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ISSUER DIRECT CORP - Quarter Report: 2015 March (Form 10-Q)

isdr_10q.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

———————
FORM 10-Q
———————

þ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended: March 31, 2015
or

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from: _____________ to _____________


ISSUER DIRECT CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
———————

Delaware
1-10185
26-1331503
(State or Other Jurisdiction
(Commission
(I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation)
File Number)
Identification No.)
 
500 Perimeter Park Drive, Suite D, Morrisville NC 27560
(Address of Principal Executive Office) (Zip Code)
 
(919) 481-4000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
N/A
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
———————

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.

Large accelerated filer
¨
 
Accelerated filer
¨
 
Non-accelerated filer
¨
 
Smaller reporting company
þ
 

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date
2,323,243 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding as of May 7, 2015.
 


 
 
 
 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
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1

 
 
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
ISSUER DIRECT CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
   
(unaudited)
       
ASSETS
           
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 2,775,258     $ 1,721,343  
Accounts receivable, (net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $518,223 and $460,564, respectively)
    1,638,172       2,013,464  
Deferred income tax asset – current
    91,118       7,290  
Other current assets
    380,314       311,666  
Total current assets
    4,884,862       4,053,763  
Furniture, equipment and improvements, net
    145,431       145,384  
Goodwill
    2,241,872       2,241,872  
Intangible assets (net of accumulated amortization of $1,763,100 and $1,517,366, respectively)
    3,487,900       3,733,634  
Other noncurrent assets
    27,997       28,286  
Total assets
  $ 10,788,062     $ 10,202,939  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 383,980     $ 255,615  
Accrued expenses
    1,193,973       1,105,122  
Income Tax Payable
    133,023       135,533  
Note payable – related party (net of debt discount of $327,062 and $535,397, respectively)
    1,339,611       1,131,276  
Deferred revenue
    795,012       877,120  
Total current liabilities
    3,845,599       3,504,666  
Deferred tax liability
    508,330       633,778  
Other long term liabilities
    49,585       56,733  
Total liabilities
    4,403,514       4,195,177  
                 
Stockholders' equity:
               
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 30,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.
    -       -  
Common stock $0.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized,
               
2,318,243 and 2,316,743 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.
    2,318       2,317  
Additional paid-in capital
    5,857,312       5,725,470  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (39,005 )     (47,283 )
Retained earnings
    563,923       327,258  
Total stockholders' equity
    6,384,548       6,007,762  
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 10,788,062     $ 10,202,939  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.
 
 
2

 
 
ISSUER DIRECT CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
 
   
For the Three Months Ended
 
   
March 31,
   
March 31,
 
 
2015
   
2014
 
             
Revenues
  $ 3,043,782     $ 3,494,356  
Cost of services
    912,877       1,027,591  
Gross profit
    2,130,905       2,466,765  
Operating costs and expenses:
               
General and administrative
    879,782       1,286,253  
Sales and marketing expenses
    566,056       445,612  
Product development
    98,632       77,911  
Depreciation and amortization
    268,341       281,866  
Total operating costs and expenses
    1,812,811       2,091,642  
Operating income
    318,094       375,123  
Net interest expense
    (244,850 )     (362,055 )
Net income before income taxes
    73,244       13,068  
Income tax benefit (expense)
    163,421       (50,010 )
Net income (loss)
  $ 236,665     $ (36,942 )
Income (loss) per share – basic
  $ 0.10     $ (0.02 )
Income (loss) per share – fully diluted
  $ 0.10     $ (0.02 )
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – basic
    2,317,110       2,016,240  
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding – fully diluted
    2,360,540       2,016,240  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.
 
 
3

 
 
ISSUER DIRECT CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(UNAUDITED)
      For the Three Months Ended  
   
March 31,
   
March 31,
 
 
2015
   
2014
 
Net income (loss)
  $ 236,665     $ (36,942 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment
    8,278       (6,534 )
Comprehensive income (loss)
  $ 244,943     $ (43,476 )

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.

 
4

 
 
ISSUER DIRECT CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
 
   
Three months ended
 March 31,
 
   
2015
   
2014
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
 Net income (loss)
  $ 236,665     $ (36,942 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
               
provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    268,341       281,866  
Bad debt expense
    76,937       104,980  
Deferred income taxes
    (209,777 )     (165 )
Stock-based expense
    131,844       191,201  
Non-cash interest expense
    208,335       312,500  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable
    292,362       (326,813 )
Decrease (increase) in deposits and prepaid assets
    (68,747 )     (279,751 )
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable
    130,102       26,656  
Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses
    87,081       (169,070 )
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue
    (74,111 )     (82,831 )
Net cash provided by operating activities
    1,079,032       21,631  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchase of property and equipment
    (22,344 )     (8,134 )
Net cash used in investing activities
    (22,344 )     (8,134 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    -       97,816  
Net cash provided by financing activities
    -       97,816  
                 
Net change in cash
    1,056,688       111,313  
Cash – beginning
    1,721,343       1,713,479  
Currency translation adjustment
    (2,773 )     (3,808 )
Cash – ending
  $ 2,775,258     $ 1,820,984  
                 
Supplemental disclosure for non-cash investing and financing activities:
               
Cash paid for interest
  $ 19,906     $ 50,000  
Cash paid for income taxes
  $ 34,500     $ 331,000  
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited financial statements.
 
 
5

 
 
ISSUER DIRECT CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)
 
Note 1.
Accounting Policies
 
Basis of Presentation
 
The unaudited interim consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2015 and statements of operations, of comprehensive income (loss), and of cash flows for the three month period ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 included herein, have been prepared in accordance with the instructions for Form 10-Q under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Article 10 of Regulation S-X under the Exchange Act. In the opinion of management, they include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements. Results of operations reported for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations relating to interim financial statements. The interim financial information should be read in conjunction with 2014 audited financial statements of Issuer Direct Corporation (the “Company”, “We”, or “Our”) filed on Form 10-K.
 
Note 2.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries.  Significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
 
Earnings (loss) per Share (EPS)
 
We calculate EPS in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) ASC No. 260 – EPS, which requires that basic net income per common share be computed by dividing net income for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing the net income for the period by the weighted average number of common and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during the period.  Shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options totaling 258,171 and 26,000 restricted stock units were included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share during the three month period ended March 31, 2015 to the extent they represented dilutive common stock equivalents.  Shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options totaling 282,486 were excluded in the computation of diluted earnings per common share during the three month period ended March 31, 2014 because their impact was anti-dilutive.  The Company has a convertible note outstanding as of March 31, 2015 that can be converted into 417,712 shares of common stock, which were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS, as the impact is anti-dilutive.

Reclassifications

The Company has reclassified certain amounts as previously reported as general and administrative expenses to product development expenses, in order to conform with current year presentation.  This reclassification has no impact on revenue, net income, assets, liabilities, shareholders’ equity, or earnings per share.   In particular, the Company is now presenting product development cost as a separate line on the consolidated statement of operations, whereas they were previously included in general and administrative expenses.

Revenue Recognition
 
We recognize revenue in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, “Revenue Recognition,” which requires that: (i) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (ii) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, (iii) the sales price is fixed or determinable, and (iv) collectability is reasonably assured. We recognize revenue when services are rendered or delivered, and where collectability is probable. Deferred revenue primarily consists of upfront payments for annual service contracts, and is recognized throughout the year as the services are performed.
 
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
 
We provide an allowance for doubtful accounts, which is based upon a review of outstanding receivables as well as historical collection information. Credit is granted on an unsecured basis. In determining the amount of the allowance, management is required to make certain estimates and assumptions. The allowance is made up of specific reserves, as deemed necessary, on client account balances, and a reserve based on our historical experience.  
 
Use of Estimates
 
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Significant estimates include the allowance for doubtful accounts and the valuation of goodwill and intangible assets, deferred tax assets, and stock based compensation.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
 
6

 
 
Income Taxes
 
We comply with FASB ASC No. 740 – Income Taxes which requires an asset and liability approach to financial accounting and reporting for income taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed for differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in future taxable or deductible amounts based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred income tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized.  For any uncertain tax positions, we recognize the impact of a tax position, only if it is more likely than not of being sustained upon examination, based on the technical merits of the position. Our policy regarding the classification of interest and penalties is to classify them as income tax expense in our financial statements, if applicable.  At the end of each interim period, we estimate the effective tax rate we expect to be applicable for the full fiscal year and this rate is applied to our results for the interim year-to-date period, and then adjusted for any discrete period items.

Fair Value Measurements
 
As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we do not have any financial assets or liabilities that are required to be, or that we elected to measure, at fair value.  We believe that the fair value of our financial instruments, which consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, our line of credit, notes payable, and accounts payable approximate their carrying amounts.

Translation of Foreign Financial Statements

The financial statements of the foreign subsidiaries of the Company have been translated into U.S. dollars.  All assets and liabilities have been translated at current rates of exchange in effect at the end of the fiscal period.  Income and expense items have been translated at the average exchange rates for the period.  The gains or losses that result from this process are recorded as a separate component of stockholder's equity until the entity is sold or substantially liquidated.

Goodwill

Goodwill results from business acquisitions and represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of acquired tangible assets and liabilities and identifiable intangible assets.  Goodwill is assessed at least annually for impairment, and any such impairment will be recognized in the period identified.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss) related to changes in the cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment.

Business Combinations and Intangible Assets

We account for our business combinations in accordance with the authoritative guidance for business combinations, and the related acquired intangible assets and goodwill in accordance with the authoritative guidance for intangibles — goodwill and other. The authoritative guidance for business combinations specifies the accounting for business combinations and the criteria for recognizing and reporting intangible assets apart from goodwill. We record the assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations at their respective fair values at the date of acquisition, with any excess purchase price recorded as goodwill. Intangible assets consist of client relationships, customer lists, software, technology and trademarks that are initially measured at fair value.  The trademarks have an indefinite life and are not amortized. The trademarks are assessed annually for impairment, or whenever conditions indicate the asset may be impaired, and any such impairment will be recognized in the period identified. The client relationships, customer lists, software and technology are amortized over their estimated useful lives.

Advertising

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred, except for direct-response advertising, which is capitalized and amortized over its expected period of future benefits.

 
7

 
 
Stock-based compensation

We account for stock-based compensation under FASB ASC No. 718 – Compensation – Stock Compensation. The authoritative guidance for stock compensation requires that companies estimate the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of the grant using an option-pricing model. The cost is to be recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award. The authoritative guidance for stock compensation also requires the benefit of tax deductions in excess of recognized compensation expense to be reported as a financing cash flow, rather than as an operating cash flow as prescribed under previous accounting rules. This requirement reduces net operating cash flows and increases net financing cash flows in periods subsequent to adoption, only if excess tax benefits exist.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements
     
The FASB has issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2015-01, Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20): Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items.  The FASB issued this ASU as part of its initiative to reduce complexity in accounting standards. The objective of the simplification initiative is to identify, evaluate, and improve areas of U.S. GAAP for which cost and complexity can be reduced while maintaining or improving the usefulness of the information provided to the users of financial statements.  The amendments in ASU 2015-01 are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015.  The Company does not anticipate that ASU 2015-01 will have a significant impact on their financial statements.

The FASB has issued ASU 2014-16, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Determining Whether the Host Contract in a Hybrid Financial Instrument Issued in the Form of a Share Is More Akin to Debt or to Equity.  The amendments in this ASU do not change the current criteria in U.S. GAAP for determining when separation of certain embedded derivative features in a hybrid financial instrument is required. The amendments clarify how current U.S. GAAP should be interpreted in evaluating the economic characteristics and risks of a host contract in a hybrid financial instrument that is issued in the form of a share. Specifically, the amendments clarify that an entity should consider all relevant terms and features, including the embedded derivative feature being evaluated for bifurcation, in evaluating the nature of the host contract. Furthermore, the amendments clarify that no single term or feature would necessarily determine the economic characteristics and risks of the host contract. Rather, the nature of the host contract depends upon the economic characteristics and risks of the entire hybrid financial instrument.  The amendments in this ASU are effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company does not anticipate that ASU 2014-16 will have a significant impact on their financial statements.
 
The FASB has issued ASU 2014-12, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Accounting for Share-Based Payments When the Terms of an Award Provide That a Performance Target Could Be Achieved after the Requisite Service Period.  The issue is the result of a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF).  The amendments in the ASU require that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. A reporting entity should apply existing guidance in Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation, as it relates to awards with performance conditions that affect vesting to account for such awards. The performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant-date fair value of the award.  Compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the period(s) for which the requisite service has already been rendered. If the performance target becomes probable of being achieved before the end of the requisite service period, the remaining unrecognized compensation cost should be recognized prospectively over the remaining requisite service period. The total amount of compensation cost recognized during and after the requisite service period should reflect the number of awards that are expected to vest and should be adjusted to reflect those awards that ultimately vest. The requisite service period ends when the employee can cease rendering service and still be eligible to vest in the award if the performance target is achieved.  The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015.  The Company will apply the provisions of ASU 2014-12 to any future performance based stock awards, but does not anticipate that the impact will have a significant impact on their financial statements.

The FASB has issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). ASU 2014-09 requires revenue recognition to depict the transfer of 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. ASU 2014-09 sets forth a new revenue recognition model that requires identifying the contract, identifying the performance obligations, determining the transaction price, allocating the transaction price to performance obligations and recognizing the revenue upon satisfaction of performance obligations. The amendments in the ASU can be applied either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the update recognized at the date of the initial application along with additional disclosures. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of ASU 2014-09, which is currently effective for the Company in our fiscal year beginning on January 1, 2018.
 
 
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Note 3:            Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Acquisition of Accesswire

On October 29, 2014, the Company completed its acquisition of all of the assets relating to the “Accesswire” business (as defined below) owned and operated by Baystreet.ca Media Corp., a British Columbia company (“Baystreet”) for consideration totaling $1,840,000. Accesswire is a corporate news and content distribution and dissemination business (“Accesswire”). In consideration of the assets related to Accesswire, the Company paid to Baystreet on the closing date the following: (i) $1,700,000 in cash from the Company’s current cash reserves and (ii) 15,385 shares of the Company’s common stock with a value of $140,000 based on the Company’s stock price at the time of closing.

During the year ended December 31, 2014, the Company employed a third party valuation firm to assist in determining the purchase price allocation of assets acquired from Accesswire. The income approach was used to determine the value of Accesswire’s trademarks and client relationships. The income approach determines the fair value for the asset based on the present value of cash flows projected to be generated by the asset. Projected cash flows are discounted at a rate of return that reflects the relative risk of achieving the cash flow and the time value of money. Projected cash flows for each asset considered multiple factors, including current revenue from existing customers; analysis of expected revenue and attrition trends; reasonable contract renewal assumptions from the perspective of a marketplace participant; expected profit margins giving consideration to marketplace synergies; and required returns to contributory assets. The cost approach was used to determine the value of Accesswire’s technology.  The cost approach is based on replacement cost as an indicator of value. It assumes that a prudent investor would pay no more for an asset than the amount for which it could be replaced new. Further, to the extent a particular asset provides less utility than a new one, its value will be less than its replacement cost new. To account for this difference, the replacement cost new is adjusted for losses in value that is, depreciated.  No liabilities or tangible assets were assumed.
 
The transaction resulted in recording intangible assets and goodwill at a fair value of $1,840,000 as follows:

Total Consideration
 
$
1,840,000
 
         
Allocation of Accesswire intangible assets and goodwill:
       
  Amortizable intangible assets
 
$
423,000
 
  Trademarks
   
232,000
 
  Goodwill
   
1,185,000
 
Total fair value of Accesswire intangible assets and goodwill
 
$
1,840,000
 
 
The identifiable amortizable intangible assets created as a result of the acquisition will be amortized straight line over their estimated useful life as follows:

   
Asset Amount
 
Useful Life (years)
Client relationships
 
$
242,000
 
7
Software
   
181,000
 
5
   
$
423,000
   

The Company has elected not to provide unaudited pro forma financial information for the Accesswire acquisition, as management determined that providing useful, accurate pro-forma information would be impracticable, and because the acquisition was not considered a significant acquisition in accordance with Rule 3-05 of the SEC's Regulation S-X.   Because the Accesswire news distribution service was just one of many services offered by Baystreet Media ca., separate financial information was not maintained, and creating separate financials statements would include too many estimates and assumptions to be portrayed as useful and accurate.
 
Note 4:            Stockholders’ Equity

2014 Equity Incentive Plan
 
On May 23, 2014, the shareholders of the Company approved the 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2014 Plan”).  Under the terms of the 2014 Plan, the Company is authorized to issue incentive awards for common stock up to 200,000 shares to employees and other personnel.  The awards may be in the form of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance awards.  The 2014 Plan is effective through March 31, 2024.  As of March 31, 2015, 40,000 awards had been issued under the 2014 Plan.
 
 
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 Note 5:           Stock Options
 
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding and exercisable at March 31, 2015:
 
      Options Outstanding    
Options Exercisable
 
Exercise Price Range
   
Number
   
Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in Years)
   
Weighted Average Exercise Price
   
Number
 
$0.01 - $1.00       19,700       6.81     $ 0.01       19,700  
$1.01 - $2.00       4,550       6.15     $ 1.70       4,550  
$2.01 - $3.00       27,171       3.65     $ 2.57       14,671  
$3.01 - $4.00       14,000       7.00     $ 3.33       14,000  
$4.01 - $8.00       98,750       6.07     $ 7.76       36,250  
$8.01 - $9.00       40,000       3.39     $ 8.25       17,500  
$9.01 - $10.00       14,000       9.74     $ 9.26       0  
$10.01 - $13.49       40,000       3.95     $ 13.49       10,000  
Total
      258,171       5.38     $ 7.32       116,671  

As of March 31, 2015, the Company had unrecognized stock compensation related to the options of $1,223,411.

Note 6:            Income taxes
 
We recognized income tax benefit of $163,421 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 and income tax expense of  $50,010 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, based on our projections of future profitability.  The variation between the Company’s estimated annual effective tax rate and the US Statutory rate of 34% is due primarily to state income taxes, non-deductible expenses related to stock compensation, foreign rate differentials, and non-cash interest.
 
During the three-month period ended March 31, 2015, the Company released a portion of its valuation allowance related to federal and state net operating losses, which resulted in a net benefit of $210,370.  The tax benefits from US net operating losses that were previously reserved were acquired from the acquisition of  PrecisionIR (PIR).  At the date of acquisition, management believed it was more likely than not that the benefits would not be used due to the uncertainty of future profitability and also due to statutory limitations on the amount of net operating losses that can be carried forward in an acquisition.  During the three-month period ended March 31, 2015, the Company performed a detailed analysis to determine its ability to utilize the tax benefits and determined that portions of the tax benefits could be used.  Therefore, the Company released portions of the reserve related to tax years through 2015 based on current best estimates of profitability.
 
Note 7:            Operations and Concentrations
 
For the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we earned revenues (as a percentage of total revenues) in the following categories:
 
   
Three months ended
 
   
March 31,
 
Revenue Streams
 
2015
   
2014
 
Disclosure management
 
23.8%
   
27.1%
 
Shareholder communications
 
67.8%
   
65.0%
 
Platform & technology
 
8.4%
   
7.9%
 
Total
 
100.0%
   
100.0%
 
 
 
10

 
 
No customers accounted for more than 10% of the operating revenues during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 or 2014.  We did not have any customers that comprised more than 10% of our total accounts receivable balances at March 31, 2015 or December 31, 2014.

We do not believe we had any financial instruments that could have potentially subjected us to significant concentrations of credit risk. A portion of our revenues are paid at the beginning of the month via credit card or in advance by check, the remaining accounts receivable amounts are generally due within 30 days.
 
Note 8:            Line of Credit
 
Effective September 2, 2014, the Company renewed its Line of Credit and increased the amount of funds available to 80% of eligible accounts receivable, as defined in the line of credit agreement, up to a maximum of $2,000,000. The interest rate was also reduced to LIBOR plus 3.0%, and therefore was 3.18% at March 31, 2015.  The Company did not owe any amounts on the Line of Credit at March 31, 2015 and had approximately $907,000 remaining for future borrowings under the Line of Credit based on the calculation of eligible accounts receivable.
 
Note 9:            Note Payable – Related Party
 
On August 22, 2013, in connection with and to partially fund the acquisition and simultaneously with the Acquisition of PIR, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement   (the “8% Note Purchase Agreement”) relating to the sale of $2,500,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 8% convertible secured promissory note (“8% Note”) with Red Oak Partners LP (“Red Oak”). The 8% Note pays interest on each of March 31, June 30, September 30 and December 31, beginning on September 30, 2013, at a rate of 8% per year. The 8% Note will mature on August 22, 2015. If an event of default occurs pursuant to the terms of the 8% Note, the interest rate immediately increases to 18%.  The 8% Note is secured by all of the assets of the Company and is subordinated to the Company’s obligations to its primary financial institution.  Furthermore, in connection with the 8% Note Purchase Agreement, a partner of Red Oak was appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors.  On November 10, 2014, Red Oak assigned the 8% Note between the Red Oak Fund, LP; Pinnacle Opportunities, LP; and the Red Oak Long Fund, LP; all of which are under management by Red Oak.

Beginning immediately upon the date of issuance, Red Oak or its assignees may convert the 8% Note into shares of the Company’s common stock at a conversion price of $3.99 per share.  The conversion price will be adjusted for certain events, such as stock dividends and stock splits.  On the date the Company entered into the 8% Note Purchase Agreement, the Company’s stock price was $8.20 per share, and therefore the Company assigned a value of $2,500,000 to the common stock conversion feature and recorded this as debt discount and additional paid-in capital.  This instrument also created a deferred tax liability of $1,000,000 that reduced the value recorded as additional paid in capital, and therefore the net amount recorded to stockholders' equity was $1,500,000.  The debt discount of $2,500,000 will be amortized over the two-year life of the loan as non-cash interest expense, unless the note is converted early, in which case the debt discount will be accelerated.  
 
On November 12, 2014, Red Oak converted $833,327 of principal and $23,369 of accrued interest payable on the 8% Note into 214,710 shares of the Company’s common stock at the conversion price of $3.99.  Following this transaction, the principal balance of the note was $1,666,673.  As a result of this transaction, the company recorded $323,250 of non-cash interest expense due to the acceleration of debt discount on the portion of the 8% Note that was converted.

During the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded non-cash interest expense of $208,335 and $312,500, respectively.  During the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the Company recorded cash interest expense of $33,333 and $50,000, respectively.
 
Note 10:          Geographical Information
     
We consider ourselves to be in a single reportable segment under the authoritative guidance for segment reporting, specifically a disclosure management and targeted communications company for publicly traded companies.    Revenue is attributed to a particular geographic region based on where the services are performed. The following tables set forth revenues by domestic versus international regions:
 
      Three months ended  
      March 31,  
   
2015
   
2014
 
Geographic region
           
North America
  $ 2,473,314     $ 2,745,206  
Europe
    570,468       749,150  
Total revenues
  $ 3,043,782     $ 3,494,356  
 
 
11

 
 
ITEM 2.           MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
 
The discussion of the financial condition and results of operations of the Company set forth below should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The statements contained in this Form 10-Q that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27a of the Securities Act and Section 21e of the Exchange Act. When used in this Form 10-Q, or in the documents incorporated by reference into this Form 10-Q, the words “anticipate,”“believe,”“estimate,”“intend” and “expect” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, the statements regarding the Company’s strategy, future sales, future expenses, future liquidity and capital resources. All forward-looking statements in this Form 10-Q are based upon information available to the Company on the date of this Form 10-Q, and the Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. The Company’s actual results could differ materially from those discussed in this Form 10-Q. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences (“Cautionary Statements”) include, but are not limited to, those discussed in Item 1. Business — “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, which are incorporated by reference herein and in this report. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to the Company, or persons acting on the Company’s behalf, are expressly qualified in their entirety by the Cautionary Statements.
 
Overview
 
Issuer Direct Corporation (Issuer Direct Corporation and its business are hereinafter collectively referred to as “Issuer Direct”, the “Company”, “We” or “Our” unless otherwise noted).

Issuer Direct is a market leader and innovator of Disclosure Management Systems and Cloud–based Compliance Technologies. The Company’s core technology platform – the Disclosure Management System (DMS) – is a secure cloud based workflow compliance and communications system for corporate issuers, funds, and compliance professionals.
 
We work with a diverse client base in the financial services industry, including brokerage firms, banks, mutual funds.  We also sell products and services to corporate issuers, shareholders, investor relations officers, and professional firms such as investor relations, public relations, as well as to accountants and the legal community. Corporate issuers utilize our cloud-based core platform  and related services for document creation all the way to dissemination to regulatory bodies, platforms and interested shareholders.
 
The Company strives to be a market leader and innovator of disclosure management solutions, shareholder communications tools and cloud–based compliance technologies. With a focus on corporate issuers and mutual funds, the Company alleviates the complexity of maintaining compliance with its integrated portfolio of products and services that enhance companies' ability to efficiently produce and distribute their financial and business communications both online and in print.
 
 We report our  product and services revenues in three revenue streams:

-  
Disclosure management,
-  
Shareholder communications and,
-  
Platforms and technology, formally software licensing.

We announce material financial information to our investors using our investor relations website, SEC filings, investor events, news and earnings releases, public conference calls and webcasts. We use these channels as well as social media to communicate with our investors and the public about our company, our products and services, and other issues. It is possible that the information we post on social media could be deemed to be material information. Therefore, we encourage investors, the media, and others interested in our company to review the information we post on the social media channels listed below.  This list may be updated from time to time on our investor relations website:

www.issuerdirect.com/shareholder-services
www.facebook.com/issuerdirectcorporation
www.twitter.com/issuerdirect
www.linkedin.com/company/issuer-direct-corporation
www.issuerdirect.com/blog/

The contents of the above websites are not intended to be incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-Q or in any other report or document we file, and any reference to these websites are intended to be inactive textual references only.

 
12

 

Disclosure management
 
Our core disclosure business consists of our traditional Edgarization, document management, typesetting and pre-press design services, XBRL tagging services, and the issuance of securities as it relates to our stock transfer business. These services represent our disclosure offerings that are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

We market our financial reporting solutions primarily to public companies and mutual funds that seek a workflow automation platform to prepare various regulatory filings. We developed our financial reporting engine to give customers complete control over the typical CRUD workflow process (Create, Retrieve, Update, Delete). The reporting process with EDGAR (Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval) and SEDAR (System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval) can be complex and does require a trusted, secure platform to execute timely and accurately. With our platform, our customers can create, manage, self-file, and request specialist assistance on any form type, including Sections 16, SC-13’s, correspondence, annual reports and quarterly reports in SEC EDGAR format.

A portion of our disclosure business also comes from strategic relationships, where we manage the back office functions for our partner’s clients. Since we do not have the relationship with the end client, it is difficult to predict the growth from this business. We have seen some partner client attrition in the smaller cap space, due to significant pricing pressure. We expect that our reseller business will evolve beyond the core disclosure product offerings into our communications segment.


Shareholder communications
 
Our shareholder communications business includes our press release distribution, investor outreach and engagement platform, webcast teleconference services, Whistleblower, investor hotline and our legacy proxy and printing services. Many of these services are marketed and bundled under multi-year agreements. Like our disclosure business, our communications offerings help make up our proprietary cloud-based platform. This platform has become a significant competitive advantage when competing in the corporate issuer marketplace.
 
Press Release Distribution

Our press release platform, Accesswire, is a cost-effective FD (Fair Disclosure) news dissemination service. We recently acquired the business on October 29, 2014, as discussed herein under Business Acquisition & Recent Developments.

The Accesswire business focuses on press release distribution for both private and publically held companies. We anticipate we will see an increase in revenues from our shareholder communications business as a result of this acquisition. We will continue to brand our press release offerings under the name Accesswire, which we believe will solidify our market position in the newswire business. 

Investor Outreach and Engagement

Our Investor Outreach and Engagement offering was formally known as the Annual Report Service (ARS) from PrecisionIR. The ARS business has existed for 23 years primarily as a physical hard copy delivery of annual report and prospectuses globally for tens of thousands of customers. As part of our integration with PrecisionIR during 2014, we updated these legacy systems and integrated them into our disclosure management platform. We intend to continue to operate a portion of this legacy system as well as migrate the install base over to our new outreach and engagement offering, which is digital delivery and not physical hard copy. This will be marketed as the Investor Network beginning in the second quarter of 2015. Corporate information such as annual reports, quarterly reports, fact sheets, tear sheets and investor presentations are being consumed much differently than they were 5 years ago. Over 60% percent of the consumers and investors read information on their mobile phones or tablets first, before their notebook or desktop computers as reported by Pew Research Center. The Investor Network platform and its set of mobile apps address this global shift.

The Investor Network is a cloud-based platform – clients will be able to reach new audiences from Chartered Financial Analysts, Registered Investment Advisors, brokers, banks and family offices to currently available retail and institutional investors. From our cloud-based analytical platform, issuers and funds will be able to search, engage and analyze these audiences from any connection in the world. We believe this shareholder engagement and surveillance landscape is being under served in the under one billion dollar market cap space globally.
 
 
13

 
 
Webcasting – Teleconference

There are over 4,000 companies in North America conducting earnings events that include teleconference, webcast or both as part of their events. Our platform incorporates each element of the earnings event: earnings announcement, earnings press release, EDGAR Form 8-K filing and the webcast/teleconference. There are a handful of our competitors that can offer this today, however, none of them can attract an audience like our platform. Specifically, we believe our proprietary “Investor Calendar” product offering, same day transcription and auto-posting to an investor relations platform for compliance do not exist in one solution elsewhere in the market. Additionally, all webcasts and teleconferences are broadcast live on our Investor Network properties, which allow companies to reach a broader audience. This is a significant competitive advantage for us and has proven to be effective.  As of the end of 2014, we manage the calls for almost 7% of the market.

At the end of fourth quarter 2014, we expanded our webcast teleconference offering to service the European market of United Kingdom, Sweden, and Germany. This aligns with the client base we are currently serving in Europe.

Whistleblower

Our whistleblower offering is an approved NYSE partnered product. Over the last 12 months, the majority of the recent IPOs listed on NYSE are currently utilizing this exchange subsidized offering. We are focused on converting this initial subsidized Whistleblower service into a recurring revenue stream with these clients.  We are also focused on integrating this cloud based platform into our current exchange listed install base; this initiative should be completed during fiscal 2015. As one of the only global offerings to comply with both the US Sarbanes-Oxley and Public Interest Disclosure Act in the United Kingdom, this reporting and real-time complaint platform delivers a trusted and secure incident management system.

Investor Hotline

One of the oldest and most trusted platforms in the financial services industry is our Investor Hotline platform, used by more fortune 500 companies than any other product or service we have. Our clients license our platform to integrate into their corporate investor relations’ platform and or utilize our call center product by including their unique toll-free number into their proxy and annual meeting services.

Proxy – Printing

Our proxy business is marketed under the brand iProxy Direct, which is a fully integrated, real-time voting platform for our corporate issuers and their shareholders of record. This Platform is utilized for every annual meeting and or special meeting we manage for our client base. The iProxy Direct system offers both full-set mailing and notice of internet availability options, which in some instances drive additional revenues for our print and print-on-demand businesses.

Platform & Technology (previously called Software Licensing)
 
Revenues from these product offerings are generally tied to our core businesses of disclosure management and shareholder communications. Our integrated software platform is licensed by our customers and used to enable efficient, centralized management of the services outlined above. Specifically, when corporate issuers conduct an annual general meeting, purchase or upgrade their investor relations system, or conduct earnings calls during annual or quarterly periods, we generally license our technology platforms for each of these services. Although revenues from this business have been relatively small historically, we expect them to grow significantly over the next fiscal year as we begin to productize some of our shareholder communications and disclosure management system offerings.  We believe that the productizing of such offerings will increase our revenue in this area because the industry we serve has tended to manage the individual events of a company’s disclosure and communications process in parallel.  Historically, companies have used five or six different vendors to manage their earnings events for the various elements including EDGAR, press releases, IR platform updates, webcasting, etc. Our platform streamlines this process. The old process is costly and more importantly is very inefficient compared with our centralized integrated process.   Our customers’ license our cloud based platform  and can manage all of the above mentioned tasks with a single interface..

Our market data cloud business has also been embedded into our mobile initiatives, whereby we are producing mobile apps for our clients utilizing our market data cloud technologies. By having our own market data cloud system for our investor relations systems, our products have been able to outperform our expectations in the market compared to our competitors.

We continue to believe there is a significant demand for better quality datasets. During 2014, we continued to build these datasets to include professionals and target audiences for our clients to reach. We will license this platform to our clients as part of their outreach initiatives. These datasets include Chartered Financial Analysts, Registered Investment Advisors, family offices and Banks and Brokers. Additionally, we have also integrated as part of our press release distribution upgrade a full dataset of local, regional publishers, editors and media professionals throughout North America. We believe the development of these datasets is vital to growing our press release business.

 
14

 
 
On April 16, 2015, we entered into an asset purchase agreement to acquire a cloud-based reporting platform from Xselus LLC. The technology acquired is designed around document management, conversion and dissemination to regulatory agencies. We intend to continue develop and incorporate it into our existing Disclosure Management System (DMS), which will enable us to offer an issuer controlled reporting platform in either our disclosure platform or in a private cloud environment. The Company intends to begin marketing its reporting platform during the third quarter of this fiscal year.

During 2015, we will continue to explore how we can further license portions of our dataset business and application programming interfaces (API’s) to other providers and disseminators that are seeking unique content and or a competitive replacement in the market. We are committed to continuing to expand revenue from this business.

Our Technology Platform - Disclosure Management System (DMS)
 
Our DMS is a secure cloud-based business process reporting and automation solution that gives users the ability to disclose, manage, and communicate their respective messages from our enterprise cloud based platform. Our unique disclosure process aims to create efficiencies not previously possible in areas of normal regulatory business functions of the public markets, where we can clearly improve processes, streamline complexities, while reducing expenditures, generally associated with reporting and disclosure.
 
Our DMS is the only secure workflow technology available today that allows officers, directors, compliance and investor/public relations’ professionals the ability to manage the entire back-office functions of their respective companies from one interface.

The industry as a whole has chosen to focus their solutions and platforms on one single business process or in some cases are dependent on a complex ERP or accounting system integration, in hopes of providing a clear ROI over a long-term period. Unfortunately this approach requires companies to invest deeply in enterprise wide systems, for the promise of efficiencies and cost savings. Our approach has been to focus on a collection of business processes that typically overlap service organizations that have either been cumbersome, costly or broken; then, integrate, streamline and improve the flow of information in a more transparent and accurate manner, putting the control back in the hands of our clients, the corporate issuer. The result is better controls, improved processes, efficient disclosure, increased communication and access to analytics.

Today, the platform that makes up our disclosure management system is used by thousands of officers, directors and compliance and communication professionals. The systems include the following:

● Regulatory compliance (Edgar & XBRL)
● Real-time Financial Reviewers Guide
● Investor Relation Content Management (CMS - content management system)
● Webcasting teleconference
● News / earnings distribution
● Shareholder Outreach
● Investor Network
● Annual meeting planning and real-time proxy voting system
● Stock issuances, and shareholder reporting
● Whistleblower compliance
● Print on demand & digital document library

Our Brands & Subsidiaries

● Issuer Direct
● Investor Network
● Accesswire
● PrecisionIR Group, Inc., and its subsidiaries
● Direct Transfer (Wholly owned subsidiary – Direct Transfer, LLC.)
● QX Interactive (Wholly owned subsidiary – QX Interactive, LLC.)
● Issuer Services
● iProxy Direct
● iR Direct
● Annual Report Service (ARS)
● Company Spotlight
● XBRL Check
 
 
15

 
 
Results of Operations

Comparison of results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014:
 
   
Three months ended
 
   
March 31,
 
Revenue Streams
 
2015
   
2014
 
Disclosure management
           
Revenue
  $ 723,200     $ 947,884  
Gross Margin
  $ 506,689     $ 679,689  
Gross margin %
    70 %     72 %
                 
Shareholder communications
               
Revenue
    2,064,200       2,269,861  
Gross Margin
    1,413,033       1,599,729  
Gross margin %
    68 %     70 %
                 
Platform & technology
               
Revenue
    256,382       276,611  
Gross Margin
    211,183       187,347  
Gross margin %
    82 %     68 %
                 
Total
               
Revenue
  $ 3,043,782     $ 3,494,356  
Gross Margin
  $ 2,130,905     $ 2,466,765  
Gross margin %
    70 %     71 %
 
Revenues
 
Total revenue decreased by $450,574, or 13%, to $3,043,782 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2015, as compared to $3,494,356 during the same period of fiscal 2014. The overall decrease in revenue is attributable to all three revenue streams.
 
Disclosure management services decreased $224,684, or 24%, during the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 as compared to the same period of fiscal 2014.  Approximately $96,000 of the decrease was due to a decrease in revenue from our Edgar business, as we had more business from resellers and special projects, such as restatements, in the first quarter of 2014 as compared to 2015.  The transfer agent business decreased approximately $86,000 as compared to the first quarter of 2014, as we had a greater numbers of corporate directives, and corporate actions in the first quarter of 2014 as compared to the first quarter of 2015.  The timing of these corporate directives and actions are difficult to predict as they are controlled by our clients and the conditions of the market, and therefore fluctuate from quarter to quarter. The remainder of the difference is due to continued pricing pressure for our XBRL services as this market becomes more mature.
 
Shareholder communication revenue decreased $205,661, or 9% during the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 as compared to the same period of fiscal 2014. The decrease in shareholder communication revenue is due to a decline in revenue associated with our ARS service offerings as issuers shift from hardcopy fulfillment of annual reports to digital fulfillment or elect not to continue with the service. As we re-brand the existing ARS as Investor Network and integrate it with our DMS platform, those revenues associated with digital fulfillment that were historically reported as Shareholder Communications revenue associated with ARS will be recorded in platform & technology revenue.  We expect this to begin in the second quarter of 2015 as we begin to renew contracts and migrate customers to Investor Network.  The decrease in shareholder communication revenue is also attributable to less proxy printing and distribution as compared to the same fiscal period in 2014 as a result of the delay in timing of projects to the second quarter of 2015.  These decreases were partially offset by an increase in revenue related to our press release business, which increased $259,160, over the same period in fiscal 2014, due to the acquisition of Accesswire.

 
16

 
 
Platform & technology revenues decreased by $20,229, or 7% during the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 as compared to the same period of fiscal 2014.  The decrease is primarily in the licensing of our iProxy Direct product, which is dependent on the timing of corporate directives which fluctuate from quarter to quarter.  
 
No customers accounted for more than 10% of the operating revenues during the three-month periods ended March 31, 2015 or 2014.
 
