10-Q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☑ QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

        For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2017

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 0-14665

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

South Carolina	95-4133299
(State or other jurisdiction of	(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)	Identification No.)
915 East First Street
Los Angeles, California	90012-4050
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip code)

(213) 229-5300

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

None

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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 preceding 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 has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes: X            No:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filer:	Accelerated Filer:    X
Non-accelerated Filer:	Smaller Reporting Company:
	Emerging Growth Company:

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes:          No: X

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date.

Class	Outstanding at July 31, 2017
Common Stock, par value $ .01 per share	1,380,746 shares

1

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

INDEX

Page Nos.

PART I Financial Information
	Item 1. Financial Statements
	Consolidated Balance Sheets ‑ June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016	3
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) ‑ Three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016	4
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) ‑ Nine months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016	5
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows ‑ Nine months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016	6
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	7
	Item 2.     Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	14
	Item 3.     Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	21
	Item 4.     Controls and Procedures	21
Part II Other Information
	Item 6.      Exhibits	22

2

PART I

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

	June 30			September 30
	2017			2016
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	2,635,000		$	11,411,000
Marketable securities at fair value, including common stocks of $202,149,000 and bonds of $8,404,000 at June 30, 2017 and common stocks of $158,462,000 and bonds of $8,172,000 at September 30, 2016		210,553,000			166,634,000
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $200,000 at June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016		5,649,000			4,707,000
Inventories		49,000			41,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		933,000			800,000
Income tax receivable		956,000			890,000
Total current assets		220,775,000			184,483,000
Property, plant and equipment, at cost
Land, buildings and improvements		16,396,000			16,306,000
Furniture, office equipment and computer software		2,722,000			2,743,000
Machinery and equipment		1,799,000			1,864,000
		20,917,000			20,913,000
Less accumulated depreciation		(9,134,000	)		(8,849,000	)
		11,783,000			12,064,000
Intangibles, net		4,282,000			7,953,000
Goodwill		13,400,000			13,400,000
Deferred income taxes, net		11,163,000			7,546,000
	$	261,403,000		$	225,446,000
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	2,914,000		$	2,644,000
Accrued liabilities		2,995,000			2,583,000
Note payable collateralized by real estate		114,000			110,000
Deferred subscriptions		2,901,000			3,402,000
Deferred installation contracts		6,497,000			7,340,000
Deferred maintenance agreements and others		7,703,000			7,280,000
Deferred income taxes, net		56,761,000			41,501,000
Total current liabilities		79,885,000			64,860,000
Long term liabilities
Investment margin account borrowings		29,493,000			29,493,000
Note payable collateralized by real estate		1,985,000			2,071,000
Deferred maintenance agreements		543,000			149,000
Income tax payable		---			2,723,000
Accrued interest and penalty for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits		---			745,000
Accrued liabilities		82,000			62,000
Total long term liabilities		32,103,000			35,243,000
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)		---			---
Shareholders' equity
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized and no shares issued		---			---
Common stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; 1,805,053 shares issued, including 424,307 treasury shares, at June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016		14,000			14,000
Additional paid-in capital		1,755,000			1,755,000
Retained earnings		58,225,000			58,068,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income		89,421,000			65,506,000
Total shareholders' equity		149,415,000			125,343,000
	$	261,403,000		$	225,446,000

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

3

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

	Three months ended June 30
	2017			2016
Revenues
Advertising	$	2,400,000		$	2,715,000
Circulation		1,385,000			1,467,000
Advertising service fees and other		778,000			720,000
Licensing and maintenance fees		3,916,000			3,679,000
Consulting fees		869,000			748,000
Other public service fees		853,000			1,009,000
		10,201,000			10,338,000
Costs and expenses
Salaries and employee benefits		8,126,000			6,860,000
Outside services		1,116,000			913,000
Postage and delivery expenses		283,000			279,000
Newsprint and printing expenses		224,000			243,000
Depreciation and amortization		1,423,000			1,445,000
Other general and administrative expenses		2,662,000			2,380,000
		13,834,000			12,120,000
Loss from operations		(3,633,000	)		(1,782,000	)
Other income (expense)
Dividends and interest income		952,000			1,277,000
Other income		4,000			16,000
Interest expense on note payable collateralized by real estate		(24,000	)		(26,000	)
Interest expense on margin loans		(115,000	)		(82,000	)
Interest and penalty expense accrual for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits		-			(26,000	)
Loss before income taxes		(2,816,000	)		(623,000	)
Benefit from income taxes		1,465,000			285,000
Net loss	$	(1,351,000	)	$	(338,000	)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted		1,380,746			1,380,746
Basic and diluted net loss per share	$	(0.98	)	$	(0.25	)
Comprehensive income (loss)
Net loss	$	(1,351,000	)	$	(338,000	)
Net increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation of marketable securities (net of taxes)		4,258,000			(1,222,000	)
	$	2,907,000		$	(1,560,000	)

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

4

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

	Nine months ended June 30
	2017			2016
Revenues
Advertising	$	6,833,000		$	7,382,000
Circulation		4,258,000			4,431,000
Advertising service fees and other		2,111,000			2,014,000
Licensing and maintenance fees		11,764,000			11,433,000
Consulting fees		3,027,000			3,788,000
Other public service fees		2,477,000			3,547,000
		30,470,000			32,595,000
Costs and expenses
Salaries and employee benefits		23,864,000			20,537,000
Outside services		3,183,000			2,590,000
Postage and delivery expenses		846,000			857,000
Newsprint and printing expenses		663,000			679,000
Depreciation and amortization		4,204,000			4,288,000
Other general and administrative expenses		7,462,000			6,964,000
		40,222,000			35,915,000
Loss from operations		(9,752,000	)		(3,320,000	)
Other income (expense)
Dividends and interest income		3,491,000			3,013,000
Other income		25,000			46,000
Interest expense on note payable collateralized by real estate		(75,000	)		(62,000	)
Interest expense on margin loans		(290,000	)		(208,000	)
Interest and penalty expense reversal (accrual) for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits		743,000			(75,000	)
Loss before income taxes		(5,858,000	)		(606,000	)
Benefit from income taxes		6,015,000			525,000
Net income (loss)	$	157,000		$	(81,000	)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted		1,380,746			1,380,746
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share	$	0.11		$	(0.06	)
Comprehensive income (loss)
Net income (loss)	$	157,000		$	(81,000	)
Net increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation of marketable securities (net of taxes)		23,915,000			(5,353,000	)
	$	24,072,000		$	(5,434,000	)

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

5

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

	Nine months ended June 30
	2017			2016
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$	157,000		$	(81,000	)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operations
Depreciation and amortization		4,204,000			4,288,000
Deferred income taxes		(3,347,000	)		(512,000	)
Discounts earned on bonds		(2,000	)		(2,000	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
(Increase) decrease in current assets
Accounts receivable, net		(942,000	)		(57,000	)
Inventories		(8,000	)		1,000
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(133,000	)		70,000
Income tax receivable		(66,000	)		97,000
Increase (decrease) in liabilities
Accounts payable		270,000			(1,553,000	)
Accrued liabilities		(313,000	)		137,000
Income taxes		(2,723,000	)		(186,000	)
Deferred subscriptions		(501,000	)		91,000
Deferred maintenance agreements and others		817,000			(1,046,000	)
Deferred installation contracts		(843,000	)		(1,202,000	)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		(3,430,000	)		45,000
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of marketable securities		(5,013,000	)		(3,838,000	)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment, including the Logan, Utah office building in fiscal 2016		(251,000	)		(3,670,000	)
Net cash used in investing activities		(5,264,000	)		(7,508,000	)
Cash flows from financing activities
Note payable collateralized by real estate		---			2,234,000
Payment of real estate loan principal		(82,000	)		(26,000	)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities		(82,000	)		2,208,000
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(8,776,000	)		(5,255,000	)
Cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period		11,411,000			15,617,000
End of period	$	2,635,000		$	10,362,000
Interest paid during period	$	359,000		$	254,000
Net income taxes paid (refunded) during period	$	1,000		$	(11,000	)

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

6

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 1 - The Corporation and Operations

Daily Journal Corporation (the “Company”) publishes newspapers and web sites covering California and Arizona and produces several specialized information services. It also serves as a newspaper representative specializing in public notice advertising.

Journal Technologies, Inc. (“Journal Technologies”), a wholly-owned subsidiary, supplies case management software systems and related products to courts, prosecutor and public defender offices, probation departments and other justice agencies, including administrative law organizations, city and county governments and bar associations. These organizations use the Journal Technologies family of products to help manage cases and information electronically, to interface with other critical justice partners and to extend electronic services to bar members and the public, including a website to pay traffic citations online. These products are licensed to more than 500 organizations in 42 states and internationally.

Essentially all of the Company’s operations are based in California, Arizona, Colorado and Utah.

Note 2 - Basis of Presentation

In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying interim unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of its financial position as of June 30, 2017, its results of operations for the three- and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 and its cash flows for the nine-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. The results of operations for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016.

Certain reclassifications of previously reported amounts have been made to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Note 3 –Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Codification (“ASU”) No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. This ASU updates certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments and applies to all entities that hold financial assets or owe financial liabilities. It requires an entity to: (i) measure equity investments at fair value through net income, with certain exceptions; (ii) present in Other Comprehensive Income changes in instrument-specific credit risk for financial liabilities measured using the fair value option; (iii) present financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset; (iv) calculate the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes based on an exit price and; (v) assess a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets related to unrealized losses of available-for-sale debt securities in combination with other deferred tax assets. The Update also requires a qualitative impairment assessment of such equity investments and amends certain fair value disclosure requirements. This ASU is effective for public business with fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that annual period, which is the Company’s fiscal 2019.   The Company has not yet evaluated what impact, if any, the adoption of this ASU may have on its financial condition, results of operations or disclosures.

7

In January 2017, FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. This ASU simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test and requiring impairment charges to be based on Step 1 which is to compare the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. A goodwill impairment should be recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. This ASU is effective for public business with fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, which is the Company’s fiscal 2021. Early adoption is permitted for annual and interim goodwill impairment testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company has not yet evaluated what impact, if any, the adoption of this ASU may have on its financial condition, results of operations or disclosures.

In addition, the Company will evaluate the other new accounting pronouncements as detailed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2016.

Note 4 - Basic and Diluted Income Per Share

The Company does not have any common stock equivalents, and therefore the basic and diluted income per share are the same.

