UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 

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

For the quarterly period ended DecemberMarch 31, 20172023

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 0-14665

 

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

South Carolina

95-4133299

(State or other jurisdiction of

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

Identification No.)

  

915 East First Street

 

Los Angeles, California

90012-4050

(Address of principalprincipal executive offices)

(Zip code)

(213) 229-5300

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 

None

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

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

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock

DJCO

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: X         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 (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes: X          No:

 

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

Large Accelerated Filer:   ☐

Accelerated Filer:  

Non-accelerated Filer:  

Smaller Reporting Company:

   ☒

Emerging Growth Company:

   ☐

 

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

 

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

Yes: ☐         No: X

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date.date: 1,377,026 shares outstanding at April 30, 2023

ClassOutstanding at January 31, 2018
Common Stock, par value $ .01 per share1,380,746 shares

 


1

 

 

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

 

 

INDEX

 

 

 Page Nos.
  
PART I Financial Information 
  
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited) 
  
Consolidated Balance Sheets -
December‑ March 31, 20172023 and September 30, 201720223
  
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income -(Loss) ‑ Three months ended March 31, 2023 and 20224
 
ThreeConsolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income (Loss) ‑ Six months ended DecemberMarch 31, 20172023 and 2016202245
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity ‑ Six months ended March 31, 2023 and 20226
  
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
Three‑ Six months ended DecemberMarch 31, 20172023 and 2016202257
  
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements68
  
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations14
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk2016
  
Item 4. Controls and Procedures20

25

  
Part II Other Information 
  
Item 6.   Exhibits21


PART I

Item 6.   Exhibits

26


PART I

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

 

December 31

  

September 30

  

March 31

 

September 30

 
 

2017

 
  

2017

 
  

2023

  

2022

 

ASSETS

            

Current assets

         

Cash and cash equivalents

 $2,508,000  $3,384,000  $13,738,000  $13,423,000 

Marketable securities at fair value, including common stocks of $236,387,000 and bonds of $8,547,000 at December 31, 2017 and common stocks of $220,973,000 and bonds of $8,292,000 at September 30, 2017

  244,934,000   229,265,000 

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $200,000 at December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017

  4,192,000   5,358,000 

Restricted cash

 2,134,000  2,045,000 

Marketable securities at fair value -- common stocks

 318,773,000  275,529,000 

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $250,000 at March 31, 2023 and September 30, 2022

 13,515,000  16,931,000 

Inventories

  40,000   40,000  98,000  56,000 

Income tax receivable

 750,000  451,000 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

  641,000   798,000   479,000   1,019,000 

Income tax receivable

  987,000   909,000 

Total current assets

  253,302,000   239,754,000   349,487,000   309,454,000 
         

Property, plant and equipment, at cost

         

Land, buildings and improvements

  16,396,000   16,396,000  16,400,000  16,330,000 

Furniture, office equipment and computer software

  2,724,000   2,724,000  1,692,000  1,688,000 

Machinery and equipment

  1,818,000   1,799,000   1,521,000   1,521,000 
  20,938,000   20,919,000  19,613,000  19,539,000 

Less accumulated depreciation

  (9,433,000)  (9,292,000)  (10,131,000)  (9,986,000)
  11,505,000   11,627,000  9,482,000  9,553,000 

Intangibles, net

  1,996,000   3,058,000 

Goodwill

  13,400,000   13,400,000 

Deferred income taxes - Federal

  7,436,000   10,652,000 

Deferred income taxes - States

  2,251,000   2,217,000 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

  51,000   104,000 
 $289,890,000  $280,708,000  $359,020,000  $319,111,000 
         

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

            

Current liabilities

         

Accounts payable

 $2,951,000  $3,049,000  $4,419,000  $5,062,000 

Accrued liabilities

  2,411,000   3,112,000  4,732,000  7,066,000 

Note payable collateralized by real estate

  117,000   115,000  155,000  146,000 

Deferred subscriptions

  3,135,000   3,284,000  2,552,000  2,679,000 

Deferred installation contracts

  4,364,000   5,072,000 

Deferred consulting fees

 8,021,000  6,394,000 

Deferred maintenance agreements and others

  10,040,000   9,442,000   11,374,000   12,272,000 

Total current liabilities

  23,018,000   24,074,000   31,253,000   33,619,000 
         

Long term liabilities

         

Investment margin account borrowings

  29,493,000   29,493,000 

Investment margin account borrowings

 81,000,000  75,000,000 

Note payable collateralized by real estate

  1,926,000   1,956,000  1,199,000  1,285,000 

Deferred maintenance agreements

  580,000   759,000 

Deferred maintenance agreements and others

 521,000  370,000 

Accrued liabilities

  135,000   135,000  3,883,000  4,547,000 

Deferred income taxes, net

  48,140,000   64,550,000 

Total long term liabilities

  80,274,000   96,893,000 

Deferred income taxes

  34,887,000   25,273,000 

Total long-term liabilities

  121,490,000   106,475,000 
         

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 10 and 11)

  ---   --- 

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 10 and 11)

 ---  --- 
         

Shareholders' equity

         

Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized and no shares issued

  ---   --- 

Common stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; 1,805,053 shares issued, including 424,307 treasury shares, at December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017

  14,000   14,000 

Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized and no shares issued

 ---  --- 

Common stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; 1,805,053 shares issued, including 428,027 and 424,307 treasury shares, at March 31, 2023 and September 30, 2022, respectively

 14,000  14,000 

Additional paid-in capital

  1,755,000   1,755,000  1,755,000  1,755,000 

Retained earnings

  71,889,000   57,150,000   204,508,000   177,248,000 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

  112,940,000   100,822,000 

Total shareholders' equity

  186,598,000   159,741,000   206,277,000   179,017,000 
 $289,890,000  $280,708,000  $359,020,000  $319,111,000 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 


 

 

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Three months

ended December 31

  

Three months

ended March 31

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2023

  

2022

 
         

Revenues

         

Advertising

 $2,116,000  $2,310,000  $2,204,000  $2,129,000 

Circulation

  1,363,000   1,449,000  1,108,000  1,072,000 

Advertising service fees and other

  602,000   638,000  778,000  742,000 

Licensing and maintenance fees

  4,350,000   3,966,000  5,679,000  4,608,000 

Consulting fees

  995,000   848,000  4,433,000  669,000 

Other public service fees

  826,000   779,000   1,952,000   1,729,000 
  10,252,000   9,990,000   16,154,000   10,949,000 
         

Costs and expenses

         

Salaries and employee benefits

  8,197,000   7,641,000  10,005,000  8,847,000 

Decrease to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual

 (200,000) (1,920,000)

Agency commissions

 233,000  232,000 

Outside services

  1,039,000   980,000  1,353,000  914,000 

Postage and delivery expenses

  217,000   278,000  167,000  164,000 

Newsprint and printing expenses

  212,000   209,000  193,000  196,000 

Depreciation and amortization

  1,218,000   1,392,000  70,000  123,000 

Equipment maintenance and software

 354,000  378,000 

Credit card merchant discount fees

 455,000  409,000 

Rent expenses

 74,000  58,000 

Accounting and legal fees

 222,000  222,000 

Other general and administrative expenses

  2,814,000   2,343,000   1,603,000   953,000 
  13,697,000   12,843,000   14,529,000   10,576,000 

Loss from operations

  (3,445,000)  (2,853,000)

Income from operations

 1,625,000  373,000 

Other income (expense)

         

Dividends and interest income

  1,483,000   1,171,000  4,063,000  2,113,000 

Gain on sale of capital asset

  2,000   - 

Other income

  9,000   15,000 

Interest expense on note payable collateralized by real estate

  (24,000)  (26,000)

Interest expense on margin loans

  (136,000)  (79,000)

Interest accrual for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits

  -   (9,000)

Loss before income taxes

  (2,111,000)  (1,781,000)

Benefit from income taxes

  16,850,000   310,000 

Realized losses on sales of marketable securities

 ---  (32,445,000)

Net unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities

 8,644,000  (8,321,000)

Interest expense on margin loans and others

 (1,052,000) (150,000)

Interest expense on note payable collateralized by real estate

  (12,000)  (13,000)

Income (loss) before income taxes

 13,268,000  (38,443,000)

Income tax (provisions) benefits

  (3,835,000)  10,630,000 

Net income (loss)

 $14,739,000  $(1,471,000) $9,433,000  $(27,813,000)
         

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted

  1,380,746   1,380,746 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted

  1,377,026   1,380,746 

Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share

 $10.67  $(1.07) $6.85  $(20.14)
         
        

Comprehensive income

        

Net income (loss)

 $14,739,000  $(1,471,000)

Net increase in unrealized appreciation of marketable securities (net of taxes)

  12,118,000   15,019,000 
 $26,857,000  $13,548,000 

Comprehensive income (loss)

 $9,433,000  $(27,813,000)

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS) AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

  

Six months

ended March 31

 
  

2023

  

2022

 
         
Revenues        

Advertising

 $4,194,000  $4,130,000 

Circulation

  2,206,000   2,182,000 

Advertising service fees and other

  1,477,000   1,413,000 

Licensing and maintenance fees

  10,074,000   9,088,000 

Consulting fees

  6.755,000   2,430,000 

Other public service fees

  3,749,000   3,442,000 
   28,455,000   22,685,000 
         
Costs and expenses        

Salaries and employee benefits

  19,636,000   17,324,000 

Decrease to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual

  (720,000)  (2,050,000)

Agency commissions

  444,000   440,000 

Outside services

  2,442,000   1,838,000 

Postage and delivery expenses

  334,000   327,000 

Newsprint and printing expenses

  392,000   355,000 

Depreciation and amortization

  145,000   227,000 

Equipment maintenance and software

  657,000   618,000 

Credit card merchant discount fees

  880,000   820,000 

Rent expenses

  143,000   123,000 

Accounting and legal fees

  495,000   542,000 

Other general and administrative expenses

  2,698,000   1,692,000 
   27,546,000   22,256,000 

Income from operations

  909,000   429,000 
Other income (expense)        

Dividends and interest income

  5,132,000   2,988,000 

Realized gains on sales of marketable securities

  422,000   14,249,000 

Net unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities

  32,669,000   (44,409,000)

Interest expense on margin loans and others

  (1,913,000)  (236,000)

Interest expense on note payable collateralized by real estate

  (24,000)  (26,000)

Income (loss) before income taxes

  37,195,000   (27,005,000)

Income tax (provisions) benefits

  (9,935,000)  6,070,000 

Net income (loss)

 $27,260,000  $(20,935,000)
         

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted

  1,377,026   1,380,746 

Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share

 $19.80  $(15.16)
         

Comprehensive income (loss)

 $27,260,000  $(20,935,000)

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 


 

 

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATIONCORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

                  

Additional

      

Total

 
  

Common Stock

  

Treasury Stock

  

Paid-in

  

Retained

  

Shareholders'

 
  

Share

  

Amount

  

Share

  

Amount

  

Capital

  

Earnings

  

Equity

 
                             
                             

Balance at September 30, 2021

  1,805,053  $18,000   (424,307) $(4,000) $1,755,000  $252,872,000  $254,641,000 

Net income

  ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   6,878,000   6,878,000 

Balance at December 31, 2021

  1,805,053   18,000   (424,307)  (4,000)  1,755,000   259,750,000   261,519,000 

Net loss

  ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   (27,813,000)  (27,813,000)

Balance at March 31, 2022

  1,805,053  $18,000   (424,307) $(4,000) $1,755,000  $231,937,000  $233,706,000 
                             

Balance at September 30, 2022

  1,805,053  $18,000   (428,027) $(4,000) $1,755,000  $177,248,000  $179,017,000 

Net income

  ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   17,827,000   17,827,000 

Balance at December 31, 2022

  1,805,053   18,000   (428,027)  (4,000)  1,755,000   195,075,000   196,844,000 

Net income

  ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   9,433,000   9,433,000 

Balance at March 31, 2023

  1,805,053  $18,000   (428,027) $(4,000) $1,755,000  $204,508,000  $206,277,000 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)\

 

Three months

ended December 31

  

Six months

Ended March 31

 
 

2017

  

2016

  

2023

  

2022

 

Cash flows from operating activities

         

Net income (loss)

 $14,739,000  $(1,471,000) $27,260,000  $(20,935,000)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operations

        
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided from operations 

Depreciation and amortization

  1,218,000   1,392,000  145,000  227,000 

Net unrealized (gains) losses on marketable securities

 (32,669,000) 44,409,000 

Realized gains on sales of marketable securities

 (422,000) (14,249,000)

Stock dividends

 (2,978,000) --- 

Deferred income taxes

  (16,778,000)  (917,000) 9,614,000  (9,119,000)

Discounts earned on bonds

  (1,000)  (1,000)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

        
Changes in operating assets and liabilities 

(Increase) decrease in current assets

         

Accounts receivable, net

  1,166,000   (891,000) 3,416,000  2,191,000 

Inventories

  ---   (9,000) (42,000) (8,000)

Prepaid expenses and other assets

  157,000   5,000  25,000  (70,000)

Income tax receivable

  (78,000)  645,000  269,000  (3,501,000)

Increase (decrease) in liabilities

         

Accounts payable

  (98,000)  18,000  (643,000) (280,000)

Accrued liabilities

  (701,000)  (373,000) (2,998,000) (3,583,000)

Income taxes

  ---   (68,000)

Deferred subscriptions

  (149,000)  (106,000)

Income tax payable

 ---  (6,244,000)

Deferred subscriptions

 (127,000) (156,000)

Deferred consulting fees

 1,627,000  696,000 

Deferred maintenance agreements and others

  419,000   678,000   (747,000)  (2,504,000)

Deferred installation contracts

  (708,000)  (213,000)

Net cash used in operating activities

  (814,000)  (1,311,000)

Net cash provided from (used in) operating activities

  1,730,000   (13,126,000)
         

Cash flows from investing activities

         

Proceeds from sales of marketable securities

 2,826,000  80,570,000 

Purchases of marketable securities

  ---   (5,013,000) (10,001,000) (117,678,000)

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

  (34,000)  (187,000)  (74,000)  (3,000)

Net cash used in investing activities

  (34,000)  (5,200,000)

Net cash used in investing activities

  (7,249,000)  (37,111,000)
         

Cash flows from financing activities

         

Borrowing from margin loan account

 6,011,000  43,014,000 

Repayment of margin loan

 (11,000) (14,000)

Payment of real estate loan principal

  (28,000)  (27,000)  (77,000)  (73,000)

Net cash used in financing activities

  (28,000)  (27,000)

Net cash provided from financing activities

  5,923,000   42,927,000 
         

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

  (876,000)  (6,538,000)

Increase (decrease) in cash and restricted cash and cash equivalents

 404,000  (7,310,000)
         

Cash and cash equivalents

        
Cash and restricted cash and cash equivalents 

Beginning of period

  3,384,000   11,411,000   15,468,000   14,639,000 

End of period

 $2,508,000  $4,873,000  $15,872,000  $7,329,000 
         

Interest paid during period

 $169,000  $111,000  $1,869,000  $269,000 

Net income taxes paid during period

 $6,000  $3,000 

Net income taxes paid

 $52,000  $12,794,000 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 


 

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

 

Note 1 - The Corporation and Operations

 

DailyDaily Journal Corporation (the “Company”(“Daily Journal”) publishes newspapers and web siteswebsites covering California and Arizona and produces several specialized information services. It also serves as a newspaper representative specializing in public notice advertising. This is sometimes referred to as the Company’s “Traditional Business”.

 

JournalJournal Technologies, Inc. (“Journal Technologies”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Daily Journal, supplies case management software systems and related products to courts, prosecutor and public defender offices, probation departments and other justice agencies, including administrative law organizations, city and county governments and bar associations. These organizations use the Journal Technologies family of products to help manage cases and information electronically, to interface with other critical justice partners and to extend electronic services to the public, including efiling and a website to pay traffic citations online, and bar members.fees online. These products are licensed to more than 500 organizations in 42approximately 30 states and internationally. In August 2022, the Company established a new wholly-owned subsidiary, Journal Technologies (Canada) Inc., in Victoria BC, Canada.

 

Essentially all of the Company’sCompany’s U.S. operations are based in California, Arizona Colorado and Utah. The Company also has a presence in Australia where Journal Technologies is working on three software installation projects.

 

 

Note 2 - Basis of Presentation

 

In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying interim unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurringrecurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of its financial position as of DecemberMarch 31, 2017, 2023, its results of operations for the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, its consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity for the six months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 and cash flows for the three-month periodssix months ended DecemberMarch 31, 2017 2023 and 2016.2022. The results of operations for the threesix months ended DecemberMarch 31, 2017 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

 

The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SecuritiesSecurities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.2022.

 

Certain reclassifications of previously reported amounts have been made to conform to the current year’syear’s presentation.

8

 

 

Note 3 - – New Accounting Standards Adopted in Fiscal 2018 and Recent Accounting PronouncementsPronouncement

 

Accounting Standards Adopted in Fiscal 2018Current Expected Credit Losses

 

In November 2015, June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued a new Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No.2015-17,Income Taxes (Topic 740Codification (“ASU”): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. This update requires deferred tax liabilities and requiring financial assets measured at amortized cost be presented at the net amount expected to be classified as noncurrentcollected, through an allowance for credit losses that is deducted from the amortized cost basis. The ASU eliminates the threshold for initial recognition in current U.S. GAAP and reflects an entity’s current estimate of all expected credit losses. The measurement of expected credit losses is based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the financial assets. The ASU is effective for the Company beginning in the consolidated balance sheet.first quarter of fiscal 2024. The Company has adoptedadoption of this guidance effective October 1, 2017 and concluded that it has no significant impactis not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or disclosures because it is simply a reclassification of current deferred taxes to non-current deferred taxes with an itemization of federal and state deferred taxes.statements.


In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No.2014-09,Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC Topic 606) which requires that revenues be recognized in an amount reflecting the consideration an entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services. The Company elected to adopt early the ASC Topic 606 effective October 1, 2017 using the modified retrospective method.

The Company has concluded that the adoption of the ASC Topic 606 in fiscal 2018 has no significant impact on the Company’s financial condition or results of operations. The Company’s traditional publishing business revenue recognition related to advertising, circulation, and public fees remains unchanged. For the software business, the Company previously utilized the completed performance method of accounting, pursuant to which the Company did not recognize revenues for implementation services or licenses, maintenance, support and hosting services until after the services were performed and accepted by the customer (go-live), due to the fact that the customer’s acceptance was typically unpredictable and reliable estimates of the progress towards completion could not be made. Thus, the Company’s past revenue recognition policy was already in conformity with ASU Topic 606, which calls for revenue recognition at the point of delivery when a performance obligation is fulfilled. Consequently, the Company believes there are no required material retrospective or accumulated catch-up adjustments with respect to prior years’ financial figures, as revenues have been recognized consistently in the same manner throughout the comparative reporting periods.

The adoption of ASC 606 also requires the capitalization of certain costs of obtaining contracts, specifically sales commissions which are to be amortized over the expected term of the contracts. The Company incurs an immaterial amount of sales commission costs for its software contracts which have no significant impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations.   In addition, the Company’s implementation and fulfillment costs do not meet all criteria required for capitalization.

Other Recent Accounting Pronouncements

The Company will continue to evaluate the other new accounting pronouncements as detailed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2017.

 

 

Note 4 – Right-of-Use (ROU) Asset

At March 31, 2023, the Company had a ROU asset and lease liability of approximately $51,000 for its operating office and equipment leases, including approximately $11,000 beyond one year. Operating office and equipment leases are included in operating lease ROU assets, current accrued liabilities and long-term accrued liabilities in the Company’s accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Note 5 – Revenue Recognition

 

The Company recognizes revenues in accordance with the provisions of ASU No.2014-09, 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC Topic 606)606).

 

For the Company’s traditional publishing business,Traditional Business, proceeds from the sale of subscriptions for newspapers, court rule books and other publications and other services are recorded as deferred revenue and are included in earned revenue only when the services are provided, generally over the subscription term. Advertising revenues are recognized when advertisements are published and are net of agency commissions.

 

Journal Technologies contracts may include several products and services, which are generally distinct and include separate transaction pricing and performance obligations. Most are one-transactionone-transaction contracts. These current subscription-type contract revenues include (i) implementation consulting fees to configure the system to go live andgo-live, (ii) subscription software license, maintenance including(including updates and upgrades,upgrades) and support fees, and third-party(iii) third-party hosting fees when used. Revenues for consulting are generally recognized at point of delivery (go-live) upon completion of services and customer acceptance, and subscription fees are recognized ratably (using the output method based on time-elapsed) after the go-live.services. These contracts include assurance warranty provisions for limited periods and do not include financing terms. For some contracts, the Company acts as a principal with respect to certain services, such as data conversion, interfaces and hosting that are provided by third-parties,third-parties, and recognizes such revenues on a gross basis. For legacy contracts with perpetual license arrangements, licenses and consulting services are recognized at point of delivery (go-live), and maintenance revenues are recognized ratably after the go-live. (See Note 12 for additional disclosures related to ASC Topic 606 adoption.)


Other public service fees are earned and recognized as revenues when the Company processes credit card payments on behalf of the courts via its websites through which the public can efile cases and pay traffic citations and other fees.

 

TheASC 606 also requires the capitalization of certain costs of obtaining contracts, specifically sales commissions which are to be amortized over the expected term of the contracts. For its software contracts, the Company incurs an immaterial amount of sales commission costs which have no significant impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the Company’s implementation and fulfillment costs do not meet all criteria required for capitalization.

Since the Company generally recognizes revenuesrevenues when it can invoice the customer pursuant to the contract for the value of completed performance. Asperformance, as a practical expedient and because reliable estimates cannot be made, it has elected not to include as revenues the transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations. Also, as a practical expedient, the Company has elected not to include its evaluation of variable consideration of certain usage basedusage-based fees (i.e. public service fees) that are included in some contracts. Furthermore, there are no fulfillment costs to be capitalized for the software contracts because these costs do not generate or enhance resources that will be used in satisfying future performance obligations.

9

 

 

Note 56 - BasicTreasury stock and Diluted Income Per Sharenet income per common share

 

In June 2022, the Company received from Director Charles T. Munger 3,720 shares of Daily Journal common stock as his gracious personal gift (worth approximately $1 million on the date of the gift) for the purpose of establishing a new senior management equity incentive plan, which is still in the process of being set up. These donated shares were considered treasury stock, and the Company accounted for them using the par method which resulted in an immaterial effect on the amount of Treasury Stock and Additional Paid-in Capital. In addition, the number of outstanding shares of the Company was reduced by these 3,720 shares to reflect the actual number of outstanding shares of 1,377,026 as of March 31, 2023. The net income per common share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each year. The shares used in the calculation were 1,377,026 and 1,380,746 for the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The Company does not have any common stock equivalents, and therefore basic and diluted net income (loss)per share is the same.

Note 7 - Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share

The Company does not have any common stock equivalents, and therefore basic and diluted net income per share are the same.

 

 

Note 68 - Investments in Marketable Securities

 

Investments inAll investments are classified as “Current assets” because they are available for sale at any time. These “available-for-sale” marketable securities categorized as “available-for-sale” are stated at fair value. The Company uses quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (consistent with the Level 1 definition in the fair value hierarchy) to measure the fair value of its investments on a recurring basis pursuant to ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement. As of DecemberMarch 31, 2017 2023 and September 30, 2017, 2022, there were net accumulated pretax unrealized gains of $181,540,000$153,361,000 and $165,872,000,$120,692,000, respectively, were recorded before taxes of $48,140,000 and $64,550,000, respectively, in “Accumulated other comprehensive income” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Most of the accumulated pretax unrealized gains were in the common stocks of three U.S. financial institutions and one foreign manufacturer.manufacturer.

 

InvestmentsIn March 31, 2023, the Company recorded and included in equityits net income the net unrealized gains on marketable securities of $32,669,000, as compared with the net unrealized losses on marketable securities of $44,409,000, in the prior year period.

In December 2022, the Company sold part of its marketable securities for approximately $2,826,000, realizing net gains of $422,000, and borrowed an additional $6,011,000 from the margin loan account to purchase additional marketable securities with fixed maturity asa total cost of December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017 are summarized below.approximately $10,001,000. The Company repaid $11,000 subsequently. In addition, the Company received stock dividends in March 2023 worth approximately $2,978,000 from one of the companies in which it holds marketable securities.

 

  

December 31, 2017

  

September 30, 2017

 
  

Aggregate

fair value

  

(Unaudited)

Amortized/

Adjusted

cost basis

  

Pretax

unrealized

gains

  

Aggregate

fair value

  

Amortized/

Adjusted

cost basis

  

Pretax

unrealized

gains

 

Marketable securities

                        

Common stocks

 $236,387,000  $58,449,000  $177,938,000  $220,973,000  $58,449,000  $162,524,000 

Bonds

  8,547,000   4,945,000   3,602,000   8,292,000   4,944,000   3,348,000 
  $244,934,000  $63,394,000  $181,540,000  $229,265,000  $63,393,000  $165,872,000 

All investments are classified as “Current assets” because they are availableIn December 2021 and March 2022, the Company sold part of its marketable securities for sale at any time. The bonds mature in 2039.approximately $80,570,000, realizing net gains on the sales of those marketable securities of $14,249,000, and borrowed an additional $43,014,000 from the margin loan account to primarily purchase additional marketable securities with a total cost of approximately $117,678,000. There was a subsequent repayment of $14,000.

 


 

As of December 31, 2017, the Company performed an evaluation for an equity security with a fair value below cost to determine if the unrealized loss was other-than-temporary. This evaluation considers a number of factors including, but not limited to, the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the security until fair value recovers. The assessment of the ability and intent to hold this security to recovery focuses on liquidity needs, asset/liability management objectives and security portfolio objectives. Based on the result of the evaluation, the Company concluded thatInvestments in marketable securities as of DecemberMarch 31, 2017, the unrealized loss related to an equity security it owns was temporary.2023 and September 30, 2022 are summarized below.

Investment in Financial Instruments

  

March 31, 2023

  

September 30, 2022

 
  

Aggregate

fair value

  

Amortized/

Adjusted

cost basis

  

Pretax

unrealized

gains

  

Aggregate

fair value

  

Amortized/

Adjusted

cost basis

  

Pretax

unrealized

gains

 
Marketable securities                        

Common stocks

 $318,773,000  $165,412,000  $153,361,000  $275,529,000  $154,837,000  $120,692,000 

 

 

Note 79 - Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets

  

December 31, 2017

  

September 30, 2017

 
  

Customer Relationships

  

Developed Technology

  

 

Total

  

Customer Relationships

  

Developed Technology

  

 

Total

 
                         

Gross intangibles

 $21,950,000  $2,525,000  $24,475,000  $21,950,000  $2,525,000  $24,475,000 

Accumulated amortization

  (20,130,000)  (2,349,000)  (22,479,000)  (19,174,000)  (2,243,000)  (21,417,000)
  $1,820,000  $176,000  $1,996,000  $2,776,000  $282,000  $3,058,000 

These intangible assets are being amortized over five years for financial statement purposes due to the short life cycle of technology on which customer relationships depend and over 15 years on a straight-line basis for tax purposes. The intangible amortization expenses were $1,062,000 for the three-month period ended December 31, 2017, as compared with $1,224,000 in the prior year period, primarily because the intangibles of one of the two acquisitions in fiscal 2013 were fully amortized during this quarter.

Note 8 – GoodwillIncome Taxes

 

For the six months ended March 31, 2023, the Company recorded an income tax provision of $9,935,000 on the pretax income of $37,195,000. The Company accounts for goodwill in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 350,Intangibles — Goodwillincome tax provision consisted of a tax provision of $110,000 on the realized gains on marketable securities and Other. Goodwill, which is not amortized for financial statement purposes, is amortized over$8,770,000 on the unrealized gains on marketable securities, a 15-year period for tax purposes, but evaluated for impairment annually, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the value may not be recoverable. Considered factors for potential goodwill impairment evaluation with respect to Journal Technologies include, among other things, the current year’s business profitability before intangible amortization, fluctuationsprovision of revenues, changes in the marketplace, the status$1,005,000 on income from operations, including dividend income, and a tax provision of deferred installation contracts and new business.

In addition, ASU 2011-08,Intangible – Goodwill and Others -- Testing Goodwill for Impairment, allows$210,000 for the option of performing a qualitative assessment before calculating the fair valueeffect of a reporting unit. If it is determined based on qualitative factors that there is no impairment to goodwill, then the fair value of a reporting unit is not needed. If a quantitative analysis is required and the unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, then the second step is performed to measure the amount of potential impairment. The Company’s annual goodwill impairment analysischange in fiscal 2017 did not result in an impairment charge basedstate apportionment on the qualitative assessment. There was no indicator of impairment during the three-month periods ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.


Note 9 - Income Taxes

The December 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Act”) reduced the maximum corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018.  The Company has completed its reviewbeginning of the Tax Act.  The impact to its financial statements is as follows:  (i) current income tax expense or benefit is calculated on a blended rate of 24.28% pursuant to IRC Section 15, (ii)year’s deferred tax expense includesliability, partially offset by a discrete net tax benefit of approximately $16 million resulting from a revaluation of deferred$160,000 for the dividends received deduction and other permanent book and tax assets and liabilities todifferences. Consequently, the expectedoverall effective tax rate that will be applied when temporary differences are expected to reverse, (iii) items that are expected to reverse during fiscal 2018 are valued atfor the blended rate of 24.28% while temporary differences that will reversesix months ended March 31, 2023 was 26.7%, after fiscal 2018 are valued at 21%,including the taxes on the realized and (iv) approximately $20 million of the revaluation of deferred taxes relates to items that were initially recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”).  This revaluation is recorded as a component of income tax expense or benefit in continuing operations. unrealized gains on marketable securities.

 

For the threesix months ended DecemberMarch 31, 2017, 2022, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $16,850,000$6,070,000 on the pretax loss of $2,111,000.$27,005,000. The income tax benefit wasconsisted of a tax benefit of $11,971,000 on the resultunrealized losses on marketable securities and a tax benefit of applying the effective tax rate anticipated$125,000 for fiscal 2018 to pretax loss for the three-month period ended December 31, 2017.   The effective tax rate (before the discrete item discussed above) was greater than the statutory rate primarily due to the dividends received deduction which increasesand other permanent book and tax differences, partially offset by a tax provision of $3,841,000 on the loss forrealized gains on marketable securities, a tax purposes.  On pretax lossprovision of $1,781,000$740,000 on income from operations, and a tax provision of $1,445,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2016, effect of a change in state apportionment on the Company recorded an incomebeginning of the year’s deferred tax benefit of $310,000 which wasliability. Consequently, the net result of applying theoverall effective tax rate anticipated for fiscal 2017 to pretax loss for the threesix months ended DecemberMarch 31, 2016.  The effective tax rate2022 was greater than22.5%, after including the statutory rate mainly resulting fromtaxes on the dividends received deduction.  The Company’s effective tax rate was 798%realized gains and 17% for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. unrealized losses on marketable securities.

 

The Company files consolidated federal income tax returns in the United States and with various state jurisdictions and is no longer subject to examinations for fiscal years before fiscal 20152019with regard to federal income taxes and fiscal 20132018for state income taxes.

 

 

Note 10 - Debt and Commitments

 

During fiscal 2013, the Company borrowed from its investment margin account the aggregate purchase price of $29.5$29.5 million for two acquisitions, in each case pledging its marketable securities as collateral. There also have been subsequent borrowings of $51.5 million to purchase additional marketable securities bringing the margin loan balance up to $81 million as of March 31, 2023. The interest rate for these investment margin account borrowings fluctuates based on the Federal Funds Rate plus 50 basis points with interest only payable monthly. The interest rate as of DecemberMarch 31, 2017 2023 was 2%5.25%. These investment margin account borrowings do not mature.

 

In fiscal November 2015, the Company purchased a 30,700 square foot office building constructed in 1998 on about 3.6 acres in Logan, Utah that had been previously leased by Journal Technologies. The Company paid $1.24$1.24 million and financed the balance with a real estate bank loan of $2.26$2.26 million which bearshas a fixed interest rate of 4.66% and is repayable in equal monthly installments of about $17,600 through 2030.3.33%. This loan is secured by the Logan facility and can be paid off at any time without prepayment penalty. This real estate loan had a balance of approximately $2.04$1.35 million as of DecemberMarch 31, 2017.2023. Each monthly installment payment is about $16,600. In October 2022, the Company again amended this real estate loan contract as the bank transferred its index to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate, which replaces the London Interbank Offered Rate. The term of the loan, including the interest rate and the balance, was not affected by the amendment.

11

In April 2022, the Company sold approximately 17,564 square feet of the land along the front of its Logan building to the City of Logan for approximately $381,000 in connection with the City of Logan’s street widening project.

 

The Company also owns its facilities in Los Angeles andand leases space for its other offices under operating leases which expire at various dates through fiscal 2021. During fiscal 2014,January 2024.

Effective January 1, 2023, the Company renewed its office leasebegan sponsoring a 401(k) retirement plan and a 409(A) non-qualified deferred compensation plan for its San Francisco office for five years (expiring in October 2019) with a current monthly rentemployees. As of March 31, 2023, there were deferred compensation liabilities of approximately $25,000 for about 6,200 square feet. In fiscal 2017, the Company leased approximately 9,800 square feet of office space (expiring in August 2020) in Englewood, Colorado.


The Company is responsible for$67,000 which were held under a portion of maintenance, insurance and property tax expenses relating to the leased properties. Rental expenses were $237,000trust account for the three-month period ended December 31, 2017, as compared with $174,000 in the prior year period.409(A) plan.

 

 

Note 11 - Contingencies

 

From time to time,, the Company is subject to contingencies, including litigation, arising in the normal course of its business. While it is not possible to predict the results of such contingencies, management does not believe the ultimate outcome of these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, or results of operations or cash flows.

 


 

 

Note 1212 - Operating Segments

 

The Company’s reportable segments are: (i) theCompany’s Traditional Business is one reportable segment and (ii)the other is Journal Technologies.Technologies which includes Journal Technologies, Inc. and Journal Technologies (Canada) Inc. All inter-segment transactions were eliminated. Summarized financial information regardingAdditional detail about each of the Company’s reportable segments and its income and expenses is shown in the following table:set forth below:

 

Overall Financial Results (000)

For the six months ended March 31

  

Reportable Segments

                 
  

Traditional

Business

  

Journal

Technologies

  

Corporate

  

Total

 
  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

 
Revenues                                

Advertising

 $4,194  $4,130  $---  $---  $---  $---  $4,194  $4,130 

Circulation

  2,206   2,182   ---   ---   ---   ---   2,206   2,182 

Advertising service fees and other

  1,477   1,413   ---   ---   ---   ---   1,477   1,413 

Licensing and maintenance fees

  ---   ---   10,074   9,088   ---   ---   10,074   9,088 
Consulting fees  ---   ---   6,755   2,430   ---   ---   6,755   2,430 

Other public service fees

  ---   ---   3,749   3,442   ---   ---   3,749   3,442 

Total operating revenues

  7,877   7,725   20,578   14,960   ---   ---   28,455   22,685 
Operating expenses                                

Salaries and employee benefits

  4,499   4,730   15,137   12,594   ---   ---   19,636   17,324 

Decrease to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual

  (700)  (2,010)  (20)  (40)  ---   ---   (720)  (2,050)

Others

  2,435   2,413   6,195   4,569   ---   ---   8,630   6,982 

Total operating expenses

  6,234   5,133   21,312   17,123   ---   ---   27,546   22,256 
Income (loss) from operations  1,643   2,592   (734)  (2,163)  ---   ---   909   429 

Dividends and interest income

  ---   ---   ---   ---   5,132   2,988   5,132   2,988 

Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate

  ---   ---   ---   ---   (24)  (26)  (24)  (26)

Interest expense on margin loans and others

  ---   ---   ---   ---   (1,913)  (236)  (1,913)  (236)

Gains on sales of marketable securities, net

  ---   ---   ---   ---   422   14,249   422   14,249 

Net unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities

  ---   ---   ---   ---   32,669   (44,409)  32,669   (44,409)

Pretax income (loss)

  1,643   2,592   (734)  (2,163)  36,286   (27,434)  37,195   (27,005)

Income tax (expense) benefit

  (435)  (560)  135   705   (9,635)  5,925   (9,935)  6,070 

Net income (loss)

 $1,208  $2,032  $(599) $(1,458) $26,651  $(21,509) $27,260  $(20,935)

Total assets

 $14,053  $19,924  $25,444  $15,830  $319,523  $354,336  $359,020  $390,090 

Capital expenditures

 $70  $---  $4  $3  $---  $---  $74  $3 

  

Reportable Segments

         
  

Traditional

Business

  

Journal

Technologies

  

Corporate income

and expenses

  

 

Total

 

Three months ended December 31, 2017

                

Revenues

                

Advertising

 $2,116,000  $---  $---  $2,116,000 

Circulation

  1,363,000   ---   ---   1,363,000 

Advertising service fees and other

  602,000   ---   ---   602,000 

Licensing and maintenance fees

  ---   4,350,000   ---   4,350,000 

Consulting fees

  ---   995,000   ---   995,000 

Other public service fees

  ---   826,000   ---   826,000 

Operating expenses

  4,314,000   9,383,000   ---   13,697,000 

Loss from operations

  (233,000)  (3,212,000)  ---   (3,445,000)

Dividends and interest income

  ---   ---   1,483,000   1,483,000 

Gain on sale of capital asset

  ---   ---   2,000   2,000 

Other income

  ---   ---   9,000   9,000 

Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate

  (24,000)  ---   ---   (24,000)

Interest expenses on margin loans

  ---   ---   (136,000)  (136,000)

Pretax (loss) income

  (257,000)  (3,212,000)  1,358,000   (2,111,000)

Income tax benefit (expense)

  (680,000)  (2,185,000)  19,715,000   16,850,000 

Net income (loss)

  (937,000)  (5,397,000)  21,073,000   14,739,000 

Total assets

  18,188,000   26,768,000   244,934,000   289,890,000 

Capital expenditures

  34,000   ---   ---   34,000 

Amortization of intangible assets

  ---   1,062,000   ---   1,062,000 

 

  

Reportable Segments

         
  

Traditional

Business

  

Journal

Technologies

  

Corporate income

and expenses

  

 

Total

 

Three months ended December 31, 2016

                

Revenues

                

Advertising

 $2,310,000  $---  $---  $2,310,000 

Circulation

  1,449,000   ---   ---   1,449,000 

Advertising service fees and other

  638,000   ---   ---   638,000 

Licensing and maintenance fees

  ---   3,966,000   ---   3,966,000 

Consulting fees

  ---   848,000   ---   848,000 

Other public service fees

  ---   779,000   ---   779,000 

Operating expenses

  4,400,000   8,443,000   ---   12,843,000 

Loss from operations

  (3,000)  (2,850,000)  ---   (2,853,000)

Dividends and interest income

  ---   ---   1,171,000   1,171,000 

Other income

  15,000   ---   ---   15,000 

Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate

  (26,000)  ---   ---   (26,000)

Interest expenses on margin loans

  ---   ---   (79,000)  (79,000)

Interest expense accrued for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits

  ---   (9,000)  ---   (9,000)

Pretax income (loss)

  (14,000)  (2,859,000)  1,092,000   (1,781,000)

Income tax (expense) benefit

  ---   775,000   (465,000)  310,000 

Net income (loss)

  (14,000)  (2,084,000)  627,000   (1,471,000)

Total assets

  14,294,000   37,981,000   196,486,000   248,761,000 

Capital expenditures

  160,000   27,000   ---   187,000 

Amortization of intangible assets

  ---   1,224,000   ---   1,224,000 

Overall Financial Results (000)

For the three months ended March 31

  

Reportable Segments

                 
  

Traditional

Business

  

Journal

Technologies

  

Corporate

  

Total

 
  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

 

Revenues

                                

Advertising

 $2,204  $2,129  $---  $---  $---  $---  $2,204  $2,129 

Circulation

  1,108   1,072   ---   ---   ---   ---   1,108   1,072 

Advertising service fees and other

  778   742   ---   ---   ---   ---   778   742 

Licensing and maintenance fees

  ---   ---   5,679   4,608   ---   ---   5,679   4,608 

Consulting fees

  ---   ---   4,433   669   ---   ---   4,433   669 

Other public service fees

  ---   ---   1,952   1,729   ---   ---   1,952   1,729 

Total operating revenues

  4,090   3,943   12,064   7,006   ---   ---   16,154   10,949 

Operating expenses

                                

Salaries and employee benefits

  2,281   2,415   7,724   6,432   ---   ---   10.005   8,847 

Decrease to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual

  (200)  (1,920)  ---   ---   ---   ---   (200)  (1,920)

Others

  1,301   1,362   3,423   2,287   ---   ---   4,724   3,649 

Total operating expenses

  3,382   1,857   11,147   8,719   ---   ---   14,529   10,576 

Income (loss) from operations

  708   2,086   917   (1,713)  ---   ---   1,625   373 
                                 

Dividends and interest income

  ---   ---   ---   ---   4,063   2,113   4,063   2,113 

Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate

  ---   ---   ---   ---   (12)  (13)  (12)  (13)

Interest expense on margin loans and other

  ---   ---   ---   ---   (1,052)  (150)  (1,052)  (150)

Losses on sales of marketable securities

  ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   (32,445)  ---   (32,445)

Net unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities

  ---   ---   ---   ---   8,644   (8,321)  8,644   (8,321)

Pretax income (loss)

  708   2,086   917   (1,713)  11,643   (38,816)  13,268   (38,443)

Income tax (expense) benefit

  (200)  (355)  (215)  455   (3,420)  10,530   (3,835)  10,630 

Net income (loss)

 $508  $1,731  $702  $(1,258) $8,223  $(28,286) $9,433  $(27,813)

Total assets

 $14,053  $19,924  $25,444  $15,830  $319,523  $354,336  $359,020  $390,090 

Capital expenditures

 $38  $---  $---  $3  $---  $---  $38  $3 

 


 

During the threesix months ended DecemberMarch 31, 2017, 2023, the Traditional Business had total operating revenues of $4,081,000 of which $2,718,000 were$7,877,000 with $5,671,000 recognized after services were provided and $1,363,000 were$2,206,000 recognized ratably over the subscription terms.terms, as compared with total operating revenues of $7,725,000 with $5,543,000 recognized after services were provided and $2,182,000 recognized ratably over the subscription terms in the prior fiscal year period. Total operating revenues for the Company’s software business were $6,171,000 of which $2,064,000 were$20,578,000 with $10,687,000 recognized upon completion of services with customer acceptance while $4,107,000 wereand $9,891,000 recognized ratably over the subscription periods.periods, as compared with total operating revenues of $14,960,000 with $5,943,000 recognized upon completion of services and $9,017,000 recognized ratably over the subscription periods in the prior fiscal year period.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Traditional Business had total operating revenues of $4,090,000 with $2,982,000 recognized after services were provided and $1,108,000 recognized ratably over the subscription terms, as compared with total operating revenues of $3,943,000 with $2,871,000 recognized after services were provided and $1,072,000 recognized ratably over the subscription terms in the prior fiscal year period. Total operating revenues for the Company’s software business were $12,064,000 with $6,566,000 recognized upon completion of services and $5,498,000 recognized ratably over the subscription periods, as compared with total operating revenues of $7,006,000 with $2,467,000 recognized upon completion of services and $4,539,000 recognized ratably over the subscription periods in the prior fiscal year period.

Approximately 60%72% of the Company’s revenues during the three-month periodssix-month period ended DecemberMarch 31, 2017 2023 were derived from Journal Technologies, as compared with 56%66% in the prior year period. In addition, the Company’s revenues have been primarily from the United States with approximately 1%6% from foreign countries.countries during the six-months ended March 31, 2023. Journal Technologies’ revenues are allprimarily from governmental agencies.

The following table sets forth certain deferred obligations from October 1, 2017 through December 31, 2017:

  

Beginning Balance

  

Addition

  

Recognized

  

Ending

Balance

 
                 

Deferred subscriptions

 $3,284,000  $1,214,000  $(1,363,000) $3,135,000 

Deferred installation contracts

  5,072,000   530,000   (1,238,000)  4,364,000 

Deferred maintenance agreements and others

  9,442,000   4,705,000   (4,107,000)  10,040,000 

 

Note 1313 - Subsequent Events

 

The Company has completed an evaluation of all subsequent events through the issuance date of these financial statements and concluded that no subsequent events occurred that required recognition to the financial statements or disclosures in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements or cash flows.Statements.

 


 

 

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

 

Results of OperationsOperations

 

The Company continues to operate as two different businesses: (1) The Traditional Business, being the business of newspaper publishing and related services that the Company had before 1999 when it purchased a software development company, and (2) Journal Technologies, Inc. (“Journal Technologies”), a wholly-owned subsidiary which supplies case management software systems and related products to courts, prosecutor and public defender offices, probation departments and other justice agencies, including administrative law organizations, city and county governments and bar associations. These organizations use the Journal Technologies family of products to help manage cases and information electronically, to interface with other critical justice partners and to extend electronic services to the public, including efiling and a website to pay traffic citations online, and bar members.fees online. These products are licensed to more than 500 organizations in 4230 states and internationally.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

On March 13, 2020, the United States declared the outbreak of COVID-19 to be a national emergency, and several states and municipalities also declared public health emergencies. Unprecedented actions were taken by public health and other governmental authorities to contain and combat the spread of COVID-19, including “stay-at-home” orders and similar mandates that restricted the daily activities of individuals and limited the operation of businesses that were deemed “non-essential”. In addition, most of Journal Technologies’ customers, which are primarily courts and governmental agencies in the United States, Canada and Australia, were either closed or significantly scaled back their activities. Similarly, many law firms and companies from which the Traditional Business derives advertising and subscription revenues also curtailed their in-person operations and spending.

Although the World Health Organization recently declared an end to the COVID-19 emergency, enduring changes in society resulting from efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic are likely to have continuing effects on the Company’s business. For example, in recent years, the newspaper industry, including our Traditional Business, has declined, and we expect this general trend to continue with fewer lawyers receiving our newspapers at their offices as they continue to work from home. For Journal Technologies, there have been several delays or cancellations in government procurement processes. Also, although we have been able to complete many existing projects remotely, we have been delayed in finishing certain implementations and trainings because of our inability to work with clients in-person. Given that we are typically paid for implementation services upon “go-live” of a system, receipt of those revenues has been delayed.


Reportable Segments

The Company’s Traditional Business is one reportable segment and the other is Journal Technologies which includes Journal Technologies, Inc. and Journal Technologies (Canada) Inc. All inter-segment transactions were eliminated. Additional detail about each reportable segment and its income and expenses is set forth below:

Overall Financial Results (000)

For the six months ended March 31

  

Reportable Segments

                 
  

Traditional

Business

  

Journal

Technologies

  

Corporate

  

Total

 
  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

 

Revenues

                                

Advertising

 $4,194  $4,130  $---  $---  $---  $---  $4,194  $4,130 

Circulation

  2,206   2,182   ---   ---   ---   ---   2,206   2,182 

Advertising service fees and other

  1,477   1,413   ---   ---   ---   ---   1,477   1,413 

Licensing and maintenance fees

  ---   ---   10,074   9,088   ---   ---   10,074   9,088 

Consulting fees

  ---   ---   6,755   2,430   ---   ---   6,755   2,430 

Other public service fees

  ---   ---   3,749   3,442   ---   ---   3,749   3,442 

Total operating revenues

  7,877   7,725   20,578   14,960   ---   ---   28,455   22,685 

Operating expenses

                                

Salaries and employee benefits

  4,499   4,730   15,137   12,594   ---   ---   19,636   17,324 

Decrease to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual

  (700)  (2,010)  (20)  (40)  ---   ---   (720)  (2,050)

Others

  2,435   2,413   6,195   4,569   ---   ---   8,630   6,982 

Total operating expenses

  6,234   5,133   21,312   17,123   ---   ---   27,546   22,256 

Income (loss) from operations

  1,643   2,592   (734)  (2,163)  ---   ---   909   429 

Dividends and interest income

  ---   ---   ---   ---   5,132   2,988   5,132   2,988 

Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate

  ---   ---   ---   ---   (24)  (26)  (24)  (26)

Interest expense on margin loans and others

  ---   ---   ---   ---   (1,913)  (236)  (1,913)  (236)

Gains on sales of marketable securities, net

  ---   ---   ---   ---   422   14,249   422   14,249 

Net unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities

  ---   ---   ---   ---   32,669   (44,409)  32,669   (44,409)

Pretax income (loss)

  1,643   2,592   (734)  (2,163)  36,286   (27,434)  37,195   (27,005)

Income tax (expense) benefit

  (435)  (560)  135   705   (9,635)  5,925   (9,935)  6,070 

Net income (loss)

 $1,208  $2,032  $(599) $(1,458) $26,651  $(21,509) $27,260  $(20,935)

Total assets

 $14,053  $19,924  $25,444  $15,830  $319,523  $354,336  $359,020  $390,090 

Capital expenditures

 $70  $---  $4  $3  $---  $---  $74  $3 

Comparable six-month periods ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

 

Comprehensive IncomeConsolidated Financial Comparison

 

Comprehensive income includes net income (loss) and unrealized net gains on investments, net of taxes, as summarized below:

Comprehensive Income

 
  

Three months ended December 31

 
  

2017

  

2016

 
         

Net income (loss)

 $14,739,000  $(1,471,000)

Net increase in unrealized appreciation of marketable securities (net of taxes)

  12,118,000   15,019,000 
  $26,857,000  $13,548,000 

Comparable three-month periods ended December 31, 2017 and 2016

Consolidated revenues were $10,252,000$28,455,000 and $9,990,000$22,685,000 for the threesix months ended DecemberMarch 31, 20172023 and 2016,2022, respectively. This increase of $262,000$5,770,000 (25%) was primarily from increasedincreases in (i) Journal Technologies’ consulting fees of $4,325,000, license and maintenance fees of $384,000, consulting fees of $147,000$986,000 and other public service fees of $47,000, partially offset by$307,000 and (ii) the reduction in The Traditional Business’s trustee sale notice and its related service feeBusiness’ advertising revenues of $57,000, commercial$64,000, advertising revenuesservice fees and other of $64,000 and circulation revenues of $86,000. The Company’s revenues derived from Journal Technologies’ operations constituted about 60% and 56% of the Company’s total revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.$24,000.

17

 

Consolidated operating expenses increased by $854,000 (7%$5,290,000 (24%) to $13,697,000$27,546,000 from $12,843,000, primarily resulting from additional personnel costs$22,256,000. Total salaries and services for Journal Technologies. Total personnel costsemployee benefits increased by $556,000 (7%$2,312,000 (13%) to $8,197,000$19,636,000 from $7,641,000.$17,324,000 primarily because of larger salary adjustments due to recent inflation in the compensation market for talent. Outside services increased by $59,000 (6%$604,000 (33%) to $1,039,000$2,442,000 from $980,000$1,838,000 mainly because of increased contractor’s costs for Journal Technologies. Depreciationthird-party hosting fees which were billed to clients. Newsprint and amortization costs, which includedprinting expenses increased by $37,000 (10%) to $392,000 from $355,000 primarily the amortizationresulting from newsprint price increases and additional purchases of Journal Technologies’ intangible assets,printing supplies. Equipment maintenance and software increased by $39,000 (6%) to $657,000 from $618,000 mainly resulting from increased maintenance costs. Accounting and legal fees decreased by $174,000$47,000 (9%) to $1,218,000$495,000 from $1,392,000.$542,000 primarily from decreased legal fees. Other general and administrative expenses increased by $471,000 (20%$1,006,000 (59%) to $2,814,000$2,698,000 from $2,343,000$1,692,000 mainly because ofthere were increased accountingmiscellaneous office software purchases and legal fees and office equipment and software maintenance fees for Journal Technologies.business travel expenses as compared to the prior fiscal year period.


 

The Company’s non-operating income, net of expenses, increased by $262,000 (24%$63,720,000 (232%) to $1,334,000$36,286,000 from $1,072,000a loss of $27,434,000 in the prior fiscal year period primarily because of more dividend(i) the recording of net unrealized gains on marketable securities of $32,669,000 during the six months ended March 31, 2023 as compared with net unrealized losses of $44,409,000 in the prior fiscal year period, and (ii) increases in dividends and interest income of $2,144,000 (72%) to $5,132,000 from $2,988,000. These increases were partially offset by (i) the recording of realized net gains on sales of marketable securities of $422,000 during the six months ended March 31, 2023 as compared with $14,249,000 in the prior fiscal year period and (ii) increases in interest expenses of $1,675,000 (639%) to $1,937,000 from $262,000 primarily due to the federal interest rate on the two acquisition margin loans.increases.

 

During the threesix months ended DecemberMarch 31, 2017,2023, the Company’s consolidated pretax lossincome was $2,111,000,$37,195,000, as compared with $1,781,000to a pretax loss of $27,005,000 in the prior fiscal year period. There was a consolidated net income of $14,739,000$27,260,000 ($10.6719.80 per share) after tax benefits, primarily due to tax cuts, for the threesix months ended DecemberMarch 31, 2017,2023, as compared with net loss of $1,471,000$20,935,000 (-$1.0715.16 per share) in the prior fiscal year period. (See Taxes.)

 

At DecemberMarch 31, 2017,2023, the aggregate fair market value of the Company’s marketable securities was $244,934,000.$318,773,000. These securities had approximately $181,540,000$153,361,000 of net unrealized gains before taxes of $48,140,000 and generated approximately $1,483,000 in dividends and interest income during the three months ended December 31, 2017, which lowers the Company’s effective income tax rate because of the dividends received deduction.$41,145,000. Most of the unrealized gains were in the common stocks of three U.S. financial institutions and one foreign manufacturer.

 

Additional detail about eachTaxes

For the six months ended March 31, 2023, the Company recorded an income tax provision of $9,935,000 on the pretax income of $37,195,000. The income tax provision consisted of a tax provision of $110,000 on the realized gains on marketable securities and $8,770,000 on the unrealized gains on marketable securities, a tax provision of $1,005,000 on income from operations, including dividend income, and a tax provision of $210,000 for the effect of a change in state apportionment on the beginning of the Company’s reportable segments,year’s deferred tax liability, partially offset by a tax benefit of $160,000 for the dividends received deduction and its corporate incomeother permanent book and expenses, is set forth below:tax differences.  Consequently, the overall effective tax rate for the six months ended March 31, 2023 was 26.7%, after including the taxes on the realized and unrealized gains on marketable securities.

 

Overall Financial Results (000)

For the three months ended December 31

 For the six months ended March 31, 2022, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $6,070,000 on the pretax loss of $27,005,000.  The income tax benefit consisted of a tax benefit of $11,971,000 on the unrealized losses on marketable securities and a tax benefit of $125,000 for the dividends received deduction and other permanent book and tax differences, partially offset by a tax provision of $3,841,000 on the realized gains on marketable securities, a tax provision of $740,000 on income from operations, and a tax provision of $1,445,000 for the effect of a change in state apportionment on the beginning of the year’s deferred tax liability.  Consequently, the overall effective tax rate for the six months ended March 31, 2022 was 22.5%, after including the taxes on the realized gains and unrealized losses on marketable securities.

  

Reportable Segments

                 
  

Traditional

Business

  

Journal

Technologies

  

Corporate

income and expenses

  

 

Total

 
  

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

  

2017

  

2016

 

Revenues

                                

Advertising

 $2,116  $2,310  $---  $---  $---  $---  $2,116  $2,310 

Circulation

  1,363   1,449   ---   ---   ---   ---   1,363   1,449 

Advertising service fees and other

  602   638   ---   ---   ---   ---   602   638 

Licensing and maintenance fees

  ---   ---   4,350   3,966   ---   ---   4,350   3,966 

Consulting fees

  ---   ---   995   848   ---   ---   995   848 

Other public service fees

  ---   ---   826   779   ---   ---   826   779 

Total revenues

  4,081   4,397   6,171   5,593   ---   ---   10,252   9,990 

Operating expenses

                                

Salaries and employee benefits

  2,568   2,565   5,629   5,076   ---   ---   8,197   7,641 

Amortization of intangible assets

  ---   ---   1,062   1,224   ---   ---   1,062   1,224 

Others

  1,746   1,835   2,692   2,143   ---   ---   4,438   3,978 

Total operating expenses

  4,314   4,400   9,383   8,443   ---   ---   13,697   12,843 

Loss from operations

  (233)  (3)  (3,212)  (2,850)  ---   ---   (3,445)  (2,853)

Dividends and interest income

  ---   ---   ---   ---   1,483   1,171   1,483   1,171 

Gain on sale of capital asset

  ---   ---   ---   ---   2   ---   2   --- 

Other income (net)

  ---   15   ---   ---   9   ---   9   15 

Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate

  (24)  (26)  ---   ---   ---   ---   (24)  (26)

Interest expenses on margin loans

  ---   ---   ---   ---   (136)  (79)  (136)  (79)

Interest expenses accrual for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits

  ---   ---   ---   (9)  ---   ---   ---   (9)

Pretax (loss) income

 $(257) $(14) $(3,212) $(2,859) $1,358  $1,092  $(2,111) $(1,781)

 


18

 

The Traditional Business segment’s pretax loss increased by $243,000Company files consolidated federal income tax returns in the United States and with various state jurisdictions and is no longer subject to $257,000 from $14,000.examinations for fiscal years before fiscal 2019 with regard to federal income taxes and fiscal 2018 for state income taxes.

 

The Traditional Business

The Traditional Business’ pretax income decreased by $949,000 (37%) to $1,643,000 from $2,592,000 in the prior fiscal year period, primarily because there was less reduction to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual of $700,000 as compared with $2,010,000 in the prior fiscal year period.

During the six months ended March 31, 2023, the Traditional Business had total operating revenues of $7,877,000, as compared with $7,725,000 in the prior fiscal year period. Advertising revenues decreasedincreased by $194,000$64,000 (2%) to $2,116,000$4,194,000 from $2,310,000,$4,130,000, primarily resulting from the declines inincreased trustee sale notice advertising and its related service fee revenues of $57,000$101,000 mainly because of the lifting of COVID-related foreclosure moratoriums on lenders, government notice advertising revenues of $39,000 and legal notice advertising revenues of $9,000, partially offset by decreased commercial advertising revenues of $64,000.$85,000.

 

Trustee sale notices are very much dependent on the number of California and Arizona foreclosures for which public notice advertising is required by law. The number of foreclosure notices published by the Company decreasedincreased by 15%33% during the threesix months ended DecemberMarch 31, 20172023 as compared to the prior fiscal year period. Because this slowing is expected to continue, the Company expects there will be fewer foreclosure notice and other public notice advertisements and declining revenues in fiscal 2018, and the Company’s print-based earnings will also likely decline significantly because it will be impractical for the Company to offset all revenue losses by expense reduction. The Company’s smaller newspapers, those other than the Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journals (“The Daily Journals”), accounted for about 88%87% of the total public notice advertising revenues induring the threesix months ended DecemberMarch 31, 2017.2023. Public notice advertising revenues and related advertising and other service fees, including trustee sales legal advertising revenues, constituted about 20% and 22%16% of the Company’sCompany's total operating revenues for the threesix months ended DecemberMarch 31, 20172023 and 2016, respectively. Because of this concentration,19% in the Company’s revenues would be significantly adversely affected if California and Arizona eliminated the legal requirement to publish public notices in adjudicated newspapers of general circulation, as had been recently implemented in Arizona for one notice type. Also, if the adjudication of one or more of the Company’s newspapers was challenged and revoked, those newspapers would no longer be eligible to publish public notice advertising, and it could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s revenues.prior fiscal year period.

 

The Daily Journals accounted for about 89%93% of Thethe Traditional Business’ total circulation revenues, which declinedincreased by $86,000$24,000 (1%) to $1,363,000$2,206,000 from $1,449,000.$2,182,000. The court rule and judicial profile services generated about 8%5% of the total circulation revenues, with the other newspapers and services accounting for the balance. Advertising service fees and other are Traditional Business segment revenues, which include primarily (i) agency commissions received from outside newspapers in which the advertising is placed, and (ii) fees generated when filing notices with government agencies.

 

The Traditional Business segment operating expenses, excluding the adjustments to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual, decreased by $86,000 (2%$209,000 (3%) to $4,314,000$6,934,000 from $4,400,000,$7,143,000, primarily due to decreased delivery service costs.resulting from reduced legal fees.

Journal Technologies

 

During the six months ended March 31, 2023, Journal Technologies’ business segment pretax loss increaseddecreased by $353,000 (12%$1,429,000 (66%) to $3,212,000$734,000 from $2,859,000, after$2,163,000 in the amortization costs of intangible assets of $1,062,000 and $1,224,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.prior fiscal year period.

 

Revenues increased by $578,000 (10%$5,618,000 (38%) to $6,171,000$20,578,000 from $5,593,000$14,960,000 in the prior fiscal year period. Licensing and maintenance fees increased by $384,000 (10%$986,000 (11%) to $4,350,000$10,074,000 from $3,966,000.$9,088,000. Consulting fees also increased by $147,000 (17%$4,325,000 (178%) to $995,000$6,755,000 from $848,000.$2,430,000 mainly resulting from more project go-lives (signoffs by the clients) during the last quarter. Other public service fees increased by $47,000 (6%$307,000 (9%) to $826,000$3,749,000 from $779,000$3,442,000 primarily due to an increase inbecause of increased efiling fee revenues.

19

Deferred consulting fees primarily represent advances from customers of Journal Technologies for installation services and are recognized upon final project go-lives. Deferred revenues on license and maintenance contracts represent prepayments of annual license and maintenance fees and are recognized ratably over the number of traffic tickets processed online for the public to pay traffic citations.maintenance period.

 

Operating expenses increased by $940,000 (11%$4,189,000 (24%) to $9,383,000$21,312,000 from $8,443,000,$17,123,000 primarily due tobecause of (i) increased personnel costs because of larger salary adjustments due to recent inflation in the compensation market for talent, (ii) increased third-party hosting fees which were billed to clients and computer services for Journal Technologies.(iii) additional miscellaneous office software license purchases and increased business travel expenses.

 


Intangible assets, including customer relationships and developed technology, are being amortized on a straight-line basis over five years for financial statement purposes, due to the short life cycle of technology on which customer relationships depend and over 15 years for tax purposes. Goodwill, which is not amortized for financial statement purposes, is amortized over 15 years for tax purposes. Goodwill represents the expected synergies in expanding the Company’s software business. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment annually, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the value may not be recoverable. Considered factors for potential goodwill impairment evaluation include the current year’s operating financial results before intangible amortization, fluctuations of revenues, changes in the market place, the status of installation contracts and new business, among other things. There was no indicator of impairment during the three-month periods ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. Journal Technologies is continuingcontinues to update and upgrade its software products. These costs are expensed as incurred and will impact earnings at least through the foreseeable future.

 

Taxes

The December 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Act”) reduced the maximum corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018.  The Company has completed its review of the Tax Act.  The impact to its financial statements is as follows:  (i) current income tax expense or benefit is calculated on a blended rate of 24.28% pursuant to IRC Section 15, (ii) deferred tax expense includes a discrete net tax benefit of approximately $16 million resulting from a revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities to the expected tax rate that will be applied when temporary differences are expected to reverse, (iii) items that are expected to reverse during fiscal 2018 are valued at the blended rate of 24.28% while temporary differences that will reverse after fiscal 2018 are valued at 21%, and (iv) approximately $20 million of the revaluation of deferred taxes relates to items that were initially recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”).  This revaluation is recorded as a component of income tax expense or benefit in continuing operations. 


 

For the three months ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $16,850,000 on pretax loss of $2,111,000.  The income tax benefit was the result of applying the effective tax rate anticipated for fiscal 2018 to pretax loss Reportable Segments (for the three-month periodperiods ended DecemberMarch 31, 2017.   The effective tax rate (before the discrete item discussed above) was greater than the statutory rate primarily due to the dividends received deduction which increases the loss for tax purposes.  On pretax loss of $1,781,0002023 and 2022)

Overall Financial Results (000)

For the three months ended March 31

  

Reportable Segments

                 
  

Traditional

Business

  

Journal

Technologies

  

Corporate

  

Total

 
  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

  

2023

  

2022

 

Revenues

                                

Advertising

 $2,204  $2,129  $---  $---  $---  $---  $2,204  $2,129 

Circulation

  1,108   1,072   ---   ---   ---   ---   1,108   1,072 

Advertising service fees and other

  778   742   ---   ---   ---   ---   778   742 

Licensing and maintenance fees

  ---   ---   5,679   4,608   ---   ---   5,679   4,608 

Consulting fees

  ---   ---   4,433   669   ---   ---   4,433   669 

Other public service fees

  ---   ---   1,952   1,729   ---   ---   1,952   1,729 

Total operating revenues

  4,090   3,943   12,064   7,006   ---   ---   16,154   10,949 

Operating expenses

                                

Salaries and employee benefits

  2,281   2,415   7,724   6,432   ---   ---   10.005   8,847 

Decrease to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual

  (200)  (1,920)  ---   ---   ---   ---   (200)  (1,920)

Others

  1,301   1,362   3,423   2,287   ---   ---   4,724   3,649 

Total operating expenses

  3,382   1,857   11,147   8,719   ---   ---   14,529   10,576 

Income (loss) from operations

  708   2,086   917   (1,713)  ---   ---   1,625   373 
                                 

Dividends and interest income

  ---   ---   ---   ---   4,063   2,113   4,063   2,113 

Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate

  ---   ---   ---   ---   (12)  (13)  (12)  (13)

Interest expense on margin loans and other

  ---   ---   ---   ---   (1,052)  (150)  (1,052)  (150)

Losses on sales of marketable securities

  ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   (32,445)  ---   (32,445)

Net unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities

  ---   ---   ---   ---   8,644   (8,321)  8,644   (8,321)

Pretax income (loss)

  708   2,086   917   (1,713)  11,643   (38,816)  13,268   (38,443)

Income tax (expense) benefit

  (200)  (355)  (215)  455   (3,420)  10,530   (3,835)  10,630 

Net income (loss)

 $508  $1,731  $702  $(1,258) $8,223  $(28,286) $9,433  $(27,813)

Total assets

 $14,053  $19,924  $25,444  $15,830  $319,523  $354,336  $359,020  $390,090 

Capital expenditures

 $38  $---  $---  $3  $---  $---  $38  $3 

Consolidated Financial Comparison

Consolidated revenues were $16,154,000 and $10,949,000 for the three months ended DecemberMarch 31, 2016,2023 and 2022, respectively. This increase of $5,205,000 (48%) was primarily from increases in (i) Journal Technologies’ license and maintenance fees of $1,071,000, consulting fees of $3,764,000 and other public service fees of $223,000 and (ii) the Company recorded anTraditional Business’ advertising revenues of $75,000, advertising service fees and other of $36,000 and circulation revenues of $36,000.

Consolidated operating expenses increased by $3,953,000 (37%) to $14,529,000 from $10,576,000. Total salaries and employee benefits increased by $1,158,000 (13%) to $10,005,000 from $8,847,000 primarily because of larger salary adjustments due to recent inflation in the compensation market for talent. Outside services increased by $439,000 (48%) to $1,353,000 from $914,000 mainly because of increased third-party hosting fees which were billed to clients. Other general and administrative expenses increased by $650,000 (68%) to $1,603,000 from $953,000 mainly because there were increased miscellaneous office software purchases and business travel expenses as compared to the prior fiscal year period.

21

The Company’s non-operating income, tax benefitnet of $310,000 whichexpenses, increased by $50,459,000 (130%) to $11,643,000 from a loss of $38,816,000 in the prior fiscal year period primarily because of (i) the recording of net unrealized gains on marketable securities of $8,644,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2023 as compared with net unrealized losses of $8,321,000 in the prior fiscal year period, (ii) increases in dividends and interest income of $1,950,000 (92%) to $4,063,000 from $2,113,000 and (iii) realized losses on sales of marketable securities of $32,445,000 in the prior fiscal year period. These increases were partially offset by increases in interest expenses of $902,000 (601%) to $1,052,000 from $150,000 primarily due to the federal rate increases.

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company’s consolidated pretax income was the net result of applying the effective tax rate anticipated for fiscal 2017$13,268,000, as compared to a pretax loss of $38,443,000 in the prior fiscal year period. There was consolidated net income of $9,433,000 ($6.85 per share) for the three months ended DecemberMarch 31, 2016.  2023, as compared with a net loss of $27,813,000 (-$20.14 per share) in the prior fiscal year period.

The effective tax rateTraditional Business

The Traditional Business’ pretax income decreased by $1,378,000 (66%) to $708,000 from $2,086,000 in the prior fiscal year period, primarily because there was greater thanless reduction to the statutory rate mainly resulting fromlong-term supplemental compensation accrual of $200,000 as compared with $1,920,000 in the dividends received deduction.  The Company’s effective tax rate was 798% and 17% forprior fiscal year period.

During the three months ended DecemberMarch 31, 20172023, the Traditional Business had total operating revenues of $4,090,000, as compared with $3,943,000 in the prior fiscal year period. Advertising revenues increased by $75,000 (4%) to $2,204,000 from $2,129,000, primarily resulting from increased trustee sale notice advertising revenues of $46,000 mainly because of the lifting of COVID-related foreclosure moratoriums on lenders, government notice advertising revenues of $51,000 and 2016, respectively. legal notice advertising revenues of $16,000, partially offset by decreased commercial advertising revenues of $38,000.

 

The Company files consolidated federalTraditional Business segment operating expenses, excluding the adjustments to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual, decreased by $195,000 (5%) to $3,582,000 from $3,777,000, primarily resulting from reduced legal fees.

Journal Technologies

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, Journal Technologies’ business segment pretax income tax returnsincreased by $2,630,000 (154%) to $917,000 from a pretax loss of $1,713,000 in the United Statesprior fiscal year period.

Revenues increased by $5,058,000 (72%) to $12,064,000 from $7,006,000 in the prior fiscal year period. Licensing and with various state jurisdictionsmaintenance fees increased by $1,071,000 (23%) to $5,679,000 from $4,608,000. Consulting fees increased by $3,764,000 (563%) to $4,433,000 from $669,000 mainly resulting from more project go-lives (signoffs by the clients) during the last quarter. Other public service fees increased by $223,000 (13%) to $1,952,000 from $1,729,000 primarily because of increased efiling fee revenues.

Deferred consulting fees primarily represent advances from customers of Journal Technologies for installation services and is no longer subjectare recognized upon final project go-lives. Deferred revenues on license and maintenance contracts represent prepayments of annual license and maintenance fees and are recognized ratably over the maintenance period.

22

Operating expenses increased by $2,428,000 (28%) to examinations$11,147,000 from $8,719,000 primarily because of (i) increased personnel costs because of larger salary adjustments due to recent inflation in the compensation market for fiscal years before fiscal 2015 with regardtalent, (ii) increased third-party hosting fees which were billed to federal income taxesclients and fiscal 2013 for state income taxes. (iii) additional miscellaneous office software license purchases and increased business travel expenses.

Journal Technologies continues to update and upgrade its software products. These costs are expensed as incurred and will impact earnings at least through the foreseeable future.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

During For the three monthssix-months ended DecemberMarch 31, 2017,2023, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and marketable security positions increased by $14,793,000 to $247,442,000.$43,648,000, after the sales of marketable securities of approximately $2,826,000 and additional borrowing of $6,000,000 from the margin loan account, partially offset by the recording of net pretax unrealized gains on marketable securities of $32,669,000. Cash, and cash equivalents, the proceeds from the sales of marketable securities and additional borrowing were primarily used for theto purchase additional marketable securities of capital assets of $34,000 and operating activities of $814,000 which included net decreases of $797,000 in deferred subscriptions, deferred installation contracts and deferred maintenance agreements and others.$10,001,000.


 

The investments in marketable securities, which had an adjusted cost basis of approximately $63,394,000$165,412,000 and a market value of about $244,934,000$318,773,000 at DecemberMarch 31, 2017,2023, generated approximately $1,483,000$5,132,000 in dividends and interest income.income during the six months ended March 31, 2023. These securities had approximately $153,361,000 of net unrealized gains before estimated taxes of $41,145,000 which will become due only when we sell securities in which there is unrealized appreciation.

 

Cash flows from operating activities increased by $497,000$14,856,000 during the threesix months ended DecemberMarch 31, 20172023, as compared to the prior fiscal year period, primarily due to (i) decreases in the Company’s income tax receivable of $3,770,000, its deferred tax benefit of $18,733,000 and its accounts receivable of $1,225,000 mainly resulting from more collections and (ii) increases in deferred revenues of $2,717,000 and income tax payable of $6,244,000. This was partially offset by (i) decreases in net income of $16,210,000, partially offset by$18,034,000, excluding the increases in deferred income taxesunrealized gains on marketable securities of $15,861,000, mainly because$77,078,000, decreases in realized net gains on sales of marketable securities of $13,827,000 and additional stock dividends of $2,978,000, and (ii) decreases in net accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $222,000 (because of the discrete tax items mentioned above.timing difference in remitting efiling fees to the courts)

 

As of DecemberMarch 31, 2017,2023, the Company had working capital of $230,284,000,$318,234,000, including the liabilities for deferred subscriptions, deferred installationconsulting fees and deferred maintenance agreements and others of $17,539,000.$21,947,000.

 

The Company believes that it will be able to fund its operations for the foreseeable future through its cash flows from operations and its current working capital and expects that any such cash flows will be invested in its businesses.capital. The Company may or may not have the ability to borrow additional amounts against its marketable securities and, among other possibilities, it may be required to consider selling some of those securities to generate cash if needed to fund ongoing operations. The amount available for borrowing is based on the market value of the Company’s investment portfolio and fluctuates depending on the value of the underlying securities. TheIn addition, the Company also may entertain additional business acquisition opportunities. Any excess cash flows could be usedsubject to reducemargin calls should the balance of the investment margin account liability or note payable collateralized by real estate or invested as management and the Board of Directors deem appropriate at the time.decrease significantly.

 

Such investments may include additional securities of the companies in which theThe Company has already invested, securities of other companies, government securities (including U.S. Treasury Notes and Bills) or other instruments. The decision as to particular investments will be driven by the Company’s belief about the risk/reward profile of the various investment choices at the time, and it may utilize government securities asis not a default if attractive opportunities for a better return are not available. The Company’s Chairman of the Board, Charles Munger, is also the vice chairmansmaller version of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., which maintains Instead, it hopes to be a substantial investment portfolio. The Company’s Board of Directors has utilized his judgment and suggestions, as well as those of J.P. Guerin, the Company’s vice chairman, when selecting investments, and both of them will continue to play an important role in monitoring existing investments and selecting any future investments.significant software company while it also operates its Traditional Business.

 

As of December 31, 2017, the investments were concentrated in just seven companies. Accordingly, a significant decline in the market value of one or more of the Company’s investments may not be offset by the hypothetically better performance of other investments, and that could result in a large decrease in the Company’s shareholders’ equity and, under certain circumstances, in the recognition of impairment losses in the Company’s income statement.


 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The Company’sCompany’s financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are affected by management’s application of accounting policies. Management believes that revenue recognition, accounting for software costs, fair value measurement and disclosures (including for the long-term Incentive Plan liabilities), accounting for business combinations, testing for goodwill impairment and income taxes are critical accounting policies and estimates.


 

The Company’sCompany’s critical accounting policies are detailed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2017.2022. The above discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in this report.

 

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes forward-looking“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Certain statements contained in this document, including but not limited to those in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” are “forward-looking” statements that involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual future events or results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Words such as “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “should,” “believes,” “will,” “plans,” “estimates,” “may,” variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. We disclaim any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise. There are many factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others: risks associated with software development and implementation efforts; Journal Technologies’ reliance on professional services engagements with justice agencies, including California courts, for a substantial portion of its revenues;agencies; material changes in the costs of postage and paper; possible changes in the law, particularly changes limiting or eliminating the requirements for public notice advertising; possible loss of the adjudicated status of the Company’s newspapers and their legal authority to publish public notice advertising; a further decline in public notice advertising revenues becausethe continuing effects of fewer foreclosures;COVID-19 and the efforts to contain it on the Company’s customers, advertisers and subscribers; a further decline in subscriber and commercial advertising revenues; possible security breaches of the Company’s software or websites; the Company’s reliance on its president and chief executive officer; changes in accounting guidance; material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting; and declines in the market prices of the securities owned by the Company. In addition, such statements could be affected by general industry and market conditions, general economic conditions (particularly in California) and other factors.  Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are discussed in this Form 10-Q, including in conjunction with the forward-looking statements themselves. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017.2022.

 


Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

For information regarding the Company’s market risk, refer to Item 7A – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. There have been no material changes to the Company’s market risk exposures since September 30, 2017.

 

Item 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

ChangesIn light of the material weaknesses in Internal Controlthe Company’s internal control over Financial Reporting

During this quarter,financial reporting discussed in the Company adopted ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC Topic 606) effective October 2017 which management believes remediated the previously identified material weakness on revenue recognition mentioned in itsCompany’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017. (See accompanying Notes 3 and 4 to Consolidated Financial Statements.) In addition,2022, management has improved certain internal controls over its Information Technology (IT) function such as maintaining sufficient documentations and records to evidence its review of IT controls, better monitoring IT activities and system change requests, etc. Management believes this addressed certain aspects of this material weakness previously identified. Management will continue to assess the effectiveness of its remediation efforts in connection with management's future evaluations of internal control over financial reporting.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Based on the evaluation performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including Gerald L. Salzman, its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2017, Mr. Salzman concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.not effective as of March 31, 2023.  There were no material changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting or in other factors reasonably likely to affect its internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2023.

 


 

PART II

Item 6.

Item 6. Exhibits

 

 

31

CertificationCertifications by Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

32

32

CertificationCertifications by Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

101.INS

Inline XBRL Instance

 101.INS**

101.SCH

XBRL Instance
101.SCH**

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

 

101.CAL

101.CAL**

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation

 

101.DEF

101.DEF**

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition

 

101.LAB

101.LAB**

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels

 

101.PRE

101.PRE**

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation

 

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101

** XBRLinformation is furnished and not filed as a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirementsrequirements 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.

 

 

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

 

(Registrant)

  
  

/s/ Tu To

 
 /s/ Gerald L. Salzman

Chief Financial Officer

 

(Principal Financial Officer and

Principal Accounting Officer)

  
  
Chief Executive Officer

/s/ Steven Myhill-Jones

  
President

Interim Chief Executive Officer

 Chief Financial Officer

Chairman of the Board

 Treasurer

(Principal Executive Officer,Officer)

Principal Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)

 

 

DATE: February 8, 2018May 15, 2023

 

26