Peerless Systems Announces Results for the Second Quarter Ended July 31, 2013


STAMFORD, Conn., Sept. 12, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Peerless Systems Corporation (Nasdaq:PRLS) today reported financial results for its second fiscal quarter and first six months of fiscal 2014 that ended July 31, 2013.

Fiscal 2014 Second Quarter Results

Revenues were $847,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2013, compared to $451,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2012. This 88% increase is primarily attributable to two customers who have recently exhausted their block licenses and are currently paying us on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Gross margins were 94.9% and 101.8% for the three months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease in gross margins was primarily due to higher licensing fees being paid to third parties resulting from a change in the revenue stream from our customers and the mix of products sold by our customers during the period. We recorded adjustments to estimates of cost of revenues in the amount of $32,000 and $26,000 for three months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Income from operations was $137,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2013, compared to a loss of $34,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2012. This improvement is primarily attributable to the 88% increase in revenue.

Other income (loss), net was a loss of $702,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2013 as compared to a loss of $431,000 for the three months ended July 31, 2012 due to higher realized losses on sales of marketable securities in the current period.

Net loss for the three months ended July 31, 2013 was approximately $399,000 or $0.14 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net loss of approximately $303,000, or $0.09 per basic and diluted share for the three months ended July 31, 2012.

Fiscal 2014 First Six Months Results

Revenues were $1,948,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2013, compared to $1,065,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2012. This 83% increase is primarily attributable to two customers who have recently exhausted their block licenses and are currently paying us on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Gross margins were 91.2% and 95.9% for the six months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease in gross margins was primarily due to higher licensing fees being paid to third parties resulting from a change in the revenue stream from our customers and the mix of products sold by our customers during the period.

Income from operations was $772,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2013, compared to $92,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2012.  This 740% increase is primarily attributable to the 83% increase in revenue.

Other income (loss), net was a loss of $1,116,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2013 as compared to a gain of $178,000 for the six months ended July 31, 2012 due to higher realized losses on sales of marketable securities in the current period.

Net loss for the six months ended July 31, 2013 was approximately $264,000 or $0.09 per basic share diluted share, compared to a net income of approximately $143,000, or $0.04 per basic and diluted share for the six months ended July 31, 2012.

Timothy E. Brog, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Peerless, said, "We are very pleased that our historical licensing business continues to generate positive cash flow and our search for potential acquisitions and investment opportunities are ongoing."

About Peerless Systems Corporation

Founded in 1982, Peerless historically licensed imaging and networking technologies to the digital document markets. Effective July 31, 2008, Peerless sold its imaging and networking technologies and certain other assets to Kyocera Document Solutions, Inc.  Peerless retains certain rights to continue licensing these technologies to customers in the digital document markets.  Peerless is seeking to maximize the value of its licensing business and is exploring various alternatives to enhance stockholder value, potentially through establishing a new venture or acquiring an existing business, as well as through other investment opportunities.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Some statements included in this news release are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, and, therefore, involve uncertainties or risks that could cause actual results to differ materially there from.  These statements may contain words such as "desires," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "intends," "estimates" or similar expressions.  These statements are not guarantees of the Company's future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.  Such statements include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to maximize the value of its licensing business or to enhance stockholder value, potentially through establishing a new venture or acquiring an existing business, or through other investment opportunities. Additional information regarding factors that could cause results to differ materially from management's expectations is found in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 29, 2013.  The Company intends that the forward-looking statements included herein be subject to the above-mentioned statutory safe harbors. Investors are cautioned not to rely on forward-looking statements.  The Company disclaims any obligation to update forward-looking statements.

PEERLESS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(In thousands except per share amounts)
         
  Three Months Ended July 31, Six Months Ended July 31,
  2013 2012 2013 2012
         
Revenues  $ 847 $ 451 $ 1,948 $ 1,065
Cost of revenues  43  (8)  171  44
Gross margin  804  459  1,777  1,021
         
Operating expenses        
Sales and marketing  32  31  60 62
General and administrative  635  462  945 867
Total operating expenses  667  493  1,005  929
Income (loss) from operations  137  (34)  772  92
Other income (loss), net  (702)  (431)  (1,116) 178
Income (loss) before income taxes  (565)  (465)  (344)  270
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes  (166)  (162)  (80) 127
Net income (loss)  $ (399) $ (303)  $ (264) $ 143
Basic earnings (loss) per share  $ (0.14)  $ (0.09)  $ (0.09)  $ 0.04
Diluted earnings (loss) per share  $ (0.14)  $ (0.09)  $ (0.09)  $ 0.04
Weighted average common shares - outstanding — basic 2,762 3,309  2,834  3,308
Weighted average common shares - outstanding — diluted 2,762 3,309  2,834  3,502
         
     
PEERLESS SYSTEMS CORPORATION
UNAUDITED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
(In thousands)
 
  July 31, 2013 January 31, 2013
     
ASSETS    
Current assets:    
 Cash and cash equivalents   $ 11,202 $ 8,866
 Marketable securities   563  2,910
 Trade accounts receivable, net   1,009  1,346
 Deferred tax assets   109  495
 Income tax receivable   322  231
 Prepaid expenses and other current assets   73  65
 Total current assets   13,278  13,913
 Other assets   6  4
     
 Total assets   $ 13,284  $ 13,917
     
 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY     
     
 Current liabilities:     
 Accrued wages and compensated absences  $64 $103
 Accrued product licensing costs   242  315
 Other current liabilities   104  143
 Total current liabilities   410  561
 Other liabilities     
 Tax liabilities   280  276
 Total liabilities   690  837
 Stockholders' equity:     
 Common stock, $.001 par value, 30,000 shares authorized, 19,679 issued at July 31, 2013 and 19,588 issued at January 31, 2013   19  18
 Additional paid-in capital   57,967  57,534
 Retained earnings   6,362  6,626
 Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes   (43)  (657)
 Treasury stock, 16,814 at July 31, 2013 and 16,460 at January 31, 2013   (51,711)  (50,441)
 Total stockholders' equity   12,594  13,080
     
 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $ 13,284 $ 13,917
     

            

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