Exhibit
99.5:
|
Item
7.
|
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
|
The
following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations contains “forward-looking statements,” including
statements about our beliefs and expectations. There are many risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
discussed in the forward-looking statements. Potential factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those discussed in any forward-looking
statements include, but are not limited to, those stated above in Item 1A.
under
the headings “Risk Factors ¾ Cautionary
Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements” and “¾Risk Factors,” as
well as those described from time to time in our filings with the Securities
and
Exchange Commission.
All
forward-looking statements are based on information available to us on the
date
of this filing, and we assume no obligation to update such statements. The
following discussion should be read in conjunction with our Annual Reports
on
Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and
other
filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the consolidated
financial statements and related notes in this Annual Report on Form
10-K.
Overview
CoStar
is
the leading provider of information services to the commercial real estate
industry in the United States and the United Kingdom based on the fact that
we
offer the most comprehensive commercial real estate database available, have
the
largest research department in the industry, provide more information services
than any of our competitors and believe we generate more revenues than any
of
our competitors. We have created a standardized information platform where
the
members of the commercial real estate and related business community can
continuously interact and facilitate transactions by efficiently exchanging
accurate and standardized commercial real estate information. Our integrated
suite of online service offerings includes information about space available
for
lease, comparable sales information, tenant information, information about
properties for sale, information for clients' web sites, information about
industry professionals and their business relationships, analytic information,
data integration, property marketing and industry news. Our service offerings
span all commercial property types - office, industrial, retail, land,
mixed-use, hospitality and multifamily.
Since
1994, we have expanded the geographical coverage of our existing information
services and developed new information services. In addition to internal growth,
this expansion included the acquisitions of Chicago ReSource, Inc. in Chicago
in
1996 and New Market Systems, Inc. in San Francisco in 1997. In August 1998,
we expanded into the Houston region through the acquisition of Houston-based
real estate information provider C Data Services, Inc. In January 1999, we
expanded further into the Midwest and Florida by acquiring LeaseTrend, Inc.
and
into Atlanta and Dallas/Fort Worth by acquiring Jamison Research, Inc. In
February 2000, we acquired Comps, a San Diego-based provider of commercial
real estate information. In November 2000, we acquired First Image
Technologies, Inc. In September 2002, we expanded further into Portland,
Oregon through the acquisition of certain assets of Napier Realty Advisors
d/b/a
REAL-NET. In January 2003, we established a base in the United Kingdom with
our acquisition of London-based Property Intelligence. In May 2004, we
expanded into Tennessee through the acquisition of Peer Market Research, Inc.,
and in September 2004, we extended our coverage of the United Kingdom
through the acquisition of Scottish Property Network. In September 2004, we
strengthened our position in Denver, Colorado through the acquisition of
substantially all of the assets of RealComp, Inc., a local comparable sales
information provider. In January 2005, we acquired National Research Bureau
(“NRB”), a leading provider of U.S. shopping center
information. Additionally, in December 2006, our U.K. Subsidiary,
Costar Limited, acquired Grecam S.A.S. (“Grecam”) located in Paris, France, a
provider of commercial property information and market-level surveys, studies
and consulting services. In February 2007, CoStar Limited also
acquired Property Investment Exchange Limited (“Propex”), a provider of
commercial property information and operator of an investment property exchange
located in London, England. The more recent acquisitions are
discussed later in this section.
Our
current expansion plan began in 2004 and included entering 21 new metropolitan
markets throughout the United States as well as expanding the geographical
boundaries of many of our existing U.S. and U.K. markets during 2005 and 2006.
As of February 2006, our expansion into the 21 new markets was
complete.
In
early
2005 we announced the launch of a major effort to expand our coverage of retail
real estate information. The new retail component of our flagship product,
CoStar Property Professional, was unveiled in May 2006 at the International
Council of Shopping Centers' convention in Las Vegas.
In
July
2006, we announced our intention to commence actively researching commercial
properties in approximately 100 new Metropolitan Statistical Areas (“MSAs”)
across the United States in an effort to expand the geographical coverage of
our
service offerings, including our new retail service. During 2006, in connection
with our plan to actively research commercial properties in these new MSAs,
we
increased our U.S. field research fleet by adding 89 vehicles and hired
researchers to staff these vehicles. Further, in support of our expanded
research efforts, we opened a research facility under a short-term lease in
White Marsh, Maryland and hired and trained additional researchers and other
personnel. We intend to enter into a long-term lease for a new
research facility in White Marsh, Maryland in 2007.
As
a
result of our recent acquisitions of Propex and Grecam, we also intend to invest
further in our U.K. and French operations and to expand the coverage of our
service offerings within the U.K. and France. CoStar intends to
integrate its U.K. and French operations more fully with those of the U.S.
and
eventually to introduce a consistent international platform of service
offerings.
Our
current expansion plan, further geographical expansion into approximately 100
new MSAs, expansion of coverage of retail real estate
information, expansion of our coverage in existing markets and
expansion of our U.K. and French operations, has caused, and will continue
to
cause, our cost structure to escalate in advance of the revenues that we expect
to generate from these new markets and services, which may reduce our earnings
or earnings growth.
We
expect
to continue to develop and distribute new services, expand existing services
and
coverage across our current markets, expand geographically in the U.S. and
international markets, consider strategic acquisitions, and expand our sales
and
marketing organization. Any future significant expansion could reduce our
profitability and significantly increase our capital expenditures. Therefore,
while we expect current service offerings in existing markets to remain
generally profitable and provide substantial funding for our overall business,
it is possible that further overall expansion could cause us to generate losses
and negative cash flow from operations in the future.
We
expect
2007 revenue to grow over 2006 revenue as a result of further penetration of
our
services in our potential customer base across our platform, successful cross
selling of our services to our existing customer base, continued geographic
expansion and acquisitions. We expect that 2007 EBITDA, which is our net-income
before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, could increase
from 2006 based on the growth in EBITDA from U.S. operations, which will be
partially offset by our plan to expand and integrate our U.K. and French
operations. We anticipate our EBITDA for our existing core platform
to continue to grow principally due to growth in revenue.
Beginning
on January 1, 2006, we began accounting for stock based compensation under
the
provisions of SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123R”), which requires
the recognition of the fair value of stock-based compensation. Under the fair
value recognition provisions of SFAS 123R, stock-based compensation cost is
estimated at the grant date based on the fair value of the awards expected
to
vest and recognized as expense ratably over the requisite service period of
the
award. Upon adoption of SFAS 123R in the first quarter of 2006, we recorded
a
charge in general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements
of
operations of approximately $35,000, representing the cumulative effect of
a
change in accounting principle.