Revenue Backlog

At March 31, 2015, we have recorded deferred revenue of $795,012 that we expect to recognize over the next twelve months.  Deferred revenue primarily consists of advanced billings for annual ARS contracts.
 
Cost of Revenues and Gross Margin
 
Cost of revenues consists primarily of direct labor costs, third party licensing, warehousing, logistics, print production materials, postage, and outside services directly related to the delivery of services to our customers.  Cost of revenues decreased by $114,714, or 11% during the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 as compared to the same period of fiscal 2014. Overall gross margin was consistent at 70%, or $2,130,905, in the three-month period ended March 31, 2015, as compared to 71%, or $2,466,765 in the same period of fiscal 2014.

We achieved margins of 70% from our disclosure management services during the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 as compared to 72% in the same period of fiscal 2014.  As previously discussed, we continued to experience pricing pressure for our XBRL services and had less special projects and corporate directives which caused a slight decline in gross margin percentage.  However, we anticipate that margins from our disclosure management services will remain above 70% in the future.  

Gross margins from our shareholder communications services decreased to 68% in the three-month period ended March 31, 2015, as compared to 70% in the same period of fiscal 2014.  The decrease in gross margin percentage during the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same quarter in fiscal 2014 is due to fixed costs associated with our channel partners on lower revenue generated from our ARS service offerings.  Several of our existing contracts with channel partners were re-negotiated during the first quarter of 2015, as such, we expect margins to remain at or above 70% in the future.

Gross margins from platform & technology were 82% in the three-month period ended March 31, 2015, as compared to 68% in the same period of fiscal 2014. The increase in gross margin percentage during the first quarter of 2015 compared to the first quarter of 2014 is due to efficiencies gained in our costs of delivery.

Operating Expenses
 
General and Administrative Expense
 
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries, stock based compensation, insurance, fees for professional services, general corporate expenses and facility and equipment expenses.  General and administrative expenses decreased $406,471, or 32%, during the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 as compared to the same period of fiscal 2014.

The decrease in the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 as compared to the same period of fiscal 2014 was largely due to a decrease in personnel cost of $247,190 due to the integration of many of the general and administrative functions of PrecisionIR (PIR) with Issuer Direct. Additionally, there was a decrease of $63,226 in professional services, due to higher accounting and tax services in the first quarter of 2014 related to the PIR acquisition and consulting fees to implement a new accounting system.

As a percentage of revenue, General and Administrative expenses were 29% for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015, down from 37% for the same period of 2014.
 
Sales and Marketing Expenses
 
Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of salaries, stock based compensation, sales commissions, sales consultants, advertising expenses, and marketing expenses. Sales and marketing expenses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 increased by $120,444 as compared to the same period of fiscal 2014.  This increase is due to an increase in personnel costs of $54,641 due to the hiring of new sales associates and an increase in spend for direct mail and advertising of $39,775, primarily due to the timing of the mailings.
 
As a percentage of revenue, sales and marketing expense increased to 19% during the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 compared to 13% during the same period of fiscal year 2014.

 
17

 
 
Product Development
 
Product Development expenses consist primarily of salaries, stock based compensation, bonuses and licenses to develop new products and technology to complement and/or enhance our DMS platform.  Product development costs increased $20,721 to $98,632 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2015. This increase is primarily due to an increase in stock compensation and bonuses during the quarter ended March 31, 2015 compared to the same period of fiscal 2014.
 
Depreciation and Amortization
 
Depreciation and amortization expenses during the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 decreased by $13,525 as compared to the same period of fiscal 2014. The decrease is due to a decrease in depreciation expense, primarily associated with computer equipment acquired with the PIR acquisition offset by an increase in amortization expense associated with the Accesswire acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2014.
 

Interest Income and Expense, Net
 
Net interest expense during the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 decreased to $244,850 from $362,055 in the same period of fiscal 2014.  During the three-month period ended March 31, 2015, the Company recorded non-cash interest expense of $208,335 and cash interest expense of $33,333 related to the 8% Note (see Note 9 of the Consolidated Financial Statements).  During the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, the Company recorded non-cash interest expense of $312,500 and cash interest expense of $50,000 related to the 8% Note.  The decrease is due to the conversion of $833,327 of principal and $23,369 of accrued interest payable on the 8% Note into 214,710 shares of the Company’s common stock at the conversion price of $3.99 on November 12, 2014.
 
Income tax benefit (expense)
 
We recorded income tax benefit of $163,421 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 compared to expense of $50,010 during the three-month period ended March 31, 2014, based on our effective tax rate on the pre-tax profits for the periods.  The variation between the Company’s estimated annual effective tax rate and the US Statutory rate of 34% is due primarily to state income taxes, non-deductible expenses related to stock compensation, foreign rate differentials, and non-cash interest.  During the three-month period ended March 31, 2015, the Company released a portion of its valuation allowance related to U.S.federal and state net operating losses, which resulted in a net benefit of $210,370.  The tax benefits from net operating losses that were previously reserved were acquired from the acquisition of PIR.  At the date of acquisition, management believed it was more likely than not that the benefits would not be used due to the uncertainty of future profitability and also due to statutory limitations on the amount of net operating losses that can be carried forward in an acquisition.  During the three-month period ended March 31, 2015, the Company performed a detailed analysis to determine its ability to utilize the tax benefits and determined that portions of the tax benefits could be used.  Therefore, the Company released portions of the reserve related to tax years through 2015 based on current best estimates of profitability.
 
Net Income (Loss)
 
Net income for the three-month period ended March 31, 2015 was $236,665 compared to a net loss for the three-month period ended March 31, 2014 of $36,942.
 
Although revenues were lower with sustained gross margins in the first three-months of 2015 as compared to the same period of 2014 as previously discussed, net income increased due to lower operating expense, the income tax benefit due to the release of valuation allowance on certain net operating losses and lower interest expense as a result of the conversion of the 8% Note as discussed above.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
As of March 31, 2015, we had $2,775,258 in cash and cash equivalents and $1,638,172 in net accounts receivable. Current liabilities at March 31, 2015, totaled $3,845,599 including our accounts payable, deferred revenue, accrued payroll liabilities, accrued postage, income taxes payable, other accrued expenses and our note payable. At March 31, 2015, our current assets exceeded our current liabilities by $1,039,263.  
 
On August 22, 2013, in connection with and to partially fund the acquisition and simultaneously with the acquisition of PIR, we entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “8% Note Purchase Agreement”) relating to the sale of $2,500,000 aggregate principal amount of our 8% convertible secured promissory note (“8% Note”) with Red Oak Partners LP (“Red Oak”). The 8% Note began paying quarterly interest payments on September 30, 2013. The 8% Note will mature on August 22, 2015. If an event of default occurs pursuant to the terms of the 8% Note, the interest rate immediately increases to 18%. The 8% Note is secured by all of our assets and is subordinated to our obligations to its primary financial institution. Beginning immediately upon the date of issuance, Red Oak or its assigns may convert the 8% Note into shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $3.99 per share. The conversion price will be adjusted for certain events, such as stock dividends and stock splits.  On November 12, 2014, Red Oak converted $833,327 of principal and $23,369 of accrued interest payable on the 8% Note into 214,710 shares of our common stock at the conversion price of $3.99. As of March 31, 2015, the outstanding principal balance was $1,666,673, which may be converted into 417,712 additional shares of common stock. If the current balance of the note of $1,666.673 matures on August 22, 2015 and is not converted to equity, we believe we will have the liquidity from our cash on hand and our available line of credit to pay off the remaining balance in accordance with its terms.
 
 
18

 
 
Effective September 2, 2014, the Company renewed its Line of Credit and increased the amount of funds available to 80% of eligible accounts receivable, as defined in the line of credit agreement, up to a maximum of $2,000,000.  The Company did not owe any amounts on the Line of Credit at March 31, 2015 and had approximately $907,000 remaining for future borrowings under the line of credit based on the calculation of eligible accounts receivable.
 
We manage our cash flow carefully with the intent to meet our obligations from cash generated from operations. However, it is possible that we will have to raise additional funds through the issuance of equity in order to meet our debt obligations. There can be no assurance that cash generated from operations will be sufficient to fund our operating expenses, to allow us to pay dividends, or meet our other obligations, and there is no assurance that debt or equity financing will be available, or if available, that such financing will be upon terms acceptable to us.

2015 Outlook
 
The following statements and certain statements made elsewhere in this document are based upon current expectations. These statements are forward looking and are subject to factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested here, including, without limitation, demand for and acceptance of our services, new developments, competition and general economic or market conditions, particularly in the domestic and international capital markets. Refer also to the Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward Looking Statements included in this report.
 
We will continue to focus on increasing our client base over our prior quarters. Further, we expect that over the next several quarters we will generate additional revenues from the acquisition of Accesswire and from our increased internal sales efforts. We also expect to continue to control cost as we did in fiscal 2014 and the first quarter of 2015, and expect to continue our history of achieving positive cash flows from operations.

We have spent and will continue to spend a considerable amount of time focused on our product sets, platforms and intellectual property development through 2015. These developments are key to our overall offerings in the market and necessary to keep our competitive advantages and sustain the next round of growth that management believes it can achieve. By being successful in this development effort, we can achieve increases in revenues per user as we move throughout fiscal 2015.

This strategy is the same as it has been over the past several years. We have always strived to maintain a competitive advantage by integrating, refining and delivering solutions to the corporate issuer marketplace in an offering no other provider could match. The market has begun to catch up and or has met our levels of being disruptive. Therefore the next phase of our strategy is extremely important to bring to market as successfully as we have done in the past. It is our belief that because of our technology development focus, we will be successful in expanding the number of services per client, as well as the continued success in acquiring new clients through organic growth.

In North America we will continue to execute on our initiatives of market expansion while maintaining our overall margins from all of our revenue streams.

In Europe, we are focused on expanding new opportunities with the stock exchanges as well as the leading brokerage firms. We believe that our business will allow us to explore new markets for our core disclosure business. Prior to the acquisition of PrecisionIR, we had no presence in Europe. It is our belief that in the upcoming years that our infrastructure, partnerships and clients in the PrecisionIR business will enable us to bring our core Issuer Direct offerings to new markets, specifically our shareholder communications market data-cloud products and our disclosure reporting business. However, this is a new market for us and there can be no assurances we will be successful in this endeavor. Such factors as the deep learning curve of regulatory markets, reporting and disclosure requirements could impact this initiative if we are not adequately prepared.

Overall, the demand for corporate services continues to be stable in the segments we serve. In a portion of our business, we will continue to see demand shift from traditional printed materials to more digital delivery with a hybrid print-on-demand solution. We are positioned well in this space to be both competitive and agile to deliver these solutions to the market at the same or higher gross margins, however as we have seen over the last several quarters, the transition to digital delivery has a negative effect on our revenues and we expect this trend to continue over the next several quarters.
 
 
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We expect to continue to focus on the following key strategic initiatives during 2015:

● Expansion of our Sales and Marketing teams,
● Significant technology development and advancements
● Profitable sustainable growth,
● Generate significant cash flows from operations,
● Increase average revenue per user,
● Expand customer base,
● Grow our newswire business following the acquisition of Accesswire, and,
● Integrate and market our newly acquired Cloud-based Disclosure platform.

We continue to believe there is significant demand for our products among the large, middle and small cap markets that are seeking to find better systems and tools to disseminate and communicate their respective messages, and that we have the capacity to meet the demand.
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to stockholders.
 
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURESABOUT MARKET RISK.
 
           Not applicable
 
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.
 
As of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer conducted an evaluation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15 and 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based upon this evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective and have not changed since its most recent annual report.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
We regularly review our system of internal control over financial reporting to ensure we maintain an effective internal control environment.  There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 
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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
 
ITEM 1.           LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
 
From time to time, we may be involved in litigation that arises through the normal course of business.  As of the date of this filing, we are neither a party to any litigation nor are we aware of any such threatened or pending litigation that might result in a material adverse effect to our business.
 
ITEM 1A.        RISK FACTORS.
 
There have been no material changes to our risk factors as previously disclosed in our most recent 10-K filing.
 
ITEM 2.           UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.
 
None.
 
ITEM 3.           DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES.
 
None.
 
ITEM 4.           MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE.
 
Not applicable.
 
ITEM 5.           OTHER INFORMATION.
 
None.
 
ITEM 6.           EXHIBITS.
 
(a)           Exhibits.
 
Exhibit
   
Number
 
Description
   
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
   
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
   
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
   
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
       
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document.**
 
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.**
 
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document.**
 
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document.**
 
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document.**
 
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. **
_______________________________
*
filed or furnished herewith
**
submitted electronically herewith
 
 
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SIGNATURES
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
Date: May 7, 2015
 
 
ISSUER DIRECT CORPORATION
 
       
 
By:
/s/ Brian R. Balbirnie
 
   
Brian R. Balbirnie
 
   
Chief Executive Officer
 
       
       
 
By:
/s/ Wesley Pollard
 
   
Wesley Pollard
 
   
Chief Financial Officer
 
       

 
 
 
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