-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, QYPQkJGtPpuobVPb35j08489r+ROLbBSUmdndqvpsMgKzuXE9bde2I3S8woOzTOg kmN59hNDzztU5jJUyTgYKQ== 0001172665-08-000048.txt : 20080331 0001172665-08-000048.hdr.sgml : 20080331 20080328181549 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001172665-08-000048 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 6 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20071231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20080331 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20080328 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: Optionable Inc CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001303433 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SECURITY & COMMODITY BROKERS, DEALERS, EXCHANGES & SERVICES [6200] IRS NUMBER: 522219407 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-51837 FILM NUMBER: 08720989 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 465 COLUMBUS AVENUE STREET 2: SUITE 280 CITY: VALHALLA STATE: NY ZIP: 10595 BUSINESS PHONE: 914-773-1100 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 465 COLUMBUS AVENUE STREET 2: SUITE 280 CITY: VALHALLA STATE: NY ZIP: 10595 10-K 1 form10k.txt ANNUAL REPORT UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K (Mark One) |X| ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2007 |_| TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM __________ TO __________ COMMISSION FILE NUMBER: 000-51837 OPTIONABLE, INC. (Name of registrant in its charter) Delaware 52-2219407 (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) incorporation or organization) 465 Columbus Avenue, Valhalla, NY 10595 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Issuer's telephone Number: (914) 773-1100 Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act: None. Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act: Common Stock: $.0001 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes [_] No [X] Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes [_] No [X] Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required 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 if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [_] Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" 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] The aggregate market value of the common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based upon the last sale price of the common stock reported on the OTC-Bulletin Board on March 24, 2008 was $1,584,429. The number of shares of registrant's common stock outstanding, as of March 24, 2008 was 52,423,403. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE None. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page PART I Item 1. Description of Business.........................................1 Item 1A. Risk Factors...................................................11 Item 2. Properties.....................................................18 Item 3. Legal Proceedings..............................................19 Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders............21 PART II Item 5. Market for Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters.......21 Item 6. Selected Financial Data........................................23 Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation......24 Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data....................31 Item 9. Changes In and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.......................................31 Item 9A. Controls and Procedures........................................31 Item 9B. Other Information..............................................32 PART III Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers, Promoters and Control Persons; Compliance With Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act..............32 Item 11. Executive Compensation.........................................34 Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters................................38 Item 13. Certain Relationship and Related Transactions..................39 Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services.........................43 Item 15. Exhibits.......................................................44 SIGNATURES..................................................................48 PART I ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS. We were formed in Delaware in February 2000. Between April 2001 and July 2007, a substantial portion of our revenues were generated from providing energy derivative brokerage services provider to brokerage firms, financial institutions, energy traders, and hedge funds worldwide. A substantially portion of all energy derivatives we have brokered in the past were natural gas derivatives. We developed OPEX, which is an electronic brokerage platform automating the energy derivatives between counterparties. We launched OPEX in 2006. We have not generated any revenues since the third quarter of 2007. OVERVIEW OF RECENT DEVELOPMENTS Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement with NYMEX Holdings, Inc. On April 10, 2007, we, Mark Nordlicht, our former Chairman of the Board, Kevin Cassidy, our former Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Edward O'Connor, our President, (together with Mr. Nordlicht and Mr. Cassidy, the "Founding Stockholders"), and NYMEX Holdings, Inc. (the "Investor") entered into a definitive stock and warrant purchase agreement (the "Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement"). Pursuant to the terms of the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, Mr. Nordlicht, Mr. Cassidy and Mr. O'Connor sold to the Investor, 7,000,000, 1,905,000 and 1,853,886 shares, respectively, of common stock of the Company. This aggregate of 10,758,886 shares of common stock (the "Purchased Shares") represented 19% of the then outstanding shares of common stock on a fully diluted basis (without giving effect to the Warrant, as defined and discussed below). The purchase price paid by the Investor for the Purchased Shares was $2.69 per share. Additionally, pursuant to the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, we physically issued to the Investor the Warrant, as defined and described below, in consideration of the Investor's agreement (i) to develop with us a marketing plan, which plan will detail proposed expenditures by the Investor and joint activities; (ii) subject to regulatory requirements, to provide space for up to twenty of the our brokers on the Investor's trading floor; and (iii) to host our electronic trading platform, OPEX, in the Investor's data center and provide us with computer and networking hardware, software, bandwidth and ancillary infrastructure and services reasonably necessary to interconnect OPEX with the Investor's clearing system market gateway to trading and clearing services. Additionally, we agreed to exclusively clear all OTC products through the Investor's clearing system for a period of ten years (provided that the Investor continues to offer clearance for a particular product through its clearing system) in consideration for additional fees to be paid by the Investor to us. The warrant issued by us (the "Warrant") permits the Investor to purchase a number of shares of common stock sufficient to increase the Investor's ownership of the Company's common stock to an amount not to exceed 40% of the Company's then outstanding common stock on a fully diluted basis, based on the assumption that the Investor has retained ownership of the Purchased Shares and any shares of common stock previously issued to the Investor upon a partial exercise of the Warrant. The Warrant is exercisable at any time and from time to time prior to October 10, 2008 at an exercise price per share equal to $4.30 (the "Exercise Price"). The Warrant does not contain a cashless exercise feature. The Exercise Price is subject to certain customary adjustments to protect against dilution. In connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement , the Company, the Investor and the Founding Stockholders also entered into an Investor Rights Agreement, also dated April 10, 2007 (the "Investor Rights Agreement"), pursuant to which, for so long as the Investor owns at least 5,379,443 shares of common stock: 1 (a) the Investor is entitled to designate one person (reasonably acceptable to the Company) that we are required to nominate as a member of the our board of directors (the "Investor Director"); (b) each of the Founding Stockholders are required to vote their shares in favor of the election of the Investor's designee as one our directors; (c) the Investor is required to vote its shares in favor of each individual nominated for election as a member of our board of directors by our nominating committee; (d) subject to certain permitted threshold amounts, the consent of the Investor Director (which may not be unreasonably withheld) is required before we may take certain actions, including (1) issuances of shares of a class of stock ranking senior to the common stock, (2) acquisitions of businesses or assets, (3) entry into related party transactions, (4) the declaration or payment of dividends or distributions on or with respect to, or the optionable redemption of, capital stock or the issuance of debt and (5) entry into any business which is not similar, ancillary or related to any of the businesses in which we are currently engaged; (e) each of the Founding Stockholders and the Investor have certain rights of first refusal to purchase or subscribe for their pro rata percentage of shares in certain subsequent sales by us of common stock and/or certain other securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stock; (f) each of the Founding Stockholders and the Investor have certain rights of first refusal with respect to proposed sales of our common stock by the others; and (g) before they may accept any offer by an independent third party to acquire fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power of our common stock, the Founding Stockholders and we are required to provide notice of such offer to the Investor and permit the Investor a period of 10 days to make its own offer. The Investor Rights Agreement additionally requires the Investor to refrain from purchasing any additional shares of our common stock, with certain limited exceptions, until April 10, 2008. The Company and the Investor also entered into a registration rights agreement, dated April 10, 2007 (the "Registration Rights Agreement"), pursuant to which, among other things, we have provided the Investor, subject to standard exceptions, with (a) unlimited "piggyback" rights subject to standard underwriter lock-up and cutback provisions and (b) the right to two demand registrations for underwritten offerings or take downs off of a shelf registration statement, provided that (i) a minimum of $5,000,000 of our common stock is offered in such demand registration or take down and (ii) we will not be obligated to effectuate more than one underwritten offering pursuant to a demand registration by the Investor in any six-month period. In addition, if we are eligible to register our securities on Form S-3 (or any successor form then in effect), the Investor will be entitled to unlimited registrations on Form S-3 (or any successor form then in effect), including shelf registrations, provided that (a) a minimum of $5,000,000 of common stock is offered in the S-3 registration and (b) we will not be obligated to effect more than two S-3 registrations in any twelve month period. An S-3 registration will not count as a demand registration, unless such registration is for an underwritten offering or an underwritten take down off of an existing, effective shelf registration statement. 2 To date, we have not received any demands from the Investor pursuant to such registration rights nor have we included their shares in a registration statement. As a condition to the Investor's obligation to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, Mr. Nordlicht executed an agreement, dated April 10, 2007 (the "Waiver"), waiving any obligation on the part of the Company to make any prepayment of principal, or to begin paying interest upon amounts due to Mr. Nordlicht, under the Loan Agreement between him and the Company, dated March 2004, as a result of any exercise by the Investor of the Warrant. Also as a condition to the Investor's obligation to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, Mr. Cassidy and the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Employment Agreement and Mr. O'Connor entered into a Non-Competition Agreement, dated April 10, 2007, with the Company, pursuant to which Mr. O'Connor agreed not to disclose or use the Company's confidential information and, for a period of nine months following the termination of Mr. O'Connor's employment, not to compete with the Company or solicit certain customers of the Company. Pursuant to our final agreements with the Investor in April 2007, we physically issued to the Investor warrants which will permit the Investor to purchase a number of shares of common stock sufficient to increase its ownership to an amount not to exceed 40% of our then outstanding common stock on a fully diluted basis, based on the assumption that the Investor has retained ownership of the Purchased Shares and any shares of common stock previously issued to the Investor upon a partial exercise of the Warrant. The Warrant will be exercisable from time to time for a period of 18 months from the closing date of the final agreement at an exercise price per share equal to $4.30 (the "Exercise Price"). The Exercise Price will be subject to certain customary adjustments to protect against dilution. The number of warrants issued to NYMEX may increase or decrease from time to time until October 2008, depending on whether we issue additional shares, options, and warrants, repurchase treasury shares, or certain outstanding options and warrants expire or become unexercisable. Because the number of shares will vary from time to time, the fair value of the warrants issued pursuant to our agreement and the related amortization may also vary from time to time, until October 2008. Following the occurrence of the events which are subject of the matters discussed in Item 1 of Part II of this Report "Legal Proceedings," we have not agreed with the Investor on the joint marketing and technology initiatives discussed, above. Additionally, the Investor indicated in a Schedule 13D it filed with the SEC on July 6, 2007, with respect to its holdings of equity securities of the Company, that it was now re-considering its potential joint marketing and technology initiatives with the Company. As a result, the Investor and the Company have not developed the contemplated joint marketing and technology initiatives. The Company is considering the effect of the failure of the Investor to provide the consideration for the Warrant upon the Company's obligations under the Warrant. Resignations and Suspension of Business Relationship with the Company by BMO Financial Group On May 1, 2007, Mark Nordlicht resigned as a member of the Company's Board and Albert Helmig was designated as Chairman of the Board. On May 8, 2007, BMO Financial Group ("BMO") issued a statement indicating that BMO was suspending its business relationships with us, as well as all derivatives trading through us, pending the results of an ongoing external review of certain commodity trading losses incurred by BMO. BMO has accounted for a significant portion of the Company's revenues. Since that time, BMO has not explained its action to the Company and has not resumed its business relationships with us. 3 On May 11, 2007, Albert Helmig was designated as our Executive Chairman of the Board. On May 12, 2007, Mr. Kevin Cassidy resigned as our Chief Executive Officer and as a director. On May 14, 2007, Benjamin Chesir, the Investor Director resigned as one of our directors. The Investor has issued a statement that they do not have current plans to fill the vacancy created by Mr. Chesir's resignation. The statement issued by BMO, the related suspension of their business relationship with us, the matters discussed in [Item 3 of Part I of this Report "Legal Proceedings"] together with the combined succession of events since then have had a significant adverse impact on our business, including current and, likely, future results of operations and financial condition. Consequently, we are formulating a revised strategy. REVISED STRATEGY We launched our electronic trading system, OPEX, in 2006 and we have continued to enhance its features and functionalities during 2007. Users of OPEX can now execute on the platform mostly energy-related derivative trades. A significant portion of the contracts executable on OPEX are those offered by NYMEX, a US exchange. However, we believe that OPEX features and functionalities can be ported to other derivatives as well, such as credit default swaps, interest-related derivatives, metals and other commodities. Additionally, we believe that OPEX, with appropriate enhancements, may be able to execute transactions offered by other exchanges as well. The Company is revising its strategy to: 1) emphasize the marketing of its automated electronic trading platform to end-users through indirect channels, such as through other third-party brokers and other exchanges; 2) develop and enhance its automated trading platform to end-users other than those in the energy derivatives markets; 3) provide software development services to third-party brokers and other exchanges. 4) Considering whether it would be more advantageous to sell its intangible assets, including the technology it has developed. The Company anticipates that revenue-generating agreements under some elements of its revised strategy would take the form of licensing, royalty-based agreements and/or software development and maintenance agreements. We could also enter in an arrangement in which we buy a stake in a brokerage firm, trading firm, or technology company in exchange for our intangible assets. Depending on the terms of such arrangements, we may have to consolidate the operations of such firm or company, even if we hold a minority stake in it. We have not entered into such arrangements to date and there can be no assurance that we will be able to consumate any such agreements. The Company believes that revenues from its traditional brokerage services will be minimal under its existing structure. We have not generated any revenues under our existing structure since the third quarter of 2007. While the Company is not discontinuing its brokerage services, it may need to 1) acquire a stake in the operations of a brokerage firm, or several brokerage firms, and hire their personnel, to expand its current operations, or 2) form a consortium of brokerage companies that would jointly use the electronic platform. 4 GOING CONCERN The Company believes it has enough funds to meet its obligations, based on its internal projections, for at least the next twelve months. However, the Company cannot guarantee that it will do so. If there are unforeseen expenses or financial obligations which occur during that period, the Company may not be able to meet such obligations. Additionally, if the Company acquires a brokerage or trading firm or a technology company which could be instrumental in the Company's long-term growth, this could hamper the Company's ability to continue as going concern, both from a short-term or a long-term perspective, and the Company would have to resort to financing, through either debt or equity placements, for the funding of either such acquisitions or unforeseen expenses or financial obligations. There can be no assurance that any such financing would be available on acceptable terms, or at all. INDUSTRY The markets for energy commodities trading include trading in both physical commodities contracts and derivative instruments -- instruments that derive their value from an underlying energy commodity or index -- across a wide variety of commodities, including crude oil, natural gas, electricity or power, coal, chemicals, weather and emissions. Derivative instruments provide a means to manage exposure to price risk, asset portfolio allocation, speculation or arbitrage. Contracts for physical commodities allow counterparties to contract for the delivery of the underlying physical asset. Energy derivatives Energy derivatives are characterized by its underlying commodity (e.g., natural gas), the term of the contract, and the settlement, which can require physical delivery or financial settlement. The energy derivatives with the most liquidity are those with shorter settlement or expiration dates (less than three months). Derivatives with longer settlement or expiration dates are also larger in dollar volume and are not as liquid, requiring more extensive resources to find potential counterparties. Accordingly, these derivatives tend to generate higher brokerage transaction fees. Energy-based commodities are actively traded. Market Participants Financial institutions, including bank brokerage houses and hedge funds as well as eligible individual traders use energy derivatives market to weigh their risk and rewards in: 1) a balanced portfolio asset allocation without investing in the physical asset, and 2) speculate on the price movement of the commodity prices or the related derivatives. Energy producers, distributors and large consumers will use energy gas derivatives market to manage their exposure to future price movements for certain quantity, time and delivery location, and sometimes, with an expectation that the derivatives would ultimately provide a financial gain. 5 Types of Energy Derivatives Markets There are two types of energy derivative markets -- the futures market and the over-the-counter ("OTC") market. Futures Market Most of the transactions on the energy futures market are made through an exchange, such as New York Mercantile Exchange ("NYMEX") and Intercontinental Exchange ("ICE"). The trading of energy futures is conducted either on an electronic platform or on an open-outcry trading floor. Prices are established publicly either on a screen or on the floor by participants posting bids, or buying indications, and offers, or indications to sell. While the electronic platform provides more transparency to market participants, the open-outcry trading floor provides a better environment for exchange of ideas and solutions. However, it is anticipated that the volume of transactions conducted in an open-outcry trading floor will decrease in the Futures and options are two derivatives available to trade on a futures market. Futures consist of a contract to buy or sell a certain quantity of energy, for example, during a specified month and are settled through either physical delivery or cash settlement. Options consist of a right, but not an obligation, to buy or sell a futures contract at a certain price. OTC Market Over-the-counter, or OTC, is a term used to describe trading activity that does not take place on a regulated exchange. Several derivatives are available for trade on the OTC market, such as forwards and swaps, differentials and spreads and options. Forwards are negotiated agreements between counterparties to deliver a specified quantity of natural gas, on a specified date, and at a specified location. Swaps are contracts between the holders of two different assets with differing risk and performance profiles in which the risk or performance characteristics are exchanged. Swaps may be settled against the future price of a single commodity or against an index of commodity prices. Spreads are the simultaneous purchase and sale of forward contracts for different months, different commodities or different grades of the same commodity. Basis options are contracts that allow counterparties to swap the physical or financial delivery of natural gas commodity between two different delivery points. Options traded on the OTC market, unlike those traded on the futures market, are contracts that convey to the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to require the seller to make or take delivery of a stated quantity of energy at a specified price. Options may also be settled in cash, based on the difference between the market price of, for example, natural gas and the price of the commodity specified in the option. 6 Besides the types of derivatives traded on those markets, there are several inherent differences between them. For example, the futures market is primarily conducted through an open-outcry market, such as NYMEX, which imposes physical limitations on the number of participants who can trade at the same time. Accordingly, membership on such exchanges becomes a commodity of its own and may require significant resources. The types of derivatives traded on the OTC market are not standardized such as those used on the futures market. Therefore, when one counterparty wants to enter into OTC derivatives transactions, the use of a broker or a comprehensive electronic platform facilitates the search for another counterparty. However, there is a significant similarity between these energy derivatives markets in that they lack transparency for the participants, unlike the equity market. Counterparties to a natural gas derivative transaction are unaware of all offers available on either market at any given time under current conditions, unless it is executed on an electronic platform with sufficient liquidity. Trends We believe that several factors will impact the natural gas and other energy derivatives market in the future: o Energy options as asset class: new market participants, such as hedge funds, and institutional investors, such as pension plans, are taking a greater interest in the returns afforded by natural gas derivatives and the asset diversification opportunities it provides. o Lesser credit risk using the OTC market: since 2002, natural gas derivatives feature cleared OTC contracts. Cleared OTC contracts allow participants to limit counterparty credit risk and lower the amount of capital required to trade. o Larger number of new entrants: both factors have increased the number of market participants in the natural gas derivatives market which improves its liquidity. While some recent large entrants, such as Amaranth, have already exited the markets, an even larger amount of new entrants in the last few years have contributed to an increase in volume of energy contracts traded. o Need for higher transparency in the energy derivatives market: the natural gas derivatives market lacks transparency when compared to other markets, such as the equity market. The participants, who are enjoying such transparency in other markets, are requesting the same level of transparency in the energy derivatives market without obtaining it with the currently available solutions offered by brokers or exchanges. 7 Current Solutions to Energy Derivatives Market The current solutions offered to energy derivatives market vary widely. Some brokerage firms offer only services for the futures market or the OTC markets, but not both. This restricts the choice of market participants who combine futures and swaps, for example, in their hedging or investment strategy which are not traded on the same markets. If dealing with brokers who only offer services on one of the markets, the market participants are forced to use more than one broker, which creates further lack of market transparency, inefficiencies in the use of resources as well as ineffectiveness in timely trading. Other brokerage firms offer services on both markets, but most do not have the intent or the resources to address the current lack of transparency and liquidity in the energy derivatives market by using an electronic platform, for example. While exchanges are used primarily for the futures market, they are also used for clearing OTC trades. However, none of the larger exchanges provide sufficient support for derivatives trading on the OTC market, such as options, which reduces the liquidity of such market. Additionally, exchanges do not offer brokerage services which facilitate the search for counterparties. Other Elements of the Energy Derivatives Market The energy derivatives market is also impacted by the following elements: Trading volumes are driven primarily by the degree of volatility in the energy derivatives market. However, if the volatility of the price of natural gas or oil and their related derivatives is too high, some of the market participants will wait that it declines before entering into transactions, which reduces trading volumes. Worldwide geopolitical conditions impact the perceived or real supply or demand of a particular energy commodity. Unexpected weather conditions, such as hurricanes in the Gulf Coast or milder or colder weather in the Northeast United States, impact the perceived or real supply or demand of a particular energy commodity. While hurricanes have recently become more expected, their unpredictable strength and trajectory increase the volatility of energy commodities market. The delivery of energy commodities is generally seasonal. In parallel, the trading volume of the energy derivatives market, which historically has been higher during the winter and the summer, has been recently skewed by the larger number of entrants in the market as well worldwide geopolitical events and unexpected weather conditions. Our Solutions We understand that the participants in the energy derivatives market have various investment needs, some of which may be as simple as trading speculative futures, but most need a comprehensive electronic trading platform which allows them to execute more sophisticated transactions. 