RIDGEFIELD ACQUISITION CORP 10-K Analysis & Summary – 3/14/2025

⚠️This is not investment advice.

⚠️ This is an experimental project and this report is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Conduct your own thorough research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. ⚠️

Filing date:

03/14/2025


TLDR:

ELI5:

This company is basically waiting to buy another company. They don’t make any money themselves and are borrowing money from their CEO. They need to find a good company to buy, or they might not survive.


Accession #:

0001410578-25-000352

Published on

Analyst Summary

  • Ridgefield Acquisition Corp. operates as a shell company with no revenue, focusing on identifying and acquiring a viable operating business.
  • The company’s assets are minimal, and liabilities are dominated by related-party debt, resulting in a negative stockholders’ equity.
  • The company generated no revenue in 2024 or 2023, with operating expenses consisting primarily of general and administrative costs.
  • Management acknowledges the company’s status as a shell company and the uncertainty surrounding its ability to complete an acquisition.
  • The company’s disclosure controls and procedures are deemed ineffective due to the lack of an audit committee and segregation of duties, increasing the risk of errors or fraud in financial reporting.
  • The company’s financial stability is heavily dependent on loans from its CEO and Qualstar Corporation, creating a potential conflict of interest.
  • The company’s ability to continue as a going concern is highly uncertain.
  • The current ratio decreased from 0.15 to 0.10, indicating a worsening ability to cover short-term liabilities with short-term assets.
  • The debt-to-assets ratio increased from 6.53 to 9.74, indicating that a larger proportion of the company’s assets are financed by debt.
  • The interest coverage ratio increased from -5.72 to -3.80, indicating a slight improvement in the company’s ability to cover interest expenses with its operating income, but still negative.

Opportunities and Risks

  • Opportunity: Potential for long-term capital appreciation if a suitable acquisition target is identified and successfully integrated.
  • Risk: Going concern uncertainty due to minimal operations and reliance on related-party debt.
  • Risk: Ineffective disclosure controls and procedures increase the risk of errors or fraud in financial reporting.
  • Risk: Dependence on related-party funding creates potential conflicts of interest and raises concerns about the sustainability of the company’s financing.
  • Risk: The absence of a risk factor section in the 10-K filing is a significant omission and a red flag.

Potential Implications

Company Performance

  • Continued reliance on related-party debt may limit the company’s ability to secure external financing for acquisitions.
  • Ineffective disclosure controls and procedures may lead to regulatory scrutiny and potential penalties.
  • The company’s ability to complete an acquisition is uncertain, which could impact its long-term growth prospects.
  • Negative profitability ratios (ROA, ROE, EPS) indicate poor financial performance and raise concerns about the company’s ability to generate returns for investors.

Stock Price

  • The company’s precarious financial condition and going concern uncertainty may negatively impact its stock price.
  • The absence of a risk factor section may deter potential investors and negatively affect the stock price.
  • Any delays or failures in completing an acquisition could lead to a decline in the stock price.
  • Negative valuation ratios (P/E, P/B, P/S, EV/EBITDA) reflect the company’s poor financial performance and may discourage investors.

SEC Filing Report: Ridgefield Acquisition Corp. (10-K)

Executive Summary

This report analyzes Ridgefield Acquisition Corp.’s (RDGA) Form 10-K filing for the year ended December 31, 2024. RDGA is a shell company actively seeking a merger, acquisition, or business combination. The company has minimal operations and has sustained losses. Key findings include a continued going concern uncertainty, reliance on related-party debt, and the absence of revenue. The company’s disclosure controls and procedures are deemed ineffective due to the lack of an audit committee and segregation of duties. Given the company’s current state, a strong recommendation cannot be made. The company’s future is entirely dependent on its ability to find and complete a suitable acquisition.

Company Overview

Ridgefield Acquisition Corp. is a Nevada corporation (formerly Colorado) established in 1983. It currently operates as a shell company, focusing on identifying and acquiring a viable operating business. The company has no revenue-generating activities and relies on related-party loans and equity infusions for funding. The company’s strategy is to find a merger or acquisition target that will provide long-term capital appreciation for shareholders.

Detailed Analysis

Financial Statement Analysis

Balance Sheet

The company’s assets are minimal, consisting primarily of cash and cash equivalents. Liabilities are dominated by related-party debt. The company has a significant accumulated deficit, resulting in a negative stockholders’ equity.

Metric 2024 2023 Change
Cash and Cash Equivalents $16,949 $24,415 -$7,466
Total Assets $17,449 $24,415 -$6,966
Related Party Note Payable $166,489 $142,911 +$23,578
Total Liabilities $170,004 $159,418 +$10,586
Total Stockholders’ Deficit ($152,555) ($135,003) -$17,552

Income Statement

The company generated no revenue in either 2024 or 2023. Operating expenses consist primarily of general and administrative costs. The net loss decreased slightly in 2024 compared to 2023 due to lower G&A expenses.

Metric 2024 2023 Change
Revenue $0 $0 $0
General and Administrative Expenses ($51,683) ($60,082) +$8,399
Net Loss ($67,552) ($72,982) +$5,430

Cash Flow Statement

The company used cash in operating activities and generated cash from financing activities, primarily through related-party loans and the issuance of common stock to the CEO. Cash decreased overall during the year.

Metric 2024 2023
Net Cash Used in Operating Activities ($67,466) ($46,785)
Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities $60,000 $50,000
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash ($7,466) $3,215

Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A)

Management acknowledges the company’s status as a shell company and its focus on finding a suitable acquisition target. They highlight the competitive landscape and the need for additional funding to complete a transaction. The MD&A emphasizes the uncertainty surrounding the company’s ability to complete an acquisition and achieve long-term capital appreciation.

Risk Factors

The 10-K states that Item 1A, Risk Factors, is “Not required.” This is unusual for a 10-K filing and raises a red flag. While the company may be relying on its status as a shell company with limited operations, the absence of a risk factor section is a significant omission.

Uncommon Metrics

  • Reliance on Related Party Debt: The company’s financial stability is heavily dependent on loans from its CEO and Qualstar Corporation, an entity controlled by the CEO. This creates a potential conflict of interest and raises concerns about the sustainability of the company’s funding.
  • Lack of Operations: The company has suspended all operations since July 2000, except for administrative matters. This prolonged period of inactivity raises questions about the company’s ability to effectively evaluate and integrate an acquisition target.
  • Ineffective Disclosure Controls: The company admits to material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting due to the lack of an audit committee and segregation of duties. This increases the risk of errors or fraud in financial reporting.

Conclusion and Actionable Insights

Ridgefield Acquisition Corp. is a high-risk investment. The company’s financial condition is precarious, and its future is entirely dependent on its ability to find and complete a suitable acquisition. The absence of a risk factor section, reliance on related-party debt, and ineffective disclosure controls are significant concerns. Investors should exercise extreme caution and carefully consider the risks before investing in RDGA.

Key Takeaways:

  • Going Concern Uncertainty: The company’s ability to continue as a going concern is highly uncertain.
  • Related Party Dependence: The company relies heavily on related-party funding, creating potential conflicts of interest.
  • Operational Inactivity: The company has no ongoing business operations, raising concerns about its ability to execute its acquisition strategy.
  • Internal Control Weaknesses: The company’s disclosure controls and procedures are ineffective, increasing the risk of financial reporting errors.
  • Missing Risk Factors: The absence of a risk factor section is a significant omission and a red flag.

Commentary

Ridgefield Acquisition Corp. exhibits a concerning financial position. The company operates at a loss, with a net loss of $67,552 in 2024, although this is an improvement from the $72,982 loss in 2023. The company has minimal assets and a significant accumulated deficit. A large portion of the liabilities are related party notes, indicating a reliance on related party funding.

Financial Ratio and Metric Analysis

Profitability

  • Gross Profit Margin: Not Applicable (no revenue)
  • Operating Profit Margin: Not Applicable (no revenue)
  • Net Profit Margin: Not Applicable (no revenue)
  • Return on Assets (ROA):

    • Metric: Net Loss / Total Assets

      • 2024: ($67,552) / $17,449 = -3.87 or -387%
      • 2023: ($72,982) / $24,415 = -2.99 or -299%
    • Trend: The ROA increased from -299% to -387%, a change of -29.43%. This indicates a worsening in the company’s ability to generate profit from its assets.
    • Industry: Given the company’s lack of revenue and unique situation, a direct industry comparison is difficult. However, negative ROA values are generally indicative of poor performance compared to industry averages.
  • Return on Equity (ROE):

    • Metric: Net Loss / Total Stockholders’ Deficit

      • 2024: ($67,552) / ($152,555) = 44.28%
      • 2023: ($72,982) / ($135,003) = 54.06%
    • Trend: The ROE decreased from 54.06% to 44.28%, a change of -18.09%. This indicates a decrease in the return generated for each dollar of equity.
    • Industry: A positive ROE in this case is misleading due to the negative equity. Generally, a positive ROE is desired, but this is not a typical situation.
  • Earnings Per Share (EPS):

    • Metric: Net Loss / Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

      • 2024: ($67,552) / 20,142,194 = ($0.0034)
      • 2023: ($72,982) / 2,860,773 = ($0.0255)
    • Trend: EPS increased from -$0.0255 to -$0.0034, a change of 86.67%. This indicates an improvement in earnings per share, but still negative.
    • Industry: Negative EPS is unfavorable.

Liquidity

  • Current Ratio:

    • Metric: Current Assets / Current Liabilities

      • 2024: $17,449 / $170,004 = 0.10
      • 2023: $24,415 / $159,418 = 0.15
    • Trend: The current ratio decreased from 0.15 to 0.10, a change of -33.33%. This indicates a worsening ability to cover short-term liabilities with short-term assets.
    • Industry: A current ratio below 1 is generally considered risky, suggesting potential liquidity issues.
  • Quick Ratio (Acid-Test Ratio):

    • Metric: (Current Assets – Inventory) / Current Liabilities. Assuming no inventory.

