UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 10-Q
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[X] QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT
For the transition period from ____________ to____________
Commission File No. 000-23338
THE CASTLE GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
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Utah | 99-0307845 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
incorporation or organization) |
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500 Ala Moana Boulevard, 3 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 555
Honolulu, Hawaii 96813
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(808) 524-0900
(Registrant’s Telephone Number)
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the ”Exchange Act”) during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check One):
Large accelerated filer [ ] Accelerated filer [ ] Non-accelerated filer [ ] Smaller reporting company [X]
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes [ ] No [X]
APPLICABLE ONLY TO ISSUERS INVOLVED IN BANKRUPTCY
PROCEEDINGS DURING THE PRECEDING FIVE YEARS
Indicate by check whether the Registrant filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.
Not applicable.
APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant’s classes of common equity, as of the latest practicable date: July 30, 2009 - 9,946,392 shares of common stock.
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
THE CASTLE GROUP INC. | ||||||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | ||||||||
JUNE 30, 2009 & DECEMBER 31, 2008 | ||||||||
"Unaudited" | ||||||||
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ASSETS | ||||||||
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| June 30, | December 31, | ||
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| 2009 | 2008 | ||
Current Assets |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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| $ 244,880 | $ 344,677 | ||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for bad debts |
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| 1,748,560 | 2,169,325 | ||||
Deferred tax asset |
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| 209,000 | 379,625 | ||
Prepaids and other current assets |
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| 435,366 | 426,843 | |||
Total Current Assets |
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| 2,637,806 | 3,320,470 | ||
Property plant & equipment, net |
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| 6,542,160 | 5,894,698 | ||
Goodwill |
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| 54,726 | 54,726 | ||
Deposits |
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| 26,862 | 26,837 | ||
Restricted cash |
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| 260,029 | 215,428 | ||
Deferred tax asset |
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| 2,007,760 | 1,778,448 | ||
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TOTAL ASSETS |
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| $ 11,529,343 | $ 11,290,607 | ||
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LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
Current Liabilities |
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Accounts payable |
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| $ 2,827,771 | $ 3,101,731 | ||
Payable to related parties |
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| 111,271 | 227,791 | ||
Deposits payable - current |
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| 380,643 | 345,170 | ||
Current portion of long term debt |
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| 694,523 | 464,082 | |||
Current portion of long term debt to related parties |
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| 43,229 | 16,440 | ||||
Accrued salaries and wages |
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| 782,642 | 913,799 | ||
Accrued taxes |
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| 30,617 | 132,714 | ||
Accrued interest |
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| 10,028 | 10,396 | ||
Other current liabilities |
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| 131,444 | 17,222 | ||
Total Current Liabilities |
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| 5,012,168 | 5,229,345 | ||
Non Current Liabilities |
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Long term debt, net of current portion |
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| 4,321,212 | 3,924,532 | |||
Deposits payable, net of current portion |
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| 260,029 | 215,428 | ||
Notes payable to related parties |
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| 117,316 | 157,420 | ||
Other long term obligations, net |
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| 2,719,167 | 2,433,050 | ||
Total Non Current Liabilities |
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| 7,417,724 | 6,730,430 | ||
Total Liabilities |
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| 12,429,892 | 11,959,775 | ||
Stockholders' Equity |
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Preferred stock, $100 par value, 50,000 shares authorized, 11,050 |
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| 1,105,000 | 1,105,000 | ||||
shares issued and outstanding in 2009 and 2008, respectively |
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Common stock, $.02 par value, 20,000,000 shares authorized, 9,946,392 shares issued and outstanding in 2009 and 2008, respectively |
| 198,929 | 198,929 | |||||
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Additional paid in capital |
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| 4,100,700 | 4,100,700 | ||
Retained deficit |
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| (5,834,833) | (5,324,959) | ||
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) |
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| (470,345) | (748,838) | |||
Total Stockholders' Equity (Deficit) |
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| (900,549) | (669,168) | ||
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TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY |
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| $ 11,529,343 | $ 11,290,607 | ||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements |
THE CASTLE GROUP, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME | ||||||
THREE & SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2009 & 2008 | ||||||
"Unaudited" | ||||||
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| Quarter End | Quarter End | Year to Date | Year to Date |
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| 06/30/2009 | 06/30/2008 | 06/30/2009 | 06/30/2008 |
Revenues |
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Revenue attributed from properties |
| $ 2,863,720 | $ 4,005,619 | $ 6,176,953 | $ 9,175,803 | |
Management & Service |
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| 701,798 | 593,228 | 1,390,763 | 1,404,493 |
Other Income |
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| 240 | 23,522 | 19,993 | 48,255 |
Total Revenues |
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| 3,565,758 | 4,622,369 | 7,587,709 | 10,628,551 |
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Operating Expenses |
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Attributed property expenses |
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| 3,108,667 | 4,280,221 | 6,402,885 | 8,916,156 |
Payroll and office expenses |
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| 528,613 | 707,264 | �� 1,048,545 | 1,370,415 |
Administrative and general |
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| 74,347 | 400,683 | 224,056 | 778,576 |
Depreciation |
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| 50,748 | 55,637 | 91,959 | 111,927 |
Total Operating Expense |
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| 3,762,375 | 5,443,805 | 7,767,445 | 11,177,074 |
Operating Income (Loss) |
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| (196,617) | (821,436) | (179,736) | (548,523) |
Foreign Exchange Gain (Loss) |
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| (350,819) | - | (286,117) | - |
Interest Income |
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| - | - | - | 2,567 |
Interest Expense |
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| (55,079) | (94,229) | (102,709) | (202,742) |
Loss before taxes |
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| (602,515) | (915,665) | (568,562) | (748,698) |
Income tax benefit |
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| 140,263 | 369,783 | 58,687 | 302,474 |
Net Loss |
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| $ (462,252) | $ (545,882) | $ (509,875) | $ (446,224) |
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Other Comprehensive Income |
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Foreign currency translation adjustment |
| $ 337,833 | $ (141,335) | $ 278,493 | $ 8,059 | |
Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
| $ (124,419) | $ (687,217) | $ (231,382) | $ (438,165) | |
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Earnings (Loss) Per Share |
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Basic |
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| $ (0.05) | $ (0.06) | $ (0.05) | $ (0.05) |
Diluted |
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| $ (0.05) | $ (0.06) | $ (0.05) | $ (0.05) |
Weighted Average Shares |
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Basic |
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| 9,946,392 | 9,663,697 | 9,946,392 | 9,600,876 |
Diluted |
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| 9,946,392 | 9,663,697 | 9,946,392 | 9,600,876 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
THE CASTLE GROUP INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2009 & 2008 "Unaudited" | |||||||||||
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| Year to Date | Year to Date | |||||
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| 06/30/2009 | 06/30/2008 | |||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities |
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Net income (loss) |
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| $ (509,875) | $ (446,224) | |||||
Depreciation |
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| 91,107 | 111,927 | |||||
Amortization of discount |
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| 62,388 | 129,106 | |||||
Foreign exchange loss on guarantor obligation |
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| 286,117 | - | ||||||
Stock issued for compensation |
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| - | 131,250 | |||||
(Increase) decrease in |
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Accounts receivable |
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| (214,495) | 568,614 | |||||
Other current assets |
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| (113,859) | (189,729) | |||||
Deposits and other assets |
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| - | (2,542) | |||||
Restricted cash |
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| (16,964) | (20,483) | |||||
Deferred taxes |
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| (58,687) | (302,474) | |||||
Increase (decrease) in |
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Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
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| 297,062 | 267,880 | ||||||
Net Cash From Operating Activities |
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| (177,206) | 247,325 | ||||||
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Cash Flows from Investing Activities |
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Purchase of assets |
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| (54,038) | (37,130) | |||||
Net Cash from Investing Activities |
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| (54,038) | (37,130) | ||||||
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Cash Flows from Financing Activities |
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Proceeds from notes |
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| 300,000 | 224,744 | |||||
Payments on notes |
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| (173,690) | (357,987) | |||||
Net Cash from Financing Activities |
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| 126,310 | (133,243) | ||||||
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Effect of exchange rate on changes in cash |
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| 5,137 | (14,409) | ||||||
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Net Change in Cash |
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| (99,797) | 62,543 | |||||
Beginning Balance |
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| 344,677 | 494,089 | |||||
Ending Balance |
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| $ 244,880 | $ 556,632 | |||||
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Supplementary Information |
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Cash Paid for Interest |
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| $ (34,095) | $ (79,757) | |||||
Cash Paid for Income Taxes |
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| $ - | $ - | |||||
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Significant Non-cash Transactions |
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Conversion of Debt to Stock |
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| $ - | $ (227,500) | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements |
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements:
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization
The Castle Group, Inc. was incorporated under the laws of the State of Utah on August 21, 1981. The Castle Group, Inc. operates in the hotel and resort management industry in the State of Hawaii, New Zealand, Thailand, The Federated States of Micronesia, the Territory of Guam and the Commonwealth of Saipan under the trade name “Castle Resorts and Hotels.” The accounting and reporting policies of The Castle Group, Inc. (the “Company” or “Castle”) conform with generally accepted accounting principles and practices within the hotel and resort management industry.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of The Castle Group, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Hawaii Reservations Center Corp., HPR Advertising, Inc., Castle Resorts & Hotels, Inc., Castle Resorts & Hotels Thailand Ltd., NZ Castle Resorts and Hotels Limited (a New Zealand Corporation), and NZ Castle Resorts and Hotels’ wholly-owned subsidiary, Mocles Holdings Limited (a New Zealand Corporation). All significant inter-company transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
Note 1 Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. In the opinion of management, the accompanying interim financial statements contain all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation. The results of operations for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2009, are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full-year period. It is suggested that these financial statements be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in Castle’s annual audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2008.
Income Recognition
The Company recognizes income from the management of resort properties according to terms of its various management contracts.
The Company has two basic types of agreements. Under a “Gross Contract” the Company records income which is based on a percentage of the gross rental proceeds received from the rental of hotel or condominium units. Under a “Gross Contract” the Company pays a portion of the gross rental proceeds to the owner of the rental unit. The Company only records the difference between the gross rental proceeds and the amount paid to the owner of the rental unit as “Revenue Attributed from Properties.” The portion of the revenues that represent the unit owners’ percentages are not recorded by the Company as income or expenses. Under a Gross Contract, the Company is responsible for all of the operating expenses for the hotel or condominium unit. Under a “Net Contract”, the Company receives a management fee that is based on a percentage of the gross rental proceeds received from the rental of hotel o r condominium units. Under the Net Contract, the owner of the hotel or condominium unit is responsible for all of the operating expenses of the rental program covering the owner’s unit. Under a Net Contract, the Company also typically receives an incentive management fee, which is based on the net operating profit of the covered property. Revenues received under the net contract are recorded as Management and Service Revenue. Under both types of agreements, revenues are recognized after services have been rendered. A liability is recognized for any deposits received for which services have not yet been rendered.
Note 2 New Accounting Pronouncements
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 165, Subsequent Events (“SFAS 165”) establishes general standards of accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. SFAS 165 incorporates into GAAP certain guidance that previously existed under generally accepted auditing standards, which require the disclosure of the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated and whether that date is the date on which the financial statements were issued or the date on which the financial statements were available to be issued. We adopted SFAS 165 in the
second quarter of 2009. We evaluated subsequent events through August 14, 2009, which is the date the financial statements were issued. The adoption of SFAS 165 did not have an impact on our financial statements.
On June 12, 2009, the FASB issued Statement No. 167, Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) ("SFAS No. 167"). SFAS No. 167 modifies the existing quantitative guidance used in determining the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity ("VIE") by requiring entities to qualitatively assess whether an enterprise is a primary beneficiary, based on whether the entity has (i) power over the significant activities of the VIE, and (ii) an obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits that could be potentially significant to the VIE. SFAS No. 167 becomes effective for all new and existing VIEs on January 1, 2010. The adoption of SFAS No. 167 is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
On June 29, 2009, the FASB issued Statement No. 168, The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles—A Replacement of FASB Statement No. 162 ("SFAS No. 168"). SFAS No. 168 establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the "Codification") as the primary source of authoritative GAAP recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. Rules and interpretive releases of the SEC are also sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. SFAS No. 168 and the Codification become effective on September 30, 2009. When effective, the Codification will supersede all existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards and the FASB will not issue new standards in the form of Statements, FASB Staff Positions, or Emerging Issues Task Force Abstracts. Instead, the FASB will issue Accounting Standards Updates, which will serve only to: (a) update the Codification; (b) provide background information about the guidance; and (c) provide t he basis for conclusions on the change(s) in the Codification. The adoption of SFAS No. 168 and the Codification on September 30, 2009 will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.
