Insignia Systems, Inc. markets in-store advertising programs, services and products to retailers and consumer packaged goods manufacturers. The Company’s services and products include the Insignia Point-of-Purchase Services (POPS) in-store advertising program, thermal sign card supplies for the Company’s SIGNright and Impulse systems, Stylus software and laser printable cardstock and label supplies.
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.
Decreased net sales in the first three months of 2009 compared to the first three months of 2008 combined with fixed costs of sales resulted in a decrease in gross profit in the 2009 period. This decrease in gross profit in the 2009 period was more than offset by the receipt of a settlement in the Company’s claims against one of its insurers for defense cost in the News America litigation and decreased News America related legal fees in the 2009 period resulting in net income in the 2009 period compared to a net loss in the 2008 period.
Service revenues from our POPSign programs for the three months ended March 31, 2009 decreased 5.3% to $5,631,000 compared to $5,948,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2008. The decrease was due to a decrease in the average price per sign and a decrease in the number of POPS signs displayed for customers (consumer packaged goods manufacturers) at stores in the Company’s retail network. The loss of Safeway, Inc. from the Company’s retail network when the contract expired at December 31, 2008, was a significant factor in the decreased number of signs displayed.
Product sales for the three months ended March 31, 2009 decreased 9.8% to $555,000 compared to $615,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2008. This was primarily due to lower sales of thermal and laser sign card supplies based on decreased demand for those products from our customers.
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Gross Profit. Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2009 decreased 8.8% to $3,223,000 compared to $3,534,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2008. Gross profit as a percentage of total net sales decreased to 52.1% for 2009 compared to 53.9% for 2008.
Gross profit from our POPSign program revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2009 decreased 8.6% to $3,048,000 compared to $3,336,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2008. The decrease was primarily due to decreased sales in 2009 combined with the effect of fixed costs. Gross profit as a percentage of POPSign program revenues decreased to 54.1% for 2009 compared to 56.1% for 2008, primarily due to the effect of fixed costs against decreased revenues.
Gross profit from our product sales for the three months ended March 31, 2009 decreased 11.6% to $175,000 compared to $198,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2008. The decrease was primarily due to decreased sales combined with fixed costs. Gross profit as a percentage of product sales decreased to 31.5% for 2009 compared to 32.2% for 2008, due to the factors discussed above.
Operating Expenses
Selling. Selling expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2009 decreased 8.6% to $1,507,000 compared to $1,648,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2008, primarily due to decreased sales commissions in 2009 due to decreased sales. Selling expenses as a percentage of total net sales decreased to 24.4% in 2009 compared to 25.1% in 2008, due to the decreased costs discussed above.
Marketing. Marketing expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2009 increased 7.8% to $389,000 compared to $361,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2008, due to overall increased spending. Marketing expenses as a percentage of total net sales was 6.3% in 2009 compared to 5.5% in 2008, due to the increased costs discussed above combined with the effect of decreased revenues.
General and administrative. General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2009 decreased 97.9% to $38,000 compared to $1,822,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2008, primarily due to a payment to the Company from an insurer for settlement of a claim against the insurer for defense costs, decreased legal expense and decreased facility related expenses. The Company received a payment of $1,387,000 in the first quarter of 2009 from an insurer as part of a settlement of the Company’s claim that the insurer owed the Company defense costs for claims asserted against the Company and one of its officers in the News America litigation. General and administrative expenses as a percentage of total net sales decreased to 0.6% in 2009 compared to 27.8% in 2008, due to the settlement payment and decreased costs discussed above. Legal fees were $742,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2009 compared to $1,031,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2008. The legal fees in each quarter were incurred primarily in connection with the News America lawsuit described in Note 2 to the financial statements. We currently expect the amount of additional legal fees that will be incurred in connection with the ongoing lawsuit to be significant throughout the remainder of 2009 as trial preparation continues and as the trial is conducted. 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. Other income for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was $28,000 compared to $57,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2008. The difference was due primarily to decreased interest income in the 2009 period as a result of lower interest rates which more than offset the higher cash balances in the 2009 period.
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Income Taxes. The Company did not record income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2009, due to the continued full valuation allowance against its net deferred tax asset. The Company did not record an income tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2008, as a result of its pre-tax loss for the period and its valuation allowance position. The Company updates its deferred tax asset and valuation allowance analysis quarterly to confirm the appropriateness of its valuation allowance.
Net Income (Loss). Our net income for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was $1,317,000 compared to a net loss of $(240,000) for the three months ended March 31, 2008.
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 March 31, 2009, working capital was $7,944,000 compared to $6,396,000 at December 31, 2008. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, cash and cash equivalents decreased $2,878,000 from $11,052,000 at December 31, 2008 to $8,174,000 at March 31, 2009. During the three months ended March 31, 2009 the Company invested $1,100,000 of its cash and cash equivalents in certificates of deposit with twenty-six week maturities which are classified as short-term investments at March 31, 2009.
Net cash used in operating activities during the three months ended March 31, 2009 was $1,787,000. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents from operating activities primarily resulted from net income of $1,317,000 which was more than offset by $2,981,000 of reductions in accrued liabilities and accounts payable. The reductions in accrued liabilities and accounts payable were primarily the payment in January 2009 of accrued commissions, retailer payments and legal fees which had accrued during 2008 and were payable after December 31, 2008.
Net cash of $1,117,000 was used in investing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2009, due to the purchase of $1,100,000 of short-term investments (certificates of deposit with twenty-six week maturities) and $17,000 of expenditures for property and equipment. Capital expenditures for each of the remaining quarters of 2009 are expected to be higher due to planned capital equipment expenditures.
Net cash of $26,000 was provided by financing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2009 as a result of $49,000 of proceeds from the issuance of common stock from the employee stock purchase plan which was partially offset by the payment of $23,000 of principal on 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 for the remainder of 2009. 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.
Critical Accounting Policies
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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Our significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the annual financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2008, included in our Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2009. We believe our most critical accounting policies and estimates include the following:
| • | allowance for doubtful accounts; |
| • | accounting for deferred income taxes; and |
| • | stock-based compensation. |
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, 2008, 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.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
(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.
(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.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
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. 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. Pursuant to Court order, all discovery and pre-trial matters were completed by May 1, 2009. Motions by the Company and by News America for summary judgment were argued on May 11, 2009, and the Court has not yet ruled on these motions.
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 owed the Company and its officer such defense costs and insurance coverage. In December 2007, the Company settled its claim against one of the insurers. Also, in March 2009, the Company settled with the other insurer and received a payment of $1,387,000 as part of the settlement. The Company recorded the payment in general and administrative expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, and the litigation with the insurers is now concluded.
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.
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Management currently expects the amount of legal fees and expenses that will be incurred in connection with the ongoing lawsuit against News America to be significant throughout 2009. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, the Company incurred legal fees of $715,000 related to the News America litigation which were offset by the $1,387,000 payment received from settlement of its claims against one of its insurers. 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.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Not applicable.
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.
Our share repurchase program activity for the three months ended March 31, 2009 was:
| | Total Number Of 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 | |
January 1-31, 2009 | | — | | $ — | | — | | $1,271,000 | |
February 1-28, 2009 | | — | | $ — | | — | | $1,271,000 | |
March 1-31, 2009 | | — | | $ — | | — | | $1,271,000 | |
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
None.
Item 5. Other Information
None.
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Item 6. Exhibits
The following exhibits are included herewith:
| 31.1 | Certification of Principal Executive Officer |
| 31.2 | Certification of Principal Financial Officer |
| 32 | Section 1350 Certification |
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: May 14, 2009 | 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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