e10vq
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
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QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006 |
or
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TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to |
Commission File No.: 000-50171
TRAVELZOO INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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DELAWARE
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36-4415727 |
(State or other jurisdiction of
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(I.R.S. employer |
incorporation or organization)
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identification no.) |
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590 Madison Avenue, 21st Floor, |
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New York, New York
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10022 |
(Address of principal executive offices)
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(Zip code) |
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (212) 521-4200
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed
by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or
for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an
accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large
accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Large accelerated filer o
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Accelerated filer þ
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Non-accelerated filer o |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of
the Act). Yes o No þ
As of April 30, 2006, the registrant had outstanding 15,780,464 shares of its $0.01 par
value common stock.
TRAVELZOO INC.
Table of Contents
2
PART IFINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
TRAVELZOO INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except par value)
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March 31 |
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December 31, |
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2006 |
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2005 |
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ASSETS |
Current assets: |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
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$ |
26,942 |
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$ |
24,469 |
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Short-term investments |
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14,717 |
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19,887 |
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Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $666 and $418 as of
March 31, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively |
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9,019 |
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9,020 |
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Deposits |
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41 |
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28 |
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Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
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874 |
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631 |
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Deferred income taxes |
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1,020 |
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1,020 |
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Total current assets |
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52,613 |
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55,055 |
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Deposits, less current portion |
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180 |
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190 |
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Deferred income taxes |
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28 |
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28 |
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Property and equipment, net |
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188 |
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159 |
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Intangible assets, net |
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14 |
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20 |
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Total assets |
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$ |
53,023 |
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$ |
55,452 |
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LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS EQUITY |
Current liabilities: |
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Accounts payable |
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$ |
2,489 |
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$ |
2,373 |
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Accrued expenses |
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3,239 |
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3,394 |
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Deferred revenue |
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629 |
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296 |
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Income tax payable |
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2,616 |
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856 |
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Total liabilities |
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8,973 |
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6,919 |
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Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders equity: |
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Common stock, $0.01 par value (40,000 shares authorized; 16,250 shares issued and
15,780 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2006; 16,250 shares issued and outstanding as
of December 31, 2005) |
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163 |
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163 |
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Treasury stock |
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(8,594 |
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Additional paid-in capital |
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30,645 |
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30,645 |
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Retained earnings |
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21,879 |
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17,763 |
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Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
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(43 |
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(38 |
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Total stockholders equity |
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44,050 |
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48,533 |
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Total liabilities and stockholders equity |
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$ |
53,023 |
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$ |
55,452 |
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See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
3
TRAVELZOO INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
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Three Months Ended |
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March 31, |
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2006 |
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2005 |
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Revenues |
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$ |
16,928 |
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$ |
11,228 |
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Cost of revenues |
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264 |
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179 |
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Gross profit |
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16,664 |
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11,049 |
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Operating expenses: |
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Sales and marketing |
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7,099 |
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5,030 |
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General and administrative |
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2,601 |
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2,608 |
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Total operating expenses |
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9,700 |
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7,638 |
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Income from operations |
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6,964 |
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3,411 |
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Other income and expense: |
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Interest income |
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344 |
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160 |
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Loss on foreign currency |
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(7 |
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Income before income taxes |
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7,301 |
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3,571 |
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Income taxes |
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3,185 |
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1,739 |
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Net income |
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$ |
4,116 |
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$ |
1,832 |
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Basic net income per share |
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$ |
0.26 |
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$ |
0.11 |
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Diluted net income per share |
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$ |
0.24 |
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$ |
0.10 |
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Shares used in computing basic
net income per share |
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16,103 |
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16,233 |
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Shares used in computing diluted
net income per share |
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17,298 |
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18,132 |
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See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
TRAVELZOO INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(In thousands)
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Three Months Ended March 31, |
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2006 |
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2005 |
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Cash flows from operating activities: |
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Net income |
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$ |
4,116 |
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$ |
1,832 |
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Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: |
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Depreciation and amortization |
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33 |
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45 |
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Deferred income taxes |
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20 |
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Provision for losses on accounts receivable |
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247 |
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28 |
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Tax benefit of stock option exercises |
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396 |
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Accrued interest income from short-term investments |
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(166 |
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(57 |
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Changes in operating assets and liabilities: |
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Accounts receivable |
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(246 |
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(1,176 |
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Deposits |
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(3 |
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(12 |
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Prepaid expenses and other current assets |
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(243 |
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325 |
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Accounts payable |
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115 |
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289 |
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Accrued expenses |
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(156 |
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223 |
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Deferred revenue |
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333 |
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61 |
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Income tax payable |
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1,760 |
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1,237 |
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Net cash provided by operating activities |
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5,790 |
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3,211 |
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Cash flows from investing activities: |
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Purchases of property and equipment |
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(56 |
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(42 |
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Purchase of short-term investments |
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(14,663 |
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Sale of short-term investments |
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20,000 |
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Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
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5,281 |
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(42 |
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Cash flows from financing activities: |
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Issuance costs incurred in connection with 2004 issuance of common stock |
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(124 |
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Proceeds from stock option exercises |
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35 |
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Repurchase of common stock |
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(8,594 |
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Net cash used in financing activities |
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(8,594 |
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(89 |
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Effect of exchange rate on cash and cash equivalents |
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(4 |
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Net increase in cash and cash equivalents |
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2,473 |
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3,080 |
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Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period |
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24,469 |
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26,435 |
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Cash and cash equivalents at end of period |
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$ |
26,942 |
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$ |
29,515 |
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Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: |
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Cash paid for income taxes |
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$ |
1,425 |
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$ |
86 |
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See accompanying notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
TRAVELZOO INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 1: The Company and Basis of Presentation
Travelzoo Inc. (the Company or Travelzoo) is an Internet media company. The Companys
publications include the Travelzoo Web sites (www.travelzoo.com, www.travelzoo.ca,
www.travelzoo.co.uk, and www.travelzoo.de), the Travelzoo Top 20 e-mail newsletter, and the
Newsflash e-mail product. Travelzoo also operates SuperSearch, a pay-per-click travel search
engine.
Travelzoo is controlled by Ralph Bartel, who held beneficially approximately 68% of the
outstanding shares as of April 30, 2006.
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared by
the Company in accordance with the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC). Certain information and footnote disclosure normally included in consolidated
financial statements prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the
United States of America have been condensed or omitted in accordance with such rules and
regulations. In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated
financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments,
necessary to present fairly the financial position of the Company, and its results of operations
and cash flows. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction
with the Companys audited consolidated financial statements and related notes as of and for the
year ended December 31, 2005, included in the Companys Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 16,
2006.
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned
subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in
consolidation. All foreign subsidiaries use the local currency of their respective countries as
their functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange
rates prevailing at the balance sheet dates. Revenues, costs and expenses are translated into U.S.
dollars at average exchange rates for the period.
The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2006 are not necessarily
indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2006 or any other
future period, and the Company makes no representations related thereto.
The Company was formed as a result of a combination and merger of entities founded by the
Companys majority stockholder, Ralph Bartel. In 1998, Mr. Bartel founded Travelzoo.com
Corporation, a Bahamas corporation, which issued 5,155,874 shares via the Internet to approximately
700,000 Netsurfer stockholders for no cash consideration. In 1998, Mr. Bartel also founded
Silicon Channels Corporation, a California corporation, to operate the Travelzoo Web site. During
2001, Travelzoo Inc. was formed as a subsidiary of Travelzoo.com Corporation, and Mr. Bartel
contributed all of the outstanding shares of Silicon Channels to Travelzoo Inc. in exchange for
8,129,273 shares of Travelzoo Inc. and options to acquire an additional 2,158,349 shares at $1.00.
The merger was accounted for as a combination of entities under common control using as-if
pooling-of-interests accounting. Under this method of accounting, the assets and liabilities of
Silicon Channels Corporation and Travelzoo Inc. were carried forward to the combined company at
their historical costs. In addition, all prior period financial statements of Travelzoo Inc. were
restated to include the combined results of operations, financial position and cash flows of
Silicon Channels Corporation.
During January 2001, the Board of Directors of Travelzoo.com Corporation proposed that
Travelzoo.com Corporation be merged with Travelzoo Inc. whereby Travelzoo Inc. would be the
surviving entity. On March 15, 2002, the stockholders of Travelzoo.com Corporation approved the
merger with Travelzoo Inc. On April 25, 2002, the certificate of merger was filed in Delaware upon
which the merger became effective and Travelzoo.com Corporation ceased to exist. Each outstanding
share of common stock of Travelzoo.com Corporation was converted into the right to receive one
share of common stock of Travelzoo Inc. Under and subject to the terms of the merger agreement,
stockholders were allowed a period of two years following the effective date of the merger to
receive shares of Travelzoo Inc. The records of Travelzoo.com Corporation showed that, assuming all
of the shares applied for by the Netsurfer stockholders were validly issued, there were 11,295,874
shares of Travelzoo.com Corporation outstanding. As of April 25, 2004, two years following the
effective date of the merger, 7,180,342 shares of Travelzoo.com Corporation had been exchanged for
shares of Travelzoo Inc. Prior to that date, the remaining shares which were available for issuance
pursuant to the merger agreement were included in the issued and outstanding common stock of
Travelzoo Inc. and included in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share. After April
25, 2004, the Company ceased issuing shares to the former stockholders of Travelzoo.com
Corporation, and no additional shares are reserved for issuance to any former stockholders, because
their right
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to receive
shares has now expired. On April 25, 2004, the number of shares reported as outstanding was reduced from
19,425,147 to 15,309,615 to reflect actual shares issued as of the expiration date. Earnings per
share calculations reflect this reduction of the number of shares reported as outstanding. As of
March 31, 2006, there were 15,780,464 shares of common stock
outstanding.
It is possible that claims may be asserted against the Company in the future by former
stockholders of Travelzoo.com Corporation seeking to receive shares in the Company, whether based
on a claim that the two-year deadline for exchanging their shares was unenforceable or otherwise.
In addition, one or more jurisdictions, including the Bahamas or the State of Delaware, may assert
rights to unclaimed shares of the Company under escheat statutes. If such escheat claims are
asserted, the Company intends to challenge the applicability of escheat rights, in that, among
other reasons, the identity, residency and eligibility of the holders in question cannot be
determined. There were certain conditions applicable to the issuance of shares to the Netsurfer
stockholders, including requirements that (i) they be at least 18 years of age, (ii) they be
residents of the U.S. or Canada and (iii) they not apply for shares more than once. The Netsurfer
stockholders were required to confirm their compliance with these conditions, and were advised that
failure to comply could result in cancellation of their shares in Travelzoo.com Corporation.
Travelzoo.com Corporation was not able to verify that the applicants met the requirements referred
to above at the time of their applications for issuance of shares. If claims are asserted by
persons claiming to be former stockholders of Travelzoo.com Corporation, the Company intends to
assert that their rights to receive their shares expired two years following the effective date of
the merger, as provided in the merger agreement. The Company also expects to take the position, if
escheat or similar claims are asserted in respect of the unissued shares in the future, that it is
not required to issue such shares. Further, even if it were established that unissued shares were
subject to escheat claims, the Company would assert that the claimant must establish that the
original Netsurfer stockholders complied with the conditions to issuance of their shares. The
Company is not able to predict the outcome of any future claims which might be asserted relating to
the unissued shares. If such claims were asserted, and were fully successful, that could result in
the Companys being required to issue up to an additional approximately 4,077,000 shares of common
stock for no additional payment.
On October 15, 2004, the Company announced a program under which it would make cash payments
to persons who establish that they were former stockholders of Travelzoo.com Corporation, and who
failed to submit requests for shares in Travelzoo Inc. within the required time period. The
accompanying consolidated financial statements include a charge in general and administrative
expenses of $35,000 for these cash payments for the three months ended March 31, 2006 of which
$10,000 remains as a liability as of March 31, 2006. The liability is based on the number of actual
requests received from former stockholders through March 31, 2006 which had not yet been processed.
The total cost of this program is not reliably estimable because it is based on the ultimate
number of valid requests received and future levels of the Companys common stock price. The
Companys common stock price affects the liability because the amount of cash payments under the
program is based in part on the recent level of the stock price at the date valid requests are
received. The Company does not know how many of the requests for shares originally received by
Travelzoo.com Corporation in 1998 were valid, but the Company believes that only a portion of such
requests were valid. As noted above, in order to receive payment under the program, a person is
required to establish that such person validly held shares in Travelzoo.com Corporation. Assuming
100% of the requests from 1998 were valid, former stockholders of Travelzoo.com Corporation holding
an additional approximately 4,077,000 shares had not submitted claims under the program as of March
31, 2006.
The merger of Travelzoo.com Corporation into Travelzoo Inc. was accounted for as a combination
of entities under common control using as-if pooling-of-interests accounting. Under this method
of accounting, the assets and liabilities of Travelzoo.com Corporation and Travelzoo Inc. were
carried forward at their historical costs. In addition, all prior period financial statements of
Travelzoo Inc. were restated to include the combined results of operations, financial position and
cash flows of Travelzoo.com Corporation. The restated results of operations and cash flows of
Travelzoo Inc. are identical to the combined results of Travelzoo.com Corporation and Travelzoo
Inc.
Note 2: Revenue Recognition
All revenue consists of advertising sales. Advertising insertions are either sold by fixed-fee
arrangements or sold by variable-fee arrangements.
7
The Company recognizes revenues in accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Staff
Accounting Bulletin No. 104, Revenue Recognition. Advertising revenues are recognized in the period
in which the advertisement is displayed, provided that evidence of an arrangement exists, the fees
are fixed or determinable and collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. Where
collectibility is not reasonably assured, the revenue will be recognized upon cash collection,
provided that the other criteria for revenue recognition have been met. The Company recognizes
revenue for fixed-fee advertising arrangements ratably over the term of the insertion order as
described below. The majority of insertion orders have terms that begin and end in a quarterly
reporting period. In the cases where at the end of a quarterly reporting period the term of an
insertion order is not complete, the Company recognizes revenue for the period by pro-rating the
total arrangement fee to revenue and deferred revenue based on a measure of proportionate
performance of its obligation under the insertion order. The Company measures proportionate
performance by the number of placements delivered and undelivered as of the reporting date. The
Company uses prices stated on its internal rate card for measuring the value of delivered and
undelivered placements. Fees for variable-fee advertising arrangements are recognized based on the
number of impressions displayed or clicks delivered during the period.
Under these policies, no revenue is recognized unless persuasive evidence of an arrangement
exists, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collection is deemed
reasonably assured. The Company evaluates each of these criteria as follows:
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Evidence of an arrangement. The Company considers an insertion order signed by the
client or its agency to be evidence of an arrangement. |
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Delivery. Delivery is considered to occur when the advertising has been displayed and, if
applicable, the click-throughs have been delivered. |
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Fixed or determinable fee. The Company considers the fee to be fixed or determinable if
the fee is not subject to refund or adjustment and payment terms are standard. |
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Collection is deemed reasonably assured. The Company conducts a credit review for all
transactions at the time of the arrangement to determine the creditworthiness of the client. Collection is deemed reasonably
assured if it is expected that the client will be able to pay amounts under the arrangement as payments become due. If it is
determined that collection is not reasonably assured, then revenue is deferred and recognized upon cash collection. Collection
is deemed not reasonably assured when a client is perceived to be in financial distress, which may be evidenced by weak
industry conditions, a bankruptcy filing, or previously billed amounts that are past due. |
The Companys standard payment terms are 30 days net. Insertion orders that include fixed-fee
advertising are invoiced upon acceptance of the insertion order and on the first day of each month
over the term of the insertion order, with the exception of Travelzoo Top 20 or Newsflash
insertions, which are invoiced upon delivery. Insertion orders that include variable-fee
advertising are invoiced at the end of the month. The Companys standard terms state that in the
event that Travelzoo fails to publish advertisements as specified in the insertion order, the
liability of Travelzoo to the client shall be limited to, at Travelzoos sole discretion, a pro
rata refund of the advertising fee, the placement of the advertisements at a later time in a
comparable position, or the extension of the term of the insertion order until the advertising is
fully delivered. The Company believes that no significant obligations exist after the full delivery
of advertising.
Revenues from advertising sold to clients through agencies are reported at the net amount
billed to the agency.
Note 3: Stock-based Compensation
On January 1, 2006, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 123R,
Share-Based Payments, (SFAS No. 123R) which addresses the accounting for stock-based payment
transactions whereby an entity receives employee services in exchange for equity instruments,
including stock options. SFAS No. 123R eliminates the ability to account for stock-based
compensation transactions using the intrinsic value method under APB No. 25, Accounting for Stock
Issued to Employees, and instead generally requires that such transactions be accounted for using a
fair-value based method. The Company has elected the modified prospective transition method as
permitted under SFAS No. 123R, and accordingly prior periods have not been restated to reflect the
impact of SFAS No. 123R. The modified prospective transition method requires that stock-based
compensation expense be recorded for all new and unvested stock options that are ultimately
expected to vest as the requisite service is rendered beginning on January 1, 2006. Stock-based
compensation for awards granted prior to January 1, 2006 is based upon the grant-date fair value of
such compensation as determined under the pro forma provisions of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation.
8
The Company did not provide any stock-based compensation in fiscal years 2004, 2005, or in the
three months ended March 31, 2006. In addition, all previously issued options vested prior to
January 1, 2002.
Option activity as of March 31, 2006 and changes during the three months ended March 31, 2006
were as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted- |
|
|
Aggregate |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted- |
|
|
Average |
|
|
Intrinsic |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average |
|
|
Remaining |
|
|
Value |
|
|
|
Shares |
|
|
Exercise Price |
|
|
Contractual Life |
|
|
(in thousands) |
|
Outstanding at December 31, 2005 |
|
|
2,211,074 |
|
|
$ |
1.03 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Outstanding at March 31, 2006 |
|
|
2,211,074 |
|
|
$ |
1.03 |
|
|
4.86 years |
|
$ |
41,019 |
|
Exercisable and fully vested at
March 31, 2006 |
|
|
2,211,074 |
|
|
$ |
1.03 |
|
|
4.86 years |
|
$ |
41,019 |
|
The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value
(the difference between the Companys closing stock price on the last trading day of the first
quarter of fiscal 2006 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options)
that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options
on March 31, 2006. This amount changes based on the fair market value of the Companys stock. The
Companys policy is to issue shares from the authorized shares to fulfill stock option exercises.
Note 4: Net Income Per Share
Net income per share has been calculated in accordance with SFAS No. 128, Earnings per Share.
Basic net income per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares
outstanding for the period, including shares reserved for issuance to former stockholders of
Travelzoo.com Corporation reported as outstanding prior to April 25, 2004. Diluted net income per
share is computed by adjusting the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the
effect of potential common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares included
in the diluted calculation consist of incremental shares issuable upon the exercise of outstanding
stock options calculated using the treasury stock method.
The following table sets forth the calculation of basic and diluted net income per share (in
thousands, except per share amounts):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2005 |
|
Basic net income per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
4,116 |
|
|
$ |
1,832 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares |
|
|
16,103 |
|
|
|
16,233 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Basic net income per share |
|
$ |
0.26 |
|
|
$ |
0.11 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted net income per share: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
$ |
4,116 |
|
|
$ |
1,832 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted average common shares |
|
|
16,103 |
|
|
|
16,233 |
|
Effect of dilutive securities: stock options |
|
|
1,195 |
|
|
|
1,899 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted weighted average common shares |
|
|
17,298 |
|
|
|
18,132 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Diluted net income per share |
|
$ |
0.24 |
|
|
$ |
0.10 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Note 5: Stockholders Equity
Share Repurchases
Travelzoos share repurchase program authorizes repurchases in the open market or in private
transactions. During the three months ended March 31, 2006, Travelzoo paid $8.6 million in
connection with the repurchase of 470,000 shares of common stock. There were no shares repurchased
during the three months ended March 31, 2005. Shares repurchased are recorded as part of treasury
stock.
As of March 31, 2006, Travelzoo had authorization for remaining future repurchases of
approximately 530,000 shares.
9
Note 6: Commitments and Contingencies
The Company leases office space in the U.S., U.K., Canada and Germany under operating leases
which expire between December 31, 2006 and March 31, 2009. The future minimum lease payments under
these operating leases as of March 31, 2006 total $2,929,000. The future lease payments consist of
$1,373,000 of payments due in 2006, $1,497,000 of payments due in 2007, $47,000 of payments due in
2008, and $12,000 of payments due in 2009.
It is possible that claims may be asserted against the Company in the future by former
stockholders of Travelzoo.com Corporation seeking to receive shares in the Company, whether based
on a claim that the two-year deadline for exchanging their shares was unenforceable or otherwise.
In addition, one or more jurisdictions, including the Bahamas or the State of Delaware, may assert
rights to unclaimed shares of the Company under escheat statutes. If such escheat claims are
asserted, the Company intends to challenge the applicability of escheat rights, in that, among
other reasons, the identity, residency and eligibility of the holders in question cannot be
determined. There were certain conditions applicable to the issuance of shares to the Netsurfer
stockholders, including requirements that (i) they be at least 18 years of age, (ii) they be
residents of the U.S. or Canada and (iii) they not apply for shares more than once. The Netsurfer
stockholders were required to confirm their compliance with these conditions, and were advised that
failure to comply could result in cancellation of their shares in Travelzoo.com Corporation.
Travelzoo.com Corporation was not able to verify that the applicants met the requirements referred
to above at the time of their applications for issuance of shares. If claims are asserted by
persons claiming to be former stockholders of Travelzoo.com Corporation, the Company intends to
assert that their rights to receive their shares expired two years following the effective date of
the merger, as provided in the merger agreement. The Company also expects to take the position, if
escheat or similar claims are asserted in respect of the unissued shares in the future, that it is
not required to issue such shares. Further, even if it were established that unissued shares were
subject to escheat claims, the Company would assert that the claimant must establish that the
original Netsurfer stockholders complied with the conditions to issuance of their shares. The
Company is not able to predict the outcome of any future claims which might be asserted relating to
the unissued shares. If such claims were asserted, and were fully successful, that could result in
the Companys being required to issue up to an additional approximately 4,077,000 shares of common
stock for no additional payment.
On October 15, 2004, the Company announced a program under which it would make cash payments
to persons who establish that they were former stockholders of Travelzoo.com Corporation, and who
failed to submit requests for shares in Travelzoo Inc. within the required time period. The
accompanying consolidated financial statements included a charge in general and administrative
expenses of $35,000 for these cash payments for the three months ended March 31, 2006 of which
$10,000 remains as a liability as of March 31, 2006. The liability is based on the number of actual
requests received from former stockholders through the reporting date which had not yet been
processed. The total cost of this program is not reliably estimable because it is based on the
ultimate number of valid requests received and future levels of the Companys common stock price.
The Companys common stock price affects the liability because the amount of cash payments under
the program is based in part on the recent level of the stock price at the date valid requests are
received. The Company does not know how many of the requests for shares originally received by
Travelzoo.com Corporation in 1998 were valid, but the Company believes that only a portion of such
requests were valid. As noted above, in order to receive payment under the program, a person is
required to establish that such person validly held shares in Travelzoo.com Corporation. Assuming
100% of the requests from 1998 were valid, former stockholders of Travelzoo.com Corporation holding
approximately 4,077,000 shares had not submitted claims under the program.
Note 7: Segment Reporting and Significant Customer Information
The Company manages its business geographically and has two operating segments: North America
and Europe. North America consists of the Companys operations in the U.S. and in Canada. Europe
consists of the Companys operations in the U.K. and in Germany. The Company began operations in
Europe in May 2005.
Management relies on an internal management reporting process that provides revenue and
segment operating income (loss) for making financial decisions and allocating resources.
Management believes that segment revenues and operating income (loss) are appropriate measures of
evaluating the operational performance of the Companys segments.
10
The following is a summary of operating results and assets (in thousands) by business segment:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended March 31, 2006: |
|
North America |
|
|
Europe |
|
|
Elimination |
|
|
Consolidated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales to unaffiliated customers |
|
$ |
16,365 |
|
|
$ |
563 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
16,928 |
|
Intersegment sales |
|
|
71 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
(73 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total net sales |
|
|
16,436 |
|
|
|
565 |
|
|
|
(73 |
) |
|
|
16,928 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
|
7,424 |
|
|
|
(460 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
6,964 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three months ended March 31, 2005: |
|
North America |
|
|
Europe |
|
|
Elimination |
|
|
Consolidated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales to unaffiliated customers |
|
$ |
11,228 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
11,228 |
|
Intersegment sales |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total net sales |
|
|
11,228 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11,228 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating income (loss) |
|
|
3,411 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3,411 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of March 31, 2006 |
|
North America |
|
|
Europe |
|
|
Elimination |
|
|
Consolidated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment, net: |
|
$ |
153 |
|
|
$ |
35 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
188 |
|
Total assets |
|
|
54,132 |
|
|
|
1,339 |
|
|
|
(2,448 |
) |
|
|
53,023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31, 2005 |
|
North America |
|
|
Europe |
|
|
Elimination |
|
|
Consolidated |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property and equipment, net: |
|
$ |
139 |
|
|
$ |
20 |
|
|
$ |
|
|
|
$ |
159 |
|
Total assets |
|
|
56,191 |
|
|
|
748 |
|
|
|
(1,487 |
) |
|
|
55,452 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenue for each segment is recognized from the locations within a designated geographic
region in accordance with SAB 104, Revenue Recognition. Property and equipment are attributed to
the geographic region in which the assets are located.
Significant customer information is as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Percent of |
|
|
Percent of |
|
Accounts |
|
|
Revenues |
|
Receivable |
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
March 31, |
|
December 31, |
Customer |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
Cendant Corporation |
|
|
14 |
% |
|
|
17 |
% |
|
|
16 |
% |
|
|
15 |
% |
Expedia, Inc. |
|
|
12 |
% |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
14 |
% |
|
|
* |
|
Sabre Holdings Corporation |
|
|
* |
|
|
|
18 |
% |
|
|
15 |
% |
|
|
13 |
% |
The agreements with these customers are in the form of multiple insertion orders, in either
the Companys standard form or in the customers form.
Note 8: Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income consists of two components; net income and other comprehensive income
(loss). Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to gains and losses that under generally accepted
accounting principles are recorded as an element of stockholders equity but are excluded from net
income. The Companys other comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of foreign currency
translation adjustments.
Note 9: Foreign Currency
Realized gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are recognized as gain
or loss on foreign currency. The Company does not use any derivatives for hedging or speculative
purposes.
11
Item 2. Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The information in this report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements are based upon current expectations, assumptions,
estimates and projections about Travelzoo and our industry. These forward-looking statements are
subject to the many risks and uncertainties that exist in our operations and business environment
that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of Travelzoo to be different from those
expected or anticipated in the forward-looking statements. Any statements contained herein that are
not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. For example,
words such as may, will, should, estimates, predicts, potential, continue,
strategy, believes, anticipates, plans, expects, intends, and similar expressions are
intended to identify forward-looking statements. Travelzoos actual results and the timing of
certain events could differ significantly from those anticipated in such forward-looking
statements. Factors that might cause or contribute to such a discrepancy include, but are not
limited to, those discussed elsewhere in this Report in the section entitled Risk Factors and the
risks discussed in our other SEC filings. The forward-looking statements included in this report
reflect the beliefs of our management on the date of this report. Travelzoo undertakes no
obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements.
Overview
Travelzoo is an Internet media company. We publish travel offers from hundreds of travel
companies. As the Internet is becoming consumers preferred medium to search for travel offers, we
provide airlines, hotels, cruise lines, vacation packagers, and other travel companies with a fast,
flexible, and cost-effective way to reach millions of users. While our products provide advertising
opportunities for travel companies, they also provide Internet users with a free source of
information on current sales and specials from hundreds of travel companies.
Our publications include the Travelzoo Web sites (www.travelzoo.com, www.travelzoo.ca,
www.travelzoo.co.uk and www.travelzoo.de), the Travelzoo Top 20 e-mail newsletter, and the
Newsflash e-mail product. We also operate SuperSearch, a pay-per-click travel search engine. More
than 500 travel companies purchase our advertising services.
We have two operating segments based on geographic regions: North America and Europe. North
America consists of our operations in the U.S. and Canada. Europe consists of our operations in
the U.K. and Germany. As of March 31, 2006, European operations were less than 5% of revenues.
Our revenues are advertising revenues, consisting of listing fees paid by travel companies to
advertise their offers on the Travelzoo Web sites, in the Travelzoo Top 20 e-mail newsletter, in
the Newsflash e-mail product, and in SuperSearch, a pay-per-click travel search engine. Revenues
are principally generated from the sale of advertising in the U.S. Listing fees are based on
placement, number of listings, number of impressions, or number of clickthroughs. Smaller
advertising agreements typically $4,000 or less per month typically renew automatically each
month if they are not terminated by the client. Larger agreements are typically related to
advertising campaigns and are not automatically renewed.
When evaluating the financial condition and operating performance of the Company, management
focuses on the following financial and non-financial indicators:
|
|
|
Growth of number of subscribers of the Companys newsletters and page views of the
homepages of the Travelzoo Web sites; |
|
|
|
|
Growth in revenues in the absolute and relative to the growth in reach of the Companys products; |
|
|
|
|
Operating margin; and |
|
|
|
|
Revenue per employee as a measure of productivity. |
Critical Accounting Policies
We believe that there are a number of accounting policies that are critical to understanding
our historical and future performance, as these policies affect the reported amounts of revenue and
the more significant areas involving managements judgments and estimates. These significant
accounting policies relate to revenue recognition, the allowance for doubtful accounts, and
liabilities to former stockholders. These policies, and our procedures related to these policies,
are described in detail below.
