e10vq
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
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þ
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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, 2005 |
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 |
Commission File Number 000-26659
Homestore, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
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Delaware |
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95-4438337 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
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(I.R.S. Employer |
Incorporation or Organization)
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Identification No.) |
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30700 Russell Ranch Road
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91362 |
Westlake Village, California
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(Zip Code) |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
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(805) 557-2300
(Registrants Telephone Number, including Area Code:)
Indicate by check mark whether 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 þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated
filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange
Act). Yes þ No o
At May 2, 2005, the registrant had 147,264,523 shares
of its common stock outstanding.
INDEX
Homestore.com®, REALTOR.com®,
HomeBuilder.comtm,
RENTNET.com®, Top Producer® and Welcome Wagon®
are our trademarks or are exclusively licensed to us. This
quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains trademarks of other
companies and organizations. REALTOR® is a registered
collective membership mark that may be used only by real estate
professionals who are members of the National Association of
REALTORS® and subscribe to its code of ethics.
1
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
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Item 1. |
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements |
HOMESTORE, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
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March 31, | |
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December 31, | |
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2005 | |
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2004 | |
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(Unaudited) | |
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(In thousands) | |
ASSETS |
Current assets:
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Cash and cash equivalents
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$ |
17,583 |
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$ |
14,819 |
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Short-term investments
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45,325 |
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45,040 |
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Accounts receivable, net
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12,193 |
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12,532 |
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Other current assets
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14,763 |
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12,498 |
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Total current assets
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89,864 |
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84,889 |
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Property and equipment, net
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15,163 |
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15,242 |
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Goodwill, net
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19,502 |
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19,502 |
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Intangible assets, net
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16,667 |
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17,864 |
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Restricted cash
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5,861 |
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5,840 |
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Other assets
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7,082 |
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7,167 |
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Total assets
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$ |
154,139 |
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$ |
150,504 |
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LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
Current liabilities:
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Accounts payable
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$ |
2,295 |
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$ |
2,675 |
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Accrued expenses
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36,977 |
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39,894 |
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Obligation under capital leases
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1,665 |
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1,774 |
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Deferred revenue
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51,471 |
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39,487 |
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Total current liabilities
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92,408 |
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83,830 |
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Obligation under capital leases
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768 |
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991 |
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Deferred revenue
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103 |
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4,100 |
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Other liabilities
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3,121 |
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4,190 |
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Total liabilities
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96,400 |
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93,111 |
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Commitments and contingencies (see note 12)
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Stockholders equity:
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Convertible preferred stock
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Common stock
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147 |
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147 |
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Additional paid-in capital
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2,043,773 |
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2,043,053 |
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Deferred stock-based charges
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(347 |
) |
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(406 |
) |
Accumulated other comprehensive income
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371 |
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409 |
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Accumulated deficit
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(1,986,205 |
) |
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(1,985,810 |
) |
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Total stockholders equity
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57,739 |
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57,393 |
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Total liabilities and stockholders equity
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$ |
154,139 |
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$ |
150,504 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
2
HOMESTORE, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
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Three Months Ended | |
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March 31, | |
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2005 | |
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2004 | |
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(In thousands, except | |
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per share amounts) | |
Revenue
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$ |
56,456 |
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$ |
53,424 |
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Cost of revenue
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12,901 |
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13,250 |
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Gross profit
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43,555 |
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40,174 |
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Operating expenses:
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Sales and marketing
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22,362 |
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24,259 |
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Product and website development
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4,379 |
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3,935 |
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General and administrative
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16,377 |
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13,991 |
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Amortization of intangible assets
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1,197 |
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2,328 |
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Restructuring charges
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345 |
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Total operating expenses
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44,315 |
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44,858 |
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Loss from operations
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(760 |
) |
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(4,684 |
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Interest income (expense), net
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353 |
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(85 |
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Other income (expense), net
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12 |
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(8 |
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Loss from continuing operations
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(395 |
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(4,777 |
) |
Loss from discontinued operations
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(306 |
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Net loss
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$ |
(395 |
) |
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$ |
(5,083 |
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Unrealized loss on marketable securities
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(37 |
) |
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(4 |
) |
Foreign currency translation
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(2 |
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1 |
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Comprehensive loss
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$ |
(434 |
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$ |
(5,086 |
) |
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Basic and diluted loss per share applicable to common
stockholders (see note 9):
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Continuing operations
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$ |
(0.00 |
) |
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$ |
(0.04 |
) |
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Discontinued operations
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(0.00 |
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Net loss
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$ |
(0.00 |
) |
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$ |
(0.04 |
) |
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Shares used to calculate basic and diluted net loss per share
applicable to common stockholders:
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Basic and diluted
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146,656 |
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121,138 |
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
3
HOMESTORE, INC.
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
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Three Months Ended | |
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March 31, | |
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2005 | |
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2004 | |
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(In thousands) | |
Cash flows from continuing operating activities:
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Loss from continuing operations
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$ |
(395 |
) |
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$ |
(4,777 |
) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by
continuing operating activities:
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Depreciation
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1,624 |
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2,372 |
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Amortization of intangible assets
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1,197 |
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2,328 |
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Provision for doubtful accounts
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375 |
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160 |
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Stock-based charges
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384 |
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417 |
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Other non-cash items
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(53 |
) |
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37 |
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Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of discontinued
operations:
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Accounts receivable
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(36 |
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173 |
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Prepaid distribution expense
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5,411 |
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Restricted cash
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(21 |
) |
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Other assets
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(2,257 |
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(1,029 |
) |
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Accounts payable and accrued expenses
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(4,348 |
) |
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(3,411 |
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Accrued distribution agreement
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(3,655 |
) |
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Deferred revenue
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|
7,987 |
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7,914 |
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Net cash provided by continuing operating activities
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4,457 |
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5,940 |
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Net cash used in discontinued operations
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(577 |
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Net cash provided by operating activities
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4,457 |
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5,363 |
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Cash flows from investing activities:
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Purchases of property and equipment
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(1,546 |
) |
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(1,073 |
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Maturities of short term investments
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|
1,000 |
|
Purchases of short term investments
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(285 |
) |
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Net cash used in investing activities
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(1,831 |
) |
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(73 |
) |
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Cash flows from financing activities:
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Proceeds from exercise of stock options, warrants and share
issuances under employee stock purchase plan
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470 |
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1,963 |
|
Payments on capital lease obligations
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(332 |
) |
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(706 |
) |
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Net cash provided by financing activities
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|
138 |
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|
1,257 |
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Change in cash and cash equivalents
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|
2,764 |
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|
6,547 |
|
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
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|
14,819 |
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|
13,942 |
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Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
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$ |
17,583 |
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$ |
20,489 |
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|
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|
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
4
HOMESTORE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
Homestore, Inc. (Homestore or the
Company) has created an online service that is the
leading consumer destination on the Internet for home and real
estate-related information based on the number of visitors, time
spent on its websites and number of property listings. The
Company provides a wide variety of information and tools for
consumers, and is a leading supplier of online media and
technology solutions for real estate industry professionals,
advertisers and providers of home and real estate-related
products and services. The Company derives all of its revenue
from its North American operations.
To provide consumers with timely and comprehensive real estate
listings, access to real estate professionals and other home and
real estate-related information and resources, the Company has
established relationships with key industry participants. These
participants include real estate market leaders such as the
National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), the
National Association of Home Builders (NAHB),
hundreds of Multiple Listing Services (MLSs), the
Manufactured Housing Institute (MHI), and leading
real estate franchisors, including the six largest franchises,
brokers, builders, and apartment owners and managers. Under an
agreement with NAR, the Company operates NARs official
website, REALTOR.com®. Under an agreement with NAHB, the
Company operates a new home listing website,
HomeBuilder.comtm,
which is endorsed by NAHB. Under agreements with NAR, NAHB, and
MHI, the Company receives preferential promotion in their
marketing activities.
We generated positive operating cash flow for the year ended
December 31, 2004 and for the quarter ended March 31,
2005 and we have cash and short-term investments of
$62.9 million as of March 31, 2005. However, as of
March 31, 2005, the Company had an accumulated deficit of
$2.0 billion. The Company has no material financial
commitments other than those under capital and operating lease
agreements and distribution and marketing agreements. The
Company believes that its existing cash and short-term
investments, and any cash generated from operations, will be
sufficient to fund its working capital requirements, capital
expenditures and other obligations through the next
12 months. Long term, the Company may face significant
risks associated with the successful execution of its business
strategy and may need to raise additional capital in order to
fund more rapid expansion, to expand its marketing activities,
to develop new or enhance existing services or products and to
respond to competitive pressures or to acquire complementary
services, businesses or technologies. If the Company is not
successful in continuing to generate sufficient cash flow from
operations, it may need to raise additional capital through
public or private financing, strategic relationships or other
arrangements. The Companys settlement of the Securities
Class Action Lawsuit (described in Note 11) reduced
its cash balance by $13.0 million, and increased the number
of outstanding shares of the Companys common stock by
20.0 million, which may make it more difficult to raise
additional capital. This additional capital, if needed, might
not be available on terms acceptable to the Company, or at all.
If additional capital were raised through the issuance of equity
securities, the percentage of the Companys stock owned by
its then-current stockholders would be further reduced.
Furthermore, these equity securities might have rights,
preferences or privileges senior to those of the Companys
common and preferred stock. In addition, the Companys
liquidity could be adversely impacted by other litigation (see
Note 12).
The Companys unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America
(GAAP) including those for interim financial
information and with the instructions for Form 10-Q and
Article 10 of Regulation S-X issued by the Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC). Accordingly, they do
not include all of the information and note disclosures required
by GAAP for complete financial statements. These statements are
unaudited and, in the opinion of management, all adjustments
(which include only normal recurring adjustments) considered
necessary for a fair presentation have been included. These
unaudited
5
HOMESTORE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in
conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes
thereto for the year ended December 31, 2004 included in
the Companys Form 10-K filed with the SEC on
March 11, 2005. The results of operations for these interim
periods are not necessarily indicative of the operating results
for a full year. As a result of the Companys sale of its
Wyldfyre and Computer for Tracts businesses, the results of
those two businesses have been reclassified as discontinued
operations for all periods presented (See Note 5).
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3. |
Significant Accounting Policy |
The Company follows the intrinsic value method in accounting for
its stock options. Had compensation cost been recognized based
on the fair value at the date of grant for options granted
during the three months ended March 31, 2005 and
March 31, 2004, the pro forma amounts of the Companys
net loss per share would have been as follows (in thousands,
except per share amounts):
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
Three Months Ended | |
|
|
March 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Net loss applicable to common stockholders:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As reported
|
|
$ |
(395 |
) |
|
$ |
(5,083 |
) |
|
Add: Stock-based employee compensation charges included in
reported net loss
|
|
|
250 |
|
|
|
300 |
|
|
Deduct: Total stock-based compensation determined under the fair
value-based method for all awards
|
|
|
(3,953 |
) |
|
|
(3,735 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma net loss
|
|
$ |
(4,098 |
) |
|
$ |
(8,518 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss per share basic and diluted:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As reported
|
|
$ |
(0.00 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.04 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pro forma net loss
|
|
$ |
(0.03 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.07 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The fair value for each option granted was estimated at the date
of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the
following weighted-average assumptions:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months | |
|
|
Ended | |
|
|
March 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Risk-free interest rates
|
|
|
3.9 |
% |
|
|
3.0 |
% |
Expected lives (in years)
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
Dividend yield
|
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
0 |
% |
Expected volatility
|
|
|
129 |
% |
|
|
139 |
% |
|
|
4. |
Recent Accounting Developments |
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
(FASB) issued revised Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123R,
Share-Based Payment. SFAS No. 123R sets
accounting requirements for share-based compensation
to employees and requires companies to recognize in the income
statement the grant-date fair value of stock options and other
equity-based compensation. SFAS No. 123R is effective
for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company
will be required to adopt SFAS No. 123R in its first
quarter of fiscal 2006. The Company currently discloses the
effect on net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share of the
fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123,
6
HOMESTORE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, however,
SFAS 123R provides alternative methods for measuring
compensation expense, so the effect on income (loss) disclosed
in Note 3 may not be indicative of future compensation
expense under SFAS 123R. The Company is currently
evaluating the impact of the adoption of SFAS 123R on its
financial position and results of operations, including the
valuation methods and support for the assumptions that underlie
the valuation of the awards.
|
|
5. |
Discontinued Operations |
On October 6, 2004, the Company entered into an Asset
Purchase Agreement with Wyld Acquisition Corp.
(Wyld), a wholly owned subsidiary of Seigel
Enterprises, Inc., pursuant to which the Company agreed to sell
its Wyldfyre software business, which had been reported as part
of the Companys software segment, for a purchase price of
$8.5 million in cash. The transaction closed on
October 6, 2004, resulting in a gain on disposition of
discontinued operations. The sale generated net proceeds of
approximately $7.0 million after transaction fees and
monies placed in escrow pursuant to the Asset Purchase
Agreement. To date, approximately $5.7 million has been
recorded as Gain on disposition of discontinued
operations.
On December 21, 2004, the Company entered into an Asset
Purchase Agreement with Newstar Systems, Inc.
(Newstar) pursuant to which the Company agreed to
sell its Computer for Tracts (CFT) software
business, which had been reported as part of the Companys
software segment, for a purchase price of approximately
$2.5 million in cash. The transaction closed on
December 21, 2004, resulting in a gain on disposition of
discontinued operations of approximately $1.6 million.
On March 19, 2002, we entered into an agreement to sell our
ConsumerInfo divison, a former subsidiary of iPlace, to Experian
Holdings, Inc. (Experian), for $130.0 million
in cash. The transaction closed on April 2, 2002. The sale
generated net proceeds of approximately $117.1 million
after transaction fees, settlement of litigation, and monies
placed in escrow.
As part of the sale to Experian, $10.0 million of the
purchase price was put in escrow to secure our indemnification
obligations (the Indemnity Escrow). In the second
quarter of 2003, $2.3 million was released to us from the
Indemnity Escrow and recognized as Gain on disposition of
discontinued operations. As of March 31, 2005, cash
in the Indemnity Escrow was $7.3 million. To the extent the
Indemnity Escrow is released to us, we will recognize additional
gain on disposition of discontinued operations.
The Indemnity Escrow was scheduled to terminate in the third
quarter of 2003, but prior to the scheduled termination,
Experian demanded indemnification from us for claims made
against Experian or its subsidiaries by several parties. (See
Note 12.)
Pursuant to SFAS No. 144, the consolidated financial
statements of the Company for all periods presented reflect the
disposition of its Wyldfyre, CFT, and ConsumerInfo divisions as
discontinued operations. Accordingly, the revenue, costs and
expenses, and cash flows of these divisions have been excluded
from the respective captions in the Consolidated Statements of
Operations and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and have
been reported as Income from discontinued
operations, net of applicable income taxes of zero; and as
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued
operations. Total revenue and loss from discontinued
operations was $2.6 million and $306,000, respectively, for
the three months ended March 31, 2004. There were no
revenues or operating expenses associated with discontinued
operations for the three months ended March 31, 2005.
The Company has taken four restructuring charges: in the fourth
quarter of 2001, the first quarter of 2002, the third quarter of
2002 and the fourth quarter of 2003. All of these charges were a
part of plans approved by the Companys Board of Directors,
with the objective of eliminating duplicate resources and
7
HOMESTORE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
redundancies. A summary of each is outlined below. The Company
has also revised previous estimates from time to time.
In the fourth quarter of 2001, the Company recorded a charge of
$35.8 million, which was included in restructuring charges
in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. As part of this
restructuring and integration plan, the Company undertook a
review of its existing locations and elected to close a number
of satellite offices and identified and notified approximately
700 employees whose positions with the Company were eliminated.
The work force reductions affected approximately 150 members of
management, 100 in research and development, 200 in sales and
marketing and 250 in administrative functions. This charge
consisted of the following: (i) employee termination
benefits of $6.4 million; (ii) facility closure
charges of $20.8 million, comprised of $12.8 million
in future lease obligations, exit costs and cancellation
penalties, net of estimated sublease income of
$11.9 million, and $8.0 million of non-cash fixed
asset disposals related to vacating duplicate facilities and
decreased equipment requirements due to lower headcount;
(iii) non-cash write-offs of $2.9 million in other
assets related to exited activities; and (iv) accrued
future payments of $5.7 million for existing contractual
obligations with no future benefits to the Company.
In the first quarter of 2004, the Company increased its estimate
for lease obligations and related charges for its
San Francisco property by $139,000. In the fourth quarter
of 2004, the Company took an additional charge of $877,000
because the Company is uncertain it will be able to sublease the
remaining one-third of the San Francisco property and to
increase its liability for certain contractual obligations that
are subject to exchange rate fluctuations. As of March 31,
2005, one of the planned 700 employees previously notified of
termination has not yet been paid severance.
In the first quarter of 2002, the Company recorded a charge of
$2.3 million, which was included in restructuring charges
in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. As part of this
restructuring and integration plan, the Company undertook a
review of its existing locations and elected to close offices
and identified and notified approximately 270 employees whose
positions with the Company were eliminated. The work force
reductions affected approximately 30 members of management, 40
in research and development, 140 in sales and marketing and 60
in administrative functions. This charge consisted of employee
termination benefits of $1.7 million and facility closure
charges of approximately $600,000. In the first quarter of 2004,
the Company increased its charge for lease obligations by
$277,000 as a result of changes in exchange rates which
increased its Canadian lease obligations. In the fourth quarter
of 2004, the Company increased its charge for lease obligations
by $94,000 for the same reason. As of March 31, 2005, all
of the planned 270 employees have been terminated and paid
severance.
In the third quarter of 2002, the Company recorded a charge of
$3.6 million, which was included in restructuring charges
in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. As part of this
restructuring and integration plan, the Company undertook a
review of its existing locations and elected to close an office
and identified and notified approximately 190 employees whose
positions with the Company were eliminated. The work force
reductions affected approximately 30 in research and
development, 10 in production, 140 in sales and marketing and 10
in administrative functions. This charge consisted of employee
termination benefits of $1.6 million and facility closure
charges of approximately $2.0 million. In the fourth
quarter of 2003, the Company decreased its estimates regarding
employee termination benefits by $133,000 and its lease
obligations and related charges by $417,000. As of
March 31, 2005, all of the planned 190 employees have been
terminated and paid severance.
In the fourth quarter of 2003, the Company recorded a charge of
$3.5 million, which was included in restructuring charges
in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. As part of this
restructuring and integration plan, the Company undertook a
review of its existing operations and elected to change its
management structure and identified and notified approximately
95 employees whose positions with the Company were eliminated.
The work force reductions affected approximately seven in
research and
8
HOMESTORE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
development, 17 in production, 37 in sales and marketing and 34
in administrative functions. This charge consists of employee
termination benefits of approximately $1.4 million and
stock-based charges related to the acceleration of vesting of
certain options for terminated management personnel of
$2.1 million. In the first quarter of 2004, the Company
reduced its estimate for employee termination benefits by
$71,000. As of March 31, 2005, all of the planned 95
employees previously notified of termination have been paid
severance.
A summary of activity in 2004 and 2005 related to the four
restructuring charges and the changes in the Companys
estimates is as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee | |
|
Obligations | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination | |
|
and Related | |
|
Contractual | |
|
|
|
|
Benefits | |
|
Charges | |
|
Obligations | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Restructuring accrual at January 1, 2004
|
|
$ |
901 |
|
|
$ |
11,609 |
|
|
$ |
384 |
|
|
$ |
12,894 |
|
Cash paid
|
|
|
(737 |
) |
|
|
(1,425 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(2,166 |
) |
Change in estimates
|
|
|
(71 |
) |
|
|
416 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
345 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructuring accrual at March 31, 2004
|
|
|
93 |
|
|
|
10,600 |
|
|
|
380 |
|
|
|
11,073 |
|
Cash paid
|
|
|
(54 |
) |
|
|
(1,058 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(1,116 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructuring accrual at June 30, 2004
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
9,542 |
|
|
|
376 |
|
|
|
9,957 |
|
Cash paid
|
|
|
(18 |
) |
|
|
(1,005 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,023 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructuring accrual at September 30, 2004
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
8,537 |
|
|
|
376 |
|
|
|
8,934 |
|
Cash paid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,076 |
) |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(1,079 |
) |
Change in estimates
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
943 |
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
971 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructuring accrual at December 31, 2004
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
8,404 |
|
|
|
401 |
|
|
|
8,826 |
|
Cash paid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(859 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(863 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructuring accrual at March 31, 2005
|
|
$ |
21 |
|
|
$ |
7,545 |
|
|
$ |
397 |
|
|
$ |
7,963 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
With the exception of payments associated with the
San Francisco and other office lease commitments,
substantially all of the remaining restructuring liabilities at
March 31, 2005 will be paid during 2005. Any further
changes to the accruals based upon current estimates will be
reflected through the restructuring charges line in the
Consolidated Statement of Operations.
|
|
7. |
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets |
Goodwill, net, by segment, as of March 31, 2005 and
December 31, 2004 is as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, | |
|
December 31, | |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Media services
|
|
$ |
1,307 |
|
|
$ |
1,307 |
|
Software
|
|
|
11,681 |
|
|
|
11,681 |
|
Print
|
|
|
6,514 |
|
|
|
6,514 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
19,502 |
|
|
$ |
19,502 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Definite-lived intangible assets consist of purchased content,
portal relationships, purchased technology, and other
miscellaneous agreements entered into in connection with
business combinations and are amortized
9
HOMESTORE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
over expected periods of benefits. There are no indefinite lived
intangibles and no expected residual values related to these
intangible assets (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, 2005 | |
|
December 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Gross | |
|
Accumulated | |
|
Gross | |
|
Accumulated | |
|
|
Amount | |
|
Amortization | |
|
Amount | |
|
Amortization | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Trade name, trademarks, websites and brand names
|
|
$ |
19,746 |
|
|
$ |
5,866 |
|
|
$ |
19,746 |
|
|
$ |
5,499 |
|
Customer lists and relationships
|
|
|
18,786 |
|
|
|
18,488 |
|
|
|
18,786 |
|
|
|
18,407 |
|
Purchased technology
|
|
|
9,325 |
|
|
|
9,097 |
|
|
|
9,325 |
|
|
|
8,642 |
|
Purchased content
|
|
|
7,631 |
|
|
|
7,631 |
|
|
|
7,631 |
|
|
|
7,631 |
|
Porting relationships
|
|
|
1,728 |
|
|
|
1,728 |
|
|
|
1,728 |
|
|
|
1,728 |
|
NAR operating agreement
|
|
|
1,578 |
|
|
|
488 |
|
|
|
1,578 |
|
|
|
451 |
|
Online traffic
|
|
|
533 |
|
|
|
533 |
|
|
|
533 |
|
|
|
533 |
|
Other
|
|
|
5,844 |
|
|
|
4,673 |
|
|
|
5,844 |
|
|
|
4,416 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
$ |
65,171 |
|
|
$ |
48,504 |
|
|
$ |
65,171 |
|
|
$ |
47,307 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Amortization expense for intangible assets for the three months
ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 was $1.2 million and
$2.3 million, respectively. Amortization expense for the
next five years is estimated to be as follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
Years Ended December 31, |
|
Amount | |
|
|
| |
2005 (remaining 9 months)
|
|
$ |
2,390 |
|
2006
|
|
|
1,834 |
|
2007
|
|
|
1,423 |
|
2008
|
|
|
1,423 |
|
2009
|
|
|
1,423 |
|
The Company accounts for stock-based employee compensation
arrangements in accordance with the provisions of Accounting
Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25,
Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees(APB
No. 25), and complies with the disclosure provisions
of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation(SFAS No. 123). Under
APB No. 25, compensation expense is recognized over the
vesting period based on the difference, if any, on the date of
grant between the deemed fair value for accounting purposes of
the Companys stock and the exercise price on the date of
grant. The Company accounts for stock issued to non-employees in
accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123 and
Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) No. 96-18,
Accounting for Equity Instruments That Are Issued to Other
Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling,
Goods and Services.
