UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549 Form 10-Q [X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For quarterly period ended September 30, 1998 [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from _______________ to __________________ Commission File Number: 0-11576 HARRIS & HARRIS GROUP, INC. - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) New York 13-3119827 - -------------------------------------- ---------------------------------- (State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) incorporation or organization) One Rockefeller Plaza, Rockefeller Center, New York, New York 10020 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) 212/332-3600 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) 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 __X__ No ____ Harris & Harris Group, Inc. Form 10-Q, September 30, 1998 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Number PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Statements of Assets and Liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Statements of Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Statements of Cash Flows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Statements of Changes in Net Assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Schedule of Investments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Notes to Financial Statements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Financial Condition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Results of Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Liquidity and Capital Resources. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Risks. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 30 PART II OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds. . . . . . . . 31 Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders. . . 31 Item 5. Other Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Signature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Exhibit Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Harris & Harris Group, Inc. Form 10-Q, September 30, 1998 PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION Item 1. Financial Statements The information furnished in the accompanying financial statements reflects all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim period presented. Certain information and disclosures normally included in the financial statements in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles have been condensed or omitted as permitted by Regulation S-X and Regulation S-K. It is suggested that the accompanying financial statements be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 1997 contained in Harris & Harris Group's (the "Company") 1997 Annual Report. On June 30, 1994, the Company's shareholders approved a proposal to allow the Company to make an election to become a Business Development Company ("BDC") under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Company made such election on July 26, 1995. On September 25, 1997, the Company's Board of Directors approved a proposal to seek qualification of the Company in 1998 as a Regulated Investment Company ("RIC") under Sub-Chapter M of the Internal Revenue (the "Code"). (At that time, the Company was taxable under Sub-Chapter C of the Code (a "C Corporation").) On April 8, 1998, the Company announced that it had received a certification from the Securities and Exchange Commission for 1997 relating to the Company's status under section 851(e) of the Code. That certification was necessary for the Company to qualify as a RIC for 1998 and subsequent taxable years. Pursuant to the Company's receipt of the section 851(e) certification, the Company's Board of Directors declared and paid a one-time cash dividend of $0.75 per share to meet one of the Company's requirements for qualification for Sub-Chapter M tax treatment in 1998. The Company has requested rulings from the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") regarding other issues relevant to the Company's tax status as a RIC. (See Note 5 of Notes to Financial Statements.) The qualification of the Company as a RIC under Sub-Chapter M of the Code depends on it satisfying certain technical requirements regarding its income, investment portfolio, and distributions. (See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - -- Taxation under Sub-Chapter M.") There can be no assurance that the Company will qualify for Sub-Chapter M treatment for 1998 or subsequent years. In addition, under certain circumstances, even if the Company were qualified for Sub-Chapter M treatment in 1998 or a subsequent year, the Company might elect to be taxed in that year as a C Corporation and not elect RIC status. Nevertheless, the Company's financial statements for 1998 assume the Company will qualify for such treatment. 1
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES ASSETS September 30, 1998 December 31, 1997 (Unaudited) (Audited) Investments, at value (See accompanying schedule of investments and notes). . . . . . . $ 19,926,685 $ 38,659,230 Cash and cash equivalents. . . . . . . 129,904 145,588 Notes receivable (Note 6). . . . . . . 300,000 0 Prepaid expenses . . . . . . . . . . . 49,424 85,126 Other assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . 281,039 383,840 -------------- -------------- Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 20,687,052 $ 39,273,784 ============== ============== LIABILITIES & NET ASSETS Accounts payable and accrued liabilities . . . . . . $ 531,467 $ 899,491 Deferred rent. . . . . . . . . . . . . 44,722 51,662 Deferred income tax liability (Note 5) 0 667,697 Note Payable (Note 6). . . . . . . . . 0 4,000,000 ------------- ------------- Total liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . 576,189 5,618,850 ------------- ------------- Commitments and contingencies (Note 6) Net assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 20,110,863 $ 33,654,934 -------------- ------------- Net assets are comprised of: Preferred stock, $0.10 par value, 2,000,000 shares authorized; none issued . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 0 $ 0 Common stock, $0.01 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorized; 10,692,971 issued at 9/30/98 and issued and outstanding at 12/31/97. . 106,930 106,930 Additional paid in capital . . . . . . . 16,173,519 16,178,979 Accumulated net realized income. . . . . 2,144,486 12,028,191 Accumulated unrealized appreciation of investments, net of deferred tax liability of $1,113,009 at 9/30/98 and $2,817,898 at 12/31/97. . . . . . 1,839,666 5,340,834 Treasury stock, at cost (73,730 shares). (153,738) 0 -------------- -------------- Net assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 20,110,863 $ 33,654,934 -------------- -------------- Total net assets and liabilities . . . . $ 20,687,052 $ 39,273,784 ============== ============== Shares outstanding . . . . . . . . . . . 10,619,241 10,692,971 ============== ============== Net asset value per outstanding share. . $ 1.89 $ 3.15 ============== ==============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 2
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, Sept. 30, Sept. 30, Sept. 30, 1998 1997 1998 1997 Investment income: Interest from: Fixed-income securities. $ 46,571 $ 147,099 $ 314,237 $ 362,330 Affiliated companies . . 22,649 11,111 109,133 30,000 Other income (Note 6). . . 135,680 10,000 143,028 18,369 -------- --------- --------- --------- Total investment income. 204,900 168,210 566,398 410,699 Expenses: Salaries and benefits. . . 182,136 442,888 646,284 1,229,131 Profit sharing expense (credit). . . . 0 0 (423,808) 0 Administration and operations . . . . 74,346 77,800 272,294 303,576 Professional fees . . . . 66,767 47,071 246,866 189,900 Rent . . . . . . . . . . . 40,522 28,846 118,137 101,562 Directors' fees and expenses . . . . . 31,252 36,577 101,385 87,303 Depreciation . . . . . . . 12,500 15,000 37,500 45,000 Custodian fees . . . . . . 2,253 5,039 8,451 12,182 Restructuring Expense. . . 0 100,000 0 100,000 Interest expense (Note 6). 11,963 0 85,378 0 ---------- --------- ---------- --------- Total expenses . . . . . 421,739 753,221 1,092,487 2,068,654 ---------- --------- ---------- --------- Operating loss before income taxes . . . . . . (216,839) (585,011) (526,089) (1,657,955) Income tax benefit (provision) (Note 5) . . . (743,949) 497,297 (1,137,192) 665,644 ----------- --------- --------- ----------- Net operating loss . . . . . (960,788) (87,714) (1,663,281) (992,311) Net realized (loss) gain on investments: Realized (loss) gain on sale of investments . (787,873) (95,052) (200,696) 696,086 --------- -------- --------- ------- Total realized (loss) gain. (787,873) (95,052) (200,696) 696,086 Income tax benefit (provision) (Note 5) . . 0 33,268 0 (243,630) Net realized (loss) gain on investments. . . (787,873) (61,784) (200,696) 452,456 ----------- --------- ----------- --------- Net realized loss. . . . . .(1,748,661) (149,498) (1,863,977) (539,855) Net (decrease) increase in unrealized appreciation on investments: Increase as a result of investment sales . . . . 554,687 102,314 665,312 102,314 Decrease as a result of investment sales . . . . (170,468) (391,084) (963,680) (1,730,910) Increase on investments held . . . . . . . . . . 2,262 2,391,856 3,779,954 4,770,561 Decrease on investments held . . . . . . . . . .(2,271,010) (953,126) (8,687,643) (8,586,240) ------------ ---------- ----------- ----------- Change in unrealized appreciation on investments. . . . .(1,884,529) 1,149,960 (5,206,057) (5,444,275) Income tax benefit (provision) (Note 5) . . 743,949 (390,502) 1,704,889 1,905,496 ------------ ---------- ---------- ----------- Net (decrease) increase in unrealized appreciation on investments . . . . .(1,140,580) 759,458 (3,501,168) (3,538,779) ------------ ---------- ----------- ----------- Net (decrease) increase in net assets from operations: Total. . . . . . . . . . $(2,889,241) $ 609,960 $(5,365,145) $(4,078,634) ============ ========== ============ ============ Per outstanding share. . $ (0.27) $ 0.06 $ (0.51) $ (0.39) ============ ========== ============ ============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 3
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) Nine Months Ended Nine Months Ended September 30, 1998 September 30, 1997 Cash flows used in operating activities: Net decrease in net assets from operations . . . . . . . . . . . $ (5,365,145) $ (4,078,634) Adjustments to reconcile net decrease in net assets from operations to net cash used in operating activities: Net realized and unrealized loss on investments . . . . . . . . . . . . 5,406,753 4,748,189 Deferred income taxes . . . . . . . . (667,697) (1,940,490) Depreciation. . . . . . . . . . . . . 37,500 45,000 Changes in assets and liabilities: Receivable from brokers . . . . . . . 0 (557,606) Prepaid expenses. . . . . . . . . . . 35,702 64,182 Interest receivable . . . . . . . . . 78,457 123,740 Taxes receivable. . . . . . . . . . . 0 (387,020) Other assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . (4,855) 102,162 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (316,227) 107,152 Deferred rent . . . . . . . . . . . . (6,940) (6,939) Purchase of fixed assets. . . . . . . (8,300) (23,618) ---------- --------- Net cash used in operating activities (810,752) (1,803,882) Cash provided by investing activities: Net sale of short-term investments and marketable securities. . . . 13,934,302 5,011,522 Investment in private placements and loans. . . . . . . . . . . . (960,308) (3,160,642) ----------- ----------- Net cash provided by investing activities 12,973,994 1,850,880 Cash flows used in financing activities: Payment of dividend . . . . . . . . . (8,019,728) 0 Payment of note payable (Note 6). . . (4,000,000) 0 Purchase of Treasury stock (Note 6) . (199,802) 0 Proceeds from sale of stock (Note 6). 40,604 0 ----------- ----------- Net cash used in financing activities (12,178,926) 0 Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period . . . . . . . . . 145,588 155,440 Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period . . . . . . . . . 129,904 202,438 ----------- ----------- Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ (15,684) $ 46,998 =========== ========== Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Income taxes paid . . . . . . . . . . $ 372 $ 5,959
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 4
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (Unaudited) Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended Sept. 30, Sept. 30, Sept. 30, Sept. 30, 1998 1997 1998 1997 Changes in net assets from operations: Net operating loss. . . $(960,788) $ (87,714) $(1,663,281) $(992,311) Net realized (loss) gain on investments. .(787,873) (61,784) (200,696) 452,456 Net increase (decrease) in unrealized appreciation on investments as a result of sales . . . 384,219 (190,710) (298,368) (1,058,587) Net (decrease) increase in unrealized appreciation on investments held . .(1,524,799) 950,168 (3,202,800) (2,480,192) ----------- ---------- ----------- ----------- Net (decrease) increase in net assets resulting from operations . . (2,889,241) 609,960 (5,365,145) (4,078,634) Changes in net assets from capital stock transactions: Payment of dividends . . 0 0 (8,019,728) 0 Proceeds from sale of stock . . . . 10,877 0 40,604 0 Purchase of Treasury stock. . . . (34,088) 0 (199,802) 0 --------- --------- ----------- --------- Net decrease in net assets resulting from capital stock transactions. . (23,211) 0 (8,178,926) 0 --------- --------- ----------- ---------- Net (decrease)increase in net assets . . . . (2,912,452) 609,960 (13,544,071) (4,078,634) Net assets: Beginning of the period . . . . 23,023,315 31,244,009 33,654,934 35,932,603 ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- End of the period . . $20,110,863 $31,853,969 $20,110,863 $31,853,969 =========== =========== =========== ===========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements. 5
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 (Unaudited) Method of Shares/ Valuation (3) Principal Value Investments in Unaffiliated Companies (12)(13)(14) -- 6.3% of total investments Publicly Traded Portfolio (Common stock unless noted otherwise) -- 3.6% of total investments Oil and Gas Related CORDEX Petroleums Inc. (1) Argentine and Chilean oil and gas exploration -- 2.01% of fully diluted equity Class A Common Stock . . . . . . .(C) 4,052,080 $ 44,968 Biotechnology and Healthcare Related Somnus Medical Technology, Inc. (1)(4) . . . . .(C) 35,000 109,375 Princeton Video Image, Inc. (1)(2)(7) -- Real time sports and entertainment advertising -- 1.4% of fully diluted equity. . .(C) 150,200 531,843 Voice Control Systems, Inc. (1)(2) -- Supplier of speech recognition and related speech input technology . . . . .(C) 22,964 37,977 ----------- Total Publicly Traded Portfolio (cost: $1,437,927) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 724,163 Private Placement Portfolio (Illiquid) -- 2.7% of total investments Exponential Business Development Company (1)(2)(5) -- Venture capital partnership focused on early stage companies -- 0.87% of fully diluted equity Limited partnership interest . . .(A) -- $ 25,000 MedLogic Global Corporation (1)(2) -- Medical cyanoacrylate adhesive -- 0.43% of fully diluted equity Series B Convertible Redeemable Preferred Stock . . . . . . . . . .(B) 60,319 Common Stock . . . . . . . . . . .(B) 25,798 511,692 ---------- Total Private Placement Portfolio (cost: $1,058,775) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 536,692 ---------- Total Investments in Unaffiliated Companies (cost: $2,496,702) . . . . . . . . . $1,260,855
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this schedule. 6
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 (Unaudited) Method of Shares/ Valuation (3) Principal Value Investments in Non-Controlled Affiliates (12)(14) -- 60.9% of total investments Publicly Traded Portfolio -- 5.7% of total investments Nanophase Technologies Corporation (1)(6)(8) -- Manufactures and markets inorganic crystals of nanometric dimensions -- 4.98% of fully diluted equity Common Stock . . . . . . . . . . . .(C) 730,916 $1,133,212 ---------- Total Publicly Traded Portfolio (cost: $1,626,204) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,133,212 Private Placement Portfolio (Illiquid) -- 55.2% of total investments Genomica Corporation (1)(2)(5)(6)(9) -- Develops software that enables the study of complex genetic diseases -- 10.8% of fully diluted equity Common Stock . . . . . . . . . . . .(A) 199,800 Series A Voting Convertible Preferred Stock. . . . .(A) 1,660,200 $1,000,304 InSite Marketing Technology, Inc. (1)(2)(4) -- Integrates marketing science and sales strategy into e-commerce -- 7.12% of fully diluted equity Common Stock . . . . . . . . . . . .(A) 1,351,351 500,000 NBX Corporation (1)(2)(6)(10) -- Exploits innovative distributed computing technology for use in small business telephone systems -- 14.3% of fully diluted equity Promissory Note -- 8% due March 16, 2001 . . . . . . . (A) $ 10,000 10,000 Series A Convertible Preferred Stock . . . . . . . . . . (B) 500,000 Series C Convertible Preferred Stock . . . . . . . . . . (B) 240,793 Series D Convertible Preferred Stock . . . . . . . . . . (A) 59,965 4,540,298 PHZ Capital Partners Limited Partnership (2) -- Organizes and manages investment partnerships -- 20.0% of fully diluted equity Demand Promissory Note -- 8%. . . . (A) $500,000 500,000 Limited partnership interest. . . . (D) -- 1,405,622 Questech Corporation (1)(2)(6) -- Manufactures and markets proprietary decorative tiles and signs -- 12.4% of fully diluted equity Common Stock . . . . . . . . . . . .(A) 302,459 Common Stock . . . . . . . . . . . .(D) 263,333 Warrants at $4.00 expiring 11/28/01 . . . . . . . . .(A) 166,667 2,263,335 SciQuest, Inc. (1)(2)(6)(11) -- Internet e-commerce source for scientific products -- 5.11% of fully diluted equity Series C Convertible Preferred Stock . . . . . . . . . .(A) 277,163 Warrants at $2.7962 expiring 6/30/07. . . . . . . . . .(A) 26,822 775,000 ------------ Total Private Placement Portfolio (cost: $7,195,308) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $10,994,559 ------------ Total Investments in Non-Controlled Affiliates (cost: $8,821,512). . . . . . . $12,127,771
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this schedule. 7
SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 (Unaudited) Method of Shares/ Valuation (3) Principal Value Private Placement Portfolio in Controlled Affiliates (12)(14) (Illiquid) -- 13.3% of total investments MultiTarget, Inc. (1)(2)(6) -- Developing intellectual property related to localized treatment of cancer -- 37.5% of fully diluted equity Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. . . . . . . . . .(D) 375,000 $ 1 NeuroMetrix, Inc. (1)(2)(6) -- Developing devices for: 1) detection of carpal tunnel syndrome and 2) diabetics to monitor their blood glucose -- 27.1% of fully diluted equity Series A Convertible Preferred Stock. . . . . . . . . .(B) 175,000 Series B Convertible Preferred Stock. . . . . . . . . .(B) 125,000 Series C-2 Convertible Preferred Stock. . . . . . . . . .(A) 229,620 2,648,100 Total Private Placement Portfolio in Controlled Affiliates (cost: $1,768,100) . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 2,648,101 U.S. Government Obligations -- 19.5% of total investments U.S. Treasury Bill dated 04/02/98 due date 10/01/98 -- 5.0% yield . . . . . .(K) $ 2,150,000 $ 2,150,000 U.S. Treasury Bill dated 05/07/98 due date 11/05/98 -- 4.9% yield . . . . . .(K) $ 350,000 348,604 U.S. Treasury Bill dated 05/21/98 due date 11/19/98 -- 5.0% yield . . . . . .(K) $ 800,000 795,656 U.S. Treasury Bill dated 06/04/98 due date 12/03/98 -- 4.8% yield . . . . . .(K) $ 600,000 595,698 Total Investments in U.S. Government Obligations (cost: $3,887,696) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 3,889,958 Total Investments -- 100% (cost: $16,974,010). . . . . . . . $19,926,685
