djc_10q-033111.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)

þ
QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2011
 
or

o
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from _______________ to _______________

Commission File Number 0-14665

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
South Carolina 95-4133299
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
   
915 East First Street
 
Los Angeles, California  90012-4050 
(Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip code) 
   
 
(213) 229-5300
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 
None
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
 
Large Accelerated Filer: Accelerated Filer:
Non-accelerated Filer:
Smaller Reporting Company:  X
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).      Yes:            No: X

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date.
 
   Class   
  Outstanding at April 30, 2011
Common Stock, par value $ .01 per share   1,380,746 shares
 
 
 

 

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION


INDEX

 
Page Nos.
 
 
PART I   Financial Information
 
   
Item 1.  Financial Statements
 
   
Consolidated Balance Sheets -
 
March 31, 2011 and September 30, 2010
3
   
Consolidated Statements of Income -
 
Three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010
4
   
Consolidated Statements of Income -
 
Six months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010
5
   
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
 
Six months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010
6
   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
7
   
Item 2.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
11
   
Item 4     Controls and Procedures
14
   
Part II   Other Information
 
   
Item 6.    Exhibits
15
 
 
2

 

PART I
Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 
   
March 31
   
September 30
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
ASSETS
           
Current assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 5,693,000     $ 3,615,000  
U.S. Treasury Notes and Bills
    5,800,000       13,499,000  
Marketable securities, including common stocks of $65,050,000 and
  bonds of $7,424,000 at March 31, 2011 and common stocks of
   $43,005,000 and bonds of  $7,077,000 at September 30, 2010
      72,474,000         50,082,000  
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $300,000
  at March 31, 2011 and September 30, 2010
    7,727,000       9,209,000  
Inventories
    34,000       29,000  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    254,000       230,000  
       Total current assets
    91,982,000       76,664,000  
                 
Property, plant and equipment, at cost
               
Land, buildings and improvements
    12,837,000       12,842,000  
Furniture, office equipment and computer software
    2,865,000       2,899,000  
Machinery and equipment
    2,123,000       2,124,000  
      17,825,000       17,865,000  
Less accumulated depreciation
     (8,274,000 )      (8,084,000 )
      9,551,000       9,781,000  
Deferred income taxes
    2,444,000       2,476,000  
    $ 103,977,000     $ 88,921,000  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Current liabilities
               
Accounts payable
  $ 2,798,000     $ 2,879,000  
Accrued liabilities
    2,540,000       3,376,000  
Income taxes
    728,000       852,000  
Deferred income taxes
    15,765,000       10,474,000  
Deferred subscription and other revenues
    5,262,000       5,004,000  
       Total current liabilities
    27,093,000       22,585,000  
                 
Long term liabilities
               
Accrued liabilities
    5,500,000       5,670,000  
       Total long term liabilities
    5,500,000       5,670,000  
                 
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 8 and 9)
     ---        ---  
                 
Shareholders' equity
               
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized and no
               
  shares issued
     ---        ---  
Common stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; 1,380,746
               
  at March 31, 2011 and September 30, 2010, outstanding
    14,000       14,000  
Additional paid-in capital
    1,755,000       1,755,000  
Retained earnings
    44,536,000       40,510,000  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    25,079,000       18,387,000  
       Total shareholders' equity
    71,384,000       60,666,000  
    $ 103,977,000     $ 88,921,000  

 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
 
 
3

 

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
   
Three months
ended March 31
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Revenues
           
Advertising
  $ 5,315,000     $ 5,530,000  
Circulation
    1,642,000       1,756,000  
Advertising service fees and other
    816,000       926,000  
Information systems and services
     801,000        898,000  
       8,574,000        9,110,000  
                 
Costs and expenses
               
Salaries and employee benefits
    3,556,000       4,073,000  
Other outside services
    739,000       704,000  
Postage and delivery expenses
    345,000       357,000  
Newsprint and printing expenses
    342,000       358,000  
Depreciation and amortization
    148,000       163,000  
Other general and administrative expenses
     862,000        873,000  
       5,992,000        6,528,000  
Income from operations
    2,582,000       2,582,000  
Other income and (expense)
               
Dividends and interest income
    333,000       225,000  
     Gain on sales of investments
    1,000       --- -  
Interest expense
     (9,000 )      (9,000 )
Income before taxes
    2,907,000       2,798,000  
Provision for income taxes
      1,065,000         1,070,000  
Net income
  $ 1,842,000     $ 1,728,000  
                 
Weighted average number of common
    shares outstanding - basic and diluted
      1,380,746         1,380,746  
Basic and diluted net income per share
  $ 1.33     $ 1.25  


See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

 
4

 

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
 
   
Six months
ended March 31
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Revenues
           
Advertising
  $ 11,085,000     $ 11,521,000  
Circulation
    3,386,000       3,625,000  
Advertising service fees and other
    1,786,000       2,046,000  
Information systems and services
     1,612,000        1,776,000  
       17,869,000        18,968,000  
                 
Costs and expenses
               
Salaries and employee benefits
    7,005,000       8,178,000  
Other outside services
    1,502,000       1,524,000  
Postage and delivery expenses
    714,000       725,000  
Newsprint and printing expenses
    699,000       760,000  
Depreciation and amortization
    284,000       315,000  
Other general and administrative expenses
     1,896,000        1,727,000  
      12,100,000       13,229,000  
Income from operations
    5,769,000       5,739,000  
Other income and (expense)
               
Dividends and interest income
    544,000       445,000  
     Gain on sales of investments
    1,000       --- -  
Interest expense
     (18,000 )      (18,000 )
Income before taxes
    6,296,000       6,166,000  
Provision for income taxes
     2,270,000        2,350,000  
Net income
  $ 4,026,000     $ 3,816,000  
                 
Weighted average number of common
    shares outstanding - basic and diluted
      1,380,746         1,380,746  
Basic and diluted net income per share
  $ 2.92     $ 2.76  
 
 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
5

 
 
DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

   
Six months
ended March 31
 
   
2011
   
2010
 
Cash flows from operating activities
           
Net income
  $ 4,026,000     $ 3,816,000  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
               
   provided by operations
               
Depreciation and amortization
    284,000       315,000  
Deferred income taxes
    (12,000 )     (132,000 )
Net premium amortized and discount earned on
     U.S. Treasury Notes and Bills and bonds
    (10,000 )      --- -  
Changes in assets and liabilities
               
  (Increase) decrease in current assets
               
     Accounts receivable, net
    1,482,000       1,662,000  
     Inventories
    (5,000 )     (10,000 )
     Prepaid expenses and other assets
    (24,000 )     (22,000 )
  Increase (decrease) in current liabilities
               
     Accounts payable
    (81,000 )     (342,000 )
     Accrued liabilities
    (1,006,000 )     (352,000 )
     Income taxes
    (124,000 )     (134,000 )
     Deferred subscription and other revenues
     258,000       (594,000 )
        Net cash provided by operating activities
     4,788,000       4,207,000  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities
               
Maturities and sales of U.S. Treasury Bills
    36,299,000       20,140,000  
Purchases of U.S. Treasury Bills
    (28,590,000 )     (22,678,000 )
Purchases of marketable securities
    (10,364,000 )     --- -  
Purchases of property, plant and equipment
    (55,000 )     (45,000 )
        Net cash used in investing activities
    (2,710,000 )     (2,583,000 )
                 
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
    2,078,000       1,624,000  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents
               
Beginning of period
     3,615,000        1,425,000  
End of period
  $ 5,693,000     $ 3,049,000  

 
See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 
6

 
 
DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


Note 1 - The Corporation and Operations
 
 
    The Daily Journal Corporation (the “Company”) publishes newspapers and web sites covering California and Arizona, as well as the California Lawyer magazine, and produces several specialized information services. It also serves as a newspaper representative specializing in public notice advertising. Sustain Technologies, Inc. (“Sustain”), a wholly-owned subsidiary, supplies case management software systems and related products to courts and other justice agencies, including administrative law organizations.  These courts and agencies use the Sustain family of products to help manage cases and information electronically and to interface with other critical justice partners.  Essentially all of the Company’s operations are based in California, Arizona and Colorado.
 
Note 2 - Basis of Presentation

     In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying interim unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair statement of its financial position as of March 31, 2011, and of its results of operations and cash flows for the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010. The results of operations for the six months ended March 31, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

    The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010.

Note 3 - Basic and Diluted Income Per Share
 
 
     The Company does not have any common stock equivalents, and therefore the basic and diluted income per share are the same.
 
Note 4 - Revenue Recognition

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

     The Company recognizes revenues from both the lease and sale of software products in accordance with ASC Topic 985-605 Software Revenue Recognition.  Revenues from leases of software products are recognized over the life of the lease while revenues from software product sales are recognized normally upon delivery, installation or acceptance pursuant to a signed agreement.  Revenues from annual maintenance contracts generally call for the Company to provide software updates and upgrades to customers and are recognized ratably over the maintenance period.  Consulting and other services are recognized upon acceptance by the customers or as performed (using a percentage-of-completion method) according to ASC Topic 985-605.
 
 
7

 
 
Note 5 - Income Taxes

     On a pretax profit of $6,296,000 and $6,166,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively, the Company recorded a tax provision of $2,270,000 and $2,350,000, respectively, which was lower in each case than the amount computed using the statutory rate because of the available dividends received deduction and the domestic production activity deduction (which increased in fiscal 2011).  Consequently, the Company’s effective tax rate was 36% and 38% for the six months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.   The Company files federal income tax returns in the United States and with various state jurisdictions and is no longer subject to examinations for years before 2002 as well as for years 2008 and 2009 with regard to federal income taxes.  The Internal Revenue Service has been examining the Company’s tax returns for years 2002 to 2007 and has proposed an assessment that, if upheld, would result in disallowance of about $700,000 of previously claimed research and development credits.  The Company is continuing to contest the issue in the United States Tax Court, and the ultimate resolution of this dispute cannot be ascertained at this time.  At March 31, 2011 and September 30, 2010, the Company had a reserve of approximately $700,000 pertaining to these claimed research and development tax credits.  If these benefits are recognized, there would be an impact on the effective tax rate in the period of recognition.  Interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits is recorded as interest expense, and as of March 31, 2011, the Company had accrued $268,000, including an additional $18,000 during the six months ended March 31, 2011.  The Company has not accrued the penalties related to any potential assessment.

Note 6 -  Investments in U.S. Treasury Notes and Bills and Marketable Securities

     Investments in U.S. Treasury Notes and Bills and marketable securities categorized as “available-for-sale” are stated at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, reported in accumulated other comprehensive income.  Consequently, as of March 31, 2011 and September 30 2010, an unrealized gain of $41,683,000 and $29,655,000, respectively, net of taxes, was recorded in “Accumulated other comprehensive income” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.  The Company uses quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (consistent with the Level 1 definition in the fair value hierarchy) to measure the fair value of its investments on a recurring basis pursuant to Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820.

   
March 31, 2011
   
September 30, 2010
 
   
(Unaudited)
                   
   
Aggregate
fair value
   
 Amortized
cost basis
   
Pretax unrealized gains
   
Aggregate
fair value
   
 Amortized
cost basis
   
Pretax unrealized gains
 
U.S. Treasury Notes and Bills
  $ 5,800,000     $ 5,799,000     $ 1,000     $ 13,499,000     $ 13,499,000     $ ---  
Marketable securities
                                               
   Common stocks
    65,050,000       25,865,000       39,185,000       43,005,000       15,501,000       27,504,000  
   Bonds
    7,424,000       4,927,000       2,497,000       7,077,000       4,926,000       2,151,000  
      Total
  $ 78,274,000     $ 36,591,000     $ 41,683,000     $ 63,581,000     $ 33,926,000     $ 29,655,000  

     At March 31, 2011, the U.S. Treasury Bills had maturity dates of less than one year, and the bonds mature in 2039.   All investments are classified as “Current assets” because they are available for sale at any time.
 
 
8

 
 
Note 7 - Comprehensive Income

     Comprehensive income, which includes net income plus net unrealized gains (losses) on U.S. Treasury Notes and Bills and marketable securities, was $10,718,000 and $7,554,000 for the six-month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.   There was an unrealized after-tax gain of $6,692,000 for the six-month period ended March 31, 2011 as compared to $3,738,000 in the prior year period.

Note 8 - Commitments

     The Company owns its facilities in Los Angeles and leases space for its other offices under operating leases, which expire at various dates through 2013.  The Company is responsible for a portion of maintenance, insurance and property tax expenses relating to certain leased property.  Rental expenses for comparable six-month periods ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 were $324,000 and $328,000, respectively.

Note 9 - Contingencies

    From time to time, the Company is subject to litigation arising in the normal course of its business. While it is not possible to predict the results of such litigation, management does not believe the ultimate outcome of these matters will have a materially adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
 
 
9

 
 
Note 10 - Operating Segments

     Summarized financial information for the Company’s reportable segments is shown in the following table:
 
   
Reportable Segments
   
Total Results
 
 
 
Traditional Business
   
Sustain
   
for both Segments
 
                   
Six months ended March 31, 2011
                 
Revenues
  $ 16,257,000     $ 1,612,000     $ 17,869,000  
Pretax income (loss)
    6,908,000       (612,000 )     6,296,000  
Total assets
    103,076,000       901,000       103,977,000  
Capital expenditures
    40,000       15,000       55,000  
Depreciation and amortization
    270,000       14,000       284,000  
Income tax benefit (expense)
    (2,490,000 )     220,000       (2,270,000 )
Net income (loss)
    4,418,000       (392,000 )     4,026,000  
                         
Six months ended March 31, 2010
                       
Revenues
  $ 17,192,000     $ 1,776,000     $ 18,968,000  
Pretax income (loss)
    6,511,000       (345,000 )     6,166,000  
Total assets
    92,716,000       1,039,000       93,755,000  
Capital expenditures
    45,000       ---       45,000  
Depreciation and amortization
    287,000       28,000       315,000  
Income tax benefit (expense)
    (2,480,000 )     130,000       (2,350,000 )
Net income (loss)
    4,031,000       (215,000 )     3,816,000  
                         
Three months ended March 31, 2011
                       
Revenues
  $ 7,773,000     $ 801,000     $ 8,574,000  
Pretax income (loss)
    3,232,000       (325,000 )     2,907,000  
Total assets
    103,076,000       901,000       103,977,000  
Capital expenditures
    14,000       15,000       29,000  
Depreciation and amortization
    141,000       7,000       148,000  
Income tax benefit (expense)
    (1,170,000 )     105,000       (1,065,000 )
Net income (loss)
    2,062,000       (220,000 )     1,842,000  
                         
Three months ended March 31, 2010
                       
Revenues
  $ 8,212,000     $ 898,000     $ 9,110,000  
Pretax income (loss)
    2,903,000       (105,000 )     2,798,000  
Total assets
    92,716,000       1,039,000       93,755,000  
Capital expenditures
    45,000       ---       45,000  
Depreciation and amortization
    147,000       16,000       163,000  
Income tax benefit (expense)
    (1,110,000 )     40,000       (1,070,000 )
Net income (loss)
    1,793,000       (65,000 )     1,728,000  

 
10

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

     The Company continues to operate as two different businesses:  (1) The “traditional business”, being the business of newspaper and magazine publishing and related services that the Company had before 1999 when it purchased Sustain, and (2) the Sustain software business, which supplies case management software systems and related products to courts and other justice agencies, including administrative law organizations.

     During the six months ended March 31, 2011, consolidated pretax income increased by $130,000 (2%) to $6,296,000 from $6,166,000 in the prior year period.  The Company’s traditional business segment pretax profit increased by $397,000 (6%) to $6,908,000 from $6,511,000.  Consolidated revenues declined by $1,099,000, and costs and expenses decreased by $1,129,000.  Sustain’s business segment had a pretax loss of $612,000 compared to $345,000 in the prior year period primarily because of a decrease in consulting revenues from governmental agencies.

   
Reportable Segments
   
Total Results
 
 
 
Traditional Business
   
Sustain
   
for both Segments
 
                   
Six months ended March 31, 2011
                 
Revenues
  $ 16,257,000     $ 1,612,000     $ 17,869,000  
Pretax income (loss)
    6,908,000       (612,000 )     6,296,000  
Income tax benefit (expense)
    (2,490,000 )     220,000       (2,270,000 )
Net income (loss)
    4,418,000       (392,000 )     4,026,000  
                         
Six months ended March 31, 2010
                       
Revenues
  $ 17,192,000     $ 1,776,000     $ 18,968,000  
Pretax income (loss)
    6,511,000       (345,000 )     6,166,000  
Income tax benefit (expense)
    (2,480,000 )     130,000       (2,350,000 )
Net income (loss)
    4,031,000       (215,000 )     3,816,000  

     Consolidated revenues were $17,869,000 and $18,968,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  This decrease of $1,099,000 (6%) was primarily from decreases of $275,000 (3%) in public notice advertising revenues, $96,000 (11%) in classified advertising revenues, $65,000 (4%) in display advertising revenues, $98,000 (17%) in Sustain consulting revenues and $239,000 (7%) in circulation revenues.  Although public notice advertising revenues were down compared to the prior year period, the Company still continued to benefit from the large number of foreclosures in California and Arizona for which public notice advertising is required by law.  Sustain’s information systems and services revenues decreased by $164,000 (9%) primarily because of the decrease in consulting revenues. The Company’s revenues derived from Sustain’s operations constituted about 9% of the Company’s total revenues for both of the six months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.

     The Company's smaller newspapers, those other than the Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journals ("The Daily Journals"), accounted for about 94% of the total public notice advertising revenues in the first six months of fiscal 2011.  Public notice advertising revenues and related advertising and other service fees constituted about 59% of the Company's total revenues. Advertising service fees and other are traditional business segment revenues, which include primarily (i) agency commissions received from outside newspapers in which the advertising is placed and (ii) fees generated when filing notices with government agencies.  The Daily Journals accounted for about 68% of the Company's total circulation revenues.  The court rule and judicial profile services generated about 14% of the total circulation revenues, with the other newspapers and services accounting for the balance.  (Consolidated revenues were $8,574,000 and $9,110,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.)

 
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     Costs and expenses decreased by $1,129,000 (9%) to $12,100,000 from $13,229,000.  Total personnel costs decreased by $1,173,000 (14%) to $7,005,000 primarily due to savings from departmental reorganizations and a reduction in the long-term accrual for the Company’s Management Incentive Plan of $170,000 due to reduced consolidated pretax profits before this accrual versus an increase of $540,000 in the prior comparable period, partially offset by annual salary adjustments.  Other general and administrative expenses increased by $169,000 (10%) mainly because of additional legal fees.  (Costs and expenses were $5,992,000 and $6,528,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.)  The trend of revenues and expenses was driven by the same factors for the three-month period as in the six months.

    The Company’s expenditures for the development of new Sustain software products are significant and will materially impact overall results at least through fiscal 2011.  These costs are expensed as incurred until technological feasibility of the product has been established, at which time such costs are capitalized, subject to expected recovery.  Sustain’s internal development costs, which are primarily incremental costs for both employees and outside contractors, aggregated $1,161,000 and $1,075,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  If Sustain’s internal development programs are not successful, they will significantly and adversely impact the Company’s ability to maximize its existing investment in the Sustain software, to service its existing customers and to compete for new opportunities in the case management software business.

     The traditional business segment revenues are very much dependant on the number of California and Arizona foreclosure notices.  The number of foreclosure notices decreased by 10% during the six-month period ended March 31, 2011 as compared to the prior year comparable period. Because this slowing is expected to continue, we anticipate there will be fewer foreclosure notice advertisements and declining business segment earnings in fiscal 2011.  We do not expect to experience an offsetting increase in commercial advertising as a result of this trend because of the continuing challenges in the commercial advertising business.  Sustain’s consulting revenues, which are subject to uncertainty because they depend on (i) the timing of the acceptance of the completed consulting tasks, (ii) the unpredictable needs of Sustain’s existing customers, and (iii) Sustain’s ability to secure new customers, have continued to decline in the six months ended March 31, 2011 because many governments have reduced their budgets for services like those provided by Sustain.

     On a pretax profit of $6,296,000 and $6,166,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, the Company recorded a tax provision of $2,270,000 and $2,350,000, respectively, which was lower in each case than the amount computed using the statutory rate because of the available dividends received deduction and the domestic production activity deduction (which increased in fiscal 2011).  Consequently, the Company’s effective tax rate was 36% and 38% for the six-month period ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  The Company files federal income tax returns in the United States and with various state jurisdictions and is no longer subject to examinations for years before 2002 as well as for years 2008 and 2009 with regard to federal income taxes. The Internal Revenue Service has been examining the tax returns for years 2002 to 2007 and has proposed an assessment that, if upheld, would result in disallowance of about $700,000 of previously claimed research and development credits. As of March 31, 2011, the Company had approximately $700,000 of unrecognized tax benefits, all of which would have an effective rate impact if recognized.  The Company is continuing to contest the issue in the United States Tax Court, and the ultimate resolution of this dispute cannot be ascertained at this time.   Net income per share increased to $2.92 from $2.76.

 
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Liquidity and Capital Resources

   During the six months ended March 31, 2011, the Company's cash and cash equivalents, U.S. Treasury and marketable security positions increased by $16,771,000.  Cash and cash equivalents and U.S. Treasury Bills were used primarily for the purchase of marketable securities of $10,364,000 and capital assets of $55,000 (mostly computer software and office equipment).  In February 2009, the Company purchased shares of common stock of two Fortune 200 companies and certain bonds of a third.  During the second quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company bought shares of common stock of two foreign manufacturing companies.   As of March 31, 2011, there were unrealized pretax gains of $41,683,000 as compared to $29,655,000 at September 30, 2010, almost all of which were in the common stocks.

     The cash provided by operating activities of $4,788,000 included a net increase in deferred subscription and other revenues of $258,000.  Proceeds from the sale of subscriptions from newspapers, court rule books and other publications and for software licenses and maintenance and other services are recorded as deferred revenue and are included in earned revenue only when the services are rendered.  Cash flows from operating activities increased by $581,000 during the six months ended March 31, 2011 as compared to the prior period primarily resulting from increased net income of $210,000 and a decrease in accounts receivable of $180,000.

     As of March 31, 2011, the Company had working capital of $64,889,000, including the liability for deferred subscription and other revenues of $5,262,000 which are scheduled to be earned within one year and the deferred tax liability of $16,604,000 for the unrealized gains described above.

     The Company believes that it will be able to fund its operations for the foreseeable future through its cash flows from operating activities and its current working capital and expects that any such cash flows will be invested in its two businesses.  The Company also may entertain business acquisition opportunities.  Any excess cash flows will be invested as management and the Board of Directors deem appropriate at the time.

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

     As noted above, however, the investments are concentrated in just five companies. Accordingly, a significant decline in the market value of one or more of the Company’s investments may not be offset by the hypothetically better performance of other investments, and that could result in a large decrease in the Company’s stockholders’ equity and, under certain circumstances, in the recognition of losses in the Company’s income statement.

Critical Accounting Policies

     The Company’s financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.  Preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are affected by management’s application of accounting policies. Management believes that revenue recognition, accounting for capitalized software costs and income taxes are critical accounting policies.

 
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     The Company’s critical accounting policies are detailed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2010.

     The above discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in this report.

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

      This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Certain statements contained in this document, including but not limited to those in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, are “forward-looking” statements that involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual future events or results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.  Words such as “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “should,” “believes,” “will,” “plans,” “estimates,” “may,” variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.   We disclaim any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise.  There are many factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others: risks associated with Sustain’s internal software development efforts; Sustain’s reliance on the time and materials professional services engagement with the California Administrative Office of the Courts for a substantial portion of its consulting revenues; an adverse outcome of the Internal Revenue Service’s audit of our past research and development tax credits; material changes in the costs of postage and paper; possible changes in the law, particularly changes limiting or eliminating the requirements for public notice advertising; a decline in public notice advertising revenues because of fewer foreclosures; a further decline in subscriber and commercial advertising revenues; collectibility of accounts receivable; the Company’s reliance on its president and chief executive officer; and changes in accounting guidance. In addition, such statements could be affected by general industry and market conditions, general economic conditions (particularly in California) and other factors. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are disclosed in this Form 10-Q, including in conjunction with the forward-looking statements themselves. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010.

Item 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

     An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including Gerald L. Salzman, its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2011.  Based on that evaluation, Mr. Salzman concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that information required to be disclosed by the Company in reports it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities Exchange Commission and (2) accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including Mr. Salzman, in such a way as to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.  There have been no material changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting or in other factors reasonably likely to affect its internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended March 31, 2011.
 
 
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PART II


Item 6.  EXHIBITS


 
31
   Certification by Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 
32
   Certification by Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.








SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION
(Registrant)
 
     
       
 
By:
/s/ Gerald L. Salzman  
   
Gerald L. Salzman
Chief Executive Officer
President
Chief Financial Officer
Treasurer
(Principal Executive Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)
 

DATE: May 13, 2011

 
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