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LESAKA TECHNOLOGIES INC - Quarter Report: 2019 December (Form 10-Q)


UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2019

OR

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ___________________ To_____________________

Commission file number: 000-31203

NET 1 UEPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Florida

98-0171860

(State or other jurisdiction

(IRS Employer

of incorporation or organization)

Identification No.)


President Place, 4th Floor, Cnr. Jan Smuts Avenue and Bolton Road

Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 27-11-343-2000

Not Applicable

(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

 


Title of each class
Trading Symbol(s)
Name of each exchange
on which registered
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share
UEPS
NASDAQ Global Select Market

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). YES [X] NO [ ]


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, 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 (check one):

[   ] Large accelerated filer

[X] Accelerated filer

   

   

[   ] Non-accelerated filer

[X] 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 [X]

As of February 3, 2020 (the latest practicable date), 56,568,425 shares of the registrant's common stock, par value $0.001 per share, net of treasury shares, were outstanding.


Form 10-Q

NET 1 UEPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC

Table of Contents

    Page No.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
Item 1. Financial Statements  

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019 2

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 3

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income for the three and six months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 4

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity for the three and six months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 5

Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three and six months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 7

Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements 9
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 42
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 62
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 62
Part II. OTHER INFORMATION  
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 63
Item 1A. Risk Factors 63
Item 5. Other Information 63
Item 6. Exhibits 63
Signatures
64


Part I. Financial information

Item 1. Financial Statements

NET 1 UEPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

            December 31,         June 30,  
              2019            2019(A)  
            (In thousands, except share data)  
        ASSETS                
CURRENT ASSETS                
  Cash and cash equivalents $ 50,719     $ 46,065  
  Restricted cash (Note 10)   84,360       75,446  
  Accounts receivable, net and other receivables (Note 3)   68,565       72,494  
  Finance loans receivable, net (Note 3)   29,117       30,631  
  Inventory (Note 4)   21,196       7,535  
    Total current assets before settlement assets   253,957       232,171  
      Settlement assets (Note 5)   55,401       63,479  
        Total current assets   309,358       295,650  
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, net of accumulated depreciation of - December: $121,584 June: $129,185   16,450       18,554  
OPERATING LEASE RIGHT-OF-USE (Note 18)   7,838       -  
EQUITY-ACCOUNTED INVESTMENTS (Note 7)   155,627       151,116  
GOODWILL (Note 8)   148,938       149,387  
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET (Note 8)   8,043       11,889  
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES   2,112       2,151  
OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS, including reinsurance assets (Note 7 and 9)   41,144       44,189  
TOTAL ASSETS   689,510       672,936  
                       
        LIABILITIES              
CURRENT LIABILITIES              
  Short-term credit facilities for ATM funding (Note 10)   84,360       75,446  
  Short-term credit facilities (Note 10)   13,906       9,544  
  Accounts payable   14,211       17,005  
  Other payables (Note 11)   69,134       66,449  
  Operating lease right of use lease liability - current (Note 18)   3,534       -  
  Current portion of long-term borrowings (Note 10)   4,063       -  
  Income taxes payable   5,043       6,223  
    Total current liabilities before settlement obligations   194,251       174,667  
      Settlement obligations (Note 5)   55,402       63,479  
        Total current liabilities   249,653       238,146  
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES   4,503       4,682  
RIGHT-OF-USE OPERATING LEASE LIABILITY - LONG TERM (Note 18)   4,499       -  
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES, including insurance policy liabilities (Note 7)   2,623       3,007  
TOTAL LIABILITIES   261,278       245,835  
REDEEMABLE COMMON STOCK   107,672       107,672  
                       
        EQUITY              
COMMON STOCK (Note 12)              
  Authorized: 200,000,000 with $0.001 par value;              
  Issued and outstanding shares, net of treasury - December: 56,568,425 June: 56,568,425   80       80  
                       
PREFERRED STOCK              
  Authorized shares: 50,000,000 with $0.001 par value;              
  Issued and outstanding shares, net of treasury: December: - June: -   -       -  
ADDITIONAL PAID-IN-CAPITAL   277,891       276,997  
TREASURY SHARES, AT COST: December: 24,891,292 June: 24,891,292   (286,951 )     (286,951 )
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS (Note 13)   (194,439 )     (199,273 )
RETAINED EARNINGS   523,979       528,576  
TOTAL NET1 EQUITY   320,560       319,429  
NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST   -       -  
TOTAL EQUITY   320,560       319,429  
                        
TOTAL LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE COMMON STOCK AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 689,510     $ 672,936  

(A) - Derived from audited financial statements
See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


NET 1 UEPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations


  Three months ended       Six months ended  
    December 31,       December 31,  
    2019       2018       2019       2018  
    (In thousands, except per share data)       (In thousands, except per share data)  
                               
REVENUE (Note 17) $ 74,080     $ 77,442     $ 154,836     $ 184,539  
                               
EXPENSE                              
                               
  Cost of goods sold, IT processing, servicing and support   43,160       41,231       89,954       103,335  
  Selling, general and administration   33,393       69,730       65,324       111,152  
  Depreciation and amortization   4,381       7,191       9,146       15,048  
  Impairment loss (Note 8)   -       8,191       -       8,191  
                               
OPERATING LOSS   (6,854 )     (48,901 )     (9,588 )     (53,187 )
                               
CHANGE IN FAIR VALUE OF EQUITY SECURITIES (Note 6 and 7)   -       (15,836 )     -       (15,836 )
                               
GAIN ON DISPOSAL OF FIHRST (Note 2)   9,743       -       9,743       -  
                               
INTEREST INCOME   1,343       2,177       1,994       3,778  
                               
INTEREST EXPENSE   3,221       2,563       4,576       5,121  
                               
IMPAIRMENT OF CEDAR CELLULAR NOTE (Note 7)   -       2,732       -       2,732  
                               
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT)   1,011       (67,855 )     (2,427 )     (73,098 )
                               
INCOME TAX EXPENSE (BENEFIT) (Note 20)   1,722       (4,398 )     3,739       577  
                               
NET LOSS BEFORE EARNINGS (LOSS) FROM EQUITY-ACCOUNTED INVESTMENTS   (711 )     (63,457 )     (6,166 )     (73,675 )
                               
EARNINGS (LOSS) FROM EQUITY-ACCOUNTED INVESTMENTS (Note 7)   506       (1,291 )     1,569       184  
                               
NET LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS   (205 )     (64,748 )     (4,597 )     (73,491 )
                               
NET INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Note 22)   -       3,779       -       7,418  
                               
NET (LOSS) INCOME   (205 )     (60,969 )     (4,597 )     (66,073 )
                               
LESS (ADD) NET INCOME (LOSS) ATTRIBUTABLE TO NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST   -       2,972       -       3,067  
  Continuing   -       721       -       (877 )
  Discontinued   -       2,251       -       3,944  
                               
NET (LOSS) INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO NET1   (205 )     (63,941 )     (4,597 )     (69,140 )
  Continuing   (205 )     (65,469 )     (4,597 )     (72,614 )
  Discontinued $ -     $ 1,528     $ -     $ 3,474  
                               
Net (loss) earnings per share, in United States dollars (Note 15):                              
Basic (loss) earnings attributable to Net1 shareholders $ (0.00 )   $ (1.13 )   $ (0.08 )   $ (1.22 )
  Continuing $ (0.00 )   $ (1.16 )   $ (0.08 )   $ (1.28 )
  Discontinued $ -     $ 0.03     $ -     $ 0.06  
Diluted (loss) earnings attributable to Net1 shareholders $ (0.00 )   $ (1.12 )   $ (0.08 )   $ (1.22 )
  Continuing $ (0.00 )   $ (1.15 )   $ (0.08 )   $ (1.28 )
  Discontinued $ -     $ 0.03     $ -     $ 0.06  
                               
     
See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements    


NET 1 UEPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income


              Three months ended       Six months ended  
              December 31,       December 31,  
              2019       2018       2019       2018  
              (In thousands)       (In thousands)  
                                         
Net loss $ (205 )   $ (60,969 )   $ (4,597 )   $ (66,073 )
                                         
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes                              
  Movement in foreign currency translation reserve   19,114       (10,353 )     1,029       (23,675 )
  Release of foreign currency translation reserve related to disposal of FIHRST   1,578       -       1,578       -  
  Movement in foreign currency translation reserve related to equity-accounted investments   (491 )     -       2,227       5,430  
      Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes   20,201       (10,353 )     4,834       (18,245 )
                                         
    Comprehensive income (loss)   19,996       (71,322 )     237       (84,318 )
        (Less) Add comprehensive (gain) loss attributable to non-controlling interest   -       (1,363 )     -       1,342  
                                         
          Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Net1 $ 19,996     $ (72,685 )   $ 237     $ (82,976 )

See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


NET 1 UEPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity


    Net 1 UEPS Technologies, Inc. Shareholders                    
    Number of Shares     Amount     Number of Treasury Shares     Treasury Shares     Number of shares, net of treasury     Additional Paid-In Capital     Retained Earnings     Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)     Total Net1 Equity     Non-controlling Interest     Total     Redeemable common stock  
    For the three months ended December 31, 2018 (dollar amounts in thousands)
 
Balance - October 1, 2018   81,725,217   $ 80     (24,891,292 ) $ (286,951 )   56,833,925   $ 276,865   $ 830,995   $ (189,630 ) $ 631,359   $ 91,477   $ 722,836   $ 107,672  
Stock-based compensation charge (Note 14)                                 598                 598           598        
Dividends paid to non-controlling interest                                                   -     (1,208 )   (1,208 )      
Net (loss) income                                       (63,941 )         (63,941 )   2,972     (60,969 )      
Other comprehensive loss (Note 13)                                             (8,744 )   (8,744 )   (1,609 )   (10,353 )      
Balance - December 31, 2018   81,725,217   $ 80     (24,891,292 ) $ (286,951 )   56,833,925   $ 277,463   $ 767,054   $ (198,374 ) $ 559,272   $ 91,632   $ 650,904   $ 107,672  

    For the six months ended December 31, 2018 (dollar amounts in thousands)  
Balance - July 1, 2018   81,577,217   $ 80     (24,891,292 ) $ (286,951 )   56,685,925   $ 276,201   $ 836,194   $ (184,538 ) $ 640,986   $ 95,911   $ 736,897   $ 107,672  
                                                                         
Restricted stock granted   148,000                       148,000                       -           -        
Stock-based compensation charge (Note 14)                                 1,185                 1,185           1,185        
Stock-based compensation charge related to equity accounted investment                                 77                 77           77        
Dividends paid to non-controlling interest                                                   -     (2,937 )   (2,937 )      
Net (loss) income                                       (69,140 )         (69,140 )   3,067     (66,073 )      
Other comprehensive loss (Note 13)                                             (13,836 )   (13,836 )   (4,409 )   (18,245 )      
Balance - December 31, 2018   81,725,217   $ 80     (24,891,292 ) $ (286,951 )   56,833,925   $ 277,463   $ 767,054   $ (198,374 ) $ 559,272   $ 91,632   $ 650,904   $ 107,672  


NET 1 UEPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

    Net 1 UEPS Technologies, Inc. Shareholders                    
    Number of Shares     Amount     Number of Treasury Shares     Treasury Shares     Number of shares, net of treasury     Additional Paid-In Capital     Retained Earnings     Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income     Total Net1 Equity     Non-controlling Interest     Total     Redeemable common stock  
    For the three months ended December 31, 2019 (dollar amounts in thousands)  
Balance - October 1, 2019   81,459,717   $ 80     (24,891,292 ) $ (286,951 )   56,568,425   $ 277,455   $ 524,184   $ (214,640 ) $ 300,128   $ -   $ 300,128   $ 107,672  
                                                                         
Stock-based compensation charge (Note 14)                                 436                 436           436        
Net loss                                       (205 )         (205 )   -     (205 )      
Other comprehensive income (Note 13)                                             20,201     20,201     -     20,201        
Balance - December 31, 2019   81,459,717   $ 80     (24,891,292 ) $ (286,951 )   56,568,425   $ 277,891   $ 523,979   $ (194,439 ) $ 320,560   $ -   $ 320,560   $ 107,672  

    For the six months ended December 31, 2019 (dollar amounts in thousands)  
Balance - July 1, 2019   81,459,717   $ 80     (24,891,292 ) $ (286,951 )   56,568,425   $ 276,997   $ 528,576   $ (199,273 ) $ 319,429   $ -   $ 319,429   $ 107,672  
Stock-based compensation charge (Note 14)                                 823                 823           823        
Stock-based compensation charge related to equity accounted investment (Note 7)                                 71                 71           71        
Net loss                                       (4,597 )         (4,597 )   -     (4,597 )      
Other comprehensive income (Note 13)                                             4,834     4,834     -     4,834        
Balance - December 31, 2019   81,459,717   $ 80     (24,891,292 ) $ (286,951 )   56,568,425   $ 277,891   $ 523,979   $ (194,439 ) $ 320,560   $ -   $ 320,560   $ 107,672  
                                                                         
See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements  


NET 1 UEPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows


        Three months ended       Six months ended  
        December 31,       December 31,  
        2019       2018       2019       2018  
        (In thousands)       (In thousands)  
                                   
Cash flows from operating activities                              
  Net loss $ (205 )   $ (60,969 )   $ (4,597 )   $ (66,073 )
  Depreciation and amortization   4,381       9,853       9,146       20,647  
  Impairment loss (Note 8)   -       8,191       -       8,191  
  Movement in allowance for doubtful accounts receivable   (429 )     21,368       83       23,958  
  (Earnings) loss from equity-accounted investments (Note 7)   (506 )     1,247       (1,569 )     (126 )
  Movement in allowance for doubtful loans   620       -       620       -  
  Interest on Cedar Cellular note (Note 7)   -       (1,216 )     -       (1,372 )
  Impairment of Cedar Cellular note (Note 7)   -       2,732       -       2,732  
  Change in fair value of equity securities (Note 6 and 7)   -       15,836       -       15,836  
  Fair value adjustment related to financial liabilities   147       83       234       1  
  Interest payable   526       131       1,158       241  
  Facility fee amortized   -       68       -       155  
  Gain on disposal of FIHRST (Note 2)   (9,743 )     -       (9,743 )     -  
  Profit on disposal of property, plant and equipment   (49 )     (139 )     (203 )     (266 )
  Stock-based compensation charge (Note 14)   436       598       823       1,185  
  Dividends received from equity accounted investments   380       454       1,448       454  
  Decrease in accounts receivable, pre-funded social welfare grants receivable and finance loans receivable   8,767       18,753       3,101       28,755  
  (Increase) Decrease in inventory   (682 )     (24 )     (12,995 )     2,161  
  Increase (Decrease) in accounts payable and other payables   3,132       (11,759 )     (264 )     (19,535 )
  (Decrease) increase in taxes payable   (2,244 )     (7,007 )     (956 )     1,347  
  Decrease in deferred taxes   (117 )     (3,436 )     (205 )     (7,070 )
    Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   4,414       (5,236 )     (13,919 )     11,221  
                                   
Cash flows from investing activities                              
Capital expenditures   (827 )     (2,547 )     (3,451 )     (5,665 )
Proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment   90       212       303       486  
Proceeds from disposal of FIHRST (Note 2)   10,895       -       10,895       -  
Investment in equity-accounted investments (Note 7)   -       (2,500 )     (1,250 )     (2,500 )
Loan to equity-accounted investment (Note 7)   (612 )     -       (612 )     -  
Repayment of loans by equity-accounted investments   -       -       4,268       -  
Acquisition of intangible assets   -       (1,384 )     -       (1,384 )
Investment in MobiKwik   -       (1,056 )     -       (1,056 )
Return on investment   -       -       -       284  
Net change in settlement assets   3,371       2,031       (10,138 )     77,962  
  Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities   12,917       (5,244 )     15       68,127  
                                   
Cash flows from financing activities                              
Proceeds from bank overdraft (Note 10)   207,876       221,582       391,550       306,237  
Repayment of bank overdraft (Note 10)   (193,725 )     (245,726 )     (378,554 )     (245,726 )
Long-term borrowings utilized (Note 10)   -       3,203       14,798       11,004  
Repayment of long-term borrowings (Note 10)   (11,313 )     (13,551 )     (11,313 )     (23,811 )
Guarantee fee   -       (258 )     (148 )     (394 )
Finance lease capital repayments   (26 )     -       (52 )     -  
Dividends paid to non-controlling interest   -       (1,208 )     -       (2,937 )
Net change in settlement obligations   (3,371 )     (2,031 )     10,138       (77,962 )
  Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities   (559 )     (37,989 )     26,419       (33,589 )
                                   
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash   7,508       (1,823 )     1,053       (2,772 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents   24,280       (50,292 )     13,568       42,987  
Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period   110,799       183,333       121,511       90,054  
Cash and cash equivalents - end of period(1) $ 135,079     $ 133,041     $ 135,079     $ 133,041  
                                   
See Notes to Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements    
(1) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as of December 31, 2019, includes restricted cash of approximately $84.4 million related to cash withdrawn from the Company's various debt facilities to fund ATMs. This cash may only be used to fund ATMs and is considered restricted as to use and therefore is classified as restricted cash. Refer to Note 10 for additional information regarding the Company's facilities.  
 
 


NET 1 UEPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC

Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
For the three and six months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018
(All amounts in tables stated in thousands or thousands of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise stated)

1.  Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

In November 2019, the Company through its wholly owned subsidiary, Net1 Applied Technologies South Africa Proprietary Limited ("Net1 SA"), entered into an agreement with Transaction Capital Payment Solutions Proprietary Limited, or its nominee, a limited liability private company duly incorporated in the Republic of South Africa, pursuant to which Net1 SA agreed to sell its entire shareholding in Net1 FIHRST Holdings Proprietary Limited ("FIHRST") for $11.7 million (ZAR 172.2 million). The transaction closed in December 2019. FIHRST was deconsolidated following the closing of the transaction. Net1 SA was obliged to utilize the full purchase price received from the sale of FIHRST to partially settle its obligations under its lending arrangements and applied the proceeds received against its outstanding borrowings - refer to Note 10.

Unaudited Interim Financial Information

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all majority-owned subsidiaries over which the Company exercises control and have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission for Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and include all of the information and disclosures required for interim financial reporting. The results of operations for the three and six months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year. The Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading.

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements, accounting policies and financial notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments), which are necessary for a fair representation of financial results for the interim periods presented.

References to the "Company" refer to Net1 and its consolidated subsidiaries, collectively, unless the context otherwise requires. References to "Net1" are references solely to Net 1 UEPS Technologies, Inc.

Consideration of going concern

Accounting guidance requires the Company's management to assess whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are issued. The Company's management has identified certain conditions or events, which, considered in the aggregate, could raise substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern including the risk that the Company will be unable to:

  • deliver all or a substantial part of the financial results forecast in its fiscal 2020 budget;
  • retain its existing borrowings and facilities, as described in Note 10, or obtain additional borrowings and facilities on commercially reasonable terms;
  • arrive at a commercial settlement with SASSA, given the September 30, 2019, Supreme Court of Appeal ruling regarding the repayment of the additional implementation costs received to SASSA (refer Note 11) and the ongoing dispute the Company has with SASSA over fees due for the six-month contract extension period in accordance with National Treasury's recommendation;
  • dispose of all or a portion of its remaining 30% interest in DNI-4PL Contracts Proprietary Limited ("DNI"). DNI's operations are also significantly dependent on Cell C because it is the largest distributor of Cell C starter packs in South Africa. Therefore, the inability of Cell C to continue to operate through the next 12 months could also have an adverse impact on DNI's operations; or
  • dispose of additional investments in order to realize sufficient cash flows.

The Company's management has implemented a number of plans to alleviate the substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern. These plans include disposing of its Korean business unit, KSNET, as announced in its press release of January 27, 2020, certain non-core assets (refer to Note 3 to the Company's audited consolidated financial statements included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2019, for additional information regarding a call option granted to DNI), and extending its existing borrowings used to fund its ATMs through September 2020. Provided the KSNET disposal closes, as expected, in March 2020, this is expected to remove the substantial doubt about the Company's ability to continue as a going concern.

In addition, the Company's management believes it has a number of mitigating actions it can pursue, including (i) limiting the expansion of its microlending finance loans receivable book in South Africa; (ii) implementing further cost cutting measures; (iii) commencing additional asset realizations; (iv) managing its capital expenditures; and (v) accessing alternative sources of capital (including through the issuance of additional shares of its common stock), in order to generate additional liquidity.



1.
 Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (continued)

Consideration of going concern (continued)

The Company's management believes that these plans and mitigating actions alleviate the substantial doubt referred to above and therefore have concluded that the Company remains a going concern.

Recent accounting pronouncements adopted

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued guidance regarding Leases. The guidance increases transparency and comparability among organizations by requiring the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet. The amendments to current lease guidance include the recognition of assets and liabilities by lessees for those leases currently classified as operating leases. The guidance also requires disclosures to meet the objective of enabling users of financial statements to assess the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This guidance was effective for the Company beginning July 1, 2019. Refer to Note 18 for the impact of the adoption of this guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted as of December 31, 2019

In June 2016, the FASB issued guidance regarding Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The guidance replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. For trade and other receivables, loans, and other financial instruments, an entity is required to use a forward-looking expected loss model rather than the incurred loss model for recognizing credit losses, which reflects losses that are probable. Credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities will also be recorded through an allowance for credit losses rather than as a reduction in the amortized cost basis of the securities. This guidance is effective for the Company beginning July 1, 2020. Early adoption is permitted beginning July 1, 2019. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this guidance on its financial statements and related disclosures.

In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance regarding Disclosure Framework: Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The guidance modifies the disclosure requirements related to fair value measurement. This guidance is effective for the Company beginning July 1, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this guidance on its financial statements disclosure.

2. Disposal of controlling interest in FIHRST and KSNET

December 2019 disposal of FIHRST

In November 2019, the Company through its wholly owned subsidiary, Net1 Applied Technologies South Africa Proprietary Limited ("Net1 SA"), entered into an agreement with Transaction Capital Payment Solutions Proprietary Limited, or its nominee, a limited liability private company duly incorporated in the Republic of South Africa, pursuant to which Net1 SA agreed to sell its entire shareholding in Net1 FIHRST Holdings Proprietary Limited ("FIHRST") for $11.7 million (ZAR 172.2 million). The transaction closed in December 2019. FIHRST was deconsolidated following the closing of the transaction. Net1 SA was obliged to utilize the full purchase price received from the sale of FIHRST to partially settle its obligations under its lending arrangements and applied the proceeds received against its outstanding borrowings - refer to Note 10.


2. Disposal of controlling interest in FIHRST and KSNET (continued)

December 2019 disposal of FIHRST (continued)

The table below presents the impact of the deconsolidation of FIHRST and the calculation of the net gain recognized on deconsolidation:

    Total  
Fair value of consideration received $ 11,749  
Less: carrying value of FIHRST, comprising   1,870  
   Cash and cash equivalents   854  
   Accounts receivable, net   367  
   Property, plant and equipment, net   64  
   Goodwill (Note 8)   599  
   Intangible assets, net   30  
   Deferred income taxes assets   42  
   Accounts payable   (7 )
   Other payables   (1,437 )
   Income taxes payable   (220 )
   Released from accumulated other comprehensive income - foreign currency translation reserve (Note 13)   1,578  
   Settlement assets   17,406  
   Settlement liabilities   (17,406 )
      Gain recognized on disposal, before tax   9,879  
      Taxes related to gain recognized on disposal, comprising:   -  
         Capital gains tax   2,418  
         Release of valuation allowance related to capital gains tax previously unutilized(1)   (2,418 )
      Transaction costs   136  
            Gain recognized on disposal, after tax $ 9,743  

(1) Net1 SA recorded a valuation allowance related to capital losses previously generated but not utilized. A portion of these unutilized capital losses was utilized as a result of the disposal of FIHRST and, therefore, the equivalent portion of the valuation allowance created was released.

Pro forma results of operations related to the FIHRST disposal have not been presented because the effect of the disposal was not material to the Company.

Disposal of KSNET

On January 23, 2020, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary Net1 Applied Technologies Netherlands B.V. ("Net1 BV"), a limited liability private company duly incorporated in The Netherlands, entered into an agreement with PayletterHoldings LLC, a limited liability private company duly incorporated in the Republic of Korea, in terms of which Net1 BV agreed to sell its entire shareholding in Net1 Applied Technologies Korea Limited, a limited liability private company incorporated in the Republic of Korea and the sole shareholder of KSNET, Inc. for $237.2 million. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in March 2020. The transaction is not subject to a financing condition.


3.  Accounts receivable, net and other receivables and finance loans receivable, net

Accounts receivable, net and other receivables

The Company's accounts receivable, net, and other receivables as of December 31, 2019, and June 30, 2019, is presented in the table below:

    December 31,         June 30,    
      2019           2019    
                       
Accounts receivable, trade, net $   26,568       $   25,136    
Accounts receivable, trade, gross     27,312           26,377    
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, end of period     744           1,241    
         Beginning of period     1,241           1,101    
         Reversed to statement of operations     (535 )         (24 )  
         Charged to statement of operations     108           3,296    
         Utilized     (58 )         (3,059 )  
         Deconsolidated     -           (38 )  
         Foreign currency adjustment     (12 )         (35 )  
                       
                       
Current portion of cash payments to agents in South Korea that are amortized over the contract period     11,927           15,543    
          Cash payments to agents in South Korea that are amortized over the contract period     18,457           25,107    
           Less: cash payments to agents in South Korea that are amortized over the contract period included in other long-term assets (Note 7)     6,530           9,564    
Loans provided to Carbon     3,000           3,000    
Loan provided to DNI     -           4,260    
Other receivables     27,070           24,555    
      Total accounts receivable, net $   68,565       $   72,494    

The loan provided to DNI was repaid in full in July 2019. Other receivables include prepayments, deposits and other receivables.

Finance loans receivable, net

The Company's finance loans receivable, net, as of December 31, 2019, and June 30, 2019, is presented in the table below:

    December 31,         June 30,    
      2019           2019    
                       
Microlending finance loans receivable, net $   14,504       $   20,981    
Microlending finance loans receivable, gross     17,091           24,180    
Allowance for doubtful finance loans receivable, end of period     2,587           3,199    
        Beginning of period     3,199           4,239    
        Reversed to statement of operations     (601 )         -    
        Charged to statement of operations     1,081           28,802    
        Utilized     (1,085 )         (29,721 )  
        Foreign currency adjustment     (7 )         (121 )  
                       
                       
Working capital finance loans receivable, gross     14,613           9,650    
Working capital finance loans receivable, gross     20,736           15,742    
Allowance for doubtful finance loans receivable, end of period     6,123           6,092    
         Beginning of period     6,092           12,164    
         Charged to statement of operations     30           712    
         Utilized     -           (6,777 )  
         Foreign currency adjustment     1           (7 )  
                       
                       
         Total accounts receivable, net $   29,117       $   30,631    


4.  Inventory

The Company's inventory comprised the following categories as of December 31, 2019, and June 30, 2019.

  December 31,       June 30,  
    2019       2019  
               
Finished goods $ 7,538     $ 7,535  
Finished goods subject to sale restrictions   13,658       -  
  $ 21,196     $ 7,535  

Finished goods subject to sale restrictions represent airtime inventory purchased and held for sale to customers that may only be sold by the Company after March 31, 2020, and only with the express permission of certain South African banks. As discussed in Note 10, the Company obtained additional borrowings from its existing bankers to purchase Cell C airtime from an independent distributor of Cell C airtime. The Company did not pay the vendor for the airtime inventory directly because the parties (the vendor, Cell C, the Company and certain South African banks) agreed that the Company would pay the amount to Cell C to settle amounts payable to Cell C by the vendor in order to inject additional liquidity into Cell C. The Company may not return any unsold airtime inventory to either the vendor or Cell C. The Company agreed to mandatory prepayment terms, which require the Company to use the proceeds from the sale of the airtime inventory to settle certain borrowings. For more information about the amended finance documents, refer to Note 10.

5. Settlement assets and settlement obligations

Settlement assets comprise (1) cash received from the South African government that the Company holds pending disbursement to recipient cardholders of social welfare grants (2) cash received from credit card companies (as well as other types of payment services) which have business relationships with merchants selling goods and services via the internet that are the Company's customers and on whose behalf it processes the transactions between various parties, and (3) cash received from customers on whose behalf the Company processes payroll payments that the Company will disburse to customer employees, payroll-related payees and other payees designated by the customer.

Settlement obligations comprise (1) amounts that the Company is obligated to disburse to recipient cardholders of social welfare grants, (2) amounts that the Company is obligated to disburse to merchants selling goods and services via the internet that are the Company's customers and on whose behalf it processes the transactions between various parties and settles the funds from the credit card companies to the Company's merchant customers, and (3) amounts that the Company is obligated to pay to customer employees, payroll-related payees and other payees designated by the customer.

The balances at each reporting date may vary widely depending on the timing of the receipts and payments of these assets and obligations.

6.  Fair value of financial instruments

Initial recognition and measurement

Financial instruments are recognized when the Company becomes a party to the transaction. Initial measurements are at cost, which includes transaction costs.

Risk management

The Company manages its exposure to currency exchange, translation, interest rate, customer concentration, credit and equity price and liquidity risks as discussed below.

Currency exchange risk

The Company is subject to currency exchange risk because it purchases inventories that it is required to settle in other currencies, primarily the euro and U.S. dollar. The Company has used forward contracts in order to limit its exposure in these transactions to fluctuations in exchange rates between the South African rand ("ZAR"), on the one hand, and the U.S. dollar and the euro, on the other hand.


6.  Fair value of financial instruments (continued)

Risk management (continued)

Translation risk

Translation risk relates to the risk that the Company's results of operations will vary significantly as the U.S. dollar is its reporting currency, but it earns a significant amount of its revenues and incurs a significant amount of its expenses in ZAR and Korean won ("KRW"). The U.S. dollar to both the ZAR and KRW exchange rates has fluctuated significantly over the past three years. As exchange rates are outside the Company's control, there can be no assurance that future fluctuations will not adversely affect the Company's results of operations and financial condition.

Interest rate risk

As a result of its normal borrowing and lending activities, the Company's operating results are exposed to fluctuations in interest rates, which it manages primarily through regular financing activities. The Company generally maintains limited investments in cash equivalents and held to maturity investments and has occasionally invested in marketable securities.

Credit risk

Credit risk relates to the risk of loss that the Company would incur as a result of non-performance by counterparties. The Company maintains credit risk policies with regard to its counterparties to minimize overall credit risk. These policies include an evaluation of a potential counterparty's financial condition, credit rating, and other credit criteria and risk mitigation tools as the Company's management deems appropriate. With respect to credit risk on financial instruments, the Company maintains a policy of entering into such transactions only with South African, South Korean and European financial institutions that have a credit rating of "B" (or its equivalent) or better, as determined by credit rating agencies such as Standard & Poor's, Moody's and Fitch Ratings.

Microlending credit risk

The Company is exposed to credit risk in its microlending activities, which provide unsecured short-term loans to qualifying customers. The Company manages this risk by performing an affordability test for each prospective customer and assigning a "creditworthiness score", which takes into account a variety of factors such as other debts and total expenditures on normal household and lifestyle expenses.

Equity price and liquidity risk

Equity price risk relates to the risk of loss that the Company would incur as a result of the volatility in the exchange-traded price of equity securities that it holds and the risk that it may not be able to liquidate these securities. The market price of these securities may fluctuate for a variety of reasons and, consequently, the amount that the Company may obtain in a subsequent sale of these securities may significantly differ from the reported market value.

Liquidity risk relates to the risk of loss that the Company would incur as a result of the lack of liquidity on the exchange on which these securities are listed. The Company may not be able to sell some or all of these securities at one time, or over an extended period of time without influencing the exchange traded price, or at all.

Financial instruments

The following section describes the valuation methodologies the Company uses to measure its significant financial assets and liabilities at fair value.

In general, and where applicable, the Company uses quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities to determine fair value. This pricing methodology would apply to Level 1 investments. If quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities are not available to determine fair value, then the Company uses quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities or inputs other than the quoted prices that are observable either directly or indirectly. These investments would be included in Level 2 investments. In circumstances in which inputs are generally unobservable, values typically reflect management's estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The fair values are therefore determined using model-based techniques that include option pricing models, discounted cash flow models, and similar techniques. Investments valued using such techniques are included in Level 3 investments.


6.  Fair value of financial instruments (continued)

Financial instruments (continued)

Asset measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs - investment in Cell C

The Company's Level 3 asset represents an investment of 75,000,000 class "A" shares in Cell C, a significant mobile telecoms provider in South Africa. The Company used a discounted cash flow model developed by the Company to determine the fair value of its investment in Cell C as of June 30, 2019, and valued Cell C at $0.0 (zero) at December 31, 2019, and June 30, 2019. As of June 30, 2019, the Company changed its valuation methodology from a Company-developed adjusted EV/ EBITDA model to a discounted cash flow approach due to anticipated changes in Cell C's business model and the current challenges faced by Cell C, which would not have been captured by the previous valuation approach. The Company believes the Cell C business plan utilized in the Company's valuation is reasonable based on the current performance and the expected changes in Cell C's business model.

The Company utilized the latest business plan provided by Cell C management for the period ending December 31, 2024, and the following key valuation inputs were used as of December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019:

Weighted Average Cost of Capital:

Between 15% and 20% over the period of the forecast

Long term growth rate:

3 % (4,5% as of June 30, 2019)

Marketability discount:

10%

Minority discount:

15%

Net adjusted external debt - December 31, 2019:(1)

ZAR 16,4 billion ($1,2 billion), includes R6 billion of lease liabilities

Net adjusted external debt - June 30, 2019:(2)

ZAR 13,9 billion ($1 billion), includes R6,4 billion of lease liabilities

Deferred tax (incl, assessed tax losses) - December 31, 2019:(1)

ZAR 2,9 billion ($206,4 million)

Deferred tax (incl, assessed tax losses) - June 30, 2019:(2)

ZAR 2,9 billion ($205,9 million)

(1) translated from ZAR to U.S. dollars at exchange rates applicable as of December 31, 2019.

(2) translated from ZAR to U.S. dollars at exchange rates applicable as of June 30, 2019.

The Company utilized the aforementioned adjusted EV/EBITDA multiple valuation model in order to determine the fair value of the Cell C shares as of December 31, 2018. The primary inputs to the valuation model as of December 31, 2018, were unchanged from June 30, 2018, except for the EBITDA multiple. The primary inputs to the valuation model were Cell C's annualized adjusted EBITDA for the 11 months ended June 30, 2018, of ZAR 3.9 billion ($270.9 million, translated at exchange rates applicable as of December 31, 2018), an EBITDA multiple of 6.32; Cell C's net external debt of ZAR 8.8 billion ($611.4 million, translated at exchange rates applicable as of December 31, 2018); and a marketability discount of 10% as Cell C is not listed. The EBITDA multiple was determined based on an analysis of Cell C's peer group, which comprises eight African and emerging market mobile telecommunications operators. The fair value of Cell C utilizing the adjusted EV/EBITDA valuation model developed by the Company is sensitive to the following inputs: (i) the Company's determination of adjusted EBITDA; (ii) the EBITDA multiple used; and (iii) the marketability discount used. Utilization of different inputs, or changes to these inputs, may result in significantly higher or lower fair value measurement.

The following table presents the impact on the carrying value of the Company's Cell C investment of a 2.0% increase and 2.0% decrease in the WACC rate and the EBITDA margins used in the Cell C valuation on December 31, 2019, all amounts translated at exchange rates applicable as of December 31, 2019:

Sensitivity for fair value of Cell C investment   2.0% increase(A)     2.0% decrease(A)  
WACC rate $ -   $ 8,238  
EBITDA margin $ 1,687   $ -  

(A) the carrying value of the Cell C investment is not impacted by a 1.0% increase or a 1.0% decrease and therefore the impact of a 2.0% increase and a 2.0% decrease is presented.

The fair value of the Cell C shares as of December 31, 2019, represented approximately 0% of the Company's total assets, including these shares. The Company expects to hold these shares for an extended period of time and that there will be short-term equity price volatility with respect to these shares particularly given the current situation of Cell C's business.

Liability measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs - DNI contingent consideration

The salient terms of the Company's investment in DNI are described in Note 3 to the Company's audited consolidated financial statements included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2019. Under the terms of its subscription agreements with DNI, the Company agreed to pay to DNI an additional amount of up to ZAR 400.0 million ($27.8 million, translated at exchange rates applicable as of December 31, 2018), in cash, subject to the achievement of certain performance targets by DNI.


6.  Fair value of financial instruments (continued)

Financial instruments (continued)

Liability measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs - DNI contingent consideration

The Company expected to pay the additional amount during the first quarter of the year ended June 30, 2020, and recorded an amount of ZAR 385.7 million ($26.8 million) and ZAR 373.6 million ($27.2 million), in other payables in its unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018, and in long-term liabilities as of June 30, 2018, respectively, which amount represents the present value of the ZAR 400.0 million to be paid (amounts translated at exchange rates applicable as of December 31, 2018, and June 30, 2018, respectively). The amount was settled on March 31, 2019, as described in Note 3 to the Company's audited consolidated financial statements included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2019.

Derivative transactions - Foreign exchange contracts

As part of the Company's risk management strategy, the Company enters into derivative transactions to mitigate exposures to foreign currencies using foreign exchange contracts. These foreign exchange contracts are over-the-counter derivative transactions. Substantially all of the Company's derivative exposures are with counterparties that have long-term credit ratings of "B" (or equivalent) or better. The Company uses quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities to determine fair value (Level 2). The Company has no derivatives that require fair value measurement under Level 1 or 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The Company had no outstanding foreign exchange contracts as of December 31, 2019, or June 30, 2019.

The following table presents the Company's assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2019, according to the fair value hierarchy:

    Quoted Price in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
      Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
      Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
      Total  
Assets                              
Investment in Cell C $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Related to insurance business:                              
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (included in other long term assets)   587       -       -       587  
Fixed maturity investments (included in cash and cash equivalents)   2,845       -       -       2,845  
Other   -       414       -       414  
Total assets at fair value $ 3,432     $ 414     $ -     $ 3,846  

The following table presents the Company's assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of June 30, 2019, according to the fair value hierarchy:

            Quoted Price in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
      Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
      Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
      Total  
           
  Assets                              
  Investment in Cell C $ -     $ -     $ -     $ -  
  Related to insurance business                              
    Cash and cash equivalents (included in other long-term assets)   619       -       -       619  
    Fixed maturity investments (included in cash and cash equivalents)   5,201       -       -       5,201  
  Other   -       413       -       413  
      Total assets at fair value $ 5,820     $ 413     $ -     $ 6,233  


6.  Fair value of financial instruments (continued)

There have been no transfers in or out of Level 3 during the three and six months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

There was no movement in the carrying value of assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis, and categorized within Level 3, during the three and six months ended December 31, 2019. Summarized below is the movement in the carrying value of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, and categorized within Level 3, during the six months ended December 31, 2019:

        Carrying value  
Assets      
Balance as of June 30, 2019   -  
  Foreign currency adjustment(1)   -  
    Balance as of December 31, 2019 $ -  
           

(1) The foreign currency adjustment represents the effects of the fluctuations of the South African rand and the U.S. dollar on the carrying value.

Summarized below is the movement in the carrying value of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, and categorized within Level 3, during the six months ended December 31, 2018:

        Carrying value  
Assets      
Balance as at June 30, 2018   172,948  
  Realized losses   (15,836 )
  Foreign currency adjustment(1)   (8,054 )
    Balance as of December 31, 2018   149,058  
           
Liabilities      
Balance as at June 30, 2018   27,222  
  Accretion of interest   835  
  Foreign currency adjustment(1)   (1,267 )
    Balance as of December 31, 2018   26,790  
           

(1) The foreign currency adjustment represents the effects of the fluctuations of the South African rand and the U.S. dollar on the carrying value.

Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis

We measure equity investments without readily determinable fair values on a nonrecurring basis. The fair values of these investments are determined based on valuation techniques using the best information available, and may include quoted market prices, market comparables, and discounted cash flow projections.

7. Equity-accounted investments and other long term assets

Refer to Note 9 to the Company's audited consolidated financial statements included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2019, for additional information regarding its equity-accounted investments and other long-term assets.

Equity-accounted investments

The Company's ownership percentage in its equity-accounted investments as of December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019, was as follows:

 

December 31,

June 30,

 

 

 

2019

 

2019

 

Bank Frick & Co AG ("Bank Frick")

 

35%

 

35%

 

DNI

 

30%

 

30%

 

Finbond Group Limited ("Finbond")

 

29%

 

29%

 

Carbon Tech Limited ("Carbon"), formerly OneFi Limited

 

25%

 

25%

 

Revix ("Revix")

 

25%

 

-

 

SmartSwitch Namibia (Pty) Ltd ("SmartSwitch Namibia")

 

50%

 

50%

 

V2 Limited ("V2")

 

50%

 

50%

 

Walletdoc Proprietary Limited ("Walletdoc")

 

20%

 

20%

 



7. Equity-accounted investments and other long term assets (continued)

Equity-accounted investments (continued)

DNI

During the three and six months ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded earnings from DNI that resulted in the carrying value of DNI exceeding the amount that the Company could receive pursuant to the call option granted to DNI in May 2019. During the three and six months ended December 31, 2019, the Company has recorded an impairment loss of $0.8 million and $1.1 million, respectively, which represents the difference between the amount that the Company could receive pursuant to the call option and DNI's carrying value.

Bank Frick

On October 2, 2019, the Company exercised its option to acquire an additional 35% interest in Bank Frick from the Frick Family Foundation. The Company will pay an amount, the "Option Price Consideration", for the additional 35% interest in Bank Frick, which represents the higher of CHF 46.4 million ($46.5 million at exchange rates on October 2, 2019) or 35% of 15 times the average annual normalized net income of the Bank over the two years ended December 31, 2018. The shares will only transfer on payment of the Option Price Consideration, which shall occur on the later of (i) 180 days after the date of exercise of the option; (ii) in the event of any regulatory approvals being required, 10 days after receipt of approval (either unconditionally or on terms acceptable to both parties); and (iii) 10 days after the date on which the Option Price Consideration is agreed or finally determined.

Finbond

As of December 31, 2019, the Company owned 268,820,933 shares in Finbond representing approximately 29.1% of its issued and outstanding ordinary shares. Finbond is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and its closing price on December 31, 2019, the last trading day of the month, was ZAR 3.50 per share. The market value of the Company's holding in Finbond on December 31, 2019, was ZAR 0.9 billion ($67.0 million translated at exchange rates applicable as of December 31, 2019). On August 2, 2019, the Company, pursuant to its election, received an additional 1,148,901 shares in Finbond as a capitalization share issue in lieu of a dividend.

V2 Limited

In August 2019, the Company made a further equity contribution of $1.3 million to V2 Limited ("V2") and in January 2020 it made its final committed equity contribution of $1.3 million bringing the total equity contribution to $5.0 million. The Company has also committed to provide V2 with a working capital facility of $5.0 million, which is subject to the achievement of certain pre-defined objectives.


7. Equity-accounted investments and other long term assets (continued)

Equity-accounted investments (continued)

                DNI   Bank Frick   Finbond   Other(1)   Total  
Investment in equity                                
  Balance as of June 30, 2019   $ 61,030   $ 47,240   $ 35,300   $ 7,398   $ 150,968  
    Acquisition of shares     -     -     274     1,250     1,524  
    Stock-based compensation     -     -     71     -     71  
    Comprehensive income (loss):     1,108     469     2,718     (499 )   3,796  
      Other comprehensive loss     -     -     2,227     -     2,227  
      Equity accounted earnings (loss)     1,108     469     491     (499 )   1,569  
        Share of net income     3,113     755     491     (499 )   3,860  
        Amortization of acquired intangible assets     (1,292 )   (376 )   -     -     (1,668 )
        Deferred taxes on acquired intangible assets     361     90     -     -     451  
        Impairment     (1,074 )   -     -     -     (1,074 )
    Dividends received     (1,110 )   -     (274 )   (338 )   (1,722 )
    Foreign currency adjustment(2)     137     453     300     (48 )   842  
  Balance as of December 31, 2019   $ 61,165   $ 48,162   $ 38,389   $ 7,763   $ 155,479  
                                             
Investment in loans:                                
  Balance as of June 30, 2019   $ -   $ -   $ -   $ 148   $ 148  
    Loans granted     -     -     -     612     612  
    Allowance for doubtful loans     -     -     -     (620 )   (620 )
    Foreign currency adjustment(2)     -     -     -     8     8  
  Balance as of December 31, 2019   $ -   $ -   $ -   $ 148   $ 148  
                                             
                            Equity     Loans     Total  
Carrying amount as of :                                
    June 30, 2019               $ 150,968   $ 148   $ 151,116  
    December 31, 2019               $ 155,479   $ 148     155,627  
                                             
(1) Includes primarily Carbon, SmartSwitch Namibia, V2 and Walletdoc;  
(2) The foreign currency adjustment represents the effects of the fluctuations of the South African rand, Swiss franc, Nigerian naira and Namibian dollar, and the U.S. dollar on the carrying value.  

Other long-term assets

Summarized below is the breakdown of other long-term assets as of December 31, 2019, and June 30, 2019:

      December 31,       June 30,  
        2019       2019  
                   
Total equity investments $ 26,993     $ 26,993  
    Investment in 15% of Cell C, at fair value (Note 6)   -       -  
    Investment in 13% of MobiKwik   26,993       26,993  
Total held to maturity investments   -       -  
    Investment in 7.625% of Cedar Cellular Investment 1 (RF) (Pty) Ltd 8.625% notes   -       -  
Long-term portion of payments to agents in South Korea amortized over the contract period (Note 3)   6,530       9,564  
Policy holder assets under investment contracts (Note 9)   587       619  
Reinsurance assets under insurance contracts (Note 9)   1,159       1,163  
Other long-term assets   5,875       5,850  
    Total other long-term assets $ 41,144     $ 44,189  


7. Equity-accounted investments and other long term assets (continued)

Other long-term assets (continued)

Summarized below are the components of the Company's equity securities without readily determinable fair value and held to maturity investments as of December 31, 2019:

          Cost basis       Unrealized holding       Unrealized holding       Carrying  
              gains       losses       value  
Equity securities:                              
  Investment in Mobikwik $ 26,993     $ -     $ -     $ 26,993  
Held to maturity:                              
  Investment in Cedar Cellular notes   -       -       -       -  
      Total $ 26,993     $ -     $ -     $ 26,993  
                                     

Summarized below are the components of the Company's equity securities without readily determinable fair value and held to maturity investments as of June 30, 2019:

          Cost basis       Unrealized holding       Unrealized holding       Carrying  
              gains       losses       value  
Equity securities:                              
  Investment in MobiKwik $ 26,993     $ -     $ -     $ -  
Held to maturity:                              
  Investment in Cedar Cellular notes   -       -       -       -  
      Total $ 26,993     $ -     $ -     $ -  
                                     

No interest income from the Cedar Cellular note was recorded during the three and six months ended December 31, 2019. The Company recognized interest income of $1.2 million and $1.4 million, related to the Cedar Cellular notes during the three and six months ended December 31, 2018, respectively. Interest on this investment will only be paid, at Cedar Cellular's election, on maturity in August 2022. The Company's effective interest rate on the Cedar Cellular note was 24.82% as of December 31, 2018.

As of December 31, 2018, the Company did not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the Cedar Cellular notes due to a reduction in the amount of future cash flows expected to be collected from the debt security. The Company did not expect to generate any cash flows from the debt security prior to the maturity date in August 2022, and expected to recover approximately $22.0 million at maturity. As of December 31, 2018, the Company calculated the present value of the expected cash flows to be collected from the debt security by discounting the cash flows at the interest rate implicit in the security upon acquisition (at a rate of 24.82%). The present value of the expected cash flows of $9.0 million was less than the amortized cost basis recorded of $11.8 million (before the impairment) as of December 31, 2018. Accordingly, the Company recorded an other-than-temporary impairment related to a credit loss of $2.7 million during the three and six months ended December 31, 2018.

Contractual maturities of held to maturity investments

Summarized below is the contractual maturity of the Company's held to maturity investment as of December 31, 2019:

                              Cost basis       Estimated fair value(1)  
  Due in one year or less             $ -     $ -  
  Due in one year through five years (2)               -       -  
  Due in five years through ten years               -       -  
  Due after ten years               -       -  

(1) The estimated fair value of the Cedar Cellular note has been calculated utilizing the Company's portion of the security provided to the Company by Cedar Cellular, namely, Cedar Cellular's investment in Cell C.

(2) The cost basis is zero ($0.0 million).


8. Goodwill and intangible assets, net

Goodwill

Impairment loss

The Company assesses the carrying value of goodwill for impairment annually, or more frequently, whenever events occur and circumstances change indicating potential impairment. The Company performs its annual impairment test as of June 30 of each year. During the three and six months ended December 31, 2018, the Company recognized an impairment loss of approximately $8.2 million, of which approximately $7.0 million related to goodwill allocated to its International Payment Group ("IPG") business within its international transaction processing operating segment and $1.2 million related to goodwill within its South African transaction processing operating segment.

Given the consolidation and restructuring of IPG during the period up to December 31, 2018, several business lines were terminated or meaningfully reduced, resulting in lower than expected revenues, profits and cash flows. IPG's new business initiatives are still in their infancy, and it is expected to generate lower cash flows than initially forecast. In order to determine the amount of goodwill impairment, the estimated fair value of the Company's IPG business assets and liabilities were compared to the carrying value of IPG's assets and liabilities. The Company used a discounted cash flow model in order to determine the fair value of IPG. The allocation of the fair value of IPG required the Company to make a number of assumptions and estimates about the fair value of assets and liabilities where the fair values were not readily available or observable. Based on this analysis, the Company determined that the carrying value of IPG's assets and liabilities exceeded their fair value at the reporting date.

In the event that there is a deterioration in the South African transaction processing and the international transaction processing operating segments, or in any other of the Company's businesses, this may lead to additional impairments in future periods.

Summarized below is the movement in the carrying value of goodwill for the six months ended December 31, 2019:

          Gross value       Accumulated impairment       Carrying value  
Balance as of June 30, 2019 $ 184,544     $ (35,157 )   $ 149,387  
      Disposal of FIHRST (Note 2)   (599 )     -       (599 )
      Foreign currency adjustment (1)   122       28       150  
    Balance as of December 31, 2019 $ 184,067     $ (35,129 )   $ 148,938  
                             
    (1) - The foreign currency adjustment represents the effects of the fluctuations between the South African rand, the Euro and the Korean won, and the U.S. dollar on the carrying value.  

Goodwill has been allocated to the Company's reportable segments as follows:

                                     
          South African transaction processing       International transaction processing       Financial inclusion and applied technologies       Carrying value  
Balance as of June 30, 2019 $ 19,208     $ 112,728     $ 17,451     $ 149,387  
      Disposal of FIHRST (Note 2)   (599 )
  -  
  -  
  (599 )
      Foreign currency adjustment (1)   23       83       44       150  
    Balance as of December 31, 2019 $ 18,632     $ 112,811     $ 17,495     $ 148,938  
                                     
    (1) - The foreign currency adjustment represents the effects of the fluctuations between the South African rand, the Euro and the Korean won, and the U.S. dollar on the carrying value.  


8. Goodwill and intangible assets, net (continued)

Intangible assets

Carrying value and amortization of intangible assets

Summarized below is the carrying value and accumulated amortization of the intangible assets as of December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019:

      As of December 31, 2019     As of June 30, 2019  
        Gross carrying value       Accumulated amortization       Net carrying value       Gross carrying value       Accumulated amortization       Net carrying value  
Finite-lived intangible assets:                                              
  Customer relationships $ 95,792     $ (89,273 )   $ 6,519     $ 96,653     $ (86,285 )   $ 10,368  
  Software and unpatented                                              
  technology   28,883       (28,598 )     285       32,071       (31,829 )     242  
  FTS patent   2,727       (2,727 )     -       2,721       (2,721 )     -  
  Trademarks   6,784       (6,307 )     477       6,772       (6,265 )     507  
  Total finite-lived intangible assets   134,186       (126,905 )     7,281       138,217       (127,100 )     11,117  
Infinite-lived intangible assets:                                              
  Financial institution licenses   762       -       762       772       -       772  
  Total infinite-lived intangible assets   762       -       762       772       -       772  
                                                   
    Total intangible assets $ 134,948     $ (126,905 )   $ 8,043     $ 138,989     $ (127,100 )   $ 11,889  

Aggregate amortization expense on the finite-lived intangible assets for the three months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, was approximately $1.9 million and $6.1 million, respectively. Aggregate amortization expense on the finite-lived intangible assets for the six months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, was approximately $3.8 million and $12.2 million, respectively.

Carrying value and amortization of intangible assets (continued)

Future estimated annual amortization expense for the next five fiscal years and thereafter, assuming exchange rates that prevailed on December 31, 2019, is presented in the table below. Actual amortization expense in future periods could differ from this estimate as a result of acquisitions, changes in useful lives, exchange rate fluctuations and other relevant factors.

Fiscal 2020   $ 7,919  
Fiscal 2021     2,807  
Fiscal 2022     73  
Fiscal 2023     73  
Fiscal 2024     72  
Thereafter     145  
  Total future estimated annual amortization expense                 $ 11,089  


9. Assets and policyholder liabilities under insurance and investment contracts

Reinsurance assets and policyholder liabilities under insurance contracts

Summarized below is the movement in reinsurance assets and policyholder liabilities under insurance contracts during the six months ended December 31, 2019:

        Reinsurance Assets (1)       Insurance contracts (2)  
Balance as of June 30, 2019 $ 1,163     $ (1,880 )
  Increase in policy holder benefits under insurance contracts   220       (3,232 )
  Claims and policyholders' benefits under insurance contracts   (227 )     3,201  
  Foreign currency adjustment (3)   3       (5 )
    Balance as of December 31, 2019 $ 1,159     $ (1,916 )

 

 

(1) Included in other long-term assets.

 

 

 

(2) Included in other long-term liabilities.

 

 

 

(3) Represents the effects of the fluctuations between the ZAR and the U.S. dollar.

 

The Company has agreements with reinsurance companies in order to limit its losses from large insurance contracts, however, if the reinsurer is unable to meet its obligations, the Company retains the liability. The value of insurance contract liabilities is based on the best estimate assumptions of future experience plus prescribed margins, as required in the markets in which these products are offered, namely South Africa. The process of deriving the best estimates assumptions plus prescribed margins includes assumptions related to claim reporting delays (based on average industry experience).

Assets and policyholder liabilities under investment contracts

Summarized below is the movement in assets and policyholder liabilities under investment contracts during the six months ended December 31, 2019:

      Assets (1)       Investment contracts (2)  
Balance as of June 30, 2019 $ 619     $ (619 )
  Increase in policy holder benefits under investment contracts   2       (2 )
  Claims and policyholders' benefits under investment contracts   (36 )     36  
  Foreign currency adjustment (3)   2       (2 )
    Balance as of December 31, 2019 $ 587     $ (587 )

 

 

(1) Included in other long-term assets.

 

 

 

(2) Included in other long-term liabilities.

 

 

 

(3) Represents the effects of the fluctuations between the ZAR and the U.S. dollar.

 

The Company does not offer any investment products with guarantees related to capital or returns.

10. Borrowings

Refer to Note 12 to the Company's audited consolidated financial statements included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2019, for additional information regarding its borrowings.

South Africa

The amounts below have been translated at exchange rates applicable as of the dates specified.

July 2017 Facilities, as amended, comprising a short-term facility and long-term borrowings

Short-term facility - Facility E

On September 26, 2018, Net1 SA further revised its amended July 2017 Facilities agreement with RMB to include an overdraft facility ("Facility E") of up to ZAR 1.5 billion ($106.8 million, translated at exchange rates applicable as of December 31, 2019) to fund the Company's ATMs. The available Facility E overdraft facility was subsequently reduced to ZAR 1.2 billion ($85.4 million, translated at exchange rates applicable as of December 31, 2019) in September 2019. Interest on the overdraft facility is payable on the last day of each month and on the final maturity date based on the South African prime rate. The overdraft facility will be reviewed in September 2020. The overdraft facility amount utilized must be repaid in full within one month of utilization and at least 90% of the amount utilized must be repaid with 25 days.


10. Borrowings (continued)

South Africa (continued)

July 2017 Facilities, as amended, comprising a short-term facility and long-term borrowings (continued)

Short-term facility - Facility E (continued)

The overdraft facility is secured by a pledge by Net1 SA of, among other things, cash and certain bank accounts utilized in the Company's ATM funding process, the cession of an insurance policy with Senate Transit Underwriters Managers Proprietary Limited, and any rights and claims Net1 SA has against Grindrod Bank Limited. As at December 31, 2019, the Company had utilized approximately ZAR 1.0 billion ($72.7 million) of this overdraft facility.

This ZAR 1.2 billion overdraft facility may only be used to fund ATMs and therefore the overdraft utilized and converted to cash to fund the Company's ATMs is considered restricted cash. The prime rate on December 31, 2019, was 10.00% and reduced to 9.75% on January 17, 2020, following a reduction in the South African repo rate.

Long-term borrowings facility - Facility F

On September 4, 2019, Net1 SA further amended its amended July 2017 Facilities agreement with RMB and Nedbank to include an overdraft facility ("Facility F") of up to ZAR 300.0 million ($21.4 million, translated at exchange rates applicable as of December 31, 2019) for the sole purpose of funding the acquisition of airtime from Cell C. Net1 SA may not dispose of the airtime acquired from Cell C prior to April 1, 2020, without the prior consent of RMB, Absa Bank Limited and Investec Asset Management Proprietary Limited. Facility F comprises (i) a first Senior Facility F loan of ZAR 220.0 million (ii) a second Senior Facility F loan of ZAR 80.0 million, or such lesser amount as may be agreed by the facility agent. Facility F is required to be repaid in full within nine months following the first utilization of the facility. Net1 SA is required to prepay Facility F subject to customary prepayment terms. Interest on Facility F is based on JIBAR plus a margin of 5.50% per annum and is due in full on repayment of the loan. JIBAR was 6.80% on December 31, 2019. The margin on the Facility F increased by 1% on November 1, 2019, because we had not disposed of our remaining shareholding in DNI and FIHRST by that date. Net1 SA paid a non-refundable structuring fee of ZAR 2.2 million ($0.1 million) to the Lenders in September 2019, and the Company expensed this amount in full during the first quarter of fiscal 2020.

Nedbank facility, comprising short-term facilities

As of December 31, 2019, the aggregate amount of the Company's short-term South African credit facility with Nedbank Limited was ZAR 450.0 million ($32.0 million). The credit facility comprises an overdraft facility of (i) up to ZAR 300.0 million ($21.4 million), which is further split into (a) a ZAR 250.0 million ($17.8 million) overdraft facility which may only be used to fund mobile ATMs and (b) a ZAR 50.0 million ($3.6 million) general banking facility and (ii) indirect and derivative facilities of up to ZAR 150.0 million ($10.7 million), which include letters of guarantees, letters of credit and forward exchange contracts. The ZAR 250.0 million component of the primary amount may only be used to fund ATMs and therefore this component of the primary amount utilized and converted to cash to fund the Company's ATMs is considered restricted cash. The short-term facility provides Nedbank with the right to set off funds held in certain identified Company bank accounts with Nedbank against any amounts owed to Nedbank under the facility. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had total funds of $2.7 million in bank accounts with Nedbank which have been set off against $14.4 million drawn under the Nedbank facility, for a net amount drawn under the facility of $11.7 million. As of December 31, 2019, the interest rate on the overdraft facility was 8.85%, and reduced to 8.60% on January 17, 2020, following a reduction in the South African repo rate.

As of December 31, 2019, the Company had utilized approximately ZAR 164.3 million ($11.7 million) of its ZAR 300.0 million overdraft facility to fund ATMs, and none of its ZAR 50.0 million general banking facility. As of December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019, the Company had utilized approximately ZAR 93.6 million ($6.7 million) and ZAR 93.6 million ($6.6 million), respectively, of its indirect and derivative facilities of ZAR 150 million to enable the bank to issue guarantees, letters of credit and forward exchange contracts, in order for the Company to honor its obligations to third parties requiring such guarantees (refer to Note 21).

United States, a short-term facility

On September 14, 2018, the Company renewed its $10.0 million overdraft facility from Bank Frick and on February 4, 2019, the Company increased the overdraft facility to $20.0 million. The interest rate on the facilities is 4.50% plus 3-month US dollar LIBOR and interest is payable on a quarterly basis. The 3-month US dollar LIBOR rate was 1.91% on December 31, 2019. The facility has no fixed term, however, it may be terminated by either party with six weeks written notice. The facility is secured by a pledge of the Company's investment in Bank Frick. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had utilized approximately $13.9 million of this facility.


10. Borrowings (continued)

South Korea, a short-term facility

The Company obtained a one year KRW 10.0 billion ($8.7 million) short-term overdraft facility from Hana Bank, a South Korean bank, in January 2019. The interest rate on the facility is 1.98% plus the 3-month CD rate. The CD rate as of December 31, 2019 was 1.53%. The facility expires in January 2021, however can be renewed. The facility is unsecured with no fixed repayment terms. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had not utilized this facility.

Movement in short-term credit facilities

Summarized below are the Company's short-term facilities as of December 31, 2019, and the movement in the Company's short-term facilities from as of June 30, 2019 to as of December 31, 2019:

            South Africa       United States       South Korea       Total  
            Amended July 2017       Nedbank       Bank Frick       Hana          
Short-term facilities available as of                                      
December 31, 2019 $ 85,419     $ 32,032     $ 20,000     $ 8,654     $ 146,105  
  Overdraft   -       3,559       20,000       8,654       32,213  
  Overdraft restricted as to use for ATM funding only   85,419       17,796       -       -       103,215  
  Indirect and derivative facilities   -       10,677       -       -       10,677  
                                               
Movement in utilized overdraft facilities:                                      
  Balance as of June 30, 2019   69,566       5,880       9,544       -       84,990  
    Utilized   349,466       33,722       8,362       -       391,550  
    Repaid   (346,525 )     (28,029 )     (4,000 )     -       (378,554 )
    Foreign currency adjustment(1)   157       123       -       -       280  
      Balance as of December 31, 2019(2)   72,664       11,696       13,906       -       98,266  
        Restricted as to use for ATM funding only   72,664       11,696       -       -       84,360  
        No restrictions as to use   -       -       13,906       -       13,906  
                                               
Movement in utilized indirect and derivative                                      
facilities:                                      
  Balance as of June 30, 2019   -       6,643       -       -       6,643  
    Foreign currency adjustment(1)   -       17       -       -       17  
      Balance as of December 31, 2019 $ -     $ 6,660     $ -     $ -     $ 6,660  

(1) Represents the effects of the fluctuations between the ZAR and the U.S. dollar.

(2) Nedbank balance as of December 31, 2019, of $11.7 million comprises the net of total overdraft facilities withdrawn of $14.4 million offset against funds in bank accounts with Nedbank of $2.7 million.

Movement in long-term borrowings

Summarized below is the movement in the Company's long term borrowing from as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2019:

      South Africa          
      Amended July 2017       Total  
Balance as of June 30, 2019 $ -     $ -  
Current portion of long-term borrowings   -       -  
Long-term borrowings   -       -  
  Utilized   14,798       14,798  
  Repaid   (11,313 )     (11,313 )
  Foreign currency adjustment(1)   578       578  
Balance as of December 31, 2019   4,063       4,063  
  Current portion of long-term borrowings   4,063       4,063  
  Long-term borrowings $ -     $ -  
                 

(1) Represents the effects of the fluctuations between the ZAR and the U.S. dollar.


10. Borrowings (continued)

Interest expense incurred under the Company's South African long-term borrowing during the three months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, was $0.4 million and $0.9 million, respectively. Interest expense incurred during the six months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, was $0.6 million and $2.1 million, respectively. There were no prepaid facility fee amortization during the three and six months ended December 31, 2019. Prepaid facility fees amortized during the three and six months ended December 31, 2018, was $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

11. Other payables

Summarized below is the breakdown of other payables as of December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019:

  December 31,     June 30,  
    2019       2019  
Accrual of implementation costs to be refunded to SASSA $ 35,270     $ 34,039  
Accruals   15,376       10,620  
Provisions   4,390       6,074  
Other   8,801       10,814  
Value-added tax payable   3,624       3,234  
Payroll-related payables   1,131       1,113  
Participating merchants settlement obligation   542       555  
  $ 69,134     $ 66,449  

Refer to Note 13 to the Company's audited consolidated financial statements included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2019, for additional information regarding Accrual of implementation costs to be refunded to SASSA. As of December 31, 2019, this accrual of $35.3 million (ZAR 495.5 million, translated at exchange rates applicable as of December 31, 2019, comprised a revenue refund of $19.8 million (ZAR 277.6 million), accrued interest of $12.6 million (ZAR 177.6 million), unclaimed indirect taxes of $2.8 million (ZAR 38.9 million) and estimated costs of $0.1 million (ZAR 1.4 million)). As of June 30, 2019, this accrual of $34.0 million (ZAR 479.4 million, translated at exchange rates applicable as of June 30, 2019, comprised a revenue refund of $19.7 million (ZAR 277.6 million), accrued interest of $11.4 million (ZAR 161.0 million), unclaimed indirect taxes of $2.8 million (ZAR 39.4 million) and estimated costs of $0.1 million (ZAR 1.4 million)).

Other includes transactions-switching funds payable, deferred income, client deposits and other payables.

12. Capital structure

The following table presents a reconciliation between the number of shares, net of treasury, presented in the unaudited condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity during the six months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and the number of shares, net of treasury, excluding non-vested equity shares that have not vested during the six months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively:

      December 31,     December 31,  
      2019     2018  
               
Number of shares, net of treasury:            
  Statement of changes in equity   56,568,425     56,833,925  
  Non-vested equity shares that have not vested as of end of period   583,908     860,817  
Number of shares, net of treasury, excluding non-vested equity shares that have not vested   55,984,517     55,973,108  


13. Accumulated other comprehensive loss

The table below presents the change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income per component during the three months ended December 31, 2019:

      Three months ended  
      December 31, 2019  
        Accumulated foreign currency translation reserve       Total  
Balance as of October 1, 2019 $ (214,640 )   $ (214,640 )
  Release of foreign currency translation reserve related to disposal of FIHRST (Note 2)   1,578       1,578  
  Movement in foreign currency translation reserve related to equity-accounted investment   (491 )     (491 )
  Movement in foreign currency translation reserve   19,114       19,114  
    Balance as of December 31, 2019 $ (194,439 )   $ (194,439 )

The table below presents the change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income per component during the three months ended December 31, 2018:

      Three months ended  
      December 31, 2018  
        Accumulated foreign currency translation reserve       Total  
Balance as of October 1, 2018 $ (189,630 )   $ (189,630 )
  Movement in foreign currency translation reserve   (8,744 )     (8,744 )
    Balance as of December 31, 2018 $ (198,374 )   $ (198,374 )

The table below presents the change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income per component during the six months ended December 31, 2019:

      Six months ended  
      December 31, 2019  
        Accumulated foreign currency translation reserve       Total  
Balance as of July 1, 2019 $ (199,273 )   $ (199,273 )
  Release of foreign currency translation reserve related to disposal of FIHRST (Note 2)   1,578       1,578  
  Movement in foreign currency translation reserve related to equity-accounted investment   2,227       2,227  
  Movement in foreign currency translation reserve   1,029       1,029  
    Balance as of December 31, 2019 $ (194,439 )   $ (194,439 )


13. Accumulated other comprehensive loss (continued)

The table below presents the change in accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income per component during the six months ended December 31, 2018:

        Six months ended  
        December 31, 2018  
        Accumulated foreign currency translation reserve       Total  
Balance as of July 1, 2018 $ (184,538 )   $ (184,538 )
  Movement in foreign currency translation reserve related to equity-accounted investment   5,430       5,430  
  Movement in foreign currency translation reserve   (19,266 )     (19,266 )
    Balance as of December 31, 2018 $ (198,374 )   $ (198,374 )

During the three and six months ended December 31, 2019, the Company reclassified $1.6 million from accumulated other comprehensive loss (accumulated foreign currency translation reserve) to net loss related to the FIHRST disposal (refer to Note 2). There were no reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net income during the three and six months ended December 31, 2018.

14. Stock-based compensation

Stock option and restricted stock activity

Options

The following table summarizes stock option activity for the six months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:

                                   
        Number of shares     Weighted average exercise price
($)
    Weighted average remaining contractual term
(in years)
    Aggregate intrinsic value
($'000)
    Weighted average grant date fair value
($)
 
                                   
Outstanding - June 30, 2019   864,579     7.81     7.05     -     2.62  
  Granted - September 2019   561,000     3.07     10.00     676     1.20  
    Outstanding - December 31, 2019   1,425,579     5.94     7.81     365     2.07  
                                   
Outstanding - June 30, 2018   809,274     13.99     2.67     370     4.20  
  Granted - September 2018   600,000     6.20     10.00     1,212     2.02  
  Forfeited   (200,000 )   24.46     -     -     7.17  
    Outstanding - December 31, 2018   1,209,274     8.41     6.15     72     2.62  

During the three and six months ended December 31, 2019, 561,000 stock options were awarded to employees. No stock options were awarded during the three months ended December 31, 2018. During the six months ended December 31, 2018, 600,000 stock options were awarded to executive officers and employees. No stock options were forfeited during the six months ended December 31, 2019 or during the three months ended December 31, 2018. During the six months ended December 31, 2018, executive officers forfeited 200,000 stock options granted in August 2008, with a strike price of $24.46 per share, as these stock options expired unexercised.

The fair value of each option is estimated on the date of grant using the Cox Ross Rubinstein binomial model that uses the assumptions noted in the following table. The estimated expected volatility is calculated based on the Company's 750-day volatility. The estimated expected life of the option was determined based on historical behavior of employees who were granted options with similar terms.


14. Stock-based compensation (continued)

Stock option and restricted stock activity (continued)

Options (continued)

The table below presents the range of assumptions used to value options granted during the six months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:

    Six months ended  
    December 31,  
    2019     2018  
Expected volatility   57%     44%  
Expected dividends   0%     0%  
Expected life (in years)   3     3  
Risk-free rate   1.57%     2.75%  

The following table presents stock options vested and expected to vest as of December 31, 2019 :

  Number of
shares
    Weighted average exercise price
($)
    Weighted average remaining contractual term
(in years)
    Aggregate intrinsic value
($'000)
 
Vested and expecting to vest - December 31, 2019 1,425,579     5.94     7.81     365  

These options have an exercise price range of $3.07 to $11.23.

The following table presents stock options that are exercisable as of December 31, 2019:

  Number of
shares
    Weighted average exercise price
($)
    Weighted average remaining contractual term
(in years)
 
                 
Exercisable - December 31, 2019 523,914     8.86     5.52  

No stock options became exercisable during the three months ended December 31, 2019 or during the three and six months ended December 31, 2018, respectively. However, during the six months ended December 31, 2019, 170,335 stock options became exercisable. The Company issues new shares to satisfy stock option exercises.

Restricted stock

The following table summarizes restricted stock activity for the six months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:

          Number of shares of restricted stock     Weighted average grant date fair value
($'000)
 
       
       
       
       
Non-vested - June 30, 2019   583,908     3,410  
    Non-vested - December 31, 2019   583,908     3,410  
                   
Non-vested - June 30, 2018   765,411     6,162  
Granted - September 2018   148,000     114  
Vested - August 2018   (52,594 )   459  
      Non-vested - December 31, 2018   860,817     5,785  

The September 2018 grants comprise 148,000 shares of restricted stock awarded to executive officers that are subject to market and time-based vesting. During the three months ended September 30, 2018, 52,594 shares of restricted stock granted to non-employee directors vested.


14. Stock-based compensation (continued)

Stock option and restricted stock activity (continued)

Restricted stock (continued)

Market Conditions - Restricted Stock Granted in September 2018

The 148,000 shares of restricted stock awarded to executive officers in September 2018 are subject to time-based and performance-based (a market condition) vesting conditions and vest in full only on the date, if any, that the following conditions are satisfied: (1) the price of the Company's common stock must equal or exceed certain agreed VWAP levels (as described below) during a measurement period commencing on the date that it files its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 2021 and ending on December 31, 2021 and (2) the recipient is employed by the Company on a full-time basis when the condition in (1) is met. If either of these conditions is not satisfied, then none of the shares of restricted stock will vest and they will be forfeited. The $23.00 price target represents an approximate 55% increase, compounded annually, in the price of the Company's common stock on Nasdaq over the $6.20 closing price on September 7, 2018. The VWAP levels and vesting percentages related to such levels are as follows:

  • Below $15.00 (threshold)-0%
  • At or above $15.00 and below $19.00-33%
  • At or above $19.00 and below $23.00-66%
  • At or above $23.00-100%

 

., The fair value of these shares of restricted stock was calculated using a Monte Carlo simulation of a stochastic volatility process. The choice of a stochastic volatility process as an extension to the standard Black Scholes process was driven by both observations of larger than expected moves in the daily time series for the Company's VWAP price, but also the observation of the strike structure of volatility (i.e. skew and smile) for out-of-the money calls and out-of-the money puts versus at-the-money options for both the Company's stock and NASDAQ futures.

In scenarios where the shares do not vest, the final vested value at maturity is zero. In scenarios where vesting occurs, the final vested value on maturity is the share price on vesting date. In its calculation of the fair value of the restricted stock, the Company used an average volatility of 37.4% for the VWAP price, a discounting based on USD overnight indexed swap rates for the grant date, and no future dividends. The average volatility was extracted from the time series for VWAP prices as the standard deviation of log prices for the three years preceding the grant date. The mean reversion of volatility and the volatility of volatility parameters of the stochastic volatility process were extracted by regressing log differences against log levels of volatility from the time series for at-the-money options 30 day volatility quotes, which were available from January 2, 2018 onwards.

Market Conditions - Restricted Stock Granted in August 2017

The 210,000 shares of restricted stock awarded to executive officers in August 2017 are subject to time-based and performance-based (a market condition) vesting conditions and vest in full only on the date, if any, that the following conditions are satisfied: (1) the price of the Company's common stock must equal or exceed certain agreed VWAP levels (as described below) during a measurement period commencing on the date that it files its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended 2020 and ending on December 31, 2020 and (2) the recipient is employed by the Company on a full-time basis when the condition in (1) is met. If either of these conditions is not satisfied, then none of the shares of restricted stock will vest and they will be forfeited. The $23.00 price target represents an approximate 35% increase, compounded annually, in the price of the Company's common stock on Nasdaq over the $9.38 closing price on August 23, 2017. The VWAP levels and vesting percentages related to such levels are as follows:

  • Below $15.00 (threshold)-0%
  • At or above $15.00 and below $19.00-33%
  • At or above $19.00 and below $23.00-66%
  • At or above $23.00-100%

These 210,000 shares of restricted stock are effectively forward starting knock-in barrier options with multi-strike prices of zero. The fair value of these shares of restricted stock was calculated utilizing a Monte Carlo simulation model which was developed for the purpose of the valuation of these shares. For each simulated share price path, the market share price condition was evaluated to determine whether or not the shares would vest under that simulation. A standard Geometric Brownian motion process was used in the forecasting of the share price instead of a "jump diffusion" model, as the share price volatility was more stable compared to the highly volatile regime of previous years. Therefore, the simulated share price paths capture the idiosyncrasies of the observed Company share price movements.


14. Stock-based compensation (continued) (continued)

Stock option and restricted stock activity (continued)

Restricted stock (continued)

Market Conditions - Restricted Stock Granted in August 2017 (continued)

In scenarios where the shares do not vest, the final vested value at maturity is zero. In scenarios where vesting occurs, the final vested value on maturity is the share price on vesting date. The value of the grant is the average of the discounted vested values. The Company used an expected volatility of 44.0%, an expected life of approximately three years, a risk-free rate ranging between 1.275% to 1.657% and no future dividends in its calculation of the fair value of the restricted stock. The estimated expected volatility was calculated based on the Company's 30 day VWAP share price using the exponentially weighted moving average of returns.

Stock-based compensation charge and unrecognized compensation cost

The Company recorded a stock-based compensation charge, net during the three months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 of $0.4 million and $0.6 million respectively, which comprised:

                  Allocated to
cost of goods
sold,
      Allocated to  
                  IT processing,       selling, general  
          Total       servicing and       and  
          charge       support       administration  
Three months ended December 31, 2019                      
Stock-based compensation charge $ 436     $ -     $ 436  
      Total - three months ended December 31, 2019 $ 436     $ -     $ 436  
             
     
     
Three months ended December 31, 2018                      
Stock-based compensation charge $ 598     $ -     $ 598  
      Total - three months ended December 31, 2018 $ 598     $ -     $ 598  

The Company recorded a stock-based compensation charge, net during the six months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 of $0.8 million and $1.2 million respectively, which comprised:

                  Allocated to
cost of goods
sold,
      Allocated to  
                  IT processing,       selling, general  
          Total       servicing and       and  
          charge       support       administration  
Six months ended December 31, 2019                      
Stock-based compensation charge $ 823     $ -     $ 823  
      Total - Six months ended December 31, 2019 $ 823     $ -     $ 823  
             
     
     
Six months ended December 31, 2018                      
Stock-based compensation charge $ 1,185     $ -     $ 1,185  
      Total - Six months ended December 31, 2018 $ 1,185     $ -     $ 1,185  

The stock-based compensation charges have been allocated to selling, general and administration based on the allocation of the cash compensation paid to the relevant employees.

As of December 31, 2019, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options was approximately $1.3 million, which the Company expects to recognize over approximately three years. As of December 31, 2019, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock awards was approximately $1.1 million, which the Company expects to recognize over approximately two years.

As of December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019, respectively, the Company recorded a deferred tax asset of approximately $0.3 million and $0.2 million, related to the stock-based compensation charge recognized related to employees of Net1. As of December 31, 2019, and June 30, 2019, respectively, the Company recorded a valuation allowance of approximately $0.3 million and $0.2 million, related to the deferred tax asset because it does not believe that the stock-based compensation deduction would be utilized as it does not anticipate generating sufficient taxable income in the United States. The Company deducts the difference between the market value on date of exercise by the option recipient and the exercise price from income subject to taxation in the United States.


15. (Loss) Earnings per share

The Company has issued redeemable common stock which is redeemable at an amount other than fair value. Redemption of a class of common stock at other than fair value increases or decreases the carrying amount of the redeemable common stock and is reflected in basic earnings per share using the two-class method. There were no redemptions of common stock, or adjustments to the carrying value of the redeemable common stock during the three and six months ended December 31, 2019 or 2018. Accordingly, the two-class method presented below does not include the impact of any redemption. The Company's redeemable common stock is described in Note 15 to the Company's audited consolidated financial statements included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2019.

Basic (loss) earnings per share includes shares of restricted stock that meet the definition of a participating security because these shares are eligible to receive non-forfeitable dividend equivalents at the same rate as common stock. Basic (loss) earnings per share has been calculated using the two-class method and basic (loss) earnings per share for the three and six months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, reflects only undistributed earnings. The computation below of basic (loss) earnings per share excludes the net loss attributable to shares of unvested restricted stock (participating non-vested restricted stock) from the numerator and excludes the dilutive impact of these unvested shares of restricted stock from the denominator.

Diluted (loss) earnings per share has been calculated to give effect to the number of shares of additional common stock that would have been outstanding if the potential dilutive instruments had been issued in each period. Stock options are included in the calculation of diluted (loss) earnings per share utilizing the treasury stock method and are not considered to be participating securities, as the stock options do not contain non-forfeitable dividend rights.

The calculation of diluted (loss) earnings per share includes the dilutive effect of a portion of the restricted stock granted to employees in August 2016, August 2017, March 2018, May 2018 and September 2018 as these shares of restricted stock are considered contingently returnable shares for the purposes of the diluted (loss) earnings per share calculation and the vesting conditions in respect of a portion of the restricted stock had been satisfied. The vesting conditions for awards made in September 2018 and August 2017 are discussed in Note 14 above and the vesting conditions for all other awards are discussed in Note 17 to the Company's audited consolidated financial statements included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2019.


15. (Loss) Earnings per share (continued)

The following table presents net loss attributable to Net1 (loss from continuing operations) and the share data used in the basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share computations using the two-class method:

      Three months ended     Six months ended    
      December 31,     December, 31    
        2019       2018       2019       2018    
        (in thousands except       (in thousands except    
        percent and       percent and    
        per share data)       per share data)    
Numerator:                                
Net loss attributable to Net1 $ (205 )   $ (63,941 )   $ (4,597 )   $ (69,140 )  
Undistributed (loss) earnings   (205 )     (63,941 )     (4,597 )     (69,140 )  
    Continuing   (205 )     (65,469 )     (4,597 )     (72,614 )  
    Discontinued $ -     $ 1,528     $ -     $ 3,474    
Percent allocated to common shareholders                                
(Calculation 1)   99%       98%       99%       99%    
Numerator for (loss) earnings per share: basic and diluted   (203 )     (62,972 )     (4,550 )     (68,146 )  
    Continuing   (203 )     (64,477 )     (4,550 )     (71,570 )  
    Discontinued   -       1,505       -       3,424    
                                     
Denominator                                
Denominator for basic (loss) earnings per share:                                
weighted-average common shares outstanding   55,985       55,973       55,985       55,962    
    Stock options   -       21       -       36    
    Denominator for diluted (loss) earnings per share: adjusted weighted average common shares outstanding and assuming conversion   55,985       55,994       55,985       55,998    
                                     
(Loss) Earnings per share:                                
Basic $ (0.00 )   $ (1.13 )   $ (0.08 )   $ (1.22 )  
    Continuing $ (0.00 )   $ (1.16 )   $ (0.08 )   $ (1.28 )  
    Discontinued $ -     $ 0.03     $ -     $ 0.06    
Diluted $ (0.00 )   $ (1.12 )   $ (0.08 )   $ (1.22 )  
    Continuing $ (0.00 )   $ (1.15 )   $ (0.08 )   $ (1.28 )  
    Discontinued $ -     $ 0.03     $ -     $ 0.06    
                                     
(Calculation 1)                                
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding (A)   55,985       55,973       55,985       55,962    
Basic weighted-average common shares outstanding and unvested restricted shares expected to vest (B)   56,568       56,834       56,568       56,778    
Percent allocated to common shareholders                                
(A) / (B)   99%       98%       99%       99%    

Options to purchase 1,425,579 shares of the Company's common stock at prices ranging from $3.07 to $11.23 per share were outstanding during the three and six months ended December 31, 2019, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted (loss) earnings per share because the options' exercise price was greater than the average market price of the Company's common stock. Options to purchase 1,166,554 and 503,698 shares of the Company's common stock at prices ranging from $6.20 to $13.16 per share and $8.75 to $13.16 per share were outstanding during the three and six months ended December 31, 2018, respectively, but were not included in the computation of diluted (loss) earnings per share because the options' exercise price was greater than the average market price of the Company's common stock. The options, which expire at various dates through October 14, 2029, were still outstanding as of December 31, 2019.


16. Supplemental cash flow information

The following table presents supplemental cash flow disclosures for the three and six months ended December 31, 2019, and 2018:

    Three months ended   Six months ended  
    December 31,     December 31,  
    2019     2018     2019     2018  
                         
Cash received from interest $ 1,042   $ 1,285   $ 1,779   $ 3,362  
Cash paid for interest $ 2,293   $ 2,588   $ 3,107   $ 5,654  
Cash paid for income taxes $ 2,004   $ 8,779   $ 3,887   $ 10,122  

Leases

The following table presents supplemental cash flow disclosure related to leases for the three and six months ended December 31, 2019:

    December 31, 2019  
    Three
months
ended
    Six
months
ended
 
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities            
Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 1,108   $ 2,028  
             
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange of lease obligations            
Operating leases $ 2,260   $ 2,490  

17. Revenue recognition

Disaggregation of revenue

The following table presents our revenue disaggregated by major revenue streams, including a reconciliation to operating segments for the three months ended December 31, 2019:

        South Africa     Korea     Rest of the world     Total  
South African transaction processing                        
  Processing fees $ 17,035   $ -   $ -   $ 17,035  
  Other   1,136     -     -     1,136  
    Subtotal   18,171     -     -     18,171  
International transaction processing                        
  Processing fees   -     32,000     851     32,851  
  Other   -     1,512     -     1,512  
    Subtotal   -     33,512     851     34,363  
Financial inclusion and applied technologies                        
  Telecom products and services   6,639     -     -     6,639  
  Account holder fees   3,103     -     -     3,103  
  Lending revenue   5,384     -     -     5,384  
  Technology products   5,042     -     -     5,042  
  Insurance revenue   1,372     -     -     1,372  
  Other   6     -     -     6  
    Subtotal   21,546     -     -     21,546  
                             
      $ 39,717   $ 33,512   $ 851   $ 74,080  


17. Revenue recognition (continued)

Disaggregation of revenue

The following table presents our revenue disaggregated by major revenue streams, including a reconciliation to operating segments for the three months ended December 31, 2018:

        South Africa     Korea     Rest of the world     Total  
South African transaction processing                        
  Processing fees $ 19,031   $ -   $ -   $ 19,031  
  Other   1,772     -     -     1,772  
    Subtotal   20,803     -     -     20,803  
International transaction processing                        
  Processing fees   -     34,382     2,543     36,925  
  Other   -     1,018     181     1,199  
    Subtotal   -     35,400     2,724     38,124  
Financial inclusion and applied technologies                        
  Telecom products and services   3,027     -     -     3,027  
  Account holder fees   3,140     -     -     3,140  
  Lending revenue   5,969     -     -     5,969  
  Technology products   4,913     -     -     4,913  
  Insurance revenue   1,306     -     -     1,306  
  Other   4,160     -     -     4,160  
    Subtotal   18,515     -     -     18,515  
                             
      $ 39,318   $ 35,400   $ 2,724   $ 77,442  

The following table presents our revenue disaggregated by major revenue streams, including a reconciliation to operating segments for the six months ended December 31, 2019:

        South Africa     Korea     Rest of the world     Total  
South African transaction processing                        
  Processing fees $ 33,001   $ -   $ -   $ 33,001  
  Other   2,369     -     -     2,369  
    Subtotal   35,370     -     -     35,370  
International transaction processing                        
  Processing fees   -     63,197     2,050     65,247  
  Other   -     3,133     -     3,133  
    Subtotal   -     66,330     2,050     68,380  
Financial services                        
  Telecom products and services   15,933     -     -     15,933  
  Account holder fees   8,363     -     -     8,363  
  Lending revenue   10,538     -     -     10,538  
  Technology products   12,176     -     -     12,176  
  Insurance revenue   2,758     -     -     2,758  
  Other   1,318     -     -     1,318  
    Subtotal   51,086     -     -     51,086  
                             
      $ 86,456   $ 66,330   $ 2,050   $ 154,836  


17. Revenue recognition (continued)

Disaggregation of revenue (continued)

The following table presents our revenue disaggregated by major revenue streams, including a reconciliation to operating segments for the six months ended December 31, 2018:

        South Africa     Korea     Rest of the world     Total  
South African transaction processing                        
  Processing fees $ 49,260   $ -   $ -   $ 49,260  
  Welfare benefit distributions   3,086     -     -     3,086  
  Other   2,920     -     -     2,920  
    Subtotal   55,266     -     -     55,266  
International transaction processing                        
  Processing fees   -     68,971     5,198     74,169  
  Other   -     2,980     362     3,342  
    Subtotal   -     71,951     5,560     77,511  
Financial services                        
  Telecom products and services   7,943     -     -     7,943  
  Account holder fees   13,745     -     -     13,745  
  Lending revenue   15,946     -     -     15,946  
  Technology products   9,941     -     -     9,941  
  Insurance revenue   3,821     -     -     3,821  
  Other   366     -     -     366  
    Subtotal   51,762     -     -     51,762  
                             
      $ 107,028   $ 71,951   $ 5,560   $ 184,539  

18. Leases

The Company elected to adopt the new lease guidance utilizing the modified retrospective approach therefore prior periods were not adjusted. The Company was not required to record a cumulative-effect adjustment to opening retained earnings as of July 1, 2019. The Company applied the package of three practical expedients available, which included the following (i) an entity need not reassess expired or existing contracts which are or contain leases (ii) an entity need not reassess the lease classification for any expired or existing leases, and (iii) an entity need not reassess initial direct costs for any existing leases. The Company also elected to not recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for leases with a term of less than twelve months and to account for all components in a lease arrangement as a single combined lease component.

The Company has entered into leasing arrangements classified as operating leases under accounting guidance. These leasing arrangements relate primarily to the lease of our corporate head office, administration offices and branch locations through which the Company operates its financial services business in South Africa. The Company's operating leases have a remaining lease term of between one to five years. We also operate parts of our financial services business from locations which we lease for a period of less than one year. The Company's operating lease expense during the three and six months ended December 31, 2019, was $1.1 million and $2.0 million, respectively. The Company does not have any significant leases that have not commenced as of December 31, 2019.

 


18. Leases (continued)

The following table presents supplemental balance sheet disclosure related to our right-of-use assets and our operating lease liabilities as of December 31, 2019 and July 1, 2019, the date of adoption of the new lease guidance (refer to Note 1):

    December 31,       July 1,  
      2019       2019  
Operating lease right-of-use   $ 7,838     $ 6,739  
Weighted average remaining lease term (years)     3.60       2.51  
Weighted average discount rate     10%       10%  
                 
Maturities of operating lease liabilities                
2020 (for December 31, 2019 excluding six months to December 31, 2019)   $ 2,334     $ 3,608  
2021     3,281       2,395  
2022     1,850       1,269  
2023     1,011       454  
2024     598       -  
Thereafter     204       -  
Total undiscounted operating lease liabilities     9,278       7,726  
Less imputed interest     1,245       842  
Total operating lease liabilities, included in     8,033       6,884  
Operating lease right-of-use lease liability - current     3,534       5,098  
Right-of-use operating lease liability - long-term   $ 4,499     $ 1,786  

19. Operating segments

The Company discloses segment information as reflected in the management information systems reports that its chief operating decision maker uses in making decisions and to report certain entity-wide disclosures about products and services, major customers, and the countries in which the entity holds material assets or reports material revenues. A description of the Company's operating segments is contained in Note 21 to the Company's audited consolidated financial statements included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2019. As discussed in Note 22, the Company has presented DNI as a discontinued operation.

The reconciliation of the reportable segment's revenue to revenue from external customers for the three months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, is as follows:

                     
      Revenue  
      Reportable Segment     Inter-segment     From external customers  
                     
South African transaction processing $ 20,350   $ 2,179   $ 18,171  
International transaction processing   34,363     -     34,363  
Financial services   21,986     440     21,546  
  Total for the three months ended December 31, 2019 $ 76,699   $ 2,619   $ 74,080  
                     
South African transaction processing $ 21,970   $ 1,167   $ 20,803  
International transaction processing   38,124     -     38,124  
Financial services   38,755     532     38,223  
  Continuing    19,047      532      18,515  
  Discontinued    19,708      -      19,708  
      Total for the three months ended December 31, 2018   98,849     1,699     97,150  
           Continuing    79,141      1,699      77,442  
           Discontinued $  19,708   $  -   $  19,708  


19. Operating segments

The reconciliation of the reportable segment's revenue to revenue from external customers for the six months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, is as follows:

      Revenue  
      Reportable Segment     Inter-segment     From external customers  
                     
South African transaction processing $ 39,749   $ 4,379   $ 35,370  
International transaction processing   68,380     -     68,380  
Financial services   52,131     1,045     51,086  
  Total for the six months ended December 31, 2019 $ 160,260   $ 5,424   $ 154,836  
                     
South African transaction processing $ 59,719   $ 4,453   $ 55,266  
International transaction processing   77,511     -     77,511  
Financial services   91,961     1,704     90,257  
  Continuing    53,466      1,704      51,762  
  Discontinued    38,495      -      38,495  
  Total for the six months ended December 31, 2018   229,191     6,157     223,034  
  Continuing    190,696      6,157      184,539  
  Discontinued $  38,495   $  -   $  38,495  

The Company does not allocate interest income, interest expense or income tax expense to its reportable segments. The Company evaluates segment performance based on segment operating income before acquisition-related intangible asset amortization which represents operating income before acquisition-related intangible asset amortization and allocation of expenses allocated to Corporate/Eliminations, all under GAAP.

The reconciliation of the reportable segments measures of profit or loss to income before income taxes for the three and six months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, is as follows:

        Three months ended     Six months ended  
        December 31,     December 31,  
        2019     2018     2019     2018  
                             
Reportable segments measure of profit or loss $ (1,048 ) $ (34,411 ) $ 858   $ (23,860 )
  Less: Discontinued operations: reportable segments measure of profit or loss   -     (8,429 )   -     (16,261 )
  Continuing operations: reportable segments measure of profit or loss     (1,048 )    (42,840 )    858      (40,121 )
  Continuing operations: Operating income - Corporate/Eliminations   (5,806 )   (6,061 )   (10,446 )   (13,066 )
  Change in fair value of equity securities   -     (15,836 )   -     (15,836 )
  Gain on disposal of FIHRST   9,743     -     9,743     -  
  Interest income   1,343     2,177     1,994     4,277  
  Interest expense   (3,221 )   (2,563 )   (4,576 )   (5,537 )
  Impairment of Cedar Cellular Note   -     (2,732 )   -     (2,732 )
    Income (Loss) before income taxes $ 1,011   $ (67,855 ) $ (2,427 ) $ (73,098 )


19. Operating segments (continued)

The following tables summarize segment information that is prepared in accordance with GAAP for the three and six months ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, with the impact of the deconsolidation of DNI included in discontinued operations:

                                             
                  Three months ended       Six months ended  
                  December 31,       December 31,  
                  2019       2018       2019       2018  
Revenues                              
  South African transaction processing $ 20,350     $ 21,970     $ 39,749     $ 59,719  
  International transaction processing   34,363       38,124       68,380       77,511  
  Financial services   21,986       38,755  
  52,131       91,961  
      Continuing   21,986       19,047  
  52,131       53,466  
      Discontinued   -       19,708  
  -       38,495  
          Total   76,699       98,849       160,260       229,191  
              Continuing   76,699       79,141       160,260       190,696  
              Discontinued   -       19,708       -       38,495  
                     
                     
Operating (loss) income              
             
  South African transaction processing   (2,981 )     (11,830 )     (6,366 )     (15,343 )
  International transaction processing   2,811       (4,043 )
  6,601       (1,281 )
  Financial services   (878 )     (18,538 )
  623       (7,236 )
      Continuing   (878 )     (26,967 )
  623       (23,497 )
      Discontinued   -       8,429  
  -       16,261  
        Subtotal: Operating segments   (1,048 )     (34,411 )
  858       (23,860 )
        Corporate/Eliminations   (5,806 )     (8,664 )     (10,446 )     (18,319 )
          Continuing   (5,806 )     (6,061 )     (10,446 )     (13,066 )
          Discontinued   -       (2,603 )     -       (5,253 )
            Total   (6,854 )     (43,075 )     (9,588 )     (42,179 )
              Continuing   (6,854 )     (48,901 )     (9,588 )     (53,187 )
              Discontinued   -       5,826       -       11,008  
                                             
Depreciation and amortization                              
  South African transaction processing   664       921       1,325       1,862  
  International transaction processing   1,481       2,511  
  3,377       5,570  
  Financial services   383       405  
  767       1,041  
      Continuing   383       346  
  767       695  
      Discontinued   -       59  
  -       346  
        Subtotal: Operating segments   2,528       3,837  
  5,469       8,473  
        Corporate/Eliminations   1,853       6,016       3,677       12,174  
          Continuing   1,853       3,413       3,677       6,921  
          Discontinued   -       2,603       -       5,253  
            Total   4,381       9,853       9,146       20,647  
              Continuing   4,381       7,191       9,146       15,048  
              Discontinued   -       2,662       -       5,599  
                             
             
Expenditures for long-lived assets              
             
  South African transaction processing   157       1,047  
  2,021       2,333  
  International transaction processing   616       841  
  1,293       1,641  
  Financial services   54       659       137       1,691  
      Continuing   54       475  
  137       1,368  
      Discontinued   -       184  
  -       323  
        Subtotal: Operating segments   827       2,547       3,451       5,665  
        Corporate/Eliminations   -       -       -       -  
            Total   827       2,547       3,451       5,665  
              Continuing   827       2,363  
  3,451       5,342  
              Discontinued $ -     $ 184     $ -     $ 323  


19. Operating segments (continued)

The segment information as reviewed by the chief operating decision maker does not include a measure of segment assets per segment as all of the significant assets are used in the operations of all, rather than any one, of the segments. The Company does not have dedicated assets assigned to a particular operating segment. Accordingly, it is not meaningful to attempt an arbitrary allocation and segment asset allocation is therefore not presented.

20. Income tax

Income tax in interim periods

For the purposes of interim financial reporting, the Company determines the appropriate income tax provision by first applying the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year to ordinary income. This amount is then adjusted for the tax effect of significant unusual items, for instance, changes in tax law, valuation allowances and non-deductible transaction-related expenses that are reported separately, and have an impact on the tax charge. The cumulative effect of any change in the enacted tax rate, if and when applicable, on the opening balance of deferred tax assets and liabilities is also included in the tax charge as a discrete event in the interim period in which the enactment date occurs.

For the three and six months ended December 31, 2019, the Company's effective tax rate was impacted by the on-going losses incurred by certain of its South African businesses and the associated valuation allowances created related to the deferred tax assets recognized regarding net operating losses incurred by the Company's South African businesses and non-deductible expenses, including transaction-related expenditure, which was partially offset by tax expense recorded by the Company's profitable businesses in South Africa and South Korea.

For the three and six months ended December 31, 2018, the Company's effective tax rate was adversely impacted by the valuation allowances created related to the deferred tax assets recognized regarding net operating losses incurred by the Company's South African businesses, the non-deductible goodwill impairment losses, and non-deductible expenses, including transaction-related expenditure and non-deductible interest on its South African long-term debt facility, which was partially offset by tax expense recorded by the Company's profitable businesses in South Africa and South Korea. The deferred tax impact of the change in the fair value of the Company's equity security also impacted the Company's effective rate for fiscal 2019, as this amount is recorded at a lower rate (at a capital gains rate) than the South African statutory rate.

Uncertain tax positions

There were no significant changes in the Company's uncertain tax positions during the three and six months ended December 31, 2019. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had accrued interest related to uncertain tax positions of approximately $0.1 million on its balance sheet.

The Company does not expect changes related to its unrecognized tax benefits will have a significant impact on its results of operations or financial position in the next 12 months.

As of December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $1.6 million and $1.2 million, respectively, all of which would impact the Company's effective tax rate. The Company files income tax returns mainly in South Africa, South Korea, Germany, Hong Kong, India, the United Kingdom, Botswana and in the U.S. federal jurisdiction. As of December 31, 2019, the Company's South African subsidiaries are no longer subject to income tax examination by the South African Revenue Service for periods before June 30, 2016. The Company is subject to income tax in other jurisdictions outside South Africa, none of which are individually material to its financial position, statement of cash flows, or results of operations

21. Commitments and contingencies

Guarantees

The South African Revenue Service and certain of the Company's customers, suppliers and other business partners have asked the Company to provide them with guarantees, including standby letters of credit, issued by a South African bank. The Company is required to procure these guarantees for these third parties to operate its business.

Nedbank has issued guarantees to these third parties amounting to ZAR 93.6 million ($6.7 million, translated at exchange rates applicable as of December 31, 2019) and thereby utilizing part of the Company's short-term facility. The Company in turn has provided nonrecourse, unsecured counter-guarantees to Nedbank for ZAR 93.6 million ($6.7 million, translated at exchange rates applicable as of December 31, 2019). The Company pays commission of between 0.4% per annum to 1.94% per annum of the face value of these guarantees and does not recover any of the commission from third parties.


21. Commitments and contingencies (continued)

The Company has not recognized any obligation related to these counter-guarantees in its consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2019. The maximum potential amount that the Company could pay under these guarantees is ZAR 93.6 million ($6.7 million, translated at exchange rates applicable as of December 31, 2019). The guarantees have reduced the amount available for borrowings under the Company's short-term credit facility described in Note 10.

Contingencies

The Company is subject to a variety of other insignificant claims and suits that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of business. Management currently believes that the resolution of these other matters, individually or in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse impact on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

22. Discontinued operation - DNI

The Company determined that the disposal of its controlling interest in DNI is a discontinued operation because it represented a strategic shift that will have a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results as a result of the sale of a significant portion of its investment in DNI. Refer to Note 3 to the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2019, for additional information regarding the deconsolidation of DNI. The table below presents certain major captions to the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations and unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for three and six months ended December 31, 2018, that have not been separately presented on those statements:

DNI  
    December 31, 2018  
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
Unaudited condensed consolidated statement of operations            
Discontinued:            
Revenue $ 19,708   $ 38,495  
Cost of goods sold, IT processing, servicing and support   9,954     20,166  
Selling, general and administration   1,266     1,722  
Depreciation and amortization   2,662     5,599  
Operating income   5,826     11,008  
Interest income   224     499  
Interest expense   215     416  
Net income before tax   5,835     11,091  
Income tax expense   2,100     3,615  
Net income before earnings from equity-accounted investments   3,735     7,476  
Earnings from equity-accounted investments (1)   44     (58 )
     Net income from discontinued operations $ 3,779   $ 7,418  
             
Unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows            
Discontinued:            
Total net cash (used in) provided by operating activities $ 10,546   $ 7,028  
Total net cash (used in) provided by investing activities   (172 )   (197 )
(1) Earnings from equity-accounted investments for the three and six months ended December 31, 2018, represents earnings attributed to equity-accounted investments owned by DNI and included in the Company's results as a result of the consolidation of DNI.  

22. Discontinued operation - DNI (continued)

The Company retained a continuing involvement in DNI through its 30% interest in DNI (refer to Note 7). The Company expects to retain an interest in DNI for less than 12 months. The Company recorded earnings under the equity method related to its retained investment in DNI during the three and six months ended December 31, 2019, refer to Note 7. The table below presents revenues and expenses between the Company and DNI, after the DNI disposal transaction, during the three and six months ended December 31, 2019:

DNI  
    December 31, 2019  
    Three months ended     Six months ended  
Revenue generated from transactions with DNI $ -   $ -  
Expenses incurred related to transactions with DNI $ 333   $ 2,607  

Refer to Note 7 for the dividends received from DNI and accounted for under the equity method during the six months ended December 31, 2019.


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

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2019, and the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included in this Form 10-Q.

Forward-looking statements

Some of the statements in this Form 10-Q constitute forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or our future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our or our industry's actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed, implied or inferred by these forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among other things, those listed under Item 1A.-"Risk Factors" and elsewhere in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2019. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "would," "expects," "plans," "intends," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential" or "continue" or the negative of such terms and other comparable terminology.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we do not know whether we can achieve positive future results, levels of activity, performance, or goals. Actual events or results may differ materially. We undertake no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this Form 10-Q to conform those statements to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by applicable law.

You should read this Form 10-Q and the documents that we reference herein and the documents we have filed as exhibits hereto and thereto and which we have filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission completely and with the understanding that our actual future results, levels of activity, performance and achievements may be materially different from what we expect. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

Recent Developments

Financial Inclusion Activities in South Africa

Having taken dramatic steps to reduce costs in our South African operations in fiscal 2019, our focus in fiscal 2020 has been to transition our South African financial inclusion activities towards a business-to-consumer, or B2C, model. We have developed new banking products in cooperation with Finbond and stabilized our financial services offerings, while continuing to make our distribution and infrastructure more efficient. Our ability to expand our account base and financial services offerings have been constrained by the availability of sufficient liquidity thus far. We completed a soft launch of our new banking products on October 1, 2019 and, without any marketing, we opened in excess of 13,000 new accounts by December 31, 2019.

         Our loan book has remained fairly steady over the last two quarters, and we have had additional conversations with third-party lenders, including Finbond, to leverage their balance sheets to provide loans to our customers as a mechanism to accelerate growth in our financial inclusion offerings. During the second quarter of fiscal 2019, we launched new loan products in collaboration with Finbond utilizing their balance sheet. These loans are to the higher LSM customers and therefore the first of our efforts to move up to a higher income customer segment. We issued in excess of 60,000 of these new loans during the second quarter. We continue to work with Grindrod Bank on our ATM and other acquiring initiatives.

The majority of our South African operations were stable though modestly lower compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2020. We expect to drive meaningful growth following an injection of additional liquidity into the businesses.

International Activities

IPG – IPG has completed its restructuring, and its newly developed issuing, acquiring and processing products, together with its new brand are ready for deployment. IPG remains somewhat dependent on Bank Frick to bring these new solutions to market, which in turn will be able to support IPG’s activities once it is authorized to conclude a Payment Facilitator agreement with IPG. Visa has provided conditional approval to Bank Frick with the last remaining Visa requirement being an onsite assessment of our operations in Malta, which occurred in late November 2019. We await final approval from Visa and upon receipt, we will be able to launch our new model with Bank Frick in earnest. In the interim, to accelerate our go-to-market strategy we have engaged with other financial institutions, which have progressed well, though with less strategic support or favorable commercials than our agreements with Bank Frick. We are currently completing final tests on our first product in the crypto-currency/ blockchain market, which is expected to launch toward the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2020 and additional products are expected to follow later in the year.

Bank Frick - Bank Frick is systematically pursuing its strategy of working closely with financial intermediaries, offering products for alternative asset classes and fund services, and becoming an internationally recognized leading partner in the blockchain sector. With this strategy in mind, the bank evaluated and acted on various strategic opportunities during the last quarter.


Bank Frick is now the principal bank for more than 200 blockchain-based business clients in "Crypto Valley" of the Zug district along the border of Liechtenstein and Switzerland. The bank's activities have been further supported by the new Blockchain Act implemented in Liechtenstein, which came into effect on January 1, 2020. The Act has created Europe's most comprehensive blockchain regulation, pioneering regulation for the token economy. Unlike many countries who amend existing legislation to accommodate blockchain, Liechtenstein has opted for a universal approach and creating a single law.

In October 2019, Net1 exercised its option to increase ownership in Bank Frick to 70% from 35% currently. The transaction is awaiting approval from Liechtenstein's Financial Market Authority.

Carbon - Carbon continues to report exponential sequential growth across all the key indicators of its business - number of app installations, unique customers, loans disbursed and number of value-added transactions. For its year ended December 31, 2019, Carbon reported a full year net profit for the first time. Carbon's continued growth will be driven by its ability to access capital and/or funding in order to meet the demand for its expanding suite of products.

India - MobiKwik received central bank approval to be a direct issuer during Q2 2020. We are working with MobiKwik and the card networks to re-launch our virtual card offering for both prepaid and credit with MobiKwik as the issuer. Once launched, we intend to offer the solutions to their entire qualified customer base, which is in excess of ten million users. MobiKwik itself continues to perform ahead of expectations, primarily due to its successful transition to being a digital financial services provider. For the quarter ended December 31, 2019, MobiKwik recorded unaudited annualized revenue of $66 million, up from $28 million for the quarter ended December 31, 2018. It has been contribution margin positive since October 2018 and achieved cash EBITDA breakeven in the month of August 2019. Digital financial services now account for approximately 25% of MobiKwik's total monthly revenue, compared to zero during the previous fiscal year and it is currently disbursing in excess of 110,000 new loans per month.

Progress on corporate activities

As part of the extensive strategic review of all of our businesses and investments, we have made progress on multiple fronts:

Sale of KSNET in Korea - On January 23, 2020, we agreed to sell 100% of KSNET to PayletterHoldings LLC for approximately $237 million. The transaction, which is not subject to a financing condition, is expected to close in March 2020.

Sale of FIHRST - In December 2019, the Company sold its payroll processing business FIHRST to Transaction Capital Payments Solutions Proprietary Ltd. for approximately ZAR 172.2 million, or $11.7 million at prevailing exchange rates. The transaction closed on December 12, 2019 and resulted in a capital gain of approximately ZAR 158.2 million, or $10.8 million. Net1 SA was required to utilize the full purchase price received from the sale of FIHRST to settle its obligations under its lending arrangements - refer to Net1's 2019 Form 10-K and Note 10 to its Q2 2020 Form 10-Q.

Disposal of DNI - During the first quarter of fiscal 2020, DNI announced the acquisition of two related businesses that would provide further diversification of its revenue sources, and meaningfully scale its operations. We believe these acquisitions will expand the appeal of DNI to prospective investors and ultimately result in the exercise of the call option to acquire our remaining 30% at a strike price of ZAR 859.0 million, or $61.2 million translated at exchange rates applicable as of December 31, 2019. We have extended the validity of the call option to March 31, 2020.

Cell C - We continued to carry the value of our Cell C investment at $0 (zero) as of December 31, 2019. Cell C has concluded its infrastructure sharing agreement with MTN, and is now focused on its recapitalization. While it remains in default on its various lending arrangements, Cell C and its lenders are working constructively towards formulating a recapitalization intended to ensure its long-term sustainability and allow Cell C to focus on its core business.

SASSA Contract Expiration

Although we have not been involved operationally with SASSA since September 30, 2018, we have been actively trying to resolve all legal and legacy outstanding items to allow us to focus on our core business.

Supreme Court Ruling on refund of implementation costs from 2014 - On September 30, 2019, the Supreme Court dismissed CPS's appeal against the whole order and judgment of the High Court of the Republic of South Africa Gauteng Division, Pretoria and ordered it to pay Corruption Watch's costs, including that of two legal counsel. On October 23, 2019, we filed our leave to appeal the Supreme Court's order with the Constitutional Court of South Africa. However, we cannot predict whether leave to appeal will be granted or if granted, how the Constitutional Court would rule on the matter.

Settlement of payment of fees due for the last six months of the SASSA contract - Following the March 23, 2018 Constitutional Court order for a six-month extension of our contract with SASSA for payment of grants in cash at pay points only, we were allowed to charge our monthly fee based on the previously contracted rate of ZAR 16.44 (including VAT) per cash pay point recipient. Given that we only serviced the highest-cost beneficiaries, the Constitutional Court allowed us to approach the National Treasury in order for them to make a fair determination of the price we should be paid for services rendered. National Treasury recommended a rate of ZAR 51.00 (including VAT) per cash pay point recipient per month to the Constitutional Court. Contrary to SASSA's stance, the Constitutional Court on December 5, 2018, ruled that they are not required to ratify the Treasury recommended rate, and that CPS and SASSA must agree on the pricing. We have commenced legal proceedings to receive an amount in accordance with the National Treasury's recommendation.


Critical Accounting Policies

Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty, the determination of estimates requires management's judgment based on a variety of assumptions and other determinants such as historical experience, current and expected market conditions and certain scientific evaluation techniques.

Critical accounting policies are those that reflect significant judgments or uncertainties, and potentially may result in materially different results under different assumptions and conditions. We have identified the following critical accounting policies that are described in more detail in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2019:

  • Valuation of investment in Cell C;
  • Business combinations and the recoverability of goodwill;
  • Intangible assets acquired through acquisitions;
  • Deferred taxation;
  • Stock-based compensation;
  • Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts receivable; and
  • Accounting for transactions following September 2019 Supreme Court ruling.

Recent accounting pronouncements adopted

Refer to Note 1 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for a full description of recent accounting pronouncements adopted, including the dates of adoption and the effects on our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted as of December 31, 2019

Refer to Note 1 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for a full description of recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted as of December 31, 2019, including the expected dates of adoption and effects on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Currency Exchange Rate Information

Actual exchange rates

The actual exchange rates for and at the end of the periods presented were as follows:

Table 1   Three months ended     Six months ended     Year end  
    December 31,     December 31,     June 30,  
    2019     2018     2019     2018     2019  
ZAR : $ average exchange rate   14.6969     14.3043     14.6947     14.1863     14.1926  
Highest ZAR : $ rate during period   15.3017     14.8463     15.3860     15.4335     15.4335  
Lowest ZAR : $ rate during period   14.0304     13.6911     13.8973     13.1528     13.1528  
Rate at end of period   14.0483     14.3960     14.0483     14.3960     14.0840  
                               
KRW : $ average exchange rate   1,175     1,127     1,185     1,124     1,135  
Highest KRW : $ rate during period   1,205     1,141     1,218     1,141     1,195  
Lowest KRW : $ rate during period   1,155     1,109     1,155     1,108     1,108  
Rate at end of period   1,155     1,114     1,155     1,114     1,156  



Translation exchange rates for financial reporting purposes

We are required to translate our results of operations from ZAR and KRW to U.S. dollars on a monthly basis. Thus, the average rates used to translate this data for the three and six months ended December 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019, vary slightly from the averages shown in the table above. The translation rates we use in presenting our results of operations are the rates shown in the following table:

                               
    Three months ended     Six months ended     Year end  
Table 2   December 31,     December 31,     June 30,  
    2019     2018     2019     2018     2019  
Income and expense items: $1 = ZAR   14.6022     14.3236     14.4023     14.3378     14.2688  
Income and expense items: $1 = KRW   1,174     1,124     1,184     1,122     1,136  
                               
Balance sheet items: $1 = ZAR   14.0483     14.3960     14.0483     14.3960     14.0840  
Balance sheet items: $1 = KRW   1,155     1,114     1,155     1,114     1,156  

Results of operations

The discussion of our consolidated overall results of operations is based on amounts as reflected in our unaudited consolidated financial statements which are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We analyze our results of operations both in U.S. dollars, as presented in the consolidated financial statements, and supplementally in ZAR, because ZAR is the functional currency of the entities which contribute the majority of our revenue and is the currency in which the majority of our transactions are initially incurred and measured. Due to the significant impact of currency fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and ZAR on our reported results and because we use the U.S. dollar as our reporting currency, we believe that the supplemental presentation of our results of operations in ZAR is useful to investors to understand the changes in the underlying trends of our business.

Our operating segment revenue presented in "-Results of operations by operating segment" represents total revenue per operating segment before intercompany eliminations. A reconciliation between total operating segment revenue and revenue presented in our consolidated financial statements is included in Note 19 to those statements.

We used the equity method to account for DNI in fiscal 2020 and accounted for DNI as a discontinued operation in fiscal 2019. We disposed of FIHRST during the second quarter of fiscal 2020 and its contribution to our reported results is excluded from December 1, 2019.

We analyze our business and operations in terms of three inter-related but independent operating segments: (1) South African transaction processing, (2) International transaction processing and (3) Financial inclusion and applied technologies. In addition, corporate and corporate office activities that are impracticable to ascribe directly to any of the other operating segments, as well as any inter-segment eliminations, are included in corporate/eliminations.

Second quarter of fiscal 2020 compared to second quarter of fiscal 2019

The following factors had a significant impact on our results of operations during the second quarter of fiscal 2020 as compared with the same period in the prior year:

 Decline in revenue: Our revenues declined 2% in ZAR primarily due to the decline in EPE account numbers driven by SASSA’s auto-migration of accounts to SAPO, and a reduction in EPE-related financial and value-added services and transaction fees due to a smaller customer base, but partially offset by higher ad hoc terminal and prepaid airtime sales;

 Ongoing operating losses: We continue to experience operating losses primarily in South Africa as a result of lower revenues, coupled with a high-fixed cost infrastructure;

 Gain on disposal of FIHRST: We recorded a gain of $9.7 million related to the disposal of FIHRST in December 2019;

 Higher net interest expense: Net interest expense increased due to lower average cash balances and higher short-term borrowing to fund ATMs and utilization of our overdrafts, but was partially offset by the repayment of our long-term debt in the second half of fiscal 2019; and

 Adverse foreign exchange movements: The U.S. dollar appreciated 2% against the ZAR and 4% against the KRW during the second quarter of fiscal 2020, which adversely impacted our reported results.


Consolidated overall results of operations

This discussion is based on the amounts prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The following tables show the changes in the items comprising our statements of operations, both in U.S. dollars and in ZAR:

Table 3     In United States Dollars
(US GAAP)
 
    Three months ended December 31,  
      2019     2018(A)     $ %  
    $ '000     $ '000     change  
Revenue     74,080     77,442     (4%)  
Cost of goods sold, IT processing, servicing and support     43,160     41,231     5%  
Selling, general and administration     33,393     69,730     (52%)  
Depreciation and amortization     4,381     7,191     (39%)  
Impairment loss     -     8,191     nm  
Operating loss     (6,854 )   (48,901 )   (86%)  
Change in fair value of equity securities     -     (15,836 )   nm  
Gain on disposal of FIHRST     9,743     -     nm  
Interest income     1,343     2,177     (38%)  
Interest expense     3,221     2,563     26%  
Impairment of Cedar Cellular note     -     2,732     nm  
Income (Loss) before income taxes     1,011     (67,855 )   nm  
Income tax expense (benefit)     1,722     (4,398 )   nm  
Net loss before earnings (loss) from equity-accounted investments     (711 )   (63,457 )   (99%)  
Earnings (Loss) from equity-accounted investments     506     (1,291 )   nm  
Net loss from continuing operations     (205 )   (64,748 )   (100%)  
Net income from discontinued operations     -     3,779     nm  
Net (loss) income     (205 )   (60,969 )   (100%)  
Less net income attributable to non-controlling interest     -     2,972     nm  
Continuing     -     721     nm  
Discontinued     -     2,251     nm  
Net (loss) income attributable to us     (205 )   (63,941 )   (100%)  
Continuing     (205 )   (65,469 )   (100%)  
Discontinued     -     1,528     nm  

(A) Refer to Note 22 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for discontinued operations disclosures.



                     
Table 4     In South African Rand
(US GAAP)
 
      Three months ended December 31,  
      2019     2018(A)     ZAR %  
    ZAR '000     ZAR '000     change  
Revenue     1,081,731     1,109,248     (2%)  
Cost of goods sold, IT processing, servicing and support     630,231     590,576     7%  
Selling, general and administration     487,611     998,784     (51%)  
Depreciation and amortization     63,972     103,001     (38%)  
Impairment loss     -     117,325     nm  
Operating loss     (100,083 )   (700,438 )   (86%)  
Change in fair value of equity securities     -     (226,829 )   nm  
Gain on disposal of FIHRST     142,269     -     nm  
Interest income     19,611     31,182     (37%)  
Interest expense     47,034     36,711     28%  
Impairment of Cedar Cellular note     -     39,132     nm  
Income (Loss) before income taxes     14,763     (971,928 )   nm  
Income tax expense (benefit)     25,145     (62,995 )   nm  
Net loss before earnings (loss) from equity-accounted investments     (10,382 )   (908,933 )   (99%)  
Earnings (Loss) from equity-accounted investments     7,389     (18,492 )   nm  
Net loss from continuing operations     (2,993 )   (927,425 )   (100%)  
Net income from discontinued operations     -     54,129     nm  
Net (loss) income     (2,993 )   (873,296 )   (100%)  
Less net income attributable to non-controlling interest     -     42,570     nm  
Continuing     -     10,328     nm  
Discontinued     -     32,242     nm  
Net (loss) income attributable to us     (2,993 )   (915,866 )   (100%)  
Continuing     (2,993 )   (937,753 )   (100%)  
Discontinued     -     21,887     nm  

(A) Refer to Note 22 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for discontinued operations disclosures.

The decrease in revenue was primarily due to the decline in EPE account numbers driven by SASSA's auto-migration of accounts to SAPO, and a reduction in EPE-related financial and value-added services and transaction fees due to a smaller customer base, but partially offset by higher ad hoc terminal and prepaid airtime sales.

The increase in cost of goods sold, IT processing, servicing and support was primarily due to higher costs related to ad hoc terminal and prepaid airtime sales, but partially offset by fewer SASSA Grindrod-account grant recipients utilizing the South African National Payment System which resulted in lower transaction costs incurred by us.

The decrease in selling, general and administration expense was primarily due to the increase in our allowance for doubtful finance loans receivable recorded during the second quarter of fiscal 2019 of approximately $23.4 million (resulting from SASSA's auto-migration of EPE accounts), and lower costs incurred by our South Africa business as we transition our business strategy in South Africa. We continue to incur committed fixed and variable costs (including premises and staff costs) related to the maintenance of our financial inclusion initiatives in South Africa.

Depreciation and amortization decreased primarily due to lower overall amortization of intangible assets that are fully amortized and tangible assets that are fully depreciated during the second quarter of fiscal 2020.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2019, we recognized an impairment loss of approximately $8.2 million, which included $7.0 million related to the entire amount of IPG goodwill.

Our operating loss margin for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 and 2019 was (9.3%) and (63.1%), respectively. We discuss the components of operating income margin under "-Results of operations by operating segment."

There was no change in the fair value of equity securities during the second quarter of fiscal 2020 with our investment in Cell C carried at $0 (zero). The change in fair value of equity securities during the second quarter of fiscal 2019 represented a non-cash fair value adjustment loss related to Cell C. Refer to Note 6 of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the methodology and inputs used in the fair value calculation.


We recorded a gain of $9.7 million related to the disposal of FIHRST during the second quarter of fiscal 2020.

Interest on surplus cash decreased to $1.3 million (ZAR 19.6 million) from $2.2 million (ZAR 31.2 million), due primarily to the lower average daily cash balances and cash used to fund the operating losses in the South African operations.

Interest expense increased to $3.2 million (ZAR 47.0 million) from $2.6 million (ZAR 36.7 million), due to interest expense related to cash borrowed to stock our ATMs and utilization of our overdraft facilities, but partially offset by a reduction in our long-term South African debt.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2019, we recorded an impairment loss of $2.7 million related to our Cedar Cellular note as discussed in Note 7 of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Fiscal 2020 tax expense was $1.7 million (ZAR 25.1 million) compared to an income tax benefit of $(4.4) million (ZAR (63.0) million) in fiscal 2019. Our effective tax rate for fiscal 2020, was impacted by the on-going losses incurred by certain of our South African businesses and the associated valuation allowances created related to the deferred tax assets recognized regarding net operating losses incurred by these South African businesses and non-deductible expenses, including transaction-related expenditure, which was partially offset by tax expense recorded by our profitable businesses in South Africa and South Korea. Our effective tax rate for fiscal 2019, was adversely impacted by the valuation allowances created related to the deferred tax assets recognized regarding net operating losses incurred by our South African businesses, the non-deductible goodwill impairment losses, and non-deductible expenses, including transaction-related expenditure and non-deductible interest on our South African long-term debt facility, which was partially offset by tax expense recorded by our profitable businesses in South Africa and South Korea. The deferred tax impact of the change in the fair value of our equity security also impacted our effective rate for fiscal 2019, as this amount is recorded at a lower rate (at a capital gains rate) than the South African statutory rate.

DNI was accounted for using the equity method during the second quarter of fiscal 2020. Finbond is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and reports its six-month results during our first quarter and its annual results during our fourth quarter. The table below presents the relative earnings (loss) from our equity accounted investments:

Table 5     Three months ended December 31,        
      2019     2018     $ %  
      $ '000     $ '000     change  
DNI     380     -     nm  
Share of net income     1,650     -     nm  
Amortization of intangible assets, net of deferred tax     (465 )   -     nm  
Impairment     (805 )   -     nm  
Bank Frick     494     (1,217 )   nm  
Share of net income     636     402     58%  
Amortization of intangible assets, net of deferred tax     (142 )   (141 )   1%  
Other     -     (1,478 )   nm  
Other     (368 )   (74 )   397%  
      506     (1,291 )   nm  


Results of operations by operating segment

The composition of revenue and the contributions of our business activities to operating income are illustrated below:

                                 
Table 6     In United States Dollars (US GAAP)  
         
      Three months ended December 31,  
      2019     % of     2018     % of     % change  
Operating Segment   $ '000     total     $ '000     total  
Consolidated revenue:                                
South African transaction processing     20,350     27%     21,970     23%     (7%)  
International transaction processing     34,363     46%     38,124     39%     (10%)  
Financial inclusion and applied technologies     21,986     30%     38,755     40%     (43%)  
Continuing     21,986     30%     19,047     20%     15%  
Discontinued     -     -     19,708     20%     nm  
Subtotal: Operating segments     76,699     103%     98,849     102%     (22%)  
Corporate/Eliminations     (2,619 )   (3%)     (1,699 )   (2%)     54%  
Total consolidated revenue     74,080     100%     97,150     100%     (24%)  
Continuing     74,080     100%     77,442     80%     (4%)  
Discontinued     -     -     19,708     20%     nm  
Consolidated operating (loss) income:                             nm  
South African transaction processing     (2,981 )   43%     (11,830 )   27%     (75%)  
International transaction processing     2,811     (41%)     (4,043 )   9%     nm  
Financial inclusion and applied technologies     (878 )   13%     (18,538 )   43%     (95%)  
Continuing     (878 )   13%     (26,967 )   63%     (97%)  
Discontinued     -     -     8,429     (20%)     nm  
Subtotal: Operating segments     (1,048 )   15%     (34,411 )   79%     (97%)  
Corporate/eliminations     (5,806 )   85%     (8,664 )   21%     (33%)  
Continuing     (5,806 )   85%     (6,061 )   15%     (4%)  
Discontinued     -     -     (2,603 )   6%     nm  
Total consolidated operating (loss) income     (6,854 )   100%     (43,075 )   100%     (84%)  
Continuing     (6,854 )   100%     (48,901 )   114%     (86%)  
Discontinued     -     -     5,826     (14%)     nm  



Table 7     In South African Rand (US GAAP)  
         
      Three months ended December 31,  
      2019     % of     2018     % of     % change  
Operating Segment   ZAR '000     total     ZAR '000     total  
Consolidated revenue:                                
South African transaction processing     297,155     27%     314,689     23%     (6%)  
International transaction processing     501,775     46%     546,073     39%     (8%)  
Financial inclusion and applied technologies     321,044     30%     555,111     40%     (42%)  
Continuing     321,044     30%     272,821     20%     18%  
Discontinued     -     -     282,290     20%     nm  
Subtotal: Operating segments     1,119,974     103%     1,415,873     102%     (21%)  
Corporate/Eliminations     (38,243 )   (3%)     (24,335 )   (2%)     57%  
Total consolidated revenue     1,081,731     100%     1,391,538     100%     (22%)  
Continuing     1,081,731     100%     1,109,248     80%     (2%)  
Discontinued     -     -     282,290     20%     nm  
Consolidated operating (loss) income:                             nm  
South African transaction processing     (43,529 )   43%     (169,448 )   27%     (74%)  
International transaction processing     41,047     (41%)     (57,910 )   9%     nm  
Financial inclusion and applied technologies     (12,821 )   13%     (265,531 )   43%     (95%)  
Continuing     (12,821 )   13%     (386,265 )   63%     (97%)  
Discontinued     -     -     120,734     (20%)     nm  
Subtotal: Operating segments     (15,303 )   15%     (492,889 )   79%     (97%)  
Corporate/eliminations     (84,780 )   85%     (124,100 )   21%     (32%)  
Continuing     (84,780 )   85%     (86,816 )   15%     (2%)  
Discontinued     -     -     (37,284 )   6%     nm  
Total consolidated operating (loss) income     (100,083 )   100%     (616,989 )   100%     (84%)  
Continuing     (100,083 )   100%     (700,439 )   114%     (86%)  
Discontinued     -     -     83,450     (14%)     nm  

South African transaction processing

The decrease in segment revenue was primarily due to fewer transactions performed at our ATM base and lower fees as a result of fewer EPE and SASSA accounts. Our South African transaction processing operating segment revenue and operating loss have been adversely impacted by the loss of EPE customers as a result of SASSA's auto-migration of accounts to SAPO. The reduced operating loss in the segment is due to the cost cutting that has occurred over the last 12 months.

Our operating loss margin for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 and 2019 was (14.6%) and (53.8%), respectively.

International transaction-based activities

Segment revenue was lower during the second quarter of fiscal 2020, primarily due to an ongoing contraction in IPG transactions processed, specifically meaningfully lower crypto-exchange and China processing activity, modestly lower KSNET revenue as a result of lower transaction values processed and the impact of the weaker KRW/ USD exchange rate on reported KSNET revenue. Operating income during the second quarter of fiscal 2020 has improved compared with fiscal 2019 due to improved profitability of KSNET and the impairment loss recorded in fiscal 2019.

Operating income (loss) margin for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 and 2019 was 8.2% and (10.6%), respectively. Excluding the goodwill impairment, segment operating income and margin for fiscal 2019 were $3.0 million and 7.8%, respectively.

Financial inclusion and applied technologies

Segment revenue increased primarily due to higher ad hoc terminal and prepaid airtime sales, partially offset by lower lending revenue as a result of a moderate contraction in our lending book and lower insurance revenue as a result of fewer customers, and a decrease in inter-segment revenues. Excluding the impact of the allowance for doubtful finance loans recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2019, the operating loss from continuing operations for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 was better than fiscal 2019 due to the contribution from the ad hoc terminal and airtime sales. Operating income during the second quarter of fiscal 2019 was significantly impacted by an allowance for doubtful finance loans receivable of $23.4 million (ZAR 335.1 million).

 


Operating income margin from continuing operations for the Financial inclusion and applied technologies segment was (4.0%) and (141.6%) during the second quarter of fiscal 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Corporate/Eliminations

Our corporate expenses generally include acquisition-related intangible asset amortization; expenses incurred related to acquisitions and investments pursued; expenditure related to compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; non-employee directors' fees; employee and executive bonuses; stock-based compensation; legal fees; audit fees; directors and officer's insurance premiums; telecommunications expenses; and elimination entries.

Our corporate expenses decreased primarily due to lower acquired intangible asset amortization expense related to intangible assets that were fully amortized during fiscal 2019, partially offset by higher transaction-related expenditures.

First half of fiscal 2020 compared to first half of fiscal 2019

The following factors had a significant impact on our results of operations during the first half of fiscal 2020 as compared with the same period in the prior year:

 Decline in revenue: Our revenues declined 16% in ZAR primarily due to the expiration of our SASSA contract, the decline in EPE account numbers driven by SASSA's auto-migration of accounts to SAPO, and a reduction in EPE-related financial and value-added services and transaction fees due to a smaller customer base, but partially offset by higher ad hoc terminal and prepaid airtime sales;

 Ongoing operating losses: We continue to experience operating losses primarily in South Africa as a result of lower revenues, coupled with a high-fixed cost infrastructure;

 Gain on disposal of FIHRST: We recorded a gain of $9.7 million related to the disposal of FIHRST in December 2019;

 Higher net interest expense: Net interest expense increased due to lower average cash balances and higher short-term borrowing to fund ATMs and utilization of our overdrafts, but was partially offset by the repayment of our long-term debt in the second half of fiscal 2019;

 Adverse foreign exchange movements: The U.S. dollar appreciated 6% against the KRW during the first half of fiscal 2020, which adversely impacted our reported results.



Consolidated overall results of operations

This discussion is based on the amounts prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

The following tables show the changes in the items comprising our statements of operations, both in U.S. dollars and in ZAR:


Table 8     In United States Dollars
(US GAAP)
 
    Six months ended December 31,  
      2019     2018(A)     $ %  
      $ '000     $ '000     change  
Revenue     154,836     184,539     (16%)  
Cost of goods sold, IT processing, servicing and support     89,954     103,335     (13%)  
Selling, general and administration     65,324     111,152     (41%)  
Depreciation and amortization     9,146     15,048     (39%)  
Impairment loss     -     8,191     nm  
Operating loss     (9,588 )   (53,187 )   (82%)  
Change in fair value of equity securities     -     (15,836 )   nm  
Gain on disposal of FIHRST     9,743     -     nm  
Interest income     1,994     3,778     (47%)  
Interest expense     4,576     5,121     (11%)  
Impairment of Cedar Cellular note     -     2,732     nm  
Loss before income taxes     (2,427 )   (73,098 )   (97%)  
Income tax expense     3,739     577     548%  
Net loss before earnings from equity-accounted investments     (6,166 )   (73,675 )   (92%)  
Earnings from equity-accounted investments     1,569     184     753%  
Net loss from continuing operations     (4,597 )   (73,491 )   (94%)  
Net income from discontinued operations     -     7,418     nm  
Net (loss) income     (4,597 )   (66,073 )   (93%)  
Less (Add) net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest     -     3,067     nm  
Continuing     -     (877 )   nm  
Discontinued     -     3,944     nm  
Net (loss) income attributable to us     (4,597 )   (69,140 )   (93%)  
Continuing     (4,597 )   (72,614 )   (94%)  
Discontinued     -     3,474     nm  

(A) Refer to Note 22 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for discontinued operations disclosures.



Table 9     In South African Rand
(US GAAP)
 
      Six months ended December 31,  
      2019     2018(A)     ZAR %  
    ZAR '000     ZAR '000     change  
Revenue     2,229,994     2,645,884     (16%)  
Cost of goods sold, IT processing, servicing and support     1,295,544     1,481,596     (13%)  
Selling, general and administration     940,815     1,593,675     (41%)  
Depreciation and amortization     131,723     215,755     (39%)  
Impairment loss     -     117,441     nm  
Operating loss     (138,088 )   (762,583 )   (82%)  
Change in fair value of equity securities     -     (227,053 )   nm  
Gain on disposal of FIHRST     140,322     -     nm  
Interest income     28,718     54,168     (47%)  
Interest expense     65,905     73,424     (10%)  
Impairment of Cedar Cellular note     -     39,171     nm  
Loss before income taxes     (34,953 )   (1,048,063 )   (97%)  
Income tax expense     53,850     8,273     551%  
Net loss before earnings from equity-accounted investments     (88,803 )   (1,056,336 )   (92%)  
Earnings from equity-accounted investments     22,597     2,638     757%  
Net loss from continuing operations           (1,053,698     (94%)  
Net income from discontinued operations           106,358     nm  
Net (loss) income     (66,206 )   (947,340 )   (93%)  
Less (Add) net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interest     -     43,974     nm  
Continuing     -     (12,574 )   nm  
Discontinued     -     56,548     nm  
Net (loss) income attributable to us     (66,206 )   (991,314 )   (93%)  
Continuing     (66,206 )   (1,041,124 )   (94%)  
Discontinued     -     49,810     nm  

(A) Refer to Note 22 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for discontinued operations disclosures.

The decrease in revenue was primarily due to the expiration of our SASSA contract, the decline in EPE account numbers driven by SASSA's auto-migration of accounts to SAPO, and a reduction in EPE-related financial and value-added services and transaction fees due to a smaller customer base, but partially offset by higher ad hoc terminal and prepaid airtime sales.

The decrease in cost of goods sold, IT processing, servicing and support was primarily due to fewer SASSA Grindrod-account grant recipients utilizing the South African National Payment System which resulted in lower transaction costs incurred by us, but partially offset by higher costs related to terminal and prepaid airtime sales.

The decrease in selling, general and administration expense was primarily due to the increase in our allowance for doubtful finance loans receivable recorded during the second quarter of fiscal 2019 of approximately $23.4 million (resulting from SASSA's auto-migration of EPE accounts), lower costs incurred by IPG and by our South Africa business as we transition our business strategy in South Africa.

Depreciation and amortization decreased primarily due to lower overall amortization of intangible assets that are fully amortized and tangible assets that are fully depreciated during the first half of fiscal 2020.

During the first half of fiscal 2019, we recorded an impairment loss of $8.2 million, which included $7.0 million related to the entire amount of IPG goodwill.

Our operating loss margin for the first half of fiscal 2020 and 2019 was (6.2%) and (28.8%), respectively. We discuss the components of operating income margin under "-Results of operations by operating segment."

The change in fair value of equity securities represents a non-cash fair value adjustment loss related to Cell C during the first half of fiscal 2019. Refer to Note 6 of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for the methodology and inputs used in the fair value calculation.

We recorded a gain of $9.7 million related to the disposal of FIHRST during the first half of fiscal 2020.

Interest on surplus cash decreased to $2.0 million (ZAR 28.7 million) from $3.8 million (ZAR 54.2 million), due primarily to the lower average daily cash balances and cash used to fund the operating losses in the South African operations.


Interest expense decreased to $4.6 million (ZAR 65.9 million) from $5.1 million (ZAR 73.4 million), due to a reduction in our long-term South African debt, partially offset by interest expense related to cash borrowed to stock our ATMs and utilization of our overdraft facilities.

During the first half of fiscal 2019, we recorded an impairment loss of $2.7 million related to our Cedar Cellular note as discussed in Note 7 of our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Fiscal 2020 tax expense was $3.7 million (ZAR 53.9 million) compared to $0.6 million (ZAR 8.3 million) in fiscal 2019. Our effective tax rate for fiscal 2020, was impacted by the on-going losses incurred by certain of our South African businesses and the associated valuation allowances created related to the deferred tax assets recognized regarding net operating losses incurred by these South African businesses and non-deductible expenses, including transaction-related expenditure, which was partially offset by tax expense recorded by our profitable businesses in South Africa and South Korea. Our effective tax rate for fiscal 2019, was (6.8%) and was impacted by the valuation allowances created related to the deferred tax assets recognized regarding net operating losses incurred by our South African businesses, the non-deductible goodwill impairment losses, and non-deductible expenses, including transaction-related expenditure and non-deductible interest on our South African long-term debt facility, which was partially offset by tax expense recorded by our profitable businesses in South Africa and South Korea. The deferred tax impact of the change in the fair value of our equity security also impacted our effective rate for fiscal 2019, as this amount is recorded at a lower rate (at a so-called capital gains rate) than the South African statutory rate.

DNI was accounted for using the equity method during the first half of fiscal 2019. The accounting for DNI as a discontinued operation has adversely impacted the comparability of our (loss) earnings from equity-accounted investments during the first half of fiscal 2020. Finbond is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and reports its six-month results during our first half and its annual results during our fourth quarter. The table below presents the relative earnings (loss) from our equity accounted investments:

                     
Table 10     Six months ended December 31,  
      2019     2018        
      $ '000     $ '000     $ % change  
DNI     1,108     -     nm  
Share of net income     3,113     -     nm  
Amortization of intangible assets, net of deferred tax     (931 )   -     nm  
Impairment     (1,074 )   -     nm  
Bank Frick     469     (1,805 )   nm  
Share of net income     755     564     34%  
Amortization of intangible assets, net of deferred tax     (286 )   (285 )   0%  
Other     -     (2,084 )   nm  
Finbond     491     1,875     (74%)  
Other     (499 )   114     nm  
      1,569     184     nm  


Results of operations by operating segment

The composition of revenue and the contributions of our business activities to operating income are illustrated below:

Table 11     In United States Dollars (US GAAP)  
         
      Six months ended December 31,  
      2019     % of     2018     % of     %  
Operating Segment   $ '000     total     $ '000     total     change  
Consolidated revenue:                                
South African transaction processing     39,749     26%     59,719     27%     (33%)  
International transaction processing     68,380     44%     77,511     35%     (12%)  
Financial inclusion and applied technologies     52,131     34%     91,961     41%     (43%)  
Continuing     52,131     34%     53,466     24%     (2%)  
Discontinued     -     -     38,495     17%     nm  
Subtotal: Operating segments     160,260     104%     229,191     103%     (30%)  
Corporate/Eliminations     (5,424 )   (4%)     (6,157 )   (3%)     (12%)  
Total consolidated revenue     154,836     100%     223,034     100%     (31%)  
Continuing     154,836     100%     184,539     83%     (16%)  
Discontinued     -     -     38,495     17%     nm  
Consolidated operating (loss) income:                             nm  
South African transaction processing     (6,366 )   66%     (15,343 )   36%     (59%)  
International transaction processing     6,601     (69%)     (1,281 )   3%     nm  
Financial inclusion and applied technologies     623     (6%)     (7,236 )   17%     nm  
Continuing     623     (6%)     (23,497 )   56%     nm  
Discontinued     -     -     16,261     (39%)     nm  
Subtotal: Operating segments     858     (9%)     (23,860 )   56%     nm  
Corporate/eliminations     (10,446 )   109%     (18,319 )   44%     (43%)  
Continuing     (10,446 )   109%     (13,066 )   32%     (20%)  
Discontinued     -     -     (5,253 )   12%     nm  
Total consolidated operating (loss) income     (9,588 )   100%     (42,179 )   100%     (77%)  
Continuing     (9,588 )   100%     (53,187 )   126%     (82%)  
Discontinued     -     -     11,008     (26%)     nm  



Table 12     In South African Rand (US GAAP)  
         
      Six months ended December 31,  
      2019     % of     2018     % of     % change  
Operating Segment   ZAR '000     total     ZAR '000     total  
Consolidated revenue:                                
South African transaction processing     572,477     26%     856,239     27%     (33%)  
International transaction processing     984,829     44%     1,111,337     35%     (11%)  
Financial inclusion and applied technologies     750,806     34%     1,318,518     41%     (43%)  
Continuing     750,806     34%     766,584     24%     (2%)  
Discontinued     -     -     551,934     17%     nm  
Subtotal: Operating segments     2,308,112     104%     3,286,094     103%     (30%)  
Corporate/Eliminations     (78,118 )   (4%)     (88,276 )   (3%)     (12%)  
Total consolidated revenue     2,229,994     100%     3,197,818     100%     (30%)  
Continuing     2,229,994     100%     2,645,884     83%     (16%)  
Discontinued     -     -     551,934     17%     nm  
Consolidated operating (loss) income:                             nm  
South African transaction processing     (91,685 )   66%     (219,985 )   36%     (58%)  
International transaction processing     95,070     (69%)     (18,367 )   3%     nm  
Financial inclusion and applied technologies     8,973     (6%)     (103,748 )   17%     nm  
Continuing     8,973     (6%)     (336,895 )   56%     nm  
Discontinued     -     -     233,147     (39%)     nm  
Subtotal: Operating segments     12,358     (9%)     (342,100 )   56%     nm  
Corporate/eliminations     (150,446 )   109%     (262,654 )   44%     (43%)  
Continuing     (150,446 )   109%     (187,338 )   32%     (20%)  
Discontinued     -     -     (75,316 )   12%     nm  
Total consolidated operating (loss) income     (138,088 )   100%     (604,754 )   100%     (77%)  
Continuing     (138,088 )   100%     (762,585 )   126%     (82%)  
Discontinued     -     -     157,831     (26%)     nm  

(A) Refer to Note 22 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for discontinued operations disclosures.

South African transaction processing

The decrease in segment revenue was primarily due to fewer transactions performed at our ATM base and lower fees as a result of fewer EPE and SASSA accounts. Our South African transaction processing operating segment revenue and operating loss have been adversely impacted by the loss of EPE customers as a result of SASSA's auto-migration of accounts to SAPO. The reduction in operating losses in the segment is a reflection of the cost reductions that have occurred over the last 12 months.

Our operating loss margin for the first half of fiscal 2020 and 2019 was (16.0%) and (25.7%), respectively.

International transaction-based activities

Segment revenue was lower during the second quarter of fiscal 2020, primarily due to an ongoing contraction in IPG transactions processed, specifically meaningfully lower crypto-exchange and China processing activity, modestly lower KSNET revenue as a result of the impact of the weaker KRW/ USD exchange rate on reported KSNET revenue. Operating income during the second quarter of fiscal 2020 has improved compared with fiscal 2019 due to improved profitability of KSNET and the impairment loss recorded in fiscal 2019.

Operating income (loss) margin for the first half of fiscal 2020 and 2019 was 9.7% and (1.7%), respectively, due to improving profitability at KSNET. Excluding the goodwill impairment, segment operating income and margin for fiscal 2019 were $5.7 million and 7.4%, respectively.

Financial inclusion and applied technologies

Segment revenue decreased primarily due to lower lending revenue and insurance revenue as a result of fewer customers, and a decrease in inter-segment revenues, partially offset by higher ad hoc terminal and prepaid airtime and value-added services sales. The improved operating income reflects the stabilization of the lending and insurance books, the positive contribution from the ad hoc terminal sales as well as our cost reduction efforts of the last 12 months. Operating income for the first half of fiscal 2019 includes an allowance for doubtful finance loans receivable of $23.4 million (ZAR 335.5 million).


Operating loss margin from continuing operations for the Financial inclusion and applied technologies segment was 1.2% and (43.9%) during the first half of fiscal 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Corporate/Eliminations

Our corporate expenses decreased primarily due to lower acquired intangible asset amortization expense related to intangible assets that were fully amortized during fiscal 2019, partially offset by higher transaction-related expenditures.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At December 31, 2019, our cash and cash equivalents were $50.7 million and comprised of KRW-denominated balances of KRW 36.2 billion ($31.3 million), ZAR-denominated balances of ZAR 197.0 million ($14.0 million), U.S. dollar-denominated balances of $1.8 million, and other currency deposits, primarily Botswana pula, of $3.6 million, all amounts translated at exchange rates applicable as of December 31, 2019. The increase in our unrestricted cash balances from June 30, 2019, was primarily due to utilization of our short-term borrowings and repayment of a loan outstanding by DNI, which was partially offset by weaker trading activities, capital expenditures, and an additional investment in V2.

We generally invest any surplus cash held by our South African operations in overnight call accounts that we maintain at South African banking institutions, and any surplus cash held by our non-South African companies in U.S. dollar denominated money market accounts. We have invested surplus cash in Korea in KRW-dominated short-term investment accounts at Korean banking institutions.

Historically, we have financed most of our operations, research and development, working capital, and capital expenditures, as well as acquisitions and strategic investments, through internally generated cash and our financing facilities. When considering whether to borrow under our financing facilities, we consider the cost of capital, cost of financing, opportunity cost of utilizing surplus cash and availability of tax efficient structures to moderate financing costs. Recently, we have been required to utilize our short-term financing facilities to fund our daily cash requirements as we adapt to the expiration of the SASSA contract in September 2018 and the transition of our business model. The board is actively managing our liquidity in the light of the significant changes underway in our business and we currently believe that our cash and credit facilities are sufficient to fund our future operations for at least the next four quarters.

Consideration of going concern

Accounting guidance requires our management to assess whether there are conditions or events, considered in the aggregate, that raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern within one year after our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are issued. Our management has identified certain conditions or events, which, considered in the aggregate, could raise substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern including the risk that we will be unable to:

  • deliver all or a substantial part of the financial results forecast in our fiscal 2020 budget;
  • retain our existing borrowings and facilities, as described below and in Note 10 of our condensed consolidated financial statements, or obtain additional borrowings and facilities on commercially reasonable terms;
  • arrive at a commercial settlement with SASSA, given the September 30, 2019, Supreme Court ruling regarding the repayment of the additional implementation costs received to SASSA (refer Note 11 of our condensed consolidated financial statements) and the ongoing dispute we have with SASSA over fees due for the six-month contract extension period in accordance with National Treasury's recommendation;
  • dispose of all or a portion of our remaining 30% interest in DNI. DNI's operations are also significantly dependent on Cell C because it is the largest distributor of Cell C starter packs in South Africa. Therefore, the inability of Cell C to continue to operate through the next 12 months could also have an adverse impact on DNI's operations; or
  • dispose of additional investments in order to realize sufficient cash flows.

Our management has implemented a number of plans to alleviate the substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. These plans include disposing of our Korean business unit, KSNET, as announced in our press release of January 27, 2020, certain non-core assets (refer to Note 3 of our audited consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2019, for additional information regarding a call option granted to DNI), and extending our existing borrowings used to fund our ATMs through September 2020. Provided the KSNET disposal closes, as expected, in March 2020, this is expected to remove the substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

In addition, our management believes there are a number of mitigating actions it can pursue, including (i) limiting the expansion of our microlending finance loans receivable book in South Africa; (ii) implementing further cost cutting measures; (iii) commencing additional asset realizations; (iv) managing our capital expenditures; and (v) accessing alternative sources of capital (including through the issuance of additional shares of our common stock), in order to generate additional liquidity. Our management believes that these plans and mitigating actions alleviate the substantial doubt referred to above and, therefore, has concluded that we remain a going concern.


Available short-term borrowings

We have a short-term South African credit facility with Nedbank of up to ZAR 450.0 million ($32.0 million), which is comprised of an overdraft facility of (i) up to ZAR 300.0 million ($21.4 million), which is further split into (a) a ZAR 250.0 million ($17.8 million) overdraft facility which may only be used to fund mobile ATMs and (b) a ZAR 50.0 million ($3.6 million) general banking facility and (ii) indirect and derivative facilities of up to ZAR 150.0 million ($10.7 million), which include letters of guarantee, letters of credit and forward exchange contracts. The ZAR 250.0 million component of the primary amount may only be used to fund ATMs and therefore this component of the primary amount utilized and converted to cash to fund our ATMs is considered restricted cash. As of December 31, 2019, the interest rate on the overdraft facility was 8.85%, and reduced to 8.60% on January 17, 2020, following a reduction in the South African repo rate. As of December 31, 2019, we had utilized approximately ZAR 164.3 million ($11.7 million) of our ZAR 250.0 million overdraft facility to fund ATMs, and none of our ZAR 50.0 million general banking facility. As of December 31, 2019, we had utilized approximately ZAR 93.6 million ($6.7 million) of the indirect and derivative facilities to support guarantees issued by Nedbank to various third parties on our behalf.

We also have a short-term South African credit facility with RMB of ZAR 1.2 billion ($85.4 million) which may only be used to fund our fixed ATMs in South Africa. As of December 31, 2019, the interest rate on the facility was 10.00% (South African prime) and reduced to 9.75% on January 17, 2020, following a reduction in the South African repo rate. As of December 31, 2019, we had utilized approximately ZAR 1.0 billion ($72.7 million) of this facility.

We have a short-term U.S. dollar-denominated overdraft facility with Bank Frick of $20.0 million. As of December 31, 2019, we had utilized approximately $13.9 million of this facility. The interest rate on the facility is 4.50% plus 3-month US dollar LIBOR and interest is payable on a quarterly basis. The 3-month US dollar LIBOR rate was 1.91% on December 31, 2019. The facility has no fixed term, however, it may be terminated by either party with six weeks written notice.

We also have a one-year KRW 10.0 billion ($8.7 million) short-term overdraft facility from Hana Bank, a South Korean bank. The interest rate on the facilities is 1.98% plus the 3-month CD rate. The 3-month CD rate as of December 31, 2019 was 1.53%. The facility expires in January 2021, however can be renewed. The facility is unsecured with no fixed repayment terms. As of December 31, 2019, we had not utilized this facility.

Available long-term borrowings

On September 4, 2019, we further amended our amended July 2017 Facilities agreement with RMB and Nedbank to include an overdraft facility ("Facility F") of up to ZAR 300.0 million ($21.4 million, translated at exchange rates applicable as of December 31, 2019) for the sole purpose of funding the acquisition of airtime from Cell C. We may not dispose of the airtime acquired from Cell C prior to April 1, 2020, without the prior consent of RMB, Absa Bank Limited and Investec Asset Management Proprietary Limited. Facility F comprises (i) a first Senior Facility F loan of ZAR 220.0 million (ii) a second Senior Facility F loan of ZAR 80.0 million, or such lesser amount as may be agreed by the facility agent. Facility F is required to be repaid in full within nine months following the first utilization of the facility. We are required to prepay Facility F and any outstanding interest subject to customary prepayment terms. In December 2019, we disposed of our entire shareholding in FIHRST and used the proceeds from the disposal to prepay interest and principal outstanding on Facility F. Outstanding interest on Facility F is payable upon maturity of the facility and is calculated based on JIBAR plus a margin of 5.50% per annum. JIBAR was 6.80% on December 31, 2019. The margin on the Facility F increased by 1% on November 1, 2019, because we had not disposed of our remaining shareholding in DNI and FIHRST by that date.

Restricted cash

We have credit facilities with RMB and Nedbank in order to access cash to fund our ATMs in South Africa. Our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash presented in our unaudited condensed consolidated statement of cash flows as of December 31, 2019, includes restricted cash of approximately $84.4 million related to cash withdrawn from our various debt facilities to fund ATMs. This cash may only be used to fund ATMs and is considered restricted as to use and therefore is classified as restricted cash on our audited consolidated balance sheet.

Cash flows from operating activities

Second quarter

Net cash provided by operating activities during the second quarter of fiscal 2020 was $4.4 million (ZAR 64.5 million) compared to $(5.2) million (ZAR (75.0) million) of net cash used in operating activities during the second quarter of fiscal 2019. The increase in cash provided is primarily due to the repayment of finance loans receivable at the end of December 2019. These finance loans receivable are typically settled at the beginning of the new month (in this case January 2020) but were settled in December 2019, due to the opening of the January 2020 grant distribution file in December 2019.


During the second quarter of fiscal 2020, we paid South African tax of $0.7 million (ZAR 10.7 million) related to our 2020 tax year. We also paid taxes totaling $1.3 million in other tax jurisdictions, primarily South Korea. During the second quarter of fiscal 2019, we paid South African tax of $6.2 million (ZAR 89.1 million) related to our 2019 tax year. We also paid taxes totaling $2.6 million in other tax jurisdictions, primarily South Korea.

Taxes paid during the second quarter of fiscal 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

Table 13   Three months ended December 31,  
    2019     2018     2019     2018  
  $     $     ZAR     ZAR  
  '000     '000     '000     '000  
First provisional payments   740     6,245     10,657     89,144  
Tax refund received   -     (34 )   -     (475 )
Total South African taxes paid   740     6,211     10,657     88,669  
Foreign taxes paid: Korea   1,264     2,568     18,205     36,624  
Total tax paid   2,004     8,779     28,862     125,293  

First half

Net cash used in operating activities during the first half of fiscal 2020 was $(13.9) million (ZAR (200.5) million) compared to $11.2 million (ZAR 160.9 million) provided by operating activities during the first half of fiscal 2019. The change is primarily due to weaker trading activity during fiscal 2020 compared to 2019, as well as the purchase of $12.3 million of Cell C prepaid airtime that is subject to sale restrictions utilizing our borrowings (refer below under financial activities and to Note 4 to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements), partially offset by the repayment of finance loans receivable at the end of December 2019.

During the first half of fiscal 2020, we paid South African tax of $0.7 million (ZAR 10.7 million) related to our 2020 tax year and $0.8 million (ZAR 11.6 million) related to our 2019 tax year. We also paid taxes totaling $2.4 million in other tax jurisdictions, primarily South Korea. During the first half of fiscal 2019, we paid South African tax of $6.2 million (ZAR 89.1 million) related to our 2019 tax year. During the first half of fiscal 2019, we made an additional tax payment of $1.4 million (ZAR 20.5 million) related to our 2018 tax year in South Africa. We also paid taxes totaling $2.6 million in other tax jurisdictions, primarily South Korea.

Taxes paid during the year to date fiscal 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

Table 14   Six months ended December 31,  
    2019     2018     2019     2018  
  $     $     ZAR     ZAR  
  '000     '000     '000     '000  
First provisional payments   740     6,245     10,657     89,144  
Taxation paid related to prior years   782     1,399     11,620     20,488  
Tax refund received   (28 )   (96 )   (392 )   (1,377 )
Total South African taxes paid   1,494     7,548     21,885     108,255  
Foreign taxes paid: Korea   2,393     2,574     34,112     36,712  
Total tax paid   3,887     10,122     55,997     144,967  

Second quarter

Cash used in investing activities for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 included capital expenditures of $0.8 million (ZAR 12.1 million), primarily due to the acquisition of processing equipment in South Korea to maintain operations. During the second quarter of fiscal 2020, we received $10.9 million from the sale of FIHRST. We also extended loan funding of $0.6 million to Revix.

Cash used in investing activities for the second quarter of fiscal 2019 included capital expenditures of $2.5 million (ZAR 36.5 million), primarily due to the acquisition of ATMs in South Africa and the expansion of our branch network. We also paid $2.5 million for a 50% interest in V2 Limited, acquired customer bases in DNI for $1.4 million, and made a further equity contribution of $1.1 million to MobiKwik.


First half

Cash used in investing activities for the first half of fiscal 2020 included capital expenditures of $3.5 million (ZAR 49.7 million), primarily due to the acquisition of ATMs in South Africa and processing equipment in South Korea to maintain operations. During the first half of fiscal 2020, we received $10.9 million from the sale of FIHRST. We also made a further equity contribution of $1.3 million to V2, extended loan funding of $0.6 million to Revix, and received $4.3 million from DNI related to the settlement of a ZAR 60.0 million loan outstanding.

Cash used in investing activities for the first half of fiscal 2019 included capital expenditures of $5.7 million (ZAR 81.2 million), primarily due to the acquisition of ATMs in South Africa and the expansion of our branch network. We also paid $2.5 million for a 50% interest in V2 Limited, acquired customer bases in DNI for $1.4 million, and made a further equity contribution of $1.1 million to MobiKwik.

Cash flows from financing activities

Second quarter

During the second quarter of fiscal 2020, we utilized approximately $200.7 million from our South African overdraft facilities, primarily to fund our ATMs, and repaid $193.8 million of these facilities. We prepaid approximately $11.3 million of Facility F utilizing the proceeds received from the disposal of FIHRST. We also utilized $7.2 million of our Bank Frick overdraft to fund our operations.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2019, we utilized approximately $221.6 million from our overdraft facilities, primarily to fund our ATMs, and repaid $245.7 million of these facilities, including amounts utilized in September 2018. We also utilized approximately $3.2 million of DNI's revolving credit facility to lend funds to Cell C to finance the acquisition and/or requisition of telecommunication towers and other specific uses pre-approved by the lender. We also made a scheduled South African debt facility payment of $10.6 million and paid a non-refundable origination fee of approximately $0.2 million related to DNI's revolving credit facility.

First half

During the first half of fiscal 2020, we utilized approximately $383.2 million from our South African overdraft facilities, primarily to fund our ATMs, and repaid $374.6 million of these facilities. We utilized approximately $14.8 million of our borrowings to fund the purchase of Cell C prepaid airtime that is subject to sale restrictions. We prepaid approximately $11.3 million of these borrowings (Facility F) utilizing the proceeds received from the disposal of FIHRST. We also repaid $4.0 million of our Bank Frick overdraft and utilized $8.4 million of this overdraft to fund our operations.

During the first half of fiscal 2019, we utilized approximately $306.2 million from our overdraft facilities, primarily to fund our ATMs, and repaid $245.7 million of these facilities. We also utilized approximately $11.0 million of DNI's revolving credit facility to lend funds to Cell C to finance the acquisition and/or requisition of telecommunication towers and other specific uses pre-approved by the lender. We also made a scheduled South African debt facility payment of $20.9 million, repaid $2.8 million under DNI's revolving credit facility and paid non-refundable origination fees of approximately $0.4 million related to the credit facilities.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements.

Capital Expenditures

We expect capital spending for the third quarter of fiscal 2020 to primarily include limited investments into our ATM infrastructure and branch network in South Africa.

Our capital expenditures for the second quarter of fiscal 2020 and 2019 are discussed under "-Liquidity and Capital Resources-Cash flows from investing activities." All of our capital expenditures for the past three fiscal years were funded through internally generated funds. We had outstanding capital commitments as of December 31, 2019, of $0.1 million related mainly to the procurement of ATMs. We expect to fund these expenditures through internally generated funds and available facilities.


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

In addition to the tables below, see Note 7 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for a discussion of market risk.

We have short-term borrowings which attract interest at rates that fluctuate based on changes in benchmark interest rates such as the South Africa prime interest rate, JIBAR and LIBOR. The following table illustrates the effect on our annual expected interest charge, translated at exchange rates applicable as of December 31, 2019, as a result of changes in (i) the South African prime interest rate, assuming hypothetical short-term borrowings of ZAR 1.0 billion as of December 31, 2019, and (ii) JIBAR, using our December 31, 2019, borrowings of ZAR 57.1 million. The effect of a hypothetical 1% (i.e. 100 basis points) increase and a 1% decrease in the South African prime interest rate and JIBAR rate as of December 31, 2019, are shown. The selected 1% hypothetical change does not reflect what could be considered the best or worst case scenarios.

Table 15   As of December 31, 2019  
    Annual expected interest charge
($ '000)
    Hypothetical change in interest rates     Estimated annual expected interest charge after hypothetical change in interest rates
($ '000)
 
Interest on South Africa overdraft (South African prime interest rate)   7,118     1%     7,830  
          (1%)     6,406  
                   
Interest on South Africa borrowings (JIBAR)   500     1%     540  
          (1%)     459  

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and our chief financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined under Rule 13a-15(e) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), as of December 31, 2019. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on this evaluation, and in light of the insufficient time to assess the effectiveness of the procedures we adopted to remediate the material weakness discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, our chief executive officer and the chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2019.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the most recent fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2019, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. We continue to monitor the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting in the areas affected by the material weakness described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for our fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, and we have and will continue to perform additional procedures, including the use of manual mitigating control procedures and employing any additional tools and resources deemed necessary, to ensure that our consolidated financial statements are fairly stated in all material respects.


Part II. Other Information

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

December 5, 2019, securities class action complaint

On December 5, 2019, a putative securities class action complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York against our company, Herman G. Kotzé and Alex M.R. Smith. The complaint seeks damages based on alleged material misrepresentations and omissions concerning our internal controls over financial reporting, classification of an investment in Cell C Proprietary Limited, and our company's consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2018. The complaint asserts claims for violations of Sections 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5, and Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act. The proposed class period is September 12, 2018, through November 8, 2018, inclusive. None of the defendants have been served.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

See "Item 1A RISK FACTORS" in Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019, for a discussion of risk factors relating to (i) our business, (ii) operating in South Africa and other foreign markets, (iii) government regulation, and (iv) our common stock. Except as set forth below, there have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019.

We may be unable to recover the carrying value of certain Cell C airtime that we own which is subject to resale restrictions.

In September 2019, we acquired a substantial amount of Cell C airtime inventory ($13.7 million translated at exchange rates applicable as of December 31, 2019). The terms of our South African borrowings, as amended, provide that we may not sell this inventory until after March 31, 2020, and then only with the consent of certain South African banks, which also own Cell C inventory. We may be unable to recover the carrying value of this airtime inventory as a result of the business failure of Cell C or if the South African banks that are required to approve the sale of our Cell C restricted airtime fail to approve the sale for any reason. Failure to recover the carrying value of this inventory may have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.

Item 5. Other Information

Subsequent to the issuance of our Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2019 and our Form 10-Qs for the three months ended September 30, 2019 and the three and nine months ended March 31, 2019, we determined that our presentation of the discontinued operations of DNI-4PL Contracts Proprietary Limited, or DNI, in the condensed consolidated statements of operations included in those filings was incorrect. In these previous filings, the gross amounts of DNI's operations upon classification as a discontinued operation remained in the condensed consolidated statements of operations which totalled to net (loss) income. Two captioned lines below net (loss) income were presented to show the composition of the net (loss) income between continuing and discontinued operations and the details of amounts relating to DNI's discontinued operations were separately disclosed in a note. The correct presentation removes the gross amounts of a discontinued operation from the condensed consolidated statements of operations, which totals to the net (loss) income from continuing operations before presenting net income from discontinued operations and then totalling to net (loss) income.

We will revise the above referenced previous presentations on the condensed consolidated statements of operations to correct them in future filings the next time these amounts are presented as comparative prior period amounts. The impact of these revisions will reduce each of the previously presented line items in the condensed consolidated statements of operations preceding net income by the amounts shown in the note disclosure for DNI's discontinued operations. The revisions will have no effect on previously presented net (loss) income, net (loss) income for continuing operations, net income from discontinued operations or the note disclosures for DNI's discontinued operations.

We further considered the impact on our control environment and note that the control designed to detect and prevent the misstatement was considered to be ineffective and remains unremediated. A material weakness was reported at June 30, 2019. Refer to Item 4-"Controls and Procedures" for further information.
 

Item 6. Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed as part of this Form 10-Q:

 

 

 

 

Incorporated by Reference Herein

Exhibit No.

 

Description of Exhibit

Included Herewith

Form

Exhibit

Filing Date

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act

X

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act

X

 

 

 

32

 

Certification pursuant to 18 USC Section 1350

X

 

 

 

101.INS

 

XBRL Instance Document

X

 

 

 

101.SCH

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

X

 

 

 

101.CAL

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase

X

 

 

 

101.DEF

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase

X

 

 

 

101.LAB

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase

X

 

 

 

101.PRE

 

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

X

 

 

 



SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on February 10, 2020.

NET 1 UEPS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

By: /s/ Herman G. Kotzé

Herman G. Kotzé
Chief Executive Officer

By: /s/ Alex M.R. Smith

Alex M.R. Smith
Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary