SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON D.C. 20549
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FORM 10-QSB
Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Quarter ended September 30, 1998
Commission file number: 0-18188
PAULSON CAPITAL CORP.
---------------------
Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter
Oregon 93-0589534
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(State of incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer Identification)
811 S.W. Naito Parkway
Portland, OR 97204
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(Address of principal (Zip Code)
executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (503) 243-6000
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Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by
Sections 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 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
--- ---
Number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's
classes of common stock, as of November 3, 1998:
Common stock, no par value - 3,841,169 shares
Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format: Yes No X
--- ---
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PART I -- FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAULSON CAPITAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(unaudited)
9/30/98 12/31/97
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents $ 60,675 $ 73,220
Receivable from broker-dealers and
clearing organizations 1,474,294 4,497,086
Notes and other receivables 887,232 657,918
Trading securities 1,435,311 8,901,802
Investment securities 7,311,994 7,068,580
Refundable income taxes 931,188 101,907
Prepaid and deferred expenses 213,772 400,845
Secured demand note -- 100,000
Deferred income taxes 289,100 289,100
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Total current assets 12,603,566 22,090,458
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FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT, net 272,320 202,605
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INVESTMENT IN REAL ESTATE 169,900 169,900
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DEFERRED INCOME TAXES -- --
----------- -----------
$13,045,786 $22,462,963
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The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAULSON CAPITAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET - CONTINUED
(unaudited)
9/30/98 12/31/97
<S> <C> <C>
LIABILITIES AND
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 213,539 $ 264,294
Payable to broker-dealers and clearing
organizations 1,715,746 6,041,296
Compensation, employee benefits
and payroll taxes 358,080 1,942,906
Securities sold, not yet purchased 90,354 330,729
Income taxes payable -- --
Subordinated note payable -- 100,000
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Total current liabilities 2,377,719 8,679,225
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SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Preferred stock, no par value;
authorized, 500,000 shares; issued
and outstanding, no shares -- --
Common stock, no par value; authorized,
10,000,000 shares; issued and
outstanding, 3,865,169 and
3,970,536, respectively 773,343 794,416
Retained earnings 9,894,724 12,989,322
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10,668,067 13,783,738
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$13,045,786 $22,462,963
=========== ===========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
</TABLE>
3
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAULSON CAPITAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
for the three and nine month periods ended
September 30, 1998 and September 30, 1997 (unaudited)
Three months ended Nine months ended
9/30/98 9/30/97 9/30/98 9/30/97
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues
Commissions $ 2,406,274 $ 3,455,578 $ 7,901,728 $ 8,663,743
Corporate finance 672,582 783,757 944,273 1,632,141
Investment income (1,837,097) 2,704,082 (2,299,264) 4,952,335
Trading income (loss) (112,489) 454,040 253,600 1,072,837
Interest and dividends 3,427 1,396 5,429 4,136
Other 6,532 6,731 16,875 23,187
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
1,139,229 7,405,584 6,822,641 16,348,379
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Expenses
Commissions and salaries 2,197,909 3,357,143 6,918,946 8,340,503
Underwriting expenses 314,780 140,909 475,522 286,484
Rent, telephone and
quotation services 192,901 234,307 614,930 617,949
Interest expense -- 1,500 2,561 4,496
Professional fees 113,428 159,145 325,624 477,377
Bad debt expense 30,471 30,000 90,471 88,513
Travel and entertainment 50,279 44,881 190,135 124,869
Settlements 19,005 37,299 22,698 44,299
Other 322,019 390,520 989,203 1,059,580
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
3,240,792 4,395,704 9,630,090 11,044,070
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Earnings (loss) before income taxes (2,101,563) 3,009,880 (2,807,449) 5,304,309
Provision for income taxes
Current -- 1,202,000 -- 2,122,000
Deferred -- -- -- --
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net Earnings (Loss) $(2,101,563) $ 1,807,880 $(2,807,449) $ 3,182,309
=========== =========== =========== ===========
Earnings (loss) per share $ (0.55) $ 0.45 $ (0.73) $ 0.80
=========== =========== =========== ===========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements
</TABLE>
4
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAULSON CAPITAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
For the three year period ended December 31,
1997 and the nine months ended September 30, 1998
(unaudited)
Common Stock
------------------------- Retained
Shares Amount Earnings
---------- ---------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at December 31, 1994 4,363,501 775,730 $ 1,225,043
Issuance of common stock in lieu
of directors' cash compensation 10,338 10,500 -
Redemption of common stock (49,300) (50,341) -
Net earnings for the year - - 2,925,033
---------- ---------- -----------
Balance at December 31, 1995 4,324,539 735,889 $ 4,150,076
Exercise of stock options 38,570 40,892 -
Issuance of common stock in lieu
of directors' cash compensation 3,432 7,500 -
Redemption of common stock (285,300) (50,580) (712,432)
Net earnings for the year - - 5,727,202
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Balance at December 31, 1996 4,081,241 $ 733,701 $ 9,164,846
Exercise of stock options 87,140 89,283 -
Issuance of common stock in lieu
of directors' cash compensation 2,266 8,000 -
Redemption of common stock (200,111) (36,568) (529,919)
Net earnings for the year - - 4,354,395
---------- ---------- -----------
Balance at December 31, 1997 3,970,536 $ 794,416 $12,989,322
Exercise of stock options - - -
Redemption of common stock (105,367) (21,073) (287,149)
Net earnings for the year to date - - (2,807,449)
---------- ---------- -----------
Balance at September 30, 1998 3,865,169 $ 773,343 $ 9,894,724
========== ========== ===========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements
</TABLE>
5
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAULSON CAPITAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited) for the nine month periods ended September 30,
1998 and September 30, 1997
9/30/98 9/30/97
------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash flows from operating activities
Net earnings (loss) $ (2,807,449) $ 3,182,309
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to
net cash used in operating activities
Unrealized (appreciation) depreciation
on investment securities 2,032,453 18,084
Realized (gain) loss on investment securities 266,812 (5,006,609)
Depreciation and amortization 58,330 43,422
Gain from sale of furniture and equipment (300) (6,799)
Change in assets and liabilities
Receivables 2,893,478 3,006,875
Trading securities 7,466,491 (1,984,089)
Refundable income taxes (829,281) 412,261
Prepaid and deferred expenses 187,073 (40,529)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (6,061,131) (3,296,820)
Securities sold, not yet purchased (40,375) (118,291)
Bank overdraft -- --
Income taxes payable -- 293,646
------------ ------------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 3,166,101 (3,496,540)
------------ ------------
Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of investment securities (19,159,011) (15,545,898)
Proceeds from sale of investment securities 16,416,332 19,461,307
Additions to furniture and equipment (128,045) (68,249)
Proceeds from sale of furniture and equipment 300 9,600
------------ ------------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities $ (2,870,424) $ 3,856,760
------------ ------------
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements
</TABLE>
6
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited) - CONTINUED
9/30/98 9/30/97
---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C>
Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from exercise of stock options - 89,283
Payments to retire common stock (308,222) (561,236)
Decrease in bank overdraft payable - -
---------- ----------
Net cash provided by
(used in) financing activities (308,222) (471,953)
---------- ----------
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (12,545) (111,733)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 73,220 185,445
---------- ----------
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30 $ 60,675 $ 73,712
========== ==========
Cash paid during the three months for
Interest $ -- $ 1,500
========== ==========
Income taxes $ 6,481 $ 97,669
========== ==========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements
</TABLE>
7
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
1. Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with the instructions for interim financial statements in
Article 10 of Regulation S-X and, therefore, do not include all information and
footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete
financial statements. In the opinion of management, the interim financial
statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring
accruals) necessary to state fairly the information shown therein. The nature of
the Company's business is such that the results of any interim period are not
necessarily indicative of results for a full fiscal year.
2. Securities Owned
Any losses from the disposition of securities are reflected in trading
revenues on the income statement for the period.
3. Commitments and Contingencies
The Company and PIC are defendants in Holly Millar and Bertram Ostrau v.
Pearce Systems International, Inc., et al., filed in San Francisco Superior
Court, State of California, in March 1996. An asserted class action, plaintiffs
allege violations of the California securities law, deceit, negligent
misrepresentation and unfair business practices relating to alleged
misstatements in the prospectus used in connection with a February 1994, $5
million public offering in which PIC acted as the managing underwriter.
Plaintiffs seek rescission of the offering as well as actual damages, interest,
attorney fees and punitive damages. No class has been certified. The case is set
for trial April 6, 1999. Pursuant to a tolling agreement with the plaintiff, the
Company (but not PIC) expects to be dismissed without prejudice from the
lawsuit. PIC and plaintiffs reached a settlement in principle in August 1998.
The settlement is subject to court approval. The total payment by PIC under the
settlement would depend upon the number of purchasers in the public offering who
file valid claims. PIC believes the maximum total payment by PIC under the
settlement would be approximately $920,000, but the actual payment could be
less, depending upon the number of valid claims filed. A disagreement among the
parties has arisen during the drafting of the settlement agreement on terms
which would not affect PIC's analysis of the potential settlement payment. At
this time, it is unclear what effect this disagreement will have on the
settlement. If the case does not settle, the Company and PIC believe they have
meritorious defenses and intend to defend this matter vigorously.
Richard Toscano Claim Richard Toscano, a former PIC customer, has filed an
arbitration claim against PIC and Jeff Hudson, a former PIC broker, alleging
various securities law violations,
8
<PAGE>
including unsuitability and misrepresentation, in connection with his account
with PIC. He has also alleged that PIC failed to supervise Mr. Hudson. Mr.
Toscano seeks damages in excess of $90,000 plus interest, attorney fees and
punitive damages. An arbitration hearing for this matter is set for January 17,
1999. PIC believes it has meritorious defenses and intends to defend this matter
vigorously.
Masood Asif Claim In March 1998, Masood Asif, a former PIC customer,
asserted various claims against PIC and Sid Lodhi, a PIC broker, alleging
various securities law violations, including unsuitability and
misrepresentation, in connection with his account with PIC. He has also alleged
breach of fiduciary duty and failure to advise of potential tax liabilities. Mr.
Asif seeks $200,000 in damages. Although Mr. Asif has indicated that he will
seek arbitration of this matter, no arbitration has yet been filed. Although PIC
has not completed its investigation of this matter, it believes it has
meritorious defenses and intends to defend this matter vigorously if an
arbitration claim is filed.
Shahid and Lita Choudhry Claim In February 1998, the Choudhrys, former PIC
customers, asserted various claims against PIC and Sid Lodhi, a PIC broker,
claiming that Mr. Lodhi did not execute certain sales according to directions
allegedly received from Mr. Choudhry. The Choudhrys seek damages of $343,000.
PIC believes it has meritorious defenses and intends to defend this matter
vigorously if an arbitration claim is filed.
An adverse outcome in certain of the matters described above could have a
material adverse effect on PIC or the Company. PIC has been named in certain
other legal proceedings and has received notice that certain customers may
commence legal proceedings against PIC. The Company believes, based upon
information received to date and, where the Company believes it appropriate,
discussions with legal counsel, that resolution of this additional pending or
threatened litigation will have no material adverse effect on the consolidated
financial condition, results of operations, or business of the Company.
9
<PAGE>
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OR PLAN OF OPERATION
Three Months Ended September 30, 1998 vs. Three Months Ended September 30, 1997
Results of Operations
The revenues and operating results of the Company's operating subsidiary,
Paulson Investment Company, Inc. ("PIC"), are influenced by fluctuations in the
equity underwriting markets as well as general economic and market conditions,
particularly conditions in the over-the-counter market, where PIC's investment
account, trading inventory positions and underwriter warrants are heavily
concentrated. Significant fluctuations can occur in PIC's revenues and operating
results from one period to another. PIC's operations depend upon many factors,
such as the number of companies that are seeking public financing, the quality
and financial condition of those companies, market conditions in general, the
performance of previous PIC underwritings and interest in certain industries by
investors. As a result, revenues and income derived from these activities may
vary significantly from period to period. In the table below, "Trading Income"
is the net gain or loss from trading positions before commissions paid to the
representatives in the trading department. "Investment Income" includes amounts
received, if any, from the exercise of PIC's underwriter warrants.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Summary of Changes in Major Categories
of Revenues and Expenses
Quarter Ended Sept. 30 Nine Months Ended Sept. 30
1998 vs. 1997 1998 vs. 1997
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues:
Sales Commissions $(1,049,304) (30.4 %) $ (762,015) (8.8 %)
Corporate Finance (111,175) (14.2 %) (687,868) (42.2 %)
Investment Income (4,541,179) (167.9 %) (7,251,599) (146.4 %)
Trading Income (566,529) (124.8 %) (819,237) (76.4 %)
Other 1,832 22.5 % (5,019) (18.4 %)
----------- ------- ----------- -------
Total $(6,266,355) (84.6 %) $(9,525,738) (58.3 %)
Expenses:
Commissions and Salaries $(1,159,234) (34.5 %) $(1,421,557) (17.0 %)
Underwriting Expenses 173,871 123.4 % 189,038 66.0 %
Rent, Telephone and Quotes (41,406) (17.7 %) (3,019) (0.5 %)
Other (128,143) (19.3 %) (178,442) (9.9 %)
----------- ------- ----------- ------
Total $(1,154,912) (26.3 %) $(1,413,980) (12.8 %)
Pretax Income $(5,111,443) (169.8 %) $(8,111,758) (152.9 %)
</TABLE>
10
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Total revenues for the third quarter of 1998 fell 84.6 percent from the
third quarter of 1997, to $1,139,229 from $7,405,584. As shown in the table
above, sales commissions fell $1,049,304, or 30.4 percent, to $2,406,274 in the
third quarter of 1998 from $3,455,578 in the comparable 1997 period. This
decrease resulted primarily from the more favorable price movements and trading
levels in smaller capitalization issues in the 1997 quarter, compared to
substantially less favorable levels in 1998. (The Nasdaq Industrial Index rose
16.3 percent in the third quarter of 1997 compared to a fall of 22.7 percent in
the 1998 quarter.) Corporate finance revenues fell 14.2 percent, or $111,175, in
the third quarter of 1998 compared to the third quarter of 1997.
PROOFREAD THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH, then reconnect these three paragraphs:
One corporate finance transaction totaling $ 7.9 million was completed in the
1997 quarter and two transactions totaling $16.4 million were completed in the
1998 quarter. The 1998 transactions, which consisted of a private placement and
a public offering for which PIC acted as co-manager, resulted in significantly
smaller margins than those received by PIC in the 1997 transaction, which was a
public offering and for which PIC acted as the sole manager.
Investment income fell $4,541,179 or
167.9 percent, to a loss of $1,837,097 in the third quarter of 1998 from a gain
$2,704,082 in the third quarter of 1997. This decline was due to substantial
realized losses on several positions in the investment account in 1998 compared
to realized gains in the investment account in the 1997 quarter. Trading income
fell $566,529, or 124.8 percent, from $454,040 in the third quarter of 1997 to a
loss of $112,489 in the comparable 1998 period. This decrease was primarily due
to significant price declines in the quarter in issues for which PIC had acted
as the managing underwriter in corporate finance transactions.
Total expenses fell $1,154,912 in the third quarter of 1998 from the
comparable 1997 period, a decrease of 26.3 percent, to $3,240,792 from
$4,395,704. Commissions and salaries fell $1,159,234, or 34.5 percent, to
$2,197,909 in the 1998 quarter from $3,357,143 in 1997. This decrease was
primarily due to decreased commission revenues resulting in a lower level of
commissions paid. (Higher percentage commission levels are generally paid to
employee registered representatives at higher production levels.) Underwriting
expenses rose by $173,871, or 123.4 percent, due primarily to the completion of
two transactions and the write-off of certain expenses relating to corporate
finance transactions that were terminated; there was a single corporate finance
transaction completed in the 1997 quarter. Rent, telephone and quote expenses
decreased to $192,901 in the 1998 period from $234,307 in 1997, a decrease of
17.7 percent, primarily due to decreased transaction-related quotation charges
and decreased long-distance charges related to the overall slowdown in
commission business. Other expenses decreased 19.3 percent, or $128,143, to
$535,202 in the third quarter of 1998 from $663,345 in the third quarter of
1997. The largest factors in this decrease were a $180,260 decreased accrual for
employee profit sharing and a $45,717 decrease in professional fees more than
offsetting a $118,362 increase in insurance costs.
The Company had a pretax loss of $2,101,563 in the third quarter of 1998
compared to a pretax profit of $3,009,880 in the third quarter of 1997. The
biggest factor in this decrease was the substantial loss in investment income in
the 1998 quarter compared to the substantial gain in the
11
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1997 quarter, which added to decreases in PIC's general securities and trading
activities. Significant fluctuations can occur in PIC's revenues and operating
results from one period to another.
The Company did not accrue any income taxes in the quarter, compared to an
accrual of $1,202,000 in income taxes for the third quarter of 1997. Independent
of investment income, the Company would have had a loss before income taxes of
$264,466 in the third quarter of 1998 compared to profit before income taxes of
$305,798 in the third quarter of 1997.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The majority of PIC's assets are cash and assets readily convertible to
cash. PIC's securities inventory is stated at market value. The liquidity of the
market for many of PIC's securities holdings, however, varies with trends in the
stock market. Since many of the securities held by PIC are thinly traded, and
PIC is in many cases a primary market maker in the issues held, any significant
sales of PIC's positions could adversely affect the liquidity of the issues
held. In general, falling prices in OTC securities (which make up most of PIC's
trading positions) lead to decreased liquidity in the market for these issues,
while rising prices in OTC issues tend to increase the liquidity of the market
for these securities. The overall increase in prices for the OTC securities
traded by PIC in 1995, 1996 and 1997 was combined with a general increase in the
liquidity of the markets for these securities. The decline in prices for the OTC
securities traded by PIC in 1998 and in 1994 was combined with a general
decrease in the liquidity of the markets for these securities. PIC's investment
account and trading inventory accounts are stated at fair market value, which is
at or below quoted market price.
PIC borrows money from its clearing firm in the ordinary course of its
business, pursuant to an understanding under which the clearing firm agrees to
finance PIC's trading accounts. As of September 30, 1998, PIC owed its clearing
firm $241,452 pursuant to this arrangement. PIC had no subordinated loans at
September 30, 1998. PIC and the Company are generally able to meet their
compensation and other obligations out of current liquid assets.
Another source of capital to PIC and the Company has been the exercise of
underwriter warrants issued to PIC in connection with its corporate finance
activities and the sale of the underlying securities. These warrants are not
reflected on the balance sheet of PIC or Paulson Capital. While the warrants and
the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants are not immediately
saleable, PIC receives the right to require the issuer to register the
underlying securities for resale to the public. Profits, if any, from the
warrants are realized based upon the difference between the market price and the
exercise price on the date of exercise. Further profits or losses are
subsequently realized when the underlying securities are sold. Profits and
losses realized from the warrants are recorded as "Investment Income." There is
no public market for the underwriter warrants. The securities receivable upon
exercise of the underwriter warrants cannot be resold unless the issuer has
registered these securities with the SEC and the states in which the
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securities will be sold or exemptions are available. Any delay or other problem
in the registration of these securities would have an adverse impact upon PIC's
ability to obtain funds from the exercise of the underwriter warrants and the
resale of the underlying securities. At September 30, 1998, PIC owned 33
underwriter warrants (from 31 issuers), of which 27 were currently exercisable.
Four of the exercisable warrants had an exercise price below the current market
price of the securities receivable upon exercise. The value of the firm's
underwriter warrants depends on the prices of the underlying securities. These
prices are influenced by general movements in the prices of OTC securities as
well as the success of the issuers of the underwriter warrants.
In the nine months ended September 30, 1998, $3,166,101 of net cash was
provided by operating activities of the Company. The major adjustments to
reconcile this result to the Company's net loss included a decrease in accounts
payable and accrued liabilities of $6,061,131 and an increase in refundable
income taxes of $829,281 being more than offset by an unrealized loss on
investment securities of $2,032,453, a decrease in trading securities of
$7,466,491, and a decrease in receivables of $2,893,478. In the first nine
months of 1998, $2,870,424 of net cash was used by the Company in investing
activities, primarily resulting from $16,416,332 of proceeds from the sale of
short-term investment securities being more than offset by the purchase of
$19,159,011 of short-term investment securities and the purchase of $128,045 in
furniture and equipment. In the first nine months of 1998, $308,222 of net cash
was used in financing activities to retire common stock. The net decrease in
cash and cash equivalents for the nine month period totaled $12,545. See
"Financial Statements -- Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows."
As a securities broker-dealer, the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, PIC,
is required by SEC regulations to meet certain liquidity and capital standards.
At September 30, 1998, the Company had no material commitments for capital
expenditures.
In general, the primary ongoing sources of PIC's, and therefore the
Company's, liquidity, including PIC's trading positions, borrowings on those
positions and profits realized upon the exercise of underwriter warrants, all
depend in large part on the trend in the general markets for OTC securities.
Rising OTC price levels will tend to increase the value and liquidity of PIC's
trading positions, the amount that can be borrowed from its clearing firm based
upon those positions, and the value of PIC's underwriter warrants. The Company
believes its liquidity is sufficient to meet its needs for the foreseeable
future.
Inflation
Because PIC's assets are primarily liquid, they are not significantly
affected by inflation. The rate of inflation affects PIC's expenses, such as
employee compensation, office leasing and communications costs. These costs may
not readily be recoverable in the price of services offered by the Company. To
the extent inflation results in rising interest rates and has other adverse
effects in the securities markets and the value of securities held in inventory
or PIC's investment account, it may adversely affect the Company's financial
position and results of operations.
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Year 2000 Efforts
The Company has begun to address the issue of computer programs and
embedded computer chips being unable to distinguish between the year 1900 and
the year 2000 (the "Y2K" issue). The Company has no proprietary operating system
or applications software, nor do any of its operations use mainframe or
mini-computer systems. Therefore, the Company's focus with respect to the Y2K
issue is: (1) its PC hardware and software purchased from third parties; and (2)
external suppliers and service providers.
The general phases of the Company's Y2K efforts are: (1) inventorying
computer hardware and software and other items which may be affected by the Y2K
issue; (2) assigning priorities to identified items; (3) assessing the Y2K
compliance of items determined to be material to the to the Company; (4)
repairing or replacing material items that are determined not to be Y2K
compliant; (5) testing material items; and (6) designing and implementing
contingency and business continuation plans for the Company.
The Company has been conducting a comprehensive review and analysis of its
information systems since early 1998 and completed an inventory of its computer
technology and determination of material items in the third quarter. Material
items are those believed by the Company to have a risk involving property damage
or affecting revenues. During the remainder of 1998 and in the first half of
1999, the Company expects to begin upgrading and replacing certain components of
its computer technology. The Company expects to replace a large number of its
desktop personal computers with newer Y2K compliant models, and it may also
upgrade server hardware and/or software for certain of its network systems,
pending the outcome of testing expected to be conducted in early 1999. All
testing of hardware and software will be performed by the Company in conjunction
with certain of its external suppliers. The Company also expects to upgrade or
convert operating system and applications software that is not Y2K compliant.
The Company believes the upgrade or conversion of its desktop hardware and
applications and operating system software is approximately 20 percent complete
and expects these upgrades and conversions to be completed by June 30, 1999. The
Company believes these efforts were on schedule as of September 30, 1998. The
testing phase is conducted as hardware or software is replaced and is also
scheduled to be completed by mid-1999. Contingency planning for the desktop
computers and related software began in the third quarter of 1998 and is
expected to be completed by the third quarter of 1999.
The Company's efforts with respect to external suppliers and service
providers involves identifying and prioritizing critical suppliers and
communicating with them about their plans and progress in addressing the Y2K
issue. Detailed evaluations of the most critical third parties have been
initiated. These evaluations will be followed by the development of contingency
plans, which are scheduled for the first quarter of 1999. The Company believes
these efforts were on schedule as of September 30, 1998. The most critical
service provider to PIC, the Company's
14
<PAGE>
operating subsidiary, is its clearing firm, Correspondent Services Corporation
("CSC") and CSC's parent company, PaineWebber, which serves as the custodian for
PIC's brokerage customers. CSC has established a plan to thoroughly address the
Y2K issue, which the Company has reviewed. PIC is working with CSC and
PaineWebber and believes it is taking all appropriate steps to assess CSC's
readiness with respect to the Y2K issue.
The total cost associated with required modifications to become Y2K
compliant is not expected to be material to the Company's financial position.
The estimated total cost of the Company's Y2K efforts is estimated to be between
$180,000 and $280,000. The total amount expended on the Y2K issue by the Company
through September 30, 1998 was $30,000. Of these expenditures, approximately
$27,000 related to the cost to repair or replace software and related hardware
problems and approximately $3,000 related to the cost of identifying and
communicating with external suppliers and working with them on the Y2K issue.
The estimated future cost of completing the Company's Y2K efforts is estimated
to be between $150,000 and $250,000 between $125,000 and $200,000 to repair or
replace software and related hardware and between $25,000 and $50,000 to
identify and communicate with external suppliers. Funds for these costs are
provided from PIC's operating budget.
The failure to correct a material Y2K problem could result in an
interruption in, or a failure of, certain normal business activities or
operations. These failures could materially and adversely affect the Company's
results of operations, liquidity and financial condition. Due to the general
uncertainty inherent in the Y2K problem, resulting in part from the uncertainty
of the Y2K readiness of third-party suppliers, the Company is unable to
determine at this time whether the consequences of Y2K failures will have a
material impact on the Company's results of operations, liquidity or financial
condition. The Company's Y2K efforts are expected to significantly reduce the
Company's level of uncertainty about the Y2K problem and, in particular, about
the Y2K compliance and readiness of its material external suppliers. The Company
believes that, with the implementation of new business systems and completion of
the Project as scheduled, the possibility of significant interruptions of normal
operations should be reduced.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE "SAFE HARBOR" PROVISIONS OF THE
PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
The Company is including the following cautionary statement to take
advantage of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995 for any forward-looking statement made by, or on behalf of,
the Company. The factors identified in this cautionary statement are important
factors (but not necessarily all important factors) that could cause actual
results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking
statement made by, or on behalf of, the Company. Where any forward-looking
statement includes a statement of the assumptions or bases underlying the
forward-looking statement, the Company cautions that, while
15
<PAGE>
it believes the assumptions or bases to be reasonable and makes them in good
faith, assumed facts or bases almost always vary from actual results, and the
differences between assumed facts or bases and actual results can be material,
depending on the circumstances. Where, in any forward-looking statement, the
Company expresses an expectation or belief as to future results, that
expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a
reasonable basis, but there is no assurance that the statement of expectation or
belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. Taking into account the
foregoing, the following are identified as important risk factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any
forward-looking statement made by, or on behalf of, the Company.
The dates on which the Company believes the Company's Y2K efforts will be
completed are based on its best estimates, which were derived using numerous
assumptions of future events, including the continued availability of certain
resources, third-party modification plans and other factors. However, there is
no guarantee that these estimates will be achieved or that there will not be a
delay in, or increased costs associated with, the implementation of the Y2K
efforts described above. A delay in the Y2K corrections by CSC could also impact
the Company's readiness. Specific factors that might cause differences between
the estimates and actual results include, but are not limited to, the
availability and cost of personnel trained in these areas, the ability to locate
and correct all relevant computer code, timely responses to and corrections by
third-parties and suppliers, the ability to implement interfaces between the new
systems and the systems not being replaced, and similar uncertainties. Due to
the general uncertainty inherent in the Y2K problem, resulting in part from the
uncertainty of the Y2K readiness of third-parties, the Company cannot ensure its
ability to timely and cost-effectively resolve problems associated with the Y2K
issue that may affect its operations and business, or expose it to third-party
liability.
16
<PAGE>
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
See Note 3 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Item
1.
Item 2. Changes in Securities.
None
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities.
None
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
None
Item 5. Other Information.
In accordance with amendments adopted on May 21, 1998 to Rule 14a-4 under
the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, if notice of a shareholder proposal to
be raised at the annual meeting of shareholders is received at the principal
executive offices of the Company after March 31, 1999 (45 days prior to the
month and date in 1999 corresponding to the date on which the Company mailed its
proxy materials for the 1998 annual meeting), proxy voting on that proposal when
and if raised at the 1999 annual meeting will be subject to the discretionary
voting authority of the designated proxy holders. Any shareholder proposal to be
considered for inclusion in proxy materials for the Company's 1999 annual
meeting must be received at the principal executive offices of the Company no
later than January 16, 1999.
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
Exhibit
No. Description
------- -----------
27 Financial Data Schedule
No Reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter ended September 30, 1998.
17
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
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.
PAULSON CAPITAL CORP.
Date: November 4, 1998 By: CHESTER L.F. PAULSON
-------------------------- -----------------------------
Chester L.F. Paulson
President
Date: November 6, 1998 By: CAROL RICE
----------------------------- ------------------------------------
Carol Rice
Principal Accounting Officer
18
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit Sequential
No. Description Page No.
------- ----------- ----------
27 Financial Data Schedule
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THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
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