SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION


Washington, D.C. 20549





FORM 10-K





(Mark One)


x   ANNUAL REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d ) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2010




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




Commission File Number 0-12346





IRONSTONE GROUP, INC.


(Name of Registrant as specified in its charter)




Delaware
95-2829956(State or other jurisdiction of
(IRS Employer Identification No.)incorporation or organization)


Pier 1, Bay 3, San Francisco, California 94111


(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)





(415)551-3260


(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)





Securities registered under Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:


None





Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act:


Common Stock, $0.01 par value





Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    Yes [  ]   No[X]





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[X]





Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 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 [X]   No[  ]





Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained in this form, and no disclosure will be contained, to the best of the 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.    [X]





Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is an accelerated filer as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act.


Large accelerated filer  [  ]     Accelerated filer  [  ]     Non- accelerated filer  [  ]     Smaller reporting company  [X]





Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act)      Yes [ X ]   No[  ]





The approximate aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was $39,266 as of December 31, 2010 based on the closing bid price on December 31, 2010.  Shares of voting stock held by each officer and director and by each person who owns 5% or more of the outstanding voting stock have been excluded in that such persons may be deemed to be affiliates.  This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily conclusive.





Check whether the Registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15 (d) of the Exchange Act after the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.    Yes [X]    No[  ]





As of December 31, 2010, 742,108 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value, were outstanding.








TABLE OF CONTENTS




PagePART I:Item 1.      Description of Business
3Item 1A.    Risk Factors
3Item 1B.    Unresolved Staff Comments
3Item 2.      Description of Property.
3Item 3.      Legal Proceedings
3Item 4.      Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
3PART II:Item 5.      Market for Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
4Item 6       Selected Consolidated Financial Data
4Item 7.      Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Result of Operation
5-6Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
6Item 8.      Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
6Item 9.      Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure.
18Item 9A    Controls and Procedures
19Item 9B.    Other Information
19PART III:Item 10.    Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
20Item 11.    Executive Compensation
21-22Item 12.    Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters.
23Item 13.    Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
23Item 14.    Principal Accountant Fees and Services
24PART IVItem 15.    Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
24SIGNATURES
25
  2
  PART 1





ITEM 1.  DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS





BACKGROUND





Ironstone Group, Inc, (“Ironstone”) a Delaware corporation, was incorporated in 1972.  Since 1986, a majority of Ironstone’s outstanding shares has been owned by Hambrecht & Quist Group, a San Francisco-based investment banking and venture capital firm, and its affiliates (collectively “H&Q”).  In September 2003, Ironstone repurchased all of these shares.  Such repurchased shares are currently being held as treasury stock.  The Hambrecht 1980 Revocable Trust presently owns over 50% of Ironstone’s outstanding voting shares.




BUSINESS STRATEGY





Currently, the Company is reviewing options and new business opportunities.  At December 31, 2010, the Company had $10,920in marketable securities,$1,566 in cash, an investment in Salon Media Group, Inc. valued at$92,297and taxloss carry-forwards at its disposal.





There can be no assurance that the Company will acquire businesses, form additional alliances, or expand its existing services.  Failure to expand the scope of services provided by the Company may have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations.




EMPLOYEES





As of December 31, 2010, the Company had one part-time employee.  This employee received no compensation and is not subject to a collective bargaining agreement.








ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS





The company’s main asset is an investment in Salon Media Group, Inc. whose December 31, 2010 market value has remained the same as compared to December 31, 2009. There can be no assurance that a market will continue to exist for either the Series C Preferred Stock or the common stock of Salon.








ITEM 1B.  UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS





None.








ITEM 2.  DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY





The Company’s principal executive offices are located at Pier 1, Bay 3, San Francisco, California 94111 and its telephone number is (415) 551-3260.








ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS





None.








ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS





There were no matters submitted to a vote of stockholders during 2010.




