UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2017September 30, 2018

OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from____ to ____ .

Commission file number: 1-34167

ePlus inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware
 
54-1817218
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

13595 Dulles Technology Drive, Herndon, VA 20171-3413
(Address, including zip code, of principal executive offices)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (703) 984-8400

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes    No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (Section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
Yes    No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):

Large accelerated filer
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer ☐(do not check if smaller reporting company)
 
Smaller reporting company ☐
Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
Yes   No
The number of shares of common stock outstanding as of January 31,November 5, 2018 was 13,948,590.13,704,734.



TABLE OF CONTENTS

ePlus inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Part I. Financial Information: 
   
Item 1. 
   
 5
   
 6
   
 7
   
 8
   
 10
   
 11
   
Item 2.2627
   
Item 3.4143
   
Item 4.4243
   
Part II. Other Information: 
   
Item 1.4344
   
Item 1A.4344
   
Item 2.4445
   
Item 3.4546
   
Item 4.4546
   
Item 5.4546
   
Item 6.4546
   
4647

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains certain statements that are, or may be deemed to be, “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or “Exchange Act,” and are made in reliance upon the protections provided by such acts for forward-looking statements. Such statements are not based on historical fact, but are based upon numerous assumptions about future conditions that may not occur. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of forward-looking words such as “may,” “should,” “would,” “intend,” “estimate,” “will,” “potential,” “possible,” “could,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “project,” and similar expressions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. Forward-looking statements are made based upon information that is currently available or management’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects upon us, speak only as of the date hereof, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or correct any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that subsequently occur, or of which we hereafter become aware. Actual events, transactions and results may materially differ from the anticipated events, transactions, or results described in such statements. Our ability to consummate such transactions and achieve such events or results is subject to certain risks and uncertainties. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the matters set forth below:


·national and international political instability fostering uncertainty and volatility in the global economy including exposure to fluctuation in foreign currency rates, interest rates, and downward pressure on prices;

·domestic and international economic regulations uncertainty (e.g., tariffs, North American Free Trade Agreement, and Trans-Pacific Partnership).

·significant adverse changes in, reductions in, or loss of our largest volume customer or one or more of our large volume customers, or vendors;

·exposure to changes in, interpretations of, or enforcement trends in legislation and regulatory matters;

·the creditworthiness of our customers and our ability to reserve adequately for credit losses;

·reduction of vendor incentives provided to us;

·we offer a comprehensive set of solutions — integrating information technology (IT) product sales, third-party software assurance and maintenance, our advanced professional and managed services, our proprietary software, and financing, and encounter the following challenges, risks, difficulties and uncertainties:
omanaging a diverse product set of solutions in highly competitive markets with a number of key vendors;

o·increasing the total number of customers utilizingusing integrated solutions by up-selling within our customer base and gaining new customers;

o·adapting to meet changes in markets and competitive developments;

o·maintaining and increasing advanced professional services by recruiting and retaining highly skilled, competent personnel, and vendor certifications;

o·increasing the total number of customers who utilizeuse our managed services and professional services and continuing to enhance our managed services offerings to remain competitive in the marketplace;

o·performing professional and managed services competently;

o·maintaining our proprietary software and updating our technology infrastructure to remain competitive in the marketplace; and

o·reliance on third parties to perform some of our service obligations to our customers;

·changes in the ITInformation Technology (“IT”) industry and/or rapid changes in product offerings, including the proliferation of the cloud, infrastructure as a service (“IaaS”), and software as a service;service (“SaaS”);

·our dependency on continued innovations in hardware, software, and services offerings by our vendors and our ability to partner with them;

·future growth rates in our core businesses;

·failure to comply with public sector contracts, or applicable laws;laws or regulations;

·changes to or loss of members of our senior management team and/or failure to successfully implement succession plans;

·our dependence on key personnel to maintain certain customer relationships, and our ability to hire, train, and retain sufficient qualified personnel;

·our ability to implement comprehensive plans for the integration of sales forces, cost containment, asset rationalization, systems integration, and other key strategies;

·a possible decrease in the capital spending budgets of our customers or a decrease in purchases from us;

·our contracts may not be adequate to protect us, and we are subject to audit in which we may not pass, and our professional and liability insurance policies coverage may be insufficient to cover a claim;

·disruptions or a security breach in our or our vendors’ IT systems and data and audio communication networks;

·our ability to secure our own customers’ electronic and other confidential information, and remain secure during a cyber-security attack;


·
our ability to raise capital, maintain or increase as needed our lines of credit with vendors or floor planning facility, or obtain debt for our financing transactions, or the effect of those changes on our common stock or its holders;

·our ability to realize our investment in leased equipment;

·our ability to successfully perform due diligence and integrate acquired businesses;

·the possibility of goodwill impairment charges in the future;

·our ability to protect our intellectual property rights and successfully defend any challenges to the validity of our patents or allegations that we are infringing upon any third party patents, and the costs associated with those actions, and, when appropriate, license required technology; and

·significant changes in accounting standards including changes to the financial reporting of leases, which could impact the demand for our leasing services, or misclassification of products and services we sell resulting in the misapplication of revenue recognition policies or inaccurate costs and completion dates for our services, which could affect our estimates.

We cannot be certain that our business strategy will be successful or that we will successfully address these and other challenges, risks, and uncertainties. For a further list and description of various risks, relevant factors, and uncertainties that could cause future results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements, see Item 1A, “Risk Factors” and Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections contained elsewhere in this report, as well as other reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.
Financial Statements

ePlus inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except per share amounts)

  September 30, 2018  March 31, 2018 
ASSETS    (as adjusted) 
       
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents $75,647  $118,198 
Accounts receivable—trade, net  292,045   268,287 
Accounts receivable—other, net  40,312   28,401 
Inventories  56,606   39,855 
Financing receivables—net, current  86,253   69,936 
Deferred costs  16,211   16,589 
Other current assets  10,716   23,625 
Total current assets  577,790   564,891 
         
Financing receivables and operating leases—net  79,119   68,511 
Property, equipment and other assets  18,037   19,143 
Goodwill  76,445   76,624 
Other intangible assets—net  23,805   26,302 
TOTAL ASSETS $775,196  $755,471 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
         
LIABILITIES        
         
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable $92,830  $106,933 
Accounts payable—floor plan  120,771   112,109 
Salaries and commissions payable  17,596   19,801 
Deferred revenue  35,860   35,648 
Recourse notes payable—current  -   1,343 
Non-recourse notes payable—current  52,630   40,863 
Other current liabilities  20,698   33,370 
Total current liabilities  340,385   350,067 
         
Non-recourse notes payable—long term  12,656   10,072 
Deferred tax liability—net  1,644   1,662 
Other liabilities  21,234   21,067 
TOTAL LIABILITIES  375,919   382,868 
         
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES  (Note 8)        
         
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
         
Preferred stock, $.01 per share par value; 2,000 shares authorized; none outstanding  -   - 
Common stock, $.01 per share par value; 25,000 shares authorized; 13,727 outstanding at September 30, 2018 and 13,761 outstanding at March 31, 2018
  143   142 
Additional paid-in capital  133,561   130,000 
Treasury stock, at cost, 578 shares at September 30, 2018 and 467 shares at March 31, 2018  (45,380)  (36,016)
Retained earnings  311,221   277,945 
Accumulated other comprehensive income—foreign currency translation adjustment  (268)  532 
Total Stockholders’ Equity  399,277   372,603 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $775,196  $755,471 
 
 
 
As of
December 31, 2017
  
As of
March 31, 2017
 
ASSETS (in thousands, except per share data) 
       
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents $76,105  $109,760 
Accounts receivable—trade, net  285,820   266,029 
Accounts receivable—other, net  30,690   24,987 
Inventories  51,295   93,557 
Financing receivables—net, current  74,598   51,656 
Deferred costs  24,740   7,971 
Other current assets  25,970   43,364 
Total current assets  569,218   597,324 
         
Financing receivables and operating leases—net  72,575   71,883 
Deferred tax assets—net  1,268   - 
Property, equipment and other assets  17,632   11,956 
Goodwill  76,546   48,397 
Other intangible assets—net  27,414   12,160 
TOTAL ASSETS $764,653  $741,720 
         
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY        
         
LIABILITIES        
         
Current liabilities:        
Accounts payable $125,850  $113,518 
Accounts payable—floor plan  107,761   132,612 
Salaries and commissions payable  20,568   18,878 
Deferred revenue  50,739   65,312 
Recourse notes payable—current  -   908 
Non-recourse notes payable—current  27,649   26,085 
Other current liabilities  26,116   19,179 
Total current liabilities  358,683   376,492 
         
Non-recourse notes payable—long term  3,840   10,431 
Deferred tax liability—net  -   1,799 
Other liabilities  18,518   7,080 
TOTAL LIABILITIES  381,041   395,802 
         
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES  (Note 8)        
         
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY        
         
Preferred stock, $.01 per share par value; 2,000 shares authorized; none outstanding  -   - 
Common stock, $.01 per share par value; 25,000 shares authorized;14,046 outstanding at December 31, 2017 and 14,161 outstanding at March 31, 2017
  142   142 
Additional paid-in capital  128,392   123,536 
Treasury stock, at cost  (14,165)  - 
Retained earnings  269,048   222,823 
Accumulated other comprehensive income—foreign currency translation adjustment  195   (583)
Total Stockholders' Equity  383,612   345,918 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $764,653  $741,720 

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

ePlus inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
  
Nine Months Ended
December 31,
  
Three Months Ended
September 30,
  
Six Months Ended
September 30,
 
 2017  2016  2017  2016  2018  2017  2018  2017 
                        
 (in thousands, except per share data)     (as adjusted)     (as adjusted) 
                        
Net sales $342,569  $326,657  $1,080,571  $996,622  $345,043  $371,363  $701,575  $744,719 
Cost of sales  265,881   252,871   838,719   773,239   259,543   283,792   535,372   579,555 
Gross profit  76,688   73,786   241,852   223,383   85,500   87,571   166,203   165,164 
                                
Selling, general, and administrative expenses  57,134   50,160   168,138   149,821   57,705   56,340   114,671   111,004 
Depreciation and amortization  2,894   1,910   7,086   5,408   2,741   2,129   5,531   4,192 
Interest and financing costs  270   409   903   1,158   484   274   960   633 
Operating expenses  60,298   52,479   176,127   156,387   60,930   58,743   121,162   115,829 
                                
Operating income  16,390   21,307   65,725   66,996   24,570   28,828   45,041   49,335 
                                
Other income (expense)  (131)  -   (1)  380   322   (141)  419   130 
                                
Earnings before tax  16,259   21,307   65,724   67,376   24,892   28,687   45,460   49,465 
                                
Provision for income taxes  678   8,687   19,499   27,310   6,889   11,466   12,184   18,821 
                                
Net earnings $15,581  $12,620  $46,225  $40,066  $18,003  $17,221  $33,276  $30,644 
                                
Net earnings per common share—basic $1.12  $0.92  $3.34  $2.88  $1.33  $1.24  $2.47  $2.21 
Net earnings per common share—diluted $1.11  $0.91  $3.30  $2.86  $1.33  $1.23  $2.45  $2.19 
                                
Weighted average common shares outstanding—basic  13,851   13,791   13,845   13,891   13,494   13,879   13,464   13,843 
Weighted average common shares outstanding—diluted  13,990   13,920   14,022   14,026   13,586   14,008   13,597   14,021 

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

ePlus inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
  
Nine Months Ended
December 31,
  
Three Months Ended
September 30,
  
Six Months Ended
September 30,
 
 2017  2016  2017  2016  2018  2017  2018  2017 
 (amounts in thousands)  (amounts in thousands) 
                        
NET EARNINGS $15,581  $12,620  $46,225  $40,066  $18,003  $17,221  $33,276  $30,644 
                                
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME, NET OF TAX:                                
                                
Foreign currency translation adjustments  75   (145)  778   (240)  (143)  391   (800)  703 
                                
Other comprehensive income (loss)  75   (145)  778   (240)  (143)  391   (800)  703 
                                
TOTAL COMPREHENSIVE INCOME $15,656  $12,475  $47,003  $39,826  $17,860  $17,612  $32,476  $31,347 

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

ePlus inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands)

 Nine Months Ended December 31,  Six Months Ended September 30, 
 2017  2016  2018  2017 
 (in thousands)     (as adjusted) 
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:            
Net earnings $46,225  $40,066  $33,276  $30,644 
                
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:                
Depreciation and amortization  11,324   8,758   8,867   6,745 
Reserve for credit losses, inventory obsolescence and sales returns  286   926   178   232 
Share-based compensation expense  4,856   4,520   3,561   3,180 
Deferred taxes  (3,058)  - 
Payments from lessees directly to lendersoperating leases
  (1,325)  (1,831)  (75)  (1,190)
Gain on disposal of property, equipment and operating lease equipment  (7,555)  (3,742)
Gain on disposal of property, equipment and leased equipment  (939)  (5,364)
Gain on sale of financing receivables  (4,625)  (3,968)  (2,584)  (3,498)
Other  1   316   2   - 
Changes in:                
Accounts receivable—trade  (8,295)  (57,732)
Accounts receivable—other  (1,976)  (4,232)
Accounts receivable  (29,287)  (21,694)
Inventories  43,332   (77,422)  (16,688)  43,041 
Financing receivables—net  (13,045)  17,797   (5,922)  2,730 
Deferred costs, other intangible assets and other assets  (26,188)  1,838   4,920   (8,290)
Accounts payable  18,406   53,208   2,375   (6,920)
Salaries and commissions payable, deferred revenue and other liabilities  (9,539)  51,200   (14,769)  (26,286)
Net cash provided by operating activities $48,824  $29,702 
Net cash provided by (used) in operating activities $(17,085) $13,330 
                
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:                
Proceeds from sale of property, equipment and operating lease equipment  9,967   6,380 
Purchases of property, equipment, software, and operating lease equipment  (6,298)  (7,300)
Proceeds from sale of property, equipment and leased equipment  1,764   7,976 
Purchases of property, equipment and operating lease equipment  (6,451)  (3,436)
Purchases of assets to be leased or financed  (5,716)  (5,897)  (8,620)  (3,792)
Issuance of financing receivables  (138,160)  (114,671)  (88,442)  (100,785)
Repayments of financing receivables  59,029   44,091   33,349   41,087 
Proceeds from sale of financing receivables  64,103   39,857   30,463   43,777 
Cash used in acquisitions, net of cash acquired  (37,718)  (9,500)  -   (37,718)
Net cash used in investing activities $(54,793) $(47,040) $(37,937) $(52,891)

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - continued

 Nine Months Ended December 31,  Six Months Ended September 30, 
 2017  2016  2018  2017 
 (in thousands)     (as adjusted) 
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:            
Borrowings of non-recourse and recourse notes payable $39,365  $34,020  $27,157  $32,566 
Repayments of non-recourse and recourse notes payable  (27,269)  (5,412)  (11,229)  (24,730)
Repurchase of common stock  (13,399)  (30,493)  (10,135)  (4,383)
Payment of contingent consideration  -   (718)
Repayments of financing of acquisitions  (1,604)  -   (2,134)  (1,104)
Net borrowings (repayments) on floor plan facility  (24,851)  (5,602)  8,662   (12,395)
Net cash used in financing activities  (27,758)  (8,205)
Net cash provided by (used) in financing activities  12,321   (10,046)
                
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash  72   454   150   32 
                
Net Decrease in Cash and Cash Equivalents  (33,655)  (25,089)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents  (42,551)  (49,575)
                
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period  109,760   94,766   118,198   109,760 
                
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period $76,105  $69,677  $75,647  $60,185 
                
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:                
Cash paid for interest $421  $38  $945  $254 
Cash paid for income taxes $29,987  $23,381  $11,221  $20,041 
                
Schedule of Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities:                
Proceeds from sale of property, equipment, and operating lease equipment $3,463  $429 
Purchases of property, equipment, software, and operating lease equipment $(751 $(2,442)
Proceeds from sale of property, equipment, and leased equipment $461  $906 
Purchase of property, equipment, and operating lease equipment $(934) $724 
Purchase of assets to be leased or financed $(7,225) $(12,700) $1,010  $(4,134)
Issuance of financing receivables $(74,907) $(110,120) $(36,655) $(66,764)
Repayment of financing receivables $9,572  $16,454  $-  $7,096 
Proceeds from sale of financing receivables $83,954  $104,430  $40,265  $70,423 
Financing of acquisitions $(12,050) $-  $-  $(12,050)
Borrowing of non-recourse and recourse notes payable $8,904  $33,651  $37,688  $8,904 
Repayments of non-recourse and recourse notes payable $(14,465) $(20,438) $(63) $(10,704)
Vesting of share-based compensation $12,010  $7,982  $12,769  $11,969 
Repurchase of common stock included in accounts payable $(766) $- 

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

ePlus inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands)

  Common Stock  
Additional
Paid-In
  Treasury  Retained  
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
    
  Shares  Par Value  Capital  Stock  Earnings  Income  Total 
                      
Balance, April 1, 2017  14,161  $142  $123,536  $-  $222,823  $(583) $345,918 
Issuance of restricted stock awards  68   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Share-based compensation  -   -   4,856   -   -   -   4,856 
Repurchase of common stock  (183)  -   -   (14,165)  -   -   (14,165)
Net earnings  -   -   -   -   46,225   -   46,225 
Foreign currency translation adjustment  -   -   -   -   -   778   778 
                             
Balance, December 31, 2017  14,046  $142  $128,392  $(14,165) $269,048  $195  $383,612 
     
Common Stock
  
Additional
Paid-In
  Treasury  Retained  
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
    


Shares

Par Value

Capital

Stock

Earnings

Income

Total
Balance, April 1, 2018  13,761  $142  $130,000  $(36,016) $277,945  $532  $372,603 
Issuance of restricted
stock awards
  77   1   -   -   -   -   1 
Share-based compensation  -   -   3,561   -   -   -   3,561 
Repurchase of common stock  (111)  -   -   (9,364)  -   -   (9,364)
Net earnings  -   -   -   -   33,276   -   33,276 
Foreign currency translation
adjustment
  -   -   -   -   -   (800)  (800)
                             
Balance, September 30, 2018  13,727  $143  $133,561  $(45,380) $311,221  $(268) $399,277 

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

ePlus inc. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS — Our company was founded in 1990 and is a Delaware corporation. ePlus inc. is sometimes referred to in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as "we," "our," "us," "ourselves,"“we,” “our,” “us,” “ourselves,” or "ePlus." ePlus inc. is a holding company that through its subsidiaries provides information technologyIT solutions whichthat enable organizations to optimize their IT environment and supply chain processes. We also provide consulting, professional and managed services, and complete lifecycle management services, including flexible financing solutions. We focus on state and local governments, middle market and large enterprises in North America and the United Kingdom.Kingdom (“U.K.”).

BASIS OF PRESENTATION — The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of ePlus inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accounts of businesses acquired are included in the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements from the dates of acquisition.

INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the three and ninesix months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017 and 2016 were prepared by us, without audit, and include all normal and recurring adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position, results of operations, changes in comprehensive income, and cash flows for such periods. Operating results for the three and ninesix months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017 and 2016 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period, or for the full fiscal year ending March 31, 20182019, or any other future period. These unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all disclosures required by the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S.US GAAP”) for annual financial statements. Our audited consolidated financial statements are contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 20172018 (“20172018 Annual Report”), which should be read in conjunction with these interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

USE OF ESTIMATES — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S.US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities atas of the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Estimates are used when accounting for items and matters including, but not limited to, revenue recognition, residual values, vendor consideration, lease classification, goodwill and intangible assets, reserves for credit losses, inventory obsolescence, and the recognition and measurement of income tax assets and other provisions and contingencies. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The notes to the consolidated financial statements contained in the 2017 Annual Report include additional discussion of the significant accounting policies and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. There have been no material changes to our significant accounting policies and estimates during the nine months ended December 31, 2017.

STOCK SPLIT — On March 31, 2017, we completed a two-for-one stock split in the form of a stock dividend. References made to outstanding shares or per share amounts in the accompanying financial statements and disclosures have been retroactively adjusted for this stock split. The number of authorized shares reflected on the consolidated balance sheets was not affected by the stock split.

CONCENTRATIONS OF RISK — A substantial portion of our sales of product and services are products from sales of Cisco Systems, Hewlett Packard Enterprise (“HPE”)which were 45% of our technology segment’s net sales for both the three months ended September 30, 2018 and HP, Inc. (collectively “Hewlett Packard companies”),2017, and NetApp products, which represented approximately 39%, 5%43% and 7%, and 45%, 7%, and 5%, respectively,47% of our technology segment’s net sales for the three and ninesix months ended December 31, 2017. Sales of Cisco Systems, Hewlett Packard companies,September 30, 2018 and NetApp represented approximately 45%, 6% and 6%, and 49%, 6% and 5%, respectively,2017, respectively.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES — The significant accounting policies used in preparing these Consolidated Financial Statements were applied on a basis consistent with those reflected in our Consolidated Financial Statements for the three and nine monthsyear ended DecemberMarch 31, 2016. Any2018, except for changes in our vendors’ ability to provide products or incentive programs could have a material adverse effect on our business, resultsfrom the adoption of operations and financial condition.
2.RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS NOT YET ADOPTED — In May 2014, the FASB issued ASUAccounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which, alongas amended (“ASU 2014-09”). This Update adds Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with amendments issuedCustomers (“Topic 606”) to the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“Codification”). The updates to our accounting policies from adopting ASU 2014-09 are provided below.

REVENUE RECOGNITION — We recognize the majority of our revenues from the sales of third party products, third party software, third party services such as maintenance and software support and from sales of ePlus professional and managed services, and from hosting ePlus proprietary software. We recognize revenue from these sales under the guidance in 2015 and 2016, will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance under GAAP and eliminate industry specific guidance. Codification Topic 606.

The core principle of the new guidanceCodification Topic 606 is that an entity should recognize revenue for the transfer of goods and services equal to an amount it expects to be entitled to receive for those goods and services. In August 2015,We account for a contract under Codification Topic 606 when it has approval and commitment from both parties, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferralrights of the Effective Dateparties are identified, payment terms are established, the contract has commercial substance, and collectability of consideration is probable.

Revenues are reported net of sales refunds, including an estimate of future returns based on an evaluation of historical sales returns, current economic conditions, volume, and other relevant factors.

Our contracts with customers may include multiple promises that are distinct performance obligations. For such arrangements, we allocate the transaction price to defereach performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. We determine standalone selling prices using expected cost plus margin.

We recognize revenue when (or as) we satisfy a performance obligation by transferring a promised good or service to a customer. A good or service is transferred when (or as) the effectivecustomer obtains control of that good or service. Depending on the nature of each performance obligation, this may be at a point in time or over time, as further described below.

We typically invoice our customers for third party products upon shipment, unless our customers lease the equipment through our financing segment, in which case the arrangement is accounted for as a lease in accordance with Codification Topic 840, Leases. We typically invoice our customers for third party software upon delivery and third party services at the point of sale, unless our customers finance these assets equipment through our financing segment, in which case we record a financing receivable based on the terms of the arrangement.

Sales of third party products

We are the principal in sales of third party products. As such, we recognize sales on a gross basis with the selling price to the customer recorded as sales and the acquisition cost of the product recognized as cost of sales. We recognize revenue from these sales at the point in time that control passes to the customer, which is typically upon delivery of the product to the customer.

In some instances, our customers may request that we bill them for a product but retain physical possession of the product until later delivery, commonly known as “bill-and-hold” arrangements. In these transactions, we recognize revenue when the customer has signed a bill-and-hold agreement with us, the product is identified separately as belonging to the customer and, when orders include configuration, such configuration is complete and the product is ready for delivery to the customer.

We recognize sales of leased equipment within our financing segment when control passes to the customer, which is typically the date of sale.

Sales of third party software

We are typically the principal in sales of third party software. Sales are recognized on a gross basis with the selling price to the customer recorded as sales and the acquisition cost of the product recognized as cost of sales. We recognize revenue from these sales at the point in time that control passes to the customer, which is typically upon delivery of the software to the customer.

We often sell third party support accompanying third party software. When the third party software benefits the customer only in conjunction with the accompanying support, such as in sales of anti-virus software and support, we consider the third party software and support as inputs to a single performance obligation. The third party controls the service as it is transferred to the customer and therefore we are acting as an agent in these transactions. We recognize revenue from these sales on a net basis when our customer and vendor accept the terms and conditions of the arrangement.

Sales of third party maintenance, software support, and services

We are the agent in sales of third party maintenance, software support, and services as the third party controls the service until it is transferred to the customer. We recognize sales on a net basis equal to the selling price to the customer less the acquisition cost. We recognize revenue from these sales when our customer and vendor accept the terms and conditions of the arrangement.

Sales of ePlus professional and managed services

Our ePlus professional services offerings include assessments, project management, and staging, configuration, and integration. Our ePlus managed service offerings range from monitoring and notification to a fully outsourced network management solution. In these arrangements, we satisfy our performance obligation and recognize revenue over time.

We provide ePlus professional services under both time and materials and fixed price contracts. When services are provided on a time and materials basis, we recognize sales at agreed-upon billing rates as services are performed. When services are provided on a fixed fee basis, we recognize sales over time in proportion to our progress toward complete satisfaction of the performance obligation. We measure progress based on costs incurred in proportion to total estimated costs, commonly referred to as the “cost-to-cost” method.

In arrangements for ePlus managed services, our arrangement is typically a single performance obligation comprised of a series of distinct services that are substantially the same and that have the same pattern of transfer (i.e., distinct days of service). We typically recognize sales from these services on a straight-line basis over the period services are provided.

We host ePlus proprietary software, including OneSource IT+, OneSource Procurement, and OneSource Catalog+, for customers as a service. We recognize the transaction price for the hosting services evenly over the hosting period.

Freight and sales tax

We present freight billed to our customers within sales and the related freight charged to us within cost of sales. We present sales tax collected from customers and remittances to governmental authorities on a net basis.

Financing revenue and other

We account for leases to customers in accordance with Codification Topic 840, Leases. Our accounting for leases is different depending on the type of lease. Each lease is classified as either a direct financing lease, sales-type lease, or operating lease, as appropriate.

We consider whether a lease meets any of the following four criteria as part of classifying the lease at its inception:


·the lease transfers ownership of the property to the lessee by the end of the lease term;

·the lease contains a bargain purchase option;

·the lease term is equal to 75 percent or more of the estimated economic life of the leased property; or

·the present value at the beginning of the lease term of the minimum lease payments equals or exceeds 90 percent of the fair value of the leased property at the inception of the lease.

If a lease meets any of the four lease classification criteria and gives rise to dealer’s profit, we classify the lease as a sales-type lease. For sales-type leases, we recognize sales equal to the present value of the minimum lease payments discounted using the implicit interest rate in the lease and cost of sales equal to carrying amount of the asset being leased and any initial direct costs incurred, less the present value of the unguaranteed residual. Interest income from the lease is recognized in sales over the lease term in our financing segment.

If a lease meets any of the four lease classification criteria, and does not give rise to dealer’s profit, we classify the lease as a direct financing lease. For direct financing leases, the difference between our gross investment in the lease and the cost of the leased property is deferred as unearned income and recognized as sales over the lease term.

If a lease meets none of the four lease classification criteria, we classify the lease as an operating lease. For operating leases, we recognize the rent charged on the lease as sales on a straight-line basis ratably over the term of the lease agreement.

We may also finance third-party software and third party services for our customers, which are classified as notes receivable. We recognize interest on notes receivable in net sales.

Codification Topic 860 Transfers and Servicing establishes criteria for determining whether a transfer of financial assets in exchange for cash or other consideration should be accounted for as a sale or as secured borrowing. Certain assignments of notes receivable and direct finance and sales-type leases we make on a non-recourse basis meet the requirements for sale accounting set forth by this topic, and have therefore been treated in our financial results as sales, where we recognize a net gain or loss on these transactions in sales.

CONTRACT BALANCES — We recognize contract liabilities when cash payments are received or due in advance of our performance.

COSTS OF OBTAINING A CONTRACT — We capitalize costs that are incremental to obtaining customer contracts, predominately sales commissions, and expense them in proportion to each completed contract performance obligation.

2.RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS —We adopted ASU 2014-09 by one year. Includingon April 1, 2018, using the one-year deferral, these updates become effective for us in our quarter ending June 30, 2018. The newfull retrospective method. Under the full retrospective method, we apply the guidance permits two methods of adoption: retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method), or retrospectively withpresented. The impact from the cumulative effectadopting ASU 2014-09 on our consolidated balance sheet as of initially applyingMarch 31, 2018, was a decrease in accounts receivable – trade of $1.9 million, an increase in accounts receivable – other of $1.9 million, a decrease in deferred costs of $3.2 million, and a decrease in deferred revenues of $3.2 million. There is no impact to our retained earnings as of March 31, 2018. The impact on our consolidated statement of operations was a decrease in net sales and cost of sales by $0.5 million for the guidance recognized atthree months ended September 30, 2017 and an increase of $6.7 million in net sales and cost of sales for the date of initial application (modified retrospective method).six months ended September 30, 2017.

We have established a cross-functional implementation team and utilized a bottom-up approach to analyze the impact of the standard on our arrangements by reviewing the current accounting policies and practices to identify potential differences that would result from applying the requirements of the new standard to our revenue contracts. Based on our analysis to date, we have reached the following tentative conclusions regarding the new standard and how we expect it to affect our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures:

·We will adopt the guidance in our quarter ending June 30, 2018. We currently prefer to adopt the standard using the full retrospective method; however, our ability to do so is dependent on many factors, including the completion of our analysis of information necessary to recast prior period financial statements. Based on these and other factors, we may decide to use the modified retrospective method.
·Substantially all of our revenue within our technology segment is contractual and is within the scope of ASU No. 2014-09, as amended. The majority of our revenues within our financing segment are scoped out of this update.
·
The majority of our revenues within our technology segment are derived from sales of third-party products, third-party software, third-party services, such as maintenance and software assurance, and sales of ePlus professional and managed services.
oWe recognize revenue on sales of third party product and third-party software on a gross basis upon delivery and we are still assessing whether we are acting as a principal or an agent in these transactions under the update.
o
We recognize sales of third party maintenance and software assurance on a net basis at the date of sale and sales of ePlus professional and managed services on a gross basis as the services are performed. We do not anticipate a material impact to our revenue recognition for these transactions under the update.
·We expect that our disclosures in our notes to our consolidated financial statements related to revenue recognition will be significantly expanded under the new standard.

Our analysis and evaluation of the new standard will continue through its effective date in our quarter ending June 30, 2018. A substantial amount of work remains to be completed due to the complexity of the new standard, the application of judgment and the requirement for the use of estimates in applying the new standard, as well as the volume of our customer portfolio and the related terms and conditions of our contracts that must be reviewed.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which will supersede the current U.S. GAAP on this topic. The core principle of this update is that a lessee should recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases. This update requires adoption under the modified retrospective approach and becomes effective for us in our quarter ending June 30, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this update on our financial statements.

InRECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS NOT YET ADOPTED —In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments- Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The amendments in this update replace the incurred loss impairment methodology in current US GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. This update requires adoption under a modified retrospective approach and becomeswill become effective for us in ourthe quarter ending June 30, 2020. Early adoption is permitted beginning in our quarter ending June 30, 2019. We are currently evaluating the impact of this update on our financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which will supersede the current US GAAP on this topic. The core principle of this update is that a lessee should recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases. This update requires adoption under the modified retrospective approach and becomes effective for us in our quarter ending June 30, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this update on our financial statements.

3.REVENUES

Contract balances

Accounts receivable – trade represents amounts due from contracts with customers. In addition, we had $38.0 million and $28.1 million of receivables from contracts with customers included within financing receivables as of September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018, respectively. The following table provides the balance of contract liabilities from contracts with customers (in thousands):

Contract liabilities September 30, 2018  March 31, 2018 
Current (included in deferred revenue) $35,036  $34,643 
Non-current (included in other liabilities) $13,430  $12,699 

Revenue recognized from the beginning contract liability balance was $8.1 million and $20.9 million for the three and six months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, and $36.0 million and $55.5 million for the three and six months ended September 30, 2017, respectively.

Performance obligations

The following table includes revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations, primarily non-cancelable contracts for ePlus managed services, that are unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied at the end of the reporting period, in thousands. The table does not include the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less and (ii) contracts where we recognize revenue at the amount that we have the right to invoice for services performed.

Remaining six months of fiscal 2019 $12,337 
Fiscal 2020  12,607 
Fiscal 2021  6,837 
Fiscal 2022  1,078 
Fiscal 2023  302 
Fiscal 2024  2 
Total remaining performance obligations $33,163 

3.4.FINANCING RECEIVABLES AND OPERATING LEASES

Our financing receivables and operating leases consist of assets that we finance for our customers, which we manage as a portfolio of investments. Equipment financed for our customers is accounted for as investments in direct financing, sales-type or operating leases in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 840, Leases. We also finance third-party software, maintenance, and services for our customers, which are classified as notes receivables. Our notes receivables are interest bearing and are often due over a period of time that corresponds with the terms of the leased products.

FINANCING RECEIVABLES—NET

Our financing receivables, netreceivables-net consist of the following (in thousands):

December 31, 2017
 
Notes
Receivables
  
Lease-Related
Receivables
  
Total Financing
Receivables
 
 Notes  Lease-Related  Total Financing 
September 30, 2018 Receivables  Receivables  Receivables 
Minimum payments $59,444  $73,022  $132,466  $72,585  $77,825  $150,410 
Estimated unguaranteed residual value (1)  -   13,358   13,358   -   12,805   12,805 
Initial direct costs, net of amortization (2)  369   321   690   629   397   1,026 
Unearned income  -   (6,034)  (6,034)  -   (9,409)  (9,409)
Reserve for credit losses (3)  (451)  (621)  (1,072)  (483)  (598)  (1,081)
Total, net $59,362  $80,046  $139,408  $72,731  $81,020  $153,751 
Reported as:                        
Current $33,109  $41,489  $74,598  $52,409  $33,844  $86,253 
Long-term  26,253   38,557   64,810   20,322   47,176   67,498 
Total, net $59,362  $80,046  $139,408  $72,731  $81,020  $153,751 


(1)Includes estimated unguaranteed residual values of $7,753$7,074 thousand for direct financing leases, which have been sold and accounted for as sales.

(2)Initial direct costs are shown net of amortization of $334$357 thousand.

(3)
For details on reserve for credit losses, refer to Note 5, “Reserves6, “Reserves for Credit LossesLosses.”.”

March 31, 2017
 
Notes
Receivables
  
Lease-Related
Receivables
  
Total Financing
Receivables
 
 Notes  Lease-Related  Total Financing 
March 31, 2018 Receivables  Receivables  Receivables 
Minimum payments $48,524  $57,872  $106,396  $62,992  $65,943  $128,935 
Estimated unguaranteed residual value (1)  -   18,273   18,273   -   11,226   11,226 
Initial direct costs, net of amortization (2)  279   341   620   375   334   709 
Unearned income  -   (5,913)  (5,913)  -   (8,251)  (8,251)
Reserve for credit losses (3)  (3,434)  (679)  (4,113)  (486)  (640)  (1,126)
Total, net $45,369  $69,894  $115,263  $62,881  $68,612  $131,493 
Reported as:                        
Current $23,780  $27,876  $51,656  $39,993  $29,943  $69,936 
Long-term  21,589   42,018   63,607   22,888   38,669   61,557 
Total, net $45,369  $69,894  $115,263  $62,881  $68,612  $131,493 


(1)Includes estimated unguaranteed residual values of $12,677$6,004 thousand for direct financing leases whichthat have been sold and accounted for as sales.

(2)Initial direct costs are shown net of amortization of $510$341 thousand.

(3)
For details on reserve for credit losses, refer to Note 5, “Reserves6, “Reserves for Credit LossesLosses.”.”

OPERATING LEASES—NET

Operating leases—net represents leases that do not qualify as direct financing leases. The components of the operating leases—net are as follows (in thousands):

 
December 31,
2017
  
March 31,
2017
  
September 30,
2018
  
March 31,
2018
 
Cost of equipment under operating leases $16,804  $16,725  $20,738  $15,683 
Accumulated depreciation  (9,039)  (8,449)  (9,117)  (8,729)
Investment in operating lease equipment—net (1) $7,765  $8,276  $11,621  $6,954 


(1)These totals includeIncludes estimated unguaranteed residual values of $2,077$2,931 thousand and $1,117$1,921 thousand as of December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2017,2018, respectively.

TRANSFERS OF FINANCIAL ASSETS

We enter into arrangements to transfer the contractual payments due under financing receivables and operating lease agreements, which are accounted for as sales or secured borrowings in accordance with ASCCodification Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing. For transfers accounted for as a secured borrowing, the corresponding investments serve as collateral for non-recourse notes payable. As of December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2017,2018, we had financing receivables of $37.2$61.8 million and $33.1$52.0 million, respectively, and operating leases of $5.9$9.3 million and $6.6$5.3 million, respectively, which were collateral for non-recourse notes payable. See Note 7, "Notes8, “Notes Payable and Credit FacilityFacility.”."

For transfers accounted for as sales, we derecognize the carrying value of the asset transferred and recognize a net gain or loss on the sale, which are presented within net sales in the consolidated statement of operations. During each of the three months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, we recognized net gains of $1.2 million, and $0.9total proceeds from these sales were $47.2 million and $48.3 million, respectively. During the six months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, we recognized net gains of $2.5 million and $3.5 million, respectively, and total proceeds from these sales were $32.8$94.0 million and $55.8 million, respectively. During the nine months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we recognized net gains of $4.6 million and $4.1 million, respectively, and total proceeds from these sales were $166.9 million and $185.4$134.1 million, respectively.

For certain assignments of financial assets, we retain a servicing obligation. For assignments accounted for as sales, we allocate a portion of the proceeds to deferred revenues, which is recognized as we perform the services. As of both December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2017,2018, we had deferred revenue of $0.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively, for servicing. In a limited number of such sales, we indemnified the assignee in the event that the lessee elected to early terminate the lease.lease early. As of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, our maximum potential future payments related to such guarantees is $0.6$0.3 million. We believe the possibilitylikelihood of making any such payments to be remote.

4.5.GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

GOODWILL

The following table summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, (in thousands):

 Nine Months Ended December 31, 2017  Nine Months Ended December 31, 2016  Six Months Ended September 30, 2018  Six Months Ended September 30, 2017 
 Goodwill  
Accumulated
Amortization
/ Impairment
Loss
  
Net
Carrying
Amount
  Goodwill  
Accumulated
Amortization
/ Impairment
Loss
  
Net
Carrying
Amount
  Goodwill  
Accumulated
Impairment
Loss
  
Net
Carrying
Amount
  Goodwill  
Accumulated
Impairment
Loss
  
Net
Carrying
Amount
 
                                    
Balance as of March 31 $57,070  $(8,673) $48,397  $50,824  $(8,673) $42,151 
Beginning Balance $85,297  $(8,673) $76,624  $57,070  $(8,673) $48,397 
Acquisitions  27,996   -   27,996   7,636   -   7,636   -   -   -   27,939   -   27,939 
Foreign currency translations  153   -   153   (315)  -   (315)  (179)  -   (179)  134   -   134 
Balance as of December 31 $85,219  $(8,673) $76,546  $58,145  $(8,673) $49,472 
Ending Balance $85,118  $(8,673) $76,445  $85,143  $(8,673) $76,470 


Goodwill represents the premium paid over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets that are individually identified and separately recognized in business combinations. All of our goodwill as of December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2017 was assigned2018 is related to our technology reportable segment, which iswe also a singledetermined to be one reporting unit.
See Note 15, "Business Combinations16, “Business Combinations”" for additional information regarding ourprior year acquisitions.

We performed ourtest goodwill for impairment on an annual test for goodwill impairment for fiscal year 2018basis, as of October 1, 2017. We performed a qualitative assessmentthe first day of goodwillour third fiscal quarter, and concludedbetween annual tests if an event occurs, or circumstances change, that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of our technologya reporting unit more likely than not, exceededbelow its respective carrying value as of October 1, 2017.value.

We performed our annual test for goodwill impairment for fiscal year 2017 as of October 1, 2016. We elected to bypass the qualitative assessment of goodwill and estimate the fair value of our reporting units. The fair value of our technology reporting unit substantially exceeded its carrying value as of October 1, 2016. Our conclusions would not be impacted by a ten percent change in our estimate of the fair value of the reporting unit.

OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Our other intangible assets consist of the following at December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017 (in thousands):

 December 31, 2017  March 31, 2017  September 30, 2018  March 31, 2018 
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
  
Accumulated
Amortization
  
Net
Carrying
Amount
  
Gross
Carrying
Amount
  
Accumulated
Amortization
  
Net
Carrying
Amount
  
Gross
Carrying
Amount
  
Accumulated
Amortization
/ Impairment
Loss
  
Net
Carrying
Amount
  
Gross
Carrying
Amount
  
Accumulated
Amortization
/ Impairment
Loss
  
Net
Carrying
Amount
 
                                    
Customer relationships & other intangibles $41,777  $(16,792) $24,985  $23,373  $(12,553) $10,820  $41,974  $(22,026) $19,948  $41,895  $(18,634) $23,261 
Capitalized software development  4,908   (2,479)  2,429   3,649   (2,310)  1,339   6,136   (2,279)  3,857   5,608   (2,567)  3,041 
Total $46,685  $(19,271) $27,414  $27,022  $(14,863) $12,159  $48,110  $(24,305) $23,805  $47,503  $(21,201) $26,302 


Customer relationships and capitalized software development costs are amortized over an estimated useful life, which is generally between 3 to 8 years. Trade names and trademarks are amortized over an estimated useful life of 10 years.

Customer relationships and other intangibles increased for the nine months ended December 31, 2017 due to business acquisitions by $18.4 million, of which $2.4 million is internally developed processes, $15.7 million is customer relationships, $0.2 million is due to foreign exchange translation, and $0.1 million in capitalized software development costs. Total amortization expense for other intangible assets was $1.9$1.8 million and $1.1$1.2 million for the three months and $4.2$3.1 million and $3.4$2.4 million for the ninesix months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively.

See Note 15, “Business Combinations” for additional information regarding acquired intangibles. The change in the gross carrying amount of other intangible assets is due to foreign exchange translations.

5.6.
RESERVES FOR CREDIT LOSSES

Activity in our reserves for credit losses for the nine months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows (in thousands):

 
Accounts
Receivable
  
Notes
Receivable
  
Lease-Related
Receivables
  Total  
Accounts
Receivable
  
Notes
Receivable
  
Lease-
Related
Receivables
  Total 
Balance April 1, 2017 $1,279  $3,434  $679  $5,392 
Balance April 1, 2018 $1,538  $486  $640  $2,664 
Provision for credit losses  165   37   106   308   127   (3)  (42)  82 
Write-offs and other  -   (3,020)  (164)  (3,184)  (1)  -   -   (1)
Balance December 31, 2017 $1,444  $451  $621  $2,516 
Balance September 30, 2018 $1,664  $483  $598  $2,745 

 
Accounts
Receivable
  
Notes
Receivable
  
Lease-Related
Receivables
  Total  
Accounts
Receivable
  
Notes
Receivable
  
Lease-
Related
Receivables
  Total 
Balance April 1, 2016 $1,127  $3,381  $685  $5,193 
Balance April 1, 2017 $1,279  $3,434  $679  $5,392 
Provision for credit losses  229   139   93   461   (5)  27   133   155 
Write-offs and other  (32)  (12)  -   (44)  -   (3,020)  (164)  (3,184)
Balance December 31, 2016 $1,324  $3,508  $778  $5,610 
Balance September 30, 2017 $1,274  $441  $648  $2,363 

Our reserves for credit losses and minimum payments associated with our notes receivables and lease-related receivables disaggregated based on the basis of our impairment method were as follows (in thousands):

 December 31, 2017  March 31, 2017  September 30, 2018  March 31, 2018 
 
Notes
Receivable
  
Lease-
Related
Receivables
  
Notes
Receivable
  
Lease-
Related
Receivables
  
Notes
Receivable
  
Lease-
Related
Receivables
  
Notes
Receivable
  
Lease-
Related
Receivables
 
Reserves for credit losses:                        
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment $389  $621  $348  $556  $421  $598  $424  $640 
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment  62   -   3,086   123   62   -   62   - 
Ending balance $451  $621  $3,434  $679  $483  $598  $486  $640 
                                
Minimum payments:                                
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment $59,382  $73,022  $45,438  $57,730  $72,523  $77,825  $62,930  $65,943 
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment  62   -   3,086   142   62   -   62   - 
Ending balance $59,444  $73,022  $48,524  $57,872  $72,585  $77,825  $62,992  $65,943 

We place receivables on non-accrual status when events, such as a customer’s declaring bankruptcy, occur that indicate a receivable will likely not be collectable. We charge off uncollectable financing receivables when we stop pursuing collection. As of March 31, 2017 we had a balance outstanding as of $3.2 million for a customer in bankruptcy which was fully reserved and on a non-accrual status. We wrote off this balance against the reserve for credit losses during the nine months ended December 31, 2017, after the bankruptcy case was substantially complete.

The age of the recorded minimum lease payments and net credit exposure associated with our investment in direct financing and sales-type leases that are past due disaggregated based on our internally assigned credit quality rating (“CQR”) were as follows as of December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 and March 31, 20172018 (in thousands):

 
31-60
Days
Past
Due
  
61-90
Days
Past
Due
  
Greater
than 90
Days
Past
Due
  
Total
Past
 Due
  Current  
Unbilled
Minimum
Lease
Payments
  
Total
Minimum
Lease
Payments
  
Unearned
Income
  
Non-
Recourse
Notes
Payable
  
Net
Credit
Exposure
  
31-60
Days
Past
Due
  
61-90
Days
Past
Due
  
Greater
than 90
Days
Past
Due
  Total
Past
Due
  Current  
Unbilled
Minimum
Lease
Payments
  
Total
Minimum
Lease
Payments
  
Unearned
Income
  
Non-
Recourse
Notes
Payable
  
Net
Credit
Exposure
 
                                                            
December 31, 2017                            
September 30, 2018September 30, 2018                            
                                                            
High CQR $188  $90  $907  $1,185  $18,238  $30,496  $49,919  $(3,027) $(14,420) $32,472  $201  $39  $37  $277  $73  $37,216  $37,566  $(4,331) $(20,572) $12,663 
Average CQR  30   36   216   282   124   22,697   23,103   (1,385)  (11,413)  10,305   129   57   50   236   42   39,981   40,259   (3,125)  (24,424)  12,710 
Low CQR  -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Total $218  $126  $1,123  $1,467  $18,362  $53,193  $73,022  $(4,412) $(25,833) $42,777  $330  $96  $87  $513  $115  $77,197  $77,825  $(7,456) $(44,996) $25,373 
                                                                                
March 31, 2017                                     
March 31, 2018March 31, 2018                                     
                                                                                
High CQR $379  $224  $230  $833  $406  $32,532  $33,771  $(2,362) $(12,924) $18,485  $143  $40  $43  $226  $224  $33,779  $34,229  $(3,743) $(17,207) $13,279 
Average CQR  113   20   113   246   91   23,622   23,959   (1,556)  (13,353)  9,050   109   31   117   257   171   31,286   31,714   (2,749)  (16,012)  12,953 
Low CQR  -   -   142   142   -   -   142   (19)  -   123   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   -   - 
Total $492  $244  $485  $1,221  $497  $56,154  $57,872  $(3,937) $(26,277) $27,658  $252  $71  $160  $483  $395  $65,065  $65,943  $(6,492) $(33,219) $26,232 

The age of the recorded notes receivable balance disaggregated based on our internally assigned CQR were as follows as December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017 (in thousands):

 
31-60
Days
Past
Due
  
61-90
Days
Past
Due
  
Greater
than 90
Days
Past Due
  
Total
Past
Due
  Current  
Unbilled
Notes
 Receivable
  
Total
Notes
Receivable
  
Non-
Recourse
Notes
Payable
  
Net
Credit
Exposure
  
31-60
Days
Past
Due
  
61-90
Days
Past
Due
  
Greater
than 90
Days
Past Due
  
Total
Past
Due
  Current  
Unbilled
Notes
Receivable
  
Total
Notes
Receivable
  
Non-
Recourse
Notes
Payable
  
Net
Credit
Exposure
 
                               2017                      
December 31, 2017                           
September 30, 2018September 30, 2018                         
                                                      
High CQR $4  $-  $833  $837  $2,071  $35,001  $37,909  $(21,971) $15,938  $2,422  $45  $745  $3,212  $1,352  $53,978  $58,542  $(43,655) $14,887 
Average CQR  1,086   4   599   1,689   8   19,776   21,473   (15,555)  5,918   453   13   18   484   629   12,868   13,981   (8,012)  5,969 
Low CQR  -   -   62   62   -   -   62   -   62   -   -   62   62   -   -   62   -   62 
Total $1,090  $4  $1,494  $2,588  $2,079  $54,777  $59,444  $(37,526) $21,918  $2,875  $58  $825  $3,758  $1,981  $66,846  $72,585  $(51,667) $20,918 
                                                                        
March 31, 2017                                 
March 31, 2018March 31, 2018                                 
                                                                        
High CQR $183  $663  $755  $1,601  $1,165  $23,359  $26,125  $(12,003) $14,122  $175  $527  $423  $1,125  $3,262  $40,896  $45,283  $(30,345) $14,938 
Average CQR  28   5   -   33   555   18,725   19,313   (13,732)  5,581   42   409   22   473   394   16,780   17,647   (10,424)  7,223 
Low CQR  -   -   3,086   3,086   -   -   3,086   -   3,086   -   -   62   62   -   -   62   -   62 
Total $211  $668  $3,841  $4,720  $1,720  $42,084  $48,524  $(25,735) $22,789  $217  $936  $507  $1,660  $3,656  $57,676  $62,992  $(40,769) $22,223 

We estimate losses on our net credit exposure to be between 0% - 5% for customers with highest CQR, as these customers are investment grade or the equivalent of investment grade. We estimate losses on our net credit exposure to be between 2% - 15% for customers with average CQR, and between 15% - 100% for customers with low CQR, which includes customers in bankruptcy.

6.7.PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

Our property, equipment, other assets and liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):

  
December 31,
2017
  
March 31,
2017
 
Other current assets:
      
Deposits & funds held in escrow $14,819  $39,161 
Prepaid assets  10,429   3,388 
Other  722   815 
Total other current assets $25,970  $43,364 
         
Property, equipment and other assets
        
Property and equipment, net $8,013  $6,690 
Deferred costs  7,326   3,536 
Other  2,293   1,730 
Total other assets - long term $17,632  $11,956 

  
December 31,
2017
  
March 31,
2017
 
Other current liabilities:
      
Accrued expenses $7,907  $7,450 
Accrued income taxes payable  170   1,761 
Contingent consideration  5,360   554 
Other  12,679   9,414 
Total other current liabilities $26,116  $19,179 
         
Other liabilities:
        
Deferred revenue $10,064  $4,704 
Contingent consideration long-term  7,765   1,500 
Other  689   876 
Total other liabilities - long term $18,518  $7,080 
As of December 31, 2017 we had current and long-term contingent consideration liability balance of $5.4 and $7.8 million, respectively, of which $10.0 million relates to a recent acquisition. For details on the contingent consideration liability, refer to Note 15, “Business Combinations.”
  
September 30,
2018
  
March 31,
2018
 
Other current assets:
      
Deposits & funds held in escrow $4,203  $16,202 
Prepaid assets  5,941   7,031 
Other  572   392 
Total other current assets $10,716  $23,625 
         
Property, equipment and other assets
        
Property and equipment, net $6,936  $7,510 
Deferred costs  9,524   9,302 
Other  1,577   2,331 
Total other assets - long term $18,037  $19,143 
         
Other current liabilities:
        
Accrued expenses $7,081  $8,339 
Accrued income taxes payable  283   175 
Contingent consideration - current  5,888   5,806 
Other  7,446   19,050 
Total other current liabilities $20,698  $33,370 
         
Other liabilities:
        
Deferred revenue $13,626  $12,910 
Contingent consideration - long-term  7,608   7,707 
Other  -   450 
Total other liabilities - long term $21,234  $21,067 

As of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017 we had customerIn the above table, deposits and funds held in escrow of $14.8 million and $39.2 million, respectively. These balances relate to financial assets that were sold to third-party banks. In conjunction with those sales, a portion of the proceeds werewas placed in escrow and will be released to us upon payment of outstanding invoices related to the underlying financing arrangements that were sold.

7.8.
NOTES PAYABLE AND CREDIT FACILITY

Non-recourse and recourse obligations consist of the following (in thousands):

 
December 31,
2017
  
March 31,
2017
  
September 30,
2018
  
March 31,
2018
 
Recourse notes payable with interest rates ranging from 3.20% to 4.13% as of March 31, 2017.      
      
Recourse notes payable with interest rate of 4.11% at March 31, 2018.      
Current $-  $908  $-  $1,343 
                
Non-recourse notes payable secured by financing receivables and investment in operating leases with interest rates ranging from 2.00% to 8.45% December 31, 2017, and ranging from 2.00% to 7.75% as of March 31, 2017.        
Non-recourse notes payable secured by financing receivables and investments in operating leases with interest rates ranging from 2.04% to 8.45% as of March 31, 2018 and 3.04% to 8.45% as of September 30, 2018.        
Current $27,649  $26,085  $52,630  $40,863 
Long-term  3,840   10,431   12,656   10,072 
Total non-recourse notes payable $31,489  $36,516  $65,286  $50,935 

Principal and interest payments on non-recourse notes payable are generally due monthly in amounts that are approximately equal to the total payments due from the customer under the leases or notes receivable that collateralize the notes payable. The weighted average interest rate for our non-recourse notes payable was 3.73%4.31% and 4.04%, as of both December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2017.2018, respectively. The weighted average interest rate for our recourse notes payable was 3.45%,4.11% as of March 31, 2017.2018. Under recourse financing, in the event ofif a default by a customer defaults, the lender has recourse to the customer, the assets serving as collateral, and us. Under non-recourse financing, in the event ofif a default by a customer defaults, the lender generally only has recourse against the customer and the assets serving as collateral, but not against us.

Our technology segment, through our subsidiary ePlus Technology, inc., finances its operations with funds generated from operations, and with a credit facility with Wells Fargo Commercial Distribution Finance, LLC or (“WFCDF”). This facility provides short-term capital for our technology segment. There are two components of the WFCDF credit facility: (1) a floor plan component, and (2) an accounts receivable component. Under the floor plan component, we had outstanding balances of $107.8$120.8 million and $132.6 million$112.1million as of December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2017,2018, respectively. Under the accounts receivable component, we had no outstanding balances as of December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2017.

On July 27, 2017, we executed an amendment to the WFCDF credit facility which temporarily increases the aggregate limit of the two components from $250.0 million to $325.0 million from the date of the agreement through October 31, 2017, and provides us an election beginning July 1 in each subsequent year to similarly temporarily increase the aggregate limit of the two components to $325.0 million ending the earlier of 90 days following the date of election or October 31 of that same year.2018.

As of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, the facility agreement had an aggregate limit of $325 million for the two components, of $250 million, and the accounts receivable component had a sub-limit of $30 million, which bears interest assessed at a rate of the One Month LIBOR plus two and one half percent.
The credit facility has full recourse to ePlus Technology, inc. and is secured by a blanket lien against all its assets, such as chattel paper, receivables and inventory. Availability under the facility may be limited by the asset value of equipment we purchase or accounts receivable, and may be further limited by certain covenants and terms and conditions of the facility. These covenants include but are not limited to a minimum excess availability of the facility and ePlus Technology, inc.’s. minimum earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) of ePlus Technology, inc.. We were in compliance with these covenants as of December 31, 2017.September 30, 2018. In addition, the facility restricts the ability of ePlus Technology, inc. to transfer funds to its affiliates in the form of dividends, loans, or advances with certain exceptions for dividends to ePlus inc. The facility also requires that financial statements of ePlus Technology, inc. be provided within 45 days at the end of each quarter and 90 days of each fiscal year end, and also includes that other operational reports be provided on a regular basis. Either party may terminate the credit facility with 90 days’ advance written notice. We are not, and do not believe that we are reasonably likely to be, in breach of the WFCDF credit facility. In addition, we do not believe that the covenants of the WFCDF credit facility materially limit our ability to undertake financing. In this regard, the covenants apply only to our subsidiary, ePlus Technology, inc. This credit facility is secured by the assets of only ePlus Technology, inc. and the guaranty as described below.

The WFCDF facility provided by WFCDF requires a guaranty of $10.5 million by ePlus inc. The guaranty requires ePlus inc. to deliver its annual audited financial statements by certain dates. We have delivered the annual audited financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2017,2018, as required. The loss of the WFCDF credit facility could have a material adverse effect on our future results as we currently rely on this facility and its components for daily working capital and liquidity for our technology segment, and as an operational function of our accounts payable process.

On July 27, 2017, we executed an amendment to the WFCDF credit facility that temporarily increases the aggregate limit of the two components from $250.0 million to $325.0 million from the date of the agreement through October 31, 2018. The amendment also provides us an election beginning July 1 in each subsequent year to similarly temporarily increase the aggregate limit of the two components to $325.0 million ending the earlier of 90 days following the date of election or October 31 of that same year. On July 17, 2018, we elected to temporarily increase the aggregate limit to $325.0 million.

Fair Value

As of December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 and March 31, 2017,2018, the fair value of our long-term recourse and non-recourse notes payable approximated their carrying value.

8.9.COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we may be subject to legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, there was not at least a reasonable possibility that the Company may have incurred a material loss, or a material loss in excess of a recorded accrual, with respect to loss contingencies for asserted legal and other claims. However, the outcome of legal proceedings and claims brought against us is subject to significant uncertainty. Therefore, although management considers the likelihood of such an outcome to be remote, if one or more of these legal matters were resolved against the Company in a reporting period for amounts in excess of management’s expectations, the Company’s consolidated financial statements for that reporting period could be materially adversely affected.

9.10.EARNINGS PER SHARE

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net earnings available to common shareholders by the basic weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net earnings available to common shareholders by the basic weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus common stock equivalents during each period.
The following table provides a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used to calculate basic and diluted net income per common share as disclosed on our unaudited consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands, except per share data).

 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
  
Nine Months Ended
December 31,
  
Three Months Ended
September 30,
  
Six Months Ended
September 30,
 
 2017  2016  2017  2016  2018  2017  2018  2017 
                        
Net earnings attributable to common shareholders - basic and diluted $15,581  $12,620  $46,225  $40,066  $18,003  $17,221  $33,276  $30,644 
                                
Basic and diluted common shares outstanding:
                                
Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic  13,851   13,791   13,845   13,891   13,494   13,879   13,464   13,843 
Effect of dilutive shares  139   129   177   135   92   129   133   178 
Weighted average shares common outstanding — diluted  13,990   13,920   14,022   14,026   13,586   14,008   13,597   14,021 
                                
Earnings per common share - basic $1.12  $0.92  $3.34  $2.88  $1.33  $1.24  $2.47  $2.21 
                                
Earnings per common share - diluted $1.11  $0.91  $3.30  $2.86  $1.33  $1.23  $2.45  $2.19 

10.11.
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Share Repurchase Plan

On August 15, 2017, our board of directors authorized the repurchase of up to 500,000 shares of our outstanding common stock over a 12-month period beginning on August 19, 2017, through August 18,which expired during the current quarter.. The plan authorized purchases to be made from time to time in the open market, or in privately negotiated transactions, subject to availability. Any repurchased shares will have the status of treasury shares and may be used, when needed, for general corporate purposes.

On April 26, 2018, our board of directors authorized the repurchase up to 500,000 shares of our outstanding common stock over a 12-month period beginning on May 28, 2018. The plan authorized purchases to be made from time to time in the open market, or in privately negotiated transactions, subject to availability. Any repurchased shares will have the status of treasury shares and may be used, when needed, for general corporate purposes.The former repurchase plan expired on August 18, 2017.

During the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, we purchased 125,60570,445 shares of our outstanding common stock at an average costa value of $77.88 per share for a total purchase price of $9.8$5.5 million under the share repurchase plan. Weplan; we also acquiredpurchased 40,092 shares of common stock at a value of $3.9 million to satisfy tax withholding obligations relating to the vesting of employees’ restricted stock.

During the six months ended September 30, 2017, we did not purchase any shares of our outstanding common stock under the share repurchase plan; however, we purchase 57,725 shares of common stock at a value of $4.4 million to satisfy tax withholding obligations relating to the vesting of employees’ restricted stock.

During the nine months ended December 31, 2016, we purchased 656,962 shares of our outstanding common stock at an average cost of $40.81 per share for a total purchase price of $26.8 million under the share repurchase plan. We also purchased 59,472 shares of common stock at a value of $2.6 million to satisfy tax withholding obligations relating to the vesting of employees’ restricted stock.

11.12.SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

Share-Based Plans

As of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, we had share-based awards outstanding under the following plans: (1) the 2008 Non-Employee Director Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2008 Director LTIP”), (2) the 2017 Non-Employee Director Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2017 Director LTIP”), and (3) the 2012 Employee Long-Term Incentive Plan ("(“2012 Employee LTIP"LTIP”). TheBoth of the share-based plans define fair market value as the previous trading day'sday’s closing price when the grant date falls on a date the stock was not traded.

Restricted Stock Activity

For the ninesix months ended December 31,September 30, 2018, we granted 8,322 restricted shares under the 2017 Director LTIP, and 69,847 restricted shares under the 2012 Employee LTIP. For the six months ended September 30, 2017, we granted 535 restricted shares under the 2008 Director LTIP, 5,3105,112 restricted shares under the 2017 Director LTIP, and 66,530 restricted shares under the 2012 Employee LTIP. For the nine months ended December 31, 2016, we granted 11,384 restricted shares under the 2008 Director LTIP, and 134,538 restricted shares under the 2012 Employee LTIP. A summary of the restricted shares is as follows:

 Number of Shares  
Weighted Average
Grant-date Fair Value
  
Number of
Shares
  
Weighted
Average Grant-
date Fair Value
 
            
Nonvested April 1, 2017  371,689  $40.45 
Nonvested April 1, 2018  282,235  $51.69 
Granted  72,375  $80.25   78,169  $94.31 
Vested  (156,240) $38.52   (133,106) $49.15 
Forfeited  (4,108) $39.37   (914) $58.49 
Nonvested December 31, 2017  283,716  $51.68 
Nonvested September 30, 2018  226,384  $67.87 

Upon each vesting period of the restricted stock awards, employees are subject to minimum tax withholding obligations. Under the 2012 Employee LTIP, we may purchase a sufficient number of shares due to the participant to satisfy their minimum tax withholding on employee stock awards. For the nine months ended December 31, 2017,To satisfy this tax withholding obligation, the Company had acquired 57,725purchased 40,092 shares of the awarded common stock shares at a value of $4.4$3.9 million, to satisfy tax withholding obligations relating to the vesting of employees’ restricted stock, which waswe included in treasury stock.stock, during the six months ended September 30, 2018,.

Compensation Expense

We recognize compensation cost for awards of restricted stock with graded vesting on a straight line basis over the requisite service period. There are no additional conditions for vesting other than service conditions. During the three months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, we recognized $1.7$1.9 million and $1.5 million, respectively, of total share-based compensation expense. During the ninesix months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, we recognized $4.9$3.6 million and $4.5$3.0 million, respectively, of total share-based compensation expense. Unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock was $11.1$13.2 million as of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, which will be fully recognized over the next thirty (30)three (33) months.

We also provide our employees with a contributory 401(k) profit sharing plan. Weplan, to which we may make contributionscontribute from time to the plan. These contributions are not required and whether or not we choose to make them is entirely withintime at our sole discretion. Our employerEmployer contributions to the plan are fully vested at all times. For both the three months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, our estimated contribution expense for the plan was $0.5 million and $0.5 million, respectively.million. For the ninesix months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, our estimated contribution expense for the plan was $1.6$1.0 million and $1.2$1.1 million, respectively.

12.13.INCOME TAXES

Income Taxes – Provision

Our provision for income tax expense was $0.7 million and $19.5 million for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2017, as compared to $8.7 million and $27.3 million for the same periods in the prior year. Our effective income tax rate for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2017, was 4.2% and 29.7%, respectively, compared to 40.8% and 40.5% for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2016, respectively. In the third quarter, the Company revised its estimated annual effective tax rate to reflect a change in the federal statutory rate from 35% to 21%, resulting from legislation that was enacted on December 22, 2017. The rate change is administratively effective at the beginning of our current fiscal year, using a blended rate for the annual period. As a result, the blended statutory tax rate for our current year is 31.5%. In addition, we recognized an estimated tax benefit in our tax provision for the period related to adjusting our deferred tax balance to reflect the new corporate tax rate. As a result, income tax expense reported for the first nine months was adjusted to reflect the effects of the change in the tax law and resulted in a decrease in income tax expense of $2.6 million during the third quarter. In addition we estimated the tax effect of originating items occurring in the fourth quarter that are expected to reverse at a rate of 21%. This resulted in an additional tax benefit of $0.8 million.
The accounting for the effects of the rate change on deferred tax balances is provisional and we will finalize these estimates during our fourth quarter of fiscal year 2018. We re-measured certain deferred tax assets and liabilities based on the rates at which they are expected to reverse in the future, which is generally 21%. However, we are still analyzing certain aspects of the new tax law and refining our calculations, which could potentially affect the measurement of these balances or potentially give rise to new deferred tax amounts.
Income Taxes – Uncertain Tax Positions

We account for our tax positions in accordance with ASCCodification Topic 740, Income Taxes. Under the guidance, we evaluate uncertain tax positions based on the two-step approach. The first step is to evaluate each uncertain tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained in an audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. For tax positions that are not likely of beingto be sustained upon audit, the second step requires us to estimate and measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement.

Our total gross unrecognized tax benefits recorded for uncertain income tax, and interest and penalties thereon, were negligible as of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2016.September 30, 2017. We had no additions or reductions to our gross unrecognized tax benefits during the three and ninesix months ended December 31, 2017.September 30, 2018. We recognize accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

13.14.FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

We account for the fair values of our assets and liabilities in accordance with ASCCodification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure. The following table summarizes the fair value hierarchy of our financial instruments as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017 (in thousands):

    Fair Value Measurement Using 

Recorded
Amount


Fair Value Measurement Using 
 
Recorded
Amount
  
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
  
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs (Level 2)
  
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
  
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
  
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
                        
December 31, 2017
            
September 30, 2018
            
Assets:                        
Money market funds $21,596  $21,596  $-  $-  $25,116  $25,116  $-  $- 
                                
Liabilities:                                
Contingent consideration $13,125  $-  $-  $13,125  $13,496  $-  $-  $13,496 
                                
March 31, 2017
                
March 31, 2018
                
Assets:                                
Money market funds $50,866  $50,866  $-  $-  $60,385  $60,385  $-  $- 
                                
Liabilities:                                
Contingent consideration $554  $-  $-  $554  $13,513  $-  $-  $13,513 

For the three and ninesix months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, we recorded adjustments to operating expenses that increased the fair value of our liability for contingent consideration by $0.7 million and $12.6$1.1 million, due to business acquisitions.respectively. For both the ninethree and six months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, we made $0.6payments of $1.1 million in payments to satisfy the current obligations of the contingent consideration arrangement from our earlier acquisition of Consolidated IT Services.arrangements.

For the three months ended September 30, 2017, we increased the fair value of our liability for contingent consideration by $10.3 million consisting of establishing a liability from business combinations of $10.0 million and $0.3 million in adjustments recorded to operating expenses. For the six ended September 30, 2017, we increased the fair value of our liability for contingent consideration by $12.4 million consisting of establishing a liability from business combinations of $12.1 million and $0.3 million in adjustments recorded to operating expense. For the three and six months ended September 30, 2017, we made no payments and payments of $0.3 million, respectively, to satisfy the current obligations of contingent consideration arrangements.

14.15.SEGMENT REPORTING

Our operations are conducted through two operating segments that are also both reportable segments. Our technology segment includes sales of information technologyIT products, third-party software, third-party maintenance, advanced professional and managed services, and our proprietary software to commercial enterprises, state and local governments, and government contractors. Our financing segment consists of the financing of IT equipment, software, and related services to commercial enterprises, state and local governments, and government contractors. We measure the performance of the segments based on operating income.
Our reportable segment information was as follows (in thousands):

 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
 December 31, 2017  December 31, 2016  September 30, 2018  September 30, 2017 
 Technology  Financing  Total  Technology  Financing  Total  Technology  Financing  Total  Technology  Financing  Total 
                                    
Sales of product and services $330,953  $-  $330,953  $317,391  $-  $317,391 
Financing revenue  -   9,592   9,592   -   8,190   8,190 
Fee and other income  1,678   346   2,024   915   161   1,076 
Contracts with customers $329,682  $1,060  $330,742  $352,843  $4,916  $357,759 
Financing and other  5,086   9,215   14,301   5,835   7,769   13,604 
Net sales  332,631   9,938   342,569   318,306   8,351   326,657  $334,768  $10,275  $345,043  $358,678  $12,685  $371,363 
                                                
Cost of sales, product and services  264,487   -   264,487   251,729   -   251,729 
Direct lease costs  -   1,394   1,394   -   1,142   1,142 
Cost of sales  264,487   1,394   265,881   251,729   1,142   252,871   257,813   1,730   259,543   281,829   1,963   283,792 
Gross Profit  76,955   8,545   85,500   76,849   10,722   87,571 
                                                
Selling, general, and administrative expenses  53,836   3,298   57,134   47,780   2,380   50,160 
Selling, general, and administrative  55,138   2,567   57,705   53,503   2,837   56,340 
Depreciation and amortization  2,893   1   2,894   1,908   2   1,910   2,740   1   2,741   2,128   1   2,129 
Interest and financing costs  -   270   270   -   409   409   -   484   484   -   274   274 
Operating expenses  56,729   3,569   60,298   49,688   2,791   52,479   57,878   3,052   60,930   55,631   3,112   58,743 
                                                
Operating income $11,415  $4,975  $16,390  $16,889  $4,418  $21,307   19,077   5,493   24,570   21,218   7,610   28,828 
                                                
Other income (expense)          322           (141)
                        
Earnings befor tax         $24,892          $28,687 
                        
Selected Financial Data - Statement of Cash Flow
Selected Financial Data - Statement of Cash Flow
                                            
                        
Depreciation and amortization $3,157  $1,422  $4,579  $1,941  $985  $2,926  $2,970  $1,397  $4,367  $2,161  $1,359  $3,520 
Purchases of property, equipment and operating lease equipment $2,018  $844  $2,862  $849  $3,282  $4,131  $1,796  $3,025  $4,821  $955  $610  $1,565 
                                                
Selected Financial Data - Balance Sheet
Selected Financial Data - Balance Sheet
                                            
                        
Total assets $595,584  $169,069  $764,653  $546,728  $189,950  $736,678  $565,771  $209,425  $775,196  $563,646  $170,641  $734,287 

 Nine Months Ended  Six Months Ended 
 December 31, 2017  December 31, 2016  September 30, 2018  September 30, 2017 
 Technology  Financing  Total  Technology  Financing  Total  Technology  Financing  Total  Technology  Financing  Total 
                                    
Sales of product and services $1,045,792  $-  $1,045,792  $968,799  $-  $968,799 
Financing revenue  -   30,698   30,698   -   23,899   23,899 
Fee and other income  3,707   374   4,081   3,679   245   3,924 
Contracts with customers $671,141  $1,656  $672,797  $712,204  $7,731  $719,935 
Financing and other  10,491   18,287   28,778   9,373   15,411   24,784 
Net sales  1,049,499   31,072   1,080,571   972,478   24,144   996,622  $681,632  $19,943  $701,575  $721,577  $23,142  $744,719 
                                                
Cost of sales, product and services  834,873   -   834,873   769,780   -   769,780 
Direct lease costs  -   3,846   3,846   -   3,459   3,459 
Cost of sales  834,873   3,846   838,719   769,780   3,459   773,239   531,894   3,478   535,372   575,095   4,460   579,555 
Gross Profit  149,738   16,465   166,203   146,482   18,682   165,164 
                                                
Selling, general, and administrative expenses  158,838   9,300   168,138   141,295   8,526   149,821 
Selling, general, and administrative  109,592   5,079   114,671   105,004   6,000   111,004 
Depreciation and amortization  7,084   2   7,086   5,400   8   5,408   5,529   2   5,531   4,190   2   4,192 
Interest and financing costs  -   903   903   -   1,158   1,158   -   960   960   -   633   633 
Operating expenses  165,922   10,205   176,127   146,695   9,692   156,387   115,121   6,041   121,162   109,194   6,635   115,829 
                                                
Operating income $48,704  $17,021  $65,725  $56,003  $10,993  $66,996   34,617   10,424   45,041   37,288   12,047   49,335 
                                                
Other income (expense)          419           130 
                        
Earnings befor tax         $45,460          $49,465 
                        
Selected Financial Data - Statement of Cash Flow
                        
Selected Financial Data - Statement of Cash Flow
                     
                        
Depreciation and amortization $7,413  $3,911  $11,324  $5,494  $3,264  $8,758  $5,985  $2,882  $8,867  $4,256  $2,489  $6,745 
Purchases of property, equipment and operating lease equipment $4,064  $2,234  $6,298  $2,413  $4,887  $7,300  $2,976  $3,475  $6,451  $2,046  $1,390  $3,436 
                                                
Selected Financial Data - Balance Sheet
Selected Financial Data - Balance Sheet
                     
Selected Financial Data - Balance Sheet
                     
                        
Total assets $595,584  $169,069  $764,653  $546,728  $189,950  $736,678  $565,771  $209,425  $775,196  $563,646  $170,641  $734,287 

Technology Segment Disaggregation of Revenue

We analyze net sales for our technology segment by customer end market and by vendor, as opposed to discrete product and service categories, which are summarized below (in thousands):

  
Three Months Ended
September 30,
  
Six Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2018  2017  2018  2017 
Customer end market:
            
Technology $75,417  $91,401  $158,234  $180,755 
Telecom, Media & Entertainment  39,412   49,508   86,280   106,913 
Financial Services  47,412   52,507   92,638   90,798 
SLED  61,391   66,493   129,596   143,656 
Healthcare  51,081   44,372   97,531   90,857 
All others  60,055   54,397   117,353   108,598 
Net sales  334,768   358,678   681,632   721,577 
                 
Financing and other  (5,086)  (5,835)  (10,491)  (9,373)
                 
Revenue from contracts with customers $329,682  $352,843  $671,141  $712,204 

  
Three Months Ended
September 30,
  
Six Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2018  2017  2018  2017 
Vendor
            
Cisco Systems $152,063  $165,690  $291,300  $339,035 
NetApp  9,477   10,433   25,039   25,887 
HP Inc. & HPE  16,658   28,377   36,977   56,648 
Dell / EMC  19,895   17,485   32,398   30,898 
Arista Networks  10,673   7,153   30,471   24,527 
Juniper  11,262   14,240   21,660   23,576 
All others  114,740   115,300   243,787   221,006 
Net sales  334,768   358,678   681,632   721,577 
                 
Financing and other  (5,086)  (5,835)  (10,491)  (9,373)
                 
Revenue from contracts with customers $329,682  $352,843  $671,141  $712,204 

Financing Segment Disaggregation of Revenue

We analyze our revenues within our financing segment based on the nature of the arrangement, and our revenues from contracts with customers consist of proceeds from the sale of off-lease equipment.

15.16.
BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

Integrated Data Storage, LLC acquisition

On September 15, 2017, our subsidiary ePlus Technology, inc. acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Integrated Data Storage, LLC (“IDS”) though an asset purchase agreement. Headquartered in Oak Brook, ILIllinois and with offices in downtown Chicago, Illinois and Indianapolis, Indiana, IDS isbrought us an advanced data center solutions provider focused on cloud enablement and managed services, including its proprietary IDS Cloud, which features enterprise-class technology infrastructure coupled with consulting services to support private, hybrid, and public cloud deployments. The acquisition expandsexpanded ePlus’ footprint in the Midwest and enhances its sales and engineering capabilities in cloud services, disaster recovery and backup as a service, storage, data center, and professional services.

Our preliminary sum of total consideration transferred iswas $38.4 million, consisting of $29.8 million paid in cash at closing, less $1.4 million in receivables due to uspaid back as a working capital adjustment, plus an additional $10.0 million equal to the preliminaryacquisition date fair value of consideration that is contingent on the acquiree’s business operationsacquired business’ future gross profit. The contingent consideration was calculated using the Monte Carlo simulation model based on our projections of future gross profits. The maximum payout of the contingent consideration is $15.0 million paid over 3 years. Our preliminary allocation of the purchase consideration to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is presented below (in thousands):

  
Acquisition
Date Amount
 
Accounts receivable and other assets $14,353 
Property and equipment  1,620 
Identified intangible assets  13,650 
Accounts payable and other current liabilities  (12,313)
Total identifiable net assets  17,310 
Goodwill  21,088 
Total purchase consideration $38,398 
Our sum for consideration transferred and our allocation of the purchase consideration is preliminary and subject to revision as additional information related to the fair value of assets and liabilities becomes available.
  
Acquisition Date
Amount
 
Accounts receivable and other assets $14,353 
Property and equipment  1,620 
Identified intangible assets  13,650 
Accounts payable and other current liabilities  (12,313)
     
Total identifiable net assets  17,310 
Goodwill  21,088 
     
Total purchase consideration $38,398 

The identified intangible assets of $13.7 million consist of customer relationships with an estimated useful life of 8 years. The fair value of acquired receivables equals the gross contractual amounts receivable. We expect to collect all acquired receivables.

We recognized goodwill related to this transaction of $21.1 million, which was assigned to our technology reporting unit. The goodwill recognized in the acquisition is attributable to the acquired assembled workforce and expected synergies, none of which qualify for recognition as a separate intangible asset. The total amount of goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The amount of revenues and earnings of the acquiree since the acquisition date are not material. Likewise, the impact to the revenue and earnings of the combined entity for the current reporting period through the acquisition date had the acquisition date been April 1, 2017, is not material.

OneCloud Consulting Inc. acquisition

On May 17, 2017, our subsidiary ePlus Technology, inc., acquired 100% of the stock of OneCloud Consulting, Inc. (“OneCloud”). Based in Milpitas, CA,California, and with locations in India, OneCloud isbrought us a versatile team of highly trained technology consultants, architects, developers and instructors. Though OneCloud, enables itswe enable our customers’ cloud and application strategy via professional services, technical education and software development. The acquisition provides us with additional ability to address customers’ needs inneed for cloud-based solutions and infrastructure, including DevOps, OpenStack, and other emerging technologies, to our broad customer base.technologies.

Our sum of total consideration we transferred was $10.0 million consisting of $7.9 million paid in cash at closing, net of cash acquired, and $2.1 million equal to the fair value of contingent consideration, calculated using the Monte Carlo simulation model. The maximum payout of the contingent consideration is $4.5 million paid over 3 years.
Our allocation of the purchase consideration to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is presented below (in thousands):

 
Acquisition
Date Amount
 
    
Acquisition Date
Amount
 
Accounts receivable and other assets $488  $488 
Identified intangible assets  4,130   4,130 
Accounts payable and other current liabilities  (1,822)  (1,822)
    
Total identifiable net assets  2,796   2,796 
Goodwill  7,189   7,189 
    
Total purchase consideration $9,985  $9,985 

The identified intangible assets of $4.1 million consist of customer relationships of $1.7 million with an estimated useful life of 8 years, and internally developed processes of $2.4 million with an estimated useful life of 5 years.

We recognized goodwill related to this transaction of $7.2 million, which was assigned to our technology reporting unit. The goodwill recognized in the acquisition is attributable to the acquired assembled workforce and expected synergies, none of which qualify for recognition as a separate intangible asset. The total amount of goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The amount of revenues and earnings of the acquiree since the acquisition date are not material. Likewise, the impact to the revenue and earnings of the combined entity for the current reporting period through the acquisition date had the acquisition date been April 1, 2017, is not material.

Consolidated IT Services acquisition

On December 6, 2016, our subsidiary ePlus Technology, inc., acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of Consolidated IT Services. Consolidated IT Services’ business provides data center, unified communications, networking, and security solutions to a diverse set of domestic and international customers including commercial, enterprise, and state, local, and education (SLED) organizations in the upper Midwest. Acquiring Consolidated IT Services expanded our reach to the upper Midwest, a new geography for ePlus, and enables us to market our advanced technology solutions to their long-standing customer base.

The total purchase price is $13.1 million including $9.5 million paid in cash at closing and $4.0 million that will be paid in cash in equal quarterly installments over 2 years, less $0.4 million paid back to us as part of the final working capital adjustment. Our allocation of the purchase consideration to the assets acquired and liabilities is presented below (in thousands):

  
Acquisition
Date Amount
 
Accounts receivable and other current assets $7,491 
Property and equipment  1,045 
Identified intangible assets  4,090 
Accounts payable and other current liabilities  (5,786)
Total identifiable net assets  6,840 
Goodwill  6,227 
Total purchase consideration $13,067 
In the nine months ended December 31, 2017, we increased identified intangible assets and decreased goodwill by $280 thousand from the provisional amounts recorded as of March 31, 2017.

The identified intangible assets of $4.1 million consist entirely of customer relationships with an estimated useful life of 7 years.

We recognized goodwill related to this transaction of $6.2 million, which was assigned to our technology reporting unit. The goodwill recognized in the acquisition is attributable to the acquired assembled workforce and expected synergies, none of which qualify for recognition as a separate intangible asset. The total amount of goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes. The amount of revenues and earnings of the acquiree since the acquisition date are not material. Likewise, the impact to the revenue and earnings of the combined entity for the prior reporting period through the acquisition date had the acquisition date been April 1, 2016 is not material.
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

This discussion is intended to further the reader’s understanding of our consolidated financial condition and results of operations. It should be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q and our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2017 (“20172018 Annual Report”).Report. These historical financial statements may not be indicative of our future performance. This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations may contain forward-looking statements, all of which are based on our current expectations and could be affected by the uncertainties and risks described in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in our 20172018 Annual Report.Report, Part II and Item 1A. and “Risk Factors” in our Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2018.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Business Description

We are a leading solutions provider that delivers actionable outcomes for organizations by utilizing information technology (IT)using IT and consulting solutions to drive business agility and innovation. Leveraging world-classour engineering talent, we assess, plan, deliver, and secure solutions comprised of leading technologies and consumption models aligned with our customers’ needs. Our expertise and experience enablesenable ePlus to craft optimized solutions that take advantage of the cost, scale, and efficiency of private, public, and hybrid cloud in an evolving market. We also provide consulting, professional, managed and complete lifecycle management services including flexible financing solutions. We have been in the business of selling, leasing, financing, and managing information technologyIT and other assets for more than 2728 years.

Our primary focus is to deliver integrated technology solutions that address our customers’ business needs, leveraging the appropriate Cloud, Security and Digital Infrastructure needs, fortechnologies, both on-premiseon premise and in the cloud. Our Hybrid IT frameworkapproach is a lifecycle approach that includesto lead with advisory consulting assessment, architecture, testing, implementation, managed services, maintenanceto understand our customers’ needs, and periodic consultative reviews. In additionthen design, deploy and manage solutions aligned to cloud, our portfoliotheir objectives. Underpinning the broader areas of expertise includes software defined, security, IoT,Cloud, Security, and Digital Infrastructure are specific skills in orchestration and automation, application modernization, DevOps, data andmanagement, data visualization, analytics, mobility, hyper-converged infrastructure,network modernization, edge compute and other advanced and emerging technologies. We design, implement and manage an arrayThese solutions are comprised of IT solutionsclass leading technologies from multiple leading IT vendors. We are an authorized reseller from over 1,000 vendors, but primarily from approximately 100 vendors, including Artistapartners such as Arista Networks, Check Point, Cisco Systems, Citrix, Commvault, Dell EMC, F5 Networks, Gigamon, HP Inc., HPE, Juniper Networks, Lenovo, Microsoft, NetApp, Nimble Storage,NVIDIA, Oracle, Palo Alto Networks, Pure Storage, Quantum, Splunk, and VMware, among many others. We possess top-level engineering certifications with a broad range of leading IT vendors that enable us to offer multi-vendor IT solutions that are optimized for each of our customers’ specific requirements. Our hosted, proprietary software solutions are focused on giving our customers more control over their IT supply chain, by automating and optimizing the procurement and management of their owned, leased, and consumption-based assets.

Our scale and financial resources have enabled us to continue investing in engineering and technology resources andto stay current with emerging technology trends. By delivering leading edge Hybrid IT solutions,Our expertise in core and emerging technologies, buttressed by our robust portfolio of consulting, professional, and managed services has enabled ePlus has becometo remain a trusted advisor tofor our customers. Our integrated technology solutions incorporate hardware, software, security and both managed and professional services. In addition, we offer a wide range of consumption options including leasing and financing for technology and other capital assets. We believe our lifecycle approach offering of integrated solutions, services, financing, and our proprietary supply chain software is unique in the industry. This broad portfolio enables us to deliver a unique customer experience that spans the continuum from fast delivery of competitively priced products, services, subsequent management and upkeep, through to end-of-life disposal services. This approach also permits usePlus to accommodatedeploy ever-more-sophisticated solutions enabling our customers’ business requirements and deliver ever-more-sophisticated hybrid IT solutions, thus solidifying our relationships and value.outcomes.

Our go-to-market strategy focuses primarily on diverse end-markets for middle market to large enterprises.enterprises in North America and the U.K.. For the trailing twelve monthsmonth period ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, the percentage of revenue by customer end market within our technology segment includes technology industry 25%23%, state and local government and educational institutions (“SLED”) 17%, financial services 15%, healthcare 15%, and telecommunications, media and entertainment 14%, financial services 16%, and healthcare 13%. The majority of our sales were generated within the United States;States (“US”); however, we have the ability to support our customers nationally and internationally including a presencephysical locations in the United Kingdom (“U.K.”), India and Singapore.India. Our technology segment accountedaccounts for 97% of our net sales, and 70%77% of our operating income, while our financing segment accountedaccounts for 3% of our net sales, and 30%23% of our operating income for the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017.September 30, 2018.

Key Business Metrics

Our management monitors a number of financial and non-financial measures and ratios on a regular basis in order to track the progress of our business. We believe that the most important of these measures and ratios include net sales, gross margin, gross margin on product and services, operating income margin, net earnings, net earnings per common share, Adjustedadjusted EBITDA, Adjustedadjusted EBITDA margin, Adjustedadjusted gross billings, of product and services, and non-GAAP net earnings per share. We use a variety of operating and other information to evaluate the operating performance of our business, develop financial forecasts, make strategic decisions, and prepare and approve annual budgets.

These key indicators include financial information that is prepared in accordance with U.S.US GAAP and presented in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, as well as non-GAAP performance measurement tools. Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s performance or financial position that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with U.SUS GAAP. Non-GAAP measures used by management may differ from similar measures used by other companies, even when similar terms are used to identify such measures.

Our key business metrics and results from those metrics are as follows (dollars in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
  
Nine Months Ended
December 31,
  
Three Months Ended
September 30,
  
Six Months Ended
September 30,
 
Consolidated
 2018  2017  2018  2017 
Net sales $345,043  $371,363  $701,575  $744,719 
 2017  2016  2017  2016                 
            
Sales of products and services $330,953  $317,391  $1,045,792  $968,799 
                
Adjusted gross billings of product and services (1) $464,105  $432,407  $1,449,371  $1,317,188 
                
Gross profit $85,500  $87,571  $166,203  $165,164 
Gross margin  22.4%  22.6%  22.4%  22.4%  24.8%  23.6%  23.7%  22.2%
Gross margin, product and services  20.1%  20.7%  20.2%  20.5%
Operating income margin  4.8%  6.5%  6.1%  6.7%  7.1%  7.8%  6.4%  6.6%
                                
Net earnings $15,581  $12,620  $46,225  $40,066  $18,003  $17,221  $33,276  $30,644 
Net earnings margin  4.5%  3.9%  4.3%  4.0%  5.2%  4.6%  4.7%  4.1%
Net earnings per common share - diluted $1.11  $0.91  $3.30  $2.86  $1.33  $1.23  $2.45  $2.19 
                                
Non-GAAP: Net earnings (2) $13,574  $15,621  $44,013  $43,710 
Non-GAAP: Net earnings per common share - diluted (2) $0.97  $1.12  $3.14  $3.12 
Non-GAAP: Net earnings (1) $20,779  $23,481  $38,211  $40,315 
Non-GAAP: Net earnings per common share - diluted (1) $1.53  $1.68  $2.81  $2.88 
                                
Adjusted EBITDA (3) $19,284  $23,217  $72,811  $72,404 
Adjusted EBITDA margin (3)  5.6%  7.1%  6.7%  7.3%
Adjusted EBITDA (2) $29,880  $33,319  $55,250  $57,726 
Adjusted EBITDA margin  8.7%  9.0%  7.9%  7.8%
                                
Purchases of property and equipment used internally $2,018  $849  $4,064  $2,413  $1,796  $955  $2,976  $2,046 
Purchases of equipment under operating leases  844   3,282   2,234   4,887   3,025   610   3,475   1,390 
Total capital expenditures $2,862  $4,131  $3,436  $7,300  $4,821  $1,565  $6,451  $3,436 
                
Technology Segment
                
Net sales $334,768  $358,678  $681,632  $721,577 
Adjusted gross billings (3) $485,856  $504,500  $968,157  $992,004 
                
Gross profit $76,955  $76,849  $149,738  $146,482 
Gross margin  23.0%  21.4%  22.0%  20.3%
                
Operating income $19,077  $21,218  $34,617  $37,288 
Adjusted EBITDA (2) $24,284  $25,613  $44,625  $45,499 
                
Financing Segment
                
Net sales $10,275  $12,685  $19,943  $23,142 
                
Gross profit $8,545  $10,722  $16,465  $18,682 
                
Operating Income $5,493  $7,610  $10,424  $12,047 
Adjusted EBITDA (2) $5,596  $7,706  $10,625  $12,227 

(1)We define Adjusted gross billings of productNon-GAAP net earnings and services as our sales of product and servicesnon-GAAP net earnings per common share – diluted is based on net earnings calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, adjusted to exclude other income (expense), share based compensation, and acquisition and integration expenses, and the costs incurred related tax effects. The presentation of non-GAAP net earnings and non-GAAP net earnings per common share – diluted have been updated to salesinclude an adjustment to our tax expense assuming a statutory income tax rate of third party software assurance, subscription licenses, maintenance and services. We have provided below a reconciliation of Adjusted gross billings of product and services to Sales of product and services, which is the most directly comparable financial measure to this non-GAAP financial measure.21.0% for US operations.

We use Adjusted gross billings of product and servicesnon-GAAP net earnings per common share as a supplemental measure of our performance to gain insight into our operating performance. We believe that the volumeexclusion of other income (expense), share based compensation, and acquisition-related amortization expense in calculating non-GAAP net earnings per common share provides management and investors a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons of our business generatedand operating results by excluding items that management believes are not reflective of our technology segment,underlying operating performance. Accordingly, we believe that non-GAAP net earnings per common share provide useful information to investors and others to analyze the changes tounderstand and evaluate our accounts receivable and accounts payable. Ouroperating results. However, our use of Adjusted gross billings of product and servicesnon-GAAP information as analytical tools has limitations, and you should not consider them in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our financial results as reported under U.S. GAAP. In addition, other companies, including companies in our industry, might calculate Adjusted gross billings of productsimilar non-GAAP net earnings and servicesnon-GAAP net earnings per common share or similarly titled measures differently, which may reduce their usefulness as comparative measures.

  
Three Months Ended
December 31,
  
Nine Months Ended
December 31,
 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Sales of products and services $330,953  $317,391  $1,045,792  $968,799 
Costs incurred related to sales of third party software assurance, maintenance and services  133,152   115,016   403,579   348,389 
                 
Adjusted gross billings of product and services $464,105  $432,407  $1,449,371  $1,317,188 
  
Three Months Ended
September 30,
  
Six Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2018  2017  2018  2017 
GAAP: Earnings before tax $24,892  $28,687  $45,460  $49,465 
Share based compensation  1,868   1,673   3,561   3,180 
Acquisition and integration expense  701   689   1,117   1,019 
Acquisition related amortization expense  1,719   1,186   3,483   2,307 
Other (income) expense  (322)  141   (419)  (130)
Non-GAAP: Earnings before provision for income taxes  28,858   32,376   53,202   55,841 
                 
GAAP: Provision for income taxes  6,889   11,466   12,184   18,821 
Share based compensation  525   483   1,008   918 
Acquisition and integration expense  197   199   316   294 
Acquisition related amortization expense  455   309   929   600 
Other (income) expense  (90)  41   (118)  (37)
Tax benefit on restricted stock  103   189   672   1,444 
Adjustment to U.S. Federal Income Tax rate to 21%  -   (3,792)      (6,514)
Non-GAAP: Provision for income taxes  8,079   8,895   14,991   15,526 
                 
Non-GAAP: Net earnings $20,779  $23,481  $38,211  $40,315 
                 
GAAP: Net earnings per common share - diluted $1.33  $1.23  $2.45  $2.19 
Non-GAAP: Net earnings per common share - diluted $1.53  $1.68  $2.81  $2.88 

(2)Non-GAAP net earnings per common share are based on net earnings calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, adjusted to exclude other income and acquisition related amortization expense, and related effects on income tax, the tax (benefit) expense recognized due to the vesting of shared based compensation,  the tax benefit associated with the re-measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities at the new tax rates, as well as an adjustment to our tax expense in the prior year assuming a 31.5% effective annual income tax rate for U.S. operations due to changes in U.S. tax rates. We use Non-GAAP net earnings per common share as a supplemental measure of our performance to gain insight into our operating performance. We believe that the exclusion of these items in calculating Non-GAAP net earnings per common share provides management and investors a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons of our business and operating results by excluding items that management believes are not reflective of our underlying operating performance. Accordingly, we believe that non-GAAP net earnings per common share provide useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results. However, our use of Non-GAAP net earnings per common share as analytical tools has limitations, and you should not consider them in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our financial results as reported under U.S. GAAP. In addition, other companies, including companies in our industry, might calculate Non-GAAP net earnings per common share or similarly titled measures differently, which may reduce their usefulness as comparative measures.

  
Three Months Ended
December 31,
  
Nine Months Ended
December 31,
 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
GAAP: Earnings before tax $16,259  $21,307  $65,724  $67,376 
Acquisition related amortization expense  1,871   1,035   4,178   3,098 
Other (income) expense  131   -   1   (380)
Non-GAAP: Earnings before provision for income taxes  18,261   22,342   69,903   70,094 
                 
GAAP: Provision for income taxes  678   8,687   19,499   27,310 
Acquisition related amortization expense  547   267   1,421   956 
Other (income) expense  55   13   -   (144)
Remeasurement of deferred taxes  3,407   -   3,407   - 
Adjustment to FY17 US Federal tax rate to 31.5%  -   (2,252)  -   (2,252)
Tax benefit on restricted stock  -   6   1,563   514 
Non-GAAP: Provision for income taxes  4,687   6,721   25,890   26,384 
                 
Non-GAAP: Net earnings $13,574  $15,621  $44,013  $43,710 
                 
GAAP: Net earnings per common share - diluted $1.11  $0.91  $3.30  $2.86 
Non-GAAP: Net earnings per common share - diluted $0.97  $1.12  $3.14  $3.12 
(3)We define Adjustedadjusted EBITDA as net earnings calculated in accordance with U.S GAAP, adjusted for the following: interest expense, depreciation and amortization, share based compensation, acquisition and integration expenses, provision for income taxes, and other income.income (expense). Segment adjusted EBITDA is defined as operating income calculated in accordance with GAAP, adjusted for interest expense, share based compensation, acquisition and integration expenses, and depreciation and amortization. We consider the interest on notes payable from our financing segment and depreciation expense presented within cost of sales, which includes depreciation on assets financed as operating leases, to be operating expenses. As such, they are not included in the amounts added back to net earnings in the Adjustedadjusted EBITDA calculation. We provide below a reconciliation of Adjustedadjusted EBITDA to net earnings, which is the most directly comparable financial measure to this non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted EBITDA margin is our calculation of Adjustedadjusted EBITDA divided by net sales.
We use Adjustedadjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure of our performance to gain insight into our operating performance. We believe that the exclusion of other income in calculating Adjustedadjusted EBITDA and Adjustedadjusted EBITDA margin provides management and investors a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons of our business and operating results by excluding items that management believes are not reflective of our underlying operating performance. Accordingly, we believe that Adjustedadjusted EBITDA and Adjustedadjusted EBITDA margin provide useful information to investors and others in understandingto understand and evaluatingevaluate our operating results. However, our use of Adjustedadjusted EBITDA and Adjustedadjusted EBITDA margin as analytical tools has limitations, and you should not consider them in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our financial results as reported under U.S. GAAP. In addition, other companies, including companies in our industry, might calculate Adjustedadjusted EBITDA and Adjustedadjusted EBITDA margin or similarly titled measures differently, which may reduce their usefulness as a comparative measures.measure.

  
Three Months Ended
December 31,
  
Nine Months Ended
December 31,
 
Consolidated
 2017  2016  2017  2016 
Net earnings $15,581  $12,620  $46,225  $40,066 
Provision for income taxes  678   8,687   19,499   27,310 
Depreciation and amortization  2,894   1,910   7,086   5,408 
Other (income) expense  131   -   1   (380)
Adjusted EBITDA $19,284  $23,217  $72,811  $72,404 
                 
Technology Segment
                
Operating income $11,415  $16,889  $48,704  $56,003 
Depreciation and amortization  2,893   1,908   7,084   5,400 
Adjusted EBITDA $14,308  $18,797  $55,788  $61,403 
                 
Financing Segment
                
Operating income $4,975  $4,418  $17,021  $10,993 
Depreciation and amortization  1   2   2   8 
Adjusted EBITDA $4,976  $4,420  $17,023  $11,001 
  
Three Months Ended
September 30,
  
Six Months Ended
September 30,
 
Consolidated
 2018  2017  2018  2017 
Net earnings $18,003  $17,221  $33,276  $30,644 
Provision for income taxes  6,889   11,466   12,184   18,821 
Share based compensation  1,868   1,673   3,561   3,180 
Acquisition and integration expense  701   689   1,117   1,019 
Depreciation and amortization  2,741   2,129   5,531   4,192 
Other (income) expense  (322)  141   (419)  (130)
Adjusted EBITDA $29,880  $33,319  $55,250  $57,726 
                 
Technology Segment
                
Operating income $19,077  $21,218  $34,617  $37,288 
Depreciation and amortization  2,740   2,128   5,529   4,190 
Share based compensation  1,766   1,578   3,362   3,002 
Acquisition and integration expense  701   689   1,117   1,019 
Adjusted EBITDA $24,284  $25,613  $44,625  $45,499 
                 
Financing Segment
                
Operating income $5,493  $7,610  $10,424  $12,047 
Depreciation and amortization  1   1   2   2 
Share based compensation  102   95   199   178 
Adjusted EBITDA $5,596  $7,706  $10,625  $12,227 

(3)We define adjusted gross billings as our technology segment net sales calculated in accordance with US GAAP, adjusted to exclude the costs incurred related to sales of third party maintenance, software assurance and subscription/SaaS licenses, and services. We have provided below a reconciliation of adjusted gross billings to technology segment net sales, which is the most directly comparable financial measure to this non-GAAP financial measure. The presentation of adjusted gross billings has been updated to align with net sales for our technology segment.

We use adjusted gross billings as a supplemental measure of our performance to gain insight into the volume of business generated by our technology segment, and to analyze the changes to our accounts receivable and accounts payable. Our use of adjusted gross billings as an analytical tool has limitations, and you should not consider them in isolation or as substitutes for analysis of our financial results as reported under US GAAP. In addition, other companies, including companies in our industry, might calculate adjusted gross billings or a similarly titled measure differently, which may reduce its usefulness as a comparative measure.

  
Three Months Ended
September 30,
  
Six Months Ended
September 30,
 
  2018  2017  2018  2017 
Technology segment net sales $334,768  $358,678  $681,632  $721,577 
Costs incurred related to sales of third party maintenance, software assurance and subscription/Saas licenses, and services  151,088   145,822   286,525  $270,427 
Adjusted gross billings $485,856  $504,500  $968,157  $992,004 

Consolidated Results of Operations

During the three months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, net sales increased 4.9%decreased 7.1%, or $15.9$26.3 million, to $342.6$345.0 million, compared to $326.7$371.4 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. For the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, net sales increased 8.4%decreased 5.8%, or $83.9$43.1 million to $1,080.6$701.6 million, compared to $996.6$744.7 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year.For the three months ended September 30, 2018, net sales decreased from reduced demand from customers primarily in the SLED, technology, telecom, media & entertainment industries, and financial services,  which was partially offset by increases in demand from the healthcare and other industries. For the six months ended September 30, 2018, net sales decreased due to lower demand from customers primarily in the SLED, technology, and telecom, media & entertainment industries, which was partially offset by increases in demand from the healthcare, financial services, and other industries. Also contributing to the decrease in net sales was a decline in financing revenues for both the three and six months ended September 30, 2018, as compared to the prior year periods.

Adjusted gross billings of product and services increased 7.3%decreased 3.7%, or $31.7$18.6 million, to $464.1$485.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 from $432.4$504.5 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. For the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, adjusted gross billings of product and services increased 10.0%decreased 2.4%, or $132.2$23.8 million to $1,449.4$968.2 million, from $1,317.2$992.0 million for the same period in the prior fiscal year. BothThe reduction in adjusted gross billings is due the three month and nine month increasedecline in demand was from commercial customers primarilythe same customer end markets as those previously noted for the decline in the technology, financial services and health care industries, partially offset by SLED and other industries.net sales.

Consolidated gross profit rose 3.9%declined 2.4% to $76.7$85.5 million, compared with $73.8$87.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2016.September 30, 2017. Consolidated gross margins were 22.4%24.8% for the three months ended December 31, 2017 a decreaseSeptember 30, 2018, which is an increase of 20120 basis points compared to 22.6%23.6% for the same period in the prior fiscal year,year. The increase in margins for the three-month period was due lowerto a shift in product mix, as we sold a higher proportion of third party maintenance, software assurance and subscription/SaaS licenses, and services. Also contributing to the gross margin improvement was higher product margins including a decrease in vendor incentives earned, which was offset by an increase inand service revenues.

Consolidated For the six months ended September 30, 2018, consolidated gross profit rose 8.3%0.6% to $241.9$166.2 million, compared with $223.4$165.2 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2016.same period in the prior fiscal year. Consolidated gross margins were 22.4%23.7% for both the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. Consolidated gross margins were impacted by lower product margins, including a decreaseSeptember 30, 2018, an increase of 150 basis points compared to 22.2% for the same period in vendor incentives earned, which was offset by higher service and financing revenues.
29the prior fiscal year.


Our operating expenses increased 14.9% to $60.3 million, or 78.6% of gross profits for the three months ended December 31, 2017September 30, 2018, increased 3.7% to $60.9 million, as compared to $52.5$58.7 million representing 71.1% of gross profits infor the same period prior year.year period. For the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, our operating expenses increased 12.6%4.6% to $176.6$121.2 million, or 72.5% of gross profits as compared to $156.4$115.8 million, representing 70.0% of gross profits in the same prior year period. The majorityThese increases were due, in part, to a full period of this increase reflects increased salary expense due to an increase in headcount, as well as variable compensation as a result of the increase in gross profit,salaries and an increase in employee healthcare costs. Our headcount increased by 120 employees or 10.3% to 1,284 from 1,164 a year ago, 98 of which werebenefits from the acquisitionsacquisition of IDS and OneCloud. The net additions in personnel compared to the prior year include 105 sales and engineering positions, with the remaining additions being administrative, IT, and finance positions.on September 15, 2017.

Operating income for the three months ended December 31, 2017September 30, 2018, decreased 23.1%$4.3 million, or 14.8%, to $16.4$24.6 million as compared to $21.3 million for the same period in the prior year.$28.8 million. For the three months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, the operating income margin decreased 17070 basis points to 4.8%7.1% from 6.5%7.8% for the same period in the prior year. Operating income for the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017September 30, 2018, decreased 1.9%$4.3 million, or 8.7%, to $65.7million,$45.0 million, as compared to $67.0$49.3 million for the same period in the prior year. For the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, the operating income margin decreased 6020 basis points to 6.1%6.4% from 6.7%6.6% for the same period in the prior year.

ConsolidatedOur effective tax rate for the current quarter was 27.7%, compared to 40.0% in the prior year quarter. Due in part to this lower tax rate, consolidated net earnings for the three months ended December 31, 2017September 30, 2018, were $15.6$18.0 million, an increase of 23.5%4.5%, or $3.0$0.8 million, over the prior year’s results. Our effective tax rate for the six months ending September 30, 2018 was 26.8%, compared to 38.0% for the same period in the prior year, during which time the  consolidated net earnings were $33.3 million, an increase of 8.6%, or $2.6 million, compared to the prior year’s results of $12.6 million. For the nine months ended December 31, 2017, consolidated net earnings were $46.2 million, an increase of 15.4%, or $6.2 million, compared to the prior year’s results of $40.1 million.results.

Adjusted EBITDA decreased $3.9$3.4 million, or 16.9%10.3%, to $19.3$29.9 million, and Adjustedadjusted EBITDA margin decreased 15030 basis points to 5.6%8.7% for the three months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, as compared to the prior year period of 7.1%9.0%. For the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017, AdjustedSeptember 30, 2018, adjusted EBITDA increased $0.4decreased $2.5 million, or 0.6%4.3%, to $72.8$55.3 million and Adjustedthe adjusted EBITDA margin decreased 60increased 10 basis points to 6.7%7.9% for the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017, asSeptember 30, 2018, compared to the prior period of 7.3%.year six month period.

Diluted earnings per share increased 22.0%8.1%, or $0.20$0.10, to $1.11$1.33 per share for the three months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, as compared to $0.91$1.23 per share for the three months ended December 31, 2016. Our effective tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 2017 was 4.2%, which includes a tax benefit $3.4 million from the re-measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities due to the changesame period in the U.S. statutory rate.prior year. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share decreased 13.4%8.8%, or $0.15, to $0.97$1.53 for the three months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, as compared to $1.12$1.68 for the three months ended December 31, 2016.same period in the prior year.

For the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, diluted earnings per share increased 15.4%11.9%, or $0.44$0.26, to $3.30$2.45 per share, as compared to $2.86$2.19 per share for the nine months ended December 31, 2016. Our effective tax rate for the nine months ended December 31, 2017 was 29.7%, which includes a tax benefit of $1.6 million related to the vesting of share based compensation and a tax benefit $3.4 million from the re-measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities due to the changesame period in the U.S. statutory rate.prior year. Non-GAAP diluted earnings per share increased 0.6%decreased 2.3% to $3.14$2.81 for the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, as compared to $3.12$2.88 for the nine months ended December 31, 2016.same period in the prior year.

Cash and cash equivalents decreased $33.7$42.6 million, or 30.7%36.0%, to $76.1$75.6 million at December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 as compared with $109.8to $118.2 million as of March 31, 2017.2018. The decrease is primarily the result of investmentsan increase in our financing portfolio, working capital required for the growth in our technology segment, $29.8 and $9.4 million paid in cash at closingfor the purchase of 110,537 shares of our acquisition of IDS and $7.9 million paid in cash at closing for our acquisition of OneCloud.common stock during the six months ended September 30, 2018. Our cash on hand, funds generated from operations, amounts available under our credit facility, and the possible monetization of our investment portfolio provide sufficient liquidity for our business.

Segment Overview

Our operations are conducted through two segments: technology and financing.

Technology Segment

The technology segment sells IT equipment and software and related services primarily to corporate customers, state and local governments, and higher education institutions on a nationwide and international basis, with geographic concentrations relating to our physical locations. The technology segment also provides Internet-based business-to-business supply chain management solutions for information technologyIT products.
Our technology segment derives revenue from the sales of new equipment and service engagements. Included in thenet sales of product and services are revenues derived from performing advanced IT professional and managed services that may be sold together with and integral to third-party products and software. Our service engagements are generally governed by statements of work, and are primarily fixed price (with allowance for changes); however, some service agreements are based on time and materials.

Customers who purchase IT equipment and services from us may have customer master agreements, or CMAs, with our company, which stipulate the terms and conditions of the relationship. Some CMAs contain pricing arrangements, and most contain mutual voluntary termination clauses. Our other customers place orders using purchase orders without a CMA in place, or with other documentation customary for the business. Often, our work with state and local governments is based on public bids and our written bid responsesresponses.

We endeavor to minimize our cost of sales through incentive programs provided by vendors and distributors. The programs for which we qualify for are generally set by our reseller authorization level with the vendor. The authorization level we achieve and maintain governs the types of products we can resell as well as such items as pricing received, funds provided for the marketing of these products and other special promotions. These authorization levels are achieved by us through purchase volume, certifications held by sales executives or engineers and/or contractual commitments by us. The authorization levels are costly to maintain and these programs continually change and, therefore, there is no guarantee of future reductions of costs provided by these vendor consideration programs.

Financing Segment

Our financing segment offers financing solutions to corporations, governmental entities, and educational institutions nationwide, and alsoas well as internationally in the United Kingdom,UK, Canada, Iceland, and Iceland.Spain. The financing segment derives revenue from leasing IT and medical equipment and the disposition of that equipment at the end of the lease. The financing segment also derives revenues from the financing of third-party software licenses, software assurance, maintenance and other services.

Financing revenue generally falls into the following three categories:


·Portfolio income: Interest income from financing receivables and rents due under operating leases;

·Transactional gains: Net gains or losses on the sale of financial assets; and

·Post-contract earnings: Month-to-month rents; early termination, prepayment, make-whole, or buyout fees; and net gains on the sale of off-lease (used) equipment.

Our financing segment sells the equipment underlying a lease to the lessee or a third-party other than the lessee. These sales occur at the end
32

We also recognize revenue from events that occur after the initial sale of a financial asset and remarketing fees from certain residual value investments.

Fluctuations in Revenues

Our results of operations are susceptible to fluctuations for a number of reasons, including, without limitation, customer demand for our products and services, supplier costs, changes in vendor incentive programs, interest rate fluctuations, general economic conditions, and differences between estimated residual values and actual amounts realized related to the equipment we lease. Operating results could also fluctuate as a result of a sale prior to the expiration of the lease term to the lessee or to a third-party or from post-term events.

We expect to continue to expand by opening new sales locations and hiring additional staff for specific targeted market areas in the near future whenever we can find both experienced personnel and desirable geographic areas. These investments may reduce our results from operations in the short term.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S.US GAAP requires management to use judgment in the application of accounting policies, including making estimates and assumptions. If our judgment or interpretation of the facts and circumstances relating to various transactions had been different, or different assumptions were made, it is possible that alternative accounting policies would have been applied, resulting in a change in financial results. On an ongoing basis, we reevaluate our estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, residual values, vendor incentives, lease classification, goodwill and intangibles, and reserves for credit losses and income taxes specifically relating to uncertain tax positions. We base estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. For all such estimates, we caution that future events rarely develop exactly as forecasted, and therefore, these estimates may require adjustment.

Our critical accounting estimates have not changed from those reported in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our 2017 annual2018 Annual Report.

SEGMENT RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The three and ninesix months ended December 31, 2017September 30, 2018, compared to the three and ninesix months ended December 31, 2016September 30, 2017

Technology Segment

The results of operations for our technology segment for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
        
Nine Months Ended
December 31,
        Three Months Ended September 30,  Six Months Ended September 30, 
 2017  2016  Change  2017  2016  Change  2018  2017  2018  2017 
Sales of product and services $330,953  $317,391  $13,562   4.3% $1,045,792  $968,799  $76,993   7.9%
Fee and other income  1,678   915   763   83.4%  3,707   3,679   28   0.8%
Net sales  332,631   318,306   14,325   4.5%  1,049,499   972,478   77,021   7.9% $334,768  $358,678  $681,632  $721,577 
Cost of sales, product and services  264,487   251,729   12,758   5.1%  834,873   769,780   65,093   8.5%
Cost of sales  257,813   281,829   531,894   575,095 
Gross profit  68,144   66,577   1,567   2.4%  214,626   202,698   11,928   5.9%  76,955   76,849   149,738   146,482 
                                                
Selling, general, and administrative expenses  53,836   47,780   6,056   12.7%  158,838   141,295   17,543   12.4%
Selling, general, and administrative  55,138   53,503   109,592   105,004 
Depreciation and amortization  2,893   1,908   985   51.6%  7,084   5,400   1,684   31.2%  2,740   2,128   5,529   4,190 
Operating expenses  56,729   49,688   7,041   14.2%  165,922   146,695   19,227   13.1%  57,878   55,631   115,121   109,194 
                                                
Operating income $11,415  $16,889  $(5,474)  (32.4%) $48,704  $56,003  $(7,299)  (13.0%) $19,077  $21,218  $34,617  $37,288 
                                                
Key business metrics
                                
Adjusted gross billings of product and services $464,105  $432,407  $31,698   7.3% $1,449,371  $1,317,188  $132,183   10.0%
                                
Adjusted gross billings $485,856  $504,500  $968,157  $992,004 
Adjusted EBITDA $14,308  $18,797  $(4,489)  (23.9%) $55,788  $61,403  $(5,615)  (9.1%) $24,284  $25,613  $44,625  $45,499 

Net sales: Net sales for the three months ended December 31, 2017September 30, 2018, were $332.6$334.8 million compared to $318.3$358.7 million during the three months ended December 31, 2016, an increaseSeptember 30, 2017, a decrease of 4.5%6.7%, or $14.3$23.9 million. For the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, net sales were $1,049.5$681.6 million compared to $972.5$721.6 million during the same period in the prior year, an increasea decrease of 7.9%5.5%, or $77.0$39.9 million.
Adjusted gross billings of product and services for the three months ended December 31, 2017 were $464.1 million compared to $432.4 million during the three months ended December 31, 2016, an increase of 7.3%, or $31.7 million. Sales of product and services for the three months ended December 31, 2017 were $331.0 million compared to $317.4 million during the same period in the prior year, an increase of 4.3%, or $13.6 million.

The increasedecrease in net sales of product and services during the three months ended December 31, 2017 was also due, in part, to an increasea decrease in demand for products and services from customers in the SLED telecom, media & entertainment, and technology customer end markets, partially offset by increased demand by the healthcare, financial services, and healthcareother industries partially offset by reductionsduring the six months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the prior year. A shift in product mix also contributed to the decrease in net sales to statefor both the three and local governmentsix months ended September 30, 2018, as we sold a higher proportion of third party software assurance, maintenance and educational customers (“SLED”), technology, and telecom, media and entertainment customers, and other industries.services, which are recognized on a net basis.

Adjusted gross billings for the three months ended September 30, 2018, were $485.9 million compared to $504.5 million during the three months ended September 30, 2017, a decrease of 3.7%, or $18.6 million. For the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, adjusted gross billings of product and services were $1,449.4$968.2 million compared to $1,317.2 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2016, an increase of 10.0%, or $132.2 million. For the nine months ended December 31, 2017, sales of product and services were $1,045.8 million compared to $968.8$992.0 million during the same period in the prior year, an increasea decrease of 7.9%2.4%, or $77.0$23.8 million. The increasedecrease in net sales of product and servicesadjusted gross billings during the ninesix month period was due, in part, to an increasea decrease in demand for products and services from customers in the telecom, media and entertainment, SLED, and technology industries. Partially offsetting lower demand from these industries was an increase in demand from the healthcare, financial services, and other industries technology, and health care industries, which include sales relatingduring the six months ended September 30, 2018, compared to several large projects for large customers.the prior year.

Summarized below are the sequential and year-over-year changes in net sales of product and services:

Quarter Ended Sequential  Year over Year 
December 31, 2017  (7.5%)  4.3%
September 30, 2017  0.2%  (1.0%)
June 30, 2017  11.1%  23.1%
March 31, 2017  1.3%  10.3%
December 31, 2016  (12.1%)  10.3%
We rely on our vendors to fulfill a large majority of shipments to our customers. As of December 31,September 30, 2018, we had open orders of $150.3 million and deferred revenue of $48.5 million. As of September 30, 2017, we had open orders of $170.0 million and deferred revenue of $59.6 million. As of December 31, 2016, we had open orders of $238.5$152.7 million and deferred revenues of $66.352.8 million.

We analyze net sales of products and services by customer end market and by manufacturer,vendor, as opposed to discrete product and service categories. The percentage of net sales of product and services by industry and vendor are summarized below:

 Twelve Months Ended December 31,    
Twelve Months Ended September 30,

Change
 2017  2016  Change 2018  2017
Revenue by customer end market:
                  
Technology  25%  22%  3%  23%  24%  (1%)
SLED  17%  21%  (4%)
Telecom, Media & Entertainment  14%  16%  (2%)  13%  15%  (2%)
Financial Services  16%  12%  4%  15%  14%  1%
SLED  17%  18%  (1%)
Healthcare  13%  11%  2%  15%  12%  3%
Other  15%  18%  (3%)
All others  17%  17%  0%
Total  100%  100%      100%  100%    
                        
Revenue by vendor:
                        
Cisco Systems  44%  49%  (5%)  40%  45%  (5%)
NetApp  4%  5%  (1%)
HP Inc. & HPE  7%  6%  1%  5%  7%  (2%)
NetApp  4%  5%  (1%)
Sub-total  55%  60%  (5%)
Other  45%  40%  5%
Dell / EMC  4%  4%  0%
Juniper Networks  3%  5%  (2%)
Arista Networks  4%  3%  1%
All others  40%  31%  9%
Total  100%  100%      100%  100%    

Our revenues by customer end market have remained consistent over the year with over 80% of our revenues generated from customers within the five end markets identified above. During the trailing twelve monthstwelve-month period ended December 31, 2017September 30, 2018, we had an increase in the percentage total revenues from customers in the technology,healthcare and financial services and health care industries, which were partiallyroughly offset by decreases in the percentage of total revenues from SLED, compared totechnology, and telecom, media & entertainment end markets over the prior year period. These changes were driven by changes in customer buying cycles and specific IT related initiatives, rather than the acquisition or loss of a customer or set of customers.
The majority of our revenues by vendor are derived from Cisco Systems, a combined HP Inc. and HPE, and NetApp, which collectively,in total, declined to 55%49% for the twelve monthstrailing twelve-month period ended December 31, 2017September 30, 2018 from approximately 60%57% in the prior year trailing twelve monthtwelve-month period ended September 30, 2017, with the greatest decline in the proportional percentage of total revenues in Cisco product sales. The decrease in the percentage of revenues from the top three vendors is due in part to substantial competition and rapid developments in the IT industry. None of the vendors included within the “other” category exceeded 4%3% of total revenues.

Cost of sales, product and services:sales: Cost of sales decreased 8.5% and 7.5% for the three and six months ended September 30, 2018, due to the decrease in net sales, combined with a shift in product mix, as we sold a higher proportion of third party software assurance, maintenance and services, which are recognized on a net basis. Our gross margin increased 5.1%160 basis points to 23.0% for the three months ended December 31, 2017 asSeptember 30, 2018, compared to 21.4% in the same period in the prior year period, due to a shift in product mix, as we sold a higher proportion of third party software assurance, maintenance and services for which the 4.3% increaserevenues are presented on a net basis, as well as lower product margins in sales of product and services.the prior year quarter from a large competitively bid project that partially shipped during the period. For the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017, cost of sales, product and services increased 8.5% due to the increase in sales of product and services. OurSeptember 30, 2018, our gross margin on the sales of product and services decreased 60increased 170 basis points to 20.1%22.0%, compared to 20.3% the prior year period.

Vendor incentives earned as a percentage of sales decreased 30 basis points for the three months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, compared to same period in the prior year, but remained unchanged as a percentage of sales for the six months ended September 30, 2018, compared to same period in the prior year. There are ongoing changes to the incentive programs offered to us by our vendors. Accordingly, if we are unable to maintain the level of vendor incentives we are currently receiving, gross margins may decrease.

Selling, general, and administrative: Selling, general, and administrative expenses of $55.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, increased $1.6 million, or 3.1%, from 20.7%$53.5 million the prior year. Salaries and benefits increased $1.6 million, or 3.7%, to $44.6 million, compared to $43.0 million during the prior year, primarily due to higher salaries and healthcare expenses. The increase in salaries was due, in part, to a full quarter including IDS operations, as we completed this acquisition on September 15, 2017. Our technology segment had 1,213 employees as of September 30, 2018, a decrease of 20, or 1.6%, from 1,233 employees at September 30, 2017. General and administrative expenses increased $0.3 million, or 3.0%, to $9.0 million during the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $8.7 million the prior year, due to adjustments to the fair value of contingent consideration of $0.7 million this year, up from $0.4 million last year.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses of $109.6 million for the six months ended September 30, 2018, increased $4.6 million, or 4.4%, from $105.0 million the prior year. Salaries and benefits increased $3.8 million, or 4.4%, to $89.9 million, compared to $86.1 million during the prior year due to increased costs of personnel as well as higher variable compensation as a result of the increase in gross profit. The increase in salaries was due, in part, to a full six months including IDS operations, as we completed this acquisition on September 15, 2017. General and administrative expenses increased $1.0 million, or 6.5%, to $16.3 million during the six months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $15.3 million the prior year, due adjustments to the fair value of contingent consideration of $1.1 million this year, up from $0.4 million last year.

Depreciation and amortization: Depreciation and amortization increased $0.6 million, or 28.8%, to $2.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $2.1 million in the prior year, due to the IDS acquisition in September 2017. For the six months ended September 30, 2018, depreciation and amortization increased $1.3 million, or 32.0%, to $5.5 million, compared to the same period in the prior year.

For the nine months ended December 31, 2017, our gross margin on the sales of product and services decreased 30 basis points to 20.2%, from 20.5%, due to lower product margins from a large competitively bid project which partially shipped during the nine month period as well as reduction in vendor incentives earned as a percentage of sales of product services. Vendor incentives earned as a percentage of sales of product services for the three months and the nine months ended December 31, 2017 decreased 50 and 30 basis points respectively, as compared to same periods in the prior year.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses: Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $53.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $6.0 million, or 12.7% compared to $47.8 million for the prior year period. Salaries and benefits increased $4.3 million, or 10.8% to $44.5 million, compared to $40.2 million during the prior year. Most of the increase was due to higher salaries and benefits expenses related to the increase in the number of employees from both acquisitions and internal growth.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses were $158.8 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2017, an increase of $17.5 million, or 12.4% compared to $141.3 million for the prior year period. Salaries and benefits increased $12.8 million, or 10.8% to $130.6 million, compared to $117.8 million during the prior year. Approximately 20.8% of this increase was due to higher variable compensation due to the increase in gross profit, 18.6% of the increase was due to higher employee benefits, and the remaining increase was primarily due salary expense related to an increase in the number of employees. Our technology segment had 1,236 employees as of December 31, 2017, an increase of 123, or 11.1%, from 1,113 at December 31, 2016. The acquisitions of OneCloud and IDS accounted for 98 of the added positions. There were 107 positions added in the past year related to sales, marketing, and professional services personnel.

General and administrative expenses increased $1.5 million, or 23.9% to $7.9 million during the three months ended December 31, 2017 compared to $6.4 million the prior year, due to an adjustment of $0.7 million to the fair value of contingent consideration for acquisitions, higher advertising and marketing expense, and travel expenses, including travel expense related to acquisitions. For the nine months ended December 31, 2017, general and administrative expenses increased $3.9 million, or 20.3% to $23.3 million compared to $19.3 million the prior year, due to the incremental adjustment of $0.8 million to the fair value of contingent consideration for acquisitions, and higher travel expense, including travel expense related to acquisitions. Professional and other fees increased $0.9 million, or 20.7% to $5.0 million primarily due to legal fees related to the IDS and OneCloud acquisitions.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased $1.0 million, or 51.6% to $2.9 million during the three months ended December 31, 2017 compared to $1.9 million in the prior year. For the nine months ended December 31, 2017, depreciation and amortization expense increased $1.7 million, or 31.2% to $7.1 million compared to $5.4 million in the prior year. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense is related to the acquisitions of Consolidated IT Services in December 2016, OneCloud in May 2017, and IDS in September 2017.

Segment operating income: As a result of the foregoing, operating income was $11.4$19.1 million, a decrease of $5.5$2.1 million, or 32.4%10.1%, for the three months ended December 31, 2017September 30, 2018, compared to $16.9$21.2 million in the prior year period. For the three months ended December 31, 2017, AdjustedSeptember 30, 2018, adjusted EBITDA was $14.3$24.3 million, a decrease of $4.5$1.3 million, or 23.9%5.2%, compared to $18.8$25.6 million in the prior year period. For the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017, September 30, 2018, operating income was $48.7$34.6 million, a decrease of $7.3$2.7 million, or 13.0%7.2%, compared to $56.0$37.3 million in the prior year period. Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended December 31, 2017, was $55.8$44.6 million, a decrease of $5.6$0.9 million, or 9.1%1.9%, for the six months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $61.4$45.5 million in the prior year period.
Financing Segment

The results of operations for our financing segment for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
        
Nine Months Ended
December 31,
        Three Months Ended September 30,  Six Months Ended September 30, 
 2017  2016  Change  2017  2016  Change  2018  2017  2018  2017 
Financing revenue $9,592  $8,190  $1,402   17.1% $30,698  $23,899  $6,799   28.4%
Fee and other income  346   161   185   114.9%  374   245   129   52.7%
Net sales  9,938   8,351   1,587   19.0%  31,072   24,144   6,928   28.7% $10,275  $12,685  $19,943  $23,142 
Direct lease costs  1,394   1,142   252   22.1%  3,846   3,459   387   11.2%
Cost of sales  1,730   1,963   3,478   4,460 
Gross profit  8,544   7,209   1,335   18.5%  27,226   20,685   6,541   31.6%  8,545   10,722   16,465   18,682 
                                                
Selling, general, and administrative expenses  3,298   2,380   918   38.6%  9,300   8,526   774   9.1%
Selling, general, and administrative  2,567   2,837   5,079   6,000 
Depreciation and amortization  1   2   (1)  (50.0%)  2   8   (6)  (75.0%)  1   1   2   2 
Interest and financing costs  270   409   (139)  (34.0%)  903   1,158   (255)  (22.0%)  484   274   960   633 
Operating expenses  3,569   2,791   778   27.9%  10,205   9,692   513   5.3%  3,052   3,112   6,041   6,635 
                                
Operating income $4,975  $4,418  $557   12.6% $17,021  $10,993  $6,028   54.8% $5,493  $7,610  $10,424  $12,047 
                                
Key business metrics
                                
Adjusted EBITDA $4,976  $4,420  $556   12.6% $17,023  $11,001  $6,022   54.7% $5,596  $7,706  $10,625  $12,227 

Net sales: Net sales increaseddecreased by $1.6$2.4 million, or 19.0%, to $9.9$10.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, as compared to $8.4 million prior year results due to higher post-contractlower post contract earnings, and other financing revenues. Post contract earnings decreased $3.0 million due to the early termination of several large leases in the prior year. Offsetting this decrease was higher portfolio earnings. During the quartersthree months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, we recognized nettransactional gains on sales of financial assets of $1.2 million, and $0.9 million, respectively, and the fair value of assets receivedtotal proceeds from these sales were $32.8$47.2 million and $55.8$48.3 million, respectively. Post contract earnings increased $1.4 million due to the gain on sale of equipmentn associated with early lease terminations, and other financing revenues decreased $0.3 million mainly due to earnings on consumption based financing arrangements.

For the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, net sales increaseddecreased by $6.9$3.2 million, or 28.7%13.8%, to $31.1$19.9 million as compared to $24.1 million prior year results due to higherlower post contract earnings, transactional gains, and other financing revenues. revenues, which partially were offset by higher portfolio earnings. Post contract earnings decreased $3.6 million due to the early termination of several large leases in the prior year. During the ninesix months ended December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, we recognized net gains on sales of financial assets of $4.6$2.5 million and $4.1$3.5 million, respectively, and the fair value of assets receivedtotal proceeds from these sales were $166.9$94.0 million and $185.4$134.1 million, respectively. Post contract earnings increased $4.9 million due to the gain on sale of equipment associated with early lease terminations, and other financing revenues increased $1.0 million mainly due to earnings on consumption based financing arrangements.

At December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, we had $147.2$165.4 million in financing receivables and operating leases, compared to $140.4$131.8 million as of December 31, 2016,September 30, 2017, an increase of $6.8$33.6 million, or 4.8%25.5%.

Gross Profit:36

Cost of sales: Cost of sales decreased $0.2 million and $1.0 million for the three and six months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the same periods in the prior year, respectively, which consists of depreciation expense from operating leases and the cost of off-lease equipment sold. Gross profit increaseddecreased by $1.3 million, or 18.5%20.3% to $8.5 million, for the three months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, compared to the prior year, and decreased by 11.9% to $16.5 million, for the six months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the prior year.

Selling, general, and administrative: For the three months ended September 30, 2018, selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased $0.3 million, or 9.5%, due to a decrease in variable compensation as a result of the decrease in gross profit. Our financing segment had 42 employees as of September 30, 2018, compared to 49 employees as of September 30, 2017. Selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased by $0.9 million, or 15.4%, for the six months ended September 30, 2018, due to a decrease in variable compensation as a result of the decrease in gross profit, as well as the change in reserves for credit losses.

Interest and financing costs increased by 76.6% to $0.5 million, due to an increase in the average total notes payable outstanding and by higher average interest rates over the three months ended September 30, 2018, compared to the same period in the prior year. For the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017, gross profitSeptember 30, 2018, interest and financing costs increased $6.5 million, or 31.6%by 51.7% to $27.2$1.0 million compared to the same period ofin the prior year, as a result of higher revenues. Direct lease costs increased $0.3 million and $0.4 million for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2017, respectively, which primarily consists of depreciation expense from operating leases.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses: For the three months ended December 31, 2017 selling, general, and administrative expenses increased by $0.9 million or 38.6%, which was due primarily to an increase in our salaries and benefits expense of $0.7 million resulting from an increase in variable compensation related to the increase in gross profit. Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased by $0.8 million or 9.1%, due to an increase in our salaries and benefits expense of $1.1 million resulting from an increase in variable compensation related to the increase in gross profit, partially offset by lower professional fees and credit loss expenses for the nine months ended December 31, 2017. Our financing segment had 48 employees as of December 31, 2017, compared to 51 employees as of December 31, 2016.

Interest and financing costs decreased $0.1 million to $0.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to the prior year, due to a decrease in the average total notes payable outstanding compared to the three months ended December 31, 2017. For the nine months ended December 31, 2017, interest and financing costs decreased by $0.3 million to $0.9 million, or 22.0%.year. Total notes payable were $31.5$65.3 million as of December 31, 2017, a decreaseSeptember 30, 2018, an increase of $22.5$28.2 million or 41.7%75.9% compared to $54.0$37.1 million as of December 31, 2016.September 30, 2017. Our weighted average interest rate for non-recourse notes payable was 3.73%4.31% and 3.38%3.62%, as of December 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and December 31, 2016, respectively.
Segment operating income: As a result of the foregoing, both operating income and Adjustedadjusted EBITDA increased $0.6decreased $2.1 million, or 12.6% to $5.0 million27.8% and 27.4%, respectively, for both the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.September 30, 2018, over the prior year period. For the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, operating income and Adjustedadjusted EBITDA each increased $6.0decreased $1.6 million or 54.8%13.5% and 54.7% to $17.0 million,13.1%, respectively.

Consolidated

Other income:Other income and expense duringwas $0.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2017 was a netSeptember 30, 2018, compared to other expense of $0.1 million which consists of interestthe prior year period. For the six months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, other income on cashwas $0.4 million and cash equivalents, more than offset by foreign currency transaction losses.$0.1 million, respectively.

Income taxes: Our provision for income tax expense was $0.7$6.9 million and $19.5$12.2 million for the three and ninesix months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, as compared to $8.7$11.5 million and $27.3$18.8 million for the same periods in the prior year. Our effective income tax rate for the three and ninesix months ended December 31, 2017September 30, 2018, was 4.2%27.7% and 29.7%26.8%, compared to 40.8%40.0% and 40.5%38.0% for the three and ninesix months ended December 31, 2016.September 30, 2017. The favorable changereduction in our effective income tax rate was due primarily to a tax benefit of $3.4 million from the re-measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities due to the change inreduction of the U.S. statutorycorporate income tax rate forfrom 35% to 21% as a result of the three2017 Tax Cut and nine months ended December 31, 2017, and a tax benefit of $1.6 million on the vesting of restricted stock in the nine months ended December 31, 2017, compared to a tax benefit of $0.5 million in the nine months ended December 31, 2016.Jobs Act.

Net earnings: The foregoing resulted in net earnings of $15.6$18.0 million and $46.2 million for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2017, an increase of 23.5% and 15.4%, as compared to $12.6$0.8 million, and $40.1 million during the three and nine months ended December 31, 2016, respectively.

Basic and fully diluted earnings per common share were $1.12 and $1.11or 4.5%, for the three months ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, as compared to $17.2 million compared to the prior year. For the six months ended September 30, 2018, net earnings were $33.3 million, an increase of 21.7% and 22.0% as compared to $0.92 and $0.91, respectively, for$2.6 million, or 8.6%, over the three months ended December 31, 2016. Forsame period in the nine months ended December 31, 2017,prior year.

Both basic and fully diluted earnings per common share were $3.34 and $3.30,$1.33 for the three months ended September 30, 2018, an increase of 16.0%7.3% and 15.4%8.1%, as compared to $2.88$1.24 and $2.86,$1.23, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2017. For the six months ended September 30, 2018, basic and fully diluted earnings per common share were $2.47 and $2.42, an increase of 11.8% and 11.9%, as compared to $2.21 and $2.19 for the same period in the prior year.year, respectively.

Weighted average common shares outstanding used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for both the three and six months ended September 30, 2018, was 13.5 million and 13.6 million, respectively. Weighted average common shares outstanding used in the calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per common share for the three months ended December 31,September 30, 2017, was 13.9 million and 14.0 million, respectively. Weighted average common shares outstanding used in the calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per common share for the threesix months ended December 31, 2016 was 13.8 million and 13.9 million, respectively.

Weighted average common shares outstanding used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per common share for the nine months ended December 31,September 30, 2017, was 13.8 million and 14.0 million, respectively. Weighted average common shares outstanding used in the calculation of the basic and diluted earnings per common share for the nine months ended December 31, 2016 was 13.9 million and 14.0 million, respectively.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Liquidity Overview

Our primary sources of liquidity have historically been cash and cash equivalents, internally generated funds from operations, and borrowings, both non-recourse and recourse. We have used those funds to meet our capital requirements, which have historically consisted primarily of working capital for operational needs, capital expenditures, purchases of equipment for lease, payments of principal and interest on indebtedness outstanding, acquisitions, and the repurchase of shares of our common stock.

Our subsidiary ePlus Technology, inc., part of our technology segment, finances its operations with funds generated from operations, and with a credit facility with Wells Fargo Commercial Distribution Finance, LLC or (“WFCDF”). ePlus Technology, inc.’s agreement with WFCDF hashad an aggregate credit limit of $250$325 million as of December 31, 2017.September 30, 2018.

On July 27, 2017, we executed an amendment to the WFCDF credit facility whichthat temporarily increases the aggregate limit of the two components from $250.0 million to $325.0 million from the date of the agreement through October 31, 2017, and2017. The amendment also provides us an election beginning July 1 in each subsequent year to similarly temporarily increase the aggregate limit of the two components to $325.0 million ending the earlier of 90 days following the date of election or October 31 of that same year. On July 17, 2018, we elected to temporarily increase the aggregate limit to $325.0 million.

There are two components of this facility: (1) a floor plan component;component, and (2) an accounts receivable component. After a customer places a purchase order with us and we have completed our credit check,review, we place an order for the equipment with one of our vendors. Generally, most purchase orders from us to our vendors are first financed under the floor plan component and reflected in “accounts payable—floor plan” in our consolidated balance sheets. Payments on the floor plan component are due on three specified dates each month, generally 30-60 days from the invoice date. On the due date of the invoices financed by the floor plan component, the invoices are paid by the accounts receivable component of the credit facility. The balance of the accounts receivable component is then reduced by payments from our available cash. The outstanding balance under the accounts receivable component is recorded as recourse notes payable on our consolidated balance sheets. There was no outstanding balance at December 31, 2017or March 31,September 30, 2018, or September 30, 2017, while the maximum credit limit was $30.0 million for both periods. The borrowings and repayments under the floor plan component are reflected as “net borrowings on floor plan facility” in the cash flows from financing activities section of our consolidated statements of cash flows.

Most customer payments in our technology segment are remitted to our lockboxes. Once payments are cleared, the monies in the lockbox accounts are automatically transferred to our operating account on a daily basis. On the due dates of the floor plan component, we make cash payments to WFCDF. These payments from the accounts receivable component to the floor plan component and repayments from our cash are reflected as “net borrowings on floor plan facility” in the cash flows from financing activities section of our consolidated statements of cash flows. We engage in this payment structure in order to minimize our interest expense and bank fees in connection with financing the operations of our technology segment.

We believe that cash on hand and funds generated from operations, together with available credit under our credit facility, will be sufficient to finance our working capital, capital expenditures, and other requirements for at least the next twelve calendar months.

Our ability to continue to fund our planned growth, both internally and externally, is dependent upon our ability to generate sufficient cash flow from operations or to obtain additional funds through equity or debt financing, or from other sources of financing as may be required. While at this time we do not anticipate requiring any additional sources of financing to fund operations, if demand for IT products declines, or if our supply of products is delayed or interrupted, our cash flows from operations may be substantially affected.

Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our sources and uses of cash over the periods indicated (in thousands):

  Nine Months Ended December 31, 
  2017  2016 
Net cash provided by operating activities $48,824  $29,702 
Net cash used in investing activities  (54,793)  (47,040)
Net cash used in financing activities  (27,758)  (8,205)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash  72   454 
         
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents $(33,655) $(25,089)
  Six Months Ended September 30, 
  2018  2018 
Net cash provided by (used) in operating activities $(17,085) $13,330 
Net cash used in investing activities  (37,937)  (52,891)
Net cash provided by (used) in financing activities  12,321   (10,046)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash  150   32 
         
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents $(42,551) $(49,575)

Cash flows from operating activities. Cash provided byused in operating activities totaled $48.817.1 million during the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017.September 30, 2018. Net earnings adjusted for the impact of non-cash items was $46.1million. Net changes in assets and liabilities resulted in a increase of cash and cash equivalents of $2.7 million, primarily due to net reductions in inventories of $43.3 million and increased in accounts payable of $18.4 million, mostly offset by additions to deferred costs, other intangible assets and other assets of $26.2 financing receivables of $13.0, accounts receivables of $10.3 million, and salaries and commissions payable and deferred revenues and other liabilities of $9.5 million.

Cash provided by operating activities totaled $29.7 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2016. Net earnings adjusted for the impact of non-cash items was $45.0$42.3 million. Net changes in assets and liabilities resulted in a decrease of cash and cash equivalents of $15.3$59.4 million, primarily due to net additions to accounts receivables of $62.0$29.3 million, inventories of $77.4 million, partially offset by increased in accounts payable of $53.2 million, and salaries and commissions payable, deferred revenues and other liabilities of $51.2$14.8 million, inventories of $16.7 million, and financing receivables of $5.9 million, partially offset by reductions in accounts payable of $2.4 million, and deferred costs, other intangible assets and other assets of $4.9 million..

Cash provided by operating activities totaled $13.3 million during the six months ended September 30, 2017. Net earnings adjusted for the impact of non-cash items was $30.7 million. Net changes in assets and liabilities resulted in a decrease of cash and cash equivalents of $17.4 million, primarily due to net additions to accounts receivables of $21.7 million, salaries and commissions payable and deferred revenues and other liabilities of $26.3 million, deferred costs, other intangible assets and other assets of $8.3 million, and accounts payable of $6.9 million, partially offset by reductions in inventories of $43.0 million and financing receivables of $2.7 million.

In order toTo manage our working capital, we monitor our cash conversion cycle for our Technology segment, which is defined as days sales outstanding (“DSO”) in accounts receivable plus days of supply in inventory (“DIO”) minus days of purchases outstanding in accounts payable (“DPO”). The following table presents the components of the cash conversion cycle for our Technology segment:

 As of December 31,  As of September 30, 
 2017  2016  2018  2017 
            
(DSO) Days sales outstanding (1)  52   52   60   52 
(DIO) Days inventory outstanding (2)  12   23   11   15 
(DPO) Days payable outstanding (3)  (40)  (48)  (46)  (44)
Cash conversion cycle  24   27   25   23 

(1)Represents the rolling three-month average of the balance of trade accounts receivable-trade, net for our Technologytechnology segment at the end of the period divided by Adjustedadjusted gross billings of product and services for the same three-month period.
(2)Represents the rolling three-month average of the balance of inventory, net for our Technologytechnology segment at the end of the period divided by Costcost of adjusted gross billings of product and services for the same three-month period.
(3)Represents the rolling three-month average of the combined balance of accounts payable-trade and accounts payable-floor plan for our Technologytechnology segment at the end of the period divided by Cost of adjusted gross billings of product and services for the same three-month period.

Our cash conversion cycle decreasedincreased to 2425 days at December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, compared to 2723 days at December 31, 2016,September 30, 2017, primarily driven by a decreasean increase in DPODSO of 8 days due to DPOthe timing of payments.collections. The higherincrease in our cash conversion cycle for December 31, 2016 was due mainly topartially offset by a significant increasedecrease in our inventories due to large projects for severalDIO as of our major customersSeptember 30, 2018, as a result of a decrease in the prior year’s quarter.average inventory balances of 31.2%, or $22.5 million.

Cash flows related to investing activities. Cash used in investing activities was $54.8$37.9 million during the ninesix months ended December 31,September 30, 2018. Cash used in investing activities during the six months ended September 30, 2018, was primarily driven by issuance of financing receivables of $88.4 million, purchases of assets to be leased or financed of $8.6 million, and purchases of property, equipment, and operating lease equipment of $6.5 million , which was partially offset by cash proceeds from the repayment financing receivable of $33.3 million, and the sale of financing receivables of $30.5 million, and sale of property, equipment, and leased equipment of $1.8 million.

Cash used in investing activities was $52.9 million during the six months ended September 30, 2017. Cash used in investing activities during the ninesix months ended December 31,September 30, 2017, was primarily driven by acquisitions of $37.7 million, net issuance and repayment of financing receivables of $79.1$59.7 million, purchases of assets to be leased or financed of $5.7$3.8 million, and purchases of property, equipment, software, and operating lease equipment of $6.3$3.4 million, which was partially offset by the sale of financing receivables of $64.1$43.8 million, and proceeds from sale of property, equipment, and operating leases of $10.0 million.
Cash used in investing activities was $47.0$8.0 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2016. Cash used in investing activities during the nine months ended December 31, 2016 was primarily driven by issuance of financing receivables of $114.7 million, cash used in acquisitions of $9.5 million, purchases of property, equipment and operating lease equipment of $7.3 million, and purchases of assets to be leased or financed of $5.9 million, which was partially offset by cash proceeds from the repayment financing receivable of $44.1 million, the sale of financing receivables of $39.9 million, and proceeds from the sale of property, equipment and operating lease equipment of $6.4 million.

Cash flows from financing activities. Cash provided by financing activities was $12.3 million during the six months ended September 30, 2018, which was primarily due to net borrowings of non-recourse and recourse notes payable of $15.9 million, and net borrowing on floor plan facility of $8.7 million, partially offset by cash used for the repurchase of common stock of $10.1 million, and repayment of financing of acquisitions of $2.1 million. Cash used in financing activities was $27.8$10.0 million during the ninesix months ended December 31,September 30, 2017, which was primarily due to net repaymentborrowing on floor plan facility of $24.9$12.4 million, cash used for the repurchase of common stock of $13.4$4.4 million, and repayment of financing of acquisitions of $1.6$1.1 million, partially offset by net borrowings of non-recourse and recourse notes payable of $12.1$7.8 million. Cash used in financing activities was $8.2 million during the nine months ended December 31, 2016, which was primarily due to $30.5 million in cash used for the repurchase of common stock, and net repayment on the floor plan facility of $5.6 million, partially offset by to net borrowings of non-recourse and recourse notes payable of $28.6 million.

Non-Cash Activities

We assign contractual payments due under lease and financing agreements to third-party financial institutions, which are accounted for as non-recourse notes payable. As a condition to the assignment agreement, certain financial institutions may request that the customer remit their contractual payments to a trust;trust, rather than to us, and the trust pays the financial institution. Alternatively, if the structure of the agreement does not require a trustee,trust, the customer will continue to make payments to us, and we will remit the payment to the financial institution. The economic impact to us under either assignment structure is similar, in that the assigned contractual payments are paid by the customer and remitted to the lender to pay down the corresponding non-recourse notes payable. However, these assignment structures are classified differently within our consolidated statements of cash flows. More specifically, we are required to exclude non-cash transactions from our consolidated statement of cash flows, so certain contractual payments made by the customer to the trust are excluded from our operating cash receipts and the corresponding repayment of the non-recourse notes payable from the trust to the third-party financial institution are excluded from our cash flows from financing activities. Contractual payments received by the trust and paid to the lender on our behalf are disclosed as a non-cash financing activity.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We may utilizeuse non-recourse notes payable to finance approximately 80% to 100% of the purchase price of the assets being leased or financed by our customers. Any balance of the purchase price remaining after non-recourse funding and any upfront payments received from the customer (our equity investment in the equipment) must generally be financed by cash flows from our operations, the sale of the equipment leased to third parties, or other internal means. Although we expect that the credit quality of our financing arrangements and our residual return history will continue to allow us to obtain such financing, such financing may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all.

The financing necessary to support our lease and financing activities has been provided by our cash and non-recourse borrowings. We monitor our exposure closely. We are able to obtain financing through our traditional lending sources which isusing primarily non-recourse borrowings from third party banks and finance companies. Non-recourse financings are loans whose repayment is the responsibility of a specific customer, although we may make representations and warranties to the lender regarding the specific contract or have ongoing loan servicing obligations. Under a non-recourse loan, we borrow from a lender an amount based on the present value of the contractually committed payments at a fixed rate of interest, and the lender secures a lien on the financed assets. When the lender is fully repaid, the lien is released and all further proceeds are ours. We are not liable for the repayment of non-recourse loans unless we breach our representations and warranties in the loan agreements. The lender assumes the credit risk, and the lender’s only recourse, upon default, is against the customer and the specific equipment.

At December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, our non-recourse notes payable decreased 13.8%increased 28.2% to $31.5$65.3 million, as compared to $36.5$50.9 million at March 31, 2017. Recourse2018. There was no recourse notes payable was zero as of December 31, 2017September 30, 2018, compared to $0.9$1.3 million as of March 31, 2017.2018.

Whenever desirable, we arrange for equity investment financing, which includes selling lease payments, including the residual portions, to third parties and financing the equity investment on a non-recourse basis. We generally retain customer control and operational services, and have minimal residual risk. We usually reserve the right to share in remarketing proceeds of the equipment on a subordinated basis after the investor has received an agreed-to return on its investment.

Credit Facility — Technology

Our subsidiary, ePlus Technology, inc., has a financing facility from WFCDF to finance its working capital requirements for inventories and accounts receivable. There are two components of this facility: (1) a floor plan component;component and (2) an accounts receivable component. This facility has full recourse to ePlus Technology, inc. and is secured by a blanket lien against all its assets, such as chattel paper, receivables and inventory. As of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, the facility had an aggregate limit of the two components of $250.0$325.0 million with an accounts receivable sub-limit of $30.0 million.

On July 27, 2017, we executed an amendment to the WFCDF credit facility whichthat temporarily increased the aggregate limit of the two components from $250.0 million to $325.0 million from the date of the agreement through October 31, 2017, and provides us an election beginning July 1 in each subsequent year to similarly temporarily increase the aggregate limit of the two components to $325.0 million ending the earlier of 90 days following the date of election andor October 31 of that same year. On July 17, 2018, we elected to temporarily increase the aggregate limit to $325.0 million.

Availability under the facility may be limited by the asset value of equipment we purchase or accounts receivable, and may be further limited by certain covenants and terms and conditions of the facility. These covenants include but are not limited to a minimum excess availability of the facility and ePlus Technology, inc.’s minimum earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of ePlus Technology, inc.amortization. We were in compliance with these covenants as of December 31, 2017.September 30, 2018. Interest on the facility is assessed at a rate of the One Month LIBOR plus two and one half percent if the payments are not made on the three specified dates each month. The facility also requires that financial statements of ePlus Technology, inc. be provided within 45 days of the end of each quarter and 90 days of each fiscal year end, and also requiresthat other operational reports be provided on a regular basis. Either party may terminate the credit facility with 90 days advance written notice.

We are not, and do not believe that we are reasonably likely to be, in breach of the WFCDF credit facility. In addition, we do not believe that the covenants of the WFCDF credit facility materially limit our ability to undertake financing. In this regard, the covenants apply only to our subsidiary, ePlus Technology, inc. This credit facility is secured by the assets of only ePlus Technology, inc. and the guaranty as described below.

The WFCDF credit facility provided by WFCDF requires a guaranty of $10.5 million by ePlus inc. The guaranty requires ePlus inc. to deliver its annual audited financial statements by a certain date. We have delivered the annual audited financial statements for the year ended March 31, 2017,2018, as required. The loss of the WFCDF credit facility could have a material adverse effect on our future results as we currently rely on this facility and its components for daily working capital and liquidity for our technology segment, and as an operational function of our accounts payable process.

Floor Plan Component

Purchases by ePlus Technology, inc. including computer technology products, software, maintenance and services are in part financed through a floor plan component in which interest expense for the first thirty to ninetysixty days, in general, is not charged. The floor plan liabilities are recorded as accounts payable—floor plan on our consolidated balance sheets, as they are normally repaid within the fifteen to ninety-daysixty-day time frame and represent assigned accounts payable originally generated with the manufacturer/distributor. In some cases, we are able to pay invoices early and receive a discount, but if the fifteen to ninety-daysixty-day obligation is not paid timely, interest is then assessed at stated contractual rates.

The respective floor plan component credit limits and actual outstanding balance payables for the dates indicated were as follows (in thousands):

Maximum Credit Limit
at December 31, 2017
  
Balance as of
December 31, 2017
  
Maximum Credit Limit
at March 31, 2017
  
Balance as of
March 31, 2017
 
Maximum Credit Limit
at September 30, 2018
Maximum Credit Limit
at September 30, 2018
  
Balance as of
September 30, 2018
  
Maximum Credit Limit
at March 31, 2018
  
Balance as of
March 31, 2018
 
$250,000  $107,761  $250,000  $132,612 325,000  $120,771  $250,000  $112,109 

Accounts Receivable Component

Included within the credit facility, ePlus Technology, inc. has an accounts receivable component fromincluded within the WFCDF credit facility, which has a revolving line of credit. On the due date of the invoices financed by the floor plan component, the invoices are paid by the accounts receivable component of the credit facility. The balance of the accounts receivable component is then reduced by payments from our available cash. The outstanding balance under the accounts receivable component is recorded as recourse notes payable on our consolidated balance sheets. There was no balance outstanding for the accounts receivable component at December 31, 2017orSeptember 30, 2018, or March 31, 2017,2018, while the maximum credit limit was $30.0 million for both periods.

Performance Guarantees

In the normal course of business, we may provide certain customers with performance guarantees, which are generally backed by surety bonds. In general, we would only be liable for the amount of these guarantees in the event of default in the performance of our obligations. We are in compliance with the performance obligations under all service contracts for which there is a performance guarantee, and we believe that any liability incurred in connection with these guarantees would not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated statements of operations.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As part of our ongoing business, we do not participate in transactions that generate relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of Regulation S-K, or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. As of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, we were not involved in any unconsolidated special purpose entity transactions.

Adequacy of Capital Resources

The continued implementation of our business strategy will require a significant investment in both resources and managerial focus. In addition, we may selectively acquire other companies that have attractive customer relationships and skilled sales and/or engineering forces. We may also startopen offices in new geographic areas, which may require a significant investment of cash. We may also acquire technology companies to expand and enhance the platform of bundled solutions to provide additional functionality and value-added services. We may continue to use our internally generated funds to finance investments in leased assets or investments in notes receivables due from our customers. These actions may result in increased working capital needs as the business expands. As a result, we may require additional financing to fund our strategy, implementation, potential future acquisitions, and working capital needs, which may include additional debt and equity financing.

Inflation

For the periods presented herein, inflation has been relatively low, and we believe that inflation has not had a material effect on our results of operations.

Potential Fluctuations in Quarterly Operating Results

Our future quarterly operating results and the market price of our common stock may fluctuate. In the event our revenues or earnings for any quarter are less than the level expected by securities analysts or the market in general, such shortfall could have an immediate and significant adverse impact on the market price of our common stock. Any such adverse impact could be greater if any such shortfall occurs near the time of any material decrease in any widely followed stock index or in the market price of the stock of one or more public equipment leasing and financing companies, IT resellers, software competitors, or our major customers or vendors of ours.vendors.

Our quarterly results of operations are susceptible to fluctuations for a number of reasons, including, but not limited to currency fluctuations, reduction in IT spending, any reduction of expected residual values related to the equipment under our leases, the timing and mix of specific transactions, the reduction of manufacturer incentive programs, and other factors. Quarterly operating results could also fluctuate as a result of our sale of equipment in our lease portfolio to a lessee or third party at the expiration of a lease term or prior to such expiration, to a lessee or to a third party and the transfer of financial assets. Sales of equipment and transfers of financial assets may have the effect of increasing revenues and net income during the quarter in which the sale occurs, and reducing revenues and net income otherwise expected in subsequent quarters. See Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” in our 20172018 Annual Report.Report, and subsequent Forms 10-Q for our fiscal year 2019.

We believe that comparisons of quarterly results of our operations are not necessarily meaningful, and that results for one quarter should not be relied upon as an indication of future performance.

Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have been no material changes in our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk during the nine months ended December 31, 2017 from our 2017 Annual Report. For a discussion of the Company's exposure to market risk, reference is made to disclosures set forth in Part II, Item 7A of our above-mentioned 2017 Annual Report.

Although aA substantial portion of our liabilities are non-recourse, fixed-interest-rate instruments, which were aligned with the customer financing rate creating an interest rate spread which is our profit. Should we utilizenot fund these transactions with debt at inception and interest rates rise above our interest rate with our customer, we may not be able to fund the transaction without reduced profit or a loss, thus inhibiting our ability to generate proceeds from the transaction. We use our lines of credit and other financing facilities which are subject to fluctuations in short-term interest rates. These instruments, which are generally denominated in U.S.US dollars, were entered into for other than trading purposes and, with the exception of amounts drawn under the WFCDF facility, bear interest at a fixed rate. Because the interest rate on these instruments is fixed, changes in interest rates will not directly impact our cash flows. Borrowings under the WFCDF facility bear interest at a market-based variable rate. As of December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, the aggregate fair value of our recourse and non-recourse borrowings approximated their carrying value.
We have transactions in foreign currencies, primarily in British Pounds, Euros, and in Euros.Indian Rupees. There is a potential for exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency rates resulting primarily from the translation exposure associated with the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. In addition, we have foreign currency exposure when transactions are not denominated in theour subsidiary’s functional currency. To date, our foreign operations are insignificant in relation to total consolidated operations, and we believe that potential fluctuations in currency exchange rates will not have a material effect on our financial position.

The UKU.K. referendum (“Brexit”) to leave the European Union could impact revenue items, cost items, tax, immigration, trade, goodwill impairments and liquidity, among others. The most obvious immediate impact is the effect of foreign exchange fluctuations on revenue and cost items. We evaluate Brexit-related developments on a regular basis to determine if such developments are anticipated to have a material impact on the Company’s results on operations and financial position.

We have determined that our foreign currency exposure for our United Kingdom operations is insignificant in relation to total consolidated operations and we believe those potential fluctuations in currency exchange rates and other Brexit relatedBrexit-related economic and operational risks will not have a material effect on our results of operations and financial position.

We evaluate Brexit-related developments on a regular basis to determine if such developments are anticipated to have a material impact on the Company’s results on operations and financial position.

We have assets in the UK, Canada, Iceland, and Iceland.Spain. As a lessor, we have entered into lease contracts and non-recourse, fixed-interest-rate financing denominated in British pounds, Canadian dollars, Icelandic krona, and in Icelandic krona. In our fiscal year beginning April 1, 2016, we began entering in financing transactions and non-recourse, fixed-interest-rate financing denominated in British Pounds in the United Kingdom.Euros. To date, our foreign operations have been insignificant in relation to total consolidated operations, and we believe that potential fluctuations in currency exchange rates will not have a material effect on our financial position.

Item 4.
Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and our Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures, or “disclosure controls,” as defined in the Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e). Disclosure controls are controls and procedures designed to reasonably ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act, such as this quarterly report, is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our disclosure controls include some, but not all, components of our internal control over financial reporting. Based upon that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2017.September 30, 2018.

Changes in Internal ControlsControl Over Financial Reporting.

There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, which have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls

Our management, including our CEO and CFO, doesdo not expect that our disclosure controls or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent or detect all errors and all fraud. A control system cannot provide absolute assurance due to its inherent limitations; it is a process that involves human diligence and compliance, and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. A control system also can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of such limitations, disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting cannot prevent or detect all misstatements, whether unintentional errors or fraud. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process; therefore, it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.
Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we may be subject to legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of business. Legal proceedings whichthat may arise in the ordinary course of business include preference payment claims asserted in customer bankruptcy proceedings,proceedings; tax audits,audits; claims of alleged infringement of patents, trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property rights,rights; claims of alleged non-compliance with contract provisions,provisions; employment-related claims,claims; claims by competitors, vendors or customers,customers; claims related to alleged violations of laws and regulations,regulations; and claims relating to alleged security or privacy breaches. We attempt to ameliorate the effect of potential litigation through insurance coverage and contractual protections, such as rights to indemnifications and limitations of liability.

Additionally, we may from time to time receive payouts resulting from claims we submit in legal proceedings, such as when a customer or vendor has filed bankruptcy, or in class action lawsuits.

We provide for costs relating to contingencies when a loss is probable and the amount is reasonably determinable. In the opinion of management, there was not at least a reasonable possibility that the Company may have incurred a material loss, or a material loss in excess of a recorded accrual, with respect to loss contingencies for asserted legal and other claims. However, the outcome of legal proceedings and claims brought against us is subject to significant uncertainty. Therefore, although management considers the likelihood of such an outcome to be remote, if one or more of these legal matters were resolved against the Company in a reporting period for amounts in excess of management’s expectations, the Company’s consolidated financial statements for that reporting period could be materially adversely affected.

Item 1A.
Risk Factors

There has not been any material change in the risk factors previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A of our 20172018 Annual Report.Report and Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2018.

Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following table provides information regarding our purchases of ePlus inc. common stock during the ninesix months ended December 31, 2017.September 30, 2018.

Period Total number of shares purchased (1)  Average price paid per share  Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs  Maximum number (or approximate dollar value) of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs 
April 1, 2017 through April 30, 2017  -  $-   -   1,000,000(2)
May 1, 2017 through May 31, 2017  -  $-   -   1,000,000(3)
June 1, 2017 through June 30, 2017  54,546  $75.72   -   1,000,000(4)
July 1, 2017 through July 31, 2017  3,179  $79.50   -   1,000,000(5)
August 1, 2017 through August 18, 2017  -  $-   -   1,000,000(6)
August 19, 2017 through August 31, 2017  -  $-   -   500,000(7)
September 1, 2017 through September 30, 2017  -  $-   -   500,000(8)
October 1, 2017 through October 31, 2017  -  $-   -   500,000(9)
November 1, 2017 through November 30, 2017  56,707  $78.21   -   443,293(10)
December 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017  68,898  $77.61   -   374,395(11)
Period 
Total
number of
shares
purchased
(1)
  
Average
price paid
per share
  
Total number of
shares
purchased as
part of publicly
announced plans
or programs
  
Maximum number (or
approximate dollar
value) of shares that
may yet be purchased
under the plans or
programs
 
April 1, 2018 through April 30, 2018  69,645  $78.14   69,645   20,516 (2)
May 1, 2018 through May 27, 2018  800  $79.93   800   19,716 (3)
May 28, 2018 through May 31, 2018  -  $-   -   519,716 (4)
June 1, 2018 through June 30, 2018  37,086  $95.80   -   519,716 (5)
July 1, 2018 through July 31, 2018  3,006  $102   -   519,716 (6)
August 1, 2018 through August 18, 2018  -  $-   -   519,716 (7)
August 19, 2018 through August 31, 2018  -  $-   -   500,000 (8)
September 1, 2018 through September 30, 2018  -  $-   -   500,000 (9)


(1)Any shares acquired were in open-market purchases, except for 54,54637,086 shares which were repurchased in June 2017, and 3,179 shares which were3,006 repurchased in July 2017,2018 to satisfy tax withholding obligations that arose due to the vesting of shares of restricted stock.

(2)The share purchase authorization in place for the month ended April 30, 20172018 had purchase limitations on the number of shares of up to 1,000,000500,000 shares. As of April 30, 2017,2018, the remaining authorized shares to be purchased were 1,000,000.20,516.

(3)The share purchase authorization in place for the month ended May 31, 20172018 had purchase limitations on the number of shares of up to 1,000,000500,000 shares. As of May 31, 2017,2018, the remaining authorized shares to be purchased were 1,000,000.19,716.

(4)The share purchase authorization in place for the month ended June 30, 2017 had purchase limitations on the number of shares of up to 1,000,000 shares. As of June 30, 2017, the remaining authorized shares to be purchased were 1,000,000.
(5)The share purchase authorization in place for the month ended July 31, 2017 had purchase limitations on the number of shares of up to 1,000,000 shares. As of July 31, 2017, the remaining authorized shares to be purchased were 1,000,000.
(6)As of August 18, 2017 the authorization under the then existing share purchase plan expired.
(7)On August 15, 2017,April 26, 2018, the board of directors authorized the company to repurchase up to 500,000 shares of our outstanding common stock commencing on August 19, 2017 throughMay 28, 2018 and continuing to May 27, 2019. As of May 31, 2018, the remaining authorized shares to be purchased were 519,716 under both authorizations.

(5)The share purchase authorizations in place for the month ended June 30, 2018 had purchase limitations on the number of shares of up to 519,716 shares. As of June 30, 2018, the remaining authorized shares to be purchased were 519,716.

(6)The share purchase authorizations in place for the month ended July 31, 2018 had purchase limitations on the number of shares of up to 519,716 shares. As of July 31, 2018, the remaining authorized shares to be purchased were 519,716.

(7)The share purchase authorization in place for outstanding common stock over a 12-month period expired on August 18, 2018.2018, which had a remaining unused authorization for the repurchase of 19,716 shares. As of August 18, 2018, the remaining authorized shares to be purchased were 519,716.

(8)The share purchase authorization in place for the month ended August 31, 2018 had purchase limitations on the number of shares of up to 500,000 shares. As of August 31, 2017,2018, the remaining authorized shares to be purchased were 500,000.

(8)(9)The share purchase authorization in place for the month ended September 30, 20172018 had purchase limitations on the number of shares of up to 500,000 shares. As of September 30, 2017,2018, the remaining authorized shares to be purchased were 500,000.
(9)The share purchase authorization in place for the month ended October 31, 2017 had purchase limitations on the number of shares of up to 500,000 shares. As of October 31, 2017, the remaining authorized shares to be purchased were 500,000.
(10)The share purchase authorization in place for the month ended November 30, 2017 had purchase limitations on the number of shares of up to 500,000 shares. As of November 30, 2017, the remaining authorized shares to be purchased were 443,293.
(11)The share purchase authorization in place for the month ended December 31, 2017 had purchase limitations on the number of shares of up to 500,000 shares. As of December 31, 2017, the remaining authorized shares to be purchased were 374,395.

The timing and expiration date of the current stock repurchase authorizations are included in Note 10, “Stockholders’ Equity11, “Stockholders’ Equity” to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not Applicable.

Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable.

Item 5.
Other Information

None.

Item 6.
Exhibits

ePlus inc. Amended and Restated Employment Agreement effectiveCertificate of Incorporation, filed on September 6, 2017,19, 2008 (Incorporated herein by and between ePlus inc. and Mark P. Marron.reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2008)
  
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement effective December 12, 2017,Bylaws of ePlus inc., as amended February 15, 2018 (Incorporated herein by and between ePlus inc. and Phillip G. Norton.
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement effective September 6, 2017, by and between ePlus inc. and Elaine D. Marion.reference to Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 20, 2018)
  
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of ePlus inc. pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a).
  
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of ePlus inc. pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a).
  
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of ePlus inc. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350.
  
101.INSXBRL Instance Document
  
101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
  
101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
  
101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
  
101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
  
101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 
ePlus inc.
 
   
Date:  FebruaryNovember 7, 2018/s/ MARK P. MARRON 
 By: Mark P. Marron,
 
Chief Executive Officer and
President
 
 (Principal Executive Officer) 
   
Date:  FebruaryNovember 7, 2018/s/ ELAINE D. MARION 
 By: Elaine D. Marion 
 Chief Financial Officer 
 (Principal Financial Officer)


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