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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended: June 30, 2004

or

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

Commission File Number: 333-61286


KID CASTLE EDUCATIONAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Florida
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  59-2549529
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

8th Floor, No. 98 Min Chuan Road, Hsien Tien
Taipei, Taiwan ROC

(Address of principal executive offices)

     
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
  011-886-22218 5996

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

     
Title of each class
  Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock
  N/A

Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Act:

Title of class
None

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the last ninety days.

Yes x No o

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

As of July 31, 2004, there were 18,999,703 shares of the Registrant’s common stock outstanding.

Documents incorporated by reference: None.

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FORM 10-Q

KID CASTLE EDUCATIONAL CORPORATION

TABLE OF CONTENTS

         
    Page
PART I            FINANCIAL INFORMATION
       
    1  
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
 EXHIBIT 3.1
 EXHIBIT 31.1
 EXHIBIT 31.2
 EXHIBIT 32.1
 EXHIBIT 32.2

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KID CASTLE EDUCATIONAL CORPORATION

UNAUDITED CONDENSED

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF JUNE 30, 2004 AND DECEMBER 31, 2003
AND
FOR THE THREE MONTHS AND SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 2004 AND 2003

KID CASTLE EDUCATIONAL CORPORATION
INDEX TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     
    Pages
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
  2 –3
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
  4
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity
  5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
  6 – 8
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
  9 – 24

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Kid Castle Educational Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Expressed in US Dollars)

                 
    June 30,   December 31,
    2004
  2003
    (Unaudited)        
ASSETS
               
Current assets
               
Cash and bank balances
  $ 542,188     $ 1,273,723  
Bank fixed deposits – pledged (Note 12)
    317,660       204,889  
Notes and accounts receivable, net (Notes 5 and 10)
    1,868,207       2,334,385  
Inventories, net (Note 6)
    2,162,633       1,991,951  
Other receivables (Notes 7 and 10)
    557,505       524,974  
Prepayments and other current assets (Note 8)
    114,188       122,292  
Pledged notes receivable (Note 12)
    955,675       1,062,406  
Deferred income tax assets
    604,617       615,286  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total current assets
    7,122,673       8,129,906  
Deferred income tax assets
    135,577       120,335  
Prepaid long-term investments
          60,323  
Long-term investments (Note 9)
    309,313       114,200  
Property and equipment, net
    1,955,349       1,993,849  
Intangible assets, net of amortization (Note 11)
    920,390       989,865  
Long-term notes receivable
    576,815       505,091  
Pledged notes receivable (Note 12)
    320,328       444,302  
Other assets
    271,724       184,345  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total assets
  $ 11,612,169     $ 12,542,216  
 
   
 
     
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities
               
Bank borrowings – short-term and maturing within one year (Note 12)
  $ 1,695,956     $ 1,317,690  
Notes and accounts payable
    1,301,253       1,072,584  
Accrued expenses
    777,300       805,556  
Amounts due to officers (Note 10)
          572,160  
Other payables
    331,407       266,276  
Deposits received
    514,915       421,734  
Receipts in advance (Note 13)
    2,568,872       2,924,636  
Income tax payable
    41,263       44,067  
Obligation under capital leases due within one year
    24,611       32,468  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total current liabilities
    7,255,577       7,457,171  
Bank borrowings maturing after one year (Note 12)
    1,328,992       1,166,781  
Receipts in advance (Note 13)
    1,471,034       1,467,025  
Obligation under capital leases
          5,534  
Deposits received
    640,715       603,635  
Accrued pension liabilities
    144,298       134,073  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total liabilities
    10,840,616       10,834,219  
 
   
 
     
 
 

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Kid Castle Educational Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - Continued

(Expressed in US Dollars)

                 
    June 30,   December 31,
    2004
  2003
    (Unaudited)        
Commitments and contingencies (Note 16)
               
Stockholders’ equity
               
Common stock, no par share:
               
25,000,000 shares authorized; 18,999,703 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003
    7,669,308       7,669,308  
Additional paid-in capital
    194,021       194,021  
Legal reserve
    65,320       65,320  
Accumulated deficit
    (6,987,774 )     (6,057,482 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (169,322 )     (163,170 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total stockholders’ equity
    771,553       1,707,997  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 11,612,169     $ 12,542,216  
 
   
 
     
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Kid Castle Educational Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Expressed in US Dollars)

                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,
  Six Months Ended June 30,
    2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
    (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)   (Unaudited)
Operating Revenue
                               
Sales of goods
  $ 1,186,926     $ 712,735     $ 3,216,779     $ 2,987,448  
Franchising income
    664,608       415,298       1,192,740       846,949  
Other operating revenue
    151,561       79,791       203,914       135,519  
Total net operating revenue
    2,003,095       1,207,824       4,613,433       3,969,916  
Operating costs
                               
Cost of goods sold
    (650,418 )     (346,036 )     (1,324,923 )     (1,070,083 )
Cost of franchising
    (113,403 )     (165,606 )     (245,504 )     (269,394 )
Other operating costs
    (78,544 )     (47,248 )     (135,739 )     (104,835 )
Total operating costs
    (842,365 )     (558,890 )     (1,706,166 )     (1,444,312 )
Gross profit
    1,160,730       648,934       2,907,267       2,525,604  
Advertising costs
    (327,850 )     (154,772 )     (454,492 )     (198,747 )
Other operating expenses
    (1,413,680 )     (1,474,346 )     (3,430,104 )     (3,122,693 )
Income (loss) from operations
    (580,800 )     (980,184 )     (977,329 )     (795,836 )
Interest expenses, net
    (43,171 )     (80,451 )     (64,936 )     (154,472 )
Share of profit (loss) of an investment
    (15,542 )           31,425       (12,681 )
Loss on write-off of an investment
          (132,116 )           (132,116 )
Other non-operating income (loss), net
    38,097       18,108       81,770       74,208  
Loss before income taxes
    (601,416 )     (1,174,643 )     (929,070 )     (1,020,897 )
Provision for taxes
    (1,222 )     (34,184 )     (1,222 )     (182,681 )
Net loss
  $ (602,638 )   $ (1,208,827 )   $ (930,292 )   $ (1,203,578 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Loss per share – basic and diluted
  $ (0.032 )   $ (0.080 )   $ (0.049 )   $ (0.080 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Weighted-average shares used to compute loss per share – basic and diluted
    18,999,703       15,074,329       18,999,703       15,074,329  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Kid Castle Educational Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

(Expressed in US Dollars)

                                                         
    Common Stock                                
                                            Accumulated    
                    Additional                   other    
    Number of           paid-in   Legal   Accumulated   comprehensive    
    shares
  Amount
  capital
  reserve
  deficit
  loss
  Total
Balance, December 31, 2002
    15,074,329     $ 4,654,880     $ 194,021     $ 65,320     $ (4,116,891 )   $ (160,764 )   $ 636,566  
Net loss for 2003
                            (1,940,591 )           (1,940,591 )
Cumulative translation adjustment
                                  (2,406 )     (2,406 )
 
                                                   
 
 
Comprehensive loss
                                                    (1,942,997 )
 
                                                   
 
 
Issuance of common stock for cash
    3,592,040       2,514,428                               2,514,428  
Repayment of a liability by issuance of common stock
    333,334       500,000                               500,000  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Balance, December 31, 2003
    18,999,703       7,669,308       194,021       65,320       (6,057,482 )     (163,170 )     1,707,997  
Net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2004 (Unaudited)
                            (930,292 )           (930,292 )
Cumulative translation adjustment (Unaudited)
                                  (6,152 )     (6,152 )
 
                                                   
 
 
Comprehensive loss (Unaudited)
                                                    (936,444 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Balance, June 30, 2004 (Unaudited)
    18,999,703     $ 7,669,308     $ 194,021     $ 65,320     $ (6,987,774 )   $ (169,322 )   $ 771,553  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Kid Castle Educational Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Expressed in US Dollars)

                 
    Six months ended June 30,
    2004
  2003
    (Unaudited)
Cash flows from operating activities
               
Net (loss) income
  $ (930,292 )   $ (1,203,578 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities
               