Note 5 - Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets
	June 30, 2017									September 30, 2016
	Customer Relationships			Developed Technology			Total			Customer Relationships			Developed Technology			Total
Gross intangibles	$	21,950,000		$	2,525,000		$	24,475,000		$	22,104,000		$	2,525,000		$	24,629,000
Accumulated amortization		(18,077,000	)		(2,116,000	)		(20,193,000	)		(14,938,000	)		(1,738,000	)		(16,676,000	)
	$	3,873,000		$	409,000		$	4,282,000		$	7,166,000		$	787,000		$	7,953,000

These gross intangible assets are being amortized over five years for financial statement purposes due to the short life cycle of technology that customer relationships depend on and over 15 years on a straight-line basis for tax purposes. The intangible amortization expenses were $3,671,000 and $1,224,000 for the nine- and three-month periods ended June 30, 2017, respectively, as compared with $3,777,000 and $1,259,000 in the prior year periods.

Note 6 – Goodwill

       The Company accounts for goodwill in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 350, Intangibles — Goodwill and Other. Goodwill, which is not amortized for financial statement purposes, is amortized over a 15-year period for tax purposes, but evaluated for impairment annually, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the value may not be recoverable. Considered factors for potential goodwill impairment evaluation with respect to Journal Technologies include the current year’s business profitability before intangible amortization, fluctuations of revenues, changes in the marketplace, the status of deferred installation contracts and new business, among other things.

8

In addition, ASU 2011-08, Intangible – Goodwill and Others -- Testing Goodwill for Impairment, allows for the option of performing a qualitative assessment before calculating the fair value of a reporting unit. If it is determined based on qualitative factors that there is no impairment to goodwill, then the fair value of a reporting unit is not needed. If a quantitative analysis is required and the unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, then the second step is performed to measure the amount of potential impairment. The Company’s annual goodwill impairment analysis in fiscal 2016 did not result in an impairment charge based on the qualitative assessment. There was no indicator of impairment during the nine-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016.

Note 7 - Investments in Marketable Securities

Investments in marketable securities categorized as “available-for-sale” are stated at fair value. The Company uses quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (consistent with the Level 1 definition in the fair value hierarchy) to measure the fair value of its investments on a recurring basis pursuant to ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement. As of June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, unrealized gains of $147,161,000 and $108,256,000, respectively, were recorded before taxes of $57,240,000 and $42,250,000, respectively, in “Accumulated other comprehensive income” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Most of the unrealized gains were in the common stocks of three U.S. financial institutions.

Investments in equity securities and securities with fixed maturity as of June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016 are summarized below.

	June 30, 2017						September 30, 2016
	(Unaudited)
	Aggregate fair value		Amortized/ Adjusted cost basis		Pretax unrealized gains		Aggregate fair value		Amortized/ Adjusted cost basis		Pretax unrealized gains
Marketable securities
Common stocks	$	202,149,000	$	58,449,000	$	143,700,000	$	158,462,000	$	53,436,000	$	105,026,000
Bonds		8,404,000		4,943,000		3,461,000		8,172,000		4,942,000		3,230,000
	$	210,553,000	$	63,392,000	$	147,161,000	$	166,634,000	$	58,378,000	$	108,256,000

All investments are classified as “Current assets” because they are available for sale at any time. The bonds mature in 2039.

As of June 30, 2017, the Company performed an evaluation for an equity security with a fair value below cost to determine if the unrealized loss was other-than-temporary. This evaluation considers a number of factors including, but not limited to, the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the security until fair value recovers. The assessment of the ability and intent to hold this security to recovery focuses on liquidity needs, asset/liability management objectives and security portfolio objectives. Based on the result of the evaluation, the Company concluded that as of June 30, 2017, the unrealized loss related to an equity security it owns was temporary.

9

Note 8 – Revenue Recognition

For the Company’s traditional publishing business (the “Traditional Business”), proceeds from the sale of subscriptions for newspapers, court rule books and other publications and other services are recorded as deferred revenue and are included in earned revenue only when the services are provided, generally over the subscription term. Advertising revenues are recognized when advertisements are published and are net of commissions.

Journal Technologies recognizes revenues in accordance with the provisions of ASC 985-605, Software—Revenue Recognition. Revenues from software product sales are generally recognized upon delivery, installation or acceptance pursuant to a signed agreement. Revenues from license and maintenance agreements generally call for the Company to provide software updates and upgrades to customers and are recognized ratably over the maintenance period. Consulting and other services are recognized upon completion of the services and acceptance by the customers under the completed performance method. The Company elects to use the completed performance method because each customer’s acceptance is unpredictable and reliable estimates of the progress towards completion cannot be made. Only upon completion and a customer’s acceptance does the customer realize value, and any advances are generally no longer at risk of refund and are therefore considered earned. Other public service fees, as disclosed in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), are primarily service fees earned and recognized as revenues at the time when the Company processes credit card payments on behalf of the courts via its ePayIt secure websites through which the general public can pay traffic citations.

The Company has established Vendor Specific Objective Evidence (VSOE) of the fair value of annual maintenance because a substantial majority of Journal Technologies’ actual maintenance renewals is within a narrow range of pricing as a percentage of the underlying license fees for the legacy contracts and is deemed substantive. Approximately 57% and 55% of the Company’s revenues during the nine- and three-month periods ended June 30, 2017, respectively, were derived from Journal Technologies, as compared with 58% and 53% in the prior year periods.

Note 9 - Income Taxes

Taxes

For the nine months ended June 30, 2017, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $6,015,000 on pretax loss of $5,858,000.

The Company had an accrued liability of approximately $2,655,000 for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits relating to an acquisition in fiscal 2013. During the second quarter of fiscal 2017, the Internal Revenue Service concluded its examination of the Company’s fiscal 2014 income tax return and proposed no changes to the tax position that gave rise to this liability. Consequently, this liability was reversed in March 2017 along with the related accrued interest and penalty expenses of $743,000. In addition, a deferred tax liability, in the amount of $352,000, relating to temporary differences that would only exist if the uncertain tax position was never recognized, was reversed.

The income tax benefit was also the result of applying the effective tax rate anticipated for fiscal 2017 to pretax loss for the nine-month period ended June 30, 2017. The effective tax rate (before the discrete item discussed above) was greater than the statutory rate primarily due to the dividends received deduction which increases the loss for tax purposes.  On pretax loss of $606,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2016, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $525,000 which was the net result of applying the effective tax rate anticipated for fiscal 2016 to pretax loss for the nine months ended June 30, 2016. The Company’s effective tax rate was 103% and 87% for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. 

10

The Company files consolidated federal income tax returns in the United States and with various state jurisdictions and is no longer subject to examinations for fiscal years before fiscal 2015 with regard to federal income taxes and fiscal 2013 for state income taxes.

Note 10 - Debt and Commitments and Contingencies

The Company borrowed from its investment margin account during fiscal 2013 the purchase price of two acquisitions aggregating $29.5 million, in each case pledging its marketable securities as collateral. The interest rate for these investment margin account borrowings fluctuates based on the Federal Funds Rate plus 50 basis points with interest only payable monthly. The interest rate as of June 30, 2017 was 1.75%. These investment margin account borrowings do not mature.

In November 2015, the Company purchased a 30,700 square foot office building constructed in 1998 on about 3.6 acres in Logan, Utah that had been previously leased by Journal Technologies. The Company paid $1.24 million and financed the balance with a real estate bank loan of $2.26 million which bears a fixed interest rate of 4.66% and is repayable in equal monthly installments of about $17,600 through 2030. This loan is secured by the Logan facility and can be paid off at any time without prepayment penalty. This real estate loan had a balance of approximately $2.1 million as of June 30, 2017.

The Company owns its facilities in Los Angeles and leases space for its other offices under operating leases which expire at various dates through fiscal 2020. The Company is responsible for a portion of maintenance, insurance and property tax expenses relating to these leased properties and certain other leased properties. Rental expenses were $537,000 and $181,000 for the nine- and three-month periods ended June 30, 2017, respectively, as compared with $579,000 and $164,000 in the prior year periods.

From time to time, the Company is subject to contingencies, including litigation, arising in the normal course of its business. While it is not possible to predict the results of such contingencies, management does not believe the ultimate outcome of these matters will have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations or cash flows.

11

Note 11 - Operating Segments

The Company’s reportable segments are: (i) the Traditional Business and (ii) Journal Technologies. All inter-segment transactions were eliminated. Summarized financial information regarding the Company’s reportable segments is shown in the following table:

	Reportable Segments
	Traditional Business			Journal Technologies			Corporate income and expenses			Total
Nine months ended June 30, 2017
Revenues
Advertising	$	6,833,000		$	---		$	---		$	6,833,000
Circulation		4,258,000			---			---			4,258,000
Advertising service fees and other		2,111,000			---			---			2,111,000
Licensing and maintenance fees		---			11,764,000			---			11,764,000
Consulting fees		---			3,027,000			---			3,027,000
Other public service fees		---			2,477,000			---			2,477,000
Operating expenses		13,295,000			26,927,000			---			40,222,000
Loss from operations		(93,000	)		(9,659,000	)		---			(9,752,000	)
Dividends and interest income		---			---			3,491,000			3,491,000
Other income		22,000			---			3,000			25,000
Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate		(75,000	)		---			---			(75,000	)
Interest expenses on margin loans		---			---			(290,000	)		(290,000	)
Interest and penalty expense reversal for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits		---			743,000			---			743,000
Pretax income (loss)		(146,000	)		(8,916,000	)		3,204,000			(5,858,000	)
Income tax (expense) benefit		(125,000	)		6,690,000			(550,000	)		6,015,000
Net income (loss)		(271,000	)		(2,226,000	)		2,654,000			157,000
Total assets		16,333,000			34,517,000			210,553,000			261,403,000
Capital expenditures		160,000			91,000			---			251,000
Amortization of intangible assets		---			3,671,000			---			3,671,000

	Reportable Segments
	Traditional Business			Journal Technologies			Corporate income and expenses			Total
Nine months ended June 30, 2016
Revenues
Advertising	$	7,382,000		$	---		$	---		$	7,382,000
Circulation		4,431,000			---			---			4,431,000
Advertising service fees and other		2,014,000			---			---			2,014,000
Licensing and maintenance fees		---			11,433,000			---			11,433,000
Consulting fees		---			3,788,000			---			3,788,000
Other public service fees		---			3,547,000			---			3,547,000
Operating expenses		12,911,000			23,004,000			---			35,915,000
Income (loss) from operations		916,000			(4,236,000	)		---			(3,320,000	)
Dividends and interest income		---			---			3,013,000			3,013,000
Other income		37,000			---			9,000			46,000
Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate		(62,000	)		---			---			(62,000	)
Interest expenses on margin loans		---			---			(208,000	)		(208,000	)
Interest expense accrued for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits		---			(75,000	)		---			(75,000	)
Pretax income (loss)		891,000			(4,311,000	)		2,814,000			(606,000	)
Income tax (expense) benefit		(685,000	)		1,680,000			(470,000	)		525,000
Net income (loss)		206,000			(2,631,000	)		2,344,000			(81,000	)
Total assets		18,553,000			40,119,000			161,250,000			219,922,000
Capital expenditures, including purchase of Logan building		3,635,000			35,000			---			3,670,000
Amortization of intangible assets		106,000			3,671,000			---			3,777,000

12

	Reportable Segments
	Traditional Business			Journal Technologies			Corporate income and expenses			Total
Three months ended June 30, 2017
Revenues
Advertising	$	2,400,000		$	---		$	---		$	2,400,000
Circulation		1,385,000			---			---			1,385,000
Advertising service fees and other		778,000			---			---			778,000
Licensing and maintenance fees		---			3,916,000			---			3,916,000
Consulting fees		---			869,000			---			869,000
Other public service fees		---			853,000			---			853,000
Operating expenses		4,432,000			9,402,000			---			13,834,000
Loss from operations		131,000			(3,764,000	)		---			(3,633,000	)
Dividends and interest income		---			---			952,000			952,000
Other income		1,000			---			3,000			4,000
Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate		(24,000	)		---			---			(24,000	)
Interest expenses on margin loans		---			---			(115,000	)		(115,000	)
Pretax income (loss)		108,000			(3,764,000	)		840,000			(2,816,000	)
Income tax (expense) benefit		(50,000	)		1,570,000			(55,000	)		1,465,000
Net income (loss)		58,000			(2,194,000	)		785,000			(1,351,000	)
Total assets		16,333,000			34,517,000			210,553,000			261,403,000
Capital expenditures		---			57,000			---			57,000
Amortization of intangible assets		---			1,224,000			---			1,224,000

	Reportable Segments
	Traditional Business			Journal Technologies			Corporate income and expenses			Total
Three months ended June 30, 2016
Revenues
Advertising	$	2,715,000		$	---		$	---		$	2,715,000
Circulation		1,467,000			---			---			1,467,000
Advertising service fees and other		720,000			---			---			720,000
Licensing and maintenance fees		---			3,679,000			---			3,679,000
Consulting fees		---			748,000			---			748,000
Other public service fees		---			1,009,000			---			1,009,000
Operating expenses		4,136,000			7,984,000			---			12,120,000
Income (loss) from operations		766,000			(2,548,000	)		---			(1,782,000	)
Dividends and interest income		---			---			1,277,000			1,277,000
Other income		16,000			---			---			16,000
Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate		(26,000	)		---			---			(26,000	)
Interest expenses on margin loans		---			---			(82,000	)		(82,000	)
Interest expense accrued for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits		---			(26,000	)		---			(26,000	)
Pretax income (loss)		756,000			(2,574,000	)		1,195,000			(623,000	)
Income tax (expense) benefit		(520,000	)		1,010,000			(205,000	)		285,000
Net income (loss)		236,000			(1,564,000	)		990,000			(338,000	)
Total assets		18,553,000			40,119,000			161,250,000			219,922,000
Capital expenditures		10,000			32,000			---			42,000
Amortization of intangible assets		35,000			1,224,000			---			1,259,000

Note 12 - Subsequent Events

The Company has completed an evaluation of all subsequent events through the issuance date of these financial statements and concluded that no subsequent events occurred that required recognition to the financial statements or disclosures in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements or cash flows.

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Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Results of Operations

The Company continues to operate as two different businesses: (1) The Traditional Business, being the business of newspaper publishing and related services that the Company had before 1999 when it purchased a software development company, and (2) Journal Technologies, Inc. (“Journal Technologies”), a wholly-owned subsidiary which supplies case management software systems and related products to courts, prosecutor and public defender offices, probation departments and other justice agencies, including administrative law organizations, city and county governments and bar associations. These organizations use the Journal Technologies family of products to help manage cases and information electronically, to interface with other critical justice partners and to extend electronic services to bar members and the public, including a website to pay traffic citations online. These products are licensed to more than 500 organizations in 42 states and internationally.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) includes net income and unrealized net gains (losses) on investments, net of taxes, as summarized below:

Comprehensive Income (Loss)
	Nine months ended June 30
	2017		2016
Net income (loss)	$	157,000	$	(81,000	)
Net increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation of marketable securities (net of taxes)		23,915,000		(5,353,000	)
	$	24,072,000	$	(5,434,000	)

Comparable nine-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016

Consolidated revenues were $30,470,000 and $32,595,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. This decrease of $2,125,000 (7%) was primarily from the reduction in (i) The Traditional Business’s trustee sale notice and its related service fee revenues of $527,000 and (ii) Journal Technologies’ consulting fees of $761,000 and public service fees of $1,070,000 primarily due to a reduction in the number of traffic tickets processed online for the public to pay traffic citations, partially offset by increased Journal Technologies’ license and maintenance fees of $331,000. The Company’s revenues derived from Journal Technologies’ operations constituted about 57% and 58% of the Company’s total revenues for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Consolidated operating expenses increased by $4,307,000 (12%) to $40,222,000 from $35,915,000, primarily resulting from additional personnel costs and services for Journal Technologies. Total personnel costs increased by $3,327,000 (16%) to $23,864,000 from $20,537,000. Outside services increased by $593,000 (23%) to $3,183,000 from $2,590,000. Depreciation and amortization costs, which included primarily the amortization of Journal Technologies’ intangible assets of $3,671,000 for both fiscal periods, decreased by $84,000 to $4,204,000 from $4,288,000.

14

The Company’s non-operating income, net of expenses, increased by $1,180,000 (43%) to $3,894,000 from $2,714,000 primarily because of the interest and penalty expense reversal of $743,000 for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits and more dividend income, partially offset by increases in the interest rate on the two acquisition margin loans and additional interest expense for the Company’s real estate loan.

During the nine months ended June 30, 2017, consolidated pretax loss was $5,858,000 after recording the interest and penalty expense reversal of $743,000 for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits as compared with $606,000 in the prior year period. There was net income of $157,000 ($0.11 per share) for the nine months ended June 30, 2017, primarily because of the reversal of the tax liability for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits, as compared with a net loss of $81,000 (-$0.06 per share) in the prior year period. (See Taxes.)

At June 30, 2017, the aggregate fair market value of the Company’s marketable securities was $210,553,000. These securities had approximately $147,161,000 of unrealized gains before taxes of $57,240,000 and generated approximately $3,491,000 in dividends and interest income during the nine months ended June 30, 2017 which lowers the Company’s effective income tax rate because of the dividends received deduction. Most of the unrealized gains were in the common stocks of three U.S. financial institutions.

Additional detail about each of the Company’s reportable segments, and its corporate income and expenses, is set forth below:

Overall Financial Results (000)

For the nine months ended June 30

	Reportable Segments
	Traditional Business						Journal Technologies						Corporate income and expenses						Total
	2017			2016			2017			2016			2017			2016			2017			2016
Revenues
Advertising	$	6,833		$	7,382		$	---		$	---		$	---		$	---		$	6,833		$	7,382
Circulation		4,258			4,431			---			---			---			---			4,258			4,431
Advertising service fees and other		2,111			2,014			---			---			---			---			2,111			2,014
Licensing and maintenance fees		---			---			11,764			11,433			---			---			11,764			11,433
Consulting fees		---			---			3,027			3,788			---			---			3,027			3,788
Other public service fees		---			---			2,477			3,547			---			---			2,477			3,547
Total revenues		13,202			13,827			17,268			18,768			---			---			30,470			32,595
Operating expenses
Salaries and employee benefits		7,818			7,450			16,046			13,087			---			---			23,864			20,537
Amortization of intangible assets		---			106			3,671			3,671			---			---			3,671			3,777
Others		5,477			5,355			7,210			6,246			---			---			12,687			11,601
Total operating expenses		13,295			12,911			26,927			23,004			---			---			40,222			35,915
(Loss) income from operations		(93	)		916			(9,659	)		(4,236	)		---			---			(9,752	)		(3,320	)
Dividends and interest income		---			---			---			---			3,491			3,013			3,491			3,013
Other income (net)		22			37			---			---			3			9			25			46
Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate		(75	)		(62	)		---			---			---			---			(75	)		(62	)
Interest expenses on margin loans		---			---			---			---			(290	)		(208	)		(290	)		(208	)
Interest and penalty expenses reversal (accrual) for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits		---			---			743			(75	)		---			---			743			(75	)
Pretax (loss) income	$	(146	)	$	891		$	(8,916	)	$	(4,311	)	$	3,204		$	2,814		$	(5,858	)	$	(606	)

15

The Traditional Business

The Traditional Business segment’s pretax income decreased by $1,037,000 to a pretax loss of $146,000 from pretax income of $891,000.

Advertising revenues decreased by $549,000 to $6,833,000 from $7,382,000 primarily resulting from the declines in trustee sale notice advertising and its related service fee revenues of $527,000.

Trustee sale notices are very much dependent on the number of California and Arizona foreclosures for which public notice advertising is required by law. The number of foreclosure notices published by the Company decreased by 27% during the nine months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to the prior year period. Because this slowing is expected to continue, the Company expects there will be fewer foreclosure notice and other public notice advertisements and declining revenues in fiscal 2017, and the Company’s print-based earnings will also likely decline significantly because it will be impractical for the Company to offset all revenue losses by expense reduction. The Company’s smaller newspapers, those other than the Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journals (“The Daily Journals”), accounted for about 89% of the total public notice advertising revenues in the nine months ended June 30, 2017. Public notice advertising revenues and related advertising and other service fees constituted about 22% of the Company’s total revenues for both of the nine-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. Because of this concentration, the Company’s revenues would be significantly adversely affected if California and Arizona eliminated the legal requirement to publish public notices in adjudicated newspapers of general circulation, as had been recently implemented in Arizona for one notice type with approximately $500,000 in annual revenues. Also, if the adjudication of one or more of the Company’s newspapers was challenged and revoked, those newspapers would no longer be eligible to publish public notice advertising, and it could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s revenues.

The Daily Journals accounted for about 87% of The Traditional Business’ total circulation revenues, which declined by $173,000 to $4,258,000 from $4,431,000. The court rule and judicial profile services generated about 9% of the total circulation revenues, with the other newspapers and services accounting for the balance. Advertising service fees and other are Traditional Business segment revenues, which include primarily (i) agency commissions received from outside newspapers in which the advertising is placed and (ii) fees generated when filing notices with government agencies.

The Traditional Business segment operating expenses increased by $384,000 (3%) to $13,295,000 from $12,911,000.

Journal Technologies

Journal Technologies’ business segment pretax loss increased by $4,605,000 (107%) to $8,916,000 from $4,311,000 after recording the interest and penalty expense reversal of $743,000 for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits in March 2017 and including the amortization costs of intangible assets of $3,671,000 for both of the nine-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016. (See Taxes.)

Revenues decreased by $1,500,000 (8%) to $17,268,000 from $18,768,000 in the prior year period. Licensing and maintenance fees increased by $331,000 (3%) to $11,764,000 from $11,433,000. Consulting fees decreased by $761,000 (20%) to $3,027,000 from $3,788,000. Consulting revenues from installations projects will only be recognized, if at all, upon completion and acceptance of the services by customers. Deferred revenues on installation contracts primarily represent the fair value of advances from customers of Journal Technologies for installation services. Only upon completion and a customer’s acceptance does the customer realize value, and any advances are generally no longer at risk of refund and are therefore considered earned. Deferred revenues on license and maintenance contracts represent prepayments of annual license and maintenance fees and are recognized ratably over the maintenance period. Other public service fees decreased by $1,070,000 (30%) to $2,477,000 from $3,547,000 primarily due to a reduction in the number of traffic tickets processed online for the public to pay traffic citations.

16

Operating expenses increased by $3,923,000 (17%) to $26,927,000 from $23,004,000 primarily due to increased personnel costs.

Intangible assets, including customer relationships and developed technology, are being amortized on a straight-line basis over five years due to the short life cycle of technology that customer relationships depend on and over 15 years for tax purposes. Goodwill, which is not amortized for financial statement purposes, is amortized over 15 years for tax purposes. Goodwill represents the expected synergies in expanding the Company’s software business. Goodwill is evaluated for impairment annually, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the value may not be recoverable. Considered factors for potential goodwill impairment evaluation include the current year’s business profitability before intangible amortization, fluctuations of revenues, changes in the market place, the status of installation contracts and new business, among other things. Journal Technologies is continuing to update and upgrade its software products. These costs are expensed as incurred and will impact earnings at least through the foreseeable future.

Taxes

For the nine months ended June 30, 2017, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $6,015,000 on pretax loss of $5,858,000.

The Company had an accrued liability of approximately $2,655,000 for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits relating to an acquisition in fiscal 2013. During the second quarter of fiscal 2017, the Internal Revenue Service concluded its examination of the Company’s fiscal 2014 income tax return and proposed no changes to the tax position that gave rise to this liability. Consequently, this liability was reversed in March 2017 along with the related accrued interest and penalty expenses of $743,000. In addition, a deferred tax liability, in the amount of $352,000, relating to temporary differences that would only exist if the uncertain tax position was never recognized, was reversed.

The income tax benefit was also the result of applying the effective tax rate anticipated for fiscal 2017 to pretax loss for the nine-month period ended June 30, 2017. The effective tax rate (before the discrete item discussed above) was greater than the statutory rate primarily due to the dividends received deduction which increases the loss for tax purposes.  On pretax loss of $606,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2016, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $525,000 which was the net result of applying the effective tax rate anticipated for fiscal 2016 to pretax loss for the nine months ended June 30, 2016. The Company’s effective tax rate was 103% and 87% for the nine months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. 

The Company files consolidated federal income tax returns in the United States and with various state jurisdictions and is no longer subject to examinations for fiscal years before fiscal 2015 with regard to federal income taxes and fiscal 2013 for state income taxes.

17

Comparable three-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016

Consolidated revenues were $10,201,000 and $10,338,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. This decrease of $137,000 (1%) was primarily from the reduction in (i) The Traditional Business’s trustee sale notice and related service fee revenues of $218,000 and (ii) Journal Technologies’ public service fees of $156,000 primarily due to a reduction in the number of traffic tickets processed online for the public to pay traffic citations. These decreases were partially offset by increases in Journal Technologies’ license and maintenance fees of $237,000 and consulting fees of $121,000. The Company’s revenues derived from Journal Technologies’ operations constituted about 55% and 53% of the Company’s total revenues for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Consolidated operating expenses increased by $1,714,000 (14%) to $13,834,000 from $12,120,000 primarily due to increased personnel costs and services for Journal Technologies. Total personnel costs increased by $1,266,000 (18%) to $8,126,000 from $6,860,000. Outside services increased by $203,000 (22%) to $1,116,000 from $913,000. Depreciation and amortization costs, which included primarily the amortization of Journal Technologies’ intangible assets of $1,224,000 for both fiscal periods, decreased by $22,000 to $1,423,000 from $1,445,000.

The Company’s non-operating income, net of expenses, decreased by $342,000 to $817,000 from $1,159,000 primarily because of the timing difference of one invested company’s dividend declaration dates which occurred during the second quarter of this fiscal year as compared to the third quarter of the prior fiscal year. There were also increases in the interest rate on the two acquisition margin loans.

During the three months ended June 30, 2017, consolidated pretax loss was $2,816,000, as compared with $623,000 in the prior year period. There was a net loss of $1,351,000 (-$0.98 per share) for the three months ended June 30, 2017, as compared with a net loss of $338,000 (-$0.25 per share) in the prior year period.   

Liquidity and Capital Resources

During the nine months ended June 30, 2017, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents and marketable security positions increased by $35,143,000 to $213,188,000. Cash and cash equivalents were used primarily for the purchase of marketable securities of $5,013,000 and capital assets of $251,000. The investments in marketable securities, which had an adjusted cost basis of approximately $63,392,000 and a market value of about $210,553,000 at June 30, 2017, generated approximately $3,491,000 in dividends and interest income.

Cash flows from operating activities decreased by $3,475,000 during the nine months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to the prior year period primarily resulting from increases in deferred taxes of $2,835,000 and decreases in net income tax payable of $2,374,000 because of the reversal of the liability for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits mentioned above, partially offset by increases in net income of $238,000 and net increases in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $1,373,000. The net cash used in operating activities of $3,430,000 included net decreases of $527,000 in deferred subscriptions, deferred installation contracts and deferred maintenance agreements and others.

As of June 30, 2017, the Company had working capital of $140,890,000, including the liabilities for deferred subscriptions and deferred installation contracts and deferred maintenance agreements and others of $17,101,000, which are scheduled to be earned within one year, and the deferred tax liability of $57,240,000 for the unrealized gains described above.

18

The Company believes that it will be able to fund its operations for the foreseeable future through its cash flows from operations and its current working capital and expects that any such cash flows will be invested in its businesses. The Company may or may not have the ability to borrow against its marketable securities. The Company also may entertain additional business acquisition opportunities. Any excess cash flows could be used to reduce the investment margin account liability or note payable collateralized by real estate or invested as management and the Board of Directors deem appropriate at the time.

Such investments may include additional securities of the companies in which the Company has already invested, securities of other companies, government securities (including U.S. Treasury Notes and Bills) or other instruments. The decision as to particular investments will be driven by the Company’s belief about the risk/reward profile of the various investment choices at the time, and it may utilize government securities as a default if attractive opportunities for a better return are not available. The Company’s Chairman of the Board, Charles Munger, is also the vice chairman of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., which maintains a substantial investment portfolio. The Company’s Board of Directors has utilized his judgment and suggestions, as well as those of J.P. Guerin, the Company’s vice chairman, when selecting investments, and both of them will continue to play an important role in monitoring existing investments and selecting any future investments.

As of June 30, 2017, the investments were concentrated in just seven companies. Accordingly, a significant decline in the market value of one or more of the Company’s investments may not be offset by the hypothetically better performance of other investments, and that could result in a large decrease in the Company’s shareholders’ equity and, under certain circumstances, in the recognition of impairment losses in the Company’s income statement.

19

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The Company’s financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Preparing financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. These estimates and assumptions are affected by management’s application of accounting policies. Management believes that revenue recognition, accounting for software costs, fair value measurement and disclosures (including for the long-term Incentive Plan liabilities), accounting for business combinations, testing for goodwill impairment and income taxes are critical accounting policies and estimates.

The Company’s critical accounting policies are detailed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2016. The above discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in this report.

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 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 document, including but not limited to those in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, 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. There are many factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These factors include, among others: risks associated with software development and implementation efforts; Journal Technologies’ reliance on professional services engagements with justice agencies, including California courts, for a substantial portion of its revenues; material changes in the costs of postage and paper; possible changes in the law, particularly changes limiting or eliminating the requirements for public notice advertising; possible loss of the adjudicated status of the Company’s newspapers and their legal authority to publish public notice advertising; a further decline in public notice advertising revenues because of fewer foreclosures; a further decline in subscriber and commercial advertising revenues; possible security breaches of the Company’s software or websites; the Company’s reliance on its president and chief executive officer; changes in accounting guidance; material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting; and declines in the market prices of the securities owned by the Company. In addition, such statements could be affected by general industry and market conditions, general economic conditions (particularly in California) and other factors. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are discussed in this Form 10-Q, including in conjunction with the forward-looking statements themselves. 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 filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016.

20

 Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

For information regarding the Company’s market risk, refer to Item 7A – Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016. There have been no material changes to the Company’s market risk exposures since September 30, 2016.

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including Gerald L. Salzman, its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of June 30, 2017. Based on that evaluation, Mr. Salzman concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective. There were no material changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting or in other factors reasonably likely to affect its internal control over financial reporting during the nine-month period ended June 30, 2017.

21

PART II 

Item 6. Exhibits

31	Certification by Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32	Certification by Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS**	XBRL Instance
101.SCH**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation
101.DEF**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition
101.LAB**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels
101.PRE**	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation
** XBRL	information is furnished and not filed as a part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

SIGNATURE

     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.

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

(Registrant)

 /s/ Gerald L. Salzman

Chief Executive Officer

President

Chief Financial Officer

Treasurer

(Principal Executive Officer,

Principal Financial Officer and

Principal Accounting Officer)     

DATE: August 8, 2017

22

EX-31

Exhibit 31

CERTIFICATIONS BY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Gerald L. Salzman, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of the Daily Journal Corporation;

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4. I am responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a. designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under my supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to me by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b. designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under my supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c. evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report my conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d. disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. I have disclosed, based on my most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a. all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b. any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 8, 2017

       /s/ Gerald L. Salzman

______________________________

Gerald L. Salzman

Chief Executive Officer, President,

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

EX-32

Exhibit 32

CERTIFICATION BY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

     In connection with the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Daily Journal Corporation (the "Company") for the period ended June 30, 2017 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, Gerald L. Salzman, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to the best of my knowledge:

(1) the Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

/s/ Gerald L. Salzman

____________________________________________

Gerald L. Salzman
Chief Executive Officer, President,
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

August 8, 2017

     The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.

XML

Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jul. 31, 2017
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION
Entity Central Index Key	0000783412
Trading Symbol	djco
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--09-30
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		1,380,746
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) - USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 2,635,000	$ 11,411,000
Marketable securities at fair value, including common stocks of $202,149,000 and bonds of $8,404,000 at June 30, 2017 and common stocks of $158,462,000 and bonds of $8,172,000 at September 30, 2016	210,553,000	166,634,000
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $200,000 at June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016	5,649,000	4,707,000
Inventories	49,000	41,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	933,000	800,000
Income tax receivable	956,000	890,000
Total current assets	220,775,000	184,483,000
Land, buildings and improvements	16,396,000	16,306,000
Furniture, office equipment and computer software	2,722,000	2,743,000
Machinery and equipment	1,799,000	1,864,000
	20,917,000	20,913,000
Less accumulated depreciation	(9,134,000)	(8,849,000)
	11,783,000	12,064,000
Intangibles, net	4,282,000	7,953,000
Goodwill	13,400,000	13,400,000
Deferred income taxes, net	11,163,000	7,546,000
	261,403,000	225,446,000
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	2,914,000	2,644,000
Accrued liabilities	2,995,000	2,583,000
Note payable collateralized by real estate	114,000	110,000
Deferred income taxes, net	56,761,000	41,501,000
Total current liabilities	79,885,000	64,860,000
Long term liabilities
Investment margin account borrowings	29,493,000	29,493,000
Note payable collateralized by real estate	1,985,000	2,071,000
Deferred maintenance agreements	543,000	149,000
Income tax payable		2,723,000
Accrued interest and penalty for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits		745,000
Accrued liabilities	82,000	62,000
Total long term liabilities	32,103,000	35,243,000
Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)
Shareholders' equity
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized and no shares issued	0	0
Common stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; 1,805,053 shares issued, including 424,307 treasury shares, at June 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016	14,000	14,000
Additional paid-in capital	1,755,000	1,755,000
Retained earnings	58,225,000	58,068,000
Accumulated other comprehensive income	89,421,000	65,506,000
Total shareholders' equity	149,415,000	125,343,000
	261,403,000	225,446,000
Subscription Arrangement [Member]
Current liabilities
Deferred revenue	2,901,000	3,402,000
Deferred Installation Contracts [Member]
Current liabilities
Deferred revenue	6,497,000	7,340,000
Deferred Maintenance Agreement [Member]
Current liabilities
Deferred revenue	$ 7,703,000	$ 7,280,000

XML

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) (Parentheticals) - USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Market securities, common stock	$ 202,149,000	$ 158,462,000
Market securities, bonds	8,404,000	8,172,000
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 200,000	$ 200,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized (in shares)	5,000,000	5,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued (in shares)	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	5,000,000	5,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	1,805,053	1,805,053
Common stock, treasury shares (in shares)	424,307	424,307

XML

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Other general and administrative expenses	$ 2,662,000	$ 2,380,000	$ 7,462,000	$ 6,964,000
	13,834,000	12,120,000	40,222,000	35,915,000
Loss from operations	(3,633,000)	(1,782,000)	(9,752,000)	(3,320,000)
Revenues
Advertising	2,400,000	2,715,000	6,833,000	7,382,000
Circulation	1,385,000	1,467,000	4,258,000	4,431,000
Advertising service fees and other	778,000	720,000	2,111,000	2,014,000
Licensing and maintenance fees	3,916,000	3,679,000	11,764,000	11,433,000
Consulting fees	869,000	748,000	3,027,000	3,788,000
Other public service fees	853,000	1,009,000	2,477,000	3,547,000
	10,201,000	10,338,000	30,470,000	32,595,000
Costs and expenses
Salaries and employee benefits	8,126,000	6,860,000	23,864,000	20,537,000
Outside services	1,116,000	913,000	3,183,000	2,590,000
Postage and delivery expenses	283,000	279,000	846,000	857,000
Newsprint and printing expenses	224,000	243,000	663,000	679,000
Depreciation and amortization	1,423,000	1,445,000	4,204,000	4,288,000
Income (loss) before income taxes	(2,816,000)	(623,000)	(5,858,000)	(606,000)
Income tax (expense) benefit	1,465,000	285,000	6,015,000	525,000
Net income (loss)	$ (1,351,000)	$ (338,000)	$ 157,000	$ (81,000)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted (in shares)	1,380,746	1,380,746	1,380,746	1,380,746
Basic and diluted net loss per share (in dollars per share)	$ (0.98)	$ (0.25)	$ 0.11	$ (0.06)
Other income (expense)
Dividends and interest income	$ 952,000	$ 1,277,000	$ 3,491,000	$ 3,013,000
Other income	4,000	16,000	25,000	46,000
Interest and penalty expense accrual for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits		(26,000)	743,000	(75,000)
Comprehensive income (loss)
Net income (loss)	(1,351,000)	(338,000)	157,000	(81,000)
Net increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation of marketable securities (net of taxes)	4,258,000	(1,222,000)	23,915,000	(5,353,000)
	2,907,000	(1,560,000)	24,072,000	(5,434,000)
Real Estate Bank Loan Secured by Logan Office [Member]
Other income (expense)
Interest expense on debt	(24,000)	(26,000)	(75,000)	(62,000)
Margin Account [Member]
Other income (expense)
Interest expense on debt	$ (115,000)	$ (82,000)	$ (290,000)	$ (208,000)

XML

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income (loss)	$ 157,000	$ (81,000)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash (used in) provided by operations
Depreciation and amortization	4,204,000	4,288,000
Deferred income taxes	(3,347,000)	(512,000)
Discounts earned on bonds	(2,000)	(2,000)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable, net	(942,000)	(57,000)
Inventories	(8,000)	1,000
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(133,000)	70,000
Income tax receivable	(66,000)	97,000
Accounts payable	270,000	(1,553,000)
Accrued liabilities	(313,000)	137,000
Income taxes	(2,723,000)	(186,000)
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities	(3,430,000)	45,000
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of marketable securities	(5,013,000)	(3,838,000)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment, including the Logan, Utah office building in fiscal 2016	(251,000)	(3,670,000)
Net cash used in investing activities	(5,264,000)	(7,508,000)
Cash flows from financing activities
Note payable collateralized by real estate		2,234,000
Payment of real estate loan principal	(82,000)	(26,000)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	(82,000)	2,208,000
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents	(8,776,000)	(5,255,000)
Beginning of period	11,411,000	15,617,000
End of period	2,635,000	10,362,000
Interest paid during period	359,000	254,000
Net income taxes paid (refunded) during period	1,000	(11,000)
Subscription Arrangement [Member]
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Deferred revenue arrangements	(501,000)	91,000
Deferred Maintenance Agreement [Member]
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Deferred revenue arrangements	817,000	(1,046,000)
Deferred Installation Contracts [Member]
Changes in operating assets and liabilities
Deferred revenue arrangements	$ (843,000)	$ (1,202,000)

XML

Note 1 - The Corporation and Operations

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]

Note

1

- The Corporation and Operations

Daily Journal Corporation (the “Company”) publishes newspapers and web sites covering California and Arizona and produces several specialized information services. It also serves as a newspaper representative specializing in public notice advertising.

Journal Technologies, Inc. (“Journal Technologies”), a wholly-owned subsidiary, supplies case management software systems and related products to courts, prosecutor and public defender offices, probation departments and other justice agencies, including administrative law organizations, city and county governments and bar associations. These organizations use the Journal Technologies family of products to help manage cases and information electronically, to interface with other critical justice partners and to extend electronic services to bar members and the public, including a website to pay traffic citations online. These products are licensed to more than

500

organizations in

42

states and internationally.

Essentially all of the Company’s operations are based in California, Arizona, Colorado and Utah.

XML

Note 2 - Basis of Presentation

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Basis of Accounting [Text Block]

Note

2

- Basis of Presentation

In the opinion of the Company, the accompanying interim unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of its financial position as of

June 30, 2017,

its results of operations for the

three

- and

nine

-month periods ended

June 30, 2017

and

2016

and its cash flows for the

nine

-month periods ended

June 30, 2017

and

2016.

The results of operations for the

nine

months ended

June 30, 2017

are

not

necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented

not

misleading. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form

10

-K for the fiscal year ended

September 30, 2016.

Certain reclassifications of previously reported amounts have been made to conform to the current year’s presentation.

XML

Note 3 - Recent Accounting Pronouncements

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block]

Note

3

–

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In

January 2016,

the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Codification (“ASU”)

No.

2016

-

01,

Financial Instruments – Overall (Subtopic

825

-

10

): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

. This ASU updates certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments and applies to all entities that hold financial assets or owe financial liabilities. It requires an entity to: (i) measure equity investments at fair value through net income, with certain exceptions; (ii) present in Other Comprehensive Income changes in instrument-specific credit risk for financial liabilities measured using the fair value option; (iii) present financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset; (iv) calculate the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes based on an exit price and; (v) assess a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets related to unrealized losses of available-for-sale debt securities in combination with other deferred tax assets. The Update also requires a qualitative impairment assessment of such equity investments and amends certain fair value disclosure requirements. This ASU is effective for public business with fiscal years beginning after

December 15, 2017,

including interim

periods within that annual period, which is the Company’s fiscal

2019.

   The Company has

not

yet evaluated what impact, if any, the adoption of this ASU

may

have on its financial condition, results of operations or disclosures.

In

January 2017,

FASB issued ASU

No.

2017

-

04,

Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic

350

): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment

. This ASU simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step

2

from the goodwill impairment test and requiring impairment charges to be based on Step

1

which is to compare

the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. A goodwill impairment should be recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value.

This ASU is effective for public business with fiscal years beginning after

December 15, 2019,

which is the Company’s fiscal

2021.

Early adoption is permitted for annual and interim goodwill impairment testing dates after

January 1, 2017.

The Company has

not

yet evaluated what impact, if any, the adoption of this ASU

may

have on its financial condition, results of operations or disclosures.

In addition, the Company will evaluate the other new accounting pronouncements as detailed in its Annual Report on Form

10

-K for the year ended

September 30, 2016.

XML

Note 4 - Basic and Diluted Income Per Share

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]

Note

4

- Basic and Diluted Income Per Share

The Company does

not

have any common stock equivalents, and therefore the basic and diluted income per share are the same.

XML

Note 5 - Intangible Assets

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]

Note

5

- Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets
	June 30, 2017									September 30, 2016
	Customer Relationships			Developed Technology			Total			Customer Relationships			Developed Technology			Total
Gross intangibles	$	21,950,000		$	2,525,000		$	24,475,000		$	22,104,000		$	2,525,000		$	24,629,000
Accumulated amortization		(18,077,000	)		(2,116,000	)		(20,193,000	)		(14,938,000	)		(1,738,000	)		(16,676,000	)
	$	3,873,000		$	409,000		$	4,282,000		$	7,166,000		$	787,000		$	7,953,000

These gross intangible assets are being amortized over

five

years for financial statement purposes due to the short life cycle of technology that customer relationships depend on and over

15

years on a straight-line basis for tax purposes. The intangible amortization expenses were

$3,671,000

and

$1,224,000

for the

nine

- and

three

-month periods ended

June 30, 2017,

respectively, as compared with

$3,777,000

and

$1,259,000

in the prior year periods.

XML

Note 6 - Goodwill

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Goodwill Disclosure [Text Block]

Note

6

– Goodwill

       The Company accounts for goodwill in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC)

350,

Intangibles — Goodwill and Other

. Goodwill, which is

not

amortized for financial statement purposes, is amortized over a

15

-year period for tax purposes, but evaluated for impairment annually, or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the value

may

not

be recoverable. Considered factors for potential goodwill impairment evaluation with respect to Journal Technologies include the current year’s business profitability before intangible amortization, fluctuations of revenues, changes in the marketplace, the status of deferred installation contracts and new business, among other things.

In addition, ASU

2011

-

08,

Intangible – Goodwill and Others -- Testing Goodwill for Impairment

, allows for the option of performing a qualitative assessment before calculating the fair value of a reporting unit. If it is determined based on qualitative factors that there is

no

impairment to goodwill, then the fair value of a reporting unit is

not

needed. If a quantitative analysis is required and the unit’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, then the

second

step is performed to measure the amount of potential impairment. The Company’s annual goodwill impairment analysis in fiscal

2016

did

not

result in an impairment charge based on the qualitative assessment. There was

no

indicator of impairment during the

nine

-month periods ended

June 30, 2017

and

2016.

XML

Note 7 - Investments in Marketable Securities

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Investments in Debt and Marketable Equity Securities (and Certain Trading Assets) Disclosure [Text Block]

Note

7

- Investments in Marketable Securities

Investments in marketable securities categorized as “available-for-sale” are stated at fair value. The Company uses quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (consistent with the Level

1

definition in the fair value hierarchy) to measure the fair value of its investments on a recurring basis pursuant to ASC

820,

Fair Value Measurement

. As of

June 30, 2017

and

September 30, 2016,

unrealized gains of

$147,161,000

and

$108,256,000,

respectively, were recorded before taxes of

$57,240,000

and

$42,250,000

, respectively, in “Accumulated other comprehensive income” in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Most of the unrealized gains were in the common stocks of

three

U.S. financial institutions.

Investments in equity securities and securities with fixed maturity as of

June 30, 2017

and

September 30, 2016

are summarized below.

	June 30, 2017						September 30, 2016
	(Unaudited)
	Aggregate fair value		Amortized/ Adjusted cost basis		Pretax unrealized gains		Aggregate fair value		Amortized/ Adjusted cost basis		Pretax unrealized gains
Marketable securities
Common stocks	$	202,149,000	$	58,449,000	$	143,700,000	$	158,462,000	$	53,436,000	$	105,026,000
Bonds		8,404,000		4,943,000		3,461,000		8,172,000		4,942,000		3,230,000
	$	210,553,000	$	63,392,000	$	147,161,000	$	166,634,000	$	58,378,000	$	108,256,000

All investments are classified as “Current assets” because they are available for sale at any time. The bonds mature in

2039.

As of

June 30, 2017,

the Company performed an evaluation for an equity security with a fair value below cost to determine if the unrealized loss was other-than-temporary. This evaluation considers a number of factors including, but

not

limited to, the length of time and extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near term prospects of the issuer and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the security until fair value recovers. The assessment of the ability and intent to hold this security to recovery focuses on liquidity needs, asset/liability management objectives and security portfolio objectives. Based on the result of the evaluation, the Company concluded that as of

June 30, 2017,

the unrealized loss related to an equity security it owns was temporary.

XML

Note 8 - Revenue Recognition

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Deferred Revenue Disclosure [Text Block]

Note

8

– Revenue Recognition

For the Company’s traditional publishing business (the “Traditional Business”), proceeds from the sale of subscriptions for newspapers, court rule books and other publications and other services are recorded as deferred revenue and are included in earned revenue only when the services are provided, generally over the subscription term. Advertising revenues are recognized when advertisements are published and are net of commissions.

Journal Technologies recognizes revenues in accordance with the provisions of ASC

985

-

605,

Software—Revenue Recognition

. Revenues from software product sales are generally recognized upon delivery, installation or acceptance pursuant to a signed agreement. Revenues from license and maintenance agreements generally call for the Company to provide software updates and upgrades to customers and are recognized ratably over the maintenance period. Consulting and other services are recognized upon completion of the services and acceptance by the customers under the completed performance method. The Company elects to use the completed performance method because each customer’s acceptance is unpredictable and reliable estimates of the progress towards completion cannot be made. Only upon completion and a customer’s acceptance does the customer realize value, and any advances are generally

no

longer at risk of refund and are therefore considered earned. Other public service fees, as disclosed in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), are primarily service fees earned and recognized as revenues at the time when the Company processes credit card payments on behalf of the courts via its ePayIt secure websites through which the general public can pay traffic citations.

The Company has established Vendor Specific Objective Evidence (VSOE) of the fair value of annual maintenance because a substantial majority of Journal Technologies’ actual maintenance renewals is within a narrow range of pricing as a percentage of the underlying license fees for the legacy contracts and is deemed substantive. Approximately

57%

and

55%

of the Company’s revenues during the

nine

- and

three

-month periods ended

June 30, 2017,

respectively, were derived from Journal Technologies, as compared with

58%

and

53%

in the prior year periods.

XML

Note 9 - Income Taxes

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]

Note

9

- Income Taxes

Taxes

For the

nine

months ended

June 30, 2017,

the Company recorded an income tax benefit of

$6,015,000

on pretax loss of

$5,858,000.

The Company had an

accrued liability of approximately

$2,655,000

for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits relating to an acquisition in fiscal

2013.

During the

second

quarter of fiscal

2017,

the Internal Revenue Service concluded its examination of the Company’s fiscal

2014

income tax return and proposed

no

changes to the tax position that gave rise to this liability. Consequently, this liability was reversed in

March 2017

along with the related accrued interest and penalty expenses of

$743,000.

In addition, a deferred tax liability, in the amount of

$352,000,

relating to temporary differences that would only exist if the uncertain tax position was never recognized, was reversed.

The income tax benefit was also the result of applying the effective tax rate anticipated for fiscal

2017

to pretax loss for the

nine

-month period ended

June 30, 2017.

The effective tax rate (before the discrete item discussed above) was greater than the statutory rate primarily due to the dividends received deduction which increases the loss for tax purposes.  On pretax loss of

$606,000

for the

nine

months ended

June 30, 2016,

the Company recorded an income tax benefit of

$525,000

which was the net result of applying the effective tax rate anticipated for fiscal

2016

to pretax loss for the

nine

months ended

June 30, 2016.

The Company’s effective tax rate was

103%

and

87%

for the

nine

months ended

June 30, 2017

and

2016,

respectively. 

The Company files consolidated federal income tax returns in the United States and with various state jurisdictions and is

no

longer subject to examinations for fiscal years before fiscal

2015

with regard to federal income taxes and fiscal

2013

for state income taxes.

XML

Note 10 - Debt and Commitments and Contingencies

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Commitments Disclosure [Text Block]

Note

10

- Debt and Commitments and Contingencies

The Company borrowed from its investment margin account during fiscal

2013

the purchase price of

two

acquisitions aggregating

$29.5

million, in each case pledging its marketable securities as collateral. The interest rate for these investment margin account borrowings fluctuates based on the Federal Funds Rate plus

50

basis points with interest only payable monthly. The interest rate as of

June 30, 2017

was

1.75%.

These investment margin account borrowings do

not

mature.

In

November 2015,

the Company purchased a

30,700

square foot office building constructed in

1998

on about

3.6

acres in Logan, Utah that had been previously leased by Journal Technologies. The Company paid

$1.24

million and financed the balance with a real estate bank loan of

$2.26

million which bears a fixed interest rate of

4.66%

and is repayable in equal monthly installments of about

$17,600

through

2030.

This loan is secured by the Logan facility and can be paid off at any time without prepayment penalty. This real estate loan had a balance of approximately

$2.1

million as of

June 30, 2017.

The Company owns its facilities in Los Angeles and leases space for its other offices under operating leases which expire at various dates through fiscal

2020.

The Company is responsible for a portion of maintenance, insurance and property tax expenses relating to these leased properties and certain other leased properties. Rental expenses were

$537,000

and

$181,000

for the

nine

- and

three

-month periods ended

June 30, 2017,

respectively, as compared with

$579,000

and

$164,000

in the prior year periods.

From time to time, the Company is subject to contingencies, including litigation, arising in the normal course of its business. While it is

not

possible to predict the results of such contingencies, management does

not

believe the ultimate outcome of these matters will have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations or cash flows.

XML

Note 11 - Operating Segments

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]

Note

11

- Operating Segments

The Company’s reportable segments are: (i) the Traditional Business and (ii) Journal Technologies. All inter-segment transactions were eliminated. Summarized financial information regarding the Company’s reportable segments is shown in the following table:

	Reportable Segments
	Traditional Business			Journal Technologies			Corporate income and expenses			Total
Nine months ended June 30, 2017
Revenues
Advertising	$	6,833,000		$	---		$	---		$	6,833,000
Circulation		4,258,000			---			---			4,258,000
Advertising service fees and other		2,111,000			---			---			2,111,000
Licensing and maintenance fees		---			11,764,000			---			11,764,000
Consulting fees		---			3,027,000			---			3,027,000
Other public service fees		---			2,477,000			---			2,477,000
Operating expenses		13,295,000			26,927,000			---			40,222,000
Loss from operations		(93,000	)		(9,659,000	)		---			(9,752,000	)
Dividends and interest income		---			---			3,491,000			3,491,000
Other income		22,000			---			3,000			25,000
Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate		(75,000	)		---			---			(75,000	)
Interest expenses on margin loans		---			---			(290,000	)		(290,000	)
Interest and penalty expense reversal for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits		---			743,000			---			743,000
Pretax income (loss)		(146,000	)		(8,916,000	)		3,204,000			(5,858,000	)
Income tax (expense) benefit		(125,000	)		6,690,000			(550,000	)		6,015,000
Net income (loss)		(271,000	)		(2,226,000	)		2,654,000			157,000
Total assets		16,333,000			34,517,000			210,553,000			261,403,000
Capital expenditures		160,000			91,000			---			251,000
Amortization of intangible assets		---			3,671,000			---			3,671,000

	Reportable Segments
	Traditional Business			Journal Technologies			Corporate income and expenses			Total
Nine months ended June 30, 2016
Revenues
Advertising	$	7,382,000		$	---		$	---		$	7,382,000
Circulation		4,431,000			---			---			4,431,000
Advertising service fees and other		2,014,000			---			---			2,014,000
Licensing and maintenance fees		---			11,433,000			---			11,433,000
Consulting fees		---			3,788,000			---			3,788,000
Other public service fees		---			3,547,000			---			3,547,000
Operating expenses		12,911,000			23,004,000			---			35,915,000
Income (loss) from operations		916,000			(4,236,000	)		---			(3,320,000	)
Dividends and interest income		---			---			3,013,000			3,013,000
Other income		37,000			---			9,000			46,000
Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate		(62,000	)		---			---			(62,000	)
Interest expenses on margin loans		---			---			(208,000	)		(208,000	)
Interest expense accrued for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits		---			(75,000	)		---			(75,000	)
Pretax income (loss)		891,000			(4,311,000	)		2,814,000			(606,000	)
Income tax (expense) benefit		(685,000	)		1,680,000			(470,000	)		525,000
Net income (loss)		206,000			(2,631,000	)		2,344,000			(81,000	)
Total assets		18,553,000			40,119,000			161,250,000			219,922,000
Capital expenditures, including purchase of Logan building		3,635,000			35,000			---			3,670,000
Amortization of intangible assets		106,000			3,671,000			---			3,777,000

	Reportable Segments
	Traditional Business			Journal Technologies			Corporate income and expenses			Total
Three months ended June 30, 2017
Revenues
Advertising	$	2,400,000		$	---		$	---		$	2,400,000
Circulation		1,385,000			---			---			1,385,000
Advertising service fees and other		778,000			---			---			778,000
Licensing and maintenance fees		---			3,916,000			---			3,916,000
Consulting fees		---			869,000			---			869,000
Other public service fees		---			853,000			---			853,000
Operating expenses		4,432,000			9,402,000			---			13,834,000
Loss from operations		131,000			(3,764,000	)		---			(3,633,000	)
Dividends and interest income		---			---			952,000			952,000
Other income		1,000			---			3,000			4,000
Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate		(24,000	)		---			---			(24,000	)
Interest expenses on margin loans		---			---			(115,000	)		(115,000	)
Pretax income (loss)		108,000			(3,764,000	)		840,000			(2,816,000	)
Income tax (expense) benefit		(50,000	)		1,570,000			(55,000	)		1,465,000
Net income (loss)		58,000			(2,194,000	)		785,000			(1,351,000	)
Total assets		16,333,000			34,517,000			210,553,000			261,403,000
Capital expenditures		---			57,000			---			57,000
Amortization of intangible assets		---			1,224,000			---			1,224,000

	Reportable Segments
	Traditional Business			Journal Technologies			Corporate income and expenses			Total
Three months ended June 30, 2016
Revenues
Advertising	$	2,715,000		$	---		$	---		$	2,715,000
Circulation		1,467,000			---			---			1,467,000
Advertising service fees and other		720,000			---			---			720,000
Licensing and maintenance fees		---			3,679,000			---			3,679,000
Consulting fees		---			748,000			---			748,000
Other public service fees		---			1,009,000			---			1,009,000
Operating expenses		4,136,000			7,984,000			---			12,120,000
Income (loss) from operations		766,000			(2,548,000	)		---			(1,782,000	)
Dividends and interest income		---			---			1,277,000			1,277,000
Other income		16,000			---			---			16,000
Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate		(26,000	)		---			---			(26,000	)
Interest expenses on margin loans		---			---			(82,000	)		(82,000	)
Interest expense accrued for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits		---			(26,000	)		---			(26,000	)
Pretax income (loss)		756,000			(2,574,000	)		1,195,000			(623,000	)
Income tax (expense) benefit		(520,000	)		1,010,000			(205,000	)		285,000
Net income (loss)		236,000			(1,564,000	)		990,000			(338,000	)
Total assets		18,553,000			40,119,000			161,250,000			219,922,000
Capital expenditures		10,000			32,000			---			42,000
Amortization of intangible assets		35,000			1,224,000			---			1,259,000

XML

Note 12 - Subsequent Events

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Subsequent Events [Text Block]

Note

12

- Subsequent Events

The Company has completed an evaluation of all subsequent events through the issuance date of these financial statements and concluded that

no

subsequent events occurred that required recognition to the financial statements or disclosures in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements or cash flows.

XML

Note 5 - Intangible Assets (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Notes Tables

Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]

Intangible Assets
	June 30, 2017									September 30, 2016
	Customer Relationships			Developed Technology			Total			Customer Relationships			Developed Technology			Total
Gross intangibles	$	21,950,000		$	2,525,000		$	24,475,000		$	22,104,000		$	2,525,000		$	24,629,000
Accumulated amortization		(18,077,000	)		(2,116,000	)		(20,193,000	)		(14,938,000	)		(1,738,000	)		(16,676,000	)
	$	3,873,000		$	409,000		$	4,282,000		$	7,166,000		$	787,000		$	7,953,000

XML

Note 7 - Investments in Marketable Securities (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Notes Tables

Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

	June 30, 2017						September 30, 2016
	(Unaudited)
	Aggregate fair value		Amortized/ Adjusted cost basis		Pretax unrealized gains		Aggregate fair value		Amortized/ Adjusted cost basis		Pretax unrealized gains
Marketable securities
Common stocks	$	202,149,000	$	58,449,000	$	143,700,000	$	158,462,000	$	53,436,000	$	105,026,000
Bonds		8,404,000		4,943,000		3,461,000		8,172,000		4,942,000		3,230,000
	$	210,553,000	$	63,392,000	$	147,161,000	$	166,634,000	$	58,378,000	$	108,256,000

XML

Note 11 - Operating Segments (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Notes Tables

Schedule of Segment Reporting Information, by Segment [Table Text Block]

	Reportable Segments
	Traditional Business			Journal Technologies			Corporate income and expenses			Total
Nine months ended June 30, 2017
Revenues
Advertising	$	6,833,000		$	---		$	---		$	6,833,000
Circulation		4,258,000			---			---			4,258,000
Advertising service fees and other		2,111,000			---			---			2,111,000
Licensing and maintenance fees		---			11,764,000			---			11,764,000
Consulting fees		---			3,027,000			---			3,027,000
Other public service fees		---			2,477,000			---			2,477,000
Operating expenses		13,295,000			26,927,000			---			40,222,000
Loss from operations		(93,000	)		(9,659,000	)		---			(9,752,000	)
Dividends and interest income		---			---			3,491,000			3,491,000
Other income		22,000			---			3,000			25,000
Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate		(75,000	)		---			---			(75,000	)
Interest expenses on margin loans		---			---			(290,000	)		(290,000	)
Interest and penalty expense reversal for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits		---			743,000			---			743,000
Pretax income (loss)		(146,000	)		(8,916,000	)		3,204,000			(5,858,000	)
Income tax (expense) benefit		(125,000	)		6,690,000			(550,000	)		6,015,000
Net income (loss)		(271,000	)		(2,226,000	)		2,654,000			157,000
Total assets		16,333,000			34,517,000			210,553,000			261,403,000
Capital expenditures		160,000			91,000			---			251,000
Amortization of intangible assets		---			3,671,000			---			3,671,000

	Reportable Segments
	Traditional Business			Journal Technologies			Corporate income and expenses			Total
Nine months ended June 30, 2016
Revenues
Advertising	$	7,382,000		$	---		$	---		$	7,382,000
Circulation		4,431,000			---			---			4,431,000
Advertising service fees and other		2,014,000			---			---			2,014,000
Licensing and maintenance fees		---			11,433,000			---			11,433,000
Consulting fees		---			3,788,000			---			3,788,000
Other public service fees		---			3,547,000			---			3,547,000
Operating expenses		12,911,000			23,004,000			---			35,915,000
Income (loss) from operations		916,000			(4,236,000	)		---			(3,320,000	)
Dividends and interest income		---			---			3,013,000			3,013,000
Other income		37,000			---			9,000			46,000
Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate		(62,000	)		---			---			(62,000	)
Interest expenses on margin loans		---			---			(208,000	)		(208,000	)
Interest expense accrued for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits		---			(75,000	)		---			(75,000	)
Pretax income (loss)		891,000			(4,311,000	)		2,814,000			(606,000	)
Income tax (expense) benefit		(685,000	)		1,680,000			(470,000	)		525,000
Net income (loss)		206,000			(2,631,000	)		2,344,000			(81,000	)
Total assets		18,553,000			40,119,000			161,250,000			219,922,000
Capital expenditures, including purchase of Logan building		3,635,000			35,000			---			3,670,000
Amortization of intangible assets		106,000			3,671,000			---			3,777,000

	Reportable Segments
	Traditional Business			Journal Technologies			Corporate income and expenses			Total
Three months ended June 30, 2017
Revenues
Advertising	$	2,400,000		$	---		$	---		$	2,400,000
Circulation		1,385,000			---			---			1,385,000
Advertising service fees and other		778,000			---			---			778,000
Licensing and maintenance fees		---			3,916,000			---			3,916,000
Consulting fees		---			869,000			---			869,000
Other public service fees		---			853,000			---			853,000
Operating expenses		4,432,000			9,402,000			---			13,834,000
Loss from operations		131,000			(3,764,000	)		---			(3,633,000	)
Dividends and interest income		---			---			952,000			952,000
Other income		1,000			---			3,000			4,000
Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate		(24,000	)		---			---			(24,000	)
Interest expenses on margin loans		---			---			(115,000	)		(115,000	)
Pretax income (loss)		108,000			(3,764,000	)		840,000			(2,816,000	)
Income tax (expense) benefit		(50,000	)		1,570,000			(55,000	)		1,465,000
Net income (loss)		58,000			(2,194,000	)		785,000			(1,351,000	)
Total assets		16,333,000			34,517,000			210,553,000			261,403,000
Capital expenditures		---			57,000			---			57,000
Amortization of intangible assets		---			1,224,000			---			1,224,000

	Reportable Segments
	Traditional Business			Journal Technologies			Corporate income and expenses			Total
Three months ended June 30, 2016
Revenues
Advertising	$	2,715,000		$	---		$	---		$	2,715,000
Circulation		1,467,000			---			---			1,467,000
Advertising service fees and other		720,000			---			---			720,000
Licensing and maintenance fees		---			3,679,000			---			3,679,000
Consulting fees		---			748,000			---			748,000
Other public service fees		---			1,009,000			---			1,009,000
Operating expenses		4,136,000			7,984,000			---			12,120,000
Income (loss) from operations		766,000			(2,548,000	)		---			(1,782,000	)
Dividends and interest income		---			---			1,277,000			1,277,000
Other income		16,000			---			---			16,000
Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate		(26,000	)		---			---			(26,000	)
Interest expenses on margin loans		---			---			(82,000	)		(82,000	)
Interest expense accrued for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits		---			(26,000	)		---			(26,000	)
Pretax income (loss)		756,000			(2,574,000	)		1,195,000			(623,000	)
Income tax (expense) benefit		(520,000	)		1,010,000			(205,000	)		285,000
Net income (loss)		236,000			(1,564,000	)		990,000			(338,000	)
Total assets		18,553,000			40,119,000			161,250,000			219,922,000
Capital expenditures		10,000			32,000			---			42,000
Amortization of intangible assets		35,000			1,224,000			---			1,259,000

XML

Note 5 - Intangible Assets (Details Textual) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life			5 years
Finite Lived Intangible Asset, Useful Life for Tax Purposes			15 years
Amortization of Intangible Assets	$ 1,224,000	$ 1,259,000	$ 3,671,000	$ 3,777,000

XML

Note 5 - Intangible Assets - Summary of Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Gross intangibles	$ 24,475,000	$ 24,629,000
Accumulated amortization	(20,193,000)	(16,676,000)
	4,282,000	7,953,000
Customer Relationships [Member]
Gross intangibles	21,950,000	22,104,000
Accumulated amortization	(18,077,000)	(14,938,000)
	3,873,000	7,166,000
Developed Technology Rights [Member]
Gross intangibles	2,525,000	2,525,000
Accumulated amortization	(2,116,000)	(1,738,000)
	$ 409,000	$ 787,000

XML

Note 6 - Goodwill (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
Goodwill, Useful Life for Tax Purposes	15 years
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0

XML

Note 7 - Investments in Marketable Securities (Details Textual) - USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Available-for-sale Securities, Accumulated Gross Unrealized Gain, before Tax	$ 147,161,000	$ 108,256,000
Deferred Tax Liabilities, Investments	$ 57,240,000	$ 42,250,000

XML

Note 7 - Investments in Marketable Securities - Summary of Investments (Details) - USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Amortized/Adjusted cost basis	$ 63,392,000	$ 58,378,000
Pretax unrealized gains	147,161,000	108,256,000
Aggregate fair value	210,553,000	166,634,000
Equity Securities [Member]
Amortized/Adjusted cost basis	58,449,000	53,436,000
Pretax unrealized gains	143,700,000	105,026,000
Aggregate fair value	202,149,000	158,462,000
Debt Securities [Member]
Amortized/Adjusted cost basis	4,943,000	4,942,000
Pretax unrealized gains	3,461,000	3,230,000
Aggregate fair value	$ 8,404,000	$ 8,172,000

XML

Note 8 - Revenue Recognition (Details Textual)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016
Product Concentration Risk [Member] | Sales Revenue, Net [Member]
Concentration Risk, Percentage	55.00%	53.00%	57.00%	58.00%

XML

Note 9 - Income Taxes (Details Textual) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)		$ (1,465,000)	$ (285,000)	$ (6,015,000)	$ (525,000)
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Accumulated Reduction	$ 743,000
Deferred Tax Liability, Reversal	$ 352,000
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Noncontrolling Interest		$ (2,816,000)	$ (623,000)	$ (5,858,000)	$ (606,000)
Liability for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, Noncurrent						$ 2,655,000
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Percent				103.00%	87.00%

XML

Note 10 - Debt and Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Nov. 30, 2015 USD ($) ft² a	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2013 USD ($)
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment		$ 57,000	$ 42,000	$ 251,000	$ 3,670,000
Operating Leases, Rent Expense		$ 181,000	$ 164,000	$ 537,000	$ 579,000
Utah [Member] | Building [Member]
Area of Real Estate Property | ft²	30,700
Utah [Member] | Land [Member]
Area of Land | a	3.6
Utah [Member] | Land and Building [Member]
Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment	$ 1,240,000
Margin Account [Member]
Proceeds from Issuance of Debt						$ 29,500,000
Margin Account [Member] | Fed Funds Rate [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate						0.50%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage		1.75%		1.75%
Real Estate Bank Loan Secured by Logan Office [Member]
Long-term Debt, Percentage Bearing Fixed Interest, Percentage Rate	4.66%
Debt Instrument, Periodic Payment	$ 17,600
Loans Payable to Bank	$ 2,260,000	$ 2,100,000		$ 2,100,000

XML

Note 11 - Operating Segments - Summarized Financial Information for Reportable Segments (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016
Amortization of intangible assets	$ 1,224,000	$ 1,259,000	$ 3,671,000	$ 3,777,000
Advertising	2,400,000	2,715,000	6,833,000	7,382,000
Circulation	1,385,000	1,467,000	4,258,000	4,431,000
Advertising service fees and other	778,000	720,000	2,111,000	2,014,000
Licensing and maintenance fees	3,916,000	3,679,000	11,764,000	11,433,000
Consulting fees	869,000	748,000	3,027,000	3,788,000
Other public service fees	853,000	1,009,000	2,477,000	3,547,000
Operating expenses	13,834,000	12,120,000	40,222,000	35,915,000
Income (loss) from operations	(3,633,000)	(1,782,000)	(9,752,000)	(3,320,000)
Dividends and interest income	952,000	1,277,000	3,491,000	3,013,000
Other income and capital gains	4,000	16,000	25,000	46,000
Interest and penalty expense reversal for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits		(26,000)	743,000	(75,000)
Pretax income (loss)	(2,816,000)	(623,000)	(5,858,000)	(606,000)
Income tax (expense) benefit	1,465,000	285,000	6,015,000	525,000
Net income (loss)	(1,351,000)	(338,000)	157,000	(81,000)
Total assets	261,403,000	219,922,000	261,403,000	219,922,000	$ 225,446,000
Capital expenditures	57,000	42,000	251,000	3,670,000
Real Estate Bank Loan Secured by Logan Office [Member]
Interest expense on debt	(24,000)	(26,000)	(75,000)	(62,000)
Margin Account [Member]
Interest expense on debt	(115,000)	(82,000)	(290,000)	(208,000)
Operating Segments [Member] | Traditional Business [Member]
Amortization of intangible assets		35,000		106,000
Advertising	2,400,000	2,715,000	6,833,000	7,382,000
Circulation	1,385,000	1,467,000	4,258,000	4,431,000
Advertising service fees and other	778,000	720,000	2,111,000	2,014,000
Licensing and maintenance fees
Consulting fees
Other public service fees
Operating expenses	4,432,000	4,136,000	13,295,000	12,911,000
Income (loss) from operations	131,000	766,000	(93,000)	916,000
Dividends and interest income
Other income and capital gains	1,000	16,000	22,000	37,000
Interest and penalty expense reversal for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits
Pretax income (loss)	108,000	756,000	(146,000)	891,000
Income tax (expense) benefit	(50,000)	(520,000)	(125,000)	(685,000)
Net income (loss)	58,000	236,000	(271,000)	206,000
Total assets	16,333,000	18,553,000	16,333,000	18,553,000
Capital expenditures		10,000	160,000	3,635,000
Operating Segments [Member] | Traditional Business [Member] | Real Estate Bank Loan Secured by Logan Office [Member]
Interest expense on debt	(24,000)	(26,000)	(75,000)	(62,000)
Operating Segments [Member] | Traditional Business [Member] | Margin Account [Member]
Interest expense on debt
Operating Segments [Member] | Journal Technologies [Member]
Amortization of intangible assets	1,224,000	1,224,000	3,671,000	3,671,000
Advertising
Circulation
Advertising service fees and other
Licensing and maintenance fees	3,916,000	3,679,000	11,764,000	11,433,000
Consulting fees	869,000	748,000	3,027,000	3,788,000
Other public service fees	853,000	1,009,000	2,477,000	3,547,000
Operating expenses	9,402,000	7,984,000	26,927,000	23,004,000
Income (loss) from operations	(3,764,000)	(2,548,000)	(9,659,000)	(4,236,000)
Dividends and interest income
Other income and capital gains
Interest and penalty expense reversal for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits		(26,000)	743,000	(75,000)
Pretax income (loss)	(3,764,000)	(2,574,000)	(8,916,000)	(4,311,000)
Income tax (expense) benefit	1,570,000	1,010,000	6,690,000	1,680,000
Net income (loss)	(2,194,000)	(1,564,000)	(2,226,000)	(2,631,000)
Total assets	34,517,000	40,119,000	34,517,000	40,119,000
Capital expenditures	57,000	32,000	91,000	35,000
Operating Segments [Member] | Journal Technologies [Member] | Real Estate Bank Loan Secured by Logan Office [Member]
Interest expense on debt
Operating Segments [Member] | Journal Technologies [Member] | Margin Account [Member]
Interest expense on debt
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Amortization of intangible assets
Advertising
Circulation
Advertising service fees and other
Licensing and maintenance fees
Consulting fees
Other public service fees
Operating expenses
Income (loss) from operations
Dividends and interest income	952,000	1,277,000	3,491,000	3,013,000
Other income and capital gains	3,000		3,000	9,000
Interest and penalty expense reversal for uncertain and unrecognized tax benefits
Pretax income (loss)	840,000	1,195,000	3,204,000	2,814,000
Income tax (expense) benefit	(55,000)	(205,000)	(550,000)	(470,000)
Net income (loss)	785,000	990,000	2,654,000	2,344,000
Total assets	210,553,000	161,250,000	210,553,000	161,250,000
Capital expenditures
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] | Real Estate Bank Loan Secured by Logan Office [Member]
Interest expense on debt
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member] | Margin Account [Member]
Interest expense on debt	$ (115,000)	$ (82,000)	$ (290,000)	$ (208,000)