10-Q 1 a2131165z10-q.txt 10-Q SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 Form 10-Q QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For Quarter Ended January 31, 2004 Commission file number 0-11306 ------- VALUE LINE, INC. ---------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) New York 13-3139843 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer incorporation or organization) Identification No.) 220 East 42nd Street, New York, New York 10017-5891 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (address of principal executive offices) (zip code) Registrant's telephone number including area code (212) 907-1500 -------------- Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes /X/ No / / Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. CLASS OUTSTANDING AT JANUARY 31, 2004 ----- ------------------------------- Common stock, $.10 par value 9,981,600 SHARES PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS VALUE LINE, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS) (UNAUDITED)
JAN. 31, APRIL 30, 2004 2003 ------------ ------------ Assets Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents (including short term investments of $13,781 and $9,774, respectively) $ 14,242 $ 10,217 Trading securities 22,413 3,093 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $53 and $41, respectively 3,109 2,846 Receivable from affiliates 2,578 2,310 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 926 1,244 Deferred income taxes 48 48 ------------ ------------ Total current assets 43,316 19,758 Long term securities 210,728 216,063 Property and equipment, net 6,675 7,393 Capitalized software and other intangible assets, net 3,003 3,600 ------------ ------------ Total assets $ 263,722 $ 246,814 ============ ============ Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current Liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 2,690 $ 2,852 Accrued salaries 1,410 1,390 Dividends payable 2,495 2,495 Accrued taxes payable 850 613 ------------ ------------ Total current liabilities 7,445 7,350 Unearned revenue 39,508 38,579 Deferred income taxes 7,955 5,157 Deferred charges 350 350 Shareholders' Equity: Common stock, $.10 par value; authorized 30,000,000 shares; issued 10,000,000 shares 1,000 1,000 Additional paid-in capital 991 991 Retained earnings 191,710 183,768 Treasury stock, at cost (18,400 shares on 1/31/04, and 4/30/03) (354) (354) Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax 15,117 9,973 ------------ ------------ Total shareholders' equity 208,464 195,378 ------------ ------------ Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 263,722 $ 246,814 ============ ============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 2 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) (UNAUDITED)
THREE MONTHS ENDED NINE MONTHS ENDED JAN. 31, JAN. 31, 2004 2003 2004 2003 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Revenues: Investment periodicals and related publications $ 13,132 $ 13,352 $ 38,769 $ 39,595 Investment management fees & svcs 8,211 7,801 24,058 22,449 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Total revenues 21,343 21,153 62,827 62,044 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Expenses: Advertising and promotion 5,529 5,483 16,119 15,485 Salaries and employee benefits 5,386 5,274 16,283 15,949 Production and distribution 2,160 2,299 6,563 7,136 Office and administration 2,228 2,199 6,423 6,222 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Total expenses 15,303 15,255 45,388 44,792 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Income from operations 6,040 5,898 17,439 17,252 Income from securities transactions, net 1,627 1,810 7,511 3,328 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Income before income taxes 7,667 7,708 24,950 20,580 Provision for income taxes 2,763 2,037 9,523 7,385 ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ Net income $ 4,904 $ 5,671 $ 15,427 $ 13,195 ============ ============ ============ ============ Earnings per share, basic & fully diluted $ 0.49 $ 0.57 $ 1.55 $ 1.32 ============ ============ ============ ============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 3 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED)
FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JAN. 31, JAN. 31, 2004 2003 ------------ ------------ Cash flows from operating activities: Net income $ 15,427 $ 13,195 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 2,009 2,424 Gains on sales of trading securities and securities available for sale (1,924) (379) Unrealized (gains)/losses on trading securities (2,340) 129 Deferred income taxes 642 (525) Other 100 -- Changes in assets and liabilities: Increase/(decrease) in unearned revenue 929 (908) Decrease in deferred charges (207) (207) Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses 45 192 Increase/(decrease) in accrued salaries 20 (254) Decrease in accrued taxes payable (405) (17) Decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets 318 43 Increase in accounts receivable (263) (602) Increase in receivable from affiliates (268) (100) ------------ ------------ Total adjustments (1,344) (204) ------------ ------------ Net cash provided by operations 14,083 12,991 Cash flows from investing activities: Proceeds from sales of long term securities 2,094 19,595 Purchases of long term securities (1,152) (4,772) Proceeds from sales of fixed income securities 62,329 50,526 Purchases of fixed income securities (49,382) (145,717) Proceeds from sales of trading securities 22,203 3,536 Purchases of trading securities (37,871) (2,035) Acquisition of property and equipment (200) (160) Expenditures for capitalized software (594) (541) ------------ ------------ Net cash (used in) investing activities (2,573) (79,568) Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from sales of treasury stock -- 45 Dividends paid (7,485) (7,485) ------------ ------------ Net cash used in financing activities (7,485) (7,440) ------------ ------------ Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 4,025 (74,017) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 10,217 117,401 ------------ ------------ Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 14,242 $ 43,384 ============ ============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 4 STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2004 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS) (UNAUDITED)
COMMON STOCK ACCUMULATED NUMBER ADDITIONAL OTHER OF PAID-IN TREASURY COMPREHENSIVE RETAINED COMPREHENSIVE SHARES AMOUNT CAPITAL STOCK INCOME EARNINGS INCOME TOTAL ---------- -------- ---------- -------- ------------- ---------- ------------- ---------- Balance at April 30, 2003 9,981,600 $ 1,000 $ 991 $ (354) $ 183,768 $ 9,973 $ 195,378 Comprehensive income Net income $ 15,427 15,427 15,427 Other comprehensive income, net of tax: Change in unrealized gains on securities 5,144 5,144 5,144 ------------- Comprehensive income $ 20,571 ============= Dividends declared (7,485) (7,485) ---------- -------- ---------- -------- ---------- ------------- ---------- Balance at January 31, 2004 9,981,600 $ 1,000 $ 991 $ (354) $ 191,710 $ 15,117 $ 208,464 ========== ======== ========== ======== ========== ============= ==========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 5 STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2003 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS) (UNAUDITED)
COMMON STOCK ACCUMULATED NUMBER ADDITIONAL OTHER OF PAID-IN TREASURY COMPREHENSIVE RETAINED COMPREHENSIVE SHARES AMOUNT CAPITAL STOCK INCOME EARNINGS INCOME TOTAL ---------- -------- ---------- -------- ------------- ---------- ------------- ---------- Balance at April 30, 2002 9,980,125 $ 1,000 $ 975 $ (383) $ 173,760 $ 20,653 $ 196,005 Comprehensive income Net income $ 13,195 13,195 13,195 Other comprehensive income, net of tax: Change in unrealized gains on securities (11,535) (11,535) (11,535) ------------- Comprehensive income $ 1,660 ============= Exercise of stock options 1,475 16 29 45 Dividends declared (7,485) (7,485) ---------- -------- ---------- -------- ---------- ------------- ---------- Balance at January 31, 2003 9,981,600 $ 1,000 $ 991 $ (354) $ 179,470 $ 9,118 $ 190,225 ========== ======== ========== ======== ========== ============= ==========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 6 VALUE LINE, INC. NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Significant Accounting Policies - Note 1: In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals except as noted below) considered necessary for a fair presentation. This report should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and footnotes contained in the Company's annual report on Form 10-K, dated July 25, 2003 for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2003. Results of operations covered by this report may not be indicative of the results of operations for the entire year. Cash and Cash Equivalents: For purposes of the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, the Company considers all cash held at banks and short term liquid investments with an original maturity of less than three months to be cash and cash equivalents. As of January 31, 2004 and April 30, 2003, cash equivalents included $12,077,000 and $4,979,000 respectively, invested in the Value Line money market funds. Valuation of Securities: The Company's long term securities portfolio, which consists of shares of the Value Line Mutual Funds and government debt securities, is accounted for in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities". The securities are valued at market with unrealized gains and losses on these securities reported, net of applicable taxes, as a separate component of Shareholders' Equity. Realized gains and losses on sales of the long term securities are recorded in earnings on trade date and are determined on the identified cost method. Trading securities held by the Company are valued at market with unrealized gains and losses included in earnings. Advertising expenses: The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred. Earnings per Share, basic & fully diluted: Earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock and common stock equivalents outstanding during the period. Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates. 7 Marketable Securities - Note 2: Trading Securities: Securities held by the Company had an aggregate cost of $19,888,000 and a market value of $22,413,000 at January 31, 2004, and an aggregate cost of $2,908,000 and a market value of $3,093,000 at April 30, 2003. The proceeds from sales of trading securities were $22,179,000 and the related gain on these sales was $1,285,000. Long-Term Securities: Equity Securities Available for Sale: The aggregate cost of the long term equity securities, which are primarily invested in the Value Line mutual funds, was $30,441,000 and the market value was $54,157,000 at January 31, 2004. The aggregate cost of the long term equity securities at April 30, 2003 was $31,366,000 and the market value was $45,150,000. For the nine months ended January 31, 2004, the increase in gross unrealized appreciation on these securities of $9,914,000, net of deferred taxes of $3,470,000, was included in shareholders' equity. During the nine months of fiscal 2004, the Company sold various securities from its long term equity securities portfolio. The proceeds from sales of equity securities were $2,094,000 and the related gain on these sales was $21,000, which included $27,000 of capital gain distributions the Company received from the Value Line family of mutual funds. This compares to proceeds of $19,595,000 and the related gain of $734,000 on sales from the long term equity securities portfolio, which included capital gain distributions from the Value Line mutual funds of $611,000 for the nine months ended January 31, 2003. Government Debt Securities: The Company's investments in debt securities are available for sale and valued at market value. The aggregate cost and fair value at January 31, 2004 for U.S. government debt securities classified as available for sale were as follows:
(IN THOUSANDS) HISTORICAL GROSS UNREALIZED MATURITY COST FAIR VALUE HOLDING LOSSES --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Due in 1-2 years $ 62,969 $ 62,721 $ (248) Due in 2-5 years 94,034 93,850 (184) ------------------------------------------ Total investment in debt securities $ 157,003 $ 156,571 $ (432) ==========================================
The aggregate cost and fair value at April 30, 2003 for U.S. government debt securities classified as available for sale were as follows:
(IN THOUSANDS) HISTORICAL GROSS UNREALIZED MATURITY COST FAIR VALUE HOLDING GAINS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Due in 1-2 years $ 104,401 $ 104,718 $ 317 Due in 2-5 years 64,953 66,195 1,242 -------------------------------------------- Total investment in debt securities $ 169,354 $ 170,913 $ 1,559 ============================================
The average yield on the U.S. Government debt securities held to maturity at January 31, 2004 and April 30, 2003 was 2.41% and 3.36%, respectively. During the nine months of fiscal 2004 the decrease in unrealized holding gains of $1,991,000 net of deferred taxes of $697,000 was included in shareholders' equity. Proceeds from sales of long-term fixed income securities during the nine months ended January 31, 2004 were $62,329,000 and the related gain on sales was $591,000. This compares to proceeds of $50,526,000 and the related gain of $544,000 from sales of long term debt securities for the nine months ended January 31, 2003. 8 Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information - Note 3: Cash payments for income taxes were $9,320,000 and $7,504,000 during the nine months ended January 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Employees' Profit Sharing and Savings Plan - Note 4: Substantially all employees of the Company and its subsidiaries are members of the Value Line, Inc. Profit Sharing and Savings Plan (the "Plan"). In general, this is a qualified, contributory plan which provides for a discretionary annual Company contribution which is determined by a formula based upon the salaries of eligible employees and the amount of consolidated net operating income as defined in the Plan. The estimated profit sharing plan contribution, which is included as an expense in salaries and employee benefits in the Consolidated Statement of Income for the nine months ended January 31, 2004 and 2003, was $880,000 and $805,000, respectively. Comprehensive Income - Note 5: Statement no. 130 requires the reporting of comprehensive income in addition to net income from operations Comprehensive income is a more inclusive financial reporting methodology that includes disclosure of certain financial information that historically has not been recognized in the calculation of net income. At January 31, 2004 and 2003, the Company held long term equity and long term fixed income securities classified as available for sale. The change in valuation of these securities, net of deferred taxes has been recorded in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the nine months ended January 31, 2004, increases in gross unrealized gains on these securities were $7,923,000 and the increases in related deferred taxes were $2,773,000. The decreases during the nine months of fiscal 2003 in gross unrealized gains on these securities and the related deferred taxes were $17,747,000 and $6,212,000, respectively. Related Party Transactions - Note 6: The Company acts as investment adviser and manager for fourteen open-ended investment companies, the Value Line Family of Funds. The Company earns investment management fees based upon the average daily net asset values of the respective funds. Effective July 1, 2000, the Company received service and distribution fees under rule 12b-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (rule 12b-1) from all but two of the fourteen mutual funds for which Value Line is the adviser. Effective September 18, 2002, the Company began receiving service and distribution fees under rule 12b-1 from the remaining two funds, for which Value Line, Inc. is the adviser. The Company also earns brokerage commission income, net of clearing fees, on securities transactions executed by Value Line Securities, Inc. on behalf of the funds that are cleared on a fully disclosed basis through non-affiliated brokers. For the nine months ended January 31, 2004 and 2003, investment management fees, 12b-1 service and distribution fees and brokerage commission income, net of clearing fees, amounted to $22,952,000 and $21,244,000, respectively. These amounts include service and distribution fees of $7,205,000 and $5,658,000, respectively. The related receivables from the funds for management advisory fees and 12b-1 service fees included in Receivable from affiliates were $2,488,000 and $2,249,000 at January 31, 2004 and April 30, 2003, respectively. For the nine months ended January 31, 2004 and 2003, the Company was reimbursed $365,000 and $371,000, respectively, for payments it made on behalf of and services it provided to Arnold Bernhard and Company, Inc. ("Parent"). At January 31, 2004 and April 30, 2003, Receivable from affiliates included a receivable from the Parent of $50,000 and $45,000 respectively. 9 Federal, State and Local Income Taxes - Note 7: The Company computes its tax in accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes". The provision for income taxes includes the following:
NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2004 2003 ----------------------- (in thousands) Current: Federal $ 7,392 $ 5,844 State and local 1,489 1,569 ----------------------- 8,881 7,413 Deferred: Federal 649 (126) State and local (7) 98 ----------------------- 642 (28) ----------------------- $ 9,523 $ 7,385 =======================
Deferred taxes are provided for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company's assets and liabilities. The tax effect of temporary differences giving rise to the Company's deferred tax liability are primarily a result of unrealized gains on the Company's trading and long-term securities portfolios. Business Segments - Note 8: The Company operates two reportable business segments: Publishing and Investment Management Services. The publishing segment produces investment related periodicals in both print and electronic form. The investment management segment provides advisory services to mutual funds, institutional and individual clients as well as brokerage services for the Value Line family of mutual funds. The segments are differentiated by the products and services they offer. The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. The Company allocates all revenues and expenses, except for depreciation related to corporate assets, between the two reportable segments. 10 Disclosure of Reportable Segment Profit and Segment Assets (in thousands)
NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2004 INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT PUBLISHING SERVICES TOTAL Revenues from external customers $ 38,769 $ 24,058 $ 62,827 Intersegment revenues 180 -- 180 Income from securities transactions 3 7,508 7,511 Depreciation and amortization 1,944 45 1,989 Segment operating profit 9,445 8,014 17,459 Segment assets 14,143 249,272 263,415 Expenditures for segment assets 789 5 794
NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2003 INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT PUBLISHING SERVICES TOTAL Revenues from external customers $ 39,595 $ 22,449 $ 62,044 Intersegment revenues 150 -- 150 Income from securities transactions 38 3,290 3,328 Depreciation and amortization 2,275 60 2,335 Segment operating profit 9,719 7,570 17,289 Segment assets 18,209 225,126 243,335 Expenditures for segment assets 666 35 701
11 Reconciliation of Reportable Segment Revenues, Operating Profit and Assets (in thousands)
NINE MONTHS ENDED JANUARY 31, 2004 2003 Revenues Total revenues for reportable segments $ 63,007 $ 62,194 Elimination of intersegment revenues (180) (150) ------------------------------- Total consolidated revenues $ 62,827 $ 62,044 =============================== Segment profit Total profit for reportable segments $ 24,970 $ 20,617 Less: Depreciation related to corporate assets (20) (37) ------------------------------- Income before income taxes $ 24,950 $ 20,580 =============================== Assets Total assets for reportable segments $ 263,415 $ 243,335 Corporate assets 307 886 ------------------------------- Consolidated total assets $ 263,722 $ 244,221 ===============================
Contingencies - Note 9: Value Line commenced an action in New York Supreme Court against a small mutual fund company pertaining to a contemplated transaction. Value Line is seeking damages in an unspecified amount. Value Line was countersued for alleged damages in excess of $5,000,000. Although the ultimate outcome of the litigation is subject to the inherent uncertainties of any legal proceeding, based upon Counsel's analysis of the factual and legal issues and Value Line's meritorious defenses, it is management's belief that the expected outcome of this matter will not have a material adverse effect on Value Line's consolidated results of operations and financial condition. 12 Item 2. MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES The Company had liquid resources, which were used in its business, of $246,599,000 at January 31, 2004. In addition to $35,871,000 of working capital, the Company has long-term securities with a market value of $210,728,000, that, although classified as non-current assets, are also readily marketable should the need arise. The Company's cash flow from operations of $14,083,000 for the nine months ended January 31, 2004 was 8% higher than fiscal 2003's cash flow of $12,991,000. The rise in cash flow from operations was primarily due to a 7% increase in total new full term subscription orders, an increase of 7% in the Company's investment management business, and containment of expenses. Net cash outflows of $2,573,000 from investing activities during the nine months of fiscal 2004 resulted primarily from additional investments in the Company's short term equity trading portfolio. Net cash outflows for investing activities for the nine months of fiscal 2003 were due largely to the Company's decision last fiscal year to re-deploy its cash and equity holdings into Government debt obligations with higher effective yields. From time to time, the Company's Parent has purchased additional shares of Value Line, Inc. in the market when and as the Parent has determined it to be appropriate. As stated several times in the past, the public is reminded that the Parent may make additional purchases from time to time in the future. Management believes that the Company's cash and other liquid asset resources used in its business together with the future cash flows from operations will be sufficient to finance current and forecasted operations. Management anticipates no borrowing for fiscal year 2004. OPERATING RESULTS Net income for the nine months ended January 31, 2004 of $15,427,000 or $1.55 per share was 17% above income of $13,195,000 or $1.32 per share in fiscal 2003. Net income for the third quarter ended January 31, 2004 of $4,904,000 or $0.49 per share compared with net income of $5,671,000 or $0.57 per share for the same period of the prior fiscal year. Operating income of $17,439,000 for the nine months ended January 31, 2004 was 1% above operating income for the same period of last fiscal year. Operating income of $6,040,000 during the third quarter of fiscal 2004 was 2% higher than operating income for the third quarter of fiscal 2003. Income from securities transactions for the nine months of fiscal 2004 rose $4,183,000 above income for the same period of fiscal 2003. Revenues of $62,827,000 for the nine months ended January 31, 2004 were 13 1% above revenues in the prior fiscal year. Total shareholders' equity of $208,464,000 at January 31, 2004, has increased $13,086,000 or approximately 7% from April 30, 2003. Subscription revenues of $38,769,000 for the nine months ended January 31, 2004 were 2% below revenues for the same period of the prior fiscal year. The decrease in subscription revenues compared to the prior year's was primarily a result of the 3% decline in revenues from THE VALUE LINE INVESTMENT SURVEY and related products, which included VALUE LINE INVESTMENT SURVEY FOR WINDOWS, THE VALUE LINE RESEARCH CENTER, THE VALUE LINE 600, THE VLIS SMALL AND MID-CAP STOCK EDITION, AND VALUE LINE SELECT. Since April 2003, the Company experienced an increase in subscription activity with total new full term subscription orders rising 7% from the level during the nine months of the prior fiscal year. Investment management fees and services revenues of $24,058,000 for the nine months ended January 31, 2004 were 7% above the prior fiscal year's revenues of $22,449,000. Operating expenses for the nine months ended January 31, 2004 of $45,388,000 were 1.3% above last year's expenses of $44,792,000. Total advertising and promotional expenses of $16,119,000 were 4% above the prior year's expenses of $15,485,000 primarily due to additional costs associated with marketing two of the Company's equity mutual funds, higher discount brokerage fees related to sales of the Value Line mutual funds shares, and increased postal expenses for direct mail. Salaries and employee benefit expenses of $16,283,000 were 2% above expenses of $15,949,000 recorded in the prior fiscal year. Production and distribution costs for the nine months ended January 31, 2004 of $6,563,000 were 8% below expenses of $7,136,000 for the nine months ended January 31,2003 primarily due to lower paper printing and distribution costs that resulted from a migration in circulation from print products to electronic version of our products and management's decision to discontinue sending out print copies of the Reference Library to trial subscribers of THE VALUE LINE INVESTMENT SURVEY AND THE VLIS SMALL AND MID-CAP STOCK EDITION. Office and administrative expenses of $6,423,000 were 3% above last year's expenses of $6,222,000. The net increase in administrative expenses resulted primarily from higher rent expenses resulting from scheduled increases, higher bank collection fees associated with an increase in the Company's publishing credit card business, and increases in professional fees. The Company's securities portfolios produced a gain of $7,511,000 for the nine months ended January 31, 2004, which was 126% above the gain of $3,328,000 for the same period of last fiscal year. The Company's trading portfolio produced a gain of $3,634,000 during the nine months ended January 31, 2004 versus losses of $1,080,000 during the same period of last fiscal year. Income from securities transactions for the nine months ended January 31, 2004 also included dividend and interest income of $3,349,000 and capital gains of $613,000 from sales of securities from the Company's long-term portfolio of equity and fixed income securities. This compares to dividend and interest income of $3,135,000 and capital gains of $1,280,000 from sales of securities from the Company's long-term portfolio for the same period of last fiscal year. 14 Item 4. Disclosure Controls and Procedures (a) The registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a - 15(e)), based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report, are appropriately designed to ensure that material information relating to the registrant is made known to such officers and are operating effectively. (b) The registrant's principal executive officer and principal financial officer have determined that there have been no changes in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting. 15 VALUE LINE, INC. Signature Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Form 10Q report for the period ended January 31, 2004 to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. Value Line, Inc. (Registrant) Date: March 16, 2004 By: s/Jean Bernhard Buttner ------------------------- Jean Bernhard Buttner Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Date: March 16, 2004 By: s/Stephen R. Anastasio ------------------------- Stephen R. Anastasio Chief Financial Officer Date: March 16, 2004 By: s/ David T. Henigson ------------------------- David T. Henigson Vice President and Treasurer 16