UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

 (Mark(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31,June 30, 2022

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 Carolina95-4133299

(State or other jurisdiction of

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

  

915 East First Street

Los Angeles, California

90012-4050
(Address of principal 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: ☒         No: ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).

Yes: ☒          No: ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See 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 defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes: ☐ No: ☒

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date: 1,380,7461,377,026 shares outstanding at April 30,July 31, 2022

 

1

 

 

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

 

INDEX

 

 

Page Nos.

PART I   Financial Information

 
  

Item 1.  Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 
  

Consolidated Balance Sheets ‑ March 31,June 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021

3

  

Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income and Comprehensive (Loss) Income ‑ Three months ended March 31,June 30, 2022 and 2021

4

  

Consolidated Statements of (Loss) Income and Comprehensive (Loss) Income ‑ SixNine months ended March 31,June 30, 2022 and 2021

5

  

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity ‑ SixNine months ended March 31,June 30, 2022 and 2021

6

  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows ‑ SixNine months ended March 31,June 30, 2022 and 2021

7

  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

8

  

Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

15

16

  

Item 4.     Controls and Procedures

2425

  

Part II   Other Information

 
  

Item 6.      Exhibits         

2526

 

2


 

PART I

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

 

March 31

 

September 30

  

June 30

 

September 30

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

 

ASSETS

        

Current assets

  

Cash and cash equivalents

 $5,285,000  $12,596,000  $8,879,000  $12,596,000 

Restricted cash

 2,044,000  2,043,000  2,044,000  2,043,000 

Marketable securities at fair value -- common stocks

 354,521,000  347,573,000  341,855,000  347,573,000 

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $250,000 at March 31, 2022 and September 30, 2021

 7,333,000  9,524,000 

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $250,000 at June 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021

 10,694,000  9,524,000 

Inventories

 51,000  43,000  70,000  43,000 

Income tax receivable

 3,501,000  ---  3,950,000  --- 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

  568,000   557,000   552,000   557,000 

Total current assets

  373,303,000   372,336,000   368,044,000   372,336,000 
  

Property, plant and equipment, at cost

  

Land, buildings and improvements

 16,440,000  16,499,000  16,330,000  16,499,000 

Furniture, office equipment and computer software

 1,691,000  1,688,000  1,702,000  1,688,000 

Machinery and equipment

  1,524,000   1,524,000   1,524,000   1,524,000 
 19,655,000  19,711,000  19,556,000  19,711,000 

Less accumulated depreciation

  (9,874,000)  (9,706,000)  (9,947,000)  (9,706,000)
 9,781,000  10,005,000  9,609,000  10,005,000 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 156,000  215,000  130,000  215,000 

Deferred income taxes

  6,850,000   8,021,000   6,791,000   8,021,000 
 $390,090,000  $390,577,000  $384,574,000  $390,577,000 
  

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

        

Current liabilities

  

Accounts payable

 $3,959,000  $4,239,000  $4,407,000  $4,239,000 

Accrued liabilities

 4,453,000  6,052,000  5,391,000  6,052,000 

Income tax payable

 ---  6,244,000  ---  6,244,000 

Note payable collateralized by real estate

 150,000  147,000  152,000  147,000 

Deferred subscriptions

 2,538,000  2,694,000  2,800,000  2,694,000 

Deferred consulting fees

 6,194,000  5,498,000  6,695,000  5,498,000 

Deferred maintenance agreements and others

  7,085,000   9,138,000   10,796,000   9,138,000 

Total current liabilities

  24,379,000   34,012,000   30,241,000   34,012,000 
  

Long term liabilities

  

Investment margin account borrowings

 75,000,000  32,000,000  75,000,000  32,000,000 

Note payable collateralized by real estate

 1,355,000  1,431,000  1,316,000  1,431,000 

Deferred maintenance agreements and others

 544,000  995,000  383,000  995,000 

Accrued liabilities

 1,281,000  3,383,000  3,250,000  3,383,000 

Deferred income taxes

  53,825,000   64,115,000   50,540,000   64,115,000 

Total long term liabilities

  132,005,000   101,924,000   130,489,000   101,924,000 
              

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 9 and 10)

 ---  --- 

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 March 31, 2022 and September 30, 2021

 14,000  14,000 

Common stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; 1,805,053 shares issued, including 428,027 and 424,307 treasury shares, at June 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021, respectively

 14,000  14,000 

Additional paid-in capital

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

Retained earnings

  231,937,000   252,872,000   222,075,000   252,872,000 

Total shareholders' equity

  233,706,000   254,641,000   223,844,000   254,641,000 
 $390,090,000  $390,577,000  $384,574,000  $390,577,000 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 


 

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

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

(Unaudited)

 

 

Three months

ended March 31

  

Three months

ended June 30

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

 
  

Revenues

          

Advertising

 $1,896,000  $1,762,000  $1,989,000  $2,195,000 

Circulation

 1,072,000  1,129,000  1,097,000  1,126,000 

Advertising service fees and other

 743,000  568,000  787,000  762,000 

Licensing and maintenance fees

 4,608,000  6,355,000  4,633,000  5,602,000 

Consulting fees

 669,000  2,305,000  2,267,000  2,100,000 

Other public service fees

  1,729,000   1,851,000   1,779,000   1,777,000 
  10,717,000   13,970,000   12,552,000   13,562,000 
  

Costs and expenses

          

Salaries and employee benefits

 8,847,000  8,896,000  9,421,000  8,780,000 

(Decrease) increase to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual

 (1,920,000) 1,005,000 

Increase to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual

 1,985,000  655,000 

Outside services

 914,000  719,000  1,074,000  794,000 

Postage and delivery expenses

 164,000  161,000  165,000  160,000 

Newsprint and printing expenses

 196,000  153,000  174,000  162,000 

Depreciation and amortization

 124,000  115,000  73,000  114,000 

Equipment maintenance and software

 378,000  395,000  263,000  298,000 

Credit card merchant discount fees

 409,000  485,000  429,000  462,000 

Rent expenses

 58,000  90,000  64,000  66,000 

Accounting and legal fees

 222,000  144,000  206,000  252,000 

Other general and administrative expenses

  952,000   502,000   801,000   495,000 
  10,344,000   12,665,000   14,655,000   12,238,000 

Income from operations

 373,000  1,305,000 

(Loss) income from operations

 (2,103,000) 1,324,000 

Other income (expense)

          

Dividends and interest income

 2,113,000  649,000  1,263,000  776,000 

Realized (losses) gains on sales of marketable securities

 (32,445,000) 18,478,000 

Net unrealized losses on marketable securities

 (8,321,000) (5,144,000)

Gains on sale of land

 272,000  --- 

Other income

 ---  69,000 

Net unrealized (losses) gains on marketable securities

 (12,666,000) 55,686,000 

Interest expense on margin loans and others

 (150,000) (64,000) (281,000) (68,000)

Interest expense on note payable collateralized by real estate

  (13,000)  (13,000)  (12,000)  (14,000)
  

(Loss) income before income taxes

 (38,443,000) 15,211,000  (13,527,000) 57,773,000 

Income tax benefits (provisions)

  10,630,000   (2,735,000)  3,665,000   (15,200,000)

Net (loss) income

 $(27,813,000) $12,476,000  $(9,862,000) $42,573,000 
  

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted

  1,380,746   1,380,746   1,380,133   1,380,746 

Basic and diluted net (loss) income per share

 $(20.14) $9.04  $(7.15) $30.83 
  

Comprehensive (loss) income

 $(27,813,000) $12,476,000  $(9,862,000) $42,573,000 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

4

 

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

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

(Unaudited)

 

 

Six months

ended March 31

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

Nine months

ended June 30

 
  

2022

  

2021

 

Revenues

          

Advertising

 $3,690,000  $3,454,000  $5,679,000  $5,649,000 

Circulation

 2,182,000  2,332,000  3,279,000  3,458,000 

Advertising service fees and other

 1,413,000  1,202,000  2,200,000  1,964,000 

Licensing and maintenance fees

 9,088,000  11,388,000  13,721,000  16,990,000 

Consulting fees

 2,430,000  2,549,000  4,697,000  4,649,000 

Other public service fees

  3,442,000   3,465,000   5,221,000   5,242,000 
  22,245,000   24,390,000   34,797,000   37,952,000 
  

Costs and expenses

          

Salaries and employee benefits

 17,324,000  17,038,000  26,745,000  25,818,000 

(Decrease) increase to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual

 (2,050,000) 755,000  (65,000) 1,410,000 

Outside services

 1,838,000  1,442,000  2,912,000  2,236,000 

Postage and delivery expenses

 327,000  330,000  492,000  490,000 

Newsprint and printing expenses

 355,000  307,000  529,000  469,000 

Depreciation and amortization

 228,000  230,000  301,000  344,000 

Equipment maintenance and software

 618,000  648,000  881,000  946,000 

Credit card merchant discount fees

 820,000  935,000  1,249,000  1,397,000 

Rent expenses

 123,000  162,000  187,000  228,000 

Accounting and legal fees

 542,000  494,000  748,000  746,000 

Other general and administrative expenses

  1,691,000   1,059,000   2,492,000   1,554,000 
  21,816,000   23,400,000   36,471,000   35,638,000 

Income from operations

 429,000  990,000 

(Loss) income from operations

 (1,674,000) 2,314,000 

Other income (expense)

          

Dividends and interest income

 2,988,000  1,287,000  4,251,000  2,063,000 

Gains on sale of land

 272,000  --- 

Other income

 ---  69,000 

Realized gains on sales of marketable securities

 14,249,000  18,478,000  14,249,000  18,478,000 

Net unrealized (losses) gains on marketable securities

 (44,409,000) 76,068,000  (57,075,000) 131,754,000 

Interest expense on margin loans and others

 (236,000) (128,000) (517,000) (196,000)

Interest expense on note payable collateralized by real estate

  (26,000)  (34,000)  (38,000)  (48,000)

(Loss) income before income taxes

 (27,005,000) 96,661,000  (40,532,000) 154,434,000 

Income tax benefits (provisions)

  6,070,000   (24,915,000)  9,735,000   (40,115,000)

Net (loss) income

 $(20,935,000) $71,746,000  $(30,797,000) $114,319,000 
  

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted

  1,380,746   1,380,746   1,380,542   1,380,746 

Basic and diluted net (loss) income per share

 $(15.16) $51.96  $(22.31) $82.80 
  

Comprehensive (loss) income

 $(20,935,000) $71,746,000  $(30,797,000) $114,319,000 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 


 

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

 

         

Additional

   

Total

          

Additional

   

Total

 
 

Common Stock

  

Treasury Stock

  

Paid-in

  

Retained

  

Shareholders'

  

Common Stock

 

Treasury Stock

 

Paid-in

 

Retained

 

Shareholders'

 
 

Share

  

Amount

  

Share

  

Amount

  

Capital

  

Earnings

  

Equity

  

Share

  

Amount

  

Share

  

Amount

  

Capital

  

Earnings

  

Equity

 
  

Balance at September 30, 2020

 1,805,053  $18,000  (424,307) $(4,000) $1,755,000  $139,972,000  $141,741,000  1,805,053  $18,000  (424,307) $(4,000) $1,755,000  $139,972,000  $141,741,000 

Net income

  ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   59,270,000   59,270,000   ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   59,270,000   59,270,000 

Balance at December 31, 2020

 1,805,053  18,000  (424,307) (4,000) 1,755,000  199,242,000  201,011,000  1,805,053  18,000  (424,307) (4,000) 1,755,000  199,242,000  201,011,000 

Net income

  ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   12,476,000   12,476,000   ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   12,476,000   12,476,000 

Balance at March 31, 2021

  1,805,053  $18,000   (424,307) $(4,000) $1,755,000  $211,718,000  $213,487,000  1,805,053  18,000  (424,307) (4,000) 1,755,000  211,718,000  213,487,000 

Net income

  ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   42,573,000   42,573,000 

Balance at June 30, 2021

  1,805,053  $18,000   (424,307) $(4,000) $1,755,000  $254,291,000  $256,060,000 
  

Balance at September 30, 2021

 1,805,053  $18,000  (424,307) $(4,000) $1,755,000  $252,872,000  $254,641,000  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   ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   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  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)  ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   (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  1,805,053  $18,000  (424,307) (4,000) 1,755,000  231,937,000  233,706,000 

Receipt of donated treasury stock

 ---  ---  (3,720) ---  ---  ---  --- 

Net loss

  ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   (9,862,000)  (9,862,000)

Balance at June 30, 2022

  1,805,053  $18,000   (428,027) $(4,000) $1,755,000  $222,075,000  $223,844,000 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 


 

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

 

Six months

ended March 31

  

Nine months

Ended June 30

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

 

Cash flows from operating activities

  

Net (loss) income

 $(20,935,000) $71,746,000  $(30,797,000) $114,319,000 

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

 

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

 

Depreciation and amortization

 227,000  230,000  301,000  344,000 

Net unrealized losses (gains) on marketable securities

 44,409,000  (76,068,000) 57,075,000  (131,754,000)

Realized gains on sales of marketable securities

 (14,249,000) (18,478,000) (14,249,000) (18,478,000)

Gains on sale of land

 (272,000) --- 

Deferred income taxes

 (9,119,000) 23,227,000  (12,345,000) 38,556,000 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

  
(Increase) decrease in current assets  

Accounts receivable, net

 2,191,000  (2,702,000) (1,170,000) (3,288,000)

Inventories

 (8,000) 6,000  (27,000) (19,000)

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 (70,000) 129,000  90,000  (16,000)

Income tax receivable

 (3,501,000) 601,000  (3,950,000) 601,000 

Increase (decrease) in liabilities

  

Accounts payable

 (280,000) (242,000) 168,000  96,000 

Accrued liabilities

 (3,583,000) 994,000  (794,000) 2,080,000 

Income tax payable

 (6,244,000) 1,548,000  (6,244,000) 375,000 

Deferred subscriptions

 (156,000) (398,000) 106,000  (191,000)

Deferred consulting fees

 696,000  16,000  1,197,000  131,000 

Deferred maintenance agreements and others

  (2,504,000)  (3,787,000)  1,046,000   (2,734,000)

Net cash used in operating activities

  (13,126,000)  (3,178,000)

Net cash (used in) provided from operating activities

  (9,865,000)  22,000 
  

Cash flows from investing activities

  

Proceeds from sales of marketable securities

 80,570,000  20,002,000  80,570,000  20,002,000 

Purchases of marketable securities

 (117,678,000) (39,995,000) (117,678,000) (39,995,000)

Sale of land

 381,000  --- 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

  (3,000)  (29,000)  (14,000)  (29,000)

Net cash used in investing activities

  (37,111,000)  (20,022,000)  (36,741,000)  (20,022,000)
  

Cash flows from financing activities

  

Payment to margin loan principal

 (14,000) (14,493,000) (14,000) (14,493,000)

Borrowing from margin loan account

 43,014,000  17,000,000  43,014,000  17,000,000 

Payment of real estate loan principal

  (73,000)  (59,000)  (110,000)  (94,000)

Net cash provided from financing activities

  42,927,000   2,448,000   42,890,000   2,413,000 
  

Decrease in cash and restricted cash and cash equivalents

 (7,310,000) (20,752,000) (3,716,000) (17,587,000)
  

Cash and restricted cash and cash equivalents

  

Beginning of period

  14,639,000   28,963,000   14,639,000   28,963,000 

End of period

 $7,329,000  $8,211,000  $10,923,000  $11,376,000 
  

Interest paid during period

 $269,000  $163,000  $509,000  $245,000 

Net income taxes paid (refunded)

 $12,794,000  $(441,000)

Net income taxes paid

 $12,801,000  $580,000 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 


 

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

 

Note 1 - The Corporation and Operations

 

Daily Journal Corporation (the “Company”) publishes newspapers and websites reporting California and Arizona news 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”.

