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TUCOWS INC /PA/ - Quarter Report: 2018 June (Form 10-Q)

tcx20180630_10q.htm
 

 

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2018

 

OR

 

 

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

 

For the transition period from           to          

 

Commission file number 1-32600

 

TUCOWS INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Pennsylvania

23-2707366

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

(I.R.S. Employer

Incorporation or Organization)

Identification No.)

 

96 Mowat Avenue,

Toronto, Ontario M6K 3M1, Canada

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

(416) 535-0123

(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer ☐

Accelerated filer ☒

  

  

Non-accelerated filer ☐

Smaller reporting company ☐

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

  

 

Emerging Growth company ☐

                                              

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

 

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

 

As of August 6, 2018, there were 10,609,438 outstanding shares of common stock, no par value, of the registrant.

 

 

 

TUCOWS INC.

Form 10-Q Quarterly Report

INDEX

 

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

  

  

Item 1.

Consolidated Financial Statements

3

  

  

  

  

Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017

3

  

  

  

  

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (unaudited) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017

4

  

  

  

  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017

5

  

  

  

  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

6

  

  

  

Item 2.

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

27

  

  

  

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

46

  

  

  

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

47

  

  

  

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

  

  

  

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

48

  

  

  

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

48

  

  

  

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 

    48

 

 

 

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

48

  

  

  

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

48

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

48

  

  

  

Item 6.

Exhibits

49

  

  

  

Signatures

50

 

TRADEMARKS, TRADE NAMES AND SERVICE MARKS

  

Tucows®, EPAG®, Hover®, OpenSRS®, Platypus®, Ting®, eNom®, Roam®, Roam Mobility®, Bulkregister® and YummyNames® are registered trademarks of Tucows Inc. or its subsidiaries. Other service marks, trademarks and trade names of Tucows Inc. or its subsidiaries may be used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (this “Quarterly Report”). All other service marks, trademarks and trade names referred to in this Quarterly Report are the property of their respective owners. Solely for convenience, any trademarks referred to in this Quarterly Report may appear without the ® or TM symbol, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we or the owner of such trademark, as applicable, will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our or its rights, or the right of the applicable licensor, to these trademarks.

 

 

 

PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements

Tucows Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)

(unaudited)

 

   

June 30,

   

December 31,

 
   

2018

   

2017*

 
                 

Assets

               
                 

Current assets:

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 11,161     $ 18,049  

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $132 as of June 30, 2018 and $168 as of December 31, 2017

    12,214       12,376  

Inventory

    3,248       2,944  

Prepaid expenses and deposits

    15,428       14,186  

Prepaid domain name registry and ancillary services fees, current portion (note 11 (b))

    94,754       103,302  

Income taxes recoverable

    3,137       3,004  

Total current assets

    139,942       153,861  
                 

Prepaid domain name registry and ancillary services fees, long-term portion (note 11 (b))

    20,701       23,701  

Property and equipment

    34,538       24,620  

Contract costs (note 11 (a))

    1,354       -  

Intangible assets (note 6)

    53,693       58,414  

Goodwill (note 6)

    90,054       90,054  

Total assets

  $ 340,282     $ 350,650  
                 
                 

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

               
                 

Current liabilities:

               

Accounts payable

  $ 7,340     $ 7,026  

Accrued liabilities

    6,770       6,412  

Customer deposits

    12,934       15,255  

Derivative instrument liability (note 5)

    337       -  

Deferred rent, current portion

    21       21  

Loan payable, current portion (note 7)

    17,721       18,290  

Deferred revenue, current portion

    122,976       129,155  

Accreditation fees payable, current portion

    1,099       1,175  

Income taxes payable

    1,477       1,226  

Total current liabilities

    170,675       178,560  
                 

Derivative instrument liability, long-term portion (note 5)

    27       -  

Deferred revenue, long-term portion

    29,075       31,427  

Accreditation fees payable, long-term portion

    269       289  

Deferred rent, long-term portion

    126       130  

Loan payable, long-term portion (note 7)

    51,012       58,634  

Deferred gain

    258       429  

Deferred tax liability (note 8)

    19,577       19,834  
                 

Redeemable non-controlling interest (note 4 (a))

    -       1,136  
                 

Stockholders' equity (note 13)

               
                 

Preferred stock - no par value, 1,250,000 shares authorized; none issued and outstanding

    -       -  

Common stock - no par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized; 10,603,366 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2018 and 10,583,879 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2017

    15,548       15,368  

Additional paid-in capital

    2,931       2,167  

Retained earnings

    51,027       42,676  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

    (243 )     -  

Total stockholders' equity

    69,263       60,211  

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

  $ 340,282     $ 350,650  
                 

Commitments and contingencies (note 16)

               

 

*The Company has initially applied ASC 2014-09 (Topic 606) using the modified retrospective method. Under this method, the comparative information is not restated.

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements 

 

 

 

Tucows Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income

(Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

   

Three months ended June 30,

   

Six months ended June 30,

 
   

2018

    2017*     2018     2017*  
                                 
                                 

Net revenues (note 10)

  $ 81,087     $ 84,223     $ 176,882     $ 153,791  
                                 

Cost of revenues (note 10)

                               

Cost of revenues

    54,501       59,445       123,473       108,756  

Network expenses

    2,701       2,261       5,275       4,604  

Depreciation of property and equipment

    1,228       714       2,359       1,305  

Amortization of intangible assets (note 6)

    499       455       998       836  

Total cost of revenues

    58,929       62,875       132,105       115,501  
                                 

Gross profit

    22,158       21,348       44,777       38,290  
                                 

Expenses:

                               

Sales and marketing

    7,852       7,447       16,217       14,667  

Technical operations and development

    2,355       1,798       4,450       3,492  

General and administrative

    4,256       3,285       8,786       6,742  

Depreciation of property and equipment

    102       165       203       331  

Loss on disposition of property and equipment

    -       2       -       2  

Amortization of intangible assets (note 6)

    1,827       1,608       3,659       2,989  

Loss (gain) on currency forward contracts (note 5)

    52       (27 )     49       (61 )

Total expenses

    16,444       14,278       33,364       28,162  
                                 

Income from operations

    5,714       7,070       11,413       10,128  
                                 

Other income (expense):

                               

Interest expense, net

    (951 )     (970 )     (1,847 )     (1,838 )

Other income, net

    73       225       197       354  

Total other income (expense)

    (878 )     (745 )     (1,650 )     (1,484 )
                                 

Income before provision for income taxes

    4,836       6,325       9,763       8,644  
                                 

Provision for income taxes (note 8)

    1,228       1,083       2,411       958  
                                 

Net income before redeemable non-controlling interest

    3,608       5,242       7,352       7,686  
                                 

Redeemable non-controlling interest

    -       (117 )     (26 )     (243 )

Net income attributable to redeemable non-controlling interest

    -       117       26       243  
                                 

Net income for the period

    3,608       5,242       7,352       7,686  
                                 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

                               

Unrealized income on hedging activities (note 5)

    (273 )     143       (256 )     329  

Net amount reclassified to earnings (note 5)

    13       (17 )     13       (98 )
                                 

Other comprehensive income net of tax of $84 and and $71 for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017, $78 and $131 for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017 (note 5)

    (260 )     126       (243 )     231  
                                 

Comprehensive income for the period

  $ 3,348     $ 5,368     $ 7,109     $ 7,917  
                                 
                                 

Basic earnings per common share (note 9)

  $ 0.34     $ 0.50     $ 0.69     $ 0.73  
                                 

Shares used in computing basic earnings per common share (note 9)

    10,597,228       10,528,219       10,592,994       10,501,407  
                                 

Diluted earnings per common share (note 9)

  $ 0.33     $ 0.49     $ 0.68     $ 0.71  
                                 

Shares used in computing diluted earnings per common share (note 9)

    10,803,007       10,793,031       10,797,017       10,785,685  

 

*The Company has initially applied ASC 2014-09 (Topic 606) using the modified retrospective method. Under this method, the comparative information is not restated.

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements

 

 

 

Tucows Inc.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)

(unaudited)

 

   

Three months ended June 30,

   

Six months ended June 30,

 
   

2018

    2017*     2018     2017*  

Cash provided by:

                               

Operating activities:

                               

Net income for the period

  $ 3,608     $ 5,242     $ 7,352     $ 7,686  

Items not involving cash:

                               

Depreciation of property and equipment

    1,330       879       2,562       1,636  

Loss on write off of property and equipment

    -       9       -       9  

Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs

    69       80       139       147  

Amortization of intangible assets

    2,326       2,064       4,657       3,825  

Change in capitalized contract costs

    25       -       50       -  

Deferred income taxes (recovery)

    (445 )     (2,885 )     (492 )     (1,565 )

Excess tax benefits on share-based compensation expense

    (197 )     (1,182 )     (341 )     (2,171 )

Amortization of deferred rent

    (4 )     1       (4 )     5  

Loss on disposal of domain names

    28       7       65       18  

Other income

    (42 )     (128 )     (171 )     (257 )

Loss (gain) on change in the fair value of forward contracts

    46       (163 )     43       (301 )

Stock-based compensation

    615       313       1,193       631  

Change in non-cash operating working capital:

                               

Accounts receivable

    471       (905 )     162       (864 )

Inventory

    (350 )     (1,267 )     (304 )     (1,096 )

Prepaid expenses and deposits

    (717 )     1,186       (1,242 )     (2,371 )

Prepaid domain name registry and ancillary services fees

    204       2,976       11,548       (2,513 )

Income taxes recoverable

    165       2,513       430       (147 )

Accounts payable

    (1,862 )     (592 )     270       (4,038 )

Accrued liabilities

    (401 )     (1,818 )     358       13  

Customer deposits

    (46 )     3,152       (2,321 )     3,068  

Deferred revenue

    1,067       (1,273 )     (8,531 )     8,968  

Accreditation fees payable

    (136 )     (78 )     (96 )     (149 )

Net cash provided by operating activities

    5,754       8,131       15,327       10,534  
                                 

Financing activities:

                               

Proceeds received on exercise of stock options

    32       85       39       105  

Payment of tax obligations resulting from net exercise of stock options

    (141 )     (609 )     (288 )     (1,322 )

Proceeds received on loan payable

    2,500       -       2,500       86,998  

Repayment of loan payable

    (6,253 )     (4,572 )     (10,825 )     (10,830 )

Payment of loan payable costs

    -       (13 )     (4 )     (604 )

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

    (3,862 )     (5,109 )     (8,578 )     74,347  
                                 
                                 

Investing activities:

                               

Additions to property and equipment

    (7,319 )     (2,909 )     (12,436 )     (6,602 )

Acquisition of a portion of the minority interest in Ting Virginia, LLC (note 4(a))

    -       -       (1,200 )     (2,000 )

Acquisition of Enom Incorporated, net of cash (note 4(b))

    -       -       -       (76,238 )

Acquisition of intangible assets

    -       -       (1 )     -  

Net cash (used in) investing activities

    (7,319 )     (2,909 )     (13,637 )     (84,840 )
                                 

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

    (5,427 )     113       (6,888 )     41  
                                 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

    16,588       15,033       18,049       15,105  

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

  $ 11,161     $ 15,146     $ 11,161     $ 15,146  
                                 
                                 
                                 

Supplemental cash flow information:

                               

Interest paid

  $ 961     $ 975     $ 1,862     $ 1,848  

Income taxes paid, net

  $ 2,240     $ 2,663     $ 3,577     $ 5,006  

Supplementary disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:

                               

Property and equipment acquired during the period not yet paid for

  $ 258     $ 232     $ 258     $ 232  

 

*The Company has initially applied ASC 2014-09 (Topic 606) using the modified retrospective method. Under this method, the comparative information is not restated.

 

See accompanying notes to unaudited consolidated financial statements 

 

 

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

 

 

1. Organization of the Company: 

 

Tucows Inc. (referred to throughout this report as the “Company”, “Tucows”, “we”, “us” or through similar expressions) provides simple useful services that help people unlock the power of the Internet. The Company provides U.S. consumers and small businesses with mobile phone services nationally and high-speed fixed Internet access in selected towns. The Company is also a global distributor of Internet services, including domain name registration, digital certificates, and email. It provides these services primarily through a global Internet-based distribution network of Internet Service Providers, web hosting companies and other providers of Internet services to end-users.

 

 

 

2. Basis of presentation:

 

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated balance sheets, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income and cash flows reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position of Tucows and its subsidiaries as at June 30, 2018 and the results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods ended June 30, 2018 and 2017. The results of operations presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for future periods.

 

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared by Tucows in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in the Company's annual audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been condensed or omitted. Other than the exception noted below, these interim consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes follow the same accounting policies and methods of application used in the annual financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2017 included in Tucows' 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 6, 2018 (the “2017 Annual Report”). There have been no material changes to our significant accounting policies and estimates during the six months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to the significant accounting policies and estimates described in our 2017 Annual Report, except for the adoption of Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”).  See Note 3 for more information.

 

Beginning with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, all dollar values of current and comparative figures in the financial statements and accompanying tables have been rounded to the nearest thousand ($000), except when otherwise indicated.

 

 

 

3. Recent accounting pronouncements:

  

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Adopted

 

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Updates ("ASU") No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business and ASU 2015-16, Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. The adoption of these updates did not have a significant impact on the consolidated financial statements.  We also adopted ASU 2014-09 and the impact of such adoption is described in more detail below.

 

ASU 2014-09: Adoption of Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)

 

On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU 2014-09 using the modified retrospective method by recognizing the cumulative effect of initially applying ASU 2014-09 as an adjustment to the opening balance of equity as at January 1, 2018. The results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under ASU 2014-09, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historic accounting policy, under ASC 605, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605).  The adoption of Topic 606 did not affect the Company’s cash flows from operating, investing, or financing activities. Furthermore, the impact on timing of revenue recognition was not material as the treatment of revenue for services rendered over time is consistent under Topic 606 and Topic 605. The details of the significant changes and quantitative impact of the changes are set out below. For a more comprehensive description of how the Company recognizes revenue under the new revenue standard in accordance with its performance obligations, see note 10.

 

The Company previously recognized commission fees related to Ting Mobile, Ting Internet, eNom domain registration and eNom domain related value-added service contracts as selling expenses when they were incurred. Under ASU 2014-09, when these commission fees are deemed incremental and are expected to be recovered, the Company capitalizes as an asset such commission fees as costs of obtaining a contract. These commission fees are amortized into income consistently with the pattern of transfer of the good or service to which the asset relates. The amortization of deferred costs of acquisition are amortized into Sales and marketing expense. The estimation of the amortization period for the costs to obtain a contract required judgement.

 

 

Under Topic 606, the Company has applied the following practical expedients: 

 

a)

When the amortization period for costs incurred to obtain a contract with a customer is less than one year, the Company has elected to apply a practical expedient to expense the costs as incurred; and

 

b)

For mobile and internet access services, where the performance obligation is part of contracts that have an original expected duration of one year or less (typically one month), the Company has elected to apply a practical expedient to not disclose revenues expected to be recognized in the future related performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied).

   

On January 1, 2018 as a result of adopting ASU 2014-09, the Company recorded a contract cost asset of $1.4 million with a corresponding increase to opening retained earnings and deferred tax liability of $1.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, due to the deferral of costs of obtaining contracts. The impact of the changes to the Company’s financial statements in the current period are as follows:

 

   

June 30, 2018

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet
(Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

As

reported

   

Adjustments

   

 

Balances

without

adoption of

Topic 606

 
                         

Assets

                       
                         

Contract costs (note 11)

  $ 1,354     $ (1,354 )   $ (0 )

Total assets

  $ 340,282     $ (1,354 )   $ 338,928  
                         

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

                       
                         

Deferred tax liability (note 8)

  $ 19,577     $ (329 )   $ 19,248  

Retained earnings

    51,027       (1,025 )     50,002  

Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

  $ 340,282     $ (1,354 )   $ 338,928  

 

 

   

Three months ended, June 30, 2018

   

Six months ended, June 30, 2018

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
(Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

As

reported

   

Adjustments

   

Balances

without

adoption

of Topic

606

   

As

reported

   

Adjustments

   

Balances

without

adoption

of Topic

606

 
                                                 

Expenses

                                               
                                                 

Sales and marketing

  $ 7,852     $ (25 )   $ 7,827     $ 16,217     $ (50 )   $ 16,167  

Income before provision for income taxes

    4,836       25       4,861       9,763       50       9,813  
                                                 

Provision for income tax (note 8)

    1,228       6       1,234       2,411       12       2,423  

Net income for the period

  $ 3,608     $ 19     $ 3,627     $ 7,352     $ 38     $ 7,390  

 

 

   

Three months ended, June 30, 2018

   

Six months ended, June 30, 2018

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

As

reported

   

Adjustments

   

Balances

without

adoption

of Topic

606

   

As

reported

   

Adjustments

   

Balances

without

adoption

of Topic

606

 
                                                 

Net income for the period

  $ 3,608     $ 19     $ 3,627     $ 7,352     $ 38     $ 7,390  
                                                 

Items not involving cash

                                               

Amortization contract costs

    25       (25 )     (0 )     50       (50 )     0  

Deferred income taxes (recovery)

    (445 )     6       (439 )     (492 )     12       (480 )

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $ 5,754     $ (0 )   $ 5,754     $ 15,327     $ -     $ 15,327  

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

  

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016-02”).  ASU 2016-02 requires lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases on the balance sheet. More specifically, ASU 2016-02 requires the recognition on the balance sheet of a lease liability to make lease payments by lessees and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The new guidance will also require significant additional disclosure about the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows from leases. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, which begins on January 1, 2019 for the Company. The amendments should be applied at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach with earlier application permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The Company will adopt this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of transition methods. While we are continuing to assess all potential impacts of the standard, we currently believe the most significant impact relates to our accounting for administrative office operating leases.

 

 

 

4. Acquisitions:

 

 

(a)

 Blue Ridge Websoft

 

On February 27, 2015, Ting Fiber, Inc., one of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries, acquired a 70% ownership interest in Ting Virginia, LLC and its subsidiaries, Blue Ridge Websoft, LLC (doing business as Blue Ridge Internet Works), Fiber Roads, LLC and Navigator Network Services, LLC (the "BRI Group") for consideration of approximately $3.5 million.

 

On February 1, 2017, under the terms of a call option in the agreement, Ting Fiber, Inc. acquired an additional 20% interest in Ting Virginia, LLC from the selling shareholders (the “Minority Shareholders”) for consideration of $2.0 million.

 

On February 13, 2018, the Company entered into an agreement Minority Shareholders pursuant to which the Minority Shareholders could immediately exercise their put option to sell their remaining 10% ownership interest in Ting Virginia, LLC for $1.2 million to the Company.  The put option was exercised on February 13, 2018 and the Company paid $1.2 million for the remaining 10% ownership interest and Ting Virginia, LLC became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. 

 

 

 

(b)

 eNom, Incorporated

 

On January 20, 2017, the Company entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) with its indirect wholly owned subsidiary, Tucows (Emerald), LLC, Rightside Group, Ltd., and Rightside Operating Co., pursuant to which Tucows (Emerald), LLC purchased from Rightside Operating Co. all of the issued and outstanding capital stock of eNom, Incorporated (“eNom”), a domain name registrar business. The purchase price was $77.8 million, which represented the agreed upon purchase of $83.5 million less an amount of $5.7 million related to the working capital deficiency acquired.

 

 

 

5. Derivative instruments and hedging activities:

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

In October 2012, the Company entered into a hedging program with a Canadian chartered bank to limit the potential foreign exchange fluctuations incurred on its future cash flows related to a portion of payroll, rent, and payments to Canadian domain name registry suppliers that are denominated in Canadian dollars and are expected to be paid by its Canadian operating subsidiary. As part of its risk management strategy, the Company uses derivative instruments to hedge a portion of the foreign exchange risk associated with these costs. The Company does not use these forward contracts for trading or speculative purposes. These forward contracts typically mature between one and eighteen months.

 

The Company has designated certain of these transactions as cash flow hedges of forecasted transactions under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging. For certain contracts, as the critical terms of the hedging instrument and the entire hedged forecasted transaction are the same in accordance with ASC Topic 815, the Company has been able to conclude that changes in fair value and cash flows attributable to the risk of being hedged are expected to completely offset at inception and on an ongoing basis. Accordingly, unrealized gains or losses on the effective portion of these contracts have been included within other comprehensive income. The fair value of the contracts, as of June 30, 2018, is recorded as derivative instrument liabilities. For certain contracts where the hedged transactions are no longer probable to occur, the loss on the associated forward contract is reclassified from AOCI to earnings.

 

As of June 30, 2018, the notional amount of forward contracts that the Company held to sell U.S. dollars in exchange for Canadian dollars was $16.9 million, of which $14.9 million were designated as hedges. As of December 31, 2017 the Company held no contracts to trade U.S. dollars in exchange for Canadian dollars.

 

As of  June 30, 2018, we had the following outstanding forward exchange contracts to trade U.S. dollars in exchange for Canadian dollars: 

 

Maturity date (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

Notional

amount of U.S.

dollars

   

Weighted

average

exchange rate of

U.S. dollars

   

Fair value

 
                         

July - September 2018

    6,130       1.2851       (134 )

October - December 2018

    6,049       1.2802       (144 )

January - March 2019

    1,640       1.2852       (30 )

April - June 2019

    1,599       1.2831       (29 )

July - September 2019

    1,444       1.2809       (27 )
    $ 16,862       1.2828     $ (364 )

 

Fair value of derivative instruments and effect of derivative instruments on financial performance 

 

The effect of these derivative instruments on our consolidated financial statements were as follows (amounts presented do not include any income tax effects).

 

Fair value of derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheets

 

       

As of

June 30,

2018

   

As of

December 31,

2017

 

Derivatives (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars)

 

Balance

Sheet
Location

 

Fair Value

Asset

(Liability)

   

Fair Value

Asset

(Liability)

 
                     

Foreign currency forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges (net)

 

Derivative instruments

  $ (321 )   $ -  
                     

Foreign currency forward contracts not designated as cash flow hedges (net)

 

Derivative instruments

  $ (43 )   $ -  
                     

Total foreign currency forward contracts (net)

 

Derivative instruments

  $ (364 )   $ -  

 

 

Movement in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") balance for the three months ended June 30, 2018 (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):

 

   

Gains and

losses on cash

flow hedges

   

Tax impact

   

Total AOCI

 
                         

Opening AOCI balance – March 31. 2018

  $ 23     $ (6

)

  $ 17  
                         

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

    (361

)

    88       (273

)

Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

    17       (4

)

    13  

Other comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended June 30, 2018

    (344

)

    84       (260

)

                         

Ending AOCI balance – June 30, 2018

  $ (321

)

  $ 78     $ (243

)

 

Movement in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") balance for the six months ended June 30, 2018 (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):

 

   

Gains and

losses on cash

flow hedges

   

Tax impact

   

Total AOCI

 
                         

Opening AOCI balance – December 31, 2017

  $     $     $  
                         

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

    (338

)

    82       (256

)

Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income

    17       (4

)

    13  

Other comprehensive income (loss) for the six months ended June 30, 2018

    (321

)

    78       (243

)

                         

Ending AOCI balance – June 30, 2018

  $ (321

)

  $ 78     $ (243

)

 

Effects of derivative instruments on income and other comprehensive income (OCI) for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017 are as follows (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):

 

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationship

 

Amount of

Gain or

(Loss)

Recognized

in OCI, net of

tax, on

Derivative

(Effective

Portion)

 

Location of

Gain or

(Loss)

Reclassified

from

AOCI into

Income

(Effective

Portion)

 

Amount of

Gain or

(Loss)

Reclassified

from

AOCI into

Income,

(Effective

Portion)

 

Location of

Gain or (Loss)

Recognized in

Income on

Derivative

(ineffective

Portion and

Amount

Excluded from

Effectiveness

Testing)

 

Amount of

Gain or

(Loss)

Recognized

in Income on

Derivative

(ineffective

Portion and

Amount

Excluded

from

Effectiveness

Testing)

 
                             
         

Operating expenses

  $ (1 )

Operating expenses

  $  

Foreign currency forward contracts for the three months ended June 30, 2018

  $ (260 )

Cost of revenues

  $ (16 )

Cost of revenues

     
                             
         

Operating expenses

  $ 24  

Operating expenses

  $  

Foreign currency forward contracts for the three months ended June 30, 2017

  $ 126  

Cost of revenues

  $ 4  

Cost of revenues

     

  

 

Effects of derivative instruments on income and other comprehensive income (OCI) for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017 are as follows (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):

 

Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationship

 

Amount of

Gain or

(Loss)

Recognized

in OCI, net of

tax, on

Derivative

(Effective

Portion)

 

Location of

Gain or

(Loss)

Reclassified

from

Accumulated

OCI into

Income

(Effective

Portion)

 

Amount of

Gain or

(Loss)

Reclassified

from

Accumulated

OCI into

Income,

(Effective

Portion)

 

Location of

Gain or (Loss)

Recognized in

Income on

Derivative

(ineffective

Portion and

Amount

Excluded from

Effectiveness

Testing)

 

Amount of

Gain or

(Loss)

Recognized

in Income on

Derivative

(ineffective

Portion and

Amount

Excluded

from

Effectiveness

Testing)

 
                             
         

Operating expenses

  $ (1 )

Operating expenses

  $  

Foreign currency forward contracts for the six months ended June 30, 2018

  $ (243 )

Cost of revenues

  $ (16 )

Cost of revenues

     
                             
                             
         

Operating expenses

  $ 129  

Operating expenses

  $  

Foreign currency forward contracts for the six months ended June 30, 2017

  $ 231  

Cost of revenues

  $ 25  

Cost of revenues

     

  

In addition to the above, for those foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedges, the Company recorded a loss on settlement of less than $0.1 million and a loss of less than $0.1 million for the change in fair value of outstanding contracts for the three months ended June 30, 2018, in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income. The Company recorded a total gain of less than $0.1 million for the change in fair value of outstanding contracts and the settlement of contracts not designated as hedges for the three months ended June 30, 2017, in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income. 

 

The Company has recorded a loss of less than $0.1 million upon settlement and a loss of less than $0.1 million for the change in fair value of outstanding contracts for the six months ended June 30, 2018, in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income. The Company recorded a gain of less than $0.1 million upon settlement and a gain of less than $0.1 million for the change in fair value of the foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedges for the six months ended June 30, 2017, in the consolidated statement of operations and comprehensive income.

 

 

 

6. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets:

 

Goodwill

 

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed in our acquisitions.

 

The Company's Goodwill balance is $90.1 million as of June 30, 2018 (December 31, 2017 – $90.1 million). The Company's goodwill relates 98% ($87.9 million) to its Domain Services operating segment and 2% ($2.2 million) to its Network Access Services operating segment.

 

Goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to an annual impairment test, or more frequently if impairment indicators are present.

 

 

Other Intangible Assets:

 

Intangible assets consist of acquired brand, technology, customer relationships, surname domain names, direct navigation domain names and network rights. The Company considers its intangible assets consisting of surname domain names and direct navigation domain names as indefinite life intangible assets. The Company has the exclusive right to these domain names as long as the annual renewal fees are paid to the applicable registry. Renewals occur routinely and at a nominal cost. The indefinite life intangible assets are not amortized but are subject to impairment assessments performed throughout the year. As part of the normal renewal evaluation process during the periods ended June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017, the Company assessed that certain domain names that were originally acquired in the June 2006 acquisition of Mailbank.com Inc. that were up for renewal, should be renewed.   

 

Intangible assets, comprising brand, technology, customer relationships and network rights are being amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of four to fifteen years.

 

A summary of acquired intangible assets for the three months ended June 30, 2018 is as follows (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):

 

  

   

Surname

domain names

   

Direct

navigation

domain names

   

Brand

   

Customer relationships

   

Technology

   

Network rights

   

Total

 

Amortization period

 

indefinite life

   

indefinite life

   

7 years

   

4 - 7 years

   

2 years

   

15 years

         
                                                         

Balances March 31, 2018

  $ 11,205     $ 1,519     $ 10,342     $ 30,806     $ 1,625     $ 550     $ 56,047  
                                                         

Additions to/(disposals from) domain portfolio, net

    (4 )     (24 )     -       -       -       -       (28 )

Amortization expense

    -       -       (450 )     (1,377 )     (487 )     (12 )     (2,326 )

Balances June 30, 2018

  $ 11,201     $ 1,495     $ 9,892     $ 29,429     $ 1,138     $ 538     $ 53,693  

 

A summary of acquired intangible assets for the six months ended June 30, 2018 is as follows (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):

 

  

   

Surname

domain names

   

Direct

navigation

domain names

   

Brand

   

Customer relationships

   

Technology

   

Network rights

   

Total

 

Amortization period

 

indefinite life

   

indefinite life

   

7 years

   

4 - 7 years

   

2 years

   

15 years

         
                                                         

Balances December 31, 2017

  $ 11,210     $ 1,551     $ 10,793     $ 32,186     $ 2,113     $ 561     $ 58,414  
                                                         

Acquisition of customer relationships

    -       -       -       1       -       -       1  

Additions to/(disposals from) domain portfolio, net

    (9 )     (56 )     -       -       -       -       (65 )

Amortization expense

    -       -       (901 )     (2,758 )     (975 )     (23 )     (4,657 )

Balances June 30, 2018

  $ 11,201     $ 1,495     $ 9,892     $ 29,429     $ 1,138     $ 538     $ 53,693  

 

The following table shows the estimated amortization expense in future periods, assuming no further additions to acquired intangible assets are made (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):

 

   

Year ending

December 31,

 
         

Remainder of 2018

  $ 4,579  

2019

    7,338  

2020

    7,171  

2021

    7,171  

2022

    7,171  

Thereafter

    7,567  
         

Total

  $ 40,997  

  

As of June 30, 2018, the accumulated amortization for the definite life intangible assets was $20.0 million.

 

 

7. Loan payable:

 

2017 Amended Credit Facility

 

On January 20, 2017, the Company entered into an amended and restated secured Credit Agreement (the “2017 Amended Credit Agreement”) with Bank of Montreal (“BMO” or the “Administrative Agent”), Royal Bank of Canada and Bank of Nova Scotia (collectively with “Lenders”) under which the Company increased its access to funds to an aggregate of $140 million. This amendment and restatement to the Company’s 2016 Credit Facility (defined below), among other things, reduced the existing Tucows non-revolving facility (such existing non-revolving facility, together with other existing facilities, the “Existing Facilities”) from $40.0 million to $35.5 million, and established a new non-revolving credit facility of $84.5 million (the “Facility D”). The Company immediately drew down $84.5 million under Facility D to fund the acquisition of eNom (note 4(b)). The “2016 Credit Facility” refers to the credit facility established under the Company’s secured credit agreement (the “2016 Credit Agreement”) among the Company, BMO and the Lenders, dated as of August 18, 2016.

  

 

 In connection with the 2017 Amended Credit Agreement, the Company incurred $0.6 million of fees paid to lenders and debt issuance costs, which have been reflected as a reduction to the carrying amount of the loan payable and will be amortized over the term of the credit facility agreement.

 

The obligations of the Company under the 2017 Amended Credit Facility are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the personal property and assets of the Company.

 

The 2017 Amended Credit Facility has a four-year term. Under the 2017 Amended Credit Facility, the Company has access to an aggregate of up to $140 million in funds that are available as follows:

 

 

a $5 million revolving credit facility (“Facility A”);

 

a $15 million revolving reducing term facility (“Facility B”);

 

a $35.5 million non-revolving facility (“Facility C”); and

 

a $84.5 million non-revolving facility (“Facility D”).

  

Borrowings under the 2017 Amended Credit Facility accrue interest and standby fees at variable rates based on borrowing elections by the Company and the Company’s Total Funded Debt to EBITDA as described below. The purpose of Facility A is for general working capital and general corporate requirements, while Facility B and Facility C support share repurchases, acquisitions and capital expenditures associated with the Company’s Fiber to the Home program (“FTTH”). Facility D was provided and used for the acquisition of eNom.

 

The repayment terms for Facility A require monthly interest payments with any final principal payment becoming due upon maturity of the 2017 Amended Credit Facility. Under the repayment terms for Facility B, at December 31st of each year, balances drawn during the year that remain outstanding will become payable on a quarterly basis commencing the first quarter of the following year, for the period of amortization based on the purpose of the draw. For Facilities C and D, each draw will become payable beginning the first full quarter post initial draw for the period of amortization based on the purpose of the draw. The amortization periods for Facilities B, C and D are based on the purposes of the draws as follows: draws for share repurchases are repaid over four years, draws for acquisitions over five years and draws for FTTH capital expenditures over seven years. The 2017 Amended Credit Facility also includes a mechanism that is triggered based on the Company’s Total Funded Debt to EBITDA calculation at the end of each fiscal year. If Total Funded Debt to EBITDA exceeds 2.25:1 at December 31 of each year during the term, the Company is obligated to make a repayment of 50% of Excess Cash Flow as defined under the agreement.

 

The 2017 Amended Credit Facility contains customary representations and warranties, affirmative and negative covenants, and events of default. The 2017 Amended Credit Facility requires that the Company to comply with the following financial covenants at all times, which are to be calculated on a rolling four quarter basis: (i) maximum Total Funded Debt to EBITDA Ratio of 2.50:1 until September 30, 2018 and 2.25:1 thereafter; and (ii) minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of 1.20:1. Further, the Company’s maximum annual Capital Expenditures cannot exceed $50.0 million per year, which limit will be reviewed on an annual basis. In addition, funded share repurchases are not to exceed $20 million, or up to $40 million so long as the total loans related to share repurchases do not exceed 1.5 times of trailing twelve months EBITDA. As at and for the periods ending June 30, 2018, and June 30, 2017, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

 

On January 24, 2018, the Company entered into the Second Interim Amendment to First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Second Interim Amendment”) with BMO and the Lenders. The Second Interim Amendment provides that certain defined terms in Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement are added and updated to reflect the inclusion of liabilities to Sprint Mobile similar to the previous inclusion of T-Mobile liabilities. The Second Interim Amendment also permits Tucows to retain bank accounts with Silicon Valley Bank with the aggregate amount held in such accounts not to exceed $3.0 million.

 

 Borrowings under the 2017 Amended Credit Facility will accrue interest and standby fees based on the Company’s Total Funded Debt to EBITDA ratio and the availment type as follows:

 

   

If Total Funded Debt to EBITDA is:

 
                                 

Availment type or fee

 

Less than

1.00

   

Greater than

or

equal to 1.00

and

less than 2.00

   

Greater than

or

equal to 2.00

and

less than 2.25

   

Greater than

or equal to

2.25

 

Canadian dollar borrowings based on Bankers’ Acceptance or U.S. dollar borrowings based on LIBOR (Margin)

    2.00

%

    2.25

%

    2.75

%

    3.25

%

                                 

Canadian or U.S. dollar borrowings based on Prime Rate or U.S. dollar borrowings based on Base Rate (Margin)

    0.75

%

    1.00

%

    1.50

%

    2.00

%

                                 

Standby fees

    0.40

%

    0.45

%

    0.55

%

    0.65

%

 

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s borrowings under the credit facilities (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):

 

   

June 30,

2018

   

December 31,

2017

 

Facility B

    2,500       -  

Facility C

    3,554       5,930  

Facility D

    63,373       71,823  

Less: unamortized debt discount and issuance costs

    (694

)

    (829

)

Total loan payable

    68,733       76,924  

Less: loan payable, current portion

    17,721       18,290  

Loan payable, long-term portion

    51,012       58,634  

 

The following table summarizes our scheduled principal repayments as of June 30, 2018 (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):

 

Remainder of 2018

    8,771  

2019

    17,900  

2020

    17,900  

2021

    17,900  

2022

    5,225  

Thereafter

    1,731  
    $ 69,427  

 

Other Credit Facilities

 

Prior to the Company entering into the 2016 Credit Facility, the Company had credit agreements (collectively the “Amended Credit Facility”) with BMO that were amended on November 19, 2012, and which provided it with access to two revolving demand loan facilities (the “2012 Demand Loan Facilities”), a treasury risk management facility, an operating demand loan and a credit card facility. The Company continues to have access to the treasury risk management facility and credit card facility, with the remaining loan facilities having been extinguished.

  

The treasury risk management facility under the Amended Credit Facility provides for a $3.5 million settlement risk line to assist the Company with hedging Canadian dollar exposure through foreign exchange forward contracts and/or currency options. Under the terms of the Amended Credit Facility, the Company may enter into such agreements at market rates with terms not to exceed 18 months. As of June 30, 2018, the Company held contracts in the amount of $21.6 million to trade U.S. dollars in exchange for Canadian dollars (note 5).

 

In Q4, 2017, the Company entered into a corporate credit card program with the Bank of Nova Scotia and the Lenders. The program provides that BMO and the Bank of Nova Scotia may establish corporate credit card facilities with the Company in an amount of up to $5 million.

 

 

 

8. Income taxes

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2018, we recorded an income tax expense of $1.2 million on income before income taxes of $4.8 million, using an estimated effective tax rate for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018 (“Fiscal 2018”) adjusted for certain minimum state taxes as well as the inclusion of a $0.2 million tax recovery related to ASU 2016-09, which requires all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies related to employee share-based payments to be recognized through income tax expense. Comparatively, for the three months ended June 30, 2017, the Company recorded an income tax expense of $1.1 million on income before taxes of $6.3 million, using an estimated effective tax rate for the 2017 fiscal year and adjusted for the $1.2 million tax recovery impact related to ASU 2016-09.

 

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, we recorded an income tax expense of $2.4 million on income before income taxes of $9.8 million, using an estimated effective tax rate for Fiscal 2018 adjusted for certain minimum state taxes as well as the inclusion of a $0.3 million tax recovery related to ASU 2016-09, which requires all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies related to employee share-based payments to be recognized through income tax expense. Comparatively, for the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company recorded income tax expense of $1.0 million on income before taxes of $8.6 million, using an estimated effective tax rate for the 2017 fiscal year and adjusted for the $2.2 million tax recovery impact related to ASU 2016-09.

 

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the years in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers projected future taxable income, uncertainties related to the industry in which the Company operates, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.

 

The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to income taxes in income tax expense. The Company did not have significant interest and penalties accrued at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

 

 

 

9. Basic and diluted earnings per common share:

 

Basic earnings per common share has been calculated on the basis of net income for the period divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year. Diluted earnings per share gives effect to all dilutive potential common shares outstanding at the end of the year assuming that they had been issued, converted or exercised at the later of the beginning of the year or their date of issuance. In computing diluted earnings per share, the treasury stock method is used to determine the number of shares assumed to be purchased from the conversion of common share equivalents or the proceeds of the exercise of options. 

 

The following table reconciles the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted earnings per common share computation (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts):

 

   

Three months ended June 30,

   

Six months ended June 30,

 
   

2018

      2017       2018       2017  
                                 

Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per common share:

                               

Net income for the period

  $ 3,608     $ 5,242     $ 7,352     $ 7,686  
                                 

Denominator for basic and diluted earnings per common share:

                               

Basic weighted average number of common shares outstanding

    10,597,228       10,528,219       10,592,994       10,501,407  

Effect of outstanding stock options

    205,779       264,812       204,023       284,278  

Diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding

    10,803,007       10,793,031       10,797,017       10,785,685  
                                 

Basic earnings per common share

  $ 0.34     $ 0.50     $ 0.69     $ 0.73  
                                 

Diluted earnings per common share

  $ 0.33     $ 0.49     $ 0.68     $ 0.71  
 

For the three months ended June 30, 2018, outstanding options to purchase 419,000 common shares were not included in the computation of diluted income per common share because all such options’ exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares for the period as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017, where 18,500 outstanding options were not included in the computation.

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, outstanding options to purchase 449,000 common shares were not included in the computation of diluted income per common share because all such options’ exercise price was greater than the average market price of the common shares for the period as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017, where 23,500 outstanding options were not included in the computation.

 

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, the Company did not repurchase any shares under the stock buyback program commenced on February 14, 2018, which will be terminated on or before February 13, 2019.

 

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2017 and the six months ended June 30, 2018, the Company did not repurchase any shares under the stock buyback program commenced on March 1, 2017, which terminated on February 14, 2018.

 

During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the company did not repurchase any shares under the stock buyback program commenced on February 10, 2016, which terminated on February 9, 2017.

 

 

 

10. Revenue

 

Significant accounting policy

 

The Company’s revenues are derived from (a) the provisioning of mobile and fiber Internet services; and from (b) domain name registration contracts, other domain related value-added services, domain sale contracts, and other advertising revenue. Amounts received in advance of meeting the revenue recognition criteria described below are recorded as deferred revenue. All products are generally sold without the right of return or refund.

 

Revenue is measured based on consideration specified in a contract with a customer and excludes any sales incentives and amounts collected on behalf of third parties. The Company recognizes revenue when it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control over a product or service to a customer.

 

Nature of goods and services

 

The following is a description of principal activities – separated by reportable segments – from which the Company generates its revenue. For more detailed information about reportable segments, see Note 12.

 

 

(a)

Network Access Services 

 

The Company generates Network Access Services revenues primarily through the provisioning of mobile services. Other sources of revenue include the provisioning of fixed high-speed Internet access as well as billing solutions to Internet Service Providers (“ISPs”).

 

Ting wireless usage contracts grant customers access to standard talk, text and data mobile services. Ting mobile contracts are billed based on the actual amount of monthly services utilized by each customer during their billing cycle and charged to customers on a postpaid basis. Voice minutes, text messages and megabytes of data are each billed separately based on a tiered pricing program. The Company recognizes revenue for Ting mobile usage based on the actual amount of monthly services utilized by each customer.

 

Ting fixed Internet access contracts provide customers Internet access at their home or business through the installation and use of our fiber optic network. Fixed Internet contracts are generally prepaid and grant customers with unlimited bandwidth based on a fixed price per month basis. Because consideration is collected before the service period, revenue is initially deferred and recognized as the Company performs its obligation to provide Internet access. Though the Company does not consider the installation of fixed Internet access to be a distinct performance obligation, the fees related to installation are immaterial and therefore revenue is recognized as billed.

 

Both Ting mobile and fixed Internet access services are primarily contracted through the Ting website, for one month at a time and contain no commitment to renew the contract following each customer’s monthly billing cycle. The Company’s billing cycle for all Ting mobile and fixed Internet access customers is computed based on the customer’s activation date. In order to recognize revenue as the Company satisfies its obligations, we compute the amount of revenues earned but not billed from the end of each billing cycle to the end of each reporting period. In addition, revenues associated with the sale of wireless devices and accessories and Internet hardware to subscribers are recognized when title and risk of loss is transferred to the subscriber and shipment has occurred. Incentive marketing credits given to customers are recorded as a reduction of revenue.

 

Our Roam Mobility brand also offers standard talk, text and data mobile services. Roam customers prepay for their usage through the Roam Mobility website. When prepayments are received the amount is deferred, and subsequently recognized as the Company satisfies its obligation to provide mobile services. In addition, revenues associated with the sale of SIM cards are recognized when title and risk of loss is transferred to the subscriber and shipment has occurred. Incentive marketing credits given to customers are recorded as a reduction of revenue.

 

In those cases, where payment is not received at the time of sale, revenue is not recognized at contract inception unless the collection of the related accounts receivable is reasonably assured. The Company records costs that reflect expected refunds, rebates and credit card charge-backs as a reduction of revenues at the time of the sale based on historical experiences and current expectations. 

 

 

(b)

Domain Services

   

Domain registration contracts, which can be purchased for terms of one to ten years, provide our resellers and retail registrant customers with the exclusive right to a personalized internet address from which to build an online presence. The Company enters into domain registration contracts in connection with each new, renewed and transferred-in domain registration. At the inception of the contract, the Company charges and collects the registration fee for the entire registration period. Though fees are collected upfront, revenue from domain registrations are recognized ratably over the registration period as domain registration contracts contain a ‘right to access’ license of IP, which is a distinct performance obligation measured over time. The registration period begins once the Company has confirmed that the requested domain name has been appropriately recorded in the registry under contractual performance standards.

 

 

Domain related value-added services like digital certifications, WHOIS privacy and hosted email provide our resellers and retail registrant customers tools and additional functionality to be used in conjunction with domain registrations. All domain related value-added services are considered distinct performance obligations which transfer the promised service to the customer over the contracted term. Fees charged to customers for domain related value-added services are collected at the inception of the contract, and revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the contracted term, consistent with the satisfaction of the performance obligations.

 

The Company is an ICANN accredited registrar. Thus, the Company is the primary obligor with our reseller and retail registrant customers and is responsible for the fulfillment of our registrar services to those parties. As a result, the Company reports revenue in the amount of the fees we receive directly from our reseller and retail registrant customers. Our reseller customers maintain the primary obligor relationship with their retail customers, establish pricing and retain credit risk to those customers. Accordingly, the Company does not recognize any revenue related to transactions between our reseller customers and their ultimate retail customers.

 

The Company also sells the rights to the Company’s portfolio domains or names acquired through the Company’s domain expiry stream. Revenue generated from sale of domain name contracts, containing a distinct performance obligation to transfer the domain name rights under the Company’s control, is generally recognized once the rights have been transferred and payment has been received in full.

 

Advertising revenue is derived through domain parking monetization, whereby the Company contracts with third-party Internet advertising publishers to direct web traffic from the Company’s domain expiry stream domains and Internet portfolio domains to advertising websites. Compensation from Internet advertising publishers is calculated variably on a cost-per-action basis based on the number of advertising links that have been visited in a given month. Given that the variable consideration is calculated and paid on a monthly basis, no estimation of variable consideration is required.

 

Disaggregation of Revenue

 

The following is a summary of the Company’s revenue earned from each significant revenue stream (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):

 

   

Three months ended June 30,

   

Six months ended June 30,

 
   

2018

   

2017

   

2018

   

2017

 
                                 

Network Access Services:

                               

Mobile Services

  $ 22,411     $ 20,379     $ 44,283     $ 38,341  

Other Services

    1,895       1,248       3,631       2,535  

Total Network Access Services

    24,306       21,627       47,914       40,876  
                                 

Domain Services:

                               

Wholesale

                               

Domain Services

    42,540       48,550       100,968       87,644  

Value Added Services

    4,601       5,415       9,035       9,322  

Total Wholesale

    47,141       53,965       110,003       96,966  
                                 

Retail

    8,477       7,663       16,913       14,064  

Portfolio

    1,163       968       2,052       1,885  

Total Domain Services

    56,781       62,596       128,968       112,915  
                                 
    $ 81,087     $ 84,223     $ 176,882     $ 153,791  

  

During the three months ended June 30, 2018, no customer accounted for more than 10% of total revenue. During the six months ended June 30, 2018, one customer accounted for 11% of total revenue, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, no customer accounted for more than 10% of revenue. As at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, no customer accounted for more than 10% of accounts receivable.

 

 

The following is a summary of the Company’s cost of revenue from each significant revenue stream (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars): 

 

   

Three months ended June 30,

   

Six months ended June 30,

 
   

2018

   

2017

   

2018

   

2017

 
                                 

Network Access Services:

                               

Mobile Services

  $ 11,978     $ 10,702     $ 23,243     $ 20,269  

Other Services

    1,290       946       2,230       1,771  

Total Network Access Services

    13,268       11,648       25,473       22,040  
                                 

Domain Services:

                               

Wholesale

                               

Domain Services

    35,844       42,449       87,161       76,913  

Value Added Services

    748       615       1,605       1,191  

Total Wholesale

    36,592       43,064       88,766       78,104  
                                 

Retail

    4,446       4,548       8,855       8,165  

Portfolio

    195       185       379       447  

Total Domain Services

    41,233       47,797       98,000       86,716  
                                 

Network Expenses:

                               

Network, other costs

    2,701       2,261       5,275       4,604  

Network, depreciation and amortization costs

    1,727       1,169       3,357       2,141  
      4,428       3,430       8,632       6,745  
                                 
    $ 58,929     $ 62,875     $ 132,105     $ 115,501  

 

Contract Balances

 

The following table provides information about contract liabilities (deferred revenue) from contracts with customers. The Company accounts for contract assets and liabilities on a contract-by-contract basis, with each contract presented as either a net contract asset or a net contract liability accordingly.

 

Given that Company’s long-term contracts with customers are billed in advance of service, the Company’s contract liabilities relate to amounts recorded as deferred revenues. The Company does not have material streams of contracted revenue that have not been billed.

 

Deferred revenue primarily relates to the portion of the transaction price received in advance related to the unexpired term of domain name registrations and other domain related value-added services, on both a wholesale and retail basis, net of external commissions.

 

The opening balance of deferred revenue was $160.6 million as of January 1, 2018. Significant changes in deferred revenue were as follows (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):

 

   

Three months ended June

30, 2018

   

Six months ended June 30,

2018

 
                 

Balance, beginning of period

  $ 150,983     $ 160,582  

Deferral of revenue

    56,352       116,722  

Recognition of deferred revenue 1

    (55,284 )     (125,253 )

Balance, end of period

  $ 152,051     $ 152,051  

 

1As a result of the bulk transfer of 2.65 million domain names to Namecheap on January 5, 2018, recognized revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2018 includes $14.6 million related to previously deferred revenue for these names.

 

 

Remaining Performance Obligations:

 

As the Company fulfills its performance obligations, the following table includes revenues expected to be recognized in the future related performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) as at June 30, 2018 (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):

 

For mobile and internet access services, where the performance obligation is part of contracts that have an original expected duration of one year or less (typically one month), the Company has elected to apply a practical expedient to not disclose revenues expected to be recognized in the future related performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) (Dollar amounts in thousands of US dollars).

 

   

June 30, 2018

 
         

Remainder of 2018

  $ 85,722  

2019

    45,546  

2020

    8,640  

2021

    4,616  

2022

    2,987  

  Thereafter

    4,321  
         

   Total

  $ 151,832  

 

 

 

11. Contract Costs

 

(a)     Deferred costs of acquisition

 

We recognize an asset for the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a customer if we expect the period of benefit of those costs to be longer than one year and those costs are expected to be recoverable under the term of the contract. We have identified certain sales incentive programs that meet the requirements to be capitalized, and therefore, capitalized them as contract costs in the amount of $1.4 million at June 30, 2018.

 

Capitalized contract acquisition costs are amortized into operating expense based on the transfer of goods or services to which the assets relate which typically range 2 – 10 years. For the three months ended June 30, 2018, the Company capitalized $0.2 million and also amortized $0.3 million of contract costs, respectively, realizing net amortization of less than $0.1 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, the Company capitalized $0.4 million and also amortized $0.5 million of contract costs, respectively, realizing net amortization of less than $0.1 million. There was no impairment loss recognized in relation to the costs capitalized during the three or six months ending June 30, 2018. The breakdown of the movement in the contract costs balance for the three and six months ending June 30, 2018 is as follows (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):

 

   

Three months ended

June 30, 2018

   

Six months ended

June 30, 2018 (1)

 
                 

Balance, beginning of period

  $ 1,378     $ 1,404  

Capitalization of costs

    244       439  

Amortization of costs

    (268 )     (489 )

Balance, end of period

  $ 1,354     $ 1,354  

 

(1)The beginning balance consists entirely of a cumulative adjustment recorded on January 1, 2018 as a result of the modified retrospective adoption of ASU 2014-09. See note 3 for additional information.

 

When the amortization period for costs incurred to obtain a contract with a customer is less than one year, we have elected to apply a practical expedient to expense the costs as incurred.  These costs include our internal sales compensation program and certain partner sales incentive programs.

 

(b)     Deferred costs of fulfillment

 

Deferred costs to fulfill contracts generally consist of domain registration costs which have been paid to a domain registry, and are capitalized as Prepaid domain name registry and ancillary services fees. These costs are deferred and amortized over the life of the domain which generally ranges from one to ten years. For the three months ended June 30, 2018, the Company capitalized $41.2 million and also amortized $41.4 million of contract costs, respectively, realizing a net change in prepaid domain name registry and ancillary services fees of $0.2 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, the Company capitalized $87.2 million and also amortized $98.7 million of contract costs, respectively, realizing a net change in prepaid domain name registry and ancillary services fees of $11.5 million. There was no impairment loss recognized in relation to the costs capitalized during the three or six months ending June 30, 2018. Amortization expense is primarily included in cost of revenue.  The breakdown of the movement in the prepaid domain name registry and ancillary services fees balance for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 is as follows (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars).

 

   

Three months ended

June 30, 2018

   

Six months ended

June 30, 2018

 
                 

Balance, beginning of period

  $ 115,660     $ 127,003  

Deferral of costs

    41,177       87,160  

Recognition of costs 1

    (41,380 )     (98,708 )

Balance, end of period

  $ 115,456     $ 115,456  

 

1As a result of the bulk transfer of 2.65 million domain names to Namecheap on January 5th, 2018, recognized costs for the six months ended June 30, 2018 includes $14.5 million related to previously deferred revenue for these names.

 

 

 

12. Segment reporting:

 

(a)  We are organized and managed based on two operating segments which are differentiated primarily by their services, the markets they serve and the regulatory environments in which they operate and are described as follows:

 

1.     Network Access Services - This segment derives revenue from the sale of mobile phones, telephony services, high speed Internet access, billing solutions to individuals and small businesses primarily through the Ting website. Revenues are generated in the U.S.

 

2.     Domain Services – This segment includes wholesale and retail domain name registration services, value added services and portfolio services. The Company primarily earns revenues from the registration fees charged to resellers in connection with new, renewed and transferred domain name registrations; the sale of retail Internet domain name registration and email services to individuals and small businesses; and by making its portfolio of domain names available for sale or lease. Domain Services revenues are attributed to the country in which the contract originates, primarily Canada and the U.S.

 

The Chief Executive Officer (the “CEO”) is the chief operating decision maker and regularly reviews the operations and performance by segment. The CEO reviews gross profit as (a) key measure of performance for each segment and (b) to make decisions about the allocation of resources. Sales and marketing expenses, technical operations and development expenses, general and administrative expenses, depreciation of property and equipment, amortization of intangibles assets, impairment of indefinite life intangible assets, gain on currency forward contracts and other expense net are organized along functional lines and are not included in the measurement of segment profitability. Total assets and total liabilities are centrally managed and are not reviewed at the segment level by the CEO. The Company follows the same accounting policies for the segments as those described in Notes 2, 3 and 10 to these consolidated financial statements.

 

Information by operating segments (with the exception of disaggregated revenue, which is contained in Note 10), which is regularly reported to the CEO is as follows (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):

  

   

Network

Access

Services

   

Domain

Services

   

Consolidated

Totals

 

Three months ended June 30, 2018

                       
                         

Net Revenues

  $ 24,306     $ 56,781     $ 81,087  
                         

Cost of revenues

                       

Cost of revenues

    13,268       41,233       54,501  

Network expenses

    640       2,061       2,701  

Depreciation of property and equipment

    903       325       1,228  

Amortization of intangible assets

    11       488       499  

Total cost of revenues

    14,822       44,107       58,929  

Gross Profit

    9,484       12,674       22,158  
                         

Expenses:

                       

Sales and marketing

                    7,852  

Technical operations and development

                    2,355  

General and administrative

                    4,256  

Depreciation of property and equipment

                    102  

Amortization of intangible assets

                    1,827  

Loss (gain) on currency forward contracts

                    52  

Income from operations

                    5,714  

Other income (expenses), net

                    (878 )

Income before provision for income taxes

                  $ 4,836  

 

 

 

   

Network

Access

Services

   

Domain

Services

   

Consolidated

Totals

 

Three months ended June 30, 2017

                       
                         

Net Revenues

  $ 21,627     $ 62,596     $ 84,223  
                         

Cost of revenues

                       

Cost of revenues

    11,648       47,797       59,445  

Network expenses

    410       1,851       2,261  

Depreciation of property and equipment

    489       225       714  

Amortization of intangible assets

    11       444       455  

Total cost of revenues

    12,558       50,317       62,875  

Gross Profit

    9,069       12,279       21,348  
                         

Expenses:

                       

Sales and marketing

                    7,447  

Technical operations and development

                    1,798  

General and administrative

                    3,285  

Depreciation of property and equipment

                    165  

Loss on disposal of property and equipment

                    2  

Amortization of intangible assets

                    1,608  

Loss (gain) on currency forward contracts

                    (27 )

Income from operations

                    7,070  

Other income (expenses), net

                    (745 )

Income before provision for income taxes

                  $ 6,325  

 

 

   

Network

Access

Services

   

Domain

Services

   

Consolidated

Totals

 

Six months ended June 30, 2018

                       
                         

Net Revenues

  $ 47,914     $ 128,968     $ 176,882  
                         

Cost of revenues

                       

Cost of revenues

    25,473       98,000       123,473  

Network expenses

    1,130       4,145       5,275  

Depreciation of property and equipment

    1,737       622       2,359  

Amortization of intangible assets

    23       975       998  

Total cost of revenues

    28,363       103,742       132,105  

Gross Profit

    19,551       25,226       44,777  
                         

Expenses:

                       

Sales and marketing

                    16,217  

Technical operations and development

                    4,450  

General and administrative

                    8,786  

Depreciation of property and equipment

                    203  

Amortization of intangible assets

                    3,659  

Loss (gain) on currency forward contracts

                    49  

Income from operations

                    11,413  

Other income (expenses), net

                    (1,650 )

Income before provision for income taxes

                  $ 9,763  

 

  

   

Network

Access

Services

   

Domain

Services

   

Consolidated

Totals

 

Six months ended June 30, 2017

                       
                         

Net Revenues

  $ 40,876     $ 112,915     $ 153,791  
                         

Cost of revenues

                       

Cost of revenues

    22,040       86,716       108,756  

Network expenses

    951       3,653       4,604  

Depreciation of property and equipment

    916       389       1,305  

Amortization of intangible assets

    23       813       836  

Total cost of revenues

    23,930       91,571       115,501  

Gross Profit

    16,946       21,344       38,290  
                         

Expenses:

                       

Sales and marketing

                    14,667  

Technical operations and development

                    3,492  

General and administrative

                    6,742  

Depreciation of property and equipment

                    331  

Loss on disposal of property and equipment

                    2  

Amortization of intangible assets

                    2,989  

Loss (gain) on currency forward contracts

                    (61 )

Income from operations

                    10,128  

Other income (expenses), net

                    (1,484 )

Income before provision for income taxes

                  $ 8,644  

 

 

 

(b)

The following is a summary of the Company’s property and equipment by geographic region (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):

 

   

June 30, 2018

 

   

December 31, 2017

 

 
                 

Canada

  $ 1,518     $ 1,176  

United States

    32,979       23,417  

Germany

    41       27  
    $ 34,538     $ 24,620  

 

 

(c)

The following is a summary of the Company’s amortizable intangible assets by geographic region (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):

 

   

June 30, 2018

 

   

December 31, 2017

 

 
                 

Canada

  $ 7,085     $ 7,749  

United States

    33,895       37,783  

Germany

    17       120  
    $ 40,997     $ 45,652  

 

 

(d)

Valuation and qualifying accounts (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts excluding provision for credit notes

 

Balance at

beginning of

period

   

Charged to

costs and

expenses

   

Write-offs

during

period

   

Balance at

end of period

 
                                 

Six months ended June 30, 2018

  $ 168     $ (36 )   $ -     $ 132  

Year ended December 31, 2017

  $ 164     $ 4     $ -     $ 168  

 

 

 

13. Stockholders’ Equity:

 

The following unaudited table summarizes stockholders' equity transactions for the three-month period ended June 30, 2018 (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars): 

 

                                Accumulated        
                   

Additional

   

Retained

   

other

   

Total

 
   

Common stock

   

paid in

   

earnings

   

comprehensive

   

stockholders'

 
   

Number

   

Amount

   

capital

   

(deficit)

   

income (loss)

   

equity

 
                                                 

Balances, March 31, 2018

    10,592,115     $ 15,426     $ 2,547     $ 47,419     $ 17     $ 65,409  

Exercise of stock options

    16,153       122       (90 )     -       -       32  

Shares deducted from exercise of stock options for payment of witholding taxes and exercise consideration

    (4,902 )             (141 )     -       -       (141 )

Stock-based compensation (note 14)

    -       -       615       -       -       615  
                                                 
                                                 

Net income

    -       -       -       3,608       -       3,608  

Accretion of redeemable non-controlling interest in Ting Virginia, LLC.

    -       -       -       -       -       -  

Other comprehensive loss

    -       -       -       -       (260 )     (260 )
                                                 

Balances, June 30, 2018

    10,603,366     $ 15,548     $ 2,931     $ 51,027     $ (243 )   $ 69,263

   

The following unaudited table summarizes stockholders' equity transactions for the six-month period ended June 30, 2018 (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars): 

 

                                   

Accumulated

         
                   

Additional

   

Retained

   

other

   

Total

 
   

Common stock

   

paid in

   

earnings

   

comprehensive

   

stockholders'

 
   

Number

   

Amount

   

capital

   

(deficit)

   

income (loss)

   

equity

 
                                                 

Balances, December 31, 2017

    10,583,879     $ 15,368     $ 2,167     $ 42,676     $ -     $ 60,211  

Impact of Adoption of ASU 2014-09

    -       -       -       1,063       -       1,063  

Balance on January 1, 2018

    10,583,879       15,368       2,167       43,739       -       61,274  

Exercise of stock options

    28,716       180       (141 )     -       -       39  

Shares deducted from exercise of stock options for payment of witholding taxes and exercise consideration

    (9,229 )     -       (288 )     -       -       (288 )

Stock-based compensation (note 14)

    -       -       1,193       -       -       1,193  
                                                 
                                                 

Net income

    -       -       -       7,352       -       7,352  

Accretion of redeemable non-controlling interest in Ting Virginia, LLC.

    -       -       -       (64 )     -       (64 )

Other comprehensive loss

    -       -       -       -       (243 )     (243 )
                                                 

Balances, June 30, 2018

    10,603,366     $ 15,548     $ 2,931     $ 51,027     $ (243 )   $ 69,263

  

On February 14, 2018, the Company announced that its Board of Directors has approved a stock buyback program to repurchase up to $40 million of its common stock in the open market. Purchases will be made exclusively through the facilities of the NASDAQ Capital Market. The stock buyback program commenced on February 14, 2018 and will terminate on or before February 13, 2019. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, the Company did not repurchase any shares under this program.

 

On March 1, 2017, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had approved a stock buyback program to repurchase up to $40 million of its common stock in the open market. Purchases were to be made exclusively through the facilities of the NASDAQ Capital Market. The stock buyback program commenced on March 1, 2017 and terminated on February 14, 2018. During the six months ended June 30, 2018, the Company did not repurchase any shares under this program.

 

On February 9, 2016, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had approved a stock buyback program to repurchase up to $40 million of its common stock in the open market. Purchases were to be made exclusively through the facilities of the NASDAQ Capital Market. The stock buyback program commenced on February 10, 2016 and terminated on February 9, 2017. During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the Company did not repurchase any shares under this program.

 

 

 

14. Share-based payments

 

Stock options

 

The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Because option-pricing models require the use of subjective assumptions, changes in these assumptions can materially affect the fair value of the options. The assumptions presented in the table below represent the weighted average of the applicable assumption used to value stock options at their grant date. The Company calculates expected volatility based on historical volatility of the Company's common shares. The expected term, which represents the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding, is estimated based on historical exercise experience. The Company evaluated historical exercise behavior when determining the expected term assumptions. The risk-free rate assumed in valuing the options is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for the expected term of the option. The Company determines the expected dividend yield percentage by dividing the expected annual dividend by the market price of Tucows Inc. common shares at the date of grant.

 

Details of stock option transactions for the three months ended June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017 are as follows (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts):

 

   

Three months ended June 30,

   

Three months ended June 30,

 
   

2018

   

2017

 
   

Number of

shares

   

Weighted

average

exercise

price per

share

   

Number of

shares

   

Weighted

average

exercise

price per

share

 
                                 

Outstanding, beginning of period

    634,883     $ 37.48       430,611     $ 15.46  

Granted

    128,566       64.10       -       -  

Exercised

    (16,153 )     12.26       (66,746 )     8.26  

Forfeited

    (13,100 )     55.04       (257 )     11.43  

Expired

    -       -       -       -  

Outstanding, end of period

    734,196       42.39       363,608       16.79  

Options exercisable, end of period

    229,780     $ 16.92       213,769     $ 11.46  

  

Details of stock option transactions for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017 are as follows (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts):

 

   

Six months ended June 30,

   

Six months ended June 30,

 
   

2018

   

2017

 
   

Number of

shares

   

Weighted

average

exercise

price per

share

   

Number of

shares

   

Weighted

average

exercise

price per

share

 
                                 

Outstanding, beginning of period

    653,571     $ 36.69       474,501     $ 12.67  

Granted

    139,566       63.66       32,875       40.56  

Exercised

    (28,716 )     10.30       (135,622 )     8.04  

Forfeited

    (30,225 )     47.96       (8,146 )     18.24  

Expired

    -       -       -       -  

Outstanding, end of period

    734,196       42.39       363,608       16.79  

Options exercisable, end of period

    229,780     $ 16.92       213,769     $ 11.46  

  

As of June 30, 2018, the exercise prices, weighted average remaining contractual life and intrinsic values of outstanding options were as follows (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars, except per share amounts):

 

       

Options outstanding

   

Options exercisable

 

Exercise price

 

Number outstanding

   

Weighted

average

exercise

price per

share

   

Weighted

average

remaining

contractual

life (years)

   

Aggregate

intrinsic

value

   

Number

exercisable

   

Weighted

average

exercise

price per

share

   

Weighted

average

remaining

contractual

life (years)

   

Aggregate

intrinsic

value

 
                                                                     

$ 2.92

- $ 8.92     75,367     $ 6.94       1.2     $ 4,048       75,367     $ 6.94       1.2     $ 4,048  

$10.16

- $19.95     109,488       16.38       3.0       4,847       83,288       15.99       2.8       3,720  

$21.10

- $27.53     72,500       23.76       3.6       2,674       52,500       24.78       3.2       1,883  

$35.25

- $37.35     14,375       35.89       4.9       356       10,625       36.11       4.7       261  

$43.15

- $47.00     18,500       44.19       5.6       305       8,000       43.75       5.6       135  

$53.20

- $58.65     315,400       55.51       5.9       1,622       -       -       -       -  

$64.10

- $64.10     128,566       64.10       6.9       -       -       -       -       -  
          734,196     $ 42.39       4.9     $ 13,852       229,780     $ 16.92       2.6     $ 10,047  

  

Total unrecognized compensation cost relating to unvested stock options at June 30, 2018, prior to the consideration of expected forfeitures, is approximately $8.0 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.9 years.

  

 

The Company recorded stock-based compensation of $0.6 million and $1.2 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and $0.3 million and $0.6 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively.

 

The Company has not capitalized any stock-based compensation expense as part of the cost of an asset.

 

 

 

15. Fair value measurement:

 

For financial assets and liabilities recorded in our financial statements at fair value we utilize a valuation hierarchy for disclosure of the inputs to valuation used to measure fair value. This hierarchy prioritizes the inputs into three broad levels. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs are quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly through market corroboration, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs based on the Company's own assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities at fair value. A financial asset or liability's classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 

The following table provides a summary of the fair values of the Company's derivative instrument assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at June 30, 2018 (Dollar amounts in thousands of U.S. dollars):

 

   

June 30, 2018

 
   

Fair Value Measurement Using

   

Assets (Liabilities)

 
   

Level 1

   

Level 2

   

Level 3

   

at Fair value

 
                                 

Derivative instrument asset

  $     $     $     $  
                                 

Derivative instrument liability

  $     $ 364     $     $ 364  

 

  

There were no derivative instrument assets or liabilities outstanding at December 31, 2017.

 

 

 

16. Contingencies

 

On August 30, 2017, Namecheap, Inc. (“Namecheap”) filed a complaint against the Company, eNom, Inc., and unknown John Does in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington alleging breach of contract, breach of the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing, and unjust enrichment (the “Namecheap Federal Action”).  Namecheap voluntarily dismissed the Namecheap Federal Action without prejudice on October 10, 2017. That same day, Namecheap filed a substantially similar complaint against Tucows Inc., eNom, LLC, and unknown John Does alleging breach of contract and breach of the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing in Washington State Court, King County (the “Namecheap State Action”). In the Namecheap State Action, Namecheap sought preliminary and ultimate equitable relief by way of the transfer of approximately 2.65 million domain names from the eNom, LLC platform to the Namecheap platform using BTAPPA. By Order dated November 15, 2017, the Court granted Namecheap’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction and the Company complied therewith in taking steps with Namecheap towards the BTAPPA. The Court ordered Namecheap to post a bond against damages sustained by the Company. The Company sought clarification from the Court on one BTAPPA requirement which the Court provided in the January 5, 2018 Order. The BTAPPA transfer was initiated on January 8, 2018 and completed on January 16, 2018. In addition to the equitable relief it has sought, Namecheap also seeks direct and consequential damages in the Namecheap State Action. The Company believes that the claims lack merit and intends to continue to defend them vigorously.  The Company does not believe that this litigation is a material pending legal proceeding.

 

The Company has other legal claims and lawsuits in connection with its ordinary business operations. The Company intends to vigorously defend these claims. While the final outcome with respect to any actions or claims outstanding or pending as of June 30, 2018 cannot be predicted with certainty, management does not believe that the resolution of these claims, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position.

 

 

 

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

 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements by us with regard to our expectations as to financial results and other aspects of our business that involve risks and uncertainties and may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as “may,” “should,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “estimate,” “expect” and “intend,” and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this report include statements regarding, among other things: the competition we expect to encounter as our business develops and competes in a broader range of Internet services; our expectation regarding the acquisition of eNom, the Company's foreign currency requirements, specifically for the Canadian dollar; Ting mobile, Roam mobile and fixed Internet access subscriber growth and retention rates; our belief regarding the underlying platform for our domain services, our expectation regarding the trend of sales of domain names and advertising; our belief that, by increasing the number of services we offer, we will be able to generate higher revenues; the revenue that our parked page vendor relationships may generate in the future; our expectation regarding litigation; the potential impact of current and pending claims on our business; our valuations of certain deferred tax assets; our expectation to collect our outstanding receivables, net of our allowance for doubtful accounts; our expectation regarding fluctuations in certain expense and cost categories; our expectations regarding our unrecognized tax; our expectations regarding cash from operations to fund our business; the impact of cancellations of or amendments to market development fund programs under which we receive funds, our expectation regarding our ability to manage realized gains/losses from foreign currency contracts; and general business conditions and economic uncertainty. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to a number of uncertainties and risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Many factors affect our ability to achieve our objectives and to successfully develop and commercialize our services including:

 

 

Changes in the nature of key strategic relationships with our Mobile Virtual Network Operator ("MVNO") partners;

 

 

The effects of vigorous competition on a highly penetrated mobile telephony market, including the impact of competition on the price we are able to charge subscribers for services and devices and on the geographic areas served by our MVNO partner wireless networks;

 

 

Our ability to manage any potential increase in subscriber churn or bad debt expense;

 

 

Our ability to continue to generate sufficient working capital to meet our operating requirements;

 

 

 

 

Our ability to service our debt commitments;

 

 

Our ability to maintain a good working relationship with our vendors and customers;

 

 

 

 

The ability of vendors to continue to supply our needs;

 

 

 

 

Actions by our competitors;

 

 

 

 

Our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel in our business;

 

 

 

 

Our ability to effectively manage our business;

 

 

 

 

The effects of any material impairment of our goodwill or other indefinite-lived intangible assets;

 

 

 

 

Our ability to obtain and maintain approvals from regulatory authorities on regulatory issues;

 

  

  

 

Our ability to invest in the build-out of fiber networks into selected towns and cities to provide Internet access services to residential and commercial customers while maintaining the development and sales of our established services;

 

 

 

 

Adverse tax consequences such as those related to changes in tax laws or tax rates or their interpretations, including with respect to the impact of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017;

 

 

The application of judgment in determining our global provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets or liabilities or other tax liabilities given the ultimate tax determination is uncertain;

 

 

 

 

Our ability to effectively integrate acquisitions;

  

 

 

Pending or new litigation; and

 

 

Factors set forth herein under the caption “Item 1A Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

  

As previously disclosed the under the caption “Item 1A Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, data protection regulations may impose legal obligations on us that we cannot meet or that conflict with our ICANN contractual requirements.

 

Specifically, the European Commission has adopted the General Data Protection Regulation (the “GDPR”), which introduces numerous privacy-related changes for companies operating in the European Union, effective on May 25, 2018. The GDPR includes obligations around the procurement, processing, publication and sharing of personal data. Potential fines for violations of certain provisions of GDPR reach as high as 4% of a company’s annual total revenue, potentially including the revenue of its international affiliates. The interpretation and application of the GDPR is still unsettled for the industry. Our domain name registrar businesses, and the contracts we have with domain name registries and ICANN, require us to process and share personal data. The solutions we develop for GDRP-compliance may not be adequate in the views of regulatory authorities or ICANN, which may cause the loss of WHOIS privacy revenue or increase our costs of developing compliant solutions or subject us to litigation, liability, civil penalties, or loss of market share. As the privacy laws and regulations around the world continue to evolve, these changes could adversely affect our business operations in similar ways.

 

This list of factors that may affect our future performance and financial and competitive position and the accuracy of forward-looking statements is illustrative, but it is by no means exhaustive. Accordingly, all forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. All forward-looking statements included in this document are based on information available to us as of the date of this document, and we assume no obligation to update these cautionary statements or any forward-looking statements, except as required by law. These statements are not guarantees of future performance.

 

We qualify all the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q by the foregoing cautionary statements.

 

OVERVIEW

 

Our mission is to provide simple useful services that help people unlock the power of the Internet.

 

We accomplish this by reducing the complexity of our customers’ experience as they access the Internet (at home or on the go) and while using Internet services such as domain name registration, email and other Internet services. We are organized, managed and report our financial results as two segments, Network Access Services and Domain Services, which are differentiated primarily by their services, the markets they serve and the regulatory environments in which they operate.

 

Our management regularly reviews our operating results on a consolidated basis, principally to make decisions about how we utilize our resources and to measure our consolidated operating performance. To assist us in forecasting growth and to help us monitor the effectiveness of our operational strategies, our management regularly reviews revenue for each of our service offerings in order to gain more depth and understanding of the key business metrics driving our business. Accordingly, we report Network Access Services and Domain Services revenue separately.

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017, we reported revenue of $81.1 million and $84.2 million, respectively. 

 

For the six months ended June 30, 2018 and June 30, 2017, we reported revenue of $176.9 million and $153.8 million, respectively. 

  

Network Access Services

 

Network Access Services includes mobile, fixed high-speed Internet access services and other revenues, including, billing solutions to small ISPs.

 

Our primary mobile service offering (“Ting Mobile”) is mainly distributed through the Ting website and to a lesser extent certain third-party retail stores and on-line retailers. We generate revenues from the sale of retail telephony services, mobile phone hardware and related accessories to individuals and small businesses through the Ting website. Ting Mobile’s primary focus is providing simple and easy to use services, including simple value pricing, in particular for multi-line accounts, and superior customer care. In the third quarter of 2017, the Company acquired the consumer-related assets of Otono, Networks Inc. The consumer assets relate to the mobile roaming and instant activation eSIM business under the Roam Mobility, Zipsim and Always Online Wireless brands (collectively “Roam Mobility brands”). The acquired portfolio operates as a MVNO on the same nationwide Global System for Mobile communications (“GSM”) network as Ting Mobile and distributes through third-party retail stores and product branded websites. 

 

 

The Company also derives revenue from the sale of fixed high-speed Internet access (“Ting Internet”) in select towns including Holly Springs, North Carolina, Westminster, Maryland, Sandpoint, Idaho and Charlottesville, Virginia, with further expansion underway in existing Ting towns as well as new Ting towns of Sandpoint, Idaho and Centennial, Colorado (collectively, the “Ting Towns”). Our primary sales channel of Ting Internet is through the Ting website. The primary focus of Ting Internet is to provide reliable Gigabit Internet services to consumer and business customers.

 

Revenues from Ting Mobile and Ting Internet are generated in the U.S. and are provided on a monthly basis with no fixed contract term. Revenues from Roam Mobility are generated in the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom on a prepaid usage basis with no fixed contract terms.

 

As of June 30, 2018, Ting managed mobile telephony services for approximately 282,000 subscribers and 163,000 accounts. For a discussion of subscribers and how they impacted our financial results, see the Net Revenue discussion below.

 

Domain Services

 

Domain Services includes wholesale and retail domain name registration services, value added services and portfolio services derived through our OpenSRS, eNom and Hover brands. We earn revenues primarily from the registration fees charged to resellers in connection with new, renewed and transferred domain name registrations. In addition, we earn revenues from the sale of retail domain name registration and email services to individuals and small businesses; and by making our portfolio of domain names available for sale or lease. Domain Services revenues are attributed to the country in which the contract originates, primarily Canada and the U.S.

 

Our primary distribution channel is a global network of approximately 38,000 resellers that operate in over 150 countries and who typically provide their customers, the end-users of Internet-based services, with solutions for establishing and maintaining an online presence.  Our primary focus is serving the needs of this network of resellers by providing the broadest portfolio of generic top-level domain (“gTLD”) and the country code top-level domain (“ccTLD”) options and related services, a white-label platform that facilitates the provisioning and management of domain names, a powerful Application Program Interface , easy-to-use interfaces, comprehensive management and reporting tools, and proactive and attentive customer service. Our services are integral to the solutions that our resellers deliver to their customers. We provide “second tier” support to our resellers by email, chat and phone in the event resellers experience issues or problems with our services. In addition, our Network Operating Center proactively monitors all services and network infrastructure to address deficiencies before customer services are impacted.

 

We believe that the underlying platforms for our services are among the most mature, reliable and functional reseller-oriented provisioning and management platforms in our industry, and we continue to refine, evolve and improve these services for both resellers and end-users. Our business model is characterized primarily by non-refundable, up-front payments, which lead to recurring revenue and positive operating cash flow.

 

Wholesale, primarily branded as OpenSRS and eNom, derives revenue from its domain service and from providing value-added services. The OpenSRS and eNom domain services manage approximately 24.1 million domain names under the Tucows and eNom ICANN registrar accreditations and for other registrars under their own accreditations.  The reduction from prior year is primarily due to the bulk transfer of 2.65 million domain names to Namecheap’s credentials.  The transfer was completed by January 16, 2018, after King County Superior court (Washington) granted Namecheap Inc. a preliminary injunction on January 5, 2018, requiring the Company to bulk transfer the domain names under management.  As a result of the bulk transfer, in the first quarter of 2018, the Company recognized, on an accelerated basis, $14.6 million of revenue and $14.5 million of cost of revenues sold related to previously deferred revenue and deferred prepaid registry fees. In addition, one of the resellers for which the Company registered domain names using the reseller’s accreditation, was acquired and the registrations were moved to the acquiring reseller, resulting in approximately 0.5 million domains being transferred in the first quarter of 2018. As the Company does not defer revenue associated with hosted registry services, there was no impact on deferred revenue as a result of the transfer. 

 

Value-Added Services include hosted email which provides email delivery and webmail access to millions of mailboxes, Internet security services, Internet hosting, WHOIS privacy, publishing tools and other value-added services. All of these services are made available to end-users through a network of 38,000 web hosts, ISPs, and other resellers around the world. In addition, we also derive revenue by monetizing domain names which are near the end of their lifecycle through advertising revenue or auction sale.

 

Retail, primarily the Hover and eNom portfolio of websites, including eNom, eNom Central and Bulkregister, derive revenues from the sale of domain name registration and email services to individuals and small businesses. Retail also includes our Personal Names Service – based on over 36,000 surname domains – that allows roughly two-thirds of Americans to purchase an email address based on their last name.

 

 

Portfolio generates revenue by offering names in our domain portfolio for resale through a number of distribution channels including our reseller network. We also generate advertising revenue from our portfolio.

 

KEY BUSINESS METRICS

 

We regularly review a number of business metrics, including the following key metrics and non-GAAP measures, to assist us in evaluating our business, measure the performance of our business model, identify trends impacting our business, determine resource allocations, manage our operational cash flow, formulate financial projections and make strategic business decisions. The following tables set forth the key business metrics which we believe are the primary indicators of our performance for the periods presented:

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

Tucows reports all financial information in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Along with this information, to assist financial statement users in an assessment of our historical performance, we typically disclose and discuss a non-GAAP financial measure, adjusted EBITDA, on investor conference calls and related events that exclude certain non-cash and other charges as we believe that the non-GAAP information enhances investors' overall understanding of our financial performance. Please see discussion of adjusted EBITDA in the Results of Operations section below.

 

Network Access Services

 

   

June 30,

 
   

2018 (1)

   

2017 (1,2)

 
   

(in 000s)

 

Ting mobile accounts under management

    163       165  

Ting mobile subscribers under management

    282       278  

 

 

(1)

For a discussion of these period to period changes in subscribers and devices under management and how they impacted our financial results, see the Net Revenue discussion below.

 

(2)

Subsequent to a review of our subscriber base, our comparative Q2 2017 accounts under management were reduced by approximately 6,000.

  

Domain Services

 

Total new, renewed and transferred-in domain name registrations:

 

   

Three months ended June 30,

 
   

2018 (1)

   

2017 (1)

 
   

(in 000's)

 

Total new, renewed and transferred-in domain name registrations provisioned

    4,382       4,903  

 

 

   

Six months ended June 30,

 
   

2018 (1)

   

2017 (1)

 
   

(in 000's)

 

Total new, renewed and transferred-in domain name registrations provisioned

    9,274       9,765  

 

 

(1)

For a discussion of these period to period changes in the domain names provisioned and how they impacted our financial results, see the Net Revenues discussion below.

 

Domain names under management:

 

   

June 30,

 
   

2018 (1)

   

2017 (1)

 
   

(in 000's)

 

Domain names under management:

               

Registered using Registrar Accreditation belonging to the Tucows Group

    19,351       23,178  

Registered using Registrar Accreditations belonging to Resellers

    4,769       5,633  

Total domain names under management

    24,120       28,811  

 

 

(1)

For a discussion of these period to period changes in domain names under management and how they impacted our financial results, see the Net Revenue discussion below.

 

 

OPPORTUNITIES, CHALLENGES AND RISKS

 

As a MVNO, our Ting and Roam services are reliant on our Mobile Network Operators ("MNOs") providing competitive networks. Our MNOs each continue to invest in network expansion and modernization to improve their competitive positions. Deployment of new and sophisticated technology on a very large-scale entails risks. Should they fail to implement, maintain and expand their network capacity and coverage, adapt to future changes in technologies and continued access to and deployment of adequate spectrum successfully, our ability to provide wireless services to our subscribers, to retain and attract subscribers and to maintain and grow our subscriber revenues could be adversely affected, which would negatively impact our operating margins.

  

Ting has also enjoyed rapid growth in its first six years of operation. During this growth phase, we have been able to continue to grow gross customer additions and maintain a consistent churn rate, which has allowed us to maintain net new customer additions despite the impact of churn on a fast-growing customer base. We expect price competition to grow more intense in the industry which could result in increased customer churn or reductions of customer acquisition rates either of which could result in slower growth rates or in certain cases, our ability to maintain growth.

 

The communications industry continues to compete on the basis of network reach and performance, types of services and devices offered, and price.

 

The increased competition in the market for Internet services in recent years, which we expect will continue to intensify in the short and long term, poses a material risk for us. As new registrars are introduced, existing competitors expand service offerings and competitors offer price discounts to gain market share, we face pricing pressure, which can adversely impact our revenues and profitability. To address these risks, we have focused on leveraging the scalability of our infrastructure and our ability to provide proactive and attentive customer service to aggressively compete to attract new customers and to maintain existing customers.

 

Substantially all of our Domain Services revenue is derived from domain name registrations and related value-added services from wholesale and retail customers using our provisioning and management platforms. The market for wholesale registrar services is both price sensitive and competitive and is evolving with the introduction of new gTLDs, particularly for large volume customers, such as large web hosting companies and owners of large portfolios of domain names. We have a relatively limited ability to increase the pricing of domain name registrations without negatively impacting our ability to maintain or grow our customer base.  Growth in our Domain Services revenue is dependent upon our ability to continue to attract and retain customers by maintaining consistent domain name registration and value-added service renewal rates and to grow our customer relationships through refining, evolving and improving our provisioning platforms and customer service for both resellers and end-users. In addition, we also generate revenue through pay-per-click advertising and the sale of names from our portfolio of domain names and through the domain expiry stream. The revenue associated with names sales and advertising has recently experienced flat to declining trends due to lower traffic and advertising yields in the marketplace, which we expect to continue.  Expanding data protection regulations may impose legal obligations on us that we cannot meet or that conflict with our ICANN contractual requirements.  Specifically, the European Commission has adopted the General Data Protection Regulation (the “GDPR”), which introduces numerous privacy-related changes for companies operating in the European Union, effective on May 25, 2018.  The solutions we develop for GDRP-compliance may not be adequate in the views of regulatory authorities or ICANN, which may cause the loss of WHOIS privacy revenue or increase our costs of developing compliant solutions or subject us to litigation, liability, civil penalties, or loss of market share. As the privacy laws and regulations around the world continue to evolve, these changes could adversely affect our business operations in similar ways.

  

From time-to-time certain of our vendors provide us with market development funds to expand or maintain the market position for their services. Any decision by these vendors to cancel or amend these programs for any reason may result in payments in future periods not being commensurate with what we have achieved during past periods.

  

Sales of domain names from our domain portfolio have a negative impact on our advertising revenue as these names are no longer available for advertising purposes. In addition, the timing of larger domain names portfolio sales is unpredictable and may lead to significant quarterly and annual fluctuations in our Portfolio revenue.

 

Our revenue is primarily realized in U.S. dollars and a major portion of our operating expenses are paid in Canadian dollars. Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the Canadian dollar may have a material effect on our business, financial condition and results from operations. In particular, we may be adversely affected by a significant weakening of the U.S. dollar against the Canadian dollar on a quarterly and an annual basis. Our policy with respect to foreign currency exposure is to manage our financial exposure to certain foreign exchange fluctuations with the objective of neutralizing some or all of the impact of foreign currency exchange movements by entering into foreign exchange forward contracts to mitigate the exchange risk on a portion of our Canadian dollar exposure. We may not always enter into such forward contracts and such contracts may not always be available and economical for us. Additionally, the forward rates established by the contracts may be less advantageous than the market rate upon settlement.   

 

 

Net Revenues

 

Network Access Services

 

The Company generates Network Access Services revenues primarily through the provisioning of mobile services. Other sources of revenue include the provisioning of fixed high-speed Internet access as well as billing solutions to ISP.

 

Mobile

 

Ting wireless usage contracts grant customers access to standard talk, text and data mobile services. Ting mobile contracts are billed based on the actual amount of monthly services utilized by each customer during their billing cycle and charged to customers on a postpaid basis. Voice minutes, text messages and megabytes of data are each billed separately based on a tiered pricing program. The Company recognizes revenue for Ting mobile usage based on the actual amount of monthly services utilized by each customer.

 

Ting mobile services are primarily contracted through the Ting website, for one month at a time and contain no commitment to renew the contract following each customer’s monthly billing cycle. The Company’s billing cycle for all Ting mobile customers is computed based on the customer’s activation date. In order to recognize revenue as the Company satisfies its obligations, we compute the amount of revenues earned but not billed from the end of each billing cycle to the end of each reporting period. In addition, revenues associated with the sale of wireless devices and accessories are recognized when title and risk of loss is transferred to the customer and shipment has occurred. Incentive marketing credits given to customers are recorded as a reduction of revenue.

 

Our Roam Mobility brand also offers standard talk, text and data mobile services. Roam customers prepay for their usage through the Roam Mobility website. When prepayments are received the amount is deferred, and subsequently recognized as the Company satisfies its obligation to provide mobile services. In addition, revenues associated with the sale of SIM cards are recognized when title and risk of loss is transferred to the subscriber and shipment has occurred. Incentive marketing credits given to customers are recorded as a reduction of revenue.

 

Other services

 

Other services derive revenues from providing Ting fixed high-speed internet access to individuals and small businesses in select cities. In addition, we provide billing, provisioning and customer care software solutions to ISPs through our Platypus billing software. Ting fixed Internet access contracts provide customers Internet access at their home or business through the installation and use of our fiber optic network. Fixed Internet contracts are generally prepaid and grant customers with unlimited bandwidth based on a fixed price per month basis. Since consideration is collected before the service period, revenue is initially deferred and recognized as the Company performs its obligation to provide Internet access. Though the Company does not consider the installation of fixed Internet access to be a distinct performance obligation, the fees related to installation are immaterial and therefore revenue is recognized as billed.