12
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue on arrangements in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104,
Revenue Recognition. We recognize advertising revenues in the period in which the advertisement is
displayed, provided that evidence of an arrangement exists, the fees are fixed or determinable and
collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. If fixed-fee advertising is displayed
over a term greater than one month, revenues are recognized ratably over the period as described
below. The majority of insertion orders have terms that begin and end in a quarterly reporting
period. In the cases where at the end of a quarterly reporting period the term of an insertion
order is not complete, the Company recognizes revenue for the period by pro-rating the total
arrangement fee to revenue and deferred revenue based on a measure of proportionate performance of
its obligation under the insertion order. The Company measures proportionate performance by the
number of placements delivered and undelivered as of the reporting date. The Company uses prices
stated on its internal rate card for measuring the value of delivered and undelivered placements.
Fees for variable-fee advertising arrangements are recognized based on the number of impressions
displayed or clicks delivered during the period.
Under these policies, no revenue is recognized unless persuasive evidence of an arrangement
exists, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collection is reasonably
assured. The Company evaluates each of these criteria as follows:
|
|
|
Evidence of an arrangement. We consider an insertion order signed by the client or its
agency to be evidence of an arrangement. |
|
|
|
|
Delivery. Delivery is considered to occur when the advertising has been displayed and, if
applicable, the clickthroughs have been delivered. |
|
|
|
|
Fixed or determinable fee. We consider the fee to be fixed or determinable if the fee is
not subject to refund or adjustment and payment terms are standard. |
|
|
|
|
Collection is reasonably assured. We conduct a credit review for all transactions at the
time of the arrangement to determine the creditworthiness of the client. Collection is deemed reasonably assured if we expect that the
client will be able to pay amounts under the arrangement as payments become due. If we determine that collection is not
reasonably assured, then we defer the revenue and recognize the revenue upon cash collection. Collection is deemed not reasonably
assured when a client is perceived to be in financial distress, which may be evidenced by weak industry conditions, a bankruptcy
filing, or previously billed amounts that are past due. |
Advertising sold to clients through agencies is reported at the net amount billed to the
agency.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
We record a provision for doubtful accounts based on our historical experience of write-offs
and a detailed assessment of our accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts. In
estimating the provision for doubtful accounts, management considers the age of the accounts
receivable, our historical write-offs, the creditworthiness of the client, the economic conditions
of the clients industry, and general economic conditions, among other factors. Should any of these
factors change, the estimates made by management will also change, which could impact the level of
our future provision for doubtful accounts. Specifically, if the financial condition of our clients
were to deteriorate, affecting their ability to make payments, additional provision for doubtful
accounts may be required.
Liability to Former Stockholders
On October 15, 2004, we announced a program under which we would make cash payments to persons
who establish that they were former stockholders of Travelzoo.com Corporation, and who failed to
submit requests for shares in Travelzoo Inc. within the required time period. We account for the
cost of this program as an expense recorded in general and administrative expenses. The ultimate
total cost of this program is not reliably estimable because it is based on the ultimate number of
valid requests received and future levels of the Companys common stock price. The Companys
common stock price affects the liability because the amount of cash payments under the program is
based in part on the recent level of the stock price at the date valid requests are received. We
do not know how many of the requests for shares originally received by Travelzoo.com Corporation in
1998 were valid. We believe that only a portion of such requests were valid. In order to receive
payment under the program, a person is required to establish that such person validly held shares
in Travelzoo.com Corporation.
13
Since the total cost of the program is not reliably estimable, the amount of expense recorded
in a period is equal to the number of actual claims received during the period multiplied by (i)
the number of shares held by each individual former stockholder and (ii) the applicable settlement
price based on the recent price of our common stock at the date the claim is received as stipulated
by the program. Requests are generally paid within 30 days of receipt. Please refer to Note 6 to
our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements for further details about our liabilities
to former stockholders.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth, as a percentage of total revenues, the results of our
operations for the periods indicated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
Revenues |
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
100 |
% |
Cost of revenues |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gross profit |
|
|
98 |
|
|
|
98 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sales and marketing |
|
|
42 |
|
|
|
45 |
|
General and administrative |
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
23 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total operating expenses |
|
|
57 |
|
|
|
68 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income from operations |
|
|
41 |
|
|
|
30 |
|
Other income and expenses, net |
|
|
2 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income before income taxes |
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
31 |
|
Income taxes |
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net income |
|
|
24 |
% |
|
|
16 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For the three months ended March 31, 2006, we reported income from operations of approximately
$7.0 million. As of March 31, 2006, we had retained earnings of approximately $21.9 million. Our
operating margin increased to 41.1% of sales for the three months ended March 31, 2006 from 30.4%
for the same period last year. The main reason for this increase in our operating margin is that
our general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue did not increase at the same
rate as our revenues due to a decrease in the number of requests received related to a program
under which the Company intends to make cash payments to former stockholders of Travelzoo.com
Corporation, who failed to submit requests for shares in Travelzoo Inc. within the required time
period.
We do not know whether our general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue will
continue to decrease in future periods. Our general and administrative expenses may fluctuate
depending on the number of requests received related to a program under which the Company intends
to make cash payments to former stockholders of Travelzoo.com Corporation, who failed to submit
requests for shares in Travelzoo Inc. within the required time period. In addition, we expect that
we will incur significant expenses in 2006 in order to allow management to report on, and our
independent auditors to attest to, our internal controls over financial reporting, as required by
Section 404 for the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. At this time, the total cost is not reliably
estimable as it will be dependent on the number of areas requiring improvement and the extent of
any required remediation efforts as well as growth of our international operations.
We do not know whether our marketing expenses as a percentage of revenue will continue to
decrease in future periods. Increased competition in our industry and increases in the average cost
of acquiring a new subscriber (see Subscriber Acquisition below) could force us to increase our marketing expenses as a percentage of revenue. Further, marketing expenses from our
strategy to replicate our business model in selected foreign markets may have a material adverse
impact on our results of operations.
The increase in other income from approximately $160,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2005
to approximately $344,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2006 represents interest earned on
the Companys cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments.
14
Reach
The following table sets forth the number of subscribers of each of our e-mail publications in
both North America and Europe as of March 31, 2006 and 2005 and the total number of page views for
the homepages of the Travelzoo Web sites in both North America and Europe for the three months
ended March 31, 2006 and 2005. Management considers the page views for the Travelzoo homepages as
indicators for the growth of Web site traffic. Management reviews these non-financial metrics for
two reasons: First, to monitor our progress in increasing the reach of our products. Second, to
evaluate whether we are able to convert higher reach into higher revenues.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year-over-Year |
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
Growth |
Subscribers: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North America |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Travelzoo Top 20 |
|
|
9,381,000 |
|
|
|
8,200,000 |
|
|
|
14 |
% |
Newsflash |
|
|
6,564,000 |
|
|
|
4,926,000 |
|
|
|
33 |
% |
Europe |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Travelzoo Top 20 |
|
|
410,000 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
Newsflash |
|
|
299,000 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended |
|
|
|
|
March 31, |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year-over-Year |
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
Growth |
Page views of homepages of Travelzoo Web sites: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
North America |
|
|
10,353,000 |
|
|
|
10,663,000 |
|
|
|
-3 |
% |
Europe |
|
|
690,000 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
The Companys revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2006 increased by 51% from the
same period last year. The number of subscribers of the Travelzoo Top 20 e-mail newsletter
increased by 14% for North America. Page views of the homepages of the Travelzoo North America Web
sites decreased by 3% as shown in the table above. Management believes that the data for the three
months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005 indicate that the Company was able to generate higher revenues
as total reach increased.
Revenues
Our total revenues increased to $16.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2006 from
$11.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005. This represents an increase of 51%.
10% of our revenue growth in the three months ended March 31, 2006 compared to the three
months ended March 31, 2005 came from our operations in Europe. The remaining 90% came from our
operations in the U.S. (i.e. Travelzoo Web sites, Travelzoo Top 20 newsletter, Newsflash and
SuperSearch) and is attributed to an increase in our advertising rates for our existing products
and an increase in the number of clients and the volume of advertising sold. Approximately 18% of
the revenue growth in the three month period ended March 31, 2006 compared to the three months
ended March 31, 2005 is attributed to an increase in our advertising rates for our existing
products. Due to the increase in the reach of our publications, we increased the prices for
advertising placements on average by approximately 13% as of January 1, 2006. Approximately 72% of
our revenue growth in the period ended March 31, 2006 compared to the three months ended March 31,
2005 is attributed to an increase in the number of clients and an increase in the volume of
advertising sold to existing clients.
In the three months ended March 31, 2006, Expedia, Inc. accounted for 12% of our total
revenues, and Cendant Corporation accounted for 14% of our total revenues. In the three months
ended March 31, 2005, Sabre Holdings Corporation accounted for 18% of our total revenues, and
Cendant Corporation accounted for 17% of our total revenues. No other clients accounted for 10% or
more of our total revenues during the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005. Management
expects revenue concentration to remain at the current level in the foreseeable future because
there is a high concentration in the online travel agency industry.
Expedia, Inc., Cendant Corporation and Sabre Holdings Corporation operate
online travel agencies.
Management believes that our ability to increase revenues in the future depends mainly on
three factors:
|
|
|
Our ability to increase our advertising rates; |
|
|
|
|
Our ability to sell more advertising to existing clients; and |
15
|
|
|
Our ability to increase the number of clients. |
We believe that we can increase our advertising rates only if the reach of our publications
increases. We do not know if we will be able to increase the reach of our publications. We believe
that we can sell more advertising only if the market for online advertising continues to grow and
if we can maintain or increase our market share. We believe that the market for online advertising
continues to grow. We do not know if we will be able to maintain or increase our market share. We
historically have increased the number of clients in every year since inception. We do not know if
we will be able to increase the number of clients in the future.
Average annualized revenue per employee increased to $996,000 for the three months ended March
31, 2006 from $862,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005.
Cost of Revenues
Cost of revenues consists of network expenses, including fees we pay for co-location services,
depreciation of network equipment, salary expenses associated with network operations staff, and
fees for photos used in our publications. Our cost of revenues increased to $264,000 for the three
months ended March 31, 2006 from $179,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2005. As a
percentage of revenue, cost of revenues remained the same, 2%, for the three months ended March 31,
2006 and for the three months ended March 31, 2005. The increase in cost of revenues in the three
months ended March 31, 2006 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2005 was primarily due to
an increase in headcount of our network operations staff.
Operating Expenses
Sales and Marketing
Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of advertising and promotional expenses, salary
expenses associated with sales and marketing staff, conference expenses, and public relations
expenses. Sales and marketing expenses increased to $7.1 million for the three months ended March
31, 2006 from $5.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2005. The increase in sales and
marketing expenses was primarily due to increases in our advertising campaigns. The goal of our
advertising was to acquire new subscribers for our e-mail products and to increase brand awareness
for Travelzoo. For the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, advertising expenses accounted
for 73% and 74%, respectively, of sales and marketing expenses. Advertising activities during these
periods consisted primarily of online advertising. The increase in sales and marketing expenses in
the three months ended March 31, 2006 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2005 was also
due to an increase in headcount of our sales force.
Our goal is to increase our revenues from advertising sales. One important factor that drives
our revenues is our advertising rates. We believe that we can increase our advertising rates only
if the reach of our publications increases. In order to increase the reach of our publications, we
have to acquire a significant number of new subscribers in every quarter and continue to promote
our brand. Therefore, we expect our sales and marketing expenses to increase from the current level. The main factor that impacts our advertising expenses
is the average cost per acquisition of a new subscriber. We believe that the average cost per
acquisition depends mainly on the advertising rates which we pay for media buys, our ability to
manage our subscriber acquisition efforts successfully, and the degree of competition in our
industry.
In May 2005, we began operations in Europe. The start-up of our business in Europe is expected
to result in a significant additional increase in our sales and marketing expenses in the
foreseeable future.
We may significantly increase our sales and marketing expenses related to advertising campaigns for
Travelzoo for a certain period if we see a unique opportunity for a brand marketing campaign or if
we find it necessary to respond to increased brand marketing by a competitor. In addition, our
plan to expand into other regions is also expected to result in a significant additional increase
in our sales and marketing expenses in the foreseeable future.
General and Administrative
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of compensation for administrative and
executive staff, fees for professional services, rent, bad debt expense, amortization of intangible
assets and general office expense. General and administrative expenses remained the same, $2.6
million, for the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005.
In the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company recorded expenses of $35,000
and $984,000, respectively,
16
related to a program under which the Company makes cash payments to former stockholders of
Travelzoo.com Corporation, who failed to submit requests for shares in Travelzoo Inc. within the
required time period. The expenses are based on the number of actual valid claims received and the
Companys stock price. The Company cannot reliably estimate future expenses incurred under this
program because it is based on the number of valid requests received and future levels of the
Companys common stock price.
We expect that we will incur significant expenses in 2006 in order to allow management to
report on, and our independent auditors to attest to, our internal controls over financial
reporting, as required by Section 404 for the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. At this time, the total
cost is not reliably estimable as it will be dependent on the number of areas requiring improvement
and the extent of any required remediation efforts as well as growth of our international
operations. The Company has expensed approximately $499,000 and $210,000, respectively, of
third-party compliance costs in the three months ended March 31, 2006 and 2005.
We expect our headcount to continue to increase in the future. The Companys headcount is one
of the main drivers of general and administrative expenses. Therefore, we expect our general and
administrative expenses to continue to increase.
We expect the expansion into foreign markets to result in a significant additional increase in
our general and administrative expenses.
Subscriber Acquisition
The table set forth below provides for each quarter in 2003, 2004, 2005, and the first three
months of 2006, an analysis of our average cost for acquisition of new subscribers for our
Travelzoo Top 20 newsletter and our Newsflash e-mail alert service for our operating segments,
North America and Europe.
The table includes the following data:
|
|
|
Average Cost per Acquisition of a New Subscriber: This is the quarterly costs of
consumer marketing programs whose purpose was primarily to acquire new subscribers,
divided by total new subscribers added during the quarter. |
|
|
|
|
New Subscribers: Total new subscribers who signed up for at least one of our
e-mail publications throughout the quarter. This is an unduplicated subscriber
number, meaning a subscriber who signed up for two or more of our publications is
only counted once. |
|
|
|
|
Unsubscribes: Subscribers who were removed from our list throughout the quarter
either as a result of their requesting removal, or based on periodic list
maintenance after we determined that the e-mail address was likely no longer valid. |
|
|
|
|
Balance: This is the number of subscribers at the end of the quarter, computed
by taking the previous quarters subscriber balance, adding new subscribers during
the current quarter, and subtracting unsubscribes during the current quarter. |
17
North America:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average Cost per |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition of a |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period |
|
New Subscriber |
|
New Subscribers |
|
Unsubscribes |
|
Balance |
Q1 2003
|
|
$ |
1.62 |
|
|
|
693,872 |
|
|
|
(213,423 |
) |
|
|
3,962,625 |
|
Q2 2003
|
|
$ |
1.58 |
|
|
|
924,902 |
|
|
|
(172,403 |
) |
|
|
4,715,124 |
|
Q3 2003
|
|
$ |
1.52 |
|
|
|
1,108,045 |
|
|
|
(248,964 |
) |
|
|
5,574,205 |
|
Q4 2003
|
|
$ |
2.17 |
|
|
|
869,286 |
|
|
|
(240,907 |
) |
|
|
6,202,584 |
|
Q1 2004
|
|
$ |
2.23 |
|
|
|
920,063 |
|
|
|
(185,151 |
) |
|
|
6,937,496 |
|
Q2 2004
|
|
$ |
2.58 |
|
|
|
858,899 |
|
|
|
(634,702 |
) |
|
|
7,161,693 |
|
Q3 2004
|
|
$ |
1.26 |
|
|
|
1,298,962 |
|
|
|
(602,628 |
) |
|
|
7,858,027 |
|
Q4 2004
|
|
$ |
1.70 |
|
|
|
694,026 |
|
|
|
(406,316 |
) |
|
|
8,145,737 |
|
Q1 2005
|
|
$ |
2.59 |
|
|
|
659,459 |
|
|
|
(475,938 |
) |
|
|
8,329,258 |
|
Q2 2005
|
|
$ |
2.62 |
|
|
|
806,734 |
|
|
|
(533,109 |
) |
|
|
8,602,883 |
|
Q3 2005
|
|
$ |
3.19 |
|
|
|
740,768 |
|
|
|
(422,868 |
) |
|
|
8,920,783 |
|
Q4 2005
|
|
$ |
2.41 |
|
|
|
729,460 |
|
|
|
(273,389 |
) |
|
|
9,376,854 |
|
Q1 2006
|
|
$ |
2.54 |
|
|
|
714,643 |
|
|
|
(317,947 |
) |
|
|
9,773,550 |
|
Europe:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average Cost per |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition of a |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Period |
|
New Subscriber |
|
New Subscribers |
|
Unsubscribes |
|
Balance |
Q3 2005
|
|
$ |
1.65 |
|
|
|
127,857 |
|
|
|
(5,577 |
) |
|
|
140,153 |
|
Q4 2005
|
|
$ |
2.02 |
|
|
|
174,514 |
|
|
|
(16,898 |
) |
|
|
297,769 |
|
Q1 2006
|
|
$ |
2.15 |
|
|
|
143,666 |
|
|
|
(16,831 |
) |
|
|
424,604 |
|
In North America, we have noted a trend of increasing cost per new subscriber over the last
few years, driven by a gradual increase in online advertising rates by our media suppliers as well
as increased activity from competitors using similar forms of online advertising for their own
marketing efforts. The decline in new subscriber acquisition costs in Q3 2004 and Q4 2005 reflects
the effect of new advertising campaigns which were tested at that time. We do not consider the
decline in new subscriber costs to be indicative of a longer-term trend, or to indicate that our
subscriber costs are likely to stay at this level or are likely to decline further.
The operational impact of increased acquisition cost is higher absolute marketing expenses and
potentially higher relative marketing expenses as a percentage of revenue. Going forward we expect
continued upward pressure on online advertising rates and continued activity from competitors,
which will likely increase our cost per new subscriber over the long term. The effect on operations
is that greater absolute and relative marketing expenditure may be necessary to continue to grow
the reach of our publications. It is possible that the factors driving subscriber acquisition cost
increases can be partially or completely offset by new or improved methods of subscriber
acquisition using techniques which are under evaluation. Thus we are not able to meaningfully
predict the short-term quarterly trend in the cost of acquiring new subscribers.
Segment Information
We have presented the business segments in this Form 10-Q based on our organizational
structure as of March 31, 2006.
18
North America
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
% Increase |
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
16,436 |
|
|
$ |
11,228 |
|
|
|
46 |
% |
Income from operations |
|
|
7,424 |
|
|
|
3,411 |
|
|
|
118 |
% |
Income from operations as a % of revenues |
|
|
45.1 |
% |
|
|
30.4 |
% |
|
|
|
|
In North America, revenues increased 46% in the first quarter of 2006 compared to the same
period in 2005. The North American revenue growth was driven by the increase of advertising rates,
additions of new clients and increased spending from existing clients.
Income from operations for North America as a percentage of revenue in the first quarter of
2006 increased by 15 percentage points. This was due primarily to a 9 percentage point decrease in
general and administrative expenses in the first quarter of 2006 compared to the same period last
year. This is because general and administrative expenses for North America decreased to $2.3
million in the first quarter of 2006 compared to $2.6 million in the same period last year. This
$300,000 decrease was primarily due to a $949,000 decrease in expenses related to a program under
which the Company makes cash payments to people who establish they were former stockholders of
Travelzoo.com Corporation, and who failed to submit requests to convert their shares into Travelzoo
Inc. within the required time period, which was offset by a $289,000 increase in costs of
compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and a $219,000 increase in bad debt expense.
Europe
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|
|
2006 |
|
2005 |
|
% Increase |
|
|
(In thousands) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Revenues |
|
$ |
565 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
Loss from operations |
|
|
(460 |
) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
N/A |
|
Loss from operations as a % of revenues |
|
|
(81.3 |
%) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Our revenues from operations in Europe for the three months ended March 31, 2006 were
$565,000. We did not have operations in Europe during the three months ended March 31, 2005.
Our loss from operations in Europe was $460,000. This is due to the large amount of sales and
marketing expenses required to acquire subscribers and traffic for Europe.
Income Taxes
For the three months ended March 31, 2006, we recorded an income tax provision of $3.2
million. For the three months ended March 31, 2005, we recorded an income tax provision of $1.7
million. Our income is generally taxed in the U.S. and our income tax provisions reflect federal
and state statutory rates applicable to our levels of income and expenses, adjusted to take into
account expenses that are treated as having no recognizable tax benefit. For the three months ended
March 31, 2006, our effective tax rate was 43.6%. Expenses of $35,000 related to a program under
which the Company makes cash payments to former stockholders of Travelzoo.com Corporation, who
failed to submit requests for shares in Travelzoo Inc. within the required time period, were
treated as having no recognizable tax benefit. Further, a loss of $466,000 from our operations in
Europe was treated as having no recognizable tax benefit.
We expect that our effective tax rate in future periods may fluctuate depending on the total
amount of expenses representing payments to former stockholders, from losses or gains incurred by
our European operations and Canadian operations, related European and Canadian tax liabilities and
corresponding U.S. tax credits, if any.
During the first quarter of 2005, the Company realized a tax benefit of $396,000 upon the
exercise of stock options by a director. The tax benefit reduced the Companys income tax payable
and increased additional paid-in capital by this amount.
19
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of March 31, 2006, we had $41.7 million in cash and cash equivalents and short-term
investments. Cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments decreased from $44.4 million on
December 31, 2005 primarily as a result of cash used in financing as explained below. We expect
that cash on hand and cash flows generated from operations will be sufficient to provide for
working capital needs for at least the next 12 months.
Net cash provided by operating activities in the three months ended March 31, 2006 was $5.8
million. Net cash provided by operating activities in the three months ended March 31, 2005 was
$3.2 million. In the three months ended March 31, 2006, net cash provided by operating activities
resulted primarily from net income and an increase in income tax payable. In the three
months ended March 31, 2005, net cash provided by operating activities resulted primarily from net
income and tax benefit of stock option exercises offset by an increase in accounts receivable and a
net decrease in income tax payable.
Net cash provided by investing activities was $5.3 million in the three months ended March 31,
2006. Net cash used in investing activities was $42,000 during the three months ended March 31,
2005. In the three months ended March 31, 2006, net cash provided by investing activities was from
the sale of short-term investments offset by the purchase of short-term investments and for
equipment purchases. In the three months ended March 31, 2005, net cash was used in investing
activities for equipment purchases.
Net cash used in financing activities was $8.6 million during the three months ended March 31,
2006. Net cash used in financing activities was $89,000 during the three months ended March 31,
2005. In the three months ended March 31, 2006, net cash used in financing activities resulted
from the repurchase of common stock by the Company. In the three months ended March 31, 2005, net
cash used in financing activities resulted primarily from related costs from the issuance of common
stock in 2004.
Our capital requirements depend on a number of factors, including market acceptance of our
products and services, the amount of our resources we devote to development and launch of new
products, cash payments to former stockholders of Travelzoo.com Corporation, expansion of our
operations, the repurchase of common stock under the share repurchase program and the amount of our
resources we devote to promoting awareness of the Travelzoo brand. Since the inception of the
program under which we would make cash payments to persons who establish that they were former
stockholders of Travelzoo.com Corporation, and who failed to submit requests for our shares within
the required time period, we have incurred expenses of $2.4 million. While future payments for this
program are expected to decrease, the total cost of this program is still undeterminable because it
is dependent on our stock price and on the number of claims ultimately received. Consistent with
our growth, we have experienced a substantial increase in our sales and marketing expenses since
inception, and we anticipate that these increases will continue for the foreseeable future. We
believe cash on hand and generated during those periods will be sufficient to pay such costs. In
addition, we will continue to evaluate possible investments in businesses, products and
technologies, the consummation of any of which would increase our capital requirements.
Although we currently believe that we have sufficient capital resources to meet our
anticipated working capital and capital expenditure requirements beyond the next 12 months,
unanticipated events and opportunities may require us to sell additional equity or debt securities
or establish new credit facilities to raise capital in order to meet our capital requirements. If
we sell additional equity or convertible debt securities, the sale could dilute the ownership of
our existing stockholders. If we issue debt securities or establish a new credit facility, our
fixed obligations could increase, and we may be required to agree to operating covenants that would
restrict our operations. We cannot be sure that any such financing will be available in amounts or
on terms acceptable to us.
We expect that cash on hand will be sufficient to finance the growth of our European
operations.
The following summarizes our principal contractual commitments as of March 31, 2006 (in
thousands):
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2006 |
|
|
2007 |
|
|
2008 |
|
|
2009 |
|
|
Thereafter |
|
|
Total |
|
Operating leases |
|
|
1,373 |
|
|
|
1,497 |
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
2,929 |
|
Purchase obligations |
|
|
86 |
|
|
|
8 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
94 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total commitments |
|
|
1,459 |
|
|
|
1,505 |
|
|
|
47 |
|
|
|
12 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
3,023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
20
As of March 31, 2006, we have recorded a liability of $10,000 for the estimated minimum
liability that is probable to be paid under a program to make cash payments to former stockholders
of Travelzoo.com Corporation. The total liability incurred under this program is not reliably
estimable because it is based on the ultimate number of valid requests received and future levels
of the Companys common stock price. The Companys common stock price affects the liability because
the amount of cash payments under the program is based in part on the recent level of the stock
price at the date valid requests are received.
RISK FACTORS
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. Any or all of the risks listed
below as well as other variables affecting our operating results could have a material adverse
effect on our business, our quarterly and annual operating results or financial condition, which
could cause the market price of our stock to decline or cause substantial volatility in our stock
price, in which event the value of your common stock could decline. You should also keep these risk
factors in mind when you read forward-looking statements.
Risks Related to Our Financial Condition and Business Model
We cannot assure you that we will sustain profitability.
Although we have been profitable in the past, there is no assurance that we will continue to
be profitable. We forecast our future expense levels based on our operating plans and our estimates
of future revenues. We may find it necessary to significantly accelerate expenditures relating to
our sales and marketing efforts or otherwise increase our financial commitment to creating and
maintaining brand awareness among Internet users and travel companies. If our revenues grow at a
slower rate than we anticipate, or if our spending levels exceed our expectations or cannot be
adjusted to reflect slower revenue growth, we may not generate sufficient revenues to sustain
profitability. If our operations in Europe and our expected expansion into other regions in the
future incur significant losses, this will result in a significant negative impact on our results
of operations. In this case, the value of the shares of Travelzoo could be reduced.
Fluctuations in our operating results may negatively impact our stock price.
Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate significantly in the future due to a variety of
factors that could affect our revenues or our expenses in any particular quarter. You should not
rely on quarter-to-quarter comparisons of our results of operations as an indication of future
performance. Factors that may affect our quarterly results include:
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|
mismatches between resource allocation and client demand due to difficulties in
predicting client demand in a new market; |
|
|
|
|
changes in general economic conditions that could affect marketing efforts generally and
online marketing efforts in particular; |
|
|
|
|
the magnitude and timing of marketing initiatives, including our expansion efforts in
other regions; |
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|
|
the introduction, development, timing, competitive pricing and market acceptance of our
products and services and those of our competitors; |
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|
|
|
our ability to attract and retain key personnel; |
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|
|
|
our ability to manage our anticipated growth and expansion; |
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|
our ability to attract traffic to our Web sites; |
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|
|
technical difficulties or system downtime affecting the Internet generally or the
operation of our products and services specifically; and |
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|
|
payments which we may make to previous stockholders of Travelzoo.com Corporation who
failed to submit requests for shares in Travelzoo Inc. within the required time period. |
21
In addition, we may significantly increase our operating expenses related to advertising
campaigns for Travelzoo for a certain period if we see a unique opportunity for a brand marketing
campaign or if we find it necessary to respond to increased brand marketing by a competitor.
If revenues fall below our expectations in any quarter and we are unable to quickly reduce our
operating expenses in response, our operating results would be lower than expected and our stock
price may fall.
We depend on two clients for a substantial part of our revenues.
In the three months ended March 31, 2006, two clients accounted for 14% and 12% of our
revenues, respectively. The agreements with these customers are in the form of multiple insertion
orders, in either the Companys standard form or in the customers form. The loss of either client
may result in a significant decrease in our revenues, which could have a material adverse effect on
our business.
Our business model may not be adaptable to a changing market.
Our current revenue model depends on advertising fees paid by travel companies. If current
clients decide not to continue advertising their offers with us and we are unable to replace them
with new clients, our business may be adversely affected. To be successful, we must provide online
marketing solutions that achieve broad market acceptance by travel companies. In addition, we must
attract sufficient Internet users with attractive demographic characteristics to our products. It
is possible that we will be required to further adapt our business model in response to changes in
the online advertising market or if our current business model is not successful. If we are not
able to anticipate changes in the online advertising market or if our business model is not
successful, our business could be materially adversely affected.
We may not be able to obtain sufficient funds to grow our business and any additional financing may
be on terms adverse to your interests.
We intend to continue to grow our business, and intend to fund our current operations and
anticipated growth from the cash flow generated from our operations and our retained earnings.
However, these sources may not be sufficient to meet our needs. We may not be able to obtain
financing on commercially reasonable terms, or at all.
If additional financing is not available when required or is not available on acceptable
terms, we may be unable to fund our expansion, successfully promote our brand name, develop or
enhance our products and services, take advantage of business opportunities, or respond to
competitive pressures, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business.
If we choose to raise additional funds through the issuance of equity securities, you may
experience significant dilution of your ownership interest, and holders of the additional equity
securities may have rights senior to those of the holders of our common stock. If we obtain
additional financing by issuing debt securities, the terms of these securities could restrict or
prevent us from paying dividends and could limit our flexibility in making business decisions.
Our business may be sensitive to recessions.
The demand for online advertising may be linked to the level of economic activity and
employment in the U.S. and abroad. Specifically, our business is dependent on the demand for online
advertising from travel companies. The last recession decreased consumer travel and caused travel
companies to reduce or postpone their marketing spending generally, and their online marketing
spending in particular. In case of another recession, our business and financial condition could be
materially adversely affected.
Our operations could be significantly hindered by the occurrence of a natural disaster or other
catastrophic event.
Our operations are susceptible to outages due to fire, floods, power loss, telecommunications
failures, break-ins and similar events. In addition, a significant portion of our network
infrastructure is located in Northern California, an area susceptible to earthquakes. We do not
have multiple site capacity in the event of any such occurrence. Outages could cause significant
interruptions of our service. In addition, despite our implementation of network security measures,
our servers are vulnerable to computer viruses, physical and electronic break-ins, and similar
disruptions from unauthorized tampering with our computer systems. We do not carry business
interruption insurance to compensate us for losses that may occur as a result of any of these
events.
22
Technological or other assaults on our service could harm our business.
We are vulnerable to coordinated attempts to overload our systems with data, which could
result in denial or reduction of service to some or all of our users for a period of time. We have
experienced denial of service attacks in the past, and may experience such attempts in the future.
Any such event could reduce our revenue and harm our operating results and financial condition. We
do not carry business interruption insurance to compensate us for losses that may occur as a result
of any of these events.
Risks Related to Our Markets and Strategy
We may not be able to develop awareness of our brand name.
We believe that continuing to build awareness of the Travelzoo brand name is critical to
achieving widespread acceptance of our business. Brand recognition is a key differentiating factor
among providers of online advertising opportunities, and we believe it could become more important
as competition in our industry increases. In order to maintain and build brand awareness, we must
succeed in our marketing efforts. If we fail to successfully promote and maintain our brand, incur
significant expenses in promoting our brand and fail to generate a corresponding increase in
revenue as a result of our branding efforts, or encounter legal obstacles which prevent our
continued use of our brand name, our business could be materially adversely affected.
Our business may be sensitive to events affecting the travel industry in general.
Events like the war with Iraq or the terrorist attacks on the U.S. in 2001 have a negative
impact on the travel industry. We are not in a position to evaluate the net effect of these
circumstances on our business. In the longer term, our business might be negatively affected by
financial pressures on the travel industry. However, our business may also benefit if travel
companies increase their efforts to promote special offers or other marketing programs. If such
events result in a long-term negative impact on the travel industry, such impact could have a
material adverse effect on our business.
We will not be able to attract travel companies or Internet users if we do not continually enhance
and develop the content and features of our products and services.
To remain competitive, we must continually improve the responsiveness, functionality and
features of our products and services. We may not succeed in developing features, functions,
products or services that travel companies and Internet users find attractive. This could reduce
the number of travel companies and Internet users using our products and materially adversely
affect our business.
We may lose business if we fail to keep pace with rapidly changing technologies and clients needs.
Our success is dependent on our ability to develop new and enhanced software, services and
related products to meet rapidly evolving technological requirements for online advertising. Our
current technology may not meet the future technical requirements of travel companies. Trends that
could have a critical impact on our success include:
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rapidly changing technology in online advertising; |
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|
evolving industry standards, including both formal and de facto standards relating to online advertising; |
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|
developments and changes relating to the Internet; |
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|
competing products and services that offer increased functionality; and |
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|
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|
changes in travel company and Internet user requirements. |
If we are unable to timely and successfully develop and introduce new products and
enhancements to existing products in response to our industrys changing technological
requirements, our business could be materially adversely affected.
23
Our business and growth will suffer if we are unable to hire and retain highly skilled personnel.
Our future success depends on our ability to attract, train, motivate and retain highly
skilled employees. We may be unable to retain our skilled employees, or attract, assimilate and
retain other highly skilled employees in the future. We have from time to time in the past
experienced, and we expect to continue to experience in the future, difficulty in hiring and
retaining highly skilled employees with appropriate qualifications. If we are unable to hire and
retain skilled personnel, our growth may be restricted, which could adversely affect our future
success.
We may not be able to effectively manage our expanding operations.
Since the commencement of our operations, we have experienced a period of rapid growth. In
order to execute our business plan, we must continue to grow significantly. As of March 31, 2006,
we had 68 employees. We expect that the number of our employees will continue to increase for the
foreseeable future. This growth has placed, and our anticipated future growth will continue to
place, a significant strain on our management, systems and resources. We expect that we will need
to continue to improve our financial and managerial controls and reporting systems and procedures.
We will also need to continue to expand and maintain close coordination among our sales,
production, marketing, IT, and finance departments. We may not succeed in these efforts. Our
inability to expand our operations in an efficient manner could cause our expenses to grow
disproportionately to revenues, our revenues to decline or grow more slowly than expected and could
otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business.
Our international operations are subject to increased risks which could harm our business,
operating results and financial condition.
In May 2005, we began operations in the U.K. In February 2006, we began operations in
Germany. In April 2006, we began operations in Canada. Our plan is to expand into other regions in
the future. In addition to uncertainty about our ability to generate net income from our foreign
operations and expand our international market position, there are certain risks inherent in doing
business internationally, including:
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trade barriers and changes in trade regulations; |
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|
|
difficulties in developing, staffing and simultaneously managing foreign operations as a
result of distance, language and cultural differences; |
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|
stringent local labor laws and regulations; |
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|
currency exchange rate fluctuations; |
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|
risks related to government regulation; and |
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|
potentially adverse tax consequences. |
Intense competition may adversely affect our ability to achieve or maintain market share and
operate profitably.
We compete for advertising dollars with large Internet portal sites, such as America Online,
MSN and Yahoo!, that offer listings or other advertising opportunities for travel companies. These
companies have significantly greater financial, technical, marketing and other resources and larger
client bases. We also compete with search engines like Google and Yahoo! Search that offer
pay-per-click listings. In addition, we compete with newspapers, magazines and other traditional
media companies that provide online advertising opportunities. We expect to face additional
competition as other established and emerging companies, including print media companies, enter the
online advertising market. Competition could result in reduced margins on our services, loss of
market share or less use of Travelzoo by travel companies and consumers. If we are not able to
compete effectively with current or future competitors as a result of these and other factors, our
business could be materially adversely affected.
24
Loss of any of our key management personnel could negatively impact our business.
Our future success depends to a significant extent on the continued service and coordination
of our management team, particularly Ralph Bartel, our Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer
and Chief Financial Officer. The loss or departure of any of our officers or key employees could
materially adversely affect our ability to implement our business plan. We do not maintain key
person life insurance for any member of our management team. In addition, we expect new members to
join our management team in the future. These individuals will not previously have worked together
and will be required to become integrated into our management team. If our key management personnel
are not able to work together effectively or successfully, our business could be materially
adversely affected.
We may not be able to access third party technology upon which we depend.
We use technology and software products from third parties including Microsoft. Technology
from our current or other vendors may not continue to be available to us on commercially reasonable
terms, or at all. Our business will suffer if we are unable to access this technology, to gain
access to additional products or to integrate new technology with our existing systems. This could
cause delays in our development and introduction of new services and related products or
enhancements of existing products until equivalent or replacement technology can be accessed, if
available, or developed internally, if feasible. If we experience these delays, our business could
be materially adversely affected.
Risks Related to the Market for our Shares
Our stock price has been volatile historically and may continue to be volatile.
The trading price of our common stock has been and may continue to be subject to wide
fluctuations. During the three months ended March 31, 2006, the sales price of our common stock on
the NASDAQ National Market ranged from $16.77 to $23.96. Our stock price may fluctuate in response
to a number of events and factors, such as quarterly variations in operating results; announcements
of technological innovations or new products by us or our competitors; changes in financial
estimates and recommendations by securities analysts; the operating and stock price performance of
other companies that investors may deem comparable to us; and news reports relating to trends in
our markets or general economic conditions.
In addition, the stock market in general, and the market prices for Internet-related companies
in particular, have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the operating
performance of such companies. These broad market and industry fluctuations may adversely affect
the price of our stock, regardless of our operating performance.
We are controlled by a principal stockholder.
Ralph Bartel, who founded Travelzoo and who is our Chairman of the Board, President, Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, is our largest stockholder, holding beneficially, as
of April 30, 2006, approximately 68% of our outstanding shares with options to increase his
percentage ownership to 72% on a fully-diluted basis. Through his share ownership, he is in a
position to control Travelzoo and to elect our entire board of directors.
25
Risks Related to Legal Uncertainty
We may become subject to burdensome government regulations and legal uncertainties affecting the
Internet which could adversely affect our business.
To date, governmental regulations have not materially restricted use of the Internet in our
markets. However, the legal and regulatory environment that pertains to the Internet is uncertain
and may change. Uncertainty and new regulations could increase our costs of doing business, prevent
us from delivering our products and services over the Internet or slow the growth of the Internet.
In addition to new laws and regulations being adopted, existing laws may be applied to the
Internet. New and existing laws may cover issues which include:
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user privacy; |
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|
anti-spam legislation; |
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|
|
consumer protection; |
|
|
|
copyright, trademark and patent infringement; |
|
|
|
pricing controls; |
|
|
|
characteristics and quality of products and services; |
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|
|
sales and other taxes; and |
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|
|
other claims based on the nature and content of Internet materials. |
We may be liable as a result of information retrieved from or transmitted over the Internet.
We may be sued for defamation, negligence, copyright or trademark infringement or other legal
claims relating to information that is published or made available in our products. These types of
claims have been brought, sometimes successfully, against online services in the past. The fact
that we distribute information via e-mail may subject us to potential risks, such as liabilities or
claims resulting from unsolicited e-mail or spamming, lost or misdirected messages, security
breaches, illegal or fraudulent use of e-mail or interruptions or delays in e-mail service. In
addition, we could incur significant costs in investigating and defending such claims, even if we
ultimately are not liable. If any of these events occur, our business could be materially adversely
affected. We do not carry general liability insurance.
Claims may be asserted against us relating to shares not issued in our 2002 merger.
The merger of Travelzoo.com Corporation into the Company became effective on April 25, 2002.
Stockholders of Travelzoo.com Corporation were allowed a period of two years following the
effective date to receive shares in the Company. After April 25, 2004, two years following the
effective date, we ceased issuing shares to the former stockholders of Travelzoo.com Corporation.
Many of the Netsurfer stockholders, who had applied to receive shares of Travelzoo.com
Corporation in 1998 for no cash consideration, did not elect to receive their shares which were
issuable in the merger prior to the end of the two-year period. A total of 4,077,000 of our shares
which had been reserved for issuance in the merger were not claimed.
26
It is possible that claims may be asserted against us in the future by former stockholders of
Travelzoo.com Corporation seeking to receive our shares, whether based on a claim that the two-year
deadline for exchanging their shares was unenforceable or otherwise. In addition, one or more
jurisdictions, including the Bahamas or the State of Delaware, may assert rights to unclaimed
shares under escheat statutes. If such escheat claims are asserted, we intend to challenge the
applicability of escheat rights in that, among other reasons, the identity, residency and
eligibility of the holders in question cannot be determined. There were certain conditions
applicable to the issuance of shares to the Netsurfer stockholders, including requirements that (i)
they be at least 18 years of age, (ii) they be residents of the U.S. or Canada and (iii) they not
apply for shares more than once. The Netsurfer stockholders were required to confirm their
compliance with these conditions, and were advised that failure to comply could result in
cancellation of their shares in Travelzoo.com Corporation. Travelzoo.com Corporation was not able
to verify that the applicants met the requirements referred to above at the time of their
applications for issuance of shares. If claims are asserted by persons claiming to be former
stockholders of Travelzoo.com Corporation, we intend to assert that their rights to receive their
shares expired two years following the effective date of the merger, as provided in the merger
agreement. We also expect to take the position, if escheat or similar claims are asserted in
respect of the unissued shares in the future, that we are not required to issue such shares.
Further, even if it were established that unissued shares were subject to escheat claims, we would
assert that the claimant must establish that the original Netsurfer stockholders complied with the
conditions to issuance of their shares. We are not able to predict the outcome of any future claims
which might be asserted relating to the unissued shares. If such claims were asserted, and were
fully successful, that could result in us being required to issue up to an additional 4,077,000
shares of common stock for no additional payment, which would result in substantial dilution of the
ownership interests of the other stockholders, and in our earnings per share, which could adversely
affect the market price of the common stock.
On October 15, 2004, we announced a program under which we would make cash payments to persons
who establish that they were former stockholders of Travelzoo.com Corporation, and who failed to
submit requests for our shares within the required time period. The accompanying consolidated
financial statements include a charge in general and administrative expenses of $35,000 for these
cash payments for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, of which $10,000 remains as a liability as of
March 31, 2006. The liability is based on the number of actual requests received from former
stockholders through March 31, 2006 that remain unpaid. The total cost of this program is not
reliably estimable because it is based on the ultimate number of valid requests received and future
levels of our common stock price. Our common stock price affects the liability because the amount
of cash payments under the program is based in part on the recent level of the stock price at the
date valid requests are received. We do not know how many of the requests for shares originally
received by Travelzoo.com Corporation in 1998 were valid, but we believe that only a portion of
such requests were valid. As noted above, in order to receive payment under the program, a person
is required to establish that such person validly held shares in Travelzoo.com Corporation.
Assuming 100% of the requests from 1998 were valid, former stockholders of Travelzoo.com
Corporation holding approximately 4,077,000 shares had not submitted claims under the program as of
March 31, 2006.
Our internal controls over financial reporting may not be effective, and our independent auditors
may not be able to certify as to their effectiveness, which could have a significant and adverse
effect on our business.
We are obligated to evaluate our internal controls over financial reporting in order to allow
management to report on, and our independent auditors to attest to, our internal controls over
financial reporting, as required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the rules and
regulations of the SEC. In our Section 404 evaluation, we have identified areas of internal
controls that may need improvement and have instituted remediation efforts where necessary.
Currently, none of our identified areas that need improvement have been categorized as material
weaknesses. We may identify conditions that may result in significant deficiencies or material
weaknesses in the future.
We may be unable to protect our registered trademark or other proprietary intellectual property
rights.
Our success depends to a significant degree upon the protection of the Travelzoo brand name.
We rely upon a combination of copyright, trade secret and trademark laws and non-disclosure and
other contractual arrangements to protect our intellectual property rights. The steps we have taken
to protect our proprietary rights, however, may not be adequate to deter misappropriation of
proprietary information.
27
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office registered the trademark for Travelzoo on January 23,
2001. The Office for Harmonization in the Internal Market of the European Community registered the
trademark for Travelzoo on May 11, 2004. If we are unable to protect our rights in the mark, a
key element of our strategy of promoting Travelzoo as a brand could be disrupted and our business
could be adversely affected. We may not be able to detect unauthorized use of our proprietary
information or take appropriate steps to enforce our intellectual property rights. In addition, the
validity, enforceability and scope of protection of intellectual property in Internet-related
industries is uncertain and still evolving. The laws of other countries in which we may market our
services in the future are uncertain and may afford little or no effective protection of our
intellectual property. The unauthorized reproduction or other misappropriation of our proprietary
technology could enable third parties to benefit from our technology and brand name without paying
us for them. If this were to occur, our business could be materially adversely affected.
We may face liability from intellectual property litigation that could be costly to prosecute or
defend and distract managements attention with no assurance of success.
We cannot be certain that our products, content and brand names do not or will not infringe
valid patents, copyrights or other intellectual property rights held by third parties. While we
have a trademark for Travelzoo, many companies in the industry have similar names including the
word travel. We expect that infringement claims in our markets will increase in number as more
participants enter the markets. We may be subject to legal proceedings and claims from time to time
relating to the intellectual property of others in the ordinary course of our business. We may
incur substantial expenses in defending against these third party infringement claims, regardless
of their merit, and such claims could result in a significant diversion of the efforts of our
management personnel. Successful infringement claims against us may result in monetary liability or
a material disruption in the conduct of our business.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We believe that our potential exposure to changes in market interest rates is not material.
The Company has no outstanding debt and is not a party to any derivatives transactions. We invest
in highly liquid investments with short maturities. Accordingly, we do not expect any material loss
from these investments.
Our European operations expose us to foreign currency risk associated with agreements being
denominated in British Sterling Pounds and Euros. Further, we are exposed to foreign currency risk
associated with fluctuations of the Pound to U.S. Dollar exchange rate, as the financial position
and operating results of our European subsidiary will be translated into U.S. Dollars for
consolidation purposes. The Company does not use derivatives for hedging or speculative purposes.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
As of March 31, 2006, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the
participation of the Companys management, including the Companys President, Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer along with the Companys Controller (Chief Accounting Officer),
of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant
to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Companys President, Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer along with the Companys Controller (Chief Accounting Officer)
concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to
material information relating to the Company (including its consolidated subsidiaries) required to
be included in our periodic SEC filings as of March 31, 2006.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2006, there was no change in our internal control over
financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f)) that materially affected, or is
reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
28
PART IIOTHER INFORMATION
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
There were no unregistered sales of equity securities during the period covered by this
report.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
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|
Total Number of |
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|
Maximum number |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Shares Purchased |
|
|
of shares that |
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
as Part of |
|
|
may yet be |
|
|
|
Total Number of |
|
|
Average Price |
|
|
Publicly Announced Plans |
|
|
purchased under the |
|
Period |
|
Shares Purchased |
|
|
Paid Share |
|
|
or Programs |
|
|
plans or programs |
|
February 16 - February 28, 2006 |
|
|
123,321 |
|
|
$ |
18.37 |
|
|
|
123,321 |
|
|
|
876,679 |
|
March 1 - March 31, 2006 |
|
|
346,694 |
|
|
$ |
18.25 |
|
|
|
346,694 |
|
|
|
529,985 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
470,015 |
|
|
$ |
18.28 |
|
|
|
470,015 |
|
|
|
529,985 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
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|
On February 14, 2006, we announced that our Board of Directors had approved a share repurchase
plan that authorized the repurchase of up to 1.0 million shares of our outstanding common stock. We
may repurchase shares from time to time, subject to the Companys trading blackout period, in the
open market, through block trades or otherwise. The repurchases may be commenced or suspended
without any prior notice depending on the Companys cash balance and other factors.
Item 6. Exhibits
The following table sets forth a list of exhibits:
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|
Exhibit |
|
|
Number |
|
Description |
3.1
|
|
Certificate of Incorporation of Travelzoo Inc. (Incorporated
by reference to our Pre-Effective Amendment No. 6 to our
Registration Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-55026), filed
February 14, 2002) |
3.2
|
|
By-laws of Travelzoo Inc. (Incorporated by reference to our
Pre-Effective Amendment No. 6 to our Registration Statement on
Form S-4 (File No. 333-55026), filed February 14, 2002) |
31.1*
|
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended |
32.1*
|
|
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted
pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York,
State of New York, on May 9, 2006.
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TRAVELZOO INC.
(Registrant)
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By: |
/s/ Ralph Bartel
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Ralph Bartel |
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Chairman of the Board,
Chief Executive Officer, and
Chief Financial Officer |
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