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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
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FORM 10-QSB
(Mark One)
|X| QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 14(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934.
For the Quarterly period ended January 31, 1999
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934.
For the transition period from ____________ to ____________
Commission file number 0-21913
GROUP LONG DISTANCE, INC.
(Name of Small Business Issuer in Its Charter)
Florida 65-0213198
(State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Incorporation or Organization)
1451 West Cypress Creek Road, Suite 200,
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(954) 771-9696
(Issuer's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Check whether the Issuer: (1) filed all reports required to be filed by
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 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 [ ]
The number of shares of Common Stock, no par value, outstanding as of March 12,
1999 was 3,502,783.
The number of Redeemable Warrants outstanding as of March 12, 1999 was
1,437,500.
Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (check one): Yes [ ] No [X]
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<PAGE>
GROUP LONG DISTANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Page
Number
------
<S> <C> <C>
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of January 31, 1999 (Unaudited) and April 30,
1998............................................................................ 1
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Nine months and
Three months ended January 31, 1999 and 1998.................................... 2
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine months ended
January 31, 1999 and 1998....................................................... 3
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements...................................... 4
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation....................... 7
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings............................................................... 12
Item 6. Exhibits, List and Reports on Form 8-K.......................................... 12
SIGNATURES............................................................................................. 13
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
GROUP LONG DISTANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
January 31, 1999 (Unaudited) and April 30, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
January 31, April 30,
1999 1998
---- ----
(Unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash ................................................................... $ 647,762 $ 303,962
Accounts receivable less allowances for doubtful accounts of $748,000 .. 1,477,494 8,478,598
and $572,000 at January 31, 1999 and April 30, 1998, respectively .....
Deferred tax assets .................................................... -- --
Prepaid expenses and other current assets .............................. 12,978 98,710
------------ ------------
2,138,234 8,881,270
Property and equipment, net ................................................. 61,385 94,771
Customer and acquisition costs, net ......................................... 199,579 937,484
------------ ------------
Total assets ....................................................... $ 2,399,198 $ 9,913,525
============ ============
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Line of Credit ......................................................... $ 87,044 $ 87,044
Accounts payable ....................................................... 2,329,893 15,816,506
Taxes Payable .......................................................... 933,854 --
Accrued expenses and other liabilities ................................. 2,258,013 632,600
Current portion of long-term debt ...................................... 301,458 1,196,882
------------ ------------
5,910,262 17,733,032
Long-term debt, net of current portion ...................................... -- 112,280
------------ ------------
Total liabilities .................................................. 5,910,262 17,845,312
Stockholders' equity
Preferred stock, no par value, 2,000,000 shares authorized; no shares
issued and outstanding ................................................ -- --
Common stock, no par value, 12,000,000 shares authorized; 3,502,783
shares issued and outstanding as of January 31, 1999 and April 30,
1998 .................................................................. -- --
Additional paid-in capital ............................................. 5,913,988 5,913,988
Accumulated deficit .................................................... (9,425,052) (13,845,775)
------------ ------------
Total stockholders' equity ......................................... (3,511,064) (7,931,787)
------------ ------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity ......................... $ 2,399,198 $ 9,913,525
============ ============
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
1
<PAGE>
GROUP LONG DISTANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
For the Nine Months and Three Months Ended January 31, 1999 and 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine Months Three Months
Ended January 31, Ended January 31,
-------------------- -------------------
1999 1998 1999 1998
---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sales ...................................... $ 21,312,008 $ 41,562,858 $ 5,408,839 $ 16,084,410
Cost of Sales .............................. 12,922,067 29,205,126 2,834,374 10,982,704
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Gross Profit ......................... 8,389,941 12,357,732 2,574,465 5,101,706
Other Income, net .......................... -- 13,417,657 -- --
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Income from operations ............... 8,389,941 25,775,389 2,574,465 5,101,706
Selling, general and administrative
expenses ................................. 2,180,276 5,661,805 249,914 1,761,414
Marketing Expenses ......................... 134,692 15,404,923 -- 6,307,572
Depreciation and amortization .............. 771,262 1,739,236 208,884 424,491
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Earnings from operations ............. 5,303,711 2,969,425 2,115,667 (3,391,771)
Interest expense, net ...................... 82,989 294,600 29,943 99,314
