This Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by words such as “anticipates”, “believes”, “expects”, “intends”, “may”, “can”, “will”, “places”, “estimates”, and other similar expressions. However, these words are not the only way we identify forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include among other things, any expectations, projections, or other characterizations of future events, or circumstances, and include statements regarding: our strategy and our ability to execute our business plan; our competition and the market in which we operate; our customers and suppliers; our revenue and trends related thereto, and the recognition and components thereof; our costs and expenses, including capital expenditures; our investment of surplus funds and sales of marketable securities seasonality and demand; our investment in research and technology development; changes to general and administrative expenses; our foreign operations and the reinvestment of our earnings related thereto; our investment in and protection of our intellectual property (“ IP”); our employees; capital expenditures and the sufficiency of our capital resources; unrecognized tax benefit and tax liabilities; the impact of changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates, as well as our plans with respect to foreign currency hedging in general; changes in laws and regulations, including with respect to taxes; our plans and estimates related to and the impact of current and future litigation and arbitration and our dividend, stock repurchase and equity distribution programs.
Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, therefore we caution you not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the risk factors contained under Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission the (“SEC”) on March 11, 2024 and Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in Barnes & Noble Educations’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 27, 2024 filed with the SEC on July 1, 2024.
Any forward-looking statements made by us in this report speak only as of the date of this report, and we do not intend to update these forward-looking statements after the filing of this report, unless required to do so by applicable law or regulation. You are urged to review carefully and consider our various disclosures in this report and in our other reports publicly disclosed or filed with the SEC that attempt to advise you of the risks and factors that may affect our business.
COMPANY OVERVIEW
Immersion Corporation (“Immersion”) was incorporated in 1993 in California and reincorporated in Delaware in 1999. In this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations the terms the “Company,” “us,” “we,” or “our” refer to Immersion and its consolidated subsidiaries. Immersion generates license and royalty revenues from a wide range of intellectual property (“IP”) that more fully engage users’ sense of touch when operating digital devices. We focus on the following target application areas: mobile devices, wearables, consumer, mobile entertainment and other content; console gaming; automotive; medical; and commercial.
On June 10, 2024, we acquired a controlling interest in Barnes & Noble Education, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Barnes & Noble Education”), refer to Note 2. Business Combination for more information. The financial results of Barnes & Noble Education have been included in our condensed consolidated financial statements from the acquisition date of June 10, 2024.
Following the closing of the Transactions (as defined in Note 2. Business Combination) with Barnes & Noble Education we operate our business in two operating segments: Immersion and Barnes & Noble Education.
RESULTS OF OPERATION
| | Three Months Ended June 30, | | | | Six Months Ended June 30, | |
| | 2024 | | | | 2023 | | | | 2024 | | | | 2023 | |
Revenues: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Immersion: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Royalty and license | $ | 52,403 | | | $ | 6,983 | | | $ | 96,250 | | | $ | 14,057 | |
Barnes & Noble Education: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Product and other | | 45,073 | | | | — | | | | 45,073 | | | | — | |
Rental income | | 1,948 | | | | — | | | | 1,948 | | | | — | |
| | 47,021 | | | | — | | | | 47,021 | | | | — | |
Total revenues | | 99,424 | | | | 6,983 | | | | 143,271 | | | | 14,057 | |
Cost of sales (excludes depreciation and amortization expense): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Barnes & Noble Education: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Product and other cost of sales | | 39,675 | | | | — | | | | 39,675 | | | | — | |
Rental cost of sales | | 1,131 | | | | — | | | | 1,131 | | | | — | |
| | 40,806 | | | | — | | | | 40,806 | | | | — | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Immersion: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling and administrative expenses | | 14,175 | | | | 3,870 | | | | 41,408 | | | | 7,685 | |
Barnes & Noble Education: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling and administrative expenses | | 14,519 | | | | — | | | | 14,519 | | | | — | |
Depreciation and amortization expense | | 2,140 | | | | — | | | | 2,140 | | | | — | |
Restructuring and other charges | | 2,378 | | | | — | | | | 2,378 | | | | — | |
| | 19,037 | | | | — | | | | 19,037 | | | | — | |
Total operating expenses | | 33,212 | | | | 3,870 | | | | 60,445 | | | | 7,685 | |
Operating income | | 25,406 | | | | 3,113 | | | | 42,020 | | | | 6,372 | |
Interest and other income, net | | 4,609 | | | | 6,759 | | | | 12,715 | | | | 13,285 | |
Interest expense | | (901 | ) | | | — | | | | (901 | ) | | | — | |
Income before provision for income taxes | | 29,114 | | | | 9,872 | | | | 53,834 | | | | 19,657 | |
Provision for income taxes | | (8,178 | ) | | | (2,844 | ) | | | (14,243 | ) | | | (4,351 | ) |
Net income | $ | 20,936 | | | $ | 7,028 | | | $ | 39,591 | | | $ | 15,306 | |
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests | | (8,009 | ) | | | — | | | | (8,009 | ) | | | — | |
Net income attributable to Immersion stockholders | $ | 28,945 | | | $ | 7,028 | | | $ | 47,600 | | | $ | 15,306 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Earnings per common share attributable to Immersion stockholders: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | $ | 0.91 | | | $ | 0.22 | | | $ | 1.50 | | | $ | 0.47 | |
Diluted | $ | 0.89 | | | $ | 0.21 | | | $ | 1.47 | | | $ | 0.47 | |
Weighted Average Common Stock Outstanding | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic | | 31,879 | | | | 32,583 | | | | 31,784 | | | | 32,474 | |
Diluted | | 32,525 | | | | 32,810 | | | | 32,407 | | | | 32,839 | |
Immersion
Immersion generates license and royalty revenues from a wide range of intellectual property (“IP”) that more fully engage users’ sense of touch when operating digital devices. We focus on the following target application areas: mobile devices, wearables, consumer, mobile entertainment and other content; console gaming; automotive; medical; and commercial.
We have adopted a business model under which we offer licenses to our patented technology to our customers and offer our customers enabling software, related tools and technical assistance related to integrate our patented technology into our customers’ products or enhance the functionality of our patented technology. Our licenses enable our customers to deploy haptically-enabled devices, content and other offerings, which they typically sell under their own brand names. We and our wholly-owned subsidiaries hold more than 800 issued or pending patents worldwide as of June 30, 2024. Our patents cover a wide range of digital technologies and ways in which touch-related technology can be incorporated into and between hardware products and components, systems software, application software, and digital content. We believe that our IP is relevant to many of the most important and cutting-edge ways in which haptic technology is and can be deployed, including in connection with mobile interfaces and user interactions, in association with pressure and other sensing technologies, as part of video and interactive content offerings, as related to virtual and augmented reality experiences, and in connection with advanced actuation technologies and techniques. Our portfolio includes numerous patents and patent applications that we believe may become essential to emerging standards in development by Standards Development Organizations (“SDOs”) including media standards in development by ISO/IEC Moving Picture Expert Group (MPEG) and software and system standards in development at IEEE-SA.
Barnes & Noble Education
Barnes & Noble Education is one of the largest contract operators of physical and virtual bookstores for college and university campuses and K-12 institutions across the United States. Barnes & Noble Education is also one of the largest textbook wholesalers, inventory management hardware and software providers. Barnes & Noble Education operates 1,163 physical, virtual, and custom bookstores and services more than 5.8 million students, delivering essential educational content, tools and general merchandise within a dynamic omnichannel retail environment.
The strengths of Barnes & Noble Education's business include its ability to compete by developing new products and solutions to meet market needs, its large operating footprint with direct access to students and faculty, its well-established, deep relationships with academic partners and stable, long-term contracts and its well-recognized brands. Barnes & Noble Education provides product and service offerings designed to address the most pressing issues in higher education, including equitable access, enhanced convenience and improved affordability through innovative course material delivery models designed to drive improved student experiences and outcomes. Barnes & Noble Education offers its BNC First Day® equitable and inclusive access programs, consisting of First Day Complete and First Day, which provide faculty required course materials on or before the first day of class at below market rates, as compared to the total retail price for the same course materials if purchased separately (a la carte), and students are billed the below market rate directly by the institution as a course charge or included in tuition.
Barnes & Noble Education expects to continue to introduce scalable and advanced solutions focused largely on the student and customer experience, expand its e-commerce capabilities and accelerate such capabilities through its service providers, Fanatics Retail Group Fulfillment, LLC (“Fanatics”) and Fanatics Lids College, Inc. D/B/A “Lids” (“Lids”) (collectively referred to herein as the “F/L Relationship”), win new accounts, and expand its revenue opportunities through strategic relationships. Barnes & Noble Education expect gross comparable store general merchandise sales to increase over the long term, as its product assortments continue to emphasize and reflect changing consumer trends, and Barnes & Noble Education evolves its presentation concepts and merchandising of products in stores and online, which Barnes & Noble Education expects to be further enhanced and accelerated through the F/L Relationship. Fanatics and Lids, acting on Barnes & Noble Education's behalf as its service providers, provide unparalleled product assortment, e-commerce capabilities and powerful digital marketing tools to drive increased value for customers and accelerate growth of its logo general merchandise business.
