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EX-32 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - COLLECTORS UNIVERSE INCex32-1.htm

 



UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark

One)

 

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

   
 

For the quarter ended September 30, 2014

   
 

OR

   

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED]

   
 

For the transition period from _______ to _____

Commission file number 1-34240

 

COLLECTORS UNIVERSE, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

33-0846191

(State or other jurisdiction of

(I.E. Employer Identification No.)

Incorporation or organization)

 
 

1921 E. Alton Avenue, Santa Ana, California 92705

(address of principal executive offices and zip code)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (949) 567-1234

 

Not Applicable

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed, since last year)

 

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 past 90 days. Yes ☒   No ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every interactive data file required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (section 232,405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). YES ☒   NO ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a “smaller reporting company”. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer☐

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer☐

Smaller reporting company☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Securities Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). YES ☐   NO ☒

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

Class

 

Outstanding as of October 31, 2014

 

Common Stock $.001 Par Value

 

8,843,963

 



 

 
 

 

 

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

Financial Information

Page

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements (unaudited):

 
       
   

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2014 and June 30, 2014

1

       
   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

2

       
   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

3

       
   

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

5

       
 

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

15

   

Forward-Looking Statements

15

   

Our Business

16

   

Overview of First Quarter Fiscal 2015 Operating Results

17

   

Factors That Can Affect Our Operating Results and Financial Position

17

   

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

19

    Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013 21
   

Liquidity and Capital Resources

24

       
 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

27

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

28

       

PART II

Other Information

 
 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

29

 

Item 2

Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

29

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

29

     

SIGNATURES

 

S-1

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

E-1

EXHIBITS

   

Exhibit 31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 
     

Exhibit 31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 
      

Exhibit 32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 
     

Exhibit 32.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 
     

Exhibit 101.INS

XBRL Instance Document

 
     

Exhibit 101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 
     

Exhibit 101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

 
     

Exhibit 101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 
     

Exhibit 101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document

 
     

Exhibit 101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

 

 
(i)

 

 

PART 1 – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.     Financial Statements

 

COLLECTORS UNIVERSE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In Thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited) 

 

 

 

September 30,

2014

   

June 30,

2014

 
ASSETS                

Current assets:

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 18,148     $ 19,909  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $26 at September 30, 2014 and June 30, 2014

    2,297       2,118  

Inventories, net

    2,212       1,888  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    840       1,367  

Deferred income tax assets

    1,719       1,719  

Total current assets

    25,216       27,001  
                 

Property and equipment, net

    2,278       2,466  

Goodwill

    2,083       2,083  

Intangible assets, net

    1,178       1,272  

Deferred income tax assets

    2,205       2,204  

Other assets

    368       380  

Non-current assets of discontinued operations

    182       182  
    $ 33,510     $ 35,588  

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

               

Current liabilities:

               

Accounts payable

  $ 1,692     $ 2,062  

Accrued liabilities

    2,935       2,817  

Accrued compensation and benefits

    2,353       4,139  

Income taxes payable

    1,510       851  

Deferred revenue

    2,463       2,645  

Current liabilities of discontinued operations

    881       849  

Total current liabilities

    11,834       13,363  
                 

Deferred rent

    453       461  

Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations

    979       1,124  

Commitments and contingencies

               
                 

Stockholders’ equity:

               

Preferred stock, $.001 par value; 3,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding

    -       -  

Common stock, $.001 par value; 20,000 shares authorized; 8,845 and 8,861 issued and outstanding at September 30, 2014 and June 30, 2014, respectively.

    9       9  

Additional paid-in capital

    78,503       78,011  

Accumulated deficit

    (58,268 )     (57,380 )

Total stockholders’ equity

    20,244       20,640  
    $ 33,510     $ 35,588  

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
1

 

 

COLLECTORS UNIVERSE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In Thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

   

Three Months Ended

 
   

September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 

Net revenues

  $ 16,178     $ 14,166  

Cost of revenues

    5,796       5,237  

Gross profit

    10,382       8,929  

Operating Expenses:

               

Selling and marketing expenses

    2,367       2,198  

General and administrative expenses

    4,990       3,876  

Total operating expenses

    7,357       6,074  

Operating income

    3,025       2,855  

Interest and other income, net

    6       14  

Income before provision for income taxes

    3,031       2,869  

Provision for income taxes

    1,249       1,211  

Income from continuing operations

    1,782       1,658  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

    22       (21 )

Net income

  $ 1,804     $ 1,637  
                 

Net income per basic share:

               

Income from continuing operations

  $ 0.21     $ 0.20  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

    0.01       -  

Net income

  $ 0.22     $ 0.20  
                 

Net income per diluted share:

               

Income from continuing operations

  $ 0.21     $ 0.20  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

    -       -  

Net income

  $ 0.21     $ 0.20  
                 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

               

Basic

    8,326       8,117  

Diluted

    8,502       8,157  

Dividends declared per common share

  $ 0.325     $ 0.325  

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
2

 

 

COLLECTORS UNIVERSE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In Thousands)

(Unaudited)

   

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

               

Net income

  $ 1,804     $ 1,637  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

    (22 )     21  

Income from continuing operations

    1,782       1,658  

Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities:

               

Depreciation and amortization expense

    341       284  

Stock-based compensation expense

    932       386  

Provision for bad debts

    -       (2 )

Provision for inventory write-down

    67       25  

Provision for warranty

    130       168  

Gain on sale of property and equipment

    (1 )     -  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

               

Accounts receivable

    (180 )     115  

Inventories

    (391 )     (132 )

Prepaid expenses and other

    527       (2 )

Other assets

    13       8  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

    (335 )     (75 )

Accrued compensation and benefits

    (1,786 )     (667 )

Income taxes payable

    660       548  

Deferred revenue

    (182 )     (138 )

Deferred rent

    (8 )     (1 )

Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations

    1,569       2,175  

Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued businesses

    (168 )     (154 )

Net cash provided by operating activities

    1,401       2,021  
                 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

               

Capital expenditures

    (44 )     (403 )

Proceeds from the sale of property and equipment

    2       -  

Proceeds from sale of business

    76       7  

Capitalized software

    (16 )     -  

Patents and other intangibles

    (2 )     (5 )

Net cash used in investing activities

    16       (401 )
                 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

               

Dividends paid to common stockholders

    (2,738 )     (2,711 )

Payment for retirement of common stock

    (440 )     (109 )

Net cash used in financing activities

    (3,178 )     (2,820 )
                 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

    (1,761 )     (1,200 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

    19,909       18,711  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $ 18,148     $ 17,511  

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
3

 

 

COLLECTORS UNIVERSE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)

(In Thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

   

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

               

Income taxes paid during the period

  $ 602     $ 651  

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
4

 

 

COLLECTORS UNIVERSE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

1.             SUMMARY OF Significant Accounting Policies

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Collectors Universe, Inc. and its operating subsidiaries (the “Company”, “we”, “management”, “us”, “our”). At September 30, 2014, our operating subsidiaries were Certified Asset Exchange, Inc. (“CAE”), Collectors Universe (Hong Kong) Limited, Collectors Universe (Shanghai) Limited, and Expos Unlimited, Inc. (“Expos”), all of which are ultimately 100% owned by Collectors Universe, Inc. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Unaudited Interim Financial Information

 

The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for interim financial reporting. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments and accruals) necessary to present fairly the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, and Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the periods presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Operating results for the three months ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending June 30, 2015 or for any other interim period during such year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014, as filed with the SEC (our “Fiscal 2014 10-K”). Amounts related to disclosure of June 30, 2014 balances within these interim condensed consolidated financial statements were derived from the aforementioned audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto.

 

Reclassifications

 

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

 

Revenue Recognition Policies 

 

We record revenue at the time of shipment of the authenticated and graded collectible to the customer, net of any taxes collected. Due to the insignificant delay between the completion of our grading and authentication services and the shipment of the collectible or high-value asset back to the customer, the time of shipment corresponds to the completion of our authentication and grading services. We recognize revenue for the sale of special coin inserts at the time the customer takes legal title to the insert. Many of our authentication and grading customers prepay our authentication and grading fees when they submit their collectibles to us for authentication and grading. We record those prepayments as deferred revenue until the collectibles have been authenticated and graded and shipped back to them. At that time, we record the revenues from the authentication and grading services we have performed for the customer and deduct this amount from deferred revenue. For certain dealers to whom we extend open account privileges, we record revenue at the time of shipment of the authenticated and graded collectible to the dealer. With respect to our Expos trade show business, we recognize revenue from each show in the period in which it takes place.

 

A portion of our net revenues are comprised of subscription fees paid by customers for one year memberships in our Collectors Club. Those membership subscription fees entitle members to access our on-line and printed publications and, in some cases, to receive limited life vouchers for free grading services. We recognize revenue attributable to free grading vouchers on a specific basis and classify those revenues as part of grading and authentication fees. The balance of the membership fee is recognized over the life of the membership.

  

 
5

 

 

We recognize product sales when items are shipped to customers. Product revenues consist primarily of collectible coins that we purchase pursuant to our coin authentication and grading warranty program. However, those sales are not considered an integral part of the Company’s ongoing revenue generating activities.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that can affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results from continuing and discontinued operations could differ from results expected on the basis of those estimates, and such differences could be material to our future results of operations and financial condition. Examples of such estimates that could be material include determinations made with respect to the capitalization and recovery of software development costs, the valuation of stock-based compensation awards and the timing of the recognition of related stock-based compensation expense, the valuation of coin inventory, the amount and assessment of goodwill for impairment, the sufficiency of warranty reserves, the provision or benefit for income taxes and related valuation allowances, and adjustments to the fair value of remaining lease obligations for our discontinued jewelry businesses. These estimates are discussed in more detail in these notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, in the Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates section of Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, contained elsewhere in this Report and in our Fiscal 2014 10-K.

 

Goodwill and Other Long-Lived Assets

 

We evaluate the carrying value of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets at least annually, or more frequently if facts and circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred. Qualitative factors are considered in performing our goodwill impairment assessment, including the significant excess of fair value over carrying value in prior years, and any material changes in the estimated cash flows of the reporting unit. We also evaluate the carrying values of all other tangible and intangible assets for impairment if circumstances arise in which the carrying values of these assets may not be recoverable on the basis of future undiscounted cash flows. Management has determined that no impairment of goodwill or other long-lived assets had occurred as of September 30, 2014.

 

Foreign Currency

 

The Company has determined that the U.S. Dollar is the functional currency for its French branch office and its Hong Kong and China subsidiaries. Based on this determination, the Company’s foreign operations are re-measured by reflecting the financial results of such operations as if they had taken place within a U.S. dollar-based economic environment. Fixed assets and other non-monetary assets and liabilities are re-measured from foreign currencies to U.S. dollars at historical exchange rates; whereas cash, accounts receivable and other monetary assets and liabilities are re-measured at current exchange rates. Gains and losses resulting from those re-measurements, which are included in income for the current periods, were not material.

 

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

 

Stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date of an equity-incentive award, based on its estimated fair value, and is recognized as expense over the employee or non-employee director’s requisite service period, which is generally the vesting period of the award. However, if the vesting of a stock-based compensation award is subject to satisfaction of a performance requirement or condition, the stock-based compensation expense is recognized if, and when, management determines that the achievement of the performance requirement or condition (and therefore the vesting of the award) has become probable. If stock-based compensation is recognized due to such a determination, and management subsequently determined that the performance condition was not met, then all expense previously recognized with respect to the performance condition would be reversed.

  

 
6

 

 

Stock Options

 

No stock options were granted during the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. The following table presents information relative to the stock options outstanding under all equity incentive plans as of September 30, 2014. The closing prices of our common stock as of September 30, 2014 and June 30, 2014 were $22.00 and $19.59, respectively.

 

 

   

Shares

   

Weighted

Average

Exercise

Price

   

Weighted

Average

Remaining

Contractual

Term

   

Aggregate

Intrinsic

Value

 

Options:

 

(In Thousands)

           

(yrs.)

   

(In Thousands)

 

Outstanding at June 30, 2014

    50     $ 17.82       0.43     $ 88  

Outstanding at September 30, 2014

    50     $ 17.82       0.18     $ 207  

Exercisable at September 30, 2014

    50     $ 17.82       0.18     $ 207  

 

Restricted Stock Awards 

 

As previously reported, through June 30, 2014 the Company had issued 523,378 shares (net of forfeitures) under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) with a grant date fair value of approximately $6,700,000. Based on the results achieved in fiscal 2014, a determination was made that the Company had achieved the Threshold Performance Goal and the Intermediate Goal #1 and therefore in accordance with the terms of the LTIP up to 25% of the LTIP shares will vest, of which 12.5% vested upon the determination that the goals had been achieved and 12.5% will vest on June 30, 2015, assuming continuous service by the LTIP participants. Through September 30, 2014, $1,332,000 of expense has been recognized related to the Threshold Performance Goal and Intermediate Goal #1 and an additional $338,000 will be recognized through June 30, 2015 assuming continuous service, such that by June 30, 2015, $1,670,000 of expense will have been recognized related to those performance goals.

 

The vesting of the remaining LTIP restricted shares is conditioned on the Company’s achievement of increasing annual operating income goals before stock based compensation during any fiscal year period through June 30, 2018, as indicated in the following table:

 

 

 

Percent of LTIP

Shares Vesting

If in any fiscal year during the term of the Program:

   

Intermediate Performance Goal #2 is Achieved

20%

(1)

Intermediate Performance Goal #3 is Achieved

25%

(1)

The Maximum Performance Goal is Achieved

30%

(1)

 

 

(1)

One half of these Shares will become immediately vested upon a determination that this Performance Goal has been achieved, and the other one-half of these Shares will become vested on last day of the immediately succeeding fiscal year, provided that the Participant remains in the continuous service of the Company to the end of that fiscal year.

 

 

As an additional incentive, the Participants may also earn a maximum 25% more LTIP shares if the Maximum Performance Goal is achieved in fiscal year 2015 and such shares would vest 50% upon the determination that the goal has been achieved and the remaining 50% on June 30, 2016.

 

At September 30, 2014, based on the significantly improved level of operating income before stock based compensation in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2014, we concluded that it was probable that the Company would achieve the Performance Goal #2 by June 30, 2015. Therefore, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of approximately $661,000 related to that performance goal, representing the expense required to be recognized from the respective service inception dates through September 30, 2014.

  

 
7

 

 

Through September 30, 2014 total stock based compensation recognized for the LTIP shares was approximately $1,993,000.

 

It is considered too early at this time to determine if it is probable that the Company will achieve additional Performance Goals beyond Performance Goal #2 in fiscal 2015 or future periods. Management will continue to reassess at each reporting date whether any additional stock-based compensation expense should be recognized based on the probability of achieving additional milestones under the LTIP, and the period over which such stock-based compensation expense should be recognized.

 

The following table presents the unvested status of the restricted shares (including LTIP shares and other service-based shares) for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and their respective weighted average grant-date fair values:

 

Non-Vested Restricted Shares:

 

Shares

(In Thousands)

   

Weighted

Average

Grant-Date

Fair Values

 

Non-vested at June 30, 2014

    520     $ 13.03  

Vested

    (8 )     14.89  

Cancelled

    (1 )     13.67  

Non-vested at September 30, 2014

    511     $ 13.00  

 

The following table sets forth the stock-based compensation expense we incurred in the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):

 

   

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

Included in:

 

2014

   

2013

 

Cost of authentication, grading and related services

  $ 11     $ 11  

Sales and marketing expenses

    14       -  

General administrative expenses

    907       375  
    $ 932     $ 386  

 

 

The following table sets forth total unrecognized compensation expense in the amount of $1,714,000 related to unvested restricted stock awards at September 30, 2014 and represents the expense expected to be recognized through fiscal year 2018, on the assumption that the Participants remain in the Company’s employment throughout the applicable vesting periods, and the Company will achieve the Performance Goal #2 under the LTIP in fiscal 2015. The amounts do not include the cost or effect of the possible grant of any additional stock-based compensation awards in future periods or the achievement of any additional Performance Goals under the LTIP.

 

Fiscal Year Ending June 30,

 

Amount

(In Thousands)

 

2015 (remaining 9 months)

  $ 1,107  

2016

    506  

2017

    56  

2018

    45  
    $ 1,714  

  

 
8

 

  

Concentrations

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable.

 

Financial Instruments and Cash Balances. At September 30, 2014, we had cash and cash equivalents totaling approximately $18,148,000, of which approximately $14,427,000 was invested in money market accounts, and the balance of $3,721,000 was in non-interest bearing bank accounts for general day-to-day operations. Cash in overseas bank accounts was approximately $880,000.

 

Substantially all of our cash is deposited at two FDIC insured financial institutions. We maintained cash due from banks in excess of the banks’ FDIC insured deposit limits of approximately $16,447,000 at September 30, 2014.

