Bridges Announces Fiscal 2002 Financial Year-End Results
February 28, 2003 Adobe .PDF version of the Consolidated Financial Statments.
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Kelowna, B.C. --
Bridges.com Inc. (TSX: BIT) today released its financial results for the
12-months ending November 30, 2002.
During the year,
revenues fell approximately 5% to $18.5 million compared to $19.5 million
in fiscal 2001. The revenue reduction was primarily due to reduced rates of re-subscription by customers in the United Sates. The overall rate of re-subscription dropped from approximately 90% to 84% during the year.
Earnings Before Restructuring Charge, Impairment of Goodwill, Amortization,
Other Income and Income Taxes fell to $1.5 million in 2002 from
$3.3 million in 2001.
“The majority of our customers are state government funded organizations, many of which faced
severe budget restrictions during the year,” said John Simmons, Chief Executive Officer
of Bridges. “These budget
restrictions were the principal cause of our revenue decline.”
In the final quarter of fiscal 2002, the Company
initiated a restructuring of its operations.
In completing the re-structuring, the Company incurred a total
restructuring charge of $3,142,021, including cash costs of $2,755,971. These
cash costs are attributed to severance and termination of $2,237,638 and excess
lease facilities costs of $518,333. As
a result of the restructuring, the Company reassessed the carrying value of its
goodwill, other intangibles and future tax assets. The Company recorded additional non-cash charges of $2,235,114
and $542,127 relating to the impairment of goodwill and reversal of previously
recognized future tax assets.
“Our management
expected that the rate of revenue growth experienced in 2001 would continue and
expenses were increased at the beginning of 2002 in preparation for higher
levels of activity,” Simmons said. “When it became apparent that revenues were
declining, a careful restructuring was planned and completed that will reduce
on-going operating expenses by approximately $2.4 million per year.”
Cash reserves
fell from $6.9 million at the end of fiscal 2001 to $4.3 million at the end of
fiscal 2002. The largest single use of
the cash during the year was attributed to capital spending. During the year, $4.6 million was spent on a
new technical infrastructure. This $7.9
million project, which began in 2001, was completed in 2002.
“The completion of our new
infrastructure gives us a stable and long-lasting platform from which to serve
our customers, now and well into the future,” said Simmons. “With this in
place, we do not see the need for future significant capital expenditures.”
Subsequent to
year-end, the Company negotiated a term loan facility for $1.2 million secured
by certain capital assets. This loan is
repayable over 50 months and was borrowed for working capital purposes. The Company expects that existing cash
balances, together with cash generated from operations, will be sufficient to
meet all foreseeable working capital and capital expenditure requirements and
the Company will not need to utilize any part of its $3.0 million line of
credit.
“Our balance
sheet remains strong. This, together with lower operating expense levels, will
allow us to continue to maintain our usual high levels of service and meet
customer requirements through this difficult market cycle,” said Simmons. “Our people, our reputation and our products
are second to none in our industry and we fully intend to maintain this
leadership position as we move through fiscal 2003 and beyond.” |
Consolidated Financial Statements - November 30, 2002 and
2001
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BRIDGES.COM INC. Consolidated Balance Sheets
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November 30
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November 30
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ASSETS
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2002
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2001
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CURRENT
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Cash and
cash equivalents
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$ 4,328,116
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$ 6,952,794
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Accounts
receivable
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3,987,314
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6,611,783
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Prepaid
expenses and other
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656,875
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690,369
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8,972,305
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14,254,946
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Capital assets
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7,928,313
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4,681,239
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Future income taxes
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-
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542,127
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Intangibles
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-
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842,232
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Goodwill
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-
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2,235,114
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$ 16,900,618
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$ 22,555,658
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LIABILITIES
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CURRENT
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Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities
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$ 2,345,722
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$ 3,155,955
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Deferred
revenue
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3,592,126
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3,246,207
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Accrued
restructuring charge
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2,330,856
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-
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Current
portion of capital lease obligations
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74,193
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149,196
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8,342,897
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6,551,358
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Capital lease obligations, net of current portion
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-
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96,001
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8,342,897
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6,647,359
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SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
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Common stock
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17,857,264
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18,220,754
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Deficit
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(9,299,543)
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(2,312,455)
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8,557,721
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15,908,299
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$ 16,900,618
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$ 22,555,658
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Consolidated Statements of Operation and Deficit
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Three
months ended November 30,
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Year
ended November 30,
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2002
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2001
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2002
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2001
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REVENUE
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$ 6,580,015
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$ 6,957,558
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$ 18,533,185
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$ 19,524,945
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COSTS OF REVENUE
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1,637,740
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1,510,736
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6,031,521
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5,715,298
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GROSS MARGIN
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4,942,275
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5,446,822
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12,501,664
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13,809,647
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EXPENSES
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Sales and
marketing
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1,930,734
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1,765,139
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7,429,412
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6,406,281
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Research
and development
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95,641
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190,189
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326,386
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632,015
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General and
administrative
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868,765
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984,249
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3,236,322
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3,499,523
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2,895,140
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2,939,577
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10,992,120
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10,537,819
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EARNINGS BEFORE RESTRUCTURING CHARGE, IMPAIRMENT OF
GOODWILL, AMORTIZATION, OTHER INCOME, AND INCOME TAXES
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2,047,135
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2,507,245
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1,509,544
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3,271,828
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Restructuring
charge
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(3,142,021)
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-
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(3,142,021)
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-
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Amortization
of capital assets
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(244,509)
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(410,322)
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(1,083,429)
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(1,083,962)
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Amortization
of intangibles
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(27,167)
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(550,175)
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(806,010)
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(2,200,697)
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Other
income
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53,695
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226,578
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75,687
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650,906
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EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES, IMPAIRMENT OF
GOODWILL AND AMORTIZATION OF GOODWILL
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(1,312,867)
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1,773,326
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(3,446,229)
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638,075
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Income
tax expense
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1,457,965
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766,753
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565,156
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259,158
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EARNINGS (LOSS) BEFORE IMPAIRMENT OF GOODWILL AND
AMORTIZATION OF GOODWILL
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(2,770,832)
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1,006,573
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(4,011,385)
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378,917
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Impairment
of goodwill
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(2,235,114)
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-
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(2,235,114)
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-
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Amortization
of goodwill, net of future income taxes of (2001-$116,686)
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-
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(302,398)
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-
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(1,559,649)
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NET INCOME (LOSS) FOR THE PERIOD
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(5,005,946)
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704,175
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(6,246,499)
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(1,180,732)
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DEFICIT, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
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(4,293,597)
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(2,932,699)
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(2,312,455)
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(956,572)
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Excess of purchase cost over carrying value of
common shares cancelled
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-
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(83,931)
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(740,589)
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(175,151)
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DEFICIT, END OF PERIOD
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$ (9,299,543)
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$ (2,312,455)
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$ (9,299,543)
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$ (2,312,455)
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Basic earnings (loss) before amortization of
goodwill per share
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$ (0.22)
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$ 0.08
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$ (0.32)
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$ 0.03
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Basic earnings (loss) per share
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$ (0.40)
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$ 0.06
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$ (0.49)
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$ (0.09)
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Diluted earnings before amortization of goodwill
per share
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$ 0.08
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$ 0.03
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Weighted average number of shares used to calculate
basic earnings (loss) per share
|
12,601,621
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12,440,894
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12,668,979
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12,995,409
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Weighted average number of shares used to calculate
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13,021,677
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13,576,192
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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
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Three
months ended November 30
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Year
ended Novebmer 30,
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CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
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2002
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2001
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2002
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2001
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Net income (loss) for the period
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$ (5,005,946)
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$ 704,175
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$ (6,246,499)
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$ (1,180,732)
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Items not affecting cash
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|
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Amortization
of capital assets
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410,322
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1,083,429
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1,083,962
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Amortization
of intangibles
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27,167
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550,175
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806,010
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2,200,697
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Non-cash
portion of restructuring charge
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386,050
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-
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386,050
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-
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Impairment
of goodwill
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2,235,114
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-
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2,235,114
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-
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Amortization
of goodwill, net of future income taxes
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-
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302,398
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-
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1,559,649
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Future
income taxes
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1,459,771
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724,753
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542,127
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217,158
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Changes
in operating assets and liabilities:
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3,326,502
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(653,466)
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4,451,540
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(699,639)
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2,673,167
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2,038,357
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3,257,771
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3,181,095
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CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITY
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Purchase
of capital assets, net of related accounts payable
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(467,717)
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(528,544)
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(4,644,345)
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(2,735,160)
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(467,717)
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(528,544)
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(4,644,345)
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(2,735,160)
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CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
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Issuance
of common shares
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3,157
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55,156
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23,725
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Shares
purchased for cancellation
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-
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(55,470)
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-
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(55,470)
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Shares
purchased and cancelled
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-
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(231,634)
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(1,159,235)
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(816,640)
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Repayment
of obligations under capital lease
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(43,490)
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(33,820)
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(134,025)
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(127,753)
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Advances
for share purchase loans
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-
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(548,645)
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-
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(749,900)
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(26,959)
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(866,412)
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(1,238,104)
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(1,726,038)
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NET CASH INFLOW (OUTFLOW) DURING THE PERIOD
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2,178,491
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643,401
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(2,624,678)
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(1,280,103)
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CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
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2,149,625
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6,309,393
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6,952,794
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8,232,897
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CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
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$ 4,328,116
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$ 6,952,794
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$ 4,328,116
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$ 6,952,794
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Supplemental Cash Flow Disclosures:
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Interest paid
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$ 16,914
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$ 9,932
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$ 43,443
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$ 50,738
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| For a complete set of
Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to the Consolidated Financial
Statement please refer to:www.sedar.com
About Bridges
Bridges is North America's leading provider of career and educational
planning solutions. Over 15,000 schools, libraries, employment centres,
military sites, post-secondary schools and rehabilitation facilities subscribe
to Bridges' customized products. Bridges serves the needs of millions of people
seeking educational or career planning assistance. For more information, visit http://www.bridges.com. The Company is
listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol: BIT.
Forward-Looking Statements
The foregoing includes forward-looking statements
which are based on management's beliefs as well as on a number of assumptions
concerning future events made by and information currently available to
management.
These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, plans
and timing for the introduction or enhancement to the Company's services and
products; customer demand for its products and services; expectations
concerning future revenue and earnings; control of costs and expenses; loss of
key employees; stock market volatility; changes in laws and regulations;
Bridges' ability to compete successfully and adapt to technological advances
and changing industry standards; currency exchange rate fluctuations; economic,
political, and other risks associated with international sales and operations;
U.S. government regulation; price and product competition; the ability to
implement in a timely manner the Company's restructuring plans; the ability to
form and implement alliances, and other factors and risks.
All forward-looking statements in this news release are based on
management's reasonable beliefs, intentions, and expectations with respect to
future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions
as of the date of this release. In light of the many risks and uncertainties,
readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking
statements which are not a guarantee of performance and
are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors -- many of which are
outside of Bridges' control -- that could cause actual results, performances or
achievements of Bridges to differ materially from any future results,
performances or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. The Company cannot give assurance that the forward-looking
statements contained in this news release will be realized. Bridges assumes no
obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise.
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Contact:
Norm Thompson
Executive VP, Corporate Development
Bridges.com Inc.
Phone: 250-869-4200 or 1-800-281-1168
E-mail: nthompson@bridges.com
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