10-K 1 a2140729z10-k.txt 10-K SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K /X/ Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2004 or Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the transition period from to Commission File Number 0-11306 VALUE LINE, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) New York 13-3139843 (State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer Identification incorporation or organization) Number) 220 East 42nd Street, New York, NY 10017-5891 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 907-1500 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, $.10 par value 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 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 an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes / / No /X/ The aggregate market value of the registrant's voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates at June 16, 2004, was $52,340,000. There were 9,981,600 shares of the registrant's Common Stock outstanding at June 16, 2004. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE None Part I Item 1. BUSINESS. Value Line, Inc. (the "Company"), a New York corporation, was organized in 1982 and is the successor to substantially all of the operations of Arnold Bernhard & Company, Inc. ("AB&Co."). As of June 16, 2004, AB & Co. owned approximately 86% of the Company's issued and outstanding common stock. The Company's primary businesses are producing investment related periodical publications through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Value Line Publishing, Inc. ("VLP"), and providing investment advisory services to mutual funds, institutions and individual clients. VLP publishes in both print and electronic formats The Value Line Investment Survey(TM), one of the nation's major periodical investment services, as well as The Value Line Investment Survey - Small and Mid-Cap Edition, The Value Line 600, Value Line Select, The Value Line Mutual Fund Survey, The Value Line No-Load Fund Advisor, Value Line Insight, The Value Line Special Situations Service, The Value Line Options Survey and The Value Line Convertibles Survey. VLP also provides current and historical financial databases (DataFile, Estimates & Projections, Convertibles, Mutual Funds and other services) in standard computer formats and markets investment analysis software, Value Line Investment Survey FOR WINDOWS(R), Mutual Fund Survey FOR WINDOWS(R), Value Line Daily Options Survey and Value Line Electronic Convertibles. These electronic products are available on CD-Rom and offered directly on the Company's internet site, www.valueline.com. The Company's print and electronic services are marketed through media, direct mail and the internet to retail and institutional investors. The Company is the investment adviser for the Value Line Family of Mutual Funds, which on April 30, 2004, included 14 open-end investment companies with various investment objectives. In addition, the Company manages investments for private and institutional clients. The Company is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. In addition to VLP, the Company's other wholly-owned subsidiaries include a registered broker-dealer, Value Line Securities, Inc., and an advertising agency, Vanderbilt Advertising Agency, Inc. These subsidiaries primarily provide services used by the Company in its investment management and publishing businesses. Compupower Corporation, another subsidiary, serves the subscription fulfillment needs of the Company's publishing operations. Value Line Distribution Center, Inc. ("VLDC") handles all of the mailings of the publications to the Company's subscribers. Additionally, VLDC provides office space for Compupower 2 Corporation's computer operations center. The name "Value Line," as used to describe the Company, its products, and its subsidiaries, is a registered trademark of the Company. As used herein, except as the context otherwise requires, the term "Company" includes the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. A. Investment Information and Publications. VLP publishes investment related publications and produces electronic products described below: l. Publications: The Value Line Investment Survey is a weekly investment related periodical that in addition to various timely articles on current economic, financial and investment matters ranks common stocks for future relative performance based on computer-generated statistics of financial results and stock market performance. A combined Index on our Web site allows the subscriber to easily locate a specific stock among the approximately 3,500 stocks covered in the Small and Mid-Cap Edition and in the standard edition of The Value Line Investment Survey. Two of the more important evaluations for each stock covered are "Timeliness(TM)" and "Safety(TM)." Timeliness(TM) relates to the probable relative price performance of one stock over the next six to twelve months, as compared to the rest of the approximately 1,700 covered stocks. Rankings are updated each week and range from Rank 1 for the expected best performing stocks to Rank 5 for the expected poorest performers. "Safety" Ranks are a measure of risk and are based primarily on the issuer's relative financial strength and its stock's price stability. "Safety" ranges from Rank 1 for the least risky stocks to Rank 5 for the riskiest. VLP employs approximately 104 analysts and statisticians who prepare articles of interest for each periodical and who evaluate stock performance and provide future earnings estimates and quarterly written evaluations with more frequent updates when relevant. The Small and Mid-Cap Edition of The Value Line Investment Survey is a weekly publication introduced in 1995 that provides detailed descriptions of approximately 1,800 small- and medium-capitalization stocks, many listed on NASDAQ, beyond the 1,700 stocks of larger-capitalization companies traditionally covered in The Value Line Investment Survey - Standard Edition. Like The Value Line Investment Survey, the Small and Mid-Cap Edition has its own "Summary & Index" providing updated performance ranks and other data, as well as "screens" of key financial performance measures. The "Ratings and Reports" section, providing updated reports on about 140 stocks each week, has been organized to correspond closely to the industries reviewed in the Standard Edition of The Value Line Investment Survey. A combined Index, published semiannually, allows the subscriber to easily locate a specific stock among the approximately 3,500 stocks covered. The Small and Mid-Cap Edition includes a number of unique as well as standard features. One unique feature, The Performance Ranking System, incorporates many of the elements of the Value Line Timeliness(TM) Ranking System, modified to accommodate the 1,800 stocks in the Small and Mid-Cap Edition. The Performance(TM) Rank is based on earnings growth and price momentum and is designed to predict relative price performance over the next six to 12 months. 3 The principal difference between the Small and Mid-Cap Edition and The Value Line Investment Survey's Standard Edition is that the Small and Mid-Cap Edition does not include Value Line's financial forecasts or analysts' comments. Nor does the Small & Mid-Cap Edition include a Selection & Opinion section. These modifications allow VLP to offer this service at a relatively low price. The Value Line Mutual Fund Survey is published once every three weeks and was introduced in 1993. It provides full-page profiles of 700 mutual funds and condensed coverage of more than 1,250 funds. Every three weeks subscribers receive an updated issue, containing over 200 fund reports, plus a "Performance & Index" providing current rankings and performance figures for the full universe of more than 2,000 funds, as well as articles on investment trends and issues concerning mutual fund investors. The Value Line Mutual Fund Survey also includes annual profiles and analyses on 100 of the nation's major fund families. Funds are ranked for both risk and overall risk-adjusted performance using strictly quantitative means. A large binder is provided to house the fund reports. The Value Line No-Load Fund Advisor is a 36-page monthly newsletter for investors who wish to manage their own portfolios of no- and low-load, open-end mutual funds. Each issue features strategies for maximizing total return, with special attention given to tax considerations. Also featured are in-depth interviews with noted portfolio managers, model portfolios for a range of investor profiles, and information about retirement planning, industry news, and listings (with descriptions) of new funds worthy of further consideration. A full statistical review, including latest performance, rankings and sector weightings, is updated each month on 600 leading no-load and low-load funds. The Value Line Special Situations Service, published periodically 24 times a year, concentrates on fast-growing, smaller companies whose stocks are perceived by VLP analysts as having exceptional appreciation potential. The Value Line Options Survey, a semi-monthly periodical service published 24 times a year, evaluates and ranks the expected performance of the most active options listed on United States exchanges (approximately 80,000). An electronic version of this publication, The Value Line Daily Options Survey (available over the Internet), was introduced during the latter part of fiscal 1995. A new enhanced version was introduced in May of 2002. New features include an interactive database and a new spreadsheet. The Value Line Convertibles Survey, a semi-monthly periodical service published 24 times a year, evaluates and ranks approximately 600 convertible securities (bonds and preferred stocks) and approximately 80 warrants for future market performance. The same information is also available online. Value Line Select, a monthly publication, was first published in January 1998. As a stock recommendation service with an exclusive circulation, it focuses each month on one company that VLP analysts, economists and statisticians recommend as an investment. Recommendations are backed by in-depth research and are subject to ongoing monitoring. The Value Line 600 is a monthly service, which contains full-page reports on more than 600 stocks. Its reports provide information on many actively traded, larger capitalization issues as well as some smaller growth stocks. Since it was introduced in fiscal 1996, it has proven to be 4 very popular among investors who want the same type of analysis provided in the full Investment Survey, but who don't want or need coverage of the large number of companies contained in that publication. Readers also receive supplemental reports as well as a monthly Index, which includes updated statistics. 2. Electronic Products: Value Line Investment Analyzer 3.9 on CD-ROM is a powerful menu-driven software program with fast filtering, ranking, reporting and graphing capabilities utilizing over 300 data fields for about 8,000 stocks, industries and indices, including the 1,700 stocks covered in VLP's benchmark publication, The Value Line Investment Survey. The product was introduced in June 1996. The latest version has major enhancements to the user interface and the ability for users to update data from the Company's Internet site (www.valueline.com). New features are added continuously. Value Line Investment Analyzer 3.9 provides over 300 search fields and more than 100 charting and graphing variables for comparative research. In addition to containing digital replicas of the entire Value Line Investment Survey, the Windows version includes daily data updates through its seamless integration with the Value Line Web site (www.valueline.com). The software includes a portfolio module that lets users create and track their own stock portfolios and ten years of historical financial data for scrutinizing performance, risk and yield. Value Line Mutual Fund Survey FOR WINDOWS(R), a monthly CD-ROM product with weekly internet updates, is the electronic version of the Value Line Mutual Fund Survey. The program features powerful sorting, filtering and portfolio analysis. Version 2 was introduced in 1998, with added features such as style attribution analysis, portfolio stress tester, portfolio rebalancing, correlation of fund returns and hypothetical assets to differentiate it from the competition. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corp. Value Line, Inc. and Microsoft Corp. are not affiliated companies. Value Line DataFile contains current and historic annual and quarterly financial records for about 8,000 active companies and over 5,000 companies that no longer exist in numerous industries, including air transport, industrial services, beverage, machinery, bank, insurance and finance, savings and loan associations, toys, and securities brokers. DataFile has over 400 annual and over 80 quarterly fields for each of the companies included in the database. DataFile is sold to the institutional market. Value Line DataFile II, which includes less historical data is also available. This version complies with Microsoft Access format for small businesses. During fiscal 1997, Value Line introduced the Value Line Mutual Fund DataFile. It covers over 15,000 mutual funds with up to 20 years of historical data which consists of almost 200 data fields. VLP also offers an Estimates and Projections File, with year-ahead and three- to five-year estimates of financial performance and projections of stock-price ranges on companies covered in the Value Line Investment Survey, as well as a Convertible Securities File and custom services. The Total Return Service is a customized data service. It was developed to help publicly traded companies meet the SEC's mandated executive-compensation disclosure requirements. The service consists of a line graph comparing the total return of a public company's stock over the last five years to a published equity market index and a published or constructed industry index. 5 3. Value Line Internet: Most Value Line products and services are available from the Company's Web site www.valueline.com. The site includes a multimedia section that features daily market reports and updates on stocks, options, mutual funds and convertibles as well as webcasting of daily analyst commentary and fast-breaking developments on companies in the news. In addition, the Company has added a host of new tools to chart and filter stocks and mutual funds along with tools to build a portfolio, customize a report and receive Value Line reports. A new internet-only service, the Value Line Research Center, includes on-line access to the Company's leading publications covering stocks, mutual funds, options and convertible securities as well as special situation stocks. This service includes full subscriptions to The Value Line Investment Survey, The Value Line Mutual Fund Survey, The Value Line Daily Options Survey, The Value Line Investment Survey Small and Mid-Cap Edition, The Value Line Convertibles Survey, The Special Situations Service, Value Line ETF Survey, The Value Line No Load Fund Advisor, Value Line 600 and Value Line Select. B. Investment Management. As of April 30, 2004, the Company was the investment adviser for 14 mutual funds registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Value Line Securities, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, acts as principal underwriter and distributor for the Value Line Funds. State Street Bank and Trust Company, an unaffiliated entity, acts as custodian of the Funds' assets. Shareholder services for the Value Line Funds are provided by Boston Financial Data Services, an unaffiliated entity associated with State Street Bank and Trust Company. Total net assets of the Value Line Funds at April 30, 2004, were:
(IN THOUSANDS) The Value Line Fund, Inc. $ 198,674 Value Line Income and Growth Fund, Inc. 209,817 The Value Line Special Situations Fund, Inc. 320,743 Value Line Leveraged Growth Investors, Inc. 317,851 The Value Line Cash Fund, Inc. 301,373 Value Line U.S. Government Securities Fund, Inc. 126,019 Value Line Centurion Fund, Inc. 339,953 The Value Line Tax Exempt Fund, Inc. 141,787 Value Line Convertible Fund, Inc. 43,495 Value Line Aggressive Income Trust 61,966 Value Line New York Tax Exempt Trust 26,257 Value Line Strategic Asset Management Trust 778,119 Value Line Emerging Opportunities Fund, Inc. 260,647 Value Line Asset Allocation Fund, Inc. 144,682 ----------- $ 3,271,383 ===========
6 The investment advisory contracts between each of the Value Line Funds and the Company provide that the Company will render investment advisory and other services to the Funds. These contracts must be approved annually in accordance with statutory procedures. The Company furnishes each fund with its investment program, subject to such fund's fundamental investment policies and to control and review by such fund's Board of Directors or Trustees. Each contract also provides that the Company will furnish, at its expense, various administrative services, office space, equipment and administrative personnel necessary for managing the affairs of the funds. Advisory fee rates vary among the funds and may be subject to certain limitations. Each mutual fund may use "Value Line" in its name only so long as the Company acts as its investment adviser. Value Line Asset Management ("VLAM"), a division of the Company, manages pension funds and institutional and individual portfolios by utilizing the techniques developed for The Value Line Investment Survey. VLAM has varied investment advisory agreements with its clients which call for payments to the Company calculated on the basis of the market value of the assets under management. C. Wholly-Owned Operating Subsidiaries. 1. Vanderbilt Advertising Agency, Inc.: Vanderbilt Advertising Agency, Inc. ("Vanderbilt") places advertising for the Company's publications, investment advisory services, and mutual funds. Commission income generated by Vanderbilt serves to reduce the Company's advertising expenses. 2. Compupower Corporation: Compupower provides computerized subscription fulfillment services for the Company as well as subscriber relation's services for Company publications. Additionally, Compupower also provides microfiche and imaging services to the Company, its affiliates and third-party customers. 3. Value Line Securities, Inc.: Value Line Securities, Inc. ("VLS") is registered as a broker-dealer under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is a member of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. VLS acts as the underwriter and distributor of the Value Line Funds. Shares of the Value Line Funds are sold to the public without a sales charge (i.e., on a "no-load" basis). VLS effects brokerage transactions in exchange-listed securities for certain of the Value Line Funds, clearing such transactions on a fully disclosed basis through unaffiliated broker-dealers who receive a portion of the gross commissions. The Company receives service and distribution fees, pursuant to SEC rule 12b-1, from certain Value Line Funds which are used to offset marketing and distribution costs for these funds. 4. Value Line Distribution Center, Inc.: Value Line Distribution Center, Inc. ("VLDC") handles all of the mailings of the publications to the Company's subscribers. Additionally, VLDC provides office space for the Compupower Corporation's subscriber relations and data processing departments. 7 D. Other Businesses. The Company publishes the Value Line Arithmetic Composite and the Value Line Geometric Composite, daily indices of the stock market performance of the approximately 1,700 common stocks contained in The Value Line Investment Survey. The calculation of both indices is done by a firm unaffiliated with the Company. Futures contracts based upon fluctuations in the Value Line Arithmetic Composite are traded on the Kansas City Board of Trade, and options on the Index are traded on the Philadelphia Stock Exchange. The Company receives fees in connection with these activities. THE VALUE LINE STRATEGY TRUST SERIES I: The Company has licensed for a fee certain trademarks and proprietary information for a series of unit investment trusts, THE VALUE LINE STRATEGY TRUST SERIES I. The fundamental strategy for this Trust and future Trusts in this series is to invest in the 100 Rank #1 stocks and maintain a static portfolio position in these 100 stocks for a fourteen-month period. At the end of the fourteen months the portfolio will be liquidated and the investors will be invited to reinvest their distribution in the next available VALUE LINE STRATEGY TRUST SERIES . These unit investment trusts are sold by an extensive network of brokerage firms and provide publicity for the ranking system within the brokerage industry. As of April 30, 2004, total assets of approximately $25,000,000 had been invested in these Trusts. VALUE LINE TARGET 25 PORTFOLIO: The fundamental strategy for this Trust and future Trusts in this series is to invest in a selected 25 stocks of the 100 Rank #1 stocks and maintain a static portfolio position in these 25 stocks for a thirteen-month period. At the end of the thirteen months the portfolio is liquidated and the investors are invited to reinvest their distribution in the next available VALUE LINE TARGET 25 PORTFOLIO. First Trust Portfolios, the underwriter of this UIT, has indicated that it intends to introduce a new UIT series every month. These unit investment trusts are sold by an extensive network of brokerage firms and provide a unique exposure for the ranking system within the brokerage industry. As of April 30, 2004, aggregate assets of over $321,000,000 had been invested in these Trusts. THE TARGET VIP PORTFOLIOS: These are UIT products sponsored by First Trust Portfolios which use as a component of their portfolio strategy the Value Line Target 25 strategy. As of April 30, 2004, $142,000,000 was invested in these trusts. CLOSED-END FUND PRODUCT OFFERINGS THREE ESTABLISHED PRODUCTS I. FIRST TRUST VALUE LINE 100 CLOSED-END TRUST - PORTFOLIO BASED ON VALUE LINE TIMELINESS 100 RANK #1 STRATEGY This closed-end fund, sponsored by First Trust Portfolios-(formerly known as Nike Securities) -, was completed on June 12, 2003. The Fund's objective is to provide capital appreciation. It seeks to outperform the S&P 500 Index by adhering to a disciplined strategy of investing in a diversified portfolio of the 100 common stocks Ranked #1 in Value Line's Timeliness Ranking System. The Fund is listed on the American Stock Exchange, a dominant trading arena for closed-end funds, and is trading with the symbol FVL. TOTAL ASSETS CURRENTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THIS CLOSED-END FUND PRODUCT ARE APPROXIMATELY $305 MILLION AS OF APRIL 30, 2004. 8 II. FIRST TRUST VALUE LINE DIVIDEND CLOSED-END TRUST - PORTFOLIO BASED ON LARGE-CAP STOCKS SELECTED AS RANK #1 AND #2 BY VALUE LINE'S SAFETY RANK STRATEGY This closed-end fund, sponsored by First Trust Portfolios was completed on August 26, 2003 and raised total assets of $465 million. The Fund's investment objective is to provide total return through a combination of current income and capital appreciation. The Fund seeks to accomplish its investment objective by investing in common stocks with minimum market cap of $1 billion that pay above average dividends and have the potential for capital appreciation. The Fund is listed on the American Stock Exchange, a dominant trading arena for closed-end funds, and is trading with the symbol FVD. TOTAL ASSETS CURRENTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THIS CLOSED-END FUND PRODUCT ARE APPROXIMATELY $422 MILLION AS OF APRIL 30, 2004. III. FIRST TRUST VALUE LINE & IBBOTSON EQUITY ALLOCATION FUND This closed-end fund, sponsored by First Trust Portfolios, was completed during the month of April 2004, as a closed-end management investment company. The Allocation Fund will own a subset of the #1 and #2 ranked stocks per the Value Line Timeliness(TM), Safety(TM), and Technical(TM) Ranking Systems. The Trust closed April 27, 2004 and raised $120 million. The Fund is listed on the American Stock Exchange, and is trading with the symbol FVD. TOTAL ASSETS CURRENTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO THIS CLOSED-END FUND PRODUCT ARE APPROXIMATELY $124 MILLION AS OF APRIL 30, 2004. TOTAL ASSETS CURRENTLY ATTRIBUTABLE TO ALL THREE CLOSED-END FUND PRODUCTS ARE APPROXIMATELY $851 MILLION. E. Investments. From time to time, the Company invests in the Value Line Funds, long term fixed income government obligations and in other marketable securities. F. Employees. At April 30, 2004, the Company and its subsidiaries employed 249 people. The Company, its affiliates, officers, directors and employees may from time to time own securities which are also held in the portfolios of the Value Line Funds or recommended in the Company's publications. Analysts covering stocks may not own stocks they cover. The Company has imposed rules upon itself requiring monthly reports of securities transactions by employees for their respective accounts and restricting trading in various types of securities in order to avoid possible conflicts of interest. G. Assets. The Company's assets identifiable to each of its principal business segments were as follows: 9
APRIL 30, 2004 2003 (IN THOUSANDS) Investment Periodicals & Related Publications $ 14,592 $ 18,648 Investment Management 74,786 227,786 Corporate Assets(1) 177,546 380 --------- --------- $ 266,924 $ 246,814
(1) Corporate Assets have increased by $177,173,000 at April 30, 2004 in preparation for payment in May 2004 of the Company's ordinary dividend of $.25 per share and a special dividend declared by the Board of Directors during April 2004 of $17.50 per share. H. Competition. The investment management and the investment information and publications industries are very competitive. There are many competing firms and a wide variety of product offerings. Some of the firms in these industries are substantially larger and have greater financial resources than the Company. The Company believes that it is one of the world's largest independent securities research organizations and that it publishes one of the world's largest investment periodicals service in terms of number of subscriptions, annual revenues and number of equity research analysts. I. Executive Officers. The following table lists the names, ages (at June 16, 2004), and principal occupations and employment during the past five years of the Company's Executive Officers. All officers are elected to terms of office for one year. Each of the following has held an executive position with the companies indicated for at least five years.
NAME AGE PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OR EMPLOYMENT --------------------- ----- ----------------------------------- Jean Bernhard Buttner 69 Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and AB&Co. Chairman of the Board and President of each of the Value Line Funds. Samuel Eisenstadt 81 Senior Vice President and Research Chairman. David T. Henigson 46 Vice President and Treasurer; Director of Compliance and Internal Audit; Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Chief Compliance Officer of each of the Value Line Funds; Vice President of AB&Co. Howard A. Brecher 50 Vice President and Secretary; Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and General Counsel of AB&Co. Stephen R. Anastasio 45 Chief Financial Officer; Corporate Controller.
10 WEB SITE ACCESS TO SEC REPORTS The Company's Web site address is www.valueline.com. The Company's annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and any amendments to these reports are available free of charge on the Financial Info page of the Company's Web site as soon as reasonably practicable after the reports are filed electronically with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Item 2. PROPERTIES. On June 4, 1993, the Company entered into a lease agreement for approximately 77,000 square feet that provided for the relocation of its office space to 220 East 42nd Street, New York, New York. On September 14, 2000, the Company amended its New York lease for office space and returned to the landlord 6,049 sq. ft. of excess capacity. The Company now leases approximately 71,000 square feet of office space at 220 East 42nd Street in New York. During January 1996, a subsidiary of the Company purchased for cash an approximately 85,000 square feet warehouse facility for $4,100,000. That facility consolidated into a single location the distribution operations for the various Company publications and the fulfillment operations of Compupower Corporation. The remaining building capacity provides warehouse space, a disaster recovery site and is available for future business expansion. The Company believes the capacity of these facilities is sufficient to meet the Company's current and expected future requirements. Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. There are no material pending legal proceedings. Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS. No matters were submitted to a vote of the stockholders during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended April 30, 2004. Part II Item 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES. The Registrant's Common Stock is traded on the over-the-counter market. The approximate number of record holders of the Registrant's Common Stock at April 30, 2004 was 63. Over-the-counter price quotations reflect inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, mark-down or commission and may not necessarily represent actual transactions. The range of the bid and asked quotations and the dividends paid on these shares during the past two fiscal years were as follows:
DIVIDEND HIGH LOW DECLARED QUARTER ENDED BID ASKED BID ASKED PER SHARE July 31, 2002 $ 48.7600 $ 49.2500 $ 37.8600 $ 38.8990 $ .25 October 31, 2002 44.6900 46.9800 37.5000 38.7000 .25 January 31, 2003 45.9600 46.9600 37.4400 38.0000 .25 April 30, 2003 $ 48.3500 $ 49.0100 $ 44.7000 $ 44.9600 $ .25
11 July 31, 2003 $ 54.7900 $ 55.7700 $ 45.6600 $ 46.0000 $ .25 October 31, 2003 50.1600 51.5000 47.6900 48.1000 .25 January 31, 2004 50.8100 50.9900 48.1000 49.0000 .25 April 30, 2004 $ 66.5200 $ 74.2000 $ 48.1000 $ 48.6000 $ 17.75
Item 5(c). PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS. ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
(c) TOTAL NUMBER OF (d) MAXIMUM NUMBER (a) TOTAL SHARES (OR UNITS) (OR APPROXIMATE DOLLAR NUMBER OF (b) AVERAGE PURCHASED AS PART VALUE) OF SHARES (OR SHARES (OR PRICE PAID OF PUBLICLY UNITS) THAT MAY YET BE UNITS) PER SHARE ANNOUNCED PURCHASED UNDER THE PERIOD PURCHASED (OR UNIT) PLANS OR PROGRAMS PLANS OR PROGRAMS ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- February 1, 2004 through February 29, 2004 -- -- -- -- March 1, 2004 through March 31, 2004 229 $ 50.882 618,432 Not determined. April 1, 2004 through April 30, 2004 -- -- -- -- Total 229 $ 50.882 618,432 --
All purchases were made by Arnold Bernhard & Co., Inc., an affiliate of the issuer, pursuant to public announcements issued on December 24, 1997, November 24, 1999 and periodically thereafter. 12 Item 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA. Earnings per share for each of the fiscal years shown below are based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding.
YEARS ENDED APRIL 30, 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS) Revenues: Investment periodicals and related publications $ 52,497 $ 52,469 $ 53,114 $ 56,042 $ 58,857 Investment management fees and services $ 32,206 $ 29,600 $ 34,329 $ 42,349 $ 37,385 Total revenues $ 84,703 $ 82,069 $ 87,443 $ 98,391 $ 96,242 Income from operations $ 24,739 $ 24,095 $ 29,186 $ 37,811 $ 36,428 Net income $ 20,350 $ 19,987 $ 20,323 $ 24,091 $ 33,698 Earnings per share, basic and fully diluted $ 2.04 $ 2.00 $ 2.04 $ 2.41 $ 3.38 Total assets $ 266,924 $ 246,814 $ 268,735 $ 270,992 $ 298,198 Cash dividends declared per share $ 18.50 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00 $ 1.00
13 Item 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS. FISCAL 2004 OPERATING RESULTS Net income for the twelve months ended April 30, 2004 of $20,350,000 or $2.04 per share was 2% above income of $19,987,000 or $2.00 per share for the same period in fiscal 2003. Operating income of $24,739,000 for the twelve months ended April 30, 2004 was 3% above operating income of $24,095,000 for the same period of the last fiscal year. Operating income of $7,300,000 for the three months ended April 30, 2004 was 7% higher than operating income of $6,843,000 for the comparable period of the last fiscal year. Income from securities transactions for the twelve months of fiscal 2004 was 25% above income for the same period of fiscal 2003. Revenues of $84,703,000 for the twelve months ended April 30, 2004 were 3% higher than revenues of $82,069,000 in the prior fiscal year. Revenues of $21,876,000 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004 were 9% above revenues of $20,025,000 for the three months ended April 30, 2003. During fiscal 2004, the Company's stock outperformed the major market indices. Value Line, Inc.'s. stock was up 34% for the twelve months ended April 30, 2004. In April 2004, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a distribution from its Retained Earnings in the form of a special dividend of $17.50 per share or $174,678,000 to all shareholders of record as of May 7, 2004. The purpose of the dividend was to return to all shareholders, in the form of cash, a significant portion of the earnings of the Company from its successful operations over the past number of years, at a time when shareholders can enjoy the present favorable tax rates on dividends. Despite this significant distribution, Value Line remains exceptionally strong financially with $35,298,000 of Shareholders' Equity as of April 30, 2004 after declaration of the special dividend. Subscription revenues of $52,497,000 for the twelve months ended April 30, 2004 were approximately equal to those for the same period of the prior fiscal year. Although total revenues from all print products for the twelve months ended April 30, 2004 were down 4% since the last fiscal year, revenues from all electronic publications were up over 12% in fiscal 2004. Subscription revenues of $13,728,000 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004 were 7% above revenues of $12,874,000 for the three months ended April 30, 2003. While total revenues from all print products for the three months ended April 30, 2004 were level with the revenues for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003, revenues from all electronic publications were 11% above revenues for the comparable quarter of the last fiscal year. Investment management fees and services revenues of $32,206,000 for the twelve months ended April 30, 2004 were 9% above the prior fiscal year's revenues of $29,600,000. Investment management fees and services revenues of $8,148,000 for the three months ended April 30, 2004 were 14% above the revenues of $7,151,000 recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003. Operating expenses for the twelve months ended April 30, 2004 of $59,964,000 were 3% above last year's expenses of $57,974,000. Total advertising and promotional expenses of $21,821,000 were 7% above the prior year's expenses of $20,418,000 primarily due to additional costs associated with marketing two of the Company's equity mutual funds, increases in media 14 advertising, higher fund supermarket fees related to sales of the Value Line mutual funds shares, and increased postage rates for direct mail. Successful direct mail campaigns resulted in an increase in subscription activity since April 2003 with total new full term subscription orders rising 11% from the level during the twelve months of the prior fiscal year. Salaries and employee benefit expenses of $20,764,000 were 4% above expenses of $19,938,000 recorded in the prior fiscal year. Production and distribution costs for the twelve months ended April 30, 2004 of $8,733,000 were 7% below expenses of $9,400,000 for the twelve months ended April 30, 2003. The decline in expenses was primarily due to lower paper, printing and distribution costs that resulted from a migration in circulation from print to electronic versions of our products and management's decision to discontinue issuing 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 $8,646,000 were 5% above last year's expenses of $8,218,000. The net increase in administrative expenses was primarily due to higher rent expenses resulting from scheduled lease 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 $8,266,000 for the twelve months ended April 30, 2004 versus a gain of $6,626,000 for the same period of the last fiscal year. The Company's trading portfolio produced a gain of $3,008,000 during the twelve months ended April 30, 2004 versus losses of $940,000 during the same period of the last fiscal year. Income from securities transactions for the twelve months ended April 30, 2004 also included dividend and interest income of $4,259,000 and capital gains of $1,087,000 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 $4,361,000 and capital gains of $3,211,000 from sales of securities from the Company's long-term portfolio for the same period of the last fiscal year. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES The Company had liquid resources, which were used in its business, of $73,790,000 at April 30, 2004. In addition to $27,433,000 of working capital, which has been reduced by the declaration of a $17.50 special dividend to all shareholders of record on May 7, 2004, the Company has long-term securities with a market value of $46,357,000, that, although classified as non-current assets, are also readily marketable should the need arise. The Company's cash flow from operations of $21,628,000 for the twelve months ended April 30, 2004 was 29% higher than fiscal 2003's cash flow of $16,816,000. The rise in cash flow from operations was primarily due to an 11% increase in total new full term subscription orders, an increase of 9% in the Company's investment management business and containment of expenses. Net cash inflows of $156,245,000 from investing activities during the twelve months of fiscal 2004 resulted primarily from sales of fixed income securities in preparation for payment on May 19, 2004 of a special dividend in the amount of $174,678,000. The cash inflows from investing activities were partially offset by additional investments in the Company's short-term equity trading portfolio. Net cash outflows of $114,066,000 for investing activities for the twelve months of fiscal 2003 were due largely to the Company's decision during the last fiscal year to re-deploy its cash and equity holdings into Government debt obligations with higher effective yields. 15 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 2005. FISCAL 2003 OPERATING RESULTS Net income for the twelve months ended April 30, 2003 of $19,987,000 or $2.00 per share compared to net income of $20,323,000 or $2.04 per share in fiscal 2002. Net income of $6,792,000 or $.68 per share for the last quarter of fiscal 2003 exceeded net income of $4,591,000 or $0.47 per share for the fourth quarter of the prior fiscal year by 48% due primarily to a lower income tax rate and an increase in income from securities transactions. The lower income tax rate was the result of a favorable tax determination from a local tax jurisdiction regarding the Company's income allocation method. Operating income of $24,095,000 for the twelve months ended April 30, 2003 was below operating income of $29,186,000 for the same period of last fiscal year. Revenues of $82,069,000 for the twelve months ended April 30, 2003 were the seventh highest in the Company's history and compared to revenues of $87,443,000 in the prior year. The decline in revenues and net income during the twelve months ended April 30, 2003 was largely the result of a 14% decline in investment management fees and services revenues that resulted primarily from a decrease in average net asset values in the Value Line mutual funds. The change in net asset values in Value Line's mutual funds was largely attributable to the overall decline in the financial markets with the NASDAQ index falling 13% during the twelve months ended April 30, 2003, representing a 71% decline from its all time high. During fiscal 2003, the Company's stock outperformed the major market indices. Value Line, Inc's. stock was up 2.4% for the twelve months ended April 30, 2003, while during this same period, the NASDAQ index fell 13%. Subscription revenues of $52,469,000 were 1% 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 2% 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. Investment management fees and services revenues of $29,600,000 for the twelve months ended April 30, 2003 were 14% below the prior fiscal year's revenues of $34,329,000. The change in total revenues was primarily attributable to the continued difficult financial market conditions impacting severely on investment management fees and services revenues, with stable subscription revenue moderating the overall effect. Operating expenses for the twelve months ended April 30, 2003 of $57,974,000 were comparable to last year's expenses of $58,257,000. Total advertising and promotional expenses of $20,418,000 were 2% above the prior year's expenses of $19,928,000. The increase in advertising expenses resulted primarily from a 9% increase in postage rates associated with the 16 Company's direct mail advertising for the Company's publications and the Value Line's mutual funds and an increase in discount brokerage commissions incurred for sales of Value Line's mutual funds' shares. Salaries and employee benefit expenses of $19,938,000 were 9% below expenses of $21,801,000 recorded in the prior fiscal year. Production and distribution costs for the twelve months ended April 30, 2003 of $9,400,000 were 6% above expenses of $8,831,000 for the twelve months ended April 30, 2002. The increase in production and distribution expenses resulted from an increase in the average subscription circulation and the aforemen-tioned increase in U.S. postal rates. Additionally, expenses associated with outsourcing a portion of the Company's stock and mutual fund data collection services and amortization of previously deferred costs for the development of computer software for internal use contributed to the higher production expenses. Office and administrative expenses of $8,218,000 were 7% above last year's expenses of $7,697,000. The net increase in administrative expenses compared to last year's resulted primarily from higher insurance premiums and increases in professional fees. The Company's securities portfolios produced a gain of $6,626,000 for the twelve months ended April 30, 2003, which was 14% above the gain of $5,828,000 for the same period of last fiscal year. The Company's trading portfolio produced losses of $940,000 during the twelve months ended April 30, 2003 versus losses of $5,625,000 during the same period of last fiscal year. The value of the Company's securities portfolios has been negatively impacted by the declining financial market with the NASDAQ down 13% during the twelve months ended April 30, 2003. Income from securities transactions for the twelve months ended April 30, 2003 also included dividend and interest income of $4,361,000 and capital gains of $3,211,000 from sales of securities from the Company's long-term portfolio. This compares to dividend and interest income of $2,829,000 and capital gains of $8,633,000 from sales of securities from the Company's long-term portfolio for the same period of last fiscal year. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES The Company had liquid resources, which were used in its business, of $228,471,000 at April 30, 2003. In addition to $12,408,000 of working capital, the Company had long-term securities with a market value of $216,063,000, that, although classified as non-current assets, are also readily marketable should the need arise. The Company's cash flow from operations of $16,816,000 for the twelve months ended April 30, 2003 was 17% lower than fiscal 2002's cash flow of $20,145,000. The decrease in cash flow from operations was primarily a result of lower pretax earnings and a decrease in unserved paid subscription orders. Net cash outflows of $114,066,000 from investing activities during the twelve months of fiscal 2003 were $134,841,000 higher than net cash inflows for the twelve months of fiscal 2002 due largely to the Company's decision to re-deploy its cash 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. The Company understands 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. 17 Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK. MARKET RISK DISCLOSURES Value Line, Inc.'s Consolidated Balance Sheet includes a substantial amount of assets and liabilities whose fair values are subject to market risks. Value Line's significant market risks are primarily associated with interest rates and equity prices. The following sections address the significant market risks associated with Value Line's business activities. INTEREST RATE RISK Value Line's management prefers to invest in highly liquid, government debt securities with extremely low credit risk. Although the principal is secure, the price of these debt instruments is interest rate sensitive. Value Line's strategy is to acquire securities that are attractively priced in relation to the perceived credit risk. Management recognizes and accepts that losses may occur. To limit the price fluctuation in these securities from interest rate changes, Value Line's management invests in relatively short-term obligations maturing in 1 to 5 years. The fair values of Value Line's fixed maturity investments will fluctuate in response to changes in market interest rates. Increases and decreases in prevailing interest rates generally translate into decreases and increases in fair values of those instruments. Additionally, fair values of interest rate sensitive instruments may be affected by prepayment options, relative values of alternative investments, and other general market conditions. The following table summarizes the estimated effects of hypothetical increases and decreases in interest rates on assets that are subject to interest rate risk. It is assumed that the changes occur immediately and uniformly to each category of instrument containing interest rate risks. The hypothetical changes in market interest rates do not reflect what could be deemed best or worst case scenarios. Variations in market interest rates could produce significant changes in the timing of repayments due to prepayment options available. For these reasons, actual results might differ from those reflected in the table. Dollars are in thousands.
ESTIMATED FAIR VALUE AFTER HYPOTHETICAL CHANGE IN INTEREST RATES ------------------------------------- (bp = basis points) FAIR 100bp 100bp 200bp 300bp FIXED INCOME SECURITIES VALUE DECREASE INCREASE INCREASE INCREASE ----------------------- ----- -------- -------- -------- -------- As of April 30, 2004 Investments in securities with fixed maturities $ 1 $ 1 $ 1 $ 1 $ 1 As of April 30, 2003 Investments in securities with fixed maturities $ 170,913 $ 181,299 $ 161,900 $ 153,116 $ 144,739
18 EQUITY PRICE RISK The carrying values of investments subject to equity price risks are based on quoted market prices or management's estimates of fair value as of the balance sheet dates. Market prices are subject to fluctuation and, consequently, the amount realized in the subsequent sale of an investment may significantly differ from the reported market value. Fluctuation in the market price of a security may result from perceived changes in the underlying economic characteristics of the investee, the relative price of alternative investments and general market conditions. Furthermore, amounts realized in the sale of a particular security may be affected by the relative quantity of the security being sold. The table below summarizes Value Line's equity price risks as of April 30, 2004 and 2003 and shows the effects of a hypothetical 30% increase and a 30% decrease in market prices as of those dates. The selected hypothetical change does not reflect what could be considered the best or worst case scenarios. Dollars are in thousands.
ESTIMATED FAIR VALUE AFTER HYPOTHETICAL PERCENTAGE HYPOTHETICAL HYPOTHETICAL INCREASE (DECREASE) IN EQUITY SECURITIES FAIR VALUE PRICE CHANGE CHANGE IN PRICES SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY ----------------- ---------- ------------ ---------------- ----------------------- As of April 30, 2004 $ 46,353 30% increase $ 60,259 39.4% 30% decrease 32,447 (39.4)% As of April 30, 2003 $ 45,150 30% increase $ 58,695 4.4% 30% decrease 31,605 (4.4)%
Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA. The following consolidated financial statements of the registrant and its subsidiaries are included as a part of this Form 10K:
PAGE NUMBERS Reports of independent accountants 35 Consolidated balance sheets--April 30, 2004 and 2003 36 Consolidated statements of income and retained earnings --years ended April 30, 2004, 2003 and 2002 37 Consolidated statements of cash flows --years ended April 30, 2004, 2003 and 2002 38 Consolidated statement of changes in stockholders' equity --years ended April 30, 2004, 2003 and 2002 39 Notes to the consolidated financial statements 40 Supplementary schedules 50
19 Quarterly Results (Unaudited): (in thousands, except per share amounts)
INCOME EARNINGS TOTAL FROM NET PER REVENUES OPERATIONS INCOME SHARE 2004, by Quarter - First $ 20,918 $ 5,572 $ 4,998 $ 0.50 Second 20,566 5,827 5,525 0.55 Third 21,343 6,040 4,904 0.49 Fourth 21,876 7,300 4,923 0.50 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total $ 84,703 $ 24,739 $ 20,350 $ 2.04 2003, by Quarter - First $ 20,505 $ 4,975 $ 3,000 $ 0.30 Second 20,386 6,379 4,524 0.45 Third 21,153 5,898 5,671 0.57 Fourth 20,025 6,843 6,792 0.68 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total $ 82,069 $ 24,095 $ 19,987 $ 2.00 2002, by Quarter - First $ 22,840 $ 7,287 $ 4,599 $ 0.46 Second 21,777 7,290 5,515 0.55 Third 21,620 6,315 5,618 0.56 Fourth 21,206 8,294 4,591 0.47 ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------- Total $ 87,443 $ 29,186 $ 20,323 $ 2.04
Item 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE. There have been no disagreements with the independent accountants on accounting and financial disclosure matters. Item 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES. (a) Evaluation of controls and procedures. The Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in the Exchange Act) within the past ninety days. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer have concluded that the Company's current disclosure controls and procedures are effective in providing them on a timely basis with material information relating to the Company required to be disclosed in the reports the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act. 20 (b) Changes in internal controls. There have not been any significant changes in the Company's internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation. There were no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses and, therefore, no corrective actions were taken. Part III Item 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.
(a) NAMES OF DIRECTORS, AGE AS OF DIRECTOR JUNE 16, 2004 AND PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION SINCE -------------------------------------- -------- Jean Bernhard Buttner* (69). Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and Arnold Bernhard & Co., Inc. Chairman of the Board and President of each of the Value Line Funds. 1982 Harold Bernard, Jr. (73). Attorney-at-law. Retired Administrative Law Judge, National Labor Relations Board. Director of Arnold Bernhard & Co., Inc. Judge Bernard is a cousin of Jean Bernhard Buttner. 1982 Samuel Eisenstadt (81). Senior Vice President and Research Chairman of the Company. 1982 Herbert Pardes, MD (70). President and CEO of New York- Presbyterian Hospital. 2000 Marion Ruth (69). Real Estate Executive. President, Ruth Realty (real estate broker). Director or Trustee of each of the Value Line Funds. 2000 Howard A. Brecher* (50). Vice President of the Company since 1996 and Secretary since 1992; Secretary, Treasurer and General Counsel of Arnold Bernhard & Co., Inc. since 1991, Director since 1992 and Vice President since 1994. 1992 David T. Henigson* (46). Vice President of the Company since 1992 and Treasurer since 1994; Director of Compliance and Internal Audit of the Company since 1988; Vice President of each of the Value Line Funds since 1992 and Secretary and Treasurer since 1994; Vice President and Director of Arnold Bernhard & Co., Inc. since 1992. 1992 Edgar A. Buttner (41). Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard University since 2003; Research Associate, McLean Hospital, 2002-2003; Postdoctoral Fellow, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 1997-2001; Director of Arnold Bernhard & Co., Inc. Dr. Buttner is the son of Jean Bernhard Buttner. 2003 Marianne Asher (38). Private investor, graduate somatic counselor; Director of Arnold Bernhard & Co., Inc. Mrs. Asher is a daughter of Jean Bernhard Buttner. 2004
* Member of the Executive Committee 21 (b) The information pertaining to Executive Officers is set forth in Part I under the caption "Executive Officers of the Registrant." Audit Committee The Company has a standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the members of which are: Harold Bernard, Jr., Dr. Herbert Pardes and Marion N. Ruth. Audit Committee Financial Expert The Board of Directors has determined that no member of the Audit Committee is an "audit committee financial expert" (as defined in the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission). The current members of the Audit Committee have served on the Audit Committee for a minimum of four years and the Board of Directors believes that the experience and financial sophistication of the members of the Audit Committee are sufficient to permit the members of the Audit Committee to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the Audit Committee. All members of the Audit Committee meet the Nasdaq Stock Market's audit committee financial sophistication requirements. Code of Ethics The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Code of Ethics that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION. SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation for services in all capacities to the Company for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2004, 2003 and 2002 of the chief executive officer of the Company and each of the other executive officers of the Company who were serving at April 30, 2004. 22
LONG-TERM COMPENSATION ------------ AWARDS ------------ RESTRICTED ANNUAL COMPENSATION STOCK OPTIONS ALL OTHER NAME AND FISCAL ------------------- AWARD(s) GRANTED COMPENSATION(b) PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY($) BONUS(a)($) ($) (#) ($) ------------------ ------ --------- ----------- ------------ ------- --------------- Jean B. Buttner 2004 917,286 - 0 - - - 16,814 Chairman of the Board 2003 898,419 - 0 - - - 16,017 and Chief Executive 2002 881,667 - 0 - - - 17,976 Officer Samuel Eisenstadt 2004 138,900 125,000 - - 13,890 Senior Vice President 2003 138,900 122,917 - - 13,547 and Research Chairman 2002 136,250 120,000 - - 13,469 David T. Henigson 2004 100,000 415,000 - - 10,000 Vice President 2003 100,000 415,000 - - 9,800 2002 100,000 395,000 - - 10,000 Howard A. Brecher 2004 50,000 400,000 - - 5,000 Vice President 2003 50,000 375,000 - - 4,900 2002 50,000 325,000 - - 5,000 Stephen R. Anastasio (c) 2004 100,000 120,000 - - 10,000 Chief Financial Officer; 2003 100,000 120,000 - - 9,800 Corporate Controller 2002 100,000 101,062 - - 10,000
(a) A portion of the bonuses are contingent upon future employment. (b) Employees of the Company are members of the Value Line Profit Sharing and Savings Plan (the "Plan"). The Plan provides for a defined annual 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 Company's contribution expense was $1,217,000 for the year ended April 30, 2004. Each employee's interest in the Plan is invested in such proportions as the employee may elect in shares of one or more of the mutual funds for which the Company acts as investment adviser. Distributions under the Plan vest in accordance with a schedule based upon the employee's length of service and are payable upon the employee's retirement, death, total and permanent disability or termination of employment. (c) Mr. Anastasio became Chief Financial Officer in April 2003. Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT. The following table sets forth information as of June 16, 2004 as to shares of the Company's Common Stock held by persons known to the Company to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of the Company's Common Stock. 23
NAME AND ADDRESS NUMBER OF SHARES PERCENTAGE OF SHARES OF BENEFICIAL OWNER BENEFICIALLY OWNED BENEFICIALLY OWNED(1) ------------------------ ------------------ ---------------------- Arnold Bernhard 8,609,632 86.26% & Co., Inc.(1) 220 East 42nd Street New York, NY 10017
---------- (1) Jean Bernhard Buttner, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, owns all of the outstanding voting stock of Arnold Bernhard & Co., Inc. The following table sets forth information as of June 16, 2004, with respect to shares of the Company's Common Stock owned by each director of the Company, by each executive officer listed in the Summary Compensation Table and by all officers and directors as a group.
NAME AND ADDRESS NUMBER OF SHARES PERCENTAGE OF SHARES OF BENEFICIAL OWNER BENEFICIALLY OWNED BENEFICIALLY OWNED(1) ---------------------- ------------------ --------------------- Jean Bernhard Buttner 100(1) * Harold Bernard, Jr. 450 * Howard A. Brecher 200 * Samuel Eisenstadt 100 * David T. Henigson 150 * Dr. Herbert Pardes 100 * Marion Ruth 200 * Stephen R. Anastasio 100 * Edgar A. Buttner 100 * Marianne Asher -0- * All directors and executive officers as a group (10 persons) 1,500(1) *
---------- *Less than one percent (1) Excludes 8,609,632 shares (86.26% of the outstanding shares) owned by Arnold Bernhard & Co., Inc. Jean Bernhard Buttner owns all of the outstanding voting stock of Arnold Bernhard & Co., Inc. Substantially all of the non-voting stock of Arnold Bernhard & Co., Inc. is held by members of the Buttner family. Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS. Arnold Bernhard & Co., Inc. utilizes the services of officers and employees of the Company to the extent necessary to conduct its business. The Company and Arnold Bernhard & Co., Inc. allocate costs for office space, equipment and supplies and support staff pursuant to a servicing and reimbursement arrangement. During the year ended April 30, 2004, the Company was reimbursed $489,000 for such expenses. In addition, a tax-sharing arrangement allocates the tax liabilities of the two companies between them. The Company pays to Arnold Bernhard & Co., Inc. an amount equal to the Company's liability as if it filed separate tax returns. 24 Item 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES. Audit and Non-Audit Fees For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2004 and 2003, fees for services provided by Horowitz & Ullmann, P.C. were as follows:
2004 2003 Audit services $ 125,625 $ 119,300 Financial information systems design and implementation 0 0 All other (including tax consulting) $ 125,200 $ 135,765
Part IV Item 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K. (a) 1. Financial Statements See Item 8. 2. Schedules Schedule I - Marketable Securities. Schedule XIII - Other Investments. (Reg. S-X, Article 5) All other Schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the financial statements or notes thereto. 3. Exhibits 3.1 Articles of Incorporation of the Company, as amended through April 17, 1983, are incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement - Form S-1 of Value Line, Inc. Part II, Item 16.(a) 3.1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 7, 1983. 3.2 Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation dated October 24, 1989. 10.8 Form of tax allocation arrangement between the Company and AB&Co. incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement - Form S-1 of Value Line, Inc. Part II, Item 16.(a) 10.8 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 7, 1983. 10.9 Form of Servicing and Reimbursement Agreement between the Company and AB&Co., dated as of November 1, 1982 incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement - Form S-1 of Value Line, Inc. Part II, Item 16.(a) 10.9 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 7, 1983. 10.10 Value Line, Inc. Profit Sharing and Savings Plan as amended and restated effective May 1, 1989, including amendments through April 30, 1995, incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 1996. 25 10.13 Lease for the Company's premises at 220 East 42nd Street, New York, N.Y. incorporated by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 1994. 21 Subsidiaries of the Registrant. (b) Reports on Form 8-K. On April 23, 2004, the Company filed a report on Form 8-K that stated the Board of Directors of the Company declared a special dividend of $17.50 per common share to shareholders of record on May 7, 2004 payable on May 19, 2004. (c) Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. 26 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2004, to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. VALUE LINE, INC. (Registrant) By: s/Jean Bernhard Buttner Jean Bernhard Buttner Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. By: s/Jean Bernhard Buttner Jean Bernhard Buttner Chairman & Chief Executive Officer By: s/Stephen R. Anastasio Stephen R. Anastasio Chief Financial Officer By: s/David T. Henigson David T. Henigson Vice President and Treasurer Dated: July 15, 2004 27 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S. C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 I, Jean Bernhard Buttner, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Value Line, Inc; 2. Based on my knowledge, this annual 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 annual report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual 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 annual report; 4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have: a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared; b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and c) presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date; 5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and 6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this annual report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses. Date: July 15, 2004 By: s/ Jean Bernhard Buttner ------------------------ Jean Bernhard Buttner Chairman & Chief Executive Officer 28 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S. C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 I, David T. Henigson, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Value Line, Inc; 2. Based on my knowledge, this annual 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 annual report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual 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 annual report; 4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have: a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared; b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and c) presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date; 5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and 6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this annual report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses. Date: July 15, 2004 By: s/David T. Henigson ------------------------ David T. Henigson Vice President & Treasurer 29 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S. C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 I, Stephen R. Anastasio, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Value Line, Inc; 2. Based on my knowledge, this annual 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 annual report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this annual 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 annual report; 4. The registrant's other certifying officers and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and have: a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this annual report is being prepared; b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this annual report (the "Evaluation Date"); and c) presented in this annual report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date; 5. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant's auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal controls; and 6. The registrant's other certifying officers and I have indicated in this annual report whether there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses. Date: July 15, 2004 By: s/Stephen R. Anastasio ------------------------ Stephen R. Anastasio Chief Financial Officer 30 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 In connection with the annual report on Form 10-K of Value Line, Inc. (the "Company"), for the period ended April 30, 2004 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Jean Bernhard Buttner, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to 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 Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and 2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. Date: July 15, 2004 By: s/ Jean Bernhard Buttner ------------------------------ Jean Bernhard Buttner Chairman & Chief Executive Officer 31 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 In connection with the annual report on Form 10-K of Value Line, Inc. (the "Company"), for the period ended April 30, 2004 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, David T. Henigson, Vice President & Treasurer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to 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 Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and 2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. Date: July 15, 2004 By: s/ David T. Henigson ----------------------------- David T. Henigson Vice President & Treasurer 32 CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 In connection with the annual report on Form 10-K of Value Line, Inc. (the "Company"), for the period ended April 30, 2004 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Stephen R. Anastasio, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to 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 Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and 2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. Date: July 15, 2004 By: s/ Stephen R. Anastasio ----------------------------- Stephen R. Anastasio Chief Financial Officer 33 Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2004, to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned as Directors of the Registrant. s/Jean Bernhard Buttner s/Howard A. Brecher Jean Bernhard Buttner Howard A. Brecher s/Harold Bernard, Jr. s/Samuel Eisenstadt Harold Bernard, Jr. Samuel Eisenstadt s/Marion N. Ruth s/David T. Henigson Marion N. Ruth David T. Henigson s/Dr. Herbert Pardes s/Edgar A. Buttner Dr. Herbert Pardes Edgar A. Buttner s/Marianne Asher Marianne Asher Dated: July 15, 2004 34 HOROWITZ & ULLMANN, P.C. Certified Public Accountants 275 Madison Avenue A member of the New York, NY 10016 AICPA SEC Practice Section Telephone: (212) 532-3736 New York State Society of CPAs Facsimile: (212) 545-8997 E-mail: cpar@horowitz-ullmann.com REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Value Line, Inc. In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income and retained earnings, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Value Line, Inc. and subsidiaries at April 30, 2004 and 2003, and the results of their operations, changes in stockholders' equity, and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended April 30, 2004, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above. Our audits of the consolidated financial statements referred to above also included an audit of the Financial Statement Schedules listed in Item 14 (a) of Form 10-K. In our opinion, these Financial Statement Schedules present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated statements. /s/ Horowitz & Ullmann, P.C. July 12, 2004 New York, NY 35 VALUE LINE, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
APR. 30, APR. 30, 2004 2003 ---------- ---------- ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents (including short term investments of $177,682, and $9,774, respectively) $ 178,108 $ 10,217 Trading securities 19,981 3,093 Receivable from clearing brokers 5,356 932 Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $40, and $41, respectively 1,842 1,914 Receivable from affiliates 2,920 2,310 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,911 1,244 Deferred income taxes 104 48 ---------- ---------- TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 210,222 19,758 Long term securities available for sale 46,357 216,063 Property and equipment, net 6,545 7,393 Capitalized software and other intangible assets, net 3,800 3,600 ---------- ---------- TOTAL ASSETS $ 266,924 $ 246,814 ========== ========== LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY CURRENT LIABILITIES: Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities $ 3,619 $ 2,852 Accrued salaries 1,576 1,390 Dividends payable 177,172 2,495 Accrued taxes payable 422 613 ---------- ---------- TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 182,789 7,350 Unearned revenue 40,871 38,579 Deferred income taxes 7,684 5,157 Deferred charges 282 350 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 19,459 183,768 Treasury stock, at cost (18,400 shares on 4/30/04, and 4/30/03) (354) (354) Unrealized gain on securities, net of taxes 14,202 9,973 ---------- ---------- TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 35,298 195,378 ---------- ---------- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 266,924 $ 246,814 ========== ==========
SEE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT AND ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 36 VALUE LINE, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND RETAINED EARNINGS (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
YEARS ENDED APRIL 30, 2004 2003 2002 ---------- ---------- ---------- REVENUES: Investment periodicals and related publications $ 52,497 $ 52,469 $ 53,114 Investment management fees & services 32,206 29,600 34,329 ---------- ---------- ---------- Total revenues 84,703 82,069 87,443 ---------- ---------- ---------- EXPENSES: Advertising and promotion 21,821 20,418 19,928 Salaries and employee benefits 20,764 19,938 21,801 Production and distribution 8,733 9,400 8,831 Office and administration 8,646 8,218 7,697 ---------- ---------- ---------- Total expenses 59,964 57,974 58,257 ---------- ---------- ---------- INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 24,739 24,095 29,186 Income from securities transactions, net 8,266 6,626 5,828 ---------- ---------- ---------- Income before income taxes 33,005 30,721 35,014 Provision for income taxes 12,655 10,734 14,691 ---------- ---------- ---------- NET INCOME $ 20,350 $ 19,987 $ 20,323 Retained earnings, at beginning of year 183,768 173,760 163,416 Dividends declared (184,659) (9,979) (9,979) ---------- ---------- ---------- Retained earnings, at end of year $ 19,459 $ 183,768 $ 173,760 ========== ========== ========== EARNINGS PER SHARE, BASIC AND FULLY DILUTED $ 2.04 $ 2.00 $ 2.04 ========== ========== ==========
SEE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT AND ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 37 VALUE LINE, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (IN THOUSANDS)
YEARS ENDED APRIL 30, 2004 2003 2002 ---------- ---------- ---------- CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net income $ 20,350 $ 19,987 $ 20,323 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 2,726 3,274 3,115 Gains on sales of trading securities and securities available for sale (3,075) (2,242) (3,277) Unrealized gains on trading securities (942) (75) 258 Deferred income taxes 193 (1,690) 1,049 Changes in assets and liabilities: Increase/(decrease) in unearned revenue 2,292 (2,060) 1,113 (Decrease)/increase in deferred charges (344) 73 (277) Increase/(decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses 1,043 (552) (1,900) Increase/(decrease) in accrued salaries 186 (469) (432) (Decrease)/increase in accrued taxes payable (191) 486 (395) (Increase)/decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets (667) (40) 70 (Increase)/decrease in accounts receivable 667 (33) 144 (Increase)/decrease in receivable from affiliates (610) 157 354 ---------- ---------- ---------- Total adjustments 1,278 (3,171) (178) ---------- ---------- ---------- NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATIONS 21,628 16,816 20,145 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from sales of long term securities 5,788 39,598 56,102 Purchases of long term securities (1,425) (6,894) (14,279) Proceeds from sales of fixed income securities 229,127 57,471 --- Purchases of fixed income securities (61,210) (202,040) (25,074) Proceeds from sales of trading securities 41,549 4,227 37,536 Purchases of trading securities (55,406) (4,591) (31,414) Acquisition of property and equipment (271) (229) (447) Expenditures for capitalized software (1,907) (1,608) (1,649) ---------- ---------- ---------- NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES 156,245 (114,066) 20,775 CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from sales of treasury stock -- 45 35 Dividends paid (9,982) (9,979) (9,978) ---------- ---------- ---------- NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES (9,982) (9,934) (9,943) ---------- ---------- ---------- NET INCREASE/(DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 167,891 (107,184) 30,977 CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF YEAR 10,217 117,401 86,424 ---------- ---------- ---------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD $ 178,108 $ 10,217 $ 117,401 ========== ========== ==========
SEE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT AND ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 38 VALUE LINE, INC. STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY FOR THE THREE YEARS ENDED APRIL 30, 2004, 2003 AND 2002 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
ACCUMULATED NUMBER PAR VALUE ADDITIONAL OTHER OF COMMON OF COMMON PAID-IN TREASURY COMPREHENSIVE RETAINED COMPREHENSIVE SHARES SHARES CAPITAL STOCK INCOME EARNINGS INCOME TOTAL ----------- --------- ---------- -------- -------------- --------- ------------- --------- BALANCE AT APRIL 30, 2001 9,978,925 $ 1,000 $ 963 $ (406) $ 163,416 $ 35,233 $ 200,206 Comprehensive income Net income $ 20,323 20,323 20,323 Other comprehensive income, net of tax: Change in unrealized gains on securities (14,580) (14,580) (14,580) -------------- Comprehensive income $ 5,743 ============== Exercise of stock options 1,200 12 23 35 Dividends declared (9,979) (9,979) =========== ========= ========== ======== ========= ============= ========= BALANCE AT APRIL 30, 2002 9,980,125 $ 1,000 $ 975 $ (383) $ 173,760 $ 20,653 $ 196,005 =========== ========= ========== ======== ========= ============= ========= Comprehensive income Net income $ 19,987 19,987 19,987 Other comprehensive income, net of tax: Change in unrealized gains on securities (10,680) (10,680) (10,680) -------------- Comprehensive income $ 9,307 ============== Exercise of stock options 1,475 16 29 45 Dividends declared (9,979) (9,979) ----------- --------- ---------- -------- --------- ------------- --------- BALANCE AT APRIL 30, 2003 9,981,600 $ 1,000 $ 991 $ (354) $ 183,768 $ 9,973 $ 195,378 =========== ========= ========== ======== ========= ============= ========= Comprehensive income Net income $ 20,350 20,350 20,350 Other comprehensive income, net of tax: Change in unrealized gains on securities 4,229 4,229 4,229 -------------- Comprehensive income $ 24,579 ============== Dividends declared (184,659) (184,659) ----------- --------- ---------- -------- --------- ------------- --------- BALANCE AT APRIL 30, 2004 $ 9,981,600 $ 1,000 $ 991 $ (354) $ 19,459 $ 14,202 $ 35,298 =========== ========= ========== ======== ========= ============= =========
SEE INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT AND ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. 39 VALUE LINE, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS NOTE 1-ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: Value Line, Inc. (the "Company") is incorporated in New York State and carries on the investment periodicals and related publications and investment management activities formerly performed by Arnold Bernhard & Co., Inc. (the "Parent") which owns approximately 86% of the issued and outstanding common stock of the Company. Principles of consolidation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Revenue recognition: Subscription revenues are recognized ratably over the terms of the subscriptions. Accordingly, the amount of subscription fees to be earned by servicing subscriptions after the date of the balance sheet is shown as unearned revenue. The unearned revenue shown on the balance sheet is a noncurrent deferred credit. This classification recognizes that the fulfillment of this commitment will require the use of significantly fewer current assets than the amount of the unearned revenues and, accordingly, combining it with current liabilities would significantly understate the liquidity position of the Company. Investment management fees are recorded as revenue as the related services are performed. 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: Earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock and common stock equivalents outstanding during each year. 40 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 April 30, 2004 and 2003, cash equivalents included $122,319,000 and $4,979,000, respectively, invested in the Value Line money market funds. 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. NOTE 2-SUPPLEMENTARY CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Cash payments for income taxes were $12,755,000, $11,480,000, and $14,034,000 in fiscal 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively. Interest payments of $18,000, $49,000, and $6,000, were made in fiscal 2004, 2003, and 2002, respectively. NOTE 3-RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS: The Company acts as investment adviser and manager for fourteen open-ended investment companies, the Value Line Family of Funds (see Note 4). 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 from twelve 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 years ended April 30, 2004, 2003, and 2002, investment management fees, service and distribution fees and brokerage commission income, net of clearing fees, amounted to $30,851,000, $28,022,000, and $32,296,000, respectively. These amounts include service and distribution fees of $9,638,000, $7,968,000, and $6,269,000, respectively. The related receivables from the funds for management advisory fees and service and distribution fees included in Receivable from affiliates were $2,448,000, and $2,249,000, at April 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. For the years ended April 30, 2004, 2003, and 2002, the Company was reimbursed $489,000, $527,000 and $539,000, respectively, for payments it made on behalf of and services it provided to the Parent. At April 30, 2004 and 2003, receivable from affiliates included a receivable from the Parent of $70,000 and $45,000, respectively. For the years ended April 30, 2004, 2003, and 2002, the Company made federal income tax payments to the Parent amounting to $10,650,000, $9,500,000 and $11,498,000, respectively. At April 30, 2004 and 2003, accrued taxes payable included a federal tax liability owed to the Parent in the amount of $390,000 and $425,000, respectively. These data are in accordance with the tax sharing arrangement described in Note 6. 41 NOTE 4-INVESTMENTS: TRADING SECURITIES: Securities held by the Company had an aggregate cost of $18,854,000 and a market value of $19,981,000 at April 30, 2004, and an aggregate cost of $2,908,000 and a market value of $3,093,000 at April 30, 2003. Net realized trading gains amounted to $2,084,000 during the year ended April 30, 2004. Net realized trading losses amounted to $969,000 during the year ended April 30, 2003. Net realized trading losses amounted to $5,355,000 during fiscal 2002. The net changes in unrealized gains for the periods ended April 30, 2004, 2003 and 2002 of $942,000, $75,000 and $258,000, respectively, are included in the Consolidated Statement of Income. LONG-TERM SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE: The aggregate cost of the long-term securities, which are primarily invested in the Value Line mutual funds, was $24,502,000 and the market value was $46,353,000 at April 30, 2004. The aggregate cost of the long-term securities at April 30, 2003 was $31,366,000 and the market value was $45,150,000. The increase in gross unrealized gains on these securities of $8,066,000 and the decrease of $17,987,000, net of deferred taxes of $2,823,000 and $6,295,000 were included in shareholders' equity at April 30, 2004 and 2003. Realized capital gains from the sales of these securities were $1,441,000, $2,609,000, and $8,633,000, during fiscal years 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The proceeds received from the sales of these securities during the fiscal years ended April 30, 2004, 2003, and 2002 were $9,751,000, $39,598,000 and $56,102,000, respectively. 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 April 30, 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 GAINS ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Due in 1-2 years $ 1 $ 1 $ 0 ------------------------------------------ Total investment in debt securities $ 1 $ 1 $ 0 ==========================================
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 April 30, 2004 and April 30, 2003 was 2.59% and 3.36%, respectively. Proceeds from sales of long-term fixed income securities during fiscal 2004 were $230,210,000 and the related loss on sales was $354,000. Proceeds from sales of long-term fixed income securities during fiscal 2003 were $57,471,000 and the related gain on sales was $602,000. There were no sales of long-term fixed income securities during fiscal 2002. 42 During the year ended April 30, 2003, the Company transferred investments in debt securities from held-to-maturity classification to available for sale classification. The amortized cost of the securities transferred was $112,154,000 and the unrealized gain on the securities was $1,555,000. The circumstances leading to the decision to transfer the securities were primarily the result of the changing market conditions increasing the possibility that the Company may sell the securities prior to their maturity. For the years ended April 30, 2004, 2003, and 2002, income from securities transactions also included $247,000, $832,000,and $2,487,000, of dividend income; $4,012,000, $3,529,000, and $343,000, of interest income; and $18,000, $49,000 and $6,000, of related interest expense, respectively. NOTE 5-PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT: Property and equipment are carried at cost. Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, or in the case of leasehold improvements, over the remaining terms of the leases. For income tax purposes, depreciation of furniture and equipment is computed using accelerated methods and buildings and leasehold improvements are depreciated over prescribed, extended tax lives. Property and equipment consist of the following:
APRIL 30, 2004 2003 ------------------- (IN THOUSANDS) Land $ 726 $ 726 Building and leasehold improvements 7,834 7,834 Furniture and equipment 10,569 10,585 ------------------- 19,129 19,145 Accumulated depreciation and amortization (12,584) (11,752) ------------------- $ 6,545 $ 7,393 ===================
NOTE 6-FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL INCOME TAXES: 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:
YEARS ENDED APRIL 30, 2004 2003 2002 ---------------------------------- (IN THOUSANDS) Current: Federal $ 10,453 $ 10,383 $ 11,232 State and local 2,056 2,041 2,502 ---------------------------------- 12,509 12,424 13,734 Deferred: Federal 134 (1,704) 960 State and local 12 14 (3) ---------------------------------- 146 (1,690) 957 ---------------------------------- Provision for income taxes $ 12,655 $ 10,734 $ 14,691 ==================================
43 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)/asset are as follows:
YEARS ENDED APRIL 30, 2004 2003 2002 ----------------------------------- (IN THOUSANDS) Unrealized gains on securities held for sale $ (7,648) $ (5,370) $ (11,121) Unrealized gains on trading securities (395) (65) (40) Depreciation and amortization (101) (294) (575) Deferred professional fees 348 340 370 Deferred charges 151 308 451 Other, net 65 (127) (1735) ----------------------------------- $ (7,580) $ (5,208) $ (12,650) ===================================
Included in deferred income taxes in total current assets are deferred state and local income taxes of $104,000 and $48,000 at April 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Accrued taxes payable at April 30, 2003, included a deferred federal tax liability of $99,000. The provision for income taxes differs from the amount of income tax determined by applying the applicable U.S. statutory income tax rate to pretax income as a result of the following:
YEARS ENDED APRIL 30, 2004 2003 2002 ----------------------------------- (IN THOUSANDS) Tax expense at the U.S. statutory rate $ 11,552 $ 10,752 $ 12,255 Increase (decrease) in tax expense from: State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit 1,344 1,336 1,629 Effect of tax exempt income and dividend deductions (278) (95) (28) Other, net 37 (1,259) 835 ----------------------------------- Provision for income taxes $ 12,655 $ 10,734 $ 14,691 ===================================
The provision for income taxes has been reduced by approximately $1,257,000 for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2003, primarily resulting from the favorable disposition of a pending tax audit, which was concluded during the year. The Company is included in the consolidated federal income tax return of the Parent. The Company has a tax sharing arrangement which requires it to make tax payments to the Parent equal to the Company's liability as if it filed a separate return. 44 NOTE 7-EMPLOYEES' PROFIT SHARING AND SAVINGS PLAN: 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. Plan expense, included in salaries and employee benefits in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Retained Earnings, for the years ended April 30, 2004, 2003, and 2002 was $1,217,000, $862,000, and $1,171,000, respectively. NOTE 8-INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS: On April 17, 1993, the Incentive Stock Option Plan expired. On the date of expiration, 22,550 options available for grant were cancelled. Information on the 1983 Incentive Stock Option Plan for the three years ended April 30, 2004, is as follows:
NUMBER OF OPTION SHARES PRICES --------- ------- Outstanding at April 30, 2001 2,675 $ 29.75 Granted - Exercised (1,200) $ 29.75 Cancelled - --------- Outstanding at April 30, 2002 1,475 $ 29.75 Granted - Exercised (1,475) $ 29.75 Cancelled - --------- Outstanding at April 30, 2003 - - Granted - Exercised - - Cancelled - - --------- Outstanding at April 30, 2004 - - =========
At April 30, 2004, all of the options under the option plan were exercised. Of the common stock held in treasury at April 30, 2002, 1,475 shares were issued during fiscal 2003 for the exercise of stock options. 45 NOTE 9-TREASURY STOCK: Treasury stock, at cost, for the three years ended April 30, 2004, consists of the following:
SHARES AMOUNT ------ ------------- (IN THOUSANDS) Balance April 30, 2001 2,1075 $ 406 Exercise of incentive stock options (1,200) (23) ------ ------------- Balance April 30, 2002 19,875 $ 383 Exercise of incentive stock options (1,475) (29) ------ ------------- Balance April 30, 2003 18,400 $ 354 Exercise of incentive stock options - - ------ ------------- Balance April 30, 2004 18,400 $ 354 ====== =============
NOTE 10-LEASE COMMITMENTS: On June 4, 1993, the Company entered into a 15 year lease agreement to provide primary office space. The lease includes free rental periods as well as scheduled base rent escalations over the term of the lease. The total amount of the base rent payments is being charged to expense on the straight-line method over the term of the lease. The Company has recorded a deferred charge on its Consolidated Balance Sheets to reflect the excess of annual rental expense over cash payments since inception of the lease. On September 14, 2000, the Company amended its lease for primary office space and returned to the landlord approximately 6,000 square feet of excess office capacity, reducing the Company's future minimum lease payments, accordingly. Future minimum payments, exclusive of forecasted increases in real estate taxes and wage escalations, under operating leases for office space, with remaining terms of one year or more, are as follows:
YEAR ENDED APRIL 30: (IN THOUSANDS) 2005 1,788 2006 1,788 2007 1,788 2008 1,148 Thereafter 21 ------------- $ 6,533 =============
Rental expense for the years ended April 30, 2004, 2003 and 2002 under operating leases covering office space was $1,544,000, $1,350,000, and $1,373,000, respectively. 46 NOTE 11-BUSINESS SEGMENTS: 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. Disclosure of Reportable Segment Profit and Segment Assets (in thousands)
APRIL 30, 2004 INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT PUBLISHING SERVICES TOTAL Revenues from external customers $ 52,497 $ 32,206 $ 84,703 Intersegment revenues 193 - 193 Income from securities transactions 4 8,262 8,266 Depreciation and amortization 2,632 62 2,694 Segment profit 14,391 10,380 24,771 Segment assets 14,592 74,786 89,378 Expenditures for segment assets 2,128 45 2,173 APRIL 30, 2003 INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT PUBLISHING SERVICES TOTAL Revenues from external customers $ 52,469 $ 29,600 $ 82,069 Intersegment revenues 180 - 180 Income from securities transactions 38 6,588 6,626 Depreciation and amortization 3,080 156 3,236 Segment profit 13,660 10,473 24,133 Segment assets 18,648 227,786 246,434 Expenditures for segment assets 1,571 37 1,608
47 Reconciliation of Reportable Segment Revenues, Operating Profit and Assets (in thousands)
2004 2003 REVENUES Total revenues for reportable segments $ 84,896 $ 82,249 Elimination of intersegment revenues (193) (180) ----------------------- Total consolidated revenues $ 84,703 $ 82,069 ======================= SEGMENT PROFIT Total profit for reportable segments $ 33,037 $ 30,759 Less: Depreciation related to corporate assets (32) (38) ----------------------- Income before income taxes $ 33,005 $ 30,721 ======================= ASSETS Total assets for reportable segments $ 89,378 $ 246,434 Corporate assets 177,546 380 ----------------------- Consolidated total assets $ 266,924 $ 246,814 =======================
NOTE 12-NET CAPITAL: The Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Value Line Securities, Inc. is subject to the net capital provisions of Rule 15c3-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital of $100,000 or one-fifteenth of aggregate indebtedness, if larger. Additionally, dividends may only be declared if aggregate indebtedness is less than twelve times net capital. At April 30, 2004, the net capital, as defined of Value Line Securities, Inc. of $16,464,000 exceeded required net capital by $16,364,000 and the ratio of aggregate indebtedness to net capital was .06 to 1. NOTE 13-DISCLOSURE OF CREDIT RISK OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF BALANCE SHEET RISK: In the normal course of business, the Company enters into contractual commitments, principally financial futures contracts for securities indices. Financial futures contracts provide for the delayed delivery of financial instruments for which the seller agrees to make delivery at a specified future date, at a specified price or yield. The contract or notional amount of these contracts reflects the extent of involvement the Company has in these contracts. At April 30, 2004 and 2003, the Company did not have any investment in financial futures contracts. The Company limits its credit risk associated with such instruments by entering into exchange traded future contracts. The Company executes, as agent, securities transactions on behalf of the Value Line mutual funds. If either the mutual fund or a counter party fail to perform, the Company may be required to discharge the obligations of the nonperforming party. In such circumstances, the Company may sustain a loss if the market value of the security is different from the contract value of the transaction. No single customer accounted for a significant portion of the Company's sales in 2004, 2003 or 2002, nor accounts receivable for 2004 or 2003. 48 NOTE 14-COMPREHENSIVE INCOME: During the fiscal year 1999, the Company adopted FASB statement no. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income. 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 April 30, 2004, 2003, and 2002, the Company held long term 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. The increase in gross unrealized gains was $6,507,000 and and the change in the related deferred taxes was $2,277,000 during the year ended April 30, 2004. The decreases in gross unrealized gains were $16,431,000 and $22,431,000 and the changes in the related deferred taxes were $5,751,000 and $7,851,000 during the years ended April 30, 2003 and 2002. NOTE 15-ACCOUNTING FOR THE COSTS OF COMPUTER SOFTWARE DEVELOPED FOR INTERNAL USE: During fiscal year 1999, the Company adopted the provisions of the Statement of Position 98-1, (SOP 98-1), "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed for Internal Use". SOP 98-1 is effective for tax years ending after December 31, 1998. The SOP 98-1 requires companies to capitalize as long-lived assets many of the costs associated with developing or obtaining software for internal use and amortize those costs over the software's estimated useful life in a systematic and rational manner. At April 30, 2004 and 2003 the Company capitalized $1,123,000 and $868,000 of costs related to the development of software for internal use. Such costs are capitalized and amortized over the expected useful life of the asset which is approximately 3 years. Amortization expense for the years ended April 30, 2004, 2003 and 2002 was $889,000, $1,062,000, and $917,000, respectively. NOTE 16-CONTINGENCIES THE COMPANY COMMENCED AN ACTION IN NEW YORK SUPREME COURT AGAINST A SMALL MUTUAL FUND COMPANY PERTAINING to a contemplated transaction. The Company is seeking damages in an unspecified amount. The Company was countersued for alleged damages in excess of $5,000,000. A related entity of the defendant in the New York action brought suit against the Company and certain Directors in Federal Court in Texas based on the same transaction. 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 the Company's meritorious defenses, it is management's belief that the expected outcome of this matter will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated results of operations and financial condition. 49 VALUE LINE, INC. SCHEDULE 1-MARKETABLE SECURITIES AS OF APRIL 30, 2004
COMMON STOCK NAME NUMBER OF SHARES COST MARKET ----------------- ---------------- ---- ------ 1 800 FLOWERS.COM 37,242 344,282.56 371,675.16 ACCREDO HEALTH INC 10,639 411,939.57 411,303.74 AETNA INC. 376 33,042.84 31,020.00 AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES 12,587 434,052.79 339,974.87 AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP INC 4,383 130,776.99 134,558.10 AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL GROUP INC 5,299 393,269.91 379,673.35 AMERITRADE HOLDINGS CORP. 25,768 273,435.88 315,915.68 ANDREW CORP 2,010 40,702.50 34,129.80 APOLLO GROUP INC 390 33,796.80 35,490.00 ARCHER DANIELS MIDLAND CO 23,724 408,996.22 416,593.44 ARMOR HOLDINGS INC 11,829 346,300.94 390,830.16 ARROW ELECTRONICS INC 4,927 124,935.91 124,554.56 AUTODESK INC. 854 29,061.62 28,617.54 BARD C R INC 326 34,967.94 34,644.02 BIOGEN IDEC INC 7,396 392,658.60 436,364.00 BMC SOFTWARE INC 1,963 36,925.99 33,959.90 CAREER EDUCATION CORP. 538 34,585.28 34,421.24 CEPHLON INC 594 33994.62 33,804.54 CERNER CORP 744 32788.08 31,858.08 CHARLES RIVER LABS INTL INC 794 33,586.28 36,524.00 CHATTEM INC. 1,035 29,034.75 28,038.15 CHICOS FAS INC 9,041 315,067.91 368,239.93 COACH INC. 814 34,881.77 34,676.40 COMMERCE BANCORP INC 694 40,128.76 39,564.94 COPART INC 18,335 382,512.10 347,448.25 CVS CORP. 11,097 407,512.88 428,677.11 DAVITA INC. 1,026 35,644.60 52,428.60 D R HORTON INC. 11,931 330,723.03 343,612.80 DST SYSTEMS INC 929 41,182.57 41,015.35 ENESCO GROUP 2,370 34,388.70 30,738.90 ERESEARCHTECHNOLOGY INC 13,779 437,798.47 433,762.92 ERICSSON LM TEL CO 1,445 40,295.27 38,538.15 ETRADE GROUP INC. 31,050 433,124.16 352,728.00 FAIRCHILD SEMICONDUCTOR 1,501 40,219.98 29,224.47 FISHER SCIENTIFIC INTL INC 550 29,524.00 32,202.50 FLIR SYS INC 745 34,903.25 34,895.80 FOOT LOCKER INC 15,784 339,898.68 378,816.00 FORTUNE BRANDS INC 456 34,944.60 34,770.00 GENENTECH, INC. 3,779 239,565.39 464,061.20 GEORGIA PAC CORP 10,717 403,671.88 376,166.70 GETTY IMAGES INC. 661 35,026.39 36,090.60 GUESS INC. 22,978 370,997.37 357,767.46 HARMAN INTL INDS INC. 5,014 322,640.42 380,311.90 HEADWATERS INC 5,478 127,565.30 125,172.30 HELEN OF TROY CORP LTD. 1,368 39,388.23 45,444.96 HOME DEPOT INC. 11,088 383,569.44 390,186.72 IDX SYSTEMS 11,622 222,350.93 368,417.40 IDEXX LABS INC 597 33,649.85 36,572.22 INCO LTD 10,617 395,144.30 305,238.75 INGRAM MICRO INC 1,550 29,233.00 18,522.50 INTERNATIONAL GAME TECH. 9,036 339,011.72 341,018.64
50
COMMON STOCK NAME NUMBER OF SHARES COST MARKET ----------------- ---------------- ---- ------ INVITROGEN CORP. 5,465 335,012.70 395,447.40 KORN FERRY INTERNATIONAL 2,250 33,725.03 33,705.00 L-3 COMMUNICATIONS HOLDINGS 588 34,133.40 36,303.12 LABORATORY CORP OF AMERICA HOLDINGS 997 40,900.08 39,620.78 LANDRY'S RESTAURANTS INC 4,176 132,232.69 139,812.48 MANDALAY RESORT GROUP 5,543 337,993.58 318,445.35 MARVEL TECHNOLOGY GROUP 8,803 340,356.70 342,612.76 MOTOROLA INC 7,175 129,209.70 130,943.75 NAVIGANT CONSULTING NC. 19,839 298,668.48 347,777.67 NBTY INC 1,100 37,730.00 40,876.00 NEXTEL COMMUNICATIONS INC. 16,104 318,034.31 384,080.40 NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORP 18,235 405,906.07 434,357.70 NU SKIN ENTERPRISES INC 17,518 308,978.82 414,651.06 OPEN TEXT CORP 12,774 377,277.37 347,069.58 PATINA OIL & GAS CORP 1,734 40,137.21 48,205.20 PEPSIAMERICAS INC 1,675 33,088.29 33,550.25 PFIZER INC 1,102 40,234.02 39,407.52 PHELPS DODGE CORP 4,969 386,491.49 327,109.27 PIXELWORKS INC 7,592 130,393.94 135,744.96 POLTECH CORP 10,249 392,419.19 388,232.12 PULTE HOMES INC. 2,253 109,460.51 110,780.01 QUALCOMM, CORP. 6,097 348,946.06 380,818.62 QUEST DIAGNOSTICS INC 360 29,553.00 30,366.00 RADIO ONE INC CLASS A 2,188 40,200.34 41,659.52 RADIO ONE INC 19,619 365,247.90 371,976.24 RED HAT INC 17,141 380,177.06 389,443.52 RESEARCH IN MOTION LTD 3,835 282,182.52 334,028.50 ROGERS CORP 583 34,278.07 34,805.10 SAPIENT CORP 5,751 38,601.92 32,205.60 SCHLUMBERGER LTD 6,670 414,047.25 390,395.10 SILICON LABORATORIES INC 905 39,994.76 42,670.75 SMART & FINAL INC 3,180 38,974.18 36,729.00 STANLEY WORKS 9,101 389,236.29 386,883.51 STARBUCKS CORP. 739 29,105.22 28,761.88 STATION CASINOS INC 845 40,597.77 38,092.60 SYMANTEC CORP 8,723 289,259.04 392,971.15 TECHNE CORP. 1,020 38,379.24 39,892.20 TELECOM CORP OF NEW ZEALAND 13,356 421,684.95 379,043.28 THERMO ELECTRON CORP 1,388 39,656.27 40,529.60 THOMAS & BETTS CORP 3,734 90,021.89 89,765.36 TRANSACTION SYSTEMS ARCHITEC 17,902 309,999.39 380,059.46 UNV PHOENIX ONLINE 4,616 324,159.48 401,961.28 URBAN OUTFITTERS INC. 8,401 191,294.24 387,874.17 VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS INC. 479 39,805.53 41,117.36 WATERS CORP. 1,091 38,370.98 47,076.65 WEBEX INC. 13,612 249,071.39 305,453.28 WEBSENSE INC 1,245 39,815.10 36,727.50 WEIGHT WATCHERS INTL INC 951 40,693.29 37,089.00 WHOLE FOODS MARKET INC 503 40,465.39 40,234.97 YAHOO INC 742 40,230.79 37,493.26 ZIMMER HOLDINGS INC 4,337 339,584.77 346,309.45 ------------- ------------- TO MARKETABLE SECURITIES 18,853,718.68 19,981,428.09 ============= =============
51 VALUE LINE, INC. SCHEDULE XIII-OTHER INVESTMENTS:4/30/2004
HISTORICAL MARKET LONG TERM SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE: COST VALUE INVESTMENTS IN VALUE LINE MUTUAL FUNDS THE VALUE LINE EMERGING OPPORTUNITY FUND, INC 9,155,526 19,205,507 THE VALUE LINE ASSET ALLOCATION FUND, INC 15,346,729 27,147,244 ------------ ------------ TOTAL INVESTMENTS IN VALUE LINE MUTUAL FUNDS $ 24,502,255 $ 46,352,751 OTHER LONG TERM INVESTMENTS: 300 SHARES OF NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SECURITIES DEALERS, INC. $ 3,000 $ 3,000 ------------ ------------ FIXED INCOME INVESTMENTS FEDERAL HOME LOAN BANK 2.50% DUE 4/06 1,000 999 ------------ ------------ TOTAL FIXED INCOME INVESTMENTS $ 1,000 $ 999 TOTAL LONG TERM SECURITIES AVAILABLE FOR SALE $ 24,506,255 $ 46,356,750 ------------ ------------
52 Exhibit 15(a) 21 SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT
PERCENTAGE OF VOTING SECURITIES STATE OF OWNED BY INCORPORATION REGISTRANT ------------- ----------- Compupower Corporation Delaware 100% Value Line Securities, Inc. New York 100% The Vanderbilt Advertising Agency, Inc. New York 100% Value Line Publishing, Inc. New York 100% Value Line Distribution Center, Inc. New Jersey 100%
53 Exhibit 15(b) UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 8-K CURRENT REPORT Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 APRIL 23, 2004 (APRIL 23, 2004) DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED) VALUE LINE, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) New York 0-11306 13-3139843 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer of incorporation) File Number) 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 -------------- INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN THE REPORT ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS AND REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE. Registrant's press release dated April 23, 2004, reporting the declaration of a special dividend on the Registrant's common stock, is filed herewith as Exhibit 99 and is incorporated herein by reference. ITEM 7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS. (c) Exhibits. 99. Press release of Registrant dated April 23, 2004. (C) 2004. EDGAR ONLINE, INC. 54 SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Current Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. VALUE LINE INC. --------------- (REGISTRANT) BY /s/ JEAN BERNHARD BUTTNER ----------------------------- JEAN BERNHARD BUTTNER CHAIRMAN & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER DATE: APRIL 23, 2004 55 EXHIBIT 99 VALUE LINE, INC. For Immediate Release Company Contact: Jean B. Buttner, CEO April 23, 2004 (212) 907-1500 Value Line, Inc. (VALU) Announces Special Dividend of $17.50 per Share Payable to Shareholders of Record May 7 Business Wire-April 23, 2004 New York, NASDAQ - Value Line, Inc. (VALU) announced its Board had declared today a special dividend in the amount of $17.50 per share on its common stock. The dividend is to be paid on May 19, 2004, to shareholders of record May 7, 2004. Jean Bernhard Buttner, Value Line's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer said, "We are pleased to declare a special dividend in the amount of $17.50 per share to all shareholders of record May 7, 2004. The dividend in the total sum of $174,678,000 is payable on May 19. The Company is making this special distribution from its Retained Earnings. Value Line is exceptionally strong financially, with $208,464,000 of Shareholders' Equity as of our last reporting date, January 31, 2004. "The purpose of the dividend is to return to all shareholders, in the form of cash, a significant portion of the earnings of the Company from our successful operations over the past number of years, at a time when shareholders can enjoy the present favorable tax rates on dividends. Value Line believes many companies should consider similar pro-active steps to help maximize shareholder returns." Value Line is a leading New York based investment publishing and investment management company. The Value Line Investment Survey is the nation's largest independent investment service. The Company also produces and publishes other investment advice in both print and electronic formats. Value Line provides investment management services to the Value Line family of fourteen no-load mutual funds and to institutional and individual portfolios through its asset management division. 56 Exhibit 15(c) 4/03 CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS As mandated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, this Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (this "Code") sets forth legal and ethical standards of conduct for the directors, officers and employees of Value Line, Inc. (the "Company") and the Value Line Mutual Funds. This Code is intended to deter wrongdoing and to promote the conduct of all Company business in accordance with high standards of integrity and in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. This Code applies to the Company, its subsidiaries and each of the Value Line Mutual Funds and applies to each director and employee including the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller of each entity and persons performing similar functions. If you have any questions regarding this Code or its application to you in any situation, you should contact Mrs. Buttner. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, RULES AND REGULATIONS The Company requires that all employees, officers and directors comply with all laws, rules and regulations applicable to the Company wherever it does business. You are expected to use good judgment and common sense in seeking to comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations and to ask for advice when you are uncertain about them. If you become aware of the violation of any law, rule or regulation by the Company, whether by its officers, employees, directors, or any third party doing business on behalf of the Company, it is your responsibility to promptly report the matter to Mrs. Buttner. While it is the Company's desire to address matters internally, nothing in this Code should discourage you from reporting any illegal activity, including any violation of the securities laws, antitrust laws, environmental laws or any other federal, state or foreign law, rule or regulation, to the appropriate regulatory authority. Employees, officers and directors shall not discharge, demote, suspend, threaten, harass or in any other manner discriminate or retaliate against an employee because he or she reports any such violation, unless it is determined that the report was made with knowledge that it was false. This Code should not be construed to prohibit you from testifying, participating or otherwise assisting in any state or federal administrative, judicial or legislative proceeding or investigation. All of us must always act in the best interests of the Company. You must refrain from engaging in any activity or having a personal interest that presents a "conflict of interest." A conflict of interest occurs when your personal interest interferes with the interests of the Company. A conflict of interest can arise whenever you, as an officer, director or employee, take action or have an interest that prevents you from performing your Company duties and responsibilities honestly, objectively and effectively. 57 CONFIDENTIALITY Employees, officers and directors must maintain the confidentiality of confidential information entrusted to them by the Company, except when disclosure is authorized by the CEO or legally mandated. Confidential information includes lists of clients, personal information about employees or subscribers and the like. Unauthorized disclosure of any confidential information is prohibited. Additionally, employees should take appropriate precautions to ensure that confidential or sensitive business information, is not communicated within the Company except to employees who have a need to know such information to perform their responsibilities for the Company. Third parties may ask you for information concerning the Company. Employees, officers and directors (other than the Company's authorized spokespersons) must not discuss internal Company matters with, or disseminate internal Company information to, anyone outside the Company, except as directed by the CEO. All responses to inquiries on behalf of the Company must be made only by the Company's authorized spokespersons who are Jean B. Buttner, Howard A. Brecher or David T. Henigson. If you receive any inquiries of this nature, you must decline to comment and refer the inquirer to the Company's authorized spokespersons. HONEST AND ETHICAL CONDUCT AND FAIR DEALING Employees, officers and directors should endeavor to deal honestly, ethically and fairly with the Company's suppliers, customers, competitors and employees. Statements regarding the Company's products and services must not be untrue, misleading, deceptive or fraudulent. PROTECTION AND PROPER USE OF CORPORATE ASSETS Employees, officers and directors should seek to protect the Company's assets. Theft, carelessness and waste have a direct impact on the Company's financial performance. All of us must use the Company's assets and services solely for legitimate business purposes of the Company and not for any personal benefit or the personal benefit of anyone else. All of us are bound to advance the Company's business interests when the opportunity to do so arises. You must not take for yourself personal opportunities that are discovered through your position with the Company or the use of property or information of the Company. ACCURACY OF BOOKS AND RECORDS AND PUBLIC REPORTS Employees, officers and directors must honestly and accurately report all Company business transactions. You are responsible for the accuracy of your records and reports. Accurate information is essential to the Company's ability to meet legal and regulatory obligations. All Company books, records and accounts shall be maintained in accordance with all applicable regulations and standards and accurately reflect the true nature of the transactions they record. The financial statements of the Company shall conform to generally accepted accounting rules and the Company's accounting policies. No undisclosed or unrecorded account or fund shall 58 be established for any purpose. No false or misleading entries shall be made in the Company's books or records for any reason, and no disbursement of corporate funds or other corporate property shall be made without adequate supporting documentation. It is the policy of the Company to provide full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents filed with, or submitted to, the Securities and Exchange Commission and in other public communications. CONCERNS REGARDING ACCOUNTING OR AUDITING MATTERS Anyone with concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters or complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters may confidentially, and anonymously if they wish, submit such concerns or complaints to any of the Company's officers. All such concerns and complaints will be forwarded to the CEO. A record of all complaints and concerns received will be provided to the Audit Committee each fiscal quarter by the Company's Legal Counsel or any of its officers. The Audit Committee will evaluate the merits of any concerns or complaints received by it and authorize such follow-up actions, if any, as it deems necessary or appropriate to address the substance of the concern or complaint. The Company will not discipline, discriminate against or retaliate against any employee who reports a complaint or concern, unless it is determined that the report was made with knowledge that it was false. DISSEMINATION AND AMENDMENT This Code shall be distributed to each new employee, officer and director of the Company upon commencement of his or her employment or other relationship with the Company and shall also be distributed annually to each employee, officer and director of the Company, and each employee, officer and director shall certify that he or she has received, read and understood the Code and has complied with its terms. The Company reserves the right to amend, alter or terminate this Code at any time for any reason. This document is not an employment contract between the Company and any of its employees, officers or directors and does not alter the Company's at-will employment policy. 59 CERTIFICATION I,_________________________________ do hereby certify that: (Print Name Above) 1. I have received and carefully read the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics of Value Line, Inc. and the Value Line Mutual Funds. 2. I understand the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. 3. I have complied and will continue to comply with the terms of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. Date: ----------------- ---------------------------- (Signature) EACH EMPLOYEE, OFFICER AND DIRECTOR IS REQUIRED TO SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS CERTIFICATION TO THE HUMAN RESOURCE DEPARTMENT WITHIN 30 DAYS OF ISSUANCE. FAILURE TO DO SO MAY RESULT IN DISCIPLINARY ACTION. 60