UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2018

or

 

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

 

 

For the transition period from _______________ to _____________________

 

Commission File Number 0-14665

 

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

South Carolina                       

95-4133299

(State or other jurisdiction of

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

Identification No.)

   

915 East First Street

 

Los Angeles, California 

90012-4050

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip code)

 

(213) 229-5300

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 

None

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  

Yes: X                 No:

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes: X                 No:

 

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

 

Large Accelerated Filer:  Accelerated Filer:   X      
Non-accelerated Filer:  Smaller Reporting Company:
  Emerging Growth Company:

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Class

 

Outstanding at January 31, 2019

Common Stock, par value $ .01 per share

 

1,380,746 shares

 

1

 

 

 

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

 

 

INDEX

 

    Page Nos.
   
PART I  Financial Information  
   
  Item 1. Financial Statements  
     
  Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018  3
     
  Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive (Loss) Income - Three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 4
     
  Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity – Three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 5
     
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 6
     
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 7
     
  Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 14
     
  Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk  20
     
  Item 4. Controls and Procedures 20
     
Part II  Other Information  
     
  Item 6. Exhibits 21

 

2

 

 

 

PART I

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

   

December 31

   

September 30

 
   

2018

   

2018

 

ASSETS

               

Current assets

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 6,691,000     $ 9,301,000  

Marketable securities at fair value

    183,656,000       212,296,000  

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $200,000

    7,033,000       4,803,000  

Inventories

    55,000       46,000  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    491,000       512,000  

Income tax receivable

    58,000       270,000  

Total current assets

    197,984,000       227,228,000  
                 

Property, plant and equipment, at cost

               

Land, buildings and improvements

    16,472,000       16,422,000  

Furniture, office equipment and computer software

    2,911,000       2,877,000  

Machinery and equipment

    1,749,000       1,749,000  
      21,132,000       21,048,000  

Less accumulated depreciation

    (9,981,000 )     (9,828,000 )
      11,151,000       11,220,000  

Goodwill

    13,400,000       13,400,000  

Deferred income taxes - Federal

    9,753,000       9,269,000  

Deferred income taxes - State

    2,828,000       2,881,000  
    $ 235,116,000     $ 263,998,000  
                 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

               

Current liabilities

               

Accounts payable

  $ 4,036,000     $ 2,820,000  

Accrued liabilities

    3,804,000       4,402,000  

Note payable collateralized by real estate

    123,000       121,000  

Deferred subscriptions

    2,947,000       3,174,000  

Deferred installation contracts

    2,442,000       2,554,000  

Deferred maintenance agreements and others

    14,624,000       14,186,000  

Total current liabilities

    27,976,000       27,257,000  
                 

Long term liabilities

               

Investment margin account borrowings

    29,493,000       29,493,000  

Note payable collateralized by real estate

    1,804,000       1,835,000  

Deferred maintenance agreements

    106,000       176,000  

Accrued liabilities

    180,000       170,000  

Deferred income taxes

    34,174,000       42,151,000  

Total long term liabilities

    65,757,000       73,825,000  
                 

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 9 and 10)

    ---       ---  
                 

Shareholders' equity

               

Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized and no shares issued

    ---       ---  

Common stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; 1,805,053 shares issued, including 424,307 treasury shares, at December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018

    14,000       14,000  

Additional paid-in capital

    1,755,000       1,755,000  

Retained earnings

    139,614,000       45,361,000  

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

---       115,786,000  

Total shareholders' equity

    141,383,000       162,916,000  
    $ 235,116,000     $ 263,998,000  

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

3

 

 

 

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

   

Three months

ended December 31

 
   

2018

   

2017

 
                 

Revenues

               

Advertising

  $ 2,192,000     $ 2,116,000  

Circulation

    1,338,000       1,363,000  

Advertising service fees and other

    669,000       602,000  

Licensing and maintenance fees

    4,790,000       4,350,000  

Consulting fees

    541,000       995,000  

Other public service fees

    898,000       826,000  
      10,428,000       10,252,000  
                 

Costs and expenses

               

Salaries and employee benefits

    8,655,000       8,197,000  

Outside services

    945,000       1,039,000  

Postage and delivery expenses

    204,000       217,000  

Newsprint and printing expenses

    176,000       212,000  

Depreciation and amortization

    153,000       1,218,000  

Other general and administrative expenses

    2,816,000       2,814,000  
      12,949,000       13,697,000  

Loss from operations

    (2,521,000 )     (3,445,000 )

Other income (expense)

               

Dividends and interest income

    1,530,000       1,483,000  

Other income and capital gains

    10,000       11,000  

Net unrealized losses on investments

    (28,640,000 )     ---  

Interest expense on note payable collateralized by real estate

    (23,000 )     (24,000 )

Interest expense on margin loans

    (206,000 )     (136,000 )

Loss before income taxes

    (29,850,000 )     (2,111,000 )

Benefit from income taxes

    8,317,000       16,850,000  

Net (loss) income

  $ (21,533,000 )   $ 14,739,000  
                 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted

    1,380,746       1,380,746  

Basic and diluted net (loss) income per share

  $ (15.60 )   $ 10.67  
                 
                 

Comprehensive (loss) income

               

Net (loss) income

  $ (21,533,000 )   $ 14,739,000  

Net increase in unrealized appreciation of marketable securities (net of taxes)

    ---       12,118,000  
    $ (21,533,000 )   $ 26,857,000  

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

4

 

 

 

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

 

                                                   

Accumulated

         
                                   

Additional

           

Other

   

Total

 
   

Common Stock

   

Treasury Stock

   

Paid-in

   

Retained

   

Comprehensive

   

Shareholders'

 
   

Share

   

Amount

   

Share

   

Amount

   

Capital

   

Earnings

   

Income

   

Equity

 
                                                                 

Balance at September 30, 2018

    1,805,053     $ 18,000       (424,307 )   $ (4,000 )   $ 1,755,000     $ 45,361,000     $ 115,786,000     $ 162,916,000  

Adoption of new accounting pronouncement

    ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       115,786,000       (115,786,000 )     ---  

Net loss

    ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       (21,533,000 )     ---       (21,533,000 )

Balance at December 31, 2018

    1,805,053     $ 18,000       (424,307 )   $ (4,000 )   $ 1,755,000     $ 139,614,000     $ ---     $ 141,383,000  
                                                                 
                                                                 

Balance at September 30, 2017

    1,805,053     $ 18,000       (424,307 )   $ (4,000 )   $ 1,755,000     $ 57,150,000     $ 100,822,000     $ 159,741,000  

Net income

    ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       14,739,000       ---       14,739,000  

Unrealized gains on investments, net

    ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       12,118,000       12,118,000  

Balance at December 31, 2017

    1,805,053     $ 18,000       (424,307 )   $ (4,000 )   $ 1,755,000     $ 71,889,000     $ 112,940,000     $ 186,598,000  

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

5

 

 

 

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

   

Three months

ended December 31

 
   

2018

   

2017

 

Cash flows from operating activities

               

Net (loss) income

  $ (21,533,000 )   $ 14,739,000  

Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash used in operations

               

Depreciation and amortization

    153,000       1,218,000  

Net unrealized losses on investments

    28,640,000       ---  

Deferred income taxes

    (8,408,000 )     (16,778,000 )

Discounts earned on bonds

    ---       (1,000 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

               

(Increase) decrease in current assets

               

Accounts receivable, net

    (2,230,000 )     1,166,000  

Inventories

    (9,000 )     ---  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    21,000       157,000  

Income tax receivable

    212,000       (78,000 )

Increase (decrease) in liabilities

               

Accounts payable

    1,216,000       (98,000 )

Accrued liabilities

    (588,000 )     (701,000 )

Deferred subscriptions

    (227,000 )     (149,000 )

Deferred maintenance agreements and others

    368,000       419,000  

Deferred installation contracts

    (112,000 )     (708,000 )

Net cash used in operating activities

    (2,497,000 )     (814,000 )
                 

Cash flows from investing activities

               

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

    (84,000 )     (34,000 )

Net cash used in investing activities

    (84,000 )     (34,000 )
                 

Cash flows from financing activities

               

Payment of real estate loan principal

    (29,000 )     (28,000 )

Net cash used in financing activities

    (29,000 )     (28,000 )
                 

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

    (2,610,000 )     (876,000 )
                 

Cash and cash equivalents

               

Beginning of period

    9,301,000       3,384,000  

End of period

  $ 6,691,000     $ 2,508,000  
                 

Interest paid during period

  $ 152,000     $ 169,000  

Net income taxes (refunded) paid during period

  $ (121,000 )   $ 6,000  

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

6

 

 

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

 

Note 1 - The Corporation and Operations

 

Daily Journal Corporation (the “Company”) publishes newspapers and web sites covering California and Arizona and produces several specialized information services. It also serves as a newspaper representative specializing in public notice advertising. This is sometimes referred to as the Company’s Traditional Business”.

 

Journal Technologies, Inc. (“Journal Technologies”), a wholly-owned subsidiary, supplies case management software systems and related products to courts, prosecutor and public defender offices, probation departments and other justice agencies, including administrative law organizations, city and county governments and bar associations. These organizations use the Journal Technologies family of products to help manage cases and information electronically, to interface with other critical justice partners and to extend electronic services to the public, including efiling and a website to pay traffic citations online, and bar members. These products are licensed to more than 500 organizations in 42 states and internationally.

 

Essentially all of the Company’s operations are based in California, Arizona, Colorado and Utah.

 

 

Note 2 - Basis of Presentation

 

In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying interim unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of its financial position as of December 31, 2018, and its results of operations and cash flows for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. The results of operations for the three months ended December 31, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

 

The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018.

 

Certain reclassifications of previously reported amounts have been made to conform to the current year’s presentation.

 

 

Note 3 - Accounting Standards Adopted in Fiscal 2019 and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Accounting Standards Adopted in Fiscal 2019

 

On October 1, 2018, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. This ASU requires an entity that holds financial assets or owes financial liabilities to, among other things, measure equity investments at fair value and recognize unrealized gains (losses) through net income (loss). Accordingly, the Company’s net loss of $21,533,000 for the three month ended December 31, 2018, included net unrealized losses on investments of $28,640,000. For the prior year’s period, the Company recorded net unrealized gains for its available-for-sale marketable securities in other comprehensive income. In addition, ASU 2016-01 prohibits the restatement of prior year financial statements but requires that the Company reclassify net after-tax unrealized gains on investments of $115,786,000 on adoption day from “accumulated other comprehensive income” to “retained earnings”, both of which are listed under the “Shareholders’ equity” section of the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. This represented an increase to retained earnings and a decrease to accumulated other comprehensive income.

 

7

 

 

Other Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

The Company will continue to evaluate the other new accounting pronouncements as detailed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2018.

 

 

Note 4 – Revenue Recognition

 

The Company recognizes revenues in accordance with the provisions of ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC Topic 606), which it adopted effective October 1, 2017, using the modified retrospective method.

 

For the Company’s Traditional Business, proceeds from the sale of subscriptions for newspapers, court rule books and other publications and other services are recorded as deferred revenue and are included in earned revenue only when the services are provided, generally over the subscription term. Advertising revenues are recognized when advertisements are published and are net of agency commissions.

 

Journal Technologies contracts may include several products and services, which are generally distinct and include separate transaction pricing and performance obligations. Most are one-transaction contracts. These current subscription-type contract revenues include (i) implementation consulting fees to configure the system to go-live, (ii) subscription software license, maintenance (including updates and upgrades) and support fees, and (iii) third-party hosting fees when used. Revenues for consulting are recognized at point of delivery (go-live) upon completion of services, and subscription and advertising revenues are recognized ratably (using the output method based on time-elapsed) after the go-live. These contracts include assurance warranty provisions for limited periods and do not include financing terms. For some contracts, the Company acts as a principal with respect to certain services, such as data conversion, interfaces and hosting that are provided by third-parties, and recognizes such revenues on a gross basis. For legacy contracts with perpetual license arrangements, licenses and consulting services are recognized at point of delivery (go-live), and maintenance revenues are recognized ratably after the go-live. Other public service fees are earned and recognized as revenues when the Company processes credit card payments on behalf of the courts via its websites through which the public can efile cases and pay traffic citations and other fees.

 

The adoption of ASC 606 also requires the capitalization of certain costs of obtaining contracts, specifically sales commissions, which are to be amortized over the expected term of the contracts. For its software contracts, the Company incurs an immaterial amount of sales commission costs which have no significant impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the Company’s implementation and fulfillment costs do not meet all criteria required for capitalization.

 

8

 

 

Since the Company recognizes revenues when it can invoice the customer pursuant to the contract for the value of completed performance, as a practical expedient and because reliable estimates cannot be made, it has elected not to include the transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations. Also, as a practical expedient, the Company has elected not to include its evaluation of variable consideration of certain usage-based public service fees that are included in some contracts. Furthermore, there are no fulfillment costs to be capitalized for the software contracts because these costs do not generate or enhance resources that will be used in satisfying future performance obligations.

 

 

Note 5 - Basic and Diluted Income Per Share

 

The Company does not have any common stock equivalents, and therefore basic and diluted income (loss) per share are the same.

 

 

Note 6 - Investments in Marketable Securities

 

All investments are classified as “Current assets” because they are available for sale at any time. These “available-for-sale” marketable securities are stated at fair value. The Company uses quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (consistent with the Level 1 definition in the fair value hierarchy) to measure the fair value of its investments on a recurring basis pursuant to ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement.

 

As of December 31, 2018, there were net unrealized gains of $129,767,000 with these investments. With the adoption of ASU No. 2016-01, Subtopic 825-10, as stated in Note 3, the Company recorded and included in its net loss the net unrealized losses on investments of $28,640,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2018. At September 30, 2018, net unrealized gains of $158,407,000 were recorded before taxes of $42,151,000 in the accumulated other comprehensive income in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Most of the unrealized gains were in the common stocks of three U.S. financial institutions and one foreign manufacturer.

 

Investments in equity securities as of December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018 are summarized below.

 

   Investments in Financial Instruments

 

   

December 31, 2018

   

September 30, 2018

 
   

 

Aggregate

fair value

   

Amortized/

Adjusted

cost basis

   

Pretax net

unrealized

gains

   

 

Aggregate

fair value

   

Amortized/

Adjusted

cost basis

   

Pretax net

unrealized

gains

 
                                                 

Marketable securities

  $ 183,656,000     $ 53,889,000     $ 129,767,000     $ 212,296,000     $ 53,889,000     $ 158,407,000  

 

As of December 31, 2018, the Company performed an evaluation for an equity security with a fair value below cost to determine if the unrealized loss was other-than-temporary. This evaluation considers a number of factors including, but not limited to, the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the security until fair value recovers. The assessment of the ability and intent to hold this security to recovery focuses on liquidity needs, asset/liability management objectives and security portfolio objectives. Based on the result of the evaluation, the Company concluded that as of December 31, 2018, the unrealized loss related to an equity security it owns was temporary.

 

9

 

 

 

Note 7 – Goodwill

 

       The Company accounts for goodwill in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 350, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other. Goodwill, which is not amortized for financial statement purposes, is amortized over a 15-year period for tax purposes, but evaluated for impairment annually, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the value may not be recoverable. Considered factors for potential goodwill impairment evaluation with respect to Journal Technologies include, among other things, the current year’s business profitability before intangible amortization, fluctuations of revenues, changes in the marketplace, the status of deferred installation contracts and new business.

 

In addition, ASU 2011-08, Intangible – Goodwill and Others -- Testing Goodwill for Impairment, allows for the option of performing a qualitative assessment before calculating the fair value of a reporting unit. If it is determined based on qualitative factors that there is no impairment to goodwill, then the fair value of a reporting unit is not needed. If a quantitative analysis is required and the unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, then the second step is performed to measure the amount of potential impairment. The Company’s annual goodwill impairment analysis in fiscal 2018 did not result in an impairment charge based on the qualitative assessment. There was no indicator of impairment during the three-month periods ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

 

Note 8 - Income Taxes

 

For the three months ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $8,317,000 on a pretax loss of $29,850,000.  This was the net result of applying the effective tax rate anticipated for fiscal 2019 to the pretax loss for the three months ended December 31, 2018.  The effective tax rate was greater than the statutory rate primarily due to state tax benefits. 

 

      During the prior fiscal year, the December 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act reduced the maximum corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%.  The impact to the Company’s financial statements was as follows:  (i) fiscal 2018 income tax expense or benefit was calculated using a blended rate of 24.28% pursuant to IRC Section 15, (ii) deferred tax expense included a discrete net tax benefit of approximately $16 million resulting from a revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities to the expected tax rate that will be applied when temporary differences are expected to reverse, (iii) items that were expected to reverse during fiscal 2018 were valued at the blended rate of 24.28% while temporary differences that will reverse after fiscal 2018 were valued at the 21% rate, and (iv) approximately $20 million of the revaluation of deferred taxes related to items that were initially recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income. This revaluation of approximately $20 million was recorded as a component of income tax expense or benefit in continuing operations.  Consequently, on a pretax loss of $2,111,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $16,850,000. The income tax benefit was also the result of applying the effective tax rate anticipated for fiscal 2018 to the pretax loss for the three-month period ended December 31, 2017.   The effective tax rate (before the discrete item discussed above) was greater than the statutory rate primarily due to the dividends received deduction which increases the loss for tax purposes. 

 

      The Company’s effective tax rate was 28% for the three months ended December 31, 2018 as compared with 798% in the prior year period. The difference in the effective tax rate was primarily due to the effect of the tax cuts in the prior year period as discussed above.

 

      The Company files consolidated federal income tax returns in the United States and with various state jurisdictions and is no longer subject to examinations for fiscal years before fiscal 2015 with regard to federal income taxes and fiscal 2013 for state income taxes. 

 

10

 

 

 

Note 9 - Debt and Commitments

 

During fiscal 2013, the Company borrowed from its investment margin account the aggregate purchase price of $29.5 million for two acquisitions, in each case pledging its marketable securities as collateral. The interest rate for these investment margin account borrowings fluctuates based on the Federal Funds Rate plus 50 basis points with interest only payable monthly. The interest rate as of December 31, 2018 was 3%. These investment margin account borrowings do not mature.

 

In 2015, the Company purchased a 30,700 square foot office building constructed in 1998 on about 3.6 acres in Logan, Utah that had been previously leased by Journal Technologies. The Company paid $1.24 million and financed the balance with a real estate bank loan of $2.26 million which bears a fixed interest rate of 4.66% and is repayable in equal monthly installments of about $17,600 through 2030. This loan is secured by the Logan facility and can be paid off at any time without prepayment penalty. This real estate loan had a balance of approximately $1.93 million as of December 31, 2018.

 

      The Company also owns its facilities in Los Angeles and leases space for its other offices under operating leases which expire at various dates through fiscal 2021. During fiscal 2014, the Company renewed its office lease for its San Francisco office for five years to end on October 31, 2019 with a current monthly rent of approximately $28,000 for about 6,200 square feet. Beginning in fiscal 2017, the Company leased approximately 9,800 square feet of office space (expiring in August 2020) in Englewood, Colorado, for a monthly rent of approximately $21,000.

 

The Company is responsible for a portion of maintenance, insurance and property tax expenses relating to the leased properties. Rental expenses were $258,000 for the three-month period ended December 31, 2018, as compared with $237,000 in the prior year period.

 

 

Note 10 - Contingencies

 

From time to time, the Company is subject to contingencies, including litigation, arising in the normal course of its business. While it is not possible to predict the results of such contingencies, management does not believe the ultimate outcome of these matters will have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations or cash flows.

