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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

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

 

    

For the Quarter 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 0-7704

 


 

REFAC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   13-1681234

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

(Identification No.)

 

One Bridge Plaza, Suite 605

Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024-7102

(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (201) 585-0600

 

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 Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨     No  x

 

The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, as of May 10, 2004 was 6,993,393.

 



REFAC

 

INDEX

 

     Page

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

   1

Item 1. Financial Statements

   1

Balance Sheets
March 31, 2004 (unaudited) and December 31, 2003

   1

Statements of Operations
Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 (unaudited)

   2

Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
Three Months Ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 (unaudited)

   3

Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited).

   4

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

   13

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   19

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

   19

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

   20

Item 6. Exhibit and Reports on Form 8-K

   20


REFAC

BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

    

March 31,

2004


    December 31,
2003


 
     (UNAUDITED)        

ASSETS

            

Current Assets

            

Cash and cash equivalents

   $666     $799  

Royalties and accounts receivable

   349     478  

Notes receivable—current portion

   270     302  

Investments being held to maturity (See “Due to Broker” below)

   45,566     28,682  

Income taxes receivable

   636     636  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   880     899  
    

 

Total current assets

   48,367     31,796  
    

 

Property and equipment—net

   738     777  

Available for sale securities

   1,000     1,000  

Notes receivable

   190     205  

Deferred incentive compensation

   —       34  

Deferred income taxes and other assets

   637     468  

Restricted investments being held to maturity

   4,712     4,743  
    

 

Total Assets

   $55,644     $39,023  
    

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

            

Current Liabilities

            

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $914     $1,093  

Due to Broker

   16,834     —    

Deferred revenue

   95     145  

Other liabilities

   314     198  
    

 

Total current liabilities

   18,157     1,436  
    

 

Deferred incentive compensation

   846     946  

Commitments and Contingencies

            

Temporary Equity

   4,712     4,743  

Stockholders’ Equity

            

Common stock, $.001 par value; authorized 20,000,000 shares; issued 7,006,049 as of December 31, 2003 and 7,016,049 as of March 31, 2004

   7     7  

Additional paid-in capital

   22,941     22,742  

Retained earnings

   9,505     9,673  

Treasury stock, at cost, 22,656 shares of common stock, $.001 par value in 2003 and 2004

   (159 )   (159 )

Receivable from issuance of common stock

   (365 )   (365 )
    

 

Total stockholders’ equity

   31,929     31,898  
    

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

   $55,644     $39,023  
    

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the condensed financial statements (unaudited).

 

Page 1


REFAC

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

(UNAUDITED)

 

 
    

Three Months

Ended March 31,


 
     2004

    2003

 

Revenues

            

Licensing-related activities

   $338     $451  

Related party consulting services

   65     —    
    

 

Total revenues

   403     451  
    

 

Costs and Expenses

            

Licensing—related activities

   31     29  

General and administrative expenses

   719     2,119  
    

 

Total costs and expenses

   750     2,148  
    

 

Other Income and Expenses

            

Dividend and interest income

   98     59  
    

 

Total other income and expenses

   98     59  
    

 

Loss before benefit for taxes on loss

   (249 )   (1,638 )

Benefit for taxes on loss

   (75 )   (382 )
    

 

Net loss from continuing operations

   (174 )   (1,256 )

Income from discontinued operations—net of taxes

   5     9  
    

 

Net loss

   $(169 )   $(1,247 )
    

 

Basic and diluted loss per share:

            

From continuing operations

   $(0.02 )   $(0.34 )

From discontinued operations

   —       —    

From cumulative effect of change in accounting principle

   —       —    
    

 

Net loss

   $(0.02 )   $(0.34 )
    

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

   6,988,228     3,699,919  

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

   6,988,228     3,699,919  

 

See accompanying Notes to the condensed financial statements (unaudited).

 

Page 2


REFAC

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Amounts in thousands)

(UNAUDITED)

 

 
    

Three Months

Ended March 31,


 
     2004

    2003

 

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

   $(291 )   $(1,358 )

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

            

Notes receivable

   34     44  

Proceeds from investments being held to maturity

   30,850     18,700  

Purchase of investments being held to maturity

   (30,870 )   (18,272 )

Purchase and sale of fixed assets

   —       (22 )
    

 

Net cash used in investing activities

   14     450  
    

 

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

            

Stock issuance costs

   —       (94 )

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

   144     4  
    

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

   144     (90 )
    

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

   (133 )   (998 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

   799     3,330  
    

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $666     $2,332  
    

 

Non-Cash Investing Activity

            
Purchases of investments being held to maturity on account with broker which were settled in subsequent quarter    $16,834     —    

 

See accompanying Notes to the condensed financial statements (unaudited).

 

Page 3


REFAC

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

1. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements contain all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position of Refac (the “Company”) at March 31, 2004, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for interim periods presented. Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior period financial statements to conform them to the current presentation.

 

2. The accounting policies followed by the Company are set forth in Note 1 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

3. On January 27, 2004, the Company announced that it will focus its acquisition efforts on opportunities in the asset management sector of the financial services industry. The Company also announced that it has engaged a leading provider of executive search services to identify opportunities in this segment and to recruit individuals and/or teams within the industry to join the Company and build this business (See Note 12). In view of the costs associated with this search, the uncertainty as to when, and if, an acquisition will be made, the completion of the amortization of merger-related management incentive compensation during the first quarter, the Company’s planned relocation to new offices at the end of the second quarter and an anticipated decline in income from the Company’s contract with Patlex Corporation, the results for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 cannot be considered indicative of the results expected for the entire year.

 

4. On March 28, 2003, the Company entered into a stock purchase agreement with its controlling stockholder, Palisade Concentrated Equity Partnership, L.P. (“Palisade”), which closed on May 19, 2003. Pursuant thereto, Palisade acquired an additional 3,469,387 new shares of the Company’s common stock, at a price of $4.90 per share, or an aggregate price of approximately $17,000. Following the completion of the stock purchase transaction, Palisade’s ownership increased to approximately 90% of the Company’s outstanding shares. The purpose of the stock purchase transaction was to provide the Company with additional capital for making acquisitions.

 

5. On March 22, 2002, the Company announced that it was repositioning itself for sale or liquidation. Since that date, the Company has disposed of its operating segments with the exception of its licensing business and it has limited the operations of that segment to managing certain existing license agreements and related contracts. In accordance with SFAS 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets” the Creative Consulting Services and Manufacture and Marketing of Consumer Products groups are included in the statement of operations as discontinued operations, net of taxes, as they have been sold pursuant to the Company’s repositioning.

 

6. The Company’s operations in the licensing of intellectual property rights are not considered held for sale because of the Company’s intent to manage certain outstanding licensing-related agreements through their termination. While the Company’s licensing operations are still considered a continuing business, it has not undertaken any new technology licensing projects during the current or preceding five fiscal years and it is highly unlikely that it will undertake any such projects in the future. The statement of operations reflects the results of the licensing of intellectual property rights in its results of continuing operations.

 

Page 4


REFAC

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

On August 19, 2002, the Company entered into a merger agreement with Palisade, which provided for the merger (the “Palisade Merger”) of a Palisade subsidiary with the Company. On February 28, 2003, the Company’s shareholders adopted the merger agreement, as amended (the “Palisade Merger Agreement”), and the Palisade Merger was consummated. Under the terms of the Palisade Merger, for each share of the Company’s common stock, par value $.10 per share (“Old Refac Common Stock”), owned immediately prior to the effective time of the merger, stockholders (other than Palisade and stockholders who properly exercised appraisal rights) received or are expected to receive (i) $3.60 in cash, (ii) 0.2 shares of common stock, par value $.001 per share (“Common Stock”), and (iii) the non-transferable right (the “Payment Right”) to sell the shares of the Common Stock to the Company for a price (the “Payment Amount”) which depends upon the Company’s liquid distributable assets (“LDA”) as of June 30, 2005. This right to sell the shares is limited to stockholders who held their shares at the completion of the Palisade Merger and continue to hold their shares until the amount of liquid distributable assets at June 30, 2005 is determined.

 

The Company has treated the Palisade Merger as a recapitalization for accounting purposes and has adjusted the difference in the par value of the Old Refac Common Stock and the Common Stock from common stock to additional paid-in capital. Pursuant to the Palisade Merger Agreement, the treasury stock owned by the Company at the effective time of the Palisade Merger has been cancelled with a corresponding decrease to the Company’s retained earnings.

 

As the Payment Right represents a non-transferable right of stockholders to sell to the Company their shares of Common Stock received in the Palisade Merger for cash, the estimated Payment Amount ($7.05 per share as of March 31, 2004) has been reflected on the balance sheet as temporary equity with a similar amount reducing additional paid-in capital. Subsequent changes in the estimated Payment Amount through June 30, 2005, computed on a quarterly basis, will increase or decrease the temporary equity amount with an offsetting decrease or increase in additional paid-in capital.

 

Pursuant to the Palisade Merger Agreement, the Company has restricted a portion of its investments being held to maturity to maintain the Contingent Fund (as defined in the Palisade Merger Agreement) reserved to pay the Payment Amount.

 

7. The Company has adopted the disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation – Transition and Disclosure, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123.” The Statement requires prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements regarding the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. The Company accounts for stock compensation awards under the intrinsic method of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25. Opinion No. 25 requires compensation cost to be recognized based on the excess, if any, between the quoted market price of the stock at the date of grant and the amount an employee must pay to acquire the stock. All options awarded under all of the Company’s plans are granted with an exercise price at least equal to the fair market value on the date of the grant. The following table presents the effect on the Company’s net earnings and earnings per share for the three month periods ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 had it adopted the fair value method of accounting for stock-based compensation under SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.”

 

Page 5


REFAC

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,


 

Description


   2004

    2003

 

Net loss, as reported

   $(169 )   $(1,247 )

Less: Total stock-based employee and director compensation expense determined under fair value based on methods for awards granted, modified, or settled, net of related tax effects

   (25 )   (32 )

Add: Additional compensation expense for modification of non-employee director stock options, net of related tax effect

   —       48  

Proforma net loss

   $(194 )   $(1,231 )

Loss per share, as reported

            

Basic

   $(0.02 )   $(0.34 )

Diluted

   $(0.02 )   $(0.34 )

Proforma loss per share

            

Basic

   $(0.03 )   $(0.33 )

Diluted

   $(0.03 )   $(0.33 )

 

The fair value of each option grant is estimated as of the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.

 

8. The following table reconciles the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations pursuant to SFAS No. 128, “Earnings Per Share.”

 

    

Three Months Ended

March 31,


 

Description


   2004

    2003

 

Basic shares

   6,988,228     3,699,919  

Dilution: stock options and warrants

   —       —    

Diluted shares

   6,988,228     3,699,919  

Loss from continuing operations

   $(174 )   $(1,256 )

Basic loss

   $(0.02 )   $(0.34 )

Diluted loss

   $(0.02 )   $(0.34 )

 

There are approximately 5,264 options excluded from the earnings per share computation for the three month period ended March 31, 2004, respectively, since their effect would be anti-dilutive.

 

Page 6


REFAC

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

9. Related Party Transactions

 

Palisade Capital Management, L.L.C. (“PCM”), the investment manager for Palisade, on behalf of itself and/or portfolio companies of funds that it manages, requests, from time to time, that the Company provide certain consulting services. In consideration for these services, PCM pays the Company a basic monthly retainer of $5, subject to quarterly adjustment, by mutual agreement, at the end of each calendar quarter to reflect the services rendered during such quarter. Either party has the right to terminate this agreement at any time without any prior notice. Under this arrangement, the Company has earned $25 with respect to services rendered during the quarter ended March 31, 2004.

 

As of February 2004, the Corporation has agreed to provide consulting services directly to Neurologix, Inc., a public company in which PCM beneficially owns approximately 30% of the outstanding capital stock at a basic monthly retainer of $5 subject to quarterly adjustment, by mutual agreement, at the end of each calendar quarter to reflect the services rendered during such quarter. Either party has the right to terminate this agreement at any time without any prior notice. Under this arrangement, the Company has earned $40 with respect to services rendered during the quarter ended March 31, 2004.

 

Other related party transactions include management indebtedness (see Note 10), a subleasing arrangement with Palisade Capital Securities, LLC (“PCS”), an affiliate of Palisade and PCM, under which it is occupying approximately 1,185 gross rentable square feet (see Note 15) and maintenance of brokerage accounts at PCS for the Company’s marketable securities (principally, treasury notes being held to maturity).

 

10. Employment Agreements and Incentive Compensation

 

The Company is party to an employment contract with its President and Chief Executive Officer, which became effective upon the completion of the Palisade Merger, and, as amended and restated, has a term ending on March 31, 2005. During the term, the officer is entitled to an annual base salary of $300. Upon completion of the Palisade Merger, the officer received a signing bonus of $800 and is entitled to retention payments totaling $500 payable in fifteen (15) equal consecutive monthly installments of $33 each commencing on January 1, 2004. In addition, he is entitled to incentive compensation equal to an aggregate of 16% of “GLDA.” “GLDA” is defined in the employment agreement as the sum of the following:

 

 

the liquid distributable assets of the Company as of June 30, 2005, as calculated under the Palisade Merger Agreement, plus

 

 

the signing bonus, retention and incentive compensation payments paid or payable to him and the signing bonus and incentive compensation payments paid or payable to the Company’s Vice President as a result of the Palisade Merger, less

 

 

an amount equal to $17,844.

 

In 1996, the officer exercised options previously granted under the Company’s 1990 Stock Option Plan to purchase 100,000 shares of Old Refac Common Stock. In connection with such exercise, the Company provided the officer with a loan of $375 (which was reduced to $365 after the officer paid back $10). The note, as modified in March 2002, bears interest at the rate of 6% per annum and is payable in ten (10) equal annual installments commencing on December 31, 2004.

 

Page 7


REFAC

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

The Company is also party to an employment contract with its Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. As amended and restated, the officer’s current employment agreement became effective upon the completion of the Palisade Merger, and has a term ending on March 31, 2005. During the term, the officer is entitled to an annual base salary of $175. Upon completion of the Palisade Merger, the officer received a signing bonus of $314. In addition, he is entitled to the payment of incentive compensation equal to an aggregate of 4% of “GLDA.” “GLDA” is determined in the same manner as under the President and Chief Executive Officer’s employment agreement.

 

As a result of such amendments to the employment agreements, these officers received signing bonuses aggregating $1,114 on February 28, 2003. Additionally, as of December 31, 2003, the Company estimated that the management incentive compensation payable could aggregate $846. A deferred asset which was originally recorded in an amount equal to the estimated incentive compensation payable (subject to quarterly adjustment) has been amortized over the thirteen month period ending March 31, 2004. An amendment to the President and Chief Executive Officer’s agreement in November 2003 extended the term from March 31, 2004 to March 31, 2005 and recast the payment schedule for the retention bonuses. Such retention payments aggregating $500 which had been scheduled to be paid prior to March 31, 2004 are now be payable in fifteen (15) equal consecutive monthly installments of $33 commencing January 1, 2004. As of October 31, 2003, the Company’s financial statements reflected an unamortized balance for such retention bonuses of $192. Commencing November 2003, this balance is being amortized over the extended employment agreement term at a monthly amortization of $11.

 

11. Income Taxes

 

Tax Refund

 

During 2003, the Company received federal income tax refunds of $4,254 resulting from carrying back a net capital loss incurred in 2002 with respect to its sale of Refac International, Ltd. (“RIL”) and its 2002 net operating loss. Even though the Company has received these tax refund payments, it remains subject to Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) audit with respect thereto and, should there be an assessment for any amounts determined to have been erroneously refunded, interest would be payable on the amount assessed. Currently, in accordance with a requirement to examine refund claims over $2,000, IRS is reviewing the Company’s tax refunds. While IRS has advised the Company that its review does not constitute an audit, it can change the scope of its review at any time and can initiate an examination of all open tax years. While the Company believes that its 2002 tax return and refund claim are correct, the calculation of the Company’s tax basis in RIL is subject to complex IRS regulations and the Company has established a reserve of approximately $275 as of March 31, 2004 pending the passage of the statute of limitations or the outcome of any audit that the IRS may initiate.

 

Income Tax Provision

 

For the three months ending March 31, 2004, the Company had a loss before taxes from continuing operations of $249 and a tax benefit of $75 or approximately 30% of such loss. This tax benefit consists of a federal income tax carryforward ($104), a decrease in deferred taxes during the period of $16 and net state and local income taxes of $13. The effective tax benefit from continuing operations during the three months ended March 31, 2003 was 23% of the pre-tax loss. The effective tax benefit in such period was         

 

Page 8


REFAC

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

affected by expenses, principally merger related, that were deducted for financial reporting purposes but are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.

 

12. Asset Management

 

On January 27, 2004, the Company announced that it will focus its acquisition efforts on opportunities in the asset management sector of the financial services industry. The Company also announced that it has engaged a leading provider of executive search services to identify opportunities in this segment and to recruit individuals and/or teams within the industry to join the Company and build this business. The agreement provides for a non-refundable retainer of $300, which is payable in four consecutive, equal monthly payments starting on January 27, 2004 and is creditable against a success-based fee based upon the first year total cash compensation of the team members recruited. The amounts paid to the executive search firm are being amortized over a five month period beginning February 1, 2004, which is the expected service period for the executive search firm.

 

The Company also granted to the principal of the search firm an option to purchase 25,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at a per share exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant of $5.02. The option vests upon the first anniversary date of the closing of the transaction contemplated in the engagement agreement (the “Closing”) and shall have a term of five years from the date of grant. The fair value of the option will be measured using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model as of the Closing and expensed in its entirety as of such date.

 

13. Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities

 

In June 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS 146, “Accounting for Exit or Disposal Activities.” SFAS 146 addresses the recognition, measurement, and reporting of costs that are associated with exit and disposal activities, including costs related to termination of a contract that is not a capital lease and termination benefits that employees who are involuntarily terminated received under the terms of a one-time benefit arrangement that is not an ongoing benefit arrangement or an individual deferred-compensation contract. SFAS 146 requires liabilities associated with exit and disposal activities to be expensed as incurred. SFAS 146 is effective for exit or disposal activities of the Company that are initiated after December 31, 2002.

 

14. Business and Asset Dispositions

 

A. Sale of the Graphic Design Group

 

On November 1, 1999, the Company acquired certain assets and assumed certain liabilities of David Morris Creative, Inc. (the “Graphic Design Group”) for $1,525 in cash. The excess of the aggregate purchase price over the net tangible assets acquired was allocated to goodwill. As a result of achieving certain earnings targets during the two year period ended December 31, 2001, the Company was required to make a $250 contingent purchase price payment to the former shareholder of David Morris Creative, Inc. This payment was accounted for as additional purchase price consideration. The operating results of the Graphic Design Group have been included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition to August 1, 2002, the effective date of its sale.

 

In furtherance of its plan to reposition itself for sale or liquidation, the Company sold certain assets, including certain accounts receivable, furniture and equipment, customer lists and goodwill, subject to certain liabilities, of the Graphic Design Group to a company formed by its president and former owner. The transaction was effective as of August 1, 2002 and the purchase price was $371 consisting of a lump-sum payment due on or before August 31, 2002 of $54 and a 6% promissory note for $317, which is payable in sixty (60) equal consecutive monthly installments of $6 commencing January 1, 2003.

 

Page 9


REFAC

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

As part of this transaction, as of July 31, 2002, the employment agreement with the President of the Graphic Design Group and stock options granted to him to purchase 30,000 shares of the Company’s stock were terminated in consideration of a lump-sum payment of $96. The Company also entered into a sublease with the acquiring company for 3,492 square feet of commercial rentable space. The sublease expires in mid-November 2009, which is co-terminus with the Company’s master lease. As of March 31, 2004, the rent for the remaining term of the sublease was $472.

 

B. Sale of Licensing-Related Assets

 

On August 19, 2002, Refac International, Ltd. (“RIL”) sold its Gough licensing property and royalties receivable to Gough Holdings (Engineering), Ltd. (“GHE”) for $450, payable in five semi-annual installments, without interest, commencing September 30, 2002. GHE paid the first two installments aggregating $140 but asked the Company for an accommodation on the $100 third installment which was due on September 30, 2003. The Company agreed to accept payment of $30 in cash and GHE’s promissory note for the balance of $70. This note is payable in seven (7) equal consecutive monthly installments of $10 each, with interest at the rate of 10% per annum, with the first installment becoming due on November 1, 2003. In March 2004, GHE approached the Company regarding a lump-sum settlement payment of its obligations. On April 14, 2004, the Company and GHE entered into a discounted payment settlement agreement pursuant to which the Company received $215 on April 15, 2004. In connection with this settlement, the Company recorded a loss of $12 in the first quarter of 2004.

 

C. OXO International

 

On September 20, 2002, RIL amended its agreement with OXO International (“OXO”), a division of World Kitchen, Inc. This amendment, which was approved by the court overseeing OXO’s bankruptcy, provides for payments to the Company of $550 of which $10 is for past due royalties; $180 for royalties for the six month period ending December 31, 2002 and $360 for royalties for the year ending December 31, 2003. As of February 2004, the $550 was paid in full.

 

D. Sale of the Product Design Group

 

On September 20, 2002, RIL sold its Product Design Group to Product Genesis, LLC (“PG”) for a variable purchase price based upon 2½% of net revenues up to an aggregate of $300. Due to the uncertainties of collection of the purchase price, the Company did not allocate any cost basis to this contract right and recorded the $36 received in 2003 from PG as income from such discontinued operations. In December 2003, PG notified the Company that it was discontinuing its product design operations and, in January 2004, it advised the Company that it had entered into an agreement with Factors NY, LLC, a company wholly-owned by a former employee of PG, to purchase the goodwill and certain assets of PG. By agreement, dated February 10, 2004, the Company agreed to accept the fixed payment of $30, payable in four equal payments during 2004, in full settlement of the contingent balance

 

Page 10


REFAC

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) - (Continued)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

of the variable purchase price provided for in the purchase agreement pursuant to which the Company sold its product design business to PG. The Company received the first payment in February 2004.

 

The Company also entered into a sublease with PG for 9,574 square feet of commercial rentable space. The sublease expires in mid-November 2009, which is co-terminus with the Company’s master lease. On December 22, 2003, by lease amendment, the Company released its security interest in PG’s machinery, equipment, furniture, fixtures and chattels located at the leased premises in consideration of a cash security deposit in the sum of $75. As of March 31, 2004, the rent for the remaining term of the sublease was $1,425. The due and timely performance of PG’s obligations under the sublease has been guaranteed by its affiliated companies, Product Genesis, Inc. and Product Genesis Business Trust. PG’s sale of the business referred to in the preceding paragraph does not include this sublease and PG intends to sublease these premises.

 

E. Sale of RIL

 

On September 30, 2002, the Company completed the transfer of the assets and assumption of the liabilities of its subsidiary, RIL, to the Company, excluding the capital stock of Refac Consumer Products, Inc. (“RCP”), a manufacturer of a line of consumer electronics products, and certain trademarks, patents and a patent application relating to RCP’s business. After such transfer, the Company sold RIL to RCP Products, LLC, a limited liability company established by a former employee, for $50 plus a variable purchase price based upon 2½% of the revenues received in excess of $1,000 from the sale of its consumer electronics products during the eight year period commencing January 1, 2003, up to a maximum of $150 in any given year and a cumulative total of $575. Due to the uncertainties of collection of the purchase price, the Company has not allocated any cost basis to this contract right and will record any monies that it may receive from RCP Products, LLC with respect thereto as income from such discontinued operations. As of March 31, 2004, the Company had not received any variable purchase price payments and based upon information provided by the purchaser, it does not expect to receive any such payments in the future.

 

15. Leaseholds

 

In May 1999, the Company relocated its corporate offices and creative studio to newly constructed leased facilities in Edgewater, New Jersey. This lease expires on November 16, 2009 and provides for two successive five-year renewal options. In October 2001, the Company subleased a portion of its Edgewater facility, together with furniture, for an annualized payment of $270 through May 2005. In connection with the sale of the Company’s Graphic Design Group, the Company also entered into a sublease with the acquiring company for 3,492 square feet of commercial rentable space. The sublease expires in mid-November 2009, which is co-terminus with the Company’s master lease. As of March 31, 2004, the rent for the remaining term of the sublease was $472. In connection with the sale of the Company’s Product Design Group, the Company entered into a sublease with the acquiring company for 9,574 square feet of commercial rentable space. The sublease expires in mid-November 2009, which is co-terminus with the Company’s master lease. As of March 31, 2004, the rent for the remaining term of this sublease was $1,425.

 

In February 2003, the Company and its landlord amended the master lease to reduce the rentable square footage by 9,757 square feet and the aggregate rent payable over the remaining term of the lease by $840. Taking this amendment into account, the annual rent due under the lease in 2004 and thereafter is $446 subject to a maximum cost of living increase of 2.5% per annum.

 

Page 11


REFAC

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

The Company relocated its corporate office on May 1, 2003 to Fort Lee, New Jersey where it is occupying approximately 1,185 gross rentable square feet under a 33 month sublease with PCS, an affiliate of PCM, which has a current monthly rent of $3. By lease, which became effective on January 21, 2004 and was amended on March 12, 2004, the Company has a direct lease with the landlord for larger space in this building encompassing 4,751 gross rentable square feet and expects to move into such premises when construction is completed on or about June 1, 2004. At such time, its sublease with PCS will terminate. The lease expires on May 31, 2009 and provides for a five-year renewal option. The expected rent for the entire term of the sublease is $677, subject to escalations. Under the lease, the Company is required to pay $55 toward the construction of the premises.

 

16. Wrench versus Taco Bell Litigation

 

By Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2002, the Company and Ms. Arlene Scanlan, who was then President of Refac Licensing, Inc. (“RL”), agreed to a termination of her employment agreement and stock options and to a conveyance of her 19% interest in RL to the Company. This termination agreement also requires Ms. Scanlan to pay the Company 50% of the first $3,000 that she, or any entity controlled by her, may receive relating to a certain lawsuit against Taco Bell Corp., entitled Wrench LLC, Joseph Shields and Thomas Rinks v. Taco Bell Corp. which was filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan. On June 4, 2003, the jury awarded $30,000 to the plaintiffs and, on September 30, 2003, the Court amended the judgment to include pre-judgment interest of $12,000. Based upon Ms. Scanlan’s interest in this judgment, when and if the judgment is paid, the Company would be entitled to the maximum of $1,500. While YUM! Brands, Inc. (“YUM”), which owns Taco Bell, has recorded a charge of $42,000 on it books, it maintains that the plaintiff’s claims are without merit and has appealed the verdict to the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. Due to the uncertainty as to the ultimate outcome of this litigation, the Company has not accrued any income with respect thereto.

 

Page 12


REFAC

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

Item 2.

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

 

Results of Continuing Operations

 

Revenues from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2004 were $403, as compared to revenues of $451 for the same period in 2003. Revenues from licensing-related activities decreased by $113, in the first quarter of 2004, mostly related to the fact that the Company’s agreement with OXO International terminated at the end of 2003 (See Note 14C to the condensed financial statements). This property accounted for $98 of the Company’s licensing-related revenues in the first quarter of 2003. Partially offfsetting the decline in licensing-related revenues was an increase in consulting income of $65.

 

Revenues from continuing operations for the three months are summarized as follows:

 

    

For the Three Months Ended

March 31


 

Description


   2004

    2003

 

Licensing-related activities

   84 %   100 %

Related party consulting services

   16 %   —    

Total

   100 %   100 %

 

With the sale of the Heli-Coil, Dodge and Gough licensing properties in 2002 and the termination of its agreement with OXO in December 2003, the Company’s significant remaining licensing property is its agreement with Patlex Corporation (“Patlex”). The Company’s income from its contract with Patlex is variable and is based upon revenues derived by Patlex from the licensing of two laser patents. The more significant of the two patents licensed by Patlex Corporation is the Gas Discharge Laser Patent (U.S. Patent No. 4,704,583), which expires in November 2004. The other patent is the Brewster’s Angle Patent (U.S. Patent No. 4,746,201) which expires in May 2005. While the amount of the income is uncertain and Patlex has not provided the Company with any projections, the Company currently estimates that it will have revenues of approximately $1,000 in 2004. Given the expiration of the Gas Discharge Patent in November 2004 and the Brewster’s Angle Patent in May 2005, the Patlex income will significantly decline in 2005 as this program winds down. Other license agreements are expected to provide gross revenues of approximately $220 during each of 2004 and 2005, respectively, after which such gross revenues will decrease significantly.

 

Expenses from the licensing of intellectual property rights consist principally of amounts paid to licensors at contractually stipulated percentages of the Company’s licensing revenues and, expenses related to the administration of the license rights and related licenses. These expenses increased by $2 for the three months ended March 31, 2004. As a percentage of licensing revenues, these expenses were 9.2% and 6.4% in 2004 and 2003, respectively.

 

General and administrative expenses were $1,400 lower in the first quarter of 2004 as compared to 2003 when the Company’s merger with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Palisade Concentrated Equity Partnership, L.P. was completed. This reduction is primarily the result of the absence in the first quarter of 2004 of certain non-recurring expenses that were incurred in the first quarter of 2003 such as merger-

 

Page 13


REFAC

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

related costs of $429, management incentive compensation of $654 and accelerated depreciation of leasehold improvements associated with a reduction of the Company’s leased premises in Edgewater, New Jersey of $182.

 

Dividend and interest income increased by $39 primarily as a result of the purchase of additional investment being held to maturity with cash proceeds from the realization of income tax refunds and Palisade’s investment of approximately $17,000 in May 2003.

 

Income Taxes – For the three months ending March 31, 2004, the Company had a loss before taxes from continuing operations of $249 and a tax benefit of $75 or approximately 30% of such loss. This tax benefit consists of a federal income tax carryforward ($104), a decrease in deferred taxes during the period of $16 and net state and local income taxes of $13. The effective tax benefit on continuing operations during the three months ended March 31, 2003 was 23% of the pre-tax loss. The effective tax benefit in such period was affected by expenses, principally merger related, that were deducted for financial reporting purposes but are not deductible for federal income tax purposes.

 

During 2003, the Company received federal income tax refunds totaling $4,254 resulting from carrying back a net capital loss incurred in 2002 with respect to its sale of Refac International, Ltd. (“RIL”) and its 2002 net operating loss. Even though the Company has received these tax refund payments, it remains subject to Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) audit with respect thereto and, should there be an assessment for any amounts determined to have been erroneously refunded, interest would be payable on the amount assessed. Currently, in accordance with a requirement to examine refund claims over $2,000, IRS is reviewing the Company’s tax refunds. While IRS has advised the Company that its review does not constitute an audit, it can change the scope of its review at any time and can initiate an examination of all open tax years. While the Company believes that its tax return and refund claim are correct, the calculation of the Company’s tax basis in RIL is subject to complex IRS regulations and the Company has established a reserve of approximately $275 as of March 31, 2004 pending the expiration of the statute of limitations or the outcome of any audit that the IRS may initiate.

 

The Company’s income tax receivable as of March 31, 2004 is based upon its ability to carry back its 2003 net operating loss for federal income tax purposes to a prior tax year.

 

As of March 31, 2004, the Company had deferred tax assets relating to the State of New Jersey aggregating $344 of which $201 is attributable to New Jersey net operating loss carryforwards of $357 and $1,882 in 2004 and 2003, respectively, which can be applied against any New Jersey taxable income the Company might earn during the seven year period after the year in which such carryforward was recognized for tax purposes. The Company is currently focusing its acquisition efforts in the asset management sector of the financial services industry, and at this point, it cannot determine whether this business will generate any New Jersey taxable income. Due to such uncertainty, the Company has estimated that only $13 of its New Jersey related deferred taxes assets will be realized and has established a valuation allowance to cover the $331 difference. The need for a valuation allowance will continue to be reviewed periodically and adjusted as necessary.

 

As of March 31, 2004, the Company had federal deferred tax assets aggregating $946 of which $128 is attributable to federal net operating loss carryforwards of $366 and $11 in 2004 and 2003,

 

Page 14


REFAC

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

respectively, which can be used during the twenty year period after the year in which such carryforward was recognized for tax purposes. No valuation allowance has been taken for the Company’s federal deferred tax assets. The need for a valuation allowance will continue to be reviewed periodically and adjusted as necessary.

 

Results of Discontinued Operations – In furtherance of its plan to reposition itself for sale or liquidation, the Company sold its Creative Consulting Services and Manufacture and Marketing of Consumer Products groups in the third quarter of 2002. Income from discontinued operations in 2003 was principally attributable to the receipt of variable purchase price payments in connection with the sale of the Company’s Product Design Group.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $133 from $799 at December 31, 2003 to $666 at March 31, 2004. Available for sale securities and investments being held to maturity increased by $51 from $29,682 at December 31, 2003 to $29,733 at March 31, 2004.

 

Operations used $291 of cash during the three months ended March 31, 2004 whereas during the same period in 2003 operations used $1,358 of cash. The decrease in net cash used in operations is primarily the result of the absence in the first quarter of 2004 of certain non-recurring expenses that were incurred in the first quarter of 2003 such as merger-related costs and management signing bonuses.

 

Investing activities provided $14 of cash principally from the payment of notes receivable during the three months ended March 31, 2004 whereas during the same period in 2003 investing activities provided $450 of cash principally from proceeds from investments being held to maturity.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities was $144 during the three months ended March 31, 2004 from the exercise of stock options as compared to the same period in 2003 when $90 was used in stock issuance costs.

 

The Company believes its liquidity position is adequate to meet all of its current operating needs and existing obligations. However, it is currently focusing its acquisition and business development efforts on opportunities in the asset management sector of the financial services industry and, at this stage, the Company cannot predict what acquisition or business development opportunities will become available to it and the amount of capital resources that may be required to take advantage of any such opportunities. The Company does not have any long-term debt and has not established any acquisition-related lines of credit.

 

The Company’s portfolio of investments being held to maturity consists primarily of U.S. Treasury Notes bought with an original maturity of six months or less. The portfolio is invested in short-term securities to minimize interest rate risk and facilitate rapid deployment in support of the Company’s acquisition plans. The Company’s available for sale securities consist of variable cumulative preferred stock from a single issuer with a dividend rate which is determined by an auction method every forty-nine days.

 

Page 15


REFAC

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

Pursuant to the Palisade Merger Agreement, the Company has restricted $4,712 of its investments being held to maturity to maintain the Contingent Fund (as defined in the Palisade Merger Agreement). This amount is being shown as a long-term asset on the balance sheet as the Payment Right is not determinable and payable until after June 30, 2005. This right to sell the shares is limited to stockholders who held their shares at the completion of the Palisade Merger and continue to hold their shares until the amount of liquid distributable assets at June 30, 2005 is determined. Since the Company does not have direct access to stockholder trading information, the Company has not reduced the Contingent Fund. The Contingent Fund will be adjusted if the Company becomes aware of any actual sales of Common Stock issued in connection with the merger. As of March 31, 2004, the price of the Payment Right was estimated to be $7.05 per share and the closing price of Common Stock was $4.80 per share. Any Contingent Fund amounts which are not paid pursuant to the procedure in the Palisade Merger Agreement will become unrestricted on or about August 15, 2005.

 

The Company has commitments under leases covering its facilities (see Note 15 to the condensed financial statements) and under a 1996 Retirement Agreement with its founder and former chief executive officer, which provides an annuity of $100 per annum during his life as well as medical and health benefits for him and his spouse during their lives. Provision was made for amounts payable under the Retirement Agreement in the Company’s 1996 financial statements based upon his then life expectancy. As of December 31, 2003, such liability was fully amortized. During the first quarter of 2004, such amounts payable have been expensed.

 

The following table represents the Company’s future material, long-term contractual obligations as of March 31, 2004:

 

     Payments Due By Period

Contractual Obligations


   Total

   Less than
one year


  

1 – 3

years


  

3 – 5

years


  

More than

5 years


Operating lease

Obligations

   $ 3,311    $ 564    $ 1,162    $ 1,171    $ 414

Management Incentive Compensation (see Note 10)

   $ 1,246      400      846      —        —  

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Palisade Merger, the Company’s projected “Liquid Distributable Assets” (as defined in the Palisade Merger Agreement and referred to herein as “LDA”) is required for the calculation of the Payment Right, and the related Contingent Fund and temporary equity account as well as the management incentive compensation accrual. This calculation of LDA is dependent upon management’s judgments and estimates as to the amount of cash that the Company realizes by June 30, 2005 with respect to certain assets of the Company at the time of the Palisade Merger, the utilization of certain tax attributes and operating results from the time of the Palisade Merger through June 30, 2005. Management continually revises these estimates based on changes in actual results as they occur. The LDA is reviewed quarterly and adjusted to reflect any material changes in the estimate. Any changes in

 

Page 16


REFAC

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

the LDA will also change the related Payment Right, Contingent Fund and management incentive compensation accrual.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity.” SFAS 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). Many of those instruments were previously classified as equity. This Statement 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. The adoption of SFAS 150 does not have a current effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This document includes certain statements of the Company that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and which are made pursuant to the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements and other information relating to the Company are based upon the beliefs of management and assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, or performance, as well as underlying assumptions and statements that are other than statements of historical fact. When used in this document, the words “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “plans,” “intends,” “projects,” “predicts,” “believes,” “may” or “should,” and similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect the current view of the Company’s management with respect to future events and are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, among other things:

 

 

the inability to identify suitable acquisition opportunities in the asset management sector of the financial services
industry and/or teams within the industry to join the Company and build this business;

 

 

the outcome of the current IRS review of the Company’s tax refunds aggregating $4,254 and the possibility that IRS

 

elects to audit the Company’s 2002 consolidated income tax return and other open tax years and determines that all
or a material part of the refunds received in 2003 were erroneously refunded;

 

 

the failure to realize currently projected income from the Company’s remaining licensing properties;

 

Page 17


REFAC

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

 

changes in the interest rate environment;

 

 

general economic conditions, whether internationally, nationally or in the regional and local market areas in
which Refac is located, may be less favorable than expected; and

 

 

changes may occur in the securities markets.

 

Other factors and assumptions not identified above could also cause the actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes these assumptions are reasonable, no assurance can be given that they will prove correct. Accordingly, you should not rely upon forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. Further, the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements after the date they are made or to conform the statements to actual results or changes in the Company’s expectations.

 

Page 18


REFAC

(Dollar amounts in thousands, except for share and per share data)

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

As of March 31, 2004, the Company had investments held to maturity, net of amounts due to broker but including restricted investments held to maturity of $33,445 primarily consisting of U.S. Treasury Notes with original maturities at the date of purchase of six months or less. These highly liquid investments are subject to interest rate and interest income risk and will decrease in value if market interest rates increase. Because the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold these investments until maturity, it does not expect any decline in value of its investments caused by market interest rate changes. As of March 31, 2004, the Company also had $1,000 in variable cumulative preferred stock from a single issuer with a dividend rate which is determined by an auction method every forty-nine days. Given the nature of this security, the Company does not believe the principal amount of this investment is subject to material risk. Declines in interest rates over time will, however, reduce our interest or dividend income. The Company has no derivative instruments, debt, or foreign operations. It does not use derivative financial instruments in its investment portfolio.

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Within 90 days prior to the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q the Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15 (e) and 15d-15 (e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) ) and concluded that the Registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to Registrant’s management, including its officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure, and are effective to ensure that such information is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms.

 

Changes in Internal Controls

 

The Registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have also concluded there were no significant changes in the Registrant’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

 

Page 19


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 6.         Exhibit and Reports on Form 8-K

 

  (a)

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

No.


    
13       Note 1 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 is incorporated herein by reference.
31.1   

Rule 13a-14(a)/15(d)-14(a) Certification, Chief Executive Officer.

31.2   

Rule 13a-14(a)/15(d)-14(a) Certification, Chief Financial Officer.

32.1   

Section 1350 Certification, Chief Executive & Chief Financial Officers.

 

Page 20


Signatures

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

       

REFAC

May 13, 2004

      /s/    ROBERT L. TUCHMAN        
       
       

Robert L. Tuchman, President and

Chief Executive Officer

 

May 13, 2004

      /s/    Raymond A. Cardonne, Jr.        
       
       

Raymond A. Cardonne, Jr., Vice President

and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

Page 21