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 April 30, 2013
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 1-9065
ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
New York | | 16-0971022 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | | (IRS Employer Identification Number) |
| | |
368 Pleasant View Drive | | |
Lancaster, New York | | 14086 |
(Address of principal executive offices) | | (Zip code) |
(716) 684-8060
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
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 þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulations S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o No þ
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). (Check one):
Large accelerated filer | o | | Accelerated filer | o |
Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | o | | Smaller reporting company | þ |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
At June 1, 2013, 2,606,041 shares of Registrant's Class A Common Stock (par value $.01) and 1,643,773 shares of Class B Common Stock (par value $.01) were outstanding.
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. | Financial Statements |
Ecology and Environment, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
| | Unaudited | | | Audited | |
Assets | | April 30, 2013 | | | July 31, 2012 | |
| | | | | | |
Current assets: | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 11,958,764 | | | $ | 10,467,770 | |
Investment securities available for sale | | | 1,467,981 | | | | 1,404,582 | |
Contract receivables, net | | | 50,346,278 | | | | 61,568,443 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | 5,729,946 | | | | 4,799,724 | |
Income tax receivable | | | 1,880,083 | | | | 2,502,431 | |
Other current assets | | | 2,566,946 | | | | 1,802,843 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total current assets | | | 73,949,998 | | | | 82,545,793 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Property, building and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation, $24,220,809 and $22,584,958, respectively | | | 11,481,737 | | | | 12,112,078 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | 685,245 | | | | 860,499 | |
Other assets | | | 2,006,902 | | | | 1,993,785 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total assets | | $ | 88,123,882 | | | $ | 97,512,155 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Accounts payable | | $ | 8,123,725 | | | $ | 11,492,602 | |
Lines of credit | | | 6,519,041 | | | | 12,309,335 | |
Accrued payroll costs | | | 8,578,534 | | | | 7,529,728 | |
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations | | | 296,894 | | | | 488,460 | |
Billings in excess of revenue | | | 6,924,217 | | | | 8,281,919 | |
Other accrued liabilities | | | 3,905,749 | | | | 3,932,588 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total current liabilities | | | 34,348,160 | | | | 44,034,632 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Income taxes payable | | | 194,023 | | | | 194,023 | |
Deferred income taxes | | | 886,111 | | | | 423,324 | |
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations | | | 282,074 | | | | 102,635 | |
Commitments and contingencies (see note #17) | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | |
Shareholders' equity: | | | | | | | | |
Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share; authorized - 2,000,000 shares; no shares issued | | | - | | | | - | |
Class A common stock, par value $.01 per share; authorized - 6,000,000 shares; issued - 2,685,151 shares | | | 26,851 | | | | 26,851 | |
Class B common stock, par value $.01 per share; authorized - 10,000,000 shares; issued - 1,708,574 shares | | | 17,087 | | | | 17,087 | |
Capital in excess of par value | | | 19,963,309 | | | | 19,751,992 | |
Retained earnings | | | 30,229,262 | | | | 29,534,783 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income | | | 836,101 | | | | 711,842 | |
Treasury stock - Class A common, 77,724 and 84,730 shares; Class B common, 64,801 shares, at cost | | | (1,798,233 | ) | | | (1,897,032 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Total Ecology and Environment, Inc. shareholders' equity | | | 49,274,377 | | | | 48,145,523 | |
Noncontrolling interests | | | 3,139,137 | | | | 4,612,018 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total shareholders' equity | | | 52,413,514 | | | | 52,757,541 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | | $ | 88,123,882 | | | $ | 97,512,155 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
Ecology and Environment, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
Unaudited
| | Three months ended April 30, 2013 | | | Three months ended April 30, 2012 | | | Nine months ended April 30, 2013 | | | Nine months ended April 30, 2012 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenue | | $ | 32,218,923 | | | $ | 36,011,087 | | | $ | 105,192,174 | | | $ | 118,496,292 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of professional services and other direct operating expenses | | | 11,376,594 | | | | 13,560,046 | | | | 37,024,544 | | | | 41,906,831 | |
Subcontract costs | | | 6,160,917 | | | | 5,971,336 | | | | 18,587,985 | | | | 24,671,421 | |
Administrative and indirect operating expenses | | | 10,766,068 | | | | 10,967,127 | | | | 33,107,200 | | | | 33,796,454 | |
Marketing and related costs | | | 3,337,573 | | | | 4,311,887 | | | | 10,381,108 | | | | 12,137,894 | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 622,208 | | | | 626,568 | | | | 1,805,975 | | | | 1,502,607 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Loss) income from operations | | | (44,437 | ) | | | 574,123 | | | | 4,285,362 | | | | 4,481,085 | |
Interest expense | | | (64,475 | ) | | | (100,554 | ) | | | (249,581 | ) | | | (264,530 | ) |
Interest income | | | 77,573 | | | | 54,771 | | | | 188,685 | | | | 86,637 | |
Other (expense) income | | | (34,289 | ) | | | 48,063 | | | | (20,863 | ) | | | 168,586 | |
Gain on sale of investments | | | 63,422 | | | | - | | | | 63,422 | | | | - | |
Net foreign exchange loss | | | (23,737 | ) | | | (73,059 | ) | | | (138,526 | ) | | | (199,908 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(Loss) income before income tax provision (benefit) | | | (25,943 | ) | | | 503,344 | | | | 4,128,499 | | | | 4,271,870 | |
Income tax provision (benefit) | | | 80,732 | | | | (277,775 | ) | | | 1,760,936 | | | | 782,409 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net (loss) income | | $ | (106,675 | ) | | $ | 781,119 | | | $ | 2,367,563 | | | $ | 3,489,461 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | | | (333,919 | ) | | | (725,178 | ) | | | (654,544 | ) | | | (1,770,239 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net (loss) income attributable to Ecology and Environment, Inc. | | $ | (440,594 | ) | | $ | 55,941 | | | $ | 1,713,019 | | | $ | 1,719,222 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net (loss) income per common share: basic and diluted | | $ | (0.10 | ) | | $ | 0.01 | | | $ | 0.40 | | | $ | 0.41 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average common shares outstanding: basic and diluted | | | 4,251,200 | | | | 4,245,059 | | | | 4,247,150 | | | | 4,230,204 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
Ecology and Environment, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Unaudited
| | Three months ended April 30, 2013 | | | Three months ended April 30, 2012 | | | Nine months ended April 30, 2013 | | | Nine months ended April 30, 2012 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Comprehensive (loss) income: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net (loss) income including noncontrolling interests | | $ | (106,675 | ) | | $ | 781,119 | | | $ | 2,367,563 | | | $ | 3,489,461 | |
Foreign currency translation adjustments | | | (201,500 | ) | | | (227,982 | ) | | | 111,247 | | | | (503,350 | ) |
Unrealized investment (loss) gain, net | | | (37,552 | ) | | | (5,383 | ) | | | 364 | | | | 14,229 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Comprehensive (loss) income | | | (345,727 | ) | | | 547,754 | | | | 2,479,174 | | | | 3,000,340 | |
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests | | | (301,671 | ) | | | (745,611 | ) | | | (641,896 | ) | | | (1,830,295 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Comprehensive (loss) income attributable to Ecology and Environment, Inc. | | $ | (647,398 | ) | | $ | (197,857 | ) | | $ | 1,837,278 | | | $ | 1,170,045 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
Ecology and Environment, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Unaudited
| | Nine months ended April 30, 2013 | | | Nine months ended April 30, 2012 | |
| | | | | | |
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | | |
Net income | | $ | 2,367,563 | | | $ | 3,489,461 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization expense | | | 1,805,975 | | | | 1,502,607 | |
Benefit for deferred income taxes | | | (292,181 | ) | | | 53,611 | |
Share based compensation expense | | | 379,803 | | | | 547,688 | |
Tax impact of share-based compensation | | | - | | | | 105,988 | |
Gain on sale of investment securities | | | (63,422 | ) | | | - | |
Provision for contract adjustments | | | 449,946 | | | | 186,368 | |
Decrease (increase) in: | | | | | | | | |
- contract receivables | | | 10,963,958 | | | | 1,981,140 | |
- other current assets | | | (764,168 | ) | | | (26,779 | ) |
- income tax receivable | | | 631,197 | | | | (2,296,211 | ) |
- other non-current assets | | | (11,193 | ) | | | (14,676 | ) |
(Decrease) increase in: | | | | | | | | |
- accounts payable | | | (1,732,253 | ) | | | (4,056,771 | ) |
- accrued payroll costs | | | 1,009,998 | | | | (783,927 | ) |
- income taxes payable | | | - | | | | (1,377,647 | ) |
- billings in excess of revenue | | | (1,456,271 | ) | | | 1,610,950 | |
- other accrued liabilities | | | (52,805 | ) | | | (614,000 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | | 13,236,147 | | | | 307,802 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash flows (used in) provided by investing activities: | | | | | | | | |
Acquistion of noncontrolling interest of subsidiaries | | | (595,556 | ) | | | (892,294 | ) |
Purchase of property, building and equipment | | | (1,565,642 | ) | | | (3,150,868 | ) |
Proceeds from sale of investments | | | 1,554,425 | | | | 138,141 | |
Purchase of investment securities | | | (1,616,470 | ) | | | (42,482 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash used in investing activities | | | (2,223,243 | ) | | | (3,947,503 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash flows (used in) provided by financing activities: | | | | | | | | |
Dividends paid | | | (2,037,323 | ) | | | (2,046,657 | ) |
Proceeds from debt | | | 3,170 | | | | 294,199 | |
Repayment of debt and capital lease obligations | | | (732,825 | ) | | | (904,706 | ) |
Net (payments on) proceeds from line of credit | | | (5,543,495 | ) | | | 10,580,912 | |
Distributions to noncontrolling interests | | | (1,338,842 | ) | | | (663,086 | ) |
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interests | | | - | | | | 41,634 | |
Purchase of treasury stock | | | - | | | | (363,050 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | | | (9,649,315 | ) | | | 6,939,246 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | | | 127,405 | | | | (324,278 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | | | 1,490,994 | | | | 2,975,267 | |
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | | | 10,467,770 | | | | 8,529,842 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | | $ | 11,958,764 | | | $ | 11,505,109 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: | | | | | | | | |
Cash paid during the year for: | | | | | | | | |
- Interest | | $ | 244,048 | | | $ | 254,737 | |
- Income Taxes | | | 1,406,346 | | | | 4,001,786 | |
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash items: | | | | | | | | |
Dividends declared and not paid | | | 1,018,783 | | | | 1,028,881 | |
Acquistion of noncontrolling interest of subsidiaries - Loan | | | 212,401 | | | | 795,856 | |
Charge in accounts payable due to equipment purchases | | | 670,678 | | | | 586,574 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
Ecology and Environment, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity
Unaudited
| | Class A Common Stock Shares | | | Class A Common Stock Amount | | | Class B Common Stock Shares | | | Class B Common Stock Amount | | | Capital in Excess of Par Value | | | Retained Earnings | | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | | | Treasury Stock Shares | | | Treasury Stock Amount | | | Noncontrolling Interest | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at July 31, 2011 | | | 2,685,151 | | | $ | 26,851 | | | | 1,708,574 | | | $ | 17,087 | | | $ | 19,983,029 | | | $ | 30,797,763 | | | $ | 1,527,189 | | | | 190,724 | | | $ | (2,317,515 | ) | | $ | 3,923,429 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 773,579 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 2,266,171 | |
Foreign currency translation adjustment | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (871,476 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | 124,455 | |
Cash dividends paid ($.48 per share) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (2,036,559 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Unrealized investment gain, net | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 17,597 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Repurchase of Class A common stock | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 22,825 | | | | (363,050 | ) | | | - | |
Issuance of stock under stock award plan | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (716,662 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | (62,099 | ) | | | 716,662 | | | | - | |
Share-based compensation expense | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 731,583 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Tax impact of share based compensation | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 105,988 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Sale of subsidiary shares to noncontrolling interests | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 41,634 | |
Distributions to noncontrolling interests | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (1,123,896 | ) |
Purchase of additional noncontrolling interests | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (351,946 | ) | | | - | | | | 38,532 | | | | (5,208 | ) | | | 66,871 | | | | (619,775 | ) |
Stock award plan forfeitures | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 3,289 | | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at July 31, 2012 | | | 2,685,151 | | | $ | 26,851 | | | | 1,708,574 | | | $ | 17,087 | | | $ | 19,751,992 | | | $ | 29,534,783 | | | $ | 711,842 | | | $ | 149,531 | | | $ | (1,897,032 | ) | | $ | 4,612,018 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 1,713,019 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 654,544 | |
Foreign currency translation adjustment | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 123,895 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (12,648 | ) |
Cash dividends paid ($.24 per share) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (1,018,540 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Unrealized investment gain, net | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 364 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Share-based compensation expense | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 379,803 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | |
Distributions to noncontrolling interests | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (1,338,842 | ) |
Purchase of additional noncontrolling interests | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | (168,486 | ) | | | - | | | | - | | | | (7,804 | ) | | | 98,799 | | | | (775,935 | ) |
Stock award plan forfeitures | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | | 798 | | | | - | | | | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at April 30, 2013 | | | 2,685,151 | | | $ | 26,851 | | | | 1,708,574 | | | $ | 17,087 | | | $ | 19,963,309 | | | $ | 30,229,262 | | | $ | 836,101 | | | | 142,525 | | | $ | (1,798,233 | ) | | $ | 3,139,137 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
Ecology and Environment, Inc.
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
1. | Organization and Basis of Presentation |
Ecology and Environment, Inc., (“E&E” or “Company”) is a global broad-based environmental consulting firm whose underlying philosophy is to provide professional services worldwide so that sustainable economic and human development may proceed with minimum negative impact on the environment. The Company’s staff is comprised of individuals representing 85 scientific, engineering, health, and social disciplines working together in multidisciplinary teams to provide innovative environmental solutions. The Company has completed more than 50,000 projects for a wide variety of clients in 122 countries, providing environmental solutions in nearly every ecosystem on the planet. Revenues reflected in the Company's consolidated statements of income represent services rendered for which the Company maintains a primary contractual relationship with its customers. Included in revenues are certain services outside the Company's normal operations which the Company has elected to subcontract to other contractors.
The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Ecology and Environment, Inc., without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of such information. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The Company follows the same accounting policies in preparation of interim reports. Although E&E believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading, certain information and footnote disclosures, including a description of significant accounting policies normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. Therefore, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in E&E's 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The condensed consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results for any subsequent period or the entire fiscal year ending July 31, 2013.
Certain prior year amounts were reclassified to conform to the condensed consolidated financial statement presentation for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2013.
2. | Recent Accounting Pronouncements |
In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2013-02”). ASU 2013-02 requires entities to provide information about amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) by component. In addition, entities are required to present, either on the face of the financial statements or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of AOCI by the respective line items of net income, but only if the amount reclassified is required to be reclassified in its entirety in the same reporting period. For amounts that are not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures that provide additional details about those amounts. The Company adopted ASU 2013-12 effective February 1, 2013 and applied its provisions prospectively. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In June 2011, FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05 Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2011-05”). ASU 2011-05 increases the prominence of other comprehensive income in financial statements. Under ASU 2011-05, companies have the option to present the components of net income and comprehensive income in either one or two consecutive financial statements. The Company adopted ASU 2011-05 effective August 1, 2012 and applied its provisions retrospectively. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
3. Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company invests cash in excess of operating requirements in income-producing short-term investments. At April 30, 2013 and July 31, 2012, money market funds of $3.7 million and $2.2 million, respectively, were included in cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
4. | Fair Value of Financial Instruments |
The Company’s financial assets or liabilities are measured using inputs from the three levels of the fair value hierarchy. The asset’s or liability’s classification within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Valuation techniques used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The Company has not elected a fair value option on any assets or liabilities. The three levels of the hierarchy are as follows:
Level 1 Inputs – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities. Generally this includes debt and equity securities and derivative contracts that are traded on an active exchange market (e.g., New York Stock Exchange) as well as certain U.S. Treasury and U.S. Government and agency mortgage-backed securities that are highly liquid and are actively traded in over-the-counter markets.
Level 2 Inputs – Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets; or valuations based on models where the significant inputs are observable (e.g., interest rates, yield curves, credit risks, etc.) or can be corroborated by observable market data. The Company’s investment securities classified as Level 2 are comprised of international and domestic corporate and municipal bonds.
Level 3 Inputs – Valuations based on models where significant inputs are not observable. The unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use.
The availability of observable market data is monitored to assess the appropriate classification of financial instruments within the fair value hierarchy. Changes in economic conditions or model-based valuation techniques may require the transfer of financial instruments from one fair value level to another. In such instances, the transfer is reported at the beginning of the reporting period. The Company evaluated the significance of transfers between levels based upon the nature of the financial instrument. For the three and nine months ended April 30, 2013 and fiscal year ended July 31, 2012, there were no transfers in or out of levels 1, 2 or 3, respectively.
The fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis is summarized by level within the fair value hierarchy in the following table.
| April 30, 2013 | |
| Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Total | |
Assets | | | | | | | | |
Mutual funds | | $ | 1,467,981 | | | $ | --- | | | $ | --- | | | $ | 1,467,981 | |
| July 31, 2012 | |
| Level 1 | | Level 2 | | Level 3 | | Total | |
Assets | | | | | | | | |
Mutual funds | | $ | 1,353,365 | | | $ | 51,217 | | | $ | --- | | | $ | 1,404,582 | |
Mutual funds are valued at the net asset value of shares (“NAV”) held by the Company at period end. Mutual funds held by the Company are open-end mutual funds that are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These funds are required to publish their daily NAV and to transact at that price. The mutual funds held by the Company are deemed to be actively traded.
The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximated fair value at April 30, 2013 and July 31, 2012. These assets were classified as level 1 instruments at both dates. Long-term debt consists of bank loans and capitalized equipment leases. Lines of credit consist of borrowings for working capital requirements. Based on the Company's assessment of the current financial market and corresponding risks associated with the debt and line of credit borrowings, management believes that the carrying amount of these liabilities approximated fair value at April 30, 2013 and July 31, 2012. These liabilities were classified as level 2 instruments at both dates. There were no financial instruments classified as level 3 at April 30, 2013 or July 31, 2012.
Investment securities have been classified as available for sale and are stated at fair value. Unrealized gains or losses related to investment securities available for sale are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of applicable income taxes in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets and condensed consolidated statements of changes in shareholders' equity. The cost basis of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. The Company had gross unrealized gains of less than $0.1 million recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income at April 30, 2013 and July 31, 2012.
5. Revenue and Contract Receivables, net
Revenue Recognition
Substantially all of the Company's revenue is derived from environmental consulting work. The consulting revenue is principally derived from the sale of labor hours. The consulting work is performed under a mix of fixed price, cost-type, and time and material contracts. Contracts are required from all customers. Revenue is recognized as follows:
Contract Type | | Work Type | | Revenue Recognition Policy |
| | | | |
Time and Materials | | Consulting | | As incurred at contract rates. |
| | | | |
Fixed Price | | Consulting | | Percentage of completion, approximating the ratio of either total costs or Level of Effort (LOE) hours incurred to date to total estimated costs or LOE hours. |
| | | | |
Cost-Type | | Consulting | | Costs as incurred. Fixed fee portion is recognized using percentage of completion determined by the percentage of LOE hours incurred to total LOE hours in the respective contracts. |
Substantially all of the Company's cost-type work is with federal governmental agencies and, as such, is subject to audits after contract completion. Under these cost-type contracts, provisions for adjustments to accrued revenue are recognized on a quarterly basis and based on past audit settlement history. Government audits have been completed and final rates have been negotiated through fiscal year 2005. The Company records an allowance for project disallowances in other accrued liabilities for potential disallowances resulting from contract disputes and government audits (refer to Note 10).
Change orders can occur when changes in scope are made after project work has begun, and can be initiated by either the Company or its clients. Claims are amounts in excess of the agreed contract price which the Company seeks to recover from a client for customer delays and /or errors or unapproved change orders that are in dispute. Costs related to change orders and claims are recognized as incurred. Revenues and profit are recognized on change orders when it is probable that the change order will be approved and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Revenues are recognized only up to the amount of costs incurred on contract claims when realization is probable, estimable and reasonable support from the customer exists.
All bid and proposal and other pre-contract costs are expensed as incurred. Out of pocket expenses such as travel, meals, field supplies, and other costs billed direct to contracts are included in both revenues and cost of professional services. Sales and cost of sales at the Company’s South American subsidiaries exclude tax assessments by governmental authorities, which are collected by the Company from its customers and then remitted to governmental authorities.
Contract Receivables, Net
Contract receivables, net are summarized in the following table.
| | April 30, 2013 | | | July 31, 2012 | |
| | | | | | |
Contract Receivables: | | | | | | |
Billed | | $ | 35,569,554 | | | $ | 42,977,016 | |
Unbilled | | | 25,442,561 | | | | 28,829,818 | |
| | | 61,012,115 | | | | 71,806,834 | |
Allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments | | | (10,665,837 | ) | | | (10,238,391 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Total contract receivables, net | | $ | 50,346,278 | | | $ | 61,568,443 | |
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Contract Adjustments
The Company reduces contract receivables by recording an allowance for doubtful accounts to account for the estimated impact of collection issues resulting from a client’s inability or unwillingness to pay valid obligations to the Company. The resulting provision for bad debts is recorded within administrative and indirect operating expenses on the condensed consolidated statements of income.
The Company also reduces contract receivables by establishing an allowance for billed and earned contract revenues that have become unrealizable, or may become unrealizable in the future. Management reviews contract receivables and determines allowance amounts based on historical experience, geopolitical considerations, client acknowledgment of the amount owed, client ability to pay, relationship history with the client and the probability of payment. Such contract adjustments are recorded as direct adjustments to revenue in the condensed consolidated statements of income.
Activity within the allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments is summarized in the following table.
| | Three Months Ended April 30, | | | Nine Months Ended April 30, | |
| | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 | |
Balance at beginning of period | | $ | 10,216,404 | | | $ | 7,732,072 | | | $ | 10,238,391 | | | $ | 6,755,087 | |
Net change recorded during the period | | | 449,433 | | | | 114,352 | | | | 427,446 | | | | 1,091,337 | |
Balance at end of period | | $ | 10,665,837 | | | $ | 7,846,424 | | | $ | 10,665,837 | | | $ | 7,846,424 | |
Contract Receivable Concentrations
Significant concentrations of contract receivables and the allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments are summarized in the following table.
| | Balance at April 30, 2013 | | | Balance at July 31, 2012 | |
Region | | Contract Receivables | | | Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Contract Adjustments | | | Contract Receivables | | | Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Contract Adjustments | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
United States, Canada and South America | | $ | 39,719,664 | | | $ | 1,207,686 | | | $ | 46,860,299 | | | $ | 1,729,515 | |
Middle East/Africa | | | 13,855,925 | | | | 6,826,450 | | | | 21,224,062 | | | | 7,377,650 | |
Asia | | | 7,436,526 | | | | 2,631,701 | | | | 3,722,473 | | | | 1,131,226 | |
Totals | | $ | 61,012,115 | | | $ | 10,665,837 | | | $ | 71,806,834 | | | $ | 10,238,391 | |
Combined contract receivables related to projects in the Middle East, Africa and Asia represented 35% of total contract receivables at April 30, 2013 and July 31, 2012, while the combined allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments related to these projects represented 89% and 83%, respectively, of the total allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments at those same period end dates. These allowance percentages highlight our experience of slow and inconsistent collections that result from heightened political, regulatory and cultural risks and scrutiny within these regions in comparison with similar risks in the United States, Canada and South America. Slow payment of these receivables results in higher credit and liquidity risk as we expend resources that may not be recovered for several months, or at all.
In January 2013, the Company announced that it had entered into a contract to provide environmental consulting services to a client in Asia. This contract replaced a previous agreement dated in fiscal year 2011. Through April 30, 2013, the Company recorded $6.7 million of contract receivables related to these agreements.
Through April 30, 2013, the Company encountered significant transitional issues and delays in collecting payments due to it under both of these agreements. After considering the age of contract receivables, non-payment of advanced payments owed to the Company under the agreement and the lack of any other cash collections to date, the Company recorded $0.4 million and $1.5 million of additional allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments related to these projects during the three months and nine months ended April 30, 2013, respectively. The total allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments related to these contracts was $2.0 million at April 30, 2013.
6. Goodwill
Goodwill of $1.2 million is recorded in other assets on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Goodwill is subject to an annual assessment for impairment, using a discounted cash flow methodology. The Company’s most recent annual impairment assessment, which was completed during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2012, showed that the fair values of the reporting units to which goodwill is assigned exceeded the corresponding book values, resulting in the identification of no goodwill impairment.
Goodwill is also assessed for impairment between annual assessments whenever events or circumstances make it more likely than not that impairment may have occurred. The Company identified no events or changes in circumstances during the three or nine months ended April 30, 2013 that necessitated an evaluation for an impairment of goodwill.
Unsecured lines of credit are summarized in the following table.
| | April 30, 2013 | | | July 31, 2012 | |
| | | | | | |
Outstanding cash draws, recorded as lines of credit on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets | | $ | 6,519,041 | | | $ | 12,309,335 | |
Outstanding letters of credit to support operations | | | 3,235,300 | | | | 2,615,415 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total amounts used under lines of credit | | | 9,754,341 | | | | 14,924,750 | |
Remaining amounts available under lines of credit | | | 24,614,659 | | | | 19,444,250 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total approved unsecured lines of credit | | $ | 34,369,000 | | | $ | 34,369,000 | |
Contractual interest rates ranged from 2.5% to 4.3% at April 30, 2013 and 2.5% to 5% at July 31, 2012. The Company’s lenders have reaffirmed the lines of credit within the past twelve months.
8. | Debt and Capital Lease Obligations |
| Debt and capital lease obligations are summarized in the following table. |
| | April 30, 2013 | | | July 31, 2012 | |
| | | | | | |
Various bank loans and advances at interest rates ranging from 5% to 14% | | $ | 322,751 | | | $ | 372,744 | |
Capital lease obligations at varying interest rates averaging 11% | | | 256,217 | | | | 218,351 | |
| | | 578,968 | | | | 591,095 | |
Current portion of long-term debt and capital lease obligations | | | (296,894 | ) | | | (488,460 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations | | $ | 282,074 | | | $ | 102,635 | |
The aggregate maturities of long-term debt and capital lease obligations as of April 30, 2013 are summarized in the following table.
May 2013 – April 2014 | | $ | 296,894 | |
May 2014 – April 2015 | | | 201,381 | |
May 2015 – April 2016 | | | 80,693 | |
May 2016 – April 2017 | | | --- | |
May 2017 – April 2018 | | | --- | |
Thereafter | | | --- | |
Total | | $ | 578,968 | |
The estimated effective tax rate was 42.7% and 18.3% for the nine months ended April 30, 2013 and April 30, 2012, respectively. The increase was mainly a result of: (i) one-time favorable tax settlements of $0.3 million during the nine months ended April 30, 2012; (ii) favorable return-to-provisions adjustments of $0.3 million during the nine months ended April 30, 2012; and (iii) decreased income during the nine months ended April 30, 2013 from foreign entities in countries with a lower effective tax rate than in the U.S.
10. | Other Accrued Liabilities |
Other accrued liabilities are summarized in the following table.
| | April 30, 2013 | | | July 31, 2012 | |
| | | | | | |
Allowance for project disallowances | | $ | 2,746,974 | | | $ | 2,724,474 | |
Other | | | 1,158,775 | | | | 1,208,114 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total other accrued liabilities | | $ | 3,905,749 | | | $ | 3,932,588 | |
The allowance for project disallowances represents potential disallowances of amounts billed and collected resulting from contract disputes and government audits. Allowances for project disallowances are recorded when the amounts are estimable.
Ecology and Environment, Inc. adopted the 1998 Stock Award Plan effective March 16, 1998 (the “1998 Plan”). To supplement the 1998 Plan, the 2003 Stock Award Plan (the “2003 Plan”) was approved by the shareholders at the Annual Meeting held in January 2004 and the 2007 Stock Award Plan (the “2007 Plan”) was approved by the shareholders at the Annual Meeting held in January of 2008. The 1998 Plan, 2003 Plan and the 2007 Plan are collectively referred to as the “Award Plan”.
The 2003 Plan was approved retroactive to October 16, 2003 and terminated on October 15, 2008. The 2007 Plan was approved retroactive to October 18, 2007 and terminated on October 17, 2012.
The Company awarded 62,099 shares valued at $0.9 million in October 2011 pursuant to the Award Plan. These awards have a three year vesting period. The "pool" of excess tax benefits accumulated in Capital in Excess of Par Value was $0.3 million at April 30, 2013 and July 31, 2012. Total gross compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period. Unrecognized compensation expense was $0.4 million and $0.8 million at April 30, 2013 and July 31, 2012, respectively.
Class A and Class B common stock
The relative rights, preferences and limitations of the Company's Class A and Class B common stock are summarized as follows: Holders of Class A shares are entitled to elect 25% of the Board of Directors so long as the number of outstanding Class A shares is at least 10% of the combined total number of outstanding Class A and Class B common shares. Holders of Class A common shares have one-tenth the voting power of Class B common shares with respect to most other matters.
In addition, Class A shares are eligible to receive dividends in excess of (and not less than) those paid to holders of Class B shares. Holders of Class B shares have the option to convert at any time, each share of Class B common stock into one share of Class A common stock. Upon sale or transfer, shares of Class B common stock will automatically convert into an equal number of shares of Class A common stock, except that sales or transfers of Class B common stock to an existing holder of Class B common stock or to an immediate family member will not cause such shares to automatically convert into Class A common stock.
Cash Dividend
The Company declared cash dividends of $1.0 million and $2.0 million in fiscal years 2013 and 2012, respectively. Dividends payable of $1.0 million at July 31, 2012 were paid in August 2012.
Stock Repurchase
| In August 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a program for repurchase of 200,000 shares of Class A common stock. As of April 30, 2013, 93,173 shares remain available for repurchase. |
Noncontrolling Interests
Noncontrolling interests are disclosed as a separate component of consolidated shareholders’ equity on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Earnings and other comprehensive income are separately attributed to both the controlling and noncontrolling interests. Earnings per share is calculated based on net (loss) income attributable to the Company’s controlling interests.
Transactions with noncontrolling shareholders for the nine months ended April 30, 2013 and fiscal year ended July 31, 2012 were recorded at amounts that approximated fair value. Effects on shareholders’ equity resulting from changes in E&E’s ownership interest in its subsidiaries are summarized in the following table.
| | Nine Months Ended April 30, 2013 | | | Fiscal Year Ended July 31, 2012 | |
Net increase in shareholders’ equity due to transfers to noncontrolling interest: | | | | | | |
Sale of 600 Gustavson common shares (1) | | $ | --- | | | $ | 41,634 | |
Total transfers to noncontrolling interests | | | --- | | | | 41,634 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increases (decreases) in shareholders’ equity due to transfers from noncontrolling interests: | | | | | | | | |
Purchase of 50 Walsh common shares (2) | | | (18,316 | ) | | | --- | |
Purchase of 25 Lowham common shares (3) | | | (8,737 | ) | | | --- | |
Purchase of 495 Walsh common shares (4) | | | (243,653 | ) | | | --- | |
Purchase of 2,800 Gustavson common shares (5) | | | (293,102 | ) | | | --- | |
Purchase of 370 Walsh common shares (6) | | | (182,125 | ) | | | --- | |
Purchase of 75 Lowham common shares (7) | | | (30,002 | ) | | | --- | |
Purchase of 25 Gestion Ambiental Consultores common shares (8) | | | --- | | | | (7,452 | ) |
Purchase of 166 Walsh common shares (9) | | | --- | | | | (97,634 | ) |
Purchase of 496 Walsh common shares (10) | | | --- | | | | (277,514 | ) |
Purchase of 5,389 Brazil common shares (11) | | | --- | | | | 77,539 | |
Purchase of 26,482 Walsh Peru common shares (12) | | | --- | | | | (238,677 | ) |
Purchase of 152 Walsh common shares (13) | | | --- | | | | (76,037 | ) |
Total transfers from noncontrolling interests | | | (775,935 | ) | | | (619,775 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net transfers from noncontrolling interests | | $ | (775,935 | ) | | $ | (578,141 | ) |
| (1) | On August 1, 2011, the noncontrolling shareholders of Gustavson Associates, LLC (“Gustavson”), a subsidiary of Walsh Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC (“Walsh”) purchased an additional 1.5% of newly issued shares of the company for less than $0.1 million in cash. |
| (2) | On April 22, 2013, the Company purchased an additional 0.1% of Walsh from noncontrolling shareholders for less than $0.1 million in cash. |
| (3) | On March 13, 2013, Lowham-Walsh Engineering & Environment Services LLC (“Lowham”), a subsidiary of Walsh, purchased shares from noncontrolling shareholders for less than $0.1 million in cash. |
| (4) | On January 28, 2013, the Company purchased an additional 1.3% of Walsh from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.2 million. Two thirds of the purchase price was paid in cash while the remaining one third was paid for with E&E stock. |
| (5) | On December 28, 2012, Gustavson purchased an additional 6.7% of its shares from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.4 million. Half of the purchase price was paid in cash and Gustavson issued a three year note for the other half. |
| (6) | On December 17, 2012, the Company purchased an additional 0.9% of Walsh from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.2 million in cash. |
| (7) | During the three months ending October 31, 2012, Lowham purchased shares from noncontrolling shareholders for less than $0.1 million in cash. |
| (8) | On May 1, 2012, Gestion Ambiental Consultores S.A (“GAC”), a subsidiary of the Company, purchased 2.5% of its stock back from noncontrolling shareholders for less than $0.1 million in cash. |
| (9) | On April 23, 2012, the Company purchased an additional 0.4% of Walsh from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.1 million in cash. |
| (10) | On January 4, 2012, the Company purchased an additional 1.3% of Walsh from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.3 million. Two thirds of the purchase price was paid in cash while the remaining one third was paid for with E&E stock. |
| (11) | On December 14, 2011, the Company purchased an additional 4.0% of Ecology and Environment do Brasil LTDA (E&E Brasil) from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.2 million cash. |
| (12) | On November 18, 2011, Walsh Peru S.A. Ingenieros y Cientificos Consultores (“Walsh Peru”), a subsidiary of Walsh, purchased an additional 3.9% of its shares from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.4 million in cash. |
| (13) | On October 24, 2011, the Company purchased an additional 0.4% of Walsh from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.1 million in cash. |
13. | Accumulated Comprehensive Income |
Accumulated comprehensive income is summarized in the following table.
| | April 30, 2013 | | | July 31, 2012 | |
| | | | | | |
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment | | $ | 792,908 | | | $ | 669,013 | |
Unrealized investment gain, net | | | 43,193 | | | | 42,829 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total accumulated comprehensive income | | $ | 836,101 | | | $ | 711,842 | |
Basic and diluted EPS is computed by dividing the net (loss) income attributable to Ecology and Environment, Inc. common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. The Company allocates undistributed earnings between the classes on a one-to-one basis when computing earnings per share. As a result, basic and fully diluted earnings per Class A and Class B shares are equal amounts.
The computation of basic earnings per share is included in the following table.
| | Three Months Ended April 30, | | | Nine Months Ended April 30, | |
| | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net (loss) income attributable to Ecology and Environment, Inc. | | $ | (440,594 | ) | | $ | 55,941 | | | $ | 1,713,019 | | | $ | 1,719,222 | |
Dividend declared | | | --- | | | | --- | | | | 1,018,540 | | | | 1,017,776 | |
Undistributed earnings | | $ | (440,594 | ) | | $ | 55,941 | | | $ | 694,479 | | | $ | 701,446 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding (basic) | | | 4,251,200 | | | | 4,245,059 | | | | 4,247,150 | | | | 4,230,204 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Distributed earnings per share | | $ | --- | | | $ | --- | | | $ | 0.24 | | | $ | 0.24 | |
Undistributed earnings per share | | | (0.10 | ) | | | 0.01 | | | | 0.16 | | | | 0.17 | |
Total earnings per share | | $ | (0.10 | ) | | $ | 0.01 | | | $ | 0.40 | | | $ | 0.41 | |
After consideration of all the rights and privileges of the Class A and Class B stockholders summarized in Note 12, in particular the right of the holders of the Class B common stock to elect no less than 75% of the Board of Directors making it highly unlikely that the Company will pay a dividend on Class A common stock in excess of Class B common stock, the Company allocates undistributed earnings between the classes on a one-to-one basis when computing earnings per share. As a result, basic and fully diluted earnings per Class A and Class B share are equal amounts.
The Company has determined that its unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities. These securities shall be included in the computation of earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. The resulting impact was to include unvested restricted shares in the basic weighted average shares outstanding calculation.
The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries where the local currency is the functional currency are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at period end for assets and liabilities and average exchange rates during each reporting period for results of operations. Translation adjustments are deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income. Transaction gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are included in the results of operations as incurred. The Company recorded foreign currency transaction losses of less than $0.1 million for the three months ended April 30, 2013 and 2012, and $0.1 million and $0.2 million for the nine months ended April 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries located in highly inflationary economies are remeasured as if the functional currency were the U.S. dollar. The remeasurement of local currencies into U.S. dollars creates transaction adjustments which are included in net income. There were no highly inflationary economy translation adjustments recorded during the three or nine months ended April 30, 2013 or during the fiscal year ended July 31, 2012.
The Company reports segment information based on the geographic location of its customers (for revenues) and the location of its offices (for long-lived assets). Segment information is summarized in the following tables.
Segment information as of April 30, 2013: | Revenue | | | |
| Three Months Ended April 30, 2013 | | Nine Months Ended April 30, 2013 | | Gross Long- Lived Assets as of April 30, 2013 | |
| | | | | | |
United States | | $ | 21,754,001 | | | $ | 68,732,966 | | | $ | 30,174,992 | |
Foreign countries (1) | | | 10,464,922 | | | | 36,459,208 | | | | 5,527,554 | |
| (1) | Significant foreign revenues included revenues in Peru ($3.1 million and $8.8 million for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2013, respectively), Brazil ($3.7 million and $11.5 million for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2013, respectively) and Chile ($2.3 million and $8.1 million for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2013, respectively). |
Segment information as of April 30, 2012: | Revenue | | | |
| Three Months Ended April 30, 2012 | | Nine Months Ended April 30, 2012 | | Gross Long- Lived Assets as of April 30, 2012 | |
| | | | | | |
United States | | $ | 21,945,087 | | | $ | 74,891,292 | | | $ | 26,975,047 | |
Foreign countries (1) | | | 14,066,000 | | | | 43,605,000 | | | | 5,236,000 | |
| (1) | Significant foreign revenues include revenues in Peru ($4.0 million and $14.1 million for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2012, respectively), Brazil ($4.4 million and $11.3 million for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2012, respectively) and Chile ($3.2 million and $7.9 million for the three and nine months ended April 30, 2012, respectively). |
17. | Commitments and Contingencies |
From time to time, the Company is a named defendant in legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. The Company is not a party to any pending legal proceeding, the resolution of which the management of the Company believes will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, or to any other pending legal proceedings other than ordinary, routine litigation incidental to its business. The Company maintains liability insurance against risks arising out of the normal course of business.
Certain contracts contain termination provisions under which the customer may, without penalty, terminate the contracts upon written notice to the Company. In the event of termination, the Company would be paid only termination costs in accordance with the particular contract. Generally, termination costs include unpaid costs incurred to date, earned fees and any additional costs directly allocable to the termination.
On September 21, 2012, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (the "Department") issued a proposed Compliance Order on Consent (the " Proposed Consent Order") to the City and County of Denver ("Denver") and to Walsh Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC (“Walsh”). Walsh is a majority-owned subsidiary of Ecology and Environment, Inc. The Proposed Consent Order concerns construction improvement activities of certain property owned by Denver which was the subject of asbestos remediation. Denver had entered into a contract with Walsh for Walsh to provide certain environmental consulting services (asbestos monitoring services) in connection with the asbestos containment and/or removal performed by other contractors at Denver's real property. Without admitting liability or the Department’s version of the underlying facts, Walsh on February 13, 2013 entered into a Compliance Order on Consent with the Department and paid a penalty of less than $0.1 million and paid for a Supplemental Environmental Project to benefit the public at large in an amount less than $0.1 million. Denver was served with a final Compliance Order and Assessment of Administrative Penalty against Denver alone for approximately $0.2 million. Under Walsh's environmental consulting contract with Denver, Walsh has agreed to indemnify Denver for certain liabilities where Walsh could potentially be held responsible for a portion of the penalty imposed upon Denver. Walsh has put its professional liability and general liability carriers on notice of this indemnification claim by Denver. The Company believes that this administrative proceeding involving Walsh will not have an adverse material effect upon the operations of the Company.
On February 4, 2011, the Chico Mendes Institute of Biodiversity Conservation of Brazil (the “Institute”) issued a Notice of Infraction to E&E Brasil. E&E Brasil is a majority-owned subsidiary of Ecology and Environment, Inc. The Notice of Infraction concerns the taking and collecting species of wild animal specimens without authorization by the competent authority and imposes a fine of 520,000 Reais, which has a value of approximately $0.3 million at April 30, 2013. No claim has been made against Ecology and Environment, Inc. The Institute has also filed Notices of Infraction against four employees of E&E Brasil alleging the same claims and has imposed fines against those individuals that, in the aggregate, are equal to the fine imposed against E&E Brasil. E&E Brasil has filed administrative responses with the Institute for itself and its employees that: (a) denies the jurisdiction of the Institute, (b) states that the Notice of Infraction is constitutionally vague and (c) affirmatively stated that E&E Brasil had obtained the necessary permits for the surveys and collections of specimens under applicable Brazilian regulations and that the protected conservation area is not clearly marked to show its boundaries. At this time, E&E Brasil has attended one meeting where depositions were taken. The Company believes that these administrative proceedings in Brazil will not have an adverse material effect upon the operations of the Company.
Item 2. | Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations |
Executive Overview
Our loss before income tax provision was less than $0.1 million for the three months ended April 30, 2013, which represented a 100% decrease from our income before income taxes of $0.5 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. A $3.8 million (11%) decrease in contract revenues was offset by a $3.2 million (9%) decrease in operating expenses during the current quarter.
For the nine months ended April 30, 2013, our income before income tax provision of $4.1 million decreased 3% from income before income taxes of $4.3 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. A $13.3 million (11%) decrease in contract revenues was offset by a $13.1 million (13%) decrease in operating expenses during the current period.
After considering the age of contract receivables related to certain projects in Asia, non-payment of advanced payments owed to us related to those projects and the lack of any other cash collections to date from the client in Asia, we recorded $0.4 million and $1.5 million of additional allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments during the three months and nine months ended April 30, 2013, respectively.
During January 2013, we received $7.1 million of cash from clients in the Middle East relating to billed receivables from reporting periods prior to fiscal year 2013, resulting in reductions in contract receivables, the allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments and billings in excess of revenue, with corresponding additions to recorded revenue of $2.9 million for the three months ended January 31, 2013 and the nine months ended April 30, 2013. This resulted in a significant positive impact on our liquidity position and on revenues reported during the second quarter and first nine months of 2013.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash and cash equivalents activity and balances are summarized in the following table.
| | Nine Months Ended April 30, | |
| | 2013 | | | 2012 | |
Cash provided by (used in): | | | | | | |
Operating activities | | $ | 13,236,147 | | | $ | 307,802 | |
Investing activities | | | (2,223,243 | ) | | | (3,947,503 | ) |
Financing activities | | | (9,649,315 | ) | | | 6,939,246 | |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | | | 127,405 | | | | (324,278 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 1,490,994 | | | $ | 2,975,267 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents, by location: | | | | | | | | |
U.S. operations | | $ | 6,377,304 | | | $ | 3,800,520 | |
Foreign operations | | | 5,581,460 | | | | 7,704,589 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 11,958,764 | | | $ | 11,505,109 | |
For the nine months ended April 30, 2013, cash provided by operations resulted primarily from the following net activity:
| · | Net income (after adjustment for non-cash items) provided $4.6 million of operating cash; |
| · | Lower net contract receivables provided $11.0 million of operating cash, which resulted primarily from cash received on outstanding receivables, including $7.1 million of cash received on outstanding receivables in the Middle East; and |
| · | Other working capital activity resulted in a net use of $2.4 million of operating cash, due primarily to lower work levels associated with lower revenue and payment of subcontractor invoices as a result of an improved liquidity position at the Parent Company. |
Net cash used in investment activities during the nine months ended April 30, 2013 primarily resulted from the following activity:
| · | Purchases of property, building and equipment resulted in a use of $1.6 million of cash; and |
| · | Acquisitions of noncontrolling interests in two majority-owned subsidiaries, Walsh Environmental Scientists & Engineers, LLC (“Walsh”) and Gustavson Associates, LLC (“Gustavson”) resulted in a use of $0.6 million of cash. |
Net cash used in financing activities during the nine months ended April 30, 2013 primarily resulted from the following activity:
| · | Net repayment of borrowings against our lines of credit of $5.5 million, which was made possible by the receipt of cash on outstanding receivables in the Middle East; |
| · | Repayments of debt and capital lease obligations of $0.7 million, |
| · | Dividend payments to common shareholders of $2.0 million; and |
| · | Distributions to non-controlling interests of $1.3 million. |
We have sufficient funds available from cash and available lines of credit in the domestic companies to fund our U. S. operations. Our foreign subsidiaries generate adequate cash flow to fund their operations. We intend to reinvest foreign cash balances, net of any dividends paid from our foreign subsidiaries from time to time, into opportunities outside the U.S. If the foreign cash and cash equivalents were needed to fund domestic operations, we would be required to accrue and pay taxes on any amounts repatriated.
The Company maintains unsecured lines of credit available for working capital and letters of credit. Contractual interest rates ranged from 2.5% to 4.25% at April 30, 2013 and 2.5% to 5% at July 31, 2012. The Company’s lenders have reaffirmed the lines of credit within the past twelve months. Our lines of credit are summarized in the following table.
| | April 30, 2013 | | | July 31, 2012 | |
| | | | | | |
Outstanding cash draws, recorded as lines of credit on the consolidated balance sheets | | $ | 6,519,041 | | | $ | 12,309,335 | |
Outstanding letters of credit | | | 3,235,300 | | | | 2,615,415 | |
Total amounts used under lines of credit | | | 9,754,341 | | | | 14,924,750 | |
Remaining amounts available under lines of credit | | | 24,614,659 | | | | 19,444,250 | |
Total approved lines of credit | | $ | 34,369,000 | | | $ | 34,369,000 | |
During fiscal years prior to 2013, the Company expended significant resources and working capital on contracts in the Middle East, which resulted in significant billed contract receivables that were not collected during the year and related growth in cash draws on our lines of credit. During January 2013, we collected $7.1 million of cash related to contract receivables in the Middle East, which enabled us to reduce amounts outstanding under lines of credit.
We believe that cash flows from operations and remaining amounts available under lines of credit will be sufficient to cover all working capital requirements for at least the next twelve months and the foreseeable future.
Balance Sheet
Contract Receivables, Net
Contract receivables, net are summarized in the following table.
| | April 30, 2013 | | | July 31, 2012 | |
Contract Receivables: | | | | | | |
Billed | | $ | 35,569,554 | | | $ | 42,977,016 | |
Unbilled | | | 25,442,561 | | | | 28,829,818 | |
| | | 61,012,115 | | | | 71,806,834 | |
Allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments | | | (10,665,837 | ) | | | (10,238,391 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Total contract receivables, net | | $ | 50,346,278 | | | $ | 61,568,443 | |
An analysis of the allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments is summarized in the following table.
| | Three Months Ended April 30, | | | Nine Months Ended April 30, | |
| | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 | |
Balance at beginning of period | | $ | 10,216,404 | | | $ | 7,732,072 | | | $ | 10,238,391 | | | $ | 6,755,087 | |
Net change recorded during the period | | | 449,433 | | | | 114,352 | | | | 427,446 | | | | 1,091,337 | |
Balance at end of period | | $ | 10,665,837 | | | $ | 7,846,424 | | | $ | 10,665,837 | | | $ | 7,846,424 | |
Significant concentrations of contract receivables and the allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments are summarized in the following table.
| | | Balance at April 30, 2013 | | | | Balance at July 31, 2012 | |
Region | | | Contract Receivables | | | | Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Contract Adjustments | | | | Contract Receivables | | | | Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and Contract Adjustments | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
United States, Canada and South America | | $ | 39,719,664 | | | $ | 1,207,686 | | | $ | 46,860,299 | | | $ | 1,729,515 | |
Middle East/Africa | | | 13,855,925 | | | | 6,826,450 | | | | 21,224,062 | | | | 7,377,650 | |
Asia | | | 7,436,526 | | | | 2,631,701 | | | | 3,722,473 | | | | 1,131,226 | |
Totals | | $ | 61,012,115 | | | $ | 10,665,837 | | | $ | 71,806,834 | | | $ | 10,238,391 | |
Combined contract receivables related to projects in the Middle East, Africa and Asia represented 35% of total contract receivables at April 30, 2013 and July 31, 2012, while the combined allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments related to these projects represented 89% and 83%, respectively, of the total allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments at those same period end dates. These allowance percentages highlight our experience of slow and inconsistent collections that result from heightened political, regulatory and cultural risks and scrutiny within these regions in comparison with similar risks in the United States, Canada and South America. Slow payment of these receivables results in higher credit and liquidity risk as we expend resources that may not be recovered for several months, or at all.
Middle East/Africa
Through July 31, 2012, we recorded $3.9 million of allowances for contract adjustments and $1.9 million of billings in excess of revenue related to contract receivables billed in the Middle East, with corresponding reductions in, or exclusions from, revenues. During the quarter ended January 31, 2013, we received $7.1 million in cash against these receivables, which resulted in reductions in contract receivables, the allowance for contract adjustments and billings in excess of revenue, with corresponding additions to recorded revenue of $2.9 million for the three months ended January 31, 2013 and the nine months ended April 30, 2013.
Asia
In January 2013, we announced that the Company had entered into a contract to provide environmental consulting services to a client in Asia. This contract replaced a previous agreement dated in fiscal year 2011. Through April 30, 2013, we recorded $6.7 million of contract receivables related to these agreements.
Through April 30, 2013, we encountered significant transitional issues and delays in collecting payments due to it under this agreement. After considering the age of contract receivables, non-payment of advanced payments owed to us under the a
greement and the lack of any other cash collections to date, we recorded $0.4 million and $1.5 million of additional allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments related to these projects during the three months and nine months ended April 30, 2013, respectively. The total allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments related to these contracts was $2.0 million at April 30, 2013, or 30% of related contract receivables.
Management is actively working with the client to validate the ongoing viability of these projects, and to procure cash payments due to us. Management is also considering potential actions by us in the event of continued delays in receiving cash payments owed to us, which may include recording additional allowance for doubtful accounts and contract adjustments and possible termination of project activity in future reporting periods.
Results of Operations
Revenue
The Company’s revenues are derived primarily from the professional and technical services performed by its employees or, in certain cases, by subcontractors engaged to perform on under contracts entered into with our clients. The revenues recognized, therefore, are derived from our ability to charge clients for those services under the contracts. Sales and cost of sales at the Company’s South American subsidiaries exclude tax assessments by governmental authorities, which are collected by the Company from its customers and then remitted to governmental authorities.
Substantially all of the Company's revenue is derived from environmental consulting work. The consulting revenue is principally derived from the sale of labor hours. The consulting work is performed under a mix of fixed price, cost-type, and time and material contracts. Contracts are required from all customers. Revenue is recognized as follows:
Contract Type | | Work Type | | Revenue Recognition Policy |
| | | | |
Time and Materials | | Consulting | | As incurred at contract rates. |
| | | | |
Fixed Price | | Consulting | | Percentage of completion, approximating the ratio of either total costs or Level of Effort (LOE) hours incurred to date to total estimated costs or LOE hours. |
| | | | |
Cost-Type | | Consulting | | Costs as incurred. Fixed fee portion is recognized using percentage of completion determined by the percentage of LOE hours incurred to total LOE hours in the respective contracts. |
Total revenue by contract type is summarized in the following table.
| | Three Months ended April 30, | | | Nine Months ended April 30, | |
| | 2013 | | | 2012 | | | 2013 | | | 2012 | |
Time and materials | | $ | 16,298,241 | | | $ | 17,643,678 | | | $ | 51,459,723 | | | $ | 59,296,965 | |
Fixed price | | | 13,292,425 | | | | 16,321,422 | | | | 44,931,215 | | | | 51,586,819 | |
Cost-type | | | 2,628,257 | | | | 2,045,987 | | | | 8,801,236 | | | | 7,612,508 | |
Total revenue by contract type | | $ | 32,218,923 | | | $ | 36,011,087 | | | $ | 105,192,174 | | | $ | 118,496,292 | |
The Company reduces contract receivables and revenues by establishing an allowance for billed and earned contract revenues that may become unrealizable in the future. Management reviews contract receivables and determines allowance amounts based on historical experience, geopolitical considerations, client acknowledgment of the amount owed, client ability to pay, relationship history with the client and the probability of payment. The timing and amount of adjustments recorded to the allowance account may have a material impact on revenues and net income before taxes during a quarterly and annual reporting period, but are not necessarily indicative of current operating results during that period. Therefore, we exclude these amounts for the purpose of monitoring and analyzing revenues from current operations.
For certain contracts, we bill amounts to clients prior to revenue being earned. These amounts are included in contract receivables, but are excluded from revenue until they are earned and/or realized in future periods. The timing and amount of adjustments recorded to billings in excess of revenue may have a material impact on revenues and net income before taxes during a quarterly and annual reporting period, but are not necessarily indicative of current operating results. Therefore, we exclude these amounts for the purpose of monitoring and analyzing revenues from current operations.
Three Months Ended April 30, 2013 versus Three Months Ended April 30, 2012
Revenues for the three months ended April 30, 2013 and 2012 are summarized in the following table.
| | Three Months Ended April 30, | |
| | 2013 | | | 2012 | |
Earned revenue from current period operations, by entity: | | | | | | |
Parent Company and all wholly-owned subsidiaries | | $ | 17,929,266 | | | $ | 18,920,860 | |
Majority-owned subsidiaries: | | | | | | | | |
Walsh | | | 6,605,977 | | | | 8,335,532 | |
Ecology and Environment do Brasil, Ltda. (“E&E Brasil”) | | | 5,053,095 | | | | 4,835,297 | |
Gestion Ambiental Consultores S.A. (“GAC”) | | | 2,215,778 | | | | 2,548,478 | |
ECSI, LLC (“ECSI”) | | | 1,100,055 | | | | 1,327,678 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total earned revenue from current period operations | | | 32,904,171 | | | | 35,967,845 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Adjustments to revenues earned in prior periods and amounts recorded as billings in excess of revenue in prior periods | | | (685,248 | ) | | | 43,242 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total revenue per condensed consolidated statements of income | | $ | 32,218,923 | | | $ | 36,011,087 | |
The overall decrease in revenues from current period operations resulted primarily from the following factors:
| · | Lower Parent Company and wholly-owned subsidiary revenues from current operations resulted from lower sales volume, particularly within state and federal government markets. |
| · | Lower Walsh revenues from current operations resulted from lower sales volume, particularly within the energy and mining markets. |
| · | Higher E&E Brasil revenues and lower GAC revenues from current operations primarily resulted from normal timing differences between billings of contract receivables and recording related revenue. Variances in earned revenue from current period operations are offset by revenue earned during the current period that was billed to clients in prior periods. |
Nine Months Ended April 30, 2013 versus Nine Months Ended April 30, 2012
Revenues for the nine months ended April 30, 2013 and 2012 are summarized in the following table.
| | Nine Months Ended April 30, | |
| | 2013 | | | 2012 | |
Earned revenue from current period operations, by entity: | | | | | | |
Parent Company and all wholly owned subsidiaries | | $ | 57,904,619 | | | $ | 63,388,647 | |
Majority-owned subsidiaries: | | | | | | | | |
Walsh | | | 21,352,942 | | | | 31,887,345 | �� |
E&E Brasil | | | 13,491,100 | | | | 13,214,316 | |
GAC | | | 7,901,527 | | | | 8,191,448 | |
ECSI | | | 3,864,018 | | | | 3,858,534 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total earned revenues from current period operations | | | 104,514,206 | | | | 120,540,290 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Adjustments to revenues earned in prior periods and amounts recorded as billings in excess of revenue in prior periods | | | 677,968 | | | | (2,043,998 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Total revenue per condensed consolidated statements of income | | $ | 105,192,174 | | | $ | 118,496,292 | |
The overall decrease in revenues from current period operations resulted primarily from the following factors:
| · | Lower Parent Company and wholly-owned subsidiary revenues from current operations resulted from lower sales volume, particularly within state and federal government markets. Lower revenue was partially offset by a $3.8 million reduction in direct cost associated with these contracts. |
| · | Lower Walsh revenues from current operations primarily resulted from lower sales volume, particularly within the energy and mining markets. |
| · | Higher E&E Brasil revenues and lower GAC revenues from current operations primarily resulted from normal timing differences between billings of contract receivables and recording related revenue. Variances in earned revenue from current period operations are offset by revenue earned during the current period that was billed to clients in prior periods. |
Through July 31, 2012, we recorded $3.9 million of allowances for contract adjustments and $1.9 million of billings in excess of revenue related to contract receivables billed in the Middle East, with corresponding reductions in, or exclusions from, revenues. During the quarter ended January 31, 2013, we received $7.1 million in cash against these receivables, which resulted in reductions in contract receivables, the allowance for contract adjustments and billings in excess of revenue, with corresponding additions to recorded revenue of $2.9 million for the three months ended January 31, 2013 and the nine months ended April 30, 2013. In the table above for the nine months ended April 30, 2013, these amounts are included within adjustments to revenues earned in prior periods and amounts recorded as billings in excess of revenue in prior periods.
Operating Expenses
During the first nine months of 2013, management critically reviewed technical and indirect staffing levels, other expenses necessary to support current project work levels and key administrative processes. As a result of this review, we reduced staff counts in various technical and indirect departments and reduced utilization of contracted services. These reductions are expected to reduce direct and indirect operating expenses by a combined $2.5 to $3.0 million annually. Management continues to critically evaluate its organizational and cost structure to identify ways to operate more efficiently and cost effectively.
Direct Project Costs
Expenses directly associated with services provided under contracts (professional services, subcontract costs and other direct costs) decreased $2.0 million (10%) for the third quarter of 2013 and decreased $11.0 million (17%) for the first nine months of 2013, as compared with the same periods in the prior year. These decreases were directly related to lower revenues resulting from lower service levels provided during the first three and nine months of fiscal year 2013, as compared with the prior year, and to managed reductions in technical staff levels during the nine months ended April 30, 2013.
In addition to the activity noted above, we scaled back operations in our Canadian subsidiary in response to a significant reduction in contract activity, which resulted in a general reduction of operating expenses of $0.2 million and $0.9 million for the third quarter and the first nine months of fiscal year 2013, respectively.
Indirect Operating Expenses
Administrative, marketing and other indirect expenses decreased $1.2 million (8%) for the third quarter of 2013 and decreased $2.4 million (5%) for the first nine months of 2013, as compared with the same periods in the prior year. During the first nine months of 2013, management critically reviewed indirect staffing levels and key administrative processes. As a result, we reduced staff counts in certain indirect departments and reduced utilization of contracted services.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense was relatively unchanged for the third quarter of 2013 and increased $0.3 million (20%) for the first nine months of 2013, as compared with the same periods in the prior year. The year-to-date increase resulted directly from acquisitions of depreciable assets of $4.4 million and $1.6 million during fiscal year 2012 and the first nine months of 2013, respectively.
Income Taxes
The estimated effective tax rate was 42.7% and 18.3% for the nine months ended April 30, 2013 and April 30, 2012, respectively. The increase was mainly a result of: (i) one-time favorable tax settlements of $0.3 million during the nine months ended April 30, 2012; (ii) favorable return-to-provisions adjustments of $0.3 million during the nine months ended April 30, 2012; and (iii) decreased income during the nine months ended April 30, 2013 from foreign entities in countries with a lower effective tax rate than in the U.S.
Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates
Management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations discuss the Company's consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, allowance for doubtful accounts, income taxes, impairment of long-lived assets and contingencies. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the fiscal year end July 31, 2012 for a description of our critical accounting policies.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2013-02”). ASU 2013-02 requires entities to provide information about amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) by component. In addition, entities are required to present, either on the face of the financial statements or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of AOCI by the respective line items of net income, but only if the amount reclassified is required to be reclassified in its entirety in the same reporting period. For amounts that are not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures that provide additional details about those amounts. We adopted ASU 2013-12 effective February 1, 2013 and applied its provisions prospectively. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In June 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-05 Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2011-05”). ASU 2011-05 increases the prominence of other comprehensive income in financial statements. Under ASU 2011-05, companies will have the option to present the components of net income and comprehensive income in either one or two consecutive financial statements. We adopted ASU 2011-05 effective August 1, 2012 and applied its provisions retrospectively. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
Changes in Corporate Entities
Noncontrolling interests are disclosed as a separate component of consolidated equity on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Earnings and other comprehensive income are separately attributed to both the controlling and noncontrolling interests. Earnings per share is calculated based on net income attributable to the Company’s controlling interests.
Transactions with noncontrolling shareholders for the nine months ended April 30, 2013 and fiscal year ended July 31, 2012 were recorded at amounts that approximated fair value. Effects on shareholders’ equity resulting from changes in E&E’s ownership interest in its subsidiaries are summarized in the following table.
| | Nine Months Ended April 30, 2013 | | | Fiscal Year Ended July 31, 2012 | |
Net increase in shareholders’ equity due to transfers to noncontrolling interest: | | | | | | |
Sale of 600 Gustavson common shares (1) | | $ | --- | | | $ | 41,634 | |
Total transfers to noncontrolling interests | | | --- | | | | 41,634 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net increases (decreases) in shareholders’ equity due to transfers from noncontrolling interests: | | | | | | | | |
Purchase of 50 Walsh common shares (2) | | | (18,316 | ) | | | --- | |
Purchase of 25 Lowham common shares (3) | | | (8,737 | ) | | | --- | |
Purchase of 495 Walsh common shares (4) | | | (243,653 | ) | | | --- | |
Purchase of 2,800 Gustavson common shares (5) | | | (293,102 | ) | | | --- | |
Purchase of 370 Walsh common shares (6) | | | (182,125 | ) | | | --- | |
Purchase of 75 Lowham common shares (7) | | | (30,002 | ) | | | --- | |
Purchase of 25 Gestion Ambiental Consultores common shares (8) | | | --- | | | | (7,452 | ) |
Purchase of 166 Walsh common shares (9) | | | --- | | | | (97,634 | ) |
Purchase of 496 Walsh common shares (10) | | | --- | | | | (277,514 | ) |
Purchase of 5,389 Brazil common shares (11) | | | --- | | | | 77,539 | |
Purchase of 26,482 Walsh Peru common shares (12) | | | --- | | | | (238,677 | ) |
Purchase of 152 Walsh common shares (13) | | | --- | | | | (76,037 | ) |
Total transfers from noncontrolling interests | | | (775,935 | ) | | | (619,775 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net transfers from noncontrolling interests | | $ | (775,935 | ) | | $ | (578,141 | ) |
| (1) | On August 1, 2011, the noncontrolling shareholders of Gustavson Associates, LLC (“Gustavson”), a subsidiary of Walsh Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC (“Walsh”), purchased an additional 1.5% of newly issued shares of the company for less than $0.1 million in cash. |
| (2) | On April 22, 2013, the Company purchased an additional 0.1% of Walsh from noncontrolling shareholders for less than $0.1 million in cash. |
| (3) | On March 13, 2013, Lowham-Walsh Engineering & Environment Services LLC (“Lowham”), a subsidiary of Walsh, purchased shares from noncontrolling shareholders for less than $0.1 million in cash. |
| (4) | On January 28, 2013, the Company purchased an additional 1.3% of Walsh from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.2 million. Two thirds of the purchase price was paid in cash while the remaining one third was paid for with E&E stock. |
| (5) | On December 28, 2012, Gustavson purchased an additional 6.7% of its shares from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.4 million. Half of the purchase price was paid in cash and Gustavson issued a three year note for the other half. |
| (6) | On December 17, 2012, the Company purchased an additional 0.9% of Walsh from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.2 million in cash. |
| (7) | During the three months ending October 31, 2012, Lowham purchased shares from noncontrolling shareholders for less than $0.1 million in cash. |
| (8) | On May 1, 2012, Gestion Ambiental Consultores S.A (“GAC”), a subsidiary of the Company, purchased 2.5% of its stock from noncontrolling shareholders for less than $0.1 million in cash. |
| (9) | On April 23, 2012, the Company purchased an additional 0.4% of Walsh from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.1 million in cash. |
| (10) | On January 4, 2012, the Company purchased an additional 1.3% of Walsh from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.3 million. Two thirds of the purchase price was paid in cash while the remaining one third was paid for with E&E stock. |
| (11) | On December 14, 2011, the Company purchased an additional 4.0% of Ecology and Environment do Brasil LTDA (E&E Brasil) from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.2 million cash. |
| (12) | On November 18, 2011, Walsh Peru S.A. Ingenieros y Cientificos Consultores (“Walsh Peru”), a subsidiary of Walsh, purchased an additional 3.9% of its shares from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.4 million in cash. |
| (13) | On October 24, 2011, the Company purchased an additional 0.4% of Walsh from noncontrolling shareholders for $0.1 million in cash. |
Inflation
Inflation has not had a material impact on the Company’s business because a significant amount of the Company’s contracts are either cost based or contain commercial rates for services that are adjusted annually.
Item 4. | Controls and Procedures |
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As of the end of the period covered by this report, our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 promulgated under the Exchange Act. Based upon this evaluation, our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were (1) designed to ensure that material information relating to our Company is accumulated and made known to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, in a timely manner, particularly during the period in which this report was being prepared, and (2) effective, in that they provide reasonable assurance that information we are required to disclose in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
Management believes, however, that a controls system, no matter how well designed and operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the controls system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a Company have been detected.
Internal Controls
During the first quarter of fiscal year 2013, we implemented a new Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system at our majority owned subsidiary, E&E Brasil. This system went online at all of our domestic operations during fiscal year 2012. Other than the changes related to the implementation of this new system at E&E Brasil, no other significant changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the nine months ended April 30, 2013 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. | Legal Proceedings |
From time to time, the Company is a named defendant in legal actions arising out of the normal course of business. The Company is not a party to any pending legal proceeding, the resolution of which the management of the Company believes will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, or to any other pending legal proceedings other than ordinary, routine litigation incidental to its business. The Company maintains liability insurance against risks arising out of the normal course of business.
Certain contracts contain termination provisions under which the customer may, without penalty, terminate the contracts upon written notice to the Company. In the event of termination, the Company would be paid only termination costs in accordance with the particular contract. Generally, termination costs include unpaid costs incurred to date, earned fees and any additional costs dire
ctly allocable to the termination.
On September 21, 2012, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (the "Department") issued a proposed Compliance Order on Consent (the " Proposed Consent Order") to the City and County of Denver ("Denver") and to Walsh Environmental Scientists and Engineers, LLC (“Walsh”). Walsh is a majority-owned subsidiary of Ecology and Environment, Inc. The Proposed Consent Order concerns construction improvement activities of certain property owned by Denver which was the subject of asbestos remediation. Denver had entered into a contract with Walsh for Walsh to provide certain environmental consulting services (asbestos monitoring services) in connection with the asbestos containment and/or removal performed by other contractors at Denver's real property. Without admitting liability or the Department’s version of the underlying facts, Walsh on February 13, 2013 entered into a Compliance Order on Consent with the Department and paid a penalty of less than $0.1 million and paid for a Supplemental Environmental Project to benefit the public at large in an amount less than $0.1 million. Denver was served with a final Compliance Order and Assessment of Administrative Penalty against Denver alone for approximately $0.2 million. Under Walsh's environmental consulting contract with Denver, Walsh has agreed to indemnify Denver for certain liabilities where Walsh could potentially be held responsible for a portion of the penalty imposed upon Denver. Walsh has put its professional liability and general liability carriers on notice of this indemnification claim by Denver. The Company believes that this administrative proceeding involving Walsh will not have an adverse material effect upon the operations of the Company.
On February 4, 2011, the Chico Mendes Institute of Biodiversity Conservation of Brazil (the “Institute”) issued a Notice of Infraction to E&E Brasil. E&E Brasil is a majority-owned subsidiary of Ecology and Environment, Inc. The Notice of Infraction concerns the taking and collecting species of wild animal specimens without authorization by the competent authority and imposes a fine of 520,000 Reais, which has a value of approximately $0.3 million at April 30, 2013. No claim has been made against Ecology and Environment, Inc. The Institute has also filed Notices of Infraction against four employees of E&E Brasil alleging the same claims and has imposed fines against those individuals that, in the aggregate, are equal to the fine imposed against E&E Brasil. E&E Brasil has filed administrative responses with the Institute for itself and its employees that: (a) denies the jurisdiction of the Institute, (b) states that the Notice of Infraction is constitutionally vague and (c) affirmatively stated that E&E Brasil had obtained the necessary permits for the surveys and collections of specimens under applicable Brazilian regulations and that the protected conservation area is not clearly marked to show its boundaries. At this time, E&E Brasil has attended one meeting where depositions were taken. The Company believes that these administrative proceedings in Brazil will not have an adverse material effect upon the operations of the Company.
Item 2. | Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds |
(e) Purchased Equity Securities. The following table summarizes the Company’s purchases of its common stock during the nine months ended April 30, 2013:
Period | | Total Number of Shares Purchased | | | Average Price Paid Per Share | | | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (1) | �� | | Maximum Number of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
August | | | --- | | | $ | --- | | | | --- | | | | 93,173 | |
September | | | --- | | | | --- | | | | --- | | | | 93,173 | |
October | | | --- | | | | --- | | | | --- | | | | 93,173 | |
November | | | --- | | | | --- | | | | --- | | | | 93,173 | |
December | | | --- | | | | --- | | | | --- | | | | 93,173 | |
January | | | --- | | | | --- | | | | --- | | | | 93,173 | |
February | | | --- | | | | --- | | | | --- | | | | 93,173 | |
March | | | --- | | | | --- | | | | --- | | | | 93,173 | |
April | | | --- | | | | --- | | | | --- | | | | 93,173 | |
Item 3. | Defaults Upon Senior Securities |
None.
Item 4. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders |
None.
None.
Item 6. | Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K |
| (a) | - 31.1 Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
| | - 31.2 Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | - 32.1 Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| | - 32.2 Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| (b) | Registrant filed a Form 8-K report on May 31, 2013 to announce that it sent a notice to its directors and executive officers regarding the beginning of a blackout period that was being imposed on the Ecology and Environment, Inc. 401(k) Plan pursuant to which Participants will be unable to direct or diversify investments, including E&E Common Stock held in a self-directed brokerage account or shares in the Ecology and Environment Unitized Stock Fund, from June 21, 2013 through the week of July 14, 2013. |
| (c) | Registrant filed a Form 8-K report on January 18, 2013 to record the issuance of a press release to announce that it had entered into a contract to provide environmental consulting services to the China International Finance and Guarantee Group in connection with a contract awarded to E&E of approximately $39 million. |
Registrant filed a Form 8-K report on January 17, 2013 to report a Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. The Company held its Annual Meeting of Stockholders. At the meeting, stockholders elected two (2) Class A nominees and six (6) Class B nominees for election as Directors of the Company.
SIGNATURE
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.
| | Ecology and Environment, Inc. |
| | |
Date: June 21, 2013 | By: | /s/ H. John Mye |
| | H. John Mye III |
| | Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer – Principal Financial and Accounting Officer |