Depreciation of property and equipment
    107,729       81,549  
Amortization of intangible assets
    80,824       77,753  
(Reversal of) provision for allowance for sales returns
    (13,126 )     44,617  
Allowance for doubtful debts
    130,866       28,785  
Provision for (reversal of) loss on inventory obsolescence and slow-moving items
    34,970       (168,989 )
Share of (profit) loss of investments
    (31,425 )     12,681  
Loss on write-off of an investment
          132,116  
(Increase)/decrease in:
               
Notes and accounts receivable
    402,524       (606,246 )
Inventories
    (185,880 )     (339,939 )
Other receivables
    (202,283 )     (32,527 )
Prepayments and other current assets
    9,484       (123,391 )
Deferred income tax assets
    3,306       182,030  
Other assets
    (86,257 )     (39,644 )
Increase/(decrease) in:
               
Notes and accounts payable
    219,374       (235,045 )
Accrued expenses
    (36,063 )     30,899  
Other payables
    205,497       454,737  
Receipts in advance
    (202,230 )     31,030  
Income taxes payable
    (3,306 )      
Deposits received
    99,576       167,098  
Accrued pension liabilities
    8,882       29,102  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash used in operating activities
    (387,830 )     (1,476,962 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash flows from investing activities
               
Purchase of property and equipment
    (47,371 )     (87,809 )
Amount due from stockholder/director
          122,300  
Acquisition of long-term investments
    (103,346 )      
Bank fixed deposits – pledged
    (111,678 )     (65,381 )
Pledged notes receivable
    11,407       37,873  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
    (250,988 )     6,983  
 
   
 
     
 
 

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Kid Castle Educational Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Continued

(Expressed in US Dollars)

                 
    Six months ended June 30,
    2004
  2003
    (Unaudited)
Cash flows from financing activities
               
Proceeds from bank borrowings
  $ 2,865,929     $ 618,415  
Repayment of bank borrowings
    (2,346,878 )     (201,489 )
Repayment of capital leases
    (13,933 )     (6,585 )
Proceeds from loan from officers/stockholders
          31,427  
Repayment of loan from officers/stockholders
    (585,006 )      
Stock subscriptions received in advance
          2,181,578  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash provided by financing activities
    (79,888 )     2,623,346  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (718,706 )     1,153,367  
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    (12,829 )     3,033  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    1,273,723       125,806  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 542,188     $ 1,282,206  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information Interest paid
  $ 32,885     $ 247,149  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Income taxes paid
  $ 1,222     $ 1,729  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Supplemental disclosure of significant non-cash transactions
               
Capital lease of transportation equipment
  $     $ 57,571  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Increase (decrease) of notes receivable and pledged notes receivable corresponding to the increase (decrease) in the following accounts:
               
Other receivables – related parties
  $     $ (259,308 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Accrued expenses
  $     $ 5,181  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Deposits received
  $ 20,924     $  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Other payables
  $ 32,900     $  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Receipts in advance
  $ (200,303 )   $ 533,472  
 
   
 
     
 
 

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Kid Castle Educational Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows – Continued

(Expressed in US Dollars)

                 
    Six months ended June 30,
    2004
  2003
    (Unaudited)
Write-off of an associate investment against deferred income
               
Balance of an associate investment
  $     $ 298,113  
Balance of deferred income
          (165,997 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Loss on write-off of an associate investment
  $     $ 132,116  
 
   
 
     
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Kid Castle Educational Corporation

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Expressed in US Dollars)

NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Kid Castle Internet Technologies Limited (“KCIT”) was incorporated on December 17, 1999 under the provisions of the Company Law of the Republic of China (“ROC”) as a limited liability company. KCIT is engaged in the business of children’s education focusing on the English language. The business comprises publication, sales and distribution of related books, magazines, audio and videotapes and compact disc, franchising and sales of merchandises complementary to the business. KCIT commenced operations in April 2000 when it acquired the above business from a related company, Kid Castle Enterprises Limited (“KCE”), which was owned by two directors and stockholders of KCIT.

On March 9, 2001, KCIT formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, Premier Holding Investment Property Limited incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, which held the entire common stock of Higoal Developments Limited (“Higoal”) incorporated in the Cayman Islands on March 8, 2001. On September 10, 2001, Higoal established a wholly owned subsidiary, Kid Castle Educational Software Development Company Limited (“KCES”) in the People’s Republic of China (the “PRC”). The existing operations of Higoal are principally located in Taiwan and are being expanded in the PRC. In June 2002, after KCIT undertook a series of group restructurings, KCIT became the direct owner of the outstanding shares of Higoal. Premier Holding Investment Property Limited was then liquidated in June 2003.

On September 18, 2002, Higoal issued 11,880,000 shares of common stock to the stockholders of KCIT in exchange for 100% of the outstanding common stock of KCIT. As a result of this reorganization, KCIT became a wholly owned subsidiary of Higoal. On October 1, 2002, Kid Castle Educational Corporation, formerly King Ball International Technology Limited Corporation (the “Company”) entered into an exchange agreement with Higoal whereby the Company issued to the stockholders of Higoal 11,880,000 shares of common stock of the Company in exchange for 100% of the issued and fully paid up capital of Higoal.

As a result of the share exchange, the former stockholders of Higoal hold a majority of the Company’s outstanding capital stock. Generally accepted accounting principles require in certain circumstances that a company whose stockholders retain the majority voting interest in the combined business to be treated as the acquirer for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the acquisition has been accounted for as a “reverse acquisition” whereby Higoal is deemed to have purchased the Company. However, the Company remains the legal entity and the Registrant for Securities and Exchange Commission reporting purposes. The Company, Higoal and its subsidiaries collectively are referred to as the “Group”. The operations of the Group are principally located in Taiwan and the PRC.

NOTE 2 — BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying financial data as of June 30, 2004 and for the six months and three months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003 have been prepared by the Group, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures

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normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. However, the Group 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 Group’s audited annual financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2003.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

The Group has incurred operating losses since inception and hence, as of June 30, 2004, the balance of accumulated deficit was $6,987,774. The Group plans to fund its working capital needs by obtaining new credit lines from financial institutions and raising capital through the sale of equity securities. If the Group is unable to meet its current operating plan, it will be required to obtain additional funding. Management believes such funding will be available, but there can be no assurances that such funding will be available, or if it is available, on terms acceptable to the Group. Management believes that if funding is not available, other actions can and will be taken to reduce costs. These actions may entail the Group to reduce headcount, sales and marketing, other expansion activities, which may affect the future growth of the Group’s operations.

NOTE 3 — SUMMARY OF IMPORTANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

REVENUE RECOGNITION

Sales of books, magazines, audio and video tapes, compact disc and other merchandises are recognized as revenue on the transfer of risks and rewards of ownership, which generally coincides with the time when the goods are delivered to customers and title has passed. Provision is made for expected future sales returns and allowances when revenue is recognized.

Franchise fees are the annual licensing fees for franchisees to use the Group’s brand name and consulting services. Franchising income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the terms of the relevant franchise agreements.

ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

An allowance for doubtful accounts is provided based on the evaluation of collectibility and aging analysis of notes and accounts receivables.

INVENTORIES

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost includes all costs of purchase, cost of conversion and other costs incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition, and is calculated using the weighted average method. Market value is determined by reference to the sales proceeds of items sold in the ordinary course of business after the balance sheet date or to management estimates based on prevailing market conditions.

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PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT AND DEPRECIATION

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method to allocate the cost of depreciable assets over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:

     
    Estimated useful life
    (in years)
Land
  Indefinite
Buildings
  50
Furniture and fixtures
  3-10
Transportation equipment
  2.5-5
Miscellaneous equipment
  5-10

Maintenance, repairs and minor renewals are charged directly to the statement of operations as incurred. When assets are disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation thereon are removed from the financial statements and any resulting gain or loss is included in the statement of operations.

LONG-LIVED ASSETS

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets might not be recoverable. The Group does not perform a periodic assessment of assets for impairment in the absence of such information or indicators. Conditions that would necessitate an impairment assessment include a significant decline in the observable market value of an asset, a significant change in the extent or manner in which an asset is used, or a significant adverse change that would indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets is not recoverable. For long-lived assets to be held and used, the Group measures fair value based on quoted market prices or based on discounted estimates of future cash flows.

INCOME TAXES

The Company and its subsidiaries accounts for income taxes in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 109 “Accounting for Income Taxes”. Under SFAS No. 109, deferred tax liabilities or assets at the end of each period are determined using the tax rate expected to be in effect when taxes are actually paid or recovered. Valuation allowances are established when it is considered more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

INTANGIBLE ASSETS

Franchises and copyrights are stated at cost and amortized on the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives of 10 years.

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity of a company during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances excluding transactions resulting from investments from owners and distributions to owners. Comprehensive income (loss) is disclosed in the condensed consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity.

NET EARNINGS (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE

The Group computes net earnings (loss) per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128, “Earnings per Share”. Under the provisions of SFAS No. 128, basic net earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing the net earnings (loss) available to common shareholders for the period by the weighted

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average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. The calculation of diluted net earnings (loss) per share gives effect to common stock equivalents. For the six months ended June 30, 2004 and 2003, the Group did not have any potential common stock shares.

RECLASSIFICATION

The presentation of certain prior information has been reclassified to conform with current presentation.

NOTE 4 – RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Interpretation No.46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51” (“FIN 46”). FIN 46 clarifies when a company should consolidate in its financial statements the assets, liabilities and activities of a variable interest entity. FIN 46 provides general guidance as to the definition of a variable interest entity and requires a variable interest entity to be consolidated if a company absorbs the majority of the variable interest entity’s expected losses, or is entitled to receive a majority of the variable interest entity’s residual returns, or both. In December 2003, the FASB issued a revised interpretation of FIN 46 (“FIN 46-R”), which supersedes FIN 46 and clarifies and expands current accounting guidance for variable interest entities. FIN 46 and FIN 46-R are effective immediately for all variable interest entities created after January 31, 2003, and for variable interest entities created prior to February 1, 2003, no later than the end of the first reporting period after March 15, 2004. We have performed a review of all entities created prior to and subsequent to January 31, 2003, and determined the adoption of FIN 46 and FIN 46-R did not have a material impact on the Group’s financial reporting and disclosures.

On April 30, 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 149, “Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.”(“SFAS No. 149”) SFAS No. 149 amends and clarifies accounting for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities under SFAS No. 133. The new guidance amends SFAS No. 133 for decisions made as part of the Derivatives Implementation Group (“DIG”) process that effectively required amendments to SFAS No. 133, and decisions made in connection with other FASB projects dealing with financial instruments and in connection with implementation issues raised in relation to the application of the definition of a derivative and characteristics of a derivative that contains financing components. In addition, it clarifies when a derivative contains a financing component that warrants special reporting in the statement of cash flows. SFAS No. 149 is effective for contracts entered into or modified after June 30, 2003 and for hedging relationships designated after June 30, 2003. The Group does not expect SFAS No. 149 to have a material impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

In May 2003, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity” (“SFAS No. 150”). SFAS No. 150 establishes standards for classifying and measuring as liabilities certain financial instruments that embody obligations of the issuer and have characteristics of both liabilities and equity. SFAS No. 150 is effective for all financial instruments created or modified after May 31, 2003 and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003. The Group does not expect SFAS No. 150 to have a material impact on the Group’s consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

In December 2003, the Staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 104, “Revenue Recognition,” which supersedes SAB 101, “Revenue

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Recognition in Financial Statements.” SAB 104’s primary purpose is to rescind accounting guidance contained in SAB 101 related to multiple element revenue arrangements and revises the SEC’s “Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements Frequently Asked Questions and Answers” that have been codified in Topic 13. SAB 104 was effective immediately and did not have a material impact on the Group’s financial reporting and disclosures.

In December 2003, the FASB revised SFAS No. 132, “Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits.” This Statement revises employers’ disclosures about pension plans and other postretirement benefit plans. It requires additional disclosures to those in the original SFAS No. 132 about the assets, obligations, cash flows and net periodic benefit cost of defined benefit pension plans and other defined benefit postretirement plans. The required information should be provided separately for pension plans and for other postretirement benefit plans. This Statement, which also requires new disclosures for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2003, is effective for fiscal years ended after December 15, 2003. The Group has adopted this Statement since the year ended December 31, 2003.

NOTE 5 – NOTES AND ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE