10-Q 1 a07-18716_110q.htm 10-Q

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549


FORM 10-Q


(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2007

OR

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

For the transition period from        to      

Commission file number: 0-18188


PAULSON CAPITAL CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Oregon

 

93-0589534

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

811 SW Naito Parkway, Portland, Oregon

 

97204

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 503-243-6000


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  x   No o

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 o   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer x

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes o  No x

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

Common stock, no par value

 

6,089,446

(Class)

 

(Outstanding at August 10, 2007)

 

 




PAULSON CAPITAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

FORM 10-Q

INDEX

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets - June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations - Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

 

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

 

 

1




 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

Paulson Capital Corp. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

June 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

120,730

 

$

219,341

 

Receivable from clearing organization

 

14,311,661

 

7,748,968

 

Notes and other receivables

 

1,622,367

 

1,651,002

 

Income taxes receivable

 

 

304,695

 

Trading securities, at market value

 

8,769,088

 

2,363,824

 

Investment securities, at market or estimated fair value

 

12,774,205

 

19,542,643

 

Underwriter warrants, at estimated fair value

 

12,645,000

 

5,650,000

 

Prepaid and deferred expenses

 

269,865

 

711,827

 

Furniture and equipment, at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $804,086 and $747,759

 

248,813

 

271,766

 

Total Assets

 

$

50,761,729

 

$

38,464,066

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

$

653,105

 

$

570,823

 

Payable to clearing organization

 

4,096,771

 

 

Compensation, employee benefits and payroll taxes

 

1,173,064

 

954,981

 

Securities sold, not yet purchased, at market value

 

2,686,879

 

17,244

 

Income taxes payable - current

 

279,298

 

 

Income taxes payable - long-term

 

190,000

 

 

Deferred revenue

 

425,000

 

475,000

 

Deferred income taxes

 

3,307,773

 

1,670,000

 

Total Liabilities

 

12,811,890

 

3,688,048

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, no par value; 500,000 shares authorized; none issued

 

 

 

Common stock, no par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; shares issued and outstanding: 6,089,446 and 6,179,011

 

1,972,747

 

1,920,293

 

Retained earnings

 

35,977,092

 

32,855,725

 

Total Shareholders’ Equity

 

37,949,839

 

34,776,018

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

$

50,761,729

 

$

38,464,066

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

2




Paulson Capital Corp. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

 

 

For the Three Months Ended June 30,

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissions

 

$

4,603,971

 

$

4,076,360

 

$

8,720,539

 

$

8,179,394

 

Corporate finance

 

3,450,296

 

3,178,920

 

4,445,807

 

3,232,188

 

Investment income (loss)

 

(628,508

)

75,735

 

2,555,836

 

(5,089,031

)

Trading income (loss)

 

370,687

 

(254,547

)

1,710,763

 

(218,710

)

Interest and dividends

 

36,826

 

12,996

 

70,999

 

26,164

 

Other

 

146,700

 

440

 

172,075

 

1,614

 

 

 

7,979,972

 

7,089,904

 

17,676,019

 

6,131,619

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissions and salaries

 

4,818,382

 

4,727,534

 

8,783,091

 

8,444,543

 

Underwriting expenses

 

149,509

 

132,446

 

309,464

 

167,446

 

Rent, telephone and quotation services

 

303,945

 

289,758

 

617,180

 

586,266

 

Professional fees

 

141,228

 

226,090

 

345,173

 

450,377

 

Bad debt expense

 

107,160

 

101

 

154,849

 

1,618

 

Travel and entertainment

 

41,804

 

211,307

 

77,184

 

253,339

 

Advertising and promotion expense

 

36,720

 

49,669

 

84,726

 

85,703

 

Settlement expense

 

230,000

 

4,750

 

309,717

 

4,750

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

27,363

 

22,604

 

56,327

 

44,477

 

Other

 

461,811

 

361,963

 

775,859

 

699,415

 

 

 

6,317,922

 

6,026,222

 

11,513,570

 

10,737,934

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

1,662,050

 