In
2006,
we issued restricted stock and stock options to our officers, directors and
employees, and as a result we recorded additional compensation expense in our
consolidated statement of operations. We plan to continue the use of alternative
stock-based compensation for our officers, directors and employees, which may
include, among other things, restricted stock or stock option grants that
typically will require us to record additional compensation expense in our
consolidated statement of operations and reduce our net income. We incurred
approximately $4.2 million in total equity compensation expense in
2006.
Our
subscription-based information services, consisting primarily of CoStar Property
Professional, CoStar Tenant, CoStar COMPS Professional and FOCUS services,
currently generate approximately 96% of our total revenues. Our contracts for
our subscription-based information services typically have a minimum term of
one
year and renew automatically. Upon renewal, many of the subscription
contract rates may increase in accordance with contract provisions or as a
result of contract renegotiations. To encourage clients to use our services
regularly, we generally charge a fixed monthly amount for our subscription-based
services rather than fees based on actual system usage. Contract rates are
based
on the number of sites, number of users, organization size, the client's
business focus and the number of services to which a client subscribes. Our
subscription clients generally pay contract fees on a monthly basis, but in
some
cases may pay us on a quarterly or annual basis. We recognize this revenue
on a
straight-line basis over the life of the contract. Annual and quarterly advance
payments result in deferred revenue, substantially reducing the working capital
requirements generated by accounts receivable.
For
the
years ended December 31, 2005 and 2006, our contract renewal rate was over
90%.
Application
of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The
preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts
of
assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities
at
the date of the financial statements and revenues and expenses during the period
reported. The following accounting policies involve a “critical accounting
estimate” because they are particularly dependent on estimates and assumptions
made by management about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the
accounting estimates are made. In addition, while we have used our best
estimates based on facts and circumstances available to us at the time,
different estimates reasonably could have been used in the current period.
Changes in the accounting estimates we use are reasonably likely to occur from
period to period which may have a material impact on the presentation of our
financial condition and results of operations. We review these estimates and
assumptions periodically and reflect the effects of revisions in the period
that
they are determined to be necessary.
Valuation
of long-lived and intangible assets and goodwill
We
assess
the impairment of long-lived assets, identifiable intangibles and goodwill
whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value
may
not be recoverable. Factors we consider important that could trigger an
impairment review include the following:
|
|
•
|
Significant
underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating
results;
|
|
|
•
|
Significant
changes in the manner of our use of the acquired assets or the strategy
for our overall business;
|
|
|
•
|
Significant
negative industry or economic trends;
or
|
|
|
•
|
Significant
decline in our market capitalization relative to net book value for
a
sustained period.
|
When
we
determine that the carrying value of long-lived and identifiable intangible
assets may not be recovered based upon the existence of one or more of the
above
indicators, we measure any impairment based on a projected discounted cash
flow
method using a discount rate determined by our management to be commensurate
with the risk inherent in our current business model.
Goodwill
and identifiable intangible assets not subject to amortization are tested
annually on October 1st of each
year for
impairment and may be tested for impairment more frequently based upon the
existence of one or more of the above indicators. We measure any
impairment loss as the extent to which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds
its fair value.
Accounting
for income taxes
As
part
of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements, we are
required to estimate our income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which
we
operate. This process requires us to estimate our actual current tax exposure
and assess the temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of
items, such as deferred revenue or deductibility of certain intangible assets,
for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets
and liabilities, which are included within our consolidated balance sheet.
We
must then also assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be
recovered from future taxable income, and, to the extent we believe that it
is
more likely than not that some portion or all of our deferred tax assets will
not be realized, we must establish a valuation allowance. To the
extent we establish a valuation allowance or change the allowance in a period,
we must reflect the corresponding increase or decrease within the tax provision
in the statement of operations.
As
of the
fourth quarter of 2004, we determined that it was more likely than not that
we
would generate taxable income from operations and be able to realize tax
benefits arising from use of our net operating loss carryforwards to reduce
the
income tax we will owe on this taxable income. Prior to the fourth quarter
of
2004, we recorded a valuation allowance on the deferred tax assets associated
with these future tax benefits because we were not certain we would generate
taxable income in the future. The release of the valuation allowance in the
fourth quarter of 2004 resulted in a tax benefit of approximately $26.2 million.
This included an income tax benefit of approximately $16.7 million that was
recognized in our results from operations. We also recognized a tax benefit
of
approximately $9.5 million as additional paid-in capital for our net operating
loss carryforwards attributable to tax deductions for stock options. As of
December 31, 2006, we continued to maintain a valuation allowance of
approximately $337,000 for certain state net operating loss
carryforwards. At December 31, 2006, we had net operating loss
carryforwards for federal income tax purposes of approximately $43.1 million,
which expire, if unused, from the year 2013 through the year 2023.
Our
decision to release the valuation allowance on our deferred tax asset was based
on our expectation that we will recognize taxable income from operations in
the
future, which will enable us to use our net operating loss carryforwards. We
believe our expectation that we will recognize taxable income in the future
is
supported by our increase in net earnings over the last three years, our revenue
growth, our renewal rates with our existing customers, and our business model,
which permits some control over future costs. We will continue to evaluate
our
expectation of future taxable income during each quarter. If we are unable
to
conclude that it is more likely than not that we will realize the future tax
benefits associated with our deferred tax assets, then we may be required to
establish a valuation allowance against some or all of the deferred tax
assets.
For
the
next two years, however, we expect the majority of our taxable income to be
offset by our net operating loss carryforwards. As a result, we expect our
cash
payments for taxes to be limited primarily to federal alternative minimum taxes
and to state income taxes in certain states. Our U.K. expansion will
generate net operating losses in the U.K. The loss in the U.K. will
generate a lower tax benefit than if the costs were incurred in the U.S.,
thereby creating a higher effective tax rate in 2007.
Effective
for fiscal quarters beginning after December 31, 2006, we will adopt the
provisions of FIN 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income
Taxes”. This interpretation was issued to clarify the accounting for
uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the financial statements by
prescribing a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial
statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to
be
taken in a tax return. We do not expect the adoption of FIN 48 to
have a material impact on our results of operations and financial
condition.
Accounting
for employee stock options
Effective
January 1, 2006, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No.
123R
“Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (SFAS 123R) utilizing the modified
prospective approach. Under the modified prospective approach, SFAS 123R applies
to new stock-based compensation awards and to awards that were outstanding
on
January 1, 2006, that are subsequently modified, repurchased or
cancelled. Under the fair value recognition provisions of this
statement we use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair
value of our share-based compensation awards. This model employs the
following key assumptions. Expected volatility is based on the
annualized daily historical volatility of our stock price, over the expected
life of the option. Expected term of the option is based on historical employee
stock option exercise behavior, the vesting terms of the respective option
and a
contractual life of ten years. Our stock price volatility and option lives
and
expected dividends involve management’s best estimates at that time, all of
which impact the fair value of the option calculated under the Black-Scholes
methodology and, ultimately, the expense that will be recognized over the life
of the option.
SFAS 123R
also requires that we recognize compensation expense for only the portion of
options or stock units that are expected to vest. In order to determine the
portion of options and stock units expected to vest, we apply estimated
forfeiture rates that are derived from historical employee termination
behavior.
If
actual
results differ significantly from these estimates, stock-based compensation
expense and our results of operations could be materially impacted.
Non-GAAP
Financial Measures
We
prepare and publicly release quarterly unaudited financial statements prepared
in accordance with GAAP. We also disclose and discuss certain non-GAAP financial
measures in our public releases. Currently, the non-GAAP financial measure
that
we disclose is EBITDA, which is our net income (loss) before interest, income
taxes, depreciation and amortization. We disclose EBITDA in our earnings
releases, investor conference calls and filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. The non-GAAP financial measures that we use may not be comparable
to
similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Also, in the future,
we
may disclose different non-GAAP financial measures in order to help our
investors more meaningfully evaluate and compare our future results of
operations to our previously reported results of operations.
We
view
EBITDA as an operating performance measure and as such we believe that the
GAAP
financial measure most directly comparable to it is net income (loss). In
calculating EBITDA we exclude from net income (loss) the financial items that
we
believe should be separately identified to provide additional analysis of the
financial components of the day-to-day operation of our business. We have
outlined below the type and scope of these exclusions and the material
limitations on the use of these non-GAAP financial measures as a result of
these
exclusions. EBITDA is not a measurement of financial performance under GAAP
and
should not be considered as a measure of liquidity, as an alternative to net
income (loss) or as an indicator of any other measure of performance derived
in
accordance with GAAP. Investors and potential investors in our securities should
not rely on EBITDA as a substitute for any GAAP financial measure, including
net
income (loss). In addition, we urge investors and potential investors in our
securities to carefully review the reconciliation of EBITDA to net income (loss)
set forth below, in our earnings releases and in other filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and to carefully review the GAAP financial
information included as part of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and our
Annual Reports on Form 10-K that are filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, as well as our quarterly earnings releases, and compare the GAAP
financial information with our EBITDA.
EBITDA
is
used by management to internally measure our operating and management
performance and by investors as a supplemental financial measure to evaluate
the
performance of our business that, when viewed with our GAAP results and the
accompanying reconciliation, we believe provides additional information that
is
useful to gain an understanding of the factors and trends affecting our
business. We have spent more than 18 years building our database of
commercial real estate information and expanding our markets and services
partially through acquisitions of complimentary businesses.
Due
to
the expansion of our information services, which included acquisitions, our
net
income (loss) has included significant charges for purchase amortization,
depreciation and other amortization. EBITDA excludes these charges and provides
meaningful information about the operating performance of our business, apart
from charges for purchase amortization, depreciation and other amortization.
We
believe the disclosure of EBITDA helps investors meaningfully evaluate and
compare our performance from quarter to quarter and from year to year. We also
believe EBITDA is a measure of our ongoing operating performance because the
isolation of non-cash charges, such as amortization and depreciation, and
non-operating items, such as interest and income taxes, provides additional
information about our cost structure, and, over time, helps track our operating
progress. In addition, investors, securities analysts and others have regularly
relied on EBITDA to provide a financial measure by which to compare our
operating performance against that of other companies in our
industry.
Set
forth
below are descriptions of the financial items that have been excluded from
our
net income (loss) to calculate EBITDA and the material limitations associated
with using this non-GAAP financial measure as compared to net income
(loss):
|
|
·
|
Purchase
amortization in cost of revenues may be useful for investors to consider
because it represents the use of our acquired database technology,
which
is one of the sources of information for our database of commercial
real
estate information. We do not believe these charges necessarily reflect
the current and ongoing cash charges related to our operating cost
structure.
|
|
|
·
|
Purchase
amortization in operating expenses may be useful for investors to
consider
because it represents the estimated attrition of our acquired customer
base and the diminishing value of any acquired tradenames. We do
not
believe these charges necessarily reflect the current and ongoing
cash
charges related to our operating cost
structure.
|
|
|
·
|
Depreciation
and other amortization may be useful for investors to consider because
they generally represent the wear and tear on our property and equipment
used in our operations. We do not believe these charges necessarily
reflect the current and ongoing cash charges related to our operating
cost
structure.
|
|
|
·
|
The
amount of net interest income we generate may be useful for investors
to
consider and may result in current cash inflows or outflows. However,
we
do not consider the amount of net interest income to be a representative
component of the day-to-day operating performance of our
business.
|
|
|
·
|
Income
tax expense (benefit) may be useful for investors to consider because
it generally represents the taxes which may be payable for the period
and
the change in deferred income taxes during the period and may reduce
the
amount of funds otherwise available for use in our
business. However, we do not consider the amount of income tax
expense (benefit) to be a representative component of the day-to-day
operating performance of our
business.
|
Management
compensates for the above-described limitations of using non-GAAP measures
by
only using a non-GAAP measure to supplement our GAAP results and to provide
additional information that is useful to gain an understanding of the factors
and trends affecting our business.
The
following table shows our EBITDA reconciled to our net income and our cash
flows
from operating, investing and financing activities for the indicated periods
(in
thousands of dollars):
| |
|
Fiscal
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
| |
|
2004
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$ |
24,985
|
|
|
$ |
6,457
|
|
|
$ |
12,410
|
|
|
Purchase
amortization in cost of revenues
|
|
|
2,453
|
|
|
|
1,250
|
|
|
|
1,205
|
|
|
Purchase
amortization in operating expenses
|
|
|
4,351
|
|
|
|
4,469
|
|
|
|
4,183
|
|
|
Depreciation
and other
amortization
|
|
|
6,206
|
|
|
|
5,995
|
|
|
|
6,421
|
|
|
Interest
income,
net
|
|
|
(1,314 |
) |
|
|
(3,455 |
) |
|
|
(6,845 |
) |
|
Income
tax (benefit)
expense
|
|
|
(16,925 |
) |
|
|
4,340
|
|
|
|
8,516
|
|
|
EBITDA
|
|
$ |
19,756
|
|
|
$ |
19,056
|
|
|
$ |
25,890
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
flows provided by (used in)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating
activities
|
|
$ |
24,723
|
|
|
$ |
22,919
|
|
|
$ |
32,751
|
|
|
Investing
activities
|
|
$ |
(29,946 |
) |
|
$ |
(38,732 |
) |
|
$ |
(28,493 |
) |
|
Financing
activities
|
|
$ |
6,297
|
|
|
$ |
7,412
|
|
|
$ |
5,582
|
|
Consolidated
Results of Operations
The
following table provides our selected consolidated results of operations for the
indicated periods (in thousands of dollars and as a percentage of total
revenue):
| |
|
Fiscal
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
| |
|
2004
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$ |
112,085
|
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
134,338
|
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
$ |
158,889
|
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
Cost
of
revenues
|
|
|
35,384
|
|
|
|
31.6
|
|
|
|
44,286
|
|
|
|
33.0
|
|
|
|
56,136
|
|
|
|
35.3
|
|
|
Gross
margin
|
|
|
76,701
|
|
|
|
68.4
|
|
|
|
90,052
|
|
|
|
67.0
|
|
|
|
102,753
|
|
|
|
64.7
|
|
|
Operating
expenses:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Selling
and
marketing
|
|
|
29,458
|
|
|
|
26.3
|
|
|
|
38,351
|
|
|
|
28.6
|
|
|
|
41,774
|
|
|
|
26.3
|
|
|
Software
development
|
|
|
8,492
|
|
|
|
7.6
|
|
|
|
10,123
|
|
|
|
7.5
|
|
|
|
12,008
|
|
|
|
7.6
|
|
|
General
and
administrative
|
|
|
27,654
|
|
|
|
24.6
|
|
|
|
27,550
|
|
|
|
20.5
|
|
|
|
30,707
|
|
|
|
19.3
|
|
|
Restructuring
charge
|
|
|
¾
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
|
2,217
|
|
|
|
1.7
|
|
|
|
¾
|
|
|
|
0.0
|
|
|
Purchase
amortization
|
|
|
4,351
|
|
|
|
3.9
|
|
|
|
4,469
|
|
|
|
3.3
|
|
|
|
4,183
|
|
|
|
2.6
|
|
|
Total
operating
expenses
|
|
|
69,955
|
|
|
|
62.4
|
|
|
|
82,710
|
|
|
|
61.6
|
|
|
|
88,672
|
|
|
|
55.8
|
|
|
Income
from
operations
|
|
|
6,746
|
|
|
|
6.0
|
|
|
|
7,342
|
|
|
|
5.4
|
|
|
|
14,081
|
|
|
|
8.9
|
|
|
Other
income
|
|
|
1,314
|
|
|
|
1.2
|
|
|
|
3,455
|
|
|
|
2.6
|
|
|
|
6,845
|
|
|
|
4.3
|
|
|
Income
before income
taxes
|
|
|
8,060
|
|
|
|
7.2
|
|
|
|
10,797
|
|
|
|
8.0
|
|
|
|
20,926
|
|
|
|
13.2
|
|
|
Income
tax expense (benefit)
|
|
|
(16,925 |
) |
|
|
(15.1 |
) |
|
|
4,340
|
|
|
|
3.2
|
|
|
|
8,516
|
|
|
|
5.4
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$ |
24,985
|
|
|
|
22.3 |
% |
|
$ |
6,457
|
|
|
|
4.8 |
% |
|
$ |
12,410
|
|
|
|
7.8 |
% |
Business
Segments
Effective
in 2007, the Company began to manage the business geographically in two
operating segments with our primary areas of measurement and decision-making
being the United States and International. Presented below is segment
revenue and EBITDA for comparison purposes (in thousands):
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
Fiscal
Year Ended December 31,
|
|
| |
|
2004
|
|
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United
States
|
|
$ |
102,607
|
|
|
$ |
123,360
|
|
|
$ |
146,073
|
|
|
International
|
|
|
9,478
|
|
|
|
10,978
|
|
|
|
12,816
|
|
|
Total
Revenues
|
|
$ |
112,085
|
|
|
$ |
134,338
|
|
|
$ |
158,889
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
United
States
|
|
$ |
20,159
|
|
|
$ |
19,372
|
|
|
$ |
26,205
|
|
|
International
|
|
|
(403 |
) |
|
|
(316 |
) |
|
|
(315 |
) |
|
Total
EBITDA
|
|
$ |
19,756
|
|
|
$ |
19,056
|
|
|
$ |
25,890
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reconciliation
of EBITDA to net income
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
EBITDA
|
|
$ |
19,756
|
|
|
$ |
19,056
|
|
|
$ |
25,890
|
|
|
Purchase
amortization in cost of revenues
|
|
|
(2,453 |
) |
|
|
(1,250 |
) |
|
|
(1,205 |
) |
|
Purchase
amortization in operating expenses
|
|
|
(4,351 |
) |
|
|
(4,469 |
) |
|
|
(4,183 |
) |
|
Depreciation
and other amortization
|
|
|
(6,206 |
) |
|
|
(5,995 |
) |
|
|
(6,421 |
) |
|
Interest
income, net
|
|
|
1,314
|
|
|
|
3,455
|
|
|
|
6,845
|
|
|
Income
tax expense, net
|
|
|
16,925
|
|
|
|
(4,340 |
) |
|
|
(8,516 |
) |
|
Net
income
|
|
$ |
24,985
|
|
|
$ |
6,457
|
|
|
$ |
12,410
|
|
International
EBITDA includes a corporate allocation of approximately $1.0 million for the
years ended December 31, 2006, 2005 and 2004. The corporate allocation
represents costs allocated for services for United States employees involved
in
international management activities.
Comparison
of Year Ended December 31, 2006 and Year Ended December 31,
2005
Revenues.
Revenues grew 18.3% from $134.3 million in 2005 to $158.9 million in 2006.
This increase in revenue is principally due to further penetration of our
subscription-based information services, as well as the successful cross-selling
to our customer base across our service platform in existing markets combined
with continued high renewal rates. Our subscription-based information services,
consisting primarily of CoStar Property Professional, CoStar Tenant, CoStar
COMPS Professional and FOCUS services, currently generate 96% of our total
revenues.
Gross
Margin. Gross margin increased from $90.1 million in 2005 to $102.8 million
in 2006. Gross margin percentage decreased from 67.0% in 2005 to 64.7% in 2006.
The increase in the gross margin amount resulted principally from internal
revenue growth from our subscription-based information services, partially
offset by an increase in cost of revenues. Cost of revenues increased
from $44.3 million in 2005 to $56.1 million in 2006, principally due to
increased research department hiring, training, compensation and other operating
costs and the addition of offshore resources from our geographic and retail
expansion, as well as research costs associated with further service
enhancements to our existing platform.
Selling
and Marketing Expenses. Selling and marketing expenses increased from $38.4
million in 2005 to $41.8 million in 2006 and decreased as a percentage of
revenues from 28.6% in 2005 to 26.3% in 2006. The increase in the amount of
selling and marketing expenses is primarily due to sales and marketing efforts
for our current retail and geographic expansion plan as well as costs associated
with growth in the sales force. Additionally, stock-based
compensation expense, due to the implementation of SFAS 123R, included in
selling and marketing expenses for the year ended December 31, 2005, was $19,000
compared to approximately $1.3 million for the year ended December 31,
2006.
Software
Development Expenses. Software development expenses increased from $10.1
million in 2005 to $12.0 million in 2006 and remained relatively consistent
as a
percentage of revenues from 7.5% in 2005 to 7.6% in 2006. The majority of the
increase in the amount of software and development expense was due to the hiring
of new employees to support our continued focus on enhancements to our existing
services, development of new services and development costs for our internal
information systems.
General
and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses increased
from $27.6 million in 2005 to $30.7 million in 2006 and decreased as a
percentage of revenues from 20.5% in 2005 to 19.3% in 2006. The increase in
the
amount of general and administrative expenses was primarily due to an increase
in stock-based compensation, due to the implementation of SFAS 123R, from
$290,000 in 2005 to $2.4 million for the year ended 2006 and an increase in
professional services.
Restructuring
Charge. In the third quarter of 2005, we recorded a restructuring charge of
approximately $2.2 million in connection with the closing of our research center
in Mason, Ohio. The restructuring charge included amounts for wages,
severance, occupancy and other costs. We did not incur any
restructuring charges in 2006.
Purchase
Amortization. Purchase amortization decreased from $4.5 million in 2005 to
$4.2 million in 2006. This decrease was due to the completion of amortization
for certain identifiable intangible assets during 2006.
Other
Income. Interest income increased from $3.5 million in 2005 to
$6.8 million in 2006. This increase was primarily a result of higher total
cash,
cash equivalents and short-term investment balances and increased interest
rates
during the year.
Income
Tax Expense. Income tax expense increased from $4.3 million in
2005 to of $8.5 million in 2006. As a result of our increased
profitability.
Business
Segment Results
Due
to
the increased size, complexity, and funding requirements associated with our
international expansion in 2007, we began to manage our business geographically
in two operating segments, with our primary areas of measurement and
decision-making being the United States and International, which includes the
U.K. and France. Below is a discussion of segment revenue and EBITDA which
is
provided for comparison purposes. Management relies on an internal
management reporting process that provides revenue and segment EBITDA, which
is
our net income before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization.
Management believes that segment EBITDA is an appropriate measure for evaluating
the operational performance of our segments. EBITDA is used by management to
internally measure our operating and management performance and to evaluate
the
performance of our business. However, this measure should be considered in
addition to, not as a substitute for income from operations or other measures
of
financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Segment Revenues.
United States revenues increased from $123.4 million for the year ended December
31, 2005 to $146.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2006. This increase
in United States revenue is due to further penetration of our United States
subscription-based information services and the successful cross-selling into
our customer base across our service platform in existing markets, combined
with
continued high renewal rates. International revenues increased from $11.0
million for the year ended December 31, 2005 to $12.8 million for the year
ended
December 31, 2006. This increase in international revenue is principally a
result of further penetration of our subscription-based information
services.
Segment
EBITDA. United States EBITDA increased from $19.4 million for the year
ended December 31, 2005 to $26.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2006.
The increase in United States EBITDA was due to increased revenue, partially
offset by increased costs associated with our geographic and retail expansion,
and an increase in stock based compensation expense due to the implementation
of
SFAS 123R. Additionally there was a restructuring charge, of
approximately $2.2 million, in 2005 that did not occur in
2006. International EBITDA remained consistent at a loss of
approximately $300,000 for the year ended December 31, 2005 and the year ended
December 31, 2006. International EBITDA includes a corporate
allocation of approximately $1.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2005
and the year ended December 31, 2006. The corporate allocation represents costs
allocated for services for United States employees involved in international
management activities.
Comparison
of Year Ended December 31, 2005 and Year Ended December 31,
2004
Revenues.
Revenues grew 19.9% from $112.1 million in 2004 to $134.3 million in 2005.
The increase in revenue is principally due to further penetration of our
subscription-based information services, as well as the successful cross-selling
to our customer base across our service platform in existing markets combined
with continued high renewal rates. In addition, NRB, which was
acquired in January 2005, contributed approximately $1.9 million of our revenues
for the year ended December 31, 2005. In 2005, our subscription-based
information services, consisting primarily of CoStar Property Professional,
CoStar Tenant, CoStar COMPS Professional and FOCUS services, generated 95%
of
our total revenues.
Gross
Margin. Gross margin increased from $76.7 million in 2004 to $90.1 million
in 2005. Gross margin percentage decreased from 68.4% in 2004 to 67.0% in 2005.
The increase in the gross margin amount resulted principally from internal
revenue growth from our subscription-based information services. Cost
of revenues increased from $35.4 million in 2004 to $44.3 million in 2005,
principally due to increased research department hiring, training, compensation
and other operating costs associated with our 21-market and retail expansion,
as
well as research costs associated with further service enhancements to our
existing platform.
Selling
and Marketing Expenses. Selling and marketing expenses increased from $29.5
million in 2004 to $38.4 million in 2005 and increased as a percentage of
revenues from 26.3% in 2004 to 28.6% in 2005. The increase in the amount of
selling and marketing expenses was primarily due to increased sales commissions
and growth in the sales force as well as costs associated with sales and
marketing efforts for our 21-market and retail expansion plan.
Software
Development Expenses. Software development expenses increased from $8.5
million in 2004 to $10.1 million in 2005 and decreased as a percentage of
revenues from 7.6% in 2004 to 7.5% in 2005. The majority of the increase in
the
amount of software and development expense was due to the hiring of new
employees to support our continued focus on enhancements to our existing
services, development of new services and development costs for our internal
information systems.
General
and Administrative Expenses. General and administrative expenses decreased
slightly from $27.7 million in 2004 to $27.6 million in 2005 and decreased
as a
percentage of revenues from 24.6% in 2004 to 20.5% in 2005. The decrease in
the
percentage of general and administrative expenses was primarily due to our
continued efforts to control and leverage our overhead costs.
Restructuring
Charge. In the third quarter of 2005, we recorded a restructuring charge of
approximately $2.2 million in connection with the closing of our
research center in Mason, Ohio. The restructuring charge included
amounts for wages, severance, occupancy and other costs. We did not
incur any restructuring charges in 2004.
Purchase
Amortization. Purchase amortization increased from $4.4 million in 2004 to
$4.5 million in 2005. This increase was due to additional amortization
associated with the NRB purchase..
Other
Income. Interest income increased from $1.3 million in 2004 to
$3.5 million in 2005. This increase was primarily a result of higher total
cash,
cash equivalents and short-term investment balances and increased interest
rates
during the year.
Income
Tax Expense (Benefit). Income tax expense (benefit) changed from a benefit
of $16.9 million in 2004 to an expense of $4.3 million in 2005. Income tax
expense in 2005 is a result of our continued profitability combined with the
release of the valuation allowance on deferred tax assets in the fourth quarter
of 2004.
Business
Segment Results
Due
to
the increased size, complexity, and funding requirements associated with our
international expansion in 2007, we began to manage our business geographically
in two operating segments, with our primary areas of measurement and
decision-making being the United States and International, which includes the
U.K. and France. Management relies on an internal management reporting process
that provides revenue and segment EBITDA, which is our net income before
interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Below is a discussion
of
segment revenue and EBITDA which is provided for comparison
purposes. Management believes that segment EBITDA is an appropriate
measure for evaluating the operational performance of our segments. EBITDA
is
used by management to internally measure our operating and management
performance and to evaluate the performance of our business. However, this
measure should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for income
from
operations or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance
with GAAP.
Segment Revenues.
United States revenues increased from $102.6 million for the year ended December
31, 2004 to $123.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. This increase
in United States revenue is due to further penetration of our United States
subscription-based information services and the successful cross-selling into
our customer base across our service platform in existing markets, combined
with
continued high renewal rates. International revenues increased from $9.5 million
for the year ended December 31, 2004 to $11.0 million for the year ended
December 31, 2005. This increase in international revenue is principally a
result of further penetration of our subscription-based information
services.
Segment
EBITDA. United States EBITDA decreased from $20.2 million for the year
ended December 31, 2004 to $19.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2005.
The decrease in United States EBITDA was due to increased expenses related
to
our 21-market and retail expansion efforts, and the one time restructuring
charge, of approximately $2.2 million, for the closing of our research center
in
Mason, Ohio which occurred in 2005, partially offset by increased
revenues. International EBITDA remained relatively consistent at a loss of
approximately $400,000 for the year ended December 31, 2004 to a loss of
$300,000 for the year ended December 31, 2005. International EBITDA includes
a
corporate allocation of approximately $1.0 million for the year ended December
31, 2004 and the year ended December 31, 2005. The corporate allocation
represents costs allocated for services for United States employees involved
in
international management activities.
Consolidated
Quarterly Results of Operations
The
following tables summarize our consolidated results of operations on a quarterly
basis for the indicated periods (in thousands, except per share amounts, and
as
a percentage of total revenues):
| |
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
| |
|
Mar.
31
|
|
|
Jun.
30
|
|
|
Sep.
30
|
|
|
Dec.
31
|
|
|
Mar.
31
|
|
|
Jun.
30
|
|
|
Sep.
30
|
|
|
Dec.
31
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
$ |
31,343
|
|
|
$ |
32,871
|
|
|
$ |
34,320
|
|
|
$ |
35,804
|
|
|
$ |
37,274
|
|
|
$ |
38,946
|
|
|
$ |
40,571
|
|
|
$ |
42,098
|
|
|
Cost
of revenues
|
|
|
10,490
|
|
|
|
10,836
|
|
|
|
11,001
|
|
|
|
11,959
|
|
|
|
12,926
|
|
|
|
12,606
|
|
|
|
14,005
|
|
|
|
16,599
|
|
|
Gross
margin
|
|
|
20,853
|
|
|
|
22,035
|
|
|
|
23,319
|
|
|
|
23,845
|
|
|
|
24,348
|
|
|
|
26,340
|
|
|
|
26,566
|
|
|
|
25,499
|
|
|
Operating
expenses
|
|
|
19,839
|
|
|
|
20,818
|
|
|
|
22,347
|
|
|
|
19,706
|
|
|
|
22,500
|
|
|
|
23,942
|
|
|
|
20,730
|
|
|
|
21,500
|
|
|
Income
from operations
|
|
|
1,014
|
|
|
|
1,217
|
|
|
|
972
|
|
|
|
4,139
|
|
|
|
1,848
|
|
|
|
2,398
|
|
|
|
5,836
|
|
|
|
3,999
|
|
|
Other
income, net
|
|
|
604
|
|
|
|
719
|
|
|
|
932
|
|
|
|
1,200
|
|
|
|
1,426
|
|
|
|
1,610
|
|
|
|
1,852
|
|
|
|
1,957
|
|
|
Income
before income taxes
|
|
|
1,618
|
|
|
|
1,936
|
|
|
|
1,904
|
|
|
|
5,339
|
|
|
|
3,274
|
|
|
|
4,008
|
|
|
|
7,688
|
|
|
|
5,956
|
|
|
Income
tax expense
|
|
|
644
|
|
|
|
793
|
|
|
|
767
|
|
|
|
2,136
|
|
|
|
1,414
|
|
|
|
1,704
|
|
|
|
2,990
|
|
|
|
2,408
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
$ |
974
|
|
|
$ |
1,143
|
|
|
$ |
1,137
|
|
|
$ |
3,203
|
|
|
$ |
1,860
|
|
|
$ |
2,304
|
|
|
$ |
4,698
|
|
|
$ |
3,548
|
|
|
Net
income per share -
basic
|
|
$ |
0.05
|
|
|
$ |
0.06
|
|
|
$ |
0.06
|
|
|
$ |
0.17
|
|
|
$ |
0.10
|
|
|
$ |
0.12
|
|
|
$ |
0.25
|
|
|
$ |
0.19
|
|
|
Net
income per share -
diluted
|
|
$ |
0.05
|
|
|
$ |
0.06
|
|
|
$ |
0.06
|
|
|
$ |
0.17
|
|
|
$ |
0.10
|
|
|
$ |
0.12
|
|
|
$ |
0.25
|
|
|
$ |
0.18
|
|
| |
|
2005
|
|
|
2006
|
|
| |
|
Mar.
31
|
|
|
Jun.
30
|
|
|
Sep.
30
|
|
|
Dec.
31
|
|
|
Mar.
31
|
|
|
Jun.
30
|
|
|
Sep.
30
|
|
|
Dec.
31
|
|
|
Revenues
|
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
|
100.0 |
% |
|
Cost
of revenues
|
|
|
33.5
|
|
|
|
33.0
|
|
|
|
32.1
|
|
|
|
33.4
|
|
|
|
34.7
|
|
|
|
32.4
|
|
|
|
34.5
|
|
|
|
39.4
|
|
|
Gross
margin
|
|
|
66.5
|
|
|
|
67.0
|
|
|
|
67.9
|
|
|
|
66.6
|
|
|
|
65.3
|
|
|
|
67.6
|
|
|
|
65.5
|
|
|
|
60.6
|
|
|
Operating
expenses
|
|
|
63.3
|
|
|
|
63.3
|
|
|
|
65.1
|
|
|
|
55.0
|
|
|
|
60.3
|
|
|
|
61.4
|
|
|
|
51.1
|
|
|
|
51.1
|
|
|
Income
from operations
|
|
|
3.2
|
|
|
|
3.7
|
|
|
|
2.8
|
|
|
|
11.6
|
|
|
|
5.0
|
|
|
|
6.2
|
|
|
|
14.4
|
|
|
|
9.5
|
|
|
Other
income, net
|
|
|
2.0
|
|
|
|
2.2
|
|
|
|
2.7
|
|
|
|
3.3
|
|
|
|
3.8
|
|
|
|
4.1
|
|
|
|
4.6
|
|
|
|
4.6
|
|
|
Income
before income taxes
|
|
|
5.2
|
|
|
|
5.9
|
|
|
|
5.5
|
|
|
|
14.9
|
|
|
|
8.8
|
|
|
|
10.3
|
|
|
|
19.0
|
|
|
|
14.1
|
|
|
Income
tax expense
|
|
|
2.1
|
|
|
|
2.4
|
|
|
|
2.2
|
|
|
|
6.0
|
|
|
|
3.8
|
|
|
|
4.4
|
|
|
|
7.4
|
|
|
|
5.7
|
|
|
Net
income
|
|
|
3.1 |
% |
|
|
3.5 |
% |
|
|
3.3 |
% |
|
|
8.9 |
% |
|
|
5.0 |
% |
|
|
5.9 |
% |
|
|
11.6 |
% |
|
|
8.4 |
% |
Recent
Acquisitions
National
Research Bureau. On January 20, 2005, we acquired the assets of
NRB, a leading provider of property information to the shopping center industry,
from Claritas Inc. for approximately $4.1 million in cash.
Grecam
S.A.S. On December 21, 2006, our U.K. Subsidiary, CoStar
Limited, acquired Grecam, a provider of commercial property information and
market-level surveys, studies and consulting services, located in Paris, France.
We acquired all of the assets of Grecam, together with all outstanding capital
stock for approximately $2.0 million in cash.
Property
Investment Exchange. On February 16, 2007, CoStar Limited, a
wholly owned U.K. subsidiary of CoStar, acquired all outstanding capital stock
of Propex, a U.K. company, from the shareholders of Propex pursuant to a Stock
Purchase Agreement in exchange for consideration of approximately £11,000,000
(approximately $22.0 million), consisting of cash and 21,526 shares of CoStar
common stock. The purchase price is subject to decrease based on
Propex’s net worth as of the closing date. Propex provides web-based
commercial property information and operates an electronic platform that
facilitates the exchange of investment property in the U.K. Its
suite of electronic platforms and listing websites give users access to the
U.K.
commercial property investment and leasing markets.
Accounting
Treatment. All of the acquisitions discussed
above have been accounted for using purchase accounting. The purchase price
for
each of the acquisitions was allocated primarily to acquired database
technology, customer base and goodwill. The acquired database
technology for each acquisition is being amortized on a straight-line basis
over
5 years. The customer base for each acquisition, which consists of
one distinct intangible asset composed of acquired customer contracts and the
related customer relationships, is being amortized on a 125% declining balance
method over 10 years. Goodwill will not be amortized, but is subject
to annual impairment tests. The results of operations of NRB and Grecam have
been consolidated with our results since the respective dates of acquisition.
The operating results of each of NRB and Grecam are not considered material
to
our consolidated financial statements, and accordingly, pro forma financial
information has not been presented for any of the acquisitions.
CoStar
currently operates within one business segment. Due to the purchase of
Grecam in December of 2006, the purchase of Propex in February of 2007 and
the
Company's plan to expand the U.K. operations in 2007, the Company will operate
in more than one segment in 2007.
Liquidity
and Capital Resources
Our
principal sources of liquidity are cash, cash equivalents and short-term
investments. Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments were $158.1
million at December 31, 2006 compared to $134.2 million at December 31,
2005. Cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments increased
principally as a result of EBITDA, interest income, and proceeds from exercise
of stock options, partially offset by purchases of property and equipment and
other assets, cash used for the purchase of Grecam, and changes in working
capital accounts.
Net
cash
provided by operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2006 was $32.8
million compared to $22.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. The
$9.9
million increase in net cash provided by operating activities is primarily
due
to increased earnings before non-cash charges for taxes, stock based
compensation, provision for losses on accounts receivable, depreciation and
amortization, partially offset by the net effect of changes in working
capital.
Net
cash
used in investing activities was $28.5 million for the year ended December
31,
2006 compared to $38.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2005. This $10.2
million decrease in net cash used in investing activities was principally due
to
decreased net purchases and sales of short-term investments and less cash used
in acquisitions, partially offset by increased purchases of property and
equipment and other assets.
Net
cash
provided by financing activities was $5.6 million for the year ended December
31, 2006 compared to $7.4 million for the year ended December 31,
2005. The lower net cash produced by financing activities in 2006
compared to 2005 is due to a decrease in proceeds from the exercise of stock
options.
Contractual
Obligations. The following table summarizes our principal contractual
obligations at December 31, 2006 and the effect such obligations are
expected to have on our liquidity and cash flows in future periods (in
thousands):
| |
|
Total
|
|
|
2007
|
|
|
|
2008-2009
|
|
|
|
2010-2011
|
|
|
2012
and
thereafter
|
|
|
Operating
leases
|
|
$ |
28,634
|
|
|
$ |
7,563
|
|
|
$ |
12,922
|
|
|
$ |
5,735
|
|
|
$ |
2,414
|
|
|
Purchase
obligations(1)
|
|
|
3,592
|
|
|
|
3,076
|
|
|
|
513
|
|
|
|
3
|
|
|
|
¾
|
|
|
Total
contractual principal cash obligations
|
|
$ |
32,226
|
|
|
$ |
10,639
|
|
|
$ |
13,435
|
|
|
$ |
5,738
|
|
|
$ |
2,414
|
|
|
(1)
|
Amounts
do not include current purchase obligations that may be renewed on
the
same or different terms or terminated by us or a third
party.
|
During
2006, we incurred capital expenditures of approximately $13.0 million, including
expenditures of approximately $7.8 million related to building photography
costs
and the purchase of field research vehicles and equipment in connection with
our
intention to actively research commercial properties in approximately 100 new
MSA’s across the United States, and the remaining $5.2 million related to costs
of supporting our existing operations. We expect to make capital
expenditures in 2007 totaling approximately $12.0 million including significant
investments in expansion facilities, building photography, network equipment
and
workstations to support expansion and ongoing operations. This
estimate also includes $2.0 million to $3.0 million in capital expenditures
for
the company’s U.K. operations..
To
date,
we have grown in part by acquiring other companies and we may continue to make
acquisitions. Our acquisitions may vary in size and could be material to our
current operations. We expect to use cash, stock, debt or other means of funding
to make these acquisitions.
Based
on
current plans, we believe that our available cash combined with positive cash
flow provided by operating activities should be sufficient to fund our
operations for at least the next 12 months.
As
of the
fourth quarter of 2004, we determined that it was more likely than not that
we
would generate taxable income from operations and be able to realize tax
benefits arising from use of our net operating loss carryforwards to reduce
the
income tax we will owe on this taxable income. Prior to the fourth quarter
of
2004, we recorded a valuation allowance on the deferred tax assets associated
with these future tax benefits because we were not certain we would generate
taxable income in the future. The release of the valuation allowance in the
fourth quarter of 2004 resulted in a tax benefit of approximately $26.2 million.
This included an income tax benefit of approximately $16.7 million that was
recognized in our results from operations. We also recognized a tax benefit
of
approximately $9.5 million as additional paid-in capital for our net operating
loss carryforwards attributable to tax deductions for stock options. As of
December 31, 2006, we continued to maintain a valuation allowance of
approximately $337,000 for certain state net operating loss
carryforwards. At December 31, 2006, we had net operating loss
carryforwards for federal income tax purposes of approximately $43.1 million,
which expire, if unused, from the year 2013 through the year 2023.
For
the
next two years, however, we expect the majority of our taxable income to be
absorbed by our net operating loss carryforwards. As a result, we expect our
cash payments for taxes to be limited primarily to federal alternative minimum
taxes and to state income taxes in certain states.
Inflation
may affect the way we operate in the U.S. and abroad. In general, we
believe that over time we are able to increase the prices of our services to
counteract the majority of the inflationary effects of increasing
costs. We do not believe the impact of inflation has significantly
affected our operations, and we do not anticipate that inflation will have
a
material impact on our operations in 2007.
Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
We
initially adopted the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) consensus on Issue
No. 03-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its
Application to Certain Investments” on July 1, 2004, and the Financial
Accounting Standards Board Staff Position (“FSP”) EITF Issue No. 03-1-1,
Effective Date of Paragraphs 10-20 of EITF Issue No. 03-1, “The
Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain
Investments” on September 30, 2004. The consensus on Issue No. 03-1
applies to investments in marketable debt and equity securities, as well as
investments in equity securities accounted for under the cost method. It
provides guidance for determining when an investment is considered impaired,
whether the impairment is other than temporary, and the measurement of an
impairment loss. The guidance also includes accounting considerations subsequent
to the recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment and requires certain
disclosures about unrealized losses that have not been recognized as
other-than-temporary impairments. FSP EITF Issue No. 03-1-1 delays the
effective date of paragraphs 10-20 of EITF Issue No. 03-1, which
provide guidance for determining whether the impairment is other than temporary,
the measurement of an impairment loss, and accounting considerations subsequent
to the recognition of an other-than-temporary impairment. Application of these
paragraphs was deferred pending issuance of proposed FSP EITF Issue
No. 03-1-a. The adoption of EITF Issue No. 03-1 and FSP EITF Issue
No. 03-1-1 did not have a material impact on our results of operations and
financial condition. On November 3, 2005 the Financial Accounting Standards
Board (“FASB”) issued FSP EITF Issue No. 03-1-a (renamed as FSP FAS 115-1 and
FAS 124-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application
to Certain Investments”), which provides guidance effective for fiscal periods
beginning after December 15, 2005. The adoption of this pronouncement has not
had a material impact on our results of operations and financial
condition.
In
December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153, “Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets -
An Amendment of APB Opinion No. 29, Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions”
(“SFAS 153”). SFAS 153 eliminates the exception from fair value measurement for
nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets in paragraph 21(b) of APB
Opinion No. 29, “Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions,” and replaces it with
an exception for exchanges that do not have commercial substance. SFAS 153
specifies that a nonmonetary exchange has commercial substance if the future
cash flows of the entity are expected to change significantly as a result of
the
exchange. SFAS 153 is effective for the fiscal periods beginning after September
15, 2005 and we were required to adopt it beginning January 1, 2006. The
adoption of SFAS 153 did not have a material impact on our results of operations
and financial condition.
In
March
2005, the FASB issued FIN No. 47, “Accounting for Conditional Asset
Retirement Obligations – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143
“Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations (“SFAS 143”)” (“FIN 47”).” FIN 47
clarifies that the term conditional asset retirement obligation as used in
SFAS
143 refers to a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in
which the timing and (or) method of settlement are conditional on a future
event
that may or may not be within the control of the entity. Accordingly, an entity
is required to recognize a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset
retirement obligation if the fair value of the liability can be reasonably
estimated. Any uncertainty about the amount and/or timing of future settlement
should be factored into the measurement of the liability when sufficient
information exists. The liability for the conditional asset retirement
obligation should be recognized when incurred. FIN 47 also clarifies when an
entity would have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the fair value
of an asset retirement obligation. FIN 47 is effective for fiscal periods
beginning after December 15, 2005. The adoption of FIN 47 did
not have a material impact on our results of operations and financial
condition.
In
May
2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error
Corrections—a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement
No. 3” (“SFAS 154”). SFAS 154 replaces APB Opinion No. 20, “Accounting
Changes” and SFAS No. 3, “Reporting Accounting Changes in Interim Financial
Statements,” and changes the requirements for accounting for and reporting a
change in accounting principle. SFAS 154 requires restatement of prior period
financial statements, unless impracticable, for voluntary changes in accounting
principle. The retroactive application of a change in accounting principle
should be limited to the direct effect of the change. Changes in depreciation,
amortization or depletion methods should be accounted for prospectively as
a
change in accounting estimate. Corrections of accounting errors will be
accounted for under the guidance contained in APB Opinion No. 20. The
effective date of this new pronouncement is for fiscal years beginning after
December 15, 2005 and prospective application is required. The
adoption of SFAS 154 did not have a material impact on our results of operations
and financial condition.
In
June
2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”) “Accounting for
Uncertainty in Income Taxes – an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109”, to
clarify certain aspects of accounting for uncertain tax positions, including
issues related to the recognition and measurement of those tax positions. This
interpretation was issued to clarify the accounting for uncertainty in income
taxes recognized in the financial statements by prescribing a recognition
threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition
and
measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.
This interpretation is effective for fiscal years beginning after December
15,
2006. We do not expect the adoption of FIN 48 to have a material
impact on our results of operations and financial condition.
In
September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” or
“SFAS 157”, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair
value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in
the United States of America, and expands disclosures about fair value
measurements. SFAS 157 does not require any new fair value measurements
under GAAP and is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15,
2007. The effects of adoption will be determined by the types of
instruments carried at fair value in our financial statements at the time of
adoption as well as the method utilized to determine their fair values prior
to
adoption. Based on our current use of fair value measurements, SFAS 157 is
not expected to have a material effect on our results of operations or financial
position.