 

11

 

 

 

Note 11 - Operating Segments

 

The Company’s reportable segments are: (i) the Traditional Business and (ii) Journal Technologies. All inter-segment transactions were eliminated. Summarized financial information regarding the Company’s reportable segments is shown in the following table:

 

   

Reportable Segments

                 
   

Traditional

Business

   

Journal

Technologies

   

Corporate income

and expenses

   

 

Total

 

Three months ended December 31, 2018

                               

Revenues

                               

Advertising

  $ 2,192,000     $ ---     $ ---     $ 2,192,000  

Circulation

    1,338,000       ---       ---       1,338,000  

Advertising service fees and other

    669,000       ---       ---       669,000  

Licensing and maintenance fees

    ---       4,790,000       ---       4,790,000  

Consulting fees

    ---       541,000       ---       541,000  

Other public service fees

    ---       898,000       ---       898,000  

Operating expenses

    4,208,000       8,741,000       ---       12,949,000  

Loss from operations

    (9,000 )     (2,512,000 )     ---       (2,521,000 )

Dividends and interest income

    ---       ---       1,530,000       1,530,000  

Other income

    ---       ---       10,000       10,000  

Net unrealized losses on investments

    ---       ---       (28,640,000 )     (28,640,000 )

Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate

    (23,000 )     ---       ---       (23,000 )

Interest expenses on margin loans

    ---       ---       (206,000 )     (206,000 )

Pretax (loss) income

    (32,000 )     (2,512,000 )     (27,306,000 )     (29,850,000 )

Income tax benefit (expense)

    80,000       585,000       7,652,000       8,317,000  

Net income (loss)

    48,000       (1,927,000 )     (19,654,000 )     (21,533,000 )

Total assets

    18,702,000       30,571,000       185,843,000       235,116,000  

Capital expenditures

    50,000       34,000       ---       84,000  

 

   

Reportable Segments

                 
   

Traditional

Business

   

Journal

Technologies

   

Corporate income

and expenses

   

 

Total

 

Three months ended December 31, 2017

                               

Revenues

                               

Advertising

  $ 2,116,000     $ ---     $ ---     $ 2,116,000  

Circulation

    1,363,000       ---       ---       1,363,000  

Advertising service fees and other

    602,000       ---       ---       602,000  

Licensing and maintenance fees

    ---       4,350,000       ---       4,350,000  

Consulting fees

    ---       995,000       ---       995,000  

Other public service fees

    ---       826,000       ---       826,000  

Operating expenses

    4,314,000       9,383,000       ---       13,697,000  

Loss from operations

    (233,000 )     (3,212,000 )     ---       (3,445,000 )

Dividends and interest income

    ---       ---       1,483,000       1,483,000  

Other income and capital gains

    ---       ---       11,000       11,000  

Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate

    (24,000 )     ---       ---       (24,000 )

Interest expenses on margin loans

    ---       ---       (136,000 )     (136,000 )

Pretax (loss) income

    (257,000 )     (3,212,000 )     1,358,000       (2,111,000 )

Income tax benefit (expense)

    (680,000 )     (2,185,000 )     19,715,000       16,850,000  

Net income (loss)

    (937,000 )     (5,397,000 )     21,073,000       14,739,000  

Total assets

    17,259,000       26,768,000       245,863,000       289,890,000  

Capital expenditures

    34,000       ---       ---       34,000  

Amortization of intangible assets

    ---       1,062,000       ---       1,062,000  

 

12

 

 

        During the three months ended December 31, 2018, the Traditional Business had total revenues of $4,199,000 of which $2,861,000 were recognized, at a point of time, after services were provided and $1,338,000 were recognized ratably over the subscription terms. Total revenues for the Company’s software business were $6,229,000 of which $1,935,000 were recognized upon completion of services with customer acceptance while $4,294,000 were recognized ratably over the subscription periods.

 

       Approximately 60% of the Company’s revenues during the three-month periods ended December 31, 2018 were derived from Journal Technologies, as compared with 60% in the prior year period. In addition, the Company’s revenues have been primarily from the United States with approximately 1% from foreign countries. Journal Technologies’ revenues are all from governmental agencies.

 

      The following table sets forth certain deferred obligations from October 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018:

 

   

Beginning Balance

   

 

Addition

   

 

Recognized

   

Ending

Balance

 
                                 

Deferred subscriptions

  $ 3,174,000     $ 1,111,000     $ (1,338,000 )   $ 2,947,000  

Deferred installation contracts

    2,554,000       925,000       (1,037,000 )     2,442,000  

Deferred maintenance agreements and others

    14,362,000       4,662,000       (4,294,000 )     14,730,000  

 

 

Note 12 - Subsequent Events

 

The Company has completed an evaluation of all subsequent events through the issuance date of these financial statements and concluded that no subsequent events occurred that required recognition to the financial statements or disclosures in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements or Cash Flows.

 

13

 

 

 

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

 

Results of Operations

 

The Company continues to operate as two different businesses: (1) The Traditional Business, being the business of newspaper publishing and related services that the Company had before 1999 when it purchased a software development company, and (2) Journal Technologies, Inc. (“Journal Technologies”), a wholly-owned subsidiary which supplies case management software systems and related products to courts, prosecutor and public defender offices, probation departments and other justice agencies, including administrative law organizations, city and county governments and bar associations. These organizations use the Journal Technologies family of products to help manage cases and information electronically, to interface with other critical justice partners and to extend electronic services to the public, including efiling and a website to pay traffic citations online, and bar members. These products are licensed to more than 500 organizations in 42 states and internationally.

 

Comprehensive (Loss) Income

 

Comprehensive (loss) income includes net (loss) income and net unrealized (losses) gains on investments, net of taxes, as summarized below:

 

Comprehensive (Loss) Income

 
   

Three months ended December 31

 
   

2018

   

2017

 
                 

Net (loss) income

  $ (21,533,000 )   $ 14,739,000  

Net increase in unrealized appreciation of marketable securities (net of taxes)

    ---       12,118,000  
    $ (21,533,000 )   $ 26,857,000  

 

Comparable three-month periods ended December 31, 2018 and 2017

 

Consolidated revenues were $10,428,000 and $10,252,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. This increase of $176,000 was primarily from increased (i) Journal Technologies’ license and maintenance fees of $440,000 and public service fees of $72,000 and (ii) the Traditional Business’ government notices and agency commission revenues of $92,000, partially offset by a reduction in Journal Technologies’ consulting fees of $454,000 due to fewer go-lives. The Company’s revenues derived from Journal Technologies’ operations constituted about 60% of the Company’s total revenues for both the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.

 

Consolidated operating expenses decreased by $748,000 (5%) to $12,949,000 from $13,697,000, mainly because all intangible assets for Journal Technologies were fully amortized at last year-end. Total personnel costs increased by $458,000 (6%) to $8,655,000 from $8,197,000 primarily resulting from additional personnel costs for Journal Technologies. Outside services decreased by $94,000 (9%) to $945,000 from $1,039,000 mainly because of decreased contractor costs for Journal Technologies. Depreciation and amortization costs, which included primarily the amortization of Journal Technologies’ intangible assets of $0 and $1,062,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, decreased by $1,065,000 to $153,000 from $1,218,000.

 

14

 

 

The Company’s non-operating income, net of expenses, decreased to a loss of $27,329,000 from income of $1,334,000 primarily because of the recording of the net unrealized losses on investments of $28,640,000 and increases in the interest rates on the Company's two acquisition margin loans.

 

During the three months ended December 31, 2018, consolidated pretax loss was $29,850,000, as compared with $2,111,000 in the prior year period. There was a consolidated net loss of $21,533,000 (-$15.60 per share) after tax benefits for the three months ended December 31, 2018, as compared with net income of $14,739,000 ($10.67 per share) in the prior year period mainly resulting from the prior year’s adjustments relative to the benefits related to the December 2017 Tax Cuts and Job Act.

 

At December 31, 2018, the aggregate fair market value of the Company’s marketable securities was $183,656,000. These securities had approximately $129,767,000 of net unrealized gains before taxes of $34,174,000, and generated approximately $1,530,000 in dividends and interest income during the three months ended December 31, 2018, which lowers the Company’s effective income tax rate because of the dividends received deduction. Most of the unrealized gains were in the common stocks of three U.S. financial institutions and one foreign manufacturer.

 

Additional detail about each of the Company’s reportable segments, and its corporate income and expenses, is set forth below:

 

Overall Financial Results (000)

For the three months ended December 31

 

   

Reportable Segments

                                 
   

Traditional

Business

   

Journal

Technologies

   

Corporate

income and expenses

   

 

Total

 
   

2018

   

2017

   

2018

   

2017

   

2018

   

2017

   

2018

   

2017

 

Revenues

                                                               

Advertising

  $ 2,192     $ 2,116     $ ---     $ ---     $ ---     $ ---     $ 2,192     $ 2,116  

Circulation

    1,338       1,363       ---       ---       ---       ---       1,338       1,363  

Advertising service fees and other

    669       602       ---       ---       ---       ---       669       602  

Licensing and maintenance fees

    ---       ---       4,790       4,350       ---       ---       4,790       4,350  

Consulting fees

    ---       ---       541       995       ---       ---       541       995  

Other public service fees

    ---       ---       898       826       ---       ---       898       826  

Total revenues

    4,199       4,081       6,229       6,171       ---       ---       10,428       10,252  

Operating expenses

                                                               

Salaries and employee benefits

    2,624       2,568       6,031       5,629       ---       ---       8,655       8,197  

Amortization of intangible assets

    ---       ---       ---       1,062       ---       ---       ---       1,062  

Others

    1,584       1,746       2,710       2,692       ---       ---       4,294       4,438  

Total operating expenses

    4,208       4,314       8,741       9,383       ---       ---       12,949       13,697  

Loss from operations

    (9 )     (233 )     (2,512 )     (3,212 )     ---       ---       (2,521 )     (3,445 )

Dividends and interest income

    ---       ---       ---       ---       1,530       1,483       1,530       1,483  

Other income and capital gains

    ---       ---       ---       ---       10       11       10       11  

Net unrealized losses on investments

    ---       ---       ---       ---       (28,640 )     ---       (28,640 )     ---  

Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate

    (23 )     (24 )     ---       ---       ---       ---       (23 )     (24 )

Interest expenses on margin loans

    ---       ---       ---       ---       (206 )     (136 )     (206 )     (136 )

Pretax (loss) income

  $ (32 )   $ (257 )   $ (2,512 )   $ (3,212 )   $ (27,306 )   $ 1,358     $ (29,850 )   $ (2,111 )

 

15

 

 

The Traditional Business

 

      The Traditional Business segment’s pretax loss decreased by $225,000 to $32,000 from $257,000.

 

Advertising revenues increased by $76,000 to $2,192,000 from $2,116,000, primarily because of more conference revenues of $86,000 and net government notice advertising revenues of $32,000, partially offset by declines in trustee sale notice advertising revenues of $58,000.

 

Trustee sale notices are very much dependent on the number of California and Arizona foreclosures for which public notice advertising is required by law. The number of foreclosure notices published by the Company decreased by 14% during the three months ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the prior year period. Because this slowing is expected to continue, the Company expects there will be fewer foreclosure notice and other public notice advertisements and declining revenues in fiscal 2019, and the Company’s print-based earnings will also likely decline because it will be impractical for the Company to offset all revenue losses by expense reduction. The Company’s smaller newspapers, those other than the Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journals (“The Daily Journals”), accounted for about 88% of the total public notice advertising revenues in the three months ended December 31, 2018. Public notice advertising revenues and related advertising and other service fees constituted about 21% and 20% of the Company’s total revenues for the three months ended December 31 2018 and 2017, respectively. Because of this concentration, the Company’s revenues would be significantly adversely affected if California and Arizona eliminated the legal requirement to publish public notices in adjudicated newspapers of general circulation, as was recently implemented in Arizona for one notice type that had represented approximately $500,000 in annual revenues for the Company. Also, if the adjudication of one or more of the Company’s newspapers was challenged and revoked, those newspapers would no longer be eligible to publish public notice advertising, and it could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s revenues.

 

The Daily Journals accounted for about 89% of The Traditional Business’ total circulation revenues, which declined by $25,000 to $1,338,000 from $1,363,000. The court rule and judicial profile services generated about 8% of the total circulation revenues, with the other newspapers and services accounting for the balance. Advertising service fees and other are Traditional Business segment revenues, which include primarily (i) agency commissions received from outside newspapers in which the advertising is placed, and (ii) fees generated when filing notices with government agencies.

 

The Traditional Business segment operating expenses decreased by $106,000 (2%) to $4,208,000 from $4,314,000, primarily due to decreased contractor costs.

 

Journal Technologies

 

Journal Technologies’ business segment pretax loss decreased by $700,000 (22%) to $2,512,000 from $3,212,000, after including the amortization costs of intangible assets of $0 and $1,062,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

Revenues increased by $58,000 to $6,229,000 from $6,171,000 in the prior year period. Licensing and maintenance fees increased by $440,000 (10%) to $4,790,000 from $4,350,000. Consulting fees decreased by $454,000 (46%) to $541,000 from $995,000 due to fewer go-lives. Deferred revenues on installation contracts primarily represent the fair value of advances from customers of Journal Technologies for installation services and are recognized upon final project go-lives. Deferred revenues on license and maintenance contracts represent prepayments of annual license and maintenance fees and are recognized ratably over the maintenance period. Other public service fees increased by $72,000 (9%) to $898,000 from $826,000 primarily due to additional efiling fee revenues.

 

16

 

 

Operating expenses decreased by $642,000 (7%) to $8,741,000 from $9,383,000, primarily because the amortization costs of intangible assets were fully amortized at last year-end, partially offset by increased personnel costs.

 

Goodwill, which is not amortized for financial statement purposes, is amortized over 15 years for tax purposes. Goodwill represents the expected synergies in expanding the Company’s software business. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment annually, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the value may not be recoverable. Considered factors for potential goodwill impairment evaluation include the current year’s operating financial results before intangible amortization, fluctuations of revenues, changes in the market place, the status of installation contracts and new business, among other things. There was no indicator of impairment during the three-month periods ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. Journal Technologies is continuing to update and upgrade its software products. These costs are expensed as incurred and will impact earnings at least through the foreseeable future.

 

Taxes

 

For the three months ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $8,317,000 on a pretax loss of $29,850,000.  This was the net result of applying the effective tax rate anticipated for fiscal 2019 to the pretax loss for the three months ended December 31, 2018.  The effective tax rate was greater than the statutory rate primarily due to state tax benefits. 

 

      During the prior fiscal year, the December 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act reduced the maximum corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%. The impact to the Company’s financial statements was as follows:  (i) fiscal 2018 income tax expense or benefit was calculated using a blended rate of 24.28% pursuant to IRC Section 15, (ii) deferred tax expense included a discrete net tax benefit of approximately $16 million resulting from a revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities to the expected tax rate that will be applied when temporary differences are expected to reverse, (iii) items that were expected to reverse during fiscal 2018 were valued at the blended rate of 24.28% while temporary differences that will reverse after fiscal 2018 were valued at the 21% rate, and (iv) approximately $20 million of the revaluation of deferred taxes related to items that were initially recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income. This revaluation of approximately $20 million was recorded as a component of income tax expense or benefit in continuing operations.  Consequently, on a pretax loss of $2,111,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $16,850,000. The income tax benefit was also the result of applying the effective tax rate anticipated for fiscal 2018 to the pretax loss for the three-month period ended December 31, 2017.   The effective tax rate (before the discrete item discussed above) was greater than the statutory rate primarily due to the dividends received deduction which increases the loss for tax purposes. 

 

      The Company’s effective tax rate was 28% for the three months ended December 31, 2018 as compared with 798% in the prior year period. The difference in the effective tax rate was primarily due to the effect of the tax cuts in the prior year period as discussed above.

 

      The Company files consolidated federal income tax returns in the United States and with various state jurisdictions and is no longer subject to examinations for fiscal years before fiscal 2015 with regard to federal income taxes and fiscal 2013 for state income taxes. 

 

17

 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

During the three months ended December 31, 2018, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and marketable security positions decreased by $31,250,000 to $190,347,000. Cash and cash equivalents were used for the purchase of capital assets of $84,000 and operating activities of $2,497,000 which included net increases of $29,000 in deferred subscriptions, deferred installation contracts and deferred maintenance agreements and others.

 

The investments in marketable securities, which had an adjusted cost basis of approximately $53,889,000 and a market value of about $183,656,000 at December 31, 2018, generated approximately $1,530,000 in dividends and interest income. Beginning in fiscal 2019, changes in unrealized gains (losses) on investments are included in the Company’s net income (loss) and thus may have a significant impact depending on the fluctuations of the market prices of the invested securities.

 

Cash flows from operating activities decreased by $1,683,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2018 as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to (i) decreases in net income of $7,632,000 to $7,107,000 from $14,739,000, excluding the non-cash unrealized losses on investments of $28,640,000, which was recorded in year-to-date earnings versus in accumulated other comprehensive income in the prior year, and (ii) increases in accounts receivable of $3,396,000 resulting from more billings, partially offset by increases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $1,427,000 because of additional efiling fees collected on behalf of the courts and other agencies, and increased deferred income tax assets of $8,370,000 of which $7,977,000 related to the net unrealized losses on investments.

 

As of December 31, 2018, the Company had working capital of $170,008,000, including the liabilities for deferred subscriptions, deferred installation and maintenance agreements and others of $20,013,000.

 

The Company believes that it will be able to fund its operations for the foreseeable future through its cash flows from operations and its current working capital and expects that any such cash flows will be invested in its businesses. The Company may or may not have the ability to borrow against its marketable securities. The Company also may entertain additional business acquisition opportunities. Any excess cash flows could be used to reduce the investment margin account liability or note payable collateralized by real estate or invested as management and the Board of Directors deem appropriate at the time.

 

Such investments may include additional securities of the companies in which the Company has already invested, securities of other companies, government securities (including U.S. Treasury Notes and Bills) or other instruments. The decision as to particular investments will be driven by the Company’s belief about the risk/reward profile of the various investment choices at the time, and it may utilize government securities as a default if attractive opportunities for a better return are not available. The Company’s Chairman of the Board, Charles Munger, is also the vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., which maintains a substantial investment portfolio. The Company’s Board of Directors has utilized his judgment and suggestions, as well as those of J.P. Guerin, the Company’s vice chairman, when selecting investments, and both of them will continue to play an important role in monitoring existing investments and selecting any future investments.

 

As of December 31, 2018, the investments were concentrated in just six companies. Accordingly, a significant decline in the market value of one or more of the Company’s investments may not be offset by the hypothetically better performance of other investments, and that could result in a large decrease in the Company’s shareholders’ equity and net income.

 

18

 

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

        The Company’s financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are affected by management’s application of accounting policies. Management believes that revenue recognition, accounting for software costs, fair value measurement and disclosures (including for the long-term Incentive Plan liabilities), testing for goodwill impairment and income taxes are critical accounting policies and estimates.

 

     The Company’s critical accounting policies are detailed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2018. The above discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in this report.

 

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

 

     This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Certain statements contained in this document, including but not limited to those in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” are “forward-looking” statements that involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual future events or results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Words such as “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “should,” “believes,” “will,” “plans,” “estimates,” “may,” variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. We disclaim any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise. There are many factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others: risks associated with software development and implementation efforts; Journal Technologies’ reliance on professional services engagements with justice agencies; material changes in the costs of postage and paper; possible changes in the law, particularly changes limiting or eliminating the requirements for public notice advertising; possible loss of the adjudicated status of the Company’s newspapers and their legal authority to publish public notice advertising; a further decline in public notice advertising revenues because of fewer foreclosures; a further decline in subscriber and commercial advertising revenues; possible security breaches of the Company’s software or websites; the Company’s reliance on its president and chief executive officer, who has recently reduced his work schedule due to a health issue; changes in accounting guidance; material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting; and declines in the market prices of the securities owned by the Company. In addition, such statements could be affected by general industry and market conditions, general economic conditions (particularly in California) and other factors.  Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are discussed in this Form 10-Q, including in conjunction with the forward-looking statements themselves. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018.

 

19

 

 

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

     For information regarding the Company’s market risk, refer to Item  7A – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018. There have been no material changes to the Company’s market risk exposures since September 30, 2018.

 

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

    In light of the material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting discussed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2018, management concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of December 31, 2018.  There were no material changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting or in other factors reasonably likely to affect its internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2018.

 

20

 

 

PART II

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

 

31

Certification by Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

32

Certification by Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

101.INS**

XBRL Instance

 

 

101.SCH**

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

 

 

101.CAL**

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation

 

 

101.DEF**

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition

 

 

101.LAB**

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels

 

 

101.PRE**

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation

 

 

**

XBRL information is furnished and not filed as a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

 

SIGNATURE

 

     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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Gerald L. Salzman

 

 

 

 

 

   

Chief Executive Officer

President

Chief Financial Officer

Treasurer

(Principal Executive Officer,

Principal Financial Officer and

Principal Accounting Officer) 

 

                

DATE: February 11, 2019

 

21

ex_134320.htm

Exhibit 31

 

CERTIFICATIONS BY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

 

 I, Gerald L. Salzman, certify that:

 

 

1.

I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of the Daily Journal Corporation;

 

 

2.

Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

 

 

3.

Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

 

 

4.

 I am responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

 

a.

designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under my supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to me by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

 

b.

designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under my supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

 

c.

evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report my conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

 

d.

disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

 

5.

I have disclosed, based on my most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

 

a.

all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

 

b.

any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

  Date:  February 11, 2019
   
   
  /s/ Gerald L. Salzman
 

                                                            

Gerald L. Salzman

Chief Executive Officer, President,

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer  

 

 

 


  

ex_134321.htm

Exhibit 32

 

CERTIFICATION BY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002 

 

     In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Daily Journal Corporation (the "Company") for the period ended December 31, 2018 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Gerald L. Salzman, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my knowledge:

 

 

(1)

the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

 

(2)

the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

 

 

/s/ Gerald L. Salzman

 

                                                                                 

Gerald L. Salzman
Chief Executive Officer, President,
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer


February 11, 2019

 

 

     The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.

 

v3.10.0.1
Document And Entity Information - shares
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Jan. 31, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Registrant Name DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION  
Entity Central Index Key 0000783412  
Trading Symbol djco  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --09-30  
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Entity Emerging Growth Company false  
Entity Small Business false  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)   1,380,746
Document Type 10-Q  
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2018  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2019  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q1  
Amendment Flag false  
v3.10.0.1
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2018
Sep. 30, 2018
Current assets    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 6,691,000 $ 9,301,000
Marketable securities at fair value 183,656,000 212,296,000
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $200,000 7,033,000 4,803,000
Inventories 55,000 46,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 491,000 512,000
Income tax receivable 58,000 270,000
Total current assets 197,984,000 227,228,000
Property, plant and equipment, at cost    
Land, buildings and improvements 16,472,000 16,422,000
Furniture, office equipment and computer software 2,911,000 2,877,000
Machinery and equipment 1,749,000 1,749,000
21,132,000 21,048,000
Less accumulated depreciation (9,981,000) (9,828,000)
11,151,000 11,220,000
Goodwill 13,400,000 13,400,000
Deferred income taxes - Federal 9,753,000 9,269,000
Deferred income taxes - State 2,828,000 2,881,000
235,116,000 263,998,000
Current liabilities    
Accounts payable 4,036,000 2,820,000
Accrued liabilities 3,804,000 4,402,000
Note payable collateralized by real estate 123,000 121,000
Total current liabilities 27,976,000 27,257,000
Long term liabilities    
Investment margin account borrowings 29,493,000 29,493,000
Note payable collateralized by real estate 1,804,000 1,835,000
Deferred maintenance agreements 106,000 176,000
Accrued liabilities 180,000 170,000
Deferred income taxes 34,174,000 42,151,000
Total long term liabilities 65,757,000 73,825,000
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 9 and 10)
Shareholders' equity    
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized and no shares issued 0 0
Common stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; 1,805,053 shares issued, including 424,307 treasury shares, at December 31, 2018 and September 30, 2018 14,000 14,000
Additional paid-in capital 1,755,000 1,755,000
Retained earnings 139,614,000 45,361,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income 115,786,000
Total shareholders' equity 141,383,000 162,916,000
235,116,000 263,998,000
Subscription and Circulation [Member]    
Current liabilities    
Deferred revenue 2,947,000 3,174,000
Installation Contracts [Member]    
Current liabilities    
Deferred revenue 2,442,000 2,554,000
License and Maintenance [Member]    
Current liabilities    
Deferred revenue $ 14,624,000 $ 14,186,000
v3.10.0.1
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) - USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2018
Sep. 30, 2018
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts $ 200,000 $ 200,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share) $ 0.01 $ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares) 5,000,000 5,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares) 0 0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) $ 0.01 $ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares) 5,000,000 5,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares) 1,805,053 1,805,053
Common stock, treasury shares (in shares) 424,307 424,307
v3.10.0.1
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Revenue    
Revenues $ 10,428,000 $ 10,252,000
Costs and expenses    
Salaries and employee benefits 8,655,000 8,197,000
Outside services 945,000 1,039,000
Postage and delivery expenses 204,000 217,000
Newsprint and printing expenses 176,000 212,000
Depreciation and amortization 153,000 1,218,000
Other general and administrative expenses 2,816,000 2,814,000
12,949,000 13,697,000
Loss from operations (2,521,000) (3,445,000)
Other income (expense)    
Dividends and interest income 1,530,000 1,483,000
Other income and capital gains 10,000 11,000
Net unrealized losses on investments (28,640,000)
Loss before income taxes (29,850,000) (2,111,000)
Benefit from income taxes 8,317,000 16,850,000
Net (loss) income $ (21,533,000) $ 14,739,000
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted (in shares) 1,380,746 1,380,746
Basic and diluted net (loss) income per share (in dollars per share) $ (15.60) $ 10.67
Comprehensive (loss) income    
Net (loss) income $ (21,533,000) $ 14,739,000
Net increase in unrealized appreciation of marketable securities (net of taxes) 12,118,000
(21,533,000) 26,857,000
Real Estate Bank Loan Secured by Logan Office [Member]    
Other income (expense)    
Interest expense on debt (23,000) (24,000)
Margin Account [Member]    
Other income (expense)    
Interest expense on debt (206,000) (136,000)
Advertising [Member]    
Revenue    
Revenues 2,192,000 2,116,000
Subscription and Circulation [Member]    
Revenue    
Revenues 1,338,000 1,363,000
Advertising Service Fees and Other [Member]    
Revenue    
Revenues 669,000 602,000
License and Maintenance [Member]    
Revenue    
Revenues 4,790,000 4,350,000
Consulting Fees [Member]    
Revenue    
Revenues 541,000 995,000
Service, Other [Member]    
Revenue    
Revenues $ 898,000 $ 826,000
v3.10.0.1
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($)
Common Stock [Member]
Treasury Stock [Member]
Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]
Retained Earnings [Member]
AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]
Total
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2017 1,805,053 (424,307)        
Balance at Sep. 30, 2017 $ 18,000 $ (4,000) $ 1,755,000 $ 57,150,000 $ 100,822,000 $ 159,741,000
Net (loss) income       14,739,000   14,739,000
Unrealized gains on investments, net         12,118,000 12,118,000
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017 1,805,053 (424,307)        
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017 $ 18,000 $ (4,000) 1,755,000 71,889,000 112,940,000 186,598,000
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2018 1,805,053 (424,307)        
Balance at Sep. 30, 2018 $ 18,000 $ (4,000) 1,755,000 45,361,000 115,786,000 162,916,000
Net (loss) income       (21,533,000)   (21,533,000)
Unrealized gains on investments, net          
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2018 1,805,053 (424,307)        
Balance at Dec. 31, 2018 $ 18,000 $ (4,000) 1,755,000 139,614,000 141,383,000
Adoption of new accounting pronouncement $ 115,786,000 $ (115,786,000)
v3.10.0.1
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Cash flows from operating activities    
Net (loss) income $ (21,533,000) $ 14,739,000
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash used in operations    
Depreciation and amortization 153,000 1,218,000
Net unrealized losses on investments 28,640,000
Deferred income taxes (8,408,000) (16,778,000)
Discounts earned on bonds (1,000)
(Increase) decrease in current assets    
Accounts receivable, net (2,230,000) 1,166,000
Inventories (9,000)
Prepaid expenses and other assets 21,000 157,000
Income tax receivable 212,000 (78,000)
Increase (decrease) in liabilities    
Accounts payable 1,216,000 (98,000)
Accrued liabilities (588,000) (701,000)
Net cash used in operating activities (2,497,000) (814,000)
Cash flows from investing activities    
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (84,000) (34,000)
Net cash used in investing activities (84,000) (34,000)
Cash flows from financing activities    
Payment of real estate loan principal (29,000) (28,000)
Net cash used in financing activities (29,000) (28,000)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents (2,610,000) (876,000)
Cash and cash equivalents    
Beginning of period 9,301,000 3,384,000
End of period 6,691,000 2,508,000
Interest paid during period 152,000 169,000
Net income taxes (refunded) paid during period (121,000) 6,000
Subscription and Circulation [Member]    
Increase (decrease) in liabilities    
Deferred revenue arrangements (227,000) (149,000)
License and Maintenance [Member]    
Increase (decrease) in liabilities    
Deferred revenue arrangements 368,000 419,000
Installation Contracts [Member]    
Increase (decrease) in liabilities    
Deferred revenue arrangements $ (112,000) $ (708,000)
v3.10.0.1
Note 1 - The Corporation and Operations
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements  
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]
Note
1
- The Corporation and Operations
 
Daily Journal Corporation (the “Company”) publishes newspapers and web sites covering California and Arizona and produces several specialized information services. It also serves as a newspaper representative specializing in public notice advertising. This is sometimes referred to as the Company’s Traditional Business”.
 
Journal Technologies, Inc. (“Journal Technologies”), a wholly-owned subsidiary, supplies case management software systems and related products to courts, prosecutor and public defender offices, probation departments and other justice agencies, including administrative law organizations, city and county governments and bar associations. These organizations use the Journal Technologies family of products to help manage cases and information electronically, to interface with other critical justice partners and to extend electronic services to the public, including efiling and a website to pay traffic citations online, and bar members. These products are licensed to more than
500
organizations in
42
states and internationally.
 
Essentially all of the Company’s operations are based in California, Arizona, Colorado and Utah.
v3.10.0.1
Note 2 - Basis of Presentation
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements  
Basis of Accounting [Text Block]
Note
2
- Basis of Presentation
 
In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying interim unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of its financial position as of
December 31, 2018,
and its results of operations and cash flows for the
three
-month periods ended
December 31, 2018
and
2017.
The results of operations for the
three
months ended
December 31, 2018
are
not
necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
 
The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented
not
misleading. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10
-K for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 2018.
 
Certain reclassifications of previously reported amounts have been made to conform to the current year’s presentation.
v3.10.0.1
Note 3 - Accounting Standards Adopted in Fiscal 2019 and Recent Accounting Pronouncements
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements  
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block]
Note
3
- Accounting Standards Adopted in Fiscal
2019
and Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
Accounting Standards Adopted in Fiscal
201
9
 
On
October 1, 2018,
the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”)
No.
2016
-
01,
Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic
825
-
10
): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities
. This ASU requires an entity that holds financial assets or owes financial liabilities to, among other things, measure equity investments at fair value and recognize unrealized gains (losses) through net income (loss). Accordingly, the Company’s net loss of
$21,533,000
for the
three
month ended
December 31, 2018,
included net unrealized losses on investments of
$28,640,000.
For the prior year’s period, the Company recorded net unrealized gains for its available-for-sale marketable securities in other comprehensive income. In addition, ASU
2016
-
01
prohibits the restatement of prior year financial statements but requires that the Company reclassify net after-tax unrealized gains on investments of
$115,786,000
on adoption day from “accumulated other comprehensive income” to “retained earnings”, both of which are listed under the “Shareholders’ equity” section of the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. This represented an increase to retained earnings and a decrease to accumulated other comprehensive income.
 
Other Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
The Company will continue to evaluate the other new accounting pronouncements as detailed in its Annual Report on Form
10
-K for the year ended
September 30, 2018.
v3.10.0.1
Note 4 - Revenue Recognition
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements  
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Text Block]
Note
4
– Revenue Recognition
 
The Company recognizes revenues in accordance with the provisions of ASU
No.
2014
-
09,
Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC Topic
606
)
, which it adopted effective
October 1, 2017,
using the modified retrospective method.
 
For the Company’s Traditional Business, proceeds from the sale of subscriptions for newspapers, court rule books and other publications and other services are recorded as deferred revenue and are included in earned revenue only when the services are provided, generally over the subscription term. Advertising revenues are recognized when advertisements are published and are net of agency commissions.
 
Journal Technologies contracts
may
include several products and services, which are generally distinct and include separate transaction pricing and performance obligations. Most are
one
-transaction contracts. These current subscription-type contract revenues include (i) implementation consulting fees to configure the system to go-live, (ii) subscription software license, maintenance (including updates and upgrades) and support fees, and (iii)
third
-party hosting fees when used. Revenues for consulting are recognized at point of delivery (go-live) upon completion of services, and subscription and advertising revenues are recognized ratably (using the output method based on time-elapsed) after the go-live. These contracts include assurance warranty provisions for limited periods and do
not
include financing terms. For some contracts, the Company acts as a principal with respect to certain services, such as data conversion, interfaces and hosting that are provided by
third
-parties, and recognizes such revenues on a gross basis. For legacy contracts with perpetual license arrangements, licenses and consulting services are recognized at point of delivery (go-live), and maintenance revenues are recognized ratably after the go-live. Other public service fees are earned and recognized as revenues when the Company processes credit card payments on behalf of the courts via its websites through which the public can efile cases and pay traffic citations and other fees.
 
The adoption of ASC
606
also requires the capitalization of certain costs of obtaining contracts, specifically sales commissions, which are to be amortized over the expected term of the contracts. For its software contracts, the Company incurs an immaterial amount of sales commission costs which have
no
significant impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the Company’s implementation and fulfillment costs do
not
meet all criteria required for capitalization.
 
Since the Company recognizes revenues when it can invoice the customer pursuant to the contract for the value of completed performance, as a practical expedient and because reliable estimates cannot be made, it has elected
not
to include the transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations. Also, as a practical expedient, the Company has elected
not
to include its evaluation of variable consideration of certain usage-based public service fees that are included in some contracts. Furthermore, there are
no
fulfillment costs to be capitalized for the software contracts because these costs do
not
generate or enhance resources that will be used in satisfying future performance obligations.
v3.10.0.1
Note 5 - Basic and Diluted Income Per Share
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements  
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]
Note
5
- Basic and Diluted Income Per Share
 
The Company does
not
have any common stock equivalents, and therefore basic and diluted income (loss) per share are the same.
v3.10.0.1
Note 6 - Investments in Marketable Securities
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements  
Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]
Note
6
- Investments in Marketable Securities
 
All investments are classified as “Current assets” because they are available for sale at any time. These “available-for-sale” marketable securities are stated at fair value. The Company uses quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (consistent with the Level
1
definition in the fair value hierarchy) to measure the fair value of its investments on a recurring basis pursuant to ASC
820,
Fair Value Measurement
.
 
As of
December 31, 2018,
there were net unrealized gains of
$129,767,000
with these investments. With the adoption of ASU
No.
2016
-
01,
Subtopic
825
-
10,
as stated in Note
3,
the Company recorded and included in its net loss the net unrealized losses on investments of
$28,640,000
for the
three
months ended
December 31, 2018.
At
September 30, 2018,
net unrealized gains of
$158,407,000
were recorded before taxes of
$42,151,000
in the accumulated other comprehensive income in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Most of the unrealized gains were in the common stocks of
three
U.S. financial institutions and
one
foreign manufacturer.
 
Investments in equity securities as of
December 31, 2018
and
September 30, 2018
are summarized below.
 
   
Investment
s
in Financial Instruments
 
   
December 31, 2018
   
September 30, 2018
 
   
 
Aggregate
fair value
   
Amortized/
Adjusted
cost basis
   
Pretax net
unrealized
gains
   
 
Aggregate
fair value
   
Amortized/
Adjusted
cost basis
   
Pretax net
unrealized
gains
 
                                                 
Marketable securities
  $
183,656,000
    $
53,889,000
    $
129,767,000
    $
212,296,000
    $
53,889,000
    $
158,407,000
 
 
As of
December 31, 2018,
the Company performed an evaluation for an equity security with a fair value below cost to determine if the unrealized loss was other-than-temporary. This evaluation considers a number of factors including, but
not
limited to, the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the security until fair value recovers. The assessment of the ability and intent to hold this security to recovery focuses on liquidity needs, asset/liability management objectives and security portfolio objectives. Based on the result of the evaluation, the Company concluded that as of
December 31, 2018,
the unrealized loss related to an equity security it owns was temporary.
v3.10.0.1
Note 7 - Goodwill
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements  
Goodwill Disclosure [Text Block]
Note
7
– Goodwill
 
       The Company accounts for goodwill in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC)
350,
Intangibles — Goodwill and Other
. Goodwill, which is
not
amortized for financial statement purposes, is amortized over a
15
-year period for tax purposes, but evaluated for impairment annually, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the value
may
not
be recoverable. Considered factors for potential goodwill impairment evaluation with respect to Journal Technologies include, among other things, the current year’s business profitability before intangible amortization, fluctuations of revenues, changes in the marketplace, the status of deferred installation contracts and new business.
 
In addition, ASU
2011
-
08,
Intangible – Goodwill and Others -- Testing Goodwill for Impairment
, allows for the option of performing a qualitative assessment before calculating the fair value of a reporting unit. If it is determined based on qualitative factors that there is
no
impairment to goodwill, then the fair value of a reporting unit is
not
needed. If a quantitative analysis is required and the unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, then the
second
step is performed to measure the amount of potential impairment. The Company’s annual goodwill impairment analysis in fiscal
2018
did
not
result in an impairment charge based on the qualitative assessment. There was
no
indicator of impairment during the
three
-month periods ended
December 31, 2018
and
2017.
v3.10.0.1
Note 8 - Income Taxes
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements  
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]
Note
8
- Income Taxes
 
For the
three
months ended
December 31, 2018,
the Company recorded an income tax benefit of
$8,317,000
on a pretax loss of
$29,850,000.
  This was the net result of applying the effective tax rate anticipated for fiscal
2019
to the pretax loss for the
three
months ended
December 31, 2018.  
The effective tax rate was greater than the statutory rate primarily due to state tax benefits. 
 
      During the prior fiscal year, the
December 2017
Tax Cuts and Jobs Act reduced the maximum corporate income tax rate from
35%
to
21%.
  The impact to the Company’s financial statements was as follows:  (i) fiscal
2018
income tax expense or benefit was calculated using a blended rate of
24.28%
pursuant to IRC Section
15,
(ii) deferred tax expense included a discrete net tax benefit of approximately
$16
million resulting from a revaluation of deferred tax assets and liabilities to the expected tax rate that will be applied when temporary differences are expected to reverse, (iii) items that were expected to reverse during fiscal
2018
were valued at the blended rate of
24.28%
while temporary differences that will reverse after fiscal
2018
were valued at the
21%
rate, and (iv) approximately
$20
million of the revaluation of deferred taxes related to items that were initially recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income. This revaluation of approximately
$20
million was recorded as a component of income tax expense or benefit in continuing operations.  Consequently, on a pretax loss of
$2,111,000
for the
three
months ended
December 31, 2017,
the Company recorded an income tax benefit of
$16,850,000.
The income tax benefit was also the result of applying the effective tax rate anticipated for fiscal
2018
to the pretax loss for the
three
-month period ended
December 31, 2017.  
The effective tax rate (before the discrete item discussed above) was greater than the statutory rate primarily due to the dividends received deduction which increases the loss for tax purposes. 
 
      The Company’s effective tax rate was
28%
for the
three
months ended
December 31, 2018
as compared with
798%
in the prior year period. The difference in the effective tax rate was primarily due to the effect of the tax cuts in the prior year period as discussed above.
 
      The Company files consolidated federal income tax returns in the United States and with various state jurisdictions and is
no
longer subject to examinations for fiscal years before fiscal
2015
with regard to federal income taxes and fiscal
2013
for state income taxes. 
v3.10.0.1
Note 9 - Debts and Commitments
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements  
Commitments Disclosure [Text Block]
Note
9
- Debt and Commitments
 
During fiscal
2013,
the Company borrowed from its investment margin account the aggregate purchase price of
$29.5
million for
two
acquisitions, in each case pledging its marketable securities as collateral. The interest rate for these investment margin account borrowings fluctuates based on the Federal Funds Rate plus
50
basis points with interest only payable monthly. The interest rate as of
December 31, 2018
was
3%.
These investment margin account borrowings do
not
mature.
 
In
2015,
the Company purchased a
30,700
square foot office building constructed in
1998
on about
3.6
acres in Logan, Utah that had been previously leased by Journal Technologies. The Company paid
$1.24
million and financed the balance with a real estate bank loan of
$2.26
million which bears a fixed interest rate of
4.66%
and is repayable in equal monthly installments of about
$17,600
through
2030.
This loan is secured by the Logan facility and can be paid off at any time without prepayment penalty. This real estate loan had a balance of approximately
$1.93
million as of
December 31, 2018.
 
      The Company also owns its facilities in Los Angeles and leases space for its other offices under operating leases which expire at various dates through fiscal
2021.
During fiscal
2014,
the Company renewed its office lease for its San Francisco office for
five
years to end on
October 31, 2019
with a current monthly rent of approximately
$28,000
for about
6,200
square feet. Beginning in fiscal
2017,
the Company leased approximately
9,800
square feet of office space (expiring in
August 2020)
in Englewood, Colorado, for a monthly rent of approximately
$21,000.
 
The Company is responsible for a portion of maintenance, insurance and property tax expenses relating to the leased properties. Rental expenses were
$258,000
for the
three
-month period ended
December 31, 2018,
as compared with
$237,000
in the prior year period.
v3.10.0.1
Note 10 - Contingencies
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements  
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]
Note
10
- Contingencies
 
From time to time, the Company is subject to contingencies, including litigation, arising in the normal course of its business. While it is
not
possible to predict the results of such contingencies, management does
not
believe the ultimate outcome of these matters will have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations or cash flows.
v3.10.0.1
Note 11 - Operating Segments
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements  
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]
Note
11
- Operating Segments
 
The Company’s reportable segments are: (i) the Traditional Business and (ii) Journal Technologies. All inter-segment transactions were eliminated. Summarized financial information regarding the Company’s reportable segments is shown in the following table:
 
   
Reportable Segments
                 
   
Traditional
Business
   
Journal
Technologies
   
Corporate income
and expenses
   
 
Total
 
Three months ended December 31, 2018
                               
Revenues
                               
Advertising
  $
2,192,000
    $
---
    $
---
    $
2,192,000
 
Circulation
   
1,338,000
     
---
     
---
     
1,338,000
 
Advertising service fees and other
   
669,000
     
---
     
---
     
669,000
 
Licensing and maintenance fees
   
---
     
4,790,000
     
---
     
4,790,000
 
Consulting fees
   
---
     
541,000
     
---
     
541,000
 
Other public service fees
   
---
     
898,000
     
---
     
898,000
 
Operating expenses
   
4,208,000
     
8,741,000
     
---
     
12,949,000
 
Loss from operations
   
(9,000
)    
(2,512,000
)    
---
     
(2,521,000
)
Dividends and interest income
   
---
     
---
     
1,530,000
     
1,530,000
 
Other income
   
---
     
---
     
10,000
     
10,000
 
Net unrealized losses on investments
   
---
     
---
     
(28,640,000
)    
(28,640,000
)
Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate
   
(23,000
)    
---
     
---
     
(23,000
)
Interest expenses on margin loans
   
---
     
---
     
(206,000
)    
(206,000
)
Pretax (loss) income
   
(32,000
)    
(2,512,000
)    
(27,306,000
)    
(29,850,000
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
   
80,000
     
585,000
     
7,652,000
     
8,317,000
 
Net income (loss)
   
48,000
     
(1,927,000
)    
(19,654,000
)    
(21,533,000
)
Total assets
   
18,702,000
     
30,571,000
     
185,843,000
     
235,116,000
 
Capital expenditures
   
50,000
     
34,000
     
---
     
84,000
 
 
   
Reportable Segments
                 
   
Traditional
Business
   
Journal
Technologies
   
Corporate income
and expenses
   
 
Total
 
Three months ended December 31, 2017
                               
Revenues
                               
Advertising
  $
2,116,000
    $
---
    $
---
    $
2,116,000
 
Circulation
   
1,363,000
     
---
     
---
     
1,363,000
 
Advertising service fees and other
   
602,000
     
---
     
---
     
602,000
 
Licensing and maintenance fees
   
---
     
4,350,000
     
---
     
4,350,000
 
Consulting fees
   
---
     
995,000
     
---
     
995,000
 
Other public service fees
   
---
     
826,000
     
---
     
826,000
 
Operating expenses
   
4,314,000
     
9,383,000
     
---
     
13,697,000
 
Loss from operations
   
(233,000
)    
(3,212,000
)    
---
     
(3,445,000
)
Dividends and interest income
   
---
     
---
     
1,483,000
     
1,483,000
 
Other income and capital gains
   
---
     
---
     
11,000
     
11,000
 
Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate
   
(24,000
)    
---
     
---
     
(24,000
)
Interest expenses on margin loans
   
---
     
---
     
(136,000
)    
(136,000
)
Pretax (loss) income
   
(257,000
)    
(3,212,000
)    
1,358,000
     
(2,111,000
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
   
(680,000
)    
(2,185,000
)    
19,715,000
     
16,850,000
 
Net income (loss)
   
(937,000
)    
(5,397,000
)    
21,073,000
     
14,739,000
 
Total assets
   
17,259,000
     
26,768,000
     
245,863,000
     
289,890,000
 
Capital expenditures
   
34,000
     
---
     
---
     
34,000
 
Amortization of intangible assets
   
---
     
1,062,000
     
---
     
1,062,000
 
 
        During the
three
months ended
December 31, 2018,
the Traditional Business had total revenues of
$4,199,000
of which
$2,861,000
were recognized, at a point of time, after services were provided and
$1,338,000
were recognized ratably over the subscription terms. Total revenues for the Company’s software business were
$6,229,000
of which
$1,935,000
were recognized upon completion of services with customer acceptance while
$4,294,000
were recognized ratably over the subscription periods.
 
       Approximately
60%
of the Company’s revenues during the
three
-month periods ended
December 31, 2018
were derived from Journal Technologies, as compared with
60%
in the prior year period. In addition, the Company’s revenues have been primarily from the United States with approximately
1%
from foreign countries. Journal Technologies’ revenues are all from governmental agencies.
 
      The following table sets forth certain deferred obligations from
October 1, 2018
through
December 31, 2018:
 
   
Beginning Balance
   
 
Addition
   
 
Recognized
   
Ending
Balance
 
                                 
Deferred subscriptions
  $
3,174,000
    $
1,111,000
    $
(1,338,000
)   $
2,947,000
 
Deferred installation contracts
   
2,554,000
     
925,000
     
(1,037,000
)    
2,442,000
 
Deferred maintenance agreements and others
   
14,362,000
     
4,662,000
     
(4,294,000
)    
14,730,000
 
v3.10.0.1
Note 12 - Subsequent Events
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Notes to Financial Statements  
Subsequent Events [Text Block]
Note
12
- Subsequent Events
 
The Company has completed an evaluation of all subsequent events through the issuance date of these financial statements and concluded that
no
subsequent events occurred that required recognition to the financial statements or disclosures in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements or Cash Flows.
v3.10.0.1
Note 6 - Investments in Marketable Securities (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Notes Tables  
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]
   
December 31, 2018
   
September 30, 2018
 
   
 
Aggregate
fair value
   
Amortized/
Adjusted
cost basis
   
Pretax net
unrealized
gains
   
 
Aggregate
fair value
   
Amortized/
Adjusted
cost basis
   
Pretax net
unrealized
gains
 
                                                 
Marketable securities
  $
183,656,000
    $
53,889,000
    $
129,767,000
    $
212,296,000
    $
53,889,000
    $
158,407,000
 
v3.10.0.1
Note 11 - Operating Segments (Tables)
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Notes Tables  
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]
   
Reportable Segments
                 
   
Traditional
Business
   
Journal
Technologies
   
Corporate income
and expenses
   
 
Total
 
Three months ended December 31, 2018
                               
Revenues
                               
Advertising
  $
2,192,000
    $
---
    $
---
    $
2,192,000
 
Circulation
   
1,338,000
     
---
     
---
     
1,338,000
 
Advertising service fees and other
   
669,000
     
---
     
---
     
669,000
 
Licensing and maintenance fees
   
---
     
4,790,000
     
---
     
4,790,000
 
Consulting fees
   
---
     
541,000
     
---
     
541,000
 
Other public service fees
   
---
     
898,000
     
---
     
898,000
 
Operating expenses
   
4,208,000
     
8,741,000
     
---
     
12,949,000
 
Loss from operations
   
(9,000
)    
(2,512,000
)    
---
     
(2,521,000
)
Dividends and interest income
   
---
     
---
     
1,530,000
     
1,530,000
 
Other income
   
---
     
---
     
10,000
     
10,000
 
Net unrealized losses on investments
   
---
     
---
     
(28,640,000
)    
(28,640,000
)
Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate
   
(23,000
)    
---
     
---
     
(23,000
)
Interest expenses on margin loans
   
---
     
---
     
(206,000
)    
(206,000
)
Pretax (loss) income
   
(32,000
)    
(2,512,000
)    
(27,306,000
)    
(29,850,000
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
   
80,000
     
585,000
     
7,652,000
     
8,317,000
 
Net income (loss)
   
48,000
     
(1,927,000
)    
(19,654,000
)    
(21,533,000
)
Total assets
   
18,702,000
     
30,571,000
     
185,843,000
     
235,116,000
 
Capital expenditures
   
50,000
     
34,000
     
---
     
84,000
 
   
Reportable Segments
                 
   
Traditional
Business
   
Journal
Technologies
   
Corporate income
and expenses
   
 
Total
 
Three months ended December 31, 2017
                               
Revenues
                               
Advertising
  $
2,116,000
    $
---
    $
---
    $
2,116,000
 
Circulation
   
1,363,000
     
---
     
---
     
1,363,000
 
Advertising service fees and other
   
602,000
     
---
     
---
     
602,000
 
Licensing and maintenance fees
   
---
     
4,350,000
     
---
     
4,350,000
 
Consulting fees
   
---
     
995,000
     
---
     
995,000
 
Other public service fees
   
---
     
826,000
     
---
     
826,000
 
Operating expenses
   
4,314,000
     
9,383,000
     
---
     
13,697,000
 
Loss from operations
   
(233,000
)    
(3,212,000
)    
---
     
(3,445,000
)
Dividends and interest income
   
---
     
---
     
1,483,000
     
1,483,000
 
Other income and capital gains
   
---
     
---
     
11,000
     
11,000
 
Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate
   
(24,000
)    
---
     
---
     
(24,000
)
Interest expenses on margin loans
   
---
     
---
     
(136,000
)    
(136,000
)
Pretax (loss) income
   
(257,000
)    
(3,212,000
)    
1,358,000
     
(2,111,000
)
Income tax benefit (expense)
   
(680,000
)    
(2,185,000
)    
19,715,000
     
16,850,000
 
Net income (loss)
   
(937,000
)    
(5,397,000
)    
21,073,000
     
14,739,000
 
Total assets
   
17,259,000
     
26,768,000
     
245,863,000
     
289,890,000
 
Capital expenditures
   
34,000
     
---
     
---
     
34,000
 
Amortization of intangible assets
   
---
     
1,062,000
     
---
     
1,062,000
 
Contract with Customer, Asset and Liability [Table Text Block]
   
Beginning Balance
   
 
Addition
   
 
Recognized
   
Ending
Balance
 
                                 
Deferred subscriptions
  $
3,174,000
    $
1,111,000
    $
(1,338,000
)   $
2,947,000
 
Deferred installation contracts
   
2,554,000
     
925,000
     
(1,037,000
)    
2,442,000
 
Deferred maintenance agreements and others
   
14,362,000
     
4,662,000
     
(4,294,000
)    
14,730,000
 
v3.10.0.1
Note 3 - Accounting Standards Adopted in Fiscal 2019 and Recent Accounting Pronouncements (Details Textual) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Oct. 01, 2018
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent, Total $ (21,533,000) $ 14,739,000  
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments, Total (28,640,000)  
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption    
AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]      
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption (115,786,000)    
Retained Earnings [Member]      
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent, Total (21,533,000) $ 14,739,000  
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption $ 115,786,000    
Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 [Member] | AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]      
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption     $ (115,786,000)
Accounting Standards Update 2016-01 [Member] | Retained Earnings [Member]      
Cumulative Effect of New Accounting Principle in Period of Adoption     $ 115,786,000
v3.10.0.1
Note 6 - Investments in Marketable Securities (Details Textual) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Sep. 30, 2018
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax, Total $ 129,767,000   $ 158,407,000
Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments, Total $ (28,640,000)  
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Investments     $ 42,151,000
v3.10.0.1
Note 6 - Investments in Marketable Securities - Summary of Investments (Details) - USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2018
Sep. 30, 2018
Aggregate fair value $ 183,656,000 $ 212,296,000
Amortized/Adjusted cost basis 53,889,000 53,889,000
Pretax unrealized gains $ 129,767,000 $ 158,407,000
v3.10.0.1
Note 7 - Goodwill (Details Textual) - USD ($)
$ in Thousands
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Mar. 31, 2018
Sep. 30, 2017
Goodwill, Useful Life for Tax Purposes     15 years  
Goodwill, Impairment Loss $ 0 $ 0   $ 0
v3.10.0.1
Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details Textual) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jan. 01, 2018
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Dec. 31, 2017
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total   $ (8,317,000) $ (16,850,000)  
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total   $ 29,850,000 $ 2,111,000  
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, at Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate, Percent 21.00% 24.28%   35.00%
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations, Adjustment of Deferred Tax (Asset) Liability   $ (16,000,000)    
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Continuing Operations, Revaluation Differences in Deferred Taxes   $ (20,000,000)    
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent, Total   28.00% 798.00%  
Domestic Tax Authority [Member] | Earliest Tax Year [Member]        
Open Tax Year   2015    
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member] | Earliest Tax Year [Member]        
Open Tax Year   2013    
v3.10.0.1
Note 9 - Debts and Commitments (Details Textual)
1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2015
USD ($)
ft²
a
Dec. 31, 2018
USD ($)
Dec. 31, 2017
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2013
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2017
ft²
Sep. 30, 2014
ft²
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total   $ 84,000 $ 34,000      
Operating Leases, Rent Expense, Net, Total   258,000 $ 237,000      
San Francisco Office [Member]            
Area of Real Estate Property | ft²           6,200
Lessee, Operating Lease, Renewal Term           5 years
Operating Lease, Monthly Rent   28,000        
Englewood, Colorado Office [member]            
Area of Real Estate Property | ft²         9,800  
Operating Lease, Monthly Rent   $ 21,000        
UTAH | Building [Member]            
Area of Real Estate Property | ft² 30,700          
UTAH | Land [Member]            
Area of Land | a 3.6          
UTAH | Land and Building [Member]            
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total $ 1,240,000          
Margin Account [Member]            
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt       $ 29,500,000    
Margin Account [Member] | Fed Funds Rate [Member]            
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate       0.50%    
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage   3.00%        
Real Estate Bank Loan Secured by Logan Office [Member]            
Loans Payable to Bank, Total $ 2,260,000 $ 1,930,000        
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate 4.66%          
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Total $ 17,600          
v3.10.0.1
Note 11 - Operating Segments (Details Textual) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax $ 10,428,000 $ 10,252,000
Product Concentration Risk [Member] | Sales Revenue, Net [Member]    
Concentration Risk, Percentage 60.00% 60.00%
Product Concentration Risk [Member] | Sales Revenue, Net [Member] | Non-US [Member]    
Concentration Risk, Percentage 1.00%  
Traditional Business [Member]    
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax $ 4,199,000  
Traditional Business [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]    
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax 2,861,000  
Traditional Business [Member] | Transferred over Time [Member]    
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax 1,338,000  
Journal Technologies [Member]    
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax 6,229,000  
Journal Technologies [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]    
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax 1,935,000  
Journal Technologies [Member] | Transferred over Time [Member]    
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax $ 4,294,000  
v3.10.0.1
Note 11 - Reportable Segments - Summarized Financial Information for Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Dec. 31, 2017
Sep. 30, 2018
Revenues $ 10,428,000 $ 10,252,000  
Operating expenses 12,949,000 13,697,000  
Loss from operations (2,521,000) (3,445,000)  
Dividends and interest income 1,530,000 1,483,000  
Other income 10,000    
Net unrealized losses on investments (28,640,000)  
Pretax (loss) income (29,850,000) (2,111,000)  
Income tax benefit (expense) 8,317,000 16,850,000  
Net (loss) income (21,533,000) 14,739,000  
Total assets 235,116,000 289,890,000 $ 263,998,000
Capital expenditures 84,000 34,000  
Other income and capital gains 10,000 11,000  
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total 84,000 34,000  
Amortization of intangible assets   1,062,000  
Real Estate Bank Loan Secured by Logan Office [Member]      
Interest expense on debt (23,000) (24,000)  
Margin Account [Member]      
Interest expense on debt (206,000) (136,000)  
Advertising [Member]      
Revenues 2,192,000 2,116,000  
Subscription and Circulation [Member]      
Revenues 1,338,000 1,363,000  
Advertising Service Fees and Other [Member]      
Revenues 669,000 602,000  
License and Maintenance [Member]      
Revenues 4,790,000 4,350,000  
Consulting Fees [Member]      
Revenues 541,000 995,000  
Service, Other [Member]      
Revenues 898,000 826,000  
Traditional Business [Member]      
Revenues 4,199,000    
Journal Technologies [Member]      
Revenues 6,229,000    
Operating Segments [Member] | Traditional Business [Member]      
Operating expenses 4,208,000 4,314,000  
Loss from operations (9,000) (233,000)  
Dividends and interest income  
Other income    
Net unrealized losses on investments    
Pretax (loss) income (32,000) (257,000)  
Income tax benefit (expense) 80,000 (680,000)  
Net (loss) income 48,000 (937,000)  
Total assets 18,702,000 17,259,000  
Capital expenditures 50,000 34,000  
Other income and capital gains    
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total 50,000 34,000  
Amortization of intangible assets    
Operating Segments [Member] | Traditional Business [Member] | Real Estate Bank Loan Secured by Logan Office [Member]      
Interest expense on debt (23,000) (24,000)  
Operating Segments [Member] | Traditional Business [Member] | Margin Account [Member]      
Interest expense on debt  
Operating Segments [Member] | Traditional Business [Member] | Advertising [Member]      
Revenues 2,192,000 2,116,000  
Operating Segments [Member] | Traditional Business [Member] | Subscription and Circulation [Member]      
Revenues 1,338,000 1,363,000  
Operating Segments [Member] | Traditional Business [Member] | Advertising Service Fees and Other [Member]      
Revenues 669,000 602,000  
Operating Segments [Member] | Traditional Business [Member] | License and Maintenance [Member]      
Revenues  
Operating Segments [Member] | Traditional Business [Member] | Consulting Fees [Member]      
Revenues  
Operating Segments [Member] | Traditional Business [Member] | Service, Other [Member]      
Revenues  
Operating Segments [Member] | Journal Technologies [Member]      
Operating expenses 8,741,000 9,383,000  
Loss from operations (2,512,000) (3,212,000)  
Dividends and interest income  
Other income    
Net unrealized losses on investments    
Pretax (loss) income (2,512,000) (3,212,000)  
Income tax benefit (expense) 585,000 (2,185,000)  
Net (loss) income (1,927,000) (5,397,000)  
Total assets 30,571,000 26,768,000  
Capital expenditures 34,000  
Other income and capital gains    
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total 34,000  
Amortization of intangible assets   1,062,000  
Operating Segments [Member] | Journal Technologies [Member] | Real Estate Bank Loan Secured by Logan Office [Member]      
Interest expense on debt  
Operating Segments [Member] | Journal Technologies [Member] | Margin Account [Member]      
Interest expense on debt  
Operating Segments [Member] | Journal Technologies [Member] | Advertising [Member]      
Revenues  
Operating Segments [Member] | Journal Technologies [Member] | Subscription and Circulation [Member]      
Revenues  
Operating Segments [Member] | Journal Technologies [Member] | Advertising Service Fees and Other [Member]      
Revenues  
Operating Segments [Member] | Journal Technologies [Member] | License and Maintenance [Member]      
Revenues 4,790,000 4,350,000  
Operating Segments [Member] | Journal Technologies [Member] | Consulting Fees [Member]      
Revenues 541,000 995,000  
Operating Segments [Member] | Journal Technologies [Member] | Service, Other [Member]      
Revenues 898,000 826,000  
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]      
Operating expenses  
Loss from operations  
Dividends and interest income 1,530,000 1,483,000  
Other income 10,000    
Net unrealized losses on investments (28,640,000)    
Pretax (loss) income (27,306,000) 1,358,000  
Income tax benefit (expense) 7,652,000 19,715,000  
Net (loss) income (19,654,000) 21,073,000  
Total assets 185,843,000 245,863,000  
Capital expenditures  
Other income and capital gains   11,000  
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total  
Amortization of intangible assets    
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] | Real Estate Bank Loan Secured by Logan Office [Member]      
Interest expense on debt  
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] | Margin Account [Member]      
Interest expense on debt (206,000) (136,000)  
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] | Advertising [Member]      
Revenues  
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] | Subscription and Circulation [Member]      
Revenues  
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] | Advertising Service Fees and Other [Member]      
Revenues  
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] | License and Maintenance [Member]      
Revenues  
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] | Consulting Fees [Member]      
Revenues  
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] | Service, Other [Member]      
Revenues  
v3.10.0.1
Note 11 - Operating Segments - Deferred Revenue Obligations (Details)
3 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
USD ($)
Subscription and Circulation [Member]  
Deferred revenue $ 3,174,000
Deferred Revenue, Additions 1,111,000
Deferred Revenue, Revenue Recognized (1,338,000)
Deferred revenue 2,947,000
Installation Contracts [Member]  
Deferred revenue 2,554,000
Deferred Revenue, Additions 925,000
Deferred Revenue, Revenue Recognized (1,037,000)
Deferred revenue 2,442,000
License and Maintenance [Member]  
Deferred revenue 14,362,000
Deferred Revenue, Additions 4,662,000
Deferred Revenue, Revenue Recognized (4,294,000)
Deferred revenue $ 14,730,000