10-Q 1 d10q.htm FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED JUNE 30, 2004 For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2004
Table of Contents

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

(Mark One)

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

 

For the quarterly period ended June 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 0-14665

 


 

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

South Carolina   95-4133299

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

915 East First Street

Los Angeles, California

  90012-4050
(Address of principal executive office)   (Zip code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (213) 229-5300

 


 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.)    Yes:  ¨    No:  x

 

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

 

Class


 

Outstanding at July 31, 2004


Common Stock, par value $ .01 per share

  1,503,810 shares

 



Table of Contents

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

 

INDEX

 

         Page Nos.

PART I Financial Information

    

Item 1. Financial statements

    

Consolidated Balance Sheets - June 30, 2004 and September 30, 2003

   3

Consolidated Statements of Income - Three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003

   4

Consolidated Statements of Income - Nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003

   5

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003

   6

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   7

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

   10

Item 3. Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures about Market Risk

   13

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

   13

Part II Other Information

    

Item 2. Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

   14

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

   15

 

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PART I

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

    

June 30

2004


    September 30
2003


 
     (Unaudited)        

ASSETS

                

Current assets

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 583,000     $ 491,000  

U.S. Treasury Bills, at cost plus discount earned

     9,161,000       5,592,000  

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $300,000 at June 30, 2004 and $400,000 at September 30, 2003

     5,534,000       6,205,000  

Inventories

     31,000       22,000  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     217,000       214,000  

Deferred income taxes

     901,000       980,000  
    


 


Total current assets

     16,427,000       13,504,000  
    


 


Property, plant and equipment, at cost

                

Land, buildings and improvements

     13,049,000       11,122,000  

Furniture, office equipment and computer software

     4,574,000       6,154,000  

Machinery and equipment

     1,745,000       1,492,000  
    


 


       19,368,000       18,768,000  

Less accumulated depreciation

     (7,134,000 )     (8,226,000 )
    


 


       12,234,000       10,542,000  

Deferred income taxes

     361,000       130,000  
    


 


     $ 29,022,000     $ 24,176,000  
    


 


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                

Current liabilities

                

Accounts payable

   $ 4,951,000     $ 5,905,000  

Accrued liabilities

     2,778,000       2,608,000  

Income taxes

     —         80,000  

Notes payable – current portion

     168,000       94,000  

Deferred subscription revenue and other revenues

     7,008,000       6,909,000  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     14,905,000       15,596,000  
    


 


Notes payable – long-term

     4,419,000       1,714,000  
    


 


Commitments and contingencies (Notes 6 and 7)

                

Minority interest in subsidiary (7%)

     —         —    

Shareholders’ equity

                

Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized and no shares issued

     —         —    

Common stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; 1,505,010 and 1,509,503 shares, at June 30, 2004 and September 30, 2003, respectively, outstanding

     15,000       15,000  

Other paid-in capital

     1,913,000       1,919,000  

Retained earnings

     8,676,000       5,802,000  

Less 47,445 and 46,271 treasury shares, at June 30, 2004 and September 30, 2003, respectively, at cost

     (906,000 )     (870,000 )
    


 


Total shareholders’ equity

     9,698,000       6,866,000  
    


 


     $ 29,022,000     $ 24,176,000  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

    

Three months

ended June 30


 
     2004

    2003

 

Revenues

                

Advertising

   $ 4,573,000     $ 4,458,000  

Circulation

     2,534,000       2,612,000  

Information systems and services

     992,000       985,000  

Advertising service fees and other

     902,000       833,000  
    


 


       9,001,000       8,888,000  
    


 


Costs and expenses

                

Salaries and employee benefits

     4,131,000       4,272,000  

Commissions and other outside services

     1,218,000       1,465,000  

Newsprint and printing expenses

     539,000       459,000  

Postage and delivery expenses

     477,000       485,000  

Depreciation and amortization

     335,000       557,000  

Other general and administrative expenses

     892,000       909,000  
    


 


       7,592,000       8,147,000  
    


 


Income from operations

     1,409,000       741,000  

Other income and (expense)

                

Interest income

     13,000       36,000  

Interest expense

     (47,000 )     (37,000 )
    


 


Income before taxes

     1,375,000       740,000  

Provision for income taxes

     85,000       —    
    


 


Income before minority interest in subsidiary

     1,290,000       740,000  

Minority interest in subsidiary (7%)

     —         —    
    


 


Net income

   $ 1,290,000     $ 740,000  
    


 


Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted

     1,458,367       1,473,402  
    


 


Basic and diluted net income per share

   $ .89     $ .50  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

    

Nine months

ended June 30


 
     2004

    2003

 

Revenues

                

Advertising

   $ 12,809,000     $ 12,714,000  

Circulation

     7,670,000       7,897,000  

Information systems and services

     3,704,000       2,763,000  

Advertising service fees and other

     2,248,000       2,257,000  
    


 


       26,431,000       25,631,000  
    


 


Costs and expenses

                

Salaries and employee benefits

     12,463,000       12,483,000  

Commissions and other outside services

     3,875,000       4,234,000  

Newsprint and printing expenses

     1,425,000       1,252,000  

Postage and delivery expenses

     1,449,000       1,510,000  

Depreciation and amortization

     975,000       1,654,000  

Other general and administrative expenses

     2,982,000       2,789,000  
    


 


       23,169,000       23,922,000  
    


 


Income from operations

     3,262,000       1,709,000  

Other income and (expense)

                

Interest income

     38,000       85,000  

Interest expense

     (109,000 )     (113,000 )
    


 


Income before taxes

     3,191,000       1,681,000  

Provision for income taxes

     170,000       —    
    


 


Income before minority interest in subsidiary

     3,021,000       1,681,000  

Minority interest in subsidiary (7%)

     —         —    
    


 


Net income

   $ 3,021,000     $ 1,681,000  
    


 


Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted

     1,460,536       1,476,630  
    


 


Basic and diluted net income per share

   $ 2.07     $ 1.14  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

    

Nine months

ended June 30


 
     2004

    2003

 

Cash flows from operating activities

                

Net income

   $ 3,021,000     $ 1,681,000  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations

                

Depreciation and amortization

     975,000       1,654,000  

Deferred income taxes

     (152,000 )     (90,000 )

Discount earned on U.S. Treasury Bills

     (14,000 )     (10,000 )

Changes in assets and liabilities

                

(Increase) decrease in current assets

                

Accounts receivable, net

     671,000       (192,000 )

Inventories

     (9,000 )     8,000  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

     (3,000 )     (75,000 )

Increase (decrease) in current liabilities

                

Accounts payable

     (954,000 )     445,000  

Accrued liabilities

     170,000       194,000  

Income tax payable

     (80,000 )     —    

Deferred subscription and other revenues

     99,000       (112,000 )
    


 


Cash provided by operating activities

     3,724,000       3,503,000  
    


 


Cash flows from investing activities

                

Net purchases in U.S. Treasury Bills

     (3,555,000 )     (990,000 )

Purchases of property, plant and equipment, net

     (2,667,000 )     (2,031,000 )
    


 


Net cash used for investing activities

     (6,222,000 )     (3,021,000 )
    


 


Cash flows from financing activities

                

Proceeds from loan

     2,856,000       —    

Payment of loan principal

     (77,000 )     (61,000 )

Purchase of common and treasury stock

     (189,000 )     (160,000 )
    


 


Cash received from financing activities

     2,590,000       (221,000 )
    


 


Increase in cash and cash equivalents

     92,000       261,000  

Cash and cash equivalents

                

Beginning of period

     491,000       513,000  
    


 


End of period

   $ 583,000     $ 774,000  
    


 


Interest paid during period

   $ 109,000     $ 113,000  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

 

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DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

Note 1 - The Corporation and Operations

 

The Daily Journal Corporation (the “Company”) publishes newspapers and web sites covering California, Arizona and Nevada, as well as the California Lawyer magazine, and produces several specialized information services. Sustain Technologies, Inc. (“Sustain”), a 93% owned subsidiary as of June 30, 2004, has been consolidated since it was acquired in January 1999. Sustain supplies case management software systems and related products to courts and other justice agencies, including district attorney offices and administrative law organizations. These courts and agencies use the Sustain family of products to help manage cases and information electronically and to interface with other critical justice partners. Sustain’s products are designed to help users manage electronic case files from inception to disposition, including all aspects of calendaring and accounting, report and notice generation, the implementation of standards and business rules and other corollary functions. Essentially all of the Company’s operations are based in California, Arizona, Colorado and Nevada.

 

Note 2 - Basis of Presentation

 

In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying interim unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of its financial position as of June 30, 2004, the results of operations for the three- and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 and its cash flows for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003. The results of operations for the three- and nine-months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

 

The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2003.

 

Certain reclassifications of previously reported amounts have been made to conform to the current year’s presentation.

 

Note 3 - Basic and Diluted Income Per Share

 

The Company does not have any common stock equivalents, and therefore the basic and diluted income per share are the same.

 

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Note 4 - Operating Segments

 

Summarized financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments is shown in the following table:

 

     Reportable Segments

    Total Results
for both
Segments


 
     Traditional
Business


    Sustain

   

Nine months ended June 30, 2004

                        

Revenues

   $ 22,727,000     $ 3,704,000     $ 26,431,000  

Income (loss) before taxes, net of minority interest

     3,287,000       (96,000 )     3,191,000  

Total assets

     27,012,000       2,010,000       29,022,000  

Capital expenditures

     2,639,000       28,000       2,667,000  

Depreciation and amortization

     776,000       199,000       975,000  

Income tax benefits (expenses)

     (1,400,000 )     1,230,000       (170,000 )

Total after tax income

     1,887,000       1,134,000       3,021,000  

Nine months ended June 30, 2003

                        

Revenues

   $ 22,868,000     $ 2,763,000     $ 25,631,000  

Income (loss) before taxes, net of minority interest

     3,521,000       (1,840,000 )     1,681,000  

Total assets

     20,247,000       3,173,000       23,420,000  

Capital expenditures

     1,992,000       39,000       2,031,000  

Depreciation and amortization

     1,024,000       630,000       1,654,000  

Income tax benefits (expenses)

     (1,400,000 )     1,400,000       —    

Total after tax income (loss)

     2,121,000       (440,000 )     1,681,000  

Three months ended June 30, 2004

                        

Revenues

   $ 8,009,000     $ 992,000     $ 9,001,000  

Income before taxes, net of minority interest

     1,446,000       (71,000 )     1,375,000  

Total assets

     27,012,000       2,010,000       29,022,000  

Capital expenditures

     354,000       2,000       356,000  

Depreciation and amortization

     296,000       39,000       335,000  

Income tax benefits (expenses)

     (600,000 )     515,000       (85,000 )

Total after tax income

     846,000       444,000       1,290,000  

Three months ended June 30, 2003

                        

Revenues

   $ 7,903,000     $ 985,000     $ 8,888,000  

Income (loss) before taxes, net of minority interest

     1,367,000       (627,000 )     740,000  

Total assets

     20,247,000       3,173,000       23,420,000  

Capital expenditures

     1,052,000       4,000       1,056,000  

Depreciation and amortization

     346,000       211,000       557,000  

Income tax benefits (expenses)

     (500,000 )     500,000       —    

Total after tax income (loss)

     867,000       (127,000 )     740,000  

 

Note 5 - Income Tax Accounting

 

No tax provision was recorded for the nine months ended June 30, 2003 because the Company was able to utilize net operating carry-forwards attributable to the Sustain-segment losses in prior years to offset all taxes which otherwise would have been payable. The Company recorded a tax provision of $170,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2004, because the Company expects that the remaining tax benefits of $428,000, for financial statement purposes, from past Sustain-segment losses will not be sufficient to offset the Company’s entire tax liability for fiscal 2004.

 

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Note 6 - Debt and Other Commitments

 

The Company owns its facilities in Los Angeles and leases space for its other offices under operating leases which expire at various dates through 2009. The Company is responsible for a portion of maintenance, insurance and property tax expenses relating to certain leased property. Rental expenses for comparable nine-month periods ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 were $618,000 and $706,000, respectively.

 

As of June 30, 2004, the Company has two real estate loans: One of $1,731,000, which bears interest at 6.84%, is repayable in equal monthly installments of about $18,000 through 2016, and another, obtained in June of 2004, of $2,856,000, bears interest at same rate of 6.84% and is repayable in equal monthly installments of about $22,000 through 2024. These loans are secured by the Company’s facilities in Los Angeles.

 

Note 7 - Contingencies

 

Management has received information furnished by legal counsel on the current stage of all outstanding legal proceedings and the development of these matters to date. There has never been a resolution of the payment dispute between Sustain and the terminated outside service provider whose software development work was terminated by Sustain in April 2001 as a result of serious flaws and long delays. The terminated outside service provider filed for bankruptcy in December 2001 and stated in its filings with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court that it was considering bringing a collection action against Sustain. If it does, Sustain will assert counter-claims that completely offset the terminated outside provider’s claims. Sustain will vigorously defend any litigation or action brought by the terminated outside service provider, although no assurances can be made as to the ultimate outcome of the dispute. It is the opinion of management that adequate provision has been made for any amounts that may become due as a result of the dispute.

 

In addition, Sustain received a letter in April 2003 from counsel to the Ontario, Canada Ministry of the Solicitor General, Ministry of Public Safety and Security and Ministry of the Attorney General (collectively, the “Ministries”). The Ministries had entered into a contract with Sustain, dated as of April 22, 1999 (the “Contract”), pursuant to which the Ministries sought to license the software product that was to be developed by the outside service provider referred to above. The Contract was formally terminated in June 2002. The letter from counsel purported to invoke the dispute resolution process set forth in the Contract and claimed damages in the amount of $20 million. Counsel for Sustain and counsel for the Ministries engaged in preliminary discussions with respect to this matter, and the dispute resolution process set forth in the Contract was not utilized. Counsel for Sustain last communicated with counsel for the Ministries by a letter sent in April 2003. At this point, management is unable to determine whether this matter will have a material adverse effect on Sustain and the Company.

 

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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Results of Operations

 

Revenues were $26,431,000 and $25,631,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. This increase of $800,000 (3%) was primarily attributable to the increased consulting revenues and other revenues of Sustain, partially offset by a decline in circulation revenues. (Revenues were $9,001,000 and $8,888,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.)

 

Display advertising revenues increased by $441,000, while classified advertising revenues decreased by $114,000. Public notice advertising revenues decreased by $232,000 primarily resulting from a decline in trustee foreclosure sales because of stronger housing markets in California and Arizona. The Company’s smaller newspapers, those other than the Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journals (“The Daily Journals”), accounted for about 91% of the total public notice advertising revenues. Public notice advertising revenues and related advertising and other service fees constituted about 27% of the Company’s total revenues. Circulation revenues decreased an aggregate of $227,000, including those for the court rule services as more courts are now providing their rules online. The Daily Journals accounted for about 72% of the Company’s total circulation revenues, and their circulation levels decreased slightly. The court rule and judicial profile services generated about 17% of the total circulation revenues, with the other newspapers and services accounting for the balance. Information system and service revenues increased by $941,000 primarily because of increased consulting and other revenues for the installation of Sustain software in the courts in several California counties. The Company’s revenues derived from Sustain’s operations constituted about 14% and 11% of the Company’s total revenues for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

Costs and expenses decreased by $753,000 (3%) to $23,169,000 from $23,922,000. Total personnel costs were $12,463,000, representing a decrease of $20,000. Commissions and other outside services declined by $359,000 (8%) primarily due to reduced outside computer consulting expenses for the Sustain installations. Newsprint and printing expenses increased by $173,000 (14%) primarily due to increased paper prices. Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased by $679,000 (41%) primarily due to more fully depreciated assets. Other general and administrative expenses increased by $193,000 (7%) mainly because of more repairs and maintenance expenses for the Los Angeles facilities and for the relocation of the San Francisco office. (Costs and expenses were $7,592,000 and $8,147,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.)

 

The Company’s expenditures for the development of new Sustain software products are highly significant and will materially impact overall results at least through fiscal 2004, and very likely much longer. These costs are expensed as incurred until technological feasibility of the product has been established, at which time such costs are capitalized, subject to expected recovery. Sustain’s internal development costs, primarily incremental, aggregated $913,000 and $865,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. If Sustain’s internal development programs are not successful, they will significantly and adversely impact the Company’s ability to maximize its existing investment in the Sustain software, to service its existing customers, and to compete for new opportunities in the case management software business.

 

The Company’s traditional business segment pretax profit decreased by $234,000 (7%) to $3,287,000 from $3,521,000 primarily resulting from declines in circulation revenues, partially offset by reduced depreciation, amortization and other expenses. Sustain’s business segment pretax loss decreased $1,744,000 (95%) from $1,840,000 to $96,000, primarily due to increased consulting and other revenues associated with the installation and license of Sustain software by the courts in several California

 

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countries. While the Company expects to continue receiving license fees as a result of these installations, future revenue from consulting services, which aggregated $1,637,000 during the nine months ended June 30, 2004, may not continue at recent levels. Also, Sustain’s reduced loss in the period reflects the expiration of two employment agreements, which were not renewed, and the completion of the amortization of capitalized software acquired upon the purchase of Sustain in 1999.

 

Consolidated net income was $3,021,000 and $1,681,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. (Consolidated net income was $1,290,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2004 compared to $740,000 in the comparable prior year period.) No tax provisions were recorded for the nine months ended June 30, 2003 because the Company was able to utilize a portion of its net operating loss carry-forwards attributable to the Sustain-segment losses in prior years to offset taxes which otherwise would have been payable. The Company recorded a tax provision of $170,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2004, because the remaining tax benefits of $428,000, for financial statement purposes, from past Sustain-segment losses are not expected to be sufficient to offset all of the Company’s taxes for fiscal 2004. Net income per share increased to $2.07 from $1.14.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

During the nine months ended June 30, 2004, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and U.S. Treasury Bill positions increased by $3,661,000 primarily resulting from the proceeds of a new loan of $2,856,000. Cash and cash equivalents were used for the purchase of capital assets of $2,667,000 primarily for additional facilities and equipment in Los Angeles and to purchase the Company’s common stock for an aggregate amount of $189,000. The cash provided by operating activities of $3,724,000 included a net increase in prepayments for subscriptions and other of $99,000, primarily related to a prepayment for Sustain licenses. Proceeds from the sale of subscriptions from newspapers, court rule books and other publications and for software maintenance and other services are recorded as deferred revenue and are included in earned revenue only when the services are rendered. Cash flows from operating activities increased by $221,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2004 as compared to the prior comparable period primarily due to increased net income and changes in current assets and liabilities, including the reduction in accounts receivable and accounts payable, partially offset by the increase in deferred revenues. As of June 30, 2004, the Company had working capital of $8,530,000 before deducting the liability for deferred subscription revenues and other revenues of $7,008,000, which are scheduled to be earned within one year.

 

During fiscal 2004, and very likely much longer, the Company expects its total expenditures in support of the development of the Sustain software to continue to be very significant. In addition, there has never been a resolution of the issues between Sustain and the outside software development service provider which was terminated in April 2001. The terminated outside service provider filed for bankruptcy in December 2001 and stated in its filings with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court that it was considering bringing a collection action against Sustain. If it ever does, Sustain will assert counter-claims that completely offset the terminated outside provider’s claims. Sustain will vigorously defend any litigation or action brought by the terminated outside service provider, although no assurances can be made as to the ultimate outcome of the dispute. It is the opinion of management that adequate provision has been made for any amounts that may become due as a result of the dispute. In a related matter, on April 2, 2003, counsel for the Ontario, Canada Ministry of the Solicitor General, Ministry of Public Safety and Security and Ministry of the Attorney General sent a letter to Sustain claiming damages of $20 million as a result of Sustain’s inability to deliver a functional software system due to the flawed work of the outside service provider. In addition to the legal risks associated with these matters, the pendency of these issues could have an impact on Sustain’s ability to attract new customers or work with its existing customers.

 

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As of June 30, 2004, the Company has two real estate loans: One of $1,731,000, which bears interest at 6.84%, is repayable in equal monthly installments of about $18,000 through 2016, and another, obtained in June of 2004, of $2,856,000, bears interest at the same rate of 6.84% and is repayable in equal monthly installments of about $22,000 through 2024. These loans are secured by the Company’s facilities in Los Angeles.

 

If the Company requires additional funds, it may, among other things, change Sustain’s development strategy or attempt to secure additional financing, which may or may not be available to the Company on acceptable terms.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The Company’s financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are affected by management’s application of accounting policies. Management believes that both accounting for capitalized software costs and income tax accounting are critical accounting policies.

 

Pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 86, Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased, or Otherwise Marketed, costs related to the research and development of a new software product are to be expensed as incurred until the technological feasibility of the product is established. Accordingly, costs related to the development of new Sustain software products are expensed as incurred until technological feasibility has been established, at which time such costs are capitalized, subject to expected recoverability. In general, “technological feasibility” is achieved when the developer has established the necessary skills, hardware and technology to produce a product and a detailed program design has been (a) completed, (b) traced to the product specifications and (c) reviewed for high-risk development issues.

 

Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, establishes financial accounting and reporting standards for the effect of income taxes. The objectives of accounting for income taxes are to recognize the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year and the deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements or tax returns. Judgment is required in assessing the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the Company’s financial statements or tax returns. Fluctuations in the actual outcome of these future tax consequences could materially impact the Company’s financial position or its results of operations. In the future, there may be tax benefits, for financial statement purposes, from past Sustain-segment losses, but most of these benefits have been used or will be used in fiscal 2004.

 

The above discussion and analysis for the three- and nine- months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in this report. (See Notes 6 and 7 for debt and other commitments and contingencies.)

 

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Certain statements contained in this document, including but not limited to those in Items 1 and 2, are “forward-looking” statements that involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual future events or results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.

 

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Words such as “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “should,” “believes,” “will,” “plans,” “estimates,” “may,” variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. We disclaim any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise. There are many factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others: risks associated with the functionality and resources required for new and existing case management software projects; the success or failure of Sustain’s internal software development efforts; the ultimate resolution, if any, of the disputes with the Ontario, Canada Ministries and Sustain’s terminated outside service provider; material changes in the costs of materials; a potential decline in subscriber revenue; an inability to continue borrowing on current terms; possible changes in tax laws; collectibility of accounts receivable; potential increases in employee and consultant costs; attraction, training and retention of employees; changes in accounting guidance; and competitive factors in both the case management software business and the publishing business. In addition, such statements could be affected by general industry and market conditions and growth rates, general economic conditions (particularly in California) and other factors. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are disclosed in this Form 10-Q, including without limitation in conjunction with the forward-looking statements themselves. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Item 3. QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

The Company does not use derivative financial instruments. The Company does maintain a portfolio of cash equivalents maturing in three months or less as of the date of purchase and of U.S. Treasury Bills maturing within one year. Given the short-term nature of the investments and borrowings, and the fact that the Company had no outstanding borrowing except for the real estate loans which bear a fixed interest rate, the Company was not subject to significant interest rate risk. The real estate loans of $1,731,000 and $2,856,000 each bears interest at approximately 6.84% and are repayable in equal monthly installments of about $18,000 through 2016 and $22,000 through 2024, respectively. These real estate loans are secured by the Company’s facilities in Los Angeles.

 

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including Gerald L. Salzman, its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2004. Based on that evaluation, Mr. Salzman concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as specified in the rules and forms of the Securities Exchange Commission. There have been no material changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting or in other factors reasonably likely to affect the internal controls over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2004.

 

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PART II

 

Item 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES, USE OF PROCEEDS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Period


   Total Number
of Shares
Purchased


   Average Price
Paid per Share


   Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs


    Maximum Number of
Shares that May Yet
Be Purchased Under
the Plans or Programs


4/1/04 - 4/30/04

   0    $ 0.00      (a)   Not applicable

5/1/04 - 5/31/04

   2,000    $ 35.05      (a)   Not applicable

6/1/04 - 6/30/04

   0    $ 0.00      (a)   Not applicable

Total

   2,000    $ 35.05      (a)   Not applicable

(a) The Company’s common stock repurchase program was implemented in 1987 in combination with the Company’s Deferred Management Incentive Plan, and therefore the Company’s per share earnings have not been diluted by grants of “units” under the Deferred Management Incentive Plan. Each unit entitles the recipient to a designated share of the pretax earnings of the Company on a consolidated basis, or a designated share of the pretax earnings attributable to only Sustain or the Company’s traditional business, depending on the recipient’s responsibilities. All purchases made by the Company during the quarter were made in open-market transactions. The Company’s stock repurchase program remains in effect, and the Company plans to repurchase shares from time to time as it deems appropriate (including, if necessary, to prevent any additional dilution that may be caused by the Deferred Management Incentive Plan).

 

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Item 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

 

  (a) Exhibits:

 

  10.1 Note Secured by Deed of Trust, dated June 3, 2004, in the principal amount of $3,400,000 of which $2,856,000 were partially funded in June 2004, executed by Daily Journal Corporation in favor of City National Bank.

 

  10.2 Deed of Trust, Assignment of Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing, dated June 3, 2004, executed by Daily Journal Corporation in favor of City National Bank.

 

  10.3 Loan Revision Agreement for the Note Secured by Deed of Trust, dated June 3, 2004, in the principal amount of $3,400,000, executed by Daily Journal Corporation and City National Bank.

 

  31 Certifications by Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

  32 Certification by Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

  (b) Reports on Form 8-K:

 

None.

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

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

 

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

(Registrant)

/s/ Gerald L. Salzman


Gerald L. Salzman

Chief Executive Officer

President

Chief Financial Officer

Treasurer

 

DATE: August 13, 2004

 

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