UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q


(Mark One)

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


For the quarterly period ended November 30, 2017

2020

OR

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


For the transition period from ___________ to ____________.

Commission file number: 000-04957

EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

73-0750007

(State or other jurisdiction of 

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

5402 South 122nd East Avenue, Tulsa, Oklahoma          74146
               (Address of principal executive offices)          (Zip Code)

5402 South 122nd East Ave, Tulsa, Oklahoma

74146

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (918) 622-4522


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: 

Common Stock, $.20 par value

EDUC

NASDAQ

(Title of class)

(Trading symbol)

(Name of each exchange on which registered)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports 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 Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 229.405 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, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ☐

Accelerated filer ☐

Non-accelerated filer 

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


As of January 12, 2018,6, 2021, there were 4,088,9348,350,972 shares of Educational Development Corporation Common Stock, $0.20 par value outstanding.




TABLETABLE OF CONTENTS


Page

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

3

Item 2.

14

15

Item 3.

21

23

Item 4.

21

23

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.

22

24

Item 1A.

22

24

Item 2.

22

24

Item 3.

22

24

Item 4.

22

24

Item 5.

22

24

Item 6.

22

24

23

25

CAUTIONARY REMARKS REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The information discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes “forward-looking statements.” These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “may,” “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “intend,” “achievable,” “anticipate,” “continue,” “potential,” “should,” “could,” and similar terms and phrases. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve certain assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and we can give no assurance that such expectations or assumptions will be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are described under “Item 7 – Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 201729, 2020 and in this Quarterly Report.quarterly report. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements in this paragraph and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Other than as required under the securities laws, we do not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or circumstances, changes in expectations or otherwise.




PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEMItem 1.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION 
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED) 
ASSETS November 30, 2017  February 28, 2017 
       
CURRENT ASSETS:      
  Cash and cash equivalents $6,141,300  $699,200 
  Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts and
    sales returns of $637,000 (November 30) and $675,000 (February 28)
  3,834,700   2,917,000 
  Inventories—Net  24,455,900   34,253,100 
  Prepaid expenses and other assets  999,900   695,200 
             Total current assets  35,431,800   38,564,500 
         
NONCURRENT INVENTORIES —Net  196,300   192,100 
         
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT—Net  27,453,100   27,034,300 
         
OTHER ASSETS  61,400   61,400 
         
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES  -   128,000 
         
TOTAL ASSETS $63,142,600  $65,980,300 
         
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
         
CURRENT LIABILITIES:        
  Accounts payable $10,263,600  $17,565,300 
  Line of credit  -   4,882,900 
  Deferred revenue  661,700   633,100 
  Current maturities of long-term debt  1,239,500   898,500 
  Accrued salaries and commissions  4,144,900   1,379,700 
  Income taxes payable  1,989,000   1,519,400 
  Other current liabilities  4,432,200   3,218,200 
             Total current liabilities  22,730,900   30,097,100 
         
  LONG-TERM DEBT-Net of current maturities  20,686,000   20,665,800 
  DEFERRED INCOME TAXES  51,400   - 
  OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES  106,000   - 
             Total liabilities  43,574,300   50,762,900 
         
COMMITMENTS (Note 8)        
         
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:        
  Common stock, $0.20 par value; Authorized 8,000,000 shares;
    Issued 6,046,040 (November 30) and 6,041,040 (February 28) shares;
    Outstanding 4,088,934 (November 30) and 4,090,074 (February 28) shares
  1,209,200   1,208,200 
  Capital in excess of par value  8,573,300   8,548,000 
  Retained earnings  20,708,400   16,317,800 
   30,490,900   26,074,000 
  Less treasury stock, at cost  (10,922,600)  (10,856,600)
             Total shareholders' equity  19,568,300   15,217,400 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY $63,142,600  $65,980,300 

EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

  

November 30,

  

February 29,

 

ASSETS

 

2020

  

2020

 

CURRENT ASSETS

        

Cash and cash equivalents

 $31,494,300  $2,999,400 

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of

 $345,000 (November 30) and $237,400 (February 29)

  4,115,600   2,967,200 

Inventories - net

  47,313,800   30,087,300 

Income taxes receivable

  8,400   221,700 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

  1,163,700   950,600 

Total current assets

  84,095,800   37,226,200 
         

INVENTORIES - net

  754,200   1,016,700 

PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT - net

  27,209,800   26,377,700 

OTHER ASSETS

  108,300   82,200 

TOTAL ASSETS

 $112,168,100  $64,702,800 
         
         

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

        

CURRENT LIABILITIES

        

Accounts payable

 $45,159,800  $9,661,100 

Deferred revenues

  2,330,900   385,300 

Current maturities of long-term debt

  527,700   1,027,400 

Accrued salaries and commissions

  6,252,900   1,657,200 

Dividends payable

  835,500   417,400 

Other current liabilities

  7,432,100   3,238,200 

Total current liabilities

  62,538,900   16,386,600 
         

LONG-TERM DEBT - net of current maturities

  10,587,100   17,784,300 

DEFERRED INCOME TAXES - net

  183,500   993,300 

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

  137,300   145,800 

Total liabilities

  73,446,800   35,310,000 
         

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

        

Common stock, $0.20 par value; Authorized 16,000,000 shares;

 Issued 12,410,080 (November 30) and 12,410,080 (February 29) shares;

 Outstanding 8,355,972 (November 30) and 8,348,651 (February 29) shares

  2,482,000   2,482,000 

Capital in excess of par value

  10,552,600   9,843,900 

Retained earnings

  38,349,900   29,732,200 
   51,384,500   42,058,100 

Less treasury stock, at cost

  (12,663,200

)

  (12,665,300

)

Total shareholders' equity

  38,721,300   29,392,800 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 $112,168,100  $64,702,800 

See notes to condensed financial statements.



3

3

EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION 
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (UNAUDITED) 
  Three Months Ended November 30,  Nine Months Ended November 30, 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
             
GROSS SALES $41,894,600  $34,397,300  $100,989,500  $91,657,200 
  Less discounts and allowances  (6,762,300)  (6,948,000)  (19,929,300)  (20,581,900)
  Transportation revenue  3,775,700   3,248,300   8,959,900   8,299,500 
NET REVENUES  38,908,000   30,697,600   90,020,100   79,374,800 
COST OF GOODS SOLD  10,494,800   8,328,100   24,579,200   22,500,300 
           Gross margin  28,413,200   22,369,500   65,440,900   56,874,500 
                 
OPERATING EXPENSES:                
  Operating and selling  7,837,300   6,520,300   17,549,900   16,790,900 
  Sales commissions  12,510,400   9,521,000   28,759,300   24,802,200 
  General and administrative  4,735,200   4,525,900   12,359,600   12,237,600 
           Total operating expenses  25,082,900   20,567,200   58,668,800   53,830,700 
                 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):                
   Interest expense  (287,600)  (265,000)  (863,800)  (730,000)
   Other income  390,100   502,800   1,189,400   1,251,600 
           Total other income  102,500   237,800   325,600   521,600 
                 
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES  3,432,800   2,040,100   7,097,700   3,565,400 
                 
INCOME TAXES  1,304,400   765,900   2,707,100   1,352,500 
NET EARNINGS $2,128,400  $1,274,200  $4,390,600  $2,212,900 
                 
BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE:                
  Basic $0.52  $0.31  $1.07  $0.54 
  Diluted $0.52  $0.31  $1.07  $0.54 
                 
                 
DIVIDENDS PER SHARE $0.00  $0.09  $0.00  $0.27 
                 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON
   AND EQUIVALENT SHARES OUTSTANDING:
                
  Basic  4,087,268   4,079,916   4,087,686   4,074,355 
  Diluted  4,090,011   4,084,863   4,090,053   4,079,833 

EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (UNAUDITED)

  

Three Months Ended November 30,

  

Nine Months Ended November 30,

 
  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

 

GROSS SALES

 $83,137,500  $53,619,900  $203,717,200  $122,635,300 

Less discounts and allowances

  (24,131,100

)

  (16,406,500

)

  (58,390,400

)

  (37,978,900

)

Transportation revenue

  7,743,900   3,611,200   18,965,300   8,193,600 

NET REVENUES

  66,750,300   40,824,600   164,292,100   92,850,000 

COST OF GOODS SOLD

  19,597,800   13,279,900   48,302,800   30,382,500 

Gross margin

  47,152,500   27,544,700   115,989,300   62,467,500 
                 

OPERATING EXPENSES

                

Operating and selling

  11,616,200   6,513,500   28,488,300   15,089,900 

Sales commissions

  22,960,300   13,008,600   56,865,200   28,804,700 

General and administrative

  7,082,200   4,373,500   17,282,200   12,029,300 

Total operating expenses

  41,658,700   23,895,600   102,635,700   55,923,900 
                 
                 

INTEREST EXPENSE

  119,300   216,500   441,500   691,000 

OTHER INCOME

  (399,800

)

  (403,100

)

  (1,305,600

)

  (1,196,300

)

                 

EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES

  5,774,300   3,835,700   14,217,700   7,048,900 
                 

INCOME TAXES

  1,504,700   1,099,900   3,762,000   1,941,900 

NET EARNINGS

 $4,269,600  $2,735,800  $10,455,700  $5,107,000 
                 

BASIC AND DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE

                

Basic

 $0.51  $0.33  $1.25  $0.62 

Diluted

 $0.51  $0.33  $1.25  $0.61 
                 

WEIGHTED AVERAGE NUMBER OF COMMON AND EQUIVALENT SHARES OUTSTANDING

                

Basic

  8,355,831   8,406,709   8,354,156   8,301,209 

Diluted

  8,355,831   8,412,638   8,354,156   8,307,496 

Dividends per share

 $0.10  $0.05  $0.22  $0.15 

See notes to condensed financial statements.

4

EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION 
CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED) 
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2017 
               
  
Common Stock
(par value $0.20 per share)
             
  Number of     Capital in     Treasury Stock    
  Shares     Excess of  Retained  Number of     Shareholders’ 
  Issued  Amount  Par Value  Earnings  Shares  Amount  Equity 
                      
                      
BALANCE—March 1, 2017  6,041,040  $1,208,200  $8,548,000  $16,317,800   1,950,966  $(10,856,600) $15,217,400 
  Exercise of stock options  5,000   1,000   25,300   -   -   -   26,300 
  Purchases of treasury stock  -   -   -   -   10,041   (98,000)  (98,000)
  Sales of treasury stock  -   -   -   -   (3,901)  32,000   32,000 
  Net earnings  -   -   -   4,390,600   -   -   4,390,600 
BALANCE— November 30, 2017  6,046,040  $1,209,200  $8,573,300  $20,708,400   1,957,106  $(10,922,600) $19,568,300 


EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2020

  

Common Stock

(par value $0.20 per share)

          

Treasury Stock

     
  

Number of

Shares

Issued

  

Amount

  

Capital in

Excess of

Par Value

  

Retained

Earnings

  

Number of

Shares

  

Amount

  

Shareholders'

Equity

 
                             

BALANCE - February 29, 2020

  12,410,080  $2,482,000  $9,843,900  $29,732,200   4,061,429  $(12,665,300

)

 $29,392,800 

Purchases of treasury stock

  -   -   -   -   17,565   (75,500

)

  (75,500

)

Sales of treasury stock

  -   -   5,000   -   (21,167

)

  66,000   71,000 

Dividends declared ($0.06/share)

  -   -   -   (502,200

)

  -   -   (502,200

)

Share-based compensation expense (see Note 6)

  -   -   169,000   -   -   -   169,000 

Net earnings

  -   -   -   1,931,100   -   -   1,931,100 

BALANCE - May 31, 2020

  12,410,080   2,482,000   10,017,900   31,161,100   4,057,827   (12,674,800

)

  30,986,200 

Sales of treasury stock

  -   -   11,500   -   (2,438

)