The following chart summarizes the stock-based charges that have
been included in the following captions for each of the periods
presented (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months | |
|
|
Ended | |
|
|
March 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Sales and marketing
|
|
$ |
75 |
|
|
|
76 |
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
309 |
|
|
|
341 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
384 |
|
|
$ |
417 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10
HOMESTORE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Stock-based charges for the three months ended March 31,
2005 and 2004 consist of $75,000 and $76,000, respectively,
related to vendor agreements with the remainder related to the
amortization of restricted stock.
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and
diluted net income loss per share applicable to common
stockholders for the periods indicated (in thousands, except per
share amounts):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended | |
|
|
March 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Numerator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
(395 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,777 |
) |
|
Loss from discontinued operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(306 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$ |
(395 |
) |
|
$ |
(5,083 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Denominator:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average shares outstanding
|
|
|
146,656 |
|
|
|
121,138 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic and diluted loss per share:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss from continuing operations
|
|
$ |
(0.00 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.04 |
) |
|
Loss from discontinued operations
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
(0.00 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net loss
|
|
$ |
(0.00 |
) |
|
$ |
(0.04 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The per share computations exclude preferred stock, options and
warrants which are anti-dilutive. The number of such shares
excluded from the basic and diluted net loss per share
computations were 32,522,264 for the three months ended
March 31, 2005, and 23,185,331 for the three months ended
March 31, 2004.
Segment information is presented in accordance with
SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information. This standard is based
on a management approach, which requires segmentation based upon
the Companys internal organization and disclosure of
revenue and operating expenses based upon internal accounting
methods. The Companys management evaluates performance and
allocates resources based on three segments consisting of Media
Services, Software and Print. This is consistent with the data
that is made available to our management to assess performance
and make decisions.
The expenses presented below for each of the business segments
include an allocation of certain corporate expenses that are
identifiable and benefit those segments and are allocated for
internal management reporting purposes. The unallocated expenses
are those corporate overhead expenses that are not directly
attributable to a segment and include: corporate expenses, such
as finance, legal, internal business systems, and human
resources; amortization of intangible assets; litigation
settlement charges; stock-based charges; and restructuring
charges. There is no inter-segment revenue. Assets and
liabilities are not fully allocated to segments for internal
reporting purposes.
11
HOMESTORE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
Summarized information, by segment, as excerpted from internal
management reports is as follows (excluding discontinued
operations (see Note 5)) (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended | |
|
|
| |
|
|
March 31, 2005 | |
|
March 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Media | |
|
Software | |
|
Print | |
|
Unallocated | |
|
Total | |
|
Media | |
|
Software | |
|
Print | |
|
Unallocated | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Revenue
|
|
$ |
39,058 |
|
|
$ |
5,602 |
|
|
$ |
11,796 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
56,456 |
|
|
$ |
37,632 |
|
|
$ |
4,389 |
|
|
$ |
11,403 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
53,424 |
|
Cost of revenue
|
|
|
5,802 |
|
|
|
1,470 |
|
|
|
5,309 |
|
|
|
320 |
|
|
|
12,901 |
|
|
|
6,913 |
|
|
|
1,315 |
|
|
|
4,795 |
|
|
|
227 |
|
|
|
13,250 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit (loss)
|
|
|
33,256 |
|
|
|
4,132 |
|
|
|
6,487 |
|
|
|
(320 |
) |
|
|
43,555 |
|
|
|
30,719 |
|
|
|
3,074 |
|
|
|
6,608 |
|
|
|
(227 |
) |
|
|
40,174 |
|
Sales and marketing
|
|
|
15,800 |
|
|
|
1,425 |
|
|
|
4,869 |
|
|
|
268 |
|
|
|
22,362 |
|
|
|
18,205 |
|
|
|
1,326 |
|
|
|
4,544 |
|
|
|
184 |
|
|
|
24,259 |
|
Product and website development
|
|
|
2,353 |
|
|
|
1,440 |
|
|
|
173 |
|
|
|
413 |
|
|
|
4,379 |
|
|
|
2,657 |
|
|
|
1,217 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
3,935 |
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
4,887 |
|
|
|
682 |
|
|
|
2,625 |
|
|
|
8,183 |
|
|
|
16,377 |
|
|
|
4,450 |
|
|
|
579 |
|
|
|
2,412 |
|
|
|
6,550 |
|
|
|
13,991 |
|
Amortization of intangible assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,197 |
|
|
|
1,197 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,328 |
|
|
|
2,328 |
|
Restructuring charges
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
345 |
|
|
|
345 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
23,040 |
|
|
|
3,547 |
|
|
|
7,667 |
|
|
|
10,061 |
|
|
|
44,315 |
|
|
|
25,312 |
|
|
|
3,122 |
|
|
|
7,015 |
|
|
|
9,409 |
|
|
|
44,858 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from operations
|
|
$ |
10,216 |
|
|
$ |
585 |
|
|
$ |
(1,180 |
) |
|
$ |
(10,381 |
) |
|
$ |
(760 |
) |
|
$ |
5,407 |
|
|
$ |
(48 |
) |
|
$ |
(407 |
) |
|
$ |
(9,636 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,684 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11. |
Settlements of Disputes and Litigation |
|
|
|
Settlement of Securities Class Action Lawsuit |
Beginning in December 2001, numerous separate complaints
purporting to be class actions were filed in various
jurisdictions alleging that the Company and certain of its
current and former officers and directors violated certain
provisions of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The
complaints contain varying allegations, including that the
Company made materially false and misleading statements with
respect to the Companys 2000 and 2001 financial results
included in the Companys filings with the SEC, analysts
reports, press releases and media reports. The complaints sought
an unspecified amount of damages. In March 2002, the California
State Teachers Retirement System was named lead plaintiff
(the Plaintiff), and the complaints were
consolidated in the United States District Court, Central
District of California. In November 2002, the Plaintiff filed a
first amended consolidated class action complaint
(Securities Class Action Lawsuit) naming the
Company, certain of its current officers, directors and
employees, certain of the Companys former officers,
directors and employees, and various other parties, including
among others PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as defendants. The
amended complaint made various allegations, including that the
Company violated federal securities laws, and sought an
unspecified amount of damages.
On August 12, 2003, the Company entered into a settlement
agreement with the Plaintiff to resolve all outstanding claims
against the Company in the Securities Class Action Lawsuit.
On May 14, 2004, the District Court entered final judgment
and an order of dismissal with prejudice of the Securities
Class Action Lawsuit as to the Company. The final judgment
includes a bar order providing for the maximum protection to
which the Company is entitled under the law with respect to all
future claims, whether under federal, state or common law. On
June 10, 2004, an objector to the settlement filed a notice
of appeal. The Company and Plaintiff reached a settlement with
the objector and the objector filed a dismissal of the appeal on
March 4, 2005.
12
HOMESTORE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
As a result of the settlement, the Company recorded a litigation
settlement charge of $63.6 million in its operating results
in the year ended December 31, 2003. In addition, the
Company has adopted certain corporate governance, including
requirements for independent directors and special committees,
appointment of a new shareholder-nominated director, prohibition
on the future use of stock options for director compensation and
minimum stock retention by officers after exercise of future
stock option grants. The Board of Directors has also adopted an
amendment, which it intends to submit to the Companys
stockholders for their consideration and approval at the 2005
annual meeting of stockholders, to the Companys Amended
and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, which, if
approved by the stockholders, will eliminate the classification
of the Board of Directors. If the amendment is approved by the
stockholders, the terms of the directors elected at the
Companys annual stockholders meeting in each of 2005, 2006
and 2007 will expire in 2008, and beginning with the 2008 annual
stockholders meeting, all directors will be elected at each
annual meeting for a term of one year. The Company will also
divide equally with the class any future net proceeds from
insurance with respect to the litigation after provision for
legal expenses incurred against the Company. The Plaintiff has
agreed that any members of the class who participate in the
settlement will release and discharge all claims against the
Company. The Company is aware that several persons, who
purportedly acquired the Companys shares during the class
period during January 1, 2000 through December 21,
2002, representing approximately 1% of our outstanding shares,
have notified the Plaintiff that they wish to be excluded from
the settlement.
In addition, the Company continues to be subject to litigation
by persons who have elected to be excluded from the settlement.
Moreover, the Company could be subject to claims that may not
have been discharged or barred by the settlement, including
potential claims by Cendant described below.
On March 7, 2003, the court in the Securities
Class Action Lawsuit dismissed with prejudice Cendant as a
defendant. However, that dismissal has been appealed to the
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. In October
2004, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed an amicus
brief in support of the appeal. If Cendants dismissal as a
defendant in the Securities Class Action Lawsuit is
reversed on appeal and Cendant is subsequently found liable or
settles the claims against it in the Securities
Class Action Lawsuit, Cendant will likely seek
indemnification, contribution or similar relief from the Company
up to the amount for which it is held liable or for which it
settles. However, on March 16, 2004, as part of the
Companys settlement of the Securities Class Action
Lawsuit, the United States District Court issued an order
approving the settlement and barring claims by third parties
against the Company for indemnification, contribution and
similar relief with respect to liability such third parties may
have in the Securities Class Action Lawsuit.
The March 16, 2004 order may preclude Cendant from seeking
indemnification, contribution or similar relief from the Company
in the event Cendant is found liable or settles claims against
it in the Securities Class Action Lawsuit. However, the
Company has been advised by counsel that the law is unclear on
whether Cendant would be so precluded. Therefore, the Company
would likely incur significant expenses in defending such an
action by Cendant and could ultimately be found liable to
Cendant or settle with Cendant, notwithstanding the bar order.
Such expenses, liability or settlement could have a material
adverse effect on the Companys results of operations.
In addition, if Cendant is not permitted to share in the
settlement of the Securities Class Action Lawsuit (which
would be the case if its dismissal as a defendant is reversed on
appeal), the Company has agreed to pay or otherwise provide to
Cendant the amount of money and/or other consideration that
Cendant would have been otherwise entitled to receive from that
portion of the class action settlement fund provided by the
Company had Cendant been a class member and Cendants proof
of claim in respect of its shares had been accepted in full. At
this time, Cendant is still a member of the class and has not
been excluded. Pending distribution to the class of the cash and
shares, the Company is unable to estimate the amount of cash and
13
HOMESTORE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
number of shares that Cendant could be entitled to receive from
the Company should Cendant be prevented from participating in
the settlement.
In April 2004, the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour
Division (the DOL), commenced a preliminary
investigation into the Companys compliance with the Fair
Labor Standards Act with regard to job classifications. The DOL
and the Company entered into a settlement on September 30,
2004 in connection with the DOLs investigation pursuant to
which the Company, without admitting liability, agreed to
(1) convert its account executives to
non-exempt classifications effective
October 11, 2004; and (2) make payments of
approximately $1.4 million to 434 current and former
account executives for past overtime compensation under Federal
law. These payments were made in October 2004 and have been
reflected as sales and marketing expenses in the quarter ended
September 30, 2004.
In September 2004, Elizabeth Hathaway filed a class action
lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court on behalf of herself and
all current and former account executives employed by Homestore,
alleging that the Company misclassified account executives as
exempt from overtime wage requirements in violation of
California law. Hathaway sought back wages, interest and
attorneys fees. On March 11, 2005, Hathaway and
Homestore reached a settlement for an additional
$1.4 million. This has been reflected as sales and
marketing expenses in the quarter ended March 31, 2005. The
settlement will be submitted to the court for approval.
|
|
12. |
Commitments and Contingencies |
|
|
|
Contingencies Under Litigation Settlements |
See Note 11, Settlements of Disputes and
Litigation Settlement of Securities
Class Action Lawsuit, for contingencies related to
the settlement of the Class Action Lawsuit.
|
|
|
Contingencies Related to Pending Litigation |
In December 2001, Pentawave Inc. filed a suit for fraud,
securities fraud, rescission, breach of contract and defamation
in Ventura County Superior Court seeking $5.0 million in
compensatory and punitive damages. The Company filed for summary
judgment and in February 2005, the court granted the motion in
part, dismissing the defamation and securities fraud claims, and
denied it as to Plaintiffs breach of contract common law
fraud and rescission. Although the Company intends to defend
this claim vigorously, the Company is unable to express an
opinion as to the outcome of the litigation. No trial date is
currently scheduled.
In June 2002, Tren Technologies Holdings LLC.,(Tren)
served a complaint on Homestore, NAR and NAHB in the United
States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania. The
complaint alleged a claim for patent infringement based on
activities related to the websites REALTOR.com® and
HomeBuilder.comtm.
Specifically, Tren alleged that it owns a patent
(U.S. Patent No. 5,584,025) on an application, method
and system for tracking demographic customer information,
including tracking information related to real estate and real
estate demographics information, and that the Company has
developed an infringing technology for the NARs
REALTOR.com® and the NAHBs
HomeBuilder.comtm
websites. The complaint sought unspecified damages and a
permanent injunction against the Company using the technology.
On May 22, 2004, the Company filed with the United States
Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) a Request for
Reexamination of the patent at issue in the action. On
May 25, 2004, the Court issued an order dismissing the
action without prejudice and stating that the matter is to
remain status quo and that the statute of limitations is tolled,
and further stating that the matter remains active and any
discovery and settlement discussions will
14
HOMESTORE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
continue. On September 8, 2004, a status conference was
held in which the Court informed the parties to contact it after
there has been further progress in the Reexamination hearing. On
January 25, 2005, the Company received a ruling from the
USPTO regarding the Companys Request for Reexamination.
The USPTO examiner found that the patent claims at issue were
not unique or proprietary and could not be patented. Tren filed
a response to such finding arguing that the rejection of claims
was not proper, but the USPTO has not yet ruled on the matter.
The USPTOs ultimate decision in the reexamination
proceeding is likely to have an impact on the outcome of the
action. The Company believes Trens claims are without
merit and intends to vigorously defend the case.
On October 1, 2003, Plaintiff Kevin Keithley
(Keithley) filed a complaint against the Company,
the NAR and the NAHB in the United States District Court for the
Northern District of California alleging infringement of
U.S. Patent No. 5,584,025. The complaint sought
unspecified damages and a permanent injunction against the
Company using the technology. In the complaint, Keithley asserts
exclusive license of the patent. After Keithley filed and served
the complaint, defendants, including the Company, on
May 24, 2004 filed an answer and counterclaims seeking
declarations of non-infringement and invalidity of the patent at
issue in the action. Keithley has answered the counterclaims. On
May 22, 2004, the Company filed with the USPTO a Request
for Reexamination of the patent at issue in the action. The
Court has stayed this action pending the Reexamination
proceeding. On January 25, 2005, the Company received a
ruling from the USPTO regarding the Companys Request for
Reexamination. The USPTO examiner found that the patent claims
at issue were not unique or proprietary and could not be
patented. Keithley filed a response to such finding arguing that
the rejection of claims was not proper, but the USPTO has not
yet ruled on the matter. The USPTOs ultimate decision in
the reexamination proceeding is likely to have an impact on the
outcome of the action. The Company believes Keithleys
claims are without merit and intends to vigorously defend the
case.
On October 29, 2003, Peter Tafeen (Tafeen), a
former officer of Homestore, filed suit in the Delaware Chancery
Court in New Castle County. The complaint asserted a claim for
advancement of fees and expenses already incurred and for future
expenses to be incurred in connection with the SEC and DOJ
investigations and the civil actions filed against Tafeen for
his purported role in a scheme to inflate the Companys
revenues. Tafeen and the Company filed cross-motions for summary
judgment. On March 22, 2004, the Court denied a revised
Memorandum of Opinion denying both summary judgment motions and
directed that the case go to trial. The trial concluded on
July 27, 2004. On October 27, 2004, the Court ruled
that the Company is obligated to advance to Tafeen all
reasonable attorneys fees and costs associated with the
various legal proceedings in which Tafeen is involved by reason
of his service as an officer of the Company, as well as
Tafeens fees in prosecuting the action before the Court.
On January 4, 2005, a court-appointed special master held a
hearing as to the reasonableness of the fees and expenses
incurred by Tafeen. On April 27, 2005, the Court entered
final judgment requiring the Company to advance fees to Tafeen
in the amount of $4.2 million. The Company intends to
consider its options, including a possible appeal of the
Courts decision. Notwithstanding the possibility of the
Company prevailing in any such appeal, as a result of the
Courts ruling, the Company recorded an accrual of
$7.2 million for its estimate of the potential advancement
of legal costs of former officers and directors, including
Tafeen in the quarter ended September 30, 2004. The Company
will review the amount of the accrual each quarter and determine
whether incremental adjustments to the accrual should be made.
No adjustment was made in the quarter ended March 31, 2005.
On March 30, 2004, three shareholders of WyldFyre
Technologies, Inc. (WyldFyre), two of whom had
previously opted out of the settlement of the Securities
Class Action Lawsuit, filed a complaint in the Superior
Court of California, County of Los Angeles against the Company,
two of its former officers and Merrill Lynch & Co.,
Inc. The complaint alleges fraud, negligent misrepresentation,
vicarious liability, unfair business practices, unjust
enrichment and breach of contract arising out of the
Companys acquisition of WyldFyre in March 2000. The
complaint seeks restitution, rescissionary or compensatory
damages in an unspecified
15
HOMESTORE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
amount, disgorgement of benefits, punitive damages and costs of
litigation. The Company intends to vigorously defend this
action. At this time, however, the Company is unable to express
an opinion on the outcome of this case.
On July 29, 2004, the Company received a copy of an amended
complaint in Stichting Pensioenfonds ABP v. AOL Time
Warner. et.al in which the Company was named as a defendant.
The case was originally filed in the U.S. District Court
for the Southern District of New York in July 2003 against Time
Warner (formerly, AOL Time Warner), current and former officers
and directors of Time Warner and America Online, Inc.
(AOL), and Time Warners outside auditor
alleging that Time Warner and AOL made material
misrepresentations and/or omissions of material fact in
connection with the business of AOL both before and after the
merger of AOL and Time Warner in violation of federal securities
laws and constituting common law fraud and negligent
misrepresentation. In adding the Company as a defendant, the
plaintiff, a Dutch pension fund, alleges that the Company and
four other third parties with whom AOL did business and who are
also named as defendants, aided and abetted the alleged common
law fraud and themselves engaged in common law fraud as part of
a civil conspiracy. The allegations against the Company, which
are based on the factual allegations in the first amended
consolidated class action complaint and other filings in the
Companys Securities Class Action Lawsuit, are that
certain former officers of the Company knew of the alleged fraud
at AOL and knowingly participated in and substantially assisted
that alleged fraud by negotiating, structuring and participating
in numerous triangular round trip transactions with
AOL and others. The plaintiff seeks an unspecified amount of
compensatory and punitive damages. The Company intends to defend
vigorously against this suit. The Company has moved to dismiss
the claims against it in the amended complaint. Discovery has
not commenced as of the filing of this Form 10-Q. The
Company is unable to predict the outcome of this case or
reasonably estimate a range of possible loss.
As part of the sale in 2002 of the ConsumerInfo division, the
former subsidiary of iPlace, to Experian Holdings, Inc.
(Experian), $10.0 million of the purchase price
was put in escrow to secure our indemnification obligations (the
Indemnity Escrow). The Indemnity Escrow was
scheduled to terminate in the third quarter of 2003, but prior
to the scheduled termination, Experian demanded indemnification
from us for claims made against Experian or its subsidiaries by
several parties, including allegations of unfair and deceptive
advertising in connection with ConsumerInfos furnishing of
credit reports and providing Advice for Improving
Credit that appeared on its website both before, during,
and after our ownership of ConsumerInfo. Under the stock
purchase agreement, pursuant to which we sold ConsumerInfo to
Experian, we could have elected to defend against the claims,
but because the alleged conduct occurred both before and after
our sale to Experian, we elected to rely on Experian to defend
them. Accordingly, we have not made a complete evaluation of the
underlying claims, but rather receive periodic updates from
Experian and its counsel concerning their defense of the claims.
In January of 2005, Experian informed us that they had received
a settlement proposal in connection with certain of the unfair
and deceptive advertising allegations. The settlement proposal
covered a multi-year period during a substantial portion of
which Experian owned ConsumerInfo. If Experian were to settle
the claims for the amount of the proposed settlement, it is
possible that Experian would claim that our indemnification
obligation to it under the stock purchase agreement exceeds the
remaining $7.3 million balance of the Indemnity Escrow.
There can be no assurance that as a result of resolution of the
claims that Experian will not seek to recover from us an amount
in excess of the Indemnity Escrow. Under the terms of the stock
purchase agreement, our maximum potential liability for the
claims made by Experian in excess of the Indemnity Escrow is
capped at $29.3 million less the balance in the Indemnity
Escrow, which is $7.3 million at March 31, 2005.
16
HOMESTORE, INC.
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS (Continued)
From time to time, the Company is party to various other
litigation and administrative proceedings relating to claims
arising from its operations in the ordinary course of business.
As of the date of this Form 10-Q and except as set forth
herein, the Company is not a party to any other litigation or
administrative proceedings that management believes will have a
material adverse effect on the Companys business, results
of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
17
|
|
Item 2. |
Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations |
This Form 10-Q and the following Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations include forward-looking statements
within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995. This Act provides a safe harbor for
forward-looking statements to encourage companies to provide
prospective information about themselves so long as they
identify these statements as forward-looking and provide
meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors
that could cause actual results to differ from the projected
results. All statements other than statements of historical fact
that we make in this Form 10-Q are forward-looking. In
particular, the statements herein regarding industry prospects
and our future consolidated results of operations or financial
position are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking
statements reflect our current expectations and are inherently
uncertain. Our actual results may differ significantly from our
expectations. Factors that could cause or contribute to such
differences include those discussed below and elsewhere in this
Form 10-Q, as well as those discussed in our Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, and
in other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, or SEC. This Form 10-Q should be read in
conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2004.
Recent History
In recent years, our company has faced a number of difficult
challenges. After discovering accounting irregularities in late
2001, we restated our financial statements for 2000 and the
first three quarters of 2001. In the wake of these accounting
irregularities and subsequent restatements, we have faced:
|
|
|
|
|
numerous lawsuits, including a consolidated securities class
action and derivative litigation; |
|
|
|
an SEC investigation of the company and our accounting practices; |
|
|
|
contractual disputes with our customers and partners; |
|
|
|
limited financial resources and the need for cost reduction
measures; |
|
|
|
listing maintenance issues with The NASDAQ National
Market; and |
|
|
|
replacement of the former executive management team, some of
whom have pled guilty to criminal charges. |
We believe that we have addressed each of these challenges,
while recognizing that many risks persist. See Item 1,
Business Risk Factors, contained in
Part I to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2004 and Risk Factors below
for more information.
During this time of uncertainty, many of our customers and
potential customers expressed concerns about our ability to
provide value-added products and services. At the same time, we
modified our product and service offerings and introduced new
pricing structures that we believe better reflect the value of
our products and services. We believe that the changes in our
products and service offerings have been accepted by our
customers, despite initial resistance by some.
We have implemented four restructurings during the last three
years. These restructurings were designed to focus our business
and to eliminate redundancies in our organization. We believe
these restructurings were necessary to address both our product
and service offerings and our cost structure.
Our Business
We have created an online service that is the leading consumer
destination on the Internet for home and real estate-related
information based on the number of visitors, time spent on our
websites and number of property listings. We provide a wide
variety of information and tools for consumers and are a leading
supplier of online media and technology solutions for real
estate industry professionals, advertisers and providers of home
and real estate-related products and services.
18
To provide consumers with timely and comprehensive real estate
listings, access to real estate professionals and other home and
real estate-related information and resources, we have
established relationships with key industry participants. These
participants include real estate market leaders such as the
National Association of REALTORS®, or NAR, the National
Association of Home Builders, or NAHB, hundreds of Multiple
Listing Services, or MLSs, the Manufactured Housing Institute,
or MHI, and leading real estate franchisors, including the six
largest franchises, brokers, builders and apartment owners and
managers. Under our agreement with NAR, we operate NARs
official website, REALTOR.com®. Under our agreement with
NAHB, we operate its new home listing website,
HomeBuilder.comtm.
Under our agreements with NAR, NAHB, and MHI, we receive
preferential promotion in their marketing activities.
Basis of Presentation
Our unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
reflect the historical results of Homestore, Inc. and its
subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and
transactions have been eliminated.
Business Trends and Conditions
In recent years, our business has been, and we expect will
continue to be, influenced by a number of macroeconomic,
industry-wide and product-specific trends and conditions:
|
|
|
|
|
Market and economic conditions. In recent years, the
U.S. economy has experienced low interest rates, and
volatility in the equities markets. Against this backdrop,
housing starts have remained strong, while the supply of
apartment housing has generally exceeded demand. At the same
time, our business model has shifted from a technology offering
to a media model. The foregoing conditions have meant that
homebuilders have spent less on advertising, given the strong
demand for new houses. Conversely, apartment owners have not
spent as much money on advertising, as they have sought to
achieve cost savings during the difficult market for apartment
owners. Both of these trends have impacted our ability to grow
our business. The impact of the recent rise in interest rates on
job creation, housing starts and other economic factors is
difficult to gauge and creates uncertainty as to whether these
trends will continue. |
|
|
|
Evolution of Our Product and Service Offerings and Pricing
Structures. |
Media Services segment: Our Media Services segment
evolved as a business providing Internet applications to real
estate professionals. In recent years, it became apparent that
our customers valued the media exposure that the Internet
offered them, but not the actual technology that we
were offering. Many of our customers objected to our proposition
that they purchase our templated website in order to gain access
to our networks. In addition, we were charging a fixed price to
all customers regardless of the market they operated in or the
size of their business.
In 2003, we responded to our customers needs and revamped
our service offerings. We began to price our services based on
the size of the market and the number of properties the customer
displayed. For many of our customers this change led to
substantial price increases over our former technology pricing.
This change has been reasonably well-accepted by our customers,
however, it has caused us to lose some customers. While we do
not expect this trend to continue, it could materially and
adversely impact our Media Services segment revenue.
Software segment: In our Software segment, Top
Producer® introduced a monthly subscription model of an
online application in late 2002. This had a negative impact on
our revenues over the first eighteen months of this offering as
we attempted to build the subscriber base. While our desktop
product is still attractive to some real estate professionals,
our customer base continues to shift to the online application
and we believe it will completely replace our desktop product
over the next year. We recently sold our Wyldfyre and Computer
for Tracts businesses that had been a part of this segment and
have reclassified the results of these businesses as
discontinued operations for all periods presented.
Print segment: The uncertain economic conditions since
2001 have had an adverse effect on our Welcome Wagon®
business. Our primary customers are small local merchants trying
to reach new movers and
19
economic conditions have negatively impacted the small business
more than other businesses. These economic conditions have
caused a significant decline in our revenue in this segment over
the past three years. Although we are starting to see some
improvement in market conditions in some geographic areas, it
could take considerable time before this segment yields
meaningful growth, if at all.
Because of the limited resources we have available, we have
instituted a staged investment strategy. Starting in mid-2002,
we began conceiving and executing the repositioning of
REALTOR.com®, Top Producer® and our retail
advertising activities. Our improved performance is entirely
related to the improvement in those three businesses, which, in
turn, gives us increasing confidence in the longer term results
that we should be able to generate from our current and planned
investments in other areas of our business. We are now focusing
on investing in and improving our Rentnet.com®,
HomeBuilder.comtm
and Welcome Wagon® businesses and expect to continue
to do so through much of 2005 and into 2006. We believe that
HomeBuilder.comtm
and Rentnet.com® will begin contributing to our overall
growth in the second half of 2005. The process of integrating
Welcome Wagon® into our Media Services businesses will
require a longer time frame to produce positive results, if any.
Critical Accounting Policies
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and
results of operations is based upon our unaudited Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements, which have been prepared in
accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles. The preparation of these unaudited Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements requires us to make estimates
and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets,
liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we
evaluate our estimates, including those related to revenue
recognition, uncollectible receivables, intangible and other
long-lived assets and contingencies. We base our estimates on
historical experience and on various other assumptions that are
believed 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
from other sources. Actual results may differ from these
estimates under different assumptions or conditions. This
Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2004.
Legal Contingencies
We are currently involved in certain legal proceedings, as
discussed in Note 11, Settlements of Disputes and
Litigation, and Note 12, Commitments and
Contingencies, to our unaudited Condensed Consolidated
Financial Statements contained in Item 1 of this
Form 10-Q. For those matters where we have reached
agreed-upon settlements, we have estimated the amount of those
settlements and accrued the amount of the settlement in our
financial statements. Because of the uncertainties related to
both the amount and range of loss on the remaining pending
litigation, we are unable to make a reasonable estimate of the
liability that could result from an unfavorable outcome. As
additional information becomes available, we will assess the
potential liability related to our pending litigation and revise
our estimates. Such revisions in our estimates of the potential
liability could materially impact our results of operations and
financial position.
Results of Operations
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004 |
Revenue increased approximately $3.1 million, or 6%, to
$56.5 million for the three months ended March 31,
2005 from $53.4 million for the three months ended
March 31, 2004. The increase in revenue was due to
increases of $1.5 million in the Media Services segment,
$1.2 million in the Software segment, and $0.4 million
in the Print segment. These increases by segment are explained
in the segment information below.
20
Cost of revenue decreased approximately $0.3 million, or
2%, to $12.9 million for the three months ended
March 31, 2005 from $13.2 million for the three months
ended March 31, 2004. The decrease was primarily due to
reductions in royalty expense of $1.1 million partially
offset by increases in production and fulfillment costs.
Gross margin percentage increased to 77% for the three months
ended March 31, 2005 compared to 75% for the three months
ended March 31, 2004. This improvement in gross margin
percentage was primarily due to the factors noted above.
Sales and marketing. Sales and marketing expenses,
including non-cash stock-based charges, decreased approximately
$1.9 million, or 8%, to $22.4 million for the three
months ended March 31, 2005 from $24.3 million for the
three months ended March 31, 2004. The decrease was
primarily due to reductions related to our new online marketing
agreements of $3.6 million partially offset by an increase
in personnel related costs of $1.7 million primarily due to
the $1.4 million charge taken during the quarter for the
settlement of litigation related to misclassification of media
sales professionals as exempt employees.
Product and website development. Product and website
development expenses increased approximately $0.5 million,
or 13%, to $4.4 million for the three months ended
March 31, 2005 from $3.9 million for the three months
ended March 31, 2004 primarily due to an increase in
consulting and personnel related costs.
General and administrative. General and administrative
expenses, including non-cash stock-based charges, increased
approximately $2.4 million, or 17%, to $16.4 million
for the three months ended March 31, 2005 from
$14.0 million for the three months ended March 31,
2004. The increase was primarily due to increased personnel
related costs of $1.3 million, increased legal fees of
$0.9 million, increased accounting fees of
$0.4 million, increased consulting expenses of
$0.5 million, and other operating expenses of
$0.5 million. These increases were offset by decreases in
shareholder litigation costs of $1.2 million.
Amortization of intangible assets. Amortization of
intangible assets decreased approximately $1.1 million to
$1.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005
from $2.3 million for the three months ended March 31,
2004. The decrease in amortization was primarily due to certain
intangible assets becoming fully amortized during 2004.
Restructuring charges. There were no changes in estimates
recorded for previous restructuring plans and no new
restructuring plans were approved during the three months ended
March 31, 2005. Restructuring charges were $345,000 for the
three months ended March 31, 2004 as a result of changes in
estimates for previous restructuring plans. These changes
resulted from an increase in the estimate for charges related to
our San Francisco property and a change in the exchange
rates increasing our Canadian lease obligation.
We have taken four restructuring charges: in the fourth quarter
of 2001, the first quarter of 2002, the third quarter of 2002
and the fourth quarter of 2003. All of these charges were a part
of plans approved by our Board of Directors, with the objective
of eliminating duplicate resources and redundancies. A summary
of each is outlined below. We have also revised previous
estimates from time to time.
In the fourth quarter of 2001, we recorded a charge of
$35.8 million, which was included in restructuring charges
in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. As part of this
restructuring and integration plan, we undertook a review of our
existing locations and elected to close a number of satellite
offices and identified and notified approximately 700 employees
whose positions with us were eliminated. The work force
reductions affected approximately 150 members of management, 100
in research and development, 200 in sales and marketing and 250
in administrative functions. This charge consisted of the
following: (i) employee termination benefits of
$6.4 million; (ii) facility closure charges of
$20.8 million, comprised of $12.8 million in future
lease obligations, exit costs and cancellation penalties, net of
estimated sublease income of $11.9 million, and
$8.0 million of non-cash fixed asset disposals related to
vacating duplicate facilities and decreased equipment
requirements due to lower headcount; (iii) non-cash
write-offs of $2.9 million in other
21
assets related to exited activities; and (iv) accrued
future payments of $5.7 million for existing contractual
obligations with no future benefits to us.
In the first quarter of 2004, we increased our estimate for
lease obligations and related charges for our San Francisco
property by $139,000. In the fourth quarter of 2004, the Company
took an additional charge of $877,000 because the Company is
uncertain it will be able to sublease the remaining one-third of
the San Francisco property and to increase its liability
for certain contractual obligations that are subject to exchange
rate fluctuations. As of March 31, 2005, one of the planned
700 employees previously notified of termination has not yet
been paid severance.