1,063,682

 

6,162,449

 

(4,606,315

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense (benefit):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

259,647

 

14,749

 

746,602

 

2,114,639

 

Deferred

 

401,526

 

327,524

 

1,637,773

 

(3,915,625

)

 

 

661,173

 

342,273

 

2,384,375

 

(1,800,986

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

1,000,877

 

$

721,409

 

$

3,778,074

 

$

(2,805,329

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic net income (loss) per share

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.12

 

$

0.61

 

$

(0.45

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted net income (loss) per share

 

$

0.16

 

$

0.12

 

$

0.61

 

$

(0.45

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares used in per share calculations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

6,144,599

 

6,183,719

 

6,151,100

 

6,186,441

 

Diluted

 

6,154,496

 

6,231,599

 

6,161,051

 

6,186,441

 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

3




Paulson Capital Corp. and Subsidiary

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

 

For the Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

3,778,074

 

$

(2,805,329

)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Receipt of underwriter warrants

 

(2,449,787

)

(2,312,907

)

Unrealized (appreciation) depreciation/expiration of underwriter warrants

 

(5,233,941

)

1,939,144

 

Non-cash compensation associated with underwriter warrants

 

688,728

 

788,763

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

56,327

 

44,477

 

Deferred income taxes

 

1,637,773

 

(3,915,625

)

Loss on asset disposition

 

 

1,486

 

Recognition of deferred revenue

 

(50,000

)

 

Change in assets and liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables from/payable to clearing organization

 

(2,465,922

)

3,713,633

 

Notes and other receivables

 

28,635

 

412,991

 

Income taxes receivable

 

304,695

 

 

Trading and investment securities

 

363,174

 

6,627,654

 

Prepaid and deferred expenses

 

441,962

 

281,935

 

Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and compensation payables

 

300,365

 

(2,185,393

)

Securities sold, not yet purchased

 

2,669,635

 

(22,122

)

Income taxes payable - current

 

279,298

 

(1,377,136

)

Income taxes payable - long-term

 

100,000

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

449,016

 

1,191,571

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Additions to furniture and equipment

 

(33,374

)

(85,232

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from stock option exercise

 

77,110

 

21,030

 

Dividends paid to common shareholders

 

 

(928,972

)

Payments to retire common stock

 

(591,363

)

(203,454

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(514,253

)

(1,111,396

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

(98,611

)

(5,057

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents:

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

 

219,341

 

129,549

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

End of period

 

$

120,730

 

$

124,492

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the period for income taxes

 

$

412,690

 

$

3,491,775

 

 

Supplemental non-cash information:

As of January 1, 2007, we adopted FASB Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.” As a result,we recorded an adjustment of $90,000 from retained earnings to income taxes payable - long-term.

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

4




PAULSON CAPITAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 1.  Basis of Presentation

The financial information for Paulson Capital Corp. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Paulson Investment Company, included herein as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 and for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006 is unaudited; however, such information reflects all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods. The financial information as of December 31, 2006 is derived from our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. The interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Note 2.  Commitments and Contingencies

In December 2005, we received notice of possible claims being asserted against us by two individuals who invested in Wood River Partners LP (“Wood River”). The investors purchased their interests in Wood River directly from Wood River. One of the individuals was a customer of ours. Along with his brother, they have indicated that they paid $1,050,000 for their interests in Wood River. The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) sued Wood River in October 2005, and a receiver currently runs Wood River.  At this point, it is not known how much the individuals might recover through the receivership. The individuals have indicated that they believe they may have claims against us under the Oregon Securities Law for rescission, interest and attorney fees. In a letter dated July 20, 2007, the attorney for the investors indicated that the investors are now prepared to file suit against us for their alleged losses of $1,050,000.  We believe we have meritorious defenses and, if litigation is filed, we intend to defend this matter vigorously.

On March 30, 2007, Dow Jones & Company (“Dow Jones”) sent us a demand for payment of $122,640, allegedly due as a termination fee pursuant to a Newswires Subscription Agreement, dated February 1, 2005. Dow Jones claims that we did not timely terminate prior to the date the Newswires Subscription Agreement purports to automatically renew. We rejected Dow Jones’ demand. We believe the automatic renewal provision is unenforceable and that, even if it is enforceable, Dow Jones’ increase of our 2007 subscription rates provided us with the right to terminate the Newswires Subscription Agreement. We believe we have meritorious defenses, and, if Dow Jones initiates legal action, we are prepared immediately to file a motion for summary judgment. Thereafter, if necessary, we intend to defend the matter vigorously.

An adverse outcome in certain of the matters described above could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations. We also have been named in or threatened with certain other legal proceedings. We believe, based upon information received to date and, where we believe it appropriate, discussions with legal counsel, that resolution of additional pending or threatened litigation will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or business.

Note 3.  Stock-Based Compensation

During the first six months of 2007, 22,000 options were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of $3.51 per share.  At June 30, 2007, we had 95,000 options outstanding at a weighted average exercise price of $4.20 per share.

5




Note 4.  Earnings Per Share

Following is a reconciliation of our shares used for our basic net income (loss) per share and our diluted net income (loss) per share:

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Shares used for basic income (loss) per share

 

6,144,599

 

6,183,719

 

6,151,100

 

6,186,441

 

Effect of dilutive stock options

 

9,897

 

47,880

 

9,951

 

 

Shares used for diluted net income (loss) per share

 

6,154,496

 

6,231,599

 

6,161,051

 

6,186,441

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options not included in diluted net income (loss) per share because their effect would have been antidilutive

 

 

 

 

187,000

 

 

Note 5. Repurchases of Common Stock

In the first six months of 2007, we repurchased a total of 111,565 shares of our common stock for a weighted average price of $5.30 per share, which totaled approximately $591,000. The amount paid above the original issue price, which totaled $567,000, was offset against retained earnings. The plan to repurchase up to a total of 600,000 shares of our common stock was approved by our Board of Directors in September 2001 and does not have an expiration date. As of June 30, 2007, 204,172 shares remained available for purchase.

Note 6. Adoption of Interpretation No. 48

In July 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” which defines the threshold for recognizing the benefits of tax return positions in the financial statements as “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the taxing authority. FIN 48 applies to all tax positions accounted for under SFAS No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” FIN 48 is effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2006.

We adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. In accordance with paragraph 19, we elected to treat interest and penalties accrued on unrecognized tax benefits as tax expense within our financial statements. Upon adoption, we adjusted our financial statements to reflect those tax positions that are more-likely-than-not to be sustained as of the adoption date. The adjustment totaled $90,000 and was recorded directly as a reduction to our retained earnings balance on January 1, 2007.

On initial adoption of FIN 48, we had unrecognized tax benefits of $174,000, all of which would have an impact on the effective tax rate if recognized. Interest and penalties accrued on unrecognized tax benefits were $16,000. We do not believe it is reasonably possible that the total amount of unrecognized benefits will significantly increase or decrease within the next 12 months.

During the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2007, unrecognized tax benefits increased $4,000 and $8,000, respectively, as a result of tax positions taken in prior periods and $17,000 and $22,000, respectively, as a result of tax positions taken during the current periods.

The tax years which remain open to examination in the U.S., our only major taxing jurisdiction, were 2003 through 2006. An IRS examination for the 2004 and 2005 tax years was completed during the second quarter of 2007. There were no decreases in prior unrecognized tax benefits resulting from settlements with taxing authorities or the lapse of applicable statutes of limitation.

6




Note 7. Settlement of Legal Claims

On May 1, 2007, we paid $210,000 in connection with a previously settled legal claim. Of this amount, $190,000 was accrued as a component of accounts payable and accrued liabilities on our balance sheet as of December 31, 2006, and the full amount was accrued as of March 31, 2007. We received $120,000 in insurance recovery on this claim, which was recorded as other income in the second quarter of 2007. We received an additional $22,000 insurance recovery in the third quarter of 2007.

On June 27, 2007, we paid $60,000 in connection with a legal claim. Of this amount, $50,000 was accrued as a component of accounts payable and accrued liabilities on our balance sheet as of March 31, 2007. In the third quarter of 2007, we received $17,000 in insurance recovery and expect to receive an additional $34,000.

See also Note 9, Subsequent Event.

Note 8. Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the prior period financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

Note 9. Subsequent Event

We settled an outstanding legal claim on July 16, 2007. We expect to pay $220,000 in connection with this settlement in the third quarter of 2007. The full amount was accrued as a component of accounts payable and accrued liabilities on our balance sheet as of June 30, 2007. We do not expect insurance recovery on this claim.

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

Forward Looking Statements and Risk Factors

This report, including, without limitation, Item 2. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” contains or incorporates both historical and “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “future” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Any such forward-looking statements in this report reflect our current views with respect to future events and financial performance and are subject to a variety of factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from historical results or from anticipated results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Because of such factors, we cannot assure you that the results anticipated in this report will be realized. As noted elsewhere in this report, various aspects of our business are subject to extreme volatility often as a result of factors beyond our ability to anticipate or control. In particular, factors, such as the condition of the securities markets, which are in turn based on popular perceptions of the health of the economy generally, can be expected to affect the volume of our business as well as the value of the securities maintained in our trading and investment accounts. Other factors that may affect our future financial condition or results of operations include the following:

·                  Aspects of our business are volatile and affected by factors beyond our control.

·                  Our ability to attract and retain customers may be affected by our reputation.

·                  We are subject to extensive regulation that could result in investigations, fines or other penalties.

·                  We face intense competition in our industry.

·                  Our future success depends on retaining existing management and hiring and assimilating new key employees, and our inability to attract or retain key personnel would materially harm our business and results of operations.

·                  We are subject to an increased risk of legal proceedings, which may result in significant losses to us that we cannot recover. Claimants in these proceedings may be customers, employees, or

7




regulatory agencies, among others, seeking damages for mistakes, errors, negligence or acts of fraud by our employees.

·                  As a public company, we are subject to complex legal and accounting requirements that require us to incur substantial expense and expose us to risk of non-compliance.

·                  Our directors control approximately 60 percent of our common stock and may have interests differing from those of other stockholders.

Overview

Substantially all of our business consists of the securities brokerage and corporate finance activities of our wholly-owned subsidiary, Paulson Investment Company, Inc., which has operations in four principal categories, all of them in the financial services industry. These categories are:

·                  securities brokerage activities for which we earn commission revenues;

·                  corporate finance revenues consisting principally of underwriting discounts and underwriter warrants;

·                  securities trading from which we record profit or loss, depending on trading results; and

·                  investment income resulting from earnings on, and increases or decreases in the value of, our investment portfolio.

Because we operate in the financial services industry, our revenues and earnings are substantially affected by general conditions in financial markets. In our securities brokerage business, the amount of our revenues depends on levels of market activity requiring the services we provide. Our corporate finance activity, which consists of acting as the managing underwriter of initial and follow-on public offerings, private investments in public equity (“PIPEs”) and private placements for smaller companies, is similarly affected by the strength of the market for new equity offerings, which has historically experienced substantial cyclical fluctuation. Although we attempt to match operating costs with activity levels, many of our expenses are either fixed or difficult to change on short notice. Accordingly, fluctuations in brokerage and corporate finance revenues tend to result in sharper fluctuations, on a percentage basis, in net income or loss.

Our investment income or loss and, to a lesser extent, our trading income or loss is affected by changes in market valuation of securities generally and, in particular, by changes in valuation of the equity securities of microcap companies in which our investments and trading activities tend to be concentrated. Equity markets in general, and microcap equity markets in particular, have always experienced significant volatility and this volatility has, in recent years, been extreme. The result of this volatility on the value of our investment portfolio and securities held in connection with our trading and investment activities include large quarterly fluctuations in income or loss from these operations and substantial increases or decreases in our net worth as our securities holdings are marked to market.

A substantial portion of our corporate finance business consists of acting as managing underwriter of initial and follow-on public offerings for microcap and smallcap companies. As a part of our compensation for these activities, we typically receive warrants exercisable to purchase securities similar to those that we offer and sell to the public. The warrants generally have a five-year expiration date and vest immediately. The warrants are generally subject to a restricted period of six months to one-year during which we cannot exercise. The exercise price is typically 120% of the price at which the securities were initially sold to the public. Accordingly, unless there is at least a 20% increase in the price of these securities at some time more than six months and less than five years after the offering, the warrants will remain “under water” and will ultimately expire unexercised. We also receive warrants in connection with PIPEs, which have varying terms and conditions.

Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates

With the exception of the adoption of Interpretation No. 48 as described in Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, we reaffirm the critical accounting policies and estimates as reported

8




in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 2, 2007.

Results of Operations

Our revenues and operating results are influenced by fluctuations in the equity markets as well as general economic and market conditions, particularly conditions in the over-the-counter market, where our investment and trading positions and the underlying stock for the underwriter warrants are heavily concentrated. Significant fluctuations can occur in our revenues and operating results from one period to another. Our results of operations depend upon many factors, such as the number of companies that are seeking financing, the quality and financial condition of those companies, market conditions in general, the performance of our previous underwritings and interest in certain industries by investors. As a result, revenues and income derived from these activities may vary significantly from year to year. Our revenues include the following:

·                  Commissions, which represent amounts earned from our retail securities brokerage activities;

·                  Corporate finance revenues, which are a function of total proceeds from offerings done during the period, compensation per offering and the fair value of underwriter warrants received;

·                  Investment income (loss), which includes (i) the unrealized appreciation and depreciation of securities held based on quoted market prices, (ii) the unrealized appreciation and depreciation of securities held that are not readily marketable, based upon our estimate of their fair value, (iii) realized gains and losses on the sale of securities with quoted market prices and securities that are not readily marketable, and (iv) the unrealized appreciation and depreciation of underwriter warrants held; and

·                  Trading income (loss), which is the gain or loss from trading positions before commissions paid to the representatives in the trading department.

The following tables set forth the changes in our operating results in the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2007 compared to the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2006 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended
June 30,

 

Increase

 

%
Increase

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissions

 

$

4,604

 

$

4,076

 

$

528

 

13.0

%

Corporate finance

 

3,450

 

3,179

 

271

 

8.5

 

Investment income (loss)

 

(629

)

76

 

(705

)

 

*

Trading income (loss)

 

371

 

(255

)

626

 

 

*

Interest and dividends

 

37

 

13

 

24

 

184.6

 

Other

 

147

 

1

 

146

 

 

*

Total revenues

 

7,980

 

7,090

 

890

 

12.6

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissions and salaries

 

4,818

 

4,727

 

91

 

1.9

 

Underwriting expenses

 

150

 

132

 

18

 

13.6

 

Rent, telephone and quotation services

 

304

 

290

 

14

 

4.8

 

Professional fees

 

141

 

226

 

(85

)

(37.6

)

Bad debt expense

 

107

 

 

107

 

 

*

Travel and entertainment

 

42

 

211

 

(169

)

(80.1

)

Advertising and promotion

 

37

 

50

 

(13

)

(26.0

)

Settlement expense

 

230

 

5

 

225

 

 

*

Depreciation and amortization

 

27

 

23

 

4

 

17.4

 

Other

 

462

 

362

 

100

 

27.6

 

Total expenses

 

6,318

 

6,026

 

292

 

4.8

 

Income before income taxes

 

$

1,662

 

$

1,064

 

$

598

 

56.2

%

 

9




 

 

 

Six Months Ended
June 30,

 

Increase

 

%
Increase

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissions

 

$

8,720

 

$

8,179

 

$

541

 

6.6

%

Corporate finance

 

4,446

 

3,232

 

1,214

 

37.6

 

Investment income (loss)

 

2,556

 

(5,089

)

7,645

 

 

*

Trading income (loss)

 

1,711

 

(218

)

1,929

 

 

*

Interest and dividends

 

71

 

26

 

45

 

173.1

 

Other

 

172

 

2

 

170

 

 

*

Total revenues

 

17,676

 

6,132

 

11,544

 

188.3

 

Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commissions and salaries

 

8,783

 

8,445

 

338

 

4.0

 

Underwriting expenses

 

310

 

168

 

142

 

84.5

 

Rent, telephone and quotation services

 

617

 

586

 

31

 

5.3

 

Professional fees

 

345

 

450

 

(105

)

(23.3

)

Bad debt expense

 

155

 

2

 

153

 

 

*

Travel and entertainment

 

77

 

253

 

(176

)

(69.6

)

Advertising and promotion

 

85

 

86

 

(1

)

(1.2

)

Settlement expense

 

310

 

5

 

305

 

 

*

Depreciation and amortization

 

56

 

44

 

12

 

27.3

 

Other

 

776

 

699

 

77

 

11.0

 

Total expenses

 

11,514

 

10,738

 

776

 

7.2

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

$

6,162

 

$

(4,606

)

$

10,768

 

 

*

 


*Not meaningful.

Revenues

Commissions increased 12.9% and 6.6%, respectively, in the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2007 compared to the same periods of 2006. The total number of trades, including mutual fund trades, executed by our brokers were 26,595 and 51,995 in the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2007, respectively, compared to 27,215 and 53,683, respectively, in the comparable periods of 2006. We had 84 brokers at June 30, 2007 compared to 96 brokers at June 30, 2006.

The decrease in the number of brokers at June 30, 2007 compared to June 30, 2006, reflected our strategy of having fewer, but higher producing brokers. We expect to hire additional experienced brokers over the next year.

Corporate finance income of $3.5 million in the three-month period ended June 30, 2007 primarily represented underwriting discounts earned from one initial public offering in which we raised $14.0 million for Vaughan Foods Incorporated, as well as the Black-Scholes value of the underwriter warrants received in connection with that offering. In addition, we also completed one private offering during the second quarter of 2007 in which we raised $2.8 million for our client.

Corporate finance income in the six-month period ended June 30, 2007 also included underwriting discounts earned from one initial public offering in which we raised $9.8 million for Converted Organics Inc., as well as the Black-Scholes value of the underwriter warrants received in connection with that offering. In addition, it included income from one private transaction completed during the first quarter of 2007.

Corporate finance income of $3.2 million in both the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2006 primarily represented underwriting discounts earned from one initial public offering in which we raised $19.5 million for American Mold Guard, Inc., as well as the Black-Scholes value of the underwriter warrants received in connection with that offering. In addition, we completed several private transactions, including two PIPEs.

10




Investment income (loss) included the following (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended June 30,

 

Six Months Ended June 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Net unrealized gain (loss) related to underwriter warrants

 

$

1,158

 

$

(314

)

$

5,234

 

$

(1,939

)

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of securities held based on quoted market prices or, for securities that are not readily marketable, our estimate of their fair market value

 

(2,184

)

1

 

(3,320

)

(9,599

)

Net realized gains on the sale of securities with quoted market prices and securities that are not readily marketable

 

397

 

389

 

642

 

6,449

 

 

 

$

(629

)

$

76

 

$

2,556

 

$

(5,089

)

 

Investment income (loss) is volatile from period to period due to the fact that it is driven by the market value or fair value of the securities and underwriter warrants held. In addition, the performance of the securities in which we have a concentration can significantly affect our investment income from period to period.

Trading income increased $0.6 million and $1.9 million, respectively, in the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2007 compared to the same periods of 2006. The income in the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2007 was due to highly favorable results for certain securities that we were holding in our trading inventories. The 2006 results reflected lower volume and lower prices for several of the securities we held in our trading inventories. Our focus is on very small capitalization issues, especially those tied to our corporate finance clients. Trading income (loss) can be volatile from period to period because it is driven by the market value of the securities in which we make a market.

Expenses

Total expenses increased $0.3 million and $0.8 million, respectively, in the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2007 compared to the same periods of 2006, primarily due to increases in commissions and salaries, underwriting expenses, bad debt expense and settlement expense.

Commissions and salaries increased $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, in the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2007 compared to the same periods of 2006, primarily due to higher commissions earned on higher commission and corporate finance revenue. Retail commissions as a percentage of retail sales was comparable between the current year and prior year periods.

Underwriting expense increased $18,000 and $142,000, respectively, in the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2007 compared to the same periods of 2006, primarily due to the completion of two initial public offerings in the first six months of 2007 compared to one in the first six months of 2006.

Bad debt expense is recorded for specific amounts when they are determined by management to be uncollectible. Bad debt expense in the second quarter of 2007 included a $104,000 write-off of a loan to a potential corporate finance client.

Settlement expense of $230,000 in the three-month period ended June 30, 2007 primarily related to an accrual for $220,000 in connection with a legal claim that settled July 16, 2007. We do not expect insurance recovery on this claim. In addition, the $310,000 in the six-month period ended June 30, 2007 included a net $63,000 adjustment for open claims.

11




Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary sources of liquidity include our cash and cash equivalents and receivables from our clearing organization, offset by payables to our clearing organization.

In addition, our sources of liquidity include our trading positions, investment positions, borrowings on those positions and profits realized upon the sale of the securities underlying underwriter warrants exercised. The liquidity of the market for many of our securities holdings, however, varies with trends in the stock market. Since many of the securities we hold are thinly traded, and we are, in many cases, a primary market maker in the issues held, any significant sales of our positions could adversely affect the liquidity of the issues held. In general, falling prices in NASDAQ securities (which make up most of our trading positions) lead to decreased liquidity in the market for these issues, while rising prices in NASDAQ issues tend to increase the liquidity of the market for these securities.

We believe our liquidity is sufficient to meet our needs for both the short and long-term horizon. Our liquidity could be negatively affected by protracted unfavorable market conditions.

As a securities broker-dealer, we are required by SEC regulations to meet certain liquidity and capital standards. We believe we were in compliance with these standards at June 30, 2007.

Following the lapse of restrictions upon issuance, capital available from the sale of the underlying securities of underwriter warrants exercised can fluctuate significantly from period to period as the value of the underlying securities fluctuates with overall market and individual company financial condition or performance. There is no public market for the underwriter warrants. The securities receivable upon exercise of the underwriter warrants cannot be resold unless the issuer has registered these securities with the SEC and with the states in which the securities will be sold unless exemptions are available. Any delay or other problem in the registration of these securities would have an adverse impact upon our ability to obtain funds from the exercise of the underwriter warrants and the resale of the underlying securities.

At June 30, 2007, we owned 17 underwriter warrants from 16 issuers, all but four of which were exercisable. Five of the warrants had an exercise price below the June 30, 2007 market price of the securities receivable upon exercise. The intrinsic value of these warrants was $1.7 million at June 30, 2007. There is little or no direct relationship between the intrinsic value of our underwriter warrants at the end of any given period and the fair value calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The prices of the securities underlying the underwriter warrants are very volatile, and substantial fluctuations in our estimate of their value can be expected in the future.

Cash provided by operating activities in the first six months of 2007 totaled $449,000, primarily due to our net income of $3.8 million being offset by net non-cash income items of $5.4 million and changes in our operating assets and liabilities as discussed in more detail below.

Our net receivable from our clearing organization increased $2.5 million to $10.2 million at June 30, 2007 from $7.7 million at December 31, 2006, primarily due to the results of the activity in our trading and investment accounts, as well as the timing of general corporate expenditures.

Changes in our trading and investment securities are dependent on the purchase and sale of securities during the period, as well as changes in their fair market values during the period.

12




Underwriter warrants increased $6.9 million to $12.6 million at June 30, 2007 compared to $5.7 million at December 31, 2006.  A roll-forward of the value of the warrants was as follows (in thousands):

Balance, December 31, 2006

 

$

5,650

 

Fair value of warrants received, net of employee compensation

 

1,761

 

Net unrealized gain on value of warrants

 

5,234

 

Value of warrants exercised and expired

 

 

Balance, June 30, 2007

 

$

12,645

 

 

Compensation, employee benefits and payroll taxes payable increased $0.2 million to $1.2 million at June 30, 2007 from $1.0 million at December 31, 2006, primarily due to strong retail and corporate finance results in the last month of the second quarter of 2007 compared to the last month of the fourth quarter of 2006.

Income taxes receivable decreased $0.8 million to a payable of $0.5 million at June 30, 2007 from a receivable of $0.3 million at December 31, 2006, primarily due to receipt of refunds, adjustments made for the adoption of Interpretation No. 48 during the first quarter of 2007 and taxable income in the first six months of 2007. See also Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Deferred revenue of $425,000 at June 30, 2007 related to amounts received from our clearing firm based on the execution of a five-year agreement, and is being amortized at the rate of $8,333 per month through September 2011.

Deferred income taxes payable increased $1.6 million to $3.3 million at June 30, 2007 from $1.7 million at December 31, 2006, primarily due to a $4.3 million net unrealized gain on securities and underwriter warrants during the first six months of 2007.

In September 2001, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program pursuant to which we are authorized to repurchase up to 600,000 shares of our common stock. During the first six months of 2007, we repurchased a total of 111,565 shares for $591,000 and, at June 30, 2007, 204,172 shares remained available for repurchase. This repurchase program does not have an expiration date.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

New Accounting Pronouncements

There has been no change in new accounting pronouncements since the filing of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 2, 2007.

13




Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

There have been no material changes in our reported market risks or risk management policies since the filing of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 2, 2007.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management has evaluated, under the supervision and with the participation of our President and our Chief Financial Officer, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Based on that evaluation, our President and our Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported in a timely manner, and (2) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our President and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.      Legal Proceedings

See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 includes a detailed discussion of our risk factors. There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. Accordingly, the information in this Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the risk factors and information disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 2, 2007. See also
Part I, Item 2 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in this report under the heading “Forward Looking Statements and Risk Factors.”

14




Item 2Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

We repurchased the following shares of our common stock during the second quarter of 2007:

 

Total number 
of shares 
purchased

 

Average 
price paid 
per share

 

Total number of 
shares purchased 
as part of publicly 
announced plan

 

Maximum number 
of shares that may 
yet be purchased 
under the plan

 

April 1 to April 30

 

10,000

 

$

5.00

 

331,763

 

268,237

 

May 1 to May 31

 

 

 

 

 

June 1 to June 30

 

64,065

 

5.38

 

395,828

 

204,172

 

Total

 

74,065

 

5.30

 

395,828

 

204,172

 

 

The plan to repurchase up to a total of 600,000 shares of our common stock was approved by our Board of Directors in September 2001 and does not have an expiration date. 

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Our annual meeting of the shareholders was held on June 14, 2007.  The following action was approved:

1.             To elect the following persons to serve as directors of Paulson Capital Corp. until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified:

Name

 

Number of Shares 
Voting For

 

Number of Shares
Withheld Voting

 

Chester L. F. Paulson

 

5,801,154

 

186,532

 

Jacqueline M. Paulson

 

5,801,154

 

186,532

 

Steve Kleemann

 

5,801,154

 

186,532

 

Shannon P. Pratt

 

5,801,154

 

186,532

 

Paul Shoen

 

5,801,154

 

186,532

 

 

Item 6.  Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed herewith and this list is intended to constitute the exhibit index:

31.1

 

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

31.2

 

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

32.1

 

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

32.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(b) or Rule 15d-14(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.

 

15




SIGNATURES

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

 

Date:     August 10, 2007

 

PAULSON CAPITAL CORP.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

 /s/ CHESTER L. F. PAULSON

 

 

 

Chester L. F. Paulson

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

Principal Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By

/s/ KAREN L. JOHANNES

 

 

 

Karen L. Johannes

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

Principal Financial Officer

 

16