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Earnings before income taxes ......... 5,220,722 2,674,825 2,085,724 (3,491,085)
Income tax expense ......................... 800,000 2,005,583 500,000 (721,136)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net earnings ......................... $ 4,420,722 $ 669,242 $ 1,585,724 $ (2,769,949)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Earnings per common and common equivalent
share ................................... $ 1.26 $ 0.19 $ 0.45 $ (0.80)
============ ============ ============ ============
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
2
<PAGE>
GROUP LONG DISTANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Nine months ended January 31, 1999 and 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine months ended
January 31,
---------------------
1999 1998
---- ----
<S> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities
Net earnings ................................................... $ 4,420,722 $ 669,242
Adjustments to reconcile earnings to net cash provided by operating
activities
Depreciation and amortization .................................. 771,292 1,739,236
Provision for bad debts ........................................ 240,371 2,529,400
Gain on sale of investments .................................... -- --
Changes in assets and liabilities
Gain on sale of investments .................................... -- (13,417,657)
Decrease (Increase) in accounts receivable ..................... 6,031,100 (14,929,592)
Decrease in notes receivable ................................... -- 32,261
Increase in deferred tax asset ................................. -- (22,973)
Decrease (Increase) in prepaid expenses and other current
assets ....................................................... 85,732 (9,346,168)
Increase in prepaid expenses, net of current portion ........... -- (1,495,000)
(Decrease) Increase in accounts payable ........................ (13,486,614) 19,595,039
Increase in taxes payable ...................................... 933,854 2,028,556
Increase (Decrease) in accrued expenses and other liabilities .. 2,355,047 (78,306)
------------ ------------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities ....... 1,351,504 (12,695,962)
------------ ------------
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisitions of property and equipment ......................... -- 80,207
Purchase of investments ........................................ -- (5,495,760)
Acquisitions of customer bases ................................. -- (600,000)
Proceeds from sale of investments .............................. -- 26,622,553
Decrease in other assets ....................................... -- 19,846
------------ ------------
Net cash provided by investing activities ................. -- 20,626,846
------------ ------------
Cash flows from financing activities
Net borrowings under line of credit agreement .................. -- 83,348
Principal repayments of long-term debt ......................... (1,007,704) (9,791,498)
Proceeds from the sale of common stock and warrants ............ -- 65,169
Principal repayments of capital lease obligations .............. -- (28,114)
------------ ------------
Net cash used in financing activities ..................... (1,007,704) (9,671,095)
------------ ------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash ...................................... 343,800 (1,740,211)
Cash at beginning of year ............................................ 303,962 1,977,546
------------ ------------
Cash at end of year .................................................. $ 647,762 $ 237,335
============ ============
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
3
<PAGE>
GROUP LONG DISTANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
NOTE A--BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles for
interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-QSB.
Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by
generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. In
the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring
accruals) considered necessary for fair presentation have been included.
Operating results for the nine months ended January 31, 1999 are not necessarily
indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending April 30,
1999.
The balance sheet at April 30, 1998 has been derived from the audited
financial statements at that date, but does not include all the information and
footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete
financial statements. For further information, refer to the audited financial
statements and footnotes thereto included in the Form 10-KSB filed by the
Company for the year ended April 30, 1998.
NOTE B--FORMATION AND OPERATIONS OF THE COMPANY
In November 1995, Group Long Distance, Inc. (the "Company") (which was
originally incorporated in October 1990) merged into Second ITC Corporation, the
surviving corporation, whose name was changed to Group Long Distance, Inc. The
existing stockholders of Group Long Distance, Inc. retained 94% of the issued
and outstanding stock of the merged company. For accounting purposes, the
acquisition has been treated as a recapitalization of Group Long Distance, Inc.
with Group Long Distance, Inc. as the acquired company (reverse acquisition),
and the financial statements of Group Long Distance, Inc. are considered to be
the financial statements of the Company. Historical stockholders' equity of
Group Long Distance, Inc. prior to the merger has been retroactively restated.
Group Long Distance, Inc. is a long distance telecommunications provider.
The Company utilizes special network service contracts through major national
long distance telecommunications carriers to provide its customers with products
and services which include basic "1 plus" and "800" long distance services. As a
nonfacilities based reseller of long distance telecommunication services, the
Company utilizes service contracts to provide its customers with switched,
dedicated and private line services to various long distance telecommunications
networks such as Tel-Save.com, Inc. ("Tel-Save"). The Company is dependent on
its long distance carrier and numerous regional and local telephone companies to
provide its services and products. The Company's revenues are derived from calls
routed through Tel-Save. Such revenues represented 96%, 74% and 61% of total
revenues for the years ended April 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively and
100% of the revenues for the current fiscal year.
NOTE C--INCREASE IN STOCK OPTION PLAN
On July 2, 1998, the Company's Board of Directors amended the exercise
price for 434,000 of 452,000 unexercised options granted under the Company's
1996 Stock Option Plan from $5.0625 to $1.375. Such a change in exercise price
was a result of the trading price of the Company's Common Stock being below the
exercise price of the options.
On July 2, 1998 the Company's Board of Directors granted 148,000 options to
purchase shares of common stock to various directors, officers and employees at
$1.375 a share.
On July 2, 1998 the Board of Directors approved an increase of 350,000 in
the number of options available for grant under the terms of the Stock Option
Plan. This increase was approved at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on
October 9, 1998.
On October 9, 1998 the Board of Directors granted 247,000 options to
purchase shares of common stock to various directors, officers and employees at
$0.50 a share.
4
<PAGE>
GROUP LONG DISTANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
NOTE D--COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Reference is made to Note I--Commitments and Contingencies to the Company's
Financial Statements for the year ended April 30, 1998, which is incorporated
herein in its entirety except to the litigation discussed below, which is
restated in its entirety except as amended to reflect recent developments.
The Company is a defendant in a civil action styled Group Discount Dialing
v. Group Long Distance, Inc., Case No. CV-96-025165 S, pending in Connecticut.
In this action brought in October 1997, Group Discount Dialing seeks
approximately $500,000, subsequently reduced to $250,000 as damages. Both
parties have filed documentation and are awaiting a ruling by the court.
The Company has also filed a counter suit in a civil action styled Group
Long Distance, Inc. v. Sharon N. Kasek d/b/a Group Discount Dialing Case No.
94-0472 CA 5, which is pending in Florida. The Company is seeking $50,000 in
damages for breach of contract. On October 15, 1998 the court agreed to an
amendment joining Kenneth W. Kasek and Mindy Millman to this action
(collectively "GDD"). All settlement efforts have failed thus far, with
Defendants rejecting an offer by the Company to mutually dismiss all claims
and put an end to the dispute with no further consideration exchanged. The
Company now intends to aggressively litigate this action in order to reach a
conclusion of this suit expeditiously.
The Company is from time to time the subject of complaints or litigation in
the ordinary course of its business. Except as disclosed, the Company believes
that such lawsuits, claims and other legal matters to which it has become
subject are not material to the Company's financial condition or results of
operations, but an existing or future lawsuit or claim resulting in an
unfavorable outcome to the Company could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial condition and results of operations.
NOTE E--RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On September 3, 1998, the NASDAQ Stock Market ("NASDAQ") notified the
Company of its intention to delist the securities of the Company at close of
business on September 10, 1998, for failure to be in compliance with the
maintenance requirements. The Company was also notified by the Boston Stock
Exchange on September 4, 1998 that the Company was no longer in compliance with
the minimum shareholders' equity requirements of this exchange. The Company was
then notified that it had been delisted by the Boston Stock Exchange on October
30, 1998, a decision the Company does not intend to appeal. The Company attended
an oral hearing in Washington, D.C. to appeal this decision by NASDAQ on October
30, 1998 and the Company's application for a hearing resulted in an automatic
stay in the delisting process. On December 2, 1998 the Company was notified by
NASDAQ, that they had decided to delist the Company's securities from the Stock
Market effective close of business on December 2, 1998. The Company has appealed
this decision, and the Company's securities are currently traded on the
over-the-counter Bulletin Board.
On December 3, 1998 the Company filed a FORM 8-K with the Securities and
Exchange Commission relating to the delisting.
5
<PAGE>
GROUP LONG DISTANCE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
UNAUDITED NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
NOTE E--RECENT DEVELOPMENTS--(Continued)
On November 12, 1998, the Company and STAR Telecommunications, Inc.
("STAR") executed a Letter of Intent, which provided, amongst other things, for
the acquisition by STAR of all or substantially all of the outstanding
securities of the Company at a purchase price of $3,700,000, plus an amount
equal to 85 percent of the Company's Accounts Receivable, net of billing costs,
aged less than sixty days, less certain liabilities and/or payables
(approximately $1.2 million). The transaction was also subject to approval by
both the Company's and STAR's board of directors. In December 1998, the Letter
of Intent expired and no further discussions have taken place.
On November 17, 1998 the Company filed a FORM 8-K with the Securities
Exchange Commission relating to the Star Letter of Intent to acquire the
Company.
On January 23, 1999 the agreement terminated between the Company and Gerard
Klauer Mattison & Co., Inc. to act as its financial advisor in exploring its
strategic options. The Company continues to explore strategic opportunities,
partnerships, business combinations and commercial advisory arrangements.
Certain of these options may involve the Company selling all or substantially
all of its assets or capital stock.
NOTE F--SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On February 2, 1999 the Company made a payment of $250,000 to WorldCom as
full and final settlement of all amounts owed under the Settlement Agreement.
Subsequent to January 31, 1999, the Company also paid certain Accounts Payable
of $150,000 and repaid the line of credit of $87,044 and a Note outstanding of
$26,458 plus interest.
6
<PAGE>
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation
The following discussion and analysis of significant factors affecting the
Company's operating results and liquidity and capital resources should be read
in conjunction with the accompanying financial statements and related notes.
This Report on Form 10-QSB contains forward-looking statements. Additional
written and oral forward-looking statements may be made by the Company from time
to time in Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") filings and otherwise. The
Company cautions readers that results predicted by forward-looking statements,
including, without limitation, those relating to the Company's future business
prospects, revenues, working capital, liquidity, capital needs, interest costs,
and income are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking
statements, due to the following factors, among other risks and factors
identified herein and from time to time in the Company's filings with the SEC.
Overview
Group Long Distance, Inc. (the "Company") is a long distance
telecommunications provider. The Company utilizes special network service
contracts through major national long distance telecommunications carriers to
provide its customers with products and services which include basic "1 plus"
and "800" long distance services. As a nonfacilities based reseller of long
distance telecommunication services, the Company utilizes service contracts to
provide its customers with switched, dedicated and private line services to
various long distance telecommunications networks such as Tel-Save.com, Inc.,
("Tel-Save"). The Company is dependent on its long distance carrier and numerous
regional and local telephone companies to provide its services and products. The
Company's revenues are derived from calls routed through Tel-Save. Such revenues
represented 96%, 74% and 61% of total revenues for the years ended April 30,
1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively and 100% of the revenues in the current fiscal
year.
To obtain favorable rates from its carriers, the Company has committed to
purchase certain minimum volumes of long distance services during stated
periods, whether or not such volumes are used. For the years ended April 30,
1998 and April 30, 1997, such commitments aggregated approximately $36,000,000
and $8,600,000, respectively. Failure to satisfy volume purchase commitment or
price increases by carriers could materially adversely affect the Company's
future operating results. The Company periodically renegotiates its volume
commitments with its carriers. While to date the Company has not incurred any
volume shortfall charges, there is no certainty that this will continue in the
future.
In October 1997, the Company outsourced its back office operations, which
included collections, customer service and provisioning, reducing its work force
from 26 to 7 employees. The effect of this action was to significantly reduce
overhead costs with the direct intention of improving customer service.
The Company has relied on the marketing of its services, by independent
telemarketers and independent agents, to generate a significant portion of its
revenues. As a result of the economic efficiencies of using independent
telemarketers, the Company significantly increased its use of telemarketers
during the fiscal year 1998. Since November 1997, the Company has curtailed its
telemarketing activities.
The Company had historically experienced delays in provisioning (activating
new customers) by its carriers. In an effort to improve provisioning
efficiencies, beginning in the fourth quarter of its 1997 fiscal year, new
customers of domestic switched, basic "1 plus" and "800" services have been
provisioned through Tel-Save's own nationwide telecommunications network, One
Better Net ("Tel-Save's OBN"). This network enables the Company to provide the
quality of AT&T (now Lucent Technologies, Inc.) switches and AT&T-provided
transmission facilities and billing services.
In a further effort to improve efficiencies, the Company commenced "LEC
billing" arrangements with the Regional Bell Operating Companies and local
exchange carriers ("LEC") during the second quarter of fiscal year 1998. These
LEC billing arrangements have improved billing efficiencies and increased
collections and customer retention, however, there can be no assurance that such
improved efficiencies, collections and customer retention will continue in the
future.
7
<PAGE>
The Company's operating results are significantly affected by customer
attrition rates. The Company believes that a high level of customer attrition in
the industry is primarily a result of national advertising campaigns,
telemarketing programs and customer incentives provided by major competitors, as
well as the termination of service for non-payment.
In connection with the acquisition of Adventures-in-Telecom, Inc. ("AIT")
in October 1996, the Company acquired a customer base of approximately 30,000
small businesses and recorded an asset of approximately $6.6 million at October
31, 1996, of which $5.6 million (net of receivables and marketing advances) was
to be amortized, over a five-year period. In December 1996, due to significant
attrition in the AIT customer base, the Company accelerated the amortization of
the acquisition costs of such base to the rate of 75% for the first year
(approximately $3,888,700) which had a material adverse effect on the Company's
operating results for the fiscal year ended April 30, 1997. The Company
amortized the remaining balance of customer acquisition costs of approximately
$1,730,000 at a rate of 15% and 10%, respectively, over the second and third
years after such acquisition. For the year ended April 30, 1998, the company
amortized approximately $1,131,200 with approximately $598,700 to be amortized
during the 1999 fiscal year.
The Company operates in a highly fragmented segment of the
telecommunications industry and has historically expanded its operations through
the acquisition of customer bases. Except as otherwise disclosed herein, the
Company has no plans, agreements, commitments, understandings or arrangements
with respect to any acquisition or merger. There can be no assurance that the
Company will ultimately effect any acquisition or be acquired itself (Refer
"Subsequent Events"), that the Company will not experience increased customer
attrition as a result of any acquisition, that the Company be able to
successfully integrate into its operations any business or customer base which
it may acquire, or that the Company will be able to service any debt or other
obligations incurred in connection with such acquisition.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the percentages of
total sales represented by certain items reflected in the Company's consolidated
statements of operations:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine months ended Three months ended
January 31, January 31,
----------- -----------
1999 1998 1999 1998
---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Sales ...................................... 100% 100% 100% 100%
Cost of Sales .............................. 61 70 52 68
Gross profit ............................... 39 30 48 32
Other Income, net .......................... -- 32 -- *
Selling, general and administrative
expense .................................. 10 14 5 11
Marketing expenses ......................... * 37 -- 39
Depreciation and amortization expense ...... 4 4 4 3
Interest expense, net ...................... * 1 1 1
Earnings before income taxes ............... 25 6 38 22
Income tax expense ......................... 4 5 9 5
Net earnings ............................... 21 1 29 17
</TABLE>
- -------------
*Less than 1 percent
8
<PAGE>
Comparison of Nine months ended January 31, 1999 to Nine months ended January
31, 1998 and of Three months ended January 31, 1999 to Three months ended
January 31, 1998.
Sales. The Company's sales were $21,312,008 for the nine months ended
January 31, 1999 compared to $41,562,858 for the nine months ended January 31,
1998, a decrease of $20,250,850 or 49%. Sales for the three months ended January
31, 1999 and January 31, 1998 were $5,408,839 and $16,084,410, respectively. The
decrease in sales, was a result of the curtailment of the previous telemarketing
campaign and normal attrition of the customer base. These customers were
primarily the result of the Company's telemarketing efforts during fiscal year
1998 which added approximately $37.1 million of additional sales for the year.
Management believes that the attrition of the customer base is normal for the
Industry and expected to continue during fiscal year 1999 but at a lower rate
than was experienced during the first three months of fiscal year 1999. Sales
for the three months ended January 31, 1999 were lower than those reported for
the three months ended January 31, 1998, again a result of the curtailment of
the telemarketing campaign. The Company has determined that it is currently
difficult to both procure new customers and achieve positive earnings after
amortization of acquisition costs for these new customers. This is due to the
competitive advantage held by facilities based carriers and internet marketing
enterprises.
Cost of Sales. Cost of sales were $12,922,067 for the nine months ended
January 31, 1999 compared to $29,205,126 for the nine months ended January 31,
1998, a decrease of $16,283,059 or 56%. As a percentage of sales, cost of sales
was 61% and 70% for the nine months ended January 31, 1999 and January 31, 1998,
respectively. Cost of sales for the three months ended January 31, 1999 and
January 31, 1998 were $2,834,374 and $10,982,704, respectively. As a percentage
of sales, cost of sales was 52% and 68% for the three months ended January 31,
1999 and January 31, 1998, respectively. The decrease in cost of sales between
comparative periods was due to the increased sales from the telemarketing
campaign in the first half of the previous fiscal year, as well as the result of
the Company being able to better negotiate its buy rate from its carriers. While
to date the Company has not incurred any volume shortfall charges, there is no
certainty that this will continue in the future.
Gross Profit. Gross profit was $8,389,941 for the nine months ended January
31, 1999 compared to $12,357,732 for the nine months ended January 31, 1998, a
decrease of $3,967,791 or 32%. As a percentage of sales, gross profit was 39%
and 30% for the nine months ended January 31, 1999 and January 31, 1998,
respectively. Gross profit was $2,574,465 for the three months ended January 31,
1999 compared to $5,101,706 for the three months ended January 31, 1998, a
decrease of $2,527,241 or 50%. As a percentage of sales, gross profit was 48%
and 32% for the three months ended January 31, 1999 and January 31, 1998,
respectively. The increase in gross profit percentages in both the nine month
period ended January 31, 1999 and three month period ended January 31, 1999 was
due to improved margins on the remaining customer base, lower buy rates from the
carrier and the reversal of certain accruals no longer required.
Other Income, Net. For the nine months ended January 31, 1998 Other Income,
was a direct result of the profit on sale of Tel-Save stock, being $13,417,657
(excluding taxation). This profit on sale arose as a result of the private sale
of 1,347,000 shares of common stock of Tel-Save at approximately $19.76 per
share, for gross proceeds to the Company of approximately $26.6 million. The
Company had acquired warrants to purchase 1,347,000 shares of Tel-Save, at an
average exercise price of $4.08 per share in connection with its August 11, 1997
acquisition of Eastern Telecommunications Incorporated ("ETI").
Selling, General and Administrative Expense. Selling, general and
administrative expenses ("SG&A") were $2,180,276 for the nine months ended
January 31, 1999 compared to $5,661,805 for the nine months ended January 31,
1998, a decrease of $3,481,529 or 61%. This decrease in SG&A was due to the
reduced sales volumes, lower commissions payable and bad debt expense, and a
significant reduction in operating expenses as compared to the nine months ended
January 31, 1998. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $249,914 for
the three months ended January 31, 1999 compared to $1,761,414 for the three
months ended January 31, 1998, a decrease of $1,511,500 or 86%. As a percentage
of sales, SG&A for the nine months ended January 31, 1999 and 1998 was
approximately 10% and 14%, respectively. For the three months ended January 31,
1999 and 1997, SG&A as a percentage of sales was approximately 5% and 11%,
respectively. This decrease was due to a reduction in costs as a result of lower
sales and significantly reduced operating expenses, as well as a once-off
reversal of certain accruals no longer deemed necessary.
9
<PAGE>
Marketing Expenses. Marketing expenses were $134,692 for the nine months
ended January 31, 1999 as against $15,404,923 for the nine months ended January
31, 1998. For the three months ended January 31, 1999 and 1997, marketing
expenses were $NIL and $6,307,572, respectively. These marketing expenses during
fiscal year 1999 were incurred as part of a new marketing campaign to sign up
customers using independant agents, aligned with affinity based marketing
programs. For the nine months ended January 31, 1998 these expenses were
incurred as a result of increased telemarketing efforts and which resulted in
increased sales of approximately $28.3 million for the nine months ended January
31, 1998. The Company has determined that is is currently difficult to both
procure new customers and achieve positive earnings after amortization of
acquisition costs for these new customers. This is due to the competitive
advantage held by facilities based carriers and internet marketing enterprises.
Depreciation and Amortization Expense. Depreciation and amortization
expense was $771,262 for the nine months ended January 31, 1999 compared to
$1,739,236 for the nine months ended January 31, 1998, a decrease of $967,974 or
56%. The significant reduction in depreciation and amortization for the year
ended April 30, 1998 was attributable to the use of an amortization rate of 15%
and 10% for the second and third years rather than the first year rate of 75%.
This was the result of the Company's change in the estimated rate of
amortization in the third quarter of the fiscal year ended April 30, 1997 of the
AIT customer base due to significant customer attrition. Depreciation and
amortization expense was $208,884 for the three months ended January 31, 1999
compared to $424,491 for the three months ended January 31, 1998. As a
percentage of sales, depreciation and amortization expense was approximately 4%
for the nine months ended January 31, 1999 and January 31, 1998, respectively.
For the three months ended January 31, 1999 and 1998, as a percentage of sales,
depreciation and amortization expense was approximately 4% and 3%, respectively.
Interest Expense Net. Interest expense (net) for the nine months ended
January 31, 1999 was $82,989 compared to $294,600 for the nine months ended
January 31, 1998, a decrease of $211,611 or 72%. Interest expense (net) for the
three months ended January 31, 1999 was $29,943 compared to $99,314 for the
three months ended January 31, 1998, a decrease of $69,371 or 70%. The interest
expense for the nine months and three months ended January 31, 1999 primarily
related to interest paid on the WorldCom Note and for the nine months and three
months ended January 31, 1998 was primarily due to the $5,521,230 loan from
Tel-Save in July 1996, which was primarily used to complete the AIT acquisition.
The outstanding loan balance was repaid in full in October 1997 with the
proceeds from the sale of the Tel-Save common stock acquired as part of the
purchase of ETI.
Income Taxes. Income tax expense was provided for the nine months ended
January 31, 1999 of $800,000 compared to $2,005,583 for the nine months ended
January 31, 1998. The decrease in the income tax provision for the nine months
ended January 31, 1999 is as a result of anticipated tax versus book deductions.
Net Earnings. The Company had net earnings of $4,420,722, or net earnings
of $1.26 per share, for the nine months ended January 31, 1999, as compared to
net earnings of $669,242, or $0.19 per share, for the nine months ended January
31, 1998. For the three months ended January 31, 1999 and 1998, net earnings
were $1,585,724 or $0.45 per share and a loss of $2,769,949 or a loss of $0.80
per share, respectively. The increase in net earnings during the nine months
ended January 31, 1999 was as a result of the improvement in gross margins,
lower operating expenses and curtailment of marketing activities. The net
earnings for the nine months ended January 31, 1998 reflected the one time gain
on the sale of the Tel-Save common stock offset by telemarketing expenses used
to attract new customers. Although the Company experienced reduced sales during
the nine months ended January 31, 1999 the improved gross margin and reduced
operating expenses together accounted for a profitable nine and three month
periods ended January 31, 1999.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company's primary cash requirements have been to fund the acquisition
of customer bases and increased levels of accounts receivable which have
required substantial working capital. The Company has historically satisfied its
working capital requirements principally through cash flow from operations
(including advances from Tel-Save) and borrowings from institutions and
carriers.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $1,351,504 for the nine
months ended January 31, 1999 as compared to cash used in operating activities
of $12,695,962 for the nine months ended January 31, 1998. The cash provided by
operating activities for the nine months ended January 31, 1999 is primarily
attributable to a decrease in accounts receivable as a result of collections,
and offset by a decrease in accounts payable as a result of repayment of debt.
For the nine months ended January 31, 1998 the cash used in operating activities
is primarily attributable to the gain on sale of investments of $13,417,657,
proceeds of which are reflected in cash flows from investing activities. No cash
was provided from investing activities for the nine months ended January 31,
1999, as compared to cash provided by investing activities of $20,626,846 for
the nine months ended January 31, 1998. The cash provided by investing
10
<PAGE>
activities was primarily attributable to the ETI acquisition and the resultant
sale of the Tel-Save common shares. Net cash used in financing activities was
$1,007,704 for the nine months ended January 31, 1999 as compared to $9,671,095
for the nine months ended January 31, 1998. The cash used in financing
activities for the nine months ended January 31, 1999 is primarily attributable
to the payment made in regards to the settlement of the AT&T debt outstanding in
July 1998 as well as payments made towards the WorldCom Settlement Amount in
terms of the Settlement Agreement. For the nine months ended January 31, 1998
the cash used in financing activities was primarily attributable to paying down
debt and accounts payable owed to Tel-Save, including payment of the balance of
the loan outstanding to Tel-Save in connection with the July 1996 acquisition of
all of the common stock of AIT and marketing expenses incurred in connection
with the Company's telemarketing efforts during the 1998 fiscal year. At January
31, 1999, the Company had cash of $647,762.
In August 1996, the Company entered into an agreement with Gateway American
Bank which, renewed as of December 1997, provides for a line of credit of up to
$150,000, bearing interest at the prime rate plus 1% and which matured on
September 5, 1998. This was subsequently extended to January 4, 1999. Repayment
of the loan and the line of credit is secured by all of the Company's equipment,
machinery, furniture and general intangibles and is personally guaranteed by
Gerald M. Dunne, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. As
of January 31, 1999, an amount of $87,044 was outstanding under this line of
credit. This line of credit was repaid in full in March 1999.
Effects of Inflation
The Company does not believe that inflation has had a significant impact on
its operations for the nine months and three months ended January 31, 1999 and
the nine months and three months ended January 31, 1998.
Recent Developments
On September 3, 1998, the NASDAQ Stock Market ("NASDAQ") notified the
Company of its intention to delist the securities of the Company at close of
business on September 10, 1998, for failure to be in compliance with the
maintenance requirements. The Company was also notified by the Boston Stock
Exchange on September 4, 1998 that the Company was no longer in compliance with
the minimum shareholders' equity requirements of this exchange. The Company was
then notified that it had been delisted by the Boston Stock Exchange on October
30, 1998, a decision the Company does not intend to appeal. The Company attended
an oral hearing in Washington, D.C. to appeal this decision by NASDAQ on October
30, 1998 and the Company's application for a hearing resulted in an automatic
stay in the delisting process. On December 2, 1998 the Company was notified by
NASDAQ, that they had decided to delist the Company's securities from the Stock
Market effective close of business on December 2, 1998. The Company has appealed
this decision, and the Company's securities are currently traded on the
over-the-counter Bulletin Board.
On December 3, 1998 the Company filed a FORM 8-K with the Securities and
Exchange Commission relating to the delisting.
On November 12, 1998, the Company and STAR Telecommunications, Inc.
("STAR") executed a Letter of Intent, which provided, amongst other things, for
the acquisition by STAR of all or substantially all of the outstanding
securities of the Company at a purchase price of $3,700,000, plus an amount
equal to 85 percent of the Company's Accounts Receivable, net of billing costs,
aged less than sixty days, less certain liabilities and/or payable
(approximately $1.2 million). The transaction was also subject to approval by
both the Company's and STAR's board of directors. In December 1998, the Letter
of Intent expired and no further discussions have taken place.
On November 17, 1998 the Company filed a FORM 8-K with the Securities
Exchange Commission relating to the Star Letter of Intent to acquire the
Company.
On January 23, 1999 the agreement terminated between the Company and
Gerard Klauer Mattison & Co., Inc. to act as its financial advisor in exploring
its strategic options. The Company continues to explore strategic opportunities,
partnerships, business combinations and commercial advisory arrangements.
Certain of these options may involve the Company selling all or substantially
all of its assets or capital stock.
Subsequent Events
On February 2, 1999 the Company made a payment of $250,000 to WorldCom as
full and final settlement of all amounts owed under the Settlement Agreement.
Subsequent to January 31, 1999, the Company also paid certain Accounts Payable
of $150,000 and repaid the line of credit of $87,044 and a Note outstanding of
$26,458 plus interest.
11
<PAGE>
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
Reference is made to Part 1, Item 3. Legal Proceedings, of the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended April 30, 1998 which is
incorporated herein in its entirety except to the litigation discussed below,
which is restated in its entirety except as amended to reflect recent
developments.
The Company is a defendant in a civil action styled Group Discount Dialing
v. Group Long Distance, Inc., Case No. CV-96-025165 S, pending in Connecticut.
In this action brought in October 1997, Group Discount Dialing seeks
approximately $500,000, subsequently reduced to $250,000 as damages. Both
parties have filed documentation and are awaiting a ruling by the court.
The Company has also filed a counter suit in a civil action styled Group
Long Distance, Inc. v. Sharon N. Kasek d/b/a Group Discount Dialing Case No.
94-0472 CA 5, which is pending in Florida. The Company is seeking $50,000 in
damages for breach of contract. On October 15, 1998 the court agreed to an
amendment joining Kenneth W. Kasek and Mindy Millman to this action
(collectively "GDD"). All settlement efforts have failed thus far, with
Defendants rejecting an offer by the Company to mutually dismiss all claims
and put an end to the dispute with no further consideration exchanged. The
Company now intends to aggressively litigate this action in order to reach a
conclusion of this expeditiously.
The Company is from time to time the subject of complaints or litigation in
the ordinary course of its business. Except as disclosed, the Company believes
that such lawsuits, claims and other legal matters to which it has become
subject are not material to the Company's financial condition or results of
operations, but an existing or future lawsuit or claim resulting in an
unfavorable outcome to the Company could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial condition and results of operations.
Item 6. Exhibits, List And Reports On Form 8-K
(a) Exhibit 27--Financial Data Schedule
(b) Reports on Form 8-K
On November 17, 1998 the Company filed a FORM 8-K with the
Securities Exchange Commission relating to the STAR Letter of
Intent to acquire the Company.
On December 3, 1998 the Company filed a FORM 8-K with the
Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the Company's
delisting from the NASDAQ Stock Market.
12
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized.
GROUP LONG DISTANCE, INC.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----
<S> <C> <C>
By: /s/ GERALD M. DUNNE, JR. Chairman, Chief Executive Officer March 17, 1999
--------------------------- and President
Gerald M. Dunne, Jr. (Principal Executive Officer)
By: /s/ PETER J. RUSSO Chief Financial Officer March 17, 1999
--------------------------- (Principal Financial Officer)
Peter J. Russo
By: /s/ SAM D. HITNER Controller March 17, 1999
--------------------------- (Principal Accounting Officer)
Sam D. Hitner
</TABLE>
13
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM GROUP
LONG DISTANCE, INC. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS ENDED JANUARY 31, 1999 AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0001004570
<NAME> GROUP LONG DISTANCE, INC.
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<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> APR-30-1999
<PERIOD-START> MAY-01-1998
<PERIOD-END> JAN-31-1999
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<CASH> 647,762
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 2,225,494
<ALLOWANCES> (748,000)
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<CURRENT-ASSETS> 2,138,234
<PP&E> 368,507
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<SALES> 21,312,008
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<CGS> 12,922,067
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<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 82,989
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<INCOME-TAX> 800,000
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