10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2012

or

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

For the transition period from _______________ to _____________________

Commission File Number 0-14665

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

South Carolina	95-4133299
(State or other jurisdiction of	(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)	Identification No.)
915 East First Street
Los Angeles, California	90012-4050
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip code)

(213) 229-5300

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

None

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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 has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).        Yes:  X      No:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filer:	Accelerated Filer:
Non-accelerated Filer:	Smaller Reporting Company:  X

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

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, 2012
Common Stock, par value $ .01 per share	1,380,746 shares

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DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

INDEX

	Page Nos.
PART I   Financial Information
Item 1.  Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - June 30, 2012 and September 30, 2011	3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - Three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011	4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - Nine months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011	5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011	6
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	7
Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	11
Item 4.     Controls and Procedures	15
Part II   Other Information
Item 6.    Exhibits	16

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PART I

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

	June 30 2012			September 30 2011
	(Unaudited)
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,999,000		$	3,058,000
U.S. Treasury Bills		2,800,000			13,100,000
Marketable securities, including common stocks of $86,869,000 and bonds of $7,962,000 at June 30, 2012 and common stocks of $48,393,000 and bonds of $7,723,000 at September 30, 2011		94,831,000			56,116,000
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $212,500 and $250,000 at June 30, 2012 and September 30, 2011, respectively		5,359,000			6,595,000
Inventories		38,000			44,000
Prepaid expenses and other assets		244,000			232,000
Total current assets		106,271,000			79,145,000
Property, plant and equipment, at cost
Land, buildings and improvements		12,818,000			12,849,000
Furniture, office equipment and computer software		2,485,000			2,777,000
Machinery and equipment		2,073,000			2,124,000
		17,376,000			17,750,000
Less accumulated depreciation		(8,021,000	)		(8,376,000	)
		9,355,000			9,374,000
Deferred income taxes		2,030,000			2,297,000
	$	117,656,000		$	90,816,000
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	2,089,000		$	2,436,000
Accrued liabilities		2,940,000			3,183,000
Income taxes		578,000			756,000
Deferred income taxes		17,897,000			8,987,000
Deferred subscription and other revenues		5,665,000			5,405,000
Total current liabilities		29,169,000			20,767,000
Long term liabilities
Accrued liabilities		4,500,000			5,170,000
Total long term liabilities		4,500,000			5,170,000
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 8 and 9)		---			---
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; 1,380,746 at June 30, 2012 and September 30, 2011, outstanding		14,000			14,000
Additional paid-in capital		1,755,000			1,755,000
Retained earnings		52,308,000			48,350,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income		29,910,000			14,760,000
Total shareholders' equity		83,987,000			64,879,000
	$	117,656,000		$	90,816,000

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

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DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

	Three months ended June 30
	2012			2011
Revenues
Advertising	$	4,897,000		$	5,271,000
Circulation		1,630,000			1,695,000
Advertising service fees and other		769,000			827,000
Information systems and services		835,000			706,000
		8,131,000			8,499,000
Costs and expenses
Salaries and employee benefits		3,473,000			3,414,000
Other outside services		733,000			774,000
Postage and delivery expenses		360,000			370,000
Newsprint and printing expenses		360,000			354,000
Depreciation and amortization		126,000			124,000
Other general and administrative expenses		845,000			859,000
		5,897,000			5,895,000
Income from operations		2,234,000			2,604,000
Other income and (expense)
Dividends and interest income		608,000			326,000
Interest expense		(4,000	)		(9,000	)
Gains on sales of capital assets/investments		-			-
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments		(2,855,000	)		---
(Loss) income before taxes		(17,000	)		2,921,000
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes		(225,000	)		1,030,000
Net income	$	208,000		$	1,891,000
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted		1,380,746			1,380,746
Basic and diluted net income per share	$	.15		$	1.37
Comprehensive income (loss)
Net income	$	208,000		$	1,891,000
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments (net of taxes)		(3,410,000	)		(4,169,000	)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net income (net of taxes)		1,720,000			---
Comprehensive loss	$	(1,482,000	)	$	(2,278,000	)

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

	Nine months ended June 30
	2012			2011
Revenues
Advertising	$	14,605,000		$	16,356,000
Circulation		4,931,000			5,081,000
Advertising service fees and other		2,288,000			2,613,000
Information systems and services		2,293,000			2,318,000
		24,117,000			26,368,000
Costs and expenses
Salaries and employee benefits		10,323,000			10,419,000
Other outside services		2,196,000			2,276,000
Postage and delivery expenses		1,040,000			1,084,000
Newsprint and printing expenses		1,023,000			1,053,000
Depreciation and amortization		371,000			408,000
Other general and administrative expenses		2,486,000			2,755,000
		17,439,000			17,995,000
Income from operations		6,678,000			8,373,000
Other income and (expense)
Dividends and interest income		1,451,000			870,000
Interest expense reversal (expense)		62,000			(27,000	)
Gains on sales of capital assets/investments		7,000			1,000
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments		(2,855,000	)		---
Income before taxes		5,343,000			9,217,000
Provision for income taxes		1,385,000			3,300,000
Net income	$	3,958,000		$	5,917,000
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted		1,380,746			1,380,746
Basic and diluted net income per share	$	2.87		$	4.29
Comprehensive income
Net income	$	3,958,000		$	5,917,000
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments (net of taxes)		13,430,000			2,523,000
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net income (net of taxes)		1,720,000			---
Comprehensive income	$	19,108,000		$	8,440,000

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

	Nine months ended June 30
	2012			2011
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$	3,958,000		$	5,917,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations
Depreciation and amortization		371,000			408,000
Deferred income taxes		(851,000	)		29,000
Net premium amortized and discount earned on bonds and U.S. Treasury Bills		(3,000	)		(12,000	)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments ($1,720,000 net of taxes)		2,855,000			---
Changes in assets and liabilities
Decrease (increase) in current assets
Accounts receivable, net		1,236,000			1,337,000
Inventories		6,000			(11,000	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(12,000	)		1,000
Increase (decrease) in current liabilities
Accounts payable		(347,000	)		80,000
Accrued liabilities		(913,000	)		(560,000	)
Income taxes		(178,000	)		123,000
Deferred subscription and other revenues		260,000			(12,000	)
Net cash provided by operating activities		6,382,000			7,300,000
Cash flows from investing activities
Maturities and sales of U.S. Treasury Bills		14,600,000			42,099,000
Purchases of U.S. Treasury Bills		(4,299,000	)		(37,690,000	)
Purchases of marketable securities		(16,390,000	)		(11,154,000	)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(352,000	)		(74,000	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(6,441,000	)		(6,819,000	)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents		(59,000	)		481,000
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period		3,058,000			3,615,000
End of period	$	2,999,000		$	4,096,000

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 1 - The Corporation and Operations
 

    The Daily Journal Corporation (the “Company”) publishes newspapers and web sites covering California and Arizona, as well as the California Lawyer magazine, and produces several specialized information services. It also serves as a newspaper representative specializing in public notice advertising. Sustain Technologies, Inc. (“Sustain”), a wholly-owned subsidiary, supplies case management software systems and related products to courts and other justice agencies, including 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 calendaring and accounting, report and notice generation, the implementation of standards and business rules and other corollary functions, and to enable justice agencies to extend electronic services to the public and bar members.  Essentially all of the Company’s operations are based in California, Arizona and Colorado.
 

