UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
(MARK ONE)
| | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended
| | 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
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
|
| ||
| |
| |
| (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
| (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
(Address of principal executive offices, Zip Code)
(
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:
| Title of Class | Trading Symbol | Name of Exchange on Which Registered |
|
| | |
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.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
| Large accelerated filer | ☐ | Accelerated filer | ☐ |
| | ☒ | Smaller reporting company | |
| Emerging growth company | |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE PERIOD ENDED September 30, 2024
TABLE OF CONTENTS
References in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to “the Company,” “our Company,” “we,” “us,” ”our” and “Boston Omaha” refer to Boston Omaha Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless otherwise noted.
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Financial Statements
Unaudited
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
and SUBSIDIARIES
| Consolidated Balance Sheets |
|||
| Unaudited |
| ASSETS | ||||||||
| September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Current Assets: | ||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | ||||||
| Cash held by BOAM funds and other | ||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | ||||||||
| Interest receivable | ||||||||
| Short-term investments | ||||||||
| Marketable equity securities | ||||||||
| U. S. Treasury securities | ||||||||
| Funds held as collateral assets | ||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | ||||||||
| Total Current Assets | ||||||||
| Property and Equipment, net | ||||||||
| Other Assets: | ||||||||
| Goodwill | ||||||||
| Intangible assets, net | ||||||||
| Investments | ||||||||
| Investments in unconsolidated affiliates | ||||||||
| Deferred policy acquisition costs | ||||||||
| Right of use assets | ||||||||
| Other | ||||||||
| Total Other Assets | ||||||||
| Total Assets | $ | $ | ||||||
See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
| Consolidated Balance Sheets (Continued) |
|||
| Unaudited |
| LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST, AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
| September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Current Liabilities: | ||||||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses | $ | $ | ||||||
| Short-term payables for business acquisitions | ||||||||
| Lease liabilities | ||||||||
| Funds held as collateral | ||||||||
| Unearned premiums | ||||||||
| Current maturities of long-term debt | ||||||||
| Deferred revenue | ||||||||
| Total Current Liabilities | ||||||||
| Long-term Liabilities: | ||||||||
| Asset retirement obligations | ||||||||
| Lease liabilities | ||||||||
| Long-term debt, less current maturities | ||||||||
| Other long-term liabilities | ||||||||
| Deferred tax liability | ||||||||
| Total Liabilities | ||||||||
| Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest | ||||||||
| Stockholders' Equity: | ||||||||
| Preferred stock, $ par value, shares authorized, shares issued and outstanding | ||||||||
| Class A common stock, $ par value, shares authorized, and shares issued, respectively | ||||||||
| Class B common stock, $ par value, shares authorized, and shares issued and outstanding, respectively | ||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | ||||||||
| Treasury stock, at cost, and shares, respectively | ( | ) | ||||||
| (Accumulated deficit) retained earnings | ( | ) | ||||||
| Total Boston Omaha Stockholders' Equity | ||||||||
| Noncontrolling interests | ||||||||
| Total Equity | ||||||||
| Total Liabilities, Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, and Stockholders' Equity | $ | $ | ||||||
See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.
and SUBSIDIARIES
| Consolidated Statements of Operations |
|||||||
| Unaudited |
| For the Three Months Ended |
For the Nine Months Ended |
|||||||||||||||
| September 30, |
September 30, |
|||||||||||||||
| 2024 |
2023 |
2024 |
2023 |
|||||||||||||
| Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||
| Billboard rentals, net |
$ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Broadband services |
||||||||||||||||
| Premiums earned |
||||||||||||||||
| Insurance commissions |
||||||||||||||||
| Investment and other income |
||||||||||||||||
| Total Revenues |
||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: |
||||||||||||||||
| Cost of billboard revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) |
||||||||||||||||
| Cost of broadband revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) |
||||||||||||||||
| Cost of insurance revenues (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) |
||||||||||||||||
| Employee costs |
||||||||||||||||
| Professional fees |
||||||||||||||||
| General and administrative |
||||||||||||||||
| Amortization |
||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation |
||||||||||||||||
| (Gain) loss on disposition of assets |
( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||
| Accretion |
||||||||||||||||
| Total Costs and Expenses |
||||||||||||||||
| Net Loss from Operations |
( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
| Other Income (Expense): |
||||||||||||||||
| Interest and dividend income |
||||||||||||||||
| Equity in (loss) income of unconsolidated affiliates |
( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||
| Other investment income (loss) |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||
| Interest expense |
( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
| Net Loss Before Income Taxes |
( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
| Income tax benefit |
||||||||||||||||
| Net Loss |
( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||
| Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary (income) loss |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||
| Net Loss Attributable to Common Stockholders |
$ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | ||||
| Basic Net Loss per Share |
$ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | ||||
| Diluted Net Loss per Share |
$ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | ||||
| Basic Weighted Average Class A and Class B Common Shares Outstanding |
||||||||||||||||
| Diluted Weighted Average Class A and Class B Common Shares Outstanding |
||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.
and SUBSIDIARIES
| Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity |
||||||||
| Unaudited |
| No. of shares |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A Common Stock |
Class B Common Stock |
Class A Common Stock |
Class B Common Stock |
Additional Paid-in Capital |
Treasury Stock |
Non-controlling Interest |
Retained Earnings |
Total |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning Balance, December 31, 2022 |
$ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock issued for cash |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock issued as compensation |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Offering costs |
- | - | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contributions from noncontrolling interests, Build for Rent subsidiary |
- | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to minority interests |
- | - | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders, March 31, 2023 |
- | - | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ending Balance, March 31, 2023 |
$ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Offering costs |
- | - | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock issued for cash |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock issued as compensation |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock issued for purchase of 24th Street Asset Management |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contributions from noncontrolling interests, Build for Rent subsidiary |
- | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contributions from noncontrolling interests, 24th Street Asset Management |
- | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests |
- | - | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to common stockholders, June 30, 2023 |
- | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ending Balance, June 30, 2023 |
$ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Offering costs |
- | - | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contributions from noncontrolling interests, Build for Rent subsidiary |
- | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distributions to noncontrolling interests, Build for Rent subsidiary |
- | - | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contributions from noncontrolling interests, 24th Street Asset Management |
- | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minority owner contribution, General Indemnity |
- | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to minority interests |
- | - | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders, September 30, 2023 |
- | - | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ending Balance, September 30, 2023 |
$ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
| Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Continued) |
||||||||
| Unaudited |
| No. of shares |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A Common Stock |
Class B Common Stock |
Class A Common Stock |
Class B Common Stock |
Additional Paid-in Capital |
Treasury Stock |
Non-controlling Interest |
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) |
Total |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Beginning Balance, December 31, 2023 |
$ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock issued as compensation |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contributions from noncontrolling interests, Build for Rent subsidiary |
- | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minority owner contribution, General Indemnity |
- | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interests |
- | - | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders, March 31, 2024 |
- | - | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ending Balance, March 31, 2024 |
$ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of FIF Utah RNCI |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Purchase of FIF St. George RNCI |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock returned for payroll taxes |
( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock issued as compensation |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cancellation of Class A and Class B treasury shares and Class B warrants repurchased |
( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distributions to noncontrolling interests |
- | - | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests |
- | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders, June 30, 2024 |
- | - | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ending Balance, June 30, 2024 |
$ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( |
) | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Shares issued as compensation to directors |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Treasury stock purchased |
- | - | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Distributions to noncontrolling interests |
- | - | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to minority interests |
- | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net loss attributable to common stockholders, September 30, 2024 |
- | - | ( |
) | ( |
) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ending Balance, September 30, 2024 |
$ | $ | $ | $ | ( |
) | $ | $ | ( |
) | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.
and SUBSIDIARIES
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows |
|||
| Unaudited |
| For the Nine Months Ended |
||||||||
| September 30, |
||||||||
| 2024 |
2023 |
|||||||
| Cash Flows from Operating Activities: |
||||||||
| Net Loss |
$ | ( |
) | $ | ( |
) | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash provided by operating activities: |
||||||||
| Amortization of right of use assets |
||||||||
| Depreciation, amortization, and accretion |
||||||||
| Deferred income taxes |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Loss (gain) on disposition of assets |
( |
) | ||||||
| Bad debt expense |
||||||||
| Equity in loss (income) of unconsolidated affiliates |
( |
) | ||||||
| Other investment (income) loss |
( |
) | ||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities exclusive of the effects of business combinations: |
||||||||
| Accounts receivable |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Interest receivable |
||||||||
| Prepaid expenses |
||||||||
| Distributions from unconsolidated affiliates |
||||||||
| Deferred policy acquisition costs |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Other assets |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Other liabilities, exclusive of debt |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
||||||||
| Lease liabilities |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Unearned premiums |
||||||||
| Deferred revenue |
||||||||
| Compensation paid in stock |
||||||||
| Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities |
||||||||
| Cash Flows from Investing Activities: |
||||||||
| Payments on short-term payables for business acquisitions |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Payment of contingent consideration |
( |
) | ||||||
| Issuance of note receivable |
( |
) | ||||||
| Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired |
( |
) | ||||||
| Investment in unconsolidated affiliate |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Capital expenditures |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Proceeds from sales of investments |
||||||||
| Purchases of investments |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities |
( |
) | ||||||
See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
| Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued) |
|||
| Unaudited |
| For the Nine Months Ended |
||||||||
| September 30, |
||||||||
| 2024 |
2023 |
|||||||
| Cash Flows from Financing Activities: |
||||||||
| Proceeds from the issuance of stock |
$ | $ | ||||||
| Proceeds from long term credit facility |
||||||||
| Repurchase of stock |
( |
) | ||||||
| Contributions from noncontrolling interest |
||||||||
| Collateral release |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Distributions to noncontrolling interests |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Principal payments of long-term debt |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Offering costs |
( |
) | ||||||
| Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities |
( |
) | ||||||
| Net Decrease in Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash |
( |
) | ( |
) | ||||
| Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash, Beginning of Period |
||||||||
| Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash, End of Period |
$ | $ | ||||||
| Interest Paid in Cash |
$ | $ | ||||||
| Income Taxes Paid in Cash |
$ | $ | ||||||
See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Continued)
Supplemental Schedules of Non-cash Investing and Financing Activities
Unaudited
| For the Nine Months Ended |
||||||||
| September 30, |
||||||||
| 2024 |
2023 |
|||||||
| Stock issued as consideration for redeemable noncontrolling interest |
$ | $ | ||||||
| Stock issued as consideration for business acquisition |
||||||||
| Payable as consideration for business acquisition |
||||||||
| Investment transferred as compensation for stock repurchased |
||||||||
See accompanying notes to the unaudited consolidated financial statements.
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
NOTE 1. ORGANIZATION AND BACKGROUND
Boston Omaha was organized on August 11, 2009 with present management taking over operations in February 2015. Our operations include (i) our outdoor advertising business with multiple billboards across Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin; (ii) our insurance business that specializes in surety bond underwriting and brokerage; (iii) our broadband business that provides high-speed broadband services to its customers, (iv) our asset management business, and (v) our minority investments primarily in real estate, real estate services, private aviation infrastructure, and banking. Our billboard operations are conducted through our subsidiary, Link Media Holdings, LLC, our insurance operations are conducted through our subsidiary, General Indemnity Group, LLC, our broadband operations are conducted through our subsidiary, Boston Omaha Broadband, LLC, and our asset management operations are conducted through our subsidiary, Boston Omaha Asset Management, LLC.
We completed an acquisition of an outdoor advertising business and entered the outdoor advertising industry on June 19, 2015. From 2015 through 2023, we have completed more than twenty additional acquisitions of outdoor advertising businesses.
On April 20, 2016, we completed an acquisition of a surety bond brokerage business. On December 7, 2016, we acquired a fidelity and surety bond insurance company. From 2017 through 2022, we completed four additional acquisitions of surety brokerage businesses.
On March 10, 2020, we completed the acquisition of a rural broadband internet provider located in Arizona. On December 29, 2020, we completed the acquisition of a second broadband internet provider located in Utah. On April 1, 2022, we completed the acquisition of our third broadband internet provider located in Utah.
On September 25, 2020, we filed a Registration Statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a proposed initial public offering of units of a special purpose acquisition company, which we refer to as the “SPAC,” named Yellowstone Acquisition Company, which we refer to as “Yellowstone.” Yellowstone completed its initial public offering on October 26, 2020 and on January 25, 2022 completed a business combination with Sky Harbour Group and Yellowstone changed its name to Sky Harbour Group Corporation (see Note 8 for further discussion).
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Consolidation Policy
The financial statements of Boston Omaha Corporation include the accounts of the Company and our consolidated subsidiaries, which are comprised of voting interest entities in which we have a controlling financial interest and variable interest entities for which we have determined that we are the primary beneficiary. All significant intercompany profits, losses, transactions, and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Variable Interest Entities (VIEs)
We determine whether an entity is a VIE and, if so, whether it should be consolidated by utilizing judgments and estimates that are inherently subjective. Our determination of whether an entity in which we hold a direct or indirect variable interest is a VIE is based on several factors, including whether the entity’s total equity investment at risk upon inception is sufficient to finance the entity’s activities without additional subordinated financial support. We make judgments regarding the sufficiency of the equity at risk based first on a qualitative analysis, and then a quantitative analysis, if necessary.
We analyze any investments in VIEs to determine if we are the primary beneficiary. In evaluating whether we are the primary beneficiary, we evaluate our direct and indirect economic interests in the entity. A reporting entity is determined to be the primary beneficiary if it holds a controlling financial interest in the VIE. Determining which reporting entity, if any, has a controlling financial interest in a VIE is primarily a qualitative approach focused on identifying which reporting entity has both: (i) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact such entity’s economic performance; and (ii) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from such entity that could potentially be significant to such entity. Performance of that analysis requires the exercise of judgment.
We consider a variety of factors in identifying the entity that holds the power to direct matters that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance including, but not limited to, the ability to direct operating decisions and activities. In addition, we consider the rights of other investors to participate in those decisions. We determine whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE at the time we become involved with a variable interest entity and reconsider that conclusion continually.
We consolidate any VIE of which we are the primary beneficiary. Such VIEs consist of 24th Street Fund I and 24th Street Fund II, collectively “the 24th Street Funds,” and Fund One Boston Omaha Build for Rent LP, which we refer to as "BFR".
Total assets of the consolidated VIEs included within our consolidated balance sheets were approximately $
Our consolidated subsidiaries at September 30, 2024 include:
Link Media Holdings, LLC which we refer to as “LMH”
Link Media Alabama, LLC which we refer to as “LMA”
Link Media Florida, LLC which we refer to as “LMF”
Link Media Wisconsin, LLC which we refer to as “LMW”
Link Media Georgia, LLC which we refer to as “LMG”
Link Media Midwest, LLC which we refer to as “LMM”
Link Media Omaha, LLC which we refer to as “LMO”
Link Media Properties, LLC which we refer to as “LMP”
Link Media Southeast, LLC which we refer to as “LMSE”
Link Media Services, LLC which we refer to as “LMS”
Link Billboards Oklahoma, LLC which we refer to as “LBO”
General Indemnity Group, LLC which we refer to as “GIG”
United Casualty and Surety Insurance Company which we refer to as “UCS”
South Coast Surety Insurance Services, LLC which we refer to as “SCS”
Boston Omaha Investments, LLC which we refer to as “BOIC”
Boston Omaha Asset Management, LLC which we refer to as “BOAM”
Fund One Boston Omaha Build for Rent LP which we refer to as “BFR”
BOAM BFR, LLC which we refer to as “BOAM BFR”
BOC Business Services, LLC which we refer to as “BBS”
BOC Ops, LLC which we refer to as "BOC Ops"
Yellowstone Acquisition Company which we refer to as “Yellowstone”
BOC Yellowstone, LLC which we refer to as “BOC Yellowstone”
BOC Yellowstone II, LLC which we refer to as “BOC Yellowstone II”
24th Street Asset Management LLC which we refer to as “24th Street”
24th Street Fund I, LLC which we refer to as “24th Street Fund I”
24th Street Fund II, LLC which we refer to as “24th Street Fund II”
Boston Omaha Broadband, LLC which we refer to as “BOB”
FIF AireBeam, LLC which we refer to as “AireBeam”
Fiber Fast Homes, LLC which we refer to as “FFH”
FIF Utah, LLC which we refer to as “FIF Utah”
FIF St George, LLC which we refer to as “FIF St George” or "InfoWest"
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Revenues
The majority of our advertising revenues are derived from contracts for advertising space on billboard structures and broadband internet services and are accounted for under Financial Accounting Standards Board, which we refer to as the “FASB,” Accounting Standards Codification, which we refer to as “ASC,” 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and under ASC 840, Leases.
Premium revenues derived from our insurance operations are subject to ASC 944, Financial Services – Insurance.
Revenue Recognition
Billboard Rentals
We generate revenue from outdoor advertising through the leasing of advertising space on billboards. The terms of the contracts range from less than month to years and are generally billed monthly. Revenue for advertising space rental is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract. Advertising revenue is reported net of agency commissions. Agency commissions are calculated based on a stated percentage applied to gross billing revenue for operations. Payments received in advance of being earned are recorded as deferred revenue.
Another component of billboard rentals consists of production services which include creating and printing advertising copy. Contract revenues for production services are accounted for under ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Revenues are recognized at a point in time upon satisfaction of the contract, which is typically less than one week.
Practical expedients and exemptions: The Company is utilizing the following practical expedients and exemptions from ASC 606. We generally expense sales commissions when incurred because the amortization period is one year or less. These costs are recorded within costs of billboard revenues exclusive of depreciation and amortization. We do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations as the majority of our contracts with customers have an original expected length of less than one year. For contracts with customers which exceed one year, the future amount to be invoiced to the customer corresponds directly with the value to be received by the customer.
Deferred Revenues
We record deferred revenues when cash payments are received in advance of being earned or when we have an unconditional right to consideration before satisfying our performance obligation. The term between invoicing and when a payment is due is not significant. For certain services we require payment before the product or services are delivered to the customer. The balance of deferred revenue is considered short-term and will be recognized in revenue within twelve months.
Premiums and Unearned Premium Reserves
Premiums written are recognized as revenues based on a pro-rata daily calculation over the respective terms of the policies in-force. The cost of reinsurance ceded is initially written as prepaid reinsurance premiums and is amortized over the reinsurance contract period in proportion to the amount of insurance protection provided. Premiums ceded of $
Commissions
We generate revenue from commissions on surety bond sales and account for commissions under ASC 606. Insurance commissions are earned from various insurance companies based upon our agency agreements with them. We arrange with various insurance companies for the provision of a surety bond for entities that require a surety bond. The insurance company sets the price of the bond. The contract with the insurance company is fulfilled when the bond is issued by the insurance agency on behalf of the insurance company. The insurance commissions are calculated based upon a stated percentage applied to the gross premiums on bonds. Commissions are recognized at a point in time, on a bond-by-bond basis as of the policy effective date and are generally nonrefundable.
Broadband Revenues
Broadband revenue is derived principally from internet services and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract in the period the services are rendered. Revenue received or receivable in advance of the delivery of services is included in deferred revenue.
Credit Losses
We estimate credit losses on financial instruments based on amounts expected to be collected. The allowance for credit losses is estimated based on historical collections, accounts receivable aging, economic indicators, and expected future trends.
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Cash and Cash Equivalents
For purposes of the statement of cash flows, we consider all highly liquid investments, with the exception of U.S. Treasury securities, purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Cash Held by BOAM Funds and Other
Cash held by BOAM Funds and other represents cash and cash equivalents held by consolidated BOAM Funds and other consolidated entities. Such amounts are not available to fund the general liquidity needs of Boston Omaha.
Loss and Loss Adjustment Expenses
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses represent estimates for the ultimate cost of unpaid reported and unreported claims incurred and related expenses. We involve an independent, third-party actuary to assist us in the estimation of reserves for losses and loss adjustment expenses. Estimates are based on paid and incurred loss development factors and expected loss ratios, which are primarily driven by historical claims paid and incurred data and consideration of the level of premiums written during the current and prior year. Since the reserves are based on estimates, the ultimate liability may differ from the estimated reserve. The effects of changes in estimated reserves are included within "Cost of insurance revenues" in our consolidated results of operations in the period in which the estimates are updated. The reserves are included within "Accounts payable and accrued expenses" in our consolidated balance sheets.
Investments in Unconsolidated Entities
We account for investments where we have significant influence but do not have a controlling interest, typically ownership of less than 50% and more than 20%, using the equity method of accounting. In accordance with ASC 323-30, we account for investments in limited partnerships and limited liability companies using the equity method of accounting when our investment is more than minimal (greater than 3% to 5%). Our share of income (loss) of such entities is recorded as a single amount as equity in income (loss) of unconsolidated affiliates. Dividends, if any, are recorded as a reduction of the investment.
We monitor our equity method investments for factors indicating other-than-temporary impairment. We consider several factors when evaluating our investments, including, but not limited to, (i) the period of time for which the fair value has been less than the carrying value, (ii) operating and financial performance of the investee, (iii) the investee’s future business plans and projections, (iv) discussions with their management, and (v) our ability and intent to hold the investment until it recovers in value.
Retention of Specialized Accounting
Each of the 24th Street Funds, and Fund One Boston Omaha Build for Rent LP qualify as investment companies and apply specialized industry accounting. We report fund investments on our consolidated balance sheets at their estimated fair value, with gains (losses) resulting from changes in fair value reflected within ‘Other investment income’ in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Accordingly, the accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect different accounting policies for investments depending on whether or not they are held through a consolidated investment company.
Income Taxes
We compute our year-to-date provision for income taxes by applying the estimated annual effective tax rate to year-to-date pre-tax income or loss and adjust the provision for discrete tax items recorded in the period.
The realization of deferred tax assets, including net operating loss carryforwards, is dependent on the generation of future taxable income sufficient to realize the tax deductions, carryforwards and credits. Valuation allowances on deferred tax assets are recognized if it is determined that it is more likely than not that the asset will not be realized.
Pursuant to Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, annual use of our net operating losses may be limited if it is determined that an ownership shift has occurred. An ownership shift is generally defined as a cumulative change in equity ownership by ‘‘5% shareholders’’ that exceeds 50 percentage points over a rolling three-year period. At this time, a Section 382 study has not been performed to determine if such an ownership shift has occurred.
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
NOTE 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance that requires incremental segment disclosures on an annual and interim basis related to significant segment expenses. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2024 and interim periods within the calendar year beginning on January 1, 2025. The disclosure requirements must be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements.
In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures, which requires companies to disclose disaggregated information related to the effective tax rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. This guidance is effective for public entities as of December 15, 2024. We do not anticipate the adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
NOTE 3. CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH
The following table sets forth a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows that agrees to the total of those amounts as presented in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
| September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | $ | ||||||
| Funds held as collateral | ||||||||
| Cash held by BOAM funds and other | ||||||||
| Total Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash as Presented in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows | $ | $ | ||||||
NOTE 4. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
Accounts receivable consist of the following:
| September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Trade accounts | $ | $ | ||||||
| Premiums | ||||||||
| Recoverables from reinsurers | ||||||||
| Allowance for credit losses | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total Accounts Receivable, net | $ | $ | ||||||
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
NOTE 5. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment consist of the following:
| September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Structures and displays | $ | $ | ||||||
| Fiber, towers, and broadband equipment | ||||||||
| Land | ||||||||
| Vehicles and equipment | ||||||||
| Office furniture and equipment | ||||||||
| Accumulated depreciation | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| Total Property and Equipment, net | $ | $ | ||||||
Depreciation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
NOTE 6. BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS
2024 Acquisitions
We did not complete any acquisitions during the first nine months of fiscal 2024.
2023 Acquisitions
24th Street Asset Management
On May 1, 2023, Boston Omaha Asset Management, LLC, our wholly-owned subsidiary, acquired
Broadband Acquisitions
On June 16, 2023, our subsidiary, FIF St. George, acquired from Pro Communication and Construction Services, LLC, which we refer to as “ProComm,” broadband construction equipment and related assets for a purchase price of $
On October 24, 2023, our subsidiary, FIF St. George, acquired from Cable Systems, LLC, which we refer to as “Cable Systems”, substantially all of the business assets and related assets for a purchase price of $
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
NOTE 6. BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS (Continued)
Pro Forma Information
The following is the unaudited pro forma information assuming all business acquisitions occurred on January 1, 2023. For all of the business acquisitions, depreciation and amortization have been included in the calculation of the pro forma information provided below, based upon the actual acquisition costs. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated remaining economic lives of the assets, ranging from years to years. Amortization is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets ranging from years to years.
| For the Three Months Ended | For the Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
| September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Net Loss Attributable to Common Stockholders | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Basic Net Loss per Share | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Diluted Net Loss per Share | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | $ | ( | ) | ||||
| Basic Weighted Average Class A and Class B Common Shares Outstanding | ||||||||||||||||
| Diluted Weighted Average Class A and Class B Common Shares Outstanding | ||||||||||||||||
The information included in the pro forma amounts is derived from historical information obtained from the sellers of the businesses.
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
NOTE 7. INTANGIBLE ASSETS
Intangible assets consist of the following:
| September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated | Accumulated | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost | Amortization | Balance | Cost | Amortization | Balance | |||||||||||||||||||
| Customer relationships | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Permits, licenses, and lease acquisition costs | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Site location | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Noncompetition agreements | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Technology | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Trade names and trademarks | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonsolicitation agreement | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Capitalized contract costs | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Indefinite lived intangibles | - | - | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | ||||||||||||||
Future Amortization
The future amortization associated with the intangible assets is as follows:
| September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | Thereafter | Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Customer relationships | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Permits, licenses, and lease acquisition costs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Site location | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Noncompetition agreements | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Technology | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Trade names and trademarks | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nonsolicitation agreement | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capitalized contract costs | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||
Amortization expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 was $
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
NOTE 7. INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Continued)
As of September 30, 2024, the weighted average amortization period, in months, for intangible assets is as follows:
| Customer relationships | ||||
| Permits, licenses, and lease acquisition costs | ||||
| Site location | ||||
| Noncompetition agreements | ||||
| Technology | ||||
| Trade names and trademarks | ||||
| Nonsolicitation agreement | ||||
| Capitalized contract costs |
NOTE 8. INVESTMENTS, INCLUDING INVESTMENTS ACCOUNTED FOR USING THE EQUITY METHOD
Short-term Investments
Short-term investments consist of U.S. Treasury securities and common stock warrants. The U.S. Treasury securities are held by UCS, classified as held to maturity, mature in less than twelve months, and are reported at amortized cost which approximates fair value. Our common stock warrants of Sky Harbour Group Corporation are measured at fair value, with any unrealized holding gains and losses during the period included in earnings.
| September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| U.S. Treasury notes held to maturity | $ | $ | ||||||
| Common stock warrants of Sky Harbour Group Corporation | ||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||
Marketable Equity Securities
Our marketable equity securities are publicly traded stocks measured at fair value using quoted prices for identical assets in active markets and classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy. Our marketable equity securities are held by UCS. Marketable equity securities as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are as follows:
| Gross | ||||||||||||
| Unrealized | Fair | |||||||||||
| Cost | Gain (Loss) | Value | ||||||||||
| Marketable equity securities, September 30, 2024 | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||
| Marketable equity securities, December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
NOTE 8. INVESTMENTS, INCLUDING INVESTMENTS ACCOUNTED FOR USING THE EQUITY METHOD (Continued)
U.S. Treasury Trading Securities
We classify our investments in debt securities that are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term as trading securities. Our debt securities classified as trading are carried at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets, with the change in fair value during the period included in earnings. Interest income is recognized at the coupon rate.
Debt securities classified as trading as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 are as follows:
| Gross | ||||||||||||
| Unrealized | Fair | |||||||||||
| Cost | Gain (Loss) | Value | ||||||||||
| U.S. Treasury trading securities, September 30, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||
| U.S. Treasury trading securities, December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | ( | ) | $ | |||||||
Long-term Investments
Long-term investments consist of U.S. Treasury securities held to maturity, investments in special purpose entities, and equity investments in three private companies. We have the intent and the ability to hold the U.S. Treasury securities to maturity. Treasury securities are stated at amortized cost which approximates fair value and are held by UCS.
24th Street Fund I & 24th Street Fund II
On May 1, 2023, our subsidiary, Boston Omaha Asset Management, LLC, acquired
As a result of the transaction, we began consolidating 24th Street and the 24th Street Funds, for which 24th Street serves as general partner, beginning in the second quarter of fiscal 2023. Also, in connection with the acquisition, we recognized a non-cash gain of approximately $
Each of the 24th Street Funds holds investments in special purpose entities whose primary assets are real estate property. We include the 24th Street Funds’ investments in special purpose entities within long-term investments in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Equity Investments
During May 2018, we invested $
In July 2023, we invested approximately $
| September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| U.S. Treasury securities held to maturity | $ | $ | ||||||
| Investments in special purpose entities | ||||||||
| Preferred stock | ||||||||
| Voting preferred stock of MyBundle TV Inc. | ||||||||
| Voting common stock of CB&T Holding Corporation | ||||||||
| Total | $ | $ | ||||||
We reviewed our investments as of September 30, 2024 and concluded that no impairment to the carrying value was required.
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
NOTE 8. INVESTMENTS, INCLUDING INVESTMENTS ACCOUNTED FOR USING THE EQUITY METHOD (Continued)
Investment in Unconsolidated Affiliates
We have various investments in equity method affiliates, whose businesses are in real estate, real estate services, and private aviation infrastructure. One of the investments in affiliates, Logic Real Estate Companies, LLC, which we refer to as “Logic,” is managed by an entity controlled by a member of our board of directors.
Sky Harbour Group Corporation
In October 2020, our subsidiary BOC Yellowstone LLC, served as sponsor for the underwritten initial public offering of a special purpose acquisition company named Yellowstone Acquisition Company. Yellowstone sold in its public offering
On August 1, 2021, Yellowstone entered into a business combination agreement with Sky Harbour LLC (“SHG”), a developer of private aviation infrastructure focused on building, leasing, and managing business aviation hangars. On September 14, 2021, our subsidiary BOC YAC Funding LLC completed the previously-announced investment of $
On January 25, 2022, Yellowstone completed the previously announced proposed business combination with SHG following stockholder approval. As a result, SHG became a consolidated subsidiary of Yellowstone and Yellowstone was renamed Sky Harbour Group Corporation, which we refer to as “Sky Harbour.” In connection with the business combination, our Series B Preferred Units of SHG converted into
During the first quarter of fiscal 2022, we recognized a non-cash gain of $
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
NOTE 8. INVESTMENTS, INCLUDING INVESTMENTS ACCOUNTED FOR USING THE EQUITY METHOD (Continued)
On November 2, 2023, Sky Harbour entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement with certain investors, pursuant to which Sky Harbour agreed to sell and issue to the Investors at an initial closing an aggregate of
All the shares of Sky Harbour Class A common stock and Sky Harbour warrants to purchase Class A common stock that we hold have been registered under the Securities Act. However, our ability to resell any significant portion of these shares is limited by both the large number of shares and warrants we hold relative to the average trading volume of these securities which may prevent us from selling shares as we retain one seat on Sky Harbour’s Board of Directors. The terms of the Sky Harbour business combination prohibited us from selling any of our securities in Sky Harbour prior to January 25, 2023 and has since expired. The carrying value of our investment in Sky Harbour’s Class A common stock as of September 30, 2024 is approximately $
The following table is a reconciliation of our investments in equity affiliates as presented in investments in unconsolidated affiliates on our consolidated balance sheets, together with combined summarized financial data related to the unconsolidated affiliates:
| September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Beginning of year | $ | $ | ||||||
| Additional investments in unconsolidated affiliates | ||||||||
| Transfer of interest | ( | ) | ||||||
| Sale of interest | ( | ) | ||||||
| Distributions received | ( | ) | ||||||
| Reclassification to consolidated subsidiaries | ( | ) | ||||||
| Equity in loss of unconsolidated affiliates | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||
| End of period | $ | $ | ||||||
Combined summarized financial data for these affiliates is as follows:
| For the Three Months Ended | For the Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
| September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Gross profit | ||||||||||||||||
| Net loss from operations | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
| Net loss | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
NOTE 9. FAIR VALUE
The fair value hierarchy prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels:
Level 1 — Observable inputs such as unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 — Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly, including: quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market data and require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.
At September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, our financial instruments included cash, cash equivalents, receivables, marketable securities, investments, accounts payable, and long-term debt. The carrying value of cash, cash equivalents, receivables, and accounts payable approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the instruments. The carrying value of borrowings, if any, under our revolving line of credit facility approximates fair value because of the variable market interest rate charged to us for these borrowings. The fair value of borrowings under our term loan facility is estimated using quoted prices for similar debt (level 2 in the fair value hierarchy). At September 30, 2024, the estimated fair value of our term loan borrowings included within long-term debt was $
Warrants
Our Private Placement warrants related to Sky Harbour are considered level 2 and measured at fair value using observable inputs for similar assets in an active market. Our re-measurement of the Private Placement warrants from January 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024 and January 1, 2023 to September 30, 2023, resulted in gains of approximately $
Fund I, Fund II and BFR Special Purpose Entities
We report fund investments on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at their estimated fair value, with gains (losses) resulting from changes in fair value reflected within "Other investment income" in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. Each of the 24th Street Funds’ and BFR's investments in special purpose entities invested in real estate are categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The primary asset held by each special purpose entity is real estate property, for which third-party appraisals were obtained. Appraisals on the investments in special purpose entities used an income capitalization and/or comparable sales approach to value the underlying real estate property. The income capitalization approach used capitalization rates ranging from
As of September 30, 2024, the aggregate fair value of the 24th Street Funds’ and BFR's investments in special purpose entities was approximately $
Marketable Equity Securities
On an investment life-to-date basis, we have realized net gains on the sale of equity securities within the marketable equity portfolio held at Boston Omaha of approximately $
Sky Harbour Group Corporation Class A common stock
We account for our
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
NOTE 9. FAIR VALUE (Continued)
Marketable Equity Securities and U.S. Treasury Trading Securities
Marketable equity securities and U.S. Treasury trading securities are reported at fair values. Substantially all of the fair value is determined using observed prices of publicly traded securities, level 1 in the fair value hierarchy.
| Total Carrying Amount in Consolidated Balance Sheet | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets | Realized Gains and (Losses) Included in Current Period Earnings (Loss) | Total Changes in Fair Values Included in Current Period Earnings (Loss) | |||||||||||||
| Marketable equity securities and U.S. Treasury trading securities at September 30, 2024 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| Marketable equity securities and U.S. Treasury trading securities at December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
NOTE 10. ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
Our asset retirement obligations include the costs associated with the removal of structures, resurfacing of the land and retirement cost, if applicable, related to our outdoor advertising and broadband assets. The following table reflects information related to our asset retirement obligations:
| Balance, December 31, 2023 | $ | |||
| Additions | ||||
| Liabilities settled | ||||
| Accretion expense | ||||
| Balance, September 30, 2024 | $ |
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
NOTE 11. CAPITAL STOCK
On April 25, 2022, we filed a new shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-264470) that was declared effective on May 11, 2022, relating to the offering of Class A common stock, preferred stock, par value $
On December 8, 2022, we entered into an “at the market” equity offering program (the “ATM Program”) pursuant to a Sales Agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) by and between us and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (“WFS”). This ATM Program is consistent with our historical practice of having available to management the option to issue stock from time to time in order to continue to fund the growth of our fiber-to-the-home broadband business, acquire additional billboards, and make other such investments in assets as needed to seek to grow intrinsic value per share. Our general preference is always to have options available to us from a capital allocation perspective which includes, but is not limited to, having a regularly filed ATM program. Pursuant to the terms of the Sales Agreement, we may sell, from time to time, shares of our Class A common stock, with an aggregate sales price of up to $
Upon delivery of a placement notice (a “Placement Notice”) and upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Sales Agreement, WFS will use reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices, applicable laws and the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) to sell the shares of Class A common stock from time to time based upon our instructions for the sales, including price, time, or size limits specified, and otherwise in accordance with, the terms of such Placement Notice. Pursuant to the Sales Agreement, WFS may sell shares of Class A common stock by any method permitted by law deemed to be an “at the market” offering as defined in Rule 415 of the Securities Act, including without limitation sales made through the NYSE or on any other existing trading market for the Class A common stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, WFS may not purchase shares of Class A common stock for its own account as principal unless expressly authorized to do so by the Company.
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
NOTE 11. CAPITAL STOCK (Continued)
We intend to use the net proceeds from the ATM Program, after deducting WFS’ commissions and our offering expenses, for general corporate purposes, which may include financing our existing businesses and operations, and expanding our businesses and operations through additional acquisitions and minority investments, and additional hires. Such expansion may include future billboard acquisitions, broadband acquisitions, acquisitions of surety insurance companies and other growth of the Company’s insurance activities, additional investments in real estate management, homebuilding and other real estate service businesses, additional investments in subprime automobile lending, and acquisitions of other businesses. We have not determined the amount of net proceeds to be used for any specific purpose, and management will retain broad discretion over the allocation of net proceeds. While the Company has no current agreements, commitments or understandings for any specific acquisitions at this time, it may use a portion of the net proceeds for these purposes.
From January 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023,we sold
On July 23, 2024, the Board approved and authorized a share repurchase program (the “Share Repurchase Program”), pursuant to which the Company intends to repurchase up to $
At September 30, 2024, there were
A summary of warrant activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 is presented in the following table.
| Shares Under Warrants | Weighted Average Exercise Price | Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years) | Aggregate Intrinsic Value of Vested Warrants | |||||||||||||
| Outstanding as of December 31, 2023 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
| Issued | ||||||||||||||||
| Exercised | ||||||||||||||||
| Redeemed | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Expired | ||||||||||||||||
| Outstanding as of September 30, 2024 | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
NOTE 11. CAPITAL STOCK (Continued)
Separation Agreement with Alex Rozek
Separation and Benefits
On May 9, 2024, the Company, Alex R. Rozek, and certain other parties set forth therein, entered into a Separation and Stock Repurchase Agreement (the “Separation Agreement”). Effective as of May 9, 2024, Mr. Rozek resigned as an officer and director of the Company and all of its direct and indirect subsidiaries, other than as a member of the board of directors of Sky Harbour.
Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, the Company repurchased from Mr. Rozek and Boulderado Partners, LLC, an entity controlled by Mr. Rozek, in the aggregate,
The price of the Class A shares repurchased was based on the 30-trading day volume-weighted average price of the Class A Common Stock for the 30 trading days ending two trading days prior to the execution of the Separation Agreement. The price of the Class B shares repurchased was based on the 30-trading day volume-weighted average price of the Class A Common Stock for the 30 trading days ending two trading days prior to the execution of the Separation Agreement plus a blocking/control premium, for which management employed a third-party valuation expert.
The aggregate purchase price paid to Mr. Rozek was $
Separation and Benefits
Pursuant to the Separation Agreement, (a) we transferred to Mr. Rozek
Mr. Rozek agreed to customary non-solicitation, non-competition, confidentiality, cooperation, and return of property covenants. As consideration for entering into a non-competition agreement, we paid Mr. Rozek $
In addition, Mr. Rozek and the named executive officers and board of directors of the Company agreed to a mutual non-disparagement covenant, and the Company agreed, subject to certain conditions, to retain Mr. Rozek as its representative on the board of directors of Sky Harbour until December 31, 2026.
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
NOTE 12. LONG-TERM DEBT
Link Credit Facility
On August 12, 2019, Link Media Holdings, Inc., (“Link”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Boston Omaha Corporation (“BOC”), which owns and operates BOC’s billboard businesses, entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with First National Bank of Omaha (the “Lender”) under which Link could borrow up to $
On December 6, 2021, Link entered into a Fourth Amendment to the Credit Agreement with the Lender which modified the original Credit Agreement by merging all outstanding principal amounts under both Term Loan 1 and Term Loan 2 into one term loan (the “Term Loan”) having a fixed interest rate of
On May 31, 2022, Link entered into a Fifth Amendment to the Credit Agreement with the Lender which modified the Credit Agreement by extending the period of time under which Link may issue to BOC a cash dividend from January 31, 2022 to June 30, 2022 in the amount up to $
On April 6, 2023, Link entered into a Sixth Amendment to Credit Agreement (the “Sixth Amendment”) with the Lender. The Sixth Amendment modifies the Credit Agreement to provide additional flexibility for Link in making “Investment Capital Expenditures” by no longer deducting expenditures which qualify as Investment Capital Expenditures from EBITDA in calculating the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. As a result, only “Maintenance Capital Expenditures” shall be deducted from EBITDA in testing the Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. The amount of unfunded Investment Capital Expenditures (Investment Capital Expenditures other than expenditures funded by BOC) allowable during any test period shall not exceed the Investment Capital Expenditure Available Amount during such test period.
On September 22, 2023, Link entered into a Seventh Amendment to the Credit Agreement with the Lender which modified the Credit Agreement by increasing the maximum availability under the revolving line of credit loan facility from $
On February 14, 2024, Link entered into an Eighth Amendment to the Credit Agreement with the Lender which modified the Credit Agreement to provide additional flexibility for Link to issue dividends to BOC.
On May 30, 2024, Link entered into a Ninth Amendment to the Credit Agreement with the Lender which modified the Credit Agreement by increasing the maximum availability under the revolving line of credit loan facility from $
As of September 30, 2024, Link has borrowed $
The revolving line of credit loan facility has a $
Long-term debt included within our consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2024 consists of Term Loan borrowings of $
During the term of the Credit Facility, Link is required to comply with the following financial covenants: A consolidated leverage ratio for any test period ending on the last day of any fiscal quarter of Link (a) beginning with the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2024 of not greater than
The Credit Agreement includes representations and warranties, reporting covenants, affirmative covenants, negative covenants, financial covenants and events of default customary for financings of this type. Upon the occurrence of an event of default the Lender may accelerate the loans. Upon the occurrence of certain insolvency and bankruptcy events of default the loans will automatically accelerate.
Boston Omaha Broadband Credit Facility
On September 17, 2024, operating subsidiaries of Boston Omaha Broadband, LLC (“BOB”) entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with First National Bank of Omaha (the “Lender”) under which certain subsidiaries of BOB can borrow up to $
The Credit Agreement provides for incremental drawdowns of the term loan in minimum increments of $
Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, BOB is required to comply with the following financial covenants: A consolidated leverage ratio for any test period ending on the last day of any fiscal quarter of BOB of not greater than
The Credit Agreement includes representations and warranties, reporting covenants, affirmative covenants, negative covenants, financial covenants, and events of default customary for financings of this type. Upon the occurrence of an event of default the Lender may accelerate the loan. Upon the occurrence of certain insolvency and bankruptcy events of default the loan will automatically accelerate. All assets of the Borrowers, their Subsidiaries and BOB are secured by the grant of a security interest in substantially all of their assets to the Lender.
As of September 30, 2024, there were
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
NOTE 13. LEASES
We enter into operating lease contracts primarily for land and office space. Agreements are evaluated at inception to determine whether such arrangements contain a lease. Operating leases include land lease contracts and contracts for the use of office space.
Right of use assets, which we refer to as “ROU assets,” represent the right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent the obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the respective lease term. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Certain of our operating lease agreements include rental payments based on a percentage of revenue and others include rental payments adjusted periodically for inflationary changes. Percentage rent contracts, in which lease expense is calculated as a percentage of advertising revenue, and payments due to changes in inflationary adjustments are included within variable rent expense, which is accounted for separately from periodic straight-line lease expense.
Many of our leases entered into in connection with land provide options to extend the terms of the agreements. Generally, renewal periods are included in minimum lease payments when calculating the lease liabilities as, for most leases, we consider exercise of such options to be reasonably certain. As a result, optional terms and payments are included within the lease liability. Our lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.
The implicit rate within our lease agreements is generally not determinable. As such, we use the incremental borrowing rate, which we refer to as “IBR,” to determine the present value of lease payments at the commencement of the lease. The IBR, as defined in ASC 842, is “the rate of interest that a lessee would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment.”
Operating Lease Cost
Operating lease cost is as follows:
| For the Three Months Ended | For the Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
| September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | Statement of Operations Classification | |||||||||||||
| Lease cost | $ | $ | $ | $ | Cost of billboard revenues and general and administrative | ||||||||||||
| Variable and short-term lease cost | Cost of billboard revenues and general and administrative | ||||||||||||||||
| Total Lease Cost | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||
Supplemental cash flow information related to operating leases is as follows:
| For the Three Months Ended | For the Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||
| September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||||||||
| Cash payments for operating leases | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
| New operating lease assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
NOTE 13. LEASES (Continued)
Operating Lease Assets and Liabilities
| September 30, 2024 | December 31, 2023 | Balance Sheet Classification | |||||||
| Lease assets | $ | $ | Other Assets: Right of use assets | ||||||
| Current lease liabilities | $ | $ | Current Liabilities: Lease liabilities | ||||||
| Noncurrent lease liabilities | Long-term Liabilities: Lease liabilities | ||||||||
| Total Lease Liabilities | $ | $ | |||||||
Maturity of Operating Lease Liabilities
| September 30, 2024 | ||||
| 2025 | $ | |||
| 2026 | ||||
| 2027 | ||||
| 2028 | ||||
| 2029 | ||||
| Thereafter | ||||
| Total lease payments | ||||
| Less imputed interest | ( | ) | ||
| Present Value of Lease Liabilities | $ | |||
As of September 30, 2024, our operating leases have a weighted-average remaining lease term of
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
NOTE 14. INDUSTRY SEGMENTS
This summary presents our current segments, as described below.
General Indemnity Group, LLC
GIG conducts our insurance operations through its subsidiaries, SCS and UCS. Revenue consists of surety bond sales, insurance commissions, and investment and other income. GIG’s corporate resources are used to support SCS and UCS, and to make additional business acquisitions in the insurance industry.
Link Media Holdings, LLC
LMH conducts our billboard rental operations. LMH billboards are located in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Boston Omaha Broadband, LLC
BOB conducts our broadband operations. BOB provides high-speed broadband services to its customers located mainly in Arizona, Florida, Nevada, and Utah.
Boston Omaha Asset Management, LLC
BOAM conducts our asset management operations. We commenced reporting BOAM as a separate segment based on our acquisition of 24th Street Asset Management on May 1, 2023. BOAM’s prior segment information has been retroactively restated as a result of meeting the requirements for segment reporting.
| Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 | GIG | LMH | BOB | BOAM | Unallocated | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Segment gross profit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment income (loss) from operations | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 | GIG | LMH | BOB | BOAM | Unallocated | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Segment gross profit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment income (loss) from operations | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 | GIG | LMH | BOB | BOAM | Unallocated | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Segment gross profit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment income (loss) from operations | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 | GIG | LMH | BOB | BOAM | Unallocated | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Segment gross profit | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Segment income (loss) from operations | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ( | ) | ||||||||||||||||
| Capital expenditures | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
NOTE 14. INDUSTRY SEGMENTS (Continued)
| Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of September 30, 2024 | GIG | LMH | BOB | BOAM | Unallocated | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| As of December 31, 2023 | GIG | LMH | BOB | BOAM | Unallocated | Consolidated | ||||||||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable, net | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Goodwill | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Total assets | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
NOTE 15. RESERVES FOR LOSSES AND LOSS ADJUSTMENT EXPENSES
The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending reserve balances for losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) for the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023:
| 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Gross reserve for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, beginning of year | $ | $ | ||||||
| Less: reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses | ||||||||
| Net reserve for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, beginning of year | ||||||||
| Incurred losses and loss adjustment expenses: | ||||||||
| Current year | ||||||||
| Prior year | ( | ) | ||||||
| Total net losses and loss adjustment expense incurred | ||||||||
| Payments: | ||||||||
| Current year | ||||||||
| Prior year | ||||||||
| Total payments: | ||||||||
| Net reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, end of year | ||||||||
| Reinsurance recoverable on unpaid losses, net of allowance | ||||||||
| Gross reserves for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses, end of year | $ | $ | ||||||
For the nine months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2023 , there was an unfavorable and favorable prior year’s loss development which was the result of a re-estimation of amounts ultimately to be paid on prior year losses and loss adjustment expense. Original estimates are increased or decreased as additional information becomes known regarding individual claims.
NOTE 16. CUSTODIAL RISK
As of September 30, 2024, we had approximately $
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
and SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
NOTE 17. REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTEREST
On April 2, 2024, we entered into agreements with the minority members of each of FIF Utah, LLC and FIF St. George, LLC, entities controlled by us as majority member. Under these agreements, the minority members of each of the entities exchanged their membership interests in the LLCs for unregistered shares of Boston Omaha Class A common stock. Under the securities exchange agreements, Alpine Networks, Inc., a company owned by Steven McGhie, the then Chief Executive Officer of Boston Omaha Broadband, and the sole owner of the minority interest in FIF Utah, LLC, exchanged its approximate
In each transaction, the value for the unregistered Boston Omaha Class A common stock was calculated based on the volume weighted average trading price of a share of Boston Omaha Class A common stock for the 30 trading days ended March 28, 2024 as reported on the New York Stock Exchange. The difference between the fair value of the Class A shares issued and the carrying balance of the noncontrolling interests at the date of the transaction is recorded within additional paid in capital within our consolidated balance sheets.
NOTE 18. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Subsequent to September 30, 2024, Boston Omaha Broadband borrowed $
On October 25, 2024, Sky Harbour completed the initial closing of its previously-announced equity raise, issuing
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT FOR FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and other federal securities laws, PARTICULARLY THOSE ANTICIPATING FUTURE FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE, BUSINESS PROSPECTS, GROWTH, OPERATING STRATEGIES AND SIMILAR MATTERS, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, STATEMENTS CONCERNING OPERATIONS, RESULTS OF OPERATIONS, LIQUIDITY, INVESTMENTS, OUR NEED FOR, AND ABILITY TO OBTAIN, ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR ACQUISITIONS AND POTENTIAL BUSINESS EXPANSION, GENERAL ECONOMIC TRENDS, INFLATIONARY PRESSURES, FINANCIAL CONDITION AND THE IMPACT OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON OUR BUSINESS. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current intent, expectations and projections about future events, and these forward-looking statements are not guaranteed to occur and may not occur. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “intend,” “project,” “contemplate,” “potential,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “continue,” or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. These statements are only predictions. Factors that might cause or contribute to such a discrepancy include, but are not limited to, those described in our other Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
THE OUTCOME OF THE EVENTS DESCRIBED IN THIS REPORT ALSO CONTAINS STATISTICAL AND OTHER INDUSTRY AND MARKET DATA RELATED TO OUR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY THAT WE OBTAINED FROM INDUSTRY PUBLICATIONS AND RESEARCH, SURVEYS AND STUDIES CONDUCTED BY US AND THIRD PARTIES, AS WELL AS OUR ESTIMATES OF POTENTIAL MARKET OPPORTUNITIES. INDUSTRY PUBLICATIONS, THIRD-PARTY AND OUR OWN RESEARCH, SURVEYS AND STUDIES GENERALLY INDICATE THAT THEIR INFORMATION HAS BEEN OBTAINED FROM SOURCES BELIEVED TO BE RELIABLE ALTHOUGH THEY DO NOT GUARANTEE THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF SUCH INFORMATION. THIS MARKET DATA INCLUDES PROJECTIONS THAT ARE BASED ON A NUMBER OF ASSUMPTIONS. IF THESE ASSUMPTIONS TURN OUT TO BE INCORRECT, ACTUAL RESULTS MAY DIFFER FROM THE PROJECTIONS BASED ON THESE ASSUMPTIONS. AS A RESULT, OUR MARKETS MAY NOT GROW AT THE RATES PROJECTED BY THIS DATA, OR AT ALL. THE FAILURE OF THESE MARKETS TO GROW AT THESE PROJECTED RATES MAY HAVE A MATERIAL ADVERSE EFFECT ON OUR BUSINESS, RESULTS OF OPERATIONS, FINANCIAL CONDITION AND THE MARKET PRICE OF OUR CLASS a COMMON STOCK.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our Financial Statements and related Notes thereto included elsewhere in this report. Any of the forward-looking statements that we make in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q and in other public reports and statements we make may turn out to be inaccurate as a result of our beliefs and assumptions we make in connection with the factors set forth above or because of other unidentified and unpredictable factors. IN ADDITION, OUR BUSINESS AND FUTURE RESULTS ARE SUBJECT TO A NUMBER OF OTHER FACTORS, INCLUDING THOSE FACTORS SET FORTH IN THE “risk factors” SECTION OF OUR ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED December 31, 2023 AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (THE “SEC”) ON MARCH 27, 2024. Because of these and other uncertainties, our actual future results may be materially different from the results indicated by these forward-looking statements and you should not rely on such statements. We undertake no obligation to publish revised forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events or circumstances after the date hereof. These risks could cause our actual results for 2024 and beyond to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements by or on behalf of us, and could negatively affect our financial condition, liquidity and operating and stock price performance.
Overview
We are currently engaged in outdoor billboard advertising, broadband services, surety insurance and related brokerage businesses and an asset management business. In addition, we hold minority investments in commercial real estate management and brokerage services, a bank focused on servicing the automotive loan market, and a developer of private aviation infrastructure focused on building, leasing and managing business aviation hangars.
Billboards: In June 2015, we commenced our billboard business operations through acquisitions by Link, our wholly-owned subsidiary, of smaller billboard companies located in the Southeastern United States and Wisconsin. During July and August 2018, we acquired the membership interest or assets of three larger billboard companies which increased our overall billboard count to approximately 2,900 billboards. In addition, we have made several billboard acquisitions on a smaller scale since that date. We believe that we are a leading outdoor billboard advertising company in the markets we serve in the Midwest. As of September 30, 2024, we operate approximately 4,000 billboards with approximately 7,600 advertising faces. One of our principal business objectives is to continue to acquire additional billboard assets through acquisitions of existing billboard businesses in the United States when they can be made at what we believe to be attractive prices relative to other opportunities generally available to us.
Surety Insurance: In September 2015, we established an insurance subsidiary, GIG, designed to own and operate insurance businesses generally handling high volume, lower policy limit commercial lines of property and casualty insurance. In April 2016, our surety insurance business commenced with the acquisition of a surety insurance brokerage business with a national internet-based presence. In December 2016, we completed the acquisition of UCS, a surety insurance company, which at that time was licensed to issue surety bonds in only nine states. UCS now has licenses to operate in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In addition, over the last several years, we have also acquired additional surety insurance brokerage businesses located in various regions of the United States. We may in the future expand the reach of our insurance activities to other forms of insurance which may have similar characteristics to surety, such as high volume and low average policy premium insurance businesses which historically have similar economics.
Broadband Services: In April 2019, we established a broadband subsidiary, Fiber is Fast, LLC, which has changed its name to Boston Omaha Broadband, LLC, which we refer to as "BOB." In March 2020, we commenced our broadband services business with the acquisition of substantially all of the business assets of FibAire, a rural broadband internet provider that served over 8,000 customers in communities in southern Arizona with a high-speed fixed wireless internet service and is building an all fiber-to-the-home network in select Arizona markets. In December 2020, we acquired substantially all of the business assets of UBB, a broadband internet provider that provided high-speed internet to over 10,000 customers throughout Utah. In September 2021, we announced the launch of Fiber Fast Homes, LLC, which we refer to as "FFH," which partners with builders, developers, and build for rent communities to build fiber-to-the-home infrastructure and provide fiber internet service to residents. In April 2022, we acquired substantially all of the business assets of InfoWest and Go Fiber, which we refer to on a combined basis now as "InfoWest," fiber and fixed wireless internet service providers with over 20,000 customers throughout Southern and Central Utah, Northern Arizona, and Moapa Valley, Nevada. In addition, over the last few years, we have also acquired additional smaller broadband businesses located in Utah. As of September 30, 2024, we have approximately 45,600 broadband customers (14,000 fiber subscribers) and 37,200 fiber passings completed. We hope to continue to expand in Arizona, Florida, Nevada, Utah, and other locales.
Investments:
| ● |
Since September 2015, we have made a series of investments in commercial real estate, a commercial real estate management, brokerage and related services business as well as an asset management business. We currently own 30% of Logic. On May 1, 2023, our BOAM subsidiary acquired 100% of the membership interests in 24th Street from the members of 24th Street other than BOAM for cash and BOC Class A common stock valued at $5,016,494 in the aggregate. Prior to the transaction, BOAM indirectly owned 48% of the membership interests of 24th Street. The consideration consisted of $2,759,072 in cash at closing, an additional $1,254,102 in cash subject to holdback, and 45,644 shares of BOC Class A common stock (based on the average closing price of BOC Class A common stock for the 30 business day period ending two days before the closing date). The shares issued in the transaction are unregistered and have no registration rights. The purchase agreement also provides for certain payments based on performance to receive the holdback amount and certain other potential earnout payments. In addition, we have invested, through one of our subsidiaries, an aggregate of $6 million in the 24th Street Funds. These funds are managed by 24th Street and focus on opportunities within secured lending and direct investments in commercial real estate. |
| ● |
In December 2017, we invested $10 million in common units of DFH, the parent company of Dream Finders Homes, LLC, a national home builder. In addition to its homebuilding operations, DFH's subsidiaries provide mortgage loan origination and title insurance services to homebuyers. On January 25, 2021, Dream Finders Homes, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of DFH, completed its initial public offering and Dream Finders Homes, Inc. became a holding company and sole manager of DFH. Upon completion of the initial public offering, our outstanding common units in DFH were converted into 4,681,099 shares of Class A common stock of Dream Finders Homes, Inc., and one of our subsidiaries purchased an additional 120,000 shares of Class A common stock in the initial public offering. Since DFH's initial public offering through December 31, 2022, we have sold all 4,801,099 shares of DFH Class A common stock for gross proceeds of approximately $81 million. |
| ● |
In May 2018, through one of our subsidiaries, we invested approximately $19 million through the purchase of common stock of CB&T, the privately-held parent company of Crescent Bank. Our investment now represents 15.6% of CB&T’s outstanding common stock. Crescent Bank is located in New Orleans and generates the majority of its revenues from indirect subprime automobile lending across the United States. |
| ● |
In October 2020, our subsidiary BOC Yellowstone served as sponsor for the underwritten initial public offering of a special purpose acquisition company named Yellowstone Acquisition Company. Yellowstone sold in its public offering 13,598,898 units at a price of $10.00 per unit, each unit consisting of one share of Class A common stock and a redeemable warrant to purchase one-half of a share of Class A common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share. Between August and November 2020, we invested, through BOC Yellowstone, approximately $7.8 million through the purchase of 3,399,724 shares of Class B common stock and 7,719,779 non-redeemable private placement warrants, each warrant entitling us to purchase one share of Class A common stock at $11.50 per share. In August 2021, Yellowstone entered into a business combination agreement with Sky Harbour LLC, a developer of private aviation infrastructure focused on building, leasing and managing business aviation hangars. The business combination was completed on January 25, 2022 and Yellowstone changed its name to Sky Harbour Group Corporation. Sky Harbour’s Class A common stock trades on the NYSE American under the symbol “SKYH” and its warrants to purchase Class A common stock trade under the symbol “SKYH.WS.” |
| ● |
In September 2021, through one of our subsidiaries, we invested $55 million directly into SHG and received Series B preferred units. Upon the successful consummation of the Sky Harbour business combination, this investment converted into 5,500,000 shares of Sky Harbour's Class A common stock based upon an assumed value of $10.00 per share. In December 2021, we agreed to provide Sky Harbour an additional $45 million through the purchase of 4,500,000 shares of Class A common stock upon the closing of the Sky Harbour business combination, which was consummated in January 2022. During the second quarter of fiscal 2024, we sold 246,389 shares of Sky Harbour Class A common stock for gross proceeds of approximately $2.5 million. As of September 30, 2024, we held 12,440,642 shares of Sky Harbour Class A common stock and 7,719,779 Sky Harbour warrants. |
| ● |
In 2021, we established the BFR Fund subsidiary within BOAM to operate a proposed build-for-rent business, focusing on developing, building, and managing single family detached and/or townhomes for long term rentals. We invested approximately $15 million of capital to finance the initial acquisitions for these projects and subsequently raised third-party capital to be invested alongside our capital. The BFR Fund acquired land parcels in Nevada with the initial plan to develop, construct, and operate build-for-rent communities. However, challenges in the market, including the increase in interest rates and the inability to achieve what we believe are appropriate risk-adjusted returns, have led us to pursue selling the BFR Fund's entitled land assets to public homebuilders. Consequently, we have started to wind down the BFR Fund earlier than originally targeted by returning the uninvested cash on hand to BFR Fund partners and, as we sell the BFR Fund's entitled land assets, returning that capital to BFR Fund partners as well. |
| ● |
In July 2023, we invested approximately $3 million in voting preferred stock of MyBundle.TV Inc., a company serving the broadband industry. |
In each of our businesses, we hope to expand our geographic reach and market share and seek to develop a competitive advantage and/or brand name for our services, which we hope will be a differentiating factor for customers. Our insurance market primarily services small contractors, small and medium-sized businesses and individuals required to provide surety bonds (i) in connection with their work for government agencies and others, (ii) in connection with contractual obligations, or (iii) to meet regulatory requirements and other needs. We have expanded the licensing of the UCS business to all 50 states and the District of Columbia. In outdoor advertising, our plan is to continue to grow this business through acquisitions of billboard assets. We expect to expand our broadband services in Arizona, Florida, Nevada, Utah and in other locations. In the future, we expect to expand the range of services we provide in the insurance sector, seek to continue to expand our billboard operations and broadband services and to possibly consider acquisitions of other businesses, as well as investments, in other sectors, although we expect to place primary emphasis on growing our existing business lines over the next several years. Our decision to expand outside of these current business sectors we serve or in which we have made investments will be based on the opportunity to acquire businesses which we believe provide the potential for sustainable earnings at an attractive level relative to capital employed and, with regard to investment, we believe have the potential to provide attractive returns.
We seek to enter markets where we believe demand for our services will grow in the coming years due to certain barriers to entry and/or to anticipated long-term demand for these services. In the outdoor billboard business, government restrictions often limit the number of additional billboards that may be constructed. At the same time, advances in billboard technology provide the opportunity to improve revenues through the use of digital display technologies and other new technologies. In the surety insurance business, new insurance companies must be licensed by state agencies that impose capital, management and other strict requirements on these insurers. These hurdles are at the individual state level, with statutes often providing wide latitude to regulators to impose judgmental requirements upon new entrants. In addition, new distribution channels in certain areas of surety may provide a new opportunity. In the real estate management services market, we believe the continued growth of commercial real estate in many sections of the United States will provide opportunities for management services for the foreseeable future. We also believe our investment in both CB&T and Sky Harbour has provided each company the opportunity to significantly grow its business. We invest our available capital and the surplus capital from UCS in a wide range of securities, including equity securities of large cap public companies, various corporate and government bonds and U.S. treasuries. In broadband services, we believe that our fiber-to-the-home services can compete with traditional cable operators as broadband provides higher rates of transmission and improved speed to consumers and that, once built, other competitors may be less willing to compete in communities which we serve.
How We Generate Our Revenues and Evaluate Our Business
We currently generate revenues primarily through billboard advertising and related services, from the sale of surety insurance and related brokerage activities, by providing high-speed broadband services, and asset management services. Revenue for outdoor advertising space rental is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract and advertising revenue is reported net of agency commissions. Payments received in advance of being earned are recorded as deferred revenue. In our surety insurance business, premiums written are recognized as revenues based on a pro rata daily calculation over the respective terms of the policies in-force. Unearned premiums represent the portion of premiums written applicable to the unexpired term of the policies in-force. In connection with our surety agency business, insurance commissions are recognized at a point in time, on a bond-by-bond basis as of the policy effective date and are generally nonrefundable. In our broadband business, revenue is derived principally from internet services and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract in the period the services are rendered. Revenue received or receivable in advance of the delivery of services is included in deferred revenue.
Segment gross profit is a key metric that we use to evaluate segment operating performance and to determine resource allocation between segments. We define segment gross profit as segment revenues less segment direct cost of services. In our billboard business, direct cost of services includes land leases, utilities, repairs and maintenance of equipment, sales commissions, contract services, and other billboard level expenses. In our broadband business, direct costs of services includes network operations and data costs, software costs, cell site rent and utilities, and other broadband level expenses. In our surety business, direct cost of services includes commissions, premium taxes, fees and assessments, and losses and loss adjustment expenses.
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2023
The following is a comparison of our results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2024, which we refer to as the “third quarter of fiscal 2024,” compared to the three months ended September 30, 2023, which we refer to as the “third quarter of fiscal 2023.”
Revenues. For the third quarter of fiscal 2024 and the third quarter of fiscal 2023, our revenues in dollars and as a percentage of total revenues were as follows:
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, |
|||||||||||||||||||
| (unaudited) |
|||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 |
2023 |
2024 vs 2023 |
|||||||||||||||||
| As a % of |
As a % of |
||||||||||||||||||
| Total |
Total |
||||||||||||||||||
| Amount |
Revenues |
Amount |
Revenues |
$ Variance |
|||||||||||||||
| Revenues: |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Billboard rentals, net |
$ | 11,503,915 | 41.5% |
$ | 10,891,979 | 44.4% |
$ | 611,936 | |||||||||||
| Broadband services |
9,664,074 | 34.9% |
8,995,678 | 36.6% |
668,396 | ||||||||||||||
| Premiums earned |
5,425,052 | 19.6% |
3,727,219 | 15.2% |
1,697,833 | ||||||||||||||
| Insurance commissions |
520,657 | 1.9% |
378,987 | 1.5% |
141,670 | ||||||||||||||
| Investment and other income |
587,238 | 2.1% |
554,238 | 2.3% |
33,000 | ||||||||||||||
| Total Revenues |
$ | 27,700,936 | 100.0% |
$ | 24,548,101 | 100.0% |
$ | 3,152,835 | |||||||||||
We realized total revenues of $27,700,936 during the third quarter of fiscal 2024, an increase of 12.8% over revenues of $24,548,101 during the third quarter of fiscal 2023. The key factors impacting revenue across each of our businesses during the third quarter of fiscal 2024 were as follows:
| ● |
Net billboard rentals in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 increased 5.6% from the third quarter of fiscal 2023, reflecting an improvement in rental and occupancy rates across a number of our markets. |
| ● |
Revenue from broadband services in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 increased 7.4% from the third quarter of fiscal 2023, mainly reflecting subscriber growth across a number of our markets. |
| ● |
Premiums earned from our UCS insurance subsidiary increased 45.6% in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 when compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2023. The increase in premiums earned was primarily due to increases in production throughout fiscal 2023 and the first nine months of fiscal 2024. We recognize revenues for written premium over the life of the surety bond and, as a result, increased sales activities are not fully reflected in the quarter in which the surety bond is issued. |
| ● |
Revenue from insurance commissions generated by our surety brokerage operations increased by 37.4% in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 when compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2023, mainly due to increased production through outside insurance carriers. |
| ● |
Investment and other income at UCS and BOAM increased from $554,238 in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 to$587,238 in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. |
Expenses. For the third quarter of fiscal 2024 and the third quarter of fiscal 2023, our expenses, in dollars, and as a percentage of total revenues, were as follows:
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, |
||||||||||||||||||||
| (unaudited) |
||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 |
2023 |
2024 vs 2023 |
||||||||||||||||||
| As a % of |
As a % of |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Total |
Total |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Amount |
Revenues |
Amount |
Revenues |
$ Variance |
||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of billboard revenues |
$ | 4,044,700 | 14.6% |
$ | 3,810,639 | 15.5% |
$ | 234,061 | ||||||||||||
| Cost of broadband revenues |
2,405,366 | 8.7% |
2,360,828 | 9.6% |
44,538 | |||||||||||||||
| Cost of insurance revenues |
2,561,996 | 9.2% |
1,822,550 | 7.4% |
739,446 | |||||||||||||||
| Employee costs |
8,311,882 | 30.0% |
8,080,596 | 32.9% |
231,286 | |||||||||||||||
| Professional fees |
1,052,542 | 3.8% |
1,249,036 | 5.1% |
(196,494 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Depreciation |
3,698,488 | 13.4% |
3,105,126 | 12.7% |
593,362 | |||||||||||||||
| Amortization |
1,975,174 | 7.1% |
1,877,884 | 7.7% |
97,290 | |||||||||||||||
| General and administrative |
4,339,357 | 15.7% |
4,198,682 | 17.1% |
140,675 | |||||||||||||||
| (Gain) loss on disposition of assets |
(3,547 | ) | (0.0%) |
(68,366 | ) | (0.3%) |
64,819 | |||||||||||||
| Accretion |
55,000 | 0.2% |
53,855 | 0.2% |
1,145 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Costs and Expenses |
$ | 28,440,958 | 102.7% |
$ | 26,490,830 | 107.9% |
$ | 1,950,128 | ||||||||||||
During the third quarter of fiscal 2024, we had total costs and expenses of $28,440,958, as compared to total costs and expenses of $26,490,830 in the third quarter of fiscal 2023. Total costs and expenses as a percentage of total revenues decreased from 107.9% in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 to 102.7% in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. The key factors impacting costs and expenses across each of our businesses during the third quarter of fiscal 2024 were as follows:
| ● |
Cost of billboard revenues increased as a percentage of billboard revenues from 35.0% in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 to 35.2% in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. The increase was mainly driven by higher commissions paid and other billboard cost of revenues, which was partially offset by lower ground rent expense and utilities expense as a percentage of billboard revenues. |
| ● |
Cost of broadband revenues decreased as a percentage of broadband revenues from 26.2% in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 to 24.9% in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. The decrease was mainly driven by lower commissions paid within other broadband cost of revenues as well as cell site rent and utilities, which was partially offset by higher network operations and data costs as well as software costs as a percentage of broadband revenues. |
| ● |
Cost of insurance revenues decreased as a percentage of insurance revenues from 39.7% in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 to 39.5% in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. The decrease was mainly driven by lower commissions paid and loss and loss adjustment expense, which was partially offset by higher premium taxes, fees, and assessments as a percentage of insurance revenues. |
| ● |
Employee costs in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 were $8,311,882, or 30.0% of total revenues, as compared to $8,080,596, or 32.9% of total revenues, in the third quarter of fiscal 2023. The decrease as a percentage of total revenues was mainly driven by the reduction in headcount within our asset management business and at Boston Omaha's parent company. |
| ● |
Professional fees in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 were $1,052,542, or 3.8% of total revenues, as compared to $1,249,036, or 5.1% of total revenues, in the third quarter of fiscal 2023. The decrease was mainly related to lower acquisition related fees within our billboard business and audit and consulting fees within our insurance business. |
| ● |
General and administrative expenses in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 were $4,339,357, or 15.7% of total revenues, as compared to $4,198,682, or 17.1% of total revenues, in the third quarter of fiscal 2023. The decrease as a percentage of total revenues was mainly driven by higher organic revenue growth within our billboard, broadband and insurance businesses. |
| ● |
Non-cash expenses in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 included $3,698,488 in depreciation expense, $1,975,174 in amortization expense, and $55,000 in accretion expense mainly related to asset retirement obligations for certain billboard assets. The increase in depreciation expense is mainly driven by continued capital investments within our broadband businesses. |
Net Loss from Operations. Net loss from operations for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 was $740,022, or 2.7% of total revenues, as compared to a net loss from operations of $1,942,729, or 7.9% of total revenues, in the third quarter of fiscal 2023. The decrease in net loss from operations was primarily due to improved operations within our billboard, broadband and insurance businesses as well as lower expenses within our asset management business, which were partially offset by an increase in depreciation expense related to continued capital investments within our broadband businesses. Our net loss from operations included $5,728,662 from non-cash depreciation, amortization and accretion expenses in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, as compared to $5,036,865 in the third quarter of fiscal 2023.
Other Expense. During the third quarter of fiscal 2024, we had net other expense of $1,065,883. Net other expense included non-cash losses of $9,358,783 from unconsolidated affiliates mainly related to our share of Sky Harbour's loss from operations during the third quarter of fiscal 2024, which we account for under the equity method, and interest expense of $466,744 mainly incurred under Link's term loan and revolver. These items were partially offset by $8,428,017 in other investment income mainly driven by a $7,796,977 unrealized gain on the Sky Harbour warrants held by Boston Omaha and other investment income of $599,084 primarily related to changes in the fair value of the 24th Street Funds mainly driven by the underlying real estate properties, and interest and dividend income of $331,627. During the third quarter of fiscal 2023, we had net other expense of $1,230,036, which included other investment losses of $1,894,969 mainly related to the Sky Harbour warrants held by Boston Omaha and the impact of the changes in fair value of the 24th Street Funds, interest expense of $287,084 mainly incurred under Link's term loan and a loss of $125,970 mainly related to our equity method position in Sky Harbour. These items were partially offset by interest and dividend income of $1,077,987.
Generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requires us to include the unrealized changes in market prices of investments in public equity securities in our reported earnings. Due to the size of our percentage ownership interest in Sky Harbour's Class A common stock and our right to elect one of the seven members of Sky Harbour's Board of Directors, our investment is recorded under the equity method and we do not include any unrealized gains or losses related to the change in Sky Harbour's stock price in our reported earnings. In the future, if we are deemed to no longer have significant influence, we may no longer be able to record our investment under the equity method and will be required to include any unrealized gains or losses related to the change in Sky Harbour's stock price in our reported earnings. While we intend to hold our current securities for the longer term, we may in the future choose to sell them for a variety of reasons resulting in realized losses or gains.
Additionally, we have evaluated our investment in Sky Harbour as of September 30, 2024, and determined that there was not an other-than-temporary impairment. Our conclusion was based on several contributing factors, including: (i) our assessment that the underlying business and financial condition of Sky Harbour is favorable, (ii) Sky Harbour's stock price trading above our carrying value for an extended period of time, and (iii) our ability and intent to hold the investment. We will continue to review our investment in Sky Harbour for an other-than-temporary impairment on a quarterly basis or upon the occurrence of certain events. If Sky Harbour's stock price drops below our carrying value of $5.86 per share for a sustained period of time, it will likely result in an impairment of our investment. There may also be a future impairment of our investment if our expectations about Sky Harbour's prospective results of operations and cash flows decline, which could be influenced by a variety of factors including adverse market conditions.
Net Loss Attributable to Common Stockholders. We had a net loss attributable to common stockholders in the amount of $1,595,136 in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, or a loss per share of $0.05, based on 31,432,515 diluted weighted average shares outstanding. This is compared to a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $1,642,506 in the third quarter of fiscal 2023, or a loss per share of $0.05, based on 31,370,760 diluted weighted average shares outstanding.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023
The following is a comparison of our results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, which we refer to as the “first nine months of fiscal 2024,” compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2023, which we refer to as the “first nine months of fiscal 2023.”
Revenues. For the first nine months of fiscal 2024 and the first nine months of fiscal 2023, our revenues in dollars and as a percentage of total revenues were as follows:
| For the Nine Months Ended September 30, |
||||||||||||||||||||
| (unaudited) |
||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 |
2023 |
2024 vs 2023 |
||||||||||||||||||
| As a % of |
As a % of |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Total |
Total |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Amount |
Revenues |
Amount |
Revenues |
$ Variance |
||||||||||||||||
| Revenues: |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Billboard rentals, net |
$ | 33,638,043 | 41.9% |
$ | 32,029,726 | 44.8% |
$ | 1,608,317 | ||||||||||||
| Broadband services |
29,135,486 | 36.3% |
26,230,819 | 36.6% |
2,904,667 | |||||||||||||||
| Premiums earned |
14,165,167 | 17.6% |
10,293,119 | 14.4% |
3,872,048 | |||||||||||||||
| Insurance commissions |
1,550,400 | 1.9% |
1,449,653 | 2.0% |
100,747 | |||||||||||||||
| Investment and other income |
1,852,354 | 2.3% |
1,576,963 | 2.2% |
275,391 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Revenues |
$ | 80,341,450 | 100.0% |
$ | 71,580,280 | 100.0% |
$ | 8,761,170 | ||||||||||||
We realized total revenues of $80,341,450 during the first nine months of fiscal 2024, an increase of 12.2% over revenues of $71,580,280 during the first nine months of fiscal 2023. The key factors impacting revenue across each of our businesses during the first nine months of fiscal 2024 were as follows:
| ● |
Net billboard rentals in the first nine months of fiscal 2024 increased 5.0% from the first nine months of fiscal 2023, reflecting an improvement in rental and occupancy rates across a number of our markets. |
| ● |
Revenue from broadband services in the first nine months of fiscal 2024 increased 11.1% from the first nine months of fiscal 2023, mainly reflecting subscriber growth across a number of our markets. |
| ● |
Premiums earned from our UCS insurance subsidiary increased 37.6% in the first nine months of fiscal 2024 when compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2023. The increase in premiums earned was primarily due to increases in production throughout fiscal 2023 and the first nine months of fiscal 2024. We recognize revenues for written premium over the life of the surety bond and, as a result, increased sales activities are not fully reflected in the quarter in which the surety bond is issued. |
| ● |
Revenue from insurance commissions generated by our surety brokerage operations increased by 6.9% in the first nine months of fiscal 2024 when compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2023, mainly due to increased production through outside insurance carriers. |
| ● |
Investment and other income at UCS and BOAM increased from $1,576,963 in the first nine months of fiscal 2023 to$1,852,354 in the first nine months of fiscal 2024, mainly due to the increase in interest rates over the past several quarters for assets held by UCS and the consolidation of 24th Street during the second quarter of fiscal 2023. |
Expenses. For the first nine months of fiscal 2024 and the first nine months of fiscal 2023, our expenses, in dollars, and as a percentage of total revenues, were as follows:
| For the Nine Months Ended September 30, |
||||||||||||||||||||
| (unaudited) |
||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 |
2023 |
2024 vs 2023 |
||||||||||||||||||
| As a % of |
As a % of |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Total |
Total |
|||||||||||||||||||
| Amount |
Revenues |
Amount |
Revenues |
$ Variance |
||||||||||||||||
| Costs and Expenses: |
||||||||||||||||||||
| Cost of billboard revenues |
$ | 11,716,141 | 14.6% |
$ | 11,426,927 | 16.0% |
$ | 289,214 | ||||||||||||
| Cost of broadband revenues |
7,378,929 | 9.2% |
7,217,354 | 10.1% |
161,575 | |||||||||||||||
| Cost of insurance revenues |
6,724,581 | 8.4% |
5,131,960 | 7.2% |
1,592,621 | |||||||||||||||
| Employee costs |
28,764,730 | 35.8% |
24,031,413 | 33.6% |
4,733,317 | |||||||||||||||
| Professional fees |
3,909,612 | 4.9% |
3,821,524 | 5.4% |
88,088 | |||||||||||||||
| Depreciation |
10,721,927 | 13.3% |
8,825,619 | 12.3% |
1,896,308 | |||||||||||||||
| Amortization |
5,746,002 | 7.2% |
5,510,794 | 7.7% |
235,208 | |||||||||||||||
| General and administrative |
12,400,843 | 15.4% |
12,124,128 | 16.9% |
276,715 | |||||||||||||||
| Loss (gain) on disposition of assets |
9,798 | 0.0% |
(108,515 | ) | (0.2%) |
118,313 | ||||||||||||||
| Accretion |
163,805 | 0.2% |
161,501 | 0.2% |
2,304 | |||||||||||||||
| Total Costs and Expenses |
$ | 87,536,368 | 109.0% |
$ | 78,142,705 | 109.2% |
$ | 9,393,663 | ||||||||||||
During the first nine months of fiscal 2024, we had total costs and expenses of $87,536,368, as compared to total costs and expenses of $78,142,705 in the first nine months of fiscal 2023. Total costs and expenses as a percentage of total revenues decreased from 109.2% in the first nine months of fiscal 2023 to 109.0% in the first nine months of fiscal 2024. The key factors impacting costs and expenses across each of our businesses during the first nine months of fiscal 2024 were as follows:
| ● |
Cost of billboard revenues decreased as a percentage of billboard revenues from 35.7% in the first nine months of fiscal 2023 to 34.8% in the first nine months of fiscal 2024. The decrease was mainly driven by lower ground rent expense and other billboard cost of revenues as a percentage of billboard revenues. |
| ● |
Cost of broadband revenues decreased as a percentage of broadband revenues from 27.5% in the first nine months of fiscal 2023 to 25.3% in the first nine months of fiscal 2024. The decrease was mainly driven by lower commissions paid within other broadband cost of revenues as well as reduced maintenance costs and cell site rent related to our fixed wireless networks as a percentage of broadband revenues. |
| ● |
Cost of insurance revenues decreased as a percentage of insurance revenues from 39.2% in the first nine months of fiscal 2023 to 38.8% in the first nine months of fiscal 2024. The decrease was mainly driven by lower loss and loss adjustment expense as a percentage of insurance revenues, which was partially offset by commissions paid increasing from 22.8% in the first nine months of fiscal 2023 to 23.4% in the first nine months of fiscal 2024. |
| ● |
Employee costs in the first nine months of fiscal 2024 were $28,764,730, or 35.8% of total revenues, as compared to $24,031,413, or 33.6% of total revenues, in the first nine months of fiscal 2023. The increase as a percentage of total revenues was mainly driven by one-time severance and bonus payments to our former Co-CEO as a part of his separation and stock repurchase agreement. Excluding the one-time severance and bonus payments, employee costs would have been 31.6% of total revenues in the first nine months of fiscal 2024. |
| ● |
Professional fees in the first nine months of fiscal 2024 were $3,909,612, or 4.9% of total revenues, as compared to $3,821,524, or 5.4% of total revenues, in the first nine months of fiscal 2023. |
| ● |
General and administrative expenses in the first nine months of fiscal 2024 were $12,400,843, or 15.4% of total revenues, as compared to $12,124,128, or 16.9% of total revenues, in the first nine months of fiscal 2023. The decrease as a percentage of total revenues was mainly driven by higher organic revenue growth within our billboard, broadband and insurance businesses as well as lower general and administrative expenses at Boston Omaha's parent company. |
| ● |
Non-cash expenses in the first nine months of fiscal 2024 included $10,721,927 in depreciation expense, $5,746,002 in amortization expense, and $163,805 in accretion expense mainly related to asset retirement obligations for certain billboard assets. The increase in depreciation expense is mainly driven by continued capital investments within our broadband businesses. |
Net Loss from Operations. Net loss from operations for the first nine months of fiscal 2024 was $7,194,918, or 9.0% of total revenues, as compared to a net loss from operations of $6,562,425, or 9.2% of total revenues, in the first nine months of fiscal 2023. The increase in net loss from operations was primarily due to one-time costs associated with our former Co-CEO's separation and stock repurchase agreement and an increase in depreciation expense related to continued capital investments within our broadband businesses, which were partially offset by improved operations within our billboard, broadband and insurance businesses. Our net loss from operations included $16,631,734 from non-cash depreciation, amortization and accretion expenses in the first nine months of fiscal 2024, as compared to $14,497,914 in the first nine months of fiscal 2023.
Other (Expense) Income. During the first nine months of fiscal 2024, we had net other expense of $834,439. Net other expense included non-cash losses of $16,573,011 from unconsolidated affiliates mainly related to our share of Sky Harbour's loss from operations during the first nine months of fiscal 2024, which we account for under the equity method, and interest expense of $1,117,147 mainly incurred under Link's term loan and revolver. These items were partially offset by $15,671,077 in other investment income mainly driven by a $11,811,262 unrealized gain on the Sky Harbour warrants held by Boston Omaha, $1,957,056 in non-cash gains associated with the transfer of Sky Harbour Class A common stock to our former Co-CEO as a part of his separation and stock repurchase agreement, $894,324 in realized gains on the sale of 246,389 shares of Sky Harbour Class A common stock, and other investment income of $627,937 primarily related to changes in the fair value of the BFR Fund mainly driven by the underlying real estate properties, and interest and dividend income of $1,184,642. During the first nine months of fiscal 2023, we had net other income of $12,864, which included interest and dividend income of $1,920,943 and equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates of $244,476 mainly related to $4,630,610 in non-cash gains recognized in May 2023 due to our purchase of the membership interests in 24th Street held by third parties resulting in a remeasurement of our previously-held interest in 24th Street, which was almost completely offset by our share of Sky Harbour's loss from operations during the first nine months of fiscal 2023, which we account for under the equity method. These items were partially offset by $1,289,754 in other investment losses mainly related to the changes in fair value of the 24th Street Funds and interest expense of $862,801 mainly incurred under Link's term loan.
Generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requires us to include the unrealized changes in market prices of investments in public equity securities in our reported earnings. Due to the size of our percentage ownership interest in Sky Harbour's Class A common stock and our right to elect one of the seven members of Sky Harbour's Board of Directors, our investment is recorded under the equity method and we do not include any unrealized gains or losses related to the change in Sky Harbour's stock price in our reported earnings. In the future, if we are deemed to no longer have significant influence, we may no longer be able to record our investment under the equity method and will be required to include any unrealized gains or losses related to the change in Sky Harbour's stock price in our reported earnings. While we intend to hold our current securities for the longer term, we may in the future choose to sell them for a variety of reasons resulting in realized losses or gains.
Additionally, we have evaluated our investment in Sky Harbour as of September 30, 2024, and determined that there was not an other-than-temporary impairment. Our conclusion was based on several contributing factors, including: (i) our assessment that the underlying business and financial condition of Sky Harbour is favorable, (ii) Sky Harbour's stock price trading above our carrying value for an extended period of time, and (iii) our ability and intent to hold the investment. We will continue to review our investment in Sky Harbour for an other-than-temporary impairment on a quarterly basis or upon the occurrence of certain events. If Sky Harbour's stock price drops below our carrying value of $5.86 per share for a sustained period of time, it will likely result in an impairment of our investment. There may also be a future impairment of our investment if our expectations about Sky Harbour's prospective results of operations and cash flows decline, which could be influenced by a variety of factors including adverse market conditions.
Net Loss Attributable to Common Stockholders. We had a net loss attributable to common stockholders in the amount of $6,638,436 in the first nine months of fiscal 2024, or a loss per share of $0.21, based on 31,539,809 diluted weighted average shares outstanding. This is compared to a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $3,422,048 in the first nine months of fiscal 2023, or a loss per share of $0.11, based on 31,021,126 diluted weighted average shares outstanding.
Results of Operations by Segment
The following tables report results for the following four segments in which we operate: billboards, broadband, insurance and asset management for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 and the third quarter of fiscal 2023:
Results of Billboard Operations
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, |
||||||||||||||
| (unaudited) |
||||||||||||||
| 2024 |
2023 |
|||||||||||||
| As a % of |
As a % of |
|||||||||||||
| Segment |
Segment |
|||||||||||||
| Operating |
Operating |
|||||||||||||
| Amount |
Revenues |
Amount |
Revenues |
|||||||||||
| Operating Revenues |
||||||||||||||
| Billboard rentals, net |
$ | 11,503,915 | 100.0% |
$ | 10,891,979 | 100.0% |
||||||||
| Cost of Revenues |
||||||||||||||
| Ground rents |
2,154,293 | 18.7% |
2,054,277 | 18.9% |
||||||||||
| Utilities |
454,506 | 4.0% |
457,091 | 4.2% |
||||||||||
| Commissions paid |
929,737 | 8.1% |
849,740 | 7.8% |
||||||||||
| Other costs of revenues |
506,164 | 4.4% |
449,531 | 4.1% |
||||||||||
| Total cost of revenues |
4,044,700 | 35.2% |
3,810,639 | 35.0% |
||||||||||
| Gross margin |
7,459,215 | 64.8% |
7,081,340 | 65.0% |
||||||||||
| Other Operating Expenses |
||||||||||||||
| Employee costs |
1,886,778 | 16.4% |
1,734,277 | 15.9% |
||||||||||
| Professional fees |
31,424 | 0.3% |
226,060 | 2.1% |
||||||||||
| Depreciation |
1,300,362 | 11.3% |
1,309,955 | 12.0% |
||||||||||
| Amortization |
981,250 | 8.5% |
994,173 | 9.1% |
||||||||||
| General and administrative |
1,012,564 | 8.8% |
999,080 | 9.2% |
||||||||||
| Accretion |
51,528 | 0.5% |
40,037 | 0.4% |
||||||||||
| Loss on disposition of assets |
46,958 | 0.4% |
16,098 | 0.1% |
||||||||||
| Total expenses |
5,310,864 | 46.2% |
5,319,680 | 48.8% |
||||||||||
| Segment Income from Operations |
2,148,351 | 18.6% |
1,761,660 | 16.2% |
||||||||||
| Interest expense, net |
(431,155 | ) | (3.7%) |
(219,510 | ) | (2.0%) |
||||||||
| Other investment income |
- | - |
- | - |
||||||||||
| Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders |
$ | 1,717,196 | 14.9% |
$ | 1,542,150 | 14.2% |
||||||||
Comparison of the Third Quarter of Fiscal 2024 to the Third Quarter of Fiscal 2023. In the third quarter of fiscal 2024, there was a 5.6% increase in net billboard revenues from the third quarter of fiscal 2023, reflecting an improvement in rental and occupancy rates across a number of our markets. The key factors affecting our billboard operations results during the third quarter of fiscal 2024 were as follows:
| ● |
Ground rent expense decreased as a percentage of total segment operating revenues from 18.9% in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 to 18.7% in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. |
| ● |
Commissions paid as a percentage of total segment operating revenues increased from 7.8% in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 to 8.1% in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. |
| ● |
Employee costs as a percentage of total segment operating revenues increased from 15.9% in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 to 16.4% in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. |
| ● |
General and administrative expenses decreased as a percentage of total segment operating revenues from 9.2% in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 to 8.8% in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. The decrease is mainly driven by lower credit card and merchant fees. |
| ● |
Depreciation and amortization expenses as a percentage of total segment operating revenues decreased slightly from 12.0% and 9.1% in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 to 11.3% and 8.5% in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, respectively. |
| ● |
Net interest expense was $431,155 in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 compared to net interest expense of $219,510 in the third quarter of fiscal 2023. The increase is mainly driven by the additional borrowings on the revolving line of credit. |
Results of Broadband Operations
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, |
||||||||||||||
| (unaudited) |
||||||||||||||
| 2024 |
2023 |
|||||||||||||
| As a % of |
As a % of |
|||||||||||||
| Segment |
Segment |
|||||||||||||
| Operating |
Operating |
|||||||||||||
| Amount |
Revenues |
Amount |
Revenues |
|||||||||||
| Operating Revenues |
||||||||||||||
| Broadband revenues |
$ | 9,664,074 | 100.0% |
$ | 8,995,678 | 100.0% |
||||||||
| Cost of Revenues |
||||||||||||||
| Network operations and data costs |
1,317,577 | 13.7% |
1,110,761 | 12.3% |
||||||||||
| Software costs |
203,464 | 2.1% |
149,850 | 1.7% |
||||||||||
| Cell site rent and utilities |
359,793 | 3.7% |
362,328 | 4.0% |
||||||||||
| Other costs of revenues |
524,532 | 5.4% |
737,889 | 8.2% |
||||||||||
| Total cost of revenues |
2,405,366 | 24.9% |
2,360,828 | 26.2% |
||||||||||
| Gross margin |
7,258,708 | 75.1% |
6,634,850 | 73.8% |
||||||||||
| Other Operating Expenses |
||||||||||||||
| Employee costs |
3,801,591 | 39.3% |
3,549,712 | 39.5% |
||||||||||
| Professional fees |
231,139 | 2.4% |
216,977 | 2.4% |
||||||||||
| Depreciation |
2,325,518 | 24.1% |
1,728,570 | 19.2% |
||||||||||
| Amortization |
910,730 | 9.4% |
843,649 | 9.4% |
||||||||||
| General and administrative |
1,915,429 | 19.8% |
1,815,149 | 20.2% |
||||||||||
| Accretion |
3,472 | 0.0% |
13,818 | 0.1% |
||||||||||
| Gain on disposition of assets |
(50,505 | ) | (0.5%) |
(84,464 | ) | (0.9%) |
||||||||
| Total expenses |
9,137,374 | 94.5% |
8,083,411 | 89.9% |
||||||||||
| Segment Loss from Operations |
(1,878,666 | ) | (19.4%) |
(1,448,561 | ) | (16.1%) |
||||||||
| Interest (expense) income, net |
(1,234 | ) | (0.0%) |
6,649 | 0.1% |
|||||||||
| Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary loss |
- | - |
2,650 | 0.0% |
||||||||||
| Net Loss Attributable to Common Stockholders |
$ | (1,879,900 | ) | (19.4%) |
$ | (1,439,262 | ) | (16.0%) |
||||||
Comparison of the Third Quarter of Fiscal 2024 to the Third Quarter of Fiscal 2023. In the third quarter of fiscal 2024, total operating revenues increased by 7.4% when compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2023 mainly reflecting subscriber growth across a number of our markets. The key factors affecting our broadband operations results during the third quarter of fiscal 2024 were as follows:
| ● |
Network operations and data costs as a percentage of total segment operating revenues increased from 12.3% in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 to 13.7% in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 primarily driven by higher data costs associated with the expansion of our fiber networks as well as increased maintenance costs related to our fixed wireless networks as a percentage of broadband revenues. |
| ● |
Other costs of revenues as a percentage of total segment operating revenues decreased from 8.2% in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 to 5.4% in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 primarily driven by lower commissions paid. |
| ● |
Employee costs as a percentage of total segment operating revenues decreased from 39.5% in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 to 39.3% in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. |
| ● |
Professional fees as a percentage of total segment operating revenues stayed flat at 2.4% in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 and the third quarter of fiscal 2024. |
| ● |
General and administrative expenses as a percentage of total segment operating revenues decreased from 20.2% in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 to 19.8% in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. |
| ● |
Depreciation and amortization expenses increased by $596,948 and $67,081, respectively, from the third quarter of fiscal 2023. The increase in depreciation expense is mainly driven by continued capital investments across all of our broadband businesses. |
Results of Insurance Operations
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, |
||||||||||||||
| (unaudited) |
||||||||||||||
| 2024 |
2023 |
|||||||||||||
| As a % of |
As a % of |
|||||||||||||
| Segment |
Segment |
|||||||||||||
| Operating |
Operating |
|||||||||||||
| Amount |
Revenues |
Amount |
Revenues |
|||||||||||
| Operating Revenues |
||||||||||||||
| Premiums earned |
$ | 5,425,052 | 83.7% |
$ | 3,727,219 | 81.2% |
||||||||
| Insurance commissions |
520,657 | 8.0% |
378,987 | 8.3% |
||||||||||
| Investment and other income |
539,682 | 8.3% |
480,698 | 10.5% |
||||||||||
| Total operating revenues |
6,485,391 | 100.0% |
4,586,904 | 100.0% |
||||||||||
| Cost of Revenues |
||||||||||||||
| Commissions paid |
1,481,010 | 22.8% |
1,067,069 | 23.3% |
||||||||||
| Premium taxes, fees, and assessments |
146,456 | 2.3% |
79,375 | 1.7% |
||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expense |
934,530 | 14.4% |
676,106 | 14.7% |
||||||||||
| Total cost of revenues |
2,561,996 | 39.5% |
1,822,550 | 39.7% |
||||||||||
| Gross margin |
3,923,395 | 60.5% |
2,764,354 | 60.3% |
||||||||||
| Other Operating Expenses |
||||||||||||||
| Employee costs |
2,271,693 | 35.0% |
1,707,166 | 37.2% |
||||||||||
| Professional fees |
58,855 | 0.9% |
177,027 | 3.9% |
||||||||||
| Depreciation |
44,732 | 0.7% |
38,809 | 0.8% |
||||||||||
| Amortization |
40,062 | 0.6% |
40,062 | 0.9% |
||||||||||
| General and administrative |
703,640 | 10.9% |
479,744 | 10.5% |
||||||||||
| Total expenses |
3,118,982 | 48.1% |
2,442,808 | 53.3% |
||||||||||
| Segment Income from Operations |
804,413 | 12.4% |
321,546 | 7.0% |
||||||||||
| Interest expense, net |
- | - |
- | - |
||||||||||
| Other investment income (loss) |
63,481 | 1.0% |
(63,572 | ) | (1.4%) |
|||||||||
| Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders |
$ | 867,894 | 13.4% |
$ | 257,974 | 5.6% |
||||||||
Comparison of the Third Quarter of Fiscal 2024 to the Third Quarter of Fiscal 2023. In the third quarter of fiscal 2024, total operating revenues increased by 41.4% when compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2023, mainly due to increased earned premium at our UCS insurance subsidiary. The key factors affecting our insurance operations results during the third quarter of fiscal 2024 were as follows:
| ● |
Premiums earned from our UCS insurance subsidiary increased 45.6% in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 when compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2023. The increase in premiums earned was primarily due to increases in production throughout fiscal 2023 and the first nine months of fiscal 2024. We recognize revenues for written premium over the life of the surety bond and, as a result, increased sales activities are not fully reflected in the quarter in which the surety bond is issued. |
| ● |
Insurance commissions generated by our surety brokerage operations increased by 37.4% in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 when compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2023, mainly due to increased production through outside insurance carriers. |
| ● |
Investment and other income at UCS increased from $480,698 in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 to $539,682 in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, mainly due to the increase in interest rates over the past several quarters. |
| ● |
Commissions paid as a percentage of total segment operating revenues decreased from 23.3% in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 to 22.8% in the third quarter of fiscal 2024, mainly driven by a subset of premiums and commissions ceded to reinsurers. |
| ● |
Losses and loss adjustment expenses as a percentage of total segment operating revenues decreased from 14.7% in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 to 14.4% in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. Losses and loss adjustment expenses are reserved monthly based on a percentage of earned premium. |
| ● |
Employee costs as a percentage of total segment operating revenues decreased from 37.2% in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 to 35.0% in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. The decrease is due to organic revenue growth within our insurance businesses. |
| ● |
General and administrative expenses as a percentage of total segment operating revenues increased from 10.5% in the third quarter of fiscal 2023 to 10.9% in the third quarter of fiscal 2024. |
| ● |
During the third quarter of fiscal 2024, our segment income from insurance operations of $804,413 was increased by other investment income of $63,481 mainly from unrealized gains on our investments in publicly held securities. As of September 30, 2024, UCS had $2,447,497 in publicly held securities. We expect to continue to invest a portion of our excess capital in accordance with insurance regulatory limitations in both large-cap publicly traded equity securities and bonds. These investments are subject to the risk of loss in value depending upon market conditions and factors outside of our control. |
Results of Asset Management Operations
| For the Three Months Ended September 30, |
||||||||||||||||
| (unaudited) |
||||||||||||||||
| 2024 |
2023 |
|||||||||||||||
| As a % of |
As a % of |
|||||||||||||||
| Segment |
Segment |
|||||||||||||||
| Operating |
Operating |
|||||||||||||||
| Amount |
Revenues |
Amount |
Revenues |
|||||||||||||
| Operating Revenues |
||||||||||||||||
| Investment and other income |
$ | 47,556 | 100.0% |
$ | 73,540 | 100.0% |
||||||||||
| Cost of Revenues |
||||||||||||||||
| Total cost of revenues |
- | - | - | - |
||||||||||||
| Gross margin |
47,556 | 100.0% |
73,540 | 100.0% |
||||||||||||
| Other Operating Expenses |
||||||||||||||||
| Employee costs |
462 | 1.0% |
532,495 | 724.1% |
||||||||||||
| Professional fees |
114,817 | 241.4% |
87,304 | 118.7% |
||||||||||||
| Depreciation |
- | - | - | - |
||||||||||||
| Amortization |
- | - | - | - |
||||||||||||
| General and administrative |
246,694 | 518.8% |
288,942 | 392.9% |
||||||||||||
| Total expenses |
361,973 | 761.2% |
908,741 | 1235.7% |
||||||||||||
| Segment Loss from Operations |
(314,417 | ) | (661.2%) |
(835,201 | ) | (1135.7%) |
||||||||||
| Interest and dividend income |
45,114 | 94.9% |
579,422 | 787.9% |
||||||||||||
| Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates |
- | - | - | - |
||||||||||||
| Other investment income (loss) |
599,084 | 1259.8% |
(1,031,350 | ) | (1402.4%) |
|||||||||||
| Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary (income) loss |
(322,375 | ) | (677.9%) |
810,013 | 1101.4% |
|||||||||||
| Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders |
$ | 7,406 | 15.6% |
$ | (477,116 | ) | (648.8%) |
|||||||||
Comparison of the Third Quarter of Fiscal 2024 to the Third Quarter of Fiscal 2023. In September 2017, we formed our asset management business. Throughout fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2023 we had been hiring within our asset management business to ensure adequate staffing for the anticipated demands and needs of the business. In May 2023, we acquired 100% of the membership interests in 24th Street from the members of 24th Street other than BOAM. As previously mentioned, we are winding down BOAM's operations and implemented cost-cutting measures. Therefore, comparisons of our asset management results for the third quarter of fiscal 2024 to the third quarter of fiscal 2023 may not be meaningful. The key factors affecting our asset management operations results during the third quarter of fiscal 2024 were as follows:
| ● |
Employee costs in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 were almost completely removed as we wind down BOAM's operations and implemented cost-cutting measures. |
| ● |
Professional fees in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 increased by $27,513 from the third quarter of fiscal 2023 mainly due to fund related audit fees. |
| ● |
General and administrative expenses in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 decreased by 14.6% from the third quarter of fiscal 2023. |
| ● |
Interest and dividend income decreased by $534,308 in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 when compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2023. The decrease is mainly related to the distribution of excess cash in the 24th Street Funds and BFR Fund back to limited partners during the second quarter of fiscal 2024. |
| ● |
Other investment income in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 primarily included the changes in the fair value of the 24th Street Funds mainly driven by the underlying real estate properties. |
| ● |
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary income in the third quarter of fiscal 2024 primarily included the external limited partners' share of GAAP income within the 24th Street Funds, mainly driven by the change in fair value referenced above. |
Results of Operations by Segment
The following tables report results for the following four segments in which we operate: billboards, broadband, insurance and asset management for the first nine months of fiscal 2024 and the first nine months of fiscal 2023:
Results of Billboard Operations
| For the Nine Months Ended September 30, |
||||||||||||||
| (unaudited) |
||||||||||||||
| 2024 |
2023 |
|||||||||||||
| As a % of |
As a % of |
|||||||||||||
| Segment |
Segment |
|||||||||||||
| Operating |
Operating |
|||||||||||||
| Amount |
Revenues |
Amount |
Revenues |
|||||||||||
| Operating Revenues |
||||||||||||||
| Billboard rentals, net |
$ | 33,638,043 | 100.0% |
$ | 32,029,726 | 100.0% |
||||||||
| Cost of Revenues |
||||||||||||||
| Ground rents |
6,256,019 | 18.6% |
6,051,985 | 18.9% |
||||||||||
| Utilities |
1,375,834 | 4.1% |
1,340,492 | 4.2% |
||||||||||
| Commissions paid |
2,682,753 | 8.0% |
2,540,542 | 7.9% |
||||||||||
| Other costs of revenues |
1,401,535 | 4.1% |
1,493,908 | 4.7% |
||||||||||
| Total cost of revenues |
11,716,141 | 34.8% |
11,426,927 | 35.7% |
||||||||||
| Gross margin |
21,921,902 | 65.2% |
20,602,799 | 64.3% |
||||||||||
| Other Operating Expenses |
||||||||||||||
| Employee costs |
5,674,177 | 16.9% |
5,364,759 | 16.7% |
||||||||||
| Professional fees |
174,099 | 0.5% |
695,998 | 2.2% |
||||||||||
| Depreciation |
3,852,128 | 11.4% |
3,814,282 | 11.9% |
||||||||||
| Amortization |
2,921,821 | 8.7% |
2,950,130 | 9.2% |
||||||||||
| General and administrative |
2,981,827 | 8.9% |
2,946,921 | 9.2% |
||||||||||
| Accretion |
153,464 | 0.5% |
147,683 | 0.5% |
||||||||||
| Loss on disposition of assets |
94,399 | 0.3% |
8,469 | 0.0% |
||||||||||
| Total expenses |
15,851,915 | 47.2% |
15,928,242 | 49.7% |
||||||||||
| Segment Income from Operations |
6,069,987 | 18.0% |
4,674,557 | 14.6% |
||||||||||
| Interest expense, net |
(1,016,886 | ) | (3.0%) |
(707,498 | ) | (2.2%) |
||||||||
| Other investment income |
- | - | - | - |
||||||||||
| Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders |
$ | 5,053,101 | 15.0% |
$ | 3,967,059 | 12.4% |
||||||||
Comparison of the First Nine months of Fiscal 2024 to the First Nine of Fiscal 2023. In the first nine months of fiscal 2024, there was a 5.0% increase in net billboard revenues from the first nine months of fiscal 2023, reflecting an improvement in rental and occupancy rates across a number of our markets. The key factors affecting our billboard operations results during the first nine months of fiscal 2024 were as follows:
| ● |
Ground rent expense decreased as a percentage of total segment operating revenues from 18.9% in the first nine months of fiscal 2023 to 18.6% in the first nine months of fiscal 2024. |
| ● |
Commissions paid as a percentage of total segment operating revenues increased from 7.9% in the first nine months of fiscal 2023 to 8.0% in the first nine months of fiscal 2024. |
| ● |
Employee costs as a percentage of total segment operating revenues increased from 16.7% in the first nine months of fiscal 2023 to 16.9% in the first nine months of fiscal 2024. |
| ● |
General and administrative expenses decreased as a percentage of total segment operating revenues from 9.2% in the first nine months of fiscal 2023 to 8.9% in the first nine months of fiscal 2024. |
| ● |
Depreciation and amortization expenses as a percentage of total segment operating revenues decreased slightly from 11.9% and 9.2% in the first nine months of fiscal 2023 to 11.4% and 8.7% in the first nine months of fiscal 2024, respectively. |
| ● |
Net interest expense was $1,016,886 in the first nine months of fiscal 2024 compared to net interest expense of $707,498 in the first nine months of fiscal 2023. The increase is mainly driven by the additional borrowings on the revolving line of credit. |
Results of Broadband Operations
| For the Nine Months Ended September 30, |
||||||||||||||
| (unaudited) |
||||||||||||||
| 2024 |
2023 |
|||||||||||||
| As a % of |
As a % of |
|||||||||||||
| Segment |
Segment |
|||||||||||||
| Operating |
Operating |
|||||||||||||
| Amount |
Revenues |
Amount |
Revenues |
|||||||||||
| Operating Revenues |
||||||||||||||
| Broadband revenues |
$ | 29,135,486 | 100.0% |
$ | 26,230,819 | 100.0% |
||||||||
| Cost of Revenues |
||||||||||||||
| Network operations and data costs |
3,960,412 | 13.6% |
3,844,921 | 14.7% |
||||||||||
| Software costs |
614,334 | 2.1% |
557,857 | 2.1% |
||||||||||
| Cell site rent and utilities |
1,062,422 | 3.6% |
1,191,530 | 4.5% |
||||||||||
| Other costs of revenues |
1,741,761 | 6.0% |
1,623,046 | 6.2% |
||||||||||
| Total cost of revenues |
7,378,929 | 25.3% |
7,217,354 | 27.5% |
||||||||||
| Gross margin |
21,756,557 | 74.7% |
19,013,465 | 72.5% |
||||||||||
| Other Operating Expenses |
||||||||||||||
| Employee costs |
11,404,947 | 39.1% |
10,481,605 | 40.0% |
||||||||||
| Professional fees |
744,557 | 2.6% |
611,129 | 2.3% |
||||||||||
| Depreciation |
6,653,422 | 22.8% |
4,819,199 | 18.3% |
||||||||||
| Amortization |
2,636,016 | 9.1% |
2,440,479 | 9.3% |
||||||||||
| General and administrative |
5,549,917 | 19.1% |
5,226,881 | 19.9% |
||||||||||
| Accretion |
10,341 | 0.0% |
13,818 | 0.1% |
||||||||||
| Gain on disposition of assets |
(84,601 | ) | (0.3%) |
(116,984 | ) | (0.4%) |
||||||||
| Total expenses |
26,914,599 | 92.4% |
23,476,127 | 89.5% |
||||||||||
| Segment Loss from Operations |
(5,158,042 | ) | (17.7%) |
(4,462,662 | ) | (17.0%) |
||||||||
| Interest (expense) income, net |
(4,553 | ) | (0.0%) |
12,301 | 0.0% |
|||||||||
| Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary (income) loss |
(64,765 | ) | (0.2%) |
47,968 | 0.2% |
|||||||||
| Net Loss Attributable to Common Stockholders |
$ | (5,227,360 | ) | (17.9%) |
$ | (4,402,393 | ) | (16.8%) |
||||||
Comparison of the First Nine Months of Fiscal 2024 to the First Nine Months of Fiscal 2023. In the first nine months of fiscal 2024, total operating revenues increased by 11.1% when compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2023 mainly reflecting subscriber growth across a number of our markets. The key factors affecting our broadband operations results during the first nine months of fiscal 2024 were as follows:
| ● |
Network operations and data costs as a percentage of total segment operating revenues decreased from 14.7% in the first nine months of fiscal 2023 to 13.6% in the first nine months of fiscal 2024 primarily driven by reduced maintenance costs incurred during the period related to our fixed wireless networks. |
| ● |
Other costs of revenues as a percentage of total segment operating revenues decreased from 6.2% in the first nine months of fiscal 2023 to 6.0% in the first nine months of fiscal 2024. |
| ● |
Employee costs as a percentage of total segment operating revenues decreased from 40.0% in the first nine months of fiscal 2023 to 39.1% in the first nine months of fiscal 2024. The decrease is due to organic revenue growth within our broadband businesses. |
| ● |
Professional fees as a percentage of total segment operating revenues increased from 2.3% in the first nine months of fiscal 2023 to 2.6% in the first nine months of fiscal 2024. |
| ● |
General and administrative expenses as a percentage of total segment operating revenues decreased from 19.9% in the first nine months of fiscal 2023 to 19.1% in the first nine months of fiscal 2024. The decrease is due to organic revenue growth within our broadband businesses. |
| ● |
Depreciation and amortization expenses increased by $1,834,223 and $195,537, respectively, from the first nine months of fiscal 2023. The increase in depreciation expense is mainly driven by continued capital investments across all of our broadband businesses. |
Results of Insurance Operations
| For the Nine Months Ended September 30, |
||||||||||||||
| (unaudited) |
||||||||||||||
| 2024 |
2023 |
|||||||||||||
| As a % of |
As a % of |
|||||||||||||
| Segment |
Segment |
|||||||||||||
| Operating |
Operating |
|||||||||||||
| Amount |
Revenues |
Amount |
Revenues |
|||||||||||
| Operating Revenues |
||||||||||||||
| Premiums earned |
$ | 14,165,167 | 81.7% |
$ | 10,293,119 | 78.5% |
||||||||
| Insurance commissions |
1,550,400 | 8.9% |
1,449,653 | 11.1% |
||||||||||
| Investment and other income |
1,634,199 | 9.4% |
1,357,930 | 10.4% |
||||||||||
| Total operating revenues |
17,349,766 | 100.0% |
13,100,702 | 100.0% |
||||||||||
| Cost of Revenues |
||||||||||||||
| Commissions paid |
4,066,078 | 23.4% |
2,980,032 | 22.8% |
||||||||||
| Premium taxes, fees, and assessments |
370,871 | 2.2% |
261,329 | 2.0% |
||||||||||
| Losses and loss adjustment expense |
2,287,632 | 13.2% |
1,890,599 | 14.4% |
||||||||||
| Total cost of revenues |
6,724,581 | 38.8% |
5,131,960 | 39.2% |
||||||||||
| Gross margin |
10,625,185 | 61.2% |
7,968,742 | 60.8% |
||||||||||
| Other Operating Expenses |
||||||||||||||
| Employee costs |
6,084,414 | 35.1% |
4,997,332 | 38.2% |
||||||||||
| Professional fees |
409,032 | 2.3% |
409,361 | 3.1% |
||||||||||
| Depreciation |
133,346 | 0.8% |
109,670 | 0.8% |
||||||||||
| Amortization |
120,185 | 0.7% |
120,185 | 0.9% |
||||||||||
| General and administrative |
1,937,918 | 11.2% |
1,489,515 | 11.4% |
||||||||||
| Total expenses |
8,684,895 | 50.1% |
7,126,063 | 54.4% |
||||||||||
| Segment Income from Operations |
1,940,290 | 11.1% |
842,679 | 6.4% |
||||||||||
| Interest expense, net |
- | - | (371 | ) | (0.0%) |
|||||||||
| Other investment income |
271,191 | 1.6% |
281,625 | 2.1% |
||||||||||
| Net Income Attributable to Common Stockholders |
$ | 2,211,481 | 12.7% |
$ | 1,123,933 | 8.5% |
||||||||
Comparison of the First Nine Months of Fiscal 2024 to the First Nine Months of Fiscal 2023. In the first nine months of fiscal 2024, total operating revenues increased by 32.4% when compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2023, mainly due to increased earned premium at our UCS insurance subsidiary. The key factors affecting our insurance operations results during the first nine months of fiscal 2024 were as follows:
| ● |
Premiums earned from our UCS insurance subsidiary increased 37.6% in the first nine months of fiscal 2024 when compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2023. The increase in premiums earned was primarily due to increases in production throughout fiscal 2023 and the first nine months of fiscal 2024. We recognize revenues for written premium over the life of the surety bond and, as a result, increased sales activities are not fully reflected in the quarter in which the surety bond is issued. |
| ● |
Insurance commissions generated by our surety brokerage operations increased by 6.9% in the first nine months of fiscal 2024 when compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2023, mainly due to increased production through outside insurance carriers. |
| ● |
Investment and other income at UCS increased from $1,357,930 in the first nine months of fiscal 2023 to $1,634,199 in the first nine months of fiscal 2024, mainly due to the increase in interest rates over the past several quarters. |
| ● |
Commissions paid as a percentage of total segment operating revenues increased from 22.8% in the first nine months of fiscal 2023 to 23.4% in the first nine months of fiscal 2024, mainly driven by increased production from non-affiliated insurance brokerage firms. |
| ● |
Losses and loss adjustment expenses as a percentage of total segment operating revenues decreased from 14.4% in the first nine months of fiscal 2023 to 13.2% in the first nine months of fiscal 2024. Losses and loss adjustment expenses are reserved monthly based on a percentage of earned premium. |
| ● |
Employee costs as a percentage of total segment operating revenues decreased from 38.2% in the first nine months of fiscal 2023 to 35.1% in the first nine months of fiscal 2024. The decrease is due to organic revenue growth within our insurance businesses. |
| ● |
General and administrative expenses as a percentage of total segment operating revenues decreased from 11.4% in the first nine months of fiscal 2023 to 11.2% in the first nine months of fiscal 2024. |
| ● |
During the first nine months of fiscal 2024, our segment income from insurance operations of $1,940,290 was increased by other investment income of $271,191 mainly from unrealized gains on our investments in publicly held securities. As of September 30, 2024, UCS had $2,447,497 in publicly held securities. We expect to continue to invest a portion of our excess capital in accordance with insurance regulatory limitations in both large-cap publicly traded equity securities and bonds. These investments are subject to the risk of loss in value depending upon market conditions and factors outside of our control. |
Results of Asset Management Operations
| For the Nine Months Ended September 30, |
||||||||||||||
| (unaudited) |
||||||||||||||
| 2024 |
2023 |
|||||||||||||
| As a % of |
As a % of |
|||||||||||||
| Segment |
Segment |
|||||||||||||
| Operating |
Operating |
|||||||||||||
| Amount |
Revenues |
Amount |
Revenues |
|||||||||||
| Operating Revenues |
||||||||||||||
| Investment and other income |
$ | 218,155 | 100.0% |
$ | 219,033 | 100.0% |
||||||||
| Cost of Revenues |
||||||||||||||
| Total cost of revenues |
- | - | - | - | ||||||||||
| Gross margin |
218,155 | 100.0% |
219,033 | 100.0% |
||||||||||
| Other Operating Expenses |
||||||||||||||
| Employee costs |
766,064 | 351.2% |
1,281,806 | 585.2% |
||||||||||
| Professional fees |
452,049 | 207.2% |
320,801 | 146.5% |
||||||||||
| Depreciation |
- | - | - | - | ||||||||||
| Amortization |
- | - | - | - | ||||||||||
| General and administrative |
589,874 | 270.4% |
527,612 | 240.9% |
||||||||||
| Total expenses |
1,807,987 | 828.8% |
2,130,219 | 972.6% |
||||||||||
| Segment Loss from Operations |
(1,589,832 | ) | (728.8%) |
(1,911,186 | ) | (872.6%) |
||||||||
| Interest and dividend income |
524,569 | 240.5% |
617,570 | 282.0% |
||||||||||
| Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates |
- | - | 4,630,610 | 2114.1% |
||||||||||
| Other investment income (loss) |
627,937 | 287.8% |
(2,055,010 | ) | (938.2%) |
|||||||||
| Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary (income) loss |
(36,697 | ) | (16.8%) |
1,781,200 | 813.2% |
|||||||||
| Net (Loss) Income Attributable to Common Stockholders |
$ | (474,023 | ) | (217.3%) |
$ | 3,063,184 | 1398.5% |
|||||||
Comparison of the First Nine Months of Fiscal 2024 to the First Nine Months of Fiscal 2023. In September 2017, we formed our asset management business. Throughout fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2023 we had been hiring within our asset management business to ensure adequate staffing for the anticipated demands and needs of the business. In May 2023, we acquired 100% of the membership interests in 24th Street from the members of 24th Street other than BOAM. As previously mentioned, we are winding down BOAM's operations and implemented cost-cutting measures. Therefore, comparisons of our asset management results for the first nine months of fiscal 2024 to the first nine months of fiscal 2023 may not be meaningful. The key factors affecting our asset management operations results during the first nine months of fiscal 2024 were as follows:
| ● |
Employee costs in the first nine months of fiscal 2024 decreased by 40.2% from the first nine months of fiscal 2023 as we wind down BOAM's operations and implemented cost-cutting measures. |
| ● |
Professional fees in the first nine months of fiscal 2024 increased by 40.9% from the first nine months of fiscal 2023. |
| ● |
General and administrative expenses in the first nine months of fiscal 2024 increased by 11.8% from the first nine months of fiscal 2023. |
| ● |
Interest and dividend income decreased by $93,001 in the first nine months of fiscal 2024 when compared to the first nine months of fiscal 2023. The decrease is mainly related to the distribution of excess cash in the 24th Street Funds and BFR Fund back to limited partners during the second quarter of fiscal 2024. |
| ● |
Equity in income of unconsolidated affiliates of $4,630,610 in the first nine months of fiscal 2023 was related to non-cash gains recognized in May 2023 due to our purchase of the membership interests in 24th Street held by third parties resulting in a remeasurement of our previously-held interest in 24th Street. |
| ● |
Other investment income in the first nine months of fiscal 2024 primarily included the changes in the fair value of the 24th Street and BFR Funds mainly driven by the underlying real estate properties. |
| ● |
Noncontrolling interest in subsidiary income in the first nine months of fiscal 2024 mainly included the external limited partners' share of GAAP income within the BFR Fund and GAAP losses within the 24th Street Funds, mainly driven by the change in fair value referenced above. |
Cash Flows
Cash Flows for the First Nine Months of Fiscal 2024 compared to the First Nine Months of Fiscal 2023
The table below summarizes our cash flows, in dollars, for the first nine months of fiscal 2024 and the first nine months of fiscal 2023:
| Nine Months |
Nine Months |
|||||||
| Ended |
Ended |
|||||||
| September 30, 2024 |
September 30, 2023 |
|||||||
| (unaudited) |
(unaudited) |
|||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ | 12,117,191 | $ | 12,241,695 | ||||
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities |
29,893,384 | (48,959,016 | ) | |||||
| Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities |
(48,879,743 | ) | 34,115,891 | |||||
| Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash |
$ | (6,869,168 | ) | $ | (2,601,430 | ) | ||
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities. Net cash provided by operating activities was $12,117,191 for the first nine months of fiscal 2024 compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $12,241,695 for the first nine months of fiscal 2023. The decrease in net cash provided by operating activities was mainly driven by costs associated with our former Co-CEO's separation and stock repurchase agreement as well as operating costs within our FFH business. These items were partially offset by improved cash flow generation within our billboard, broadband, and insurance businesses.
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities. Net cash provided by investing activities was $29,893,384 for the first nine months of fiscal 2024 as compared with net cash used in investing activities of $48,959,016 for the first nine months of fiscal 2023. The increase in net cash provided by investing activities is primarily attributable to $53,670,044 in net proceeds from sales of investments mainly from the sale or maturity of U.S. Treasury securities within the 24th Street Funds and BFR Fund, which was partially offset by $23,696,261 in capital expenditures mainly within our broadband businesses.
Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Financing Activities. Net cash used in financing activities was $48,879,743 during the first nine months of fiscal 2024 as compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $34,115,891 during the first nine months of fiscal 2023. During the first nine months of fiscal 2024, net cash used in financing activities mainly consisted of $36,992,659 in distributions to noncontrolling interests from the 24th Street Funds and BFR Fund, $16,761,371 related to the repurchase of Class A and Class B common stock and Class B warrants from our former Co-CEO, $2,826,309 in collateral released by UCS, and $1,380,180 related to the repurchase of Class A common stock through our share repurchase program. These items were partially offset by $10,000,000 in additional borrowings on Link's revolving line of credit.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Currently, we own billboards in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin, a surety insurance company we acquired in December 2016, surety insurance brokerage firms we acquired in 2016, 2017 and 2021, broadband services providers whose assets we acquired in 2020, 2022 and 2023, an asset management business, minority investments in commercial real estate management and brokerage services, a bank focused on servicing the automotive loan market, and a developer of private aviation infrastructure focused on building, leasing and managing business aviation hangars. At September 30, 2024, we had approximately $19.4 million in unrestricted cash and approximately $15.3 million in short-term treasury securities. Our strategy is to continue to acquire other billboard locations, insurance businesses, and broadband service providers as well as acquire other businesses and open new businesses which we believe have the potential to generate positive cash flows when made at what we believe to be attractive prices relative to other opportunities generally available to us. We currently expect to finance any future acquisitions and investments with cash, debt and seller or third-party financing. In the future, we may satisfy all or a portion of the purchase price for an acquisition with our equity securities. In addition, we have made investments in several companies and expect to continue to make investments in the securities of both publicly traded and privately held companies.
On July 23, 2024, the Board approved and authorized a share repurchase program (the “Share Repurchase Program”), pursuant to which the Company intends to repurchase up to $20 million of its Class A common stock, from time to time, in the open market, privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise in compliance with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Board also authorized the Company, in its discretion, to establish “Rule 10b5-1 trading plans” for these share repurchases. The Share Repurchase Program went into effect on or about August 15, 2024 and will terminate on September 30, 2025, unless earlier terminated in the discretion of the Board. The actual timing, number, and value of shares repurchased under the Share Repurchase Program will depend on a number of factors, including constraints specified in applicable SEC regulations, price, general business and market conditions, and alternative investment opportunities. Pursuant to the Share Repurchase Program, the Company is not obligated to repurchase any specific number of shares of its Class A common stock and shall not repurchase more than 25% of the average daily volume of its stock over the previous 20 trading days. During the third quarter of fiscal 2024, we repurchased 97,262 shares of our Class A common stock for a total cost of $1,380,180.
There can be no assurance that we will consummate any subsequent acquisitions. Furthermore, our acquisitions are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including as to when, whether and to what extent the anticipated benefits and cost savings of a particular acquisition will be realized. Our failure to successfully identify and complete future acquisitions of assets or businesses could reduce future potential earnings, available cash, and slow our anticipated growth. Although we have entered and continue to enter into non-binding letters of intent to acquire businesses on a regular basis, we do not have current agreements, commitments or understandings for any specific material acquisitions which are probable to be consummated at this time.
To date, we have raised funds through the sale of our common stock in public offerings, sales of our common stock in “at the market” programs, term loan financing through our Link subsidiary, proceeds from the sale of publicly traded securities held by us, cash flow from operations, and, prior to 2019, through private placements of our common stock. As described below, we may raise additional funds through our shelf registration statement allowing us to raise up to $500 million through the sale of securities to fund future acquisitions and investments.
2022 Shelf Registration Statement
In April 2022, we filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-264470) that was declared effective on May 11, 2022, which we refer to as the “2022 Shelf Registration Statement,” relating to the registration of Class A common stock, preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, which we refer to as “preferred stock,” debt securities and warrants of the Company for up to $500 million. We may, from time to time, in one or more offerings, offer and sell Class A common stock or preferred stock, various series of debt securities, and/or warrants. The shelf registration statement may also be used by one or more selling security holders, to be identified in the future, of our securities. We or any selling security holders may offer these securities from time to time in amounts, at prices and on terms determined at the time of offering. We may sell these securities to or through one or more underwriters, dealers or agents, or directly to purchasers on a delayed or continuous basis. Unless otherwise set forth in an applicable prospectus supplement, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of the securities that we offer for general corporate purposes, including, but not limited to, financing our existing businesses and operations, and expanding our businesses and operations through additional hires, strategic alliances and acquisitions. Unless otherwise set forth in a prospectus supplement, we will not receive any proceeds from the sale of securities by any selling stockholders.
Additionally, in the 2022 Shelf Registration Statement, we registered for resale up to 8,297,093 shares of Class A common stock acquired in 2018 or earlier in private placements in accordance with the terms of a 2018 registration rights agreement. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of Class A common stock by the selling shareholders. Currently, the selling stockholders are the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, or “MIT,” as well as 238 Plan Associates LLC, an MIT pension and benefit fund, and a limited partnership holding our Class A common stock for the economic benefit of MIT. No officer or director has any beneficial interest in any shares eligible for resale by the selling shareholders.
At The Market Offering Programs
Starting in March 2018, we utilized our "at the market" offering that was part of our 2018 Shelf Registration Statement. This 2018 Shelf Registration Statement, which authorized us to sell up to $200 million through the sales of securities to the public, expired in February 2021 and was superseded by the 2021 Shelf Registration Statement. We sold a total of 2,630,787 shares of Class A common stock resulting in gross proceeds of $60.1 million under the 2018 Shelf Registration Statement.
On September 29, 2021, we entered into an "at the market" equity offering program pursuant to a Sales Agreement (the "2021 Sales Agreement") by and between us and WFS. Pursuant to the terms of the 2021 Sales Agreement, we could sell, from time to time, shares of our Class A common stock, with an aggregate sales price of up to $100 million through WFS, in transactions that are deemed to be "at the market" offerings as defined in Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The 2021 Shelf Registration Statement expired on March 28, 2022 upon the filing of our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K as we no longer qualified as a well-known seasoned issuer. We sold a total of 122,246 shares of our Class A common stock resulting in gross proceeds of approximately $4.2 million under the 2021 Shelf Registration Statement.
On December 8, 2022, we entered into an "at the market" equity offering program (the “ATM Program”) pursuant to a Sales Agreement (the “2022 Sales Agreement”) with Wells Fargo Securities, LLC (“WFS”). This ATM Program is consistent with our historical practice of having available to management the option to issue stock from time to time in order to continue to fund the growth of its fiber-to-the-home broadband business, acquire additional billboards, and make other such investments in assets as needed to seek to grow intrinsic value per share. Our general preference is always to have options available to it from a capital allocation perspective which includes, but is not limited to, having a regularly filed ATM program.
Pursuant to the terms of the 2022 Sales Agreement, we may sell, from time to time, shares of our Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Class A common stock”), with an aggregate sales price of up to $100 million through WFS, in transactions that are deemed to be “at the market” offerings as defined in Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). Since the signing of the 2022 Sales Agreement, we sold 7,887 shares of Class A common stock in December 2022 for gross proceeds of approximately $205 thousand and 1,532,065 shares of our Class A common stock during fiscal 2023 for gross sale proceeds of approximately $37.5 million. We did not sell any shares of our Class A common stock during the first nine months of fiscal 2024.
Upon delivery of a placement notice (a “Placement Notice”) and upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the 2022 Sales Agreement, WFS will use reasonable efforts consistent with its normal trading and sales practices, applicable laws and the rules of the NYSE to sell the shares available under the ATM Program from time to time based upon our instructions for the sales, including price, time or size limits specified, and otherwise in accordance with, the terms of such Placement Notice. Pursuant to the 2022 Sales Agreement, WFS may sell shares of our Class A common stock under the ATM Program by any method permitted by law deemed to be an “at the market” offering as defined in Rule 415 of the Securities Act, including without limitation sales made through the NYSE or on any other existing trading market for the Class A common stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, WFS may not purchase shares under the ATM Program for its own account as principal unless expressly authorized to do so by us.
We intend to use the net proceeds from the offering, after deducting WFS’ commissions and our offering expenses, for general corporate purposes, which may include financing our existing businesses and operations, and expanding our businesses and operations through additional acquisitions and minority investments, and additional hires. Such expansion may include future billboard acquisitions, broadband acquisitions, acquisitions of surety insurance companies and other growth of our insurance activities, additional investments in real estate management, homebuilding and other real estate service businesses, additional investments in subprime automobile lending, and acquisitions of other businesses. We have not determined the amount of net proceeds to be used for any specific purpose, and we will retain broad discretion over the allocation of net proceeds. While we have no current agreements, commitments or understandings for any specific acquisitions at this time, we may use a portion of the net proceeds for these purposes.
For sales of shares of Class A common stock under the ATM Program through WFS, we will pay WFS a commission at a mutually agreed rate of 3% of the gross sales price per share of Class A common stock sold under the ATM Program. We have no obligation to sell any shares under the 2022 Sales Agreement and may at any time suspend the ATM Program under the 2022 Sales Agreement. The 2022 Sales Agreement contains customary representations and warranties of the parties and indemnification and contribution provisions under which we and WFS have agreed to indemnify each other against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act. The ATM Program pursuant to the 2022 Sales Agreement will automatically terminate upon the issuance and sale of all of the shares available for sale under the ATM Program through WFS. In addition, we may terminate the 2022 Sales Agreement with WFS without penalty upon 10 days’ notice.
The foregoing description of the 2022 Sales Agreement is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of such agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 1.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 8, 2022 and is incorporated herein by reference.
Link Credit Agreement
On August 12, 2019, Link entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with First National Bank of Omaha (the “Lender”) under which Link could borrow up to $40 million (the “Credit Facility”). The Credit Agreement provided for an initial term loan (“Term Loan 1”), an incremental term loan (“Term Loan 2”) and a revolving line of credit. Link initially borrowed approximately $18 million under Term Loan 1 and $5.5 million under Term Loan 2. On December 6, 2021, Link entered into a Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement, which modified the Credit Agreement by increasing the borrowing limit to $30 million and combining the outstanding balances under Term Loan 1 and Term Loan 2 as well as any incremental borrowings into a term loan (“Term Loan”). The Term Loan is secured by all assets of Link and its operating subsidiaries, including a pledge of equity interests of each of Link’s subsidiaries. In addition, each of Link’s subsidiaries has joined as a guarantor to the obligations under the Credit Agreement. The loan is not guaranteed by Boston Omaha or any of our non-billboard businesses.
Principal amounts under the Term Loan were payable in monthly installments according to a 15-year amortization schedule with principal payments commencing on January 1, 2022. Starting July 1, 2023, principal amounts under the Term Loan are payable in monthly installments according to a 25-year amortization schedule. The Term Loan is payable in full on December 6, 2028. During the first three years of the Term Loan, Link may prepay up to 10% of the loan principal in each year without incurring any prepayment penalty. Otherwise, there is a prepayment penalty ranging between 3.0% and 0.5%. After three years, there is no prepayment penalty. The Term Loan has a fixed interest rate of 4.00% per annum.
On May 30, 2024, Link entered into a Ninth Amendment to Credit Agreement, which modified the Credit Agreement by increasing the maximum availability under the revolving line of credit from $10,000,000 to $15,000,000. Interest payments are based on the U.S. Prime Rate minus an applicable margin ranging between 0.65% and 1.15% dependent on Link’s consolidated leverage ratio. The new revolving line of credit is due and payable on August 12, 2026. Long-term debt included within our consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2024 consists of Link’s Term Loan borrowings of $26,731,376, of which $842,893 is classified as current, and $9,600,000 related to the revolving line of credit as of September 30, 2024.
Under the Term Loan, Link is required to comply with the following financial covenants: A consolidated leverage ratio for any test period ending on the last day of any fiscal quarter of Link (a) beginning with the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2024 of not greater than 3.50 to 1.00, (b) beginning with the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2026 of not greater than 3.25 to 1.00 and (c) beginning with the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2027 and thereafter of not greater than 3.00 to 1.00, and a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.15 to 1.00 measured quarterly, based on rolling four quarters. The Company was in compliance with these covenants as of September 30, 2024.
The Credit Agreement includes representations and warranties, reporting covenants, affirmative covenants, negative covenants, financial covenants and events of default customary for financings of this type. Upon the occurrence of an event of default the Lender may accelerate the loan. Upon the occurrence of certain insolvency and bankruptcy events of default the loan will automatically accelerate. The foregoing summary of the Credit Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby does not purport to be a complete description and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the terms and conditions of the Credit Agreement and Security Agreement, copies of which are attached as Exhibit 10.1 and Exhibit 10.2, respectively to our Form 8-K as filed with the SEC on August 13, 2019, a First Amendment to Credit Agreement with the Lender as filed as Exhibit 10.1 on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC on October 29, 2019, a Second Amendment to Credit Agreement with the Lender as filed as Exhibit 10.1 on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC on June 30, 2020, a Third Amendment to Credit Agreement with the Lender as filed as Exhibit 10.1 on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC on August 24, 2021, a Fourth Amendment to Credit Agreement with the Lender as filed as Exhibit 10.1 on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC on December 9, 2021, a Fifth Amendment to Credit Agreement with the Lender as filed as Exhibit 10.1 on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC on June 3, 2022, a Sixth Amendment to Credit Agreement with the Lender as filed as Exhibit 10.1 on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC on April 11, 2023, a Seventh Amendment to Credit Agreement with the Lender as filed as Exhibit 10.1 on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC on September 26, 2023, an Eighth Amendment to Credit Agreement with the Lender as filed as Exhibit 10.1 on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC on February 16, 2024, and a Ninth Amendment to Credit Agreement with the Lender as filed as Exhibit 10.1 on Form 8-K as filed with the SEC on June 5, 2024.
Boston Omaha Broadband Credit Agreement
On September 17, 2024, three operating subsidiaries of Boston Omaha Broadband, LLC ("BOB") entered into a Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with First National Bank of Omaha (the “Lender”) under which certain subsidiaries of BOB can borrow up to $20,000,000 in the aggregate in term loans (the “Credit Facility”). The three operating subsidiaries which are the borrowers under the Credit Agreement are FIF AireBeam LLC, FIF St. George, LLC, and FIF Utah LLC (collectively, the “Borrowers”). The loan is guaranteed by BOB but is not guaranteed by BOC or any other businesses owned by BOC and its other subsidiaries. The loans under the Credit Facility are secured by all assets of each of the Borrowers. Funds available under the Credit Facility are to be used for capital expenditures associated with capital acquisition and leasing of capital equipment for expansion of the Borrowers’ businesses and must be drawn by September 16, 2025.
The Credit Agreement provides for incremental drawdowns of the term loan in minimum increments of $1,000,000. Each term loan is due five years following the borrowing date of such term loan. Principal under each term loan is amortized in equal monthly payments over a 10-year period from the date of each term loan. Interest under each term loan accrues at the “Applicable Margin,” which is set at (a) 2.75% per annum with respect to any SOFR Loan, and (b) 1.75% per annum with respect to any Base Rate Loan. There is a fee during the first year of the Credit Facility equal to 0.25% of any unused portion of the $20 million loan commitment.
Pursuant to the Credit Agreement, BOB is required to comply with the following financial covenants: A consolidated leverage ratio for any test period ending on the last day of any fiscal quarter of BOB of not greater than 3.50 to 1.00, a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio of not less than 1.15 to 1.00 measured quarterly, based on rolling four quarters, and maximum capital expenditures not exceeding Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA less dividends and distributions paid to BOB, the cash portion of taxes, unfinanced maintenance capital expenditures, principal amortization payments or redemptions on indebtedness to be paid in cash, cash payments made with respect to capital lease obligations during the period, and cash interest expense for the period.
The Credit Agreement includes representations and warranties, reporting covenants, affirmative covenants, negative covenants, financial covenants and events of default customary for financings of this type. Upon the occurrence of an event of default the Lender may accelerate the loan. Upon the occurrence of certain insolvency and bankruptcy events of default the loan will automatically accelerate. All assets of the Borrowers, their Subsidiaries and BOB are secured by the grant of a security interest in substantially all of their assets to the Lender.
As of September 30, 2024, there were no amounts outstanding under the Credit Agreement.
Investments in Yellowstone Acquisition Company and Sky Harbour
In 2020, we acted as the sponsor for the initial public offering of Yellowstone and purchased 3,399,724 shares of Yellowstone Class B common stock and 7,719,799 private placement warrants at a combined cost of approximately $7.8 million. On August 1, 2021, we entered into an equity purchase agreement with Sky Harbour LLC by which Sky Harbour LLC unitholders would acquire a majority interest in the combined businesses following the completion of a business combination. As part of the equity purchase agreement, and immediately prior to the completion by Sky Harbour LLC of a private activity bond financing raising $160 million in proceeds in September 2021, we purchased Class B Preferred Units in Sky Harbour LLC for a purchase price of $55 million, which Class B Preferred Units converted to 5,500,000 shares of Sky Harbour Class A common stock upon the closing of the Sky Harbour business combination on January 25, 2022. Also, upon the closing of the business combination, we purchased an additional 4,500,000 shares of Sky Harbour Class A common stock for a purchase price of $45 million.
| ● |
Upon the closing of the Sky Harbour business combination, our Class B common stock converted to Class A common stock of Sky Harbour and our private placement warrants are now exercisable to purchase 7,719,779 shares of Class A common stock of Sky Harbour. |
| ● |
Each Sky Harbour warrant is exercisable for one share of Class A common stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment, with each Sky Harbour Warrant being exercisable through January 25, 2027. Unlike Sky Harbour’s publicly traded warrants, these warrants are not redeemable by Sky Harbour as long as we or permitted transferees hold these warrants. The Sky Harbour warrants are also exercisable on a cashless basis. |
| ● |
Our Sky Harbour Class A common stock, the Sky Harbour warrants, and the shares underlying the warrants were subject to a lockup which expired on January 24, 2023. |
| ● |
Subsequent to the closing of the Sky Harbour business combination, we distributed 75,000 shares of Sky Harbour Class A common stock to the outside directors of Yellowstone and 206,250 shares of Sky Harbour Class A common stock to an investor in the Yellowstone IPO. As of September 30, 2024, we hold 12,440,642 shares of Sky Harbour Class A common stock and 7,719,779 Sky Harbour warrants. |
| ● |
All the shares of Sky Harbour Class A common stock and Sky Harbour warrants to purchase Class A common stock that we hold have been registered under the Securities Act. However, our ability to resell any significant portion of these shares is limited by both the large number of shares and warrants we hold relative to the average trading volume of these securities which may prevent us from selling shares as we retain one seat on Sky Harbour’s Board of Directors. The terms of the Sky Harbour business combination prohibited us from selling any of our securities in Sky Harbour prior to January 25, 2023 and has since expired. |
We believe that our existing cash and short-term investments, funds available through the Credit Agreement Link entered into on August 12, 2019, as amended, funds available through the Credit Agreement Boston Omaha Broadband entered into on September 17, 2024, any funds that we may receive from cash flows from operations, and any funds that we may receive through the sale of real estate assets in the 24th Street and BFR Funds will be sufficient to meet working capital requirements and anticipated capital expenditures for the next 12 months. At September 30, 2024, we had approximately $19.4 million in unrestricted cash and approximately $15.3 million in short-term treasury securities.
If future additional significant acquisition opportunities and expansion opportunities within our billboard and broadband services businesses become available in excess of our currently available cash, U.S. Treasury securities, and marketable equity securities, we may need to seek additional capital through long term debt borrowings, the sale of our securities, and/or other financing options and we may not be able to obtain such debt or equity financing on terms favorable to us or at all. In the future, we may use a number of different sources to finance our acquisitions and operations, including current cash on hand, potential future cash flows from operations, seller financing, debt financings including but not limited to long-term debt and line of credit facilities, including additional credit facilities which may or may not be secured by our assets or those of our operating subsidiaries, additional common or preferred equity issuances or any combination of these sources, to the extent available to us, or other sources that may become available from time to time, which could include asset sales and issuance of debt securities. In addition to current credit facilities at Link and Boston Omaha Broadband, any future debt that we incur may be recourse or non-recourse and may be secured or unsecured. Existing credit facilities at Link and Boston Omaha Broadband imposes restrictions that could increase our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions by limiting our flexibility in planning for and reacting to changes in our billboard, insurance, asset management, and broadband businesses. Specifically, these restrictions place limits on Link, Boston Omaha Broadband, and their subsidiaries’ ability to, among other things, incur additional indebtedness, make additional acquisitions and investments, pay dividends, repurchase stock, create liens, enter into transactions with affiliates, merge, consolidate, transfer or sell assets. Both credit facilities require Link and Boston Omaha Broadband to meet a fixed charge coverage ratio and other financial covenants. Link’s ability as well as Boston Omaha Broadband's ability to comply with these loan covenants may be affected by factors beyond their control and a breach of any loan covenants would likely result in an event of default under either Credit Agreement, which would permit the Lender to declare all amounts incurred thereunder to be immediately due and payable and to terminate their commitment to make future extensions of credit. We also may take advantage of joint venture or other partnering opportunities as such opportunities arise in order to acquire properties that would otherwise be unavailable to us. Any future credit facilities which we or any of our subsidiaries may enter into would likely impose similar restrictions and risks.
We may use the proceeds of any future borrowings to acquire assets or for general corporate purposes. In determining when to use leverage, we will assess the appropriateness of new equity or debt capital based on market conditions, including assumptions regarding future cash flow, the creditworthiness of customers, and future rental and subscriber rates.
We conduct and plan to continue to conduct our activities in such a manner as not to be deemed an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Investment Company Act"). Therefore, no more than 40% of our total assets can be invested in investment securities, as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act. In addition, we do not invest or intend to invest in securities as our primary business. Although we do not currently hold investments in an amount which would cause us to register under the Investment Company Act, we run the risk of inadvertently being deemed to be an investment company that is required to register under the Investment Company Act because a significant portion of our assets consists of investments in companies in which we own less than a majority interest. The risk varies depending on events beyond our control, such as significant appreciation or depreciation in the market value of certain of our publicly traded holdings, adverse developments with respect to our ownership of certain of our subsidiaries, and transactions involving the sale of certain assets. If we are deemed to be an inadvertent investment company, we may seek to rely on a safe-harbor under the Investment Company Act that would provide us a one-year grace period to take steps to avoid being deemed to be an investment company. In order to ensure we avoid being deemed an investment company, we have taken, and may need to continue to take, steps to reduce the percentage of our assets that constitute investment assets under the Investment Company Act. These steps have included, among others, selling marketable securities that we might otherwise hold for the long-term and deploying our cash in non-investment assets. We have recently sold marketable securities, including at times at a loss, and we may be forced to sell our investment assets at unattractive prices or to sell assets that we otherwise believe benefit our business in the future to remain below the requisite threshold. We may also seek to acquire additional non-investment assets to maintain compliance with the Investment Company Act, and we may need to incur debt, issue additional equity or enter into other financing arrangements that are not otherwise attractive to our business. Any of these actions could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. Moreover, we can make no assurance that we would successfully be able to take the necessary steps to avoid being deemed to be an investment company in accordance with the safe-harbor. If we were unsuccessful, then we would have to register as an investment company, and we would be unable to operate our business in its current form. We would be subject to extensive, restrictive, and potentially adverse statutory provisions and regulations relating to, among other things, operating methods, management, capital structure, indebtedness, dividends, and transactions with affiliates. If we were deemed to be an investment company and did not register as an investment company when required to do so, there would be a risk, among other material adverse consequences, that we could become subject to monetary penalties or injunctive relief, or both, that we would be unable to enforce contracts with third parties, and/or that third parties could seek to obtain rescission of transactions with us undertaken during the period in which we were deemed to be an unregistered investment company.
Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws do not limit the amount of debt that we may incur. Our Board of Directors has not adopted a policy limiting the total amount of debt that we may incur. Our Board of Directors will consider a number of factors in evaluating the amount of debt that we may incur. If we adopt a debt policy, our Board of Directors may from time to time modify such policy in light of then-current economic conditions, relative costs of debt and equity capital, market values of our properties, general conditions in the markets for debt and equity securities, fluctuations in the market price of our Class A common stock if then trading on any exchange, growth and acquisition opportunities, and other factors. Our decision to use leverage in the future to finance our assets will be at our discretion and will not be subject to the approval of our stockholders, and we are not restricted by our governing documents or otherwise in the amount of leverage that we may use.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Except for our normal operating leases, we do not have any off-balance sheet financing arrangements, transactions, or special purpose entities.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
At September 30, 2024, we held no significant derivative instruments that materially increased our exposure to market risks for interest rates, foreign currency rates, commodity prices, or other market price risks. Our operations are currently conducted entirely within the U.S.; therefore, we had no significant exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk.
Critical Accounting
The preparation of the consolidated financial statements and related notes to the consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We base these estimates on historical results and various other assumptions believed to be reasonable, all of which form the basis for making estimates concerning the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily available from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates. Information with respect to our critical accounting policies that we believe could have the most significant effect on our reported results or require subjective or complex judgments by management is contained in Item 7, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements each in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the SEC on March 27, 2024.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
Not applicable as we are a “smaller reporting company.”
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officers, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officers each concluded that, as of September 30, 2024, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective and designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the requisite time periods.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2024 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls and Procedures
Our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial and accounting officers, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal controls will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within our company have been detected. These inherent limitations include, but are not limited to, the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, control may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Due to the nature of our business, we are, from time to time and in the ordinary course of business, involved in routine litigation or subject to disputes or claims related to our business activities, including, without limitation, workers’ compensation claims and employment-related disputes. In the opinion of our management, none of the pending litigation, disputes or claims against us, if decided adversely, will have a material adverse effect individually or in the aggregate on our financial condition, cash flows or results of operations.
Not applicable as we are a "smaller reporting company." For a list of risk factors, please refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the SEC on March 27, 2024.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
On September 20, 2024, the Company issued to each of its six directors other than Mr. Peterson 2,000 shares of restricted Class A common stock, $.001 par value per share ("Class A common stock") pursuant to the Corporation's 2022 Long-Term Incentive Plan, each such grant valued at $29,840 as of the date of issuance, all of which shares vest as follows: (i) 500 shares vest immediately upon grant, (ii) 500 shares vest on October 1, 2024, (iii) 500 shares vest on January 1, 2025 and (iv) 500 shares vest on April 1, 2025. The shares will automatically vest in full on a sale of the Company, provided that the recipient remains as a director of the Company on such applicable vesting date, subject to certain exemptions. The shares were issued for services rendered to the Company under an exemption available pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. No cash consideration was paid for the shares.
On July 23, 2024, the Board approved and authorized a share repurchase program (the “Share Repurchase Program”), pursuant to which the Company intends to repurchase up to $20 million of its Class A common stock, from time to time, in the open market, privately negotiated transactions, or otherwise in compliance with Rule 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Board also authorized the Company, in its discretion, to establish “Rule 10b5-1 trading plans” for these share repurchases. The Share Repurchase Program went into effect on or about August 15, 2024 and will terminate on September 30, 2025, unless earlier terminated in the discretion of the Board. The actual timing, number, and value of shares repurchased under the Share Repurchase Program will depend on a number of factors, including constraints specified in applicable SEC regulations, price, general business and market conditions, and alternative investment opportunities. Pursuant to the Share Repurchase Program, the Company is not obligated to repurchase any specific number of shares of its Class A common stock and shall not repurchase more than 25% of the average daily volume of its stock over the previous 20 trading days. During the three months ended September 30, 2024, we repurchased 97,262 shares of our Class A common stock for a total cost of $1,380,180.
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities.
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Not applicable.
During the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2024, of the Company’s officers or directors adopted or terminated any contract, instruction, or written plan for the purchase or sale of Company securities that was intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) or any “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” (as those terms are defined in Regulation S-K, Item 408).
The exhibits listed in the following Exhibit Index are incorporated herein by reference.
| Exhibit No. |
Exhibit Description |
|
| 3.1 (*) |
| 3.2 (*) |
| 3.5 (*) |
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, as amended, filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on April 1, 2020. |
| 10.1 (*) |
| 10.2 (*) |
| 10.3 (*) |
| 10.4 (*) |
| 10.6 (*) |
| 10.7 (*) |
| 10.8 (*) |
| 31.1 (#) |
Certification of Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a). |
| 31.2 (#) |
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a). |
| 32.1 (#)(##) |
| 32.2 (#)(##) |
| 101.INS (#) |
Inline XBRL Instance Document. |
| 101.SCH (#) |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. |
| 101.CAL (#) |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. |
| 101.DEF (#) |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition. |
| 101.LAB (#) |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. |
| 101.PRE (#) |
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document. |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101). |
| (*) |
Incorporated by reference to the filing indicated. |
| (#) |
Filed herewith. |
| (##) |
The certifications attached as Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2 that accompany this Report, are not deemed filed with the SEC and are not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of Boston Omaha Corporation under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date of this Report irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in such filing. |
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.
BOSTON OMAHA CORPORATION
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Adam K. Peterson
Adam K. Peterson
President (Principal Executive Officer)
November 12, 2024
By: /s/ Joshua P. Weisenburger
Joshua P. Weisenburger
Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)
November 12, 2024
By: /s/ Joseph M. Meisinger
Joseph M. Meisinger
Chief Accounting Officer
November 12, 2024