SIEBERT FINANCIAL CORP - Quarter Report: 2003 June (Form 10-Q)
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
Form 10-Q
QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended: June 30, 2003
Commission File No. 0-5703
Siebert Financial Corp.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| New York | 11-1796714 | |
|
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
885 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10022
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
(212) 644-2400
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the exchange Act).
Yes ¨No x
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
|
Class |
Outstanding at August 6, 2003 | |
| Common Stock, par value $.01 per share | 22,265,685 |
Unless the context otherwise requires, the "Company" shall mean Siebert Financial Corp. and its wholly owned subsidiaries and "Siebert" shall mean Muriel Siebert & Co., Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.
Certain statements contained in the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" below and elsewhere in this document, as well as oral statements that may be made by the Company or by its officers, directors or employees acting on the Company's behalf, that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and known and unknown factors that could cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from the historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward looking statements, including, without limitation: changes in general economic and market conditions; fluctuations in volume and prices of securities; demand for brokerage and investment banking services; competition within and without the discount brokerage business, including the offer of broader services; competition from electronic discount brokerage firms offering lower rates on commissions than the Company; the prevalence of a flat fee environment; decline in participation in equity or municipal finance underwritings; limited trading opportunities; the method of placing trades by the Company's customers; computer and telephone system failures; the level of spending by the Company on advertising and promotions; trading errors and the possibility of losses from customer non-payment of amounts due; other increases in expenses and changes in net capital or other regulatory requirements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date when such statements were made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. An investment in the Company involves various risks, including those mentioned above and those which are detailed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
S.E.C. FORM 10-Q
June 30, 2003
INDEX
3
| Item 1. Financial Statements. | ||||||
| Siebert Financial Corp. & Subsidiaries | ||||||
| Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition | ||||||
| June 30, 2003 | December 31, | |||||
| (Unaudited) | 2002 | |||||
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| ASSETS | ||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 20,155,000 | $ | 22,498,000 | ||
| Cash equivalents - restricted | 1,300,000 | 1,300,000 | ||||
| Receivable from clearing brokers | 1,979,000 | 1,100,000 | ||||
| Advance to clearing broker | 1,500,000 | - | ||||
| Securities owned, at market value | 4,433,000 | 5,225,000 | ||||
| Furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements, net | 2,224,000 | 2,616,000 | ||||
| Investment in and advances to equity investee | 2,809,000 | 2,748,000 | ||||
| Intangibles, net | 2,846,000 | 2,302,000 | ||||
| Prepaid expenses and other assets | 1,654,000 | 1,816,000 | ||||
| Deferred tax asset | 1,033,000 | 846,000 | ||||
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| $ | 39,933,000 | $ | 40,451,000 | |||
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| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 4,778,000 | 4,784,000 | ||||
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| 4,778,000 | 4,784,000 | |||||
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| Commitments and contingent liabilities | ||||||
| Stockholders' equity: | ||||||
| Common stock, $.01 par value; 49,000,000 shares authorized, | ||||||
| 22,972,967 shares issued and 22,270,599 shares outstanding at June 30, 2003 and | ||||||
| 22,968,167 shares issued and 22,395,767 shares outstanding at December 31, 2002 | 229,000 | 229,000 | ||||
| Additional paid-in capital | 17,890,000 | 17,880,000 | ||||
| Retained earnings | 20,328,000 | 20,377,000 | ||||
| Less: 702,368 and 572,400 shares of treasury stock, at cost at June 30, 2003 | ||||||
| and December 31, 2002, respectively | (3,292,000 | ) | (2,819,000 | ) | ||
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| 35,155,000 | 35,667,000 | |||||
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| $ | 39,933,000 | $ | 40,451,000 | |||
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See notes to consolidated financial statements.
4
| Siebert Financial Corp. & Subsidiaries | |||||||||||||||
| Consolidated Statements of Operations | |||||||||||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | Six Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
| June 30, | June 30, | ||||||||||||||
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| 2003 | 2002 | 2003 | 2002 | ||||||||||||
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| Revenues: | |||||||||||||||
| Commissions and fees | $ | 5,261,000 |
$ |
5,072,000 |
$ |
9,387,000 | $ | 10,297,000 | |||||||
| Investment banking | 242,000 | 278,000 | 718,000 | 802,000 | |||||||||||
| Trading profits | 207,000 | 316,000 | 404,000 | 527,000 | |||||||||||
| Income from equity investee | 753,000 | 503,000 | 1,464,000 | 625,000 | |||||||||||
| Interest and dividends | 148,000 | 202,000 | 243,000 | 340,000 | |||||||||||
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| 6,611,000 | 6,371,000 | 12,216,000 | 12,591,000 | ||||||||||||
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| Expenses: | |||||||||||||||
| Employee compensation and benefits | 2,201,000 | 2,226,000 | 4,429,000 | 4,578,000 | |||||||||||
| Clearing fees, including floor brokerage | 1,054,000 | 938,000 | 1,906,000 | 1,870,000 | |||||||||||
| Advertising and promotion | 304,000 | 682,000 | 664,000 | 1,094,000 | |||||||||||
| Communications | 745,000 | 592,000 | 1,492,000 | 1,142,000 | |||||||||||
| Occupancy | 296,000 | 224,000 | 560,000 | 461,000 | |||||||||||
| Interest | 5,000 | - | 6,000 | 1,000 | |||||||||||
| Other general and administrative | 1,579,000 | 3,199,000 | 3,245,000 | 4,498,000 | |||||||||||
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| 6,184,000 | 7,861,000 | 12,302,000 | 13,644,000 | ||||||||||||
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| Income (loss) before income taxes | 427,000 | (1,490,000 | ) | (86,000 | ) | (1,053,000 | ) | ||||||||
| Provision (benefit) for income taxes | 181,000 | (622,000 | ) | (37,000 | ) | (440,000 | ) | ||||||||
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| Net income (loss) | $ | 246,000 |
$ |
(868,000 | ) | $ | (49,000 | ) | $ | (613,000 | ) | ||||
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| Net income (loss) per share of common stock - | |||||||||||||||
| Basic and Diluted | $ | .01 |
$ |
(.04 | ) | $ | - | $ | (.03 | ) | |||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding - | |||||||||||||||
| Basic | 22,345,669 | 22,406,220 | 22,357,870 | 22,397,828 | |||||||||||
| Weighted average shares outstanding - | |||||||||||||||
| Diluted | 22,618,211 | 22,406,220 | 22,357,870 | 22,397,828 | |||||||||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
5
| Siebert Financial Corp. & Subsidiaries | |||||||||
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | |||||||||
| (Unaudited) | |||||||||
| Six Months Ended | |||||||||
| June 30, | |||||||||
| |
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| 2003 | 2002 | ||||||||
| |
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| Cash flows from operating activities: | |||||||||
| Net loss | $ | (49,000 | ) | $ | (613,000 | ) | |||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 834,000 | 805,000 | |||||||
| Income from equity investee | (1,464,000 | ) | (625,000 | ) | |||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | |||||||||
| Net decrease in securities owned, at market value | 792,000 | 366,000 | |||||||
| Net (increase) decrease in receivable from clearing brokers | (879,000 | ) | 27,000 | ||||||
| Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses and other assets | 162,000 | (273,000 | ) | ||||||
| Net change in deferred taxes | (187,000 | ) | (184,000 | ) | |||||
| Decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities | (6,000 | ) | (414,000 | ) | |||||
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| Net cash used in operating activities | (797,000 | ) | (911,000 | ) | |||||
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| Cash flows from investing activities: | |||||||||
| Purchase of furniture, equipment and leasehold improvements | (127,000 |
) | (1,070,000 | ) | |||||
| Return of deposit on equipment | 241,000 | ||||||||
| Advance to clearing broker | (1,500,000 | ) | |||||||
| Purchase of customer accounts | (1,100,000 | ) | (1,000,000 | ) | |||||
| Net (advances) collections of advances by equity investee | (40,000 | ) | 1,566,000 | ||||||
| Distribution from equity investee | 1,443,000 | 8,000 | |||||||
| |
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| Net cash used in investing activities | (1,083,000 | ) | (496,000 | ) | |||||
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| Cash flows from financing activities: | |||||||||
| Proceeds from Exercise of Options | 10,000 | 84,000 | |||||||
| Repurchase of common stock | (473,000 | ) | (24,000 | ) | |||||
| |
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| Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities | (463,000 | ) | 60,000 | ||||||
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| Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents | (2,343,000 | ) | (1,347,000 | ) | |||||
| Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period | 22,498,000 | 25,670,000 | |||||||
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| Cash and cash equivalents - end of period | $ | 20,155,000 | $ | 24,323,000 | |||||
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| Supplemental cash flow disclosures: | |||||||||
| Cash paid for: | |||||||||
| Interest | 6,000 | 1,000 | |||||||
| Income taxes | $ | 28,000 | $ | 305,000 | |||||
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
6
Siebert Financial Corp. & Subsidiaries Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements Six Months Ended June 30, 2003 and 2002 (Unaudited)
| 1. |
Organization and Basis of
Presentation: |
| |
The accompanying consolidated financial statements do not include all of the information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Accordingly, the statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002. Because of the nature of the Company's business, the results of any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year.
| 2. |
Stock-Based
Compensation: |
| |
| Three Months | Six Months | |||||||||||
| Ended June 30, | Ended June 30, | |||||||||||
| 2003 | 2002 | 2003 | 2002 | |||||||||
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| Net income (loss), as reported | $ | 246,000 | $ | (868,000 | ) | $ | (49,000 | ) | $(613,000 | ) | ||
| Stock-based employee compensation determined | ||||||||||||
| under APB 25 | - | - | - | - | ||||||||
| Stock-based employee compensation determined | ||||||||||||
| under the fair value based method, net of tax effect | (140,000 | ) | (510,000 | ) | (610,000 | ) | (585,000 | ) | ||||
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| Pro forma net income (loss) | $ | 106,000 | $ | (1,378,000 | ) | (659,000 | ) | $ | (1,198,000 | ) | ||
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| Net income (loss) per share - basic: | ||||||||||||
| As reported | $ | .01 | $ | (.03 | ) | $ | - | $ | (.03 | ) | ||
| Pro forma | $ | .01 | $ | (.06 | ) | $ | (.03 | ) | $ | (.05 | ) | |
| Net income (loss) per share - diluted: | ||||||||||||
| As reported | $ | .01 | $ | (.03 | ) | $ | - | $ | (.03 | ) | ||
| Pro forma | $ | .01 | $ | (.06 | ) | $ | (.03 | ) | $ | (.05 | ) | |
7
| 3. |
Net
Capital: |
| Siebert is subject to the
Securities and Exchange Commission's Uniform Net Capital Rule (Rule
15c3-1), which requires the maintenance of minimum net capital. Siebert
has elected to use the alternative method, permitted by the rule, which
requires that Siebert maintain minimum net capital, as defined, equal to
the greater of $250,000 or two percent of aggregate debit balances arising
from customer transactions, as defined. (The net capital rule of the New
York Stock Exchange also provides that equity capital may not be withdrawn
or cash dividends paid if resulting net capital would be less than five
percent of aggregate debits.) As of June 30, 2003, Siebert had net capital
of approximately $15,476,000 as compared with net capital requirements of
$250,000. | |
| 4. |
Capital
Transactions: |
| On May 15, 2000, the
board of directors of the Company authorized a stock buy back program of
up to one million common shares. Shares will be purchased from time to
time in the open market and in private transactions. Through June 30,
2003, 702,368 shares have been purchased at an average price of $4.68 per
share. | |
| 5. |
Option
Grants: |
| During the six months
ended June 30, 2003, the Company's Board of Directors granted options to
employees of the Company to purchase an aggregate of 25,000 shares of the
Company's common stock at an exercise price of $2.68, the fair market
value on the date of grant. The employee options granted during the period
vest 20% per year for five years and expire ten years from the date of
grant. | |
| 6. |
Recent
Developments: |
| The Joint Brokerage Service
("JBS") for customers of Quicken and Quicken.com, inaugurated in 2002
under the Strategic Alliance Agreement ("Agreement") between Siebert and
Intuit Inc. ("Intuit"), has produced results substantially below expectations.