 

Accounts Receivable.  A substantial portion of accounts receivable are due from collectibles dealers.  No individual customer’s accounts receivable balance accounted for 10% of the Company’s total gross accounts receivable balances at September 30, 2014, whereas one customer receivable exceeded 10% of the Company’s total gross amounts receivable balance at June 30, 2014. Management performs an analysis of the expected collectability of accounts receivable based on several factors, including the age and extent of significant past due accounts and economic conditions or trends that may adversely affect the ability of debtors to pay their account receivable balances.  Based on that review, management establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts, when deemed necessary.  The allowance for doubtful accounts receivable was $26,000 at both September 30, 2014 and June 30, 2014. Ultimately, management will write-off accounts receivable balances when it is determined that there is no possibility of collection.

 

Coin Revenues. The authentication, grading and sales of collectible coins, related services and product sales accounted for approximately 69% of our net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2014, and 66% of our net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2013.

 

Customers. Five of our coin authentication and grading customers accounted, in the aggregate, for approximately 16% and 13% of our total net revenues in the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

Inventories

 

Our inventories consist primarily of (i) our coin collectibles inventories primarily consisting of coins which we purchased pursuant to our coin authentication and grading program and (ii) consumable supplies that we use in our continuing authentication and grading businesses. Coin collectibles inventories are recorded at the lower of cost or estimated market value using the specific identification method. Consumable supplies or special inserts are recorded at the lower of cost (using the first-in first-out method) or market. Inventories are periodically reviewed to identify slow-moving items, and an allowance for inventory loss is recognized, as necessary. It is possible that our estimates of market value of collectible coins in inventory could change due to market conditions in the various collectibles markets served by the Company, which could require us to increase that allowance.

 

Capitalized Software

 

We capitalize certain costs incurred in the development and upgrading of our software, either from internal or external sources, as part of intangible assets and amortize these costs on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software of three years. In the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, approximately $39,000 and $25,000, respectively, was recorded as amortization expense for capitalized software. Planning, training, support and maintenance costs incurred either prior to or following the implementation phase are recognized as expense in the period in which they occur. Management evaluates the carrying value of capitalized software to determine if the carrying value is impaired, and, if necessary, an impairment loss is recorded in the period in which any impairment is determined to have occurred.  

 

 
9

 

 

Warranty Costs

 

We offer a limited warranty covering the coins and trading cards that we authenticate and grade. Under the warranty, if any collectible coin or trading card that was previously authenticated and graded by us is later submitted to us for re-grading and either (i) receives a lower grade upon that re-submittal or (ii) is determined not to have been authentic, we will offer to purchase the collectible or, in the alternative, at the customer’s option, pay the difference in value of the item at its original grade, as compared with its lower grade. However, this warranty is voided if the collectible, upon re-submittal to us, is not in the same tamper-resistant holder in which it was placed at the time we last graded it. We accrue for estimated warranty costs based on historical trends and related experience. We monitor the adequacy of our warranty reserves on an ongoing basis and significant claims resulting from resubmissions receiving lower grades, or deemed not to be authentic, could result in a material adverse impact on our results of operations. Effective July 1, 2014, the Company reduced its warranty accrual rate on coins and cards based upon a review of the overall level of warranty reserve and the historical trend in warranty payments.

 

Dividends

 

In accordance with the Company’s current quarterly dividend policy, we paid quarterly cash dividends of $0.325 per share of common stock in the first quarter of fiscal 2015. The declaration of cash dividends in the future is subject to final determination each quarter by the Board of Directors based on a number of factors, including the Company’s financial performance and its available cash resources, its cash requirements and alternative uses of cash that the Board may conclude would represent an opportunity to generate a greater return on investment for the Company.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In April 2014, FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-08 on the reporting of Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. Under the guidance, a discontinued operation may include a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity, or a business or non-profit activity. A disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity is required to be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. Examples of strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results could include a disposal of a major geographical area, a major line of business, a major equity method investment, or other major parts of an entity. The updated guidance requires additional disclosures for components that qualify for discontinued operations reporting and for those significant disposals that do not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. The updated guidance is effective for all disposals (or classifications as held for sale) of components of an entity that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In May 2014, FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Topic 606 that affects any entity using U.S. GAAP that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards (e.g., insurance contracts or lease contracts). This ASU will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance. This ASU also supersedes some cost guidance included in Subtopic 605-35, Revenue Recognition—Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts. In addition, the existing requirements for the recognition of a gain or loss on the transfer of nonfinancial assets that are not in a contract with a customer (e.g., assets within the scope of Topic 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, and intangible assets within the scope of Topic 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other) are amended to be consistent with the guidance on recognition and measurement (including the constraint on revenue) in this ASU.

 

The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should: identify the contract(s) with a customer, identify the performance obligations in the contract, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.

  

 
10

 

 

For public companies, the amendments in this ASU are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of adoption of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2014, FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update No, 2014-12 on the Accounting for Share-Based Payments when the term of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. The guidance requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period, be treated as a performance condition. A reporting entity should apply existing guidance in Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, as it relates to awards with performance conditions that affect vesting to account for such awards. The performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. Compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered. If the performance target becomes probable of being achieved before the end of the requisite service period, the remaining unrecognized compensation cost should be recognized prospectively over the remaining requisite service period. The total amount of compensation cost recognized during and after the requisite service period should reflect the number of awards that are expected to vest and should be adjusted to reflect those awards that ultimately vest. The requisite service period ends when the employee can cease rendering service and still be eligible to vest in the award if the performance target is achieved. The updated guidance is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Earlier adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In August 2014, FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-15 which addresses management’s responsibility in connection with preparing financial statements for each annual and interim reporting period, and requires management to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. Management’s evaluation should be based on relevant conditions and events that are known and reasonably knowable at the date that the financial statements are issued. The update provides guidance in GAAP about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosure. The guidance is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

 

2.             INVENTORIES

 

Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):

 

 

   

September 30,

   

June 30,

 
   

2014

   

2014

 

Coins

  $ 560     $ 552  

Other collectibles

    192       230  

Grading raw materials consumable inventory

    1,836       1,392  
      2,588       2,174  

Less inventory reserve

    (376 )     (286 )

Inventories, net

  $ 2,212     $ 1,888  

 

The estimated value of coins can be subjective and can vary depending on market conditions for precious metals, the number of qualified buyers for a particular coin and the uniqueness and special features of a particular coin.

 

 
11

 

 

3.             PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):

 

 

   

September 30,

   

June 30,

 
   

2014

   

2014

 

Coins and stamp grading reference sets

  $ 281     $ 282  

Computer hardware and equipment

    2,321       2,307  

Computer software

    1,103       1,098  

Equipment

    3,967       3,943  

Furniture and office equipment

    1,015       1,015  

Leasehold improvements

    999       999  

Trading card reference library

    52       52  
      9,738       9,696  

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

    (7,460 )     (7,230 )

Property and equipment, net

  $ 2,278     $ 2,466  

 

 

4.             ACCRUED LIABILITIES

 

Accrued liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):

 

 

   

September 30,

   

June 30,

 
   

2014

   

2014

 

Warranty reserves

  $ 1,592     $ 1,569  

Other

    1,343       1,248  
    $ 2,935     $ 2,817  

 

The following table presents the changes in the Company’s warranty reserve during the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):

 

   

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 

Warranty reserve beginning of period

  $ 1,569     $ 1,155  

Provision charged to cost of revenues

    130       168  

Payments

    (107 )     (71 )

Warranty reserve, end of period

  $ 1,592     $ 1,252  

 

5.             DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

 

During fiscal 2009, the Board of Directors authorized the divesture and sale of the jewelry businesses and the currency grading business, the remaining assets and liabilities of which have been reclassified as assets and liabilities of discontinued operations on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2014 and June 30, 2014.

 

The operating results of the discontinued businesses that are included in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations were not material.

 

The remaining balance of our lease related obligations in connection with the fiscal 2009 disposal of our jewelry business was $1,805,000 at September 30, 2014, of which $826,000 was classified as a current liability, and $979,000 was classified as a non-current liability in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2014. We will continue to review and, if necessary, make adjustments to the lease obligation accruals on a quarterly basis.

  

 
12

 

 

6.             INCOME TAXES

 

In the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, we recognized provisions for income taxes based upon estimated annual effective tax rates of approximately 41% and 42%, respectively and such provisions include valuation allowances established against losses of foreign subsidiaries and in the three month ended September 30, 2013, a discrete amount of $42,000 related to prior year estimated taxes.

 

7.             NET INCOME PER SHARE


                A total of 133,000 options to purchase shares of common stock and unvested restricted shares of common stock for the three months ended September 30, 2013, were excluded from the computation of diluted income per share as they would have been anti-dilutive.

 

In addition, approximately 252,000 and 300,000 unvested performance-based restricted shares were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, because we had not achieved the related performance goals at those dates.

 

8.             BUSINESS SEGMENTS

 

Operating segments are defined as the components or “segments” of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the Company’s chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in deciding how to allocate resources to and in assessing performance of those components or “segments”. The Company’s chief operating decision-maker is its Chief Executive Officer. The Company’s operating segments are organized based on the respective services that they offer to customers. Similar operating segments have been aggregated to reportable operating segments based on having similar services, types of customers, and other criteria.

 

For our continuing operations, we operate principally in three reportable service segments: coins, trading cards and autographs and other. Services provided by these segments include authentication, grading, publications, advertising and commission earned, subscription-based revenues and product sales. The other segment is comprised of CCE, Coinflation.com and our collectibles conventions business.

 

 
13

 

  

We allocate operating expenses to each service segment based upon each segment’s activity level. The following tables set forth on a segment basis, including a reconciliation with the condensed consolidated financial statements, (i) external revenues, (ii) amortization and depreciation, (iii) stock-based compensation expense, and (iv) operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Net identifiable assets are provided by business segment as of September 30, 2014 and June 30, 2014 (in thousands):

 

   

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 

Net revenues from external customers:

               

Coins (including product sales)

  $ 11,106     $ 9,350  

Trading cards and autographs

    3,830       3,558  

Other

    1,242       1,258  

Total revenue

  $ 16,178     $ 14,166  

Amortization and depreciation:

               

Coins

  $ 129     $ 107  

Trading cards and autographs

    50       22  

Other

    83       83  

Total

    262       212  

Unallocated amortization and depreciation

    79       72  

Consolidated amortization and depreciation

  $ 341     $ 284  

Stock-based compensation:

               

Coins

  $ 173     $ 50  

Trading cards and autographs

    115       18  

Other

    78       14  

Total

    366       82  

Unallocated stock-based compensation

    566       304  

Consolidated stock-based compensation

  $ 932     $ 386  

Operating income:

               

Coins

  $ 3,595     $ 3,080  

Trading cards and autographs

    772       643  

Other

    333       436  

Total

    4,700       4,159  

Unallocated operating expenses

    (1,675 )     (1,304 )

Consolidated Operating Income

  $ 3,025     $ 2,855  

  

 
14

 

 

 

 

   

September 30,

   

June 30,

 
   

2014

   

2014

 

Identifiable Assets:

               

Coins

  $ 6,435     $ 6,636  

Trading cards and autographs

    1,468       1,475  

Other

    2,341       2,378  

Total

    10,244       10,489  

Unallocated assets

    23,266       25,099  

Consolidated assets

  $ 33,510     $ 35,588  

Goodwill:

               

Coins

  $ 515     $ 515  

Other

    1,568       1,568  

Consolidated goodwill

  $ 2,083     $ 2,083  

 

9.             RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

During the three months ended September 30, 2014, an adult member of the immediate family of Mr. David Hall, the President of the Company, paid grading and authentication fees to us of $380,000, compared with $275,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013. At September 30, 2014, the amount owed to the Company for these services was approximately $115,000, compared with $79,000 at June 30, 2014.

 

An associate of Richard Kenneth Duncan Sr., who as of October 3, 2014 was the beneficial owner of 6% of our outstanding shares, paid us grading and authentication fees of $327,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to $379,000 in the same three months of fiscal 2014. At September 30, 2014, the amount owed to the Company for these services was approximately $73,000, compared to $68,000 at June 30, 2014.

 

In each case, these authentication and grading fees were comparable in amount to the fees which we charge, in the ordinary course of our business, for similar services authentication and grading services we render to unaffiliated customers.

 

10.           CONTINGENCIES

 

The Company is named from time to time, as a defendant in lawsuits and disputes that arise in the ordinary course of business. Management believes that none of the lawsuits or disputes currently pending against the Company is likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

 

11.           SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On October 27, 2014, the Company announced that in accordance with its dividend policy, the Board of Directors had approved a second quarter cash dividend of $0.325 per share of common stock, and such dividend will be paid on November 28, 2014 to stockholders of record on November 18, 2014. 

 

ITEM 2.          MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

The discussion in this Item 2 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Report”) includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”). Those Sections of the 1933 Act and 1934 Act provide a “safe harbor” for forward-looking statements to encourage companies to provide prospective information about their expected future financial performance so long as they provide cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause their actual results to differ from projected or anticipated results. Other than statements of historical fact, all statements in this Report and, in particular, any projections of or statements as to our expectations or beliefs concerning our future financial performance or financial condition or as to trends in our business or in our markets, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements often include the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "estimate," "project," or words of similar meaning, or future or conditional verbs such as "will," "would," "should," "could," or "may." Our actual financial performance in future periods may differ significantly from the currently expected financial performance set forth in the forward-looking statements contained in this Report due to the risks to which our business is subject and other circumstances or occurrences which are not presently predictable and over which we do not have control. Consequently, the forward-looking statements and information contained in this Report are qualified in their entirety by, and readers of this Report are urged to read the risk factors that are described in Item 1A of Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014 (the “Fiscal 2014 10-K”), which we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on August 28, 2014, and the section, entitled “Factors that Can affect our Results of Operations or Financial Position,” below in this Item 2.

  

 
15

 

 

Due to these and other possible uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained or recent trends that we describe in this Report, which speak only as of the date of this Report, or to make predictions about our future financial performance based solely on our historical financial performance. We also disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained in this Report or in our Fiscal 2014 10-K or any other prior filings with the SEC, except as may be required by applicable law or applicable NASDAQ rules.

 

Our Business

 

Collectors Universe, Inc. (“we”, “us” “management” “our” or the “Company”) provides authentication and grading services to dealers and collectors of high-value coins, trading cards, event tickets, autographs, sports and historical memorabilia. We believe that our authentication and grading services add value to these collectibles by providing dealers and collectors with a high level of assurance as to the authenticity and quality of the collectible they seek to buy or sell; thereby enhancing their marketability and providing increased liquidity to the dealers, collectors and consumers that own, buy and sell such collectibles.

 

We principally generate revenues from the fees paid for our authentication and grading services. To a lesser extent, we generate revenues from other related services which consist of: (i) revenues from sales of advertising placed and commissions earned on our websites; (ii) sales of printed publications and collectibles price guides and sales of advertising in our publications; (iii) sales of membership subscriptions in our Collectors Club, which is designed primarily to attract interest in high-value collectibles among new collectors; (iv) sales of subscriptions to our CCE dealer-to-dealer Internet bid-ask market for coins that have been authenticated and graded (or “certified”) and to our CoinFacts website, which offers a comprehensive one-stop source for historical U.S. numismatic information and value-added content; and (v) the management and operation of collectibles trade shows and conventions. We also generate revenues from sales of our collectibles inventory, which is comprised primarily of collectible coins that we have purchased under our coin grading warranty program; however, such product sales are neither the focus nor an integral part of our on-going revenue generating activities.

  

 
16

 

  

Overview of First Quarter Fiscal 2015 Operating Results

 

The following table sets forth comparative financial data for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):

 

   

Three Months Ended

September 30, 2014

   

Three Months Ended

September 30, 2013

 
   


Amount

   

Percent of

Revenues

   


Amount

   

Percent of

Revenues

 
                                 

Net revenues:

                               

Grading authentication and related services

  $ 16,169       99.9 %   $ 14,166       100.0 %

Product sales

    9       0.1 %     -       -  
      16,178       100.0 %     14,166       100.0 %

Cost of revenues:

                               

Grading authentication and related services

    5,778       35.7 %     5,237       37.0 %

Product sales

    18       200.0 %     -       -  
      5,796       35.8 %     5,237       37.0 %

Gross profit:

                               

Services

    10,391       64.3 %     8,929       63.0 %

Product sales

    (9 )     (100.0 )%     -       -  
      10,382       64.2 %     8,929       63.0 %
                                 

Selling and marketing expenses

    2,367       14.6 %     2,198       15.5 %

General and administrative expenses

    4,990       30.9 %     3,876       27.3 %

Operating income

    3,025       18.7 %     2,855       20.2 %

Interest and other income, net

    6       -       14       0.1 %

Income before provision for income taxes

    3,031       18.7 %     2,869       20.3 %

Provision for income taxes

    1,249       7.7 %     1,211       8.6 %

Income from continuing operations

    1,782       11.0 %     1,658       11.7 %

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes

    22       0.1 %     (21 )     (0.1 )%

Net income

  $ 1,804       11.1 %   $ 1,637       11.6 %
                                 

Net income per diluted share:

                               

Income from continuing operations

  $ 0.21             $ 0.20          

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

    -               -          

Net income

  $ 0.21             $ 0.20          

 

The 14% increase in service revenues and the 6% increase in operating income in the three months ended September 30, 2014, compared to the same period of the prior year, includes a 19% revenues increase in our coin business, reflecting continued momentum in that business that began in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 and an 8% increase in our cards and autograph business which, represented the 17th quarter of quarter-on-quarter revenue growth in that business. Partially offsetting the favorable impact of the increased revenues in the quarter, was a $0.5 million increase in non-cash stock based compensation related to the Company’s Long Term Incentive Program (“LTIP”) (see Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates: Stock-based Compensation) and a $0.3 million increase in litigation related legal expenses.    

 

These, as well as other factors affecting our operating results in the three months ended September 30, 2014, are described in more detail below. See “Factors that Can Affect our Operating Results and Financial Condition” and “Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014, Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013”, below.

 

Factors That Can Affect our Operating Results and Financial Position

 

Factors That Can Affect our Revenues and Gross Profit Margins. Authentication and grading fees accounted for approximately 86% of our service revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2014. The amount of those fees and our gross profit margins are primarily driven by the volume and mix of coin and collectibles sales and purchase transactions by collectibles dealers and collectors, because our authentication and grading services generally facilitate sales and purchases of coins and other high value collectibles by providing dealers and collectors with a high level of assurance as to the authenticity and quality of the collectibles they seek to sell or buy. Consequently, dealers and collectors most often submit coins and other collectibles to us for authentication and grading at those times when they are in the market to sell or buy coins and the other high-value collectibles, which we authenticate and grade.

  

 
17

 

 

In addition, our coin authentication and grading and revenues are impacted by the level of modern coin submissions, which can be volatile, primarily depending on the timing and size of modern coin marketing programs by the United States Mint and by customers or dealers who specialize in sales of such coins.

 

Our authentication and grading revenues and gross profit margins are affected by (i) the volume and mix of authentication and grading submissions among coins and trading cards; (ii) in the case of coins and trading cards, the turnaround times requested by our customers, because we charge higher fees for faster service times; and (iii) the mix of authentication and grading submissions between vintage or “classic” coins and trading cards, on the one hand, and modern coins and trading cards, on the other hand, because dealers generally request faster turnaround times for vintage or classic coins and trading cards than they do for modern submissions, as vintage or classic collectibles are of significantly higher value than modern coins and trading cards; and (iv) as discussed above, the volume and timing of marketing programs for modern coins. Furthermore, because a significant proportion of our costs of sales are relatively fixed in nature in the short term, our gross profit margin is also affected by the overall volume of collectibles that we authenticate and grade in any period.

 

Our revenues and gross profit margin are also affected by the number of coin authentication and grading submissions we receive at collectibles trade shows where we provide on-site authentication and grading services to show attendees, because they typically request higher priced same-day turnaround for the coins they submit to us for authentication and grading at those shows. The number of trade show submissions varies from period to period depending upon a number of factors, including the number and the timing of the shows in each period and the volume of collectible coins that are bought and sold at those shows by dealers and collectors. In addition, the number of such submissions and, therefore, the revenues and gross profit margin we generate from the authentication and grading of coins at trade shows can be impacted by short-term changes in the prices of gold that may occur around the time of the shows, because short-term changes in gold prices can affect the willingness of dealers and collectors to sell and purchase coins at the shows.

 

Five of our coin authentication and grading customers accounted, in the aggregate, for approximately 16% of our total net revenues in the three months ended September 30, 2014. As a result, the loss of any of those customers, or a significant decrease in the volume of grading submissions from any of them to us, could cause our net revenues to decline and, therefore, could adversely affect our results of operations.

 

The following tables provide information regarding the respective numbers of coins, trading cards and autographs that we authenticated and graded in the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, and their estimated values, which are the amounts at which those coins and trading cards were declared for insurance purposes by the dealers and collectors who submitted them to us for grading and authentication:

 

   

Units Processed

Three Months Ended September 30,

   

Declared Value (000s)

Three Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

2014

   

2013

 

Coins

    516,000       54.8 %     447,000       50.9 %   $ 501,555       93.3 %   $ 394,022       91.1 %

Trading cards and autographs (1)

    425,000       45.2 %     431,000       49.1 %     36,298       6.7 %     38,560       8.9 %

Total

    941,000       100.0 %     878,000       100.0 %   $ 537,853       100.0 %   $ 432,582       100.0 %

_______ 

(1)     Consists of trading card units authenticated and graded by our PSA trading card authentication and grading business and autographs certified by our PSA/DNA autograph authentication and grading business.

 

Impact of Economic Conditions on our Financial Performance. As discussed above, our operating results are affected by the number of collectibles transactions by collectibles dealers and collectors which, in turn, is primarily affected by (i) the cash flows generated by collectibles dealers and their confidence about future economic conditions, which affect their willingness and the ability of such dealers to purchase collectibles for resale; (ii) the availability and cost of borrowings because collectibles dealers often rely on borrowings to fund their purchases of collectibles, (iii) the disposable income available to collectors and their confidence about future economic conditions, because high-value collectibles are generally purchased with disposable income; (iv) prevailing and anticipated rates of inflation and the strength or weakness of the U.S. dollar, and uncertainties regarding the strength of the economic recovery in the United States, Western Europe and China, because conditions and uncertainties of this nature often lead investors and consumers to purchase or invest in gold and silver coins as a hedge against inflation or reductions in the purchasing power of the U.S. currency; and as an alternative to investments in government bonds and other treasury instruments; and (v) the performance and volatility of the gold and other precious metals markets, which can affect the level of purchases and sales of collectible coins, because investors and consumers will often increase their purchases of gold coins, as well as other hard assets if they believe that the market prices of those assets will increase. As a result, the volume of collectibles transactions and, therefore, the demand for our authentication and grading services, generally increase during periods characterized by increases in disposable income and the availability of lower cost borrowings, on the one hand, or increases in inflation or in gold prices, economic uncertainties and declines in business and consumer confidence or a weakening of the U.S. dollar on the other hand. By contrast, collectibles transactions and, therefore, the demand for our services generally decline during periods characterized by economic downturns or recessions, declines in consumer and business confidence, an absence of inflationary pressures, or periods of stagnation or a downward trend in the market prices of gold. However, these conditions can sometimes counteract each other as it is not uncommon, for example, for investors to shift funds from gold to other investments during periods of economic growth and growing consumer and business confidence and from stocks and other investments to gold during periods of economic uncertainties and decreases in disposable income and consumer and business confidence.

  

 
18

 

 

Factors That Can Affect our Liquidity and Financial Position. A substantial number of our authentication and grading customers pay our authentication and grading fees when they submit their collectibles to us for authentication and grading or prior to the shipment of the collectible back to them. As a result, historically, we have been able to rely on internally generated cash and have never incurred borrowings to fund our continuing operations. We currently expect that internally generated cash flows and current cash and cash equivalent balances will be sufficient to fund our continuing operations at least through the end of fiscal 2015.

 

In addition to the day-to-day operating performance of our business, our overall financial position can also be affected by the dividend policy adopted by the Board of Directors from time to time, the Company’s decisions to invest in and to fund the acquisition of established and/or early stage businesses and any capital raising activities or stock repurchases. In addition, our financial position is impacted by the Company’s tax position. As previously disclosed, the Company has fully utilized all of its federal net operating loss carry forwards and other tax attributes, and therefore we pay federal income taxes at a rate of 35% of taxable income on an annual basis. The Company continues to have net operating losses and other tax credits available for state income tax purposes in California, which should allow us to pay taxes at minimum levels in California for the foreseeable future.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Except as discussed below, during the three months ended September 30, 2014, there were no changes in our critical accounting policies or estimates which are described in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC, for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014. Readers of this report are urged to read that Section of the Annual Report for a more complete understanding and detailed discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates.

 

Goodwill. We test the carrying value of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets at least annually on their respective acquisition anniversary dates, or more frequently if indicators of impairment are determined to exist. When testing for impairment, in accordance with Accounting Standards Update No. 2011-08, we consider qualitative factors, and where determined necessary by management, we proceed to the two-step goodwill impairment test. When applying the two-step impairment test, we apply a discounted cash flow model or an income approach in determining a fair value that is used to estimate the fair value of the reporting unit on a total basis, which is then compared to the carrying value of the reporting unit. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds the carrying value of the reporting unit, no impairment of goodwill exists as of the measurement date. If the fair value is less than the carrying value, then there is the possibility of goodwill impairment and further testing and re-measurement of goodwill is required.

 

During the first quarter ended September 30, 2014, we completed the annual goodwill impairment assessment with respect to the goodwill acquired in our fiscal year 2006 purchases of CCE and CoinFacts. We assessed qualitative factors, including the significant excess of their fair values over carrying value in prior years, and any material changes in the estimated cash flows of the reporting units, and determined that it was more likely than not that the fair values of CCE and CoinFacts was greater than the carrying value, including goodwill, and therefore it was not necessary to proceed to the two-step impairment test.

  

 
19

 

 

Stock-Based Compensation. We recognize share-based compensation attributable to service-based equity grants over the service period based on the grant date fair value. For performance-based equity grants with a financial performance goal, we recognize compensation expense based on the grant date fair value when it becomes probable that we will achieve the financial performance goal.

 

Restricted Stock Awards 

 

As previously reported through June 30, 2014 the Company had issued 523,378 shares (net of forfeitures) under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) with a grant date fair value of approximately $6,700,000. Based on the results achieved in fiscal 2014, a determination was made that the Company had achieved the Threshold Performance Goal and the Intermediate Goal #1 and therefore in accordance with the terms of the LTIP up to 25% of the LTIP shares will vest, of which 12.5% vested upon the determination that the goals had been achieved and 12.5% will vest on June 30, 2015, assuming continuous service by the LTIP participants. Through September 30, 2014, $1,332,000 of expense has been recognized related to the Threshold Performance Goal and Intermediate Goal #1 and an additional $338,000 will be recognized through June 30, 2015 assuming continuous service, such that by June 30, 2015, $1,670,000 of expense will have been recognized related to those performance goals.

 

The vesting of the remaining restricted shares is conditioned on the Company’s achievement of increasing annual operating income goals before stock based compensation levels during any fiscal year period through June 30, 2018, as indicated in the following table:

 

 

 

Percent of LTIP

Shares Vesting

If in any fiscal year during the term of the Program:

 

Intermediate Performance Goal #2 is Achieved

20%(1)

Intermediate Performance Goal #3 is Achieved

25%(1)

The Maximum Performance Goal is Achieved

30%(1)

 

 

(1)

One half of these Shares will become immediately vested upon a determination that this Performance Goal has been achieved, and the other one-half of these Shares will become vested on last day of the immediately succeeding fiscal year, provided that the Participant remains in the continuous service of the Company to the end of that fiscal year.

 

 

As an additional incentive, the Participants may also earn a maximum 25% more LTIP shares if the Maximum Performance Goal is achieved in fiscal year 2015 and such shares would vest 50% upon the determination that the goal has been achieved and the remaining 50% on June 30, 2016.

 

At September 30, 2014, based on the significantly improved level of operating income before stock based compensation in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2014, we concluded that it was probable that the Company would achieve the Performance Goal #2 by June 30, 2015. Therefore, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense of approximately $661,000 related to that performance goal, representing the expense required to be recognized from the respective service inception dates through September 30, 2014.

 

Through September 30, 2014 total stock based compensation recognized for the LTIP shares was approximately $1,993,000.

 

It is considered too early at this time to determine if it is probable that the Company will achieve additional Performance Goals beyond Performance Goal #2 in fiscal 2015 or future periods. Management will continue to reassess at each reporting date whether any additional stock-based compensation expense should be recognized based on the probability of achieving additional milestones under the LTIP, and the period over which such stock-based compensation expense should be recognized.

  

 
20

 

 

Warranty Costs

 

We offer a limited warranty covering the coins and trading cards that we authenticate and grade. Under the warranty, if any collectible that was previously authenticated and graded by us is later submitted to us for re-grading and either (i) receives a lower grade upon that re-submittal or (ii) is determined not to have been authentic, we will offer to purchase the collectible or, in the alternative, at the customer’s option, pay the difference in value of the item at its original grade, as compared with its lower grade. However, this warranty is voided if the collectible, upon re-submittal to us, is not in the same tamper-resistant holder in which it was placed at the time we last graded it. We accrue for estimated warranty costs based on historical trends and related experience. We monitor the adequacy of our warranty reserves on an ongoing basis. Significant claims resulting from resubmissions receiving lower grades, or deemed not to be authentic, could result in a material adverse impact on our results of operations. Effective July 1, 2014, the Company reduced its warranty accrual rate on coins and cards based upon a review of the overall level of the warranty reserve and the historical trend in warranty payments.

 

 

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2014, Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2013

 

Net Revenues. Net revenues consist primarily of fees that we generate from the authentication and grading of high-value collectibles, including coins, trading cards and autographs, including related special inserts, if applicable. To a lesser extent, we generate collectibles related service revenues (which we refer to as “other related revenues”) from advertising and commissions earned on our websites and in printed publications and collectibles price guides; subscription/membership revenues related to our CCE (dealer-to-dealer Internet bid-ask market for certified coins), CoinFacts and Collectors Club; and fees earned from promoting, managing and operating collectibles trade shows. Net revenues also include, to a significantly lesser extent, revenues from the sales of products, which consist primarily of coins that we purchase under our warranty policy. We do not consider such product sales to be an integral part of our ongoing revenue generating activities.

 

The following table sets forth the total net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 between authentication and grading services revenues, other related services revenues and product sales (in thousands):

 

                                   

2014 vs. 2013

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

Increase (Decrease)

 
   

Amount

   

% of Net

Revenues

   

Amount

   

% of Net
Revenues

   

Amount

   


Percent

 

Authentication and grading fees

  $ 13,943       86.2 %   $ 11,816       83.4 %   $ 2,127       18.0 %

Other related services

    2,226       13.7 %     2,350       16.6 %     (124 )     (5.3 %)

Total service revenues

  $ 16,169       99.9 %   $ 14,166       100.0 %   $ 2,003       14.1 %

Product revenues

    9       0.1 %     -       -       9       -  

Total net revenues

  $ 16,178       100.0 %   $ 14,166       100.0 %   $ 2,012       14.2 %

 

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the increases (decreases) in net revenues in our larger markets (which are inclusive of revenues from our other related services) and in the number of units authenticated and graded in the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):

 

                                   

2014 vs. 2013

 
   

2014

   

2013

   

Increase (Decrease)

 
           

% of Net

           

% of Net

   

Revenues

   

Units Processed

 
   

Amount

   

Revenues

   

Amount

   

Revenues

   

Amounts

   

Percent

   

Number

   

Percent

 

Coins

  $ 11,097       68.6 %   $ 9,350       66.0 %   $ 1,747       18.7 %     69,000       15.4 %

Cards and Autographs(1)

    3,830       23.7 %     3,558       25.1 %     272       7.6 %     (6,000 )     (1.4 %)

Other (2)

    1,242       7.6 %     1,258       8.9 %     (16 )     (1.3 )%     -       -  

Product sales

    9       0.1 %     -       -       9       -       -       -  
    $ 16,178       100.0 %   $ 14,166       100.0 %   $ 2,012       14.2 %     63,000       7.2 %

____________ 

 

 

(1)

Consists of revenues from our trading card and our autograph authentication and grading businesses.

 

(2)

Includes CCE subscription fees, Coinflation.com revenues and revenues earned from our Expos convention business.

 

 
21

 

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2014, our total service revenues increased by $2,003,000 or 14.1% to a first quarter record of $16,169,000 and comprised increases of $2,127,000, or 18% in authentication and grading fees partially offset by a reduction of $124,000 or 5.3% in other related services. The increase in authentication and grading fees of $2,127,000 in the quarter was attributable to increases in coin fees of $1,866,000, or 21.7%, and cards and autograph fees of $261,000, or 8.1%.

 

The increase in our coin fees of $1,866,000 reflects an increase in the average service fees earned on coins authenticated and graded and an increase of 15.4% in the number of coins authenticated and graded in the quarter due to a continuation of favorable market conditions in the U.S. coin market that began in the second half of the fiscal 2013. Coin fees increased by $1,256,000, or 44.6%, vintage coin fees increased by $382,000, or 14.3%, trade show fees increased by $381,000, or 22.0% while world coin fees decreased by $153,000 or 11.3% in each case in the three months, ended September 30, 2014 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2013. Modern coin fees in this year’s first quarter benefited by approximately $1,800,000 from fees earned from the Baseball Hall of Fame coins (released by the U.S. Mint in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014) and the 50th Anniversary Kennedy coin (released by the U.S. Mint in the first quarter of fiscal 2015).

 

As discussed above under “Factors That Can Affect our Revenues and Gross Profit Margin”, and “Impact of Economic Conditions on our Financial Performance”, the level of modern coin and trade show revenues can be volatile.

 

In addition, revenues from our trading cards and autographs business continue to show consistent growth, and the 7.6% growth in revenues in the three months ended September 30, 2014 represented the 17th straight quarter-on-quarter revenue growth in that business.

