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 March 31, 2024

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)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class	Trading Symbol(s)	Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock	DJCO	The Nasdaq Stock Market

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: ☒         No:  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files).

Yes: ☒         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:  ☐
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:  ☒

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date: 1,377,026 shares outstanding at April 30, 2024

1

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

INDEX

	Page Nos.
PART I Financial Information
Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)
Consolidated Balance Sheets ‑ March 31, 2024 and September 30, 2023	3
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income ‑ Three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023	4
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income ‑ Six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023	5
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity ‑ Six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023	6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows ‑ Six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023	7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	8
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	15
Item 4. Controls and Procedures	22
Part II Other Information
Item 6. Exhibits	23

2

PART I

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

	March 31			September 30
	2024			2023
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	10,557,000		$	20,844,000
Restricted cash		2,144,000			2,100,000
Non-qualified deferred compensation plan - trust account asset value		522,000			194,000
Marketable securities at fair value -- common stocks		297,003,000			303,128,000
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $250,000 at March 31, 2024 and September 30, 2023		15,624,000			18,687,000
Inventories		64,000			72,000
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		514,000			380,000
Total current assets		326,428,000			345,405,000
Property, plant and equipment, at cost
Land, buildings and improvements		16,418,000			16,400,000
Furniture, office equipment and computer software		1,697,000			1,703,000
Machinery and equipment		1,521,000			1,521,000
		19,636,000			19,624,000
Less accumulated depreciation		(10,386,000	)		(10,264,000	)
		9,250,000			9,360,000
Operating lease right-of-use assets		69,000			95,000
	$	335,747,000		$	354,860,000
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Accounts payable	$	6,070,000		$	6,643,000
Accrued liabilities		6,054,000			8,789,000
Income tax payable		2,550,000			1,069,000
Note payable collateralized by real estate		161,000			158,000
Deferred subscriptions		2,562,000			2,678,000
Deferred consulting fees		4,228,000			5,828,000
Deferred maintenance agreements and others		14,772,000			17,033,000
Total current liabilities		36,397,000			42,198,000
Long term liabilities
Investment margin account borrowings		29,421,000			75,000,000
Note payable collateralized by real estate		1,038,000			1,120,000
Deferred maintenance agreements		816,000			1,000,000
Accrued liabilities		3,421,000			4,274,000
Accrued non-qualified deferred compensation		509,000			200,000
Deferred income taxes		35,646,000			30,599,000
Total long-term liabilities		70,851,000			112,193,000
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 10 and 11)
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 428,027 treasury shares, at March 31, 2024 and September 30, 2023		14,000			14,000
Additional paid-in capital		1,755,000			1,755,000
Retained earnings		226,730,000			198,700,000
Total shareholders' equity		228,499,000			200,469,000
	$	335,747,000		$	354,860,000

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

3

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

	Three months ended March 31
	2024			2023
Revenues
Advertising	$	2,316,000		$	2,204,000
Circulation		1,099,000			1,108,000
Advertising service fees and other		697,000			778,000
Licensing and maintenance fees		6,854,000			5,679,000
Consulting fees		3,199,000			4,433,000
Other public service fees		2,406,000			1,952,000
		16,571,000			16,154,000
Costs and expenses
Salaries and employee benefits		12,011,000			10,147,000
Decrease to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual		(410,000	)		(200,000	)
Agency commissions		299,000			233,000
Outside services		1,583,000			1,749,000
Postage and delivery expenses		183,000			167,000
Newsprint and printing expenses		160,000			193,000
Depreciation and amortization		67,000			70,000
Equipment maintenance and software		336,000			354,000
Credit card merchant discount fees		558,000			455,000
Rent expenses		71,000			74,000
Accounting and legal fees		155,000			222,000
Other general and administrative expenses		925,000			1,065,000
		15,938,000			14,529,000
Income from operations		633,000			1,625,000
Other income (expense)
Dividends and interest income		1,289,000			4,063,000
Realized gains on sales of marketable securities		14,261,000			-
Net unrealized gains on marketable securities		5,503,000			8,644,000
Interest expense on margin loans and others		(1,056,000	)		(1,052,000	)
Interest expense on note payable collateralized by real estate		(10,000	)		(12,000	)
Income before income taxes		20,620,000			13,268,000
Income tax provisions		(5,205,000	)		(3,835,000	)
Net income	$	15,415,000		$	9,433,000
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted		1,377,026			1,377,026
Basic and diluted net income per share	$	11.19		$	6.85
Comprehensive income	$	15,415,000		$	9,433,000

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

4

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

	Six months ended March 31
	2024			2023
Revenues
Advertising	$	4,403,000		$	4,194,000
Circulation		2,194,000			2,206,000
Advertising service fees and other		1,402,000			1,477,000
Licensing and maintenance fees		13,411,000			10,074,000
Consulting fees		6,501,000			6,755,000
Other public service fees		4,653,000			3,749,000
		32,564,000			28,455,000
Costs and expenses
Salaries and employee benefits		23,358,000			19,778,000
Decrease to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual		(830,000	)		(720,000	)
Agency commissions		542,000			444,000
Outside services		3,250,000			2,979,000
Postage and delivery expenses		359,000			334,000
Newsprint and printing expenses		365,000			392,000
Depreciation and amortization		133,000			145,000
Equipment maintenance and software		712,000			657,000
Credit card merchant discount fees		1,110,000			880,000
Rent expenses		141,000			143,000
Accounting and legal fees		411,000			495,000
Other general and administrative expenses		1,757,000			2,019,000
		31,308,000			27,546,000
Income from operations		1,256,000			909,000
Other income (expense)
Dividends and interest income		2,858,000			5,132,000
Realized gains on sales of marketable securities		14,261,000			422,000
Net unrealized gains on marketable securities		20,193,000			32,669,000
Interest expense on margin loans and others		(2,187,000	)		(1,913,000	)
Interest expense on note payable collateralized by real estate		(21,000	)		(24,000	)
Income before income taxes		36,360,000			37,195,000
Income tax provisions		(8,330,000	)		(9,935,000	)
Net income	$	28,030,000		$	27,260,000
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted		1,377,026			1,377,026
Basic and diluted net income (loss) per share	$	20.36		$	19.80
Comprehensive income	$	28,030,000		$	27,260.000

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

5

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited)

											Additional				Total
	Common Stock				Treasury Stock						Paid-in		Retained		Shareholders'
	Share		Amount		Share			Amount			Capital		Earnings		Equity
Balance at September 30, 2022		1,805,053	$	18,000		(428,027	)	$	(4,000	)	$	1,755,000	$	177,248,000	$	179,017,000
Net income		-		-		-			-			-		17,827,000		17,827,000
Balance at December 31, 2022		1,805,053		18,000		(428,027	)		(4,000	)		1,755,000		195,075,000		196,844,000
Net income		-		-		-			-			-		9,433,000		9,433,000
Balance at March 31, 2023		1,805,053	$	18,000		(428,027	)	$	(4,000	)	$	1,755,000	$	204,508,000	$	206,277,000
Balance at September 30, 2023		1,805,053	$	18,000		(428,027	)	$	(4,000	)	$	1,755,000	$	198,700,000	$	200,469,000
Net income		-		-		-			-			-		12,615,000		12,615,000
Balance at December 31, 2023		1,805,053		18,000		(428,027	)		(4,000	)		1,755,000		211,315,000		213,084,000
Net income		-		-		-			-			-		15,415,000		15,415,000
Balance at March 31, 2024		1,805,053	$	18,000		(428,027	)	$	(4,000	)	$	1,755,000	$	226,730,000	$	228,499,000

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

6

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

	Six months ended March 31
	2024			2023
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$	28,030,000		$	27,260,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided from operations
Depreciation and amortization		133,000			145,000
Net unrealized gains on marketable securities		(20,193,000	)		(32,669,000	)
Realized gains on sales of marketable securities		(14,261,000	)		(422,000	)
Stock dividends		-			(2,978,000	)
Deferred income taxes		5,047,000			9,614,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (Increase) decrease in current assets
Accounts receivable, net		3,063,000			3,416,000
Inventories		8,000			(42,000	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(108,000	)		25,000
Income tax receivable		-			269,000
Increase (decrease) in liabilities
Accounts payable		(573,000	)		(643,000	)
Accrued liabilities, including non-qualified deferred compensation		(3,279,000	)		(2,998,000	)
Income tax payable		1,481,000			-
Deferred subscriptions		(116,000	)		(127,000	)
Deferred consulting fees		(1,600,000	)		1,627,000
Deferred maintenance agreements and others		(2,445,000	)		(747,000	)
Net cash (used in) provided from operating activities		(4,813,000	)		1,730,000
Cash flows from investing activities
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities		40,579,000			2,826,000
Purchases of marketable securities		-			(10,001,000	)
Purchases of property, plant and equipment		(23,000	)		(74,000	)
Net cash provided from (used in) investing activities		40,556,000			(7,249,000	)
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from margin loan borrowing		-			6,011,000
Payment to margin loan borrowing		(45,579,000	)		(11,000	)
Payment of real estate loan principal		(79,000	)		(77,000	)
Net cash (used in) provided from financing activities		(45,658,000	)		5,923,000
(Decrease) increase in cash and restricted cash and cash equivalents		(9,915,000	)		404,000
Cash and restricted cash and cash equivalents
Beginning of period		23,138,000			15,468,000
End of period	$	13,223,000		$	15,872,000
Interest paid during period	$	2,198,000		$	1,869,000
Net income taxes paid	$	1,802,000		$	52,000

See accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

7

DAILY JOURNAL CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

Note 1 - The Corporation and Operations

Daily Journal Corporation (“Daily Journal”) publishes newspapers and websites covering California and Arizona and produces several specialized information services. It also serves as a newspaper representative specializing in public notice advertising. This is sometimes referred to as the Company’s “Traditional Business”.

Journal Technologies, Inc. (“Journal Technologies”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, 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 the public, including e-filing and a website to pay traffic citations and fees online. These products are licensed or subscribed to in approximately 30 states, and internationally.

Essentially all of the Company’s U.S. operations are based in California, Arizona and Utah. The Company also has a presence in Australia where Journal Technologies is working on three software installation projects and in British Columbia, Canada, where the Company established a new wholly-owned subsidiary, Journal Technologies (Canada) Inc., in August 2022.

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 March 31, 2024, its results of operations for the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, its consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity for the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 and cash flows for the six-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. The results of operations for the six months ended March 31, 2034 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, 2023.

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

8

Note 3 - Accounting Standards Adopted in Fiscal 2024

On October 1, 2023, the Company adopted Current Expected Credit Losses, a credit loss accounting standard (model) issued by the Financial Accounting Stands Board, requiring financial assets measured at amortized cost to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected, through an allowance for credit losses that is deducted from the amortized cost basis. The standard eliminates the threshold for initial recognition in current U.S. GAAP and reflects an entity’s current estimate of all expected credit losses. The measurement of expected credit losses is based on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the financial assets. The adoption of this guidance has no material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Note 4 – Right-of-Use (ROU) Asset

At March 31, 2024, the Company had a ROU asset and lease liability of approximately $69,000 for its operating office and equipment leases, including approximately $21,000 beyond one year.  Operating office and equipment leases are included in operating lease ROU assets, current accrued liabilities and long-term accrued liabilities in the Company’s accompanying consolidated balance sheets. 

Note 5 – Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenues in accordance with the provisions of ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC Topic 606).

For 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.

Journal Technologies contracts may include several products and services, which are generally distinct and include separate transaction pricing and performance obligations. Most are one-transaction contracts. These current subscription-type contract revenues include (i) implementation consulting fees to configure the system to go-live, (ii) subscription software license, maintenance (including updates and upgrades) and support fees, and (iii) third-party hosting fees when used. Revenues for consulting are recognized at point of delivery (go-live) upon completion of services. These contracts include assurance warranty provisions for limited periods and do not include financing terms. For some contracts, the Company acts as a principal with respect to certain services, such as data conversion, interfaces and hosting that are provided by third-parties, and recognizes such revenues on a gross basis. For legacy contracts with perpetual license arrangements, licenses and consulting services are recognized at point of delivery (go-live), and maintenance revenues are recognized ratably after the go-live. Other public service fees are earned and recognized as revenues when the Company processes credit card payments on behalf of the courts via its websites through which the public can e-file cases or pay traffic citations and other fees.

The adoption of ASC 606 also requires the capitalization of certain costs of obtaining contracts, specifically sales commissions which are to be amortized over the expected term of the contracts. For its software contracts, the Company incurs an immaterial amount of sales commission costs which have no significant impact on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the Company’s implementation and fulfillment costs do not meet all criteria required for capitalization.

Since the Company recognizes revenues when it can invoice the customer pursuant to the contract for the value of completed performance, as a practical expedient and because reliable estimates cannot be made, it has elected not to include the transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations. Furthermore, there are no fulfillment costs to be capitalized for the software contracts because these costs do not generate or enhance resources that will be used in satisfying future performance obligations.

9

Note 6 - Treasury stock and net income per common share

In June 2022, the Company received from the late Charles T. Munger 3,720 shares of Daily Journal common stock as his gracious personal gift (worth approximately $1 million on the date of the gift) for the purpose of establishing a new senior management equity incentive plan, which has been approved by the Board of Directors and shareholders, though no grants under the plan have yet been made. These donated shares were considered treasury stock, and the Company accounted for them using the par method which resulted in an immaterial effected amount on Treasury Stock and Additional Paid-in Capital. In addition, the number of outstanding shares of the Company was reduced by these 3,720 shares to reflect the actual number of outstanding shares of 1,377,026 at March 31, 2024. The net income per common share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each year. The shares used in the calculation were 1,377,026 for both the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.

Note 7 - Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share

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

Note 8 - Investments in Marketable Securities

All investments are classified as “Current assets” because they are available for sale at any time. These “available-for-sale” marketable securities 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 March 31, 2024 and September 30, 2023, there were net accumulated pretax unrealized gains of $157,909,000 and $137,716,000, respectively, recorded in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Most of the accumulated pretax unrealized gains were in the common stocks of three U.S. financial institutions and one foreign manufacturer.

During the six months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recorded and included in its net income the net unrealized gains on marketable securities of $20,193,000, as compared with $32,669,000, in the prior year period.

In March 2024, the Company sold part of its marketable securities for approximately $40,579,000, realizing net gains of $14,261,000. The Company used these proceeds to further pay down the margin loan balance to $29,421,000 from $75,000,000 at September 30, 2023, aggregating a paydown of approximately $45,579,000 during the six months ended March 31, 2024. (During last quarter, there was already a paydown of $5,000,000 to this loan by means of excess cash from operations.)

In December 2022, the Company sold part of its marketable securities for approximately $2,826,000, realizing net gains of $422,000, and borrowed an additional $6,011,000 from the margin loan account to purchase additional marketable securities with a total cost of approximately $10,001,000. The Company repaid $11,000 subsequently. In addition, the Company received stock dividends in March 2023 worth approximately $2,978,000 from one of the companies in which it holds marketable securities.

10

Our long-serving director and former chairman, Charles T. Munger, had managed the Company’s marketable securities portfolio since the original purchases were made with the Company’s excess cash in 2009 as an alternative to near-zero interest rate investments.  Mr. Munger died in November 2023, and the Company remains committed to using the portfolio as a source of strength in support of its operating businesses, just as it has for the past 15 years. The Board has been evaluating ways to ensure the prudent and effective management of these assets in the context of the current market and the needs of the businesses, and the recent sales of a portion of the portfolio and the concurrent paydown of the Company’s margin loan, each as described above, are reflective of that evaluation.

Investments in marketable securities as of March 31, 2024 and September 30, 2023 are summarized below.

Investment in Financial Instruments

	March 31, 2024						September 30, 2023
	Aggregate fair value		Amortized/ Adjusted cost basis		Pretax unrealized gains		Aggregate fair value		Amortized/ Adjusted cost basis		Pretax unrealized gains
Marketable securities Common stocks	$	297,003,000	$	139,094,000	$	157,909,000	$	303,128,000	$	165,412,000	$	137,716,000

Note 9 - Income Taxes

For the six months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recorded an income tax provision of $8,330,000 on the pretax income of $36,360,000. The income tax provision consisted of tax provisions of $3,660,000 on the realized gains on marketable securities, $5,180,000 on the unrealized gains on marketable securities, $40,000 on income from foreign operations, and $480,000 on income from US operations and dividend income, partially offset by a tax benefit of $210,000 for the dividends received deduction and other permanent book and tax differences, and a tax benefit of $820,000 for the effect of a change in state apportionment on the beginning of the year’s deferred tax liability. Consequently, the overall effective tax rate for the six months ended March 31, 2024 was 22.9%, after including the taxes on the realized and unrealized gains on marketable securities.

For the six months ended March 31, 2023, the Company recorded an income tax provision of $9,935,000 on the pretax income of $37,195,000. The income tax provision consisted of a tax provision of $110,000 on the realized gains on marketable securities and $8,770,000 on the unrealized gains on marketable securities, a tax provision of $1,005,000 on income from operations, including dividend income, and a tax provision of $210,000 for the effect of a change in state apportionment on the beginning of the year’s deferred tax liability, partially offset by a tax benefit of $160,000 for the dividends received deduction and other permanent book and tax differences.  Consequently, the overall effective tax rate for the six months ended March 31, 2023 was 26.7%, after including the taxes on the realized and unrealized gains on marketable securities.

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 2021 with regard to federal income taxes and fiscal 2020 for state income taxes. 

Note 10 - Debt and Commitments

During fiscal 2013, the Company borrowed from its investment margin account the aggregate purchase price of $29.5 million for two acquisitions, in each case pledging its marketable securities as collateral. At March 31, 2024, the margin loan balance was approximately $29.4 million. 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 March 31, 2024 was 6%. These investment margin account borrowings do not mature.

11

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 for Journal Technologies. The Company paid $1.24 million and financed the balance with a real estate bank loan of $2.26 million which had a fixed interest rate of 4.66%. This loan is secured by the Logan facility and can be paid off at any time without prepayment penalty. In October 2020, the Company executed an amendment to lower the interest rate of this loan to a fixed rate of 3.33% for the remaining 10 years. This real estate loan had a balance of approximately $1.2 million as of March 31, 2024. Each monthly installment payment is approximately $16,700. In April 2022, the Company sold approximately 17,564 square feet of the land along the front of its Logan building to the City of Logan for approximately $381,000 in connection with the City of Logan’s street widening project. In October 2022, the Company again amended this real estate loan contract as the bank transferred its index to Secured Overnight Financing Rate from London Interbank Offered Rate which was ceased by the Federal Reserve and the Alternative Reference Rates Committee in the United States. The term of the loan, including the interest rate and the balance, remains unchanged.

The Company also owns its facilities in Los Angeles and leases space for its other offices under operating leases which expire at various dates through October 2025.

Effective January 1, 2023, the Company began sponsoring a 401(k) retirement plan and a 409(A) non-qualified deferred compensation plan for its employees. As of March 31, 2024, there were deferred compensation liabilities of approximately $509,000, which were held under a 409(A) plan trust account secured by a company-owned life insurance policy.

Note 11 - Contingencies

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 adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

12

Note 12 - Operating Segments

The Company’s Traditional Business is one reportable segment and the other is Journal Technologies which includes Journal Technologies, Inc. and Journal Technologies (Canada) Inc. All inter-segment transactions were eliminated. Additional detail about each of the reportable segments and its income and expenses is set forth below:

Overall Financial Results (000)

For the six months ended March 31

	Reportable Segments
	Traditional Business						Journal Technologies						Corporate						Total
	2024			2023			2024			2023			2024			2023			2024			2023
Revenues
Advertising	$	4,403		$	4,194		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	4,403		$	4,194
Circulation		2,194			2,206			-			-			-			-			2,194			2,206
Advertising service fees and other		1,402			1,477			-			-			-			-			1,402			1,477
Licensing and maintenance fees		-			-			13,411			10,074			-			-			13,411			10,074
Consulting fees		-			-			6,501			6,755			-			-			6,501			6,755
Other public service fees		-			-			4,653			3,749			-			-			4,653			3,749
Total operating revenues		7,999			7,877			24,565			20,578			-			-			32,564			28,455
Operating expenses
Salaries and employee benefits		5,173			4,499			18,185			15,279			-			-			23,358			19,778
Decrease to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual		(800	)		(700	)		(30	)		(20	)		-			-			(830	)		(720	)
Others		2,765			2,435			6,015			6,053			-			-			8,780			8,488
Total operating expenses		7,138			6,234			24,170			21,312			-			-			31,308			27,546
Income (loss) from operations		861			1,643			395			(734	)		-			-			1,256			909
Dividends and interest income		-			-			-			-			2,858			5,132			2,858			5,132
Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate		-			-			-			-			(21	)		(24	)		(21	)		(24	)
Interest expense on margin loans and others		-			-			-			-			(2,187	)		(1,913	)		(2,187	)		(1,913	)
Gains on sales of marketable securities, net		-			-			-			-			14,261			422			14,261			422
Net unrealized gains on marketable securities		-			-			-			-			20,193			32,669			20,193			32,669
Pretax income (loss)		861			1,643			395			(734	)		35,104			36,286			36,360			37,195
Income tax (expense) benefit		(200	)		(435	)		(90	)		135			(8,040	)		(9,635	)		(8,330	)		(9,935	)
Net income (loss)	$	661		$	1,208		$	305		$	(599	)	$	27,064		$	26,651		$	28,030		$	27,260
Total assets	$	14,807		$	14,053		$	23,937		$	25,444		$	297,003		$	319,523		$	335,747		$	359,020
Capital expenditures	$	23		$	70		$	-		$	4		$	-		$	-		$	23		$	74

13

Overall Financial Results (000)

For the three months ended March 31

	Reportable Segments
	Traditional Business						Journal Technologies						Corporate						Total
	2024			2023			2024			2023			2024			2023			2024			2023
Revenues
Advertising	$	2,316		$	2,204		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	2,316		$	2,204
Circulation		1,099			1,108			-			-			-			-			1,099			1,108
Advertising service fees and other		697			778			-			-			-			-			697			778
Licensing and maintenance fees		-			-			6,854			5,679			-			-			6,854			5,679
Consulting fees		-			-			3,199			4,433			-			-			3,199			4,433
Other public service fees		-			-			2,406			1,952			-			-			2,406			1,952
Total operating revenues		4,112			4,090			12,459			12,064			-			-			16,571			16,154
Operating expenses
Salaries and employee benefits		2,624			2,281			9,387			7,866			-			-			12,011			10,147
Decrease to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual		(380	)		(200	)		(30	)		-			-			-			(410	)		(200	)
Others		1,294			1,301			3,043			3,281			-			-			4,337			4,582
Total operating expenses		3,538			3,382			12,400			11,147			-			-			15,938			14,529
Income from operations		574			708			59			917			-			-			633			1,625
Dividends and interest income		-			-			-			-			1,289			4,063			1,289			4,063
Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate		-			-			-			-			(10	)		(12	)		(10	)		(12	)
Interest expense on margin loans and other		-			-			-			-			(1,056	)		(1,052	)		(1,056	)		(1,052	)
Gains on sales of marketable securities		-			-			-			-			14,261			-			14,261			-
Net unrealized gains on marketable securities		-			-			-			-			5,503			8,644			5,503			8,644
Pretax income		574			708			59			917			19,987			11,643			20,620			13,268
Income tax (expense) benefit		(145	)		(200	)		160			(215	)		(5,220	)		(3,420	)		(5,205	)		(3,835	)
Net income	$	429		$	508		$	219		$	702		$	14,767		$	8,223		$	15,415		$	9,433
Total assets	$	14,807		$	14,053		$	23,937		$	25,444		$	297,003		$	319,523		$	335,747		$	359,020
Capital expenditures	$	18		$	38		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	18		$	38

During the six months ended March 31, 2024, the Traditional Business had total operating revenues of $7,999,000 with $5,805,000 recognized after services were provided and $2,194,000 recognized ratably over the subscription terms, as compared with total operating revenues of $7,877,000 with $5,671,000 recognized after services were provided and $2,206,000 recognized ratably over the subscription terms in the prior fiscal year period. Total operating revenues for the Company’s software business were $24,565,000 with $11,384,000 recognized upon completion of services and $13,181,000 recognized ratably over the subscription periods, as compared with total operating revenues of $20,578,000 with $10,687,000 recognized upon completion of services and $9,891,000 recognized ratably over the subscription periods in the prior fiscal year period.

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Traditional Business had total operating revenues of $4,112,000 with $3,013,000 recognized after services were provided and $1,099,000 recognized ratably over the subscription terms, as compared with total operating revenues of $4,090,000 with $2,982,000 recognized after services were provided and $1,108,000 recognized ratably over the subscription terms in the prior fiscal year period. Total operating revenues for the Company’s software business were $12,459,000 with $5,814,000 recognized upon completion of services and $6,645,000 recognized ratably over the subscription periods, as compared with total operating revenues of $12,064,000 with $6,566,000 recognized upon completion of services and $5,498,000 recognized ratably over the subscription periods in the prior fiscal year period.

Approximately 75% of the Company’s revenues were derived from Journal Technologies during both the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. In addition, the Company’s revenues have been primarily from the United States with approximately 14% from foreign countries during the six-months ended March 31, 2023. Journal Technologies’ revenues are primarily from governmental agencies.

Note 13 - 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.

14

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., 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 the public, including e-filing and a website to pay traffic citations and fees online. These products are licensed in approximately 30 states and internationally.

Reportable Segments

The Company’s Traditional Business is one reportable segment and the other is Journal Technologies which includes Journal Technologies, Inc. and Journal Technologies (Canada) Inc. All inter-segment transactions were eliminated. Additional detail about each reportable segment and its income and expenses is set forth below:

Overall Financial Results (000)

For the six months ended March 31

	Reportable Segments
	Traditional Business						Journal Technologies						Corporate						Total
	2024			2023			2024			2023			2024			2023			2024			2023
Revenues
Advertising	$	4,403		$	4,194		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	4,403		$	4,194
Circulation		2,194			2,206			-			-			-			-			2,194			2,206
Advertising service fees and other		1,402			1,477			-			-			-			-			1,402			1,477
Licensing and maintenance fees		-			-			13,411			10,074			-			-			13,411			10,074
Consulting fees		-			-			6,501			6,755			-			-			6,501			6,755
Other public service fees		-			-			4,653			3,749			-			-			4,653			3,749
Total operating revenues		7,999			7,877			24,565			20,578			-			-			32,564			28,455
Operating expenses
Salaries and employee benefits		5,173			4,499			18,185			15,279			-			-			23,358			19,778
Decrease to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual		(800	)		(700	)		(30	)		(20	)		-			-			(830	)		(720	)
Others		2,765			2,435			6,015			6,053			-			-			8,780			8,488
Total operating expenses		7,138			6,234			24,170			21,312			-			-			31,308			27,546
Income (loss) from operations		861			1,643			395			(734	)		-			-			1,256			909
Dividends and interest income		-			-			-			-			2,858			5,132			2,858			5,132
Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate		-			-			-			-			(21	)		(24	)		(21	)		(24	)
Interest expense on margin loans and others		-			-			-			-			(2,187	)		(1,913	)		(2,187	)		(1,913	)
Gains on sales of marketable securities, net		-			-			-			-			14,261			422			14,261			422
Net unrealized gains on marketable securities		-			-			-			-			20,193			32,669			20,193			32,669
Pretax income (loss)		861			1,643			395			(734	)		35,104			36,286			36,360			37,195
Income tax (expense) benefit		(200	)		(435	)		(90	)		135			(8,040	)		(9,635	)		(8,330	)		(9,935	)
Net income (loss)	$	661		$	1,208		$	305		$	(599	)	$	27,064		$	26,651		$	28,030		$	27,260
Total assets	$	14,807		$	14,053		$	23,937		$	25,444		$	297,003		$	319,523		$	335,747		$	359,020
Capital expenditures	$	23		$	70		$	-		$	4		$	-		$	-		$	23		$	74

15

Comparable six-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023

Consolidated Financial Comparison

Consolidated revenues were $32,564,000 and $28,455,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. This increase of $4,109,000 (14%) was primarily from increases in (i) Journal Technologies’ license and maintenance fees of $3,337,000, and other public service fees of $904,000, partially offset by decreased consulting fees of $254,000, and (ii) the Traditional Business’ advertising revenues of $209,000.

Approximately 75% of the Company’s revenues during the six months ended March 31, 2024 were derived from Journal Technologies, as compared with 72% in the prior fiscal year period. In addition, the Company’s revenues during the quarter were primarily from the United States, with approximately $4,543,000 (14%) from foreign countries. Almost all of Journal Technologies’ revenues are from governmental agencies.

