djco20200630_10q.htm
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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 June 30, 2020

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)

 

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

 

Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock

DJCO

The Nasdaq Stock Market

 

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

Yes: ☑                 No: ☐

 

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

Yes: ☑                 No: ☐

 

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

Large Accelerated Filer: ☐

Accelerated Filer: ☑

Non-accelerated Filer: ☐

Smaller Reporting Company:

 

Emerging Growth Company:

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes:                  No: ☑

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date: 1,380,746 shares outstanding at July 31, 2020

 

1

 

 

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

 

 

INDEX

 

 

 

  Page Nos.
   

PART I   Financial Information

 
   

Item 1.   Financial Statements

 
   

Consolidated Balance Sheets - June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019

3

   

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income - Three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

4

   

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss - Nine months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

5

   

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity - Nine months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

6

   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Nine months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

7

   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

8

   

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

15

   

Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

24

   

Item 4.   Controls and Procedures

24

   

Part II    Other Information

 
   

Item 1A.   Risk Factors

25

   

Item 6.   Exhibits

25

 

2

 

 

PART I

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

 

  

June 30

  

September 30

 
  

2020

  

2019

 

ASSETS

        

Current assets

        

Cash and cash equivalents

 $9,867,000  $10,630,000 

Marketable securities at fair value -- common stocks of $153,390,000 at June 30 2020 and $194,581,000 at September 30, 2019

  153,390,000   194,581,000 

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $250,000 at June 30, 2020 and $200,000 at September 30, 2019

  9,352,000   7,036,000 

Inventories

  51,000   40,000 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

  700,000   508,000 

Income tax receivable

  812,000   153,000 

Total current assets

  174,172,000   212,948,000 
         

Property, plant and equipment, at cost

        

Land, buildings and improvements

  16,599,000   16,499,000 

Furniture, office equipment and computer software

  2,188,000   2,119,000 

Machinery and equipment

  1,749,000   1,750,000 
   20,536,000   20,368,000 

Less accumulated depreciation

  (9,956,000)  (9,572,000)
   10,580,000   10,796,000 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

  244,000   --- 

Deferred income taxes - Federal

  11,592,000   12,596,000 

Deferred income taxes - State

  1,376,000   1,036,000 
  $197,964,000  $237,376,000 
         

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

        

Current liabilities

        

Accounts payable

 $3,458,000  $4,520,000 

Accrued liabilities

  5,730,000   5,173,000 

Note payable collateralized by real estate

  131,000   126,000 

Deferred subscriptions

  3,014,000   3,195,000 

Deferred installation contracts

  483,000   1,932,000 

Deferred maintenance agreements and others

  16,421,000   15,722,000 

Total current liabilities

  29,237,000   30,668,000 
         

Long term liabilities

        

Investment margin account borrowings

  30,493,000   29,493,000 

Note payable collateralized by real estate

  1,610,000   1,709,000 

Deferred maintenance agreements

  562,000   335,000 

Accrued liabilities

  318,000   230,000 

Deferred income taxes

  25,886,000   37,241,000 

Total long term liabilities

  58,869,000   69,008,000 
         

Commitments and contingencies (Notes 8 and 9)

  ---   --- 
         

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 June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019

  14,000   14,000 

Additional paid-in capital

  1,755,000   1,755,000 

Retained earnings

  108,089,000   135,931,000 

Total shareholders' equity

  109,858,000   137,700,000 
  $197,964,000  $237,376,000 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

3

 

 

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

 

  

Three months

ended June 30

 
  

2020

  

2019

 
         

Revenues

        

Advertising

 $1,297,000  $2,453,000 

Circulation

  1,259,000   1,319,000 

Advertising service fees and other

  575,000   735,000 

Licensing and maintenance fees

  5,531,000   5,814,000 

Consulting fees

  3,147,000   2,627,000 

Other public service fees

  1,065,000   1,570,000 
   12,874,000   14,518,000 
         

Costs and expenses

        

Salaries and employee benefits

  9,662,000   8,715,000 

Outside services

  586,000   444,000 

Postage and delivery expenses

  151,000   218,000 

Newsprint and printing expenses

  157,000   186,000 

Depreciation and amortization

  128,000   141,000 

Equipment maintenance and software

  276,000   380,000 

Credit card merchant discount fees

  244,000   367,000 

Rent expenses

  158,000   216,000 

Accounting and legal fees

  272,000   499,000 

Other general and administrative expenses

  647,000   2,228,000 
   12,281,000   13,394,000 

Income from operations

  593,000   1,124,000 

Other income (expense)

        

Dividends and interest income

  1,596,000   1,368,000 

Other income

  ---   10,000 

Net unrealized gains on investments

  16,489,000   3,214,000 

Interest expense on note payable collateralized by real estate

  (20,000)  (22,000)

Interest expense on margin loans and others

  (64,000)  (251,000)

Income before income taxes

  18,594,000   5,443,000 

Provision for income taxes

  (4,320,000)  (1,620,000)

Net income

 $14,274,000  $3,823,000 
         

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted

  1,380,746   1,380,746 

Basic and diluted net income per share

 $10.34  $2.77 
         

Comprehensive income

 $14,274,000  $3,823,000 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

4

 

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(Unaudited)

 

  

Nine months

ended June 30

 
  

2020

  

2019

 
         

Revenues

        

Advertising

 $5,415,000  $6,753,000 

Circulation

  3,857,000   3,930,000 

Advertising service fees and other

  1,923,000   2,028,000 

Licensing and maintenance fees

  16,246,000   15,244,000 

Consulting fees

  5,065,000   3,567,000 

Other public service fees

  4,401,000   4,136,000 
   36,907,000   35,658,000 
         

Costs and expenses

        

Salaries and employee benefits

  28,227,000   26,161,000 

Outside services

  2,600,000   2,846,000 

Postage and delivery expenses

  552,000   627,000 

Newsprint and printing expenses

  528,000   548,000 

Depreciation and amortization

  384,000   444,000 

Equipment maintenance and software

  1,102,000   1,133,000 

Credit card merchant discount fees

  1,014,000   1,012,000 

Rent expenses

  500,000   731,000 

Accounting and legal fees

  730,000   1,298,000 

Other general and administrative expenses

  3,293,000   4,926,000 
   38,930,000   39,726,000 

Loss from operations

  (2,023,000)  (4,068,000)

Other income (expense)

        

Dividends and interest income

  4,573,000   4,039,000 

Other income

  3,000   29,000 

Net unrealized losses on investments

  (41,191,000)  (16,929,000)

Interest expense on note payable collateralized by real estate

  (63,000)  (67,000)

Interest expense on margin loans and others

  (401,000)  (676,000)

Loss before income taxes

  (39,102,000)  (17,672,000)

Benefit from income taxes

  11,260,000   4,980,000 

Net loss

 $(27,842,000) $(12,692,000)
         

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted

  1,380,746   1,380,746 

Basic and diluted loss per share

 $(20.16) $(9.19)
         

Comprehensive loss

 $(27,842,000) $(12,692,000)

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

5

 

 

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 

Net income

  ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   5,018,000   ---   5,018,000 

Balance at March 31, 2019

  1,805,053   18,000   (424,307)  (4,000)  1,755,000   144,632,000   ---   146,401,000 

Net income

  ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   3,823,000   ---   3,823,000 

Balance at June 30, 2019

  1,805,053  $18,000   (424,307) $(4,000) $1,755,000  $148,455,000  $---  $150,224,000 
                                 
                                 

Balance at September 30, 2019

  1,805,053  $18,000   (424,307) $(4,000) $1,755,000  $135,931,000  $---  $137,700,000 

Net income

  ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   14,210,000   ---   14,210,000 

Balance at December 31, 2019

  1,805,053   18,000   (424,307)  (4,000)  1,755,000   150,141,000   ---   151,910,000 

Net loss

  ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   (56,326,000)  ---   (56,326,000)

Balance at March 31, 2020

  1,805,053   18,000   (424,307)  (4,000)  1,755,000   93,815,000   ---   95,584,000 

Net income

  ---   ---   ---   ---   ---   14,274,000   ---   14,274,000 

Balance at June 30, 2020

  1,805,053  $18,000   (424,307) $(4,000) $1,755,000  $108,089,000  $---  $109,858,000 

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

6

 

 

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

 

  

Nine months

ended June 30

 
  

2020

  

2019

 

Cash flows from operating activities

        

Net loss

 $(27,842,000) $(12,692,000)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operations

        

Depreciation and amortization

  384,000   444,000 

Increase in bad debt allowance

  50,000   --- 

Net unrealized losses on investments

  41,191,000   16,929,000 

Deferred income taxes

  (10,691,000)  (5,087,000)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities

        

(Increase) decrease in current assets

        

Accounts receivable, net

  (2,366,000)  (3,741,000)

Inventories

  (11,000)  5,000 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

  (192,000)  278,000 

Income tax receivable

  (659,000)  134,000 

Increase (decrease) in liabilities

        

Accounts payable

  (1,062,000)  1,481,000 

Accrued liabilities

  401,000   621,000 

Deferred subscriptions

  (181,000)  81,000 

Deferred maintenance agreements and others

  926,000   1,685,000 

Deferred installation contracts

  (1,449,000)  (744,000)

Net cash used in operating activities

  (1,501,000)  (606,000)
         

Cash flows from investing activities

        

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

  (168,000)  (97,000)

Net cash used in investing activities

  (168,000)  (97,000)
         

Cash flows from financing activities

        

Proceeds from margin loan borrowing

  1,000,000   --- 

Payment of real estate loan principal

  (94,000)  (90,000)

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

  906,000   (90,000)
         

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

  (763,000)  (793,000)
         

Cash and cash equivalents

        

Beginning of period

  10,630,000   9,301,000 

End of period

 $9,867,000  $8,508,000 
         

Interest paid during period

 $460,000  $760,000 

Net income taxes paid (refunded)

 $5,000  $(118,000)

 

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

7

 

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 of Daily Journal, 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 and fees online, and bar members. These products are licensed to more than 500 organizations in 42 states and internationally.

 

       Essentially all of the Company’s U.S. operations are based in California, Arizona, Colorado and Utah. The Company also has a presence in Australia where Journal Technologies is working on two software installation projects.

 

 

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 June 30, 2020, its results of operations for the three- and nine-months periods ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, its consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity for the nine months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 and cash flows for the nine months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019. The results of operations for the nine months ended June 30, 2020 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, 2019.

 

8

 

 

Note 3 - Accounting Standards Adopted in Fiscal 2020

 

      In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standard Board issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) which requires that all leases be recognized by lessees on the balance sheet through a right-of-use (ROU) asset and corresponding lease liability, including today’s operating leases. During the first quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company adopted this standard using the modified retrospective method, which does not require an adjustment to comparative period financial statements. At June 30, 2020, the Company recorded a right-of-use (ROU) asset and lease liability of approximately $244,000 for its operating office leases. As allowed by the guidance, the Company has elected not to recognize ROU assets and lease liabilities for short-term (less than one year) leases of any class of underlying asset. ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent its obligation to make rental payments from the leases. ROU assets and liabilities are required to be recognized based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. At June 30, 2020, the Company had office lease obligations of approximately $18,000 beyond one year; it is deemed immaterial for the present value difference. Operating office leases are included in operating lease ROU assets, current accrued liabilities and long-term accrued liabilities in the Company’s accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company’s adoption of this new standard had no significant impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or disclosures.

 

 

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. 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, 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.

 

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.

 

9

 

 

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 June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, there were net accumulated unrealized gains of $99,501,000 and $140,692,000, respectively, recorded in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Most of the accumulated unrealized gains were in the common stocks of three U.S. financial institutions and one foreign manufacturer.

 

The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-01, Subtopic 825-10 in the prior fiscal year. For the three- and nine-months ended June 30, 2020, the Company recorded and included in its net income (loss) the net unrealized gains on investments of $16,489,000 and net unrealized losses on investments of $41,191,000 as compared with net unrealized gains on investments of $3,214,000 and net unrealized losses on investments of $16,929,000, respectively, in the prior year periods.

 

Investments in marketable securities as of June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019 are summarized below.

 

 Investments in Marketable Securities

 

  

June 30, 2020

  

September 30, 2019

 
  

Aggregate

fair value

  

Adjusted

cost basis

  

Pretax net

unrealized

gains

  

Aggregate

fair value

  

Amortized/

Adjusted

cost basis

  

Pretax

unrealized

gains

 

Marketable securities

                        

Common stocks

 $153,390,000  $53,889,000  $99,501,000  $194,581,000  $53,889,000  $140,692,000 

 

 

Note 7 - Income Taxes

 

For the nine months ended June 30, 2020, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $11,260,000 on a pretax loss of $39,102,000.   This was the net result of applying the effective tax rate anticipated for fiscal 2020 to the pretax loss, before the unrealized losses on investments, for the nine months ended June 30, 2020.  The effective tax rate was more than the statutory rate primarily due to the dividends received deduction, which increased the taxable loss, and state tax benefits.   In addition, the Company recorded tax benefits of (i) $187,000 resulting from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act (see below) and (ii) $11,166,000 for the unrealized losses on investments during the nine months ended June 30, 2020.  The effective tax rate for the nine months ended June 30, 2020 was 29%, after including the tax benefits from the CARES Act and the unrealized losses on investments.

 

The CARES Act, which was signed into law on March 27, 2020, contains two federal tax provisions beneficial to the Company.  One provision provides that net operating losses arising in tax years beginning in 2018, that were previously only available to be carried forward, can now be carried back to the five previous years.  In addition, any alternative minimum tax credits carried forward from prior years can be claimed as a refund in years beginning in 2018.  Consequently, the Company recorded a tax benefit resulting from carrying back a portion of the net operating loss generated in fiscal 2019 to fiscal 2014.  The Company anticipates receiving a refund for all taxes and alternative minimum taxes paid in fiscal 2014.  The resulting tax benefit from carrying back the net operating loss is primarily attributable to the difference in the federal tax rates of 34% in fiscal 2014 and 21% in fiscal 2019.

 

10

 

For the nine months ended June 30, 2019, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $4,980,000 on a pretax loss of $17,672,000.   This was the net result of applying the effective tax rate anticipated for fiscal 2019 to the pretax loss for the nine months ended June 30, 2019. The effective tax rate was greater than the statutory rate primarily due to the dividends received deduction and state tax benefits. 

 

The Company’s effective tax rate was 29% for the nine months ended June 30, 2020 as compared with 28% in the prior year period. 

 

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 2016 with regard to federal income taxes and fiscal 2015 for state income taxes. 

 

 

Note 8 - 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. During this quarter, the Company borrowed an additional $1 million from this investment margin account bringing the total up to $30.5 million as of June 30, 2020. (This additional $1 million was subsequently repaid in July 2020.) 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 June 30, 2020 was 0.75%. 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 $1.74 million as of June 30, 2020.

 

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 2022.

 

 

Note 9 - 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 10 - 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

 

Nine months ended June 30, 2020

                

Revenues

                

Advertising

 $5,415,000  $---  $---  $5,415,000 

Circulation

  3,857,000   ---   ---   3,857,000 

Advertising service fees and other

  1,923,000   ---   ---   1,923,000 

Licensing and maintenance fees

  ---   16,246,000   ---   16,246,000 

Consulting fees

  ---   5,065,000   ---   5,065,000 

Other public service fees

  ---   4,401,000   ---   4,401,000 

Operating expenses

  11,766,000   27,164,000   ---   38,930,000 

Loss from operations

  (571,000)  (1,452,000)  ---   (2,023,000)

Dividends and interest income

  ---   ---   4,573,000   4,573,000 

Other income

  ---   ---   3,000   3,000 

Net unrealized losses on investments

  ---   ---   (41,191,000)  (41,191,000)

Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate

  (63,000)  ---   ---   (63,000)

Interest expenses on margin loans and others

  ---   ---   (401,000)  (401,000)

Pretax loss

  (634,000)  (1,452,000)  (37,016,000)  (39,102,000)

Income tax benefit

  185,000   380,000   10,695,000   11,260,000 

Net income (loss)

  (449,000)  (1,072,000)  (26,321,000)  (27,842,000)

Total assets

  17,752,000   24,667,000   155,545,000   197,964,000 

Capital expenditures

  99,000   69,000   ---   168,000 

 

  

Reportable Segments

         
  

Traditional

Business

  

Journal

Technologies

  

Corporate income

and expenses

  

 

Total

 

Nine months ended June 30, 2019

                

Revenues

                

Advertising

 $6,753,000  $---  $---  $6,753,000 

Circulation

  3,930,000   ---   ---   3,930,000 

Advertising service fees and other

  2,028,000   ---   ---   2,028,000 

Licensing and maintenance fees

  ---   15,244,000   ---   15,244,000 

Consulting fees

  ---   3,567,000   ---   3,567,000 

Other public service fees

  ---   4,136,000   ---   4,136,000 

Operating expenses

  12,485,000   27,241,000   ---   39,726,000 

Income (loss) from operations

  226,000   (4,294,000)  ---   (4,068,000)

Dividends and interest income

  ---   ---   4,039,000   4,039,000 

Other income

  ---   ---   29,000   29,000 

Net unrealized losses on investments

  ---   ---   (16,929,000)  (16,929,000)

Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate

  (67,000)  ---   ---   (67,000)

Interest expenses on margin loans

  ---   ---   (676,000)  (676,000)

Pretax income (loss)

  159,000   (4,294,000)  (13,537,000)  (17,672,000)

Income tax (expense) benefit

  (110,000)  1,155,000   3,935,000   4,980,000 

Net income (loss)

  49,000   (3,139,000)  (9,602,000)  (12,692,000)

Total assets

  18,276,000   33,903,000   197,576,000   249,755,000 

Capital expenditures

  63,000   34,000   ---   97,000 

 

12

 
  

Reportable Segments

         
  

Traditional

Business

  

Journal

Technologies

  

Corporate income

and expenses

  

 

Total

 

Three months ended June 30, 2020

                

Revenues

                

Advertising

 $1,297,000  $---  $---  $1,297,000 

Circulation

  1,259,000   ---   ---   1,259,000 

Advertising service fees and other

  575,000   ---   ---   575,000 

Licensing and maintenance fees

  ---   5,531,000   ---   5,531,000 

Consulting fees

  ---   3,147,000   ---   3,147,000 

Other public service fees

  ---   1,065,000   ---   1,065,000 

Operating expenses

  3,860,000   8,421,000   ---   12,281,000 

Income (loss) from operations

  (729,000)  1,322,000   ---   593,000 

Dividends and interest income

  ---   ---   1,596,000   1,596,000 

Net unrealized losses on investments

  ---   ---   16,489,000   16,489,000 

Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate

  (20,000)  ---   ---   (20,000)

Interest expenses on margin loans and others

  ---   ---   (64,000)  (64,000)

Pretax income (loss)

  (749,000)  1,322,000   18,021,000   18,594,000 

Income tax benefit (expense)

  215,000   (545,000)  (3,990,000)  (4,320,000)

Net (loss) income

  (534,000)  777,000   14,031,000   14,274,000 

Total assets

  17,752,000   24,667,000   155,545,000   197,964,000 

Capital expenditures

  ---   ---   ---   --- 

 

  

Reportable Segments

         
  

Traditional

Business

  

Journal

Technologies

  

Corporate income

and expenses

  

 

Total

 

Three months ended June 30, 2019

                

Revenues

                

Advertising

 $2,453,000  $---  $---  $2,453,000 

Circulation

  1,319,000   ---   ---   1,319,000 

Advertising service fees and other

  735,000   ---   ---   735,000 

Licensing and maintenance fees

  ---   5,814,000   ---   5,814,000 

Consulting fees

  ---   2,627,000   ---   2,627,000 

Other public service fees

  ---   1,570,000   ---   1,570,000 

Operating expenses

  4,137,000   9,257,000   ---   13,394,000 

Income from operations

  370,000   754,000   ---   1,124,000 

Dividends and interest income

  ---   ---   1,368,000   1,368,000 

Other income

  ---   ---   10,000   10,000 

Net unrealized gains on investments

  ---   ---   3,214,000   3,214,000 

Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate

  (22,000)  ---   ---   (22,000)

Interest expenses on margin loans

  ---   ---   (251,000)  (251,000)

Pretax income

  348,000   754,000   4,341,000   5,443,000 

Income tax expense

  (225,000)  (145,000)  (1,250,000)  (1,620,000)

Net income

  123,000   609,000   3,091,000   3,823,000 

Total assets

  18,276,000   33,903,000   197,576,000   249,755,000 

Capital expenditures

  13,000   ---   ---   13,000 

 

During the nine months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, the Traditional Business had total revenues of $11,195,000 and $12,711,000 of which $7,338,000 and $8,781,000, respectively, were recognized, at a point of time, after services were provided, and $3,857,000 and $3,930,000, respectively, were recognized ratably over the subscription terms. Total revenues for the Journal Technologies’ software business were $25,712,000 and $22,947,000 of which $9,889,000 and $8,611,000, respectively, were recognized upon completion of services with customer acceptance, while $15,823,000 and $14,336,000, respectively, were recognized ratably over the license and maintenance periods.

 

13

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, the Traditional Business had total revenues of $3,131,000 and $4,507,000 of which $1,872,000 and $3,188,000, respectively, were recognized, at a point of time, after services were provided, and $1,259,000 and $1,319,000, respectively, were recognized ratably over the subscription terms. Total revenues for the Journal Technologies’ software business were $9,743,000 and $10,011,000 of which $4,258,000 and $4,576,000, respectively, were recognized upon completion of services with customer acceptance, while $5,485,000 and $5,435,000, respectively, were recognized ratably over the license and maintenance periods.

 

Approximately 76% and 70% of the Company’s revenues during the three- and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2020 were derived from Journal Technologies, as compared with 69% and 64% in the prior year periods. In addition, the Company’s revenues have been primarily from the United States with approximately 1% from foreign countries. Journal Technologies’ revenues are primarily from governmental agencies.

