Daily Journal Corporation Announces Financial Results for Fiscal Year ended September 30, 2023

Rhea-AI Summary

Daily Journal Corporation (NASDAQ:DJCO) reported consolidated revenues of $67,709,000 for fiscal 2023, an increase of $13,700,000 from the prior year. The Traditional Business’ pretax income increased to $2,384,000 from $702,000, and Journal Technologies’ business segment pretax income increased to $4,268,000 from $1,287,000. The company recorded consolidated net income of $21,452,000 ($15.58 per share) for fiscal 2023, compared to a consolidated net loss of $75,624,000 (-$54.81 per share) in the prior fiscal year. At September 30, 2023, the company held marketable securities valued at $303,128,000, including net pretax unrealized gains of $137,716,000.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The significant revenue growth reported by Daily Journal Corporation, driven by Journal Technologies' consulting, license and maintenance fees and the Traditional Business' advertising revenues, indicates a robust expansion in the company's core operations. An important aspect to note is the strategic sale of marketable securities, which, although lower than the previous year, still contributed to the net gains. The company's ability to navigate interest rate increases and report net unrealized gains on securities, as opposed to losses in the prior year, reflects a resilient investment strategy amidst market volatility.

The increase in personnel costs and other operational expenses signals investment in human capital and infrastructure to potentially sustain long-term growth. However, it's crucial to monitor the margin of these investments against revenue growth to ensure they don't erode profitability. The reported effective tax rate of 23.7% is slightly below the U.S. federal statutory rate, which could be attributed to tax benefits and deductions. Stakeholders should consider how changes in tax policy might affect future earnings.

Overall, the company's performance, with a shift from a net loss to a consolidated net income, is a positive sign for investors, signaling a turnaround in operations and potentially increased shareholder value.

Market Research Analyst

Daily Journal Corporation's significant increase in pretax income and the shift from a net loss to net income per share is a strong indicator of the company's improved financial health and operational efficiency. The growth in Journal Technologies' business segment is particularly noteworthy, as it suggests successful scaling and a potentially increased market share in the legal case management software industry.

One should also consider the broader economic context, such as the impact of federal interest rate hikes on the company's interest expenses. The company's ability to still post net gains despite these external pressures is commendable and may reflect a well-managed financial strategy. The shift in the investment portfolio, with a reduction in marketable securities purchases and consistent dividends and interest income, suggests a deliberate capital allocation strategy that balances growth with financial stability.

For potential investors and market observers, the company's performance could be indicative of its competitive positioning and the effectiveness of its business model in adapting to economic changes.

Economist

The reported increase in interest expenses for Daily Journal Corporation is consistent with the broader economic trend of rising federal interest rates. This macroeconomic factor affects the cost of borrowing and can have significant implications for companies with debt-financed investments. The company's capacity to manage these increased costs while still achieving a positive net income is a testament to its financial management.

Additionally, the substantial unrealized gains on marketable securities in a volatile market suggest an adept investment strategy. The contrast between the current year's unrealized gains and the previous year's losses may indicate a market recovery or a strategic rebalancing of the investment portfolio.

The company's financial results also reflect broader economic trends, such as inflationary pressures leading to salary adjustments. The ability to pass on increased third-party hosting fees to clients without a negative impact on revenue growth is a positive sign of pricing power and demand for the company's services.

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 27, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- During fiscal 2023, Daily Journal Corporation (NASDAQ:DJCO) had consolidated revenues of $67,709,000 as compared to $54,009,000 in the prior year. This increase of $13,700,000 was primarily from increases in (i) Journal Technologies’ consulting fees of $7,911,000, license and maintenance fees of $4,311,000 and other public service fees of $1,147,000, and (ii) the Traditional Business’ advertising revenues of $364,000, partially offset by a decrease in the Traditional Business’ advertising service fees and other of $42,000.

The Traditional Business’ pretax income increased by $1,682,000 to $2,384,000 from $702,000 in the prior fiscal year, primarily due to a reduced long-term supplemental compensation accrual of $1,600,000 to a reduction of $470,000 from an addition of $1,130,000 in the prior fiscal year, partially offset by increased personnel costs of $798,000 to $10,416,000 from $9,618,000. Journal Technologies’ business segment pretax income increased by $2,981,000 to $4,268,000 from $1,287,000 in the prior fiscal year primarily resulting from increased revenues of $13,369,000. These revenue increases were partially offset by increased operating expenses of $10,388,000 mostly due to (i) increased personnel costs because of salary adjustments due to recent inflation in the compensation market for talent, (ii) additional contractor services and the hiring of additional staff members to strengthen operational efficiencies, accelerate product development, and bolster the teams working on the company’s installation projects, (iii) increased third-party hosting fees which were billed to clients and (iv) increased business travel expenses.

During fiscal 2023, the Company sold certain of its marketable securities for approximately $2,826,000, realizing net gains on the sales of those marketable securities of $422,000 (as compared to the sales of $80,570,000 in marketable securities with realized net gains of $14,249,000 in the prior year), and purchased additional marketable securities with a total cost of approximately $10,001,000 (as compared to an additional marketable security purchase of $117,678,000 in the prior fiscal year with additional borrowings of $43,000,000). There were interest expense increases of $3,229,000 to $4,255,000 from $1,026,000 primarily because of federal interest rate increases. In addition, there were net unrealized gains on marketable securities of $17,024,000 as compared to net unrealized losses of $123,401,000 in the prior fiscal year. The Company’s investments generated approximately $8,336,000 in dividends and interest income for fiscal 2023, as compared to $5,451,000 in the prior fiscal year.

Consolidated pretax income was $28,102,000, as compared to a pretax loss of $102,549,000 in the prior fiscal year. The net income per common share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the comparable financial periods. The shares used in the calculation were 1,377,026 and 1,379,655 for fiscal 2023 and 2022, respectively. There was consolidated net income of $21,452,000 ($15.58 per share) for fiscal 2023, as compared to a consolidated net loss of $75,624,000 (-$54.81 per share) in the prior fiscal year.

At September 30, 2023, the Company held marketable securities valued at $303,128,000, including net pretax unrealized gains of $137,716,000, and accrued a deferred tax liability of $36,260,000, for estimated income taxes due only upon the sales of the net appreciated securities. The balance of the margin loan secured by the securities portfolio was $75,000,000 at both September 30, 2023 and 2022.

During fiscal 2023, the Company recorded an income tax provision of $6,650,000 on pretax income of $28,102,000.   The income tax provision consisted of tax provisions of $110,000 on the realized gains on marketable securities, $4,140,000 on the unrealized gain on marketable securities, and $2,803,000 on operating income, partially offset by a tax benefit of $403,000 for the dividends received deduction and other permanent differences.  Consequently, the overall effective tax rate for fiscal 2023 was 23.7%, after including the taxes on the realized and unrealized gains on marketable securities.

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Daily Journal Corporation publishes newspapers and web sites covering California and Arizona, and produces several specialized information services. Journal Technologies, Inc. supplies case management software systems and related products to courts and other justice agencies.

This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Certain statements contained in this press release are “forward-looking” statements that involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual future events or results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Words such as “expects,” “intends,” “anticipates,” “should,” “believes,” “will,” “plans,” “estimates,” “may,” variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. We disclaim any intention or obligation to revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Additional information concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements is contained from time to time in documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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FAQ

What were Daily Journal Corporation's consolidated revenues for fiscal 2023?

Daily Journal Corporation reported consolidated revenues of $67,709,000 for fiscal 2023.

What was the increase in consolidated revenues from the prior year?

Consolidated revenues increased by $13,700,000 from the prior year.

What was the company's net income per share for fiscal 2023?

The company recorded consolidated net income of $21,452,000 ($15.58 per share) for fiscal 2023.

What was the value of marketable securities held by the company at September 30, 2023?

The company held marketable securities valued at $303,128,000 at September 30, 2023.

What is the ticker symbol for Daily Journal Corporation?

The ticker symbol for Daily Journal Corporation is NASDAQ:DJCO.