Aristotle   10-Q 9/98



AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON NOVEMBER 9, 2006


UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


Form 10-Q

(MARK ONE)


[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE

 ACT OF 1934


FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006


[  ] 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 0-14669


THE ARISTOTLE CORPORATION

(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)


DELAWARE

06-1165854

(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF

(I.R.S. EMPLOYER

INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)

IDENTIFICATION NO.)


96 CUMMINGS POINT ROAD, STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT

 (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)


06902

(ZIP CODE)


(203) 358-8000

(REGISTRANT’S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE)


Indicate by check mark whether 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 [  ]


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. (Check one):


Large accelerated filer [ ]

  Accelerated filer [ ]

Non-accelerated filer [X]



Indicate by check mark whether registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  

Yes [  ] No [X]

 

As of November 9, 2006, 17,275,679 shares of Common Stock, 1,100,122 shares of Series I Preferred Stock and 10,984,971 shares of Series J Preferred Stock were outstanding.





 THE ARISTOTLE CORPORATION


INDEX OF INFORMATION CONTAINED IN FORM 10-Q FOR THE

QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006




PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

Item 1.   

Financial Statements

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2006 (unaudited),  

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2005 (unaudited)

1

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the Three and Nine

 

 

 

 

Months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 (unaudited)

2

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months

 

 

 

 

ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 (unaudited)

3

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

4

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and

 

 

 

 

Results of Operations

11

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

19

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

20

 

 

 

 

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

21

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

21

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

21

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

21

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

21

 

 

 

 

 

Item 5

Other Information

21

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

22






PART I


ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


THE ARISTOTLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 (in thousands, except share and per share data)



Assets

 

September 30,

2006

 

December 31, 2005

 

September 30,

2005

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

(unaudited)

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

3,306

 

1,803

 

3,011

 

Investments

 

14,172

 

12,856

 

6,019

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

27,261

 

14,530

 

25,013

 

Inventories, net

 

36,296

 

35,579

 

34,963

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

4,818

 

8,026

 

5,255

 

Deferred income taxes

 

4,562

 

11,279

 

9,825

 

Total current assets

 

90,415

 

84,073

 

84,086

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

23,873

 

22,361

 

20,421

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

14,018

 

13,799

 

13,818

Deferred income taxes

 

2,712

 

2,712

 

3,969

Other assets

 

327

 

408

 

416

 

Total assets

$

131,345

 

123,353

 

122,710

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current installments of long-term debt

$

165

 

606

 

119

 

Trade accounts payable

 

10,939

 

9,013

 

9,436

 

Accrued expenses

 

6,516

 

6,594

 

4,747

 

Income taxes

 

688

 

185

 

385

 

Accrued dividends payable

 

-

 

2,159

 

-

 

Total current liabilities

 

18,308

 

18,557

 

14,687

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt, less current installments

 

21,297

 

24,350

 

28,839

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, Series I, convertible, voting, 11% cumulative, $6.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

stated value; $.01 par value; 2,400,000 shares authorized, 1,100,122

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

shares issued and outstanding

 

6,601

 

6,601

 

6,601

 

Preferred stock, Series J, non-voting, 12% cumulative, $6.00 stated value;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$.01 par value; 11,200,000 shares authorized, 10,984,971 shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

issued and outstanding

 

65,760

 

65,760

 

65,760

 

Common stock, $.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized, 17,269,846,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17,242,996 and 17,170,329 shares issued and outstanding at

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 30, 2006, December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2005, respectively

 

173

 

172

 

172

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

3,327

 

3,119

 

2,773

 

Retained earnings

 

15,569

 

4,891

 

3,368

 

Accumulated other comprehensive earnings (loss)

 

310

 

(97)

 

510

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

91,740

 

80,446

 

79,184

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

$

131,345

 

123,353

 

122,710



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.


1





THE ARISTOTLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

 (in thousands, except share and per share data)

(Unaudited)



 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

$

61,843

 

58,626

 

161,488

 

150,559

Cost of sales

 

38,516

 

37,222

 

100,167

 

93,845

 

Gross profit

 

23,327

 

21,404

 

61,321

 

56,714

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and administrative expense

 

12,000

 

11,060

 

34,441

 

32,848

 

Earnings from operations

 

11,327

 

10,344

 

26,880

 

23,866

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other (expense) income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(413)

 

(369)

 

(1,361)

 

(1,022)

 

Interest income

 

18

 

11

 

20

 

23

 

Other, net

 

507

 

116

 

1,335

 

259

 

 

112

 

(242)

 

(6)

 

(740)

 

Earnings before income taxes

 

11,439

 

10,102

 

26,874

 

23,126

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

 

1,215

 

1,064

 

2,970

 

2,286

 

Deferred

 

2,531

 

2,846

 

6,750

 

6,665

 

 

 

3,746

 

3,910

 

9,720

 

8,951

 

Net earnings

 

7,693

 

6,192

 

17,154

 

14,175

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred dividends

 

2,158

 

2,160

 

6,476

 

6,476

 

Net earnings applicable to common stockholders

$

5,535

 

4,032

 

10,678

 

7,699

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

$

.32

 

.23

 

.62

 

.45

 

Diluted

$

.32

 

.23

 

.61

 

.44

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

17,269,846

 

17,164,155

 

17,261,961

 

17,154,462

 

Diluted

 

17,529,652

 

17,422,089

 

17,511,332

 

17,404,363














The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.


2





THE ARISTOTLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)



 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

 

2006

 

2005

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

$

17,154

 

14,175

 

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash

 

 

 

 

 

provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

1,406

 

1,362

 

Stock option compensation

 

101

 

359

 

Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment

 

-

 

(2)

 

Earnings in equity method investment

 

(1,316)

 

(261)

 

Deferred income taxes

 

6,749

 

6,665

 

Change in assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

(12,731)

 

(12,421)

 

Inventories

 

(717)

 

(1,607)

 

Prepaid expenses and other

 

3,208

 

1,410

 

Other assets

 

(152)

 

(16)

 

Trade accounts payable

 

1,926

 

2,244

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

693

 

(465)

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

16,321

 

11,443

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

 

(2,773)

 

(4,229)

 

Purchases of investments

 

-

 

(1,700)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(2,773)

 

(5,929)

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt

 

8,933

 

10,907

 

Principal payments on long-term debt

 

(12,427)

 

(7,011)

 

Proceeds from issuance of stock under stock option plans

 

84

 

92

 

Preferred dividends paid

 

(8,635)

 

(8,634)

 

Net cash used in financing activities

 

(12,045)

 

(4,646)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

1,503

 

868

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

1,803

 

2,143

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

3,306

 

3,011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow information

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

$

1,457

 

907

 

Income taxes

$

2,455

 

1,906

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.


3





THE ARISTOTLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


September 30, 2006

 (Unaudited)

1.

Organization


The Aristotle Corporation (“Aristotle”) and its subsidiaries (together with Aristotle, the “Company”), founded in 1986, and headquartered in Stamford, CT, is a leading manufacturer and global distributor of educational, health, medical technology and agricultural products.  A selection of over 80,000 items is offered, primarily through more than 45 separate catalogs carrying the brand of Nasco (founded in 1941), as well as those bearing the brands of Life/Form®, Whirl-Pak®, Simulaids, Triarco, Spectrum Educational Supplies, Hubbard Scientific, Scott Resources, Haan Crafts, To-Sew, CPR Prompt®, Ginsberg Scientific and Summit Learning.  Products include educational materials and supplies for substantially all K-12 curricula, molded plastics, biological materials, health care products and items for the agricultural, senior care and food industries.  In addition, the Company offers medical simulators and manikins used for training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and the fire and emergency rescue and patient care fields.  The Company also markets proprietary product lines that provide exclusive distribution rights throughout all of its catalogs.  The proprietary product lines are developed internally through the Company’s research and development efforts and acquired externally by licensing rights from third parties.  


Geneve Corporation (“Geneve”), a privately-held diversified financial holding company, and an affiliated entity held approximately 90% of Aristotle’s voting power at September 30, 2006 and 2005.  On May 22, 2006, the Company received a proposal from Geneve to acquire in a merger transaction (i) the balance of the outstanding shares of Aristotle’s Common Stock for a cash purchase price of $8.06 per share and (ii) all of the outstanding shares of Aristotle’s Series I Preferred Stock for a cash price of $8.25 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends to the closing date.  At the request of Geneve, the Board of Directors of Aristotle established a special committee composed of Aristotle’s independent directors solely to consider Geneve’s proposal (the “Special Committee”).  Despite extensive efforts, Geneve and the Special Committee were unable to reach agreement; as a result, on September 18, 2006, Geneve withdrew its proposal.


2.

Financial Statement Presentation


The accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements do not include all of the information and notes required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation of financial position as of September 30, 2006 and 2005, results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, as applicable, have been made.  Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the year ending December 31, 2006.  For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and Form 10K/A for the year ended December 31, 2005.


3.

Principles of Consolidation


All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.







4







THE ARISTOTLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


September 30, 2006

 (Unaudited)

4.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements


In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 158,  Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans – an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 123(R) (“SFAS No. 158”).  This statement requires an employer to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability in its balance sheet and to recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income.  This statement also requires an employer to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date of its year-end balance sheet.  This statement amends SFAS No. 87, Employers’ Accounting for Pensions, SFAS No. 88, Employers’ Accounting for Settlements and Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits SFAS No. 106, Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions, and SFAS No. 132, Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits, and other related accounting literature.  Upon initial application of this statement and subsequently, an employer should continue to apply the provisions in SFAS No. 87, SFAS No. 88, and SFAS No. 106 in measuring plan assets and benefit obligations as of the date of its statement of financial position and in determining the amount of net periodic benefit cost.  The Company is required to adopt SFAS No. 158 as of December 31, 2006.  The Company is currently evaluating the impact of SFAS No. 158 on its financial statements.  


In September 2006, The Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements (“SAB 108”).  SAB 108 provides guidance on how to evaluate prior period financial statement misstatements for purposes of assessing their materiality in the current period.  If the prior period effect is material to the current period, then the prior period is required to be corrected.  Correcting prior year financial statements would not require an amendment of prior year financial statements, but such corrections would be made the next time the company files the prior year financial statements.  Upon adoption, SAB 108 allows a one-time transitional cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings for corrections of prior period misstatements required under this statement.  SAB 108 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2006.  The adoption of SAB 108 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.


In June 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“Interpretation No. 48”), which prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.  Interpretation 48 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006.  The adoption of Interpretation No. 48 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.


In December 2004, the FASB issued a revised SFAS No. 123, Share-Based Payment (“SFAS No. 123R”), which establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services.  SFAS No. 123R requires a company to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments, such as stock options, based on the grant-date fair value of the award and to recognize these awards as an expense in the statement of earnings over the requisite service period.  The grant-date fair value of employee stock options and similar instruments will be estimated using option-pricing models adjusted for unique characteristics of those instruments unless observable market prices for the same or similar instruments are available.  SFAS No. 123R replaces SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, which was issued in October 1995.  SFAS No. 123R was effective for all awards granted, modified, repurchased, or cancelled after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning after June 15, 2005.  SFAS No. 123R provides transitional guidance for awards existing at the adoption date.  Effective January 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123R using the modified prospective method.  The adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's financial statements at September 30, 2006 and for the three and nine months then ended since the Company had been expensing share based awards granted after January 1, 2002 under the fair value provisions of SFAS No. 123.

5





THE ARISTOTLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


September 30, 2006

 (Unaudited)



In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, Inventory Costs: an amendment of ARB No. 43, which clarifies that abnormal costs of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs and wasted material should be recognized as current period expenses.  SFAS No. 151 also requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities.  SFAS No. 151 is effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005.  The adoption of SFAS No. 151 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements at September 30, 2006 and for the three and nine months then ended.


5.

Earnings per Common Share


Basic earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net earnings applicable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period.  Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by dividing net earnings applicable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and including each share that would have been outstanding assuming the issuance of common shares for all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the periods related to outstanding stock options.


Shares of Common Stock available for issue upon conversion of the 1,100,122 shares of Series I Preferred Stock outstanding at September 30, 2006 and 2005 were not dilutive and, therefore, have not been included in the computations of diluted earnings per common share amounts for the periods then ended.  


6.

Investments


The Company has invested in a limited partnership, the general partner of which is an affiliate of the Company.  The assets of this limited partnership are managed exclusively by a non-affiliate of the Company.  The purpose of the limited partnership is to manage a diversified investment portfolio.  No additional amounts were invested during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006.  The Company invested $0 and $1.7 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively.  The Company’s investment is accounted for under the equity method of accounting.  The carrying value of the investment equals the Company’s ownership in the partnership’s underlying book value.  The Company’s equity earnings or loss is credited or charged, as appropriate, to other income within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings.  For the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, equity earnings amounted to $.5 million and $.1 million, respectively.   For the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, equity earnings amounted to $1.3 million and $.3 million, respectively.   


7.

Inventories


The classification of inventories is as follows (in thousands):


 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

September 30,

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raw materials

$

5,926

 

5,873

 

5,689

Work in process

 

1,313

 

1,173

 

1,421

Finished goods

 

30,489

 

29,846

 

29,220

Less inventory reserves

 

(1,432)

 

(1,313)

 

(1,367)

 

 

Net inventories

$

36,296

 

35,579

 

34,963


6





THE ARISTOTLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


September 30, 2006

 (Unaudited)

8.

Stockholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Earnings


Changes in stockholders’ equity for the nine months ended September 30 are as follows (in thousands):


 

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005


Balance at January 1

 

 

 

 

$

80,446

 

70,660

Net earnings

 

 

 

 

 

17,154

 

14,175

Exercise of stock options, including related

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

tax benefit of $24 and $34 for 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and 2005, respectively

 

 

 

 

 

108

 

126

Stock option compensation

 

 

 

 

 

101

 

359

Other comprehensive earnings:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

407

 

340

Preferred dividends

 

 

 

 

 

(6,476)

 

(6,476)

Balance at September 30

 

 

 

 

$

91,740

 

79,184


Comprehensive earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30 are as follows (in thousands):


 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005


Net earnings

$

7,693

 

6,192

 

17,154

 

14,175

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

(18)

 

525

 

407

 

340

Comprehensive earnings

$

7,675

 

6,717

 

17,561

 

14,515


9.

Stock Options


The Company established the 1997 Employee and Director Stock Plan in 1997 (“1997 Plan”).  The 1997 Plan provides for granting up to 150,000 options to employees and directors of the Company to purchase shares of Common Stock.  The exercise term of the options and vesting requirements shall be for such period as the Board of Directors (or a committee thereof, appointed to administer the 1997 Plan, if any) designates.  Following the merger with Nasco International, Inc. on June 17, 2002 (the “Merger”), each option to purchase one share of the Company’s Common Stock granted under the 1997 Plan became an option to purchase one share of Common Stock and one share of Series I Preferred Stock of the Company.  The Company does not currently intend to grant any additional options under the 1997 Plan.


The Company established the 2002 Employee, Director and Consultant Stock Plan in 2002 (“2002 Plan”) under which employees, directors and consultants of the Company are eligible to receive nonincentive and incentive options and stock grants of up to 1,500,000 shares of Common Stock.  Options granted under the 2002 Plan generally vest over a three year period and have an exercise term of no longer than five years.  





7





THE ARISTOTLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


September 30, 2006

 (Unaudited)


The fair value of each option granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.  The risk-free interest rate is based on United States Treasury yields in effect at the date of grant consistent with the estimated life of the options.  The estimated life of options granted represents the period of time that the options are expected to be outstanding.  The expected volatility is based on an analysis of historical prices of the Company’s stock over a period of time consistent with the estimated life of the options.  


A summary of option activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 is presented below (in thousands, except share and per share data):

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

Average

 

 

 

Number

 

Average

 

Remaining

 

Aggregate

 

of

 

Exercise

 

Contractual

 

Intrinsic

 

Options

 

Price

 

Term

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2005

811,525

$

3.60

 

 

 

 

Granted

-

 

-

 

 

 

 

Expired

-

 

-

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

(14,167)

 

6.36

 

 

 

 

Exercised

(26,850)

 

3.12

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at September 30, 2006

770,508

 

3.57

 

1.08

$

3,244

Exercisable at September 30, 2006

746,342

 

3.47

 

1.02

 

3,210


No options were granted during each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005.  No options were exercised in the three months ended September 30, 2006.  The intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended September 30, 2005 totaled less than $.1 million.  The intrinsic value of options exercised during each of the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 totaled $.1 million.  Cash received from option exercises for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 totaled $0 and less than $.1 million, respectively.  Cash received from option exercises for each of the nine month periods ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 totaled $.1 million.


A summary of the status of the Company’s nonvested options at September 30, 2006, and changes during the nine months then ended, is presented below:


 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

Number

 

Grant

 

 

of

 

Date Fair

 

 

Options

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nonvested at December 31, 2005

72,583

$

4.09

 

Granted

-

 

-

 

Vested

(34,250)

 

3.55

 

Forfeited

(14,167)

 

4.53

 

Nonvested at September 30, 2006

24,166

 

4.53

 

8





THE ARISTOTLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


September 30, 2006

 (Unaudited)

At September 30, 2006, there were approximately $.1 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to options.  These costs are expected to be recognized within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings over a weighted average period of approximately 12 months.  The total fair value of options vested during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 was less than $.1 million and $.1 million, respectively.  


Stock option compensation recognized within the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings amounted to less than $.1 million and $.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, stock option compensation amounted to $.1 million and $.4 million, respectively.


10.

Defined Benefit Pension Plan


On December 31, 2005, the Company froze the benefits under its pension plan for all hourly employees and certain salaried employees.    


The Company contributed $.1 million and $.8 million to the pension plan for the three months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.  The Company contributed $.3 million and $1.0 million to the pension plan for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005.  The Company expects to contribute a total of approximately $.3 million to the pension plan in 2006.


The following table presents the components of net periodic benefit cost for the three and nine months ended September 30 (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

$

51

 

172

 

226

 

517

 

Interest cost

 

220

 

209

 

667

 

626

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

(187)

 

(238)

 

(660)

 

(713)

 

Amortization of prior service cost

 

(1)

 

(1)

 

(2)

 

(2)

 

Recognized net actuarial loss

 

113

 

71

 

321

 

213

 

 

Net periodic benefit cost

$

196

 

213

 

552

 

641


11.

Segment Reporting


The Company’s business activities are organized into two business segments, educational and commercial.  The educational segment relates to instructional teaching aids and materials, which are distributed to educational institutions principally in North America, for kindergarten through grade 12 classes, and for nursing school and emergency medical instructors.  Products in the educational segment are marketed primarily through catalogs.  The growth potential of the educational segment is directly related to school enrollments and the strength of government funding of education.  The commercial segment relates to agricultural products, sterile sampling containers and systems, materials for nursing home activities and novelty and gift products.  Products in the commercial segment are marketed through catalogs nationwide and through a worldwide dealer network covering more than 60 countries.  Market growth in the commercial segment is principally impacted by the general economic conditions of world agriculture, the increasing size of the aged population, as well as increasing global awareness of food and water quality standards.  The Company evaluates the performance of these segments based on segment net sales and gross profit.  

9





THE ARISTOTLE CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


September 30, 2006

 (Unaudited)

The following table presents segment information for the three and nine months ended September 30 (in thousands):


 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

Net sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Educational

$

54,746

 

51,517

 

137,199

 

127,243

 

Commercial

 

7,097

 

7,109

 

24,289

 

23,316

 

 

Net sales

$

61,843

 

58,626

 

161,488

 

150,559

Gross profit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Educational

$

21,389

 

19,653

 

54,867

 

50,590

 

Commercial

 

3,133

 

3,025

 

9,714

 

9,044

 

Other costs of sales

 

(1,195)

 

(1,274)

 

(3,260)

 

(2,920)

 

 

Gross profit

$

23,327

 

21,404

 

61,321

 

56,714



Other costs of sales primarily include freight costs incurred in the procurement of inventories and shipment of customer orders not allocable to a particular segment.


The following table presents segment identifiable asset information as of September 30, 2006, December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2005 (in thousands):


 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

September 30,

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2005

Identifiable assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Educational

$

63,960

 

62,016

 

57,719

 

Commercial

 

5,718

 

5,695

 

5,971

 

Other corporate assets

 

61,667

 

55,642

 

59,020

 

 

Identifiable assets

$

131,345

 

123,353

 

122,710


Educational assets include $14.0 million, $13.8 million and $13.8 million of goodwill at September 30, 2006, December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2005, respectively.  Other corporate assets include cash, investments, deferred tax assets and property, plant and equipment, all of which service both the educational and commercial segments.


12.

Income Taxes


The income tax provision for the three month period ended September 30, 2006 was $3.7 million versus $3.9 million for the comparable period of 2005.  These tax provisions reflect effective tax rates of 32.7% and 38.7% for the third quarters of 2006 and 2005, respectively.  The income tax provision for the nine month period ended September 30, 2006 was $9.7 million versus $9.0 million in the comparable period of 2005.  These provisions reflect effective tax rates of 36.2% and 38.7%.  The tax provisions for the three month period and nine month period ended September 30, 2006 include a $.7 million reduction in the valuation allowance for Federal net operating tax loss carryforwards expected to expire unutilized at December 31, 2006.

10





ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


GENERAL


This discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations reviews the results of operations of the Company, on a consolidated basis, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005.  This discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations has been derived from, and should be read in conjunction with, the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contained herein.


The Company is a leading manufacturer and global distributor of educational, health, medical technology and agricultural products, primarily offered through more than 45 separate catalogs.  


The following is a summary of key events for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006:


§

increase in net sales of 5.5% and 7.3% in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2005;


§

increase in gross profit of 9.0% and 8.1% in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2005;


§

13.2% and 16.2% increase in earnings before income taxes in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2005;


§

in the third quarter of 2006, the Company reduced the valuation allowance established to reflect the estimate of the Company’s Federal net operating loss carryforwards (NOL’s) that were expected to expire unutilized at December 31, 2006 by $.7 million to $5.8 million, primarily as a result of current estimates of 2006 taxable income;


§

24.2% increase in net earnings, resulting in a 39.1% increase in diluted earnings per common share to $.32, in the third quarter of 2006, as compared to the same period in 2005; as a percentage of net sales, net earnings amounted to 12.3% in the third quarter of 2006, compared to 10.5% in the same period in 2005;


§

21.0% increase in net earnings, resulting in a 38.6% increase in diluted earnings per common share to $.61, in the nine months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the same period in 2005; as a percentage of net sales, net earnings amounted to 10.7% in the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared to 9.5% in the same period in 2005;


§

increase in cash retained in the Company to $3.4 million and $7.9 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006, respectively, from $3.0 million and $7.0 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively, primarily as a result of the increased current utilization of Federal net operating tax loss carryforwards;


§

EBITDA(1) increase of 9.4% to $11.8 million in the third quarter of 2006, as compared to the same period in 2005; EBITDA increase of 12.1% to $28.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to the same period in 2005;


§

increase in short term investments to $14.2 million at September 30, 2006, as compared to $12.9 million at December 31, 2005 and $6.0 million at September 30, 2005;


§

net cash provided by operating activities increased 42.6% to $16.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006, from $11.4 million in the comparable period in 2005;


§

semi-annual dividend payments on March 31, 2006 and September 30, 2006 totaling $8.6 million on the Company’s Series I Preferred Stock and Series J Preferred Stock; and


§

in the first quarter of 2006, the Company moved its Simulaids operations to a new 80,000 square foot office and manufacturing facility; in the third quarter of 2006, the Company began construction of a new 60,000 square foot plastics manufacturing facility in Fort Atkinson, WI.



11







A key strength of the Company’s business is its ability to generate cash consistently.  The Board of Directors and management use cash generated as a measure of the Company’s performance.  The Company uses the cash generated from operations to strengthen the balance sheet, including making investments and reducing liabilities such as pension and debt obligations, paying dividends on its preferred stocks and completing prudent acquisition opportunities.  The Company’s management believes that examining the ability to generate cash provides investors with additional insight into the Company’s performance.


The following table sets forth selected financial data (i) as a percentage of net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 and (ii) the percentage change in those reported items from the comparable period in 2005:


 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

% Change

 

2006

 

2005

 

% Change

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

100.0

%

100.0

%

5.5

%

100.0

%

100.0

%

7.3

%

Cost of sales

62.3

 

63.5

 

3.5

 

62.0

 

62.3

 

6.7

 

 

Gross profit

37.7

 

36.5

 

9.0

 

38.0

 

37.7

 

8.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and administrative expense

19.4

 

18.9

 

8.5

 

21.3

 

21.8

 

4.8

 

 

Earnings from operations

18.3

 

17.6

 

9.5

 

16.7

 

15.9

 

12.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other (expense) income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

(.7)

 

(.6)

 

11.9

 

(.8)

 

(.7)

 

33.2

 

 

Interest income

-

 

-

 

*

 

-

 

-

 

*

 

 

Other, net

.8

 

.2

 

337.1

 

.8

 

.2

 

415.4

 

 

.1

 

(.4)

 

(146.3)

 

-

 

(.5)

 

(99.2)

 

 

Earnings before income taxes

18.4

 

17.2

 

13.2

 

16.7

 

15.4

 

16.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current

2.0

 

1.8

 

14.2

 

1.8

 

1.5

 

29.9

 

 

Deferred

4.1

 

4.9

 

(11.1)

 

4.2

 

4.4

 

1.3

 

 

6.1

 

6.7

 

(4.2)

 

6.0

 

5.9

 

8.6

 

 

Net earnings

12.3

%

10.5

%

24.2

 

10.7

%

9.5

%

21.0

 


*

Not meaningful.


(1)

 “EBITDA,” which is considered a non-GAAP financial measure, is defined as earnings before income taxes, interest expense, other income and expense, depreciation and amortization.  A non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s historical or future financial performance, financial position or cash flows that either excludes or includes amounts that are normally included or excluded in a comparable measure calculated and presented under GAAP.  EBITDA is not presented as an alternative measure of operating results (such as earnings from operations or net earnings) or cash flow from operations, as determined in accordance with GAAP, but is presented because the Company’s management believes it is a widely accepted indicator of the Company’s current financial performance and ability to incur and service debt.  EBITDA does not give effect to cash used for debt service requirements or capital expenditures and thus does not reflect funds available for dividends, reinvestment or other discretionary uses.  In addition, EBITDA as presented herein may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.  The following table provides a reconciliation of net earnings to EBITDA for the three and nine months ended September 30 (in thousands):









12








 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

 

2006

 

2005

 

2006

 

2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net earnings

$

7,693

 

6,192

 

17,154

 

14,175

 

Add:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes

 

3,746

 

3,910

 

9,720

 

8,951

 

 

Interest expense

 

413

 

369

 

1,361

 

1,022

 

 

Other expense (income)

 

(525)

 

(127)

 

(1,355)

 

(282)

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

511

 

472

 

1,406

 

1,362

 

EBITDA

$

11,838

 

10,816

 

28,286

 

25,228


FLUCTUATIONS IN QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


The Company is subject to seasonal influences with peak levels occurring in the second and third quarters of the fiscal year primarily due to increased educational shipments coinciding with the start of new school years in the Fall.  As a result, the Company typically recognizes approximately 75% of its annual net earnings in the second and third quarters of its fiscal year.  Inventory levels increase in March through June in anticipation of the peak shipping season.  The majority of shipments are made between June and August and the majority of cash receipts are collected from August through October.  


Quarterly results may also be materially affected by the timing of acquisitions, the timing and magnitude of costs related to such acquisitions, variations in costs of products sold, the mix of products sold and general economic conditions.  Results for any quarter are not indicative of the results for any subsequent fiscal quarter or for a full fiscal year.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006 AS COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005


Net Sales


Net sales for the third quarter of 2006 increased 5.5% to $61.8 million from $58.6 million for the comparable period in 2005.  The growth in net sales for the third quarter of 2006 is attributable to organic growth in each of the U.S. and international markets.  


Net sales in the educational segment, totaling $54.7 million, increased 6.3% in the third quarter of 2006 from $51.5 million in the comparable period in 2005.  The commercial segment recorded net sales of $7.1 million in the third quarter of 2006, equaling the $7.1 million in the third quarter of 2005.  


Gross Profit


Gross profit for the third quarter of 2006 increased 9.0% to $23.3 million from $21.4 million for the comparable period in 2005.  The increase in gross profit for the third quarter of 2006 is primarily attributable to the 5.5% increase in net sales.  The gross profit margin increased to 37.7% in the third quarter of 2006 from 36.5% in the comparable period in 2005.  The increase in gross profit margin is attributed to shifts in the mix of product shipped and to efforts to control and reduce merchandise costs through available domestic and international sources.       


The educational segment gross profit for the third quarter of 2006 increased 8.8% to $21.4 million from $19.7 million for the comparable period in 2005.  The educational segment gross profit margin increased to 39.1% in the third quarter of 2006 from 38.1% in the third quarter of 2005.  The commercial segment gross profit for the third quarter of 2006 increased 3.6% to $3.1 million from $3.0 million for the comparable period in 2005.  The commercial segment yielded a gross profit margin of 44.1% in the third quarter of 2006, as compared to 42.6% in the third quarter of 2005.      






13







Selling and Administrative Expense


Selling and administrative expense for the third quarter of 2006 increased 8.5% to $12.0 million from $11.1 million in the comparable period in 2005.  As a percent of net sales, selling and administrative expense amounted to 19.4% for the third quarter of 2006, as compared to 18.9% in the third quarter of 2005.  Selling and administrative expense includes advertising and catalog costs, warehouse and shipping activities, customer service and general administrative functions.  Selling and administrative expense for the third quarter of 2006 was primarily impacted by the following: (i) an increase in salaries and wages of $.2 million, or 2.9%, as a result of increases in annual employee compensation, employee performance incentives and the number of employees; (ii) an increase in group health care costs by $.4 million; and, (iii) an expense of $.5 million in fees for legal and professional services related to consideration of a proposal by Geneve to acquire the shares of the Company’s common and preferred stock that it does not already own.


The Company recorded less than $.1 million and $.1 million in compensation expense for the third quarters of 2006 and 2005, respectively, related to grants of stock options to certain employees and directors.  


The Company incurred expenses of $.2 million to Geneve for certain administrative services for each of the third quarters of 2006 and 2005.  


Interest Expense


Interest expense for the third quarter of 2006 increased 11.9% to $.4 million from $.4 million for the third quarter of 2005.  The increase in interest expense is principally due to the increase in the weighted average interest rate to 7.0% during the third quarter of 2006, compared to 5.2% in the third quarter of 2005.  


The Company’s weighted average interest rate under its credit agreements was 6.8%, 5.8% and 5.5% at September 30, 2006, December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2005, respectively.  


Income Tax Provision


Aristotle and its qualifying domestic subsidiaries are included in the Federal income tax return and certain state income tax returns of Geneve.  The provision for income taxes for the Company is determined on a separate return basis in accordance with the terms of a tax sharing agreement with Geneve, and payments for current Federal and certain state income taxes are made to Geneve.


The income tax provision for the third quarter of 2006 was $3.7 million versus $3.9 million for the comparable period in 2005.  These tax provisions reflect effective tax rates of 32.7% and 38.7% for the third quarters of 2006 and 2005, respectively.  For the third quarter of 2006, the difference between the Federal statutory income tax rate of 35% and the effective income tax rate results principally from a reduction in the valuation allowance amounting to $.7 million primarily related to increased estimates of taxable income, and foreign and state income taxes.  For the third quarter of 2005, the difference between the Federal statutory income tax rate of 35% and the effective income tax rate results principally from foreign and state income taxes.  Although the reported earnings for the third quarters of 2006 and 2005 are shown after-tax, approximately $3.4 million and $3.0 million, respectively, of cash from operations was retained in the Company primarily as a result of the current utilization of Federal net operating tax loss carryforwards.  Except for Federal alternative minimum tax obligations arising from limitations on the utilization of Federal net operating tax loss carryforwards in 2006, the Company anticipates that the utilization of the available Federal net operating tax loss carryforwards to offset future Federal taxable income will result in the Company not having to use its cash resources to pay Federal income taxes through 2006.  


At September 30, 2006, the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet contains a net deferred tax asset of $7.3 million, net of a valuation allowance of $5.8 million.  Of the $7.3 million balance, $2.9 million relates to Federal net operating tax loss carryforwards, which were recognized in applying purchase accounting to the merger of Nasco International, Inc. and the Company on June 17, 2002.  The valuation allowance has been established primarily to reflect the estimate of Federal net operating tax loss carryforwards that are expected to expire unutilized.  





14







RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2006 AS COMPARED TO NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005


Net Sales


Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 increased 7.3% to $161.5 million from $150.6 million for the comparable period in 2005.  The growth in net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 is attributable to organic growth in each of the U.S. and international markets.  


Net sales in the educational segment, totaling $137.2 million, increased 7.8% in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from $127.2 million in the comparable period in 2005.  The commercial segment recorded net sales of $24.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006, increasing 4.2% from $23.3 million in the comparable period in 2005.  


Gross Profit


Gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 increased 8.1% to $61.3 million from $56.7 million for the comparable period in 2005.  The increase in gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 is primarily attributable to the 7.3% increase in net sales.  The gross profit margin increased to 38.0% in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from 37.7% in the comparable period in 2005.  


The educational segment gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 increased 8.5% to $54.9 million from $50.6 million for the comparable period in 2005.  The educational segment gross profit margin increased to 40.0% in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 from 39.8% in the nine months ended September 30, 2005.  The commercial segment gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 increased 7.4% to $9.7 million from $9.0 million for the comparable period in 2005.  The commercial segment gross profit margin increased to 40.0% in the nine months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to 38.8% in the nine months ended September 30, 2005.  The increase in the commercial segment gross profit margin is primarily attributable to an increase in the sales mix of certain proprietary commercial products.


Selling and Administrative Expense


Selling and administrative expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 increased 4.8% to $34.4 million from $32.8 million in the comparable period in 2005.  As a percent of net sales, selling and administrative expense amounted to 21.3% for the nine months ended September 30, 2006, as compared to 21.8% in the comparable period in 2005.  Selling and administrative expense includes advertising and catalog costs, warehouse and shipping activities, customer service and general administrative functions.  Selling and administrative expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was primarily impacted by the following: (i) an increase in salaries and wages of $1.2 million, or 6.3%, as a result of increases in annual employee compensation, employee performance incentives and the number of employees; (ii) an increase in self-funded group health care costs by $.5 million; and, (iii) an expense of $.5 million in fees for legal and professional services related to consideration of a proposal by Geneve to acquire the shares of the Company’s common and preferred stock that it does not already own.  Offsetting these increases to selling and administrative expense, stock option expense declined to $.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared to $.4 million in the comparable period of 2005, related to grants of stock options to certain employees and directors.  


The Company incurred expenses of $.7 million to Geneve for certain administrative services for each of the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005.  


Interest Expense


Interest expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 increased 33.2% to $1.4 million from $1.0 million for the comparable period in 2005.  The increase in interest expense is principally due to the increase in the weighted average interest rate to 6.6% during the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared to 4.6% for the comparable period in 2005.  


The Company’s weighted average interest rate under its credit agreements was 6.8%, 5.8% and 5.5% at September 30, 2006, December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2005, respectively.  




15







Income Tax Provision


Aristotle and its qualifying domestic subsidiaries are included in the Federal income tax return and certain state income tax returns of Geneve.  The provision for income taxes for the Company is determined on a separate return basis in accordance with the terms of a tax sharing agreement with Geneve, and payments for current Federal and certain state income taxes are made to Geneve.


The income tax provision for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 was $9.7 million versus $9.0 million for the comparable period in 2005.  These tax provisions reflect effective tax rates of 36.2% and 38.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the difference between the Federal statutory income tax rate of 35% and the effective income tax rate results principally from a reduction in the valuation allowance amounting to $.7 million primarily related to increased estimates of taxable income and from foreign and state income taxes. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the difference between the Federal statutory income tax rate of 35% and the effective income tax rate results principally from foreign and state income taxes.  Although the reported earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 are shown after-tax, approximately $7.9 million and $7.0 million, respectively, of cash from operations was retained in the Company primarily as a result of the current utilization of Federal net operating tax loss carryforwards.  Except for Federal alternative minimum tax obligations arising from limitations on the utilization of Federal net operating tax loss carryforwards in 2006, the Company anticipates that the utilization of the available Federal net operating tax loss carryforwards to offset future Federal taxable income will result in the Company not having to use its cash resources to pay Federal income taxes through 2006.  


At September 30, 2006, the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet contains a net deferred tax asset of $7.3 million, net of a valuation allowance of $5.8 million.  Of the $7.3 million balance, $2.9 million relates to Federal net operating tax loss carryforwards, which were recognized in applying purchase accounting to the Merger.  The valuation allowance has been established primarily to reflect the estimate of Federal net operating tax loss carryforwards that are expected to expire unutilized.  


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES


At September 30, 2006, the Company had working capital of $72.1 million, increasing from $65.5 million at December 31, 2005.  At September 30, 2005, the Company had working capital of $69.4 million.  Cash and cash equivalents increased $1.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006, ending the period at $3.3 million.  Cash and cash equivalents increased $.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2005, ending the period at $3.0 million.  The increase in the generation of cash and cash equivalents during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 as compared to the same period in 2005 is primarily due to the following:


§

The Company generated cash of $16.3 million from operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared to $11.4 million for the comparable period of 2005.  The increase in cash generated from operations in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 compared to the same period in 2005 was principally the result of a $3.0 million increase in net earnings, combined with a lower investment in working capital.  


The changes in current assets and liabilities are typical for the third quarter of the fiscal year as the Company is completing its peak business cycle, which occurs during the second and third quarters of the fiscal year.  For more information on the seasonality of the Company’s business, please refer to the “Fluctuations in Quarterly Results of Operations” section above.


§

The Company used cash of $2.8 million for investing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared to $5.9 million for the comparable period in 2005.  In the nine months ended September, 2006, the Company used cash of approximately $.6 million to fund a portion of the construction of an approximately 80,000 square foot office and manufacturing facility for the Company’s Simulaids operations.  The Company began operations at the new facility in the first quarter of 2006.  The final construction costs of the new facility totaled approximately $5.0 million.  The Company is funding the construction costs through a one year, $4.3 million construction loan, with interest payable monthly at the mortgage lender’s prime rate.  It is anticipated that the construction loan will convert to a 10-year mortgage on the new facility by December 31, 2006, with interest payable at the one month LIBOR rate plus a margin of 175 basis points.  The Company intends to sell the old Simulaids facilities.  In the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Company used cash of $3.3 million to purchase land and fund a portion of the construction of this facility.




16







In the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company used cash of approximately $.8 million for construction costs

of an approximately 60,000 square foot manufacturing facility on its existing land in Fort Atkinson, WI for Nasco’s plastics operations.  The Company began construction in the third quarter of 2006. It is estimated that the construction cost of the facility will be approximately $3.7 million.  The Company anticipates completing construction by the first quarter of 2007.  The Company intends to fund these capital expenditures through available cash and its Revolving Credit Facility.  The new manufacturing facility will replace 45,000 square feet of leased manufacturing space.    


Capital expenditures to replace and upgrade existing capital equipment and install new equipment and fixtures to provide additional operating efficiencies totaled $1.4 million and $.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively.  


During the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the Company invested $1.7 million in an investment limited partnership, the general partner of which is an affiliate of the Company.  The assets of the limited partnership are managed exclusively by a non-affiliate of the Company (see Note 6 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q).  No additional investments were made during the nine months ended September 30, 2006.  The Company had investments of $14.2 million at September 30, 2006, as compared to $12.9 million and $6.0 million at December 31, 2005 and September 30, 2005, respectively.  


§

Financing activities used cash of $12.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2006, compared to $4.6 million for the comparable period in 2005.  In the nine months ended September 30, 2006, the Company reduced the outstanding balance on its primary credit facility by $4.0 million to a balance of $15.5 million, and increased the outstanding balance on the construction loan for the Simulaids facility by $.5 million.  In the nine months ended September 30, 2005, the net principal proceeds from debt of $3.9 million were primarily due to the increase in the amounts outstanding on the Company’s primary credit facility of $1.5 million due to seasonal working capital requirements and the $3.3 million of capital expenditures in connection with the new Simulaids facility.  


The Company paid dividends of $8.6 million in each of the nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005 on its Series I Preferred Stock and Series J Preferred Stock.


On October 15, 2003, the Company entered into a five-year, non-amortizing, $45.0 million Revolving Credit Facility.  The Revolving Credit Facility provides the Company with seasonal working capital, letters of credit and funds for appropriate acquisitions of businesses similar in nature to the Company’s current business segments.  This debt carries a variable rate of interest that is based on Prime or LIBOR rates plus applicable margins.  At September 30, 2006, the weighted average interest rate on this debt was 6.7%.  The Revolving Credit Facility currently has a committed weighted average rate of interest (including applicable margins) of approximately 6.7%.  Such rate commitments expire on various dates through November 13, 2006.  The Company’s Revolving Credit Facility is collateralized by certain accounts receivable, inventories and property, plant and equipment, and shares of a certain subsidiary’s outstanding capital stock and ownership interests of certain of the Company’s limited liability subsidiaries.  The Revolving Credit Facility contains various financial and operating covenants, including, among other things, requirements to maintain certain financial ratios and restrictions on additional indebtedness, common stock dividend payments, capital disposals and intercompany management fees.  The Company was in compliance with all financial covenants as of September 30, 2006.


In 2006, capital expenditures to replace and upgrade existing equipment and install new equipment and fixtures to provide additional operating efficiencies are expected to approximate $1.5 million.  


Capital resources in the future are expected to be used for the development of catalogs and product lines, to acquire additional businesses and for other investing activities.  The Company anticipates that there will be sufficient financial resources to meet projected working capital and other cash requirements for at least the next twelve months.  Management of the Company believes it has sufficient capacity to maintain current operations and support a sustained level of future growth.


INFLATION


Inflation has had and is expected to have only a minor effect on the Company’s operating results and its sources of liquidity.  Inflation, including as it related to the increased cost of fuel and plastic materials, did not significantly impact the Company’s operating results and its sources of liquidity in each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005.



17







SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES


The preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  The Company believes the following accounting policies affect the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements:


Prepaid Catalog Costs and Amortization - The Company accumulates all direct costs, less applicable vendor rebates, incurred in the development, production and circulation of catalogs on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets until the related catalog is mailed, at which time such catalog costs are amortized into selling and administrative expense over the estimated sales realization cycle of one year, using the straight-line method.


Deferred Income Taxes - At September 30, 2006, the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet contains a net deferred tax asset of approximately $7.3 million, net of a valuation allowance of approximately $5.8 million, related primarily to Federal net operating tax loss carryforwards.  The realizability of this asset is dependent upon the Company’s generation of sufficient levels of future taxable income and the ability to retain its Federal net operating tax loss carryforward position.  Events may limit the use of all or a portion of these Federal net operating tax loss carryforwards, thus potentially resulting in a higher tax liability for the Company in the future.  The net deferred tax asset, including the valuation allowance, at September 30, 2006 is subject to future adjustment based upon changes in management’s evaluation of the realizability of the deferred tax asset.


Goodwill - The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that the assets may be impaired, by applying a fair value based test and, if impairment occurs, the amount of impaired goodwill is written off immediately.  The provisions of SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, require that a two-step impairment test be performed annually or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable.  The first step of the test for impairment compares the book value of the Company’s reporting unit to its estimated fair value.  The second step of the goodwill impairment test, which is only required when the net book value of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value, compares the implied fair value of goodwill to its book value to determine the amount of the impairment required.  The Company evaluated its goodwill at December 31, 2005, and determined that there was no impairment of goodwill.


Defined Benefit Plans - The Company accounts for the benefits under its defined benefit pension plan using actuarial models required by SFAS No. 87, Employers’ Accounting for Pensions.  These models use an attribution approach that generally spreads individual events over the service lives of the employees in the plan.  Examples of “events” are plan amendments and changes in actuarial assumptions such as discount rate, expected return on plan assets and rate of compensation increase.  The principle underlying the required attribution approach is that employees render service over their service lives on a relatively consistent basis and, therefore, pension benefits are earned in, and should be expensed in, the same pattern.


In calculating net periodic benefit cost and the related benefit obligation, the Company is required to select certain actuarial assumptions.  These assumptions include discount rate, expected return on plan assets and rate of compensation increase.  The discount rate assumptions reflect the prevailing market rates for long-term, high-quality, fixed-income debt instruments that, if the obligation was settled at the measurement date, would provide the necessary future cash flows to pay the benefit obligation when due.  The Company uses long-term historical actual return experience with consideration of the expected investment mix of the plan’s assets, as well as future estimates of long-term investment returns, to develop its assumptions of the expected return on plan assets.  The rate of compensation increase is based on historical experience and the Company’s long-term plans for such increases.


At December 31, 2006, the Company will adopt SFAS 158, Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and Other Postretirement Plans, an amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, 106 and 123(R).  This statement requires an employer to recognize the overfunded or underfunded status of a defined benefit postretirement plan as an asset or liability in its balance sheet and to recognize changes in that funded status in the year in which the changes occur through comprehensive income.  This statement also requires an employer to measure the funded status of a plan as of the date of its year-end balance sheet.


Revenues - Customarily applying FOB-shipping point terms, the Company recognizes revenue upon shipment of products to its customers, which corresponds to the time when risk of ownership transfers.  The point of shipment is typically from one of the Company’s distribution centers or, on occasion, a vendor’s location as a drop shipment.  All drop shipment sales are recorded at gross selling price.

18









ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK


The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, investments, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and debt.  As described below, credit risk, market risk and interest rate risk are the primary sources of risk in the Company’s accounts receivable, investments and debt.


QUALITATIVE


Credit Risk:  The Company provides credit in the normal course of business to its customers, which are primarily educational institutions or distributors.  No single customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s sales in each of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2006 and 2005.  The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers, maintains allowances for potential credit losses and generally does not require collateral to support its accounts receivable balances.


Market Risk:  The Company’s exposure to market risk relates to the quality of holdings of its limited partnership investment.  The fair market value of the limited partnership’s investments is subject to increases or decreases in value resulting from the performance of the securities issuers, from upgrades or downgrades in the credit worthiness of the securities issuers and from changes in general market conditions.  The Company seeks to manage its exposure to market risk by investing in accordance with standards established by the Investment Committee of the Board of Directors.  The standards of the Investment Committee are: (i) preservation of capital; (ii) provision of adequate liquidity to meet projected cash requirements; (iii) minimization of risk of principal loss through diversified short and medium term investments; and (iv) maximization of yields in relationship to the guidelines, risk, market conditions and tax considerations.


Interest Rate Risk:  Changes in interest rates can potentially impact the Company’s profitability and its ability to realize assets and satisfy liabilities.  Interest rate risk is resident primarily in debt, which typically has variable interest rates based on Prime or LIBOR rates.  Assuming no other change in financial structure, an increase of 1% in the Company’s variable interest rate for debt would decrease pre-tax earnings for 2006 by approximately $.2 million.  This amount is determined by considering the impact of a 1% increase in interest rates on the average debt estimated to be outstanding in 2006.


QUANTITATIVE


The Company’s debt as of September 30, 2006 is as follows (in millions, except percentage data):



 

 

 

MATURITY LESS

THAN ONE YEAR

 

MATURITY GREATER THAN ONE

YEAR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

$

.2

 

$

21.3

 

Weighted average interest rate

 

 

7.3%

 

 

6.8%

 

Fair market value

 

$

.2

 

$

21.3



The fair market value of debt equals the face amount of debt outstanding because the underlying rate of interest on substantially all of the Company’s debt is variable based upon Prime or LIBOR rates.










19










ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


The President and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company (its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, respectively) have concluded, based on their evaluation as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports filed or submitted by it under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules and forms, and include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in such reports is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the President and the Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, and allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.


There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2006 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.










































20







PART II


ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS


The Company is not a party to any material legal proceedings.


ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS


The Company believes that this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe-harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward looking statements include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, expectations, predictions, and assumptions and other statements which are other than statements of historical facts.  These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to, and are qualified by, a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or business conditions to differ materially from those projected or suggested in such forward-looking statements.  The Company cautions investors that there can be no assurance that actual results or business conditions will not differ materially from those projected or suggested in such forward-looking statements as a result of various factors including, but not limited to, the following: (i) the ability of the Company to obtain financing and additional capital to fund its business strategy on acceptable terms, if at all; (ii) the ability of the Company on a timely basis to find, prudently negotiate and consummate additional acquisitions; (iii) the ability of the Company to manage any to-be acquired businesses; (iv) there is not an active trading market for the Company’s securities and the stock prices thereof are highly volatile, due in part to the relatively small percentage of the Company’s securities which is not held by the Company’s majority stockholder and members of the Company’s Board of Directors and/or management; (v) the ability of the Company to retain and utilize its Federal net operating tax loss carryforward position;  and (vi) other factors identified below or in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.  As a result, the Company’s future development efforts involve a high degree of risk.  For further information, please see the Company’s filings with the SEC, including its Forms 10-K, 10-K/A, 10-Q and 8-K.


There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005.


ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS


None


ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES


None


ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS


No matters were submitted to a vote of the Company’s security holders during the third quarter of 2006.


ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION


None













21







ITEM 6. EXHIBITS


The following exhibits are filed as part of this report:


EXHIBIT NUMBER

 

DESCRIPTION

31.1

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications.

31.2

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications.

32.1

 

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2

 

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.







































22







SIGNATURES


Pursuant to the requirements of 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.


Date:  November 9, 2006


/s/ Steven B. Lapin

       

Steven B. Lapin

President and Chief Operating Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)



Date:  November 9, 2006


/s/ Dean T. Johnson

   

Dean T. Johnson

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)



































23








EXHIBIT INDEX

EXHIBIT NUMBER

 

DESCRIPTION

31.1

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications.

31.2

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certifications.

32.1

 

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2

 

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.










































24