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EX-32.2 - EXHIBIT 32.2 - COLLECTORS UNIVERSE INCex32-2.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - COLLECTORS UNIVERSE INCex31-1.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - COLLECTORS UNIVERSE INCex31-2.htm
EX-32.1 - 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 March 31, 2016

   
 

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 April 30, 2016

 
 

Common Stock $.001 Par Value

 

8,898,104

 

 



 

 
 

 

 

QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I

Financial Information

Page

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements (unaudited):

 
       
   

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2015

1

       
   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015

2

       
   

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended March 31, 2016 and 2015

3

       
   

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

5

       
 

Item 2.

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

14

   

Forward-Looking Statements

14

   

Our Business

14

   

Overview of the Three and Nine Months Ended March 31, 2016 Operating Results

15

   

Factors That Can Affect Our Operating Results and Financial Position

16

   

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

18

    Results of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended March 31, 2016 as compared to the Three and Nine Months Ended March 31, 2015 19
   

Liquidity and Capital Resources

24

       
 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

27

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

27

       

PART II

Other Information

 
 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

28

 

Item 2

Unregistered Sale of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

28

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

28

     

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) 

 

 

 

March 31,

2016

   

June 30,

2015

 
ASSETS                

Current assets:

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 12,581     $ 17,254  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $34 and $33 at March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2015, respectively

    3,620       2,460  

Inventories, net

    1,835       1,619  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    1,253       940  

Deferred income tax assets

    1,599       1,599  

Total current assets

    20,888       23,872  
                 

Property and equipment, net

    2,773       2,326  

Goodwill

    2,083       2,083  

Intangible assets, net

    1,795       1,558  

Deferred income tax assets

    1,945       1,945  

Other assets

    267       236  

Non-current assets of discontinued operations

    79       182  

Total assets

  $ 29,830     $ 32,202  

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

               

Current liabilities:

               

Accounts payable

  $ 2,509     $ 1,961  

Accrued liabilities

    2,030       2,898  

Accrued compensation and benefits

    2,930       3,890  

Income taxes payable

    2,543       521  

Deferred revenue

    2,730       2,621  

Current liabilities of discontinued operations

    609       778  

Total current liabilities

    13,351       12,669  
                 

Deferred rent

    407       422  

Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations

    329       642  
                 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)

               
                 

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; 8,898 and 8,882 issued and outstanding at March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2015, respectively.

    9       9  

Additional paid-in capital

    80,295       79,848  

Accumulated deficit

    (64,561 )     (61,388 )

Total stockholders’ equity

    15,743       18,469  

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $ 29,830     $ 32,202  

 

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

March 31,

   

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

   

2016

   

2015

 

Net revenues

  $ 17,329     $ 15,987     $ 44,583     $ 46,313  

Cost of revenues

    6,288       5,875       16,444       16,738  

Gross profit

    11,041       10,112       28,139       29,575  

Operating expenses:

                               

Selling and marketing expenses

    2,132       2,285       6,341       6,799  

General and administrative expenses

    4,504       4,155       12,508       13,433  

Total operating expenses

    6,636       6,440       18,849       20,232  

Operating income

    4,405       3,672       9,290       9,343  

Interest income and other expense, net

    3       (40 )     (39 )     (42 )

Income before provision for income taxes

    4,408       3,632       9,251       9,301  

Provision for income taxes

    1,695       1,450       3,600       3,670  

Income from continuing operations

    2,713       2,182       5,651       5,631  

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

    65       (12 )     47       (3 )

Net income

  $ 2,778     $ 2,170     $ 5,698     $ 5,628  
                                 

Net income per basic share:

                               

Income from continuing operations

  $ 0.32     $ 0.26     $ 0.67     $ 0.68  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

    0.01       -       -       (0.01 )

Net income per basic share

  $ 0.33     $ 0.26     $ 0.67     $ 0.67  
                                 

Net income per diluted share:

                               

Income from continuing operations

  $ 0.32     $ 0.26     $ 0.66     $ 0.66  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

    -       (0.01 )     0.01       -  

Net income per diluted share

  $ 0.32     $ 0.25     $ 0.67     $ 0.66  
                                 

Weighted average shares outstanding:

                               

Basic

    8,447       8,353       8,441       8,339  

Diluted

    8,549       8,531       8,544       8,517  

Dividends declared per common share

  $ 0.35     $ 0.35     $ 1.05     $ 1.00  

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
2

 

 

COLLECTORS UNIVERSE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In Thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

   

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

               

Net income

  $ 5,698     $ 5,628  

Discontinued operations

    (47 )     3  

Income from continuing operations

    5,651       5,631  

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

               

Depreciation and amortization expense

    1,094       974  

Stock-based compensation expense

    449       1,803  

Provision for bad debts

    5       5  

Provision for inventory write-down

    46       184  

Provision for warranty

    (293 )     380  

Gain on sale of property and equipment

    (2 )     (1 )

Loss on sale of business

    -       1  

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

               

Accounts receivable

    (1,213 )     (261 )

Inventories

    (262 )     (536 )

Prepaid expenses and other

    (313 )     463  

Other assets

    (31 )     125  

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

    47       (904 )

Accrued compensation and benefits

    (960 )     (605 )

Income taxes payable

    2,020       404  

Deferred revenue

    109       204  

Deferred rent

    (15 )     (25 )

Net cash provided by operating activities of continuing operations

    6,332       7,842  

Net cash used in operating activities of discontinued businesses

    (331 )     (471 )

Net cash provided by operating activities

    6,001       7,371  
                 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

               

Capital expenditures

    (1,113 )     (624 )

Capitalized software

    (615 )     (250 )

Purchase of business

    -       (200 )

Proceeds from sale of business

    49       80  

Patents and other intangibles

    (4 )     (40 )

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

    -       2  

Net cash used in investing activities

    (1,683 )     (1,032 )
                 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

               

Dividends paid to common stockholders

    (8,991 )     (8,415 )

Payments for retirement of common stock

    -       (504 )

Net cash used in financing activities

    (8,991 )     (8,919 )
                 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

    (4,673 )     (2,580 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

    17,254       19,909  

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

  $ 12,581     $ 17,329  

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 
3

 

 

COLLECTORS UNIVERSE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)

(In Thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

   

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:

               

Interest paid during the period

  $ -     $ -  

Income taxes paid during the period

  $ 1,609     $ 3,264  

 

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”, “us”, or “our”). At March 31, 2016, our operating subsidiaries were Certified Asset Exchange, Inc. (“CAE”), Collectors Universe (Hong Kong) Limited, Collectors Universe (Shanghai) Limited, and Expos, LLC. (“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 and nine months ended March 31, 2016 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending June 30, 2016 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 Company’s 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, 2015, as filed with the SEC on August 27, 2015 (our “Fiscal 2015 10-K”). Amounts related to disclosure of June 30, 2015 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 authentication and grading 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 the show 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 authentication and grading fees. The balance of the membership fee is recognized over the life of the membership on a time-apportioned basis.

 

 
5

 

 

We recognize product sales when items are shipped to customers. Product revenues consist primarily of sales 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 us 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.

 

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. We determined that no impairment of goodwill or other long-lived assets existed as of March 31, 2016.

 

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 those 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 period, were not material.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

We recognize stock-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 financial performance goals, we begin recognizing compensation expense based on the grant date fair value, if and when, it becomes probable that we will achieve the financial performance goals.

 

Restricted Stock Awards 

 

In connection with the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) adopted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors in fiscal 2013 and as previously disclosed in our Fiscal 2015 10-K, we did not achieve Performance Goal #2 in fiscal 2015. Nevertheless we still consider it probable that we will achieve that goal prior to the expiration of the LTIP in fiscal 2018. Therefore, we are accruing the remaining stock-based compensation expense for Performance Goal #2 on a prospective basis, through the expected later vesting date.

 

At this time, it is considered too early to determine if it is probable that the Company will achieve additional Performance Goals beyond Performance Goal #2 in fiscal 2016 or future periods. We will continue to reassess at each reporting date whether it has become probable that any additional performance goals will be achieved. If additional shares are expected to vest, additional stock-based compensation expense will be recognized based on the expected vesting period.

 

 
6

 

 

Stock-based compensation in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016 was $159,000 and $449,000, respectively, as compared to $438,000 and $1,803,000 in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2015.

 

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 March 31, 2016 we had cash and cash equivalents totaling approximately $12,581,000, of which approximately $9,616,000 was invested in money market accounts, and the balance of $2,965,000 was held in non-interest bearing bank accounts for general day-to-day operations. Cash in overseas bank accounts was approximately $947,000 at March 31, 2016.

 

Substantially all of our cash is deposited at two FDIC insured financial institutions. Cash due from banks, inclusive of cash in overseas accounts, in excess of the bank’s FDIC insured deposit limits was approximately $11,829,000 at March 31, 2016.

 

Accounts Receivable. A substantial portion of accounts receivable are due from collectibles dealers. There were no customers whose accounts receivable balance accounted for 10% of the Company’s gross accounts receivable balances at March 31, 2016 or June 30, 2015. We perform 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, we establish an allowance for doubtful accounts, when deemed necessary. The allowance for doubtful accounts receivable was $34,000 and $33,000 at March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2015, respectively. Ultimately, we 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% and 66% of our net revenues for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016, respectively, and 69% of our net revenues for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2015.

 

Customers. Five of our coin authentication and grading customers, in the aggregate, accounted for approximately 14% and 17% of our total net revenues in the nine months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

Inventories

 

Our inventories consist primarily of (i) coins which we have purchased pursuant to our coin authentication and grading warranty program and (ii) consumable supplies and special inserts 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 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 losses is recognized, as considered 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 for inventory losses.

 

 
7

 

 

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 we amortize those costs on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software of three years. In the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016 we capitalized approximately $245,000 and $615,000, respectively of software development cost as compared to $217,000 and $250,000 in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2015, respectively. In the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016, we recorded approximately $64,000 and $168,000, respectively as amortization expense for capitalized software as compared to $20,000 and $98,000, respectively, in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2015. 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. We evaluate the carrying value of capitalized software for possible impairment, and, if necessary, an impairment loss is recorded in the period in which any impairment is determined to have occurred.

 

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 and monitor the adequacy of our warranty reserves on an ongoing basis. In the third quarter fiscal 2016, the Company performed a detailed analysis of our coin warranty payments and related reserve requirements. Due to improved operational systems, we were able to better match warranty payments to the periods in which the coins were originally authenticated and graded by us. We concluded that, although there is no time limitation on our warranty obligation, the majority of our warranty claims arise within five years of the coin being authenticated and graded by us. Therefore, we deemed it appropriate to reduce our warranty reserve to $869,000 at March 31, 2016, which reduced the warranty expense recognized in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016 by $656,000 as compared to the three and nine months ended March 31, 2015 (See note 4).

 

Dividends

 

In accordance with the Company’s current quarterly dividend policy, we paid quarterly cash dividends of $0.35 per share of common stock in the third quarter of fiscal 2016. 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 September 2015, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-16, on Business Combinations and Simplifying the Accounting for measurement-period adjustments. Under this guidance an acquirer is required to recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The guidance requires that the acquirer record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. In addition, the guidance requires an entity to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes, the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods thereafter.

 

In November 2015, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-17, on Income Taxes and the Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. Under this updated guidance, deferred tax assets and liabilities are required to be classified as noncurrent asset or liabilities in the Company’s balance sheet. The guidance is effective for financial years beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those annual periods. Earlier adoption is permitted and the updated guidance, may be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. The Company plans to implement this guidance at June 30, 2016 and will retrospectively restate its comparable balance sheet at June 30, 2015 at that time. Had the Company adopted this guidance as of March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2015, deferred tax assets of $1,599,000 classified as part of current assets would have been reclassified to noncurrent deferred tax assets, such that noncurrent deferred tax assets would have been increased from $1,945,000 to $3,544,000 at both March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2015 and total current assets at March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2015 would have been reduced to $19,289,000 and $22,273,000, respectively. There would have been no change to total assets at March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2015 arising from this guidance.

