NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2013
(UNAUDITED)
Note 1 – Organization AND Basis of Presentation
Incorporated in 1995 under Massachusetts law and redomesticated under Delaware law in 2007, Investors Capital Holdings, Ltd. ("ICH") is a holding company whose wholly-owned subsidiaries assist a nationwide network of independent registered representatives ("representatives") in providing a diversified line of financial services to the public including securities brokerage, investment advice, asset management, financial planning and insurance. Our subsidiaries include the following:
|
·
|
|
Investors Capital Corporation ("ICC") is duly registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and applicable state law to provide broker-dealer and investment advisory services nationwide. ICC’s national network of independent financial representatives is licensed to provide these services through ICC under the regulatory purview of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) and state securities regulators. ICC executes and clears its public customer accounts on a fully disclosed basis through Pershing, LLC (“Pershing”). ICC, doing business as Investors Capital Advisors (“ICA”), also provides investment advisory services.
|
|
·
|
|
ICC Insurance Agency
, Inc.
(“ICCIA”)
facilitates
the sale of insurance and annuities by our representatives.
|
|
·
|
|
Investors Capital Holdings Securities Corporation ("ICH Securities") holds cash, cash equivalents, interest income and dividend income for ICH.
|
|
·
|
|
Advisor Direct, Incorporated (“AD”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary. On January 24, 2013, Investors Capital Holdings, Ltd. acquired all the assets of a shell broker-dealer for the cash purchase price of
$32,500
. AD is a Broker-Dealer registered with the SEC and is a member of FINRA. AD is registered to operate as a (k)(1) Broker-Dealer where principal transactions are limited to mutual funds and/or variable annuities only.
|
On October 2, 2013, RCS Capital Corporation (NYSE: RCAP) (“RCAP”) and Investors Capital Holdings, LTD. (“ICH”) announced its entry on October 1, 2013 into a letter of intent (the “Letter of Intent”) under which RCAP expects to acquire ICH for aggregate consideration of approximately
$52.2
million
,
or for a share purchase price of
$7.25
for each share of ICH common stock outstanding, on a fully diluted basis.
On October 27, 2013, the Company executed a definitive merger agreement (the “Merger Agreement”) with RCAP,
pursuant to which RCAP will acquire ICH and its subsidiaries, including Investors Capital Corporation, for a total consideration of approximately $52.5 million comprised of ca
sh and RCAP stock. T
he definitive merger agreement between RCAP and ICH will require that ICH pay RCAP a
$3
million termination fee, in certain specific circumstances, should the merger not be consummated and ICH consummates a business
combination transaction with another party other than RCAP. In addition, ICH has agreed to a 45-day exclusivity period subject to reimbursement of certain expenses of RCAP.
The closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including FINRA approval of the proposed change in control for ICC, approval of the transaction by ICH stockholders and registration of the Class A common stock of RCAP to be issued as merger consideration. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2014.
BASIS OF PRESENTATION:
The condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of
management, the interim data includes all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair statement of the results for the periods presented. Because of the nature of the Company’s business, interim period results may not be indicative of full year or future results.
The accompanying interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Investors Capital Holdings, Ltd. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by US GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, these financial statements contain all of the adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim periods presented. Operating results for the three month
s
and
nine
months
period ended
December
3
1
, 201
3
are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending March 31, 201
4
. The balance sheet at March 31, 201
3
has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by US GAAP for complete financial statement
presentation
. For further information, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Form 10-K”) for the fiscal year ended March 31, 201
3
filed with the SEC, for additional disclosures and a description of accounting policies.
There have been no material changes from the critical accounting policies set forth in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 201
3
. Please refer to those sections for disclosures regarding the critical accounting policies related to our business
Certain prior year items have been reclassified to conform to the current period’s presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported results of operations.
All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
The Company has evaluated subsequent event
s through the date of this filing
.
Note 2 - L
oans to Registered Representatives
ICC has granted loans to certain registered representatives with the stipulation that the loans will be forgiven if the representatives remain licensed with the Company for an agreed upon period of time, generally
one
to
five
years, and/or meet specified performance and/or revenue targets. Upon forgiveness, the loans are charged to commission expense for financial reporting purposes. Loans charged to commission expense totaled $
10,750
and
$7,240,
for the three months period ended
December 31, 2013
and 2012, respectively and
$228,961
and
$181,599
for the nine months period ended
December 31, 2013
and 2012, respectively.
Some loans to registered representatives are not subject to a forgiveness contingency. These loans, as well as loans that have failed the forgiveness contingency, are repaid to the Company by deducting a portion of the representatives’ commission payouts throughout the commission cycle until the loans are repaid.
Interest charged on these loans to
representatives
range from
4.25
% to
8.25
% annually. Loans to registered representatives are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2013
|
|
|
March 31, 2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forgivable loans
|
$
|
1,451,948
|
|
|
$
|
1,115,765
|
Other loans
|
|
507,590
|
|
|
|
604,264
|
Less: allowance
|
|
(178,479)
|
|
|
|
(232,596)
|
Total loans
|
$
|
1,781,059
|
|
|
$
|
1,487,433
|
Included in other loans is a loan receivable from a registered representative in connection with a regulatory matter settled with the Massachusetts Securities Division on
October 27, 2010
. This representative has agreed to reimburse the Company for certain amounts paid by the Company with
respect to this regulatory matter. The amount due on this receivable at December 31, 2013 and March 31, 2013 was $
291,141
and $
330,587
, respectively.
NOTE 3
-
INCOME
TAXES
The Company uses the asset and liability method to account for income taxes, which requires recognition of deferred tax assets, subject to valuation allowances, and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income or loss in the period that includes the enactment date.
The Company, in preparing its income tax provision, bases the calculation on its annual projection of income or loss from operations. The annual projection is reconciled on a quarterly basis to changes in estimates, and at year end the calculation is based on the reported results of operations. Certain expenses are not deductible for tax purposes, creating permanent differences that increase or decrease the income tax provision and effective income tax rate.
Deferred income taxes are the result of timing differences between book and taxable income and consist primarily of representative deferred compensation, legal settlement accruals, differences between depreciation expenses, and a state net operating loss for financial
statement purposes versus tax return purposes.
T
he Company assesses the realizability of its deferred tax assets to determine whether or not a valuation allowance was required for some or all of its deferred tax assets. The Company considered negative evidence, including its current cumulative loss position for financial reporting purposes over the past three fiscal years, and positive evidence, including its recent earnings and history of taxable income in three of the past five years and its projections of taxable income in the future. The Company also considered that its GAAP losses generated in prior fiscal years included certain significant non-deductible and other non-recurring expenses.
Management
concluded that due to the lack of predictability of financial markets, recent instability along with the ongoing regulatory and legal risks and their related defense costs inherent in our industry necessitate we maintain
a
valuation allowance of approximately
$0.5
million
.
If future operations exceed current projections, management may conclude such valuation allowance is no longer needed. Conversely, if future operating results do not meet current projections, it is possible that an additional valuation allowance may be needed in future periods.
The Company recognizes and measures its unrecognized tax benefit or expense. The Company assesses the likelihood, based on their technical merit, that tax positions will be sustained upon examination based on the facts, circumstances and information available at the end of each period. The measurement of unrecognized tax expense or benefit is adjusted when new information is available or when an event occurs that requires a change. The Company recognizes the accrual of any interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax expense in income tax expense.
No
interest or penalties were recognized
for the three months
and
nine
months period
ended
December
3
1
, 2013 and 2012. The Company does not
have any tax positions as of
December 31, 2013
for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefit or expense will significantly increase or decrease within twelve months of the reporting date.
NOTE 4 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability
. Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. A fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market. Valuation techniques that are consistent with the market, income or cost approach are used to measure fair value.
The fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels:
|
·
|
|
Level 1
- Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities the Company have the ability to access.
|
|
·
|
|
Level 2
- Inputs are inputs (other than quoted prices included within Level 1) that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.
|
|
·
|
|
Level 3
- Inputs include unobservable inputs for the asset or liability and rely on management's own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. (The unobservable inputs should be developed based on the best information available in the circumstances and may include the Company’s own data.)
|
The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. The following table
s
present the Company's fair value hierarchy for those financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value as of
December
31
, 201
3
and March 31, 2013, respectively
:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value Measurements on Recurring Basis December 31, 2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assets:
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Level 1
|
|
|
Level 2
|
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Securities owned at fair value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mutual funds
|
$
|
298,476
|
|
$
|
298,476
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Equities
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Asset backed securities
|
|
1,779
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
1,779
|
|
|
-
|
|
Total Assets
|
$
|
300,255
|
|
$
|
298,476
|
|
$
|
1,779
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities sold, not yet purchased at fair value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exchange traded funds
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Equities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Total Liabilities
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value Measurements on Recurring Basis March 31, 2013
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Level 1
|
|
|
Level 2
|
|
|
Level 3
|
|
Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities owned at fair value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mutual funds
|
$
|
256,509
|
|
$
|
256,509
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
Equities
|
|
354
|
|
|
354
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Asset backed securities
|
|
2,040
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
2,040
|
|
|
-
|
|
Total assets
|
$
|
258,903
|
|
$
|
256,863
|
|
$
|
2,040
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Securities sold, not yet purchased at fair value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equities
|
|
28,946
|
|
|
28,946
|
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
Total Liabilities
|
$
|
28,946
|
|
$
|
28,946
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NOTE 5 –
Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plan
Effective December 2007, the Company established the Investors Capital Holdings, Ltd. Deferred Compensation Plan (the “NQ Plan”) as well as a Rabbi Trust Agreement for this Plan, for which ICC is the NQ Plan’s sponsor. The unfunded NQ Plan enables eligible ICC’s Representatives to elect to defer a portion of earned commissions, as defined by the NQ Plan. The asset represents the representatives’ invested contributions of deferred commissions, investment gains and losses as well as insurance charges while the liability is comprised of the
participant deferrals, unrealized gains and losses and any distributions. The total amount of deferred compensation was
$
150,114
a
nd
$
123,749
for the three months
period ended
December 31
, 201
3
and 2012, respectively
and
$452,451
and
$
338,181
for the
nine
months period ended
December 31
, 201
3
and 2012, respectively.
NOTE 6 -
LITIGATION AND REGULATORY MATTERS
In the ordinary course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries are routinely defendants in or parties to arbitrations and other legal actions and proceedings brought on behalf of various claimants, some of which seek material and/or indeterminable amounts. Certain of these actions and proceedings are based on alleged violations of securities, consumer protection, labor and other laws and may involve claims for substantial monetary damages asserted against the Company and its subsidiaries. Also, the Company and its subsidiaries are subject to regulatory examinations, information gathering requests, inquiries, investigations and formal administrative proceedings that may result in fines or other negative impact on the Company. ICC, as a duly registered broker/dealer and investment advisor, is subject to regulation by the SEC, FINRA, NYSE-Amex, and state securities regulators
.
The Company maintains Errors and Omissions (“E&O”) insurance to protect itself from potential damages and/or legal costs associated with certain litigation and arbitration proceedings and, as a result, in the majority of cases, the Company’s exposure is limited to
$100,000
,
or
$1,000,000
aggregate (effective January 201
4
for only certain alternative investment products related to defense costs and indemnities) in any one case, subject to policy limitations and exclusions. Thereafter the $1,000,000 aggregate threshold, the Company’s exposure on these same investments is limited to
$150,000
and a
ten
(10)
percent coinsurance. For all other investment products, the Company’s exposure is $100,000 per claim.
The Company also maintains a fidelity bond to protect itself from potential damages and/or legal costs related to fraudulent activities pursuant to which the Company’s exposure is usually limited to a
$350,000
deductible per case, subject to policy limitations and exclusions.
The Company recognizes a legal liability when management believes it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Conclusions on the likelihood that a liability has been incurred and estimates as to the amount of the liability are based on consultations with the Company’s General Counsel who, when situations warrant, may engage and consult external counsel to assist with the evaluation and handle certain matters. Legal fees for defense costs are expensed as incurred and classified as professional services within the consolidated statements of income.
As of
December 31, 2013
and March 31, 2013,
the Company had accrued professional fees relating to the Company’s defense in various legal matters and estimated probable settlement costs of approximately $
1,201,600
and
$
1,534,660
, respectively, included in accrued expenses and accounts payable on
the consolidated balance sheet.
It is possible that some of the matters could require the Company to pay damages or make other payments or establish accruals in amounts that could not be estimated and/or could ex
ceed those accrued as of
December 31
, 201
3
. Key components of the accrual include claims arising from alleged poor performance of certain alternative investments in real estate investments trusts that have experienced bankruptcy or other financial difficulties during or in connection with the recent
recession and
credit crisis
.
Note 7 - Stock Based Compensation
The Company periodically issues common stock to employees, directors, officers, representatives and other key individuals in accordance with the provisions of the shareholder approved equity compensation plans. The Company measures and recognizes compensation expense for all share-based awards made to representatives, officers, employees and directors based on estimated fair values.
Stock Awards
Shares of stock granted under
the
Company’s equity incentive plans (the “Equity Plans”) as of
December 31
, 201
3
have been either fully vested at
the
date of grant or subject to vesting over time periods varying from
one
to
seven
years after the date of grant, unvested shares being subject to forfeiture in the event of termination of the grantee’s relationship with the Company, other than for death or disability. The compensation cost associated with these stock grants is recognized over the vesting period of the shares and is calculated as the market value of the shares on the date of grant. Stock grants have been recorded as deferred compensation, which is a component of paid-in capital within stockholders’ equity on the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The following activity occurred during the three months ended
December 31
, 201
3
and 201
2
:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Ave
|
Weighted Average
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Stock Price
|
Vested Life
|
|
Fair Value
|
Non-vested at October 1, 2013
|
|
388,818
|
|
$
|
3.83
|
2.30 years
|
$
|
1,489,173
|
Granted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less: vested
|
|
(21,359)
|
|
$
|
3.95
|
|
$
|
(84,368)
|
Less: canceled
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-vested at December 31, 2013
|
|
367,459
|
|
$
|
3.83
|
2.07 years
|
$
|
1,407,368
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Ave
|
Weighted Average
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
|
Stock Price
|
Vested Life
|
|
Fair Value
|
Non-vested at October 1, 2012
|
|
47,502
|
|
$
|
4.33
|
1.95 years
|
$
|
205,684
|
Granted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less: vested
|
|
(7,805)
|
|
$
|
4.36
|
|
$
|
(34,030)
|
Less: canceled
|
|
(2,494)
|
|
$
|
4.32
|
|
$
|
(10,774)
|
Non-vested at December 31, 2012
|
|
37,203
|
|
$
|
4.33
|
1.76 years
|
$
|
161,089
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Company’s net
loss
for the three months ended
December 31
, 201
3
includes
$0.0
5
million of compensation costs related to the Company’s grants of restricted stock to
employees,
$0.01
million
for grants to
directors and
$
0.03
mi
llion for grants to independent representatives under the Plans.
In the prior p
eriod, the
Company’s net income included
$0.0
1
million in stock compensation to directors, and
$0.03
million in
stock
compensation to independent representatives under the Equity Plans.
The following activity occurred during the
nine
months ended
December 31
, 201
3
and 201
2
:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Ave
|
Weighted Average
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
Stock Price
|
Vested Life
|
|
Fair Value $
|
Non-vested at April 1,2013
|
|
440,437
|
$
|
3.85
|
2.74 years
|
$
|
1,695,682
|
Granted
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Less: vested
|
|
(72,159)
|
$
|
3.94
|
|
$
|
(284,306)
|
Less: canceled
|
|
(819)
|
$
|
4.46
|
|
$
|
(3,653)
|
Non-vested at December 31,2013
|
|
367,459
|
$
|
3.83
|
2.07 years
|
$
|
1,407,368
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Ave
|
Weighted Average
|
|
|
|
|
Shares
|
|
Stock Price
|
Vested Life
|
|
Fair Value $
|
Non-vested at April 1, 2012
|
|
77,402
|
$
|
4.41
|
2.54 years
|
$
|
341,343
|
Granted
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
Less: vested
|
|
(32,929)
|
$
|
4.45
|
|
$
|
(146,534)
|
Less: canceled
|
|
(7,270)
|
$
|
4.69
|
|
$
|
(34,096)
|
Non-vested at December 31,2012
|
|
37,203
|
$
|
4.33
|
1.76 years
|
$
|
161,089
|
T
he Company’s net loss for the
nine
months ended
December 31
, 201
3
includes
$0.
1
5
million of compensation costs related to the Company’s grants of restricted stock to employees,
$0.
0
3
million
for grants to directors and
$0.
10
million for grants to independent representatives under the Plans. In the prior period, the Company’s net income included
$0.0
3
million in stock compensation to directors, and
$0.
09
million in stock compensation to independent representatives under the Equity Plans.
Stock Option Grants
The following table summarizes information regarding the Company's employee and director fixed stock options as of
December 31
, 201
3
and, 201
2
:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Employee
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
Fixed Options
|
|
|
Weighted-Average
|
|
|
Weighted-Average
|
|
|
Shares
|
Exercise Price
|
|
Shares
|
Exercise Price
|
Outstanding at beginning of period
|
|
150,000
|
$1.00
|
|
150,000
|
$1.00
|
Granted
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Canceled
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
Outstanding at end of period
|
|
150,000
|
$1.00
|
|
150,000
|
$1.00
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options exercisable at period end
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
150,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted-average fair value of
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
options granted during the period
|
|
-
|
|
|
-
|
|
The intrinsic value of the stock options was
$928,500
at
December 31
, 201
3
and
$
390,000
at
December 31
, 201
2
.
The following table summarizes further information about employee and Directors' fixed stock options outstanding as of
December 31
, 201
3
:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Options Outstanding
|
|
|
Options Exercisable
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Range of Exercise Prices
|
Number Outstanding
|
Weighted-Average RemainingContractual Life
|
|
|
Exercise Price
|
Number Exercisable
|
|
|
Weighted-Average Exercise Price
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
1.00
|
150,000
|
|
|
$
|
1.00
|
150,000
|
|
$
|
1.00
|
Note 8 - Segment Information
Operating segments are defined as components of a business about which separate financial information is available that is regularly evaluated by management in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company evaluates performance based on profit and loss from operations before income taxes not including nonrecurring gains and losses.
The Company's has two operating segments, the independent broker-dealer provided by ICC and AD, and asset management and investment advisory services provided by ICA. ICCIA conducts the sale of insurance products and reports that activity at ICC.
The segments are strategic business units that are managed separately. They operate under different regulatory systems, provide different services and require distinct marketing strategies and varied technological and operational support. They also have differing revenue models; ICC earns transactional commissions and various fees in
connection with the brokerage of securities for its customers. ICCIA generates commissions from insurance products. ICA generates recurring revenue from fees earned on the value of assets under management. Lastly,
AD
is eligible to receive commissions on principal transactions of mutual funds and/or variable annuities only.
AD
, acquired on
January 24, 2013
,
is
operational
but had no principal transactions
during
the current period.
The Company accounts for inter-segment services and transfers as if the services or transfers were to third parties, that is, at current market prices. In presenting segment data, all corporate overhead items are allocated to the segments, and inter-segment revenue, expense, receivables and payables are eliminated. Currently it is impractical to report segment information using geographical concentration.
Management allocates all expenses separately to the parent and ICC, including allocation of costs associated with shared personnel, based upon time studies and a determination of which entities are the beneficiaries of the services rendered by the personnel. Within ICC, expenses are further allocated between the two segments, ICC and ICA, as follows:
overhead expenses pro rata to revenue, direct full-time and time-shared employee costs based on the segments being served, and other personnel-related expenses pro rata to head count. There
was
no allocation of expenses for AD
as
there
was
only direct costs for regulatory and professional services in maintaining its shell broker-dealer status.
The Company will be allocating expenses for AD for administrative, record-keeping, and compliance purposes pursuant to the expense sharing agreement between, ICH
, ICC
, and AD
, filed with FINRA in February
2014.
In addition, ICC reimburses ICH in the form of a management fee for ICH-incurred overhead expenses that are necessary for ICC to effectively conduct its operations. This overhead primarily is in the nature of salaries and professional and legal fees incurred to obtain such services as audit engagements, legal advice, and industry expertise. The Company periodically reviews the effect that these agreements described above may have on the firm’s net capital.
Segment reporting primarily based on revenue components is as follows for the three months ended:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2013
|
|
|
Commissions
|
|
Advisory
|
|
ICH
|
|
ICH Securities
|
|
|
Totals
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-interest revenue
|
$
|
19,808,832
|
|
4,963,844
|
|
(16,841)
|
|
|
|
$
|
24,755,835
|
Revenue from transaction with
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
other operating segments:
|
$
|
249,984
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
249,984
|
Interest and dividend income, net
|
$
|
92,917
|
|
|
|
2
|
|
5
|
|
$
|
92,924
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
$
|
46,465
|
|
917
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
47,382
|
Income (loss) from operations
|
$
|
(1,340,390)
|
|
1,769,022
|
|
(831,958)
|
|
5
|
|
$
|
(403,321)
|
Period end total assets
|
$
|
17,249,914
|
|
699,280
|
|
3,234,919
|
|
10,369
|
|
$
|
21,194,482
|
Corporate items and eliminations
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
(1,757,601)
|
|
|
|
$
|
(1,757,601)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2012
|
|
|
Commissions
|
|
Advisory
|
|
ICH
|
|
ICH Securities
|
|
|
Totals
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-interest revenue
|
$
|
16,471,237
|
$
|
4,212,060
|
$
|
(14,649)
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
20,668,648
|
Revenue from transaction with
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
other operating segments:
|
$
|
245,588
|
|
-
|
|
|
|
-
|
|
$
|
245,588
|
Interest and dividend income, net
|
$
|
97,706
|
|
-
|
|
3
|
|
6
|
|
$
|
97,715
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
$
|
80,872
|
|
1,167
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
$
|
82,039
|
Income (loss) from operations
|
$
|
(226,066)
|
|
526,885
|
|
(17,554)
|
|
6
|
|
$
|
283,271
|
Period end total assets
|
$
|
14,256,786
|
|
587,996
|
|
2,832,933
|
|
10,343
|
|
$
|
17,688,058
|
Corporate items and eliminations
|
$
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(1,617,168)
|
|
-
|
|
$
|
(1,617,168)
|
+
Segment reporting primarily based on revenue components is as follows for the
nine
months ended:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2013
|
|
|
Commissions
|
|
Advisory
|
|
ICH
|
|
ICH Securities
|
|
|
Totals
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-interest revenue
|
$
|
55,977,212
|
|
14,048,485
|
|
(49,714)
|
|
|
|
$
|
69,975,983
|
Revenue from transaction with
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
other operating segments:
|
$
|
882,248
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
882,248
|
Interest and dividend income, net
|
$
|
233,554
|
|
|
|
4
|
|
16
|
|
$
|
233,574
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
$
|
167,294
|
|
917
|
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
168,211
|
Income (loss) from operations
|
$
|
(3,982,057)
|
|
2,948,312
|
|
(954,044)
|
|
16
|
|
$
|
(1,987,773)
|
Period end total assets
|
$
|
17,249,914
|
|
699,280
|
|
3,234,919
|
|
10,369
|
|
$
|
21,194,482
|
Corporate items and eliminations
|
$
|
|
|
|
|
(1,757,601)
|
|
|
|
$
|
(1,757,601)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2012
|
|
|
Commissions
|
|
Advisory
|
|
ICH
|
|
ICH Securities
|
|
|
Totals
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-interest revenue
|
$
|
49,270,354
|
$
|
12,421,432
|
$
|
(45,022)
|
$
|
-
|
|
$
|
61,646,764
|
Revenue from transaction with
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
other operating segments:
|
$
|
742,063
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
$
|
742,063
|
Interest and dividend income, net
|
$
|
244,866
|
|
-
|
|
3
|
|
19
|
|
$
|
244,888
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
$
|
244,889
|
|
1,167
|
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
$
|
246,056
|
Income (loss) from operations
|
$
|
(233,098)
|
|
1,704,281
|
|
(309,269)
|
|
19
|
|
$
|
1,161,933
|
Period end total assets
|
$
|
14,256,786
|
|
587,996
|
|
2,832,933
|
|
10,348
|
|
$
|
17,688,063
|
Corporate items and eliminations
|
$
|
-
|
|
-
|
|
(1,617,168)
|
|
-
|
|
$
|
(1,617,168)
|
ITEM 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Management's Discussion and Analysis
is a
review
, a discussion, and an analysis of
our consolidated financial condition as of
December 31
, 201
3
and March 31, 2013, the consolidated results of operations for the three months and
nine
months period ended
December 31
, 201
3
and 2012 and, as appropriate, factors that may affect future financial performance. The discussion should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. Unless context requires otherwise, as used in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis (i) the “current period” means the three months and
nine
months period ended
December 31
, 201
3
, (ii) the “prior period” means the three months and
nine
months period ended
December 31
, 201
2
, (iii) an increase or decrease compares the current period to the prior period, and (iv) non-comparative amounts refer to the current period.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Forward-looking statements relate to expectations, beliefs, projections, future plans, strategies, anticipated events, trends and other matters that are not historical facts and may include words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "will," "should," "may," and other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements reflect our current views about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances that might cause future events, achievements or results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Readers are directed to discussions of risks and uncertainties that may be found in this report and other documents filed by the Company with the SEC. We specifically disclaim any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.
Overview
We are a financial services holding company that, through our subsidiaries, provides brokerage, investment advisory, insurance and related services. We operate in a highly regulated and competitive industry that is influenced by numerous external factors such as economic conditions, marketplace liquidity and volatility, monetary policy, global and national political events, regulatory developments, competition and investor preferences. Our revenues and net earnings may be either enhanced or diminished from period to period by these and other external factors.
OUR BUSINESS
We operate primarily through our subsidiary, ICC, as a broker-dealer and, doing business as ICA, as a registered investment advisor, with a national network of independent financial representatives. ICCIA facilitates the sale of insurance products.AD, also a broker-dealer subsidiary, is l
imited to principal transactions in mutual funds and/or variable annuities only.AD had no principal transactions during the current period. Our principal business location, executive offices, and administration offices are located at
Six Kimball Lane, Suite 150, Lynnfield, MA 01940 and it is referred to as our Home office.
On October 2, 2013, RCS Capital Corporation (NYSE: RCAP) (“RCAP”) and Investors Capital Holdings, LTD. (“ICH”) announced its entry on October 1, 2013 into a letter of intent (the “Letter of Intent”) under which RCAP expects to acquire ICH for aggregate consideration of approximately $52.2 million
,
or for a share purchase price of $7.25 for each share of ICH common stock outstanding, on a fully diluted basis.
On October 27, 2013, the Company executed a definitive merger agreement (the “Merger Agreement”) with RCAP, pursuant to which RCAP will acquire ICH and its subsidiaries, including Investors Capital
Corporation, for a total consideration of approximately $52.5 million comprised of cash and RCAP stock.
T
he definitive merger agreement between RCAP and ICH will require that ICH pay RCAP a $3 million termination fee, in certain specific circumstances, should the merger not be consummated and
ICH consummates a business combination transaction with another party other than RCAP. In addition, ICH has agreed to a 45-day exclusivity period subject to reimbursement of certain expenses of RCAP.
The closing of the transaction is subject to customary
closing conditions, including FINRA approval of the proposed change in control for ICC, approval of the transaction by ICH stockholders and registration of the Class A common stock of RCAP to be issued as merger consideration. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2014.
Broker-Dealer Services
We provide broker-dealer services in support of trading and investment by our representatives’ customers in securities, including corporate equity and debt securities, U.S. Government securities, municipal securities, mutual funds, limited partnerships and other alternative investments, variable annuities and variable life insurance. We also provide related services such as market information, Internet brokerage, portfolio tracking facilities and records management.
Investment Advisory Services
We provide investment advisory services, including asset allocation and portfolio rebalancing, with our various programs.
These services, for the most part, are conducted through our online brokerage platform. Other allocation services are performed
directly by fund companies. ICA
offers several advisory wrap programs that provide managed advisory accounts for our advisors’ clients, as follows:
A-MAP Suite of Advisory Wrap Programs- Rep-As-Portfolio Manager Program
ICA’s suite of A-MAP Program, including A-MAP, A-MAP AT, & A-MAP FT, enables the advisor to assist a client in creating a personalized investment portfolio. The advisor acts as the portfolio manager, with full investment discretion. A-MAP and A-MAP AT are programs where a platform fee is charged by ICA for its services as a registered investment advisor (“RIA”). A-MAP- FT is a program where ICA charges a flat fee in lieu of a platform fee for its services as an RIA.
Fund Select Advisory Wrap Program- Rep-As-Portfolio Manager Program
Fund Select is an advisory program where the advisor creates and manages a customized portfolio constructed primarily of mutual funds.
F-MAP Advisory Wrap Program – Firm managed ETF and Mutual Fund Wrap Program
F-MAP program utilizes a model portfolio established ICA which creates, manages, rebalances, reallocates, and reports on portfolios that consist of but are not limited to: no-load or load-waived mutual funds, ETF's, and/or variable annuities.
S-MAP Advisory Wrap Program – Separate Account Wrap Program
S-MAP is an advisory program where ICA has entered into agreements with Sub-Advisors who are selected by the representatives to provide advisory services to their clients. The S-MAP portfolios are not managed by ICA; rather they are managed by the Sub-Advisor on a discretionary basis.
Recruitment and Support of Representatives
A key component of our business strategy is to recruit well-established, productive representatives who provide superior service to their clients. Additionally, we assist our representatives in developing and expanding their business by providing a variety of support services and a diversified range of investment products for their clients. We focus on providing substantial added value to our representatives’ practices, enabling them to be more productive, particularly in high margin lines such as advisory services and brokerage.
Support provided to assist representatives in pursuing consistent, profitable sales growth takes many forms, including automated trading systems, targeted financial assistance and a network of communication links with investment product companies. Regional and national conventions provide forums for interaction to improve product knowledge, sales and client satisfaction. In addition, we provide our representatives with programs and tools to grow their businesses both through new client acquisition and advancement of existing client relationships. These programs enhance our ability to attract and retain productive representatives.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
In General
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”). The Company believes that of its significant accounting policies and litigation and regulatory matters to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements contained herein), those dealing with revenue recognition, allowance for doubtful accounts receivable, taxes and accrual of legal expenses involve a particularly high degree of judgment and complexity. Our accounting policies require estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts
of assets, liabilities, revenue
and expenses reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements. By their nature, estimates involve judgment based upon available information. Actual results or amounts can and do differ from estimates and the differences can have a material effect on the condensed consolidated financial statements. Therefore, understanding these policies is important to understanding the reported results of operations and the financial position of the Company.
Off Balance Sheet Risk
We execute securities transactions on behalf of our customers on a fully-disclosed basis. If either the customer or a counter-party fails to perform, we, by agreement with our clearing broker, may be required to discharge the obligations of the non-performing party. In such circumstances, we may sustain a loss if the market value of the security is different from the contract value of the transaction. We seek to control off-balance sheet risk by monitoring the market value of securities held or given as collateral in compliance with regulatory and internal guidelines. Pursuant to such guidelines, our clearing company requires that we reduce positions when necessary. We also complete credit evaluations where there is thought to be credit risk.
Reserves
We record reserves related to legal proceedings in “accrued expenses” in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The determination of these reserve amounts requires significant judgment on the part of management. Management considers many factors including, but not limited to: the amount of the claim; the amount of the loss in the client’s account; the basis and validity of the claim; the possibility of wrongdoing on the part of an employee or representative of the Company; previous results in similar cases; and legal precedents. Each legal proceeding is reviewed with counsel in each accounting period and the reserve is adjusted as deemed appropriate by management. Any change in the reserve amount is recorded in the
condensed consolidated
financial statements and is recognized as a charge/credit to earnings in that period. The assumptions made by management in determining the estimates of reserves may be incorrect and the actual costs upon settlement of a legal proceeding may be greater or less than the
reserved
amount. See “Note 6, Litigation and Regulatory Matters”.
KEY INDICATORS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE FOR MANAGEMENT
Management periodically reviews and analyzes our financial performance across a number of measurable factors considered to be particularly useful in understanding and managing our business. Key metrics in this process include productivity and practice diversification of representatives, top line commission and advisory services revenues, operating expenses, legal defense and settlement costs, taxes, earnings per share and adjusted EBITDA.
PRODUCTIVITY OF REPRESENTATIVES
Management believes that improving the overall quality of our independent representatives is a key to achieving growth in revenues and earnings. We believe that upgrading the business practices of our representatives not only grows revenue, but assists in limiting the cost of overhead functions and representative noncompliance. We strive to continually
advance
the
overall quality of
our
representatives by:
|
·
|
|
attracting productive and profitable representatives, and
|
|
·
|
|
supporting representatives further develop their skills and practices, and
|
|
·
|
|
terminating low quality representatives.
|
A key metric that we use to assess the average quality of our producing (non-staff) representatives is per capita rep-generated revenue based on a rolling 12-month period. Data for the 12-months ended
December 31
, 201
3
and 2012 are presented below:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Twelve Months Ended
|
|
|
Change
|
|
|
December 31, 2013
|
|
|
December 31, 2012
|
|
|
Dollar
|
|
Percentage
|
Rep-generated revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commission
|
$
|
71,940,220
|
|
$
|
63,843,194
|
|
$
|
8,097,026
|
|
12.7%
|
Advisory
|
|
18,053,107
|
|
|
16,146,716
|
|
|
1,906,391
|
|
11.8%
|
Other fee income
|
|
1,527,219
|
|
|
1,452,893
|
|
|
74,326
|
|
5.1%
|
|
$
|
91,520,546
|
|
$
|
81,442,803
|
|
$
|
10,077,743
|
|
12.4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Number of representatives
|
|
441
|
|
|
454
|
|
|
(13)
|
|
-2.9%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average revenue per representative
|
$
|
207,530
|
|
$
|
179,389
|
|
$
|
28,140
|
|
15.7%
|
The continued growth in the per capita rep-generated revenue is a direct result of
our dedicated strategy of
attracting and recruiting new advisors,
the
f
avorable market conditions and our enhanced
practice management program.
COMPARISON OF THE THREE MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER
3
1
, 2013 AND 2012
Results of Operations
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Quarter Ended December 31,
|
|
Change
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
Dollar
|
|
Percentage
|
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commission
|
$ 18,583,079
|
|
$ 15,510,183
|
|
$ 3,072,896
|
|
19.8%
|
Advisory fees
|
4,917,295
|
|
4,162,082
|
|
755,213
|
|
18.1%
|
Other fee income
|
904,314
|
|
935,375
|
|
(31,061)
|
|
-3.3%
|
Other income
|
444,071
|
|
158,722
|
|
285,349
|
|
179.8%
|
Total revenue
|
24,848,759
|
|
20,766,362
|
|
4,082,397
|
|
19.7%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commissions and advisory fees expense
|
19,591,094
|
|
16,125,987
|
|
3,465,107
|
|
21.5%
|
Compensation and benefits
|
1,664,710
|
|
1,484,416
|
|
180,294
|
|
12.1%
|
Regulatory, legal and professional
|
2,371,820
|
|
1,378,066
|
|
993,754
|
|
72.1%
|
Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees
|
425,632
|
|
385,100
|
|
40,532
|
|
10.5%
|
Technology and communications
|
265,261
|
|
337,495
|
|
(72,234)
|
|
-21.4%
|
Advertising, marketing and promotion
|
576,439
|
|
188,808
|
|
387,631
|
|
205.3%
|
Occupancy and equipment
|
116,092
|
|
170,539
|
|
(54,447)
|
|
-31.9%
|
Other administrative
|
238,046
|
|
409,092
|
|
(171,046)
|
|
-41.8%
|
Interest
|
2,986
|
|
3,588
|
|
(602)
|
|
-16.8%
|
Total expenses
|
25,252,080
|
|
20,483,091
|
|
4,768,989
|
|
23.3%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating (loss) income
|
(403,321)
|
|
283,271
|
|
(686,592)
|
|
-242.4%
|
(Benefit) provision for income taxes
|
(117,627)
|
|
149,555
|
|
(267,182)
|
|
-178.7%
|
Net (loss) income
|
$ (285,694)
|
|
$ 133,716
|
|
(419,410)
|
|
-313.7%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA:
|
$ 509,235
|
|
$ 406,491
|
|
$ 102,744
|
|
25.3%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments to conform adjusted EBITDA to GAAP net (loss) income :
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefit (provision) for income taxes
|
117,627
|
|
(149,555)
|
|
267,182
|
|
-178.7%
|
Interest expense
|
(2,986)
|
|
(3,588)
|
|
602
|
|
-16.8%
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
(47,382)
|
|
(82,039)
|
|
34,657
|
|
-42.2%
|
Non-recurring professional fees
|
(758,342)
|
|
-
|
|
(758,342)
|
|
-100.0%
|
Non-cash compensation
|
(93,096)
|
|
(30,353)
|
|
(62,743)
|
|
206.7%
|
Forgivable loans charged to commission expense
|
(10,750)
|
|
(7,240)
|
|
(3,510)
|
|
48.5%
|
Net (loss) income
|
$ (285,694)
|
|
$ 133,716
|
|
$ (419,410)
|
|
-313.7%
|
ADJUSTED EBITDA
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”), as adjusted by eliminating other non-cash expense, gains or losses on sales of assets, and various non-recurring items (“adjusted EBITDA”), is a key metric we use in evaluating our financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA eliminates items that we believe are not part of our core operations, are non-recurring items of revenue or expense, or do not involve a cash outlay, such as stock-related compensation. We consider adjusted EBITDA important in monitoring and evaluating our financial performance on a consistent basis across multiple time periods. We also use adjusted
EBITDA as an important measure, among others, to analyze and evaluate financial and strategic planning decisions.
Adjusted EBITDA is considered a non-US GAAP financial measure as defined by Regulation G promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act. Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in conjunction with, rather than as a substitute for, important US GAAP financial measures including pre-tax income, net income and cash flows from operating activities. Items excluded from adjusted EBITDA are significant and necessary components to the operations of our business; therefore, adjusted EBITDA should only be used as a supplemental measure of our operating performance.
Third
q
uarter
a
djusted EBITDA, was
$
0.
5
million
in income
, a
n
increase
of
25.3
%
from a
$0.
4
million
income
Adjusted EBITDA
i
n the comparative quarter
. This
increase
is
primarily due to
$0.8 million in
non-recurring professional fees related to the Merger Agreement
in the current period
.
REVENUE
Revenue
increased
by
$
4.1
million, or by 19.7%,
primarily due to an increase in top line revenue from commissions and advisory
as the Company is focused on growth, both organically through targeted business development, advisor recruitment and improved market conditions.
C
ommissions
revenue
grew
19.8
%
,
or
$
3.
1
million primarily as a result of
additional
direct business, reflecting
an increase in
investments
from our representative’s clients
.
A
dvisory services
revenue
increased
18.1% as the total
assets
under
administration
grew, benefiting from an improved stock market
as
compared to last year at this time
and additional assets invested
.
Our advisor managed program continues to contribute the majority of
advisory fee revenue. Revenue
decreased in the A-MAP
program
and
revenue
remained relatively flat for the
F-MAP programs
. These changes were
offset by an increase in revenue and assets under management in our A-MAP FT program, another advisor managed program which includes a flat fee structure. These changes resulted both from new assets as well as from
the continued shift of assets by our advisors into fee base programs that meet their clients’ needs.
Other fee income, which consists primarily of licensing fees, annual administrative fees, and technology fees,
was
consistent with the
same three month period last year
.
Other revenue, which consists of net marketing revenues
from strategic partners
and interest income
,
increased
primarily from marketing allowances for product sales offset by a decrease in marketing allowances for sponsorship of events.
EXPENSES
E
xpenses increased by $
4.8
million,
or
23.3
%, principally as a result of increases in commissions and advisory fees compensated to our independent representatives
on increased sales volume, advertising and marketing costs for practice management and recruiting, a
s well as
increase in professional fees and
legal and
settlement costs.
There were also increases in compensation and benefits
.
Offsetting these increases was a decrease in occupancy and equipment
and technology and communications
.
Commissions and advisory fees paid to our representatives represent a percentage of revenue of our broker-dealer; accordingly, the ratio of commissions and advisor fees payout
is directly correlated to increased
top line revenue in the current period
as compared to
the prior period.
Accordingly, when the independent registered representatives increase their business, both our revenues and expenses increase as our representatives earn additional compensation based on the revenue produced.
For the
three months
comparative period
December 31,
2013 versus 2012
,
the payout ratio
increased
due to
enhanced compensation to recently recruited represtatives .
Regulatory, legal and professional expenses
increased by 72.1
%
as the
increase was driven principally by
the $
0
.8 million in
legal and professional costs
related to the Merger Agreement between RCAP and ICH.
Legal fees and settlement costs
related to securities litigation
were consistent
with
the prior period; however in the current period our reserves
for estimated settlement costs
have
increased.
While t
he Company
had fewer
cases
that
settled in the current
p
eriod versus the prior period,
a h
igher deductible amount per case
applies
.
These settlements continue to
stem
largely
on
claims made
from the
sales of alternative investment products prior to the recession, coupled with an increase in the Company’s
deductible
specifically for th
e
alternative investment products.
We will continue to incur legal fees, settlement costs and E&O premiums as we operate in a litigious, regulated industry. In addition, from time to time regulatory agencies and self-regulatory organizations institute investigations into industry or firm practices, that also may result in the imposition of financial or other sanctions. We
deliberately apply
resources to mitigate litigation and regulatory exposure by promoting operational procedures and obtaining comprehensive insurance coverage.
The increase in compensation and benefits is attributable to the Company’s salaries returning to base pay levels in the current period as compared to salary reductions
in the prior period, offset by increased
non-cash compensation expense
of
$0.
1
million,
or 206.7%
for the
vesting of non-restricted
stock
grants made to
ICC employees and
representatives
,
and
independent
ICH Board
of Directors
awarded
February
,
2013.
Advertising, m
arketing and promotion
costs doubled
a
s the result of advertisements in
trade
publications t
o promote
our
brand awareness
and
our targeted
recruiting campaigns.
General
marketing
and advertising
increased to
promote
ICC’s
2013
Broker Dealer of the Year award, as well as
outside
recruiting
costs.
Costs associated with occupancy and equipment decreased
primarily as a result of
reduced
d
epreciation and amortization
incurred in the current period as compared to the
write off of leasehold improvements
in our Home office relocation in the prior period
.
Other administrative costs decreased
by 41.8%, principally
due to one-time home office relocation costs incurred in the
prior period.
We had an income tax benefit of $
0.
1
million for the three months ended
December 31, 2013
as compared to $0.
2
million
income tax provision for the prior period. The income tax rates for the 2013 and 2012 periods do not bear a
customary relationship to effective tax rates primarily as a result of the increase in the permanent differences created
by non
-deductible fees
related to the merger
for
each of the periods presented
, where applicable
.
FINANCIAL
RESULTS SUMMARY
The Company’s operating loss was
largely
attributed to the Merger Agreement between RCAP and ICH as the significant increase in revenues did not offset the $
0
.8 million in merger related
professional
costs; however,
we achieved our largest quarterly revenue in
our Company’s
history.
The Company, through its growth initiatives, its recruiting efforts, along with improved market conditions, was able to achieve
notable
revenue growth and will continue its efforts to sustain this growth.
The Company’s net loss was $0.
3
million, or $0.
04
per basic net loss per share, compared to net income of $0.
1
million, or $0.0
2
basic and diluted net income per share, for the prior period.
COMPARISON OF THE
NINE
MONTHS ENDED
DECEMBER
3
1
, 2013 AND 2012
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months Ended December 31,
|
|
Change
|
|
2013
|
|
2012
|
|
Dollar
|
|
Percentage
|
Revenue:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commission
|
$ 53,740,490
|
|
$ 47,378,076
|
|
$ 6,362,414
|
|
13.4%
|
Advisory fees
|
13,895,844
|
|
12,252,067
|
|
1,643,777
|
|
13.4%
|
Other fee income
|
1,437,442
|
|
1,611,705
|
|
(174,263)
|
|
-10.8%
|
Other income
|
1,135,781
|
|
649,804
|
|
485,977
|
|
74.8%
|
Total revenue
|
70,209,557
|
|
61,891,652
|
|
8,317,905
|
|
13.4%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Commissions and advisory fees expense
|
56,202,416
|
|
48,862,794
|
|
7,339,622
|
|
15.0%
|
Compensation and benefits
|
5,016,183
|
|
4,524,385
|
|
491,798
|
|
10.9%
|
Regulatory, legal and professional
|
6,241,110
|
|
3,231,325
|
|
3,009,785
|
|
93.1%
|
Brokerage, clearing and exchange fees
|
1,174,598
|
|
1,087,898
|
|
86,700
|
|
8.0%
|
Technology and communications
|
982,034
|
|
961,713
|
|
20,321
|
|
2.1%
|
Advertising, marketing and promotion
|
1,364,345
|
|
661,505
|
|
702,840
|
|
106.2%
|
Occupancy and equipment
|
337,620
|
|
534,839
|
|
(197,219)
|
|
-36.9%
|
Other administrative
|
733,556
|
|
847,870
|
|
(114,314)
|
|
-13.5%
|
Interest
|
145,468
|
|
17,390
|
|
128,078
|
|
736.5%
|
Total expenses
|
72,197,330
|
|
60,729,719
|
|
11,467,611
|
|
18.9%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating (loss) income
|
(1,987,773)
|
|
1,161,933
|
|
(3,149,706)
|
|
-271.1%
|
(Benefit) provision for income taxes
|
(560,977)
|
|
486,316
|
|
(1,047,293)
|
|
-215.4%
|
Net (loss) income
|
$ (1,426,796)
|
|
$ 675,617
|
|
(2,102,413)
|
|
-311.2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted EBITDA:
|
$ (307,730)
|
|
$ 1,728,234
|
|
$ (2,035,964)
|
|
-117.8%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjustments to conform adjusted EBITDA to GAAP net (loss) income :
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Benefit (provision) for income taxes
|
560,977
|
|
(486,316)
|
|
1,047,293
|
|
-215.4%
|
Interest expense
|
(145,468)
|
|
(17,390)
|
|
(128,078)
|
|
736.5%
|
Depreciation and amortization
|
(168,211)
|
|
(246,056)
|
|
77,845
|
|
-31.6%
|
Non-recurring professional fees
|
(846,423)
|
|
-
|
|
(846,423)
|
|
-100.0%
|
Non-cash compensation
|
(290,980)
|
|
(121,256)
|
|
(169,724)
|
|
140.0%
|
Forgivable loans charged to commission expense
|
(228,961)
|
|
(181,599)
|
|
(47,362)
|
|
26.1%
|
Net (loss) income
|
$ (1,426,796)
|
|
$ 675,617
|
|
$ (2,102,413)
|
|
-311.2%
|
ADJUSTED EBITDA
See information, above, regarding the relevance, calculation and use of adjusted EBITDA set forth in the comparison of the three month periods ended
December 31, 2013
and 2012.
REVENUE
Revenues
for the
nine
months ended
December 31, 2013
grew by
13.4
% or by
$
8.3
million primarily from top line revenue
growth
in commissions and advisory fees.
Facilitating this growth
are
continued efforts to
attract
new independent representatives, improved market conditions, and
dedicated
practice management initiatives.
Commissions grew
13.
4
%, or $
6.
4
million, while advisory fees grew by $1.
6
million, or
1
3
.
4
%, which
comprise approximately 20% of total revenues. Also, revenues from strategic partners
, includ
ed
in
o
ther
income
,
grew by more than
131.1
% as a direct result of specific product sales
offset by a 235.4% decrease in sponsorship for marketing events
. The Company is focused on expansion and increasing its market share through marketing efforts to attract independent representatives to the firm along with retaining representatives by its 5-star service model and practice management and development initiatives.
Expenses increased by $11.5 million or by 18.9 %. The increased
expense is
primarily from commissions and advisory fees paid to our registered representatives on increase in sales volume
, coupled
with a
n increased
payout ratio. There were also increases in
advertising and marketing costs for practice management, recruiting and promotion of our brand
.
Legal defense and settlement costs
almost
doubled, totaling $
6.2
million and continue to negatively impact our operating results.
The significant increases in legal and professional pertain to a case we settled for $0.7 million from sales in alternative investments in addition to the $0.8 million in merger related costs.
The remaining increase pertains to legal settlements primarily related to
sales of
alternative investments.
Compensation and benefits increased by
10.9
%, or $0.
5
million
due to the
Company’s salaries returning to
base pay levels in the current fiscal year
as compared to salary reductions in the prior period. Also, the Company had new strategic hires in the marketing and compliance
departments
,
as well as non-cash compensation for restricted stock grants awarded in February 2013 resulting in additional compensation of $0.
2
million.
Interest expense increased by $0.1
3
million as a result of quarterly interest charges for ICC’s subordinated loan which was funded in March, 2013.
The other expense categories
had minor fluxes when comparing nine months ended December 31, 2013 versus nine months ended December 31, 2012 or the changes
were consistent with that of the three month
s
end
ed
analys
es
.
FINANCIAL
RESULTS SUMMARY
While revenue
s are increasing to historic levels
, it was outpaced by both actual settlement costs and reserves for settling of pending litigation
. Legal settlements
along with the merger costs attributed
to the
operating loss in the current period. Legal settlements
stemming from products sold
prior to the recent recessions have significantly impacted our
results of operations for
several reporting periods. Management’s strategy and ultimately success for resolving these cases, along with its sustained organic and recruiting growth initiatives, will be necessary to improve the Company’s operating and net income results going forward.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary source of liquidity remains cash flows from operations, primarily from our broker-dealer and investment advisory business. Decisions on the allocation of capital include projected profitability and available cash flows, risk management and regulatory capital requirements. A key to this approach is ensuring that industry-standard controls are effective to support our operations and those of our representatives while ensuring sufficient liquidity.
As of
December 31, 2013
, cash and cash equivalents totaled $6.
4
million as compared to $6.6 million as of March 31, 2013. Working capital as of
December 31, 2013
was $
5.9
million as compared to $7.5 million as of March 31, 2013. The ratio of current assets to current liabilities was
1.
7
to 1 as of
December 31, 2013
, as compared to 1.9 to 1 as of March 31, 2013.
Operations provided $
1.2
million in cash for the current period, as compared to
$
1.
6
million of operating cash provided in the prior period. When comparing the current period cash flow to the prior period cash flow from operating activities the significant changes were from current period’s net loss versus the prior period’s net income, from account balances held at our clearing firm, from the change in the deferred tax asset
, and
significant changes in accounts payable
,
accrued legal expenses
, and accounts receivable
and other receivables
related to settlements
, including a $1.0 million in a receivable for a related insurance recovery.
For our current level of operating activities, we believe that our operations and current capital resources will be sufficient to fund our working capital needs for the next twelve months. These needs are to grow top line re
venue
organically through practice management initiatives and by continuing to recruit advisors to the firm.
Net cash flows used in investing activities in the current period
were consistent with net cash flows used in the prior period. Net cash flows in investing activities
represent purchases in equipment, contributions on an executive life insurance policy, and proceeds from other investments.
Cash flows for financing activities in the current period decreased slightly when compared to the prior period as we paid $1.
4
million and $1.
6
million in loan payments to finance E&O insurance premiums, respectively, for the periods ended
December 31, 2013
and 2012.
The Company has a line of credit (“line”) with specific financial covenants with its financial institution. Although there were no borrowings, the Company did achieve the required operating results to meet those covenants.
REGULATORY NET CAPITAL
Cash disbursements can have a material impact on our registered broker dealer’s regulatory net capital.
ICC is subject to the SEC Uniform Net Capital Rule (Rule 15c3-1) which requires our broker-dealer subsidiary to maintain minimum net capital. As of March 31, 2011 and going forward, ICC computes net capital requirements under the alternative method, which requires firms to maintain minimum net capital, as defined, equal to the greater of $250,000 or 2% of aggregate debit balances. Repayment or prepayment of subordinated debt, currently $2,000,000, and withdrawal of equity from retiring partners or officers is subject to net capital not falling below 5% of aggregate debits or 120% of minimum net capital requirement.
As of
December 31, 2013
, ICC had net capital of $
3.49
million (i.e., an excess of $
3.24
million) a
s compared to net capital of approximately $4.43 million (i.e., an excess of $4.18 million) as of March 31, 2013.
Commitments and Contingencies
Operating leases.
On October 19, 2012 the Company entered into a lease for 14,045 square feet and began occupying that space on December 1, 2012 in Lynnfield, MA. This lease, which originally
was for
a term of sixteen months
with expiration
on March 31, 2014, has been amended to a three year extension
,
expiring on March 31
, 2017
. There was no change as to the rentable area of 14,045 square feet being leased; however, the lease calls for a “right of first refusal for additional space’ within that three year period contiguous with our space.
The total minimum rental due in future periods under these existing agreements as of
December 31
, 201
3
are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
2014
|
$ 100,745
|
|
|
2015
|
345,027
|
|
|
2016
|
356,681
|
|
|
2017
|
331,995
|
|
|
2018
|
24,000
|
|
|
|
$ 1,158,448
|
Total lease expense for office space approximated
$0.06
and $0.06 million for the three months ended and
$
0
.1
5
and $0
.18
million for the
nine
months ended
December 31
, 201
3
and 2012, respectively.
Subsequent to March 31, 2013, the Company was released from its commercial lease agreement for its prior home office location at 230 Broadway, Lynnfield, MA. The Company is
actively
purs
u
ing damages in this matter.
Contingent transition loans
.
The Company offers loans and transition assistance to representatives mainly for recruiting or retention purposes. These commitments are contingent upon certain events occurring, including, but not limited to, the representatives joining the Company and meeting certain production requirements.
As of
December
3
1
, 2013 and
March 31,2013
, there were
$0.25 million and $0.0 million
outstanding commitments
, respectively
.