Consolidated operating expenses increased by $3,762,000 (14%) to $31,308,000 from $27,546,000. Total salaries and employee benefits increased by $3,580,000 (18%) to $23,358,000 from $19,778,000 primarily due to annual salary adjustments and the hiring of additional staff members to strengthen operational efficiencies, conduct product development and address technical debt, and bolster teams working on the company’s installation projects. Outside services increased by $271,000 (9%) to $3,250,000 from $2,979,000 mainly because of additional contractor services and increased third-party hosting fees which were billed to clients. Equipment maintenance and software increased by $55,000 (8%) to $712,000 from $657,000 mainly resulting from increased maintenance costs. Accounting and legal fees decreased by $84,000 (17%) to $411,000 from $495,000 primarily resulting from decreased legal fees. Other general and administrative expenses decreased by $262,000 (13%) to $1,757,000 from $2,019,000 mainly because there were decreased business travel expenses and reduced miscellaneous office supply expenses as compared to the prior fiscal year period.

The Company’s non-operating income, net of expenses, decreased by $1,182,000 (3%) to $35,104,000 from $36,286,000 in the prior fiscal year period primarily because of (i) the recording of net unrealized gains on marketable securities of $20,193,000 as compared with $32,669,000 in the prior fiscal year period, and (ii) decreases in dividends and interest income of $2,274,000 (44%) to $2,858,000 from $5,132,000. These decreases were partially offset by the recording of realized net gains on sales of marketable securities of $14,261,000 as compared with $422,000 in the prior fiscal year period.

During the six months ended March 31, 2024, the Company’s consolidated pretax income was $36,360,000, as compared to $37,195,000 in the prior fiscal year period. There was consolidated net income of $28,030,000 ($20.36 per share) for the six months ended March 31, 2024, as compared with $27,260,000 ($19.80 per share) in the prior fiscal year period.

At March 31, 2024, the aggregate fair market value of the Company’s marketable securities was $297,003,000. These securities had approximately $157,909,000 of net unrealized gains before taxes of $40,490,000. The portfolio generated approximately $2,858,000 in dividends and interest income during the six months ended March 31, 2024, as compared with $5,132,000 in the prior fiscal year period. Most of the unrealized gains were in the common stocks of three U.S. financial institutions and one foreign manufacturer.

16

Taxes

For the six months ended March 31, 2024, the Company recorded an income tax provision of $8,330,000 on the pretax income of $36,360,000. The income tax provision consisted of tax provisions of $3,660,000 on the realized gains on marketable securities, $5,180,000 on the unrealized gains on marketable securities, $40,000 on income from foreign operations, and $480,000 on income from US operations and dividend income, partially offset by a tax benefit of $210,000 for the dividends received deduction and other permanent book and tax differences, and a tax benefit of $820,000 for the effect of a change in state apportionment on the beginning of the year’s deferred tax liability. Consequently, the overall effective tax rate for the six months ended March 31, 2024 was 22.9%, after including the taxes on the realized and unrealized gains on marketable securities.

For the six months ended March 31, 2023, the Company recorded an income tax provision of $9,935,000 on the pretax income of $37,195,000. The income tax provision consisted of a tax provision of $110,000 on the realized gains on marketable securities and $8,770,000 on the unrealized gains on marketable securities, a tax provision of $1,005,000 on income from operations, including dividend income, and a tax provision of $210,000 for the effect of a change in state apportionment on the beginning of the year’s deferred tax liability, partially offset by a tax benefit of $160,000 for the dividends received deduction and other permanent book and tax differences.  Consequently, the overall effective tax rate for the six months ended March 31, 2023 was 26.7%, after including the taxes on the realized and unrealized gains on marketable securities.

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 2021 with regard to federal income taxes and fiscal 2020 for state income taxes. 

The Traditional Business

The Traditional Business’ pretax income decreased by $782,000 (48%) to $861,000 from $1,643,000 in the prior fiscal year period, primarily due to increased personnel costs of $674,000 (15%) to $5,173,000 from $4,499,000, partially offset by an increased reduction of $100,000 (14%) to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual to arrive at a reduction of $800,000 as compared with a reduction of $700,000 in the prior fiscal year period.

During the six months ended March 31, 2024, the Traditional Business had total operating revenues of $7,999,000, as compared with $7,877,000 in the prior fiscal year period. Advertising revenues increased by $209,000 (5%) to $4,403,000 from $4,194,000, primarily resulting from increased commercial advertising revenues of $252,000, legal notice advertising revenues of $32,000, and trustee sale notice advertising revenues of $29,000, partially offset by decreased government notice advertising revenues of $104,000.

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 slightly by 1% during the six months ended March 31, 2024 as compared to the prior fiscal year period. The Company’s smaller newspapers, those other than the Los Angeles and San Francisco Daily Journals (“The Daily Journals”), accounted for about 86% of the total public notice advertising revenues during the six months ended March 31, 2024. Public notice advertising revenues and related advertising and other service fees, including trustee sales legal advertising revenues, constituted about 14% of the Company's total operating revenues for the six months ended March 31, 2024 and 16% for the six months ended March 31, 2023.

17

The Daily Journals accounted for about 93% of the Traditional Business’ total circulation revenues, which decreased by $12,000 (1%) to $2,194,000 from $2,206,000. The court rule and judicial profile services generated about 4% 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, excluding the adjustments to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual, increased by $1,004,000 (14%) to $7,938,000 from $6,934,000, primarily resulting from the annual salary adjustments.

Journal Technologies

During the six months ended March 31, 2024, Journal Technologies’ business segment pretax income increased by $1,129,000 (154%) to pretax income of $395,000 from a pretax loss of $734,000 in the prior fiscal year period primarily resulting from increased revenues of $3,987,000, partially offset by increased operating expenses of $2,858,000.

Revenues increased by $3,987,000 (19%) to $24,565,000 from $20,578,000 in the prior fiscal year period. Licensing and maintenance fees increased by $3,337,000 (33%) to $13,411,000 from $10,074,000. Consulting fees decreased by $254,000 (4%) to $6,501,000 from $6,755,000 mainly due to fewer project go-lives (i.e. signoffs by the clients). Other public service fees increased by $904,000 (24%) to $4,653,000 from $3,749,000 primarily because of increased e-filing fee revenues.

Deferred consulting fees primarily represent advances from customers of Journal Technologies for installation services and are recognized upon final project go-lives. Deferred revenues on license and maintenance contracts represent prepayments of annual license and maintenance fees and are recognized ratably over the maintenance periods.

Operating expenses increased by $2,858,000 (13%) to $24,170,000 from $21,312,000 primarily because of (i) increased personnel costs because of salary adjustments (ii) additional contractor services and the hiring of additional staff members to strengthen operational efficiencies, conduct product development and address technical debt, and bolster teams working on the Company’s installation projects, and (iii) increased third-party hosting fees which were billed to clients.

Journal Technologies continues to update and upgrade its software products, which includes improving aspects like user experience, documentation, and ease of ongoing customer upgrades. These costs are expensed as incurred and will impact earnings at least through the foreseeable future.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Although the World Health Organization has declared an end to the COVID-19 emergency, enduring changes in society resulting from efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic may have continuing effects on the Company’s business. For example, for Journal Technologies, although we were able to complete many existing projects remotely, we were delayed in finishing certain implementations and trainings because of our inability to work with clients in-person.  Given that we are typically paid for implementation services upon “go-live” of a system, recognition of those revenues has been delayed and in some cases costs have increased. This can also create a risk of contract cancellations for in-progress projects, which has not been a common issue to date, and Journal Technologies is working to minimize additional cancellations.

18

Reportable Segments (for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023)

Overall Financial Results (000)

For the three months ended March 31

	Reportable Segments
	Traditional Business						Journal Technologies						Corporate						Total
	2024			2023			2024			2023			2024			2023			2024			2023
Revenues
Advertising	$	2,316		$	2,204		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	2,316		$	2,204
Circulation		1,099			1,108			-			-			-			-			1,099			1,108
Advertising service fees and other		697			778			-			-			-			-			697			778
Licensing and maintenance fees		-			-			6,854			5,679			-			-			6,854			5,679
Consulting fees		-			-			3,199			4,433			-			-			3,199			4,433
Other public service fees		-			-			2,406			1,952			-			-			2,406			1,952
Total operating revenues		4,112			4,090			12,459			12,064			-			-			16,571			16,154
Operating expenses
Salaries and employee benefits		2,624			2,281			9,387			7,866			-			-			12,011			10,147
Decrease to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual		(380	)		(200	)		(30	)		-			-			-			(410	)		(200	)
Others		1,294			1,301			3,043			3,281			-			-			4,337			4,582
Total operating expenses		3,538			3,382			12,400			11,147			-			-			15,938			14,529
Income from operations		574			708			59			917			-			-			633			1,625
Dividends and interest income		-			-			-			-			1,289			4,063			1,289			4,063
Interest expenses on note payable collateralized by real estate		-			-			-			-			(10	)		(12	)		(10	)		(12	)
Interest expense on margin loans and other		-			-			-			-			(1,056	)		(1,052	)		(1,056	)		(1,052	)
Gains on sales of marketable securities		-			-			-			-			14,261			-			14,261			-
Net unrealized gains on marketable securities		-			-			-			-			5,503			8,644			5,503			8,644
Pretax income		574			708			59			917			19,987			11,643			20,620			13,268
Income tax (expense) benefit		(145	)		(200	)		160			(215	)		(5,220	)		(3,420	)		(5,205	)		(3,835	)
Net income	$	429		$	508		$	219		$	702		$	14,767		$	8,223		$	15,415		$	9,433
Total assets	$	14,807		$	14,053		$	23,937		$	25,444		$	297,003		$	319,523		$	335,747		$	359,020
Capital expenditures	$	18		$	38		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	-		$	18		$	38

Consolidated Financial Comparison

Consolidated revenues were $16,571,000 and $16,154,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. This increase of $417,000 (3%) was primarily from increases in (i) Journal Technologies’ license and maintenance fees of $1,175,000, and other public service fees of $454,000, partially offset by decreased consulting fees of $1,234,000, and (ii) the Traditional Business’ advertising revenues of $112,000, partially offset by decreased advertising service fees and other of $81,000.

Approximately 75% of the Company’s revenues were derived from Journal Technologies during both the three-month periods ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. In addition, the Company’s revenues during the quarter were primarily from the United States, with approximately $2,051,000 (12%) from foreign countries. Almost all of Journal Technologies’ revenues are from governmental agencies.

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Consolidated operating expenses increased by $1,409,000 (10%) to $15,938,000 from $14,529,000. Total salaries and employee benefits increased by $1,864,000 (18%) to $12,011,000 from $10,147,000 primarily due to annual salary adjustments and the hiring of additional staff members to strengthen operational efficiencies, conduct product development and address technical debt, and bolster teams working on the company’s installation projects. Outside services decreased by $166,000 (9%) to $1,583,000 from $1,749,000 mainly because of reduced contractor services. Accounting and legal fees decreased by $67,000 (30%) to $155,000 from $222,000 primarily resulting from decreased legal fees. Other general and administrative expenses decreased by $140,000 (13%) to $925,000 from $1,065,000 mainly because there were decreased business travel expenses and reduced miscellaneous office supply expenses as compared to the prior fiscal year period.

The Company’s non-operating income, net of expenses, increased by $8,344,000 (72%) to $19,987,000 from $11,643,000 in the prior fiscal year period primarily because there were realized gains on sales of marketable securities of $14,261,000 during this quarter. These gains were partially offset by (i) the recording of net unrealized gains on marketable securities of $5,503,000 as compared with $8,644,000 in the prior fiscal year period, and (ii) decreases in dividends and interest income of $2,774,000 (68%) to $1,289,000 from $4,063,000.

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company’s consolidated pretax income was $20,620,000, as compared to $13,268,000 in the prior fiscal year period. There was consolidated net income of $15,415,000 ($11.19 per share) for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared with $9,433,000 ($6.85 per share) in the prior fiscal year period.

The Traditional Business

The Traditional Business’ pretax income decreased by $134,000 (19%) to $574,000 from $708,000 in the prior fiscal year period, primarily due to increased personnel costs of $343,000 (15%) to $2,624,000 from $2,281,000, partially offset by an increased reduction of $180,000 (90%) to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual to arrive at a reduction of $380,000 as compared with a reduction of $200,000 in the prior fiscal year period.

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Traditional Business had total operating revenues of $4,112,000, as compared with $4,090,000 in the prior fiscal year period. Advertising revenues increased by $112,000 (5%) to $2,316,000 from $2,204,000, primarily resulting from increased commercial advertising revenues of $137,000, legal notice advertising revenues of $30,000, and trustee sale notice advertising revenues of $19,000, partially offset by decreased government notice advertising revenues of $74,000.

The Traditional Business segment operating expenses, excluding the adjustments to the long-term supplemental compensation accrual, increased by $336,000 (9%) to $3,918,000 from $3,582,000, primarily resulting from the annual salary adjustments.

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Journal Technologies

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, Journal Technologies’ business segment pretax income decreased by $858,000 (94%) to $59,000 from $917,000 in the prior fiscal year period primarily resulting from increased operating expenses of $1,253,000, partially offset by increased revenues of $395,000.

Revenues increased by $395,000 (3%) to $12,459,000 from $12,064,000 in the prior fiscal year period. Licensing and maintenance fees increased by $1,175,000 (21%) to $6,854,000 from $5,679,000. Consulting fees decreased by $1,234,000 (28%) to $3,199,000 from $4,433,000 mainly due to fewer project go-lives (i.e. signoffs by the clients). Other public service fees increased by $454,000 (23%) to $2,406,000 from $1,952,000 primarily because of increased e-filing fee revenues.

Operating expenses, excluding the adjustment to long-term supplemental compensation accrual, increased by $1,283,000 (12%) to $12,430,000 from $11,147,000 primarily because of (i) increased personnel costs because of salary adjustments (ii) the hiring of additional staff members to strengthen operational efficiencies, conduct product development and address technical debt, and bolster teams working on the Company’s installation projects, and (iii) increased third-party hosting fees which were billed to clients.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

During the six months ended March 31, 2024, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and marketable security positions decreased by $16,368,000 after the recording of net pretax unrealized gains on marketable securities of $20,193,000. In March 2024, the Company sold part of its marketable securities for approximately $40,579,000. Cash and cash equivalents as well as proceeds from sales of marketable securities were primarily used to pay down the margin loan balance by $45,579,000.

The investments in marketable securities, which had an adjusted cost basis of approximately $139,094,000 and a market value of about $297,003,000 at March 31, 2024, generated approximately $2,858,000 in dividends and interest income during the six months ended March 31, 2024. These securities had approximately $157,909,000 of net unrealized gains before estimated taxes of $40,490,000 which will become due only when we sell securities in which there is unrealized appreciation. The balance on the Company’s margin loan secured by the securities portfolio was $29,421,000 and $75,000,000 at March 31, 2024, and September 30, 2023, respectively.

Cash flows from operating activities decreased by $6,543,000 during the six months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to the prior fiscal year period, primarily due to (i) increases in the Company’s income tax receivable of $269,000 and accounts receivable of $353,000, and (ii) decreases in deferred tax liability of $4,567,000, accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $211,000, and deferred revenues of $4,914,000. This was partially offset by increases in (i) income tax payable of $1,481,000, and (ii) the Company’s net income of $2,385,000, excluding the decreases in unrealized gains on marketable securities of $12,476,000, stock dividends of $2,978,000, and increased realized net gains on sales of marketable securities of $13,839,000.

As of March 31, 2024, the Company had working capital of $290,031,000, including the liabilities for deferred subscriptions, deferred consulting fees and deferred maintenance agreements and others of $21,562,000.

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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 additional amounts against its marketable securities and, among other possibilities, it may be required to consider selling some of those securities to generate cash if needed to fund ongoing operations. The amount available for borrowing is based on the market value of the Company’s investment portfolio and fluctuates depending on the value of the underlying securities.  In addition, the Company could be subject to margin calls should the balance of the investment decrease significantly. 

The Company is not a smaller version of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. The Company’s goal is simply to continue to develop a successful and profitable software business, while continuing to enjoy the benefit of its Traditional Business for as long as possible. 

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 the long-term Incentive Plan liabilities) 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, 2023. 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, and disruptive new technologies like artificial intelligence; Journal Technologies’ reliance on professional services engagements with justice agencies; material changes in the costs of postage and paper; additional 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; the continuous effects of COVID-19 and the efforts to contain it on the Company’s customers, advertisers and subscribers; a further decline in subscriber revenues; possible security breaches of the Company’s software or websites; 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, 2023.

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

In light of the material weaknesses in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting discussed in the Company’s Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023, management concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were not effective as of March 31, 2024. 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 quarter ended March 31, 2024, although the Company plans to rectify these material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II

Item 6. Exhibits

31	Certifications by Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32	Certifications by Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS	Inline XBRL Instance
101.SCH	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation
101.DEF	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition
101.LAB	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels
101.PRE	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation
104	Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101

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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/ Steven Myhill-Jones

Chief Executive Officer

Chairman of the Board 

(Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ Tu To

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer and

Principal Accounting Officer)

DATE: May 14, 2024

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