Daily Journal Corporation (DJCO) Q2 2024 Earnings Report

DJCO reported QQ2 2024 revenue of $16.571 million, up 2.58% year over year and 3.61% quarter over quarter, with gross margin of 18.37% and operating margin of 3.82%. Core operating income was modest at $0.633 million, but net income and EPS benefited from a substantial non-operating income stream, with total other income and expenses of $19.987 million driving income before tax to $20.620 million and net income to $15.415 million (EPS $11.19). Absent the non-operating item, underlying operating profitability would be materially weaker, highlighting a revenue base that is not yet translating into consistent, recurring earnings power.\n\nThe balance sheet remains exceptionally solid for a niche technology/software company: cash and short-term investments total approximately $309.7 million, supporting a net debt position of about $17.9 million (debt of $30.6 million less cash of $12.7 million). The company generated negative free cash flow in the quarter ($-3.669 million) driven by operating cash flow of $-3.651 million and significant investing activity ($-40.561 million), largely offset by a sizeable investment emphasis rather than operating improvement. This structure provides substantial liquidity and optionality but signals that cash generation is not yet self-sustaining from operations alone.\n\nLooking ahead, there is no explicit forward guidance in the data provided. The market appears to value DJCO more as a cash-rich balance sheet and investment-portfolio play rather than as a software-operating-growth story. The stock trades at a low trailing multiple relative to many peers, but discipline around sustaining operating profitability and translating investment gains into recurring cash flow will be key drivers of longer-term equity upside.