Note 3 Foreign Currency Transaction Gain / Loss
As part of the Company’s purchase of real estate in New Zealand, the Company has guaranteed an amount of up to NZD $4,201,433 to the seller of the real estate and the Company recorded this guaranty as “Other Long Term Obligations” on its balance sheet. The loan issued upon the purchase of the New Zealand real estate is payable in New Zealand dollars. Due to the increased valuation of the New Zealand dollar against the US dollar during the quarter, this amount has increased to US$2,719,167 with the difference of US$350,819 recorded as a foreign exchange loss for the quarter ended June 30, 2009.
Note 4 Income Taxes
Income tax expense reflects the expense or benefit only on the Company’s domestic taxable income. Income tax expense and benefit from the Company’s foreign operations are not recognized as they have been fully reserved.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation.
Forward Looking Statements
Statements made in this Quarterly Report of the Castle Group, Inc. (“Castle” or the “Company”) which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements with respect to the goals, plan objectives, intentions, expectations, financial condition, results of operations, future performance and business of the Company, including, without limitation, (i) Castle’s ability to raise capital, and (ii) statements preceded by, followed by or that include the words “may,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “expects,” “projects,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “plans,” “intends,” “targets” or similar expressions.
Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and important factors (many of which are beyond the Company’s control) that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements, including the following, general economic or industry conditions, nationally and/or in the communities in which the Company conducts business, changes in the interest rate environment, legislation or regulatory requirements, conditions of the securities markets, the Company’s ability to raise capital, changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines, financial or political instability, acts of war or terrorism, other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technical factors affecting Castle’s operations, products, services and prices.
Factors that may affect forward-looking statements include a wide range of factors that could materially affect future developments and performance, including the following: Changes in company-wide strategies, which may result in changes in the types or mix of businesses in which Castle is involved or chooses to invest; changes in U.S., global or regional economic conditions, changes in U.S. and global financial and equity markets, including significant interest rate fluctuations, which may impede Castle’s access to, or increase the cost of, external financing for its operations and investments; increased competitive pressures, both domestically and internationally, legal and regulatory developments, such as regulatory actions affecting environmental activities, the imposition by foreign countries of trade restrictions and changes in international tax laws or currency controls; adverse weather conditions or natural disasters, such as hurricanes and earthq uakes, labor disputes, which may lead to increased costs or disruption of operations. This list of factors that may affect future performance and the accuracy of forward-looking statements are illustrative, but by no means exhaustive. Accordingly, all forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty.
Plan of Operation
Principal products or services and their markets
General
Castle is a hospitality and hotel management company that prides itself on its ability to be both “Flexible and Focused,” which is the Company’s operations motto. Flexible, to meet the specific needs of property condo owners at the properties that it manages; and focused, in its efforts to achieve enhanced rental income and profitability for those owners. Castle earns its revenues by providing several types of services to property owners including, hotel and resort management and operations; reservations staffing and operations; sales and marketing; and accounting. In addition, Castle provides design services to properties that are furnishing, refurnishing or remodeling, as well as, pre-opening technical services for new hotel and resort properties being planned or under construction. Castle’s revenues are derived primarily from two sources: (1) the rental of hotel rooms and condominium accommodations; and food and beverage sales at the properties it manages and; (2) fees paid for services it provides to property owners. Castle also derives revenues from commissions and incentive payments, based on sales and performance criteria at each property.
In April 2009 we began management of the Waikiki Grand Hotel in Honolulu. The Waikiki Grand Hotel boasts one of the best locations in Waikiki, located just steps away from the broadest and sandiest beach in the area. In May 2009, we began managing the resort rental program of the Molokai Shores on Molokai, and various units in the Pali Ke Kua, Puu Poa nid Hale Moi Cottages in Princeville,Kauai.
Marketing Strategy
Most of our marketing efforts are focused towards acquiring and retaining guests for the properties we manage. Castle does not own any hotels or resorts; however, it has made an investment in the property that it manages in New Zealand. Marketing is done through a variety of distribution channels including direct Internet sales,
wholesalers, online and traditional travel agencies, and group tour operators. Unlike many other hotel and resort operators, we do not market the properties we manage under the Castle brand. Instead of emphasizing the “Flag” or chain name, Castle’s strategy is to promote the name and reputation of the individual properties under management. We believe that this allows the consumer to better choose the specific type of vacation experience desired based upon the specific attributes of the property selected.
Our website (www.CastleResorts.com) offers state-of-the-art functionalities, user-friendly navigation, interactive features and rich content, while offering attractive rates and a travel booking engine that supports a dynamic pricing model which maximizes revenues for all of our properties under management. We intend to continue to invest in optimizing our on-line presence directed specifically towards our own website, since revenue derived through our own branded website yields a higher margin utilizing retail rates.
Castle supports its online presence with its own full service, reservation call center that provides a wide range of services from tour reservation processing and rooms control, to handling group bookings. The reservation center electronically connects resort property inventory and rates to the four major Global Distribution Systems (“GDS”). This connectivity displays rates and inventory of Castle’s properties to over 500,000 travel agents worldwide as well as Internet connectivity to over 1,200 travel websites worldwide.
For customer convenience, we offer direct to consumer online booking reservations of guest rooms at resort and condominium properties under contract and also vacation packages with attractions and activities related to our hotels and condominiums through Castle’s interactive web site at www.CastleResorts.com.
Diversity
Castle has a diverse portfolio of properties located in desired island resort destinations throughout the Pacific Region and beyond. We represent hotels, resort condominiums, luxury villas and lodging accommodations throughout Hawaii, as well as in Micronesia, New Zealand and Thailand.
In Hawaii, Castle is the only lodging chain that represents properties on all of the five major Hawaiian Islands of Oahu (Waikiki) , Maui, Kauai, Molokai and Hawaii, (Big Island). This allows customers the option to island-hop, and provides Castle cross-selling opportunities. Our Honolulu headquarters serves as the epicenter for international operations in Saipan, Guam, New Zealand and in Thailand. Our diverse destinations offer customers the opportunity to discover new experiences and varying cultures.
Castle offers a wide range of accommodations at various price points from exclusive private villas, full-service all-suites hotels, oceanfront resort condominiums, to modestly priced hotels with up to 600 guest rooms. Our collection of all-suites condominium resorts, hotels, villas, lodges and vacation rentals allows customers to select the best accommodation to suit their individual style and budget.
Our ability to deliver consistent financial returns to our property owners demonstrates Castle’s competency in managing and marketing a wide range of accommodations to our customers via multiple channels of distribution.
Brand Strategy
Each property Castle manages is individually branded in order to extract maximum value from its strengths. The Castle brand stays in the background and our focus is on marketing the uniqueness of each property, while satisfying the needs and expectations of our owners. Each property we manage maintains its own brand identity and personality, while utilizing the Castle advantage of our powerful marketing resources, channel distribution, resort management expertise, industry partnerships, and networks.
Castle’s brand strategy is one of the areas that clearly differentiate us from the high profile branded hospitality companies. When a hotel owner or developer is considering contracting a large worldwide hospitality company for possible hotel management, there are several considerations that must be assessed. With major worldwide brands, usually come the high costs that the owner must bear to sustain the expensive marketing and operational expense that the brand demands to offset their marketing costs. There are also some tangible differences from the guest’s or customer’s perspective as well. At Castle, we believe that one size does not fit all.
Castle markets each property with its own independent brand identity and deploys customized marketing programs to fit the specific demographics attracted to each of our properties. Through our brand building efforts, we begin the process of positioning each of our resort brands to our key market segments, niche targeted customers and distribution channels.
We also do not flag our properties with the Castle name. The advantages of doing so are several. There is a high demand for the independent smaller boutique hotels and condominiums, as travelers favor a more individualized and unique travel experience. This ongoing trend towards smaller, independent hotels, as opposed to the familiar mid-range chains, is not only occurring in Hawaii, but seen throughout the world tourism marketplace. This increased demand is fueled by the following traveler’s expectations:
· Travelers seek personalized recognition, attention, and service.
· Guests desire hotel and condominium accommodations that impart a sense of place and provide a unique guest experience.
· Customers demand quality and personalized service, which creates high retention and repeat customers.
Marketing Programs and Promotions
Castle has implemented numerous marketing programs and promotions directed towards both the consumer and trade markets to generate incremental revenue and market loyalty for the individual properties. We have developed a wide range of programs designed specifically to reflect the unique attributes of each of our resort properties, while providing various incentives. At any given time, we may have a number of ongoing marketing programs and promotions in place, some of which are seasonal to drive incremental room night revenues during valley or shoulder periods and some of which are ongoing throughout the year.