3





PART II





ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS





Information regarding the recent trading activity of the Company‘s Common Stock is reported on the OTC Bulletin Board and the Company is not aware of any recent material trading activity in shares of its Common Stock. As of December 31, 2010, there were approximately 500 holders of record of the Company’s Common Stock.  The Company has not paid cash dividends on its Common Stock since its inception and does not intend to pay cash dividends on its Common Stock in the foreseeable future.




ITEM 6.  SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA


Year Ended December 31

2010


2009Net revenuesNet loss

$
71,854


$
175,607Unrealized gain (loss) on holdings

$
(780
)

$
(223,722
)Comprehensive gain (loss)

$
(72,634
)

$
(310,687
)Cash and cash equivalents

$
1,566


$
7,770Marketable securities

$
10,920


$
11,700Non-marketable securities

$
92,297


$
92,297Total assets

$
104,783


$
111,767
 
 4
 ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULT OF OPERATION





CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES





While the Company continues to evaluate business opportunities, its sole source of revenue is from the sale of marketable securities.  Management has classified these marketable securities, in accordance with ASC 320, as available for sale.  These securities are recorded at fair market value, and any unrealized gains and losses are reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity.  For marketable securities for which there is an other-than-temporary impairment, an impairment loss is recognized as a realized loss.





Ironstone’s primary expenses are generated from maintaining regulatory reporting compliance, such as quarterly review and annual audit of the financial statements, seeking legal counsel when appropriate, and consulting fees.





RESULTS OF OPERATIONS





Year ended December 31, 2010




Operating expenses for 2010 totaled $29,979, a decrease of $19,825 or 39.8%as compared to 2009. The decrease wasprimarily due to a decrease in professional fees of $18,000 and a decrease in state filing fees of $1,800. Interest expense for 2010 totaled $41,875, an increase of $4,714 or 12.7% as compared to 2009. The increase was due to an increase in borrowings.




5





LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES





Net cash used in operating activities was $57,704 for the year ended December 31, 2010, and $76,063 for the year ended December 31, 2009.





The Company has a line of credit arrangement with First Republic Bank with a borrowing limit of $350,000 with interest based upon the lender’s prime rate. Interest is payable monthly at 7.75%. The line is guaranteed by William R. Hambrecht, Chief Executive Officer, Director and Robert H. Hambrecht, Secretary, Director. The line of credit is due on demand and is secured by all of the Company’s business assets. At December 31, 2010, the outstanding balance under the line was $350,000.





The Company borrowed from Mr. William R Hambrecht $163,000 with interest at 7.75% per annum in the years 2008 and 2009. During the year 2010 the Company borrowed from Mr. William R Hambrecht $51,500 with interest at 7.75% per annum. At December 31, 2010 the total borrowed from Mr. William R Hambrecht was $214,500.




The Company may obtain additional equity or working capital through additional bank borrowings and public or private sales of equity securities and exercises of outstanding stock options. The Company may also borrow additional funds from Mr. William R. Hambrecht. There can be no assurance, however, that such additional financing will be available on terms favorable to the Company, or at all.





While the Company explores new business opportunities, the primary capital resource of the Company is 843 shares of Series C Preferred Stock of Salon Media Group, Inc. (“Salon”). These shares were converted on December 31, 2003 from Convertible Promissory Notes purchased by the Company and are convertible to common stock at any time.  The Series C Preferred Stock is convertible into common stock of Salon at the conversion rate determined by dividing the Series C Preferred Stock per share price of $800 by the Series C Conversion Price of $0.80, or at the rate of one share of Series C Preferred Stock to 1,000 shares of common stock. If converted, the Company’s shares of Series C Preferred Stock represent 843,000 shares or 6.7% of Salon’s common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2010. The investment in Salon is valued at the converted common stock value of $.10 per share,or $84,300, at December 31, 2010.





In conjunction with making the investment in Salon, the Company received warrants to purchase common stock in Salon.  In 2006, the Company exercised its warrants to purchase a total of 79,970 shares of common stock of Salon.The investment in common shares of Salon is valued at $.10 per share, or $7,997, at December 31, 2010. Additionally, the Company has an investment in another available for sale security with a fair value of $10,920 at December 31, 2010.





