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AXON ENTERPRISE, INC. - Quarter Report: 2011 September (Form 10-Q)

10-Q
Table of Contents

 
 
United States Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
     
o   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011
or
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from                      to                     
Commission File Number 001-16391
TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
DELAWARE   86-0741227
(State or other jurisdiction   (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)   Identification Number)
     
17800 N. 85th St., SCOTTSDALE,
ARIZONA
  85255
(Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)    
(480) 991-0797
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 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 þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes þ No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
             
Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer þ   Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  Smaller reporting company o
   
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No þ
There were 55,580,092 shares of the issuer’s common stock, par value $0.00001 per share, outstanding as of November 7, 2011.
 
 

 

 


 

TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED September 30, 2011
TABLE OF CONTENTS
         
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 Exhibit 31.1
 Exhibit 31.2
 Exhibit 32
 EX-101 INSTANCE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 SCHEMA DOCUMENT
 EX-101 CALCULATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 LABELS LINKBASE DOCUMENT
 EX-101 PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT
Items 3, 4 and 5 are not applicable.

 

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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.  
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)
                 
    September 30, 2011     December 31, 2010  
ASSETS
               
 
               
Current Assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 24,574,858     $ 42,684,241  
Short term investments
    6,175,147        
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $200,000 at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively
    12,525,734       13,542,535  
Inventory
    15,469,128       17,815,405  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    1,969,884       1,999,525  
Deferred income tax assets, net
    8,864,276       6,284,489  
 
           
Total current assets
    69,579,027       82,326,195  
 
               
Property and equipment, net
    29,821,661       35,905,765  
Deferred income tax assets, net
    13,819,753       13,919,753  
Intangible assets, net
    3,183,944       3,090,876  
Other long-term assets
    753,716       944,346  
 
           
 
               
Total assets
  $ 117,158,101     $ 136,186,935  
 
           
 
               
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
 
               
Current Liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 5,147,800     $ 4,550,789  
Accrued liabilities
    7,703,524       3,759,800  
Current portion of deferred revenue
    3,154,183       3,265,260  
Customer deposits
    207,974       372,145  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    16,213,481       11,947,994  
Deferred revenue, net of current portion
    4,219,021       4,392,860  
Liability for unrecorded tax benefits
    2,639,346       2,281,840  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities
    23,071,848       18,622,694  
 
           
 
               
Commitments and Contingencies
               
 
               
Stockholders’ Equity
               
Preferred stock, $0.00001 par value per share; 25 million shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively
           
Common stock, $0.00001 par value per share; 200 million shares authorized; 56,767,754 and 62,621,268 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively
    647       647  
Additional paid-in capital
    99,699,075       97,122,085  
Treasury stock, 7,969,683 and 2,091,600 shares at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively
    (39,597,054 )     (14,708,237 )
Retained earnings
    34,046,376       35,185,191  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (62,791 )     (35,445 )
 
           
Total stockholders’ equity
    94,086,253       117,564,241  
 
           
 
               
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 117,158,101     $ 136,186,935  
 
           
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
                                 
    For the Three Months Ended September 30,     For the Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2011     2010     2011     2010  
Net sales
  $ 24,383,110     $ 21,084,081     $ 68,698,115     $ 64,048,507  
Total cost of products sold
    11,279,502       10,668,399       31,145,151       30,519,891  
 
                       
Gross margin
    13,103,608       10,415,682       37,552,964       33,528,616  
 
                               
Sales, general and administrative expenses
    9,477,548       9,416,372       27,887,357       29,718,724  
Research and development expenses
    2,362,721       1,686,062       7,908,420       8,881,027  
Litigation judgment expense
                3,301,243        
Loss on impairment
    3,353             1,353,857        
Loss on write down / disposal of property and equipment, net
    47,894       37,981       796,353       37,981  
 
                       
 
                               
Income (loss) from operations
    1,212,092       (724,733 )     (3,694,266 )     (5,109,116 )
 
                               
Interest and other income, net
    15,265       10,364       1,303,470       24,466  
 
                       
 
                               
Income (loss) before provision (benefit) for income taxes
    1,227,357       (714,369 )     (2,390,796 )     (5,084,650 )
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    91,072       1,621,109       (1,251,981 )     (897,178 )
 
                       
 
                               
Net income (loss)
  $ 1,136,285     $ (2,335,478 )   $ (1,138,815 )   $ (4,187,472 )
 
                       
 
                               
Income (loss) per common and common equivalent shares
                               
Basic
  $ 0.02     $ (0.04 )   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.07 )
Diluted
  $ 0.02     $ (0.04 )   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.07 )
 
                               
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding
                               
Basic
    58,787,274       62,342,775       60,617,787       62,495,957  
Diluted
    60,037,328       62,342,775       60,617,787       62,495,957  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
                 
    For the Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2011     2010  
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
               
Net Loss
  $ (1,138,815 )   $ (4,187,472 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used) provided by operating activities:
               
Loss on impairment
    1,353,857        
Depreciation and amortization
    6,112,612       5,243,225  
Bond premium amortization
    304,346        
Loss on write down / disposal of property and equipment, net
    826,170       83,179  
Provision for doubtful accounts
    22,047       2,764  
Provision / write-off of excess and obsolete inventory
    746,669       1,086,795  
Provision for warranty
    249,652       594,196  
Stock-based compensation expense
    2,533,444       2,838,998  
Litigation judgment accrual
    3,300,000        
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
          (97,273 )
Deferred income taxes
    (2,479,787 )     (1,327,426 )
Provision for unrecognized tax benefits
    357,506       (3,148 )
Change in assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    991,401       2,425,430  
Inventory
    1,206,962       (4,026,860 )
Prepaids and other assets
    (309,166 )     (1,617,257 )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    1,009,573       (3,715,501 )
Deferred revenue
    (284,916 )     411,830  
Customer deposits
    (164,171 )     (124,623 )
 
           
 
               
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities
    14,637,384       (2,413,143 )
 
           
 
               
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
               
Purchases of investments
    (11,479,493 )      
Proceeds from call / maturity of investments
    5,000,000        
Proceeds from disposal of capital assets
    148,000       26,020  
Purchases of property and equipment
    (1,171,193 )     (3,601,501 )
Purchases of intangible assets
    (310,501 )     (275,988 )
 
           
 
               
Net cash used by investing activities
    (7,813,187 )     (3,851,469 )
 
           
 
               
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
               
Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation
          97,273  
Repurchase of common stock
    (24,888,817 )      
Proceeds from stock options exercised
    43,546       968,913  
 
           
 
               
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities
    (24,845,271 )     1,066,186  
 
           
 
               
Effect of exchange rate change on cash and cash equivalents
    (88,309 )     (25,549 )
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (18,021,074 )     (5,198,426 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    42,684,241       45,505,049  
 
           
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 24,574,858     $ 40,281,074  
 
           
 
               
Supplemental Disclosure:
               
Cash paid for income taxes — net
  $ 49,659     $ 703,982  
 
               
Non-Cash Transactions:
               
Property and equipment purchases in accounts payable
  $ 42,473     $ 76,909  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

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TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
1. The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
TASER International, Inc. (“TASER” or the “Company”) is a developer and manufacturer of advanced electronic control devices (“ECDs”) designed for use in law enforcement, military, corrections, private security and personal defense. In addition, the Company has developed full technology solutions for the capture, storage and management of video/audio evidence as well as other tactical capabilities for use in law enforcement. The Company sells its products worldwide through its direct sales force, distribution partners, online store and third party resellers. The Company was incorporated in Arizona in September 1993 and reincorporated in Delaware in January 2001. The Company’s corporate headquarters and manufacturing facilities are located in Scottsdale, Arizona. The Company’s internet services and software development division facilities are located in Carpenteria, California.
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, and its wholly owned subsidiary, TASER International Europe SE (“TASER Europe”). TASER Europe was established in 2010 to facilitate sales and provide customer service to our customers in the European region. All material intercompany accounts, transactions, and profits have been eliminated.
a. Basis of presentation, preparation and use of estimates
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements of TASER include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) that in the opinion of management are necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s operating results, financial position and cash flows as of September 30, 2011, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in these consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
Certain information and note disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been omitted from these unaudited consolidated financial statements in accordance with applicable rules. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year (or any other period) and all results of operations included herein should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
b. Segment information and major customers
Management has determined that its operations presently are comprised of one reportable segment, the sale of ECDs, accessories and other products and services. Based on the introduction of new product offerings in 2010, management is evaluating how the operating results of the Company will be reviewed internally on a go forward basis in order to improve the level of resource decision making and assessment of segment performance. Based on this evaluation, management will make the necessary changes to its internal management reporting system and subsequently, will perform a review to determine if the Company will redefine its reportable operating segments in accordance with U.S. GAAP. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, sales by geographic area were as follows:
                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2011     2010     2011     2010  
United States
    81 %     89 %     78 %     82 %
Other Countries
    19 %     11 %     22 %     18 %
 
                       
 
                               
Total
    100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %
 
                       
Sales to customers outside of the United States are typically denominated in U.S. dollars and are attributed to each country based on the billing address of the distributor or customer. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, no individual country outside of the U.S. represented a material amount of total net sales.

 

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TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(unaudited)
In the three months ended September 30, 2011, two distributors represented approximately 15% and 10% of total net sales. In the three months ended September 30, 2010, three distributors represented approximately 18%, 14%, and 11% of total net sales. In the nine months ended September 30, 2011, one distributor represented approximately 13% of total net sales. In the nine months ended September 30, 2010, one distributor represented approximately 10% of total net sales. At September 30, 2011, the Company had receivables from three distributors comprising 17%, 15%, and 13% of its aggregate accounts receivable balance. At December 31, 2010, the Company had receivables from three customers comprising 19%, 11%, and 10% of its aggregate accounts receivable balance. These customers are unaffiliated distributors of the Company’s products.
c. Income (loss) per common share
Basic income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented. Diluted income per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if outstanding stock options were exercised using the treasury stock method. The calculation of the weighted average number of shares outstanding and income (loss) per share are as follows:
                                 
    For the Three Months Ended September 30     For the Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2011     2010     2011     2010  
Numerator for basic and diluted income (loss) per share
                               
Net income (loss)
  $ 1,136,285     $ (2,335,478 )   $ (1,138,815 )   $ (4,187,472 )
 
                       
 
                               
Denominator for basic income (loss) per share — weighted average shares outstanding
    58,787,274       62,342,775       60,617,787       62,495,957  
Dilutive effect of shares issuable under stock options outstanding
    1,250,054                    
 
                       
 
                               
Denominator for diluted income (loss) per share — adjusted weighted average shares outstanding
    60,037,328       62,342,775       60,617,787       62,495,957  
 
                       
 
                               
Net Income (loss) per common share
                               
Basic
  $ 0.02     $ (0.04 )   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.07 )
Diluted
  $ 0.02     $ (0.04 )   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.07 )
For the three months ended September 30, 2011, the effects of 7,119,854 stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share as their exercise prices were greater than the closing price of our common stock on September 30, 2011. As a result of the net loss per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the effects of 8,389,298 stock options were excluded from the calculation as their effect would have been to reduce net loss per share. As a result of the net loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, the effects of 7,440,030 and 5,662,678 stock options, respectively, were excluded from the calculation as their effect would have been to reduce the net loss per share.
d. Warranty costs
The Company warrants its X2 ECDs, X3 ECDs, X26 ECDs, M26 ECDs, XREP, TASER CAM, Shockwave, AXON Tactical Computer, Com Hub user interface, Synapse Evidence Transfer Manager (ETM), and HeadCam products from manufacturing defects on a limited basis for a period of one year after purchase, and thereafter will replace any defective unit for a fee. The TASER C2 product is warranted for a period of 90 days after purchase. The Company also sells extended warranties for periods of up to four years after the expiration of the limited one year warranty. After the one year standard warranty expires, if the device fails to operate properly for any reason, the Company will replace the TASER X26 for a prorated discounted price depending on when the product was placed into service. These fees are intended to cover the handling and repair costs and include a profit. Management tracks historical data related to returns and warranty costs on a quarterly basis, and estimates future warranty claims by applying the estimated weighted average return rate to the product sales for the period. If management becomes aware of a component failure that could result in larger than anticipated returns from its customers, the reserve would be increased. The reserve for warranty returns is included in accrued liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. The following table summarizes the changes in the estimated product warranty liabilities for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010.
                 
    2011     2010  
Balance at January 1,
  $ 646,113     $ 369,311  
Utilization of accrual
    (456,823 )     (328,135 )
Warranty expense
    249,652       594,196  
 
           
 
               
Balance at September 30,
  $ 438,942     $ 635,372  
 
           

 

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TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(unaudited)
e. Capitalized software development costs
For development costs related to EVIDENCE.com, the Company’s Software as a Service (SaaS) product, the Company capitalized qualifying computer software costs that were incurred during the application development stage, which was completed in the second quarter of 2010. Costs related to preliminary project planning activities and post-implementation activities were expensed as incurred. The Company did not capitalize any such costs in the three months ended September 30, 2011. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company capitalized $1,320,000 of qualifying software development costs.
f. Fair value of financial instruments
The Company uses the fair value framework for measuring financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis and for non-financial assets and liabilities when these items are remeasured. The hierarchy below lists three levels of fair value based on the extent to which inputs used in measuring fair value are observable in the market. The Company categorizes each of its fair value measurements in one of these three levels based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. These levels are:
   
Level 1 — Valuation techniques in which all significant inputs are unadjusted quoted prices from active markets for assets or liabilities that are identical to the assets or liabilities being measured.
 
   
Level 2 — Valuation techniques in which significant inputs include quoted prices from active markets for assets or liabilities that are similar to the assets or liabilities being measured and/or quoted prices for assets or liabilities that are identical or similar to the assets or liabilities being measured from markets that are not active. Also, model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets are Level 2 valuation techniques.
 
   
Level 3 — Valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable. Unobservable inputs are valuation technique inputs that reflect our own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.
The Company has cash equivalents, which at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, were comprised of money market mutual funds, valued using Level 1 valuation techniques. At September 30, 2011, the Company also held short-term investments consisting of commercial paper. Based on management’s ability and intent to hold these investments to maturity, they are recorded at amortized cost on the balance sheet. Refer to note 2 for additional fair value disclosures for these short-term investments. The Company’s financial instruments also include accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities. Due to the short-term nature of these instruments, their fair values approximate their carrying values on the balance sheet.
g. Valuation of Long-lived Assets
We review long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and intangible assets subject to amortization, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. We utilize a two-step approach to testing long-lived assets for impairment. The first step tests for possible impairment indicators. If an impairment indicator is present, the second step measures whether the asset is recoverable based on a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Our review requires the use of judgment and estimates.
In the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recognized $1,353,857 in impairment charges associated with its Protector product line following the Company’s decision to abandon ongoing operations relating to this line. No impairment charges were recorded in the three months ended September 30, 2011 or the three or nine months ended September 30, 2010.
In addition, in the nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company recognized a loss of $0.8 million from the write down / disposal of property and equipment, following the decision to dispose of surplus equipment for EVIDENCE.com operations.

 

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TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(unaudited)
h. Recently adopted accounting guidance
In October 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance on revenue recognition that became effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2011. Under the new guidance on arrangements that include software elements, tangible products that have software components that are essential to the functionality of the tangible product will no longer be within the scope of the software revenue recognition guidance, and software-enabled products will now be subject to other relevant revenue recognition guidance. Additionally, the FASB issued authoritative guidance on revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables that are outside the scope of the software revenue recognition guidance. Under the new guidance, when vendor specific objective evidence or third party evidence for deliverables in an arrangement cannot be determined, a best estimate of the selling price is required to separate deliverables and allocate arrangement consideration using the relative selling price method. The new guidance includes new disclosure requirements on how the application of the relative selling price method affects the timing and amount of revenue recognition. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In December 2010, the FASB issued authoritative guidance on business combinations concerning the disclosure of supplementary pro forma information which will be effective for the Company prospectively for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after January 1, 2011. The new guidance clarifies the acquisition date that should be used for reporting the pro forma financial information disclosures when comparative financial statements are presented. The amendments are also designed to improve the usefulness of the pro forma revenue and earnings disclosures by requiring a description of the nature and amount of material, nonrecurring pro forma adjustments that are directly attributable to the business combination. Management does not expect adoption of this new guidance to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In December 2010, the FASB issued guidance to improve the disclosures that an entity provides about the credit quality of its financing receivables and the related allowance for credit losses. As a result of these amendments, an entity is required to disaggregate by portfolio segment or class certain existing disclosures and provide certain new disclosures about its financing receivables and related allowance for credit losses. The guidance became effective for the Company effective January 1, 2011 and its adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In June 2011, the FASB issued guidance to require presentation of the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements. This guidance eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. This guidance will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2012, and management does not believe its adoption will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
2. Cash, cash equivalents, and investments
Cash and cash equivalents include funds on hand and short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less. Short-term investments include securities generally having maturities of 90 days to one year. The Company’s short-term investments are invested in commercial paper, which, based on management’s intent and ability, are classified as held to maturity investments, recorded at amortized cost.
The following is a summary of cash, cash equivalents and held-to-maturity investments by type at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
                                                                 
    September 30, 2011     December 31, 2010  
                    Gross                     Gross     Gross          
            Gross Unrealized     Unrealized                     Unrealized     Unrealized          
    Cost     Gains     Losses     Fair Value     Cost     Gains     Losses     Fair Value    
 
                                                               
Cash and money market funds
  $ 24,574,858     $     $     $ 24,574,858     $ 42,684,241     $     $     $ 42,684,241  
Commercial paper
    6,075,147               14,367       6,060,780                          
Certificate of Deposit
    100,000             130       99,870                          
 
                                               
 
                                                               
Total cash, cash equivalents and investments
  $ 30,750,005     $     $ 14,497     $ 30,735,508     $ 42,684,241     $     $     $ 42,684,241  
 
                                               

 

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TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(unaudited)
The following table summarizes the classification of cash, cash equivalents and investments in the accompanying balance sheet:
                 
    September 30,     December 31,  
    2011     2010  
Cash
  $ 5,369,481     $ 12,282,389  
Cash equivalents
    19,205,377       30,401,852  
 
           
Total cash and cash equivalents
    24,574,858       42,684,241  
 
           
 
               
Short term investments
    6,175,147        
Long term investments
           
 
           
 
  $ 30,750,005     $ 42,684,241  
 
           
The commercial paper investments, identified above as short-term investments at September 30, 2011, have contractual maturities of less than one year. At September 30, 2011, held-to-maturity short-term investments have gross unrealized losses of $14,497, which have been in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than 12 months. The unrealized losses on the Company’s investments in commercial paper are due to interest rate fluctuations. As these investments were originally purchased at a premium, are short-term in nature, are expected to be redeemed at par value and because the Company has the ability and intent to hold these investments to maturity, the Company does not consider these investments to be other than temporarily impaired at September 30, 2011.
3. Inventory
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the weighted average cost of raw materials, which approximates the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method, and includes allocations of manufacturing labor and overhead. Provisions are made to reduce potentially excess, obsolete or slow-moving inventories to their net realizable value. Inventories as of September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, consisted of the following:
                 
    September 30, 2011     December 31, 2010  
 
               
Raw materials and work-in-process
  $ 12,514,911     $ 11,817,579  
Finished goods
    3,873,847       6,348,490  
Reserve for excess and obsolete inventory
    (919,630 )     (350,664 )
 
           
 
               
 
  $ 15,469,128     $ 17,815,405  
 
           

 

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TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(unaudited)
4. Intangible assets
Intangible assets consisted of the following at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
                                                         
            September 30, 2011     December 31, 2010  
            Gross             Net     Gross             Net  
            Carrying     Accumulated     Carrying     Carrying     Accumulated     Carrying  
    Useful Life     Amount     Amortization     Amount     Amount     Amortization     Amount  
Amortized intangible assets:
                                                       
Domain names
  5 Years   $ 168,428     $ 93,318     $ 75,110     $ 237,911     $ 66,006     $ 171,905  
Issued patents
    4 to 15 Years       1,463,821       320,767       1,143,054       1,040,148       264,716       775,432  
Issued trademarks
    9 to 11 Years       263,742       57,295       206,447       207,721       37,659       170,062  
Non compete agreements
    5 to 7 Years       150,000       145,000       5,000       150,000       130,000       20,000  
 
                                           
 
            2,045,991       616,380       1,429,611       1,635,780       498,381       1,137,399  
 
                                           
 
                                                       
Unamortized intangible assets:
                                                       
TASER Trademark
            900,000               900,000       900,000               900,000  
Patents and trademarks pending
            854,333               854,333       1,053,477               1,053,477  
 
                                               
 
            1,754,333               1,754,333       1,953,477               1,953,477  
 
                                               
 
                                                       
 
          $ 3,800,324     $ 616,380     $ 3,183,944     $ 3,589,257     $ 498,381     $ 3,090,876  
 
                                           
Amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, was approximately $38,000 and $118,000, respectively. Amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, was approximately $28,000 and $76,000, respectively. Estimated amortization expense of intangible assets for the remaining three months of 2011, the next five years ended December 31, and thereafter is as follows:
         
2011 (remainder of year)
  $ 24,592  
2012
    106,448  
2013
    106,451  
2014
    133,614  
2015
    124,862  
2016
    111,991  
Thereafter
    821,653  
 
     
 
  $ 1,429,611  
 
     
5. Accrued liabilities
Accrued liabilities consisted of the following at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010:
                 
    September 30, 2011     December 31, 2010  
 
               
Accrued salaries and benefits
  $ 1,520,079     $ 1,411,716  
Accrued litigation judgment expense
    3,300,000        
Accrued expenses
    1,972,336       1,668,477  
Accrued warranty expense
    438,942       646,113  
Accrued income tax
    472,167       33,494  
 
           
 
               
 
  $ 7,703,524     $ 3,759,800  
 
           
6. Income taxes
Deferred Tax Assets
The net deferred income tax assets at September 30, 2011, include net operating loss and alternative minimum tax carryforwards, capitalized research and development costs, research and development tax credits, non-qualified stock-based compensation expense, deferred warranty revenue, warranty and inventory reserves and accrued vacation, partially offset by accelerated depreciation expense. The Company’s total current and long term deferred tax assets balance at September 30, 2011, is $22.7 million.

 

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TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(unaudited)
In preparing the Company’s consolidated financial statements, management assesses the likelihood that its deferred tax assets will be realized from future taxable income. In evaluating the Company’s ability to recover its deferred income tax assets, management considers all available positive and negative evidence, including its operating results, ongoing tax planning and forecasts of future taxable income on a jurisdiction by jurisdiction basis. A valuation allowance is established if it is determined that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management exercises significant judgment in determining its provisions for income taxes, its deferred tax assets and liabilities, and its future taxable income for purposes of assessing its ability to utilize any future tax benefit from its deferred tax assets. Although management believes that its tax estimates are reasonable, the ultimate tax determination involves significant judgment that could become subject to audit by tax authorities in the ordinary course of business, as well as the generation of sufficient future taxable income. Management believes that, as of September 30, 2011, based on an evaluation and projections of future sales and profitability for fiscal 2011, no valuation allowance is necessary. However, such deferred tax assets could be reduced in the future if projections of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced.
The Company has completed research and development tax credit studies which identified approximately $5.9 million in tax credits for Federal, Arizona and California income tax purposes related to the 2003 through 2010 tax years, net of the federal benefit on the Arizona and California research and development tax credits. Management has made the determination that it is more likely than not that the full benefit of the research and development tax credit will not be sustained on examination and accordingly, has established a cumulative liability for unrecognized tax benefits of $2.5 million as of September 30, 2011. In addition, management has accrued approximately $106,000 for estimated uncertain tax positions related to certain state income tax liabilities. As of September 30, 2011, management does not expect the amount of the unrecognized tax benefit liability to increase or decrease significantly within the next 12 months. Should the unrecognized tax benefits of $2.6 million be recognized, the Company’s effective tax rate would be favorably impacted.
The following presents a rollforward of our liability for unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2011:
         
    Unrecognized  
    Tax Benefits  
 
       
Balance at January 1, 2011
  $ 2,281,840  
Decrease in prior year tax positions
     
Increase in current year tax positions
    58,629  
Increase related to adjustment of previous estimates of activity
    298,877  
Decrease related to settlements with taxing authorities
     
Decrease related to lapse in statute of limitations
     
 
     
Balance at September 30, 2011
  $ 2,639,346  
 
     
Effective Tax Rate
Our estimated full year effective tax rate, before discrete period adjustments, is approximately 50%, which is above the statutory rate due to the impact of non-deductible expenses for items such as Incentive Stock Option (“ISO”) expense, meals and entertainment and lobbying fees, which make our projected annual net income for tax purposes significantly higher than our pre-tax book income. The overall effective tax rate of 7.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2011, was below our estimated annual effective tax rate due to a discrete tax provision amount recorded in the third quarter of 2011 related to a 2010 tax return to provision true up adjustment, attributable to higher than expected research and development tax credits. The overall effective tax rate of 52.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, was above our estimated annual effective tax rate due to treating the litigation judgment expense, asset impairment expense and the lawsuit settlement proceeds as discrete items due to their significant and unusual nature and therefore tax effecting them at the statutory rate, offset by the return to provision true up adjustment for research and development credits which favorably impacted the current quarter’s provision amount and increased the tax benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.
7. Stockholders’ equity
Stock Repurchase
In March 2011, TASER’s Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program to acquire up to $12.5 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock subject to stock market conditions and corporate considerations. In July 2011, TASER’s Board of Directors authorized an additional repurchase program to acquire up to $20 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock, subject to stock market conditions and corporate considerations.

 

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TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(unaudited)
Through September 30, 2011, the Company repurchased approximately 5.9 million shares at an average cost, including commissions, of $4.23 per share and a total cost of approximately $24.9 million.
Stock Option Activity
At September 30, 2011, the Company had four stock-based compensation plans, three of which are described more fully in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The following table summarizes the stock options available and outstanding as of September 30, 2011, as well as activity during the nine months then ended:
                         
            Outstanding Options  
    Options Available             Weighted Average  
    for Grant     Number of options     Exercise Price  
 
                       
Balance at December 31, 2010
    2,478,768       7,507,286     $ 5.71  
Granted
    (997,728 )     997,728     $ 4.64  
Exercised
          (24,569 )   $ 1.77  
Expired/terminated
    91,147       (91,147 )   $ 5.22  
 
                   
Balance at September 30, 2011
    1,572,187       8,389,298     $ 5.60  
 
                   
The options outstanding as of September 30, 2011, have been segregated into five ranges for additional disclosure as follows:
                                         
    Options Outstanding     Options Exercisable  
            Weighted                     Weighted  
            Average     Weighted Average             Average  
            Exercise     Remaining     Number     Exercise  
Range of Exercise Price   Number Outstanding     Price     Contractual Life     Exercisable     Price  
$0.28 - $0.99
    469,255     $ 0.37       1.4       469,255     $ 0.37  
$1.03 - $2.41
    634,391     $ 1.60       1.0       634,391     $ 1.60  
$3.53 - $9.93
    6,727,539     $ 5.77       6.5       5,358,240     $ 6.05  
$10.07 - $19.76
    533,413     $ 11.94       4.1       533,413     $ 11.94  
$20.12 - $29.98
    24,700     $ 22.91       2.7       24,700     $ 22.91  
 
                                   
 
    8,389,298     $ 5.60       5.6       7,019,999     $ 5.84  
 
                                   
The total fair value of options exercisable at September 30, 2011 and 2010 was $21.3 million and $20.3 million, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of options outstanding and options exercisable at September 30, 2011, was $3.8 million and $3.7 million, respectively. Aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the fiscal period, which was $4.31 per share, and the exercise price multiplied by the number of options outstanding. Total intrinsic value of options exercised for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011, was approximately $49,000 and approximately $63,000, respectively. Total intrinsic value of options exercised for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 was approximately $89,000 and $2.2 million respectively.
At September 30, 2011, the Company had approximately 1.4 million unvested options outstanding with a weighted average exercise price of $4.71 per share, weighted average grant date fair value of $2.15 per share and a weighted average remaining contractual life of 8.6 years. Of these unvested options outstanding, management estimates that approximately 1.3 million options will ultimately vest based on its historical experience.
As of September 30, 2011, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested stock options was approximately $3.6 million, which is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted average period of approximately 14 months.

 

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TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(unaudited)
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
The Company calculates the fair value of stock-based awards using the Black-Scholes-Merton option valuation model, which incorporates various assumptions including volatility, expected life, and interest rates. The assumptions used for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, and the resulting estimates of weighted-average fair value per share of options granted during those periods, are as follows:
                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2011     2010     2011     2010  
Expected life of options
  4.5 years     4.5 years     4.5 years     4.5 years  
Weighted average volatility
    54.4 %     58.9 %     55.6 %     61.2 %
Weighted average risk-free interest rate
    0.9 %     1.3 %     1.7 %     2.0 %
Dividend rate
    0.0 %     0.0 %     0.0 %     0.0 %
Weighted average fair value of options granted
  $ 1.97     $ 1.87     $ 2.16     $ 2.62  
The expected life of options represents the estimated period of time until exercise and is based on the Company’s historical experience of similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms, vesting schedules and expectations of employee behavior. Expected stock price volatility is based on a combination of historical volatility of the Company’s stock and the one-year implied volatility of its publicly traded options for the related vesting periods. The risk-free interest rate is based on the implied yield available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with an equivalent remaining term. The Company has not paid dividends in the past and does not plan to pay any dividends in the near future. The estimated fair value of stock-based compensation awards and other options is amortized to expense on a straight line basis over the requisite service period. As share-based compensation expense is recognized on awards ultimately expected to vest, it is reduced for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. The Company’s forfeiture rate was calculated based on its historical experience of awards which ultimately vested.
Reported share-based compensation was classified as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010:
                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2011     2010     2011     2010  
Cost of Products Sold
  $ 30,238     $ 107,947     $ 135,217     $ 259,932  
Sales, general and administrative expenses
    518,513       692,420       1,891,258       2,215,010  
Research and development expenses
    144,769       112,411       506,969       364,056  
 
                       
 
  $ 693,520     $ 912,778     $ 2,533,444     $ 2,838,998  
 
                       
Total share-based compensation expense recognized in the income statement for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, includes approximately $251,000 and $1.2 million, respectively, related to Incentive Stock Options (“ISOs”) for which no tax benefit is recognized. Total share-based compensation expense recognized in the income statement for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, includes approximately $414,000 and $1.7 million, respectively, related to ISOs for which no tax benefit is recognized. The Company did not tax effect the share-based compensation expense for tax purposes related to the non-qualified disposition of ISOs exercised and sold as the benefit will be recorded when the Company is in a position to realize the benefit with an offset to taxes payable in future periods. The total unrecognized tax benefit related to the non-qualified disposition of stock options in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, was approximately $49,000 and $63,000, respectively. The total unrecognized tax benefit related to the non-qualified disposition of stock options in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, was approximately $89,000 and $2.2 million, respectively.
The Company has granted a cumulative total of 950,800 performance-based stock options from 2008 through September 30, 2011, the vesting of which is contingent upon the achievement of certain performance criteria related to the successful and timely development and market acceptance of future product introductions, as well as the future sales and operating performance of the Company. Compensation expense is recognized over the implicit service period (the date the performance condition is expected to be achieved) based on management’s estimate of the probability of the performance criteria being satisfied, adjusted at each balance sheet date. At September 30, 2011, 219,067 unvested performance options with a fair value of approximately $541,000 remain outstanding. No performace-based options were forfeited during the three or nine months ended September 30, 2011. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, 225,000 of these options were forfeited, resulting in the reversal of approximately $346,000, of previously recognized compensation expense. No performance-based options were forfeited during the three months ended September 30, 2010.

 

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TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(unaudited)
8. Line of credit
The Company has a line of credit agreement with a total availability of $10.0 million. The line is secured by the Company’s accounts receivable and inventory and bears interest at varying rates of interest, currently LIBOR plus 1.25%. The line of credit which was amended and renewed in June 2011, primarily to remove the borrowing base restriction, matures on June 30, 2013, and requires monthly payments of interest only. At September 30, 2011, there was no amount outstanding under the line of credit. There have been no borrowings under the line of credit to date. The Company’s agreement with the bank requires compliance with certain financial and other covenants including maintenance of minimum tangible net worth and a fixed charge coverage ratio. The ratio of total liabilities to tangible net worth can be no greater than 1:1, and the fixed coverage charge ratio can be no less than 1.25:1, based upon a trailing twelve-month period. At September 30, 2011, the Company’s tangible net worth ratio was 0.25:1 and its fixed charge coverage ratio was 3.9:1. Accordingly, the Company was in compliance with those covenants.
9. Commitments and Contingencies
Product Litigation
The Company is currently named as a defendant in 55 lawsuits in which the plaintiffs allege either wrongful death or personal injury in situations in which the TASER device was used (or present) by law enforcement officers in connection with arrests or during training exercises. Companion cases arising from the same incident have been combined into one for reporting purposes.
In addition, 136 other lawsuits have been dismissed or judgment entered in favor of the Company which are not included in this number. An appeal was filed by the plaintiff in the Lee (TN), Thompson (MI), Marquez (AZ), Oliver (FL) and Rosa (CA) cases where judgment was entered in favor of the Company. In July 2011, the Court of Appeals affirmed the judgment in favor of the Company in the Lee (TN) appeal and in August denied the plaintiff’s request for a rehearing. These cases are not included in this number or in the table below.
Also not included in the number of pending lawsuits or in the table below is the Heston lawsuit in which a jury verdict was entered against the Company on June 6, 2008, and judgment was entered against the Company on January 30, 2009 in the amount of $153,150 as compensatory damages, $1,423,127 as attorney fees, and $182,000 as costs. These damages, fees and costs are covered by the Company’s insurance policies. The jury found that Mr. Heston’s own actions were 85% responsible for his death. The jury assigned 15% of the responsibility to TASER for a “negligent failure to warn” that extended or multiple TASER ECD applications could cause muscle contractions that could potentially contribute to acidosis to a degree that could cause cardiac arrest. The jury inappropriately awarded $5,200,000 in punitive damages against TASER, which were subsequently disallowed by the Court on October 24, 2008. The Court denied the balance of the Company’s motion for judgment as a matter of law on all other grounds. The Company has filed a notice of appeal with respect to the judgment and plaintiffs have filed a notice of cross appeal. In May 2011 the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled in the Company’s favor on three of four significant damages issues: the elimination of punitive damages was upheld, the award of attorneys’ fees was vacated, and the damage award to the estate of Mr. Heston was vacated. The court upheld the damage award to the parents in the amount of $150,000. The Company is also responsible for $52,700 in costs and interest.
The Turner (NC) lawsuit was tried in July 2011 and resulted in a jury verdict of $10 million against the Company. The Company has filed post-trial motions seeking judgment as a matter of law notwithstanding the verdict and in the alternative, a new trial or alternatively a remittitur of the jury award. The court has not yet entered judgment. The Company recorded a litigation judgment expense of $3.3 million in the second quarter of 2011, which represents management’s best estimate of the Company’s uninsured portion of the judgment after consideration of available insurance coverage.
With respect to each of the pending 55 lawsuits, the following table lists the name of plaintiff, the date the Company was served with process, the jurisdiction in which the case is pending, the type of claim and the status of the matter. While the facts vary from case to case, the product liability claims are typically based on an alleged product defect resulting in injury or death, usually involving a failure to warn, and the plaintiffs are seeking monetary damages. This table also lists those cases that were dismissed, (or where a dismissal is pending) or judgment entered during the most recent fiscal quarter. Cases that were dismissed or judgment entered in prior fiscal quarters are not included in this table. The claims and in some instances, the defense of each of these lawsuits has been submitted to our insurance carriers that maintained insurance coverage during these applicable periods and we continue to maintain product liability insurance coverage with varying limits and deductibles. Our product liability insurance coverage during these periods ranged from $5,000,000 to $10,000,000 in coverage limits and from $10,000 to $1,000,000 in per incident deductibles. For the 2010 insurance policy year, our product liability insurance coverage was $10 million and, as noted above, in the Turner (NC) case the Company received an adverse $10 million jury verdict. After consideration of the remaining available insurance coverage, the Company’s uninsured exposure related to this case is approximately $3.3 million. While the Company will explore every possible legal channel to have this verdict overturned, in the event the verdict stands, the Company’s insurance coverage for the 2010 policy year will be exhausted and, for any other claims relating to the 2010 policy year, the Company will not have insurance coverage for defense costs or any other adverse judgments, should they arise. We are defending each of these lawsuits vigorously and do not expect these lawsuits to individually and in the aggregate, materially affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.

 

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TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(unaudited)
                 
    Month            
Plaintiff   Served   Jurisdiction   Claim Type   Status
Glowczenski
  Oct-04   US District Court, ED NY   Wrongful Death   Trial rescheduled, date to be determined
Washington
  May-05   US District Court, ED CA   Wrongful Death   Discovery Phase
Hollman
  Aug-06   US District Court, ED NY   Wrongful Death   Motion Phase
Wendy Wilson, Estate of Ryan Wilson
  Aug-07   District Court Boulder County, CO   Wrongful Death   Dismissal pending
Jack Wilson, Estate of Ryan Wilson (Companion to Wendy Wilson)
  Nov-07   District Court Boulder County, CO   Wrongful Death   Dismissal pending
Salinas
  Aug-08   US District Court, ND CA   Wrongful Death   Motion Phase, trial scheduled Sept 2012
Thomas (Pike)
  Oct-08   US District Court, WD Louisiana, Alexandria   Wrongful Death   Motion Phase
Shrum
  May-09   Allen County District Court, Iola, KS   Wrongful Death   Trial scheduled November 2012
Athetis
  May-09   US District Court, AZ   Wrongful Death   Discovery Phase
Abrahams
  Jul-09   CA Superior Court, Yolo County   Wrongful Death   Discovery Phase, trial scheduled September 2012
Humphreys
  Oct-09   CA Superior Court, San Joaquin County   Wrongful Death   Discovery Phase
Terriquez
  Feb-10   CA Superior Court, Orange County   Wrongful Death   Discovery Phase, trial scheuduled May 2012
Rich
  Feb-10   US District Court, NV   Wrongful Death   Motion Phase
McKenzie
  Feb-10   US Disctrict Court, ED CA   Wrongful Death   Dismissed
Turner
  Feb-10   General Court of Justice, Superior Court Div, Mecklenburg County, NC   Wrongful Death   Jury award for $10 million. Post trial motions filed, judgment not filed
Doan
  Apr-10   The Queens Bench Alberta, Red Deer Judicial Dist.   Wrongful Death   Pleading Phase
Piskkura
  May-10   US District Court, OH   Wrongful Death   Discovery Phase, trial scheuduled March 2012
Corbin
  Jun-10   Houston County Court, MD AL   Wrongful Death   Discovery Phase, trial scheuduled June 2012
DuBoise
  Aug-10   US District Court, ED MO   Wrongful Death   Discovery Phase, trial scheduled February 2013
Kelly
  Oct-10   District Court for Harris County, TX   Wrongful Death   Discovery Phase, trial scheduled May 2012
Jacobs
  Oct-10   District Court for Travis County, TX   Wrongful Death   Discovery Phase, trial scheduled October 2012
Shymko
  Dec-10   The Queens Bench, Winnipeg Centre, Manitoba   Wrongful Death   Pleading Phase
Williams
  Dec-10   US District Court, MS   Wrongful Death   Discovery Phase, trial scheduled April 2012
English
  May-11   US District Court, WD VA   Wrongful Death   Discovery Phase, trial scheduled April 2012
Wilson
  May-11   US District Court, ED MO   Wrongful Death   Discovery Phase
Terrell
  Jun-11   US District Court, SD TX   Wrongful Death   Discovery Phase
Sylvester
  Jun-11   US District Court, ND CA   Wrongful Death   Discovery Phase
La Day
  Jun-11   US District Court, ED TX   Wrongful Death   Discovery Phase
Cobb
  Aug-11   Guilford County Superior Court, NC   Wrongful Death   Discovery Phase
Nelson
  Aug-11   CA Superior Court, Riverside County   Wrongful Death   Discovery Phase
Bachtel
  Aug-11   14th Judicial District Circuit Court, Randolph County, MO   Wrongful Death   Discovery Phase
Ridelhuber
  Sep-11   US District Court, Greenwood Division, SC   Wrongful Death   Pleading Phase
Cosentino
  Oct-11   US District Court, CD CA   Wrongful Death   Pleading Phase
Coto
  Oct-11   CA Superior Court, Los Angeles County   Wrongful Death   Pleading Phase
Stewart
  Oct-05   Circuit Court for Broward County, FL   Training Injury   Discovery Phase
Husband
  Mar-06   British Columbia Supreme Court, Canada   Training Injury   Discovery Phase, trial scheduled March 2012
Grable
  Aug-08   FL 6th Judicial Circuit Court, Pinellas County   Training Injury   Discovery Phase
Koon
  Dec-08   17th Judicial Circuit Court, Broward County, FL   Training Injury   Discovery Phase
Bickle
  Mar-09   18th Judicial District Court, Gallatin County, MT   Training Injury   Dismissal pending
Peppler
  Apr-09   Circuit Court 5th Judicial Dist., Sumter City, FL   Training Injury   Motion Phase
Kandt
  Jun-09   US District Court, ND NY   Training Injury   Discovery Phase
Maynard
  Apr-10   Superior Court, Hartford Judicial District, CT   Training Injury   Discovery Phase
Butler
  Jan-11   US District Court, ND TX   Training Injury   Discovery Phase, trial scheduled April 2012
Derbyshire
  Nov-09   Ontario Superior Court of Justice   Officer Injury   Discovery Phase
Hollenback
  Dec-10   St. Louis County Circuit Court MO   Officer Injury   Discovery Phase, trial scheduled January 2012
Juran
  Dec-10   Hennepin County District Court, 4th Judicial District   Officer Injury   Discovery Phase
Strough
  Feb-11   US District Court, ED MO   Officer Injury   Discovery Phase, trial scheduled December 2012
Wheat
  Jul-09   CA Superior Court, Los Angeles County   Suspect Injury During Arrest   Motion Phase, trial scheduled March 2012
Fahy
  Dec-09   Circuit Court of City of St. Louis   Suspect Injury During Arrest   Discovery Phase, trial scheduled August 2012
Thompson
  Mar-10   11th Judicial Circuit Court Miami-Dade County, FL   Suspect Injury During Arrest   Discovery Phase
Wilson
  Apr-10   US District Court, ND IL, ED   Suspect Injury During Arrest   Dismissed
Patterson
  Jun-10   Circuit Court Pontotoc County, MS   Suspect Injury During Arrest   Dismissed
Streeter
  Dec-10   US District Court, OR   Suspect Injury During Arrest   Discovery Phase, trial scheduled April 2012
Valkanet
  Mar-11   US District Court, ND IL   Suspect Injury During Arrest   Discovery Phase
Sanders
  Mar-11   US District Court, ND IL   Suspect Injury During Arrest   Discovery Phase
Payne
  Mar-11   Blount County Circuit Court, TN   Suspect Injury During Arrest   Discovery Phase
Jefferson
  Apr-11   US District Court, ED TX   Injury During Incarceration   Discovery Phase
Fountain
  May-11   US District Court, MD FL   Suspect Injury During Arrest   Discovery Phase, trial scheduled April 2013
Alusa (UT)
  May-11   US District Court, CD UT   Suspect Injury During Arrest   Discovery Phase
Diehl (PA)
  Jun-11   Court of Common Pleas, Blair County, PA   Suspect Injury During Arrest   Discovery Phase
Gray
  Sep-11   US District Court, WD LA   Suspect Injury During Arrest   Pleading Phase

 

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TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(unaudited)
Other Litigation
In October 2007, we filed a lawsuit in Arizona Superior Court for Maricopa County against Steve Ward and Mark Johnson, both former TASER employees, and VIEVU LLC et. al. for breach of duty of loyalty, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, and conversion. This lawsuit does not involve our ECD business and we do not expect this litigation to have a material impact on our financial results. Defendants Ward and VIEVU LLC filed an answer and counterclaim for declaration of non-infringement, tortious interference with contractual relations, tortious interference with business expectancy, and abuse of process. In its lawsuit the Company sought compensatory damages, constructive trust, exemplary damages, injunctive relief, and attorneys’ fees, costs and disbursements. Cross motions for summary judgment were filed and on March 4, 2009, the Court denied Defendants’ motion for summary judgment on the trade secret claim and on April 9, 2009, the Court granted TASER’s motion for summary judgment against Ward on the breach of fiduciary duty and the breach of duty of loyalty claims. We filed a Motion to Extend Discovery Period by and to reconvene the Deposition of Steve Ward, and Defendants have filed Defendant’s Response in Opposition to this motion. In addition, Defendants Steve Ward and VIEVU LLC filed a Motion for Reconsideration or in the alternative to make the Court’s Ruling a Final Judgment and Stay Proceeding Pending Outcome of Appeal. The Court denied the Motion for Reconsideration, but granted the motion to make the Court’s Ruling a Final Judgment and Stayed the Proceeding Pending Outcome of Appeal. An appeal was filed by Defendants Ward and VIEVU LLC to the Arizona State Court of Appeals. The appellate court reversed the Superior Court and remanded the case for trial. On June 14, 2010 TASER filed a petition for review with the Arizona Supreme Court and Ward filed a cross petition for review on June 29, 2010. The Arizona Supreme Court declined review of both petitions and the case was resolved to the mutual satisfaction of the parties and the case was dismissed in August 2011.
In February 2009, we filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Nevada against James F. McNulty, Jr., Robert Gruder, and Stinger Systems, Inc. alleging securities fraud under 15 U.S.C. § 78j, trade libel, unfair competition under the Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1125, abuse of process, and deceptive trade practices. Our complaint seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief, attorneys’ fees and costs. Defendants filed motions to dismiss and on March 25, 2010 the Court denied Defendants’ motion on all claims except the securities fraud claim. Defendant McNulty filed a counterclaim on August 2, 2010 alleging that TASER’s XREP product infringes U.S. Patents 5,831,199 and 6,877,434. The counterclaim seeks declaratory and injunctive relief, compensatory, treble and punitive damages, and attorney’s fees. The court issued a ruling in July 2011 dismissing TASER’s claims for civil conspiracy and abuse of process and affirming the magistrate’s order requiring defendants to disclose tax and stock information to TASER and ruling that TASER’s counterclaim for declaratory judgment with respect to the patent claims should not be dismissed. Mr. McNulty has filed a motion for summary judgment, which is pending before the court. No trial date has been set.
In January 2011, we were served with a complaint in the matter of GEOTAG, Inc. v. TASER International, Inc. et. al. that was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, Marshall Division, which alleges that a dealer geographical locator feature on TASER’s website infringes upon plaintiff’s US Patent No. 5,930,474. The complaint seeks a judgment of infringement, a permanent injunction against infringement, an award for damages, costs, expenses and pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, and an award for enhanced damages and attorneys’ fees. TASER has licensed this locator feature from a third party and has denied liability for infringement. This lawsuit is at the pleading phase and no trial date has been set.
In July 2011, we were served with a complaint in the matter of Integrity Staffing Professionals v. TASER International, Inc., et.al. that was filed in the Superior Court for the County of Ventura, California which alleges that the Company owes Integrity Staffing Professionals a fee for hiring two consultants. The complaint alleges breach of contract, breach of implied covenants, intentional and negligent interference with contractual relationships, civil conspiracy and unfair business practices. The complaint seeks compensatory, general, punitive damages, interest, and attorneys’ fees and costs. This lawsuit was resolved to the mutual satisfaction of the parties and the case was dismissed in September 2011.
In September 2011, the Company filed a motion with the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona to re-open the lawsuit in which TASER was granted a permanent injunction against Stinger Systems, Inc. which was granted in October 2011. The permanent injunction restrained Stinger and its officers, agents and employees, which would include Robert Gruder who was formerly an officer and employee of Stinger and who is currently CEO of Karbon Arms, Inc., from making, using, offering to sell, or selling in or from the United States, the Stinger S-200 electronic control devices and all other products that are only colorably different from the S-200 ECDs in the context of claims 2 or 40 of TASER’s 6,999,295 patent. This case was re-opened by the Court to consider a motion by TASER for contempt against Karbon Arms and Gruder for violation of TASER’s permanent injunction by making, offering to sell and selling the Karbon Arms MPID electronic control device. A hearing has been scheduled for December 15, 2011, to consider TASER’s motion for contempt.

 

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TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(unaudited)
In August 2011 the Company filed a complaint against Karbon Arms, L.L.C. for infringement of U.S. Patent Nos. 7,800,885 (the “‘885 patent”) and 7,782,592 (the “‘592 patent”) in U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware seeking damages, injunctive relief and an award of attorney’s fees. This lawsuit is in the discovery phase and no trial date has been set.
General
From time to time, the Company is notified that it may be a party to a lawsuit or that a claim is being made against it. It is the Company’s policy to not disclose the specifics of any claim or threatened lawsuit until the summons and complaint are actually served on the Company. After carefully assessing the claim, and assuming we determine that we are not at fault, we vigorously defend and pursue any lawsuit filed against or by the Company. Although we do not expect the outcome in any pending individual case to be material, the outcome of any litigation is inherently uncertain and there can be no assurance that any expense, liability or damages that may ultimately result from the resolution of these matters will be covered by our insurance or will not be in excess of amounts provided by insurance coverage and will not have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition. In addition, the Company has one lawsuit where the costs of legal defense incurred are in excess of its liability insurance deductibles. As of September 30, 2011, the Company has been fully reimbursed by its insurance company for these legal costs. The Company may settle a lawsuit in situations where a settlement can be obtained for nuisance value and for an amount that is expected to be less than the cost of defending a lawsuit. The number of product liability lawsuits dismissed includes a small number of police officer training injury lawsuits that were settled by the Company and dismissed in cases where the settlement economics to the Company were significantly less than the cost of litigation. In addition, it is the Company’s policy to not settle suspect injury or death cases, although the Company’s insurance company may settle such lawsuits over the Company’s objection where the case is over the Company’s liability insurance deductibles. Due to the confidentiality of our litigation strategy and the confidentiality agreements that are executed in the event of a settlement, the Company does not identify or comment on which specific lawsuits have been settled or the amount of any settlement.
10. Related Party Transactions
Aircraft charter
The Company reimburses Thomas P. Smith, the Chairman of the Board of Directors for business use of his personal aircraft. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company incurred expenses of approximately $57,000 and $135,000, respectively, to Thomas P. Smith. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company incurred expenses of approximately $16,000 and $162,000, respectively, to Thomas P. Smith. At September 30, 2011, there was approximately $14,000 of outstanding payables due to Thomas P. Smith. At December 31, 2010, the Company had no outstanding payables due to Thomas P. Smith. Management believes that the rates charged by Thomas P. Smith are equal to or below commercial rates the Company would pay to charter similar aircraft from independent charter companies.
TASER Foundation
In November 2004, the Company established the TASER Foundation. The TASER Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation and has been granted tax exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service. The TASER Foundation’s mission is to honor the service and sacrifice of local and federal law enforcement officers in the United States and Canada lost in the line of duty by providing financial support to their families. Over half of the initial $1 million endowment was contributed directly by TASER International, Inc. employees. The Company bears all administrative costs of the TASER Foundation in order to ensure 100% of all donations are distributed to the families of fallen officers. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company incurred approximately $1,000 and $4,500, respectively, in such administrative costs. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company incurred approximately $17,000 and $93,000, respectively, in such administrative costs. The Company is authorized by its Board of Directors to make a discretionary contribution to the TASER Foundation up to a maximum of $200,000 per quarter. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company did not make a discretionary contribution to the TASER Foundation.

 

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TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — Continued
(unaudited)
Consulting services
The Company engages Mark Kroll, a member of the Board of Directors, to provide consulting services. The expenses relating to these services for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, were approximately $43,000 and $159,000, respectively. The expenses relating to these services for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, were approximately $53,000 and $109,000, respectively. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had accrued liabilities of approximately $28,000 and $20,000, respectively, for these services.
11. Employee Benefit Plan
The Company has a defined contribution profit sharing 401(k) plan (the “Plan”) for eligible employees, which is qualified under Sections 401(a) and 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Employees are entitled to make tax-deferred contributions of up to the maximum allowed by law of their eligible compensation, but not exceeding $16,500. The Company currently matches 100% of the first 3% of eligible compensation contributed to the Plan by each participant and 50% of the next 2% of eligible compensation contributed to the plan by each participant. Beginning January 1, 2008, the Company’s matching contributions are immediately vested. The Company’s matching contributions to the Plan for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, were approximately $136,000 and $391,000, respectively. The Company’s matching contributions to the Plan for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 were approximately $116,000 and $382,000, respectively. Future matching or profit sharing contributions to the Plan are at the Company’s sole discretion.

 

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ITEM 2.  
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.
The following is a discussion of the Company’s financial condition as of September 30, 2011, and results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010. The following discussion may be understood more fully by reference to the consolidated financial statements, notes to the consolidated financial statements, and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
Certain statements contained in this report may be deemed to be forward-looking statements as defined by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and the Company intends that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor created thereby. Such forward-looking statements may relate to, among other things: the impact of recently adopted accounting standards and guidance; estimated amortization charges in future years and our projected tax rate for 2011; our expectations about unrecognized tax benefits and deferred income taxes; assumptions about the future vesting of outstanding stock options and the amortization of costs relating thereto; our litigation strategy; our intentions to hold our investment securities to maturity and expectations relating to the redemption prices of these securities; our plans concerning our stock repurchase program; the outcome of pending litigation against us; our intentions to evaluate our internal reporting structure and operating segments; the sufficiency of our valuation reserves, including warranty, accounts receivable, deferred taxes and inventory reserves; our plan to not pay dividends; the sufficiency of our capital resources and the availability of financing to the Company and our strategy with respect to hedging activities. We caution that these statements are qualified by important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected by the forward-looking statements herein. Such factors include, but are not limited to: the impact that new product lines could have on sales of existing product lines; market acceptance of our products; budgetary and political constraints of prospects and customers; litigation risks resulting from alleged product-related injuries and media publicity concerning allegations of deaths occurring after use of the TASER device and the negative impact this publicity could have on sales; our dependence on sales of our TASER X26 ECDs; our ability to manage our growth; our ability to ramp manufacturing production to meet demand; the outcome of pending litigation; establishment and expansion of our direct and indirect distribution channels; the acceptance of our EVIDENCE.com software model; our ability to design, introduce and sell new products; delays in development schedules; risks relating to acquisitions and joint ventures; the length of our sales cycle and our ability to realize benefits from our marketing and selling efforts; risks of governmental regulations, including regulations of our products by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, regulation of our products as a “crime control” product by the Federal government, state and local government regulation and foreign regulation, our compliance with regulations governing the environment, including but not limited to, regulations within the European Union; our ability to protect our intellectual property; intellectual property infringement claims and relating litigation costs; competition in foreign countries relating to foreign patents; our successful identification of existing intellectual property rights that might infringe on our developments; the adverse effects that could result from our products being classified as firearms by the United States Bureau of Alcohol and Firearms; product defects; rapid technological change; our dependence on third party suppliers for key components of our products; component shortages; our dependence on foreign suppliers for key components; rising costs of raw materials and transportation relating to petroleum prices; catastrophic events; security vulnerabilities and service outages and disruptions relating to our EVIDENCE.com service; fluctuations in quarterly operating results; foreign currency fluctuations; counterparty risks relating to cash balances held in excess of FDIC insurance limits; employee retention risks and other factors identified in documents filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including those set forth in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, under the caption “Risk Factors.”
Overview
Our core mission is to protect life, prevent conflict and resolve disputes through technologies that make communities safer. We are a market leader in the development and manufacture of advanced electronic control devices (ECDs) designed for use in law enforcement, military, corrections, private security and personal defense.
Our mission to protect life has also been extended to prevent conflict and resolve disputes. We have learned that bringing a subject into custody is not the end of the challenge for law enforcement. In fact, it is typically just the beginning since a significant number of incidents that start as a physical conflict transition into a legal conflict. Whether it’s prosecuting and convicting the individual arrested, or responding to excessive use of force allegations, the post-incident legal process is a considerable part of the challenge that law enforcement faces on a continual basis and can often take years and millions of litigation dollars to resolve in the courtroom. To help law enforcement address this challenge, we have developed a fully integrated hardware and software solution that will provide our law enforcement customers the capabilities to capture, store, manage, share and analyze video and other digital evidence. Finally, the optimum situation is to have prevented the conflict from ever escalating. TASER ECDs and AXON on-officer video have a measured and positive effect on better suspect and officer behavior, as well as achieving compliance without escalation of force.

 

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TASER solutions deliver significant results to our customers and to communities in which they are deployed. With over 275 independent studies confirming the safety of TASER ECDs relative to other force options, TASER ECDs have proven to be a safer alternative to other uses of force in situations of conflict. Further, most reporting agencies demonstrate overall decreases in use of force, and decreases in suspect and officer injuries resulting from conflict. Reducing uses of force and gaining compliance by use of a TASER ECD has provided significant reductions in worker’s compensation expenses and claims for excessive use of force for agencies, cities and taxpayers.
Technological innovation is the foundation for our long-term growth and we intend to maintain our commitment to the research and development of our technology for both new and existing products that further our mission. At the same time we have established industry leading training services to provide our users a comprehensive overview of legal and policy issues, medical information and risk mitigation relating to our ECDs and the use of force. We have built a network of distribution channels for selling and marketing our products and services to law enforcement agencies, primarily in North America, with ongoing focus and effort placed on expanding these programs in international, military and other markets. Over 16,000 law enforcement agencies in over 40 countries have made initial purchases of our TASER brand devices for testing or deployment. To date, we do not know of any significant sales of any competing ECD products.
Results of Operations
Three Months Ended September 30, 2011 Compared to the Three Months Ended September 30, 2010
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, our consolidated statements of operations as well as the percentage relationship to total net sales of items included in our consolidated statements of operations (dollars in thousands):
                                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,     Increase / (Decrease)  
    2011     2010     $     %  
 
                                               
Net sales
  $ 24,383       100.0 %   $ 21,084       100.0 %   $ 3,299       15.6 %
Cost of products sold
    11,280       46.3 %     10,668       50.6 %     611       5.7 %
 
                                     
Gross margin
    13,104       53.7 %     10,416       49.4 %     2,688       25.8 %
Sales, general and administrative expenses
    9,478       38.9 %     9,416       44.7 %     62       0.7 %
Research and development expenses
    2,363       9.7 %     1,686       8.0 %     677       40.1 %
Loss on write down / disposal of fixed assets
    48       0.2 %     38       0.2 %     10       26.1 %
 
                                     
Income (loss) from operations
    1,212       5.0 %     (725 )     -3.4 %     1,937       *  
Interest and other income, net
    15       0.1 %     10       0.0 %     5       50.0 %
 
                                     
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes
    1,227       5.0 %     (714 )     -3.4 %     1,941       *  
Provision for income taxes
    91       0.4 %     1,621       7.7 %     (1,530 )     -94.4 %
 
                                     
Net Income/(loss)
  $ 1,136       4.7 %   $ (2,335 )     -11.1 %   $ 3,471       *  
 
                                     
     
Note:  
Table may not foot due to rounding differences
 
*  
Not Meaninful
Net Sales
For the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, sales by product line and by geography were as follows (dollars in thousands):
                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,  
    2011     2010  
Sales by Product Line
                               
TASER X26
  $ 8,659       35.5 %   $ 11,600       55.0 %
Single Cartridges
    7,631       31.3 %     5,145       24.4 %
TASER X2
    3,697       15.2 %           *  
TASER Cam
    706       2.9 %     545       2.6 %
TASER C2
    578       2.4 %     767       3.6 %
ADVANCED TASER
    724       3.0 %     237       1.1 %
AXON/EVIDENCE.com
    181       *       137       *  
TASER X3
    6       *       190       *  
XREP
    74       *       168       *  
Other
    2,127       8.7 %     2,295       10.9 %
 
                           
Total
  $ 24,383       100.0 %   $ 21,084       100.0 %
 
                           
     
*  
Less than 1%

 

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    Three Months Ended September 30,  
    2011     2010  
United States
    81 %     89 %
Other Countries
    19 %     11 %
 
           
 
               
Total
    100 %     100 %
 
           
Net sales increased $3.3 million, or 16%, to $24.4 million for the third quarter of 2011 compared to $21.1 million for the third quarter of 2010. The increase in sales versus the prior year quarter was primarily driven by stronger domestic law enforcement sales as the TASER X2 comprised 15% of total net sales in its first full quarter of production. Additionally, international sales improved with an increase in follow on cartridge orders placed by several international customers. Sales of our X26 ECDs declined as customers are upgrading to the X2, while cartridge sales increased $2.5 million or 48% due to international shipments in the quarter. Sales of other ECD products and accessories including TASER Cam, TASER C2, ADVANCED TASER, TASER X3 and XREP increased by $0.2 million and on a combined basis represented 9% of total net sales in both the third quarters of 2011 and 2010. Other sales, which include extended warranty revenue, out of warranty repairs, government research grants, training and shipping revenues, decreased $0.2 million driven by training revenue from our annual TASER Master Instructor Conference which took place in the third quarter of the prior year compared to the second quarter of 2011.
International sales for the third quarter of 2011 and 2010 represented approximately $4.6 million, or 19%, and $2.3 million, or 11%, of total net sales, respectively.
Cost of Products Sold
Cost of products sold increased by $0.6 million, or 6%, to $11.3 million for the third quarter of 2011 compared to $10.7 million for the third quarter of 2010. As a percentage of net sales, cost of products sold decreased to 46.3% in the third quarter of 2011 compared to 50.6% in the third quarter of 2010. The net decrease in cost of products sold as a percentage of sales was driven by a combination of offsetting factors including a more favorable market segment mix with increased contribution from higher margin international sales; improved leverage on fixed indirect manufacturing costs following a 16% increase in sales; and a reduction in costs of EVIDENCE.com operations as the prior year costs included a higher level of maintenance effort immediately following the launch of the service. Diluting these improvements, the Company offered an upgrade program which provides customers purchasing a new TASER X2 kit with a $300 trade-in credit to replace any existing ECD. This offer generated approximately $1.0 million of trade-in credits during the third quarter, which reduced the average selling price on X2 sales and consequently reduced gross margin by 180 basis points.
Gross Margin
Gross margin increased $2.7 million, or 26%, to $13.1 million for the third quarter of 2011 compared to $10.4 million for the third quarter of 2010. As a percentage of net sales, gross margin increased to 53.7% for the third quarter of 2011 compared to 49.4% for the third quarter of 2010, a result of the factors discussed above under cost of products sold.

 

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Sales, General and Administrative Expenses
For the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, sales, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses were comprised of the following (dollars in thousands):
                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,  
                    $     %  
    2011     2010     Change     Change  
 
                               
Salaries, benefits and bonus
  $ 2,678     $ 2,538     $ 140       5.5 %
Legal, professional and accounting fees
    1,583       1,469       114       7.8 %
Travel and meals
    739       784       (45 )     -5.7 %
Stock-based compensation
    519       692       (173 )     -25.0 %
Consulting and lobbying
    663       787       (124 )     -15.8 %
Depreciation and amortization
    489       533       (44 )     -8.3 %
Sales and Marketing
    650       791       (141 )     -17.8 %
D&O and liability insurance
    451       410       41       10.0 %
Other
    1,706       1,412       294       20.8 %
 
                         
 
                               
Total
  $ 9,478     $ 9,416     $ 62       0.7 %
 
                         
Sales, general and administrative as % of net sales
    38.9 %     44.7 %                
Sales, general and administrative expenses were $9.5 million and $9.4 million in the third quarter of 2011 and 2010, respectively, an increase of $62,000, or less than 1%. As a percentage of total net sales, SG&A expenses decreased to 38.9% for the third quarter of 2011 compared to 44.7% for the third quarter of 2010. The slight dollar increase for the third quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010 is attributable to a $0.1 million increase in salaries, benefits and bonus driven by annual salary increases and an increase in legal, professional and accounting fees attributable to the timing of various legal proceedings. This was partially offset by reductions in sales and marketing related costs including advertising, tradeshows and outside commissions, and consulting and lobbying fees as we continue to focus on maintaining strong cost control measures. Stock based compensation expense also decreased as previously granted options became fully vested throughout 2011. In addition, $0.2 million relating to a litigation settlement for an officer training injury claim was included in other expense in the third quarter of 2011.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses were $2.4 million and $1.7 million for the third quarter of 2011 and 2010, respectively, an increase of $0.7 million, or 40%, compared to the prior period. The increase was primarily attributable to a reduction in the allocation of EVIDENCE.com service and maintenance costs to cost of sales from in the third quarter of 2011. The costs allocated in the third quarter of 2010 were elevated immediately following the launch of the service. Additionally, professional fees increased associated with new product development.
Provision for Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes decreased by $1.5 million to $0.1 million for the third quarter of 2011 compared to $1.6 million for the third quarter of 2010. Our estimated full year effective tax rate for 2011, before discrete period adjustments, is approximately 50%, which is above the statutory rate due to the impact of non-deductible expenses for items such as ISO stock option expense, meals and entertainment and lobbying fees, which make our projected annual net income for tax purposes significantly higher than our pre-tax book income. Additionally, we recorded a discrete tax provision amount in the third quarter of 2011 related to a 2010 tax return to provision true-up adjustment, primarily driven by higher than expected research and development tax credits, resulting in an effective tax rate of 7% for the third quarter of 2011.

 

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During the third quarter of 2010 a provision for income taxes was recorded despite the net pre-tax loss since the quarterly tax provision is computed from the year-to-date provision less the cumulative tax provision recognized through the previous quarter end. As such, the year to date tax provision reflected our expected annual effective tax rate based on projected 2010 results. At the end of the third quarter of 2010, our estimated full year effective tax rate, before discrete period adjustments, was a 22% benefit which was below the statutory rate due to the impact of non-deductible expenses which made our net loss for tax purposes significantly lower than our pre-tax book loss. Additionally, we also recorded a discrete tax provision amount in the third quarter of 2010 related to a 2009 tax return to provision true-up adjustment, primarily driven by lower than expected research and development tax credits.
Net Income (Loss)
Our net income increased to $1.1 million, or $0.02 per basic and diluted share, for the third quarter of 2011 compared to a net loss of $2.3 million, or $(0.04) per basic and diluted share, for the third quarter of 2010.
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 Compared to the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, our statements of operations as well as the percentage relationship to total net revenues of items included in our statements of operations (dollars in thousands):
                                                 
    Nine Months Ended September 30,     Increase / (Decrease)  
    2011     2010     $     %  
 
                                               
Net sales
  $ 68,698       100.0 %   $ 64,049       100.0 %   $ 4,649       7.3 %
Cost of products sold
    31,145       45.3 %     30,520       47.7 %     625       2.0 %
 
                                     
Gross margin
    37,553       54.7 %     33,529       52.3 %     4,024       12.0 %
Sales, general and administrative expenses
    27,887       40.6 %     29,719       46.4 %     (1,832 )     -6.2 %
Research and development expenses
    7,908       11.5 %     8,881       13.9 %     (973 )     -11.0 %
Litigation judgment expense
    3,301       4.8 %                 3,301       100.0 %
Asset impairment
    1,354       2.0 %                 1,354       100.0 %
Loss on write down / disposal of fixed assets
    796       1.2 %     38       0.1 %     758       *  
 
                                     
Loss from operations
    (3,694 )     -5.4 %     (5,109 )     -8.0 %     1,415       -27.7 %
Interest and other income, net
    1,303       1.9 %     24       0.0 %     1,279       *  
 
                                     
Loss before benefit for income taxes
    (2,391 )     -3.5 %     (5,085 )     -7.9 %     2,694       -53.0 %
Benefit for income taxes
    (1,252 )     -1.8 %     (897 )     -1.4 %     (355 )     39.5 %
 
                                     
Net loss
  $ (1,139 )     -1.7 %   $ (4,187 )     -6.5 %   $ 3,048       -72.8 %
 
                                     
     
Note:  
Table may not foot due to rounding differences
 
*  
Not Meaninful
Net Sales
For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, sales by product line and by geography were as follows (dollars in thousands):
                                 
    Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2011     2010  
Sales by Product Line
                               
TASER X26
  $ 28,993       42.2 %   $ 32,279       50.4 %
Single Cartridges
    19,778       28.8 %     15,640       24.4 %
TASER X2
    5,111       7.4 %           0.0 %
TASER Cam
    1,853       2.7 %     3,360       5.2 %
TASER C2
    2,359       3.4 %     2,848       4.4 %
ADVANCED TASER
    2,733       4.0 %     782       1.2 %
AXON/EVIDENCE.com
    508       *       181       *  
TASER X3
    310       *       727       1.1 %
XREP
    237       *       1,130       1.8 %
Other
    6,816       9.9 %     7,102       11.1 %
 
                           
Total
  $ 68,698       100.0 %   $ 64,049       100.0 %
 
                           
     
*  
Less than 1%
                 
    Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2011     2010  
United States
    78 %     82 %
Other Countries
    22 %     18 %
 
           
 
               
Total
    100 %     100 %
 
           

 

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Net sales increased $4.6 million, or 7%, to $68.7 million for the first nine months of 2011 compared to $64.0 million for the first nine months of 2010. The increase in sales versus the prior year is driven by some larger individually significant orders in both the international and Federal markets while domestically, the launch of the TASER X2 helped offset weaker demand for other products. The net result compared to the prior year, is that sales of single cartridges increased $4.1 million, or 26%, and ADVANCED TASER Sales increased $2.0 million, or 249%, while X2 sales contributed $5.1 million to total sales. TASER Cam sales declined $1.5 million, or 45%, reflecting a large international order in 2010 that did not recur in 2011, while sales of our X26, X3, XREP and C2 ECD products declined by a combined $5.1 million, or 14%.
International sales for the first nine months of 2011 and 2010 represented approximately $14.9 million, or 22%, and $11.4 million, or 18%, of total net sales, respectively.
Cost of Products Sold
Cost of products sold increased to $31.1 million for the first nine months of 2011 compared to $30.5 million for the first nine months of 2010. As a percentage of net sales, cost of products sold decreased to 45.3% in the first nine months of 2011 compared to 47.7% in the first nine months of 2010. The net decrease in costs as a percent of sales is driven by a combination of offsetting factors. Manufacturing costs decreased 3.5% as a percentage of sales, attributable to a more favorable market segment mix with higher margin international sales; a more favorable product sales mix with a larger contribution to net sales from higher margin products, including the newly launched X2, replacing products such as X3 and XREP, which had lower margins and initial production yields; production efficiency was improved with reductions in temporary labor and overtime as well as a reduction in rework effort; leverage on indirect manufacturing costs was improved following the 7% increase in sales, while indirect salary costs have been reduced following headcount reductions and severance charges in the prior year; and obsolete inventory and scrap charges have also been reduced as have warranty provision charges resulting from increased focus on quality initiatives, which reduced product returns. Offsetting the reduction in manufacturing costs as a percentage of net sales, approximately $3.5 million of EVIDENCE.com datacenter operating and software maintenance costs are included in costs of products sold in the first nine months of 2011 compared to $2.1 million in the prior year following the commercial availability of the service, representing a 2% increase in costs as a percentage of sales. A significant portion of these costs were included as part of research and development in the prior year. In addition, the Company offered an upgrade program which provides customers purchasing a new TASER X2 kit with a $300 trade-in credit to replace any existing ECD. This offer generated approximately $1.1 million of trade-in credits during the second and third quarters of 2011 which reduced the average selling price on X2 sales and consequently reduced gross margin.
Gross Margin
Gross margin increased $4.0 million, or 12%, to $37.6 million for the first nine months of 2011 compared to $33.5 million for the first nine months of 2010. As a percentage of net sales, gross margin increased to 54.7% for the first nine months of 2011 compared to 52.3% for the first nine months of 2010. The improvement in gross margin as a percentage of net sales for the first nine months of 2011 reflects improved leverage on higher sales levels as well as the factors noted above under the discussion of cost of products sold.
Sales, General and Administrative Expenses
For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, sales, general and administrative expenses were comprised as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

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    Nine Months Ended September 30,  
                    $     %  
    2011     2010     Change     Change  
 
                               
Salaries, benefits and bonus
  $ 7,778     $ 8,329     $ (551 )     -6.6 %
Legal, professional and accounting fees
    3,995       3,930       65       1.7 %
Sales and Marketing
    2,468       2,882       (414 )     -14.4 %
Travel and meals
    2,237       2,317       (80 )     -3.5 %
Stock-based compensation
    1,891       2,215       (324 )     -14.6 %
Consulting and lobbying services
    2,101       2,107       (6 )     -0.3 %
Depreciation and amortization
    1,465       1,580       (115 )     -7.3 %
D&O and liability insurance
    1,369       1,245       124       10.0 %
Other
    4,583       5,114       (531 )     -10.4 %
 
                         
 
                               
Total
  $ 27,887     $ 29,719     $ (1,832 )     -6.2 %
 
                         
Sales, general and administrative as % of net sales
    40.6 %     46.4 %                
Sales, general and administrative expenses were $27.9 million and $29.7 million in the first nine months of 2011 and 2010, respectively, a decrease of $1.8 million, or 6%. As a percentage of total net sales, sales, general and administrative expenses decreased to 40.6% for the first nine months of 2011 compared to 46.4% for the first nine months of 2010. The dollar decrease for the first nine months of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010 is attributable to a $0.9 million reduction in salaries, benefits, bonus and stock-based compensation primarily driven by measures taken to reduce our salaried headcount and fixed cost infrastructure in 2010, including some one-time severance charges. Sales and marketing and travel-related costs including advertising, tradeshows and outside commissions have been reduced overall by $0.5 million as we continue to focus on reducing discretionary spending, despite having X2 product launch costs. In addition, $1.0 million relating to a litigation settlement for an officer injury during arrest claim was included in other expense in the prior year which is driving the decrease in other expenses. Offsetting these reductions, legal, professional and accounting fees increased driven by the timing and volume of pending litigation while directors and officers insurance and product liability insurance premiums have increased.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses decreased $1.0 million, or 11%, to $7.9 million for the first nine months of 2011 compared to $8.9 million for the first nine months of 2010. The reduction is driven by the impact of cost-reduction measures including headcount reductions and associated severance expenses incurred in the prior year. Additionally, the launch of EVIDENCE.com resulted in the Company including $3.5 million of expenses in cost of products sold for ongoing delivery and maintenance of the product, compared to $2.1 million in 2010, following the service launch in the second quarter of 2010.
Litigation Judgment Expense
Litigation judgment expense represents a $3.3 million charge in the second quarter of 2011 for an adverse jury verdict received in the Turner case.This represents management’s best estimate of the Company’s uninsured portion of the judgment after consideration of available insurance coverage. The court has not yet entered an order of judgment and based on the court excluding and failing to instruct the jury to consider significant evidence that the Company believes demonstrates contributory negligence on the part of the plaintiff, the Company has moved for judgment in its favor notwithstanding the verdict and will pursue all appropriate legal channels including filing an appeal in this matter at the appropriate time should an adverse judgment be subsequently entered.
Loss on Impairment
A $1.4 million asset impairment charge was recorded in the second quarter of 2011 following our determination to abandon our Protector product line.
Loss on write down / disposal of property and equipment, net
A loss of $0.8 million from the write down / disposal of property and equipment was incurred following the decision to dispose of surplus equipment for EVIDENCE.com operations.

 

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Benefit for Income Taxes
The benefit for income taxes increased by $0.4 million to $1.3 million for the first nine months of 2011 compared to $0.9 million for the first nine months of 2010. Our estimated full year effective tax rate for 2011, before discrete period adjustments, is approximately 50%, which is above the statutory rate due to the impact of non-deductible expenses for items such as ISO stock option expense, meals and entertainment and lobbying fees, which make our net income for tax purposes significantly higher than our book pre-tax income. The effective tax rate of 52.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, was above our estimated annual effective tax rate due to treating the litigation judgment expense, asset impairment expense and the lawsuit settlement proceeds as discrete items based on their significant and unusual nature and tax affecting them at the statutory rate. Further, in the third quarter of 2011 we recorded a discrete tax provision amount related to a 2010 tax return to provision true up adjustment, primarily driven by higher than expected research and development tax credits which increased the total tax benefit and consequently the effective tax rate.
The effective income tax rate for the first nine months of 2010 was 17.6% which was below the statutory rate due to the impact of non-deductible expenses for items such as ISO stock option expense, meals and entertainment and lobbying fees, which make our net loss for tax purposes significantly lower than our pre-tax book loss. Additionally, we recorded a discrete tax provision amount in the third quarter of 2010 related to a 2009 tax return to provision true-up adjustment, primarily driven by lower than expected research and development tax credits, which also reduced the net tax benefit and therefore, the effective tax rate.
Net Loss
Our net loss decreased by $3.1 million to $1.1 million for the nine months of 2011 compared to $4.2 million for the first nine months of 2010. Net loss per basic and diluted share was $(0.02) for the first nine months of 2011 compared to $(0.07) for the first nine months of 2010.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Summary
As of September 30, 2011, we had $30.8 million in cash, cash equivalents and investments, a decrease of $11.9 million from the end of 2010, which is a function of $14.6 million of cash provided by operations, partially offset by investments in property and equipment, and $24.9 million used for the buyback of Company common stock.
Cash Flows
The following table summarizes our cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 (dollars in thousands):
                 
    Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2011     2010  
    (In thousands)  
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities
  $ 14,637     $ (2,413 )
Net cash used by investing activities
    (7,813 )     (3,851 )
Net cash (used) provided by financing activities
  $ (24,845 )   $ 1,066  
Operating activities
Net cash provided by operating activities in the first nine months of 2011 of $14.6 million was primarily driven by pre-tax loss for the period adjusted for the add-back of non-cash expenses including stock-based compensation expense of $2.5 million, depreciation and amortization expense of $6.1 million, asset impairment charges of $1.4 million, a loss on write down / disposal of fixed assets of $0.8 million, and a $3.3 million litigation judgment accrual. Additionally, changes in working capital included a $1.0 million reduction in accounts receivable due to timing of collections, a $1.2 million reduction in inventory as we have actively worked to reduce the levels of raw material and finished goods on hand and a $1.0 million increase in accounts payables and accruals. These changes were partially offset by an increase in prepaid assets driven by payment of our annual liability insurance premium, while deferred revenue decreased by $0.3 million as the rate of extended warranty purchases has decreased.

 

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Net cash used by operating activities in the first nine months of 2010 of $2.4 million was primarily driven by changes in working capital including a $3.7 million reduction in accounts payable and accrued liabilities due to a reduction in spending, timing of period end check runs and a vendor payment of $1.0 million for the final installment on the cartridge automation equipment; a $4.0 million increase in inventory attributable to build of ECD finished goods for future orders as well as raw materials acquired for production of new products; and a $1.6 million increase in prepaid and other assets from the funding of our annual liability insurance premiums and an increase in our income taxes receivable position at September 30, 2010. These net uses of cash were partially offset by a $2.4 million reduction in accounts receivable due to timing of collections and lower sales levels as well the net loss for the period of $4.2 million adjusted for the add-back of non-cash expenses including stock-based compensation expense of $2.8 million and depreciation and amortization expense of $5.2 million.
Investing activities
We used $7.8 million for investing activities in the first nine months of 2011, comprised principally of $6.5 million for the net purchase of short-term investments and $1.5 million for the acquisition of various production and computer equipment and intangible assets.
We used $3.9 million for investing activities in the first nine months of 2010, comprised principally of $2.2 million for capitalized software development costs related to EVIDENCE.com and our Protector technology platform and $1.7 million for the acquisition of various production and computer equipment, and intangible assets.
Financing activities
During the first nine months of 2011, net cash used by financing activities was $24.9 million primarily attributable to the repurchase of Company common stock during 2011.
During the first nine months of 2010, net cash provided by financing activities was $1.1 million, attributable to proceeds from stock options exercised.
Liquidity
Our most significant sources of liquidity continue to be funds generated by operating activities and available cash and cash equivalents. We believe funds generated from our expected results of operations, as well as available cash and cash equivalents, will be sufficient to finance our operations and strategic initiatives for 2011 and 2012. This includes the remaining $7.6 million buyback of stock under the stock repurchase program announced in July 2011. In addition, our renegotiated $10.0 million revolving credit facility is available for additional working capital needs or investment opportunities. The facility matures on June 30, 2013. There can be no assurance, however, that we will continue to generate cash flows at or above current levels or that we will be able to maintain our ability to borrow under our revolving credit facility.
Capital Resources
We have a revolving line of credit with a domestic bank with a total availability of $10.0 million. The line is secured primarily by the Company’s accounts receivable and inventory, and bears interest at varying rates, ranging from LIBOR plus 1.25% to prime. The line of credit matures on June 30, 2013, and requires monthly payments of interest only. At September 30, 2011, there were no borrowings under the line. Our agreement with the bank requires us to comply with certain financial and other covenants including maintenance of minimum tangible net worth and a fixed charge coverage ratio. The ratio of total liabilities to tangible net worth can be no greater than 1:1, and the fixed coverage charge ratio can be no less than 1.25:1, based upon a trailing twelve month period. At September 30, 2011, the Company’s tangible net worth ratio was 0.25:1 and its fixed charge coverage ratio was 3.9:1. Accordingly, the Company was in compliance with those covenants.
Based on our strong balance sheet and the fact that we had no outstanding debt at September 30, 2011, we believe financing will be available, both through our existing credit line and possible additional financing. However, there is no assurance that such funding will be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all.

 

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Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no off balance sheet arrangements as of September 30, 2011.
Critical Accounting Estimates
We have identified the following accounting estimates as critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations. The preparation of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. While we don’t believe that a change in these estimates is reasonably likely, there can be no assurance that our actual results will not differ from these estimates. The effect of these policies on our business operations is discussed below.
Standard Product Warranty Reserves
We warrant our law enforcement ECDs from manufacturing defects on a limited basis for a period of one year after purchase and thereafter will replace any defective TASER unit for a fee. The AXON Tactical Computer, the Com Hub user interface, Synapse Evidence Transfer Manager (ETM), and HeadCam are warranted for one year and TASER C2 is warranted for a period of 90 days after purchase. We track historical data related to returns and warranty costs on a quarterly basis and estimate future warranty claims based upon our historical experience. We have also historically increased our reserve amount if we become aware of a component failure that could result in larger than anticipated returns from our customers. As of September 30, 2011, our reserve for warranty returns was $439,000 compared to a $646,000 reserve at December 31, 2010. The reduction is substantially driven by a reduction in product returns which we believe reflects various quality initiatives implemented in our manufacturing process as well as the utilization of specifically identified reserves during the first nine months of 2011. In the event that actual warranty returns differ from these estimates, changes to warranty reserves might become necessary.
Inventory
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined using the weighted average cost of raw materials, which approximates the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method, and an allocation of manufacturing labor and overhead costs. The allocation of manufacturing labor and overhead costs includes management’s judgments of what constitutes normal capacity of our production facilities, and a determination of what costs are considered to be abnormal fixed production costs which are expensed as current period charges. Provisions are made to reduce potentially excess, obsolete or slow-moving inventories to their net realizable value. These provisions are based on our best estimates after considering historical demand, projected future demand, inventory purchase commitments, industry and market trends and conditions and other factors. Our reserve for excess and obsolete inventory increased to $920,000 at September 30, 2011, compared to $351,000 at December 31, 2010. In the event that actual excess, obsolete or slow-moving inventories differ from these estimates, changes to inventory reserves might become necessary.
Accounts Receivable
Sales are typically made on credit and we generally do not require collateral. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition and maintain an allowance for estimated potential losses. Uncollectible accounts are written off when deemed uncollectible, and accounts receivable are presented net of an allowance for doubtful accounts. This allowance represents our best estimate and is based on our judgment after considering a number of factors including third-party credit reports, actual payment history, customer-specific financial information and broader market and economic trends and conditions. Our allowance for doubtful accounts was $200,000 at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. In the event that actual uncollectible amounts differ from these estimates, changes in allowances for doubtful accounts might become necessary.
Valuation of Long-lived Assets
We review long-lived assets, such as property and equipment and intangible assets subject to amortization, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. We utilize a two-step approach to testing long-lived assets for impairment. The first step tests for possible impairment indicators. If an impairment indicator is present, the second step measures whether the asset is recoverable based on a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized by the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Our review requires the use of judgment and estimates. Management believes that no such impairments have occurred to date. However, future events or circumstances may result in a charge to earnings if we determine that the carrying value of a long-lived asset is not recoverable.

 

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Income Taxes
We recognize federal, state and foreign current tax liabilities or assets based on our estimate of taxes payable or refundable in the current fiscal year by tax jurisdiction. We also recognize federal, state and foreign deferred tax assets or liabilities, as appropriate, for our estimate of future tax effects attributable to temporary differences and carryforwards.
We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the position. The tax benefits recognized in the consolidated financial statements from such positions are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate resolution. Management must also assess whether uncertain tax positions as filed could result in the recognition of a liability for possible interest and penalties if any. We have completed research and development tax credit studies which identified approximately $5.9 million in tax credits for Federal, Arizona and California income tax purposes related to the 2003 through 2010 tax years, net of the federal benefit on the Arizona and California research and development tax credits. Management made the determination that it was more likely than not that the full benefit of the research and development tax credit would not be sustained on examination and accordingly, has established a cumulative liability for unrecognized tax benefits of $2.6 million as of September 30, 2011. Also included as part of the $2.6 million total liability for unrecognized tax benefits is a management estimate of $106,000 related to uncertain tax positions for certain state income tax liabilities. As of September 30, 2011, management does not expect the amount of the unrecognized tax benefit liability to increase or decrease significantly within the next 12 months. Should the unrecognized tax benefit of $2.6 million be recognized, the Company’s effective tax rate would be favorably impacted. Our estimates are based on the information available to us at the time we prepare the income tax provisions. Our income tax returns are subject to audit by federal, state, and local governments, generally years after the returns are filed. These returns could be subject to material adjustments or differing interpretations of the tax laws.
Our calculation of current and deferred tax assets and liabilities is based on certain estimates and judgments and involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws. Our estimates of current and deferred tax assets and liabilities may change based, in part, on added certainty or finality to an anticipated outcome, changes in accounting or tax laws in the United States and overseas, or changes in other facts or circumstances. In addition, we recognize liabilities for potential United States tax contingencies based on our estimate of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes may be due. If we determine that payment of these amounts is unnecessary, or if the recorded tax liability is less than our current assessment, we may be required to recognize an income tax benefit, or additional income tax expense, respectively, in our consolidated financial statements.
In preparing the Company’s consolidated financial statements, management assesses the likelihood that its deferred tax assets will be realized from future taxable income. In evaluating the Company’s ability to recover its deferred income tax assets, management considers all available positive and negative evidence, including its operating results, ongoing tax planning and forecasts of future taxable income on a jurisdiction by jurisdiction basis. A valuation allowance is established if it is determined that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management exercises significant judgment in determining its provisions for income taxes, its deferred tax assets and liabilities and its future taxable income for purposes of assessing its ability to utilize any future tax benefit from its deferred tax assets. Management believes that as of September 30, 2011, based on an evaluation and projections of future sales and profitability, no valuation allowance was deemed necessary. However, such deferred tax assets could be reduced in the future if projections of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced.
Stock Based Compensation
We estimate the fair value of our stock-based compensation by using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model which requires the input of highly subjective assumptions. These assumptions include estimating the length of time employees will retain their stock options before exercising them (“expected term”), the estimated volatility of our common stock price over the expected term and the number of options that will ultimately not vest (“forfeitures”). We have granted a combined total of 950,800 performance-based stock options, the vesting of which is contingent upon the achievement of certain performance criteria including the successful development and market acceptance of future product introductions as well as our future sales targets and operating performance. These options will vest and compensation expense will be recognized based on management’s best estimate of the probability of the performance criteria being satisfied using the most currently available projections of future product adoption and operating performance, adjusted at each balance sheet date. Changes in the subjective and probability-based assumptions can materially affect the estimate of fair value of stock-based compensation and consequently, the related amount recognized on our statements of operations. Refer to Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion of how we determined our valuation assumptions.
Contingencies
We are subject to the possibility of various loss contingencies including product-related litigation, arising in the ordinary course of business. We consider the likelihood of loss or impairment of an asset or the incurrence of a liability, as well as our ability to reasonably estimate the amount of loss in determining loss contingencies. An estimated loss contingency is accrued when it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We regularly evaluate current information available to us to determine whether such accruals should be adjusted and whether new accruals are required.

 

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ITEM 3.  
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Interest Rate Risk
We invest in a limited number of financial instruments, which at September 30, 2011, consisted of investments in money market accounts and commercial paper, denominated in United States dollars.
All of our cash equivalents and marketable securities are treated as “held-to-maturity.” Investments in fixed rate interest earning instruments carry a degree of interest rate risk as their market value may be adversely impacted due to a rise in interest rates. As a result, we may suffer losses in principal if forced to sell securities that decline in market value due to changes in interest rates. However, because we classify our debt securities as “held-to-maturity,” no gains or losses are recognized due to changes in interest rates and as such, a 10% change in interest rates would not have a material adverse affect on our results of operations. These securities are reported at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.
Additionally, we have access to a $10.0 million line of credit borrowing facility which bears interest at varying rates, ranging from LIBOR plus 1.25% to prime. At September 30, 2011, there was no amount outstanding under the line of credit. We have not borrowed any funds under the line of credit since its inception; however, should we need to do so in the future, such borrowings could be subject to adverse or favorable changes in the underlying interest rate.
Exchange Rate Risk
Our results of operations and cash flows are subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, particularly changes in the Euro related to transactions performed by TASER Europe. To date, we have not engaged in any currency hedging activities although we may do so in the future. Fluctuations in currency exchange rates could harm our business in the future.
The majority of our sales to our international customers are transacted in United States dollars and therefore, are not subject to exchange rate fluctuations. However, the cost to our customers increases when the U.S. dollar strengthens against their local currency. In this difficult economy, this risk of loss becomes a potential credit-risk for non-payment.
ITEM 4.  
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures
Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2011, to ensure that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is (i) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and (ii) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting
There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2011, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II—OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.  
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
See discussion of legal proceedings in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements included in PART I, ITEM 1 of this Form 10-Q.

 

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ITEM 1A.  
RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 and our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 under the heading “Risk Factors,” which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially, adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.
ITEM 2.  
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
On July 28, 2011, the Company announced that its board of directors had authorized a stock repurchase program pursuant to which the Company may repurchase up to $20.0 million of the Company’s common stock subject to stock market conditions and corporate considerations. There is no expiration date for this program, The table below sets forth information regarding repurchases of our common stock by us during the three months ended September 30, 2011.
                                 
                    Total Number of     Approximate Dollar  
                    Shares Purchased as     Value of Shares  
                    Part of Publicly     that May Yet be  
    Total Number of     Average Price Paid     Announced Plans or     Purchased Under the  
Period   Shares Purchased     per Share     Programs     Plans or Programs  
July 1-31
                       
August 1-31
    1,678,800     $ 3.99       1,678,800     $ 13,243,830  
September 1-30
    1,277,433     $ 4.38       1,277,433     $ 7,610,999  
Total
    2,956,233     $ 4.16       2,956,233     $ 7,610,999  

 

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ITEM 6.  
EXHIBITS
         
  31.1    
Principal Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
       
 
  31.2    
Principal Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
       
 
  *32    
Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
  **101    
XBRL Instance Document
       
 
  **101    
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
       
 
  **101    
XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
       
 
  **101    
XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document
       
 
  **101    
XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document
     
*  
Furnished
 
**  
Pursuant to applicable securities laws and regulations, we are deemed to have complied with the reporting obligation relating to the submission of interactive data files in such exhibits and are not subject to liability under any anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws as long as we have made a good faith attempt to comply with the submission requirements and promptly amend the interactive data files after becoming aware that the interactive data files fail to comply with the submission requirements. Users of this data are advised that, pursuant to Rule 406T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed and otherwise are not subject to liability.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
         
  TASER INTERNATIONAL, INC.
 
 
Date: November 8, 2011  /s/ Patrick W. Smith    
  Patrick W. Smith   
  Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer) 
 
 
     
Date: November 8, 2011  /s/ Daniel M. Behrendt    
  Daniel M. Behrendt   
  Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) 
 
 

 

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Index to Exhibits
Exhibits:
         
  31.1    
Principal Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
       
 
  31.2    
Principal Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
       
 
  *32    
Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer Certifications pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
       
 
  **101    
XBRL Instance Document
       
 
  **101    
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
       
 
  **101    
XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document
       
 
  **101    
XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document
       
 
  **101    
XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document
     
*  
Furnished
 
**  
Pursuant to applicable securities laws and regulations, we are deemed to have complied with the reporting obligation relating to the submission of interactive data files in such exhibits and are not subject to liability under any anti-fraud provisions of the federal securities laws as long as we have made a good faith attempt to comply with the submission requirements and promptly amend the interactive data files after becoming aware that the interactive data files fail to comply with the submission requirements. Users of this data are advised that, pursuant to Rule 406T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed and otherwise are not subject to liability.

 

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