8 We believe that OPEX significantly improves the liquidity and transparency of natural gas and other energy derivatives market by increasing number of participants in a market in which they receive real-time market data. Since our launch of OPEX in 2006, an increasing number of OTC derivatives have been traded directly by our clients on such platform. For the month of February 2007, trades executed directly on OPEX by our clients constituted 17% of our volume of OTC cleared contracts. Those solutions can be applied to the trading of other energy derivatives as well. Additionally, the combination of those services provide for larger choice of investment opportunities for participants in the energy derivatives market. Central to OPEX is the trade-matching engine, which is designed to facilitate real-time trading of derivative products irrespective of a particular market. Based on our experience in trading and brokering OTC swaps and options, we devoted significant attention to the user experience and user-interface ergonomics. In designing the system, we were cognizant of the way traders currently execute their trades and how they could comfortably transition to an electronic trading platform. The outcome is a graphical user interface that is both simple and intuitive to use. OPEX's trading platform (for which there are pending patents) was designed with the aid of professional options traders to facilitate strategies that are currently executed on the OTC, commodity and equity exchanges. The user can customize the system to execute various options trading strategies. HOW WE OPERATE We no longer have revenue-generating operations since the third quarter of 2007. Our management, and more specifically our President, is responsible for seeking alternatives which would allow us to maximize our resources, which are our cash and OPEX, while satisfying our financial obligations. While we are trying to monetize the value of OPEX in pursuing strategic arrangements with suitable takers pursuant to our revised strategy, there are no assurances that we will be able to do so at acceptable terms. We have three full-time employees and seven part-time and full-time consultants which work on technical enhancements of OPEX. We keep abreast of conditions in the energy trading market by receiving information using a combination of technology, such as analytics software as well as market data services, relevant business news from different wire services and traditional broadcast. CLIENT CONCENTRATION One of our clients, Bank of Montreal, accounted for 24% of our revenues during 2007 and 2006. During May 2007, this client announced that it was suspending its relationship with the Company and has not used the Company's services in connection with any additional transactions since that time. COMPETITION The energy derivatives market has many competitors involved in the electronic trading of energy options. Capital investment for entry into the market is relatively low. OPEX competes with offerings from ICE and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange' CME. 9 As the emerging market for electronic energy derivatives develops, more competitors are likely to emerge. We believe that the principal competitive factors in our market include: o Access to a large number of users of an electronic trading system; o Client service and support; o service functionality, quality and performance of the electronic trading system; o ease of use, reliability and security of electronic trading system; o establishing a significant sales force; o ability to introduce new products to the market in a timely manner; and o pricing. We currently differentiate from the competition by offering energy derivatives on both the futures market and the OTC market on an electronic system. Our electronic system is designed to offer a more comprehensive approach to trading than the existing electronic platforms offer. However, our competitors have significantly more resources than we do and a larger number of users. EMPLOYEES We currently have 3 full-time employees. We also have a consultant who serves as the Chief Technology Officer, and a consultant who serves as our Chief Financial Officer as well as five other software engineers who are consultants. The number of employees that we intend to hire is dependent on our clients' needs and the infrastructure required to support such needs. We believe that our relationship with our employees and consultants is good considering the circumstances in which we operate. PATENTS, TRADEMARKS AND LICENSES We have four patents pending at this time, most importantly those related to a system and method for real-time trading over a computer network and a system and method for trading selectable market transactions over a network We have registered a trademark for "Optionable" and use OPEX as a service mark. Although we have several patents pending which relate to our electronic trading system, we do not solely depend on those patents to protect our intellectual property. Furthermore, the benefit that would be afforded by those patents has not been relied upon in our business plan, although we do feel that the patents would benefit our position in the marketplace. We have taken various steps to protect our intellectual property including non-disclosure agreements, confidentiality agreements and other general precautions taken to keep the information confidential. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT We incurred approximately $1.1 million and $474,000 in expenses on research and development during 2007 and 2006. Most of the key members of our research and development team have been working on OPEX since 2004. 10 GOVERNMENT REGULATION We have given notice to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") of our intention to operate the OPEX electronic trading platform as an Exempt Commercial Market ("ECM"). ECM are subject to certain information access rules established by the CFTC. ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS This investment has a high degree of risk. Before you invest you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described below and the other information in this report. Each of the following risks may materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition. These risks may cause the market price of our common stock to decline, which may cause you to lose all or a part of the money you paid to buy our common stock RISKS RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE AS A GOING CONCERN The Company believes it has enough funds to meet its obligations, based on its internal projections, for at least the next twelve months. However, the Company cannot guarantee that it will do so. If there are unforeseen expenses or financial obligations which occur during that period, the Company may not be able to meet such obligations. Additionally, if the Company acquires a brokerage or trading firm or a technology company which could be instrumental in the Company's long-term growth, this could hamper the Company's ability to continue as going concern, both from a short-term or a long-term perspective, and the Company would have to resort to financing, through either debt or equity placements, for the funding of either such acquisitions or unforeseen expenses or financial obligations. There can be no assurance that any such financing would be available on acceptable terms, or at all. AS A RESULT OF THE APPARENT LOSS OF OUR MOST SIGNIFICANT CUSTOMER, A DECLINE IN BUSINESS FROM OTHER BROKERAGE CUSTOMERS AND THE MUTUALLY AGREED DEPARTURES OF FLOOR BROKERAGE PERSONNEL, WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO REVISE OUR STRATEGY. THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THESE EFFORTS WILL BE SUCCESSFUL. Several recent developments, including (i) the loss of our most significant customer, Bank of Montreal, (ii) a decline in business from other brokerage customers, and (iii) the mutually agreed departures of our floor brokerage personnel, among other things, have adversely affected our ability to operate as a brokerage services provider through traditional voice-brokerage and on the floor of the NYMEX Holdings, Inc ("NYMEX"). In response, we are attempting to revise our strategy to emphasize the marketing of OPEX to end-users through indirect channels, such as through third-party brokers and other exchanges, and the development and enhancement of OPEX for use by end-users in additional markets (i.e., other then solely the energy derivatives markets). With our reduced brokerage personnel, we will most likely need to acquire the operations of a brokerage firm, or firms, if we are to expand our current level of brokerage operations. Historically, we engaged primarily in voice-brokerage and had only recently introduced our OPEX platform. Although the initial results of OPEX were promising, it had not yet reached full market acceptance in the energy derivatives market. Our revised strategy will rely on continued and expanded market acceptance of OPEX in the energy derivatives market and in additional markets. There is no assurance that we will be able to effectively market OPEX to end-users through indirect channels. There is also no assurance that we will be able to develop the enhancements to OPEX necessary to make it suitable for use by end-users in additional markets or, even if we do develop the necessary enhancements, that end-users in those additional markets will accept OPEX. There is no assurance that we will be able to identify potential acquisitions, negotiate acquisitions on terms acceptable to us, or at all, or obtain the necessary financing for any potential acquisitions that we may identify. If we do make acquisitions or enter into joint ventures as part of our revised strategy, such transactions will involve significant risks and challenges, including risks that we may experience difficulty in the integration of the new businesses, technologies and employees with our own, that the new businesses may divert management's attention from other pressing matters and that we may not realize a satisfactory return on any investment we may make in them. 11 OUR REVISED STRATEGY IS STILL IN THE EARLY STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT AND THERE IS NO ASSURANCE THAT IT WILL BE SUCCESSFUL. Our pricing model for OPEX services, under our revised strategy, is unproven and revenues may prove to be less than anticipated, which may harm our gross margins. The pricing model of our OPEX services will most likely change under our revised strategy and may be lower than expected as a result of competitive pricing pressures, promotional programs and clients who negotiate price reductions in exchange for longer term purchase commitments, negotiated licensing or royalty-based agreements, or otherwise. Our actual pricing model for OPEX under our revised strategy will depend on the specific requirements of the end-user or the third-party which will market OPEX, customer purchase volumes, contracted sales and service support and other contractual agreements. We expect to experience pricing pressure and anticipate that the average selling prices and gross margins for our products may decrease over product life cycles. OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH NYMEX HAS BEEN ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AND WE MAY NOT REALIZE THAT WE EXPECTED FROM THE STOCK AND WARRANT PURCHASE AGREEMENT. Our relationship with NYMEX has been adversely affected by recent developments and we may not realize the benefits that we had expected from the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement. In addition, the incentive revenues that we receive from the Investor may decline. We had expected to derive substantial benefits from the consideration which NYMEX agreed to provide to us under the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated April 10, 2007 (the "April 2007 Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement"), including the development of joint marketing plans and technology initiatives and space for our brokers on NYMEX's trading floor. Following the occurrence of certain of the events discussed above and discussed in Part I, Item 3 "Legal Proceedings" of this Report, we have not agreed with the Investor on the joint marketing and technology initiatives provided for in the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement. Additionally, NYMEX has indicated in a Schedule 13D it filed with the SEC on July 6, 2007, with respect to its holdings of our equity securities that it is now re-considering its potential joint marketing and technology initiatives with us. As a result, the contemplated joint marketing and technology initiatives have not been developed. If the Investor cannot agree with us on joint marketing and technology initiatives with us, we will not realize the benefits that we had expected to obtain under the April 2007 Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement which would have a materially adverse effect on our business. In addition, we receive significant incentive revenues from NYMEX. If the deterioration in our relationship with NYMEX were to lead to its refusal to continue those incentives, it would have a materially adverse effect on our business. UNDER THE INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT, THE CONSENT OF A DIRECTOR DESIGNATED BY THE INVESTOR MAY BE REQUIRED BEFORE WE MAY TAKE CERTAIN ACTIONS, INCLUDING ACQUISITIONS OF BUSINESSES OR ASSETS. THE FAILURE OF THE INVESTOR DESIGNEE TO CONSENT TO CERTAIN ACTIONS COULD AFFECT OUR ABILITY TO DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT OUR REVISED STRATEGY. Under the Investor Rights Agreement dated April 10, 2007 with NYMEX (the Investor Rights Agreement"), the consent of a director designated by NYMEX may be required before we may take certain actions, including acquisitions of businesses or assets. Although the Investor's designee on our Board of Directors has resigned and NYMEX has stated that it has no current plans to fill the vacancy created by the resignation, if NYMEX were to elect to designate a director pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement, the failure of that designee to consent to certain actions, such as a proposed acquisition of a brokerage firm among others, could adversely impact our ability to develop and implement our revised strategy. 12 A NUMBER OF OUR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND KEY EMPLOYEES HAVE RECENTLY DEPARTED. OUR SUCCESS IN THE FUTURE WILL BE DEPENDENT UPON OUR ABILITY TO ATTRACT AND RETAIN SKILLED REPLACEMENTS. Mark Nordlicht, our former Chairman of the Board, Kevin Cassidy, our former Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Albert Helmig, our former Executive Chairman of the Board, and our brokerage personnel have recently departed. We have not yet replaced the personnel who have resigned. Certain of the departed employees, including and particularly Kevin Cassidy, have accounted, in the past, for a significant amount of our revenues. If we are unable to find suitable replacements for the departed employees our business will be materially adversely affected. Our performance and future operating results are substantially dependent on the continued service and performance of Edward O'Connor. To the extent that the services of Mr. O'Connor become unavailable, our business and prospects would be adversely affected. Should we be required to do so, we do not know whether we would be able to employ equally qualified persons to replace any of these persons. Moreover, we do not currently maintain "key man" insurance on any of our executive officers or other key employees and do not intend to obtain this type of insurance in the near future. Additionally, we do not have written agreements with most of our staff and, other than traditional compensation packages and stock options we contemplate granting to our staff, we do not have other means to ensure the retention of their services. If we are successful in implementing and developing our revised strategy, we may require additional managerial, administrative and support personnel. Competition for highly qualified personnel is intense, and we can make no assurances that we can retain our key employees or that we will be able to attract or retain qualified personnel in the future. To the extent we have fewer financial resources available to us than our competitors we may not be able to attract and retain a sufficient number of qualified personnel. The loss of the services of any of our management or other key employees and our inability to attract and retain other necessary personnel could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, operating results, and cash flows. WE ARE THE SUBJECT OF SEVERAL LEGAL PROCEEDINGS BROUGHT BY SHAREHOLDERS ALLEGING VIOLATIONS OF FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS BY US AND CERTAIN OF OUR FORMER AND CURRENT DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. WE ARE UNABLE TO PREDICT THE OUTCOME OF THESE PROCEEDINGS AND CAN GIVE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE OUTCOME OF THESE PROCEEDINGS WILL NOT HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON US OR THAT OTHER PROCEEDINGS WILL NOT BE INITIATED. Since May 2007, we have been served as a defendant in a number of actions by shareholders naming us and several of our current and former officers and directors as defendants. These actions allege, among other things, violations of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the Securities Act of 1933 and Rule 10b-5, relating to alleged misstatements and omissions in public filings by the Company and other allegedly fraudulent conduct, which the plaintiffs claim deceived the market, inflated the price of the Company's common stock and caused plaintiffs to suffer unspecified damages. We are unable to predict the outcome of any of these proceedings at this time and can give no assurance that the outcome of these proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on us or that there will not be other proceedings arising from these matters. THE MEMBERS OF OUR MANAGEMENT TEAM AND OTHER EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN AND WILL BE REQUIRED TO DEVOTE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME TO MATTERS RELATING TO LITIGATION AND RESPONDING TO GOVERNMENTAL INQUIRIES. Our management team and employees have devoted a significant amount of time to matters relating to the shareholder litigation which was recently instituted against us and to requests for documents and information received from the CFTC, the SEC, the DOJ and the District Attorney's Office. In addition, our senior management are named as defendants in most of the shareholder proceedings which allege, among other things, federal securities law violations. Defending these actions and responding to the government requests for documents and information has required, and will continue to require, significant time and attention from members of our current senior management team and our Board of Directors. If the amount of time that our senior management team is able to devote to running our ongoing business operations and developing and implementing our revised strategy is significantly reduced as a result of these matters, it may have a material adverse effect on our business. 13 WE HAVE INCURRED LOSSES IN THE PAST AND WE MAY INCUR LOSSES IN THE FUTURE, WHICH MAY CAUSE US TO CURTAIL OUR OPERATIONS AND OUR DEVELOPMENT OF OPEX. We incurred losses through fiscal 2004 and incurred losses again since the second quarter of fiscal 2007. We may operate at a loss in the future and we cannot assure you that we will be successful in maintaining positive cash flow and profitable operations. Accordingly, our ability to operate under our revised strategy and enhance and market OPEX may be hampered by negative cash flows and liquidity problems in the future, and the value of our stock may decline as a result. For example, in the past, we suspended the development and implementation of OPEX for a year, in part because of our negative cash flow. WE CANNOT BE CERTAIN THAT WE WILL BE ABLE TO PROTECT OUR PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY, WHICH WE RELY ON TO MAINTAIN OUR COMPETITIVE POSITION. We rely on our proprietary information and intellectual property to maintain our competitive position. We may not be able to protect a significant portion of our proprietary information, such as our client lists, since we do not have confidentiality agreements with some of our employees. Accordingly, we may not be able to effectively prevent disclosure of our proprietary information and we may not have an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized disclosure of such information. We cannot assure you that measures we take to protect our proprietary information and intellectual property will be successful or that third parties will not develop alternative solutions that do not infringe upon our intellectual property. We also have patent applications pending, which are intended to protect certain of our proprietary technology relating to our planned OPEX business. We have been cautious in seeking to obtain patent protection for our products, since patents often provide only narrow protection that may not prevent competitors from developing products that function in a manner similar to those covered by our patents. In addition, some of the foreign countries in which we plan to sell our OPEX system do not provide the same level of protection to intellectual property as the laws of the United States. POTENTIAL LIABILITY FOR INFRINGEMENT CLAIMS MIGHT DETER CLIENTS FROM USING OUR OPEX SYSTEM. We could be subject to intellectual property infringement claims by others. Potential clients may be deterred from using our OPEX system for fear of infringement claims. If, as a result, potential clients forego using our OPEX system, demand for our services and applications could be reduced which would harm our business. Claims against us, and any resulting litigation, should it occur in regard to any of our services and applications, could subject us to significant liability for damages including treble damages for willful infringement. In addition, even if we prevail, litigation could be time-consuming and expensive to defend and could result in the diversion of our time and attention. Any claims from third parties may also result in limitations on our ability to use the intellectual property subject to these claims. Claims that we are infringing the intellectual property rights of third parties could have a negative effect on our business, revenues, financial condition and results of operations. WE MAY RELY ON STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPS TO PROMOTE OUR OPEX SYSTEM AND FOR ACCESS TO LICENSED TECHNOLOGY; IF WE FAIL TO DEVELOP, MAINTAIN OR ENHANCE THESE RELATIONSHIPS, OUR ABILITY TO SERVE OUR CLIENTS AND DEVELOP NEW FEATURES AND FUNCTIONALITIES COULD BE HARMED. Due to the evolving nature of our industry, we may need to develop relationships to adapt to changing technologies and standards and to work with newly emerging companies with whom we do not have pre-existing relationships. For example, it may be important to our clients that OPEX integrates seamlessly with the technology used by certain exchanges. While we did have a technology-sharing relationship with NYMEX, we do not believe that it will become fruitful under the current circumstances. We do not have one with other exchanges to ensure such seamless meshing of our respective technologies as they now exist or as they may be enhanced in the future. We cannot be certain that we will be successful in maintaining or developing new relationships, technological or otherwise, or that such relationships will view them as significant to their own business or that they will continue their commitment to us in the future. If we are unable to maintain or enhance these relationships, we may have difficulty strengthening our technology development and increasing the adoption of our OPEX system. 14 IF WE FAIL TO ENHANCE OUR OPEX SYSTEM BY INTRODUCING NEW FEATURES AND FUNCTIONALITIES IN A TIMELY MANNER TO MEET CHANGING CLIENT REQUIREMENTS AND EMERGING INDUSTRY TRENDS OR STANDARDS, OUR ABILITY TO GROW OUR BUSINESS WILL SUFFER. The market for electronic trading systems is characterized by rapidly changing technologies and short product life cycles. These market characteristics are heightened by the emerging nature of the Internet and the continuing trend of companies from many industries to offer Internet-based applications and services. The widespread adoption of the Internet, networking, electronic option trading, or telecommunications technologies or other technological changes could require us to incur substantial expenditures to modify or adapt our operating practices or infrastructure. Our future success will depend in large part upon our ability to: o identify and respond to emerging technological trends in the market; o enhance our products by adding innovative features that differentiate services and applications from those of our competitors; o acquire and license leading technologies; o bring new services and applications to market and scale our business on a timely basis at competitive prices; and o respond effectively to new technological changes or new product announcements by others. We will not be competitive unless we introduce new features and functionalities to our OPEX system that meet evolving industry standards and client needs. In the future, we may not be able to address effectively the compatibility and interoperability issues that arise as a result of technological changes and evolving industry standards. The technical innovations required for us to remain competitive are inherently complex, require long development schedules and are dependent in some cases on sole source suppliers. We will be required to continue to invest in research and development in order to attempt to maintain and enhance our existing technologies and products, but we may not have the funds available to do so. Even if we have sufficient funds, these investments may not serve the needs of clients or be compatible with changing technological requirements or standards. Most development expenses must be incurred before the technical feasibility or commercial viability of new or enhanced services and applications can be ascertained. Revenue from future services and applications or enhancements to services and applications may not be sufficient to recover the associated development costs. THE TECHNOLOGY UNDERLYING OUR OPEX SYSTEM IS COMPLEX AND MAY CONTAIN UNKNOWN DEFECTS THAT COULD HARM OUR REPUTATION, RESULT IN PRODUCT LIABILITY OR DECREASE MARKET ACCEPTANCE OF OUR SERVICES AND APPLICATIONS. The technologies underlying financial services and applications are complex and include software that is internally developed. Software products using these technologies may contain errors or defects, particularly when first introduced or when new versions or enhancements are released. We may not discover software defects that affect our current or new services and applications or enhancements until after they are sold. Furthermore, because our services and applications are designed to work in conjunction with various platforms and applications, we are susceptible to errors or defects in third-party applications that can result in a lower quality product for our clients. Because our clients depend on us for digital media management, any interruptions could: 15 o damage our reputation; o cause our clients to initiate product liability suits against us; o increase our product development resources; o cause us to lose revenues; and o delay market acceptance of our products. WE RELY HEAVILY ON THE SERVICES OF OUR OVERSEAS TECHNICAL STAFF AND CONSULTANTS WHICH MAY DELAY OR JEOPARDIZE THE DEVELOPMENT AND ENHANCEMENT OF OPEX We rely heavily on the services of our technical staff and consultants. Our technical employees are not presently employed on a full time basis. With the exception of our chief technology officer and our quality assurance team , all our technical staff, including our software engineers is located overseas. If we are unable to maintain our relationship with these individuals and if we have to replace them with individuals with similar capabilities, this could delay or jeopardize the development and the enhancement of OPEX. WE FACE INTENSE AND INCREASING COMPETITION IN THE ELECTRONIC ENERGY DERIVATIVES MARKET. IF WE DO NOT COMPETE EFFECTIVELY OR IF WE EXPERIENCE REDUCED MARKET SHARE FROM INCREASED COMPETITION, OUR BUSINESS WILL BE HARMED. There are several other well-financed companies who do or may compete with OPEX. Some of the features of OPEX compete with some of ICE's offerings and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange's CME. Substantially all of our competitors have more capital, longer operating histories, greater brand recognition, larger client bases and significantly greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. These competitors may also engage in more extensive development of their technologies, adopt more aggressive pricing policies and establish more comprehensive marketing and advertising campaigns than we can. Our competitors may develop products and service offerings that we do not offer or that are more sophisticated or more cost effective than our own. For these and other reasons, our competitors' products and services may achieve greater acceptance in the marketplace than our own, limiting our ability to gain market share and client loyalty and to generate sufficient revenues to achieve a profitable level of operations. Our failure to adequately address any of the above factors could harm our business and operating results. WE RELY HEAVILY ON ENERGY DERIVATIVES. While our plan is to leverage success of energy options and expand into other markets while maintaining our status as an "exempt commercial market", the success of this plan is subject to market forces outside of our control. At present, substantially all of our contracts available on OPEX are enrgy-related. If there should be a significant slowdown in the energy derivatives market, it would have a significant negative impact on us. WE COULD BECOME SUBJECT TO INCREASED GOVERNMENTAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL REGULATION. OPEX qualifies as an "exempt commercial market" under the rules of the CFTC. Although an ECM may be required to provide certain trade volume and pricing information to the CFTC, an ECM is not required to register with the CFTC. However, if we were to no longer qualify for the exemption from registration, either because of changes in law or the scope of our business, our businesses would become subject to extensive regulation at both the federal and state levels. In addition, self-regulatory organizations, such as NYMEX and the National Futures Association, require compliance with their extensive rules and regulations. Among other things, these regulatory authorities impose restrictions on sales methods, trading practices, use and safekeeping of client funds and securities, record keeping and the conduct of principals and employees. The extensive regulatory framework applicable to the commodities brokerage industry, the purpose of which is to protect clients and the integrity of the commodities markets, would impose significant compliance burdens and attendant costs on us. The regulatory bodies that administer these rules do not attempt to protect the interests of our stockholders as such, but rather the public and markets generally. Failure to comply with any of the laws, rules or regulations of any independent, state or federal regulatory authority to which we become subject could result in a fine, injunction, suspension or expulsion from the industry, which could materially and adversely impact us. Furthermore, amendments to existing state or federal statutes, rules and regulations or the adoption of new statutes, rules and regulations could require us to alter our methods of operation at costs which could be substantial. 16 OUR MAJORITY STOCKHOLDERS WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE STOCKHOLDER ACTIONS WITHOUT GIVING PRIOR NOTICE TO ANY OF YOU. YOU MAY, THEREFORE, BE UNABLE TO TAKE PREEMPTIVE MEASURES THAT YOU BELIEVE ARE NECESSARY TO PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT IN THE COMPANY. The majority stockholders are able to take stockholder actions in conformance with Section 228 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and our Certificate of Incorporation, which permits them to take any action which is required to, or may, be taken at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders, without prior notice and without a vote of our stockholders. Instead of a vote, stockholder actions can be authorized by the written consents to such actions, signed by the holders of the number of shares which would have been required to be voted in favor of such action at a duly called stockholders meeting. We would not be required to give prior notice to all stockholders of actions taken pursuant to the written consents of the majority stockholders and our obligations are limited to giving notice at least 20 calendar days prior to the earliest date on which the corporate action so authorized may be taken. IF WE FAIL TO REMAIN CURRENT IN OUR REPORTING REQUIREMENTS, WE COULD BE REMOVED FROM THE OTC BULLETIN BOARD WHICH WOULD LIMIT THE ABILITY OF BROKER-DEALERS TO SELL OUR SECURITIES AND THE ABILITY OF STOCKHOLDERS TO SELL THEIR SECURITIES IN THE SECONDARY MARKET. Companies trading on the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board, such as we are seeking to become, must be reporting issuers under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and must be current in their reports under Section 13, in order to maintain price quotation privileges on the OTC Bulletin Board. If we fail to remain current on our reporting requirements, we could be removed from the OTC Bulletin Board. As a result, the market liquidity for our securities could be severely adversely affected by limiting the ability of broker-dealers to sell our securities and the ability of stockholders to sell their securities in the secondary market. In addition, we may be unable to get re-listed on the OTC Bulletin Board, which may have an adverse material effect on our Company. OUR COMMON STOCK IS SUBJECT TO THE "PENNY STOCK" RULES OF THE SEC AND THE TRADING MARKET IN OUR SECURITIES IS LIMITED, WHICH MAKES TRANSACTIONS IN OUR STOCK CUMBERSOME AND MAY REDUCE THE VALUE OF AN INVESTMENT IN OUR STOCK. The Securities and Exchange Commission has adopted Rule 15g-9 which establishes the definition of a "penny stock," for the purposes relevant to us, as any equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share or with an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. For any transaction involving a penny stock, unless exempt, the rules require: o that a broker or dealer approve a person's account for transactions in penny stocks; and o the broker or dealer receive from the investor a written agreement to the transaction, setting forth the identity and quantity of the penny stock to be purchased. 17 In order to approve a person's account for transactions in penny stocks, the broker or dealer must: o obtain financial information and investment experience objectives of the person; and o make a reasonable determination that the transactions in penny stocks are suitable for that person and the person has sufficient knowledge and experience in financial matters to be capable of evaluating the risks of transactions in penny stocks. The broker or dealer must also deliver, prior to any transaction in a penny stock, a disclosure schedule prescribed by the Commission relating to the penny stock market, which, in highlight form: o sets forth the basis on which the broker or dealer made the suitability determination; and o that the broker or dealer received a signed, written agreement from the investor prior to the transaction. Generally, brokers may be less willing to execute transactions in securities subject to the "penny stock" rules. This may make it more difficult for investors to dispose of our common stock and cause a decline in the market value of our stock. Disclosure also has to be made about the risks of investing in penny stocks in both public offerings and in secondary trading and about the commissions payable to both the broker-dealer and the registered representative, current quotations for the securities and the rights and remedies available to an investor in cases of fraud in penny stock transactions. Finally, monthly statements have to be sent disclosing recent price information for the penny stock held in the account and information on the limited market in penny stocks. THE EXERCISE OF OUTSTANDING OPTIONS AND WARRANTS MAY HAVE A DILUTIVE EFFECT ON THE PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK. To the extent that outstanding stock options and warrants are exercised, dilution to our stockholders will occur. Moreover, the terms upon which we will be able to obtain additional equity capital may be adversely affected, since the holders of the outstanding options and warrants can be expected to exercise them at a time when we would, in all likelihood, be able to obtain any needed capital on terms more favorable to us than the exercise terms provided by the outstanding options and warrants. ITEM 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY Our headquarters are located in Valhalla, New York since January 2007. The offices consist of approximately 5,500 square feet. We moved from a smaller office located in Briarcliff Manor, NY. Our new 10-year lease provides for payments of a monthly base rent of $9,953, increasing gradually to up to $11,684. The first 6 months of occupancy are free. We believe our space is adequate for our current and foreseeable future operations. We may seek another smaller property commensurate with the current size of our operations. 18 ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS On May 11, 2007, two lawsuits, captioned Alexander Fleiss v. Optionable Inc., Mark Nordlicht, Kevin Cassidy, Edward J. O'Connor, Albert Helmig and Marc-Andre Boisseau, 07 CV 3753 (LAK) ("Fleiss") and Robert Rastocky v. Optionable, Inc., Kevin Cassidy and Edward O'Connor, 07 CV 3755 (CLB), were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Subsequently, five additional lawsuits were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York as follows: one on May 16, 2007, Jagdish Patel v. Optionable Inc., Kevin Cassidy, and Edward J. O'Connor, 07 CV 3845 (LAK) ("Patel"); two on May 17, 2007, Peters v. Optionable, Inc., Mark Nordlicht, Kevin P. Cassidy, Edward J. O'Connor, Albert Helmig, and Marc-Andre Boisseau, 07 CV 3877 (LAK) ("Peters"); and Manowitz v. Optionable Inc., Kevin Cassidy, Edward J. O'Conner, and Mark Nordlicht, 07 CV 3884 (UA) ("Manowitz"); one on May 24, 2007, Glaubach v. Optionable Inc., Kevin Cassidy, Mark Nordlicht, Edward J. O'Connor, Albert Helmig, and Marc-Andre Boisseau; 07 CV 4085 (LAK) ("Glaubach"); and one on June 22, 2007, Bock v. Optionable Inc., Kevin Cassidy, Mark Nordlicht, Edward J. O'Connor, Albert Helmig, and Marc-Andre Boisseau, 07 CV 5948 (LAK) ("Bock"). Each of the lawsuits names the Company as a defendant and some of the lawsuits name as defendants all or certain of the directors and officers of the Company during the time period referenced. The directors and officers of the Company named as defendants include Mark Nordlicht, the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company; Kevin Cassidy, the former Chief Executive Officer and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company; Edward J. O'Connor, the President of the Company and member of the Board of Directors; Albert Helmig, a member of the Board of Directors during the relevant time period; and Marc-Andre Boisseau, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. By Order dated May 24, 2007, Rastocky was voluntarily dismissed. 19 By Orders dated June 20, 2007 and July 3, 2007, Fleiss, Patel, Peters, Manowitz and Glaubach were consolidated under In re Optionable Securities Litigation, 07 CV 3753 (LAK). . By Order November 20, 2007, Judge Kaplan granted the motion of KLD Investment Management, LLC to serve as Lead Plaintiff and approved its choice of counsel, Kahn Gauthier Swick, LLC. On January 17, 2008, Lead Plaintiff filed a Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint ("Complaint.") The Complaint seeks unspecified damages arising from alleged violations of the federal securities laws, including the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. ss. 78a et seq., (the "Exchange Act"), and Rule 10b-5 under the Exchange Act, 17 C.F.R. ss. 240.10b-5. The Complaint alleges, among other things, that during the class period of January 22, 2007 to May 14, 2007, defendants failed to disclose certain information in public filings and statements, made materially false and misleading statements and misrepresentations in public filings and statements, sold artificially inflated stock and engaged in improper deals, had an improper relationship with and "schemed" with its customer Bank of Montreal ("BMO"), and understated the Company's reliance on its relationship with BMO. The Complaint alleges that while the Company's stock was trading at artificially inflated prices, certain defendants sold shares of common stock of the Company. On February 15, 19, and 20, the Company and individual defendants Nordlicht, Cassidy, Helmig, O'Connor and Boisseau filed motions to dismiss the Complaint. Plaintiffs have 45 days to respond to Defendants' motions. The actual costs that will be incurred in connection with this action cannot be quantified at this time and will depend upon many unknown factors. While the Company intends to vigorously defend these matters, there exists the possibility of adverse outcomes that the Company cannot determine. These matters are subject to inherent uncertainties and management's view of these matters may change in the future. Other Matters Since May 2007, the Company has received requests for documents and information from the CFTC, the SEC and the DOJ and the District Attorney's Office. Since that time, the Company has complied, and continues to comply, with these several requests for documents and information. 20 ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS No matter was submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year covered by this report. PART II ITEM 5. MARKET FOR COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS. Our common stock is quoted on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board operated by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Our shares are listed under the symbol "OPBL." The following table sets forth, for the fiscal quarters indicated, the high and low closing prices per share of our common stock as reported on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board. The quotations reflect inter dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commissions and may not represent actual transactions. Fiscal 2007 Fiscal 2006 Fiscal 2005 ------------- --------- ------------ -------- --------- ------- Quarter Ended High Low High (2) Low (2) High (2) Low (2) - --------------- ------------- --------- ------------ -------- --------- ------- March 31 $ 6.15 $ 5.85 $1.50 $.90 n/a n/a June 30 $ .45 $ .40 $0.90 $0.50 n/a n/a September 30 $ .16 $ .13 $0.75 $0.50 $1.25 $1.00 December 31 $ .09 $ .06 $2.84 $0.50 $1.49 $0.85 At March 24, 2008, the closing price for our common stock was $0.055 At March 24, 2008, there were 52,428,203 shares of our common stock issued and 52,423,403 shares of our common stock outstanding. There are approximately 15 stockholders of record at March 24, 2008. The transfer agent of our common stock is Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company , whose address is 17 Battery Place, New York, NY 10004. The phone number of the transfer agent is (212) 509-4000. DIVIDENDS We have not declared any dividends to date. We have no present intention of paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future, as we intend to use our assets, if any, to generate growth. The payment by us of dividends, if any, in the future, rests within the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend, among other things, upon our earnings, our capital requirements and our financial condition, as well as other relevant factors. There are no restrictions in our articles of incorporation or bylaws that restrict us from declaring dividends SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION The following table shows information with respect to each equity compensation plan under which our common stock is authorized for issuance at December 31, 2007: 21
- ------------------------------------ ------------------------ ----------------------- --------------------------- Plan category Number of securities Weighted average Number of securities to be issued upon exercise price of remaining available for exercise of outstanding options, future issuance under outstanding options, warrants and rights equity compensation plans warrants and rights (excluding securities reflected in column (a) - ------------------------------------ ------------------------ ----------------------- --------------------------- (a) (b) (c) - ------------------------------------ ------------------------ ----------------------- --------------------------- Equity compensation plans approved by security holders 1,363,000 $0.36 5,964,000 - ------------------------------------ ------------------------ ----------------------- --------------------------- - ------------------------------------ ------------------------ ----------------------- --------------------------- Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders 800,000 $0.95 0 - ------------------------------------ ------------------------ ----------------------- --------------------------- - ------------------------------------ ------------------------ ----------------------- --------------------------- Total 2,163,000 $0.58 5,964,,000 - ------------------------------------ ------------------------ ----------------------- ---------------------------
2004 STOCK OPTION PLAN We adopted our 2004 Stock Option Plan in November 2004. The plan provides for the grant of options intended to qualify as "incentive stock options" and options that are not intended to so qualify or "nonstatutory stock options." The total number of shares of common stock reserved for issuance under the plan is 7,500,000, subject to adjustment in the event of a stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization or similar capital change. The plan is presently administered by our board of directors, which selects the eligible persons to whom options shall be granted, determines the number of common shares subject to each option, the exercise price therefor and the periods during which options are exercisable, interprets the provisions of the plan and, subject to certain limitations, may amend the plan. Each option granted under the plan is evidenced by a written agreement between us and the optionee. Options may be granted to our employees (including officers) and directors and certain of our consultants and advisors. The exercise price for incentive stock options granted under the plan may not be less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date the option is granted, except for options granted to 10% stockholders which must have an exercise price of not less than 110% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date the option is granted. The exercise price for nonstatutory stock options is determined by the board of directors. Incentive stock options granted under the plan have a maximum term of ten years, except for 10% stockholders who are subject to a maximum term of five years. The term of nonstatutory stock options is determined by the board of directors. Options granted under the plan are not transferable, except by will and the laws of descent and distribution. RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES We issued the following equity securities during 2007 that were not registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). During March 2007, we issued 30,689 shares of our common stock to Kevin Cassidy, our Chief Executive Officer. The shares were valued at $181,987 based on the traded quoted price of our common stock at the date of issuance. During March 2007, we issued 900,000 warrants to three individuals with an exercise price of $5 per share and expiring in March 2012, of which 300,000 are exercisable immediately and 600,000 become exercisable in March 2008 if the continued operations of HQ Trading generate revenues exceeding $1.2 million for the 12-month period following the final agreement. Such warrants were cancelled in July 2007. 22 During April 2007, we issued 200,000 shares of our common stock, pursuant to the exercise of options, to two individuals, one of whom is our Executive Chairman, Albert Helmig. During May 2007, we issued 55,000 options to our former Chief Executive Officer, Kevin Cassidy, pursuant to his employment agreement. The exercise price of such options is $4.63. The options expire in May 2017. During May 2007, we issued warrants permitting the Investor to purchase a number of shares of common stock sufficient to increase the Investor's ownership of the Company's common stock to an amount not to exceed 40% of the Company's then outstanding common stock on a fully diluted basis, based on the assumption that the Investor has retained ownership of the Purchased Shares and any shares of common stock previously issued to the Investor upon a partial exercise of the Warrant. The Warrant is exercisable at any time and from time to time prior to October 10, 2008 at an exercise price per share equal to $4.30 (the "Exercise Price"). The Warrant does not contain a cashless exercise feature. The Exercise Price is subject to certain customary adjustments to protect against dilution. During November 2007, we issued 250,000 options to each of our two new directors. 50,000 options of each of such grant vested upon the grant and the remainder will vest at a rate of 50,000 options on each six month anniversary of the grant through November 26, 2009. The options expire on the five year anniversary of the grant. The exercise price of such options is $0.0918 per share. During December 2007, we issued an aggregate of 230,000 options to a consultant and an employee. The options expire on the five year anniversary of the grant.. All of the aforementioned securities were issued pursuant to the exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA N/A 23 ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATION. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - 2007 COMPARED 2006 Results of Operations (Unaudited)
For the year ended Increase/ Increase/ December 31, (Decrease) (Decrease) ------------------------------- in $ 2007 in % 2007 2007 2006 vs 2006 vs 2006 -------------- ------------- -------------- ----------- Brokerage fees $ 8,786,850 $ 8,987,727 $ (200,877) -2.2% Brokerage fees-related parties 1,148,885 3,994,131 (2,845,246) -71.2% Incentives 3,285,058 3,087,653 197,405 6.4% -------------- ------------- -------------- ----------- Net revenues 13,220,793 16,069,511 (2,848,718) -17.7% Cost of revenues 7,798,438 5,312,269 2,486,169 46.8% Cost of revenues-related parties 30,013 909,291 (879,278) -96.7% -------------- ------------- -------------- ----------- 7,828,451 6,221,560 1,606,891 25.8% Gross profit 5,392,342 9,847,951 (4,455,609) -45.2% Operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative 8,624,175 1,030,979 7,593,196 736.5% Impairment-considerable receivable from stockholder 145,771,878 - 145,771,878 NM Impairment-intangible asset 1,085,610 - 1,085,610 NM Research and development 1,094,188 473,645 620,543 131.0% -------------- ------------- -------------- ----------- Total operating expenses 156,575,851 1,504,624 155,071,227 NM Operating income (151,183,509) 8,343,327 (159,526,836) NM Other income (expense): Interest income 388,757 102,040 286,717 NM Other income - NM Other expense (15,250) - (15,250) NM Deferred taxes - Interest expense-related parties (340,707) (780,137) (439,430) -56.3% -------------- ------------- -------------- ----------- 32,800 (678,097) (710,897) NM Net income before income tax (151,150,709) 7,665,230 (158,815,939) NM Income tax benefit ( expense) 415,548 (1,459,052) (1,874,600) NM -------------- ------------- -------------- ----------- Net income $(150,735,161) $ 6,206,178 $(156,941,339) NM ============== ============= ============== ===========
NM: Not meaningful Revenues consist primarily of fees earned from natural gas derivatives transactions and related incentive arrangements. The decrease in brokerage fees during 2007 when compared to the prior year period is primarily due to an decrease in the brokerage fees resulting from increased volume of transactions of natural gas derivatives traded on the OTC market on behalf of existing clients. We have not generated any meaningful brokerage fees since the second quarter of 2007. The decrease in brokerage fees-related party during 2007 when compared to the prior year period is primarily due to the fact that our agreement with Capital Energy Services, Inc., a related party, was effective for twelve months during 2006 and during one month (i.e. January 2007) during the nine month period ended September 30, 2007, offset by an increase in fees resulting from increased monthly volume of transactions of natural gas derivatives traded on the futures market on behalf of existing clients during January 2007. The increase in incentives earned pursuant to agreement with a US exchange, the Investor, was due to a higher volume of cleared OTC transactions handled by us on such exchange. These increases related primarily to transactions which occurred prior to the events described above and in Item 1 of Part II of this Report. The Company anticipates that revenue-generating agreements, if any, under its revised strategy would take the form of licensing, royalty-based agreements and/or software development and maintenance agreements. 24 As a result of the factors discussed above, we believe that our revenues for the remainder of 2008 will decrease when compared to 2007. We believe that revenues we traditionally generated from OPEX, voice-brokerage and our floor operations will be minimal for the remainder of 2008 unless we are able to implement our revised strategy. Cost of revenues Cost of revenues consists primarily of compensation of personnel directly associated with handling the natural gas derivative transactions on behalf of our clients as well as expenses associated with our floor brokerage operations. The increase in cost of revenues during the 2007 when compared to the prior year period is primarily attributable to the fair value of options and warrants we issued to brokers and expensed during 2007 which amounted to approximately $4.0 million, compared to approximately $246,000 during 2006. The increase in amortization of the fair value of options results from the issuance of 1,595,000 options during 2007, which were fully expensed pursuant to the termination of the employment of certain grantees. The Company did not issue any options to its brokers during 2006. The increase in cost of revenues is offset by a decrease in commissions paid to our brokers and to our former chief executive officer during 2007 when compared to 2006. We expect that our cost of revenues for the remainder of 2008 will decrease, commensurate with an expected decrease in revenues, unless we implement our revised strategy which could change our business model. Selling, general, and administrative expenses Selling, general, and administrative expenses consists primarily of legal fees, incurred in connection with the Company's attention to certain allegations made recently and to our responses to and compliance with requests for documents and information received from the United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the "CFTC"), the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), the United States Department of Justice (the "DOJ") and a grand jury subpoena received from the New York County District Attorney's office (the "District Attorney's Office"),or to handle certain matters which occur during the course of our operations, and compensation of personnel supporting our operations. The increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses during the nine-month period ended September 30, 2007, when compared to the prior period is primarily due to the following: o one-time amortization of the Consideration receivable from the Investor of approximately $3.3 million o increased legal fees of approximately $$2.6 million, primarily incurred in connection with our our attention to certain allegations made recently, our responses to, and compliance with the governmental requests described above, and in connection with the NYMEX transaction; o one-time provision in June 2007 of approximately $640,000 in connection with our estimated incentives receivable from the Investor; o one-time compensation of approximately $400,000 to our former executive chairman o increased investor relation fees in connection with increased efforts to position our company before the investors community. As a result of the matters discussed above and in Item 1 of Part II of this Report, we believe that our legal fees for 2008 will continue to constitute of a large share of our selling, general, and administrative expenses. We are unable to predict whether they will remain at comparable level to 2007. Impairment- Consideration receivable from Investor and Impairment- Intangible Asset The impairment- consideration receivable from Investor and impairment- intangible asset consists of one-time losses attributable to the lack of perceived likely benefits from 1) the consideration the Investor had agreed to provide to the Company pursuant to the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement and 2) the constructive rescission of the HQ Trading acquisition. The Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement and the HQ Trading acquisition both took place during 2007 and no similar expenses occurred during 2006. 25 Research and development Research and development expenses consist primarily of compensation of personnel and consultants associated with the development and testing of our automated electronic trading system. The increase in research and development expenses during 2007 when compared to the prior year period is primarily due to the following: o increased compensation and related benefits for additional software engineers and quality and assurance personnel we hired to enhance our electronic platform, OPEX. We expect that our research and development expenses to enhance features and functionalities of OPEX may exceed $1 million during 2008. Interest income Interest income consists primarily of interest earned on interest-bearing cash and cash equivalents. The increase in interest income during 2007 when compared to the prior year period is primarily due to an increase in our cash and cash equivalents' interest bearing balances. Interest expense to related parties Interest expense to related parties consists of interest charges associated with amounts due to related parties, Mark Nordlicht, our former Chairman, Kevin Cassidy, our former Chief Executive Officer, and Edward O'Connor, our President. The decrease in interest expense to related parties during 2007 when compared to the prior year period is primarily due to the accelerated amortization of debt discount associated with the amount due to Kevin Cassidy during 2006. We have accelerated the amortization discount on this debt since we reimbursed the debt at a faster rate than initially contemplated during 2006. The debt to Kevin Cassidy was fully repaid in 2006. We did not make any debt repayment during 2007 which would have triggered an acceleration of the amortized discount on the debt. Income tax Income tax benefit/expense consists of federal and state current and deferred income tax or benefit based on our net income. The increase in income tax benefit during 2007 when compared to the comparable prior year period is primarily due to losses we incurred during 2007 which can be carried back to taxes incurred during 2006. During 2006, we generated taxable income, after deduction for net operating losses carryforward. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES For the last three fiscal years, we have generated cash flows from our operating activities. Our cash balance as of December 31, 2007 amounts to approximately $9.9 million. During 2007, we generated cash from operating activities of approximately $2.4 million, primarily resulting from: o net loss of approximately $150.7 million, adjusted for the impairment of the consideration receivable from the Investor and, the amortization of the consideration receivable from the Investor, and the fair value of warrants, options and shares issued during the period aggregating approximately $145.8 million, $3.4 million, and $4.0 million, respectively; o a decrease in accounts receivable and accounts receivable-related party of approximately $2.3 million, a decrease in incentive receivables from Investor of approximately $667,000 and a decrease in accrued compensation $1.9 million due to a recent decline in revenues and associated expenses since May 2007; and o an increase in prepaid tax assets/income tax payable of $4.0 million resulting from the payment of estimated income taxes offset by a reduction of the anticipated income tax liability. 26 During 2007, we used our cash generated from operating activities to acquire the customer relationship of HQ Trading, a crude oil broker, for $400,000, acquired trading rights on the NYMEX floor for $1.2 million, and incurred capital expenditures aggregating approximately $241,000. We also disposed of the trading rights for $1,165,000. During 2007, we generated gross proceeds from the exercise of certain warrants and options aggregating approximately $220,000. During 2006, we generated cash from operating activities of approximately $7.3 million, primarily resulting from: o net income of approximately $6.2 million, adjusted for non-cash interest expense of approximately $780,000; and o an increase in accounts receivable, including those receivable from related parties, incentive receivables from stockholder, due from related party, and accrued compensation of approximately $1.9 million, $1.2 million, $185,000 and $1.5 million, respectively, resulting from an increase in related revenues as well as increased commission related to such revenues. o an increase in income tax payable of approximately $1.5 million due to increase profitability in 2006. We used our cash generated from operating activities to make principal repayments of approximately $559,000, $200,000 and $400,000 on amounts due to Kevin Cassidy, our former Chief Executive Officer, Edward O'Connor, our President, and Mark Nordlicht, our former Chairman of the Board, respectively. On May 30, 2006, our Board of Directors authorized us to repurchase such number of shares of our common stock that have an aggregate purchase price not in excess of $200,000 at the rate of up to $50,000 worth of common stock each quarter. The Company repurchased 4,800 shares at a cost aggregating $2,506 since the commencement of the share repurchase program. We did not repurchase any shares during 2007. The Company believes it has enough funds to meet its obligations, based on its internal projections, for at least the next twelve months. However, the Company cannot guarantee that it will do so. If there are unforeseen expenses or financial obligations which occur during that period, the Company may not be able to generate enough revenues to meet such obligations. Additionally, if the Company acquires a brokerage firm or a technology company which could be instrumental in the Company's long-term growth, this could hamper the Company's ability to continue as going concern, both from a short-term or a long-term perspective, and the Company would have to resort to financing, through either debt or equity placements, for the funding of either such acquisitions or unforeseen expenses or financial obligations. GOING CONCERN The Company believes it has enough funds to meet its obligations, based on its internal projections, for at least the next twelve months. However, the Company cannot guarantee that it will do so. If there are unforeseen expenses or financial obligations which occur during that period, the Company may not be able to meet such obligations. Additionally, if the Company acquires a brokerage or trading firm or a technology company which could be instrumental in the Company's long-term growth, this could hamper the Company's ability to continue as going concern, both from a short-term or a long-term perspective, and the Company would have to resort to financing, through either debt or equity placements, for the funding of either such acquisitions or unforeseen expenses or financial obligations. There can be no assurance that any such financing would be available on acceptable terms, or at all. 27 CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES A summary of significant accounting policies is included in Note 2 of the audited financial statements included in this Annual Report. Management believes that the application of these policies on a consistent basis enables us to provide useful and reliable financial information about our operating results and financial condition. Our financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are affected by management's application of accounting policies. Critical accounting policies for us include the following:. Revenue recognition Revenue is recognized when earned. Our revenue recognition policies are in compliance with the SEC's Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 104 "Revenue Recognition". The application of SAB No. 104 requires us to apply our judgment, including whether our clients receive services over a period of time. We generally invoice our clients monthly, for all transactions which have been executed during such month. Revenues are recognized on the day of trade-trade date basis. Our revenues derive from a certain predetermined fixed fee of the transactions we execute on behalf of our clients. The fee is based on the volume of financial instruments traded. We base our fees on oral and written contracts and confirm the fees in writing upon the execution of each transaction. We also receive incentives from the New York Mercantile Exchange for the volume of OTC transactions we submit to their clearing platforms on behalf of our clients. The incentives are based on a percentage of the total revenues received by the exchange attributable to our volume of transactions submitted to the respective exchanges. We also apply our judgment when making estimates monthly of such incentives based on the volumes of transactions submitted to the respective exchanges and the exchanges' published revenues by type of transaction. We, pursuant to SAB 104, realize the incentive revenues realized or realizable when all of the following criteria are met: 1) Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists. We have a written separate agreement with an exchange which has publicly published the initial terms of its incentive program in 2003 which it modified in 2005 and is which is offered to all intermediaries in the select transactions; 2) Delivery has occurred or services have been rendered. Under arrangements with the exchange, the incentives are earned on the day we submit transactions to the respective exchanges based on the revenues generated from such transactions and are no longer subject to minimum volume of transactions to the exchange. We account for all transactions submitted to each exchange on a daily basis. Accordingly, we are able to determine when the incentives are earned based on the date we submit transactions to the exchange. We have no other obligations to the exchange to earn the incentives; 3) "Seller's" price to the buyer is fixed or determinable. Based on the incentive program terms of each exchange, their published prices for the type of transactions we submit to them, and our transactions records, we are able to determine an estimate for the revenues each exchange earns in connection with the transactions it submits, and accordingly, the amount, if any of the incentives we earn in connection with such transactions; and 4) Collectibility is reasonably assured. The exchange has paid us timely on incentives earned from 2004 through May 2007. The Company intends to enforce the payment of any incentives receivable 28 Accounts and incentive receivable and related allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts receivable and incentive receivable are reported at net realizable value. We have established an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon factors pertaining to the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends, and other information. Delinquent accounts are written-off when it is determined that the amounts are uncollectible. Share-based payment We account for share-based payments in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment. Under the fair value recognition provisions of this statement, share-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized as expense over the vesting period. Determining the fair value of share-based awards at the grant date requires judgment, including estimating expected volatility. In addition, judgment is also required in estimating the amount of share-based awards that are expected to be forfeited. If actual results differ significantly from these estimates, stock-based compensation expense and our results of operations could be materially impacted. Impairment of intangible assets SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, requires that goodwill be tested for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of an intangible asset below its carrying value. These events or circumstances could include a significant change in the relationship with the contracting party, business climate, legal factors, operating performance indicators, or competition. Application of the intangible asset impairment test requires judgment, including the determination of the fair value of each intangible asset. The fair value of each intangible asset is estimated based on the consideration given by us to acquire the intangible asset(s). This requires significant judgment including the estimation of expected volatility if the Company issued common share equivalent as consideration. Changes in our estimates of undiscounted cash flows related to each intangible asset could materially affect the determination of the impairment for each intangible asset. Contingencies The outcomes of legal proceedings and claims brought against us are subject to significant uncertainty. SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies, requires that an estimated loss from a loss contingency such as a legal proceeding or claim should be accrued by a charge to income if it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Disclosure of a contingency is required if there is at least a reasonable possibility that a loss has been incurred. In determining whether a loss should be accrued we evaluate, among other factors, the degree of probability of an unfavorable outcome and the ability to make a reasonable estimate of the amount of loss. Changes in these factors could materially impact our financial position or our results of operations. 29 RECENT PRONOUNCEMENTS In September 2006, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 157 "Fair Value Measurements". This Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This statement applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, the FASB having previously concluded in those accounting pronouncements that fair value is a relevant measurement attribute. Accordingly, this statement does not require any new fair value measurements. However, for some entities, the application of this statement will change current practices. This statement is effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. Earlier application is permitted provided that the reporting entity has not yet issued financial statements for that fiscal year. Management believes this statement will have no impact on the financial statements of the Company once adopted. In February 2007, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 159 "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities--Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115". This statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The objective is to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. This statement is expected to expand the use of fair value measurement, which is consistent with the FASB's long-term measurement objectives for accounting for financial instruments. This statement applies to all entities, including not-for-profit organizations. Most of the provisions of this statement apply only to entities that elect the fair value option. However, the amendment to FASB Statement No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, applies to all entities with available-for-sale and trading securities. Some requirements apply differently to entities that do not report net income. Recognized financial assets and financial liabilities are eligible items for the measurement option established by this Statement except: o An investment in a subsidiary that the entity is required to consolidate o An interest in a variable interest entity that the entity is required to consolidate o Employers' and plans' obligations (or assets representing net overfunded positions) for pension benefits, other postretirement benefits (including health care and life insurance benefits), postemployment benefits, employee stock option and stock purchase plans, and other forms of deferred compensation arrangements, as defined in FASB Statements No. 35, "Accounting and Reporting by Defined Benefit Pension Plans", No. 87, "Employers' Accounting for Pensions", No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions", No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for Postemployment Benefits", No. 123 (R) (revised December 2004), "Share-Based Payment", No. 43, "Accounting for Compensated Absences", No. 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities", and No. 158, "Employers' Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans", and APB Opinion No. 12, "Omnibus Opinion--1967" o Financial assets and financial liabilities recognized under leases as defined in FASB Statement No. 13, "Accounting for Leases" (This exception does not apply to a guarantee of a third-party lease obligation or a contingent obligation arising from a cancelled lease.) o Deposit liabilities, withdrawable on demand, of banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, and other similar depository institutions o Financial instruments that are, in whole or in part, classified by the issuer as a component of shareholder's equity (including "temporary equity"). An example is a convertible debt security with a noncontingent beneficial conversion feature. o Firm commitments that would otherwise not be recognized at inception and that involve only financial instruments o Nonfinancial insurance contracts and warranties that the insurer can settle by paying a third party to provide those goods or services o Host financial instruments resulting from separation of an embedded nonfinancial derivative instrument from a nonfinancial hybrid instrument. The fair value option established by this Statement permits all entities to choose to measure eligible items at fair value at specified election dates. A business entity shall report unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected in earnings (or another performance indicator if the business entity does not report earnings) at each subsequent reporting date. A not-for-profit organization shall report unrealized gains and losses in its statement of activities or similar statement. 30 The fair value option: o May be applied instrument by instrument, with a few exceptions, such as investments otherwise accounted for by the equity method o Is irrevocable (unless a new election date occurs) o Is applied only to entire instruments and not to portions of instruments. FASB Statement No.115 is effective as of the beginning of an entity's first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of a fiscal year that begins on or before November 15, 2007, provided the entity also elects to apply the provisions of FASB Statement No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements". No entity is permitted to apply this Statement retrospectively to fiscal years preceding the effective date unless the entity chooses early adoption. The FASB issued FASB Statement No. 141 (revised 2007), Business Combinations, and No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements. Statement 141(R requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all (and only) the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction; establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed; and requires the acquirer to disclose to investors and other users all of the information they need to evaluate and understand the nature and financial effect of the business combination. FASB No.141 R is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company does not believe that FAS No. 141 R will have any impact on its financial statements. The FASB issued FASB Statement No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements Statement No.160 requires all entities to report noncontrolling (minority) interests in subsidiaries in the same way--as equity in the consolidated financial statements. Moreover, Statement 160 eliminates the diversity that currently exists in accounting for transactions between an entity and noncontrolling interests by requiring they be treated as equity transactions. FASB No.160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company does not believe that FAS No. 160 will have any impact on its financial statements. ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. All financial information required by this Item is attached hereto at the end of this report beginning on page F-1 and is hereby incorporated by reference. ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE. None ITEM 9A(T). CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures As of December 31, 2007, our management our President and our Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"). Based upon that evaluation, our President and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of December 31, 2007, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective in ensuring that material information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms, including ensuring that such material information is accumulated and communicated to our President and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting During the quarter ended December 31, 2007, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a - 15(f). Our internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and the Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements. All internal control systems, no matter how well designed have inherent limitations. Therefore, even those systems determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2007. In making this assessment, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO") in Internal Control - Integrated Framework - Guidance for Smaller Public Companies (the COSO criteria). Based on our assessment we believe that, as of December 31, 2007, our internal control over financial reporting is effective based on those criteria. This annual report does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Our management's report was not subject to attestation by our registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit us to provide only management's report in this annual report. 31 ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION. None. PART III ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, PROMOTERS AND CONTROL PERSONS; COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE EXCHANGE ACT. The following table sets forth information about our executive officers, key employees and directors as of March 24, 2008. Name Age Position Date of Election Or Appointment As Director ======================================================================= Edward O'Connor 53 President and Director 3/2001 Marc Andre-Boisseau 43 Chief Financial Officer n/a Thomas Burchill 66 Director 11/2007 Dov Rauchwerger 31 Director 11/2007 __________________ Edward J. O'Connor has served as our President and as a director since March 2001 . Mr. O'Connor previously served as our CEO between March 2004 and October 2005. Since December 1996, Mr. O'Connor has served as Managing Director of Capital Energy Services, LLC (formerly Orion Energy Services, LLC), an energy options brokerage business on the NYMEX. Mr. O'Connor's primary responsibilities include negotiating and entering into contracts for our business and accounting for our funds. Mr. O'Connor graduated from Georgetown University in 1977 with a BS degree in Business Administration. Marc-Andre Boisseau has served as our Chief Financial Officer since December 2004. Since January 2002, he has served as an advisor to small and medium publicly traded and private companies on financial, tax and accounting matters. Between January 2000 and December 2001, he served as Vice-President Finance of DataCore Software, Inc., a privately held software developer. Prior to that, he served as Chief Accounting Officer (from May 1997 to December 1999) and Vice President Controller (from January 1, 1998 to December 1999) of Citrix Systems, Inc. a publicly traded software developer. Mr. Boisseau is a certified public accountant. Mr. Boisseau graduated with a BA degree in Business Administration in 1987 from the University of Montreal. Thomas Burchill has served as one of directors since November 2007. He worked at Hearst, ABC and Viacom, serving, beginning in 1984, as the first President and Chief Executive Officer of Lifetime Television, owned by the three companies. In 1993, Mr. Burchill, as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Petry Television, was responsible for reengineering that company with computer technology initiatives and subsequently oversaw the acquisition of, and successful integration of, a competitor, John Blair Co. Since 2001, Mr. Burchill has provided leadership or advisory assistance to a number of early stage companies that serve the media sector, including Mitra Technologies, a traffic and billing software firm, and SB3 Inc., a media focused business intelligence firm. Mr. Burchill is also active in a number of industry organizations, including service as Chairman of the Cable Television Advertising Bureau and as a member of the Board of Directors of both the Television Bureau of Advertising and the International Radio and Television Society. Mr. Burchill holds degrees from Holy Cross College and the Columbia University Graduate School of Business. 32 Dov Rauchwerger has served as one of our directors since November 2007 and has been involved in all aspects of business as a business owner and manager, from marketing, development and negotiations to financing and human resources. Mr. Rauchwerger re-built the electronics business of Adi-Aviv Electronics, an electronic wholesale and distribution business, where he served as Vice President from 2000 to 2001 and Managing Partner from 2001 to 2007. In February 2007, Mr. Rauchwerger founded, and continues to serve as the Managing Partner of, Northern Lights Electronics, a full service consumer electronics wholesaler, distributor and reseller. Mr. Rauchwerger graduated magnum cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rollins College in May 1998. Director Compensation During November 2007, the Company's Board of Directors approved compensation to be paid to the Messrs. Burchill and Rauchwerger in return for their service on the Board. The Board also approved a letter agreement with each of Messrs. Burchill and Rauchwerger which sets forth the compensation to be paid to the New Directors in return for their service on the Board. The Company will pay Mr. Burchill $100,000 as annual compensation to be paid in 12 equal monthly payments. The Company will pay Mr. Rauchwerger $25,000 as annual compensation to be paid in 12 equal monthly installments. During November 2007, the Board also approved a grant of 250,000 options to each of Messrs. Burchill and Rauchwerger. 50,000 options of each of such grant vested upon the grant and the remainder will vest at a rate of 50,000 options on each six month anniversary of the grant through November 26, 2009. The options expire on the five year anniversary of the grant. The Company entered into a stock option agreement with Messrs. Burchill and Rauchwerger in the form approved by the Board (each, a "Stock Option Agreement"). All of our directors are reimbursed for their reasonable expenses for attending board and board committee meetings. DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE, COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Two of our members of our Board of Directors, Thomas Burchill and Dov Rauchwerger are "independent" within the meaning of Marketplace Rule 4200 of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. We have not established any committees, including an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, a Nominating Committee, or any committee performing a similar function. The functions of those committees are being undertaken by the entire board as a whole. Because we only have two independent directors, none of which are deemed audit committee financial experts, our Board of Directors believes that the establishment of such committees of the Board would not provide any benefits to our company and could be considered more form than substance. We do not have an audit committee or a compensation committee. We intend to form such committees once we have selected directors who shall meet the audit committee financial expert requirements under applicable Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations.. We are unable to determine when and if we will complete the recruiting of new directors during fiscal year 2008. FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS There are no family relationships among our executive officers and directors. 33 SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE We are required to identify each person who was an officer, director or beneficial owner of more than 10% of our registered equity securities during our most recent fiscal year and who failed to file on a timely basis reports required by Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. To our knowledge, based solely on review of these filings and written representations from the certain reporting persons, we believe that during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007, our officers, directors and significant stockholders have timely filed the appropriate form under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, except as follows: o Kevin Cassidy, our former chief executive officer and a director, did not timely file a Form 4 to report an acquisition which occurred on January 3, 2007; o Mark Nordlicht, our former Chairman of the Board and a director, did not timely file a Form 4 to report a disposition that occurred on January 24, 2007; o Kevin Cassidy, our former chief executive officer and a director did not timely file an amended Form 4 to correct the transaction date, transaction codes and price previously recorded in Form 4s filed on October 5, 2006 and Janaury 8, 2007.. ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION. The following table summarizes all compensation recorded by us in each of the last two completed fiscal years for our principal executive officer, each other executive officer serving as such whose annual compensation exceeded $100,000 and up to two additional individuals for whom disclosure would have been made in this table but for the fact that the individual was not serving as an executive officer of our company at December 31, 2007. The value attributable to any option awards is computed in accordance with FAS 123R.
Change in Pension Value Non-Equity and Incentive Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan Deferred All Other Name and Compensation Bonus Awards Awards Compensation Compensation Compensation Principal Position Year ($) ($) ($) ($) ($) Earnings ($) ($) Total ($) ==================================================================================================================== Edward O'Connor 2006 200,000 14,905 214,905 President and 2007 200,000 15,511 215,511 Director (1) (6) Kevin Cassidy Chief Executive Officer, Vice-Chairman, and 2006 275,000 276,616 240,000 691,541 18,285 1,501,442 Director (2) 2007 150,000 187,672 248,750 454,967 5,016 1,046,405 Albert Helmig Executive Chairman 2006 0 0 and Director (3) 2007 397,000 397,000 Marc-Andre Boisseau Chief Financial 2006 75,916 75,916 Officer 2007 185,327 185,327 Thomas Schnell 2006 100,000 596,584 14,905 711,489 (5) (6) 2007 107,416 888,524 11,575 1,007,515
(1) Mr. O'Connor has served as our principal executive officer since November 6, 2007 (2) Mr. Cassidy has served as our principal executive officer, Chief Executive Officer, Vice Chairman and Director between October 30, 2005 and May 12, 2007. (3) Mr. Albert Helmig has served as our principal executive officer and Executive Chairman between May 11 and November 6, 2007. (4) Mr. Cassidy's compensation includes 30,689 and 268,083 shares of common stock issued during 2007 and 2006, respectively.It includes 1,200,000 warrants issued to Pierpont Capital, Inc., exercisable at $0.95 and for which we recognized $120,000 and $240,000 in compensation expenses during 2007 and 2006, respectively, pursuant to FAS 123 (R ). It also includes the fair value of 65,000 options for which we recognized $128,750 in compensation expenses during 2007. Additionally, the Company pays, on behalf of Mr. Cassidy, a life insurance and health insurance premium, which are included in other compensation (5) The other compensation of Mesrrs. O'Connor and Schnell represent the health insurance premium paid by the Company on their behalf. (6) Mr. Schnell was a broker and was not an executive officer of the Company. Mr. Scnell resigned on September 14, 2007. 34 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table. The following table sets forth information with respect to grants of options to purchase our common stock to the named executive officers at December 31, 2007.
Option Awards Stock Awards - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Equity Equity Incentive Incentive Plan Plan Awards: Awards: Number Market Equity of or Payout Incentive Market Unearned Value of Plan Awards Number Value Shares, Unearned Number of Number of Number of of of Units or Shares, Securities Securities Securities shares Shares Other Units or Underlying Underlying Underlying That or units Rights Other Unexercised Unexercised Unexercised Option Option Have of stock That Have Rights Options (#) Options (#) Unearned Exercise Expiration Vested that have Not Vested That Have Name Exercisable Unexercisable Options (#) Price ($) Date (#) not vested (#) Not Vested($) - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Kevin . 5/7/2017 Cassidy 55,000 $4.63 (1) 10,000 7.17 2/23/2009 200,000 .95 Albert Helmig 200,000 0.20 11/6/2014 - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) options shall terminate upon the first anniversary of Optionnee's death or immediately upon the termination of the optionee's employment for cause Director Compensation The following table sets forth with respect to the named directors, compensation information inclusive of equity awards and payments made for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007.
Change in Pension Value Non-Equity and Incentive Nonqualified Fees Earned Plan Deferred or Paid in Stock Option Awards Compensation Compensation All Other Name (a) Cash ($) (b) Awards($) (c) ($) (d) ($) (e) Earnings (f) Compensation ($) (g) Total ($) (h) ==================================================================================================================================== Thomas 9,417 7,500 16,917 Burchill Dov Rauchwerger 2,354 7,500 9,854 ====================================================================================================================================
35 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS On March 1, 2001, we entered into an employment agreement with Edward O'Connor, our President and CEO and a member of the board of directors. The agreement was amended on April 1, 2004. The terms of the agreement, as amended, provide that we will employ Mr. O'Connor for a term of five years with the duties of Chief Executive Officer with an annual salary of $200,000 per year. If we terminate Mr. O'Connor's employment without "cause" or if Mr. O'Connor terminates his employment with "good reason" (as both terms are defined in Mr. O'Connor's employment agreement), we are required to pay him a lump sum equal to nine months' base salary. Following termination of employment for any reason, other than expiration of the term of employment, Mr. O'Connor has agreed not to engage in an electronic OTC business in competition with us for a 90 day period, provided we pay him bi-monthly installments of $8,333.33 and provide full health benefits during the 90 day period. When Kevin Cassidy became our Chief Executive Officer in October 2005, as discussed below, we continued to employ Mr.O'Connor as our President with the same compensation package as when he was our Chief Executive Officer. On November 6, 2007 (the "Termination Date"), we entered into a letter agreement (the "Separation and Release Letter") with Albert Helmig, a former Director and Executive Chairman of the Company. The Separation and Release Letter provides, in part, for the following: On the Termination Date, the Company entered into a letter agreement (the "Separation and Release Letter") with Mr. Helmig specifying the terms of his separation from the Company. The Separation and Release Letter provides, in part, for the following: (i) Mr. Helmig will receive a lump-sum cash payment of $141,000 in lieu of any payments otherwise due to Mr. Helmig, including but not limited to, any payment due under any agreement between Mr. Helmig and the Company; (ii) Mr. Helmig will not be eligible for any Company-sponsored benefits after the Termination Date; (iii) The Company will indemnify and hold Mr. Helmig harmless to the full extent permitted by the by-laws of the Company in effect on the Termination Date in respect of certain proceedings; (iv) Mr. Helmig agreed to waive any and all claims against the Company and release and discharge the Company from liability for any and all claims or damages that Mr. Helmig had, has or may have against the Company as of the Termination Date; (v) Each option, warrant or other right of Mr. Helmig to acquire shares of common stock or other securities from the Company which has an expiration date that occurs after November 7, 2014 is amended such that its expiration date is November 7, 2014; and (vi) Following the Termination Date, Mr. Helmig will be subject to certain non-disclosure, non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions. We have a consulting agreement with Mr. Boisseau, who serves as our Chief Financial Officer. The oral agreement provides that we compensate him at $300 per hour since May 14, 2007. The rate per hour between January 1 and March 6, 2007, amounted to $145 per hour and between March 7 and May 13, 2007, $152 per hour. This agreement may be terminated at will by both parties. 36 Code of Business Conduct and Ethics We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics to provide guiding principles to all of our employees. Our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics does not cover every issue that may arise, but it sets out basic principles to guide our employees and provides that all of our employees must conduct themselves accordingly and seek to avoid even the appearance of improper behavior. Any employee which violates our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics will be subject to disciplinary action, up to an including termination of his or her employment. Generally, our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics provides guidelines regarding: o compliance with laws, rules and regulations, o conflicts of interest, o insider trading, o corporate opportunities, o competition and fair dealing, o discrimination and harassment, o health and safety, o record keeping, o confidentiality, o protection and proper use of company assets, o payments to government personnel, o waivers of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, o reporting any illegal or unethical behavior, and o compliance procedures. In addition, we have also adopted a Code of Ethics for our Chief Executive Officer and Senior Financial Officers. In addition to our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, our CEO and senior financial officers are also subject to specific policies regarding: o disclosures made in our filings with the SEC, o deficiencies in internal controls or fraud involving management or other employees who have a significant role in our financial reporting, disclosure or internal controls, o conflicts of interests, and o knowledge of material violations of securities or other laws, rules or regulations to which we are subject. A copy of the Code of Ethics is available on our website, www.optionable.com, under the management section of the investor relations page. 37 Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT The following table sets forth, as of March 24, 2008, the number of and percent of our common stock beneficially owned by: o all directors and nominees, naming them, o our executive officers, o our directors and executive officers as a group, without naming them, and o persons or groups known by us to own beneficially 5% or more of our common stock: We believe that all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of common stock beneficially owned by them. A person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of securities that can be acquired by him within 60 days from March 26, 2008 upon the exercise of options, warrants or convertible securities. Each beneficial owner's percentage ownership is determined by assuming that options, warrants or convertible securities that are held by him, but not those held by any other person, and which are exercisable within 60 days of January 18, 2008 have been exercised and converted.
Name and address of Number of Shares Title of Class Beneficial Owner Beneficially Owned Percent of Total - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Edward O'Connor (1) 465 Columbus Avenue Suite 280 Common Stock Valhalla, NY 10595 3,854,130 7.4% Marc-Andre Boisseau 465 Columbus Avenue Suite 280 Common Stock Valhalla, NY 10595 0 0.0% Thomas Burchill (2) 465 Columbus Avenue Suite 280 Common Stock Valhalla, NY 10595 100,000 0.3% Dov Rauchwerger (2) 465 Columbus Avenue Suite 280 Common Stock Valhalla, NY 10595 100,000 0.3% Mark Nordlicht 159 Wykagil Terrace Common Stock New Rochelle, NY 10804 8,190,150 15.6% Nymex Holdings, Inc. (3) One, North End Avenue World Financial Center Common Stock New York, NY 10282 29,284,886 41.3% Common Stock All Executive Officers and 4,054,130 7.7% Directors as a Group (4persons )
38 (1) Includes 2,682,201 shares owned by Ridgecrest Capital Corp., Inc., a corporation wholly owned by Mr. O'Connor, 901,929 shares owned by Mr. O'Connor's daughter Kathleen O'Connor and 901,929 shares owned by Mr. O'Connor's daughter Erin O'Connor. (2) Includes 100,000 shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days. (3) Includes 18,526,000 shares issuable pursuant to the exercise of warrants exercisable within 60 days. ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS. During April 2005, we modified the terms of agreement under which we initially owed $5,762,753, $765,000 and $765,000 to Mark Nordlicht, our Chairman of the Board, Kevin Cassidy, our Chief Executive Officer, and Edward O'Connor, our President, respectively. The modified terms provide that, among other things, in the event of a Capital Raise-defined as we raising more than $1,000,000 additional equity or debt financing, the interest rate accrued after such event is reduced from 12% to 4.68%. Additionally, the modified terms provide that we may make principal repayments towards the due to Chairman of the Board, the due to its Chief Executive Officer, and the due to related party amounting to approximately 25% of its cash flows from operating cash flows less capital expenditures. During 2006, we modified the terms of the agreements to allow prepayments at our discretion. In connection with the modified terms, the Company made principal repayments of $400,000 on the due to Mark Nordlicht during 2006. Additionally, we made principal repayment of $558,697 on the due to Kevin Cassidy during 2006 and $200,000 on due to Edward O'Connor, during 2006 . We were party to a Master Services Agreement with CES pursuant to which we provide brokerage services on the floor of the New York Mercantile Exchange . Edward J. O'Connor, our president and a director, is a 50% stockholder of CES. Kevin P. Cassidy our former Chief Executive Officer until May 2007, is the Managing Director of CES. Pursuant to this arrangement, we were paying to CES a minimum annual fixed fee of $50,000 and assume all expenses directly incurred by CES's associated floor brokerage services. Additionally, we owed to CES $1,525,000 payable on April 1, 2014. However, upon a Capital Raise, we will pay up to 10.67% of the amount raised during the Capital Raise, up to $762,500, to CES, with the remaining principal and accrued interest of 12% from the date of the Capital Raise payable on April 1, 2014. During April 2005, CES assigned its rights to the Company's liability of $1,525,000 equally to Edward O'Connor and Kevin Cassidy, co-owners of CES. Subsequently, during April 2005, the Company entered into modifications of the terms of the amounts due from it to Mark Nordlicht, Edward O'Connor and Kevin Cassidy. The modified terms provide that, among other things, in the event of a Capital Raise, the interest rate accrued after such event is reduced from 12% to 4.68%. Additionally, the Company may make principal repayments towards such liabilities amounting to approximately 25% of its quarterly cash flows from operating activities less capital expenditures. 39 Pursuant to this arrangement, our share of revenues and expenses of the floor brokerage services amounted to approximately $901,000 and $3.6 million, respectively, during 2007 and 2006, respectively, and $15,000 and $741,000, respectively, during 2007 and 2006, respectively. We have received $1.5 million and $2.6 million from CES in connection with such floor brokerage services during 2007 and 2006, respectively. In April 2007, the Company reimbursed CES approximately $165,000 for commissions to a broker that CES paid on the Company's behalf. All obligations pursuant to this arrangement have been satisified as of December 31, 2007 This agreement was terminated in January 2007 and our floor operations were assumed by one of our subsidiaries, OPEX International, Inc. The Company has recognized revenues from brokerage commissions of approximately $0, $253,000 and $3,000 during 2006 and $4,000, $206,000 and $63,000, during 2006, from Northern Lights Energy LLC, Platinum Partners, L.P. and Fenmore Holdings LLC, respectively, entities in which Mark Nordlicht is also the managing partner or a stockholder. All obligations from such related parties have been satisfied at December 31, 2007. Jules Nordlicht, the father of the Company's former Chairman of the Board, leased to us a seat on the exchange through which CES maintained its floor operations. We assumed the cost of the lease in April 2006 and renewed it in December 2006 through June 2007. We terminated this agreement effective April 1, 2007. The lease provided for monthly payments of $5,000 through June 30, 2007. The amount paid pursuant to the lease amounted to $15,000 and $188,000 during 2007 and 2006, respectively. We also received incentives from NYMEX, a significant stockholder ( the "Investor"). The incentives are earned based on a percentage of the total revenues received by the exchange attributable to our volume of OTC market transactions submitted to the respective exchanges. Under this incentive program offered by NYMEX, 25% of the revenues from NYMEX ClearPort are allocated to an intermediary incentive pool. At the end of each quarter, the qualifying intermediaries, including us, receive their pro-rata share based on the volume for which they were responsible. There is no minimum volume requirement in order to participate. The Company has recognized revenues from incentives amounting to approximately $4.0 million and $3.1 million during 2007 and 2006, respectively. The Company received approximately $ and $1.9 million from the Investor, pursuant to such incentive arrangement during 2007 and 2006, respectively. NYMEX owes us approximately $641,000 at December 31, 2007 and, after requests, have not indicated to us whether they will ever satisfy their obligations to us or when. On April 10, 2007, we, Mark Nordlicht, our former Chairman of the Board, Kevin Cassidy, our former Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Edward O'Connor, our President, (together with Mr. Nordlicht and Mr. Cassidy, the "Founding Stockholders"), and NYMEX Holdings, Inc. (the "Investor") entered into a definitive stock and warrant purchase agreement (the "Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement"). 40 Pursuant to the terms of the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, Mr. Nordlicht, Mr. Cassidy and Mr. O'Connor sold to the Investor, 7,000,000, 1,905,000 and 1,853,886 shares, respectively, of common stock of the Company. This aggregate of 10,758,886 shares of common stock (the "Purchased Shares") represented 19% of the then outstanding shares of common stock on a fully diluted basis (without giving effect to the Warrant, as defined and discussed below). The purchase price paid by the Investor for the Purchased Shares was $2.69 per share. Additionally, pursuant to the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, we physically issued to the Investor the Warrant, as defined and described below, in consideration of the Investor's agreement (i) to develop with us a marketing plan, which plan will detail proposed expenditures by the Investor and joint activities; (ii) subject to regulatory requirements, to provide space for up to twenty of the our brokers on the Investor's trading floor; and (iii) to host our electronic trading platform, OPEX, in the Investor's data center and provide us with computer and networking hardware, software, bandwidth and ancillary infrastructure and services reasonably necessary to interconnect OPEX with the Investor's clearing system market gateway to trading and clearing services. Additionally, we agreed to exclusively clear all OTC products through the Investor's clearing system for a period of ten years (provided that the Investor continues to offer clearance for a particular product through its clearing system) in consideration for additional fees to be paid by the Investor to us. The warrant issued by us (the "Warrant") permits the Investor to purchase a number of shares of common stock sufficient to increase the Investor's ownership of the Company's common stock to an amount not to exceed 40% of the Company's then outstanding common stock on a fully diluted basis, based on the assumption that the Investor has retained ownership of the Purchased Shares and any shares of common stock previously issued to the Investor upon a partial exercise of the Warrant. The Warrant is exercisable at any time and from time to time prior to October 10, 2008 at an exercise price per share equal to $4.30 (the "Exercise Price"). The Warrant does not contain a cashless exercise feature. The Exercise Price is subject to certain customary adjustments to protect against dilution. In connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement , the Company, the Investor and the Founding Stockholders also entered into an Investor Rights Agreement, also dated April 10, 2007 (the "Investor Rights Agreement"), pursuant to which, for so long as the Investor owns at least 5,379,443 shares of common stock: (a) the Investor is entitled to designate one person (reasonably acceptable to the Company) that we are required to nominate as a member of the our board of directors (the "Investor Director"); (b) each of the Founding Stockholders are required to vote their shares in favor of the election of the Investor's designee as one our directors; (c) the Investor is required to vote its shares in favor of each individual nominated for election as a member of our board of directors by our nominating committee; (d) subject to certain permitted threshold amounts, the consent of the Investor Director (which may not be unreasonably withheld) is required before we may take certain actions, including (1) issuances of shares of a class of stock ranking senior to the common stock, (2) acquisitions of businesses or assets, (3) entry into related party transactions, (4) the declaration or payment of dividends or distributions on or with respect to, or the optionable redemption of, capital stock or the issuance of debt and (5) entry into any business which is not similar, ancillary or related to any of the businesses in which we are currently engaged; 41 (e) each of the Founding Stockholders and the Investor have certain rights of first refusal to purchase or subscribe for their pro rata percentage of shares in certain subsequent sales by us of common stock and/or certain other securities convertible into or exchangeable for common stock; (f) each of the Founding Stockholders and the Investor have certain rights of first refusal with respect to proposed sales of our common stock by the others; and (g) before they may accept any offer by an independent third party to acquire fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power of our common stock, the Founding Stockholders and we are required to provide notice of such offer to the Investor and permit the Investor a period of 10 days to make its own offer. The Investor Rights Agreement additionally requires the Investor to refrain from purchasing any additional shares of our common stock, with certain limited exceptions, until April 10, 2008. The Company and the Investor also entered into a registration rights agreement, dated April 10, 2007 (the "Registration Rights Agreement"), pursuant to which, among other things, we have provided the Investor, subject to standard exceptions, with (a) unlimited "piggyback" rights subject to standard underwriter lock-up and cutback provisions and (b) the right to two demand registrations for underwritten offerings or take downs off of a shelf registration statement, provided that (i) a minimum of $5,000,000 of our common stock is offered in such demand registration or take down and (ii) we will not be obligated to effectuate more than one underwritten offering pursuant to a demand registration by the Investor in any six-month period. In addition, if we are eligible to register our securities on Form S-3 (or any successor form then in effect), the Investor will be entitled to unlimited registrations on Form S-3 (or any successor form then in effect), including shelf registrations, provided that (a) a minimum of $5,000,000 of common stock is offered in the S-3 registration and (b) we will not be obligated to effect more than two S-3 registrations in any twelve month period. An S-3 registration will not count as a demand registration, unless such registration is for an underwritten offering or an underwritten take down off of an existing, effective shelf registration statement. As a condition to the Investor's obligation to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, Mr. Nordlicht executed an agreement, dated April 10, 2007 (the "Waiver"), waiving any obligation on the part of the Company to make any prepayment of principal, or to begin paying interest upon amounts due to Mr. Nordlicht, under the Loan Agreement between him and the Company, dated March 2004, as a result of any exercise by the Investor of the Warrant. Also as a condition to the Investor's obligation to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, Mr. Cassidy and the Company entered into an Amended and Restated Employment Agreement and Mr. O'Connor entered into a Non-Competition Agreement, dated April 10, 2007, with the Company, pursuant to which Mr. O'Connor agreed not to disclose or use the Company's confidential information and, for a period of nine months following the termination of Mr. O'Connor's employment, not to compete with the Company or solicit certain customers of the Company. Pursuant to our final agreements with the Investor in April 2007, we physically issued to the Investor warrants which will permit the Investor to purchase a number of shares of common stock sufficient to increase its ownership to an amount not to exceed 40% of our then outstanding common stock on a fully diluted basis, based on the assumption that the Investor has retained ownership of the Purchased Shares and any shares of common stock previously issued to the Investor upon a partial exercise of the Warrant. The Warrant will be exercisable from time to time for a period of 18 months from the closing date of the final agreement at an exercise price per share equal to $4.30 (the "Exercise Price"). The Exercise Price will be subject to certain customary adjustments to protect against dilution. 42 The number of warrants issued to NYMEX may increase or decrease from time to time until October 2008, depending on whether we issue additional shares, options, and warrants, repurchase treasury shares, or certain outstanding options and warrants expire or become unexercisable. Because the number of shares will vary from time to time, the fair value of the warrants issued pursuant to our agreement and the related amortization may also vary from time to time, until October 2008. Following the occurrence of the events which are subject of the matters discussed in Item 1 of Part II of this Report "Legal Proceedings," we have not agreed with the Investor on the joint marketing and technology initiatives discussed, above. Additionally, the Investor indicated in a Schedule 13D it filed with the SEC on July 6, 2007, with respect to its holdings of equity securities of the Company, that it was now re-considering its potential joint marketing and technology initiatives with the Company. As a result, the Investor and the Company have not developed the contemplated joint marketing and technology initiatives. The Company is considering the effect of the failure of the Investor to provide the consideration for the Warrant upon the Company's obligations under the Warrant. The sale of the Purchased Shares by the Founding Stockholders in an agreement in which the Company would benefit from the Consideration constitutes a shared-based payment transaction. As such, the Company established that the fair value of the Purchased Shares is more reliably measurable than the Consideration from the Investor. The fair value of the Consideration attributable to the Purchased Shares represents the difference between the market value of the Purchased Shares at the date of the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, as quoted on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board, and the disposition proceeds of the Purchased Shares. The fair value of the Consideration at April 10, 2007 amounted to $49,490,876 and was initially recorded as capital contribution from the Founding Stockholders. The fair value of the Consideration attributable to the Warrant amounted to $99,594,000. However, at June 30, 2007, based upon the statements made by the Investor, the Company is unable to assert that it will receive any of the benefits initially contemplated by the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement. Accordingly, the Company has recorded a charge to its statement of operations amounting to approximately $145.8 million, at June 30, 2007. Pursuant to an agreement providing for the reimbursement of certain administrative expenses for services provided to a coffee bean roaster, Sleepy Hollow Coffee Roasters, Inc. ("Sleepy Hollow"), a company owned by Edward J. O'Connor and by Kevin P. Cassidy, we charged an administrative fee of $8,000 and $17,000 to Sleepy Hollow during 2007 and 2006, respectively. We provided such services to Sleepy Hollow to ensure that Edward O'Connor and Kevin Cassidy can focus as much time and efforts as possible on our operations. This agreement was terminated by both parties effective June 30, 2007. ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES The firm Sherb & Co., LLP, independent registered accounting firm, has audited our financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006. The Board of Directors has appointed Sherb & Co. to serve as our registered accounting firm for the 2006 year-end audit and to review our quarterly financial reports for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission during fiscal year 2007. The following table shows the fees paid or accrued by us for the audit and other services provided by Sherb & Co. for fiscal year 2007 and 2006. 43 2007 2006 ============ ============== Audit Fees(1) $ 78,000 $ 67,000 Audit-Related Fees $ -- $ -- Tax Fees $ -- $ -- All Other Fees (2) $ 2,580 $ 2,880 ------------ -------------- Total $ 80,580 $ 69,880 ============ ============== __________________ (1) Audit fees represent fees for professional services provided in connection with the audit of our annual financial statements and review of our quarterly financial statements and audit services provided in connection with other statutory or regulatory filings. (2) All Other Fees represent edgarization services related to the certain statutory and regulatory filings. Pre-Approval of Non-Audit Services The Company does not currently have an audit committee in place and thus, management must obtain the specific prior approval of the Board of Directors for each engagement of the independent auditor to perform any non-audit services that exceed any pre-approved amounts determined by the Board of Directors. ITEM 15. EXHIBITS. Exhibit No. Description ================================================================================ 3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of Optionable, Inc., dated February 4, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i)(a)to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form SB-2, filed December 22, 2004, file no. 333-121543 (the "SB-2"). 3.2 Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Optionable, Inc., dated March 30, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i)(b) to the SB-2) 3.3 Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Optionable, Inc., dated May 31, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i)(c) to the SB-2). 3.4 Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Optionable, Inc., dated July 21, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i)(d) to the SB-2). 3.5 Corrected Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation of Optionable, Inc., dated January 31, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i)(e) to the SB-2). 3.6 Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporatin of Optionable, Inc., dated June 9, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i)(f) to the SB-2). 