 

Going forward, our second fiscal quarter is typically our seasonally slowest quarter of the year, due to the winter holidays. In addition, because the company achieved recorded revenues in fiscal 2014, it remains uncertain as to what level of revenue or revenue growth the Company will achieve in future quarters.

 

Due to the increase in our coin authentication and grading business in the first quarter of the year, compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2014, our coin business represented approximately 69% of total service revenues, compared to 66% of total service revenues in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, and reflects the importance of our coin authentication and grading business to our overall financial performance.

 

Gross Profit

 

Gross profit is calculated by subtracting the cost of revenues from net revenues. Gross profit margin is gross profit stated as a percent of net revenues. The costs of authentication and grading revenues consist primarily of labor to authenticate and grade collectibles, production costs, credit card fees, warranty expense and occupancy, security and insurance costs that directly relate to providing authentication and grading services. Cost of revenues also includes printing, other direct costs of the revenues generated by our other non-grading related services and the costs of product revenues, which represent the carrying value of the inventory of products (primarily collectible coins) that we sold and any inventory related reserves, considered necessary.

 

Set forth below is information regarding our gross profit in the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):

 

   

Three Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 
   

Amount

   

% of

Revenues

   

Amount

   

% of

Revenues

 

Gross profit – services

  $ 10,391       64.3 %   $ 8,929       63.0 %

Gross profit – product sales

    (9 )     (100.0 )%     -       -  

Total

  $ 10,382       64.2 %   $ 8,929       63.0 %

 

As indicated in the above table, our services gross profit margin was 64.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2014, compared to 63.0% for the three months ended September 30, 2013. That increase was primarily attributable to an increase in the average service price that we earned in its first quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to fiscal 2014, as we focus on providing higher value services to our customers. As previously discussed in the 2014 Form 10-K, there can be variability in the services gross profit margin due to the mix of revenue in any quarter and the seasonality of our business. During the three years ended June 30, 2014, our quarterly services gross profit varied between 59% and 64%.

  

 
22

 

 

Selling and Marketing Expenses

 

Selling and marketing expenses include advertising and promotions costs, trade-show related expenses, customer service personnel costs, business development incentives, depreciation and outside services. Set forth below is information regarding our selling and marketing expenses in the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):

 

   

Three Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 
   

Amount

   

% of

Revenues

   

Amount

   

% of

Revenues

 

Selling and marketing expenses

  $ 2,367       14.6 %   $ 2,198       15.5 %

 

Selling and marketing expenses increased by $169,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2014, compared to the same period of the prior year and represented 14.6% of revenues, compared to 15.5% of revenues in the three months ended September 30, 2013. The dollar increase in selling and marketing expenses in the quarter included increased business development incentives cost due to the higher coin service revenues and higher trade shown costs due to staging one additional show in the quarter.

 

General and Administrative Expenses

 

General and administrative (“G&A”) expenses are comprised primarily of compensation paid to general and administrative personnel, including executive management, finance and accounting and information technology personnel, non-cash stock-based compensation, facilities management costs, depreciation, amortization and other miscellaneous expenses (in thousands):

 

   

Three Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 
   

Amount

   

% of

Revenues

   

Amount

   

% of

Revenues

 

General and administrative expenses

  $ 4,990       30.9 %   $ 3,876       27.3 %

 

G&A expenses increased by $1,114,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2014, compared to the same period of fiscal 2014 and represented 30.9% of revenues, compared with 27.3% of revenues in the three months ended September 30, 2013. As discussed below, non-cash stock-based compensation increased by $532,000 due to higher LTIP costs recognized. In addition, G&A expense increases included higher legal costs of $330,000 primarily attributable to litigation related matters and management and IT-related salaries of $176,000.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

As discussed in Note 1, Stock-Based Compensation Expense to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements, included elsewhere in this report, the Company recognized stock-based compensation expense (in thousands), as follows:

 

 

   

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

Included in:

 

2014

   

2013

 

Cost of authentication, grading and related services

  $ 11     $ 11  

Sales and Marketing expenses

    14       -  

General administrative expenses

    907       375  
    $ 932     $ 386  

  

 
23

 

 

The $546,000 increase in stock-based compensation expense in the three months ended September 30, 2014 was primarily due to increased costs recognized in connection with the Company’s LTIP in the first quarter of fiscal 2015 compared to first quarter of fiscal 2014, partially offset by the absence in this year’s first quarter of an expense of $147,000, for a former employee of the Company that was recognized in the first quarter fiscal 2014. The increase in the LTIP expense in the first of fiscal 2015 was due to management’s assessment that was probable that the Company would achieve Performance Goal #2 in fiscal 2015. See Critical Accounting Policies: Stock-Based Compensation above.

 

The following table sets forth unrecognized non-cash stock-based compensation expense totaling $1,714,000 related to unvested stock-based awards at September 30, 2014 and represents the expense expected to be recognized through fiscal year 2018, on the assumption that the holders of the equity awards will remain in the Company’s service through 2018 and the Company will achieve Performance Goal #2 in fiscal 2015. The amounts do not include the costs or effects of (i) possible grant of additional stock-based compensation awards in the future or, (ii) the cost of achieving any additional Performance Goals under the Company’s LTIP (in thousands):

 

Fiscal Year Ending June 30,

 

Amount

 

2015 (remaining 9 months)

  $ 1,107  

2016

    506  

2017

    56  

2018

    45  
    $ 1,714  

 

 

Income Tax Expense

 

   

Three Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 
   

(In Thousands)

 

Income tax expense

  $ 1,249     $ 1,211  

 

The income tax provisions of $1,249,000 and $1,211,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, represented estimated annual effective tax rates of approximately 41% and 42%, and include valuation allowances for losses incurred in our foreign operations and a discrete amount of $42,000 related to prior year income taxes in the three months ended September 30, 2013.

 

Discontinued Operations

 

   

Three Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2014

   

2013

 
   

(In Thousands)

 

Income (loss) from discontinued operations (net of income taxes)

  $ 22     $ (21 )

 

The income (losses) from discontinued operations (net of income taxes) for both the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, related to accretion expense associated with the Company’s ongoing obligations for the New York City facilities, formerly occupied by our discontinued jewelry businesses, offset in the three months ended September 30, 2014 by royalty income realized from our discontinued currency business.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Cash and Cash Equivalent Balances.

 

Historically, we have been able to rely on internally generated funds, rather than borrowings, as our primary source of funds to support our operations, because many of our authentication and grading customers pay our fees at the time they submit their collectibles to us for authentication and grading or prior to the shipment of their collectibles back to them.

  

 
24

 

 

At September 30, 2014, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $18,148,000, as compared to cash and cash equivalents of $19,909,000 at June 30, 2014.

 

Cash Flows.

 

Cash Flows from Continuing Operations. During the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, our operating activities from continuing operations generated cash of $1,569,000 and $2,175,000, respectively, primarily attributable to the income from operations for the respective periods. The reduction in cash provided by operating activities in the three months ended September 30, 2014, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2013 primarily reflects the payment of higher annual incentives in the first quarter of the fiscal 2015 compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2014.

 

Cash Flows of Discontinued Operations. Discontinued operations used cash of $168,000 and $154,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, primarily related to payments of our ongoing obligations associated with the New York facilities, formerly occupied by our discontinued jewelry businesses.

 

Cash generated or used by Investing Activities. Investing activities generated cash of $16,000 in the three months ended September 30, 2014 and included $76,000 of cash generated from royalties from our discontinued currency business partially offset by $60,000 used for capital expenditures. In the three months ended September 30, 2013 investing activities used $401,000 in investing activities, primarily reflecting capital expenditures.

 

Cash used in Financing Activities. In the three months ended September 30, 2014, financing activities used cash of $3,178,000, including $2,738,000 in cash dividends paid to our stockholders and $440,000 for the repurchase of common stock to satisfy employee tax withholdings on the vesting of restricted shares. In the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company used cash of $2,820,000 of which $2,711,000 was used to pay quarterly cash dividends to stockholders and $109,000 was used to repurchase common stock to satisfy employee tax withholdings on the vesting of restricted shares.

 

Outstanding Financial Obligations

 

Continuing Operations. The following table sets forth the amounts of our financial obligations, consisting primarily of rent expense, and sublease income, under operating leases for our continuing operations, in each of the years indicated below (in thousands):

 

Fiscal Year

 

Gross
Amount

   

Sublease
Income

   

Net

 

2015(remaining 9 months)

  $ 1,339     $ 60     $ 1,279  

2016

    1,477       82       1,395  

2017

    1,421       84       1,337  

2018

    1,441       87       1,354  

2019

    1,051       66       985  

Thereafter

    181       -       181  
    $ 6,910     $ 379     $ 6,531  

 

Discontinued Operations. The following table sets forth our expected remaining minimum base payment obligations in respect of the two facilities, in New York City, that had formerly been occupied by our discontinued jewelry authentication and grading businesses. Those obligations, which are payable in monthly installments are scheduled to expire on December 31, 2015 and 2017, respectively.

 

Fiscal Year

 

Gross
Amount

   

Sublease
Income

   

Net

 

2015(remaining 9 months)

  $ 624     $ 147     $ 477  

2016

    635       99       536  

2017

    470       -       470  

2018

    245       -       245  
    $ 1,974     $ 246     $ 1,728  

Less: Discounted estimated fair value of lease payments

                    (1,613 )

Accretion expense to be recognized in future periods

                  $ 115  

 

 
25

 

 

The accrual for these facility-related obligations includes an estimate of the minimum lease payments of $1,613,000 and an estimate of the operating expenses related to the leased properties of $50,000.

 

With the exception of facility obligations for continuing and discontinued operations, we do not have any material financial obligations, such as long-term debt, capital leases or purchase obligations.

 

Dividends. Our current dividend policy calls for us to pay quarterly cash dividends of $0.325 per share of common stock to our stockholders, for an expected total annual cash dividend of $1.30 per common share.

 

The declaration of cash dividends in the future, pursuant to our current dividend policy, is subject to determination each quarter by the Board of Directors based on a number of factors, including the Company’s financial performance, its available cash resources, its cash requirements and alternative uses of cash that the Board may conclude would represent an opportunity to generate a greater return on investment for the Company. For these reasons, as well as others, there can be no assurance that the Board of Directors will not decide to reduce the amount, or suspend or discontinue the payment, of cash dividends in the future.

 

Share Buyback Program. In December 2005, our Board of Directors approved a common stock buyback program that authorized up to $10,000,000 of stock repurchases in open market or privately negotiated transactions, in accordance with applicable SEC rules, when opportunities to make such repurchases, at attractive prices, become available. At September 30, 2014, we continued to have $3.7 million available under this program. However, no open market repurchases of common stock have been made under this program since the fourth fiscal quarter of 2008.

 

Future Uses and Sources of Cash. We plan to use our cash resources, consisting of available cash and cash equivalent balances, together with internally generated cash flows, (i) to introduce new collectibles related services for our existing customers and other collectibles customers; (ii) to fund the international expansion of our business; (iii) to fund working capital requirements; (iv) fund acquisitions; (v) to fund the payment of cash dividends; (vi) to pay the obligations under the two facilities formerly occupied by our discontinued jewelry businesses; and (vii) for other general corporate purposes which may include additional repurchases of common stock under our stock buyback program.

 

Although we have no current plans to do so, we also may seek borrowings or credit facilities and we may issue additional shares of our stock to finance the growth of our collectibles businesses. However, there is no assurance that we would be able to obtain such borrowings or raise additional capital on terms acceptable to us, if at all.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements 

 

In April 2014, FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-08 on the reporting of Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. Under the guidance, a discontinued operation may include a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity, or a business or non-profit activity. A disposal of a component of an entity or a group of components of an entity is required to be reported in discontinued operations if the disposal represents a strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. Examples of strategic shift that has (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results could include a disposal of a major geographical area, a major line of business, a major equity method investment, or other major parts of an entity. The updated guidance requires additional disclosures for components that qualify for discontinued operations reporting and for those significant disposals that do not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. The updated guidance is effective for all disposals (or classifications as held for sale) of components of an entity that occur within annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In May 2014, FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Topic 606 that affects any entity using U.S. GAAP that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets unless those contracts are within the scope of other standards (e.g., insurance contracts or lease contracts). This ASU will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance. This ASU also supersedes some cost guidance included in Subtopic 605-35, Revenue Recognition—Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts. In addition, the existing requirements for the recognition of a gain or loss on the transfer of nonfinancial assets that are not in a contract with a customer (e.g., assets within the scope of Topic 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment, and intangible assets within the scope of Topic 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other) are amended to be consistent with the guidance on recognition and measurement (including the constraint on revenue) in this ASU.

  

 
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The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. To achieve that core principle, an entity should: identify the contract(s) with a customer, identify the performance obligations in the contract, determine the transaction price, allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract and recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.

 

For public companies, the amendments in this ASU are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early application is not permitted. The Company is evaluating the potential impact of adoption of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2014, FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update No, 2014-12 on the Accounting for Share-Based Payments when the term of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. The guidance requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period, be treated as a performance condition. A reporting entity should apply existing guidance in Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, as it relates to awards with performance conditions that affect vesting to account for such awards. The performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award. Compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered. If the performance target becomes probable of being achieved before the end of the requisite service period, the remaining unrecognized compensation cost should be recognized prospectively over the remaining requisite service period. The total amount of compensation cost recognized during and after the requisite service period should reflect the number of awards that are expected to vest and should be adjusted to reflect those awards that ultimately vest. The requisite service period ends when the employee can cease rendering service and still be eligible to vest in the award if the performance target is achieved. The updated guidance is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Earlier adoption is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In August 2014, FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-15 which addresses management’s responsibility in connection with preparing financial statements for each annual and interim reporting period, and requires management to evaluate whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued. Management’s evaluation should be based on relevant conditions and events that are known and reasonably knowable at the date that the financial statements are issued. The update provides guidance in GAAP about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosure. The guidance is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures. 

 

 

ITEM 3.     QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact our financial position, results of operations or cash flows due to adverse changes in financial market prices, including interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange rate risk, commodity price risk and other relevant market rate or price risks.

 

Due to the cash and cash equivalent balances that we maintain, we are exposed to risk of changes in short-term interest rates. At September 30, 2014, we had $18,148,000 in cash and cash equivalents, of which, $14,427,000 was invested in money market accounts, and the balance was held in non-interest bearing accounts. Reductions in short-term interest rates could result in reductions in the amount of income we are able to generate on available cash. However, any adverse impact on our operating results of reductions in interest rates is not expected to be material.

  

 
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Cash balances overseas at September 30, 2014 were approximately $880,000 and were mainly in Hong Kong and China. We do not engage in any activities that would expose us to significant foreign currency exchange rate risk.

 

Item 4.     CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our CEO and CFO, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating our disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognized that any system of controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, as ours are designed to do, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

 

In accordance with SEC rules, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the effectiveness, as of September 30, 2014, of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of September 30, 2014, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in our reports that we file under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2014, that has materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

  

 
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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1A.     Risk Factors

 

There are no material changes in the risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A of Part 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2014 that we filed with the SEC on August 28, 2014.

 

Item 2.        Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

In connection with the vesting of restricted shares previously granted to certain of our executive officers and other key management employees under the Company’s stockholder-approved equity incentive plans, during the quarter ended September 30, 2014, we repurchased the numbers of shares set forth in the table below from those officers and employees in satisfaction of their tax withholding obligations that arose out of the vesting of those restricted shares:

 


Month

 

Number
of Shares

   

Average Price
Per Share
(1)

 
                 

July 2014

      3,649     $ 19.95  

August 2014

    17,894     $ 20.53  

                    _______________

 

(1)

In each case the shares were purchased at the closing price of the Company’s shares, as reported by NASDAQ, for the trading day upon which the shares vested.

 

 

ITEM 6.      EXHIBITS

 

     
 

Exhibit 31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

     
 

Exhibit 31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

     
 

Exhibit 32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

     
 

Exhibit 32.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

     
 

Exhibit 101.INS

XBRL Instance Document

     
 

Exhibit 101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

     
 

Exhibit 101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

     
 

Exhibit 101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

     
 

Exhibit 101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document

     
 

Exhibit 101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

 
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SIGNATURES

 

 

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

 

 

   

COLLECTORS UNIVERSE, INC.

     

Date: November 5, 2014

By:

/s/ ROBERT G. DEUSTER

   

Robert G. Deuster

   

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

   

COLLECTORS UNIVERSE, INC.

     

Date: November 5, 2014

By:

/s/ JOSEPH J. WALLACE

   

Joseph J. Wallace

   

Chief Financial Officer

 

 
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

 

 

Exhibit No.

Description

Exhibit 31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

   

Exhibit 31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

   

Exhibit 32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

   

Exhibit 32.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

   

Exhibit 101.INS

XBRL Instance Document

   

Exhibit 101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

   

Exhibit 101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

   

Exhibit 101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

   

Exhibit 101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document

   

Exhibit 101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

 

 

E-1