      • 2024: $17,449 / $170,004 = 0.10
      • 2023: $24,415 / $159,418 = 0.15
    • Trend: The quick ratio decreased from 0.15 to 0.10, a change of -33.33%. This reinforces the concern about the company’s short-term liquidity.
    • Industry: A quick ratio below 1 is generally considered risky, suggesting potential liquidity issues.
  • Cash Ratio:

    • Metric: Cash and Cash Equivalents / Current Liabilities

      • 2024: $16,949 / $170,004 = 0.10
      • 2023: $24,415 / $159,418 = 0.15
    • Trend: The cash ratio decreased from 0.15 to 0.10, a change of -33.33%. This indicates a decreased ability to cover short-term liabilities with cash.
    • Industry: A very low cash ratio indicates a high reliance on other current assets or external financing to meet immediate obligations.

Solvency/Leverage

  • Debt-to-Equity Ratio:

    • Metric: Total Liabilities / Total Stockholders’ Deficit

      • 2024: $170,004 / (-$152,555) = -1.11
      • 2023: $159,418 / (-$135,003) = -1.18
    • Trend: The debt-to-equity ratio increased from -1.18 to -1.11, a change of 5.93%. The negative ratio is due to the negative equity.
    • Industry: The negative ratio is a result of the negative equity.
  • Debt-to-Assets Ratio:

    • Metric: Total Liabilities / Total Assets

      • 2024: $170,004 / $17,449 = 9.74
      • 2023: $159,418 / $24,415 = 6.53
    • Trend: The debt-to-assets ratio increased from 6.53 to 9.74, a change of 49.16%. This indicates that a larger proportion of the company’s assets are financed by debt.
    • Industry: A high debt-to-assets ratio indicates higher financial risk.
  • Interest Coverage Ratio (Times Interest Earned):

    • Metric: Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) / Interest Expense

      • 2024: (-$51,683) / $13,591 = -3.80
      • 2023: (-$60,082) / $10,500 = -5.72
    • Trend: The interest coverage ratio increased from -5.72 to -3.80, a change of 33.57%. While still negative, this indicates a slight improvement in the company’s ability to cover interest expenses with its operating income.
    • Industry: A negative interest coverage ratio indicates the company is not generating enough operating income to cover its interest expense.

Activity/Efficiency

Given the lack of revenue, inventory, and payables, most activity ratios are not applicable.

  • Inventory Turnover: Not Applicable
  • Days Sales Outstanding (DSO): Not Applicable
  • Days Payable Outstanding (DPO): Not Applicable
  • Asset Turnover:

    • Metric: Revenue / Total Assets

      • 2024: $0 / $17,449 = 0
      • 2023: $0 / $24,415 = 0
    • Trend: No change.
    • Industry: An asset turnover of 0 is very poor.

Valuation

  • Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E):

    • Metric: Stock Price / EPS

      • 2024: $0.27 / (-$0.0034) = -79.41
    • Industry: A negative P/E ratio is not useful for comparison.
  • Price-to-Book Ratio (P/B):

    • Metric: Market Cap / Book Value of Equity

      • 2024: (27,860,773 * $0.27) / (-$152,555) = -49.39
    • Industry: A negative P/B ratio is not useful for comparison.
  • Price-to-Sales Ratio (P/S):

    • Metric: Market Cap / Revenue

      • 2024: (27,860,773 * $0.27) / $0 = N/A
    • Industry: N/A
  • Enterprise Value to EBITDA (EV/EBITDA):

    • Metric: (Market Cap + Total Debt – Cash) / EBITDA

      • 2024: ((27,860,773 * $0.27) + $170,004 – $16,949) / $(-51,683 + $13,591) = -21.44
    • Industry: A negative EV/EBITDA ratio is not useful for comparison.

Growth Rates

  • Revenue Growth:

    • Metric: (Current Revenue – Prior Revenue) / Prior Revenue

      • (0-0)/0 = N/A
  • Net Income Growth:

    • Metric: (Current Net Income – Prior Net Income) / Prior Net Income

      • (-$67,552 – (-$72,982)) / (-$72,982) = -7.44%
    • Trend: Net income growth was -7.44%, indicating a decrease in net income.
  • EPS Growth:

    • Metric: (Current EPS – Prior EPS) / Prior EPS

      • (-$0.0034 – (-$0.0255)) / (-$0.0255) = -86.67%
    • Trend: EPS growth was -86.67%, indicating a decrease in EPS.

Other Relevant Metrics

  • Related Party Transactions: The company relies heavily on related party notes payable, specifically to Steven N. Bronson and Qualstar Corporation. This raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the sustainability of the company’s financing. The interest rates and terms of these notes should be carefully scrutinized.
  • Auditor Fees: The fees paid to the auditor have fluctuated.
  • Insider Trading Policy: The company has an insider trading policy in place, which is standard practice.

⚠️ This is an experimental project and this report is for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Conduct your own thorough research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. ⚠️