UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
[ X ] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended February 28, 2002 or
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from __________ to __________
Commission File Number: 0-1460
ANDERSEN GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 06-0659863
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
515 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(212) 826-8942
Registrant's telephone number, including area code
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: NONE
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Name of Each exchange
Title of each class on which registered
Common Stock, $.01 par value The NASDAQ Stock Market
10 1/2% Convertible Subordinated Debentures Due 2007
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, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes X No
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of the Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [ ]
The aggregate market value of the Common Stock, $.01 par value, held by non-affiliates of the Registrant based upon the average bid and asked prices on May 2, 2002 as reported on The NASDAQ Stock Market, was approximately $10,100,000. Shares of Common Stock held by each officer and director and by each person who owns 5% or more of the outstanding Common Stock have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination for other purposes.
As of May 2, 2002 there were 2,099,908 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value, outstanding.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
None.
ANDERSEN GROUP, INC.
FORM 10-K
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I.
Item 1. Business
Item 2. Properties
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
PART II.
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder
Matters
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting
and Financial Disclosure
PART III.
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
PART IV.
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K
Signatures
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
Statement Regarding Forward Looking Disclosure and Risk Factors
Certain sections of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including "Item 1. Business" and "Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations", may contain various forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), which represent our expectations or beliefs concerning future events.
Forward-looking statements include statements that are predictive in nature, which depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, which include words such as "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "estimates," "expects" or similar expressions. In addition, any statements concerning future financial performance, ongoing business strategies or prospects, and possible future actions, which may be provided by our management, are also forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and projections about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions about our company, economic and market factors and the industry in which we do business, among other things. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and we undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Actual events and results may differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors. Factors that could cause our actual performance and future events and actions to differ materially from such forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to those discussed below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
General
Andersen Group, Inc., referred to herein as the "Company" or the "Registrant", was incorporated under the laws of the State of Connecticut in 1951. On April 24, 1998, the Company re-incorporated to the State of Delaware. As used herein, "FY02", "FY01" and "FY00" reference the fiscal years ended February 28, 2002, February 28, 2001 and February 29, 2000, respectively.
The Company's activities have principally been in the areas of manufacturing and investments. Since February 1991, the Company's primary activities have been represented by its investment in The J.M. Ney Company ("JM Ney"), which at February 28, 2002 accounted for 80.3% of the Company's consolidated assets, and which represented 97.9% of the Company's consolidated revenues for the year ended February 28, 2002. During the past four fiscal years, JM Ney's principal activities consisted of the manufacture and sale of precious metal alloys, stamped parts and insert-molded parts which were sold to customers in the automotive, medical and industrial electronic industries. JM Ney previously also had a subsidiary which manufactured ultrasonic cleaning equipment, the assets of which were sold effective February 28, 1998, and a dental alloys distribution division which was sold in November 1995.
In November 2001, the Company reached a definitive agreement with Deringer Mfg. Company of Mundelein, Illinois to sell substantially all of the operating assets and certain liabilities of JM Ney. After the approval of the Company's shareholders and the consent of the holders of the Company's 10 1/2 % convertible subordinated debentures, the Company closed the transaction effective March 22, 2002.
Currently, the Company's primary investment is a 25% equity interest in ABC Moscow Broadband Communication Limited ("Moscow Broadband"), a Cyprus-based limited liability company which holds a 50% equity interest in ZAO ComCor-TV ("ComCor-TV"), a Russian company based in Moscow, Russia that is licensed to deliver cable television, high speed data transmission and Internet access and IP telephony to 1,500,000 homes and businesses in the Moscow region.
Recent Developments
In April 2002, the Company entered into agreements, subject to shareholder approval, under which the Company will acquire the 50% equity ownership of ComCor-TV presently owned by Moscow Telecommunications Company ("COMCOR") in exchange for approximately $28 million of the Company's common stock. The number of shares to be issued to purchase this equity will be determined based upon the average price of the Company's stock during a ten-day trading period prior to the closing of the transaction subject to the average share price being within the range of $8 to $12 per share. Either party has a right to terminate the agreement if the average share price is outside this defined range. The agreements require COMCOR to contribute defined operating assets and additional shares of the Institute for Automated Systems ("IAS"), a Russian telecommunications company, to ComCor-TV. The Company is required to acquire substantially all of the outstanding shares of M oscow Broadband that it currently does not own and to contribute additional cash and Moscow Broadband's remaining shares of IAS to ComCor-TV. At this date, the Company has not entered into any agreements or formalized any terms or plans to acquire additional ownership of Moscow Broadband. These transactions are subject to various regulatory and shareholder approvals. The Company expects to file the necessary proxy materials to effect a shareholder vote for these and transactions. If these transactions occur substantially as planned, both Moscow Broadband and ComCor-TV will be substantially wholly-owned by the Company and become consolidated subsidiaries of the Company.
ComCor-TV is currently dependent upon additional sources of capital. Without the capital to be provided by COMCOR, Moscow Broadband and the Company pursuant to the agreements, ComCor-TV may not be able to continue as a going concern, which could otherwise have a significant adverse affect on the reported value of the Company's investment in Moscow Broadband.
Industry Segment Information
Financial information regarding the Company's industry segments is contained in Note 17 to the Registrant's Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 herein.
Description of Business
During FY02, the Company operated in two business segments: Electronics and Corporate. The Electronics segment was comprised of the activities of JM Ney. The Corporate segment is comprised of investment activities.
Electronics Segment
Products. The Electronics segment, the assets of which were sold effective March 22, 2002, was a full-service, materials and parts supplier to various automotive, medical, industrial electronics, telecommunications and military market segments. JM Ney's fully integrated approach included the manufacture of metal alloys, specializing in various trademarked precious metal alloys, and the design, engineering and fabrication of custom precision products. The fabrication capabilities included wire drawing, rolling from ingot to foil, precision turning, stamping, injection and insert molding, as well as complex tool making.
JM Ney specialized in the custom engineering, design and manufacturing of precision metal contacts and insert molded contact assemblies and connectors aimed at low amperage applications. Electrical contacts made utilizing precious metals, including gold, platinum, palladium and silver, are considered extremely dependable as the materials are inert and highly resistant to corrosion and wear. In developing a finished contact or connector assembly, JM Ney's technical staff worked closely with customers, typically on an engineer-to-engineer level, in order to design a product that meets all of the metallurgical, electronic, dynamic and other performance specifications required for the customer's applications. JM Ney designed and built the necessary molds and tools, and designed and manufactured the end product. By controlling the total process, JM Ney believed it had a competitive advantage over other companies in technology, cost and response time. JM Ney has attained ISO 9001 certificati on and QS9000 certification for the manufacture of its products, as well as approval by the Japanese Industrial Standards ("JIS") and meets "Good Manufacturing Practices" of the United States Food and Drug Administration.
In connection with the sale of the assets and liabilities of the Company's Dental segment in November, 1995, JM Ney (and the Company, solely for purposes of a non-competition covenant) entered into a three-year manufacturing agreement to alloy and fabricate precious metals for Ney Dental International, Inc. ("NDI"), a successor company to the purchaser of JM Ney's dental business. As part of this agreement, JM Ney and the Company agreed, for a ten-year period, not to sell alloys, equipment or merchandise into the dental market that NDI serves. JM Ney, however, was permitted to continue producing, selling and marketing precious metal copings and other machined and molded parts and material for use in the dental implant industry. Although this three-year manufacturing agreement expired in November 1998, JM Ney continued to manufacture products for NDI's successor, but at significantly reduced levels.
Competition. JM Ney's business had direct competition from a limited number of companies with regard to the manufacture of low amperage metal contacts, contact assemblies, and molded connectors due to the extreme high precision and inherent risks which accompany the engineering and manufacture of precious metals (i.e., high start-up and inventory costs, theft, etc.). While some competitors offer similar products, the Company believed that these operations lack the degree of vertical integration to compete effectively across the entire spectrum of products. JM Ney faced competition from companies such as Polymetallurgical, Cendres and Metaux, MicroContacts, and Brainin Advance Industries.
Sales and Marketing. JM Ney sold to more than 800 customers, with approximately 74% of its sales being made to customers in the United States. JM Ney's domestic sales force included both direct field sales and manufacturers' representatives located in key geographic markets. Internationally, JM Ney sold through manufacturers' representatives, independent distributors and original equipment manufacturers.
Research and Development. During FY02, FY01 and FY00, JM Ney's research and development expenses totaled approximately, $1,907,000, $2,348,000 and $2,203,000, respectively.
The Corporate Segment is comprised of the Company's investment and administrative activities. This includes the management of the Company's trading portfolios and long-term investments, as described below. This segment also included the operations of Andersen Realty, Inc., which, until December 2001, owned a 108,000 square foot office building in Bloomfield, Connecticut, and the monitoring of the Company's continuing interest in the ultrasonic cleaning technology sold during FY98. Such continuing interest is represented by royalties received pursuant to a technology assignment agreement which was entered into with the buyer of the former Ultrasonics Cleaning Equipment segment. During FY02, the Company earned $210,000 of royalty revenue pursuant to this agreement.
Trading Portfolio
At February 28, 2001, the Company had a trading portfolio comprised of investments in a Ukrainian energy company and a Russian bond fund with an aggregate reported value of $96,000. During FY02, the Company invested a total of $278,000 in two savings bank institutions and also received shares in two insurance and financial companies as part of their conversions from mutual companies to publicly traded stock companies. During FY02, the Company also received liquidating distributions from the Russian bond fund. At February 28, 2002, the aggregate reported fair value of the Company's trading portfolio was $455,000. In prior years, the Company's trading portfolio was comprised of more substantial investments in the securities of domestic financial institutions and Eastern European and Russian companies.
The Company has historically also made passive investments, including investments in publicly traded financial institutions and in the equity securities of Russian and other Eastern European companies. At February 28, 2002 the Company had investments with an aggregate market value of $450,000 in financial institutions, and an investment in a Ukrainian based energy company with a value of $5,000.
Real Estate
Andersen Realty, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, managed and operated a 108,000 square foot office building in Bloomfield, Connecticut. In December 2001, the building was sold for proceeds of $1,691,000 net of transaction costs of $209,000, which resulted in a pre-tax loss of $197,000. During FY02, rental income from the property represented less than 1% of consolidated revenues.
ABC Moscow Broadband Communication Limited
Prior to the fourth quarter of FY00, the Company held a 50% investment in Moscow Broadband whose primary asset was a 6% investment interest in IAS. From 1995 through 1999, the Company invested approximately $800,000 for a 50% equity interest in Moscow Broadband for the acquisition of a 6% ownership interest in IAS. In FY99, the Company wrote down its investment in Moscow Broadband to $84,000. The write-down resulted from the impact of the 1998 financial crisis in Russia, which involved a significant devaluation of the Russian ruble. Accordingly, the Company recorded an impairment writedown of its investment in MBC to reflect the decline in the value of IAS. In 1999, the Company provided Moscow Broadband an additional $300,000 to perform due diligence with respect to a separate investment in ComCorTV.
In the fourth quarter of FY00, Moscow Broadband entered into an agreement with COMCOR to jointly own, finance and operate the joint venture, ComCor-TV, to deliver cable television, data transmission and Internet access, and IP telephony throughout the Moscow, Russia region. Moscow Broadband raised $18 million in cash in a private placement of its stock, in which the Company invested $4 million. To fund this investment, the Company used the proceeds from the sales of certain common stocks of U.S.- based savings bank institutions, and the proceeds from a $1 million loan received from Oliver R. Grace, Jr., the Company's President.
As a result of funding these expenses, and incurring additional costs in connection with the Moscow Broadband private placement, the Company was issued Moscow Broadband stock with a value of $500,000. The other original shareholders of Moscow Broadband, which include entities formed for the benefit of Oliver R. Grace, Jr., John S. Grace or their families, also received an additional $500,000 of Moscow Broadband common stock. Messrs. Grace, Jr. and Grace are both employees and directors of the Company.
The Company did not participate in the private placement on a pro-rata basis, and accordingly, it presently owns 25% of the outstanding common stock of Moscow Broadband. With the exception of Mr. Pripachkin, each of the Company's Directors, or members of their families, and one of its non-director officers also invested in the Moscow Broadband private placement.
See Note 5 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 herein, and Certain Relationships and Related Transactions in Item 13 for additional information.
Compliance with Environmental Protection Laws
Management of the Company believes that the Company and its operating subsidiaries are in material compliance with applicable federal, state and local environmental regulations. Compliance with these regulations has not in the past had any material effect on the Company's capital expenditures, consolidated statements of operations and financial position or competitive position, nor does the Company anticipate that compliance with existing regulations will have any such effect in the near future.
Employees
As of May 8, 2002, the Company, including all majority-owned subsidiaries, had 6 full-time employees. This excludes the employees at ComCor-TV, in which the Company indirectly holds a minority equity interest through its investment in Moscow Broadband. None of these employees is represented by a labor union, and the Company is not aware of any organizing activities. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has experienced any significant work stoppage due to any labor problems. The Company considers its employee relations to be satisfactory.
Executive Officers of the Company
The Executive Officers of the Company and certain significant employees of its subsidiaries are as follows:
Name |
Age |
Position |
Officer Since |
Francis E. Baker |
72 |
Chairman and Secretary |
1959 |
Oliver R. Grace, Jr. |
48 |
President and Chief Executive Officer |
1990 |
Ronald N. Cerny |
50 |
President, The J.M. Ney Company |
1993 |
Andrew M. O'Shea |
43 |
Chief Financial Officer; and Chief Financial Officer and Secretary, The J.M. Ney Company |
1995 |
Executive officers hold their offices at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. Except as set forth below, all of the officers and significant employees of its subsidiaries have been associated with the Company in their present positions for more than the past five years.
Mr. Grace, Jr. has been a Director of the Company since 1986 and President and Chief Executive Officer since June 1, 1997. Mr. Grace, Jr. was Chairman of the Company from March 1990 to May 1997. Mr. Grace, Jr. has also been President of AG Investors, Inc., one of the Company's subsidiaries, since 1992. Mr. Grace, Jr. is a General Partner of The Anglo American Security Fund L.P. Mr. Grace, Jr., is the brother of John S. Grace, a member of the Company's Board of Directors.
Mr. Baker became Chairman on June 1, 1997. He has been a Director of the Company since 1959 and was President and Chief Executive Officer from 1959 until May 1997. Mr. Baker is also the Secretary of the Company, a position he has held since May 1997. Mr. Baker is also President of Moscow Broadband.
Mr. Cerny has served as President of JM Ney from November 1995. From April 1993 to November 1995, Mr. Cerny was the General Manager of JM Ney's Electronics Division.
Mr. O'Shea joined the Company in December 1995 as the Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of JM Ney. In November 1997 he was also appointed JM Ney's Secretary, and in December 1999, he was appointed as the Company's Chief Financial Officer. Mr. O'Shea is also Chief Financial Officer of Moscow Broadband.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
The Company's principal executive offices are located in New York, New York. The Company subleases office space from an entity owned by Oliver R. Grace, Jr., the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, at lease rates that the Company believes approximate market rates. JM Ney (which has been renamed Andersen Land Corp in connection with the sale of JM Ney's operating assets) owns a 98,000 square foot facility and 18.4 acres within an industrial park in Bloomfield, Connecticut. This site contains JM Ney's former principal operations and general administrative offices. Effective March 22, 2002, this facility is being leased to a subsidiary of Deringer Mfg. Company, under terms of an eight-year lease entered into in connection with the sale of JM Ney's operating assets.
In December 2001, the Company's subsidiary, Andersen Realty, Inc., sold a 108,000 square foot building located in Bloomfield, Connecticut, which it had leased to light manufacturing companies, and also to tenants who utilized office space and limited support services.
The Company has also signed a one year lease for office space in Windsor, Connecticut to support certain administrative activities. The Company believes these facilities are adequate for its current and foreseeable operations, and that additional space will be available if needed.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
Morton International, Inc. v. A.E. Staley Mfg. Co. et al. and Velsicol Chemical Corp. v. A.E. Staley Mfg. Co. et al.
As originally reported in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 1997, in July 1996, two companion lawsuits were filed in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, by various owners and operators of the Ventron-Velsicol Superfund Site ("Site"). The lawsuits, which were subsequently consolidated, were filed under the Comprehensive Environmental Resource Compensation and Liability Act ("CERCLA"), the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the New Jersey Spill Act and New Jersey common law, alleging that the defendants (over 100 companies, including JM Ney) were generators of certain wastes allegedly processed at the Site. The lawsuits seek recovery of costs incurred and a declaration of future liability for costs to be incurred by the owners and operators in studying and remediating the Site.
As further reported in the Company's Form 10-Q for the period ended November 30, 2001, this case was dismissed without prejudice and the plaintiffs' ability to reinstate their claims were limited for a minimum of three years. If the plaintiffs reinstate the case, given the legal and factual issues that remain outstanding, the Company currently has no basis to ascertain the range of loss, should any occur, with respect to an outcome that may be considered unfavorable. This contingent liability was not assumed by the buyer of JM Ney's net assets.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
On February 25, 2002, the Company filed a Notice of Combined Special Meeting of Stockholders for a meeting which was held on March 20, 2002 to consider and vote upon the sale to Deringer Mfg. Company of substantially all of the inventory, manufacturing equipment, office furniture and intellectual property of the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, JM Ney; and to elect a Board of Directors.
At the Combined Meeting held on March 20, 2002 the sale of JM Ney's assets was approved, with 1,388,209 votes in favor of the sale, 2,267 votes against the sale and 6,948 abstentions.
In addition, the existing Board of Directors was re-elected as follows:
FOR |
% |
WITHHOLD |
% |
|
Oliver R. Grace, Jr. |
1,369,384 |
98.0 |
28,040 |
2.0 |
Francis E. Baker |
1,369,098 |
98.0 |
28,326 |
2.0 |
Peter N. Bennett |
1,396,784 |
100.0 |
640 |
0.0 |
John S. Grace |
1,369,384 |
98.0 |
28,040 |
2.0 |
Louis A. Lubrano |
1,396,784 |
100.0 |
640 |
0.0 |
Thomas McPartland |
1,396,784 |
100.0 |
640 |
0.0 |
James J. Pinto |
1,396,784 |
100.0 |
640 |
0.0 |
Yuri I. Pripachkin |
1,396,784 |
100.0 |
640 |
0.0 |
Subsequent to the vote, the Board received and accepted the resignation of Yuri I. Pripachkin dated March 13, 2002. There were no disagreements with the Company cited in Mr. Pripachkin's resignation.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
The Registrant's Common Stock is traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the symbol (ANDR) with quotes supplied by the National Market System of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASDAQ").
The approximate number of record holders of the Registrant's Common Stock on April 30, 2002 was 508. The Company's high, low and closing sales prices for the common equity, for each full quarterly period within the two most recent fiscal years, are included below. The stock prices shown, which were obtained from NASDAQ, represent prices between dealers and do not include retail markups, markdowns or commissions and may not necessarily represent actual transactions.
Year ended February 28, 2002 |
High |
Low |
Close |
First Quarter |
$10.13 |
$6.88 |
$8.63 |
Second Quarter |
$ 9.48 |
$7.10 |
$8.35 |
Third Quarter |
$11.26 |
$7.45 |
$9.00 |
Fourth Quarter |
$13.00 |
$7.75 |
$8.04 |
Year ended February 28, 2001 |
High |
Low |
Close |
First Quarter |
$17.13 |
$6.75 |
$10.00 |
Second Quarter |
$15.00 |
$8.00 |
$11.75 |
Third Quarter |
$12.25 |
$5.75 |
$ 7.63 |
Fourth Quarter |
$ 9.03 |
$6.50 |
$ 7.94 |
The Company has not paid dividends on its common stock since the fiscal year ended February 28, 1993, and it does not anticipate paying any dividends in the foreseeable future.
The declaration and payment of future dividends are at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon profitability, financial condition, cash requirements, future prospects and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
The following table summarizes certain financial data with respect to the Company and is qualified in its entirety by the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company contained in Item 8 herein and by Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Item 7 herein. Amounts below are in thousands, except per share data.
Years Ended February 28/29 |
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
1999 |
1998 |
Revenues1 |
$28,484 |
$40,158 |
$30,311 |
$23,600 |
$28,868 |
Income (loss) from continuing operations1 |
528 |
(1,623) |
(987) |
(2,964) |
1,770 |
Net income (loss) |
528 |
(1,623) |
(987) |
(3,080) |
2,212 |
Income (loss) applicable to common shareholders |
242 |
(1,927) |
(1,349) |
(3,465) |
1,772 |
Income (loss) from continuing operations per common share, diluted |
0.12 |
(0.94) |
(0.70) |
(1.74) |
.68 |
Income (loss) per common share, diluted |
0.12 |
(0.94) |
(0.70) |
(1.80) |
.91 |
Depreciation, amortization and interest accretion |
1,581 |
1,589 |
1,466 |
1,434 |
1,480 |
Total assets |
25,269 |
33,076 |
37,118 |
37,119 |
44,771 |
Total debt |
4,959 |
13,247 |
15,056 |
13,857 |
14,537 |
Stockholders' equity |
13,751 |
13,448 |
15,262 |
16,429 |
20,196 |
Book value per common share |
4.90 |
4.70 |
5.59 |
6.18 |
7.97 |
1
Revenues and (loss) income from continuing operations exclude the results of operations of the Company's Ultrasonic segment as a result of its sale in February 1998.The above selected financial data include the results of operations of JM Ney which was sold effective March 22, 2002. Pursuant to the provisions of SFAS 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets", JM Ney has been reflected as " a continuing operation" in the Company's consolidated financial statements. The following presents certain selected financial data indicating the proforma effect of presenting JM Ney's as discontinued operations:
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
1999 |
1998 |
|
Revenues, including investment income (loss) |
$590 |
$698 |
$1,262 |
$(3,237) |
$3,471 |
(Loss) income from continuing operations |
(1,653) |
(1,860) |
(990) |
(4,260) |
729 |
Additional information to assist in evaluating the Company's past performance separate from JM Ney can be found in Note 17 to the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 8 herein, and the Condensed Financial Information contained in Schedule I of Item 14 herein.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
The Company is a holding company which has owned JM Ney as its primary operating subsidiary since 1991. The Company also has made equity investments in both marketable and other securities of domestic and foreign-based companies. It holds a 25% ownership interest in Moscow Broadband which in turn holds a 50% equity interest in ComCor-TV, a Russian company which delivers cable television, high speed data transmission and Internet services to its subscribers. ComCor-TV is a start-up venture which is currently expanding its network and increasing its customer base to those homes and businesses to which it presently has access.
Subsequent to February 28, 2002, the Company sold the operating assets of JM Ney and began to liquidate the net current assets, including accounts receivable and certain inventory balances, which it did not sell to the buyer of JM Ney. The Company also entered into an agreement which, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals, will result in ComCor-TV being substantially wholly-owned by the Company through the purchase of 50% of ComCor-TV and the proposed purchase of substantially all of the shares of Moscow Broadband that the Company does not presently own. The agreement calls for COMCOR to contribute operating and other assets to ComCor-TV and for the Company and Moscow Broadband to make cash capital contributions to ComCor-TV totaling approximately $16.7 million, of which approximately $5 million was paid in May 2002.
Based upon the foregoing, the following discussion and analysis of the results of operations and the financial conditions of the Company will not be indicative of the Company's expectations of its future results of operations.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations discusses the Company's consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those related to product returns, bad debts, inventories, investments, income taxes, financing operations, retirement benefits, and contingencies and litigation. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Management believes the following critical accounting policies, among others, affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.
Doubtful Accounts
The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of the Company's customers were to deteriorate, resulting in their inability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.
Product Return and Warranty Costs
The Company provides for the estimated cost of returns and product warranties at the time revenue is recognized. Should actual product returns and rework costs differ from estimates, revisions to the estimated returns reserve may be required.
Inventory
The Company writes down its inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and its estimated realizable value based upon assumptions regarding future demand and market conditions. If actual demand or market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required. Pursuant to the provisions of the sale of JM Ney's operating assets, a portion of the proceeds from sale are held in escrow for changes in demand and market conditions of JM Ney's products from certain defined levels. In the future reporting periods, any unfavorable changes in demand or market conditions from those defined levels will affect the Company's ability to realize the proceeds held in escrow. The Company recorded its precious metals inventories on a last in, first out ("LIFO") basis under which inventories are valued at their historical costs. This method results in cost of sales reflecting current period prices except when inventory levels are permanently reduced. As historical layers are depleted, cost of sales reflects the historical costs as opposed to their current prices.
Deferred Tax Assets
The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce its deferred tax assets to the amount that it believes is more likely than not to be realized. The Company considers future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance. When the Company determines that it may not be able to realize all or part of its net deferred tax assets, a valuation allowance to reduce the deferred tax assets to estimated recoverable amounts is charged to income in the period such determination is made. Likewise, should the Company determine that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of its net recorded amount, a reduction in the valuation allowance would increase income in the period such determination is made.
Investment in Moscow Broadband
The Company records its investment in Moscow Broadband using the equity method which also requires that the carrying value of the investment be evaluated for impairment. If ComCor-TV does not receive the planned increases to its equity capital or other sources of financing, the Company's carrying value of Moscow Broadband could be adversely impacted.
2002 VS. 2001
During FY02, the Company reported net income applicable to common shareholders of $242,000 or $0.12 per share, basic and diluted. During FY01, the Company incurred a net loss applicable to common shareholders of $1,927,000, or $(0.94) per share, basic and diluted. The results for FY02 and FY01 include $671,000, or $0.32 per share, and $730,000, or $0.36 per share, respectively, of the Company's equity interest in the losses of Moscow Broadband, which in turn, included Moscow Broadband's 50% equity interest in the results of operations of ComCor-TV.
Revenues
Total revenues of $28,484,000 for FY02 were 29.1% lower than total revenues of $40,158,000 for FY01.
During FY02, JM Ney's sales totaled $27,874,000, which were 29.4% lower than sales of $39,462,000 which were recorded in FY01. A significant portion of this sales decrease reflected the pass through effect of lower selling prices for products containing palladium as a result of lower average market prices for this precious metal. During FY02, the average market price for palladium was approximately $501.00 per troy ounce, as compared to an average of $750.00 per troy ounce during FY01. During FY02, the products sold by JM Ney contained approximately 12,930 ounces of palladium, as compared with 19,300 ounces of palladium in FY01. Volume declines experienced from customers in telecommunications and automotive markets also contributed to the sales decrease in FY02.
Investment Income and Other Income was $610,000 during FY02, as compared to $696,000 during FY01, and comprised as follows (in thousands):
FY02 |
FY01 |
|
Rental income |
$272 |
$445 |
Net gain from domestic investment portfolio |
172 |
- |
Net (loss) gain from Eastern European portfolio |
(34) |
172 |
Ultrasonic royalty revenue |
210 |
95 |
Other, net |
(10) |
(16) |
$610 |
$696 |
The decrease in investment income and other income of $86,000 in FY02 was due primarily to decreases in rental income and losses from the Eastern European portfolio. Rental income decreased $173,000 in FY02, primarily due to the sale of an office building in December 2001. Accordingly, the results for FY02 include less than ten months of rental income. Net investment income from the Eastern European portfolio decreased $206,000 in FY02 due to the sale of substantially all of the portfolio during FY01. Also, the Company wrote down its sole Eastern European investment by $34,000 during FY02.
The losses above were offset by gains in the Company's domestic investment portfolio and increased royalty revenue. Gains from the Company's domestic portfolio increased $172,000 in FY02 as a result of the positive performance of investments in the equity securities of savings bank institutions made during FY02. Royalty revenues increased $115,000 in FY02 due to increased sales of products incorporating the technology sold in connection with the sale of the Company's former Ultrasonics segment in FY98.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales during FY02 totaled $18,690,000 or 67.1% of net sales, as compared to cost of sales totaling $30,679,000 or 77.7% of net sales reported for FY01. The increase in gross margins from 22.3% to 32.9% of net sales was primarily the result of net LIFO inventory gains recognized from the liquidation of certain metals inventories. Gross margins during FY02 totaled $9,184,000, which is $401,000 higher than gross margins of $8,783,000 reported for FY01. The increase in gross margins attributable to precious metals activities was $2,402,000 in FY02 compared to $268,000 in FY01, an increase of $2,134,000. The FY02 gain of $2,402,000 was solely the result of a liquidation of precious metals inventories which are accounted for on a LIFO basis. The increase in gross margins was also partially attributable to lower pension expense of $74,000 in FY02. These increases were offset by a decrease in gross margins of $1,807,000 from operating activities as a result of lower sales volum es from the Company's customers.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses of $4,933,000 during FY02 represented a decrease of 18.8% from $6,078,000 recorded in FY01. Lower costs at JM Ney from the February 2001 reduction in work force and the December 2001 sale of the Company's real estate property were partially offset by higher corporate level costs, including legal costs to negotiate and draft documents relating to the Company's proposed acquisition of the 50% of ComCor-TV currently held by COMCOR.
Research and Development
Research and development expenses totaled $1,907,000 during FY02, which was a decrease of 18.8% from $2,348,000 in FY01. The decrease resulted from reductions of personnel at JM Ney in February 2001.
Loss on Sale of Property
In December 2001, the Company sold its real estate property in Bloomfield, CT for a contract price of $1,900,000 before expenses of the transaction. After considering all expenses relating to this sale, and the carrying value of the assets sold and liabilities assumed the Company recorded a loss of $197,000.
Restructuring Costs
During FY01, JM Ney announced a restructuring which involved a reduction of 33 employees from its workforce. Accordingly, in FY01, an expense of $256,000 relating to severance costs, include benefits for the affected employees was recorded. There was no such cost recorded in FY02.
Interest Expense
Interest expense during FY02 totaled $1,100,000 which was a 44.2% decrease from the $1,971,000 of interest expense recorded in FY01. These lower costs were the result of pre-payment of the entire balance of a $7.5 million term loan, and lower average borrowings and interest rates for JM Ney's short term borrowings. In addition, corporate-level interest costs of $374,000 in FY02 were lower than the $450,000 of such costs reported for FY01 due to the annual pay down of the Company's 10.5% subordinated notes, and due to the full repayment of all amounts due to an officer.
Equity in Loss of Moscow Broadband
During FY02, the Company reported $671,000 as its equity interest in the losses of Moscow Broadband, as compared to an equity loss of $730,000 for FY01. Losses for a full year's activities at ComCor-TV in FY02, which is 50% owned by Moscow Broadband, were offset by lower corporate level expenses for Moscow Broadband. ComCor-TV's results in FY02 were favorably impacted by a reduction in its deferred tax liability due to changes in Russian income tax rates.
Income Taxes
An income tax expense of $411,000 was recorded for FY02 which represented an effective tax rate of 41.7% as compared to an income tax benefit of $281,000, which represented an effective tax rate of 14.8% in FY01. The increase in effective tax rate in FY02 compared with FY01 is attributable to a decrease in the change in valuation allowance in FY02 due to lower unrealized losses on marketable securities, equity in losses of Moscow Broadband and expiring business credits in FY01.
Preferred Dividends
Preferred dividends totaled $286,000 during FY02, as compared to $304,000 during FY01. Conversion of preferred stock into common stock during both fiscal years led to the decrease.
2001 VS. 2000
During FY01, the Company incurred a net loss applicable to common shareholders of $1,927,000, or $(0.94) per share, basic and diluted. During FY00, the Company reported a net loss applicable to common shareholders of $1,349,000, or $(0.70) per share, basic and diluted. The results for FY01 included $730,000, or $0.36 per share, of the Company's equity interest of Moscow Broadband, which, in turn includes Moscow Broadband's 50% equity interest in the results of operations of ComCor-TV.
Revenues
Total revenues of $40,158,000 for FY01 were 32.5% higher than total revenues of $30,311,000 for FY00. The increase represents growth in sales from JM Ney and lower levels of investment and other income.
During FY01, JM Ney's sales totaled $39,462,000, which was 36.8% more than the $28,844,000 in sales generated in FY00. A substantial portion of this sales increase reflected the pass-through effect of increased selling prices for products containing palladium, as a result of higher average market prices for this precious metal. During FY01, the average market price for palladium was approximately $750 per troy ounce as compared to an average of $392 per troy ounce in FY00. During FY01, the products sold by JM Ney contained approximately 19,300 ounces of palladium, as compared with 19,600 ounces of palladium in FY00. Additional volume growth in FY01 occurred in sales programs for automotive and telecommunications industry customers.
Investment Income (Loss) and Other Income was $696,000 during FY01, as compared to a net gain of $1,467,000 during FY00, and comprised as follows (in thousands):
FY01 |
FY00 |
||
Net gain from Russian and Eastern European portfolio |
$ 172 |
$ 680 |
|
Net gain from long-term Russian investments |
- |
195 |
|
Net loss from domestic investment portfolio |
- |
(605) |
|
Rental income |
445 |
376 |
|
Ultrasonic royalty revenue |
95 |
42 |
|
Interest and dividends |
57 |
277 |
|
Other, net |
(73) |
502 |
|
$ 696 |
$1,467 |
During FY01, the Company sold substantially all of its remaining Russian and Eastern European trading portfolio and realized a gain for the year. During FY00, sales of the Company's domestic investment portfolio, its investment in a Polish-based bank, and its longer-term investment in VSMPO, a Russian titanium producer and processing company, along with net appreciation in components of the Russian and European trading portfolio, created the investment gains noted.
Other, net income (loss) in FY01 included changes in the values of deferred compensation trusts established for certain officers, for which there is an offsetting impact on compensation expense.
Cost of Sales
Cost of sales during FY01 totaled $30,679,000, or 77.7% of net sales, as compared to cost of sales totaling $21,181,000, or 73.4% of net sales reported for FY00. The decline in margins from 26.6% to 22.3% of net sales was the result of previously noted higher palladium prices which were passed through to customers in the form of higher selling prices without a commensurate margin mark-up. Gross margins from sales totaled $8,783,000, which was $1,120,000, or 14.6% higher than gross margins of $7,663,000 reported for FY00. This increase represented the combination of an increase of $448,000 from operating activities and an improvement of $672,000 from the impact of precious metals inventory management. The $108,000 defined benefit pension expense component of cost of sales in FY01 was not materially different from the expense noted in FY00. The margin growth from operations was generated through increased sales of parts to automotive and telecommunications industry customers.
During FY01, sales of precious metal materials in the form of wire, strip and rod represented 30.2% of net sales, which was relatively consistent with that class of sales having represented 30.4% of sales during FY00. Material products generally have lower average gross margins due to the commodity nature of this product class, as compared with parts and components which involve more value-added engineering and production processes, and generally higher gross billing margins and operating expense absorption factors.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling general and administrative expenses of $6,078,000 during FY01 represented a decrease of 10.8% from the $6,815,000 incurred during FY00. Nonrecurring due diligence costs in FY00 relating to Moscow Broadband's investment in ComCor-TV and reduced corporate-level personnel costs accounted for most of the decline. JM Ney's selling, general and administrative costs in FY01 declined by $88,000, or approximately 2.0% from FY00.
Research and Development
Research and development expenses in FY01 increased by 6.6% to $2,348,000, or 6.0% of net sales. This compares to costs of $2,203,000 or 7.6% of net sales, incurred during FY00. Normal increases in personnel costs contributed to most of the dollar increase, while the percentage decline was due to increased sales from the pass-through impact of palladium price increases and from increased sales volume.
Restructuring Costs
In February 2001, JM Ney announced a restructuring which involved a reduction of 33 employees from its workforce. The estimated cost of this restructuring, which was primarily comprised of the payment of severance and benefits, totaled $256,000, of which $134,000 was paid prior to February 28, 2001. The remaining costs were paid by the end of the second quarter of FY02.
Interest Expense
Interest expense during FY01 totaled $1,971,000 which was a 14.3% increase from the interest expense of $1,725,000 reported for FY00. Of the total increase, $221,000 related to higher costs at JM Ney from increased borrowing and the effects of higher palladium prices and lease rates, all of which were incurred in the first six months of the fiscal year. At February 28, 2001, JM Ney had no outstanding precious metals borrowing and had reduced its cash borrowing under its revolving credit agreement to $1,500,000. Corporate level interest expense increased due to additional borrowing to fund the Company's investment in Moscow Broadband and to meet working capital needs. Annual principal payments on the Company's 10 1/2% convertible notes caused a reduction in interest expense that partially offset these other increases.
Equity in Losses of Moscow Broadband
FY01 represented the first year that the activities of Moscow Broadband through its 50% investment in ComCor-TV resulted in the recording of the Company's equity interest in Moscow Broadband's losses. Such losses were incurred due to the losses of its first year of operations of ComCor-TV, and to the additional due diligence and on-going administrative support expenses incurred at the Moscow Broadband level.
Income Taxes
An income tax benefit of $281,000 was recorded for FY01 which represents an effective tax rate of 14.8%, as compared to an income tax benefit of $626,000 in FY00, which represents an effective tax rate of 38.8%. For FY01, the Company did not record tax benefits relating to its equity in the losses of Moscow Broadband due to uncertainties about their realization for income tax reporting purposes.
Preferred Dividends
Preferred dividends for FY01 totaled $304,000, as compared to $362,000 for FY00, as a result of fewer outstanding preferred shares due to conversions into the Company's common stock during FY00 and FY01.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
At February 28, 2002, consolidated cash and marketable securities totaled $1,607,000, an increase of $294,000 from February 28, 2001. In addition to these asset increases, the Company's consolidated short term borrowings and term debt borrowings before unamortized discounts decreased from $13,388,000 at February 28, 2001 to $4,959,000 at February 28, 2002. The increase in cash and marketable securities was primarily due to unrealized appreciation of marketable equity securities acquired during the year. The reduction in short term borrowings was funded through cash generated by JM Ney's operations, primarily from the reduction of accounts receivable and inventory balances. Debt was also paid down through the use of the proceeds from the sale of an office building.
Subsequent to February 28, 2002, the Company sold the operating assets of JM Ney to Deringer Mfg. Company for cash consideration of approximately $10,961,000, of which $600,000 was deposited into an escrow account. In connection with this sale, JM Ney repaid all outstanding short-term borrowings under its revolving line of credit, settled all open forward contracts relating to fixed price sales contracts and settled outstanding warrants to acquire JM Ney stock held by JM Ney's primary bank. As a result of these transactions, all cash flow restrictions between the Company and JM Ney were terminated. JM Ney remains contingently liable under a $343,000 letter of credit issued by its bank to secure a performance bond.
In April 2002, the Company entered into agreements, subject to shareholder approval, under which the Company will acquire the 50% equity ownership of ComCor-TV presently owned by COMCOR in exchange for approximately $28 million of the Company's common stock. The number of shares to be issued to consummate this transaction will be determined based upon the average price of the Company's stock during a defined period prior to the closing of the transaction, provided the average price is between $8 and $12 per share. The agreements require COMCOR to contribute defined operating assets and additional shares of IAS to ComCor-TV. The Company is required to acquire substantially all of the outstanding shares of Moscow Broadband that it currently does not own and to contribute additional cash and Moscow Broadband's remaining shares of IAS to ComCor-TV. At this date, the Company has not entered into any agreements or formalized any terms or plans to a cquire additional ownership of Moscow Broadband.
ComCor-TV is currently dependent upon additional sources of capital. Without the capital to be provided by COMCOR, Moscow Broadband and the Company pursuant to the agreements, ComCor-TV may not be able to continue as a going concern, which could otherwise have a significant adverse affect on the reported value of the Company's investment in Moscow Broadband.
The following table presents the Company's contractual obligations as of February 28, 2002, after having excluded those obligations assumed by the buyer of JM Ney's operating assets:
Contractual Obligations |
Payments Due By Period |
||||
Total |
Less Than 1 Year |
1-3 Years |
4-5 Years |
After 5 Years |
|
Long-term debt |
$2,584 |
$426 |
$1,293 |
$865 |
- |
Operating leases |
52 |
45 |
7 |
- |
- |
Total contractual cash obligations |
$2,636 |
$471 |
$1,300 |
$865 |
- |
For FY03 and beyond, the Company is dependent upon the net proceeds of the sale of Ney's assets, the collection of JM Ney's receivables and the realization into cash of certain precious metal and current asset balances, rental income from Deringer from the lease of JM Ney's manufacturing facility and its existing assets to meet its operating expense, preferred dividend and debt service requirements. To the extent that such cash may be used to fund additional investment activities of the Company, including, but not limited to investment in ComCor-TV, the Company will have fewer financial resources to meet such obligations.
The agreements entered into in April 2002 under which the Company plans to increase its ownership of ComCor-TV through the issuance of shares of its common stock for the 50% of ComCor-TV presently owned by COMCOR and for the 75% of Moscow Broadband that it does not presently own, require the Company and Moscow Broadband to make cash capital contributions into ComCor-TV totaling approximately $16,700,000, of which approximately $5,000,000 was paid in May 2002. In order to meet these payment obligations, the Company expects to raise funds by obtaining a mortgage loan against JM Ney's real estate, by selling certain short term investments, or by issuing shares of its stock in a public or private offering. The Company may also reduce its obligation by arranging for a financing of ComCor-TV or Moscow Broadband, which if successful, would result in the dilution of the Company's ownership of ComCor-TV. However, depending on market conditions, such sources of cash may still be inadequate to meet the scheduled payments into ComCor-TV and still provide the Company with sufficient liquidity to meet its administrative expenses and debt service obligations. In the event that such liquidity needs are not met, ComCor-TV's business plans, and possibly even its on-going viability as a going concern may be put at risk.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES
ABOUT MARKET RISK.
The Company is exposed to market risk from changes in certain commodity prices, changes in interest rates, and from factors that affect the Company's equity investments both domestic and in Russia.
Foreign Investment Risk
The Company has one Ukraine-based common stock investment with a net reported value at February 28, 2002 of $5,000 and a longer-term indirect investment in ComCor-TV, a Russian cable television and Internet company, through its investment in Moscow Broadband, with a reported value at February 28, 2002 of $2,683,000. The realizable value of the trading investments is subject to currency fluctuations, illiquid markets and political risks. The Company has not entered into any derivative financial instruments to hedge the risks associated with these investments.
The Company's investment in Moscow Broadband is also at risk based upon Moscow Broadband's ability to raise sufficient equity capital at appropriate values to enable it to provide ComCor-TV additional equity capital in order for Moscow Broadband to maintain its 50% equity share in ComCor-TV. Additionally, the degree of success of ComCor-TV to add sufficient subscribers for its cable television and Internet access services at adequate rates, and for ComCor-TV to obtain sufficient equity and debt financing to fund its infrastructure build out and near term projected operating losses, will also significantly affect the value of the Company's investment in Moscow Broadband.
Commodity Price Risk
Prior to the sale of its assets and operations to Deringer Mfg. Company, JM Ney was exposed to precious metals risk relating to the pricing of orders for its customers and from changes in the value of its precious metals inventory. At February 28, 2002, JM Ney had precious metal exposure in its inventory, net of deferred pricing loans, relating to approximately 290 ounces of gold, 3,975 ounces of silver, 1,380 ounces of platinum and 915 ounces of palladium. After the sale of JM Ney's assets and the related payment of all outstanding deferred pricing loans, JM Ney's remaining exposure consisted of certain refining and scrap metal with estimated precious metal content of approximately $346,000 which it expects to convert to cash during the first quarter of FY03.
Interest Rate Risk
JM Ney has a revolving line of credit which bears interest at floating rates as described in Note 8 to the Company's consolidated financial statements. Neither the Company nor JM Ney hedges its interest rate risk. Based upon JM Ney's year-end balances, a 1% change in interest rates would affect its interest cost of its short-term cash borrowings by approximately $6,000.
In recent years prior to FY02, the leasing rates and market prices for palladium fluctuated significantly which had dramatic effects on JM Ney's interest costs. During FY02, there were not the significant fluctuations in lease rates, and the general trend of the price of palladium was downward, which served to reduce the cost of JM Ney's precious metals borrowings. At February 28, 2002, a 1% change in the precious metals lease rates or a 1% change in the market price of the underlying metals borrowed or owned would have affected JM Ney's borrowing costs on an annualized basis by approximately $18,000. As noted, all such borrowings were paid off in March 2002 concurrent with the sale of JM Ney's net assets.