 

Journal Technologies, Inc. (“Journal Technologies”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, 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 and fees online. These products are licensed in approximately 30 states and internationally.

 

Essentially all of the Company’s U.S. operations are based in California, Arizona 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 recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of its financial position as of March 31,June 30, 2022, its results of operations for the three- and sixnine-month periods ended March 31,June 30, 2022 and 2021, its consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity for the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2022 and 2021 and cash flows for the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2022 and 2021. The results of operations for the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2022 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 Securities 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-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021.

 

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

 

Note 3 – New Accounting Pronouncement

 

No new accounting pronouncement issued or effective has had, or is expected to have, a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

8


 

 

Note 4 – Right-of-Use (ROU) Asset

 

At March 31,June 30, 2022, the Company had a right-of-use asset and lease liability of approximately $156,000$130,000 for its operating office and equipment leases, including approximately $51,000$35,000 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, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC Topic 606).

 

For the 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-transaction contracts. These current subscription-type contract revenues include (i) implementation consulting fees to configure the system to go-live, (ii) subscription software license, maintenance (including updates and upgrades) and support fees, and (iii) third-party hosting fees when used. Revenues for consulting are generally recognized at point of delivery (go-live) upon completion of 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, 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. 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.

 

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. 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 revenues when it can invoice the customer pursuant to the contract for the value of completed performance, 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 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 6 - Treasury stock and net (loss) 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. These donated shares are now considered treasury stock, and the Company accounted for them using the par method which resulted in an immaterial effected amount on 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 June 30, 2022. The net (loss) income per common share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the comparable financial periods. The shares used in the calculation were 1,380,542 and 1,380,133 for the nine- and three-month periods ended June 30, 2022 respectively. For both the nine- and three-month periods ended June 30, 2021, the weighted average number of shares outstanding was 1,380,746.

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 78 - Investments in Marketable Securities

 

All investments are classified as “Current assets” because they are available for sale at any time. These “available-for-sale” marketable securities 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 March 31,June 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021, there were net accumulated pretax unrealized gains of $199,684,000$187,018,000 and $244,093,000, respectively, recorded 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.

 

For the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2022, the Company recorded and included in its net income the net unrealized losses on marketable securities of $44,409,000,$57,075,000, as compared with the net unrealized gains on marketable securities of $76,068,000,$131,754,000, in the prior year period.

 

In December 2021 and March 2022, the Company sold part of its marketable securities for approximately $80,570,000, realizing net gains on the sales of those marketable securities of $14,249,000, and borrowed an additional net $43,000,000 from the margin loan account to primarily purchase additional marketable securities with a total cost of approximately $117,678,000.

 

10

Investments in marketable securities as of March 31,June 30, 2022 and September 30, 2021 are summarized below.

 

Investment in Marketable Securities

 

 

March 31, 2022

  

September 30, 2021

  

June 30, 2022

 

September 30, 2021

 
 

Aggregate

fair value

  

Adjusted

cost basis

  

Pretax unrealized gains

  

Aggregate

fair value

  

Adjusted

cost basis

  

Pretax unrealized gains

  

Aggregate

fair value

 

Adjusted

cost basis

 

Pretax

unrealized

gains

 

Aggregate

fair value

 

Adjusted

cost basis

 

Pretax

unrealized

gains

 

Marketable securities

              

Common stocks

 $354,521,000  $154,837,000  $199,684,000  $347,573,000  $103,480,000  $244,093,000  $341,855,000  $154,837,000  $187,018,000  $347,573,000  $103,480,000  $244,093,000 

 

Note 89 - Income Taxes

 

For the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2022, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $6,070,000$9,735,000 on the pretax loss of $27,005,000.$40,532,000.   The income tax benefit consisted of a tax benefit of $11,971,000$15,425,000 on the unrealized losses on marketable securities and a tax provision of $3,841,000 on the realized gains on marketable securities, a tax provision of $740,000 on income from operations, a tax benefit of $125,000$250,000 for the dividends received deduction and other permanent book and tax differences, offset by tax provisions of $3,850,000 on the realized gains on marketable securities, $500,000 on income from operations, and a tax provision of $1,445,000$1,590,000 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 sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2022 was 22.5%24%, after including the taxes on the realized gains and unrealized losses on marketable securities.

 

10

For the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2021, the Company recorded a provision for income taxes of $24,915,000$40,115,000 on pretax income of $96,661,000.$154,434,000.   This was the net result of applying the effective tax rate anticipated for fiscal 2021 to pretax income before the realizedunrealized and unrealizedrealized gains on investmentsmarketable securities for the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2021. The effective rate of 19.28%21.32%, which was lowerhigher than the statutory rate of 21% primarily due to state taxes which were offset by the dividends received deduction, which was partially offset by state taxes, resultingresulted in a tax provision of $408,000.$896,000 on pretax income before the unrealized and realized gains on marketable securities. In addition, the Company recorded a tax provision of $19,680,000$34,405,000 on the unrealized gains on marketable securities, a tax provision of $4,804,000 on the realized gain on marketable securities, and a tax provision of $23,000$4,821,000 on the realized gains on marketable securities, both of which were offset by a tax benefit of $7,000 for the effect of a change in state apportionment on the beginning of the yearyear’s deferred tax liability. TheConsequently, the overall effective tax rate for the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 was 25.8%26%, after including the taxes on the realized and unrealized gains 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 2018 with regard to federal income taxes and fiscal 2017 for state income taxes. 

 

Note 910 - Debt and Commitments

 

During fiscal 2013, the Company borrowed from its investment margin account the aggregate purchase price of $29.5 million for two acquisitions, in each case pledging its marketable securities as collateral. There were also subsequent borrowings of net $45.5 million to purchase additional marketable securities bringing the margin loan balance up to $75 million as of March 31,June 30, 2022. 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 March 31,June 30, 2022 was 1%2.25%. These investment margin account borrowings do not mature.

 

11

In 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 million and financed the balance with a real estate bank loan of $2.26 million which had a fixed interest rate of 4.66%. This loan is secured by the Logan facility and can be paid off at any time without prepayment penalty. In October 2020, the Company executed an amendment to lower the interest rate of this loan to a fixed rate of 3.33% for the remaining of its 10 years. This real estate loan had a balance of approximately $1.5$1.47 million as of March 31,June 30, 2022. Each monthly installment payment is about $16,600. (InIn 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 and leases space for its other offices under operating leases which expire at various dates through October 2023.

 

Note 1011 - 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, results of operations or cash flows.

 

11


 

 

Note 1112 - Operating Segments

 

The Company’s reportable segments are: (i) the Traditional Business and (ii) Journal Technologies. All inter-segment transactions were eliminated. Summarized financial information regarding the Company’s reportable segments is shown in the following table:         

 

Overall Financial Results (000)

For the sixnine months ended March 31June 30

 

 

Reportable Segments

          

Reportable Segments

         
 

Traditional

Business

  

Journal

Technologies

  

Corporate

  

Total

  

Traditional

Business

  

Journal

Technologies

  

Corporate

income and expenses

  

Total

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

 

Revenues

  

Advertising

 $3,690  $3,454  $---  $---  $---  $---  $3,690  $3,454  $5,679  $5,649  $---  $---  $---  $---  $5,679  $5,649 

Circulation

 2,182  2,332  ---  ---  ---  ---  2,182  2,332  3,279  3,458  ---  ---  ---  ---  3,279  3,458 

Advertising service fees and other

 1,413  1,202  ---  ---  ---  ---  1,413  1,202  2,200  1,964  ---  ---  ---  ---  2,200  1,964 

Licensing and maintenance fees

 ---  ---  9,088  11,388  ---  ---  9,088  11,388  ---  ---  13,721  16,990  ---  ---  13,721  16,990 

Consulting fees

 ---  ---  2,430  2,549  ---  ---  2,430  2,549  ---  ---  4,697  4,649  ---  ---  4,697  4,649 

Other public service fees

  ---   ---   3,442   3,465   ---   ---   3,442   3,465   ---   ---   5,221   5,242   ---   ---   5,221   5,242 

Total operating revenues

  7,285   6,988   14,960   17,402   ---   ---   22,245   24,390 

Total revenues

  11,158   11,071   23,639   26,881   ---   ---   34,797   37,952 

Operating expenses

                  

Salaries and employee benefits

 4,730  4,606  12,594  12,432  ---  ---  17,324  17,038  6,864  6,687  19,881  19,131  ---  ---  26,745  25,818 

(Decrease) increase to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual

 (2,010) 755  (40) ---  ---  ---  (2,050) 755  (25) 1,410  (40) ---  ---  ---  (65) 1,410 

Others

  1,973   1,975   4,569   3,632   ---   ---   6,542   5,607   2,877   2,904   6,914   5,506   ---   ---   9,791   8,410 

Total operating expenses

  4,693   7,336   17,123   16,064   ---   ---   21,816   23,400   9,716   11,001   26,755   24,637   ---   ---   36,471   35,638 

Income (loss) from operations

 2,592  (348) (2,163) 1,338  ---  ---  429  990  1,442  70  (3,116) 2,244  ---  ---  (1,674) 2,314 
 

Dividends and interest income

 ---  ---  ---  ---  2,988  1,287  2,988  1,287  ---  ---  ---  ---  4,251  2,063  4,251  2,063 

Gains on sale of land

 ---  ---  ---  ---  272  ---  272  --- 

Other income

 ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  69  ---  69 

Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate and other

 ---  ---  ---  ---  (26) (34) (26) (34) ---  ---  ---  ---  (38) (48) (38) (48)

Interest expense on margin loans

 ---  ---  ---  ---  (236) (128) (236) (128)

Gains on sales of marketable securities, net

 ---  ---  ---  ---  14,249  18,478  14,249  18,478 

Interest expenses on margin loans

 ---  ---  ---  ---  (517) (196) (517) (196)

Net realized gains on sales of marketable securities

 ---  ---  ---  ---  14,249  18,478  14,249  18,478 

Net unrealized (losses) gains on marketable securities

  ---   ---   ---   ---   (44,409)  76,068   (44,409)  76,068   ---   ---   ---   ---   (57,075)  131,754   (57,075)  131,754 

Pretax income (loss)

 2,592  (348) (2,163) 1,338  (27,434) 95,671  (27,005)  96,661  1,442  70  (3,116) 2,244  (38,858) 152,120  (40,532) 154,434 

Income tax (expense) benefit

  (560)  160   705   (325)  5,925   (24,750)  6,070   (24,915)  (335)  (15)  985   (785)  9,085   (39,315)  9,735   (40,115)

Net income (loss)

 $2,032  $(188) $(1,458) $1,013  $(21,509) $70,921  $(20,935) $71,746  $1,107  $55  $(2,131) $1,459  $(29,773) $112,805  $(30,797) $114,319 

Total assets

 $19,924  $14,586  $15,830  $21,639  $354,336  $294,420  $390,090  $330,645  $22,091  $17,894  $20,814  $21,498  $341,669  $350,108  $384,574  $389,500 

Capital expenditures

  ---  $22  $3  $7   ---   ---  $3  $29  $4  $22  $10  $7  $---  $---  $14  $29 

 

1213

 
 

Overall Financial Results (000)

For the three months ended March 31June 30

 

 

Reportable Segments

          

Reportable Segments

         
 

Traditional

Business

  

Journal

Technologies

  

Corporate

  

Total

  

Traditional

Business

  

Journal

Technologies

  

Corporate

income and expenses

  

Total

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

 

Revenues

  

Advertising

 $1,896  $1,762  $---  $---  $---  $---  $1,896  $1,762  $1,989  $2,195  $---  $---  $---  $---  $1,989  $2,195 

Circulation

 1,072  1,129  ---  ---  ---  ---  1,072  1,129  1,097  1,126  ---  ---  ---  ---  1,097  1,126 

Advertising service fees and other

 743  568  ---  ---  ---  ---  743  568  787  762  ---  ---  ---  ---  787  762 

Licensing and maintenance fees

 ---  ---  4,608  6,355  ---  ---  4,608  6,355  ---  ---  4,633  5,602  ---  ---  4,633  5,602 

Consulting fees

 ---  ---  669  2,305  ---  ---  669  2,305  ---  ---  2,267  2,100  ---  ---  2,267  2,100 

Other public service fees

  ---   ---   1,729   1,851   ---   ---   1,729   1,851   ---   ---   1,779   1,777   ---   ---   1,779   1,777 

Total operating revenues

  3,711   3,459   7,006   10,511   ---   ---   10,717   13,970 

Total revenues

  3,873   4,083   8,679   9,479   ---   ---   12,552   13,562 

Operating expenses

                                  

Salaries and employee benefits

 2,415  2,436  6,432  6,460  ---  ---  8,847  8,896  2,134  2,081  7,287  6,699  ---  ---  9,421  8,780 

(Decrease) increase to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual

 (1,920) 1,005  ---  ---  ---  ---  (1,920) 1,005 

Increase to the long-term Supplemental compensation accrual

 1,985  655  ---  ---  ---  ---  1,985  655 

Others

  1,130   914   2,287   1,850   ---   ---   3,417   2,764   904   929   2,345   1,874   ---   ---   3,249   2,803 

Total operating expenses

  1,625   4,355   8,719   8,310   ---   ---   10,344   12,665   5,023   3,665   9,632   8,573   ---   ---   14,655   12,238 

Income (loss) from operations

 2,086  (896) (1,713) 2,201  ---  ---  373  1,305  (1,150) 418  (953) 906  ---  ---  (2,103) 1,324 
 

Dividends and interest income

 ---  ---  ---  ---  2,113  649  2,113  649  ---  ---  ---  ---  1,263  776  1,263  776 

Gains on land sale

 ---  ---  ---  ---  272  ---  272  --- 

Other income

 ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  69  ---  69 

Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate and other

 ---  ---  ---  ---  (13) (13) (13) (13) ---  ---  ---  ---  (12) (14) (12) (14)

Interest expense on margin loans

 ---  ---  ---  ---  (150) (64) (150) (64)

(Losses) gains on sales of marketable securities

 ---  ---  ---  ---  (32,445) 18,478  (32,445) 18,478 

Net unrealized losses on marketable securities

  ---   ---   ---   ---   (8,321)  (5,144)  (8,321)  (5,144)

Pretax income (loss)

 2,086  (896) (1,713) 2,201  (38,816) 13,906  (38,443) 15,211 

Income tax (expense) benefit

  (355)  270   455   (730)  10,530   (2,275)  10,630   (2,735)

Net income (loss)

 $1,731  $(626) $(1,258) $1,471  $(28,286) $11,631  $(27,813) $12,476 

Interest expenses on margin loans

 ---  ---  ---  ---  (281) (68) (281) (68)

Net unrealized (losses) gains on marketable securities

  ---   ---   ---   ---   (12,666)  55,686   (12,666)  55,686 

Pretax (loss) income

 (1,150) 418  (953) 906  (11,424) 56,449  (13,527) 57,773 

Income tax benefit (expense)

  225   (175)  280   (460)  3,160   (14,565)  3,665   (15,200)

Net (loss) income

 $(925) $243  $(673) $446  $(8,264) $41,884  $(9,862) $42,573 

Total assets

 $19,924  $14,586  $15,830  $21,639  $354,336  $294,420  $390,090  $330,645  $22,091  $17,894  $20,814  $21,498  $341,669  $350,108  $384,574  $389,500 

Capital expenditures

  ---  $22  $3  $7   ---   ---  $3  $29  $4  $---  $7  $---  $---  $---  $11  $--- 

 

During the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2022, the Traditional Business had total operating revenues of $7,285,000$11,158,000 with $5,103,000$7,879,000 recognized after services were provided and $2,182,000$3,279,000 recognized ratably over the subscription terms, as compared with total operating revenues of $6,988,000$11,071,000 with $4,656,000$7,613,000 recognized after services were provided and $2,332,000$3,458,000 recognized ratably over the subscription terms in the prior fiscal year period. Total operating revenues for the Company’s software business were $14,960,000$23,639,000 with $5,943,000$9,989,000 recognized upon completion of services and $9,017,000$13,650,000 recognized ratably over the subscription periods, as compared with total operating revenues of $17,402,000$26,881,000 with $6,717,000$11,029,000 recognized upon completion of services and $10,685,000$15,852,000 recognized ratably over the subscription periods in the prior fiscal year period.

 

During the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2022, the Traditional Business had total operating revenues of $3,711,000$3,873,000 with $2,639,000$2,776,000 recognized after services were provided and $1,072,000$1,097,000 recognized ratably over the subscription terms, as compared with total operating revenues of $3,459,000$4,083,000 with $2,330,000$2,957,000 recognized after services were provided and $1,129,000$1,126,000 recognized ratably over the subscription terms in the prior fiscal year period. Total operating revenues for the Company’s software business were $7,006,000$8,679,000 with $2,467,000$4,046,000 recognized upon completion of services and $4,539,000$4,633,000 recognized ratably over the subscription periods, as compared with total operating revenues of $10,511,000$9,479,000 with $4,848,000$4,312,000 recognized upon completion of services and $5,663,000$5,167,000 recognized ratably over the subscription periods in the prior fiscal year period.

 

1314

 

Approximately 67%68% of the Company’s revenues during the sixnine-month period ended March 31,June 30, 2022 were derived from Journal Technologies, as compared with 71% in the prior year period. In addition, the Company’s revenues have been primarily from the United States with approximately 4%5% from foreign countries during the sixnine-months ended March 31,June 30, 2022. Journal Technologies’ revenues are primarily from governmental agencies.

 

Note 12 - 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.

 

14


 

 

Item 2.

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

 

Results of Operations

 

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 and fees online. These products are licensed in approximately 30 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.

 

Management believes that the COVID-19 pandemic has had, and, with the Delta and Omicron variant cases, and themost recently reported elevated andthe more contagious BA.2BA.4 and BA.2.12.1BA.5 sub-variant cases, will continue to have, a significant impact on the Company’s business operations. It is also possible that governments may again take actions in response to the pandemic and new variants and sub-variants, such as a renewed closure, or scaling back of operations, of courts and other governmental agencies that are the customers of the Company. Furthermore, even as courts, governmental agencies and other businesses return to more normal operations, there are likely to be changes in those operations and personal behaviors going forward, including limitations on travel and more working from home, which will adversely affect the Company, its financial results and cash flows.

 

Due to the uncertainties associated with the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, the efforts to contain it, and the related changes in business operations and personal behaviors, management cannot at this point estimate the magnitude of its impact on the Company’s business operations. In recent years, the newspaper industry, including our Traditional Business, has declined, and we expect this general trend to continue due to the impacts of COVID-19 and its aftermath, including 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 some 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.

 

1516

 

Reportable Segments (for the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2022 and 2021)

 

The Company’s Traditional Business is one reportable segment, and the other is Journal Technologies. Additional details about each of the reportable segments and its corporate income and expenses is set forth below:

 

Overall Financial Results (000)

For the sixnine months ended March 31June 30

 

 

Reportable Segments

          

Reportable Segments

         
 

Traditional

Business

  

Journal

Technologies

  

Corporate

  

Total

  

Traditional

Business

  

Journal

Technologies

  

Corporate

income and expenses

  

Total

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

 

Revenues

  

Advertising

 $3,690  $3,454  $---  $---  $---  $---  $3,690  $3,454  $5,679  $5,649  $---  $---  $---  $---  $5,679  $5,649 

Circulation

 2,182  2,332  ---  ---  ---  ---  2,182  2,332  3,279  3,458  ---  ---  ---  ---  3,279  3,458 

Advertising service fees and other

 1,413  1,202  ---  ---  ---  ---  1,413  1,202  2,200  1,964  ---  ---  ---  ---  2,200  1,964 

Licensing and maintenance fees

 ---  ---  9,088  11,388  ---  ---  9,088  11,388  ---  ---  13,721  16,990  ---  ---  13,721  16,990 

Consulting fees

 ---  ---  2,430  2,549  ---  ---  2,430  2,549  ---  ---  4,697  4,649  ---  ---  4,697  4,649 

Other public service fees

  ---   ---   3,442   3,465   ---   ---   3,442   3,465   ---   ---   5,221   5,242   ---   ---   5,221   5,242 

Total operating revenues

  7,285   6,988   14,960   17,402   ---   ---   22,245   24,390 

Total revenues

  11,158   11,071   23,639   26,881   ---   ---   34,797   37,952 

Operating expenses

                                  

Salaries and employee benefits

 4,730  4,606  12,594  12,432  ---  ---  17,324  17,038  6,864  6,687  19,881  19,131  ---  ---  26,745  25,818 

(Decrease) increase to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual

 (2,010) 755  (40) ---  ---  ---  (2,050) 755  (25) 1,410  (40) ---  ---  ---  (65) 1,410 

Others

  1,973   1,975   4,569   3,632   ---   ---   6,542   5,607   2,877   2,904   6,914   5,506   ---   ---   9,791   8,410 

Total operating expenses

  4,693   7,336   17,123   16,064   ---   ---   21,816   23,400   9,716   11,001   26,755   24,637   ---   ---   36,471   35,638 

Income (loss) from operations

 2,592  (348) (2,163) 1,338  ---  ---  429  990  1,442  70  (3,116) 2,244  ---  ---  (1,674) 2,314 
 

Dividends and interest income

 ---  ---  ---  ---  2,988  1,287  2,988  1,287  ---  ---  ---  ---  4,251  2,063  4,251  2,063 

Gains on sale of land

 ---  ---  ---  ---  272  ---  272  --- 

Other income

 ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  69  ---  69 

Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate and other

 ---  ---  ---  ---  (26) (34) (26) (34) ---  ---  ---  ---  (38) (48) (38) (48)

Interest expense on margin loans

 ---  ---  ---  ---  (236) (128) (236) (128)

Gains on sales of marketable securities, net

 ---  ---  ---  ---  14,249  18,478  14,249  18,478 

Interest expenses on margin loans

 ---  ---  ---  ---  (517) (196) (517) (196)

Net realized gains on sales of marketable securities

 ---  ---  ---  ---  14,249  18,478  14,249  18,478 

Net unrealized (losses) gains on marketable securities

  ---   ---   ---   ---   (44,409)  76,068   (44,409)  76,068   ---   ---   ---   ---   (57,075)  131,754   (57,075)  131,754 

Pretax income (loss)

 2,592  (348) (2,163) 1,338  (27,434) 95,671  (27,005)  96,661  1,442  70  (3,116) 2,244  (38,858) 152,120  (40,532) 154,434 

Income tax (expense) benefit

  (560)  160   705   (325)  5,925   (24,750)  6,070   (24,915)  (335)  (15)  985   (785)  9,085   (39,315)  9,735   (40,115)

Net income (loss)

 $2,032  $(188) $(1,458) $1,013  $(21,509) $70,921  $(20,935) $71,746  $1,107  $55  $(2,131) $1,459  $(29,773) $112,805  $(30,797) $114,319 

Total assets

 $19,924  $14,586  $15,830  $21,639  $354,336  $294,420  $390,090  $330,645  $22,091  $17,894  $20,814  $21,498  $341,669  $350,108  $384,574  $389,500 

Capital expenditures

  ---  $22  $3  $7   ---   ---  $3  $29  $4  $22  $10  $7  $---  $---  $14  $29 

 


 

Comparable six-monthnine-month periods ended March 31,June 30, 2022 and 2021

 

Consolidated Financial Comparison

 

Consolidated revenues were $22,245,000$34,797,000 and $24,390,000$37,952,000 for the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. This decrease of $2,145,000 (9%$3,155,000 (8%) was primarily from decreases in (i) Journal Technologies’ license and maintenance fees of $2,300,000, consulting fees of $119,000$3,269,000 and public service fees of $23,000,$21,000, and (ii) the Traditional Business’ circulation revenues of $150,000,$179,000, partially offset by increases in Journal Technologies’ consulting fees of $48,000 and the Traditional Business’ advertising net revenues of $236,000$30,000 and advertising service fees and other of $211,000.$236,000.

 

Approximately 67%68% of the Company’s revenues during the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2022 were derived from Journal Technologies, as compared with 71% in the prior fiscal year period. In addition, the Company’s revenues have been primarily from the United States, with approximately 4%5% from foreign countries. Almost all of Journal Technologies’ revenues are from governmental agencies.

 

Consolidated operating expenses decreasedincreased by $1,584,000 (7%$833,000 (2%) to $21,816,000$36,471,000 from $23,400,000$35,638,000 for the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2022. Total salaries and employee benefits increased by $286,000 (2%$927,000 (4%) to $17,324,000$26,745,000 from $17,038,000$25,818,000 primarily because of annual(i) salary adjustments.adjustments and some Australian payroll tax accruals. Outside services increased by $396,000 (27%$676,000 (30%) to $1,838,000$2,912,000 from $1,442,000$2,236,000 mainly because of increased third-party hosting fees which were billed to clients. Newsprint and printing expenses increased by $48,000 (16%$60,000 (13%) to $355,000$529,000 from $307,000$469,000 primarily resulting from newsprint price increases and additional purchases of printing supplies. Other general and administrative expenses increased by $632,000$938,000 (60%) to $1,691,000$2,492,000 from $1,059,000$1,554,000 mainly because there were increased miscellaneous office equipment purchases and business travel expenses as compared to the prior fiscal year period. Accounting and legal fees increased by $48,000 (10%) to $542,000 from $494,000.

 

The Company’s non-operating income, net of expenses, decreased by $123,105,000$190,978,000 to a loss of $27,434,000$38,858,000 from a gain of $95,671,000$152,120,000 in the prior fiscal year period primarily because of the recordings of (i) net unrealized losses on marketable securities of $44,409,000$57,075,000 during the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2022 as compared with net unrealized gains of $76,068,000$131,754,000 in the prior year period, and (ii) realized net gains on sales of marketable securities of $14,249,000 during the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2022 as compared with $18,478,000 in the prior year period. In addition, there were gains of $272,000 on a partial land sale associated with the City of Logan’s street widening project.

 

During the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2022, the Company’s consolidated pretax loss was $27,005,000,$40,532,000, as compared to pretax income of $96,661,000$154,434,000 in the prior fiscal year period. There was consolidated net loss of $20,935,000$30,797,000 (-$15.1622.31 per share) for the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2022, as compared with consolidated net income of $71,746,000$114,319,000 ($51.9682.80 per share) in the prior fiscal year period.

 

At March 31,June 30, 2022, the aggregate fair market value of the Company’s marketable securities was $354,521,000.$341,855,000. These securities had approximately $199,684,000$187,018,000 of net unrealized gains before taxes of $53,825,000.$50,540,000. They generated approximately $2,988,000$4,251,000 in dividends income during the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2022, as compared with $1,287,000$2,063,000 in the prior fiscal year period. Most of the unrealized gains were in the common stocks of three U.S. financial institutions and one foreign manufacturer.

 


 

Taxes

 

For the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2022, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $6,070,000$9,735,000 on the pretax loss of $27,005,000.$40,532,000.   The income tax benefit consisted of a tax benefit of $11,971,000$15,425,000 on the unrealized losses on marketable securities and a tax provision of $3,841,000 on the realized gains on marketable securities, a tax provision of $740,000 on income from operations, a tax benefit of $125,000$250,000 for the dividends received deduction and other permanent book and tax differences, offset by tax provisions of $3,850,000 on the realized gains on marketable securities, $500,000 on income from operations, and a tax provision of $1,445,000$1,590,000 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 sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2022 was 22.5%24%, after including the taxes on the realized gains and unrealized losses on marketable securities.

 

For the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2021, the Company recorded a provision for income taxes of $24,915,000$40,115,000 on pretax income of $96,661,000.$154,434,000.   This was the net result of applying the effective tax rate anticipated for fiscal 2021 to pretax income before the realizedunrealized and unrealizedrealized gains on investmentsmarketable securities for the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2021. The effective rate of 19.28%21.32%, which was lowerhigher than the statutory rate of 21% primarily due to state taxes which were offset by the dividends received deduction, which was partially offset by state taxes, resultingresulted in a tax provision of $408,000.$896,000 on pretax income before the unrealized and realized gains on marketable securities. In addition, the Company recorded a tax provision of $19,680,000$34,405,000 on the unrealized gains on marketable securities, a tax provision of $4,804,000 on the realized gain on marketable securities, and a tax provision of $23,000$4,821,000 on the realized gains on marketable securities, both of which were offset by a tax benefit of $7,000 for the effect of a change in state apportionment on the beginning of the yearyear’s deferred tax liability. TheConsequently, the overall effective tax rate for the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2021 was 25.8%26%, after including the taxes on the realized and unrealized gains 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 2018 with regard to federal income taxes and fiscal 2017 for state income taxes. 

 

The Traditional Business (for the six-monthnine-month periods ended March 31,June 30, 2022 and 2021)

 

The Traditional Business’ pretax income increased by $2,940,000 (845%)$1,372,000 to $2,592,000$1,442,000 from a pretax loss of $348,000$70,000 in the prior fiscal year period, primarily resulting from a reduction to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual of $2,010,000$25,000 as compared with an increase of $755,000$1,410,000 in the prior fiscal year period.

 

During the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2022, the Traditional Business had total operating revenues of $7,285,000,$11,158,000, as compared with $6,988,000$11,071,000 in the prior fiscal year period. Advertising revenues increased by $236,000 (7%$30,000 (1%) to $3,690,000$5,679,000 from $3,454,000,$5,649,000, primarily because of increased commercial advertising net revenues of $52,000, legal notice advertising net revenues of $84,000$122,000 and trustee sale notice advertising net revenues of $126,000$130,000 primarily resulting from the lifting of the foreclosure moratoriums relative to the “Eviction and Foreclosure Orders” and lenders’ processing files that were already in the pipeline when the pandemic struck. These increases were offset by decreased government notice advertising net revenues of $26,000.$149,000 and commercial advertising net revenues of $73,000.

 

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 increased by 70%63% during the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2022 as compared to the prior fiscal year period, primarily because of the lifting of foreclosure moratoriums, as discussed above. The Company’s smaller newspapers, those other than the Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journals (“The Daily Journals”), accounted for about 86%87% of the total public notice advertising revenues during the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2022. Public notice advertising revenues and related advertising and other service fees, including trustee sales legal advertising revenues, constituted about 19% of the Company's total operating revenues for the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2022 and 16% in the prior fiscal year period.

 

1819

 

The Daily Journals accounted for about 92% of the Traditional Business’ total circulation revenues, which declined by $150,000 (6%$179,000 (5%) to $2,182,000$3,279,000 from $2,332,000.$3,458,000. The court rule and judicial profile services generated about 6%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, increased by $122,000$150,000 (2%) to $6,703,000$9,741,000 from $6,581,000,$9,591,000, primarily resulting from the annual salary adjustments.

 

Journal Technologies (for the six-monthnine-month periods ended March 31,June 30, 2022 and 2021)

 

During the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2022, Journal Technologies’ business segment pretax loss increased by $3,501,000$5,360,000 to $2,163,000$3,116,000 from pretax income of $1,338,000$2,244,000 in the prior fiscal year period.

 

Revenues decreased by $2,442,000 (14%$3,242,000 (12%) to $14,960,000$23,639,000 from $17,402,000$26,881,000 in the prior fiscal year period. Licensing and maintenance fees decreased by $2,300,000 (20%$3,269,000 (19%) to $9,088,000$13,721,000 from $11,388,000$16,990,000 primarily resulting from the reduction in legacy software products’ maintenance and support revenues as the Company ended effective July 1, 2021 the maintenance of these legacy software products, so as to focus on supporting the Company’s main eSeries products. Consulting fees decreasedincreased by $119,000 (5%$48,000 (1%) to $2,430,000$4,697,000 from $2,549,000.$4,649,000. Other public service fees decreased by $23,000 (1%)$21,000 to $3,442,000$5,221,000 from $3,465,000$5,242,000 primarily due to decreased traffic citation fee revenues.

 

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 maintenance period.

 

Operating expenses increased by $1,059,000 (7%$2,118,000 (9%) to $17,123,000$26,755,000 from $16,064,000$24,637,000 primarily because of (i) increased personnel costs resulting from (i)the salary adjustments and some Australian payroll tax accruals, (ii) increased third-party hosting fees which were billed to clients and (ii)(iii) additional miscellaneous office equipment 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.

 


 

Reportable Segments (for the three-month periods ended March 31,June 30, 2022 and 2021)

 

Overall Financial Results (000)

For the three months ended March 31June 30

 

 

Reportable Segments

          

Reportable Segments

         
 

Traditional

Business

  

Journal

Technologies

  

Corporate

  

Total

  

Traditional

Business

  

Journal

Technologies

  

Corporate

income and expenses

  

Total

 
 

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

  

2022

  

2021

 

Revenues

  

Advertising

 $1,896  $1,762  $---  $---  $---  $---  $1,896  $1,762  $1,989  $2,195  $---  $---  $---  $---  $1,989  $2,195 

Circulation

 1,072  1,129  ---  ---  ---  ---  1,072  1,129  1,097  1,126  ---  ---  ---  ---  1,097  1,126 

Advertising service fees and other

 743  568  ---  ---  ---  ---  743  568  787  762  ---  ---  ---  ---  787  762 

Licensing and maintenance fees

 ---  ---  4,608  6,355  ---  ---  4,608  6,355  ---  ---  4,633  5,602  ---  ---  4,633  5,602 

Consulting fees

 ---  ---  669  2,305  ---  ---  669  2,305  ---  ---  2,267  2,100  ---  ---  2,267  2,100 

Other public service fees

  ---   ---   1,729   1,851   ---   ---   1,729   1,851   ---   ---   1,779   1,777   ---   ---   1,779   1,777 

Total operating revenues

  3,711   3,459   7,006   10,511   ---   ---   10,717   13,970 

Total revenues

  3,873   4,083   8,679   9,479   ---   ---   12,552   13,562 

Operating expenses

                                  

Salaries and employee benefits

 2,415  2,436  6,432  6,460  ---  ---  8,847  8,896  2,134  2,081  7,287  6,699  ---  ---  9,421  8,780 

(Decrease) increase to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual

 (1,920) 1,005  ---  ---  ---  ---  (1,920) 1,005 

Increase to the long-term Supplemental compensation accrual

 1,985  655  ---  ---  ---  ---  1,985  655 

Others

  1,130   914   2,287   1,850   ---   ---   3,417   2,764   904   929   2,345   1,874   ---   ---   3,249   2,803 

Total operating expenses

  1,625   4,355   8,719   8,310   ---   ---   10,344   12,665   5,023   3,665   9,632   8,573   ---   ---   14,655   12,238 

Income (loss) from operations

 2,086  (896) (1,713) 2,201  ---  ---  373  1,305  (1,150) 418  (953) 906  ---  ---  (2,103) 1,324 
 

Dividends and interest income

 ---  ---  ---  ---  2,113  649  2,113  649  ---  ---  ---  ---  1,263  776  1,263  776 

Gains on land sale

 ---  ---  ---  ---  272  ---  272  --- 

Other income

 ---  ---  ---  ---  ---  69  ---  69 

Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate and other

 ---  ---  ---  ---  (13) (13) (13) (13) ---  ---  ---  ---  (12) (14) (12) (14)

Interest expense on margin loans

 ---  ---  ---  ---  (150) (64) (150) (64)

(Losses) gains on sales of marketable securities

 ---  ---  ---  ---  (32,445) 18,478  (32,445) 18,478 

Net unrealized (losses) on marketable securities

  ---   ---   ---   ---   (8,321)  (5,144)  (8,321)  (5,144)

Pretax income (loss)

 2,086  (896) (1,713) 2,201  (38,816) 13,906  (38,443) 15,211 

Income tax (expense) benefit

  (355)  270   455   (730)  10,530   (2,275)  10,630   (2,735)

Net income (loss)

 $1,731  $(626) $(1,258) $1,471  $(28,286) $11,631  $(27,813) $12,476 

Interest expenses on margin loans

 ---  ---  ---  ---  (281) (68) (281) (68)

Net unrealized (losses) gains on marketable securities

  ---   ---   ---   ---   (12,666)  55,686   (12,666)  55,686 

Pretax (loss) income

 (1,150) 418  (953) 906  (11,424) 56,449  (13,527) 57,773 

Income tax benefit (expense)

  225   (175)  280   (460)  3,160   (14,565)  3,665   (15,200)

Net (loss) income

 $(925) $243  $(673) $446  $(8,264) $41,884  $(9,862) $42,573 

Total assets

 $19,924  $14,586  $15,830  $21,639  $354,336  $294,420  $390,090  $330,645  $22,091  $17,894  $20,814  $21,498  $341,669  $350,108  $384,574  $389,500 

Capital expenditures

  ---  $22  $3  $7   ---   ---  $3  $29  $4  $---  $7  $---  $---  $---  $11  $--- 

 

Comparable three-month periods ended March 31,June 30, 2022 and 2021

 

Consolidated Financial Comparison

 

Consolidated revenues were $10,717,000$12,552,000 and $13,970,000$13,562,000 for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2022 and 2021, respectively. This decrease of $3,253,000 (23%$1,010,000 (7%) wasresulted primarily from decreases in (i) Journal Technologies’ license and maintenance fees of $1,747,000, consulting fees of $1,636,000$969,000, and public service fees of $122,000, and (ii) the Traditional Business’ circulation revenues of $57,000, partially offset by increases in the Traditional Business’ advertising net revenues of $134,000$206,000 and circulation revenues of $29,000, partially offset by increases in (i) Journal Technologies’ consulting fees of $167,000 and public service fees of $2,000, and (ii) the Traditional Business’ advertising service fees and other of $175,000.$25,000.

 

Approximately 65%69% of the Company’s revenues during the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2022 were derived from Journal Technologies, as compared with 75%70% in the prior fiscal year period.

 

2021

 

Consolidated operating expenses decreasedincreased by $2,321,000 (18%$2,417,000 (20%) to $10,344,000$14,655,000 from $12,665,000$12,238,000 for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2022. Total salaries and employee benefits decreasedincreased by $49,000$641,000 to $8,847,000$9,421,000 from $8,896,000$8,780,000 primarily because of a reduced head-count.the salary adjustments and some Australian payroll tax accruals. Outside services increased by $195,000 (27%$280,000 (35%) to $914,000$1,074,000 from $719,000$794,000 mainly because of increased third-party hosting fees which were billed to clients. Newsprint and printing expenses increased by $43,000 (28%$12,000 (7%) to $196,000$174,000 from $153,000$162,000 primarily resulting from newsprint price increases and additional purchases of printing supplies. Other general and administrative expenses increased by $450,000 (90%$306,000 (62%) to $952,000$801,000 from $502,000$495,000 mainly because there were increased miscellaneous office equipment purchases and business travel expenses as compared to the prior fiscal year period. Accounting and legal fees increased by $78,000 (54%) to $222,000 from $144,000.

 

The Company’s non-operating income, net of expenses, decreased by $52,722,000$67,873,000 to a loss of $38,816,000$11,424,000 from a gain of $13,906,000$56,449,000 in the prior fiscal year period primarily because of the recording of (i) net unrealized losses on marketable securities of $8,321,000$12,666,000 during the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2022 as compared with $5,144,000net unrealized gains of $55,686,000 in the prior fiscal year period and (ii) realized losses on sales of marketable securities of $32,445,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2022, as compared with realizedperiod. In addition, there were gains of $18,478,000 in$272,000 on partial land sale associated with the prior fiscal year period.City of Logan’s street widening project.

 

During the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2022, consolidated pretax loss was $38,443,000,$13,527,000, as compared to pretax income of $15,211,000$57,773,000 in the prior fiscal year period. There was consolidated net loss of $27,813,000$9,862,000 (-$20.147.15 per share) for the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2022, as compared with consolidated net income of $12,476,000$42,573,000 ($9.0430.83 per share) in the prior fiscal year period.

 

The Traditional Business (for the three-month periods ended March 31,June 30, 2022 and 2021)

 

The Traditional Business’ pretax incomeloss increased by $2,982,000$1,568,000 to $2,086,000$1,150,000 from a pretax lossincome of $896,000$418,000 in the prior fiscal year period, primarily resulting from a reductionan increase to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual of $1,920,000$1,985,000 as compared with an increase of $1,005,000$655,000 in the prior fiscal year period.

 

During the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2022, the Traditional Business had total operating revenues of $3,711,000,$3,873,000, as compared with $3,459,000$4,083,000 in the prior fiscal year period. Advertising revenues increaseddecreased by $134,000 (8%$206,000 (9%) to $1,896,000$1,989,000 from $1,762,000,$2,195,000, primarily because of increaseddecreased commercial advertising net revenues of $40,000,$125,000 and government notice advertising net revenues of $123,000. These increases were offset by increased legal notice advertising net revenues of $49,000$38,000 and trustee sale notice advertising net revenues of $79,000 primarily resulting from the lifting of the foreclosure moratoriums. These increases were offset by decreased government notice advertising net revenues of $34,000.$4,000.

 

The Traditional Business segment operating expenses, excluding the adjustments to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual, increased by $195,000 (6%$28,000 (1%) to $3,545,000$3,038,000 from $3,350,000,$3,010,000, primarily resulting from additional purchases of printing supplies and miscellaneous office equipment.the annual salary adjustments.

 


 

Journal Technologies (for the three-month periods ended March 31,June 30, 2022 and 2021)

 

During the three months ended March 31,June 30, 2022, Journal Technologies’ business segment pretax loss increased by $3,914,000$1,859,000 to $1,713,000$953,000 from pretax income of $2,201,000$906,000 in the prior fiscal year period.

 

Revenues decreased by $3,505,000 (33%$800,000 (8%) to $7,006,000$8,679,000 from $10,511,000$9,479,000 in the prior fiscal year period. Licensing and maintenance fees decreased by $1,747,000 (27%$969,000 (17%) to $4,608,000$4,633,000 from $6,355,000$5,602,000 primarily resulting from the reduction in legacy software products’ maintenance and support revenues. Consulting fees decreasedincreased by $1,636,000 (71%$167,000 (8%) to $669,000$2,267,000 from $2,305,000 due to fewer go-lives.$2,100,000. Other public service fees decreasedincreased slightly by $122,000 (7%)$2,000 to $1,729,000$1,779,000 from $1,851,000 primarily due to decreased traffic citation fee revenues.$1,777,000.

 

Operating expenses increased by $409,000 (5%$1,059,000 (12%) to $8,719,000$9,632,000 from $8,310,000$8,573,000 primarily because of (i) increased personnel costs resulting from (i)the salary adjustments and some Australian payroll tax accruals, (ii) increased third-party hosting fees which were billed to clients and (ii)(iii) additional miscellaneous office equipment purchases and increased business travel expenses.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

For the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2022, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and marketable security positions decreased by $362,000,$9,434,000, after the sales of marketable securities of approximately $80,570,000 and additional net borrowing of $43,000,000 from the margin loan account, partially offset by the recording of net pretax unrealized losses on marketable securities of $44,409,000.$57,075,000. Cash, cash equivalents, the proceeds from the sales of marketable securities and additional net borrowing were primarily used to purchase additional marketable securities of $117,678,000.

 

The investments in marketable securities, which had an adjusted cost basis of approximately $154,837,000 and a market value of about $354,521,000$341,855,000 at March 31,June 30, 2022, generated approximately $2,988,000$4,251,000 in dividends income during the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2022. These securities had approximately $199,684,000$187,018,000 of net unrealized gains before estimated taxes of $53,825,000$50,540,000 which will become due only when we sell securities in which there is unrealized appreciation.

 

Cash flows from operating activities decreased by $9,948,000$9,887,000 during the sixnine months ended March 31,June 30, 2022 as compared to the prior fiscal year period, primarily due to (i) increases in deferred tax assets of $32,346,000$50,901,000 and the Company’s income tax receivable of $4,102,000,$4,551,000, (ii) decreases in the Company’s income tax payable of $7,792,000$6,619,000 and (iii) decreases in net accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $4,615,000$2,802,000 (because of the timing difference in remitting efiling fees to the courts). This was partially offset by (i) increases in net income of $32,025,000,$47,942,000, excluding the increases in unrealized losses on marketable securities of $120,477,000$188,829,000 and decreases in realized net gains on sales of marketable securities of $4,229,000, and (ii) decreases in the Company’s accounts receivable of $4,893,000$2,118,000 mainly resulting from more collections, and (iii) increases in deferred revenues of $2,205,000.$5,143,000.

 

As of March 31,June 30, 2022, the Company had working capital of $348,924,000,$337,803,000, including the liabilities for deferred subscriptions, deferred consulting fees and deferred maintenance agreements and others of $15,817,000.$20,291,000.

 

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. 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.  In addition, the Company could be subject to margin calls should the balance of the investment decrease significantly. 

 

2223

 

The Company is not a smaller version of Berkshire Hathaway Inc.  Instead, it hopes to be a significant software company while it also operates its Traditional Business.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The Company’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 the long-term Incentive Plan liabilities) and income taxes are critical accounting policies and estimates.

 

The Company’s critical accounting policies are detailed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2021. 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 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; 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; the impacts of COVID-19 variants and the efforts to contain it on the Company’s customers, advertisers and subscribers, particularly the closure or scaling back of operations of courts, justice agencies and other businesses; a further decline in subscriber revenues; possible security breaches of the Company’s software or websites; 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, 2021.

 

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

In light of the material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting discussed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2021, management concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of March 31,June 30, 2022.  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,June 30, 2022.

 


 

PART II

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

31

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

  
32

32

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

  
101.INSInline XBRL Instance
  
101.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
  
101.CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation
  
101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition
  
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels
  
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation
  
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101

 

SIGNATURE

 

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

 

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

(Registrant)

/s/  Tu To

  

/s/ Tu To

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and

Principal Accounting Officer)

  
 /s/ Steven Myhill-Jones
  
 

Interim Chief Executive Officer

Chairman of the Board

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

DATE: MayAugust 12, 2022

 

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