Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations
Forward-looking statements in this Form 10-Q, future filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission ( the "SEC"), the Company's press releases and oral statements by authorized officers of the Company are intended to be subject to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainty, including without limitation those identified from time to time in press releases and other communications with stockholders by the Company and the filings made with the SEC by the Company, and by Zap.Com Corporation ("Zap.Com"), such as those disclosed under the caption "Risk Factors" appearing in Item 1A of Part II of this Report, and in Item 1A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2007. The Company believes that forward-looking statements made by it are based on reasonable expectations. However, no assurances can be given that actual results will not differ materially from those contained in such forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements or to update the reasons actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. General
Zapata Corporation ("Zapata" or "the Company") was incorporated in Delaware in 1954 and was reincorporated in Nevada in April 1999. The Company's principal executive offices are at 100 Meridian Centre, Suite 350, Rochester, New York 14618. Zapata's common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") and trades under the symbol "ZAP."
Zapata is a holding company which has approximately $154.7 million in consolidated cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments at September 30, 2008 and currently owns 98% of Zap.Com Corporation, a public shell company that trades on the over-the-counter electronic bulletin board ("OTCBB") under the symbol "ZPCM."
As used throughout this report, "Zapata Corporate" is defined as Zapata Corporation exclusive of its majority owned subsidiary Zap.Com, and its former majority owned subsidiary Omega Protein Corporation ("Omega Protein" or "Omega").
Zapata Corporate
Since the December 4, 2006 sale of its Omega shares, Zapata has held substantially all of its assets in cash, cash equivalents and U.S. Government agency or Treasury securities, and has held no "investment securities" (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act). In addition, Zapata has not held, and does not hold, itself out as an investment company. During this time, Zapata has conducted a good faith search for a merger or acquisition candidate, and has repeatedly and publicly disclosed its intention to acquire such a business. However, as of the date of this Report, due to competitive pressures in the market, the availability of credit, and Zapata's limited funds (as compared to many competitors) available for such an acquisition, it has not consummated such a transaction. Based on the foregoing, Zapata believes that it is not an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act"). The Company has not focused and does not intend to focus its acquisition efforts solely on any particular industry. Additionally, while the Company generally focuses its attention in the United States, the Company may investigate acquisition opportunities outside of the United States when management believes that such opportunities might be attractive. The Company does not yet know the structure of any acquisition. The Company may pay consideration in the form of cash, securities of the Company or a combination of both. The Company may raise capital through the issuance of equity or debt and may utilize non-investment grade securities as a part of an acquisition strategy. These types of investments often involve a high degree of risk and may be considered highly speculative.
As of the date of this report, Zapata is not a party to any agreements providing for the acquisition of an operating business, business combination or for the sale or other transaction related to any of its subsidiaries. There can be no assurance that any of these possible transactions will occur or that they will ultimately be advantageous to Zapata or enhance Zapata stockholder value. In December 2002, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to purchase up to 4.0 million shares of its outstanding common stock in the open market or privately negotiated transactions. No time limit has been placed on the duration of the program and no minimum number or value of shares to be repurchased has been fixed. As of the date of this report, no shares have been repurchased under this program.

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