Wright Investors Service Holdings, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2013 March (Form 10-Q)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2013
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or
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o
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
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For the transition period from _____ to _____
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Commission File Number: 000-50587
WRIGHT INVESTORS’ SERVICE HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Delaware
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13-4005439
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(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
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100 South Bedford Road, Suite 2R, Mount Kisco, NY
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10549
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(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Zip code)
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(914) 242-5700
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(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer
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o |
Accelerated filer
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o |
Non-accelerated filer
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
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o |
Smaller reporting company
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x |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
As of May 1, 2013, there were 18,472,297 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding.
WRIGHT INVESTORS’ SERVICE HOLDINGS, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Part I. Financial Information
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Page No.
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Item 1.
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Financial Statements of Wright Investors’ Service Holdings and Subsidiaries
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1
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2
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3
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4
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5
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Financial Statements of The Winthrop Corporation and Subsidiaries
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14 | ||
15 | ||
16 | ||
17 | ||
18 |
24
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28
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28
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Part II. Other Information
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29
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30
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31
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
WRIGHT INVESTORS' SERVICE HOLDINGS, INC.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
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(unaudited)
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(in thousands, except per share amounts)
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Three Months Ended March 31,
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||||||||
2013
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2012
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|||||||
Revenues
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||||||||
Investment management services
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$ | 664 | $ | - | ||||
Other investment advisory services
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687 | - | ||||||
Financial research and related data
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163 | - | ||||||
1,514 | - | |||||||
Expenses
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||||||||
Selling, general and administrative
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2,781 | 482 | ||||||
2,781 | 482 | |||||||
Operating loss
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(1,267 | ) | (482 | ) | ||||
Investment and other income (expense), net
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29 | (17 | ) | |||||
Change in fair value of contingent consideration
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(35 | ) | - | |||||
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes
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(1,273 | ) | (499 | ) | ||||
Income tax expense
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(3 | ) | (165 | ) | ||||
Loss from continuing operations
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(1,276 | ) | (664 | ) | ||||
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes
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(6 | ) | (6 | ) | ||||
Net loss
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$ | (1,282 | ) | $ | (670 | ) | ||
Basic and diluted loss per share
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||||||||
Continuing operations
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$ | (0.07 | ) | $ | (0.04 | ) | ||
Discontinued operations
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- | - | ||||||
Net loss
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$ | (0.07 | ) | $ | (0.04 | ) |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
1
WRIGHT INVESTORS' SERVICE HOLDINGS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
March 31,
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December 31,
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|||||||
2013
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2012
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|||||||
(unaudited)
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||||||||
Assets
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||||||||
Current assets
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||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents
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$ | 18,034 | $ | 18,883 | ||||
Short-term investments
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205 | 190 | ||||||
Accounts receivables
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432 | 462 | ||||||
Refundable and prepaid income taxes
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40 | 40 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
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247 | 262 | ||||||
Total current assets
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18,958 | 19,837 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization
of $62 and $57 |
48 | 52 | ||||||
Intangible assets, net
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4,396 | 4,555 | ||||||
Goodwill
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3,364 | 3,364 | ||||||
Investment in undeveloped land
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355 | 355 | ||||||
Other assets
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325 | 325 | ||||||
Total assets
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$ | 27,446 | $ | 28,488 | ||||
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity
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||||||||
Current liabilities
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||||||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
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$ | 1,990 | $ | 1,875 | ||||
Income taxes payable
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233 | 227 | ||||||
Deferred revenue
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- | 16 | ||||||
Current portion of officers retirement bonus liability
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100 | 100 | ||||||
Total current liabilities
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2,323 | 2,218 | ||||||
Liability for contingent consideration
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456 | 421 | ||||||
Officers retirement bonus liability, net of current portion
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786 | 781 | ||||||
Total liabilities
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3,565 | 3,420 | ||||||
Stockholders’ equity
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||||||||
Common stock
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190 | 190 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital
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32,883 | 32,788 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit
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(7,833 | ) | (6,551 | ) | ||||
Treasury stock, at cost
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(1,359 | ) | (1,359 | ) | ||||
Total stockholders' equity
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23,881 | 25,068 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
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$ | 27,446 | $ | 28,488 |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
2
WRIGHT INVESTORS' SERVICE HOLDINGS, INC.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
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(unaudited)
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(in thousands, except per share amounts)
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Three Months Ended March 31,
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||||||||
2013
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2012
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|||||||
Cash flows from operating activities
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||||||||
Net loss
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$ | (1,282 | ) | $ | (670 | ) | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities:
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||||||||
Depreciation and amortization
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164 | - | ||||||
Change in liability for contingent consideration
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35 | - | ||||||
Equity based compensation, including issuance of stock to directors
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95 | 25 | ||||||
Changes in other operating items, net of effects of acquisition:
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||||||||
Accounts receivables
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30 | |||||||
Investment securities
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(15 | ) | ||||||
Deferred revenue
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(16 | ) | ||||||
Officers retirement bonus
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5 | |||||||
Refundable and prepaid income tax
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186 | |||||||
Income tax payable
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6 | 8 | ||||||
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
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15 | (62 | ) | |||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
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115 | 55 | ||||||
Net cash used in operating activities
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(848 | ) | (458 | ) | ||||
Cash flows from investing activities
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||||||||
Additions to property and equipment
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(1 | ) | ||||||
Net cash used in investing activities
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(1 | ) | - | |||||
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
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(849 | ) | (458 | ) | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
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18,883 | 27,247 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
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$ | 18,034 | $ | 26,789 | ||||
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information
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||||||||
Net cash paid during the period for
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||||||||
Income taxes
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$ | 3 | $ | 6 |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
WRIGHT INVESTORS' SERVICE HOLDING, INC.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
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THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2013
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(unaudited)
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(in thousands, except per share data)
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Total
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||||||||||||||||||||||||
Additional
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Treasury
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stock-
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|||||||||||||||||||||
Common stock
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paid -in
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Accumulated
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stock , at
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holders
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||||||||||||||||||||
shares
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amount
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capital
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deficit
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cost
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equity
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|||||||||||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2012
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19,034,834 | $ | 190 | $ | 32,788 | $ | (6,551 | ) | $ | (1,359 | ) | $ | 25,068 | |||||||||||
Net loss
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- | - | - | (1,282 | ) | - | (1,282 | ) | ||||||||||||||||
Equity based compensation expense
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- | - | 92 | . | - | 92 | ||||||||||||||||||
Issuance of common stock to directors
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1,202 | - | 3 | - | - | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2013
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19,036,036 | $ | 190 | $ | 32,883 | $ | (7,833 | ) | $ | (1,359 | ) | $ | 23,881 |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
WRIGHT INVESTORS’ SERVICE HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012
(unaudited)
1.
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Basis of presentation and description of activities
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Basis of presentation
The accompanying interim financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 8 of Regulation S-X. The information and note disclosures normally included in complete financial statements have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2012 has been derived from audited financial statements. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2012 as presented in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of management, this interim information includes all material adjustments, which are of a normal and recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation. The results for the 2013 interim period are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the entire year.
Description of activities
On February 4, 2013, National Patent Development Corporation changed its name to Wright Investors’ Service Holdings, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the “Company” or “Wright Holdings”).
On January 15, 2010, the Company completed the sale to The Merit Group, Inc. (“Merit”) of all of the issued and outstanding stock of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Five Star Products, Inc., the holding company and sole stockholder of Five Star Group, Inc., for cash. Upon the consummation of the sale, the Company became a “shell company”, as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. As used herein, references to “Five Star” refer to Five Star Products Inc. or Five Star Group Inc., or both, as the context requires.
On December 19, 2012 (the “Closing Date”), the Company, completed the acquisition of The Winthrop Corporation, a Connecticut corporation (“Winthrop) pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) dated June 18, 2012. Winthrop, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries Wright Investors’ Service, Inc. (“Wright”), Wright Investors’ Service Distributors, Inc. (“WISDI”) and Wright’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Wright Private Asset Management, LLC (“WPAM”) (collectively, the “Wright Companies”), offers investment management services, financial advisory services and investment research to large and small investors, both taxable and tax exempt. WISDI is a registered broker dealer with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (‘FINRA”) and the Securities and Exchange Commission. In accordance with the Merger Agreement, a wholly-owned newly formed subsidiary of the Company, was merged with and into Winthrop and Winthrop became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (see Note 2).
As a result of the completion of the Merger described above, the Company is no longer a “shell company” and substantially all of the Company’s business operations are carried out through Winthrop and its subsidiaries, the Wright Companies.
5
2.
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Acquisition
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As described in Note 1, on December 19, 2012, the Company acquired 100% of the equity interests of Winthrop for 881,206 shares of Company Common Stock issued to those holders of Winthrop Common Stock who elected to receive Company Common Stock as merger consideration and the Company paid cash totaling $4,852,000 to those holders of Winthrop Common Stock who elected to receive cash as merger consideration. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement and an Investors’ Rights Agreement, holders of Winthrop Common Stock who elected to receive Company Common Stock as merger consideration are subject to a three-year transfer restriction on such Company Common Stock. Further, the Company has agreed to pay contingent consideration in cash to a holder of Winthrop common stock who received 852,228 shares of Company Common Stock to the extent that such shares have a value of less than $1,900,000 on the expiration of the three year period based on the average closing price of the Company’s Common Stock for the ten trading days prior to such date.
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company has entered into employment agreements with four key Winthrop employees having initial terms of five years for one employee and three years for three employees which provide for compensation in the form of base salary, various bonuses and restricted stock units, representing Company Common Stock (“RSUs”). The employment agreements provide for automatic annual renewals unless notice of non-renewal is given at least six months prior to the applicable employment period. See Note 11 (b).
The purchase price is comprised of the following (in thousands):
(a) Cash paid
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$
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4,852
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||
(b) Issuance of 881,206 common shares based on the closing price of $2.52 per share on December
19, 2012 and a 20% discount to reflect the three-year transfer restriction
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1,776
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(c)Fair value of contingent consideration related to guarantee of a value of certain common shares
issued
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441
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$
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7,069
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|||
A liability was recognized for an estimate of the acquisition date fair value of the acquisition-related contingent consideration which may be paid. The fair value was calculated by applying a lattice model, which takes into account the potential for the Company’s stock price per share being less than $2.23 per share at the end of the 3 year lock-up period. The fair value measurement is based on significant unobservable inputs that are supported by little market activity and reflect the Company’s own assumptions. Key assumptions include expected volatility (50%) in the Company’s common stock and the risk free interest rate (0.36%) during the above period. Changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration subsequent to the acquisition date will be recognized in earnings until the liability is eliminated or settled. The fair value of the liability was $456,000 on March 31, 2013 and accordingly, the Company recognized an expense of $35,000 for the change in the value for the period ended March 31, 2013.
The allocation of the purchase price to Winthrop’s tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed was based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed has been allocated to goodwill. Factors that contributed to a purchase price resulting in the recognition of goodwill primarily relates to the Company’s effort to transition from a shell company and the belief that Winthrop’s platform will provide the Company the opportunity to grow into a significantly larger asset management franchise over time.
For tax purposes, the Merger was treated as a taxable acquisition of Winthrop’s stock with no changes in the tax basis of Winthrop’s assets and liabilities. A net deferred tax liability was recorded for the excess of the fair values over the tax bases of the acquired assets and assumed liabilities with a corresponding increase to goodwill.
6
The following unaudited pro forma information presents the Company’s combined results of operations as if the acquisition of Winthrop had occurred as of January 1, 2012. The pro forma net loss reflects amortization of the amounts ascribed to intangible assets acquired in the acquisition, compensation related to employment contracts and RSU’s granted to certain employees and adjustments to reflect increases in charges from a related party (see Note 8). The pro forma results exclude acquisition related expenses and deferred tax benefits resulting from the acquisition and reflect retention bonuses as if they were incurred on January 1, 2012 instead of December 19, 2012 (in thousands, except for per share data).
Quarter Ended
March 31,
2012
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||||
Total revenue
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$
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1,735
|
||
Net loss
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(956
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)
|
||
Basic and diluted loss per share
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$
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(0.05
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)
|
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Weighted average common shares outstanding –
basic and diluted (a)
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18,945
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(a)
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Reflects common shares issued in the acquisition in addition to RSUs to be
settled with common shares which vested on the closing date.
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The pro forma financial information is not intended to represent or be indicative of the Company’s consolidated results of operations that would have been reported had the acquisition been completed as of the beginning of 2012, nor should it be taken as indicative of the Company’s future consolidated results of operations.
3.
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Per share data
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Loss per share for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 respectively, is calculated based on 18,950,000 and 17,585,000 weighted average outstanding shares of common stock.
In connection with the Winthrop acquisition on December 19, 2012, 479,280 RSUs vested on such date and are included in the weighted average outstanding shares of common stock for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. Options for 3,250,000 and 3,300,000 shares of common stock for the quarters ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively and unvested RSUs for 387,738 shares of common stock for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 were not included in the diluted computation as their effect would be anti-dilutive since the Company has losses from continuing operations for both periods.
7
4.
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Capital Stock
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The Company’s Board of Directors, without any vote or action by the holders of common stock, is authorized to issue preferred stock from time to time in one or more series and to determine the number of shares and to fix the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of any series of preferred stock.
The Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to 5,000,000 outstanding shares of common stock from time to time either in open market or privately negotiated transactions. At March 31, 2013 the Company had repurchased 1,791,821 shares of its common stock and a total of 3,208,179 shares, remained available for repurchase at March 31, 2013.
5.
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Short-term investments:
|
The Financial Accounting Standards Board has issued authoritative accounting guidance that defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and establishes a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques. The guidance clarifies that fair value should be based on assumptions that market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability. The three levels of fair value hierarchy are described below:
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·
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Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
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·
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Level 2 – Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities or quoted prices in less active, dealer or broker markets;
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·
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Level 3 – Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and are unobservable.
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Short-term investments, in mutual funds managed by a subsidiary of Winthrop and separate securities accounts, are stated at the net asset value of the funds or the year-end closing price of the underlying security. All investments are classified as Level 1 investments.
The following is a summary of current trading marketable securities at March 31, 2013 (in thousands):
March 31, 2013
|
||||||||||||
Cost
|
Unrealized
Gains
|
Estimated
Fair Value
|
||||||||||
Mutual funds
|
$
|
74
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$
|
-
|
$
|
74
|
||||||
Equity securities
|
118
|
13
|
131
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|||||||||
$
|
192
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$
|
13
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$
|
205
|
8
6.
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Incentive stock plans and stock based compensation
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The Company has a stock-based compensation plan for employees and non-employee members of its Board of Directors. The plan provides for discretionary grants of stock options, restricted shares, and other stock-based awards. The Company’s plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, which consists solely of non-employee directors. No stock options were granted during the three months ended March 31, 2013.
Information with respect to the Company’s outstanding stock options for the three months ended March 31, 2013 is as follows:
Stock
Options
|
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
|
Weighted
Average
Contractual
Term
|
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
|
|||||||||||||
Options outstanding at January 1, 2013
|
3,300,000
|
$
|
2.29
|
4.7
|
$
|
0
|
*
|
|||||||||
Options cancelled
|
50,000
|
$
|
1.50
|
|
||||||||||||
Options outstanding at March 31, 2013
|
3,250,000
|
$
|
2.39
|
4.4
|
$
|
446,000
|
*
|
|||||||||
Options exercisable at March 31, 2013
|
3,100,150
|
$
|
2.35
|
4.2
|
$
|
297,000
|
*
|
|
*
|
The intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the market value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option.
|
Compensation expense related to option grants amounted to $20,000 and $22,000 for the quarters ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. As of March 31, 2013, there was no additional unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested options.
Restricted stock units
As a result of the Winthrop acquisition, the Company issued a total of 849,280 RSUs on the closing date to be settled in shares of Company common stock as follows:
|
a)
|
479,280 RSUs were granted to four key executives of Winthrop, which vested as of the Closing Date and are subject to post-vesting restrictions on sale for three years. The RSUs were valued at the closing price of the Company’s common stock of $2.52, less a 20% discount for post vesting restrictions on sale, or $2.02 per share. The total value of these RSUs of $966,000, were accounted for as compensation and charged to retention bonus expense on the closing date.
|
|
b)
|
370,000 RSUs were granted to four key executives, which vest equally over three years, with the first third vesting one year from the Closing Date. The RSUs are valued based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the Closing Date of $2.52, less an average discount of 11% for post-vesting restrictions on sale until the three year anniversary of the grant date, or an average price per share of $2.25. The Company recorded compensation expense of $69,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 related to these RSUs. The total unrecognized compensation expense related to these unvested RSUs is $737,000, which will be recognized over the vesting period of approximately 3 years.
|
|
c)
|
17,738 RSUs were granted to certain employees of the Company on February 4, 2013, which vest equally over three years, with the first third vesting on February 4, 2014. The RSUs are valued based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on February 4, 2013 of $2.40, less an average discount of 11% for post-vesting restrictions on sale until the three year anniversary of the grant date, or an average price per share of $2.25. The Company recorded compensation expense of $2,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 related to these RSUs. The total unrecognized compensation expense related to these unvested RSUs is $38,000, which will be recognized over the vesting period of approximately 3 years.
|
9
7.
|
Intangible Assets
|
At March 31, 2013, intangible assets subject to amortization which were recorded in connection with the acquisition of Winthrop consisted of the following (in thousands):
Intangible
|
Estimated
useful life
|
Gross carrying
amount
|
Accumulated
Amortization
|
Net carrying
amount
|
|||||||||
Investment management and Advisory Contracts
|
9 years
|
$
|
3,181
|
$
|
99
|
$
|
3,082
|
||||||
Trademarks
|
10 years
|
433
|
12
|
421
|
|||||||||
Proprietary software and
technology
|
4 years
|
960
|
67
|
893
|
|||||||||
$
|
4,574
|
$
|
178
|
$
|
4,396
|
For the period ended March 31, 2013 amortization expense was $159,000. Estimated amortization expense for each of the five succeeding years and thereafter is as follows (in thousands):
Year ending December 31,
|
|
2013 (remainder)
|
$477
|
2014
|
637
|
2015
|
637
|
2016
|
630
|
2017
|
397
|
2018-2023
|
1,618
|
$4,396
|
10
8.
|
Related party transactions
|
Effective June 1, 2010, the Company relocated its headquarters to the offices of Bedford Oak in Mount Kisco, New York. Bedford Oak is controlled by Harvey P. Eisen, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company. From June 1, 2010 through August 31, 2012, the Company had been subleasing a portion of the Bedford Oak space and had access to various administrative support services on a month-to-month basis at a rate of approximately $19,700 per month.
On October 31, 2012, the Company’s Audit Committee approved an increase to approximately $40,700 per month (effective as of September 1, 2012) in the monthly sublease and administrative support services rate, which increased rate the Company believes is necessary to provide for the increased personnel and space requirements necessary for an operating company. Selling general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, includes $122,000 and $59,000, respectively, related to the sublease arrangement with Bedford Oak.
On October 31, 2012, also in connection with the Merger and the Company’s transition from a shell company into an operating company, the Company’s Compensation Committee approved an annual salary of $200,000 for Thomas Hayes, the former Chief Operating Officer of the Company(effective as of September 1, 2012) since Mr. Hayes was currently devoting and planned to continue devoting 100% of his time to planning for the future growth and operations of the Company, as well as business development activities for Winthrop. Mr. Hayes was also a Managing Director at Bedford Oak. On January 17, 2013, the employment of Mr. Hayes, was terminated.
Wright acts as an investment advisor, its subsidiary acts as a principal underwriter and several officers of Winthrop are officers for a family of mutual funds from which investment management and distribution fees are earned based on the net asset values of the respective funds. Such fees amounted to $259,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2013.
9.
|
Income taxes
|
For the three months ended March 31, 2012, the income tax expense related to continuing operations of $165,000 substantially represents an increase in a liability for uncertain tax positions related to a New York State tax examination.
For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company recorded income tax expense from continuing operations of $3,000, which represented minimum state taxes.
Five Star is currently undergoing an income tax examination by the Internal Revenue Service for income tax filings for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008 and is being challenged with respect to the timing of certain tax deductions. As a result, a liability for uncertain tax positions was provided in the year ended December 31, 2010 and charged to discontinued operations. As of March 31, 2013, the liability related to Five Star included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets amounted to approximately $344,000 for potential federal and state tax deficiencies and related interest, of which approximately $213,000 related to additional tax, and approximately $131,000 related to interest. The deficiency notice was issued on April 25, 2011. On May 17, 2011, Five Star Products Inc. and its subsidiary Five Star Group Inc. filed petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy code. On December 16, 2011, the Plan of Reorganization of TMG Liquidation Corp., Five Star Products Inc.’s parent corporation, was approved by the Bankruptcy Court. Under the Plan of Reorganization, the Internal Revenue Service is authorized to pursue the Plan Administrator, who is authorized to defend the deficiency letter issued to Five Star Products, Inc.
New York State was examining the Company’s 2008 through 2010 tax returns, which was finalized in June 2012. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the liability for uncertain tax positions was increased by $185,000 to account for an increase in tax and related interest related to a challenge to the Company’s position for filing on a combined basis. The Company subsequently settled with New York State for the amount of $244,000, including interest of $39,000.
As of March 31, 2013, the Internal Revenue Service was examining the Company’s 2009 and 2010 consolidated U.S. federal tax returns. The Company subsequently settled with the Internal Revenue Service, resulting in no material impact to the financial statements.
11
No tax benefit has been recorded in relation to the pre-tax loss from continuing operations for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, based on the Company’s estimated annual effective tax rate which reflects a full valuation allowance to offset any deferred tax asset related to net operating loss carry forwards attributable to the loss. The increase in the liability for uncertain tax positions was treated as discrete items. The tax effect of discrete items are reflected in the periods in which they occur and not reflected in the estimated annual effective tax rate which is used for interim period tax provisions.
10.
|
Retirement plans
|
Winthrop maintains an officer retirement bonus plan (the “Bonus Plan”) that is an unfunded deferred compensation program providing retirement benefits equal to 10% of annual compensation, as defined, to those officers upon their retirement. Effective December 1, 1999, the Plan was frozen so that no additional benefits will be earned. The total obligation under the Bonus Plan at March 31, 2013 is $1,831,000, of which $100,000 is estimated to be payable over the next twelve months. The liability is payable to individual retired employees at the rate of $50,000 per year in equal monthly amounts commencing upon retirement. The liability was recorded at $885,000 at the date of acquisition, representing its estimated fair value computed based on its present value, utilizing a discount rate of 14%, which was estimated to be the acquired company’s weighted average cost of capital on such date from the perspective of a market participant. The calculated discount of $945,000 is being amortized as interest expense over the period the obligation is outstanding by use of the effective interest method. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, discount amortization (included in Officers retirement bonus liability) amounted to $30,000.
11.
|
Contingencies and other
|
(a)
|
On or about May 17, 2011, the Merit Group, Inc. (“Merit”) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of South Carolina. On or about December 14, 2011, the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of TMG Liquidation Company (formerly known as The Merit Group, Inc.) filed in that court an adversary proceeding against the Company (the “Avoidance Action”) now captioned CohnResnick LLP, as Plan Administrator v. National Patent Development Corp. (In re TMG Liquidation Co.). The Avoidance Action seeks, among other things, to avoid and recover the consideration paid by Merit to the Company for the purchase of Five Star Products, Inc. (“Five Star”) from the Company under the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated January 15, 2010 (the “Agreement”), as a constructive fraudulent transfer under sections 548, 550, and 551 of the Bankruptcy Code. Management believes the claim is without merit and the Company intends to vigorously defend against the Avoidance Action.
|
12
(b)
|
The Company entered into employment agreements with four key executives of Winthrop. The Company has a call right to acquire any shares of Company common stock held by the four key executives of Winthrop received as merger consideration who terminate employment without “good reason” prior to the third anniversary of the Closing Date, at a purchase price per share equal to the fair market value of Company Common Stock as of the date of the notice of the exercise of the call right.
|
13
THE WINTHROP CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
March 31,
|
||||
2012
|
||||
Assets
|
||||
Cash and cash equivalents
|
$ | 559,152 | ||
Short-term investments
|
350,971 | |||
Accounts receivable
|
529,504 | |||
Property and equipment
|
70,663 | |||
Prepaid costs and other
|
225,125 | |||
Total Assets
|
$ | 1,735,415 | ||
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity (Deficiency)
|
||||
Liabilities:
|
||||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
|
$ | 541,878 | ||
Deferred revenue
|
27,632 | |||
Accrued compensation and bonuses
|
66,333 | |||
Officer retirement bonus payable
|
1,205,296 | |||
Total liabilities
|
1,841,139 | |||
Shareholders’ equity deficiency
|
(105,724 | ) | ||
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity (Deficiency)
|
$ | 1,735,415 |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
14
THE WINTHROP CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Three Months Ended
|
||||
March 31,
|
||||
2012
|
||||
Revenues:
|
||||
Investment management services
|
$ | 722,481 | ||
Other investment advisory services (Note 6)
|
736,899 | |||
Financial research and related data
|
276,141 | |||
Total revenues
|
1,735,521 | |||
Costs and expenses:
|
||||
Salaries and employee benefits
|
1,131,899 | |||
Other selling and administrative
|
236,931 | |||
Facilities
|
157,878 | |||
Professional and outside services
|
113,400 | |||
Total costs and expenses
|
1,640,108 | |||
Income from operations before income taxes
|
95,413 | |||
Income tax expense (Note 9):
|
||||
Current
|
250 | |||
250 | ||||
Net income
|
$ | 95,163 |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
15
THE WINTHROP CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Three Months Ended
|
||||
March 31,
|
||||
2012
|
||||
Cash flows from operating activities:
|
||||
Net income
|
$ | 95,163 | ||
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net
|
||||
cash provided by operating activities:
|
||||
Depreciation and amortization
|
7,223 | |||
Gain on short-term investments
|
(33,648 | ) | ||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
|
||||
Accounts receivable
|
(42,292 | ) | ||
Prepaid costs and other
|
34,124 | |||
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
|
(43,381 | ) | ||
Deferred revenue
|
14,815 | |||
Deferred compensation and bonuses
|
15,248 | |||
Net cash provided by operating activities
|
47,252 | |||
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning
|
511,900 | |||
Cash and cash equivalents, ending
|
$ | 559,152 |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
16
THE WINTHROP CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Treasury Stock
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Class A Common
|
Class B Common
|
Shares
|
Amount
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Additional
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Paid-In
|
Retained
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Shares
|
Amount
|
Shares
|
Amount
|
Capital
|
Earnings
|
Class A
|
Class B
|
Class A
|
Class B
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, January 1, 2012
|
57,077 | $ | 57,077 | 19,070 | $ | 19,070 | $ | 1,110,593 | $ | (984,717 | ) | 11,953 | 6,695 | $ | (341,868 | ) | $ | (61,042 | ) | $ | (200,887 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
Net income
|
95,163 | 95,163 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Balance, March 31, 2012
|
57,077 | $ | 57,077 | 19,070 | $ | 19,070 | $ | 1,110,593 | $ | (889,554 | ) | 11,953 | 6,695 | $ | (341,868 | ) | $ | (61,042 | ) | $ | (105,724 | ) |
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
17
THE WINTHROP CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
1.
|
Summary of significant accounting policies:
|
Business and principles of consolidation:
The Company provides a wide range of financial products and services to an international client base consisting primarily of pension plans, banks and other institutions and high net-worth individuals.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of The Winthrop Corporation and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts and transactions were eliminated in consolidation.
Estimates and assumptions:
Management uses estimates and assumptions in preparing financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Those estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported revenues and expenses. Actual results could vary from the estimates used.
Cash and cash equivalents:
The Company maintains its cash in bank deposit accounts which, at times, may exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts and does not believe it is exposed to any significant credit risk on cash. Investments in money market mutual funds are considered cash equivalents.
Property and equipment:
Property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is provided by use of the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the related asset. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the term of the lease or the estimated useful life of the related asset. Accelerated depreciation methods are used for income tax reporting purposes.
Revenue recognition:
Investment advisory revenue is recognized over the period in which the service is performed. Accordingly, the amount of investment advisory revenue billed as of the balance sheet date relating to periods after the balance sheet date is included as deferred revenue. Revenue from research reports is recognized as earned.
18
THE WINTHROP CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
1.
|
Summary of significant accounting policies (continued):
|
Profit sharing plan:
|
The Company has a non-contributory Profit Sharing Plan and a contributory Employee Deferred Savings and 401(k) Plan covering substantially all employees. Employer contributions are made in amounts as determined by the Board of Directors.
Income taxes:
|
Deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to be reversed. These items relate principally to the deductibility of certain expenses and the future benefits to be recognized upon the utilization of certain operating loss carryforwards. A valuation allowance is provided for deferred tax assets not expected to be realized.
Stock based compensation: |
The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification No. 718, “Compensation-Stock Compensation” (ASC 718). ASC 718 requires companies to measure compensation expense for all stock based payments to employees based on the fair value at the date of grant and recognized over the vesting period.
2.
|
Short-term investments:
|
Estimated fair value is based on the criteria outlined in Accounting Standard Codification No. 820 (ASC 820) “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”. ASC 820 established a “three-tier” valuation hierarchy to prioritize the assumptions used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. The three levels of fair value hierarchy under ASC 820 are described below:
|
·
|
Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measure- ment date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities;
|
|
·
|
Level 2 – Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets and liabilities or quoted prices in less active, dealer or broker markets;
|
|
·
|
Level 3 – Prices or valuations that require inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and are unobservable.
|
19
THE WINTHROP CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
2.
|
Short-term investments (continued):
|
Short-term investments, principally in Company managed mutual funds and separate securities accounts, are stated at market based on the net asset value of the funds or the year-end closing price of the underlying security. Short-term investment values were determined utilizing Level 1 inputs.
The following is a summary of current trading marketable securities at March 31, 2012:
2012
|
||||||||||||
Amortized
|
Unrealized
|
Estimated
|
||||||||||
Cost
|
Gains
|
Fair Value
|
||||||||||
Cash
|
$ | 58,056 | $ | 58,056 | ||||||||
Mutual funds (See Note 6)
|
125,752 | $ | 16,785 | 142,537 | ||||||||
Equity securities
|
125,598 | 24,280 | 149,878 | |||||||||
Bonds
|
500 | 500 | ||||||||||
$ | 309,906 | $ | 41,065 | $ | 350,971 |
3.
|
Accounts receivable: |
The Company continuously monitors the creditworthiness of customers and establishes an allowance for amounts that may become uncollectible in the future based on current, economic trends, historical payment and bad debt write-off experience, and any specific customer related collection issues.
4.
|
Property and equipment: |
March 31,
|
||||
2012
|
||||
Computer software
|
$ | 363,252 | ||
Computer equipment
|
213,225 | |||
Office furniture and equipment
|
462,832 | |||
Leasehold improvements
|
279,079 | |||
Publishing machinery
|
42,834 | |||
Automobiles
|
58,018 | |||
1,419,240 | ||||
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
|
(1,348,577 | ) | ||
$ | 70,663 |
20
THE WINTHROP CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
5.
|
Retirement programs:
|
Officer retirement bonus:
The officer retirement bonus is an unfunded deferred compensation program providing retirement benefits equal to 10% of annual compensation, as defined, to those officers who are employed by the Company until their retirement. The total obligation under the plan is $2,003,574. The amount provided is computed at a present value, utilizing a discount rate that market participants would use in pricing such liability and considering factors applicable to the liability. Amortization of discount to present value was $25,705 in 2012. Payments under the Plan were $12,500 in 2012. Effective December 1, 1999, the Plan was frozen so that no additional benefits will be earned.
Employee savings and profit sharing plan:
The Company has an elective Employee Deferred Savings and 401(k) Plan and profit sharing plan to provide its employees with additional income upon retirement. At the discretion of the Board of Directors, the Company may contribute an amount not to exceed federally imposed limits on qualified plans. The aggregate benefit payable to any employee is dependent upon the rate of contribution, earnings of the investments selected under the Plan, and the length of time such employee continues as a participant. The Company had no contributions in 2012 to its 401(k) and profit sharing plans.
6.
|
Related party transactions:
|
The Company acts as investment advisor, its subsidiary acts as principal underwriter, and several Company officers are also officers for a family of mutual funds. The Company invests its excess funds in these mutual funds. Investment management and distribution fees are calculated based upon the net asset values of the respective funds. Fees earned were $373,300 in 2012.
The Company provided a subsidy to several of its funds by reimbursing certain of the funds’ operating expenses. Total fund subsidies were $106,600 in 2012 and are recorded as part of other investment advisory services revenue.
7.
|
Commitments:
|
Leases:
The Company leases office facilities under noncancellable operating leases expiring in 2013, which, in addition to the minimum lease payments, require an allocation of electricity and property taxes.
21
THE WINTHROP CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
7.
|
Commitments (continued):
|
Leases (continued):
The Company also subleases a portion of their office facilities under operating leases expiring in 2013.
Future minimum payments and sublease receivable under noncancellable operating leases are as follows:
Year Ending December 31:
|
Lease
|
Sublease
|
||||||
2012
|
$ | 237,140 | $ | 53,142 | ||||
2013
|
212,245 | 48,708 | ||||||
$ | 449,385 | $ | 101,850 |
8.
|
Common stock and treasury stock:
|
Class A and B common stock, have $1 par value, 100,000 and 50,000 shares authorized and may elect 30% and 70% respectively, of the Board of Directors. Class C common stock is non-voting, has a $1 par value and has 50,000 shares authorized with no shares issued.
9.
|
Income taxes:
|
At December 31, 2011, the Company had approximately $8,424,000 and $1,260,000 of net operating loss carryforwards to offset state and federal taxable income, respectively, which are scheduled to expire at various dates through 2031. For financial reporting purposes, a valuation allowance of $1,712,000 has been recognized for the related deferred tax asset as of December 31, 2011.
2012
|
||||||||
Current
|
Deferred
|
|||||||
Tax expense (benefit) before application of
operating loss carryforward
|
$ | 36,250 | ||||||
Benefit of loss carryforward
|
(36,000 | ) | $ | 36,000 | ||||
Change in valuation allowance
|
- | (36,000 | ) | |||||
$ | 250 | $ | - |
10.
|
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
|
Cash paid for income taxes was $250 in 2012.
22
THE WINTHROP CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Three Months Ended March 31, 2012
11.
|
Stock plans:
|
The Company has issued non-qualified stock options covering 2,568 shares of Class A, 1,926 shares of Class B and 2,470 shares of Class C common stock. The purpose of the options is to attract, retain and motivate certain employees by providing the opportunity to acquire an ownership interest in the Company. Shares awarded entitle the shareholder to all rights of common stock ownership. Options are granted with an exercise price equal to a purchase price formula defined by the Company which represents the fair market value of the stock at the date of grant. The options vest based on 5 years of continuous service and have 7 year contractual terms from the date of vesting. Options granted are fully vested in 2012.
The Company has an obligation to repurchase the shares, upon request of the participant, at the price yielded by calculating their value using the same formula as of the calendar year end immediately preceding the repurchase request. The Company has no liability recorded for this obligation as of 2012. As part of the acquisition of the Company stock in 2012, the Company voted to terminate its stock option plan.
The fair value of each option was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model.
The following summarizes the transactions of the Company’s stock option plan for the years ended December 31, 2011:
Shares
Subject
To option
|
Weighted
Average
Exercise
Price
Per Share
|
Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life
(In Years)
|
||||||||||
Outstanding and exercisable at
March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011
|
6,964 | $ | 151.59 | 6.24 |
Stock appreciation rights:
The Company has a stock appreciation rights plan that allows for 5,000 rights awards to be provided to certain employees as determined by the Board of Directors. The value of the right is determined at the award date and is based on a formula of revenue and pre-tax earnings, divided by the number of outstanding shares of common stock and outstanding stock appreciation rights. The right may be redeemed after the second anniversary of the award date within an eight year period. As part of the acquisition of the Company’s stock in 2012, the Company voted to terminate its stock appreciation rights plan. Based on the formula, the Company has no obligation under this plan at 2012.
23
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for forward looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical facts, but rather reflect our current expectations concerning future events and results. The words “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “should,” “would,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “could,” “project,” “predict,” “expect,” “estimate,” “continue,” and “intend,” as well as other similar words and expressions of the future, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
Factors that may cause actual results to differ from those results expressed or implied, include, but are not limited to, those listed under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012 filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on April 1, 2013.
These forward-looking statements generally relate to our plans, objectives and expectations for future events and include statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, intentions, assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements are based upon our opinions and estimates as of the date they are made. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may be beyond our control, which could cause actual results, performance and achievements to differ materially from results, performance and achievements projected, expected, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. While we cannot assess the future impact that any of these differences could have on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows or the market price of shares of our common stock, the differences could be significant. You are cautioned not to unduly rely on such forward-looking statements when evaluating the information presented in this report and you are urged to consider all such risks and uncertainties. In light of the uncertainty inherent in such forward-looking statements, you should not consider their inclusion to be a representation that such forward-looking matters will be achieved.
On January 15, 2010, we completed the Five Star Sale, in which we sold to Merit all of the issued and outstanding shares of Five Star stock for cash pursuant to the terms and subject to the conditions of the Five Star Stock Purchase Agreement.
Five Star’s results of operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 has been accounted for as a discontinued operation in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Upon the consummation of the Five Star Sale, we became a “shell company”, as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Because we were a shell company, our stockholders are unable to utilize Rule 144 to sell “restricted stock” as defined in Rule 144 or to otherwise use Rule 144 to sell our securities, and we are ineligible to utilize registration statements on Form S-3 or Form S-8 for so long as we remain a shell company and for 12 months thereafter. As a consequence, among other things, the offering, issuance and sale of our securities is likely to be more expensive and time consuming and may make our securities less attractive to investors.
On December 19, 2012 (the “Closing Date”) the Company, completed the acquisition of Winthrop, an investment management, financial advisory and investment research firm, pursuant to the Merger Agreement dated June 18, 2012. In accordance with the Merger Agreement, a wholly-owned newly formed subsidiary of the Company, was merged with and into Winthrop and Winthrop became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (see Note 2 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).
As a result of the completion of the Merger described above, the Company is no longer a “shell company” as that term is defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act, and Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act. As more fully described below, substantially all of the Company’s business operations are carried out through Winthrop and its subsidiaries, the Wright Companies.
Our Board of Directors is considering strategic uses for the Five Star Sale proceeds including, without limitation, using such funds, together with other funds of the Company, to develop or acquire interests in one or more operating businesses. Prior to the acquisition of Winthrop the Five Star Sale proceeds have been, and we anticipate will continue to be, invested in high-grade, short-term investments (such as cash and cash equivalents) consistent with the preservation of principal, maintenance of liquidity and avoidance of speculation, until such time as we need to utilize such funds, or any portion thereof, for the purposes described above. We have not distributed, and do not anticipate distributing, the proceeds of the Five Star Sale to our stockholders.
Prior to consummation of the Five Star Sale, the Company’s Board of Directors believed that, although the Company was not engaged primarily in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities, and did not hold itself out as being primarily engaged in those activities, the Company could, upon consummation of the Five Star Sale, fall within the technical definition of “investment company” under Section 3(a)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”). After the Five Star Sale, the Company’s Board of Directors has re-evaluated the characterization and valuation of its assets for purposes of the applicable definitions of the Investment Company Act and has concluded that the Company does not fall within the technical definition of “investment company” because the “investment securities” it holds constitute less than 40% of its total assets (exclusive of government securities and cash and certain cash equivalents). Accordingly, the Company was not required to take any affirmative steps, including developing or acquiring interests in one or more operating businesses prior to January 15, 2011, in order to avoid becoming an “investment company” for purposes of the Investment Company Act.
24
Significant Developments – Acquisition
On the Closing Date, 881,206 shares of Company Common Stock were issued by the Company as merger consideration to those holders of Winthrop Common Stock who elected to receive Company Common Stock as merger consideration and the Company paid cash totaling $4,852,000 to those holders of Winthrop Common Stock who elected to receive cash as merger consideration. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement and an Investors’ Rights Agreement, holders of Winthrop Common Stock who elected to receive Company Common Stock as merger consideration are subject to a three-year transfer restriction on such Company Common Stock. Further, the Company has agreed to pay contingent consideration in cash to a holder of Winthrop common stock who received 852,228 shares of Company Common Stock to the extent that such shares have a value of less than $1,900,000 on the expiration of the three year period based on the average closing price of the Company’s Common Stock for the ten trading days prior to such date. The total purchase price for Winthrop was $7,069,000 (see Note 2 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements).
Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Company has entered into employment agreements with four key Winthrop employees having initial terms of five years for one employee and three years for three employees which provide for compensation in the form of base salary, various bonuses and restricted stock units, representing Company Common Stock (“RSUs”). The employment agreements provide for automatic annual renewals unless notice of non-renewal is given at least six months prior to the applicable employment period.
The Company’s results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 included the operating results of Winthrop for the 12 days ended December 31, 2012.
Other Assets
The Company owns certain non-strategic assets, including an investment in MXL Operations Inc. (MXL), and interests in land and flowage rights in undeveloped property in Killingly, Connecticut. The Company has a 19.9% interest in MXL carried at its cost of $275,000 under ASC 325, Investments- Other. The Company monitors these investments for impairment by considering current factors, including the economic environment, market conditions, operational performance and other specific factors relating to the business underlying the investment, and records impairments in carrying values when necessary.
Legal Proceedings
On or about May 17, 2011, the Merit Group, Inc. (“Merit”) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of South Carolina. On or about December 14, 2011, the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of TMG Liquidation Company (formerly known as The Merit Group, Inc.) filed in that court an adversary proceeding against the Company (the “Avoidance Action”) now captioned CohnResnick LLP, as Plan Administrator v. National Patent Development Corp. (In re TMG Liquidation Co.). The Avoidance Action seeks, among other things, to avoid and recover the consideration paid by Merit to the Company for the purchase of Five Star Products, Inc. (“Five Star”) from the Company under the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated January 15, 2010 (the “Agreement”), as a constructive fraudulent transfer under sections 548, 550, and 551 of the Bankruptcy Code. Management believes the claim is without merit and the Company intends to vigorously defend against the Avoidance Action.
25
Results of Operations
Assets Under Management (AUM)
Winthrop earns revenue primarily by charging fees based upon AUM. At March 31, 2013, AUM was $1.50 billion, as compared to $1.48 billion at December 31, 2012. The change in AUM was due to deposits of $70 million and increased market value of $54 million, offset by redemptions and withdrawals of $103 million.
Three months ended March 31, 2013 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2012
For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company had a loss from continuing operations before income taxes of $1,273,000 compared to a loss from continuing operations before income taxes of $499,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2012. The increased loss was the result of a $372,000 loss incurred by Winthrop and increased General and administrative expenses at the corporate level of $448,000. Included in the loss incurred by for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 for Winthrop are amortization of intangibles of $159,000, amortization of stay and retention bonuses of $34,000 and compensation expense of $71,000 related to RSU’s issued to Winthrop employees.
Revenue
Winthrop markets its investment management products and services to plan sponsors, trade unions, endowments, corporations, state and local governments, municipalities and foundations. The Winthrop products include equity, fixed income and balanced portfolios for various plan types, including defined benefit, annuity, self-directed and 401(k), health and welfare and education and training plans. In addition, Wright helps bank trust departments and trust companies satisfy part or all of their investment management functions. Winthrop delivers fiduciary level investment management services to these institutions’ clients by providing active oversight of each account's asset allocation and security selection. Its offerings include investment management solutions utilizing individual securities or mutual funds. Mutual fund models developed by Winthrop utilize a combination of Wright Mutual Funds as well as mutual funds from other investment managers.
WPAM offers programs to support high net worth investors and other individual investors. WPAM manages a variety of accounts including: discretionary investment accounts, individual retirement accounts (IRAs), 401k plans and accounts for non-corporate fiduciaries, such as trustees, executors, guardians, personal representatives, attorneys and other professionals who are responsible for the assets of others and must manage those assets in accordance with the Prudent Investor Act. This investment process, developed and monitored by the Wright Investment Committee, and related investment strategies, are utilized to address the objectives of WPAM clients.
Winthrop, through its WISDI affiliate, offers a diversified family of mutual funds. Wright Mutual Funds are utilized by the Wright Companies and others to build or supplement managed investment portfolios designed to address clients’ financial objectives. Following is a brief description of the five Wright-managed mutual funds
Revenue from Investment Management Services was $664,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. Within this category, Winthrop primarily bills clients based on AUM values as of calendar quarters. Revenues are primarily from fees from; (i) Taft-Hartley clients, (ii) Personal Investment Managed Accounts, (iii) and other client serviced accounts.
Revenue from Other investment advisory services was $687,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. Other investment advisory service revenue includes: (i) revenue from Mutual Funds; (ii) fees from services provided to Bank Trust Departments; and (iii) investment income. Revenue from Mutual Funds includes distribution fees for both Winthrop-sponsored mutual funds as well as other mutual funds and investment management fees from Winthrop-sponsored mutual funds.
Revenue from the sale of Financial research information and related data was $163,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. Revenues are also derived from the distribution of investment research directly and through several third parties who act as distributors of such research content. The fees paid by the end client are divided between Winthrop and the distributor. Existing agreements in place with third party distributors, primarily Thomson Reuters, allow for the renegotiation of the revenue split, which could result in a decline in revenue to Winthrop. In addition, the underlying data we utilize to produce our financial research and related data is primarily obtained from a third-party, Worldscope, at no cost to us. However in 2014, the Company will have to start paying for updates to the data (at most favored vendor cost) and in 2024 such agreement will terminate. The revised terms of such agreement may alter our ability to produce investment research on favorable terms and may cause our revenue from the sale of such research products to decline.
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Selling, general and administrative expenses
For the three months ended March 31, 2013 selling, general and administrative expenses were $2,781,000 as compared to $482,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. The increased selling, general and administrative expenses of $2,299,000 was the result of Winthrop selling, general and administrative expenses for the period of $1,886,000 and increased expenses at the corporate level of $413,000. Winthrop’s selling, general and administrative expenses are primarily comprised of personnel related costs. Included in Winthrop’s selling, general and administrative expenses are the following; (i) amortization of intangibles of $159,000, (ii) amortization of stay and retention bonuses of $34,000 and (iii) compensation expense of $71,000 related to RSU’s issued to Winthrop employees. The increased expenses at the corporate level are primarily due to increased professional fees of $264,000, as well as increased personnel costs and increased facility costs. The increased professional fee are primarily due to legal costs incurred related to the Merit litigation (see Legal Proceedings).
Income taxes
For the three months ended March 31, 2012, the income tax expense related to continuing operations of $165,000 substantially represents an increase in a liability for uncertain tax positions related to a New York State tax examination.
For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company recorded income tax expense from continuing operations of $3,000, which represented minimum state taxes.
Five Star is currently undergoing an income tax examination by the Internal Revenue Service for income tax filings for the years ended December 31, 2007 and 2008 and is being challenged with respect to the timing of certain tax deductions. As a result, a liability for uncertain tax positions was provided in the year ended December 31, 2010 and charged to discontinued operations. As of March 31, 2013, the liability related to Five Star included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets amounted to approximately $344,000 for potential federal and state tax deficiencies and related interest, of which approximately $213,000 related to additional tax, and approximately $131,000 related to interest. The deficiency notice was issued on April 25, 2011. On May 17, 2011, Five Star Products Inc. and its subsidiary Five Star Group Inc. filed petitions for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy code. On December 16, 2011, the Plan of Reorganization of TMG Liquidation Corp., Five Star Products Inc.’s parent corporation, was approved by the Bankruptcy Court. Under the Plan of Reorganization, the Internal Revenue Service is authorized to pursue the Plan Administrator, who is authorized to defend the deficiency letter issued to Five Star Products, Inc.
New York State was examining the Company’s 2008 through 2010 tax returns, which was finalized in June 2012. During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the liability for uncertain tax positions was increased by $185,000 to account for an increase in tax and related interest related to a challenge to the Company’s position for filing on a combined basis. The Company subsequently settled with New York State for the amount of $244,000, including interest of $39,000.
As of March 31, 2013, the Internal Revenue Service was examining the Company’s 2009 and 2010 consolidated U.S. federal tax returns. In 2012, the Company recorded a liability for uncertain tax positions of approximately $15,000 for an anticipated alternative minimum tax related to this examination. The Company subsequently settled with the Internal Revenue Service, resulting in no material impact to the financial statements.
The increase in the liability for uncertain tax positions was treated as a discrete item. The tax effect of discrete items are reflected in the periods in which they occur and not reflected in the estimated annual effective tax rate which is used for interim period tax provisions.
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Financial condition
Liquidity and Capital Resources
At March 31, 2013, the Company had cash and cash equivalents totaling $18,034,000, which it intends to use to acquire interests in one or more operating businesses and to fund the Company’s general and administrative expenses.
The decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $849,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 was the result of $848,000 used in operations.
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
In connection with the sale of Five Star, the Company is responsible for all activities necessary to achieve compliance with the Connecticut Transfer Act, including receipt of approval from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (“CTDEP’) and implementation of a remediation plan, if required, with respect to environmental obligations related to Five Star’s Connecticut warehouse. For the year ended December 31, 2012 the Company expensed an additional $28,000 to complete the Connecticut Transfer Act process with the CTDEP. Such amount is included in loss from discontinued operations. The Company has satisfied its remediation and environmental obligations with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Not required.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
The Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, with the assistance of other members of the Company’s management, have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based upon such evaluation, the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report.
The Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer have also concluded that there was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2013 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
Issuances of Equity Securities
On January 4, 2013, the Company issued without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), shares of Company common stock to Lawrence G. Schafran, a director of the Company, in payment of his quarterly directors fees. Mr. Schafran received 1,202 shares of Company common stock. The aggregate value of the 1,202 shares of Company common stock issued to Mr. Schafran was approximately $3,125 on the date of issuance. These shares were issued pursuant to exemptions from registration set forth in Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and Regulation D promulgated thereunder.
This issuance qualified for exemption from registration under the Securities Act because (i) Mr. Schafran is an accredited investor, (ii) the Company did not engage in any general solicitation or advertising in connection with the issuance, and (iii) Mr. Schafran received restricted securities.
Purchases of Equity Securities
On December 15, 2006, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to 2,000,000 shares, or approximately 11%, of its outstanding shares of common stock from time to time either in open market or privately negotiated transactions. On August 13, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an increase of 2,000,000 common shares to be repurchased, and on March 29, 2011 the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an increase of an additional 1,000,000 shares to be repurchased. At March 31, 2012, the Company had repurchased 1,791,821 shares of its common stock and, a total of 3,208,179 shares remained available for repurchase. There were no common stock repurchases made by or on behalf of the Company during the quarter ended March 31, 2013.
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Item 6. Exhibits.
Exhibit No.
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Description
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31.1
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*
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Certification of principal executive officer of the Company, pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)
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31.2
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*
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Certification of principal financial officer of the Company, pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-14(a)
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32.1
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*
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Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, signed by the principal executive officer of the Company and the principal financial officer of the Company
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101.INS
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**
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XBRL Instance Document
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||
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||
101.SCH
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**
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XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
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||
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||
101.CAL
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**
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XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
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||
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||
101.DEF
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**
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XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
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||
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101.LAB
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**
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XBRL Extension Labels Linkbase Document
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||
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||
101.PRE
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**
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XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
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___________________________
*Filed herewith
**Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 or Section 18 of the Securities Act of 1934 and otherwise are not subject to liability.
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed in its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
WRIGHT INVESTORS’ SERVICE HOLDINGS, INC.
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||
Date: May 14, 2013
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/s/ HARVEY P. EISEN
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Name: Harvey P. Eisen
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Title: Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
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Date: May 14, 2013
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/s/ IRA J. SOBOTKO
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Name: Ira J. Sobotko
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Title: Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
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