Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

[X]

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

 

 

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020

or

[  ]

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

 

 

 

For the transition period from ________ to ________

Commission File Number 0-29466001-35929

 

         National Research Corporation         

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Wisconsin

 

47-0634000

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

 

1245 Q Street, Lincoln, Nebraska          68508

 

 

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

 

 

(402) 475-2525

 

 

(Registrant’sRegistrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

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

Title of Each Class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $.001 par value

NRC

The NASDAQ stock market

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  ☒  No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T 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, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated "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

    (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company

 

 

Emerging growth company


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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act.)

Yes ☐    No  ☒ 

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’sissuer’s classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class A Common Stock, $.001 par value, outstanding as of OctoberApril 274, 20201720: 20,942,785 shares

Class B Common Stock, $.001 par value, outstanding as of October25, 2183,8517, 2017: 3,540,244 shares

 

-1-

 

NATIONAL RESEARCH CORPORATION

 

FORM 10-Q INDEX

 

For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020

 

 

 

Page No.

 

 

 

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

4

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

5

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive IncomeShareholders’ Equity

66-7

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

78

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

8-169-21

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’sManagement’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

17-2422-27

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

2428

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

2428

 

 

 

 

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

29

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

2529

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

2530

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

2531

 

 

 

 

Signatures

2632

 

-2-

 

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

Certain matters discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements can generally be identified as such because the context of the statement includes phrases such as National Research Corporation, doing business as NRC Health (“NRC Health,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “us” or similar terms), “believes,” “expects,” “may,” “could,” “anticipates,” or other words of similar import. Similarly, statements that describe the Company’sour future plans, objectives or goals are also forward-looking statements. In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, statements regarding the future value and utility of, and market demand for, our service offerings, our ability to compete successfully in the future, future opportunities for growth with respect to new and existing clients, future acquisition opportunities, future consolidation in the healthcare industry, the future adequacy of our liquidity sources, future revenue sources, future capital expenditures, the future phase out of LIBOR and applicable replacement benchmark rates, the future tax impact of the CARES Act on our financial statements and results, the future impact of the February 2020 cyber-attack and our future collection of insurance proceeds related to such event, and the expected impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related government mandates and recommendations, among others, are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those currently anticipated. Factors that could affect actual results or outcomes include, without limitation, the following factors:

The likelihood that the COVID-19 pandemic will adversely affect our sales, earnings, financial condition and liquidity;

 

 

The possibility of non-renewal of the Company’sour client service contracts and retention of key clients;

 

 

The Company’sOur ability to compete in itsour markets, which are highly competitive with new market entrants, and the possibility of increased price pressure and expenses;

 

 

The effects of an economic downturn;

 

 

The impact of consolidation in the healthcare industry;

 

 

The impact of federal healthcare reform legislation or other regulatory changes;

 

 

The Company’sOur ability to attract and retain key managers and other personnel;

 

 

The possibility that the Company’sour intellectual property and other proprietary information technology could be copied or independently developed by itsour competitors;

 

 

The possibility for failures or deficiencies in our information technology platform;

The possibility that the Companywe could be subject to cyber-attacks, security breaches or computer viruses; and

 

 

The factors set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of the Company’sour Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2019, as such section may be updated or supplemented by Part II, Item 1A of the Company’sour subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q (including this Report).

 

Shareholders, potential investors and other readers are urged to consider these and other factors in evaluating the forward-looking statements and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included are only made as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the Company undertakeswe undertake no obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.circumstances, except as required by the federal securities laws.

 

-3-

 

PART I – Financial Information

ITEM 1. Financial Statements

NATIONAL RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share amounts and par value)

 

 

September 30,

2017

  

December 31,

2016

  

March 31,

2020

  

December 31,

2019

 
 

(unaudited)

      

(unaudited)

     

Assets

                

Current assets:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

 $35,750  $33,021  $10,021  $13,517 

Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $188 and $169 in 2017 and 2016, respectively

  13,588   10,864 

Unbilled revenue

  1,283   1,546 

Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $143 and $144, respectively

  17,403   11,639 

Prepaid expenses

  3,075   1,585   2,608   2,038 

Income tax receivable

  61   14 

Income taxes receivable

  580   69 

Insurance receivable

  2,771   -- 

Other current assets

  65   35   1,556   1,894 

Total current assets

  53,822   47,065   34,939   29,157 
                

Property and equipment, net

  12,089   11,806 

Net property and equipment

  12,655   13,530 

Intangible assets, net

  2,932   3,124   1,635   1,728 

Goodwill

  58,036   57,861   57,746   57,935 

Deferred contract costs, net

  4,896   4,204 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

  1,460   1,628 

Other

  1,861   768   2,524   2,503 

Total assets

 $128,740  $120,624  $115,855  $110,685 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

        
        

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

        

Current liabilities:

                

Current portion of notes payable

 $1,693  $2,683  $4,631  $4,378 

Accounts payable

  548   765   655   1,279 

Accrued wages, bonus and profit sharing

  4,151   4,543   4,913   6,086 

Accrued expenses

  3,122   3,069   4,292   3,408 

Current portion of capital lease obligations

  87   82 

Income taxes payable

  1,862   662   --   366 

Dividends payable

  4,218   4,213   5,278   5,239 

Deferred revenue

  18,486   15,497   19,111   16,354 

Other current liabilities

  999   1,045 

Total current liabilities

  34,167   31,514   39,879   38,155 
                

Notes payable, net of current portion

  -   857 

Notes payable, net of current portion and unamortized debt issuance costs

  28,593   29,795 

Deferred income taxes

  4,855   4,670   7,704   7,399 

Other long term liabilities

  874   777   2,382   2,444 

Total liabilities

  39,896   37,818   78,558   77,793 
                

Shareholders’ equity:

        

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 2,000,000 shares, none issued

  --   -- 

Class A Common stock, $0.001 par value; authorized 60,000,000 shares, issued 25,799,230 in 2017 and 25,656,760 in 2016, outstanding 20,942,785 in 2017 and 20,891,069 in 2016

  26   26 

Class B Common stock, $0.001 par value; authorized 80,000,000 shares, issued 4,317,656 in 2017 and 4,308,875 in 2016, outstanding 3,540,244 in 2017 and 3,539,931 in 2016

  4   4 

Shareholders’ equity:

        

Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 2,000,000 shares, none issued

  --   -- 

Common stock, $0.001 par value; authorized 60,000,000 shares, issued 30,412,055 in 2020 and 30,151,574 in 2019, outstanding 25,132,001 in 2020 and 24,947,500 in 2019

  30   30 

Additional paid-in capital

  50,121   46,725   165,631   162,154 

Retained earnings

  75,278   71,507 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  (1,528

)

  (2,626

)

Treasury stock, at cost; 4,856,445 Class A shares, 777,412 Class B shares in 2017 and 4,765,691 Class A shares, 768,944 Class B shares in 2016

  (35,057

)

  (32,830

)

Total shareholders’ equity

  88,844   82,806 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 $128,740  $120,624 

Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)

  (86,880

)

  (93,357

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, foreign currency translation adjustment

  (3,333

)

  (2,209

)

Treasury stock, at cost; 5,280,054 Common shares in 2020 and 5,204,074 shares in 2019

  (38,151

)

  (33,726

)

Total shareholders’ equity

  37,297   32,892 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 $115,855  $110,685 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

-4-
3

 

NATIONAL RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands, except for per share amounts, unaudited)

 

  

Three months ended
September 30,

  

Nine months ended
September 30,

 
  

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

 
                 

Revenue

 $28,951  $27,032  $87,661  $81,016 
                 

Operating expenses:

                

Direct

  12,267   11,468   36,706   33,741 

Selling, general and administrative

  8,430   7,139   22,021   21,766 

Depreciation and amortization

  1,132   1,086   3,376   3,146 

Total operating expenses

  21,829   19,693   62,103   58,653 
                 

Operating income

  7,122   7,339   25,558   22,363 
                 

Other income (expense):

                

Interest income

  29   12   58   34 

Interest expense

  (18

)

  (38

)

  (68

)

  (158

)

Other, net

  40   (4

)

  76   112 
                 

Total other income (expense)

  51   (30

)

  66   (12

)

                 

Income before income taxes

  7,173   7,309   25,624   22,351 
                 

Provision for income taxes

  3,020   2,580   9,198   7,558 
                 

Net income

 $4,153  $4,729  $16,426  $14,793 
                 

Earnings Per Share of Common Stock:

                

Basic Earnings Per Share:

                

Class A

 $0.10  $0.11  $0.39  $0.35 

Class B

 $0.59  $0.67  $2.34  $2.11 

Diluted Earnings Per Share:

                

Class A

 $0.09  $0.11  $0.38  $0.35 

Class B

 $0.57  $0.66  $2.28  $2.08 
                 

Dividends Per Share of Common Stock:

                

Class A

 $0.10  $0.08  $0.30  $0.24 

Class B

 $0.60  $0.48  $1.80  $1.44 
                 

Weighted average shares and share equivalents outstanding:

                

Class A – basic

  20,788   20,716   20,759   20,712 

Class B – basic

  3,514   3,511   3,514   3,503 

Class A – diluted

  21,740   21,068   21,537   21,017 

Class B – diluted

  3,620   3,556   3,595   3,557 
  

Three months ended
March 31,

 
  

2020

  

2019

 
         

Revenue

 $33,860  $31,480 
         

Operating expenses:

        

Direct, exclusive of depreciation and amortization

  12,546   11,654 

Selling, general and administrative, exclusive of depreciation and amortization

  8,749   7,707 

Depreciation and amortization

  1,371   1,415 

Total operating expenses

  22,666   20,776 
         

Operating income

  11,194   10,704 
         

Other income (expense):

        

Interest income

  11   6 

Interest expense

  (465

)

  (570

)

Other, net

  630   (280

)

         

Total other income (expense)

  176   (844

)

         

Income before income taxes

  11,370   9,860 
         

Income tax provision (benefit)

  (385)  1,664 
         

Net income

 $11,755  $8,196 
         

Earnings Per Share of Common Stock:

        

Basic Earnings Per Share

 $0.47  $0.33 

Diluted Earnings Per Share

 $0.46  $0.32 
         

Weighted average shares and share equivalents outstanding:

        

Basic

  24,972   24,766 

Diluted

  25,725   25,509 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

 

NATIONAL RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands, unaudited)

 

  

Three months ended
September 30,

  

Nine months ended

September 30,

 
  

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

 
                 

Net income

 $4,153  $4,729  $16,426  $14,793 

Other comprehensive income:

                

Foreign currency translation adjustment

  599   (198

)

  1,098   680 

Other comprehensive income

 $599  $(198

)

 $1,098  $680 
                 

Comprehensive Income

 $4,752  $4,531  $17,524  $15,473 
  

Three months ended

March 31,

 
  

2020

  

2019

 
         

Net income

 $11,755  $8,196 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

        

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 $(1,124) $365 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 $(1,124) $365 
         

Comprehensive income

 $10,631  $8,561 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

NATIONAL RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

(In thousands except share and per share amounts, unaudited)

  

Common
Stock

  

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

  

Retained
Earnings

  

Accumulated

Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

  

Treasury

Stock

  

Total

 

Balances at December 31, 2019

 $30  $162,154  $(93,357

)

 $(2,209

)

 $(33,726

)

 $32,892 

Purchase of 75,980 shares treasury stock

  --   --   --   --   (4,425

)

  (4,425

)

Issuance of 260,481 common shares for the exercise of stock options

  --   3,145   --   --   --   3,145 

Non-cash stock compensation expense

  --   332   --   --   --   332 

Dividends declared of $0.21 per common share

  --   --   (5,278

)

  --   --   (5,278

)

Other comprehensive income, foreign currency translation adjustment

  --   --   --   (1,124

)

  --   (1,124)

Net income

  --   --   11,755   --   --   11,755 

Balances at March 31, 2020

 $30  $165,631  $(86,880

)

 $(3,333

)

 $(38,151

)

 $37,297 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

NATIONAL RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity

(In thousands except share and per share amounts, unaudited)

  

Common
Stock (formerly

Class A)

  

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

  

Retained
Earnings

  

Accumulated

Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

  

Treasury

Stock

  

Total

 

Balances at December 31, 2018

 $30  $157,312  $(106,339

)

 $(2,916

)

 $(29,004

)

 $19,083 

Purchase of 28,657 shares treasury stock

  --   --   --   --   (1,116

)

  (1,116

)

Issuance of 86,247 common shares for the exercise of stock options

  --   633   --   --   --   633 

Issuance of 6,005 restricted common shares, net of (forfeitures)

  --   --   --   --   --   -- 

Non-cash stock compensation expense

  --   302   --   --   --   302 

Dividends declared of $0.19 per common share

  --   --   (4,724

)

  --   --   (4,724

)

Other comprehensive income, foreign currency translation adjustment

  --   --   --   365   --   365 

Net income

  --   --   8,196   --   --   8,196 

Balances at March 31, 2019

 $30  $158,247  $(102,867

)

 $(2,551

)

 $(30,120

)

 $22,739 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

NATIONAL RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands, unaudited)

 

 

Nine months ended

  

Three months ended

 
 

September 30,

  

March 31,

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2020

  

2019

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                

Net income

 $16,426  $14,793  $11,755  $8,196 

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

                

Depreciation and amortization

  3,376   3,146   1,371   1,415 

Deferred income taxes

  184   905   348   (25

)

Reserve for uncertain tax positions

  112   (42

)

  80   20 

Non-cash share-based compensation expense

  1,273   1,548   332   302 

Net changes in assets and liabilities:

                

Trade accounts receivable

  (2,574

)

  (4,197

)

  (5,886

)

  (3,934

)

Unbilled revenue

  276   141 

Prepaid expenses

  (1,274

)

  (315

)

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

  (165

)

  (1,004

)

Insurance receivable

  (2,771

)

  -- 

Deferred contract costs, net

  (693

)

  (158

)

Operating lease assets and liabilities, net

  (4

)

  3 

Accounts payable

  (108

)

  73   (623

)

  807 

Accrued expenses, wages, bonuses and profit sharing

  (293

)

  (90

)

  (139

)

  (1,840

)

Income taxes receivable and payable

  1,157   (476

)

  (886

)

  1,531 

Deferred revenue

  2,925   2,533   2,804   1,987 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  21,480   18,019   5,523   7,300 
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

                

Purchase of equity investment

  (1,300

)

  -- 

Purchase of intangible Content License

  (250

)

  -- 

Purchases of property and equipment

  (3,347

)

  (3,066

)

  (590

)

  (1,134

)

Net cash used in investing activities

  (4,897

)

  (3,066

)

  (590

)

  (1,134

)

                

Cash flows from financing activities:

                

Borrowings on line of credit

  --   8,500 

Payments on line of credit

  --   (6,750

)

Payments on notes payable

  (1,847

)

  (1,795

)

  (959

)

  (918

)

Payments on capital lease obligations

  (81

)

  (73

)

Cash paid for non-controlling interest

  --   (2,000

)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

  --   548 

Payments on finance lease obligations

  (58

)

  (57

)

Payment of employee payroll tax withholdings on share-based awards exercised

  (105

)

  (204

)

  (1,280

)

  (483

)

Payment of dividends on common stock

  (12,649

)

  (25,180

)

  (5,239

)

  (17,112

)

Net cash used in financing activities

  (14,682

)

  (28,704

)

  (7,536

)

  (16,820

)

                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

  828   484   (893

)

  304 

Change in cash and cash equivalents

  2,729   (13,267

)

  (3,496

)

  (10,350

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

  33,021   42,145   13,517   12,991 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 $35,750  $28,878  $10,021  $2,641 
                

Supplemental disclosure of cash paid for:

                

Interest, net of capitalized amounts

 $65  $152  $445  $520 

Income taxes

 $7,749  $7,254  $70  $147 

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:

                

Capital lease obligations originated for property and equipment

 $74  $109 

Finance lease obligations originated for property and equipment

 $--  $25 

Stock tendered to the Company for cashless exercise of stock options in connection with equity incentive plans

 $2,123  $397  $3,145  $633 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

NATIONAL RESEARCH CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  

1.(1)

BASISSUMMARY OF CONSOLIDATION AND PRESENTATIONSIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Description of business and basis of presentation

 

National Research Corporation, doing business as NRC Health (“NRC Health,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” “us” or similar terms), is a leading provider of analytics and insights that facilitate measurement and improvement of the patient and employee experience while also increasing patient engagement and customer loyalty for healthcare providers, payers and other healthcare organizations in the United States and Canada. Our portfolio of solutions represents a unique set of capabilities that individually and collectively provide value to our clients. The Company’s solutions enable its clients to understandare offered at an enterprise level through the voiceVoice of the customer with greater clarity, immediacyCustomer ("VoC") platform, The Governance Institute, and depth.legacy Experience solutions. 

 

The Company’sOur six operating segments are aggregated into one reporting segment because they have similar economic characteristics and meet the other aggregation criteria from the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) guidance on segment disclosure. The six operating segments are Experience, The Governance Institute, Market Insights, Transparency, NRC HealthNational Research Corporation Canada and Transitions, (formerly Connect), which offer a portfolio of solutions that address specific needs around market insight, experience, transparency and governance for healthcare providers, payers and other healthcare organizations.

 

TheOur condensed consolidated balance sheet of the Company at December 31, 2016,2019 was derived from the Company’sour audited consolidated balance sheet as of that date. All other financial statements contained herein are unaudited and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) the Company considersthat we consider necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations and cash flows in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

 

Information and footnote disclosures included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto that are included in the Company’sour Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2019, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 3, 2017.6, 2020.

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and itsour wholly-owned subsidiary, National Research Corporation Canada, doing business as NRC Health Canada. The condensed consolidated statement of income for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 also included Customer-Connect LLC.  Customer-Connect LLC became a wholly-owned subsidiary in March 2016 and was previously a variable interest entity for which NRC Health was deemed the primary beneficiary. On June 30, 2016, Customer-Connect LLC was dissolved. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

 

TheOur Canadian subsidiary uses as its functional currency the local currency of the Company’s foreign subsidiary, National Research Corporation Canada, doing business as NRC Health Canada, is the subsidiary’s local currency. The Companycountry in which it operates. It translates theits assets and liabilities of its foreign subsidiaryinto U.S. dollars at the period-endexchange rate of exchangein effect at the balance sheet date. It translates its revenue and its foreign subsidiary’s income statement balancesexpenses at the average exchange rate prevailing during the period. The Company records the resultingWe include translation adjustmentgains and losses in accumulated other comprehensive loss,income (loss), a component of shareholders’ equity. Since the undistributed earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiary are considered to be indefinitely reinvested, no taxes were provided for on currency translation adjustments arising from converting the investment denominated in a foreign currency to U.S. dollars. Gains and losses related to transactions denominated in a currency other than the subsidiary’s localfunctional currency of the country in which we operate and short-term intercompany accounts are included in other income (expense) in the condensed consolidated statements of income.


Revenue Recognition

 

Equity InvestmentsWe derive a majority of our revenues from our annually renewable subscription-based service agreements with our customers, which include performance measurement and improvement services, healthcare analytics and governance education services. Such agreements are generally cancelable on short or no notice without penalty. See Note 2 for further information about our contracts with customers. We account for revenue using the following steps:

 

The Company acquires equity investments to promote business and strategic objectives. For investments that do not have a readily determinable fair value, the Company applies either cost or equity method of accounting depending on the nature of its investment and its ability to exercise significant influence. Investments are periodically analyzed to determine whether or not there are any indicators of impairment and written down to fair value if the investment has incurred an other than temporary impairment. During the three-month period ended September 30, 2017, the Company acquired a $1.3 million investment in convertible preferred stock of PracticingExcellence.com, Inc., a privately-held Delaware Corporation (“PX”), which is carried at cost and included in other non-current assets. The Company has a seat on PX's board of directors and the Company's investment, which is not considered to be in-substance common stock, represents approximately 15.7% of the issued and outstanding equity interests in PX at September 30, 2017.

Identify the contract, or contracts, with a customer;

Identify the performance obligations in the contract;

Determine the transaction price;

Allocate the transaction price to the identified performance obligations; and

Recognize revenue when, or as, we satisfy the performance obligations.

 

 

ReclassificationsOur revenue arrangements with a client may include combinations of more than one service offering which may be executed at the same time, or within close proximity of one another. We combine contracts with the same customer into a single contract for accounting purposes when the contract is entered into at or near the same time and the contracts are negotiated together. For contracts that contain more than one separately identifiable performance obligation, the total transaction price is allocated to the identified performance obligations based upon the relative stand-alone selling prices of the performance obligations. The stand-alone selling prices are based on an observable price for services sold to other comparable customers, when available, or an estimated selling price using a cost-plus margin or residual approach. We estimate the amount of total contract consideration we expect to receive for variable arrangements based on the most likely amount we expect to earn from the arrangement based on the expected quantities of services we expect to provide and the contractual pricing based on those quantities. We only include some or a portion of variable consideration in the transaction price when it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur. We consider the sensitivity of the estimate, our relationship and experience with the client and variable services being performed, the range of possible revenue amounts and the magnitude of the variable consideration to the overall arrangement. Our revenue arrangements do not contain any significant financing element due to the contract terms and the timing between when consideration is received and when the service is provided.

 

ReclassificationsOur arrangements with customers consist principally of four different types of arrangements: 1) subscription-based service agreements; 2) one-time specified services performed at a single point in time; 3) fixed, non-subscription service agreements; and 4) unit-priced service agreements.

Subscription-based services - Services that are provided under subscription-based service agreements are usually for a twelve month period and represent a single promise to stand ready to provide reporting, tools and services throughout the subscription period as requested by the customer. These agreements are renewable at the option of the customer at the completion of the initial contract term for an agreed upon price increase each year. These agreements represent a series of distinct monthly services that are substantially the same, with the same pattern of transfer to the customer as the customer receives and consumes the benefits throughout the contract period. Accordingly, subscription services are recognized ratably over the subscription period. Subscription services are typically billed annually in advance but may also be billed on a quarterly and monthly basis.

One-time services – These agreements typically require us to perform a specific one-time service in a particular month. We are entitled to a fixed payment upon completion of the service. Under these arrangements, we recognize revenue at the point in time we complete the service and it is accepted by the customer.

Fixed, non-subscription services – These arrangements typically require us to perform an unspecified amount of services for a fixed price during a fixed period of time. Revenues are recognized over time based upon the costs incurred to date in relation to the total estimated contract costs. In determining cost estimates, management uses historical and forecasted cost information which is based on estimated volumes, external and internal costs and other factors necessary in estimating the total costs over the term of the contract. Changes in estimates are accounted for using a cumulative catch up adjustment which could impact the amount and timing of revenue for any period.

Unit-price services – These arrangements typically require us to perform certain services on a periodic basis as requested by the customer for a per-unit amount which is typically billed in the month following the performance of the service. Revenue under these arrangements is recognized over the time the services are performed at the per-unit amount.

Revenue is presented net of any sales tax charged to our clients that we are required to remit to taxing authorities. We recognize contract assets or unbilled receivables related to revenue recognized for services completed but not invoiced to the clients. Unbilled receivables are classified as receivables when we have an unconditional right to contract consideration. A contract liability is recognized as deferred revenue when we invoice clients in advance of performing the related services under the terms of a contract. Deferred revenue is recognized as revenue when we have satisfied the related performance obligation.  

Deferred Contract Costs

Deferred contract costs, net is stated at gross deferred costs less accumulated amortization. We defer commissions and incentives, including payroll taxes, if they are incremental and recoverable costs of obtaining a renewable customer contract. Deferred contract costs are amortized over the estimated term of the contract, including renewals, which generally ranges from three to five years. The contract term was estimated by considering factors such as historical customer attrition rates and product life. The amortization period is adjusted for significant changes in the estimated remaining term of a contract.  An impairment of deferred contract costs is recognized when the unamortized balance of deferred contract costs exceeds the remaining amount of consideration we expect to receive net of the expected future costs directly related to providing those services.  We have elected the practical expedient to expense contract costs when incurred for any nonrenewable contracts with a term of one year or less. We deferred incremental costs of obtaining a contract of $1.6 million and $868,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Deferred contract costs, net of accumulated amortization was $4.9 million and $4.2 million at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Total amortization by expense classification for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was as follows:

  

2020

  

2019

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Direct expenses

 $148  $6 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 $743  $683 

Total amortization

 $891  $689 

Additional expense included in selling, general and administrative expenses for impairment of costs capitalized due to lost clients was $1,000 and $21,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Trade Accounts Receivable

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount. Effective January 1, 2020, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This ASU requires the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets, including trade receivables, held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The adoption of this standard did not impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. The allowance for doubtful accounts is our best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in our existing accounts receivable, determined based on our historical write-off experience, current economic conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts about the future. We review the allowance for doubtful accounts monthly. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been made from noncurrent deferred income taxes to other noncurrent liabilitiesexhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.

The following table provides the activity in the 2016 condensedallowance for doubtful accounts for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 (In thousands):

  

Balance at Beginning of

Period

  

Bad Debt

Expense

(Benefit)

  

Write-offs

  

Recoveries

  

Balance at

End of Period

 
                     

Three months ended March 31, 2020

 $144  $20  $35  $14  $143 

Three months ended March 31, 2019

 $175  $(25

)

 $22  $10  $138 

Leases

We determine whether a lease is included in an agreement at inception. Operating lease ROU assets are included in operating lease right-of-use assets in our consolidated balance sheetsheet. Finance lease assets are included in property and equipment. Operating and finance lease liabilities are included in other current liabilities and other long term liabilities. Certain lease arrangements may include options to extend or terminate the lease. We include these provisions in the ROU and lease liabilities only when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for operating lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and is included in direct expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses. Our lease agreements do not contain any residual value guarantees.

ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments during the lease term. ROU assets and lease liabilities are recorded at lease commencement based on the estimated present value of lease payments. Because the unrecognized tax benefits relatedrate of interest implicit in each lease is not readily determinable, we use our estimated incremental collateralized borrowing rate at lease commencement, to state taxes grosscalculate the present value of federal tax benefits, consistentlease payments. When determining the appropriate incremental borrowing rate, we consider our available credit facilities, recently issued debt and public interest rate information.

We elected the practical expedient to account for lease and non-lease components as a single lease component for all asset classifications. We have also made a policy election to not record short-term leases with a duration of 12 months or less on the balance sheet.

Implementation Costs of Hosting Arrangements

When a software license is included in a cloud computing arrangement and we have the ability and feasibility to download the software, it is accounted for as software, included in property and equipment, and amortized. If a software license is not included or we do not have the ability or feasibility to download software included in a cloud computing arrangement, it is accounted for as a service contract, which is expensed to direct expenses or selling, general and administrative expenses during the service period. Effective January 1, 2020, we prospectively adopted ASU 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal Use Software (Subtopic 350-40). This ASU aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the 2017requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal use software license). The adoption did not significantly impact our results of operations and financial statement presentation. There was no impact on the previously reported net income and earnings per share.position.

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

The Company’sOur valuation techniques are based on maximizing observable inputs and minimizing the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Observable inputs reflect readily obtainable data from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’sour market assumptions. The inputs are then classified into the following hierarchy: (1) Level 1 Inputs—quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities; (2) Level 2 Inputs—observable market-based inputs other than Level 1 inputs, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for similar or identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data; and (3) Level 3 Inputs—unobservable inputs.

Commercial paper and Eurodollar deposits are included in cash equivalents and are valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value due to their short-term nature. Eurodollar deposits are United States dollars deposited in a foreign bank branch of a United States bank and have daily liquidity. Both of these are included as a Level 2 measurement in the table below.

 

The following details the Company’sour financial assets and liabilities within the fair value hierarchy at September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2016:2019:

  

Level 1

  

Level 2

  

Level 3

  

Total

 
  

(In thousands)

 

As of March 31, 2020

                

Money Market Funds

 $2,739  $--  $--  $2,739 

Total Cash Equivalents

 $2,739  $--  $--  $2,739 
                 

As of December 31, 2019

                

Money Market Funds

 $3,662  $--  $--  $3,662 

Total Cash Equivalents

 $3,662  $--  $--  $3,662 

There were no transfers between levels during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020.

 

Fair Values Measured on a Recurring Basis

  

Level 1

  

Level 2

  

Level 3

  

Total

 
  

(In thousands)

 

As of September 30, 2017

                

Money Market Funds

 $12,586  $--  $--  $12,586 

Commercial Paper

  --   12,948   --   12,948 

Eurodollar Deposits

  --   10,008   --   10,008 

Total

 $12,586  $22,956  $--  $35,542 
                 

As of December 31, 2016

                

Money Market Funds

 $11,200  $--  $--  $11,200 

Commercial Paper

  --   21,450   --   21,450 

Total

 $11,200  $21,450  $--  $32,650 

The Company’sOur long-term debt described in Note 4 is recorded at historical cost. The following are the carrying amounts and estimated fair values, using avalue of long-term debt is classified in Level 2 discounted cash flow analysisof the fair value hierarchy and was estimated based primarily on estimated current rates available for debt of the same remaining duration and adjusted for nonperformance and credit risk:credit. The following are the carrying amount and estimated fair values of long-term debt:

 

 

September 30,

2017

  

December 31,

2016

  

March 31,

2020

  

December 31,

2019

 
 

(In thousands)

  

(In thousands)

 

Total carrying amounts of long-term debt

 $1,693  $3,540 

Total carrying amount of long-term debt

 $33,321  $34,281 

Estimated fair value of long-term debt

 $1,690  $3,533  $35,246  $35,205 

 

The Company believes that the carrying amounts of trade accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued expenses approximate their fair value due to the short maturity of those instruments. Long-livedvalue. All non-financial assets that are not recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis, which includes ROU assets, property and equipment, goodwill, intangibles and cost method investments, are measured at fair value in certain circumstances (for example, when there is evidence of impairment). As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, and December 31, 2016,2019, there was no indication of impairment related to these assets.

Annually, we consider whether the recorded goodwill and indefinite lived intangibles have been impaired. However, goodwill and intangibles must be tested between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change to indicate that it is more likely than not that an impairment loss has been incurred (“triggering event”). We considered the current and expected future economic and market conditions, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on each of our reporting units. We also assessed our current market capitalization compared to book value, forecasts and margins in our last quantitative impairment testing. We concluded that a triggering event has not occurred which would require an interim impairment test to be performed as it is not more likely than not that an impairment loss has been incurred at March 31, 2020.

Our Canadian reporting unit generates service revenue from a relatively small number of customers with approximately 56.5% of its annual revenue concentrated in one customer contract which currently expires in March 2021. While historically we have been successful in renewing or retaining contracts with our customers, should we be unable to or choose not to renew a significant contract, it would likely result in an impairment of goodwill at this reporting unit. The carrying amount of goodwill related to our Canadian reporting unit at March 31, 2020 was $2.0 million.

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies

From time to time, we are involved in certain claims and litigation arising in the normal course of business. Management assesses the probability of loss for such contingencies and recognizes a liability when a loss is probable and estimable. Legal fees, net of estimated insurance recoveries, are expensed as incurred. There were no outstanding claims at March 31, 2020.

A sales tax accrual of $775,000 was recorded in 2019 after we became aware that a state sales tax liability was both probable and estimable as of December 31, 2019, due to sales taxes that should have been collected from customers in 2019 and certain previous years. We are working through voluntary disclosure agreements with certain states and will have procedures in place to start collecting and remitting sales tax in June or July of 2020. State and local jurisdictions have differing rules and regulations governing sales, use, and other taxes and these rules and regulations can be complex and subject to varying interpretations that may change over time. As a result, we could face the possibility of tax assessment and audits, and our liability for these taxes and associated interest and penalties could exceed our original estimates. In addition, we incurred additional sales tax expense in the first quarter of 2020 of $50,000 and will incur additional expense in the second quarter of 2020, since we will not start collecting sales tax from customers until June or July of 2020.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740). Among other clarifications and simplifications related to income tax accounting, this ASU simplifies the accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period, hybrid taxes and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences.  The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020 and interim periods within those fiscal years.  Early adoption is permitted in interim or annual periods with any adjustments reflected as of the beginning of the annual period that includes that interim period.  Additionally, entities that elect early adoption must adopt all the amendments in the same period.  Amendments are to be applied prospectively, except for certain amendments that are to be applied either retrospectively or with a modified retrospective approach through a cumulative effect adjustment recorded to retained earnings.  We are currently in the process of further evaluating the impact that this new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2020, FASB issued ASU No. 2020-04, "Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting", which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments apply only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The amendments are effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022. We expect to apply the optional expedient for contract modification to account for the change in the reference rate on impacted credit facilities prospectively by adjusting the effective interest rate.

2.(2)

CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

The following table disaggregates revenue for the three-month periods ending March 31, 2020 and 2019 based on timing of revenue recognition (in thousands):

  

2020

  

2019

 

Subscription services recognized ratably over time

 $30,421  $27,913 

Services recognized at a point in time

  1,096   1,000 

Fixed, non-subscription recognized over time

  517   534 

Unit price services recognized over time

  1,826   2,033 

Total revenue

 $33,860  $31,480 

Our solutions within the digital VoC platform in the three-month periods ending March 31, 2020 and 2019 accounted for 69.1% and 57.8% of total revenue, respectively. The remaining revenue consists of legacy Experience and Governance Solutions.

The following table provides information about receivables, contract assets, and contract liabilities from contracts with customers (In thousands):

  

March 31,

2020

  

December 31,

2019

 

Accounts receivables

 $17,403  $11,639 

Contract assets included in other current assets

 $116  $103 

Deferred Revenue

 $(19,111

)

 $(16,354

)

Significant changes in contract assets and contract liabilities during the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows (in thousands):

  

2020

  

2019

 
  

Contract

Asset

  

Deferred

Revenue

  

Contract

Asset

  

Deferred

Revenue

 
  

Increase (Decrease)

 

Revenue recognized that was included in deferred revenue at beginning of year due to completion of services

 $-  $(6,475

)

 $-  $(7,289

)

Increases due to invoicing of client, net of amounts recognized as revenue

  -   9,218   -   9,082 

Decreases due to completion of services (or portion of services) and transferred to accounts receivable

  (69

)

  -   (32

)

  - 

Change due to cumulative catch-up adjustments arising from changes in expected contract consideration

      13   -   204 

Decreases due to impairment

  -   -   -   - 

Increases due to revenue recognized in the period with additional performance obligations before invoicing

  81   -   79   - 


We applied the practical expedient to not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for contracts with an original expected length of one year or less. Total remaining contract revenue for contracts with original duration of greater than one year expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied at March 31, 2020 approximated $759,000, of which $671,000 and $88,000 are expected to be recognized during 2020 and 2021, respectively.

(3)

INCOME TAXES

 

The effective tax rate for the three-month period ended September 30, 2017 increasedMarch 31, 2020 decreased to 42.1%a (3.4)% benefit compared to 35.3%16.9% expense for the same period in 20162019 mainly due to $384,000 of additional tax expense from non-deductible proposed recapitalization expenses (see Note 9). The effective tax rate for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017 increased to 35.9% compared to 33.8% for the same period in 2016. The increase in the effective tax rate for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017 was primarily due to $384,000 of additional tax expense from non-deductible proposed recapitalization expenses, increases in the estimated state tax rates as well as a greater proportion of United States income subject to higher tax rates than Canadian income. The Company also had reduced tax expense in 2016 of $105,000 from United States federal tax examination adjustments, net of interest and penalties, and state tax return adjustments decreasing tax expense.  These are partially offset by increased tax benefits of $149,000 in 2017$2.6 million from the exercise and vesting of options and dividends paidshare-based compensation awards partially offset by higher state income taxes due to non-vested shareholders. the requirements to file in more states.  

 

In March 27, 2020, the U.S. federal government enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”). The CARES Act is an emergency economic stimulus package in response to the coronavirus outbreak which, among other things, contains numerous income tax provisions. While we continue to evaluate the impact of the CARES Act, we don’t currently believe it will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or related disclosures.

3.(4)

NOTES PAYABLE

 

Our long-term debt consists of the following:  

  

March 31,

2020

  

December 31,

2019

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Term Loans

 $33,321  $34,281 

Less: current portion

  (4,631

)

  (4,378

)

Less: unamortized debt issuance costs

  (97

)

  (108

)

Notes payable, net of current portion

 $28,593  $29,795 

Our credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with First National Bank of Omaha (“FNB”) includes (i) a $15,000,000 revolving credit facility (the “Line of Credit”), (ii) a $40,000,000 term loan (the “Term Loan”) and (iii) a $15,000,000 delayed draw-dawn term facility (the “Delayed Draw Term Loan” and, together with the Line of Credit and the Term Loan, the “Credit Facilities”). The Company’s term noteDelayed Draw Term Loan may be used to fund any permitted future business acquisitions or repurchases of our Common Stock and the Line of Credit can be used to fund ongoing working capital needs and for other general corporate purposes.

The Term Loan is payable in monthly installments of $212,468. $462,988 through April 2020 and $526,362 thereafter, with a balloon payment due at maturity in April 2023. The Term Loan bears interest at a fixed rate per annum of 5%.

Borrowings under the term note bear interest at an annual rateLine of 3.12%. The outstanding balance ofCredit and the term note at September 30, 2017 was $1.7 million.

The Company also has a revolving credit note which was amended and extended effective June 30, 2017 with a maturity date of June 30, 2018. The maximum aggregate amount available under the revolving credit note is $12.0 million. Borrowings under the revolving credit noteDelayed Draw Term Loan, if any, bear interest at a variable annualfloating rate with three rate options atequal to the discretion of management as follows: (1) 2.1% plus the one-month30-day London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or (2) 2.1% plus 225 basis points (3.61% at March 31, 2020). Interest on the one-, two- or three- month LIBOR rate, or (3)Line of Credit accrues and is payable monthly. Principal amounts outstanding under the bank’s one-, two, three, six, or twelve month Money Market Loan Rate.Line of Credit are due and payable in full at maturity, in April 2021. As of September 30, 2017March 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, the revolving credit noteLine of Credit did not have a balancebalance. There were no borrowings on the Line of Credit for three months ended March 31, 2020. There have been no borrowings on the Delayed Draw Term Loan since origination.

We paid a one-time fee equal to 0.25% of the amount borrowed under the Term Loan at the closing of the Credit Facilities. We are also obligated to pay ongoing unused commitment fees quarterly in arrears pursuant to the Line of Credit and the Company hadDelayed Draw Term Loan facility at a rate of 0.20% per annum based on the capacity to borrow $12.0 million.actual daily unused portions of the Line of Credit and the Delayed Draw Term Loan facility, respectively.

 

The term noteCredit Agreement is collateralized by substantially all of our assets, subject to permitted liens and revolving credit note are secured byother agreed exceptions, and contains customary representations, warranties, affirmative and negative covenants (including financial covenants) and events of default. The negative covenants include, among other things, restrictions regarding the incurrence of indebtedness and liens, repurchases of our Common Stock and acquisitions, subject in each case to certain of the Company’s assets, including the Company’s land, building, trade accounts receivable and intangible assets.exceptions. The term note and revolving credit note contain various restrictions and covenants applicable to the Company, including requirements that the Company maintainCredit Agreement also contains certain financial ratios at prescribed levelscovenants with respect to a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.10x and restrictions on the abilitya maximum cash flow leverage ratio of the Company to consolidate or merge, create liens, incur additional indebtedness or dispose of assets.3.00x. As of September 30, 2017, the Company wasMarch 31, 2020, we were in compliance with itsour financial covenants.

 

4.(5)

SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

 

The Company measuresWe measure and recognizesrecognize compensation expense for all share-based payments based on the grant-date fair value of those awards. All of the Company’sour existing stock option awards and unvested stock awards have been determined to be equity-classified awards. We account for forfeitures as they occur.

 

The Company’sOur 2001 Equity Incentive Plan provided for the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, performance shares and other share-based awards and benefits up to an aggregate of 1,800,000 shares of class A common stock and 300,000 shares of class B commonour Common stock. Stock options granted could have been either nonqualified or incentive stock options. Stock options vest over one to five years following the date of grant and option terms are generally five to ten years following the date of grant. Due to the expiration of the 2001 Equity Incentive Plan at December 31, 2015, there were no shares of stock available for future grants.

 

The Company’sOur 2004 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan, as amended (the “2004 Director Plan”), is a nonqualified plan that provides for the granting of options with respect to 3,000,000 shares of class A common stock and 500,000 shares of class B common stock.our Common Stock. The 2004 Director Plan provides for grants of nonqualified stock options to each director of the Companyour directors who iswe do not employed by the Company. Onemploy. Beginning in 2018, on the date of each annual meeting of shareholders, of the Company, options to purchase 36,000 shares of class A common stock and 6,000 sharesCommon Stock equal to an aggregate grant date fair value of class B common stock$100,000 are granted to directorseach non-employee director that areis elected or retained as a director at each such meeting. Stock options vest approximately one year following the date of grant and option terms are generally the earlier of ten years following the date of grant, or three years infrom the case of termination of the outside director’s service.

 

The Company’sOur 2006 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2006 Equity Incentive Plan”), as amended, provides for the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, performance shares and other share-based awards and benefits up to an aggregate of 1,800,000 shares of class A common stock and 300,000 shares of class B common stock.our Common Stock. Stock options granted may be either incentive stock options or nonqualified stock options. Vesting terms vary with each grant and option terms are generally five to ten years following the date of grant.

 

The CompanyDuring the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, we granted options to purchase 299,91748,934 and 73,331 shares of the Company’s class A common stock and 49,986 shares of the class B common stock during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017.Common Stock, respectively. Options to purchase shares of common stock wereare typically granted with exercise prices equal to the fair value of the common stock on the date of grant. We do, in certain limited situations, grant options with exercise prices that exceed the fair value of the common shares on the date of grant. The fair value of the stock options granted was estimated using a Black-Scholes valuation model with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

 

Class A

 

Class B

 

Class A

 

Class B

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020

  

2019

 

Expected dividend yield at date of grant

 

2.46

to

2.87%

 

7.99

to

8.10%

 

 2.96

to

3.02%

 

 6.67

to

8.12%

 

  1.83

%

  2.85

%

Expected stock price volatility

 

32.20

to

32.62%

 

26.47

to

27.18%

 

 31.33

to

34.61%

 

 27.64

to

31.77%

 

  33.79

%

  34.05

%

Risk-free interest rate

 

2.08

to

2.33%

 

2.08

to

2.33%

 

 1.36

to

2.12%

 

 1.36

to

2.12%

 

  1.74

%

  2.48

%

Expected life of options (in years)

 

6

to

8

 

 6

to

8

 

 6

to

8

 

 6

to

8

 

  8   8 

 

The risk-free interest rate assumptions were based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant. The expected volatility was based on historical monthly price changes of the Company’s commonour stock based on the expected life of the options at the date of grant. The expected life of options is the average number of years the Company estimateswe estimate that options will be outstanding. The Company considersWe consider groups of associates that have similar historical exercise behavior separately for valuation purposes.

 

The following table summarizes stock option activity under the Company’s 2001 and 2006 Equity Incentive Plans and the 2004 Director Plan for the nine monthsthree-month period ended September 30, 2017:March 31, 2020:

 

  

Number of
Options

  

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

  

Weighted Average

Remaining

Contractual Terms

(Years)

  

Aggregate

Intrinsic

Value

(In thousands)

 

Class A

                

Outstanding at December 31, 2016

  1,705,483  $12.31         

Granted

  299,917  $22.13         

Exercised

  (161,784

)

 $11.01      $1,808 

Forfeited

  (60,982

)

 $21.35         

Outstanding at September 30, 2017

  1,782,634  $13.77   5.54  $42,651 

Exercisable at September 30, 2017

  1,310,361  $12.04   4.46  $33,621 

Class B

                

Outstanding at December 31, 2016

  250,493  $29.70         

Granted

  49,986  $42.90         

Exercised

  (12,000

)

 $28.41      $142 

Forfeited

  (10,163

)

 $41.53         

Outstanding at September 30, 2017

  278,316  $31.69   5.74  $6,044 

Exercisable at September 30, 2017

  200,550  $29.06   4.66  $4,884 
  

Number of
Options

  

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

  

Weighted

Average

Remaining

Contractual

Terms

(Years)

  

Aggregate

Intrinsic

Value

(In thousands)

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2019

  1,245,922  $18.08   4.45  $59,631 

Granted

  48,934  $65.80         

Exercised

  (260,481

)

 $12.08      $12,059 

Forfeited

  --  $--         

Outstanding at March 31, 2020

  1,034,375  $21.85   5.36  $25,579 

Exercisable at March 31, 2020

  613,484  $15.16   3.88  $18,600 

 

As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock option awards was approximately $1.5$2.2 million and $186,000 for class A and class B common shares, respectively, which iswas expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.46 years and 2.56 years for class A and class B common stock shares, respectively.3.59 years.

 

non-cash compensation for three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, related to options, which is included in direct fixed and selling, general and administrative expenses.

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, we granted 6,005 non-vested shares of Common Stock under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. No shares were granted during the three months ended March 31, 2020. As of March 31, 2020, we had 49,554 non-vested shares of Common Stock outstanding under the 2006 Equity Incentive Plan. These shares vest over five years following the date of grant and holders thereof are entitled to receive dividends from the date of grant, whether or not vested. The fair value of the awards is calculated as the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant. We recognized $50,000 and $73,000 of non-cash compensation for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, related to this non-vested stock, which is included in direct fixed and selling, general and administrative expenses. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, 34,622 shares vested.

 

The following table summarizes information for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 regarding non-vested stock granted to associates under the 2001 and 2006 Equity Incentive Plans:Plan for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020:

 

 

Class A

Shares

Outstanding

  

Class A

Weighted

Average

Grant Date

Fair Value

Per Share

  

Class B

Shares

Outstanding

  

Class B

Weighted

Average

Grant Date

Fair Value

Per Share

  

Common Shares

Outstanding

  

Weighted Average

Grant Date Fair

Value

Per Share

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2016

  174,487  $13.93   29,081  $37.21 

Outstanding at December 31, 2019

  84,176  $17.23 

Granted

  --   --   --   --   --   -- 

Vested

  --   --   --   --   (34,622)  13.17 

Forfeited

  (19,314

)

 $14.26   (3,219

)

 $34.69   --  $-- 

Outstanding at September 30, 2017

  155,173  $13.89   25,862  $37.53 

Outstanding at March 31, 2020

  49,554  $20.06 

 

As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock awards was approximately $1.0 million$361,000 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.422.91 years.

 

5.(6)

GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

The following represents a summary of changes in the Company’s carrying amount of goodwill for the nine monthsthree-month period ended September 30, 2017:March 31, 2020:

  

(In thousands)

 

Balance as of December 31, 2016

 $57,861 

Foreign currency translation

  175 

Balance as of September 30, 2017

 $58,036 
  

(In thousands)

 

Balance as of December 31, 2019

 $57,935 

Foreign currency translation

  (189

)

Balance as of March 31, 2020

 $57,746 

 

Intangible assets consisted of the following:

 

  

September 30, 2017

  

December 31, 2016

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Non-amortizing other intangible assets:

        

Trade name

 $1,191  $1,191 

Amortizing other intangible assets:

        

Customer related

  9,349   9,331 

Technology

  1,359   1,110 

Trade name

  1,572   1,572 

Total other intangible assets

  13,471   13,204 

Accumulated amortization

  (10,539

)

  (10,080

)

Other intangible assets, net

 $2,932  $3,124 
  

March 31,

2020

  

December 31,

2019

 
  

(In thousands)

 

Non-amortizing intangible assets:

        

Indefinite trade name

 $1,191  $1,191 

Amortizing intangible assets:

        

Customer related

  9,318   9,338 

Technology

  1,360   1,360 

Trade names

  1,572   1,572 

Total amortizing intangible assets

  12,250   12,270 

Accumulated amortization

  (11,806

)

  (11,733

)

Other intangible assets, net

 $1,635  $1,728 

 

6.(7)

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

 

September 30, 2017

  

December 31, 2016

  

March 31,

2020

  

December 31,

2019

 
 

(In thousands)

  

(In thousands)

 

Property and equipment

 $41,183  $37,890  $42,442  $42,078 

Accumulated depreciation

  (29,094

)

  (26,084

)

  (29,787

)

  (28,548

)

Property and equipment, net

 $12,089  $11,806  $12,655  $13,530 

 

 

 7.(8)

EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

Net income per share of class A common stock and class B common stock is computed using the two-class method. Basic net income per share iswas computed by allocating undistributed earnings to common shares and using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period.

 

Diluted net income per share iswas computed using the weighted-average number of common shares and, if dilutive, the potential common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares consist of the incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and vesting of restricted stock. The dilutive effect of outstanding stock options is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method.

 

The liquidation rightsWe had 47,859 and the rights upon the consummation137,453 options of an extraordinary transaction are the sameCommon Stock for the holders of class A common stockthree-month periods ended March 31, 2020 and class B common stock. Other than share distributions and liquidation rights, the amount of any dividend or other distribution payable on each share of class A common stock will be equal to one-sixth (1/6th) of the amount of any such dividend or other distribution payable on each share of class B common stock. As a result, the undistributed earnings for each period are allocated based on the contractual participation rights of the class A and class B common stock as if the earnings for the period had been distributed.

For the three months ended September 30, 2016, 156,610 options of class A shares and 118,830 options of class B shares have been excluded from the diluted net income per share computation because the exercise or grant price exceeded the fair market value. For the three months ended September 30, 2016, an additional 351,620 options of class A shares were excluded as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

  

For the Three Months

Ended September 30, 2017

  

For the Three Months

Ended September 30, 2016

 
  

Class A

Common

Stock

  

Class B

Common

Stock

  

Class A

Common

Stock

  

Class B

Common

Stock

 
  

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

Numerator for net income per share - basic:

                

Net income

 $2,062  $2,091  $2,345  $2,384 

Allocation of distributed and undistributed income to unvested restricted stock shareholders

  (15

)

  (15

)

  (21

)

  (21

)

Net income attributable to common shareholders

 $2,047  $2,076  $2,324  $2,363 

Denominator for net income per share - basic:

                

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic

  20,788   3,514   20,716   3,511 

Net income per share – basic

 $0.10  $0.59  $0.11  $0.67 

Numerator for net income per share - diluted:

                

Net income attributable to common shareholders for basic computation

 $2,047  $2,076  $2,324  $2,363 

Denominator for net income per share - diluted:

                

Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic

  20,788   3,514   20,716   3,511 

Weighted average effect of dilutive securities – stock options

  952   106   352   45 

Denominator for diluted earnings per share – adjusted weighted average shares

  21,740   3,620   21,068   3,556 

Net income per share – diluted

 $0.09  $0.57  $0.11  $0.66 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company had 506,250 options of class A shares and 56,728 options of class B shares,2019, respectively which have been excluded from the diluted net income per share computation because the exercise or grant price exceeded the fair market value. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, an additional 91,385 and 204,170 options of class A shares and 15,231 and 47,429 of Class B shares were excluded as their inclusion would be anti-dilutive, respectively.anti-dilutive.

 

 

For the Nine Months

Ended September 30, 2017

  

For the Nine Months

Ended September 30, 2016

  

For the Three

Months Ended

March 31, 2020

  

For the Three

Months Ended

March 31, 2019

 
 

Class A

Common

Stock

  

Class B

Common

Stock

  

Class A

Common

Stock

  

Class B

Common

Stock

  

(In thousands)

 
 

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

Numerator for net income per share - basic:

                

Numerator for net income per share – basic:

 $11,755  $8,196 

Net income

 $8,151  $8,275  $7,339  $7,454         

Allocation of distributed and undistributed income to unvested restricted stock shareholders

  (63

)

  (64

)

  (64

)

  (64

)

  (23

)

  (28

)

Net income attributable to common shareholders

 $8,088  $8,211  $7,275  $7,390   11,732   8,168 

Denominator for net income per share - basic:

                

Denominator for net income per share – basic:

        

Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic

  20,759   3,514   20,712   3,503   24,972   24,766 

Net income per share – basic

 $0.39  $2.34  $0.35  $2.11  $0.47  $0.33 

Numerator for net income per share - diluted:

                

Numerator for net income per share – diluted:

        

Net income attributable to common shareholders for basic computation

 $8,088  $8,211  $7,275  $7,390   11,732   8,168 

Denominator for net income per share - diluted:

                

Denominator for net income per share – diluted:

        

Weighted average common shares outstanding – basic

  20,759   3,514   20,712   3,503   24,972   24,766 

Weighted average effect of dilutive securities – stock options

  778   81   305   54   753   743 

Denominator for diluted earnings per share – adjusted weighted average shares

  21,537   3,595   21,017   3,557   25,725   25,509 

Net income per share – diluted

 $0.38  $2.28  $0.35  $2.08 

Net income per share - diluted

 $0.46  $0.32 

 

8.(9)

RELATED PARTYLEASES

 

A directorWe lease printing, computer, other equipment and office space in the United States and Canada. The leases remaining terms as of December 31, 2020 range from less than one year to 5.4 years.

Certain equipment and office lease agreements include provisions for periodic adjustments to rates and charges. The rates and charges are adjusted based on actual usage or actual costs for internet, common area maintenance, taxes or insurance, as determined by the Company serveslessor and are considered variable lease costs.

The components of lease expense for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 included (in thousands):

  

Three months

ended
March 31, 2020

  

Three months

ended
March 31, 2019

 

Operating leases

 $171  $204 

Finance leases:

        

Asset amortization

  61   61 

Interest on lease liabilities

  9   12 

Variable lease cost

  13   20 

Short-term lease cost

  14   8 

Total net lease cost

 $268  $305 

Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases (in thousands):     

  

March 31,

2020

  

December 31

2019

 

Operating leases:

        

Operating ROU assets

 $1,460  $1,628 
         

Current operating lease liabilities

  476   524 

Noncurrent operating lease liabilities

  1,014   1,139 

Total operating lease liabilities

 $1,490  $1,663 
         

Finance leases:

        

Furniture and equipment

 $802  $802 

Computer Equipment

  511   511 

Computer Software

  207   207 

Property and equipment under finance lease, gross

  1,520   1,520 

Less accumulated amortization

  (795

)

  (734

)

Property and equipment under finance lease, net

 $725  $786 
         

Current obligations of finance leases

 $224  $227 

Noncurrent obligations of finance leases

  502   559 

Total finance lease liabilities

 $726  $786 
         

Weighted average remaining lease term (in years):

        

Operating leases

  4.11     

Finance leases

  3.34     
         

Weighted average discount rate:

        

Operating leases

  4.79

%

    

Finance leases

  4.54

%

    

Supplemental cash flow and other information related to leases was as follows (in thousands):

  

Three months

ended

March 31, 2020

  

Three months

ended

March 31, 2019

 

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:

        

Operating cash flows from operating leases

 $177  $196 

Operating cash flows from finance leases

  9   11 

Financing cash flows from finance leases

  58   57 
         

ROU assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities

  --   -- 

ROU assets obtained in exchange for finance lease liabilities

  --   25 

Undiscounted payments under non-cancelable operating leases and finance leases at March 31, 2020 are as follows (in thousands):

  

Finance Leases

  

Operating

Leases

 

Remainder 2020

 $188  $410 

2021

  251   449 

2022

  204   222 

2023

  123   242 

2024

  13   203 

Thereafter

  --   117 

Total minimum lease payments

  779   1,643 

Less: Amount representing interest

  (53

)

  (153

)

Present value of minimum lease payments

  726   1,490 

Less: Current maturities

  (224

)

  (476

)

Lease obligations, net of current portion

 $502  $1,014 

Undiscounted payments under non-cancelable operating leases and finance leases at December 31, 2019 were as follows (in thousands): 

  

Finance Leases

  

Operating

Leases

 

2020

 $257  $591 

2021

  251   453 

2022

  204   226 

2023

  123   246 

2024

  13   203 

Thereafter

  --   118 

Total minimum lease payments

  848   1,837 

Less: Amount representing interest

  (62

)

  (174

)

Present value of minimum lease payments

  786   1,663 

Less: Current maturities

  (227

)

  (524

)

Lease obligations, net of current portion

 $559  $1,139 

(10

CYBER-ATTACK

We were the target of an external ransomware attack in February 2020 which resulted in a temporary suspension of our services to clients. Since then, we have fully restored our services. 

We recorded an insurance receivable of $2.8 million for incremental costs related to the cyber-attack that our insurer has confirmed as reimbursable. We are expecting reimbursement of $2.4 million of this amount in the quarter ending June 30, 2020. We expect the remaining $400,000 of costs to be paid directly by the insurer to our vendors. This $400,000 is also recorded in accrued expenses, since we are the primary obligor of these costs. Due to the attack in the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, we also recognized revenue adjustments decreasing revenue by approximately $280,000 for our estimate of variable consideration related to subscription-based services that could not be performed. In addition, we incurred other expenses related to the incident including but not limited to professional fees and information technology costs amounting to approximately $285,000. These revenue adjustments and costs will be further evaluated and submitted as a loss claim to the insurer. We will record any insurance recovery when it is probable of collection. Due to insurance recoverability, we do not believe the cyber-attack will have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.   

(11

RELATED PARTY

Until January 2020, one of our directors served as an officer and director of Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. (“Ameritas”). and continues to serve on the board of directors. In connection with the Company’sour regular assessment of itsour insurance-based associate benefits, which is conducted by an independent insurance broker, and the costs associated therewith, the Company purchaseswe purchase dental and vision insurance for certain of itsour associates from Ameritas. The total value of these purchases was $63,000$72,000 and $59,000 forin the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016, respectively, and $183,000 and $174,000 for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016,2019, respectively.

 

Mr. Hays, the Chief Executive Officer, majority shareholderOne of our directors serves as a board member of IMA Financial Group. In connection with our regular assessment of our liability coverage, during 2020 we began purchasing directors and director of the Company, is an owner of 14% of the equity interest of Nebraska Global Investment Company LLC (“Nebraska Global”).  The Company, directly or indirectlyofficers and employment practices liability insurance through its former subsidiary Customer-Connect LLC, purchased certain services from Nebraska Global, primarily consisting of software development services.  The total value of theseIMA Financial Group. These purchases were $68,000 and $488,000totaled $478,000 in the three-month and nine-month periodsperiod ended September 30, 2016, respectively. There were no purchases from Nebraska Global in 2017.


Mr. Hays incurred approximately $538,000 of fees and expenses in connection with exploring strategic alternatives for the Company, including the proposed recapitalization (see Note 9), for which the Company has reimbursed Mr. Hays in the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017. March 31, 2020.

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2017, the Companywe acquired a cost method investment in convertible preferred stock of PX. Prior toPracticing Excellence.com, Inc., a privately-held Delaware Corporation (“PX”), which is included in other non-current assets and is carried at cost, adjusted for changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions of the same investment the Company entered intoin PX, if any.  We also have an agreement with PX which commenced in 2016 under which the Company actswe act as a reseller of PX services (the “PX reseller agreement”). Additionally,and receives a portion of the Company acquired content licenses from PX for content that the Company includes in certain of its subscription services.revenues. The total revenue earned from the PX reseller agreement in the three and nine monththree-month periods ended September 30, 2017 was $159,000March 31, 2020 and $454,000,2019, were $83,000 and $153,000, respectively. There wasWe will no longer earn revenue earned during the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2016. The total amount paid for licensed content from PX in the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 was $250,000. There were no such purchases in 2016.under this agreement after December 31, 2020.

 

-14-
21

9.

PROPOSED RECAPITALIZATION

In September 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a 1-for-1,764,560 reverse stock split of the Company’s class B common stock followed by a 1,764,560-for-1 forward stock split that will cash out all holders of the Company's class B common stock, other than the Company's founder and chief executive officer.

In September 2017, the Company entered into a commitment letter with First National Bank of Omaha, which expires on December 29, 2017, to provide a senior secured term loan of $70 million, a senior secured delayed draw term loan facility of $20 million and a senior secured revolving line of credit facility in an amount equal to $10 million.

The proposed recapitalization is subject to closing of financing and approval by the holders of the Company’s class A common stock, class B common stock and both classes of stock voting together as a group.

The Company incurred expenses related to the proposed recapitalization of approximately $975,000 and $1.1 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, which are included in selling and administrative expenses.  These expenses include the amount reimbursed to Mr. Hays (see Note 8). 

10.

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”).  ASU 2014-09 requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASU 2014-09 will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in accounting principles generally accepted in the United States when it becomes effective. The standard is effective for annual and interim reporting periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption allowed for years beginning after December 15, 2016. An entity may choose to adopt ASU 2014-09 either retrospectively or through a cumulative effect adjustment as of the start of the first period for which it applies the standard.  The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact that this new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements as well as developing and testing changes to our processes and systems. Due to cost benefit considerations reviewed during the second quarter of 2017, the Company now plans to adopt the guidance beginning January 1, 2018 by recording a cumulative effect adjustment rather than retrospectively, as previously planned. The Company currently expects the most significant changes to result from deferring commissions and recognizing the expense over the estimated life of the client relationship rather than expensing as incurred, which is the Company’s current practice, and estimating variable consideration at the outset of the contract. 

 

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments—Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. ASU 2016-01 changes certain recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure aspects related to financial instruments. ASU 2016-01 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company believes its adoption will not significantly impact the Company’s results of operations and financial position.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases(Topic 842). This ASU requires lessees to recognize a lease liability and a right-to-use asset for all leases, including operating leases, with a term greater than twelve months on its balance sheet. This ASU is effective in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted, and requires a modified retrospective transition method. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had approximately $1.8 million of operating lease commitments which would be recorded on the balance sheet under the new guidance. However, the Company is currently in the process of further evaluating the impact that this new guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and does not plan to elect early adoption.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326):  Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.  This ASU will require the measurement of all expected credit losses for financial assets, including trade receivables, held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company believes its adoption will not significantly impact the Company’s results of operations and financial position.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments which eliminates the diversity in practice related to eight cash flow classification issues.  This ASU is effective for the Company on January 1, 2018 with early adoption permitted.  The Company plans to adopt this ASU on January 1, 2018 and believes its adoption will not significantly impact the Company’s results of operations and financial position.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Intra-Entity Transfers of Asset Other Than Inventory (“ASU 2016-16”), which requires entities to recognize the tax consequences of intercompany asset transfers other than inventory transfers in the period in which the transfer takes place. ASU 2016-16 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. ASU 2016-16 is to be adopted using a modified retrospective approach with a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The cumulative effect adjustment will include recognition of the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory that occur before the adoption date.  The Company believes the adoption of ASU 2016-16 will not significantly impact the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Restricted Cash (“ASU 2016-18”), which requires that the amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-the period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 does not provide a definition of restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. ASU 2016-18 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2016-18 to have any impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350), Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”). The new guidance eliminates Step 2 of the goodwill impairment testing which requires the fair value of individual assets and liabilities of a reporting unit to be determined when measuring goodwill impairment. The new guidance may result in different amounts of impairment that could be recognized compared to existing guidance. In addition, failing step 1 of the impairment test may not result in impairment under existing guidance. However, under the revised guidance, failing step 1 will always result in a goodwill impairment. ASU 2017-04 is to be applied prospectively for goodwill impairment testing performed in years beginning after December 15, 2019.  The Company plans to adopt this guidance early with its annual impairment testing as of October 1, 2017 but does not believe the adoption will impact the Company's results of operations or financial position.

ITEM 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

The Company isfollowing discussion of our results of operations and financial conditions should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

We are a leading provider of analytics and insights that facilitate measurement and improvement of the patient and employee experience while also increasing patient engagement and customer loyalty for healthcare providers, payers and other healthcare organizations. The Company’sOur solutions enable itsour clients to understand the voice of the customer with greater clarity, immediacy and depth. NRC Health’sOur heritage, proprietary methods, and holistic approach enable our partners to better understand the people they care for and design experiences that inspire loyalty and trust, while also facilitating regulatory compliance and the shift to population-based health management. The Company’sOur ability to measure what matters most and systematically capture, analyze and deliver insights based on self-reported information from patients, families and consumers is critical in today’s healthcare market. NRC Health believesWe believe that access to and analysis of itsour extensive consumer-driven information is becoming more valuable as healthcare providers increasingly need to more deeply understand and engage patients and consumers in an effort towards effective population-based health management.the people they serve to build customer loyalty.

 

The Company’sOur portfolio of subscription-based solutions provideprovides actionable information and analysis to healthcare organizations and payers across a range of mission-critical, constituent-related elements, including patient experience, service recovery, care transitions, health risk assessments, employee engagement, reputation management, and satisfaction, community population health risks, workforce engagement, community perceptions, and physician engagement. NRC Health partnersbrand loyalty. We partner with clients across the continuum of healthcare services. The Company’sOur clients range frominclude integrated health systems, and post-acute providers such as home health, long term care and hospice, to numerous payer organizations. The Company believesWe believe this cross-continuum positioning is a unique and an increasingly important capability as evolving payment models drive healthcare providers and payers towards a more collaborative and integrated service model.

The outbreak of COVID-19, and the associated responses, have impacted our business in a variety of ways.  Governments have implemented business and travel restrictions, recommended social distancing and other guidelines, and temporarily suspended the requirement for certain healthcare organizations to periodically assess the performance of the care they provide (although many providers continue to do so). Many businesses, including many of our clients, have de-emphasized external business opportunities and restricted in-person meetings while shifting their attention toward addressing COVID-19 planning, business disruptions, higher costs, and revenue shortfalls. At NRC, our workforce remains intact and highly engaged.  The vast majority of our associates are working remotely, and to date we have been capable of providing our services without significant disruption. Historically, we have relied on national travel as part of our sales efforts, but as a result of the pandemic we have placed an indefinite hold on all company related travel. The duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated responses on our business, including the impact on our revenue, expenses, and cash flows, cannot be predicted at this time.  Based on the foregoing, we do not expect our recent revenue and earnings growth to be indicative of future expectations.  We do, however, expect to have adequate sources of liquidity to meet our current and expected needs for the foreseeable future.

We were the target of an external ransomware attack in February 2020 which resulted in a temporary suspension of our services to clients. Since then, we have fully restored our services. A forensic investigation conducted by outside security counsel and a cyber-security forensics expert also determined that there was low probability that any protected health information stored on our systems was compromised in connection with this event. Therefore, based on the investigation and in consultation with counsel we have concluded that this incident was not a reportable “breach” as defined by Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act or various other state and provincial laws and regulations. 

We recorded an insurance receivable of $2.8 million for incremental costs related to the cyber-attack that our insurer has confirmed as reimbursable. Due to the attack in the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, we also recognized revenue adjustments decreasing revenue by approximately $280,000 for our estimate of variable consideration related to subscription-based services that could not be performed. In addition, we incurred other expenses related to the incident including but not limited to professional fees and information technology costs amounting to approximately $285,000. These revenue adjustments and costs will be further evaluated and submitted as a loss claim to the insurer. We will record any insurance recovery when it is probable of collection. Due to insurance recoverability, we do not believe the cyber-attack will have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements. However, our estimate of variable consideration related to the subscription-based services that could not be performed may change and the incident could adversely affect our retention and sales in the future.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following table and graphs set forth, for the periods indicated, selectselected financial information derived from the Company’s condensedour consolidated financial statements, including amounts expressed as a percentage of total revenue.revenue and the percentage change in such items versus the prior comparable period (please note that all columns may not add up to 100% due to rounding). The trends illustrated in the following table and graphs may not necessarily be indicative of future results. The discussion that follows the tableinformation should be read in conjunction with the condensedour consolidated financial statements.

 

 

Three months ended

  

Nine months ended

  

Three months ended

 
 

September 30,

  

September 30,

  

March 31,

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

  

2020

  

2019

 
                        

Revenue:

  100.0

%

  100.0

%

  100.0

%

  100.0

%

  100.0

%

  100.0

%

                        

Operating expenses:

                        

Direct

  42.4   42.4   41.9   41.6   37.0   37.0 

Selling, general and administrative

  29.1   26.4   25.1   26.9   25.8   24.5 

Depreciation and amortization

  3.9   4.0   3.8   3.9   4.1   4.5 

Total operating expenses

  75.4   72.8   70.8   72.4   66.9   66.0 
                        

Operating income

  24.6

%

  27.2

%

  29.2

%

  27.6

%

  33.1

%

  34.0

%

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended SeptemberMarch 31, 20 30, 2017,20, Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 201September9 30, 2016

 

Revenue. Revenue for the three-month period ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, increased 7.1%7.6% to $29.0$33.9 million, compared to $27.0$31.5 million in the three-month period ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2019. The increase was primarily due to new customer sales, as well as increases in sales to the existing client base.base net of reductions due to the temporary interruption of services resulting from the cyber-attack.

 

Direct expenses. Direct expenses increased 7.0%7.7% to $12.3$12.5 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, compared to $11.5$11.7 million in the same period in 2016.2019. This was due to decreased variable expenses of $559,000 and an increase in variable expenses of $302,000 and fixed expenses of $497,000.$1.5 million. Variable expense increased mainlyexpenses decreased due increased costs to support the larger revenue and higher contracted voice recognition technology, phone costs, and labor costs, partially offset by decreasedless postage, printing, and paper costs, due toprimarily resulting from changes in survey methodologies.methodologies; and decreased contracted board portal costs due to decreased client usage; partially offset by higher conference expenses due to the timing of conferences. Fixed expenses increased primarily as a result of increased salary and benefit costs and contracted services in the customer service area.and information technology areas, including system restoration costs associated with the cyber-attack. Direct expenses as a percentage of revenue were 42.4%37.0% in the three-month periods ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016.2019.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 18.1%13.5% to $8.4$8.7 million for the three-month period ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, compared to $7.1$7.7 million for the same period in 2016,2019, primarily due to an increase in salary and benefit costs of $516,000, increased software and platform hosting expenses of $177,000, additional legal and accounting costs of $168,000 primarily due to an insurance refund of legal expenses associated with litigation related to our April 2018 recapitalization (the "Recapitalization") in the proposed recapitalizationsame period in 2019, higher business insurance costs of $975,000, higher recruiting fees$134,000, increased company incentive event costs of $264,000,$103,000 and increased computer supplies and software license feessales tax expense of $142,000,$50,000. These were partially offset by lower marketing expensestravel and meals costs of $162,000.$125,000 due to restricted travel associated with COVID-19. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased as a percentage of revenue to 29.1% forwere 25.8% in the three-month periodperiods ended September 30, 2017, from 26.4%March 31, 2020 and 24.5% for the same period in 2016 as expenses increased by 18.1% while revenue for the same period increased by 7.1%.2019.

 

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization remained at $1.1was $1.4 million for the three-month periodsperiod ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2016.2019. Depreciation and amortization expensesexpense as a percentage of revenue was 3.9%4.1% for the three-month period ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, and 4.0%4.5% for the same period in 2016.2019.

 

Provision forOther income taxes. (expense)Provision for. Other income, taxes was $3.0 million (42.1% effective tax rate)net increased to $176,000 for the three-month period ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, compared to $2.6 million (35.3% effective tax rate)other expense, net of $844,000 for the same period in 2016.2019, primarily due to decreased interest expense and foreign exchange rate changes. Interest expense decreased to $465,000 in 2020 from $570,000 for the same period in 2019 primarily due to the declining balance on our term loan and no borrowings on our line of credit in 2020. Other income increased to $630,000 in 2020 compared to other expense of $280,000 for the same period of 2019 primarily due to revaluation on intercompany transactions due to changes in the foreign exchange rate.

Income tax provision(benefit). Income tax provision (benefit) was ($385,000) for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020, compared to $1.7 million for the same period in 2019. The effective tax rate for the three-month period ended September 30, 2017, was higher mainlyMarch 31, 2020 decreased to a (3.4)% benefit compared to 16.9% expense primarily due to $384,000increased tax benefits of additional tax expense$2.6 million from non-deductible proposed recapitalization expenses.the exercise and vesting of share-based compensation awards partially offset by higher state income taxes due to the requirements to file in more states. 

 

-18-
24

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017, Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

Revenue. Revenue for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, increased 8.2% to $87.7 million, compared to $81.0 million in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2016. The increase was due to new customer sales, as well as increases in sales to the existing client base.

Direct expenses. Direct expenses increased 8.8% to $36.7 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, compared to $33.7 million in the same period in 2016. This was due to an increase in variable expenses of $889,000 and fixed expenses of $2.1 million. Variable expense increased mainly increased costs to support the larger revenue and higher contracted voice recognition technology, phone costs, and labor costs, partially offset by decreased postage, printing and paper costs due to a reduction in postage fees and changes in survey methodologies. Fixed expenses increased primarily as a result of increased salary and benefit costs in the customer service area, partially offset by decreased contracted service costs. Direct expenses increased as a percentage of revenue to 41.9% in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, compared to 41.6% during the same period of 2016 as expenses increased by 8.8% while revenue for the same period increased by 8.2%.

Selling, general and administrative expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 1.2% to $22.0 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, compared to $21.8 million for the same period in 2016, primarily due to expenses associated with the proposed recapitalization of $1.1 million, higher recruiting fees of $412,000, and higher computer supplies and software license fees of $357,000, partially offset by lower salary and benefit costs (including lower incentives, commissions, and share based compensation expense totaling $970,000),  lower travel costs of $180,000, $177,000 reduction due to shelf registration fees expensed in 2016, marketing expense decreases of $126,000 and lower development and training costs of $124,000. Selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased as a percentage of revenue to 25.1% for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, from 26.9% for the same period in 2016 as expenses increased by 1.2% while revenue for the same period increased by 8.2%.

Depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization expenses increased to $3.4 million for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, compared to $3.1 million for the same period in 2016 primarily due to increased amortization of $314,000 from additional computer software investments, partially offset by decreased amortization of $66,000 as a result of certain intangibles becoming fully amortized. Depreciation and amortization expenses as a percentage of revenue was 3.8% and 3.9% for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Provision for income taxes. Provision for income taxes was $9.2 million (35.9% effective tax rate) for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, compared to $7.6 million (33.8% effective tax rate) for the same period in 2016. The effective tax rate for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017 increased primarily from $384,000 of additional tax expense from non-deductible proposed recapitalization expenses, increases in the estimated state tax rates as well as a greater proportion of United States income subject to higher tax rates than Canadian income. The Company also had reduced tax expense in 2016 of $105,000 from United States federal tax examination adjustments, net of interest and penalties, and state tax return adjustments decreasing tax expense.  These were partially offset by increased tax benefits of $149,000 in 2017 from the exercise of options and dividends paid to non-vested shareholders. 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The Company believesWe believe that itsour existing sources of liquidity, including cash and cash equivalents, borrowing availability, and operating cash flows, will be sufficient to meet its projected capitalour current and debt maturityexpected needs and dividend policy for the foreseeable future.  We believe our working capital deficit has little impact on our liquidity. Cash dividends in the aggregate amount of $5.3 million declared on March 9, 2020 and paid in April 2020 were funded with cash on hand. Our board of directors considers whether to declare a dividend and the amount of any dividends declared on a quarterly basis.  No determination has been made to date for the second quarter of 2020.

 

As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, our principal sources of liquidity included $35.8$10.0 million of cash and cash equivalents, and up to $12.0$15 million of unused borrowings under our revolvingline of credit and up to $15 million on our delayed draw term note. Of this cash, $12.8$3.1 million was held in Canada. All of the amounts held in Canada are intendedThe delayed draw term note can only be used to be indefinitely reinvested in foreign operations. The amounts held in Canada are eligible for repatriation, but under current law, would be subject to U.S. federal income taxes less applicable foreign tax credits. The Company estimated at December 31, 2016, that an additional tax liability of $536,000 would become due if repatriation of undistributed earnings would occur.fund permitted future business acquisitions or repurchasing our Common Stock.

 

Working Capital

 

The Company'sWe had a working capital was $19.7deficit of $4.9 million and $15.6$9.0 million on September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2016,2019, respectively.

The change was primarily due to increases in cash and cash equivalents of $2.7 million, increasesan increase in trade accounts receivable of $2.7$5.8 million, increasesthe addition of an insurance receivable of $2.8 million due to the cyber-attack, an increase in prepaid expenses of $1.5 million, decreases$570,000, an increase in current portionincome taxes receivable of notes payable of $990,000, and decreases$511,000, a decrease in accrued wages, bonus and profit sharing of $392,000. This was$1.2 million and a decrease in accounts payable of $624,000. These were partially offset by increasesan increase in deferred revenue of $3.0$2.8 million, an increase in accrued expenses of $900,000 and increasesa decrease in income taxes payablecash and cash equivalents of $1.2$3.5 million.

Trade accounts receivable increased due to the timing of billings and collections on new and renewal contracts. Accrued wages, bonus and profit sharing decreased due to the payment of 20162019 annual bonuses in the nine-monththree-month period ended September 30, 2017. Prepaid expenses changed due to the timing of vendor payments and pre-payments for services.March 31, 2020. Income taxes payablereceivable changed due to the timing of income tax payments. Current portion of notesAccounts payable, decreasedaccrued expenses and prepaid expenses changed due to normaltiming of payment for services and amortization of the term note. The Company’ssupplies. Our working capital is significantly impacted by itsour large deferred revenue balances which will vary based on the timing and frequency of billings on annual agreements. The deferred revenue balances as of September 30, 2017March 31, 2020, and December 31, 20162019, were $18.5$19.2 million and $15.5$16.4 million, respectively.

 

The deferred revenue balance is primarily due to timing of initial billings on new and renewal contracts. The CompanyWe typically invoicesinvoice clients for performance tracking services and custom research projects before they have been completed. Billed amounts are recorded as billings in excess of revenue earned, or deferred revenue, on the Company’sour consolidated financial statements, and are recognized as income when earned. In addition, when work is performed in advance of billing, the Company recordswe record this work as revenue earned in excess of billings, or unbilled revenue. Substantially all deferred revenue and all unbilled revenue will be earned and billed respectively, within 12 months of the respective period ends.

 

Cash Flow Analysis

 

A summary of operating, investing, and financing activities is shown in the following table:

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

  

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2020

  

2019

 
 

(In thousands)

  

(In thousands)

 

Provided by operating activities

 $21,480  $18,019  $5,523  $7,300 

Used in investing activities

  (4,897

)

  (3,066

)

  (590

)

  (1,134

)

Used in financing activities

  (14,682

)

  (28,704

)

  (7,536

)

  (16,820

)

Effect of exchange rate change on cash

  828   484   (893

)

  (304

)

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

  2,729   (13,267

)

  (3,496

)

  (10,350

)

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 $35,750  $28,878  $10,021  $2,641 

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

 

Cash flows from operating activities consist of net income adjusted for non-cash items including depreciation and amortization, deferred taxes, share-based compensation and related taxes, reserve for uncertain tax positions and the effect of working capital changes.

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was $21.5$5.5 million for the nine monthsthree-month period ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, which included net income of $16.4$11.8 million, plus non-cash charges (benefits) for deferred income taxes, depreciation and amortization, reserve for uncertain tax positions and share-based compensation and related taxes totaling $2.1 million. Net changes in assets and liabilities decreased cash flows from operating activities by $8.4 million, primarily due to increases in trade accounts receivable, prepaid and other current assets, deferred contract costs, net and insurance receivable due to the cyber-attack, as well as decreases in accounts payable, accrued expenses, wages, bonuses and profit sharing, and income taxes receivable and payable which fluctuate due to the timing of payments of prepaids, accounts payable and accrued expenses, direct and incremental costs directly related to sales and the timing of income tax payments. These decreases to cash flows were partially offset by increases in deferred revenue, which will vary based on the timing and frequency of billings on annual agreements.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $7.3 million for the three-month period ended March 31, 2019, which included net income of $8.2 million, plus non-cash charges (benefits) for deferred tax expense, depreciation and amortization, reserve for uncertain tax positions, totaling $1.7 million. Net changes in assets and non-cash stock compensation totaling $4.9 million. Changes in working capital increasedliabilities decreased cash flows from operating activities by $109,000, primarily due to increases in deferred revenue, which fluctuate due to the timing and frequency of billings on new and renewal contracts, and increases in income taxes receivable and payable which fluctuate with the timing of income tax payments. These were partially offset by increases in trade accounts receivable and increases in prepaid expenses.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $18.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, which included net income of $14.8 million, plus non-cash charges (benefits) for deferred tax expense, depreciation and amortization, provision for uncertain tax positions and non-cash stock compensation totaling $5.6 million. Changes in working capital decreased 2016 cash flows from operating activities by $2.3$2.6 million, primarily due to increases in trade accounts receivable and prepaid expenses and a decreaseother current assets, and decreases in accrued expense, wages, bonus and profit sharing, partially offset by increases in accounts payable, deferred revenue and income taxes payable net of increases in deferred revenue due toand receivable which fluctuate with the timing of billing, collections and revenue recognition on new or renewal contracts.

Net cash provided by operating activities increased $3.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The increase was mainly due to an increase in net income of $1.6 million and working capital changes of $2.4 million. Working capital increased primarily due to changes in trade accounts receivable, income taxes receivable and payable, and prepaid expenses.tax payments.

 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

 

Net cash of $4.9 million$590,000 and $3.1$1.1 million was used for investing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Purchases of property and equipment totaled $3.3 million and $3.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. In addition, the Company used $1.3 million of cash in the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. These expenditures consisted mainly of computer software classified in property and equipment. We expect similar capital expenditure purchases for the remainder of 2020 consisting primarily of computer software and hardware and other equipment to acquire a strategic investment in PX.be funded through cash generated from operations.

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities


Net cash used in financing activities was $14.7$7.5 million in the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017.March 31, 2020. Cash was used to repay borrowings under the term notenotes totaling $1.8 million$959,000 and for capitalfinance lease obligations of $81,000.$58,000. Cash was also used to pay $12.6$5.2 million of dividends

on our common stock, and to pay payroll tax withholdings related to share-based compensation of $1.3 million.

Net cash used in financing activities was $16.8 million in the three months ended March 31, 2019. Cash was used to repay borrowings on the line of credit of $6.8 million, repay borrowings under the note payable totaling $918,000, and for finance lease obligations of $57,000. Cash was also used to pay $17.1 million of dividends on common stock, and to pay payroll tax withholdings related to share-based compensation of $105,000.

Net cash used in financing activities was $28.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The exercise of stock options provided cash of $548,000.$483,000. Cash was used to pay payroll taxes on vested restricted sharesprovided from proceeds of $204,000, to pay capital lease obligationsthe line of $73,000, to repay borrowings under the term note totaling $1.8 million, to pay dividends on common stockcredit of $25.2 million, and to pay $2.0 million for Customer-Connect LLC non-controlling interests.$8.5 million.

 

The effect of changes in foreign exchange rates decreased cash and cash equivalents by $893,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2020 and increased cash and cash equivalents by $828,000 and $484,000$304,000 in the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.March 31, 2019.

 

Capital Expenditures

 

Cash paid for capital expenditures was $3.3 million$590,000 for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017.March 31, 2020. These expenditures consisted mainly of computer software classified in property and equipment. The Company expectsWe expect similar capital expenditure purchases for the remainder of 20172020 consisting primarily of computer software and hardware and other equipment to be funded through cash generated from operations.

 

Debt and Equity

 

Our credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with FNB provides for (i) a $15,000,000 revolving credit facility (the “Line of Credit”), (ii) a $40,000,000 term loan (the “Term Loan”) and (iii) a $15,000,000 delayed draw-down term facility (the “Delayed Draw Term Loan” and, together with the Line of Credit and the Term Loan, the “Credit Facilities”). The Company’s term noteDelayed Draw Term Loan may be used to fund any permitted future business acquisitions or repurchasing our Common Stock and the Line of Credit will be used to fund ongoing working capital needs and other general corporate purposes.

The Term Loan is payable in monthly installments of $212,468. $462,988 through April 2020 and $526,362 thereafter, with a balloon payment due at maturity in April 2023. The Term Loan bears interest at a fixed rate per annum of 5%.

Borrowings under the term note bear interest at an annual rateLine of 3.12%. The outstanding balance ofCredit and the term note at September 30, 2017 was $1.7 million.

The Company also has a revolving credit note which was amended and extended effective June 30, 2017 with a maturity date of June 30, 2018. The maximum aggregate amount available under the revolving credit note is $12.0 million. Borrowings under the revolving credit noteDelayed Draw Term Loan, if any, bear interest at a variable annualfloating rate with three rate options atequal to the discretion of management as follows: (1) 2.1% plus the one-month30 day London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or (2) 2.1% plus 225 basis points (3.61% at March 31, 2020). Interest on the one-, two- or three- month LIBOR rate, or (3)Line of Credit accrues and is payable monthly. Principal amounts outstanding under the bank’s one-, two, three, six, or twelve month Money Market Loan Rate.Line of Credit are due and payable in full at maturity, in April 2021. As of September 30, 2017March 31, 2020, the revolving credit noteLine of Credit did not have a balance. The Company hadThere were no borrowings on the capacityline of credit for the three-month period ended March 31, 2020.

In the event that the Delayed Draw Term Loan is used, interest-only payments will be due through the calendar year in which the Delayed Draw Term Loan is drawn upon. After that, amortization will occur at the then current Term Loan rate and schedule with principal and accrued interest amounts outstanding under the Delayed Draw Term Loan due and payable monthly during the term of the Delayed Draw Term Loan, which expires on April 18, 2023.  There have been no borrowings on the Delayed Draw Term Loan since origination.

We paid a one-time fee equal to borrow $12.0 million as0.25% of September 30, 2017.the amount borrowed under the Term Loan at the closing of the Credit Facilities. We are also obligated to pay ongoing unused commitment fees quarterly in arrears pursuant to the Line of Credit and the Delayed Draw Term Loan facility at a rate of 0.20% per annum based on the actual daily unused portions of the Line of Credit and the Delayed Draw Term Loan facility, respectively.

All obligations under the Credit Facilities are to be guaranteed by each of our direct and indirect wholly owned domestic subsidiaries, if any, and, to the extent required by the Credit Agreement, direct and indirect wholly owned foreign subsidiaries (each, a “guarantor”).

 

The term note and revolving credit noteCredit Facilities are secured, subject to permitted liens and other agreed upon exceptions, by certaina first-priority lien on and perfected security interest in substantially all of our and our guarantors’ present and future assets (including, without limitation, fee-owned real property, and limited, in the case of the Company’s assets, includingequity interests of foreign subsidiaries, to 65% of the Company’s land, building, trade accounts receivableoutstanding equity interests of such subsidiaries).

The Credit Agreement contains customary representations, warranties, affirmative and intangible assets.negative covenants (including financial covenants) and events of default. The term notenegative covenants include, among other things, restrictions regarding the incurrence of indebtedness and revolving credit note contain various restrictionsliens, repurchases of our Common Stock and acquisitions, subject in each case to certain exceptions. The Credit Agreement also contains certain financial covenants applicablewith respect to minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and maximum cash flow leverage ratio. Pursuant to the Company, including requirements thatCredit Agreement, we are required to maintain a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.10x for all testing periods throughout the Company maintain certain financial ratios at prescribed levels and restrictions on the abilityterms of the CompanyCredit Facilities. We are also required to consolidate or merge, create liens, incur additional indebtedness or disposemaintain a maximum cash flow leverage ratio of assets.3.00x for all testing periods throughout the terms of the Credit Facilities. As of September 30, 2017, the Company wasMarch 31, 2020, we were in compliance with itsour financial covenants.

 

The Company has capitalLIBOR is currently expected to be phased out in 2021. We are required to pay interest on borrowings under our Line of Credit and Delayed Draw Term Loan at floating rates based on LIBOR. Future debt that we may incur may also require that we pay interest based upon LIBOR. Under the terms of our Credit Agreement with FNB, if LIBOR becomes unavailable during the term of the agreement, FNB may, in its reasonable discretion and in a manner consistent with market practice, designate a substitute index. We currently expect that the determination of interest under our Credit Agreement would be revised as to provide for an interest rate that approximates the existing interest rate as calculated in accordance with LIBOR. Despite our current expectations, we cannot be sure that if LIBOR is phased out or transitioned, the changes to the determination of interest under our agreements would approximate the current calculation in accordance with LIBOR. We do not know what standard, if any, will replace LIBOR if it is phased out or transitioned.

We have finance leases for computer equipment, office equipment, printing and inserting equipment. The balance of the capitalfinance leases as of September 30, 2017December 31, 2020 was $185,000.$726,000.

 

ShareholdersShareholders’ equity increased $6.0$4.4 million to $88.8$37.3 million at September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, from $82.8$32.9 million at December 31, 2016.2019. The increase was mainly due to net income of $16.4$11.8 million and share-based compensation of $332,000. This was partially offset by dividends declared of $5.3 million, share repurchases exceeding the cost of stock options exercised of $1.3 million and changes in the cumulative translation adjustment of $1.1 million. This was partially offset by dividends declared of $12.7 million.

 

A sales tax accrual of $775,000 was recorded in 2019 after we became aware that a state sales tax liability was both probable and estimable as of December 31, 2019, due to sales taxes that should have been collected from customers in 2019 and certain previous years. We are working through voluntary disclosure agreements with certain states and will have procedures in place to start collecting and remitting sales tax in June or July of 2020. State and local jurisdictions have differing rules and regulations governing sales, use, and other taxes and these rules and regulations can be complex and subject to varying interpretations that may change over time. As a result, we could face the possibility of tax assessment and audits, and our liability for these taxes and associated interest and penalties could exceed our original estimates. In September 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a 1-for-1,764,560 reverse stock split of the Company’s class B common stock followed by a 1,764,560-for-1 forward stock split that will cash out all holders of the Company's class B common stock, other than the Company's founder and chief executive officer. Outstanding unvested share based awards of class B common stock will vest immediately preceding the reverse stock split. Each holder of class B common stock, other than the Company’s founder and chief executive officer, will receive a cash payment from the Company of $53.44 for each share of class B common stock. The class B common stock will cease trading and be delisted. The transaction is designed to address shareholder concerns with public market trading confusion related to the Company’s two classes of common stock (the class A common stock and class B common stock) and to provide a timely and cost-effective liquidity event for the holders of the Company’s class B common stock. The transaction will be funded by cash on handaddition, we incurred additional sales tax expense in the United States, a $70 million term loan and borrowings on a linefirst quarter of credit.

In September 2017, the Company entered into a commitment letter with First National Bank2020 of Omaha (“FNB”), which expires on December 29, 2017, to provide a senior secured term loan of $70 million (the “Term Loan”), a senior secured delayed draw term loan facility of $20 million (the “Delayed Draw Term Loan”) and a senior secured revolving line of credit facility in an amount equal to $10 million (the “Line of Credit” and, collectively with the Term Loan and the Delayed Draw Term Loan, the “Credit Facilities”). If the Company closes on the Credit Facilities with FNB, any balances remaining on the existing term note and revolving credit note will be repaid. The Term Loan will be used to fund, in part, the reverse stock split, related costs and cashing out outstanding stock options and restricted shares tied to the class B common stock. The Delayed Draw Term Loan, if used, is designated to fund any future business acquisitions or repurchasing of class A common stock. The Line of Credit has a three year term$50,000 and will be used to fund ongoing working capital needs and for other general corporate purpose. The Company will also pay loan origination fees equal to 0.25% of the amount borrowed under the Term Loan at closing.

The proposed recapitalization is subject to closing of financing and approval by the holders of the Company’s class A common stock, class B common stock and both classes of stock voting together as a group. The Company incurred expenses related to the proposed recapitalization of approximately $975,000 and $1.1 millionincur additional expense in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, which are included in selling and administrative expenses.second quarter of 2020, since we will not start collecting sales tax from customers until June or July of 2020.

 

 

Contractual Obligations

 

The CompanyWe had contractual obligations to make payments in the followingfollowing amounts in the future as of September 30, 2017:March 31, 2020:

 

Contractual Obligations(1)

 

Total

Payments

  

Remainder
of 2017

  

One to

Three Years

  

Three to

Five Years

  

After

Five Years

 

Contractual Obligations(1)

 

Total

Payments

  

Less than

One Year

  

One to

Three Years

  

Three to

Five Years

  

After

Five Years

 

(In thousands)

                                        

Operating leases

 $1,820  $190  $1,143  $487  $--  $1,643  $410  $671  $445  $117 

Capital leases

  203   30   130   42   1 

Uncertain tax positions(2)

  --   --   --   --   -- 

Finance leases

  779   188   455   136   -- 

Uncertain tax positions(2)

  --   --   --   --   -- 

Long-term debt

  1,711   848   863   --   --   37,449   4,674   12,633   20,142   -- 

Total

 $3,734  $1,068  $2,136  $529  $1  $39,871  $5,272  $13,759  $20,723  $117 

 

(1)

Amounts are inclusive of interest payments, where applicable.

(2)

We have $769,000$679,000 in liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions. We are unable to reasonably estimate the expected cash settlement dates of these uncertain tax positions with the taxing authorities.

We generally do not make unconditional, non-cancelable purchase commitments. We enter into purchase orders in the normal course of business, but these purchase obligations do not exceed one year.

 

Stock Repurchase Program

 

TheOur Board of Directors of the Company authorized the repurchase of up to 2,250,000 then-existing class A shares and 375,000 then-existing class B shares of common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions under a stock repurchase program that was originally approved in February 2006 and subsequently amended in May 2013. In connection with the Recapitalization in April 2018, our Board of Directors further amended the stock repurchase program to eliminate the repurchase of the former class B common stock. As of September 30, 2017March 31, 2020, the remaining number of common stock shares of Common Stock that could be purchased under this authorization was 280,491 class A shares and 69,491 class B shares.

 

Critical Accounting Estimates

There have been no changes to our critical accounting estimates described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 that have a material impact on our Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and the related Notes.

ITEM 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

There are no material changes to the disclosures regarding the Company’sour market risk exposures made in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2019.

 

ITEM 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

The Company’sOur management, with the participation of the Company’sour Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’sour disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report, and has concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company’sour disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

There have been no changes in the Company’sour internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2019, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’sour internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

PART II – Other Information

 

ITEM 1A.1.

Risk FactorsLegal Proceedings

 

From time to time, we are involved in certain claims and litigation arising in the normal course of business. Management assesses the probability of loss for such contingencies and recognizes a liability when a loss is probable and estimable. There have beenwere no material changes to theoutstanding claims at March 31, 2020.

ITEM 1A.

Risk Factors

The significant risk factors relatingknown to the Company set forthus that could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, or operating results are described in Part I, Item 2:  Management’s Discussion and analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and in Part I, Item 1A of its Annual Reportour annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2019, except for the addition of the following risk factor.

We could be negatively impacted by the recent Coronavirus or “COVID-19” outbreak or other similar outbreaks.

The outbreak of COVID-19 has been recognized as a global pandemic by the World Health Organization. Federal, state, local and foreign governments have restricted travel and business operations and recommended or imposed social distancing and isolation mandates. These measures have severely restricted economic activity around the world. These events have had and may continue to have adverse effects on our business in a number of respects.

The outbreak of COVID-19 has significantly increased economic and demand uncertainty.  The current outbreak and continued spread of COVID-19 and associated government mandates and recommendations have resulted in an economic slowdown and  a global recession.  Although the impact on our healthcare clients has varied, the restrictions on movement outside of individuals’ homes has resulted in significantly decreased demand for elective healthcare services, which are a large source of revenue for healthcare providers. These circumstances have resulted in many of our clients experiencing decreased revenues, contracting margins, and cash losses.  Some clients’ cost reducing measures have included  and could continue to include reducing or eliminating the services they purchase from us. While these circumstances did not significantly impact our financial position or results of operations in the first quarter of 2020, the negative impact could continue to increase. 

We rely on third-party service providers and business partners, for services or supplies that are critical to providing our clients’ services. These include activities such as internet, cloud data storage, information technology services, and survey related services. These third parties are also subject to risks and uncertainties related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which may interfere with their ability to provide their services in a timely manner and in accordance with the agreed-upon terms or our agreements, which could interfere with our ability to operate our business.

The COVID-19 pandemic may also have legal or regulatory impacts that have an impact on our business and operations. Historically the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (“CMS”) required certain healthcare organizations to periodically assess, through surveys or related methodologies, the performance of the care they provide. Many of these organizations use our services to comply with this regulatory requirement. However, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic CMS has suspended the requirement for healthcare organizations to perform these assessments, and some clients have suspended or reduced these services, and others may do so.

In addition, the vast majority of our workforce is now working remotely. Historically we have relied on national travel as part of our sales efforts, but as a result of the pandemic we have placed an indefinite hold on all company related travel. To date, we are still capable of providing our services without interruption and without significant changes to our internal control over financial reporting. However, an extended period of associates working remotely and restrictions on travel may interfere with our ability to conduct business, including our ability to sell our products or develop new products.

Furthermore, COVID-19 has negatively impacted the proper functioning of financial and capital markets, foreign currency exchange rates, and interest rates. In particular, the continued spread of COVID-19 has led to disruption and volatility in the global capital markets which increases the cost of capital and adversely impacts access to capital. If we need to seek additional liquidity in response to some of the economic and business impacts of COVID-19, these circumstances could increase our cost of capital or limit the extent to which capital is available to us.

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (or any future pandemic or similar event) on our business will depend on a variety of factors, including the duration and spread of the outbreak in the United States and Canada, the associated government and industry mandates and practices, the economic and regulatory impacts on our clients and the markets in which we operate, the policies we implement, and the response of our associates and clients to these factors, all of  which are difficult to predict. We may need to develop or adapt to new ways of doing business that challenge our leadership, our associate training, our human resources, and our business practices, and we cannot assure you that we will be successful in doing so. The short and long-term costs associated with these potential changes are difficult to quantify.  For these and other reasons, the outbreak and associated responses have negatively affected and are expected to continue to affect our business, and the impact could be material.

 

ITEM 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

The Boardfollowing table provides information about our purchases of Directors of the Company authorized the repurchase of up to 2,250,000 class A and 375,000 class B shares of common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions under a stock repurchase program that was originally approved in February 2006 and subsequently amended in May 2013. Unless terminated earlier by resolution of the Company’s Board of Directors, the repurchase program will expire when the Company has repurchased all shares authorized for repurchase thereunder. As of October 27, 2017, 1,969,509 shares of class A common stock and 305,509 shares of class B common stock have been repurchased under that authorization. No stock was repurchased under the programour Common Stock during the three-month periodquarter ended September March 31, 2020.

Period

 Total number of shares purchased(1)  Average price paid per share  Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plans or programs  Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under the plans or programs(2) 
1/1/2020-1/31/2020  10,962  $65.80   --   280,491 
2/1/2020-2/29/2020  --   --   --   280,491 
3/1/2020-3/31/2020  --   --   --   280,491 
Total  10,962  $65.80   --   280,491 

(1)

Represents shares of Common Stock that were owned by an associate and surrendered to us as payment of the exercise price for, and to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with, the exercise of stock options.

(2)

In February 2006 and subsequently amended in May 2013, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of 2,250,000 shares of class A common stock and 375,000 shares of class B common stock in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. In connection with the Recapitalization in April 2018, our Board of Directors further amended the stock repurchase program to eliminate the repurchase of the former class B common stock. Unless terminated earlier by resolution of our Board of Directors, the repurchase program will expire when we have repurchased all shares of Common Stock authorized for repurchase thereunder. No Common Stock was repurchased under that authorization during the three-month period ended March 31, 2020. The remaining shares of Common Stock that may be purchased under that authorization are 280,491.

Our Credit Agreement provides that, in order for us to pay dividends, there must be no default or event of default existing or that would result from such payment and we must show that we would comply with the Credit Agreement’s fixed charge coverage ratio and consolidated cash flow leverage ratio after giving pro forma effect to such payment.

 

ITEM 6.

Exhibits

 

The exhibits listed in the exhibit index below are filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

EXHIBIT INDEX  

 

Exhibit
Number

Exhibit Description

(3.1)

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of National Research Corporation, effective as of 5:01 pm, CT, on April 17, 2018 [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to National Research Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 16, 2018 and filed on April 20, 2018 (File No. 001-35929)] 

(3.2)

By-Laws of National Research Corporation, as amended to date [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to National Research Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 19, 2020 and filed on March 23, 2020 (File No. 001-35929)]

(4.1)

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of National Research Corporation, effective as of 5:01 pm, CT, on April 17, 2018 [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to National Research Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 16, 2018 and filed on April 20, 2018 (File No. 001-35929)] 

(4.2)

By-Laws of National Research Corporation, as amended to date [Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to National Research Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 19, 2020 and filed on March 23, 2020 (File No. 001-35929)]

(31.1)

Certification by the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

(31.2)

Certification by the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

(32)

Written Statement of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

 

(101)*

Financial statements from the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of National Research Corporation for the quarter ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2020, formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, and (vi) document and entity information.

 

*

In accordance with Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the information in these exhibits shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to liability under that section, and shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

 

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.

 

 

 

NATIONAL RESEARCH CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: November 9, 2017May 8, 2020

By:

/s/ Michael D. Hays 

 

 

 

Michael D. Hays

 

 

 

Chief Executive Officer (Principal

Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date: November 9, 2017 May 8, 2020 

By:

/s/ Kevin R. Karas

 

 

 

Kevin R. Karas

Senior Vice President Finance,

Treasurer, Secretary and Chief

Financial Officer (Principal Financial

and Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

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