 

 
8

 

 

In February 2016, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 on Accounting for Leases. The core principle of this guidance is that a lessee should recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases. A lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. If a lessee makes this election, it should recognize lease expense for such leases generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The adoption of this guidance is expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statement and related disclosures. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted.

 

In March 2016, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 Compensation–Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. Under this updated guidance all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies, should be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement. The tax effects of exercised or vested awards should be treated as discrete items in the reporting period in which they occur. An entity should recognize excess tax benefits regardless of whether the benefit reduces taxes payable in the current period. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 5, 2016 and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted.

 

2.

INVENTORIES

 

Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):

 
   

March 31,

   

June 30,

 
   

2016

   

2015

 

Coins

  $ 434     $ 504  

Grading raw materials consumable inventory

    2,018       1,728  
      2,452       2,232  

Less inventory reserve

    (617 )     (613 )

Inventories, net

  $ 1,835     $ 1,619  

 

The inventory reserve represents a valuation allowance on certain items of our coins, other collectibles and consumable inventories based upon our review of the current market value of such coins and collectibles and the usage of consumables.

 

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.

 

 
9

 

  

3.

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

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

 
                 
   

March 31,

   

June 30,

 
   

2016

   

2015

 

Coins grading reference sets

  $ 263     $ 263  

Computer hardware and equipment

    2,770       2,301  

Computer software

    1,202       1,148  

Equipment

    4,826       4,465  

Furniture and office equipment

    1,112       1,079  

Leasehold improvements

    1,139       1,024  

Trading card reference library

    52       52  
      11,364       10,332  

Less accumulated depreciation and amortization

    (8,591 )     (8,006 )

Property and equipment, net

  $ 2,773     $ 2,326  

 

4.

ACCRUED LIABILITIES

 

Accrued liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):

 

   

March 31,

   

June 30,

 
   

2016

   

2015

 

Warranty reserves

  $ 869     $ 1,492  

Other

    1,161       1,406  
    $ 2,030     $ 2,898  

 

The following table presents the changes in the Company’s warranty reserve during the nine months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

 

   

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

 

Warranty reserve beginning of period

  $ 1,492     $ 1,569  

Provision charged to cost of revenues

    363       380  

Change in estimate

    (656 )     -  

Payments

    (330 )     (399 )

Warranty reserve, end of period

  $ 869     $ 1,550  

 

We conducted a detailed review of our warranty reserves in the third quarter of fiscal 2016 and the resulting change in estimate reduced warranty expense by $656,000 in the third quarter.

 

5.

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

 

During fiscal 2009, the Board of Directors authorized the divesture and sale of the Company’s jewelry and the currency grading businesses, 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 March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2015.

 

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

 

The balance of our remaining lease related obligations in connection with the fiscal 2009 disposal of our jewelry business was $934,000 at March 31, 2016, of which $605,000 was classified as a current liability, and $329,000 was classified as a non-current liability in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet at March 31, 2016. We will continue to review and, if necessary, make adjustments to the lease obligation accruals on a quarterly basis.

 

 
10

 

 

6.

INCOME TAXES

 

In both the nine months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, we recognized provisions for income taxes based upon estimated annual effective tax rates of approximately 39% and such provisions include valuation allowances established against losses of foreign subsidiaries.

 

7.

NET INCOME PER SHARE

 

The following table presents the changes in the Company’s weighted average shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

 

   

Three Months Ended

March 31,

   

Nine Months Ended

March 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

   

2016

   

2015

 

Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic

    8,447       8,353       8,441       8,339  

Dilutive effect of stock options

    -       -       -       2  

Dilutive effect of restricted shares

    102       178       103       176  

Weighted average shares outstanding: Diluted

    8,549       8,531       8,544       8,517  

 

A total of 24,000 unvested restricted shares of common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted income per share, in the three months ended March 31, 2016, as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. There were no anti-dilutive options or restricted shares of common stock in either the three or the nine months ended March 31, 2015.

 

In addition, approximately 279,000 and 264,000 of unvested performance-based restricted shares of common stock were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016, respectively, as compared to 262,000 and 259,000 of unvested performance based shares in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2015, respectively, because we had not achieved the related financial performance goals required for those shares to vest.

 

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 collectibles. Services provided by these segments include authentication, grading, publications, advertising and commissions earned, subscription-based revenues and product sales. The other collectibles segment is comprised of CCE, Coinflation.com, Collectors.com and our collectibles trade show business.

 

 
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We allocate operating expenses to each service segment based upon each segment’s activity level. The following tables set forth, on a segment basis, a reconciliation with the condensed consolidated financial statements, of (i) external revenues, (ii) amortization and depreciation, (iii) stock-based compensation expense, and (iv) operating income for the three months and nine months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Net identifiable assets are provided by business segment as of March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2015, respectively (in thousands): 

 

   

Three Months Ended

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

March 31,

   

March 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

   

2016

   

2015

 

Net revenues from external customers:

                               

Coins

  $ 11,992     $ 11,008     $ 29,590     $ 31,891  

Trading cards and autographs

    4,005       3,671       11,576       11,154  

Other

    1,332       1,308       3,417       3,268  

Consolidated total revenue

  $ 17,329     $ 15,987     $ 44,583     $ 46,313  

Amortization and depreciation:

                               

Coins

  $ 118     $ 121     $ 381     $ 373  

Trading cards and autographs

    57       51       169       151  

Other

    125       84       344       251  

Total

    300       256       894       775  

Unallocated amortization and depreciation

    94       47       200       199  

Consolidated amortization and depreciation

  $ 394     $ 303     $ 1,094     $ 974  

Stock-based compensation:

                               

Coins

  $ 22     $ 93     $ 67     $ 354  

Trading cards and autographs

    3       41       8       197  

Other

    2       29       5       136  

Total

    27       163       80       687  

Unallocated stock-based compensation

    132       275       369       1,116  

Consolidated stock-based compensation

  $ 159     $ 438     $ 449     $ 1,803  

Operating income:

                               

Coins

  $ 4,516     $ 3,879     $ 10,117     $ 10,515  

Trading cards and autographs

    906       708       2,422       2,235  

Other

    62       394       57       805  

Total

    5,484       4,981       12,596       13,555  

Unallocated operating expenses

    (1,079 )     (1,309 )     (3,306 )     (4,212 )

Consolidated operating income

  $ 4,405     $ 3,672     $ 9,290     $ 9,343  

 

 
12

 

 

   

March 31,

   

June 30,

 
   

2016

   

2015

 

Identifiable Assets:

               

Coins

  $ 7,550     $ 5,961  

Trading cards and autographs

    1,415       1,436  

Other

    3,371       2,859  

Total

    12,336       10,256  

Unallocated assets

    17,494       21,946  

Consolidated assets

  $ 29,830     $ 32,202  

Goodwill:

               

Coins

  $ 515     $ 515  

Other

    1,568       1,568  

Consolidated goodwill

  $ 2,083     $ 2,083  

 

9.

RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

During the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016, an adult member of the immediate family of Mr. David Hall, the President of the Company, paid grading and authentication fees to us of $552,000 and $1,557,000, respectively, as compared to $179,000 and $828,000 for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2015. At March 31, 2016, the amount owed to the Company for these services was approximately $181,000, as compared to $145,000 at June 30, 2015.

 

An associate of Richard Kenneth Duncan Sr., who as of July 2015 was the beneficial owner of approximately 5% of our outstanding shares, paid us grading and authentication fees of $378,000 and $944,000 in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016, respectively, as compared to $208,000 and $748,000, respectively, in the same three and nine months of fiscal 2015. At March 31, 2016, the amount owed to the Company for these services was approximately $44,000, as compared to $118,000 at June 30, 2015.

 

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 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. We believe 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 April 21, 2016, the Company announced that, in accordance with its dividend policy the Board of Directors had approved a fourth quarter cash dividend of $0.35 per share of common stock and such dividend will be paid on May 27, 2016 to stockholders of record on May 18, 2016. 

 

 
13

 

 

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, 2015 (the “Fiscal 2015 10-K”), which we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on August 27, 2015, and the section, entitled “Factors that Can affect our Results of Operations or Financial Position,” below in this Item 2.

 

Due to these and other possible uncertainties and risks, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements that are 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 2015 10-K or any of our 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”, “our”, or the “Company”) provides authentication and grading services to dealers and collectors of high-value coins, trading cards, event tickets, autographs, and 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 through December 31, 2015 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.

 

 
14

 

 

Overview of Three and Nine Months ended March 31, 2016 Operating Results

 

The following table sets forth comparative financial data for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

   

Nine Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

   

2016

   

2015

 
   

Amount

   

% of Net

Revenues

   

Amount

   

% of Net

Revenues

   

Amount

   

% of Net

Revenues

   

Amount

   

% of Net

Revenues

 

Net Revenues:

                                                               

Grading authentication and related services

  $ 17,267       99.6 %   $ 15,987       100.0 %   $ 44,515       99.8 %   $ 46,304       100.0 %

Product sales

    62       0.4 %     -       -       68       0.2 %     9       -  
                                                                 
      17,329       100.0 %     15,987       100.0 %     44,583       100.0 %     46,313       100.0 %

Cost of Revenues:

                                                               

Grading authentication and related services

    6,217       36.0 %     5,865       36.7 %     16,361       36.8 %     16,692       36.0 %

Product sales

    71       114.5 %     10       -       83       122.1 %     46       511.1 %
      6,288       36.3 %     5,875       36.7 %     16,444       36.9 %     16,738       36.1 %
                                                                 

Gross Profit:

                                                               

Services

    11,050       64.0 %     10,122       63.3 %     28,154       63.2 %     29,612       64.0 %

Product sales

    (9 )     (14.5% )     (10 )     -       (15 )     (22.1% )     (37 )     (411.1% )
      11,041       63.7 %     10,112       63.3 %     28,139       63.1 %     29,575       63.9 %
                                                                 

Selling and marketing expenses

    2,132       12.3 %     2,285       14.3 %     6,341       14.2 %     6,799       14.7 %

General & administrative expenses

    4,504       26.0 %     4,155       26.0 %     12,508       28.1 %     13,433       29.0 %

Operating income

    4,405       25.4 %     3,672       23.0 %     9,290       20.8 %     9,343       20.2 %
                                                                 

Interest and other expense, net

    3       -       (40 )     (0.3% )     (39 )     (0.1% )     (42 )     (0.1% )

Income before provision for income taxes

    4,408       25.4 %     3,632       22.7 %     9,251       20.7 %     9,301       20.1 %

Provision for income taxes

    1,695       9.7 %     1,450       9.1 %     3,600       8.0 %     3,670       7.9 %

Income from continuing operations

    2,713       15.7 %     2,182       13.6 %     5,651       12.7 %     5,631       12.2 %

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

    65       0.3 %     (12 )     -       47       0.1 %     (3 )     -  

Net income

  $ 2,778       16.0 %   $ 2,170       13.6 %   $ 5,698       12.8 %   $ 5,628       12.2 %
                                                                 

Net income per diluted share:

                                                               

Income from continuing operations

  $ 0.32             $ 0.26             $ 0.66             $ 0.66          

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

    -               (0.01 )             0.01               -          

Net income

  $ 0.32             $ 0.25             $ 0.67             $ 0.66          

 

The service revenues of $17.3 million and operating income of $4.4 million earned in the third quarter of fiscal 2016, represented record quarterly operating results for the business.

 

Service revenues increased by 8.0% in this year’s third quarter as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2015. That increase, included increases of 8.4% in our coin business and 9.1% in our cards and autographs business, and represented record quarterly revenues for both those businesses. Services revenue for the nine months ended March 31, 2016, declined by 3.9%, as compared to the nine months ended March 31, 2015 and primarily reflected reductions in our modern business, due to of the absence of commemorative coin revenues in first half of the current year. The revenue changes are discussed in more detail under Net Revenues below.

 

As set out in the table above, operating income was $4.4 million and $9.3 million for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016, respectively, as compared to $3.7 million and $9.3 million in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2015. Operating income in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016 reflects: (i) a warranty benefit of $0.7 million, (See Critical Accounting Policies: Warranty Costs) (ii) increased losses attributable to Collectors.com of $0.4 million and $1.1 million, respectively, and (iii) lower non-cash stock- based compensation expense of $0.3 million and $1.4 million, respectively, (see Critical Accounting Policies: Restricted Stock Awards).

 

 
15

 

 

These, as well as other factors affecting our operating results in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016, are described in more detail below. See “Factors that Can Affect our Operating Results and Financial Position” and “Results of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the Three and Nine Months Ended March 31, 2015”.

 

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 in the nine months ended March 31, 2016. 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, that we authenticate and grade.

 

In addition, our coin authentication and grading and revenues are impacted by the volume of modern coin submissions, which can be volatile, primarily depending on the timing and size of modern commemorative and other 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 generally 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 revenues 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 show attendees 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 dealer and collector sentiment arising from short-term changes in the prices of gold that may occur around the time of 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 19% and 14% of our total net revenues in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016. 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.

 

 
16

 

 

The following tables provide information regarding the respective numbers of coins, trading cards and autographs that we authenticated and graded in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, 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 March 31,

   

Declared Value (000s)

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

   

2016

   

2015

 

Coins

    815,100       65.1 %     559,100       57.2 %   $ 476,104       88.7 %   $ 635,671       95.0 %

Trading cards and autographs (1)

    437,300       34.9 %     417,900       42.8 %     60,838       11.3 %     33,432       5.0 %

Total

    1,252,400       100.0 %     977,000       100.0 %   $ 536,942       100.0 %   $ 669,103       100.0 %

 

   

Units Processed

Nine Months Ended March 31,

   

Declared Value (000s)

Nine Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

   

2016

   

2015

 

Coins

    1,692,300       57.2 %     1,532,800       54.5 %   $ 1,451,081       91.2 %   $ 1,645,026       93.9 %

Trading cards and autographs (1)

    1,268,300       42.8 %     1,281,300       45.5 %     140,408       8.8 %     106,498       6.1 %

Total

    2,960,600       100.0 %     2,814,100       100.0 %   $ 1,591,489       100.0 %   $ 1,751,524       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 economy 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.

 

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 during the next 12 months.

 

In addition to the operating performances of our businesses, and in particular our coin 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 approximately 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.

 

 
17

 

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

Except as discussed below, during the nine months ended March 31, 2016 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, 2015. 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.

 

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 and monitor the adequacy of our warranty reserves on an ongoing basis. In the third quarter fiscal 2016, the Company performed a detailed analysis of our coin warranty payments and related reserve requirements. Due to improved operational systems, we were able to better match warranty payments to the periods in which the coins were originally authenticated and graded by us. We concluded that, although there is no time limitation on our warranty obligation, the majority of our warranty claims arise within five years of the coin being authenticated and graded by us. Therefore, we deemed it appropriate to reduce our warranty reserve to $869,000 at March 31, 2016, which reduced the warranty expense recognized in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016 by $656,000 as compared to the three and nine months ended March 31, 2015. Furthermore, our improved systems allows us to accrue for estimated warranty costs for coins more precisely and in future quarters we will accrue warranty costs, at a rate per coin that reflects the nature of the coin (i.e. vintage or modern) and our related warranty payment experience.

 

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, 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. However, 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 quarter ended September 30, 2015, 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 were greater than their respective carrying values, including goodwill, and therefore, it was not necessary to proceed to the two-step impairment test.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

We recognize stock-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 financial performance goals, we begin recognizing compensation expense based on the grant date fair value when it becomes probable that we will achieve the financial performance goals.

 

 
18

 

  

Restricted Stock Awards 

 

In connection with the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) adopted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors in fiscal 2013 and as previously disclosed in our Fiscal 2015 10-K, we did not achieve Performance Goal #2 in fiscal 2015 but nevertheless we still consider it probable that we will achieve that goal prior to the expiration of the Company’s LTIP in fiscal 2018. Therefore, we are accruing the remaining stock-based compensation expense for Performance Goal #2 on a prospective basis, through the expected later vesting date.

 

At this time, it is considered too early to determine if it is probable that the Company will achieve additional Performance Goals beyond Performance Goal #2 in fiscal 2016 or future periods. We will continue to reassess at each reporting date whether it has become probable that any additional performance goals will be achieved. If, additional shares are expected to vest, additional stock-based compensation expense will be recognized based on the expected vesting period.

 

Stock-based compensation for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016 was $159,000 and $449,000, respectively, as compared to $438,000 and $1,803,000 for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2015, respectively. The reductions of $279,000 and $1,354,000 in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016 as compared to respective periods of the prior year, primarily related to lower stock-based compensation expense recognized for LTIP related shares due to (i) the Threshold and Performance Goal #1 shares being fully vested at June 30, 2015 whereas in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2015, expense of $113,000 and $338,000, respectively was recognized and (ii) lower expense of $148,000 and $928,000 in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016, respectively, required to be recognized for the Performance Goal #2 shares, as it was originally expected that Performance Goal #2 would be achieved in fiscal 2015.

 

Results of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended March 31, 2016 as compared to the Three and Nine Months Ended March 31, 2015

 

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, and 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 revenues related to our CCE (dealer-to-dealer Internet bid-ask market for certified coins), CoinFacts (through December 31, 2015) and Collectors Club memberships; 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 coin authentication and grading 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 information regarding our net revenues for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

   

Increase (Decrease)

 
   


Amount

   

% of Net
Revenues

   


Amount

   

% of Net
Revenues

   


Amount

   

% of Net
Revenues

 

Authentication and grading fees

  $ 15,167       87.5 %   $ 13,727       85.9 %   $ 1,440       10.5 %

Other related services

    2,100       12.1 %     2,260       14.1 %     (160 )     (7.1% )

Total service revenues

    17,267       99.6 %     15,987       100.0 %     1,280       8.0 %

Product sales

    62       0.4 %     -       -       62       -  

Total net revenues

  $ 17,329       100.0 %   $ 15,987       100.0 %   $ 1,342       8.4 %

 

 
19

 

 

   

Nine Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

   

Increase (Decrease)

 
   


Amount

   

% of Net
Revenues

   


Amount

   

% of Net
Revenues

   


Amount

   

% of Net
Revenues

 

Authentication and grading fees

  $ 38,445       86.2 %   $ 40,136       86.7 %   $ (1,691 )     (4.2% )

Other related services

    6,070       13.6 %     6,168       13.3 %     (98 )     (1.6% )

Total service revenues

    44,515       99.8 %     46,304       100.0 %     (1,789 )     (3.9% )

Product sales

    68       0.2 %     9       -       59       655.6 %

Total net revenues

  $ 44,583       100.0 %   $ 46,313       100.0 %   $ (1,730 )     (3.7% )

 

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 and nine months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

 
                                   

2016 vs. 2015

 
   

2016

   

2015

   

Increase (Decrease)

 
           

% of Net

           

% of Net

   

Revenues

   

Units Processed

 
   

Amount

   

Revenues

   

Amount

   

Revenues

   

Amounts

   

%

   

Number

   

%

 

Coins

  $ 11,930       68.8 %   $ 11,008       68.9 %   $ 922       8.4 %     256,000       45.8 %

Cards and autographs (1)

    4,005       23.1 %     3,671       23.0 %     334       9.1 %     19,400       4.6 %

Other (2)

    1,332       7.7 %     1,308       8.1 %     24       1.8 %     -       -  

Product sales

    62       0.4 %     -       -       62       -       -       -  
    $ 17,329       100.0 %   $ 15,987       100.0 %   $ 1,342       8.4 %     275,400       28.2 %

 

   

Nine Months Ended March 31,

 
                                   

2016 vs. 2015

 
   

2016

   

2015

   

Increase (Decrease)

 
           

% of Net

           

% of Net

   

Revenues

   

Units Processed

 
   

Amount

   

Revenues

   

Amount

   

Revenues

   

Amounts

   

%

   

Number

   

%

 

Coins

  $ 29,528       66.2 %   $ 31,882       68.8 %   $ (2,354 )     (7.4% )     159,500       10.4 %

Cards and autographs (1)

    11,570       26.0 %     11,154       24.1 %     416       3.7 %     (13,000 )     (1.0% )

Other (2)

    3,417       7.6 %     3,268       7.1 %     149       4.6 %     -       -  

Product sales

    68       0.2 %     9       -       59       655.6 %     -       -  
    $ 44,583       100.0 %   $ 46,313       100.0 %   $ (1,730 )     (3.7% )     146,500       5.2 %

 

 

 

(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.

 

In the three months ended March 31, 2016, our total service revenues increased by $1,280,000, or 8.0%, to a quarterly record of $17,267,000 and comprised an increase of $1,440,000, or 10.5%, in authentication and grading fees partially offset by a decrease of $160,000, or 7.1%, in other related service revenues. The increase in authentication and grading fees was attributable to a $1,120,000, or 10.8% increase in coin fees and a $320,000, or 9.5%, increase in cards and autograph fees.

 

In the nine months ended March 31, 2016, our total service revenues decreased by $1,789,000, or 3.9%, to $44,515,000 and comprised a decrease of $1,691,000, or 4.2%, in authentication and grading fees and a decrease of $98,000 or 1.6%, in other related service revenues. The decrease in authentication and grading fees was attributable to a $2,067,000, or 6.9% decrease in coin fees partially offset by a $376,000, or 3.7%, increase in cards and autograph fees.

 

 
20

 

 

The increase in our coin fees of $1,120,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 2016, as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2015, was attributable to a record number of coins authenticated and graded in the quarter and resulted in record quarterly fees generated for modern coins and from our China and France operations. In the third quarter of fiscal 2016 as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2015: (i) world fees increased by $732,000 or 74.5%, as a result of the record quarterly revenues generated from our operations in China and France, where fees increased by 167% and 114%, respectively, (ii) trade shows fees increased by $499,000, or 34.4% reflecting increased average fees generated per show (iii) modern fees (inclusive of special inserts) increased by $189,000 or 4.1% resulting from a 44% increase in the number of units authenticated and graded in the quarter, we believe driven by the previously disclosed more competitive pricing programs that we introduced on January 1, 2016 and (iv) vintage fees decreased by $300,000 or 8.9% due to the absence in this year’s third quarter of fees earned from the authentication and grading of one customer’s coin collection that benefited last year’s second and third quarters.

 

The decrease of $2,067,000 in coin fees in the nine months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the same period of the prior year, reflects the previously disclosed reduction in coin fees in the first half of the year, partially offset by the improved performance in the third quarter, as discussed above. In the nine months ended March 31, 2016, modern coin grading fees decreased by $2,592,000, or 22.7%, vintage fees decreased by $597,000 or 6.1% whereas trade show fees increased by $798,000, or 16.5% and world fees increased by $324,000 or 8.3%.

 

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.

 

Revenues from our trading cards and autographs business increased by 9.1% in the third quarter, and by 3.7% in the nine months ended March 31, 2016 and represented record quarterly and nine month revenues from that business. Our cards and autographs business has achieved quarter-on-quarter revenue growth for 22 out of the last 23 quarters.

 

As previously disclosed, our third fiscal quarter is typically our seasonally strongest quarter of the year, due to the release of Gold and Silver Eagles by the US Mint in that quarter. Following the record revenues earned in the third quarter, we continue to see strong momentum in the business in the early part of the fourth quarter, although, it remains uncertain as to the level of revenue the company will achieve in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2016.

 

Despite the reduction in our coin authentication and grading revenues in the nine months ended March 31, 2016, our coin business represented approximately 66% of total service revenues in the nine months of the current year, as compared to 69% of total service revenues for the same period of the prior year, and reflects the continued importance of our coin authentication and grading business to our overall financial performance.

 

The reduction in other related services in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016, reflects the Company’s decision to eliminate, effective January 2016, the subscriptions fees that we had previously charged customers to access our CoinFacts website and therefore, to allow free access to this numismatic and value added content to all dealers and collectors. We believe that allowing free access to this information will generate more knowledgeable dealers and collectors over time, which should benefit our business and we believe will more than offset the short-term reduction in revenues, arising from this decision.

 

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 acquired pursuant to our coin warranty program) that we sold and any inventory related reserves, considered necessary.

 

 
21

 

 

Set forth below is information regarding our gross profit in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

 

   

Three Months Ended March 31,

   

Nine Months Ended March 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

   

2016

   

2015

 
                                                                 
   

Amount

   

% of

Revenues

   

Amount

   

% of

Revenues

   

Amounts

   

% of

Revenues

   

Amounts

   

% of

Revenues

 

Gross profit-services

  $ 11,050       64.0 %   $ 10,122       63.3 %   $ 28,154       63.2 %   $ 29,612       64.0 %

Gross profit–product sales

    (9 )     (14.5 %)     (10 )     -       (15 )     (22.1 %)     (37 )     (411.1 %)

Total

  $ 11,041       63.7 %   $ 10,112       63.3 %   $ 28,139       63.1 %   $ 29,575       63.9 %

 

As indicated in the above table, our services gross profit margins were 64.0% and 63.2% for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016, respectively, as compared to 63.3% and 64.0% for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2015. As discussed under our Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates: Warranty Costs, in the third quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company reduced its warranty reserve which benefited cost of revenues by $656,000 in both the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016 as compared to the same respective periods of fiscal 2015. Excluding the warranty benefit, our services gross profit would have been 60.2% and 61.8% for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016, respectively, which reflects in the third quarter, the more competitive pricing we introduced, effective January 1, 2016, for modern coins as discussed under Net Revenues above. In addition, as discussed in prior reports, there can be variability in the services gross profit margin due to the mix of revenues in any period. During the three years ended June 30, 2015, our quarterly services gross profit varied between 59% and 64%.

 

Selling and Marketing Expenses

 

Selling and marketing expenses include advertising and promotions costs (including costs associated with Collectors.com), 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 and nine months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 (in thousands):

 

   

Three Months Ended

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

March 31,

   

March 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

   

2016

   

2015

 

Selling and marketing expenses

  $ 2,132     $ 2,285     $ 6,341     $ 6,799  

Percent of net revenue

    12.3 %     14.3 %     14.2 %     14.7 %

 

Selling and marketing expenses decreased by $153,000 and $458,000 in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016, respectively, as compared to the same respective periods of the prior year and included (i) decreased business development costs of $368,000 in the third quarter and $775,000 in the nine months, primarily reflecting lower incentives due to the resignation of our Vice President of Business Development (ii) increased international travel costs of $75,000 in the third quarter to support our overseas operations and decreased trade show costs of $128,000 in the nine months, due to fewer domestic trade shows in the current period and (iii) increased selling and marketing expenses of $158,000 in the third quarter and $534,000 in the nine months for Collectors.com.

 

 
22

 

 

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, and G&A expenses of Collectors.com. Set forth below is information regarding our G&A expenses in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, (in thousands):

 

   

Three Months Ended

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

March 31,

   

March 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

   

2016

   

2015

 

General and administrative expenses

  $ 4,504     $ 4,155     $ 12,508     $ 13,433  

Percent of net revenue

    26.0 %     26.0 %     28.1 %     29.0 %


G&A expenses increased by $349,000 in this year’s third quarter but decreased by $925,000 in the nine months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the same respective periods of fiscal 2015 and included (i) lower G&A non-cash stock based compensation of $274,000 in the third quarter and $1,337,000 in the nine months, as discussed under Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates: Stock-Based Compensation and Restricted Stock Award, (ii) higher G&A costs for Collectors.com of $236,000 in the third quarter and $615,000 in the nine months (iii) higher legal and litigation related fees incurred of $254,000 in the third quarter whereas for the nine months we incurred lower fees of $235,000, due to the completion of two lawsuits during the first half of fiscal 2015 and (iv) higher IT related outside services of $153,000 in the nine months of the current year.

 

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

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

March 31,

   

March 31,

 

Included In:

 

2016

   

2015

   

2016

   

2015

 

Cost of authentication, grading and related services

  $ 11     $ 11     $ 34     $ 34  

Selling and marketing expenses

    7       12       23       40  

General and administrative expenses

    141       415       392       1,729  
    $ 159     $ 438     $ 449     $ 1,803  

 

See Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates: Stock-Based Compensation and Restricted Stock Awards for a discussion of the changes in stock-based compensation in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016 as compared to the same period in the prior year.

 

The following table sets forth unrecognized non-cash stock-based compensation expense totaling $558,000 related to unvested stock-based awards at March 31, 2016 and represents the expense expected to be recognized through fiscal year 2019, on the assumption that the holders of the equity awards will remain in the Company’s service through fiscal 2019 and the Company will achieve Performance Goal #2 by June 30, 2017. 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 Financial Performance Goals under the Company’s LTIP (in thousands):

 

 

Fiscal Year Ending June 30,

 

Amount

 

2016 (remaining 3 months)

  $ 149  

2017

    254  

2018

    135  

2019

    20  
    $ 558  

 

 
23

 

 

Income Tax Expense

 

   

Three Months Ended

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

March 31,

   

March 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

   

2016

   

2015

 
   

(In Thousands)

 

Provision for income taxes

  $ 1,695     $ 1,450     $ 3,600     $ 3,670  

 

The income tax provisions in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016, were determined based on estimated annual effective tax rates of approximately 38% and 39%, respectively as compared to 40% and 39% in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2015, respectively.

 

Discontinued Operations

 

   

Three Months Ended

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

March 31,

   

March 31,

 
   

2016

   

2015

   

2016

   

2015

 
   

(In Thousands)

 

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

  $ 65     $ (12 )   $ 47     $ (3 )

 

The income (losses) from discontinued operations (net of income taxes) for both the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, related to the Company’s obligations for its New York City facilities, formerly occupied by our discontinued jewelry businesses, offset by royalty income realized from our discontinued currency business in the three and nine months ended March 31, 2016.

 

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.

 

At March 31, 2016, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $12,581,000, as compared to cash and cash equivalents of $17,254,000 at June 30, 2015.

 

Cash Flows

 

Cash Flows from Continuing Operations. During the nine months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, our operating activities from continuing operations generated cash of $6,332,000 and $7,842,000, respectively. The lower cash provided by operating activities in the nine months ended March 31, 2016 primarily, reflected lower operating income before non-cash stock based compensation and working capital changes.

 

Cash Flows of Discontinued Operations. Discontinued operations used cash of $331,000 and $471,000 in the nine months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, primarily related to payments for our obligations for the New York facilities, formerly occupied by our discontinued jewelry businesses partially offset by royalty income from our discontinued currency business.

 

Cash generated or used by Investing Activities. Investing activities used cash of $1,683,000 and $1,032,000 in the nine months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. In the nine months ended March 31, 2016 we used $1,113,000 for capital expenditures and $615,000 for capitalized software for Collectors.com. In the nine months ended March 31, 2015, we used of $622,000 net, for capital expenditures, $200,000 for the purchase of the business assets of IQ and $250,000 for capitalized software.

 

 
24

 

 

Cash used in Financing Activities. In the nine months ended March 31, 2016, financing activities used cash of $8,991,000 to fund cash dividends paid to our stockholders. In the nine months ended March 31, 2015 financing activities used $8,919,000 of which $8,415,000 was used to fund dividends to our stockholders and $504,000 was used for the repurchase of 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

 

2016  (remaining 3 months)

  $ 444     $ 21     $ 423  

2017

    1,907       84       1,823  

2018

    1,768       87       1,681  

2019

    1,188       67       1,121  

2020

    138       -       138  

Thereafter

    109       -       109  
    $ 5,554     $ 259     $ 5,295  

 

Discontinued Operations. At December 31, 2015, one of the facility obligations, related to our discontinued jewelry businesses, expired. The following table sets forth our expected remaining minimum base payment obligation with respect to the remaining facility. The obligation, which is payable in monthly installments is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2017.

 

Fiscal Year

 

Remaining

Obligation

 

2016  (remaining 3 months)

  $ 113  

2017

    470  

2018

    245  
    $ 828  

Less:  Discounted estimated fair value of lease payments

    (791 )

Accretion expense to be recognized in future periods

  $ 37  

 

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 $0.35 per share of common stock to our stockholders, for an expected total annual cash dividend of $1.40 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 (and in particular the on-going performance to the Company’s coin business), 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 March 31, 2016, 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 quarter of fiscal 2008.

 

 
25

 

 

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 and initiatives (including Collectors.com); 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 remaining obligations for the facility 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 September 2015, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-16, on Business Combinations and Simplifying the Accounting for measurement-period adjustments. Under this guidance an acquirer is required to recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The guidance requires that the acquirer record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. In addition, the guidance requires an entity to present separately on the face of the income statement or disclose in the notes, the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015 and interim periods thereafter.

 

In November 2015, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-17, on Income Taxes and the Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. Under this updated guidance, deferred tax assets and liabilities are required to be classified as noncurrent asset or liabilities in the Company’s balance sheet. The guidance is effective for financial years beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those annual periods. Earlier adoption is permitted and the updated guidance, may be applied either prospectively or retrospectively. The Company plans to implement this guidance at June 30, 2016 and will retrospectively restate its comparable balance sheet at June 30, 2015 at that time. Had the Company adopted this guidance as of March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2015, respectively, deferred tax assets of $1,599,000 classified as part of current assets would have been reclassified to noncurrent deferred tax assets, such that noncurrent deferred tax assets would have been increased from $1,945,000 to $3,544,000 at both March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2015 and total current assets at March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2015 would have been reduced to $19,289,000 and $22,273,000, respectively. There would have been no change to total assets at March 31, 2016 and June 30, 2015 arising from this guidance.

 

In February 2016, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 on Accounting for Leases. The core principle of this guidance is that a lessee should recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases. A lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. If a lessee makes this election, it should recognize lease expense for such leases generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The adoption of this guidance is expected have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statement and related disclosures. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted.

 

In March 2016, FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 Compensation–Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. Under this updated guidance all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies, should be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement. The tax effects of exercised or vested awards should be treated as discrete items in the reporting period in which they occur. An entity should recognize excess tax benefits regardless of whether the benefit reduces taxes payable in the current period. The adoption of this guidance is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 5, 2016 and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted.

 

 
26

 

 

 

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 March 31, 2016, we had $12,581,000 in cash and cash equivalents, of which, $9,616,000 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 from reductions in interest rates is not expected to be material.

 

Cash balances overseas at March 31, 2016 were approximately $947,000. 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 March 31, 2016, 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 March 31, 2016, 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 March 31, 2016, that has materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 
27

 

 

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1A.

Risk Factors

 

There have been 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, 2015 that we filed with the SEC on August 27, 2015.

 

ITEM 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

None

 

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

 

 
28

 

 

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:     May 5, 2016

By:

/s/ ROBERT G. DEUSTER

 
   

Robert G. Deuster

 
   

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

   

COLLECTORS UNIVERSE, INC.

 
       

Date:     May 5, 2016

By:

/s/ JOSEPH J. WALLACE

 
   

Joseph J. Wallace

 
   

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 
S-1

 

 

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