The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain items in the Company’s Statements of Operations as a percentage of total net sales.
Increased net sales in the first nine months of 2008 compared to the first nine months of 2007 resulted in increased gross profit in 2008. This increase in gross profit was more than offset by increased operating expense in 2008 resulting in a net loss in the first nine months of 2008 as compared to net income in the first nine months of 2007. The increased operating expense in the 2008 period was primarily legal fees and expenses related to the News America litigation and increased sales commissions related to increased sales and higher incentives.
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
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Three and Nine Months ended September 30, 2008 Compared to Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2007
Net Sales. Net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2008, increased 33.1% to $8,597,000 compared to $6,461,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, increased 16.6% to $22,738,000 compared to $19,495,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.
Service revenues from our POPSign programs for the three months ended September 30, 2008, increased 39.9% to $7,999,000 compared to $5,718,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Service revenues from our POPSign programs for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, increased 20.5% to $20,830,000 compared to $17,281,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The increases were primarily due to an increase in the number of POPSign programs executed for customers (consumer packaged goods manufacturers) during the 2008 periods which more than offset reductions in the average sign price during the 2008 periods.
Product sales for the three months ended September 30, 2008, decreased 19.5% to $598,000 compared to $743,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Product sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, decreased 13.8% to $1,908,000 compared to $2,214,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The decreases were primarily due to lower sales of thermal and laser sign card supplies based on decreased demand for those products from our customers.
Gross Profit. Gross profit for the three months ended September 30, 2008, increased 24.7% to $4,499,000 compared to $3,608,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, increased 10.8% to $12,327,000 compared to $11,126,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Gross profit as a percentage of total net sales decreased to 52.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2008, compared to 55.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Gross profit as a percentage of total net sales decreased to 54.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to 57.1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.
Gross profit from our POPSign program revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2008, increased 28.5% to $4,300,000 compared to $3,346,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Gross profit from our POPSign program revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, increased 13.4% to $11,640,000 compared to $10,264,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The increases in gross profit in the 2008 periods were primarily due to increased sales partially offset by increased costs (primarily retailer expenses). Gross profit as a percentage of POPSign program revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2008, decreased to 53.8% compared to 58.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Gross profit as a percentage of POPSign program revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 decreased to 55.9%, compared to 59.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The decreases in gross profit as a percentage of POPSign program revenues in the 2008 periods were primarily due to lower average sign prices combined with higher average sign costs (primarily retailer expenses) in the 2008 periods.
Gross profit from our product sales for the three months ended September 30, 2008, decreased 24.0% to $199,000 compared to $262,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Gross profit from our product sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, decreased 20.3% to $687,000 compared to $862,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The decreases in gross profit in the 2008 periods were primarily due to decreased sales combined with fixed costs. Gross profit as a percentage of product sales was 33.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2008, compared to 35.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Gross profit as a percentage of product sales was 36.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to 38.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The decreases in gross profit as a percentage of products sales in the 2008 periods were primarily due to decreased sales and the effect of fixed costs.
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Operating Expenses
Selling. Selling expenses (exclusive of selling related warrant expense) for the three months ended September 30, 2008, increased 82.9% to $2,561,000 compared to $1,400,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Selling expenses (exclusive of selling related warrant expense) for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, increased 36.9% to $5,878,000 compared to $4,295,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Increases in the 2008 periods were primarily due to increased sales commissions, staffing levels and meals and entertainment. The increased sales commissions were due to increased POPSign program sales and the effect of increased incentives for our strategic partner (Valassis Sales & Marketing Services, Inc. (“Valassis”)) and our employed sales force.
Selling expenses (exclusive of selling related warrant expense) as a percentage of total net sales increased to 29.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2008, compared to 21.7% for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Selling expenses (exclusive of selling related warrant expense) as a percentage of total net sales increased to 25.9% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to 22.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The increases in selling expenses as a percentage of total net sales in the 2008 periods was due to the factors described above, partially offset by the effect of increased sales in the 2008 periods.
