Table of Contents
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
| x | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
| FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2003 |
| ¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
| FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM TO |
Commission File No. 0-25681
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| Florida | 65-0423422 | |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) | |
| 11811 U.S. Highway One, Suite 101 North Palm Beach, Florida |
33408 | |
| (Address of principal executive offices) | (Zip Code) | |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (561) 630-2400
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes x No ¨
The number of outstanding shares of the issuer’s common stock as of October 31, 2003 was as follows: 15,087,456 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value.
Table of Contents
Bankrate, Inc.
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2003
| PAGE NO. | ||||
| PART I. |
FINANCIAL INFORMATION | |||
| Item 1. |
Interim Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited): | |||
| Condensed Balance Sheets at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002 | 3 | |||
| Condensed Statements of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 | 4 | |||
| Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 | 5 | |||
| Notes to Condensed Financial Statements | 6 | |||
| Item 2. |
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations | 10 | ||
| Item 3. |
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk | 16 | ||
| Item 4. |
Controls and Procedures | 17 | ||
| PART II. |
OTHER INFORMATION | |||
| Item 1. |
Legal Proceedings | 17 | ||
| Item 2. |
Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds | 17 | ||
| Item 3. |
Defaults Upon Senior Securities | 17 | ||
| Item 4. |
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders | 17 | ||
| Item 5. |
Other Information | 17 | ||
| Item 6. |
Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K | 17 | ||
| 18 | ||||
Introductory Note
This Report and our other communications and statements may contain “forward-looking statements,” including statements about our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, estimates, projections and intentions. These statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, many of which are beyond our control. For information concerning these factors and related matters, see Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in this Report, and the following sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 (the “2002 Form 10-K”): (a) “Risk Factors” in Item 1, “Business,” and (b) “Introduction” in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
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Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
| Item 1. | INTERIM CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED) |
Condensed Balance Sheets
(Unaudited)
| September 30, 2003 |
December 31, 2002 |
|||||||
| Assets | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents |
$ | 19,602,421 | $ | 11,000,561 | ||||
| Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $200,000 at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002 |
2,888,005 | 2,378,535 | ||||||
| Other current assets |
434,768 | 370,886 | ||||||
| Total current assets |
22,925,194 | 13,749,982 | ||||||
| Furniture, fixtures and equipment, net |
902,766 | 912,651 | ||||||
| Intangible assets, net |
108,318 | 206,915 | ||||||
| Other assets |
406,206 | 303,547 | ||||||
| Total assets |
$ | 24,342,484 | $ | 15,173,095 | ||||
| Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity | ||||||||
| Liabilities: |
||||||||
| Accounts payable |
$ | 1,361,798 | $ | 809,068 | ||||
| Accrued expenses |
2,458,396 | 3,072,771 | ||||||
| Deferred revenue |
277,101 | 255,081 | ||||||
| Other current liabilities |
231,547 | 243,891 | ||||||
| Total current liabilities |
4,328,842 | 4,380,811 | ||||||
| Other liabilities |
250,007 | 142,226 | ||||||
| Total liabilities |
4,578,849 | 4,523,037 | ||||||
| Stockholders’ equity: | ||||||||
| Preferred stock, 10,000,000 shares authorized and undesignated |
— | — | ||||||
| Common stock, par value $.01 per share – 100,000,000 shares authorized; 15,075,516 and 13,998,168 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2003 and December 31, 2002, respectively |
150,755 | 139,982 | ||||||
| Additional paid in capital |
66,047,580 | 63,932,578 | ||||||
| Accumulated deficit |
(46,434,700 | ) | (53,422,502 | ) | ||||
| Total stockholders’ equity |
19,763,635 | 10,650,058 | ||||||
| Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity |
$ | 24,342,484 | $ | 15,173,095 | ||||
See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.
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Condensed Statements of Operations
(Unaudited)
| Three Months Ended September 30, |
Nine Months Ended September 30, | |||||||||||
| 2003 |
2002 |
2003 |
2002 | |||||||||
| Revenue: |
||||||||||||
| Online publishing |
$ | 8,113,959 | $ | 6,264,936 | $ | 23,645,491 | $ | 16,245,680 | ||||
| Print publishing and licensing |
1,346,983 | 978,447 | 3,914,128 | 2,836,670 | ||||||||
| Total revenue |
9,460,942 | 7,243,383 | 27,559,619 | 19,082,350 | ||||||||
| Cost of revenue: |
||||||||||||
| Online publishing |
1,303,018 | 1,148,031 | 3,885,066 | 2,965,233 | ||||||||
| Print publishing and licensing |
1,032,213 | 746,788 | 2,907,101 | 2,085,843 | ||||||||
| Total cost of revenue |
2,335,231 | 1,894,819 | 6,792,167 | 5,051,076 | ||||||||
| Gross margin |
7,125,711 | 5,348,564 | 20,767,452 | 14,031,274 | ||||||||
| Operating expenses: |
||||||||||||
| Sales |
1,110,548 | 1,026,862 | 3,276,215 | 2,822,331 | ||||||||
| Marketing |
1,412,215 | 839,979 | 3,981,940 | 2,730,266 | ||||||||
| Product development |
620,537 | 365,599 | 1,806,029 | 1,046,441 | ||||||||
| General and administrative |
1,438,252 | 1,345,637 | 4,366,580 | 3,722,542 | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
161,605 | 174,283 | 515,485 | 441,276 | ||||||||
| 4,743,157 | 3,752,360 | 13,946,249 | 10,762,856 | |||||||||
| Income from operations |
2,382,554 | 1,596,204 | 6,821,203 | 3,268,418 | ||||||||
| Interest income, net |
65,327 | 31,423 | 166,599 | 51,082 | ||||||||
| Gain on early extinguishment of debt |
— | — | — | 2,021,792 | ||||||||
| Income before income taxes |
2,447,881 | 1,627,627 | 6,987,802 | 5,341,292 | ||||||||
| Income taxes |
— | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Net income |
$ | 2,447,881 | $ | 1,627,627 | $ | 6,987,802 | $ | 5,341,292 | ||||
| Basic and diluted net income per share: |
||||||||||||
| Basic |
$ | 0.16 | $ | 0.12 | $ | 0.48 | $ | 0.38 | ||||
| Diluted |
$ | 0.16 | $ | 0.11 | $ | 0.46 | $ | 0.38 | ||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding: |
||||||||||||
| Basic |
14,941,600 | 13,996,950 | 14,528,371 | 13,996,950 | ||||||||
| Diluted |
15,787,803 | 14,566,248 | 15,331,077 | 14,151,085 | ||||||||
See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.
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Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
| Nine Months Ended September 30, |
||||||||
| 2003 |
2002 |
|||||||
| Cash flows from operating activities: |
||||||||
| Net income |
$ | 6,987,802 | $ | 5,341,292 | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||
| Gain on early extinguishment of debt |
— | (2,021,792 | ) | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
515,485 | 441,276 | ||||||
| Provision for doubtful accounts |
— | 19,392 | ||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
||||||||
| Increase in accounts receivable |
(509,470 | ) | (1,693,214 | ) | ||||
| Increase in other assets |
(171,815 | ) | (489,750 | ) | ||||
| Increase (decrease) in accounts payable |
552,730 | (44,195 | ) | |||||
| Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses |
(615,001 | ) | 800,221 | |||||
| Increase in other liabilities |
96,691 | 159,989 | ||||||
| Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue |
22,020 | (68,936 | ) | |||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities |
6,878,442 | 2,444,283 | ||||||
| Cash flows from investing activities: |
||||||||
| Purchases of equipment |
(401,103 | ) | (384,556 | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities |
(401,103 | ) | (384,556 | ) | ||||
| Cash flows from financing activities: |
||||||||
| Principal payments on capital lease obligations |
(1,254 | ) | (36,422 | ) | ||||
| Proceeds from exercise of stock options |
2,125,775 | — | ||||||
| Repayment of 10% convertible subordinated note payable |
— | (3,400,000 | ) | |||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities |
2,124,521 | (3,436,422 | ) | |||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents |
8,601,860 | (1,376,695 | ) | |||||
| Cash and equivalents, beginning of period |
11,000,561 | 9,755,032 | ||||||
| Cash and equivalents, end of period |
$ | 19,602,421 | $ | 8,378,337 | ||||
| Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: |
||||||||
| Cash paid during the period for interest |
$ | — | $ | 44,928 | ||||
See accompanying notes to condensed financial statements.
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NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
September 30, 2003
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1 – ORGANIZATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES
The Company
Bankrate, Inc. (the “Company”) owns and operates an Internet-based consumer banking marketplace. The Company’s flagship Web site, Bankrate.com, is the Web’s leading aggregator of information on more than 190 financial products, including mortgages, credit cards, new and used automobile loans, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, checking and ATM fees, home equity loans and online banking fees. Additionally, the Company provides financial applications and information to a network of distribution partners and through national and state publications. The Company is organized under the laws of the state of Florida.
On August 18, 2003, the Company’s common stock began trading on the Nasdaq National Market under its existing stock symbol “RATE.”
Basis of Presentation
The unaudited interim condensed financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 included herein have been prepared in accordance with the instructions for Form 10-Q under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Article 10 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations relating to interim financial statements.
In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim condensed financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal, recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company at September 30, 2003, and the results of its operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, and its cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002. The results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 are unaudited and are not necessarily indicative of the expected results for the full year or any future period.
The unaudited condensed financial statements included herein should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related footnotes included in the Company’s 2002 Form 10-K.
Barter Revenue
Online publishing revenue includes barter revenue, which represents the exchange by the Company of advertising space on the Company’s Web site for reciprocal advertising space on other Web sites. Barter revenues and expenses are recorded at the fair market value of the advertisements delivered or received, whichever is more determinable in the circumstances. Barter transactions have been valued based on similar cash transactions that have occurred within six months prior to the date of the barter transaction. Revenue from barter transactions is recognized as income when advertisements are delivered on the Company’s Web site. Barter expense is recognized when the Company’s advertisements are run on the other companies’ Web sites, which is typically in the same period in which barter revenue is recognized. If the advertising impressions are received from the customer prior to the Company delivering its advertising impressions, a liability is recorded. If the Company delivers its advertising impressions to the customer’s Web site prior to receiving the advertising impressions, a prepaid expense is recorded. A liability of approximately $11,000 was recorded at September 30, 2003, and no prepaid expense or liability was recorded at December 31, 2002. Barter revenue was approximately $835,000, and $641,000, and represented approximately 9% of total revenue, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, and was approximately $2,312,000 and $2,403,000, and represented approximately 8% and 13% of total revenue, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002.
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Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share
The Company computes basic net income per share by dividing net income for the period by the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per share includes the effect of common stock equivalents, consisting of outstanding stock options, to the extent the effect is not anti-dilutive.
The weighted average number of common shares outstanding used in computing diluted net income per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 includes the shares resulting from the dilutive effect of outstanding stock options. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003, 80,775 shares attributable to the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share because the effect was anti-dilutive. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002, 566,379 and 710,725 shares, respectively, attributable to the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share because the effect was anti-dilutive.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company applies the intrinsic value-based method of accounting prescribed by Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related interpretations including Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 44, Accounting for Certain Transactions Involving Stock Compensation, an Interpretation of APB Opinion No. 25, issued in March 2000, to account for its fixed plan options. Under this method, compensation is recognized over the grant’s vesting period only if the current market price of the underlying stock on the date of grant exceeds the exercise price. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, as amended by SFAS No. 148, (“Statement 123”), established accounting and disclosure requirements using a fair value-based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation plans. The Company has elected to continue to apply the intrinsic value-based method of accounting described above, and has adopted the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 148.
Pro Forma Disclosures Under SFAS No. 148
The per share weighted average fair value of stock options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was $2.97 on the date of grant, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. No options were granted during the three months ended September 30, 2003 and the nine months ended September 30, 2002. The following weighted average assumptions were used: expected volatility of 100%; expected dividend yield of 0%; risk-free interest rate of 4%; and expected life of 5 years.
