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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 


 

(Mark One)

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

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2004

 

OR

 

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

 

For the transition period from              to             .

 

Commission File Number 000-25977

 


 

LQ CORPORATION, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware   77-0421089

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

888 Seventh Ave., 17th Floor, New York, NY   10019
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

 

(212) 974-5730

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 


 

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) had been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

 

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

 

As of May 11, 2004, there were 23,176,858 shares of registrant’s Common Stock outstanding.

 



Table of Contents

LQ CORPORATION, INC.

 

INDEX

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION    1
   

ITEM 1.

 

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

   1
       

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003

   1
       

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003

   2
       

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003

   3
       

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

   4
   

ITEM 2.

  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS    9
   

ITEM 3.

 

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

   17
   

ITEM 4.

 

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

   17
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION    19
   

ITEM 1.

 

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

   19
   

ITEM 2.

 

CHANGES IN SECURITIES, USE OF PROCEEDS AND ISSUER PURCHASE OF EQUITY SECURITIES

   20
   

ITEM 3.

 

DEFAULT UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

   20
   

ITEM 4.

 

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

   20
   

ITEM 5.

 

OTHER INFORMATION

   20
   

ITEM 6.

 

EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

   21
SIGNATURES    23


Table of Contents

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

LQ CORPORATION, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands; unaudited)

 

     March 31,
2004


    December 31,
2003


 

Assets

                

Current assets:

                

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 7,177     $ 9,077  

Accounts receivable, net

     —         28  

Other current assets

     67       164  
    


 


Total current assets

   $ 7,244     $ 9,269  
    


 


Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

                

Current liabilities:

                

Accrued liabilities

     45       1,935  
    


 


Total current liabilities

     45       1,935  
    


 


Stockholders’ equity:

                

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 23,176,858 shares issued and outstanding

     23       23  

Additional paid-in capital

     146,053       146,053  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (net)

     (80 )     (79 )

Accumulated deficit

     (138,797 )     (138,663 )
    


 


Total stockholders’ equity

     7,199       7,334  
    


 


Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 7,244     $ 9,269  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

1


Table of Contents

LQ CORPORATION, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts; unaudited)

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,


 
     2004

    2003

 

Net revenues:

                

License

   $ —       $ 4  

Services

     —         39  
    


 


Total net revenues

     —         43  
    


 


Cost of net revenues:

                

License

     —         5  

Services

     —         2  

Total cost of net revenues

     —         7  
    


 


Gross profit (loss)

     —         36  
    


 


Operating expenses:

                

Sales and marketing

     —         265  

Research and development

     —         78  

General and administrative

     179       3,009  

Restructuring

     —         842  
    


 


Total operating expenses

     179       4,194  
    


 


Loss from operations

     (179 )     (4,158 )

Other income (expense), net

     45       105  

Gain on sale of digital music fulfillment business

     —         2,865  
    


 


Net loss

   $ (134 )   $ (1,188 )
    


 


Net loss per share:

                

Basic and diluted

   $ (.01 )   $ (0.05 )
    


 


Weighted average shares

     23,176       23,145  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

2


Table of Contents

LQ CORPORATION, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except per share amounts; unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,


 
     2004

    2003

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

                

Net loss

     (134 )   $ (1,188 )

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

                

Depreciation and amortization

     —         112  

Gain on sale of digital music fulfillment business and related assets

     —         (2,865 )

Changes in assets and liabilities:

                

Accounts receivable

     28       25  

Other assets

     97       554  

Accounts payable

     —         (623 )

Accrued liabilities

     (1,890 )     (1,271 )

Deferred revenue

     —         (39 )
    


 


Net cash used in operating activities

     (1,899 )     (5,295 )
    


 


Cash flows from investing activities:

                

Proceeds from sale of digital music fulfillment business and related assets

     —         3,200  
    


 


Net cash provided by investing activities

     —         3,200  
    


 


Cash flows from financing activities:

                

Cash distribution to stockholders

     —         (57,771 )

Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of repurchases

     —         1  

Net cash used in financing activities

     —         (57,770 )
    


 


Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

     (1 )     (1 )
    


 


Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (1,900 )     (59,866 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     9,077       73,985  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 7,177     $ 14,119  
    


 


 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

 

3


Table of Contents

LQ CORPORATION, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

NOTE 1 - THE COMPANY AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

 

The Company

 

LQ Corporation, Inc. was incorporated in California as “Liquid Audio, Inc.” in January 1996 and reincorporated in Delaware in April 1999. In July 1999, we completed our initial public offering of common stock. Our Board of Directors (the “Board”) received stockholder approval on July 30, 2003 to change our name to “LQ Corporation, Inc.” Our name was formally changed on January 7, 2004. Our principal executive offices are located at 888 Seventh Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10019, and our telephone number is (212) 974-5730.

 

Through January 2003, we provided an open platform that enabled the digital delivery of media over the Internet.

 

Through the first quarter of 2002, we pursued a strategy of maintaining and extending our digital distribution business. This strategy expanded our catalog of digital music recordings available for digital distribution to more than 400,000 digital music recordings.

 

During the spring of 2002, it became apparent to our management that we could not achieve financial success as an independent company with our current business model. In June 2002, we announced a definitive agreement to merge with Alliance Entertainment Corporation (“Alliance”), with the intent of combining into a physical and digital media distribution company. In November 2002, we terminated this agreement based upon the publicly expressed opposition to the proposed merger by a significant percentage of our stockholders. We consequently paid a termination fee of $2.1 million to Alliance.

 

In September 2002, we sold the domestic and foreign rights to our entire patent portfolio for $7.0 million in cash to Microsoft Corporation. In addition to the cash consideration, we received an assignable perpetual royalty-free license to continue using the patented technology in our digital distribution system (the “Microsoft License”).

 

On December 6, 2002, we announced a return of capital cash distribution to our stockholders of $2.50 per share, payable on December 20, 2002 to stockholders of record as of December 10, 2002. Following the cash distribution, our management continued to explore options for disposition or use of our remaining assets. On January 29, 2003, we distributed $2.50 cash per share as return of capital, for a total of $57.8 million, to our common stockholders of record as of December 10, 2002.

 

On January 24, 2003, we announced the sale of our digital music fulfillment business and related assets to Geneva Media, LLC (“Geneva”), an affiliate of Anderson Merchandisers, LP, for $3.2 million. As part of the sale, we transferred ownership of certain “Liquid Audio” related trademarks to Geneva and the Microsoft License. As a result of the sale, we are currently not operating any business and are exploring options for the use of our remaining assets.

 

We are reviewing alternatives for the use or disposition of our remaining assets while settling our remaining claims and liabilities. We intend to pursue other business opportunities and investments unrelated to the downloading of digital music. Neither our Board nor our stockholders have yet approved any such opportunities. If we are unable to find any suitable business opportunities and/or investments, we may pursue a plan of complete liquidation and dissolution. If a complete liquidation and dissolution is approved, pursuant to Delaware General Corporation Law, we will continue to exist for three years after the dissolution becomes effective or for such longer period as the Delaware Court of Chancery shall direct, for the purpose of prosecuting and defending suits against us and enabling us gradually to close our business, to dispose of our property, to discharge our liabilities and to distribute to our stockholders any remaining assets.

 

We traded shares of an available-for-sale security in August and September of 2003. Although we liquidated our entire remained position in this security as of November 12, 2003 and do not intend to make any additional purchases of available-for-sale securities, we may inadvertently have become, or may become in the future, an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a result of our lack of an operating business, our significant cash balance as a percentage of our total assets and our recent trading activities. Registration as an investment company would be very expensive, further depleting our cash reserves and would also subject us to restrictions that may be inconsistent with any future business strategy we may decide upon.

 

4


Table of Contents

LQ CORPORATION, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

We entered into a Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release on February 12, 2004 with BeMusic which finally resolved all matters between BeMusic and us with respect to the litigation matter with SightSound, Inc. Under the terms of this Agreement, we paid approximately $1,452,000 to BeMusic as settlement expenses and approximately $314,000 in legal fees relating to the SightSound litigation. These payments were in addition to $335,827 previously paid by us for our share of attorney fees incurred in connection with this matter.

 

Our common stock currently trades over the counter on The Nasdaq OTC Bulletin Board. Our common stock was traded on The Nasdaq National Market, but was delisted on June 5, 2003. The market price per share of our stock dropped significantly subsequent to the payment of the $2.50 per share return of capital cash distribution to our common stockholders. The market price of our common stock as of May 13, 2004 was $0.271 per share. An investment in an OTC security is speculative and involves a degree of risk. Many OTC securities are relatively illiquid, or “thinly traded,” which can enhance volatility in the share price and make it difficult for investors to buy or sell without dramatically effecting the quoted price or may be unable to sell a position at a later date. Moreover, if we pursue a plan of complete liquidation and dissolution, we will close our stock transfer books, discontinue recording transfers of our common stock, and our common stock will no longer be traded on any exchange, and certificates representing our common stock will no longer be assignable or transferable on our books. Accordingly, the proportionate interests of all of our stockholders will be fixed on the basis of their respective stock holdings at the close of business on the date of dissolution, and any distributions made by us after such date will be made solely to the stockholders of record at the close of business on the date of dissolution.

 

At our September 29, 2003 meeting of our stockholders, our stockholders approved amendments to our certificate of incorporation to effect a 1- for-250 reverse stock split, to be followed immediately by a 35-for-1 forward stock split (collectively, the “Reverse/Forward Stock Split”), as well as a reduction in the number of common shares authorized for issuance from 50,000,000 shares to 30,000,000 shares (the ”Share Reduction”).

 

Although our Board has received stockholder approval to implement the Reverse/Forward Stock Split and the Share Reduction, we have not yet consummated these corporate actions. We intend to file the amendments necessary to implement the Reverse/Forward Stock Split and the Share Reduction within the next few months. In the case of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split, we will issue a press release announcing the Reverse/Forward Stock Split prior to its effectiveness. For a more detailed discussion of the effect of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split and the Share Reduction on the capitalization of the Company, see Part II – Item 5: Other Information No retroactive effect has been given to any of the share or earnings per share information in these financial statements as a result of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split or the Share Reduction. Any retroactive effect on the share or earnings per share information will be recorded in the period it takes effect.

 

Basis of presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by us and reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2004 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any subsequent quarter or for the year ending December 31, 2004. Certain information and footnote disclosures 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 the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) rules and regulations.

 

These unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements and notes included herein should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and notes as included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 as filed with the SEC on March 30, 2004.

 

5


Table of Contents

LQ CORPORATION, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

Going concern consideration

 

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that we will continue as a going concern, which contemplates the realization of assets and the settlement of liabilities and commitments in the normal course of business. We incurred losses and negative cash flows from operations for every year since inception. For the three months ended March 31, 2004, we incurred a net loss of approximately $134,000 and negative cash flows from operations of approximately $1.9 million. As of March 31, 2004, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $138.8 million. We have not yet settled on an operating plan, and can give no assurance that our existing cash and cash equivalents are sufficient to fund the current operations and satisfy our obligations. We believe these obligations will primarily relate to costs associated with the operation as a public company (legal, accounting, insurance, etc.), as well as the satisfaction of any potential legal judgments or settlements and the expenses associated with any new business activities, which may be undertaken by us. These factors, among others, indicate that we may be unable to continue as a going concern. No adjustment has been made in the accompanying consolidated financial statements to the amounts and classifications of assets and liabilities which could result should we be unable to continue as a going concern. We continue to consider future alternatives, including the possible acquisition of other businesses or the possibility of adopting a plan of liquidation. However, we have not consummated any significant transactions to date and any business prospects remain uncertain. To the extent that the our management moves forward on any alternative strategy, such strategy may have an impact on our liquidity.

 

Principles of consolidation

 

The financial statements include our accounts and our wholly-owned (inactive) subsidiary. Significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

 

Investments

 

Securities classified for accounting purposes as “available-for-sale” securities consist of marketable equity securities not classified as either held-to-maturity or trading securities. Available-for-sale securities are stated at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity as other comprehensive income. Dividends on marketable equity securities are recognized as income when declared. Realized gains and losses and declines in value deemed to be other-than-temporary are included in revenues. The cost basis for realized gains and losses is determined on the basis of the actual cost of the securities sold.

 

During the fiscal year 2003, we purchased 30,207 shares of Warnaco Group Inc. (NASDAQ: WRNC), an available-for-sale security with a fair market value of $470,323 and a cost basis of $457,639. This is the only available-for-sale security that we ever owned. As of November 12, 2003, we liquidated our entire remaining position in this security, which resulted in a realized gain of $48,777. Following such date, we did not own any shares of available-for-sale securities, and all of our liquid assets are held as cash and cash equivalents. We do not intend to make any additional purchases of available-for-sale securities, and do not intend to trade in available-for-sale securities in the future. All of our liquid assets will continue to be held as cash and cash equivalents on a going forward basis.

 

The Investment Company Act of 1940 provides a set of regulations for companies that are or that hold themselves out as being engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading in securities. A company may also become subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act if it owns “investment securities” with a value exceeding 40% of the value of its total assets (exclusive of government securities and cash items). Securities issued by companies other than majority-owned subsidiaries are generally considered investment securities for purposes of the Investment Company Act. As a result of our lack of an operating business, our significant cash balance as a percentage of our total assets and our recent trading activities, we may have inadvertently become, or may become in the future if we fail to obtain an operating business, an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we believe that at all relevant times prior to the date of filing this Quarterly Report, we have not been subject to regulation as an investment company under the Investment Company Act. Although we continue to consider future operating alternatives, including the possible acquisition of one or more operating businesses, we could become subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act in the future. Registration as an investment company would be very

 

6


Table of Contents

LQ CORPORATION, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

expensive and further deplete our cash balances, which would leave us with fewer resources to pursue further operating alternatives. Registration would also subject us to restrictions that may be inconsistent with any future business strategy we may decide upon. In order to avoid these regulations, we may have to take actions that we would not otherwise choose to take to avoid registration under the Investment Company Act.

 

Stock-based compensation

 

In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, Transition and Disclosure”. SFAS 148 provides alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. SFAS 148 also requires that disclosures of the pro forma effect of using the fair value method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation be displayed more prominently and in a tabular format. Additionally, SFAS 148 requires disclosure of the pro forma effect in interim financial statements. The transition and annual disclosure requirements of SFAS 148 are effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2002. The interim disclosure requirements are effective for interim periods ending after December 15, 2002.

 

We account for stock issued to non-employees in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123 and Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 96-18 “Accounting for Equity Instruments That Are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling, Goods or Services.”

 

Consistent with the disclosure provisions of SFAS 123, our net loss and basic and diluted net loss per share would have been adjusted to the pro forma amounts indicated below (in thousands, except per share amounts).

 

     Three Months
Ended March 31,
2004


    Three Months
Ended March 31,
2003


 

Net loss—as reported

   $ (134 )   $ (1,188 )

Less stock-based compensation (income) expense determined under fair value based method, net of tax effects

     (45 )     (316 )
    


 


Net loss—pro forma

   $ (179 )   $ (1,504 )
    


 


Basic and diluted net loss per share—as reported

   $ (.01 )   $ (.05 )

Basic and diluted net loss per share—pro forma

   $ (.01 )   $ (.07 )

 

NOTE 2 – ACCRUED LIABILITIES:

 

The components of accrued liabilities are as follows (in thousands):

 

     March 31,
2004


   December 31,
2003


Accrued liabilities:

             

Consulting and professional services

   $ 45    $ 124

Litigation settlement

     —        1,766

Other

     —        45
    

  

     $ 45    $ 1,935
    

  

 

NOTE 3 – COMPREHENSIVE LOSS:

 

Comprehensive loss includes net loss and other comprehensive income (loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) includes accumulated translation adjustments. The components of comprehensive loss are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three Months Ended
March 31,


 
     2004

    2003

 

Comprehensive loss:

                

Net loss

   $ (134 )   $