Item 1. Financial Statements
Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited) (000)
March 31
September 30
2025
2024
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$
11,770
$
12,986
Restricted cash
2,229
2,191
Non-qualified deferred compensation plan – trust account asset value
980
748
Marketable securities at fair value
431,490
358,691
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts
11,788
19,219
Inventories
18
15
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
597
612
Derivative asset
88
---
Income tax receivable
--
33
Total current assets
458,960
394,495
Property, plant and equipment, at cost
Land, buildings and improvements
16,418
16,418
Furniture, office equipment and computer software
1,723
1,723
Machinery and equipment
1,521
1,521
19,662
19,662
Less accumulated depreciation
( 10,652
)
( 10,520
)
Total property, plant and equipment, net
9,010
9,142
Operating lease right-of-use assets
80
126
Total assets
$
468,050
$
403,763
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable
$
5,811
$
6,049
Accrued liabilities
6,408
8,517
Note payable collateralized by real estate
166
164
Income taxes
231
---
Deferred subscriptions
2,382
2,558
Deferred consulting fees
2,454
2,031
Deferred maintenance agreements and others
12,862
19,124
Total current liabilities
30,314
38,443
Long term liabilities
Investment margin account borrowings
25,000
27,500
Note payable collateralized by real estate
872
956
Deferred maintenance agreements
375
883
Accrued liabilities
3,110
3,772
Accrued non-qualified deferred compensation
1,015
784
Deferred income taxes
72,926
52,641
Total long-term liabilities
103,298
86,536
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 10 and 11)
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; 1,805,053 shares issued, including 427,627 treasury shares, at March 31, 2025 and September 30, 2024
14
14
Additional paid-in capital
2,046
1,957
Retained earnings
332,378
276,813
Total shareholders' equity
334,438
278,784
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
468,050
$
403,763
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
3
DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited) (000)
Three months
ended March 31
2025
2024
Revenues
Advertising
$
2,565
$
2,316
Circulation
1,047
1,099
Advertising service fees and other
768
697
Licensing and maintenance fees
7,501
6,854
Consulting fees
2,664
3,199
Other public service fees
3,631
2,406
Total revenues
18,176
16,571
Costs and expenses
Salaries and employee benefits
12,706
11,803
Stock-based compensation
65
---
Decrease to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual
( 450
)
( 410
)
Agency commissions
385
299
Outside services
1,802
1,791
Postage and delivery expenses
185
183
Newsprint and printing expenses
191
160
Depreciation and amortization
65
67
Equipment maintenance and software
441
336
Credit card merchant discount fees
528
558
Rent expenses
91
71
Accounting and legal fees
267
155
Other general and administrative expenses
937
925
Total costs and expenses
17,213
15,938
Income from operations
963
633
Other income (expense)
Dividends and interest income
1,178
1,217
Rental income
9
---
Increase in fair value of derivative asset
88
---
Net unrealized (losses) gains on non-qualified compensation plan
( 3
)
72
Net realized and unrealized gains on marketable securities
59,386
19,764
Interest expense on margin loans and others
( 342
)
( 1,056
)
Interest expense on note payable collateralized by real estate
( 9
)
( 10
)
Income before income taxes
61,270
20,620
Income tax provision
( 16,600
)
( 5,205
)
Net income
$
44,670
$
15,415
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted
1,377,426
1,377,026
Basic and diluted net income per share
$
32.43
$
11.19
Comprehensive income
$
44,670
$
15,415
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
4
DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited) (000)
Six months
ended March 31
2025
2024
Revenues
Advertising
$
4,844
$
4,403
Circulation
2,127
2,194
Advertising service fees and other
1,500
1,402
Licensing and maintenance fees
15,026
13,411
Consulting fees
5,263
6,501
Other public service fees
7,120
4,653
Total revenues
35,880
32,564
Costs and expenses
Salaries and employee benefits
24,742
23,186
Stock-based compensation
89
---
Decrease to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual
( 635
)
( 830
)
Agency commissions
684
542
Outside services
3,612
3,422
Postage and delivery expenses
384
359
Newsprint and printing expenses
355
365
Depreciation and amortization
132
133
