Form 10-Q

 

U.S. 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

 

OR

 

¨ 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 000-25067

 


 

PRIVATE MEDIA GROUP, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Nevada

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

87-0365673

(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

3230 Flamingo Road, Suite 156, Las Vegas, Nevada 89121

(Registered office)

 

Carretera de Rubí 22-26, 08190 Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain

(European headquarters and address of principal executive offices)

 

34-93-590-7070


Registrant’s telephone

number

 


 

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 past 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 is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act):

 

Yes x    No ¨

 

 

State the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common equity, as of the latest practicable date

 

Class


 

Outstanding at November 10, 2003


Common Stock, par value $.001

  49,854,934

 



PART I.

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

PRIVATE MEDIA GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

       December 31,

     September 30,
(Unaudited)


 
       2002

     2003

     2003

 
       EUR      EUR      USD  
       (in thousands)  

ASSETS

                      

Cash and cash equivalents

     1,694      1,531      1,780  

Short-term investment

     2,850      2,850      3,314  

Trade accounts receivable

     12,472      13,358      15,533  

Related party receivable

     4,228      4,093      4,759  

Inventories - net (Note 4)

     8,808      10,379      12,069  

Deferred income tax asset

     396      396      460  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     3,630      2,248      2,614  
      

  

  

TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS

     34,078      34,855      40,529  

Library of photographs and videos - net

     16,929      17,149      19,941  

Property, plant and equipment - net

     14,890      15,950      18,547  

Goodwill and other intangible assets (Note 5)

     2,851      3,522      4,096  

Other assets

     240      402      468  
      

  

  

TOTAL ASSETS

     68,989      71,879      83,580  
      

  

  

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                      

Short-term borrowings

     9,739      2,820      3,279  

Accounts payable trade

     6,929      9,081      10,559  

Income taxes payable

     753            

Deferred income taxes

     31      31      36  

Accrued other liabilities

     1,339      1,519      1,766  
      

  

  

TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES

     18,791      13,450      15,640  

Long-term borrowings (Note 6)

     178      9,685      11,261  

Related party payable

     6,569      4,920      5,721  
      

  

  

TOTAL LIABILITIES

     25,538      28,055      32,622  

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

                      

$4.00 Series A Convertible Preferred Stock 10,000,000 shares authorized, 7,000,000 and none issued and outstanding at December 31, 2002 and September 30, 2003, respectively

                

Common Stock, $.001 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 28,608,609 and 49,854,934 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2002 and September 30, 2003, respectively

     863      882      1,025  

Additional paid-in capital

     15,668      16,959      19,720  

Stock dividends to be distributed

     692      148      172  

Retained earnings

     28,695      28,113      32,690  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (2,467 )    (2,278 )    (2,649 )
      

  

  

TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     43,451      43,824      50,958  
      

  

  

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     68,989      71,879      83,580  
      

  

  

 

 

-2-


PRIVATE MEDIA GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

      

Three-months ended
September 30,

(unaudited)


    

Nine-months ended

September 30,

(unaudited)


 
       2002

     2003

     2002

     2003

     2003

 
       EUR      EUR      EUR      EUR      USD  
       (in thousands)  

Net sales

     11,060      9,437      31,349      29,106      33,845  

Cost of sales

     5,575      5,928      13,684      15,107      17,566  
      

  

  

  

  

Gross profit

     5,485      3,509      17,665      14,000      16,279  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     4,018      4,530      14,244      14,496      16,856  

Offering expenses

               1,401            
      

  

  

  

  

Operating profit (loss)

     1,467      (1,021 )    2,020      (497 )    (577 )

Interest expense

     81      237      264      643      747  

Interest income

     114      38      119      118      137  
      

  

  

  

  

Income (loss) before income tax

     1,500      (1,220 )    1,875      (1,022 )    (1,188 )

Income taxes (benefit)

     29      (251 )    (401 )    (589 )    (684 )
      

  

  

  

  

Net income (loss)

     1,529      (968 )    2,276      (433 )    (504 )
      

  

  

  

  

Other comprehensive income (loss):

                                    

Foreign currency adjustments

     (113 )    (95 )    1,230      189      220  
      

  

  

  

  

Comprehensive income (loss)

     1,416      (1,063 )    3,506      (244 )    (283 )
      

  

  

  

  

Income applicable to common shares

     1,173      (968 )    1,166      (581 )    (676 )
      

  

  

  

  

Net income per share:

                                    

Basic

     0.04      (0.02 )    0.04      (0.01 )    (0.01 )
      

  

  

  

  

Diluted

     0.03      (0.02 )    0.04      (0.01 )    (0.01 )
      

  

  

  

  

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated statements

 

 

-3-


PRIVATE MEDIA GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

     Nine-months ended
September 30,
(unaudited)


 
     2002

    2003

    2003

 
     EUR     EUR     USD  
     (in thousands)  

Cash flows from operating activities:

                  

Net income

   2,276     (433 )   (504 )

Adjustment to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities:

                  

Depreciation

   453     793     922  

Bad debt provision

   686     150     174  

Provision for offering expenses

   170          

Amortization of other intangible assets

   38     62     72  

Amortization of photographs and videos

   4,306     5,218     6,067  

Effects of changes in operating assets and liabilities:

                  

Trade accounts receivable

   27     (1,770 )   (2,058 )

Related party receivable

   (4,124 )   135     156  

Inventories

   (487 )   (1,571 )   (1,826 )

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

   (244 )   1,382     1,607  

Accounts payable trade

   733     2,152     2,503  

Income taxes payable

   (2,060 )   (753 )   (875 )

Accrued other liabilities

   480     179     208  
    

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

   2,253     5,544     6,447  

Cash flows from investing activities:

                  

Investment in library of photographs and videos

   7,144     5,438     6,323  

Capital expenditures

   1,438     1,835     2,134  

Investments in (sale of) other assets

   1     162     188  
    

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

   8,584     7,435     8,645  

Cash flow from financing activities:

                  

Conversion of warrants

   232          

Related party note payable

       (1,649 )   (1,918 )

Long-term loan (repayments on loan)

   (18 )   10,107     11,752  

Short-term borrowings (repayments)

   38     (6,919 )   (8,046 )
    

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

   252     1,538     1,789  

Foreign currency translation adjustment

   1,230     189     220  
    

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

   (4,849 )   (163 )   (190 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period

   6,408     1,694     1,969  
    

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period

   1,559     1,531     1,780  
    

 

 

Cash paid for interest

   185     482     561  
    

 

 

Cash paid for taxes

   1,659     164     191  
    

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated statements

 

-4-


PRIVATE MEDIA GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

     Common stock

   Preferred stock

   Addi-
tional
paid-in
capital


   Stock
dividends
to be
distributed


    Retained
earnings


    Accu-
mulated
other
compre-
hensive
income


    Total
share-
holder’s
equity


 
     Shares

   Amounts

   Shares

    Amounts

           
          EUR          EUR    EUR    EUR     EUR     EUR     EUR  

Balance at January 1, 2002

   28,370,857    863    7,000,000        14,285    396     29,802     (3,066 )   42,280  

Translation Adjustment

                           666     666  

Unrealized loss on short-term investment

                           (67 )   (67 )

Conversion of warrants and options

   55,295              232                232  

Stock dividends

   182,457              1,150    (1,150 )            

Stock dividends to be distributed

                   1,446     (1,446 )        

Net income

                       340         340  
    
  
  

 
  
  

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2002

   28,608,609    863    7,000,000        15,668    692     28,695     (2,467 )   43,450  

Issuance of warrants with and beneficial conversion feature for convertible debt

                600                600  

Translation Adjustment

                           189     189  

Conversion of preferred stock to common stock

   21,000,000    19    (7,000,000 )                     19  

Stock dividends

   246,325              692    (692 )            

Stock dividends to be distributed

                   148     (148 )        

Net income

                       (434 )       (434 )
    
  
  

 
  
  

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2003

   49,854,934    882           16,959    148     28,113     (2,278 )   43,824  
    
  
  

 
  
  

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to consolidated statements

 

-5-


PRIVATE MEDIA GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

1.    Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information. Accordingly they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of financial position and results of operations have been included. Operating results for the nine months period ended September 30, 2003 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ended December 31, 2003. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s annual report on form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002.

 

Solely for the convenience of the reader, the accompanying consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2003 and for the nine months then ended have been translated into United States dollars (“USD”) at the rate of EUR 0.86 per USD 1.00 the Interbank Exchange Rate on September 30, 2003. The translations should not be construed as a representation that the amounts shown could have been, our could be, converted into US dollars at that or any other rate.

 

2.    Conversion of Preferred Stock

 

We are authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock under our Articles of Incorporation, of which 7,000,000 million have been issued as Series A Preferred Stock On March 18, 2003 Slingsby Enterprises Limited, the record owner of the outstanding Series A Preferred Stock, converted 5,350,000 of the 7,000,000 shares of $4.00 Series A Preferred Stock into 16,050,000 shares of common stock in accordance with the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock. On August 8, 2003, the remaining outstanding 1,650,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock were converted into 4,950,000 shares of common stock. Accordingly, as of August 8, 2003, no shares of Series A Preferred Stock remained outstanding.

 

3.    Stock-Based Compensation

 

As permitted by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (“SFAS No. 123”), “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” the Company has elected to continue following Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (“APB 25”), Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related Interpretations for measurement and recognition of stock-based transactions with employees and adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 123. Under APB 25, generally no compensation expense is recognized because the exercise price of the options equals the fair value of the stock at the vesting date.

 

Had compensation cost for the Company’s stock based compensation issued to employees been determined based upon the fair value at the grant date consistent with the methodology prescribed under SFAS 123, the Company’s pro forma net income (loss) for 2002 and 2003 would have been as per the following table:

 

 

-6-


PRIVATE MEDIA GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

       Three-months ended
September 30,
(unaudited)


     Nine-months ended
September 30,
(unaudited)


 
       2002

     2003

     2002

     2003

 
       EUR      EUR      EUR      EUR  
       (in thousands)      (in thousands)  

Net income, as reported

     1,529      (968 )    2,276      (433 )
      

  

  

  

Deduct: Total stock based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards net of related tax effects

     (678 )    (450 )    (1,356 )    (2,772 )
      

  

  

  

Pro forma net income

     851      (1,418 )    920      (3,205 )
      

  

  

  

Net income applicable to common shares, as reported

     1,173      (968 )    1,166      (581 )
      

  

  

  

Deduct: Total stock based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards net of related tax effects

     (678 )    (450 )    (1,356 )    (2,772 )
      

  

  

  

Pro forma net income applicable to common shares

     495      (1,418 )    (190 )    (3,353 )
      

  

  

  

Earnings (loss) per share:

                             

Basic – as reported

     0.04      (0.02 )    0.04      (0.01 )
      

  

  

  

Basic – pro forma

     0.02      (0.03 )    (0.01 )    (0.08 )
      

  

  

  

Diluted – as reported

     0.03      (0.02 )    0.04      (0.01 )
      

  

  

  

Diluted – pro forma

     0.02      (0.03 )    (0.01 )    (0.08 )
      

  

  

  

 

4.    Inventories

 

Inventories consist of the following:

 

     December 31,

   September 30,

     2002

   2003

     EUR    EUR
     (in thousands)

Magazines for sale and resale

   2,634    2,908

Video cassettes

   2,874    2,766

DVDs

   3,231    4,612

Other

   69    94
    
  
     8,808    10,379
    
  

 

5.    Goodwill and other intangible assets

 

On May 30, 2003 the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement to acquire certain assets, including governmental film board approvals and distribution rights from its former Canadian distributor, Software Entertainment Ltd. The transaction closed on May 30, 2003. The consideration for the transaction was EUR 734,091 and the transaction has been accounted for as the acquisition of an intangible asset which is being amortized on a straight line basis over 10 years.

 

 

-7-


PRIVATE MEDIA GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

Goodwill and other intangible assets consist of the following:

 

     December 31,

   September 30,

     2002

   2003

     EUR    EUR
     (in thousands)

Goodwill

   2,425    2,425

Other intangible assets

   426    1,097
    
  
     2,851    3,522
    
  

 

6.    Long-term borrowings

 

During the quarter ended September 30. 2003 the Company issued convertible debt with warrants. The total proceeds before debt issuance costs of EUR 220,160 were EUR 967,500. The Company recorded a debt discount of EUR 514,263 for the value of the warrants and the beneficial conversion feature.

 

7.    Earnings per share

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:

 

    

Three-months ended

September 30,


   

Nine-months ended

September 30,


 
     2002

   2003

    2002

   2003

 

Numerator: (EUR in thousands)

                      

Net income (numerator diluted EPS)

   1,529    (968 )   2,276    (433 )
    
  

 
  

Less: Dividends on preferred stock

   356        1,110    148  
    
  

 
  

Income applicable to common shares (numerator basic EPS)

   1,173    (968 )   1,166    (581 )
    
  

 
  

Denominator:

                      

Denominator for basic earnings per share – Weighted average shares

   28,493,537    47,920,057     28,437,859    41,529,616  

Effect of dilutive securities:

                      

Preferred stock

   21,000,000    N/A     N/A    N/A  

Common stock warrants and options

   4,083    N/A     N/A    N/A  

Denominator for diluted earnings per share – weighted average shares and assumed conversions

   49,497,621    N/A     N/A    N/A  
    
  

 
  

Earnings per share (EUR)

                      

Basic

   0.04    (0.02 )   0.04    (0.01 )
    
  

 
  

Diluted

   0.03    (0.02 )   0.04    (0.01 )
    
  

 
  

 

-8-


PRIVATE MEDIA GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(UNAUDITED)

 

For the three month period ended September 30, 2003 and the nine month periods ended September 30, 2002 and 2003 the impact of potentially dilutive securities (convertible preferred shares and outstanding options and warrants for common shares) is anti-dilutive therefore reported diluted and basic income (loss) per share are EUR (0.02), EUR 0.04 and EUR (0.01) respectively.

 

8.    Contingent Liability

 

In December 1999 the Company received final notification from the Swedish Tax Authority assessing its subsidiary in Cyprus for the tax years 1995-1998 for a total amount of SEK 42,000,000 (approx. EUR 4.5 million) plus fines amounting to SEK 16,800,000 (approx. EUR 1.8 million) plus interest. The Swedish Tax Authority has taken the position that the subsidiary carried on business in Sweden from a permanent establishment during the period in question and should therefore be taxed on the income attributable to the permanent establishment. The case is under litigation and the Company believes the circumstances supporting the Tax Authority’s claim are without merit. However, the County Court has decided that a permanent establishment is at hand. The Court has only made a principle statement and the question how to calculate any eventual profit that can be allocated to the permanent establishment is not decided by the Court at this stage. The Company has appealed against the decision. The final outcome of this litigation will not be known for several years. Due to the early stages of this matter and the uncertainty regarding the ultimate decision, no amounts have been provided in the Company’s financial statements for this dispute.

 

-9-


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

 

You should read this section together with the consolidated financial statements and the notes and the other financial data in this Report. The matters that we discuss in this section, with the exception of historical information, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties relate to factors such as (1) the timing of the introduction of new products and services and the extent of their acceptance in the market; (2) our expectations of growth in demand for our products and services; (3) our ability to successfully implement expansion and acquisition plans; (4) the impact of expansion on our revenue, cost basis and margins; (5) our ability to respond to changing technology and market conditions; (6) the effects of regulatory developments and legal proceedings with respect to our business; (7) the impact of exchange rate fluctuations; and (8) our ability to obtain additional financing.

 

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Report.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

General

 

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities revenues and expenses. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to impairment of the library of photographs and videos and other long lived assets, allowances for bad debt, income taxes and contingencies and litigation. Accounts receivable and sales related to certain products are, in accordance with industry practice, subject to distributors right of return to unsold items. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily available from other sources. Management periodically reviews such estimates. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

 

We believe the following critical accounting policies are significantly affected by judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

 

Recognition of Revenue

 

Revenues from the sale of magazines, videocassettes, DVD’s and other related products where distributors are not granted rights-of-return are recognized upon transfer of title, which generally occurs upon delivery. Revenues from the sale of magazines under agreements that grant distributors rights-of-

 

-10-


return are recognized upon transfer of title, which generally occurs on delivery, net of an allowance for returned magazines. Revenues from the sale of videocassette and DVD products under consignment agreements with distributors are recognized based upon reported sales by the Company’s distributors. Revenues from the sale of subscriptions to the Company’s internet website are deferred and recognized ratably over the subscription period. Revenues from licensing of broadcasting rights to the Company’s video and film library are recognized upon delivery when the following conditions have been met (i) license period of the arrangement has begun and the customer can begin its exploitation, exhibition, or sale (ii) the arrangement fee is fixed or determinable and (iii) collection of the arrangement fee is reasonably assured.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market, with cost principally determined on an average basis. Inventories principally consist of DVD’s, videocassettes and magazines held for sale or resale. The inventory is written down to the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional write-downs may be required.

 

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

 

The Company periodically evaluates the carrying value of long-lived assets including its library of photographs and videos for potential impairment. Upon indication of impairment, the company will record a loss on its long-lived assets if the undiscounted cash flows that are estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the related carrying value of the assets. An impairment loss is then measured as the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds the estimated discounted future cash flows. Management’s estimated future revenues are based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions and additional write downs may be required if actual conditions are less favorable than those assumed.

 

Accounts receivable

 

We are required to estimate the collectibility of our trade receivables and notes receivable. A considerable amount of judgment is required in assessing the ultimate realization of these receivables including the current credit-worthiness of each customer. Significant changes in required reserves have been recorded in recent periods and may occur in the future due to the current market environment.

 

-11-


Results of Operations

 

Three months ended September 30, 2003 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2002

 

Net sales. For the three months ended September 30, 2003, we had net sales of EUR 9.4 million compared to net sales of EUR 11.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002, a decrease of EUR 1.6 million, or 15%. We attribute this change to a decrease in Video and Magazine, Internet and Broadcasting sales. Video and Magazine sales decreased 25% to EUR 3.0 million, primarily as a result of DVD taking over from video in the marketplace. Internet sales decreased 22% to EUR 1.0 million as a result of a weaker US dollar and lower license sales. Broadcasting sales decreased 44% to EUR 0.8 million as a result of a decrease in license sales. The reduction in Broadcasting license sales is a result of the Company’s strategy to start operating its own TV channels in the United States. The launch of these channels requires the Company to refrain from selling its broadcast rights to third parties for the period leading up to the launch. DVD sales increased 6% to EUR 4.7 million. We attribute the growth in sales of DVDs to the increasing number of DVD players being sold in all of our markets. We believe that the growth in DVD sales will continue through the remainder of 2003.

 

Net sales in general were affected by unfavorable changes in exchange rates, in particular the US dollar exchange rate to the Euro.

 

Cost of Sales. Our cost of sales was EUR 5.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 compared to EUR 5.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002, an increase of EUR 0.3 million, or 6%. Cost of sales as a percentage of sales was 63% for the three months ended September 30, 2003, compared to 50% for the three months ended September 30, 2002. The increase in cost of sales as a percentage of sales was primarily the result of sales mix, see Gross Profit.

 

Gross Profit. In the three months ended September 30, 2003, we realized a gross profit of EUR 3.5 million, or 37% of net sales compared to EUR 5.5 million, or 50% of net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2002, a decrease of EUR 2.0 million, or 36%. The decrease in gross profit was primarily the result of sales mix, with higher sales volume in products generating cost of sales, such as Videos, Magazines and DVDs combined, and lower sales in products not generating cost of sales, such as Internet and Broadcasting sales. The Company also carried out a worldwide DVD sale, at reduced margins, in September.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses. Our selling, general and administrative expenses were EUR 4.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 compared to EUR 4.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002, an increase of EUR 0.5 million, or 13%. The increase is primarily the result of increased marketing efforts.

 

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Operating profit/loss. We reported an operating loss of EUR 1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003 compared to an operating profit of EUR 1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002, a decrease of EUR 2.5 million, or 170%. The decrease was primarily the result of lower gross profit.

 

Interest expense. We reported interest expense of EUR 0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003, compared to no interest expense for the three months ended September 30, 2002, an increase of EUR 0.2 million. We attribute this increase to higher short-term and long-term borrowings outstanding during the three months ended September 30, 2003, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2002.

 

Income tax expense/benefit. We reported income tax benefit of EUR 0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003, compared to no income tax for the three months ended September 30, 2002.

 

Net income/loss. We reported net loss of EUR 1.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2003, compared to net income of EUR 1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002. We attribute the decrease in net income in 2003 of EUR 2.5 million to lower operating profit.

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2003 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2002

 

Net sales. For the nine months ended September 30, 2003, we had net sales of EUR 29.1 million compared to net sales of EUR 31.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002, a decrease of EUR 2.2 million, or 7%. We attribute this change to a decrease in Video and Magazine, Internet and Broadcasting sales. Video and Magazine sales decreased 18% to EUR 9.5 million, primarily as a result of DVD taking over from video in the marketplace. Internet sales decreased 24% to EUR 3.4 million as a result of a weaker US dollar and lower license sales. Broadcasting sales decreased 43% to EUR 2.0 million as a result of a decrease in license sales. The reduction in Broadcasting license sales is a result of the Company’s strategy to start operating its own TV channels in the United States. The launch of the channels requires the Company to refrain from selling its broadcast rights to third parties for the period leading up to the launch. The decrease in Video and Magazine, Internet and Broadcasting sales was offset by a increase in DVD sales of 21% to EUR 14.2 million. We attribute the growth in sales of DVDs to the increasing number of DVD players being sold in all of our markets. We believe that the growth in DVD sales will continue through the remainder of 2003.

 

Net sales in general were affected by unfavorable changes in exchange rates, in particular the US dollar exchange rate to the Euro.

 

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Cost of Sales. Our cost of sales was EUR 15.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 compared to EUR 13.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002, an increase of EUR 1.4 million, or 10%. Cost of sales as a percentage of sales was 52% for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, compared to 44% for the nine months ended September 30, 2002. The increase in cost of sales as a percentage of sales was primarily the result of sales mix, see Gross Profit.

 

Gross Profit. In the nine months ended September 30, 2003, we realized a gross profit of EUR 14.0 million, or 48% of net sales compared to EUR 17.7 million, or 56% of net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2002, a decrease of EUR 3.7 million, or 21%. The decrease in gross profit was primarily the result of sales mix, with higher sales volume in products generating cost of sales, such as Videos, Magazines and DVDs combined, and lower sales in products not generating cost of sales, such as Internet and Broadcasting sales.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses. Our selling, general and administrative expenses were EUR 14.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 compared to EUR 14.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002, an increase of EUR 0.3 million, or 2%. Discounting non-recurring charges of EUR 0.7 million made in 2002, our selling, general and administrative expenses have increased by EUR 1.0 million which is primarily the result of increased marketing efforts and EUR 0.15 million in increased bad debt provision.

 

Operating profit/loss. We reported an operating loss of EUR 0.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 compared to an operating profit of EUR 2.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002, a decrease of EUR 2.5 million, or 125%. Discounting non-recurring charges of EUR 1.4 million in offering expenses made in 2002, the decrease was EUR 3.9 million. The decrease was primarily the result of lower gross profit.

 

Interest expense. We reported interest expense of EUR 0.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, compared to EUR 0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002.

 

Income tax expense/benefit. We reported income tax benefit of EUR 0.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, compared to income tax benefit of EUR 0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002.

 

Net income/loss. We reported net loss of EUR 0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003, compared to net income of EUR 2.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

We reported a working capital surplus of EUR 21.4 million at September 30, 2003, an increase of EUR 6.1 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2002. The increase is principally attributable to reductions in short-term borrowings.

 

Operating Activities

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was EUR 5.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2003. The net loss of EUR 0.5 million was adjusted to reconcile net income to net cash flows from operating activities, representing depreciation of EUR 0.8 million, bad debt provision of EUR 0.15 million and amortization of photographs and videos of EUR 5.2 million provided a total of EUR 5.8 million. The total of EUR 5.8 million was then added to by changes in related party receivable, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable trade and accrued other liabilities totaling EUR 3.8 million offset by EUR 4.1 million from trade accounts receivable, inventories, and income taxes payable. Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 was EUR 2.3 million. The increase in cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 compared to the same period last year is primarily the result of changes in operating assets and liabilities.

 

Investing Activities

 

Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was EUR 7.4 million. The investing activities were principally investment in library of photographs and videos of EUR 5.4 million, which was carried out in order to maintain the 2003 and 2004 release schedules for both magazines, video and DVD, and EUR 1.8 million invested in capital expenditures. The decrease over the comparable nine-month 2002 period is principally due to decreased investments in library of photographs and videos.

 

Financing Activities

 

Net cash provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2003 was EUR 1.5 million, represented primarily by convertible notes (see below) and a loan from an institutional lender in the principal amount of EUR 4.2 million of which EUR 1.75 million was received in March 2003. The loan bears interest at the rate of EURIBOR + 1.5%, repayable over 12 years, including an initial period of 18 months during which only interest is payable. The loan was obtained for the purposes of financing the construction of an office building and is secured by a mortgage on the building. The balance of the loan will be paid out over the remaining period of construction of the building, which is expected to be completed in 2004. The increase over the comparable nine-month 2002 period is primarily due to the initial amounts received from the the convertible notes and the loan.

 

In December 2001 we borrowed USD $ 4.0 million from Commerzbank AG pursuant to a Note originally due on December 20, 2002. The Note bore interest at an annual rate of 7%, payable quarterly, with the entire principal amount and accrued interest originally due on December 20, 2002. In December

 

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2002 Commerzbank AG agreed to extend the maturity date of the Note from December 20, 2002 to March 20, 2003.

 

In April 2003 the Note was acquired by Consipio Holding b.v. from Commerzbank AG, and Consipio agreed to extend the maturity of the Note for five years, with interest on the Note being increased to 9.9% per annum. In addition, Consipio has agreed to acquire a USD $3.0 million note from the Company to Beate Uhse AG, which note was due on December 13, 2003, with interest at the rate of 5% per annum, and to restrucure the note to provide for the extension of the maturity date by five years and an interest rate of 9.9% per annum.

 

In May 2003 Euro 1.65 million of the approximately Euro 6.6 million related party note payable to Luthares was re-financed by BPA Bank at the same interest rate as on the Note Payable, EURIBOR + 1%. The loan is repayable in equal monthly installments over a four year period starting June 29, 2004. Thus the remaining balance on the Note Payable to Luthares is Euro 4.9 million.

 

Effective September 2003, pursuant to securities purchase agreements entered into separately with four accredited institutional investors, we agreed to issue and sell to each of these investors convertible notes in the aggregate principal amount of $2.25 million, Series A Warrants exercisable for an aggregate of 337,500 shares of our common stock, and Series B Warrants exercisable for an aggregate of 225,000 shares of our common stock. The securities purchase agreements each provided for the sale of one-half of the convertible notes ($1.125 million aggregate principal amount) and the issuance of all of the Series A and B Warrants as of the first closing, September 19, 2003, and obligated each of the investors to purchase, and for us to sell and issue to these investors, the remaining convertible notes ($1.125 million aggregate principal amount) immediately following the registration with the SEC of the common stock issuable under the convertible notes and the warrants (the second closing), which financing was completed effective October 27, 2003. Effective as of the first closing we received aggregate gross cash proceeds of $1,125,000, and we received an additional $1,125,000 of aggregate proceeds at the second closing, in each case before deduction of selling expenses.

 

Interest on the notes is payable quarterly, and interest accrues at the rate of 7% per annum from their respective issue dates of September 19, 2003 and October 27, 2003. The outstanding principal balance is due and payable on August 31, 2006, subject to acceleration upon the occurrence of specified events of default. Pursuant to the terms of the notes, the note holders may elect to convert their notes, at any time prior to maturity, into shares of our common stock at a fixed conversion price of $2.00 per share. In addition to anti-dilution provisions providing for proportionate adjustments in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, reverse stock splits and similar events, this conversion price is subject to downward adjustment upon the issuance by us of common stock or securities convertible into common stock at a price per share of less than $2.00 per share. We may elect, with limited exceptions, to pay the interest due under the notes through the issuance of shares of common stock at a conversion price equal to the arithmetic average of the five lowest daily volume-weighted average prices of our common stock during the 15 consecutive trading days immediately preceding payment.

 

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In connection with the sale of the convertible notes, effective as of September 19, 2003 we issued to the four investors Series A Warrants exercisable for an aggregate of 337,500 shares of our common stock, and Series B Warrants exercisable for an aggregate of 225,000 shares of our common stock. The Series A Warrants have an exercise price of $2.00 per share, and are exercisable at any time from September 19, 2003, through September 19, 2008. The Series B Warrants have an exercise price of $1.00 per share, are exercisable only upon the occurrence of specified events, and expire on September 19, 2004. Events which entitle the holders of the Series B Warrants to exercise the warrants include the following: (i) a material adverse change in our business, as defined in the securities purchase agreements; or (ii) the “market price” of our common stock on March 19, 2004, is less than $2.37, with the “market price” being defined as the arithmetic average of the five lowest daily volume-weighted average prices of our common stock during the 15 consecutive trading days immediately preceding March 19, 2004. In addition to anti-dilution provisions providing for proportionate adjustments in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, reverse stock splits and similar events, the exercise price of the warrants is subject to downward adjustment upon the issuance by us of common stock or securities convertible into common stock at a price per share of less than the then current exercise price. Payment of the exercise price of the warrants may be made, at the option of the warrant holder, either in cash or by a “cashless exercise.” Upon a cashless exercise, in lieu of paying the exercise price in cash, the warrant holder would receive shares of common stock with a value equal to the difference between the market price (the average of the closing prices of the common stock for the five trading days immediately preceding the exercise date) at the time of exercise and the then current exercise price multiplied by the number of shares so exercised.

 

We expect that our available cash resources and cash generated from operations will be sufficient to meet our presently anticipated working capital and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months. However, we may need to raise additional funds to support more rapid expansion or respond to unanticipated requirements. If additional funds are raised through the issuance of equity securities, our shareholders’ percentage ownership will be reduced, they may experience additional dilution, or these newly issued equity securities may have rights, preferences, or privileges senior to those of our current shareholders. Additional financing may not be available when needed on terms favorable to us, or at all. If adequate funds are not available or are not available on acceptable terms, we may be unable to develop or enhance our products and services, take advantage of future opportunities or respond to competitive pressures or unanticipated requirements, which could harm our business.

 

 

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Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.

 

We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes and were never a party to any derivative, swap or option contracts. We do not hedge our interest rate or foreign currency exchange rate exposures.

 

As our cash and cash equivalent and short-term investments consist principally of money market securities and investments in short-term debt or equity securities and our borrowings are primarily at fixed rates of interest our market risk related to fluctuations in interest rates is limited. Accordingly, a one percentage change in market interest rates would not have a material impact on our results of operations.

 

We transact our business in various currencies, principally the Euro and the U.S dollar and certain other European Union currencies. We generally attempt to limit exposure to currency rate fluctuations by matching transaction currencies (revenues/expenses) to the functional currency of its operating subsidiaries. Our exposure to market risk for fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates relates primarily to fluctuations in the Euro versus the U.S dollar. We translate our consolidated subsidiaries whose functional currency is not the euro into the euro for reporting purposes. Income statement amounts are translated into euros using the average exchange rate for the fiscal year. The balance sheet is translated at the year-end exchange rate. Due to the significance of the results reported in dollars the impact of the euro/dollar exchange rate on our major categories of revenue and expense can be material.

 

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

 

As required by SEC Rule 13a - 15(b), an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a - 15(e) and 15d - 15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this report. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including cost limitations, judgments used in decision making, assumptions regarding the likelihood of future events, soundness of internal controls, fraud, the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance of achieving their control objectives. Based upon and as of the date of the evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective, in all material respects, with respect to the recordings, processing, summarizing and reporting, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, of information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

There have been no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of the evaluation described above.

 

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

Conversion of Preferred Stock

 

We are authorized to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock under our Articles of Incorporation, of which 7,000,000 million have been issued as Series A Preferred Stock On March 18, 2003 Slingsby Enterprises Limited, the record owner of the outstanding Series A Preferred Stock, converted 5,350,000 of the 7,000,000 shares of $4.00 Series A Preferred Stock into 16,050,000 shares of common stock in accordance with the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock. On August 8, 2003, the remaining outstanding 1,650,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock were converted into 4,950,000 shares of common stock. Accordingly, as of August 8, 2003, no shares of Series A Preferred Stock remained outstanding.

 

September 2003 Financing Transactions

 

Pursuant to financing transactions entered into by us in September 2003, we issued $2.25 million of our convertible notes, Series A Warrants exercisable for an aggregate of 337,500 shares of our common stock, and Series B Warrants exercisable for an aggregate of 225,000 shares of our common stock. For information concerning the terms of the convertible notes and warrants, see “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations - Liquidity and Capital Resources - Financing Activities.”

 

The sale and issuance of the notes and related warrants are deemed to be exempt from the registration requirement of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in reliance on Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and Regulation D promulgated thereunder, as they were sold to a small number of accredited institutional investors and were made without general solicitation or advertising.

 

In September 2003, we retained Neveric Capital, Inc. to act as placement agent in connection with the placement of the convertible notes and warrants in September 2003 and future transactions. As a part of our agreement with Neveric Capital, Inc., we agreed to issue a warrant to Neveric Capital, Inc. for the purchase of up to 100,000 shares of our common stock on the same terms as the Series A Warrants and agreed to register the shares underlying the warrant. The issuance of the warrant is deemed to be exempt from the registration requirement of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in reliance on Section 4(2) of the Securities Act and Regulation D promulgated thereunder, as it was sold to a broker-dealer believed to be an accredited investor and was made without general solicitation or advertising.

 

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

 

a. Exhibits:

 

  *4.1 Form of Securities Purchase Agreements dated as of September 10, 2003, entered into by the Company with each of Omicron Master Trust, Cranshire Capital L.P., and Solomon Strategic Holdings, Inc., including as exhibits thereto:

 

(a)    Exhibit “A” - Form of Convertible Note.

(b)    Exhibit “B” - Form of Series A Warrant.

 

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(c)    Exhibit “C” - Form of Series B Warrant.

(d)    Exhibit “D” - Form of Registration Rights Agreement dated as of September 10, 2003.

(e)    Exhibit “E” - Form of Legal Opinion.

 

  *4.2 Form of Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of September 10, 2003, entered into by the Company with CD Investment Partners, Ltd., including as exhibits thereto:

 

(a)    Exhibit “A” - Form of Convertible Note.

(b)    Exhibit “B” - Form of Series A Warrant.

(c)    Exhibit “C” - Form of Series B Warrant.

(d)    Exhibit “D” - Form of Registration Rights Agreement dated as of September 10, 2003.

(e)    Exhibit “E” - Form of Legal Opinion.

 

  *4.3 Letter Agreement dated October 9, 2003, by and between the and CD Investment Partners, Ltd.31.1 - Certifications pursuant to Rule 13a-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

  31.2 Certifications pursuant to Rule 13a-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

  32.1 Certification of CEO and CFO Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to § 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

* Incorporated by reference from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (SEC File No. 333-109607) as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on October 10, 2003.

 

b. Reports on Form 8-K:

 

No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter for which this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is filed.

 

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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.

 

   

PRIVATE MEDIA GROUP, INC.
(Registrant)

Date: November 12, 2003

 

/s/ Johan Gillborg


    Johan Gillborg, Chief Financial Officer

 

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