Note 2 - Basis of Presentation

     In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying interim unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair statement of its financial position as of June 30, 2012, and of its results of operations and cash flows for the three- and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2012 and 2011. The results of operations for the nine months ended June 30, 2012 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAPP) 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, 2011.

Note 3 -New Accounting Pronouncements

On January 1, 2012, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-04, an amendment to ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement”, to achieve common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (FRS).  The ASU changes the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements to ensure consistency between U.S. GAAP and IFRS.  The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

     In March 2012 the Company adopted early the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) -- Presentation of Comprehensive Income, which requires an entity to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements.  This adoption provides only a different presentation of the Company’s comprehensive income and has no impact on its financial statements.

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Note 4 - 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.

Note 5 - Revenue Recognition

     Proceeds from the sale of subscriptions for newspapers, court rule books and other publications and other services are recorded as deferred revenue and are included in earned revenue only when the services are provided, generally over the subscription term. Advertising revenues are recognized when advertisements are published and are net of commissions.

     The Company recognizes revenues from both the lease and sale of software products in accordance with ASC Topic 985-605 Software Revenue Recognition.  Revenues from leases of software products are recognized over the life of the lease while revenues from software product sales are recognized normally upon delivery, installation or acceptance pursuant to a signed agreement.  Revenues from annual maintenance contracts generally call for the Company to provide software updates and upgrades to customers and are recognized ratably over the maintenance period.  Consulting and other services are recognized upon acceptance by the customers.

Note 6 - Income Taxes

     On a pretax profit of $5,343,000 and $9,217,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, the Company recorded a tax provision of $1,385,000 and $3,300,000 respectively, which was lower in each case than the amount computed using the statutory rate because of (i) the tax benefits of $1,135,000 from the other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments of $2,855,000, and (ii) the available dividends received deduction and the domestic production activity deduction.  In addition, the Company reached an agreement with the Internal Revenue Service in March 2012 to settle the Company’s previously claimed research and development credits in its tax returns for the years 2002 to 2007.  As a result, the Company’s previously recorded provision for this matter of approximately $700,000 was reduced by $282,000, and the interest expense accrual for this matter of $286,000 was reduced by $62,000.  Consequently, the Company’s effective tax rate was about 26% and 36% for the nine months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.   The Company files federal income tax returns in the United States and with various state jurisdictions, and it is no longer subject to examinations for the years before 2010 with regard to federal income taxes.

Note 7 -  Investments in U.S. Treasury Notes and Bills and Marketable Securities

     Investments in U.S. Treasury Bills and marketable securities categorized as “available-for-sale” are stated at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, reported in “Accumulated other comprehensive income”.  As of June 30, 2012 and September 30, 2011, an unrealized gain of $49,710,000 (consisting of gross unrealized gains of $50,990,000 and gross unrealized losses of $1,280,000) and $24,532,000 (consisting of gross unrealized gains of $28,983,000 and gross unrealized losses of $4,451,000), respectively, net of taxes, was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.  The Company uses quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (consistent with the Level 1 definition in the fair value hierarchy) to measure the fair value of its investments on a recurring basis pursuant to Accounting Standards CodificationTopic 820.

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Investments in equity securities and securities with fixed maturities as of June 30, 2012 and September 30, 2011 are summarized by type below.

	June 30, 2012						September 30, 2011
	(Unaudited)
	Aggregate fair value		Amortized/ Adjusted cost basis		Pretax unrealized gains		Aggregate fair value		Amortized cost basis		Pretax unrealized gains
U.S. Treasury Bills	$	2,800,000	$	2,800,000	$	---	$	13,100,000	$	13,100,000	$	---
Marketable securities
Common stocks		86,869,000		40,190,000		46,679,000		48,393,000		26,655,000		21,738,000
Bonds		7,962,000		4,931,000		3,031,000		7,723,000		4,929,000		2,794,000
Total	$	97,631,000	$	47,921,000	$	49,710,000	$	69,216,000	$	44,684,000	$	24,532,000

    At June 30, 2012, the U.S. Treasury Bills had maturity dates of less than one year, and the bonds mature in 2039.   All investments are classified as “Current assets” because they are available for sale at any time.

   As of June 30, 2012, the Company performed separate evaluations for impaired equity securities to determine if the unrealized losses were other-than-temporary. This evaluation considered a number of factors including, but not limited to, the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the securities until fair value recovers.  The assessment of the ability and intent to hold these securities to recovery focuses on liquidity needs, asset/liability management and portfolio objectives.  Based on the results of the evaluations, the Company concluded that as of June 30, 2012, the unrealized losses related to the marketable securities of one issuer were other-than-temporary and recorded impairment losses of $2,855,000 ($1,720,000 net of taxes).  This does not necessarily indicate the loss in value of these securities is permanent. U.S. GAAP requires that the Company recognize other-than-temporary impairment losses in earnings rather than in accumulated comprehensive income when the security prices remain below cost for a period of time that may be deemed excessive even in instances where the Company possesses the ability and intent to hold the security.  

Note 8 - 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 2015.  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, 2012 and 2011 were $349,000 and $480,000, respectively.

Note 9 - Contingencies

    From time to time, the Company is subject to litigation arising in the normal course of its business. While it is not possible to predict the results of such litigation, management does not believe the ultimate outcome of these matters will have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

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Note 10 - Operating Segments

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

	Reportable segments
	Traditional business			Sustain			Total
Nine months ended June 30, 2012
Revenues	$	21,824,000		$	2,293,000		$	24,117,000
Income (loss) from operations		8,133,000			(1,455,000	)		6,678,000
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments		2,855,000			---			2,855,000
Pretax income (loss)		6,791,000			(1,448,000	)		5,343,000
Income tax (expense) benefit		(2,135,000	)		750,000			(1,385,000	)
Net income (loss)		4,656,000			(698,000	)		3,958,000
Total assets		116,344,000			1,312,000			117,656,000
Capital expenditures		312,000			40,000			352,000
Depreciation and amortization		349,000			22,000			371,000
Nine months ended June 30, 2011
Revenues	$	24,050,000		$	2,318,000		$	26,368,000
Income (loss) from operations		9,475,000			(1,102,000	)		8,373,000
Pretax income (loss)		10,319,000			(1,102,000	)		9,217,000
Income tax (expense) benefit		(3,705,000	)		405,000			(3,300,000	)
Net income (loss)		6,614,000			(697,000	)		5,917,000
Total assets		99,605,000			758,000			100,363,000
Capital expenditures		51,000			23,000			74,000
Depreciation and amortization		387,000			21,000			408,000
Three months ended June 30, 2012
Revenues	$	7,296,000		$	835,000		$	8,131,000
Income (loss) from operations		2,709,000			(475,000	)		2,234,000
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments		2,855,000			---			2,855,000
Pretax income (loss)		458,000			(475,000	)		(17,000	)
Income tax benefit		100,000			125,000			225,000
Net income (loss)		558,000			(350,000	)		208,000
Total assets		116,344,000			1,312,000			117,656,000
Capital expenditures		21,000			31,000			52,000
Depreciation and amortization		118,000			8,000			126,000
Three months ended June 30, 2011
Revenues	$	7,793,000		$	706,000		$	8,499,000
Income (loss) from operations		3,094,000			(490,000	)		2,604,000
Pretax income (loss)		3,411,000			(490,000	)		2,921,000
Income tax (expense) benefit		(1,215,000	)		185,000			(1,030,000	)
Net income (loss)		2,196,000			(305,000	)		1,891,000
Total assets		99,605,000			758,000			100,363,000
Capital expenditures		11,000			8,000			19,000
Depreciation and amortization		117,000			7,000			124,000

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

              RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The Company continues to operate as two different businesses:  (1) The “traditional business”, being the business of newspaper and magazine publishing and related services that the Company had before 1999 when it purchased Sustain, and (2) the Sustain software business, which supplies case management software systems and related products to courts and other justice agencies, including administrative law organizations.

During the nine months ended June 30, 2012, consolidated pretax income decreased by $3,874,000 (42%) to $5,343,000 from $9,217,000 in the prior year period, primarily resulting from the recording of the other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments of $2,855,000 and a reduction in trustee sale notice and related service fee revenues of $1,982,000, partially offset by a reduction in its operating costs and expenses of $556,000 and an increase in dividends and interest income of $581,000.  The write-down on the investment does not necessarily indicate the loss in value is permanent.  Security prices may remain below cost for a period of time that may be deemed excessive from the standpoint of interpreting existing accounting rules, even though other factors suggest that the prices will eventually recover. As a result, accounting regulations require that the Company recognize other-than-temporary impairment losses like these in earnings rather than in accumulated comprehensive income even in instances where the Company may strongly believe that the market price of the impaired security will recover to at least its original cost and where the Company possesses the ability and intent to hold the security until at least that time.

The Company’s traditional business segment income from operations decreased by $1,342,000 (14%) to $8,133,000 from $9,475,000 primarily because of the reduction in trustee sale notice and related service fee revenues of $1,982,000 partially offset by the reduction in its operating costs and expenses of $884,000. Sustain’s business segment had a pretax loss of $1,448,000 compared to $1,102,000 in the prior year period primarily due to a decrease in consulting and support revenues from governmental agencies, reflecting in part continuing governmental budget constraints and an increase in personnel costs.

Comprehensive income includes net income and net unrealized gains on investments, net of taxes.

Comprehensive Income

	Nine months ended June 30
	2012		2011
Net income	$	3,958,000	$	5,917,000
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments (net of taxes)		13,430,000		2,523,000
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net income (net of taxes)		1,720,000		---
Comprehensive income	$	19,108,000	$	8,440,000

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Financial Information for the Company’s Reportable Segments

	Traditional business			Sustain			Total
Nine months ended June 30, 2012
Revenues	$	21,824,000		$	2,293,000		$	24,117,000
Income (loss) from operations		8,133,000			(1,455,000	)		6,678,000
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments		2,855,000			---			2,855,000
Pretax income (loss)		6,791,000			(1,448,000	)		5,343,000
Income tax (expense) benefit		(2,135,000	)		750,000			(1,385,000	)
Net income (loss)		4,656,000			(698,000	)		3,958,000
Nine months ended June 30, 2011
Revenues	$	24,050,000		$	2,318,000		$	26,368,000
Income (loss) from operations		9,475,000			(1,102,000	)		8,373,000
Pretax income (loss)		10,319,000			(1,102,000	)		9,217,000
Income tax (expense) benefit		(3,705,000	)		405,000			(3,300,000	)
Net income (loss)		6,614,000			(697,000	)		5,917,000

Consolidated revenues were $24,117,000 and $26,368,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  This decrease of $2,251,000 (9%) was primarily from decreases of $1,982,000 (20%) in trustee sale notice and related service fee revenues and $150,000 (3%) in circulation revenues.  Although public notice advertising revenues were down compared to the prior year period, the Company still continued to benefit from the large number of foreclosures in California and Arizona for which public notice advertising is required by law.  Sustain’s information systems and services revenues decreased by $25,000 (1%) primarily because of the decrease in consulting and support revenues.  The Company’s revenues derived from Sustain’s operations constituted about 10% and 9% of the Company’s total revenues for the nine months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  (Consolidated revenues were $8,131,000 and $8,499,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.)

Operating costs and expenses decreased by $556,000 (3%) to $17,439,000 from $17,995,000.  Total personnel costs decreased by $96,000 (1%) to $10,323,000 primarily due to a $380,000 reduction in expenses related to the Company’s Management Incentive Plan (“Incentive Plan”) partially offset by annual salary adjustments.  The reduction in Incentive Plan expenses consisted of a decrease of $670,000 in the Incentive Plan accrual during the nine months ended June 30, 2012 due to reduced consolidated pretax profits before this accrual versus a decrease of $290,000 in the prior year period.  Other general and administrative expenses decreased by $269,000 (10%) primarily resulting from reduced professional service fees and rents for primarily the San Francisco office.  (Operating costs and expenses were $5,897,000 and $5,895,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.)  This trend of revenues and expenses was driven by the same factors for the three-month period as in the nine-month period.

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The traditional business segment revenues are very much dependant on the number of California and Arizona foreclosure notices.  The number of foreclosure notices published by the Company decreased by 20% during nine months ended June 30, 2012 as compared to the prior year period. Because this slowing is expected to continue, we anticipate there will be fewer foreclosure notice advertisements and declining revenues in fiscal 2012.  We do not expect to experience an offsetting increase in commercial advertising as a result of this trend because of the continuing challenges in the commercial advertising business.  The Company's smaller newspapers, those other than the Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journals ("The Daily Journals"), accounted for about 96% of the total public notice advertising revenues in the nine-month period.  Public notice advertising revenues and related advertising and other service fees constituted about 56% of the Company's total revenues during this period.  Because of this concentration, the Company’s revenues would be significantly affected if California (and to a lesser extent Arizona) eliminated the legal requirement to publish public notices in adjudicated newspapers of general circulation, as has been proposed from time to time.  Furthermore, a California appeals court recently ruled that the Company’s newspaper in one California county was not properly adjudicated.  The Company is appealing that decision.  However, if more of the Company’s newspapers were to have their adjudications revoked, those newspapers would no longer be eligible to publish public notice advertising, and it could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s revenues.  Advertising service fees and other are traditional business segment revenues, which include primarily (i) agency commissions received from outside newspapers in which the advertising is placed and (ii) fees generated when filing notices with government agencies. The Daily Journals accounted for about 84% of the Company's total circulation revenues in the nine-month period.  The court rule and judicial profile services generated about 13% of the total circulation revenues during this period, with the other newspapers and services accounting for the balance.

Sustain’s consulting revenues, which are subject to uncertainty because they depend on (i) the timing of the acceptance of the completed consulting tasks, (ii) the unpredictable needs of Sustain’s existing customers, and (iii) Sustain’s ability to secure new customers, continued to decline in the nine months ended June 30, 2012 in part because many governments have reduced their budgets for services like those provided by Sustain.  Revenues from Sustain’s new installation projects will only be recognized, if at all, upon completion and acceptance of Sustain’s services by the various customers. The Company’s expenditures for the development of new Sustain software products are significant and will materially impact overall results at least through fiscal 2012.  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 expensed personnel costs of $3,125,000 and $2,776,000 for the development and implementation of its Web-based case management system during the nine months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, 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.  However, Sustain recently has installed its Web-based case management system in several courts and government agencies, and additional installations are in progress.  Sustain expects to receive license fees on account of these installations, but because license fee revenue is recognized over the term of the license, these fees will not have a material impact on Sustain’s earnings in the short-term.

On a pretax profit of $5,343,000 and $9,217,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, the Company recorded a tax provision of $1,385,000 and $3,300,000 respectively, which was lower in each case than the amount computed using the statutory rate because of (i) the tax benefits of $1,135,000 from the other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments of $2,855,000, and (ii) the available dividends received deduction and the domestic production activity deduction.  In addition, the Company reached an agreement with the Internal Revenue Service in March 2012 to settle the Company’s previously claimed research and development credits in its tax returns for the years 2002 to 2007.  As a result, the Company’s previously recorded provision for this matter of approximately $700,000 was reduced by $282,000, and the interest expense accrual for this matter of $286,000 was reduced by $62,000.  Consequently, the Company’s effective tax rate was about 26% and 36% for the nine months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The Company files federal income tax returns in the United States and with various state jurisdictions, and it is no longer subject to examinations for the years before 2010 with regard to federal income taxes.   Net income per share decreased to $2.87 from $4.29, primarily due to the recording of the after-tax impairment losses on investments of $1,720,000.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

     During the nine months ended June 30, 2012, the Company's cash and cash equivalents, U.S. Treasury Bills and marketable security positions increased by $28,356,000.  Cash and cash equivalents and U.S. Treasury Bills were used primarily for the purchase of marketable securities of $16,390,000 and capital assets of $352,000 (mostly computer software and office equipment).  In February 2009, the Company purchased shares of common stock of two Fortune 200 companies and certain bonds of a third, and during the second and the third quarters of fiscal 2011, the Company bought shares of common stock of two foreign manufacturing companies.  During the first quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company bought shares of common stock of another Fortune 200 company.  During the third quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company purchased additional shares of common stock of one of the foreign manufacturing companies in which it had previously invested.  The investments in marketable securities, which cost approximately $45,121,000 and had a market value of about $94,831,000 at June 30, 2012, generated approximately $1,451,000 in dividends and interest income during the nine months ended June 30, 2012, which lowers the effective income tax rate because of the dividends received deduction.  As of June 30, 2012, there were unrealized pretax gains of $49,710,000 as compared to $24,532,000 at September 30, 2011. Most of the unrealized gains were in the common stocks.

    The cash provided by operating activities of $6,382,000 included a net increase in deferred subscription and other revenues of $260,000.  Proceeds from the sale of subscriptions from newspapers, court rule books and other publications and for software licenses and 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 decreased by $918,000 during the nine months ended June 30, 2012 as compared to the prior year period primarily resulting from the decreases in accrued liabilities and accounts payable of $780,000 and net income of $239,000, excluding the after-tax impairment losses of $1,720,000, partially offset by decreases in accounts receivable of $101,000.

     As of June 30, 2012, the Company had working capital of $77,102,000, including the liability for deferred subscription and other revenues of $5,665,000 which are scheduled to be earned within one year, and the deferred tax liability of $19,800,000 for the unrealized gains described above.

     The Company believes that it will be able to fund its operations for the foreseeable future through its cash flows from operating activities and its current working capital and expects that any such cash flows will be invested in its two businesses. The Company also may entertain business acquisition opportunities. Any excess cash flows will be invested as management and the Board of Directors deem appropriate at the time.

     Such investments may include additional securities of the companies in which the Company has already invested, securities of other companies, government securities (including U.S. Treasury Notes and Bills) or other instruments.   The decision as to particular investments will be driven by the Company’s belief about the risk/reward profile of the various investment choices at the time, and it may utilize government securities as a default if attractive opportunities for a better return are not available. The Company’s Chairman of the Board, Charles Munger, is also the vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., which maintains a substantial investment portfolio.  The Company’s Board of Directors has utilized his judgment and suggestions, as well as those of J.P. Guerin, the Company’s vice chairman, when selecting investments, and both of them will continue to play an important role in monitoring existing investments and selecting any future investments.

     As noted above, however, the investments are concentrated in just six companies. Accordingly, a significant decline in the market value of one or more of the Company’s investments may not be offset by the hypothetically better performance of other investments, and that could result in a large decrease in the Company’s shareholders’ equity and, under certain circumstances, in the recognition of impairment losses in the Company’s income statement (such as the other-than-temporary impairment losses of $2,855,000 recognized in the third quarter of 2012).

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Critical Accounting Policies

The Company’s financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with U.S. 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 revenue recognition, accounting for capitalized software costs and income taxes are critical accounting policies.

 The Company’s critical accounting policies are detailed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2011.  The above discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in this report.

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 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, 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.  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 Sustain’s internal software development efforts; Sustain’s reliance on the professional services engagement with California courts for a substantial portion of its consulting revenues; material changes in the costs of postage and paper; possible changes in the law, particularly changes limiting or eliminating the requirements for public notice advertising; possible loss of the adjudicated status of the Company’s newspapers and their legal authority to publish public notice advertising; a decline in public notice advertising revenues because of fewer foreclosures; a further decline in subscriber and commercial advertising revenues; collectibility of accounts receivable; the Company’s reliance on its president and chief executive officer; changes in accounting guidance; and declines in the market prices of the Company’s investments.  In addition, such statements could be affected by general industry and market conditions, 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 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, including in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011.

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, 2012.  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 (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities Exchange Commission and (2) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including Mr. Salzman, in such a way as to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  There have been no material changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting or in other factors reasonably likely to affect its internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended June 30, 2012.

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PART II

Item 6.  EXHIBITS

31 Certification 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.

101.INS**  XBRL Instance

101.SCH**  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

101.CAL**  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation

101.DEF**  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition

101.LAB**  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels

101.PRE**  XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation

** XBRL Information is furnished and not filed or a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these Sections.

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

(Principal Executive Officer and

Principal Accounting Officer)

DATE: August 10, 2012

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EX-31

Exhibit 31

CERTIFICATIONS BY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Gerald L. Salzman, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of the Daily Journal Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly 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 quarterly report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly 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 quarterly report;

4. I am responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under my supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to me by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under my supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report my conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. I have disclosed, based on my most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, 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 and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date:  August 10, 2012

/s/ Gerald L. Salzman

Gerald L. Salzman

Chief Executive Officer, President,

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

EX-32

Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATION BY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Daily Journal Corporation (the "Company") for the period ended June 30, 2012 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Gerald L. Salzman, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my knowledge:

(1)  the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities           Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)  the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial         condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Gerald L. Salzman

Gerald L. Salzman

Chief Executive Officer, President,

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

August 10, 2012

The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.

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Note 3 - New Accounting Pronouncements

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block]

Note 3 -New Accounting Pronouncements

On January 1, 2012, the Company adopted the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2011-04, an amendment to ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement”, to achieve common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (FRS).  The ASU changes the wording used to describe many of the requirements in U.S. GAAP for measuring fair value and for disclosing information about fair value measurements to ensure consistency between U.S. GAAP and IFRS.  The adoption of this ASU did not have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

     In March 2012 the Company adopted early the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-05, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) -- Presentation of Comprehensive Income, which requires an entity to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements.  This adoption provides only a different presentation of the Company’s comprehensive income and has no impact on its financial statements.

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Note 2 - Basis of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Basis of Accounting [Text Block]

Note 2 - Basis of Presentation

     In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying interim unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair statement of its financial position as of June 30, 2012, and of its results of operations and cash flows for the three- and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2012 and 2011. The results of operations for the nine months ended June 30, 2012 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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAPP) 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, 2011.

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (June 30, 2012 Unaudited) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,999,000	$ 3,058,000
U.S. Treasury Bills	2,800,000	13,100,000
Marketable securities, including common stocks of $86,869,000 and bonds of $7,962,000 at June 30, 2012 and common stocks of $48,393,000 and bonds of $7,723,000 at September 30, 2011	94,831,000	56,116,000
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $212,500 and $250,000 at June 30, 2012 and September 30, 2011, respectively	5,359,000	6,595,000
Inventories	38,000	44,000
Prepaid expenses and other assets	244,000	232,000
Total current assets	106,271,000	79,145,000
Property, plant and equipment, at cost
Land, buildings and improvements	12,818,000	12,849,000
Furniture, office equipment and computer software	2,485,000	2,777,000
Machinery and equipment	2,073,000	2,124,000
	17,376,000	17,750,000
Less accumulated depreciation	(8,021,000)	(8,376,000)
	9,355,000	9,374,000
Deferred income taxes	2,030,000	2,297,000
	117,656,000	90,816,000
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	2,089,000	2,436,000
Accrued liabilities	2,940,000	3,183,000
Income taxes	578,000	756,000
Deferred income taxes	17,897,000	8,987,000
Deferred subscription and other revenues	5,665,000	5,405,000
Total current liabilities	29,169,000	20,767,000
Long term liabilities
Accrued liabilities	4,500,000	5,170,000
Total long term liabilities	4,500,000	5,170,000
Common stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; 1,380,746 at June 30, 2012 and September 30, 2011, outstanding	14,000	14,000
Additional paid-in capital	1,755,000	1,755,000
Retained earnings	52,308,000	48,350,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income	29,910,000	14,760,000
Total shareholders' equity	83,987,000	64,879,000
	$ 117,656,000	$ 90,816,000

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments, net of taxes (in Dollars)	$ 1,720,000

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Note 7 - Investments in U.S. Treasury Notes and Bills and Marketable Securities (Detail) - Investments in U.S. Treasury Notes and Bills and Marketable Securities (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Available for sale investment, aggregate fair value	$ 97,631,000	$ 69,216,000
Available for sale investment, amortized cost basis	47,921,000	44,684,000
Available for sale investment, pretax unrealized gains	49,710,000	24,532,000
US Treasury Securities [Member]
Available for sale investment, aggregate fair value	2,800,000	13,100,000
Available for sale investment, amortized cost basis	2,800,000	13,100,000
Available for sale investment, pretax unrealized gains	0	0
Equity Securities [Member]
Available for sale investment, aggregate fair value	86,869,000	48,393,000
Available for sale investment, amortized cost basis	40,190,000	26,655,000
Available for sale investment, pretax unrealized gains	46,679,000	21,738,000
Debt Securities [Member]
Available for sale investment, aggregate fair value	7,962,000	7,723,000
Available for sale investment, amortized cost basis	4,931,000	4,929,000
Available for sale investment, pretax unrealized gains	$ 3,031,000	$ 2,794,000

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Note 10 - Operating Segments (Detail) - Reportable Segments (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011
Revenues	$ 8,131,000	$ 8,499,000	$ 24,117,000	$ 26,368,000
Income (loss) from operations	2,234,000	2,604,000	6,678,000	8,373,000
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments	2,855,000		2,855,000
Pretax income (loss)	(17,000)	2,921,000	5,343,000	9,217,000
Income tax benefit (expense)	225,000	(1,030,000)	(1,385,000)	(3,300,000)
Net income (loss)	208,000	1,891,000	3,958,000	5,917,000
Total assets	117,656,000	100,363,000	117,656,000	100,363,000	90,816,000
Capital expenditures	52,000	19,000	352,000	74,000
Depreciation and amortization	126,000	124,000	371,000	408,000
Traditional Business [Member]
Revenues	7,296,000	7,793,000	21,824,000	24,050,000
Income (loss) from operations	2,709,000	3,094,000	8,133,000	9,475,000
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments	2,855,000		2,855,000
Pretax income (loss)	458,000	3,411,000	6,791,000	10,319,000
Income tax benefit (expense)	100,000	(1,215,000)	(2,135,000)	(3,705,000)
Net income (loss)	558,000	2,196,000	4,656,000	6,614,000
Total assets	116,344,000	99,605,000	116,344,000	99,605,000
Capital expenditures	21,000	11,000	312,000	51,000
Depreciation and amortization	118,000	117,000	349,000	387,000
Sustain [Member]
Revenues	835,000	706,000	2,293,000	2,318,000
Income (loss) from operations	(475,000)	(490,000)	(1,455,000)	(1,102,000)
Pretax income (loss)	(475,000)	(490,000)	(1,448,000)	(1,102,000)
Income tax benefit (expense)	125,000	185,000	750,000	405,000
Net income (loss)	(350,000)	(305,000)	(698,000)	(697,000)
Total assets	1,312,000	758,000	1,312,000	758,000
Capital expenditures	31,000	8,000	40,000	23,000
Depreciation and amortization	$ 8,000	$ 7,000	$ 22,000	$ 21,000

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Note 1 - The Corporation and Operations

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]

Note 1 - The Corporation and Operations
 

    The Daily Journal Corporation (the “Company”) publishes newspapers and web sites covering California and Arizona, as well as the California Lawyer magazine, and produces several specialized information services. It also serves as a newspaper representative specializing in public notice advertising. Sustain Technologies, Inc. (“Sustain”), a wholly-owned subsidiary, supplies case management software systems and related products to courts and other justice agencies, including 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 calendaring and accounting, report and notice generation, the implementation of standards and business rules and other corollary functions, and to enable justice agencies to extend electronic services to the public and bar members.  Essentially all of the Company’s operations are based in California, Arizona and Colorado.
 

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Consolidated Balance Sheets (June 30, 2012 Unaudited) (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Marketable securities, common stock (in Dollars)	$ 86,869,000	$ 48,393,000
Marketable securities, bonds (in Dollars)	7,962,000	7,723,000
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts (in Dollars)	$ 212,500	$ 250,000
Preferred stock par value (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in Shares)	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in Shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in Shares)	5,000,000	5,000,000
Common stock, shares outstanding (in Shares)	1,380,746	1,380,746

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Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Proceeds from the sale of subscriptions for newspapers, court rule books and other publications and other services are recorded as deferred revenue and are included in earned revenue only when the services are provided, generally over the subscription term. Advertising revenues are recognized when advertisements are published and are net of commissions.
Revenue Recognition, Software [Policy Text Block]	The Company recognizes revenues from both the lease and sale of software products in accordance with ASC Topic 985-605 Software Revenue Recognition.Revenues from leases of software products are recognized over the life of the lease while revenues from software product sales are recognized normally upon delivery, installation or acceptance pursuant to a signed agreement.Revenues from annual maintenance contracts generally call for the Company to provide software updates and upgrades to customers and are recognized ratably over the maintenance period.Consulting and other services are recognized upon acceptance by the customers.

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Document And Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	DAILY JOURNAL CORP
Document Type	10-Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		1,380,746
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0000783412
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2012
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2012
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3

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Note 7 - Investments in U.S. Treasury Notes and Bills and Marketable Securities (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

	June 30, 2012						September 30, 2011
	(Unaudited)
	Aggregate fair value		Amortized/ Adjusted cost basis		Pretax unrealized gains		Aggregate fair value		Amortized cost basis		Pretax unrealized gains
U.S. Treasury Bills	$	2,800,000	$	2,800,000	$	---	$	13,100,000	$	13,100,000	$	---
Marketable securities
Common stocks		86,869,000		40,190,000		46,679,000		48,393,000		26,655,000		21,738,000
Bonds		7,962,000		4,931,000		3,031,000		7,723,000		4,929,000		2,794,000
Total	$	97,631,000	$	47,921,000	$	49,710,000	$	69,216,000	$	44,684,000	$	24,532,000

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Consolidated Statesments of Income (Unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Revenues
Advertising	$ 4,897,000	$ 5,271,000	$ 14,605,000	$ 16,356,000
Circulation	1,630,000	1,695,000	4,931,000	5,081,000
Advertising service fees and other	769,000	827,000	2,288,000	2,613,000
Information systems and services	835,000	706,000	2,293,000	2,318,000
	8,131,000	8,499,000	24,117,000	26,368,000
Costs and expenses
Salaries and employee benefits	3,473,000	3,414,000	10,323,000	10,419,000
Other outside services	733,000	774,000	2,196,000	2,276,000
Postage and delivery expenses	360,000	370,000	1,040,000	1,084,000
Newsprint and printing expenses	360,000	354,000	1,023,000	1,053,000
Depreciation and amortization	126,000	124,000	371,000	408,000
Other general and administrative expenses	845,000	859,000	2,486,000	2,755,000
	5,897,000	5,895,000	17,439,000	17,995,000
Income from operations	2,234,000	2,604,000	6,678,000	8,373,000
Other income and (expense)
Dividends and interest income	608,000	326,000	1,451,000	870,000
Interest expense	(4,000)	(9,000)	62,000	(27,000)
Gains on sales of capital assets/investments			7,000	1,000
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments	(2,855,000)		(2,855,000)
(Loss) income before taxes	(17,000)	2,921,000	5,343,000	9,217,000
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes	(225,000)	1,030,000	1,385,000	3,300,000
Net income	208,000	1,891,000	3,958,000	5,917,000
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted (in Shares)	1,380,746	1,380,746	1,380,746	1,380,746
Basic and diluted net income per share (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.15	$ 1.37	$ 2.87	$ 4.29
Comprehensive income (loss)
Net income	208,000	1,891,000	3,958,000	5,917,000
Net change in unrealized appreciation of investments (net of taxes)	(3,410,000)	(4,169,000)	13,430,000	2,523,000
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized in net income (net of taxes)	1,720,000		1,720,000
Comprehensive loss	$ (1,482,000)	$ (2,278,000)	$ 19,108,000	$ 8,440,000

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Note 6 - Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]

Note 6 - Income Taxes

     On a pretax profit of $5,343,000 and $9,217,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, the Company recorded a tax provision of $1,385,000 and $3,300,000 respectively, which was lower in each case than the amount computed using the statutory rate because of (i) the tax benefits of $1,135,000 from the other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments of $2,855,000, and (ii) the available dividends received deduction and the domestic production activity deduction.  In addition, the Company reached an agreement with the Internal Revenue Service in March 2012 to settle the Company’s previously claimed research and development credits in its tax returns for the years 2002 to 2007.  As a result, the Company’s previously recorded provision for this matter of approximately $700,000 was reduced by $282,000, and the interest expense accrual for this matter of $286,000 was reduced by $62,000.  Consequently, the Company’s effective tax rate was about 26% and 36% for the nine months ended June 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.   The Company files federal income tax returns in the United States and with various state jurisdictions, and it is no longer subject to examinations for the years before 2010 with regard to federal income taxes.

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Note 5 - Revenue Recognition

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Deferred Revenue Disclosure [Text Block]

Note 5 - Revenue Recognition

     Proceeds from the sale of subscriptions for newspapers, court rule books and other publications and other services are recorded as deferred revenue and are included in earned revenue only when the services are provided, generally over the subscription term. Advertising revenues are recognized when advertisements are published and are net of commissions.

     The Company recognizes revenues from both the lease and sale of software products in accordance with ASC Topic 985-605 Software Revenue Recognition.  Revenues from leases of software products are recognized over the life of the lease while revenues from software product sales are recognized normally upon delivery, installation or acceptance pursuant to a signed agreement.  Revenues from annual maintenance contracts generally call for the Company to provide software updates and upgrades to customers and are recognized ratably over the maintenance period.  Consulting and other services are recognized upon acceptance by the customers.

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Note 8 - Commitments (Detail) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Operating Leases, Rent Expense	$ 349,000	$ 480,000

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Note 10 - Operating Segments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]

	Reportable segments
	Traditional business			Sustain			Total
Nine months ended June 30, 2012
Revenues	$	21,824,000		$	2,293,000		$	24,117,000
Income (loss) from operations		8,133,000			(1,455,000	)		6,678,000
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments		2,855,000			---			2,855,000
Pretax income (loss)		6,791,000			(1,448,000	)		5,343,000
Income tax (expense) benefit		(2,135,000	)		750,000			(1,385,000	)
Net income (loss)		4,656,000			(698,000	)		3,958,000
Total assets		116,344,000			1,312,000			117,656,000
Capital expenditures		312,000			40,000			352,000
Depreciation and amortization		349,000			22,000			371,000
Nine months ended June 30, 2011
Revenues	$	24,050,000		$	2,318,000		$	26,368,000
Income (loss) from operations		9,475,000			(1,102,000	)		8,373,000
Pretax income (loss)		10,319,000			(1,102,000	)		9,217,000
Income tax (expense) benefit		(3,705,000	)		405,000			(3,300,000	)
Net income (loss)		6,614,000			(697,000	)		5,917,000
Total assets		99,605,000			758,000			100,363,000
Capital expenditures		51,000			23,000			74,000
Depreciation and amortization		387,000			21,000			408,000
Three months ended June 30, 2012
Revenues	$	7,296,000		$	835,000		$	8,131,000
Income (loss) from operations		2,709,000			(475,000	)		2,234,000
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments		2,855,000			---			2,855,000
Pretax income (loss)		458,000			(475,000	)		(17,000	)
Income tax benefit		100,000			125,000			225,000
Net income (loss)		558,000			(350,000	)		208,000
Total assets		116,344,000			1,312,000			117,656,000
Capital expenditures		21,000			31,000			52,000
Depreciation and amortization		118,000			8,000			126,000
Three months ended June 30, 2011
Revenues	$	7,793,000		$	706,000		$	8,499,000
Income (loss) from operations		3,094,000			(490,000	)		2,604,000
Pretax income (loss)		3,411,000			(490,000	)		2,921,000
Income tax (expense) benefit		(1,215,000	)		185,000			(1,030,000	)
Net income (loss)		2,196,000			(305,000	)		1,891,000
Total assets		99,605,000			758,000			100,363,000
Capital expenditures		11,000			8,000			19,000
Depreciation and amortization		117,000			7,000			124,000

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Note 9 - Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

Note 9 - Contingencies

    From time to time, the Company is subject to litigation arising in the normal course of its business. While it is not possible to predict the results of such litigation, management does not believe the ultimate outcome of these matters will have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

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Note 7 - Investments in U.S. Treasury Notes and Bills and Marketable Securities

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]

Note 7 -  Investments in U.S. Treasury Notes and Bills and Marketable Securities

     Investments in U.S. Treasury Bills and marketable securities categorized as “available-for-sale” are stated at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, reported in “Accumulated other comprehensive income”.  As of June 30, 2012 and September 30, 2011, an unrealized gain of $49,710,000 (consisting of gross unrealized gains of $50,990,000 and gross unrealized losses of $1,280,000) and $24,532,000 (consisting of gross unrealized gains of $28,983,000 and gross unrealized losses of $4,451,000), respectively, net of taxes, was recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.  The Company uses quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (consistent with the Level 1 definition in the fair value hierarchy) to measure the fair value of its investments on a recurring basis pursuant to Accounting Standards CodificationTopic 820.

Investments in equity securities and securities with fixed maturities as of June 30, 2012 and September 30, 2011 are summarized by type below.

	June 30, 2012						September 30, 2011
	(Unaudited)
	Aggregate fair value		Amortized/ Adjusted cost basis		Pretax unrealized gains		Aggregate fair value		Amortized cost basis		Pretax unrealized gains
U.S. Treasury Bills	$	2,800,000	$	2,800,000	$	---	$	13,100,000	$	13,100,000	$	---
Marketable securities
Common stocks		86,869,000		40,190,000		46,679,000		48,393,000		26,655,000		21,738,000
Bonds		7,962,000		4,931,000		3,031,000		7,723,000		4,929,000		2,794,000
Total	$	97,631,000	$	47,921,000	$	49,710,000	$	69,216,000	$	44,684,000	$	24,532,000

    At June 30, 2012, the U.S. Treasury Bills had maturity dates of less than one year, and the bonds mature in 2039.   All investments are classified as “Current assets” because they are available for sale at any time.

   As of June 30, 2012, the Company performed separate evaluations for impaired equity securities to determine if the unrealized losses were other-than-temporary. This evaluation considered a number of factors including, but not limited to, the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the securities until fair value recovers.  The assessment of the ability and intent to hold these securities to recovery focuses on liquidity needs, asset/liability management and portfolio objectives.  Based on the results of the evaluations, the Company concluded that as of June 30, 2012, the unrealized losses related to the marketable securities of one issuer were other-than-temporary and recorded impairment losses of $2,855,000 ($1,720,000 net of taxes).  This does not necessarily indicate the loss in value of these securities is permanent. U.S. GAAP requires that the Company recognize other-than-temporary impairment losses in earnings rather than in accumulated comprehensive income when the security prices remain below cost for a period of time that may be deemed excessive even in instances where the Company possesses the ability and intent to hold the security.  

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Note 8 - Commitments

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Commitments Disclosure [Text Block]

Note 8 - 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 2015.  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, 2012 and 2011 were $349,000 and $480,000, respectively.

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Note 10 - Operating Segments

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

Note 10 - Operating Segments

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

	Reportable segments
	Traditional business			Sustain			Total
Nine months ended June 30, 2012
Revenues	$	21,824,000		$	2,293,000		$	24,117,000
Income (loss) from operations		8,133,000			(1,455,000	)		6,678,000
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments		2,855,000			---			2,855,000
Pretax income (loss)		6,791,000			(1,448,000	)		5,343,000
Income tax (expense) benefit		(2,135,000	)		750,000			(1,385,000	)
Net income (loss)		4,656,000			(698,000	)		3,958,000
Total assets		116,344,000			1,312,000			117,656,000
Capital expenditures		312,000			40,000			352,000
Depreciation and amortization		349,000			22,000			371,000
Nine months ended June 30, 2011
Revenues	$	24,050,000		$	2,318,000		$	26,368,000
Income (loss) from operations		9,475,000			(1,102,000	)		8,373,000
Pretax income (loss)		10,319,000			(1,102,000	)		9,217,000
Income tax (expense) benefit		(3,705,000	)		405,000			(3,300,000	)
Net income (loss)		6,614,000			(697,000	)		5,917,000
Total assets		99,605,000			758,000			100,363,000
Capital expenditures		51,000			23,000			74,000
Depreciation and amortization		387,000			21,000			408,000
Three months ended June 30, 2012
Revenues	$	7,296,000		$	835,000		$	8,131,000
Income (loss) from operations		2,709,000			(475,000	)		2,234,000
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments		2,855,000			---			2,855,000
Pretax income (loss)		458,000			(475,000	)		(17,000	)
Income tax benefit		100,000			125,000			225,000
Net income (loss)		558,000			(350,000	)		208,000
Total assets		116,344,000			1,312,000			117,656,000
Capital expenditures		21,000			31,000			52,000
Depreciation and amortization		118,000			8,000			126,000
Three months ended June 30, 2011
Revenues	$	7,793,000		$	706,000		$	8,499,000
Income (loss) from operations		3,094,000			(490,000	)		2,604,000
Pretax income (loss)		3,411,000			(490,000	)		2,921,000
Income tax (expense) benefit		(1,215,000	)		185,000			(1,030,000	)
Net income (loss)		2,196,000			(305,000	)		1,891,000
Total assets		99,605,000			758,000			100,363,000
Capital expenditures		11,000			8,000			19,000
Depreciation and amortization		117,000			7,000			124,000

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Note 7 - Investments in U.S. Treasury Notes and Bills and Marketable Securities (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain (Loss)	$ 49,710,000	$ 49,710,000	$ 24,532,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gains	50,990,000	50,990,000	28,983,000
Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Losses	1,280,000	1,280,000	4,451,000
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net, Available-for-sale Securities	2,855,000	2,855,000
undefined		$ 1,720,000
Maximum [Member]
Available-for-sale Securities, Debt Maturities, Date		Dec. 31, 2008

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$ 3,958,000	$ 5,917,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operations
Depreciation and amortization	371,000	408,000
Deferred income taxes	(851,000)	29,000
Net premium amortized and discount earned on bonds and U.S. Treasury Bills	(3,000)	(12,000)
Other-than-temporary impairment losses on investments ($1,720,000 net of taxes)	2,855,000
Decrease (increase) in current assets
Accounts receivable, net	1,236,000	1,337,000
Inventories	6,000	(11,000)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(12,000)	1,000
Increase (decrease) in current liabilities
Accounts payable	(347,000)	80,000
Accrued liabilities	(913,000)	(560,000)
Income taxes	(178,000)	123,000
Deferred subscription and other revenues	260,000	(12,000)
Net cash provided by operating activities	6,382,000	7,300,000
Cash flows from investing activities
Maturities and sales of U.S. Treasury Bills	14,600,000	42,099,000
Purchases of U.S. Treasury Bills	(4,299,000)	(37,690,000)
Purchases of marketable securities	(16,390,000)	(11,154,000)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(352,000)	(74,000)
Net cash used in investing activities	(6,441,000)	(6,819,000)
(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	(59,000)	481,000
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period	3,058,000	3,615,000
End of period	$ 2,999,000	$ 4,096,000

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Note 4 - Basic and Diluted Income Per Share

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]

Note 4 - 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 6 - Income Taxes (Detail) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2012
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest	$ (17,000)	$ 2,921,000	$ 5,343,000	$ 9,217,000
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)	(225,000)	1,030,000	1,385,000	3,300,000
OtherThanTemporaryImpairmentLossesInvestmentsPortionRecognizedInEarningsNetAvailableforsaleSecuritiesTaxEffect			(1,135,000)
Other than Temporary Impairment Losses, Investments, Portion Recognized in Earnings, Net, Available-for-sale Securities	2,855,000		2,855,000
Income Tax Examination, Liability Recorded	700,000		700,000
Income Tax Examination, Liability (Refund) Adjustment from Settlement with Taxing Authority	(282,000)		(282,000)
Income Tax Examination, Interest Accrued					286,000
Income Tax Examination, Interest Expense			$ (62,000)
Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations			26.00%	36.00%