JCOM 2015.06.30 10-Q


 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
FORM 10-Q
 

ý    QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2015

OR

o    TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from __________ to __________

Commission File Number: 0-25965
 

j2 GLOBAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
47-1053457
(State or other jurisdiction
(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)
6922 Hollywood Boulevard, Suite 500
Los Angeles, California 90028
(Address of principal executive offices)

(323) 860-9200
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.   Yes ý    No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ý    No  o   
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer.  See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer ý
Accelerated filer o
Non-Accelerated filer o
Smaller reporting company o
 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes o        No ý

As of August 4, 2015, the registrant had 48,437,323 shares of common stock outstanding.

 




j2 GLOBAL, INC.
 
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JUNE 30, 2015

INDEX
 
 
 
 
 
PAGE
 
 
 
 
PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.  
Financial Statements
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited)
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (unaudited)
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited)
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
 
 
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.  
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
 
 
 
 
 
Item 3.  
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
 
 
 
 
 
Item 4.  
Controls and Procedures
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1.  
Legal Proceedings
 
 
 
 
 
Item 1A.  
Risk Factors
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2.  
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
 
 
 
 
Item 3.  
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
 
 
 
 
Item 4.  
Mine Safety Disclosures
 
 
 
 
 
Item 5.  
Other Information
 
 
 
 
 
Item 6.  
Exhibits
 
 
 
 
 
 
Signature
 
 
 
 

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PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
Financial Statements
j2 GLOBAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited, in thousands except share and per share data)

June 30,
2015

December 31,
2014
ASSETS
 

 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
415,930


$
433,663

Short-term investments
97,188


96,206

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $4,160 and $3,685, respectively
87,319


91,699

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
27,140


22,602

Deferred income taxes
4,514


2,013

Total current assets
632,091


646,183

Long-term investments
54,177


60,508

Property and equipment, net
36,778


38,217

Trade names, net
103,843


105,551

Patent and patent licenses, net
21,857


24,927

Customer relationships, net
175,488


163,766

Goodwill
674,084


635,675

Other purchased intangibles, net
14,980


17,556

Other assets
13,511


12,819

Total assets
$
1,726,809


$
1,705,202

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY



 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
$
87,081


$
95,310

Income taxes payable
1,215



Deferred revenue, current
75,353


63,457

Capital lease, current
324

 
258

Deferred income taxes
362


342

Total current liabilities
164,335


159,367

Long-term debt
597,209


593,350

Capital lease, non-current
195

 
141

Liability for uncertain tax positions
25,136


37,551

Deferred income taxes
63,267


61,960

Deferred revenue, non-current
8,222


10,182

Other long-term liabilities
19,242


22,416

Total liabilities
877,606


884,967

Commitments and contingencies





Preferred stock - Series A, $0.01 par value. Authorized 6,000; total issued and outstanding zero



Preferred stock - Series B, $0.01 par value. Authorized 20,000; total issued and outstanding zero



Common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 95,000,000; total issued and outstanding 47,641,831 and 47,409,514 shares, respectively
476


474

Additional paid-in capital
282,702


273,304

Retained earnings
584,831


553,584

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(18,806
)

(7,127
)
Total stockholders’ equity
849,203


820,235

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
1,726,809


$
1,705,202


See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

-3-



j2 GLOBAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENDSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited, in thousands except share and per share data)
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Total revenues
$
176,038

 
$
144,744

 
$
337,291

 
$
278,868

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenues (1)
29,494

 
25,558

 
57,681

 
48,947

Gross profit
146,544

 
119,186

 
279,610

 
229,921

Operating expenses:
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Sales and marketing (1)
40,421

 
35,329

 
78,011

 
68,288

Research, development and engineering (1)
8,969

 
7,600

 
17,415

 
14,814

General and administrative (1)
47,088

 
31,419

 
93,588

 
60,397

Total operating expenses
96,478

 
74,348

 
189,014

 
143,499

Income from operations
50,066

 
44,838

 
90,596

 
86,422

Interest expense, net
10,881

 
5,682

 
21,194

 
10,630

Other expense (income), net
88

 
(185
)
 
(696
)
 
(505
)
Income before income taxes
39,097

 
39,341

 
70,098

 
76,297

Income tax expense
181

 
4,292

 
9,304

 
12,483

Net income
$
38,916

 
$
35,049

 
$
60,794

 
$
63,814

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income per common share:
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic
$
0.81

 
$
0.73

 
$
1.26

 
$
1.34

Diluted
$
0.80

 
$
0.73

 
$
1.25

 
$
1.33

Weighted average shares outstanding:
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic
47,537,597

 
46,745,596

 
47,480,315

 
46,556,428

Diluted
47,853,574

 
47,067,767

 
47,737,006

 
46,911,574

Cash dividends paid per common share
$
0.3000

 
$
0.2700

 
$
0.5925

 
$
0.5325

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Includes share-based compensation expense as follows:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenues
$
91

 
$
27

 
$
174

 
$
181

Sales and marketing
603

 
426

 
1,187

 
917

Research, development and engineering
213

 
222

 
408

 
362

General and administrative
2,261

 
1,288

 
4,404

 
2,887

Total
$
3,168

 
$
1,963

 
$
6,173

 
$
4,347

 
See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

-4-



j2 GLOBAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited, in thousands)
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
38,916

 
$
35,049

 
$
60,794

 
$
63,814

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax expense of zero and zero for the three and six months of 2015, respectively, and $498 and $699 for the three and six months of 2014, respectively
7,112

 
1,334

 
(8,125
)
 
2,171

Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments, net of tax expense (benefit) of ($2,448) and ($2,616) for the three and six months of 2015, respectively, and $1,665 and $135 for the three and six months of 2014, respectively
(3,934
)
 
2,885

 
(3,554
)
 
245

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax
3,178

 
4,219

 
(11,679
)
 
2,416

Comprehensive income
$
42,094

 
$
39,268

 
$
49,115

 
$
66,230


See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements


-5-



j2 GLOBAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
  (Unaudited, in thousands)
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Cash flows from operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income
$
60,794

 
$
63,814

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 

Depreciation and amortization
43,181

 
28,455

Accretion and amortization of discount and premium of investments
551

 
654

Amortization of financing costs and discounts
4,480

 
641

Share-based compensation
6,173

 
4,347

Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation
(2,104
)
 
(4,803
)
Provision for doubtful accounts
3,544

 
1,810

Deferred income taxes, net
(73
)
 
(780
)
Gain on sale of available-for-sale investments
(42
)
 
(40
)
Decrease (increase) in:
 
 
 

Accounts receivable
2,199

 
5,691

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
2,163

 
(3,151
)
Other assets
354

 
37

(Decrease) increase in:
 
 
 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses
(5,814
)
 
(3,616
)
Income taxes payable
(5,069
)
 
(320
)
Deferred revenue
(1,546
)
 
364

Liability for uncertain tax positions
(12,414
)
 
(1,213
)
Other long-term liabilities
1,233

 
(84
)
Net cash provided by operating activities
97,610

 
91,806

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 

Maturity of certificates of deposit
65

 
14,520

Purchase of certificates of deposit
(62
)
 

Maturity of available-for-sale investments
56,095

 
51,929

Purchase of available-for-sale investments
(57,465
)
 
(45,043
)
Purchases of property and equipment
(6,955
)
 
(4,631
)
Proceeds from sale of assets

 
608

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash received
(74,308
)
 
(79,546
)
Purchases of intangible assets
(866
)
 
(3,899
)
Net cash used in investing activities
(83,496
)
 
(66,062
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 

Issuance of long-term debt

 
402,500

Debt issuance costs

 
(11,069
)
Repurchases of common stock and restricted stock
(2,302
)
 
(4,733
)
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan
126

 
123

Exercise of stock options
3,009

 
5,247

Dividends paid
(28,610
)
 
(25,302
)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation
2,104

 
4,803

Deferred payments for acquisitions
(3,883
)
 
(13,473
)
Other
(180
)
 
(217
)
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
(29,736
)
 
357,879

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(2,111
)
 
457

Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(17,733
)
 
384,080

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
433,663

 
207,801

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
415,930

 
$
591,881

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

-6-



NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
JUNE 30, 2015
(UNAUDITED)
1.
Basis of Presentation

j2 Global, Inc., together with its subsidiaries (“j2 Global” or the "Company"), is a leading provider of Internet services. Through its Business Cloud Services Division, the Company provides cloud services to businesses of all sizes, from individuals to enterprises, and licenses its intellectual property ("IP") to third parties. In addition, the Business Cloud Services Division includes our j2 Cloud Connect, which is primarily focused on our DID-based voice and fax services. The Digital Media Division specializes in the technology and gaming markets, reaching in-market buyers and influencers in both the consumer and business-to-business space.

The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of j2 Global and its direct and indirect wholly-owned and less-than-wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with instructions for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and note disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements although the Company believes that that disclosures made are adequate to make that information not misleading. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been reflected in these interim financial statements. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes for the year ended December 31, 2014 included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 2, 2015. Accordingly, significant accounting policies and other disclosures normally provided have been omitted since such items are disclosed therein.
 
The results of operations for this interim period are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full year or for any future period.

Holding Company Reorganization
On June 10, 2014, j2 Global, Inc., a Delaware corporation, completed a corporate reorganization (the “Holding Company Reorganization”) pursuant to which j2 Global, Inc. (the “Predecessor”); merged with j2 Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of the Predecessor, and changed its name to “j2 Cloud Services, Inc.” The Predecessor surviving the merger became a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of a new public holding company, j2 Global Holdings, Inc. (the “Holding Company”), which in connection with the merger changed its name to j2 Global, Inc.
At the effective time of the merger and in connection with the Holding Company Reorganization, all outstanding shares of common stock and preferred stock of the Predecessor were automatically converted into identical shares of common stock or preferred stock, as applicable, of the Holding Company on a one-for-one basis, and the Predecessor’s existing stockholders and other equity holders became stockholders and equity holders, as applicable, of the Holding Company in the same amounts and percentages as they were in the Predecessor prior to the Holding Company Reorganization.
Further information related to the merger and the Holding Company Reorganization is contained in the Agreement and Plan of Merger set forth as an exhibit to the Form 8-K filed with the SEC on June 10, 2014.
 
Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, including judgments about investment classifications, and the reported amounts of net revenue and expenses during the reporting period. We believe that our most significant estimates are those related to valuation and impairment of marketable securities, valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with business combinations, long-lived and intangible asset impairment, contingent consideration, income taxes, contingencies and allowances for doubtful accounts. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates based on historical experience and on various other factors that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.


-7-



Allowances for Doubtful Accounts

j2 Global reserves for receivables it may not be able to collect. The reserves for the Company's Business Cloud Services segment are typically driven by the historical volume of credit card declines, an evaluation of current market conditions and past due invoices based on historical experience. The reserves for the Company's Digital Media segment are typically driven by past due invoices based on historical experience. Management evaluates the adequacy of these reserves on an ongoing basis.

Revenue Recognition

Business Cloud Services

The Company's Business Cloud Services revenues substantially consist of monthly recurring subscription and usage-based fees, which are primarily paid in advance by credit card. In accordance with GAAP, the Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, services have been provided, the sales price is fixed and determinable and collection is probable. The Company defers the portions of monthly, quarterly, semi-annually and annually recurring subscription and usage-based fees collected in advance and recognizes them in the period earned. Additionally, the Company defers and recognizes subscriber activation fees and related direct incremental costs over a subscriber's estimated useful life.

j2 Global's Business Cloud Services also include patent license revenues generated under license agreements that provide for the payment of contractually determined fully paid-up or royalty-bearing license fees to j2 Global in exchange for the grant of non-exclusive, retroactive and future licenses to our intellectual property, including patented technology. Patent revenues may also consist of revenues generated from the sale of patents. Patent license revenues are recognized when earned over the term of the license agreements. With regard to fully paid-up license arrangements, the Company recognizes as revenue in the period the license agreement is executed the portion of the payment attributable to past use of the intellectual property and amortizes the remaining portion of such payments on a straight-line basis, or pro-rata revenue basis, as appropriate over the life of the licensed patent(s). With regard to royalty-bearing license arrangements, the Company recognizes revenues of license fees earned during the applicable period. With regard to patent sales, the Company recognizes as revenue in the period of the sale the amount of the purchase price over the carrying value of the patent(s) sold.

The Business Cloud Services business also generates revenues by licensing certain technology to third parties. These licensing revenues are recognized when earned in accordance with the terms of the underlying agreement. Generally, revenue is recognized as the third party uses the licensed technology over the period.

Digital Media

The Company's Digital Media revenues primarily consist of revenues generated from the sale of advertising campaigns that are targeted to the Company's proprietary websites and to those websites operated by third parties that are part of the Digital Media business's advertising network. Revenues for these advertising campaigns are recognized as earned either when an ad is placed for viewing by a visitor to the appropriate web page or when the visitor "clicks through" on the ad, depending upon the terms with the individual advertiser.

Revenues for Digital Media business-to-business operations consist of lead-generation campaigns for IT vendors and are recognized as earned when the Company delivers the qualified leads to the customer.

j2 Global also generates Digital Media revenues through the license of certain assets to clients, for the clients' use in their own promotional materials or otherwise. Such assets may include logos, editorial reviews, or other copyrighted material. Revenues under such license agreements are recognized when the assets are delivered to the client. Also, Digital Media revenues are generated through the license of certain speed testing technology which is recognized when delivered to the client through providing data services primarily to Internet Service Providers ("ISPs") and wireless carriers which is recognized as earned over the term of the access period. The Digital Media business also generates other types of revenues, including business listing fees, subscriptions to online publications, and from other sources. Such other revenues are recognized as earned.

The Company determines whether Digital Media revenue should be reported on a gross or net basis by assessing whether the Company is acting as the principal or agent in the transaction. If the Company is acting as the principal in a transaction, the Company reports revenue on a gross basis. If the Company is acting as an agent in a transaction, the Company reports revenue on a net basis. In determining whether the Company acts as the principal or an agent, the Company follows the accounting guidance for principal-agent considerations and the Company places the most weight on three factors: whether or not the Company (i) is the primary obligor in the arrangement, (ii) has latitude in determining pricing and (iii) bears credit risk.

-8-



The Company records revenue on a gross basis with respect to revenue generated (i) by the Company serving online display and video advertising across its owned-and-operated web properties, on third party sites or on unaffiliated advertising networks, (ii) through the Company's lead-generation business and (iii) through the Company's Digital Media licensing program. The Company records revenue on a net basis with respect to revenue paid to the Company by certain third-party advertising networks who serve online display and video advertising across the Company's owned-and-operated web properties or certain third party sites.

Fair Value Measurements

As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, interest receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses, interest payable, customer deposits and long-term debt are reflected in the financial statements at cost. With the exception of long-term debt, cost approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of such instruments. The fair value of the Company's senior unsecured notes was determined using the quoted market prices of debt instruments with similar terms and maturities, if available. As of the same dates, the carrying value of other long-term liabilities approximated fair value as the related interest rates approximate rates currently available to j2 Global.

Debt Issuance Costs and Debt Discount

j2 Global capitalizes costs incurred with borrowing and issuance of debt securities and records debt discounts as a reduction to the debt amount. j2 Global capitalized third-party costs incurred in connection with its sale of senior unsecured notes within long-term other assets and recorded the original purchase discount as a reduction to such notes (See Note 7 - Long Term Debt). These costs and discounts are amortized and included in interest expense over the life of the borrowing or term of the credit facility using the interest method.
 
Concentration of Credit Risk

All of the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities are invested primarily at major financial institutions within the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland, with cash and cash equivalents also held at financial institutions within several other countries, including Australia, Austria, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, the Netherlands and Poland. These institutions are required to invest the Company’s cash in accordance with the Company’s investment policy with the principal objectives being preservation of capital, fulfillment of liquidity needs and above market returns commensurate with preservation of capital. The Company’s investment policy also requires that investments in marketable securities be in only highly rated instruments, with limitations on investing in securities of any single issuer. However, these investments are not insured against the possibility of a total or near complete loss of earnings or principal and are inherently subject to the credit risk related to the continued credit worthiness of the underlying issuer and general credit market risks.

At June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents were maintained in accounts that are insured up to the limit determined by the applicable governmental agency. The Company's deposits held in qualifying financial institutions in Ireland are fully insured through March 28, 2018 to the extent on deposit prior to March 28, 2013. With respect to the Company's deposits with financial institutions in other jurisdictions, the insured amounts are immaterial in comparison to the total amount of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents held by these institutions which is not insured.