As of March 30, 2011, Salon’s common stock was trading at $.50 per share.  There can be no assurance that a market will continue to exist for either the Series C Preferred Stock or the common stock of Salon.





ITEM  7A.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK





We are a Smaller Reporting Company as defined by Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are not required to provide the information under this item.




ITEM  8.  CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA




PageReports of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firms
7Consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2010 and 2009
8Consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss) for the years endedDecember 31, 2010 and 2009
9Consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity for the years endedDecember 31, 2010 and 2009
10Consolidated statements of cash flows for the years endedDecember 31, 2010 and 2009
11Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
12


6




REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
   To the Board of Directors and
 Stockholders of Ironstone Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries
   We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Ironstone Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2010. The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit.
  We conducted our audit 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 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 audit 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 financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall 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 Ironstone Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2010 and 2009, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2010, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
    
 
 Madsen & Associates CPA’s, Inc.
 Salt Lake City, Utah
 March 31, 2011


7


IRONSTONE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
 December 31, 2010


2010


2009ASSETS:Current assets:Cash

$
1,566


$
7,770Marketable securities available for sale, at fair value


10,920



11,700Salon Media Group, Inc. common stock, at fair value


7,997



7,997Salon Media Group, Inc. Series C Preferred, at fair value


84,300



84,300Total assets

$
104,783


$
111,767LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:Current liabilities:Line of credit borrowings

$
350,000


$
350,000Note payable to related party


214,500



163,000Accounts payable and accrued expenses


64,090



49,940Total liabilities


628,590



562,940Shareholders' equity:Preferred stock,$0.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorizedof which there are no issued and outstanding sharesCommon stock,$0.01 par value, 25,000,000 shares authorizedof which 1,487,644 shares are issued and 742,108 shares are outstanding


14,878



14,878Additional paid-in capital


21,170,385



21,170,385Accumulated deficit


(21,188,446
)


(21,116,592
)Accumulated other comprehensive income


1,950



2,730(1,233
)


71,401Less: Treasury Stock, 745,536 shares, at cost


(522,574
)


(522,574
)Total shareholders' equity


(523,807
)


(451,173
)Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

$
104,783


$
111,767


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
 
 8
 
 IRONSTONE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) Years Ended December 31, 2010, and 2009
 2010


2009Operating expenses:Legal and other professional fees

$
25,180


$
43,250State filing fee


3,969



5,785Miscellaneous expenses


830



769Total operating expenses


29,979



49,804Loss from operations


(29,979
)


(49,804
)Other income (expense):Interest expense, netof $1 in 2009


(41,875
)


(37,161
)Loss on other than temporary impairment of available for sale securities






(88,642
)Net (loss)

$
(71,854
)

$
(175,607
)COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS),  NET OF TAX:Net (loss)

$
(71,854
)

$
(175,607
)Unrealized holding (loss) arising during the year


(780
)


(223,722
)Reclassification adjustment for other than temporary impairmenton available for sale securities






88,642Comprehensive (loss)

$
(72,634
)

$
(310,687
)Basic and diluted loss per share:Net loss per share

$
(0.10
)

$
(0.24
)Weighted average shares


742,108



742,108


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





9


IRONSTONE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 Years Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009


AccumulatedAdditional





OtherCommon Stock


Paid-In


Accumulated


Comprehensive


Treasury StockShares


Amount


Capital


Deficit


Income (Loss)


Shares


Amount


TotalBalances,January 1, 2009


1,487,644


$
14,878


$
21,170,385


$
(20,940,985
)

$
137,810



745,536


$
(522,574
)

$
(140,486
)Unrealized Loss


















(223,722
)










(223,722
)Reclassification adjustmentfor other than temporaryimpairment on availablefor sale securities


















88,642











88,642Net (loss)














(175,607
)














(175,607
)Balances,December 31, 2009


1,487,644



14,878



21,170,385



(21,116,592
)


2,730



745,536



(522,574
)


(451,173
)Unrealized Loss


















(780
)










(780
)Net (loss)














(71,854
)














(71,854
)Balances,December 31, 2010


1,487,644


$
14,878


$
21,170,385


$
(21,188,446
)

$
1,950



745,536


$
(522,574
)

$
(523,807
)





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





10





IRONSTONE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 Years Ended Decenber 31, 2010 and 2009
 2010


2009CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:Net (loss)

$
(71,854
)

$
(175,607
)Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in)operating activities:Loss on other than temporary impairment on availablefor sale securities






88,642Changes in operating assets and liabilities:Accounts payable and accrued expenses


14,150



10,902Net cash (used in) operating activities


(57,704
)


(76,063
)CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:Proceeds from line of credit






15,825Note payable to related party


51,500



63,000Net cash provided by financing activities


51,500



78,825Net increase (decrease) in cash


(6,204
)


2,762Cash at beginning of year


7,770



5,008Cash at end of year

$
1,566


$
7,770Supplemental disclosure of cash flow informationCash paid during the year for interest

$
27,200


$
37,162


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





11





IRONSTONE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS








1. BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES




Business Activities





Ironstone Group, Inc. and subsidiaries have no operations but are seeking appropriate business combination opportunities.





Principles of Consolidation





The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Ironstone Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, AcadiEnergy, Inc., Belt Perry Associates, Inc., DeMoss Corporation, and TaxNet, Inc. (collectively the “Company”). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.





Marketable Securities





Marketable securities have been classified by management as available for sale in accordance with ASC 320, marketable securities are recorded at fair value and any unrealized gains and losses are excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity until realized.  The fair value of the Company’s marketable securities and investments at December 31, 2010 is based on quoted market prices. For the purpose of computing realized gains and losses, cost is identified on a specific identification basis.  For marketable securities for which there is an other-than-temporary impairment, an impairment loss is recognized as a realized loss.





Use of Estimates





The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America 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 financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.





Income Taxes





The Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries file a consolidated federal income tax return.  Income taxes are provided for the tax effects of transactions reported in the financial statements and consist of taxes currently due plus deferred income taxes.  Deferred income taxes are recognized for differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future.  Deferred income taxes are also recognized for net operating loss carryforwards that are available to offset future taxable income.  Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.




12





IRONSTONE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS





1. BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (continued)





Earnings (Loss) per share





Basic earnings (loss) per share (“EPS”) excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares actually outstanding during the period.  Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution from potentially dilutive securities, except where inclusion of potentially dilutive securities would have an anti-dilutive effect, using the average stock price during the period in the computation.





Stock Based Compensation





The Company has not offered any equity-based compensation to any of its employees or officers for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009.  Additionally, there are no outstanding options.





Recent Accounting Pronouncements





We do not expect the adoption of any recent accounting pronouncements will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial position.








2. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS





Due to the short maturity of cash, accounts payable, the line of credit, and the note payable, the carrying amount reported in the consolidated balance sheets approximates fair market value.





Effective January 1, 2008, the Company adopted ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures”. ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and enhances disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is defined under ASC 820 as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value under ASC 820 must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. ASC 820 describes a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value which are the following:




Level 1:
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.Level 2:
Inputs other than Level 1 that are observable, either directly or indirectly, such as quoted prices forsimilar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that areobservable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of theassets or liabilities.Level 3:
Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant tothe fair value of the assets or liabilities.




In addition to using the guidelines set forth in ASC 820 for valuing fixed income securities, each company is also required to disclose information that enables users of its financial statements to assess the inputs used to develop those valuations.




13





IRONSTONE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS





2. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS (continued)





Market values were determined for each security in the investment portfolio based on quoted market prices and quoted market prices for similar securities.




Total Carrying Value In TheDescription
Quoted Market Prices

In Active Markets

(Level 1)
Significant Other

Observable Input

(Level 2)
Consolidated

Balance Sheet at

December 31, 2009Securities available for sale
$18,917
$84,300
$103,217






Total Carrying Value In TheDescription
Quoted Market Prices

In Active Markets

(Level 1)
Significant Other

Observable Input

(Level 2)
Consolidated

Balance Sheet at

December 31, 2009Securities available for sale
$19,697
$84,300
$103,997


14
  IRONSTONE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS





3. INVESTMENT IN SALON MEDIA GROUP, INC.





The Company owns 843 shares of Series C Preferred Stock of Salon Media Group, Inc. (“Salon”). These shares resulted from the December 31, 2003 conversion of Convertible Promissory Notes purchased by the Company and are convertible to common stock at any time. The Series C Preferred Stock is convertible into common stock of Salon at the conversion rate determined by dividing the Series C Preferred Stock per share price of $800 by the Series C Conversion Price of $0.80, or at the rate of one share of Series C Preferred Stock to 1,000 shares of common stock. If converted, the Company’s shares of Series C Preferred Stock represent 843,000 common shares of Salon or 6.7% of Salon’s common stock outstanding as of December 31, 2010. The investment in Series C Preferred Stock of Salon is valued at the converted common stock value of $.10 and $.10 per share, or $84,300 and $84,300 at December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively





Additionally, in conjunction with making the investment in Salon, the Company received warrants to purchase common stock in Salon. In 2006, the Company exercised its warrants to purchase a total of 79,970 shares of common stock of Salon. The investment in common shares of Salon is valued at $.10 and $.10 per share, or $7,997 and $7,997 at December 31,2010 and 2009, respectively.








4. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS





A Director and a former President and Chief Executive Officer of Salon is the sister of a member of the Board of Directors and the daughter of the Chief Executive Officer.





Mr. William R Hambrecht, Chief Executive Officer is a minority shareholder in Salon Media Group.





To meet its cash needs during the year 2010, the Company borrowed $51,500 from Mr. William R Hambrecht, Chief Executive Officer, at the same interest rate charged by First Republic Bank on its line of credit. Interest is payable to Mr. Hambrecht monthly.





On December 31, 2010, the Company combined all the various notes payable and issued at various times to Mr. William R. Hambrecht to one note for $214,500 at 7.75% interest with a December 31, 2011 maturity.





5. LINE OF CREDIT ARRANGEMENT





The Company has a line of credit arrangement with First Republic Bank (the “lender”) with a borrowing limit of $350,000 with interest based upon the lender’s prime rate. Interest is payable monthly at 7.75% at December 31, 2010. The line is guaranteed by William R. Hambrecht, Chief Executive Officer, Director and Robert H. Hambrecht, Secretary, Director. The line of credit is due on demand and is secured by all of the Company’s business assets. At December 31, 2010, the outstanding balance under the line was $350,000.


15
  IRONSTONE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS





6. INCOME TAXES





ASC 740, “Income Taxes” requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements or tax returns.  Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of (i) temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes and (ii) operating loss and tax credit carryforwards.  The tax effects of significant items comprising the Company's deferred income taxes at December 31, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:





2010


2009Deferred tax assets:Operating loss carryforward

$
711,000


$
709,000Unrealized loss on marketable securities


295,000



295,000Less valuation allowance


(1,006,000
)


(1,004,000
)Deferred tax assets – net


-Deferred tax liability – unrealized gain on marketable securities


-Deferred income taxes – net

$
-


$
-





The reasons for the difference between the amount computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to losses before income tax benefit and the actual income tax benefit for the years ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 are as follows:




2010


2009Expected income tax benefit

$
24,400


$
60,000State income tax benefit, net of federal tax


3,600



9,000Total before valuation allowance


(28,000
)


( 69,000
)Change in valuation allowance


28,000



69,000Income tax benefit

$
-


$
-





The overall increase in valuation allowance for the year ended December 31, 2010 of $2,000 includes increase of $28,000 for 2010 operating losses, offset by a decrease of $26,000 due to the expiration of net operating loss carryforwards




Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, imposes an annual limitation on the availability of net operating loss carryforwards to offset taxable income when an ownership change occurs. Due to the redemption of shares of common stock in 2003, the Company underwent such an “ownership change.” Therefore, the Company’s use of losses incurred through the date of the “ownership change” will be limited to approximately $49,000 per year.




In the opinion of management, based on the uncertainty that the Company will be able to generate taxable income in the future, the realization of the loss carryforwards is not likely and, accordingly, a valuation allowance has been recorded to offset such amount in its entirety.





The Company is subject to taxation in the U.S. and the state of California. All tax years are subject to examination by the U.S. and California tax authorities due to the carryforward of unutilized net operating losses. The Company had no accrual for interest or penalties on the balance sheet at December 31, 2010 and 2009.




16





IRONSTONE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS








7. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY





Treasury Stock – On September 15, 2003, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to purchase 745,536 shares of Company common stock at $0.70 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $521,875. The repurchase represented 50.11% of the issued and outstanding shares of the Company. During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company paid $699 for fractional Treasury shares. As of December 31, 2010, the treasury shares are held by the Company.




Preferred Stock – The Company is authorized to issue up to five million shares of preferred stock without further shareholder approval; the rights, preferences and privileges of which would be determined at the time of issuance.  No shares have ever been issued.





Stock Option Plans -- The Company has adopted a 1989 Equity Incentive Plan, a 1993 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan and a 1994 Equity Incentive Plan (collectively, the "Plans").  In March 1994, the 1989 Equity Incentive Plan was amended to reduce the number of shares reserved there under and the Board of Directors determined that no further grants would be made under this plan. As of December 31, 2010 and 2009, 331,680 shares were available for grant under the Plans. The Plans provide for incentive stock options to be granted at times and prices determined by the Company’s Board of Directors, to be granted at not less than 100% of the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Options are generally subject to a three or four-year vesting schedule. Options issued under the Plans expire at the earlier of the end of the exercise period of no more than ten years from the date of grant or 90 days following the grantee’s end of service to the Company.




At December 31, 2010, there is no unrecognized employee compensation relating to options that is expected to be recognized in future periods.


17
  IRONSTONE GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS





8. GOING CONCERN





As reflected in the accompanying financial statements the Company has net losses and has a negative cash flow from operations. This raises substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. If necessary the Company may seek to sell additional debt or equity securities or enter into new credit facilities to meet its cash needs. The Company cannot make assurances that it will be able to complete any financing or liquidity transaction, that such financing or liquidity transaction will be adequate for the Company’s needs, or that a financing or liquidity transaction will be completed in a timely manner.




18





ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE





None.





ITEM 9A.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES





Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures





We have established disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the Company is made known to the officers who certify the financial statements and to other members of senior management and the Board of Directors.





We conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Based on this evaluation our chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that, as of December 31, 2010, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.





Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting





There have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting for the three-months ended December 31, 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.





Management’s Report on Internal Controls over Financial Reporting





The management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Our internal control system was designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.





All internal controls over financial reporting, no matter how well designed, have inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of controls. Therefore, even effective internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting may vary over time.





Our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2010. In making its assessment of internal control over financial reporting, management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) inInternal Control—Integrated Framework. Based on our evaluation, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2010, our internal control over financial reporting was not effective based on those criteria because of the existence of the following material weaknesses.




1)
The Company does not have an adequate number of independent board members nor therefore an independent audit committee.




2)
Our limited number of employees results in the Company’s inability to have a sufficient segregation of duties within its accounting and financial reporting activities.




These absences constitute material weaknesses in the Company’s corporate governance structure.





This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.








ITEM 9B.    OTHER INFORMATION





None


19


PART III





ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS, AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANTS





DIRECTORS





Name
Age
Director SinceWilliam R. Hambrecht
75
2003Robert H. Hambrecht
44
2003




William R. Hambrecht is the Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer of WR Hambrecht + Co which he founded in January 1998.  He was co-founder of Hambrecht & Quist in 1968 where he held various executive management positions until he resigned in December 1997.  He holds a B.S. degree from Princeton University.





Robert H. Hambrecht was a founding partner of W.R. Hambrecht + Co., an investment banking firm, founded in January 1998.  From 1996 through January 1998, Mr. Hambrecht was Vice President of H&Q Venture Partners, a venture capital firm.  From 1994 to 1996, Mr. Hambrecht was employed by Unterberg Harris, an investment banking firm.  Mr. Hambrecht earned a master’s degree in public administration from Columbia University in 1993.





EXECUTIVE OFFICERS





The following table sets forth the names, ages and positions of the Company’s executive officers as of December 31, 2010.  A summary of the background and experience of each of these individuals is set forth after the table.


Name
Age
PositionWilliam R. Hambrecht
75
Chief Executive OfficerRobert H. Hambrecht
44
SecretaryQuock Q. Fong
76
Chief Financial Officer
  Code of Ethics





The Company has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) that applies to all of the Company’s employees (including its executive officers) and directors.  The Company shall provide to any person without charge, upon request, a copy of the Code.  Any such request must be made in writing to the Company, c/o William R. Hambrecht,


Pier 1, Bay 3 San Francisco, CA 94111.


20
  ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION





COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS





Each non-employee director of the Company is entitled to receive a fee for each meeting attended in person (plus $500 for each committee meeting attended by committee members on a day other than a Board meeting date).  The members of the Board of Directors are also eligible for reimbursement for their expenses incurred in connection with attendance at Board meetings in accordance with Company policy.





Outside directors may also receive stock option grants under the Company’s 1993 Non-Employee Directors’ Stock Option Plan (the “Directors’ Plan”). Only non-employee directors of the Company or an affiliate of such directors (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, hereinafter the “Code”) are eligible to receive options under the Directors’ Plan. Options granted under the Directors’ Plan are not intended to qualify as incentive stock options under the Code.





Options under the Directors’ Plan have a ten-year term; however, each option will terminate prior to the expiration date if the optionee’s service as a non-employee director, or, subsequently, as an employee, of the Company terminates.  The exercise price of each option under the Directors’ Plan must be equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant.  All  options issued pursuant to the Directors’ Plan vest at a rate of 1/36 per month for 36 months following the date of the grant of the option, or in the event the grant was delayed pending compliance by the Company with certain securities law requirements, the date from which the grant was delayed.


21
  COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS





SUMMARY OF COMPENSATION





The following table shows that, for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, no compensation was awarded or paid to, or earned by, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer or the Company’s Chief Financial Officer.





NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION
YEAR
SALARY ($)
BONUS
OPTION AWARDS
NON-EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
OTHER COMPENSATION ($)
TOTALWilliam R. Hambrecht
2010
--
--
-
--
-
--Chief Executive Officer and SecretaryQuock Q. Fong
2010
--
--
-
--
-
--Chief Financial Officer





STOCK OPTION GRANTS AND EXERCISES





The 1994 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) provides for the grant of (i) both incentive and non-statutory stock options and (ii) rights to purchase restricted stock, together “Stock Awards”, to the Company’s directors, officers and employees.  Directors who are not salaried employees of or consultants to the Company or to any affiliate of the Company are not eligible to participate in the Plan.  As of December 31, 2010, no options were outstanding under the Plan, no shares had been purchased pursuant to the Plan and 331,680 shares remained available for future issuance there under.





The Plan is administered by the Board of Directors of the Company.  The Board has the power to construe and interpret the Plan and, subject to the provisions of the Plan, to determine the number of persons to whom and the dates on which Stock Awards will be granted, the number of shares that may be exercised, the type or types of such Stock Awards to be granted, the exercise price of such Stock Award when appropriate and other terms of the Stock Award.





The maximum term of options under the Plan is typically ten years; however, in the event that an optionee’s service to the Company terminates, that optionee’s options will expire 90 days after the optionee’s service to the Company terminates.  Option grants under the Plan typically vest over a five-year period at the rate of 1/10 on the date six months after the date of grant and 1/60 per month thereafter.  The exercise price of non-statutory options may not be less than 85% of the fair market value of the Common Stock subject to the option on the date of grant; the exercise price of incentive options may not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Common Stock subject to the option on the date of the grant.





No options or rights to purchase restricted stock were granted to the Company’s executive officer during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.




22





ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS





The following table sets forth certain information regarding the ownership of the Company’s Common Stock as of December 31, 2010 by:  (i) each director and nominee for director;  (ii) all officers and directors of the Company as a group; and (iii) all those known by the Company to be beneficial owners of more than five percent of its Common Stock.





BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP (1)




BENEFICIAL OWNER
NUMBER OF SHARES

OF COMMON STOCK
PERCENT TOTAL (2)William R. Hambrecht
432,604

58.3Pier 1, Bay 3San Francisco, CA  94111Edmund H. Shea, Jr. (deceased) and related entities
113,173

15.2655 Brea Canyon RoadWalnut, CA 91789All executive officers and directors

as a group (2 persons)
545,777

73.5


.......................................





(1)
This table is based upon information supplied by officers, directors and principal stockholders and Schedules 13D and 13G, if any, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).  Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes to this table and subject to community property laws where applicable, the Company believes that each of the stockholders named in this table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares indicated as beneficially owned.





(2)
Applicable percentages are based on 742,108 shares outstanding on December 31, 2010 adjusted as required by rules promulgated by the SEC.








ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS




Commencing February 11, 2003, the Company executed a series of convertible promissory notes with Salon Media Group that converted to 843 shares of Series C Preferred Stock on December 30, 2003.  In April 2003 Salon announced the appointment of Elizabeth Hambrecht as its Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary.  In October 2003 she was appointed President of Salon Media Group and in February 2004 she was appointed Chief Executive Officer. In May 2009 she resigned as the Company's Chief Executive Officer. Ms. Hambrecht is the daughter of William R. Hambrecht and the sister of Robert H. Hambrecht.





23




ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES





The aggregate audit fees billed by our independent registered accountant for the years ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2010 were $33,275 and $15,500 respectively. There were no tax fees or other fees paid to our independent registered accountant in the last two fiscal years.





Since the Board of Directors does not have an audit committee, the principal auditor is engaged by the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer on behalf of the Company’s Board of Directors.








ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES




1.
Financial Statements





The information concerning Ironstone financial statements and the Report of Madsen & Associates CPA, Inc., Ironstone’s independent auditors required by this item are incorporated by reference herein to the section of this Report in Item 8, entitle “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”





2.
Financial Statement Schedules





None





3.
Exhibits





The following Exhibits are filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, this Report.





Exhibit


Number                                Description





21.1                      Subsidiaries of Ironstone Group, Inc.


31.1                      Section 302 - Principal Executive Officer Certification


31.2                      Section 302 - Principal Financial Officer Certification


32.1                      Section 1350 – Certification – Chief Executive Officer


32.2                      Section 1350 – Certification – Chief Financial Officer


24
  SIGNATURES





Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report on Form 10-K to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.




IRONSTONE GROUP, INC.

a Delaware corporationDate:  March 30, 2011
By:
/s/ William R. HambrechtWilliam R. HambrechtChief Executive OfficerDate:  March 30, 2011
By:
/s/ Quock Q. FongQuock Q. Fong

Chief Financial Officer


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 dates indicated.





Signature

Title
Date/s/ William R. Hambrecht

Director, Chief Executive Officer,
March 30, 2011William R. Hambrecht

(Principal Executive Officer)/s/ Quock Q. Fong

Chief Financial Officer,
March 30, 2011Quock Q. Fong

(Principal Financial Officer)/s/ Robert H. Hambrecht

Director, and Secretary
March 30, 2011Robert H. Hambrecht