UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2004
OR
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from __________ to __________
Commission File Number: 000-31203
NET 1 UEPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)
FLORIDA (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
65-0903895 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
Suite 325-744 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British
Columbia, Canada V6C 1A5
(Address of executive
offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (604)
669-4561
_________________________________________________________
Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if changed since last Report.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b 2 of the Act) Yes ¨ No x
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Common Stock Outstanding as of May 21, 2004: 15,852,856 Shares
2
NET I UEPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
(A development stage company)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Form 10-Q
For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2004
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q, are unaudited and do not include all the information and disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's annual report on Form 10-K/A-2 for the year ended December 31, 2003. All adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations for the interim periods have been made and are of a recurring nature unless otherwise disclosed herein. The results of operations for such interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results of operations for a full year.
Condensed Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2004 (unaudited) and as of December 31, 2003 (audited).
Notes to Financial Statements.
3
Net
1 UEPS Technologies, Inc. (A Development Stage Company) Balance Sheets |
March 31, | December 31, | |||||
2004 | 2003 | |||||
(unaudited) | (audited) | |||||
Assets | ||||||
Current Assets | ||||||
Cash | $ | 11,457 | $ | 11,457 | ||
Total Current Assets | 11,457 | 11,457 | ||||
Intangible Assets (Note 3) | 1,091 | 1,327 | ||||
Total Assets | $ | 12,548 | $ | 12,784 | ||
Liabilities and Stockholders Deficit | ||||||
Current Liabilities | ||||||
Accounts payable (Note 5(b)) | $ | 570,756 | $ | 488,321 | ||
Accrued liabilities | 6,759 | 4,500 | ||||
Due to related party (Note 5(d)) | 63,548 | 36,099 | ||||
Total Current Liabilities | 641,063 | 528,920 | ||||
Stockholders Deficit | ||||||
Share capital | ||||||
Authorized | ||||||
3,000,000 preferred shares with $0.10 par value | ||||||
100,000,000 common shares with $0.001 par value | ||||||
Issued | ||||||
15,852,856 common shares | 15,853 | 15,853 | ||||
Additional paid-in capital | 1,991,519 | 1,991,519 | ||||
Deficit accumulated during the development stage | (2,635,887 | ) | (2,523,508 | ) | ||
Total Stockholders Deficit | (628,505 | ) | (516,136 | ) | ||
Total Liabilities and Stockholders Deficit | $ | 12,548 | $ | 12,784 |
(See accompanying notes)
4
Net
1 UEPS Technologies, Inc. (A Development Stage Company) Statements of Operations (Unaudited) |
Accumulation | |||||||||
from | |||||||||
May 8, 1997 | |||||||||
Three months ended | (Inception) | ||||||||
March 31, | to March 31, | ||||||||
2004 | 2003 | 2004 | |||||||
Revenue from Related Party (Note 5(c)) | $ | 18,612 | $ | 41,017 | $ | 217,194 | |||
Expenses | |||||||||
Amortization | 236 | 246 | 10,391 | ||||||
Bank charges | - | 57 | 9,325 | ||||||
Consulting (Note 5(a)) | 75,000 | 41,500 | 1,281,433 | ||||||
Foreign exchange | - | - | 8,098 | ||||||
Investor relations | - | - | 61,093 | ||||||
Office, rent and telephone | 10,566 | 2,051 | 156,490 | ||||||
Professional fees | 33,520 | 9,142 | 530,989 | ||||||
Subcontract | - | - | 455,972 | ||||||
Transfer agent and regulatory fees | - | 150 | 23,014 | ||||||
Travel | 11,668 | 806 | 317,164 | ||||||
Less interest income | - | (21 | ) | (888 | ) | ||||
Total Expenses | 130,991 | 53,931 | 2,853,081 | ||||||
Net Loss | $ | (112,379 | ) | $ | (12,914 | ) | $ | (2,635,887 | ) |
Net Loss Per Share | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | - | ||||
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding | 15,853,000 | 15,853,000 |
(Diluted loss per share has not been presented as the result is anti-dilutive) (See accompanying notes)
5
Net
1 UEPS Technologies, Inc. (A Development Stage Company) Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) |
Accumulation | |||||||||
from | |||||||||
May 8, 1997 | |||||||||
Three months ended | (Inception) | ||||||||
March 31, | to March 31, | ||||||||
2004 | 2003 | 2004 | |||||||
Cash Flows From Operating Activities | |||||||||
Net Loss | $ | (112,379 | ) | $ | (12,914 | ) | $ | (2,635,887 | ) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash | |||||||||
Amortization | 236 | 246 | 10,391 | ||||||
Changes in non-cash working capital items | |||||||||
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable | 84,694 | 23,220 | 577,517 | ||||||
(Increase) in accounts receivable | - | (12,988 | ) | - | |||||
(Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses | - | - | - | ||||||
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities | (27,449 | ) | (2,436 | ) | (2,047,979 | ) | |||
Cash Flows from Financing Activities | |||||||||
Proceeds from issuance of common stock | - | - | 1,998,010 | ||||||
Advances from related party | 27,449 | - | 63,548 | ||||||
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities | 27,449 | - | 2,061,558 | ||||||
Cash Flows to Investing Activities | |||||||||
(Increase) in property, plant and equipment | - | - | (2,122 | ) | |||||
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities | - | - | (2,122 | ) | |||||
Increase (Decrease) in Cash in the Period | - | (2,436 | ) | 11,547 | |||||
Cash - Beginning of Period | 11,457 | 20,054 | - | ||||||
Cash - End of Period | $ | 11,457 | $ | 17,618 | $ | 11,457 | |||
Non-Cash Financing Activities | |||||||||
9,361,846 shares issued for | |||||||||
a license (Note 4) | $ | - | $ | - | $ | 9,362 | |||
Supplementary Disclosure | |||||||||
Interest paid | $ | - | $ | - | $ | - | |||
Income tax paid | - | - | - |
(See accompanying notes)
6
Net
1 UEPS Technologies, Inc. (A Development Stage Company) Notes to the Financial Statements (Unaudited) |
1. | Development Stage Company Net 1 UEPS Technologies, Inc. herein (the Company) was incorporated in the State of Florida on May 8, 1997. The Company is a development stage company engaged in the business of commercializing the smart card technology based Universal Electronic Payment System (UEPS) and Funds Transfer System (FTS) through the development of strategic alliances with national and international bank and card service organizations. The FTS parents were first filed by Serge Belamant and the late Andre Mansvelt in 1989. The patents in South Africa and surrounding territories were subsequently assigned to Net 1 Investment Holdings (Pty) Ltd. or Net 1 (Pty), a company which was acquired by Aplitec in July 2000. The patents in Europe and the United States were assigned to Net 1 Holdings S.a.r.l. or Net 1 Holdings. See Note 4 for a discussion on the FTS European patent being revoked. The Company entered into a license agreement, dated May 19, 1997 (the License Agreement), with Net 1 Holdings, Net 1 Operations S.a.r.1. and Net 1 Pty (collectively, the Licensors), where the licensors granted a non-exclusive license to the Company for the UEPS technology for the issuance of 5,412,244 shares at a fair market value of $0.001 per share. On October 1, 1997 an Amendment to the License Agreement was signed that provided for the transfer of the ownership of the UEPS technology and FTS and for the assignment of the Technology License Agreement between VISA International Service Association and Net 1 Holdings, dated July 31, 1997 (the Visa Agreement) to the Company in consideration of 4,729,612 shares. The assignment of the Visa Agreement and the transfer of the ownership of the UEPS technology and FTS patents to the Company were never consummated because certain conditions precedent were never satisfied. On May 3, 2000 an agreement entitled Patent and Technology Agreement was entered into between the Company and Net 1 Holdings that granted the Company licensing rights in respect of the U.S. and European patents No conditions precedent were stipulated. The 4,729,612 shares of the Company previously issued into trust in consideration for the Amendment to the License Agreement were thus released to Net 1 Holdings. Effective July 1, 2002, the Company entered into a distribution agreement with Net 1 (Pty), which replaced the previous Outsourcing Agreement. As a condition of this agreement, Net 1 (Pty) received $50,000 in full settlement of $154,953 of fees due as at June 30, 2002. The Company wrote off the remaining $104,953 of the debt as a reduction of subcontract costs in that year. Net 1 Holdings as at March 31, 2004 owns 8,520,578 common shares of 15,852,856 issued and outstanding common shares, or 53.75%. The Company is a subsidiary of Net 1 Holdings. In a development stage company, management devotes most of its activities to establishing a new business primarily, the development of a detailed business plan, marketing strategy and the raising of funds required to develop and operate the business successfully. Planned principal activities have not yet produced revenues and the Company has suffered recurring operating losses as is normal in development stage companies. These factors raise doubt about the Companys ability to continue as a going concern. The ability of the Company to emerge from the development stage with respect to its planned principal business activity is dependent upon its successful efforts to raise additional equity financing, receive funding from affiliates and controlling shareholders, and develop a market for its products. In order to meet expenses over the next twelve months the Company is actively searching for additional equity financing. For fiscal 2004, the Company recorded as revenues and receiving $18,612 from sales of licenses during 2003, in accordance with the Companys revenue recognition policy. See Note 4 regarding future financing and related acquisition of Net 1 Applied Technology Holdings Limited. |
|
2. | Summary of Significant
Accounting Policies |
|
(a) |
Comprehensive Income SFAS No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income, establishes standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components in the financial statements. As at October 31, 2002, the Company has no items that represent comprehensive income and, therefore, has not included a schedule of comprehensive income in the financial statements. |
7
2. | Summary of Significant
Accounting Policies (continued) |
|
(b) |
Recent Accounting Pronouncements In December 2003, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, Revenue Recognition (SAB 104), which supercedes SAB 101, Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements. The primary purpose of SAB 104 is to rescind accounting guideline contained in SAB 101 related to multiple element revenue arrangements, which was superceded as a result of the issuance of EITF 00-21, Accounting for Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables. While the wording of SAB 104 has changed to reflect the issuance of EITF 00-21, the revenue recognition principals of SAB 101 remain largely unchanged by the issuance of SAB 104. The adoption of SAB 104 did not have a material impact on the Companys financial statements. In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150 Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity. SFAS No. 150 establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. It requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability (or an asset in some circumstances). The requirements of SFAS No. 150 apply to issuers classification and measurement of freestanding financial instruments, including those that comprise more than one option or forward contract. SFAS No. 150 does not apply to features that are embedded in a financial instrument that is not a derivative in its entirety. SFAS No. 150 is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003, except for mandatory redeemable financial instruments of non-public entities. It is to be implemented by reporting the cumulative effect of a change in an accounting principal for financial instruments created before the issuance date of SFAS No. 150 and still existing at the beginning of the interim period of adoption. Restatement is not permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Companys results of operations or financial position. |
|
(c) |
Long-Lived Assets Costs to acquire exclusive license rights to specific technology are considered Long-Lived assets and are capitalized as incurred. These costs are being amortized on a straight line basis over five years. Intangible assets are evaluated in each reporting period to determine if there were events or circumstances which would indicate a possible inability to recover the carrying amount. Such evaluation is based on various analyses including assessing the Companys ability to bring the commercial applications to market, related profitability projections and undiscounted cash flows relating to each application which necessarily involves significant management judgment. |
|
(d) |
Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) per Share The Company computes net income (loss) per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128, Earnings per Share (SFAS 128). SFAS 128 requires presentation of both basic and diluted earnings per shares (EPS) on the face of the income statement. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders (numerator) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding (denominator) during the period. Diluted EPS gives effect to all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period including stock options, using the treasury stock method, and convertible preferred stock, using the if-converted method. In computing Diluted EPS, the average stock price for the period is used in determining the number of shares assumed to be purchased from the exercise of stock options or warrants. Diluted EPS excludes all dilutive potential common shares if their effect is antidilutive. |
|
(e) |
Foreign Currency Transactions/Balances Transactions in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated at the rate in effect on the transaction date. Any balance sheet items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using the rate in effect on the balance sheet date. |
|
(f) |
Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts |
8
2. | Summary of Significant
Accounting Policies (continued) |
|
(f) |
Use of Estimates (continued) of assets
and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at
the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues
and expenses during the periods. Actual results could differ from those
estimates. |
|
(g) |
Financial Instruments The Companys financial instruments consist of cash, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and advances from a related party. Unless otherwise noted, it is managements opinion that the Company is not exposed to significant interest, currency or credit risks arising from these financial instruments. The fair value of cash, accounts payable and accrued liabilities and advances from a related party approximates their carrying value due to immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. |
|
(h) |
Interim Financial Data These interim unaudited financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the annual financial statements and in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the Companys financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods shown. The results of operations for such periods are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for a full year or for any future period. |
|
(i) |
Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101 (SAB 101), Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements. Revenue is recognized only when the price is fixed or determinable, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the service is performed, and collectibility is reasonably assured. The Company had applied, up until June 30, 2002, Emerging Issues Task Force Issue 99-19 (EITF 99-19), Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent. The Company sold licenses on behalf of Net 1 Holdings, and acting as an agent recorded revenue on a net basis in accordance with EITF 99-19. Revenue, up to June 30, 2002, was equal to Net 1 Holdings prior year annual after tax net profit before amortization as certified by its independent auditors. |
|
3. | Intangible Assets |
March 31, | December 31, | ||||||||||||
2004 | 2003 | ||||||||||||
(unaudited) | (audited) | ||||||||||||
Accumulated | Net Book | Net Book | |||||||||||
Cost | Depreciation | Value | Value | ||||||||||
Exclusive License | $ | 9,361 | $ | 8,270 | $ | 1,091 | $ | 1,327 | |||||
See Note 1 for description of the license. |
The Funds Transfer System patents were first filed in 1989. The European patent was granted on December 28, 1994, with effect in Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Germany, Denmark, Spain, France, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Sweden. The European Patent Convention provides for an opposition period immediately following the grant of a European patent, and six parties filed an opposition to the grant of the patent on the grounds that the invention was not patentable. The case was heard before a Board of the Opposition Division in March 1998, when the patent was upheld. Following the issue of the formal decision, a number of the original opponents filed an appeal. The appeal proceedings were heard on October 10, 2002 and the appeal board reversed its earlier decision. Consequently, the European patent has been revoked and there is no possibility of any further appeal. As a result, the Company will be unable to collect royalties or fees for patent infringement in Europe. The U.S. patent was first issued on May 17, 1991, and it is set to expire on May 11, 2011. |
9
4. |
Proposed Business Acquisition The Company is completing financial arrangements for the securing of approximately US$ 150 million through Brait SA (Brait) on behalf of funds under its management. The financing, comprising the capital raising of US$ 53 million and a share exchange of US$ 97 million, will enable Net 1 to make an offer to acquire Net 1 Applied Technology Holdings Limited (Aplitec), a public Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed company, as well as providing working capital to enable Net 1 to expand its operations and develop its internal infrastructure on an international basis. The Company, through Brait, will raise the capital through sales of its common stock at US$ 0.50 per common share. The Company, through Brait, has provided the Board of Directors of Aplitec with an offer to acquire all the assets and liabilities of Aplitec (excluding approximately ZAR 300 million of cash) for approximately US$ 129 million through a combination of cash and share exchange offer to Aplitec shareholders also at a purchase price of US$ 0.50. Aplitec is engaged in the sales, maintenance and development of UEPS smart card based products in South Africa and its surrounding territories with revenues of approximately US$ 100 million. Aplitec has approximately 2,200 employees. Completion of the financing is subject to compliance with regulatory requirements in South Africa and in the United States, including an increase in the authorized capitalization of the Company to permit the common shares to be issued. |
5. | Related Party Transactions |
(a) | Consulting fees include $37,500 (2003
- $37,500) paid or payable to the CEO of the Company. |
|
(b) | Pursuant to a Directors Resolution
of January 29, 2002, $325,000 (2003 - $175,000) of consulting fees have
been postponed until the Company has sufficient funds. |
|
(c) | Under the terms of the previous distribution
agreement with Patent and Technology Agreement dated May 3, 2000, the
Company recorded revenues of $18,612 (2003 - $41,017) from Net 1 Holdings
for sales made during the previous year. |
|
(d) | During the period Net 1 Holdings made
payments on the Companys behalf. A total of $63,548 remains outstanding
without interest and is due on demand. |
10
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
General
Management's discussion and analysis contains various forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934. These statements consist of any statement other than a recitation of historical fact and can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "except," "anticipate," "estimate" or "continue" or use of negative or other variations of comparable terminology. Management cautions that these statements are further qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, that these forward-looking statements are necessarily speculative, and there are certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those referred to in forward-looking statements.
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the financial statements of the Company and the notes thereto appearing elsewhere.
Net 1 is a development stage company, has a limited operating and financial history and is subject to the risks, uncertainties and problems frequently encountered by companies in early stages of operation. Net 1's historical results of operations are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected in the future.
Introduction to Results of Operations
Net Revenues
Net 1 has identified several potential general sources of revenue including:
Net 1 Holdings has received license usage fees during 2004 from Malawi, Latvia, Rwanda and Burundi.
None of the other sources of revenue has yet been developed and there can be no assurance that any will develop.
Manufacture Licensing
Licenses will be required by all manufacturers that produce smart cards that incorporate into their embedded computer chip applications that utilize the FTS patents. Net 1 intends
11
to charge a fee to smart card manufacturers for each smart card produced by such manufacturer that includes the FTS application. In addition, it is anticipated that a yearly fee will also be charged which will entitle the manufacturers to product information and workshop materials from Net 1.
Manufacturers of POS terminals and prepaid utility meter terminals who wish to produce terminals capable of supporting FTS based applications will be licensed by Net 1. It is anticipated that these manufacturer licenses will be based on a variety of payment systems including, for example, annual payments, per-terminal payments or transaction fees, depending upon the particular circumstances. Generally, the terminals used in connection with the FTS/UEPS based payment system, unlike other payment systems, do not require a great deal of technology as the security process used by the payment system is managed in its entirety by the two smart cards transacting at the time. Manufacturers, therefore, can mass-produce low cost terminals for the Net 1 FTS/UEPS payment systems. These potential revenues have now been limited to manufacturers that are U.S.-based as the European FTS patent has been revoked.
Usage Licensing
We will license entities that will operate specific applications that use FTS patent or the UEPS technology. We anticipate that the license fees for these licenses will include a combination of annual fees as well as transaction fees.
Net 1 receives revenue from Net 1 Holdings from all sales of licenses equal to Net 1 Holdings annual after tax net profit before amortization. Net 1 will recognize the revenue in the period when the financial statements of Net 1 Holdings become available and will report the revenue on a net basis as Net 1 is acting as an agent for Net 1 Holdings as per the Patent and Technology Agreement dated May 3, 2000.
Net 1 Holdings has received license usage fees during 2003 from Visa International Service Association and FTS licensees for Latvia, Burundi, Malawi, Rwanda and Nigeria.
In 2004, Net 1 recorded revenues of $18,612 from Net 1 Holdings.
Joint Ventures
We will explore opportunities to form joint ventures with entities within particular geographic territories. The joint venturer would then act as a system operator in that territory. Under this scenario we will act as a licensor and may have an equity interest or other participation in the licensee. It is contemplated that we will enter into technology and know-how transfer agreements in exchange for our interest in the joint venture and the other joint venture partner or partners will contribute capital and other expertise necessary to exploit the technology in the given territory.
12
Hardware Sales
Net 1 will pursue arrangements with smart card and terminal manufacturers which will enable us to purchase these items of hardware in volumes at preferential prices. We contemplate selling these items to our licensees, passing along a portion of the price savings. These revenues will only become possible if we are able to raise the funds we require to operate Net 1 as per the business plan.
Operating Expenses
Net 1's operating expenses consist primarily of statutory expenses, administrative expenses, business development expenses and travel expenses. In addition, Net 1 historically has incurred operating expenses related to its outsourcing agreements and a consulting agreement with Claude Guerard, its Chief Executive Officer.
As a result of conditions specified in the report of the Company's auditors, Net 1's independent accountants have expressed substantial doubt as to the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our 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, liabilities, revenue and expenses. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to depreciation, amortization, asset valuation allowances, contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions 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. We believe that the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.
Comprehensive Income
SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income," establishes standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components in the financial statements. As at October 31, 2002, the Company has no items that represent comprehensive income and, therefore, has not included a schedule of comprehensive income in the financial statements.
13
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
FASB has issued SFAS No. 147, 148 and 149 but, because they have no relationship to the operations of the Company, we are not including a descriptions of these statements and their potential impact on the Company's operations.
In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150 "Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity". SFAS No. 150 establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. It requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within its scope as a liability (or an asset in some circumstances). The requirements of SFAS No. 150 apply to issuers' classification and measurement of freestanding financial instruments, including those that comprise more than one option or forward contract. SFAS No. 150 does not apply to features that are embedded in a financial instrument that is not a derivative in its entirety. SFAS No. 150 is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after June 15, 2003, except for mandatory redeemable financial instruments of non-public entities. It is to be implemented by reporting the cumulative effect of a change in an accounting principal for financial instruments created before the issuance date of SFAS No. 150 and still existing at the beginning of the interim period of adoption. Restatement is not permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's results of operations or financial position.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Computer equipment is amortized over five years on a straight-line basis.
Long-Lived Assets
Costs to acquire exclusive license rights to specific technology are considered "Long-Lived" assets and are capitalized as incurred. These costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over five years. Intangible assets are evaluated in each reporting period to determine if there were events or circumstances which would indicate a possible inability to recover the carrying amount. Such evaluation is based on various analyses including assessing the Company's ability to bring the commercial applications to market, related profitability projections and undiscounted cash flows relating to each application which necessarily involves significant management judgment.
Basic and Diluted Net Income (Loss) per Share
The Company computes net income (loss) per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128, "Earnings per Share" (SFAS 128). SFAS 128 requires presentation of both basic and diluted earnings per shares (EPS) on the face of the income statement. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net income (loss) available to common shareholders (numerator) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding (denominator) during the period. Diluted EPS gives effect to all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period including stock options, using the treasury stock method, and convertible preferred stock, using the if-converted method. In computing Diluted EPS,
14
the average stock price for the period is used in determining the number of shares assumed to be purchased from the exercise of stock options or warrants. Diluted EPS excludes all dilutive potential common shares if their effect is antidilutive.
Foreign Currency Transactions/Balances
Transactions in currencies other than the U.S. dollar are translated at the rate in effect on the transaction date. Any balance sheet items denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars using the rate in effect on the balance sheet date.
Financial Instruments
The Company's financial instruments consist of cash, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and advances from a related party. Unless otherwise noted, it is management's opinion that the Company is not exposed to significant interest, currency or credit risks arising from these financial instruments. The fair value of cash, accounts payable and accrued liabilities and advances from a related party approximates their carrying value due to immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments.
Tax Accounting
Potential benefits of income tax losses are not recognized in the accounts until realization is more likely than not.
The Company had adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109 ("SFAS 109") as of its inception. The Company has incurred net operating losses as scheduled below:
Year of | |||||
Year of Loss | Amount | Expiration | |||
1997 | $ | 135,000 | 2012 | ||
1998 | 659,000 | 2013 | |||
1999 | 267,000 | 2014 | |||
2000 | 336,000 | 2015 | |||
2001 | 674,000 | 2016 | |||
2002 | 166,000 | 2017 | |||
2003 | 282,000 | 2018 | |||
$ | 2,519,000 |
15
The components of the net deferred tax asset at the end of December 31, 2003, 2002 and 2001, and the statutory tax rate, the effective tax rate and the elected amount of the valuation allowance are scheduled below:
2003 | 2002 | 2001 | ||||
$ | $ | $ | ||||
Net Operating Loss | 282,000 | 166,297 | 673,575 | |||
Statutory | 34% | 34% | 34% | |||
Effective Tax Rate | - | - | - | |||
Deferred Tax Asset | 95,880 | 56,541 | 229,022 | |||
Valuation Allowance | (95,880 | ) | (56,541 | ) | (229,022 | ) |
Net Deferred Tax Asset | - | - | - |
Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101, "Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements" ("SAB 101"). Revenue is recognized only when the price is fixed or determinable, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the service is performed, and collectability is reasonably assured.
The Company had applied, up until June 30, 2002, Emerging Issues Task Force Issue 99-19, "Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent" ("ETIF 99-19"). The Company sold licenses on behalf of Net 1 Holdings and, acting as an agent, recorded revenue on a net basis in accordance with EITF 99-19. Revenue, up to June 30, 2002, was equal to Net 1 Holdings prior year annual after tax net profit before amortization as certified by its independent auditors.
Results of Operations
Three months ended March 31, 2004 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2003.
Management continues to be actively involved in negotiations to secure sufficient equity and/or debt financing to fund Net 1's business plan.
On April 30, 2003, Net 1 retained the Brait Group to provide advisory services and assistance in order to raise equity and/or debt funding for Net 1. On October 24, 2003, the Company announced that it is completing financial arrangements for the securing of approximately $150 million, including amounts from the Brait Consortium. The financing, comprising the capital raising of approximately $53 million and a share issuance in connection with the reinvestment option, of approximately $97 million will enable Net 1 to make an offer to acquire Aplitec, as well as providing working capital to
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enable Net 1 to expand its operations and develop its internal infrastructure on an international basis. Net 1, through the Brait Group, will raise the capital through sales of its common stock at $0.50 per share.
Net 1, through the Brait Group, has provided the board of directors of Aplitec with an offer to acquire substantially all the assets and all of the liabilities of Aplitec (excluding ZAR 300 million of cash plus enough cash as is necessary to pay holders of Aplitec shares an additional amount equal to ZAR 0.25 (US $0.04) for each ordinary Aplitec share for which such Aplitec shareholder elects the cash option) for approximately $129 million through a combination of cash and share exchange offer to Aplitec's shareholders also at a purchase price per share of $0.50. Aplitec is engaged in the sales, maintenance and development of UEPS smart card based products in South Africa and its surrounding territories with revenues of approximately $100 million. Aplitec has approximately 2,100 employees. Completion of the financing is subject to compliance with regulatory requirements in South Africa and in the United States, including an increase in the authorized capitalization of Net 1 to permit the shares to be issued.
The Company has scheduled a Special Shareholders Meeting for May 27, 2004. Provided shareholders approve the increase in capitalization, the financing with the Brait Consortium will be finalized and the offer to Aplitec shareholders will be undertaken.
In the short term, management has continued the suspension of various expenses, including its consulting agreement with its chief executive officer, Claude Guerard.
Management continues to be actively involved in negotiations with potential clients in view of reaching two main targets:
To establish partnership agreements with IT services and financial services entities,which would provide the total technical support required by Net 1's licensees tolaunch and develop their own applications based on the FTS and the related UEPStechnology and service.
To develop Net 1's licensee network on a worldwide basis. We have granted licensesin Latvia, Burundi, Ghana, Rwanda and Malawi, and are currently in negotiationswith potential licensees in other countries of Africa. An Australian organization hasapproached Net 1 for an FTS license for Australia and New Zealand. Negotiationscontinue regarding the possible grant of licenses for territories in the Pacific Rim.
Revenue
Net 1 received revenue from Net 1 Holdings from all sales of licenses equal to Net 1 Holdings' annual after tax net profit before amortization. Net 1 recognized the revenue in the period when the financial statements of Net 1 Holdings become available and will report the revenue on a net basis as Net 1 is acting as an agent for Net 1 Holdings pursuant to a Patent and Technology Agreement dated May 3, 2000. Effective July 1, 2002, Net 1 entered into a new Distribution Agreement with Net 1 (Pty), which replaced
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a previous agreement. Under this Agreement, Net 1 (Pty) markets, sells and implements UEPS systems on behalf of Net 1. Any license fees arising from sales by Net 1 (Pty) are paid to Net 1 via Net 1 Holdings, for which Net 1 (Pty) receives a commission of 9.5% of all license fees paid by the customer for the duration of the license's existence. This fee is only applicable for new licenses and upgrades of existing licenses.
The Company recorded revenues of $18,612 from Net 1 Holdings for 2004.
Administrative Expenses
Administrative expenses increased from $53,931 for the three months ended March 31, 2003 to $130,991 for the three months ended March 31, 2004, an increase of $77,060. The increase resulted primarily from an increase in legal expenses, filing fees and travel expenses related to the Company's proposed transactions. Management intends to keep operating expenses at the lowest possible level by developing outsourcing policies.
The significant decrease in revenue combined with the increase in administrative expenses resulted in a net loss of $112,379 for the three months ending March 31, 2004 compared to a net loss of $12,914 for the three months ending March 31, 2003. The potential benefits of income tax losses, amounting to $95,880 in 2003 and $56,541 in 2002, have not yet been recognized, and there is significant uncertainty as to whether we will realize these benefits.
Management has suspended payments to Claude Guerard under his Consulting Agreement which in the three months ending March 31, 2004 accounted for $37,500 and $37,500 respectively for the three months ending March 31, 2003.
The Company recognized revenue of $18,612 on March 31, 2004 from license fees collected up to December 31, 2003, by Net 1 Holdings. Additional fees from the sale of new licenses and recurring annual license fees from existing licensees will accrue to the Company during 2004.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash used for operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2004 was $27,449, compared to $2,436 in the three months ended March 31, 2003. This increase was primarily due to higher operating losses, partially offset by an increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities due to the postponement of the payment of consulting fees to our Chief Executive Officer.
Cash from financing activities was $27,449 in the three months ended March 31, 2004, compared to cash used in financing activities of nil in the three months ended March 31, 2003. This reversal is due to the cash flow constraints experienced by Net 1 during the three months ended March 31, 2004 and the subsequent payment of $27,449 of Net 1's administrative expenses by Net 1 Holdings, which Net 1 now owes to Net 1 Holdings. This amount does not accrue interest and is due on demand.
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The primary source of Net 1's cash has been through the sale of equity. Net 1 anticipates raising $52.8 million from the sale of 105,661,428 shares of Net 1 common stock to the Brait Consortium during the current fiscal year. Currently, Net 1 does not have available any established lines of credit with banking institutions.
Net 1 believes that its current cash position, as well as payments due from Net 1 Holdings, are not sufficient to meet its cash needs on a short-term basis or to implement any part of its business plan. Additionally, Net 1's management believes that it is currently unable to meet its long-term liquidity needs. Should the proposed transactions not be completed, Net 1 expects that it will be forced to cease all business operations by the end of the second quarter of 2004.
If the proposed transactions discussed above are not completed, Net 1 may not be able to continue as a going concern beyond the second quarter of 2004.
Contingent Liabilities, Commitments and Contractual Obligations
Net 1 does not have any capital commitments. Net 1's only contractual obligations and contingent liabilities arise from its appointment of an affiliate of the Brait Group as its financial advisor in connection with the Aplitec acquisition. For its services, the Brait Group will receive a fee based on a percentage of the capital raised to finance the Aplitec acquisition, in addition to a corporate finance fee of ZAR 1.15 million (US $170,750). If the proposed transactions are consummated, the Brait Group will be paid a fee of approximately $3.9 million. The Brait Group has the option of applying up to $2.5 million of its capital raising fee to purchase 5 million shares of Net 1 common stock at a purchase price of $0.50 per share.
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Market risk generally represents the risk of loss that may result from the potential change in value of a financial instrument as a result of fluctuations in interest rates and market prices. We have not traded or otherwise transacted in derivatives not do we expect to do so in the future subject to adjustments in policy considerations as they relate to the possible Aplitec acquisition. We have established policies and internal processes related to the management of market risks which we will use in the normal course of our business operations.
Interest Rate Risk
The fair value of long-term debt is subject to interest rate risk. As we currently do not have any long-term debt, and do not anticipate incurring such as part of our current operations, we believe a change in interest rates would not have a material impact on our financial condition, future results of operations or cash flows.
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Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
Our revenues to date have been from Net 1 Holdings and have been denominated in US dollars. In the future as our business develops, our results of operations may be impacted by the fluctuating exchange rates of foreign currencies. Unfavorable changes in the exchange rate of a foreign currency against the US dollar will result in lower revenue when translated into US dollars. If in the future, currency fluctuations were to become significant, we would engage in hedging activities to reduce our foreign currency exposure, including the possible use of foreign exchange contracts.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.
Within the 180 days prior to the filing date of this report, the Company carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14. This evaluation was done under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's Principal Financial Officer, Mr. David Anthony. Based upon this evaluation, he concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective in gathering, analyzing and disclosing information needed to satisfy the Company's disclosure obligations under the Exchange Act.
Changes in internal controls
There were no significant changes in the Company's internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect those controls since the most recent evaluation of such controls.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.
(a) Exhibits
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements 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.
NET 1 UEPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. | ||
DATED: May 21, 2004 | By: | /s/ Claude Guerard |
Claude Guerard, CEO |
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