Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010

 

OR

 

o  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 0-51813

 

LIQUIDITY SERVICES, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Delaware

 

52-2209244

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Incorporation or Organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

 

 

1920 L Street, N.W., 6th Floor, Washington, D.C.

 

20036

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

(202) 467-6868

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

 

(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, If Changed Since Last Report)

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes o No o

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer o

 

Accelerated filer x

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o

 

Smaller reporting company o

 

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

 

The number of shares outstanding of the issuer’s common stock, par value $.001 per share, as of May 10, 2010 was 27,006,497.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

INDEX

 

 

 

 

Page

Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Consolidated Financial Statements

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

7

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

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

 

13

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

 

25

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

26

 

 

 

 

Part II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

27

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

 

27

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer

 

27

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

27

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

28

 



Table of Contents

 

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Liquidity Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Dollars in Thousands)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

42,238

 

$

33,538

 

Short-term investments

 

26,228

 

30,616

 

Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $419 and $613 at March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009, respectively

 

4,874

 

4,243

 

Inventory

 

16,590

 

14,280

 

Prepaid expenses, deferred taxes and other current assets

 

10,208

 

8,705

 

Total current assets

 

100,138

 

91,382

 

Property and equipment, net

 

6,950

 

6,147

 

Intangible assets, net

 

3,369

 

4,203

 

Goodwill

 

33,227

 

33,738

 

Other assets

 

3,131

 

3,118

 

Total assets

 

$

146,815

 

$

138,588

 

Liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

5,854

 

$

5,456

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

19,423

 

14,740

 

Profit-sharing distributions payable

 

5,635

 

4,538

 

Customer payables

 

8,073

 

6,797

 

Current portion of capital lease obligations

 

58

 

56

 

Total current liabilities

 

39,043

 

31,587

 

Capital lease obligations, net of current portion

 

52

 

82

 

Deferred taxes and other long-term liabilities

 

2,790

 

2,937

 

Total liabilities

 

41,885

 

34,606

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 120,000,000 shares authorized; 28,491,287 shares issued and 26,962,787 shares outstanding at March 31, 2010; 28,271,983 shares issued and 27,564,521 shares outstanding at September 30, 2009

 

27

 

28

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

78,558

 

73,641

 

Treasury stock, at cost

 

(12,795

)

(3,874

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(5,182

)

(3,618

)

Retained earnings

 

44,322

 

37,805

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

104,930

 

103,982

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

146,815

 

$

138,588

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

3



Table of Contents

 

Liquidity Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March  31,

 

Six Months Ended March  31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

75,782

 

$

59,676

 

$

141,096

 

$

115,318

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of goods sold (excluding amortization)

 

33,358

 

22,703

 

60,309

 

41,292

 

Profit-sharing distributions

 

11,068

 

11,797

 

20,059

 

26,137

 

Technology and operations

 

12,156

 

11,678

 

24,242

 

23,606

 

Sales and marketing

 

5,011

 

4,474

 

9,659

 

8,905

 

General and administrative

 

6,475

 

5,131

 

12,414

 

10,875

 

Amortization of contract intangibles

 

203

 

203

 

407

 

407

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

970

 

678

 

1,881

 

1,316

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

 

69,241

 

56,664

 

128,971

 

112,538

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

 

6,541

 

3,012

 

12,125

 

2,780

 

Interest income and other income, net

 

55

 

90

 

42

 

326

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

 

6,596

 

3,102

 

12,167

 

3,106

 

Provision for income taxes

 

(3,019

)

(1,427

)

(5,650

)

(1,429

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

3,577

 

$

1,675

 

$

6,517

 

$

1,677

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per common share

 

$

0.13

 

$

0.06

 

$

0.24

 

$

0.06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per common share

 

$

0.13

 

$

0.06

 

$

0.24

 

$

0.06

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

27,046,617

 

27,777,517

 

27,292,963

 

27,901,907

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

 

27,228,908

 

27,972,045

 

27,451,074

 

27,999,171

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

4



Table of Contents

 

Liquidity Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

(In Thousands Except Share Data)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

Accumulated
Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Treasury Stock

 

Paid-in

 

Comprehensive

 

Retained

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Capital

 

Loss

 

Earnings

 

Total

 

Balance at September 30, 2009

 

28,271,983

 

$

28

 

(707,462

)

$

(3,874

)

$

73,641

 

$

(3,618

)

$

37,805

 

$

103,982

 

Common stock repurchased

 

 

(1

)

(821,038

)

(8,921

)

 

 

 

(8,922

)

Exercise of common stock options and restricted stock

 

219,304

 

 

 

 

 

579

 

 

 

579

 

Compensation expense from grants of common stock options and restricted stock

 

 

 

 

 

4,338

 

 

 

4,338

 

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6,517

 

6,517

 

Foreign currency translation and other

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1,564

)

 

(1,564

)

Balance at March 31, 2010

 

28,491,287

 

$

27

 

(1,528,500

)

$

(12,795

)

$

78,558

 

$

(5,182

)

$

44,322

 

$

104,930

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

5



Table of Contents

 

Liquidity Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In Thousands)

 

 

 

Six Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

Operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

6,517

 

$

1,677

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

2,288

 

1,723

 

Stock compensation expense

 

4,245

 

3,049

 

Provision for doubtful accounts

 

(194

)

(319

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(437

)

1,297

 

Inventory

 

(2,309

)

243

 

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

(1,515

)

(707

)

Accounts payable

 

398

 

(2,435

)

Accrued expenses and other

 

4,683

 

237

 

Profit-sharing distributions payable

 

1,097

 

(5,779

)

Customer payables

 

1,276

 

(1,913

)

Other liabilities

 

(148

)

(120

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

15,901

 

(3,047

)

Investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of short-term investments

 

(23,465

)

(13,915

)

Proceeds from the sale of short-term investments

 

27,763

 

5,400

 

Increase in goodwill and intangibles

 

(313

)

(86

)

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(2,300

)

(1,780

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

1,685

 

(10,381

)

Financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

Principal repayments of capital lease obligations and debt

 

(28

)

(11

)

Proceeds from exercise of common stock options (net of tax)

 

579

 

182

 

Incremental tax benefit from exercise of common stock options

 

93

 

40

 

Repurchases of common stock

 

(8,922

)

(3,874

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(8,278

)

(3,663

)

Effect of exchange rate differences on cash and cash equivalents

 

(608

)

(658

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

8,700

 

(17,749

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

33,538

 

51,953

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

42,238

 

$

34,204

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$

6,072

 

$

2,896

 

Cash paid for interest

 

10

 

27

 

 

See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

6



Table of Contents

 

Liquidity Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

1.                                      Organization

 

Liquidity Services, Inc. and subsidiaries (LSI or the Company) is a leading online auction marketplace for surplus and salvage assets. LSI enables buyers and sellers to transact in an efficient, automated online auction environment offering over 500 product categories. The Company’s marketplaces provide professional buyers access to a global, organized supply of surplus and salvage assets presented with digital images and other relevant product information. Additionally, LSI enables its corporate and government sellers to enhance their financial return on excess assets by providing a liquid marketplace and value-added services that integrate sales and marketing, logistics and transaction settlement into a single offering. LSI organizes its products into categories across major industry verticals such as consumer electronics, general merchandise, apparel, scientific equipment, aerospace parts and equipment, technology hardware, and specialty equipment. The Company’s online auction marketplaces are www.liquidation.com, www.govliquidation.com, www.govdeals.com and www.liquibiz.com. LSI also operates a wholesale industry portal, www.goWholesale.com that connects advertisers with buyers seeking products for resale and related business services.

 

2.                                      Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Unaudited Interim Financial Information

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal, recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. The information disclosed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for these periods is unaudited. Operating results for the three and six months ended March 31, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending September 30, 2010 or any future period.

 

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date that these financial statements were issued and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Short-Term Investments

 

Available-for-sale securities, which approximate par value, are stated at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses reported in accumulated other comprehensive income. For the three and six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, the amount of unrealized losses reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss was approximately $47,000 and $88,000, and $2,000 and $1,000, respectively. Realized gains and losses and declines in fair value that are determined to be other-than-temporary on available-for-sale securities are included in interest income and other income, net. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method. Interest and dividends on securities classified as available-for-sale are included in interest income and other income, net. Realized (losses) and gains for sales of investments for the three and six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 were ($26,000) and ($28,000), and $0 and $2,000 respectively.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company adopted the fair value recognition provisions of the new authoritative guidance issued by the FASB using the prospective-transition method on October 1, 2005. Under this transition method, compensation cost recognized in the periods after October 1, 2005 includes compensation cost for all share-based payments granted subsequent to October 1, 2005, based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of this new authoritative guidance. As a result, the Company’s income before provision for income taxes and net income for the three and six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 was approximately $2,509,000 and $1,355,000, and $4,245,000 and $2,292,000; and $1,566,000 and $846,000, and $3,049,000 and $1,647,000 lower, respectively, than if it had continued to account for share-based compensation under the previous authoritative guidance.  The total compensation cost related to nonvested awards not yet recognized at March 31, 2010 was approximately $17,588,000, which will be recognized over the weighted average vesting period of 21 months.  The Company utilizes the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine its shared-based compensation expense.  Inputs into the Black-Scholes model include volatility rates that range from 40% - 72%, a dividend rate of 0%, and risk-free interest rates that range from 0.31% to 5.05% since October 1, 2005. The Company anticipates a forfeiture rate of 19.6% based on its historical forfeiture rate. As a result of adopting the new authoritative guidance on October 1, 2005, the Company’s basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 were approximately $0.05 and $0.05, and $0.08 and $0.08; and $0.03 and $0.03, and $0.06 and $0.06, respectively, lower than if it had continued to account for share-based compensation under the previous authoritative guidance.

 

7



Table of Contents

 

Liquidity Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Unaudited
Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

Comprehensive Loss

 

Comprehensive loss includes net income adjusted for foreign currency translation and unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities, and is reflected as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. For the three and six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 comprehensive income (loss) was approximately $2,128,000 and $4,953,000; and $1,287,000 and $(2,177,000), respectively.

 

Earnings per Share

 

Basic net income attributable to common stockholders per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income attributable to common stockholders per share includes the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock. The Company had 903,274 unvested restricted shares at March 31, 2010, which were issued at prices ranging from $7.48 to $11.48 during the year ended September 30, 2009 and the six months ended March 31, 2010, of which only 182,291 and 158,111, and 50,295 and 25,148 shares have been included in the calculation of diluted income per share for the three and six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, due to the difference between the issuance price and the average market price for the period in which they have been outstanding. The Company has also excluded the following stock options in its calculation of diluted income per share because the option exercise prices were greater than the average market prices for the applicable period:

 

(a)           for the three months ended March 31, 2010, 2,110,790 options;

 

(b)          for the six months ended March 31, 2010, 2,110,790 options;

 

(c)           for the three months ended March 31, 2009, 4,464,221 options; and

 

(d)          for the six months ended March 31, 2009, 4,464,221 options.

 

The following summarizes the potential outstanding common stock of the Company as of the dates set forth below:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

Six Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

 

Weighted average shares calculation:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

 

27,046,617

 

27,777,517

 

27,292,963

 

27,901,907

 

Treasury stock effect of options and restricted stock

 

182,291

 

194,528

 

158,111

 

97,264

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding

 

27,228,908

 

27,972,045

 

27,451,074

 

27,999,171

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

3,577

 

$

1,675

 

$

6,517

 

$

1,677

 

Net income per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic income per common share

 

$

0.13

 

$

0.06

 

$

0.24

 

$

0.06

 

Diluted income per common share

 

$

0.13

 

$

0.06

 

$

0.24

 

$

0.06

 

 

3.                                      Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service Contracts

 

The Company had a Surplus Contract with the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service (DRMS) which expired on December 17, 2008. Under the terms of the original Surplus Contract, the Company distributes to DRMS a fixed percentage of the profits realized from the ultimate sale of the inventory, after deduction for allowable expenses and profit-sharing distributions, as provided for under the terms of the Surplus Contract. Profit-sharing distributions to the DRMS for the three and six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 were $73,000 and $444,000; and $6,834,000 and $15,594,000, respectively, including accrued amounts, as of March 31, 2010 and 2009, of $424,000 and $1,954,000, respectively.

 

8



Table of Contents

 

Liquidity Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Unaudited
Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

The Company responded to a RFP and was awarded the new Surplus Contract. Significant operations began under the new Surplus Contract during February 2009. The new Contract has a base term expiring in February 2012 with two one year renewal options. Under the new Surplus Contract, the Company is required to purchase all usable surplus property offered to the Company by the Department of Defense (DOD) at a fixed percentage equal to 1.8% of the DoD’s original acquisition value. The Company retains 100% of the profits from the resale of the property and bears all of the costs for the merchandising and sale of the property. The new Surplus Contract contains a provision providing for a mutual termination of the contract for convenience.

 

As a result of the Surplus Contract, the Company is the sole remarketer of all DoD surplus turned into DRMS available for sale within the United States, Puerto Rico, and Guam.

 

The Company has a Scrap Contract with DRMS, in which the base term expires in June 2012 with three one year renewal options. Under the terms of the Scrap Contract, the Company is required to purchase all scrap government property referred to it by DRMS. The Company distributes to DRMS a fixed percentage of the profits realized from the ultimate sale of the inventory, after deduction for allowable expenses, as provided for under the terms of the Contract. Effective June 1, 2007, the profit-sharing distribution for the Scrap Contract was decreased from 80% to 77% in exchange for the Company’s agreement to implement additional inventory assurance processes and procedures with respect to the mutilation of demilitarized scrap property sold by the Company. The Scrap Contract also has a performance incentive that allows the Company to receive up to an additional 2% of the profit sharing distribution. This incentive is measured annually on June 30th, and is applied to the prior 12 months. For the three and six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, profit-sharing distributions to the DRMS under the Scrap Contract were $10,541,000 and $18,774,000; and $4,562,000 and $9,740,000, respectively, including accrued amounts, as of March 31, 2010 and 2009, of $5,148,000 and $2,655,000, respectively. The Scrap Contract may be terminated by either the Company or DRMS if the rate of return performance ratio does not exceed specified benchmark ratios for two consecutive quarterly periods and the preceding twelve months. The Company has performed in excess of the benchmark ratios throughout the contract period through March 31, 2010.

 

As a result of the Scrap Contract, the Company is the sole remarketer of all U.S. Department of Defense scrap turned into DRMS available for sale within the United States, Puerto Rico, and Guam.

 

4.                                      Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

The carrying amount of goodwill is net of a $3,945,000 decrease due to foreign currency translation.

 

Intangible assets at March 31, 2010 consisted of the following:

 

 

 

Useful
Life
(in years)

 

Gross
Carrying
Amount

 

Accumulated
Amortization
& Foreign
Currency
Translation
Adjustment

 

Net
Carrying
Amount

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Contract intangible

 

7

 

$

5,694

 

$

(3,796

)

$

1,898

 

Brand and technology

 

3 - 5

 

688

 

(341

)

347

 

Covenants not to compete

 

3 - 5

 

2,685

 

(1,688

)

997

 

Patent and trademarks

 

3 - 10

 

203

 

(76

)

127

 

Total intangible assets, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,369

 

 

Future expected amortization of intangible assets at March 31, 2010 was as follows:

 

Years ending September 30,

 

(in thousands)

 

2010 (remaining six months)

 

$

801

 

2011

 

1,444

 

2012

 

1,002

 

2013

 

66

 

2014

 

56

 

Total

 

$

3,369

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

Liquidity Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Unaudited
Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

5.                                      Debt

 

Senior Credit Facility

 

In December 2002, and as subsequently amended, the Company entered into a senior credit facility (the Agreement) with a bank, which provides for borrowings up to $30.0 million. This senior credit facility will expire on June 4, 2010.

 

Borrowings under the Agreement bear interest at an annual rate equal to the 30 day LIBOR rate plus 1.5% (1.737% at March 31, 2010) due monthly. As of March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the Agreement.

 

Borrowings under the Agreement are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company. The Agreement contains certain financial and non-financial restrictive covenants including, among others, the requirements to maintain a minimum level of earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA). As of March 31, 2010, the Company was in compliance with these covenants.

 

6.                                      Income Taxes

 

The Company’s interim effective income tax rate is based on management’s best current estimate of the expected annual effective income tax rate.  The Company estimates that its future effective income tax rate will be approximately 46%, which is comprised of (1) approximately 35% for federal taxes, (2) approximately 8% for state taxes, and (3) approximately 3% for book and tax differences including stock based compensation expenses, primarily related to employee stock options, which are currently expensed in our financial statements but are not deductable for tax purposes until they are exercised.

 

The Company adopted the provisions of new authoritative guidance issued by the FASB related to uncertainty in income taxes on October 1, 2007. The adoption of this new guidance did not impact the Company’s financial position or results of operations. The Company has concluded that there were no uncertain tax positions identified during its analysis. The Company’s policy is to recognize interest and penalties in the period in which they occur in the income tax provision. The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various state and local jurisdictions and in foreign jurisdictions, primarily the U.K. Currently, the Company is subject to an income tax examination in one jurisdiction. The statute of limitations for years prior to fiscal 2006 is now closed. However, certain tax attribute carryforwards that were generated prior to fiscal 2006 may be adjusted upon examination by tax authorities if they are utilized.

 

7.                                      Stockholders’ Equity

 

Common Stock

 

On February 23, 2006, the Company issued 5,000,000 shares of common stock for net proceeds of $43,977,000 in conjunction with its initial public offering. On March 13, 2007, the Company issued 100,000 shares of common stock for net proceeds of $1,070,000 in conjunction with its follow-on offering.

 

Share Repurchase Program

 

On December 2, 2008, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a $10.0 million share repurchase program.  Under the program, the Company is authorized to repurchase issued and outstanding shares of its common stock.  Share repurchases may be made through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, at times and in such amounts as management deems appropriate. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements and other market conditions.  The repurchase program may be discontinued or suspended at any time, and will be funded using the Company’s available cash. On February 2, 2010, the Company’s Board of Directors approved an additional $10.0 million for the share repurchase program. The Company’s Board of Directors reviews the share repurchase program periodically, the last such review having occurred in February 2010. During the six months ended March 31, 2009, 707,462 shares were purchased under the program for approximately $3,874,000. During the six months ended March 31, 2010, 821,038 shares were purchased under the program for approximately $8,922,000. As of March 31, 2010, approximately $7.2 million may yet be expended under the program.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Liquidity Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Unaudited
Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

2006 Omnibus Long-Term Incentive Plan (the 2006 Plan)

 

5,000,000 shares of common stock were initially reserved for issuance under the 2006 Plan. At September 30, 2008, there were 1,477,539 shares remaining reserved for issuance in connection with awards under the 2006 Plan. During fiscal year 2009, the Company issued options to purchase 1,160,344 shares to employees and directors with exercise prices between $5.53 and $11.48, and options to purchase 363,554 shares were forfeited. During fiscal year 2009, the Company issued 521,653 restricted shares to employees and directors at prices ranging from $7.48 to $11.48, and 30,900 restricted shares were forfeited. In February 2009, at the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders, the stockholders approved an increase of 5,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to the shares available for issuance under the 2006 Plan. At September 30, 2009, there were 5,189,996 shares remaining reserved for issuance in connection with awards under the 2006 Plan. During the six months ended March 31, 2010, the Company issued options to purchase 419,357 shares to employees and directors with exercise prices between $9.05 and $11.77, and options to purchase 19,622 shares were forfeited. During the six months ended March 31, 2010, the Company issued 591,354 restricted shares to employees and directors at prices ranging from $9.05 to $10.78, and 16,063 restricted shares were forfeited. At March 31, 2010, there were 4,214,970 shares remaining reserved for issuance in connection with awards under the 2006 Plan. The maximum number of shares subject to options or stock appreciation rights that can be awarded under the 2006 Plan to any person is 1,000,000 per year. The maximum number of shares that can be awarded under the 2006 Plan to any person, other than pursuant to an option or stock appreciation right, is 700,000 per year.

 

Stock Option Activity

 

A summary of the Company’s stock option activity for the year ended September 30, 2009, the three months ended December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2010 is as follows:

 

 

 

Options

 

Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price

 

Options outstanding at September 30, 2008

 

4,029,325

 

$

11.72

 

Options granted

 

1,160,344

 

8.08

 

Options exercised

 

(210,413

)

5.14

 

Options canceled

 

(370,030

)

13.61

 

Options outstanding at September 30, 2009

 

4,609,226

 

10.95

 

Options granted

 

307,685

 

9.37

 

Options exercised

 

(18,607

)

4.04

 

Options canceled

 

(13,805

)

11.57

 

Options outstanding at December 31, 2009

 

4,884,499

 

10.88

 

Options granted

 

111,672

 

10.88

 

Options exercised

 

(65,844

)

7.66

 

Options canceled

 

(5,817

)

13.46

 

Options outstanding at March 31, 2010

 

4,924,510

 

10.92

 

Options exercisable at March 31, 2010

 

2,584,795

 

11.49

 

 

The intrinsic value of outstanding and exercisable options at March 31, 2010 is approximately $7,393,000 and $3,511,000, respectively, based on a stock price of $11.54 on March 31, 2010.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Liquidity Services, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Unaudited
Consolidated Financial Statements — (Continued)

 

Restricted Share Activity

 

A summary of the Company’s restricted share activity for the year ended September 30, 2009, the three months ended December 31, 2009 and March 31, 2010 is as follows:

 

 

 

Restricted
Shares

 

Unvested restricted shares at September 30, 2008

 

10,292

 

Restricted shares granted

 

521,653

 

Restricted shares vested

 

(38,209

)

Restricted shares canceled

 

(30,900

)

Unvested restricted shares at September 30, 2009

 

462,836

 

Restricted shares granted

 

464,324

 

Restricted shares vested

 

(61,817

)

Restricted shares canceled

 

(2,813

)

Unvested restricted shares at December 31, 2009

 

862,350

 

Restricted shares granted

 

127,030

 

Restricted shares vested

 

(73,036

)

Restricted shares canceled

 

(13,250

)

Unvested restricted shares at March 31, 2010

 

903,274

 

 

8.                                      Fair Value Measurement

 

The Company measures and records in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis. Authoritative guidance issued by the FASB establishes a fair value hierarchy for those instruments measured at fair value that distinguishes between assumptions based on market data (observable inputs) and the Company’s assumptions (unobservable inputs). The hierarchy consists of three levels:

 

Level 1

 

Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

Level 2

 

Inputs other than Level 1 inputs that are either directly or indirectly observable; and

Level 3

 

Unobservable inputs developed using estimates and assumptions developed by the Company, which reflect those that a market participant would use.

 

As of March 31, 2010, the Company’s Level 1 short-term investments of $26,228,000 are the only financial instruments measured at fair value.

 

9.                                      Contingencies

 

In January 2008, Kormendi/Gardener Partners (KGP) commenced litigation against Government Liquidation.com (GL) and Surplus Acquisition Venture, LLC (SAV), two of the Company’s subsidiaries, seeking $1.5 million in damages.  KGP claims it is entitled to these damages because of actions GL and SAV took at the direction of DRMS pursuant to an amendment to the original Surplus Contract entered into in August 2006. GL and SAV believe they have meritorious defenses in this litigation.  In addition, SAV and GL believe they likely would be able to recover their costs and damages arising out of this litigation from DRMS under the terms of the original Surplus Contract.

 

10.                               Subsequent Event

 

On April 30, 2010, the Company entered into a senior credit facility (the Agreement) with a bank, which provides for borrowings up to $30.0 million. This senior credit facility will expire on April 30, 2013. Borrowings under the Agreement bear interest at an annual rate equal to the LIBOR rate plus 1.25%. Borrowings under the Agreement are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company. The Agreement contains certain financial and non-financial restrictive covenants including, among others, the requirements to maintain a minimum level of earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and a minimum debt coverage ratio.

 

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Table of Contents

 

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

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This document contains forward-looking statements. These statements are only predictions. The outcome of the events described in these forward-looking statements is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks and other factors include but are not limited to the factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2009 and subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” “continues” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. There may be other factors of which we are currently unaware or deem immaterial that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements.

 

All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf apply only as of the date of this document and are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements included in this document. Except as may be required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this document or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes and the information contained elsewhere in this document.

 

Overview

 

About us.  We are a leading online auction marketplace for surplus and salvage assets. We enable buyers and sellers to transact in an efficient, automated online auction environment offering over 500 product categories. Our marketplaces provide professional buyers access to a global, organized supply of surplus and salvage assets presented with digital images and other relevant product information. Additionally, we enable our corporate and government sellers to enhance their financial return on excess assets by providing a liquid marketplace and value-added services that integrate sales and marketing, logistics and transaction settlement into a single offering. We organize our products into categories across major industry verticals such as consumer electronics, general merchandise, apparel, scientific equipment, aerospace parts and equipment, technology hardware, and specialty equipment. Our online auction marketplaces are www.liquidation.com, www.govliquidation.com, www.govdeals.com and www.liquibiz.com. We also operate a wholesale industry portal, www.goWholesale.com that connects advertisers with buyers seeking products for resale and related business services.

 

We believe our ability to create liquid marketplaces for surplus and salvage assets generates a continuous flow of goods from our corporate and government sellers. This flow of goods in turn attracts an increasing number of professional buyers to our marketplaces. During the last 12 months, the number of registered buyers grew from approximately 1,111,000 to approximately 1,299,000, or 17.0%.

 

Recent initiatives.  On April 30, 2010, we entered into a senior credit facility with a bank, which provides for borrowings up to $30.0 million. This senior credit facility will expire on April 30, 2013. Borrowings under the Agreement bear interest at an annual rate equal to the LIBOR rate plus 1.25%. Borrowings under the Agreement are secured by substantially all of our assets. The Agreement contains certain financial and non-financial restrictive covenants including, among others, the requirements to maintain a minimum level of earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and a minimum debt coverage ratio.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Our revenue.  We generate substantially all of our revenue by retaining a percentage of the proceeds from the sales we manage for our sellers. We offer our sellers three primary transaction models: a profit-sharing model, a consignment model and a purchase model.

 

·                  Profit-sharing model.  Under our profit-sharing model, we purchase inventory from our suppliers and share with them a portion of the profits received from a completed sale in the form of a distribution. Distributions are calculated based on the value received from the sale after deducting direct costs, such as sales and marketing, technology and operations and other general and administrative costs. Because we are the primary obligor, and take general and physical inventory risks and credit risk under this transaction model, we recognize as revenue the sale price paid by the buyer upon completion of a transaction. Revenue from our profit-sharing model accounted for approximately 24.5 % and 25.0% of our total revenue for the three and six months ended March 31, 2010, respectively. The merchandise sold under our profit-sharing model accounted for approximately 17.6% and 17.7% of our gross merchandise volume, or GMV, for the three and six months ended March 31, 2010, respectively.

 

·                  Consignment model.  Under our consignment model, we recognize commission revenue from sales of merchandise in our marketplaces that is owned by others. These commissions, which we refer to as seller commissions, represent a percentage of the sale price the buyer pays upon completion of a transaction. We vary the percentage amount of the seller commission depending on the various value-added services we provide to the seller to facilitate the transaction. For example, we generally increase the percentage amount of the commission if we take possession, handle, ship or provide enhanced product information for the merchandise. We collect the seller commission by deducting the appropriate amount from the sales proceeds prior to their distribution to the seller after completion of the transaction. Revenue from our consignment model accounted for approximately 7.2% and 7.9% of our total revenue for the three and six months ended March 31, 2010, respectively. The merchandise sold under our consignment model accounted for approximately 33.5% and 34.9% of our GMV for the three and six months ended March 31, 2010, respectively.

 

·                  Purchase model.  Under our purchase model, we offer our sellers a fixed amount or the option to share a portion of the proceeds received from our completed sales in the form of a distribution. Distributions are calculated based on the value we receive from the sale after deducting a required return to us that we have negotiated with the seller. Because we are the primary obligor, and take general and physical inventory risks and credit risk under this transaction model, we recognize as revenue the sale price paid by the buyer upon completion of a transaction. Revenue from our purchase model accounted for approximately 66.2% and 65.0% of our total revenue for the three and six months ended March 31, 2010, respectively. The merchandise sold under our purchase model accounted for approximately 47.6% and 46.0% of our GMV for the three and six months ended March 31, 2010, respectively.

 

We collect a buyer premium on substantially all of our transactions under all of our transaction models. Buyer premiums are calculated as a percentage of the sale price of the merchandise sold and are paid to us by the buyer. Buyer premiums are in addition to the price of the merchandise. Under our profit-sharing model, we typically share the proceeds of any buyer premiums with our sellers.

 

In the three months ended March 31, 2010, we generated less than 1% of our revenue from advertisements on our wholesale industry portals.

 

Industry trends.  We believe there are several industry trends impacting the growth of our business including: (1) the increase in the adoption of the Internet by businesses to conduct e-commerce both in the United States and abroad; (2) product innovation in the retail supply chain that has increased the pace of product obsolescence and, therefore, the supply of surplus assets; (3) the increase in the volume of returned merchandise handled by both online and offline retailers; (4) the increase in government regulations necessitating verifiable recycling and remarketing of surplus assets; (5) the increase in outsourcing by corporate and government organizations of disposition activities for surplus and end-of-life assets; and (6) as a result of the continuing economic downturn, an increase in buyer demand for surplus merchandise as consumers trade down by purchasing less expensive goods and seek greater value from their purchases.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Our Seller Agreements

 

Our DoD agreements.  We have three contracts with the DoD pursuant to which we acquire, manage and sell excess property:

 

·                  Surplus Contracts.  In June 2001, we were awarded the Surplus Contract, a competitive-bid exclusive contract under which we acquire, manage and sell all usable DoD surplus personal property turned into the DRMS. Surplus property generally consists of items determined by the DoD to be no longer needed, and not claimed for reuse by, any federal agency, such as computers, electronics, office supplies, scientific and medical equipment, aircraft parts, clothing and textiles. On November 6, 2008, the DoD extended the original Surplus Contract through December 17, 2008, thus we will receive 39.5% of the net proceeds on property received up until December 17, 2008 through the Contract wind down period, which is substantially complete. We responded to a RFP from the DRMS regarding a renewal of the Surplus Contract, and we have been awarded the contract. We began operations under the new Surplus Contract on December 18, 2008. The new Surplus Contract expires in February 2012, subject to the DoD’s right to extend it for two additional one-year terms. Revenue from our Surplus Contracts (including buyer premiums) accounted for approximately 28.1% and 29.1% of our total revenue for the three and six months ended March 31, 2010, respectively. The property sold under our Surplus Contracts accounted for approximately 20.2% and 20.6% of our GMV for the three and six months ended March 31, 2010, respectively.

 

·                  Scrap Contract.  In June 2005, we were awarded a competitive-bid exclusive contract under which we acquire, manage and sell substantially all scrap property of the DoD turned into the DRMS. Scrap property generally consists of items determined by DoD to have no use beyond their base material content, such as metals, alloys, and building materials. We were required to pay $5.7 million to the DoD in fiscal 2005 for the right to manage the operations and remarket scrap material in connection with the Scrap Contract. The Scrap Contract expires in June 2012, subject to DoD’s right to extend it for three additional one-year terms. Revenue from our Scrap Contract (including buyer premiums) accounted for approximately 23.4% and 22.9% of our total revenue for the three and six months ended March 31, 2010, respectively. The property sold under our Scrap Contract accounted for approximately 16.8% and 16.2% of our GMV for the three and six months ended March 31, 2010, respectively.

 

Under the original Surplus Contract, we were obligated to purchase all DoD surplus property at set prices representing a percentage of the original acquisition cost, which varied depending on the type of surplus property being purchased. Under the Scrap Contract, we acquire scrap property at a per pound price. We were initially entitled to approximately 20% of the profits of sale (defined as gross proceeds of sale less allowable operating expenses) under the Scrap Contract and the original Surplus Contract, and the DoD was entitled to approximately 80% of the profits. We refer to these disbursement payments to the DoD as profit-sharing distributions. As a result of these arrangements, we recognize as revenue the gross proceeds from these sales. The DoD also reimburses us for actual costs incurred for packing, loading and shipping property under the Scrap and original Surplus Contracts that we are obligated to pick up from non-DoD locations. On September 12, 2006, we entered into a bilateral contract modification under which the DoD agreed to increase our profit-sharing percentage under the original Surplus Contract in exchange for our agreement to implement additional inventory assurance processes and procedures with respect to the sale of demilitarized property. Under the terms of the contract modification, from August 1, 2006 until November 30, 2006, we were entitled to receive 27.5% of the profits under the original Surplus Contract and the DoD was entitled to receive 72.5%. For property received from November 30, 2006 through June 18, 2008, we were entitled to receive between 25% and 30.5% of the profits and thus the DoD received between 69.5% and 75% of the profits, based on the results of an audit of the effectiveness of the inventory controls we implemented under the contract modification, which is referred to as the Surplus Contract incentive. This incentive was measured quarterly. On June 1, 2007, we agreed, as provided in the modification to the original Surplus Contract that became effective as of September 12, 2006, to provide additional value-added services with respect to demilitarized property that is returned to the DoD for reutilization. In exchange for our agreement to provide these services, the DoD exercised its existing option to increase our share of net proceeds under the original Surplus Contract by 1%. On May 13, 2008, the DoD agreed to extend the original Surplus Contract through November 1, 2008, as well as increase our share of net proceeds under the original Surplus Contract to 39.5% on property received after June 18, 2008. On November 6, 2008, the DoD extended the original Surplus Contract through December 17, 2008. Under the new Surplus Contract, which began on December 18, 2008, we are not required to distribute any portion of the profits realized under the Contract, as the new Contract contains a higher fixed percentage price of 1.8%, of the DRMS’ acquisition value, to be paid for the property.

 

Under the Scrap Contract, we also have a small business performance incentive based on the number of scrap buyers that are small businesses that allows us to receive up to an additional 2% of the profit sharing distribution. On May 21, 2007, we entered into a bilateral contract modification under which the DoD agreed to increase our profit-sharing distribution for the Scrap Contract from 20% to 23% effective June 1, 2007, in exchange for our agreement to implement additional inventory assurance processes and procedures with respect to the mutilation of demilitarized scrap property sold.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Our commercial agreements.  We have over 475 corporate clients each of which have sold in excess of $10,000 of surplus and salvage assets in our marketplaces during the last twelve months. Our agreements with these clients are generally terminable at will by either party.

 

Key Business Metrics

 

Our management periodically reviews certain key business metrics for operational planning purposes and to evaluate the effectiveness of our operational strategies, allocation of resources and our capacity to fund capital expenditures and expand our business. These key business metrics include:

 

Gross merchandise volume.  Gross merchandise volume, or GMV, is the total sales value of all merchandise sold through our marketplaces during a given period. We review GMV because it provides a measure of the volume of goods being sold in our marketplaces and thus the activity of those marketplaces. GMV also provides a means to evaluate the effectiveness of investments that we have made and continue to make, including in the areas of customer support, value-added services, product development, sales and marketing, and operations. The GMV of goods sold in our marketplaces during the three and six months ended March 31, 2010 totaled $105.5 million and $199.1 million, respectively.

 

Completed transactions.  Completed transactions represents the number of auctions in a given period from which we have recorded revenue. Similar to GMV, we believe that completed transactions is a key business metric because it provides an additional measurement of the volume of activity flowing through our marketplaces. During the three and six months ended March 31, 2010, we completed approximately 136,000 and 262,000 transactions, respectively.

 

Total registered buyers.  We grow our buyer base through a combination of marketing and promotional efforts.  A person becomes a registered buyer by completing an online registration process on one of our marketplaces. As part of this process, we collect business and personal information, including name, title, company name, business address and contact information, and information on how the person intends to use our marketplaces. Each prospective buyer must also accept our terms and conditions of use. Following the completion of the online registration process, we verify each prospective buyer’s e-mail address and confirm that the person is not listed on any banned persons list maintained internally or by the U.S. federal government. After the verification process, which is completed generally within 24 hours, the registration is approved and activated and the prospective buyer is added to our registered buyer list.

 

Total registered buyers as of a given date represents the aggregate number of persons or entities who have registered on one of our marketplaces. We use this metric to evaluate how well our marketing and promotional efforts are performing. Total registered buyers excludes duplicate registrations, buyers who are suspended from utilizing our marketplaces and those buyers who have voluntarily removed themselves from our registration database. In addition, if we become aware of registered buyers that are no longer in business, we remove them from our database. As of March 31, 2010, we had approximately 1,299,000 registered buyers.

 

Total auction participants.  For each auction we manage, the number of auction participants represents the total number of registered buyers who have bid one or more times in that auction. As a result, a registered buyer who bids, or participates, in more than one auction is counted as an auction participant in each auction in which he or she participates. Thus, total auction participants for a given period is the sum of the auction participants in each auction conducted during that period. We use this metric to allow us to compare our online auction marketplaces to our competitors, including other online auction sites and traditional on-site auctioneers. In addition, we measure total auction participants on a periodic basis to evaluate the activity level of our base of registered buyers and to measure the performance of our marketing and promotional efforts. For the three and six months ended March 31, 2010, approximately 617,000 and 1,158,000 total auction participants participated in auctions on our marketplaces, respectively.

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

 

EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA. EBITDA is a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure and is equal to net income less (a) interest income and other income, net; plus (b) provision for income taxes; (c) amortization of contract intangibles; and (d) depreciation and amortization. Our definition of adjusted EBITDA differs from EBITDA because we further adjust EBITDA for  stock-based compensation expense.

 

We believe EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA are useful to an investor in evaluating our performance for the following reasons:

 

·                                          The amortization of contract intangibles relates to amortization of the Scrap Contract beginning in June 2005. Depreciation and amortization expense primarily relates to property and equipment. Both of these expenses are non-cash charges that have fluctuated significantly over the past five years. As a result, we believe that adding back these non-cash charges to net income is useful in evaluating the operating performance of our business on a consistent basis from year-to-year.

 

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Table of Contents

 

·                                          As a result of varying federal and state income tax rates, we believe that presenting a financial measure that adjusts net income for provision for income taxes is useful to investors when evaluating the operating performance of our business.

 

·                                          In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB)issued new authoritative guidance that  requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their estimated fair values. Pro forma disclosure is no longer an alternative. We adopted the provisions of this new guidance on October 1, 2005, using the prospective method. Unvested stock based awards issued prior to October 1, 2005, the date that we adopted this new authoritative guidance, were accounted for at the date of adoption using the intrinsic value method originally applied to those awards. Accordingly, we believe adjusting net income for this non-cash stock based compensation expense is useful to investors when evaluating the operating performance of our business.

 

·                                          We believe these measures are important indicators of our operational strength and the performance of our business because they provide a link between profitability and operating cash flow.

 

·                                          We also believe that analysts and investors use EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA as supplemental measures to evaluate the overall operating performance of companies in our industry.

 

Our management uses EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA:

 

·                                          as measurements of operating performance because they assist us in comparing our operating performance on a consistent basis as they remove the impact of items not directly resulting from our core operations;

 

·                                          for planning purposes, including the preparation of our internal annual operating budget;

 

·                                          to allocate resources to enhance the financial performance of our business;

 

·                                          to evaluate the effectiveness of our operational strategies; and

 

·                                          to evaluate our capacity to fund capital expenditures and expand our business.

 

EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA as calculated by us are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. In addition, EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA: (a) do not represent net income or cash flows from operating activities as defined by GAAP; (b) are not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund our cash flow needs; and (c) should not be considered as alternatives to net income, income from operations, cash provided by operating activities or our other financial information as determined under GAAP.

 

We prepare adjusted EBITDA by adjusting EBITDA to eliminate the impact of items that we do not consider indicative of our core operating performance. You are encouraged to evaluate these adjustments and the reasons we consider them appropriate for supplemental analysis. As an analytical tool, adjusted EBITDA is subject to all of the limitations applicable to EBITDA. Our presentation of adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an implication that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The table below reconciles net income to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA for the periods presented.

 

 

 

Three Months
Ended March 31,

 

Six Months
Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

 

 

(in thousands) (unaudited)

 

Net income

 

$

3,577

 

$

1,675

 

$

6,517

 

$

1,677

 

Interest income and other income, net

 

(55

)

(90

)

(42

)

(326

)

Provision for income taxes

 

3,019

 

1,427

 

5,650

 

1,429

 

Amortization of contract intangibles

 

203

 

203

 

407

 

407

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

970

 

678

 

1,881

 

1,316

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA

 

7,714

 

3,893

 

14,413

 

4,503

 

Stock compensation expense

 

2,509

 

1,566

 

4,245

 

3,049

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

10,223

 

$

5,459

 

$

18,658

 

$

7,552

 

 

Critical Accounting Estimates

 

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. A “critical accounting estimate” is one which is both important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results and requires management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. We continuously evaluate our critical accounting estimates. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

Revenue recognition.  For transactions in our online marketplaces, which generate substantially all of our revenue, we recognize revenue when all of the following criteria are met:

 

·                  a buyer submits the winning bid in an auction and, as a result, evidence of an arrangement exists and the sale price has been determined;

 

·                  title has passed to a buyer and the buyer has assumed risks and rewards of ownership; and

 

·                  collection is reasonably assured.

 

Substantially all of our sales are recorded subsequent to payment authorization being received, utilizing credit cards, wire transfers and PayPal, an Internet based payment system, as methods of payments. As a result, we are not subject to significant collection risk, as goods are generally not shipped before payment is received.

 

Revenue is also evaluated for reporting revenue of gross proceeds as the principal in the arrangement or net of commissions as an agent. In arrangements in which we are deemed to be the primary obligor, bear physical and general inventory risk, and credit risk, we recognize as revenue the gross proceeds from the sale, including buyer’s premiums. Arrangements in which we act as an agent or broker on a consignment basis, without taking general or physical inventory risk, revenue is recognized based on the sales commissions that are paid to us by the sellers for utilizing our services; in this situation, sales commissions represent a percentage of the gross proceeds from the sale that the seller pays to us upon completion of the transaction.

 

We have evaluated our revenue recognition policy related to sales under our profit-sharing model and determined it is appropriate to account for these sales on a gross basis. The following factors were most heavily relied upon in our determination:

 

·                  We are the primary obligor in the arrangement.

 

·                  We are the seller in substance and in appearance to the buyer; the buyer contacts us if there is a problem with the purchase. Only we and the buyer are parties to the sales contract and the buyer has no recourse to the supplier. If the buyer has a problem, he or she looks to us, not the supplier.

 

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·                  The buyer does not and cannot look to the supplier for fulfillment or for product acceptability concerns.

 

·                  We have general inventory risk.

 

·                  We take title to the inventory upon paying the amount set forth in the contract with the supplier. Such amount is a fixed price per pound under our Scrap Contract.

 

·                  We are at risk of loss for all amounts paid to the supplier in the event the property is damaged or otherwise becomes unsaleable. In addition, as payments made for inventory are excluded from the calculation for the profit-sharing distribution under our DoD Scrap Contract, we effectively bear inventory risk for the full amount paid to acquire the property (i.e., there is no sharing of inventory risk).

 

Valuation of goodwill and other intangible assets.  We identify and value intangible assets that we acquire in business combinations, such as customer arrangements, customer relationships and non-compete agreements, that arise from contractual or other legal rights or that are capable of being separated or divided from the acquired entity and sold, transferred, licensed, rented or exchanged. The fair value of identified intangible assets is based upon an estimate of the future economic benefits expected to result from ownership, which represents the amount at which the assets could be bought or sold in a current transaction between willing parties, that is, other than in a forced or liquidation sale.

 

We test our goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate impairment may exist. Examples of such events or circumstances could include a significant change in business climate or a loss of significant customers. We apply a two-step fair value-based test to assess goodwill for impairment. The first step compares the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step is then performed. The second step compares the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill to the fair value of the goodwill. If the fair value of the goodwill is less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss would be recorded in our statements of operations. Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives and are also reviewed for impairment if events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying amount may not be realizable.

 

Our management makes certain estimates and assumptions in order to determine the fair value of net assets and liabilities, including, among other things, an assessment of market conditions, projected cash flows, cost of capital and growth rates, which could significantly impact the reported value of goodwill and other intangible assets. Estimating future cash flows requires significant judgment, and our projections may vary from cash flows eventually realized. The valuations employ a combination of present value techniques to measure fair value, corroborated by comparisons to estimated market multiples. These valuations are based on a discount rate determined by our management to be consistent with industry discount rates and the risks inherent in our current business model.

 

We cannot predict the occurrence of certain future events that might adversely affect the reported value of goodwill and other intangible assets, which totaled $36.6 million at March 31, 2010. Such events may include strategic decisions made in response to economic and competitive conditions, the impact of the economic environment on our base of buyers and sellers or material negative changes in our relationships with material customers.

 

Income taxes.  We account for income taxes using the asset and liability approach for measuring deferred taxes based on temporary differences between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities existing at each balance sheet date using enacted tax rates for the years in which the taxes are expected to be paid or recovered. A valuation allowance is provided to reduce the deferred tax assets to a level that we believe will more likely than not be realized. The resulting net deferred tax asset reflects management’s estimate of the amount that will be realized.

 

We adopted the provisions of authoritative guidance issued by the FASB related to accounting for uncertainty in income taxes on October 1, 2007. The adoption of this new authoritative guidance did not impact the Company’s financial position or results of operations. The Company has concluded that there were no uncertain tax positions identified during its analysis.

 

We provide for income taxes based on our estimate of federal and state tax liabilities. These estimates include, among other items, effective rates for state and local income taxes, estimates related to depreciation and amortization expense allowable for tax purposes, and the tax deductibility of certain other items. Our estimates are based on the information available to us at the time we prepare the income tax provision. We generally file our annual income tax returns several months after our fiscal year-end. Income tax returns are subject to audit by federal, state and local governments, generally years after the returns are filed. These returns could be subject to material adjustments or differing interpretations of the tax laws.

 

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Stock-based compensation.  We recognize in the statements of operations all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their estimated fair values. We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the fair values of share-based payments.

 

The above list is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all of our accounting estimates. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by GAAP, with little need for management’s judgment in their application. There are also areas in which management’s judgment in selecting any available alternative would not produce a materially different result. See our audited financial statements and related notes, which contain accounting policies and other disclosures required by GAAP.

 

Components of Revenue and Expenses

 

Revenue.  We generate substantially all of our revenue from sales of merchandise held in inventory and by retaining a percentage of the proceeds from the sales. Our revenue recognition practices are discussed in more detail in the section above entitled “Critical Accounting Estimates.”

 

Cost of goods sold (excluding amortization).  Cost of goods sold includes the costs of purchasing and transporting property for auction, as well as credit card transaction fees.

 

Profit-sharing distributions.  Our Scrap and original Surplus Contracts with the DoD have been structured as profit-sharing arrangements in which we purchase and take possession of all goods we receive from the DoD at a contractual percentage of the original acquisition cost of those goods or at a per pound price for scrap. After deducting allowable operating expenses, we disburse to the DoD on a monthly basis a percentage of the profits of the aggregate monthly sales. We retain the remaining percentage of these profits after the DoD’s disbursement. We refer to these disbursement payments to the DoD as profit-sharing distributions.

 

Technology and operations.  Technology expenses consist primarily of personnel costs related to our programming staff who develop and deploy new marketplaces and continuously enhance existing marketplaces. These personnel also develop and upgrade the software systems that support our operations, such as sales processing. Because our marketplaces and support systems require frequent upgrades and enhancements to maintain viability, we have determined that the useful life for substantially all of our internally developed software is less than one year. As a result, we expense these costs as incurred.

 

Operations expenses consist primarily of operating costs, including buyer relations, shipping logistics and distribution center operating costs.

 

Sales and marketing.  Sales and marketing expenses include the cost of our sales and marketing personnel as well as the cost of marketing and promotional activities. These activities include online marketing campaigns such as paid search advertising.

 

General and administrative.  General and administrative expenses include all corporate and administrative functions that support our operations and provide an infrastructure to facilitate our future growth. Components of these expenses include executive management and staff salaries, bonuses and related taxes and employee benefits; travel; headquarters rent and related occupancy costs; and legal and accounting fees. The salaries, bonus and employee benefits costs included as general and administrative expenses are generally more fixed in nature than our operating expenses and do not vary directly with the volume of merchandise sold through our marketplaces.

 

Amortization of contract intangibles.  Amortization of contract intangibles expense consists of the amortization of our Scrap Contract award during June 2005. This contract required us to purchase the rights to operate the scrap operations of the DoD during the seven year base term of the contract. The intangible asset created from the $5.7 million purchase is being amortized over 84 months on a straight-line basis. The amortization period is correlated to the base term of the contract, exclusive of renewal periods.

 

Depreciation and amortization.  Depreciation and amortization expenses consist primarily of the depreciation and amortization of amounts recorded in connection with the purchase of furniture, fixtures and equipment.

 

Interest income and other income, net.  Interest income and other income, net consists primarily of interest income on cash and short-term investments and interest expense on borrowings under our notes payable and realized gains or losses on short-term investments.

 

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Income taxes.  During fiscal years 2007, 2008 and 2009, we had an effective income tax rate of approximately 40%, 43% and 58%, respectively, which included federal, state and foreign income taxes. Our 2009 effective income tax rate increased principally because we recorded a $1,287,000 valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets of our foreign subsidiaries, consisting principally of net operating loss carryforwards. $960,000 of the valuation allowance was necessitated by losses in recent years at our UK subsidiary, especially in 2009, primarily as a result of the loss of our largest client. We estimate that our future effective income tax rate will be approximately 46%, which is comprised of (1) approximately 35% for federal taxes, (2) approximately 8% for state taxes, and (3) approximately 3% for book and tax differences including stock based compensation expenses, primarily related to employee stock options, which are currently expensed in our financial statements but are not deductable for tax purposes until they are exercised.

 

Results of Operations

 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, selected statement of operations data expressed as a percentage of revenue.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

Six Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2010

 

2009

 

2010

 

2009

 

Revenue

 

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of goods sold (excluding amortization)

 

44.0

 

38.0

 

42.7

 

35.8

 

Profit-sharing distributions

 

14.6

 

19.8

 

14.2

 

22.7

 

Technology and operations

 

16.0

 

19.6

 

17.2

 

20.5

 

Sales and marketing

 

6.6

 

7.5

 

6.8

 

7.7

 

General and administrative

 

8.6

 

8.6

 

8.8

 

9.4

 

Amortization of contract intangibles

 

0.3

 

0.4

 

0.3

 

0.4

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

1.3

 

1.1

 

1.4

 

1.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

 

91.4

 

95.0

 

91.4

 

97.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

 

8.6

 

5.0

 

8.6

 

2.4

 

Interest income and other income, net

 

0.1

 

0.2

 

0.0

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

 

8.7

 

5.2

 

8.6

 

2.7

 

Provision for income taxes

 

(4.0

)

(2.4

)

(4.0

)

(1.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

4.7

%

2.8

%

4.6

%

1.5

%

 

Three Months Ended March 31, 2010 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2009

 

Revenue.  Revenue increased $16.1 million, or 27.0%, to $75.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $59.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009. This was primarily due to (1) a 25.9% increase, or $6.4 million, in our U.S. commercial business as a result of several new programs for large retailers, which began in the last quarter of fiscal year 2009 and (2) a 87.4% increase, or $8.3 million, in our scrap business, which utilizes the profit sharing model, as a result of increasing commodity prices and a higher mix of high value metals. The amount of gross merchandise volume increased $14.3 million, or 15.7%, to $105.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $91.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, primarily due to the growth in our U.S. commercial and scrap businesses discussed above.

 

Cost of goods sold (excluding amortization).  Cost of goods sold (excluding amortization) increased $10.7 million, or 46.9%, to $33.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $22.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009. As a percentage of revenue, cost of goods sold (excluding amortization) increased to 44.0% from 38.0%. These increases are primarily due to (1) expenses of $5.8 million associated with the new Surplus Contract, which had its first full quarter of operations in the third quarter of fiscal year 2009 and utilizes the purchase model and (2) expenses of $5.4 million associated with our U.S. commercial business as a result of the growth discussed above, offset by a decrease in expenses of $0.4 million associated with our international commercial business.

 

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Profit-sharing distributions.  Profit-sharing distributions decreased $0.7 million, or 6.2%, to $11.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $11.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009. As a percentage of revenue, profit-sharing distributions decreased to 14.6% from 19.8%. These decreases are primarily due to the completion of the original Surplus Contract.

 

Technology and operations expenses.  Technology and operations expenses increased $0.5 million, or 4.1%, to $12.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $11.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, primarily due to increases in staff wages, including stock based compensation. As a percentage of revenue, these expenses decreased to 16.0% from 19.6%, primarily due to the increase in revenue, while leveraging our fixed costs, such as programming staff.

 

Sales and marketing expenses.  Sales and marketing expenses increased $0.5 million, or 12.0%, to $5.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $4.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, primarily due to the hiring of 13 additional personnel. As a percentage of revenue, these expenses decreased to 6.6% from 7.5%, primarily due to the increase in revenue while leveraging our fixed costs, such as marketing staff.

 

General and administrative expenses.  General and administrative expenses increased $1.4 million, or 26.2%, to $6.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $5.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, primarily due to (1) expenses of $0.3 million associated with increases in staff wages; (2) expenses of $0.6 million associated with stock based compensation; and (3) expenses of $0.4 million associated with general corporate overhead. As a percentage of revenue, these expenses were consistent at 8.6%.

 

Amortization of contract intangibles.  Amortization of contract intangibles was $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, as a result of our DoD Scrap Contract award during June 2005. This contract required us to purchase the rights to operate the scrap operations of the DoD during the seven-year base term of the contract. The intangible asset created from the $5.7 million purchase is being amortized on a straight-line basis over 84 months, which began in August 2005.

 

Depreciation and amortization expenses.  Depreciation and amortization expenses increased $0.3 million, or 43.1%, to $1.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $0.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009, primarily due to additional depreciation expense resulting from the purchase of $3.7 million of property and equipment during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009.

 

Interest income and other income, net.  Interest income and other income, net was consistent at $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009.

 

Provision for income tax expense.  Income tax expense increased $1.6 million, or 111.6%, to $3.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $1.4 million the three months ended March 31, 2009, primarily due to the increase in income before provision for income taxes.

 

Net income.  Net income increased $1.9 million, or 113.6%, to $3.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2010 from $1.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2009.

 

Six Months Ended March 31, 2010 Compared to Six Months Ended March 31, 2009

 

Revenue.  Revenue increased $25.8 million, or 22.4%, to $141.1 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010 from $115.3 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009. This was primarily due to (1) a 32.4% increase, or $13.6 million, in our U.S. commercial business as a result of several new programs for large retailers, which began in the last quarter of fiscal year 2009 and (2) a 58.7% increase, or $11.9 million, in our scrap business, which utilizes the profit sharing model, as a result of increasing commodity prices and a higher mix of high value metals. The amount of gross merchandise volume increased $25.8 million, or 14.9%, to $199.1 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010 from $173.3 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009, primarily due to the growth in our U.S. commercial and scrap businesses discussed above.

 

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Cost of goods sold (excluding amortization).  Cost of goods sold (excluding amortization) increased $19.0 million, or 46.1%, to $60.3 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010 from $41.3 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009. As a percentage of revenue, cost of goods sold (excluding amortization) increased to 42.7% from 35.8%. These increases are primarily due to (1) expenses of $10.3 million associated with the new Surplus Contract, which had its first full quarter of operations in the third quarter of fiscal year 2009 and utilizes the purchase model and (2) expenses of $9.7 million associated with our U.S. commercial business as a result of the growth discussed above, offset by a decrease in expenses of $0.8 million associated with our international business.

 

Profit-sharing distributions.  Profit-sharing distributions decreased $6.0 million, or 23.3%, to $20.1 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010 from $26.1 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009. As a percentage of revenue, profit-sharing distributions decreased to 14.2% from 22.7%. These decreases are primarily due to the completion of the original Surplus Contract.

 

Technology and operations expenses.  Technology and operations expenses increased $0.6 million, or 2.7%, to $24.2 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010 from $23.6 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009, primarily due to increases in staff wages, including stock based compensation. As a percentage of revenue, these expenses decreased to 17.2% from 20.5%, primarily due to the increase in revenue, while leveraging our fixed costs, such as programming staff.

 

Sales and marketing expenses.  Sales and marketing expenses increased $0.8 million, or 8.5%, to $9.7 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010 from $8.9 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009, primarily due to our hiring of 13 additional sales and marketing personnel. As a percentage of revenue, these expenses decreased to 6.8% from 7.7%, primarily due to the increase in revenue while leveraging our fixed costs, such as marketing staff.

 

General and administrative expenses.  General and administrative expenses increased $1.5 million, or 14.2%, to $12.4 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010 from $10.9 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009, primarily due to (1) expenses of $0.5 million associated with increases in staff wages; (2) expenses of $0.6 million associated with stock based compensation; and (3) expenses of $0.4 million associated with general corporate overhead. As a percentage of revenue, these expenses decreased to 8.8% from 9.4%, primarily due to the increase in revenue while leveraging our fixed costs, such as corporate staff.

 

Amortization of contract intangibles.  Amortization of contract intangibles was $0.4 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, as a result of our DoD Scrap Contract award during June 2005. This contract required us to purchase the rights to operate the scrap operations of the DoD during the seven-year base term of the contract. The intangible asset created from the $5.7 million purchase is being amortized on a straight-line basis over 84 months, which began in August 2005.

 

Depreciation and amortization expenses.  Depreciation and amortization expenses increased $0.6 million, or 42.8%, to $1.9 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010 from $1.3 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009, primarily due to additional depreciation expense resulting from the purchase of $3.7 million of property and equipment during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2009.

 

Interest income and other income, net.  Interest income and other income, net decreased $0.2 million, or 87.2%, to $0.1 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010 from $0.3 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009, primarily due to a reduction in short term interest rates.

 

Provision for income tax expense.  Income tax expense increased $4.2 million, or 295.5%, to $5.6 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010 from $1.4 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009, primarily due to the increase in income before provision for income taxes.

 

Net income.  Net income increased $4.8 million, or 288.6%, to $6.5 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010 from $1.7 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Historically, our primary cash needs have been working capital (including capital used for inventory purchases), which we have funded primarily through cash generated from operations. As of March 31, 2010, we had approximately $42.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, $26.2 million in short-term investments and $24.3 million available under our $30.0 million senior credit facility, due to issued letters of credit for $5.7 million; $1.0 million of our availability under this facility is set aside as a contractual obligation under our DoD Scrap Contract.

 

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On December 2, 2008, our Board of Directors approved a $10.0 million share repurchase program.  Under the program, we are authorized to repurchase the issued and outstanding shares of common stock.  Share repurchases may be made through open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, at times and in such amounts as management deems appropriate. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements and other market conditions.  The repurchase program may be discontinued or suspended at any time, and will be funded using our available cash. On February 2, 2010, our Board of Directors approved an additional $10.0 million for the share repurchase program. Our Board of Directors reviews the share repurchase program periodically, the last such review having occurred in February 2010. During the six months ended March 31, 2009, 707,462 shares were purchased under the program for approximately $3,874,000. During the six months ended March 31, 2010, 821,038 shares were purchased under the program for approximately $8,922,000. As of March 31, 2010, approximately $7.2 million may yet be expended under the program.

 

Substantially all of our sales are recorded subsequent to receipt of payment authorization, utilizing credit cards, wire transfers and PayPal, an Internet based payment system, as methods of payments. As a result, we are not subject to significant collection risk, as goods are generally not shipped before payment is received.

 

Changes in Cash Flows: Six Months Ended March 31, 2010 Compared to Six Months Ended March 31, 2009

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was $15.9 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010 compared to $3.0 million of net cash used in operating activities for the six months ended March 31, 2009. For the six months ended March 31, 2010, net cash provided by operating activities primarily consisted of net income of $6.5 million, depreciation and amortization expense of $2.3 million, stock compensation expense of $4.2 million and a net increase in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities of $7.3 million, offset in part by a net increase in accounts receivable, inventory and prepaid assets of $4.2 million and a decrease in the provision for doubtful accounts of $0.2 million. For the six months ended March 31, 2009 net cash used in operating activities primarily consisted of a decrease in the provision for doubtful accounts of $0.3 million and a net decrease in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities of $10.0 million ($5.8 million resulted from a decrease in our payable to the DoD related to the decrease in our scrap business), offset in part by net income of $1.7 million, depreciation and amortization expense of $1.7 million, stock compensation expense of $3.1 million and a net decrease in accounts receivable, inventory and prepaid assets of $0.8 million.

 

Net cash provided by investing activities was $1.7 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010 compared to net cash used in investing activities of $10.4 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009. Net cash provided by investing activities for the six months ended March 31, 2010 consisted primarily of net sales of short-term investments of $4.3 million, offset in part by capital expenditures of $2.3 million for purchases of equipment and leasehold improvements and an increase of goodwill and intangibles of $0.3 million. Net cash used in investing activities for the six months ended March 31, 2009 consisted primarily of net purchases of short-term investments of $8.5 million, increase in goodwill and intangible assets of $0.1 million, and capital expenditures of $1.8 million for purchases of equipment and leasehold improvements.

 

Net cash used in financing activities was $8.3 million for the six months ended March 31, 2010 and $3.7 million for the six months ended March 31, 2009. Net cash used in financing activities for the six months ended March 31, 2010 consisted primarily of $8.9 million for stock repurchases, offset in part by proceeds from the exercise of common stock options including the tax benefit of $0.6 million. Net cash used in financing activities for the six months ended March 31, 2009 consisted primarily of $3.9 million for stock repurchases, offset in part by proceeds from the exercise of common stock options including the tax benefit of $0.2 million.

 

Capital Expenditures.  Our capital expenditures consist primarily of computers and purchased software, office equipment, furniture and fixtures, and leasehold improvements. The timing and volume of such capital expenditures in the future will be affected by the addition of new customers or expansion of existing customer relationships. We expect capital expenditures to range from $4.0 million to $4.5 million in the fiscal year ending September 30, 2010. We intend to fund those expenditures primarily from operating cash flows. Our capital expenditures for the six months ended March 31, 2010 were $2.3 million. As of March 31, 2010, we had no outstanding commitments for capital expenditures.

 

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Senior credit facility.  We maintain a $30.0 million senior credit facility due June 4, 2010. The senior credit facility bears an annual interest rate of 30 day LIBOR plus 1.5%. As of March 31, 2010, we had no outstanding indebtedness under our senior credit facility and our borrowing availability was $24.3 million due to issued letters of credit for $5.7 million; $1.0 million of our availability under this facility is set aside as a contractual obligation under our DoD Scrap Contract. The obligations under our senior credit facility are unconditionally guaranteed by us and each of our existing and subsequently acquired or organized subsidiaries (other than our subsidiaries organized to service our DoD contracts) and secured on a first priority basis by security interests (subject to permitted liens) in substantially all assets owned by us, and each of our other domestic subsidiaries, subject to limited exceptions. Our credit agreement contains a number of affirmative and restrictive covenants including limitations on mergers, consolidations and dissolutions, sales of assets, investments and acquisitions, indebtedness and liens, and dividends and other restricted payments. As of March 31, 2010, we were in full compliance with the terms and conditions of our credit agreement.

 

On April 30, 2010, we entered into a senior credit facility with a bank, which provides for borrowings up to $30.0 million. This senior credit facility will expire on April 30, 2013. Borrowings under the Agreement bear interest at an annual rate equal to the LIBOR rate plus 1.25%. Borrowings under the Agreement are secured by substantially all of our assets. The Agreement contains certain financial and non-financial restrictive covenants including, among others, the requirements to maintain a minimum level of earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) and a minimum debt coverage ratio.

 

We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents and short term investments, will be sufficient to meet our anticipated cash needs for at least the next 12 months. Our future capital requirements will depend on many factors including our rate of revenue growth, the timing and extent of spending to support development efforts, the expansion of sales and marketing activities, the development and deployment of new marketplaces, the introduction of new value added services and the costs to establish additional distribution centers. Although we are currently not a party to any definitive agreement with respect to potential investments in, or acquisitions of, complementary businesses, products or technologies, we may enter into these types of arrangements in the future, which could also require us to seek additional equity or debt financing. The sale of additional equity securities or convertible debt securities would result in additional dilution to our stockholders. Additional debt would result in increased interest expense and could result in covenants that would restrict our operations. There is no assurance that such financing, if required, will be available in amounts or on terms acceptable to us, if at all.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

We do not have any transactions, obligations or relationships that could be considered material off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued new authoritative guidance related to business combinations. This guidance changes the accounting for acquisitions by eliminating the step acquisition model, changing the recognition of contingent consideration so that it is recognized at the time of acquisition rather than  when it is probable, disallowing the capitalization of transaction costs and delaying when restructurings related to acquisitions can be recognized. We adopted this guidance for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2009, and it will only impact the accounting for acquisitions we make after its adoption, except for the guidance related to income taxes, which will be applied prospectively as of the adoption date and will apply to business combinations with acquisition dates before the effective date of this new authoritative guidance.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

 

Interest rate sensitivity. We did not have any debt as of March 31, 2010 and September 30, 2009 and thus do not have any related interest rate exposure. Our investment policy requires us to invest funds in excess of current operating requirements. The principal objectives of our investment activities are to preserve principal, provide liquidity and maximize income consistent with minimizing risk of material loss.

 

As of March 31, 2010, our cash and cash equivalents consisted primarily of money market funds and our short term investments consisted primarily of highly rated short term bonds. The recorded carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents approximate fair value due to their short maturities. Our interest income is sensitive to changes in the general level of interest rates in the United States, particularly since the majority of our investments are short-term in nature. Due to the nature of our short-term investments, which have a duration of three to twelve months, we have concluded that we do not have material market risk exposure.

 

Exchange rate sensitivity. We consider our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations to be minimal, as less than five percent of our GMV is denominated in foreign currencies. We have not engaged in any hedging or other derivative transactions to date.

 

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

 

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.

 

During the most recent fiscal quarter, there has not occurred any change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

As of March 31, 2010, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on the foregoing, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective and were operating at the reasonable assurance level.

 

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

 

From time to time, we may become involved in litigation relating to claims arising in the ordinary course of our business. There are no claims or actions pending or threatened against us that, if adversely determined, would in our judgment have a material adverse effect on us.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

 

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors set forth in Part I, “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2009, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our Form 10-K are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

 

Item 2. Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer.

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Period

 

Total Number of
Shares Purchased

 

Average Price Paid
per Share

 

Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans or
Programs(1)

 

Approximate Dollar
Value of Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased Under the
Plans or Programs(1)

 

January 1 to January 31, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

February 1 to February 28, 2010

 

254,556

 

$

12.31

 

254,556

 

$

7,908,000

 

March 1 to March 31, 2010

 

55,400

 

$

12.70

 

55,400

 

$

7,204,000

 

Total

 

309,956

 

$

12.38

 

309,956

 

$

7,204,000

 

 


(1)

 

On December 2, 2008, our Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program, under which we were authorized to repurchase up to $10.0 million of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock. On February 2, 2010, our Board of Directors approved an additional $10.0 million for the share repurchase program.

 

Item 6. Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

3.1

 

Fourth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-129656), filed with the SEC on January 17, 2006.

3.2

 

Amended and Restated Bylaws, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Amendment No. 2 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-129656), filed with the SEC on January 17, 2006.

31.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

31.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

32.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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 on May 10, 2010.

 

 

LIQUIDITY SERVICES, INC.

 

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ William P. Angrick, III

 

 

William P. Angrick, III

 

 

Chairman of the Board of Directors

 

 

and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ James M. Rallo

 

 

James M. Rallo

 

 

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

 

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