3.7 Amended and Restated By-laws of Optionable, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(ii) to the SB-2) 44 10.1 Lease Agreement between 24 South Third Avenue Corp. and 60 3rd Ave. Corp., as Lessor, and Optionable, Inc., as Lessee, dated October 3, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(i) to the SB-2) 10.2 Master Services Agreement with Capital Energy Services LLC dated April 1, 2004 including the Consulting Agreement as a part thereof and Addendum, dated October 7, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ii)(a) to the SB-2) 10.3 Addendum to Master Services Agreement (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ii)(b) to the SB-2) 10.4 Amendment to Master Services Agreement (incorporated reference to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated as of April 10, 2006) 10.5 Termination Agreement (of Master Service Agreement; incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Current Report of Form 8-K, dated as of January 31, 2007) 10.6 Options Order Flow Agreement, dated July 1, 2004, between the Company and Intercontinental Exchange,Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(iii)(a) to the SB-2) 10.7 Superseding Option Order Flow Agreement, dated as of March 2, 2005 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(iii)(b) to the SB-2) 10.8 Employment Agreement, as amended, between the Company and Edward J. O'Connor (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(iv) (a) to the SB-2) 10.9 Optionable, Inc. 2004 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-8, file number 333-129853, as filed on November 21, 2005 (the "S-8") 10.10 Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the S-8) 10.11 Nonstatutory Stock Option Agreement(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the S-8) 10.12 Prepaid Commission Agreement, dated February 3, 2003, between the Company and Mark Nordlicht (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(vi) to the SB-2). 10.13 Revolving Credit Facility Agreement, dated June 5, 2003, between the Company and Platinum Value Arbitrage Fund LP(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(vii)(a) to the SB-2) 10.14 $500,000 Revolving Promissory Note from the Company to Platinum Value Arbitrage Fund LP dated June 5, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(vii)(b) to the SB-2) 10.15 Prepaid Commission Agreement, dated June 9, 2003, between the Company and Platinum Partners Value Arbitrage Fund LLP(incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(viii) to the SB-2) 10.16 Loan Agreement, dated February 13, 2004, between the Company and Mark Nordlicht (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ix)(a) to the SB-2) 10.17 $250,000 Promissory Note, dated February 13, 2004, from the Company to Mark Nordlicht (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ix)(b) to the SB-2) 10.18 $250,000 Promissory Note Extension Agreement, dated September 9, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(ix)(c) to the SB-2) 10.19 Loan Agreement, dated March 8, 2004, between the Company and Mark Nordlicht (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(x)(a) to the SB-2) 45 10.20 $50,000 Promissory Note, dated March 8, 2004, from the Company to Mark Nordlicht (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(x)(b) to the SB-2) 10.21 $50,000 Promissory Note Extension Agreement, dated September 9, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(x)(c) to the SB-2) 10.22 Loan Agreement, dated March 22, 2004, between the Company and Mark Nordlicht (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(xi)(a) to the SB-2) 10.23 $5,621,753.18 Promissory Note, dated March 22, 2004, from the Company to Mark Nordlicht (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(xi)(b) to the SB-2) 10.24 Addendum to Loan Agreement, dated March 22, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(xi)(c) to the SB-2) 10.25 Addendum to Promissory Note, dated March 22, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(xi)(d) to the SB-2) 10.26 Revolving Credit Facility Agreement, dated April 15, 2004, between the Company and Mark Nordlicht (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(xii) (a) to the SB-2) 10.27 $50,000 Promissory Note, dated April 15, 2004, from the Company to Mark Nordlicht (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(xii)(b) to the SB-2) 10.28 Warrant Agreement for the Purchase of Common Stock (incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006) 10.29 Service and Repurchase Agreement (incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated as of January 31, 2007 10.30 Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (Incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Form 10-KSB for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007) 10.31 Acquisition Agreement, dated March 23, 2007, between the Company, Peter Holmquist, Douglas Towne, and A Joseph McHugh (incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated as of March 23, 2007. 10.32 Release, Rescission and Termination Agreement, dated May 18, 2007, by and among Optionable, Inc., Peter Holmquist, Douglas Towne, Joseph McHugh and Nicole Troiani (incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated as of May 18, 2007. 10.33 Separation and Release Agreement, dated July 25, 2007, by and among Optionable, Inc., Opex International, Inc., Kevin DeAndrea, Noah Rothblatt, Kevin Brennan and Nicole Troiani. (incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated as of July 25, 2007). 10.34 Warrant, dated April 10, 2007, issued pursuant to that certain Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated April 10, 2007, by and among Optionable, Inc., NYMEX Holdings, Inc., Mark Nordlicht, Kevin Cassidy through Pierpont Capital, Inc. and Edward O'Connor through Ridgecrest Capital, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2007) 46 10.35 Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, dated April 10, 2007, by and among Optionable, Inc., NYMEX Holdings, Inc., Mark Nordlicht, Kevin Cassidy through Pierpont Capital, Inc. and Edward O'Connor through Ridgecrest Capital, Inc.(portions of this exhibit are subject to a confidential treatment request) (incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2007) 10.36 Investor Rights Agreement, dated April 10, 2007, by and among Optionable, Inc., NYMEX Holdings, Inc., I Mark Nordlicht, Kevin Cassidy and Edward O'Connor. (incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2007) 10.37 Waiver, dated April 10, 2007, by and between Optionable, Inc. and Mark Nordlicht, to that certain Loan Agreement, dated March 22, 2004, by and between Optionable, Inc. and Mark Nordlicht. (incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2007) 10.38 Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated April 10, 2007, by and between Optionable, Inc. and Kevin Cassidy. (incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2007) 10.39 Registration Rights Agreement, dated April 10, 2007, by and between Optionable, Inc. and NYMEX Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the quarterly period ended June 30, 2007) 10.40 Separation and Release Letter, dated November 6, 2007, by and between Optionable, Inc. and Albert Helmig (incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated as of November 6, 2007). 10.41 Letter Agreement, dated as of November 26, 2007, by and between Optionable, Inc. and Thomas Burchill. (incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated as of November 26, 2007). 10.42 Letter Agreement, dated as of November 26, 2007, by and between Optionable, Inc. and Dov Rauchwerger. (incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated as of November 26, 2007). 10.43 Stock Option Agreement, dated as of November 26, 2007, by and between Optionable, Inc. and Thomas Burchill. (incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated as of November 26, 2007). 10.44 Stock Option Agreement, dated as of November 26, 2007, by and between Optionable, Inc. and Dov Rauchwerger. (incorporated by reference to the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated as of November 26, 2007). 10.45 21* Subsidiaries of the Company. 31.1* Certification by Principal Executive Officer, required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act 31.2* Certification by Chief Financial Officer, required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act 32.1* Certification by PrincipalExecutive Officer, required by Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) of the Exchange Act and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code 32.2* Certification by Chief Financial Officer, required by Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) of the Exchange Act and Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code * Filed herewith 47 SIGNATURES In accordance with Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on March 28, 2008. Optionable, Inc. By: /s/ Edward O'Connor ---------------------------------------- Edward O'Connor President and Director (Principal Executive Officer) By: /s/ Marc Andre-Boisseau ---------------------------------------- Marc Andre-Boisseau Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated: Signature Title Date /s/ Edward O'Connor President and Director March 28, 2008 - ------------------------ Edward O'Connor /s/ Marc-Andre Boisseau Chief Financial Officer March 28, 2008 - ------------------------ Marc-Andre Boisseau /s/ Thomas Burchill Director March 28, 2008 - ------------------------ Thomas Burchill /s/ Dov Rauchwerger Director March 28, 2008 - ------------------------ Dov Rauchwerger 48 OPTIONABLE, INC. INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.....................F-1 Balance Sheet...............................................................F-2 Statements of Operations....................................................F-3 Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Deficit).................................F-4 Statements of Cash Flows....................................................F-5 Notes to Financial Statements.......................................F-6 to F-41 REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM To the Stockholders and Board of Directors Optionable, Inc. Valhalla, New York We have audited the accompanying balance sheet of Optionable, Inc, and Subsidiary as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 and the related statements of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company has determined that it is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Optionable, Inc, and Subsidiary as of December 31, 2007 and 2006 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. The Company has incurred significant losses as more fully described in Note 1. These issues raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. Management's plans in regard to these matters are also described in Note 1. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty. /s/ Sherb & Co., LLP --------------------------------- Certified Public Accountants New York, New York March 28, 2008 -F-1- OPTIONABLE, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, ---------------------------------- 2007 2006 --------------- --------------- ASSETS Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 9,919,727 $ 7,913,393 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $35,368 and $29,693 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively - 2,100,805 Accounts receivable from related parties - 182,338 Incentives receivable from stockholder, net of allowance for doubtful account of $640,947 and $0 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively - 1,307,859 Due from related party - 488,273 Prepaid income taxes 2,281,432 - Deferred tax assets 281,356 - Prepaid expenses 387,636 64,162 --------------- --------------- Total current assets 12,870,151 12,056,830 Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $569,712 and $457,204 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively 186,231 57,501 Other receivable - 150,000 Other assets 19,900 19,900 --------------- --------------- Total assets $ 13,076,282 $ 12,284,231 =============== =============== LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Accounts payable $ 80,123 $ 51,004 Accrued expenses 308,068 141,989 Accrued compensation - 1,891,885 Other liabilities 4,207 - Income tax payable - 1,454,246 --------------- --------------- Total current liabilities 392,398 3,539,124 Other liabilities, net of short-term portion 59,367 - Due to stockholder, net of unamortized discount of $2,956,314 and $3,256,311 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively 2,088,196 1,788,199 Due to executive officer, net of unamortized discount of $400,976 and $441,686 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively 107,721 67,011 --------------- --------------- Total liabilities 2,647,682 5,394,334 Stockholders' Equity: Preferred Stock; $.0001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively - - Common stock; $.0001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 52,428,203 issued and 52,423,403 outstanding at December 31, 2007 and 51,674,514 issued and 51,669,714 outstanding at December 31, 2006 5,242 5,167 Additional paid-in capital 162,743,356 8,469,567 Treasury stock at cost, 4,800 shares (2,506) (2,506) Accumulated deficit (152,317,492) (1,582,331) --------------- --------------- Total stockholders' equity 10,428,600 6,889,897 --------------- --------------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 13,076,282 $ 12,284,231 =============== ===============
See Notes to Financial Statements. -F-2- OPTIONABLE, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the year ended December 31, ------------------------------------- 2007 2006 ----------------- ----------------- Revenues: Brokerage fees $ 8,786,850 $ 8,987,727 Brokerage fees-related parties 1,148,885 3,994,131 Incentives-stockholder 3,285,058 3,087,653 ----------------- ----------------- Net revenues 13,220,793 16,069,511 Cost of revenues 7,798,438 5,312,269 Cost of revenues-related parties 30,013 909,291 ----------------- ----------------- 7,828,451 6,221,560 ----------------- ----------------- Gross profit 5,392,342 9,847,951 ----------------- ----------------- Operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative 8,624,175 1,030,979 Impairment-consideration receivable from stockholder 145,771,878 - Impairment-intangible asset 1,085,610 - Research and development 1,094,188 473,645 ----------------- ----------------- Total operating expenses 156,575,851 1,504,624 ----------------- ----------------- Operating (loss) income (151,183,509) 8,343,327 ----------------- ----------------- Other income (expense): Interest income 388,757 102,040 Other expense (15,250) - Interest expense to related parties (340,707) (780,137) ----------------- ----------------- 32,800 (678,097) ----------------- ----------------- (Loss) income before income tax (151,150,709) 7,665,230 Income tax benefit-deferred 281,356 - Income tax benefit ( expense)- current 134,192 (1,459,052) ----------------- ----------------- Income tax benefit (expense) 415,548 (1,459,052) ----------------- ----------------- Net (loss) income $ (150,735,161) $ 6,206,178 ================= ================= Basic (loss) earnings per common share $ (2.88) $ 0.12 ================= ================= Diluted (loss) earnings per common share $ (2.88) $ 0.12 ================= ================= Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 52,320,030 51,478,354 ================= ================= Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 52,320,030 52,559,445 ================= =================
See Notes to Financial Statements. -F-3- OPTIONABLE, INC. STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY From January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2007
Treasury Common Stock Additional Stock, Accumulated Shares $ Paid-in Capital at Cost Deficit Total ------------ --------- --------------- --------- -------------- -------------- Opening balance, January 1, 2006 51,406,431 $ 5,141 $ 7,946,471 $ - $ (7,788,509) $ 163,103 Fair value of warrants issued to related party - - 240,000 - - 240,000 Fair value of options - - 6,506 - - 6,506 Fair value of shares issued for compensation to chief executive officer 268,083 26 276,590 276,616 Repurchase of shares (4,800) - - (2,506) (2,506) Net income - - - - 6,206,178 6,206,178 ------------ --------- --------------- --------- -------------- -------------- Balance at December 31, 2006 51,669,714 5,167 8,469,567 (2,506) (1,582,331) 6,889,897 Fair value of warrants issued to related party - - 120,000 - - 120,000 Fair value of share-based payments issued to shareholder - - 149,084,876 - - 149,084,876 Fair value of warrants issued to acquire intangible asset - - 756,000 - - 756,000 Fair value of options - - 3,911,401 - - 3,911,401 Exercise of warrants 550,000 55 184,945 - - 185,000 Exercise of options 173,000 17 34,583 - - 34,600 Fair value of shares issued for compensation to chief executive officer 30,689 3 181,984 - - 181,987 Net loss - - - (150,735,161) (150,735,161) ------------ --------- --------------- --------- -------------- -------------- Ending balance, December 31, 2007 52,423,403 $ 5,242 $ 162,743,356 $ (2,506) $(152,317,492) $ 10,428,600 ============ ========= =============== ========= ============== ==============
See Notes to Financial Statements -F-4- OPTIONABLE, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the year ended December 31, ---------------------------------- 2007 2006 --------------- ---------------- Cash flows from operating activities: Net (loss) income $ (150,735,161) $ 6,206,178 Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation 112,508 31,508 Amortization of debt discount 340,707 780,137 Amortization of intangible asset - - Amortization of consideration receivable from stockholder 3,383,387 - Provision for doubtful accounts 646,622 (37,727) Fair value of warrants and options 4,025,716 246,506 Fair value of shares issued to chief executive officer 187,672 276,616 Loss on sale of trading right 15,250 - Impairment-consideration receivable from stockholder 145,771,879 - Impairment- intangible asset 1,085,610 - Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable 2,095,131 (1,751,941) Accounts receivable-related parties 182,338 (141,143) Due from related party 488,273 (184,701) Incentives receivable from stockholder 666,912 (1,153,076) Prepaid expenses (323,474) (15,073) Other receivable 150,000 (19,900) Accounts payable 29,119 82,507 Accrued expenses 166,079 55,500 Other liabilities 63,574 - Income tax payable (1,454,246) 1,454,246 Deferred tax assets (281,356) - Prepaid income taxes (2,281,433) - Accrued compensation (1,891,885) 1,481,330 --------------- ---------------- Net cash provided by operating activities 2,443,222 7,310,967 --------------- ---------------- Cash flows used in investing activities: Acquisition of intangible asset (400,000) - Acquisition of trading rights (1,180,250) - Proceeds from disposition of trading right 1,165,000 - Purchases of property and equipment (241,238) (47,824) --------------- ---------------- Net cash used in investing activities (656,488) (47,824) --------------- ---------------- Cash flows from financing activities: Principal repayments of due to former chief executive officer - (558,697) Principal repayments of due to executive officer - (200,000) Principal repayments of due to former chairman of the board - (400,000) Repurchase of shares of common stock - (2,506) Proceeds from issuance of shares of subsidiary 5,100 - Repurchase of shares of subsidiary (5,100) - Proceeds from exercise of options 34,600 - Proceeds from exercise of warrants 185,000 - --------------- ---------------- Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 219,600 (1,161,203) --------------- ---------------- Net increase in cash 2,006,334 6,101,940 Cash, beginning of year 7,913,393 1,811,453 --------------- ---------------- Cash, end of year $ 9,919,727 $ 7,913,393 =============== ================ Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Cash paid for income taxes $ 3,750,000 $ 4,806 =============== ================ Cash paid for interest $ - $ - =============== ================ Noncash investing and financing activities: Fair value of warrants issued in connection with the acquisition of intangible asset $ 756,000 $ - =============== ================
See Notes to Financial Statements. -F5- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 1-Organization, Description of Business and Going Concern Optionable, Inc. (the "Company") was formed in Delaware in February 2000 and offers trading and brokerage services to brokerage firms, financial institutions, energy traders, and hedge funds nationwide. The Company's operations are located in the New York metropolitan area. The Company offers its services through an automated electronic trading platform. Recent Developments Several recent developments, such as a statement made by the Company's most significant customer, such customer's suspension of its business relationship with the Company, the matters discussed in Note 10, together with the combined succession of events since then have had a significant adverse impact on our business, including current and, likely, future results of operations and financial condition and have impacted the Company's ability to continue to operate as a brokerage services provider through traditional voice-brokerage and on the floor of a US exchange. Consequently, the Company is formulating a revised strategy to: 1) emphasize the marketing of its automated electronic trading platform to end-users through indirect channels, such as through other third-party brokers and other exchanges; 2) develop and enhance its automated trading platform to end-users other than those in the energy derivatives markets; 3) provide software development services to third-party brokers and other exchanges. The Company is also considering whether it would be more advantageous to sell its intangible assets, including the technology it has developed. The Company anticipates that revenue-generating agreements under its revised strategy may take the form of licensing, royalty-based agreements and/or software development and maintenance agreements. The Company has not generated revenues since the third quarter of 2007. The Company believes that revenues from its brokerage services will be minimal under its existing structure. While the Company is not discontinuing its brokerage services, it will most likely need to 1) acquire the operations of a brokerage firm, or several brokerage firms, and hire their personnel, to expand its -F6- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 1-Organization, Description of Business and Going Concern-Continued current operations or 2)form a consortium of brokerage companies that would jointly use the electronic platform. Going Concern The Company believes it has enough funds to meet its obligations, based on its internal projections, for at least the next twelve months. However, the Company cannot guarantee that it will do so. If there are unforeseen expenses or financial obligations which occur during the next twelve months, the Company may not be able to meet such obligations. Additionally, if the Company acquires a brokerage firm or a technology company which could be instrumental in the Company's long-term growth, this could hamper the Company's ability to continue as going concern, both from a short-term or a long-term perspective, and the Company would have to resort to financing, through either debt or equity placements, for the funding of either such acquisitions or unforeseen expenses or financial obligations. Principles of consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the results of operations of Opex International, Inc. and Hydra Commodity Services, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2007. All material inter-company accounts and transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation. Note 2- Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Concentration of Credit Risks The Company is subject to concentrations of credit risk primarily from cash and cash equivalents. The Company's cash and cash equivalents accounts are held at financial institutions and are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC") up to $100,000. During the year ended December 31, 2007, the Company has reached bank balances exceeding the FDIC insurance limit. To reduce its risk associated with the failure of such financial institutions, the Company -F7- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 2- Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-Continued periodically evaluates the credit quality of the financial institutions in which it holds deposits. At December 31, 2006, the Company's accounts receivable were due from energy trading firms, financial institutions, and hedge funds, located primarily in the United States. Collateral was generally not required. One of the Company's customers accounted for 37% of its accounts receivable net of allowance for doubtful accounts, at December 31, 2006. No other customers accounted for more than 10% of its accounts receivable at December 31, 2006. Customer Concentration One of the Company's customers accounted for approximately 24% and 24% of its revenues during 2007 and 2006, respectively. During May 2007, this customer announced that it was suspending its relationship with the Company and that customer has not used the Company's services in connection with any additional transactions since that time. Product Concentration All of the Company's revenues were derived from fees earned from energy derivatives transactions and related incentives provided by a United States exchange. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts The Company has established an allowance for doubtful accounts for its accounts and incentives receivable based upon factors pertaining to the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends, and other information. Delinquent accounts are written-off when it is determined that the amounts are uncollectible. Fair Value of Financial Instruments The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts receivable from related parties, due from related party, incentive receivable from shareholder, prepaid income taxes, other receivable and other current assets and accounts payable and accrued expenses, accrued compensation, and income tax payable approximate their fair value due to their short-term maturities. The carrying amounts of due to former Chairman of the Board and due to an executive officer approximate their fair value based on the Company's incremental borrowing rate. -F8- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 2- Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-Continued Property and Equipment Property and equipment are recorded at cost and are depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives of three to five years. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Significant renewals and betterments are capitalized. Property and equipment consist of the following as: December 31, 2007 2006 ---------- ----------- Computer equipment and software $ 647,903 $ 445,159 Office furniture and equipment 108,040 69,546 ---------- ----------- 755,943 514,705 Accumulated depreciation (569,712) (457,204) ---------- ----------- $ 186,231 $ 57,501 ========== =========== Depreciation expense amounted to approximately $112,500 and $32,000 during 2007 and 2006, respectively. Software Development Costs Costs incurred in the research and development of software products are expensed as incurred until technological feasibility has been established. After technological feasibility is established, any additional costs are capitalized in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 86, "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to Be Sold, Leased or Otherwise Marketed". Costs of maintenance and customer support will be charged to expense when related revenue is recognized or when those costs are incurred, whichever occurs first. The Company believes that the current process for developing software is essentially completed concurrently with the establishment of technological feasibility; accordingly, no software development costs have been capitalized at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Income Taxes Income taxes are accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes". SFAS No. 109 requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities to reflect the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company's financial statements or tax returns. Measurement of the deferred items is based on enacted tax laws. In the event the future -F9- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 2- Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-Continued consequences of differences between financial reporting bases and tax bases of the Company's assets and liabilities result in a deferred tax asset, SFAS No. 109 requires an evaluation of the probability of being able to realize the future benefits indicated by such assets. A valuation allowance related to a deferred tax asset is recorded when it is more likely than not that some or all deferred tax assets will not be realized. Penalties and interest on underpayment of taxes are reflected in the Company's effective tax rate. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management 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 periods. Significant estimates made by management include, but are not limited to, the realization of receivables. Actual results will differ from these estimates. Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share Basic earnings per share are calculated by dividing income available to stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share are computed using the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive common share equivalents outstanding during the period. Dilutive common share equivalents consist of shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants (calculated using the modified-treasury stock method). The outstanding options amounted to 1,363,000 and 941,000 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The outstanding warrants amounted to 19,426,000 and 1,650,000 at December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The outstanding warrants at December 31, 2007 include 18,526,000 warrants issued to an investor but for which the Company has not received the agreed consideration. The options and warrants outstanding at December 31, 2007 have been excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share due to their antidilutive effect. -F10- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 2- Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-Continued The following sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the years ended December 31: - ---------------------------- -------------------------------------------- Year ended December 31, - ---------------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- 2007 2006 - ---------------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Numerator: - ---------------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Net (loss) income $(150,735,161) $ 6,206,178 - ---------------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Denominator: - ---------------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Denominator for basic earnings per share-weighted average shares outstanding 52,320,030 51,478,354 - ---------------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Effect of dilutive employee stock options - 643,337 - ---------------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Effect of dilutive warrants - 437,755 - ---------------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Denominator for diluted earnings per share-weighted average shares outstanding 52,320,030 52,559,445 - ---------------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- Basic earnings (loss) per share $(2.88) $0.12 - ---------------------------- -------------- ----------- -- -------------- Diluted earnings (loss) per share $(2.88) $0.12 - ---------------------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -F11- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 2- Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-Continued Revenue Recognition Revenue is recognized when earned. The Company's revenue recognition policies are in compliance with the Securities and Exchange Commission's ("SEC") Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 104 "Revenue Recognition". The Company generally invoices its customers monthly, for all transactions which have been executed during such month. Revenues are recognized on the day of trade-trade date basis. The Company's revenues derive from a certain predetermined fixed fee of the transactions it executes on behalf of its customers. The fee is based on the volume of financial instruments traded. The Company bases its fees on oral and written contracts and confirms the fees in writing upon the execution of each transaction. The Company also receives incentives from a United States exchange for the volume of transactions conducted by the Company using their platform. The incentives are based on a percentage of the total revenues received by the exchange attributable to the Company's volume of transactions submitted to the exchange. The Company estimates monthly such incentives based on the volumes of daily transactions submitted to the exchange using the day of trade-trade date basis, and the exchange's published revenues by type of transactions. The Company, pursuant to SAB 104, recognizes the incentive revenues realized or realizable when all of the following criteria are met: 1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists. The exchange has publicly published the terms of its incentive program in 2003 which is offered to all intermediaries in the select transactions; 2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered. Under arrangements with the exchange, the incentives are earned on the day the Company submits transactions to the exchange based on the revenues generated from such transactions and are no longer subject to a minimum transaction volume. The Company accounts for all transactions submitted to the exchange on a daily basis. Accordingly, the Company is able to determine when the incentives are -F12- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 2- Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-Continued earned based on the date it submits transactions to the exchange. The Company has no other obligations to the exchange to earn the incentives; 3) "seller's" price to the buyer is fixed or determinable. Based on the incentive program terms of the exchange, its published prices for the type of transactions the Company submits to it, and the Company's transactions records, the Company is able to estimate the revenues the exchange earns in connection with the transactions the Company submits, and accordingly, the amount, if any, of the incentives the Company earns in connection with such transactions; and 4) collectibility is reasonably assured. The exchange has paid the Company timely on incentives earned from 2004 through May 2007. The Company intends to enforce the payment of any incentives receivable under the incentive program. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever circumstances and situations change such that there is an indication that the carrying amounts may not be recovered. In such circumstances, the Company will estimate the future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. Future cash flows are the future cash inflows expected to be generated by an asset less the future outflows expected to be necessary to obtain those inflows. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount of the asset, the Company will recognize an impairment loss to adjust to the fair value of the asset. Share-Based Payments In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued SFAS No. 123(R), "Share-Based Payment," which replaces SFAS No. 123 and supersedes APB Opinion No. 25. Under SFAS No. 123(R), companies are required to measure the compensation costs of share-based compensation arrangements based on the grant-date fair value and recognize the costs in the financial statements over -F13- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 2- Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-Continued the period during which employees are required to provide services. Share-based compensation arrangements include stock options, restricted share plans, performance-based awards, share appreciation rights and employee share purchase plans. In March 2005, the SEC issued SAB 107. SAB 107 expresses views of the staff regarding the interaction between SFAS No. 123(R) and certain SEC rules and regulations and provides the staff's views regarding the valuation of share-based payment arrangements for public companies. SFAS No. 123(R) permits public companies to adopt its requirements using one of two methods. On April 14, 2005, the SEC adopted a new rule amending the compliance dates for SFAS 123(R). Companies may elect to apply this statement either prospectively, or on a modified version of retrospective application under which financial statements for prior periods are adjusted on a basis consistent with the pro forma disclosures required for those periods under SFAS 123. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company has fully adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) and related interpretations as provided by SAB 107 prospectively. As such, compensation cost is measured on the date of grant as its fair value. Such compensation amounts, if any, are amortized over the respective vesting periods of the option grant. The Company applies this statement prospectively. The Company accounts for share-based payments awarded to the Investor pursuant to FAS No. 123R and Emerging Issue Task Force Release No.96-16, "Accounting for Equity Instruments That Are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling, Goods or Services". Share-based payments awarded to NYMEX Holdings, Inc. (the "Investor"), including those awarded by another holder of an economic interest in the Company as compensation for services to the Company, are share-based payments transactions. The Company measures the fair value of the equity instruments to the Investor using the stock price and other measurement assumptions as of the earlier of either of the following: 1) the date at which a commitment for performance, as defined, by the counterparty to earn the equity instruments is reached, or 2) the date at which the counterparty's performance is complete. The fair value of the equity instruments amounts to the carrying value of the consideration receivable from the Investor and is recognized over the agreed-upon terms of the consideration, which is at most 10 years. The Company evaluates the carrying value of the consideration receivable from the Investor at each measurement date. -F14- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 2- Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-Continued Segment reporting The Company operates in one segment, brokerage services. The Company's chief operating decision-maker evaluates the performance of the Company based upon revenues and expenses by functional areas as disclosed in the Company's statement of operations. Recent Pronouncements In September 2006, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 157 "Fair Value Measurements". This Statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. This statement applies under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements, the FASB having previously concluded in those accounting pronouncements that fair value is a relevant measurement attribute. Accordingly, this statement does not require any new fair value measurements. However, for some entities, the application of this statement will change current practices. This statement is effective for financial statements for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. Earlier application is permitted provided that the reporting entity has not yet issued financial statements for that fiscal year. Management believes this statement will have no impact on the financial statements of the Company once adopted. In February 2007, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 159 "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities--Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115". This statement permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value. The objective is to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge accounting provisions. This statement is expected to expand the use of fair value measurement, which is consistent with the FASB's long-term measurement objectives for accounting for financial instruments. This statement applies to all entities, including not-for-profit organizations. Most of the provisions of this statement apply only to entities that elect the fair value option. However, the amendment to FASB Statement No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities, applies to all entities with available-for-sale and -F15- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 2- Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-Continued trading securities. Some requirements apply differently to entities that do not report net income. Recognized financial assets and financial liabilities are eligible items for the measurement option established by this Statement except: o An investment in a subsidiary that the entity is required to consolidate o An interest in a variable interest entity that the entity is required to consolidate o Employers' and plans' obligations (or assets representing net overfunded positions) for pension benefits, other postretirement benefits (including health care and life insurance benefits), postemployment benefits, employee stock option and stock purchase plans, and other forms of deferred compensation arrangements, as defined in FASB Statements No. 35, "Accounting and Reporting by Defined Benefit Pension Plans", No. 87, "Employers' Accounting for Pensions", No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions", No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for Postemployment Benefits", No. 123 (R) (revised December 2004), "Share-Based Payment", No. 43, "Accounting for Compensated Absences", No. 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities", and No. 158, "Employers' Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans", and APB Opinion No. 12, "Omnibus Opinion--1967" o Financial assets and financial liabilities recognized under leases as defined in FASB Statement No. 13, "Accounting for Leases" (This exception does not apply to a guarantee of a third-party lease obligation or a contingent obligation arising from a cancelled lease.) o Deposit liabilities, withdrawable on demand, of banks, savings and loan associations, credit unions, and other similar depository institutions o Financial instruments that are, in whole or in part, classified by the issuer as a component of shareholder's equity (including "temporary equity"). An example is a convertible debt security with a noncontingent beneficial conversion feature. -F16- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 2- Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-Continued o Firm commitments that would otherwise not be recognized at inception and that involve only financial instruments o Nonfinancial insurance contracts and warranties that the insurer can settle by paying a third party to provide those goods or services o Host financial instruments resulting from separation of an embedded nonfinancial derivative instrument from a nonfinancial hybrid instrument. The fair value option established by this Statement permits all entities to choose to measure eligible items at fair value at specified election dates. A business entity shall report unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected in earnings (or another performance indicator if the business entity does not report earnings) at each subsequent reporting date. A not-for-profit organization shall report unrealized gains and losses in its statement of activities or similar statement. The fair value option: o May be applied instrument by instrument, with a few exceptions, such as investments otherwise accounted for by the equity method o Is irrevocable (unless a new election date occurs) o Is applied only to entire instruments and not to portions of instruments. FASB Statement No.115 is effective as of the beginning of an entity's first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of a fiscal year that begins on or before November 15, 2007, provided the entity also elects to apply the provisions of FASB Statement No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements". No entity is permitted to apply this Statement retrospectively to fiscal years preceding the effective date unless the entity chooses early adoption. -F17- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 2- Summary of Significant Accounting Policies-Continued The FASB issued FASB Statement No. 141 (revised 2007), Business Combinations, and No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements. Statement 141(R requires the acquiring entity in a business combination to recognize all (and only) the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the transaction; establishes the acquisition-date fair value as the measurement objective for all assets acquired and liabilities assumed; and requires the acquirer to disclose to investors and other users all of the information they need to evaluate and understand the nature and financial effect of the business combination. FASB No.141 R is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company does not believe that FAS No. 141 R will have any impact on its financial statements. The FASB issued FASB Statement No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements Statement No.160 requires all entities to report noncontrolling (minority) interests in subsidiaries in the same way--as equity in the consolidated financial statements. Moreover, Statement 160 eliminates the diversity that currently exists in accounting for transactions between an entity and noncontrolling interests by requiring they be treated as equity transactions. FASB No.160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company does not believe that FAS No. 160 will have any impact on its financial statements. -F18- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 3-Due from Related Party In April 2004, under the Master Services Agreement, as amended on April 12, 2005, with a related party, Capital Energy Services, Inc., the Company agreed to pay certain fixed and variable fees and support services to such related party entity, partly owned by its former Chief Executive Officer and by an Executive Officer in exchange for a share of revenues of the floor brokerage services of the related party. The Company has agreed to pay a fixed fee in the amount of $50,000 per year. This agreement was terminated on January 31, 2007. The Company's share of revenues of the floor brokerage services amounted to approximately $901,000 and $3.6 million during the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The Company's share of expenses of the floor brokerage services amounted to approximately $15,000 and $741,000 during the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The Company has received approximately $1.5 million and $2.6 million from the related party in connection with such floor brokerage services during the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively. Additionally, in April 2007, the Company reimbursed the related party approximately $165,000 for commissions to a broker that such related party paid on the Company's behalf. The Company recognized its share of revenues of the floor brokerage services based on the commissions earned for such services which are recognized on the day of the trade-trade date basis. The father of the Company's former Chairman of the Board leases to the Company a seat on the exchange through which Capital Energy maintains its floor operations. The Company assumed the cost of the lease in April 2006 and renewed it in December 2006 through June 2007. The Company terminated this agreement effective April 1, 2007. The lease provided for monthly payments of $5,000 through June 30, 2007. The amount paid pursuant to the lease amounted to $15,000 and $188,000 during 2007 and 2006, respectively. Note 4-Trading rights During March 2007, the Company acquired two trading rights for an aggregate amount of approximately $1,180,250, allowing it to operate on the floor of a United States exchange. The trading rights do not have a finite life. During June and August 2007, the Company sold its trading rights for $1,165,000, generating a loss of approximately $15,000 which is included in other expenses. -F19- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 5-Agreement with NYMEX Holding, Inc. On April 10, 2007, the Company and its former Chairman of the Board, its former Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and its President, (the "Founding Stockholders") and NYMEX Holdings, Inc. (the "Investor") entered into a definitive stock and warrant purchase agreement (the "Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement") and consummated the transactions contemplated thereby. Pursuant to the terms of the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, the Investor purchased 10,758,886 shares of the Company's common stock ("Common Stock") from the Founding Stockholders (the "Purchased Shares") representing 19% of the then outstanding shares of common stock on a fully diluted basis (without giving effect to the Warrant, as defined and discussed below). Additionally, pursuant to the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, the Company physically issued to the Investor a Warrant, as defined and described below, in consideration of the Investor's agreement (the "Consideration"): 1. to develop a marketing plan, which plan was to detail proposed expenditures by the Investor and joint activities; 2. subject to regulatory requirements, to provide space for up to twenty of the Company's brokers on the Investor's trading floor; 3. to host the Company's OPEX electronic trade matching and brokerage system ("OPEX") in the Investor's data center and provide the Company with computer and networking hardware, software, bandwidth and ancillary infrastructure and services reasonably necessary to interconnect OPEX with the Investor's ClearPort market gateway to trading and clearing services; and 4. Additionally, the Company agreed to exclusively clear all over-thecounter ("OTC") products through the Investor's NYMEX ClearPort clearing system for a period of ten years (provided that the Investor continues to offer clearance for a particular product through the NYMEX ClearPort clearing system) in consideration for additional fees to be paid by the Investor to the Company. The terms of the warrant issued by the Company (the "Warrant"), as contemplated in the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, permit the Investor to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock sufficient to increase the Investor's ownership of the Company's Common Stock to an amount not to exceed 40% of the Company's -F20- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 5-Agreement with NYMEX Holding, Inc. then outstanding Common Stock on a fully diluted basis, based on the assumption that the Investor has retained ownership of the Purchased Shares and any shares of Common Stock previously issued to the Investor upon a partial exercise of the Warrant. The Warrant could be exercisable at any time and from time to time prior to October 10, 2008 at an exercise price per share equal to $4.30 (the "Exercise Price"). The Warrant does not contain a cashless exercise feature. The Exercise Price is subject to certain customary adjustments to protect against dilution. Following the occurrence of the events which are the subject of the matters discussed in Note 10 "Litigation," the Company and the Investor have not agreed upon the aforementioned joint marketing and technology initiatives. Additionally, the Investor indicated in a Schedule 13D it filed with the SEC on July 6, 2007, with respect to its holdings of equity securities of the Company, that it was now re-considering its potential joint marketing and technology initiatives with the Company. As a result, the Investor and the Company have not developed the contemplated joint marketing and technology initiatives. The Company is considering the effect of the failure of the Investor to provide the Consideration for the Warrant upon the Company's obligations under the Warrant. -F21- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 5-Agreement with NYMEX Holding, Inc.-Continued The sale of the Purchased Shares from the Founding Stockholders in an agreement in which the Company would benefit from the Consideration constitutes a share-based payment transaction. As such, the Company established that the fair value of the Purchased Shares is more reliably measurable than the Consideration from the Investor. The fair value of the Consideration attributable to the Purchased Shares represents the difference between the market value of the Purchased Shares at the date of the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, as quoted on the Over-the-Counter Bulletin Board, and the disposition proceeds of the Purchased Shares. The fair value of the Consideration at April 10, 2007 amounted to $49,490,876 and was initially recorded as capital contribution from the Founding Stockholders. The fair value of the Consideration attributable to the Warrant amounted to $99,594,000. The fair value is based on the Black Scholes Model using the following assumptions: exercise price: $4.30; market value: $7.29; term: 1.5 years; risk-free interest rate: 4.89%; expected volatility: 128%; expected dividend rate: 0%. The Company recognized an amortization expense of approximately $3.3 million in connection with the Consideration during the year ended December 31, 2007. However, at June 30, 2007, based upon the statements made by the Investor, the Company was unable to assert that it will receive any of the benefits initially contemplated by the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement. Accordingly, the Company has recorded a charge to its statement of operations amounting to approximately $145.8 million, during the year ended December 31, 2007. The Company has also provided for an allowance for doubtful accounts for the incentives receivable from the Investor of approximately $640,000 at December 31, 2007. -F22- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 6- Intangible Asset During March 2007, the Company acquired the customer list of HQ Trading, an energy derivatives brokerage firm, and assumed its continued operations. The Company acquired such assets to expand its customer base and provide a critical mass entry in the crude oil options market. The terms of the agreement provided, among other things, the following: o $400,000 payable to the owners of HQ Trading upon execution of final agreement; o $400,000 payable to the owners of HQ Trading in September 2008; o $400,000 payable to the owners of HQ Trading in March 2010; o 900,000 warrants with an exercise price of $5 per share and expiring in March 2012, of which 300,000 are exercisable immediately and 600,000 become exercisable in March 2008 if the continued operations of HQ Trading generate revenues exceeding $1.2 million for the 12-month period following the final agreement. -F23- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 6- Intangible Asset-Continued The aggregate value assigned to the consideration amounted to $1,156,000 and is as follows: o The cash consideration amounts to $400,000. o The fair value of the 300,000 warrants exercisable at the date of the agreement amounts to $756,000, based on the Black Scholes Model, using the following assumptions: exercise price of $5, market value of $5, risk-free interest rate of 4.54%, expected volatility of 52%, expected dividend rate: 0%, term: 5 years The expected volatility was based on the average historical volatility of comparable publicly-traded companies considering the Company's period of observable historical data is shorter than the terms of the warrants. The fair value of the consideration was assigned to customer relationships and was amortized over a period of three years. The Company recognized approximately $70,000 as amortization expense during the year ended December 31, 2007 and is included as selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated statement of income. During May 2007, following the occurrence of the events which are the subject of the matters discussed in Note 10, "Litigation", the former owners of HQ Trading agreed to unwind the acquisition. As part of the unwinding, the former owners of HQ Trading released the Company from its obligations related to the two payments of $400,000 payable in September 2008 and March 2010 and agreed to the cancellation of the 900,000 warrants. The former owners of HQ Trading retained the $400,000 which was paid upon execution of the final agreement. Both parties retained the right to use the HQ Trading customer list. Accordingly, the Company will not be recognizing the fair value of the remaining 600,000 warrants and the two payments of aggregating $800,000. Following the separation agreement with the former owners of HQ Trading effective May 2007, the carrying value of the client list acquired in March 2007 has been impaired. The Company is currently unable to assert that it will derive any benefit from this client list in the foreseeable future. Accordingly, it has recorded a charge to its statement of operations amounting to the carrying value during 2007, which amounted to approximately $1.1 million. -F24- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 7-Due to Related Parties The terms and amounts of due to related parties at December 31, 2007 and 2006 are as follows: Due to Stockholder and former Chairman of the Board, non-interest bearing, unsecured, payable by March 12, 2014, if the Company obtains additional equity or debt financing of at least $1,000,000 following the private placement which closed in September 2004 ("Capital Raise"), the Company will repay its former Chairman of the Board up to 39.33% of the Capital Raise, up to $2,810,877, with the remaining balance and accrued interest of 4.68% from the date of the Capital Raise due on March 12, 2014: As of December 31, 2007 2006 ------------ ------------- $ 5,044,510 $ 5,044,510 Discount, using initial implied rate of 12%: (2,956,314) (3,256,311) ------------ ------------- $ 2,088,196 $ 1,789,199 ============ ============= Due to Executive Officer, non-interest bearing, unsecured, payable by March 12, 2014, if the Company obtains additional equity or debt financing of at least $1,000,000 following a Capital Raise, the Company will repay its Executive Officer up to 5.3% of the Capital Raise, up to $381,250, with the remaining balance and accrued interest of 4.68% from the date of the Capital Raise due on March 12, 2014: As of December 31, 2007 2006 ------------ ------------- $ 508,697 $ 508,697 Discount, using initial implied rate of 12%: (400,976) (441,686) ------------ ------------- $ 107,721 $ 67,011 ============ ============= During April 2005, the Company modified the terms of its due to related parties. The modified terms provide that, in the event of a Capital Raise, among other things, the annual interest rate accrued after such event is reduced from 12% to 4.68%. Additionally, the modified terms provide that the Company may make principal repayments towards the due to a stockholder and former Chairman of the Board and the due to its Executive Officer amounting to approximately 25% of its cash flows from operating cash flows less capital expenditures. During April 2006, the Company modified the terms of its due to related parties to allow the Company to make principal repayments at its discretion. -F25- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 7-Due to Related Parties-Continued As a condition to the Investor's obligation to consummate the transactions contemplated by the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, the Company's former Chairman of the Board executed an agreement, dated April 10, 2007 (the "Waiver"), waiving any obligation on the part of the Company to make any prepayment of principal, or to begin paying interest upon amounts due to the Company's former Chairman of the Board, under the Loan Agreement between him and the Company, dated March 22, 2004, as a result of any exercise by the Investor of the Warrant. The Company satisfied its due to its former Chief Executive Officer during fiscal 2006. The due to former Chief Executive Officer had the same terms as the due to Executive Officer. The amortization of the discount on the due to related parties amounted to approximately $340,000 and $780,000 during 2007 and 2006, respectively. During 2006, the Company made principal repayments amounting to approximately $1.2 million towards its due to related parties. Note 8- Other Related Party Transactions The Company provided administrative services to a related party, an entity owned by the Company's former Chief Executive Officer and an Executive Officer. The Company charged approximately $8,000 and $17,000 during 2007 and 2006, respectively. The related party satisfied its obligations owed to the Company prior to September 30, 2007. This agreement was terminated by both parties effective June 30, 2007. The Company has recognized revenues of approximately $250,000 and $273,000 during 2007 and 2006, respectively, from three related parties, entities in which one of its stockholders and former Chairman of the Board is also the managing director. Such related parties satisfied their obligations to the Company at December 31, 2007. -F26- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 9- Stockholders' Equity During the 2007 and 2006, the Company issued 30,689 and 268,083 shares of common stock, respectively, to its former Chief Executive Officer. The fair value of the shares issued during 2007 and 2006 amounted to approximately $182,000 and $276,000, respectively, based on the quoted price of the Company's common stock at the date of issuance. The shares were issued pursuant to the employment agreement between the Company and its former Chief Executive Officer. Stock Compensation Plan During November 2004, the Company adopted the 2004 Stock Option Plan ("2004 Plan"). The 2004 Plan allows for the grant of both incentive stock options and nonstatutory stock options. The 2004 Plan may be administered, interpreted and constructed by the Board of Directors or a compensation committee. The maximum number of shares of common stock which may be issued pursuant to options granted under the 2004 Plan may not exceed 7,500,000 shares. There are 1,363,000 options outstanding at December 31, 2007. The outstanding options are exercisable at a weighted average price per share of $0.79 per share. The Company granted 2,325,000 options during 2007. The options outstanding vest over periods of up to three years. During 2007 and 2006, the Company recorded share-based payment expenses amounting to approximately $3.9 million and $7,000, respectively, in connection with all options outstanding at the respective measurement dates. The amortization of share-based payment were recorded in cost of revenues. -F27- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 9- Stockholders' Equity-continued The share-based payment is based on the fair value of the outstanding options amortized over the requisite period of service for optionholders, which is generally the vesting period of the options. The fair value of the options is based on the Black Scholes Model using the following assumptions : 2007 2006 ------------- ------- Exercise price : $0.0918-$7.17 $0.51 Market price at date of grant : $0.0918-$7.17 $0.51 Volatility : 40-52% 57% Expected dividend rate : 0% 0% Expected terms: 3-3.3 years 3 years Risk-free interest rate : 3.07%-4.54% 4.81% The expected volatility was based on the average historical volatility of comparable publicly-traded companies considering the Company's period of observable historical data is shorter than the terms of the options. -F28- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 9- Stockholders' Equity-continued A summary of the activity during 2007 and 2006 of the Company's stock option plan is presented below:
Weighted Aggregate Average Intrinsic Options Exercise Price Value ---------- -------------- ---------- Outstanding at January 1, 2006 791,000 $0.21 Granted 150,000 0.51 Exercised - - Expired or cancelled - - ---------- -------------- Outstanding at December 31, 2006 941,000 0.26 Granted 2,325,000 0.36 Exercised 173,000 0.20 Expired or cancelled 1,730,000 - ---------- -------------- Outstanding at December 31, 2007 1,363,000 $0.36 $ - ========== ============== ========== Exercisable and vested at December 31, 2007 683,000 $0.69 $ - ========== ============== ==========
-F29- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 9- Stockholders' Equity-continued The weighted-average remaining contractual term of the options are as follows: Options outstanding at December 31, 2007: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Weighted-average remaining Weighted-average exercise contractual term Number of options price - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Earlier of termination for cause or death 283,000 $1.31 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5.96 years 1,080,000 0.17 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Options exercisable and vested at December 31, 2007: - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Weighted-average remaining Weighted-average exercise contractual term Number of options price - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Earlier of termination for 283,000 $1.31 cause or death - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7.1 years 400,000 0.25 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The following activity occurred under our plan: 2007 2006 ---------- -------- Weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted $ 2.44 $0.51 Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised $ 966,850 N/A Fair value of options recognized as expense: $3,911,401 $6,506 The total compensation cost related to nonvested options not yet recognized amounted to approximately $26,000 at December 31, 2007 and the Company expects that it will be recognized over the following weighted-average period of 21 months. -F30- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 If any options granted under the 2004 Plan expire or terminate without having been exercised or cease to be exercisable, such options will be available again under the 2004 Plan. All employees of the Company and its subsidiaries are eligible to receive incentive stock options and nonstatutory stock options. Non-employee directors and outside consultants who provided bona-fide services not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital raising transaction are eligible to receive nonstatutory stock options. Incentive stock options may not be granted below the fair market value of the Company's common stock at the time of grant or, if to an individual who beneficially owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all stock classes of the Company or a subsidiary, the option price may not be less than 110% of the fair value of the common stock at the time of grant. The expiration date of an incentive stock option may not be longer than ten years from the date of grant. Option holders, or their representatives, may exercise their vested options up to three months after their employment termination or one year after their death or permanent and total disability. The 2004 Plan provides for adjustments upon changes in capitalization. The Company's policy is to issue shares pursuant to the exercise of stock options from its available authorized but unissued shares of common stock. It does not issue shares pursuant to the exercise of stock options from its treasury shares. -F31- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 9- Stockholders' Equity-continued Performance-based Warrants The Company has issued warrants to a company wholly-owned by its former Chief Executive Officer. The warrants are exercisable in tranches of up to 400,000 warrants beginning December 31, 2005 and every six-month thereafter, upon reaching certain brokerage milestones by two of the Company's customers. The fair value of the warrants issued in 2006 is based on their fair value at the time of grant. The fair value of the warrants is based on the Black Scholes Model using the following assumptions: Exercise price : $0.95 Market price at date of grant: $0.95 Volatility: 57% Expected dividend rate: 0% Risk-free interest rate: 5.13% The expected volatility was based on the average historical volatility of comparable publicly-traded companies considering the Company's period of observable historical data is shorter than the terms of the warrants. -F32- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 9- Stockholders' Equity-continued A summary of the activity during 2007 and 2006 of the warrants issued to a company wholly-owned Company's former Chief Executive Officer is presented below: Weighted Average Weighted Remaining Average Contractual Warrants Exercise Price Terms (years) ---------- -------------- ------------- Outstanding at January 1, 2006 450,000 $ 0.20 Granted 1,200,000 0.95 Exercised - - Expired or cancelled (200,000) 0.95 ---------- -------------- Outstanding at December 31, 2006 1,450,000 0.72 Granted - - Exercised 550,000 0.34 Expired or cancelled (200,000) 0.95 ---------- -------------- Outstanding, vested, and exercisable at December 31, 2007 800,000 $0.95 1.5 ---------- -------------- ------------- There is no intrinsic value for such outstanding, vested, and exercisable warrants at December 31, 2007 The following activity occurred with respect to the performance-based warrants: 2007 2006 ---------- -------- Weighted-average grant-date fair value of warrants granted N/A $0.40 Aggregate intrinsic value of warrants exercised $3,172,500 N/A Fair value of warrants recognized as expense: $ 120,000 $240,000 -F33- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 9- Stockholders' Equity-continued Other warrants The Company issued 100,000 warrants to a former employee during 2004. The exercise price of the warrants is $0.20 per share. The warrants expire upon the death of the former employee. During March 2007, the Company issued warrants to the owners of HQ Trading, in connection with the Company's purchase of the HQ Trading customer relationships. The terms of the warrants are as follows: 900,000 warrants with an exercise price of $5 per share and expiring in March 2012, of which 300,000 are exercisable immediately and 600,000 warrants become exercisable in March 2008 if the continued operations of HQ Trading generate revenues exceeding $1.2 million for the 12-month period following the final agreement. All of these warrants were cancelled in May 2007 in connection with the unwinding of the HQ Trading transaction. During 2007, the Company issued warrants to a US exchange ( See Note 5-Agreement with NYMEX Holding, Inc ) The terms of the warrant issued by the Company (the "Warrant"), as contemplated in the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, permit the Investor to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock sufficient to increase the Investor's ownership of the Company's Common Stock to an amount not to exceed 40% of the Company's then outstanding Common Stock on a fully diluted basis, based on the assumption that the Investor has retained ownership of the Purchased Shares and any shares of Common Stock previously issued to the Investor upon a partial exercise of the Warrant. The Warrant could be exercisable at any time and from time to time prior to October 10, 2008 at an exercise price per share equal to $4.30 (the "Exercise Price"). The Warrant does not contain a cashless exercise feature. The Exercise Price is subject to certain customary adjustments to protect against dilution. The warrants are exercisable into 18,526,000 shares of the Company's common stock at December 31, 2007. -F34- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 9- Stockholders' Equity-continued Investor Rights and Registration Agreements In connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement, the Company, the Investor and the Founding Stockholders also entered into an Investor Rights Agreement, also dated April 10, 2007 (the "Investor Rights Agreement"), pursuant to which, for so long as the Investor owns at least 5,379,443 shares of Common Stock: (a) the Investor is entitled to designate one person (reasonably acceptable to the Company) that the Company is required to nominate as a member of the Company's board of directors (the "Investor Director"); (b) each of the Founding Stockholders are required to vote their shares in favor of the election of the Investor's designee as a director of the Company; (c) the Investor is required to vote its shares in favor of each individual nominated for election as a member of the Company's board of directors by the nominating committee of the Company; (d) subject to certain permitted threshold amounts, the consent of the Investor Director (which may not be unreasonably withheld) is required before the Company may take certain actions, including (1) issuances of shares of a class of stock ranking senior to the Common Stock, (2) acquisitions of businesses or assets, (3) entry into related party transactions, (4) the declaration or payment of dividends or distributions on or with respect to, or the optional redemption of, capital stock or the issuance of debt and (5) entry into any business which is not similar, ancillary or related to any of the businesses in which the Company is currently engaged; (e) each of the Founding Stockholders and the Investor have certain rights of first refusal to purchase or subscribe for their pro rata percentage of shares in certain subsequent sales by the Company of Common Stock and/or certain other securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock; (f) each of the Founding Stockholders and the Investor have certain rights of first refusal with respect to proposed sales of Common Stock by the others; and -F35- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 9- Stockholders' Equity-continued (g) before they may accept any offer by an independent third party to acquire fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power of the Common Stock or voting stock of the Company, the Founding Stockholders and the Company are required to provide notice of such offer to the Investor and permit the Investor a period of 10 days to make its own offer. The Investor Rights Agreement additionally requires the Investor to refrain from purchasing any additional shares of the Company's Common Stock, with certain limited exceptions, until April 10, 2008. The Company and the Investor also entered into a registration rights agreement, dated April 10, 2007 (the "Registration Rights Agreement"), pursuant to which, among other things, the Company has provided the Investor, subject to standard exceptions, with (a) unlimited "piggyback" rights subject to standard underwriter lock-up and cutback provisions and (b) the right to two demand registrations for underwritten offerings or take downs off of a shelf registration statement, provided that (i) a minimum of $5,000,000 of Common Stock is offered in such demand registration or take down and (ii) the Company will not be obligated to effectuate more than one underwritten offering pursuant to a demand registration by the Investor in any six-month period. In addition, if the Company is eligible to register its securities on Form S-3 (or any successor form then in effect), the Investor will be entitled to unlimited registrations on Form S-3 (or any successor form then in effect), including shelf registrations, provided that (a) a minimum of $5,000,000 of Common Stock is offered in the S-3 registration and (b) the Company will not be obligated to effect more than two S-3 registrations in any twelve month period. An S-3 registration will not count as a demand registration, unless such registration is for an underwritten offering or an underwritten take down off of an existing, effective shelf registration statement. On May 14, 2007, the Investor Director resigned and the Investor has stated that it has no current plans to fill the vacancy created by the Investor Director's resignation. -F36- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 10- Litigation and Contingencies On May 11, 2007, two lawsuits, captioned Alexander Fleiss v. Optionable Inc., Mark Nordlicht, Kevin Cassidy, Edward J. O'Connor, Albert Helmig and Marc-Andre Boisseau, 07 CV 3753 (LAK) ("Fleiss") and Robert Rastocky v. Optionable, Inc., Kevin Cassidy and Edward O'Connor, 07 CV 3755 (CLB), were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. Subsequently, five additional lawsuits were filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York as follows: one on May 16, 2007, Jagdish Patel v. Optionable Inc., Kevin Cassidy, and Edward J. O'Connor, 07 CV 3845 (LAK) ("Patel"); two on May 17, 2007, Peters v. Optionable, Inc., Mark Nordlicht, Kevin P. Cassidy, Edward J. O'Connor, Albert Helmig, and Marc-Andre Boisseau, 07 CV 3877 (LAK) ("Peters"); and Manowitz v. Optionable Inc., Kevin Cassidy, Edward J. O'Conner, and Mark Nordlicht, 07 CV 3884 (UA) ("Manowitz"); one on May 24, 2007, Glaubach v. Optionable Inc., Kevin Cassidy, Mark Nordlicht, Edward J. O'Connor, Albert Helmig, and Marc-Andre Boisseau; 07 CV 4085 (LAK) ("Glaubach"); and one on June 22, 2007, Bock v. Optionable Inc., Kevin Cassidy, Mark Nordlicht, Edward J. O'Connor, Albert Helmig, and Marc-Andre Boisseau, 07 CV 5948 (LAK) ("Bock"). Each of the lawsuits names the Company as a defendant and some of the lawsuits name as defendants all or certain of the directors and officers of the Company during the time period referenced. The directors and officers of the Company named as defendants include Mark Nordlicht, the former Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company; Kevin Cassidy, the former Chief Executive Officer and Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company; Edward J. O'Connor, the President of the Company and member of the Board of Directors; Albert Helmig, a member of the Board of Directors during the relevant time period; and Marc-Andre Boisseau, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company. By Order dated May 24, 2007, Rastocky was voluntarily dismissed. By Orders dated June 20, 2007 and July 3, 2007, Fleiss, Patel, Peters, Manowitz and Glaubach were consolidated under In re Optionable Securities Litigation, 07 CV 3753 (LAK). . By Order November 20, 2007, Judge Kaplan granted the motion of KLD Investment Management, LLC to serve as Lead Plaintiff and approved its choice of counsel, Kahn Gauthier Swick, LLC. On January 17, 2008, Lead Plaintiff filed a Consolidated Amended Class Action Complaint ("Complaint.") The Complaint seeks unspecified damages arising from alleged violations of the federal securities laws, including the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, 15 U.S.C. ss. 78a et seq., (the "Exchange Act"), and Rule 10b-5 under the Exchange Act, 17 C.F.R. ss. 240.10b-5. The Complaint alleges, among other things, that during the class period of January 22, 2007 to May 14, 2007, defendants failed to disclose certain information in public filings and statements, made materially false and misleading statements and misrepresentations in public filings and statements, sold artificially inflated stock and engaged in improper deals, had an improper relationship with and "schemed" with its customer Bank of Montreal ("BMO"), and understated the Company's reliance on its relationship with BMO. The Complaint alleges that while the Company's stock was trading at artificially inflated prices, certain defendants sold shares of common stock of the Company. On February 15, 19, and 20, the Company and individual defendants Nordlicht, Cassidy, Helmig, O'Connor and Boisseau filed motions to dismiss the Complaint. Plaintiffs have 45 days to respond to Defendants' motions. The actual costs that will be incurred in connection with these actions cannot be quantified at this time and will depend upon many unknown factors. -F37- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 10- Litigation and Contingencies-Continued On October 15, 2007, the Company received a letter from the Company's former Chief Executive Officer in which he states, among other things, that the Company is in breach of certain obligations pursuant to an Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated April 10, 2007, and the Company should: 1) continue to pay him his base salary, amounting to $25,000 per month for fiscal 2007, $325,000 for fiscal 2008, and $350,000 for fiscal 2009; 2) continue to pay him a cash consideration equal to 5% of the Company's revenues and a stock consideration equal to 2% of the Company's revenues. The aggregate value of the unpaid consideration based on the Company's revenues amounted to approximately $289,000 at September 30, 2007; 3) Continue to provide to him health, welfare, and pension plan benefits as well as the payment of an annual premium for his life insurance through October 2009. While the Company intends to vigorously defend these matters, there exists the possibility of adverse outcomes that the Company cannot determine. These matters are subject to inherent uncertainties and management's view of these matters may change in the future. -F38- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 11-Income Taxes The components of the (provision) benefit for income taxes are as follows: 2007 2006 ------------- -------------- Current: Federal $ 103,833 $ (1,141,779) State 30,359 (318,273) ------------- -------------- Total current 134,192 (1,459,052) ------------- -------------- ------------- -------------- Deferred: ------------- -------------- Federal 221,245 - ------------- -------------- State 60,111 - ------------- -------------- 281,356 ------------- -------------- Total benefit (provision) for income taxes $ 415,548 $ (1,459,052) ============= ============== A reconciliation of the Company's effective tax rate to the statutory federal rate is as follows: 2007 2006 --------- -------- Federal statutory taxes 35.0% 35.0% State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit 5.7 5.7 Permanent differences (40.9) (4.5) Utilization of net operating losses - (26.2) --------- -------- (0.2%) 19.0% -F39- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 8-Income Taxes-Continued The tax effects of principal temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and their tax bases are summarized below. Management believes it is more likely than that it will be able to offset certain deductions associated with these deferred tax assets to its prior year taxable income: The components of the deferred tax assets are as follows: 2007 2006 ------------ ---------- Allowance for bad debt $ 259,502 $ - Goodwill, net of amortization 154,660 - ------------ ---------- 414,162 - Valuation (132,806) - ------------ ---------- Total deferred tax assets- noncurrent $ 281,356 - ============ ========== The Company offset its prior year net operating losses of $4.9 million against its taxable income during 2006. -F40- OPTIONABLE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS December 31, 2007 and 2006 Note 9- Commitments Effective February 1, 2007, the Company leases its executive offices under a 10-year leasing arrangement providing for a monthly base rent of $9,953, increasing gradually to up to $11,684. The first 6 months of occupancy are free. The minimum annual payments under such commitment for the next five years and thereafter are as follows: Year Minimum Annual Payments - ---- ----------------------- 2008 119,436 2009 124,199 2010 124,632 2011 129,395 2012 and thereafter 691,111 The Company's rental expense amounted to approximately $81,000 and $74,000 during 2007 and 2006, respectively. -F41-
EX-21 2 ex21.txt SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT Exhibit 21 Subsidiaries of the Company OPEX International, Inc. New York Hydra Commodity Services, Inc. New York EX-31.1 3 ex311.txt SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION EXHIBIT 31.1 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 I, Edward O'Connor, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Optionable, Inc., Inc. for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal controls over financial reporting ( as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e)for the registrant and have: (a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant is made known to us by others, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; (b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial reporting and the preparation of financial reports for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and (cd) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions); (a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. March 28, 2008 Edward O'Connor President and Director (Principal Executive Officer) EX-31.2 4 ex312.txt SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION EXHIBIT 31.2 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 I, Marc-Andre Boisseau, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Optionable, Inc. for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal controls over financial reporting ( as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e)for the registrant and have: (a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant is made known to us by others, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; (b) designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial reporting and the preparation of financial reports for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles; (c) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and (cd) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant's other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions); (a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. March 28, 2008 Marc-Andre Boisseau Chief Financial Officer EX-32.1 5 ex321.txt SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION EXHIBIT 32.1 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 In connection with the Annual Report of Optionable, Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Edward O'Connor, President of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934; and (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company. A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request. March 28, 2008 Edward O'Connor President (Principal Executive Officer) EX-32.2 6 ex322.txt SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION EXHIBIT 32.2 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 In connection with the Annual Report of Optionable, Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Marc-Andre Boisseau Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that: (1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934; and (2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and result of operations of the Company. A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request. March 28, 2008 Marc-Andre Boisseau Chief Financial Officer
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