The Company applies APB Opinion No. 25 in accounting for its stock-based compensation. Had the Company determined compensation cost based on the fair value at the grant date for its stock options under SFAS No. 123, the net income and net income per share would have been reported at the pro forma amounts indicated below.
| Three Months Ended September 30, |
Nine Months Ended September 30, |
|||||||||||||||
| 2003 |
2002 |
2003 |
2002 |
|||||||||||||
| Net income: |
||||||||||||||||
| As reported |
$ | 2,447,881 | $ | 1,627,627 | $ | 6,987,802 | $ | 5,341,292 | ||||||||
| Less total stock-based employee compensation determined under fair value-based method for all awards, net of related tax effect |
(47,044 | ) | (237,287 | ) | (227,900 | ) | (689,602 | ) | ||||||||
| Pro forma net income |
$ | 2,400,837 | $ | 1,390,340 | $ | 6,759,902 | $ | 4,651,690 | ||||||||
| Net income per share as reported: |
||||||||||||||||
| Basic |
$ | 0.16 | $ | 0.12 | $ | 0.48 | $ | 0.38 | ||||||||
| Diluted |
$ | 0.16 | $ | 0.11 | $ | 0.46 | $ | 0.38 | ||||||||
| Net income per share pro forma: |
||||||||||||||||
| Basic |
$ | 0.16 | $ | 0.10 | $ | 0.47 | $ | 0.33 | ||||||||
| Diluted |
$ | 0.15 | $ | 0.10 | $ | 0.44 | $ | 0.33 | ||||||||
| Weighted average common shares outstanding: |
||||||||||||||||
| Basic |
14,941,600 | 13,996,950 | 14,528,371 | 13,996,950 | ||||||||||||
| Diluted |
15,787,803 | 14,566,248 | 15,331,077 | 14,151,085 | ||||||||||||
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Stockholders’ Equity
The activity in stockholder’s equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 is shown below.
| Common Stock |
Paid-in Capital |
Accumulated Deficit |
Total | ||||||||||||
| Shares |
Amount |
||||||||||||||
| Balances, December 31, 2002 |
13,998,168 | $ | 139,982 | $ | 63,932,578 | $ | (53,422,502 | ) | $ | 10,650,058 | |||||
| Stock options exercised |
208,441 | 2,084 | 698,589 | — | 700,673 | ||||||||||
| Net income for the period |
— | — | — | 2,018,695 | 2,018,695 | ||||||||||
| Balances, March 31, 2003 |
14,206,609 | 142,066 | 64,631,167 | $ | (51,403,807 | ) | 13,369,426 | ||||||||
| Stock options exercised |
605,729 | 6,058 | 1,039,233 | — | 1,045,291 | ||||||||||
| Net income for the period |
— | — | — | 2,521,226 | 2,521,226 | ||||||||||
| Balances, June 30, 2003 |
14,812,338 | 148,124 | 65,670,400 | $ | (48,882,581 | ) | 16,935,943 | ||||||||
| Stock options exercised |
263,178 | 2,631 | 377,180 | — | 379,811 | ||||||||||
| Net income for the period |
— | — | — | 2,447,881 | 2,447,881 | ||||||||||
| Balances, September 30, 2003 |
15,075,516 | $ | 150,755 | $ | 66,047,580 | $ | (46,434,700 | ) | $ | 19,763,635 | |||||
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income is the same as net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2002, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 45, Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others. The interpretation requires a company to record as a liability the fair value of certain guarantees initiated by the company. In addition, the interpretation requires additional disclosure of these and other guarantees in the notes to the financial statements. The recognition provisions of this interpretation are applied to guarantees entered into after December 31, 2002. This interpretation did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In July 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities (“Statement 146”) which requires, among other things, recording a liability for costs associated with an exit or disposal activity when that liability is incurred and can be measured at fair value. Commitment to an exit plan or a plan of disposal expresses only management’s future actions and, therefore, does not meet the requirement for recognizing a liability and the related expense. The provisions of Statement 146 are effective prospectively for exit and disposal activities initiated after December 31, 2002, with early application encouraged. This statement did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In December 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 148, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation-Transition and Disclosure, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 123 (“Statement 148”) to provide alternative methods of transition for a voluntary change to the fair value-based method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation. In addition, this statement amends the disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 123 to require prominent disclosures in both annual and interim financial statements about the method of accounting for stock-based employee compensation and the effect of the method used on reported results. The provisions of Statement 148 are effective for interim periods beginning after December 15, 2002, with early application encouraged. This statement did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. The Company currently intends to continue to account for stock options issued under APB No. 25 and present the pro forma disclosures in the footnotes to the financial statements.
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In January 2003, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 46, Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities (“FIN 46”). Subject to certain criteria defined in the interpretation, FIN 46 will require consolidation by business enterprises of variable interest entities if the enterprise has a variable interest that will absorb the majority of the entity’s expected losses, receives a majority of its expected returns, or both. The provisions of FIN 46 are effective immediately for interests acquired in variable interest entities after January 31, 2003, and at the beginning of the first interim or annual period beginning after June 15, 2003, for interests acquired in variable interest entities before February 1, 2003. The FASB has delayed the effective date for variable interest entities created before February 1, 2003 until the end of the first interim or annual period ending after December 15, 2003 (for the Company, December 31, 2003). This interpretation is not anticipated to have an impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150 (“Statement 150”), Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity. Statement 150 establishes standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. Statement 150 requires that an issuer classify a financial instrument that is within the scope of Statement 150 as a liability. Statement 150 is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003, is otherwise effective for the Company beginning September 1, 2003, and did not have an impact on the Company’s financial statements.
NOTE 2 – SEGMENT INFORMATION
The Company currently operates in two reportable business segments: online publishing, and print publishing and licensing. The online publishing division is primarily engaged in the sale of advertising, sponsorships, and hyperlinks in connection with the Company’s Internet site, Bankrate.com. The print publishing and licensing division is primarily engaged in the sale of advertising in the Consumer Mortgage Guide rate tables, newsletter subscriptions, and licensing of research information. The Company evaluates the performance of its operating segments based on segment profit (loss).
The Company had one online customer that accounted for approximately 8% and 11% of total revenue for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2003, respectively, and 13% and 10% of total revenue for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2002, respectively. No revenues were generated outside of the United States.
Summarized segment information as of, and for, the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 is presented below.
| Online Publishing |
Print Publishing and Licensing |
Other |
Total | ||||||||||
| Three Months Ended September 30, 2003 |
|||||||||||||
| Revenue |
$ | 8,113,959 | $ | 1,346,983 | $ | — | $ | 9,460,942 | |||||
| Cost of revenue |
1,303,018 | 1,032,213 | — | 2,335,231 | |||||||||
| Gross margin |
6,810,941 | 314,770 | — | 7,125,711 | |||||||||
| Sales |
1,110,548 | — | — | 1,110,548 | |||||||||
| Marketing |
1,412,215 | — | — | 1,412,215 | |||||||||
| Product development |
434,376 | 186,161 | — | 620,537 | |||||||||
| General and administrative expenses |
1,233,484 | 204,768 | — | 1,438,252 | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
113,124 | 48,481 | — | 161,605 | |||||||||
| Interest income, net |
— | — | 65,327 | 65,327 | |||||||||
| Segment profit (loss) |
$ | 2,507,194 | $ | (124,640 | ) | $ | 65,327 | $ | 2,447,881 | ||||
| Total assets |
$ | 3,911,740 | $ | 828,323 | $ | 19,602,421 | $ | 24,342,484 | |||||
| Online Publishing |
Print Publishing and Licensing |
Other |
Total | ||||||||||
| Three Months Ended September 30, 2002 |
|||||||||||||
| Revenue |
$ | 6,264,936 | $ | 978,447 | $ | — | $ | 7,243,383 | |||||
| Cost of revenue |
1,148,031 | 746,788 | — | 1,894,819 | |||||||||
| Gross margin |
5,116,905 | 231,659 | — | 5,348,564 | |||||||||
| Sales |
1,026,862 | — | — | 1,026,862 | |||||||||
| Marketing |
839,979 | — | — | 839,979 | |||||||||
| Product development |
255,919 | 109,680 | — | 365,599 | |||||||||
| General and administrative expenses |
1,163,866 | 181,771 | — | 1,345,637 | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
121,998 | 52,285 | — | 174,283 | |||||||||
| Interest income, net |
— | — | 31,423 | 31,423 | |||||||||
| Segment profit (loss) |
$ | 1,708,280 | $ | (112,076 | ) | $ | 31,423 | $ | 1,627,627 | ||||
| Total assets |
$ | 4,194,116 | $ | 678,399 | $ | 8,378,337 | $ | 13,250,852 | |||||
| Online Publishing |
Print Publishing and Licensing |
Other |
Total | ||||||||||
| Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 |
|||||||||||||
| Revenue |
$ | 23,645,491 | $ | 3,914,128 | $ | — | $ | 27,559,619 | |||||
| Cost of revenue |
3,885,066 | 2,907,101 | — | 6,792,167 | |||||||||
| Gross margin |
19,760,425 | 1,007,027 | — | 20,767,452 | |||||||||
| Sales |
3,276,215 | — | — | 3,276,215 | |||||||||
| Marketing |
3,981,940 | — | — | 3,981,940 | |||||||||
| Product development |
1,264,220 | 541,809 | — | 1,806,029 | |||||||||
| General and administrative expenses |
3,746,421 | 620,159 | — | 4,366,580 | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
360,840 | 154,645 | — | 515,485 | |||||||||
| Interest income, net |
— | — | 166,599 | 166,599 | |||||||||
| Segment profit (loss) |
$ | 7,130,789 | $ | (309,586 | ) | $ | 166,599 | $ | 6,987,802 | ||||
| Total assets |
$ | 3,911,740 | $ | 828,323 | $ | 19,602,421 | $ | 24,342,484 | |||||
| Online Publishing |
Print Publishing and Licensing |
Other |
Total | ||||||||||
| Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002 |
|||||||||||||
| Revenue |
$ | 16,245,680 | $ | 2,836,670 | $ | — | $ | 19,082,350 | |||||
| Cost of revenue |
2,965,233 | 2,085,843 | — | 5,051,076 | |||||||||
| Gross margin |
13,280,447 | 750,827 | — | 14,031,274 | |||||||||
| Sales |
2,822,331 | — | — | 2,822,331 | |||||||||
| Marketing |
2,730,266 | — | — | 2,730,266 | |||||||||
| Product development |
732,509 | 313,932 | — | 1,046,441 | |||||||||
| General and administrative expenses |
3,169,171 | 553,371 | — | 3,722,542 | |||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization |
308,893 | 132,383 | — | 441,276 | |||||||||
| Interest income, net |
— | — | 51,082 | 51,082 | |||||||||
| Gain on early extinguishment of debt |
— | — | 2,021,792 | 2,021,792 | |||||||||
| Segment profit (loss) |
$ | 3,517,277 | $ | (248,859 | ) | $ | 2,072,874 | $ | 5,341,292 | ||||
| Total assets |
$ | 4,194,116 | $ | 678,399 | $ | 8,378,337 | $ | 13,250,852 | |||||
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NOTE 3 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Legal Proceedings
In July 2000, the Company sold its former wholly-owned subsidiary, Professional Direct Agency, Inc. (“Pivot”), for $4,350,000 in cash. In connection with the sale, the Company agreed to indemnify the buyer for liability of up to $1,000,000 in connection with a litigation matter between Pivot and its co-founders and former owner. In March 2001, the case was dismissed based on a technical deficiency. In August 2001, the plaintiff re-filed the complaint. At September 30, 2003, the outcome of this matter was uncertain. The Company cannot estimate at this time the amount of loss, if any, that could result from an adverse resolution of this litigation.
NOTE 4 – LONG-TERM DEBT
On February 6, 2002, the Company entered into a Termination Agreement and General Release (the “Agreement”) with Reassure America Life Insurance Company (“REALIC”), successor by merger to The Midland Life Insurance Company, holder of its $4,350,000 10% convertible subordinated note payable. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, REALIC agreed to full repayment of the note, including accrued interest, on February 22, 2002 for $3,400,000 in cash. The Company recorded a gain on early extinguishment of debt of approximately $2,022,000 in the quarter ended March 31, 2002.
| Item 2. | MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
The following discussion may contain “forward-looking statements,” including statements about our beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, estimates, projections and intentions. These statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, many of which are beyond our control. For information concerning these factors and related matters, see the following sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 (the “2002 Form 10-K”): (a) “Risk Factors” in Item 1, “Business,” and (b) “Introduction” in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in addition to the other information set forth herein.
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Overview
Bankrate, Inc. (the “Company”) owns and operates an Internet-based consumer banking marketplace. Our flagship site, Bankrate.com, is the Web’s leading aggregator of information on more than 190 financial products including mortgages, credit cards, new and used automobile loans, money market accounts, certificates of deposit, checking and ATM fees, home equity loans and online banking fees. Additionally, we provide financial applications and information to a network of distribution partners and also through national and state publications. Bankrate.com provides the tools and information that can help consumers make better financial decisions. We regularly survey approximately 4,800 financial institutions in all 50 states in order to provide the most current objective, unbiased rates. Hundreds of print and online partner publications depend on Bankrate.com as the trusted source for financial rates and information.
Over two decades ago, we began as a print publisher of the newsletter Bank Rate Monitor. Our rate tables provide, at no cost to the consumer, a detailed list of lenders by market and include relevant details to help consumers compare loan products.
We continue to enhance our offerings in order to provide Bankrate.com users with the most complete experience. Features such as financial calculators and email newsletters allow users to interact with our site. Our Rate Trend Index is a weekly poll of industry insiders designed to help consumers forecast interest rate trends. We also broadened our offerings to include channels on investing, taxes, small business and financial advice. Each channel offers a unique look at its particular topic. Bankrate.com users can find advice and tips from the Tax channel, obtain business ideas from the Small Business channel and ask a financial expert a question in the Advice channel.
We believe that the recognition of our research as a leading source of independent, objective information on banking and credit products is essential to our success. As a result, we have sought to maximize distribution of our research to gain brand recognition as a research authority. We are seeking to build greater brand awareness of our Web site and to reach a greater number of online users.
Significant Developments
On February 6, 2002, we entered into an agreement with Reassure America Life Insurance Company (“REALIC”), successor by merger to The Midland Life Insurance Company. Pursuant to the terms of this agreement, REALIC agreed to full repayment of our $4,350,000 10% convertible subordinated note payable, including accrued interest, on February 22, 2002 for $3,400,000 in cash. Accordingly, we recorded a gain on early extinguishment of debt of approximately $2,022,000 in the quarter ended March 31, 2002.
On August 18, 2003, our common stock began trading on the Nasdaq National Market under its existing stock symbol “RATE.”
Overview of Revenue and Expenses and Critical Accounting Policies, Estimates and Practices
The following is our analysis of the results of operations for the periods covered by our interim condensed financial statements, including a discussion of the accounting policies and practices (revenue recognition) that we believe are critical to an understanding of our results of operations and to making the estimates and judgments underlying our financial statements. This analysis should be read in conjunction with our interim condensed financial statements, including the related notes. See “Results of Operations and Critical Accounting Policies” in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in our 2002 Form 10-K for additional information concerning the revenue and expense components of our online and print publishing operations.
Results of Operations
Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003 Compared to Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2002
Revenue
Online Publishing Revenue
We sell graphic advertisements on our Web site (including co-branded sites) consisting of banner, badge, poster and island advertisements. These advertisements are sold to advertisers according to the cost per thousand
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impressions, or CPM, the advertiser receives. The amount of advertising we sell is a function of (1) the number of advertisements per Web page, (2) the number of visitors viewing our Web pages, and (3) the capacity of our sales force. Advertising sales are invoiced monthly based on specific contract terms. Revenue is recognized monthly based on the percentage of actual impressions to the total number of impressions contracted. Revenue for impressions invoiced but not delivered is deferred and recognized when impressions are delivered. Additionally, we generate revenue on a “per action” basis (i.e., a purchase or completion of an application) when a visitor to our Web site transacts with one of our advertisers after viewing an advertisement. Revenue is recognized monthly based on the number of actions reported by the advertiser. We are also involved in revenue sharing arrangements with our online partners where the consumer uses co-branded sites hosted by us. Revenue is effectively allocated to each partner based on the percentage of advertisement views at each site. The allocated revenues are shared according to distribution agreements. Revenue is recorded at gross amounts and revenue payments are recorded in cost of revenue. We also sell hyperlinks to various third-party Internet sites that generate a fixed monthly fee, which is recognized in the month earned.
Online publishing revenue also includes barter revenue, which represents the exchange of advertising space on our Web site for reciprocal advertising space or traffic on other Web sites. Barter revenue and expense are recorded at the fair market value of the advertisements delivered or received, whichever is more determinable in the circumstances. Barter transactions have been valued based on similar cash transactions that have occurred within six months prior to the date of the barter transaction. Revenue from barter transactions is recognized as income when advertisements are delivered on our Web site. Barter expense is recognized when our advertisements are run on the other companies’ Web sites, which is typically in the same period barter revenue is recognized. If the advertising impressions are received from the customer prior to our delivering the advertising impressions, a liability is recorded. If we deliver advertising impressions to the other companies’ Web sites prior to receiving the advertising impressions, a prepaid expense is recorded. A liability of approximately $12,000 was recorded at September 30, 2003, and no prepaid expense or liability was recorded at December 31, 2002. Barter revenue was approximately $835,000, and $641,000, and represented approximately 9% of total revenue, respectively, for the three months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, and was approximately $2,312,000 and $2,403,000, and represented approximately 8% and 13% of total revenue, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002.
Excluding barter revenue, online publishing revenue of $7,279,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2003 was $1,655,000, or 29%, higher than the $5,624,000 reported for the same period in 2002. This increase was due primarily to a $1,348,000, or 57%, increase in hyperlink sales as the number of hyperlink advertisers increased by 25% to approximately 614, over the same quarter in 2002. Additionally, graphic advertisement sales were up $307,000, or 9%, over the same quarter in 2002.
Excluding barter revenue, online publishing revenue of $21,334,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was $7,491,000, or 54%, higher than the $13,843,000 reported for the same period in 2002. This increase was due to a $3,771,000, or 50%, increase in graphic advertisement sales as approximately 110% more graphic ad impressions were sold during the nine months ended September 30, 2003 compared to the same period in 2002. Additionally, hyperlink sales were $3,719,000, or 59%, higher in 2003 compared to 2002, as the number of hyperlink advertisers increased by approximately 28%, over the same period in 2002.
A majority of our advertising customers purchase advertising under short-term contracts. Customers have the ability to stop, and have on occasion stopped, advertising on relatively short notice. Online publishing revenue would be adversely impacted if we experienced contract terminations, or if we were not able to renew contracts with existing customers or obtain new customers. The market for Internet advertising is intensely competitive and has, in the past, experienced significant downturns in demand that could impact advertising rates. Future revenue could be adversely affected if we were forced to reduce our advertising rates or if we were to experience lower CPM’s.
Historically, our first calendar quarter has been our highest in terms of page views, and we have typically experienced a slowdown in traffic during our third and fourth quarters. During 2002, certain traffic initiatives and expanded commitments from our distribution partners as well as the activity in mortgage lending caused increases in traffic inconsistent with our historical trends. Based on those historical trends, we could experience a decline in traffic and online publishing revenue during the fourth quarter of 2003 in relation to the first and second quarters of 2003.
Print Publishing and Licensing Revenue
Print publishing and licensing revenue represents advertising revenue from the sale of advertising in Consumer Mortgage Guide rate tables, newsletter subscriptions, and licensing of research information. We charge a commission for placement of the Consumer Mortgage Guide in a print publication. Advertising revenue and
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commission income is recognized when the Consumer Mortgage Guide runs in the publication. Revenue from our newsletters is recognized ratably over the period of the subscription, which is generally up to one year. Revenue from the sale of research information is recognized ratably over the contract period.
We also earn fees from distributing editorial rate tables that are published in newspapers and magazines across the United States, from paid subscriptions to three newsletters, and from providing rate surveys to institutions and government agencies. In addition, we license research data under agreements that permit the use of rate information we develop to advertise the licensee’s products in print, radio, television and Web site promotions. Revenue for these products is recognized ratably over the contract/subscription periods.
Print publishing and licensing revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 increased $369,000, or 38%, over the comparable period in 2002 due primarily to a $382,000, or 50%, increase in Consumer Mortgage Guide revenue. This increase was a result of declining interest rates beginning in the fourth quarter of 2001, and continuing through the third quarter of 2003 that sustained the refinancing markets, causing more advertisers to publish their rates. Additionally, we had almost twice as many Consumer Mortgage Guide contracts during the quarter ended September 30, 2003 as in the comparable quarter in 2002.
Print publishing and licensing revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 increased $1,077,000, or 38%, over the comparable period in 2002 due primarily to a $1,107,000, or 51%, increase in Consumer Mortgage Guide revenue. This increase was a result of declining interest rates beginning in the fourth quarter of 2001, and continuing through the third quarter of 2003 that sustained the refinancing markets, causing more advertisers to publish their rates. Additionally, we had almost twice as many Consumer Mortgage Guide contracts during the nine ended September 30, 2003 as in the comparable period in 2002.
Cost of Revenue
Online Publishing Costs
Online publishing costs represent expenses directly associated with the creation of online publishing revenue. These costs include contractual revenue sharing obligations resulting from our distribution arrangements (distribution payments), editorial costs, research costs and allocated overhead. Distribution payments are made to Web site operators for visitors directed to our Web site; these costs increase proportionately with gains in traffic to our site. Editorial costs relate to writers and editors who create original content for our online publications and associates who build Web pages; these costs have increased as we have added online publications and co-branded versions of our site under distribution arrangements. These sites must be maintained on a daily basis. Research costs include expenses related to gathering data on banking and credit products and consist primarily of compensation and benefits and allocated overhead.
Online publishing costs for the three months ended September 30, 2003 were $155,000, or 14%, higher than the comparable period in 2002 due primarily to an increase of approximately $106,000 in Telesales expenses, primarily commissions, as Telesales hyperlink revenue almost tripled for the three months ended September 30, 2003 compared to the same period in 2002; and approximately $41,000 higher outsourced software costs related to new business and product initiatives. Online publishing costs as a percentage of online publishing revenue excluding barter dropped from 20% for the three months ended September 30, 2002 to 18% for the comparable period in 2003, as costs have declined relative to the increases in revenue.
Online publishing costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 were $920,000, or 31%, higher than the comparable period in 2002 due primarily to an increase of approximately $266,000 in Telesales expenses, primarily commissions and human resource costs, as Telesales hyperlink revenue more than tripled for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 compared to the same period in 2002; approximately $363,000 higher consulting and production costs related to new business and product initiatives; approximately $169,000 higher human resource costs due to new hires; and $107,000 higher revenue-sharing payments to our distribution partners due to higher associated revenue. Online publishing costs as a percentage of online publishing revenue excluding barter dropped from 21% for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 to 18% for the comparable period in 2003, as costs have declined relative to the increases in revenue.
Print Publishing and Licensing Costs
Print publishing and licensing costs represent expenses associated with print publishing and licensing revenue. These costs include contractual revenue sharing obligations with newspapers related to the Consumer Mortgage Guide, compensation and benefits, printing and allocated overhead. These costs vary proportionately with the related revenues and increased $285,000, or 38%, for the three months ended September 30, 2003 compared to the
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same period in 2002. Revenue sharing payments were up $285,000, or 48%, in the third quarter of 2003 compared to the same period in 2002 due to higher Consumer Mortgage Guide revenue.
Print publishing and licensing costs increased $821,000, or 39%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 compared to the same period in 2002. Revenue sharing payments were up $887,000, or 53%, in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 compared to the same period in 2002 due to higher Consumer Mortgage Guide revenue.
Other Expenses
Sales
Sales costs represent direct selling expenses, principally for online advertising, and include compensation and benefits, sales commissions, and allocated overhead. Sales costs for the three months ended September 30, 2003 were up $84,000, or 8%, over the comparable periods in 2002 due to $30,000 higher sales commissions paid on higher levels of revenue and other selling costs, $89,000 higher human resource costs due to new hires, offset by $38,000 lower expenditures related to market analysis and branding.
Sales costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 were $454,000, or 16%, higher than the same period in 2002 due to $379,000 higher sales commission expense and other selling costs, $272,000 higher human resource costs, offset by $147,000 lower costs related to market analysis and branding.
Marketing
Marketing costs represent expenses associated with expanding brand awareness of our products and services to consumers and include print and Internet advertising and marketing and promotion costs. Marketing costs also include barter expense, which represents the non-cash cost of our advertisements that are run on other companies’ Web sites in our barter transactions. Barter expense was $847,000 and $619,000 for the quarters ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Excluding barter expense, marketing expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2003 of $566,000 were $344,000 higher than the comparable quarter in 2002. This increase primarily reflects our efforts to improve search engine results with pay per click campaigns. Barter expense was $2,323,000 and $2,388,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, respectively. Excluding barter expense, marketing expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 of $1,659,000 were $1,317,000 higher than the comparable quarter in 2002. This increase reflects our efforts to improve search engine results with pay per click campaigns.
Product Development
Product development costs represent compensation and benefits related to site development, network systems and telecommunications infrastructure support, programming, new product design and development and other technology costs. Product development costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 were $255,000, or 70%, and $760,000, or 73%, higher, respectively, compared to the same period in 2002 due primarily to higher human resource costs, training costs, and systems and software repairs, maintenance, and upgrades. Product development costs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 also included approximately $182,000 and $427,000, respectively, of expenses associated with the design and development of new products.
General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses represent compensation and benefits for executive, finance and administrative personnel, professional fees, non-allocated overhead and other general corporate expenses. General and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2003 were $93,000, or 7%, higher than the comparable amount reported in the same period in 2002 primarily due to the following: $44,000 higher public and investor relations fees supporting initiatives in these areas; $111,000 of Nasdaq National Market initial and annual listing fees; $39,000 higher bank service and merchant fees related to credit card payments on accounts receivable; and $36,000 higher travel and entertainment fees supporting the public and investor relations efforts. These higher costs were offset by a decrease in bad debt expense of $74,000, a decrease of $35,000 in general business insurance costs, and $34,000 lower human resource costs.
As a percentage of total revenue excluding barter, general and administrative expenses were 17% for the three months ended September 30, 2003 compared to 20% for the same period in 2002. The overall decline is the result of the further stabilization of core operating and infrastructure expenses and our initiatives to control costs.
General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 were $644,000, or 17%, higher than the comparable amount reported in the same period in 2002 primarily due to the following: $152,000
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higher public and investor relations fees supporting initiatives in these areas; $104,000 higher consulting and professional fees supporting new business initiatives; $102,000 higher human resource costs reflecting merit increases, new hires and higher benefit costs; $168,000 higher filing fees related to Nasdaq SmallCap and National Market initial and annual listing fees; $97,000 higher bank service and merchant fees related to credit card payments on accounts receivable; and $191,000 higher legal, accounting and other professional fees supporting the growth in the business. These higher costs were offset by a decrease in bad debt expense of $94,000 as collections continue to improve, a decrease of $38,000 in Internet connection and co-location infrastructure costs, and an overall decrease of $33,000 in various other core operating expenses.
As a percentage of total revenue excluding barter, general and administrative expenses were 17% for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 compared to 22% for the same period in 2002. The overall decline is the result of the further stabilization of core operating and infrastructure expenses and our initiatives to control costs.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization was $13,000, or 7%, lower for the three months ended September 30, 2003 compared to 2002 due to assets purchased in 2000 becoming fully depreciated during the third quarter of 2003. Depreciation and amortization was $74,000, or 17%, higher for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 than the comparable period in 2002 due to the amortization of software licenses purchased in the third quarter of 2002, and capital expenditures placed in service during the first three quarters of 2003.
Interest Income, Net
Interest income and expense consists of interest income on invested cash and cash equivalents for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002, and interest expense on capital lease obligations and the 10% convertible subordinated note payable for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2002. Net interest income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 was $34,000 and $116,000 higher, respectively, than the amounts reported in the same periods in 2002 as interest expense was eliminated due to the expiration of lease terms on certain capital lease assets, and the repayment of our subordinated note payable (discussed below), and higher cash balances during 2003.
Gain on Early Extinguishment of Debt
On February 6, 2002, we entered into a Termination Agreement and General Release (the “Agreement”) with REALIC, successor by merger to The Midland Life Insurance Company, holder of our $4,350,000 10% convertible subordinated note payable. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, REALIC agreed to full repayment of the note, including accrued interest, on February 22, 2002 for $3,400,000 in cash. We recorded a gain on early extinguishment of debt of approximately $2,022,000 in the quarter ended March 31, 2002.
Income Taxes
There is no current income tax provision for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 and 2002 as we have utilized a portion of our net operating loss carryforwards to offset current taxable income in those periods. No deferred provision or benefit for income taxes has been provided. The net deferred tax asset position, consisting primarily of significant net operating losses incurred prior to 2002, has been offset with a valuation allowance. A full valuation allowance has been recognized as it is management’s opinion that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not be recognized. As of December 31, 2002 the Company had approximately $44,000,000 in net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes that expire beginning in 2012 through 2021, and deferred tax assets of approximately $16,000,000 on which a full valuation allowance was provided.
Management continues to evaluate all positive and negative evidence, including sources of projected future taxable income and the consistent net operating income generated for the preceding eight consecutive quarters, beginning with the fourth quarter of 2001. The necessity of a full or partial valuation allowance will continue to be evaluated as the results from future operations continue to support the projections.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our principal source of liquidity is the cash generated by our operations. As of September 30, 2003, we had working capital of $18,596,000, and our primary commitments were approximately $1,019,000 in operating lease payments over the next five years, as well as capital expenditures and recurring payables and accruals arising during the course of operating our business, estimated at approximately $3,985,000 through September 30, 2004. We generally establish payment terms with our vendors that extend beyond the amount of time required to collect from our customers. There are no other significant commitments or any off-balance sheet arrangements. On February 22, 2002, we completed the early repayment of our $4,350,000 10% convertible subordinated note, including accrued interest, for $3,400,000 in cash. This transaction will save us approximately $3,125,000 in principal and interest through August 20, 2004, the original maturity date.
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Contractual Obligations
The following table represents the amounts due under the specified types of contractual obligations.
| Payments Due | ||||||||||||
| Contractual obligations |
Less than one year |
One to Three years |
Three to five years |
More than five years | ||||||||
| Long-term debt obligations |
$ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | ||||
| Capital lease obligations (1) |
— | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Operating lease obligations (1) |
380,309 | 597,661 | 41,193 | — | ||||||||
| Purchase obligations (2) |
175,830 | — | — | — | ||||||||
| Other long-term obligations |
— | — | — | — | ||||||||
| (1) | Includes our obligations under existing capital and operating leases. |
| (2) | Represents base contract amounts for Internet hosting, co-location, content distribution and tracking software. |
During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, we generated $6,878,000 of net cash from operating activities. Our net income of $6,988,000 was adjusted for depreciation and amortization of $515,000, and a net negative change in the components of operating assets and liabilities of $625,000. Of this negative charge, $509,000 resulted from an increase in accounts receivable, and $615,000 resulted from a decrease in accrued expenses, offset by a $553,000 increase in accounts payable. During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, net cash of $2,125,000 was provided by financing activities, primarily the result of stock option exercises.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2002, we generated $2,444,000 of net cash from operating activities. Our net income of $5,341,000 was adjusted for depreciation and amortization of $441,000, and a net negative change in the components of operating assets and liabilities of $1,336,000. Of this negative change, $2,183,000 resulted from an increase in accounts receivable and other assets, offset by an $800,000 decrease in accrued expenses. The increase in cash from operating activities was offset by the early repayment of our $4,350,000 10% convertible subordinated note, including accrued interest, for $3,400,000 in cash during the first quarter of 2002, and $385,000 in equipment purchases.
We have incurred net losses in six of our last seven fiscal years and had an accumulated deficit of approximately $46 million as of September 30, 2003. We are working to manage our cash by actively controlling expenses and pursuing additional sources of revenue. For instance, since early 2000, we have substantially reduced marketing expenditures and sold or shut down under-performing, non-core business units. We sold CPNet.com in May 2000, sold Pivot in July 2000, shut down and sold certain assets of Consejero.com in August 2000, and shut down Greenmagazine.com in December 2000. These transactions yielded cash to the Company of approximately $4,392,000 and reduced operating expenses. We also reduced employment levels of continuing operations and consolidated our physical locations. In February 2002, we negotiated the early repayment of our $4,350,000 convertible subordinated note payable for $3,400,000, including accrued interest, and recorded a gain of approximately $2,022,000 in the quarter ended March 31, 2002. We have generated cash from operations for 10 consecutive quarters through September 30, 2003. Based on these actions and our current plan, we believe our existing capital resources will be sufficient to satisfy our cash requirements through at least the next 12 months.
| Item 3. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
Interest Rate Risk
The primary objective of our investment strategy is to preserve principal while maximizing the income we receive from investments without significantly increasing risk. To minimize this risk, to date we have maintained our portfolio of cash equivalents in short-term and overnight investments which are not subject to market risk, as the interest paid on such investments fluctuates with the prevailing interest rates. As of September 30, 2003, all of our cash equivalents matured in less than three months.
Exchange Rate Sensitivity
Our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations is minimal to none as we do not have any revenues denominated in foreign currencies. Additionally, we have not engaged in any derivative or hedging transactions to date.
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| Item 4. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, are recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that the information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any disclosure controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired objectives, and management was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible disclosure controls and procedures. Management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation and subject to the foregoing, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective to accomplish their objectives.
Changes in Internal Controls
In addition, management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, reviewed our internal controls, and there have been no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect those controls during the period covered by this report.
Part II – OTHER INFORMATION
| Item 1. | LEGAL PROCEEDINGS |
Not applicable.
| Item 2. | CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS |
None.
| Item 3. | DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES |
None.
| Item 4. | SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS |
None.
| Item 5. | OTHER INFORMATION |
None.
| Item 6. | EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K |
| (a) | Exhibits |
| 31.1 | Certification of Elisabeth DeMarse, Chief Executive Officer and President of Bankrate, Inc., Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. | |
| 31.2 | Certification of Robert J. DeFranco, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Bankrate, Inc., Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. | |
| 32.1 | Certification of Elisabeth DeMarse, Chief Executive Officer and President of Bankrate, Inc., Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. | |
| 32.2 | Certification of Robert J. DeFranco, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Bankrate, Inc., Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. | |
| (b) | Reports on Form 8-K |
| (1) | A Form 8-K was filed on July 29, 2003, reporting under Item 9 that on July 29, 2003, the Company issued a press release announcing its financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2003. |
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
| Bankrate, Inc. | ||||||||
| Dated: November 7, 2003 |
By: | /s/ ROBERT J. DEFRANCO | ||||||
| Robert J. DeFranco Senior Vice President Chief Financial Officer | ||||||||
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