Equity Risk
During FY02, the Company invested a total of $278,000 in the common stocks of two savings bank institutions. In addition, the Company received shares in two financial institutions as part of their conversion from mutual companies to publicly traded stock companies. The aggregate value at February 28, 2002 of these four equity holdings was $450,000.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
ANDERSEN GROUP, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
February 28, 2002 and February 28, 2001
(in thousands, except share data)
2002 |
2001 |
|
Assets |
||
Current assets: |
||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ 1,152 |
$ 1,217 |
Marketable securities |
455 |
96 |
Accounts and other receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $96 in 2002 and $77 in 2001 |
3,820 |
5,475 |
Inventories |
4,167 |
6,614 |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
830 |
767 |
Total current assets |
10,424 |
14,169 |
Property, plant and equipment, net |
6,364 |
9,345 |
Prepaid pension expense |
4,775 |
4,809 |
Investment in Moscow Broadband Communication Ltd. |
2,683 |
3,354 |
Other assets |
1,023 |
1,399 |
$ 25,269 |
$ 33,076 |
|
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity |
||
Current liabilities: |
||
Current maturities of long-term debt |
$ 435 |
$ 734 |
Short-term borrowings |
2,366 |
1,500 |
Accounts payable |
1,041 |
833 |
Accrued liabilities |
1,906 |
1,861 |
Deferred income taxes |
156 |
877 |
Total current liabilities |
5,904 |
5,805 |
Long-term debt, less current maturities |
2,158 |
2,654 |
Note payable to officer, net of unamortized discount |
- |
971 |
Subordinated note payable, net of unamortized discount |
- |
7,388 |
Other long-term obligations |
1,842 |
1,895 |
Deferred income taxes |
1,614 |
915 |
Total liabilities |
11,518 |
19,628 |
Commitments and contingencies (See Notes 19 and 23) |
||
Stockholders' equity: |
||
Cumulative convertible preferred stock, no par value; authorized 800,000 shares; 188,006 and 201,201 shares issued and outstanding in 2002 and 2001, respectively; liquidation preference $18.75 per share |
3,497 |
3,742 |
Common stock, $.01 par value; authorized 6,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 2,094,158 and 2,065,811 shares in 2002 and 2001, respectively |
21 |
21 |
Additional paid-in capital |
6,574 |
6,315 |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
- |
(47) |
Retained earnings |
3,659 |
3,417 |
Total stockholders' equity |
13,751 |
13,448 |
$25,269 |
$33,076 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
ANDERSEN GROUP, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Years ended February 28, 2002, February 28, 2001 and February 29, 2000
(in thousands, except per share data)
2002 2001 2000
Revenues: |
|||||
Net sales |
$27,874 |
$39,462 |
$28,844 |
||
Investment income and other income |
610 |
696 |
1,467 |
||
28,484 |
40,158 |
30,311 |
|||
Costs and expenses: |
|||||
Cost of sales |
18,690 |
30,679 |
21,181 |
||
Selling, general and administrative |
4,933 |
6,078 |
6,815 |
||
Research and development |
1,907 |
2,348 |
2,203 |
||
Loss on sale of real estate |
197 |
- |
- |
||
Restructuring costs |
- |
256 |
- |
||
Interest expense |
1,100 |
1,971 |
1,725 |
||
26,827 |
41,332 |
31,924 |
|||
Income (loss) before equity in losses of unconsolidated subsidiary, income taxes and cumulative effect-type accounting adjustment |
1,657 |
(1,174) |
(1,613) |
||
Equity in losses of Moscow Broadband Communication Ltd. |
(671) |
(730) |
- |
||
Income (loss) before income taxes and cumulative effect-type accounting adjustment |
986 |
(1,904) |
(1,613) |
||
Income tax expense (benefit) |
411 |
(281) |
(626) |
||
Net income (loss) before cumulative effect-type accounting adjustment Cumulative effect-type accounting adjustment-loss on derivative securities, net of income tax |
575 (47) |
(1,623) - |
(987) - |
||
Net income (loss) |
528 |
(1,623) |
(987) |
||
Preferred dividends |
(286) |
(304) |
(362) |
||
Income (loss) applicable to common shareholders |
$ 242 |
$ (1,927) |
$ (1,349) |
||
Income (loss) per common share: |
|||||
BASIC AND DILUTED: |
|||||
Net income (loss) before cumulative effect-type accounting adjustment |
$0.14 |
$(0.94) |
$(0.70) |
||
Cumulative effect-type accounting adjustment |
(0.02) |
- |
- |
||
$0.12 |
$(0.94) |
$(0.70) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
ANDERSEN GROUP, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
Years ended February 28, 2001, February 29, 2000 and February 28, 1999
(in thousands, except share data)
2002 2001 2000 |
||||||
Outstanding Shares |
Amount |
Outstanding Shares |
Amount |
Outstanding Shares |
Amount |
|
Preferred Stock Beginning balance |
201,201 |
$ 3,742 |
216,864 |
$4,033 |
256,416 |
$ 4,769 |
Shares tendered for conversion to common stock |
(13,195) |
(245) |
(15,663) |
(291) |
(39,552) |
(736) |
188,006 |
$ 3,497 |
201,201 |
$3,742 |
216,864 |
$ 4,033 |
|
Common Stock |
||||||
Beginning balance |
2,065,811 |
$ 21 |
2,035,364 |
$ 20 |
1,958,478 |
$ 20 |
Conversion of preferred stock |
25,650 |
- |
30,447 |
1 |
76,886 |
- |
Conversion of 10 1/2% notes |
247 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
Exercise of stock options |
2,450 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2,094,158 |
$ 21 |
2,065,811 |
$ 21 |
2,035,364 |
$ 20 |
|
Additional Paid-in Capital |
||||||
Beginning balance |
$ 6,315 |
$6,141 |
$ 5,339 |
|||
Conversion of preferred stock |
245 |
290 |
736 |
|||
Conversion of 10 1/2% notes |
4 |
- |
12 |
|||
Exercise of stock options |
10 |
- |
- |
|||
Value of warrants issued |
- |
18 |
67 |
|||
Net loss on sales of treasury shares and subsidiary transactions |
- |
|
(134) |
(13) |
||
$ 6,574 |
$ 6,315 |
$ 6,141 |
||||
Retained Earnings |
||||||
Beginning balance |
$ 3,417 |
$ 5,344 |
$ 6,693 |
|||
Net income (loss) |
528 |
(1,623) |
(987) |
|||
Preferred stock dividends |
(286) |
(304) |
(362) |
|||
$ 3,659 |
$ 3,417 |
$ 5,344 |
||||
Receivable from Officer |
||||||
Beginning balance |
$ - |
$ - |
$ (250) |
|||
Repayment in cash |
- |
- |
50 |
|||
Repayment in common stock |
- |
- |
200 |
|||
$ - |
$ - |
$ - |
||||
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
||||||
Beginning balance |
$ (47) |
$ - |
- |
|||
Change in unrealized losses on precious metals hedging, net of income tax benefit of $27 |
47 |
(47) |
- |
|||
$ - |
$ (47) |
- |
||||
Treasury Stock |
||||||
Beginning balance |
- |
$ - |
28,002 |
$ (276) |
30,549 |
$ (142) |
Shares sold |
- |
- |
(28,002) |
276 |
(12,393) |
62 |
Shares issued from conversion of notes |
- |
- |
- |
(988) |
4 |
|
Shares tendered to repay loan |
- |
- |
- |
10,834 |
(200) |
|
- |
$ - |
- |
$ - |
28,002 |
$ (276) |
|
Total stockholders' equity |
$13,751 |
$13,448 |
$15,262 |
|||
Other Comprehensive Loss |
||||||
Income (loss) applicable to common shareholders |
$ 242 |
$(1,927) |
$(1,349) |
|||
Other comprehensive gain (loss) |
47 |
(47) |
- |
|||
Total comprehensive income (loss) |
$ 289 |
$(1,974) |
$(1,349) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
ANDERSEN GROUP, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years ended February 28, 2002, February 28, 2001 and February 29, 2000
(in thousands)
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
|
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|||
Net income (loss) |
$ 528 |
$(1,623) |
$(987) |
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: |
|||
Equity in losses of Moscow Broadband Communication Ltd. |
671 |
730 |
- |
Depreciation, amortization and interest accretion |
1,581 |
1,589 |
1,466 |
Deferred income taxes |
(22) |
(346) |
(633) |
Gains from securities and investments |
(100) |
(172) |
(270) |
Purchases of securities |
(278) |
- |
(196) |
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities |
19 |
1,002 |
5,359 |
Pension expense |
34 |
108 |
116 |
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment |
197 |
31 |
- |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|||
Accounts and other receivables |
1,655 |
(818) |
(559) |
Inventories |
2,447 |
1,405 |
(198) |
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
50 |
(67) |
(456) |
Accounts payable |
208 |
(182) |
356 |
Accrued liabilities and other long-term obligations |
117 |
106 |
169 |
Net cash provided by operating activities |
7,107 |
1,763 |
4,167 |
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|||
Purchase of property, plant and equipment |
(216) |
(358) |
(2,138) |
Investment in Moscow Broadband Communication Ltd. |
- |
- |
(4,000) |
Proceeds from sale of real estate, net |
1,692 |
- |
- |
Proceeds from sale of investments |
- |
- |
317 |
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
1,476 |
(358) |
(5,821) |
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|||
Principal payments on long-term debt |
(8,034) |
(523) |
(445) |
(Repayments of) proceeds from issuance of collateralized note to officer |
(1,200) |
200 |
1,000 |
Proceeds from (payment of) short-term borrowings, net |
866 |
(1,554) |
698 |
Stock options exercised |
10 |
50 |
10 |
Treasury shares sold, net |
- |
92 |
39 |
Repayment of loan to officer |
- |
- |
50 |
Preferred dividends paid |
(290) |
(307) |
(385) |
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities |
(8,648) |
(2,042) |
967 |
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents |
(65) |
(637) |
(687) |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year |
1,217 |
1,854 |
2,541 |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year |
$ 1,152 |
$ 1,217 |
$ 1,854 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Andersen Group, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Years ended February 28, 2002, February 28, 2001 and February 29, 2000
(1) Nature of Business
Andersen Group, Inc. ("the Company") is a diversified holding company which invests in both marketable and other securities of domestic and foreign-based companies. It also owns a consolidated subsidiary, The J.M. Ney Company ("JM Ney"), which manufactures electronic connectors, components and precious metal materials for sale to the automotive, telecommunications, defense, semiconductor, and medical and dental markets. As discussed in Note 23, in March 2002 the operating assets of JM Ney were sold.
(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Principles of Consolidation
The Company's financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include funds held in investments with an original maturity of three months or less.
Marketable Securities
The Company's common stock investments are carried as trading securities at market value in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, "Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities" (SFAS 115). Any changes in the valuation of the portfolio are reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations as investment income or losses.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) method for precious metals, and at standard costs which approximate the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method for the balance of the inventories.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment, including those obtained under capital leases, are stated at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the respective assets, as follows:
Buildings and improvements |
10-30 years |
Machinery and equipment |
5-10 years |
Furniture and fixtures |
3-10 years |
When fixed assets are sold or retired the cost and accumulated depreciation are eliminated and the resulting gains or losses are reflected in income.
Investment in Moscow Broadband Communication Limited
The Company has a 25% ownership interest in ABC Moscow Broadband Communication Limited (Moscow Broadband), a Cyprus based limited liability company which in turn has a 50% equity interest in a Moscow Russia-based cable television and Internet operator. This investment bears currency, economic and political risks relating to Russia in addition to other business risks associated with a venture capital investment. This investment is recorded using the equity method of accounting. Moscow Broadband has a December 31 year end, and as a result, the Company's equity in Moscow Broadband's results is reported on a two-month lag.
Tooling Costs
The Company capitalizes costs related to certain tooling items in accordance with EITF 99-5, "Accounting for Pre-Production Costs Related to Long-Term Supply Arrangements." The tooling, which amounted to approximately $197,000 and $268,000 as of February 28, 2002 and 2001, respectively, is amortized based on the units-of-production method.
Debt Discounts
Unamortized discounts on subordinated notes payable and notes payable to officer are being amortized over the term of the notes using the effective interest method.
Deferred Compensation
The Company has established irrevocable trusts to fund the deferred compensation of certain executives. The assets of the trusts are owned by the Company and subject to the claims of its general creditors, and are reported on the Company's consolidated balance sheet in accordance with the consensus in EITF 97-14. Income and changes in the value of the trusts' assets are reported within Investment and Other Income with corresponding adjustments to the deferred compensation obligation and compensation expense.
Revenue
Sales are recognized when title passes to the customer, which is when the products are shipped, the price is fixed and determinable, and collectibility is reasonably assured. Returns and warranty costs are estimated at the time of sale based on historical experience. Investment income and other income is recognized when earned and is based on changes in the fair value of marketable securities and realized gains and losses.
Income Taxes
Income taxes are determined using the asset and liability approach. This method gives consideration to the future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax basis of assets and liabilities at currently enacted tax rates.
Earnings Per Share
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128 "Earnings Per Share" (SFAS 128), basic earnings per share is computed based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed based upon the weighted average number of common shares plus the assumed issuance of common shares for all potentially dilutive securities. See Note 11 for additional information and a reconciliation of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations.
Accounting for Derivatives and Hedging Activities
The Company uses derivative financial instruments primarily to hedge portions of precious metal fluctuations relating to fixed price sales contracts. The Company does not qualify for hedge accounting under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" ("FAS 133"). All derivatives are recognized on the balance sheet at their fair value and changes in fair value of derivatives are recorded in current period earnings.
The Company adopted FAS 133 on March 1, 2001. In accordance with the transition provisions of FAS 133, the Company recorded a net-of-tax cumulative-effect loss adjustment of $47,000 in its Consolidated Statement of Operations to recognize the fair value of all derivatives in current period earnings.
As of February 28, 2002, the Company held contracts to purchase 1,252 ounces of palladium over the following three months at an average price of $387 per ounce. At February 28, 2002, the Company recorded a $13,000 loss related to these open contracts.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In July 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 141, "Business Combinations", and No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets". Under the new rules, all business combinations are required to be accounted for using the purchase method. Goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets are no longer amortized, but will be reviewed annually for impairment. SFAS 141 is effective for all business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001. SFAS 142 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001. The Company intends to account for the ComCor-TV transaction described in Note 23 in accordance with these standards.
In July 2001, the FASB issued SFAS 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations." SFAS 143 requires recognition of the fair value of liabilities associated with the retirement of long-lived assets when a legal obligation to incur such costs arises as a result of the acquisition, construction, development and/or the normal operation of a long-lived asset. SFAS 143 is effective for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2002. The Company does not expect that this new accounting pronouncement will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In August 2001, the FASB issued SFAS 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets," which supercedes SFAS 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of." SFAS 144 requires that long-lived assets to be disposed of by sale, including discontinued operations, be measured at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell, whether reported in continuing operations or in discontinued operations. SFAS 144 also broadens the reporting requirements of discontinued operations to include all components of an entity that have operations and cash flows that can be clearly distinguished, operationally and for financial reporting purposes, from the rest of the entity. Pursuant to SFAS 144, an entity which commits to a plan to sell a long-lived asset after the balance sheet date but before issuance of the financial statements, the asset should continue to be classified as held and used. Accordingly, JM Ney has been classified as held and used in the accompanying financial statements. The provisions of SFAS 144 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001.
Reclassification
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years' financial statements in order to conform with the current year presentation.
(3) Inventories
Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):
February 28, 2002 |
February 28, 2001 |
|||
Raw materials |
$ 485 |
$ 3,127 |
||
Work in process |
1,547 |
5,349 |
||
Finished goods |
4,134 |
6,414 |
||
Metals held on consignment |
(932) |
(1,512) |
||
5,234 |
13,378 |
|||
LIFO reserve |
(1,067) |
(6,764) |
||
$4,167 |
$ 6,614 |
The Company's precious metal inventory records are maintained on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis, which values the inventory equivalent to market or replacement cost. The Company records a LIFO reserve, which represents the excess of replacement cost over the historical LIFO value of the precious metal content of inventories.
At February 28, 2002 and February 28, 2001, inventories valued at LIFO cost comprised 44% and 57% of total inventories, respectively. At February 28, 2002, the precious metal components of inventories before the LIFO reserve consisted of 2,708 troy ounces of gold recorded at $298 per ounce; 3,975 troy ounces of silver recorded at $4.50 per ounce; 1,380 troy ounces of platinum recorded at $475 per ounce, and 3,759 troy ounces of palladium recorded at $380 per troy ounce. At February 28, 2001, inventories consisted of 6,054 troy ounces of gold recorded at $265 per ounce; 7,150 ounces of silver recorded at $4.75 per ounce; 2,110 troy ounces of platinum recorded at $610 per ounce, and 8,674 troy ounces of palladium recorded at $875 per ounce. Such quantities of precious metals exclude precious metals held by JM Ney on consignment subject to leasing arrangements with JM Ney's primary bank or for the benefit of its customers. During FY02, FY01 and FY00, JM Ney recognized LIFO gains (losses) of approximately $2,402,000, ($75,000) and $1,400,000, respectively, from decreases in certain precious metal LIFO layers.
(4) Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):
February 28, 2002 |
February 28, 2001 |
|
Land and improvements |
$ 401 |
$ 550 |
Buildings and improvements |
5,993 |
10,348 |
Machinery and equipment |
12,393 |
12,125 |
Furniture and fixtures |
749 |
771 |
19,536 |
23,794 |
|
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization |
(13,172) |
(14,449) |
$ 6,364 |
$ 9,345 |
Depreciation and amortization expense was $1,334,000, $1,439,000 and $1,380,000, in FY02, FY01, and FY00, respectively.
At February 28, 2002 and 2001, property, plant and equipment includes $89,000 and $539,000, respectively, of machinery and equipment acquired under capital leases, which expire through FY03, with related accumulated amortization of $57,000 and $334,000, respectively.
In December 2001, Andersen Realty, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, sold a 108,000 square foot office building located in Bloomfield, Connecticut to a private buyer for proceeds of $1,692,000, net of transaction costs of $209,000. The buyer also assumed a sewer lien on the property of approximately $56,000. The Company recorded a loss on the sale of $197,000 for the year ended February 28, 2002. The Company recorded rental income related to the building of $272,000, $445,000, and $376,000 for FY02, FY01, and FY00, respectively.
(5) Investment in Moscow Broadband Communication Limited
During FY00, the Company invested $4,000,000 in a private placement of the common stock of Moscow Broadband, that, in total, raised approximately $18,000,000. Prior to this investment, the Company had an investment in Moscow Broadband with a reported value of $84,000. At each of February 28, 2002 and 2001, the Company had a 25% ownership interest in Moscow Broadband which was accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
On January 31, 2000, Moscow Broadband entered into an agreement ("Joint Venture Agreement") with Moscow Telecommunications Corporation ("COMCOR") under which COMCOR and Moscow Broadband would fund the operations of ZAO ComCor-TV ("ComCor-TV") and maintain joint and equal control over ComCor-TV. ComCor-TV is developing a network to deliver cable television, high speed data transmission and Internet access, and IP telephony to up to 1,500,000 homes and businesses throughout the Moscow region. On April 24, 2000, pursuant to the Joint Venture Agreement, Moscow Broadband contributed $8,500,000 in cash, 10,722 shares of the Institute for Automated Systems (IAS), a Moscow-based telecommunications company, and agreed to contribute an additional $500,000 in cash during the year ending December 31, 2000. In return, Moscow Broadband received a 50% ownership in ComCor-TV. Moscow Broadband accounts for its investment in ComCor-TV using the equity method of accounting.
The following presents summarized financial information for Moscow Broadband as of, and for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 (in thousands):
December 31, |
||||
2001 |
2000 |
|||
Balance Sheet Data |
||||
Current assets |
$ 4,353 |
$ 7,837 |
||
Noncurrent assets |
8,040 |
7,373 |
||
Total assets |
$12,393 |
$15,210 |
||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
$ 137 |
$ 269 |
||
Capital stock subscribed |
- |
550 |
||
Shareholders' equity |
12,256 |
14,391 |
||
$12,393 |
$15,210 |
|||
Statement of Operations Data |
||||
Net loss before equity in losses of ComCor-TV |
$ (833) |
$(1,104) |
||
Equity in losses of ComCor-TV |
(1,852) |
(1,814) |
||
Net loss |
$(2,685) |
$(2,918) |
The following presents summarized financial information for ComCor-TV as of, and for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 (in thousands):
December 31, |
||
2001 |
2000 |
|
Balance Sheet Data |
||
Current Assets |
$ 2,930 |
$ 4,972 |
Non-Current Assets |
14,850 |
14,921 |
Total assets |
$17,780 |
$19,893 |
Current liabilities |
$ 3,631 |
$ 666 |
Non-current liabilities and minority interest |
2,124 |
3,498 |
Stockholder's equity |
12,025 |
15,729 |
$17,780 |
$19,893 |
|
Statement of Operations Data |
||
Revenues |
$1,200 |
$ 359 |
Cost of revenues, including amortization of intangibles |
(3,099) |
(1,611) |
Loss from operations |
(5,094) |
(3,574) |
Net loss |
(3,704) |
(3,599) |
Moscow Broadband has a December 31 year end and, as a result, the Company's equity in Moscow Broadband's results is reported on a two-month lag. For the two-month periods ended February 28, 2002 and 2001, Moscow Broadband's net loss was $386,000 (unaudited) and $516,000 (unaudited), respectively.
At February 28, 2002, the reported value of the Company's investment in Moscow Broadband was $2,683,000 and the Company's 25% equity in the net assets of Moscow Broadband as of December 31, 2001 was approximately $3,060,000. The $381,000 difference is attributed to a non-depreciable asset that was transferred to ComCor-TV and will not result in the Company accreting the difference into its consolidated results of operations.
(6) Short-term Borrowings
As of February 28, 2002 and 2001, JM Ney had an $8.0 million revolving credit and deferred payment sales agreement with a commercial bank which is collateralized by substantially all of JM Ney's assets. At February 28, 2002, short-term borrowings under this line were comprised of $575,000 cash advances and $1,791,000 of precious metals borrowings. At February 28, 2001, short-term borrowings of $1,500,000 were comprised of cash advances. At February 28, 2002 and 2001, JM Ney had unused availability under this line of $5,291,000 and $6,114,000, respectively. At JM Ney's election, interest is charged at the bank's prime rate, which was 4.75% and 8.5% at February 28, 2002 and 2001, respectively, at LIBOR plus 1.75% if the borrowing is fixed for a period of time, or at 1.75% over the bank's precious metals leasing rate if the borrowing is represented by deferred payment purchases of precious metals. A fee of 0.25% is charged on the unused balance of the facility. In connection with the s ale of JM Ney's assets in March 2002, as described in Note 23, this line of credit was reduced to limit usage by JM Ney to a $343,000 outstanding letter of credit.
Accrued liabilities and other long term obligations consist of the following (in thousands):
February 28, 2002 |
February 28, 2001 |
|
Accrued liabilities: Employee compensation |
$ 531 |
$ 678 |
Accrued preferred dividends |
71 |
75 |
Income taxes |
650 |
211 |
Accrued interest |
102 |
260 |
Restructuring costs |
- |
122 |
Other |
552 |
515 |
$1,906 |
$1,861 |
|
Other long-term obligations liabilities: |
||
Post retirement health benefit obligations |
$ 674 |
$ 697 |
Deferred compensation |
633 |
670 |
Other |
535 |
528 |
$1,842 |
$1,895 |
(8) Long-term Debt and Subordinated Notes Payable
Long-term debt and subordinated notes payable consist of the following (in thousands):
February 28, 2002 |
February 28, 2001 |
|
Convertible subordinated debentures, due October 2007; interest at 10.5% payable semi-annually; annual principal payments through maturity, unsecured |
$2,584 |
$ 3,018 |
Subordinated note payable of JM Ney due December 2004; collateralized by a lien on JM Ney's assets; interest at 10.26% payable quarterly |
- |
7,500 |
Notes payable to officer, collateralized by a lien on real estate |
- |
1,200 |
Other |
9 |
170 |
2,593 |
11,888 |
|
Less unamortized discounts on notes payable |
- |
(141) |
2,593 |
11,747 |
|
Less current maturities |
(435) |
(734) |
$2,158 |
$11,013 |
The terms of the 2007 convertible subordinated debentures call for the annual redemption of approximately $431,000 of principal. The debentures are convertible into common stock of the Company at any time prior to maturity at $16.17 per share, subject to adjustment under certain conditions. At February 28, 2002, 159,802 shares of common stock were reserved for conversion.
In connection with the issuance of the subordinated note payable in FY98, JM Ney issued warrants to the lender to acquire 34,000 shares of its common stock at an exercise price of $1.00 per share, and warrants to acquire 6,000 shares at an exercise price of $10.00 per share. These warrants were exercisable at any time until December 2007, or six months after an initial public offering. Upon issuance of the note, the estimated fair value of these warrants of $205,000 was recorded as a liability and a discount to the face amount of the note. The discount was being amortized over the life of the note but was written off in its entirety during FY02 as a result of the prepayment of the underlying note. The lender had an option to put these warrants back to JM Ney at the earlier of December 2002, or the date of an initial public offering of JM Ney's common stock on terms as defined in the agreement. At February 28, 2002, the liability of $205,000 for the warrants remained within other long- term obligations. In connection with the sale of JM Ney's assets in March 2002 as discussed in Note 23, JM Ney settled these warrants for $160,000.
During FY00, the President and Chief Executive Officer loaned the Company $1,000,000 for the purpose of increasing the Company's investment in Moscow Broadband. This loan was paid by the Company in December 2001. The loan bore interest at the annual rate of 8.5%, and was collateralized by a lien on the Company's real estate which was sold in December 2001. In connection with the loan, the Company issued the officer warrants to acquire 18,706 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $16.04 per share. Such warrants are exercisable through February 2003. The estimated fair value of these warrants of $68,000 was recorded as a discount to the face amount of the loan, and was amortized over the original life of the loan. During FY01, the President and Chief Executive Officer loaned the Company an additional $200,000. The Company repaid this note in April 2001. The loan bore interest at the annual rate of 8.5%, and was collateralized by a lien on the Company's real estate. In connection with the loan, the Company issued the officer warrants to acquire 5,393 shares of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $11.13 per share. Such warrants are exercisable through April 2003. The estimated fair value of these warrants of $18,000 was recorded as a discount to the face amount of the loan, and was being amortized over the life of the loan. During FY02 and FY01, the Company paid the officer approximately $99,000 and $101,000, respectively, of interest pursuant to these notes.
Non-cash interest expense from the amortization of discounts and deferred financing costs totaled $247,000, $150,000 and $86,000 during FY02, FY01 and FY00, respectively.
Maturities of long-term debt for each of the next five fiscal years and thereafter as of February 28, 2002 are as follows (in thousands):
2003 |
$ 435 |
2004 |
431 |
2005 |
431 |
2006 |
431 |
2007 |
431 |
Thereafter |
434 |
$ 2,593 |
(9) Income Taxes
For FY02, FY01 and FY00, income tax expense (benefit) consists of the following (in thousands):
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
|
Current Federal |
$373 |
$ 5 |
$ (141) |
Current State |
60 |
60 |
148 |
Deferred Federal |
55 |
(237) |
(563) |
Deferred State |
(77) |
(109) |
(70) |
$411 |
$(281) |
$ (626) |
The difference between the actual income tax expense (benefit) and the income tax expense (benefit) computed by applying the statutory Federal income tax rate of 34% to income (loss) before income taxes is attributable to the following (in thousands):
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
|
Income tax expense (benefit), at statutory rates |
$334 |
$(647) |
$(549) |
State income taxes, net of Federal impact |
(17) |
(32) |
51 |
Tax credits |
- |
- |
(355) |
Valuation allowance |
96 |
402 |
267 |
Other |
(2) |
(4) |
(40) |
Income tax expense (benefit) |
$411 |
$(281) |
$(626) |
The principal components of the net deferred tax asset (liability) as of February 28, 2002 and 2001 are as follows (in thousands):
February 28, 2002 |
February 28, 2001 |
|
Deferred tax liabilities: |
||
Fixed asset basis differences |
$ (337) |
$ (769) |
Inventory |
(351) |
(1,092) |
Pension |
(1,658) |
(1,757) |
Unrealized gains on marketable securities, net |
(62) |
- |
Total deferred tax liabilities |
(2,408) |
(3,618) |
Deferred tax assets: |
||
Post-retirement benefits other than pensions |
249 |
269 |
Unrealized losses on marketable securities, net |
- |
275 |
Equity in losses of Moscow Broadband |
909 |
537 |
Allowance for uncollectible receivables |
35 |
57 |
Accrued vacation |
6 |
96 |
Federal and State credit carry-forwards |
184 |
443 |
Federal and State net operating loss carry- forwards |
- |
801 |
Capital loss carry forwards |
193 |
85 |
Valuation allowance |
(1,021) |
(925) |
Other |
83 |
188 |
Total deferred tax assets |
638 |
1,826 |
Net deferred tax liabilities |
$(1,770) |
$(1,792) |
At February 28, 2002, the Company had $184,000 of Federal alternative minimum tax credit carry-forwards that have no expiration date. A valuation allowance of $1,021,000 has been established at February 28, 2002 against the capital losses, equity in losses of Moscow Broadband, and unrealized losses on marketable securities to the extent it is more likely than not that these items will not be realized. The Company has $521,000 of Federal capital loss carryforwards which expire in the fiscal years ending February 2021 and February 2022.
(10) Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock
The Company's Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (Preferred Stock) has an annual dividend rate of $1.50 per share, that is paid quarterly. The Preferred Stock is convertible into the Company's common stock at any time at a rate of 1.944 shares of common stock for each share of Preferred Stock, subject to certain adjustments. At February 28, 2002, 365,483 shares of common stock have been reserved for conversion.
During FY02, FY01 and FY00, 13,195, 15,663 and 39,552 shares of the Preferred Stock were converted into 25,650, 30,447 and 76,886 shares, respectively, of the Company's common stock.
Holders of the convertible preferred stock have no voting rights, except as required by applicable law and except when among other things, accrued and unpaid dividends on the convertible preferred stock are equal to or exceed the equivalent of six quarterly dividends payable on the convertible preferred stock such holders will be entitled to elect one director to the Company's board of directors until the dividend arrearage has been paid or amounts have been set apart for such payment. The convertible preferred stock is senior to the common stock with respect to dividends and liquidation events.
(11) Income (loss) Per Share
The computation of basic and diluted income (loss) per share is as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
|
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share: |
|||
Income (loss) applicable to common shareholders |
$242 |
$(1,927) |
$(1,349) |
Denominator for basic earnings per share: Weighted average shares |
2,082 |
2,048 |
1,932 |
Effect of dilutive securities |
- |
- |
- |
Denominator for diluted earnings per share |
2,082 |
2,048 |
1,932 |
Basic and diluted income (loss) per share |
$0.12 |
$(0.94) |
$(0.70) |
For FY02, FY01 and FY00, the net addition of 22,050, 28,078, and 16,777 common share equivalents, respectively, from the assumed exercise of stock options using the treasury method have been excluded, because of their antidilutive effects.
For each of FY02, FY01 and FY00, the effects of the conversion of the Preferred Stock and the 10 1/2% Convertible Subordinated Debentures have been excluded because the impacts of such conversions would have been antidilutive.
(12) Stock Option Plans
The Company's and JM Ney's incentive stock option plans provide for option grants to directors and key employees at prices equal to at least 100% of the stock's fair market value at date of grant. Options generally vest over three years and have a maximum term of ten years. No stock options were granted during FY02 or FY00. All options granted during FY01 had an exercise price equal to the fair market value as of the date of grant. The per share weighted average fair value of stock options granted during FY01 under the Company plan was $8.18 using the Black Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions: expected dividend yield of 0%, risk-free interest rate of 6%, expected life of five years, and expected volatility of 80%.
Grants of options in FY01 under the JM Ney plan had a fair value of $7.61 per share, based upon an expected dividend yield of 0%, risk-free interest rate of 6%, expected life of five years, and expected volatility of 33%.
The Company has adopted the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation". Accordingly, no compensation expense has been recognized for the stock option plans. Had compensation cost for the Company's stock option plans, including the JM Ney plan, been determined based on the fair value on the grant date for awards during FY02, FY01 and FY00 consistent with the provisions of SFAS No. 123, the Company's net income (loss) applicable to common shares, and the income (loss) per share would have adjusted to the pro forma amounts indicated below (amounts in thousands, except per share data):
|
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
Income (loss) applicable to common shareholders: |
|||
As reported |
$242 |
$(1,927) |
$(1,349) |
Pro forma |
$173 |
$(1,966) |
$(1,521) |
Income (loss) per share - basic and diluted: |
|||
As reported |
$0.12 |
$ (0.94) |
$ (0.70) |
Pro forma |
$0.08 |
$ (0.96) |
$ (0.79) |
The Company has reserved 94,250 shares of common stock for the exercise of stock options. The Company's plan expired during FY01, and accordingly, no future options can be granted under the Plan. JM Ney had reserved 106,050 shares of its common stock for the exercise of stock options, of which no shares were available for issuance at February 28, 2002 due to restrictions in the agreement governing the sale of its operating assets to Deringer Mfg. Company (Note 23).
Activity under the Company's plan, which excludes JM Ney's plan, was as follows:
|
Number |
Weighted Average |
Range of |
Outstanding Options |
Of Shares |
Exercise Price |
Exercise Prices |
Balance at February 28, 1999 |
94,000 |
$5.31 |
$3.81 - $8.38 |
Exercised |
(2,600) |
$3.81 |
$3.81 |
Canceled |
(10,700) |
$6.27 |
$3.81 - $6.44 |
Balance as of February 29, 2000 |
80,700 |
$5.23 |
$3.81 - $8.38 |
Granted |
40,000 |
$12.00 |
$10.50-$13.50 |
Exercised |
(18,000) |
$4.08 |
$3.81 - $6.25 |
Balance as of February 28, 2001 |
102,700 |
$8.06 |
$3.81 - $13.50 |
Canceled |
(6,000) |
$8.38 |
$8.38 |
Exercised |
(2,450) |
$3.81 |
$3.81 |
Balance as of February 28, 2002 |
94,250 |
$8.16 |
$3.81 - $13.50 |
At February 28, 2002, the range of exercise prices and the weighted average remaining contractual life of the options was as follows:
Options Outstanding Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise Prices |
Number Outstanding |
Weighted Average Exercise Price |
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life |
Number Exercisable |
Weighted Average Exercise Price |
$10.50-$13.50 |
40,000 |
$12.00 |
8.3 years |
40,000 |
$12.00 |
$6.13 - $6.44 |
34,000 |
$6.22 |
5.0 years |
34,000 |
$6.22 |
$3.81 |
20,250 |
$3.81 |
4.1 years |
20,250 |
$3.81 |
94,250 |
$8.16 |
6.2 years |
94,250 |
$8.16 |
During FY01, options to purchase 2,000 shares of JM Ney, at an average exercise price of $11.17 per share were issued. During FY02, FY01 and FY00, options to acquire 750, 500 and 6,500 shares, respectively, of JM Ney were forfeited. During FY02, FY01 and FY00, options to acquire 250, 21,000 and 9,750 shares, respectively, were exercised, and the resultant shares were simultaneously repurchased by JM Ney for net consideration of $100, $24,000 and $16,000, respectively. At February 28, 2002, all of the 106,050 total outstanding JM Ney options were exercisable. At February 28, 2002, the Company owned all 850,000 outstanding shares of JM Ney. There presently is no public market for JM Ney's common stock. Subsequent to the sale of JM Ney's assets, as discussed in Note 23, the Company purchased all of the outstanding JM Ney options from the holders thereof for total consideration of $304,000.
(13) Retirement Plans
The Company maintains a noncontributory defined benefit plan and a defined contribution plan, which collectively cover substantially all full-time employees. The defined contribution plan is funded through employee contributions and employer matching contributions. Pension expense for the Company's defined contribution plan totaled $213,000, $223,000 and $208,000, in FY02, FY01 and FY00, respectively. The defined benefit plan held 12,250 shares of the Company's stock at both February 28, 2002 and 2001.
The following table sets forth the changes in benefit obligations, changes in fair value of plan assets, funded status and net amounts recognized for the defined benefit plan (in thousands). Such amounts are reported on a two month lag to coincide with the December 31 fiscal year end of the plan.
February 28, 2002 |
February 28, 2001 |
February 29, 2000 |
|
Changes in Benefit Obligations |
|||
Benefit obligation at beginning of year |
$12,304 |
$11,001 |
$11,663 |
Service cost |
299 |
261 |
397 |
Interest cost |
888 |
864 |
791 |
Experience loss |
339 |
232 |
138 |
Distributions |
(873) |
(1,010) |
(971) |
Effect of curtailment (Note 16) |
- |
(178) |
- |
Effect of assumption changes |
397 |
1,134 |
(1,017) |
Benefit obligation end of year |
13,354 |
12,304 |
11,001 |
Change in Fair Value of Plan Assets |
|||
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year |
15,324 |
14,069 |
14,530 |
Actual return on assets |
1,229 |
2,265 |
510 |
Benefits paid |
(873) |
(1,010) |
(971) |
Fair value of plan assets at end of year |
15,680 |
15,324 |
14,069 |
Funded status |
2,326 |
3,020 |
3,068 |
Unrecognized net actuarial loss |
2,530 |
1,886 |
1,953 |
Unrecognized past service cost |
(81) |
(97) |
(104) |
Prepaid pension expense |
$4,775 |
$ 4,809 |
$ 4,917 |
Experience losses are comprised primarily of variances in employee turnover, the amount of salary increases and the Plan's mortality experience. The effect of assumption changes is primarily comprised of changes in the discount rate used to calculate the projected benefit obligations.
For FY02, FY01 and FY00, the projected benefit obligations and pension expense were determined using the following assumptions:
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
|
Discount rate |
7.00% |
7.25% |
7.75% |
Future compensation growth rate |
5.00% |
5.00% |
5.00% |
Long-term rate of return on plan assets |
8.00% |
8.00% |
8.00% |
Net pension expense for the Company's funded defined benefit plan in FY02, FY01 and FY00 includes the following components (in thousands):
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
|
Service cost of benefits accrued |
$ 299 |
$ 261 |
$ 397 |
Interest cost on projected benefit obligations |
888 |
864 |
791 |
Expected return on plan assets |
(1,192) |
(1,086) |
(1,124) |
Unrecognized net gain |
39 |
69 |
52 |
Pension expense |
$ 34 |
$ 108 |
$ 116 |
(14) Post-retirement Benefit Obligations
At February 28, 2002 and 2001, the accumulated benefit obligation for its unfunded retiree health care plan was approximately $674,000 and $697,000, respectively, and the net unrecognized actuarial gain was approximately $6,000 and $115,000, respectively. The Company's cost for this plan for FY02, FY01, and FY00 was approximately $35,000, $2,000, and $7,000, respectively. Such expenses were comprised of interest cost of $40,000, $30,000 and $37,000, respectively and amortization of unrecognized net actuarial gains of $5,000, $28,000 and $30,000 respectively. . Benefit payments made under this plan for FY02, FY01 and FY00 were approximately $58,000, $41,000, and $40,000, respectively. At February 28, 2002, 32 retirees and their spouses were receiving benefits under this plan.
The accumulated benefit obligation was determined using the unit credit method and assumed discount rates of 7.00% and 7.25% at February 28, 2002 and 2001, respectively. At February 28, 2002, the accumulated benefit obligation was compiled using assumed health care cost trend rates of 12%, gradually declining to 6% for the remainder of the projected payout period of the benefits.
The estimated effect on the present value of the accumulated benefit obligation at March 1, 2002 of a 1% increase each year in the health care cost trend rate used would result in an estimated increase of approximately $3,000 in the service and interest cost, and approximately $41,000 in the accumulated benefit obligation. A 1% decrease each year in the health care trend rate would result in a decrease of approximately $3,000 in the service and interest costs, and a decrease of approximately $38,000 in the accumulated benefit obligation.
(15) Leases
The Company leases various manufacturing and office facilities and equipment under operating lease agreements expiring through December 2005. Lease expense was $602,000, $472,000 and $382,000 for FY02, FY01 and FY00, respectively.
Future minimum lease payments under the terms of the leases for each of the next five years, are as follows as of February 28, 2002 (in thousands):
Electronics Segment |
Corporate Segment |
Total |
|
2003 |
$ 590 |
$45 |
$ 635 |
2004 |
469 |
7 |
476 |
2005 |
405 |
- |
405 |
2006 |
240 |
- |
240 |
$1,704 |
$52 |
$1,756 |
The above amounts include the principal portion of capital lease payments of $9,000 in FY03. Pursuant to the discussion in Note 23, the commitments of the Electronics Segment were assigned to the buyers of JM Ney's operating assets.
(16) Restructuring Costs
In February 2001, JM Ney announced a restructuring of its operations which involved the reduction of 33 employees from its workforce. The cost of this restructuring, which is primarily comprised of severance payments and benefits, was $256,000, of which $134,000 was paid prior to February 28, 2001. The remaining costs were paid during FY02.
(17) Business Segments and Export Sales
During FY02, the Company operated in two continuing segments: Electronics, which comprises the operations of JM Ney, and Corporate, which includes the Company's investment, real estate and corporate administrative activities. Operating income (loss) consists of revenues, less all non-interest costs and expenses directly allocated to the industry segments. Corporate revenues consist of investment income (loss) and other income not attributable to the Electronics segment. Corporate identifiable assets include assets not directly attributable to JM Ney.
Summarized financial information by business segment is as follows (in thousands):
FY02 |
FY01 |
FY00 |
|
Net sales and revenues: |
|||
Electronics |
$27,894 |
$ 39,460 |
$29,049 |
Corporate |
590 |
698 |
1,262 |
|
$28,484 |
$ 40,158 |
$30,311 |
Operating income (loss): |
|||
Electronics |
$ 4,320 |
$ 1,904 |
$ 1,305 |
Corporate |
(1,563) |
(1,107) |
(1,193) |
$ 2,757 |
$ 797 |
$ 112 |
|
Interest expense: |
|||
Electronics |
$ 726 |
$ 1,521 |
$ 1,300 |
Corporate |
374 |
450 |
425 |
$ 1,100 |
$ 1,971 |
$ 1,725 |
|
Identifiable assets: |
|||
Electronics |
$20,306 |
$25,772 |
$27,835 |
Corporate |
4,963 |
7,304 |
9,283 |
$25,269 |
$33,076 |
$37,118 |
|
Depreciation, amortization and interest accretion: |
|||
Electronics |
$ 1,442 |
$ 1,393 |
$ 1,316 |
Corporate |
139 |
196 |
150 |
$ 1,581 |
$ 1,589 |
$ 1,466 |
|
Capital expenditures: |
|||
Electronics |
$ 216 |
$ 337 |
$ 2,118 |
Corporate |
- |
21 |
20 |
$ 216 |
$ 358 |
$ 2,138 |
Export sales for FY02, FY01 and FY00 were $7,373,000, $9,552,000 and $5,941,000, respectively. Such sales were made primarily to customers in Europe and the Pacific Rim.
During FY02, FY01, and FY00 sales to one customer accounted for 12.0%, 14.4%, and 17.7%, of net sales, respectively. At February 28, 2002 and February 28, 2001 accounts receivable from this customer represented and 9.5% and 14.7%, respectively, of consolidated net accounts receivable.
(18) Estimated Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, short term borrowings, accounts payable and other accrued liabilities are reasonable estimates of their fair value based upon their current maturities. The carrying value of marketable securities approximates fair value as determined by quoted market prices less any reserves for liquidity and volatility concerns.
The carrying values of long-term debt issued by banks and capital lease obligations approximate fair value based on interest rate and repayment terms, and the extent to which the individual debts are collateralized. At February 28, 2002 the fair value of the Company's 10.5% convertible debentures was approximately $2,070,000 based on a quoted market value of the security.
(19) Litigation
The Company is involved in various legal proceedings generally incidental to its business. The outcome of any litigation or regulatory issues contains an element of uncertainty. Given the legal and factual issues that remain outstanding related to the Company's litigation, the Company currently has no basis to ascertain the range of loss, should any occur, with respect to an outcome that may be considered unfavorable.
(20) Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
The information below supplements the cash flow data presented in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands):
|
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
Cash paid (received) for: |
|||
Interest |
$1,038 |
$1,898 |
$ 1,692 |
Income taxes, net |
$ (13) |
$ (140) |
$ (140) |
During FY02, FY01 and FY00, the Company issued 25,650, 30,447 and 76,886 shares, respectively, of its common stock from the conversion of preferred stock; and during FY02, FY01 and FY00, it issued 247, 0 and 988 shares of its common stock from conversion of 10 1/2% convertible notes.
(21) Related Party Transactions
During FY02 and FY01, the Company allocated approximately $125,000 and $204,000 of expenses to Moscow Broadband for administrative services provided.
During FY01, the Company's Chairman and Secretary was granted a bonus in the form of the forgiveness of $111,743 of a $223,487 unsecured non-interest-bearing note payable to the Company. During FY02 the remaining $111,744 balance of this note was repaid to the Company.
The Company leases office space from a company owned by its President and Chief Executive Officer, for which it paid $40,476 during the fiscal year ended February 28, 2002.
(22) Quarterly Financial Data (unaudited)
2002 Quarterly Financial Data |
May 31 |
August 31 |
November 30 |
February 28 |
Net sales and revenues |
$8,388 |
$7,509 |
$6,309 |
$6,278 |
Gross profit |
2,952 |
1,229 |
1,768 |
3,235 |
Net income (loss) before equity in losses of unconsolidated subsidiary and income taxes |
1,008 |
(540) |
(198) |
1,387 |
Net income (loss) |
384 |
(579) |
(279) |
1,002 |
Income (loss) applicable to common shares |
311 |
(652) |
(349) |
932 |
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share-Basic: |
$0.15 |
$(0.31) |
$(0.17) |
$0.45 |
-Diluted: |
$0.15 |
$(0.31) |
$(0.17) |
$0.40 |
2001 Quarterly Financial Data |
May 31 |
August 31 |
November 30 |
February 28 |
Net sales and revenues |
$9,605 |
$10,318 |
$9,520 |
$10,715 |
Gross profit |
2,504 |
2,416 |
2,280 |
1,583 |
Net income (loss) before equity in losses of unconsolidated subsidiary and income taxes |
(79) |
89 |
(498) |
(686) |
Net loss |
(126) |
(60) |
(469) |
(968) |
Loss applicable to common shares |
(202) |
(137) |
(544) |
(1,044) |
Loss Per Common Share, Basic and Diluted: |
$(0.10) |
$(0.07) |
$(0.26) |
$(0.51) |
(23) Subsequent Events
Sale of JM Ney
During March 2002, the Company received shareholder approval for the sale of substantially all of the operating assets and certain liabilities of JM Ney to Deringer Mfg. Company. On March 26, 2002, the Company completed this transaction and received cash consideration of $10,961,000, of which $600,000 was placed in an escrow account to settle potential claims of the buyer relating to identified components of the inventory sold and the Company's representations and warranties. The sales resulted in an estimated pre-tax gain of approximately $2,070,000. This gain is based on estimates of the value of certain asset balances sold and of expenses of the transactions. Any differences between these estimates and their actual settlement will change the gain accordingly. The Company and Deringer also entered into an eight-year lease of JM Ney's Bloomfield, Connecticut manufacturing facility. Concurrent with the transaction, the outstanding cash and precious metals borrowings under JM Ney' s revolving line of credit with its primary bank were repaid and the Company purchased warrants for JM Ney's common stock (see Note 8) from the bank for consideration of $160,000.
ComCor-TV Transaction
In April 2002, the Company entered into agreements, subject to shareholder approval, under which the Company will acquire the 50% equity ownership of ComCor-TV presently owned by COMCOR in exchange for approximately $28 million of the Company's common stock. The number of shares to be issued to purchase this equity will be determined based upon the average price of the Company's stock during a defined period prior to the closing of the transaction, provided that the price remains between $8 and $12 per share. The agreements require COMCOR to contribute defined operating assets and additional shares of IAS to ComCor-TV. The Company is required to acquire substantially all of the outstanding shares of Moscow Broadband that it currently does not own and to contribute additional cash totaling $16.7 million, as well as Moscow Broadband's remaining shares of IAS to ComCor-TV. At this date, the Company has not entered into any agreements or formalized any terms or plans to acquire additio nal ownership of Moscow Broadband. If these transactions occur substantially as planned, both Moscow Broadband and ComCor-TV will be substantially wholly-owned by the Company and become consolidated subsidiaries of the Company.
Report of Independent Accountants
To
the Stockholders and Board of DirectorsAndersen Group, Inc.:
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of operations, of stockholders' equity and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Andersen Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries at February 28, 2002 and 2001, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supportin g the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. The statements of operations, of stockholders' equity and of cash flows for the year ended February 29, 2000 were audited by other independent accountants whose report dated May 3, 2000 expressed an unqualified opinion on those statements.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Hartford, CT
April 30, 2002
Independent Auditors' Report
The Stockholders and Board of Directors
Andersen Group, Inc.
New York, NY
We have audited the consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows of Andersen Group, Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended February 29, 2000. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations, changes in stockholders' equity and cash flows of Andersen Group, Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended February 29, 2000 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
/s/Deloitte & Touche LLP
Hartford, Connecticut
May 3, 2000
Report of Independent Accountants
To the Board of Directors and
Shareholders of ABC Moscow Broadband Communication Limited:
In our opinion, the accompanying balance sheets and the related statements of operations, of changes in shareholders' equity (deficit) and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of ABC Moscow Broadband Communication Limited at December 31, 2001 and 2000 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the two years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting th e amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Hartford, CT
April 30, 2002, except as to Note 8 which is as of May 15, 2002
ABC Moscow Broadband Communication Limited
Balance Sheets (in thousands, except share data)
December 31, 2001 and 2000
2001 |
2002 |
|
Assets |
||
Current assets |
||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ 4,344 |
$ 7,837 |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
9 |
- |
Total current assets |
4,353 |
7,837 |
Investment in ComCor-TV (Note 3) |
5,465 |
7,325 |
Notes receivable from ComCor-TV (Note 6) |
2,527 |
- |
Investment in Institute for Automated Systems ("IAS") (Note 3) |
48 |
48 |
Total assets |
$12,393 |
$15,210 |
Liabilities, Common Stock Subscribed, and Shareholders' Equity |
||
Current liabilities |
||
Accounts payable |
$ 2 |
$ 201 |
Accrued expenses |
129 |
53 |
Payable to Andersen Group, Inc. (Note 6) |
6 |
15 |
Total current liabilities |
137 |
269 |
Commitments and contingencies (Note 5) |
||
Common stock subscribed (Note 4) |
- |
550 |
Shareholders' equity |
||
Common stock, Class A, 1 Cyprus Pound (US $2.20) par value; 1,000 shares authorized, issued and outstanding in 2001 and 2000 (Note 4) |
2 |
2 |
Common stock, Class B, $1,000 par value; 19,000 shares authorized, 19,000 and 18,450 shares issued and outstanding in 2001 and 2000, respectively (Note 4) |
19,000 |
18,450 |
Additional paid-in capital |
1,409 |
1,409 |
Accumulated deficit |
(8,155 ) |
(5,470 ) |
Total shareholders' equity |
12,256 |
14,391 |
Total liabilities, common stock subscribed, and shareholders' equity |
$12,393 |
$15,210 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
ABC Moscow Broadband Communication Limited
Statements of Operations (in thousands)
For the Years Ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
Year ended December 31, 2001 |
Year ended December 31, 2000 |
Year ended December 31, 1999 (Unaudited) |
|
Interest income |
$ 311 |
$ 499 |
$ 2 |
Expenses |
|||
Salaries |
254 |
246 |
- |
Legal and consulting |
598 |
912 |
727 |
Allocations from Andersen Group, Inc. |
158 |
212 |
39 |
Travel and other |
143 |
233 |
45 |
Total operating expenses |
1,144 |
1,603 |
811 |
Investment loss |
(833) |
(1,104) |
(809) |
Equity in losses of ComCor-TV |
(1,852) |
(1,814) |
- |
Net loss |
$(2,685) |
$(2,918) |
$(809) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
ABC Moscow Broadband Communication Limited
Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) (in thousands, except share data)
For the Years Ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
Class A Common Stock |
Class B Common Stock |
Additional Paid In |
Accumulated |
||||
Shares |
Par Value |
Shares |
Par Value |
Capital |
Deficit |
Total |
|
Balance at December 31, 1998 (unaudited) |
1,000 |
$ 2 |
- |
$ - |
$1,516 |
$(1,743) |
$(225) |
Net loss (unaudited) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(809 ) |
(809 ) |
Balance at December 31, 1999 (unaudited) |
1,000 |
2 |
- |
- |
1,516 |
(2,552) |
(1,034) |
Issuance of Class B common stock, net of issuance costs of $107,000 |
- |
- |
17,450 |
17,450 |
(107) |
- |
17,343 |
Conversion of shareholders' payable to Class B common stock (Note 4) |
- |
- |
1,000 |
1,000 |
- |
- |
1,000 |
Net loss |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(2,918 ) |
(2,918 ) |
Balance as of December 31, 2000 |
1,000 |
2 |
18,450 |
18,450 |
1,409 |
(5,470) |
14,391 |
Issuance of Class B common stock |
- |
- |
550 |
550 |
- |
- |
550 |
Net loss |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
(2,685 ) |
(2,685 ) |
Balance at December 31, 2001 |
1,000 |
$ 2 |
19,000 |
$19,000 |
$1,409 |
$ (8,155) |
$12,256 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
ABC Moscow Broadband Communication Limited
Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands)
December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999
Year ended |
Year ended |
Year ended |
|
December 31, 2001 |
December 31, 2000 |
December 31, 1999 |
|
(Unaudited) |
|||
Cash flows from operating activities |
|||
Net loss |
$(2,685) |
$(2,918) |
$(809) |
Equity in losses of ComCor-TV |
1,852 |
1,814 |
- |
Change in prepaid expenses and other current assets |
(9) |
- |
- |
Change in accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
(123) |
4 |
247 |
Change in payable to Andersen Group, Inc. |
(9) |
(17) |
32 |
Change in payable to shareholders |
- |
- |
608 |
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities |
(974) |
(1,117) |
78 |
Cash flows from investing activities |
|||
Purchase of investment in ComCor-TV |
8 |
(9,020) |
- |
Notes receivable from ComCor-TV |
(2,527 ) |
- |
- |
Net cash used in investing activities |
(2,519 ) |
(9,020 ) |
- |
Cash flows from financing activities |
|||
Cash received from issuance of Class B shares, net of offering expenses |
- |
17,343 |
- |
Cash received for common stock subscribed (Note 4) |
- |
550 |
- |
Net cash provided by financing activities |
- |
17,893 |
- |
Net (decrease) increase in cash |
(3,493) |
7,756 |
78 |
Cash at beginning of year |
7,837 |
81 |
3 |
Cash at end of year |
$ 4,344 |
$ 7,837 |
$ 81 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
ABC Moscow Broadband Communication Limited
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2001 and 2000
1. Nature of the Business
ABC Moscow Broadband Communication Limited ("Moscow Broadband" or the "Company") is a Cyprus-based association formed in 1995 as Treglos Investments Limited to act as a holding company for investments in Russian companies. From 1995 to early 2000, its primary investment had been an approximately 6% interest in The Institute for Automated Systems ("IAS"), a Moscow-based telecommunications company. In June 2000, the Company changed its name from Treglos Investments Limited to ABC Moscow Broadband Communication Limited. In January 2000, Moscow Broadband entered into an agreement (the "Joint Venture Agreement") with Moscow Telecommunications Corporation ("COMCOR") under which COMCOR and Moscow Broadband would fund the operations of ZAO ComCor-TV ("ComCor-TV") and maintain joint and equal control over ComCor-TV. ComCor-TV is developing and operating a network to deliver cable television, high speed data transmission and Internet access, and IP telephony to up to 1,500,000 homes and busi nesses throughout the Moscow region.
2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles accepted in the United Sates of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original or remaining maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents.
Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts of the Company's financial instruments, which include cash and cash
equivalents, accounts payable, accrued expenses, and notes receivable, approximate their fair
value at December 31, 2001 and 2000 due to their short maturities.
Income Taxes
Deferred taxes are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are provided if, based upon the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
3. Investments
The Company's investments in ComCor-TV and IAS are subject to the risks and uncertainties of the economy of the Russian Federation. This economy continues to display characteristics of an emerging market. These characteristics include, but are not limited to, the existence of the following: a currency that is not freely convertible outside of the country; extensive currency controls; a low level of liquidity in the public and private debt and equity markets; and high inflation.
The prospects for future stability in the Russian Federation are largely dependent upon the effectiveness of economic measures undertaken by the government, together with legal, regulatory and political developments.
Investment in IAS
The investment in IAS is carried at historical cost, adjusted for other than temporary declines in fair value. Moscow Broadband invested $1,000,000 (unaudited) for the purchase of shares of IAS in 1996. During the year ended December 31, 1998, the Company recorded an $833,000 (unaudited) impairment loss to reflect an other than temporary decline in its value relating to the financial crisis in Russia at that time. During the year ended December 31, 2001, 10,722 shares of IAS with an adjusted cost basis of $119,000 were contributed to ComCor-TV as discussed below. Such shares were recorded by ComCor-TV at a fair value of $634,000 in accordance with joint venture accounting. As of December 31, 2001, the Company owned 4,402 shares which represent approximately 1.8% of IAS.
Investment in ComCor-TV
The investment in ComCor-TV is accounted for under the equity method of accounting pursuant to APB 18. On April 24, 2000, pursuant to the Joint Venture Agreement, the Company contributed $8,500,000 in cash, 10,722 shares of IAS, and agreed to contribute an additional $500,000 in cash during the year ended December 31, 2001. In return, the Company received a 50% equity ownership in ComCor-TV. In accordance with the Joint Venture Agreement, the Company will share in half the profits and losses of ComCor-TV and is permitted to appoint half the directors to the ComCor-TV Board of Directors. The Company shares joint control over ComCor-TV with COMCOR and, as a result, the investment is being accounted for under the equity method. During the year ended December 31, 2000, the Company contributed approximately $20,000 more than the $500,000 commitment. Such excess payments will reduce future equity contributions made to ComCor-TV.
At December 31, 2001, the reported value of the Company's investment in ComCor-TV was $5,465,000 and its 50% equity in the net assets of ComCor TV was approximately $6,013,000. The $548,000 difference is largely attributable to the higher valuation on ComCor-TV's financial statements of the IAS shares contributed, as compared with the Company's cost basis. This difference will not be accreted into the Company's results of operations, as it relates to a non-amortizing asset.
The following presents ComCor-TV's summarized financial information as of and for the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 (in thousands):
2001 |
2000 |
|
Consolidated Balance Sheet |
||
Current assets |
$ 2,930 |
$ 4,972 |
Non-current assets |
14,850 |
14,291 |
Total assets |
$17,780 |
$ 19,893 |
Current liabilities |
$ 3,631 |
$ 666 |
Non-current liabilities |
2,099 |
3,466 |
Total liabilities |
$ 5,730 |
$ 4,132 |
Minority interest |
25 |
32 |
Shareholders' equity |
12,025 |
15,729 |
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity |
$17,780 |
$ 19,893 |
Consolidated Statement of Operations |
||
Revenues |
$ 1,200 |
359 |
Cost of revenues, including amortization of intangibles |
$ (3,099) |
$ (1,611) |
Loss from operations |
$ (5,094) |
$ (3,574) |
Net loss |
$ (3,704) |
$ (3,599) |
4. Common Stock
The Company was originally capitalized with 1,000 shares of Class A common stock, which has a par value of one Cyprus pound per share (US $2.20). During 2000, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the creation of a separate class of common stock, Class B common stock. The Company is authorized to issue up to 19,000 shares of Class B common stock with a par value of US$1,000. Each class of stock has equal rights with respect to voting, dividends and preference in liquidation.
During 2000, the Company completed a private placement of 19,000 shares of its Class B common stock at a price of $1,000 each. As of December 31, 2000, two investors in the private placement had not been issued stock certificates for their 550 shares of Class B common stock pending foreign bank citizenship approval. Accordingly, the $550,000 of proceeds relating to these shares were classified as common stock subscribed. During the year ended December 31, 2001, all 550 shares of Class B common stock were issued to these investors. At the time of the private placement, the Company was indebted to certain of the holders of the Class A common stock in the aggregate amount of $1,000,000 for expenses incurred on the Company's behalf from 1995 through December 1999. Concurrent with the private placement, these shareholders elected to convert this liability into equity through the subscription of Class B shares. Costs relating to the private placement, and issuance of the shares, were charg ed to additional paid-in capital.
5. Commitments and Contingencies
During 2000, the Company pledged to grant options to two officers to purchase a total of 300 shares of its common stock at an exercise price of $1,000 per share. At present there is no formalized stock option plan which governs the administration of these options, and there is not a sufficient number of authorized shares to permit the issuance of shares pursuant to the exercise of these options. The Company expects to formalize the documentation and grant these options in 2002.
6. Related Party Transactions
At December 31, 2001, the Company has only one compensated officer, and it does not have its own facilities. Accordingly, it relies on Andersen Group, Inc. ("Andersen"), a U.S. publicly traded company which owns 25% of the outstanding stock of the Company, for all its administrative and operational activities. In connection therewith, Andersen charged $158,000 and $212,000 of administrative expenses to the Company during the years ended December 31, 2001 and 2000, respectively.
The President of the Company is compensated directly by the Company and is also the Chairman of Andersen. The President and Chief Financial Officer of Andersen also are Chairman and Chief Financial Officer, respectively, of the Company. Accordingly, a portion of their services are paid for by the Company.
During 2001, the Company extended a line of credit to ComCor-TV. Under the terms of the agreement, ComCor-TV can borrow up to $1.5 million, repayable on March 31, 2002, with interest calculated at LIBOR plus 1%. During 2001, ComCor-TV borrowed the full $1,500,000 million under the agreement and also borrowed an additional $1,027,162 from the Company. At December 31, 2001 accrued interest receivable on the note totaled $6,521. During 2002, ComCor-TV borrowed an additional $250,000 from the Company. The Company expects to be repaid the full loan amounts in conjunction with future equity contributions to ComCor-TV from Andersen, pursuant to the agreements discussed in Note 8.
7. Income Taxes
The principal components of the deferred tax balances are as follows:
December 31, |
||
2001 |
2000 |
|
Net operating loss carryforwards |
$ 268 |
$ 115 |
Net deferred tax assets |
268 |
115 |
Deferred tax asset valuation allowance |
(268) |
(115) |
$ - |
$ - |
The Company is subject to income tax in Cyprus at the rate of 4.25%. There is no tax liability for the year because of the losses incurred. The losses can be carried forward and utilized against the profits of the 5 years following the year in which they were incurred.
The Company has provided a valuation allowance for the full amount of its net deferred tax assets since realization of any future benefit from deductible temporary differences and net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards cannot be sufficiently assured at December 31, 2001.
8. Subsequent Event
In April 2002, Andersen Group, Inc. and COMCOR entered into agreements that, subject to necessary shareholder approvals, would provide ComCor-TV with additional capital to enable it to continue to operate and would transfer the ownership of the 50% of ComCor-TV presently held by COMCOR to Andersen Group. Terms of the agreement also require Andersen Group to acquire substantially all the shares of the Company that it presently does not own. At this date, Andersen Group has not entered into any agreements or formalized any terms or plans to acquire additional ownership of the Company. If these transactions occur substantially as planned, both the Company and ComCor-TV will become consolidated subsidiaries of Andersen Group.
ComCor-TV is currently dependent upon additional sources of capital. Without the capital to be provided by COMCOR, the Company and Andersen Group, ComCor-TV may not be able to continue as a going concern, which could have a significant adverse affect on the reported value of the Company's investment in ComCor-TV.
In May 2002, the Company made a $5 million additional equity investment in ComCor-TV. ComCor-TV, in turn, used part of the proceeds to repay $2,509,741 of the loans, plus accrued interest, as detailed in Note 6.
Report of Independent Accountants
To the board of directors and shareholders of Closed Joint-Stock Company COMCOR-TV:
In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and shareholders' equity present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Closed Joint-Stock Company COMCOR-TV (the "Company") and its subsidiary at 31 December 2001 and 2000, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the two years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provides a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers
Moscow, Russia
27 May 2002
STATEMENT OF MANAGEMENT'S RESPONSIBILITIES
To the Shareholders of Closed Joint Stock Company "COMCOR- TV"
International convention requires that management prepare financial statements, which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of Closed Joint-Stock Company COMCOR-TV (the "Company") at the end of each financial period and of the results, cash flows and changes in shareholders' equity for each period. Management are responsible for ensuring that the Company keeps accounting records, which disclose with reasonable accuracy the financial position of the Company and which enable them to ensure that their statutory accounting reports comply with Russian laws and regulations. Furthermore, appropriate adjustments were made to such statutory accounts to present the accompanying financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Management also have a general responsibility for taking such steps as are reasonably open to them to safeguard the assets of the Company and to prevent and detect fraud and other irregularities. We ha ve achieved these objectives.
For and on behalf of Management
Mikhail V. Silin
General Director
Nina M. Plastinina
Finance Director
CLOSED JOINT STOCK COMPANY "COMCOR-TV"
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
31 DECEMBER 2001
(In thousands of US Dollars, except per share information)
|
Notes |
31 December 2001 |
31 December 2000 |
||||
ASSETS |
|||||||
Current assets |
|||||||
Cash and cash equivalents |
5 |
$1,188 |
$4,025 |
||||
Trade accounts receivable |
35 |
37 |
|||||
Inventories |
810 |
198 |
|||||
Prepaid expenses |
81 |
246 |
|||||
Taxes recoverable |
6 |
770 |
419 |
||||
Other current assets |
46 |
47 |
|||||
Total current assets |
2,930 |
4,972 |
|||||
Non-current assets |
|||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
7 |
1,733 |
1,198 |
||||
Advances for network construction and design |
|
8 |
1,362 |
880 |
|||
Intangible assets, net |
9 |
8,987 |
10,075 |
||||
Long-term investment |
2,768 |
2,768 |
|||||
Total non-current assets |
|
14,850 |
14,921 |
||||
Total assets |
$17,780 |
$19,893 |
|||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY |
|||||||
Current liabilities |
|||||||
Trade accounts payables |
$44 |
$9 |
|||||
Accounts payable to a related party |
4 |
570 |
209 |
||||
Loan from a shareholder |
4 |
2,266 |
- |
||||
Accrued expenses |
10 |
605 |
384 |
||||
Other current liabilities |
146 |
64 |
|||||
Total current liabilities |
3,631 |
666 |
|||||
Deferred tax liability |
12 |
2,099 |
3,466 |
||||
Total liabilities |
5,730 |
4,132 |
|||||
Commitments and contingent liabilities |
13 |
- |
- |
||||
Minority interest |
25 |
32 |
|||||
Shareholders' equity |
|||||||
Ordinary shares, RR 10 par value; 43,642 shares authorized and outstanding |
11 |
34 |
34 |
||||
Additional paid-in capital |
19,941 |
19,941 |
|||||
Accumulated deficit |
(7,950) |
(4,246) |
|||||
Total shareholders' equity |
12,025 |
15,729 |
|||||
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity |
$17,780 |
$19,893 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
For and on behalf of Management
Mikhail V. Silin, General Director Nina M. Plastinina, Finance Director
CLOSED JOINT STOCK COMPANY "COMCOR-TV"
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
31 DECEMBER 2001
(In thousands of US Dollars)
|
Year ended |
Year ended |
|
31 December 2001 |
31 December 2000 |
||
Revenue |
|||
Sales and lease of equipment |
$ 331 |
$ 148 |
|
Subscription and connection fees |
804 |
188 |
|
Other |
65 |
23 |
|
Total revenue |
1,200 |
359 |
|
Cost of revenue |
|||
Cost of equipment |
(355) |
(177) |
|
Wages, salaries, benefits and payroll taxes |
(786) |
(370) |
|
Lease of cable TV and internet network from a related party |
(547) |
(267) |
|
Amortisation of intangibles |
(1,095) |
(721) |
|
Other |
(316) |
(76) |
|
Total cost of revenue |
(3,099) |
(1,611) |
|
Operating expenses |
|||
Wages, salaries, benefits and payroll taxes |
(1,582) |
(1,034) |
|
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment |
(271) |
(41) |
|
Lease of facilities from a related party |
(542) |
(237) |
|
General and administrative |
(800) |
(1,010) |
|
Total operating expenses |
(3,195) |
(2,322) |
|
Loss from operations |
(5,094) |
(3,574) |
|
Other income (net) |
23 |
227 |
|
Loss before income taxes |
(5,071) |
(3,347) |
|
Income tax benefit/(expense) |
1,367 |
(252) |
|
Net loss |
$(3,704) |
$(3,599) |
|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
CLOSED JOINT STOCK COMPANY "COMCOR-TV"
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
31 DECEMBER 2001
(In thousands of US Dollars)
Year ended 31 December 2001 |
Year ended 31 December 2000 |
||
Cash flows from operating activities |
|||
Net loss |
$(3,704) |
$(3,599) |
|
Deferred tax provision |
(1,367) |
252 |
|
Depreciation and amortization |
1,365 |
762 |
|
Expenses paid for by a shareholder as part of charter capital contribution |
- |
418 |
|
Changes in working capital assets and liabilities: |
|||
Increase in inventories |
(612) |
(198) |
|
Increase in taxes recoverable |
(351) |
(419) |
|
Decrease/(Increase) in other current assets |
161 |
(307) |
|
Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities |
703 |
661 |
|
Net cash used in operating activities |
(3,805) |
(2,430) |
|
Cash flows from investing activities |
|||
Acquisition of property and equipment |
(809) |
(1,240) |
|
Advances for network construction and design |
(483) |
(880) |
|
Net cash used by investing activities |
(1,292) |
(2,120) |
|
Cash flows from financing activities |
|||
Capital contributions |
- |
9,217 |
|
Loan repayments |
- |
(685) |
|
Loan from shareholder |
2,260 |
- |
|
Net cash provided by financing activities |
2,260 |
8,532 |
|
Effect of exchange rate movements on cash |
- |
(5) |
|
Net (decrease)/ increase in cash and cash equivalents |
(2,837) |
3,977 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at 1 January |
4,025 |
48 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents at 31 December |
$1,188 |
$4,025 |
The Company did not make any interest or income tax payments during 2000 or 2001.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
CLOSED JOINT STOCK COMPANY "COMCOR-TV"
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
31 DECEMBER 2001
(In thousands of US Dollars)
|
Capital stock |
Additional paid in capital |
Accumulated deficit |
Total shareholders' (deficit)/equity |
Balance at December 31, 1999 |
$ 22 |
$ - |
$ (647) |
$ (625) |
Capital contribution (Note 1) |
12 |
19,941 |
- |
19,953 |
Net loss |
- |
- |
(3,599) |
(3,599) |
Balance at 31 December 2000 |
$34 |
$19,941 |
$(4,246) |
$15,729 |
Net loss |
- |
- |
(3,704) |
(3,704) |
Balance at 31 December 2001 |
$34 |
$19,941 |
$(7,950) |
$12,025 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. |
CLOSED JOINT- STOCK COMPANY "COMCOR-TV"
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF 31 DECEMBER 2001 AND FOR THE YEAR THEN ENDED
(In thousands of US Dollars, except per share amounts)
Operations of the Company
Closed Joint-Stock Company COMCOR-TV (the "Company") was established on 15 July 1995 as a closed joint stock company under the laws of the Russian Federation. Prior to 2000, its activities consisted mainly of resale of telecommunications equipment. That business was terminated in 1999 and the Company refocused its activities on cable TV and high speed Internet access. On 31 January 2000 the Company entered into a General Agreement between and among Open Joint-Stock Company Moscow Telecommunications Corporation ("COMCOR") and Moscow Broadband Communication Ltd. ("MBC") and was used as the vehicle to form a joint venture between COMCOR and MBC to provide cable TV services and high speed internet access in Moscow. The Company is 50% owned by COMCOR and 50% owned by MBC. The Company holds a license to provide such services and began providing them on 24 April 2000. As at 31 December 2001, the Company has installed capacity to service up to 89,076 homes in two districts of Moscow. The main obj ectives of the Company in 2002 will be as follows: construction of networks to cover 190,000 homes, increasing sales of services and implementation of new services. The Company plans to offer IP-based telephony services to enhance the demand for network services and increase average revenue per subscriber.
The Company has a 51% owned subsidiary, Limited Liability Company Persey-Service ("Persey"), a broadcaster of local television channels, a sales representative of the Company and a publisher of a regional newspaper.
The Company's business is subject to risks and uncertainties common to growing technology-based companies, including rapid technological change, growth and commercial acceptance of broadband services in Russia, dependence on third-party technology, new service introductions and other activities of competitors, significant financing requirements, dependence on key personnel and a limited operating history.
The Company has experienced net losses since inception and expects to incur additional operating losses in the future as the Company continues to expand its service offerings and customer base and to construct its own network. As a result, the Company's management believes that additional financing will be required to support its planned expenditures. In April 2002, Andersen Group, Inc. ("Andersen Group"), a publicly traded U.S. company which currently owns 25% of the equity interest of MBC, entered into agreements that, subject to necessary shareholder approvals, would provide the Company with additional capital to enable it to continue to operate, and would transfer the ownership of the 50% of the Company presently held by COMCOR to Andersen Group. Terms of the agreement also call for Andersen Group to acquire substantially all the shares of MBC that it presently does not own. If these transactions occur substantially as planned, both the Company and MBC will become consolidated subsi diaries of Andersen Group.
Pursuant to the above agreements, the Company is due to receive further charter capital contributions from its shareholders, totaling approximately US$17,200 in cash and US$17,800 in the form of assets, including the cable TV and Internet network covering 89 thousand homes which is currently leased to the Company by COMCOR (see Note 4), an office building, and additional shares in Open Joint-Stock Company Institute for Automated Systems ("IAS"), increasing its shareholding in IAS from 19% to 43.5%. The first cash instalment of US$5,000 was received on 15 May 2002. The Company used US$2,500 of the US$5,000 received to immediately repay the outstanding loan from MBC.
2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The Company maintains its accounting records and prepares its statutory accounting reports in accordance with the Regulations on Accounting and Reporting in the Russian Federation in Russian Roubles. The accompanying financial statements are based upon the statutory accounting records, which are maintained under the historical cost convention, except for the revaluations of property, plant and equipment and intangibles. The statutory accounting records have been adjusted to present the financial statements in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ('US GAAP') in US Dollars, the reporting currency.
Use of estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The most significant estimates relate to recoverability and useful lives of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets and valuation of investments. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Foreign currency translation
Transactions and balances not already measured in US Dollars have been remeasured into US Dollars in accordance with the relevant provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 52 "Foreign Currency Translation" as applied to entities in highly inflationary economies. Under SFAS No. 52, revenues, costs, capital and non-monetary assets and liabilities are translated at historical exchange rates prevailing on the transaction dates. Monetary assets and liabilities are translated at exchange rates prevailing on the balance sheet date. Exchange gains and losses arising from remeasurement on monetary assets and liabilities that are not denominated in US Dollars are credited or charged to operations.
Exchange rates, restrictions and controls
The official rate of exchange, as determined by the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, between the Russian Rouble and the US Dollar at 31 December 2001 was 30.14. Exchange restrictions and controls exist relating to converting Roubles into other currencies. At present, the Rouble is not a convertible currency outside of the Russian Federation. Future movements in the exchange rate between the Russian Rouble and the US Dollar will affect the carrying value of the Company's Rouble denominated monetary assets and liabilities. Such movements may also affect the Company's ability to realize non-monetary assets represented in US Dollars in these financial statements. Accordingly, any translation of Rouble amounts to US Dollars should not be construed as a representation that such Rouble amounts have been, could be, or will in the future be converted into US Dollars at the exchange rate shown or at any other exchange rate.
3. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Capital contributions from the shareholders
On the basis that the Company satisfies the criteria for joint venture accounting, the non-cash assets contributed by shareholders have been recorded at their estimated fair values which are not in excess of cash contributions made concurrently by shareholders.
Consolidation
These consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its 51% owned subsidiary, Persey. The financial results of Persey from the date of acquisition are included in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations, and the minority interest in the losses of Persey is reflected as an adjustment to the minority interest in consolidated subsidiary, which is shown in the consolidated balance sheet. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.
Revenue recognition
Revenue is primarily derived from the sale of cable television and Internet services to subscribers and is recognized in the period the related services are provided. Connection fees are recognized as revenue in the period in which installation occurs to the extent installation fees are equal to or less than direct selling costs. Any additional revenue is recognised over the expected customer life. All revenue figures are recorded net of VAT. The Company also sells and leases equipment, principally set top boxes and modems. Revenue on equipment sales is recognised at the time of delivery. Lease revenue is recognised on a cash received basis.
Goodwill
Goodwill, which represents the excess of the purchase price of 51% of Persey over the fair value of the net assets acquired, is being amortized over five years using the straight line method.
Leased assets
The Company leases network equipment from COMCOR, a shareholder, and office facilities from IAS, an investee, where the Company does not assume the risks and rewards of ownership. The rental expense is recognized as a period charge in the statement of operations.
Property, plant and equipment
Property, plant and equipment is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is applied on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful lives:
Core network |
10 years |
Other network assets |
5 years |
Other |
2 to 5 years |
In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121 "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of" ("SFAS 121"), property, plant and equipment held and used by the Company are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. For the purpose of evaluating the recoverability of property, plant and equipment, the recoverability test is performed using undiscounted net cash flows.
Long term investment
The Company presently owns approximately 19% of the outstanding shares of IAS. This investment is accounted for under the cost method. The investment is classified as long-term as it is expected to be held for longer than one year. When there is a diminution in value, other than temporary, the carrying amount is reduced to the recoverable amount to recognize this decline. Although the market value of the investment is not readily determinable, management believes that its book value approximates the fair value. The Company's two shareholders own an additional 24.5% of the outstanding shares of IAS which they intend to contribute to the Company as part of a planned capital contribution in 2002.
Financial instruments
The fair value of financial instruments (primarily cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable), is determined with reference to various market information and other valuation methods as considered appropriate. At 31 December 2001, the fair values of financial instruments held by the Company did not materially differ from their recorded book values due to their short maturities.
Inventories
Carrying amounts of inventory are determined on an average cost basis and are stated at the lower of cost or market.
Comprehensive income
SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income", requires disclosure of all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by and distributions to the Company's shareholders. The Company's comprehensive loss for the year ended 31 December 2001 did not differ from reported net loss.
Income taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated in respect to temporary differences in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109 "Accounting for Income Taxes" ("SFAS 109"). SFAS 109 requires the recognition of deferred income tax assets and liabilities for future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in the years in which these temporary differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are provided for deferred income tax assets to the extent that it is more likely than not that the assets will not be realized.
Value-Added Taxes
Value-Added Taxes ("VAT") related to sales are payable to the tax authorities at the time of the sale. VAT on purchases is reclaimable against sales VAT upon payment for purchases. The tax authorities permit the settlement of VAT on a net basis. VAT related to sales and purchase transactions, which have not been settled at the balance sheet date, are recognized in the balance sheet on a gross basis.
Advertising expenses
The Company expenses the cost of advertising as incurred.
Pension costs
Chapter 24 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation "Unified Social Tax" came into effect from 1 January 2001. This tax replaced payments to the pension, medical insurance, employment and social insurance funds. The average rate of this tax was 25.5%. The Company has no obligation to provide pensions to any of its management or staff and, accordingly, no provision for future pension costs is recorded.
Recently issued accounting standards
In June 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and other intangible assets". SFAS No. 142 revises the standards for accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets. The provisions of this statement are required to be applied starting with fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001. The Company believes that the adoption of the standard will have no material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In August 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations". This Statement is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after June 2002. This Statement addresses financial accounting and reporting for legal obligations associated with the retirement of long-lived assets that result from the acquisition, construction, development and (or) the normal operation of a long-lived asset, except for certain obligations of lessees. The Company believes that the adoption of this standard will have no material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In October 2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets". The statement addresses financial accounting and reporting for the impairment or disposal of long-lived assets. This statements supersedes FASB Statement No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of" and the accounting and reporting provisions of APB Opinion No. 30, "Reporting the Results of Operations - Reporting the Effects of Disposal of a Segment of a Business, and Extraordinary, Unusual and Infrequently Occurring Events and Transactions", for the disposal of a segment of a business (as previously defined in that Opinion). This statement also amends ARB No. 51, "Consolidated Financial Statements", to eliminate the exception from consolidation for a subsidiary for which control is likely to be temporary. The Company believes that the adoption of the standard will have no material impac t on its consolidated financial statements.
4. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
During 2001 and 2000, the Company received signal delivery services and data network services from COMCOR. In addition, the Company paid COMCOR for Internet traffic. The amount charged to operations for the year ended 31 December 2001, was US$ 546 (2000: US$ 267), and the amount payable to COMCOR as at 31 December 2001 was US$ 570 (31 December 2000: US$ 209).
During 2001, the Company also acquired property, plant and equipment and office supplies from COMCOR totaling US$ 332 (2000: US$ 470). Liability for these purchases was fully settled by 31 December 2001.
The Company leases its primary office facilities from IAS. The amount charged to operations for the year ended 31 December 2001 was US$ 534 (2000: US$ 237). Liability for these charges was fully settled by 31 December 2001 and 2000.
In 2001, the Company received a short-term loan from MBC of US$ 2,260 and accrued interest in the amount of US$6. The loan is due 15 May 2002 (has been repaid on time) and carries an interest rate of LIBOR +1%.
5. CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
31 December 2001 |
31 December 2000 |
|
Cash at bank (denominated in Roubles) |
$ 103 |
$ 211 |
Cash at bank (denominated in US Dollars) |
1,085 |
14 |
Short-term deposit (denominated in US Dollars) |
- |
3,800 |
Total cash and cash equivalents |
$ 1,188 |
$ 4,025 |
6. TAXES RECOVERABLE
31 December 2001 |
31 December 2000 |
|
VAT recoverable |
$ 743 |
$ 390 |
Income tax recoverable |
27 |
29 |
Total taxes recoverable |
$ 770 |
$ 419 |
7. PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
31 December 2001 |
31 December 2000 |
|
Construction in Progress |
$ 963 |
$ 541 |
Motor vehicles |
274 |
228 |
Computer equipment |
429 |
282 |
Office furniture and fixtures |
379 |
189 |
2,045 |
1,240 |
|
Accumulated depreciation |
(312) |
(42) |
Property, plant and equipment, net |
$1,733 |
$1,198 |
8. ADVANCES FOR NETWORK CONSTRUCTION AND DESIGN
31 December 2001 |
31 December 2000 |
|
Advance payments made to contractors |
$1,136 |
$794 |
Internal project costs |
226 |
86 |
Total advances for network construction and design |
$1,362 |
$880 |
9. INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Intangible assets comprise:
A license to supply cable TV services to 1.5 million homes. This license was contributed by COMCOR as consideration for the shares issued on April 24, 2000. The license was recorded at US$ 7,500 (net of the related deferred tax liability of US$ 3,214). The gross book value of the license of US$ 10,714 is being amortized over a ten-year period starting April 30, 2000. The license term ends in September 2004 but is renewable at the option of the Company. Management believes that it is in compliance with the relevant regulations for license renewal and, accordingly, expects that the license will be renewed. The license is required to provide services and management expects to renew it at no significant cost in 2004. Accumulated amortisation as at 31 December 2001 is US$ 1,786 (31 December 2000: US$ 714)
Goodwill arising on acquisition of Persey in July 2000 of US$ 82. Accumulated amortisation as at 31 December 2001 is US$ 23 (31 December 2000: 7).
10. ACCRUED EXPENSES
31 December 2001 |
31 December 2000 |
|
Salaries |
$ 227 |
$ 175 |
Consulting services |
312 |
143 |
Other accrued expenses |
66 |
66 |
Total accrued expenses |
$ 605 |
$ 384 |
11. SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
The statutory accounting reports of the Company are the basis for profit distribution and other appropriations. Russian legislation identifies the basis of distribution as the current year net profit. For 2001, the statutory loss of the Company as reported in the annual statutory reporting forms was 101,026 thousand Roubles (US$ 3,352); for 2000: 53,134 thousand Roubles (US$ 1,887).
12. INCOME TAXES
Deferred income taxes reflect the impact of temporary differences between the amounts of assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting purposes under US GAAP and such amounts recognized for statutory tax purposes. At 31 December 2001, deferred tax assets/(liabilities) are recorded at 24%, the income tax rate that was enacted in August 2001 and is effective from January 1, 2002. Throughout the year ended 31 December 2001, the income tax rate was 35% (2000: 30%). The significant components of the net deferred tax liability are as follows:
31 December 2001 |
31 December 2000 |
|||
Deferred tax assets: |
||||
Tax loss carryforward |
$ 778 |
$ 594 |
||
Property, plant and equipment |
44 |
34 |
||
Valuation allowance |
(778) |
(594) |
||
Total deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance |
44 |
34 |
||
Deferred tax liabilities: |
||||
Intangible assets |
(2,143) |
(3,500) |
||
Total deferred tax liabilities |
(2,143) |
(3,500) |
||
Net deferred tax liability |
$ (2,099) |
$ (3,466) |
The deferred tax liability of US$ 3,214, related to the license contributed to the Company's charter capital by COMCOR, was recorded against the value of the license. This liability is reduced in line with the amortization of the underlying intangible asset.
The difference between income tax benefit/expense provided in the financial statements and the expected income tax benefit at the statutory rate is reconciled as follows:
Year ended 31 December 2001 |
Year ended 31 December 2000 |
|
Loss before income taxes |
$ 5,103 |
$ 3,347 |
Expected income tax benefit at the statutory rate of 35% (2000: 30%) |
(1,786) |
(1,004) |
Tax effect of permanent and other differences: |
||
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes |
92 |
38 |
Taxable losses not qualifying for carryforward |
502 |
- |
Foreign exchange differences |
110 |
- |
US GAAP adjustments to statutory financial statements: |
||
- depreciation of property, plant and equipment |
44 |
(34) |
- expenses not recorded in the statutory books |
88 |
238 |
Effect of the change in statutory income tax rate: |
||
- on the deferred tax liability related to the contributed license |
(982) |
500 |
- on the tax loss carryforward |
357 |
(85) |
Movement in valuation allowance on tax losses carryforward |
184 |
594 |
Other |
24 |
5 |
Income tax benefit/expense |
($ 1,367) |
$ 252 |
Russian tax losses can generally be used to offset future taxable profits for the subsequent 10 years. The maximum offset in each year is limited to 30% of the total taxable profit of the year. Based on management's estimates, income tax losses have been recognised to the extent they will reverse against the temporary deferred income tax liabilities. The Company has recorded a valuation allowance for the full amount of the tax loss carryforward at 31 December 2001 because it is more likely than not that this asset will not be realised.
13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Operating environment
The economy of the Russian Federation continues to display characteristics of an emerging market. These characteristics include, but are not limited to, the existence of: a currency that is not freely convertible outside of the country; extensive currency controls; a low level of liquidity in the public and private debt and equity markets; and high inflation.
The prospects for future economic stability in the Russian Federation are largely dependent upon the effectiveness of economic measures undertaken by the government, together with legal, regulatory, and political developments.
Taxation
Russian tax legislation is subject to varying interpretations and constant changes, which may be retroactive. Furthermore, the interpretation of tax legislation by tax authorities as applied to the transactions and activity of the Company may not coincide with that of Management. As a result, transactions may be challenged by tax authorities and the Company may be assessed additional taxes, penalties and interest, which can be significant. The tax years remain open to review by tax authorities for three years.
Political environment
The operations and earnings of the Company are affected by political, legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments, including those related to environmental protection. Because of the capital-intensive nature of the industry, the Company is also subject to physical risks of various kinds. The nature and frequency of these developments and events associated with these risks, which generally are not covered by insurance, as well as their effect on future operations and earnings, are not predictable.
Licenses
The main activity of the Company is derived from operations conducted pursuant to licenses granted by State Committee of the RF on Telecommunications. The licenses expire in 2004. Management has no reason to believe that these licenses will not be renewed as a matter of course or that any licenses will be suspended or terminated.
14. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
In April and May 2002, Andersen Group entered into a series of agreements which are more fully described in Note 1.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH
ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.
As of May 3, 2002, the Company has seven members of its Board of Directors. Directors are elected at the Company's annual meeting and hold office until the next annual meeting and until others are chosen and qualified in their stead. The names of, and certain information with respect to, the persons presently serving as directors are as follows:
OLIVER R. GRACE, JR., age 48, has been a Director of the Company since 1986, President and Chief Executive Officer since 1997, and was Chairman from 1990 to 1997. He has also been President and a Director of AG Investors, Inc., one of the Company's subsidiaries, since 1992 and a Director of the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, JM Ney, since February 1997. Mr. Grace, Jr. is the Chairman of Moscow Broadband, and he also serves on the Board of Directors of ComCor-TV. Mr. Grace, Jr. is a General Partner of The Anglo American Security Fund L.P. and Republic Automotive Parts, Inc. Mr. Grace, Jr. is the brother of Director John S. Grace.
FRANCIS E. BAKER, age 72, has been Chairman and Secretary of the Company since 1997, a Director since 1959, and President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company from 1959 to 1997. Mr. Baker also serves as a Director of the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, The J.M. Ney Company. Mr. Baker is also the President of Moscow Broadband. He also serves on the Board of Directors of ComCor-TV.
PETER N. BENNETT, age 65, has been a Director of the Company since 1992. He is a private investor and financial consultant.
JOHN S. GRACE, age 44, has been a Director of the Company since 1990. He is the Chairman of Sterling Grace Corporation, a General Partner of The Anglo American Security Fund L.P. Mr. Grace has been an employee of the Company since 1992. John S. Grace is the brother of Oliver R. Grace, Jr.
LOUIS A. LUBRANO, age 68, has been a Director of the Company since 1983. Mr. Lubrano is currently a Senior Vice President with Gilford Securities, Incorporated, a New York City based brokerage firm. Mr. Lubrano was formerly with Herzog, Heine, Geduld, Inc. from 1996 to 2001.
THOMAS MCPARTLAND, age 43, has been a Director of the Company since April 2000. He is founder and majority shareholder of Convergence Media, Ltd., a consulting and investment company and former President and CEO of TCI Music, now known as Liberty Digital. Mr. McPartland is the Executive Chairman and member of the Board of Directors of Redwood Partners International, a pan-European executive search, strategic and financial consulting company focusing on the technology, media and telecommunications sector. Mr. McPartland is also a Board member of PlantAmerica, Inc., a company that specializes in providing information resources and related technology solutions for the green industry.
JAMES J. PINTO, age 51, has been a Director of the Company since 1988. He is President of the Private Finance Group Corp., a merchant and venture capital firm, a position he has held since 1990.
The directors were elected at the Company's combined Special Meeting and Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on March 20, 2002. At that meeting, Yuri Pripachkin was also elected as a director of the Company, but Mr. Pripachkin tendered his resignation upon his election leaving a vacancy on the Board of Directors.
The information required by this Item with respect to the Executive Officers of the Registrant is included in Part I of this filing under the section entitled Executive Officers of the Company.
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act, and related rules of the SEC require the Company's directors and executive officers and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company's equity securities to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of Common Stock and other equity securities of the Company. Related rules of the SEC also require such persons to furnish the Company with copies of all reports filed pursuant to Section 16(a). Ronald N. Cerny, President of JM Ney made a late filing with the SEC on May 9, 2002 of a Form 4 filed in connection with exercise of incentive stock options on March 26, 2002. Based solely on the Company's review of the copies of the reports received or written representations from certain reporting persons, the Company believes that all other Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to its directors, officers and shareholders owning more than 10% of the Common Stock were complied with during FY02.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
The following information is provided regarding the annual and long-term compensation paid or to be paid to the Chief Executive Officer and the three other most highly compensated executive officers of the Company with respect to the fiscal years 2002, 2001, and 2000.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
|
|||||||
Annual Compensation |
Long Term Compensation Awards |
||||||
Name and Principal Position |
Fiscal Year |
Salary(1) ($) |
Bonus ($) |
Securities Underlying Options/SARs (#) |
All Other Compensation(3) ($) |
||
Oliver R. Grace, Jr. President and Chief Executive Officer |
2002 2001 2000 |
103,846 95,077 60,446 |
- - - |
- |
- - - |
3,154 2,971 2,017 |
|
Francis E. Baker Chairman and Secretary |
2002 2001 2000 |
250,000 (2) 187,428 (2) 98,000 |
- - - |
- - - |
- 111,743 - |
||
Ronald N. Cerny President, The J.M. Ney Company |
2002 2001 2000 |
193,777 186,024 171,473 |
- - - |
- - - |
5,250 5,319 5,030 |
||
Andrew M. O'Shea Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Financial Officer of The J. M. Ney Company |
2002 2001 2000 |
155,231 132,501 120,513 |
- 25,000 10,000 |
- |
- - - |
4,868 4,044 3,959 |
|
No stock options were issued by the Company or by JM Ney to any of the named executives during FY02.
AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR END OPTION/SAR VALUES
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to options/SARs exercised during FY02 by the individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table and unexercised options to purchase Andersen Group, Inc. Common Stock granted under the Incentive Stock Option Plan to the individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table.
Name |
Shares Acquired On Exercise (#) |
Value Realized ($) |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options/SARs at Fiscal Year End(#) Exercisable/ Unexercisable |
Value of Unexercised In-the- Money Options/SARs at Fiscal Year End($) Exercisable/ Unexercisable
|
Oliver R. Grace, Jr. |
- |
- |
7,500/0 |
$31,706/$0 |
Francis E. Baker |
- |
- |
20,000/0 |
$35,800/$0 |
Ronald N. Cerny |
- |
- |
5,000/0 |
$8,950/$0 |
Andrew M. O'Shea |
- |
- |
0/0 |
$0/$0 |
Pension Benefits
The following table sets forth the estimated aggregate annual benefit payable upon retirement or at normal retirement age for each level of remuneration specified at the listed years of service in accordance with the Company's defined benefit plan. The pension benefits are based on calendar year earnings and are payable in the form of a life annuity. For calendar 2001, the maximum annual compensation limit for determining pension benefits is $170,000; for calendar year 2002, the limit is $200,000.
Pension Plan Table
Years of Service
Remuneration |
5 |
1 0 |
15 |
20 |
25 |
30 |
$100,000 |
$ 4,300 |
$ 8,600 |
$12,900 |
$17,200 |
$21,500 |
$25,800 |
125,000 |
5,863 |
11,725 |
17,588 |
23,450 |
29,313 |
33,175 |
150,000 |
7,425 |
14,850 |
22,275 |
29,700 |
37,125 |
44,550 |
200,000 |
10,550 |
21,100 |
31,650 |
42,200 |
52,750 |
63,300 |
An individual's pension benefits are equal to the greater of the following two calculations: (A) .75% of final average earnings (average annual earnings for the five consecutive years of highest earnings in the employee's last 10 years of employment) plus .50% of final average earnings in excess of covered compensation (covered compensation equals the average of the Social Security wage base for the individual based upon his/her age) multiplied by the employee's years of service as a qualified employee (up to a maximum of 40 years), or (B) the sum of the individual's accrued pension benefit at December 31, 1993 calculated pursuant to (A) plus the individual's average compensation for the years since December 31, 1993 (average compensation equals the highest average annual earnings for the five consecutive years since December 31, 1993, up to a maximum, which for calendar year 2001 was $170,000) multiplied by the percentages in (A), multiplied by the number of years of service since Dec ember 31, 1993. Pension benefits payable upon retirement are increased by a late retirement factor due to the delay in receipt of benefits if the employee continues to work after attaining the age of 65.
Pension benefits are not reduced on account of social security benefits received by the employee. Average earnings is the sum of the amounts shown in the columns labeled "Salary" and "Bonus" in the Summary Compensation Table. For purposes of the Pension Plan Table, the amount used for covered compensation is for an individual born in 1957, which is roughly representative for the individuals named in the Summary Compensation Table. The executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table have the following years of credited service for pension plan purposes under the Table: Mr. Grace, Jr. 10 years; Mr. Cerny 9 years; and Mr. O'Shea 6 years. Mr. Baker's pension benefits were computed in accordance with (B) of the above formula and were enhanced by the late retirement factor pursuant to the Plan. The estimated aggregate annual benefit being paid to Mr. Baker from the Company's defined benefit pension plan is $29,913.
Employment Agreements
Mr. Cerny has an employment agreement that is contained in a March 7, 1993 letter, as amended on February 23, 1995, and as further amended on March 20, 1995, which among other things, provides for severance pay in the event of involuntary termination for other than cause. In such case, the Company, at its option, would provide Mr. Cerny with twelve months of notice or salary and fringe benefits, or any combination thereof. The agreement also specifies that, the event of a change of control situation, if Mr. Cerny were to be hired on a full time basis for a period of at least one year by the new owner of the business and his employment was then not renewed to Mr. Cerny's satisfaction at the end of the one year period, then Mr. Cerny would be entitled to one year of severance. Under terms of the sale of JM Ney's net assets, in December 2001, Deringer formally notified the Company that it was not going to hire Mr. Cerny after the closing of the transaction. Accordingly, upon the closing of th e Ney-Deringer transaction, the Company advised Mr. Cerny that his employment with the Company would terminate on March 25, 2003. The Company is currently negotiating with Mr. Cerny with respect to the amounts to be paid to him to settle all employment related obligations between the Company and Mr. Cerny.
The Company has established deferred compensation trusts for the benefit of Mr. Francis E. Baker and Mr. Oliver R. Grace, Jr. The investments within the accounts remain as assets of the Company, subject to the claims of its general creditors until disbursements are made from the accounts for the benefit of either Mr. Baker or Mr. Grace. The Company will receive income tax deductions upon such disbursements. At February 28, 2002, the trusts held $550,059 and $88,827 for the benefit of Mr. Baker and Mr. Grace, respectively.
Board Compensation Committee Report on Executive Compensation
The Compensation Committee of the Board is responsible for reviewing the Company's executive compensation program and policies each year and determining the compensation of the Company's senior executive officers. The Committee's determination on compensation of the Company's Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers is reviewed with and approved by the entire Board.
The Compensation Committee of the Board was comprised of Messrs. James J. Pinto and Louis A. Lubrano, independent directors.
The fiscal year 2002 base pay of each of the Company's executive officers was determined on the basis of the individual's responsibilities and performance and a comparison with salaries paid by competitors of the Company. The bonus component of executive compensation is directly related to corporate and business unit performance. The Committee's overall policy regarding compensation of the Company's executive officers is to provide competitive salary levels and compensation incentives that attract and retain individuals of outstanding ability in key positions that recognize individual performance and the performance of the Company relative to the performance of other companies of comparable size, complexity and quality, and that support both the short-term and long-term goals of the Company. The executive compensation program includes elements which, taken together, constitute a flexible and balanced method of establishing total compensation for senior management.
Compensation paid to the Company's executive officers for fiscal year 2002 consisted primarily of salary, bonus and contributions made by the Company in respect of its 401(k) Plan.
For fiscal 2002, the Committee established the compensation of Oliver R. Grace, Jr., the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, using the same criteria used to determine compensation for other executive officers.
For fiscal 2002, the Committee established the compensation of Francis E. Baker, the Company's non-employee Chairman and Secretary, using the same criteria used to determine compensation for other executive officers. Since July 2000, Mr. Baker has been compensated directly by Moscow Broadband in monthly payments at the annual rate of $250,000.
It is the opinion of the Committee that the aforementioned compensation structures provide features which properly align the Company's executive compensation with corporate performance and the interests of its stockholders and which offer competitive opportunities in the marketplace.
Under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, deductions for employee remuneration in excess of $1 million which is not performance based are disallowed for publicly traded companies. The Committee has determined that it is unnecessary at this time to seek to qualify the components of its compensation program within the meaning of Section 162(m).
The foregoing report has been
approved by all members of the
Compensation Committee
James J. Pinto, Chairman
Louis A. Lubrano
Performance
The following compares the performance of the Company's Common Stock for the periods indicated with the performance of the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation ("NASDAQ") Composite Stock Index (the "NASDAQ Composite") and the performance of the NASDAQ Industrial Composite Stock Index (the "Peer Group"). The comparative five-year total returns assume a $100 investment made on February 28, 1997 with dividends reinvested. The stockholder return shown for Andersen Group, Inc. ("AGI") on the following is not necessarily indicative of future stock performance.
Comparative Five-Year Total Returns
Andersen Group, Inc., NASDAQ Composite and Peer Group
(Performance results through February 28, 2002)
1997 |
1998 |
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
|
AGI |
$100.00 |
$106.91 |
$72.73 |
$311.36 |
$144.33 |
$146.18 |
Nasdaq Composite |
$100.00 |
$135.26 |
$174.79 |
$358.80 |
$164.39 |
$132.28 |
Peer Group |
$100.00 |
$119.53 |
$118.90 |
$239.26 |
$124.76 |
$117.49 |
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL
OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS AND SECURITY
OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT OF THE COMPANY
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of Common Stock, as of May 16, 2002, by each director, by each named executive officer of the Company described in "Executive Compensation", by persons who beneficially own 5% or more of the outstanding shares of Common Stock, and by all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. The beneficial ownership information described and set forth below is based on information furnished by the specified persons and is determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. It does not constitute an admission of beneficial ownership for any other purpose.
Beneficial Ownership of Common Stock |
||||||||
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
Common Stock |
Exercise of Options/ Warrants |
Conversion of Preferred Stock and 10 1/2% Notes |
Total |
Percent of Class |
Preferred Stock |
Percent of Class |
|
Francis E. Baker(1) 8356 Sego Lane, Vero Beach, FL |
103,301 |
20,000 |
2,906 |
126,207 |
6.0 |
- |
- |
|
Estate of Oliver R. Grace, Sr.(2) c/o Lorraine G. Grace, Executrix 49 Cove Neck Road, Oyster Bay, NY |
156,360 |
- |
- |
156,360 |
7.5 |
- |
- |
|
Lorraine G. Grace(3) 49 Cove Neck Road, Oyster Bay, NY |
230,280 |
- |
8,596 |
238,876 |
11.3 |
- |
- |
|
Oliver R. Grace, Jr. (4) 55 Brookville Road, Glen Head, NY |
329,174 |
31,599 |
88,393 |
449,166 |
20.5 |
12,863 |
6.8 |
|
John S. Grace(5) 55 Brookville Road, Glen Head, NY |
89,194 |
6,000 |
102,564 |
197,758 |
9.0 |
32,571 |
17.3 |
|
Peter N. Bennett(6) 6 Batersea High St. London SW11 3RA, England |
- |
3,000 |
85,409 |
88,409 |
4.1 |
43,935 |
23.4 |
|
The Bank of Butterfield(7) Rose Bank Centre 14 Bermudiana Road Hamilton, Bermuda |
294,544 |
- |
32,782 |
327,325 |
15.4 |
16,683 |
9.0 |
|
Miles P. Jennings, Jr.(8) 4 Oakland Street, Bristol, CT |
153,300 |
- |
- |
153,300 |
7.3* |
- |
- |
|
Rachel Belash(9) 46 Comina Costadino Santa Fe, NM |
133,220 |
- |
- |
133,220 |
6.3 |
- |
- |
|
First United Securities Limited(10) Exchange House P.O. Box 16, 54-58 Athol Street Douglas, Isle of Man |
126,710 |
- |
6,926 |
133,636 |
6.3 |
- |
- |
|
Grace & White, Inc.(11) 515 Madison Avenue, Ste 1700 New York, NY |
478,896 |
- |
- |
478,896 |
22.8 |
- |
- |
|
Louis A. Lubrano(12) |
- |
6,000 |
- |
6,000 |
* |
- |
- |
|
James J. Pinto(13) |
53,515 |
6,000 |
247 |
59,762 |
2.9 |
- |
- |
|
Thomas McPartland(14) |
- |
20,000 |
- |
20,000 |
1.0 |
- |
- |
|
Ronald N. Cerny(15) |
8,884 |
- |
- |
8,884 |
* |
- |
- |
|
Andrew M. O'Shea(16) |
8,552 |
- |
- |
8,552 |
* |
- |
- |
|
All directors and executive officers as a group (3 (Preferred) and 9 (Common) persons including certain of the above-named individuals) |
592,641 |
92,599 |
243,341 |
928,581 |
38.1 |
89,369 |
47.5 |
* Represents less than one percent (1%) of the Common Stock.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
ABC Moscow Broadband Communication Limited
At February 28, 1999, the Company owned 50% of Treglos Investments Limited ("Treglos") which owned an investment in IAS, a Russian telecommunications company. At that date, Oliver R. Grace, Jr., the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, and his brother John S. Grace, a Director of the Company, each owned directly and indirectly approximately 22% of Treglos. Treglos has since changed its name to ABC Moscow Broadband Communication Limited ("Moscow Broadband").
During the period from March 1, 1999 through December 31, 1999, the Company invested an additional $300,000, including $39,000 of allocated salaries, in Moscow Broadband which was matched equally by the other Moscow Broadband shareholders. These funds were used primarily to pay expenses relating to developing an agreement with COMCOR to own and operate ComCor-TV, which has undertaken to deliver cable television, data transmission and Internet access and IP telephony throughout the Moscow, Russia region.
During January 2000 through March 2000, Moscow Broadband conducted a private placement of its common stock in which it raised $18,000,000 in gross cash proceeds. The Company invested $4,500,000 in this private placement, including the conversion of $500,000 of unrecorded accounts receivable from Moscow Broadband into Moscow Broadband stock. In addition, entities formed for the benefit of Oliver R. Grace, Jr. and John S. Grace, or their families, invested $6,090,000, including the conversion of $475,000 of receivables from Moscow Broadband into Moscow Broadband stock. Francis E. Baker, the Company's Chairman, invested $500,000, Thomas McPartland, a Director invested $500,000, James J. Pinto, a Director, directly and indirectly invested $600,000, Peter N. Bennett, a Director invested $200,000 and Andrew M. O'Shea, the Company's Chief Financial Officer, invested $10,000. Also, the daughter of Louis A. Lubrano, a Director, invested $100,000.
Amounts paid into Moscow Broadband from 1995 through 1999 represented expenses incurred by the Company and the Grace-controlled interests, as well as one other investor on behalf of Moscow Broadband.
During FY02, the Company allocated $125,000 of expenses to Moscow Broadband for administrative services provided.
Other
During FY00, Oliver R. Grace, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, extended the Company a $1,000,000 loan for the purpose of increasing the Company's investment in Moscow Broadband. This loan which bore interest at the annual rate of 8.5%, and was collateralized by a first lien on real estate owned by a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and was paid in full in December 2001 in connection with the sale of the Company's real estate property. In connection with the loan, Mr. Grace, Jr. also received a warrant to purchase 18,706 shares of the Company's stock at an exercise price of $16.04 per share. The estimated fair value of these warrants of $68,000 was recorded as a discount to the original face amount of the loan, and was amortized over the original life of the loan.
During April 2000, the Company borrowed an additional $200,000 from Mr. Grace, Jr. in exchange for a 8.5% secured note and a warrant to purchase 5,393 shares of the Company's common stock at $11.13 per share. This note was repaid in April 2001. The estimated fair value of these warrants of $18,000 was recorded as a discount to the face amount of the loan, and was being amortized over the life of the loan.
During FY02, the Company paid Mr. Grace, Jr. interest totaling approximately $99,000 pursuant to these loans.
During FY01 the Company's Chairman and Secretary, Francis E. Baker, was granted a bonus in the form of the forgiveness of $111,743 of a $223,487 unsecured non-interest-bearing note payable from Mr. Baker to the Company. In May 2001, Mr. Baker repaid the Company the remaining $111,744 balance of this note. The original note was accepted by the Company in exchange for ownership of a life insurance policy at the approximate cash surrender value as of the date of the transaction.
The Company leases office space from a company owned by Oliver R. Grace, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer, for which it paid $40,476 during FY02.
PART IV
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND
REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.
(a)(1) Consolidated Financial Statements applicable to the Registrant contained in Item 8:
Andersen Group, Inc. Pages
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of February 28, 2002 and 2001 |
|
21 |
|
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended February 28, 2002, February 28, 2001 and February 29, 2000 |
22 |
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the years ended February 28, 2002, February 29, 2001 and February 29, 2000 |
23 |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow for the years ended February 28, 2002, February 29, 2001 and February 28, 2000 |
24 |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
25 |
Report of Independent Accountants |
42 |
Independent Auditors' Reports |
43 |
ABC Moscow Broadband Communication Limited |
|
Report of Independent Accountants |
44 |
Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2001 and 2000 |
45 |
Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999 |
46 |
Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000 and 1999 |
47 |
Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2001, 2000, and 1999 |
48 |
Notes to Financial Statements |
49 |
Closed Joint-Stock Company ComCor-TV |
|
Report of Independent Accountants |
54 |
Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2001 and 2000 |
56 |
Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 |
57 |
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the year ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 |
58 |
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the year ended December 31, 2001 and 2000 |
59 |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements |
60 |
(a)(2) Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules: |
|
Schedules I Condensed Financial Information II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts |
F-1 to F-6 F-7
|
Note: Schedules other than those listed above, are omitted as not applicable,
not required, or the information is included in the Consolidated Financial
Statements or notes thereto.
(a)(3) Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K:
Exhibit
No. Description
3.2 By-laws of the Registrant for the State of Delaware incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3 (II) to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 1999 (Commission File No. 0-1460).
4.1 Indenture, dated as of February 26, 1998, between the Registrant and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee, in respect of $4,311,000, aggregate principal amount, 10 1/2%
Appendix A to the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-8 (File No. 333-17659) filed February 27, 1997.
10.2 Andersen Group, Inc. Incentive and Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan incorporated herein by reference to Appendix B to the Registrant's Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to
Form S-8 (File No. 333-17659) filed February 27, 1997.
10.3. Deferred Compensation Agreement, entered into as of September 30, 1992, by and between the Registrant and Francis E. Baker, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.26 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 1995 (Commission File No. 0-1460).
10.4 Letter Agreement, dated March 7, 1993, between the Registrant and Ronald N. Cerny, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 1995 (Commission File No. 0-1460).
10.5 Letter Agreements, dated February 23, 1995 and March 20, 1995, between the Registrant and Ronald N. Cerny incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.30 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 1995 (Commission File No. 0-1460).
10.6 Revolving Credit and Deferred Payment Sales Agreement by and among The J. M. Ney Company, Bank of Boston Connecticut and Rhode Island Hospital Trust National Bank made as of the 8th day of October 1996, incorporated herein by reference to exhibit 10.13 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 1997.
10.10 Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of December 29, 1997 by and between The J.M. Ney Company and BankBoston, N.A. Delaware incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.10 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 1998 (Commission File No. 0-1460).
10.11 Asset Purchase Agreement made effective as of February 28, 1998 among CAE U.S., Inc., Ney Ultrasonics Inc. and Andersen Group, Inc. Delaware incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.11 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 1998 (Commission File No. 0-1460).
10.12 Amendment to Revolving Credit and Deferred Payment Sales Agreement by and among The J.M. Ney Company, BankBoston and Rhode Island Hospital Trust National Bank dated December 29, 1997 Delaware incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 1998 (Commission File No. 0-1460).
21. Subsidiaries of the Registrant.*
23.1 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP *
99.1 Factors Affecting Future Financial Results*
During the three months ended February 28, 2002, the Company did not file any reports on Form 8-K. However, on April 5, 2002, the Company filed a Form 8-K to disclose that it had closed on the sale of the operating assets of The J.M. Ney Company to Deringer Mfg. Company.
Also, on May 2, 2002, the Company filed a Form 8-K to report that it had entered into a Stock Subscription Agreement under which, subject to shareholder approval, it would acquire the 67,341 shares of OAO ComCor-TV (ComCor-TV), currently held by Moscow Telecommunications Corporation (COMCOR), which equals a 50% equity interest in ComCor-TV in exchange for approximately $28 million of the Company's common stock.
*Filed herein
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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 on May 29, 2002.
ANDERSEN GROUP, INC. ANDERSEN GROUP, INC.
Registrant Registrant
/s/ Oliver R. Grace, Jr. /s/ Andrew M. O'Shea
Oliver R. Grace, Jr. Andrew M. O'Shea
Principal Executive Officer Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Accounting Officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
NAME |
TITLE |
DATE |
/s/ Francis E. Baker Francis E. Baker |
Chairman, Secretary and Director |
May 29, 2002 |
/s/ Oliver R. Grace, Jr. Oliver R. Grace, Jr. |
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director |
May 29, 2002 |
/s/ Peter N. Bennett Peter N. Bennett |
Director |
May 29, 2002 |
/s/ John S. Grace John S. Grace |
Director |
May 29, 2002 |
/s/ Louis A. Lubrano Louis A. Lubrano |
Director |
May 29, 2002 |
/s/ Thomas McPartland Thomas McPartland |
Director |
May 29, 2002 |
/s/ James J. Pinto James J. Pinto |
Director |
May 29, 2002 |
Report of Independent Accountants on
Financial Statement Schedules
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
Andersen Group, Inc.:
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements referred to in our report dated April 30, 2002 appearing in this Form 10-K of Andersen Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries also included an audit of the financial statement schedules listed in Item 14(a)(2) of this Form 10-K. In our opinion, these financial statement schedules present fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Hartford, CT
April 30, 2002
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Stockholders and Board of Directors
Andersen Group, Inc.
New York, NY
We have audited the consolidated statements of operations, changes in stockholders' equity, and cash flows of Andersen Group, Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended February 29, 2000, and have issued our report thereon dated May 3, 2000; such report is included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Our audit also included the fiscal 2000 financial statement schedules of Andersen Group, Inc. and subsidiaries, listed in Item 14 (a)(2). These financial statement schedules are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audit. In our opinion, such consolidated financial statement schedules, when considered in relation to the fiscal 2000 basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, present fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.
/s/ Deloitte and Touche LLP
Hartford, Connecticut
May 3, 2000
ANDERSEN GROUP, INC.
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant
Condensed Balance Sheets
February 28, 2002 and February 28, 2001
(amounts in thousands)
2002 |
2001 |
|
Assets |
||
Current assets: |
||
Cash and cash equivalents |
$ 1,104 |
$757 |
Marketable securities |
432 |
40 |
Accounts and other receivables |
11 |
129 |
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
- |
80 |
Deferred income taxes |
412 |
- |
Receivable from The J. M. Ney Company |
506 |
1,798 |
Total current assets |
2,465 |
2,804 |
Investment in The J. M. Ney Company |
7,400 |
5,918 |
Subordinated note receivable and restricted receivables from The J.M. Ney Company |
5,182 |
5,182 |
Investment in Moscow Broadband Communication Ltd. |
2,683 |
3,354 |
Property, plant and equipment, net |
2 |
2,083 |
Deferred income taxes |
85 |
- |
Other assets |
676 |
861 |
$18,493 |
$20,202 |
|
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity |
||
Current liabilities: |
||
Current maturities of long-term debt |
$ 426 |
$ 638 |
Accounts payable |
270 |
182 |
Accrued liabilities |
1,015 |
758 |
Deferred income tax |
- |
415 |
Total current liabilities |
1,711 |
1,993 |
Long-term debt, less current maturities |
2,158 |
2,645 |
Note payable to officer, net of unamortized discount |
- |
971 |
Other long-term liabilities |
873 |
701 |
Deferred income taxes |
- |
444 |
Total liabilities |
4,742 |
6,754 |
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7) Stockholders' equity: |
||
Cumulative convertible preferred stock, no par value; authorized 800,000 shares; outstanding shares issued and outstanding in 2002 and 2001, respectively 188,006 and 201,201; liquidation preference $18.75 per share |
3,497 |
3,742 |
Common stock, $.01 par value; authorized 6,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 2,094,158 shares in 2002 and 2,065,811 in 2001 |
21 |
21 |
Additional paid-in capital |
6,574 |
6,315 |
Accumulated comprehensive loss |
- |
(47) |
Retained earnings |
3,659 |
3,417 |
Total stockholders' equity |
13,751 |
13,448 |
$18,493 |
$20,202 |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this condensed financial information.
F-1
ANDERSEN GROUP, INC.
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant
Condensed Statements of Operations
Years ended February 28, 2002, February 28, 2001 and February 29, 2000
(amounts in thousands, except per share data)
Revenues: |
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
Investment income and other income |
$ 590 |
$ 698 |
$1,262 |
Management fees and interest from The J.M. Ney Company |
1,120 |
1,020 |
920 |
1,710 |
1,718 |
2,182 |
|
Costs and expenses: |
|||
General and administrative |
1,956 |
1,805 |
2,455 |
Interest expense |
374 |
450 |
425 |
Loss on sale or real estate |
197 |
- |
- |
2,527 |
2,255 |
2,880 |
|
(Loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings of The J.M. Ney Company and |
|
||
equity in losses of Moscow Broadband Communication |
(817) |
(537) |
(698) |
Equity in losses of Moscow Broadband Communication |
(671) |
(730) |
- |
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes and equity in earnings (loss) of The J.M. Ney Company |
(1,488) |
(1,267) |
(698) |
Income tax expense (benefit) |
(534) |
(39) |
(279) |
Loss from continuing operations before equity in income (loss) of The J.M. Ney Company |
(954) |
(1,228) |
(419) |
Equity in income (loss) of The J.M. Ney Company |
1,482 |
(395) |
(568) |
Net income (loss) |
528 |
(1,623) |
(987) |
Preferred dividends |
(286) |
(304) |
(362) |
Income (loss) applicable to common shares |
$ 242 |
$(1,927) |
$(1,349) |
(Loss) per common share: |
|||
BASIC AND DILUTED |
$0.12 |
$(0.94) |
$(0.70) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this condensed financial information.
F-2
ANDERSEN GROUP, INC.
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
Years ended February 28, 2002, February 28, 2001 and February 29, 2000
(amounts in thousands)
2002 |
2001 |
2000 |
|
Cash flows from operating activities: |
|||
Net income (loss) |
$528 |
$(1,623) |
$(987) |
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: |
|||
Equity in (earnings) loss of The J. M. Ney Company |
(1,482) |
395 |
568 |
Equity in losses of Moscow Broadband Communication |
671 |
730 |
- |
Depreciation, amortization and interest accretion |
139 |
196 |
150 |
Deferred income taxes |
(1,356) |
1,249 |
378 |
Net (gains) losses from securities |
(114) |
(168) |
(268) |
Purchases of securities |
(278) |
- |
(174) |
Proceeds from sales of securities |
- |
979 |
5,312 |
Loss on sale of property |
197 |
- |
- |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
|||
Accounts and notes receivable |
118 |
65 |
36 |
Receivable from The J.M. Ney Company |
1,292 |
(2,149) |
(831) |
Prepaid expenses and other assets |
216 |
263 |
(226) |
Accounts payable, accrued liabilities and other long-term obligations |
643 |
12 |
302 |
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities |
574 |
(51) |
4,260 |
Cash flows from investing activities: |
|||
Purchase of property, plant and equipment |
- |
(21) |
(20) |
Proceeds from sale of property, net |
1,692 |
- |
- |
Proceeds from sale of investments |
- |
- |
317 |
Investment in Moscow Broadband Communication Ltd. |
- |
- |
(4,000) |
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities |
1,692 |
(21) |
(3,703) |
Cash flows from financing activities: |
|||
Principal payments on long-term debt |
(439) |
(424) |
(315) |
Repayments of short-term borrowings |
- |
- |
(1,392) |
Repayments of proceeds from issuance of collateralized note payable |
(1,200) |
200 |
1,000 |
Stock options exercised |
10 |
74 |
10 |
Treasury shares sold (purchased), net |
- |
92 |
55 |
Officer loan repaid |
- |
- |
50 |
Dividends paid |
(290) |
(307) |
(385) |
Net cash used in financing activities |
(1,919) |
(365) |
(977) |
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents |
347 |
(437) |
(420) |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year |
757 |
1,194 |
1,614 |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year |
$1,104 |
$ 757 |
$1,194 |
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information |
|||
Cash paid (received) for: |
|||
Interest |
$394 |
$ 398 |
$ 437 |
Income taxes, net |
$ (13) |
$ (140) |
$ (140) |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this condensed financial information.
F-3
ANDERSEN GROUP, INC
Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant
Notes to Condensed Financial Information
February 28, 2002 and February 28, 2001
NOTE 1 - GENERAL
The Condensed Financial Information presented herein is required because the Registrant's wholly-owned subsidiary, The J. M. Ney Company ("JM Ney"), entered into a Revolving Credit and Deferred Payment Sales Agreement with a commercial bank in October 1996 which was subsequently amended December 30, 1997 and October 12, 2000. This agreement contains covenants that limit the transfer of cash and other resources from JM Ney to the Registrant. Subsequent to February 28, 2002, these limits on the transfers from JM Ney were eliminated in connection with the sale of JM Ney's net assets in March 2002.
The Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements which are included in Item 8 herein. The Condensed Financial Information of the Registrant includes the accounts of several wholly owned subsidiaries which are immaterial to the Registrant's Condensed Financial Information.
Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year's financial statements to conform with the current year presentation.
NOTE 2 - TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
The Registrant and its wholly-owned subsidiaries share certain administrative services. The costs of these services are allocated to the entity which receives the service. The following are among the types of services which have been provided to the Registrant by JM Ney: maintenance, accounting, human resources, and management information systems. Services provided by the Registrant to JM Ney include legal, tax, and business advisory services. During FY98, JM Ney made a $4 million distribution to the Registrant in the form of an 8% junior subordinated note due January 31, 2005. Effective December 1997, the Registrant and JM Ney also entered into a Financial, Investment Banking and Professional Services Agreement under which, subject to JM Ney's compliance with certain covenants, JM Ney will pay the Registrant fees for defined services. The retainer for the first 15 months of this agreement was at the annual rate of $500,000. Thereafter, the retainer increased by $100,000 per ye ar. The agreement runs through November 30, 2002. During FY02, FY01 and FY00, JM Ney incurred interest and management fees to the Registrant in the amounts of $1,120,000, $1,020,000 and $920,000, respectively under these two agreements. At February 28, 2002, earned but unpaid, interest and management fees from JM Ney totaling $5,182,000 were restricted from being paid by JM Ney under provisions contained within JM Ney's agreements with its primary bank. Also, JM Ney is restricted from distributing its net assets to the Company, which at February 28, 2002 totaled approximately, $12,582,000.
In connection with JM Ney entering into the Revolving Credit and Deferred Payment Sales Agreement referred to above, the Registrant and JM Ney entered into a Tax Sharing Agreement, effective as of March 1, 1996, which requires JM Ney to pay the Registrant an amount which may be equal to the maximum allowable amount of any Federal and State income taxes for which JM Ney or any of its subsidiaries would have been liable for in the particular year. The Registrant files a consolidated Federal income tax return with its subsidiaries.
F-4
NOTE 3 - LONG TERM DEBT
Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):
February 28, 2002 |
February 28, 2001 |
||
Convertible subordinated debentures, due October 2007; interest at 10.5%, payable semi-annually; |
|||
annual principal payments in varying amounts through maturity, unsecured |
$2,584 |
$3,018 |
|
Notes payable to officer, $1,000,000 due April 2002; $200,000 due August 2001, interest at 8.5% payable quarterly, collateralized by a lien on real estate |
- |
1,200 |
|
Other |
- |
65 |
|
2,584 |
4,283 |
||
Less unamortized discount |
- |
(29) |
|
2,584 |
4,254 |
||
Less current maturities |
(426) |
(638) |
|
$2,158 |
$3,616 |
The terms of the 2007 convertible subordinated debentures call for the annual redemption of approximately $431,000 of principal. The debentures are convertible into common stock of the Company at any time prior to maturity, unless previously redeemed, at $16.17 per share, subject to adjustment under certain conditions. At February 28, 2002, 159,802 shares of common stock were reserved for conversion.
Maturities of long-term debt for each of the next five fiscal years are as follows as of February 28, 2002 (in thousands):
2003 |
$ 426 |
2004 |
431 |
2005 |
431 |
2006 |
431 |
2007 |
431 |
Thereafter |
434 |
$2,584 |
NOTE 4 - CUMULATIVE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
The Company's Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (Preferred Stock), has an annual dividend rate of $1.50 per share, that is paid quarterly. The Preferred Stock is convertible into the Company's common stock at any time at a rate of 1.944 shares of common stock for each share of Preferred Stock, subject to certain adjustments. At February 28, 2002, 365,483 shares of common stock have been reserved for conversion.
During FY02, FY01 and FY00, 13,195, 15,663 and 39,552 shares of the Preferred Stock were converted into 25,650, 30,447 and 76,886 shares, respectively, of the Company's common stock.
F-5
Holders of the convertible preferred stock have no voting rights, except as required by applicable law and except when among other things, accrued and unpaid dividends on the convertible preferred stock are equal to or exceed the equivalent of six quarterly dividends payable on the convertible preferred stock such holders will be entitled to elect one director to the Company's board of directors until the dividend arrearage has been paid or amounts have been set apart for such payment. The convertible preferred stock is senior to the common stock with respect to dividends and liquidation events.
NOTE 5 - LITIGATION
The Registrant is involved in various legal proceedings generally incidental to its business. The outcome of any litigation or regulatory issues contained an element of uncertainty. Given the legal and factual issues that remain outstanding related to the Registrant's litigation, the Registrant currently has no basis to ascertain the range of loss, should any occur, with respect to an outcome that may be considered unfavorable.
F-6
ANDERSEN GROUP, INC.
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
(Amounts in thousands)
Additions |
|||||
Description |
Balance at beginning of year |
Charged (credited) to costs and expenses |
Charged to to other accounts |
Deductions |
Balance at end of year |
February 28, 2002 |
|||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts |
$77 |
$20 |
(1)(a) |
$96 |
|
Reserve for returns |
$70 |
- |
- |
- |
$70 |
February 28, 2001 |
|||||
Allowance for |
|||||
doubtful accounts |
$111 |
(7) |
- |
(27)(a) |
$77 |
Reserve for returns |
$ 80 |
(10) |
- |
- |
$70 |
February 29, 2000 |
|||||
Allowance for doubtful accounts |
$110 |
1 |
- |
- |
$111 |
Reserve for returns |
$ 80 |
- |
- |
- |
$ 80 |
F-7
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
No. Description Page
21. Subsidiaries of the Registrant. E-2
23.1 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP E-3
23.2 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP. E-4
E-1
Exhibit 21
SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT
State or
Country of
Name or Organization Incorporation
AG Investors, Inc. Florida
AGI Technology, Inc. Connecticut
Andersen Realty, Inc. Delaware
Ney International, Inc. U.S. Virgin Islands
Ney Technology, Inc.
(f/k/a Ney Ultrasonics Inc.) Delaware
Andersen Land Corp. (f/k/a The J.M.
Ney Company) Delaware
New Jersey Precious Metals, Inc. Delaware
Garden State Refining, Inc. Delaware
ABC Moscow Broadband Communication Ltd. Cyprus
E-2
Exhibit 23.1
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (No.333-17659) of Andersen Group, Inc. of our report dated April 30, 2002 relating to the financial statements as of and for the years ending February 28, 2002 and 2001, which appears in this Form 10-K. We also consent to the incorporation by reference of our report dated April 30, 2002 relating to the financial statement schedules, which appears in this Form 10-K.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Hartford, CT
April 30, 2002
E-3
Exhibit 23.2
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Registration Statement No. 333-17659 of Andersen Group, Inc. and subsidiaries on Form S-8 of our reports dated May 3, 2000, relating to the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules for the year ended February 29, 2000, appearing in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Andersen Group, Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended February 28, 2002.
/s/Deloitte & Touche LLP
Hartford, Connecticut
May 24, 2002
E-4
EXHIBIT 99.1
FACTORS AFFECTING FUTURE FINANCIAL RESULTS
This Form 10-K, Andersen Group, Inc.'s (the "Company") Annual Report to Shareholders, any Form 10-Q or Form 8-K or any other written or oral statements made by or on the Company's behalf include forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and financial performance. The forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including those discussed below, that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or anticipated results. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Following the recent disposition of the assets of the Company's primary operating subsidiary, The J.M. Ney Company ("JM Ney"), substantially all of the value of the Company's assets depends on ZAO COMCOR TV's ("ComCor-TV") financial condition and results of operations. Accordingly, the following discussion relates primarily to the risks and uncertainties that affect ComCor-TV. The following factors could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from historical results or anticipated results:
Risks Related to the Moscow Broadband Share Acquisition and ComCor-TV Share Acquisition
The Company may experience liquidity difficulties.
The Company is dependent upon the net proceeds of its recent sale of the assets of JM Ney. The agreements signed in April 2002 pursuant to which the Company plans to increase its ownership of ComCor-TV through the issuance of shares for the 50% of ComCor-TV presently owned by Moscow Broadband Telecommunications (the "ComCor-TV Share Acquisition") and for the 75% of ABC Moscow Broadband Communication Limited ("Moscow Broadband") that it does not presently own (the "Moscow Broadband Share Acquisition"), require the Company and Moscow Broadband to make cash capital contributions into ComCor-TV totaling approximately $16,700,000, of which $5,000,000 was paid in May 2002. In order to meet these payment obligations, the Company expects to have to raise funds through obtaining a mortgage loan against JM Ney's real estate, by selling certain short term investments, or by issuing shares of its stock in a public or private offering. The Company may also reduce its obligation by arranging for di rect equity investments into ComCor-TV, which if successful, would result in the dilution of the Company's planned ownership of ComCor-TV. However, depending on market conditions, such sources of cash may still be inadequate to meet the scheduled payments into ComCor-TV and still provide the Company with sufficient liquidity to meet its administrative expenses and debt service obligations. In the event that such liquidity needs are not met, ComCor-TV's business plans, and possibly even its on-going viability as a going concern may be put at risk.
If the Company does not consummate the Moscow Broadband Share Acquisition and the ComCor-TV Share Acquisition, the Company's future business strategy will be uncertain.
The ComCor-TV Share Acquisition and the Moscow Broadband Share Acquisition (together the "Acquisitions") cannot be consummated unless certain conditions to the closing of the Acquisitions are fulfilled, including approval by the stockholders of the Company for the issuance of the Company's common stock as consideration in the Acquisitions as well as certain Russian regulatory approvals. The Company cannot assure you that the conditions to the consummation of the Acquisitions will be fulfilled.
E-5
The Company does not currently have an alternate business strategy in the event the Acquisitions are not consummated. In addition, the continuing operation of ComCor-TV is, to a large extent, contingent on the funding anticipated pursuant to the terms of the Acquisitions; therefore, the Company's failure to consummate the Acquisitions would also have a material adverse affect on ComCor-TV's operations.
If the Company does not consummate the Acquisitions, it may become subject to the Investment Company Act of 1940, which would impose substantive restrictions on its operations.
The Investment Company Act of 1940 and its regulations generally impose substantive restrictions on a company that owns securities and/or cash having a value in excess of 50% of the company's "total assets" on either a consolidated or unconsolidated basis. The Company, which is now above this threshold following the sale of the assets of JM Ney, has been relying since March 2002 on the one-year exemption from registration under the Investment Company Act provided by Rule 3a-2, which is available as long as the Company will attempt to be engaged, within the one-year period, primarily in a business or businesses other than that of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading in securities. If the Company is unable to consummate the Acquisitions or otherwise develop such other business, it would be required to register under the Investment Company Act, and would be subject to a number of severe substantive restrictions on its operations, capital structure and management.
Risks Related to the Operation of ComCor-TV
Risks Related to ComCor-TV's Business
Because ComCor-TV has had a limited operating history, its future performance is difficult to predict.
ComCor-TV's business strategy has been implemented recently and to date ComCor-TV has not generated significant revenue. The growth of ComCor-TV depends on the appeal of the services it provides to Russian consumers. ComCor-TV's ability to establish itself in the Russian market will be affected by several factors, including the ability of ComCor-TV to fund its operations and capital expenditures and the willingness of ComCor-TV's competitors to offer their services on terms with which ComCor-TV is unable to compete. There is no assurance that ComCor-TV will be successful in effectively implementing its business strategy and, because ComCor-TV has had a limited operating history, investors have limited operating and financial information about ComCor-TV upon which to base an evaluation of its performance and an investment in its common stock.
ComCor-TV will need additional capital and may not be able to raise it.
ComCor-TV will need additional capital in order to continue its operations. In addition ComCor-TV may need or want to acquire additional capital for a variety of reasons, such as:
Due to a variety of factors, including perceived risks related to ComCor-TV's operational performance, regulatory developments or deterioration in the Russian economy, ComCor-TV may not be able to raise additional capital on acceptable terms. ComCor-TV may have to sell stock at prices lower than those paid
E-6
by its current shareholders, leading to dilution, or it may have to sell stock or debt instruments with rights superior to those of holders of ComCor-TV's common stock. If ComCor-TV cannot obtain adequate financing on acceptable terms, it may be unable to take advantage of opportunities or to meet unexpected financial requirements. This could cause ComCor-TV to delay or abandon anticipated expenditures or otherwise limit operations, which could adversely affect ComCor-TV's business.
The Company cannot assure you that a market for ComCor-TV's future services will develop or that ComCor-TV can satisfy subscriber expectations.
ComCor-TV currently offers its subscribers a number of value-added services, such as high-speed Internet access, IP-based telephony and web hosting. ComCor-TV may not be successful in creating or competing in a market for these value-added services. In particular, the Company cannot assure you that ComCor-TV can:
Risks Related to Russia
Economic instability in Russia could adversely affect ComCor-TV's business.
Since the end of communism in the early 1990s, Russia's economy has been undergoing a rapid transformation from a one party state with a centrally-planned economy to a pluralist democracy with a market-oriented economy. This transformation has been marked by periods of significant instability. In particular, the Russian government's decision to temporarily stop supporting the ruble in August 1998 caused the currency to collapse. At the same time, the Russian government defaulted on much of its short-term domestic debt and imposed a 90-day moratorium on foreign debt payments by Russian companies. The Russian government subsequently entered into protracted negotiations with its creditors to reschedule the terms of its domestic and foreign debt. Thus far, these negotiations have not yielded terms favorable to Western creditors. It is possible that Russia may default on its domestic or foreign debt in the future or take other actions that could adversely affect its financial stability. In addition, the Russian government's failure to maintain access to funding from the International Monetary Fund ("IMF") could cause further financial strain and negatively impact the Company's business. If no IMF financing is made available or if no agreement is reached with the Paris Club of sovereign creditors, the Russian government may not receive further financial support from other international organizations and foreign governments and may not be able to repay its debts. This is anticipated to be a particular concern in 2003, when a significant increase will occur in the amount due to be repaid by the Russian government. Operating in such an economic environment makes it more difficult for ComCor-TV to obtain and maintain credit facilities, access international capital markets and obtain other financing to satisfy ComCor-TV's future capital needs.
E-7
The August 1998 financial crisis marked the beginning of an economic downturn that affected the entire Russian economy and resulted in Russia's equity market being the worst performing equity market in the world for 1998. Future downturns in the Russian economy are possible and could diminish demand for ComCor-TV's services and ComCor-TV's ability to retain existing subscribers and collect payments from them. Future downturns in the Russian economy could also prevent ComCor-TV from executing its growth strategy, which could cause its business to suffer.
Fluctuations in the global economy may adversely affect Russia's economy and ComCor-TV's business.
Russia's economy is vulnerable to market downturns and economic slowdowns elsewhere in the world. As has happened in the past, financial problems or an increase in the perceived risks associated with investing in emerging economies could dampen foreign investment in Russia and adversely affect the Russian economy. In addition, a steep decline in the world price of oil could slow or disrupt the Russian economy because Russia produces and exports large amounts of oil. These developments could severely limit ComCor-TV's access to capital and could adversely affect the purchasing power of ComCor-TV's customers and, consequently, ComCor-TV's business.
Sustained periods of high inflation may adversely affect ComCor-TV's business.
Russia has experienced high levels of inflation since the early 1990s. Inflation increased dramatically following the August 1998 financial crisis. The government's history of printing money to pay back wages, pensions and some of its debt has prompted concerns of hyperinflation. Due to high inflation and other economic and political pressures, the ruble lost significant value against the U.S. dollar and other foreign currencies in 1998 and 1999. ComCor-TV's operating results could suffer if it is unable to sufficiently increase its prices to offset increased inflation, which may become more difficult as ComCor-TV attracts more mass market subscribers and its subscriber base becomes more price-sensitive.
Social instability in Russia could lead to increased support for centralized authority and a rise in nationalism, which could restrict the manner in which ComCor-TV operates its business.
Social instability in Russia, coupled with difficult economic conditions, could lead to increased support for centralized authority and a rise in nationalism. These sentiments could lead to restrictions on foreign ownership of Russian companies in the data communications industry or large-scale nationalization or expropriation of foreign-owned assets or businesses. Although the Company does not anticipate the nationalization or expropriation of ComCor-TV's assets, the concept of property rights is not well developed in Russian law and there is not a great deal of experience in enforcing legislation enacted to protect private property against nationalization and expropriation. As a result, the Company may not be able to obtain proper redress in the courts, and ComCor-TV may not receive adequate compensation if in the future the Russian government decides to nationalize or expropriate some or all of its assets. If this occurs, the Company's business could be harmed.
E-8