In the first quarter of 2002, we recorded a charge of
$2.3 million, which was included in restructuring charges
in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. As part of this
restructuring and integration plan, we undertook a review of our
existing locations and elected to close offices and identified
and notified approximately 270 employees whose positions with us
were eliminated. The work force reductions affected
approximately 30 members of management, 40 in research and
development, 140 in sales and marketing and 60 in administrative
functions. This charge consisted of employee termination
benefits of $1.7 million and facility closure charges of
approximately $600,000. In the first quarter of 2004, the
Company increased its charge for lease obligations by $277,000
as a result of changes in exchange rates which increased our
Canadian lease obligations. In the fourth quarter of 2004, the
Company increased its charge for lease obligations by $94,000
for the same reason. As of March 31, 2005, all of the
planned 270 employees have been terminated and paid severance.
In the third quarter of 2002, we recorded a charge of
$3.6 million, which was included in restructuring charges
in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. As part of this
restructuring and integration plan, we undertook a review of our
existing locations and elected to close an office and identified
and notified approximately 190 employees whose positions with us
were eliminated. The work force reductions affected
approximately 30 in research and development, 10 in production,
140 in sales and marketing and 10 in administrative functions.
This charge consisted of employee termination benefits of
$1.6 million and facility closure charges of approximately
$2.0 million. As of March 31, 2005, all of the planned
190 employees have been terminated and paid severance.
In the fourth quarter of 2003, we recorded a charge of
$3.5 million, which was included in restructuring charges
in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. As part of this
restructuring and integration plan, we undertook a review of our
existing operations and elected to change our management
structure and identified and notified approximately 95 employees
whose positions with the Company were eliminated. The work force
reductions affected approximately seven in research and
development, 17 in production, 37 in sales and marketing and 34
in administrative functions. This charge consists of employee
termination benefits of $1.4 million and stock-based
charges related to the acceleration of vesting of certain
options for terminated management personnel of approximately
$2.1 million. In the first quarter of 2004, we reduced our
estimate for employee termination benefits by $71,000. As of
March 31, 2005, all of the planned 95 employees previously
notified of termination have been paid severance.
22
A summary of activity in 2004 and 2005 related to the four
restructuring charges and the changes in our estimates is as
follows (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lease | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee | |
|
Obligations | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Termination | |
|
and Related | |
|
Contractual | |
|
|
|
|
Benefits | |
|
Charges | |
|
Obligations | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Restructuring accrual at January 1, 2004
|
|
$ |
901 |
|
|
$ |
11,609 |
|
|
$ |
384 |
|
|
$ |
12,894 |
|
Cash paid
|
|
|
(737 |
) |
|
|
(1,425 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(2,166 |
) |
Change in estimates
|
|
|
(71 |
) |
|
|
416 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
345 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructuring accrual at March 31, 2004
|
|
|
93 |
|
|
|
10,600 |
|
|
|
380 |
|
|
|
11,073 |
|
Cash paid
|
|
|
(54 |
) |
|
|
(1,058 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(1,116 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructuring accrual at June 30, 2004
|
|
|
39 |
|
|
|
9,542 |
|
|
|
376 |
|
|
|
9,957 |
|
Cash paid
|
|
|
(18 |
) |
|
|
(1,005 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,023 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructuring accrual at September 30, 2004
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
8,537 |
|
|
|
376 |
|
|
|
8,934 |
|
Cash paid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1,076 |
) |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(1,079 |
) |
Change in estimates
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
943 |
|
|
|
28 |
|
|
|
971 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructuring accrual at December 31, 2004
|
|
|
21 |
|
|
|
8,404 |
|
|
|
401 |
|
|
|
8,826 |
|
Cash paid
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(859 |
) |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
(863 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Restructuring accrual at March 31, 2005
|
|
$ |
21 |
|
|
$ |
7,545 |
|
|
$ |
397 |
|
|
$ |
7,963 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
With the exception of payments associated with the
San Francisco and other office lease commitments,
substantially all of the remaining restructuring liabilities at
March 31, 2005 will be paid during 2005. Any further
changes to the accruals based upon current estimates will be
reflected through the restructuring charges line in the
Consolidated Statement of Operations.
Stock-based charges. The following chart summarizes the
stock-based charges that have been included in the following
captions for each of the periods presented (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months | |
|
|
Ended | |
|
|
March 31, | |
|
|
| |
|
|
2005 | |
|
2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
Sales and marketing
|
|
|
75 |
|
|
|
76 |
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
309 |
|
|
|
341 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
384 |
|
|
$ |
417 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stock-based charges remained constant for the three months ended
March 31, 2005 compared to the three months ended
March 31, 2004.
|
|
|
Interest Income (Expense), Net |
Interest income (expense), net, increased $438,000 to a net
interest income of $353,000 for the three months ended
March 31, 2005, from a net interest expense of $85,000 for
the three months ended March 31, 2004, primarily due to
increases in short-term investment balances and higher interest
yields on those balances and the expiration of the AOL
distribution obligation and corresponding reduction in imputed
interest.
|
|
|
Other Income (Expense), Net |
Other income, net, was $12,000 for the three months ended
March 31, 2005, compared to other expense, net, of $8,000
for the three months ended March 31, 2004 primarily due to
gains realized on the sale of machinery and equipment.
23
On October 6, 2004, we sold our Wyldfyre business and on
December 21, 2004, we sold our Computer for Tracts
business. In accordance with SFAS No. 144,
Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived
Assets the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
reflect these businesses as discontinued operations for all
periods presented.
As a result of operating losses and our inability to recognize a
benefit from our deferred tax assets, we have not recorded a
provision for income taxes for the three months ended
March 31, 2005 and March 31, 2004. As of
December 31, 2004, we had $975.9 million of net
operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes,
which expire beginning in 2008. We have provided a full
valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets, consisting
primarily of net operating loss carryforwards, due to the
likelihood that we may not generate sufficient taxable income
during the carryforward period to utilize the net operating loss
carryforwards.
Segment information is presented in accordance with
SFAS No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information. This standard is based
on a management approach, which requires segmentation based upon
our internal organization and disclosure of revenue and
operating expenses based upon internal accounting methods. We
evaluate performance and allocate resources based on three
segments, consisting of Media Services, Software, and Print.
This is consistent with the data that is made available to our
management to assess performance and make decisions.
The expenses presented below for each of the business segments
include an allocation of certain corporate expenses that are
identifiable and benefit those segments and are allocated for
internal management reporting purposes. The unallocated expenses
are those corporate overhead expenses that are not directly
attributable to a segment and include: corporate expenses, such
as finance, legal, internal business systems, and human
resources; amortization of intangible assets; litigation
settlement charges; impairment charges; stock-based charges; and
restructuring charges. There is no inter-segment revenue. Assets
and liabilities are not fully allocated to segments for internal
reporting purposes.
Summarized information by segment, as excerpted from internal
management reports, is as follows (excluding discontinued
operations (See Note 5)) (in thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended | |
|
|
| |
|
|
March 31, 2005 | |
|
March 31, 2004 | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
Media | |
|
Software | |
|
Print | |
|
Unallocated | |
|
Total | |
|
Media | |
|
Software | |
|
Print | |
|
Unallocated | |
|
Total | |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Revenue
|
|
$ |
39,058 |
|
|
$ |
5,602 |
|
|
$ |
11,796 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
56,456 |
|
|
$ |
37,632 |
|
|
$ |
4,389 |
|
|
$ |
11,403 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
53,424 |
|
Cost of revenue
|
|
|
5,802 |
|
|
|
1,470 |
|
|
|
5,309 |
|
|
|
320 |
|
|
|
12,901 |
|
|
|
6,913 |
|
|
|
1,315 |
|
|
|
4,795 |
|
|
|
227 |
|
|
|
13,250 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit (loss)
|
|
|
33,256 |
|
|
|
4,132 |
|
|
|
6,487 |
|
|
|
(320 |
) |
|
|
43,555 |
|
|
|
30,719 |
|
|
|
3,074 |
|
|
|
6,608 |
|
|
|
(227 |
) |
|
|
40,174 |
|
Sales and marketing
|
|
|
15,800 |
|
|
|
1,425 |
|
|
|
4,869 |
|
|
|
268 |
|
|
|
22,362 |
|
|
|
18,205 |
|
|
|
1,326 |
|
|
|
4,544 |
|
|
|
184 |
|
|
|
24,259 |
|
Product and website development
|
|
|
2,353 |
|
|
|
1,440 |
|
|
|
173 |
|
|
|
413 |
|
|
|
4,379 |
|
|
|
2,657 |
|
|
|
1,217 |
|
|
|
59 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
3,935 |
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
4,887 |
|
|
|
682 |
|
|
|
2,625 |
|
|
|
8,183 |
|
|
|
16,377 |
|
|
|
4,450 |
|
|
|
579 |
|
|
|
2,412 |
|
|
|
6,550 |
|
|
|
13,991 |
|
Amortization of intangible assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,197 |
|
|
|
1,197 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2,328 |
|
|
|
2,328 |
|
Restructuring charges
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
345 |
|
|
|
345 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
23,040 |
|
|
|
3,547 |
|
|
|
7,667 |
|
|
|
10,061 |
|
|
|
44,315 |
|
|
|
25,312 |
|
|
|
3,122 |
|
|
|
7,015 |
|
|
|
9,409 |
|
|
|
44,858 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income (loss) from operations
|
|
$ |
10,216 |
|
|
$ |
585 |
|
|
$ |
(1,180 |
) |
|
$ |
(10,381 |
) |
|
$ |
(760 |
) |
|
$ |
5,407 |
|
|
$ |
(48 |
) |
|
$ |
(407 |
) |
|
$ |
(9,636 |
) |
|
$ |
(4,684 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24
Our Media Services segment consists of products and media
services that promote and connect real estate professionals to
consumers through our REALTOR.com®,
HomeBuilder.comtm,
Rentnet.com®, and Homestore.com® websites. In
addition, we provide advertising services, including banner ads,
sponsorships, integrated text based links and rich media
applications to those businesses interested in reaching our
targeted audience.
Media Services revenue increased $1.5 million, or 4%, to
$39.1 million for the three months ended March 31,
2005, compared to $37.6 million for the three months ended
March 31, 2004. The revenue increase was primarily
generated by an increase in the number of Realtor.com®
agent customers partially offset by a reduction in revenue from
our
HomeBuilder.comtm
and Rentnet.com® businesses. Media Services revenue
represented approximately 69% of total revenue for the three
months ended March 31, 2005 compared to 71% of total
revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2004.
Media Services expenses decreased by $3.4 million, or 11%,
to $28.8 million for the three months ended March 31,
2005, from $32.2 million for the three months ended
March 31, 2004. The decrease was primarily due to cost of
revenue savings of $1.1 million due to a reduction in
royalty expense and sales and marketing savings of
$2.4 million primarily due to a $3.6 million reduction
in online distribution costs related to new agreements,
partially offset by an increase in personnel related costs due
to a $1.4 million charge taken for the settlement
litigation related to misclassification of media sales
professionals as exempt employees, offset by other operating
expense increases of $0.1 million.
Media Services generated operating income of $10.2 million
for the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to
operating income of $5.4 million for the three months ended
March 31, 2004. We have announced plans for additional
investments in our
HomeBuilder.comtm
and Rentnet.com® businesses that will likely negatively
impact our operating income in this segment in the near future.
Our Software segment is comprised of our Top Producer®
business. We sold our Wyldfyre and Computer for Tracts
businesses during the year ended December 31, 2004, and, as
a result, those businesses have been reclassified as
discontinued operations for all periods presented.
Software revenue increased $1.2 million, or 27%, to
$5.6 million for the three months ended March 31,
2005, compared to $4.4 million for the three months ended
March 31, 2004. The increase was generated as the Top
Producer® subscriber base associated with the new online
version of the Top Producer® product has continued to grow
since its launch in September 2002 and has surpassed revenue
being generated from the desktop version of the product.
Software revenue represented approximately 10% of total revenue
for the three months ended March 31, 2005 compared to 8% of
total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2004.
Software expenses increased $0.6 million, or 13%, to
$5.0 million for the three months ended March 31,
2005, compared to $4.4 million for the three months ended
March 31, 2004. The increase was primarily due to personnel
related costs.
Software generated operating income of $0.6 million for the
three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to an operating
loss of $48,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004
primarily due to factors outlined above.
Our Print segment is comprised of our Welcome Wagon® and
Homestore Plans and Publications businesses.
Print revenue increased $0.4 million, or 4%, to
$11.8 million for the three months ended March 31,
2005, compared to $11.4 million for the three months ended
March 31, 2004. The increase was generated in our Welcome
Wagon® business primarily due to the launch of the new
Early Advantage product in November
25
2004 and increased revenue associated with the Pinpoint product.
Print revenue represented approximately 21% of total revenue for
the three months ended March 31, 2005 and the three months
ended March 31, 2004.
Print expenses increased $1.2 million, or 10%, to
$13.0 million for the three months ended March 31,
2005, compared to expenses of $11.8 million for the three
months ended March 31, 2004. The increase is primarily due
to increased cost of sales associated with the new products
described above, increased personnel related costs, and
increased rent expense for our Welcome Wagon® business due
to the sale of the building used by that business and the
relocation of that business.
Print generated an operating loss of $1.2 million for the
three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to an operating
loss of $0.4 million for the three months ended
March 31, 2004 primarily due to factors outlined above. We
have announced plans for additional investments in Welcome
Wagon® that will likely impact our operating results in
this segment in the near future.
Unallocated expenses increased $0.8 million, or 8%, to
$10.4 million for the three months ended March 31,
2005, compared to $9.6 million for the three months ended
March 31, 2004. The increase was primarily due to increased
personnel related costs.
|
|
|
Liquidity and Capital Resources |
Net cash provided by continuing operating activities of
$4.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005
was attributable to the net loss from continuing operations of
$395,000, offset by non-cash expenses including depreciation,
amortization of intangible assets, provision for doubtful
accounts, stock-based charges and other non-cash items,
aggregating to $3.5 million and changes in operating assets
and liabilities of $1.3 million.
Net cash used in continuing operating activities of
$5.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004
was attributable to the net loss from continuing operations of
$4.8 million, offset by non-cash expenses including
depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, provision for
doubtful accounts, stock-based charges and other non-cash items,
aggregating to $5.3 million. Increasing the cash used in
continuing operating activities were the changes in operating
assets and liabilities of $5.4 million.
Net cash used in investing activities of $1.8 million for
the three months ended March 31, 2005 was primarily
attributable to $1.5 million in capital expenditures and
$285,000 in net purchases of short-term investments. Net cash
used in investing activities of $73,000 for the three months
ended March 31, 2004 was attributable to capital
expenditures of $1.1 million partially offset by maturities
of short-term investments of $1.0 million.
Net cash provided by financing activities of $138,000 for the
three months ended March 31, 2005 was attributable to the
exercise of stock options, warrants and share issuances under
the employee stock purchase plan of $470,000 offset by payments
on capital leases of $332,000. Net cash provided by financing
activities of $1.3 million for the three months ended
March 31, 2004 was the result of the exercise of stock
options, warrants and share issuances under employee stock
purchase plan of $2.0 million offset by payments on capital
leases of $700,000.
We generated positive operating cash flow for the year ended
December 31, 2004 and for the quarter ended March 31,
2005 and have cash and short-term investments of
$62.9 million as of March 31, 2005. However, as of
March 31, 2005, we had an accumulated deficit of
$2.0 billion. We have stated our intention to invest in our
products and our infrastructure although we have not determined
the actual amount of those future expenditures. We have no
material financial commitments other than those under capital
and operating lease agreements and distribution and marketing
agreements described in Item 7, Managements
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations, included in our Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 2004. Our contractual obligations have
not changed materially from December 31, 2004. We believe
that our existing cash and short-term investments, and any cash
generated from operations will be
26
sufficient to fund our working capital requirements, capital
expenditures and other obligations through the next
12 months.
Long term, we face significant risks associated with the
successful execution of our business strategy and may need to
raise additional capital in order to fund more rapid expansion,
to expand our marketing activities, to develop new, or enhance
existing, services or products and to respond to competitive
pressures or to acquire complementary services, businesses or
technologies. If we are not successful in continuing to generate
sufficient cash flow from operations, we may need to raise
additional capital through public or private financing,
strategic relationships or other arrangements. Our settlement of
the Securities Class Action Lawsuit reduced our cash
balance by $13.0 million and increased the number of
outstanding shares by 20.0 million, which may make it more
difficult to raise additional capital. Additional capital, if
needed, might not be available on terms acceptable to us, or at
all. If adequate funds are not available or not available on
acceptable terms, we may be unable to develop or enhance our
products and services, take advantage of future opportunities,
or respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated
requirements which may have a material adverse effect on our
business, financial condition or operating results. If
additional capital were raised through the issuance of equity
securities, the percentage of our stock owned by our
then-current stockholders would be further reduced. Furthermore,
these equity securities might have rights, preferences or
privileges senior to those of our common stock. In addition, our
liquidity could be adversely impacted by the litigation referred
to in Note 11, Settlements of Disputes and
Litigation and Note 12, Commitments and
Contingencies to our Condensed Consolidated Financial
Statements contained in Item 1 of this Form 10Q.
|
|
|
Recent Accounting Developments |
In December 2004, the FASB issued revised
SFAS No. 123R, Share-Based Payment.
SFAS No. 123R sets accounting requirements for
share-based compensation to employees and requires
companies to recognize in the income statement the grant-date
fair value of stock options and other equity-based compensation.
SFAS No. 123R is effective for fiscal years beginning
after June 15, 2005. The Company will be required to adopt
SFAS No. 123R in its first quarter of fiscal 2006 and
currently discloses the effect on net income (loss) and earnings
(loss) per share of the fair value recognition provisions of
SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation. The Company is currently evaluating the
impact of the adoption of SFAS 123R on its financial
position and results of operations, including the valuation
methods and support for the assumptions that underlie the
valuation of the awards.
RISK FACTORS
You should consider carefully the following risk factors, and
those presented in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 2004, and other information
included or incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report
on Form 10-Q. The risks and uncertainties described below
are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and
uncertainties not presently known to us or that we deem to be
currently immaterial also may impair our business operations. If
any of the following risks actually occur, our business,
financial condition and operating results could be materially
adversely affected.
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|
We have a history of net losses and could incur net losses
for the foreseeable future. |
Except for the first quarter of 2003 and the fourth quarter of
2004, for which we experienced a net profit due to one-time,
non-operating gains, we have experienced net losses in each
quarterly and annual period since 1993. We incurred net losses
of $7.9 million, $47.1 million, and
$163.4 million, for the years ended December 31, 2004,
2003 and 2002, respectively. As of March 31, 2005, we had
an accumulated deficit of $2.0 billion, and are unsure when
or if we will become profitable on a recurring basis. The size
of our future losses will depend, in part, on the rate of growth
in our revenues from broker, agent, home builder and rental
property owner, advertising sales and sales of other products
and services. The size of our future net losses will also be
impacted by non-cash stock-based charges relating to deferred
compensation and stock and warrant issuances, and amortization
of intangible assets. As of March 31, 2005, we had
approximately $18.3 million of stock-based charges and
intangible assets to be amortized. In addition, we will continue
to use cash to repay
27
existing liabilities that have arisen from prior contractual
arrangements and recent restructuring charges until those
liabilities are satisfied.
|
|
|
In order to execute our long-term business strategy, we
may need to raise additional capital. |
Long-term, we face significant risks associated with the
successful execution of our business strategy and may need to
raise additional capital in order to fund more rapid expansion,
to expand our marketing activities, to develop new, or enhance
existing, services or products and to respond to competitive
pressures or to acquire complementary services, businesses or
technologies. If we are not successful in continuing to generate
sufficient cash flow from operations, we may need to raise
additional capital through public or private financing,
strategic relationships or other arrangements. Our settlement of
the Securities Class Action Lawsuit reduced our cash
balance by $13.0 million and increased the number of
outstanding shares by 20 million, which have not been
distributed as of the date of this filing. Because of our
recurring operating losses and the anticipation of these
additional shares coming on the market, our stock price has
declined over the last five months. These factors may make it
more difficult to raise additional capital. This additional
capital, if needed, might not be available on terms acceptable
to us, or at all. If adequate funds are not available or not
available on acceptable terms, we may be unable to develop or
enhance our products and services, take advantage of future
opportunities, or respond to competitive pressures or
unanticipated requirements which may have a material adverse
effect on our business, financial condition or operating
results. If additional capital were raised through the issuance
of equity securities, the percentage of our stock owned by our
then-current stockholders would be further reduced. Furthermore,
these equity securities might have rights, preferences or
privileges senior to those of our common and convertible
preferred stock. In addition, our liquidity could be adversely
impacted by the litigation referred to in Note 11
Settlements of Disputes and Litigation and
Note 12 Commitments and Contingencies to our
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in
Part I of this Form 10-Q.
|
|
|
Our quarterly financial results are subject to significant
fluctuations. |
Our results of operations may vary significantly from quarter to
quarter. In the near term, we expect to be substantially
dependent on sales of our advertising and media services. We
also expect to incur significant sales and marketing expenses to
promote our brand and services. Therefore, our quarterly revenue
and operating results are likely to be particularly affected by
the success of our investment strategy and by the number of
customers purchasing advertising and media services. If revenue
falls below our expectations, we will not be able to reduce our
spending rapidly in response to the shortfall.
Other factors that could affect our quarterly operating results
include those described below and elsewhere in this
Form 10-Q:
|
|
|
|
|
the level of renewals for our services and the purchase of media
services by real estate agents, brokers and rental property
owners and managers; |
|
|
|
the amount of advertising sold on our websites and the timing of
payments for this advertising; |
|
|
|
the amount and timing of our operating expenses; |
|
|
|
the amount and timing of non-cash stock-based charges, such as
charges related to deferred compensation or warrants issued to
real estate industry participants; and |
|
|
|
the impact of fees paid to professional advisors in connection
with litigation and accounting matters. |
|
|
|
Litigation relating to accounting irregularities could
have an adverse effect on our financial condition. |
Following the December 2001 announcement of the discovery of
accounting irregularities and the subsequent restatement of our
2000 and interim 2001 financial statements, numerous lawsuits
claiming to be class actions and several lawsuits claiming to be
brought derivatively on our behalf were commenced in various
courts against us and certain of our current and former officers
and directors by or on behalf of persons purporting to be our
stockholders and persons claiming to have purchased or otherwise
acquired securities
28
issued by us between May 2000 and December 2001. The California
State Teachers Retirement System was named lead plaintiff,
or the Plaintiff, in the consolidated securities
class action lawsuits against us (the Securities
Class Action Lawsuit). On August 12, 2003, we
entered into a settlement agreement with the Plaintiff to
resolve all outstanding claims related to the Securities
Class Action Lawsuit. As a part of the settlement, we
agreed to pay $13.0 million in cash and issue
20.0 million new shares of our common stock valued at
$50.6 million as of August 12, 2003.
On May 14, 2004, the District Court entered final judgment
and an order of dismissal with prejudice of the Securities
Class Action Lawsuit as to us. The final judgment includes
a bar order providing for the maximum protection to which we are
entitled under the law with respect to all future claims for
contribution or indemnity by other persons, whether under
federal, state or common law.
On June 10, 2004, an objector to the settlement filed a
notice of appeal. The Company and Plaintiff reached a settlement
with the objector and the objector dismissed the appeal on
March 4, 2005. The $13.0 million and the
20.0 million shares currently held in trust will be
distributed to the class and Plaintiffs counsel in
accordance with the judgment.
Although the settlement of the Securities Class Action
Lawsuit is no longer subject to appeal, we continue to be
subject to litigation by persons who have elected to be excluded
from the settlement. Moreover, we could be subject to claims
that may not have been discharged or barred by the settlement,
including potential claims by Cendant Corporation
(Cendant) for contribution or indemnity. On
March 7, 2003, the court in the Securities
Class Action Lawsuit dismissed, with prejudice, Cendant as
a defendant. However, that dismissal has been appealed to the
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. In October
2004, the Securities and Exchange Commission filed an amicus
brief in support of the appeal. If Cendants dismissal as a
defendant in the Securities Class Action Lawsuit is
reversed on appeal and Cendant is subsequently found liable or
settles the claims against it in the Securities
Class Action Lawsuit, Cendant will likely seek
indemnification, contribution or similar relief from us.
However, on March 16, 2004, as part of our settlement of
the Securities Class Action Lawsuit, the United States
District Court issued an order approving the settlement and
barring claims by third parties against us for indemnification,
contribution and similar relief with respect to liability such
third parties may have in the Securities Class Action
Lawsuit.
The March 16, 2004 order may preclude Cendant from seeking
indemnification, contribution or similar relief from us in the
event Cendant is found liable or settles claims against it in
the Securities Class Action Lawsuit. However, we have been
advised by counsel that the law is unclear on whether Cendant
would be so precluded. Therefore, we would likely incur
significant expenses in defending such an action by Cendant and
could ultimately be found liable to Cendant or settle with
Cendant, notwithstanding the bar order. Such expenses, liability
or settlement could have a material adverse effect on our
results of operation and our financial position.
In addition, if Cendant is not permitted to share in the
settlement of the Securities Class Action Lawsuit (which
would be the case if its dismissal as a defendant is reversed on
appeal), we have agreed to pay or otherwise provide to Cendant
the amount of money and/or other consideration that Cendant
would have been otherwise entitled to receive from that portion
of the class action settlement fund provided by us had Cendant
been a class member and Cendants proof of claim in respect
of its shares had been accepted in full. At this time, Cendant
is still a member of the class and has not been excluded.
Pending distribution to the class of the cash held in escrow and
shares held in trust, we are unable to estimate the amount of
cash and number of shares that Cendant could be entitled to
receive from us should Cendant be prevented from participating
in the settlement.
In addition, we are subject to other litigation that could have
an adverse effect on our business. See Note 11,
Settlements of Disputes and Litigation, and
Note 12, Commitments and Contingencies, to our
Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained in
Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for more information.
29
|
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|
We have potential obligations to indemnify former
directors and officers that may not be covered by our director
and officer liability insurance, and we could be required to
make payments that could adversely affect our financial
condition. |
Under Delaware and California law, our certificate of
incorporation and bylaws, and certain indemnification agreements
we entered into with our executive officers and directors, we
may have certain obligations to indemnify our current and former
officers and directors. One of our former officers filed a
lawsuit against us seeking to recover expenses incurred, plus
further expenses and liabilities that he may incur, in
connection with investigations and lawsuits that have been filed
against him with respect to our prior accounting irregularities.
See Note 12, Commitments and
Contingencies Legal Proceedings Contingencies
Related to Pending Litigation Other
Litigation, to our Consolidated Financial Statements
contained in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q for more
information. On October 27, 2004, the Court ruled that we
are obligated to advance all reasonable attorneys fees and
costs to that former officer approximating $4.2 million.
Other former officers and directors likely have incurred and
will incur similar expenses and liabilities and those who have
not pled guilty to crimes may also seek recovery of those
amounts from us. Although we may appeal the decision, we have
recorded $8.0 million for our estimate of those expenses
through December 2004. We may have to spend this amount and more
indemnifying these officers and directors or paying for damages
that they may incur. The failure of our policies to adequately
cover liabilities or expenses incurred in connection with the
pending actions has materially and adversely affected our
results of operations and financial position, to date, and could
continue into the future. Several of our insurance
carriers representing $60.0 million in
coverage also have purported to rescind their
respective policies of insurance and have filed lawsuits seeking
judicial confirmation of their actions. Our financial condition
could be materially and adversely affected if we have to make
payments for indemnification.
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We could be required to expend substantial amounts in
connection with continuing indemnification obligations to a
purchaser of one of our businesses. |
As part of the sale in 2002 of our ConsumerInfo division to
Experian Holdings, Inc. (Experian),
$10.0 million of the purchase price was put in escrow to
secure our indemnification obligations. This escrow was
scheduled to terminate in the third quarter of 2003, but prior
to the scheduled termination, Experian demanded indemnification
from us for claims made against Experian or its subsidiaries by
several parties, including allegations of unfair and deceptive
advertising in connection with ConsumerInfos furnishing of
credit reports and providing Advice for Improving
Credit that appeared on its website both before, during
and after our ownership of ConsumerInfo. Experian is defending
these claims. In January of 2005, Experian informed us that they
had received a settlement proposal in connection with certain of
the unfair and deceptive advertising allegations for an amount
greater than the remaining $7.3 million balance of the
escrow. There can be no assurance that as a result of resolution
of the claims that Experian will not seek to recover from us an
amount in excess of the escrow. Under the terms of the stock
purchase agreement, our maximum potential liability for the
claims made by Experian is capped at $29.3 million less the
balance in the escrow, which is $7.3 million as of
March 31, 2005.
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We may be subject to litigation. |
Our business and operations may subject us to claims, litigation
and other proceedings brought by private parties and
governmental authorities. For information regarding certain
proceedings to which we are currently a party, see Note 12,
Commitments and Contingencies to our Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements contained in Item 1 of
this Form 10-Q.
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|
Our investment strategy may not meet its objectives and
could adversely affect our results of operations and financial
position. |
In November 2004, we announced our decision to invest
approximately $25 million in our underperforming businesses
and in our corporate infrastructure. If we do not meet our
investment objectives, we may have to implement plans for
restructuring in order to reduce our operating costs. Developing
and implementing
30
investment plans are time consuming and could divert
managements attention, which could have an adverse effect
on our financial results.
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|
We need to continue to develop our content and product and
service offerings. |
To remain competitive, we must continue to enhance and improve
the ease of use, responsiveness, functionality and features of
our websites and services. These efforts may require us to
develop internally or to license increasingly complex
technologies. In addition, many companies are continually
introducing new Internet-related products, services and
technologies, which will require us to update or modify our
technology. Developing and integrating new products, services or
technologies into our websites could be expensive and time
consuming. Any new features, functions or services may not
achieve market acceptance or enhance our brand loyalty. If we
fail to develop and introduce or acquire new features, functions
or services effectively and on a timely basis, we may not
continue to attract new users and may be unable to retain our
existing users. Furthermore, we may not succeed in incorporating
new Internet technologies, or, in order to do so, we may incur
substantial additional expenses.
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Item 3. |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
Risk |
Interest Rate Risk
Our exposure to market rate risk for changes in interest rates
relates primarily to our investment portfolio. We have not used
derivative financial instruments in our investment portfolio. We
invest our excess cash in money-market funds, auction rate
securities, debt instruments of high quality corporate issuers
and debt instruments of the U.S. Government and its
agencies, and, by policy, this limits the amount of credit
exposure to any one issuer.
Investments in both fixed rate and floating rate interest
earning instruments carries a degree of interest rate risk.
Fixed rate securities may have their fair market value adversely
impacted due to a rise in interest rates, while floating rate
securities may produce less income than expected if interest
rates fall.
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Item 4. |
Controls and Procedures |
As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried
out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the
participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and
procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (the Exchange Act). Based upon
that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures
are effective to ensure that information required to be
disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the
Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported
within the time periods specified in the SECs rules and
forms.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial
reporting during the period covered by this report that
materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially
affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
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|
Item 1. |
Legal Proceedings |
From time to time, we are party to various litigation and
administrative proceedings relating to claims arising from our
operations in the ordinary course of business. See the
disclosure regarding litigation included in Note 11,
Settlements of Disputes and Litigation, and
Note 12, Commitments and Contingencies, to our
unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained
in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q, which disclosure is
incorporated herein by reference and updates information
contained in the Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2004. As of the date of this Form 10-Q
and except as set forth herein, we are not a party to any other
litigation or administrative proceedings that management
believes will have a material adverse effect on our business,
results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.
31
|
|
Item 2. |
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of
Proceeds |
None.
|
|
Item 3. |
Defaults Upon Senior Securities |
None.
|
|
Item 4. |
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders |
None.
|
|
Item 5. |
Other Information |
On March 17, 2005, we granted to our named executive
officers (our chief executive officer and our other five
most highly compensated executive officers for 2004) options to
purchase the number of shares indicated below pursuant to our
1999 Stock Incentive Plan (the Plan). These options
are incentive and nonqualified stock options. These options
expire ten years from the date of grant and were granted at an
exercise price of $2.16, which was the fair market value of our
common stock on the date of grant. These options vest quarterly
over four years.
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|
Name |
|
Number of Options | |
|
|
| |
W. Michael Long
|
|
|
2,300,000 |
|
Jack D. Dennison
|
|
|
500,000 |
|
Allan D. Dalton
|
|
|
350,000 |
|
Lewis R. Belote III
|
|
|
350,000 |
|
Michael R. Douglas
|
|
|
350,000 |
|
Allan P. Merrill
|
|
|
350,000 |
|
The Plan is filed as Exhibit 10.15 to our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and is
incorporated herein by reference. The form of Certificate of
Stock Option Grant for grants pursuant to the Plan to executive
officers is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Form 10Q and
is incorporated herein by reference.
In addition, as disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2004, on March 17,
2005, we granted under the Plan to our chief executive officer,
Mr. Long, 115,740 shares of restricted stock in
consideration for his services to us during 2004. These shares
will vest in full on March 17, 2008.
|
|
|
|
|
|
10 |
.1 |
|
Form of Certificate of Stock Option Grant to Executive Officers |
|
|
31 |
.1 |
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
31 |
.2 |
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
32 |
.1 |
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to
18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
32 |
.2 |
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to
18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
32
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.
|
|
|
|
|
W. Michael Long |
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
|
|
|
By: |
/s/ LEWIS R. BELOTE, III |
|
|
|
|
|
Lewis R. Belote, III |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
Date: May 6, 2005
33
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
|
|
|
|
Exhibit |
|
|
Number |
|
Description |
|
|
|
|
10 |
.1 |
|
Form of Certificate of Stock Option Grant to Executive Officers |
|
|
31 |
.1 |
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
31 |
.2 |
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
32 |
.1 |
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to
18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
|
|
32 |
.2 |
|
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to
18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to
Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
34