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EX-32.1 - EXHIBIT 32.1 - Wright Investors Service Holdings, Inc.ex32_1.htm
EX-31.2 - EXHIBIT 31.2 - Wright Investors Service Holdings, Inc.ex31_2.htm
EX-31.1 - EXHIBIT 31.1 - Wright Investors Service Holdings, Inc.ex31_1.htm

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
  For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2018
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: 000-50587

 

WRIGHT INVESTORS’ SERVICE HOLDINGS, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Delaware   13-4005439

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

177 West Putnam Avenue, Greenwich, CT 06830
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

(914) 242-5700
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes       No  

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes        No  

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or, an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and “emerging growth company”, in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer   Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer   Smaller reporting company
(Do not check if smaller reporting company)   Emerging growth company 

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes      No     

 

As of August 6, 2018, there were 19,601,930 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding.

 

 

 
 

 

 

WRIGHT INVESTORS’ SERVICE HOLDINGS, INC.

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

  Part I.  Financial Information Page No.
     
Item 1. Financial Statements  of Wright Investors’ Service Holdings and Subsidiaries
     
  Condensed  Consolidated Statements of Operations-  
  Three Months and Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 (Unaudited) 1
     
  Condensed  Consolidated Balance Sheets -  
  June 30, 2018 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2017 2
     
  Condensed  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -  
  Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 (Unaudited) 3
     
  Condensed  Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity-  
  Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 (Unaudited) 4
     
 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements -

Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 (Unaudited)

5
     
     
     
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial  
  Condition and Results of Operations 15
     
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 19
     
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 19
 
  Part II. Other Information  
 
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 20
     
Item 6. Exhibits 21
   
SIGNATURES 22

 

 
 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.Financial Statements.

 

WRIGHT INVESTORS' SERVICE HOLDINGS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

   Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2018   2017   2018   2017 
                 
Expenses                    
Compensation and benefits  $195   $128   $372   $243 
Other operating   332    328    627    647 
Transaction costs   211    -    343    - 
    738    456    1,342    890 
                     
Investment and other income, net   5    1    7    2 
                     
Loss from continuing operations
before income taxes
   (733)   (455)   (1,335)   (888)
                     
Income tax expense   (23)   (17)   (36)   (29)
                     
Loss from  continuing operations   (756)   (472)   (1,371)   (917)
                     
Income (loss) from discontinued operation   (53)   (5)   145    38 
                     
Net loss  $(809)  $(477)  $(1,226)  $(879)
                     
                     
Basic and diluted loss per share                    
Continuing operations  $(0.04)  $(0.03)  $(0.07)  $(0.05)
Discontinued operation   -    -    0.01    - 
Net loss  $(0.04)  $(0.03)  $(0.06)  $(0.05)

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 1 
 

 

WRIGHT INVESTORS' SERVICE HOLDINGS, INC.
 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

   June 30,   December 31, 
   2018   2017 
   (unaudited)     
Assets        
Current assets        
Cash and cash equivalents  $4,348   $5,601 
Assets held for sale   5,993    6,161 
Income tax receivable   148    - 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   28    127 
           
Total current assets   10,517    11,889 
           
Deferred tax asset   -    148 
Investment in undeveloped land   355    355 
Other assets   58    58 
Total assets  $10,930   $12,450 
           
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity          
Current liabilities          
Liabilities held for sale  $1,047   $1,250 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   142    158 
Income taxes payable   29    18 
Total current liabilities   1,218    1,426 
           
           
Stockholders’ equity          
Common stock   201    199 
           
Additional paid-in capital   34,002    33,933 
           
Accumulated deficit   (22,792)   (21,409)
           
Treasury stock, at cost (815,219 shares at June 30, 2018
and December 31, 2017)
   (1,699)   (1,699)
Total stockholders' equity   9,712    11,024 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity  $10,930   $12,450 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

 

 2 
 

 

WRIGHT INVESTORS' SERVICE HOLDINGS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited)
(in thousands)

 

   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2018   2017 
Cash flows from operating activities        
         
Net loss  $(1,226)  $(879)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities:          
Equity based compensation, including issuance of stock to directors   71    109 
Changes in other operating items:          
       Assets net of liablilities held for sale   (192)   23 
       Income tax payable/receivable   11    (10)
       Prepaid expenses and other current assets   99    124 
       Accounts payable and accrued expenses   (16)   (13)
Net cash used in operating activities   (1,253)   (646)
           
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents   (1,253)   (646)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period   5,601    6,808 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period  $4,348   $6,162 
           
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information          
Net cash paid during the period for          
Income taxes  $25   $40 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 3 
 

 

WRIGHT INVESTORS' SERVICE HOLDINGS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2018
(UNAUDITED)

 

(in thousands, except  share data)

 

                      Total 
        Additional       Treasury   stock- 
  Common stock   paid -in   Accumulated   stock , at    holders 
   shares   amount   capital   deficit   cost   equity 
                               
Balance at December 31, 2017   19,962,014   $199   $33,933   $(21,409)  $(1,699)  $11,024 
ASC 606 cumulative adjustment   -    -    -    (157)   -    (157)
Adjusted balance at January 1, 2018   19,962,014    199    33,933    (21,566)   (1,699)   10,867 
Net loss   -    -    -    (1,226)   -    (1,226)
Equity based compensation expense   -    -    16    -    -    16 
Issuance of vested restricted shares   200,000    2    -    -    -    2 
Issuance of common stock to directors   129,275    -    53    -    -    53 
Balance at June 30, 2018   20,291,289   $201   $34,002   $(22,792)  $(1,699)  $9,712 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed  consolidated financial statements.

 

 4 
 

 

WRIGHT INVESTORS’ SERVICE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 

Three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017

 

(unaudited)

 

 

1.Basis of presentation and description of activities

 

  Basis of presentation

 

 The accompanying interim financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8 of Regulation S-X.  The information and note disclosures normally included in complete financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations.  The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2017 has been derived from audited financial statements. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2017 as presented in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, this interim information includes all material adjustments, which are of a normal and recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation. The results for the 2018 interim period are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the entire year.

 

 

2.Sale of Winthrop

 

As previously disclosed, on April 11, 2018, Wright Investors’ Service Holdings, Inc. a Delaware corporation (“the Company), Khandwala Capital Management, Inc., a Connecticut corporation (“Purchaser”), and Amit S. Khandwala (“ASK”) entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Agreement”).  Pursuant to the Agreement, upon the terms and subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the conditions therein, the Company sold (the “Sale”), all of the issued and outstanding stock (the “Stock”) of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, The Winthrop Corporation (“Winthrop”). 

 

 Winthrop through the completion of the Sale was a wholly- owned subsidiary of the Company, and through its wholly-owned subsidiaries Wright Investors’ Service, Inc. (“Wright”), Wright Investors’ Service Distributors, Inc. (“WISDI”) and Wright’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Wright Private Asset Management, LLC (“WPAM”) (collectively, the “Wright Companies”), offers investment management services,  financial advisory services and investment research to large and small investors, both taxable and tax exempt.  WISDI is a registered broker dealer with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

The Company’s board of directors, as well as the stockholders of the Company approved the Agreement and the Sale.  The Agreement provides, among other things, a detailed description of the conditions to the completion of the Sale, termination provisions, representations and warranties and covenants made by the Company, ASK and Purchaser, indemnity provisions, and liquidated damages related to certain termination provisions of the Agreement.

 

The Sale was approved by the Company’s stockholders on July 16, 2018 at the annual stockholders meeting, and the Sale was completed on July 17, 2018. The Company received $6,000,000 in cash as well as $173,000 from Winthrop for repayment of the intercompany balance between the Company and Winthrop on July 17, 2018. The Company will recognize a gain of approximately $1,000,000 before transaction expenses in the quarter ended September 30, 2018. Included in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 are $211,000 and $343,000, respectively, of Transaction costs related to the Agreement, which are comprised of legal and consulting costs.

 

Description of the business of the Company after the Sale

 

 Following the Sale, we will continue to be a public company. We also intend to evaluate and potentially explore all available strategic options. We will continue to work to maximize stockholder value. Such strategic options may include acquisition of an investment advisory business, acquisition of a financial services business, creating partnerships or joint ventures for those or other businesses and investing in other businesses that provide attractive opportunities for growth. The directors will also consider alternatives for distributing some or all of the proceeds of the Sale to stockholders. Until such time as a decision is made as to how the proceeds from the Sale and other liquid assets of the Company are so deployed, we intend to invest the proceeds of the Sale and our other liquid assets in high-grade, short-term investments (such as cash and cash equivalents) consistent with the preservation of principal, maintenance of liquidity and avoidance of speculation.

 

 5 
 

 

Immediately following consummation of the Sale, we will have no or nominal operations. As a result, we believe that at such time we will be a “shell company”, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. If we become a shell company, our stockholders will be unable to utilize Rule 144 of the Securities Act, or Rule 144 to sell “restricted stock” as defined in Rule 144 or otherwise use Rule 144 to sell stock of the Company, and we would be ineligible to utilize registration statements on Form S-3 or Form S-8 for so long as we remain a shell company and for 12 months thereafter. Among other things, as a consequence, the offering, issuance and sale of our securities is likely to be more expensive and time consuming and may make our securities less attractive to investors.

 

Although the Company is not engaged in the business of investing, reinvesting, or trading in securities, and the Company does not hold itself out as being engaged in those activities, following the closing of the Sale, the Company will likely be an “inadvertent investment company” under section 3(a)(1)(C) of the Investment Company Act. The Company will fall within the scope of section 3(a)(1)(C) if the value of its investment securities (as defined in the Investment Company Act) is proposed to be more than 40% of its total assets (exclusive of government securities and cash and certain cash equivalents) following the closing of the Sale.

 

The Company does not intend to be regulated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act and, therefore, will rely on certain SEC no-action letters and other SEC guidance, including the “transient investment company” Rule 3a-2 under the Investment Company Act. That rule provides a one-year grace period for companies that might otherwise be required to register as an investment company where the company has, as does the Company currently, a bona fide intent to be primarily engaged as soon as reasonably possible (but in any event, within one year), in a business other than that of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading in securities.

 

3.Discontinued operation

 

Winthrop’s results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 have been accounted for as a discontinued operation in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and its results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 have been reclassified as discontinued operations to be consistent with the current periods presentation. Assets and liabilities of Winthrop have been classified as held for sale in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2018 and the December 31, 2017 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet has been reclassified to present the assets and liabilities of Winthrop separately as held for sale.

 

At June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 Winthrop’s assets and liabilities held for sale were as follows (in thousands):

 

   June 30,   December 31, 
   2018   2017 
         
Assets        
Current assets        
Cash and cash equivalents  $567   $417 
Accounts receivable   242    308 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   273    304 
           
Total current assets   1,082    1,029 
           
Property and equipment, net   77    100 
Intangible assets, net   1,420    1,618 
Goodwill   3,364    3,364 
Other assets   50    50 
Total assets held for sale  $5,993   $6,161 
           
Liabilities          
Current liabilities          
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  $460   $587 
Deferred revenue   10    6 
Current portion of officers retirement bonus liability   150    190 
Total current liabilities   620    783 
           
Officers retirement bonus liability, net of current portion   427    467 
Total liabilities held for sale   1,047    1,250 
Net assets held for sale  $4,946   $4,911 

 

 6 
 

 

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 the components of income from discontinued operation were as follows (in thousands):

 

   Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30, 
   2018   2017   2018   2017 
Revenues                
Investment management services  $546   $533   $1,116   $1,025 
Other investment advisory services   501    593    1,104    1,262 
Financial research and related data   229    196    445    379 
    1,276    1,322    2,665    2,666 
Expenses                    
Compensation and benefits   591    748    1,272    1,550 
Other operating   714    563    1,202    1,034 
    1,305    1,311    2,474    2,584 
                     
  Investment and other loss, net   (24)   (16)   (46)   (44)
                     
Income (loss) from discontinued operation  $(53)  $(5)  $145   $38 

 

 

4.Revenue recognition from contracts with customers related to discontinued operation

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenues from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”), as subsequently amended, that outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most recent revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance.  The core principle of the revenue model is that an entity recognizes revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  This standard is effective for public companies for years ending after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted.

 

The Company adopted the new standard on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective method, which provides for a cumulative effect adjustment in the amount of $157,000 to beginning 2018 accumulated deficit and to opening Accounts receivable for the revenue related to the recognition of financial research data and sub advisor fees. The revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 if recorded under the previous accounting guidance, was not materially different from the revenue recognized upon the adoption of ASC 606 on January 1, 2018.

 

Winthrop provides three distinct services for which it recognizes revenue:

 

Investment management services

Winthrop earns revenue primarily by charging fees based upon Assets Under Management (“AUM”). Its offerings include investment management solutions utilizing individual securities or mutual funds.

 

Winthrop charges a fee for its services based on the Agreement, this is computed on the basis of the cash and market value of property deposited in the account at the time the client's account is established. Revenue is recognized based on the market value of the assets under management at end of the preceding quarter at a pre-established rate, per contract.

 

Other investment advisory revenue as defined, is generated by fees from services provided to Bank Trust Departments is recognized in the same manner as the Investment management services. Under ASC 606, Winthrop’s revenue recognition for all of its investment management contracts remained materially consistent with historical practice.

 

As of June 30, 2018, all opening and closing balances of Accounts receivable are attributed to investment advisory contracts with customers. 

 

Financial research services:

Revenue from the sale of financial research information and related data is derived from the distribution of investment research directly and through several third parties who act as distributors of such research content. The distribution through third parties is Winthrop’s main source of revenue for financial research services. The fees paid by the end client are divided between Winthrop and the distributor, primarily Thomson Reuters.

 

 7 
 

 

Upon adoption of ASC 606, Winthrop has changed its revenue recognition policy from estimating fees to be collected from third party distributors to recognizing revenue upon collection of fees from third party distributors when data is known. This change in revenue recognition for financial research and related data resulted in adjustment of $135,000 recorded as an increase to opening Accumulated deficit and a decrease to opening Accounts receivable on January 1, 2018 for the revenue related to the last fiscal quarterly data that was not available as of the reporting date.

 

Sub-advisor Fee:

Winthrop provides investment services as a sub-advisor from the principal managers (primarily from three entities) and it is paid a quarterly fee by the corresponding principal manager’s. Upon adoption of ASC 606, the revenue recognition policy has been changed from Winthrop accruing revenue for this type of service on a monthly basis as reported by the sub advisor. This change in revenue recognition for sub-advisory fees resulted in Winthrop recording an adjustment to increase opening Accumulated deficit and a decrease to Accounts receivable in the amount of $22,000 on January 1, 2018.

        

Winthrop, through its subsidiaries, enters into formal, written agreements with its customers that have commercial substance and that meet the criteria to identify the contract based on the new revenue recognition guidance, inclusive of the identification of each party’s rights regarding the services to be transferred and payment terms for such services.

 

Performance Obligations are identified by determining whether they are:

 

·Capable of being distinct: A service is distinct if the customer can benefit from the service on its own or together with other resources that are readily available to the customer and distinct within the context of the contract.
·Distinct within the context of the contract: The seller’s promise to transfer the service to the customer is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract.

 

1)Investment management service:

The performance obligation relates to the investment management of the client’s account (service) which is an obligation capable of being and distinct within the context of the contract. This represents a single performance obligation that is continuously provided over the contract period.

 

The Company considers that recognizing revenue over time best represents the transfer of control to the customer for management investment activities. Winthrop considers that time elapsed (quarterly increments) to be the method that best represents the transfer of control to the customer for management investment activities.

 

2)Financial research and related data:

For revenue related to internet and reselling subscriptions, the distinct performance obligation refers to the distribution of investment research directly and through several third parties who act as distributors of such research content.

 

Winthrop acts as an agent in this arrangement because it does not control (ASC 606-10-25-25 – ability to direct the use of, and obtain substantially of the remaining benefits from, the service) the specified service before it is transferred to a customer and such customer is a party to the executed service provider agreement and holds the rights to engage and direct the services of the third-party service provider. Per ASC 606-10-55-38, Winthrop would recognize revenue based on the net amount of consideration it expects to be entitled to for providing the service. As mentioned, since Winthrop cannot estimate the amount or the timing of when control is transferred to the customer’s and thus, it is not probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the number of customers that are using the research in a given period and revenue split for the given period is subsequently reported. As such, revenue will be recognized based on the revenue split for the sales activity received from the various entities.

 

 8 
 

 

3)Sub-advisor fee:

The performance obligation relates to the investment management of the Investment Manager’s client’s account (service) which is an obligation capable of being and distinct within the context of the contract between Winthrop and the Investment Manager. This represents a single performance obligation that is continuously provided over the contract period.

 

Winthrop acts as an agent in this arrangement because it does not control (ASC 606-10-25-25 – ability to direct the use of, and obtain substantially of the remaining benefits from, the service) the specified service before it is transferred to a customer and such customer is a party to the executed service provider agreement and holds the rights to engage and direct the services of the client. Per ASC 606-10-55-38, Winthrop would recognize revenue based on the net amount of consideration it expects to be entitled to for providing the service. As mentioned, since Winthrop cannot estimate the revenue amount, it is not probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the Investment Manager’s client pays the fee (“IM Fee”) for the given period and such fee is subsequently reported to Winthrop. As such, revenue will be recognized based on the revenue split for the IM Fee reported by the Investment Manager.

 

Additionally, it should be noted that contracts between Winthrop and its customers do not include performance-based fees, and there were no costs capitalized attributable to obtaining new customer contracts.

 

The services provided by Winthrop are satisfied over time because the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by Winthrop as the services are being performed.

 

 

5.Adoption of new accounting guidance

 

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation- Stock Compensation (Topic 718):  Improvements to Employee Share Based Payment Accounting.”  ASU 2016-09 simplifies several aspects of the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classifications in the statement of cash flows.  ASU 2016-09 is effective for the fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and interim periods within those fiscal years.  During 2017, the Company has adopted ASU 2016-09 which did not have any impact in the Company’s financial statements.  In accordance with ASU 2016-09, the Company has made the accounting policy election to continue to estimate forfeitures based upon historical occurrences. The Company has adopted this standard on January 1, 2018, which did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

 In January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.  The ASU generally requires companies to measure investments in equity securities, except those accounted for under the equity method, at fair value and recognize any changes in fair value in net income. The new guidance must be applied using a modified-retrospective approach and is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption is not permitted.   The Company has adopted this standard on January 1, 2018, which did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

  

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 708) Scope of Modification Accounting” which provides guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718. Adoption of the Standard is required for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with the amendments in the update applied prospectively to an award modified on or after the adoption date. Early adoption is permitted. The Company has adopted this standard on January 1, 2018, which did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

 

 

6.Certain new accounting guidance not yet adopted

 

 In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, leases (Topic 842), which supersedes the existing guidance for lease accounting, Leases (Topic 840).  ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize leases on their balance sheets, and leaves lessor accounting largely unchanged.  The amendments in this ASU are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years.  Early application is permitted for all entities.  ASU 2016-02 requires a modified retrospective approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after the date of initial application, with an option to elect to use certain transaction relief.  The Company is currently assessing the impact that the adaption of ASU 2016-02 will have on its financial statements.

 

 In January 2017, FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles- Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment”, which eliminates the second step of the previous FASB guidance for testing goodwill for impairment and is intended to reduce cost and complexity of goodwill impairment testing.  The standard is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2019 for both interim and annual periods.  Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017.  The Company is currently assessing the impact that the adoption of ASU 2017-04 will have on its financial statements.

 

 9 
 

 

7.       Per share data

 

Loss per share for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 respectively, is calculated based on 19,476,000 and 19,192,000 weighted average outstanding shares of common stock. Included in the share number are vested Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) of 111,701 and 145,303 for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

Loss per share for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 respectively, is calculated based on 19,420,000 and 19,161,000 weighted average outstanding shares of common stock. Included in the share number are vested RSUs of 135,510 and 126,256 for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

Options for 550,000 and 675,000 shares of common stock, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, and unvested RSUs for 66,668 shares of common stock for the three and six months  ended June 30, 2017 were not included in the diluted computation as their effect would be anti-dilutive since the Company incurred net losses for both periods.

 

 

8.Capital Stock 

 

The Company’s Board of Directors, without any vote or action by the holders of common stock, is authorized to issue preferred stock from time to time in one or more series and to determine the number of shares and to fix the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of any series of preferred stock.

 

The Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to 5,000,000 outstanding shares of common stock from time to time either in open market or privately negotiated transactions. At June 30, 2018, the Company had repurchased 2,041,971 shares of its common stock, and a total of 2,958,029 shares, remain available for repurchase at June 30, 2018.

 

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2018, the Company issued 129,275 shares of Company common stock to the independent directors of the Company, in payment of their fourth quarter 2017 and first quarter 2018 quarterly directors fees.  The aggregate value of the shares of Company common stock issued was $55,000, or $27,500 for each period.

 

 

9.Incentive stock plans and stock-based compensation

 

Common stock options

 

The Company had initially adopted a stock-based compensation plan for employees and non-employee members of its Board of Directors in November 2003 (the “2003 Plan”), which was subsequently amended in March 2007 (the “2003 Plan Amendment”).  In December 2007, the Company adopted the National Patent Development Corporation 2007 Incentive Stock Plan (the “2007 NPDC Plan”).  The plans provide for up to 3,500,000 and 7,500,000 awards for shares under the 2003 Plan Amendment and 2007 NPDC Plan, respectively, in the form of discretionary grants of stock options, restricted stock shares, restricted stock units (RSUs) and other stock-based awards to employees, directors and outside service providers. The Company’s plans are administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, which consists solely of non-employee directors. The term of any option granted under the plans will not exceed ten years from the date of grant and, in the case of incentive stock options granted to a 10% or greater holder of total voting stock of the Company, three years from the date of grant.  The exercise price of any option granted under the plans may not be less than the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant or, in the case of incentive stock options granted to a 10% or greater holder of total voting stock, 110% of such fair market value.

 

The Company recorded compensation expense of $100 and $200, respectively, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017 under these plans.  As of June 30, 2018, the number of shares reserved and available for award under the 2007 NPDC Plan is 6,141,786 and under the 2003 Plan Amendment is 3,400,000.

 

 10 
 

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company issued 100,000 options to a consultant on March 28, 2016. The options issued on March 28, 2016 vest equally over 3 years and are subject to post vesting restrictions for sale for three years. The options were issued at an exercise price of $1.29 per share for the options issued on March 28, 2016, which price was equal to the market value at the date of the grant.   The grant-date fair value of the options was $0.50, which was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions:

 

 

Dividend yield   0%
Expected volatility   48.24%
Risk-free interest rate   1.21%
Expected life (in years)   4 

 

 

The fair value of the options granted on March 28, 2016 were reduced by an 8% discount for post vesting restrictions.

 

As of June 30, 2018, the unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested options was $200. 

 

The value of the options granted to the consultant are re-measured at each balance sheet date until performance is complete with the final measurement of fair value of the options made on the vesting dates.  The revised fair value is amortized over the remaining term of the option. 

 

As of June 30, 2018, there were outstanding options to acquire 550,000 common shares, 516,666 of which were vested and exercisable, having a weighted average exercise price of $1.35 per share, a weighted average contractual term of 2.5 years and zero aggregate intrinsic value. 

 

 

Restricted stock units

 

(a)17,738 RSUs were granted to certain employees on February 4, 2013, which vest equally over three years, with the first third vesting on February 4, 2014. At June 30, 2018, 11,071 of the RSU’s were fully vested and 6,037 have been forfeited. The RSUs are valued based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on February 4, 2013 of $2.40, less an average discount of 11% for post-vesting restrictions on sale until the three-year anniversary of the grant date, or an average price per share of $2.25. There was no unrecognized compensation expense related to these RSUs at June 30, 2018. 

 

 

b)On January 19, 2015 and March 31, 2015, 100,000 RSUs were issued on each date to two newly appointed directors of the Company.  The RSUs will vest equally over 3 years.  The RSUs are valued based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on January 19, 2015 and March 31, 2015 of $1.70 and $1.85, respectively, less an average discount of 8% for post-vesting restrictions on sale until the three-year anniversary of the grant date, or an average price per share of $1.56 and $1.70, respectively.  The Company recorded compensation expense of $16,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and $27,000 and $54,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 respectively, related to these RSUs. At June 30, 2018, the RSU’s were fully vested and the related 200,000 shares of the Company’s common stock was issued during the three months ended June 30, 2018.

 

 

10.Intangible Assets

 

At June 30, 2018, intangible assets subject to amortization which were recorded in connection with the acquisition of Winthrop consisted of the following (in thousands), which is included in Assets held for sale in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.:

 

 

Intangible 

Estimated

useful life

  Gross
carrying
amount
   Accumulated
Amortization
   Net
carrying
amount
 
                
Investment management and
Advisory Contracts
    9 years  $3,181   $1,955   $1,226 
Trademarks    10 years   433    239    194 
      $3,614   $2,194   $1,420 

 

 11 
 

 

For each of the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, amortization expense was $99,000. For each of the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, amortization expense was $198,000. Such amortization is included in discontinued operation in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The weighted-average amortization period for total amortizable intangibles at June 30, 2018 is 3.6 years. Estimated amortization expense for each of the five succeeding years and thereafter is as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Year ending December 31,

 

 

2018 (remainder)

 

$199

2019

 

  397

2020

 

  397

2021

 

  386
2022-2023

  41

 

 

$1,420

 

 

 12 
 

 

11.

Related party transactions

 

 Wright acts as an investment advisor, its subsidiary acts as a principal underwriter and one officer of Winthrop is also an officer for a family of mutual funds from which investment management and distribution fees are earned based on the net asset values of the respective funds.   Such fees, which are included in Discontinued operation and Other investment advisory services (see Note 3), amounted to $0 and $81,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, and $96,000 and $241,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively.

 

On April 2, 2018, the Boards of Trustees of The Wright Managed Equity Trust and The Wright Managed Income Trust (the “Trusts”) issued a press release announcing that they had voted to liquidate and terminate each of the Wright Selected Blue Chip Equities Fund (WSBEX), the Wright Major Blue Chip Equities Fund (WQCEX), the Wright International Blue Chip Equities Fund (WIBCX) and the Wright Current Income Fund (WCIFX) (the “Funds”) effective on or about April 30, 2018 (the “Liquidation Date”). Based upon a recommendation of the Funds’ investment adviser, Wright, the Boards approved the liquidation of the Funds. The Company does not believe the liquidation of the Funds will have a material adverse impact on its business operations, financial condition, or results of operations.

 

 

 

12.Income taxes

 

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, the Company recorded income tax expense from continuing operations of $23,000 and $36,000, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $17,000 and $29,000, respectively.

 

Income tax expense represents minimum state taxes. No tax benefit has been recorded in relation to the pre-tax loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, due to a full valuation allowance to offset any deferred tax asset related to net operating loss carry forwards attributable to the loss.

 

 

13.Retirement plans

 

a)The Company maintains a 401(k) Savings Plan (the “Plan”), for full time employees who have completed at least one hour of service coincident with the first day of each month.  The Plan permits pre-tax contributions by participants.   Effective January 15, 2013, the employees of Winthrop and its subsidiaries were eligible to participate in the Plan, and the Company ceased matching the participant’s contributions.

 

b)Winthrop maintains an officer retirement bonus plan (the “Bonus Plan”) that is an unfunded deferred compensation program providing retirement benefits equal to 10% of annual compensation, as defined, to those officers upon their retirement.   Effective December 1, 1999, the Plan was frozen so that no additional benefits will be earned.  The present value of the obligation under the Bonus Plan at June 30, 2018, which is included in Liabilities held for sale in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, is $577,000, of which $150,000 is estimated to be payable over the next twelve months. The liability is payable to individual retired employees at the rate of $50,000 per year in equal monthly amounts commencing upon retirement.  The liability was recorded at $885,000 at the date of acquisition, representing its estimated fair value computed based on its present value, utilizing a discount rate of 14%, which was estimated to be the acquired company’s weighted average cost of capital on such date from the perspective of a market participant.  The calculated discount of $1,027,000 at the date of acquisition is being amortized as interest expense over the period the obligation is outstanding by use of the effective interest method. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, interest expense amounted to $35,000 and $18,000, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, interest expense amounted to $21,000 and $43,000, respectively.   At June 30, 2018, the present value of the obligation under the Bonus Plan was $577,000, respectively, net of discount of $333,000 and is included in Liabilities held for sale in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

 

 13 
 

 

14.Contingencies and commitments

 

a)On July 1, 2014, Winthrop, pursuant to the terms of its Milford facility lease, gave eight months’ notice to their landlord to terminate their lease in Milford, Connecticut.  In August 2014, the Company entered into a five-year sublease in Greenwich, Connecticut for 10,000 square feet.  Estimated annual rent for the Greenwich, Connecticut space, which expires on September 30, 2019 aggregated $320,000 payable as follows; $124,000 (remainder of 2018), and $196,000 (through September 30, 2019).   The Company moved its corporate office from Mount Kisco, New York to the new Greenwich, Connecticut facility in March 2015, which resulted in a consolidation of the Company’s operations.

 

b)On September 26, 2014, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (“DEEP”) issued two Orders requiring the investigation and repair of two dams in which the Company and its subsidiaries have certain ownership interests.  The first Order requires that the Company investigate and make specified repairs to the ACME Pond Dam located in Killingly, Connecticut.  The second Order, as subsequently revised by DEEP on October 10, 2014, requires that the Company investigate and make specified repairs to the Killingly Pond Dam located in Killingly, Connecticut.  The Company administratively appealed and contested the allegations in both Orders.  On July 27, 2017, the Company entered into a Consent Order with the DEEP relative to Killingly Pond Dam. The Killingly Pond Dam Consent Order requires the Company to continue to perform routine maintenance and administrative procedures consistent with DEEP’s Dam Safety regulations, the cost of which is not material to the Company’s financial position or results of operations. On July 27, 2018, the Company entered into a Consent Order with the DEEP relative to Acme Pond Dam. The Acme Pond Dam Consent Order requires the Company to investigate and recommend repairs to Acme Pond Dam. As the Company is in the early stages of compliance with ACME Pond Dam Consent Order, a design concept for any necessary repairs has not yet been proposed by the Company nor approved by the DEEP.  As a result, it is not possible at this time to estimate the cost of any repairs that may ultimately be required by the DEEP. 

 

 14 
 

  

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

 

 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

This report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).  The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical facts, but rather reflect our current expectations concerning future events and results. The words “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “should,” “would,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “could,” “project,” “predict,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” and “intend,” as well as other similar words and expressions of the future, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

 

Factors that may cause actual results to differ from those results expressed or implied, include, but are not limited to, those listed under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March 26, 2018 as well as the Company’s strategic options following the Sale and that the Company will become a ‘shell company” after the Sale, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act and Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act..