Marketing. Marketing expenses (exclusive of marketing related warrant expense) for the three months ended September 30, 2008, increased 26.3% to $451,000 compared to $357,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007, primarily due to increased staffing levels and increased data acquisition expense. Marketing expenses (exclusive of marketing related warrant expense) for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, increased 15.1% to $1,211,000 compared to $1,052,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, primarily due to increased staffing levels partially offset by decreased data acquisition expense.
Marketing expenses (exclusive of marketing related warrant expense) as a percentage of total net sales decreased to 5.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2008, compared to 5.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Marketing expenses (exclusive of marketing related warrant expense) as a percentage of total net sales decreased to 5.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to 5.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Decreases in the 2008 periods were primarily due to the increased expenses discussed above which were more than offset by the effect of higher net sales during the 2008 periods.
Warrant expense (selling and marketing). On July 2, 2007, the Company and Valassis, entered into Amendment No. 2 (the “Amendment”) to the Exclusive Reseller Agreement between the parties. The Amendment extends the term of the strategic alliance between the parties to December 31, 2017. The Amendment also expands the strategic alliance to increase the role of Valassis in developing and expanding the Company’s participating retailer network. Valassis received a five-year warrant to acquire 800,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a price of $4.04 and will be paid a cash commission by the Company on the revenue the Company realizes from POPS programs the consumer packaged goods manufacturers conduct in the new retail chains. The Company recorded $1,521,000 of expense for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, related to the fair value of the warrant.
General and administrative. General and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2008, increased 60% to $1,992,000 compared to $1,245,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007. General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 increased 52.9% to $5,457,000 compared to $3,569,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The increases in the 2008 periods were primarily due to increased legal expense related to the News America litigation (see below) and increased staffing which were partially offset by receipt of a lease termination payment. The Company received a payment of $400,000 for early termination of its previous facility lease on July 31, 2008. The payment, net of $115,000 of moving expense, is recorded as part of general and administrative expenses.
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General and administrative expenses as a percentage of total net sales increased to 23.2% for the three months ended September 30, 2008, compared to 19.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2007. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of total net sales increased to 24.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, compared to 18.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The increases in the 2008 periods were primarily due to factors discussed above partially mitigated by the effect of higher net sales during the 2008 periods.
Legal fees for the three months ended September 30, 2008, were $1,526,000 compared to $496,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Legal fees for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, were $3,406,000 compared to $1,388,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. The legal fees in each period were incurred primarily in connection with the News America lawsuit described in Note 2 to the financial statements. Legal fees increased in the 2008 periods primarily due to the increase in activity in the News America litigation as the parties prepare for trial scheduled to commence in 2009. We currently expect the amount of additional legal fees that will be incurred in connection with the ongoing lawsuits to be significant throughout the remainder of 2008 and 2009. Also, if the Company is required to pay a significant amount in settlement or damages, it will have a material adverse effect on its operations and financial condition. In addition, a negative outcome of this litigation could affect long-term competitive aspects of the Company’s business.
Other Income (Expense). Other income for the three months ended September 30, 2008, was $44,000 compared to $52,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2007, primarily due to lower interest income. Lower interest income rates in the 2008 period more than offset the effect of higher cash balances in the 2008 period. Other income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, was $135,000 compared to $89,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, due to higher interest income and lower interest expense during the 2008 period. During the first nine months of 2008 the effect on interest income of higher cash balances was partially offset by lower interest rates, especially in the second and third quarter of 2008. Interest expense was lower in the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as a result of the expiration of the line of credit on April 30, 2007.
Income Taxes. The Company did not record a cumulative income tax benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, as a result of the net loss for the nine months and its continued analysis of future taxable income levels and the amount of net deferred tax assets recorded at September 30, 2008. For the three months ended September 30, 2008, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $207,000 in order to adjust the cumulative income expense/benefit to $0 for the nine month period. The Company recorded income tax expense of $44,000 and $60,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively, which was related to alternative minimum taxes.
Net Income (Loss). The net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2008, was $(254,000) compared to a net loss of $(907,000) for the three months ended September 30, 2007. The net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2008, was $(84,000) compared to net income of $718,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2007.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company has financed its operations with proceeds from public and private stock sales and sales of its services and products. At September 30, 2008, working capital was $6,916,000 compared to $7,751,000 at December 31, 2007. During the first nine months of 2008, cash and cash equivalents increased by $943,000 to $8,336,000 at September 30, 2008, compared to $7,393,000 at December 31, 2007.
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Net cash provided by operating activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2008, was $2,493,000. The increase in cash and cash equivalents resulted from the net loss of $(84,000), non-cash expense of $660,000 for depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation expense, and $1,917,000 of changes to operating assets and liabilities during the nine months ended September 30, 2008.
Net cash of $987,000 was used in investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2008, due to the purchase of property and equipment, primarily the purchase of digital printing equipment, computer hardware and software and leasehold improvements in the new facility. Capital expenditures for the remainder of 2008 are expected to be minimal.
Net cash of $563,000 was used in financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2008. The Company received $98,000 of proceeds (net of expenses) from the issuance of common stock related to the employee stock purchase plan and exercises of stock options. The Company used $464,000 (including fees) of cash to repurchase 225,000 shares of common stock as part of the stock repurchase plan adopted in August 2008. The Company also used $197,000 of cash for the payment of long-term liabilities.
The Company believes that based upon current business conditions, its existing cash balance and future cash from operations will be sufficient for its cash requirements in the foreseeable future. However, there can be no assurances that this will occur or that the Company will be able to secure additional financing from public or private stock sales or from other financing agreements if needed.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Statements made in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, in the Company’s other SEC filings, in press releases and in oral statements to shareholders and securities analysts, which are not statements of historical or current facts, are “forward-looking statements.” Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results or performance of the Company to be materially different from the results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The words “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “seeks” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statement was made. These statements are subject to the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risks presented in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, and updated in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Item 3. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
Not applicable.
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company’s management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this report, pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to the Company required to be included in the Company’s periodic filings under the Exchange Act.
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(b) Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting
There was no change in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
In August 2000, News America Marketing In-Store, Inc. (News America), brought suit against the Company in U.S. District Court in New York, New York. The case was settled in November 2002. The terms of the settlement agreement are confidential. The settlement did not impact the Company’s operating results.
In October 2003, News America brought suit against the Company in U.S. District Court in New York, New York, alleging that the Company has engaged in deceptive acts and practices, has interfered with existing business relationships with retailers and prospective economic advantage, and has engaged in unfair competition. The suit sought unspecified damages and injunctive relief. In February 2007 the U.S. District Court in New York transferred this action to Minnesota where the claims became part of the lawsuit the Company filed against News America and Albertson’s Inc. in 2004 (described below), and the New York action was subsequently dismissed.
On September 23, 2004, the Company brought suit against News America and Albertson’s Inc. (Albertson’s) in Federal District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for violations of federal and state antitrust and false advertising laws, alleging that News America has acquired and maintained monopoly power through various wrongful acts designed to harm the Company in the in-store advertising and promotion products and services market. The suit seeks injunctive relief sufficient to prevent further antitrust injury and an award of treble damages to be determined at trial for the harm caused to the Company. On June 30, 2006 the Court denied the motions of News America and Albertson’s to dismiss the suit. On September 20, 2006, the State of Minnesota through its Attorney General intervened as a co-plaintiff in the business disparagement portion of the Minnesota case. In December 2006, News America filed counterclaims in the Minnesota case that included claims similar to those in its New York action against Insignia and one of its officers, plus claims for damages for two alleged incidents of libel and slander. Motions to dismiss the counterclaims were argued in June 2007, and on September 28, 2007 the Court denied the motions to dismiss the counterclaims. The parties are now engaged in pre-trial discovery. Pursuant to Court order, all discovery and pre-trial matters must be completed by May 1, 2009. On February 4, 2008, the Court approved a Consent Decree entered into by News America and the State of Minnesota under which News America agreed to not violate Minnesota’s statutes prohibiting commercial disparagement. On July 29, 2008, the Company and Albertson’s entered into a Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release, in which they each agreed to release all claims against the other, and the Company agreed to dismiss its lawsuit against Albertson’s.
The Company filed claims in December 2006 and January 2007 with its director’s and officer’s liability and general liability insurers related to the defense costs and insurance coverage for claims asserted against the Company and one of its officers in News America’s counterclaims. On August 9, 2007, the Company filed a complaint against the insurers in Hennepin County District Court, State of Minnesota requesting a declaratory judgment that the insurers owe the Company and its officer such defense costs and insurance coverage. In December 2007, the Company settled its claim against one of the insurers, and the litigation is continuing against the other insurer.
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Although management believes that News America’s counterclaims are without merit, an evaluation of the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome and an estimate of the potential liability cannot be rendered at this time. If the Company is required to pay a significant amount in settlement or damages, it will have a material adverse effect on its operations and financial condition. In addition, a negative outcome of this litigation could affect long-term competitive aspects of the Company’s business.
Management currently expects the amount of legal fees and expenses that will be incurred in connection with the ongoing lawsuits to be significant throughout 2008 and 2009. During the nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company incurred legal fees and expenses of $3,270,000 related to the ongoing lawsuits. Legal fees and expenses are expensed as incurred and are included in general and administrative expenses in the statements of operations.
The Company is subject to various other legal proceedings in the normal course of business. Management believes the outcome of these proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
Set forth below is an update to one of the Risk Factors contained in our report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007:
We are Dependent On Our Contracts With Retailers And Our Ability To Renew Those Contracts When Their Terms Expire
On an ongoing basis, we negotiate renewals of various retailer contracts. Some of our retailer contracts require us to guarantee minimum payments to our retailers. If we are unable to offer guarantees at the required levels in the new contracts, and the contracts are not renewed because of that or because of other reasons, it will have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition.
Our POPS business and results of operations could be adversely affected if the number of retailer partners decreases significantly or if the retailer partners fail to continue to provide good service including performing their duties in placing and maintaining POPSigns at the shelf in their stores and providing product movement data to us.
Our current contract with Safeway Stores was scheduled to expire on June 30, 2008. In May of this year, we entered into an agreement with Safeway to extend the contract to December 31, 2008. Failure to extend the Safeway contract beyond December 31, 2008, could have a material adverse effect on our business.
Item 2. | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds |
On August 19, 2008, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $2,000,000 of the Company’s common stock on or before July 31, 2009. The plan does not obligate the Company to repurchase any particular number of shares, and may be suspended at any time at the Company’s discretion.
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Our share repurchase program activity for the three months ended September 30, 2008 was:
| | Total Number Of Shares Repurchased | | Average Price Paid Per Share | | Total Number Of Shares Purchased As Part Of Publicly Announced Plans Or Programs | | Approximate Dollar Value of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under The Plans Or Programs | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
July 1-31, 2008 | | | — | | $ | — | | | — | | $ | — | |
August 1-31, 2008 | | | — | | $ | — | | | — | | $ | 2,000,000 | |
September 1-30, 2008 | | | 225,000 | | $ | 2.04 | | | 225,000 | | $ | 1,541,000 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Totals | | | 225,000 | | | | | | | | | | |
Item 3. | Defaults upon Senior Securities |
None.
Item 4. | Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders |
None.
None.
The following exhibits are included herewith:
| 31.1 | Certification of Principal Executive Officer |
| 31.2 | Certification of Principal Financial Officer |
| 32 | Section 1350 Certification |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: November 13, 2008 | Insignia Systems, Inc. |
| (Registrant) |
| |
| /s/ Scott F. Drill |
| Scott F. Drill President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) |
| |
| /s/ Justin W. Shireman |
| Justin W. Shireman Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer) |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
| 31.1 | Certification of Principal Executive Officer |
| 31.2 | Certification of Principal Financial Officer |
| 32 | Section 1350 Certification |
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