Revenues during the six months ended June 30, 2003 were nominal. New accounts
added since inauguration of the JBS, through the second quarter of 2003,
were far below initial expectations. Based on (a) reports from Intuit,
(b) the costs incurred by Siebert and (c) an equal sharing of costs, the
charges to the operations of the Company relating to the JBS during the
three and six months ended June 30, 2003 are approximately $562,000 and
$1.2 million, respectively, which includes technology, marketing and content
expenses of approximately $376,000 and $746,000 for the three and six
months ended June 30, 2003, respectively, and certain brokerage and other
services expenses of $185,000 and $414,000 for the three and six months
ended June 30, 2003, respectively. The Company and Intuit have agreed
that the JBS should be terminated and ongoing costs reduced until termination
can be effected. Although all amounts for which the Company may
be obligated under the Strategic Alliance Agreement have been accrued
for through June 30, 2003, certain outstanding disputes over expense allocations
and other issues between the Company and Intuit, including whether Intuit
should bear the major financial responsibility for the Strategic Alliance,
have not been resolved. | |
| 7. |
Account
Purchases: |
| In January 2003 Siebert
agreed to acquire certain retail discount brokerage accounts from Your
Discount Broker, Inc ("YDB") for $1.1 million. These accounts were
transferred to Siebert in March 2003. The purchase price for the customer
accounts is included in "Intangibles" and is being amortized over a
five-year period. | |
8
| 8. |
Siebert Brandford Shank &
Co., LLC: |
Summarized financial data (presented in thousands) of Siebert Brandford Shank & Co., LLC, ("SBS") as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2003 and 2002 is set forth below. Siebert holds a 49% ownership interest in SBS. | |
| 2003 | 2002 | |||||
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| Total assets | $ | 8,808,000 | $ | 12,192,000 | ||
| Total liabilities, including subordinated liabilities of | ||||||
| $1,200,000 | $ | 3,225,000 | $ | 8,752,000 | ||
| Total members' capital | $ | 5,583,000 | $ | 3,439,000 | ||
| Total revenues | $ | 8,890,000 | $ | 5,514,000 | ||
| Net income | $ | 2,987,000 | $ | 1,276,000 |
Siebert charged SBS $120,000 for the six months ended for rent and general and administrative services, which Siebert believes approximates the cost of furnishing such services.
Siebert's share of undistributed earnings from SBS amounted to $2,344,000 and $1,293,000 at June 30, 2003 and 2002 respectively. Such amounts may not be immediately available for distribution to Siebert for various reasons including the amount of SBS's available cash, the provisions of the agreement between Siebert and the principals and SBS's continued compliance with its regulatory and net capital requirements.
| 9. |
Commitments and Contingent
Liabilities: |
| Pursuant to the fully
disclosed clearing agreement (the "Clearing Agreement") with Pershing
LLC (formerly the Pershing division of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette
Securities Corporation), ("Pershing"), Siebert advanced to Pershing
$1,500,000 in January 2003, principally for software customization setup
of the JBS. Siebert has terminated the Clearing Agreement under circumstances,
which Siebert believes requires the return of the advance by Pershing.
This and other consequences of termination have yet to be resolved with
Pershing. Siebert believes that the net costs of termination and replacement
of its clearing requirements will not result in a material expense. The Strategic Alliance Agreement with Intuit provides for "Incremental Expenses" of the JBS to be shared equally between Siebert and Intuit. Siebert believes that the advance to Pershing, net of any rebate of the advance, should be treated as an Incremental Expense. Siebert also believes that the $866,000 cost of a Customer Relationship Management system also should be treated as an Incremental Expense. Intuit has indicated that it does not agree with Siebert on these items. These and other open issues with Intuit are expected to be addressed in connection with the termination of the JBS. Other incremental charges of $485,000 relating to construction of the JBS website and related items will also be incurred and shared equally by Siebert and Intuit. The Company is involved in various routine lawsuits of a nature deemed by the Company customary and incidental to its business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of such actions will not have a material adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations. |
|
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited and the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto contained elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.
9
Business Environment
The market has improved in the second quarter of 2003 due to the conclusion of the war in Iraq and the resulting increased interest in buying stocks. Commissions and customer trading activity had dropped in the first quarter of 2003. The Company has seen an increase in the second quarter however, and on certain days the Company has seen 100% increases from the first quarter. Competition in the brokerage industry remains intense although many of Siebert's competitors have been consolidated or have gone out of business.
The Company, like other securities firms, is directly affected by general economic and market conditions including fluctuations in volume and prices of securities, changes and prospects for changes in interest rates and demand for brokerage and investment banking services, all of which can affect the Company's relative profitability. In periods of reduced market activity, profitability is likely to be adversely affected because certain expenses, including salaries and related costs, portions of communications costs and occupancy expenses remain relatively fixed. Earnings, or loss, for any period should not be considered representative of any other period.
Recent Developments
In January 2003 Siebert agreed to acquire certain retail discount brokerage accounts from Your Discount Broker, Inc for $1.1 million. These accounts were transferred to Siebert in March 2003. The purchase price for the customer accounts is included in "Intangibles" and is being amortized over a five-year period.
The Joint Brokerage Service ("JBS") for customers of Quicken and Quicken.com, inaugurated in 2002 under the Strategic Alliance Agreement between Siebert and Intuit Inc. ("Intuit"), has produced results substantially below expectations. Revenues during the six months ended June 30, 2003 were nominal. New accounts added since inauguration of the JBS, through the second quarter of 2003, were far below initial expectations. Based on (a) reports from Intuit, (b) the costs incurred by Siebert, and (c) an equal sharing of costs, the charges to the operations of the Company relating to the JBS during the three and six months ended June 30, 2003 are approximately $562,000 and $1.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003, respectively, which includes technology, marketing and content expenses of approximately $376,000 and $746,000, respectively, and certain brokerage and other services expenses of $185,000 and $414,000 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2003, respectively. The Company and Intuit have agreed that the JBS should be terminated and ongoing costs reduced until termination can be effected. Although all amounts for which the Company may be obligated under the Strategic Alliance Agreement have been accrued for through June 30, 2003, certain outstanding disputes over expense allocations and other issues between the Company and Intuit, including whether Intuit should bear the major financial responsibility for the Strategic Alliance, have not been resolved.
Pursuant to the fully disclosed clearing agreement (the "Clearing Agreement") with Pershing LLC (formerly the Pershing division of Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation), ("Pershing"), Siebert advanced to Pershing $1,500,000 in January 2003, principally for software customization setup of the JBS. Siebert has terminated the Clearing Agreement under circumstances which Siebert believes requires the return of the advance by Pershing. This and other consequences of termination have yet to be resolved with Pershing. Siebert believes that the net costs of termination and replacement of its clearing requirements will not result in a material expense.
The Strategic Alliance Agreement with Intuit provides for "Incremental Expenses" of the JBS to be shared equally between Siebert and Intuit. Siebert believes that the advance to Pershing, net of any rebate of the advance, should be treated as an Incremental Expense. Siebert also believes that the $866,000 cost of a Customer Relationship Management system also should be treated as an Incremental Expense. Intuit has indicated that it does not agree with Siebert on these items. These and other open issues with Intuit are expected to be addressed in connection with the termination of the JBS. Other incremental charges of $485,000 relating to construction of the JBS website and related items will also be incurred and shared equally by Siebert and Intuit.
On May 15, 2000, the board of directors of the Company authorized the repurchase of up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock. Shares will be purchased from time to time, in the discretion of the Company, in the open market and in private transactions. Through June 30, 2003, 702,368 shares have been purchased at an average
10
price of $4.68 per share. The Company intends to continue acquiring shares pursuant to its stock repurchase program based upon the price of the stock and in accordance with applicable rules and regulations.
Critical Accounting Policies
The Company follows accounting policies standard in the brokerage industry and believes that its policies appropriately reflect its financial position and results of operations. Management has identified the use of "Estimates" as its critical accounting policy. These estimates relate primarily to revenue and expense items in the normal course of business as to which the Company receives no confirmations, invoices, or other documentation at the time the books are closed for a period. The Company uses its best judgment, based on its knowledge of these revenue transactions and expenses incurred, to estimate the amounts of such revenue and expense. The Company is not aware of any material differences between the estimates used in closing its books for the last five years and the actual amounts of revenue received and expenses incurred when the Company subsequently receives the actual confirmations, invoices or other documentation. Estimates are also used in determining the useful lives of tangible and intangible assets, and the fair market value of intangible assets. Management believes that its estimates are reasonable.
Results of Operations
The Company believes that its core business is performing relatively well, given the current difficult business environment for discount and online brokers. The Company had net income of $246,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2003 and a net loss $49,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2003. Excluding the direct expenses of approximately $1,051,000 and the nominal revenues attributable to the JBS, the Company would have been profitable for the six months ended June 30, 2003.
The Company has implemented various cost reduction programs such as reducing head count and related employee expenses, reducing communication and market data costs and renegotiating of vendor contracts. The Company continues to evaluate acquisition opportunities aimed at increasing profitability and enhancing economies of scale within the Company's existing infrastructure.
Three Months Ended June 30, 2003 Compared to Three Months Ended June 30, 2002
Total revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2003 were $6.6 million, an increase of $240,000 or 3.8% from the same period in 2002.
Commission and fee income for the three months ended June 30, 2003 was $5.3 million, an increase of $189,000 or 3.7% from the same period in 2002 due to higher trading volume as result of the strengthening market conditions during the second quarter of 2003.
Investment banking revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2003 were $242,000, a decrease of $36,000 or 12.9% from the same period in 2002 due to less activity in the new issue market.
Income from the Company's equity investment in Siebert Brandford Shank & Co., LLC, an entity in which the Company holds a 49% equity interest ("SBS"), for the three months ended June 30, 2003 was $753,000 compared to income of $503,000, an increase of $250,000 or 49.7% from the same period in 2002. This increase was due to increased activity in the municipal bond market. SBS serves as an underwriter for municipal bond offerings.
Trading profits were $207,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2003, a decrease of $109,000 or 34.5% over the same period in 2002 due to an overall decrease in trading margins.
11
Interest and dividends for the three months ended June 30, 2003 were $148,000, a decrease of $54,000 or 26.7% from the same period in 2002 primarily due to slightly lower cash balances available for temporary investment coupled with lower interest rates.
Total expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2003 were $6.2 million, a decrease of $1.7 million or 21.3% from the same period in 2002.
Employee compensation and benefit costs for the three months ended June 30, 2003 were $2.2 million, a decrease of $25,000 or 1.1% from the same period in 2002. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in the number of employees due to the low trading volumes and a decrease in commission payouts, offset in part by an increase in employee expenses of $40,000 due to the Company's participation in the JBS with Intuit.
Clearing and floor brokerage costs for the three months ended June 30, 2003 were $1.1 million, an increase of $116,000 or 12.4% from the same period in 2002 primarily due to increased volume of trade executions, offset in part by an increase in clearing costs of $21,000 due to the Company's participation in the JBS.
Advertising and promotion expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2003 were $304,000, a decrease of $378,000 or 55.4% from the same period in 2002 primarily due to management's decision to spend less for advertising and promotion as a result of the continued weakness in the marketplace, offset in part by an increase in advertising and promotion expenses of $138,000 due to the Company's participation in the JBS.
Communications expense for the three months ended June 30, 2003, was $745,000, an increase of $153,000 or 25.8% from the same period in 2002 due primarily to a higher volume of call traffic and quotes and $95,000 relating to the Company's participation in the JBS.
Occupancy costs for the three months ended June 30, 2003 were $296,000, an increase of $72,000 or 32.1% from the same period in 2002. This increase was primarily due to the month to month rental of office space in Aventura and Boca Raton, Florida, previously occupied by YDB, as part the transition of customer accounts from YDB to Siebert, as well as, an increase in occupancy cost relating to the JBS.
Other general and administrative expenses were $1.6 million, a decrease of $1.6 million or 50.6% from the same period in 2002. This decrease was primarily due to the expensing of non-recurring start-up costs for the JBS of an advisory fee of $1 million and legal fees of $392,000 in the three months ended June 30, 2002, offset in part by an increase of $253,000 for the development of products relating to the JBS.
For the three months ended June 30, 2003, there was a tax provision of $181,000 due to the Company's income before income tax of $427,000. For the three months ended June 30, 2002, the benefit for income taxes was $622,000 due to loss before taxes of $1.5 million.
Six Months Ended June 30, 2003 Compared to Six Months Ended June 30, 2002
Total revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2003 were $12.2 million, a decrease of $375,000 or 3.0% from the same period in 2002.
Commission and fee income for the six months ended June 30, 2003 was $9.4 million, a decrease of $910,000 or 8.8% from the same period in 2002 due to lower trading volume as result of the weak market conditions prevailing during the first quarter of 2003.
Investment banking revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2003 were $718,000, a decrease of $84,000 or 10.5% from the same period in 2002 due to less activity in the new issue market.
Income from the Company's equity investment in Siebert Brandford Shank & Co., LLC, an entity in which the Company holds a 49% equity interest ("SBS"), for the six months ended June 30, 2003 was $1,464,000 compared to
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income of $625,000, an increase of $839,000 or 134.2% from the same period in 2002. This increase was due to increased activity in the municipal bond market. SBS serves as an underwriter for municipal bond offerings.
Trading profits were $404,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2003, a decrease of $123,000 or 23.3% over the same period in 2002 due to an overall decrease in trading margins.
Interest and dividends for the six months ended June 30, 2003 were $243,000, a decrease of $97,000 or 28.5% from the same period in 2002 primarily due to slightly lower cash balances available for temporary investment coupled with lower interest rates.
Total expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2003 were $12.3 million, a decrease of $1.3 million or 9.8% from the same period in 2002.
Employee compensation and benefit costs for the six months ended June 30, 2003 were $4.4 million, a decrease of $149,000 or 3.3% from the same period in 2002. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in the number of employees due to the low trading volumes and a decrease in commission payouts, offset in part by an increase in employee expenses of $128,000 due to the Company's participation in the JBS with Intuit.
Clearing and floor brokerage costs for the six months ended June 30, 2003 were $1.9 million, an increase of $36,000 or 1.9% from the same period in 2002 primarily due to increased volume of trade executions, offset in part by an increase in clearing costs of $36,000 due to the Company's participation in the JBS.
Advertising and promotion expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2003 were $664,000, a decrease of $430,000 or 39.3% from the same period in 2002 primarily due to management's decision to spend less for advertising and promotion as a result of the continued weakness in the marketplace, offset in part by an increase in advertising and promotion expenses of $192,000 due to the Company's participation in the JBS.
Communications expense for the six months ended June 30, 2003, was $1.5 million, an increase of $350,000 or 30.7% from the same period in 2002 due primarily to a higher volume of call traffic and quotes and $191,000 relating to the Company's participation in the JBS.
Occupancy costs for the six months ended June 30, 2003 were $560,000, an increase of $99,000 or 21.5% from the same period in 2002. This increase was primarily due to the month to month rental of office space in Aventura and Boca Raton, Florida, previously occupied by YDB, as part the transition of customer accounts from YDB to Siebert, as well as, an increase in occupancy cost of $33,000 relating to the JBS.
Other general and administrative expenses were $3.2 million, a decrease of $1.3 million or 27.9% from the same period in 2002. This decrease was primarily due to the expensing of start-up costs for an advisory fee of $1 million and legal fees of $392,000 in the six months ended June 30, 2002, offset in part by an increase of $581,000 for the development of products relating to the JBS for the six months ended June 30, 2003.
For the six months ended June 30, 2003, there was a tax benefit of $37,000 due to the Company's loss before income tax of $86,000. For the six months ended June 30, 2002, the benefit for income taxes was $440,000 due to loss before taxes of $1.1 million.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company's assets are highly liquid, consisting generally of cash, money market funds and marketable securities. The Company's total assets at June 30, 2003 were $39.9 million. As of that date, $26.6 million, or 67%, of total assets were regarded by the Company as highly liquid.
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Siebert is subject to the net capital requirements of the SEC, the NYSE and other regulatory authorities. At June 30, 2003, Siebert's regulatory net capital was $15.5 million, $15.2 million in excess of its minimum capital requirement of $250,000.
As described under "Recent Developments" above, Siebert and Intuit has incurred other charges aggregating approximately $485,000 for the setup of the JBS's website and related matters. Siebert and Intuit will share equally in the advance of these charges.
The Company also intends to acquire additional shares of its common stock pursuant to its share buy back program.
Siebert has entered into a Secured Demand Note Collateral Agreement with SBS under which it is obligated to lend to SBS up to $1.2 million pursuant to a secured promissory note on a subordinated basis. Amounts pledged by Siebert under the facility are reflected on the Company's balance sheet as "cash equivalents - restricted". SBS pays Siebert interest on this amount at the rate of 10% per annum. The facility expires on August 31, 2005, at which time SBS is obligated to repay to Siebert any amounts borrowed by SBS thereunder.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Working capital is generally temporarily invested in dollar denominated money market funds and overnight certificates of deposits. These investments are not subject to material changes in value due to interest rate movements. The Company also invests in certain short-term municipal bonds, the values of which may fluctuate during the period they are held by the Company.
In the normal course of its business, Siebert enters into transactions in various financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk. This risk includes both market and credit risk, which may be in excess of the amounts recognized in the Company's financial statements. Retail customer transactions are cleared through clearing brokers on a fully disclosed basis. If customers do not fulfill their contractual obligations, the clearing broker may charge Siebert for any loss incurred in connection with the purchase or sale of securities at prevailing market prices to satisfy the customers' obligations. Siebert regularly monitors the activity in its customer accounts for compliance with its margin requirements. Siebert is exposed to the risk of loss on unsettled customer transactions if customers and other counter parties are unable to fulfill their contractual obligations.
IItem 4. Controls and Procedures
The Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to the Company (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in the Company's periodic Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company's most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
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Part II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
The Company is involved in various routine lawsuits of a nature deemed by the Company customary and incidental to its business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of such actions will not have a material adverse effect on its financial position or results of operations.
Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds
None
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
The Company held its annual meeting on June 2, 2003. At that meeting, the following matter was voted on and received the votes indicated:
| (1) Election of Directors | For | % | Withheld | ||
|
|
|
| |||
| Muriel F. Siebert | 22,145,651 | 99 | 56,284 | ||
| Nicholas P. Dermigny | 22,145,651 | 99 | 56,284 | ||
| Patricia L. Francy | 22,190,667 | 99 | 12,268 | ||
| Jane H. Macon | 22,189,967 | 99 | 11,968 | ||
| Leonard M. Leiman | 22,145,351 | 99 | 56,284 | ||
| Nancy S. Peterson | 22,145,351 | 99 | 56,284 |
None
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
- Exhibits.
- Reports on Form 8-K.
None.
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
|
Siebert Financial Corp. | ||||||||
| August 14, 2003 |
/s/ Muriel F. Siebert | |||||||
|
Muriel F. Siebert | ||||||||
|
Chairwoman and President, (principal executive officer) | ||||||||
| August 14, 2003 |
/s/ Joseph M. Ramos, Jr. | |||||||
|
Joseph M. Ramos, Jr. | ||||||||
|
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (principal finanical and accounting officer) | ||||||||
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EXHIBIT INDEX