The Barnes & Noble brand (licensed from Barnes & Noble Education’s former parent) along with its subsidiary brands, BNC and MBS, are synonymous with innovation in bookselling and campus retailing, and are widely recognized and respected brands in the United States. Barnes & Noble Education’s large college footprint, reputation, and credibility in the marketplace not only support its marketing efforts to universities, students, and faculty, but are also important to its relationship with leading publishers who rely on Barnes & Noble Education as one of their primary distribution channels.
BNC First Day Equitable and Inclusive Access Programs
Barnes & Noble provides product and service offerings designed to address the most pressing issues in higher education, including equitable access, enhanced convenience and improved affordability through innovative course material delivery models designed to drive improved student experiences and outcomes. Barnes & Noble Education offer its BNC First Day® equitable and inclusive access programs, consisting of First Day Complete and First Day, which provide faculty required course materials on or before the first day of class at below market rates, as compared to the total retail price for the same course materials if purchased separately (a la carte), and students are billed the below market rate directly by the institution as a course charge or included in tuition.
• First Day Complete is adopted by an institution and includes all or the majority of undergraduate classes (and on occasion graduate classes), providing students both physical and digital materials. The First Day Complete model drives substantially greater unit sales and sell-through for the bookstore.
• First Day is adopted by a faculty member for a single course, and students receive primarily digital course materials through their school's learning management system ("LMS").
Offering course materials through Barnes & Noble Education's equitable and inclusive access First Day Complete and First Day models is an important strategic initiative to meet the market demands of substantially reduced pricing to students, as well as the opportunity to improve student outcomes, while, at the same time, increasing Barnes& Noble Education market share, revenue and relative gross profits of course material sales given the higher volumes of units sold in such models as compared to historical sales models that rely on individual student marketing and sales. These programs have allowed Barnes & Noble Education to reverse historical long-term trends in course materials revenue declines, which has been observed at those schools where such programs have been adopted and improve predictability of its future results. In 2024, the growth of the BNC First Day programs offset the declines in a la carte courseware sales and closed store sales. Barnes & Noble Education is moving quickly to accelerate its First Day Complete strategy. Many institutions adopted First Day Complete in Fiscal 2024, and Barnes & Noble plans to continue to scale the number of schools adopting First Day Complete in 2025 and beyond.
Relationship with Fanatics and Lids
In December 2020, Barnes & Noble Education entered into the F/L Relationship. Fanatics and Lids, acting on its behalf as its service providers, provide unparalleled product assortment, e-commerce capabilities and powerful digital marketing tools to drive increased value for customers and accelerate growth of our logo general merchandise business. Fanatics operates as Barnes & Noble Education's service provider, including processing consumer personal information on it behalf, using their cutting-edge e-commerce and technology expertise to offer our campus store websites expanded product selection, a world-class online and mobile experience, and a progressive direct-to-consumer platform. Coupled with Lids, the leading standalone brick and mortar retailer focused exclusively on licensed fan and alumni products, Barnes & Noble Education campus stores have improved access to trend and sales performance data on licensees, product styles, and design treatments.
Barnes & Noble Education maintains its relationships with campus partners and remain responsible for staffing and managing the day-to-day operations of our campus bookstores. Barnes & Noble Education also work closely with its campus partners to ensure that each campus store maintains unique aspects of in-store merchandising, including localized product assortments and specific styles and designs that reflect each campus’s brand. Barnes & Noble Education leverage Fanatics’ e-commerce technology and expertise for the operational management of the emblematic merchandise and gift sections of our campus store websites. Lids manages in-store assortment planning and merchandising of emblematic apparel, headwear, and gift products for its partner campus stores, and Lids owns the inventory it manages, relieving it of the obligation to finance inventory purchases from working capital.
Seasonality
Bares & Noble Education's business is highly seasonal. For example, its retail business is seasonal, particularly with respect to textbook sales and rentals, with the major portion of sales and operating profit realized during the fiscal quarters when college students generally purchase and rent textbooks for the upcoming semesters and lowest in the other fiscal quarters. Barnes & Noble Education's quarterly results also may fluctuate depending on the timing of the start of the various schools’ semesters, the revenue impact of accounting principles with respect to the recognition of revenue associated with its equitable and inclusive access programs, the ability to secure inventory on a timely basis.
Given the growth of BNC First Day programs, the timing of cash collection from Barnes & Noble Education's school partners may shift to periods subsequent to when the revenue is recognized. When a school adopts our BNC First Day equitable and inclusive access offerings, cash collection from the school generally occurs after the institution's drop/add dates, which is later in the working capital cycle as compared to direct-to-student point-of-sale transactions where cash is generally collected during the point-of-sale transaction or within a few days from the credit card processor. As a higher percentage of Barnes & Noble Education's sales shift to BNC First Day equitable and inclusive access offerings, it is focused on efforts to better align the timing of its cash outflows to course material vendors and cash inflows from collections from schools. As the concentration of digital product sales increases, revenue will be recognized earlier during the academic term as digital textbook revenue is recognized when the customer accesses the digital content compared to: (i) the rental of physical textbooks where revenue is recognized over the rental period, and (ii) a la carte courseware sales where revenue is recognized when the customer takes physical possession of our products, which occurs either at the point of sale for products purchased at physical locations or upon receipt of our products by our customers for products ordered through our websites and virtual bookstores.
A summary of Barnes & Noble Education results of operation for the reporting period from June 10, 2024, to June 30, 2024, is as follows (in thousands):
| For the reporting period from June 10, 2024 to June 30, 2024
|
|
Revenues: |
| |
|
Product and other | $ | 45,073 |
|
Rental income |
| 1,948 |
|
Total revenue |
| 47,021 |
|
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization expense): |
| |
|
Product and other cost of sales |
| 39,675 |
|
Rental cost of sales |
| 1,131 |
|
Total cost of sale |
| 40,806 |
|
Operating expenses |
| |
|
Selling and administrative expenses |
| 14,519 |
|
Depreciation and amortization expense |
| 2,140 |
|
Restructuring and other charges |
| 2,378 |
|
Total operating expenses |
| 19,037 |
|
Operating loss | $ | (12,822 | ) |
Revenues
Barnes & Noble Education primarily derives its revenues from sale of course materials, which include new, used, rental and digital textbooks. Additionally, at college and university bookstores which Barnes & Noble Education operates, it sells general merchandise, including emblematic apparel and gifts, trade books, computer products, school and dorm supplies, convenience and café items and graduation products. Barnes & Noble Education's rental income is primarily derived from the rental of physical textbooks. Barnes & Noble Education also derives revenue from other sources, such as sales of inventory management, hardware and point-of-sale software, and other services.
Total revenue was $47.0 million during the period from June 10, 2024, to June 30, 2024, primarily consisting of $45.1 million product and other sales and $1.9 million of rental sales.
Cost of sales
Barnes & Noble Education cost of sales primarily includes costs such as merchandise costs, textbook rental amortization, warehouse costs related to inventory management and order fulfillment, insurance, certain payroll costs, and management service agreement costs, including rent expense, related to our college and university contracts and other facility related expenses.
Selling and administrative
Barnes & Noble Education selling, and administrative expenses consist primarily of store payroll and store operating expenses. Selling and administrative expenses also include long-term incentive plan compensation expense and general office expenses, such as merchandising, procurement, field support, and finance and accounting.
Restructuring and other charges
During the period of June 10, 2024, to June 30, 2024, Barnes & Noble Education recognized restructuring and other charges totaling $2.4 million, comprised primarily of $2.0 million of severance costs related to the departure of its Chief Executive Officer on June 11, 2024 and $0.4 million costs associated with legal and advisory professional services.
Interest and Other Income (loss), Interest Expenses and Income Taxes
A summary of consolidated interest and other Income (loss), interest expense and income taxes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 are as follows (in thousands, except for percentages):
| Three Months Ended June 30,
|
| Six Months Ended June 30,
|
|
| 2024 | | | | 2023 |
|
| % Change |
|
|
| 2024 | | | | 2023 |
|
| % Change |
|
Operating income | | 25,406 | | | | 3,113 | | | 716% | | | | 42,020 | | | | 6,372 | | | 559% | |
Interest and other income (loss), net |
| 4,609 |
|
| | 6,759 |
|
| -32% |
|
| | 12,715 |
|
| | 13,285 |
|
| -4% |
|
Interest expense |
| (901) |
|
|
| — |
|
| NM |
|
|
| (901) |
|
|
| — |
|
| NM |
|
Income before provision for income taxes |
| 29,114 |
|
| | 9,872 |
|
| 195% |
|
| | 53,834 |
|
| | 19,657 |
|
| 174% |
|
Provision for income taxes |
| (8,178 | ) |
| | (2,844 | ) |
| 188% |
|
| | (14,243 | ) |
| | (4,351 | ) |
| 227% |
|
Net income | $ | 20,936 |
|
| $ | 7,028 |
|
| 198% |
|
| $ | 39,591 |
|
| $ | 15,306 |
|
| 159% |
|
Interest and Other Income (loss) - Interest and other income consists primarily of interest and dividend income from cash and cash equivalents and marketable debt and equity securities, short-term investments realized and unrealized gains (losses) on our marketable equity securities and derivative instruments and realized gains (losses) on our marketable debt securities.
Interest and other income (loss), net decreased $2.2 million during the three months ended June 30, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023, primarily due to a $2.7 million decrease in net gains from investments in marketable equity securities and derivative instruments and a $0.6 million increase in interest income.
Interest and other income (loss), net decreased $0.6 million during the six months ended June 30, 2024, compared to the same period in 2023, primarily driven by a $1.8 million decrease in net gains from investments in marketable equity securities and derivative instruments and a $0.3 million increase in net foreign currency translation loss partially offset a $1.5 million increase in interest income.
Interest expense -Interest expenses primarily consisted of the interest charges related to Barnes& Noble Education's credit facility.
Provision for income taxes – The changes in the provision for income taxes are described below.
Immersion
Provision for income taxes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 resulted primarily from estimated domestic and foreign taxes included in the calculation of the effective tax rate. Provision for income taxes for the three months ended June 30, 2023 resulted primarily from estimated foreign taxes included in the calculation of the effective tax rate. We maintain no valuation allowance against our U.S. federal deferred tax assets and maintain al valuation allowance against certain our U.S. state and Canadian federal deferred tax assets. The change in the estimated effective tax rate was mainly driven by higher U.S. taxable income which was a result of higher U.S. passive income.
The year-over-year change in provision for income taxes resulted primarily from the change in income from continuing operations across various tax jurisdictions.
In the event that we determine the deferred tax assets are realizable based on an assessment of relevant factors, an adjustment to the valuation allowance may increase income in the period such determination is made. The valuation allowance does not impact our ability to utilize the underlying net operating loss carryforwards.
We also maintain liabilities for uncertain tax positions. As of June 30, 2024, we had unrecognized tax benefits under ASC 740 Income Taxes of approximately $7.6 million, of which $4.9 million could be payable in cash. In addition, interest and penalty $0.3 million could also be payable in cash in relation to the unrecognized tax benefits. The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would affect our effective tax rate, if recognized, is $4.9 million. We account for interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions as a component of income tax provision. We do not expect to have any significant changes to unrecognized tax benefits during the next twelve months.
Barnes & Noble Education
Barnes & Noble Education recorded an income tax provision of $0.1 million on pre-tax loss of $76.3 million during the period of June 10, 2024, to June 30, 2024, which represented an effective income tax rate of (0.1)%.
In assessing the realizability of the deferred tax assets, management considered whether it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets would be realized. As of June 30, 2024, Barnes & Noble Education determined that it was more likely than not that Barnes & Noble Education would not realize all deferred tax assets and its tax rate for the current fiscal year reflects this determination. Barnes & Noble Education will continue to evaluate this position.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our cash equivalents, investments - current and investments - noncurrent consist primarily of money-market funds, investments in marketable equity and debt securities (including mutual funds), investments in U.S. treasury securities and certificates of deposit. All marketable securities are stated at market value. Realized gains and losses on marketable equity securities and marketable debt securities are recorded in Other income (expense), net on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. Unrealized gains and losses on marketable equity securities (including mutual funds) are reported as Other income (expense), net on our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income. Unrealized gains and losses on marketable debt securities reported as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Certificates of deposit are reported as Investment - current or Investment -noncurrent based on their remaining maturity days. Interest income from certificates of deposit are reported as Interest and other income (loss), net on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income.
Cash, cash equivalents and investments-current - As of June 30, 2024, our cash, cash equivalents, and investments- current totaled $133.4 million, a $27.0 million decrease from $160.4 million on December 31, 2023. In addition, as of June 30, 2024, we had restricted cash of $14.6 million.
A summary of select cash flow information for the three months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 are as follows (in thousands):
|
| Six Months Ended June 30, |
|
|
| 2024 |
| |
| 2023 |
|
Net cash provided by (used) in operating activities | $ | (56,027 | ) | | $ | 8,754 |
|
Net cash used in investing activities | $ | (31,428 | ) | | $ | (22,706 | ) |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | $ | 81,796 | | | $ | (9,048 | ) |
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities - Our operating activities primarily consists of net income adjusted for certain non-cash items including depreciation and amortization; stock-based compensation expense, deferred income taxes and the effect of changes in operating assets and liabilities.
Net cash used in operating activities was $56.0 million in the six months ended June 30, 2024, a $64.8 million decrease compared to the same period in 2023. This cash decrease was primarily attributable to an $94.0 million decreases from changes in operating assets and liabilities partially offset by $24.3 million increase from changes in net income and a $4.9 million increase from non-cash items.
Net cash provided by operating activities was $8.8 million in the six months ended June 30, 2023, a $9.9 million decrease compared to the same period in 2022. This cash decrease was primarily attributable to a $15.7 million decrease from changes in non-cash items and $6.3 million decrease from changes in net operating assets partially offset by a $12.0 million increase in net income
Cash used in investing activities - Our investing activities primarily consist of purchases of marketable securities and other investments and proceeds from disposal of marketable securities and other investments; proceeds from issuance of derivative instruments; payments made to settle derivative instruments and purchases of property and equipment.
Net cash used in investing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2024 was $31.4 million primarily consisting of $87.4 million in cash used to purchase marketable securities and in the settlement of derivative instruments, $29.6 million cash used in business acquisition, net of cash acquired partially offset by $86.6 million in proceeds from selling marketable securities and derivatives.
Net cash used in investing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $22.7 million primarily consisting of $104.6 million in cash used to purchase marketable securities and in the settlement of derivative instrument partially offset by $81.9 million in proceeds from selling marketable securities and derivatives.
Cash provided by (used in) financing activities — Our financing activities primarily consist of cash proceeds from issuance of common stock, proceeds from stock option exercises and stock purchases under our employee stock purchase plan and cash paid for repurchases of our common stock.
Net cash used in financing activities during the six months June 30, 2024 was $81.8 million primarily consisting of $101.5 million proceeds from borrowing under Barnes & Noble Education's credit facility partially offset by $16.1 million debt repayment and $3.0 million in dividend payments.
Net cash used in financing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $9.0 million primarily consisting of $5.4 million in dividend payments, $2.9 million stock repurchases and $0.9 million in shares withheld to cover payroll taxes.
Total cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments were $133.4 million as of June 30, 2024 of which approximately 25%, or $33.9 million, was held by our foreign subsidiaries and subject to repatriation tax effects. Our intent is to permanently reinvest a majority of our earnings from foreign operations, and current plans do not anticipate that we will need funds generated from foreign operations to fund our domestic operations.
On November 13, 2023, our Board declared a quarterly dividend in the amount of $0.045 per share, which was paid on January 25, 2024 to stockholders of record on January 14, 2024.
On February 28, 2024, our Board declared a quarterly dividend in the amount of $0.045 per share, which was paid on April 19, 2024, to stockholders of record on April 12, 2024.
On May 8, 2024, our Board declared a quarterly dividend in the amount of $0.045 per share, which was paid on July 26, 2024, to stockholders of record on July 8, 2024.
On August 12, 2024, our Board declared a quarterly dividend in the amount of $0.045 per share, payable on October 18, 2024, to stockholders of record on October 4, 2024.
We may continue to invest in, protect, and defend our extensive IP portfolio, which can result in the use of cash in the event of litigation.
On December 29, 2022, our Board approved a stock repurchase program of up to $50.0 million of our common stock for a period of up to twelve months (the “December 2022 Stock Repurchase Program”), which terminated and superseded the stock repurchase program that had been approved by the Board on February 23, 2022. Any stock repurchases may be made through open market and privately negotiated transactions, at such times and in such amounts as management deems appropriate, including pursuant to one or more Rule 10b5-1 trading plans adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Additionally, the Board authorized the use of any derivative or similar instrument to effect stock repurchase transactions, including without limitation, accelerated share repurchase contracts, equity forward transactions, equity option transactions, equity swap transactions, cap transactions, collar transactions, naked put options, floor transactions or other similar transactions or any combination of the foregoing transactions. The December 2022 Stock Repurchase Program was implemented as a method to return value to our stockholders. The timing, pricing and sizes of any repurchases will depend on a number of factors, including the market price of our common stock and general market and economic conditions. The December 2022 Stock Repurchase Program does not obligate us to repurchase any dollar amount or number of shares, and the program may be suspended or discontinued at any time. On August 8, 2023, the Board approved an amendment to extend the expiration date of the December 2022 Stock Repurchase Program that was set to expire on December 29, 2023, to December 29, 2024.
As of June 30, 2024, we had $41.7 million available for repurchase under the December 2022 Stock Repurchase Program.
As of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we believe we have sufficient capital resources to meet our working capital needs for the next twelve months and beyond.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of these condensed consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions, including those related to revenue recognition, marketable securities and derivative instruments, income taxes and contingencies. We base our estimates and assumptions on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates and assumptions.
Business Combination
The results of a business acquired in a business combination are included in our consolidated financial statements from the date of the acquisition. Purchase accounting results in assets and liabilities of an acquired business being recorded at their estimated fair values on the acquisition date, which may be considered preliminary and subject to adjustment during the measurement period, which is up to one year from the acquisition date. Any excess consideration over the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recognized as goodwill.
We perform valuations of assets acquired and liabilities assumed and allocate the purchase price to the respective assets and liabilities. Determining the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed requires significant judgment and estimates, including the selection of valuation methodologies, estimates of future revenue, costs and cash flows, discount rates, royalty rates and selection of comparable companies. We engage the assistance of third-party valuation specialists in concluding fair value measurements in connection with determining fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. The resulting fair values and useful lives assigned to acquisition-related intangible assets impact the amount and timing of future amortization expense.
These estimates are inherently uncertain and unpredictable, and if different estimates were used the purchase price for the acquisition could be allocated to the acquired assets and liabilities differently from the allocation that we have made. In addition, unanticipated events and circumstances may occur, which may affect the accuracy or validity of such estimates, and if such events occur, we may be required to record a charge against the value ascribed to an acquired asset, an increase in the amounts recorded for assumed liabilities, or an impairment of some or all of the goodwill.
Goodwill recognized in connection with our acquisition of Barnes & Nobel Education was $14.2 million. Barnes & Noble Education is a separate reporting unit, and all goodwill was allocated to this reporting unit. Goodwill is not amortized but reviewed for impairment at least annually at year-end, and when triggering events occur between annual impairment tests.
The identified intangible assets arising from the Barnes & Noble acquisition were trade names and customer relationships $95.0 million in aggregate fair value. We determined the fair values of the acquired intangible assets using an income approach with estimated indefinite useful life for the trade name and 13 years for customer relationships. The noncontrolling interest in Barnes & Noble Education was valued based on the closing price of Barnes and Noble Education’s common stock as of June 10, 2024. We evaluate our intangible assets for indications of impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors that could trigger an impairment analysis include significant under-performance relative to historical or projected future results of operations, significant changes in the manner of our use of the acquired assets, or the strategy for our overall business or significant negative industry or economic trends. If this evaluation indicates that the value of the intangible asset may be impaired, we assess the likelihood of recoverability of the net carrying value of the asset over its remaining useful life. If this assessment indicates that the intangible asset is not recoverable based on the estimated undiscounted future cash flows of the intangible asset over its remaining useful life, we reduce the net carrying value of the related intangible asset to an estimated fair value.
Barnes & Noble Education
Revenue Recognition and Deferred Revenue
Product sales and rentals
The majority of Barnes & Noble Education's revenue is derived from the sale of products through its bookstore locations, including virtual bookstores, and its bookstore affiliated e-commerce websites, and contains a single performance obligation. Revenue from sales of products is recognized at the point in time when control of the products is transferred to its customers in an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to be entitled to in exchange for the products.
Product revenue is recognized when the customer takes physical possession of its products, which occurs either at the point of sale for products purchased at physical locations or upon receipt of our products by customers for products ordered through websites and virtual bookstores. Product revenue shipped from wholesale operations are recognized upon shipment of physical textbooks at which point title passes and risk of loss is transferred to the customer. Additional revenue is recognized for shipping charges billed to customers and shipping costs are accounted for as fulfillment costs within cost of sale.
Revenue from the sale of digital textbooks, which contains a single performance obligation, is recognized when the customer accesses the digital content as product revenue in Barnes & Noble Education's condensed consolidated financial statements. A software feature is embedded within the content of digital textbooks, such that upon expiration of the term the customer is no longer able to access the content. While the sale of the digital textbook allows the customer to access digital content for a fixed period of time, once the digital content is delivered to the customer, our performance obligation is complete.
Revenue from the rental of physical textbooks is deferred and recognized over the rental period based on the passage of time commencing at the point of sale, when control of the product transfers to the customer and is recognized as rental income in our condensed consolidated financial statements. Rental periods are typically for a single semester and are always less than one year in duration. Barnes & Noble Education offers a buyout option to allow the purchase of a rented physical textbook at the end of the rental period if the customer desires to do so. It records the buyout purchase when the customer exercises and pays the buyout option price which is determined at the time of the buyout. In these instances, Barnes & Noble Education accelerates any remaining deferred rental revenue at the point of sale.
Revenue recognized for our BNC First Day offerings is consistent with Barnes & Noble Education's policies outlined above for product, digital and rental sales, net of an anticipated opt-out or return provision. Given the growth of BNC First Day programs, the timing of cash collection from our school partners may shift to periods subsequent to when the revenue is recognized. When a school adopts our BNC First Day equitable and inclusive access offerings, cash collection from the school generally occurs after the institution's drop/add dates, which is later in the working capital cycle, particularly in Barnes & Noble Education's third quarter given the timing of the Spring Term and our quarterly reporting period, as compared to direct-to-student point-of-sale transactions where cash is generally collected during the point-of-sale transaction or within a few days from the credit card processor.
Barnes & Noble Education estimates returns based on an analysis of historical experience. A provision for anticipated merchandise returns is provided through a reduction of sales and cost of goods sold in the period that the related sales are recorded.
For sales and rentals involving third-party products, we evaluate whether we are acting as a principal or an agent. Our determination is based on our evaluation of whether we control the specified goods or services prior to transferring them to the customer. There are significant judgments involved in determining whether we control the specified goods or services prior to transferring them to the customer including whether we have the ability to direct the use of the good or service and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits from the good or service. For those transactions where we are the principal, we record revenue on a gross basis, and for those transactions where we are an agent to a third-party, we record revenue on a net basis.
Effective in April 2021, as contemplated by the F/L Relationship related merchandising agreement and e-commerce agreement, we began to transition the fulfillment of our logo general merchandise sales to Lids and Fanatics. As the logo general merchandise sales are fulfilled by Lids and Fanatics, we recognize commission revenue earned for these sales on a net basis in our consolidated financial statements, as compared to the recognition of logo general merchandise sales on a gross basis in the periods prior to the transition.
Barnes & Noble Education does not have gift cards or customer loyalty programs. Barnes & Noble Education do not treat any promotional offers as expenses. Sales tax collected from its customers is excluded from reported revenues. Barnes & Noble Education's payment terms are generally 30 days and do not extend beyond one year.
Service and other revenue
Service and other revenue is primarily derived from brand marketing services which includes promotional activities and advertisements within Barnes & Noble Education's physical bookstores and web properties performed on behalf of third-party customers, shipping and handling, non-return rental penalty fees, and revenue from other programs.
Merchandise Inventories
Merchandise inventories, which consist of finished goods, are stated at the lower of cost or market. Market value of the inventory, which is all purchased finished goods, is determined based on its estimated net realizable value, which is generally the selling price less normally predictable costs of disposal and transportation.
Cost is determined primarily by the retail inventory method. Barnes & Noble Education's textbook and trade book inventories are valued using the LIFO method and the related reserve was not material to the recorded amount of our inventories.
Reserves for non-returnable inventory are based on our history of liquidating non-returnable inventory. Reserve calculations are sensitive to certain significant assumptions, including markdowns, sales below cost, inventory aging and expected demand. Barnes & Noble Education does not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions used to calculate the non-returnable inventory reserve. However, if assumptions based on its history of liquidating non-returnable inventory are incorrect, Barnes & Noble Education may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material.
For our physical bookstores, we also estimate and accrue shortage for the period between the last physical count of inventory and the balance sheet date. Shortage rates are estimated and accrued based on historical rates and can be affected by changes in merchandise mix and changes in actual shortage trends. Barnes & Noble Education does not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions used to calculate shortage rates. However, if our estimates regarding shortage rates are incorrect, we may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material.
Textbook Rental Inventories
Physical textbooks out on rent are categorized as textbook rental inventories. At the time a rental transaction is consummated, the book is removed from merchandise inventories and moved to textbook rental inventories at cost. The cost of the book is amortized down to its estimated residual value over the rental period. The related amortization expense is included in cost of goods sold. At the end of the rental period, upon return, the book is removed from textbook rental inventories and recorded in merchandise inventories at its amortized cost. Barnes & Noble do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions used to calculate rental cost of goods sold. However, if our estimates regarding residual value are incorrect, we may be exposed to losses or gains that could be material.
Please refer to Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on March 11, 2024, and Barnes & Noble Education's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended April 27, 2024 for a complete discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates. The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. GAAP and our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and operating results require the management to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported. See Note 1. Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in Part I, Item 1 herein, which describes the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities.