UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

Form 10-K

(Mark One)

OR

Commission file number: 000-21287

Peerless Systems Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

(203) 350-0040

 (Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes ☐       No☒

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes ☐       No☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes ☒      No☐

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 (232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes ☒      No☐

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  ☒

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):

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

Yes ☐      No☒

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s common equity held by non-affiliates was approximately $8,666,977 as of July 31, 2013, based upon the last sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market on such date.

As of April 17, 2014, we had 2,749,687 shares of our common stock outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Part III of this report incorporates certain information by reference from the registrant’s proxy statement for its 2014 annual meeting of stockholders, which proxy statement will be filed no later than 120 days after the close of the registrant’s fiscal year ended January 31, 2014.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements made by us in this report and in other reports and statements released by us that are not historical facts may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).  These forward-looking statements are necessarily estimates reflecting the judgment of our senior management based on our current estimates, expectations, forecasts and projections and include comments that express our current opinions about trends and factors that may impact future strategy, strategic alternatives or operating results.  Disclosures that use words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “could,” “plan,” “expect,” “project” or the negative of these, as well as similar expressions, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  These statements are not guarantees of future performance, rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events, many of which are outside of our control, and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results, performance or achievement, or industry results, to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements, expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  We discuss such risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause results to differ materially from management’s expectations throughout this report and specifically under the caption “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A below.  Any such forward-looking statements, whether made in this report or elsewhere, should be considered in the context of the various disclosures made by us about our businesses including, without limitation, the risk factors discussed below.

We intend that the forward-looking statements included herein be subject to the above-mentioned statutory safe harbor.  Investors are cautioned not to rely on forward-looking statements.  Except as required under the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), we do not have any intention or obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, or otherwise.

PART I

Item 1.  Business

Company Overview

Peerless Systems Corporation (referred to herein as “Peerless,” the “Company,” “we,” or “us”) licenses imaging and networking technologies to the digital document markets, which include original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) of color and monochrome printers and multifunction office products.  We license software-based imaging and networking technology for controllers in embedded, attached and stand-alone digital document products such as printers, copiers and multifunction products (“MFPs”) of OEMs. We were incorporated in California in 1982 and reincorporated in Delaware in September 1996.

Historically, we developed controller products and applications for sale to OEMs.  In order to process digital text and graphics, digital document products rely on a core set of imaging software and supporting electronics, collectively known as a digital imaging system.  Digital document products include monochrome (black and white) and color printers, copiers, fax machines and scanners, as well as MFPs that perform a combination of these imaging functions.  Our historical business has consisted of (i) products with Peerless developed intellectual property, (ii) products based upon an agreement with Novell Inc. (“Novell”) to license and support the Novell Embedded Systems Technology (“NEST”) Office Software Developers Kit (“SDK”), (iii) products based upon an agreement with Adobe Systems Incorporated (“Adobe”) to bundle and sublicense Adobe’s licensed products into products for OEMs, and (iv) products based upon agreements with various other third parties.  Our contract with Adobe expired on March 31, 2010, but we continue to license our software for Adobe existing licensed devices (“AELD”) developed prior to such date.  See Item 1A. Risk Factors - Risks Related to Our Company and Our Historical Business - We expect a continued decrease in our Adobe Related revenues for fiscal 2015 due to the expiration of our agreement with Adobe.

Effective April 30, 2008, we sold certain of our assets to Kyocera-Mita Corporation (“KMC”).  In this transaction (the “KMC Transaction”), we retained certain intellectual property and also entered into a license agreement with KMC whereby we have the right to sublicense to third parties the technology we sold to KMC.  Following the completion of the KMC Transaction, we continue to license and market our remaining technology and the technology licensed back to us by KMC, directly to OEM customers including Oki Data, Seiko Epson and Xerox International Partners (“XIP”).  We also sublicense to KMC the right to use certain technologies excluded from the KMC Transaction. Our embedded application solution offerings also incorporate imaging and networking technologies developed internally or licensed from third parties.

Following the closing of the KMC Transaction, we have focused on managing costs and aligning expenses to better match anticipated revenue.  We are also exploring various alternatives to enhance stockholder value through establishing a new venture or acquiring an existing business, as well as through other investment opportunities.  See “Strategic Alternatives” and “Interim Investment Activities” under “Strategy for Our Company” below.

In December 2010, the Company opened an office in Stamford, Connecticut, which became the Company’s headquarters on February 1, 2011.  The Company closed its office in El Segundo, California on January 31, 2012 and now operates exclusively at its Stamford, Connecticut office.

Services Provided

Following the KMC Transaction, our primary business is licensing software-based imaging and networking systems for the digital document product marketplace.   

Our legacy business has consisted of (i) products with Peerless developed intellectual property, (ii) products based upon our agreement with Novell to sublicense and support NEST Office SDK, (iii) products based upon an agreement with Adobe to bundle and sublicense Adobe’s licensed products into products for OEMs and (iv) products based upon agreements with various other third parties.  Our agreement with Adobe expired on March 31, 2010. Subsequent to March 31, 2010, we are no longer able to license new devices with respect to our Adobe line of business.  We will continue to collect licensing fees from our customers for AELD under our current sublicensing agreements.  All maintenance revenue generated from our products ended on July 31, 2010.  We continue to be party to a license agreement with Novell and we expect to continue to collect licensing fees for the useful life of the Novell related technology.

Customers

We currently derive substantially all of our revenues from direct sales to digital document product OEMs.   In addition to our own technology retained in the KMC Transaction, we license technology based in whole or in part on licenses from KMC and other third parties, including Novell and Adobe. Our license agreement with Adobe, which expired on March 31, 2010, generated substantial revenues for us prior to its expiration.  The Adobe agreement will only continue to generate revenue through the commercial life of AELD.  See Item 1A. Risk Factors – Risks Related to Our Company and Our Historical Business - We expect a continued decrease in our Adobe related revenues for fiscal 2015 due to the expiration of our agreement with Adobe.

We anticipate that our future revenues may continue to be concentrated with a limited number of customers.  Our largest customers (each constituting approximately 10% or more of our total revenues) vary to some extent from year to year as product cycles end, block licenses are exhausted and contractual relationships expire.  We had three such large customers in fiscal year 2014 - Novell, KMC, and Oki Data. In the aggregate, these three customers accounted for 93% of our total revenues for fiscal year 2014.

Our licensing revenue is calculated based on the number of products that include our technology shipped by our customers and as such, the life cycles of these products significantly impact our revenue.  Because we generate a large percentage of our revenues from a small number of customers and a limited number of products, any loss of these customers or products would have a material adverse impact on the results of our operations.  See Item 1A. Risk Factors – Risk Related to Our Company and Our Historical Business – There is currently limited demand for our products, and we expect demand will continue to decline in the future.

Market Segments and Geographic Areas

We sell our products to OEMs which manufacture products for the enterprise and office sector of the digital document product market.  This market is characterized by digital document products ranging in price from approximately $500 to $1,000 each at the low end, to more than $50,000 at the high end.  These products typically offer high performance and are differentiated by customized features.  As a result of these unique requirements, we have typically addressed the office sector of the digital document product market via direct OEM relationships with individual digital document product manufacturers.  Over the last two fiscal years, our major customers in the office sector have included Novell, KMC and Oki Data.

Since most of our OEM customers are headquartered in Japan, traditionally the majority of our revenues were generated from outside the United States. Our OEM customers headquartered in Japan sell their products containing our technology primarily in the North American, Japanese and European marketplaces.  However, this tradition was reversed in fiscal year 2013 and 2012, and a majority of our revenues came from customers headquartered in the United States.  This shift was due to our Japan-headquartered OEM customers not renewing block licenses which had been recognized in previous quarters and shipments from customers within the United States declining at a slower rate than shipments from customers outside of the United States.   Now that all of our Japan-headquartered customers have fully utilized their existing block licenses, they are now currently paying us on a pay-as-you-go basis. Our Japanese OEM customers contributed 61% of our total revenues in fiscal year 2014. 

All of our contracts with international customers are denominated in U.S. dollars, and we expect this practice to continue.  As a result, we do not incur material foreign currency risks or costs in our business.

Industry Overview

The document imaging industry has rapidly changed.  Historically, most electronic imaging products in the office environment were stand-alone, monochrome machines, which were dedicated to a single print, copy, fax or scan function.  Today’s imaging products combine printer, fax and scan functions in a single, color MFP or All-in-One (“AiO”) device.  These changes in technology and end-user requirements have created challenges for digital document product manufacturers.  These challenges include customer expectations for higher performance products at lower prices as well as the desire and ability of product manufacturers to develop more and more technology in-house.

Technology

Digital Imaging Products.  Peerless licenses software-based embedded imaging components to OEMs of printers and MFPs.  These imaging components increase the performance, image quality and network connectivity of such devices while lowering the overall device cost.  Our offerings to our customers have included the following products, most of which we sold to KMC and licensed back from KMC in the KMC Transaction:

 Our agreements with both third party licensors and our customers have allowed us to integrate the proprietary technologies we originally developed, most of which we sold to KMC and licensed back as part of the KMC Transaction, and to license complementary technologies from such third party licensors to our customers in bundled or single sales.  We are party to a license agreement with Novell to license the NEST Office SDK.  From 1999 to March 2010, we were party to a license agreement with Adobe to license Adobe PostScript. Our agreement with Adobe expired on March 31, 2010.

Strategy for Our Company

Following the closing of the KMC Transaction, we have focused on managing costs and aligning expenses to better match anticipated revenue.  We are exploring various alternatives to enhance stockholder value through establishing a new venture or acquiring an existing business, as well as through other investment opportunities.

Historical Business.

Since 2008, we have implemented a strategy for our historical business to address declining demand for our core imaging technologies from our traditional OEM customer base.  The strategy involves maximizing the value of core technologies and managing costs and aligning expenses to better match revenue forecast.

Managing Expenses.   On an ongoing basis, we will continue to manage our business in a manner that aligns our operating expenses with our anticipated revenue streams.

Core Technologies.   We will continue to license technology that we own or to which we have licensing rights.  Although our license agreement with Adobe has expired, we will continue to collect license fees from our current OEM customers for the commercial life of all AELD under our current sublicense agreements.  We will continue to license our products with Peerless developed intellectual property, our Novell related products and other products which we own or to which we have licensing rights to current OEM customers.

Strategic Alternatives.  

Since the sale of substantially all of our assets in the KMC Transaction, we have been identifying and exploring various alternatives to enhance stockholder value.  In fiscal 2015, our strategy may include establishing a new venture that utilizes the expertise of management and the Board of Directors, as well as identifying acquisition candidates and investment opportunities.

Our inability to implement our strategic plan to develop a new business or acquire or invest in another company, as well as the declining sales trend of our historical business, may have a material adverse effect on our business and financial results.  See Item 1A. Risk Factors – Risks Related to Our Company and Our Historical Business - There is currently limited demand for our products and we expect demand will continue to decline in the future.

Interim Investment Activities.  

Until we establish a new venture, acquire an existing business or make some other long-term investment, the objective of our interim investment activities is to maintain liquidity and prudently grow the Company’s available capital by investing in a mix of short-term money market funds, exchange-traded equity securities and other marketable securities, but only to the extent that such investments do not inadvertently make the Company subject to the Investment Company Act of 1940.

During fiscal year 2012, we took advantage of an increase in volatility in the markets by investing some of our cash into marketable securities.  We recorded approximately $1.8 million of realized gains on investments during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2012. During fiscal year 2013, we significantly scaled back our investing activities and had a net realized gain of approximately $0.1 million. During fiscal year 2014, our attempt to improve our returns by trying to take advantage of the market volatility on our capital was unsuccessful and we suffered a loss of approximately $1.5 million. We also realized a loss in our investment in ModusLink Global Solutions, Inc. of $0.7 million in fiscal year 2014. The cumulative result over the life of our investment in ModusLink was a loss of $34,000.

We are exposed to a variety of risks in investments, including the stability of the financial institutions in which we maintain our investments and a decline in interest rates.  See Item 1A. Risk Factors – Risk Related to Our Company and Our Historical Business – The failure of any financial institution in which we deposit funds could significantly reduce the amount of cash we have available for our corporate and business purposes and risks under Item 1A. Risk Factors – Risks Related to Our Strategy to Increase Value for Stockholders.

Intellectual Property and Proprietary Rights

We protect our proprietary rights through a combination of, among other things, trade secret, copyright and trademark laws, as well as the early implementation of nondisclosure and other contractual restrictions.

In the KMC Transaction, we sold substantially all of our intellectual property (“IP”), including all of our patents, to KMC and licensed this IP back from KMC on a nonexclusive, worldwide, perpetual and royalty free basis, subject to certain restrictions.  In the KMC Transaction, we retained certain of our customized intellectual property that had been previously integrated into products we licensed to third parties or specifically created for our customers (other than KMC) after December 7, 2007.

As part of our confidentiality procedures, we enter into written nondisclosure agreements with our employees, consultants, prospective customers, OEMs and strategic partners and take further affirmative steps to limit access to and distribution of our software, intellectual property and other proprietary information.  Despite these efforts and in the event such agreements are not timely made, complied with or enforced, we may be unable to protect our proprietary rights.  See Item 1A. Risk Factors - Risks Related to Our Company and Our Historical Business  –  If we fail to adequately protect intellectual property or face a claim of intellectual property infringement by a third party, we could lose our intellectual property rights or be liable for damages.

 Competition

The market for outsourced imaging systems for digital document products is highly competitive and characterized by continuous pressure to enhance performance, add functionality, reduce costs and accelerate the release of new products.  We compete on the basis of the set of core technologies we sublicense from third parties, technology expertise, product functionality and price.  Our technology primarily competes with solutions developed internally by OEMs.  Virtually all of our OEM customers have made significant investments in their existing solutions and have substantial resources to enhance existing products and to develop future products.  These OEMs have developed, are developing or may develop competing imaging system technologies and may implement these systems into their products, thereby replacing our technologies and further limiting our future business opportunities.   OEMs have increasingly been shifting away from third party solutions in favor of in-house development.  Therefore, we face competition from products internally developed by OEMs.  Although we continue to license and market the technology which we own or to which we have licensing rights directly to OEM customers, we have experienced increased difficulty in these efforts.

Our opportunities have been limited since the completion of the KMC Transaction and have become further limited because our license agreement with Adobe, pursuant to which we bundled and sublicensed Adobe’s licensed products into new products for OEMs, expired on March 31, 2010.  We compete in the digital document product marketplace.   Our competitors include Electronics for Imaging Inc., Primax Electronics, Ltd. (formerly known as Destiny Technology Corporation), Global Graphics Software Ltd., SOFHA GmbH, Software Imaging, Ltd. and CSR (formerly Zoran Corporation).  Our networking and security products compete with, among others, Silex Technology Inc, SafeNet Inc. and RSA, a division of EMC Corporation.

Employees

As of January 31, 2014, we had two full-time employees.  None of our employees are represented by a labor union, and we have never experienced any work stoppage.  

Available Information

Our website address is www.peerless.com.  We make available, free of charge through our website, our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, Proxy Statements and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC.

Our filings may also be read and copied at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street NE, Room 1580 Washington, DC 20549.  Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.  The SEC also maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.  The address of that website is www.sec.gov.

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

Our short and long term success is subject to many factors that are beyond our control.  Stockholders and prospective stockholders in the Company should consider carefully the following risk factors, in addition to the information contained in this report.  This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21 of the Exchange Act, which are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties.  Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set forth below. See “Forward Looking Statements” above.

Risks Related to Our Company and Our Historical Business

We expect a continued decrease in our Adobe related revenues for fiscal 2015 due to the expiration of our agreement with Adobe.

Our agreement with Adobe to bundle and sublicense Adobe’s licensed products into new OEM products expired on March 31, 2010.  We are unable to transition our customer base to another provider.  We will only continue to collect licensing fees for the commercial life of all AELD for the useful life of these products under existing sublicensing agreements.  We expect a decrease in our Adobe related revenues for fiscal 2015 due to the expiration of this agreement.  Our revenues from licensing products that include Adobe technology were approximately $0.8 million and $0.7 million for fiscal 2014 and 2013, respectively.

There is currently limited demand for our products and we expect demand will continue to decline in the future.

Since the completion of the KMC Transaction, we have continued to license and market the technology which we own or to which we have licensing rights directly to OEM customers.  Our licensing arrangements with our customers are based on the number of products including our technology shipped by these customers and the life cycles of these products.  Because we generate a large percentage of our revenues from a small number of customers and a few products, any loss of these customers or products would have a material adverse impact on our results of operations.  There has been a general decline in the rates of growth for the monochrome work group printer and MFP market segments in which we are engaged.  For those product platforms that do utilize the software we license, the competition has increased and we have experienced significant downward price pressure.  Although our technology can be modified to meet the needs of our customers, since 2007, we have elected not to develop new products and, since late 2010, we have elected not to maintain a development engineering staff.  As a result of this, OEM demand for our solutions has declined.  This decline occurred in some cases because the OEMs perceived that our solutions did not meet their technical requirements.  In other cases it occurred because the OEMs either developed the technology themselves or utilized lower cost offshore software competitors. Although we continue to license our current technology and products to certain OEMs, there can be no assurance that the OEMs will continue to need or utilize the products and technology we currently offer.  We had an agreement with Adobe to bundle and sublicense Adobe’s licensed products into new OEM products which expired on March 31, 2010.  This termination has substantially reduced the range of products we are able to offer.  We believe this will materially diminish our ability to continue licensing products in the future.

We receive a substantial portion of our revenues from a limited number of customers and any adverse change in our relationships with those customers will materially harm our business.

A limited number of OEM customers continue to provide a substantial portion of our revenues.  Presently, there are only a small number of OEM customers in the digital document product market to which we can market our technology and services. Therefore, our ability to offset a significant decrease in the revenues from a particular customer or to replace a lost customer is severely limited.

Customers that individually represented approximately 10% or more of our total revenues collectively accounted for 93% and 89% of our revenues for fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013, respectively. Each of Novell, KMC, Oki Data and XIP constituted customers representing approximately10% or more of our total revenues in fiscal 2014 and/or fiscal 2013.

Along with our OEM customers and third party technology suppliers, we face intense competition within our industry, which is applying significant downward pricing pressure on products.  As a result, our OEM customers and third party technology suppliers continue to seek lower cost alternatives.  Some of our OEM customers and third party technology suppliers, including Adobe, have developed extensive offshore operations in countries such as India that are capable of delivering lower cost solutions. The ability of our OEM customers and third party technology suppliers to provide similar offerings at a lower cost may result in them no longer needing our services, as well as being in direct competition with us by providing similar technologies at a lower cost to our other customers.  This may result in us losing some of our customers and may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and future cash flows.  See “Financial Statements – Note 12 Risks and Uncertainties.”

 Our licensing revenue is subject to significant fluctuations which may materially and adversely affect our operating results.

Our recurring license agreements may result in revenues associated with the sale of block and perpetual licenses.  Block and perpetual licenses can create significant fluctuations in revenues as they are most often recognized as revenue immediately instead of over time. While we expect most of our customers to shift from block license or prepay model to a pay-as-you-go model, we may still sell block and perpetual licenses. Revenues may continue to fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter as the number of opportunities vary, if the signing of block licenses are delayed or the licensing opportunities are lost to competitors.  In addition, we may experience additional significant fluctuation as aging OEM products leave the marketplace. Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

The industry for imaging systems for digital document products involves intense competition and rapid technological changes, and our business will likely be materially harmed when our competitors develop superior technology.

We anticipate increasing competition for our color products, particularly as new competitors develop and sell competing products.  Some of our existing competitors, many of our potential competitors, and virtually all of our OEM customers have substantially greater financial, technical, marketing and sales resources than we have.  Furthermore, we are not investing in technology to update our products.  Other competitors are likely to develop new products which replace the products we currently offer.  If price competition increases, competitive pressures could require us to reduce the amount of royalties received on new licenses.  New technology developed by our competitors will further erode our market share and reduce our royalty revenue.

If we fail to adequately protect intellectual property or face a claim of intellectual property infringement by a third party, we could lose our intellectual property rights or be liable for damages.

We protect our proprietary rights in a number of ways, including, but not limited to, trade secret, copyright and trademark laws, as well as early implementation of nondisclosure and other contractual restrictions.

As part of the KMC Transaction, we sold substantially all of our intellectual property, including all of our patents to KMC and executed a license agreement pursuant to which KMC licensed the intellectual property back to us on a nonexclusive, worldwide, perpetual and royalty free basis subject to certain restrictions.  Excluded from the IP that was sold to KMC was all of our customized intellectual property that had been previously integrated into products or services licensed or otherwise provided by us to third parties or specifically created for customers of ours after December 7, 2007 other than KMC and, which, in either case, had not also been provided to or integrated into products or services licensed to KMC, or developed pursuant to or in connection with certain agreements with KMC.

As part of our confidentiality procedures, we enter into written nondisclosure agreements with our employees, consultants, prospective customers, OEMs and strategic partners and take further affirmative steps to limit access to and distribution of our software, intellectual property and other proprietary information.  Despite these efforts and in the event such agreements are not timely made, complied with or enforced, we may be unable to protect our proprietary rights.  In any event, enforcement of our proprietary rights may be very expensive.  Our source code also is protected as a trade secret.  However, from time to time, we license our source code to OEMs pursuant to protective agreements, which subjects us to the risk of unauthorized use or misappropriation despite contractual terms restricting disclosure, distribution, copying and use.  In addition, it may be possible for unauthorized third parties to obtain, distribute, copy or use our proprietary information, or to reverse engineer our trade secrets.

As the number of patents, copyrights, trademarks and other intellectual property rights in our industry increases, products using our technologies increasingly may become the subject of infringement claims.  There can be no assurance that third parties will not assert infringement claims against us in the future.  Any such claims, regardless of merit, could be time consuming, divert the efforts of our management personnel from productive tasks, result in costly litigation, cause product shipment delays or require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements.  Such royalty or licensing agreements, if required, may not be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all, which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.  In addition, we may initiate claims or litigation against third parties for infringement of our proprietary rights or to establish the validity of our proprietary rights.  Litigation to determine the validity of any claims, whether or not such litigation is determined in favor of us, could result in significant expense to us and divert the efforts of our management personnel from productive tasks.  We may lack sufficient resources to initiate a meritorious claim.  In the event of an adverse ruling in any litigation regarding intellectual property, we may be required to pay substantial damages, discontinue the use and sale of infringing products, expend significant resources to develop non-infringing technology, or obtain licenses to infringing or substituted technology.  Our failure to develop or license on acceptable terms a substitute technology, if required, could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

If we are not in compliance with our license agreements, we may lose our rights to sublicense technology; our competitors are aggressively pursuing the sale of licensed third party technology.

We currently sublicense third party technologies to our OEM customers, which sublicenses accounted for $2.3 million and $1.2 million in revenue in fiscal 2014 and 2013, respectively.  Such sublicense agreements are non-exclusive.  If we are determined not to be in compliance with the agreements between us and our licensors, we may forfeit our right to sublicense these technologies. Likewise, if such sublicense agreements expire, we would lose our right to sublicense the affected technologies, which could adversely affect our revenues.  Additionally, the licensing of such technologies has become very competitive, with competitors possessing substantially greater financial and technical resources and market penetration than us.  As competitors are pursuing aggressive strategies to obtain similar rights as held by us to sublicense these third party technologies, there is no assurance that we can remain competitive in the marketplace if one or more competitors are successful in this strategy.

Our international activities may expose us to risks associated with international business.

We are substantially dependent on our international business activities.  Risks inherent in these international business activities, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our operating results, include:

If we are unable to adapt to international conditions, our business may be adversely affected.

The failure of any financial institution in which we deposit funds could significantly reduce the amount of cash we have available for our corporate and business purposes.

We maintain our cash in various accounts with nationally-recognized financial institutions.  Although we have diversified our holdings in multiple institutions, our accounts may be uninsured and therefore subject to loss or total forfeiture.  Financial institutions are subject to general credit, liquidity, market and interest rate risks, which have been exacerbated by the recent financial and credit crisis and bankruptcies which have affected various sectors of the financial markets and led to global credit and liquidity issues.  If any of the financial institutions in which we have deposited funds ultimately fails or freezes redemptions of our accounts, we may lose part or all of our investments.  The loss of part or all of our investments could significantly reduce the amount of cash we have available for our corporate and business purposes, which would materially and adversely affect our operations.

Failure to maintain our Nasdaq listing would adversely affect the trading price and liquidity of our common stock.

If we are not able to maintain compliance with Nasdaq’s listing requirements, our common stock may be subject to removal from listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market.  Trading in our common stock after a delisting, if any, would likely be conducted in the over-the-counter markets in the so-called “pink sheets” and could also be subject to additional restrictions.  As a consequence of a delisting, our stockholders would find it more difficult to dispose, or obtain accurate quotations as to the market value, of our common stock.  In addition, a delisting would make our common stock substantially less attractive as collateral for margin purpose loans, for investment by financial institutions under their internal policies or state legal investment laws or as consideration in future capital raising transactions.

If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting or discover material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting or financial reporting practices, we may not be able to report our financial results accurately or detect fraud, which could harm our business and the trading price of our stock.

Effective internal controls are necessary for us to produce reliable financial reports and are important in our effort to prevent financial fraud.  We are required to periodically evaluate the effectiveness of the design and operation of our internal controls. These evaluations may result in the conclusion that enhancements, modifications or changes to our internal controls are necessary or desirable.  While management evaluates the effectiveness of our internal controls on a regular basis, we cannot provide absolute assurance that these controls will always be effective or any assurance that the controls, accounting processes, procedures and underlying assumptions will not be subject to revision.  There are also inherent limitations on the effectiveness of internal controls and financial reporting practices, including collusion, management override and failure of human judgment.  Because of this, control procedures and financial reporting practices are designed to reduce rather than eliminate business risks.  We are required to document and test our internal control procedures under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which includes annual management assessments of the effectiveness of such internal controls.  If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting or if management or our independent registered public accounting firm discovered material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting (or if our system of controls and audits results in a change of practices or new information or conclusions about our financial reporting), we may be unable to produce reliable financial reports or prevent fraud and it could harm our financial condition and results of operations and result in loss of investor confidence and a decline in our stock price.

We rely on the services of our executive officers, whose knowledge of our business and industry would be extremely difficult to replace.

Our success depends to a significant degree upon the continuing contributions of our management.  Management may voluntarily terminate their employment with us at any time upon short notice.  The loss of key personnel could harm our business. Failure to retain key personnel could harm our ability to carry out our business strategy and compete with other companies.

 Risks Related to Our Strategy to Increase Value for Stockholders

Since the closing of the tender offer on November 10, 2010, the Company has fewer resources and alternatives to pursue its strategy to enhance stockholder value.

On November 10, 2010, the Company completed a tender offer to acquire up to 13,846,153 shares of its common stock at a cash price of $3.25 per share, or a total price of $45 million.  A total of 13,214,401 shares were properly tendered and not withdrawn in the offer and was purchased by the Company at a total price of $42,946,803.  As of January 31, 2014, the Company had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities of $10.9 million, net of broker payable of $1.4 million.  This amount will be used, along with revenues and receivables, to fund the Company’s future operating expenses, as well as to pursue its strategy to enhance stockholder value.  With a reduced cash balance, the Company has fewer resources to explore various alternatives to enhance value for stockholders, and a more limited range of available alternatives.

A significant portion of our working capital could be expended in pursuing strategies that do not enhance value for stockholders.

We expect that the investigation of each specific opportunity, structuring of any related transaction, drafting and execution of relevant agreements, disclosure documents and other instruments will require substantial time and attention and substantial costs including, but not limited to, due diligence costs for accountants, attorneys and other advisors/consultants.  In addition, we may investigate developing a new business, which may include substantial legal and/or financial advisory costs, or to make downpayments or pay exclusivity or similar fees in connection with structuring and negotiating business combinations.  If we determine not to, or are unable to consummate a specific opportunity, the costs incurred will not be recoverable.  Any such event will result in a loss to us of the related costs incurred, which could materially and adversely affect our subsequent attempts to locate and combine with another business.

Our current corporate strategy depends in part on our ability to successfully establish a new venture, acquire an existing company or make another investment.   Our failure to execute this strategy could reduce our earnings and reduce our cash reserves.  In addition, our investments, new ventures and/or acquisitions may be subject to substantial risk.

               Our current corporate strategy involves exploring various alternatives to enhance stockholder value through establishing a new venture or acquiring an existing business, as well as through other investment opportunities.  Potential risks related to this strategy include lack of necessary capital, the inability to satisfy closing conditions, failure to identify suitable or economically acceptable alternatives, and the inability to successfully integrate a new business into our operations.  Our ability to enhance value to stockholders and manage growth depends upon our ability to continue to invest in operational, financial and management information systems and to attract, retain, motivate and effectively manage our employees.  The inability to effectively manage the integration of new operations could reduce our focus on subsequent acquisitions and current operations, which, in turn, could negatively impact our earnings and growth.  In addition, even if we develop a new business or invest in or acquire another company, there is no guarantee that such transactions will be successful in producing revenue or profits.

We are pursuing a strategy which may not enhance value for stockholders.

Since the completion of the KMC Transaction in April 2008, we have been exploring various alternatives to enhance stockholder value through establishing a new venture or acquiring an existing business, as well as through other investment opportunities. However, we may not be able to identify an appropriate alternative.  If we do identify a suitable opportunity for a new business, acquisition or investment, we may not be able to successfully and satisfactorily execute the opportunity.  Furthermore, if we are successful in executing the opportunity, the integration of the opportunity will involve a number of risks and presents financial, managerial and operational challenges.  Therefore, we cannot assure that this strategy will enhance value for our stockholders.

We could experience losses on our investments in marketable securities.

As part of our interim investment activities, we invest in marketable securities from time to time.  At January 31, 2014 and 2013 we held marketable securities with a market value of approximately $4.3 million and $2.9 million respectively.  In fiscal 2014, we had $2.2 million in net realized losses (as discussed above in Interim Investment Activities section) and $0.5 million decrease in net unrealized losses, compared to $0.1 million in net realized gains and $2.0 million increase in net unrealized losses in fiscal 2013. Unrealized gains or losses are expressed on a net after tax basis and are included in the total comprehensive income. Such investments are subject to various general market and investment-specific risks, and there is no assurance that in future periods the Company will not experience losses on its current or future investments.

We may be subject to further government regulation, including the Investment Company Act of 1940, which could adversely affect our operations.

Although we are not currently engaged in the business of investing, reinvesting, or trading in securities, and do not currently hold ourselves out as being engaged in those activities, Peerless may be deemed to be an “inadvertent investment company” under section 3(a)(1)(C) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “Investment Company Act”), if the value of its investment securities (as defined in the Investment Company Act) is found to be more than 40% of its total assets (exclusive of government securities and cash and certain cash equivalents).

Peerless does not intend to be regulated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.  However, if Peerless were deemed an “investment company” requiring registration under the Investment Company Act, applicable restrictions could make it impractical for Peerless to continue its business as contemplated and could have a material adverse effect on our business. In the event that Peerless were to be required to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, Peerless would be forced to comply with substantive requirements under the Act, including:

If we are deemed an investment company subject to registration under the Investment Company Act, compliance costs and burdens upon Peerless would increase and the additional requirements may constrain Peerless’ ability to conduct its business, which may adversely affect our business, results of operations and/or financial condition.

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments

Not applicable.

  Item 2.   Properties

We lease approximately 1,200 square feet of office space as our headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut.  

Item 3.     Legal Proceedings

The Company is not involved in any pending legal proceedings other than routine legal matters occurring in the ordinary course of business. All such legal matters in the aggregate are believed by management to be immaterial to the Company’s financial condition or results of operations, or cash flows.

Item 4.     Mine Safety Disclosures

Not applicable.

PART II

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “PRLS”.  The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and low sales prices for our common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market:

     The closing price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market on April 17, 2014 was $3.79.  Stockholders are urged to obtain current market quotations for our common stock.  As of April 17, 2014, there were approximately 75 holders of record of our common stock.

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans

The information included under Item 12 of Part III of this report is hereby incorporated by reference into Item 5 of this report.

Dividend Policy

We have not declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock during any period for which financial information is provided in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  We are currently exploring ways to use our cash resources to enhance stockholder value through establishing a new venture or acquiring an existing business, as well as through other investment opportunities.

Share Repurchase Program

In July 2008, the Company implemented a share repurchase program under Rule 10b5-1 to repurchase up to 2,000,000 shares of its common stock.  The program was expanded in June 2009 to allow the repurchase of an additional 2,000,000 shares of common stock.  The following table indicates the Company’s repurchases of shares of its common stock during the three month period ended January 31, 2014 on a month-by-month basis.  All of these purchases were made under the Company’s share repurchase program adopted by the Board.

In aggregate, the Company purchased 450,091 shares for $1.6 million in fiscal year 2014, compared to 482,111 shares purchased for $1.8 million in fiscal year 2013. As of January 31, 2014, the Company had repurchased a total of 3,519,011 shares for an aggregate consideration of approximately $8,575,000, effectively returning capital to stockholders. As of January 31, 2014, 480,989 shares remain available for purchase under this program.  The Company believes the share repurchase plan increases stockholder value.

In addition to the share repurchase program, we provided our stockholders with liquidity and the opportunity to sell their shares at a premium through a tender offer. In the offer, completed on November 4, 2010, we purchased approximately 13.2 million of our approximately 16.6 million outstanding shares of common stock for approximately $42.9 million.

The Board may, from time to time, determine to repurchase additional shares or engage in a self-tender to deliver value to stockholders.

Item 6.   Selected Financial Data

Not applicable.

 Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following analysis contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties.  The statements contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act, including without limitation, statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future.  All forward-looking statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry in which we operate, management’s beliefs and assumptions made by management.  These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict.  Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such forward-looking statements.  We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  For a discussion of factors and trends that could impact our business and results, please refer to the section above entitled “Risk Factors.”

The following should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Highlights

Our revenues increased 45% from $2.5 million in fiscal 2013 to $3.6 million in fiscal 2014, primarily attributable to two customers who had exhausted their block licenses and are currently paying us on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Critical Accounting Policies

“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” addresses our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.  The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates and judgments.  Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that they believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources.  Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Management believes the following critical accounting policies, among others, affect its more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition

We account for our software revenues in accordance with provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification ™ (“ASC”) 985-605, Software – Revenue Recognition and ASC 605-25, Revenue Recognition – Multiple-Element Arrangements (formerly known as Statement of Position, or SOP, 97-2, “Software Revenue Recognition”, as amended by SOP 98-9, Staff Accounting Bulletin No.104, “Revenue Recognition”, and Emerging Issues Task Force 99-19, “Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal versus Net as an Agent”).  Over the past several years, we entered into block license agreements that represent unit licenses for products that will be licensed over a period of time.  In accordance with ASC 985-605 and 605-25, revenue is recognized when the following attributes have been met: 1) an agreement exists between us and the OEM selling product utilizing our intellectual property and/or a third party’s intellectual property for which we are an authorized licensor; 2) delivery and acceptance of the intellectual property has occurred; 3) the fees associated with the sale are fixed and determinable; and 4) collection of the fees are probable.  Under our accounting policies, fees are fixed and determinable if 90% or more of the fees are to be collected within a twelve-month period.  If more than 10% of the payments of fees extend beyond a twelve-month period, such fees are recognized as revenues when they are due for payment.

For fees on multiple element arrangements, values are allocated among the elements based on vendor specific objective evidence of fair value (“VSOE”).  We generally establish VSOE based upon the price charged when the same elements are sold separately.  When VSOE exists for all undelivered elements, but not for the delivered elements, revenue is recognized using the “residual method” as prescribed by ASC 605-25.  If VSOE does not exist for the undelivered elements, all revenue for the arrangement is deferred until the earlier of the point at which such VSOE does exist for the undelivered elements or all elements of the arrangement have been delivered, unless the only undelivered element is a service in which revenue from the delivered element is recognized over the service period.

Product Licensing Cost

We provide an accrual for estimated product licensing costs owed to third party vendors whose technology is included in the products sold by us.  The accrual is impacted by estimates of the mix of products shipped under certain of our block license agreements.  The estimates are based on historical data and available information as provided by our customers concerning projected shipments.  Should actual shipments under these agreements vary from these estimates, adjustments to the estimated accruals for product licensing costs may be required.  Such adjustments have historically been within management’s expectations.

Certain product licensing revenues are dependent, in part, on the timing and accuracy of product sales reports received from our OEM customers.  These reports are provided only on a calendar quarter basis and, in any event, are subject to delay and potential revision by the OEM.  Therefore, we are required to estimate all of the recurring product licensing revenues for the last month of each fiscal quarter and to further estimate all of our quarterly revenues from an OEM when the report from such OEM is not received in a timely manner.  In the event we are unable to estimate such revenues accurately prior to reporting financial results, we may be required to adjust revenues in subsequent periods.  Actual results have historically been consistent with management’s estimates.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We grant credit terms in the normal course of business to our customers.  We continuously monitor collections and payments from our customers and maintain allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of any customers to make required payments.  Estimated losses are based primarily on specifically identified customer collection issues.  If the financial condition of any of our customers, or the economy as a whole, were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances might be required.  Actual results have historically been consistent with management’s estimates.

Stock-based Compensation

On February 1, 2006 the Company adopted FASB ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation (formerly known as FAS 123(R) Share-Based Payments) using the modified-prospective transition method. Compensation cost recognized subsequent to adoption includes: (i) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted prior to, but unvested as of January 31, 2006, based on the grant date fair value, which is determined using a Black-Scholes option pricing model and (ii) compensation cost for all share-based payments granted subsequent to February 1, 2006, based on the grant-date fair value using a Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the grant date fair value of share-based awards.

We use our actual stock trading history over a five year period as a basis to calculate the expected volatility assumption to value stock options. The expected dividend yield is based on Peerless’ practice of not paying dividends.  The risk-free rate of return is based on the yield of U.S. Treasury Strips with terms approximating or equal to the expected term of the option.  The expected life in years is based on historical actual stock option exercise experience.

ASC 718 requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.  If actual forfeitures vary from our estimates, we will recognize the difference in compensation cost in the period the actual forfeitures occur.

Compensation expense for share-based awards is recognized using a straight-line, or single-option method.  We recognize these compensation costs over the service period of the award, which is generally the options vesting term of three to four years.

We recorded approximately $961,000 in share-based compensation expense for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014.  We granted 6,000 options and 258,088 shares of restricted common stock during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014. As discussed in “Note 3. Stock-Based Compensation Plans” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, in connection with the new employment agreement entered into on July 11, 2013 with Mr. Timothy Brog, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (the “Employment Agreement”), Mr. Brog agreed to forfeit 150,000 shares of restricted common stock that remained unvested under the previous employment agreement between the Company and Mr. Brog dated August 26, 2010 (the “2010 Agreement”). As part of the Employment Agreement, the Company granted 250,000 shares of restricted common stock to Mr. Brog. Although the fair value of the newly granted restricted common stock would be amortized as stock-based compensation, there would be no offset from the fair value previously expensed, relating to the 150,000 shares that were forfeited, due to the fact that the requisite service period had been satisfied.

Income taxes

Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years resulting from differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each year-end based on enacted tax laws and statutory rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to reverse.  Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred income tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.  Income tax provision is the tax payable for the period and the change during the period in net deferred income tax assets and liabilities.

In February 2007, the Company adopted FASB ASC 740-10, Income Taxes (formerly known as FIN 48 Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes an Interpretation of FAS109).  See “Note 5. Income Taxes” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

ASC 740-10 clarifies the accounting and reporting for uncertainties in income tax law.  This interpretation prescribes a comprehensive model for the financial statement recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns.  The interpretation requires that the tax effects of a position be recognized only if it is “more-likely-than not” to be sustained by the taxing authority as of the reporting date.  If the tax position is not considered “more-likely-than not” to be sustained, then no benefits of the position are to be recognized.

In assessing whether deferred tax assets can be realized, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.  The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets depends upon the generation of future taxable income or reversal of deferred tax liabilities during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible.  We consider the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.  

As previously reported in our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 31, 2012, we reversed $1,376,000 of tax liabilities, consisting of $1,265,000 in an unrecognized tax benefit and approximately $111,000 in related accrued interest expense.  This reversal of tax liabilities related to an unrecognized tax benefit from the Company’s tax position taken for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009, in connection with the completion of the three year statute of limitations period applicable to the corresponding tax return.  

As of January 31, 2014, we had net deferred tax assets of approximately $134,000 which consisted primarily of the net tax effect on unrealized losses on marketable securities classified in Other Comprehensive Income.  

Results of Operations

 Net Income

Net loss for the year ended January 31, 2014 was $0.9 million or $0.32 per basic and diluted share, compared to a net income of $1.8 million, or $0.56 per basic and $0.53 per diluted share in fiscal year 2013. Higher non-cash stock-based compensation expense, as discussed above, as well as realized losses in marketable security were the primary reasons for the net loss incurred in fiscal 2014, while the reversal of tax liabilities in fiscal 2013 accounts for most of the net income during that period. Excluding the effect of the tax liabilities reversal discussed above, net income for the year ended January 31, 2013 was $0.4 million or $0.12 per basic and diluted share.

Revenues for fiscal year 2014 were $3.6 million, compared to $2.5 million in fiscal year 2013.  This 45% increase in revenue was primarily attributable to two customers who had exhausted their block licenses and are currently paying us on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Cost of Revenues

 Product licensing costs were $0.3 million in fiscal year 2014 compared to $0.2 million in fiscal year 2013.  In fiscal 2014, we made adjustments to reduce such costs by approximately $0.1 million. Without the effect of these adjustments, product licensing costs would have been $0.4 million. The increase in product licensing cost in fiscal year 2014 was the result of higher licensing revenues on which we were obligated to pay a third party for licensing its technology in fiscal year 2014.  

 Gross Margin

Gross margin as a percentage of total revenues was 92% in fiscal year 2014 compared to 91% in fiscal year 2013.  The higher gross margin in fiscal 2014 was the result of lower fees being paid to third parties due to a change in the product mix generating licensing revenues.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for fiscal year 2014 were $2.1 million compared to $1.6 million for fiscal year 2013.   This increase was primarily attributable to the $0.8 million non-cash stock-based compensation expense (“Non-Cash Stock Expense”), related to the restricted stock award granted to our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in connection with his new employment agreement, as previously reported in the Form 10Q for the three month period ended July 31, 2013. Also see “Note 3. Stock-Based Compensation Plans” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information. Excluding all stock-based compensation expenses, operating expenses would have been $1.2 million for fiscal 2014, compared to $1.3 million for fiscal 2013. This decrease in operating expenses was primarily attributable to our continued cost reduction effort, in several areas including legal fees, reduction in personnel and the outsourcing of certain functions.

Other Income (Loss), net

Other income (loss), net was a loss of $2.2 million in fiscal 2014, consisting primarily of net realized losses on marketable securities, compared to other income (loss), net of $0.2 million in fiscal 2013 that included $0.1 million in net realized gain on marketable securities.  The Company classifies the marketable securities as trading or available-for-sale per ASC 320 – Investments – Debt & Equity Securities.

Interest income earned was $17,000 in fiscal year 2014 compared to $15,000 earned in fiscal year 2013.  

Contractual Obligations

See “Note 10. Commitments” in the notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of January 31, 2014, our cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities (net of broker payable of $1.4 million included in other current liabilities) totaled $10.9 million, a decrease of $0.9 million from $11.8 million at January 31, 2013.  The decrease is primarily due to the use of $1.6 million in cash for the repurchase of our common stock in fiscal 2014. Net trade receivables were $1.2 million and $1.3 million at January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 Our total assets increased from $13.9 million at January 31, 2013 to $14.1 million at January 31, 2014. Stockholders’ equity decreased approximately 7.3% from $13.1 million at January 31, 2013 to $12.1 million at January 31, 2014. This decrease in stockholders' equity is primarily attributable to our stock buyback in fiscal 2014 in the amount of $1.6 million.  The ratio of current assets to current liabilities was 8.5 to1 compared to 24.8 to 1 last year, primarily due to the increase in broker payable of $1.4 million.  

Our operating activities in fiscal 2014 provided $3.4 million in cash, compared to $0.3 million used in operating activities in fiscal 2013. Our financing activities included primarily $1.6 million used for the repurchase of our common stock in fiscal year 2014, compared to $1.8 million used in fiscal 2013.

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Not applicable.

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements on page F – 1.

Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Not applicable.

Item 9A.  Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, we carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b).  Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act, such as this Annual Report on Form 10-K, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified by the SEC.  Disclosure controls and procedures are also designed to ensure that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

The evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures included a review of their objectives and design, our implementation of them and their effect on the information generated for use in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  In the course of the controls evaluation, we reviewed any data errors or control problems that we had identified and sought to confirm that appropriate corrective actions, including process improvements, were being undertaken.  This type of evaluation is performed on a quarterly basis so that the conclusions of management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concerning the effectiveness of the disclosure controls can be reported in our periodic reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q.   The overall goals of these various evaluation activities are to monitor our disclosure controls and procedures and to modify them as necessary.  We intend to maintain the disclosure controls and procedures as dynamic systems that we adjust as circumstances merit.

Based on the results of our evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of January 31, 2014.

Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f).  Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of January 31, 2014 based on the guidelines established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).  Our internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external reporting purposes in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles.

Based on the results of our evaluation, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective, as described above, as of January 31, 2014.  We have reviewed the results of management’s assessment with our Audit Committee.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Exchange Act Rule 13a-15 that was conducted during the fiscal quarter ended January 31, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 Management Certifications

The certifications of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer required in accordance with Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, are attached as an exhibit to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.  The disclosures set forth in this Item 9A contain information concerning (i) the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures referred to in paragraph 4 of the certifications and (ii) material weaknesses in the operation of our internal control over financial reporting referred to in paragraph 5 of the certifications.  Those certifications should be read in conjunction with this Item 9A for a more complete understanding of the matters covered by the certifications.

Inherent Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls

Our management, comprised of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls and procedures or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent all errors and all frauds.  A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met.  Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs.  Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have been detected.  These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision making can be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake.  Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people or by management override of the controls.  The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with policies or procedures may deteriorate.  Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.

Item 9B.  Other Information

Not applicable.

PART III

Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

The information concerning the directors, executive officers and corporate governance of the Company is incorporated herein by reference from the sections entitled “Proposal No.  1, Election of Directors,” “Executive Officers,” “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” and “Code of Business Conduct and Ethics” contained in the definitive proxy statement of the Company to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A within 120 days after the Company’s fiscal year end of January 31, 2014, for its annual stockholders’ meeting for 2014 (the “Proxy Statement”).

Item 11.  Executive Compensation

The information concerning executive compensation is incorporated herein by reference from the sections entitled “Proposal No. 1, Election of Directors” and “Executive Compensation and Other Matters” contained in the Proxy Statement.

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

The information concerning the security ownership of certain beneficial owners and management and related stockholder matters is incorporated herein by reference from the sections entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Executive Compensation and Other Matters” contained in the Proxy Statement.

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence

The information concerning certain relationships, related transactions and director independence is incorporated herein by reference from the sections entitled “Proposal No. 1, Election of Directors” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” contained in the Proxy Statement.

Item 14.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services

The information concerning the Company’s principal accountant’s fees and services is incorporated herein by reference from the section entitled “Proposal No. 2, Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” contained in the Proxy Statement.

PART IV

Item 15.   Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on the 30th day of April, 2014.

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Yi Tsai and Timothy Brog, his attorneys-in-fact, each with the power of substitution, for him/her in any and all capacities, to sign any amendments to this Annual Report on Form 10-K, and to file the same, with Exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith with the Securities and Exchange Commission, hereby ratifying and confirming all that each of said attorneys-in-fact, or substitute or substitutes may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.

PEERLESS SYSTEMS CORPORATION

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Stockholders of Peerless Systems Corporation

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Peerless Systems Corporation as of January 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for the years then ended.  These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.  Accordingly we express no such opinion.  An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall consolidated financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Peerless Systems Corporation as of January 31, 2014 and 2013, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

PEERLESS SYSTEMS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

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

 PEERLESS SYSTEMS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

(in thousands)

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

PEERLESS SYSTEMS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands)

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

PEERLESS SYSTEMS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

(In thousands)

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

PEERLESS SYSTEMS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

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

PEERLESS SYSTEMS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.   Organization, Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:

 Organization and Business: Peerless Systems Corporation (“Peerless” or the “Company”) was incorporated in the state of California in April 1982 and reincorporated in the state of Delaware in September 1996.  Peerless develops and licenses software-based digital imaging and networking systems and supporting electronic technologies to original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) of digital document products located primarily in the United States and Japan.  Digital document products include printers, copiers, fax machines, scanners and color products, as well as multifunction products (“MFPs”) that perform a combination of these imaging functions.  In order to process digital text and graphics, digital document products rely on a core set of imaging software and supporting electronics, collectively known as a digital imaging system.  Network interfaces supply the core technologies to digital document products that enable them to communicate over local area networks and the Internet.

On April 30, 2008, the Company sold substantially all of its assets to Kyocera-Mita Corporation (“KMC”).  In this transaction (the “KMC Transaction”), the Company retained certain intellectual property and also entered into a license agreement with KMC whereby it has the right to sublicense the technology to third parties. Following the completion of the KMC Transaction, the Company continues to license and market its remaining technology and the technology licensed from KMC directly to customers.

Since the closing of the KMC Transaction, the Company has reduced its focus on its legacy business and is seeking to use its excess cash to pursue transactions that enhance stockholder value.  The Company has been engaged in efforts to identify appropriate acquisition targets that offer prospects for growth and profitability at a reasonable price.

Liquidity: As of January 31, 2014, the Company had cumulative retained earnings of $5.8 million; the Company also had cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities (net of broker payable of $1.4 million included in other current liabilities) of $10.9 million and net working capital of $ 12.4 million.  The Company has no material financial commitments.  The Company believes that its existing cash and cash equivalents and any cash generated from operations will be sufficient to fund its working capital requirements, capital expenditures and other obligations through the next twelve months.

Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity 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 and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Company provides an accrual for estimated product licensing costs owed to third party vendors whose technology is included in the products sold by the Company.  The accrual is impacted by estimates of the mix of products shipped under certain of the Company’s block license agreements.  The estimates are based on historical data and available information as provided by the Company’s customers concerning projected shipments.  Should actual shipments under these agreements vary from these estimates, adjustments to the estimated accruals for product licensing costs may be required.  Actual results have historically been consistent with management’s estimates.

The Company grants credit terms in the normal course of business to its customers.  The Company continuously monitors collections and payments from its customers and maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of any customers to make required payments.  Estimated losses are based primarily on specifically identified customer collection issues.  If the financial condition of any of the Company’s customers, or the economy as a whole, were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required.  Actual results have historically been consistent with management’s estimates. The allowance for doubtful accounts carried a zero balance as of January 31, 2014 and 2013.

The recognition of the Company’s recurring product licensing revenues is dependent, in part, on the timing and accuracy of product sales reports received from the Company’s OEM customers.  These reports are primarily provided only on a calendar quarter basis and, in any event, are subject to delay and potential revision by the OEM.  Therefore, the Company is required to estimate all of the recurring product licensing revenues for the last month of each fiscal quarter and to further estimate all of its quarterly revenues from an OEM when the report from such OEM is not received in a timely manner.  As such, the Company accrued licensing revenues of $417,000 and $467,000 for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. In the event the Company is unable to estimate such revenues accurately prior to reporting financial results, the Company may be required to adjust revenues in subsequent periods.  

Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents represent cash and highly liquid investments, which mature within three months of purchase.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments: Cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities are carried at cost, which management believes approximates fair value due to the short term maturity of these instruments. The fair values described herein were determined using significant other observable inputs (Level 2), except for cash and cash equivalents which use quoted market prices (Level 1), as defined by GAAP

Marketable Securities: The Company makes investments of cash in liquid interest bearing accounts and marketable securities. Marketable securities, as of January 31, 2014, were classified as available-for-sale, in accordance with ASC 320, “Investments – Debt and Equity Securities”, and are stated at fair market value, with any unrealized gains or losses reported as other comprehensive income (loss) under shareholders’ equity in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.  Realized gains or losses and declines in value that are other than temporary, if any, on available-for-sale securities are calculated using the average cost method and are reported in other income or expense as incurred.

During the year, the Company made investments in available-for-sale and trading securities, as defined by ASC 320.  The Company classified securities that were purchased or sold with the intent to dispose within a short period as trading securities.  Trading securities generally consisted of exchanged-listed securities such as common stock and equity options.  Available-for-sale securities generally consisted of exchanged-listed securities such as common stock. Realized gains or losses on trading and available-for-sale securities are recorded in the statement of operations in other income, net.

Property and Equipment: Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation.  Depreciation on property and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method as follows:

Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred, while renewals and betterments are capitalized.  Upon the sale or retirement of property and equipment, the accounts are relieved of the cost and the related accumulated depreciation, and any resulting gain or loss is included in results of operations.

Long-Lived Assets: The Company currently evaluates long-lived assets, including intangible assets, for impairment when events or changes indicate, in management’s judgment, that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable.  The determination of whether an impairment has occurred is based upon management’s estimate of undiscounted future cash flows attributable to the assets as compared to the carrying value of the assets.  If an impairment has occurred, the amount of the impairment recognized is determined by estimating the fair value of the assets and recording a write-down to reduce the related asset to its estimated fair value.

Revenue Recognition: The Company recognizes software revenues in accordance with FASB ASC 985-605 “Software Revenue Recognition.”  For certain of the Company’s multiple element arrangements that do not directly involve licensing, selling, leasing or otherwise marketing of the Company’s software the Company applies the guidance ASC 605-25 “Multiple-Element Arrangements.”

Development license revenues from the licensing of source code or software development kits (“SDKs”) for the Company’s standard products are recognized upon delivery to and acceptance by the customer of the software if no significant modification or customization of the software is required and collection of the resulting receivable is probable.  If modification or customization is essential to the functionality of the software, the development license revenues are recognized over the course of the modification work.

The Company has been party to engineering services contracts with certain OEMs adapting software and supporting electronics to specific OEM requirements.  The Company provided engineering support based on a time-and-material basis.  Revenue from this support was recognized as the services were performed. The Company has allowed service and maintenance contracts with customers to expire and has decided not to renew such contracts.

Recurring licensing revenues are derived from per unit fees paid by the Company’s customers upon manufacturing and subsequent commercial shipment of products incorporating Peerless technology and certain third party technology, of which the Company is a sub-licensor.  These recurring licensing revenues are recognized on a per unit basis as products are shipped commercially.  The Company sells block licenses, that is, specific quantities of licensed units that may be shipped in the future, or the Company may require the customer to pay minimum royalty commitments.  Associated payments are typically made in one lump sum or extend over a period of four or more quarters.  The Company generally recognizes revenues associated with block licenses and minimum royalty commitments on delivery and acceptance of software, when collection of the resulting receivable is probable, when the fee is fixed and determinable, and when the Company has no significant future obligations.  In cases where block licenses or minimum royalty commitments have extended payment terms and the fees are not fixed and determinable, revenue is recognized as payments become due.  Further, when earned royalties exceed minimum royalty commitments, revenues are recognized on a per unit basis as products are shipped commercially.

Perpetual licensing revenues are derived from fees paid by the Company’s customers to use the software indefinitely.  The Company generally recognizes revenues associated with perpetual licenses on delivery and acceptance of software, when collection of the resulting receivable is probable, when the fee is fixed and determinable, and when the Company has no significant future obligations.  Associated payments are typically made in one lump sum.

For fees on multiple element software arrangements, values are allocated among the elements based on vendor specific objective evidence of fair value (“VSOE”).  The Company generally establishes VSOE based upon the price charged when the same elements are sold separately.  When VSOE exists for all undelivered elements, but not for the delivered elements, revenue is recognized using the “residual method.”  If VSOE does not exist for the undelivered elements, all revenue for the arrangement is deferred until the earlier of the point at which such VSOE does exist for the undelivered elements or all elements of the arrangement have been delivered, unless the only undelivered element is a service in which revenue from the delivered element is recognized over the service period.

Deferred revenue consists of prepayments of licensing fees, payments billed to customers in advance of revenue recognized on engineering services or support contracts, and shipments of controllers that have not been sold to end users.  Unbilled receivables arise when the revenue recognized on engineering support or block license contracts exceeds billings due to timing differences related to billing milestones as specified in the contract.

Income Taxes: Deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences in future years resulting from differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts at each year-end based on enacted tax laws and statutory rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to reverse.  Valuation allowances are established, when necessary, to reduce deferred income tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.  Income tax provision is the tax payable for the period and the change during the period in net deferred income tax assets and liabilities.  See Note 5.

Comprehensive Income: In accordance with ASC 220, “Comprehensive Income,” all components of comprehensive income, including net income, are reported in the consolidated financial statements in the period in which they are recognized.  Other comprehensive income includes unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities. Comprehensive income is defined as the change in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources.  The Company’s accumulated other comprehensive loss for fiscal years ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of net income and unrealized gains or losses and is reported in stockholders’ equity.

Earnings Per Share: Basic earnings per share (“basic EPS”) is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders (the numerator) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding (the denominator) during the period.  The computation of diluted earnings per share (“diluted EPS”) is similar to the computation of basic EPS except that the denominator is increased to include the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if dilutive potential common shares had been issued.  Potential common shares include outstanding options under the Company’s employee stock option plan and incrementally vested service-vesting restricted stock awards (which are included under the treasury stock method).  A reconciliation of basic EPS to diluted EPS is presented in Note 6 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Foreign Currency Translation: The financial statements of the Company’s former non-U.S. subsidiary are translated into U.S. dollars in accordance with ASC 830, “Foreign Currency Matters.” The assets and liabilities of the Company’s non-U.S. subsidiary whose “functional” currency is other than the U.S. dollar are translated at current rates of exchange.  Revenue and expense items are translated at the average exchange rate for the year.  The resulting translated adjustments are recorded directly into accumulated other comprehensive income.  Transaction gains and losses are included in net income in the period they occur.  Foreign currency translation and transaction gains and losses have not been significant in any period presented.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements:  In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-02, “Reporting Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” which amends Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 220, “Comprehensive Income.” The amended guidance requires entities to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component. Additionally, entities are required to present, either on the face of the financial statements or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by the respective line items of net income. The amended guidance does not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income. The amendment is effective prospectively for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2012. The new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements for each year ended January 31, 2014 and 2013.

2.   Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities

On February 1, 2008, the Company adopted the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (formerly known as FAS 157 Fair Value Measurements), which clarifies that 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 should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.  As a basis for considering such assumptions, Topic 820 establishes a three-tier value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows: (Level I) observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; (Level II) inputs other than the quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly; and (Level III) unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which requires the Company to develop its own assumptions.  This hierarchy requires the Company to use observable market data, when available, and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value.  On a recurring basis, the Company measures its marketable securities at fair value.  Marketable securities are classified within Level I of the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices.

As of January 31, 2014 and 2013, cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities included the following (in thousands):

Cash equivalents are comprised of money market funds which are traded in an active market with no restrictions and money market savings accounts.

 3. Stock-Based Compensation Plans

The Company has certain plans which provide for the grant of incentive stock options to employees and non-statutory stock options, restricted stock purchase awards and stock bonuses to employees, directors and consultants.  The terms of stock options granted under these plans generally may not exceed 10 years.  Options granted under these plans vest at the rate specified in each optionee’s agreement, generally over three or four years.  Since July 1996, an aggregate of 5.2 million shares of common stock have been authorized for issuance under the various option plans.

1996 Incentive Plan: In May 1996, the Board of Directors adopted the Company’s 1996 Stock Option Plan.  The Company’s 1996 Equity Incentive Plan (the “1996 Incentive Plan”) was adopted by the Board of Directors in July 1996 as an amendment and restatement of the Company’s 1996 Plan.  At that time, the Board of Directors had authorized and reserved an aggregate of 1,267,000 shares of common stock for issuance under the 1996 Incentive Plan.  Additional shares of common stock were authorized and reserved for issuance under the 1996 Incentive Plan in June 1998, June 1999, June 2001, and June 2003 in the amounts of 1,200,000, 750,000, 750,000, and 700,000 shares, respectively.

2005 Incentive Stock Option Plan: In June 2005, stockholders approved the Company’s 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2005 Incentive Plan”).  The Board authorized and reserved 500,000 shares together with the 289,000 shares remaining under the 1996 Incentive Plan which was terminated as authorized by the stockholders. As of January 31, 2014, there are approximately 267,000 shares available for future grants.

The 2005 Incentive Plan allows for the grant of incentive stock options to employees and non-statutory stock options, restricted stock purchase awards and stock bonuses to employees, directors and consultants.  The terms of stock options granted under the 2005 Incentive Plan generally may not exceed 10 years.  The exercise price of options granted under the 2005 Incentive Plan is determined by the Board of Directors, provided that the exercise price for an incentive stock option cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of the option grant and the exercise price for a non-statutory stock option cannot be less than 85% of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of the option grant.  Options granted under the 2005 Incentive Plan vest at the rate specified in each optionee’s agreement, which is generally over 3 to 4 years.

The following represents option activity under the 1996 Incentive Plan and 2005 Incentive Plan for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2014 and 2013:

The weighted-average fair value as of date of grant of the options granted during the years ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 were $1.47 and $1.90, respectively.  During the years ended January 31, 2014 and 2013, the total intrinsic value of stock options exercised was $8,700 and $205,341, respectively.  Cash received from stock option exercises in fiscal 2014 and fiscal 2013 was $41,550 and $4,390, respectively.  In addition, the Company also received 26,389 company shares valued at $99,750 in connection with a stock option exercised in fiscal 2013, which was accounted for as treasury stock.

The valuation methodologies and assumptions in estimating the fair value of stock options that were granted in fiscal 2014 were similar to those used in estimating the fair value of stock options granted in fiscal 2013 by using the Black-Scholes model.  The Company uses historical volatility of Peerless’ stock price as a basis to determine the expected volatility assumption to value stock options.  The expected volatility was calculated based upon the changes in the price of the Company’s common stock over a five year period.   The expected dividend yield is based on Peerless’ practice of not paying dividends.  The risk-free rate of return is based on the yield of a U.S. Treasury instrument with terms approximating or equal to the expected term of the option.  The expected life in years is based on historical actual stock option exercise experience. During fiscal 2014, the Company used the weighted average expected lives of 7.0 years, expected volatility of 36.3%, and weighted average risk free interest rate of 1.23%.  During fiscal 2013, the Company used the weighted average expected lives of 7.8 years, expected volatility of 42.5%, and weighted average risk free interest rate of 1.75%.

Compensation expenses for share-based awards granted are recognized using a straight-line, or single-option method.  The Company recognizes these compensation costs over the service period of the award, which is generally the option vesting term of three or four years.   In fiscal 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded a total of $96,000 and $139,000, respectively, in stock option expense related to stock options awarded.

The excess tax benefit from exercised options was approximately $8,700 for the year ended January 31, 2014.  As of January 31, 2014, there was $42,572 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under the 1996 and 2005 Incentive Plans and certain options issued outside these plans.  That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.99 years.  The Company issues shares of common stock reserved for such plans upon the exercise of stock options.  

During fiscal 2014, the Company granted 258,088 shares of restricted stock to its directors and employees pursuant to the 2005 Incentive Plan, including approximately 250,000 shares related to the market-based award noted below.  During fiscal 2014, 67,907 shares of restricted common stock vested with an aggregated fair market value at the vesting dates of $254,501.  The related stock based compensation expense of approximately $865,000 has been recorded for the year ended January 31, 2014, including approximately $812,000 related to the market-based award noted below.

During fiscal 2013, the Company granted 17,577 shares of restricted stock to its directors and employees pursuant to the 2005 Incentive Plan.  During fiscal 2013, 52,202 shares of restricted common stock vested with an aggregated fair market value at the vesting dates of $199,794.  The related stock based compensation expense of approximately $102,000 has been recorded for the year ended January 31, 2013.

In connection with the new employment agreement entered into on July 11, 2013 with Mr. Timothy Brog, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (the “Employment Agreement”), Mr. Brog agreed to forfeit 150,000 shares of restricted common stock that remained unvested under the previous employment agreement between the Company and Mr. Brog dated August 26, 2010 (the “2010 Agreement”). As part of the Employment Agreement, the Company granted 250,000 shares of restricted common stock to Mr. Brog. Although the fair value of the newly granted restricted common stock would be amortized as stock-based compensation, there would be no offset from the fair value previously expensed relating to the 150,000 shares that were forfeited due to the fact that the requisite service period had been satisfied.

The Company used a Monte Carlo simulation model valuation technique to determine the fair value of the 250,000 restricted shares granted to Mr. Brog, because these awards vest based upon achievement of market price targets or a “market condition,” one quarter of which will vest if prior to July 11, 2017 the average closing price of the Company’s Common Stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market is greater than or equal to the target prices of $3.75, $4.00, $4.25 and $4.50, respectively, for 15 consecutive trading days. On the date of the grant, the closing price of the common stock was $3.76.

All such shares will also vest in the event that the Company (i) announces its intent to terminate its registration of the Common Stock under Section 12(g) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, (ii) commences a self-tender offer for not less than 33% of the outstanding Common Stock, at an offer price at least equal to the average closing price over the preceding 15 trading days, or (iii) completes any other extraordinary transaction in which shares of the Company equal to not less than 20% of the shares of outstanding Common Stock immediately prior to such transaction are issued as part of such transaction.

The Monte Carlo simulation model utilizes multiple input variables that determine the probability of satisfying the market condition stipulated in the award and calculates the fair value of each share of the restricted stock. The Company used the following assumptions in determining the fair value of the awards granted on July 11, 2013:

The daily expected stock price volatility is based on four-year historical volatility of the Company’s common stock. The daily expected dividend yield is based on annual expected dividend payments and the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the date of the grant. The average daily risk-free interest rate is based on the three-year treasury yield as of the grant date. Each of the four tranches of the restricted stock grant is calculated to have its own fair value and requisite service period. The fair value of each tranche is amortized over the lesser of the requisite or derived service period which is up to four years. These shares had an aggregate grant date fair value of $812,000. This award was fully expensed as of January 31, 2014. As of January 31, 2014, 62,500 shares were vested under this grant with a fair market value of $235,000.

The following represents restricted stock activity under the 1996 Incentive Plan and 2005 Incentive Plan for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2014: 

As of January 31, 2014, there was $31,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock awards which will be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.07 years.

4.  Other Current Liabilities:

Other current liabilities at January 31 consisted of the following:

5.  Income Taxes:

The income tax provision (benefit) for the years ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 consisted of:

As of January 31, 2014, the Company had net deferred tax assets available of approximately $137,000, compared to $495,000 as of January 31, 2013. The majority of the change in deferred tax assets relates to the unrealized loss included in accumulated other comprehensive loss.  In fiscal 2014, the Company recorded an increase in the valuation allowance of approximately $157,000 related to certain deferred tax assets, for which realization cannot be considered more likely than not at this time, as discussed below. Deferred tax assets or deferred tax liabilities for the years ended January 31, consisted of:

 The provision (benefit) for income taxes for the years ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 differed from the amount that would result from applying the federal statutory rate as follows:

The effective tax rate for fiscal 2014 was lower than the statutory rate because of a $157,000 increase in valuation allowance related to certain stock-based compensation recorded during the year, net of certain restricted stock that vested during the same period. The effective tax rate for fiscal 2013 was lower than the statutory rate because of a reversal of $1,265,000 in tax liabilities related to an unrecognized tax benefit from the Company’s tax position taken for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009, in connection with the completion of the three year statute of limitations period applicable to the corresponding tax return, as discussed below.

On February 1, 2007, the Company adopted ASC 740-10.  ASC 740-10 clarifies the accounting and reporting for uncertainties in income tax law.  This Interpretation prescribes a comprehensive model for the financial statement recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns.  The Interpretation requires that the tax effects of a position be recognized only if it is “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the taxing authority as of the reporting date.  If the tax position is not considered “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained, then no benefits of the position are to be recognized.

There was no cumulative effect of adopting ASC 740-10 to the February 1, 2007 retained earnings balance.  On the date of adoption, the Company had $2.0 million of unrecognized tax benefits, all of which would reduce its effective tax rate if recognized.  A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits for fiscal years 2014 and 2013 is as follows:

During fiscal year 2013, the Company reversed $1,376,000 of tax liabilities, consisting of $1,265,000 in an unrecognized tax benefit and approximately $111,000 in related accrued interest expense.  This reversal of tax liabilities related to an unrecognized tax benefit from the Company’s tax position taken for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2009, in connection with the completion of the three year statute of limitations period applicable to the corresponding tax return.  The remaining balance of $276,000 in unrecognized tax benefit as of January 31, 2014, when recognized, would favorably affect the Company’s effective tax rate.  

For the years ended January 31, 2014 and 2013 interest and penalties of $9,000 related to income tax liabilities is included in the line item Other income, net on the Consolidated Statements of Income.  The Company’s tax returns for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2011 through January 31, 2013 remain open to examination by the tax authorities, except the California tax returns, which are open to examination for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2010 through January 31, 2013. The Company’s New York State corporate tax returns for the fiscal years 2008 and 2009 are currently under examination and remained open as of January 31, 2014. The Company had one employee in New York State during a portion of those periods.

In assessing whether the deferred tax assets can be realized, the Company considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.  The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income or reversal of deferred tax liabilities during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible.  The Company considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment.  The Company believes it is more likely than not that certain deferred tax assets related to share-based compensation will not be realized and has maintained a valuation allowance of $254,000 at January 31, 2014.

 6.  Earnings Per Share:

Earnings per share for the years ended January 31, is calculated as follows: