10-Q 1 swhi10q2.htm QUARTERLY REPORT swhi10q2.htm




 
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
 
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 
 X  
Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2009 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 01912
 
SONOMAWEST HOLDINGS, INC.
 
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
Delaware
 
94-1069729
(State of incorporation)
(IRS Employer Identification #)
 
2064 Highway 116 North, Sebastopol, CA
 
95472-2662
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
 
 Registrant's telephone number, including area code:     707-824-2534

(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)
 
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:                                                      NO:          

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

                 Large accelerated filer  ___                        Accelerated filer  ___             
                 Non-accelerated filer    ___                        Smaller reporting company  _X

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  
 
                           YES:                                                      NO:     X   
 
As of February 12, 2010, there were 1,251,367 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, outstanding.
 

 
1



SONOMAWEST HOLDINGS, INC.
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS



 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
Item 1.
    Condensed Financial Statements
 
       
   
Condensed Balance Sheets at December  31, 2009 (unaudited) and
 
   
June 30, 2009 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3
       
   
Condensed Statements of Income – For The Six and three months
 
   
ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4
       
   
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows - For the Six months ended
 
   
December 31, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
5
       
   
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
6
       
 
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
 
   
and Results of Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
11
       
 
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
16
       
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
16
       
 
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16
       
 
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16
       
 
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16
       
 
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16
       
 
Item 5.
Other Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
16
       
 
Item 6.
Exhibits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
17
       
   
Signature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
18
       
   
Exhibit Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
19

 
2

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements

SONOMAWEST HOLDINGS, INC.
CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND JUNE 30, 2009
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PAR VALUE)


   
December 31, 2009 (unaudited)
   
June 30, 2009
 
ASSETS
           
CURRENT ASSETS:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 2,084     $ 1,830  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $74 and $19, respectively.
    76       41  
Other receivables
    -       9  
Dividend claims receivable
    35       35  
Prepaid income taxes
    27       23  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    58       151  
Deferred income taxes, net
    59       118  
Total current assets
    2,339       2,207  
       RENTAL PROPERTY, net
    985       1,068  
       DEFERRED INCOME TAXES, net
    257       245  
       PREPAID COMMISSIONS AND OTHER ASSETS
    152       184  
Total assets
  $ 3,733     $ 3,704  
    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 33     $ 42  
Accrued dividends payable
    35       35  
Accrued payroll and related liabilities
    31       313  
Accrued expenses
    14       6  
Unearned rents
    48       66  
Tenant deposits
    424       415  
Total current liabilities
    585       877  
 
LONG-TERM DEBT
    2,500       2,500  
Total liabilities
    3,085       3,377  
                 
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY :
               
Preferred stock: 2,500 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding
    -       -  
    Common stock: 5,000 shares authorized, par value $0.0001; 1,251 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009
    -       -  
Retained earnings
    648       327  
Total shareholders’ equity
    648       327  
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 3,733     $ 3,704  


The accompanying unaudited notes are an integral part of these financial statements.



 
3

 



SONOMAWEST HOLDINGS, INC.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
FOR THE SIX AND THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
(UNAUDITED)

   
Six Months
   
Three Months
 
   
ended December 31
   
Ended December 31
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
RENTAL REVENUE -NET 
  $ 1,459     $ 1,481     $ 742     $ 747  
TENANT REIMBURSEMENTS
    381       347       169       163  
TOTAL REVENUE
    1,840       1,828       911       910  
                                 
OPERATING COSTS
    1,272       1,341       599       598  
OPERATING COSTS - RELATED PARTY EXPENSES
    2       13       1       3  
TOTAL OPERATING COSTS
    1,274       1,354       600       601  
OPERATING INCOME
    566       474       311       309  
                                 
INTEREST EXPENSE
    (32 )     (85 )     (16 )     (54 )
INTEREST INCOME
    1       9       -       1  
GAIN ON DISTRIBUTION OF INVESTMENTS
    -       2,284       -       1  
OTHER INCOME
    -       1       -       1  
INCOME BEFORE TAXES
    535       2,683       295       258  
INCOME TAX PROVISION
    214       1,069       117       105  
NET INCOME
  $ 321     $ 1,614     $ 178     $ 153  
                                 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES AND  EQUIVALENTS:
                               
Basic
    1,251       1,251       1,251       1,252  
Diluted
    1,252       1,251       1,254       1,252  
                                 
INCOME PER COMMON SHARE:
Basic
  $ 0.26     $ 1.29     $ 0.14     $ 0.12  
Diluted
  $ 0.26     $ 1.29     $ 0.14     $ 0.12  




The accompanying unaudited notes are an integral part of these financial statements.




 
4

 

SONOMAWEST HOLDINGS, INC.
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009 AND 2008
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
(UNAUDITED)

   
2009
   
2008
 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
           
Net income
  $ 321     $ 1,614  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Gains on distribution of investments
    -       (2,284 )
Depreciation and amortization expense
    83       86  
Deferred income tax provision
    47       296  
Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    (90 )     (21 )
Allowance for doubtful accounts
    55       -  
Other receivables
    9       7  
Prepaid income taxes
    (4 )     47  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    93       72  
Prepaid commissions and other assets
    32       33  
Accounts payable
    (9 )     (7 )
Accrued payroll and related liabilities
    (282 )     (217 )
Income taxes payable
    -       (233 )
Accrued expenses 
    8       (111 )
Unearned rents
    (18 )     -  
Tenant deposits
    9       20  
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities
    254       (698 )
 
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Capital expenditures
    -       (179 )
Net cash used for investing activities
    -       (179 )
 
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
Tax expense from exercise of stock options
    -       (11 )
Exercise of stock options
    -       65  
Net cash provided by financing activities
    -       54  
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
    254       (823 )
                 
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD
    1,830       2,604  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD
  $ 2,084     $ 1,781  

Supplemental Cash Flow Information
 
   
2009
   
2008
 
Investment dividend (Note 3)
 
$
        -
   
$
2,648
 
Interest paid
 
$
32
   
$
88
 
Taxes paid
 
$
170
   
$
984
 
The accompanying unaudited notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

5


 SONOMAWEST HOLDINGS, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
SIX MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2009
(UNAUDITED)

 
Note 1 - Basis of Presentation
 
The accompanying unaudited interim condensed financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although SonomaWest Holdings, Inc. “the Company” believes these disclosures are adequate to make the information not misleading.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation for the periods presented have been reflected and are of a normal recurring nature.  Because all of the disclosures required by GAAP are not included in the accompanying financial statements and related notes, they should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2009. The results of operations for the six months ended December 31, 2009, are not necessarily indicative of the results that will be achieved for the entire year ending June 30, 2010.
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

As of December 31, 2009, the Company believes that the carrying amounts for its current assets and liabilities, except for certain deferred tax items approximate their fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.  The fair value of long-term debt approximates its carrying value, based on observed market prices. The current yield on the long term debt ranges from LIBOR plus 2.24% to 3.25%.

Revenue Recognition
 
Revenue is recognized on a monthly basis, based upon the dollar amount specified in the related lease.  The Company requires that all tenants be covered by a lease.  The Company does not have leases that include provisions that require the lessee to pay the lessor any additional rent based upon the lessee’s sales or any other financial performance levels.  Reimbursements of certain costs received from tenants are recognized as tenant reimbursement revenues.
 
 Allowances for Doubtful Accounts
 
The Company makes judgments as to its ability to collect outstanding receivables and provide allowances for the portion of receivables when collection becomes doubtful. Provisions are made based upon a specific review of all outstanding invoices. Given current economic conditions, a reserve for doubtful accounts was considered necessary as the Company has been receiving late payments and certain tenants have defaulted on their rent payments. As of December 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009, the Company had allowances of $74,000 and $19,000, respectively, for outstanding receivables.  The Company performs a credit review process on all prospective tenants.  The extent of the credit review is dependent on the dollar value of the lease.

 
6

 


Note 2 - New Accounting Pronouncements – Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”)
 
Codification Topic 815 – Derivatives and Hedging – This topic requires an entity to recognize derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, as assets or liabilities and measure them at fair value.  Effective July 1, 2009, the Company adopted the disclosure requirements for our derivative instruments and hedging activities as explained in Note 4 to the financial statements.

Management does not believe that any other issued, but not effective accounting pronouncements, if adopted, would have a material effect on the accompanying financial statements.
 
Note 3 - Investments

On July 15, 2008, the Company declared a dividend of 150,943 shares of MetroPCS Communications, Inc. (“MetroPCS”) to holders of its common stock, payable pro rata to its shareholders of record as of the close of business on July 28, 2008, due and payable at the close of business on August 18, 2008. At the time, the Company recorded a realized taxable gain of $2,284,000 from the transaction.  As of December 31, 2008, the Company no longer held any shares of MetroPCS.

Note 4 – Derivatives and Hedging Activities

On October 3, 2008, the Company entered into an interest rate cap agreement with Wachovia Bank N.A. (“Wachovia”), to manage the interest rate risk associated with its long-term debt obligations. Under the agreement, the Company’s maximum interest rate is 5.75% on the principal sum of $2,500,000, consisting of the maximum LIBOR rate of 3.50% plus 2.25%. On October 1, 2010, the maximum interest rate will revert to the LIBOR plus 2.25%. As of December 31, 2009, the LIBOR rate was 0.231%.  The Company does not monitor these interest rate cap agreements for hedge effectiveness. The Company accounts for its interest rate cap agreement at fair value and gains and losses associated with changes in fair value are recorded as interest expense in the Company’s Statement of Income. The fair value of the outstanding derivative instrument was immaterial as of December 31, 2009, and did not have an impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
 
The Company establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy, as defined below, gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs.
 
·    
Level 1: Defined as observable inputs, such as quoted prices in active markets for identical assets.
 
·    
Level 2: Defined as observable inputs other than Level 1 prices. This includes quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in an active market, quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
 
·    
Level 3: Defined as unobservable inputs for which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

On October 3, 2008, the Company paid a premium of $26,000 to enter into the interest rate cap agreement. The Company had recorded a $26,000 expense to Interest Expense in its Statement of Income for the year ended June 30, 2009 related to the change in fair value of the interest rate cap.  For the three and six months ended December 31, 2009, the Company reported no interest expense associated with the change in fair value of the interest rate cap.  At December 31, 2009, the fair value of the interest rate cap agreement approximated zero using Level 2 inputs.


7

Note 5 - Long-term Debt
 
On May 21, 2008, the Company entered into a $2.5 million term loan (the “Loan”) with Wachovia.  The Loan is evidenced by a three-year promissory note, made by the Company in favor of Wachovia and bearing interest at the rate of LIBOR plus 2.25% per annum. The interest rate was 2.481% at December 31, 2009.  The Loan matures on May 1, 2011, prior to which the Company is obligated to make monthly payments of accrued interest only.

The Loan is secured by the Company's North Property, located at 2064 Gravenstein Highway, Sebastopol, California pursuant to the terms of a Deed of Trust, Assignment of Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing, dated as of May 21, 2008, made by the Company in favor of Wachovia (the "Deed of Trust").  The Loan and the Deed of Trust contain standard continuing covenants and agreements. The Company is required to maintain a demand deposit account with Wachovia with an average balance of $500,000 for the life of the Loan.

In connection with the Loan, the Company also entered into an Environmental Indemnity Agreement, dated as of May 21, 2008, pursuant to which the Company agreed, among other things, to indemnify Wachovia and its assignees against any liabilities arising from or out of, to the extent applicable, (i) certain violations of environmental laws and regulations applicable to the North property, (ii) the presence on the North property of certain hazardous materials, and (iii) any breach by the Company of any representation or warranty made in the Environmental Indemnity Agreement.

Note 6 - Earnings Per Share
 
Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed as net income divided by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS is computed as net income divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding of common stock and common stock equivalents for the period, including the dilutive effects of stock options and other potentially dilutive securities. Common stock equivalents result from dilutive stock options computed using the treasury stock method and the average share price for the reported period.

The effect of dilutive options on the weighted average number of shares for the six months ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 was 1,000 and zero, respectively.   Antidilutive securities, excluded from the computation of earnings per share for the six months ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, was 20,000 and 21,000, respectively.

The effect of dilutive options on the weighted average number of shares for the three months ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 was 3,000 and zero, respectively.   Antidilutive securities, excluded from the computation of earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2009  and December 31, 2008 was 18,000 and 21,000, respectively.

Note 7 - Stock-Based Compensation
  
Our net income for the six months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 included no stock compensation costs. All stock-based compensation was 100% vested as of December 16, 2007.

 
8

 
A summary of the status of the Company’s stock option plans at December 31, 2009, with changes during the six months ended December 31, 2009, is presented in the table below:

   
Options
   
Weighted Average Exercise Price
   
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Years
   
Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
 
Balance, June 30, 2009
   
21,000
   
$
8.02
             
Granted
   
-
     
-
             
Exercised
   
-
     
-
             
Cancelled
   
-
     
-
             
Balance, December 31, 2009
   
21,000
   
$
8.02
     
7.92
   
$
-
 
Exercisable, December 31, 2009
   
21,000
   
$
8.02
     
7.92
   
$
-
 
 
The following table summarizes the ranges of the exercise prices of outstanding and exercisable options as of December 31, 2009: 

     
Options outstanding
   
Options exercisable
 
           
Weighted-
                   
           
average
   
Weighted-
         
Weighted-
 
           
Remaining
   
Average
         
Average
 
     
Number of
   
Contractual
   
Exercise
   
Number of
   
Exercise
 
Exercise Price
   
Shares
   
Life (years)
   
Price
   
Shares
   
Price
 
  $5.00-$7.00       16,000       8.40     $ 6.10       16,000     $ 6.10  
Over $10.00
      5,000       6.96     $ 13.05       5,000     $ 13.05  
Total
      21,000       7.92     $ 8.02       21,000     $ 8.02  
 
As of December 31, 2009, the weighted average remaining contractual life of stock options exercisable was 7.92 years and there was no aggregate intrinsic value. There were no stock options exercised during the three and six months ended December 31, 2009.

As of December 31, 2008, the weighted average remaining contractual life of stock options exercisable was 8.92 years and there was no aggregate intrinsic value. There was no intrinsic value of the stock options exercised during the three and six months ended December 31, 2008.

Note 8 - Related Parties
 
On July 8, 2009, following approval by the Board of Directors of the Company, with David J. Bugatto (a current board member) not participating or voting, the Company entered into a new consulting agreement with Bugatto Investment Company, replacing the prior agreement, on terms substantially similar to those in the prior agreement (the “2009 Agreement”). The 2009 Agreement became effective July 1, 2009, immediately after expiration of the term of the existing agreement. Under the 2009 Agreement, Bugatto Investment Company agreed to provide real estate consulting services, as reasonably requested by the Company, for a one-year term, at the hourly rate of $250, which is consistent with the prior agreement.

During the six months ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company incurred $2,000 and $13,000, respectively, for real estate consulting services provided by Bugatto Investment Company.  These expenses are included in Operating Costs - Related Party Expenses.  As of December 31, 2009, the Company had a payable to Bugatto Investment Company of $650.

9

 
Note 9 - Minimum Lease Income
 
The Company leases warehouse space, generating rental revenues for the six months ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008 of $1,459,000 and $1,481,000, respectively. The leases have terms which range from month-to-month to leases with expiration dates through 2023. As of December 31, 2009, assuming none of the existing leases are renewed or no additional space is leased, and assuming all tenants perform their obligations under the leases, the following will be the future minimum lease income:
 
Year Ending
June 30,
 
Amount
 
2010
 
 $
1,364,000
 
2011
   
2,670,000
 
2012
   
2,050,000
 
2013
   
1,270,000
 
2014
   
527,000
 
Thereafter through 2023
   
1,753,000
 
Total
 
$
9,634,000
 
 
Note 10 – Commitments and Contingencies

On December 20, 2007, the Board of Directors announced a dividend of 842,316 shares, subsequently amended to 842,348 shares, of MetroPCS common stock, payable pro rata to its shareholders of record on December 24, 2007 and originally payable at the close of business on January 3, 2008.   On January 11, 2008, the Company announced that it was notified by NASDAQ that the ex-dividend date was to be January 11, 2008. The final dividend total of 842,348 shares of MetroPCS was paid to non-street name holders as promptly as practicable following the close of business on January 3, 2008, and to street name holders on or after the close of business on January 9, 2008.  As a result of the NASDAQ ex-dividend date being set as January 11, 2008, the dividend may not have been received by some shareholders who traded during the period between January 4, 2008 and January 10, 2008.  The Company has analyzed the trading activity during that period and has estimated the maximum exposure related to this matter to be $314,000. As of December 31, 2009, $279,000 has been paid to shareholders who have made substantiated claims and $35,000 has been accrued as dividend claims payable.  The Company has been indemnified by a third-party service provider for such claims and does not expect to incur any material net expense related to such claims.

The Company received a notice from the California State Regional Water Quality Control Board ("CSRWQCB") to modify its wastewater system at the South property, in order to maintain compliance with current water quality standards.  The Company’s proposed modifications to the existing wastewater system were approved by the CSRWQCB, allowing the Company to construct modifications to the existing waste water system using newly adopted practices.  The upgraded wastewater system was completed during December 2008 with total costs to the Company of $86,000, which has been paid in full.  The annual operating cost increases associated with the modified system are currently estimated to be from $12,000 to $50,000 annually, dependent upon weather conditions. The Company does not engage in, or make any expenditures with respect to research and development activities.

Note 11 - Subsequent Events

The Company filed  lawsuits against two of its tenants, on December 10, 2009 and January 14, 2010, in Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Sonoma, seeking payment of past due rents and utilities. On January 29, 2010, the Company received a Cross Complaint from one of the tenants.  In the opinion of management, the liability, if any, with respect to the Cross Complaint will not materially adversely affect our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.  The Company evaluated subsequent events through February 12, 2010, the date this Quarterly Report was approved by the Board of Directors.

 
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Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
SonomaWest Holdings, Inc. (“we” or the “Company”) is including the following cautionary statement in this Quarterly Report to make applicable and take advantage of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company. The statements contained in this Report that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements", which can generally be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "estimated," "projects," "anticipates," "expects," "intends," "believes," or the negative thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance and underlying assumptions. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. All written and oral forward-looking statements made in connection with this Report which are attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the "Risk Factors" as set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2009 and other cautionary statements set forth therein and in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q under “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” There can be no assurance that management’s expectations, beliefs or projections will be achieved or accomplished, and the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.
 
The financial statements included herein are presented as of, and for the six and three months ended December 31, 2009 and 2008 and reflect all the adjustments that in the opinion of management are necessary for the fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations for the periods then ended. All adjustments during the periods presented are of a normal and recurring nature.

OVERVIEW
 
The Company’s business consists of its real estate management and rental operations.   The Company’s rental operations include industrial/agricultural property, some of which was formerly used in its discontinued fruit processing businesses.  This commercial property is now being rented to third parties.  The Company’s primary business revenue is generated from the leasing of its two properties located in Sebastopol, California.  The management of the Company believes that the leasing activity at the Company’s properties has been impacted as a result of current economic conditions.  
 
The properties are leased to multiple tenants with leases varying in length from month-to-month to leases with expiration dates through 2023.  Revenue from lease rental is recognized on a monthly basis, based upon the dollar amount specified in the related lease.  The Company requires that all tenants be covered by a lease.  The Company does not have leases that include provisions that require the lessee to pay the lessor any additional rent based upon the lessee’s sales or any other financial performance measures.  The Company has no tenant related reimbursements that are not part of tenant lease agreements.

Given current economic conditions, we expect that some of our tenants will experience a downturn in their businesses, which in some cases may be significant. This downturn continues to further weaken our tenants’ financial condition and could result in the failure to make timely rental payments to the Company. In the event of a default by a tenant, the Company would likely experience loss of revenue and delays in enforcing the Company's rights as landlord.  The bankruptcy or insolvency of a major tenant may further adversely affect the income produced by the Company's properties.  Any losses resulting from lease defaults or the insolvency or bankruptcy of any of the Company's tenants could adversely impact the Company's financial condition, results from operations, cash flow and the per share trading price of its common stock.  At December 31, 2009, the Company’s properties had an aggregate 8.1% vacancy rate, which we believe compares favorably to similar rental properties in the area.  However, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to fill the current vacant space on acceptable terms, or at all.
 
 
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During February 2009, the Company received information that a receivership had been appointed for one of its tenants.  The total space leased by the tenant is 29,000 square feet, and the attributable rent is $22,000 a month. The tenant presently subleases 11,626 square feet of its leased space to an unaffiliated third party at a monthly rent of $8,770. The tenant is no longer in receivership and all rent had been timely paid as of December 31, 2009.

As of December 31, 2009, the Company was owed $62,444 in past due rent, utilities and late fees from a tenant, such amount representing less than 3% of the Company’s total annual rental income, 10,400 square feet of covered roof space and attributable rent of $6,456 a month. The tenant vacated the rented space on November 30, 2009, and has not paid the past due rent and fees. The Company filed a lawsuit in Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Sonoma against the tenant in December 2009.

An additional tenant in default at this time is Vinovation, who owed $80,749 in past due rent, utilities, security deposits and late fees at December 31, 2009. This tenant’s monthly rent of $33,477 represents 13% of the Company’s total monthly rental income and 52,601 square feet of covered roof space. As of June 11, 2009, Vinovation had agreed to apply $46,000 of the its existing security deposit to satisfy its portion of wastewater improvement costs, and Vinovation agreed to replenish the security deposit within one year. The Company issued a Three-Day Notice to Pay Rent, but no rent has been received as a result.  The Company filed a lawsuit in Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Sonoma against Vinovation on January 14, 2010. As of December 31, 2009, the Company held $80,006 in the security deposits, which it intends to apply to Vinovation's past due rents.

In connection with MetroPCS’s initial public offering on April 19, 2007, the Company’s shares of MetroPCS Series D Preferred Stock were converted into 993,297 shares of common stock. MetroPCS began trading its stock on the open market April 19, 2007, at which point the Company was able to determine the fair value of its investment in MetroPCS. On December 20, 2007, the Company declared a dividend of 842,316 shares, subsequently amended to 842,348 shares, of MetroPCS stock to its shareholders.  The fair value of those 842,348 shares of MetroPCS stock on December 31, 2007 was $16,384,000.  As a result of the first MetroPCS dividend, the Company realized a taxable gain of $12,667,000 resulting in a corresponding tax liability of $5,046,000.  On July 15, 2008, the Company declared a dividend of the remaining 150,943 shares of MetroPCS stock to its shareholders.  The fair value of those 150,943 shares of MetroPCS stock on August 18, 2008 was $2,648,000.   As a result of the second MetroPCS dividend, the Company realized a taxable gain of $2,284,000 resulting in a corresponding tax liability of $910,000.  As of December 31, 2009, the Company no longer held any MetroPCS shares.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
The Company had cash of $2,084,000 and $1,830,000 at December 31, 2009 and June 30, 2009, respectively. The increase in cash and cash equivalents of $245,000 since June 30, 2009 was the result of operating activities.

In May 2008, the Company entered into a Loan Agreement (the “Loan”) with Wachovia Bank for $2,500,000.  The Loan bears interest at the LIBOR plus 2.25%, with accrued monthly interest payments only.  The interest rate was 2.48% as of December 31, 2009.  Principal and interest is due on the maturity date of May 21, 2011.  The Loan is secured by a first deed of trust on the Company’s North property located at 2064 Gravenstein Highway North, Sebastopol, California. Under this Loan, the Company is required to meet certain financial covenants; as of December 31, 2009 the Company was in compliance with all such financial covenants. On October 3, 2008, the Company entered into an interest rate LIBOR cap agreement with Wachovia Bank to manage interest rate risk associated with its long-term debt obligation. The agreement became effective on October 3, 2008. Under the interest rate cap agreement, the Company’s maximum interest rate is 5.75% on the principal sum of $2,500,000, consisting of the maximum LIBOR rate of 3.50% plus 2.25%. On October 1, 2010, the interest rate will revert to the LIBOR rate plus 2.25%. As of December 31, 2009, the LIBOR rate was 0.231%.
 
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For the three months ended December 31, 2008, the Company expensed the $26,000 premium paid to enter into the interest rate cap agreement. At December 31, 2009, the fair value of the interest rate cap agreement is approximately zero.

Cash flows from operating activities are expected to remain positive and relatively consistent given current tenant occupancy and rental agreements in place. The Company believes that its existing resources, together with anticipated cash from rentals activities, will be sufficient to satisfy its current and projected cash requirements for at least the next twelve months.

 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
The Company leases warehouse, production and office space as well as outside storage space at both of its properties. The two properties are located on a total of 91.24 acres of land and have a combined leaseable area of 439,000 square feet (378,000 under roof and 61,000 outside) with original lease terms ranging from month-to-month to leases with expiration dates through 2023, with options to extend the longer-term leases. As of December 31, 2009, there were 32 tenants with leases comprising 404,000 square feet of leasable space (343,000 under roof and 61,000 outside) or 91.9% of the total leasable area. As of December 31, 2008, there were 33 tenants with leases comprising 435,000 square feet of leasable space (375,000 under roof and 60,000 outside) or 99.8% of the total leasable area.

Rental Revenue. For the six months ended December 31, 2009, rental revenue decreased $22,000, or 1%, as compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. This decrease was primarily a result of decreased revenues from three tenants who vacated or decreased their leased space, reducing rental revenue by $180,000. This decrease was partially offset by increased space and rate increases by eight existing tenants under term leases of $119,000, and excess operating expense increases, late fees and annual Consumer Price Index increases of $39,000.

For the three months ended December 31, 2009 rental revenue decreased $5,000 or 1% as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2008.

Tenant Reimbursements. For the six months ended December 31, 2009, tenant utility and water reimbursements increased $34,000,  ($25,000 in utilities and $9,000 in water usage), or 10%, as compared to the six months ended December 31, 2008. Such utility reimbursements related primarily to the increase of energy and water consumption by tenants.  The Company receives monthly bills from its utility provider for tenants’ expenses.  The Company makes the payments   directly   to the utility provider on behalf of the tenants, and submits an invoice, to the tenants for reimbursement.  Such reimbursements are included in the terms of the tenants lease agreements with the Company.  While utility reimbursements levels may fluctuate, the Company does not expect that such reimbursement levels will have any material downward pressure on revenues or a material effect on net income.  

For the three months ended December 31, 2009, tenant reimbursements increased $6,000, or 4% as compared to the three months ended December 31, 2008. Such reimbursements related primarily to the increase of energy and water consumption by tenants.  

Operating Costs. For the six months ended December 31, 2009, total operating costs decreased $80,000, or 6%, compared to the six months ended December 31, 2008. Of this decrease, operating costs – related-party decreased $11,000 and other operating costs decreased by a total of $69,000. The decrease in related-party expenses was the result of a $11,000 decrease in real estate consulting fees, primarily related to prior year consulting regarding the upgraded wastewater system, payable to one of the members of our Board of Directors, David Bugatto. The decrease of $69,000 in other operating costs is related to decreased Special Committee costs of $62,000 for an abandoned tender offer, a reduction in legal fees of $36,000, a reduction in incentive bonus of $15,000, a reduction in roof and fencing expenses of $14,000, reduced board fees of $12,000, a reduction in fees paid to Sarbanes-Oxley compliance consultants by $4,000 and various miscellaneous decreases totaling $13,000. These were offset by the increase in bad debts of $55,000 related to a Complaint for Damages against a tenant for failure to pay.  Utilities increased by $21,000 primarily due to the increase in production activities of our tenants at both facilities.

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For the three months ended December 31, 2009, total operating costs decreased $1,000, or less than 1%, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2008. Of this decrease, operating costs - related party decreased $2,000 and other operating costs increased $1,000.

Interest Expense.  For the six months ended December 31, 2009, the Company had loan interest expense of $32,000 as compared to $59,000 loan interest expense for the six months ended December 31, 2008.  At December 31, 2009, the fair value of the interest rate cap agreement was approximately zero, thus no additional expense was recognized.  During the six months ending December 31, 2008 the Company expensed the $26,000 premium paid to enter into the interest rate cap agreement.

For the three months ended December 31, 2009, the Company had loan interest expense of $16,000 as compared to $28,000 loan interest expense for the three months ended December 31, 2008.  During the three months ended December 31, 2009, the fair value of the interest rate cap agreement was approximately zero, thus no additional expense was recognized. During the three months ended December 31, 2008 the Company expensed the $26,000 premium paid to enter into the interest cap agreement.

Interest Income. For the six months ended December 31, 2009, the Company generated $1,000 of interest income on its cash balances as compared to $9,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2008.  The reduction in interest income was attributable to a reduction in the interest rate the Company received on such cash balances.

For the three months ended December 31, 2009, the Company generated less than $1,000 of interest income on its cash balances as compared to the $1,000 in the three months ended December 31, 2008.  The reduction in interest income was attributable to a reduction in the interest rate we received on such cash balances.

Gain on Distribution of Investments

For the six and three months ended December 31, 2009, there was no distribution of investments. For the six and three months ended December 31, 2008, the Company generated $2,284,000 and $1,000 on gain on distribution of investments as discussed in Note 3 to the financial statements.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
 
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP, which require the Company to make estimates and assumptions. The Company believes that of its significant accounting policies, the following may involve a higher degree of judgment and complexity.

Please refer to Item 2 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2009 for information pertaining to our critical accounting policies for stock-based compensation, valuation allowance on deferred taxes and revenue recognition.   There have been no changes to our critical accounting polices since June 30, 2009, the date of our audited financial statements.


 
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ITEM 4.   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
Our management, with the participation of Walker R. Stapleton, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2009.  Based on the evaluation, these officers have concluded that:
 
 
·    
our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and
 
 
·    
our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 was accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
 
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
 
There has not been any change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2009 that has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
 
No material legal proceedings.
 
Item 1A. Risk Factors

None

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
None

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
None
 
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
 
At the Company's Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on December 11, 2009, the following proposals were adopted by the margins indicated:
 
     
   
Number of Shares
   
Voted For
Voted Against
 
Withheld
         
     1.
To elect four directors to hold office until the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2010 or until their respective successors have been elected or appointed.
     
 
        Walker R. Stapleton
936,952
 
116,276
 
        David J. Bugatto
948,717
 
104,511
 
        Robert W. C. Davies
952,505
 
100,723
 
        David A. Janke
952,505
 
100,723
         
2.
To ratify the appointment of the accounting firm of Macias Gini & O’Connell LLP as independent auditors for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010.
1,052,729
500
-
         
    3.
For transaction of such other business as may come before the meeting.
932,901
25,921
94,406

Item 5. Other Information
 
None


 
16

 

Item 6.  Exhibits

 
31.1
Chief Executive Officer Certification of Periodic Financial Report Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
 
31.2
Chief Financial Officer Certification of Periodic Financial Report Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
 
32.1
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 +
 
________________________
 
*           Filed herewith.
 
+           Furnished herewith.

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

February 12, 2010
 

 /s/ Walker R. Stapleton                                                                                                      
Walker R. Stapleton, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
(principal financial officer and principal executive officer)




 
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EXHIBIT INDEX
 
Exhibit No.
Document Description
31.1
 
Chief Executive Officer Certification of Periodic Financial Report Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
31.2
 
Chief Financial Officer Certification of Periodic Financial Report Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002*
32.1
Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 +
 
*      Filed herewith
 
+      Furnished herewith
 


 
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