MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Certain statements in Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations constituteforward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Suchforward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties or achievements of the Company which may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the effect of economic and financial market conditions, government public reporting regulations, paper costs, the integration and performance of recent acquisitions and Year 2000 readiness.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth, for the years indicated, the percentage relationship to revenue of certain items in the Company's consolidated statements of operations and the percentage changes in the dollar amounts of such items in comparison to the prior years.
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For the Years Ended January 31, |
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% Increase (Decrease) |
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Percentage of Revenue |
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1999 vs. 1998 |
1998 vs. 1997 |
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1999 |
1998 |
1997 |
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Revenue | |||||||||||
Specialty Communication Services: |
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Financial | 36.5 | % | 38.2 | % | 40.6 | % | 6 | % | 22 | % | |
Corporate | 31.4 | 31.6 | 27.6 | 11 | 49 | ||||||
Commercial and other | 19.7 | 18.5 | 20.6 | 18 | 17 | ||||||
87.6 | 88.3 | 88.8 | 10 | 29 | |||||||
Document Services: | |||||||||||
Document management services | 12.4 | 11.7 | 11.2 | 17 | 35 | ||||||
100.0 | 100.0 | 100.0 | 11 | 30 | |||||||
Cost of revenue |
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64.9 |
% |
64.3 |
% |
64.3 |
% |
12 |
% |
30 |
% |
Gross profit | 35.1 | 35.7 | 35.7 | 9 | 30 | ||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 25.1 | 24.8 | 25.4 | 12 | 27 | ||||||
Operating income | 10.0 | 10.9 | 10.3 | 3 | 37 | ||||||
Interest expense | (0.8 | ) | (0.9 | ) | (1.2 | ) | (8 | ) | 5 | ||
Other income, net | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.1 | (49 | ) | 217 | |||||
Income before provision for income taxes | 9.4 | 10.1 | 9.2 | 3 | 43 | ||||||
Provision for income taxes | 4.2 | 4.4 | 4.1 | 4 | 40 | ||||||
Net income | 5.2 | 5.7 | 5.1 | 2 | 46 | ||||||
Business Merrill Corporation is a diversified electronic and paper document management company. During 1999, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Standards No. 131. As a result, the Company defined its reportable segments and changed the information it reports about its operating segments. Operating segment information for prior years has been restated to conform to the 1999 presentation. Following the new standard, the Company's operating segments have been aggregated into two reportable segments: Specialty Communication Services and Document Services. Under Specialty Communication Services, we include three business units: Financial Document Services, Investment Company Services and Managed Communications Programs. Revenue generated by these three business units is categorized as financial, corporate and commercial and other. Document Management Services is the sole business reported in the Document Services segment. Revenue generated by this business unit is categorized as document management services. All accounting policies of the reportable segments are consistent with generally accepted accounting principles and the accounting policies of the Company described in Note One of the notes to consolidated financial statements. Additional information about the Company's reportable segments is included in Note Nine of the notes to consolidated financial statements.
1999
REVENUE
BY CATEGORY
[GRAPH]
The financial revenue category generally reflects the level of transactional activity in the capital markets. The financial revenue category encompasses many types of transactions, and some types of transactions tend to increase when others are out of favor. However, a prolonged reduction in the overall level of financial transactions could be expected to have a negative impact on this category. The corporate revenue category encompasses required regulatory compliance and mutual fund documentation and other repetitive work and is typically not significantly affected by capital market fluctuations. The commercial and other revenue category tends to follow general economic trends.
Document management services revenue category tends to follow general economic trends.
Fiscal Year 1999 vs. Fiscal Year 1998 Overall revenue for fiscal year 1999 increased 11 percent over the previous year. Revenue in the Specialty Communication Services segment increased 10 percent over the previous year. The financial revenue category increased six percent compared to the prior year. This increase was driven by strong mergers and acquisition activity in the first six months of fiscal year 1999. The financial revenue category declined in the second half of the fiscal year by 15 percent as a result of the Fall market volatility. International revenue, which is included in the financial revenue category, represented less than 10 percent of consolidated revenue and increased over fiscal year 1998 revenue. Management does not anticipate significant fluctuations in the relative percentage of international revenue during fiscal year 2000. The corporate revenue category increased 11 percent compared to fiscal year 1998. This increase is attributed mainly to strong growth in Investment Company Services products and continued solid demand for corporate compliance business. The commercial and other revenue category realized revenue growth of 18 percent over fiscal year 1998. The growth is primarily the result of our Managed Communications Programs business.
Document Services segment revenue grew 17 percent in fiscal year 1999. Ten percent of the growth was a result of the acquisition of Executech and affiliated World Wide Scan Services in June 1998. Document Service Centers, which totaled 80 at January 31, 1999, contributed revenue growth of seven percent on a same-site comparison.
We anticipate that our total revenue for fiscal year 2000 will continue to grow compared to our total revenue for fiscal year 1999, primarily as a result of our acquisition activity, increased selling efforts and new product offerings. As a percentage of our total revenue, we anticipate that our financial revenue category in fiscal year 2000 will decline as a percentage of total revenue as our other business sectors continue to grow. The forward-looking statements in this paragraph contain various risks and uncertainties that may make these statements untrue. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the effect of economic and financial market conditions on our revenue, the extent of changes to government reporting requirements and the ability of our management to successfully select suitable acquisition candidates and the ability to integrate and manage them successfully.
Fiscal year 1999 gross profit of approximately 35 percent declined slightly from fiscal year 1998. Strong margins were maintained despite the significant slowdown in financial transaction activity in the second half of the fiscal year 1999. Management implemented cost control measures in the second half of the fiscal year 1999 to offset the lower production activity. These cost controls measures included a reduction in our workforce of approximately 100 employees (approximately three percent of our total workforce) and a decrease in our incentive bonuses payable to employees (resulting from anticipated lower company performance compared to the quantitative targets set forth in our plan). On February 1, 1999, we also reorganized our company into five distinct business units: Financial Document Services, Investment Company Services, Management Communications Programs, the Merrill Print Group and Document Management Services. By realigning our business into five operating units, we believe that we are able to achieve more accountability for overall profitability of these business units. In addition, by establishing the Merrill Print Group as a separate profit center, we hope to increase the utilization of our printing assets. In order to further this objective, management compensation for the Merrill Print Group is now based on profitability. We believe that these cost cutting initiatives together with our expectation that overhead costs will remain stable, will result in higher operating margins during the next couple of years. The decrease in gross profit as a percentage of revenue resulted from a shift in revenue mix from higher gross margin financial transaction revenue to revenue generated by our other business units which tend to carry lower gross margins. We expect to continue to realize decreasing gross margins due to the changing mix of our revenue between Financial Document Services (higher gross margin business) and non-Financial Document Services (lower gross margin business).
The immediately preceding paragraph contains forward-looking statements involving various risks and uncertainties that may make these statements untrue. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the effect of economic and financial market conditions on our revenue, the extent of changes to government reporting requirements, the ability of our management to successfully select suitable acquisition candidates and the ability to integrate and manage them successfully, the success of our focus on value-added technology and the ability of our management to successfully continue to diversify our operations.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased in both dollar terms and as a percentage of revenue. The increase in these expenses in fiscal year 1999 was principally a result of our continued expansion of the Company's sales and marketing activities and provisions for losses on trade receivables. Specifically, during fiscal year 1999, we hired additional sales personnel, marketing employees and product managers, and engaged in several, nationwide corporate branding and product marketing programs. We anticipate that we will continue to hire additional sales and marketing personnel in the immediate future, and will continue our corporate branding and product marketing inititatives for the foreseeable future. During the fiscal year ending January 31, 1998, management decided to discontinue the sales of hardware and software related to its Merrill Training and Technology group, formerly Merrill/Superstar Computing Company. As a result of this decision, the Company recorded a $1.2 million goodwill impairment as it was determined that the carrying amount of the goodwill related to the Superstar acquisition was not fully recoverable. The Company reviews the carrying value of long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles for impairment, at least quarterly but more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Based on this policy, no other goodwill or long-lived asset was determined to be impaired.
Average short-term borrowings under the Company's line of credit arrangement were approximately $4.3 million, $4.7 million and $30.1 million in fiscal years 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
Interest expense for fiscal year 1999 declined slightly compared to fiscal year 1998, which reflects stable interest rates and a slight reduction in overall amounts borrowed during fiscal year 1999.
The effective income tax rate for fiscal year 1999 was 44.5 percent compared to 44 percent for fiscal year 1998. The effective rates were higher than the statutory federal income tax rate primarily because of state income taxes and the impact of increased non-deductible business entertainment expenses incurred in conjunction with the financial and corporate revenue category activity previously discussed. The effective income tax rate in future years is expected to approximate 44.5 percent.
Fiscal Year 1998 vs. Fiscal Year 1997 Overall revenue for fiscal year 1998 increased 30 percent over the previous year. Revenue in the Specialty Communication Services segment increased 29 percent over the previous year. The financial revenue category increased 22 percent compared to 1997. This increase was driven by continued strong mergers and acquisition activity in financial markets throughout fiscal year 1998. The increase was also driven by the results of the Corporate Printing Company (CPC) business acquired in April 1996. International revenue, which is included in the financial revenue category, represented less than 10 percent of consolidated revenue and increased over fiscal year 1997 revenue. The corporate revenue category increased 49 percent when compared to fiscal year 1997. This increase is attributed to strong corporate compliance business, continued solid demand for EDGAR services and strong growth in Investment Company Services products. The commercial and other revenue category experienced a 17 percent increase in revenue over fiscal year 1997. The growth is primarily the result of our Managed Communications Programs.
Document Services segment revenue grew 35 percent in fiscal year 1998, reflecting continued growth in the number of Document Service Centers, which totaled 76 at January 31, 1998. This resulted from internal growth and the acquisition of selected assets of Total Management Support Services.
Fiscal year 1998 gross profit of approximately 36 percent remained level with fiscal year 1997. Continued strong margins in both financial and corporate revenue category activity along with high production utilization allowed us to maintain the same margins.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased, but as a percent of revenue, declined slightly in the last year. The increase in these expenses in fiscal year 1998 was principally a result of our continued expansion of sales and marketing activities and provisions for incentive compensation.
Average short-term borrowings under the Company's line of credit arrangement were approximately $4.7 million, $30.1 million and $2.2 million in fiscal years 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively. The significant decrease in the average short-term borrowings in fiscal year 1998 resulted from the issuance of $35 million in unsecured senior notes in October 1996.
Interest expense for fiscal year 1998 remained relatively consistent compared to fiscal year 1997, which reflects stable interest rates and consistent overall amounts borrowed during the time periods.
The effective income tax rate for fiscal year 1998 was 44 percent compared to 45 percent for fiscal year 1997. The effective rates were higher than the statutory federal rate primarily because of state income taxes and the impact of increased non-deductible business entertainment expenses incurred in conjunction with the additional financial and corporate revenue category activity previously discussed.
Impact of Inflation The Company does not believe that inflation has had a significant impact on the results of its operations.
Liquidity and Capital Resources The Company continued to strengthen its financial position during fiscal year 1999. Working capital at January 31, 1999, increased to $81.6 million from $79.3 million a year ago. Our current ratio remained consistent at 2.1:1 in fiscal year 1999 when compared to fiscal year 1998. Working capital increased primarily from higher cash balances, reflecting strong collection of trade receivables during the entire year. Trade accounts receivable decreased as a result of the strong cash collections and the reduction in the financial transaction activity. Work-in-process inventories decreased at January 31, 1999, reflecting the downturn in financial transaction activity in the fourth quarter and improved inventory turns. Cash and cash equivalents increased to $23.5 million with no borrowings under the Company's line of credit at January 31, 1999. Long-term obligations to total capitalization was 21.9 percent at January 31, 1999, compared to 25.0 percent a year ago.
Cash provided by operating activities was $55.8 million in fiscal year 1999, compared to $30.9 million in fiscal year 1998 and $8.5 million in fiscal year 1997. Operating cash flows for fiscal year 1999 included strong earnings performance and a decrease in accounts receivable and work-in-process inventories offset by decreases in accounts payable and accrued expenses. Operating cash flows for fiscal year 1998 included strong earnings performance, a decrease in work-in-process inventories and an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses offset by an increase in accounts receivable.
Net cash used in investing activities was $23.1 million in fiscal year 1999, compared to $30.1 million in fiscal year 1998 and $35.8 million in fiscal year 1997. Capital expenditures were $16.5 million, $17.1 million and $9.2 million for the years ended January 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Capital expenditures in each fiscal year were principally for reprographic and computer based production equipment and for leasehold improvements. Cash used for businesses acquired included Executech in fiscal year 1999, Superstar Computing, Total Management Support Services and The Corporate Printing Company in fiscal year 1998 and The Corporate Printing Company and FMC Resource Management Corporation in fiscal year 1997.
Net cash used in financing activities was $11.8 million in fiscal year 1999 compared to $3.4 million in fiscal year 1998. Net cash used in these fiscal years was primarily a result of repurchases of common stock offset by stock option exercises and repayment of borrowings under the Company's line of credit. Fiscal year 1997 cash provided by financing activities of $20.4 million was primarily a result of the issuance of long-term debt offset by payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations.
The Company repurchased 734,000 shares of its common stock for approximately $12.8 million in fiscal year 1999. A cumulative total of 998,000 shares have been repurchased for approximately $15.9 million under the 1,500,000 share repurchase program authorized by the Board of Directors in fiscal year 1997.
The Company expects capital expenditures in fiscal year 2000 to range from $25 million to $30 million for computer and production equipment and facility expansion and remodeling. Approximately $2 million of this amount is committed at this time.
The Company has historically been working-capital intensive, but in recent years has increased its needs for technology and production equipment. The Company generally has been able to generate sufficient cash from operations to fund its capital needs.
At January 31, 1999, the Company's principal internal sources of liquidity were cash and cash equivalents and cash flow provided by operating activities. The Company has available an unsecured bank line of credit expiring on November 29, 1999. The amount available was increased from $40 million to $70 million subsequent to January 31, 1999. Management anticipates that these sources will satisfy its needs for fiscal year 2000.
Year 2000 Readiness Many older computer software programs refer to years in terms of their final two digits only. Such programs may interpret the year 2000 to mean the year 1900 instead. If not corrected, those programs could cause date-related transaction failures. Merrill Corporation has a Year 2000 project underway that addresses our internal business systems including software, hardware and firmware as well as external business partners, supply chains and customers. Our plan includes the following steps:
Assessment. We have identified and prioritized systems and individual components of systems that contain potentially date-sensitive computer codes.
Remediation. We are making decisions on how to make systems and processes Year 2000-ready, then proceeding to make the necessary changes.
Third-party Vendors. We have surveyed for Year 2000 readiness by material third-party vendors, including external providers of software and hardware products, as well as print producers.
Configuration Management. We have tracked source code components of an application and changes to the components to manage the remediation process.
Validation/Testing. We have substantially completed testing of data and have reviewed results to determine that errors were not introduced during the conversion process.
Contingency Planning. We are formulating contingency plans that address the continuum from minor administrative interruptions to failure of mission critical processes to include alternate material and services suppliers where applicable.
Our project plan includes initial testing and remediation which was begun last year and continued into the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended January 31, 1999 (fiscal 1999). The Company completed the surveying of key suppliers in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1999. The Company is currently in the process of developing contingency plans, as necessary, with the initial draft to be completed July 31, 1999.
We plan to have Merrill's mission-critical internal systems and electronic data links ready by July 31, 1999, and resolve any supplier problems. We have surveyed our major utility companies and have received most response statements. We are in the process of analyzing those statements and following up, where needed, for clarity.
A master project plan has been developed and a Steering Committee, chartered by the Board of Directors, meets regularly to monitor the plan and address issues. The project has progressed through the system assessment stage into the remediation stage where programming changes are being made to major business and production systems. The Company believes that the project is currently on schedule.
The Company estimates that the total cost to identify and remediate Year 2000 problems is approximately $3.0 million. Approximately $1.1 million of these costs have been incurred as of January 31, 1999. These costs are expensed as incurred. These costs are primarily consultant and payroll-related costs for the Company's information technology group and some computer hardware and software package upgrade purchase costs. Such costs do not include normal system upgrades and replacements.
Detailed system-by-system status for major systems is available on our web site http://www.merrillcorp.com for those interested parties.
We, of course, do not have control over many Year 2000 problems. The nature of our society and the interconnected systems of government agencies, utilities, businesses and even individuals can affect our ability to provide goods and services to our customers, and by extension could also affect our financial position. We are making every effort to evaluate, correct and test potential problem areas, but ultimately, the resolutions of Year 2000 questions by other entities in our network of relationships could influence us significantly.
Quarterly Stock Price Information
Merrill Corporation shares are traded on the Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol MRLL. The table below sets forth the range of high and low sales prices per share as reported by the Nasdaq Stock Market. These prices do not include adjustments for retail markups, markdowns or commissions. There were approximately 2,100 shareholders of record and non-objecting beneficial owners of the Company's common stock at the close of trading on April 15, 1999. The Company paid annualized cash dividends of $.08 per share in fiscal year 1999 and $.07 per share in fiscal year 1998. Total cash dividends approximated $1.3 million and $1.1 million in fiscal years 1999 and 1998, respectively.
Stock Price Per Share |
First Quarter |
Second Quarter |
Third Quarter |
Fourth Quarter |
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FY 1999 | High | 239/16 | 243/4 | 237/8 | 191/2 | |||||
Low | 18 | 20 | 121/16 | 123/4 | ||||||
FY 1998 | High | 14 | 205/16 | 241/4 | 24 | |||||
Low | 101/4 | 115/8 | 171/8 | 185/32 |
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As of January 31, |
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(In thousands, except share data) |
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1999 |
1998 |
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ASSETS | ||||||
Current assets | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 23,477 | $ | 2,531 | ||
Trade receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $8,126 and $6,992, respectively | 102,365 | 116,721 | ||||
Work-in-process inventories | 12,639 | 13,686 | ||||
Other inventories | 7,559 | 7,112 | ||||
Other current assets | 12,253 | 10,290 | ||||
Total current assets | 158,293 | 150,340 | ||||
Property, plant and equipment, net | 44,935 | 41,045 | ||||
Goodwill, net | 49,744 | 44,437 | ||||
Other assets | 12,973 | 10,657 | ||||
Total assets | $ | 265,945 | $ | 246,479 | ||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY |
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Current liabilities |