 

The following table sets forth certain deferred obligations from October 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020:

 

  

Beginning

Balance

Oct. 1, 2019

  

 

 

Addition

  

 

 

Recognized

  

Ending

Balance

June 30, 2020

 
                 

Deferred subscriptions

 $3,195,000  $3,676,000  $(3,857,000) $3,014,000 

Deferred installation contracts

  1,932,000   4,039,000   (5,488,000)  483,000 

Deferred maintenance agreements and others

  16,057,000   16,749,000   (15,823,000)  16,983,000 

 

 

Note 11 - 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.

 

14

 

 

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 and fees online, and bar members. These products are licensed to more than 500 organizations in 42 states and internationally.

 

Impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

 

On March 13, 2020, the United States declared the outbreak of COVID-19 to be a national emergency, and several states and municipalities also declared public health emergencies. Unprecedented actions were taken by public health and governmental authorities to contain and combat the spread of COVID-19, including “stay-at-home” orders and similar mandates that restricted the daily activities of individuals and limited the operation of businesses that were deemed “non-essential.” In addition, most of Journal Technologies’ customers, which are primarily courts and governmental agencies in the United States and Canada and Australia, were either closed or significantly scaled back their activities. Similarly, many law firms and companies from which the Traditional Business derives advertising and subscription revenues also curtailed their operations and spending.

 

In light of this extraordinary situation, on April 30, 2020, the Company made a difficult decision to reorganize its part-time and full-time workforce at both the Traditional Business and Journal Technologies, which included some layoffs and temporary furloughs. 

 

Management believes that the COVID-19 pandemic has had, and will continue to have, a significant impact on the Company’s business operations. That impact started in March and continued on through the quarter ended June 30, 2020. Management believes it will continue to be reflected in subsequent quarterly financial results and cash flows for the foreseeable future. This might include a substantial decrease in the value of the Company’s marketable securities portfolio or at least a fair degree of volatility. It might also include the unprecedented continued closure or scaling back of operations of courts and other governmental agencies that are the customers of Journal Technologies, and fundamental changes in the way the advertisers and subscribers of the Traditional Business conduct operations. Even if courts, governmental agencies and other businesses return to more normal operations, there are likely to be changes in those operations and personal behaviors going forward, including limitations on travel and more working from home, that will adversely affect the Company, its financial results and cash flows.

 

15

 

For the three months ended June 30, 2020, the Company experienced a material negative impact on its Traditional Business’ revenues which decreased substantially by $1,376,000 (31%) to $3,131,000 from $4,507,000 due to the closures and scaling back of operations of courts and other governmental agencies. This is important to note because the Company’s quarterly pretax income of $18,594,000, which increased from $5,443,000 in the prior year period, is due primarily to the recording of unrealized gains on investments of $16,489,000 for the Company’s marketable securities portfolio, as the stock market recovered some of the ground it lost from its plunge in March 2020. This is only “income” in the sense that accountants are now required to call it that. (Beginning in fiscal 2019, changes in unrealized gains (losses) on investments are now included in the Company’s net income (loss) and thus have a significant impact depending on the fluctuations of the market prices of the securities in the portfolio.) This “income” did not generate cash for the Company. Furthermore, the Company’s portfolio is concentrated in the common stocks of three U.S. financial institutions, which have not performed as well as the market as a whole. In the future, dividends income from the Company’s portfolio is expected to decrease as some banks reduce their dividends.

 

In recent years, the newspaper industry, including our Traditional Business, has declined, and we expect this to continue at an accelerated pace due to the impacts of COVID-19 and its aftermath, as advertising and subscription revenues decrease.

 

For Journal Technologies, there have been several delays or cancellations in government procurement processes. Also, although we have been able to complete some existing projects remotely, we have been unable to finish certain implementations and trainings because we cannot work with clients in-person. Given that we are typically paid for implementation services upon “go-live” of a system, receipt of those revenues is being delayed. In addition, there has been a reduction in efiling revenues and delayed client payments as many courts and other justice agencies remained closed during the quarter.

 

Due to the uncertainties associated with the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, the efforts to contain it, and the changes in business operations and personal behaviors that are likely to follow from it, management cannot at this point estimate the magnitude of its impact on the Company’s business operations. For risk factors associated with the Company’s businesses, please see “Item 1A – Risk Factors” of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2019, as well as the information contained in “Item 1A – Risk Factors” on page 25 of this Form 10-Q.

 

16

 

Comparable nine-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

 

The Company’s reportable segments, and its corporate income and expenses, for the nine months ended June 30, 2020, is set forth below:

 

Overall Financial Results (000)

For the nine months ended June 30

 

   

Reportable Segments

                                 
   

Traditional

Business

   

Journal

Technologies

   

Corporate

income and expenses

   

 

Total

 
   

2020

   

2019

   

2020

   

2019

   

2020

   

2019

   

2020

   

2019

 

Revenues

                                                               

Advertising

  $ 5,415     $ 6,753     $ ---     $ ---     $ ---     $ ---     $ 5,415     $ 6,753  

Circulation

    3,857       3,930       ---       ---       ---       ---       3,857       3,930  

Advertising service fees and other

    1,923       2,028       ---       ---       ---       ---       1,923       2,028  

Licensing and maintenance fees

    ---       ---       16,246       15,244       ---       ---       16,246       15,244  

Consulting fees

    ---       ---       5,065       3,567       ---       ---       5,065       3,567  

Other public service fees

    ---       ---       4,401       4,136       ---       ---       4,401       4,136  

Total revenues

    11,195       12,711       25,712       22,947       ---       ---       36,907       35,658  

Operating expenses

                                                               

Salaries and employee benefits

    7,778       7,833       20,449       18,328       ---       ---       28,227       26,161  

Others

    3,988       4,652       6,715       8,913       ---       ---       10,703       13,565  

Total operating expenses

    11,766       12,485       27,164       27,241       ---       ---       38,930       39,726  

(Loss) income from operations

    (571 )     226       (1,452 )     (4,294 )     ---       ---       (2,023 )     (4,068 )

Dividends and interest income

    ---       ---       ---       ---       4,573       4,039       4,573       4,039  

Other income

    ---       ---       ---       ---       3       29       3       29  

Net unrealized losses on investments

    ---       ---       ---       ---       (41,191 )     (16,929 )     (41,191 )     (16,929 )

Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate

    (63 )     (67 )     ---       ---       ---       ---       (63 )     (67 )

Interest expenses on margin loans and others

    ---       ---       ---       ---       (401 )     (676 )     (401 )     (676 )

Pretax (loss) income

  $ (634 )   $ 159     $ (1,452 )   $ (4,294 )   $ (37,016 )   $ (13,537 )   $ (39,102 )   $ (17,672 )

 

Consolidated revenues were $36,907,000 and $35,658,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. This increase of $1,249,000 (4%) was primarily from increased Journal Technologies’ license and maintenance fees of $1,002,000, consulting fees of $1,498,000 and public service fees of $265,000, partially offset by a reduction in the Traditional Business’ display advertising (including conferences which were discontinued) net revenues of $679,000, classified advertising net revenues of $153,000, trustee sale notice advertising net revenues of $149,000, legal notice advertising net revenues of $330,000 and circulation revenues of $73,000. The Company’s revenues derived from Journal Technologies’ operations constituted about 70% and 64% of the Company’s total revenues for the nine months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

Consolidated operating expenses decreased by $796,000 (2%) to $38,930,000 from $39,726,000. Total salaries and employee benefits increased by $2,066,000 (8%) to $28,227,000 from $26,161,000 primarily resulting from additional personnel costs for Journal Technologies as independent contractors were transferred to employee status. Outside services decreased by $246,000 (9%) to $2,600,000 from $2,846,000 mainly because of decreased contractor costs for Journal Technologies. Depreciation and amortization costs decreased by $60,000 (14%) to $384,000 from $444,000 because of more fully-depreciated assets. Rent expenses decreased by $231,000 (32%) to $500,000 from $731,000 because of the closure of both the San Francisco and Modesto offices in October 2019. Accounting and legal fees decreased by $568,000 (44%) to $730,000 from $1,298,000 primarily because of decreased legal fees to review and negotiate Journal Technologies’ contracts with customers. Other general and administrative expenses decreased by $1,633,000 (33%) to $3,293,000 from $4,926,000 mainly resulting from reduced business travel expenses and miscellaneous office equipment purchases.

 

17

 

The Company’s non-operating income, net of expenses, decreased by $23,475,000 to a loss of $37,079,000 from $13,604,000 primarily because of the recording of net unrealized losses on investments of $41,191,000 during the nine months ended June 30, 2020, as compared with $16,929,000 during the prior year period.

 

During the nine months ended June 30, 2020, the consolidated pretax loss was $39,102,000, as compared with $17,672,000 in the prior year period. There was a consolidated net loss of $27,842,000 (-$20.16 per share) after tax benefits for the nine months ended June 30, 2020, as compared with $12,692,000 (-$9.19 per share) in the prior year period.

 

At June 30, 2020, the aggregate fair market value of the Company’s marketable securities was $153,390,000. These securities had approximately $99,501,000 of net unrealized gains before taxes of $25,886,000, and generated approximately $4,573,000 in dividends income during the nine months ended June 30, 2020, 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.

 

Taxes

 

For the nine months ended June 30, 2020, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $11,260,000 on a pretax loss of $39,102,000.   This was the net result of applying the effective tax rate anticipated for fiscal 2020 to the pretax loss, before the unrealized losses on investments, for the nine months ended June 30, 2020.  The effective tax rate was more than the statutory rate primarily due to the dividends received deduction, which increased the taxable loss, and state tax benefits.   In addition, the Company recorded tax benefits of (i) $187,000 resulting from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act (see below) and (ii) $11,166,000 for the unrealized losses on investments during the nine months ended June 30, 2020.  The effective tax rate for the nine months ended June 30, 2020 was 29%, after including the tax benefits from the CARES Act and the unrealized losses on investments.

 

The CARES Act, which was signed into law on March 27, 2020, contains two federal tax provisions beneficial to the Company.  One provision provides that net operating losses arising in tax years beginning in 2018, that were previously only available to be carried forward, can now be carried back to the five previous years.  In addition, any alternative minimum tax credits carried forward from prior years can be claimed as a refund in years beginning in 2018.  Consequently, the Company recorded a tax benefit resulting from carrying back a portion of the net operating loss generated in fiscal 2019 to fiscal 2014.  The Company anticipates receiving a refund for all taxes and alternative minimum taxes paid in fiscal 2014.  The resulting tax benefit from carrying back the net operating loss is primarily attributable to the difference in the federal tax rates of 34% in fiscal 2014 and 21% in fiscal 2019.

 

For the nine months ended June 30, 2019, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $4,980,000 on a pretax loss of $17,672,000.   This was the net result of applying the effective tax rate anticipated for fiscal 2019 to the pretax loss for the nine months ended June 30, 2019. The effective tax rate was greater than the statutory rate primarily due to the dividends received deduction and state tax benefits. 

 

The Company’s effective tax rate was 29% for the nine months ended June 30, 2020 as compared with 28% in the prior year period. 

 

18

 

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 2016 with regard to federal income taxes and fiscal 2015 for state income taxes. 

 

The Traditional Business

 

The Traditional Business had a pretax loss of $634,000, representing a $793,000 decrease in income from pretax income of $159,000 in the prior year period.

 

Advertising revenues decreased by $1,338,000 (20%) to $5,415,000 from $6,753,000, primarily because of decreased display advertising (including conferences which were discontinued) net revenues of $679,000, classified advertising net revenues of $153,000, trustee sale notice advertising net revenues of $149,000, legal notice advertising net revenues of $330,000 and government notice advertising net revenues of $27,000.

 

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 24% during the nine months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the prior year period. Unless the economic impact of the efforts to contain COVID-19 result in significant additional foreclosures in California and Arizona, management expects there will be fewer foreclosure notice and other public notice advertisements and declining revenues for all of fiscal 2020. The Company’s smaller newspapers, those other than the Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journals (“The Daily Journals”), accounted for about 87% of the total public notice advertising revenues in the nine months ended June 30, 2020. Public notice advertising revenues and related advertising and other service fees constituted about 16% and 18% of the Company’s total revenues for the nine months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, 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 implemented in Arizona in 2017 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 91% of the Traditional Business’ total circulation revenues, which declined by $73,000 (2%) to $3,857,000 from $3,930,000. The court rule and judicial profile services generated about 7% 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 $719,000 (6%) to $11,766,000 from $12,485,000, primarily due to decreased personnel costs and outside contract printing and distributing costs.

 

19

 

Journal Technologies

 

Journal Technologies’ business segment pretax loss decreased by $2,842,000 (66%) to $1,452,000 from $4,294,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

Revenues increased by $2,765,000 (12%) to $25,712,000 from $22,947,000 in the prior year period. Licensing and maintenance fees increased by $1,002,000 (7%) to $16,246,000 from $15,244,000. Consulting fees increased by $1,498,000 (42%) to $5,065,000 from $3,567,000 due to more 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 $265,000 (6%) to $4,401,000 from $4,136,000 primarily due to additional efiling fee revenues.

 

Operating expenses decreased by $77,000 to $27,164,000 from $27,241,000, primarily because of decreased business travel expenses and legal fees to review and negotiate Journal Technologies’ contracts with customers. This was partially offset by increases in personnel costs as independent contractors were transferred to employee status.

 

Comparable three-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and 2019

 

The Company’s reportable segments, and its corporate income and expenses, for the three months ended June 30, 2020, is set forth below:

 

Overall Financial Results (000)

For the three months ended June 30

 

   

Reportable Segments

                                 
   

Traditional

Business

   

Journal

Technologies

   

Corporate

income and expenses

   

 

Total

 
   

2020

   

2019

   

2020

   

2019

   

2020

   

2019

   

2020

   

2019

 

Revenues

                                                               

Advertising

  $ 1,297     $ 2,453     $ ---     $ ---     $ ---     $ ---     $ 1,297     $ 2,453  

Circulation

    1,259       1,319       ---       ---       ---       ---       1,259       1,319  

Advertising service fees and other

    575       735       ---       ---       ---       ---       575       735  

Licensing and maintenance fees

    ---       ---       5,531       5,814       ---       ---       5,531       5,814  

Consulting fees

    ---       ---       3,147       2,627       ---       ---       3,147       2,627  

Other public service fees

    ---       ---       1,065       1,570       ---       ---       1,065       1,570  

Total revenues

    3,131       4,507       9,743       10,011       ---       ---       12,874       14,518  

Operating expenses

                                                               

Salaries and employee benefits

    2,614       2,630       7,048       6,085       ---       ---       9,662       8,715  

Others

    1,246       1,507       1,373       3,172       ---       ---       2,619       4,679  

Total operating expenses

    3,860       4,137       8,421       9,257       ---       ---       12,281       13,394  

(Loss) income from operations

    (729 )     370       1,322       754       ---       ---       593       1,124  

Dividends and interest income

    ---       ---       ---       ---       1,596       1,368       1,596       1,368  

Other income

    ---       ---       ---       ---       ---       10       ---       10  

Net unrealized gains on investments

    ---       ---       ---       ---       16,489       3,214       16,489       3,214  

Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate

    (20 )     (22 )     ---       ---       ---       ---       (20 )     (22 )

Interest expenses on margin loans and others

    ---       ---       ---       ---       (64 )     (251 )     (64 )     (251 )

Pretax (loss) income

  $ (749 )   $ 348     $ 1,322     $ 754     $ 18,021     $ 4,341     $ 18,594     $ 5,443  

 

20

 

Consolidated revenues were $12,874,000 and $14,518,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively. This decrease of $1,644,000 (11%) was primarily from (i) a reduction in the Traditional Business’ display advertising (including conferences which were discontinued) net revenues of $427,000, classified advertising net revenues of $113,000, trustee sale notice advertising net revenues of $92,000 and legal notice advertising net revenues of $482,000, and (ii) Journal Technologies’ license and maintenance fees of $283,000 and public service fees of $505,000, partially offset by increased Journal Technologies’ consulting fees of $520,000. The Company’s revenues derived from Journal Technologies’ operations constituted about 76% and 69% of the Company’s total revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

Consolidated operating expenses decreased by $1,113,000 (8%) to $12,281,000 from $13,394,000. Total salaries and employee benefits increased by $947,000 (11%) to $9,662,000 from $8,715,000 primarily resulting from additional personnel costs for Journal Technologies as independent contractors were transferred to employee status. Outside services increased by $142,000 (32%) to $586,000 from $444,000 mainly because of increased outside hosting services fees for Journal Technologies. Depreciation and amortization costs decreased by $13,000 to $128,000 from $141,000 because of more fully-depreciated assets. Credit card merchant discount fees, which represent fees paid to credit card service providers to process payments for the public service fee revenues, decreased by $123,000 (34%) to $244,000 from $367,000 mainly resulting from decreased efilings as courts and other justice agencies were temporarily closed. Rent expenses decreased by $58,000 (27%) to $158,000 from $216,000 because of the closure of both the San Francisco and Modesto offices in October 2019. Accounting and legal fees decreased by $227,000 (45%) to $272,000 from $499,000 primarily because of decreased legal fees to review and negotiate Journal Technologies’ contracts with customers. Other general and administrative expenses decreased by $1,581,000 (71%) to $647,000 from $2,228,000 mainly resulting from reduced business travel expenses.

 

The Company’s non-operating income, net of expenses, increased by $13,682,000 to an income of $18,001,000 from $4,319,000 primarily because of the recording of net unrealized gains on investments of $16,489,000 during the three months ended June 30, 2020, as compared with $3,214,000 during the prior year period.

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2020, consolidated pretax income was $18,594,000, as compared with $5,443,000 in the prior year period. There was consolidated net income of $14,274,000 ($10.34 per share) after tax expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2020, as compared with $3,823,000 ($2.77 per share) in the prior year period.

 

The Traditional Business (comparable three-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and 2019)

 

The Traditional Business had a pretax loss of $749,000, representing a $1,097,000 decrease in income from pretax income of $348,000 in the prior year period.

 

Advertising revenues decreased by $1,156,000 (47%) to $1,297,000 from $2,453,000, primarily because of decreased display advertising (including conferences which were discontinued) net revenues of $427,000, classified advertising net revenues of $113,000, trustee sale notice advertising net revenues of $92,000 and legal notice advertising net revenues of $482,000 and government notice advertising net revenues of $42,000.

 

The Traditional Business segment operating expenses decreased by $277,000 (7%) to $3,860,000 from $4,137,000, primarily due to decreased outside contract printing and distributing costs.

 

21

 

Journal Technologies (comparable three-month periods ended June 30, 2020 and 2019)

 

Journal Technologies’ business segment pretax income increased by $568,000 (75%) to $1,322,000 from $754,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

 

Revenues decreased by $268,000 (3%) to $9,743,000 from $10,011,000 in the prior year period. Licensing and maintenance fees decreased by $283,000 (5%) to $5,531,000 from $5,814,000. Consulting fees increased by $520,000 (20%) to $3,147,000 from $2,627,000.

 

Other public service fees decreased by $505,000 (32%) to $1,065,000 from $1,570,000 primarily due to reduced efilings as courts and other justice agencies were temporarily closed.

 

Operating expenses decreased by $836,000 to $8,421,000 from $9,257,000, primarily because of decreased business travel expenses and legal fees to review and negotiate Journal Technologies’ contracts with customers. This was partially offset by increases in personnel costs as independent contractors were transferred to employee status.   

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

During the nine months ended June 30, 2020, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and marketable security positions decreased by $41,954,000, including unrealized losses on investments of $41,191,000. Cash and cash equivalents were used for the purchase of capital assets of $168,000 and operating activities of $1,501,000 which included net decreases of $704,000 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 $153,390,000 at June 30, 2020, generated approximately $4,573,000 in dividends income during the nine months ended June 30, 2020. These securities had approximately $99,501,000 of net unrealized gains before estimated taxes of $25,886,000 which will become due only when we sell securities in which there is unrealized appreciation. Beginning in fiscal 2019, changes in unrealized gains (losses) on investments are now 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 $895,000 during the nine months ended June 30, 2020 as compared to the prior year period, primarily due to (i) decreases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $2,763,000 because of the timing difference in remitting efiling fees to the courts and (ii) decreases in net deferred subscriptions, deferred maintenance agreements and others and deferred installation contracts of $1,726,000, partially offset by decreases in accounts receivable of $1,375,000 resulting from more payment collections.

 

As of June 30, 2020, the Company had working capital of $144,935,000, including the liabilities for deferred subscriptions, deferred installation and maintenance agreements and others of $19,918,000.

 

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. COVID-19 and the efforts to contain it, however, have significantly impacted the Company’s cash flows from operations and the value of its marketable securities portfolio. The Company may or may not have the ability to borrow additional amounts against its marketable securities and, among other possibilities, it may be required to consider selling some of those securities to generate cash if needed to fund ongoing operations.

 

22

 

As of June 30, 2020, 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.

 

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) 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, 2019. 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; the impacts of COVID-19 and the efforts to contain it on the Company’s customers, advertisers and subscribers, particularly the closure or scaling back of operations of courts, justice agencies and other businesses; 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 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, 2019.

 

23

 

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, 2019. There have been no material changes to the Company’s market risk exposures since September 30, 2019.

 

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, 2019, management concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of June 30, 2020.  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 June 30, 2020.

  

24

 

PART II

 

Item 1A.   Risk Factors

 

Except as set forth below, as of the date of this report, there have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2019.

 

The Company’s business is likely to be materially and adversely affected by an epidemic or pandemic such as COVID-19, or by a similar event or the fear of such an event, and the measures that governmental authorities implement to address it.

 

As COVID-19 began to spread in March and April 2020, governmental authorities and health officials implemented numerous unprecedented measures to contain the virus, including “stay at home” orders for non-essential workers, travel restrictions, quarantines and business shutdowns. Most of Journal Technologies’ customers, which are primarily courts and governmental agencies in the United States and Canada and Australia, either closed or significantly scaled back their activities. Similarly, many law firms and companies from which the Traditional Business derives advertising and subscription revenues also curtailed their operations and spending.

 

The impact on economic activity of these actions or similar actions in the future are likely to significantly impact the Traditional Business’ advertising and subscription revenues. The trend of working from home and using on-line services is also likely to put additional pressure on the newspaper business by impacting circulation numbers that may not be replaced by on-line revenues. Actions restricting travel, requiring non-essential workers to “stay at home” or causing courts and justice agencies to close or cut back operations can impact the ability of Journal Technologies to complete certain projects that are typically done in-person (and for which payment is usually received upon completion), reduce efiling revenues, affect procurement processes and result in overall payment delays. In addition, the Company relies on its portfolio of marketable securities for dividend income and balance sheet support, and the value of the portfolio can be materially affected by declines in stock prices, particularly among the common stocks of the three U.S. financial institutions that make up a substantial portion of the portfolio.

 

Due to the uncertainties associated with the duration and severity of an event like COVID-19, the efforts to contain it, and the changes in business operations and personal behaviors that are likely to follow from it, it is difficult to estimate the magnitude of its impact on the Company’s business in future periods, but it could materially affect the Company’s operations, staffing levels, financial condition, liquidity and cash flows going forward.

 

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

Inline XBRL Instance

   

101.SCH

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

 

25

 

101.CAL

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation

   

101.DEF

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition

   

101.LAB

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels

   

101.PRE

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation

   
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

 

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: August 7, 2020

 

26

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 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: August 7, 2020

 

 /s/ Gerald L. Salzman

   

Gerald L. Salzman

Chief Executive Officer, President,

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

 

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 June 30, 2020 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

 


August 7, 2020

 

 

     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.

 

 
v3.20.2
Document And Entity Information - shares
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Jul. 31, 2020
Document Information [Line Items]    
Entity Central Index Key 0000783412  
Entity Registrant Name DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION  
Amendment Flag false  
Current Fiscal Year End Date --09-30  
Document Fiscal Period Focus Q3  
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2020  
Document Type 10-Q  
Document Quarterly Report true  
Document Period End Date Jun. 30, 2020  
Document Transition Report false  
Entity File Number 0-14665  
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code SC  
Entity Tax Identification Number 95-4133299  
Entity Address, Address Line One 915 East First Street  
Entity Address, City or Town Los Angeles  
Entity Address, State or Province CA  
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code 90012-4050  
City Area Code 213  
Local Phone Number 229-5300  
Title of 12(b) Security Common Stock  
Trading Symbol DJCO  
Security Exchange Name NASDAQ  
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes  
Entity Interactive Data Current Yes  
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer  
Entity Small Business false  
Entity Emerging Growth Company false  
Entity Shell Company false  
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding   1,380,746
v3.20.2
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) - USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2020
Sep. 30, 2019
Current assets    
Cash and cash equivalents $ 9,867,000 $ 10,630,000
Marketable securities at fair value -- common stocks of $153,390,000 at June 30 2020 and $194,581,000 at September 30, 2019 153,390,000 194,581,000
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $250,000 at June 30, 2020 and $200,000 at September 30, 2019 9,352,000 7,036,000
Inventories 51,000 40,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 700,000 508,000
Income tax receivable 812,000 153,000
Total current assets 174,172,000 212,948,000
Property, plant and equipment, at cost    
Land, buildings and improvements 16,599,000 16,499,000
Furniture, office equipment and computer software 2,188,000 2,119,000
Machinery and equipment 1,749,000 1,750,000
Property, Plant and Equipment, Gross, Ending Balance 20,536,000 20,368,000
Less accumulated depreciation (9,956,000) (9,572,000)
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net, Ending Balance 10,580,000 10,796,000
Operating lease right-of-use assets 244,000  
Deferred income taxes - Federal 11,592,000 12,596,000
Deferred income taxes - State 1,376,000 1,036,000
Total Assets 197,964,000 237,376,000
Current liabilities    
Accounts payable 3,458,000 4,520,000
Accrued liabilities 5,730,000 5,173,000
Note payable collateralized by real estate 131,000 126,000
Total current liabilities 29,237,000 30,668,000
Long term liabilities    
Investment margin account borrowings 30,493,000 29,493,000
Note payable collateralized by real estate 1,610,000 1,709,000
Deferred maintenance agreements 562,000 335,000
Accrued liabilities 318,000 230,000
Deferred income taxes 25,886,000 37,241,000
Total long term liabilities 58,869,000 69,008,000
Shareholders' equity    
Common stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; 1,805,053 shares issued, including 424,307 treasury shares, at June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019 14,000 14,000
Additional paid-in capital 1,755,000 1,755,000
Retained earnings 108,089,000 135,931,000
Total shareholders' equity 109,858,000 137,700,000
Liabilities and Equity, Total 197,964,000 237,376,000
Subscription and Circulation [Member]    
Current liabilities    
Deferred revenue 3,014,000 3,195,000
Installation Contracts [Member]    
Current liabilities    
Deferred revenue 483,000 1,932,000
License and Maintenance [Member]    
Current liabilities    
Deferred revenue $ 16,421,000 $ 15,722,000
v3.20.2
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) (Parentheticals) - USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2020
Sep. 30, 2019
Marketable securities $ 153,390,000 $ 194,581,000
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts $ 250,000 $ 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
Common Stock [Member]    
Marketable securities $ 153,390,000 $ 194,581,000
v3.20.2
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Jun. 30, 2019
Jun. 30, 2020
Jun. 30, 2019
Revenue        
Revenues $ 12,874,000 $ 14,518,000 $ 36,907,000 $ 35,658,000
Costs and expenses        
Salaries and employee benefits 9,662,000 8,715,000 28,227,000 26,161,000
Outside services 586,000 444,000 2,600,000 2,846,000
Postage and delivery expenses 151,000 218,000 552,000 627,000
Newsprint and printing expenses 157,000 186,000 528,000 548,000
Depreciation and amortization 128,000 141,000 384,000 444,000
Equipment maintenance and software 276,000 380,000 1,102,000 1,133,000
Credit card merchant discount fees 244,000 367,000 1,014,000 1,012,000
Rent expenses 158,000 216,000 500,000 731,000
Accounting and legal fees 272,000 499,000 730,000 1,298,000
Other general and administrative expenses 647,000 2,228,000 3,293,000 4,926,000
Operating Expenses, Total 12,281,000 13,394,000 38,930,000 39,726,000
Income (loss) from operations 593,000 1,124,000 (2,023,000) (4,068,000)
Other income (expense)        
Dividends and interest income 1,596,000 1,368,000 4,573,000 4,039,000
Other income   10,000 3,000 29,000
Net unrealized (losses) gains on investments 16,489,000 3,214,000 (41,191,000) (16,929,000)
(Loss) income before income taxes 18,594,000 5,443,000 (39,102,000) (17,672,000)
(Provision) benefit for income taxes (4,320,000) (1,620,000) 11,260,000 4,980,000
Net (loss) income $ 14,274,000 $ 3,823,000 $ (27,842,000) $ (12,692,000)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted (in shares) 1,380,746 1,380,746 1,380,746 1,380,746
Basic and diluted net income per share (in dollars per share) $ 10.34 $ 2.77 $ (20.16) $ (9.19)
Comprehensive income $ 14,274,000 $ 3,823,000 $ (27,842,000) $ (12,692,000)
Real Estate Bank Loan Secured by Logan Office [Member]        
Other income (expense)        
Interest expense on debt (20,000) (22,000) (63,000) (67,000)
Margin Account [Member]        
Other income (expense)        
Interest expense on debt (64,000) (251,000) (401,000) (676,000)
Advertising [Member]        
Revenue        
Revenues 1,297,000 2,453,000 5,415,000 6,753,000
Subscription and Circulation [Member]        
Revenue        
Revenues 1,259,000 1,319,000 3,857,000 3,930,000
Advertising Service Fees and Other [Member]        
Revenue        
Revenues 575,000 735,000 1,923,000 2,028,000
License and Maintenance [Member]        
Revenue        
Revenues 5,531,000 5,814,000 16,246,000 15,244,000
Consulting Fees [Member]        
Revenue        
Revenues 3,147,000 2,627,000 5,065,000 3,567,000
Service, Other [Member]        
Revenue        
Revenues $ 1,065,000 $ 1,570,000 $ 4,401,000 $ 4,136,000
v3.20.2
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($)
Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member]
Retained Earnings [Member]
Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment [Member]
AOCI Attributable to Parent [Member]
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, 2018     1,805,053 (424,307)        
Balance at Sep. 30, 2018 $ 115,786,000 $ (115,786,000) $ 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)
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
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2018     1,805,053 (424,307)        
Balance at Sep. 30, 2018 $ 115,786,000 $ (115,786,000) $ 18,000 $ (4,000) 1,755,000 45,361,000 $ 115,786,000 162,916,000
Net (loss) income               (12,692,000)
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2019     1,805,053 (424,307)        
Balance at Jun. 30, 2019     $ 18,000 $ (4,000) 1,755,000 148,455,000   150,224,000
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
Net (loss) income           5,018,000   5,018,000
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019     1,805,053 (424,307)        
Balance at Mar. 31, 2019     $ 18,000 $ (4,000) 1,755,000 144,632,000   146,401,000
Net (loss) income           3,823,000   3,823,000
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2019     1,805,053 (424,307)        
Balance at Jun. 30, 2019     $ 18,000 $ (4,000) 1,755,000 148,455,000   150,224,000
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2019     1,805,053 (424,307)        
Balance at Sep. 30, 2019     $ 18,000 $ (4,000) 1,755,000 135,931,000   137,700,000
Net (loss) income           14,210,000   14,210,000
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019     1,805,053 (424,307)        
Balance at Dec. 31, 2019     $ 18,000 $ (4,000) 1,755,000 150,141,000   151,910,000
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2019     1,805,053 (424,307)        
Balance at Sep. 30, 2019     $ 18,000 $ (4,000) 1,755,000 135,931,000   137,700,000
Net (loss) income               (27,842,000)
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2020     1,805,053 (424,307)        
Balance at Jun. 30, 2020     $ 18,000 $ (4,000) 1,755,000 108,089,000   109,858,000
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019     1,805,053 (424,307)        
Balance at Dec. 31, 2019     $ 18,000 $ (4,000) 1,755,000 150,141,000   151,910,000
Net (loss) income           (56,326,000)   (56,326,000)
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020     1,805,053 (424,307)        
Balance at Mar. 31, 2020     $ 18,000 $ (4,000) 1,755,000 93,815,000   95,584,000
Net (loss) income           14,274,000   14,274,000
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2020     1,805,053 (424,307)        
Balance at Jun. 30, 2020     $ 18,000 $ (4,000) $ 1,755,000 $ 108,089,000   $ 109,858,000
v3.20.2
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($)
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Jun. 30, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities    
Net (loss) income $ (27,842,000) $ (12,692,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operations    
Depreciation and amortization 384,000 444,000
Increase in bad debt allowance 50,000  
Net unrealized losses on investments 41,191,000 16,929,000
Deferred income taxes (10,691,000) (5,087,000)
(Increase) decrease in current assets    
Accounts receivable, net (2,366,000) (3,741,000)
Inventories (11,000) 5,000
Prepaid expenses and other assets (192,000) 278,000
Income tax receivable (659,000) 134,000
Increase (decrease) in liabilities    
Accounts payable (1,062,000) 1,481,000
Accrued liabilities 401,000 621,000
Net cash used in operating activities (1,501,000) (606,000)
Cash flows from investing activities    
Purchases of property, plant and equipment (168,000) (97,000)
Net cash used in investing activities (168,000) (97,000)
Cash flows from financing activities    
Proceeds from margin loan borrowing 1,000,000  
Payment of real estate loan principal (94,000) (90,000)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 906,000 (90,000)
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents (763,000) (793,000)
Cash and cash equivalents    
Beginning of period 10,630,000 9,301,000
End of period 9,867,000 8,508,000
Interest paid during period 460,000 760,000
Net income taxes paid (refunded) 5,000 (118,000)
Subscription and Circulation [Member]    
Increase (decrease) in liabilities    
Deferred revenue arrangements (181,000) 81,000
License and Maintenance [Member]    
Increase (decrease) in liabilities    
Deferred revenue arrangements 926,000 1,685,000
Installation Contracts [Member]    
Increase (decrease) in liabilities    
Deferred revenue arrangements $ (1,449,000) $ (744,000)
v3.20.2
Note 1 - The Corporation and Operations
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
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 of Daily Journal, 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 and fees online, and bar members. These products are licensed to more than 500 organizations in 42 states and internationally.

 

       Essentially all of the Company’s U.S. operations are based in California, Arizona, Colorado and Utah. The Company also has a presence in Australia where Journal Technologies is working on two software installation projects.

v3.20.2
Note 2 - Basis of Presentation
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
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 June 30, 2020, its results of operations for the three- and nine-months periods ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, its consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity for the nine months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019 and cash flows for the nine months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019. The results of operations for the nine months ended June 30, 2020 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, 2019.

v3.20.2
Note 3 - Accounting Standards Adopted in Fiscal 2020
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements  
Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Text Block]

Note 3 - Accounting Standards Adopted in Fiscal 2020

 

      In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standard Board issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) which requires that all leases be recognized by lessees on the balance sheet through a right-of-use (ROU) asset and corresponding lease liability, including today’s operating leases. During the first quarter of fiscal 2020, the Company adopted this standard using the modified retrospective method, which does not require an adjustment to comparative period financial statements. At June 30, 2020, the Company recorded a right-of-use (ROU) asset and lease liability of approximately $244,000 for its operating office leases. As allowed by the guidance, the Company has elected not to recognize ROU assets and lease liabilities for short-term (less than one year) leases of any class of underlying asset. ROU assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent its obligation to make rental payments from the leases. ROU assets and liabilities are required to be recognized based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. At June 30, 2020, the Company had office lease obligations of approximately $18,000 beyond one year; it is deemed immaterial for the present value difference. Operating office leases are included in operating lease ROU assets, current accrued liabilities and long-term accrued liabilities in the Company’s accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company’s adoption of this new standard had no significant impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or disclosures.

v3.20.2
Note 4 - Revenue Recognition
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
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. 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, 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.

 

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.

v3.20.2
Note 5 - Basic and Diluted Income Per Share
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
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.

v3.20.2
Note 6 - Investments in Marketable Securities
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
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 June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, there were net accumulated unrealized gains of $99,501,000 and $140,692,000, respectively, recorded in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Most of the accumulated unrealized gains were in the common stocks of three U.S. financial institutions and one foreign manufacturer.

 

The Company adopted ASU No. 2016-01, Subtopic 825-10 in the prior fiscal year. For the three- and nine-months ended June 30, 2020, the Company recorded and included in its net income (loss) the net unrealized gains on investments of $16,489,000 and net unrealized losses on investments of $41,191,000 as compared with net unrealized gains on investments of $3,214,000 and net unrealized losses on investments of $16,929,000, respectively, in the prior year periods.

 

Investments in marketable securities as of June 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019 are summarized below.

 

 Investments in Marketable Securities

 

  

June 30, 2020

  

September 30, 2019

 
  

Aggregate

fair value

  

Adjusted

cost basis

  

Pretax net

unrealized

gains

  

Aggregate

fair value

  

Amortized/

Adjusted

cost basis

  

Pretax

unrealized

gains

 

Marketable securities

                        

Common stocks

 $153,390,000  $53,889,000  $99,501,000  $194,581,000  $53,889,000  $140,692,000 

 

v3.20.2
Note 7 - Income Taxes
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements  
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]

Note 7 - Income Taxes

 

For the nine months ended June 30, 2020, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $11,260,000 on a pretax loss of $39,102,000.   This was the net result of applying the effective tax rate anticipated for fiscal 2020 to the pretax loss, before the unrealized losses on investments, for the nine months ended June 30, 2020.  The effective tax rate was more than the statutory rate primarily due to the dividends received deduction, which increased the taxable loss, and state tax benefits.   In addition, the Company recorded tax benefits of (i) $187,000 resulting from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (“CARES”) Act (see below) and (ii) $11,166,000 for the unrealized losses on investments during the nine months ended June 30, 2020.  The effective tax rate for the nine months ended June 30, 2020 was 29%, after including the tax benefits from the CARES Act and the unrealized losses on investments.

 

The CARES Act, which was signed into law on March 27, 2020, contains two federal tax provisions beneficial to the Company.  One provision provides that net operating losses arising in tax years beginning in 2018, that were previously only available to be carried forward, can now be carried back to the five previous years.  In addition, any alternative minimum tax credits carried forward from prior years can be claimed as a refund in years beginning in 2018.  Consequently, the Company recorded a tax benefit resulting from carrying back a portion of the net operating loss generated in fiscal 2019 to fiscal 2014.  The Company anticipates receiving a refund for all taxes and alternative minimum taxes paid in fiscal 2014.  The resulting tax benefit from carrying back the net operating loss is primarily attributable to the difference in the federal tax rates of 34% in fiscal 2014 and 21% in fiscal 2019.

 

For the nine months ended June 30, 2019, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $4,980,000 on a pretax loss of $17,672,000.   This was the net result of applying the effective tax rate anticipated for fiscal 2019 to the pretax loss for the nine months ended June 30, 2019. The effective tax rate was greater than the statutory rate primarily due to the dividends received deduction and state tax benefits. 

 

The Company’s effective tax rate was 29% for the nine months ended June 30, 2020 as compared with 28% in the prior year period. 

 

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 2016 with regard to federal income taxes and fiscal 2015 for state income taxes. 

v3.20.2
Note 8 - Debt and Commitments
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements  
Commitments Disclosure [Text Block]

Note 8 - 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. During this quarter, the Company borrowed an additional $1 million from this investment margin account bringing the total up to $30.5 million as of June 30, 2020. (This additional $1 million was subsequently repaid in July 2020.) 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 June 30, 2020 was 0.75%. 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 $1.74 million as of June 30, 2020.

 

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 2022.

v3.20.2
Note 9 - Contingencies
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements  
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

Note 9 - 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.

v3.20.2
Note 10 - Operating Segments
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements  
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

Note 10 - 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

 

Nine months ended June 30, 2020

                

Revenues

                

Advertising

 $5,415,000  $---  $---  $5,415,000 

Circulation

  3,857,000   ---   ---   3,857,000 

Advertising service fees and other

  1,923,000   ---   ---   1,923,000 

Licensing and maintenance fees

  ---   16,246,000   ---   16,246,000 

Consulting fees

  ---   5,065,000   ---   5,065,000 

Other public service fees

  ---   4,401,000   ---   4,401,000 

Operating expenses

  11,766,000   27,164,000   ---   38,930,000 

Loss from operations

  (571,000)  (1,452,000)  ---   (2,023,000)

Dividends and interest income

  ---   ---   4,573,000   4,573,000 

Other income

  ---   ---   3,000   3,000 

Net unrealized losses on investments

  ---   ---   (41,191,000)  (41,191,000)

Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate

  (63,000)  ---   ---   (63,000)

Interest expenses on margin loans and others

  ---   ---   (401,000)  (401,000)

Pretax loss

  (634,000)  (1,452,000)  (37,016,000)  (39,102,000)

Income tax benefit

  185,000   380,000   10,695,000   11,260,000 

Net income (loss)

  (449,000)  (1,072,000)  (26,321,000)  (27,842,000)

Total assets

  17,752,000   24,667,000   155,545,000   197,964,000 

Capital expenditures

  99,000   69,000   ---   168,000 

 

  

Reportable Segments

         
  

Traditional

Business

  

Journal

Technologies

  

Corporate income

and expenses

  

 

Total

 

Nine months ended June 30, 2019

                

Revenues

                

Advertising

 $6,753,000  $---  $---  $6,753,000 

Circulation

  3,930,000   ---   ---   3,930,000 

Advertising service fees and other

  2,028,000   ---   ---   2,028,000 

Licensing and maintenance fees

  ---   15,244,000   ---   15,244,000 

Consulting fees

  ---   3,567,000   ---   3,567,000 

Other public service fees

  ---   4,136,000   ---   4,136,000 

Operating expenses

  12,485,000   27,241,000   ---   39,726,000 

Income (loss) from operations

  226,000   (4,294,000)  ---   (4,068,000)

Dividends and interest income

  ---   ---   4,039,000   4,039,000 

Other income

  ---   ---   29,000   29,000 

Net unrealized losses on investments

  ---   ---   (16,929,000)  (16,929,000)

Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate

  (67,000)  ---   ---   (67,000)

Interest expenses on margin loans

  ---   ---   (676,000)  (676,000)

Pretax income (loss)

  159,000   (4,294,000)  (13,537,000)  (17,672,000)

Income tax (expense) benefit

  (110,000)  1,155,000   3,935,000   4,980,000 

Net income (loss)

  49,000   (3,139,000)  (9,602,000)  (12,692,000)

Total assets

  18,276,000   33,903,000   197,576,000   249,755,000 

Capital expenditures

  63,000   34,000   ---   97,000 

 

  

Reportable Segments

         
  

Traditional

Business

  

Journal

Technologies

  

Corporate income

and expenses

  

 

Total

 

Three months ended June 30, 2020

                

Revenues

                

Advertising

 $1,297,000  $---  $---  $1,297,000 

Circulation

  1,259,000   ---   ---   1,259,000 

Advertising service fees and other

  575,000   ---   ---   575,000 

Licensing and maintenance fees

  ---   5,531,000   ---   5,531,000 

Consulting fees

  ---   3,147,000   ---   3,147,000 

Other public service fees

  ---   1,065,000   ---   1,065,000 

Operating expenses

  3,860,000   8,421,000   ---   12,281,000 

Income (loss) from operations

  (729,000)  1,322,000   ---   593,000 

Dividends and interest income

  ---   ---   1,596,000   1,596,000 

Net unrealized losses on investments

  ---   ---   16,489,000   16,489,000 

Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate

  (20,000)  ---   ---   (20,000)

Interest expenses on margin loans and others

  ---   ---   (64,000)  (64,000)

Pretax income (loss)

  (749,000)  1,322,000   18,021,000   18,594,000 

Income tax benefit (expense)

  215,000   (545,000)  (3,990,000)  (4,320,000)

Net (loss) income

  (534,000)  777,000   14,031,000   14,274,000 

Total assets

  17,752,000   24,667,000   155,545,000   197,964,000 

Capital expenditures

  ---   ---   ---   --- 

 

  

Reportable Segments

         
  

Traditional

Business

  

Journal

Technologies

  

Corporate income

and expenses

  

 

Total

 

Three months ended June 30, 2019

                

Revenues

                

Advertising

 $2,453,000  $---  $---  $2,453,000 

Circulation

  1,319,000   ---   ---   1,319,000 

Advertising service fees and other

  735,000   ---   ---   735,000 

Licensing and maintenance fees

  ---   5,814,000   ---   5,814,000 

Consulting fees

  ---   2,627,000   ---   2,627,000 

Other public service fees

  ---   1,570,000   ---   1,570,000 

Operating expenses

  4,137,000   9,257,000   ---   13,394,000 

Income from operations

  370,000   754,000   ---   1,124,000 

Dividends and interest income

  ---   ---   1,368,000   1,368,000 

Other income

  ---   ---   10,000   10,000 

Net unrealized gains on investments

  ---   ---   3,214,000   3,214,000 

Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate

  (22,000)  ---   ---   (22,000)

Interest expenses on margin loans

  ---   ---   (251,000)  (251,000)

Pretax income

  348,000   754,000   4,341,000   5,443,000 

Income tax expense

  (225,000)  (145,000)  (1,250,000)  (1,620,000)

Net income

  123,000   609,000   3,091,000   3,823,000 

Total assets

  18,276,000   33,903,000   197,576,000   249,755,000 

Capital expenditures

  13,000   ---   ---   13,000 

 

During the nine months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, the Traditional Business had total revenues of $11,195,000 and $12,711,000 of which $7,338,000 and $8,781,000, respectively, were recognized, at a point of time, after services were provided, and $3,857,000 and $3,930,000, respectively, were recognized ratably over the subscription terms. Total revenues for the Journal Technologies’ software business were $25,712,000 and $22,947,000 of which $9,889,000 and $8,611,000, respectively, were recognized upon completion of services with customer acceptance, while $15,823,000 and $14,336,000, respectively, were recognized ratably over the license and maintenance periods.

 

During the three months ended June 30, 2020 and 2019, the Traditional Business had total revenues of $3,131,000 and $4,507,000 of which $1,872,000 and $3,188,000, respectively, were recognized, at a point of time, after services were provided, and $1,259,000 and $1,319,000, respectively, were recognized ratably over the subscription terms. Total revenues for the Journal Technologies’ software business were $9,743,000 and $10,011,000 of which $4,258,000 and $4,576,000, respectively, were recognized upon completion of services with customer acceptance, while $5,485,000 and $5,435,000, respectively, were recognized ratably over the license and maintenance periods.

 

Approximately 76% and 70% of the Company’s revenues during the three- and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2020 were derived from Journal Technologies, as compared with 69% and 64% in the prior year periods. In addition, the Company’s revenues have been primarily from the United States with approximately 1% from foreign countries. Journal Technologies’ revenues are primarily from governmental agencies.

 

The following table sets forth certain deferred obligations from October 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020:

 

  

Beginning

Balance

Oct. 1, 2019

  

 

 

Addition

  

 

 

Recognized

  

Ending

Balance

June 30, 2020

 
                 

Deferred subscriptions

 $3,195,000  $3,676,000  $(3,857,000) $3,014,000 

Deferred installation contracts

  1,932,000   4,039,000   (5,488,000)  483,000 

Deferred maintenance agreements and others

  16,057,000   16,749,000   (15,823,000)  16,983,000 

 

v3.20.2
Note 11 - Subsequent Events
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Notes to Financial Statements  
Subsequent Events [Text Block]

Note 11 - 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.

v3.20.2
Note 6 - Investments in Marketable Securities (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Notes Tables  
Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]
  

June 30, 2020

  

September 30, 2019

 
  

Aggregate

fair value

  

Adjusted

cost basis

  

Pretax net

unrealized

gains

  

Aggregate

fair value

  

Amortized/

Adjusted

cost basis

  

Pretax

unrealized

gains

 

Marketable securities

                        

Common stocks

 $153,390,000  $53,889,000  $99,501,000  $194,581,000  $53,889,000  $140,692,000 
v3.20.2
Note 10 - Operating Segments (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Notes Tables  
Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]
  

Reportable Segments

         
  

Traditional

Business

  

Journal

Technologies

  

Corporate income

and expenses

  

 

Total

 

Nine months ended June 30, 2020

                

Revenues

                

Advertising

 $5,415,000  $---  $---  $5,415,000 

Circulation

  3,857,000   ---   ---   3,857,000 

Advertising service fees and other

  1,923,000   ---   ---   1,923,000 

Licensing and maintenance fees

  ---   16,246,000   ---   16,246,000 

Consulting fees

  ---   5,065,000   ---   5,065,000 

Other public service fees

  ---   4,401,000   ---   4,401,000 

Operating expenses

  11,766,000   27,164,000   ---   38,930,000 

Loss from operations

  (571,000)  (1,452,000)  ---   (2,023,000)

Dividends and interest income

  ---   ---   4,573,000   4,573,000 

Other income

  ---   ---   3,000   3,000 

Net unrealized losses on investments

  ---   ---   (41,191,000)  (41,191,000)

Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate

  (63,000)  ---   ---   (63,000)

Interest expenses on margin loans and others

  ---   ---   (401,000)  (401,000)

Pretax loss

  (634,000)  (1,452,000)  (37,016,000)  (39,102,000)

Income tax benefit

  185,000   380,000   10,695,000   11,260,000 

Net income (loss)

  (449,000)  (1,072,000)  (26,321,000)  (27,842,000)

Total assets

  17,752,000   24,667,000   155,545,000   197,964,000 

Capital expenditures

  99,000   69,000   ---   168,000 
  

Reportable Segments

         
  

Traditional

Business

  

Journal

Technologies

  

Corporate income

and expenses

  

 

Total

 

Nine months ended June 30, 2019

                

Revenues

                

Advertising

 $6,753,000  $---  $---  $6,753,000 

Circulation

  3,930,000   ---   ---   3,930,000 

Advertising service fees and other

  2,028,000   ---   ---   2,028,000 

Licensing and maintenance fees

  ---   15,244,000   ---   15,244,000 

Consulting fees

  ---   3,567,000   ---   3,567,000 

Other public service fees

  ---   4,136,000   ---   4,136,000 

Operating expenses

  12,485,000   27,241,000   ---   39,726,000 

Income (loss) from operations

  226,000   (4,294,000)  ---   (4,068,000)

Dividends and interest income

  ---   ---   4,039,000   4,039,000 

Other income

  ---   ---   29,000   29,000 

Net unrealized losses on investments

  ---   ---   (16,929,000)  (16,929,000)

Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate

  (67,000)  ---   ---   (67,000)

Interest expenses on margin loans

  ---   ---   (676,000)  (676,000)

Pretax income (loss)

  159,000   (4,294,000)  (13,537,000)  (17,672,000)

Income tax (expense) benefit

  (110,000)  1,155,000   3,935,000   4,980,000 

Net income (loss)

  49,000   (3,139,000)  (9,602,000)  (12,692,000)

Total assets

  18,276,000   33,903,000   197,576,000   249,755,000 

Capital expenditures

  63,000   34,000   ---   97,000 
  

Reportable Segments

         
  

Traditional

Business

  

Journal

Technologies

  

Corporate income

and expenses

  

 

Total

 

Three months ended June 30, 2020

                

Revenues

                

Advertising

 $1,297,000  $---  $---  $1,297,000 

Circulation

  1,259,000   ---   ---   1,259,000 

Advertising service fees and other

  575,000   ---   ---   575,000 

Licensing and maintenance fees

  ---   5,531,000   ---   5,531,000 

Consulting fees

  ---   3,147,000   ---   3,147,000 

Other public service fees

  ---   1,065,000   ---   1,065,000 

Operating expenses

  3,860,000   8,421,000   ---   12,281,000 

Income (loss) from operations

  (729,000)  1,322,000   ---   593,000 

Dividends and interest income

  ---   ---   1,596,000   1,596,000 

Net unrealized losses on investments

  ---   ---   16,489,000   16,489,000 

Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate

  (20,000)  ---   ---   (20,000)

Interest expenses on margin loans and others

  ---   ---   (64,000)  (64,000)

Pretax income (loss)

  (749,000)  1,322,000   18,021,000   18,594,000 

Income tax benefit (expense)

  215,000   (545,000)  (3,990,000)  (4,320,000)

Net (loss) income

  (534,000)  777,000   14,031,000   14,274,000 

Total assets

  17,752,000   24,667,000   155,545,000   197,964,000 

Capital expenditures

  ---   ---   ---   --- 
  

Reportable Segments

         
  

Traditional

Business

  

Journal

Technologies

  

Corporate income

and expenses

  

 

Total

 

Three months ended June 30, 2019

                

Revenues

                

Advertising

 $2,453,000  $---  $---  $2,453,000 

Circulation

  1,319,000   ---   ---   1,319,000 

Advertising service fees and other

  735,000   ---   ---   735,000 

Licensing and maintenance fees

  ---   5,814,000   ---   5,814,000 

Consulting fees

  ---   2,627,000   ---   2,627,000 

Other public service fees

  ---   1,570,000   ---   1,570,000 

Operating expenses

  4,137,000   9,257,000   ---   13,394,000 

Income from operations

  370,000   754,000   ---   1,124,000 

Dividends and interest income

  ---   ---   1,368,000   1,368,000 

Other income

  ---   ---   10,000   10,000 

Net unrealized gains on investments

  ---   ---   3,214,000   3,214,000 

Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate

  (22,000)  ---   ---   (22,000)

Interest expenses on margin loans

  ---   ---   (251,000)  (251,000)

Pretax income

  348,000   754,000   4,341,000   5,443,000 

Income tax expense

  (225,000)  (145,000)  (1,250,000)  (1,620,000)

Net income

  123,000   609,000   3,091,000   3,823,000 

Total assets

  18,276,000   33,903,000   197,576,000   249,755,000 

Capital expenditures

  13,000   ---   ---   13,000 
Contract with Customer, Contract Asset, Contract Liability, and Receivable [Table Text Block]
  

Beginning

Balance

Oct. 1, 2019

  

 

 

Addition

  

 

 

Recognized

  

Ending

Balance

June 30, 2020

 
                 

Deferred subscriptions

 $3,195,000  $3,676,000  $(3,857,000) $3,014,000 

Deferred installation contracts

  1,932,000   4,039,000   (5,488,000)  483,000 

Deferred maintenance agreements and others

  16,057,000   16,749,000   (15,823,000)  16,983,000 
v3.20.2
Note 3 - Accounting Standards Adopted in Fiscal 2020 (Details Textual)
Jun. 30, 2020
USD ($)
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset $ 244,000
Office Lease Obligations Beyond One Year 18,000
Accounting Standards Update 2016-02 [Member]  
Operating Lease, Right-of-Use Asset 244,000
Operating Lease, Liability, Total $ 244,000
v3.20.2
Note 6 - Investments in Marketable Securities (Details Textual) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Jun. 30, 2019
Jun. 30, 2020
Jun. 30, 2019
Sep. 30, 2019
Marketable Securities, Accumulated Unrealized Gain (Loss) $ 99,501,000   $ 99,501,000   $ 140,692,000
Marketable Securities, Unrealized Gain (Loss), Total $ 16,489,000 $ 3,214,000 $ (41,191,000) $ (16,929,000)  
v3.20.2
Note 6 - Investments in Marketable Securities - Summary of Investments (Details) - Common Stock [Member] - USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2020
Sep. 30, 2019
Aggregate fair value $ 153,390,000 $ 194,581,000
Amortized/adjusted cost basis 53,889,000 53,889,000
Pretax net unrealized gains $ 99,501,000 $ 140,692,000
v3.20.2
Note 7 - Income Taxes (Details Textual) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended 6 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Jun. 30, 2019
Jun. 30, 2020
Jun. 30, 2020
Jun. 30, 2019
Income Tax Expense (Benefit), Total $ 4,320,000 $ 1,620,000   $ (11,260,000) $ (4,980,000)
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest, Total       (39,102,000) $ (17,672,000)
Income Tax Reconciliation, Tax Credit, CARES Act       187,000  
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Credit, Investment, Amount       $ 11,166,000  
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent, Total       29.00% 28.00%
Domestic Tax Authority [Member]          
Open Tax Year     2016 2017 2018 2019    
State and Local Jurisdiction [Member]          
Open Tax Year     2015 2016 2017 2018 2019    
v3.20.2
Note 8 - Debt and Commitments (Details Textual)
1 Months Ended 3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2020
USD ($)
Nov. 30, 2015
USD ($)
ft²
a
Jun. 30, 2020
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2019
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2020
USD ($)
Jun. 30, 2019
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2013
USD ($)
Sep. 30, 2019
USD ($)
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt         $ 1,000,000      
Investment Margin Account     $ 30,493,000   30,493,000     $ 29,493,000
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total       $ 13,000 168,000 $ 97,000    
Loans Payable to Bank, Total     1,740,000   1,740,000      
UTAH | Building [Member]                
Area of Real Estate Property (Square Foot) | ft²   30,700            
UTAH | Land [Member]                
Area of Land (Acre) | 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     1,000,000       $ 29,500,000  
Investment Margin Account     $ 30,500,000   $ 30,500,000      
Margin Account [Member] | Fed Funds Rate [Member]                
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate             0.50%  
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage     0.75%   0.75%      
Margin Account [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]                
Repayments of Debt $ 1,000,000              
Real Estate Bank Loan Secured by Logan Office [Member]                
Loans Payable to Bank, Total   $ 2,260,000            
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate   4.66%            
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment, Total   $ 17,600            
v3.20.2
Note 10 - Operating Segments (Details Textual) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Jun. 30, 2019
Jun. 30, 2020
Jun. 30, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax $ 12,874,000 $ 14,518,000 $ 36,907,000 $ 35,658,000
Revenue Benchmark [Member] | Product Concentration Risk [Member] | Non-US [Member]        
Concentration Risk, Percentage 1.00% 1.00% 1.00% 1.00%
Traditional Business [Member]        
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax $ 3,131,000 $ 4,507,000 $ 11,195,000 $ 12,711,000
Traditional Business [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]        
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax 1,872,000 3,188,000 7,338,000 8,781,000
Traditional Business [Member] | Transferred over Time [Member]        
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax 1,259,000 1,319,000 3,857,000 3,930,000
Journal Technologies [Member]        
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax $ 9,743,000 $ 10,011,000 $ 25,712,000 $ 22,947,000
Journal Technologies [Member] | Revenue Benchmark [Member] | Product Concentration Risk [Member]        
Concentration Risk, Percentage 76.00% 69.00% 70.00% 64.00%
Journal Technologies [Member] | Transferred at Point in Time [Member]        
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax $ 4,258,000 $ 4,576,000 $ 9,889,000 $ 8,611,000
Journal Technologies [Member] | Transferred over Time [Member]        
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax $ 5,485,000 $ 5,435,000 $ 15,823,000 $ 14,336,000
v3.20.2
Note 10 - Operating Segments - Summarized Financial Information for Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($)
3 Months Ended 9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
Mar. 31, 2020
Dec. 31, 2019
Jun. 30, 2019
Mar. 31, 2019
Dec. 31, 2018
Jun. 30, 2020
Jun. 30, 2019
Sep. 30, 2019
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax $ 12,874,000     $ 14,518,000     $ 36,907,000 $ 35,658,000  
Operating expenses 12,281,000     13,394,000     38,930,000 39,726,000  
Loss from operations 593,000     1,124,000     (2,023,000) (4,068,000)  
Dividends and interest income 1,596,000     1,368,000     4,573,000 4,039,000  
Other income       10,000     3,000 29,000  
Net unrealized losses on investments 16,489,000     3,214,000     (41,191,000) (16,929,000)  
Pretax income (loss) 18,594,000     5,443,000     (39,102,000) (17,672,000)  
Income tax (expense) benefit (4,320,000)     (1,620,000)     11,260,000 4,980,000  
Net income (loss) 14,274,000 $ (56,326,000) $ 14,210,000 3,823,000 $ 5,018,000 $ (21,533,000) (27,842,000) (12,692,000)  
Total assets 197,964,000     249,755,000     197,964,000 249,755,000 $ 237,376,000
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total       13,000     168,000 97,000  
Real Estate Bank Loan Secured by Logan Office [Member]                  
Interest expenses on debt (20,000)     (22,000)     (63,000) (67,000)  
Margin Account [Member]                  
Interest expenses on debt (64,000)     (251,000)     (401,000) (676,000)  
Advertising [Member]                  
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax 1,297,000     2,453,000     5,415,000 6,753,000  
Subscription and Circulation [Member]                  
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax 1,259,000     1,319,000     3,857,000 3,930,000  
Advertising Service Fees and Other [Member]                  
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax 575,000     735,000     1,923,000 2,028,000  
License and Maintenance [Member]                  
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax 5,531,000     5,814,000     16,246,000 15,244,000  
Consulting Fees [Member]                  
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax 3,147,000     2,627,000     5,065,000 3,567,000  
Service, Other [Member]                  
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax 1,065,000     1,570,000     4,401,000 4,136,000  
Traditional Business [Member]                  
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax 3,131,000     4,507,000     11,195,000 12,711,000  
Journal Technologies [Member]                  
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax 9,743,000     10,011,000     25,712,000 22,947,000  
Operating Segments [Member] | Traditional Business [Member]                  
Operating expenses 3,860,000     4,137,000     11,766,000 12,485,000  
Loss from operations (729,000)     370,000     (571,000) 226,000  
Pretax income (loss) (749,000)     348,000     (634,000) 159,000  
Income tax (expense) benefit 215,000     (225,000)     185,000 (110,000)  
Net income (loss) (534,000)     123,000     (449,000) 49,000  
Total assets 17,752,000     18,276,000     17,752,000 18,276,000  
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total       13,000     99,000 63,000  
Operating Segments [Member] | Traditional Business [Member] | Real Estate Bank Loan Secured by Logan Office [Member]                  
Interest expenses on debt (20,000)     (22,000)     (63,000) (67,000)  
Operating Segments [Member] | Traditional Business [Member] | Advertising [Member]                  
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax 1,297,000     2,453,000     5,415,000 6,753,000  
Operating Segments [Member] | Traditional Business [Member] | Subscription and Circulation [Member]                  
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax 1,259,000     1,319,000     3,857,000 3,930,000  
Operating Segments [Member] | Traditional Business [Member] | Advertising Service Fees and Other [Member]                  
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax 575,000     735,000     1,923,000 2,028,000  
Operating Segments [Member] | Journal Technologies [Member]                  
Operating expenses 8,421,000     9,257,000     27,164,000 27,241,000  
Loss from operations 1,322,000     754,000     (1,452,000) (4,294,000)  
Pretax income (loss) 1,322,000     754,000     (1,452,000) (4,294,000)  
Income tax (expense) benefit (545,000)     (145,000)     380,000 1,155,000  
Net income (loss) 777,000     609,000     (1,072,000) (3,139,000)  
Total assets 24,667,000     33,903,000     24,667,000 33,903,000  
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment, Total             69,000 34,000  
Operating Segments [Member] | Journal Technologies [Member] | License and Maintenance [Member]                  
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax 5,531,000     5,814,000     16,246,000 15,244,000  
Operating Segments [Member] | Journal Technologies [Member] | Consulting Fees [Member]                  
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax 3,147,000     2,627,000     5,065,000 3,567,000  
Operating Segments [Member] | Journal Technologies [Member] | Service, Other [Member]                  
Revenue from Contract with Customer, Including Assessed Tax 1,065,000     1,570,000     4,401,000 4,136,000  
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]                  
Dividends and interest income 1,596,000     1,368,000     4,573,000 4,039,000  
Other income       10,000     3,000 29,000  
Net unrealized losses on investments 16,489,000     3,214,000     (41,191,000) (16,929,000)  
Pretax income (loss) 18,021,000     4,341,000     (37,016,000) (13,537,000)  
Income tax (expense) benefit (3,990,000)     (1,250,000)     10,695,000 3,935,000  
Net income (loss) 14,031,000     3,091,000     (26,321,000) (9,602,000)  
Total assets 155,545,000     197,576,000     155,545,000 197,576,000  
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] | Margin Account [Member]                  
Interest expenses on debt $ (64,000)     $ (251,000)     $ (401,000) $ (676,000)  
v3.20.2
Note 10 - Operating Segments - Deferred Revenue Obligations (Details)
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2020
USD ($)
Subscription and Circulation [Member]  
Deferred revenue $ 3,195,000
Deferred Revenue, Additions 3,676,000
Deferred Revenue, Revenue Recognized (3,857,000)
Deferred revenue 3,014,000
Installation Contracts [Member]  
Deferred revenue 1,932,000
Deferred Revenue, Additions 4,039,000
Deferred Revenue, Revenue Recognized (5,488,000)
Deferred revenue 483,000
License and Maintenance [Member]  
Deferred revenue 16,057,000
Deferred Revenue, Additions 16,749,000
Deferred Revenue, Revenue Recognized (15,823,000)
Deferred revenue $ 16,983,000