0001133796-17-000076.txt : 20170530 0001133796-17-000076.hdr.sgml : 20170530 20170530172000 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001133796-17-000076 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: N-Q PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 2 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20170331 FILED AS OF DATE: 20170530 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20170530 EFFECTIVENESS DATE: 20170530 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: RENN Fund, Inc. CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000919567 IRS NUMBER: 752533518 STATE OF INCORPORATION: TX FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: N-Q SEC ACT: 1940 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 811-22299 FILM NUMBER: 17878519 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 8080 N CENTRAL EXPRWY STREET 2: STE 210 LB59 CITY: DALLAS STATE: TX ZIP: 75206 BUSINESS PHONE: 2148918294 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 8080 N CENTRAL EXPWY., SUITE 210 LB 59 CITY: DALLAS STATE: TX ZIP: 75206 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: RENN Global Entrepreneurs Fund, Inc. DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 20090519 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: RENAISSANCE CAPITAL GROWTH & INCOME FUND III INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19940228 N-Q 1 a468030_nq.htm N-Q

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
FORM N-Q
 
QUARTERLY SCHEDULE OF PORTFOLIO HOLDINGS OF REGISTERED
MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES
 
Investment Company Act file number:  811-22299
 
RENN FUND, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

  11520 North Central Expressway, Suite 162, Dallas, TX 75243  
  (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)  

 

 

  Russell Cleveland  
  11520 North Central Expressway, Suite 162  
  Dallas, TX 75243  
  (Name and address of agent for service)  
     
  Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (214) 891-8294  
     
  Date of fiscal year end:  December 31  
     
 

Date of reporting period: March 31, 2017

 

 

Form N-Q is to be used by management investment companies, other than small business investment companies registered on Form N-5 (§§ 239.24 and 274.5 of this chapter), to file reports with the Commission, not later than 60 days after the close of the first and third fiscal quarters, pursuant to rule 30b1-5 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30b1-5). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-Q in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

 

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-Q, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-Q unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to the Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C § 3507.

 

 

 

 

RENN Fund, Inc.

Schedule of Investments

First Quarter Report

March 31, 2017 (Unaudited)

 

Item 1. SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS

 
Unaffiliated Investments

 

Shares or Principal
Amount
   Company  Cost   Value(5) 
     U.S. TREASURY NOTES – 29.62% (4)          
$2,000,000   US Treasury Note Zero Coupon Maturity 04/27/17  $1,999,669   $1,998,900 
                
     Total US Treasury Notes   1,999,669    1,998,900 
                
     MONEY MARKET ACCOUNTS – 32.60% (4)          
 2,200,460   Federal Government Obligation Fund   2,200,460    2,200,460 
                
     Total Money Market Accounts   2,200,460    2,200,460 
                
                
     CONVERTIBLE BONDS – 0.00% (3)(4)(6)          
     Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas – 0.00%          
 1,000,000   PetroHunter Energy Corporation 8.5% Maturity          
     December 31, 2014   1,000,000    0 
     Total Unaffiliated Convertible Bonds   1,000,000    0 
                
                
     COMMON EQUITIES – 33.02% (3)(4)          
     Telecommunications – 6.67%          
 1,500,000   APIVIO Systems, Inc.   482,799    450,000 
                
     Crude Petroleum & Natural Gas – 0.00%          
 808,445   PetroHunter Energy Corporation   101,056    0 
                
     Medicinal Chemicals and Botanical Products – 1.75%          
 193,070  FitLife Brands, Inc.   9,131,687    117,773 
                
     Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus – 24.60%          
 615,000   Bovie Medical Corporation   1,470,958    1,660,500 
                
     Total Unaffiliated Common Equities   11,325,900    2,228,273 
                
     TOTAL UNAFFILIATED INVESTMENTS  $16,386,629   $6,427,633 

 

 

Aggregate Gross Unrealized Appreciation of all Unaffiliated Securities  $189,542     
Aggregate Gross Unrealized Depreciation of all Unaffiliated Securities  $(10,148,538)     
Net Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation of all Unaffiliated Securities  $(9,658,996)     

 

 1 

 

 

RENN Fund, Inc.

Schedule of Investments

First Quarter Report

March 31, 2017 (Unaudited)

 

SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS
Affiliated Investments

 

Shares or Principal
Amount
   Company  Cost   Value(5) 
             
     CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED EQUITIES – 29.44% (1)(2)(3)(4)          
     Communications Service  NEC – 29.44%          
 233,229   AnchorFree, Inc. Series A Convertible Preferred  $419,812   $1,987,111 
                
     Total Affiliated Other Securities   419,812    1,987,111 
                
     COMMON EQUITIES – 1.89% (1)(2)(3)(4)          
     Communications Service  NEC – 1.89%          
 15,023   AnchorFree, Inc. Common Stock   92,971    127,996 
                
     TOTAL AFFILIATED INVESTMENTS   512,783    2.115,107 
     TOTAL UNAFFILIATED INVESTMENTS   16,386,629    6,427,633 
     TOTAL INVESTMENTS  $16,899,412   $8,542,740 
     OTHER ASSETS AND LIABILITIES – (26.57%)        (1,793,529)
     TOTAL NET ASSETS       $6,749,211 

 

 2 

 

 

RENN Fund, Inc.

Schedule of Investments

First Quarter Report

March 31, 2017 (Unaudited)

 

Name of Issuer and Title of Issue  Number of Shares   Amount of Equity in Net Profit and Loss for the Period   Amount of Dividends or Interest  

Value(5)

03/31/17

 

AnchorFree, Inc.(1)

Preferred A Equity

   233,229   $0   $0   $1,987,111 

AnchorFree, Inc. .(1)

Common Stock

   15,023   $0   $0   $127,996 
                     

Total Restricted and/or Controlled Securities

       $0   $0   $2,115,107 

 

(1) Securities in a privately owned company.
   
(2)   “Affiliated,” generally means that the Fund (and/or affiliated funds) has a director on issuer’s board and/or the Fund owns more than 5% of the issuer’s voting shares.  
   
(3) Non-Income Producing.
   
(4) Percentage is calculated as a percentage of net assets.
   
(5) See Fair Value Measurements. See Page 4.
   
(6) The PetroHunter Energy Corporation (“PetroHunter”) note is in default as of December 31, 2014.  The note is valued on an as converted basis consistent with prior years, using PetroHunter’s observable stock price of $0.0000.  During 2016 PetroHunter declared Chapter 7 bankruptcy.  The Fund is attempting to recover amounts owed to it by PetroHunter through that process; however, there is no way to estimate what amount, if any, might be recovered.

 

 3 

 

 

RENN Fund, Inc.

First Quarter Report

March 31, 2017 (Unaudited)

 

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

RENN Capital Group, Inc. (“RENN Group”), a Texas corporation, serves as the Investment Adviser to RENN Fund, Inc. (“the “Fund”). RENN Group is a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Fund, a Texas corporation, is a registered, non-diversified, closed-end management investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

Investments are carried in the statements of assets and liabilities at fair value, as determined in good faith by RENN Group, subject to the approval of the Fund’s Board of Directors. The fair values reported are subject to various risk including changes in the equity markets, general economic conditions, and the financial performance of the companies. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities and the level of uncertainty related to changes in the fair value of investment securities, it is possible that the amounts reported in the accompanying financial statements could change materially in the near term.

 

The Fund generally invests in common securities, preferred securities, convertible and nonconvertible debt securities, and warrants. These securities may be unregistered and thinly-to-moderately traded. Generally, the Fund negotiates registration rights at the time of purchase and the portfolio companies are required to register the shares within a designated period, and the cost of registration is borne by the portfolio company.

 

On a weekly basis, RENN Group prepares a valuation to determine fair value of the investments of the Fund. The Board of Directors approves the valuation on a quarterly basis. Interim board involvement may occur if material issues arise before quarter end. The valuation principles are described below.

 

Unrestricted common stock of companies listed on an exchange, such as the NYSE or NASDAQ, or in the over-the-counter market is valued at the closing price on the date of valuation. Thinly traded unrestricted common stock of companies listed on an exchange, such as the NYSE or NASDAQ, or in the over-the-counter market is valued at the closing price on the date of valuation, less a marketability discount as determined appropriate by the Fund Managers and approved by the Board of Directors.

 

Restricted common stock of companies listed on an exchange, such as the NYSE or NASDAQ, or in the over-the-counter market is valued based on the quoted price for an otherwise identical unrestricted security of the same issuer that trades in a public market, adjusted to reflect the effect of any significant restrictions.

 

The unlisted preferred stock of companies with common stock listed on an exchange, such as the NYSE or NASDAQ, or in the over-the-counter market is valued at the closing price of the common stock into which the preferred stock is convertible on the date of valuation.

 

Debt securities are valued at fair value. The Fund considers, among other things, whether a debt issuer is in default or bankruptcy. It also considers the underlying collateral. Fair value is generally determined to be the greater of the face value of the debt or the market value of the underlying common stock into which the instrument may be converted.

 

The unlisted in-the-money options or warrants of companies with the underlying common stock listed on an exchange, such as the NYSE or NASDAQ, or in the over-the-counter market are valued at fair value (the positive difference between the closing price of the underlying common stock and the strike price of the warrant or option). An out-of-the money warrant or option has no value; thus the Fund assigns no value to it.

 

Investments in privately held entities are valued at fair value. If there is no independent and objective pricing authority (i.e., a public market) for such investments, fair value is based on the latest sale of equity securities to independent third parties. If a private entity does not have an independent value established over an extended period of time, then the Investment Adviser will determine fair value on the basis of appraisal procedures established in good faith and approved by the Board of Directors.

 

 4 

 

 

RENN Fund, Inc.

First Quarter Report

March 31, 2017 (Unaudited)

 

 

The Fund follows the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements, under which the Fund has established a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the sources (“inputs”) used to measure fair value into three broad levels: inputs based on quoted market prices in active markets (Level 1 inputs); observable inputs based on corroboration with available market data (Level 2 inputs); and unobservable inputs based on uncorroborated market data or a reporting entity’s own assumptions (Level 3 inputs).

 

The following table shows a summary of investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis classified under the appropriate level of fair value hierarchy as of March 31, 2017:

 

   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 
Convertible Preferred Equities  $0   $0   $1,987,111   $1,987,111 
Common stock   2,228,273    0    127,996    2,356,269 
US Treasury Note Maturity   1,998,900    0    0    1.998.900 
Federal Government Obligation Fund   2,200,460    0    0    2,200,460 
Total Investments  $6,427,633   $0   $2,115,107   $8,542,740 

 

The Fund has adopted a policy of recording any transfers of investment securities between the different levels in the fair value hierarchy as of the end of the year unless circumstances dictate otherwise. There were no transfers between levels during the quarter ending March 31, 2017.

 

One portfolio company is being classified as Level 3. AnchorFree, Inc. is a private company and at March 31, 2017, the investment was valued primarily using forecasted revenues and thus qualifies as a Level 3 security.

 

Quantitative Information about Level 3 Fair Value Measurements

 

Portfolio Company
Investment
Value at
03/31/17
Valuation Technique Unobservable Input Range Weighted Average
Convertible Preferred $1,987,111 Income Approach Discount Rate   16% 36% 26%
    Market Approach Revenue Multiple $0.45 $6.05 $5.00
    Option Pricing Method Volatility 20% 69% 43%
Common Stock $   127,996 Income Approach Discount Rate 16% 36% 26%
    Market Approach Revenue Multiple $0.45 $6.05 $5.00
    Option Pricing Method Volatility 20% 69% 43%

 

 

ITEM 2. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

 

(a) The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officer has concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30-13(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended) are effective at the reasonable assurance level based on his evaluation of these controls and procedures as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of this document.

 

(b) There were no significant changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of his evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

 5 

 

 

RENN Fund, Inc.

First Quarter Report

March 31, 2017 (Unaudited)

 

ITEM 3. EXHIBITS.

 

The certification required by Rule 30a-2 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is attached as an exhibit hereto.

 

EXHIBIT NO. DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
1 (a) (1) Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

(Registrant): RENN Fund, Inc.

 

 

  By: /s/ Russell  Cleveland  
    Russell Cleveland  
    Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and President
  Date: May 30, 2017  

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

  By: /s/ Russell Cleveland  
    Russell Cleveland  
    Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and President
  Date: May 30, 2017  

 

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EX-99.CERT 2 a468030_ex99-cert.htm CERTIFICATIONS

 

SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION

Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer

 

I, Russell Cleveland, certify that:

 

1.

I have reviewed this report on Form N-Q of RENN Fund, Inc.;

   
2.

Based on my knowledge, this 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 report;

   
3.

Based on my knowledge, the schedules of investments included in this report fairly present in all material respects the investments of the registrant as of the end of the fiscal quarter for which the report is filed;

   

4.

 

The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

 

  (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
     
  (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our 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 our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of 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 most recent fiscal quarter of the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the 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: May 30, 2017 /s/ Russell Cleveland  
    Russell Cleveland  
    Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer.