for the three months ended February 29, 2008 and $5.2 million for the three months ended February 28, 2007. Test Preparation and Assessment revenue increased by 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. Focused Instruction revenue for the quarter decreased by 2.5% from the prior year, due to the timing of orders, as year to date Focused Instruction revenue has increased 11.5% over prior year.
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College Preparation
College Preparation product line revenue decreased 1.7%, to $771,000 for the three months ended February 29, 2008 compared to the same period in the prior year. Revenue from the two major college publishers decreased 1.8 % or $13,000 compared to the prior year. Revenue from other distribution agreements and from our proprietary products was $71,000 for the three-months ended February 29, 2008, a decrease of less than 1% from the same period in the prior year. Revenue for this product group is highly seasonal; as historically revenue generated during this quarter only represents approximately 7% of the total fiscal year revenue. We are continuing to invest in new proprietary product development and actively market our distribution products within this line, as we continue to be optimistic about the opportunities for growth in this market niche.
COST OF REVENUE
Cost of Revenue for the three months ended February 29, 2008 was $3.8 million (58.8% of revenue) compared to $3.5 million (58.8% of revenue) during the same period in the prior year.
Cost of Revenue consists of two components: direct costs and prepublication cost amortization. Direct costs consist of (1) product cost, which includes paper, printing, binding, and prepress costs for proprietary products and product purchases for nonproprietary products, (2) royalties on proprietary products, and (3) warehousing and shipping costs for all products.
| • | | Direct costs as a percentage of revenue for the quarter decreased from 33.6% in the prior year to 32.6%. The decrease as a percent of revenue is primarily due to a reduction in product costs. |
|
| • | | Prepublication costs include one-time expenses associated with developing and producing new or revised proprietary products. It includes all editorial expenses, writing, page design and makeup, art and other permissions, prepress, and any other costs incurred up to the print/bind stage of the books. These prepublication costs also include expenses incurred for other forms of product development. Prepublication costs are capitalized and expensed on a straight-line basis over a three- or five-year period, based upon the product. We believe our amortization policy is in line with industry practice. For the three-month period ending February, 29, 2008 we amortized $1.7 million of prepublication costs, compared to $1.5 million in the prior year. |
MARKETING AND SELLING
Marketing and Selling expenses for the quarter decreased $292,000 and 10.8% from the prior year. As a percent of revenue, the current period expense was 37.6% of revenue, compared to 45.4% in the prior year.
Marketing expense within this category decreased $247,000 for the three months ended February 29, 2008 compared to the prior year. Sample expense decreased by $107,000 for the quarter. This is primarily due to timing, as sample expense for the nine month period increased $146,000 from the prior year. In addition, we also experienced a decrease of $165,000 in promotional expenses due to the timing of programs versus the prior year.
Selling expenses within this category for the three months ended February 29, 2008 decreased $46,000 from the prior year. As a percent of revenue, the expense decreased to 25.8% for the current period from 28.6% in the prior year. In the prior year we participated in a state adoption for one of our major college publishers, within our College Preparation niche. We incurred $99,000 of expenses related to this adoption in the prior year quarter. No such expense occurred in the current year. This reduction was offset by a $160,000 increase in commission expense due to revenue mix in the current year.
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GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
General and administrative expenses for the quarter increased $50,000 and 4.3% from the prior year. The increase is related to the timing of expenses in the current period compared to the prior year, as nine-month year-to-date expense is $88,000 lower than from the prior year.
INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest expense for the three months ended February 29, 2008 was $392,000, an increase of $180,000 from the prior year. The change is due to an increase in outstanding debt on a year-over-year basis, offset by lower interest rates. In addition, we recognized $102,000 of non-cash interest expense as a result of the adjustment to fair value of our swap agreement on our term loan.
Nine Months Ended February 29, 2008 vs. Nine Months Ended February 28, 2007
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended February |
(Amounts in Thousands) | | 2008 | | 2007 |
| | | | |
Revenue | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Test Preparation, Assessment and Instruction | | $ | 19,463 | | | | 61.3 | % | | $ | 18,826 | | | | 63.8 | % |
College Preparation | | | 12,296 | | | | 38.7 | % | | | 10,694 | | | | 36.2 | % |
| | | | |
Total Revenue | | | 31,759 | | | | 100.0 | % | | | 29,520 | | | | 100.0 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of Revenue | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Direct Costs | | | 13,825 | | | | 43.5 | % | | | 12,561 | | | | 42.6 | % |
Prepublication Cost Amortization | | | 5,066 | | | | 16.0 | % | | | 4,390 | | | | 14.9 | % |
| | | | |
Total Cost Of Revenue | | | 18,891 | | | | 59.5 | % | | | 16,951 | | | | 57.5 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Marketing and Selling | | | 8,484 | | | | 26.7 | % | | | 8,653 | | | | 29.3 | % |
General and Administrative | | | 3,483 | | | | 11.0 | % | | | 3,571 | | | | 12.1 | % |
| | | | |
Total Selling, General and Administrative Expenses | | | 11,967 | | | | 37.7 | % | | | 12,224 | | | | 41.4 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating Income | | | 901 | | | | 2.8 | % | | | 345 | | | | 1.1 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other Expenses | | | 42 | | | | 0.1 | % | | | 22 | | | | 0.1 | % |
Interest Expense | | | 1,134 | | | | 3.6 | % | | | 781 | | | | 2.6 | % |
Income Tax Expense | | | (163 | ) | | | -0.5 | % | | | (151 | ) | | | -0.5 | % |
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net Loss | | $ | (112 | ) | | | -0.5 | % | | $ | (307 | ) | | | -1.1 | % |
| | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
EPS Basic and Diluted | | $ | (0.03 | ) | | | | | | $ | (0.07 | ) | | | | |
Overview
Net revenue for the nine month period ended February 29, 2008 increased 7.6% compared to the same period in the prior year. Test Preparation, Assessment, and Instruction revenue increased 3.4% while College Preparation revenue increased 15.0%. Net loss for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 was $112,000, a reduction of 63.5% from the net loss incurred in the prior year. Basic and Diluted earnings per share for the current nine month period was ($0.03), compared to ($0.07) per basic common share for the same period in the prior year.
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REVENUE
Test Preparation, Assessment, and Instruction
Test Preparation, Assessment, and Instruction product group revenue for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 was $19.5 million, an increase of 3.4% from the same period in the prior year. Test Preparation and Assessment revenue increased 3.3% on a year-over year basis while Focused Instruction revenue grew 11.5%, as we continue to gain market share and develop new titles for this product offering. Revenue from our remedial, multicultural and professional development products, which represents 1% of revenue from this product group, decreased $120,000 for the period, as we are not actively marketing these products any longer.
College Preparation
College Preparation product line revenue for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 was $12.3 million, an increase of 15.0% compared to the same period in the prior year. Revenue from the two major college publishers increased 14.4% to $11.7 million. Revenue from other distribution agreements and from our proprietary products increased 27.3% to $640,000 for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 compared to the same period in the prior year. Revenue for this product group is highly seasonal, as historically revenue generated during the first nine months of the year represents approximately 86% of the total fiscal year revenue. We are continuing to invest in new proprietary product development and actively market our distribution products within this line, as we continue to be optimistic about the opportunities for growth in this market niche.
COST OF REVENUE
Cost of Revenue for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 was $18.9 million (59.5% of revenue) compared to $17.0 million (57.5% of revenue) during the same period in the prior year.
Cost of Revenue consists of two components: direct costs and prepublication cost amortization. Direct costs consist of (1) product cost, which includes paper, printing, binding, and prepress costs for proprietary products and product purchases for nonproprietary products, (2) royalties on proprietary products, and (3) warehousing and shipping costs for all products.
| • | | Direct costs as a percentage of revenue for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 was 43.5%, an increase from 42.6% in the prior year. The percentage increase is due to revenue mix, as College Preparation revenue increased from 36.2% to 38.7% of the total revenue. College Preparation direct costs are substantially higher than the direct cost of Testing, Assessment and Instruction, as the majority of College Preparation revenue consists of non-proprietary products. |
|
| • | | Prepublication costs include one-time expenses associated with developing and producing new or revised proprietary products. It includes all editorial expenses, writing, page design and makeup, art and other permissions, prepress, and any other costs incurred up to the print/bind stage of the books. These prepublication costs also include expenses incurred for other forms of product development. Prepublication costs are capitalized and expensed on a straight-line basis over a three or five-year period, based upon the product. We believe our amortization policy is in line with industry practice. For the nine month period ending February 29, 2008 we amortized $5.1 million of prepublication costs, compared to $4.4 million during the same period in the prior year. |
MARKETING AND SELLING
Marketing and Selling expenses for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 were $8.5 million, a decrease of $169,000 from the prior year. As a percent of revenue, the expenses decreased from 29.3% to 26.7%.
Marketing expense within this category increased $51,000 for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 compared to the prior year. The increase is primarily due to a $146,000 increase in sample expense, primarily related to promotion of our Focused Instruction products, offset by a decrease in salaries and related expenses of $99,000.
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Selling expenses within this category for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 decreased $220,000 from the prior year. As a percent of revenue, the expense decreased to 18.5% for the current period compared to 20.7% in the prior year. In the prior year we participated in a state adoption for one of our major college publishers, within our College Preparation niche. We incurred $250,000 of expenses related to this adoption. No such expense occurred in the current year.
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE
General and administrative expenses for the nine month period ended February 29, 2008 were $3.5 million, a decrease of $88,000 and 2.5% from the prior year. The decrease is related to a $52,000 decrease in stock based compensation option expense and overall general cost containment.
INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest expense for the nine month period ended February 29, 2008 was $1.1 million, compared to $781,000 for the same period in the prior year. The change is due to an increase in outstanding debt on a year-over-year basis, offset by lower interest rates. In addition, we recognized $238,000 of non-cash interest expense as a result of the mark to market interest rate adjustment related to our swap agreement on our term loan.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine month period ending February 29, 2008 was $4.4 million. Cash was primarily provided by our depreciation and amortization, as well as decreases in accounts receivable, inventory and prepaid expenses and an increase in deferred revenue, offset by a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses.
Net cash used in investing activities was $4.1 million, consisting primarily of prepublication cost expenditures of $3.9 million. Prepublication expenditures for the nine months ended February 29, 2008 decreased $1.4 million, or 27.0% compared to the same period in the prior year. The decrease in expenditures is primarily due to efficiencies realized within our production and editorial departments which allowed us to reduce the development costs on new and revised titles.
Net cash used in financing activities was $222,000. This consists primarily of net payments on our revolving line of credit and capital leases of $178,000 and $132,000, respectively, offset by $88,000 of proceeds from the exercise of stock options.
The Company has a $20 million credit agreement with Sovereign Bank. Amounts borrowed under the agreement are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company. The agreement provides for a $10 million revolving line of credit and a $10 million term loan.
| • | | The revolving line of credit provides for advances up to $10 million and expires in March 2012. The interest rate on the revolving line of credit is in a range from LIBOR plus 2.0% to LIBOR plus 2.25%, or prime to prime plus 0.5%, with the exact interest rate based on the ratio of the Company’s Total Funded Debt to EBITDA. At February 29, 2008, $6.7 million was outstanding under this facility, and $3.3 million was available for borrowing. |
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| • | | The term loan is for $10 million and matures in December 2012. The term loan provides for payments of interest only for the first twelve months and for 20 equal quarterly payments of principal and interest thereafter until maturity, beginning on March 31, 2008. The term loan bears interest at the same rate as the revolving line of credit for $5 million of the $10 million outstanding. We entered into a swap agreement to fix the interest rate on the balance of the term loan for three years at a rate of 5.3% plus an interest spread of 2.00% to 2.25% based upon our total funded debt to EBITDA ratio. After the three-year period, the interest rate reverts back to a variable rate. The change in the fair value of the interest rate swap is recognized as interest expense or income during each reporting period. For the three and nine month periods ended February 29, 2008, we have recorded $102,000 and $238,000 of interest expense as a result of the mark-to-market interest rate adjustment. |
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The credit agreement contains certain financial covenants, calculated on a consolidated basis for the Company and its subsidiary, which, among other things, impose a maximum ratio of total funded debt to EBITDA, and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. These financial covenants restrict the payment of dividends on the Company’s common stock.
We use our cash and borrowing availability under our financing arrangements, together with cash generated from operations, to meet our cash needs. We believe that our borrowing capacity together with our existing sources of cash will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for the balance of the fiscal year. We intend to continue investing in prepublication costs for our proprietary products, using cash generated from operations, and borrowings under financing arrangements. As we develop more products, additional investments in inventory will be required.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
None.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND SIGNIFICANT ESTIMATES
The Company’s significant accounting policies are summarized in the footnotes to our financial statements included in our May 31, 2007 Form 10-K. Some of our accounting policies require management to exercise significant judgment in selecting the appropriate assumptions for calculating financial estimates. These judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty. These judgments are based on our historical experience, known trends in our industry, terms of existing contracts and other information from outside sources, as appropriate. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions and conditions. Certain of the most critical policies that require significant judgment are as follows:
Revenue Recognition and Allowance for Returns
The Company recognizes revenue upon shipment and estimates returns, if the right of return exists. The allowances for returns are recorded as a reduction of accounts receivable and are determined based on the Company’s historical returns experience, which is monitored on a monthly and annual basis. The Company recognizes its subscription-based revenue from its Measuring Up e-Path™ pro-rata over the life of the agreement.
Deferred Prepublication Costs
Deferred prepublication costs are recorded at their original cost and amortized over a three or five-year period, based on the estimated lives of the related publications. The net carrying value of the deferred prepublication costs is periodically reviewed and compared to an estimate of future net undiscounted cash flows. On February 29, 2008, we had a valuation allowance against this asset of $159,000. If future net undiscounted cash flows are not sufficient to realize the net carrying value of the asset, an impairment charge will be recognized.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
We provide credit to our customers on a customer-by-customer basis. We review the accounts receivable aging on a monthly basis along with historical loss experience to estimate our allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts of $40,000 at February 29, 2008 is believed to be adequate for any exposure to loss.
Allowance for Excess and Slow-Moving Inventory
The Company continuously monitors its inventory on hand for salability. This monitoring includes review of historical sales experience, projected sales activity by title, and any planned changes to a title that are known by management. Any slow-moving or non-salable inventory identified is reserved or written down at that time. The reserve of $203,000 at February 29, 2008 is believed to be adequate to cover potential inventory loss exposure.
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Stock-Based Compensation
We adopted the provisions of SFAS 123R,Share-Based Payment,on January 1, 2006. SFAS 123R requires us to measure and recognize in our consolidated statements of income the expense associated with all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors based on estimated fair values. We utilize the Black-Scholes option valuation model to measure the amount of compensation expense to be recognized for each option award. There are several assumptions that must be made when using the Black-Scholes model such as the expected term of each option, the expected volatility of the stock price during the expected term of the option, estimated forfeitures, expected dividends to be paid and the risk- free interest rate expected during the option term. We have reviewed each of these assumptions carefully and have determined our best estimate for these variables. Of these assumptions, the expected term of the option and expected volatility of our common stock are the most difficult to estimate since they are based on the exercise behavior of employees and the expected performance of our stock. An increase in the volatility of our stock will increase the amount of compensation expense on new awards. An increase in the holding period of options will also cause an increase in compensation expense. Dividend yields and risk-free interest rates are less difficult to estimate, but an increase in the dividend yield will cause a decrease in expense and an increase in the risk-free interest rate will increase compensation expense.
Income Taxes
The carrying value of the Company’s net deferred tax assets assumes that the Company will be able to generate sufficient taxable income in the United States, based on estimates and assumptions. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce the carrying value of its net deferred tax asset to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized based on management’s estimates of future levels of taxable income. In the event the Company were to determine that it would not be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would decrease net income in the period such determination is made. On a quarterly basis, the Company evaluates the realizability of its deferred tax assets and assesses the requirements for a valuation allowance.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
None.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Controls and Procedures
The Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, have reviewed the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures at the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon this review, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports it files or submits under the 1934 Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, will be or have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitation in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
In the first quarter of calendar year 2005, we began implementation of our project to document and test our internal control procedures in order to satisfy the requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley
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Act. We have engaged a third party consulting firm to assist us in this effort. We are currently in the testing phase of the project. We are currently not required to comply with Section 404 until the end of our fiscal year 2008. Management has not identified any deficiencies in internal control that would constitute a material weakness. There have not been significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting as a result of our documentation efforts. However, as we move into the remediation phase of the project we expect that there may be changes to our internal control structure in order to comply with Section 404.
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Item 1A. Risk Factors
| | There has not been a material change to the risk factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007. |
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
| | During the three-months ended February 29, 2008, we did not issue any securities without registration under the Securities Act of 1933. |
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| | On October 5, 2005, we announced that our Board of Directors had approved a share repurchase program, permitting us to repurchase up to 100,000 shares of our common stock. We did not repurchase any shares during the nine months ended February 29, 2008. At February 29, 2008, 83,768 shares remained that could be purchased under the plan or programs. No share repurchase plan or program expired, or was terminated, during the period covered by this report. |
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Item 5. Other Information
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Item 6. Exhibits
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�� | | Exhibit 31.1 | | CEO Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a). |
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| | Exhibit 31.2 | | CFO Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a). |
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| | Exhibit 32.1 | | CEO 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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| | Exhibit 32.2 | | CFO 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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SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| | | | |
Dated: April 11, 2008 | PEOPLES EDUCATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC. | |
| | By: /s/ Brian T. Beckwith | |
| | Brian T. Beckwith | |
| | President and Chief Executive Officer | |
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