  7,600   19,100 

Dividends declared ($0.06/share)

  -   -   -   (500,300

)

  -   -   (500,300

)

Share-based compensation expense (see Note 6)

  -   -   216,200   -   -   -   216,200 

Net earnings

  -   -   -   4,255,000   -   -   4,255,000 

BALANCE – August 31, 2020

  12,410,080   2,482,000   10,245,600   34,915,800   4,055,389   (12,667,200

)

  34,976,200 

Sales of treasury stock

  -   -   15,200   -   (1,281

)

  4,000   19,200 

Dividends declared ($0.10/share)

  -   -   -   (835,500

)

  -   -   (835,500

)

Share-based compensation expense (see Note 6)

  -   -   291,800   -   -   -   291,800 

Net earnings

  -   -   -   4,269,600   -   -   4,269,600 

BALANCE - November 30, 2020

  12,410,080  $2,482,000  $10,552,600  $38,349,900   4,054,108  $(12,663,200

)

 $38,721,300 

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2019

  

Common Stock

(par value $0.20 per share)

          

Treasury Stock

     
  

Number of

Shares

Issued

  

Amount

  

Capital in

Excess of

Par Value

  

Retained

Earnings

  

Number of

Shares

  

Amount

  

Shareholders'

Equity

 
                             

BALANCE - February 28, 2019

  12,092,080  $2,418,400  $8,975,100  $25,754,900   3,896,998  $(11,217,900

)

 $25,930,500 

Purchases of treasury stock

  -   -   -   -   36,959   (302,500

)

  (302,500

)

Sales of treasury stock

  -   -   68,100   -   (19,171

)

  54,300   122,400 

Dividends declared ($0.05/share)

  -   -   -   (408,900

)

  -   -   (408,900

)

Share-based compensation expense (see Note 6)

  -   -   166,300   -   -   -   166,300 

Net earnings

  -   -   -   1,363,600   -   -   1,363,600 

BALANCE - May 31, 2019

  12,092,080   2,418,400   9,209,500   26,709,600   3,914,786   (11,466,100

)

  26,871,400 

Purchases of treasury stock

  -   -   -   -   60,357   (417,100

)

  (417,100

)

Sales of treasury stock

  -   -   54,000   -   (22,961

)

  54,600   108,600 

Dividends declared ($0.05/share)

  -   -   -   (422,300

)

  -   -   (422,300

)

Share-based compensation expense (see Note 6)

  -   -   166,200   -   -   -   166,200 

Issuance of restricted share awards for vesting

  308,000   61,600   (61,600

)

  -   -   -   - 

Net earnings

  -   -   -   1,007,600   -   -   1,007,600 

BALANCE - August 31, 2019

  12,400,080   2,480,000   9,368,100   27,294,900   3,952,182   (11,828,600

)

  27,314,400 

Purchases of treasury stock

  -   -   -   -   84,841   (534,100

)

  (534,100

)

Sales of treasury stock

  -   -   69,000   -   (24,959

)

  83,400   152,400 

Dividends declared ($0.05/share)

  -   -   -   (423,500

)

  -   -   (423,500

)

Share-based compensation expense (see Note 6)

  -   -   166,300   -   -   -   166,300 

Net earnings

  -   -   -   2,735,800   -   -   2,735,800 

BALANCE - November 30, 2019

  12,400,080  $2,480,000  $9,603,400  $29,607,200   4,012,064  $(12,279,300

)

 $29,411,300 

See notes to financial statements.

EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION 
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED) 
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 
       
  2017  2016 
       
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:      
  Net earnings $4,390,600  $2,212,900 
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 
Depreciation  911,700   780,400 
Deferred income taxes  179,400   (35,400)
Provision for doubtful accounts  438,000   558,900 
Provision for inventory valuation allowance  33,000   (37,300)
Changes in assets and liabilities:        
     Accounts receivable  (1,355,700)  (1,994,200)
     Inventories, net  9,760,000   (16,775,100)
     Prepaid expenses and other assets  (304,700)  (1,661,300)
     Accounts payable  (7,301,700)  6,889,100 
     Deferred revenue  28,600   6,632,500 
     Accrued salaries and commissions  2,765,200   375,600 
     Other  liabilities  1,320,000   2,307,700 
     Income taxes payable  469,600   576,800 
          Total adjustments  6,943,400   (2,382,300)
          Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities  11,334,000   (169,400)
         
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:        
  Purchases of property, plant and equipment  (1,330,500)  (2,123,600)
             Net cash used in investing activities  (1,330,500)  (2,123,600)
         
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:        
  Payments on long-term debt  (657,800)  (530,200)
  Proceeds from long-term debt  1,019,000   4,000,000 
  Cash received from sales of treasury stock  32,000   170,700 
  Cash used to purchase treasury stock  (98,000)  (200)
  Proceeds from the issuance of stock options  26,300   - 
  Net payments under the line of credit  (4,882,900)  (451,800)
  Dividends paid  -   (1,099,500)
             Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities  (4,561,400)  2,089,000 
         
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS  5,442,100   (204,000)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—BEGINNING OF PERIOD  699,200   1,183,700 
         
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—END OF PERIOD $6,141,300  $979,700 
         
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH  FLOW INFORMATION:        
  Cash paid for interest $868,900  $730,000 
  Cash paid for income taxes $2,058,100  $811,100 

EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30

  

2020

  

2019

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

        

Net earnings

 $10,455,700  $5,107,000 

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:

        

Depreciation

  1,207,900   1,054,100 

Deferred income taxes

  (809,800

)

  81,100 

Provision for doubtful accounts

  115,800   39,900 

Provision for inventory valuation allowance

  166,200   283,400 

Share-based compensation expense

  677,000   498,800 

Changes in assets and liabilities:

        

Accounts receivable

  (1,264,200

)

  (845,400

)

Inventories, net

  (17,130,200

)

  3,147,500 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

  (239,200

)

  583,600 

Accounts payable

  35,498,700   (2,221,100

)

Accrued salaries and commissions, and other liabilities

  8,781,000   1,173,700 

Deferred revenues

  1,945,600   (470,800

)

Income taxes

  213,300   591,000 

Total adjustments

  29,162,100   3,915,800 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  39,617,800   9,022,800 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

        

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

  (2,040,000

)

  (402,200

)

Net cash used in investing activities

  (2,040,000

)

  (402,200

)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

        

Payments on term debt

  (9,144,300

)

  (719,400

)

Proceeds from term debt

  1,447,400   - 

Sales of treasury stock

  109,300   383,400 

Purchases of treasury stock

  (75,500

)

  (1,253,700

)

Dividends paid

  (1,419,800

)

  (1,241,300

)

Net cash used in financing activities

  (9,082,900

)

  (2,831,000

)

NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

  28,494,900   5,789,600 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - BEGINNING OF PERIOD

  2,999,400   3,199,300 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - END OF PERIOD

 $31,494,300  $8,988,900 
         

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOWS INFORMATION

        

Cash paid for interest

 $463,600  $693,800 

Cash paid for income taxes

 $3,789,500  $1,318,000 

See notes to condensed financial statements.



NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)


Note 1 – BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES


Basis of Presentation


The accompanying Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim condensed financial information and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements include all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented. Such adjustments consist only of normal recurring items, unless otherwise disclosed herein. Accordingly, the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. However, we believe that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading. These interim Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements as of and for the year ended February 28, 201729, 2020 included in our Form 10-K. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year due to the seasonality of our product sales.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made

COVID-19 Update

In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus, known as COVID-19, was reported in Wuhan, China and has since extensively impacted the global health and economic environment. In March 2020, the World Health Organization characterized COVID-19 as a pandemic, and President Trump declared the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States as a national emergency. The Company has taken numerous steps, and will continue to take further actions, in its approach to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. To ensure the well-being of our employees, the Company offered employees in our office the ability to work from home on a temporary basis; we instructed employees in our warehouse and office to take their temperature at the start of every shift; we requested employees forgo any in-person meetings and instead opt to utilize virtual meeting spaces; and we published and continually updated our employees on the most recent developments related to COVID-19 and best practices for safety and health in the office, warehouse and at home. We are closely monitoring the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and continually assessing its potential effects on our business. On April 16, 2020, the Company entered into a loan with MidFirst Bank as the lender in an aggregate principal amount of $1.4 million pursuant to the fiscal 2017 condensed balance sheetPaycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and condensed statement of earningsEconomic Security (CARES) Act. This loan program provided paycheck protection for our employees from the economic impact to conformour business due to COVID-19, which was seen most by the decline in our Publishing division’s sales due to the classifications usedtemporary closure of many retail outlets across the country, and in our UBAM division’s School and Library and Book Fair sales due to the temporary closure of many schools nation-wide.  The Company determined the PPP loan was no longer needed and therefore repaid the loan in full on May 12, 2020.  While the Company did not experience a decrease in net revenues in the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 compared with the same period in fiscal 2018.  These reclassifications had no effect on net earnings.

year 2020, the severity and duration of the pandemic are uncertain and the extent to which our results are affected by COVID-19 cannot be accurately predicted.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of the Unaudited Condensed Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in these financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Significant Accounting Policies

Our significant accounting policies, other than the adoption of new accounting pronouncements separately documented herein, are consistent with those disclosed in Note 1 to our audited financial statements as of and for the year ended February 28, 2017,29, 2020 included in our Form 10-K.


New Accounting Pronouncements


The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) periodically issues new accounting standards in a continuing effort to improve standards of financial accounting and reporting. We have reviewed the recently issued accounting standards updates (“ASU”) and concluded that the following recently issued accounting standards apply to us.us:

7

In May 2014,December 2019, the FASB issuedpublished ASU No. 2014-09,2019-12: Income Taxes (Topic 740), which simplifies the accounting for income taxes. Topic 740 addresses a number of topics including but not limited to the removal of certain exceptions currently included in the standard related to intra-period allocation when there are losses, in addition to calculation of income taxes when current year-to-date losses exceed anticipated loss for the year. The amendment also simplifies accounting for certain franchise taxes and amended with ASU No. 2015-14 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which provides a single revenue recognition model whichdisclosure of the effect of enacted change in tax laws or rates. Topic 740 is intended to improve comparability over a range of industries, companies and geographical boundaries and will also result in enhanced disclosures. The changes are effective for public entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017, which means the first quarter of our fiscal year 2019. We do not expect the adoption of this ASU will have a significant impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.


In July 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11 "Inventory - Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory", which is intended to allow measurement of inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. This ASU became effective for the Company on March 1, 2017.  The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.


In November 2015, FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, “Income Taxes - Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes,” which is intended to improve how deferred taxes are classified on organizations’ balance sheets by eliminating the current requirement for organizations to present deferred tax liabilities and assets as current and noncurrent in a classified balance sheet.  Instead, organizations will now be required to classify all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent.  The changes are effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods, which means the first quarter of our fiscal year 2018.  We have retrospectively implemented this new presentation in our condensed financial statements.  As such, for the period ending of February 28, 2017, we reclassified $466,000 of current deferred tax assets to noncurrent assets and netted $338,000 of deferred tax liabilities against the balance on the condensed balance sheet.  The adoption of this ASU did not affect our statements of earnings.

In February 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases,” which is intended to establish a comprehensive new lease accounting model. The new standard clarifies the definition of a lease, requires a dual approach to lease classification similar to current lease classifications, and causes lessees to recognize leases on the balance sheet as a lease liability with a corresponding right-of-use asset. The new standard is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, which means the first quarter of our fiscal year 2020. The new standard requires a modified retrospective transition for capital or operating leases existing at or entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. We are currently reviewing the ASU and evaluating the potential impact on our financial statements.

In March 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” which is intended to simplify several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. This ASU became effective for the Company on March 1, 2017.  The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In June 2016, FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13 "Financial Instruments—Credit Losses", which requires a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected.   The new standard is effective for fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, which means2020. The impact of the first quarteradoption of our fiscal year 2021.  We expect the implementation of this ASU willstandard has not have a significant impact on our financial statements.

yet been determined and is being evaluated.

In May 2017,March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation2020-04: Reference Rate Reform (Topic 718): Scope848) Facilitation of Modification Accounting.”the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. This update amendsprovides optional guidance for a limited period of time to ease potential accounting impacts associated with transitioning away from reference rates that are expected to be discontinued, such as London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR). This ASU includes practical expedients for contract modifications due to reference rate reform. Generally, contract modifications related to reference rate reform may be considered an event that does not require remeasurement or reassessment of a previous accounting determination at the scope of modification accounting surrounding share-based payment arrangements as issued in ASU 2016-09 by providing guidance on the various types of changes which would trigger modification accounting for share-based payment awards.date. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning afterMarch 12, 2020 through December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those annual periods, which means31, 2022. The Company’s debt agreements include the first quarteruse of our fiscal year 2019. Early adoptionalternate rates when LIBOR is permitted, including adoption in any interim period, for public business entities for reporting periods for which financial statements have not yet been issued.available. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2017-09change from LIBOR to an alternate rate will have a material effect onimpact to our financial position, resultsstatements and, to the extent we enter into modifications of operations and cash flows.

agreements that are impacted by the LIBOR phase-out, we will apply such guidance to those contract modifications.

Note 2 – INVENTORIES


Inventories consist of the following:

  2017 
  November 30,  February 28, 
Current:      
  Book inventory $24,480,900  $34,278,100 
  Inventory valuation allowance  (25,000)  (25,000)
         
Inventories net–current $24,455,900  $34,253,100 
         
Noncurrent:        
  Book inventory $502,200  $467,100 
  Inventory valuation allowance  (305,900)  (275,000)
         
Inventories net–noncurrent $196,300  $192,100 



  

2020

 
  

November 30,

  

February 29,

 

Current:

        

Book inventory

 $47,785,300  $30,346,900 

Inventory valuation allowance

  (471,500

)

  (259,600

)

Inventories net – current

 $47,313,800  $30,087,300 
         

Noncurrent:

        

Book inventory

 $993,600  $1,226,500 

Inventory valuation allowance

  (239,400

)

  (209,800

)

Inventories net – noncurrent

 $754,200  $1,016,700 

Book inventory quantities in excess of what we expect will be sold within the normal operating cycle, based on 2.52 ½ years of anticipated sales, are included in noncurrent inventory.


Significant portions of our inventory purchases are concentrated with an England-based publishing company.company, Usborne Publishing, Ltd. (“Usborne”). Purchases received from this company were approximately $6.9$26.2 million and $10.9$4.2 million for the three months ended November 30, 20172020 and 2016,2019, respectively. Total inventory purchases received from all suppliers were $10.9$35.0 million and $15.2$6.9 million for the three months ended November 30, 20172020 and 2016,2019, respectively.


Purchases received from this companyUsborne were approximately $18.2$37.5 million and $29.9$16.1 million for the nine months ended November 30, 20172020 and 2016,2019, respectively. Total inventory purchases received from all suppliers were $27.5$53.2 million and $43.7$24.1 million for the nine months ended November 30, 20172020 and 2016,2019, respectively.


Note 3 PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT LEASES

We have both lessee and lessor arrangements. Our leases are evaluated at inception or at any subsequent modification. Depending on the terms, leases are classified as either operating or finance leases if we are the lessee, or as operating, sales-type or direct financing leases if we are the lessor, as appropriate under ASC 842.  Our lessee arrangement includes a rental agreement where we have the exclusive use of dedicated office space in San Diego, California, and qualifies as an operating lease. Our lessor arrangements include three rental agreements for warehouse and office space in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and each qualifies as an operating lease under ASC 842.

In accordance with ASC 842, we have made an accounting policy election to not apply the new standard to lessee arrangements with a term of one year or less and no purchase option that is reasonably certain of exercise. We will continue to account for these short-term arrangements by recognizing payments and expenses as incurred, without recording a lease liability and right-of-use asset.

We have also made an accounting policy election for both our lessee and lessor arrangements to combine lease and non-lease components. This election is applied to all of our lease arrangements as our non-lease components are not material and do not result in significant timing differences in the recognition of rental expenses or income.

Operating Leases – Lessee

We recognize a lease liability, reported in other liabilities on the condensed balance sheets, for each lease based on the present value of remaining minimum fixed rental payments (which includes payments under any renewal option that we are reasonably certain to exercise), using a discount rate that approximates the rate of interest we would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term. We also recognize a right-of-use asset, reported in other assets on the condensed balance sheets, for each lease, valued at the lease liability, adjusted for prepaid or accrued rent balances existing at the time of initial recognition. The lease liability and right-of-use asset are reduced over the term of the lease as payments are made and the assets are used.

  

2020

 
  

November 30,

  

February 29,

 

Operating lease assets:

        

Right-of-use asset

 $37,000  $45,200 
         

Operating lease liabilities:

        

Current lease liability

 $13,700  $13,500 

Long-term lease liability

 $23,300  $31,700 
         

Remaining lease term (months)

  34   43 

Discount rate

  4.60

%

  4.60

%

Minimum fixed rental payments are recognized on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease as costs and expenses on our condensed statements of earnings. Variable and short-term rental payments are recognized as costs and expenses as they are incurred.

  

Three Months Ended November 30,

  

Nine Months Ended November 30,

 
  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

 

Fixed lease cost

 $3,300  $3,200  $9,800  $9,400 

Future minimum rental payments under operating leases with initial terms greater than one year as of November 30, 2020, are as follows:

Year ending February 28 (29),

    

2021

 $3,400 

2022

  13,700 

2023

  14,200 

2024

  8,400 

Total future minimum rental payments

  39,700 

Present value discount

  (2,700

)

Total operating lease liability

 $37,000 

The following table provides further information about our operating leases reported in our condensed financial statements:

  

Three Months Ended November 30,

  

Nine Months Ended November 30,

 
  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

 

Operating cash flows – operating lease

 $3,300  $3,200  $9,800  $9,400 

Operating Leases – Lessor

We recognize fixed rental income on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease as revenue on our condensed statements of earnings. Variable rental payments are recognized as revenue in the period in which the changes in facts and circumstances on which the variable lease payments are based occur.

On April 4, 2020, we executed an amendment to one of our existing leases that abated rental payments for the months of May, June and July 2020. The amendment also extended the term of the lease for three additional months. This amendment represents a lease modification and, as such, we have adjusted our fixed rental income on a straight-line basis over the remaining term starting May 1, 2020.

Future minimum payments receivable under operating leases with terms greater than one year are estimated as follows:

Year ending February 28 (29),

    

2021

 $383,400 

2022

  1,542,100 

2023

  1,573,200 

2024

  1,577,900 

2025

  1,547,100 

Thereafter

  9,615,300 

Total

 $16,239,000 

The cost of the leased space was approximately $10,846,200 and $10,789,500 as of November 30, 2020 and February 29, 2020, respectively.  The accumulated depreciation associated with the leased assets was $2,120,000 and $1,828,900 as of November 30, 2020 and February 29, 2020, respectively.  Both the leased assets and accumulated depreciation are included in property, plant and equipment consist ofequipment-net on the following:

  2017 
  November 30,  February 28, 
       
  Land $4,107,200  $4,107,200 
  Building  20,321,800   20,321,800 
  Building improvements  1,750,100   1,692,500 
  Machinery and equipment  6,493,200   5,230,700 
  Furniture and fixtures  109,000   101,600 
   32,781,300   31,453,800 
Less accumulated depreciation  (5,328,200)  (4,419,500)
Net property, plant and equipment $27,453,100  $27,034,300 
During fiscal year 2018, the Company purchased and installed new warehouse equipment and made software enhancements to increase its daily shipping capacity.
condensed balance sheets.

Note 4 – DEBT


Debt consists of the following:

  2017 
  November 30,  February 28, 
       
Line of credit $-  $4,882,900 
         
Long-term debt (net of debt issue costs) $21,925,500  $21,564,300 
Less current maturities  (1,239,500)  (898,500)
LONG-TERM DEBT-net of current maturities $20,686,000  $20,665,800 

  

2020

 
  

November 30,

  

February 29,

 
         

Line of credit

 $-  $- 
         

Long-term debt

 $11,114,800  $18,811,700 

Less current maturities

  (527,700

)

  (1,027,400

)

Long-term debt, net of current maturities

 $10,587,100  $17,784,300 

We have a Loan Agreement dated as of March 10, 2016 (as amended the “Loan Agreement”) with MidFirst Bank (“the Bank”) which includes multiple loans.  Term Loan #1 is comprised of Tranche A totaling $13.4$11.1 million and Tranche B totaling $5.0 million, bothas of November 30, 2020, with the maturity date of December 1, 2025. Tranche A has a fixed interest rate of 4.23% and interest is payable monthly. Tranche B interestTerm Loan #1 is secured by the primary office, warehouse and land.

The Loan Agreement also provides a $10.0 million revolving loan (“line of credit”) through August 15, 2021, which is limited to advance rates on eligible receivables and eligible inventory levels. Interest is payable monthly at the greater of 2.75% or the bank adjusted LIBOR Index plus a tiered pricing rate based on the Company’s Adjusted Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio (4.41%(2.75% at November 30, 2017)2020).  Term

On August 15, 2020, the Company executed the Eleventh Amendment Loan #1 is secured byAgreement with the primary office, warehouseBank related to our Loan Agreement. The amendment modified the Loan Agreement, extended the termination date of the line of credit to August 15, 2021, reduced the maximum revolving principal amount from $15.0 million to $10.0 million, and land.  The outstanding borrowings on Tranche A were $12,566,300amended the definition of the LIBOR and $12,902,800 at November 30, 2017 and February 28, 2017, respectively.  The outstanding borrowings on Tranche B were $4,717,900 and $4,813,800 at November 30, 2017 and February 28, 2017, respectively.

Prime rate, establishing that the rate charged, including the LIBOR Margin or Prime Margin, shall never be less than 2.75%.


We also have Term Loan #2 with the Bank in the amount of $4.0 million with the maturity date of June 28, 2021, and interest payable monthly at the bank adjusted LIBOR Index plus a tiered pricing rate based on the Company’s Adjusted Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio (4.41% at November 30, 2017).   Term Loan #2 is secured by our secondary warehouse and land. The Loan Agreement also provided a $15.0 million revolving loan (“line of credit”) through June 15, 2018 with interest payable monthly at the bank adjusted LIBOR Index plus a tiered pricing rate based on the Company’s Adjusted Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio (4.41% at November 30, 2017).  The outstanding borrowings on Term Loan #2 were $3,639,000 and $3,847,700 at November 30, 2017 and February 28, 2017, respectively.  We had $0 and $4,882,900 in borrowings outstanding on line of credit at November 30, 2017 and February 28, 2017, respectively.  Available credit under the revolving credit agreement was $9,105,500 at November 30, 2017 and $2,117,100 at February 28, 2017.
The Loan Agreement was amended on June 15, 2017 to include an advancing term loan (the “Advancing Term Loan”) of $3.0 million which the Company will use to cover up to ninety percent of the cost of planned fiscal 2018 capital improvements to increase its daily shipping capacity. The Advancing Term Loan accrues interest monthly, at the bank adjusted LIBOR Index plus a tiered pricing rate based on the Company’s Adjusted Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio (4.41% at November 30, 2017), between June 15 and December 15, 2017, at which time the amount advanced was converted to a term loan and will amortized over a thirty-six-month period.  The outstanding borrowings on the Advancing Term Loan was $1,019,100 at November 30, 2017.

The Company has capitalized certain debt issue costs associated with amending the Loan Agreement and these costs are being amortized over the term of the respective borrowings.  Unamortized debt issues costs were $16,800 at November 30, 2017.
The Tranche B, the line of credit, the Term Loan #2 and the Advancing Term Loan all accrue interest at a tiered rate based on our Adjusted Funded Debt to EBITDA ratio which is payable monthly.  The current pricing tier is as follows:

Pricing TierAdjusted Funded Debt to EBITDA RatioLIBOR Margin (bps)
I>3.00350.50
II
>2.50 but <3.00
337.50
III
>2.00 but <2.50
325.00
IV
<2.00
312.50

Adjusted Funded Debt is defined as all long termlong-term and short-term bank debt less the outstanding balances of Tranche A and Trance B Term Loans.A.  EBITDA is defined in the Loan Agreement as earnings before interest expense, income tax expense (benefit) and depreciation and amortization expenses.expenses, reduced by rental income. The $15.0 millionvariable interest pricing tier is as follows:

Pricing Tier

Adjusted Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio

LIBOR Margin (bps)

I

>2.00

300.00

II

>1.50 but <2.00

275.00

III

>1.00 but <1.50

250.00

IV

<1.00

225.00

We had no borrowings outstanding on our line of credit is limited to advance rates on eligible receivablesat November 30, 2020 and eligible inventory levels.

The PresidentFebruary 29, 2020. Available credit under the revolving line of credit was approximately $10.0 million and Chief Executive Officer$11.0 million at November 30, 2020 and his wife have executed a Guaranty Agreement obligating them to repay $3,680,000 of any unpaid Term Loans, unpaid accrued interest and any recourse amounts as defined in the Continuing Guaranty Agreement.
February 29, 2020, respectively.

The Loan Agreement contains a provision for our use of the Bank’s letters of credit. The Bank agrees to issue or obtain issuance of commercial or stand-by letters of credit provided that no letters of credit will have an expiry date later than JuneAugust 15, 2018,2021, and that the sum of the line of credit plus the letters of credit would not exceed the borrowing base in effect at the time. For the quarter endedAs of November 30, 2017,2020, we had no letters of credit outstanding.

On April 16, 2020, the Company entered into a loan with the Bank of approximately $1.4 million pursuant to the PPP under the CARES Act. The PPP Loan Agreement also contains provisions that require ushad a fixed interest rate of 1.00%, with principal and interest payments starting December 1, 2020 and a scheduled maturity date of May 1, 2022. Subsequent to maintain specified financial ratios, restrict transactions with related parties, prohibit mergersreceiving the loan, the Company determined the PPP loan was not needed and repaid the loan in full, including interest accrued to date, on May 12, 2020.

On June 3, 2020, the Company paid off the remaining balance of the $4.0 million Term Loan #2 which originated on June 28, 2016. The final payment, including accrued interest, totaled $2.9 million. There were no additional fees or consolidation, disallowpenalties resulting from the payoff of Term Loan #2.

On August 4, 2020, the Company paid off the remaining balance of the $5.0 million Term Loan #1 Tranche B which originated on March 10, 2016. The final payment, including accrued interest, totaled $4.2 million. There were no additional fees or penalties resulting from the payoff of Term Loan #1 Tranche B.

The following table reflects aggregate future scheduled maturities of long-term debt during the next five fiscal years and limit the amount of compensation, salaries, investments, capital expenditures, leasing transactions we can make on a quarterly basis. Additionally, the Loan Agreement suspends dividends and stock buybacks.



thereafter as follows:

Year ending February 28 (29),

    

2021

 $128,800 

2022

  533,400 

2023

  556,800 

2024

  581,100 

2025

  605,400 

Thereafter

  8,709,300 

    Total

 $11,114,800 

Note 5 – EARNINGS PER SHARE


Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is based on the combined weighted average number of common shares outstanding and dilutive potential common shares issuable which include, where appropriate, the assumed exercise of options. In computing diluted EPS, we have utilized the treasury stock method.   

The computation of weighted average common and common equivalent shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS is shown below.


  Three Months Ended November 30,  Nine Months Ended November 30, 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
             
Net earnings $2,128,400  $1,274,200  $4,390,600  $2,212,900 
Shares:                
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic  4,087,268   4,079,916   4,087,686   4,074,355 
                 
  Assumed exercise of options  2,743   4,947   2,367   5,478 
  Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted  4,090,011   4,084,863   4,090,053   4,079,833 
                 
Basic Earnings Per Share $0.52  $0.31  $1.07  $0.54 
Diluted Earnings Per Share $0.52  $0.31  $1.07  $0.54 

In April 2008, the Board of Directors authorized management to purchase up to an additional 500,000 shares of our common stock under the Stock Purchase Plan (the “Plan”) initiated in 1998.  This Plan has no expiration date.  During the nine months ended November 30, 2017, the Company purchased 6,497 shares of common stock from terminated employees that elected to withdraw their contributions from the Company’s 401(k) plan.  The shares were purchased at the closing price of the stock on the day the employee executed their withdrawal form.  In addition, the Company’s 401(k) plan purchased 3,901 shares of common stock held in treasury during the nine months ended November 30, 2017.  The remaining maximum number of shares that can be repurchased in the future is 296,632.  Additionally, at an exercise price of $5.25 per share, the Company purchased into treasury shares 3,544 shares at $9.85 during the nine months ended November 30, 2017.

  

Three Months Ended November 30,

  

Nine Months Ended November 30,

 
  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

 

Earnings:

                

Net earnings applicable to common shareholders

 $4,269,600  $2,735,800  $10,455,700  $5,107,000 
                 

Weighted average shares:

                

Weighted average shares outstanding-basic

  8,355,831   8,406,709   8,354,156   8,301,209 

Assumed exercise of options

  -   5,929   -   6,287 

Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted

  8,355,831   8,412,638   8,354,156   8,307,496 
                 

Earnings per share:

                

Basic

 $0.51  $0.33  $1.25  $0.62 

Diluted

 $0.51  $0.33  $1.25  $0.61 

Note 6 – STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION


We account for stock-based compensation whereby share-based payment transactions with employees, such as stock options and restricted stock, are measured at estimated fair value at the date of grant and recognized asgrant. For awards subject to service conditions, compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period.

period on a straight-line basis. Awards subject to performance conditions are attributed separately for each vesting tranche of the award and are recognized ratably from the service inception date to the vesting date for each tranche. Forfeitures are recognized when they occur. The probability of restricted share awards granted with future performance conditions is evaluated at each reporting period and share awards are updated and compensation expense is adjusted based on updated information.

In July 2018, our shareholders approved the Company’s 2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2019 LTI Plan”). The 2019 LTI Plan establishes up to 600,000 shares of restricted stock which can be granted to certain members of management based on exceeding specified net revenues and pre-tax performance metrics during fiscal years 2019, 2020 or 2021. The number of restricted shares to be distributed depends on attaining the performance metrics defined by the 2019 LTI Plan and may result in the distribution of a number of shares that is less than, but not greater than, the number of restricted shares outlined in the terms of the 2019 LTI Plan. Restricted shares granted under the 2019 LTI Plan “cliff vest” after five years.

During fiscal year 2019, the Company granted 308,000 restricted shares under the 2019 LTI Plan with an average grant-date fair value of $9.94 per share. In the third quarter endedof fiscal year 2021, 5,000 of these restricted shares were forfeited. These shares were made available to be reissued to remaining participants upon forfeiture. The remaining compensation expense for the outstanding awards, totaling approximately $1,470,400, will be recognized ratably over the remaining vesting period of approximately 27 months. 

During fiscal year 2021, the Company initially granted 151,000 restricted shares under the 2019 LTI Plan with an average grant-date fair value of $6.30 per share. 8,000 of these shares were granted, forfeited and re-granted to remaining participants in fiscal year 2021. In the third quarter of fiscal year 2021, the Company increased the number of shares granted for fiscal year 2021 from 151,000 to 305,000 due to revised performance expectations for the year. The remaining compensation expense of these awards, totaling approximately $1,669,400, will be recognized ratably over the remaining vesting period of approximately 51 months.  As of November 30, 2017,2020, there are no restricted shares available for issuance as future awards under the 2019 LTI Plan. 

A summary of compensation expense recognized in connection with restricted share awards follows:

  

Three Months Ended November 30,

  

Nine Months Ended November 30,

 
  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

 
                 

Share-based compensation expense

 $291,800  $166,300  $677,000  $498,800 

The following table summarizes stock award activity during fiscal year 2021 under the 2019 LTI Plan:

  

Shares

  

Weighted Average Fair Value (per share)

 
         

Outstanding at February 29, 2020

  308,000  $9.94 

   Granted

  305,000   6.30 

   Vested

  -   - 

   Forfeited

  (13,000)  (7.70)

Outstanding at November 30, 2020

  600,000  $8.14 

As of November 30, 2020, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested restricted shares was $3,139,800, which we expect to recognize over a former employee exercised 5,000 vested stock options.

weighted-average period of 39.8 months.

Note 7SHIPPING AND HANDLING COSTS


Outbound freight

We classify shipping and handling costs incurred are included inas operating and selling expenses in the statements of earnings. Shipping and handling costs include postage, freight, handling costs, as well as, shipping materials and supplies. These costs were $5,328,900$10,610,900 and $4,569,900$6,037,600 for the three months ended November 30, 20172020 and 2016,2019, respectively. These costs were $12,200,100$26,910,800 and $12,134,700$14,087,400 for the nine months ended November 30, 20172020 and 2016,2019, respectively.



Note 8COMMITMENTS

We have a 15-year lease with a non-related tenant, who leases 181,300 square feet, or 45.3% of our main facility.  The lease is being accounted for as an operating lease.

The lessee pays $107,900 per month, with a 2.0% annual increase adjustment on the anniversary of the lease.  The lease terms allow for one five-year extension, which is not a bargain renewal option, at the expiration of the 15-year term.  Revenue associated with the lease is being recorded on a straight-line basis over the 15-year lease and is reported in other income on the condensed statement of earnings.

The Company executed purchase orders with several vendors during the first two quarters of fiscal 2018 to buy and install equipment that will increase the daily shipping capabilities of its distribution center located in Tulsa, OK.  The original purchase orders totaled approximately $1,500,000.  The Company received and installed approximately half of the equipment in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 and has approximately $400,000 of remaining commitments on the original purchase orders.  The remaining equipment is scheduled to be received and installed in the fourth quarter of the fiscal year.

Note 98 – BUSINESS SEGMENTS


The Company has

We have two reportable segments: Usborne Books & More (“UBAM”) and Publishing. These reportable segments are business units that offer different methods of distribution to different types of customers. They are managed separately based on the fundamental differences in their operations. TheOur UBAM segment markets its products through a network of independent sales consultants using a combination of internet sales, direct sales, home shows and book fairs. Our Publishing segment markets its products to retail accounts, which include book, school supply, toy and gift stores and museums, through commissioned sales representatives, trade and specialty wholesalers and anour internal tele-sales group.  The UBAM segment markets its products through a network of independent sales consultants using a combination of home shows, internet shows and book fairs.


The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described inof the summaryrest of significant accounting policies disclosed in the Company’s most recent 10-K annual report for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2017.Company. We evaluate segment performance based on earnings before income taxes of the segments, which is defined as segment net salesrevenues reduced by cost of sales and direct expenses. Corporate expenses, depreciation, interest expense and income taxes are not allocated to the segments but are listed in the “Other” row below. Corporate expenses include the executive department, accounting department, information services department, general office management, warehouse operations and building facilities management. Our assets and liabilities are not allocated on a segment basis.


basis.

Information by reporting segment for the threethree- and nine-month periods ended November 30, 20172020 and 2016,2019, are as follows:

NET REVENUES

 
                 
  

Three Months Ended

November 30,

  

Nine Months Ended

November 30,

 
  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

 

Publishing

 $2,580,600  $2,724,200  $6,284,600  $7,766,300 

UBAM

  64,169,700   38,100,400   158,007,500   85,083,700 

Total

 $66,750,300  $40,824,600  $164,292,100  $92,850,000 

EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 
                 
  

Three Months Ended

November 30,

  

Nine Months Ended

November 30,

 
  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

 

Publishing

 $773,000  $832,900  $1,858,400  $2,253,300 

UBAM

  10,821,600   6,501,200   26,311,300   14,358,500 

Other

  (5,820,300

)

  (3,498,400

)

  (13,952,000

)

  (9,562,900

)

Total

 $5,774,300  $3,835,700  $14,217,700  $7,048,900 

NET REVENUES 
  Three Months Ended November 30,  Nine Months Ended November 30, 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Publishing $2,439,600  $3,075,000  $6,538,700  $7,244,600 
UBAM  36,468,400   27,622,600   83,481,400   72,130,200 
Total $38,908,000  $30,697,600  $90,020,100  $79,374,800 
13
EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES 
  Three Months Ended November 30,  Nine Months Ended November 30, 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Publishing $556,800  $979,500  $1,514,200  $2,138,700 
UBAM  6,915,400   4,719,800   15,865,200   11,286,200 
Other  (4,039,400)  (3,659,200)  (10,281,700)  (9,859,500)
Total $3,432,800  $2,040,100  $7,097,700  $3,565,400 



Note 109 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS


The valuation hierarchy included in U.S. GAAP considers the transparency of inputs used to value assets and liabilities as of the measurement date. A financial instrument'sinstrument’s classification within the valuation hierarchy is based on the lowest level of input that is significant to its fair value measurement. The three levels of the valuation hierarchy and the classification of our financial assets and liabilities within the hierarchy are as follows:


Level 1 - Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. If an asset or liability has a specified term, a Level 2 input must be observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

We do not report any assets or liabilities at fair value in the financial statements. However, the estimated fair value of our line of credit is estimated by management to approximate the carrying value of $0 and $4,882,900 at November 30, 2017 and February 28, 2017, respectively.  The estimated fair value of our term notes payable is estimated by management to approximate $20,812,600$11,508,200 and $20,130,100$19,155,500 at November 30, 20172020 and February 28, 2017,29, 2020, respectively. Management'sManagement’s estimates are based on the obligations'obligations’ characteristics, including floating interest rate, maturity, and collateral. Such valuation inputs are considered a Level 2 measurement in the fair value valuation hierarchy.


Note 1110 – DEFERRED REVENUE


AsREVENUES

The Company’s UBAM division receives payments on orders in advance of shipment. Any payments received prior to the end of the third quarter, we hadperiod that were not shipped as of November 30, 2020 or February 29, 2020 are recorded as deferred revenues on the condensed balance sheets. We received approximately $661,700$2,330,900 and $385,300 as of November 30, 2020 and February 29, 2020 in payments for sales orders which were shipped out subsequent to the quarter end.  Asend of November 30, 2017, these prepaid sales orders arethe period. Orders that were included in deferred revenue onrevenues predominantly shipped within the condensed balance sheet.


first few days of the next fiscal period.

Note 1211 – SUBSEQUENT EVENT


EVENTS

On December 22, 2017, the U.S. President signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs ActJanuary 7, 2021, our Board of 2017 (the “Act”). Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”) requires that the effectsDirectors declared a distribution of changes in tax laws$0.10 per share of common stock. This cash distribution will be paid on or tax rates be recognized in the financial statements in the period in which such changes were enacted.  Among other things, changes in tax laws or tax rates can affect the amountabout March 11, 2021 to shareholders of taxes payable for the current period, as well as the amount and timing of deferred tax liabilities and deferred tax assets. The Company is a fiscal year reporting company and as such would be required to account for the impact related to the Act in the financial statements included in the annual reportrecord on Form 10-K for February 28, 2018.


23, 2021.


ITEMItem 2.  MANAGEMENT'SMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Factors Affecting Forward-Looking Statements


The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our future plans, estimates, beliefs and expected performance. The forward-looking statements are dependent upon events, risks and uncertainties that may be outside our control, including among other things, the risk factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 2017.control. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, our success in recruiting and retaining new consultants, our ability to locate and procure desired books, our ability to ship the volume of orders that are received without creating backlog,backlogs, our ability to obtain adequate financing for working capital and capital expenditures, economic and competitive conditions, regulatory changes and other uncertainties, the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as those factors discussed below and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 201729, 2020 and this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, all of which are difficult to predict. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking events discussed may or may not occur. See “Cautionary Remarks Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in the front of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


Overview


We are the exclusive United States trade co-publisher of Usborne children’s books and the owner of Kane Miller. We operate two separate segments:segments, UBAM and Publishing, to sell our Usborne and Kane Miller lines of children’s books. These two segments each have their own customer base. The Publishing segment markets its products on a wholesale basis to various retail accounts. The UBAM segment markets its products through a network of independent sales consultants using a combination of home shows, internet showsparty plan events and book fairs. All other supporting administrative activities are recognized as other expenses outside of our two segments. Other expenses areconsist primarily of the compensation of our office, warehouse and sales support staff as well as the cost of operating and maintaining our corporate office and distribution facility.


The following table shows our condensed statements of earnings data:

  Three Months Ended November 30,  Nine Months Ended November 30, 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Net revenues $38,908,000  $30,697,600  $90,020,100  $79,374,800 
Cost of goods sold  10,494,800   8,328,100   24,579,200   22,500,300 
  Gross margin  28,413,200   22,369,500   65,440,900   56,874,500 
Operating expenses:                
  Operating and selling  7,837,300   6,520,300   17,549,900   16,790,900 
  Sales commissions  12,510,400   9,521,000   28,759,300   24,802,200 
  General and administrative  4,735,200   4,525,900   12,359,600   12,237,600 
  Total operating expenses  25,082,900   20,567,200   58,668,800   53,830,700 
Other income (expense)                
  Interest expense  (287,600)  (265,000)  (863,800)  (730,000)
  Other income  390,100   502,800   1,189,400   1,251,600 
Earnings before income taxes  3,432,800   2,040,100   7,097,700   3,565,400 
Income taxes  1,304,400   765,900   2,707,100   1,352,500 
Net earnings $2,128,400  $1,274,200  $4,390,600  $2,212,900 

  

Three Months Ended November 30,

  

Nine Months Ended November 30,

 
  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

 

Net revenues

 $66,750,300  $40,824,600  $164,292,100  $92,850,000 

Cost of goods sold

  19,597,800   13,279,900   48,302,800   30,382,500 

Gross margin

  47,152,500   27,544,700   115,989,300   62,467,500 
                 

Operating expenses

                

Operating and selling

  11,616,200   6,513,500   28,488,300   15,089,900 

Sales commissions

  22,960,300   13,008,600   56,865,200   28,804,700 

General and administrative

  7,082,200   4,373,500   17,282,200   12,029,300 

      Total operating expenses

  41,658,700   23,895,600   102,635,700   55,923,900 
                 

Interest expense

  119,300   216,500   441,500   691,000 

Other income

  (399,800

)

  (403,100

)

  (1,305,600

)

  (1,196,300

)

Earnings before income taxes

  5,774,300   3,835,700   14,217,700   7,048,900 
                 

Income taxes

  1,504,700   1,099,900   3,762,000   1,941,900 

Net earnings

 $4,269,600  $2,735,800  $10,455,700  $5,107,000 

See the detailed discussion of revenues, costs of services,goods sold, gross margin general and administrativeoperating expenses by reportable segment below. The following is a discussion of significant changes in the non-segment related general and administrativeoperating expenses, other income and expensesinterest expense and income taxes during the respective periods.



Non-Segment Operating Results for the Three Months Ended November 30 2017

Operating, 2020

Total operating expenses not associated with a reporting segment totaled $4.1increased $2.4 million, or 64.9%, to $6.1 million for the quarterthree-month period ended November 30, 2017, an increase of $0.22020, compared to $3.7 million over the $3.9 million of operating expenses reported for the same quarterly period ending November 30, 2016.a year ago. Operating expenses increased primarily as a result of ana $1.0 million increase in the bonus accruallabor in our warehouse, a $0.6 million increase in freight handling costs associated with increased order volumes and a $0.2 million increase in incentive payroll expenses associated with the Company’s increased operating profits of approximately $0.4improved financial performance.

Interest expense decreased $0.1 million, partially offset by other cost reductions.


Interest expense was $0.3or 50.0%, to $0.1 million for the three months ended November 30, 2017, which was consistent with the interest expense reported2020, when compared to $0.2 million for the same quarterly period a year ago as a result of the payoff of two long-term notes during the second quarter last year.

of fiscal year 2021.

Income taxes increased $0.5$0.4 million, or 36.4%, to $1.3$1.5 million for the three months ended November 30, 2017,2020, from $0.8$1.1 million for the same quarterly period a year ago. Our effective tax rate decreased 2.6%, to 26.1% for the quarter ended November 30, 2016.  The income tax expense increase was directly attributed to the increase in earnings for the quarter.  Our effective tax rate was 38.0%2020, from 28.7% for the quarter ended November 30, 2017, and 37.5% for the quarter ended November 30, 2016.  These2019 due to sales mix fluctuations between states. Our tax rates are higher than the federal statutory rate of 21% due to the inclusion of state income and franchise taxes.


Non-Segment Operating Results for the Nine Months Ended November 30 2017

Operating, 2020

Total operating expenses not associated with a reporting segment increased totaling $10.6$4.7 million, or 46.5%, to $14.8 million for the nine-month period endingended November 30, 20172020, compared to $10.4$10.1 million for the same period a year ago. Operating expenses increased due to anprimarily as a result of a $2.4 million increase in labor in our warehouse, a $1.6 million increase in freight handling costs, both associated with the bonus accrualincrease in order volumes, and a $0.3 million increase in incentive payroll expenses associated with the Company’s increased operating profits of approximately $0.4 million, partially offset by reduced other expenses totaling $0.2 million.


improved financial performance.

Interest expense totaled $0.9 decreased $0.3 million, or 42.9%, to $0.4 million for the nine months ended November 30, 2017, an increase of $0.2 million over the2020, when compared to $0.7 million of interest expense reported for the same period a year ago.  Interest expense increasedago as a result of the payoff of two long-term debt agreements during the currentsecond quarter of fiscal year due2021.

Income taxes increased $1.9 million, or 100.0%, to primarily to increased borrowings on the line of credit during the current year.

Income taxes increased $1.3 million to $2.7$3.8 million for the nine months ended November 30, 2017,2020, from $1.4$1.9 million for the same period a year ago. Our effective tax rate was 38.1%decreased by 1.0%, to 26.5% for the nine months ended November 30, 2017, and 37.9%2020, from 27.5% for the same period a year ago.  Thesenine months ended November 30, 2019 due to sales mix fluctuations between states. Our tax rates are higher than the federal statutory rate of 21% due to the inclusion of state income and franchise taxes.