Growth Strategy
The majority of the properties presently managed by Castle are located within the state of Hawaii. Significant opportunities for Castle to obtain additional contracts within the State of Hawaii are also available to us due to a myriad of factors that include sales of properties, foreclosures, underperformance, and dissatisfaction with the current management of our competitors. In addition, Castle manages properties in New Zealand, Guam, Micronesia, and Thailand. We believe that there are significant opportunities to expand Castle’s operations both in the markets it currently serves, as well as other Pacific Basin and Asian vacation destinations.
As part of Castle’s strategies to secure long term, multi-year management contracts, from time to time, we have found it advantageous to purchase or lease selected real property within a resort or condominium project. This occurred in 2004, when Castle’s wholly owned subsidiary, NZ Castle Resorts and Hotels Limited, entered into an agreement to purchase all of the shares of Mocles Holdings Limited (“Mocles”), a New Zealand Corporation. Mocles owns the Podium levels (“Podium”) of the Spencer on Byron Hotel in Auckland, New Zealand, which includes the front desk, restaurant, bar, ballroom, board room, conference rooms, back of the house facilities and other areas necessary for the hotel’s operation. Through our ownership of the Podium and a multi-year management contract for the Spencer on Byron hotel, Castle is assured of ongoing revenues in future years from this property.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Certain statements contained in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Plan of Operation” including statements regarding the anticipated development and expansion of Castle’s business, the intent, belief or current expectations of the performance of Castle and the products and/or services it expects to offer and other statements contained herein regarding matters that are not historical facts, are “forward-looking” statements. Because such statements include risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the factors set forth in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Plan of Operation.”
Revenues
Total Revenues decreased by 23% to $3,565,758 and 29% to 7,587,709 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the comparable periods in 2008. The decrease reflects decreases in revenue from both domestic and international operations in the first and second quarters of 2009 due to the combined overall trends of 1) a decreasing number of travelers to Hawaii as compared to previous years during the same period due to the current worldwide economic recession and the H1N1 virus concerns by potential travelers, especially those from Japan 2) decreasing room rates in the markets in which our properties are located as the industry competes for a shrinking base of travelers and 3) a weakening of the New Zealand dollar relative to the US Dollar in 2009 as compared to 2008. These trends have also been brought about by a substantial reduction in the number of airline seats provided by the airlines to Hawaii from the Mainland and Asia in 2009 a s compared to 2008.
Revenues Attributed from Properties decreased by 29% or $1,141,899 for the second quarter of 2009 to $2,863,720 as compared to $4,005,619 for the comparable period of 2008. The decrease for the quarter is attributed to the weakening of the Hawaii tourism market due to the weakened overall economic conditions, the H1N1virus concerns on the part of potential travelers, which severely impacted the Company’s clientele, primarily Japanese travelers, as well as the 29% devaluation of the New Zealand dollar relative to the US Dollar during the quarter ended June 30, 2009 as compared to 2008. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in Management and Service Revenues of 18% during the second quarter to $701,798 in 2009 from $593,228 in 2008. This increase is primarily due the three additional properties managed by the Company in 2009 on a Net Contract basis as compare d to 2008.
For the six months ended June 30, 2009, Revenues Attributed from Properties decreased by 33%, to $6,176,953 as compared to $9,175,803 for the comparable period of 2008, attributed to the weakened economic conditions, the H1N1 virus concerns, and a 27% devaluation of the New Zealand dollar against the US dollar during the period.
Guaranty
As part of the Company’s purchase of real estate in New Zealand, the Company has guaranteed an amount of up to NZD$4,201,433 to the seller of the real estate and the Company recorded this guaranty as “Other Long Term Obligations” on its balance sheet. The loan issued upon the purchase of the New Zealand real estate is payable in New Zealand dollars. Due to the fluctuation of the New Zealand dollar against the US dollar, as of June 30, 2009, this amount equated to USD$2,719,167, with the difference in valuation from that at December 31, 2008 of $350,819 and $286,117 recorded as a foreign exchange loss for the quarter and six month periods ended June 30, 2009, respectively.
Expenses
Property Expenses are those expenses related to the management of the resort and condominium properties which are operated on a Gross Revenue contract basis. Property expenses decreased by $1,171,554 or 27% to $3,108,667 for the three months ended June 30, 2009, from $4,280,221 in the three months ending June 30, 2008. For the six months ended June 30, 2009 compared to the prior year, Property expenses decreased by $2,513,271or 28% to $6,402,885 from $8,916,156. These expense decreases are in line with the revenue decreases and reflect significant cost savings measures through staffing adjustments and other initiatives to match operational expenditures with the lower occupancies and resulting revenues at the properties we manage. In addition, the expenses related to our operations in New Zealand decreased as a result of the devaluation of the New Zealand Dollar as compared to the US Dollar in 2009 as compared to 2008.
Comparing the second quarter of 2009 to the same period in 2008, payroll and office expenses decreased by $178,651 or 25% to $528,613 from $707,264. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, Payroll and office expenses decreased by $321,870 or 23% to $1,048,545 from $1,370,415 as Castle adjusted the number of operational and corporate staff positions to the new levels of revenue and activity and remaining staff agreed to voluntary decreases in pay. In addition, our Chairman and CEO declined to receive salary during 2009 in order to help lower operating expenses.
For the second quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, Administrative and general expenses decreased by $326,336 or 81% to $74,347 from $400,683. For the six months ended June 30, 2009, Administrative and general expenses decreased by $554,520 or 71% to $224,056 from $778,576. This decrease is primarily a result of cost savings measures and a reduction in travel and the use of outside services and consultants, as during 2008 the Company incurred travel, legal and consulting fees related to its expansion into Asia and the costs associated with the private placement of its stock.
EBITDA (Earnings before Interest, Depreciation, Taxes and Amortization) reflects the Company’s earnings without the effect of depreciation, interest income or expense or taxes. Castle’s management believes that in many ways it is a good alternative indicator of the Company’s financial performance. It removes the effects of non-cash depreciation and amortization of assets, as well as the fluctuations of interest costs based on the Company’s borrowing history and increases and decreases in tax expense brought about by changes in the provision for future tax effects rather than current income. A comparison of EBITDA and Net Income is shown below. EBIDTA losses totaled $145,869 and $87,777 for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2009, as compared to $765,799 and $436,596, respectively, in the year earlier period. This change is primarily a result of the decreases in Total Reve nue which were more than completely offset by decreases in Expenses.
| Three months ended June 30 | Six months ended June 30, | ||
| 2009 | 2008 | 2009 | 2008 |
Net Income (Loss) | $( 462,252) | $( 545,882) | $( 509,875) | $( 446,224) |
Add Back: |
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Income Tax Benefit | (140,263) | (369,783) | ( 58,687) | ( 302,474) |
Net interest expense | 55,079 | 94,229 | 102,709 | 200,175 |
Depreciation | 50,748 | 55,637 | 91,959 | 111,927 |
Foreign Exchange Loss | 350,819 |
| 286,117 |
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EBITDA- | $( 145,869) | $( 765,799) | $( 87,777) | $( 436,596) |
Depreciation
Castle’s business does not require a great deal of capital expenditure for equipment or fixed assets. As a result, depreciation expense was $50,748 and $91,959 for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2009, as compared to $55,637 and $111,927, respectively, for the same periods last year.
Interest Expense
Net Interest Expense was $55,079 and $102,709 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, as compared to $94,229 and $202,742, respectively, for the same periods last year. The decreases in net interest expense reflects a decrease in the discount recognized for the assignment of a Note Receivable used as part of the Purchase of real estate.
Income Tax
An increase in overall taxable loss for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2009, led to an increase in the Income Tax Benefit of $140,263 and $58,687, for the second quarter and first six months of 2009 respectively as compared to increases of $369,783 and $302,474, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008.
Net Income (Loss)
Net loss for the three and six months ending June 30, 2009, totaled ($462,252) and ($509,875), respectively, as compared to net losses of ($545,882) and ($446,224), respectively, in the year earlier period.
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustment
For consolidated entities whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, Castle translates their financial statements into U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities are translated at the exchange rate currently in effect as of the financial statement date, and results of operations are translated using the weighted average exchange rate for the period.
Translation adjustments from foreign exchange are included as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Changes in the carrying value of the assets and liabilities of the consolidated entities outside of the United States due to foreign exchange changes are reflected as Foreign Currency Adjustments. Foreign Currency Translation adjustments totaled $337,833 and $278,493 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, compared to ($141,335) and $8,059 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2008.
Total Comprehensive Income
Total Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2009, totaled ($124,419) and ($231,382) as compared to ($687,217) and ($438,165) in the year earlier period. This is primarily a result of the changes in Revenue and Property and Operating Expenses noted above and the changes in Income Tax expense and Foreign Currency Translation adjustments also noted above.
Liquidity
Our primary sources of liquidity include available cash and cash equivalents, and borrowing under the credit facility which was secured in October 2008, consisting of a $500,000 term loan and a $250,000 line of credit and a $200,000 loan from a private individual in May 2009. These facilities contain representations and warranties, conditions, covenants and events of default that are customary for this type of credit facility but do not contain financial covenants. We do not believe the limitations contained in the credit facility will, in the foreseeable future, adversely affect our ability to use the credit facility and execute our business plan.
Expected uses of cash in fiscal 2009 include funds required to support our operating activities, including continuing to opportunistically and selectively expand the number of properties under our management.
We experienced a net loss in the second quarter of fiscal 2009 of $462,252 which included $350,819 of non cash foreign exchange loss based on the guarantee of certain obligations relating to a loan for our New Zealand operations, and our Total Current Assets declined from $3.3 million at the end of 2008, to $2.7 million at June 30, 2009. We anticipate a continuation of current occupancy and rate compression trends and levels for the properties currently under contract for the remainder of 2009 and into 2010. During the first and second quarter of 2009, we expanded the number of properties under management and plan to continue to do so through the remainder of 2009 and 2010, which we expect to increase the overall revenue stream in 2009 and 2010. The specific impact of these additions on revenue depends on the timing of when new properties are added. More importantly, in recent months we implemented a number of cost saving and efficiency progr ams that began to improve our profitability and cash flows as compared to what they would have been without these measures. We project that we will continue to be impacted by reduced cash flows, and working capital liquidity through 2009 and 2010. This view is based on the following assumptions:
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A continuation of weak global macroeconomic trends in consumer spending and especially travel spending by consumers, and the resulting visitation trends to Hawaii and New Zealand.
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Continued impact on occupancy levels and average daily rates at the properties we manage as compared to recent years.
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A continuation of the cost savings and efficiency measures put into place in late 2008 and 2009. This will provide the basis for improved operating trends throughout 2009.
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Expansion of the number of properties under management, with emphasis on Hawaii and New Zealand.
Our plans to manage our liquidity position in fiscal 2009 include:
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Maintaining an intense focus on controlling expenses; while maintaining strong relationships with our owners and travel wholesalers and partners to ensure continuity and good communication.
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Improving our accounts receivable collection rates which will have a positive impact on working capital and liquidity.
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Accessing additional sources of debt or equity financing at competitive rates..
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Continuing with only limited capital expenditures and projects,
We have considered the impact of the financial outlook on our liquidity and have performed an analysis of the key assumptions in our forecast such as sales, gross margin and expenses; an evaluation of our relationships with our travel partners and property owners and an analysis of cash requirements, other working capital changes, capital expenditures and borrowing availability under our credit facilities and access to new sources of debt and equity capital. Based upon these analyses and evaluations, we expect but cannot guaranty, that our anticipated sources of liquidity will be sufficient to meet our obligations without disposition of assets outside of the ordinary course of business or significant revisions of our planned operations through 2009.
Off-balance sheet arrangements
None; not applicable.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Not applicable.
Item 4T. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures
Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer (and acting chief financial officer), evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative
to their costs. The design of any disclosure controls and procedures also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions.
Based on that evaluation, our chief executive officer (and acting chief financial officer) concluded that, as of June 30, 2009, our disclosure controls and procedures were, subject to the limitations noted above, effective to provide reasonable assurance that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules, regulations and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer (and acting chief financial officer), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting
Our management, with the participation of the chief executive officer (and acting chief financial officer), has concluded there were no significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
None.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Not required to be enumerated by smaller reporting companies.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
There were no sales of unregistered securities during the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009
Use of Proceeds of Registered Securities
No proceeds were received from the sale of registered securities during the quarterly period ended June 30, 2009.
Purchases of Equity Securities by Us and Affiliated Purchasers
None; not applicable.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
None; not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information.
(a)
None, not applicable
(b)
Item 6. Exhibits
(a) Exhibits and index of exhibits.
31.1 302 Certification of Rick Wall, Chief Executive Officer
32 Section 906 Certification
SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the Registrant has caused this Quarterly Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
THE CASTLE GROUP, INC.
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Date: | 8/14/09 |
| By: | /s/Rick Wall |
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| Rick Wall |
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| Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors and Acting CFO |