Equipment maintenance and software
1,043
712
Credit card merchant discount fees
1,093
1,110
Rent expenses
157
141
Accounting and legal fees
587
411
Other general and administrative expenses
1,932
1,757
Total costs and expenses
34,175
31,308
Income from operations
1,705
1,256
Other income (expense)
Dividends and interest income
2,362
2,786
Rental income
9
---
Increase in fair value of derivative asset
88
---
Net unrealized (losses) gains on non-qualified compensation plan
( 53
)
72
Net realized and unrealized gains on sales of marketable securities
72,799
34,454
Interest expense on margin loans and others
( 727
)
( 2,187
)
Interest expense on note payable collateralized by real estate
( 18
)
( 21
)
Income before income taxes
76,165
36,360
Income tax provision
( 20,600
)
( 8,330
)
Net income
$
55,565
$
28,030
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted
1,377,268
1,377,026
Basic and diluted net income per share
$
40.34
$
20.36
Comprehensive income
$
55,565
$
28,030
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
5
DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(Unaudited) (000)
Additional
Total
Common Stock
Treasury Stock
Paid-in
Retained
Shareholders'
Share
Amount
Share
Amount
Capital
Earnings
Equity
Balance at September 30, 2023
1,805,053
$
18,000
( 428,027
)
$
( 4
)
$
1,755
$
198,700
$
200,469
Net income
---
---
---
---
---
12,615
12,615
Balance at December 31, 2023
1,805,053
18,000
( 428,027
)
( 4
)
1,755
211,315
213,084
Net income
---
---
---
---
---
15,415
15,415
Balance at March 31, 2024
1,805,053
$
18,000
( 428,027
)
$
( 4
)
$
1,755
$
226,730
$
228,499
Balance at September 30, 2024
1,805,053
$
18
( 427,627
)
$
( 4
)
$
1,957
$
276,813
$
278,784
Restricted stock unit cost amortization
---
---
---
---
24
---
24
Net income
---
---
---
---
---
10,895
10,895
Balance at December 31, 2024
1,805,053
18
( 427,627
)
( 4
)
1,981
287,708
289,703
Restricted stock unit cost amortization
---
---
---
---
65
---
65
Net income
---
---
---
---
---
44,670
44,670
Balance at March 31, 2025
1,805,053
$
18
( 427,627
)
$
( 4
)
$
2,046
$
332,378
$
334,438
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
6
DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited) (000)
Six months
ended March 31
2025
2024
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income
$
55,565
$
28,030
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided from (used in) operations
Stock-based compensation
89
---
Depreciation and amortization
132
133
Net realized and unrealized gains on marketable securities
( 72,799
)
( 34,454
)
Increase in fair value of derivative asset
( 88
)
---
Deferred income taxes
20,285
5,047
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
(Increase) decrease in current assets
Accounts receivable, net
7,431
3,063
Inventories
( 3
)
8
Prepaid expenses and other assets
61
( 108
)
Income tax receivable
33
---
Increase (decrease) in liabilities
Accounts payable
( 238
)
( 573
)
Accrued liabilities, including non-qualified deferred compensation
( 2,540
)
( 3,279
)
Income tax payable
231
1,481
Deferred subscriptions
( 176
)
( 116
)
Deferred consulting fees
423
( 1,600
)
Deferred maintenance agreements and others
( 6,770
)
( 2,445
)
Net cash provided from (used in) operating activities
1,636
( 4,813
)
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities
---
40,579
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
---
( 23
)
Net cash provided from investing activities
---
40,556
Cash flows from financing activities
Payment to margin loan borrowing
( 2,500
)
( 45,579
)
Payment of real estate loan principal
( 82
)
( 79
)
Net cash used in financing activities
( 2,582
)
( 45,658
)
Decrease in cash and restricted cash and cash equivalents
( 946
)
( 9,915
)
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash
Beginning of year
Cash and cash equivalents
12,986
20,844
Restricted cash
2,191
2,100
Non-qualified deferred compensation plan – trust account asset value
748
194
End of year
$
14,979
$
13,223
Interest paid during year
$
740
$
2,198
Income taxes paid during year
$
52
$
1,802
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
7
DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 1 - The Corporation and Operations
Daily Journal Corporation (“Daily Journal” or “the Company”) publishes newspapers and websites covering California and Arizona and produces several specialized information services. It also serves as a newspaper representative specializing in public notice advertising. This is sometimes referred to as the Company’s “Traditional Business”.
Journal Technologies, Inc. (“Journal Technologies”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Daily Journal, supplies case management software systems and related products to courts, prosecutor and public defender offices, probation departments and other justice agencies, including administrative law organizations, city and county governments and bar associations. These organizations use the Journal Technologies family of products to help manage cases and information electronically, to interface with other critical justice partners and to extend electronic services to the public, including e-filing and a website to pay traffic citations and fees online. These products are licensed or subscribed to in approximately 32 states and internationally.
Essentially all of the Company’s U.S. operations are based in California, Arizona and Utah. The Company also has a presence in Australia where Journal Technologies is working on three software installation projects and in British Columbia, Canada, where the Company has a wholly-owned subsidiary, Journal Technologies (Canada) Inc.
Note 2 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying interim unaudited consolidated financial statements present fairly the financial position of the Company as of March 31, 2025 and September 30, 2024, its results of operations and consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity for the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, and cash flows for the six-month periods ended March 31, 2025 and 2024. The results of operations for the six-months ended March 31, 2025 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 and in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024.
Certain reclassifications of previously reported amounts have been made to conform to the current year’s presentation. Financial monetary figures presented in the tables are reported in thousands except for the number of shares and the per share price.
During this quarter, Journal Technologies’ revenues included a reversal of approximately $ 426,000 consulting fee revenues associated with the previous quarter ended December 31, 2024. These revenues should have been recorded as deferred revenues but were inappropriately recorded as revenues, thus overstating Journal Technologies’ segment profit in the first fiscal quarter by $ 426,000 and understating its second fiscal quarter by the same amount.
In accordance with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 99, Materiality (“SAB 99”), codified in Financial Accounting Standards Boards’ (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 250, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections (“ASC 250”), the Company evaluated the materiality of such errors from a quantitative and qualitative perspective and concluded that the errors were not material to the Company’s interim financial statements for the periods ended December 31, 2024 and March 31, 2025. The Company has not filed, and does not intend to file, an amendment to the previously filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2024 but instead has recorded the adjustment in the period ended March 31, 2025.
8
The change in allowance for doubtful accounts is as follows:
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (000)
Description
Balance at
Beginning
of Year
Additions charged to
Costs and
Expenses
Accounts
charged
off less
Recoveries
Balance
at End
of Year
Fiscal 2025 year-to-date through March 31
Allowance for doubtful accounts
$
250
$
1
$
( 1
)
$
250
Fiscal 2024 year-to-date through March 31
Allowance for doubtful accounts
$
250
$
4
$
( 4
)
$
250
Advertising: The Company’s policy is to expense advertising expenses as incurred, if any. There were no advertising expenses during both the six months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 as the Company advertises itself via its own newspapers and websites.
Stock-based Compensation : The Company has implemented two equity incentive plans, one for key employees and one for non-employee directors, each providing for the grant of incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, restricted stock units, and other equity-based awards. As of March 31, 2025, there were 4,725 shares available for future grants from the 5,720 shares authorized for grant under the equity incentive plans. Restricted stock unit grants generally vest ratably over two years of continuous services from the date of grant. We account for share-based compensation using the fair market value on the grant day pursuant to ASC 718.
For restricted stock units, we use the closed market price on the date of grant as their fair market value. We have not historically paid any cash dividends on our common stock and as a result do not reduce the grant-date fair value per share by the present value of dividends expected to be paid during the requisite service period for restricted stock units. We amortize the fair value of all awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods, which are generally the vesting periods.
We will recognize the effect of awards for which the requisite service period is not rendered when the award is forfeited. That is, we recognize the effect of forfeitures in compensation cost when they occur. Previously recognized compensation cost for an award is reversed in the period the award is forfeited.
The following table summarized stock unit activity during the periods presented:
Number of Shares
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair
Value per
Share
Unvested at December 31, 2023
---
$
---
Granted
995
457.20
Vested
400
463.64
Forfeited
---
---
Unvested at March 31, 2025
595
$
452.88
9
As of March 31, 2025, we had total unrecognized compensation cost of approximately $ 122,000 related to unvested restricted stock units which is expected to be amortized over a weighted average amortization period of approximately 1.3 years.
The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense related to share-based awards which is recorded in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income:
Fiscal 2025
as of March 31,
2025
Stock-based compensation
$
89
Total stock-based compensation expense
89
Total tax benefit
( 24
)
Net decrease in net income
$
65
Note 3 – New Accounting Pronouncement
During November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. ASU No. 2023-07 improves reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses on an annual and interim basis. The amendments are intended to enable investors to develop more decision-useful financial analyses. ASU 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The Company believes that the adoption of ASU No. 2023-07 does not have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.
Note 4 – Right-of-Use (ROU) Asset and Liabilities
ROU: At March 31, 2025, the Company recorded a ROU asset and lease liabilities of approximately $ 80,000 for its operating office and equipment leases, including approximately $ 10,000 beyond one year. At March 31, 2024, there were ROU asset and lease liabilities of $ 69,000 with $ 21,000 beyond one year. Operating office and equipment leases are included in operating lease ROU assets, current accrued liabilities and long-term accrued liabilities in the Company’s accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Accrued Liabilities: Accrued current liabilities primarily consisted of (i) accrued vacation of $ 3,425,000 and $ 3,325,000 at March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, (ii) current portion of the supplemental compensation accrual of $ 650,000 and $ 680,000 at March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and (iii) accrued payroll, including non-qualified compensation, and other of $ 2,333,000 and $ 2,049,000 at March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Accrued long-term liabilities primarily consist of the long-term portion of the supplemental compensation accruals at March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.
Note 5 – Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenues in accordance with the provisions of ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC Topic 606) .
For the Traditional Business, 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 service fees and other revenues, which represent primarily agency commissions received from outside newspapers in which the advertising is placed, are recognized when advertisements are published and are recorded on a net basis.
10
Journal Technologies contracts may include several products and services, which are generally distinct and include separate transaction pricing and performance obligations. Most are one-transaction contracts. These revenue contracts include (i) implementation consulting fees to configure the system to go-live, (ii) subscription software license, maintenance (including updates and upgrades) and support fees, and (iii) third-party hosting fees when used. For contracts containing multiple performance obligations, the Company allocates the transaction price on the basis of the relative standalone selling price of each distinct good or service, and utilizes the residual approach to estimate the standalone selling price of implementation consulting fees, whereby the standalone selling price is estimated by reference to the total transaction price less the sum of the observable standalone selling prices of its subscription software licenses, maintenance and support fees, and third-party hosting fees. These contracts include assurance-type warranty provisions for limited periods and do not include financing terms. For some contracts, the Company acts as a principal with respect to certain services, such as data conversion, interfaces and hosting that are provided by third parties, and recognizes such revenues and related costs on a gross basis. The Company considers several factors to determine if it controls the good or service and therefore is the principal. These factors include (1) if we have primary responsibility for fulfilling the promise; and (2) if we have discretion in establishing price for the specified good or service. For legacy contracts with perpetual license arrangements, licenses and consulting services are recognized at point of delivery, and maintenance revenues are recognized ratably after the go-live.
The Traditional Business and Journal Technologies issue invoices that have payment terms which require payment within 30 days. Contracts do not have a significant financing component and do not have variable consideration. Amounts that have been invoiced are recorded in accounts receivable and in deferred revenue or revenue, depending on whether the required performance services have been completed. Proceeds from subscription-type revenues, including circulation revenue, license, maintenance and support services, and hosting services, are deferred at the time of sale and are recognized on a pro-rata basis over the terms of the subscriptions or service period, and unearned proceeds are recognized within deferred subscriptions and deferred maintenance agreements and others in the consolidated balance sheets. Proceeds from consulting fees are recognized at point of delivery upon service completion, and unearned consulting fee proceeds are recorded under deferred consulting fees on the consolidated balance sheets. Other public service fees are earned and recognized as revenues when the Company processes credit card payments on behalf of the courts via its websites through which the public can e-file cases and pay traffic citations and other fees.
ASC 606 also requires the capitalization of certain costs of obtaining contracts, specifically sales commissions which are to be amortized over the expected term of the contracts. For its software contracts, the Company incurs an immaterial amount of sales commission costs which have no significant impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the Company’s implementation and fulfillment costs do not meet all criteria required for capitalization.
Since the Company recognizes revenues when it can invoice the customer pursuant to the contract for the value of completed performance, as a practical expedient and because reliable estimates cannot be made, it has elected not to include the transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations. These unallocated prices primarily relate to the eFile-it™ and ePay-it™ transactions for which service fees are collected and recognized when the Company processes credit card payments on behalf of the courts via its websites through which the public e-file cases or pay traffic citations. Furthermore, there are no fulfillment costs that are capitalized for the software contracts.
11
Approximately 76 % of the Company’s revenues for the six months ended March 31, 2025 and 75 % for the six months ended in March 31, 2024 were derived from sales of software licenses, annual software licenses, maintenance and support agreements and consulting services that typically include implementation and training.
The changes in total deferred revenues, including the long-term portion, are as follows:
Changes in total deferred revenues (000)
Description
Balance at
Beginning
of Year
Addition to
the Deferral
Recognition
from
Deferral
Balance
at End
of Year
As of March 31, 2025
Total deferred revenues
$
24,596
$
15,893
$
( 22,416
)
$
18,073
As of March 31, 2024
Total deferred revenues
$
26,539
$
17,945
$
( 22,106
)
$
22,378
Note 6 - Treasury Stock and Net Income per Common Share
In June 2022, the Company received from Charles T. Munger 3,720 shares of Daily Journal common stock as his gracious personal gift (worth approximately $ 1 million on the date of the gift) for the purpose of establishing a new senior management equity incentive plan. These donated shares were considered treasury stock, and the Company accounted for them using the par method which had an immaterial effect on the amount on Treasury Stock and Additional Paid-in Capital. The number of outstanding shares of the Company was reduced by these 3,720 shares to reflect the actual number of outstanding shares of 1,377,026 at September 30, 2022. In July 2024, the Board approved the grant of 400 shares to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, and these shares were transferred to him in December 2024. The net income per common share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each year. The shares used in the calculation were 1,377,268 and 1,377,026 for the six months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, the shares used in the calculation were 1,377,426 and 1,377,026 , respectively,
Note 7 - Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share
The Company did not have any common stock equivalents at March 31, 2024. At March 31, 2025, there were shares of common stock, and restricted stock units which were roughly equivalent to shares of common stocks, and, therefore, basic and diluted net income per share were essentially the same.
Note 8 - Investments in Marketable Securities
All investments are classified as “Current assets” because they are available for sale at any time. These marketable securities are stated at fair value. 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 ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement . As of March 31, 2025 and September 30, 2024, there were net accumulated pretax unrealized gains of $ 292,396,000 and $ 219,597,000 , respectively, recorded in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Most of the accumulated pretax unrealized gains were in the common stocks of three U.S. financial institutions and one foreign manufacturer.
12
During the six months ended March 31, 2025, the Company recorded and included in its net income the net unrealized gains on marketable securities of $ 72,799,000 , as compared with $ 20,193,000 , in the prior fiscal year period. There were no purchases or sales of marketable securities during the three-month period ended March 31, 2025. In March 2024, the Company sold part of its marketable securities for approximately $ 40,579,000 , realizing net gains of $ 14,261,000 .
Our long-serving director and former chairman, Charles T. Munger, had managed the Company’s marketable securities portfolio since the original purchases were made with the Company’s excess cash in 2009. Mr. Munger passed away in November 2023, and the Company remains committed to using the portfolio as a source of strength in support of its operating businesses, just as it has for the past 16 years. The Board continues to work to ensure the prudent and effective management of these assets in the context of the current market and the needs of the businesses, including consultation with outside advisors to which the Board has access. The March 2024 sales of a portion of the portfolio (approximately 10%) to reduce the Company’s margin loan, are aspects of that work.
Investments in marketable securities as of March 31, 2025 and September 30, 2024 are summarized below.
Investment in Financial Instruments (000)
March 31, 2025
September 30, 2024
Aggregate
fair value
Amortized/
Adjusted
cost basis
Pretax
unrealized
gains
Aggregate
fair value
Amortized/
Adjusted
cost basis
Pretax
unrealized
gains
Marketable securities
Common stocks
$
431,490
$
139,094
$
292,396
$
358,691
$
139,094
$
219,597
Note 9 - Income Taxes
For the six months ended March 31, 2025, the Company recorded an income tax provision of $ 20,600,000 on the pretax income of $ 76,165,000 . The income tax provision consisted of tax provisions of $ 19,155,000 on the unrealized gains on marketable securities, $ 35,000 on income from foreign operations, $ 910,000 on income from US operations and dividend income, and a tax provision of $ 640,000 for the effect of a change in state apportionment on the beginning of the year’s deferred tax liability. These tax liabilities were partially offset by a tax benefit of $ 140,000 for the dividends received deduction and other permanent book and tax differences. Consequently, the overall effective tax rate for the six months ended March 31, 2025 was 27 %, after including the taxes on the unrealized gains on marketable securities.
For the six months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recorded an income tax provision of $ 8,330,000 on the pretax income of $ 36,360,000 . The income tax provision consisted of tax provisions of $ 3,660,000 on the realized gains on marketable securities, $ 5,180,000 on the unrealized gains on marketable securities, $ 40,000 on income from foreign operations, and $ 480,000 on income from US operations and dividend income, partially offset by a tax benefit of $ 210,000 for the dividends received deduction and other permanent book and tax differences, and a tax benefit of $ 820,000 for the effect of a change in state apportionment on the beginning of the year’s deferred tax liability. Consequently, the overall effective tax rate for the six months ended March 31, 2024 was 22.9 %, after including the taxes on the realized and unrealized gains on marketable securities.
The Company files consolidated federal income tax returns in the United States and with various state jurisdictions and is no longer subject to examinations for fiscal years before fiscal 2021 with regard to federal income taxes and fiscal 2020 for state income taxes.
13
Note 10 - Debt and Commitments
During fiscal 2013, the Company borrowed from its investment margin account the aggregate purchase price of $ 29.5 million for two acquisitions, in each case pledging its marketable securities as collateral. In addition, there were subsequent borrowings of $ 45.5 million to purchase additional marketable securities bringing the margin loan balance up to $ 75 million during fiscal 2023. In March 2024, the Company sold a portion of its marketable securities for approximately $ 40.6 million and used these proceeds and excess cash from operations to pay down the margin loan balance to $ 27.5 million at last year-end. During the past fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2025, the Company was able to use excess cash from operations to pay down an additional $ 2.5 million of this margin loan reducing the balance to $ 25 million.
The interest rate for these investment margin account borrowings fluctuates based on the Federal Funds Rate plus 50 basis points with interest only payable monthly. The interest rate as of March 31, 2025 was approximately 5 %. These investment margin account borrowings do not mature.
In November 2015, the Company purchased a 30,700 square foot office building constructed in 1998 on about 3.6 acres in Logan, Utah that had been previously leased for Journal Technologies. The Company paid $ 1.24 million and financed the balance with a real estate bank loan of $ 2.26 million which had a fixed interest rate of 4.66 %. This loan is secured by the Logan facility and can be paid off at any time without prepayment penalty. In October 2020, the Company executed an amendment to lower the interest rate of this loan to a fixed rate of 3.33 % for the remaining 10 years. This real estate loan had a balance of approximately $ 1.04 million as of March 31, 2025. Each monthly installment payment is approximately $ 16,700 .
The Company owns its facilities in Los Angeles, California. The Company also leases space for its other offices under operating leases which expire at various dates through May 2026.
The Company is responsible for a portion of maintenance, insurance and property tax expenses relating to the leased properties. Rental expenses, inclusive of these expenses, for the six months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 were $ 157,000 and $ 141,000 , respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, rental expenses were $ 91,000 and $ 71,000 , respectively.
Effective January 1, 2023, the Company began sponsoring a 401(k) retirement plan and a non-qualified deferred compensation plan for its employees. The 401(k) retirement plan is a defined contribution plan available to employees meeting minimum service requirements. Eligible employees can contribute up to 100 % of their current compensation to the plan subject to certain statutory limitations. The Company matches 50 % of the 401(k) contribution up to 4 % of total compensation. Employer contributions to the retirement plan were $ 334,000 and $ 332,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Employer contributions for the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 2024 were $ 159,000 and $ 156,000 , respectively. As of March 31, 2025, there were deferred compensation liabilities of approximately $ 1,015,000 of which $ 980,000 were held under a trust account for the non-qualified deferred compensation plan. There were deferred compensation liabilities of approximately $ 509,000 which were all held under a trust account for the non-qualified deferred compensation plan in the prior fiscal year period.
Note 11 - Contingencies
From time to time, the Company is subject to contingencies, including litigation, arising in the normal course of its business. While it is not possible to predict the results of such contingencies, management does not believe the ultimate outcome of these matters will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
14
Note 12 - Operating Segments
The Company’s Traditional Business is one reportable segment and the other is Journal Technologies which includes Journal Technologies, Inc. and Journal Technologies (Canada) Inc. All inter-segment transactions were eliminated. Corporate is presented below as a non-operating segment to reconcile segment results to the Company’s consolidated financial statement line-item totals. Additional detail about each of the reportable segments and its income and expenses is set forth below:
Overall Financial Results (000)
For the six months ended March 31
Reportable Segments
Traditional
Business
Journal
Technologies
Corporate
Total
2025
2024
2025
2024
2025
2024
2025
2024
Revenues
Advertising
$
4,844
$
4,403
$
---
$
---
$
---
$
---
$
4,844
$
4,403
Circulation
2,127
2,194
---
---
---
---
2,127
2,194
Advertising service fees and other
1,500
1,402
---
---
---
---
1,500
1,402
Licensing and maintenance fees
---
---
15,026
13,411
---
---
15,026
13,411
Consulting fees
---
---
5,263
6,501
---
---
5,263
6,501
Other public service fees
---
---
7,120
4,653
---
---
7,120
4,653
Total operating revenues
8,471
7,999
27,409
24,565
---
---
35,880
32,564
Operating expenses
Salaries and employee benefits
5,010
5,173
19,732
18,013
---
---
24,742
23,186
Stock-based compensation
14
---
75
---
---
---
89
---
Decrease to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual
( 635
)
( 800
)
---
( 30
)
---
---
( 635
)
( 830
)
Others
2,911
2,765
7,068
6,187
---
---
9,979
8,952
Total operating expenses
7,300
7,138
26,875
24,170
---
---
34,175
31,308
Income from operations
1,171
861
534
395
---
---
1,705
1,256
Dividends and interest income
---
---
---
---
2,362
2,786
2,362
2,786
Rental income
---
---
---
---
9
---
9
---
Interest expense on note payable collateralized by real estate
---
---
---
---
( 18
)
( 21
)
( 18
)
( 21
)
Interest expense on margin loans and others
---
---
---
---
( 727
)
( 2,187
)
( 727
)
( 2,187
)
Increase in fair value of derivative asset
---
---
---
---
88
---
88
---
Net unrealized (losses) gains on non-qualified compensation plan
---
---
---
---
( 53
)
72
( 53
)
72
Net realized and unrealized gains on marketable securities
---
---
---
---
72,799
34,454
72,799
34,454
Pretax income
1,171
861
534
395
74,460
35,104
76,165
36,360
Income tax expense
( 315
)
( 200
)
( 185
)
( 90
)
( 20,100
)
( 8,040
)
( 20,600
)
( 8,330
)
Net income
$
856
$
661
$
349
$
305
$
54,360
$
27,064
$
55,565
$
28,030
Total assets
$
13,519
$
14,807
$
23,041
$
23,937
$
431,490
$
297,003
$
468,050
$
335,747
Capital expenditures
$
--
$
23
$
---
$
---
$
---
$
---
$
---
$
23
15
Overall Financial Results (000)
For the three months ended March 31
Reportable Segments
Traditional
Business
Journal
Technologies
Corporate
Total
2025
2024
2025
2024
2025
2024
2025
2024
Revenues
Advertising
$
2,565
$
2,316
$
---
$
---
$
---
$
---
$
2,565
$
2,316
Circulation
1,047
1,099
---
---
---
---
1,047
1,099
Advertising service fees and other
768
697
---
---
---
---
768
697
Licensing and maintenance fees
---
---
7,501
6,854
---
---
7,501
6,854
Consulting fees
---
---
2,664
3,199
---
---
2,664
3,199
Other public service fees
---
---
3,631
2,406
---
---
3,631
2,406
Total operating revenues
4,380
4,112
13,796
12,459
---
---
18,176
16,571
Operating expenses
Salaries and employee benefits
2,520
2,624
10,186
9,179
---
---
12,706
11,803
Stock-based compensation
10
---
55
---
---
---
65
---
Decrease to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual
( 450
)
( 380
)
---
( 30
)
---
---
( 450
)
( 410
)
Others
1,415
1,294
3,477
3,251
---
---
4,892
4,545
Total operating expenses
3,495
3,538
13,718
12,400
---
---
17,213
15,938
Income from operations
885
574
78
59
---
---
963
633
Dividends and interest income
---
---
---
---
1,178
1,217
1,178
1,217
Rental income
---
---
---
---
9
---
9
---
Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate
---
---
---
---
( 9
)
( 10
)
( 9
)
( 10
)
Interest expense on margin loans and other
---
---
---
---
( 342
)
( 1,056
)
( 342
)
( 1,056
)
Increase in fair value of derivative asset
---
---
---
---
88
---
88
---
Net unrealized (losses) gains on non-qualified compensation plan
---
---
---
---
( 3
)
72
( 3
)
72
Net realized and unrealized gains on marketable securities
---
---
---
---
59,386
19,764
59,386
19,764
Pretax income
885
574
78
59
60,307
19,987
61,270
20,620
Income tax expense
( 240
)
( 145
)
( 10
)
160
( 16,350
)
( 5,220
)
( 16,600
)
( 5,205
)
Net income
$
645
$
429
$
68
$
219
$
43,957
$
14,767
$
44,670
$
15,415
Total assets
$
13,519
$
14,807
$
23,041
$
23,937
$
431,490
$
297,003
$
468,050
$
335,747
Capital expenditures
$
---
$
18
$
---
$
---
$
---
$
---
$
---
$
18
During the six months ended March 31, 2025, the Traditional Business had total operating revenues of $ 8,471,000 with $ 6,344,000 recognized after services were provided and $ 2,127,000 recognized ratably over the subscription terms, as compared with total operating revenues of $ 7,999,000 with $ 5,805,000 recognized after services were provided and $ 2,194,000 recognized ratably over the subscription terms in the prior fiscal year period. Total operating revenues for the Company’s software business were $ 27,409,000 with $ 12,472,000 recognized upon completion of services and $ 14,937,000 recognized ratably over the subscription periods, as compared with total operating revenues of 24,565,000 with $ 11,384,000 recognized upon completion of services and $ 13,181,000 recognized ratably over the subscription periods in the prior fiscal year period.
16
During the three months ended March 31, 2025, the Traditional Business had total operating revenues of $ 4,380,000 with $ 3,333,000 recognized after services were provided and $ 1,047,000 recognized ratably over the subscription terms, as compared with total operating revenues of $$ 4,112,000 with $ 3,013,000 recognized after services were provided and $ 1,099,000 recognized ratably over the subscription terms in the prior fiscal year period. Total operating revenues for the Company’s software business were $ 13,796,000 with $ 6,384,000 recognized upon completion of services and $ 7,412,000 recognized ratably over the subscription periods, as compared with total operating revenues of $ 12,459,000 with $ 5,814,000 recognized upon completion of services and $ 6,645,000 recognized ratably over the subscription periods in the prior fiscal year period.
Approximately 76 % of the Company’s revenues were derived from Journal Technologies during the three months ended March 31, 2025 and 75 % during the three months ended March 31, 2024. In addition, the Company’s revenues have been primarily from the United States with approximately 5 % from foreign countries during the six-months ended March 31, 2024. Journal Technologies’ revenues are primarily from governmental agencies.
Note 13 - Subsequent Events
The Company has completed an evaluation of all subsequent events through the issuance date of these financial statements and concluded that no subsequent events occurred that required recognition to the financial statements or disclosures in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
17
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