UBAM Operating Results for the Three and Nine Months Ended November 30 2017


, 2020 and 2019

The following table summarizes the operating results of the UBAM segment for the three and nine months ended November 30, 2017 and 2016:

  
For the Three Months Ended
November 30,
  
For the Nine Months Ended
November 30,
 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Gross sales $36,761,700  $27,907,200  $87,143,200  $76,263,200 
Less discounts and allowances  (4,059,000)  (3,528,100)  (12,595,300)  (12,414,500)
Transportation revenue  3,765,700   3,243,500   8,933,500   8,281,500 
Net revenues  36,468,400   27,622,600   83,481,400   72,130,200 
                 
Cost of goods sold  9,114,200   6,577,500   20,939,500   18,549,700 
Gross margin  27,354,200   21,045,100   62,541,900   53,580,500 
                 
Operating Expenses                
Operating and selling  6,860,200   5,613,300   14,752,100   14,311,500 
Sales commissions  12,420,000   9,425,300   28,507,800   24,561,100 
General and administrative  1,158,600   1,286,700   3,416,800   3,421,700 
     Total operating expenses  20,438,800   16,325,300   46,676,700   42,294,300 
                 
Operating income $6,915,400  $4,719,800  $15,865,200  $11,286,200 
                 
Average number of active consultants  31,100   28,100   29,500   24,800 


segment:

  

Three Months Ended November 30,

  

Nine Months Ended November 30,

 
  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

 

Gross sales

 $77,674,100  $47,974,800  $190,488,500  $106,219,100 

Less discounts and allowances

  (21,244,700

)

  (13,469,600

)

  (51,379,800

)

  (29,298,200

)

Transportation revenue

  7,740,300   3,595,200   18,898,800   8,162,800 

Net revenues

  64,169,700   38,100,400   158,007,500   85,083,700 
                 

Cost of goods sold

  18,230,200   11,830,100   45,048,500   26,317,100 

Gross margin

  45,939,500   26,270,300   112,959,000   58,766,600 
                 

Operating expenses

                

Operating and selling

  10,055,900   5,599,200   24,619,800   12,690,500 

Sales commissions

  22,865,000   12,912,200   56,674,800   28,511,700 

General and administrative

  2,197,000   1,257,700   5,353,100   3,205,900 

      Total operating expenses

  35,117,900   19,769,100   86,647,700   44,408,100 
                 

Operating income

 $10,821,600  $6,501,200  $26,311,300  $14,358,500 
                 

Average number of active consultants

  57,200   33,600   45,200   32,900 


UBAM Operating Results for the Three Months Ended November 30 2017


The , 2020

UBAM segment’s sales consist of home shows, internet shows and book fairs.  Netnet revenues increased $8.9$26.1 million, or 32.2%68.5%, to $36.5$64.2 million during the three-month period endingthree months ended November 30, 2017, when2020, compared with net revenues of $27.6to $38.1 million reported the same quarter a year ago.  The increase in net revenues resulted primarily from an increase in the orders received during the period and an increase in our daily shipping volumes over the same period last year.

Our orders increased during the quarter from the same period a year ago primarily due to the increase in the number of our active consultants.ago. The average number of active consultants increased 3,000, or 10.7% from 28,100 in the third quarter of fiscal year 2017 to 31,1002021 was 57,200, an increase of 23,600, or 70.2%, from 33,600 average active consultants selling in the third quarter of fiscal 2018.  Our consultant growth is driven primarily by existing2020. The Company reports the average number of active consultants recruitingeach quarter as a key indicator for this division. UBAM's increase in active consultants resulted from several factors, including: an increase in families looking for non-traditional income streams to supplement or replace income lost from the COVID-19 pandemic; a change in new consultant kits which offered lower introductory prices; the restructure of our UBAM consultant success program, which was introduced during the first quarter of fiscal 2021; and retaining new consultants.
technology improvements that have enhanced the customer experience and streamlined the proprietary systems that our consultants use to run their business. Our daily shipping volumesincrease in active consultants and our ability to receive orders online and deliver directly to our customers’ homes resulted in our increased overrevenues during the quarter.

Gross margin increased $19.6 million, or 74.5%, to $45.9 million during the three months ended November 30, 2020, compared to $26.3 million during the same period lasta year due to recent facility changes.  During the first and second quarters of this fiscal year, we modified our distribution center setup and added new automation that increased our daily shipping capacity.  With this increased capacity, our shipments were able to keep pace with our incoming orders during the quarter ended November 30, 2017.  During the third quarter last year, our shipments did not keep pace with incoming orders and we ended the quarter with a large backlog of orders totaling approximately $9.6 million, which was recognized as deferred revenue at quarter end.

ago. Gross margin as a percentage of net revenues increased $6.3 million2.6% to $27.4 million71.6% for the three-month period endingended November 30, 2017 from $21.0 million reported during2020 when compared to 69.0% the same quarterperiod a year ago. The increase in gross margin primarily resulted from the increase in sales.  Gross margins as a percentage of net revenues remained consistent betweenwas due to the periods.

change in mix of order types received during the quarter. During the quarter our web sales, which have the lowest discounts and pay the highest commissions, increased significantly while book fairs, school and library sales and other in-person sales types declined year over year, due to the quarantining effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The increase in web sales and decrease in in-person sales also resulted in overall higher sales commissions as a percentage of net revenues during the quarter. The overall net profit impact of the order type mix change after selling expenses, commissions and direct operating expenses was minimal.

UBAM operating expenses consists of operating and selling expenses, sales commissions and general and administrative expenses. Operating and selling expenses primarily consists of freight expenses and hostess awards associated with sales orders.materials and supplies. Sales commissions include amounts paid to consultants for new sales and promotions. These operating expenses are directly tied to the sales volumes of the UBAM segment. General and administrative expenses include payroll, travel and entertainment expenses, outside services, inventory reserves and other expenses directly associated with the UBAM segment. Total operating expenses increased $4.1$15.3 million, or 25.1%77.3%, to $20.4$35.1 million during the three-month period endingended November 30, 2017,2020, when compared withto $19.8 million reported in the same quarter a year ago. Operating and selling expenses increased $4.5 million, to $10.1 million, during the three-month period ended November 30, 2020, when compared to $5.6 million reported in the same quarter a year ago, primarily due to an increase in postage and freight costs of $3.9 million and an increase in accruals for trips and other consultant rewards of $0.5 million, both associated with increased UBAM sales. Sales commissions increased $10.0 million, to $22.9 million, during the three-month period ended November 30, 2020, when compared to $12.9 million reported in the same quarter a year ago, due primarily to the increase in sales volume and the increase in internet-based sales, which offer fewer discounts and higher sales commissions to consultants. General and administrative expenses increased $0.9 million to $2.2 million during the three months ended November 30, 2020, compared to $1.3 million during the same period last year. Operating expensesThis increase was primarily due to $0.6 million of increased primarily from increased operating and selling costs andcredit card transaction fees associated with increased sales commissions, both tied to the growthvolumes and a $0.2 million increase in revenues during the period.


promotions and marketing expenses associated with increased consultant counts. 

Operating income of the UBAM segment increased $2.2$4.3 million, or 46.8%66.2%, to $6.9$10.8 million during the three-month period endingthree months ended November 30, 2017,2020, when compared to $6.5 million reported in the same quarter a year ago, primarily due to primarilythe growth in net revenues. Operating income of the UBAM division as a percentage of net revenues for the three months ended November 30, 2020 remained consistent at 16.9%, compared to increased sales and gross margins, partially offset by increased operating and selling expenses and sales commissions.


17.1% for the three months ended November 30, 2019.

UBAM Operating Results for the Nine Months Ended November 30 2017


Net, 2020

UBAM net revenues increased $11.4$72.9 million, or 15.8%85.7%, to $83.5$158.0 million during the nine-month period endingended November 30, 2017, when2020, compared with net revenues of $72.1to $85.1 million reported duringfrom the same period a year ago. The increase in net revenues primarily resulted from the increase in the number of active sales consultants during the period along with increase in the year over year shipments made during the third quarter.


The average number of active consultants increased 4,700,of 12,300, or 19.0%37.4%, to 45,200 during the first nine months of fiscal year 2021, and the overall increase in consultants to 60,500 by the end of November 2020, from 24,800an average number of active consultants of 32,900 in the first nine months of fiscal year 20172020. UBAM's increase in active consultants resulted from several factors including: an increase in families looking for non-traditional income streams to 29,500supplement or replace income lost from the COVID-19 pandemic; a change in new consultant kits which offered lower introductory prices; the restructure of our UBAM consultant success program, which was introduced during the first quarter of fiscal 2021; and technology improvements that have enhanced the customer experience and streamlined the proprietary systems that our consultants use to run their business. Along with the significant increases in active consultants during the first nine months of fiscal 2018.year 2021, we experienced a significant increase in demand for educational materials in homes. Our consultant growth is driven by existingincrease in active consultants recruiting and retaining new consultants.our ability to receive orders online and deliver directly to our customers’ homes resulted in our increased revenues.

17

Gross marginsmargin increased $8.9$54.2 million, or 92.2%, to $62.5$113.0 million forduring the nine-month period endingended November 30, 2017 from $53.62020, when compared to $58.8 million reported during the same period a year ago.  Theago, due primarily to an increase in gross margins primarily resulted from the increase in sales.net revenues. Gross marginsmargin as a percentage of net revenues remained consistent at 74.9%increased to 71.5% for the nine-month period endingended November 30, 20172020, when compared to 74.3% reported69.1% for the same period a year ago.


During the first nine months of fiscal year 2021 our web sales, which have the lowest discounts and pay the highest commissions, increased significantly while book fairs, school and library sales and other in-person sales types declined year over year, due to the quarantining effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the increase in web sales and decrease in in-person sales resulted in overall higher gross margin percentages during the first nine months of fiscal year 2021, these higher gross margins were offset by higher sales commissions and increased direct operating expenses of the division. The overall net profit impact of the order type mix change after selling expenses, commissions and direct operating expenses was minimal.

Total UBAM operating expenses increased $4.4$42.2 million, or 10.4%95.0%, to $46.7$86.6 million during the nine-month period endingended November 30, 2017,2020, from $44.4 million for the same period a year ago. Operating and selling expenses increased $11.9 million, to $24.6 million during the nine-month period ended November 30, 2020, when compared to $12.7 million reported in the same period a year ago, primarily due to increased postage and freight costs of $11.4 million associated with $42.3the increase in volume of orders shipped. Sales commissions increased $28.2 million withto $56.7 million during the nine-month period ended November 30, 2020, when compared to $28.5 million reported in the same period a year ago, due primarily to the increase in operatinginternet-based sales, which offer fewer discounts and sellinghigher sales commissions to consultants. General and administrative expenses andincreased $2.2 million to $5.4 million, from $3.2 million recognized during the same period last year, due primarily to $1.6 million of increased credit card transaction fees associated with increased sales commissionsvolumes and a $0.6 million increase in promotions and marketing expenses associated with UBAM’s revenue growth.



increased consultant counts.

Operating income of the UBAM segment increased $4.6$11.9 million, or 40.7%82.6%, to $15.9$26.3 million during the nine-month period endingnine months ended November 30, 20172020, when compared to $11.3$14.4 million reported duringin the same period last year. Operating income of the UBAM division as a year ago.  The increase in operatingpercentage of net revenues for the nine months ended November 30, 2020 was 16.7%, compared to 16.9% for the nine months ended November 30, 2019, a change of 0.2%, or $0.4 million. Operating income wasas a percentage of net revenues changed from the prior year primarily due to increased gross margins on increased sales.


postage and freight expenses as a percentage of net revenues totaling approximately $0.9 million, partially offset by the positive impact of the change to a “virtual” convention totaling approximately $0.5 million.

Publishing Operating Results for the Three and Nine Months Ended November 30 2017


, 2020 and 2019

The following table summarizes the operating results of the Publishing segment for the three and nine months ended November 30, 2017 and 2016:

  
For the Three Months Ended
November 30,
  
For the Nine Months Ended
November 30,
 
  2017  2016  2017  2016 
Gross sales $5,132,900  $6,490,100  $13,846,300  $15,394,000 
Less discounts and allowances  (2,703,300)  (3,419,900)  (7,334,000)  (8,167,400)
Transportation revenue  10,000   4,800   26,400   18,000 
Net revenues  2,439,600   3,075,000   6,538,700   7,244,600 
                 
Cost of goods sold  1,380,600   1,750,600   3,639,700   3,950,600 
Gross margin  1,059,000   1,324,400   2,899,000   3,294,000 
                 
     Total operating expenses  502,200   344,900   1,384,800   1,155,300 
                 
Operating income $556,800  $979,500  $1,514,200  $2,138,700 
segment:

  

Three Months Ended November 30,

  

Nine Months Ended November 30,

 
  

2020

  

2019

  

2020

  

2019

 

Gross sales

 $5,463,400  $5,645,100  $13,228,700  $16,416,200 

Less discounts and allowances

  (2,886,400

)

  (2,936,900

)

  (7,010,600

)

  (8,680,700

)

Transportation revenue

  3,600   16,000   66,500   30,800 

Net revenues

  2,580,600   2,724,200   6,284,600   7,766,300 
                 

Cost of goods sold

  1,367,600   1,449,800   3,254,300   4,065,400 

Gross margin

  1,213,000   1,274,400   3,030,300   3,700,900 
                 

Total operating expenses

  440,000   441,500   1,171,900   1,447,600 
                 

Operating income

 $773,000  $832,900  $1,858,400  $2,253,300 

Publishing Operating Results for the Three Months Ended November 30 2017


, 2020

Our Publishing segment’sdivision’s net revenues decreased $0.6$0.1 million, or 19.4%3.7%, to $2.4$2.6 million forduring the three monthsthree-month period ended November 30, 20172020, from $3.1$2.7 million reported for the quarter ended November 30, 2016.  Revenues declined fromin the same period lasta year dueago. Many Publishing customers began to smaller customer orders inre-open prior to the third periodstart of fiscal 2018 when compared to last year, as well as fewer customers placing orders.  During the third quarter of fiscal year 2017, we had significant delays2021. The slight decrease in shipments which resulted in lost customers and customers reducing order sizessales was primarily due to stores that were unable to remain open for the full third quarter of fiscal 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gross margin decreased $0.1 million, or 7.7%, to $1.2 million during the fall selling season of fiscal 2018, based on slower delivery expectations.


Gross margins declined $0.2 million to $1.1 million for the quarterthree-month period ended November 30, 2017,2020, from $1.3 million reported in the same quarter a year ago, primarily due to the decrease in net revenues. Gross margin as a percentage of net revenues remained consistent, increasing 0.2%, to 47.0% during the three-month period ended November 30, 2020, from 46.8% reported in the same quarter a year ago. Gross margin as a percentage of net revenues fluctuates primarily from the different discount levels offered to customers.

Total operating expenses of the Publishing segment remained consistent at $0.4 million during the three-month periods ended November 30, 2020 and 2019.

Operating income of the Publishing segment remained consistent at $0.8 million for the three-month periods ended November 30, 2020 and 2019.

Publishing Operating Results for the Nine Months Ended November 30, 2020

Our Publishing division’s net revenues decreased $1.5 million, or 19.2%, to $6.3 million during the nine-month period ended November 30, 2020, from $7.8 million reported in the same period a year ago. The decrease in sales resulted from temporary store closures impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Many Publishing customers temporarily closed during our fiscal year 2021 first quarter, following the guidance from their local authorities to prevent the spread of the pandemic, and have begun reopening at varying times over the past six months.

Gross margin decreased $0.7 million, or 18.9%, to $3.0 million during the nine-month period ended November 30, 2020, from $3.7 million reported in the same period a year ago, primarily due to the decrease in net revenues. Gross margin as a percentage of net revenues increased 0.5%, to 48.2%, during the nine-month period ended November 30, 2020, from 47.7% reported in the same period a year ago.  The increase in gross margin percentage results primarily from a change in our customer mix. Customers receive varying discounts due to sales volumes and contract terms.

Total operating expenses of the Publishing segment decreased $0.2 million to $1.2 million during the nine-month period ended November 30, 2020, from $1.4 million reported in the same period a year ago, resulting from a $0.1 million decrease in postage and freight from the decrease in sales volumes and a $0.1 million decrease in sales commissions due to decreased net revenues.

Operating income of the Publishing segment decreased $0.4 million, or 17.4%, to $1.9 million during the nine-month period ended November 30, 2020 when compared to $2.3 million reported in the same period a year ago, due primarily to the decline in sales.  Gross margins as a percentage of sales remained consistent between the periods.


Operating income declined $0.4 million to $0.6 million for the quarter ended November 30, 2017 from $1.0 million reported during the quarter ended November 30, 2016.  The decline in operating income resulted primarily from the decline in sales and gross margins.

Publishing Operating Results for the Nine Months Ended November 30, 2017

The Publishing segment’s net revenues for the nine months ended November 30, 2017 were $6.5 million, a decrease of $0.7 million 9.7%, from $7.2 million reported for the same period last year.  The year to date revenue decline primarily occurred in the third quarter of this year when the Company experience reduced orders sizes from existing customers and fewer customer orders placed during the third quarter, primarily resulting from the shipping delays that occurred during fiscal 2017.

Gross margins for the nine months ended November 30, 2017 were $2.9 million, a decrease of $0.4 million, or 12.1%, from $3.3 million reported for the same period a year ago.  Gross margins decreased primarily due to the decrease in sales.  Gross Margins as a percentage of revenue remained consistent between the periods.


Operating income for the segment declined $0.6 million, to $1.5 million, for the nine months ended November 30, 2017 from $2.1 million reported during the same period last year.  The decline in operating income resulted primarily from the decline in sales and gross margins.

Sales in our Publishing segment are seasonal and our fiscal fourth and first quarters are traditionally lower than the second and third fiscal quarters sales.

net revenues.

Liquidity and Capital Resources


Our primary source

EDC has a history of cash is typically operatingprofitability and positive cash flow. The majority ofWe typically fund our operations from the cash outflow over the past several years has been associated with increasing our inventorywe generate. We also use available cash to keep up with our increased demandpay down outstanding bank loan balances, for our products.capital expenditures, to pay dividends, and to acquire treasury stock. We have utilized a bank credit facility and other term loan borrowings to meet our short-term cash needs, as well as fund capital expenditures, when necessary.


During the nine-month period ended November 30, 2017,first nine months of fiscal 2021, we experiencedgenerated positive cash inflowflows from our operations of $11.3 million.  Net$39,617,800. These cash flows resulted from:

●  net earnings of $4.4 million were increased by the following items:


a decrease in inventories of $9.8 million,
$10,455,700

Adjusted for: 

●  depreciation expense of $0.9 million,

a decrease in deferred income taxes$1,207,900

●  share-based compensation expense of $0.2 million,

an increase in the$677,000

●  provision for inventory valuation allowance of $166,200

  provision for doubtful accounts of $0.4 million,$115,800

Offset by:

●  deferred income taxes of $809,800

Positively impacted by:

●  increase in accounts payable of $35,498,700

  increase in accrued salaries and commissions, of $2.8 million,

an increase inand other liabilities of $1.3 million, and
an$8,781,000

●  increase in deferred revenues of $1,945,600

  increase in income tax payable of $0.5 million.


Offset$213,300

Negatively impacted by:


a decrease

●  increase in accounts payableinventories, net of $7.3 million,

an$17,130,200

  increase in accounts receivable of $1.3 million, and

an$1,264,200

  increase in prepaid expenses and other assets of $0.3 million.

The significant decrease in inventory was primarily the result of management efforts to reduce inventory volumes that were purchased in recent quarters.  These inventory purchases were made based on sales forecast assumptions that were greater than our actual sales results.

The significant decrease in accounts payable from the end of the fiscal year 2017 was primarily a result of payments owed to our suppliers for increased inventory purchases made over the last six months of fiscal year 2017.
$239,200

Cash used in investing activities was $1.3 million$2,040,000 for capital expenditures, which was primarilywere comprised of improvements made$1,488,300 in equipment purchased to two ofincrease our pick lines which were upgraded with new automated routing functionalitydaily shipping capacity, $359,500 in software upgrades that our UBAM consultants use to bypass zones that had no picks of approximately $1.0 millionmonitor their business and inventory management systems of $0.1 millionplace customer orders and various other improvements to the warehouse, facility$192,200 in building and equipment totaling $0.2 million.


building improvements.

Cash used in financing activities was $4.6 million,$9,082,900, which was primarily comprised of repayment of borrowings under our line of credit of $4.9 million and payments on long-termnet cash used to pay down term debt of $0.7 million,$7,696,900, payments of $1,419,800 for dividends, offset by draws on the recently executed Advancing Term Loan of $1.0 million along with other minor equity changes.

$33,800 net cash received in treasury stock transactions.

During fiscal year 2018,2021, we continue to expect our cash from operations, andalong with our expanded line of credit withand any additional equipment financing needed from our Bank, will provide us the ability to meet our liquidity requirements. We have a history of profitability and positive cash flow.  Consequently, cashCash generated from operations will be used to increasereplace inventory, in anticipation of continued sales growth and to liquidate existing debt.


debt and any excess cash is expected to be distributed to our shareholders or used to purchase available shares on the market.

We have a Loan Agreement with the Bank, including Term Loan #1 comprised of Tranche A totaling $11.1 million as of $13.4 million and Tranche B of $5.0 million bothNovember 30, 2020, with thea maturity date of December 1, 2025. Tranche A has a fixed interest rate of 4.23% and interest is payable monthly.



The Loan Agreement also includes Term Loan #2 in the amount of $4.0 million, which is secured by a warehouse and land with the maturity date of June 28, 2021, a $15.0 million revolving loan (“line of credit”) through June 15, 2018 and an $3.0 million advancing term loan which matures November 30, 2020.

Effective March 10, 2016, we signed a First Amendment Loan Agreement with the Bank which provided an increase to $6.0 million from our original $4.0$10.0 million line of credit through JuneAugust 15, 2017.    Effective June 15, 2016, we signed a Second Amendment Loan Agreement with the Bank which provided a further increase to $7.0 million from our previous $6.0 million2021. The line of credit and extended it through June 15, 2017.   Effective June 28, 2016, we signed a Third Amendment Loan Agreement with the Bank which included Term Loan #2 in the amount of $4.0 million.   Effective February 7, 2017, we signed a Fourth Amendment Loan Agreement with the Bank which modified certain debt covenant calculations and waived an existing default that occurred in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2017.
Effective, June 15, 2017, the Company executed the Fifth Amendment Loan Agreement with the Bank which modified the Loan Agreement to increase the maximum revolving principal amount from $7.0 million to $10.0 million and extended the termination date of the Loan Agreement to June 15, 2018.  The Fifth Amendment also modified the Loan Agreement to include an Advancing Term Loan of $3.0 million which the Company is using to cover the cost of the fiscal 2017 capital improvements to increase its daily shipping capacity.  The Company expects the amount of the planned capital improvements will be less than the Advancing Term Loan availability.  The Advancing Term loan accrued interest between June 15 and December 1, 2017, at which time the balance was converted to a term loan and set to amortize over a thirty-six-month period
Effective September 1, 2017, we signed a Sixth Amendment Loan Agreement with the Bank which further increased the maximum revolving principal amount from $10.0 million to $15.0 million, subject to certain collateral restrictions.

We had no borrowings outstanding on our revolving credit agreement at November 30, 2017 and $4.9 million in borrowings at February 28, 2017.  Available credit under the revolving credit agreement was $9,105,500 at November 30, 2017.

 Trance B of Term Loan #1, Term Loan #2, the line of credit and the Advancing Term Loan accrueaccrues interest monthly, at the bank adjusted LIBOR Index plus a tiered pricing rate based on the Company’s Adjusted Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio (4.41%Ratio. The Loan Agreement maintains a minimum rate on borrowings of 2.75%, should the calculated rate of the LIBOR Index plus the tiered pricing rate fall below this level.

We had no borrowings on our line of credit at November 30, 2017)2020 and February 29, 2020. Available credit under the revolving loan was $10.0 million at November 30, 2020.

During the second quarter of fiscal year 2021, we paid off Loan Agreement Term Loan #1 Tranche B totaling $4.2 million, which previously had a maturity date of December 1, 2025. In addition, we also paid off Term Loan #2 totaling $2.9 million, which previously had a maturity date of June 28, 2021. The purpose of paying off these loans early was to utilize our existing cash flows from operations to increase future profits by reducing interest expense, as well as, free up future cash flows to be used to either pay dividends or purchase additional shares.

On August 15, 2019, the Company executed the Tenth Amendment Loan Agreement which extended the termination date of the line of credit to August 15, 2020, amended the definition of LIBOR Margin, reduced the frequency of reports to the Lender, amended the Adjusted Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio and amended the Compliance and Borrowing Base Certificates reporting requirements.

 On August 15, 2020, the Company executed the Eleventh Amendment Loan Agreement which extended the termination date of the line of credit to August 15, 2021, reduced the maximum revolving principal amount from $15.0 million to $10.0 million, and amended the definition of the LIBOR Margin and Prime Margin, establishing a floor on the borrowing rates of 2.75%.


The Loan Agreement also contains a provision for our use of the Bank’s letters of credit. The Bank agrees to issue, or obtain issuance of, commercial or stand-by letters of credit provided that the sum of the line of credit plus the letters of credit issued would not exceed the borrowing base in effect at the time. Additionally, the Loan Agreement suspends dividends.  For the quarter endedAs of November 30, 2017,2020, we had no letters of credit outstanding.  The agreement contains provisions that require us to maintain specified financial ratios, restrict transactions with related parties, prohibit mergers or consolidation, disallow additional debt, and limit the amountamounts of compensation, salaries,dividends declared, investments, capital expenditures, leasing transactions, and leasing transactions.establish a dollar limit on the amount of shares that can be repurchased.

20

The following table reflects aggregate future maturities of long-term debt during the next five fiscal years and thereafter as follows:


Year Ending February 28 (29)   
    
2018  267,100 
2019  1,278,600 
2020  1,331,200 
2021  1,324,300 
2022  1,069,000 
Thereafter  16,672,100 
Total Maturities $21,942,300 


Year ending February 28 (29),

    

2021

 $128,800 

2022

  533,400 

2023

  556,800 

2024

  581,100 

2025

  605,400 

Thereafter

  8,709,300 

    Total

 $11,114,800 

Critical Accounting Policies


Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to our valuation of inventory, allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable, allowance for sales returns, long-lived assets and deferred income taxes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed 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.


Actual results may materially differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Historically, however, actual results have not differed materially from those determined using required estimates. Our significant accounting policies are described in the notes accompanying the financial statements included elsewhere in this report. However, we consider the following accounting policies to be more significantly dependent on the use of estimates and assumptions.


Revenue Recognition


Sales associated with product orders are generally recognized and recorded when products are shipped.  Products are shipped FOB shipping point. The UBAM segment’sUBAM’s sales are generally paid at the time the product is ordered. These sales accounted for 93.7% of net revenues for the three-month period ended November 30, 2017, and 90.0% for the three-month period ended November 30, 2016.  Sales thatwhich have been paid for but not shipped are classified as deferred revenue on the balance sheet. Sales associated with consignment inventory are recognized when reported and payment associated with the sale has been remitted. Transportation revenue represents the amount billed to the customer for shipping the product and is recorded when the product is shipped.


Estimated allowances for sales returns are recorded as sales are recognized and recorded.recognized.  Management uses a moving average calculation to estimate the allowance for sales returns. We are not responsible for product damaged in transit. Damaged returns are primarily received from the retail stores.  These returns primarily result from damage that occursstores of our Publishing Division. Those damages occur in the stores, not in shipping to the stores.stores, and we typically do not offer credit for damaged returns. It is industry practice to accept non-damaged returns from retail customers.  Management has estimated and included a reserve for sales returns of $100,000$0.2 million as of November 30, 2017,2020 and $190,000 as of February 28, 2017.


29, 2020. 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts


We maintain an allowance for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments.payments and a reserve for vendor share markdowns (collectively “allowance for doubtful accounts”). An estimate of uncollectableuncollectible amounts is made by management based upon historical bad debts, current customer receivable balances, age of customer receivable balances, the customer'scustomers’ financial conditionconditions and current economic trends. Consignment inventory related to inactive consultants is reclassified to accounts receivable and the associated reserve is included within our allowance. If the actual uncollected amounts significantly exceed the estimated allowance, then our operating results would be significantly adversely affected. Management has estimated and included an allowance for doubtful accounts of $537,000$0.3 million at November 30, 2017,2020, and $485,000$0.2 million at February 28, 2017.29, 2020. Included within this allowance is $264,000 and $217,000$0.1 million of reserve for vendor discounts to sell remaining inventory as of November 30, 20172020 and February 28, 2017, respectively, of reserve related to consignment inventory held by inactive consultants.


29, 2020. 

Inventory


Our inventory contains approximately 2,200over 2,000 titles, each with different sell through rates of sale, depending upon the nature and popularity of the title. Almost all of our product line is saleable as the booksWe maintain very few titles that are not topical in nature andnature. As such, the majority of the titles we sell remain current in content today as well as in the future.for several years. Most of our products are printed in China, Europe, China, Singapore, India, Malaysia and Dubai resulting in a fivefour- to eight-monthsix-month lead-time to have a title printed and delivered to us.

21

Certain inventory is maintained in a noncurrent classification. Management continually estimates and calculates the amount of noncurrent inventory. Noncurrent inventory arises due to occasional purchases of titles in quantities in excess of what will be sold within the normal operating cycle, due to minimum order requirements of our suppliers. Noncurrent inventory was estimated by management using the current year turnover ratio by title. All inventoryInventory in excess of 2 ½ years of anticipated sales is classified as noncurrent inventory. These inventory quantities have exposure of becoming out of date, and therefore have higher obsolescence reserves. Noncurrent inventory balances prior to valuation allowances were $502,200$1.0 million and $467,100$1.2 million at November 30, 20172020 and February 28, 2017,29, 2020, respectively.



Noncurrent inventory valuation allowances were $0.2 million at November 30, 2020 and February 29, 2020.

Consultants that meet certain eligibility requirements are allowed tomay request and receive inventory on consignment. We believe allowing our consultants to have consignment inventory greatly increases their ability to be successful in making effective presentations at home shows, book fairs and other events; andin summary, having consignment inventory leads to additional sales opportunities. Approximately 12% and 11%4.2% of our active consultants maintained consignment inventory at November 30, 2017 and February 28, 2017, respectively.the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2021. Consignment inventory is stated at cost, less an estimated reserve for consignment inventory that is not expected to be sold or returned to the Company. The total valuecost of inventory on consignment with active consultants was $1,533,100 and $1,140,700$1.3 million at November 30, 20172020 and $1.5 million at February 28, 2017, respectively.   There is a seasonal29, 2020. During the current fiscal year, the Company increased its reserve for consignment inventory by approximately $0.2 million based on the estimated impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Because our consultants are currently limited in their ability to sell consignment inventory at schools, book fairs or fall festivals, we expect an increase in consignment inventory during the fall when UBAMwrite-offs associated with consultants acquire inventory for sales events at annual state fair and other regional fall festival events.  Inventory related to inactive consultants is reclassified to accounts receivables and amounted to $264,000 and $309,000 as of November 30, 2017 and February 28, 2017, respectively.

that become inactive.

Inventories are presented net of a valuation allowance, which includes reserves for inventory obsolescence and active consultant consignmentreserves for consigned inventory that is not expected to be sold or returned.returned to the Company. Management estimates the inventory obsolescence allowance for both current inventory,and noncurrent inventory, and active consultant consignment inventory balances.  The allowancewhich is based on management’s identification of slow moving inventory and estimated consignment inventory that will not be sold or returned.slow-moving inventory. Management has estimated a valuation allowance for these combined inventoriesboth current and noncurrent inventory, including the reserve for consigned inventory, of $330,900$0.7 million and $300,000$0.5 million as of November 30, 20172020 and February 28, 2017,29, 2020, respectively.


Our principal supplier, based in England, generally requires a minimum reorderre-order of 6,500 or more of a title in order to get a solo print run. Smaller orders would require a shared print run with the supplier’s other customers, which can result in lengthy delays to receive the ordered title. Anticipating customer preferences and purchasing habits requires historical analysis of similar titles in the same series. We then place the initial order or re-order based upon this analysis.


These factors and historical analysis have led our management to determine that 2 ½ years represents a reasonable estimate of the normal operating cycle for our products.

Stock-Based

Stock-Based Compensation


We account for stock-based compensation whereby share-based payment transactions with employees, such as stock options and restricted stock, are measured at estimated fair value at the date of grant and recognized asgrant. For awards subject to service conditions, compensation expense is recognized over the vesting period neton a straight-line basis. Awards subject to performance conditions are attributed separately for each vesting tranche of estimated forfeitures.the award and are recognized ratably from the service inception date to the vesting date for each tranche. Forfeitures are recognized when they occur. Any cash dividends declared after the restricted stock award is made, but before the vesting period is completed, will be reinvested in Company shares at the opening trading price on the dividend payment date. Shares purchased with cash dividends will also retain the same restrictions until the completion of the original vesting period associated with the awarded shares.

The restricted share awards granted under the 2019 Long-Term Incentive Plan (“2019 LTI Plan”) contain both service and performance conditions. The Company recognizes share-based compensation expense only for the portion of the restricted share awards that are considered probable of vesting. Shares are considered granted, and the service inception date begins, when a mutual understanding of the key terms and conditions between the Company and the employees have been established. The fair value of these awards is determined based on the closing price of the shares on the grant date. The probability of restricted share awards granted with future performance conditions is evaluated at each reporting period and compensation expense is adjusted based on the probability assessment.    

During the first nine months of fiscal 2021, the Company recognized $0.7 million of compensation expense associated with the shares granted under the 2019 LTI Plan. 

Item 3.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK


Not applicable.


Item 4.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


An evaluation was performed of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) as of November 30, 2017.2020. This evaluation was conducted under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) and our Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer).


Based on that evaluation, these officers concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e).


In addition, no change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) occurred during the quarter ended November 30, 20172020 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.



PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Not Applicable.


applicable.

Item 1A.RISK FACTORS

Not required by smaller reporting company.


Item 2.UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Period 
Total # of Shares
Purchased
  
Average Price
Paid per Share
  
Total # of Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly Announced Plan (1)
  
Maximum # of Shares that May
be Repurchased under the Plan (2)(3)
 
             
September 1 - 30, 2017  736  $10.19   0   297,368 
October 1 - 31, 2017  0  $N/A   0   297,368 
November 1 - 30, 2017  0   N/A   0   297,368 
Total  736  $10.19   0     

(1)

Period

All

Total # of Shares

Purchased

Average Price

Paid per Share

Total # of Shares

Purchased as

Part of Publicly Announced Plan (1)

Maximum # of Shares that may

be Repurchased under the shares of common stock set forth in this column were part of a publicly announced plan as described in Footnote 2 below.Plan (1)

September 1 - 30, 2020

-$--519,594

October 1 - 31, 2020

---519,594

November 1 - 30, 2020

---519,594

Total

-$--

(2)

(1)

In April 2008,

On February 4, 2019 the Board of Directors authorized us to purchase up to 500,000 shares of our commonapproved a new stock under arepurchase plan, replacing the former 2008 stock repurchase plan. PursuantThe maximum number of shares which can be purchased under the new plan is 800,000. Amounts in the table reflect the remaining number of shares available to thebe repurchased. This plan we may purchase a total of 296,632 additional shares of our common stock until 500,000 shares have been repurchased.


(3)
There ishas no expiration date for the repurchase plan.
date.

Item 3.DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Not Applicable.


applicable.

Item 4.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

None.


Item 5.     5.          OTHER INFORMATION

None.


Item 6.EXHIBITS





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.


EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

(Registrant)

   

Date: January 16, 201813, 2021

By

/s/ Randall W. White

  

Chairman of the Board, President

and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

Date:  January 16, 2018By/s/ Dan E. O’Keefe
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)


EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit No.Description




24

25