SEC Comment Letter for COMPUTER HORIZONS CORP (CIK 0000023019) — Aug 11, 2005
COMPUTER HORIZONS CORP (CIK 0000023019)
Date: Aug. 11, 2005 · CIK: 0000023019 · Accession: 0000000000-05-041481
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August 4, 2005
Eric Rosenfeld
Managing Member
Crescendo Investments
10 East 53rd Street
35th Floor
New York, NY 10022
Re: Computer Horizons Corp.
Preliminary Schedule 14A filed on July 22, 2005
Filed by The Computer Horizons Full Value Committee
File No. 0-07282
Dear Mr. Rosenfeld:
We have reviewed your filing and have the following
comments. Where indicated, we think you should revise your
document in response to these comments. If you disagree, we will
consider your explanation as to why one or more of our comments are
inapplicable or a revision is unnecessary. Please be as detailed
as necessary in your explanation. In some of our comments, we may
ask you to provide us with supplemental information so we may better
understand your disclosure. After reviewing this information, we
may or may not raise additional comments.
Please understand that the purpose of our review process is
to assist you in your compliance with the applicable disclosure
requirements and to enhance the overall disclosure in your filing.
We look forward to working with you in these respects. We welcome
any questions you may have about our comments or any other aspect
of our review. Feel free to call us at the telephone number listed
at the end of this letter.
General
1. Each statement or assertion of opinion or belief made in your
proxy statement and/or your additional soliciting material must be
characterized as such and be supported by a reasonable basis that
is self-evident, disclosed in the proxy materials, or provided to
the staff on a supplemental basis. We cite the following non-
exhaustive list of factual assertions that should be specifically
supported or deleted:
* The Chimes business has "achieved critical mass" and that the
business is "expected to become a principal growth engine" and is
a "strong bottom line contributor;"
* That the Federal segment continues to derive "high margins;"
* Chimes is one of the "leaders" in the "burgeoning" VMS industry
and it will be attractive because of the "operational leverage"
it enjoys due to its "high fixed and low variable costs structure;"
* The "staffing industry, is a low-margin, commodity-like industry
with few differentiating factors besides price," and its
profitability is declining.
2. We note Arnaud Ajdler is listed as an attorney and agent
shareholders would appoint to vote their shares. Please advise
as to his relationship with the Full Value Committee.
3. We note disclosure in the Committee`s Form 13D filed on July
13, 2005 that each of the Reporting Persons may in the future take
actions including "making proposals to the issuer concerning
changes to the capitalization ownership structure, or operations
of the Issuer..." Please advise, as of the date of the most recent
amendment to your Proxy Statement, whether there are any current
plans, proposals or arrangements with respect to any of the
actions contemplated in the last paragraph of Item 4 of your
Schedule 13D.
4. On July 29, 2005 you filed a news article containing statements
by an affiliate of the Full Value Committee. We note, however, that
the article was published in the Daily Record on July 28, 2005,
which was later than the date the material was first published.
Please note the requirements for timely filings under Rule 14a-12(b).
5. The Daily Record article included in the additional soliciting
materials filed July 29, 2005 indicates that John J. Cassese,
former Computer Horizons chairman and chief executive, has
previously offered his services in assembling a coalition to
defeat the Analysts` merger. If Mr. Cassese and representatives
of the Full Value Committee have discussed the Analysts transaction,
advise us if there was any consideration given to naming
Mr. Cassese a participant in the solicitation.
Proxy Statement Cover Page
6. Please revise the disclosure in this section and throughout
the document to disclose any updates to Computer Horizons`
special meeting or record date.
7. Please revise to disclose the current status of your request
that Computer Horizons call a special meeting, as disclosed in your
amended Form 13D filed on July 27, 2005. Please also disclose the
purpose of your request and describe it in material detail in this
Proxy Statement.
8. Based on the most recent Form S-4/A filed by Computer Horizons
with respect to the proposed acquisition of Analysts, it appears
that the treasury shares referenced in your filing will neither
be considered outstanding nor entitled to vote at the meeting.
Please revise accordingly.
9. Please confirm that for matters for which the committee is
aware a reasonable time before the solicitation is commenced,
you will revise your proxy card and soliciting materials to
address these matters.
10. Clarify that the number of shares owned and percentage
ownership of the Committee disclosed on page 2 is provided as
of the proposed mailing date and indicate whether the members
of the Committee are entitled to vote all of the shares owned
at the meeting. To the extent the shares beneficially owned
and the number of shares entitled to be voted vary, provide
appropriate disclosure.
Proposal No.1
Reasons to Vote Against the Proposed Merger, page 4
11. Please furnish copies of the Company`s announcements of its
strategy to focus on the high-end solutions business. Explain
the basis for your conclusion that Analysts` staffing business is
"lower margin". Provide quantitative data so that investors can
place this statement in context.
12. Since change of control waivers were obtained and filed with
Computer Horizons` July 26, 2005, Form S-4/A, ensure that those
arrangements with Analysts` executives are considered in
generating the cost estimates you included. In addition, provide
quantitative context for your statement that the merger transaction
costs will significantly reduce the cash balance of Computer Horizons.
We Believe There Are Potentially More Favorable Strategic
Opportunities... page 5
13. Disclose whether you have proposed that a specific investment
banking firm be retained by Computer Horizons to explore strategic
alternatives. Please describe any proposals to Computer Horizons
in this respect, as well as the terms of any arrangement that is
contemplated or proposed. Advise if any participant has engaged
the service of an investment banking firm or similar financial
analyst to explore any strategic alternatives or has any
understanding to engage an analyst in the future. Describe the
material terms of any agreements with any outside entity or
person with regards to an alternative plan of financing or merger.
We Believe Computer Horizons is Paying Too Much For Analysts,
page 5
14. Please expand your reference on page 6 to management`s views
about the adequacy of the $5.00 per share price to indicate
whether Crescendo is aware of any subsequent statements by
management concerning management`s views about the adequacy or
inadequacy of any specific price for Computer Horizons` common
stock. Why does Crescendo believe that statements made 25 months
ago are consistent with the minimum value of the shares today,
management`s views concerning that value and Crescendo`s views
concerning that value? Please put these references in an appropriate
context by comparing the stock price currently to that in effect
when the July 2003 statement occurred.
15. More thoroughly explain why Crescendo`s belief that Computer
Horizons` shares are undervalued leads to a conclusion that it is
"overpaying for Analysts." A determination as to the value of
Analysts, relative to its stock price, as well as a comparison of
the price/value relationships of the two companies appear necessary
to reach the conclusion as to overpayment. Please also expand to
more fully explain.
We Believe There Are Potentially More Favorable Strategic
Opportunities for Computer Horizons Than The Proposed Merger With
Analysts, page 8
16. Please revise this section to reflect any additional material
or clarifications provided by the Computer Horizons` amended
Form S-4 filed on July 26, 2005.
17. We note disclosure that the Full Value Committee is "made of
up of shareholders like you," and you have no interest "other than
seeking the highest value of your shares." We further note that
the Crescendo entities acquired its shares in Computer Horizons
relatively recently and that the entities involved in this
solicitation are large shareholders. Further, investors may be
looking to seek the highest value for their shares at different
times of their investing cycle. Please put your claims about your
representative status in an appropriate context by noting these
and any other significant differences with other shareholders.
Certain Information Regarding the Proposed Merger, page 12
18. We note disclosure in the section and throughout the document
that the Analysts` holders will hold approximately 49% of the
combined company and Computer Horizons will hold approximately
51%. We note that according to Computer Horizons` most recent S-4/A
the percentages are 48% and 52%, accordingly please revise or advise.
Solicitation of Proxies, page 16
19. Your amendment should be completed to quantify the estimates
of the costs of the solicitation and number of solicitors it
estimates employing. See Item 4(a)(3) of Schedule 14A. In
particular, please note that in addition to the estimate of the
total anticipated costs, you should provide the total expenditures
to the mailing date for the solicitation.
20. You disclose that the Committee has entered into an agreement
with MacKenzie Partners for solicitation and advisory services.
Please disclose all of the material features of your arrangement
or otherwise advise. See Item 4(a)(3) of Regulation 14A.
21. We note that proxies may be solicited by "mail, facsimile,
telephone, in person and by advertisements." We remind you to
file, on the date of first use, all written soliciting materials,
including any scripts to be used in soliciting proxies by personal
interview, telephone, television or radio, must be filed under the
cover of Schedule 14A. Please confirm your understanding.
Other Participant Information, page 16
22. We note disclosure on page 17 that "except as set forth in
this Proxy Statement no participant in this solicitation has a
substantial interest, direct or indirect, by security holdings
or otherwise, in any matter to be acted on at the Special
Meeting." Please revise to provide in this section a consolidated
discussion of all interests pursuant to Item 5(a) of Schedule 14A
or confirm that the proxy contains all of the information with
respect to participants in the solicitation as required by this
item requirement.
23. In the first full paragraph on page 17 you refer to the
Committee`s purpose of calling a special meeting to remove the
board of Computer Horizons and to replace those board members.
In an appropriately captioned section of the proxy materials,
please provide current information about the Committee`s demand
of a special meeting, the company`s response, if any, and related
developments concerning the proposal to remove and replace the
directors of Computer Horizons.
Schedule I
24. We note that while you have included beneficial ownership
information taken from Computer Horizons` proxy statement of April
12, 2005 we expect that the proxy materials of Computer Horizon
will contain information responsive to Item 403 of Regulation S-K
as of a more current date. Please ensure that beneficial ownership
information you provide is as of the most recent practicable date.
In this respect, changes in share ownership by the Committee that
have not yet been reflected in a 13D and included in Computer
Horizons` disclosure document should be provided in your proxy
materials.
We urge all persons who are responsible for the accuracy and
adequacy of the disclosure in the filings reviewed by the staff to
be certain that they have provided all information investors
require for an informed decision. Since the participants are in
possession of all facts relating to their disclosure, they are
responsible for the accuracy and adequacy of the disclosures they
have made.
In connection with responding to our comments, please
provide, in writing, a statement from each participant
acknowledging that:
* the participant is responsible for the adequacy and accuracy of
the dsclosure in the filing;
* staff comments or changes to disclosure in response to staff
comments do not foreclose the Commission from taking any action
with respect to the filing; and
* the participant may not assert staff comments as a defense in
any proceeding initiated by the Commission or any person under the
federal securities laws of the United States.
In addition, please be advised that the Division of
Enforcement has access to all information you provide to the staff
of the Division of Corporation Finance in our review of your filings
or in response to our comments on your filings.
As appropriate, please amend your preliminary Schedule 14A
in response to these comments. You may wish to provide us with
marked copies of the amendment, if required, to expedite our review.
Please furnish a cover letter with your amendment that keys your
Responses to our comments and provides any requested supplemental
information. Detailed cover letters greatly facilitate our review.
Please file your cover letter on EDGAR. Please understand
that we may have additional comments after reviewing your amendment
and responses to our comments.
If you have any questions, please call Adam Halper, at (202)
551-3482. If you require additional assistance you may contact
Jeffrey Werbitt at (202) 551-3456, me, at (202) 551-3266,
Mark Shuman, Branch Chief-Legal at, (202) 551-3462 or in his
absence Barbara C. Jacobs, Assistant Director at, (202) 551-3730.
Nicholas P. Panos
Special Counsel
Office of Mergers &
Acquisitions
cc: Steve Wolosky, Esq
Olshan Grundman Frome Rosenzweig & Wolosky LLP
Park Avenue Tower
65 East 55th Street
New York, NY 10022
Telephone: (212) 451-2300
Facsimile: (212) 451-2222
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