 

These forward-looking statements generally relate to our plans, objectives and expectations for future events and include statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, intentions, assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts.  These statements are based upon our opinions and estimates as of the date they are made.  Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may be beyond our control, which could cause actual results, performance and achievements to differ materially from results, performance and achievements projected, expected, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.  While we cannot assess the future impact that any of these differences could have on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows or the market price of shares of our common stock, the differences could be significant. You are cautioned not to unduly rely on such forward-looking statements when evaluating the information presented in this report and you are urged to consider all such risks and uncertainties. In light of the uncertainty inherent in such forward-looking statements, you should not consider their inclusion to be a representation that such forward-looking matters will be achieved.

 

 

Sale of The Winthrop Corporation

 

On April 11, 2018, the Board of Directors of the Company voted to enter into an Agreement providing for the Sale of Winthrop, to Khandwala Capital Management, Inc., a company principally owned and controlled by Amit S. Khandwala, the Co-Chief Executive Officer and Chief Investment Officer of Winthrop, prior to the Sale, for $6,000,000, subject to certain adjustments for intercompany accounts at closing.  The Sale was approved by the Company’s stockholders on July 16, 2018 at the annual stockholders meeting, and the Sale was completed on July 17, 2018. The Company received $6,000,000 in cash as well as $173,000 from Winthrop for repayment of the intercompany balance between the Company and Winthrop on July 17, 2018.

 

Winthrop through the completion of the Sale was a wholly- owned subsidiary of the Company and through its wholly-owned subsidiaries Wright Investors’ Service, Inc. (“Wright”), Wright Investors’ Service Distributors, Inc. (“WISDI”) and Wright’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Wright Private Asset Management, LLC (“WPAM”) (collectively, the “Wright Companies”), offers investment management services,  financial advisory services and investment research to large and small investors, both taxable and tax exempt.  WISDI is a registered broker dealer with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (“FINRA”) and the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Winthrop’s results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 have been accounted for as a discontinued operation in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and its results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 have been reclassified as discontinued operations to be consistent with the current periods presentation. Assets and liabilities of Winthrop have been classified as held for sale in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2018 and the December 31, 2017 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet has been reclassified to present the assets and liabilities of Winthrop separately as held for sale. See Note 3 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 15 
 

 

Description of the business of the Company after the Sale

 

 Following the sale of Winthrop, we will continue to be a public company. We also intend to evaluate and potentially explore all available strategic options. We will continue to work to maximize stockholder value. Such strategic options may include acquisition of an investment advisory business, acquisition of a financial services business, creating partnerships or joint ventures for those or other businesses and investing in other businesses that provide attractive opportunities for growth. The directors will also consider alternatives for distributing some or all of the proceeds to stockholders. Until such time as a decision is made as to how the proceeds from the Sale and other liquid assets of the Company are so deployed, we intend to invest the proceeds and our other liquid assets in high-grade, short-term investments (such as cash and cash equivalents) consistent with the preservation of principal, maintenance of liquidity and avoidance of speculation.

 

Immediately following consummation of the Sale, we will have no or nominal operations. As a result, we believe that at such time we will be a “shell company”, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act. If we become a shell company, our stockholders will be unable to utilize Rule 144 of the Securities Act, or Rule 144 to sell “restricted stock” as defined in Rule 144 or otherwise use Rule 144 to sell stock of the Company, and we would be ineligible to utilize registration statements on Form S-3 or Form S-8 for so long as we remain a shell company and for 12 months thereafter. Among other things, as a consequence, the offering, issuance and sale of our securities is likely to be more expensive and time consuming and may make our securities less attractive to investors.

 

Although the Company is not engaged in the business of investing, reinvesting, or trading in securities, and the Company does not hold itself out as being engaged in those activities, following the closing of the Sale, the Company will likely be an “inadvertent investment company” under section 3(a)(1)(C) of the Investment Company Act. The Company will fall within the scope of section 3(a)(1)(C) if the value of its investment securities (as defined in the Investment Company Act) is proposed to be more than 40% of its total assets (exclusive of government securities and cash and certain cash equivalents) following the closing of the sale.

 

The Company does not intend to be regulated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act and, therefore, will rely on certain SEC no-action letters and other SEC guidance, including the “transient investment company” Rule 3a-2 under the Investment Company Act. That rule provides a one year grace period for companies that might otherwise be required to register as an investment company where the company has, as does the Company currently, a bona fide intent to be primarily engaged as soon as reasonably possible (but in any event, within one year), in a business other than that of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading in securities.

 

 

Results of Operations

 

 

Three months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2018, the Company had a loss from continuing operations before income taxes and discontinued operation of $733,000 compared to a loss from continuing operations before income taxes and discontinued operation of $455,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2017.   The increased loss of $278,000 was primarily the result of $211,000 of Transaction costs incurred in the Sale and, increased Compensation and benefits of $67,000.

 

 16 
 

 

Compensation and benefits

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2018, Compensation and benefits were $195,000 as compared to $128,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2017. The increased benefits and related expenses of $67,000 in 2018 was the result of increased compensation earned by the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  

 

 

Other operating expenses

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2018, Other operating expenses were $332,000 as compared to $328,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2017.  The increased operating expenses of $4,000 were primarily the result of increased travel and entertainment expenses, offset by reduced professional fees.

 

 

Six months ended June 30, 2018 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, the Company had a loss from continuing operations before income taxes and discontinued operation of $1,335,000 compared to a loss from continuing operations before income taxes and discontinued operation of $888,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2017.   The increased loss of $447,000 was primarily the result of $343,000 of Transaction costs incurred in the Sale, increased Compensation and benefits of $129,000, partially offset by decreased Other operating expenses of $20,000 and increased Investment and other income, net of $5,000.

 

 

 

Compensation and benefits

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, Compensation and benefits were $372,000 as compared to $243,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2017. The increased benefits and related expenses of $129,000 in 2018 was the result of increased compensation earned by the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.  

 

 

 

Other operating expenses

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, Other operating expenses were $627,000 as compared to $647,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2017.  The reduced operating expenses of $20,000 were primarily the result of decreased travel and entertainment expenses and reduced professional fees, partially offset by increased professional fees related to the Company’s interests in land and flowage rights in undeveloped property in Killingly, Connecticut.

 

Income taxes

 

 

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, the Company recorded income tax expense from continuing operations of $23,000 and $36,000, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $17,000 and $29,000, respectively. Such amounts represent minimum state taxes. No tax benefit has been recorded in relation to the pre-tax loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, due to a full valuation allowance to offset any deferred tax asset related to net operating loss carry forwards attributable to the loss.

 

 

 

 Other Assets

 

The Company owns certain non-strategic assets, including interests in land and flowage rights in undeveloped property in Killingly, Connecticut.

 

The Company monitors these investments for impairment by considering current factors, including the economic environment, market conditions, and other specific factors and records impairments in carrying values when necessary.

 

 17 
 

 

Financial condition

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

At June 30, 2018, the Company had cash and cash equivalents totaling $4,348,000 from its continuing operations. The Company received $6,000,000 from Winthrop in cash as well as $173,000 for repayment of the intercompany balance between the Company and Winthrop on July 17, 2018 as a result of the Sale (see Note 2 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).

 

The decrease in cash and cash equivalents from continuing operations of $1,253,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2018 was the result of $1,253,000 used in operations.

  

 18 
 

 

Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

Not required.

 

Item 4.Controls and Procedures

 

The Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, with the assistance of other members of the Company’s management, have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based upon such evaluation, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report.

 

The Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have also concluded that there was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended June 30, 2018 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 19 
 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

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

 

Issuances of Equity Securities

 

On May 21, 2018, the Company issued without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), shares of Company common stock to Marshall S. Geller, and Richard C. Pfenniger Jr. directors of the Company, as a result of the final vesting of Restricted Stock Units issued to them in the first quarter of 2015. Mr. Geller and Mr. Pfenniger each received 100,000 shares of Company common stock.   These shares were issued pursuant to exemptions from registration set forth in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and Regulation D promulgated thereunder.

 

This issuance qualified for exemption from registration under the Securities Act because (i) Mr. Geller and Mr. Pfenniger are each an accredited investor, (ii) the Company did not engage in any general solicitation or advertising in connection with the issuance, and (iii) Mr. Geller and Mr. Pfenniger received restricted securities.

 

 

Purchases of Equity Securities

 

On December 15, 2006, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to 2,000,000 shares, or approximately 11%, of its outstanding shares of common stock from time to time either in open market or privately negotiated transactions. On August 13, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an increase of 2,000,000 common shares to be repurchased, and on March 29, 2011 the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an increase of an additional 1,000,000 shares to be repurchased. At June 30, 2018, the Company had repurchased 2,041,971 shares of its common stock and, a total of 2,958,029 shares remain available for repurchase.   The Company has not repurchased any shares of its common stock during the quarter ended June 30, 2018.

  

 20 
 

 

Item 6.  Exhibits.

 

     
Exhibit No.    Description
 2.1    Stock Purchase Agreement dated April 11,2018 by and among Khandwala Capital Management, Inc. Amit S. Khandwala and Wright Investors’ Service Holdings, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.1 of the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated April 11, 2018)
     
31.1 * Certification of principal executive officer of the Company, pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)
     
31.2 * Certification of principal financial officer of the Company, pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)
     
32.1 * Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, signed by the principal executive officer of the Company and the principal financial officer of the Company
     
101.INS ** XBRL Instance Document
     
101.SCH ** XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
     
101.CAL ** XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
     
101.DEF ** XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
     
101.LAB ** XBRL Extension Labels Linkbase Document
     
101.PRE ** XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

___________________________

 

 *Filed herewith

 

**Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Section 18 of the Securities Act of 1934 and otherwise are not subject to liability.

 

 21 
 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

    WRIGHT INVESTORS’ SERVICE HOLDINGS, INC.
     
     
Date: August 9, 2018   /s/ HARVEY P. EISEN
    Name: Harvey P. Eisen
    Title: Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
     
     
     
Date: August 9, 2018   /s/ IRA J. SOBOTKO
    Name: Ira J. Sobotko
    Title: Vice President, Chief Financial Officer

 

 

22