Contingent Consideration

j2 Global measures contingent earn-out liabilities in connection with acquisitions at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs and such liabilities are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy (see Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements). The Company may use various valuation techniques depending on the terms and conditions of the contingent consideration including a Monte-Carlo simulation. This simulation uses a probability distribution for each significant input to produce hundreds or thousands of possible outcomes and the results are analyzed to determine probabilities of different outcomes occurring. Significant increases or decreases to these inputs in isolation would result in a significantly higher or lower liability with a higher liability capped by the contractual maximum of the contingent earn-out obligation, if any. Ultimately, the liability will be equivalent to the amount paid, and the difference between the fair value estimate and the amount paid will be recorded in earnings. If the amount paid is less than the liability on the acquisition date, such deficiency is reflected as cash used in financing activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows. Any amount paid in excess of the liability on the acquisition date is reflected as cash used in operating activities.

j2 Global reviews and re-assess the estimated fair value of contingent consideration on a quarterly basis, and the updated fair value could be materially different from the initial estimates or prior quarterly amounts. Changes in the estimated fair value

-9-



of our contingent earn-out liabilities are reported in operating income, except for the time component of the present value calculation which is reported in interest expense.

Income Taxes

The Company must make certain estimates and judgments in determining income tax expense for financial statement purposes. These estimates and judgments occur in the following areas, among others: (i) calculation of tax credits, benefits and deductions; (ii) calculation of tax assets and liabilities arising from differences in the timing of recognition of revenue and expense for tax and financial statement purposes; and (iii) interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions. Significant changes to these estimates may result in an increase or decrease to the Company’s tax provision in the current or a subsequent period.

The Company must assess the likelihood that it will be able to recover its deferred tax assets. If recovery is not likely, the Company must increase its provision for taxes by recording a valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets that the Company estimates will not ultimately be recoverable. The Company believes that it will ultimately recover a substantial majority of the deferred tax assets recorded on its condensed consolidated balance sheets. However, should there be a change in the Company’s ability to recover its deferred tax assets, the Company’s tax provision would increase as a result of recording any necessary valuation allowances, in the period in which j2 Global determined that the recovery was not likely.

The calculation of the Company’s tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws. j2 Global recognizes liabilities for uncertain tax positions based on a two-step process. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. If the Company determines that a tax position will more likely than not be sustained on audit, then the second step requires j2 Global to estimate and measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. It is inherently difficult and subjective to estimate such amounts, as j2 Global has to determine the probability of various possible outcomes. j2 Global reevaluates these uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis. This evaluation is based on factors including, but not limited to, changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, effectively settled issues under audit and new audit activity. Such a change in recognition or measurement would result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an additional charge to the tax provision.

Earnings Per Common Share

Earnings per common share ("EPS") is calculated pursuant to the two-class method as defined in ASC Topic No. 260, Earnings per Share (“ASC 260”), which specifies that all outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to nonforfeitable dividends or dividend equivalents are considered participating securities and should be included in the computation of EPS pursuant to the two-class method.

Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders, excluding participating securities and the net income attributable to noncontrolling interest, by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. The Company's participating securities consist of its unvested share-based awards that contain rights to nonforfeitable dividends or dividend equivalents.

Diluted EPS includes the determinants of basic EPS and, in addition, reflects the impact of other potentially dilutive shares outstanding during the period.  The dilutive effect of participating securities is calculated under the more dilutive of either the treasury method or the two-class method. The Company currently intends to satisfy the conversion obligation of its Convertible Notes (See Note 7 - Long Term Debt) by paying and delivering a combination of cash and shares of the Company's common stock, where cash will be used to settle each $1,000 of principal and the remainder, if any, will be settled via the Company's common shares. As a result, the potential common shares to satisfy the excess conversion value will be included in the presentation of diluted EPS only to the extent that the conversion features are in-the-money and the effect is dilutive.

2.
    Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as a new Topic, Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 606.  The new revenue recognition standard provides a five-step analysis of transactions to determine when and how revenue is recognized.  The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and shall be applied retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption.  The

-10-



Company is evaluating the effect and methodology of adopting this new accounting guidance upon the Company's results of operations, cash flows and financial position.

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, Disclosure of Uncertainties About an Entity's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern. The new standard provides guidance around management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements.

In November 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-16, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Determining Whether the Host Contract in a Hybrid Financial Instrument Issued in the Form of a Share is More Akin to Debt or to Equity, which clarifies how current guidance should be interpreted in evaluating the economic characteristics and risks of a host contract in a hybrid financial instrument that is issued in the form of a share. Specifically, the amendments clarify that an entity should consider all relevant terms and features, including the embedded derivative feature being evaluated for bifurcation, in evaluating the nature of the host contract. The assessment of the substance of the relevant terms and features should incorporate a consideration of: (1) the characteristics of the terms and features themselves; (2) the circumstances under which the hybrid financial instrument was issued or acquired; and (3) the potential outcomes of the hybrid financial instrument, as well as the likelihood of those potential outcomes. The amendments in this ASU apply to all entities that are issuers of, or investors in, hybrid financial instruments that are issued in the form of a share. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption on our financial statements and related disclosures.

In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20): Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, Consolidation (Topic 810): Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis. The amendments in this ASU provide guidance which changes the analysis that a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. The amendments in this ASU are effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest - Imputation Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The amendments in this ASU provide guidance which require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The amendments in this ASU are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other Internal - Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement. The amendments in this ASU provide guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2015. An entity can elect to adopt the amendments either (1) prospectively to all arrangements entered into or materially modified after the effective date or (2) retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements.

In June 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-10, Technical Corrections and Improvements.The amendments in this update cover a wide range of topics in the Codification and are generally categorized as follows: Amendments Related to Differences between Original Guidance and the Codification; Guidance Clarification and Reference Corrections; Simplification; and Minor Improvements. The amendments are effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. Since the this update is intended to clarify the Codification, correct unintended application of guidance, or make minor improvements to the Codification that are not expected to have a significant effect on current accounting practice, the adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements.

-11-




3.
    Business Acquisitions

The Company uses acquisitions as a strategy to grow its customer base by increasing its presence in new and existing markets, expand and diversify its service offerings, enhance its technology and acquire skilled personnel.

The Company completed the following acquisitions during the first six months of fiscal 2015, paying the purchase price in cash in each transaction: (a) a share purchase of the entire issued share capital of Firstway, an Ireland-based distributor of FaxBOX® digital fax services; (b) an asset purchase of Nuvotera (formerly known as Spam Soap), a California-based supplier of email security; (c) an asset purchase of EmailDirect, a California-based provider of email marketing services; (d) an asset purchase of SugarSync®, Inc., a California-based provider of online file backup, synchronization and sharing assets; and (e) other immaterial asset acquisitions of online data backup businesses in the Business Cloud Services segment.

The condensed consolidated statement of income, since the date of each acquisition, and balance sheet, as of June 30, 2015, reflect the results of operations of all 2015 acquisitions. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, these acquisitions contributed $11.3 million to the Company's revenues. Net income contributed by these acquisitions was not separately identifiable due to j2 Global's integration activities and is impracticable to provide. Total consideration for these transactions was $74.9 million, net of cash acquired and assumed liabilities and is subject to certain post-closing adjustments which may increase or decrease the final consideration paid.

The following table summarizes the allocation of the purchase consideration for these acquisitions (in thousands):
Assets and Liabilities
Valuation
Accounts receivable
$
2,014

Property and equipment
490

Other assets
407

Software
267

Trade names
2,934

Customer relationships
37,935

Other intangibles
33

Goodwill
41,604

Other accrued liabilities
(1,080
)
Deferred revenue
(8,031
)
Capital lease
(195
)
Deferred tax liability
(1,459
)
 Total
$
74,919


The initial accounting for the 2015 acquisitions is incomplete and subject to change, which may be significant. j2 Global has recorded provisional amounts which may be based upon past acquisitions with similar attributes for certain intangible assets (including trade names, software and customer relationships), preliminary acquisition date working capital and related tax items. Actual amounts recorded upon finalization of the purchase accounting may differ materially from the information presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. During the six months ended June 30, 2015, the Company recorded adjustments to the initial working capital related to prior period acquisitions and finalized the fair value of contingent consideration associated with the acquisition of Scene LLC ("Ookla"), which resulted in a net decrease in goodwill in the amount of $(0.5) million.

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and represents intangible assets that do not qualify for separate recognition. Goodwill recognized associated with these acquisitions during the six months ended June 30, 2015 is $41.6 million, of which $21.4 million is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

4.
    Investments

Short-term investments consist generally of corporate and governmental debt securities and certificates of deposits, which are stated at fair market value. Realized gains and losses of short and long-term investments are recorded using the specific identification method.

-12-




The following table summarizes j2 Global’s debt securities designated as available-for-sale, classified by the contractual maturity date of the security (in thousands):
 
June 30,
2015
 
December 31, 2014
Due within 1 year
$
67,140

 
$
59,896

Due within more than 1 year but less than 5 years
53,842

 
60,178

Due within more than 5 years but less than 10 years

 

Due 10 years or after
335

 
330

Total
$
121,317

 
$
120,404


The following table summarizes the Company’s investments (in thousands):
 
June 30,
2015
 
December 31, 2014
Available-for-sale
$
151,303

 
$
156,649

Certificates of deposit
62

 
65

Total
$
151,365

 
$
156,714

 
The following table summarizes the gross unrealized gains and losses and fair values for the Company's investments classified as available-for-sale investments as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 aggregated by major security type (in thousands):
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
June 30, 2015
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate debt securities
$
92,977

 
$
149

 
$
(81
)
 
$
93,045

Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government corporations and agencies
26,215

 
17

 
(2
)
 
26,230

Debt securities issued by states of the United States and political subdivisions of the states
2,040

 
2

 

 
2,042

Equity securities
20,611

 
9,375

 

 
29,986

Total
$
141,843

 
$
9,543

 
$
(83
)
 
$
151,303

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Corporate debt securities
$
91,456

 
$
147

 
$
(136
)
 
$
91,467

Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government corporations and agencies
26,848

 
9

 
(13
)
 
26,844

Debt securities issued by states of the United States and political subdivisions of the states
2,088

 
5

 

 
2,093

Equity securities
20,611

 
15,634

 

 
36,245

Total
$
141,003

 
$
15,795

 
$
(149
)
 
$
156,649


At June 30, 2015, corporate and governmental debt securities, which have a fixed interest rate, were recorded as available-for-sale. There have been no significant changes in the maturity dates and average interest rates for the Company’s investment portfolio and debt obligations subsequent to June 30, 2015. At June 30, 2015, equity securities were recorded as available-for-sale and represent a strategic equity investment in Carbonite, Inc. At June 30, 2015, the Company’s available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses reported as a component of stockholders’ equity.


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Recognition and Measurement of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment

j2 Global regularly reviews and evaluates each investment that has an unrealized loss. An unrealized loss exists when the current fair value of an individual security is less than its amortized cost basis. Unrealized losses that are determined to be temporary in nature are recorded, net of tax, in accumulated other comprehensive income for available-for-sale securities.

Regardless of the classification of the securities, the Company has assessed each position for impairment.

Factors considered in determining whether a loss is temporary include:

the length of time and the extent to which fair value has been below cost;
the severity of the impairment;
the cause of the impairment and the financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer;
activity in the market of the issuer which may indicate adverse credit conditions; and
the Company’s ability and intent to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery.

j2 Global’s review for impairment generally entails:

identification and evaluation of investments that have indications of possible impairment;
analysis of individual investments that have fair values less than amortized cost, including consideration of the length of time the investment has been in an unrealized loss position and the expected recovery period;
discussion of evidential matter, including an evaluation of factors or triggers that could cause individual investments to qualify as having an other-than-temporary impairment and those that would not support an other-than-temporary impairment;
documentation of the results of these analyses, as required under business policies; and
information provided by third-party valuation experts.

For these securities, a critical component of the evaluation for other-than-temporary impairments is the identification of credit impairment, where management does not expect to receive cash flows sufficient to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security. Credit impairment is assessed using a combination of a discounted cash flow model that estimates the cash flows on the underlying securities and a market comparables method, where the security is valued based upon indications from the secondary market of what discounts buyers demand when purchasing similar securities. The cash flow model incorporates actual cash flows from the securities through the current period and then projects the remaining cash flows using relevant interest rate curves over the remaining term. These cash flows are discounted using a number of assumptions, some of which include prevailing implied credit risk premiums, incremental credit spreads and illiquidity risk premiums, among others.
 
Securities that have been identified as other-than-temporarily impaired are written down to their current fair value. For debt securities that are intended to be sold or that management believes it more-likely-than-not that will be required to sell prior to recovery, the full impairment is recognized immediately in earnings.
 
For available-for-sale securities that management has no intent to sell and believes that it more-likely-than-not will not be required to sell prior to recovery, only the credit loss component of the impairment is recognized in earnings, while the rest of the fair value impairment is recognized in other comprehensive income. The credit loss component recognized in earnings is identified as the amount of principal cash flows not expected to be received over the remaining term of the security.


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The following tables present gross unrealized losses and fair values for those investments that were in an unrealized loss position as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, aggregated by investment category and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position (in thousands):
 
As of June 30, 2015
 
Less than 12 Months
 
12 Months or Greater
 
Total
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Loss
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Loss
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Loss
Corporate debt securities
$
52,055

 
$
(81
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
52,055

 
$
(81
)
Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government corporations and agencies
10,106

 
(2
)
 

 

 
10,106

 
(2
)
Total
$
62,161

 
$
(83
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
62,161

 
$
(83
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2014
 
Less than 12 Months
 
12 Months or Greater
 
Total
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Loss
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Loss
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized Loss
Corporate debt securities
$
57,898

 
$
(131
)
 
$
1,260

 
$
(5
)
 
$
59,158

 
$
(136
)
Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government corporations and agencies
15,072

 
(13
)
 

 

 
15,072

 
(13
)
Total
$
72,970

 
$
(144
)
 
$
1,260

 
$
(5
)
 
$
74,230

 
$
(149
)

As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we did not recognize any other-than-temporary impairment losses.

5.
Fair Value Measurements

j2 Global complies with the provisions of ASC 820, which defines fair value, provides a framework for measuring fair value and expands the disclosures required for fair value measurements of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities. ASC 820 clarifies that the fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, ASC 820 establishes a three-tier value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value:
 
l
Level 1 – Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
 
 
 
 
l
Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
 
 
 
 
l
Level 3 – Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.

The fair value hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

The Company's money market funds and its marketable equity securities are classified within Level 1. The Company values these Level 1 investments using quoted market prices. The Company's debt investments, time deposits and commercial paper, all of which have counterparties with high credit ratings, are classified within Level 2. The Company values these Level 2 investments based on quoted market prices or model-driven valuations using significant inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data.
 
The fair value of the Senior Notes and Convertible Notes (See Note 7 - Long-Term Debt) is determined using recent quoted market prices or dealer quotes for such securities, if available, which are Level 1 inputs. If such information is unavailable, the fair value of these securities is determined using quoted market prices or dealer quotes for instruments with similar maturities

-15-



and other terms and credit ratings, which are Level 2 inputs. If none of the aforementioned information is available, the fair value of these securities is determined using cash-flow models of the scheduled payments and, for the Convertible Notes, discounted at market interest rates for comparable debt without the conversion feature, which are also Level 2 inputs.

In addition, the Company may pay contingent interest on the Convertible Notes which is accounted for as a derivative with fair value adjustments being recorded to interest expense. This derivative is fair valued using a binomial lattice convertible bond pricing model using historical and implied market information, which are Level 2 inputs. The total carrying value of long-term debt was $597.2 million and $593.4 million, and the corresponding fair value was approximately $734.9 million and $711.1 million, at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

The Company classifies its contingent consideration liability recorded in connection with acquisitions within Level 3 because factors used to develop the estimated fair value are unobservable inputs, such as volatility and market risks, and are not supported by market activity. The fair value of the contingent consideration liability was determined using option based approaches. This methodology was utilized because the distribution of payments is not symmetric and amounts are only payable upon certain earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") thresholds being reached. Such valuation approach included the Monte-Carlo simulation for the contingency since the financial metric driving the payments is path dependent. Significant increases or decreases in either of the inputs noted above in isolation would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value of measurement.
 

-16-



The following tables present the fair values of the Company’s financial assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
June 30, 2015
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Fair Value
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Money market and other funds
$
227,979

 
$

 
$

 
$
227,979

   Time deposits

 
1,700

 

 
1,700

   Corporate commercial papers

 
10,576

 

 
10,576

Certificates of deposit

 
62

 

 
62

Equity securities
29,986

 

 

 
29,986

Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government corporations and agencies

 
26,230

 

 
26,230

Debt securities issued by states of the U.S. and political subdivisions of the states

 
2,042

 

 
2,042

Corporate debt securities

 
93,045

 

 
93,045

Total assets measured at fair value
$
257,965

 
$
133,655

 
$

 
$
391,620

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contingent consideration
$

 
$

 
$
13,000

 
$
13,000

Contingent interest derivative

 
742

 

 
742

Total liabilities measured at fair value
$

 
$
742

 
$
13,000

 
$
13,742

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2014
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Fair Value
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash equivalents:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   Money market and other funds
$
212,645

 
$

 
$

 
$
212,645

   Time deposits

 
51,807

 

 
51,807

Certificates of deposit

 
65

 

 
65

Equity securities
36,245

 

 

 
36,245

Debt securities issued by the U.S. Treasury and other U.S. government corporations and agencies

 
26,844

 

 
26,844

Debt securities issued by states of the U.S. and political subdivisions of the states

 
2,093

 

 
2,093

Corporate debt securities

 
91,467

 

 
91,467

Total assets measured at fair value
$
248,890

 
$
172,276

 
$

 
$
421,166

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Contingent consideration
$

 
$

 
$
15,000

 
$
15,000

Contingent interest derivative

 
742

 

 
742

Total liabilities measured at fair value
$

 
$
742

 
$
15,000

 
$
15,742


At the end of each reporting period, management reviews the inputs to measure the fair value measurements of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities to determine when transfers between levels are deemed to have occurred. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, there were no transfers that have occurred between levels.


-17-



The following tables presents a reconciliation of the Company’s Level 3 financial assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
 
Level 3
 
Affected line item in the Statement of Income
Balance as of December 31, 2014
$
15,000

 
 
Contingent consideration
(3,000
)
 
Not applicable
Total (gains) losses reported in earnings
1,000

 
General and administrative
Transfers into or out of Level 3

 
 
Balance as of June 30, 2015
$
13,000

 
 

In connection with the acquisition of Ookla, on December 1, 2014, contingent consideration of up to an aggregate of $40.0 million may be payable upon achieving certain future income thresholds and was estimated to have a fair value of $15.0 million, which was recorded as an other long-term liability on the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014. The fair value of the contingent consideration was subsequently finalized during the first quarter of 2015 to $12.0 million. During the three months ended June 30, 2015, the Company recorded a net increase in the fair value of the contingent consideration of $1.0 million and reported such increase in general and administrative expenses.

The following tables presents a reconciliation of the Company’s derivative instruments (in thousands):
 
Amount
 
Affected line item in the Statement of Income
Derivative Liabilities:
 
 
 
Level 2:
 
 
 
Balance as of December 31, 2014
$
742

 
 
Total (gains) losses reported in earnings

 
 
Balance as of June 30, 2015
$
742

 
 

Losses associated with other-than-temporary impairments are recorded as a component of other income (expenses). Gains and losses not associated with other-than-temporary impairments are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income. 

6.
    Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Intangible assets resulting from the acquisitions of entities accounted for using the purchase method of accounting are recorded at the estimated fair value of the assets acquired. Identifiable intangible assets are comprised of purchased customer relationships, trademarks and trade names, developed technologies and other intangible assets. The fair values of these identified intangible assets are based upon expected future cash flows or income, which take into consideration certain assumptions such as customer turnover, trade names and patent lives. These determinations are primarily based upon the Company’s historical experience and expected benefit of each intangible asset. If it is determined that such assumptions are not accurate, then the resulting change will impact the fair value of the intangible asset. Identifiable intangible assets are amortized over the period of estimated economic benefit, which ranges from one to 20 years.

The changes in carrying amounts of goodwill for the six months ended June 30, 2015 are as follows (in thousands):
 
Business Cloud Services
 
Digital Media
 
Consolidated
Balance as of January 1, 2015
$
390,063

 
$
245,612

 
$
635,675

Goodwill acquired (Note 3)
41,604

 

 
41,604

Purchase accounting adjustments
3,835

 
(4,291
)
 
(456
)
Foreign exchange translation
(2,746
)
 
7

 
(2,739
)
Balance as of June 30, 2015
$
432,756

 
$
241,328

 
$
674,084



-18-



Purchase accounting adjustments relate to adjustments to goodwill in connection with prior year business acquisitions.

Intangible assets are summarized as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 as follows (in thousands):

Intangible Assets with Indefinite Lives:
 
June 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
Trade name
$
27,379

 
$
27,379

Other
5,432

 
5,432

Total
$
32,811

 
$
32,811


Intangible Assets Subject to Amortization:

As of June 30, 2015, intangible assets subject to amortization relate primarily to the following (in thousands):
 
 
Weighted-Average
  Amortization
Period
 
Historical
Cost
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Trade names
14.3 years
 
$
97,359

 
$
(20,895
)
 
$
76,464

Patent and patent licenses
8.3 years
 
63,955

 
(42,098
)
 
21,857

Customer relationships
8.9 years
 
264,743

 
(89,255
)
 
175,488

Other purchased intangibles
4.3 years
 
28,485

 
(18,937
)
 
9,548

Total
 
 
$
454,542

 
$
(171,185
)
 
$
283,357


As of December 31, 2014, intangible assets subject to amortization relate primarily to the following (in thousands):
 
Weighted-Average
  Amortization
Period
 
Historical
Cost
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Trade names
14.5 years
 
$
94,770

 
$
(16,598
)
 
$
78,172

Patent and patent licenses
9.0 years
 
62,940

 
(38,013
)
 
24,927

Customer relationships
9.3 years
 
230,424

 
(66,658
)
 
163,766

Other purchased intangibles
4.3 years
 
28,360

 
(16,236
)
 
12,124

Total
 
 
$
416,494

 
$
(137,505
)
 
$
278,989


Amortization expense, included in general and administrative expense, approximated $17.6 million and $11.5 million for the three month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $34.6 million and $21.5 million for the six month periods ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Amortization expense is estimated to approximate $57.8 million, $47.7 million, $43.1 million, $32.7 million and $30.4 million for fiscal years 2015 through 2019, respectively, and $106.2 million thereafter through the duration of the amortization period.


-19-



7.
Long-Term Debt

8.0% Senior Notes

On July 26, 2012, the Company's subsidiary, j2 Cloud Services, Inc., issued in a private offering exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, $250 million aggregate principal amount of 8.0% senior unsecured notes (the "Senior Notes") due August 1, 2020. j2 Cloud Services, Inc. received proceeds of $245 million in cash, net of initial purchaser's discounts and commissions of $5 million. As of June 30, 2015, the unamortized discount on the Senior Notes was approximately $3.5 million. Other fees were incurred in connection with the issuance of the Senior Notes and have an unamortized balance of $1.0 million as of June 30, 2015, which is recorded within long-term other assets. The net proceeds were available for general corporate purposes, including acquisitions. Interest is payable semi-annually on February 1 and August 1 of each year beginning on February 1, 2013. j2 Cloud Services, Inc. has the option to call the Senior Notes in whole or in part after August 1, 2016, subject to certain premiums as defined in the indenture governing the Senior Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, at any time before August 1, 2016, j2 Cloud Services, Inc. may redeem the Senior Notes, in whole or in part, at a "make-whole" redemption price specified in the indenture plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to (but not including) the redemption date. Upon a change in control, the holders may put the Senior Notes at 101% of the principal amount of the Senior Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the repurchase date. The Senior Notes are not guaranteed by any of j2 Cloud Services, Inc.'s subsidiaries as of June 30, 2015, because, as of such date, all of j2 Cloud Services, Inc.'s existing domestic restricted subsidiaries are deemed insignificant subsidiaries (as that term is defined in the indenture) or are designated as unrestricted subsidiaries. If j2 Cloud Services, Inc. or any of its restricted subsidiaries (as that term is defined in the indenture) acquires or creates a domestic restricted subsidiary, other than an insignificant subsidiary, after the issue date, or any insignificant restricted subsidiary ceases to fit within the definition of insignificant subsidiary, such restricted subsidiary is required to unconditionally guarantee, jointly and severally, on an unsecured basis, j2 Cloud Services, Inc.'s obligations under the Senior Notes. In connection with the issuance of the Convertible Notes (defined below), j2 Global, Inc. unconditionally guaranteed, on an unsecured basis, the obligations of j2 Cloud Services, Inc. under the Senior Notes.

The indenture governing the Senior Notes contains certain restrictive and other covenants applicable to j2 Cloud Services, Inc. and subsidiaries designated as restricted subsidiaries including, but not limited to, limitations on debt and disqualified or preferred stock, restricted payments, liens, sale and leaseback transactions, dividends and other payment restrictions, asset sales and transactions with affiliates. Restricted payments are applicable only if j2 Cloud Services, Inc. and subsidiaries designated as restricted subsidiaries has a pro forma leverage ratio of greater than 1.75 to 1.0. In addition, if such leverage ratio is in excess of 1.75 to 1.0, restricted payments are permitted up to $50 million. As of June 30, 2015, j2 Cloud Services, Inc. was in compliance with all such covenants. Violation of these covenants could result in a default which could result in the acceleration of outstanding amounts if such default is not cured or waived within the time periods outlined in the indenture agreement.

As of June 30, 2015, the estimated fair value of the Senior Notes was approximately $267.0 million and was based on the quoted market prices of debt instruments with similar terms, credit rating and maturities of the Senior Notes as of June 30, 2015.

3.25% Convertible Notes

On June 10, 2014, j2 Global issued $402.5 million aggregate principal amount of 3.25% convertible senior notes due June 15, 2029 (the “Convertible Notes”). j2 Global received proceeds of $391.4 million in cash, net of underwriters' discounts and commissions. The net proceeds were available for general corporate purposes. The Convertible Notes bear interest at a rate of 3.25% per annum, payable semiannually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year. Beginning with the six-month interest period commencing on June 15, 2021, the Company must pay contingent interest on the Convertible Notes during any six-month interest period if the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of the Convertible Notes for each of the five trading days immediately preceding the first day of such interest period equals or exceeds $1,300. Any contingent interest payable on the Convertible Notes will be in addition to the regular interest payable on the Convertible Notes.

Holders may surrender their Convertible Notes for conversion at any time prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the maturity date only if one or more of the following conditions is satisfied: (i) during any calendar quarter commencing after the calendar quarter ending on September 30, 2014 (and only during such calendar quarter), if the closing sale price of j2 Global common stock for at least 20 trading days in the period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the calendar quarter immediately preceding the calendar quarter in which the conversion occurs is more than 130% of the applicable conversion price of the Convertible Notes on each such trading day; (ii) during the five consecutive business day period following any ten consecutive trading day period in which the trading price for the Convertible Notes for each such trading

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day was less than 98% of the product of (a) the closing sale price of j2 Global common stock on each such trading day and (b) the applicable conversion rate on each such trading day; (iii) if j2 Global calls any or all of the Convertible Notes for redemption, at any time prior to the close of business on the business day prior to the redemption date; (iv) upon the occurrence of specified corporate events; or (v) during either the period beginning on, and including, March 15, 2021 and ending on, but excluding, June 20, 2021 or the period beginning on, and including, March 15, 2029 and ending on, but excluding, the maturity date. j2 Global will settle conversions of Convertible Notes by paying or delivering, as the case may be, cash, shares of j2 Global common stock or a combination thereof at j2 Global's election. The Company currently intends to satisfy its conversion obligation by paying and delivering a combination of cash and shares of the Company's common stock, where cash will be used to settle each $1,000 of principal and the remainder, if any, will be settled via the Company's common shares.

The initial conversion rate is 14.4159 shares of our common stock for each $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes, which represents an initial conversion price of approximately $69.37 per share of j2 Global common stock. The conversion rate is subject to adjustment for certain events as set forth in the indenture governing the Convertible Notes, but will not be adjusted for accrued interest. In addition, following certain corporate events that occur on or prior to June 20, 2021, j2 Global will increase the conversion rate for a holder that elects to convert its Convertible Notes in connection with such a corporate event.

j2 Global may not redeem the Convertible Notes prior to June 20, 2021. On or after June 20, 2021, j2 Global may redeem for cash all or part of the Convertible Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be redeemed, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the redemption date. No sinking fund is provided for the Convertible Notes.

Holders have the right to require j2 Global to repurchase for cash all or part of their Convertible Notes on each of June 15, 2021 and June 15, 2024 at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the relevant repurchase date. In addition, if a fundamental change, as defined in the indenture governing the Convertible Notes, occurs prior to the maturity date, holders may require j2 Global to repurchase for cash all or part of their Convertible Notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the Convertible Notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the fundamental change repurchase date.

The Convertible Notes are the Company's general senior unsecured obligations and rank: (i) senior in right of payment to any of the Company's future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the Convertible Notes; (ii) equal in right of payment to the Company's existing and future unsecured indebtedness that is not so subordinated, including in respect of j2 Global's guarantee of the obligations of our subsidiary, j2 Cloud Services, Inc., with respect to its outstanding Senior Notes; (iii) effectively junior in right of payment to any of the Company's secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness; and (iv) structurally junior to all existing and future indebtedness (including trade payables) incurred by the Company's subsidiaries.

Accounting for the Convertible Notes

In accordance with ASC 470-20, Debt with Conversion and Other Options, convertible debt that can be settled for cash is required to be separated into the liability and equity component at issuance, with each component assigned a value. The value assigned to the liability component is the estimated fair value, as of the issuance date, of similar debt without the conversion feature. The difference between the cash proceeds and estimated fair value of the liability component, representing the value of the conversion premium assigned to the equity component, is recorded as a debt discount on the issuance date. This debt discount is amortized to interest expense using the effective interest method over the period from the issuance date through the first stated repurchase date on June 15, 2021.

j2 Global estimated the borrowing rates of similar debt without the conversion feature at origination to be 5.79% for the Convertible Notes and determined the debt discount to be $59.0 million. As a result, a conversion premium after tax of $37.7 million was recorded in additional paid-in capital. As of June 30, 2015, the carrying value of the Convertible Notes was $350.7 million, which consisted of $402.5 million outstanding principal amount net of $51.8 million unamortized debt discount. The aggregate debt discount is amortized as interest expense over the period from the issuance date through the first stated repurchase date on June 15, 2021, which management believes is the expected life of the Convertible Notes using an interest rate of 5.81%. As of June 30, 2015, the remaining period over which the unamortized debt discount will be amortized is 6.0 years.

In connection with the issuance of the Convertible Notes, the Company incurred $11.7 million of deferred issuance costs, which primarily consisted of the underwriters' discount and legal and other professional service fees. Of the total deferred issuance costs incurred, $10.0 million of such deferred issuance costs was attributable to the liability component and is recorded within other assets and is being amortized to interest expense through June 15, 2021. The remaining $1.7 million ($1.1 million

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net of tax) of such deferred issuance costs was netted with the equity component in additional paid-in capital at the issuance date. The unamortized balance as of June 30, 2015 was $8.8 million.

The Convertible Notes are carried at face value less any unamortized debt discount. The fair value of the Convertible Notes at each balance sheet date is determined based on recent quoted market prices or dealer quotes for the Convertible Notes, if available. If such information is not available, the fair value is determined using cash-flow models of the scheduled payments discounted at market interest rates for comparable debt without the conversion feature. As of June 30, 2015, the estimated fair value of the Convertible Notes was approximately $467.9 million.

Cash paid for interest on debt for the six months ended June 30, 2015 was $16.5 million.

Long-term debt as of June 30, 2015 consists of the following (in thousands):
 
Senior Notes
$
246,462

Convertible Notes
350,747

Total long-term debt
597,209

Less: current portion

Total long-term debt, less current portion
$
597,209


8.
    Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation

From time-to-time, j2 Global and its affiliates are involved in litigation and other disputes or regulatory inquiries that arise in the ordinary course of business. Any claims or regulatory actions against j2 Global and its affiliates, whether meritorious or not, could be time consuming and costly, and could divert significant operational resources. The outcomes of such matters are subject to inherent uncertainties, carrying the potential for unfavorable rulings that could include monetary damages and injunctive relief.
On January 7, 2011, the Department of Revenue for the State of Washington (“Washington Department of Revenue”) issued assessments to a j2 Global affiliate for business and occupation tax and retail sales tax for the period of January 1, 2004 through September 30, 2010. On November 16, 2012, the Washington Department of Revenue denied the j2 Global affiliate’s petition for correction. The j2 Global affiliate paid the assessments and, on June 21, 2013, filed a complaint against the Washington Department of Revenue in the Superior Court of Washington for Thurston County (No. 13-2-01338-7). In that suit, the j2 Global affiliate is seeking a refund of the entire amount paid and a declaration that the Washington Department of Revenue improperly imposed the taxes. Discovery is ongoing.
On February 17, 2011, Emmanuel Pantelakis (“Pantelakis”) filed suit against a j2 Global affiliate in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (No. 11-50673), alleging that the j2 Global affiliate breached a contract relating to Pantelakis’s use of the Campaigner® service. The j2 Global affiliate filed a responsive pleading on March 23, 2011 and responses to undertakings on July 16, 2012. On November 6, 2012, Pantelakis filed a second amended statement of claim, reframing his lawsuit as a negligence action. The j2 Global affiliate filed an amended statement of defense on April 8, 2013. Discovery is ongoing.
On January 17, 2013, the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Revenue (“Commissioner”) issued a notice of assessment to a j2 Global affiliate for sales and use tax for the period of July 1, 2003 through December 31, 2011. On July 22, 2014, the Commissioner denied the j2 Global affiliate’s application for abatement. On September 18, 2014, the j2 Global affiliate petitioned the Massachusetts Appellate Tax Board for abatement of the tax asserted in the notice of assessment (No. C325426). Discovery is ongoing.
On January 18, 2013, Paldo Sign and Display Co. (“Paldo”) filed an amended complaint adding two j2 Global affiliates and a former employee as additional defendants in an existing purported class action pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (“Northern District of Illinois”) (No. 1:13-cv-01896). The amended complaint alleged violations of the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (“TCPA”), the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act (“ICFA”), and common law conversion, arising from an indirect customer’s alleged use of the j2 Global affiliates’ systems to send unsolicited facsimile transmissions. On August 23, 2013, a second plaintiff, Sabon, Inc. (“Sabon”), was added. The j2 Global affiliates filed

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a motion to dismiss the ICFA and conversion claims, which was granted. The Northern District of Illinois also dismissed the former employee for lack of personal jurisdiction. Discovery is ongoing.
On August 28, 2013, Phyllis A. Huster (“Huster”) filed suit in the Northern District of Illinois (No. 1:13-cv-06143) against two j2 Global affiliates and three other parties for correction of inventorship for nine j2 Global patents. Huster seeks, among other things, a declaration that she was an inventor of the patents-in-suit, an order directing the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office to substitute or add her as an inventor, and payment of at least half of defendants’ earnings from licensing the patents-in-suit. On September 19, 2014, the Northern District of Illinois granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss for improper venue and transferred the case to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia (No. 1:14-cv-03304). Huster filed an amended complaint on February 11, 2015, which she corrected on February 12, 2015. The corrected amended complaint added claims of fraudulent concealment, breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, breach of contract, breach of a private duty, conversion, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. Huster also filed a motion to disqualify various law firms from continuing to represent the defendants. In addition, defendants filed several motions to dismiss on March 12, 2015, including three by j2 Global affiliates. These motions remain pending.
On October 16, 2013, a j2 Global affiliate entered an appearance as a plaintiff in a multi-district litigation pending in the Northern District of Illinois (No. 1:12-cv-06286). In this litigation, Unified Messaging Solutions, LLC (“UMS”), a company with rights to assert certain patents owned by the j2 Global affiliate, has asserted five j2 Global patents against a number of defendants. While claims against some defendants have been settled, other defendants have filed counterclaims for, among other things, non-infringement, unenforceability, and invalidity of the patents-in-suit. On December 20, 2013, the Northern District of Illinois issued a claim construction opinion and, on June 13, 2014, entered a final judgment of non-infringement for the remaining defendants based on that claim construction. UMS and the j2 Global affiliate filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on June 27, 2014 (No. 14-1611). Briefing on the appeal has been stayed, pending the Northern District of Illinois’s resolution of the defendants’ motion to declare the case exceptional.
On February 19, 2014, two j2 Global affiliates filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California (“Central District of California”) (No. 2:14-cv-01283) against RPost Holdings, Inc. and two of its affiliates (collectively, “RPost”), alleging infringement of two j2 Global patents and seeking a declaration of non-infringement and invalidity of nine RPost patents that had been asserted against the j2 Global affiliates in a patent assertion letter from RPost. An amended complaint was filed on June 20, 2014, adding an additional j2 Global affiliate as a plaintiff. RPost filed an answer to the complaint on July 14, 2014, asserting counterclaims of infringement for the nine RPost patents against the Campaigner® service. On April 27, 2015, the Central District of California granted the j2 Global affiliates’ motion to stay the litigation pending the resolution of a separate lawsuit, which does not directly involve j2 Global or its affiliates but does address RPost’s ownership of and right to assert the RPost patents-in-suit.
On June 23, 2014, Andre Free-Vychine (“Free-Vychine”) filed a purported class action against a j2 Global affiliate in the Superior Court for the State of California, County of Los Angeles (“Los Angeles Superior Court”) (No. BC549422). The complaint alleges two California statutory violations relating to late fees levied in certain eVoice® accounts. Free-Vychine is seeking, among other things, damages and injunctive relief on behalf of himself and a purported nationwide class of similarly situated persons. On August 26, 2014, Law Enforcement Officers, Inc. (“LEO”) and IV Pit Stop, Inc. (“IV Pit Stop”) filed a separate purported class action against the same j2 Global affiliate in Los Angeles Superior Court (No. BC555721). The complaint alleges three California statutory violations, negligence, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and various other common law claims relating to late fees levied on any of the j2 Global affiliate’s customers, including those with eVoice® and Onebox® accounts. The plaintiffs are seeking, among other things, damages and injunctive relief on behalf of themselves and a purported nationwide class of similarly situated persons. On September 29, 2014, the Los Angeles Superior Court ordered both cases related and consolidated for discovery purposes. On March 13, 2015, a third amended complaint was filed in this action, which no longer included IV Pit Stop as a plaintiff but added Christopher Dancel (“Dancel”) as a plaintiff. On or around June 26, 2015, the case filed by Free-Vychine was dismissed pursuant to a settlement agreement. Discovery on the case filed by LEO and Dancel is ongoing.
j2 Global does not believe, based on current knowledge, that the foregoing legal proceedings or claims, including those where an unfavorable outcome is reasonably possible, after giving effect to existing reserves, are likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. However, depending on the amount and the timing, an unfavorable resolution of some or all of these matters could materially affect j2 Global’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows in a particular period. The Company has not accrued for a loss contingency relating to these legal proceedings because unfavorable outcomes are not considered by management to be probable.

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Non-Income Related Taxes

As a provider of cloud services for business, the Company does not provide telecommunications services. Thus, it believes that its business and its users (by using our services) are not subject to various telecommunication taxes. Moreover, the Company does not believe that its business and its users (by using our services) are subject to other indirect taxes, such as sales and use tax, value added tax, goods and services tax, business tax and gross receipt tax. However, several state and municipal taxing authorities have challenged these beliefs and have and may continue to audit and assess our business and operations with respect to telecommunications and other indirect taxes.

The current U.S. federal government moratorium on states and other local authorities imposing access or discriminatory taxes on the Internet, which is set to expire October 1, 2015, does not prohibit federal, state or local authorities from collecting taxes on our income or from collecting taxes that are due under existing tax rules.

The Company is currently under audit for indirect taxes in several states and municipalities. On February 27, 2013, the Office of Finance for the City of Los Angeles (the "Los Angeles Office of Finance") issued assessments to a j2 Global affiliate for business and communications taxes for the period of January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2012. On September 11, 2014, the Los Angeles Office of Finance issued revised assessments to a j2 Global affiliate increasing such affiliate's liability to the City of Los Angeles. On April 30, 2015, the Los Angeles Office of Finance Board of Review denied the j2 Global affiliate's request to abate the assessments. The j2 Global affiliate paid the assessments and requested the abatement of penalties associated with the assessments. In addition, the j2 Global affiliate is currently working with the Office of the City Attorney of the City of Los Angeles to obtain a refund of the entire amount paid. For other jurisdictions, the Company currently has no reserves established for these matters, as the Company has determined that the liability is not probable and estimable. However, it is reasonably possible that such a liability could be incurred, which would result in additional expense, which could materially impact our financial results.

9.
    Income Taxes

The Company’s tax provision for interim periods is determined using an estimate of the Company’s annual effective tax rate. Each quarter the Company evaluates its estimated annual effective tax rate and, if the estimate changes, makes a cumulative adjustment. j2 Global’s annual effective tax rate is normally lower than the 35% U.S. federal statutory rate and applicable apportioned state tax rates primarily due to anticipated earnings of the Company’s subsidiaries outside of the U.S. in jurisdictions where the Company’s effective tax rate is lower than in the U.S. The Company's effective tax rate was 0.5% and 10.9% for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively and 13.3% and 16.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  j2 Global does not provide for U.S. income taxes on the undistributed earnings of the Company’s foreign operations because the Company intends to permanently reinvest such earnings in foreign jurisdictions and any determination of the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability related to these earnings is not practicable.  Income before income taxes included income from domestic operations of $28.2 million and $38.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and income from foreign operations of $41.9 million and $37.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had $25.1 million and $37.6 million, respectively, in liabilities for uncertain income tax positions. Accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits are recognized in income tax expense on the Company’s consolidated statement of income.

Cash paid for income taxes net of refunds received was $26.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015.

Certain taxes are prepaid during the year and included within prepaid expenses and other current assets on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company’s prepaid taxes were $14.5 million and $5.8 million at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Income Tax Audits:

The Company was under examination by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") for tax years 2009 through 2010. The Company appealed the IRS tax examiner's adjustments for tax years 2009 and 2010. In April 2015, the Company and the IRS reached a settlement which effectively closed the IRS examination for the Company’s 2009 and 2010 tax years. In conjunction with the settlement, the Company made tax and interest payments totaling $1.8 million to the IRS. In June 2015, the Company filed amended state franchise and income tax returns to reflect the IRS settlement and paid tax and interest related to those amended returns totaling $0.9 million. As a result of the IRS settlement, the Company determined that the 2009 and 2010 tax years were closed and decreased its liabilities for uncertain tax positions by $9.3 million. The Company remains under income tax audit by the IRS for the 2011 tax year.

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j2 Global was under income tax audit by the California Franchise Tax Board (the “FTB”) for tax years 2009 through 2011. In April 2015, the Company was notified by the FTB that the income tax audit for tax years 2009 through 2011 had concluded with no changes. The Company is currently under income tax audit by the New York City Department of Finance for tax years 2009 through 2011 and by the Canada Revenue Agency for tax years 2010 through 2011. In January 2015, the Company was notified by the Illinois Department of Revenue that the income tax audit for tax years 2008 and 2009 had been concluded with no changes.

It is reasonably possible that these audits may conclude in the next 12 months and that actual assessment of tax by tax agencies may differ from the uncertain tax position liabilities that the Company has recorded in relation to these tax years. If the recorded uncertain tax position liabilities are inadequate to cover the actual tax liabilities assessed by the tax agencies, the Company would be required to recognize additional tax expense in the relevant period, which could be material. If the recorded uncertain tax position liabilities exceed the actual tax liabilities assessed by the tax agencies, the Company would be required to recognize any excess as reduction in tax expense in the relevant period, which could be material. However, it is not currently possible to estimate the amount, if any, of such change.

10.
    Stockholders’ Equity

Common Stock Repurchase Program

In February 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a program authorizing the repurchase of up to five million shares of our common stock through February 20, 2013 (the "2012 Program") which was subsequently extended through February 19, 2016. During the six month period ended June 30, 2015, no shares were repurchased under this program. Cumulatively at June 30, 2015, 2.1 million shares were repurchased at an aggregate cost of $58.6 million (including an immaterial amount of commission fees).

Periodically, participants in j2 Global’s stock plans surrender to the Company shares of j2 Global stock to pay the exercise price or to satisfy tax withholding obligations arising upon the exercise of stock options or the vesting of restricted stock. During the three month period ended June 30, 2015, the Company purchased 23,711 shares from plan participants for this purpose.

Dividends
 
The following is a summary of each dividend declared during fiscal year 2015:
Declaration Date
 
Dividend per Common Share
 
Record Date
 
Payment Date
February 10, 2015
 
$
0.2925

 
February 23, 2015
 
March 9, 2015
May 6, 2015
 
$
0.3000

 
May 19, 2015
 
June 3, 2015

Future dividends are subject to Board approval.

11.
    Stock Options and Employee Stock Purchase Plan

j2 Global’s share-based compensation plans include the Second Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Option Plan (the “1997 Plan”), 2007 Stock Plan (the “2007 Plan”), 2015 Stock Option Plan (the "2015 Plan") and 2001 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Purchase Plan”). Each plan is described below.

The 1997 Plan terminated in 2007. A total of 12,000,000 shares of common stock were authorized to be used for 1997 Plan purposes. An additional 840,000 shares were authorized for issuance upon exercise of options granted outside the 1997 Plan. As of June 30, 2015, 125,498 shares underlying options and zero shares of restricted stock were outstanding under the 1997 Plan, all of which continue to be governed by the 1997 Plan.

The 2007 Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other share-based awards. 4,500,000 shares of common stock are authorized to be used for 2007 Plan purposes. Options under the 2007 Plan may be granted at exercise prices determined by the Board of Directors, provided that the exercise prices shall not be less than the fair market value of j2 Global’s common stock on the date of grant for incentive stock options and not less than 85% of the fair market value of j2 Global’s common stock on the date of grant for non-

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statutory stock options. As of June 30, 2015, 472,313 shares underlying options and 92,953 shares of restricted stock were outstanding under the 2007 Plan.

The 2015 Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance share units and other share-based awards and is intended as a successor plan to the 2007 Stock Plan since no further grants will be made under the 2007 Stock Plan. 4,200,000 shares of common stock are authorized to be used for 2015 Plan purposes. Options under the 2015 Plan may be granted at exercise prices determined by the Board of Directors, provided that the exercise prices shall not be less than the higher of the par value or 100% of the fair market value of j2 Global's common stock subject to the option on the date the option is granted. As of June 30, 2015, 62,000 shares underlying options and zero shares of restricted stock were outstanding under the 2015 Plan.

All stock option grants are approved by “outside directors” within the meaning of Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m).
 
Stock Options
 
The following table represents stock option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2015:
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price
 
Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (in years)
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2015
725,649

 
$
24.29

 
 
 
 
Granted
62,000

 
67.35

 
 
 
 
Exercised
(127,838
)
 
23.53

 
 
 
 
Canceled

 

 
 
 
 
Outstanding at June 30, 2015
659,811

 
$
28.49

 
4.4
 
$
26,032,294

Exercisable at June 30, 2015
544,675

 
$
24.08

 
3.6
 
$
23,891,847

Vested and expected to vest at June 30, 2015
633,034

 
$
27.26

 
4.2
 
$
25,752,888


For the six months ended June 30, 2015, j2 Global granted 62,000 options to purchase shares of common stock pursuant to the 2015 Plan. These stock options vest 20% per year and expire 10 years from the date of grant.

The per share weighted-average grant-date fair values of stock options granted during the six months ended June 30, 2015 was $15.22. There were no stock options granted during 2014.

The aggregate intrinsic values of options exercised during the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 were $5.6 million and $12.8 million, respectively.
 
As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, unrecognized stock compensation related to non-vested stock options granted under each of the share-based compensation plans approximated $1.4 million and $0.8 million, respectively. Unrecognized stock compensation expense related to non-vested stock options granted under these plans is expected to be recognized ratably over a weighted-average period of 3.2 years (i.e., the remaining requisite service period).

Fair Value Disclosure
 
j2 Global uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to calculate the fair value of each option grant. The expected volatility for the six months ended June 30, 2015 is based on historical volatility of the Company’s common stock. The Company estimates the expected term based upon the historical exercise behavior of our employees. The risk-free interest rate is based on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a term equal to the expected term of the option assumed at the date of grant. The Company uses an annualized dividend yield based upon the per share dividends declared by its Board of Directors. Estimated forfeiture rates were 13.42% and 11.59% as of June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.


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The weighted-average fair values of stock options granted have been estimated utilizing the following assumptions:
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Risk-free interest rate
1.61
%
 
%
Expected term (in years)
5.2 years

 
0.0 years

Dividend yield
1.78
%
 
%
Expected volatility
28.12
%
 
%
Weighted-average volatility
28.12
%
 
%

 Restricted Stock
 
j2 Global has awarded restricted stock and restricted stock units to its Board of Directors and senior staff pursuant to certain share-based compensation plans. Compensation expense resulting from restricted stock and restricted unit grants is measured at fair value on the date of grant and is recognized as share-based compensation expense over the applicable vesting period. Beginning in fiscal year 2012, vesting periods are approximately one year for awards to members of the Company's Board of Directors and five years for senior staff. The Company recognized $5.7 million and $3.6 million of compensation expense for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, related to restricted stock and restricted stock units. As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company had unrecognized share-based compensation cost of approximately $33.9 million and $24.1 million, respectively, associated with these awards. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.0 years for awards and 3.3 years for units.
 
Restricted stock award activity for the six months ended June 30, 2015 is set forth below:
 
Shares
 
Weighted-Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
Nonvested at January 1, 2015
814,050

 
$
26.57

Granted
147,440

 
66.04

Vested
(124,683
)
 
36.69

Canceled
(74,515
)
 
38.17

Nonvested at June 30, 2015
762,292

 
$
31.41

  
Restricted stock unit award activity for the six months ended June 30, 2015 is set forth below:
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term (in years)
 
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
Outstanding at January 1, 2015
102,924

 
 
 
 
Granted
10,900

 
 
 
 
Vested
(13,081
)
 
 
 
 
Canceled
(7,790
)
 
 
 
 
Outstanding at June 30, 2015
92,953

 
1.9
 
$
6,315,227

Vested and expected to vest at June 30, 2015
71,843

 
1.7
 
$
4,880,982


-27-




Employee Stock Purchase Plan
 
The Purchase Plan provides for the issuance of a maximum of two million shares of the Company's common stock. Under the Purchase Plan, eligible employees can have up to 15% of their earnings withheld, up to certain maximums, to be used to purchase shares of j2 Global’s common stock at certain plan-defined dates. The price of the common stock purchased under the Purchase Plan for the offering periods is equal to 95% of the fair market value of the common stock at the end of the offering period. For the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, 2,104 and 2,824 shares were purchased under the plan, respectively. Cash received upon the issuance of common stock under the Purchase Plan was $126,000 and $123,000 for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. As of June 30, 2015, 1,632,360 shares were available under the Purchase Plan for future issuance.

12.
    Earnings Per Share
 
The components of basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows (in thousands, except share and per share data):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Numerator for basic and diluted net income per common share:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Net income attributable to j2 Global, Inc. common shareholders
$
38,916

 
$
35,049

 
$
60,794

 
$
63,814

Net income available to participating securities (a)
(637
)
 
(701
)
 
(1,006
)
 
(1,418
)
Net income available to j2 Global, Inc. common shareholders
$
38,279

 
$
34,348

 
$
59,788

 
$
62,396

Denominator:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Weighted-average outstanding shares of common stock
47,537,597

 
46,745,596

 
47,480,315

 
46,556,428

Dilutive effect of:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Equity incentive plans
315,977

 
322,171

 
256,691

 
355,146

Common stock and common stock equivalents
47,853,574

 
47,067,767

 
47,737,006

 
46,911,574

Net income per share:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Basic
$
0.81

 
$
0.73

 
$
1.26

 
$
1.34

Diluted
$
0.80

 
$
0.73

 
$
1.25

 
$
1.33


(a)
Represents unvested restricted stock awards that contain certain non-forfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid).

For the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, there were no options outstanding which were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common share. For the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, there were 62,000 and no options outstanding, respectively, which were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise prices were greater than the average market price of the common share.

13.Segment Information

The Company's business segments are based on the organization structure used by management for making operating and investment decisions and for assessing performance. j2 Global's reportable business segments are: (i) Business Cloud Services and (ii) Digital Media. Segment accounting policies are the same as described in Note 1 - Basis of Presentation.

-28-




Information on reportable segments and reconciliation to consolidated income from operations is presented below (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues by segment:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business Cloud Services
$
125,188

 
$
106,523

 
$
243,249

 
$
207,353

Digital Media
50,907

 
38,274

 
94,164

 
71,642

Elimination of inter-segment revenues
(57
)
 
(53
)
 
(122
)
 
(127
)
Total revenues
176,038

 
144,744

 
337,291

 
278,868

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Direct costs by segment(1):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business Cloud Services
72,858

 
60,156

 
143,901

  
115,768

Digital Media
40,986

 
32,717

 
80,075

  
61,433

Direct costs by segment(1):
113,844

 
92,873

 
223,976

 
177,201

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business Cloud Services operating income
52,330

 
46,367

 
99,348

 
91,585

Digital Media operating income
9,921

 
5,556

 
14,089

 
10,208

Segment operating income
62,251

 
51,923

 
113,437

 
101,793

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Global operating costs(2)
12,185

 
7,085

 
22,841

 
15,371

Income from operations
$
50,066

 
$
44,838

 
$
90,596

 
$
86,422

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(1) Direct costs for each segment include cost of revenues and other operating expenses that are directly attributable to the segment, such as employee compensation expense, local sales and marketing expenses, engineering and network operations expense, depreciation and amortization and other administrative expenses.
 
 
 
 
(2) Global operating costs include general and administrative and other corporate expenses that are managed on a global basis and that are not directly attributable to any particular segment.
 
 
 
 
 
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
Assets:
 
 
 
Business Cloud Services
$
933,702

 
$
883,587

Digital Media
385,365

 
378,381

Total assets from reportable segments
1,319,067

 
1,261,968

Corporate
407,742

 
443,234

Total assets
$
1,726,809

 
$
1,705,202

 
 
 

 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
Capital expenditures:
 
 
 
Business Cloud Services
$
3,477

 
$
2,803

Digital Media
3,296

 
1,618

Total from reportable segments
6,773

 
4,421

Corporate
182

 
210

Total capital expenditures
$
6,955

 
$
4,631


-29-




 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Depreciation and amortization:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Business Cloud Services
$
14,758

 
$
10,026

 
$
28,772

 
$
18,058

Digital Media
6,944

 
5,105

 
14,024

 
10,023

Total from reportable segments
21,702

 
15,131

 
42,796

 
28,081

Corporate
192

 
186

 
385

 
374

Total depreciation and amortization
$
21,894

 
$
15,317

 
$
43,181

 
$
28,455


j2 Global maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, Ireland, Japan and other countries. Geographic information about the U.S. and all other countries for the reporting periods is presented below. Such information attributes revenues based on jurisdictions where revenues are reported (in thousands).
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Revenues:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
United States
$
121,017

 
$
96,847

 
$
230,049

 
$
188,274

Canada
18,947

 
17,436

 
37,086

 
34,944

Ireland
10,820

 
11,414

 
20,755

 
22,509

All other countries
25,254

 
19,047

 
49,401

 
33,141

 
$
176,038

 
$
144,744

 
$
337,291

 
$
278,868


 
June 30,
2015
 
December 31,
2014
Long-lived assets:
 

 
 

United States
$
218,818

 
$
216,099

All other countries
101,319

 
101,107

Total
$
320,137

 
$
317,206


14.
Unrestricted Subsidiaries

As of June 30, 2015, the Company's Board of Directors had designated the following entities as “Unrestricted Subsidiaries” under the indenture governing j2 Cloud Services' Senior Notes:

Ziff Davis, LLC and subsidiaries
Advanced Messaging Technologies, Inc. and subsidiaries

The financial position and results of operations of these Unrestricted Subsidiaries are included in the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

-30-




As required by the indenture governing j2 Cloud Services' Senior Notes, information sufficient to ascertain the financial condition and results of operations excluding the Unrestricted Subsidiaries must be presented. Accordingly, the Company is presenting the following tables.

The financial position of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 is as follows (in thousands):
 
June 30, 2015
 
December 31, 2014
ASSETS
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
55,796

 
$
27,944

Accounts receivable
51,295

 
57,005

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
2,785

 
2,986

Deferred income taxes
5,829

 
5,292

Total current assets
115,705

 
93,227

Property and equipment, net
13,408

 
12,834

Trade names, net
67,038

 
70,310

Patent and patent licenses, net
21,013

 
24,007

Customer relationships, net
49,779

 
55,925

Goodwill
241,328

 
245,613

Other purchased intangibles, net
7,114

 
8,901

Other assets
1,654

 
1,706

Total assets
$
517,039

 
$
512,523

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 

 
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
$
42,389

 
$
40,296

Income taxes payable

 
316

Deferred revenue, current
5,990

 
5,277

Total current liabilities
48,379

 
45,889

Long-term debt
110,000

 
110,000

Deferred income taxes
18,224

 
17,397

Other long-term liabilities
15,100

 
16,243

Total liabilities
191,703

 
189,529

Additional paid-in capital
318,810

 
317,932

Retained Earnings
7,780

 
6,051

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
(1,254
)
 
(989
)
Total stockholders’ equity
325,336

 
322,994

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
517,039

 
$
512,523


-31-



The results of operations of the Unrestricted Subsidiaries for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 is as follows (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015

2014
Revenues
$
51,103

 
$
38,907

 
$
95,524

 
$
72,275

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenues
5,017

 
4,445

 
9,371

 
8,297

Gross profit
46,086

 
34,462

 
86,153

 
63,978

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales and marketing
19,182

 
16,431

 
36,844

 
31,389

Research, development and engineering
2,167

 
1,154

 
4,068

 
2,226

General and administrative
16,918

 
12,959

 
34,897

 
21,793

Total operating expenses
38,267

 
30,544

 
75,809

 
55,408

Income from operations
7,819

 
3,918

 
10,344

 
8,570

Interest expense (income), net
2,801

 
(3
)
 
5,318

 
(1
)
Other expense (income), net
(145
)
 
(76
)
 
99

 
(418
)
Income (loss) before income taxes
5,163

 
3,997

 
4,927

 
8,989

Income tax expense
2,878

 
2,209

 
3,197

 
4,235

Net income (loss)
$
2,285

 
$
1,788

 
$
1,730

 
$
4,754


15.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated balances of other comprehensive income, net of tax, for the three months ended June 30, 2015 (in thousands):
 
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments
 
Foreign Currency Translation
 
Total
Beginning balance
$
9,768

 
$
(31,752
)
 
$
(21,984
)
     Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications
(3,929
)
 
7,112

 
3,183

     Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
(5
)
 

 
(5
)
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income
(3,934
)
 
7,112

 
3,178

Ending balance
$
5,834

 
$
(24,640
)
 
$
(18,806
)

The following table summarizes the changes in accumulated balances of other comprehensive income, net of tax, for the six months ended June 30, 2015 (in thousands):
 
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Investments
 
Foreign Currency Translation
 
Total
Beginning balance
$
9,388

 
$
(16,515
)
 
$
(7,127
)
     Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications
(3,541
)
 
(8,125
)
 
(11,666
)
     Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
(13
)
 

 
(13
)
Net current period other comprehensive (loss) income
(3,554
)
 
(8,125
)
 
(11,679
)
Ending balance
$
5,834

 
$
(24,640
)
 
$
(18,806
)

-32-




The following table provides details about reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 (in thousands):
Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Components
 
Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
 
Affected Line Item in the Statement of Income
 
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
 
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale investments
 
$
(9
)
 
$
(21
)
 
Other expense (income), net
 
 
(9
)
 
(21
)
 
Total, before income taxes
 
 
4

 
8

 
Income tax expense (benefit)
 
 
(5
)
 
(13
)
 
Total, net of tax
Total reclassifications for the period
 
$
(5
)
 
$
(13
)
 
Total, net of tax

16.
Condensed Consolidating Financial Statements

In connection with the June 2014 Convertible Note issuance, j2 Global, Inc. entered into a supplemental indenture related to the Senior Notes, pursuant to which it fully and unconditionally guaranteed, on an unsecured basis, the full and punctual payment of the Senior Notes issued by its wholly owned subsidiary, j2 Cloud Services, Inc. j2 Cloud Services, Inc. is subject to restrictions on dividends in its existing indenture with respect to the Senior Notes. While substantially all of the Company’s assets (other than the net cash proceeds from the issuance of the Convertible Notes) are owned directly or indirectly by j2 Cloud Services, Inc., those contractual provisions do not, as of June 30, 2014, meaningfully restrict j2 Cloud Services, Inc.’s ability to pay dividends to j2 Global, Inc.

The following condensed consolidating financial statements present, in separate columns, financial information for (i) j2 Global, Inc. (the “Parent”) on a parent-only basis, (ii) j2 Cloud Services, Inc., (iii) the non-guarantor subsidiaries on a combined basis, (iv) the eliminations and reclassifications necessary to arrive at the information for the Company on a consolidated basis, and (v) the Company on a consolidated basis. The condensed consolidating financial statements are presented in accordance with the equity method. Under this method, the investments in subsidiaries are recorded at cost and adjusted for the Company’s share of subsidiaries’ cumulative results of operations, capital contributions, distributions and other equity changes. Intercompany charges (income) between the Parent and subsidiaries are recognized in the condensed consolidating financial statements during the period incurred and the settlement of intercompany balances is reflected in the condensed consolidating statement of cash flows based on the nature of the underlying transactions. Consolidating adjustments include consolidating and eliminating entries for investments in subsidiaries, intercompany activity and balances.





-33-



j2 GLOBAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(Unaudited, in thousands except share and per share data)

 
June 30, 2015
BALANCE SHEET
j2 Global, Inc.
 
j2 Cloud Services, Inc.
 
Non-guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
j2 Global Consolidated
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
220,787

 
$
11,400

 
$
183,743

 
$

 
$
415,930

Short-term investments
55,489

 
41,637

 
62

 

 
97,188

Accounts receivable, net

 
12,423

 
74,939

 
(43
)
 
87,319

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
1,595

 
16,989

 
10,111

 
(1,555
)
 
27,140

Deferred income taxes
782

 

 
3,732

 

 
4,514

Intercompany receivable
72,000

 
105,827

 

 
(177,827
)
 

Total current assets
350,653

 
188,276

 
272,587

 
(179,425
)
 
632,091

Long-term investments
47,119

 
7,058

 

 

 
54,177

Property and equipment, net

 
7,088

 
29,690

 

 
36,778

Trade names, net

 
10,172

 
93,671

 

 
103,843

Patent and patent licenses, net

 
815

 
21,042

 

 
21,857

Customer relationships, net

 
1,699

 
173,789

 

 
175,488

Goodwill

 
54,087

 
619,997

 

 
674,084

Other purchased intangibles, net

 
4,248

 
10,732

 

 
14,980

Investment in subsidiaries
889,340

 
943,491

 
8,717

 
(1,841,548
)
 

Other assets
8,786

 
2,718

 
2,007

 

 
13,511

Total assets
$
1,295,898

 
$
1,219,652

 
$
1,232,232

 
$
(2,020,973
)
 
$
1,726,809

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
$
4,500

 
$
28,429

 
$
54,195

 
$
(43
)
 
$
87,081

Income taxes payable

 
2,770

 

 
(1,555
)
 
1,215

Deferred revenue, current

 
20,461

 
54,892

 

 
75,353

Capital lease, current

 

 
324

 

 
324

Deferred income taxes

 

 
362

 

 
362

Intercompany payable
54,901

 

 
122,926

 
(177,827
)
 

Total current liabilities
59,401

 
51,660

 
232,699

 
(179,425
)
 
164,335


-34-



Long term debt
350,747

 
246,462

 

 

 
597,209

Capital lease, non-current

 

 
195

 

 
195

Liability for uncertain tax positions

 
25,136

 

 

 
25,136

Deferred income taxes
26,759

 

 
36,508

 

 
63,267

Deferred revenue, non-current

 
6,227

 
1,995

 

 
8,222

Other long-term liabilities
1,071

 
827

 
17,344

 

 
19,242

Total liabilities
437,978

 
330,312

 
288,741

 
(179,425
)
 
877,606

Common stock, $0.01 par value.
476

 

 

 

 
476

Additional paid-in capital - common
282,702

 
235,332

 
422,108

 
(657,440
)
 
282,702

Retained earnings
574,683

 
648,467

 
545,789

 
(1,184,108
)
 
584,831

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
59

 
5,541

 
(24,406
)
 

 
(18,806
)
Total stockholders’ equity
857,920

 
889,340

 
943,491

 
(1,841,548
)
 
849,203

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
1,295,898

 
$
1,219,652

 
$
1,232,232

 
$
(2,020,973
)
 
$
1,726,809


-35-



j2 GLOBAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(Unaudited, in thousands except share and per share data)

 
December 31, 2014
BALANCE SHEET
j2 Global, Inc.
 
j2 Cloud Services, Inc.
 
Non-guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
j2 Global Consolidated
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
226,790

 
$
36,810

 
$
170,063

 
$

 
$
433,663

Short-term investments
47,880

 
48,261

 
65

 

 
96,206

Accounts receivable, net

 
11,167

 
80,532

 

 
91,699

Prepaid expenses and other current assets
776

 
12,689

 
9,137

 

 
22,602

Deferred income taxes
1,271

 

 
742

 

 
2,013

Intercompany receivable
110,000

 
74,938

 
1,428

 
(186,366
)
 

Total current assets
386,717

 
183,865

 
261,967

 
(186,366
)
 
646,183

Long-term investments
55,452

 
5,056

 

 

 
60,508

Property and equipment, net

 
8,011

 
30,206

 

 
38,217

Trade names, net

 
10,231

 
95,320

 

 
105,551

Patent and patent licenses, net

 
886

 
24,041

 

 
24,927

Customer relationships, net

 
2,206

 
161,560

 

 
163,766

Goodwill

 
52,131

 
583,544

 

 
635,675

Other purchased intangibles, net

 
4,276

 
13,280

 

 
17,556

Investment in subsidiaries
826,289

 
900,681

 
8,716

 
(1,735,686
)
 

Other assets
9,328

 
1,368

 
2,123

 

 
12,819

Total assets
$
1,277,786

 
$
1,168,711

 
$
1,180,757

 
$
(1,922,052
)
 
$
1,705,202

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
$
2,834

 
$
28,414

 
$
64,062

 
$

 
$
95,310

Income taxes payable

 

 

 

 

Deferred revenue, current

 
23,091

 
40,366

 

 
63,457

Capital lease, current

 

 
258

 

 
258

Deferred income taxes

 

 
342

 

 
342

Intercompany payable
76,366

 

 
110,000

 
(186,366
)
 

Total current liabilities
79,200

 
51,505

 
215,028

 
(186,366
)
 
159,367

Long term debt
347,163

 
246,187

 

 

 
593,350

Capital lease, non-current

 

 
141

 

 
141


-36-



Liability for uncertain tax positions

 
37,551

 

 

 
37,551

Deferred income taxes
21,728

 
(1,837
)
 
42,069

 

 
61,960

Deferred revenue, non-current

 
8,187

 
1,995

 

 
10,182

Other long-term liabilities
744

 
829

 
20,843

 

 
22,416

Total liabilities
448,835

 
342,422

 
280,076

 
(186,366
)
 
884,967

Common stock, $0.01 par value
474

 

 

 

 
474

Additional paid-in capital - common
273,304

 
232,340

 
421,676

 
(654,016
)
 
273,304

Retained earnings
555,158

 
584,591

 
495,505

 
(1,081,670
)
 
553,584

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
15

 
9,358

 
(16,500
)
 

 
(7,127
)
Total stockholders’ equity
828,951

 
826,289

 
900,681

 
(1,735,686
)
 
820,235

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
1,277,786

 
$
1,168,711

 
$
1,180,757

 
$
(1,922,052
)
 
$
1,705,202




-37-



j2 GLOBAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(Unaudited, in thousands except share and per share data)

 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
j2 Global, Inc.
 
j2 Cloud Services, Inc
 
Non-guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
j2 Global Consolidated
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenues
$

 
$
56,547

 
$
129,217

 
$
(9,726
)
 
$
176,038

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenues
1

 
15,414

 
23,748

 
(9,669
)
 
29,494

Gross profit
(1
)
 
41,133

 
105,469

 
(57
)
 
146,544

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales and marketing

 
10,512

 
29,966

 
(57
)
 
40,421

Research, development and engineering
2

 
3,763

 
5,204

 

 
8,969

General and administrative
3,538

 
9,011

 
34,539

 

 
47,088

Total operating expenses
3,540

 
23,286

 
69,709

 
(57
)
 
96,478

Operating income
(3,541
)
 
17,847

 
35,760

 

 
50,066

Equity earnings in subsidiaries
45,530

 
26,742

 

 
(72,272
)
 

Interest expense (income), net
2,772

 
5,791

 
2,318

 

 
10,881

Other expense (income), net
(5
)
 
(28
)
 
121

 

 
88

Income before income taxes
39,222

 
38,826

 
33,321

 
(72,272
)
 
39,097

Income tax expense
306

 
(6,704
)
 
6,579

 

 
181

Net income
$
38,916

 
$
45,530

 
$
26,742

 
$
(72,272
)
 
$
38,916


-38-



j2 GLOBAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(Unaudited, in thousands except share and per share data)


 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
j2 Global, Inc.
 
j2 Cloud Services, Inc
 
Non-guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
j2 Global Consolidated
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenues
$

 
$
65,313

 
$
106,042

 
$
(26,611
)
 
$
144,744

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenues

 
19,051

 
33,065

 
(26,558
)
 
25,558

Gross profit

 
46,262

 
72,977

 
(53
)
 
119,186

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Sales and marketing

 
8,968

 
26,414

 
(53
)
 
35,329

Research, development and engineering

 
3,471

 
4,129

 

 
7,600

General and administrative
400

 
7,646

 
23,373

 

 
31,419

Total operating expenses
400

 
20,085

 
53,916

 
(53
)
 
74,348

Operating income
(400
)
 
26,177

 
19,061

 

 
44,838

Equity earnings in subsidiaries

 
12,780

 

 
(12,780
)
 

Interest expense (income), net
650

 
5,095

 
(63
)
 

 
5,682

Other expense (income), net

 
(40
)
 
(145
)
 

 
(185
)
Income before income taxes
(1,050
)
 
33,902

 
19,269

 
(12,780
)
 
39,341

Income tax expense
(379
)
 
(1,818
)
 
6,489

 

 
4,292

Net income
$
(671
)
 
$
35,720

 
$
12,780

 
$
(12,780
)
 
$
35,049



-39-



j2 GLOBAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(Unaudited, in thousands except share and per share data)

 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
j2 Global, Inc.
 
j2 Cloud Services, Inc
 
Non-guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
j2 Global Consolidated
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenues
$

 
$
111,166

 
$
245,652

 
$
(19,527
)
 
$
337,291

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenues
1

 
30,942

 
46,143

 
(19,405
)
 
57,681

Gross profit
(1
)
 
80,224

 
199,509

 
(122
)
 
279,610

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sales and marketing

 
20,292

 
57,841

 
(122
)
 
78,011

Research, development and engineering
2

 
7,618

 
9,795

 

 
17,415

General and administrative
7,717

 
15,861

 
70,010

 

 
93,588

Total operating expenses
7,719

 
43,771

 
137,646

 
(122
)
 
189,014

Operating income
(7,720
)
 
36,453

 
61,863

 

 
90,596

Equity earnings in subsidiaries
71,782

 
50,283

 

 
(122,065
)
 

Interest expense (income), net
5,360

 
10,899

 
4,935

 

 
21,194

Other expense (income), net
(17
)
 
311

 
(990
)
 

 
(696
)
Income before income taxes
58,719

 
75,526

 
57,918

 
(122,065
)
 
70,098

Income tax expense
(2,075
)
 
3,744

 
7,635

 

 
9,304

Net income
$
60,794

 
$
71,782

 
$
50,283

 
$
(122,065
)
 
$
60,794



-40-



j2 GLOBAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
(Unaudited, in thousands except share and per share data)

 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
j2 Global, Inc.
 
j2 Cloud Services, Inc
 
Non-guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
j2 Global Consolidated
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenues
$

 
$
116,507

 
$
202,676

 
$
(40,315
)
 
$
278,868

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cost of revenues

 
39,004

 
50,131

 
(40,188
)
 
48,947

Gross profit

 
77,503

 
152,545

 
(127
)
 
229,921

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Sales and marketing

 
17,980

 
50,435

 
(127
)
 
68,288

Research, development and engineering

 
7,091

 
7,723

 

 
14,814

General and administrative
400

 
17,215

 
42,782

 

 
60,397

Total operating expenses
400

 
42,286

 
100,940

 
(127
)
 
143,499

Operating income
(400
)
 
35,217

 
51,605

 

 
86,422

Equity earnings in subsidiaries

 
40,720

 

 
(40,720
)
 

Interest expense (income), net
650

 
10,198

 
(218
)
 

 
10,630

Other expense (income), net

 
(71
)
 
(434
)
 

 
(505
)
Income before income taxes
(1,050
)
 
65,810

 
52,257

 
(40,720
)
 
76,297

Income tax expense
(379
)
 
1,325

 
11,537

 

 
12,483

Net income
$
(671
)
 
$
64,485

 
$
40,720

 
$
(40,720
)
 
$
63,814








-41-



j2 GLOBAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited, in thousands except share and per share data)

 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
j2 Global, Inc.
 
j2 Cloud Services, Inc.
 
Non-guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
j2 Global Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
38,916

 
$
45,530

 
$
26,742

 
$
(72,272
)
 
$
38,916

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax expense (benefit)

 

 
7,112

 

 
7,112

Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments, net of tax expense (benefit)
(267
)
 
(3,667
)
 

 

 
(3,934
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
(267
)
 
(3,667
)
 
7,112

 

 
3,178

Comprehensive income
$
38,649

 
$
41,863

 
$
33,854

 
$
(72,272
)
 
$
42,094





-42-



j2 GLOBAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited, in thousands except share and per share data)

 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
j2 Global, Inc.
 
j2 Cloud Services, Inc.
 
Non-guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
j2 Global Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
(671
)
 
$
35,720

 
$
12,780

 
$
(12,780
)
 
$
35,049

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax expense (benefit)

 

 
1,334

 

 
1,334

Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments, net of tax expense (benefit)

 
2,477

 
408

 

 
2,885

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

 
2,477

 
1,742

 

 
4,219

Comprehensive income
$
(671
)
 
$
38,197

 
$
14,522

 
$
(12,780
)
 
$
39,268



-43-



j2 GLOBAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited, in thousands except share and per share data)

 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
j2 Global, Inc.
 
j2 Cloud Services, Inc.
 
Non-guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
j2 Global Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
60,794

 
$
71,782

 
$
50,283

 
$
(122,065
)
 
$
60,794

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax expense (benefit)

 

 
(8,125
)
 

 
(8,125
)
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments, net of tax expense (benefit)
44

 
(3,598
)
 

 

 
(3,554
)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax
44

 
(3,598
)
 
(8,125
)
 

 
(11,679
)
Comprehensive income
$
60,838

 
$
68,184

 
$
42,158

 
$
(122,065
)
 
$
49,115



-44-



j2 GLOBAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited, in thousands except share and per share data)

 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
j2 Global, Inc.
 
j2 Cloud Services, Inc.
 
Non-guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
j2 Global Consolidated
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income
$
(671
)
 
$
64,485

 
$
40,720

 
$
(40,720
)
 
$
63,814

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax expense (benefit)

 

 
2,171

 

 
2,171

Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale investments, net of tax expense (benefit)

 
(421
)
 
666

 

 
245

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

 
(421
)
 
2,837

 

 
2,416

Comprehensive income
$
(671
)
 
$
64,064

 
$
43,557

 
$
(40,720
)
 
$
66,230






-45-



j2 GLOBAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW
(Unaudited, in thousands except share and per share data)

 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
 
j2 Global, Inc.
 
j2 Cloud Services, Inc.
 
Non-guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
j2 Global Consolidated
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities
$
(26,174
)
 
$
35,542

 
$
88,242

 
$

 
$
97,610

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maturity of certificates of deposit

 
65

 

 

 
65

Purchase of certificates of deposit

 
(62
)
 

 

 
(62
)
Maturity of available-for-sale investments
38,047

 
18,048

 

 

 
56,095

Purchase of available-for-sale investments
(37,734
)
 
(19,731
)
 

 

 
(57,465
)
Purchases of property and equipment

 
(496
)
 
(6,459
)
 

 
(6,955
)
Acquisition of businesses, net of cash received

 
(497
)
 
(73,811
)
 

 
(74,308
)
Purchases of intangible assets

 
291

 
(1,157
)
 

 
(866
)
Investment in subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
313

 
(2,382
)
 
(81,427
)
 

 
(83,496
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repurchases of common and restricted stock
(2,302
)
 

 

 

 
(2,302
)
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan
126

 

 

 

 
126

Exercise of stock options
3,009

 

 

 

 
3,009

Dividends paid
(28,610
)
 

 

 

 
(28,610
)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation
2,104

 

 

 

 
2,104

Deferred payments for acquisitions

 
(656
)
 
(3,227
)
 

 
(3,883
)
Other

 

 
(180
)
 

 
(180
)
Intercompany
45,533

 
(60,376
)
 
14,843

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
19,860

 
(61,032
)
 
11,436

 

 
(29,736
)

-46-



Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(2
)
 
2,462

 
(4,571
)
 

 
(2,111
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(6,003
)
 
(25,410
)
 
13,680

 

 
(17,733
)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
226,790

 
36,810

 
170,063

 

 
433,663

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
220,787

 
$
11,400

 
$
183,743

 
$

 
$
415,930




-47-



j2 GLOBAL, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOW
(Unaudited, in thousands except share and per share data)

 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2014
 
j2 Global, Inc.
 
j2 Cloud Services, Inc.
 
Non-guarantor Subsidiaries
 
Consolidating Adjustments
 
j2 Global Consolidated
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
52

 
$
2,497

 
$
89,257

 
$

 
$
91,806

Cash flows from investing activities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Maturity of certificates of deposit

 
8,210

 
6,310

 

 
14,520

Maturity of available-for-sale investments

 
40,340

 
11,589

 

 
51,929

Purchase of available-for-sale investments

 
(45,044
)
 
1

 

 
(45,043
)
Purchases of property and equipment

 
(533
)
 
(4,098
)
 

 
(4,631
)
Proceeds from sale of assets

 

 
608

 

 
608

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash received

 
55

 
(79,601
)
 

 
(79,546
)
Purchases of intangible assets

 
(2,804
)
 
(1,095
)
 

 
(3,899
)
Investment in subsidiaries

 
(1,021
)
 
1,021

 

 

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

 
(797
)
 
(65,265
)
 

 
(66,062
)
Cash flows from financing activities:
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Issuance of long-term debt
402,500

 

 

 

 
402,500

Debt issuance costs
(11,069
)
 

 

 

 
(11,069
)
Repurchases of common stock and restricted stock

 
(4,733
)
 

 

 
(4,733
)
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan

 
123

 

 

 
123

Exercise of stock options

 
5,247

 

 

 
5,247

Dividends paid

 
(25,302
)
 

 

 
(25,302
)
Excess tax benefits from share-based compensation

 
4,803

 

 

 
4,803

Deferred payments for acquisitions

 
(3,996
)
 
(9,477
)
 

 
(13,473
)
Other

 
(54
)
 
(163
)
 

 
(217
)
Intercompany

 
17,792

 
(17,792
)
 

 


-48-



Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
391,431

 
(6,120
)
 
(27,432
)
 

 
357,879

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 
(18
)
 
475

 

 
457

Net change in cash and cash equivalents
391,483

 
(4,438
)
 
(2,965
)
 

 
384,080

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 
34,406

 
173,395

 

 
207,801

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
391,483

 
$
29,968

 
$
170,430

 
$

 
$
591,881




-49-



17.
    Subsequent Events
 
On August 3, 2015, the Company's Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.3075 per share of common stock payable on September 1, 2015 to all stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 17, 2015.

-50-



Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Forward-Looking Information

In addition to historical information, we have also made forward-looking statements in this report. These statements are based on our estimates and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements include the information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations. Forward-looking statements also include those preceded or followed by the words “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “hopes” or similar expressions. For those statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Our actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including but not limited to those discussed below, the risk factors discussed in Part II, Item 1A - “Risk Factors” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (if any) and in Part I, Item 1A - “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (together, the “Risk Factors”), and the factors discussed in the section in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q entitled “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.” Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s opinions only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements. Readers should carefully review the Risk Factors and the risk factors set forth in other documents we file from time to time with the SEC.
 
Some factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, our ability and intention to:

Sustain growth or profitability, particularly in light of an uncertain U.S. or worldwide economy and the related impact on customer acquisition and retention rates, customer usage levels and credit and debit card payment declines;
Maintain and increase our cloud services customer base and average revenue per user;
Generate sufficient cash flow to make interest and debt payments and reinvest in our business, and pursue desired activities and businesses plans while satisfying restrictive covenants relating to debt obligations;
Acquire businesses on acceptable terms and successfully integrate and realize anticipated synergies from such acquisitions;
Continue to expand our businesses and operations internationally in the wake of numerous risks, including adverse currency fluctuations, difficulty in staffing and managing international operations, higher operating costs as a percentage of  revenues or the implementation of adverse regulations;
Maintain our financial position, operating results and cash flows in the event that we incur new or unanticipated costs or tax liabilities, including those relating to federal and state income tax and indirect taxes, such as sales, value-added and telecommunication taxes;
Accurately estimate the assumptions underlying our effective worldwide tax rate;
Continue to pay a comparable cash dividend on a quarterly basis;
Maintain favorable relationships with critical third-party vendors whose financial condition will not negatively impact the services they provide;
Create compelling digital media content causing increased traffic and advertising levels; additional advertisers or an increase in advertising spend; and effectively target digital media advertisements to desired audiences;
Manage certain risks inherent to our business, such as costs associated with fraudulent activity, system failure or network security breach; effectively maintaining and managing our billing systems; time and resources required to manage our legal proceedings; or adhering to our internal controls and procedures;
Compete with other similar providers with regard to price, service and functionality;
Cost-effectively procure, retain and deploy large quantities of telephone numbers in desired locations in the United States and abroad;
Achieve business and financial objectives in light of burdensome domestic and international telecommunications, Internet or other regulations including data privacy, security and retention;
Successfully manage our growth, including but not limited to our operational and personnel-related resources, and integration of newly acquired businesses;

-51-



Successfully adapt to technological changes and diversify services and related revenues at acceptable levels of financial return;
Successfully develop and protect our intellectual property, both domestically and internationally, including our brands, patents, trademarks and domain names, and avoid infringing upon the proprietary rights of others; and
Recruit and retain key personnel.

In addition, our financial results could be materially impacted by risks associated with new accounting pronouncements.

Overview

j2 Global, Inc., together with its subsidiaries (“j2 Global”, the "Company", “our”, “us” or “we”), is a leading provider of Internet services. Through our Business Cloud Services Division, we provide cloud services to businesses of all sizes, from individuals to enterprises, and license our intellectual property ("IP") to third parties. In addition, the Business Cloud Services Division includes our j2 Cloud Connect business which is primarily focused on our voice and fax products. Our Digital Media Division specializes in the technology and gaming markets, reaching in-market buyers and influencers in both the consumer and business-to-business space.

Our Business Cloud Services Division generates revenues primarily from customer subscription and usage fees and from IP licensing fees. Our Digital Media Division generates revenues from advertising, performance marketing and licensing fees.
In addition to growing our businesses organically, on a regular basis we acquire businesses to grow our customer bases, expand and diversify our service offerings, enhance our technologies and acquire skilled personnel.
Our consolidated revenues are currently generated from three basic business models, each with different financial profiles and variability. Our Business Cloud Services Division is driven primarily by subscription revenues that are relatively higher margin and stable and predictable from quarter-to-quarter with some seasonal weakness in the fourth quarter. The Business Cloud Services Division also includes the results of our IP licensing business, which can vary dramatically in both revenues and profitability from period-to-period. Our Digital Media Division is driven primarily by advertising revenues, has relatively higher sales and marketing expense and has seasonal strength in the fourth quarter. We continue to pursue additional acquisitions, which may include companies operating under business models that differ from those we operate under today. Such acquisitions could impact our consolidated profit margins and the variability of our revenues.
We were incorporated in 2014 as a Delaware corporation through the creation of a new holding company structure, and our Business Cloud Services segment, operated by our wholly-owned subsidiary, j2 Cloud Services, Inc, and its subsidiaries, was founded in 1995. We manage our operations through two business segments: Business Cloud Services and Digital Media. Information regarding revenue and operating income attributable to each of our reportable segments is included within Note 13 - Segment Information of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. IP licensing activities are included within the Business Cloud Services segment.


-52-



Business Cloud Services Segment Performance Metrics

The following table sets forth certain key operating metrics for our Business Cloud Services segment as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands, except for percentages):

  
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Subscriber revenues:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Fixed
$
102,437

 
$
85,507

 
$
198,535

 
$
165,986

Variable
21,368

 
19,633

 
41,054

 
38,006

Total subscriber revenues
$
123,805

 
$
105,140

 
$
239,589

 
$
203,992

Other license revenues
1,383

 
1,383

 
3,660

 
3,361

Total revenues
$
125,188

 
$
106,523

 
$
243,249

 
$
207,353

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Percentage of total subscriber revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed
82.7
%
 
81.3
%
 
82.9
%
 
81.4
%
Variable
17.3
%
 
18.7
%
 
17.1
%
 
18.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DID-based
$
88,946

 
$
87,685

 
$
174,723

 
$
173,467

Non-DID-based
36,242

 
18,838

 
68,526

 
33,886

Total revenues
$
125,188

 
$
106,523

 
$
243,249

 
$
207,353

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average monthly revenue per Cloud Business Customer (1)(2)
$
14.15

 
$
13.84

 
 
 
 
Cancel Rate(3)
1.9
%
 
2.0
%
 
 
 
 
(1)
Quarterly ARPU is calculated using our standard convention of applying the average of the quarter's beginning and ending base to the total revenue for the quarter. We believe ARPU provides investors an understanding of the average monthly revenues we recognize associated with each Cloud Business Customer. As ARPU varies based on fixed subscription fee and variable usage components, we believe it can serve as a measure by which investors can evaluate trends in the types of services, levels of services and the usage levels of those services across our Cloud Business Customer base.
(2)
Cloud Business Customers is defined as paying direct inward dialing numbers ("DIDs") for fax and voice services, and direct and resellers’ accounts for other services.
(3)
User cancel rate, also called user churn, is defined as cancellation of service by Cloud Business customers with greater than 4 months of continuous service (continuous service includes Cloud Business customers that are administratively canceled and reactivated within the same calendar month). User cancel rate is calculated monthly and expressed here as an average over the three months of the quarter.

Digital Media Segment Performance Metrics

The following table sets forth certain key operating metrics for our Digital Media segment for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 (in millions):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Visits
956

 
594

 
1,803

 
1,536

Page views
2,392

 
2,021

 
5,873

 
5,148

Sources: Omniture; Google Analytics


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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

In the ordinary course of business, we have made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of results of operations and financial condition in the preparation of our financial statements. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates under different assumptions and conditions. Our critical accounting policies are described in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 2, 2015, as amended by subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. During the three months ended June 30, 2015, there were no significant changes in our critical accounting policies and estimates.

Results of Operations for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2015
Business Cloud Services Segment
Assuming a stable or improving economic environment, and, subject to our risk factors, we expect the revenue and profits as included in the results of operations below in our Business Cloud Services segment to continue for the foreseeable future (excluding the impact of acquisitions). The main focus of our Business Cloud Services offerings is to reduce or eliminate costs, increase sales and enhance productivity, mobility, business continuity and security of our customers as the technologies and devices they use evolve over time. As a result, we expect to continue to take steps to enhance our existing offerings and offer new services to continue to satisfy the evolving needs of our customers. Through our IP licensing operations, which are included in the Business Cloud Services segment, we seek to make our IP available for license to third parties, and we expect to continue to attempt to obtain additional IP through a combination of acquisitions and internal development in an effort to increase available licensing opportunities and related revenues. However, as IP licensing often involves litigation, the timing of licensing transactions is unpredictable and can and does vary significantly from period-to-period. This variability can cause the overall segment's financial results to materially vary from period-to-period.
Digital Media Segment
Assuming a stable or improving economic environment, and, subject to our risk factors, we expect the revenue and profits in our Digital Media segment to improve over the next several quarters as we integrate our recent acquisitions and over the longer term as advertising transactions continue to shift from offline to online. The main focus of our advertising programs is to provide relevant and useful advertising to visitors to our websites and those included within our advertising networks, reflecting our commitment to constantly improve their overall web experience. As a result, we expect to continue to take steps to improve the relevance of the ads displayed on our websites and those included within our advertising networks.
The operating margin we realize on revenues generated from ads placed on our websites is significantly higher than the operating margin we realize from revenues generated from those placed on third-party websites. Growth in advertising revenues from our websites has generally exceeded that from third-party websites. This trend has had a positive impact on our operating margins, and we expect that this will continue for the foreseeable future. However, the trend in advertising spend is shifting to mobile devices and other newer advertising formats which generally experience lower margins than those from desktop computers and tablets. We expect this trend to continue to put pressure on our margins.
j2 Global Consolidated
We anticipate that the stable revenue trend in our Business Cloud Services segment combined with the improving revenue and profits in our Digital Media segment will result in overall improved revenue and profits for j2 Global on a consolidated basis, excluding the impact of any future acquisitions and revenues associated with licensing our IP which can vary dramatically from period-to-period.
We expect acquisitions to remain an important component of our strategy and use of capital; however, we cannot predict whether our current pace of acquisitions will remain the same across our organization or within each segment of our business. In a given period, we may close greater or fewer acquisitions than in prior periods. Moreover, future acquisitions of businesses within a business segment but with different business models may impact such segment's and our company's overall profit margins.

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Revenues

 
(in thousands, except percentages)
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Percentage
Change
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Percentage Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
Revenues
$176,038
 
$144,744
 
22%
 
$337,291
 
$278,868
 
21%

Our revenues consist of revenues from our Business Cloud Services segment and from our Digital Media segment. Business Cloud Services revenues primarily consist of revenues from “fixed” customer subscription revenues and “variable” revenues generated from actual usage of our services. We also generate Business Cloud Services revenues from IP licensing. Digital Media revenues primarily consist of advertising revenues, fees paid for generating business leads, and licensing and sale of editorial content and trademarks.

Our revenues in 2015 have increased over the comparable three and six month period of 2014 primarily due to the following factors:

Organic growth within our Digital Media properties, in addition to acquisitions in that segment; and

Acquisitions within our Business Cloud Services segment, in addition to organic growth in that segment.

Cost of Revenues

(in thousands, except percentages)
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Percentage
Change
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Percentage Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
Cost of revenue
$29,494
 
$25,558
 
15%
 
$57,681
 
$48,947
 
18%
As a percent of revenue
17%
 
18%
 

 
17%
 
18%
 


Cost of revenues is primarily comprised of costs associated with data and voice transmission, DIDs, network operations, customer service, editorial and production costs, online processing fees and equipment depreciation. The increase in cost of revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 was primarily due to an increase in costs associated with acquisitions within the Business Cloud Services and Digital Media segments.

Operating Expenses

Sales and Marketing.
 
(in thousands, except percentages)
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Percentage
Change
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Percentage Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
Sales and Marketing
$40,421
 
$35,329
 
14%
 
$78,011
 
$68,288
 
14%
As a percent of revenue
23%
 
24%
 

 
23%
 
24%
 

 
Our sales and marketing costs consist primarily of Internet-based advertising, sales and marketing, personnel costs and other business development-related expenses. Our Internet-based advertising relationships consist primarily of fixed cost and performance-based (cost-per-impression, cost-per-click and cost-per-acquisition) advertising relationships with an array of online service providers. Advertising cost for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 was $16.7 million and $15.6 million, respectively, and for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 was $32.3 million and $30.7 million, respectively. The increase in sales and marketing expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 versus the prior comparable period was primarily due to increased personnel costs and advertising associated with acquisitions within the Business Cloud Services and Digital Media segments.


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Research, Development and Engineering.
(in thousands, except percentages)
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Percentage
Change
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Percentage Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
Research, Development and Engineering
$8,969
 
$7,600
 
18%
 
$17,415
 
$14,814
 
18%
As a percent of revenue
5%
 
5%
 

 
5%
 
5%
 


Our research, development and engineering costs consist primarily of personnel-related expenses. The increase in research, development and engineering costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 versus the prior comparable period was primarily due to additional personnel costs associated with acquisitions within the Business Cloud Services and Digital Media segments.

General and Administrative.
(in thousands, except percentages)
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Percentage
Change
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
Percentage Change
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
 
2015
 
2014
 
 
General and Administrative
$47,088
 
$31,419
 
50%
 
$93,588
 
$60,397
 
55%
As a percent of revenue
27%
 
22%
 

 
28%
 
22%
 


Our general and administrative costs consist primarily of personnel-related expenses, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation expense, bad debt expense, professional fees, taxes and insurance costs. The increase in general and administrative expense for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 versus the prior comparable periods was primarily due to additional amortization of intangible assets, personnel costs associated with acquisitions within the Business Cloud Services and Digital Media segments, taxes and bad debt expense, partially offset by a decrease in professional fees.
 
Share-Based Compensation

The following table represents share-based compensation expense included in cost of revenues and operating expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands): 
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Cost of revenues
$
91

 
$
27

 
$
174

 
$
181

Operating expenses:
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Sales and marketing
603

 
426

 
1,187

 
917

Research, development and engineering
213

 
222

 
408

 
362

General and administrative
2,261

 
1,288

 
4,404

 
2,887

Total
$
3,168

 
$
1,963

 
$
6,173

 
$
4,347


Non-Operating Income and Expenses

Interest expense (income), net. Our interest expense (income), net is generated primarily from interest expense due to outstanding debt and interest earned on cash, cash equivalents and short-term and long-term investments. Interest expense (income), net was $10.9 million and $5.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $21.2 million and $10.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The increase in interest expense (income), net for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2015 was primarily due to additional interest expense following the June 2014 issuance of the Convertible Notes.


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Other expense (income), net. Our other expense (income), net is generated primarily from miscellaneous items and gain or losses on currency exchange and sale of investments. Other expense (income), net was $0.1 million and $(0.2) million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $(0.7) million and $(0.5) million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014. respectively. The variance between the three and six months 2015 and 2014 periods was primarily due to gains or losses on currency exchanges.

Income Taxes

Our effective tax rate is based on pre-tax income, statutory tax rates, tax regulations (including those related to transfer pricing) and different tax rates in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. The tax bases of our assets and liabilities reflect our best estimate of the tax benefits and costs we expect to realize. When necessary, we establish valuation allowances to reduce our deferred tax assets to an amount that will more likely than not be realized. 

Provision for income taxes amounted to $0.2 million and $4.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively and $9.3 million and $12.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Our effective tax rate was 0.5% and 10.9% for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively and 13.3% and 16.4% for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

The decrease in our effective income tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 was primarily attributable to the reversal of uncertain income tax positions as a result of a settlement with the IRS for the 2009 and 2010 tax years.

Significant judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes and in evaluating our tax positions on a worldwide basis. We believe our tax positions, including intercompany transfer pricing policies, are consistent with the tax laws in the jurisdictions in which we conduct our business. Certain of these tax positions have in the past been, and are currently being, challenged, and this may have a significant impact on our effective tax rate if our tax reserves are insufficient.

Segment Results
Our business segments are based on the organization structure used by management for making operating and investment decisions and for assessing performance. Our reportable business segments are: (i) Business Cloud Services; and (ii) Digital Media.
We evaluate the performance of our operating segments based on segment revenues, including both external and inter-segment net sales, and segment operating income. We account for inter-segment sales and transfers based primarily on standard costs with reasonable mark-ups established between the segments. Identifiable assets by segment are those assets used in the respective reportable segment's operations. Corporate assets consist of cash and cash equivalents, deferred income taxes and certain other assets. All significant inter-segment amounts are eliminated to arrive at our consolidated financial results.
Revenues
The following table presents our revenues by source as a percentage of total revenues for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
Business Cloud Services revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fax and Voice
50.7
%
 
60.9
%
 
52.0
%
 
62.5
%
Other
20.4
%
 
12.7
%
 
20.1
%
 
11.8
%
Total Business Cloud Services revenues:
71.1
%
 
73.6
%
 
72.1
%
 
74.3
%
Digital Media revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Media
28.9
%
 
26.4
%
 
27.9
%
 
25.7
%
Elimination of inter-segment revenues
%
 
%
 
%
 
%
Total revenues
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
100.0
%

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Business Cloud Services
The following segment results are presented for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
External net sales
$
125,188

 
$
106,523

 
$
243,249

 
$
207,353

Inter-segment net sales

 

 

  

Segment net sales
125,188

 
106,523

 
243,249

  
207,353

Cost of revenues
24,477

 
21,113

 
48,310

 
40,650

Gross profit
100,711

 
85,410

 
194,939

  
166,703

Operating expenses
48,381

 
39,043

 
95,591

 
75,118

Segment operating income
$
52,330

 
$
46,367

 
$
99,348

  
$
91,585

Segment net sales of $125.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 increased $18.7 million, or 17.5%, and segment net sales of $243.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 increased $35.9 million, or 17.3%, from the prior comparable periods primarily due to business acquisitions.
Segment gross profit of $100.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 increased $15.3 million and segment gross profit of $194.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 increased $28.2 million from the prior comparable periods primarily due to business acquisitions.
Segment operating expenses of $48.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 increased $9.3 million and segment operating expenses of $95.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 increased $20.5 million from the prior comparable periods primarily due to (a) additional amortization of intangible assets and salary costs associated with businesses acquired in and subsequent to the prior comparable period; (b) additional business taxes; (c) an increase in sales and marketing costs; (d) an increase in bad debt expense; partially offset by a decrease in professional fees.
As a result of these factors, segment operating income of $52.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 increased $6.0 million, or 12.9%, and segment operating income of $99.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 increased $7.8 million, or 8.5% from the prior comparable periods.
Digital Media
 The following segment results are presented for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 (in thousands):
 
Three Months Ended June 30,
 
Six Months Ended June 30,
 
2015
 
2014
 
2015
 
2014
External net sales
$
50,850

 
$
38,221

 
$
94,042

 
$
71,515

Intersegment net sales
57

 
53

 
122

 
127

Segment net sales
50,907

 
38,274

 
94,164

 
71,642

Cost of revenues
5,017

 
4,445

 
9,371

 
8,297

Gross profit
45,890

 
33,829

 
84,793

 
63,345

Operating expenses
35,969

 
28,273

 
70,704

 
53,137

Segment operating income
$
9,921

 
$
5,556

 
$
14,089

 
$
10,208

Segment net sales of $50.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 increased $12.6 million, or 33.0%, and segment net sales of $94.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 increased $22.5 million, or 31.4%, from the prior comparable periods primarily due to organic growth supplemented by business acquisitions subsequent to the prior comparable periods which are not fully reflected in the prior comparable periods results.
Segment gross profit of $45.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 increased $12.1 million and segment gross profit of $84.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 increased $21.4 million from the prior comparable periods primarily due to an increase in net sales between the periods.

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Segment operating expenses of $36.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 increased $7.7 million and segment operating expense of $70.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 increased $17.6 million from the prior comparable periods primarily due to business acquisitions subsequent to the prior comparable periods.
As a result of these factors, segment operating income of $9.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015 increased $4.4 million and segment operating income of $14.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 increased $3.9 million from the prior comparable periods.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash and Cash Equivalents and Investments

At June 30, 2015, we had cash and investments of $567.3 million compared to $590.4 million at December 31, 2014. The decrease in cash and investments resulted primarily from business acquisitions, dividends and interest paid, business taxes, and repurchases of stock, partially offset by cash provided by operations and the exercise of stock options. At June 30, 2015, cash and investments consisted of cash and cash equivalents of $415.9 million, short-term investments of $97.2 million and long-term investments of $54.2 million. Our investments are comprised primarily of readily marketable corporate and governmental debt securities, money-market accounts and time deposits. For financial statement presentation, we classify our investments primarily as available-for-sale; thus, they are reported as short- and long-term based upon their maturity dates. Short-term investments mature within one year of the date of the financial statements and long-term investments mature one year or more from the date of the financial statements. We retain a substantial portion of our cash and investments in foreign jurisdictions for future reinvestment. As of June 30, 2015, cash and investments held within foreign and domestic jurisdictions were $117.4 million and $449.9 million, respectively. If we were to repatriate funds held within foreign jurisdictions, we would incur U.S. income tax on the repatriated amount at the federal statutory rate of 35% and the state statutory rate where applicable, net of a credit for foreign taxes paid on such amounts.
 
On February 10, 2015, the Company's Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.2925 per share of common stock payable on March 9, 2015 to all stockholders of record as of the close of business on February 23, 2015. On May 6, 2015, the Company's Board of Directors approved a quarterly cash dividend of $0.3000 per share of common stock payable on June 3, 2015 to all stockholders of record as of the close of business on May 19, 2015.

In June 2014, the Company issued Convertible Notes of $402.5 million in aggregate principal and received net proceeds of $391.4 million in cash, net of underwriter's discounts and commissions. The net proceeds are available for general corporate purposes, which may include working capital, business acquisitions, retirement of debt and other business opportunities.

We currently anticipate that our existing cash and cash equivalents and short-term investment balances and cash generated from operations will be sufficient to meet our anticipated needs for working capital, capital expenditure, stock repurchases and cash dividends for at least the next 12 months.

Cash Flows

Our primary sources of liquidity are cash flows generated from operations, together with cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. Net cash provided by operating activities was $97.6 million and $91.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Our operating cash flows resulted primarily from cash received from our customers offset by cash payments we made to third parties for their services, employee compensation and interest payments associated with our debt. The increase in our net cash provided by operating activities in 2015 compared to 2014 was primarily attributable to increased depreciation and amortization, additional amortization of financing costs and discounts, lower prepaid expenses and other current assets; partially offset by a decrease in uncertain tax positions, reduced income taxes payable and lower accounts payable and accrued expense balances. Certain taxes are prepaid during the year and included within prepaid expenses and other current assets on the consolidated balance sheet. Our prepaid taxes were $14.5 million and $5.8 million at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively. Our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments were $513.1 million and $529.9 million at June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively.

Net cash used in investing activities was $(83.5) million and $(66.1) million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, net cash used in investing activities was primarily attributable to business acquisitions, the purchase of available-for-sale investments, property and equipment and intangible assets; partially offset by the maturity of available-for-sale investments. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, net cash used in investing activities was primarily attributable to business acquisitions, the purchase of available-for-sale investments, property and equipment and intangible assets; partially offset by the maturity of available-for-sale investments and certificates of deposit. The increase in our net cash used in investing activities in 2015 compared to 2014 was primarily attributable to additional purchases of available-for-sale investments and a reduction in the maturity of certificates of deposit.

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities was $(29.7) million and $357.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2015, net cash used in financing activities was primarily attributable to dividends paid, business acquisitions and repurchases of stock; partially offset by excess tax benefit from share-based compensation. For the six months ended June 30, 2014, net cash provided by financing activities was primarily attributable

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to the proceeds from the sale of the Convertible Notes, proceeds from the exercise of stock options and excess tax benefit from share-based compensation; partially offset by dividends paid and repurchases of stock. The change in net cash (used in) provided by financing activities in 2015 compared to 2014 was primarily attributable to the proceeds from the sale of the Convertible Notes.

Stock Repurchase Program

Effective February 15, 2012, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to five million shares of our common stock through February 20, 2013 which was subsequently extended through February 19, 2016.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations and commitments as of June 30, 2015:
 
 
Payments Due in
(in thousands)
Contractual Obligations
 
2015
 
2016
 
2017
 
2018
 
2019
 
Thereafter
 
Total
Long-term debt - principal (a)
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
652,500

 
$
652,500

Long-term debt - interest (b)
 
16,541

 
33,081

 
33,081

 
33,081

 
33,081

 
39,345

 
188,210

Operating leases (c)
 
4,698

 
7,715

 
7,614

 
7,425

 
5,996

 
13,471

 
46,919

Telecom services and co-location facilities (d)
 
1,249

 
1,786

 
983

 
313

 

 

 
4,331

Holdback payment (e)
 
14,373

 
13,280

 

 

 

 

 
27,653

Other (f)
 
821

 
205

 
49

 

 

 

 
1,075

Total 
 
$
37,682

 
$
56,067

 
$
41,727

 
$
40,819

 
$
39,077

 
$
705,316

 
$
920,688

 
(a)
These amounts represent principal on long-term debt.
(b)
These amounts represent interest on long-term debt.
(c)
These amounts represent undiscounted future minimum rental commitments under noncancellable leases.
(d)
These amounts represent service commitments to various telecommunication providers.
(e)
These amounts primarily represent the holdback amounts in connection with certain business acquisitions.
(f)
These amounts primarily represent certain consulting and Board of Directors fee arrangements, software license commitments and others.

As of June 30, 2015, our liability for uncertain tax positions was $25.1 million. Future payments related to uncertain tax positions have not been presented in the table above due to the uncertainty of the amounts and timing of cash settlement with such authorities. In addition, with the acquisition of Ookla, acquired on December 1, 2014, contingent consideration of up to an aggregate of $40.0 million may be payable upon achieving certain future income thresholds and was determined to have a fair value of $13.0 million at June 30, 2015 which was recorded as an other long-term liability on the consolidated balance sheet. We have not been presented this contingent consideration in the table above due to the uncertainty of the amounts and timing of cash settlement.

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Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The following discussion of the market risks we face contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those discussed in forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s opinions only as of the date hereof. j2 Global undertakes no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements. Readers should carefully review the risk factors described in this document and in the other documents incorporated by reference herein, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 as well as in other documents we file from time to time with the SEC, including the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and any Current Reports on Form 8-K filed or to be filed by us in 2015.

Interest Rate Risk

Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our investment portfolio. We maintain an investment portfolio of various holdings, types and maturities. The primary objectives of our investment activities are to preserve our principal while at the same time maximizing yields without significantly increasing risk. To achieve these objectives, we maintain our portfolio of cash equivalents and investments in a mix of instruments that meet high credit quality standards, as specified in our investment policy. Our cash and cash equivalents are not subject to significant interest rate risk due to the short maturities of these instruments. As of June 30, 2015, the carrying value of our cash and cash equivalents approximated fair value. Our return on these investments is subject to interest rate fluctuations.

Our short- and long-term investments are comprised primarily of readily marketable corporate and governmental debt securities and certificates of deposits. Investments in fixed rate interest earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk. Fixed rate securities may have their fair market value adversely impacted due to a rise in interest rates. Our interest income is sensitive to changes in the general level of U.S. and foreign countries’ interest rates. Due in part to these factors, our future investment income may fall short of expectations due to changes in interest rates.

As of June 30, 2015, we had investments in debt securities with effective maturities greater than one year of approximately $54.2 million. Such investments had a weighted average yield of approximately 0.87%. As of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had cash and cash equivalent investments in time deposits and money market funds with maturities of 90 days or less of $415.9 million and $433.7 million, respectively. Based on our cash and cash equivalents and short- and long-term investment holdings as of June 30, 2015, an immediate 100 basis point decline in interest rates would decrease our annual interest income to approximately zero.

We cannot ensure that future interest rate movements will not have a material adverse effect on our future business, prospects, financial condition, operating results and cash flows. To date, we have not entered into interest rate hedging transactions to control or minimize certain of these risks.

Foreign Currency Risk

We conduct business in certain foreign markets, primarily in Canada, Australia and the European Union. Our principal exposure to foreign currency risk relates to investment and inter-company debt in foreign subsidiaries that transact business in functional currencies other than the U.S. Dollar, primarily the Australian Dollar, the Canadian Dollar, the Euro, the Hong Kong Dollar, the Japanese Yen, the New Zealand Dollar, the Norwegian Kroner and the British Pound Sterling. If we are unable to settle our short term inter-company debts in a timely manner, we remain exposed to foreign currency fluctuations.
    
As we expand our international presence, we become further exposed to foreign currency risk by entering new markets with additional foreign currencies. The economic impact of currency exchange rate movements is often linked to variability in real growth, inflation, interest rates, governmental actions and other factors. These changes, if material, could cause us to adjust our financing and operating strategies.

As currency exchange rates change, translation of the income statements of the international businesses into U.S. Dollars affects year-over-year comparability of operating results, the impact of which is immaterial to the comparisons set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Historically, we have not hedged translation risks because cash flows from international operations were generally reinvested locally; however, we may do so in the future. Our objective in managing foreign exchange risk is to minimize the potential exposure to changes that exchange rates might have on earnings, cash flows and financial position.

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Foreign exchange gains and (losses) were not material to our earnings , amounting to approximately $(0.1) million and $0.4 million, for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $0.7 million and $0.5 million, for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Cumulative translation adjustments included in other comprehensive income amounted to approximately $7.1 million and $1.3 million, net of tax, for the three months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively, and $(8.1) million and $2.2 million, net of tax, for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

We currently do not have derivative financial instruments for hedging, speculative or trading purposes and therefore are not subject to such hedging risk. However, we may in the future engage in hedging transactions to manage our exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.

Item 4.
Controls and Procedures

(a)
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
j2 Global’s management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, performed an evaluation of j2 Global’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that j2 Global’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms, and (2) accumulated and communicated to our management to allow their timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b)
Changes in Internal Controls

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the second quarter ended June 30, 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.
Legal Proceedings

See Note 8 – Commitments and Contingencies of the Notes to Financial Statements (Part I, Item 1) for information regarding certain legal proceedings in which we are involved.
 
Item 1A.
Risk Factors

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, before deciding to invest in j2 Global or to maintain or increase your investment, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (the “10-K Risk Factors”) as well as in other documents we file from time to time with the SEC, including the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and any Current Reports on Form 8-K filed or to be filed by us in 2015. If any of these risks occur, our business, prospects, financial condition, operating results and cash flows could be materially adversely affected. The 10-K Risk Factors are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may impair our business operations. There have been no material changes from the 10-K Risk Factors, except for the risks described in subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.

Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
(a)
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
 None.
 
(b)
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
 
Effective February 15, 2012, the Company's Board of Directors approved a program authorizing the repurchase of up to five million shares of our common stock through February 20, 2013 (the "2012 Program") which was subsequently extended through February 19, 2016. During the six month period ended June 30, 2015, we repurchased zero shares under this program. Cumulatively at June 30, 2015, 2.1 million shares were repurchased at an aggregate cost of $58.6 million (including an immaterial amount of commission fees).
 
The following table details the repurchases that were made under and outside the 2012 Program during the three months ended June 30, 2015:
Period
Total Number of
Shares
Purchased (1)
 
Average Price
Paid Per Share
 
Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of a Publicly
Announced
Program
 
Maximum
Number of
Shares That
May Yet Be
Purchased
Under the
Publicly
Announced
Program
April 1, 2015 - April 30, 2015

 
$

 

 
2,873,920

May 1, 2015 - May 31, 2015
23,711

 
$
67.36

 

 
2,873,920

June 1, 2015 - June 30, 2015

 
$

 

 
2,873,920

Total
23,711

 
 

 

 
2,873,920

(1)
Includes shares surrendered to the Company to pay the exercise price and/or to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with employee stock options and/or the vesting of restricted stock issued to employees.

Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.

Item 4.
Mine Safety Disclosures
Not Applicable.

Item 5.
Other Information
None.

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Item 6.
Exhibits
 
 
10.1
j2 Global 2015 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to j2 Global, Inc.’s definitive proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 26, 2015).
 
 
31.1
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
31.2
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
32.1
Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
32.2
Section 1350 Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
101
The following financial information from j2 Global, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 


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SIGNATURE

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.
 
 
 
j2 Global, Inc.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
August 10, 2015
By:
/s/ NEHEMIA ZUCKER
 
 
 
 
Nehemia Zucker
 
 
 
 
Chief Executive Officer 
 
 
 
 
(Principal Executive Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
August 10, 2015
By:
/s/ R. SCOTT TURICCHI
 
 
 
 
R. Scott Turicchi
 
 
 
 
President and Chief Financial Officer 
 
 
 
 
(Principal Financial Officer)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
August 10, 2015
By:
/s/ STEVE P. DUNN
 
 
 
 
Steve P. Dunn
 
 
 
 
Chief Accounting Officer 
 


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INDEX TO EXHIBITS


Exhibit Number
Description
 
 
10.1
j2 Global 2015 Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to j2 Global, Inc.’s definitive proxy statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 26, 2015).

 
 
31.1
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
31.2
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
32.1
Section 1350 Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
32.2
Section 1350 Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
 
101
The following financial information from j2 Global, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2015, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014, and (v) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
 


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