UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549 FORM 10-Q (X) QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the Quarterly Period Ended November 20, 1996 Commission File Number 0-18275 ITEX CORPORATION (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) Nevada 93-0922994 ------------------------------- ------------------------ State (or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 10300 SW Greenburg Road, Suite 370, Portland, Oregon 97223 ------------------------------------------------------------------ (Address of principal executive offices including zip code) (503) 244-4673 ------------------------------- (Registrant's telephone number including area code) Indicate by check whether the Registrant: (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 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 ------ ------ Number of Shares of Common Stock, $0.01 Par Value Outstanding at December 31, 1996: 6,849,000 (This Form 10-Q includes 27 pages) ITEX CORPORATION FORM 10-Q For the Quarterly Period Ended November 20, 1996 INDEX Page -------- PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AT NOVEMBER 20, 1996 AND 3 JULY 31, 1996 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE SIXTEEN 4 WEEK PERIOD ENDED NOVEMBER 20, 1996 AND TWELVE WEEK PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 23, 1995 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE SIXTEEN 5 WEEK PERIOD ENDED NOVEMBER 20, 1996 AND TWELVE WEEK PERIOD ENDED OCTOBER 23, 1995 NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 6 ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF 13 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS PART II. OTHER INFORMATION 24 2 PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ITEX CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except share and per share amounts ) November 20, July 31, 1996 1996 ------------ ------------ ASSETS Current Assets Cash ..................................................... $ 1,121 $ 1,301 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $115 and $96.............................. 1,052 847 Notes receivable.......................................... 263 360 Prepaids and other current assets......................... 385 319 ------------ ------------ Total current assets.................................. 2,821 2,827 Inventory for Principal Party Trading.......................... 8,699 7,844 Available for Sale Equity Securities........................... 3,877 3,877 Investment in Foreign Equity Affiliate......................... 3,197 3,197 Investment in Business Exchange International Corp............. 2,534 2,418 Goodwill and Purchased Member Lists, net....................... 1,229 1,299 Notes Receivable, Long-Term Portion............................ 997 997 Other Assets................................................... 931 947 ------------ ------------ $ 24,285 $ 23,406 ============ ============ LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities Accounts payable.......................................... $ 156 $ 183 Portion of receivables due to brokers .................... 567 508 Trade credits issued in excess of earned.................. 154 41 Income taxes payable...................................... 327 94 Deferred tax liability.................................... 1,253 1,253 Current portion of long-term indebtedness................. 94 138 Other current liabilities................................. 294 349 ------------ ------------ Total current liabilities............................. 2,845 2,566 ------------ ------------ Deferred Income Taxes.......................................... 265 265 ------------ ------------ Long-term Indebtedness......................................... 190 192 ------------ ------------ Stockholders' Equity Common stock, $.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 6,853,000 and 6,804,000 shares issued and outstanding................................. 69 68 Paid-in capital........................................... 16,562 16,386 Net unrealized gain on marketable securities.............. 132 132 Treasury stock, at cost (3,900 and 10,000 shares)......... (14) (29) Retained earnings......................................... 4,876 4,466 Prepaid Printing.......................................... (640) (640) ------------ ------------ Total stockholders' equity............................ 20,985 20,383 ------------ ------------ $ 24,285 $ 23,406 ============ ============ The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. 3 ITEX CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except per share amounts) Sixteen Weeks Ended Twelve Weeks Ended November 20, 1996 October 23, 1995 ------------------- ------------------ Revenue Sales arranged...................................... $ 768 $ 903 =================== ================== Corporate trading revenue........................... $ 786 $ 4,292 Commissions on sales arranged....................... 110 222 Trade exchange revenue.............................. 4,761 2,164 ------------------- ------------------ 5,657 6,678 ------------------- ------------------ Costs and Expenses Costs of corporate trading.......................... 531 3,319 Costs of trade exchange revenue..................... 2,346 989 Selling, general, and administrative................ 2,131 1,968 ------------------- ------------------ 5,008 6,276 ------------------- ------------------ Income from Operations.................................. 649 402 Other Income (Expense) Interest income (expense), net........................ 11 22 Miscellaneous, net.................................. -- 6 ------------------- ------------------ 11 28 ------------------- ------------------ Income Before Taxes and Equity in Net Income of Foreign Affiliate........................... 660 430 Provision for Income Taxes.............................. 250 181 ------------------- ------------------ Income Before Equity in Net Income of Foreign Affiliate.................................. 410 249 Equity in Net Income of Foreign Affiliate............... -- 543 ------------------- ------------------ Net Income ............................................. $ 410 $ 792 =================== ================== Average Common and Equivalent Shares: Primary.............................................. 7,394 6,857 =================== ================== Fully diluted........................................ 6,970 ================== Net Income Per Common Share: Primary.............................................. $ 0.06 $ 0.12 =================== ================== Fully diluted........................................ $ 0.11 ================== The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. 4 ITEX CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands) Sixteen Weeks Ended Twelve Weeks Ended November 20, 1996 October 23, 1995 ------------------- ------------------ Cash Flows from Operating Activities Net income............................................$ 410 $ 792 Adjustments: Equity in net income of foreign affiliate.......... -- (543) Depreciation and amortization...................... 166 43 Services paid for in stock......................... 170 224 Net trade revenue earned over trade costs ........ (834) (1,054) Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts and notes receivable...................... (205) 201 Deferred taxes..................................... (39) Prepaids and other assets.......................... (13) 114 Accounts payable and other current liabilities..... (10) (22) Portion of receivables due to brokers.............. 60 (46) Income taxes payable............................... 232 (204) ------------------- ------------------ Net cash (used in) operating activities.......... (24) (534) ------------------- ------------------ Cash Flows From Investing Activities Acquisitions of SLI, Inc.............................. (77) Additions to equipment and information systems........ (35) (14) ------------------- ------------------ Net cash (utilized in) investing activities..... (112) (14) ------------------- ------------------ Cash Flows From Financing Activities Proceeds from sales of common stock................... 1 1,130 Repayments of notes payable........................... (44) (13) ------------------- ------------------ Net cash provided by financing activities....... (43) 1,117 ------------------- ------------------ Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents........... (179) 569 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period.......... 1,300 1,524 ------------------- ------------------ Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period................$ 1,121 $ 2,093 =================== ================== Supplemental Cash Flow Information - ---------------------------------- Cash paid for interest....................................$ 6 $ 2 Cash paid for income taxes................................ -- 425 Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities - ------------------------------------------- Equipment, inventory, information systems development services, prepaids, customer lists, marketable securities and goodwill acquired for common stock and ITEX trade dollars..................... 68 962 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. 5 ITEX CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE 1 - UNAUDITED INTERIM INFORMATION ITEX Corporation (the "Company") and its wholly-owned subsidiaries prepare and report financial results using a fiscal year ending July 31. The Company closes its books at the end of 13 "accounting cycles," which consist of four weeks each. The Company reports quarterly results using three quarters consisting of three of the four-week accounting cycles each and one quarter consisting of four of the four-week accounting cycles. In prior years, the Company had reported the four cycle, or 16-week quarter as the fourth quarter of each fiscal year. Commencing with the first quarter of the fiscal year ending July 31, 1997, the Company will report the four cycle, or 16-week quarter as the first quarter of each fiscal year. This practice is being implemented to provide better management of Company operations and to more evenly space the periodic reporting of financial information to the public. Accordingly, the new dates for the fiscal ends of the Company's quarters for public reporting will be as follows: first quarter, November 20; second quarter, February 12; third quarter, May 7; fourth quarter, July 31. This Form 10-Q includes the consolidated financial statements of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The consolidated balance sheet as of July 31, 1996 is excerpted from the Company's audited financial statements for the fiscal year then ended. The Company's consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-Q for the interim periods ended November 20, 1996 and October 23 1995 include all normal recurring adjustments which, in the opinion of the Company, are necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations, financial position, and cash flows as of the dates and for the periods presented. The Company's operating results for the sixteen-week period ended November 20, 1996 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending July 31, 1997. The Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Company's July 31, 1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K/A should be read in conjunction with these consolidated financial statements. NOTE 2 - DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS The Company is engaged in international operations in both the retail barter exchange and corporate barter areas of the commercial barter industry. The Company administers the ITEX Retail Barter Exchange (the Exchange), which is an association of business owners and professionals who trade goods and services with other members of the Exchange. The Company promotes the maximization of trade through barter transactions that benefit members within the Exchange by: (a) generating incremental new business, (b) conserving members' cash by their ability to spend ITEX trade dollars, (c) serving effectively as an alternative source of financing, (d) enhancing the lifestyles of members, and (e) 6 enabling the sale of slow moving or excess inventories at better values than can be realized in cash markets. The Company acts as a third-party record-keeper of members' transactions and balances, which are denominated in ITEX trade dollars. An ITEX trade dollar is an accounting unit used by the Exchange to record the value of trades as determined by the buying and selling parties in barter transactions. ITEX trade dollars denote the right to receive goods or services available from other Exchange members or the obligation to provide goods or services to other Exchange members. ITEX trade dollars may not be redeemed for cash. ITEX trade dollars may be used only in the manner and for the purpose set forth in the ITEX Trading Rules that govern the Exchange. ITEX trade dollars are not legal tender, securities, or commodities. Members of the Exchange pay cash and ITEX trade dollar fees and commissions to the Company. The Company typically receives a cash commission of 5% or 6% on the purchases and sales made by members of the Exchange. In addition to administering the activities and record-keeping of the Exchange, the Company, as a member of the Exchange, trades as a principal party in barter transactions with other members. The Company also engages as a principal party in trade transactions in the corporate barter area of the industry. In these transactions, the Company acquires goods and services that it either sells for cash or ITEX trade dollars or holds in inventory for further trades in the corporate barter area or for trading to members of the Exchange. The Company owns and operates retail barter offices in Portland, Oregon; St. Louis, Missouri; and Orange County, California. All other ITEX broker offices are independently owned and operated by ITEX Licensed Brokers. There are presently 124 broker offices located in 36 states. In addition, there are also approximately 20 foreign broker offices, including 14 in Canada. One of the Company's current objectives is aggressive international expansion of the ITEX retail trade network. The Company bears no financial responsibility for the financing of an independent broker office. The Company acts as an intermediary for the exchange of goods and services between major companies, through ITEX USA, Inc., a corporate barter management company, which is the Company's exclusive agent for marketing the Company's corporate and industrial trading business of the Company's corporate barter division. ITEX USA negotiates corporate barter agreements, services these agreements and sells the inventory it acquires in these transactions. In these transactions, ITEX USA issues ITEX Cash Equivalent Credits, which are separate and apart from the ITEX Retail Trade Dollar, now used in accounting for transactions in the ITEX Retail Trade Exchange System. The revenues generated from those inventories when sold for cash are divided between the Company and ITEX USA. This is the first and primary profit center in each ITEX corporate barter transaction. The second profit center is a 12% transaction fee paid by the ITEX Corporate Barter client on the Cash Equivalent Credit portion of each purchase. This revenue is also divided between the Company and ITEX USA. The Company operates with the objectives of long-term equity-building while also ensuring availability of sufficient cash for current operating requirements. Accordingly, the Company may in any period report significant revenue, profits, and increases in net assets from transactions denominated in ITEX trade dollars 7 or other noncash consideration. Sometimes, the Company invests in equity securities with ITEX trade dollars that have been earned by the Company in trade transactions. The companies invested in are able to use the ITEX trade dollars received in payment for the stock issued to purchase goods and services used in the operation of their businesses. As a result of this utilization of trade dollars, the Company has accumulated an investment portfolio of marketable equity securities totaling $3,877,000 at November 20, 1996, stated at the lower of cost or market. Also at November 20, 1996, the Company owned inventories of goods and services totaling $8,699,000, stated at the lower of cost or market, which was available for corporate trading or trading to members within the Exchange, which increases cash commissions earned by the Company, for exchange for equity securities of other companies, or for consumption by the Company in providing for its own operating needs. In 1993 the Company purchased a 49% interest in Associated Reciprocal Traders ("ART"), a trading company located in Zug, Switzerland. ART acts as a buyer and seller of goods and services using barter, usually dealing with parties outside the U.S. Through its interest in ART, the Company attained a presence in the international corporate barter marketplace. The Company's share of ART's net assets and results of operations were included in the Company's financial statements using the equity method of accounting through July 31, 1996. On November 27, 1996, the majority owner of ART informed the Company of its intent to take immediate steps to distribute all the assets of ART and to end the relationship with the Company. The Company had previously intended to reinvest its share of the earnings of this venture indefinitely and, accordingly, had not provided income taxes on its share of ART's undistributed earnings. As a result of the inability to continue to reinvest its share of ART's earnings, the Company recognized a deferred provision for income taxes of $1,247,000 during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended July 31, 1996. NOTE 3 - REVENUE The following table summarizes the cash and trade (consisting of ITEX trade dollars and other noncash consideration) components of revenue for each of the fiscal quarters ended November 20, 1996 and October 23, 1995: Sixteen Weeks Ended Twelve Weeks Ended November 20, 1996 October 23, 1995 ------------------- ------------------ (in thousands) Corporate Trading Revenue Trade $ 776 $ 4,263 Cash 10 29 ------------ ------------ 786 4,292 ------------ ------------ Commissions on Sales Arranged Trade -- Cash 110 222 ------------ ------------ 110 222 ------------ ------------ Trade Exchange Revenue Trade 1,615 808 Cash 3,146 1,356 ------------ ------------ 4,761 2,164 ------------ ------------ Total Revenue Trade 2,391 5,071 8 Cash 3,266 1,607 ------------ ------------ $ 5,657 $ 6,678 ============ ============ The above reported revenue amounts include only the portions considered as commissions earned with respect to sales by ITEX USA, in accordance with Section 1200.01 of the AICPA Technical Practice Aids. Total sales arranged by the Company in connection with ITEX USA were $768,000 and $903,000 in the quarters ended November 20, 1996 and October 23, 1995, respectively. NOTE 4 - INVENTORY FOR PRINCIPAL PARTY TRADING Following are the components of inventory for principal party trading: November 20, July 31, 1996 1996 ------------ ------------ (in thousands) Prepaid media advertising duebills $ 4,229 $ 3,530 Art work 2,642 2,642 Hotel roomnights 1,540 1,482 Miscellaneous 288 190 ------------ ------------ $ 8,699 $ 7,844 ============ ============ NOTE 5 - INVESTMENT IN FOREIGN EQUITY AFFILIATE The Company owns a 49% interest in Associated Reciprocal Traders, Inc. ("ART"), a foreign corporation based in Switzerland with international commercial barter operations. ART engages in commercial barter transactions as a buyer and seller of goods and services with companies and businesses that are based in countries outside the United States, as well as U.S. companies. Through July 31, 1996, the Company accounted for its investment in and share of net income or loss of ART by the equity method. The Company's equity share of ART's net income (loss), after amortization of the difference between investment cost and the Company's proportionate share of underlying assets, was ($90,000) for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1996, $958,000 for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1995, and $632,000 for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1994. All of the undistributed earnings of the foreign affiliate were reinvested and were not expected to be remitted to the parent company. On November 27, 1996, the majority owner of ART informed the Company of its intent to take immediate steps to distribute all the assets of ART and to end the relationship with the Company. The Company had previously intended to reinvest its share of the earnings of this venture indefinitely and, accordingly, had not provided income taxes on its share of ART's undistributed earnings. As a result of the inability to continue to reinvest its share of ART's earnings, the Company recognized a deferred provision for income taxes of $1,247,000 during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended July 31, 1996, which was reported as a reduction of the Company's share of equity in net income (loss) of foreign affiliate in the statement of operations for the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 1996. The assets of ART as of November 20, 1996 consist primarily of available-for-sale securities, none of which are securities of ITEX Corporation. The majority owner 9 of ART has agreed to distribute the assets on a basis expected to result in the Company realizing an amount not less than the carrying value of the Company's investment. The Company expects to be able to meet any requirements to pay the current deferred tax liability by selling a portion of the available-for-sale securities to be received. Commencing August 1, 1996, the Company is accounting for its investment in ART by the cost method. NOTE 6 - BANK LINE OF CREDIT On December 4, 1996, the Company's primary bank agreed to a new line of credit arrangement with a term through December 31, 1997. Pursuant to the line of credit, the Company may borrow up to $250,000 on a short-term basis for working capital purposes. The interest rate applicable to borrowings pursuant to the facility is equal to the bank's prime rate of interest plus 1.5%. The maximum amount of cash borrowings that may be outstanding at any time is determined by a borrowing base formula related to available collateral. Borrowings are collateralized by the Company's accounts receivable, fixed assets and inventory. As of November 20, 1996, the Company had no borrowings outstanding under the bank credit facility. Based on available collateral, the entire facility amount of credit of $250,000 was available to the Company as of November 20, 1996. NOTE 7 - TRADE DOLLARS ISSUED IN EXCESS OF EARNED At November 20, 1996, the Company had expended 154,000 ITEX trade dollars in excess of the amount of trade dollars earned by the Company. This situation is commonly referred to in the commercial barter industry as a "negative trade balance." Trade dollars issued in excess of earned by the Company is specifically provided for in the ITEX Trading Rules that govern the Exchange. Such provisions allow the Company to issue trade dollars in excess of earned within certain guideline amounts. This provides the Company with additional liquidity and the opportunity to complete advantageous purchase transactions that benefit the Company and Exchange members. The Company would be ultimately obligated to provide goods and services to Exchange members to offset any amounts of trade dollars issued in excess of earned. This could be accomplished by the sale for trade dollars of the inventories for which acquisition resulted in the trade dollars issued in excess of earned or other inventories, by otherwise earning trade dollars, or a combination of both. NOTE 8 - CAPITAL STOCK Private Placement. Effective January 1, 1996, the Company entered into a Regulation S transaction with Wycliff Fund, Inc. ("Wycliff"), a foreign corporation. Wycliff agreed to purchase 1,022,495 units of the Company's equity securities over a two-year period for $4.89 per unit, equaling a total of $5,000,000. Each unit consists of one share of common stock and warrants to purchase two shares of common stock. One warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price of $4.89 per share, is exercisable from and after two years from the date of issuance, and expires five years from the date of issuance. The other warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price of $6.12 per share, is exercisable from and 10 after four years from the date of issuance, and expires ten years from the date of issuance. Wycliff was required to pay the purchase price of the units at a minimum rate of $625,000 per quarter. Through July 31, 1996, the Company received $1,250,000 from Wycliff and issued 255,624 shares of common stock and the Company also issued warrants to purchase 255,624 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $4.89 per share, exercisable from and after two years from the date of issuance, with expiration five years from the date of issuance, and warrants to purchase 255,624 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $6.12 per share, exercisable from and after four years from the date of issuance, with expiration ten years from the date of issuance. The private placement provided that if Wycliff failed to pay at least $625,000 in any calendar quarter, the Company could, at its sole option, decline to thereafter sell any of the then unpurchased units to Wycliff. Wycliff did not pay the purchase price that would have been due for the calendar quarter ended September 30, 1996, and therefore the Company has canceled the remaining portion of the private placement. Stock Option Plan. The Board of Directors adopted a new stock option plan applicable to directors, officers, employees, and consultants of the Company effective December 27, 1996, pursuant to which 995,000 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance, all of which were granted to optionees at an exercise price of $3.75 per share. Exercise prices for the options granted under the new plan are equal to market value on the date of grant and may be exercisable for up to five years. The Company intends to present the new plan for approval by the Company's shareholders at the annual meeting. It is the intention of the Company to file a Form S-8 registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the shares of common stock underlying options to be issued pursuant to the plan. Stock Split. At the annual meeting of the Company's shareholders on May 3, 1996, the Company's shareholders approved a two-for-one forward stock split with respect to the Company's common stock. The stock split has not yet been implemented by the Company. Upon implementation of the stock split, all share and per share data included in the Company's financial statements would be restated to give effect to the stock split. NOTE 9 - ACQUISITION OF 50% INTEREST IN BUSINESS EXCHANGE INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND RELATED LITIGATION On January 24, 1996, the Company acquired a 100% common stock interest in SLI, Inc. ("SLI"), a Nevada corporation now known as IME, Inc., in exchange for the issuance to SLI's former shareholders of 60,000 shares of the Company's common stock valued at approximately $645,000. The Company then made a cash contribution to the capital of SLI of $1,750,000 and made a loan of $300,000 to SLI. Also on January 24, 1996, SLI purchased a 50% common stock interest in Business Exchange International Corporation ("BXI"), a Nevada corporation, pursuant to rights to purchase such interest that had been assigned to SLI by the former shareholders of SLI. SLI paid $1,750,000 for the common interest in BXI by the purchase of newly issued common stock of BXI and, in addition, SLI loaned 11 $300,000 to BXI. BXI owns and operates one of the leading organized barter exchanges in the United States. On February 12, 1996, a complaint was filed on behalf of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, SLI, Inc., against Saul Yarmak, Stephen Friedland, Business Exchange International Corp., BX International, Inc., Joel Sens, and David Lawson. The complaint, filed in the Circuit Court of the State of Oregon for Multnomah County Case No. 9602-01076, asserted claims for breach of contract, specific performance, declaratory judgment, fraud, defamation, unlawful trade practices, and interference with economic relationships. It sought to recover damages for allegedly disparaging remarks made by certain of the defendants against ITEX and for a court ruling that SLI acquired a 50% interest in the BXI trade exchange owned by one or more of the defendants. On April 30, 1996, defendants Yarmak, Friedland, Business Exchange International Corp., and BX International, Inc., filed an answer denying the material allegations and asserting a counterclaim for attorney fees. On October 11, 1996, ITEX Corporation moved for dismissal of its claims (business defamation, unlawful trade practices and interference with economic relationships), without prejudice, against defendants. On that same date the motion was granted and leave granted to file an Amended Complaint. That complaint is styled SLI, Inc. v. Saul Yarmak, Stephen Friedland, Business Exchange International Corp. and BX International, Inc. The Amended Complaint restates the claims against defendants for breach of contract, specific performance, declaratory judgment and fraud. By dismissing ITEX Corporation's claims without prejudice, ITEX may, if it chooses, reinstitute its claims for business defamation, unlawful trade practices and interference with economic relationships. Proceeding under the Amended Complaint permits an expedited determination of the core contract issues raised, that is, whether BXI breached its contract with SLI by asserting that the BXI Trade Exchange is not an asset of BXI. The defendants have asserted counterclaims for attorney's fees and fraud against SLI in defendants' amended answer and counterclaims. The potential outcome of this lawsuit is uncertain. However, the Company believes that SLI has meritorious arguments in favor of its contract positions and against defendants' counterclaims. The Company believes that a solution will be reached either through negotiation or through completion of the litigation process. The trial date has been set for February 24, 1997. Legal counsel is unable to evaluate the probability of a favorable or unfavorable outcome or to estimate the range of potential recovery on the plaintiff's claims or any potential loss on the defendant's counterclaims. NOTE 10 - SUBSEQUENT EVENT On December 19, 1996, the Company announced the signing of an agreement with Ihlas Holdings, a major Turkish corporation, to license an ITEX Barter Exchange in the Middle East, to be called Ihlas ITEX Barter SA. Under the agreement, which is effective January 1, 1997, Ihlas Holdings receives exclusive use of the ITEX name, trademarks, and proprietary barter accounting and management software for use in Turkey. The Company will receive royalties based on trade transactions generated through the new system, which will enable Ihlas ITEX clients to trade 12 with ITEX members in other countries. Ihlas Holdings is one of Turkey's largest corporations, has 57 subsidiaries, which include interests in chemicals, textiles, food, electronics, health care, construction, media, banking, insurance, and international trade. Ihlas has already taken steps to expand the Ihlas ITEX barter network into the nearby states of Kazakhstan, Turkistan, and Azerbijan. ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS BUSINESS, LIQUIDITY, AND CAPITAL RESOURCES Business and Plan of Operation The Company is engaged in international operations in both the retail barter exchange and corporate barter areas of the commercial barter industry. The Company administers the ITEX Retail Barter Exchange (the Exchange), which is an association of business owners and professionals who trade goods and services with other members of the Exchange. The Company promotes the maximization of trade through barter transactions that benefit members within the Exchange by: (a) generating incremental new business, (b) conserving members' cash by their ability to spend ITEX trade dollars, (c) serving effectively as an alternative source of financing, (d) enhancing the lifestyles of members, and (e) enabling the sale of slow moving or excess inventories at better values than can be realized in cash markets. The Company acts as a third-party record-keeper of members' transactions and balances, which are denominated in ITEX trade dollars. An ITEX trade dollar is an accounting unit used by the Exchange to record the value of trades as determined by the buying and selling parties in barter transactions. ITEX trade dollars denote the right to receive goods or services available from other Exchange members or the obligation to provide goods or services to other Exchange members. ITEX trade dollars may not be redeemed for cash. ITEX trade dollars may be used only in the manner and for the purpose set forth in the ITEX Trading Rules that govern the Exchange. ITEX trade dollars are not legal tender, securities, or commodities. Members of the Exchange pay cash and ITEX trade dollar fees and commissions to the Company. The Company typically receives a cash commission of 5% or 6% on the purchases and sales made by members of the Exchange. In addition to administering the activities and record-keeping of the Exchange, the Company, as a member of the Exchange, trades as a principal party in barter transactions with other members. The Company also engages as a principal party in trade transactions in the corporate barter area of the industry. In these transactions, the Company acquires goods and services that it either sells for cash or ITEX trade dollars or holds in inventory for further trades in the corporate barter area or for trading to members of the Exchange. The Company owns and operates retail barter offices in Portland, Oregon; St. Louis, Missouri; and Orange County, California. All other ITEX broker offices are independently owned and operated by ITEX Licensed Brokers. There are presently 124 broker offices located in 36 states. In addition, there are also approximately 20 foreign broker offices, including 14 in Canada. One of the Company's current objectives is aggressive international expansion of the ITEX 13 retail trade network. The Company bears no financial responsibility for the financing of an independent broker office. The Company acts as an intermediary for the exchange of goods and services between major companies through ITEX USA, Inc., a corporate barter management company, which is the Company's exclusive agent for marketing the Company's corporate and industrial trading business of the Company's corporate barter division. ITEX USA negotiates corporate barter agreements, services these agreements and sells the inventory it acquires in these transactions. In these transactions, ITEX USA issues ITEX Cash Equivalent Credits, which are separate and apart from the ITEX Retail Trade Dollar, now used in accounting for transactions in the ITEX Retail Trade Exchange System. The revenues generated from those inventories when sold for cash are divided between the Company and ITEX USA. This is the first and primary profit center in each ITEX corporate barter transaction. The second profit center is a 12% transaction fee paid by the ITEX Corporate Barter client on the Cash Equivalent Credit portion of each purchase. This revenue is also divided between the Company and ITEX USA. The Company operates with the objectives of long-term equity-building while also ensuring availability of sufficient cash for current operating requirements. Accordingly, the Company may in any period report significant revenue, profits, and increases in net assets from transactions denominated in ITEX trade dollars or other noncash consideration. Sometimes, the Company invests in equity securities with ITEX trade dollars that have been earned by the Company in trade transactions. The companies invested in are able to use the ITEX trade dollars received in payment for the stock issued to purchase goods and services used in the operation of their businesses. As a result of this utilization of trade dollars, the Company has accumulated an investment portfolio of marketable equity securities totaling $3,877,000 at November 20, 1996, stated at the lower of cost or market. Also at November 20, 1996, the Company owned inventories of goods and services totaling $8,699,000, stated at the lower of cost or market, which was available for corporate trading or trading to members within the Exchange, which increases cash commissions earned by the Company, for exchange for equity securities of other companies, or for consumption by the Company in providing for its own operating needs. In 1993 the Company purchased a 49% interest in Associated Reciprocal Traders ("ART"), a trading company located in Zug, Switzerland. ART acts as a buyer and seller of goods and services using barter, usually dealing with parties outside the U.S. Through its interest in ART, the Company attained a presence in the international corporate barter marketplace. The Company's share of ART's net assets and results of operations were included in the Company's financial statements using the equity method of accounting through July 31, 1996. The Company's equity share of ART's net income (loss), after amortization of the difference between investment cost and the Company's proportionate share of underlying assets, was ($90,000) for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1996, $958,000 for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1995, and $632,000 for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1994. On November 27, 1996, the majority owner of ART informed the Company of its intent to take immediate steps to distribute all the assets of ART and to end the 14 relationship with the Company. The Company had previously intended to reinvest its share of the earnings of this venture indefinitely and, accordingly, had not provided income taxes on its share of ART's undistributed earnings. As a result of the inability to continue to reinvest its share of ART's earnings, the Company recognized a deferred provision for income taxes of $1,247,000 during the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 1996. The assets of ART as of November 20, 1996 consist primarily of available-for-sale securities, none of which are securities of ITEX Corporation. The majority owner of ART has agreed to distribute the assets on a basis expected to result in the Company realizing an amount not less than the carrying value of the Company's investment. The Company expects to be able to meet any requirements to pay the current deferred tax liability by selling a portion of the available-for-sale securities to be received. Commencing August 1, 1996, the Company is accounting for its investment in ART by the cost method. During the last several years, the Company started and operated a media department, which exchanged media products owned by the Company for due bills for prepaid advertising credits on radio stations across the U.S. The four Company-owned products included the Image Audio Music Production Library, , the Golden Age of Radio Theatre, the New Rock Countdown, and Flashback ... Moments in Time. During the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended July 31, 1996, the Company sold certain media inventory and reduced the scope of its media operations in order to improve the Company's ongoing cash flow. Development Activities On December 19, 1996, the Company announced the signing of an agreement with Ihlas Holdings, a major Turkish corporation, to license an ITEX Barter Exchange in the Middle East, to be called Ihlas ITEX Barter SA. Under the agreement, which is effective January 1, 1997, Ihlas Holdings receives exclusive use of the ITEX name, trademarks, and proprietary barter accounting and management software for use in Turkey. The Company will receive royalties based on trade transactions generated through the new system, which will enable Ihlas ITEX clients to trade with ITEX members in other countries. Ihlas Holdings is one of Turkey's largest corporations, has 57 subsidiaries, which include interests in chemicals, textiles, food, electronics, health care, construction, media, banking, insurance, and international trade. Ihlas has already taken steps to expand the Ihlas ITEX barter network into the nearby states of Kazakhstan, Turkistan, and Azerbijan. The Company has developed a comprehensive training program for its brokers. New brokers come to the training center at the Company's Portland, Oregon for an intensive week of initial training before receiving the credential of "Associate Broker." They are then permitted to set up offices and act as barter brokers for the Company. After demonstrating adequate competence and achieving specified performance levels, they return to the training center for an additional week of training before receiving the credential of "ITEX Licensed Broker." 15 The Company has developed the largest and most innovative electronic barter exchange in the industry. The system is modeled after the NASDAQ electronic market quotation system. In a commercial barter exchange, the exchange acts as a third party recordkeeper for all parties who join the barter system. One advantage of this system is that it enables multi-lateral trade to take place. Recent technological improvements include a software update of the Account Information Maintenance program utilized by ITEX Brokers, a software update of the BarterWire program which is utilized by both ITEX Brokers and ITEX Retail Trade Exchange Members, and developing access on the Internet. During the fiscal year 1995, the Company completed an agreement with International Trade Exchange (ITEX) Corp., a Vancouver B.C. based company, to operate the Canadian barter company. International Trade Exchange Corp. does business in Canada under the names ITEX and Bartercard. In spite of the similarity of names, ITEX Corporation (U.S.) and ITEX/Bartercard (Canada) have never had a business relationship in the past. Under the terms of the agreement ITEX acquired the rights to the name and trademarks of International Trade Exchange together with the right to acquire its client base and assets. The addition of the affiliation with ITEX/Bartercard and TROC/Canada will more fully enable ITEX clients to do business coast-to-coast in both the U.S. and Canada. The Company has pioneered electronic trading with its BarterWire system, introduced by the Company nearly a decade ago. Using BarterWire, Exchange members can buy and sell products and services through a personal computer and modem from anywhere in the world where telephone service is available. The Company has continued to enhance its BarterWire software so that users can trade more efficiently through the Exchange system. Latest enhanced versions are more user friendly with features familiar to those who are accustomed to the Windows environment. It also includes color and graphic capabilities for better presentation of products and services offered through the system. The Company has also made BarterWire available to clients through the Internet, complete with its own gateway and web server. This enables Exchange members to enjoy the advantages of the latest version of BarterWire together with savings on long distance charges and a larger electronic marketplace. Another electronic trading feature introduced by the Company is a "fax-back" system for Exchange clients, which enables Exchange members to request and receive their account records, company data, ITEX business forms, product and service lists, and other information by fax. The ITEX Express card continues to enhance trade among ITEX clients, particularly when taken in concert with other electronic trading innovations. The ITEX Express card is the Company's debit-credit card for barter, the first of its kind in the U.S. The card can be used for identification or to make purchases using a three part voucher form or point-of-sale (POS) terminal. ITEX has encouraged the use of POS terminals as a way to speed barter transactions and increase the volume of trade. Management believes that electronic trading systems such as BarterWire, Internet access, the ITEX Express card, and the fax-back information and trading service 16 represent the next major step forward in the development of the barter industry. By its early involvement in the electronic marketplace, ITEX believes it will be positioned to take full advantage of future developments in this area. The Company believes that new technologies and the emerging electronic marketplace have the potential to profoundly affect the way business is conducted. As this new marketplace emerges, the Company is positioning itself to take full advantage of this trend. The Company is already becoming recognized as an industry leader in this field. As the transition to electronic business takes place, ITEX intends to play a major role. Other assets includes costs of purchasing and developing certain of the Company's information and communication systems. During fiscal 1996, the Company continued work on development projects that had been commenced in prior years. Since these are mature projects and systems, technological feasibility was present, resulting in the capitalization of most of the development costs incurred in fiscal 1996, in accordance with the Company's accounting policy. The increase in the level of research and development costs was attributable to the nature of the activities in fiscal 1996, which essentially consisted of coding and other activities connected with constructing the systems. A large portion of the development costs were paid to independent consultants and specialists in the particular systems areas and are not fixed costs of the Company. Research and development during the past two fiscal years has focused both on technological improvements and international expansion. During the fiscal quarter ended November 20, 1996, the Company spent a total of $57,000 on research and development for its communication and information systems, of which $24,000 was capitalized and $33,000 was charged to expense. The ITEX symbol and name have, in the past, been registered trademarks of the Company. A new application for the ITEX symbol and name has been filed with the Patent and Trademark Office. Liquidity and Capital Resources Overall Financial Position. At November 20, 1996, the Company's working capital ratio was 1.0 to 1, based on current assets of $2,821,000 and current liabilities of $2,845,000. The Company's working capital ratio at July 31, 1996, was 1.1 to 1, based on current assets of $2,827,000 and current liabilities of $2,566,000. Current liabilities includes $1,247,000 in current deferred taxes related to earnings to be remitted as a result of the termination of the ART foreign venture. The net assets to be received, consisting primarily of available-for-sale securities, are included in the long-term classification of investment in foreign equity affiliate of $3,197,000. The Company expects to be able to meet any requirements to pay the current deferred tax liability by selling a portion of the available-for-sale securities to be received. Total stockholders' equity increased to $20,985,000 at November 20, 1996, from $20,383,000 at July 31, 1996. The primary increase in stockholders' equity was from the Company's continued profitable operations. 17 The Statement of Cash Flows indicates negative cash flow from operations of $24,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 1997, which is a significant improvement from negative cash flow from operations of $534,000 for the first quarter of fiscal 1996. The Company believes that cash fees and commissions, cash that can be obtained from the sale of inventories and available-for-sale equity securities at the discretion of the Company, and cash that would be available from the sale of equity and debt securities of the Company will be sufficient to fund cash operating needs of the Company while continuing to follow the strategy of mixing cash and trade activities so as to maximize long-term equity building and shareholder value. Furthermore, the Company is presently incurring negative cash flow with respect to several development projects. At the Company's discretion, it could conserve cash by suspending or terminating these activities. However, there can be no assurance that adequate funds from operations or any other sources will continue to be available on terms acceptable to the Company. Private Placement. Effective January 1, 1996, the Company entered into a Regulation S transaction with Wycliff Fund, Inc. ("Wycliff"), a foreign corporation. Wycliff agreed to purchase 1,022,495 units of the Company's equity securities over a two-year period for $4.89 per unit, equaling a total of $5,000,000. Each unit consists of one share of common stock and warrants to purchase two shares of common stock. One warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price of $4.89 per share, is exercisable from and after two years from the date of issuance, and expires five years from the date of issuance. The other warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of common stock at an exercise price of $6.12 per share, is exercisable from and after four years from the date of issuance, and expires ten years from the date of issuance. Wycliff was required to pay the purchase price of the units at a minimum rate of $625,000 per quarter. Through July 31, 1996, the Company received $1,250,000 from Wycliff and issued 255,624 shares of common stock and the Company also issued warrants to purchase 255,624 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $4.89 per share, exercisable from and after two years from the date of issuance, with expiration five years from the date of issuance, and warrants to purchase 255,624 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $6.12 per share, exercisable from and after four years from the date of issuance, with expiration ten years from the date of issuance. The private placement provided that if Wycliff failed to pay at least $625,000 in any calendar quarter, the Company could, at its sole option, decline to thereafter sell any of the then unpurchased units to Wycliff. Wycliff did not pay the purchase price that would have been due for the calendar quarter ended September 30, 1996, and therefore the Company has canceled the remaining portion of the private placement. Stock Option Plan. The Board of Directors adopted a new stock option plan applicable to directors, officers, employees, and consultants of the Company effective December 27, 1996, pursuant to which 995,000 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance, all of which were granted to optionees at an exercise price of $3.75 per share. Exercise prices for the options granted under the new plan are equal to market value on the date of grant and may be exercisable for up to five years. The Company intends to present the new plan for approval by the 18 Company's shareholders at the annual meeting. It is the intention of the Company to file a Form S-8 registration with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the shares of common stock underlying options to be issued pursuant to the plan. Stock Split. At the annual meeting of the Company's shareholders on May 3, 1996, the Company's shareholders approved a two-for-one forward stock split with respect to the Company's common stock. The stock split has not yet been implemented by the Company. Upon implementation of the stock split, all share and per share data included in the Company's financial statements would be restated to give effect to the stock split. Bank Line of Credit. On December 4, 1996, the Company's primary bank agreed to a new line of credit arrangement with a term through December 31, 1997. Pursuant to the line of credit, the Company may borrow up to $250,000 on a short-term basis for working capital purposes. The interest rate applicable to borrowings pursuant to the facility is equal to the bank's prime rate of interest plus 1.5%. The maximum amount of cash borrowings that may be outstanding at any time is determined by a borrowing base formula related to available collateral. Borrowings are collateralized by the Company's accounts receivable, fixed assets and inventory. As of November 20, 1996, the Company had no borrowings outstanding under the bank credit facility. Based on available collateral, the entire facility amount of credit of $250,000 was available to the Company as of November 20, 1996. Acquisition of 50% Interest in Business Exchange International Corporation and Related Litigation. On January 24, 1996, the Company acquired a 100% common stock interest in SLI, Inc. ("SLI"), a Nevada corporation now known as IME, Inc., in exchange for the issuance to SLI's former shareholders of 60,000 shares of the Company's common stock valued at approximately $645,000. The Company then made a cash contribution to the capital of SLI of $1,750,000 and made a loan of $300,000 to SLI. Also on January 24, 1996, SLI purchased a 50% common stock interest in Business Exchange International Corporation ("BXI"), a Nevada corporation, pursuant to rights to purchase such interest that had been assigned to SLI by the former shareholders of SLI. SLI paid $1,750,000 for the common interest in BXI by the purchase of newly issued common stock of BXI and, in addition, SLI loaned $300,000 to BXI. BXI owns and operates one of the leading organized barter exchanges in the United States. On February 12, 1996, a complaint was filed on behalf of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, SLI, Inc., against Saul Yarmak, Stephen Friedland, Business Exchange International Corp., BX International, Inc., Joel Sens, and David Lawson. The complaint, filed in the Circuit Court of the State of Oregon for Multnomah County Case No. 9602-01076, asserted claims for breach of contract, specific performance, declaratory judgment, fraud, defamation, unlawful trade practices, and interference with economic relationships. It sought to recover damages for allegedly disparaging remarks made by certain of the defendants against ITEX and for a court ruling that SLI acquired a 50% interest in the BXI trade exchange owned by one or more of the defendants. 19 On April 30, 1996, defendants Yarmak, Friedland, Business Exchange International Corp., and BX International, Inc., filed an answer denying the material allegations and asserting a counterclaim for attorney fees. On October 11, 1996, ITEX Corporation moved for dismissal of its claims (business defamation, unlawful trade practices and interference with economic relationships), without prejudice, against defendants. On that same date the motion was granted and leave granted to file an Amended Complaint. That complaint is styled SLI, Inc. v. Saul Yarmak, Stephen Friedland, Business Exchange International Corp. and BX International, Inc. The Amended Complaint restates the claims against defendants for breach of contract, specific performance, declaratory judgment and fraud. By dismissing ITEX Corporation's claims without prejudice, ITEX may, if it chooses, reinstitute its claims for business defamation, unlawful trade practices and interference with economic relationships. Proceeding under the Amended Complaint permits an expedited determination of the core contract issues raised, that is, whether BXI breached its contract with SLI by asserting that the BXI Trade Exchange is not an asset of BXI. The defendants have asserted counterclaims for attorney's fees and fraud against SLI in defendants' amended answer and counterclaims. The potential outcome of this lawsuit is uncertain. However, the Company believes that SLI has meritorious arguments in favor of its contract positions and against defendants' counterclaims. The Company believes that a solution will be reached either through negotiation or through completion of the litigation process. The trial date has been set for February 24, 1997. Legal counsel is unable to evaluate the probability of a favorable or unfavorable outcome or to estimate the range of potential recovery on the plaintiff's claims or any potential loss on the defendant's counterclaims. 20 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Comparison of Sixteen-Week Period ended November 30, 1996 (First Quarter of - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fiscal 1997) and Twelve-Week Period ended October 23, 1995 (First Quarter of - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fiscal 1996) - ------------ Overall Operating Results Total revenue decreased to $5,657,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 1997 from $6,678,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 1996. Income from operations increased to $649,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 1997 from $402,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 1996. In the first quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company's revenue and profit from its core retail trade exchange business increased significantly. This higher-margin revenue more than offset the effects of lower revenue from decreased activity in corporate trading in the current quarter. Equity in net income from foreign affiliate was $543,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 1996. On November 27, 1996, the majority owner of ART informed the Company of its intent to take immediate steps to distribute all the assets of ART and to end the relationship with the Company. Accordingly, effective August 1, 1996, the Company commenced accounting for its investment in ART by the cost method, and has not recognized any earnings with respect to ART in the current quarter. This fluctuation regarding the earnings of ART is the primary reason for the decrease in net income to $410,000, or $0.06 per share in the first quarter of fiscal 1997 from $792,000, or $0.12 per share, in the first quarter of fiscal 1996. Revenue Total Revenue. Total revenue decreased to $5,657,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 1997 from $6,678,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 1996. Following is a summary of the components of revenue for the first quarters of fiscal 1997 and 1996: Sixteen Weeks Ended Twelve Weeks Ended November 20, 1996, 1996 October 23, 1995 ----------------------- ----------------------- (in thousands) Corporate Trading Revenue Trade $ 776 $ 4,263 Cash 10 29 ---------- ---------- 786 4,292 ---------- ---------- Commissions on Sales Arranged Trade -- Cash 110 222 ---------- ---------- 110 222 ---------- ---------- Trade Exchange Revenue Trade 1,615 808 Cash 3,146 1,356 ---------- ---------- 4,761 2,164 ---------- ---------- Total Revenue Trade 2,391 5,071 Cash 3,266 1,607 ---------- ---------- $ 5,657 $ 6,678 ========== ========== The above reported revenue amounts include only the portions considered as commissions earned with respect to sales by ITEX USA, in accordance with 21 Section 1200.01 of the AICPA Technical Practice Aids. Total sales arranged by the Company in connection with ITEX USA were $768,000 and $903,000 in the quarters ended November 20, 1996 and October 23, 1995, respectively. Trade Exchange Revenue. In the first quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company's revenue from its core retail trade exchange business increased to $4,761,000 from $2,164,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 1996. The increase in trade exchange revenue was attributable to an array of factors. The first quarter of fiscal 1997 was comprised of a 16-week period, whereas the first quarter of fiscal 1996 was comprised of a 12-week period. The Company has continued its commitment to improved broker training programs, which is having the effect of increased rates of new clients joining as members of the Exchange and higher performance levels by brokers. The Company has also continued its internal expansion and its ongoing broad-based marketing and advertising program targeted at recruitment of additional brokers and members of the Exchange. Corporate Trading Revenue. The decreased level of corporate trading revenue was attributable to the Company devoting less of its resources to corporate trading activities during the current year. Significant management and staff time was spent on litigation and other regulatory matters. Management expects increases in operating results from corporate trading activities in future periods. Costs and Expenses Costs of Trade Exchange Revenue. Costs of trade exchange revenue increased to $2,346,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 1997 from $989,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 1996. Costs of trade exchange revenue, which consists of brokers' fees and commissions, were 49% of trade exchange revenue in the first quarter of fiscal 1997 and 46% in the first quarter of fiscal 1996. Costs of Corporate Trading. Costs of corporate trading decreased to $531,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 1997 from $3,319,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 1996 because of the lower revenue level. Costs of corporate trading revenue were 68% in the first quarter of fiscal 1997 and 77% in the first quarter of fiscal 1996. Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased to $2,131,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 1997 from $1,968,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 1996. Part of the increase was attributable to amortization expense related to acquisitions and higher professional fees connected with various litigation and regulatory matters. Total advertising and promotion was $644,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 1997 as compared to $805,000 in the first quarter of fiscal 1996. One of the advantages available to barter businesses is the ability to fund a significant portion of advertising costs using trade dollars or by other trade consideration. During the first quarter of fiscal 1997, the Company paid $630,000 of its advertising costs by ITEX trade dollars or other trade consideration, representing 98% of total advertising costs for the period. 22 Inflation The Company's results of operations have not been affected by inflation and management does not expect inflation to have a significant effect on its operations in the future. Forward-Looking Information From time to time, the Company or its representatives have made or may make forward-looking statements, orally or in writing. Such forward-looking statements may be included in, but not limited to, press releases, oral statements made with the approval of an authorized executive officer or in various filings made by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Words or phrases "will likely result", "are expected to", "will continue", "is anticipated", "estimate", "project or projected", or similar expressions are intended to identify "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Reform Act"). The Company wishes to ensure that such statements are accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements, so as to maximize to the fullest extent possible the protections of the safe harbor established in the Reform Act. Accordingly, such statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to and are accompanied by the following discussion of certain important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Management is currently unaware of any trends or conditions that could have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position, future results of operations, or liquidity. However, investors should also be aware of factors that could have a negative impact on the Company's prospects and the consistency of progress in the areas of revenue generation, liquidity, and generation of capital resources. These include: (i) variations in the mix of corporate trading and trade exchange revenue, (ii) possible inability of the Company to attract investors for its equity securities or otherwise raise adequate funds from any source, (iii) increased governmental regulation of the barter business, (iv) a decrease in the cash fees and commissions realized by the Company based upon a substantial decrease in corporate or retail trade exchange transactions, and (v) unfavorable outcomes to litigation presently involving the Company or to which the Company may become a party in the future. The risks identified here are not all inclusive. Furthermore, reference is also made to other sections of this report that include additional factors that could adversely impact the Company's business and financial performance. Moreover, the Company operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risk factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for Management to predict all of such risk factors, nor can it assess the impact of all such risk factors on the Company's business or the extent to which any factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual results. 23 PART II. OTHER INFORMATION ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS On January 24, 1996, the Company acquired a 100% common stock interest in SLI, Inc. ("SLI"), a Nevada corporation now known as IME, Inc., in exchange for the issuance to SLI's former shareholders of 60,000 shares of the Company's common stock valued at approximately $645,000. The Company then made a cash contribution to the capital of SLI of $1,750,000 and made a loan of $300,000 to SLI. Also on January 24, 1996, SLI purchased a 50% common stock interest in Business Exchange International Corporation ("BXI"), a Nevada corporation, pursuant to rights to purchase such interest that had been assigned to SLI by the former shareholders of SLI. SLI paid $1,750,000 for the common interest in BXI by the purchase of newly issued common stock of BXI and, in addition, SLI loaned $300,000 to BXI. BXI owns and operates one of the leading organized barter exchanges in the United States. On February 12, 1996, a complaint was filed on behalf of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary, SLI, Inc., against Saul Yarmak, Stephen Friedland, Business Exchange International Corp., BX International, Inc., Joel Sens, and David Lawson. The complaint, filed in the Circuit Court of the State of Oregon for Multnomah County Case No. 9602-01076, asserted claims for breach of contract, specific performance, declaratory judgment, fraud, defamation, unlawful trade practices, and interference with economic relationships. It sought to recover damages for allegedly disparaging remarks made by certain of the defendants against ITEX and for a court ruling that SLI acquired a 50% interest in the BXI trade exchange owned by one or more of the defendants. On April 30, 1996, defendants Yarmak, Friedland, Business Exchange International Corp., and BX International, Inc., filed an answer denying the material allegations and asserting a counterclaim for attorney fees. On October 11, 1996, ITEX Corporation moved for dismissal of its claims (business defamation, unlawful trade practices and interference with economic relationships), without prejudice, against defendants. On that same date the motion was granted and leave granted to file an Amended Complaint. That complaint is styled SLI, Inc. v. Saul Yarmak, Stephen Friedland, Business Exchange International Corp. and BX International, Inc. The Amended Complaint restates the claims against defendants for breach of contract, specific performance, declaratory judgment and fraud. By dismissing ITEX Corporation's claims without prejudice, ITEX may, if it chooses, reinstitute its claims for business defamation, unlawful trade practices and interference with economic relationships. Proceeding under the Amended Complaint permits an expedited determination of the core contract issues raised, that is, whether BXI breached its contract with SLI by asserting that the BXI Trade Exchange is not an asset of BXI. The defendants have asserted counterclaims for attorney's fees and fraud against SLI in defendants' amended answer and counterclaims. The potential outcome of this lawsuit is uncertain. However, the Company believes that SLI has meritorious arguments in favor of its contract positions and against defendants' counterclaims. The Company believes that a solution will be 24 reached either through negotiation or through completion of the litigation process. The trial date has been set for February 24, 1997. Legal counsel is unable to evaluate the probability of a favorable or unfavorable outcome or to estimate the range of potential recovery on the plaintiff's claims or any potential loss on the defendant's counterclaims. On September 17, 1996 the Company filed an action in the Circuit Court for Multnomah County, Oregon, against Leslie L. French and Linda French, individually and dba AlphaNet and AlphaNet, Inc., an inactive Oregon corporation. The Complaint is for Breach of Contract and Action on Guaranty and seeks a total of $89,726 on three claims. On October 2, 1996, defendants filed an Answer denying all claims and a Counterclaim alleging malicious prosecution, abuse of process, invasion of privacy and libel. The counterclaim seeks compensatory and punitive damages of $5.5 million. A Reply to defendant's counterclaims has been filed. The Company considers each counterclaim to be totally without merit and expects each counterclaim to be dismissed. Both the Company's claims and the defense of the counterclaims is being vigorously prosecuted by the Company. As with all litigation, the potential outcome of this lawsuit is uncertain. However, the Company believes that its claims against the defendants are meritorious and that the defendants' counterclaims are wholly without merit. In any event, this litigation does not present scenarios which would be expected to result in a materially adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations. On June 28, 1996, the Company announced in a press release that the Company was the subject of an informal inquiry from the Securities and Exchange Commission. Subsequently, the Company received a subpoena for the production of certain documents on September 19, 1996, pursuant to a formal order of private investigation. The Company is cooperating fully with the Securities and Exchange Commission. On November 21, 1996, the Company was served with a complaint filed in the Circuit Court for Washington County, Oregon, by William Bradford Financial Services, Inc. against the Company; Michael Baer; Graham Norris; Oxford Transfer, Inc.; David Christensen, C.P.A.; Andersen, Andersen & Strong, L.C., Donovan Snyder, and John Does I-III. William Bradford Services is controlled by Leslie French, plaintiff in the litigation described above. The complaint alleges breach of fiduciary duty, breach of contract, interference with contract, and fraud and seeks compensatory and punitive damages. The Company considers each of the claims in the complaint to be totally without merit and will vigorously defend against each and every allegation of the complaint. No answer has yet been filed by the Company. As with all litigation, the potential outcome of this lawsuit is uncertain. In any event, however, this litigation does not present scenarios which would be expected to result in a materially adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations. 25 ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K a. Exhibits The Exhibits hereto are listed in the accompanying Exhibit Index. b. Reports on Form 8-K (1) Dated December 9, 1996, regarding change in quarterly reporting dates. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. ITEX CORPORATION January 6, 1997 /s/ Graham H. Norris - ------------------------- ------------------------------------- Date Graham H. Norris, Chairman of the Board of Directors, President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer and director) January 6, 1997 /s/ Joseph M. Morris - ------------------------- ------------------------------------- Date Joseph M. Morris, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal accounting officer and director) 26 EXHIBIT INDEX EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION --------------- ----------------------------------------------- 27 Financial Data Schedule for the Sixteen Weeks Ended November 20, 1996 28