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Current maturities of long-term debt | $ | 2,210 | $ | 655 | ||
Current maturities of capital lease obligations | 236 | 249 | ||||
Accounts payable | 29,640 | 29,142 | ||||
Accrued expenses | 44,642 | 41,033 | ||||
Total current liabilities | 76,728 | 71,079 | ||||
Long-term debt, net of current maturities | 38,110 | 40,225 | ||||
Capital lease obligations, net of current maturities | 1,375 | 1,616 | ||||
Other liabilities | 8,581 | 7,884 | ||||
Total liabilities | 124,794 | 120,804 | ||||
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 3 and 5) | ||||||
Shareholders' equity | ||||||
Common stock, $.01 par value: 25,000,000 shares authorized; 15,823,155 and 16,315,136 shares, respectively, issued and outstanding | 158 | 163 | ||||
Undesignated stock: 500,000 shares authorized; no shares issued | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 12,722 | 22,401 | ||||
Retained earnings | 128,271 | 103,111 | ||||
Total shareholders' equity | 141,151 | 125,675 | ||||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 265,945 | $ | 246,479 | ||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
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For the Years Ended January 31, |
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(In thousands, except share and per share data) |
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1999 |
1998 |
1997 |
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Revenue | $ | 509,543 | $ | 459,516 | $ | 353,769 | ||||
Cost of revenue | 330,632 | 295,390 | 227,478 | |||||||
Gross profit | 178,911 | 164,126 | 126,291 | |||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 127,705 | 114,174 | 89,946 | |||||||
Operating income | 51,206 | 49,952 | 36,345 | |||||||
Interest expense | (3,961 | ) | (4,321 | ) | (4,124 | ) | ||||
Other income, net | 426 | 835 | 263 | |||||||
Income before provision for income taxes | 47,671 | 46,466 | 32,484 | |||||||
Provision for income taxes | 21,214 | 20,445 | 14,645 | |||||||
Net income | $ | 26,457 | $ | 26,021 | $ | 17,839 | ||||
Net income per share: | ||||||||||
Basic | $ | 1.63 | $ | 1.61 | $ | 1.13 | ||||
Diluted | $ | 1.55 | $ | 1.54 | $ | 1.11 | ||||
Weighted average number of shares outstanding: | ||||||||||
Basic | 16,253,148 | 16,129,341 | 15,792,161 | |||||||
Diluted | 17,020,673 | 16,906,382 | 16,117,432 | |||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
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For the Years Ended January 31, |
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(In thousands) |
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1999 |
1998 |
1997 |
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Operating activities | ||||||||||
Net income | $ | 26,457 | $ | 26,021 | $ | 17,839 | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities | ||||||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 13,066 | 11,147 | 10,825 | |||||||
Amortization of intangible assets | 4,573 | 4,286 | 2,581 | |||||||
Writedown of goodwill | 1,180 | |||||||||
Provision for losses on trade receivables | 3,273 | 2,064 | 2,861 | |||||||
Provision for unbillable inventories | 67 | (1,063 | ) | 2,678 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes | (3,518 | ) | (2,592 | ) | (6,555 | ) | ||||
Change in deferred compensation | 1,807 | 1,285 | 401 | |||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects from business acquisitions | ||||||||||
Trade receivables | 11,796 | (36,706 | ) | (18,499 | ) | |||||
Work-in-process inventories | 865 | 12,082 | (11,667 | ) | ||||||
Other inventories | (333 | ) | (1,667 | ) | 583 | |||||
Other current assets | 1,301 | (1,798 | ) | (1,718 | ) | |||||
Accounts payable | (348 | ) | 7,336 | (3,720 | ) | |||||
Accrued expenses | (3,267 | ) | 11,537 | 11,365 | ||||||
Income taxes | (1,109 | ) | (1,059 | ) | 1,530 | |||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 55,810 | 30,873 | 8,504 | |||||||
Investing activities | ||||||||||
Purchase of property, plant and equipment | (16,479 | ) | (17,069 | ) | (9,216 | ) | ||||
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired | (4,039 | ) | (13,179 | ) | (26,010 | ) | ||||
Other investing activities, net | (2,551 | ) | 137 | (564 | ) | |||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (23,069 | ) | (30,111 | ) | (35,790 | ) | ||||
Financing activities | ||||||||||
Borrowings on notes payable to banks | 86,600 | 104,275 | 139,050 | |||||||
Repayments on notes payable to banks | (86,600 | ) | (110,225 | ) | (139,100 | ) | ||||
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt | 35,000 | |||||||||
Principal payments on long-term debt and capital lease obligations | (814 | ) | (936 | ) | (15,164 | ) | ||||
Repurchase of common stock | (12,813 | ) | (3,065 | ) | ||||||
Dividends paid | (1,297 | ) | (1,133 | ) | (948 | ) | ||||
Exercise of stock options | 2,149 | 5,417 | 1,045 | |||||||
Tax benefit realized upon exercise of stock options | 884 | 2,192 | 328 | |||||||
Other equity transactions, net | 96 | 83 | 162 | |||||||
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (11,795 | ) | (3,392 | ) | 20,373 | |||||
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 20,946 | (2,630 | ) | (6,913 | ) | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year | 2,531 | 5,161 | 12,074 | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year | $ | 23,477 | $ | 2,531 | $ | 5,161 | ||||
Supplemental cash flow disclosures | ||||||||||
Income taxes paid | $ | 24,724 | $ | 22,000 | $ | 19,253 | ||||
Interest paid | 3,599 | 3,757 | 2,866 | |||||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
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For the Years Ended January 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997 |
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(In thousands, except per share data) |
Common Stock |
Additional Paid-in Capital |
Retained Earnings |
Total |
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Balance, January 31, 1996 | $ | 157 | $ | 16,245 | $ | 61,332 | $ | 77,734 | |||||
Exercise of stock options | 2 | 1,043 | 1,045 | ||||||||||
Tax benefit realized upon exercise of stock options | 328 | 328 | |||||||||||
Other | 162 | 162 | |||||||||||
Cash dividends ($.06 per share) | (948 | ) | (948 | ) | |||||||||
Net income | 17,839 | 17,839 | |||||||||||
Balance, January 31, 1997 | $ | 159 | $ | 17,778 | $ | 78,223 | $ | 96,160 | |||||
Exercise of stock options | 7 | 5,410 | 5,417 | ||||||||||
Tax benefit realized upon exercise of stock options | 2,192 | 2,192 | |||||||||||
Repurchase of common stock | (3 | ) | (3,062 | ) | (3,065 | ) | |||||||
Other | 83 | 83 | |||||||||||
Cash dividends ($.07 per share) | (1,133 | ) | (1,133 | ) | |||||||||
Net income | 26,021 | 26,021 | |||||||||||
Balance, January 31, 1998 | $ | 163 | $ | 22,401 | $ | 103,111 | $ | 125,675 | |||||
Exercise of stock options | 2 | 2,147 | 2,149 | ||||||||||
Tax benefit realized upon exercise of stock options | 884 | 884 | |||||||||||
Repurchase of common stock | (7 | ) | (12,806 | ) | (12,813 | ) | |||||||
Other | 96 | 96 | |||||||||||
Cash dividends ($.08 per share) | (1,297 | ) | (1,297 | ) | |||||||||
Net income | 26,457 | 26,457 | |||||||||||
Balance, January 31, 1999 | $ | 158 | $ | 12,722 | $ | 128,271 | $ | 141,151 | |||||
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
OneNature of Business and Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Business The Company provides paper and electronic document services consisting of creative design, typesetting, printing, reproduction, distribution, data and information services to financial, legal, investment company, real estate and corporate clients worldwide.
Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. The most significant areas which require the use of management's estimates relate to the determination of the allowances for doubtful accounts and unbillable inventories.
Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include all majority-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Cash Equivalents The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Inventories Work-in-process, which includes purchased services, materials, direct labor and overhead, is valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost determined on a specific job-cost basis. Other inventories consist primarily of paper and printed materials and are valued at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined on a specific job-cost basis.
Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Significant additions or improvements extending asset lives are capitalized; normal maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation is determined using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets which range from three to 30 years. Amortization of leasehold improvements is recorded on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets or the lease term, whichever is shorter. When assets are sold or retired, related gains or losses are included in the results of operations.
Goodwill Goodwill recognized in business acquisitions accounted for as purchases is amortized on the straight-line method, principally over 15 years. The Company periodically evaluates the recoverability of unamortized goodwill through measurement of future estimated undiscounted operating unit cash flows.
Income Taxes Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each year end based on enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. Income tax expense is the tax payable for the year and the change during the year in deferred tax assets and liabilities.
Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue when service projects are completed or products are shipped.
Net Income per Share The Company has disclosed basic and diluted net income per share for all periods presented in accordance with the Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 128, "Earnings Per Share." The dilutive effect on net income per share resulted from the assumed exercise of dilutive stock options outstanding under the Company's stock option plans.
Stock-Based Compensation The Company accounts for stock-based compensation using the intrinsic value method prescribed by Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and related interpretations. Accordingly, compensation costs for stock options granted to employees are measured as the excess, if any, of the fair value of the Company's stock at the date of the grant over the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock. Such compensation costs, if any, are amortized on a straight-line basis over the underlying option vesting terms. The Company accounts for stock-based compensation to non-employees using the fair value method prescribed by SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock Based Compensation." Compensation costs for stock options granted to non-employees are based on fair value of the option at the date of grant.
Business Segments Effective January 31, 1999, the Company adopted SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information," which requires the Company to report information about its operating segments according to the management approach for determining reportable segments. This approach is based on the way management organizes segments within a company for making operating decisions and assessing performance. Segment results have been reported for all periods presented and are described in Note Nine.
TwoSelected Financial Statement Data
|
As of January 31, |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In thousands) |
|||||||
1999 |
1998 |
||||||
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net | |||||||
Land | $ | 1,951 | $ | 1,951 | |||
Buildings | 12,111 | 11,965 | |||||
Equipment | 63,068 | 54,929 | |||||
Furniture and fixtures | 14,157 | 11,057 | |||||
Leasehold improvements | 18,664 | 10,479 | |||||
Construction in progress | 1,090 | 5,609 | |||||
111,041 | 95,990 | ||||||
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization | (66,106 | ) | (54,945 | ) | |||
$ | 44,935 | $ | 41,045 | ||||
Goodwill, Net | |||||||
Goodwill | $ | 63,462 | $ | 52,913 | |||
Less accumulated amortization | (13,718 | ) | (8,476 | ) | |||
$ | 49,744 | $ | 44,437 | ||||
Accrued Expenses | |||||||
Commissions and compensation | $ | 22,089 | $ | 25,003 | |||
Retirement plan | 3,970 | 4,965 | |||||
Purchase price consideration | 7,734 | 800 | |||||
Other | 10,849 | 10,265 | |||||
$ | 44,642 | $ | 41,033 | ||||
ThreeBusiness Acquisitions
On April 15, 1996, the Company purchased substantially all of the operating assets and assumed certain liabilities of The Corporate Printing Company, Inc. and Affiliated Group (CPC) for approximately $22.6 million in cash. The Company did not purchase any assets relating to CPC's pressroom and shipping businesses. The purchase price was subsequently reduced by approximately $1.7 million in accordance with terms of the purchase agreement. In accordance with the agreement, additional contingent purchase consideration of $8 million was paid in August 1997. The Company also entered into a five-year non-compete agreement with CPC's principal shareholder that requires payments totaling $3.4 million through April 15, 2001. The principal shareholder is also entitled to an additional $500,000 annually through March 31, 2001, as the Company maintained certain business of a specified customer. The acquisition has been accounted for as a purchase.
On March 28, 1996, the Company purchased all of the outstanding common stock of FMC Resource Management Corporation for $5.4 million in cash and promissory notes for $2.0 million. The agreement calls for additional contingent consideration, not to exceed $4 million, based on annual gross profits of the acquired business through January 31, 2001, as defined in the agreement. Contingent consideration recorded through January 31, 1999, was $2.4 million. The acquisition has been accounted for as a purchase.
Results of the acquired companies' operations have been included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations from their respective dates of acquisitions. Pro forma (unaudited) results of the Company for the year ended January 31, 1997, as if the acquisitions had been effective at February 1, 1995, are as follows:
(In thousands, except per share data) |
For the Year Ended January 31, 1997 |
||
---|---|---|---|
Revenue | $ | 376,647 | |
Net income | 17,047 | ||
Net income per sharediluted | 1.05 | ||
During fiscal year 1999, the Company completed the acquisition of substantially all of the operating assets and liabilities of Executech, Inc. and an affiliated company, World Wide Scan Services, LLC for $3.2 million in cash. The agreement calls for additional consideration totalling approximately $10.0 million through fiscal year 2003. The acquisition has been accounted for as a purchase and is not significant to the financial position or results of operations of the Company.
FourFinancing Arrangements
Bank Financing The Company has a revolving credit agreement with a group of banks that provides for an unsecured bank line of credit which expires on November 29, 1999. Subsequent to January 31, 1999, the agreement was amended to increase the amount available for borrowing from $40 million to $70 million. There were no borrowings outstanding under this agreement at January 31, 1999 and 1998. Under the agreement, the Company has the option to borrow at the Agent's reference rate, at 1.0% above the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) or at 1.0% above a certificate of deposit-based rate, and is required to pay quarterly commitment fees of 0.25% on the unused portion of the line of credit. The weighted average interest rates on borrowings on the line of credit were 8.44%, 8.26% and 7.39% for the years ended 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The revolving credit agreement includes various covenants, including the maintenance of minimum tangible net worth and limitations on the amounts of certain transactions, including payment of dividends.
Long-Term Debt Long-term debt consisted of the following:
|
As of January 31, |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In thousands) |
|||||||
1999 |
1998 |
||||||
Unsecured senior notes, bearing interest at 7.463%, with semi-annual interest only payments through October 2000, at which time annual principal and semi-annual interest payments are due through October 2006. The notes have various covenants, including the maintenance of certain financial ratios and limitations on the amount of certain transactions including the payment of dividends | $ | 35,000 | $ | 35,000 | |||
Industrial development bonds, due in annual installments, including interest ranging from 4.2% to 5.5%, over the life of the bonds with the remaining unpaid balance due on August 1, 2010; collateralized by land, building and equipment with a carrying value of $4,712 at January 31, 1999 | 3,320 | 3,380 | |||||
Unsecured promissory notes payable due in March 1999. The notes bear interest at LIBOR plus 1.0%, adjustable and payable annually. The interest rate at January 31, 1999 and 1998 was 6.8125% and 7.281%, respectively | 2,000 | 2,000 | |||||
Unsecured promissory note payable in equal annual installments of $500 on December 31 through 1998 | 500 | ||||||
40,320 | 40,880 | ||||||
Less current maturities of long-term debt | (2,210 | ) | (655 | ) | |||
$ | 38,110 | $ | 40,225 | ||||
The aggregate maturities of long-term debt are as follows:
(In thousands) |
|
||
---|---|---|---|
2000 | $ | 2,210 | |
2001 | 5,220 | ||
2002 | 5,230 | ||
2003 | 5,240 | ||
2004 | 5,250 | ||
Thereafter | 17,170 | ||
$ | 40,320 | ||
Based on quoted market prices for similar issues, the fair value of long-term debt approximated its carrying value at January 31, 1999 and 1998.
FiveLeases
The Company leases an office and production facility and the associated land and equipment under capital leases that terminate at various dates through November 30, 2005. Certain leases contain bargain purchase options. A summary of the Company's property under capital leases, which is classified as property, plant and equipment, is as follows:
|
As of January 31, |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In thousands) |
|||||||
1999 |
1998 |
||||||
Land | $ | 333 | $ | 333 | |||
Building | 2,439 | 2,439 | |||||
Equipment | 389 | 594 | |||||
Less accumulated amortization | (1,334 | ) | (1,366 | ) | |||
$ | 1,827 | $ | 2,000 | ||||
The Company also leases office space and equipment under noncancelable operating leases which expire at various dates through October 31, 2014. Rental expense charged to operations was $9.0 million, $8.0 million and $6.0 million for the years ended January 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
Future minimum rental commitments under noncancelable leases at January 31, 1999, are as follows:
(In thousands) |
Capital Leases |
Operating Leases |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2000 | $ | 392 | $ | 6,697 | ||
2001 | 330 | 5,737 | ||||
2002 | 330 | 4,645 | ||||
2003 | 330 | 4,349 | ||||
2004 | 330 | 3,751 | ||||
Thereafter | 605 | 16,317 | ||||
2,317 | $ | 41,496 | ||||
Imputed interest | (706 | ) | ||||
Present value of minimum lease payments | 1,611 | |||||
Less current maturities of capital lease obligations |
|
|
(236 |
) |
|
|
Capital lease obligations, net of current maturities | $ | 1,375 | ||||
SixIncome Taxes
Components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:
|
For the Years Ended January 31, |
|||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In thousands) |
1999 |
1998 |
1997 |
|||||||
Current | ||||||||||
Federal | $ | 21,204 | $ | 19,974 | $ | 17,758 | ||||
State | 3,528 | 3,063 | 3,442 | |||||||
24,732 | 23,037 | 21,200 | ||||||||
Deferred | (3,518 | ) | (2,592 | ) | (6,555 | ) | ||||
Provision for income taxes | $ | 21,214 | $ | 20,445 | $ | 14,645 | ||||
Temporary differences comprising the net deferred tax asset recognized in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets are as follows:
|
As of January 31, |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In thousands) |
||||||
1999 |
1998 |
|||||
Deferred compensation | $ | 3,997 | $ | 1,980 | ||
Property, plant and equipment | 2,359 | 2,126 | ||||
Insurance reserves | 1,406 | 1,130 | ||||
Vacation accrual | 1,228 | 1,085 | ||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts | 1,188 | 1,349 | ||||
Goodwill amortization | 1,131 | 433 | ||||
Inventories | 1,038 | 958 | ||||
Other, net | 1,204 | 972 | ||||
Net deferred tax asset | $ | 13,551 | $ | 10,033 | ||
Management expects that the Company will fully realize the benefits attributable to the net deferred tax asset at January 31, 1999. Accordingly, no valuation allowance has been recorded at January 31, 1999.
Significant differences between income taxes on income for financial reporting purposes and income taxes calculated using the federal statutory tax rate are as follows:
|
As of January 31, |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In thousands) |
|||||||||
1999 |
1998 |
1997 |
|||||||
Provision for federal income taxes at statutory rate | $ | 16,684 | $ | 16,263 | $ | 11,369 | |||
State income taxes, net of federal benefit | 1,967 | 1,646 | 1,444 | ||||||
Non-deductible business meeting and entertainment expenses | 2,003 | 1,832 | 1,210 | ||||||
Other | 560 | 704 | 622 | ||||||
$ | 21,214 | $ | 20,445 | $ | 14,645 | ||||
Consolidated federal income tax returns filed by the Company have been examined by the Internal Revenue Service through fiscal 1994. The Company's fiscal 1995, 1996 and 1997 federal and certain state income tax returns are presently under audit. Management believes any additional taxes which may ultimately result from these audits or any other state or local agencies' audits would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position or results of operations.
SevenRetirement Plan
On February 1, 1998, the Company combined its defined contribution retirement plan and its 401(k) incentive savings plan. Under the new plan, Company contributions are based on 4% of eligible employee compensation and 100% matching contributions up to a maximum of the first 3% of a participant's 401(k) contribution. Substantially all employees of the Company are covered by the new plan. Related costs of all retirement plans charged to operations were $6.1 million, $5.1 million and $4.0 million for the years ended January 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
EightShareholders' Equity
Common Stock In August 1997, the Company's Board of Directors declared a 2-for-1 stock split of the Company's common stock in the form of a 100% stock dividend which was paid on October 15, 1997, to shareholders of record on September 30, 1997. The Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity and all share and per share amounts have been retroactively restated to reflect the stock split. Also, all information regarding shares outstanding, stock purchase agreements, stock options and stock grants has been retroactively restated to reflect the stock split.
The classes, series, rights and preferences of the undesignated stock may be established by the Company's Board of Directors. No action with respect to such shares has been taken. During fiscal year 1997, the Company's Board of Directors approved the repurchase of up to 1,500,000 shares of the Company's common stock. In fiscal year 1999, the Company repurchased 734,000 shares of common stock for approximately $12.8 million. Through January 31, 1999, 998,000 shares of common stock had been repurchased for approximately $15.9 million.
Earnings Per Share The denominator used to calculate diluted earnings per share includes the dilutive impact of 767,525, 777,041 and 325,271 stock options for the years ended January 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
Stock Plans Under Company-sponsored incentive and stock option plans, 6,506,000 shares of common stock were reserved for the granting of incentive awards to employees in the form of incentive stock options, nonstatutory stock options and restricted stock awards at exercise prices not less than 100% of the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. As of January 31, 1999, stock options for 5,342,300 shares and 70,800 restricted stock awards had been granted under the plans, leaving 1,092,900 shares available for future grants.
Under the Company's 1996 Non-employee Director Plan (the Plan), 400,000 shares of common stock were reserved for granting of non-statutory options and awarding of common stock as partial payment to non-employee directors who serve on the Company's Board of Directors. Non-statutory stock options issued under the Plan are granted at an exercise price not less than 100% of the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. Compensation expense is recorded when common stock is awarded as partial payment for the director's annual retainer in an amount approximately equal to the fair market value of the Company's common stock on the date of grant. As of January 31, 1999, non-statutory options for 120,000 shares and 10,863 shares of common stock had been granted under the Plan, leaving 269,137 shares available for future grants.
In addition to options granted under the plans above, the Company has granted non-qualified options to directors and consultants at prices equal to or exceeding market value at date of grant. Options granted under all Company-sponsored stock plans generally vest and expire over five to seven years.
A summary of selected information regarding all stock options for the three years ended January 31, 1999, is as follows:
|
Number of Shares |
Exercise Price Per Share |
Weighted Average Exercise Price Per Share |
|||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Balance, January 31, 1996 | 1,854,628 | $ | 2.00-14.88 | $ | 8.46 | |||
Granted | 1,092,000 | 8.12-11.96 | 9.06 | |||||
Exercised | (152,436 | ) | 3.68-10.38 | 6.85 | ||||
Canceled | (106,364 | ) | 8.12-13.25 | 9.86 | ||||
Balance, January 31, 1997 | 2,687,828 | 2.00-14.88 | 8.74 | |||||
Granted | 1,129,200 | 11.19-22.75 | 13.95 | |||||
Exercised | (759,400 | ) | 2.00-15.06 | 7.88 | ||||
Canceled | (88,200 | ) | 8.13-10.00 | 8.86 | ||||
Balance, January 31, 1998 | 2,969,428 | 2.00-22.75 | 10.94 | |||||
Granted | 611,000 | 18.25-21.38 | 20.95 | |||||
Exercised | (239,750 | ) | 2.00-15.06 | 8.97 | ||||
Canceled | (70,600 | ) | 8.13-21.38 | 13.92 | ||||
Balance, January 31, 1999 | 3,270,078 | $ | 3.68-22.75 | $ | 12.89 | |||
At January 31, 1999, the weighted average exercise price and remaining life of the stock options are as follows:
Range of exercise prices |
$3.68-8.25 |
$8.50-13.50 |
$14.75-22.75 |
Total |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total options outstanding | 821,700 | 1,485,878 | 962,500 | 3,270,078 | ||||||||
Weighted average exercise price | $ | 8.06 | $ | 10.94 | $ | 20.00 | $ | 12.89 | ||||
Weighted average remaining life | 3.3 years | 3.5 years | 4.6 years | 3.8 years | ||||||||
Options exercisable | 248,400 | 386,918 | 128,100 | 763,418 | ||||||||
Weighted average price of exercisable options | $ | 7.92 | $ | 11.30 | $ | 18.24 | $ | 11.37 | ||||
Had the Company used the fair value-based method of accounting for its incentive and stock option plans beginning on February 1, 1995, and charged compensation cost against income, over the vesting period based on the fair value of options at the date of grant, net income and net income per share would have been reduced to the following pro forma amounts:
|
For the Years Ended January 31, |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In thousands except per share data) |
|||||||||
1999 |
1998 |
1997 |
|||||||
Net Income | |||||||||
As reported | $ | 26,457 | $ | 26,021 | $ | 17,839 | |||
Pro forma | 24,300 | 24,541 | 17,223 | ||||||
Net Income Per Share | |||||||||
As reportedbasic | $ | 1.63 | $ | 1.61 | $ | 1.13 | |||
As reporteddiluted | 1.55 | 1.54 | 1.11 | ||||||
Pro formabasic | 1.50 | 1.52 | 1.09 | ||||||
Pro formadiluted | 1.43 | 1.45 | 1.07 | ||||||
The pro forma information above includes only stock options granted since fiscal year 1996. Pro forma compensation expense under the fair value-based method of accounting will increase in the future as additional stock option grants will be considered.
The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during fiscal years 1999, 1998 and 1997 was $10.32, $6.68 and $4.72, respectively. The weighted average grant date fair value of options was calculated by using the fair value of each option grant, utilizing the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and the following key assumptions:
|
For the Years Ended January 31, |
||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1999 |
1998 |
1997 |
||||
Risk free interest rate | 5.50 | % | 6.50 | % | 6.87 | % | |
Expected life | 5 Years | 5 years | 6 years | ||||
Expected volatility | 51.18 | % | 43.52 | % | 48.85 | % | |
Expected dividend yield | 0.41 | % | 0.38 | % | 0.68 | % | |
NineSegment and Related Information
SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information," changes the way the Company reports information about its operating segments. The information for fiscal years 1998 and 1997 is also presented.
The Company's business units have been aggregated into two reportable segments comprising of Specialty Communication Services and Document Services.
Specialty Communication Services This segment consists of three business unitsFinancial Document Services, Investment Company Services and Managed Communications Programsthat print documents and deliver services used in the financial marketplace, including mutual fund and insurance companies and banks, and national organizations. The principal markets for this segment include major metropolitan centers in the world including North America, Europe, Latin America and the Far East. Customers include major investment bankers, corporate officers, mutual fund companies, national and regional real estate networks and other business services.
Document Services Document Management Services is the sole business unit reported in this segment. They deliver document management solutions to legal and corporate clients through client-based service centers. These Merrill-managed facilities provide clients with a broad range of value-added document services, including litigation copying and support, imaging, electronic document scanning, storage and retrieval, binding and post-production shipping. The principal markets for this segment are major metropolitan areas in North America. Customers include law firms and large corporations.
The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in Note One of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company evaluates the performance of its operating segments based on revenue and operating earnings of the respective business units. Intersegment sales and transfers are not significant.
Summarized financial information concerning the Company's reportable segments is shown in the following table. The "Interest & Other" column includes corporate-related items and, as it relates to income before provision for income taxes, income and expense not allocated to reportable segments.
(In thousands) |
Specialty Communication Services |
Document Services |
Interest & Other |
Total |
||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1999 | ||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 446,579 | $ | 62,964 | $ | 509,543 | ||||||
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes | 52,995 | (1,789 | ) | $ | (3,535 | ) | 47,671 | |||||
Total assets | 186,825 | 25,966 | 53,154 | 265,945 | ||||||||
1998 | ||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 405,742 | $ | 53,774 | $ | 459,516 | ||||||
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes | 57,276 | (7,324 | ) | $ | (3,486 | ) | 46,466 | |||||
Total assets | 205,200 | 16,530 | 24,749 | 246,479 | ||||||||
1997 | ||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 314,187 | $ | 39,582 | $ | 353,769 | ||||||
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes | 45,555 | (9,210 | ) | $ | (3,861 | ) | 32,484 | |||||
Total assets | 167,043 | 11,729 | 23,225 | 201,997 | ||||||||
TenQuarterly Data (Unaudited)
The following is a summary of unaudited quarterly data for the years ended January 31, 1999 and 1998:
(In thousands except per share data) |
First Quarter |
Second Quarter |
Third Quarter |
Fourth Quarter |
Total |
||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1999 Revenue | $ | 123,514 | $ | 148,458 | $ | 119,759 | $ | 117,812 | $ | 509,543 | |||||
Gross profit | 48,358 | 53,974 | 39,100 | 37,479 | 178,911 | ||||||||||
Net income | 8,012 | 8,706 | 6,488 | 3,251 | 26,457 | ||||||||||
Net income per sharebasic | .49 | .53 | .40 | .20 | 1.63 | ||||||||||
Net income per sharediluted | .47 | .50 | .38 | .20 | 1.55 | ||||||||||
Dividends declared per share | .02 | .02 | .02 | .02 | .08 | ||||||||||
1998 Revenue | $ | 109,859 | $ | 115,601 | $ | 112,091 | $ | 121,965 | $ | 459,516 | |||||
Gross profit | 43,585 | 41,066 | 39,374 | 40,101 | 164,126 | ||||||||||
Net income | 7,754 | 6,312 | 5,707 | 6,248 | 26,021 | ||||||||||
Net income per sharebasic | .49 | .39 | .35 | .38 | 1.61 | ||||||||||
Net income per sharediluted | .47 | .38 | .33 | .36 | 1.54 | ||||||||||
Dividends declared per share | .015 | .015 | .02 | .02 | .07 | ||||||||||
For fiscal year 1999, the summations of quarterly net income per share --basic does not equate to the calculation for the year as quarterly calculations are performed on a discrete basis.
ElevenSubsequent Event
On April 14, 1999, the Company purchased substantially all assets and assumed certain liabilities of Daniels Printing, Limited Partnership for $45 million in cash plus $10.6 million in payoff of existing term debt and line of credit plus the assumption of $7.7 million of certain ordinary course liabilities. The acquisition will be accounted for as a purchase. The acquisition was financed using the Company's line of credit and available operating cash.
Summary of Operating and Financial Data
|
For the Years Ended January 31, |
||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(In thousands, except employee, per share data and ratio) |
|||||||||||||||||||
1999 |
1998 |
1997 |
1996 |
1995 |
1994 |
||||||||||||||
Operating Results | |||||||||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 509,543 | $ | 459,516 | $ | 353,769 | $ | 245,306 | $ | 236,878 | $ | 181,584 | |||||||
Costs and expenses | 461,872 | 413,050 | 321,285 | 226,600 | 215,724 | 159,593 | |||||||||||||
Income before provision for income taxes | 47,671 | 46,466 | 32,484 | 18,706 | 21,154 | 21,991 | |||||||||||||
Provision for income taxes | 21,214 | 20,445 | 14,645 | 8,044 | 9,171 | 8,820 | |||||||||||||
Net income | $ | 26,457 | $ | 26,021 | $ | 17,839 | $ | 10,662 | $ | 11,983 | $ | 13,348 | |||||||
Per Common Share | |||||||||||||||||||
Net incomebasic | $ | 1.63 | $ | 1.61 | $ | 1.13 | $ | .69 | $ | .79 | $ | .90 | |||||||
Net incomediluted | $ | 1.55 | $ | 1.54 | $ | 1.11 | $ | .68 | $ | .76 | $ | .86 | |||||||
Cash dividends declared | $ | .08 | $ | .07 | $ | .06 | $ | .06 | $ | .06 | $ | .05 | |||||||
Book value | $ | 8.92 | $ | 7.70 | $ | 6.06 | $ | 4.95 | $ | 4.35 | $ | 3.58 | |||||||
Financial Data/Other | |||||||||||||||||||
Working capital | $ | 81,565 | $ | 79,261 | $ | 69,220 | $ | 39,379 | $ | 31,523 | $ | 22,528 | |||||||
Current ratio | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.2 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.6 | |||||||||||||
Total assets | $ | 265,945 | $ | 246,479 | $ | 201,997 | $ | 125,521 | $ | 106,470 | $ | 100,123 | |||||||
Shareholders' equity | $ | 141,151 | $ | 125,675 | $ | 96,160 | $ | 77,734 | $ | 66,061 | $ | 53,597 | |||||||
Return on average shareholders' equity | 19.8 | % | 23.5 | % | 20.5 | % | 14.8 | % | 20.0 | % | 28.7 | % | |||||||
Long-term obligations | $ | 39,485 | $ | 41,841 | $ | 42,729 | $ | 6,454 | $ | 7,522 | $ | 8,656 | |||||||
Long-term obligations to capitalization | 21.9 | % | 25.0 | % | 30.8 | % | 7.7 | % | 10.2 | % | 13.9 | % | |||||||
Number of employees | 3,385 | 3,297 | 2,539 | 1,932 | 1,739 | 1,601 | |||||||||||||
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the shareholders and board of directors of Merrill Corporation:
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in shareholders' equity and cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Merrill Corporation and Subsidiaries as of January 31, 1999 and 1998 and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended January 31, 1999, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. These financial statements are the responsibility of Merrill Corporation's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.
/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
March 29,
1999
Saint Paul, Minnesota
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY