XML 25 R9.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT  v2.3.0.11
Variable Interest Entity
3 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2011
Variable Interest Entity [Abstract]  
Variable Interest Entity
Note 3: Variable Interest Entity
 
As discussed in Note 11 - Legal Proceedings and Restructuring, as part of the Restructuring Transaction, the Company retained a non-voting revenues interest and a 50% non-voting profits interest in EAM, which was formed to carry on the asset management and mutual fund distribution businesses formerly conducted by Value Line and its subsidiaries. EAM is considered to be a variable interest entity. The Company makes its determination for consolidation of EAM as a variable interest entity based on a qualitative assessment of the purpose and design of EAM, the terms and characteristics of the variable interests in EAM, and the risks EAM is designed to originate and pass through to holders of variable interests. Other than EAM, the Company does not have an interest in any other variable interest entities.
 
Value Line has determined that it does not have a controlling financial interest in EAM because it does not have the power to direct the activities of EAM that most significantly impact its economic performance. Value Line does not hold any voting stock of EAM and it does not have any involvement in the day to day activities or operations of EAM. Although the EAM Trust Agreement provides Value Line with certain consent rights and contains certain restrictive covenants related to the activities of EAM, these are considered to be protective rights and therefore Value Line does not maintain control over EAM.
 
In addition, although EAM is expected to be profitable, there is a risk that it could operate at a loss. While all of the profit interest shareholders in EAM are subject to variability based on EAM’s operations risk, Value Line’s revenue interest in EAM is a preferred interest in the revenues of EAM, rather than a profits interest in EAM, and Value Line accordingly believes it is subject to proportionately less risk than other holders of the profits interests.
 
The Company has not provided any explicit or implicit financial or other support to EAM other than what was contractually agreed to in the EAM Trust Agreement. Value Line has no obligation to fund EAM in the future and as a result has no exposure to loss beyond its initial investment and any undistributed revenues and profits interests retained in EAM. The following table presents the total assets of EAM, the maximum exposure to loss due to involvement with EAM, as well as the value of the assets and liabilities the Company has recorded for its interest in EAM.
                             
                 
(In thousands)
         
     
 
   
Maximum
         
 
   
           
Exposure to
   
Investment
         
     
VIE Assets
   
Loss
      (1) (2)    
Liabilities
   
                               
EAM Trust
at July 31, 2011
  $ 58,091     $ 56,226     $ 56,226     $ -    
                                     
EAM Trust
at April 30, 2011
  $ 57,780     $ 56,367     $ 56,367     $ -    
 
(1)  Reported within Long Term Assets on Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.
 
(2) Revenues receivable from EAM of $514,000 previously reported within Current Assets at April 30, 2011 on the Form 10-K, filed on July 29, 2011, were reclassified from Receivables from Affiliates to Investment in EAM Trust at July 31, 2011 on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheet.