ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
During the fiscal year ended
April 30, 2007, there were four meetings of the Board of Directors. Each director attended at least 75% of the meetings held during the year of the
Board of Directors and of each committee on which he or she served. The Company does not have a policy on attendance by directors at the Companys
Annual Meeting. One director and three shareholders attended the 2006 Annual Meeting.
Independent Directors
Herbert Pardes, M.D., Marion N.
Ruth and Edward J. Shanahan qualify as independent directors under NASDAQ requirements, which preclude a finding of independence if the director is
employed by the company or has engaged in various types of business dealings with the company. Although the NASDAQ Global Market listing requirements
generally require that a majority of the board of directors be comprised of independent directors, there is an exemption for controlled
companies, which are companies of which more than 50% of the voting power is held by an individual, a group or another company. Because Arnold
Bernhard & Co., Inc. owns 86.5% of the outstanding voting stock of the Company, the Company is a controlled company and is not subject
to this requirement. However, the Company is required to have an audit committee of at least three independent directors. Dr. Pardes, Mrs. Ruth and Mr.
Shanahan comprise the Audit Committee.
In reaching its conclusion that
Dr. Pardes, Mrs. Ruth and Mr. Shanahan are independent, the Board determined that there were not any relationships that would interfere with the
exercise of his or her independent judgment. In particular, the Board considered charitable contributions made by the Company or affiliates to
organizations with which each such director is affiliated. All such charitable relationships were deemed immaterial.
The Board of Directors has
established an Audit Committee which consists of Herbert Pardes, M.D., Marion N. Ruth and Edward J. Shanahan. All members of the Audit Committee are
independent, as independence for audit committee members is defined in The NASDAQ Stock Markets listing standards. The Committee held four
meetings during the year ended April 30, 2007 to discuss audit and financial reporting matters with both management and the Companys independent
public accountants.
The Board of Directors has
determined that no member of the Audit Committee is an audit committee financial expert (as defined in the rules and regulations of the
Securities and Exchange Commission). The Board of Directors believes that the experience and financial sophistication of the members of the Audit
Committee are sufficient to permit the members of the Audit Committee to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of the Audit Committee. All members of
the Audit Committee meet The Nasdaq Stock Markets audit committee financial sophistication requirements. The Board of Directors has adopted and
annually reviewed a written charter for the Audit Committee, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix A.
The Board of Directors has also
established a Compensation Committee consisting of Herbert Pardes, M.D., Marion N. Ruth and Edward J. Shanahan. The Committee held its annual meeting
following the close of the 2007 fiscal year to discuss the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer.
The Company does not have a
standing nominating committee and there is no written charter governing the nomination process. Nominations are made annually by the Board of
Directors. The
3
Board feels it is appropriate
for the full Board to serve this function because the Company has a relatively small Board.
The Boards process for
identifying and evaluating potential nominees includes soliciting recommendations from directors and officers of the Company. Additionally, the Board
will consider persons recommended by shareholders of the Company in selecting the Boards nominees for election. There is no difference in the
manner in which the Board evaluates persons recommended by directors or officers and persons recommended by shareholders in selecting Board
nominees.
To be considered in the
Boards selection of Board nominees, recommendations from shareholders must be received by the Company in writing by at least thirty (30) (but not
more than sixty (60)) days prior to the shareholders meeting, regardless of any postponements, deferrals or adjournments of that meeting to a
later date; provided that if less than forty (40) days notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to
shareholders, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be received by the Company as provided herein not later than the close of business on the
tenth (10th) day following the earlier of the day on which such notice of the date of the
meeting was mailed or the day on which public disclosure was made. Such shareholders notice shall set forth (a) as to each person whom the
shareholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director all information relating to such persons that is required to be disclosed in
solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended; and (b) as to the shareholder giving the notice (i) the name and address, as they appear on the Companys books, of such
shareholder proposing such nomination and any other shareholders known by such shareholder to be supporting such nomination, and (ii) the class and
number of shares which are beneficially owned by such shareholder. Recommendations should identify the submitting shareholder, the person recommended
for consideration and the reasons the submitting shareholder believes such person should be considered.
Any shareholder or other
interested party who desires to communicate with any director may do so by writing the director, c/o Value Line, Inc., 220 East 42nd Street, New York,
NY 10017.
A director who is also an
employee of the Company receives no compensation for his service on the Board in addition to that compensation which he receives as an employee. A
director who is not an employee of the Company is paid a directors fee of $25,000 per year. Members of the Audit Committee are paid an additional
fee of $20,000 per year.
Policies with Respect to Transactions with Related
Persons
During the fiscal year ended
April 30, 2007, the Company did not participate in any transaction in which any of the directors, executive officers, any beneficial owner of more than
5% of the Companys common stock, nor any of their immediate family members, had a material direct or indirect interest except that the Company
was reimbursed $1,100,000 for payments it made on behalf of and services it provided to Arnold Bernhard & Co., Inc., which reimbursement was
reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors. In addition, none of the directors, executive officers or any of their immediate family members is or
has been indebted to the Company.
The Company has adopted a Code of
Business Conduct and Ethics which sets forth legal and ethical standards of conduct for the directors, officers and employees of the Company. The Code
of Business Conduct and Ethics describes the Companys policy on conflicts of interest. The Audit Committee will review all related party
transactions.
4
Information concerning the
nominees for directors appears in the following table. Except as otherwise indicated, each of the following has held an executive position with the
companies indicated for at least five years.
Nominee, Age as of August 9, 2007 and Principal
Occupation
|
|
|
|
Director Since
|
Jean Bernhard
Buttner* (72). Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive and Operating Officer of the Company and Arnold Bernhard & Co., Inc.; Chairman
of the Board and President and Director or Trustee of each of the Value Line Funds. Trustee, Choate Rosemary Hall since 2004. Mrs. Buttner is the
mother of Dr. Edgar A. Buttner and Mrs. Janet Eakman. |
|
|
|
|
1982 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Edgar A.
Buttner (44). Research Associate, Harvard University since 2003; Instructor, McLean Hospital since 2002; Postdoctoral Fellow, Massachusetts Institute
of Technology, 19972001. Director of Arnold Bernhard & Co., Inc. |
|
|
|
|
2003 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Howard A.
Brecher* (53). Vice President and Secretary of the Company; Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, General Counsel and Director of Arnold Bernhard &
Co., Inc.; Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer of each of the Value Line Funds since 2005. |
|
|
|
|
1992 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Janet Eakman
(47). Private Investor. Director of Arnold Bernhard & Co., Inc. |
|
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
David T.
Henigson* (49). Vice President and Chief Compliance Officer of the Company; Chief Compliance Officer, Vice President and Secretary of each of the Value
Line Funds; Vice President and Director of Arnold Bernhard & Co., Inc. |
|
|
|
|
1992 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Herbert
Pardes (73). President and CEO of New York-Presbyterian Hospital. |
|
|
|
|
2000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marion N. Ruth
(72). President, Ruth Realty (real estate broker). Director or Trustee of each of the Value Line Funds until 2005; Director of Value Line, Inc.,
20002004. |
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edward J.
Shanahan (64). President and Headmaster, Choate Rosemary Hall; Director and Chairman, Foundation for Greater Opportunity (independent educational
foundation). |
|
|
|
|
2004 |
|
* |
|
Member of the Executive Committee. |
5
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth
information concerning the compensation for services in all capacities to the Company for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2007, 2006 and 2005 of the
chief executive officer and chief financial officer of the Company and the three most highly compensated executive officers other than the chief
executive officer and chief financial officer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Annual Compensation
|
|
Name and Principal Position
|
|
|
|
Fiscal Year
|
|
Salary ($)
|
|
Bonus ($)
|
|
All Other Compensation (a) ($)
|
|
Total ($)
|
Jean B.
Buttner |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
935,632 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
21,648 |
|
|
|
957,280 |
|
Chairman of
the Board and |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
931,045 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19,880 |
|
|
|
950,925 |
|
Chief
Executive Officer |
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
917,286 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
18,086 |
|
|
|
935,372 |
|
|
Mitchell E.
Appel |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
135,000 |
|
|
|
55,000 |
|
|
|
16,200 |
|
|
|
206,200 |
|
Chief
Financial Officer(b) |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
123,750 |
|
|
|
25,000 |
|
|
|
14,231 |
|
|
|
162,981 |
|
|
David T.
Henigson |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
382,500 |
|
|
|
112,500 |
|
|
|
26,400 |
|
|
|
521,400 |
|
Vice
President |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
380,363 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24,150 |
|
|
|
404,513 |
|
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
111,175 |
|
|
|
207,500 |
|
|
|
11,662 |
|
|
|
330,337 |
|
|
Howard A.
Brecher |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
59,625 |
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
|
7,155 |
|
|
|
466,780 |
|
Vice
President |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
50,750 |
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
|
5,836 |
|
|
|
456,586 |
|
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
50,000 |
|
|
|
400,000 |
|
|
|
5,245 |
|
|
|
455,245 |
|
|
Stephen R.
Anastasio |
|
|
|
2007 |
|
|
115,000 |
|
|
|
65,600 |
|
|
|
13,800 |
|
|
|
194,400 |
|
Treasurer |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
113,256 |
|
|
|
45,600 |
|
|
|
13,024 |
|
|
|
171,880 |
|
|
|
|
|
2005 |
|
|
100,000 |
|
|
|
58,800 |
|
|
|
10,247 |
|
|
|
169,047 |
|
(a) |
|
Employees of the Company are members of the Profit Sharing and
Savings Plan (the Plan). The Plan provides for a discretionary annual contribution out of net operating income which is (subject to legal
limitations) proportionate to the salaries of eligible employees. The Companys contribution expense was $1,299,107 for the year ended April 30,
2007. Each employees interest in the Plan is invested in such proportions as the employee may elect in shares of one or more of the mutual funds
which are available for investment by plan participants, for which the Company acts as investment adviser. Distributions under the Plan vest in
accordance with a schedule based upon the employees length of service and are payable upon request at the time of the employees retirement,
death, total disability, or termination of employment. |
(b) |
|
Mr. Appel became an employee on June 1, 2005, and became chief
financial officer on September 14, 2005. |
Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions
Arnold Bernhard & Co., Inc.
utilizes the services of officers and employees of the Company to the extent necessary to conduct its business. The Company and Arnold Bernhard &
Co., Inc. allocate costs for office space, equipment and supplies and support staff pursuant to a servicing and reimbursement arrangement. During the
years ended April 30, 2007, 2006, and 2005, the Company was reimbursed $1,100,000, $918,000 and $689,000, respectively, for payments it made on behalf
of and services it provided to Arnold Bernhard & Co., Inc. In addition, a tax-sharing arrangement allocates the tax liabilities of the two
companies between them. The Company pays to Arnold Bernhard & Co., Inc. an amount equal to the Companys liability as if it filed separate tax
returns. For the years ended April 30, 2007, 2006, and 2005, the Company made payments to Arnold Bernhard & Co., Inc. for federal income taxes
amounting to $13,450,000, $11,895,000 and $12,115,000, respectively.
6
The Company acts as investment
adviser and manager for fourteen open-ended investment companies, the Value Line Family of Funds. The Company earns investment management fees based
upon the average daily net asset values of the respective funds. Value Line Securities, Inc. (VLS), a subsidiary of the Company, receives
service and distribution fees under rule 12b-1 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 from certain of the mutual funds for which the Company is the
adviser. During certain periods prior to December 2004, VLS earned brokerage commission income on securities transactions executed by it on behalf of
the funds that were cleared on a fully disclosed basis through non-affiliated brokers, who received a portion of the gross commission. VLS in November
2004 suspended execution of trades through VLS for any of the Value Line Funds. For the years ended April 30, 2007, 2006, and 2005, investment
management fees, service and distribution fees and brokerage commission income amounted to $30,026,000, $31,378,000, $30,206,000, respectively, after
fee waivers. These amounts include service and distribution fees of $7,299,000, $9,915,000, $9,609,000, respectively. There was no brokerage commission income in
fiscal years 2006 or 2007.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting
Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act requires the Companys executive officers and directors, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of its
equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership on Forms 3, 4 and 5 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Executive
officers, directors and greater than ten percent shareowners are required by Securities and Exchange Commission regulations to furnish the Company with
copies of all Forms 3, 4 and 5 they file.
Based on the Companys
review of the copies of such forms that it has received and written representations from certain reporting persons confirming that they were not
required to file Forms 5 for specified fiscal years, the Company believes that all its executive officers, directors and greater than ten percent
beneficial owners complied with applicable SEC filing requirements during fiscal 2007.
7
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee of the Board
of Directors is comprised of the three independent directors named below. The Committee has adopted a written charter which has been approved by the
Board of Directors of the Company and is appended to this proxy statement. The Committee has reviewed and discussed the Companys audited 2007
financial statements with management. The Committee has discussed with Horowitz & Ullmann, P.C., the Companys outside independent auditors,
the matters required to be discussed by SAS 61 (Communication with Audit Committee). The Committee has received from Horowitz & Ullmann, P.C., the
written disclosures and the letter required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees). The
Committee has discussed with Horowitz & Ullmann, P.C its independence and has considered whether the provision by Horowitz & Ullmann, P.C. of
non-audit services is compatible with maintaining its independence.
Based on the review and
discussions referred to above, the Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements certified by Horowitz &
Ullmann, P.C. be included in the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2007 for filing with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.
Herbert Pardes, M.D.
Marion N. Ruth
Edward J.
Shanahan
Audit and Non-Audit Fees
For the fiscal years ended April
30, 2007 and 2006, fees for services provided by Horowitz & Ullmann, P.C., were as follows:
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
Audit fees
|
|
|
|
$ |
146,450 |
|
|
$ |
134,695 |
|
Audit-related
fees |
|
|
|
|
16,810 |
|
|
|
24,190 |
|
Tax fees
|
|
|
|
|
146,105 |
|
|
|
76,960 |
|
All other fees
|
|
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
The
Companys Audit Committee reviews all fees charged by the Companys independent auditors and monitors the relationship between audit and
non-audit services provided. The Audit Committee must pre-approve all audit and non-audit services provided by the independent auditors and fees
charged.
8
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Companys executive
compensation program is intended to support the Companys attraction and retention of capable and experienced executives, to promote successful
divisional and corporate performance and to compensate appropriately executives who contribute to the operations and long-term profitability of the
Company. The following guidelines have been established to carry out this policy:
(a) |
|
Base salaries and bonuses should be maintained at levels
consistent with competitive market compensation; and |
(b) |
|
A portion of the executive compensation should reflect the
performance of the Company and the individual. |
The Compensation Committee has
proceeded in the same manner for a number of years. After the close of the fiscal year, a compensation consultant is engaged. The consultant determines
a group of peer companies to which the consultant and the Committee refer in evaluating the performance and the compensation of the chief executive
officer. The Company employs the same peer group when it presents total shareholder return in reference to a peer group as well as in reference to a
standard index. In light of this established process, more details of which are included in this proxy statement, the Committee, which consists only of
independent directors, has not found it necessary to adopt a formal charter.
The Compensation Committee has
reviewed the within Compensation Discussion and Analysis and recommended that it be included in this proxy statement.
COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
Scope
The Compensation Committee
recommends the structure and level of compensation of the chief executive officer to the Board of Directors, which votes on the recommendations of the
Committee. The Committee has not delegated authority over its process to other persons.
Procedure and Process
Considerations
Following initial discussions
with the Committee, the compensation consultant is asked to construct a peer group of comparable companies which is used by the consultant and
Committee to evaluate the chief executive officers compensation in light of Company and peer financial indicators, compensation awarded by the
peer firms, and other factors. Members of the Board and executive officers are suggested to hold at least a nominal amount of Company stock. The Chief
Executive Officer is deemed to beneficially own the majority of the stock of the Company. In no case does the Company hedge, limit or protect any
shareholder from risk of loss on such holding.
The consultant firm relies
primarily on its extensive experience and large databases of relevant financial and compensation information. Personnel of the Company are available to
assist the Committee and consultant upon request. For example, this year the principal of the consultant interviewed the CEO about the past years
challenges and achievements and long-term plans and
9
strategies. Company personnel
are not involved in recommending or deciding the level or structure of the chief executive officers compensation as recommended by the
Compensation Committee.
The consultant then completes a
written report which presents in detail the compensation programs and financial performance of the peer group. In addition, the report reviews and
assists in evaluation of the challenges, achievements, and overall performance of the chief executive officer. The consultant may recommend a bonus or
other compensation award, or indicate the competitive range based on its findings in regard to the peer group companies. The consultant is also asked
to discuss the current and possible alternative structural approaches to the chief executive officers compensation program.
Components of Compensation
The Companys compensation
program is comprised of two main components: Base Salary and Incentive Compensation (Bonus).
Base Salary
Base salaries for the
Companys executives take into account the compensation policies of similar companies competing in the businesses in which the Company is engaged.
The Committee believes that the base salary levels as established are reasonable and competitive and necessary to attract and retain key
employees.
Annual Incentive Compensation Plan
Bonus payments are awarded to
executives based upon competitive market conditions, individual performance and the success of the Company. The performance of the Company and its
departments and attainment of individual goals and objectives are given approximately equal weighting in determining bonuses paid to executive
officers. The Companys compensation approach takes into account a full range of the criteria important to the Companys long-term
strategies, rather than relying on inflexible numerical performance targets.
Chief Executive Officer Compensation For Fiscal
2007
In reviewing the Chief Executive
Officers performance during the past year, the Compensation Committee took note of the Companys success in several financial and other
measures, such as operating profit margin, return on sales, assets and equity and growth in net income, revenues and profits per employee and the
Companys strong total shareholder return through June 30, 2007. Net income and earnings per share increased over the 2006 results. Licensing
revenues are growing strongly.
The Companys consultants,
Steven Hall & Partners, did a statistical analysis of both Mrs. Buttners salary and the financial performance of the Company by several
criteria in comparison with performance and compensation at the peer group of other corporations in the publishing, investment management, and
information industries developed by the consultants and listed on page 11. The Hall firm observed that although Value Line was not among the larger
companies in the peer group in terms of revenue, its return on sales, equity and assets ranked high in the peer group.
The Committee noted Mrs.
Buttners personal leadership contributions in successfully guiding the Company to outstanding performance, including rapid increases in licensing
revenues as well as
10
outstanding independent
ratings of several of the Companys mutual funds. The Hall firm concluded that a substantial incentive award was called for in light of Mrs.
Buttners achievements in fiscal 2007 and the compensation programs of the peer group companies and other similar companies.
The Steven Hall firm pointed to
their data showing that the CEOs current cash compensation is at the bottom 25th
percentile relative to the peer group cash compensation. When stock option and restricted stock compensation to many of the other CEOs of peer
group firms is considered, Mrs. Buttners total compensation ranks at the bottom of the peer group. Because of the large majority interest held by
Mrs. Buttner in the Company in terms of beneficial ownership, the Company has not awarded stock-based compensation. After extensive consideration, the
Committee recommended a cash bonus this year in the sum of $300,000 for Mrs. Buttner, which would have exceeded its recommendation for any recent
year.
Despite her outstanding
achievements, Mrs. Buttner requested that the recommended bonus not be paid to her as, in light of her equity position, she felt it was in the best
interests of the Company at this time to retain and reinvest that sum. With the Committees concurrence, the Board of Directors decided not to
further pursue the bonus payment in light of Mrs. Buttners request.
COMPENSATION
COMMITTEE
Herbert Pardes, M.D.
Marion
N. Ruth
Edward J. Shanahan
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS
AND INSIDER
PARTICIPATION
The names of the members of the
Compensation Committee at the conclusion of the fiscal year ended April 30, 2007 are set forth above. Jean B. Buttner, the Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company, is a Trustee of Choate Rosemary Hall of which Mr. Shanahan is the President and Headmaster.
PEER GROUP
The 2007 peer group consists
of:
BKF Capital
Group, Inc. Calamos Asset Management, Inc. Cohen & Steers, Inc. Courier Corp. |
|
|
|
Federated Investors John Wiley & Sons Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia |
|
Resource America, Inc. The Street.com, Inc. Waddell & Reed |
The Compensation Committee
Report, the Report of the Audit Committee and the Comparative Five-Year Total Return graph appearing in the annual report to shareholders shall not be
deemed to be soliciting material or to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C
of the Regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), or
to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act.
11
INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC
ACCOUNTANTS
The independent
certified public accountants selected by the Board of Directors to audit the Companys books and records for the 2008 fiscal year are the firm of
Horowitz & Ullmann, P.C., which firm also audited the Companys books and records for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2007. It is not expected
that a representative of Horowitz & Ullmann, P.C. will be present at the Annual Meeting.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2008 ANNUAL
MEETING
Shareholder proposals intended
for presentation at the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by the Company for inclusion in its proxy statement and form of proxy
relating to that meeting no later than April 15, 2008. The Companys By-Laws contain other procedures for proposals to be properly brought before
an annual meeting of shareholders. To be timely, a shareholder must have given written notice of a proposal to the Chairman of the Board of Directors
with a copy to the Secretary and such notice must be received at the principal executive offices of the Company not less than thirty nor more than
sixty days prior to the scheduled annual meeting; provided, however, that if less than forty days notice or prior public disclosure of the date
of the scheduled annual meeting is given or made, notice by the shareholder to be timely must be so received not later than the close of business on
the tenth day following the earlier of the day on which such notice of the date of the scheduled annual meeting was mailed or the day on which such
public disclosure was made. Such shareholders notice shall set forth as to each matter the shareholder proposes to bring before the annual
meeting (i) a brief description of the proposal desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the
annual meeting, (ii) the name and address, as they appear on the Companys books, of the shareholder proposing such business, (iii) the class and
number of shares which are beneficially owned by the shareholder on the date of such shareholder notice and (iv) any material interest of the
shareholder in such proposal.
FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT
Any shareholder who desires a
copy of the Companys Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2007 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission may
obtain a copy (excluding exhibits) without charge by addressing a request to the Secretary of the Company at 220 East 42nd Street, New York, New York
10017. Exhibits may also be requested, at a charge equal to the reproduction and mailing costs.
GENERAL
The Board of Directors is not
aware of any business to come before the meeting other than that set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders. However, if any other
business is properly brought before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons directed to vote the shareholders stock to vote such stock in
accordance with their best judgment.
The Company is mailing its Annual
Report for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2007 to shareholders together with this Proxy Statement.
12
Appendix A
VALUE LINE, INC.
The Board of
Directors (the Board) of Value Line, Inc. (the Company) shall appoint the Audit Committee (the Audit Committee)
which shall be constituted and have the responsibility and authority as described herein.
PURPOSE
The Audit Committees
primary purpose shall be to oversee the accounting and financial reporting processes of the Company and the audits of the financial statements of the
Company.
ACTIVITIES
In carrying out its
responsibility, the Audit Committee shall undertake the following activities:
1. |
|
The Audit Committee shall be directly responsible for the
appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of the work of any independent auditor engaged (including resolution of disagreements between
management and the auditor regarding financial reporting) for the purpose of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or
attest services for the Company, and the independent auditor shall report directly to the Audit Committee. |
2. |
|
Procedures for the receipt, retention, and treatment of
complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters have been established as follows: |
a. |
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Anyone with concerns regarding questionable accounting or
auditing matters or complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters may confidentially, and anonymously if they wish,
submit such concerns or complaints to any of the Companys officers. All such concerns and complaints will be forwarded to the CEO. A record of
all such complaints and concerns received will be provided to the Audit Committee each fiscal quarter by the Companys Legal Counsel or any
of its officers. |
The Audit Committee will evaluate
the merits of any concerns or complaints received by it and authorize such follow-up actions, if any, as it deems necessary or appropriate to address
the substance of the concern or complaint.
The Company will not discipline,
discriminate against or retaliate against any employee who reports a complaint or concern, unless it is determined that the report was made with
knowledge that it was false.
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The Audit Committee shall have the authority to engage
independent counsel and other advisers, as it determines necessary to carry out its duties. |
A-1
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The Company shall provide for appropriate funding, as determined
by the Audit Committee, in its capacity as a committee of the board of directors, for payment of: |
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Compensation to any independent auditor engaged for the purpose
of preparing or issuing an audit report or performing other audit, review or attest services for the Company; |
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Compensation to any advisers employed by the Audit Committee
under paragraph (3); and |
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Ordinary administrative expenses of the Audit Committee that are
necessary or appropriate in carrying out its duties. |
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The Audit Committee shall pre-approve all audit and permitted
non-audit services to be provided by the independent auditor. The Audit Committee may delegate authority to pre-approve all auditing and permitted
non-audit services in accordance with pre-approval policies and procedures established by the Audit Committee, provided that the Audit Committee is
informed of each service so approved at the next meeting of the Audit Committee. These pre-approval requirements are subject to the exception for the
de minimus provision of services set forth in Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-X, Section 2.01(c)(7) (i)(C). |
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The Audit Committee shall meet with the independent auditor
prior to the audit to review the planning and staffing of the audit and approve the proposed fee for the audit. |
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The Audit Committee shall receive written periodic reports from
the independent auditor delineating all relationships between the independent auditor and the Company. This report shall be consistent with
Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 regarding the auditors independence. The Audit Committee shall actively engage in dialogue with the
independent auditor with respect to any disclosed relationships or services that may impact the objectivity and independence of the auditor, and if
determined by the Audit Committee, recommend that the Board take appropriate action to insure the independence of the auditor. |
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The Audit Committee shall receive the report of the independent
auditor, prior to the filing of the independent auditors audit report with the Securities and Exchange Commission, with respect to: |
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All critical accounting policies and practices to be
used; |
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All alternative treatments within generally accepted accounting
principles for policies and practices related to material items that have been discussed with management of the Company, including: |
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Ramifications of the use of such alternative disclosures and
treatments; and |
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The treatment preferred by the independent auditor;
and |
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Other material written communications between the independent
auditor and the management of the Company, such as any management letter or schedule of unadjusted differences. |
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The Audit Committee shall receive any report by the
Companys chief financial officer and/or chief executive officer concerning: |
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any significant deficiencies or material weaknesses in the
design or operation of internal control over financial reporting of the Company which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Companys
ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data; |
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and any fraud regarding company business, whether or not
material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Companys internal control over financial
reporting. |
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The Audit Committee shall discuss with the independent auditor
the matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 relating to the conduct of the audit, including: |
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Any difficulties encountered in the course of the audit work,
including any restrictions on the scope of activities or access to required information; |
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Significant financial reporting issues and judgments;
and |
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Any major changes to the Companys auditing and accounting
principles and practices. |
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Obtain from the independent auditor assurance that Section 10A
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 has not been implicated. |
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Review the Companys annual audited financial statements
and the report thereon with the independent auditor and management prior to the publication of such statements. |
13. |
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Review periodically with management the Companys major
financial risk exposures and the steps management has taken to monitor and control those exposures. |
14. |
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Adopt the report (to be prepared by the Companys legal
counsel) required by the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission to be included in the Companys annual proxy statement, which shall
include a statement of whether the Audit Committee recommends to the Board of Directors that the audited financial statements be included in the
Companys annual report on Form 10-K. |
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Review and reassess the adequacy of this Charter annually and
submit it to the Board for approval. |
The Audit Committee shall meet at
least two times a year and make an oral report to the Board following each meeting.
While the Audit Committee has the
responsibility and authority set forth in this Charter, it is not the duty of the Audit Committee to plan or conduct audits or to determine that the
Companys financial statements are complete and accurate and are in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. This is the
responsibility of management and the independent auditor.
A-3
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P R O X Y
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VALUE LINE, INC.
220 EAST 42ND STREET
NEW YORK, NY 10017
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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The
undersigned hereby authorizes and directs Howard A. Brecher and Stephen R.
Anastasio and each of them, with full power of substitution, to vote the stock of the undersigned
at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of VALUE LINE, INC. on August 30, 2007, or at any
adjournments thereof as hereinafter specified and, in their discretion, to vote according to their
best judgment upon such other matters as may properly come before the meeting or any
adjournments thereof.
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(CONTINUED ON REVERSE SIDE)
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Address Change/Comments (Mark
the corresponding box on the reverse side)
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ADMISSION TICKET
VALUE LINE, INC.
Annual Meeting of Shareholders
August 30, 2007
10:30 a.m. Local Time
Chadbourne & Parke LLP
30 Rockefeller Plaza
36th Floor
New York, NY 10112
If you attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders,
please bring this Admission Ticket as well
as a form of government issued photo identification.
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Non-Transferable
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Non-Transferable
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THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER. IF NO DIRECTION
IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF NOMINEES AS DIRECTORS.
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Please
Mark Here
for Address
Change or
Comments
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SEE REVERSE SIDE
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1. ELECTION OF NOMINEES AS DIRECTORS:
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01 H.A. Brecher, 02 E.A. Buttner,
03 J.B. Buttner, 04 J. Eakman, 05 D.T. Henigson, 06 H. Pardes, 07 M.N. Ruth
and 08 E. Shanahan
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FOR all nominees
listed to the right
(except as marked
to the contrary)
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WITHHOLD
AUTHORITY
to vote for all
nominees listed to the right
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(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee,
write that nominees name on the space provided below)
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Please sign exactly as your name appears to the left. When
signing as Trustee, Executor, Administrator, or Officer of a
corporation, give title as such.
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Dated: _______________________________, 2007
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__________________________________________
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Signature
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__________________________________________
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Signature if owned jointly
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PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE, AND RETURN THE PROXY
CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE
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Choose MLinkSM for fast, easy and
secure 24/7 online access to your future proxy materials,
investment plan statements, tax documents and more. Simply log on to Investor ServiceDirect®
at www.melloninvestor.com/isd where step-by-step instructions will prompt you through enrollment.
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