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VALUE LINE INC - Quarter Report: 2021 July (Form 10-Q)

valu20210731_10q.htm
 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549 

 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended July 31, 2021

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: 0-11306

 

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VALUE LINE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

                                                                  

New York13-3139843
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
  
551 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York10176-0001
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

 

(212) 907-1500

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

Trading symbol

Name of each Exchange on which registered

Common stock, $0.10 par value per share

VALU

The Nasdaq Capital Market

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer ☐ Accelerated filer ☐ Non-accelerated filer ☒

Smaller reporting company ☐ 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 ☒

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

ClassOutstanding at August 31, 2021
Common stock, $0.10 par value per share9,557,141 shares

                                             

 

 

 
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VALUE LINE INC.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

   

Page No.

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     

Item 1.

Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements

 
     
 

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as of July 31, 2021 and April 30, 2021

3

     
 

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income for the three months ended July 31, 2021 and July 31, 2020

4

     
 

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended July 31, 2021 and July 31, 2020

5

     
 

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended July 31, 2021 and July 31, 2020

6

     
 

Consolidated Condensed Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the three months ended July 31, 2021

7

     
 

Consolidated Condensed Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the three months ended July 31, 2020

8

     
 

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements

9

     

Item 2.

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

20

     

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

30

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

32

     

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

     

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

32

     

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

32

     

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

33

     

Item 4.

Mine Safety Disclosures

33

     

Item 5.

Other Information

33

     

Item 6.

Exhibits

34

     
 

Signatures

35

 

 

 

 

Part I - Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

 

Value Line, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share amounts)

 

  

July 31,

  

April 30,

 
  

2021

  

2021

 
  

(unaudited)

     

Assets

        

Current Assets:

        

Cash and cash equivalents (including short term investments of $24,382 and $18,209, respectively)

 $25,035  $19,171 

Equity securities

  25,282   23,582 

Available-for-sale Fixed Income securities

  597   2,600 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $36 and $36, respectively

  1,467   3,985 

Prepaid and refundable income taxes

  540   616 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

  1,187   1,282 

Total current assets

  54,108   51,236 
         

Long term assets:

        

Investment in EAM Trust

  60,905   60,977 

Restricted money market investments

  469   469 

Property and equipment, net

  7,999   8,311 

Capitalized software and other intangible assets, net

  122   143 

Total long term assets

  69,495   69,900 
         

Total assets

 $123,603  $121,136 
         

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity

        

Current Liabilities:

        

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 $1,380  $2,077 

Accrued salaries

  1,319   1,163 

Dividends payable

  2,103   2,104 

Accrued taxes on income

  942   - 

Loan obligation-short term

  2,331   2,331 

Operating lease obligation-short term

  1,087   1,087 

Unearned revenue

  18,202   19,162 

Total current liabilities

  27,364   27,924 
         

Long term liabilities:

        

Unearned revenue

  5,111   5,926 

Operating lease obligation-long term

  7,114   7,368 

Deferred income taxes

  13,374   12,905 

Total long term liabilities

  25,599   26,199 

Total liabilities

  52,963   54,123 
         

Shareholders' Equity:

        

Common stock, $0.10 par value; authorized 30,000,000 shares; issued 10,000,000 shares

  1,000   1,000 

Additional paid-in capital

  991   991 

Retained earnings

  76,296   72,502 

Treasury stock, at cost (442,239 shares and 436,830 shares, respectively)

  (7,646)  (7,483)

Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax

  (1)  3 

Total shareholders' equity

  70,640   67,013 
         

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

 $123,603  $121,136 

 

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

 

3

 

Part I - Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

 

Value Line, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income

(in thousands, except share & per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

   

For the Three Months Ended

 
   

July 31,

 
   

2021

   

2020

 
                 

Revenues:

               

Investment periodicals and related publications

  $ 6,947     $ 7,092  

Copyright fees

    3,219       3,236  

Total publishing revenues

    10,166       10,328  
                 

Expenses:

               

Advertising and promotion

    1,047       1,055  

Salaries and employee benefits

    4,657       4,508  

Production and distribution

    1,216       1,273  

Office and administration

    981       1,266  

Total expenses

    7,901       8,102  

Income from operations

    2,265       2,226  
                 

Revenues and profits interests in EAM Trust

    4,805       3,644  

Investment gains

    394       1,171  

Income before income taxes

    7,464       7,041  

Income tax provision

    1,567       1,767  

Net income

  $ 5,897     $ 5,274  
                 

Earnings per share, basic & fully diluted

  $ 0.62     $ 0.55  
                 
                 

Weighted average number of common shares

    9,559,992       9,616,721  

 

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

 

4

 

Part I - Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

 

Value Line, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Comprehensive Income

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

   

For the Three Months Ended

 
   

July 31,

 
   

2021

   

2020

 
                 
                 

Net income

  $ 5,897     $ 5,274  
                 

Other comprehensive income/(loss), net of tax:

               

Change in unrealized gains on Fixed Income securities, net of tax

    (4 )     (37 )

Other comprehensive income/(loss)

    (4 )     (37 )

Comprehensive income

  $ 5,893     $ 5,237  

 

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

 

5

 

Part I - Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

 

Value Line, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

   

For the Three Months Ended

 
   

July 31,

 
   

2021

   

2020

 

Cash flows from operating activities:

               

Net income

  $ 5,897     $ 5,274  
                 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

               

Depreciation and amortization

    333       314  

Investment (gains)/losses

    (198 )     (995 )

Non-voting revenues interest in EAM Trust

    (4,149 )     (3,280 )

Non-voting profits interest in EAM Trust

    (656 )     (364 )

Distributions received from EAM Trust

    4,877       3,065  

Deferred income taxes

    (168 )     100  

Deferred rent

    (254 )     (234 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

               

Unearned revenue

    (1,775 )     (1,394 )

Accounts payable & accrued expenses

    (697 )     (566 )

Accrued salaries

    156       (86 )

Accrued taxes on income

    1,580       725  

Prepaid and refundable income taxes

    76       -  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    95       8  

Accounts receivable

    2,518       2,859  

Total adjustments

    1,738       152  

Net cash provided by operating activities

    7,635       5,426  
                 

Cash flows from investing activities:

               

Proceeds from sales of equity securities

    34       4,637  

Purchase of equity securities

    (1,536 )     (6,127 )

Purchases of fixed income securities classified as available-for-sale

    (498 )     (2,496 )

Proceeds from sales of fixed income securities classified as available-for-sale

    2,496       3,464  

Acquisition of property and equipment

    -       (7 )

Expenditures for capitalized software

    -       (82 )

Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities

    496       (611 )
                 

Cash flows from financing activities:

               

Purchase of treasury stock at cost

    (163 )     -  

Receivable from clearing broker

    -       608  

Payable to clearing broker

    -       (588 )

Dividends paid

    (2,104 )     (2,020 )

Net cash used in financing activities

    (2,267 )     (2,000 )

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

    5,864       2,815  

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

    19,640       5,423  

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

  $ 25,504     $ 8,238  

 

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

 

6

 

Part I - Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

 

Value Line, Inc.

Consolidated Condensed Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity

For the Three Months Ended July 31, 2021

(in thousands, except share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

   

Common stock

   

Additional paid-in-

   

Treasury stock

   

Retained

   

Accumulated other comprehensive

         
   

Shares

   

Amount

   

capital

   

Shares

   

Amount

   

earnings

   

income

   

Total

 

Balance at April 30, 2021

    10,000,000     $ 1,000     $ 991       (436,830 )   $ (7,483 )   $ 72,502     $ 3     $ 67,013  
                                                                 

Net income

                                      5,897             5,897  

Change in unrealized gains on Fixed Income securities, net of taxes

                                            (4 )     (4 )

Purchase of treasury stock

                      (5,409 )     (163 )                 (163 )

Dividends declared

                                      (2,103 )           (2,103 )

Balance at July 31, 2021

    10,000,000     $ 1,000     $ 991       (442,239 )   $ (7,646 )   $ 76,296     $ (1 )   $ 70,640  

 

Dividends declared per common share were $0.22 for the three months ending July 31, 2021.

 

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

 

7

 

Part I - Financial Information

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

 Value Line, Inc.

 Consolidated Condensed Statement of Changes in Shareholders' Equity

 For the Three Months Ended July 31, 2020

 (in thousands, except share amounts)

 (unaudited)

 

   

Common stock

   

Additional paid-in-

   

Treasury stock

   

Retained

   

Accumulated other comprehensive

         
   

Shares

   

Amount

   

capital

   

Shares

   

Amount

   

earnings

   

income

   

Total

 

Balance at April 30, 2020

    10,000,000     $ 1,000     $ 991       (383,279 )   $ (5,957 )   $ 57,374     $ 131     $ 53,539  
                                                                 

Net income

                                      5,274             5,274  

Change in unrealized gains on Fixed Income securities, net of taxes

                                            (37 )     (37 )

Dividends declared

                                      (2,020 )           (2,020 )

Balance at July 31, 2020

    10,000,000     $ 1,000     $ 991       (383,279 )   $ (5,957 )   $ 60,628     $ 94     $ 56,756  

 

Dividends declared per common share were $0.21 for the three months ending July 31, 2020.

 

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

 

8

 

 

Value Line, Inc.

Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements

July 31, 2021

(Unaudited)

 

 

Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:

 

Value Line, Inc. ("Value Line" or "VLI", and collectively with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) is incorporated in the State of New York.  The name "Value Line" as used to describe the Company, its products, and its subsidiaries, is a registered trademark of the Company.  The Company's core business is producing investment periodicals and their underlying research and making available certain Value Line copyrights, Value Line trademarks and Value Line Proprietary Ranks and other proprietary information, to third parties under written agreements for use in third-party managed and marketed investment products and for other purposes.  The Company maintains a significant investment in Eulav Asset Management LLC ("EAM")  from which it receives a non-voting revenues interest  and a non-voting profits interest.  Pursuant to the EAM Declaration of Trust dated as of December 23, 2010 (the "EAM Trust Agreement"), VLI granted EAM the right to use the Value Line name for all existing Value Line Funds and agreed to supply, without charge or expense, the Value Line Proprietary Ranking System information to EAM for use in managing the Value Line Funds.  EAM was established to provide investment management services to the Value Line Mutual Funds ("Value Line Funds" or the "Funds").   

 

The Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as of July 31, 2021 and April 30, 2021, which have been derived from the unaudited interim Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements and the audited Consolidated Financial Statements, respectively,  were prepared following the interim reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  In the opinion of management, the accompanying Unaudited Interim Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals except as noted below) considered necessary for a fair presentation.  This report should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and footnotes contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2021 filed with the SEC on July 29, 2021    (the “Form 10-K”).   Results of operations covered by this report may not be indicative of the results of operations for the entire year.

 

Use of Estimates: 

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts and disclosures. Accordingly, actual results may differ from those estimates.

 

Principles of Consolidation:  

 

The Company follows the guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board's ("FASB") Topic 810 “Consolidation” to determine if it should consolidate its investment in a variable interest entity ("VIE"). A VIE is a legal entity in which either (i) equity investors do not have sufficient equity investment at risk to enable the entity to finance its activities independently or (ii) the equity holders at risk lack the obligation to absorb losses, the right to receive residual returns or the right to make decisions about the entity’s activities that most significantly affect the entity's economic performance.  A holder of a variable interest in a VIE is required to consolidate the entity if it is determined that it has a controlling financial interest in the VIE and is therefore the primary beneficiary.  The determination of a controlling financial interest in a VIE is based on a qualitative assessment to identify the variable interest holder, if any, that has (i) the power to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and (ii) either the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE.  The accounting guidance requires the Company to perform an ongoing assessment of whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of a VIE and the Company has determined it is not the primary beneficiary of a VIE (see Note 3).

 

In accordance with FASB's Topic 810, the assets, liabilities, and results of operations of subsidiaries in which the Company has a controlling interest have been consolidated.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  The Company holds a significant non-voting revenues interest (excluding distribution revenues) and a significant non-voting profits interest in EULAV Asset Management, a Delaware statutory trust (“EAM” or “EAM Trust”).  The Company relied on the guidance in FASB's ASC Topics 323 and 810 in its determination not to consolidate its investment in EAM and to account for such investment under the equity method of accounting. The Company reports the amount it receives for its non-voting revenues and non-voting profits interests as a separate line item below operating income in the Consolidated Condensed  Statements of Income.     

 

Revenue Recognition: 

 

Depending upon the product, subscription fulfillment for Value Line periodicals and related publications is available in print or digitally, via internet access.  The length of a subscription varies by product and offer received by the subscriber.  Generally, subscriptions are offered as annual subscriptions.  Subscription revenues, net of discounts, are recognized ratably on a straight line basis when the product is served to the client over the life of the subscription.  Accordingly, the amount of subscription fees to be earned by fulfilling subscriptions after the date of the balance sheets are shown as unearned revenue within current and long-term liabilities.

 

Copyright fees are derived from providing certain Value Line trademarks and the Value Line Proprietary Ranks to third parties under written agreements for use in selecting securities for third party marketed products, including unit investment trusts, annuities and exchange traded funds ("ETFs").  The Company earns asset-based copyright fees upon delivery of the product to the customer as specified in the individual agreements.  Revenue is recognized monthly and received either quarterly or in advance over the term of the agreement and, because it is asset-based, will fluctuate as the market value of the underlying portfolio increases or decreases in value.  

 

Investment in Unconsolidated Entities:  

 

The Company accounts for its investment in its unconsolidated entity, EAM, using the equity method of accounting in accordance with FASB’s ASC 323.  The equity method is an appropriate means of recognizing increases or decreases measured by GAAP in the economic resources underlying the investments.  Under the equity method, an investor recognizes its share of the earnings or losses of an investee in the periods for which they are reported by the investee in its financial statements rather than in the period in which an investee declares a dividend or distribution. An investor adjusts the carrying amount of an investment for its share of the earnings or losses recognized by the investee.

 

9

 
Value Line, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
July 31, 2021
(Unaudited)
 

The Company’s “interests” in EAM, the investment adviser to and the sole member of the distributor of the Value Line Funds, consist of a "non-voting revenues interest" and a "non-voting profits interest" in EAM as defined in the EAM Trust Agreement.  The non-voting revenues interest entitles the Company to receive a range of 41% to 55% of EAM’s adjusted gross revenues, excluding EULAV Securities' distribution revenues (“Revenues Interest”).  The non-voting profits interest entitles the Company to receive 50% of EAM's profits, subject to certain limited adjustments as defined in the EAM Trust Agreement (“Profits Interest”).  The Revenues Interest and at least 90% of the Profits Interest are to be distributed each quarter to all interest holders of EAM, including Value Line.  The Company's Revenues Interest in EAM excludes participation in the service and distribution fees of EAM's subsidiary EULAV Securities.  The Company reflects its non-voting revenues and non-voting profits interests in EAM as non-operating income under the equity method of accounting.  Although the Company does not have control over the operating and financial policies of EAM, pursuant to the EAM Trust Agreement, the Company has a contractual right to receive its share of EAM's revenues and profits.  

 

Valuation of Securities: 

 

The Company's securities classified as cash equivalents, equity securities and available-for-sale fixed income securities consist of shares of money market funds that invest primarily in short-term U.S. Government securities and investments in equities including ETFs and are valued in accordance with the requirements of the Fair Value Measurements Topic of the FASB's ASC 820.  The securities classified as equity securities reflected in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets are valued at market and unrealized gains and losses are recorded in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income per FASB Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01 ("ASU 2016-01").  The securities classified as available-for-sale  fixed income securities reflected in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets are valued at market and unrealized gains and losses, net of applicable taxes, are reported as a separate component of shareholders' equity. Investment gains and losses on sales of the equity securities are the difference between proceeds from sales and the fair value of the equity securities sold at the beginning of the period or the purchase date, if later.  Investment gains and losses on sales of the available-for-sale fixed income securities are the difference between proceeds from sales and the cost of the securities.  Investment gains and losses on sales of the securities are recorded in earnings as of the trade date and are determined on the identified cost method.  

 

The Company classifies its equity securities and available-for-sale fixed income securities as current assets to properly reflect its liquidity and to recognize the fact that it has liquid assets available-for-sale should the need arise.

 

Market valuations of securities listed on a securities exchange and ETF shares are based on the closing sales prices on the last business day of each month. The market value of the Company's fixed maturity U.S. Government debt securities is determined utilizing publicly quoted market prices.  Cash equivalents consist of investments in money market funds that invest primarily in U.S. Government securities valued in accordance with rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act.

 

The Fair Value Measurements Topic of FASB's ASC defines fair value as the price that the Company would receive upon selling an investment in a timely transaction to an independent buyer in the principal or most advantageous market for the investment. The  Fair Value Measurements Topic established a three-tier hierarchy to maximize the use of observable market data and minimize the use of unobservable inputs and to establish classification of fair value measurements for disclosure purposes. Inputs refer broadly to the information that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability, including assumptions about risk. Examples of risks include those inherent in a particular valuation technique used to measure fair value such as the risk inherent in the inputs to the valuation technique. Inputs are classified as observable or unobservable. Observable inputs are inputs that reflect the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect the reporting entity’s own assumptions about the factors market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. 

 

The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including the Company’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

 

The following summarizes the levels of fair value measurements of the Company’s investments:

 

  

As of July 31, 2021

     

($ in thousands)

 

Level 1

  

Level 2

  

Level 3

  

Total

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 $24,382  $-  $-  $24,382 

Equity securities

  25,282   -   -   25,282 

Available-for-sale fixed income securities

  597   -   -   597 
  $50,261  $-  $-  $50,261 

 

  

As of April 30, 2021

     

($ in thousands)

 

Level 1

  

Level 2

  

Level 3

  

Total

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 $18,209  $-  $-  $18,209 

Equity securities

  23,582   -   -   23,582 

Available-for-sale fixed income securities

  2,600   -   -   2,600 
  $44,391  $-  $-  $44,391 

 

10

 
Value Line, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
July 31, 2021
(Unaudited)
 

The Company had no other financial instruments such as futures, forwards and swap contracts. For the periods ended July 31, 2021 and April 30, 2021, there were no Level 2 nor Level 3 investments. The Company does not have any liabilities that are subject to fair value measurement.

 

Advertising expenses:  

 

The Company expenses advertising costs as incurred.

 

Income Taxes:

 

The Company computes its income tax provision in accordance with the Income Tax Topic of the FASB's ASC.  Deferred tax liabilities and assets are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been reflected in the Consolidated Condensed  Financial Statements. Deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the differences between the book values and the tax bases of particular assets and liabilities, using tax rates currently in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse.  The Company adopted the provisions of ASU 2015-17, Income taxes (Topic 740) during the first quarter of fiscal 2018 and now classifies all deferred taxes as long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.

 

The Income Tax Topic of the FASB's ASC establishes for all entities, a minimum threshold for financial statement recognition of the benefit of positions taken in filing tax returns (including whether an entity is taxable in a particular jurisdiction), and requires certain expanded tax disclosures.  As of July 31, 2021, management has reviewed the tax positions for the years still subject to tax audit under the statute of limitations, evaluated the implications, and determined that there is no material impact to the Company's financial statements.

 

Earnings per share:  

 

Earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock and common stock equivalents outstanding during each period. Any shares that are reacquired during the period are weighted for the portion of the period that they are outstanding.  The Company does not have any potentially dilutive common shares from outstanding stock options, warrants, restricted stock, or restricted stock units.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents:  

 

For purposes of the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows, the Company considers all cash held at banks and short term liquid investments with an original maturity of less than three months to be cash and cash equivalents. As of July 31, 2021 and April 30, 2021, cash equivalents included $24,382,000 and $18,209,000, respectively, for amounts invested in money market mutual funds that invest in short term U.S. government securities.

 

 

Note 2 - Investments:

 

Investments held by the Company and its subsidiaries are classified as  equity securities and available-for-sale fixed income securities in accordance with FASB's ASC 321, Investments - Equity Securities and with FASB's ASC 320, Investments - Debt Securities.  All of the Company's securities were readily marketable or had a maturity of twelve months or less and are classified as current assets  on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.

 

Equity Securities:

 

Equity securities on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets, consist of ETFs held for dividend yield that attempt to replicate the performance of certain equity indexes and ETFs that hold preferred shares primarily of financial institutions.  

 

As of July 31, 2021 and April 30, 2021, the aggregate cost of the equity securities, which consist of investments in the SPDR Series Trust S&P Dividend ETF (SDY), First Trust Value Line Dividend Index ETF (FVD), Invesco Financial Preferred ETF (PGF), ProShares Trust S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL), iShares Preferred & Income Securities ETF (PFF), and other Exchange Traded Funds and common stock equity securities was a combined total $20,609,000 and $19,105,000, respectively, and the fair value was $25,282,000 and $23,582,000, respectively.  

 

Proceeds from sales of equity securities during the three months ended July 31, 2021 and July 31, 2020, were $34,000 and $4,637,000, respectively.     

 

The carrying value and fair value of equity securities at July 31, 2021 were as follows:

 

($ in thousands)

 

Cost

  

Gross Unrealized

Gains

  

Gross Unrealized

Losses

  

Fair Value

 

ETFs - equities

 $20,609  $4,793  $(120) $25,282 

 

The carrying value and fair value of equity securities at April 30, 2021 were as follows:

 

($ in thousands)

 

Cost

  

Gross Unrealized

Gains

  

Gross Unrealized

Losses

  

Fair Value

 

ETFs - equities

 $19,105  $4,532  $(55) $23,582 

 

11

 
Value Line, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
July 31, 2021
(Unaudited)
 

Government Debt Securities (Fixed Income Securities):

 

Fixed income securities consist of certificates of deposits and securities issued by federal, state and local governments within the United States.  

 

Proceeds from maturities and sales of government debt securities classified as available-for-sale during the three months ended July 31, 2021 and July 31, 2020, were $2,496,000 and $3,464,000, respectively.  As of July, 2021, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income included unrealized  losses of $500, net of deferred tax benefit of $100.  As of April 30, 2021, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income included unrealized  gains of $4,000, net of deferred taxes of $1,000. 

 

The aggregate cost and fair value at July 31, 2021 of fixed income securities classified as available-for-sale were as follows:

 

  

Amortized

  

Gross Unrealized

     

($ in thousands)

 

Historical Cost

  

Holding Gains

  

Fair Value

 

Maturity

            

Due within 1 year

 $597  $-  $597 

Total investment in government debt securities

 $597  $-  $597 

 

The increase in gross unrealized  losses of $4,000 on fixed income securities classified as available-for-sale net of deferred income taxes of $1,000, was included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet as of July 31, 2021.

 

The aggregate cost and fair value at April 30, 2021 of fixed income securities classified as available-for-sale were as follows:

 

  

Amortized

  

Gross Unrealized

     

($ in thousands)

 

Historical Cost

  

Holding Gains

  

Fair Value

 

Maturity

            

Due within 1 year

 $2,596  $4  $2,600 

Total investment in government debt securities

 $2,596  $4  $2,600 

 

The decrease in gross unrealized  gains of $173,000 on fixed income securities classified as available-for-sale net of deferred income taxes of $45,000, was included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet as of April 30, 2021.

 

The average yield on the Government debt securities classified as available-for-sale at July 31, 2021 and April 30, 2021 was 0.32% and 1.4%, respectively.

 

Investment Gains/(Losses):

 

Investment gains/(losses) were comprised of the following:

 

  

Three Months Ended July 31,

 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

  

2020

 

Dividend income

 $196  $121 

Interest income

  1   56 

Investment gains recognized on sales of equity securities during the period

  -   300 

Unrealized gains recognized on equity securities held at the end of the period

  198   695 

Other

  (1)  (1)

Total investment gains/(losses)

 $394  $1,171 

 

Taxable realized gains on equity securities sold during fiscal years 2022 and 2021, which are generally the difference between the proceeds from sales and our original cost, were gains of $2,000 in fiscal 2022 and gains of $783,000 in fiscal 2021.  

 

Investment in Unconsolidated Entities:

Equity Method Investment:

 

As of July 31, 2021 and April 30, 2021, the Company's investment in EAM Trust on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets was $60,905,000 and $60,977,000, respectively.

 

The value of VLI’s investment in EAM at July 31, 2021 and April 30, 2021 reflects the fair value of contributed capital of $55,805,000 at inception which included $5,820,000 of cash and liquid securities in excess of working capital requirements contributed to EAM’s capital account by VLI, plus VLI's share of non-voting revenues and non-voting profits from EAM less distributions, made quarterly to VLI by EAM, during the period subsequent to its initial investment through the dates of the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.

 

12

 
Value Line, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
July 31, 2021
(Unaudited)
 

It is anticipated that EAM will have sufficient liquidity and earn enough profit to conduct its current and future operations so the management of EAM will not need additional funding. 

 

The Company monitors its Investment in EAM Trust for impairment to determine whether an event or change in circumstances has occurred that may have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment.  Impairment indicators include, but are not limited to the following: (a) a significant deterioration in the earnings performance, asset quality, or business prospects of the investee, (b) a significant adverse change in the regulatory, economic, or technological environment of the investee, (c) a significant adverse change in the general market condition of the industry in which the investee operates, or (d) factors that raise significant concerns about the investee’s ability to continue as a going concern such as negative cash flows, working capital deficiencies, or noncompliance with statutory capital and regulatory requirements.  EAM did not record any impairment losses for its assets during the fiscal years 2022 or 2021.

 

The components of EAM’s investment management operations, provided to the Company by EAM, were as follows:

 

  

Three Months Ended July 31,

 

($ in thousands) (unaudited)

 

2021

  

2020

 

Investment management fees earned from the Value Line Funds, net of waivers shown below

 $7,757  $6,310 

12b-1 fees and other fees, net of waivers shown below

 $2,454  $2,301 

Other income

 $72  $110 

Investment management fee waivers and reimbursements

 $107  $43 

12b-1 fee waivers

 $171  $157 

Value Line’s non-voting revenues interest

 $4,149  $3,280 

EAM's net income (1)

 $1,312  $728 

 

(1) Represents EAM's net income, after giving effect to Value Line’s non-voting revenues interest, but before distributions to voting profits interest holders and to the Company in respect of its 50% non-voting profits interest. 

 

  

July 31,

  

April 30,

 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

  

2021

 
  

(unaudited)

     

EAM's total assets

 $64,048  $64,197 

EAM's total liabilities (1)

  (7,085)  (6,870)

EAM's total equity

 $56,963  $57,327 

 

(1) At July 31, 2021 and April 30, 2021, EAM's total liabilities included a payable to VLI for its accrued non-voting revenues interest and non-voting profits interest of $4,739,000 and $4,664,000, respectively.

 

 

Note 3 - Variable Interest Entity

 

The Company holds a  non-voting revenues interest and a 50% non-voting profits interest in EAM, the adviser to the Value Line asset management and mutual fund distribution businesses.  EAM is considered to be a VIE in relation to the Company.  The Company makes its determination for consolidation of EAM as a VIE based on a qualitative assessment of the purpose and design of EAM, the terms and characteristics of the variable interests in EAM, and the risks EAM is designed to originate and pass through to holders of variable interests.  Other than EAM, the Company does not have an interest in any other VIEs.

 

The Company has determined that it does not have a controlling financial interest in EAM because it does not have the power to direct the activities of EAM that most significantly impact its economic performance.  Value Line does not hold any voting stock of EAM and it does not have any involvement in the day-to-day activities or operations of EAM.  Although the EAM Trust Agreement provides Value Line with certain consent rights and contains certain restrictive covenants related to the activities of EAM, these are considered to be protective rights and therefore Value Line does not maintain control over EAM.

 

In addition, although EAM is expected to be profitable, there is a risk that it could operate at a loss.   While all of the profit interest shareholders in EAM are subject to variability based on EAM’s operations risk, Value Line’s non-voting revenues interest in EAM is a preferred interest in the revenues of EAM, rather than a profits interest in EAM, and Value Line accordingly believes it is subject to proportionately less risk than other holders of the profits interests.

 

The Company has not provided any explicit or implicit financial or other support to EAM other than what was contractually agreed to in the EAM Trust Agreement.  Value Line has no obligation to fund EAM in the future and, as a result, has no exposure to loss beyond its initial investment and any undistributed revenues and profits interests retained in EAM.  The following table presents the total assets of EAM, the maximum exposure to loss due to involvement with EAM, as well as the value of the assets and liabilities the Company has recorded on its Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets for its interest in EAM.

 

13

 
Value Line, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
July 31, 2021
(Unaudited)
 
           

Value Line

 

($ in thousands)

 

VIE Assets

   

Investment in EAM

Trust (1)

   

Liabilities

   

Maximum

Exposure to Loss

 

As of July 31, 2021 (unaudited)

  $ 64,048     $ 60,905     $ -     $ 60,905  

As of April 30, 2021

  $ 64,197     $ 60,977     $ -     $ 60,977  

 

(1)  Reported within Long-Term Assets on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.

 

 

Note 4 - Supplementary Cash Flows Information:

 

Reconciliation of Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash:

 

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the Consolidated Condensed Statement of Cash Flows that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the Consolidated Condensed Statement of Cash Flows.

 

   

Three Months Ended July 31,

 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

   

2020

 

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 25,035     $ 7,769  

Restricted cash

    469       469  

Total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash shown in the Consolidated Condensed Statement of Cash Flows

  $ 25,504     $ 8,238  

 

Income Tax Payments:

 

The Company made income tax payments as follows:

 

   

Three Months Ended July 31,

 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

   

2020

 

State and local income tax payments

  $ 5     $ 243  

Federal income tax payments to the Parent

    -       700  

 

 

Note 5 - Employees' Profit Sharing and Savings Plan:

 

Substantially all employees of the Company and its subsidiaries are members of the Value Line, Inc. Profit Sharing and Savings Plan (the "Plan").  In general, this is a qualified, contributory plan which provides for a discretionary annual Company contribution. For the three months ended July 31, 2021 and July 31, 2020, the estimated profit sharing plan contributions, which are included as expenses in salaries and employee benefits in the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income, were $188,000 each year in both fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021. 

 

 

Note 6 - Comprehensive Income:

 

The FASB's ASC Comprehensive Income topic requires the reporting of comprehensive income in addition to net income from operations.  Comprehensive income is a more inclusive financial reporting methodology that includes disclosure of certain financial information that otherwise would not be recognized in the calculation of net income.

 

As of July 31, 2021 and July 31, 2020 the Company held fixed income securities consisting of certificates of deposits and securities issued by federal, state, and local governments within the United States that are classified as securities available-for-sale on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. The change in valuation of fixed income securities, net of deferred income taxes, has been recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income in the Company's Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets. 

 

The components of comprehensive income included in the Consolidated  Condensed Statements of Income and Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the three months ended July 31, 2021 are as follows:

 

($ in thousands)

 

Amount Before Tax

   

Tax (Expense) /

Benefit

   

Amount Net of

Tax

 

Change in unrealized losses on available-for-sale fixed income securities

  $ (4 )   $ -     $ (4 )
    $ (4 )   $ -     $ (4 )

 

The components of comprehensive income included in the Consolidated  Condensed Statements of Income and Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the three months ended July 31, 2020 are as follows:

 

($ in thousands)

 

Amount Before Tax

   

Tax (Expense) /

Benefit

   

Amount Net of

Tax

 

Change in unrealized gains on available-for-sale fixed income securities

  $ (49 )   $ 12     $ (37 )
    $ (49 )   $ 12     $ (37 )

 

14

 
Value Line, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
July 31, 2021
(Unaudited)

 

 

Note 7 - Related Party Transactions:

 

Investment Management (overview):

 

The Company has substantial non-voting revenues and non-voting profits interests in EAM, the asset manager to the Value Line Mutual Funds.  Accordingly, the Company does not report this operation as a separate business segment, although it maintains a significant interest in the cash flows generated by this business and receives non-voting revenues and non-voting profits interests, as discussed below. 

 

Total assets in the Value Line Funds managed and/or distributed by EAM at July 31, 2021, were $5.0 billion, 16.0% above total assets of $4.3 billion in the Value Line Funds managed and/or distributed  by EAM at July 31, 2020.  

 

The Company’s non-voting revenues and non-voting profits interests in EAM entitle it to receive quarterly distributions in a range of 41% to 55% of EAM’s revenues (excluding distribution revenues) from EAM’s mutual fund and separate account business and 50% of the residual profits of EAM (subject to temporary increase in certain limited circumstances).  The Voting Profits Interest Holders receive the other 50% of residual profits of EAM.  Distribution is not less than 90% of EAM’s profits payable each fiscal quarter under the provisions of the EAM Trust Agreement.   Value Line’s percent share of EAM’s revenues is calculated each fiscal quarter.  The applicable recent non-voting revenues interest percentage for the first quarter of fiscal 2022 was 53.51%.

 

EAM Trust - VLI's non-voting revenues and non-voting profits interests:

 

The Company holds non-voting revenues and non-voting profits interests in EAM which entitle the Company to receive from EAM an amount ranging from 41% to 55% of EAM's investment management fee revenues from its mutual fund and separate accounts business.  EAM currently has no separately managed account fees.  The Company recorded income from its non-voting revenues interest and its non-voting profits interests in EAM as follows: 

 

  

Three Months Ended July 31,

 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

  

2020

 

Non-voting revenues interest in EAM

 $4,149  $3,280 

Non-voting profits interest in EAM

  656   364 
  $4,805  $3,644 

 

At July 31, 2021, the Company's investment in EAM includes a receivable of $4,739,000 representing the quarterly distribution of the non-voting revenues share and non-voting profits share.  That amount was subsequently paid to the Company.

 

Transactions with Parent:

 

During the three months ended July 31, 2021 and July 31, 2020, the Company was reimbursed $64,000 and $95,000,  respectively, for payments it made on behalf of and for services the Company provided to the Parent Company, Arnold Bernhard and Co., Inc. ("Parent").  There were no receivables from the Parent on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets at July 31, 2021 and April 30, 2021.  

 

The Company is a party to a tax-sharing arrangement with the Parent which allocates the tax liabilities of the two Companies between them.  The Company did not make federal tax payments to the Parent  during the three months ended July 31, 2021.  The Company made federal tax payments of $700,000 to the Parent during the three months ended July 31, 2020.

 

As of July 31, 2021, the Parent owned 90.33% of the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company.

 

 

Note 8 - Federal, State and Local Income Taxes:

 

In accordance with the requirements of the Income Tax Topic of the FASB's ASC, the Company's provision for income taxes includes the following:

 

  

Three Months Ended July 31,

 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

  

2020

 

Current tax expense:

        

Federal

 $1,466  $1,313 

State and local

  269   353 

Current tax expense

  1,735   1,666 

Deferred tax expense (benefit):

        

Federal

  41   89 

State and local

  (209)  12 

Deferred tax expense (benefit):

  (168)  101 

Income tax provision

 $1,567  $1,767 

 

On December 22, 2017 H.R. 1, originally known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act"), was enacted.  The Tax Act lowered the U.S. federal income tax rate ("Federal Tax Rate") from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018.  Accordingly, the Company computes Federal income tax expense using the Federal Tax Rate of 21% in fiscal year 2019 and each year thereafter.

 

15

 
Value Line, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
July 31, 2021
(Unaudited)
 

The overall effective income tax rates, as a percentage of pre-tax ordinary income for the three months ended July 31, 2021 and July 31, 2020 were 20.99% and 25.10%, respectively.  The decrease in the effective tax rate during three months ended July 31, 2021 as compared to July 31, 2020, is primarily a result of a decrease in the state and local income taxes from 4.35% to .32% as a result of changes in state and local income tax allocations, such as the effect of the reduction in the New York State and New York City tax allocation factors, on deferred taxes in fiscal 2022.  The Company's annualized overall effective tax rate fluctuates due to a number of factors, in addition to changes in tax law, including but not limited to an increase or decrease in the ratio of items that do not have tax consequences to pre-income tax, the Company's geographic profit mix between tax jurisdictions, taxation method adopted by each locality, new interpretations of existing tax laws and rulings and settlements with tax authorities.   

 

Deferred income taxes, a liability, are provided for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of the Company's assets and liabilities.  The tax effect of temporary differences giving rise to the Company's long-term deferred tax liability are as follows:

 

  

July 31,

  

April 30,

 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

  

2021

 

Federal tax liability (benefit):

        

Deferred gain on deconsolidation of EAM

 $10,670  $10,669 

Deferred non-cash post-employment compensation

  (372)  (372)

Depreciation and amortization

  98   108 

Unrealized gain on equity securities

  981   941 

Right of Use Asset

  (198)  (196)

Deferred charges

  (187)  (186)

Other

  (110)  (218)

Total federal tax liability

  10,882   10,746 
         

State and local tax liabilities (benefits):

        

Deferred gain on deconsolidation of EAM

  1,798   1,807 

Deferred non-cash post-employment compensation

  (61)  (63)

Depreciation and amortization

  17   18 

Unrealized gain on equity securities

  121   159 

Other

  617   238 

Total state and local tax liabilities

  2,492   2,159 

Deferred tax liability, long-term

 $13,374  $12,905 

 

At the end of each interim reporting period, the Company estimates the effective income tax rate to apply for the full fiscal year. The Company uses the effective income tax rate determined to provide for income taxes on a year-to-date basis and reflects the tax effect of any tax law changes and certain other discrete events in the period in which they occur.

 

The provision for income taxes differs from the amount of income tax determined by applying the applicable U.S. statutory income tax rate to pretax income as a result of the following:

 

  

Three Months Ended July 31,

 
  

2021

  

2020

 

U.S. statutory federal tax rate

  21.00%  21.00%

Increase (decrease) in tax rate from:

        

State and local income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit

  0.32%  4.35%

Effect of dividends received deductions

  (0.38)%  (0.26)%

Other, net

  0.05%  0.01%

Effective income tax rate

  20.99%  25.10%

 

The Company believes that, as of July 31, 2021, there were no material uncertain tax positions that would require disclosure under GAAP. 

 

The Company is included in the consolidated federal income tax return of the Parent.  The Company has a tax sharing agreement which requires it to make tax payments to the Parent equal to the Company's liability/(benefit) as if it filed a separate return.  Beginning with the fiscal year ended April 30, 2017, the Company files combined income tax returns with the Parent on a unitary basis in certain states.  

 

The Company’s federal income tax returns (included in the Parent’s consolidated returns) and state and city tax returns for fiscal years ended 2018 through 2020, are subject to examination by the tax authorities, generally for three years after they are filed with the tax authorities. The Company is presently engaged in a New York City tax audit for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2017 through 2019 and does not expect it to have a material effect on the financial statements.  

 

16

 
Value Line, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
July 31, 2021
(Unaudited)

 

 

Note 9 - Property and Equipment:

 

Property and equipment are carried at cost.  Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, or in the case of leasehold improvements, over the remaining terms of the leases.  For income tax purposes, depreciation of furniture and equipment is computed using accelerated methods and buildings and leasehold improvements are depreciated over prescribed extended tax lives. Property and equipment, net, on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets was comprised of the following:

 

   

July 31,

   

April 30,

 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

   

2021

 
                 

Building and leasehold improvements

  $ 1,013     $ 1,013  

Operating lease - right-of-use asset

    7,257       7,522  

Furniture and equipment

    4,080       4,080  
      12,350       12,615  

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

    (4,351 )     (4,304 )

Total property and equipment, net

  $ 7,999     $ 8,311  

 

 

Note 10 - Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed for Internal Use:

 

The Company has adopted the provisions of the Statement of Position 98-1 (SOP 98-1), "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed for Internal Use".  SOP 98-1 requires companies to capitalize as long-lived assets many of the costs associated with developing or purchasing software for internal use and amortize those costs over the software's estimated useful life in a systematic and rational manner.  Such costs, when incurred, are capitalized and amortized over the expected useful life of the asset, normally 3 to 5 years.  Total amortization expenses during the three months ended July 31, 2021 and July 31, 2020, were $21,000 and $13,000, respectively.  

 

During the three months ended July 31, 2021, the Company did not incur and did not capitalize expenditures related to third party programmers' costs or to the development of software for internal use.  The Company, capitalized  $82,000 third party programmers' costs, during the three months ended July 31, 2020.  The Company  did not incur and did not capitalize expenditures related to the development of software for internal use during the three months ended July 31, 2020.    

 

 

Note 11 - Treasury Stock and Repurchase Program:

 

On July 16, 2021, the Company's Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of shares of the Company’s common stock up to an aggregate purchase price of $2,000,000.  The repurchases may be made from time to time on the open market at prevailing market prices, in negotiated transactions off the market, in block purchases or otherwise. The repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time at the Company’s discretion and has no set expiration date. 

 

Treasury stock, at cost, consists of the following:

 

(in thousands except for shares and cost per share)

 

Shares

   

Cost Assigned

   

Average Cost per

Share

   

Aggregate Purchase Price

Remaining Under the Program

 

Balance as of April 30, 2021

    436,830     $ 7,483     $ 17.13     $ 474  

Purchases effected in open market during the months ended:

                               

May 31, 2021

    1,339       39       29.30       435  

June 30, 2021

    3,963       120       30.29       315  

July 31, 2021

    107       4       31.34       2,000  

Balance as of July 31, 2021

    442,239     $ 7,646     $ 17.29     $ 2,000  

 

 

Note 12 - Lease Commitments:

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)”.  This ASU requires that, for leases longer than one year, a lessee recognize in the statements of financial position a right-of-use asset, representing the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term, and a lease liability, representing the liability to make lease payments. It also requires that for finance leases, a lessee recognize interest expense on the lease liability, separately from the amortization of the right-of-use asset in the statements of earnings, while for operating leases, such amounts should be recognized as a combined expense. The firm adopted this ASU in May 2019 under a modified retrospective approach. 

 

The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 using a modified retrospective transition approach as of the Effective Date as permitted by the amendments in ASU 2018-11, which provides an alternative modified retrospective transition method. As a result, the Company was not required to adjust its comparative period financial information for effects of the standard or make the new required lease disclosures for periods before the date of adoption (i.e. May 1, 2019). The Company has elected to employ the transitionary relief offered by the FASB and, therefore, has not reassessed (1) whether existing or expired contracts contain a lease, (2) lease classification for existing or expired leases or (3) the accounting for initial direct costs that were previously capitalized.  

 

17

 
Value Line, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
July 31, 2021
(Unaudited)
 

The Company leases office space in New York, NY and a warehouse and appurtenant office space in Lyndhurst, NJ. The Company has evaluated these leases and determined that they are operating leases under the definitions of the guidance of ASU 2016-02.

 

The right-of-use asset is initially measured at cost, which comprises the initial amount of the lease liability adjusted for lease payments made at or before the lease commencement date, plus any initial direct costs incurred less any lease incentives received. For operating leases, the right-of-use asset is subsequently measured throughout the lease term at the carrying amount of the lease liability, plus initial direct costs, plus (minus) any prepaid (accrued) lease payments, less the unamortized balance of lease incentives received.

 

On May 1, 2019, the Company recorded a right-of-use asset in the amount of $9,575,000, which represents the lease liability of $10,340,000 adjusted for previously recorded unamortized lease incentives in the amount of $765,000. The right-of-use asset is amortized over the remaining lease term in the amount equal to the difference between the calculated straight-line expense of the total lease payments less the monthly interest calculated on the remaining lease liability. As of July 31, 2021, the Company had a long-term lease asset of $7,257,000 recorded in property and equipment in its Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.

 

The Company recognizes lease expense, calculated as the remaining cost of the lease allocated over the remaining lease term on a straight-line basis. Lease expense is presented as part of continuing operations in the consolidated condensed statements of income. The Company recognized $375,000 in lease expenses in both fiscal years 2022 and 2021 during the three months ended July 31, 2021 and July 31, 2020, respectively.

 

For the three months ended July 31, 2021, the Company paid $364,000 in rent relating to the leases. As a payment arising from an operating lease, the $364,000 is classified within operating activities in the consolidated condensed statements of cash flows.

 

The Company’s leases generally do not provide an implicit interest rate, and therefore the Company estimated an incremental borrowing rate, or IBR, as of the commencement date, to determine the present value of its operating lease liabilities. The IBR is defined under ASC 842 as the rate of interest that the Company would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term for an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. The following table reconciles the undiscounted future minimum lease payments to the total operating lease liabilities recognized on the Consolidated  Condensed Balance Sheet as of July 31, 2021:

 

Fiscal years ended April 30,

 

($ in thousands)

 

2022*

 $1,142 

2023

  1,597 

2024

  1,634 

2025

  1,428 

2026

  1,461 

Thereafter

  2,375 

Total undiscounted future minimum lease payments

  9,637 

Less: difference between undiscounted lease payments & the present value of future lease payments

  1,436 

Total operating lease liabilities

 $8,201 

 

* Excludes the three months ended July 31, 2021

 

 

Note 13 - Restricted Cash and Deposits:

 

Restricted Money Market Investment in the noncurrent assets on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet at July 31, 2021, includes $469,000, which represents cash invested in a bank money market fund securing a letter of credit ("LOC") in the amount of $469,000 issued to the sublandlord as a security deposit for the Company's New York City leased corporate office facility.  Effective October 3, 2021, the LOC and restricted cash  will be reduced to $305,000 according to the lease agreement.

 

 

Note 14 - Concentration:

 

During the  three months ended July 31, 2021, 31.7% of total publishing revenues of $10,166,000 were derived from a single customer.

 

 

Note 15 - Concentration of Credit Risk:

 

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk consist principally of cash deposits. Accounts at each institution are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to $250,000. As of July 31, 2021 and July 31, 2020, the Company had $3,462,000 and $1,935,000, respectively, in excess of the FDIC insured limit.  Management has concluded the excess does not represent a material risk, based on the creditworthiness  of the counter parties.

 

18

 
Value Line, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements
July 31, 2021
(Unaudited)

 

 

Note 16 - Paycheck Protection Program Loan:

 

Shortly after declaration of the COVID-19 pandemic and "lockdowns" of numerous non-essential businesses, the Company in April of 2020 executed a note and received a loan (the "PPP Loan") from JP Morgan Chase Bank under the Paycheck Protection Program ("PPP") which was established under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the "CARES Act") and is administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration ("SBA").  In April 2020, the Company received the PPP Loan of $2,331,365.  The proceeds from the PPP Loan were used in accordance with the terms of the CARES Act program, as described further below.

 

The term of the PPP Loan is two years.  The interest rate on the PPP Loan is 1.00%.  Payments of principal and interest are deferred until ten months after the loan covered period (twenty-four weeks after receipt of the loan).  Pursuant to the terms of the CARES Act, the proceeds of the PPP Loan may be used for payroll costs, mortgage interest, rent or utility costs.  The promissory note evidencing the PPP Loan contains customary events of default relating to, among other things, payment defaults, breach of representations and warranties, or provisions of the promissory note.  The occurrence of an event of default may result in a claim for the immediate repayment of all amounts outstanding under such PPP Loan, collection of all amounts owing from the respective Borrower, filing suit and obtaining judgment against the respective Borrower.

 

Under the terms of the CARES Act, Borrowers can apply for and be granted forgiveness for all or a portion of the PPP Loan.  Such forgiveness will be determined, subject to limitations, based on the use of loan proceeds in accordance with the terms of the CARES Act, as described above, during a period not to exceed a twenty-four week period after loan origination and the maintenance or achievement of certain employee levels.  No assurance is provided that a Borrower will obtain forgiveness under any relevant PPP Loan in whole or in part.

 

The Company has been informed that its lender under the PPP authorization reviewed an application for full forgiveness of the PPP loan and submitted it for SBA review in August 2021. The application is pending.

 
 

 

19

 

Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

 

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

 

In this report, “Value Line,” “we,” “us,” “our” refers to Value Line, Inc. and “the Company” refers to Value Line and its subsidiaries unless the context otherwise requires.

 

This report contains statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions (including certain projections and business trends) accompanied by such phrases as “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “will”, “intend” and other similar or negative expressions, that are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. Actual results for the Company may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the following:

 

 

maintaining revenue from subscriptions for the Company’s digital and print published products;

 

changes in investment trends and economic conditions, including global financial issues;

 

protecting intellectual property rights in Company methods and trademarks;

 

dependence on non-voting revenues and non-voting profits interests in EULAV Asset Management, a Delaware statutory trust (“EAM” or “EAM Trust”), which serves as the investment advisor to the Value Line Funds and engages in related distribution, marketing and administrative services;

 

fluctuations in EAM’s and third party copyright assets under management due to broadly based changes in the values of equity and debt securities, redemptions by investors and other factors;

 

possible changes in the valuation of EAM’s intangible assets from time to time;

 

generating future revenues or collection of receivables from significant customers;

 

dependence on key executive and specialist personnel;

 

competition in the fields of publishing, copyright and investment management, along with associated effects on the level and structure of prices and fees, and the mix of services delivered;

 

the impact of government regulation on the Company’s and EAM’s businesses;

 

availability of free or low cost investment data through discount brokers or generally over the internet;

 

terrorist attacks, cyber attacks and natural disasters;

 

the coronavirus pandemic, which has drastically affected markets, employment, and other economic conditions, and may have additional unpredictable impacts on employees, suppliers, customers, and operations;

 

other possible epidemics;

 

changes in prices of materials and other inputs and services, such as freight and postage, required by the Company;

 

other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the risks described in Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2021 and in Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended July 31, 2021; and other risks and uncertainties arising from time to time.

 

These factors are not necessarily all of the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any of our forward-looking statements. Other unknown or unpredictable factors which may involve external factors over which we may have no control or changes in our plans, strategies, objectives, expectations or intentions, which may happen at any time at our discretion, could also have material adverse effects on future results. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, we have no duty to update these statements, and we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of these risks and uncertainties, current plans, anticipated actions, and future financial conditions and results may differ from those expressed in any forward-looking information contained herein.

 

20

 

Executive Summary of the Business

 

The Company's core business is producing investment periodicals and their underlying research and making available certain Value Line copyrights, Value Line trademarks and Value Line Proprietary Ranks and other proprietary information, to third parties under written agreements for use in third-party managed and marketed investment products and for other purposes. Value Line markets under well-known brands including Value Line®, the Value Line logo®, The Value Line Investment Survey®, Smart Research, Smarter Investing and The Most Trusted Name in Investment Research®. The name "Value Line" as used to describe the Company, its products, and its subsidiaries, is a registered trademark of the Company. EULAV Asset Management Trust (“EAM”) was established to provide the investment management services to the Value Line Funds, institutional and individual accounts and provide distribution, marketing, and administrative services to the Value Line® Mutual Funds ("Value Line Funds"). The Company maintains a significant investment in EAM from which it receives payments in respect of its non-voting revenues and non-voting profits interests.

 

The Company’s target audiences within the investment research field are individual investors, colleges, libraries, and investment management professionals. Individuals come to Value Line for complete research in one package. Institutional licensees consist of corporations, financial professionals, colleges, and municipal libraries. Libraries and universities offer the Company’s detailed research to their patrons and students. Investment management professionals use the research and historical information in their day-to-day businesses. The Company has a dedicated department that solicits institutional subscriptions.

 

Payments received for new and renewal subscriptions and the value of receivables for amounts billed to retail and institutional customers are recorded as unearned revenue until the order is fulfilled. As the orders are fulfilled, the Company recognizes revenue in equal installments over the life of the particular subscription. Accordingly, the subscription fees to be earned by fulfilling subscriptions after the date of a particular balance sheet are shown on that balance sheet as unearned revenue within current and long-term liabilities.

 

The investment periodicals and related publications (retail and institutional) and Value Line copyrights and Value Line Proprietary Ranks and other proprietary information consolidate into one segment called Publishing. The Publishing segment constitutes the Company’s only reportable business segment.

 

Asset Management and Mutual Fund Distribution Businesses

 

Pursuant to the EAM Declaration of Trust, the Company maintains an interest in certain revenues of EAM and a portion of the residual profits of EAM but has no voting authority with respect to the election or removal of the trustees of EAM or control of its business.

 

The business of EAM is managed by its trustees each owning 20% of the voting profits interest in EAM and by its officers subject to the direction of the trustees. The Company’s non-voting revenues and non-voting profits interests in EAM entitle it to receive a range of 41% to 55% of EAM’s revenues (excluding distribution revenues) from EAM’s mutual fund and separate account business and 50% of the residual profits of EAM (subject to temporary increase in certain limited circumstances). The Voting Profits Interest Holders will receive the other 50% of residual profits of EAM. Distribution is not less than 90% of EAM’s profits payable each fiscal quarter under the provisions of the EAM Trust Agreement.

 

21

 

Business Environment

 

The nation's economy, which had suffered the most severe business downturn since the Great Depression of the 1930s, during the first half of 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic raced across the globe, recovered strongly in the recent year's final six months and then continued to press ahead in the initial two quarters of this year.

 

In all, the economic expansion is proceeding at a stellar pace so far this year, with U.S. GDP gaining 6.3% and 6.6%, respectively, in the first and second quarters. Underpinning these back-to-back impressive interim performances were increases in consumer expenditures, nonresidential fixed investment, and exports, the reopening of earlier shuttered establishments, and continuing government assistance payments in the form of loans and grants.

 

Looking ahead, we see growth continuing, albeit perhaps at a somewhat more restrained pace, in the homestretch of this year, as rising COVID-19 infection rates, the gradual tapering of Federal Reserve asset purchases, and other monetary support measures likely lead to a more subdued pace of improvement. All told, GDP growth could average 5%, or slightly more in the third and fourth quarters.

 

All in all, this is a rather supportive backdrop for equities, with the largest risks being a series of missteps by the Federal Reserve or serious turmoil on the global front, where the situation in Afghanistan has deteriorated notably in recent weeks.

 

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended July 31, 2021 and July 31, 2020

 

The following table illustrates the Company’s key components of revenues and expenses.

 

   

Three Months Ended July 31,

 

($ in thousands, except earnings per share)

 

2021

   

2020

   

Change

 

Income from operations

  $ 2,265     $ 2,226       1.8 %

Non-voting revenues and non-voting profits interests from EAM Trust

    4,805       3,644       31.9 %

Income from operations plus non-voting revenues and non-voting profits interests from EAM Trust

  $ 7,070     $ 5,870       20.4 %

Operating expenses

  $ 7,901     $ 8,102       -2.5 %

Investment gains

  $ 394     $ 1,171       -66.4 %

Income before income taxes

  $ 7,464     $ 7,041       6.0 %

Net income

  $ 5,897     $ 5,274       11.8 %

Earnings per share

  $ 0.62     $ 0.55       12.7 %

 

During the three months ended July 31, 2021, the Company’s net income of $5,897,000, or $0.62 per share, was 11.8% above net income of $5,274,000, or $0.55 per share, for the three months ended July 31, 2020. During the three months ended July 31, 2021, the Company’s income from operations of $2,265,000 was 1.8% above income from operations of $2,226,000 during the three months ended July 31, 2020. For the three months ended July 31, 2021, operating expenses decreased 2.5% below those during the three months ended July 31, 2020. The largest factor in the increase in net income during the three months ended July 31, 2021, compared to the prior fiscal year, was an increase from revenues and profits interests in EAM Trust and well controlled expenses including state taxes on income.

 

During the three months ended July 31, 2021, there were 9,559,992 average common shares outstanding as compared to 9,616,721 average common shares outstanding during the three months ended July 31, 2020.

 

22

 

Total operating revenues

 

   

Three Months Ended July 31,

 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

   

2020

   

Change

 

Investment periodicals and related publications:

                       

Print

  $ 2,986     $ 3,194       -6.5 %

Digital

    3,961       3,898       1.6 %

Total investment periodicals and related publications

    6,947       7,092       -2.0 %

Copyright fees

    3,219       3,236       -0.5 %

Total publishing revenues

  $ 10,166     $ 10,328       -1.6 %

 

Within investment periodicals and related publications, subscription sales orders are derived from print and digital products. The following chart illustrates the changes in the sales orders associated with print and digital subscriptions.

 

Sources of subscription sales         

 

   

Three Months Ended July 31,

 
   

2021

   

2020

 
   

Print

   

Digital

   

Print

   

Digital

 

New Sales

    16.44 %     16.74 %     17.07 %     14.79 %

Renewal Sales

    83.56 %     83.26 %     82.93 %     85.21 %

Total Gross Sales

    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %

 

During the three months ended July 31, 2021 new sales of print publications decreased as a percent of the total gross print sales versus the prior fiscal year. During the three months ended July 31, 2021 new sales of digital publications increased as a percent of the total gross digital sales versus the prior fiscal year as customer migration to digital services continues gradually.

 

   

As of July 31,

   

As of April 30,

   

As of July 31,

   

Change

 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

   

2021

   

2020

   

July-21 vs.

Apr-21

   

July-21 vs.

July-20

 

Unearned subscription revenue (current and long-term liabilities)

  $ 23,313     $ 25,088     $ 23,344       -7.1 %     -0.1 %

 

Unearned subscription revenue as of July 31, 2021 is comparable to July 31, 2020 and is 7.1% below April 30, 2021. A certain amount of variation is to be expected due to the volume of new orders and timing of renewal orders, direct mail campaigns and large Institutional Sales orders.

 

23

 

Investment periodicals and related publications revenues

 

Investment periodicals and related publications revenues of $6,947,000 (excluding copyright fees) during the three months ended July 31, 2021, were 2.0% below publishing revenues in the prior fiscal year. The Company continued activity to attract new subscribers, primarily digital subscriptions through various marketing channels, primarily direct mail, e-mail, and by the efforts of our sales personnel. Total product line circulation at July 31, 2021, was 3.6% above total product line circulation at July 31, 2020. During the three months ended July 31, 2021, Institutional Sales department generated total sales orders of $2,424,000 and the retail telemarketing sales team generated total sales orders of $1,804,000.

 

Total print circulation at July 31, 2021 was 3.2% above the total print circulation at July 31, 2020. Print publication revenues of $2,986,000 decreased 6.5% below the prior fiscal year. Total digital circulation at July 31, 2021 was 4.2% above total digital circulation at July 31, 2020. Digital revenues of $3,961,000 were up 1.6% as compared to the prior fiscal year.

 

Value Line serves primarily individual and professional investors in stocks, who pay mostly on annual subscription plans, for basic services or as much as $100,000 or more annually for comprehensive premium quality research, not obtainable elsewhere. The ongoing goal of adding new subscribers has led us to introduce publications and packages at a range of price points. Further, new services and new features for existing services are regularly under consideration. Prominently introduced in fiscal 2020 and 2021 were new features in the Value Line Research Center, which are The New Value Line ETFs Service, new monthly publication Value Line Information You Should Know Wealth Newsletter, The Value Line M & A Service, and our Value Line Climate Change Investing Service.

 

The Value Line Proprietary Ranks (the “Ranking System”), a component of the Company’s flagship product, The Value Line Investment Survey, is also utilized in the Company’s copyright business. The Ranking System is made available to EAM for specific uses without charge. During the six month period ended July 31, 2021, the combined Ranking System “Rank 1 & 2” stocks’ increase of 16.2% outperformed the Russell 2000 Index’s increase of 7.4% during the comparable period. During the twelve month period ended July 31, 2021, the combined Ranking System “Rank 1 & 2” stocks’ increase of 32.1% underperformed the Russell 2000 Index’s increase of 50.4% during the comparable period.

 

Copyright fees

 

During the three months ended July 31, 2021, copyright fees of $3,219,000 were 0.5% below those during the corresponding period in the prior fiscal year. The Company negotiated in fiscal 2020 with the sponsor of the largest exchange traded fund (“ETF”) in the program, the restructuring of the Company’s asset based fees and overall fees of the ETF in light of the competitive market.

 

Investment management fees and services (unconsolidated)

 

The Company has substantial non-voting revenues and non-voting profits interests in EAM, the asset manager to the Value Line Mutual Funds. Accordingly, the Company does not report this operation as a separate business segment, although it maintains a significant interest in the cash flows generated by this business and will receive ongoing payments in respect of its non-voting revenues and non-voting profits interests.

 

Total assets in the Value Line Funds managed and/or distributed by EAM at July 31, 2021, were $5.0 billion, which is $700 million, or 16.0%, above total assets of $4.3 billion in the Value Line Funds managed and/or distributed by EAM at July 31, 2020. The increase reflects successful investment selection capturing market appreciation and positive net flows for the Value Line Funds, partially offset by net redemptions in nine of the ten Funds during the twelve month period ended July 31, 2021.

 

Shares of Value Line Strategic Asset Management Trust (“SAM”) and Value Line Centurion Fund (“Centurion”) are only distributed within certain variable annuity and variable life insurance contracts offered by Guardian Insurance & Annuity Company (“GIAC”).

 

24

 

Value Line Mutual Funds

 

   

As of July 31,

 

($ in millions)

 

2021

   

2020

   

Change

 

Variable annuity assets (GIAC)

  $ 448     $ 410       9.3 %

All other open end equity and hybrid fund assets

    4,455       3,800       17.2 %

Total equity and hybrid funds

    4,903       4,210       16.5 %

Fixed income funds

    101       106       -4.7 %

Total EAM managed net assets

  $ 5,004     $ 4,316       15.9 %

 

As of July 31, 2021 four of six Value Line equity and hybrid mutual funds, excluding SAM and Centurion, held an overall four or five star rating by Morningstar, Inc. The Advisor/Independent Broker Dealer channel has successfully become the largest channel for sales and distribution of The Value Line Funds. This is a growing channel as EAM continues to add more advisers each year.

 

EAM Trust - Results of operations before distribution to interest holders

 

The gross fees and net income of EAM’s investment management operations during the three months ended July 31, 2021, before interest holder distributions, included total investment management fees earned from the Value Line Funds of $7,757,000, 12b-1 fees and other fees of $2,454,000 and other net income of $72,000. For the same period, total investment management fee waivers were $107,000 and 12b-1 fee waivers for three Value Line Funds were $171,000. During the three months ended July 31, 2021, EAM's net income was $1,312,000 after giving effect to Value Line’s non-voting revenues interest of $4,149,000, but before distributions to voting profits interest holders and to the Company in respect of its 50% non-voting profits interest.

 

The gross fees and net income of EAM’s investment management operations during the three months ended July 31, 2020, before interest holder distributions, included total investment management fees earned from the Value Line Funds of $6,310,000, 12b-1 fees and other fees of $2,301,000 and other income of $110,000. For the same period, total investment management fee waivers were $43,000 and 12b-1 fee waivers for three Value Line Funds were $157,000. During the three months ended July 31, 2020, EAM's net income was $728,000 after giving effect to Value Line’s non-voting revenues interest of $3,280,000, but before distributions to voting profits interest holders and to the Company in respect of its 50% non-voting profits interest.

 

As of July 31, 2021 and July 31, 2020, three of the Value Line Funds have all or a portion of the 12b-1 fees being waived, and one fund has partial investment management fee waivers in place. Although, under the terms of the EAM Declaration of Trust, the Company does not receive or share in the revenues from 12b-1 distribution fees, the Company could benefit from the fee waivers to the extent that the resulting reduction of expense ratios and enhancement of the performance of the Value Line Funds attracts new assets.

 

The Value Line equity and hybrid funds’ assets represent 89.0%, variable annuity funds issued by GIAC represent 9.0%, and fixed income fund assets represent 2.0%, respectively, of total fund assets under management (“AUM”) as of July 31, 2021. At July 31, 2021, equity, hybrid and GIAC variable annuities AUM increased by 16.5% and fixed income AUM decreased by 4.7% as compared to the prior fiscal year.

 

EAM - The Companys non-voting revenues and non-voting profits interests

 

The Company holds non-voting revenues and non-voting profits interests in EAM which entitle the Company to receive from EAM an amount ranging from 41% to 55% of EAM's investment management fee revenues from its mutual fund and separate accounts business, and 50% of EAM’s net profits, not less than 90% of which is distributed in cash every fiscal quarter. The applicable recent non-voting revenues interest percentage for the first quarter of fiscal 2022, that is, the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2021, was 53.51%.

 

25

 

The Company recorded income from its non-voting revenues interest and its non-voting profits interest in EAM as follows:

 

   

Three Months Ended July 31,

 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

   

2020

   

Change

 

Non-voting revenues interest

  $ 4,149     $ 3,280       26.5 %

Non-voting profits interest

    656       364       80.2 %
    $ 4,805     $ 3,644       31.9 %

 

Operating expenses

 

   

Three Months Ended July 31,

 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

   

2020

   

Change

 

Advertising and promotion

  $ 1,047     $ 1,055       -0.8 %

Salaries and employee benefits

    4,657       4,508       3.3 %

Production and distribution

    1,216       1,273       -4.5 %

Office and administration

    981       1,266       -22.5 %

Total expenses

  $ 7,901     $ 8,102       -2.5 %

 

Expenses within the Company are categorized into advertising and promotion, salaries and employee benefits, production and distribution, office and administration.

 

Advertising and promotion

 

During the three months ended July 31, 2021, advertising and promotion expenses of $1,047,000 decreased 0.8% as compared to the prior fiscal year, primarily due to a decrease in direct mail campaigns costs partially offset by an 8.7% increase in media advertising expenses and institutional sales commissions.

 

Salaries and employee benefits

 

During the three months ended July 31, 2021, salaries and employee benefits of $4,657,000 increased 3.3% above the prior fiscal year, primarily due to an increases in Research department compensation.

 

Production and distribution

 

During the three months ended July 31, 2021, production and distribution expenses of $1,216,000 decreased 4.5% below the prior fiscal year. The decrease in the cost of service mailers and distribution in fiscal 2022 was the primary reason for the decline in expenses.

 

Office and administration

 

During the three months ended July 31, 2021, office and administrative expenses of $981,000 decreased 22.5% below the prior fiscal year, primarily due to a favorable settlement of a disputed fee with a contractor.

 

Concentration

 

During the three months ended July 31, 2021, 31.7% of total publishing revenues of $10,166,000 were derived from a single customer.

 

26

 

Investment gains / (losses)

 

   

Three Months Ended July 31,

 

($ in thousands)

 

2021

   

2020

   

Change

 

Dividend income

  $ 196     $ 121       62.0 %

Interest income

    1       56       -98.0 %

Investment gains recognized on sale of equity securities during the period

    -       300       -100 %

Unrealized gains recognized on equity securities held at the end of the period

    198       695       -71.5 %

Other

    (1 )     (1 )     0 %

Total investment gains/(losses)

  $ 394     $ 1,171       -66.4 %

 

During the three months ended July 31, 2021, the Company’s investment gains, primarily derived from dividend and interest income, investment gains recognized on sales of equity securities during the period and unrealized gains recognized on equity securities held at the end of the period in fiscal 2022, were $394,000. During the three months ended July 31, 2020, the Company’s investment gains, primarily derived from dividend and interest income, investment gains recognized on sales of equity securities during the period and unrealized gains recognized on equity securities held at the end of the period in fiscal 2021, were $1,171,000. Proceeds from maturities and sales of government debt securities classified as available-for-sale during the three months ended July 31, 2021 and July 31, 2020, were $2,496,000 and $3,464,000, respectively. Proceeds from the sales of equity securities during the three months ended July 31, 2021 and July 31, 2020 were $34,000 and $4,637,000, respectively.

 

Effective income tax rate

 

The overall effective income tax rates, as a percentage of pre-tax ordinary income for the three months ended July 31, 2021 and July 31, 2020, were 20.99% and 25.10%, respectively. The decrease in the effective tax rate during the three months ended July 31, 2021 is primarily a result of a decrease in the state and local income taxes from 4.35% to 0.32% as a result of changes in state and local income tax allocations, such as the effect of the reduction in the New York State and New York City tax allocation factors on deferred taxes in fiscal 2022. The Company's annualized overall effective tax rate fluctuates due to a number of factors, in addition to changes in tax law, including but not limited to an increase or decrease in the ratio of items that do not have tax consequences to pre-income tax, the Company's geographic profit mix between tax jurisdictions, taxation method adopted by each locality, new interpretations of existing tax laws and rulings and settlements with tax authorities.

 

Lease Commitments

 

On November 30, 2016, Value Line, Inc. received consent from the landlord at 551 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY to the terms of a new sublease agreement between Value Line, Inc. and ABM Industries, Incorporated commencing on December 1, 2016. Pursuant to the agreement Value Line leased from ABM 24,726 square feet of office space located on the second and third floors at 551 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY (“Building” or “Premises”) beginning on December 1, 2016 and ending on November 29, 2027. Base rent under the sublease agreement is $1,126,000 per annum during the first year with an annual increase in base rent of 2.25% scheduled for each subsequent year, payable in equal monthly installments on the first day of each month, subject to customary concessions in the Company’s favor and pass-through of certain increases in utility costs and real estate taxes over the base year. The Company provided a security deposit represented by a letter of credit in the amount of $469,000 in October 2016, which is scheduled to be reduced to $305,000 on October 3, 2021 and fully refunded after the sublease ends. This Building became the Company’s new corporate office facility. The Company is required to pay for certain operating expenses associated with the Premises as well as utilities supplied to the Premises. The sublease terms provide for a significant decrease (23% initially) in the Company’s annual rental expenditure taking into account free rent for the first six months of the sublease. Sublandlord provided Value Line a work allowance of $417,000 which accompanied with the six months free rent worth $563,000 was applied against the Company’s obligation to pay rent at our NYC headquarters, delaying the actual rent payments until November 2017.

 

27

 

On February 29, 2016, the Company’s subsidiary VLDC and Seagis Property Group LP (the “Landlord”) entered into a lease agreement, pursuant to which VLDC has leased 24,110 square feet of warehouse and appurtenant office space located at 205 Chubb Ave., Lyndhurst, NJ (“Warehouse”) beginning on May 1, 2016 and ending on April 30, 2024 (“Lease”). Base rent under the Lease is $192,880 per annum payable in equal monthly installments on the first day of each month, in advance during fiscal 2017 and will gradually increase to $237,218 in fiscal 2024, subject to customary increases based on operating costs and real estate taxes. The Company provided a security deposit in cash in the amount of $32,146, which will be fully refunded after the lease term expires. The lease is a net lease requiring the Company to pay for certain operating expenses associated with the Warehouse as well as utilities supplied to the Warehouse.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

The Company had working capital, defined as current assets less current liabilities, of $26,744,000 as of July 31, 2021 and $23,312,000 as of April 30, 2021. These amounts include short-term unearned revenue of $18,202,000 and $19,162,000 reflected in total current liabilities at July 31, 2021 and April 30, 2021, respectively. Cash and short-term securities were $50,914,000 and $45,353,000 as of July 31, 2021 and April 30, 2021, respectively.

 

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents include $24,382,000 and $18,209,000 at July 31, 2021 and April 30, 2021, respectively, invested primarily in commercial banks and in Money Market Funds at brokers, which operate under Rule 2a-7 of the 1940 Act and invest primarily in short-term U.S. government securities.

 

Cash from operating activities

 

The Company had cash inflows from operating activities of $7,635,000 during the three months ended July 31, 2021, compared to cash inflows from operations of $5,426,000 during the three months ended July 31, 2020, respectively. The increase in cash flows from fiscal 2021 to fiscal 2022 is primarily attributable to higher net income and an increase in cash receipts from EAM.

 

Cash from investing activities

 

The Company had cash inflows from investing activities of $496,000 during the three months ended July 31, 2021, compared to cash outflows from investing activities of $611,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2020, respectively. Cash outflows for the three months ended July 31, 2021, were lower than in fiscal 2021 primarily due to the Company’s decision not to reinvest proceeds in fixed income securities in fiscal 2022.

 

Cash from financing activities

 

During the three months ended July 31, 2021, the Company’s cash outflows from financing activities were $2,267,000, compared to cash outflows from financing activities of $2,000,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2020. Cash outflows for financing activities included $163,000 for the repurchase of 5,409 shares of the Company’s common stock under the April 2020 board approved common stock repurchase programs, during the three months ended July 31, 2021. The share repurchase program was renewed by the board on July 16, 2021 with an authorization to purchase up to $2,000,000 of the Company’s common stock with no set price limit and no expiration date. There were no repurchases of the Company’s common stock during the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2020. Quarterly dividend payments of $0.22 per share during fiscal 2022 aggregated $2,104,000. Quarterly regular dividend payments of $0.21 per share during fiscal 2021 aggregated $2,020,000.

 

At July 31, 2021 there were 9,557,761 common shares outstanding as compared to 9,616,721 common shares outstanding at July 31, 2020. The Company expects financing activities to continue to include use of cash for dividend payments for the foreseeable future.

 

28

 

Debt and Liquid Assets

 

Management believes that the Company’s cash and other liquid asset resources used in its business together with the proceeds from the SBA loan and the future cash flows from operations and from the Company’s non-voting revenues and non-voting profits interests in EAM will be sufficient to finance current and forecasted liquidity needs for the next twelve months. Management does not anticipate making any additional borrowings during the next twelve months. As of July 31, 2021, retained earnings and liquid assets were $76,296,000 and $50,914,000, respectively. As of April 30, 2021, retained earnings and liquid assets were $72,502,000 and $45,353,000, respectively. There are no off-balance-sheet arrangements, so none affect the interpretations of reported assets, liquidity, and debt.

 

Seasonality

 

Our publishing revenues are comprised of subscriptions which are generally annual subscriptions. Our cash flows from operating activities are minimally seasonal in nature, primarily due to the timing of customer payments made for orders and subscription renewals.

 

Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies

 

The Company prepares its Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles as in effect in the United States (U.S. “GAAP”). The preparation of these financial statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent, and the Company evaluates its estimates on an ongoing basis. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. Our disclosures of critical accounting policies are reported in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year ended April 30, 2021.

 

29

 

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

 

Market Risk Disclosures

 

The Company’s Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet includes a substantial amount of assets whose fair values are subject to market risks. The Company’s market risks are primarily associated with interest rates and equity price risk. The following sections address the significant market risks associated with the Company’s investment activities.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

The Company’s strategy has been to acquire debt securities with low credit risk. Despite this strategy management recognizes and accepts the possibility that losses may occur. To limit the price fluctuation in these securities from interest rate changes, the Company’s management invests primarily in short-term obligations maturing within one year.

 

The fair values of the Company’s fixed maturity investments will fluctuate in response to changes in market interest rates. Increases and decreases in prevailing interest rates generally translate into decreases and increases in fair values of those instruments. Additionally, fair values of interest rate sensitive instruments may be affected by prepayment options, relative values of alternative investments, and other general market conditions.

 

Fixed income securities consist of bank certificates of deposits and securities issued by federal, state and local governments within the United States. As of July 31, 2021 both the aggregate cost and fair value of fixed income securities classified as available-for-sale were $597,000. As of April 30, 2021 the aggregate cost and fair value of fixed income securities classified as available-for-sale were $2,596,000 and $2,600,000, respectively.

 

The following table summarizes the estimated effects of hypothetical increases and decreases in interest rates on assets that are subject to interest rate risk. It is assumed that the changes occur immediately and uniformly to each category of instrument containing interest rate risks. The hypothetical changes in market interest rates do not reflect what could be deemed best or worst case scenarios. Variations in market interest rates could produce significant changes in the timing of repayments due to prepayment options available. For these reasons, actual results might differ from those reflected in the table.

 

Fixed Income Securities

 

            Estimated Fair Value after  
            Hypothetical Change in Interest Rates  
            (in thousands)  
            (bp = basis points)  
                                         
            1 year     1 year     1 year     1 year  
                                         
    Fair     50 bp    

50 bp

    100 bp    

100 bp

 
    Value     increase     decrease     increase     decrease  

As of July 31, 2021

                                       

Investments in securities with fixed maturities

  $ 597       n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a  
                                         

As of April 30, 2021

                                       

Investments in securities with fixed maturities

  $ 2,600       n/a       n/a       n/a       n/a  

 

Management regularly monitors the maturity structure of the Company’s investments in debt securities in order to maintain an acceptable price risk associated with changes in interest rates.

 

30

 

Equity Price Risk

 

The carrying values of investments subject to equity price risks are based on quoted market prices as of the balance sheet dates. Market prices are subject to fluctuation and, consequently, the amount realized in the subsequent sale of an investment may significantly differ from the reported market value. Fluctuation in the market price of a security may result from perceived changes in the underlying economic characteristics of the issuer, the relative price of alternative investments and general market conditions. Furthermore, amounts realized in the sale of a particular security may be affected by the relative quantity of the security being sold.

 

The Company’s equity investment strategy has been to acquire equity securities across a diversity of industry groups. The portfolio consists of ETFs held for dividend yield that attempt to replicate the performance of certain equity indexes and ETFs that hold preferred shares primarily of financial institutions. In order to maintain liquidity in these securities, the Company’s policy has been to invest in and hold in its portfolio, no more than 5% of the approximate average daily trading volume in any one issue.

 

As of July 31, 2021 and April 30, 2021, the aggregate cost of the equity securities, which consist of investments in the SPDR Series Trust S&P Dividend ETF (SDY), First Trust Value Line Dividend Index ETF (FVD), Invesco Financial Preferred ETF (PGF), ProShares Trust S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats ETF (NOBL), iShares Preferred & Income Securities ETF (PFF), and other Exchange Traded Funds and common stock equity securities was a combined total $2,609,000 and $19,105,000, respectively, and the fair value was $25,282,000 and $23,582,000, respectively.

 

Equity Securities

 

($ in thousands)

   

Fair Value

 

Hypothetical

Price Change

 

Estimated Fair

Value after

Hypothetical

Change in Prices

   

Hypothetical

Percentage

Increase

(Decrease) in

Shareholders’

Equity

 

As of July 31, 2021

Equity Securities and ETFs held for dividend yield

  $ 25,282  

30% increase

  $ 32,867       7.95 %
           

30% decrease

  $ 17,697       -7.95 %

 

Equity Securities

($ in thousands)

   

Fair Value

 

Hypothetical

Price Change

 

Estimated Fair

Value after

Hypothetical

Change in Prices

   

Hypothetical

Percentage

Increase

(Decrease) in

Shareholders’

Equity

 

As of April 30, 2021

Equity Securities and ETFs held for dividend yield

  $ 23,582  

30% increase

  $ 30,657       7.81 %
           

30% decrease

  $ 16,507       -7.81 %

 

31

 

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

 

(a)

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the Company’s reports filed with the SEC is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosure.

 

 

 

The Company’s management has evaluated, with the participation of the Company’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report.

 

 

(b)

The registrant’s Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have determined that there have been no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Part II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

 

None.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

 

There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A – Risk Factors in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 30, 2021 filed with the SEC on July 29, 2021.

 

32

 

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

 

 

(a)

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Company

 

The following table provides information with respect to all repurchases of common stock made by or on behalf of the Company during the fiscal quarter ended July 31, 2021. All purchases listed below were made in the open market at prevailing market prices.

 

   

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 
   

(a) Total Number of

Shares (or Units)

Purchased

   

(b) Average Price

Paid per Share (or

Unit)

   

(c) Total Number of

Shares (or Units)

Purchased as Part of

Publicly Announced

Plans or Programs

   

(d) Maximum Number

(or Approximate Dollar

Value) of Shares (or

Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the

Plans or Programs

 

May 1 - 31, 2021

    1,339     $ 29.30       1,339     $ 435,000  

June 1 - 30, 2021

    3,963       30.29       3,963       315,000  

July 1 - 31, 2021

    107       31.34       107       2,000,000  

Total

    5,409     $ 17.29       5,409     $ 2,000,000  

 

All shares were repurchased pursuant to authorization of the Board of Directors.

 

On July 16, 2021, the Company's Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of shares of the Company’s common stock up to an aggregate purchase price of $2,000,000. The repurchases may be made from time to time on the open market at prevailing market prices, in negotiated transactions off the market, in block purchases or otherwise. No purchases were made under this new program through the date of this report. The repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time at the Company’s discretion and has no set expiration date.

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures

 

Not applicable.

 

Item 5. Other Information

 

None.

 

33

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

31.1 Certificate of Principal Executive Officer Required Under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
31.2 Certificate of Principal Financial Officer Required Under Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
32.1  Joint Principal Executive Officer/Principal Financial Officer Certificate Required Under Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
   
101.INS Inline XBRL Instance Document
   
101.SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
   
101.CAL Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
   
101.DEF Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
   
101.LAB Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
   
101.PRE Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
   

104

The cover page of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, formatted in inline XBRL (including Exhibit 101).

 

34

 

VALUE LINE, INC.

 

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.

 

Value Line, Inc.

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Howard A. Brecher

 

 

 

Howard A. Brecher

 

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

    (Principal Executive Officer)  

                    

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Stephen R. Anastasio

 

 

 

Stephen R. Anastasio

 

 

 

Vice President & Treasurer

 

    (Principal Financial Officer)  

 

Date: September 13, 2021

 

35