The accompanying notes are an integral part of this schedule. 8 SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 (Unaudited) Notes to Schedule of Investments (1) Represents a non-income producing security. Equity investments that have not paid dividends within the last twelve months are considered to be non-incomeproducing. (2) Legal restrictions on sale of investment. (3) See Footnote to Schedule of Investments for a description of the Method of Valuation A to L. (4) These investments were made during 1998. Accordingly, the amounts shown on the schedule represent the gross additions in 1998. (5) No changes in valuation occurred in these investments during the nine months ended September 30, 1998. (6) These investments are development stage companies. A development stage company is defined as a company that is devoting substantially all of its efforts to establishing a new business, and either has not yet commenced its planned principal operations or has commenced such operations but has not realized significant revenue from them. (7) Formerly named Princeton Electronic Billboard, Inc. As of September 30, 1998, the market price per share of Princeton Video Image, Inc. ("PVII") was $4.125. As of November 4, 1998, the market price was $3.0625 and would result in a value of $394,853 at such date. The Company is subject to a lock-up agreement on the stock, which expires December 16, 1998. (8) As of September 30, 1998, the market price per share of Nanophase Technologies Corporation ("NANX") was $1.9375. As of November 4, 1998, the market price per share was $3.00, and would result in a value of $1,754,198 at such date. (9) Genomica Corporation was cofounded by the Company, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory and Falcon Technology Partners, LP. Mr. G. Morgan Browne serves on the Board of Directors of the Company and is Administrative Director of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Mr. Charles E. Harris, Chairman of the Company was elected to the Board of Trustees of Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in November 1998. (10)Formerly named PowerVoice Technologies, Inc. (11)SciQuest, Inc. acquired BioSupplyNet, Inc. See Note 6 of Notes to Financial Statements. (12)Investments in unaffiliated companies consist of investments in which theCompany owns less than 5 percent of the investee company. Investments in non-controlled affiliated companies consist of investments where the Company owns more than 5 percent but less than 25 percent of the investee company. Investments in controlled affiliated companies consist of investments where the Company owns more than 25 percent of the investee company. (13)The aggregate cost for federal income tax purposes of investments in unaffiliated companies is $2,604,378. The gross unrealized appreciation based on tax cost for these securities is $0. The gross unrealized depreciation based on the tax cost for these securities is $1,343,523. (14)The percentage ownership of each investee company disclosed in the Schedule ofInvestments expresses the potential common equity interest in each such investee. The calculated percentage represents the amount of the issuer's common stock the Company owns or can acquire as a percentage of the issuer's total outstanding common stock plus common shares reserved for issued and outstanding warrants, convertible securities and stock options. 9 FOOTNOTE TO SCHEDULE OF INVESTMENTS ASSET VALUATION POLICY GUIDELINES The Company's investments can be classified into five broad categories for valuation purposes: 1) EQUITY-RELATED SECURITIES 2) INVESTMENTS IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OR PATENTS OR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN TECHNOLOGY OR PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT 3) LONG-TERM FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES 4) SHORT-TERM FIXED-INCOME INVESTMENTS 5) ALL OTHER INVESTMENTS The Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act") requires periodic valuation of each investment in the Company's portfolio to determine net asset value. Under the 1940 Act, unrestricted securities with readily available market quotations are to be valued at the current market value; all other assets must be valued at "fair value" as determined in good faith by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. The Company's Board of Directors is responsible for 1) determining overall valuation guidelines and 2) ensuring the valuation of investments within the prescribed guidelines. The Company's Investment and Valuation Committee, comprised of at least three or more Board members, is responsible for reviewing and approving the valuation of the Company's assets within the guidelines established by the Board of Directors. Fair value is generally defined as the amount that an investment could be sold for in an orderly disposition over a reasonable time. Generally, to increase objectivity in valuing the assets of the Company, external measures of value, such as public markets or third-party transactions, are utilized whenever possible. Valuation is not based on long-term work-out value, nor immediate liquidation value, nor incremental value for potential changes that may take place in the future. Valuation assumes that, in the ordinary course of its business, the Company will eventually sell its investment. The Company's valuation policy with respect to the five broad investment categories is as follows: 10 EQUITY-RELATED SECURITIES Equity-related securities are carried at fair value using one or more of the following basic methods of valuation: A. Cost: The cost method is based on the original cost to the Company. This method is generally used in the early stages of a company's development until significant positive or negative events occur subsequent to the date of the original investment that dictate a change to another valuation method. Some examples of such events are: 1) a major recapitalization; 2) a major refinancing; 3) a significant third-party transaction; 4) the development of a meaningful public market for the company's common stock; 5) significant positive or negative changes in the company's business. B. Private Market: The private market method uses actual third-party transactions in the company's securities as a basis for valuation, using actual, executed, historical transactions in the company's securities by responsible third parties. The private market method may also use, where applicable, unconditional firm offers by responsible third parties as a basis for valuation. C. Public Market: The public market method is used when there is an established public market for the class of the company's securities held by the Company. The Company discounts market value for securities that are subject to significant legal, contractual or practical restrictions, including large blocks in relation to trading volume. Other securities, for which market quotations are readily available, are carried at market value as of the time of valuation. Market value for securities traded on securities exchanges or on the Nasdaq National Market is the last reported sales price on the day of valuation. For other securities traded in the over-the-counter market and listed securities for which no sale was reported on that day, market value is the mean of the closing bid price and asked price on that day. This method is the preferred method of valuation when there is an established public market for a company's securities, as that market provides the most objective basis for valuation. D. Analytical Method: The analytical method is generally used to value an investment position when there is no established public or private market in the company's securities or when the factual information available to the Company dictates that an investment should no longer be valued under either the cost or private market method. This valuation method is inherently imprecise and ultimately the result of reconciling the judgments of the Company's Investment and Valuation Committee members, based on the data available to them. The resulting valuation, although stated as a precise number, is necessarily within a range of values that vary depending upon the significance attributed to the various factors being considered. Some of the factors considered may include the financial condition and operating results of the company, the 11 long-term potential of the business of the company, the values of similar securities issued by companies in similar businesses, the proportion of the company's securities owned by the Company and the nature of any rights to require the company to register restricted securities under applicable securities laws. INVESTMENTS IN INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OR PATENTS OR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN TECHNOLOGY OR PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT Such investments are carried at fair value using the following basic methods of valuation: E. Cost: The cost method is based on the original cost to the Company. Such method is generally used in the early stages of commercializing or developing intellectual property or patents or research and development in technology or product development until significant positive or adverse events occur subsequent to the date of the original investment that dictate a change to another valuation method. F. Private Market: The private market method uses actual third-party investments in intellectual property or patents or research and development in technology or product development as a basis for valuation, using actual executed historical transactions by responsible third parties. The private market method may also use, where applicable, unconditional firm offers by responsible third parties as a basis for valuation. G. Analytical Method: The analytical method is used to value an investment after analysis of the best available outside information where the factual information available to the Company dictates that an investment should no longer be valued under either the cost or private market method. This valuation method is inherently imprecise and ultimately the result of reconciling the judgments of the Company's Investment and Valuation Committee members. The resulting valuation, although stated as a precise number, is necessarily within a range of values that vary depending upon the significance attributed to the various factors being considered. Some of the factors considered may include the results of research and development, product development progress, commercial prospects, term of patent and projected markets. LONG-TERM FIXED-INCOME SECURITIES H. Fixed-Income Securities for which market quotations are readily available are carried at market value as of the time of valuation using the most recent bid quotations when available. Securities for which market quotations are not readily available are carried at fair value using one or more of the following basic methods of valuation: I. Fixed-Income Securities are valued by independent pricing services that provide market quotations based primarily on quotations from dealers and brokers, market transactions, and other sources. 12 J. Other Fixed-Income Securities that are not readily marketable are valued at fair value by the Investment and Valuation Committee. SHORT-TERM FIXED-INCOME INVESTMENTS K. Short-Term Fixed-Income Investments are valued at market value at the time of valuation. Short-term debt with remaining maturity of 60 days or less is valued at amortized cost. ALL OTHER INVESTMENTS L. All Other Investments are reported at fair value as determined in good faith by the Investment and Valuation Committee. The reported values of securities for which market quotations are not readily available and for other assets reflect the Investment and Valuation Committee's judgment of fair values as of the valuation date using the outlined basic methods of valuation. They do not necessarily represent an amount of money that would be realized if the securities had to be sold in an immediate liquidation. The Company makes many of its portfolio investments with the view of holding them for a number of years, and the reported value of such investments may be considered in terms of disposition over a period of time. Thus, valuations as of any particular date are not necessarily indicative of amounts that may ultimately be realized as a result of future sales or other dispositions of investments held. 13 NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) NOTE 1. THE COMPANY Harris & Harris Group, Inc. (the "Company") is a venture capital investment company operating as a business development company ("BDC") under the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"). The Company operates as an internally managed investment company whereby its officers and employees, under the general supervision of its Board of Directors, conduct its operations. The Company elected to become a BDC on July 26, 1995, after receiving the necessary approvals. From September 30, 1992 until the election of BDC status, the Company operated as a closed-end, non-diversified, investment company under the 1940 Act. Upon commencement of operations as an investment company, the Company revalued all of its assets and liabilities at fair value as defined in the 1940 Act. Prior to such time, the Company was registered and filed under the reporting requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 as an operating company and, while an operating company, operated directly and through subsidiaries. As a BDC, the Company continues to be subject to such reporting requirements. On September 25, 1997, the Company's Board of Directors approved a proposal to seek qualification in 1998 as a RIC under Sub-Chapter M of the Code. As a RIC, the Company must, among other things, distribute at least 90 percent of its taxable net income and may either distribute or retain its taxable net realized capital gains on investments. (See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Taxation under Sub-Chapter M.") There can be no assurance that the Company will qualify as a RIC or that if it does qualify, it will continue to qualify. In addition, even if the Company were to qualify as a RIC, under certain circumstances, it might elect in a given year to be taxed as a C Corporation and not elect RIC status. NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed in the preparation of the financial statements: Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include money market instruments with maturities of less than three months. Portfolio Investment Valuations. Investments are stated at "fair value" as defined in the 1940 Act and in the applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. All assets are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by, or under the direction of, the Board of Directors. See the Asset Valuation Policy Guidelines in the Footnote to Schedule of Investments. Securities Transactions. Securities transactions are accounted for on the date the securities are purchased or sold (trade date); dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend 14 date; and interest income is accrued as earned. Realized gains and losses on investment transactions are determined on the first-in, first-out basis for financial reporting and tax bases. Income Taxes. Prior to January 1, 1998, the Company recorded income taxes using the liability method in accordance with the provision of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109. Accordingly, deferred tax liabilities had been established to reflect temporary differences between the recognition of income and expenses for financial reporting and tax purposes, the most significant difference of which relates to the Company's unrealized appreciation on investments. The September 30, 1998 financial statements do not include a provision for deferred taxes on unrealized gains other than the provision for taxes on the unrealized gains as of December 31, 1997, net of the operating and capital loss carryforwards incurred by the Company through December 31, 1997. (See Note 5. Income Taxes.) Reclassifications. Certain reclassifications have been made to the December 31, 1997 and September 30, 1997 financial statements to conform to the September 30, 1998 presentation. Estimates by Management. The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of September 30, 1998 and December 31,1997, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 1998 and September 30, 1997. Actual results could differ from these estimates. NOTE 3. STOCK OPTION PLAN AND WARRANTS OUTSTANDING On August 3, 1989, the shareholders of the Company approved the 1988 Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan. On June 30, 1994, the shareholders of the Company approved various amendments to the 1988 Long Term Incentive Compensation Plan: 1) to conform to the provisions of the Business Development Company regulations under the 1940 Act, which allow for the issuance of stock options to qualified participants; 2) to increase the reserved shares under the amended plan; 3) to call the plan the 1988 Stock Option Plan, as Amended and Restated (the "1988 Plan"); and 4) to make various other amendments. On October 20, 1995, the shareholders of the Company approved an amendment to the 1988 Plan authorizing automatic 20,000 share grants of non-qualified stock options to newly elected non-employee directors of the Company. The Company's 1988 Plan was cancelled as of December 31, 1997, canceling all outstanding stock options and eliminating all potential stock option grants. The Company accounted for the 1988 Plan under APB Opinion No. 25, under which no compensation cost has been recognized. Had compensation cost for the 1988 Plan been determined consistent with the fair value method required by FASB Statement No. 123 ("FASB No. 123"), the Company's net realized (loss) income and net asset value per share would have been reduced to the following pro-forma amounts: 15 Three Months Nine Months Ended September 30, 1997 September 30, 1997 Net Realized (Loss) Income: As Reported $ (149,498) $ (539,855) Pro Forma $ (255,264) $ (857,152) Net Asset Value per share: As Reported $ 3.05 $ 3.05 Pro Forma $ 3.04 $ 3.02
The fair value of each option grant is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions: September 30, 1997 Stock volatility 0.60 Risk-free interest rate 6.3% Option term in years 7 Stock dividend yield - -
The FASB No. 123 method of accounting has not been applied to options granted prior to January 1, 1995. A summary of the status of the Company's 1988 Plan at September 30, 1997 and changes during the nine months then ended is presented in the table and narrative below. The Company's 1988 Plan was cancelled as of December 31, 1997, canceling all outstanding stock options and eliminating all potential stock option grants. September 30, 1997 Shares Weighted Average ------ -------- Exercise Price Outstanding at beginning of period 1,080,000 $4.58 Granted 320,000 $3.94 Exercised - - - - Forfeited 270,000 $5.34 Expired - - - - Canceled - - - - --------- ----- Outstanding at end of period 1,130,000 $4.22 ========= ===== Exercisable at end of period 439,000 $3.60 Weighted average fair value of options granted $2.50
16 As of January 1, 1998, the Company implemented the Harris & Harris Group, Inc. Employee Profit Sharing Plan (the "Plan") that provides for profit sharing equal to 20 percent of the net realized income of the Company as reflected on the statement of operations of the Company for such year, less the nonqualifying gain, if any. Under the Plan, net realized income of the Company includes investment income, realized gains and losses, and operating expenses (including taxes paid or payable by the Company), but it will be calculated without regard to dividends paid or distributions made to shareholders, payments under the Plan, unrealized gains and losses, and loss carry-overs from other years ("Qualifying Income"). The portion of net after-tax realized gains attributable to asset values as of September 30, 1997 will be considered nonqualifying gain, which will reduce "Qualifying Income." As of September 30, 1998, the Company does not have an accrual for the Plan and in the nine months ended September 30, 1998 reversed a bonus accrual of $423,808 established as of December 31, 1997; $198,763 in the three months ended March 31, 1998, $225,045 in the three months ended June 30, 1998 and $0 in the three months ended September 30, 1998. NOTE 4. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS The Company has an employment and severance contract ("Employment Contract") with its Chairman, Charles E. Harris, pursuant to which he is to receive compensation in the form of salary and other benefits. On January 1, 1998 Mr. Harris' Employment Contract was amended to reduce his salary to $200,000 and to allow him to participate in other business opportunities and investments. The term of the contract expires on December 31, 1999. Base salary is to be increased annually to reflect inflation and in addition may be increased by such amount as the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company deems appropriate. In addition, Mr. Harris would be entitled, under certain circumstances, to receive severance pay under the employment and severance contracts. As of January 1, 1989, the Company adopted an employee benefits program covering substantially all employees of the Company under a 401(k) Plan and Trust Agreement. The Company's contribution to the plan is determined by the Compensation Committee in the fourth quarter. On June 30, 1994, the Company adopted a plan to provide medical and health coverage for retirees, their spouses and dependents who, at the time of their retirement, have ten years of service with the Company and have attained 50 years of age or have attained 45 years of age and have 15 years of service with the Company. On February 10, 1997, the Company amended this plan to include employees who "have seven full years of service and have attained 58 years of age." The coverage is secondary to any government provided or subsequent employer provided health insurance plans. Based upon actuarial estimates, the Company provided an original reserve of $176,520 that was charged to operations for the period ending June 30, 1994. As of September 30, 1998, the Company had a reserve of $255,430 for the plan. 17 NOTE 5. INCOME TAXES For the three and nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, the Company's income tax (provision) benefit was allocated as follows: Three Months Three Months Nine Months Nine Months Ended Ended Ended Ended Sept. 30, 1998 Sept. 30, 1997 Sept. 30, 1998 Sept. 30,1997 Investment operations. . $ (743,949)* $ 497,297 $ (1,137,192) $ 665,644 Realized (loss) gain on investments . 0 33,268 0 (243,630) Net (decrease) increase in unrealized appreciation on investments . 743,949* (390,502) 1,704,889 1,905,496 ------------- -------------- ------------- ------------ Total income tax benefit . . . $ 0 $ 140,063 $ 567,697 $ 2,327,510 ============= ============== ============= ============
*As the unrealized appreciation on investments decreases, the tax liability on the gain also decreases, which creates a tax benefit. However, as the tax liability decreases below the net operating loss and capital ("NOL") carryforward, the Company is no longer getting the benefit of the NOL carryforward therefore the Company has to reverse that portion of the NOL carryforward not being utilized, creating a tax provision in the accumulated income (loss), where the original tax NOL was recorded. The above tax benefit consists of the following: Current -- Federal $ 0 $ 387,020 $ (100,000) $ 387,020 Deferred -- Federal 0 (246,957) 667,697 1,940,490 -------- ---------- ----------- ---------- Total income tax benefit $ 0 $ 140,063 $ 567,697 $2,327,510 ======== ========== =========== ==========
The Company's net deferred tax liability at September 30, 1998 and December 31, 1997 consists of the following: September 30, 1998 December 31, 1997 Unrealized appreciation on investments $ 1,113,009 $ 2,817,898 Net operating and capital loss carryforward (1,708,523) (1,856,958) Medical retirement benefits - - (81,345) Other - - (211,898) ------------ ------------ Deferred income tax (asset) liability $ (595,514) $ 667,697 Valuation allowance 595,514 - - ------------ ------------ Net deferred income tax (asset) liability $ 0 $ 667,697 ============ ============
On September 25, 1997, the Company's Board of Directors approved a proposal to seek qualification in 1998 as a RIC under Sub-Chapter M of the Code. As a RIC, the Company annually must distribute at least 90 percent of its investment company taxable income as a dividend and may either distribute or retain its taxable net capital gains from investments. There can be no assurance that the Company will qualify as a RIC or that, if it does qualify, it will continue to qualify or will elect to qualify. To initially qualify as a RIC, among other requirements, the Company had to pay a dividend to shareholders equal to the Company's pre-RIC cumulative realized earnings and profits ("E&P"). On April 9, 1998, the Company declared a one-time cash dividend of $0.75 per share to meet this requirement (for a total of $8,019,728). 18 The cash dividend was paid on May 12, 1998. Continued qualification as a RIC requires the Company to satisfy certain portfolio diversification requirements in future years. The Company's ability to satisfy those requirements may not be controllable by the Company. (See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Taxation under Sub-Chapter M.") The Company incurred ordinary and capital losses for a total of approximately $4.9 million during its C Corporation taxable years that remain available for use and may be carried forward to its 1998 and subsequent taxable years. Ordinarily, a corporation that elects to qualify as a RIC may not use its loss carryforwards from C Corporation taxable years to offset RIC investment company taxable income or net capital gains. In addition, a corporation that elects to qualify as a RIC continues to be taxable as a C Corporation on any gains realized within 10 years of its qualification as a RIC from sales of assets that were held by the corporation on the effective date of the election ("C Corporation Assets") to the extent of any gain built into the assets on such date ("Built-In Gain"). The Company has filed a private ruling request with the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") asking the IRS to rule that the Company can carry forward its C Corporation losses to offset any Built-In Gains resulting from sales of its C Corporation Assets, thereby enabling the Company to retain some or all of the proceeds from such sales without disqualifying itself as a RIC or incurring corporate level income tax. Although the IRS, for technical reasons, has stated that it will not issue a private letter ruling on this matter, the Company has received a tax opinion letter from Sutherland, Asbill and Brennan LLP which supports the Company's position. The Company intends to use the $4.9 million loss carryforward to reduce the taxes due to Built-In Gains. The September 30, 1998 NAV includes the ordinary and capital loss carryforwards of approximately $0.10 per share. In addition, because a RIC is not permitted to have, as of the close of any RIC taxable year, E&P accumulated during any C Corporation taxable year, the Company has also requested a ruling that its sale of C Corporation Assets with Built-In Gains during RIC taxable years will not generate C Corporation E&P. Although there is no guarantee that the IRS will rule favorably on the Company's request for rulings, the management of the Company believes that favorable rulings are likely. There can be no assurance that the Company will qualify as a RIC or that, if it does qualify, it will elect RIC status. The Company's net deferred income tax liability as of September 30, 1998 would have been approximately $0 had it continued to account for its taxes as a C Corporation. NOTE 6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES During 1993, the Company signed a ten-year lease with sublet provisions for office space. In 1995, this lease was amended to include additional office space. Rent expense under this lease was $40,522 and $28,846 and for the three months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively and $118,137 and $101,562 for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively. Future minimum lease payments in each of the following years 19 are: 1999 -- $176,030; 2000 -- $178,561; 2001 -- $178,561; 2002 -- $178,561; 2003 -- $101,946. In December 1993, the Company and MIT announced the establishment by the Company of the Harris & Harris Group Senior Professorship at MIT. Prior to the arrangement for the establishment of this Professorship, the Company had made gifts of stock in start-up companies to MIT. These gifts, together with the contribution of $700,000 in cash in 1993, which was expensed by the Company in 1993, were used to establish this named chair. The Company contributed to MIT securities with a cost basis of $3,280, $20,000 and $20,000 in 1993, 1994, and 1995, respectively. These contributions will be applied to the MIT Pledge at their market value at the time the shares become publicly traded or otherwise monetized in a commercial transaction and are free from restriction as to sale by MIT. At September 30, 1998, the Company would have to fund additional cash and/or property that would have to be valued at a total of approximately $776,000 by December 1998, in order for the Senior Professorship to become permanent. In June 1997, the Company agreed to provide one of its investee companies, BioSupplyNet, Inc., with a $450,000 revolving line of credit. BioSupplyNet had borrowed $300,000 through September 29, 1998, when it was acquired by SciQuest, Inc. As part of the transaction, the Company received a Promissory Note in the amount of $300,000 plus interest (approximately $12,200) of which $285,000 is due on December 28, 1998. The Company will also receive $88,000 for reimbursement of expenses the Company paid on BioSupplyNet's behalf in 1996. The $88,000 is reflected in Other Income. In December 1997, the Company signed a Demand Promissory Note for a $4,000,000 line of credit with J.P. Morgan collateralized by the Company's U.S. Treasury obligations. In March 1998 the line of credit was increased to $6,000,000. As of December 31, 1997, the Company had borrowed $4,000,000 against the line of credit. From December 31, 1997 to January 2, 1998, the rate on the line of credit was prime (8.5 percent). From January 2, 1998 to April 2, 1998, the interest rate on the line of credit was LIBOR plus 1.5 percent (7.3125 percent). In March 1998, the Company paid down $2,500,000; in April 1998, the Company paid the remaining balance. On April 15, 1998, the Company announced that the Board of Directors had approved the purchase of up to 700,000 shares of Company stock in the open market. As of September 30, 1998, the Company had purchased a total of 88,833 shares for a total of $199,802 or an average of $2.25 per share. However, the treasury shares purchased were decreased by director purchases of 15,103 shares of Company stock. 20 Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations The Company accounts for its operations under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles for investment companies. On this basis, the principal measure of its financial performance is captioned "Net (decrease) increase in net assets from operations," which is the sum of three elements. The first element is "Net operating loss," which is the difference between the Company's income from interest, dividends, and fees and its operating expenses, net of applicable income tax (provision) benefit. The second element is "Net realized (loss) gain on investments," which is the difference between the proceeds received from dispositions of portfolio securities and their stated cost, net of applicable income tax provisions. These two elements are combined in the Company's financial statements and reported as "Net realized (loss) income." The third element, "Net (decrease) increase in unrealized appreciation on investments," is the net change in the fair value of the Company's investment portfolio, net of increase (decrease) in deferred income taxes that would become payable if the unrealized appreciation were realized through the sale or other disposition of the investment portfolio. "Net realized (loss) gain on investments" and "Net (decrease) increase in unrealized appreciation on investments" are directly related. When a security is sold to realize a (loss) gain, net unrealized appreciation (increases) decreases and net realized gain (decreases) increases. Financial Condition The Company's total assets and net assets were, respectively, $20,687,052 and $20,110,863 at September 30, 1998, compared to $39,273,784 and $33,654,934 at December 31, 1997. The decrease is mainly owing to the payment of a one-time cash dividend of approximately $8 million to meet one of the Company's requirements for qualifications for Sub-Chapter M tax treatment in 1998; a decrease of approximately $5.7 million in the valuation of one of the Company's investee companies, Nanophase Technologies Corporation; and the payment of the Company's outstanding line of credit of $4,000,000. Net asset value per share was $1.89 at September 30, 1998 and $3.15 at December 31, 1997. The Company's outstanding shares were 10,619,241 as of September 30, 1998 and 10,692,971 as of December 31, 1997. The Company's outstanding shares were reduced as a result of its buyback program of 88,833 shares for a total of $199,802. However the treasury shares were then decreased by purchases of Company stock by directors with 50 percent of their director compensation. The Company's financial condition is dependent on the success of its investments. The Company has invested a substantial portion of its assets in private development stage or start-up companies. These private businesses tend to be thinly capitalized, unproven, small companies that lack management depth or have no history of operations. At September 30, 1998, approximately 68.5 percent of the Company's $20.7 million in total assets consisted of investments at fair value in private businesses, of which net unrealized appreciation was approximately $4.1 million before taxes. At December 31, 1997, approximately 34.0 percent 21 of the Company's $39.3 million in total assets consisted of investments at fair value in private businesses, of which net unrealized appreciation was approximately $2.5 million before taxes, if applicable. A summary of the Company's investment portfolio is as follows: September 30, 1998 December 31, 1997 Investments, at cost $16,974,010 $30,500,498 Unrealized appreciation* 2,952,675 8,158,732 ----------- ----------- Investments, at fair value $19,926,685 $38,659,230 =========== ===========
*The accumulated unrealized appreciation on investments net of deferred taxes is $1,839,666 at September 30, 1998, versus $5,340,834 at December 31, 1997. (See Note 5 of Notes to Financial Statements.) Following an initial investment in a private company, the Company may make additional investments in such investee in order to: (1) increase its ownership percentage; (2) exercise warrants or options that were acquired in a prior financing; (3) preserve the Company's proportionate ownership in a subsequent financing; or (4) attempt to preserve or enhance the value of the Company's investment. Such additional investments are referred to as "follow-on" investments. There can be no assurance that the Company will make follow-on investments or have sufficient funds to make additional investments. The failure to make such follow-on investments could jeopardize the viability of the investee company and the Company's investment or could result in a missed opportunity for the Company to participate to a greater extent in an investee's successful operations. The Company attempts to maintain adequate liquid capital to make follow-on investments in its private investee portfolio companies. The Company may elect not to make a follow-on investment either because it does not want to increase its concentration of risk or because it prefers other opportunities, even though the follow-on investment opportunity appears attractive. The following table is a summary of the cash investments made by the Company and other increases in cost in its private placement portfolio during the nine months ended September 30, 1998: New Investments Amount InSite Marketing Technology, Inc. $ 500,000 Follow-on Investments: MultiTarget, Inc. $ 51,802 Exercise of Warrants: Voice Control Systems, Inc. $ 82,953 22 Loans: BioSupplyNet, Inc. $ 250,000 NBX Corporation 10,000 ---------- Sub-total $ 260,000 Interest on Loans* NeuroMetrix, Inc. $ 48,100 Voice Control Systems, Inc. 17,453 ---------- Sub-total $ 65,553 ---------- Total $ 960,308 ==========
*The Company received additional shares in NeuroMetrix, Inc. and Voice Control Systems, Inc. in exchange for the accrued interest on its loans. Results of Operations Investment Income and Expenses: The Company's principal objective is to achieve capital appreciation. Therefore, a significant portion of the investment portfolio is structured to maximize the potential for capital appreciation and provides little or no current yield in the form of dividends or interest. The Company does earn interest income from fixed-income securities, including U.S. Government Obligations. The amount of interest income earned varies based upon the average balance of the Company's fixed-income portfolio and the average yield on this portfolio. The Company had interest income from fixed-income securities of $314,237 and $362,330 for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The decrease is as a result of a decline in the balance of the Company's fixed-income portfolio and the decline in interest rates. The Company had interest income from affiliated companies of $109,133 and $30,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The increase is due to the receipt of interest income (either in funds or additional shares) on loans outstanding to investee companies. The Company recorded $88,000 in Other Income as a result of BioSupplyNet's reimbursement of 1996 expenses. Operating expenses were $1,092,487 and $2,068,654 for nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The decrease is primarily due to: the reversal of $423,808 for the Company's profit-sharing plan accrual made in the fourth quarter of 1997, a decrease in salaries as a result of reduced staff and a decrease in the Chairman's salary, and a decrease in overall expenses as a result of the Company's effort to cut expenses. The decreases were offset by the interest expense on the funds drawn on the JP Morgan line of credit. Most of the Company's operating expenses are related to employee and director compensation, office and 23 rent expenses and consulting and professional fees (primarily legal and accounting fees). Also in 1997, the Company had $100,000 in restructuring expenses incurred in the Company's research into Sub Chapter M status. Net operating losses before taxes were $526,089 and $1,657,955 for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The Company had interest income from fixed-income securities of $46,571 and $147,099 for the three months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The decrease is a result of the Company having less available funds as a result of the payment of the dividend, operating expenses and additional investments. The Company had interest income from affiliated companies of $22,649 and $11,111 for the three months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The increase is due to interest income on loans outstanding to investee companies. Operating expenses were $421,739 and $753,221 for three months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The decrease is primarily due to: a decrease in salaries as a result of reduced staff and a decrease in the Chairman's salary, and a decrease in administration and operation expenses as a result of the Company's effort to cut expenses. The decreases were offset by an increase in professional fees, particularly legal fees as a result of the Company's research into Sub Chapter M status. Net operating losses before taxes were $216,839 and $585,011 for the three months ended September 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively. For a discussion of the tax benefit and provision for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 1998, see Note 5 of Notes to Financial Statements. The Company has in the past relied, and continues to rely to a large extent, upon proceeds from sales of investments, rather than investment income, to defray a significant portion of its operating expenses. Because such sales cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company attempts to maintain adequate working capital to provide for fiscal periods when there are no such sales. Realized Gains and Losses on Sales on Portfolio Securities: During the nine months ended September 30, 1998, the Company sold various investments, realizing a net pre-tax loss of $200,696 of which a net of $298,368 has been recognized in prior periods, therefore, it decreased unrealized appreciation on investments. During the nine months ended September 30, 1997, the Company sold various public securities realizing a net pre-tax gain of $696,086, of which $1,628,600 had been recognized as unrealized in prior years, therefore, it decreased unrealized appreciation on investments. 24 During the three months ended September 30, 1998, the Company sold various public securities realizing a net pre-tax loss of $787,873 of which a net loss of $384,219 had been recognized in prior periods, therefore, it increased unrealized appreciation on investments. During the three months ended September 30, 1997, the Company sold various public securities realizing a net pre-tax loss of $95,052, of which a net gain of $288,770 had been recognized as unrealized in prior quarters. Unrealized Appreciation and Depreciation on Portfolio Securities: The Board of Directors values the portfolio securities on a quarterly basis pursuant to the Company's Asset Valuation Policy Guidelines in accordance with the 1940 Act. (See Footnote to Schedule of Investments.) Net unrealized appreciation on investments before taxes decreased, during the nine months ended September 30, 1998, $5,206,057 from $8,158,732 to $2,952,675, primarily as a result of decreased valuations in Nanophase Technologies Corporation, Princeton Video Image, Inc. and MedLogic Global Corporation. These decreases were offset primarily by an increased valuation in NeuroMetrix, Inc. Net unrealized appreciation on investments before taxes decreased, during the nine months ended September 30, 1997, by $5,444,275 from $6,667,589 to $1,223,314 owing primarily to decreased valuations of Gel Sciences, Inc., Harber Brothers Productions, Inc., nFX Corporation, Princeton Video Image, Inc. and PureSpeech, Inc., offset by the increased valuations of NBX Corporation and Nanophase Technologies Corporation. Net unrealized appreciation on investments before taxes decreased, during the three months ended September 30, 1998, by $1,884,529, from $4,837,204 to $2,952,675, owing primarily to decreases in Nanophase Technologies Corporation, MultiTarget, Inc., Somnus Corporation and Energy Research Corporation. Net unrealized appreciation on investments before taxes increased, during the three months ended September 30, 1997, by $1,149,960, from $73,354 to $1,223,314, owing primarily to increased valuations of NBX Corporation, Fuisz Technologies and Zonagen, Inc., offset by a decreased valuation of nFX Corporation. 25 Liquidity and Capital Resources The Company reported total cash, receivables and marketable securities (the primary measure of liquidity) at September 30, 1998 of $6,209,885, versus $21,693,067 (net of $4,000,000 drawn from the J.P. Morgan line of credit) at December 31, 1997. Included in marketable securities at September 30, 1998 are the Company's holdings in Nanophase Technologies Corporation of $1,133,212 and Princeton Video Image, Inc. of $531,843. Princeton Video Image, Inc. is subject to a lock-up agreement, which expires December 16, 1998, and both holdings are valued at September 30, 1998 at discounts from market value: a 20 percent discount in the case of Nanophase Technologies Corporation and a 14.2 percent discount in the case of Princeton Video Image, Inc. As of September 30, 1998, the Company had a $6,000,000 line of credit in place with J.P. Morgan, of which the Company had no outstanding balance. Management believes that its cash, receivables and marketable securities provide the Company with sufficient liquidity for its operations over the next 12 months. On May 12, 1998, the Company paid out a one-time cash dividend of $0.75 per share for a total of $8,019,728, to meet one of the requirements for qualification for Sub-Chapter M tax treatment in 1998. Taxation Under Sub-Chapter M In order to qualify as a RIC, the Company must distribute to stockholders annually in a timely manner at least 90 percent of its "investment company taxable income," as defined in the Code (i.e., net investment income, including accrued original issue discount, and net short-term capital gains) (the "90 percent Distribution Requirement"). As a RIC, it would not be subject to federal income tax on the portion of its investment company taxable income and net capital gains (net long-term capital gain in excess of net short-term capital loss) distributed to stockholders. In addition, if the Company distributes in a timely manner 98 percent of its capital gains net income for each one-year period ending on December 31, and distributes 98 percent of its net ordinary income for each calendar year (as well as any income not distributed in prior years), it will not be subject to the 4 percent nondeductible federal excise tax imposed with respect to certain undistributed income of RICs. If RIC status is elected, the Company generally will endeavor to distribute to stockholders all of its investment company taxable income and its net capital gain, if any, for each taxable year so that such Company will not incur income and excise taxes on its earnings. In order to qualify as a RIC for federal income tax purposes, the Company must, among other things: (a) continue to qualify as a BDC under the 1940 Act, (b) derive in each taxable year at least 90 percent of its gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans, gains from the sale of stock or securities, or other income derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock or securities (the "90 percent Income Test"); and (c) adequately diversify its holdings pursuant to detailed rules set forth in section 851 of the Code. 26 If the Company acquires or is deemed to have acquired debt obligations that were issued originally at a discount or that otherwise are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount, the Company will be required to include in income each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation regardless of whether cash representing such income is received in the same taxable year and to make distributions accordingly. Although it does not presently expect to do so, the Company is authorized to borrow funds and to sell assets in order to satisfy distribution requirements. However, under the 1940 Act, the Company is not permitted to make distributions to stockholders while the Company's debt obligations and other senior securities are outstanding unless certain "asset coverage" tests are met. Moreover, the Company's ability to dispose of assets to meet its distribution requirements may be limited by other requirements relating to its status as a RIC, including the diversification requirements. If the Company disposes of assets in order to meet distribution requirements, the Company may make such dispositions at times which, from an investment standpoint, are not advantageous. If the Company fails to satisfy the 90 percent Distribution Requirement or otherwise fails to qualify as a RIC in any taxable year, it will be subject to tax in such year on all of its taxable income, regardless of whether the Company makes any distributions to its stockholders. In addition, in that case, all of the Company's distributions to its stockholders will be characterized as ordinary income (to the extent of the Company's current and accumulated earnings and profits). In contrast, as is explained below, if the Company qualifies as a RIC, a portion of its distributions may be characterized as long-term capital gain in the hands of stockholders. Other than distributions properly designated as "capital gain dividends" as is described below, dividends to stockholders of the investment company taxable income of the Company will be taxable as ordinary income to stockholders to the extent of the Company's current or accumulated earnings and profits, whether paid in cash or reinvested in additional shares. Distributions of the Company's net capital gain properly designated by the Company as "capital gain dividends" will be taxable to stockholders as a long-term capital gain regardless of the stockholder's holding period for his or her shares. Distributions in excess of the Company's earnings and profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of the stockholder's shares and, after the adjusted basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to the stockholder. For a summary of the tax rates applicable to capital gains, including capital gains dividends, see discussion below. To the extent that the Company retains any net capital gain, it may designate such retained gain as "deemed distributions" and pay a tax thereon for the benefit of its stockholders. In that event, the stockholders will be required to report their share of retained net capital gain on their tax returns as if it had been distributed to them and report a credit, or claim a refund, for the tax paid thereon by the Company. The amount of the deemed distribution net of such tax will be added to the stockholder's cost basis for his or her shares. Because the Company expects to pay tax on net capital gain at its regular corporate capital gain tax rate, and because that rate is in excess of the maximum rate currently payable by individuals on net capital gain, the amount of tax that individual stockholders will be treated 27 as having paid will exceed the amount of tax that such stockholders would be required to pay on net capital gain. Stockholders who are not subject to federal income tax or tax on capital gains should be able to file a Form 990T or an income tax return on the appropriate form that allows them to recover the taxes paid on their behalf. Any dividend declared by the Company in October, November, or December of any calendar year, payable to stockholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following year, will be treated as if it had been received by the stockholders on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared. Investors should be careful to consider the tax implications of buying shares just prior to a distribution. Even if the price of the shares includes the amount of the forthcoming distribution, the stockholder generally will be taxed upon receipt of the distribution and will not be entitled to offset the distribution against the tax basis in his or her shares. A stockholder may recognize taxable gain or loss if he or she sells or exchanges his or her shares. Any gain arising from (or, in the case of distributions in excess of earnings and profits, treated as arising from) the sale or exchange of shares generally will be a capital gain or loss. This capital gain or loss normally will be treated as a long-term capital gain or loss if the stockholder has held his or her shares for more than one year; otherwise, it will be classified as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any capital loss arising from the sale or exchange of shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of the amount of capital gain dividends received with respect to such shares and, for this purpose, the special rules of Section 246(c)(3) and (4) of the Code generally apply in determining the holding period of shares. It is unclear how any such long-term capital loss offsets capital gains taxable at different rates. All or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares of the Company may be disallowed if other shares of the Company are purchased within 30 days before or after the disposition. In general, net capital gain (the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) of non-corporate taxpayers is currently subject to a maximum federal income tax rate of 28 percent (subject to reduction in many situations), while other income may be taxed at rates as high as 39.6 percent. Capital gains derived from the disposition of assets held for more than 12 months generally are subject to federal income tax at the rate of 20 percent. Corporate taxpayers are currently subject to federal income tax on net capital gain at the maximum 35 percent rate also applied to ordinary income. Tax rates imposed by states and local jurisdictions on capital gain and ordinary income may differ. The Company may be required to withhold U.S. federal income tax at the rate of 31 percent of all taxable dividends and distributions payable to stockholders who fail to provide the Company with their correct taxpayer identification number or to make required certifications, or regarding whom the Company has been notified by the IRS that they are subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax, and any amounts 28 withheld may be credited against a stockholder's U.S. federal income tax liability. Federal withholding taxes at a 30 percent rate (or a lesser treaty rate) may apply to distributions to stockholders that are nonresident aliens or foreign partnerships, trusts, or corporations. Foreign investors should consult their tax advisors with respect to the possible U.S. federal, state, and local tax consequences and foreign tax consequences of an investment in the Company. The Company will send to each of its stockholders, as promptly as possible after the end of each fiscal year, a notice detailing, on a per share and per distribution basis, the amounts includible in such stockholder's taxable income for such year as ordinary income and as long-term capital gain. In addition, the federal tax status of each year's distributions generally will be reported to the IRS. Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local, and foreign taxes depending on a stockholder's particular situation. The Company's ordinary income dividends to its corporate shareholders may, if certain conditions are met, qualify for the dividends received deduction to the extent that the Company has received qualifying dividend income during the taxable year; capital gain dividends distributed by the Company are not eligible for the dividends received deduction. If necessary for liquidity purposes, in lieu of distributing its taxable net capital gains, the Company may retain such net capital gains and elect to be deemed to have made a distribution of the gains, or part thereof, to the shareholders under the "designated undistributed capital gain" rules of section 852(b)(3) of the Code. In such a case, the Company would have to pay a 35 percent corporate level income tax on such "designated undistributed capital gain," but it would not have to distribute the excess of the retained "designated undistributed capital gain" over the amount of tax thereon in order to maintain its RIC status. Risks There are significant risks inherent in the Company's venture capital business. The Company has invested a substantial portion of its assets in private development stage or start-up companies. These private businesses tend to be thinly capitalized, unproven, small companies that lack management depth and have not attained profitability or have no history of operations. Because of the speculative nature and the lack of a public market for these investments, there is significantly greater risk of loss than is the case with traditional investment securities. The Company expects that some of its venture capital investments will be a complete loss or will be unprofitable and that some will appear to be likely to become successful but never realize their potential. The Company has been risk seeking rather than risk averse in its approach to venture capital and other investments. Neither the Company's investments nor an investment in the Company is intended to constitute a balanced investment program. The Company has in the past relied and continues to rely to a large extent upon proceeds from sales of investments rather than investment income to defray a significant portion of its operating expenses. In addition, the Company may not qualify or seek to qualify for RIC status. 29 Risks Relating to the Year 2000 Issue The "Year 2000" computer problem has arisen because many computer applications worldwide will not properly recognize the date change from December 31, 1999, to January 1, 2000, potentially causing production of erroneous data, miscalculations, system failures and other operational problems. The Company has undertaken the evaluation of the Year 2000 impact on its critical computer hardware and software. The Company has not incurred, nor does it anticipate that it will incur, any material cost in addressing its Year 2000 problem. The Company has developed a strategic plan focusing on achieving Year 2000 compliance. Certain systems are being replaced and or modified to be Year 2000 compliant. The Year 2000 project includes contingency plans to mitigate potential delays or other problems. At the present time, it is not possible to determine whether any such events are likely to occur or to quantify any potential negative impact they may have on the Company's future results of operations and financial condition. Ultimately, the potential impact of the Year 2000 issue will depend not only on the success of the corrective measures undertaken by the Company, but also on the way in which the Year 2000 issue is addressed by vendors, service providers, counterparties, utilities, governmental agencies and other entities with which the Company does business. Forward-Looking Statements The information contained herein contains certain forward-looking statements. These statements include the plans and objectives of management for future operations and financial objectives, portfolio growth and availability of funds. These forward-looking statements are subject to the inherent uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions. Certain factors that could cause actual results and conditions to differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements are set forth herein. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include the uncertainties of economic, competitive and market conditions, and future business decisions, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Although the Company believes that the assumptions underlying the forward- looking statements included herein are reasonable, any of the assumptions could be inaccurate and therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference herein will prove to be accurate. Therefore, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that the objectives and plans of the Company will be achieved. Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk Not Applicable 30 PART II. OTHER INFORMATION Item 1. Legal Proceedings Not Applicable Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds Not Applicable Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities Not Applicable Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders On Wednesday, July 29, 1998, the Company held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders for the following purposes: 1) to elect directors of the Company; and 2) to ratify, confirm and approve the Board of Directors' selection of Arthur Andersen LLP as the Company's independent public accountant for its fiscal year ending December 31, 1998. At the close of business on the record date (June 19, 1998), an aggregate of 10,651,200 shares of common stock were issued and outstanding. All of the nominees at the July 29, 1998 Annual Meeting were elected directors: Nominee For Withheld Dr. C. Wayne Bardin 9,756,260 104,030 Dr. Phillip A. Bauman 9,756,260 104,030 G. Morgan Browne 9,756,260 104,030 Harry E. Ekblom 9,551,172 309,118 Dugald A. Fletcher 9,551,760 308,530 Charles E. Harris 9,756,260 104,030 Glenn E. Mayer 9,755,672 104,618 William R. Polk 9,755,672 104,618 James E. Roberts 9,551,760 308,530
Mr. Jon J. Masters did not stand for re-election. With respect to purpose number two, described as a proposal "to ratify, confirm and approve the Board of Directors' selection of Arthur Andersen LLP" as the Company's independent public accountant for its fiscal year ending December 31, 1998, the affirmative votes cast were 9,788,435, the negative votes cast were 41,780 and those abstaining were 30,075. 31 Item 5. Other Information On November 4, 1998, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted resolutions to amend Company's By-Laws in certain respects, including (i) to require that special meetings of shareholders be called only by the President or a majority of the entire Board of Directors then in office; (ii) to prohibit the removal of directors without cause; (iii) to provide that the Board of Directors may fix a record date not more than 60 days prior to the date of certain shareholder determinations or corporate actions; and (iv) to require advance notice of shareholder nominations of directors and shareholder intention to bring new business at annual meetings, not less than 90 days nor more than 120 days prior to the anniversary date of the immediately preceding annual meeting of shareholders. A copy of the form of amendment to the Company's By-Laws and a copy of the Company's By-Laws as amended are attached hereto as Exhibits 3.1(b)(i) and 3.1(b)(ii). In accordance with recent amendments to the shareholder proposal rules set forth in Rules 14a-4 and 14a-8 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, written notice of shareholder proposals submitted outside the processes of Rule 14a-8 for consideration at the 1999 Annual Meeting of Shareholders must be received by the Company on or before March 31, 1999 in order to be considered timely for purposes of Rule 14a-4. The persons designated in the Company's proxy statement shall be granted discretionary authority with respect to any shareholder proposal of which the Company does not receive timely notice. Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K 3.1(a) Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1(a) to the Company's Form 10- K for the year ended December 31, 1995. 3.1(b)(i)* Restated By-Laws of the Company, as amended. 3.1(b)(ii)* Form of Restated By-Laws amendment. 4.1 Specimen Certificate of Common Stock, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4 to Company's Registration Statement on Form N-2 filed October 29, 1992. 11.0* Computation of per share earnings. See Statement of Operations. 27.0* Financial Data Schedule. (b) None *Filed herewith. 32 SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. Harris & Harris Group, Inc. By: /s/ Rachel M. Pernia ----------------------------- Rachel M. Pernia, Vice President Treasurer, Controller and Principal Accounting Officer Date: November 13, 1998 33 EXHIBIT INDEX Item Number (of Item 601 of Regulation S-K) 27. Financial Data Schedule