 

Fixed Internet access services are primarily contracted through the Ting website, for one month at a time and contain no commitment to renew the contract following each customer’s monthly billing cycle. The Company’s billing cycle for all Ting fixed Internet access customers is computed based on the customer’s activation date. In order to recognize revenue as the Company satisfies its obligations, we compute the amount of revenues earned but not billed from the end of each billing cycle to the end of each reporting period. In addition, revenues associated with the sale of Internet hardware to subscribers are recognized when title and risk of loss is transferred to the subscriber and shipment has occurred. Incentive marketing credits given to customers are recorded as a reduction of revenue.

 

In those cases, where payment is not received at the time of sale, revenue is not recognized until contract inception unless the collection of the related accounts receivable is reasonably assured. The Company records costs that reflect expected refunds, rebates and credit card charge-backs as a reduction of revenues at the time of the sale based on historical experiences and current expectations. 

 

 

Domain Services

 

Wholesale

 

Domain registration contracts, which can be purchased for terms of one to ten years, provide our resellers and retail registrant customers with the exclusive right to a personalized internet address from which to build an online presence. The Company enters into domain registration contracts in connection with each new, renewed and transferred-in domain registration. At the inception of the contract, the Company charges and collects the registration fee for the entire registration period. Though fees are collected upfront, revenue from domain registrations are recognized ratably over the registration period as domain registration contracts contain a ‘right to access’ license of IP, which is a distinct performance obligation measured over time. The registration period begins once the Company has confirmed that the requested domain name has been appropriately recorded in the registry under contractual performance standards.

 

Historically, our wholesale domain service has constituted the largest portion of our business and encompasses all of our services as an accredited registrar related to the registration, renewal, transfer and management of domain names. In addition, this service fuels other revenue categories as it often is the initial service for which a reseller will engage us, enabling us to follow on with other services and allowing us to add to our portfolio by purchasing names registered through us upon their expiration. With the acquisition of eNom and its 24,000-reseller network, domain services will continue to be the largest portion of our business and will further fuel our ability to sell add-on services.

 

The Company is an ICANN accredited registrar. Thus, the Company is the primary obligor with our reseller and retail registrant customers and is responsible for the fulfillment of our registrar services to those parties. As a result, the Company reports revenue in the amount of the fees we receive directly from our reseller and retail registrant customers. Our reseller customers maintain the primary obligor relationship with their retail customers, establish pricing and retain credit risk to those customers. Accordingly, the Company does not recognize any revenue related to transactions between our reseller customers and their ultimate retail customers.

 

Wholesale – Value-Added Services

 

We derive domain related value-added services like digital certifications, WHOIS privacy and hosted email provide our resellers and retail registrant customers with tools and additional functionality to be used in conjunction with domain registrations. All domain related value-added services are considered distinct performance obligations which transfer the promised service to the customer over the contracted term. Fees charged to customers for domain related value-added services are collected at the inception of the contract, and revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the contracted term, consistent with the satisfaction of the performance obligations.

 

We also derive revenue from other value-added services primarily from Internet hosting services, advertising from the OpenSRS and eNom domain expiry streams.

 

Retail

 

We derive revenues from Hover and eNom’s retail properties through the sale of retail domain name registration and email services to individuals and small businesses.

 

Portfolio

 

We derive revenue from our portfolio of domain names parking monetization, whereby the Company contracts with third-party Internet advertising publishers to direct web traffic from the Company’s domain expiry stream domains and Internet portfolio domains to advertising websites. Compensation from Internet advertising publishers is calculated variably on a cost-per-action basis based on the number of advertising links that have been visited in a given month.

 

The Company also sells the rights to the Company’s portfolio domains or names acquired through the Company’s domain expiry stream. Revenue generated from sale of domain name contracts, containing a distinct performance obligation to transfer the domain name rights under the Company’s control, is generally recognized once the rights have been transferred and payment has been received in full. Domain portfolio names are sold through our premium domain name service, auctions or in negotiated sales. The size of our domain name portfolio varies over time, as we acquire and sell domains on a regular basis to maximize the overall value and revenue generation potential of our portfolio. In evaluating names for sale, we consider the potential foregone revenue from pay-per-click advertising, as well as other factors. The name will be offered for sale if, based on our evaluation, the name is deemed non-essential to our business and management believes that deriving proceeds from the sale is strategically more beneficial to the Company.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires us to make estimates and judgements that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. There have been no material changes to the critical accounting policies and estimates as previously disclosed in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, except for the adoption of Accounting Standard Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which was adopted using the modified retrospective basis. Accordingly, comparative figures have not been restated. The adoption of ASU 2014-09 did not have a material impact on the timing of revenue recognition. For further information on our critical accounting policies and estimates, see Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements appearing in Part I, Item 1 in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2018 AS COMPARED TO THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2017

 

 

NET REVENUES

 

The following table presents our net revenues, by revenue source:

 

   

Three months ended June 30,

   

Six months ended June 30,

 
   

2018

   

2017

   

2018

   

2017

 
                                 

Network Access Services:

                               

Mobile Services

  $ 22,411     $ 20,379     $ 44,283     $ 38,341  

Other Services

    1,895       1,248       3,631       2,535  

Total Network Access Services

    24,306       21,627       47,914       40,876  
                                 

Domain Services:

                               

Wholesale

                               

Domain Services

    42,540       48,550       100,968       87,644  

Value Added Services

    4,601       5,415       9,035       9,322  

Total Wholesale

    47,141       53,965       110,003       96,966  
                                 

Retail

    8,477       7,663       16,913       14,064  

Portfolio

    1,163       968       2,052       1,885  

Total Domain Services

    56,781       62,596       128,968       112,915  
                                 
    $ 81,087     $ 84,223     $ 176,882     $ 153,791  

(Decrease) increase over prior period

  $ (3,136 )           $ 23,091          

(Decrease) increase - percentage

    -4 %             15 %        

  

The following table presents our revenues, by revenue source, as a percentage of total revenues:

 

   

Three months ended June 30,

   

Six months ended June 30,

 
   

2018

   

2017

   

2018

   

2017

 
                                 

Network Access Services:

                               

Mobile Services

    28 %     24 %     25 %     25 %

Other Services

    2 %     1 %     2 %     2 %

Total Network Access Services

    30 %     25 %     27 %     27 %
                                 

Domain Services:

                               

Wholesale

                               

Domain Services

    53 %     59 %     57 %     57 %

Value Added Services

    6 %     6 %     5 %     6 %

Total Wholesale

    59 %     65 %     62 %     63 %
                                 

Retail

    10 %     9 %     10 %     9 %

Portfolio

    1 %     1 %     1 %     1 %

Total Domain Services

    70 %     75 %     73 %     73 %
                                 
      100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %

  

Total net revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2018 decreased by $3.1 million or 4% to $81.1 million when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017.  The three-month decrease was primarily driven by the $14.6 million of accelerated recognition of domains revenue associated with the Namecheap bulk transfer of 2.65 million names in the first quarter of 2018, and partially offset by the impact of the acquisition of the mobile roaming assets of Otono Networks in September 2017.

 

Total net revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2018 increased by $23.1 million or 15% to $176.9 million when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017.  The six-month increase primarily resulted from $14.6 million of accelerated recognition of domains revenue associated with the Namecheap bulk transfer of 2.65 million names in the first quarter of 2018. In addition, revenues increased due to the January 20, 2017 acquisition of eNom and the impact the acquisition of the mobile roaming assets of Otono Networks in September 2017.

 

Deferred revenue from domain name registrations and other Internet services at June 30, 2018 decreased to $152.1 million from $160.6 million at December 31, 2017, primarily due to the bulk transfer discussed above. 

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2018, no customer accounted for more than 10% of total revenue. During the six months ended June 30, 2018, one customer accounted for 11% of total revenue, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, no customer accounted for more than 10% of revenue. As at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, no customer accounted for more than 10% of accounts receivable. Significant management judgment is required at the time revenue is recorded to assess whether the collection of the resulting receivables is reasonably assured. On an ongoing basis, we assess the ability of our customers to make required payments. Based on this assessment, we expect the carrying amount of our outstanding receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, to be fully collected. 

 

 

Network Access Services

 

Net revenues from mobile phone equipment and services for the three months ended June 30, 2018 increased by $2.0 million or 10% to $22.4 million as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017. This increase primarily reflects the growth in service revenues by $1.9 million to $20.1 million as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017, due to the impact of the larger Ting subscriber base is having on Ting mobile service revenue and acquisition of the roaming assets of Otono Networks in the third quarter of 2017.  Revenues from the sale of mobile hardware and related accessories increased by $0.1 million to $2.3 million as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017. This increase was due to increased mix of higher priced devices attributed to the increased sales of new Apple mobile devices under the direct supply agreement signed in May of 2017.  

 

Net revenues from mobile phone equipment and services for the six months ended June 30, 2018 increased by $5.9 million or 16% to $44.3 million as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017. This increase primarily reflects the growth in service revenues by $5.2 million to $39.8 million as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017, due to the impact of the larger Ting subscriber base is having on Ting mobile service revenue and acquisition of the roaming assets of Otono Networks in the third quarter of 2017.  Revenues from the sale of mobile hardware and related accessories increased by $0.7 million to $4.5 million as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017. This increase was due to increased mix of higher priced devices attributed to the increased sales of new Apple mobile devices under the direct supply agreement signed in May of 2017.  

 

Other revenues from high speed Internet access and billing solutions generated $1.9 million in revenue during the three months ended June 30, 2018, up $0.6 million from the three months ended June 30, 2017. Growth in high speed Internet access revenues was as a result of the increased Ting Internet footprint in Charlottesville, VA, Westminster, MD and Holly Springs, NC.  In the second quarter of 2018, Ting began offering high speed internet services in Sandpoint, ID. The Company also is constructing fiber networks in Centennial, CO and expects to launch high speed Internet access services in that market in the second half of 2018. 

 

Other revenues from high speed Internet access and billing solutions generated $3.6 million in revenue during the six months ended June 30, 2018, up $1.1 million from the six months ended June 30, 2017. Growth in High speed Internet access revenues was as a result of the increased Ting Internet footprint in Charlottesville, VA, Westminster, MD and Holly Springs, NC. The Company is currently constructing fiber networks in Sandpoint, ID and Centennial, CO and expects to launch high speed Internet access services in those markets in the second half of 2018. 

 

 As of June 30, 2018, Ting mobile had 163,000 accounts under management and 282,000 subscribers under management compared to 165,000 accounts and 278,000 subscribers under management as of June 30, 2017. 

 

Wholesale

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2018, domain services revenue decreased by $6.0 million or 12% to $42.5 million when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017. The decrease was primarily driven by the $14.6 million of accelerated recognition of wholesale domain revenue associated with the Namecheap bulk transfer of 2.65 million names in the first quarter of 2018 from the bulk transfer of domains.  During the six months ended June 30, 2018, domain services revenue increased by $13.3 million or 15% to $101.0 million when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017. This increases primarily resulted from $14.6 million of accelerated recognition of wholesale domain revenue associated with the Namecheap bulk transfer of 2.65 million names that took place during the first quarter of 2018. In addition, revenues increased compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017 due to the January 20, 2017 acquisition of eNom. eNom revenues and gross margins in 2017 were negatively impacted by amortizing into revenue, deferred revenue that was recorded at fair value at the acquisition date which was approximately 10% lower than the historical cost basis of eNom.

 

The increase in revenue from the acquisition of eNom has been offset by the continued and ongoing migration of a few large, low margin customers. These customers have been moving their domain management and domain transaction processing to their own accreditations and in-house systems. As previously discussed, in the first quarter of 2018 the Company completed a bulk transfer of 2.65 million domain names to Namecheap’s credentials, which is the most significant migration of this nature.  In addition, one of the resellers for which the Company registered domain names using the reseller’s accreditation, was acquired by a third party and the registrations were moved to the acquiring reseller, resulting in approximately 0.5 million domains being transferred in the first quarter of 2018.  Due to these factors, total domains that we manage decreased to 24.1 million as of June 30, 2018, when compared to 28.8 million at June 30, 2017. While we anticipate that the number of new, renewed and transferred-in domain name registrations will continue to incrementally increase in the long term, the volatility of these factors could affect the growth of domain names that we manage.

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2018, value added services revenue decreased by $0.8 million to $4.6 million when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017. During the six months ended June 30, 2018, value added services revenue decreased by $0.3 million to $9.0 million when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017. Both the three and six month decreases were primarily driven by the Namecheap bulk transfer of 2.65 million domain names, which lowered the absolute number of expiring domain names available for the Company’s expiry revenue stream.  

 

 

Retail

 

Net revenues from retail for the three months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017, increased by $0.8 million, or 11%, to $8.5 million. Net revenues from retail for the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017, increased by $2.8 million, or 20%, to $16.9 million. These increases were largely due to the success that our retail marketing initiatives and improved websites are having on our ability to attract new customers and retain existing ones.  In addition, our revenues and gross margins in 2017 were negatively impacted by amortizing into revenue, deferred revenue that was recorded at fair value at the acquisition date which was approximately 10% lower than the historical basis of eNom.

 

Portfolio

 

Net revenues from portfolio for the three months ended June 30, 2018, increased by $0.2 million to $1.2 million, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017.

 

Net revenues from portfolio for the six months ended June 30, 2018, increased by $0.2 million to $2.1 million, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017.

 

 

COST OF REVENUES

 

Network Access Services 

 

Mobile

 

Cost of revenues for mobile services includes the costs of provisioning mobile services, which is primarily our customers' voice, messaging, data usage provided by our MNOs, and the costs of providing mobile phone hardware, which is the cost of mobile phone devices and SIM cards sold to our customers, order fulfillment related expenses, and inventory write-downs.

 

Other Services

 

Cost of revenues for other services includes the costs for provisioning high speed Internet access, comprised of network access fees and software licenses, the costs of providing hardware, comprised of the cost of network routers sold to our customers, order fulfillment related expenses, and inventory write-downs and fees paid to third-party service providers, primarily for printing services in connection with billing services to ISPs.

 

Wholesale

 

Domain Service

 

Cost of revenues for domain registrations represents the amortization of registry and accreditation fees on a basis consistent with the recognition of revenues from our customers, namely ratably over the term of provision of the service. Registry fees, the primary component of cost of revenues, are paid in full when the domain is registered, and are initially recorded as prepaid domain registry fees. This accounting treatment reasonably approximates a recognition pattern that corresponds with the provision of the services during the period. Market development funds that do not represent a payment for distinct goods or services provided by the Company, and thus do not meet the criteria for revenue recognition under ASU 2014-09, are reflected as cost of goods sold and are recognized as earned.

 

Value-Added Services

 

Costs of revenues for value-added services include licensing and royalty costs related to the provisioning of certain components of related to hosted email, third-party hosting services. Fees payable for trust certificates are amortized on a basis consistent with the provision of service, generally one year, while email hosting fees and monthly printing fees are included in cost of revenues in the month they are incurred.

 

Retail

 

Costs of revenues for our provision and management of Internet services through our retail sites, Hover.com and the eNom branded sites, include the amortization of registry and accreditation fees on a basis consistent with the recognition of revenues from our customers, namely ratably over the term of provision of the service. Registry fees, the primary component of cost of revenues, are paid in full when the domain is registered, and are recorded as prepaid domain registry fees.

 

Portfolio

 

Costs of revenues for our portfolio represent the amortization of registry fees for domains added to our portfolio over the renewal period, which is generally one year, the value attributed under intangible assets to any domain name sold and any impairment charges that may arise from our assessment of our domain name intangible assets. As the total names in our portfolio continue to grow, this cost will become a more significant component of our cost of revenues. Payments for domain registrations are payable for the full term of service at the time of activation of service and are recorded as prepaid domain registry fees and are expensed ratably over the renewal term.

 

 

Network expenses

 

Network expenses include personnel and related expenses, depreciation and amortization, communication costs, equipment maintenance, stock-based compensation and employee and related costs directly associated with the management and maintenance of our network. Communication costs include bandwidth, co-location and provisioning costs we incur to support the supply of all our services.

 

The following table presents our cost of revenues, by revenue source:

 

   

Three months ended June 30,

   

Six months ended June 30,

 
   

2018

   

2017

   

2018

   

2017

 
                                 

Network Access Services:

                               

Mobile Services

  $ 11,978     $ 10,702     $ 23,243     $ 20,269  

Other Services

    1,290       946       2,230       1,771  

Total Network Access Services

    13,268       11,648       25,473       22,040  
                                 

Domain Services:

                               

Wholesale

                               

Domain Services

    35,844       42,449       87,161       76,913  

Value Added Services

    748       615       1,605       1,191  

Total Wholesale

    36,592       43,064       88,766       78,104  
                                 

Retail

    4,446       4,548       8,855       8,165  

Portfolio

    195       185       379       447  

Total Domain Services

    41,233       47,797       98,000       86,716  
                                 

Network Expenses:

                               

Network, other costs

    2,701       2,261       5,275       4,604  

Network, depreciation and amortization costs

    1,727       1,169       3,357       2,141  
      4,428       3,430       8,632       6,745  
                                 
    $ 58,929     $ 62,875     $ 132,105     $ 115,501  

(Decrease) increase over prior period

  $ (3,946 )           $ 16,604          

(Decrease) increase - percentage

    -6 %             14 %        

  

The following table presents our cost of revenues, as a percentage of total of cost of revenues:

 

   

Three months ended June 30,

   

Six months ended June 30,

 
   

2018

   

2017

   

2018

   

2017

 
                                 

Network Access Services:

                               

Mobile Services

    20 %     17 %     18 %     18 %

Other Services

    2 %     2 %     2 %     2 %

Total Network Access Services

    22 %     19 %     20 %     20 %
                                 

Domain Services:

                               

Wholesale

                               

Domain Services

    61 %     67 %     65 %     66 %

Value Added Services

    1 %     1 %     1 %     1 %

Total Wholesale

    62 %     68 %     66 %     67 %
                                 

Retail

    8 %     7 %     7 %     7 %

Portfolio

    0 %     0 %     0 %     0 %

Total Domain Services

    70 %     75 %     73 %     74 %
                                 

Network Expenses:

                               

Network, other costs

    5 %     4 %     4 %     4 %

Network, depreciation and amortization costs

    3 %     2 %     3 %     2 %
      8 %     6 %     7 %     6 %
                                 
      100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %

  

Total cost of revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2018, decreased by $3.9 million, or 6%, to $58.9 million when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017. The decrease was primarily driven by the $14.5 million of accelerated recognition of prepaid domain registry fees associated with the Namecheap bulk transfer of 2.65 million names in the first quarter of 2018. Total cost of revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2018, increased by $16.6 million, or 14%, to $132.1 million when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017. These increases primarily resulted from $14.5 million of accelerated recognition of prepaid domain registry fees associated with the Namecheap bulk transfer of 2.65 million names during the first quarter of 2018.  Additionally, the six months ended June 30, 2017 were lower due to the January 20, 2017 acquisition of eNom and the impact the acquisition of the mobile roaming assets of Otono Networks in September 2017.  Prepaid domain registration and other Internet services fees as of June 30, 2018 decreased to $115.5 million from $127.0 million as of December 31, 2017, primarily due to the bulk transfer discussed above. 

 

 

Network Access Services

 

Mobile and Other Services

 

Cost of revenues from mobile phone equipment and services for the three months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017, increased by $1.3 million or 12% to $12.0 million. This increase primarily reflects the impact the subscriber base had on Ting mobile service cost of revenue as well as the acquisition of the mobile roaming assets of Otono Networks in September 2017 which combined grew by $1.0 million to $9.6 million as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017.  Mobile hardware and related accessories costs increased by $0.3 million compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017, to $2.4 million reflecting an increased mix of higher cost devices attributed to the increased sales of new Apple mobile devices under the direct supply agreement signed in May of 2017.   

 

In addition, during the three months ended June 30, 2018, we incurred costs of $1.3 million in provisioning high speed Internet access and billing solutions as compared to $0.9 million during the three months ended June 30, 2017. The increase in costs was primarily due primarily to the expansion of the Ting Fiber foot print and increasing subscriber base.

 

Cost of revenues from mobile phone equipment and services for the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017, increased by $3.0 million or 15% to $23.2 million. This increase primarily reflects the impact the subscriber base had on Ting mobile service cost of revenue as well as the acquisition of the mobile roaming assets of Otono Networks in September 2017 which combined grew by $2.3 million to $18.5 million as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017.  Mobile hardware and related accessories costs increased by $0.7 million compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017, to $4.7 million reflecting an increased mix of higher cost devices attributed to the increased sales of new Apple mobile devices under the direct supply agreement signed in May of 2017.   

 

 In addition, during the six months ended June 30, 2018, we incurred costs of $2.2 million in provisioning high speed Internet access and billing solutions as compared to $1.8 million during the six months ended June 30, 2017. The increase in costs was primarily due primarily to the expansion of the Ting Fiber foot print and increasing subscriber base.

 

Domain Services

 

Wholesale

 

Costs for wholesale and value-added services for the three months ended June 30, 2018 decreased by $6.5 million, or 15%, to $36.6 million when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017. The three-month decrease resulted from $14.5 million of accelerated recognition of prepaid domain registry fees associated with the Namecheap bulk transfer of 2.65 million names during the first quarter of 2018, a portion of which would have otherwise been recognized in Q2 2018. Costs for wholesale and value-added services for the six months ended June 30, 2018 increased by $10.7 million, or 14%, to $88.8 million when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017. The six-month increase primarily resulted from $14.5 million of accelerated recognition of prepaid domain registry fees associated with the Namecheap bulk transfer of 2.65 million names during the first quarter of 2018. In addition, cost of revenues increased due to the January 20, 2017 acquisition of eNom.

 

Retail

 

Costs for retail for the three months ended June 30, 2018 decreased by $0.1 million, to $4.4 million when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017. Costs for Retail for the six months ended June 30, 2018 increased by $0.7 million, to $8.9 million when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017. The six-month increase resulted primarily from the acquisition of eNom on January 20, 2017 and to a lesser extent the increased cost of additional volume in Hover services.

 

Portfolio

 

Costs for portfolio for the three months ended June 30, 2018 remained flat at $0.2 million, when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017. Costs for portfolio for the six months ended June 30, 2018 decreased by $0.1 million to $0.4 million, when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017.

 

Network Expenses

 

Network costs for the three months ended June 30, 2018 increased by $1.0 million to $4.4 million when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017. The three-month increase was driven by the expansion of the Company’s network infrastructure. Costs for the six months ended June 30, 2018 increased by $1.9 million to $8.6 million when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017.  The six-month increase is primarily due to the acquisition of eNom on January 20, 2017, including acquired developed platform technology.

 

 

SALES AND MARKETING

 

Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of personnel costs. These costs include commissions and related expenses of our sales, product management, public relations, call center, support and marketing personnel. Other sales and marketing expenses include customer acquisition costs, advertising and other promotional costs.

 

   

Three months ended June 30,

   

Six months ended June 30,

 
   

2018

   

2017

   

2018

   

2017

 

Sales and marketing

  $ 7,852     $ 7,447     $ 16,217     $ 14,667  

Increase over prior period

  $ 405             $ 1,550          

Increase - percentage

    5

%

            11

%

       

Percentage of net revenues

    10

%

    9

%

    9

%

    10

%

 

Sales and marketing expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2018 increased by $0.4 million, or 5%, to $7.9 million when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017. This three-month increase related primarily to an increase of $1.1 million in workforce and stock-based compensation related costs, which have primarily been driven by workforce increases to support mobile and network access related growth, and foreign exchange impacts. The increase was offset by a $0.7 million decrease in marketing and contract service costs, largely due to timing of expenditures.

  

Sales and marketing expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2018 increased by $1.6 million, or 11%, to $16.2 million when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017. This six-month increase related primarily to an increase of $2.9 million increased workforce and stock-based compensation related costs, which have primarily been driven by workforce increases to support mobile and network access related growth, and foreign exchange impacts. The increase was offset by a $1.3 million decrease in marketing and contract service costs, largely due to timing of expenditures. 

 

TECHNICAL OPERATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT

 

Technical operations and development expenses consist primarily of personnel costs and related expenses required to support the development of new or enhanced service offerings and the maintenance and upgrading of existing infrastructure. This includes expenses incurred in the research, design and development of technology that we use to register domain names, network access services, email, retail, domain portfolio and other Internet services, as well as to distribute our digital content services. All technical operations and development costs are expensed as incurred.

 

   

Three months ended June 30,

   

Six months ended June 30,

 
   

2018

   

2017

   

2018

   

2017

 

Technical operations and development

  $ 2,355     $ 1,798     $ 4,450     $ 3,492  

Increase over prior period

  $ 557             $ 958          

Increase - percentage

    31

%

            27

%

       

Percentage of net revenues

    3

%

    2

%

    3

%

    2

%

  

Technical operations and development expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2018 increased by $0.6 million, or 31%, to $2.4 million when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017.  The increase in costs relates primarily to increased salaries and benefits driven by an expanding workforce and wage inflation.

 

Technical operations and development expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2018 increased by $1.0 million, or 27%, to $4.5 million when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017. The increase in costs relate primarily to increased salaries and benefits driven by an expanding workforce and wage inflation, as well as the eNom technical operations and development workforce that were included as of January 20, 2017.

 

GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE

 

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation and related costs for managerial and administrative personnel, fees for professional services, public listing expenses, rent, foreign exchange and other general corporate expenses.

 

   

Three months ended June 30,

   

Six months ended June 30,

 
   

2018

   

2017

   

2018

   

2017

 

General and administrative

  $ 4,256     $ 3,285     $ 8,786     $ 6,742  

Increase over prior period

  $ 971             $ 2,044          

Increase - percentage

    30

%

            30

%

       

Percentage of net revenues

    5

%

    4

%

    5

%

    4

%

 

 

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2018 increased by $1.0 million, or 30%, to $4.3 million when compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017.  Workforce, contract services, travel and stock-based compensation increased $0.4 million, while foreign exchanges expenses recorded on foreign exchange revaluation of our foreign denominated monetary assets and liabilities as well as expenses unrelated to foreign currency exchange hedging transactions increased by $0.5 million. Other expenses, including credit card processing fees related to growth of network access services and facilities costs increased $0.1 million.

  

General and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2018 increased by $2.0 million, or 30%, to $8.8 million when compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017. Workforce, contract services, travel and stock-based compensation increased $0.8 million, while foreign exchanges expenses recorded on foreign exchange revaluation of our foreign denominated monetary assets and liabilities as well as expenses unrelated to foreign currency exchange hedging transactions increased by $0.8 million. Other expenses, including credit card processing fees related to growth of network access services and facilities costs increased $0.4 million.

 

DEPRECIATION OF PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

 

   

Three months ended June 30,

   

Six months ended June 30,

 
   

2018

   

2017

   

2018

   

2017

 

Depreciation of property and equipment

  $ 102     $ 165     $ 203     $ 331  

Decrease over prior period

  $ (63 )           $ (128 )        

Decrease - percentage

    (38

)%

            (39

)%

       

Percentage of net revenues

    0

%

    0

%

    0

%

    0

%

  

Depreciation costs decreased by $0.1 million to $0.1 million as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017.

 

Depreciation costs decreased by $0.1 million to $0.2 million as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017.

 

AMORTIZATION OF INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

   

Three months ended June 30,

   

Six months ended June 30,

 
   

2018

   

2017

   

2018

   

2017

 

Amortization of intangible assets

  $ 1,827     $ 1,608     $ 3,659     $ 2,989  

Increase over prior period

  $ 219             $ 670          

Increase - percentage

    14

%

            22

%

       

Percentage of net revenues

    2

%

    2

%

    2

%

    2

%

 

Amortization of intangible assets for the three months ended June 30, 2018 increased $0.2 million to $1.8 million as compared to the three months ended June 30, 2017. The three-month increase is primarily due to the acquisition of the mobile roaming assets of Otono Networks, Inc. in September 2017. Amortization of intangible assets for the six months ended June 30, 2018 increased $0.7 million to $3.7 million as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017. The six-month increase was due to the full two-quarter impact of the acquisition of eNom as well as acquisition of the mobile roaming assets of Otono Networks, Inc. in September 2017.

 

LOSS (GAIN) ON CURRENCY FORWARD CONTRACTS

 

Although our functional currency is the U.S. dollar, a major portion of our fixed expenses are incurred in Canadian dollars. Our goal with regard to foreign currency exposure is, to the extent possible, to achieve operational cost certainty, manage financial exposure to certain foreign exchange fluctuations and to neutralize some of the impact of foreign currency exchange movements. Accordingly, we enter into foreign exchange contracts to mitigate the exchange rate risk on portions of our Canadian dollar exposure.

 

   

Three months ended June 30,

   

Six months ended June 30,

 
   

2018

   

2017

   

2018

   

2017

 

Loss (gain) on currency forward contracts

  $ 52     $ (27 )   $ 49     $ (61 )

Increase over prior period

  $ 79             $ 110          

Increase - percentage

    293

%

            (180

)%

       

Percentage of net revenues

    0

%

    0

%

    0

%

    0

%

  

As of June 30, 2018, we have entered into certain forward exchange contracts that do not comply with the requirements of hedge accounting to meet a portion of our future Canadian dollar requirements through September 2019. The Company recorded a net loss of $0.1 million on the change in fair value of outstanding contracts as well as realized income on matured contracts, for the three months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to a net gain of $27,000 for the change in fair value of outstanding contracts and the settlement of contracts not designated as hedges for the three months ended June 30, 2017.

 

The Company recorded a net loss of $49,000 on the change in fair value of outstanding contracts as well as realized income on matured contracts, compared to a net gain of $0.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017.

 

 

At June 30, 2018, our balance sheet reflects a net derivative instrument liability of $0.4 million as a result of our existing foreign exchange contracts.

 

OTHER INCOME AND EXPENSES

 

   

Three months ended June 30,

   

Six months ended June 30,

 
   

2018

   

2017

   

2018

   

2017

 

Other income (expense), net

  $ (878 )   $ (745 )   $ (1,650 )   $ (1,484 )

Increase over prior period

  $ (133 )           $ (166 )        

Increase - percentage

    18

%

            11

%

       

Percentage of net revenues

    1

%

    1

%

    (1

)%

    (1

)%

  

Other expenses during the three months ended June 30, 2018 was $0.9 million and $1.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018, as compared to other expense of $0.7 and $1.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017. Other expense consists primarily of the interest we incur in connection with our 2017 Amended Credit Facility (as discussed below), which was partially offset by income from the amortization of a $1.5 million Joint Marketing Agreement commencing in November 2015. The interest incurred primarily relates to our loan balances related to the acquisition of eNom and funding for expenditures associated with the Company’s Fiber to the Home program.

 

INCOME TAXES

 

   

Three months ended June 30,

   

Six months ended June 30,

 
   

2018

      2017       2018       2017  

Provision for income taxes

  $ 1,228     $ 1,083     $ 2,411     $ 958  

Increase in provision over prior period

  $ 145             $ 1,453          

Increase - percentage

    13

%

            152

%

       

Effective tax rate

    25

%

    17

%

    25

%

    11

%

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2018, we recorded an income tax expense of $1.2 million on income before income taxes of $4.8 million, using an estimated effective tax rate for Fiscal 2018 adjusted for certain minimum state taxes as well as the inclusion of a $0.2 million tax recovery related to ASU 2016-09, which requires all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies related to employee share-based payments to be recognized through income tax expense.  Comparatively, for the three months ended June 30, 2017, we recorded an income tax expense of $1.1 million on income before taxes of $6.3 million, using an estimated effective tax rate for the 2017 fiscal year and reflecting the $1.2 million tax recovery impacted related to ASU 2016-09.

  

For the six months ended June 30, 2018, we recorded an income tax expense of $2.4 million on income before income taxes of $9.8 million, using an estimated effective tax rate for Fiscal 2018 adjusted for certain minimum state taxes as well as the inclusion of a $0.3 million tax recovery related to the adoption of ASU 2016-09, which requires all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies related to employee share-based payments to be recognized through income tax expense on a prospective basis. Comparatively, for the six months ended June 30, 2017, we recorded an income tax expense of $1.0 million on income before income taxes of $8.6 million, using an estimated effective tax rate for Fiscal 2017 adjusted for certain minimum state taxes as well as the inclusion of a $2.2 million tax recovery related to the adoption of ASU 2016-09.

 

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the years in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management projected future taxable income, uncertainties related to the industry in which the Company operates, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.

 

We recognize accrued interest and penalties related to income taxes in income tax expense. We did not have significant interest and penalties accrued at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.

 

ADJUSTED EBITDA

 

We believe that the provision of this supplemental non-GAAP measure allows investors to evaluate the operational and financial performance of our core business using similar evaluation measures to those used by management. We use adjusted EBITDA to measure our performance and prepare our budgets. Because adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial performance measure, our calculation of adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies; and should not be considered in isolation, as a substitute for, or superior to measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Because adjusted EBITDA is calculated before recurring cash charges, including interest expense and taxes, and is not adjusted for capital expenditures or other recurring cash requirements of the business, it should not be considered as a liquidity measure. See the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows included in the attached financial statements. Non-GAAP financial measures do not reflect a comprehensive system of accounting and may differ from non-GAAP financial measures with the same or similar captions that are used by other companies and/or analysts and may differ from period to period. We endeavor to compensate for these limitations by providing the relevant disclosure of the items excluded in the calculation of adjusted EBITDA to net income based on U.S. GAAP, which should be considered when evaluating the Company's results. Tucows strongly encourages investors to review its financial information in its entirety and not to rely on a single financial measure.

 

 

Our adjusted EBITDA definition excludes depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, income tax provision, interest expense (net), stock-based compensation, asset impairment, gains and losses from unrealized foreign currency transactions and infrequently occurring items. Gains and losses from unrealized foreign currency transactions removes the unrealized effect of the change in the mark-to-market values on outstanding unhedged foreign currency contracts, as well as the unrealized effect from the translation of monetary accounts denominated in non-U.S. dollars to U.S. dollars.

 

The following table reconciles net income to adjusted EBITDA (dollars in thousands):

 

Reconciliation of Net income to Adjusted EBITDA

                               

(In Thousands of US Dollars)

                               

(unaudited)

                               
                                 
                                 
   

Three months ended June 30,

   

Six months ended June 30,

 
   

2018

(unaudited)

   

2017

(unaudited)

   

2018

(unaudited)

   

2017

(unaudited)

 
                                 

Net income for the period

  $ 3,608     $ 5,242       7,352     $ 7,686  

Depreciation of property and equipment

    1,330       879       2,562       1,636  

Amortization of intangible assets

    2,326       2,063       4,657       3,825  

Interest expense, net

    951       970       1,847       1,838  

Provision for income taxes

    1,228       1,083       2,411       958  

Stock-based compensation

    615       313       1,193       631  

Unrealized loss (gain) on change in fair value of forward contracts

    46       (20 )     43       (38 )

Unrealized loss (gain) on foreign exchange revaluation of foreign denominated monetary assets and liabilities

    282       (283 )     459       (334 )

Acquisition and other costs1

    802       127       1,043       509  
                                 

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 11,188     $ 10,374       21,567     $ 16,711  

 

1Acquisition and other costs represents transaction-related expenses, transitional expenses, such as duplicative post-acquisition expenses, primarily related to our acquisition of eNom in January 2017.   Expenses include severance or transitional costs associated with department, operational or overall company restructuring efforts, including geographic alignments.

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA increased to $11.2 million in the three months ended June 30, 2018 from $10.4 million in the three months ended June 30, 2017. The increase in adjusted EBITDA from period-to-period was primarily driven an increased contribution by eNom and growth in Ting Mobile. 

 

Adjusted EBITDA increased to $21.6 million in the six months ended June 30, 2018 from $16.7 million in the six months ended June 30, 2017. The increase in adjusted EBITDA from period to period was primarily driven by the acquisition of eNom on January 20, 2017, growth in domain services and Ting Mobile offset by the continued investment in the Company’s Fiber to the Home program.

 

OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

 

To mitigate the impact of the change in fair value of our foreign exchange contracts on our financial results, in October 2012 we began applying hedge accounting for the majority of the contracts we need to meet our Canadian dollar requirements on a prospective basis.

 

The following table presents other comprehensive income for the periods presented:

 

   

Three months ended June 30,

   

Six months ended June 30,

 
   

2018

   

2017

   

2018

   

2017

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

  $ (260 )   $ 126     $ (243 )   $ 231  

Decrease over prior period

  $ (386 )           $ (474 )        

Decrease - percentage

    (306

)%

            (205

)%

       

Percentage of net revenues

    (0

)%

    0

%

    (0

)%

    0

%

 

The impact of the fair value adjustments on outstanding hedged contracts for the three months ended June 30, 2018 was a loss in other comprehensive income of $0.3 million as compared to a gain of $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2017. The impact of the fair value adjustment on outstanding hedged contracts for the six months ended June 30, 2018 was a loss of $0.3 million compared to a net gain of $0.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017.

 

The net amount reclassified to earnings during the three months ended June 30, 2018 was a gain of less than $0.1 million compared to a loss of less than $0.1 million during the three months ended June 30, 2018.  The net amount reclassified to earnings during the six months ended June 30, 2018 was a gain of less than $0.1 million compared to a loss of $0.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2017.

 

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

As of June 30, 2018, our cash and cash equivalents balance decreased to $11.2 million when compared to December 31, 2017.  Our principal uses of cash were $10.8 million in loan repayments, $1.2 million for the remaining 10% interest in Ting Virginia, LLC, $0.3 million of other costs, including tax payment associated with stock option exercises and continued investment in property and equipment of $12.4 million. These uses of cash were offset by proceeds from an advances of $2.5 million from our 2017 Amended Credit Facility (defined below) to fund Fiber to the Home program (“FTTH”) and cash provided by operating activities of $15.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2018. 

 

2017 Amended Credit Facility

 

On January 20, 2017, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a First Amended and Restated Secured Credit Agreement (the “2017 Amended Credit Agreement”) with Bank of Montreal (“BMO”), Royal Bank of Canada (“RBC”) and Bank of Nova Scotia (the “Lenders”) under which the Company increased its access to funds to an aggregate of $140 million. The 2017 Amended Credit Agreement amends and restates the Company’s Credit Agreement, dated as of August 18, 2016, with BMO and RBC (the “2016 Credit Agreement”). The 2017 Amended Credit Agreement, among other things, reduced the existing Tucows non-revolving facility (such existing non-revolving facility, together with other existing facilities, the “Existing Facilities”) from $40.0 million to $35.5 million, and established a new non-revolving credit facility of $85 million (the “New Facility”), and together with the Existing Facilities, the “2017 Amended Credit Facility”). The obligations of the Company under the 2017 Amended Credit Agreement are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of the personal property and assets of the Company.

 

Borrowings under the 2017 Amended Credit Agreement accrue interest and standby fees at variable rates based on borrowing elections by the Company and the Company’s total funded debt to EBITDA as described as described more fully in Note 7 of the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company.

 

The 2017 Amended Credit Agreement. includes an additional repayment mechanism that is triggered based on the Company’s total funded debt to EBITDA calculation at the end of each fiscal year. If total funded debt to EBITDA exceeds 2.25:1 at December 31 of each year during the term, the Company is obligated to make a repayment of 50% of excess cash flow, all as set forth in the 2017 Amended Credit Agreement.

 

The 2017 Amended Credit Agreement contains customary events of default and affirmative and negative covenants and restrictions, including certain financial maintenance covenants such as a maximum total funded debt to EBITDA ratio and a minimum fixed charge ratio. As of June 30, 2018, we were in compliance with all our covenants.

 

For more information on the 2017 Amended Credit Agreement, see Note 7 to the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company.

  

Other Credit Facilities

 

In addition to the 2017 Amended Credit Agreement, the company is party to a Loan Agreement with BMO, as amended from time to time, most recently in June 2017 (the “2012 Amended Credit Agreement”), pursuant to which the Company currently maintains a treasury risk management facility and credit card facility.

 

The treasury risk management facility under the 2012 Amended Credit Agreement provides for a $3.5 million settlement risk line to assist the Company with hedging Canadian dollar exposure through foreign exchange forward contracts and/or currency options. Under the terms of the 2012 Amended Credit Agreement, the Company may enter into such agreements at market rates with terms not to exceed 18 months. As of June 30, 2018, the Company held contracts in the amount of $16.9 million to trade U.S. dollars in exchange for Canadian dollars.

 

In Q4, 2017, the Company entered into a corporate credit card program with the Bank of Nova Scotia and the remaining Lenders. The program provides that BMO and the Bank of Nova Scotia may establish corporate credit card facilities with the Company in an amount of up to $5 million.

 

 

Cash Flow from Operating Activities

 

Net cash provided by operating activities during the six months ended June 30, 2018 was $15.3 million, as compared to $10.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2017.

 

Net income, after adjusting for non-cash charges, during the six months ended June 30, 2018 was $15.1 million. Net income included non-cash charges and recoveries of $7.7 million such as depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, excess tax benefits on stock-based compensation, unrealized gains on currency forward contracts, other income, and an expense for deferred tax. In addition, changes in our working capital provided $0.3 million.  Positive contributions of $12.8 million from movements in domain registry fees, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, and income taxes recoverable were offset by $12.5 million utilized in changes from prepaid expenses, inventory, customer deposits, accreditation fees payable and deferred revenue.

 

Cash Flow from Financing Activities

 

Net cash outflows from financing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2018 totaled $8.6 million as compared to cash inflows of $74.3 million during the six months ended June 30, 2017.  Cash outflows of $10.8 million related to principal repayments relating to our 2017 Amended Credit Facility and a $0.3 million outflow from the net impact of exercise of stock options, offset by cash inflows of $2.5 million from advances from our 2017 Amended Credit Facility. During the six months ended June 30, 2017, the net cash inflow of $74.3 million was primarily related to the $87.0 million draw on the 2017 Amended Credit Facility to fund the acquisition of eNom and to fund FTTH capital expenditures, offset by $12.7 million in loan principal and cost payments as well as tax obligations related to the net exercise of stock options.

 

Cash Flow from Investing Activities

 

Investing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2018 used net cash of $13.6 million as compared to using $84.8 million during the six months ended June 30, 2017.

 

On February 14, 2018, the Company acquired the remaining 10% interest in Ting Virginia, LLC. for a consideration of $1.2 million. The consideration was funded through cash flow from operations. For additional details, see note 4(a) to the interim unaudited financial statements included in this report.

 

 In addition, the Company invested $12.4 million in property and equipment, primarily to support the continued expansion of our fiber footprint. The Company continues to invest in our existing Ting Towns of Charlottesville, VA, Holly Springs, NC and Westminster, MD as well ramping construction in Sandpoint, ID and Centennial, CO, as we seek to extend both our current network and expand to new towns. We expect our capital expenditures on building and expanding our fiber network to increase significantly during Fiscal 2018.

  

Based on our operations, we believe that our cash flow from operations will be adequate to meet our anticipated requirements for working capital, capital expenditures and our loan repayments for at least the next 12 months.

 

We may choose or need to raise additional funds or seek other financing arrangements to facilitate more rapid expansion, develop new or enhance existing products or services, respond to competitive pressures or acquire or invest in complementary businesses, technologies, services or products.

 

We may also evaluate potential acquisitions of other businesses, products and technologies. We currently have no commitments or agreements regarding the acquisition of other businesses. If additional financing is required, we may need additional equity or debt financing and any additional financing may be dilutive to existing investors. We may not be able to raise funds on acceptable terms, or at all.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

As of June 30, 2018, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as defined in Item 303(a)(4)(ii) of SEC Regulation S-K.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

In our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, we disclosed our contractual obligations.

 

As of June 30, 2018, there have been no other material changes to those contractual obligations outside the ordinary course of business.

 

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

We develop products in Canada and sell these services in North America and Europe. Our sales are primarily made in U.S. dollars, while a major portion of expenses are incurred in Canadian dollars. Our financial results could be affected by factors such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates or weak economic conditions in foreign markets. Our interest income is sensitive to changes in the general level of Canadian and U.S. interest rates, particularly since the majority of our investments are in short-term instruments. Based on the nature of our short-term investments, we have concluded that there is no material interest rate risk exposure as of June 30, 2018. We are also subject to market risk exposure related to changes in interest rates under our 2017 Amended Credit Facility. We do not expect that any changes in interest rates will be material during fiscal 2018; however, fluctuations in interest rates are beyond our control. We will continue to monitor and assess the risks associated with interest expense exposure and may take additional actions in the future to mitigate these risks.

 

Although our functional currency is the U.S. dollar, a substantial portion of our fixed expenses are incurred in Canadian dollars. Our policy with respect to foreign currency exposure is to manage financial exposure to certain foreign exchange fluctuations with the objective of neutralizing some of the impact of foreign currency exchange movements. Exchange rates are, however, subject to significant and rapid fluctuations, and therefore we cannot predict the prospective impact of exchange rate fluctuations on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Accordingly, we have entered into foreign exchange contracts to mitigate the exchange rate risk on portions of our Canadian dollar exposure.

  

At June 30, 2018, we had the following outstanding forward exchange contracts to trade U.S. dollars in exchange for Canadian dollars:

 

Maturity date

 

Notional

amount of

U.S. dollars

   

Weighted

average

exchange rate of

U.S. dollars

   

Fair value

 
                         

July - September 2018

    6,130       1.2851       (134 )

October - December 2018

    6,049       1.2802       (144 )

January - March 2019

    1,639       1.2852       (30 )

April - June 2019

    1,599       1.2831       (29 )

July - September 2019

    1,444       1.2809       (27 )
    $ 16,862       1.2828     $ (364 )

 

As of June 30, 2018, the Company had $16.9 million of outstanding foreign exchange forward contracts which will convert to CDN $21.6 million. Of these contracts, $14.9 million met the requirements for hedge accounting (December 31, 2017 - the Company held nil contracts to trade U.S. dollars in exchange for Canadian dollars.

 

We have performed a sensitivity analysis model for foreign exchange exposure over the six months ended June 30, 2018. The analysis used a modeling technique that compares the U.S. dollar equivalent of all expenses incurred in Canadian dollars, at the actual exchange rate, to a hypothetical 10% adverse movement in the foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar, with all other variables held constant. Foreign currency exchange rates used were based on the market rates in effect during the three months ended June 30, 2018. The sensitivity analysis indicated that a hypothetical 10% adverse movement in foreign currency exchange rates would result in a decrease in net income for the three months ended June 30, 2018 of approximately $0.9 million, before the effects of hedging. Fluctuations of exchange rates are beyond our control. We will continue to monitor and assess the risk associated with these exposures and may take additional actions in the future to hedge or mitigate these risks.

 

Credit Risk

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash equivalents, marketable securities, foreign exchange contracts and accounts receivable. Our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments are in high-quality securities placed with major banks and financial institutions whom we have evaluated as highly creditworthy, and commercial paper. Similarly, we enter into our foreign exchange contracts with major banks and financial institutions. With respect to accounts receivable, we perform ongoing evaluations of our customers, generally granting uncollateralized credit terms to our customers, and maintaining an allowance for doubtful accounts based on historical experience and our expectation of future losses.

 

Interest rate risk

 

Our exposure to interest rate fluctuations relate primarily to our 2017 Amended Credit Facility.

 

As of June 30, 2018, we had an outstanding balance of $68.7 million on the 2017 Amended Credit Facility.  The 2017 Amended Credit Facility bears a base interest rate based on borrowing elections by the Company and the Company’s total Funded Debt to EBITDA plus LIBOR.  As of June 30, 2018, an adverse change of one percent on the interest rate would have the effect of increasing our annual interest payment on 2017 Amended Credit Facility by approximately $0.7 million, assuming that the loan balance as of June 30, 2018 is outstanding for the entire period.

 

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

(a)    Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

As required by Rule 13a-15(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”), management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated, as of the end of the period covered by this report, the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e). 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. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this annual report, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of June 30, 2018 our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

 

 

(b)    Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

The adoption of ASU 2014-09 did not require any material changes in our internal control over financial reporting. There were no other changes made in our internal controls over financial reporting during the six months ended June 30, 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. 

 

 

PART II.

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

We are involved in various investigations, claims and lawsuits arising in the normal conduct of our business, none of which, individually or in the aggregate, in our opinion, will materially harm our business. We cannot assure that we will prevail in any litigation. Regardless of the outcome, any litigation may require us to incur significant litigation expense and may result in significant diversion of our attention.

 

On August 30, 2017, Namecheap, Inc. (“Namecheap”) filed a complaint against the Company, eNom, Inc., and unknown John Does in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington alleging breach of contract, breach of the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing, and unjust enrichment (the “Namecheap Federal Action”). Namecheap voluntarily dismissed the Namecheap Federal Action without prejudice on October 10, 2017. That same day, Namecheap filed a substantially similar complaint against Tucows Inc., eNom, LLC, and unknown John Does alleging breach of contract and breach of the implied duty of good faith and fair dealing in Washington State Court, King County (the “Namecheap State Action”). In the Namecheap State Action, Namecheap sought preliminary and ultimate equitable relief by way of the transfer of approximately 2.65 million domain names from the eNom, LLC platform to the Namecheap platform using BTAPPA. By Order dated November 15, 2017, the Court granted Namecheap’s Motion for Preliminary Injunction and the Company complied therewith in taking steps with Namecheap towards the BTAPPA. The Court ordered Namecheap to post a bond against damages sustained by the Company. The Company sought clarification from the Court on one BTAPPA requirement which the Court provided in the January 5, 2018 Order. The BTAPPA transfer was initiated on January 8, 2018 and completed on January 16, 2018. In addition to the equitable relief it has sought, Namecheap also seeks direct and consequential damages in the Namecheap State Action. The Company believes that the claims lack merit and intends to continue to defend them vigorously.  The Company does not believe that this litigation is a material pending legal proceeding.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

In addition to the risk factor and other information set forth in this Quarterly Report, you should also carefully consider the risk factors discussed in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, all of which could materially affect our business, financial condition or operating results and should be considered before making an investment decision regarding our securities. The risks described in this Quarterly Report and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may adversely affect our business, financial condition or operating results.

 

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

 

On March 1, 2017, The Company announced that its Board of Directors had approved a stock buyback program to repurchase up to $40 million of its common stock in the open market.  Purchases were to be made exclusively through the facilities of the NASDAQ Capital Market. The stock buyback program commenced on March 1, 2017 and terminated on February 14, 2018.  During the six months ended June 30, 2018, the Company did not repurchase any shares under this program.

 

On February 14, 2018, the Company announced that its Board of Directors has approved a stock buyback program to repurchase up to $40 million of its common stock in the open market. Purchases will be made exclusively through the facilities of the NASDAQ Capital Market. The stock buyback program commenced on February 14, 2018 and will terminate on or before February 13, 2019.  During the six months ended June 30, 2018, the Company did not repurchase any shares under this program.

 

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

None.

 

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

(a) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit

No.

  

Description

  

  

  

3.1.1

  

Fourth Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Tucows Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 filed with Tucows’ Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on November 29, 2007).

3.1.2

  

Articles of Amendment to Fourth Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Tucows Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 filed with Tucows’ Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on January 3, 2014).

3.2

  

Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Tucows Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 filed with Tucows’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, as filed with the SEC on March 29, 2007).

3.3

  

Amendment No. 1 to Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Tucows Inc. (Incorporated by Reference to Exhibit 3.3 filed with Tucows’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012).

31.1

  

Chief Executive Officer's Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification *

31.2

  

Chief Financial Officer's Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification *

32.1

  

Chief Executive Officer's Section 1350 Certification †

32.2

  

Chief Financial Officer's Section 1350 Certification †

101.INS

  

XBRL Instance *

101.SCH

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema *

101.CAL

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation *

101.DEF

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition *

101.LAB

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels *

101.PRE

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation *

  

  

  

 

* Filed herewith.

 

† Furnished herewith.

  

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

Date: August 8, 2018

TUCOWS INC.

  

  

  

By:

/s/ ELLIOT NOSS

  

  

Elliot Noss

  

  

President and Chief Executive Officer

  

  

  

  

By:

/s/ DAVINDER SINGH

  

  

Davinder Singh

Chief Financial Officer

  

  

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

  

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

No.

  

Description

3.1.1

 

Fourth Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Tucows Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 filed with Tucows' Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on November 29, 2007).

3.1.2

  

Articles of Amendment to Fourth Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Tucows Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 filed with Tucows' Current Report on Form 8-K, as filed with the SEC on January 3, 2014).

3.2

  

Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Tucows Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 filed with Tucows' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, as filed with the SEC on March 29, 2007).

3.3

  

Amendment No. 1 to Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Tucows Inc. (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 filed with Tucows’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012, as filed with the SEC on August 14, 2012).

31.1

  

Chief Executive Officer's Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification *

31.2

  

Chief Financial Officer's Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification *

32.1

  

Chief Executive Officer's Section 1350 Certification †

32.2

  

Chief Financial Officer's Section 1350 Certification †

101.INS

  

XBRL Instance *

101.SCH

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema *

101.CAL

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation *

101.DEF

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition *

101.LAB

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels *

101.PRE

  

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation *

 

* Filed herewith.

 

† Furnished herewith.

 

51