CLEARONE INC - Quarter Report: 2008 March (Form 10-Q)
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-Q
(Mark
One)
x Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section
13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the
quarterly period ended March 31,
2008
OR
¨ 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: 000-17219
CLEARONE
COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Utah
|
87-0398877
|
|
(State
or other jurisdiction of
incorporation
or organization)
|
(I.R.S.
employer
identification
number)
|
5225 Wiley Post Way, Suite 500
Salt Lake City, Utah
|
84116
|
|
(Address
of principal executive offices)
|
(Zip
Code)
|
Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code: (801)
975-7200
N/A
|
(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 x No
¨
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.
Larger
Accelerated Filer ¨
|
Accelerated
Filer ¨
|
Non-Accelerated
Filer x (Do
not check if a smaller reporting company)
|
Smaller
reporting company ¨
|
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨No x
Indicate
the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common
stock, as of the latest practicable date. There were 10,288,780
shares of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.001, outstanding on May 13,
2008.
1
CLEARONE
COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
INDEX
TO FORM 10-Q
FOR
THE QUARTER ENDED MARCH 31, 2008
Page Number
|
||
Disclosure
Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
|
3
|
|
PART
I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
|
||
Item
1
|
Financial
Statements
|
|
Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements
|
||
Condensed
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2008 and June 30,
2007
|
4
|
|
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31,
2008 and 2007 and the nine months ended March 31, 2008 and
2007
|
5
|
|
Condensed
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended March 31,
2008 and 2007
|
7
|
|
Notes
to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
|
9
|
|
Item
2
|
Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations
|
14
|
Item
3
|
Quantitative
and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
|
21
|
Item
4
|
Controls
and Procedures
|
21
|
PART
II – OTHER INFORMATION
|
||
Item
1
|
Legal
Proceedings
|
23
|
Item
1A
|
Risk
Factors
|
23
|
Item
2
|
Unregistered
Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
|
28
|
Item
3
|
Defaults
Upon Senior Securities
|
28
|
Item
4
|
Submission
of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
|
28
|
Item
5
|
Other
Information
|
29
|
Item
6
|
Exhibits
|
29
|
Signatures
|
29
|
2
DISCLOSURE
REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This
report contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements reflect our views
with respect to future events based upon information available to us at this
time. These forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties
and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
these statements. Forward-looking statements are typically identified
by the use of the words “believe,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “expect,”
“anticipate,” “estimate,” “project,” “propose,” “plan,” “intend,” and similar
words and expressions; however, not all forward-looking statements contain these
words. Examples of forward-looking statements are statements that
describe the proposed development, manufacturing, and sale of our products;
statements that describe our results of operations, pricing trends, the markets
for our products, our anticipated capital expenditures, our cost reduction and
operational restructuring initiatives, and regulatory developments; statements
with regard to the nature and extent of competition we may face in the future;
statements with respect to the sources of and need for future financing; and
statements with respect to future strategic plans, expansion, potential
acquisitions, goals, and objectives. Forward-looking statements are
contained in this report in certain estimates and assumptions used in the
preparation of our financial statements and in Item 2, “Management’s Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” Item 3,
“Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk,” and Item 4,
“Controls and Procedures” included in this Quarterly Report on Form
10-Q. The forward-looking statements are based on present
circumstances and on our predictions respecting events that have not occurred,
that may not occur, or that may occur with different consequences and timing
than those now assumed or anticipated. Actual events or results may
differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements as a
result of various factors, including the risk factors discussed in this report
under Part II – Other Information, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” and the application
of “Critical Accounting Policies” as discussed in Item 2, “Management’s
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations.” These cautionary statements are intended to be
applicable to all related forward-looking statements wherever they appear in
this report. The cautionary statements contained or referred to in
this report should also be considered in connection with any subsequent written
or oral forward-looking statements that may be issued by us or persons acting on
our behalf. Any forward-looking statements are made only as of the
date of this report and we assume no obligation to update forward-looking
statements to reflect subsequent events, changes in circumstances, or changes in
estimates.
3
PART I –
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item
1. Financial Statements
CLEARONE
COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
|
||||||||
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
|
||||||||
(in
thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
|
||||||||
(unaudited)
|
(audited)
|
|||||||
March
31,
|
June
30,
|
|||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
ASSETS
|
||||||||
Current
assets:
|
||||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$ | 8,566 | $ | 2,782 | ||||
Marketable
securities
|
821 | 19,871 | ||||||
Accounts
receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts
|
7,005 | 8,025 | ||||||
of
$69 and $54, respectively
|
||||||||
Deposit,
Bond for Preliminary Injunction
|
908 | 0 | ||||||
Note
Receivable
|
85 | 163 | ||||||
Inventories,
net
|
7,318 | 7,263 | ||||||
Income
tax receivable
|
8 | 0 | ||||||
Deferred
income taxes
|
203 | 0 | ||||||
Prepaid
expenses
|
485 | 213 | ||||||
Total
current assets
|
25,399 | 38,317 | ||||||
Long-term
Securities
|
11,486 | 0 | ||||||
Property
and equipment, net
|
2,678 | 2,694 | ||||||
Intangible
Assets, net
|
49 | 0 | ||||||
Note
Receiveable - long-term
|
0 | 43 | ||||||
Other
assets
|
9 | 9 | ||||||
Total
assets
|
$ | 39,621 | $ | 41,063 | ||||
LIABILITIES
AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
||||||||
Current
liabilities:
|
||||||||
Accounts
payable
|
$ | 1,924 | $ | 1,745 | ||||
Accrued
taxes
|
0 | 660 | ||||||
Accrued
liabilities
|
2,372 | 1,874 | ||||||
Deferred
product revenue
|
4,206 | 4,872 | ||||||
Total
current liabilities
|
8,502 | 9,151 | ||||||
Deferred
rent
|
739 | 855 | ||||||
Deferred
income taxes, net
|
203 | 0 | ||||||
Other
long-term liabilities
|
1,040 | 619 | ||||||
Total
liabilities
|
10,484 | 10,625 | ||||||
Shareholders'
equity:
|
||||||||
Common
stock, par value $0.001, 50,000,000 shares authorized,
|
||||||||
10,444,810
and 10,861,920 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
|
10 | 11 | ||||||
Additional
paid-in capital
|
45,422 | 47,582 | ||||||
Accumulated
other comprehensive loss
|
(764 | ) | 0 | |||||
Accumulated
deficit
|
(15,531 | ) | (17,155 | ) | ||||
Total
shareholders' equity
|
29,137 | 30,438 | ||||||
Total
liabilities and shareholders' equity
|
$ | 39,621 | $ | 41,063 | ||||
See
accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial
statements
|
4
CLEARONE
COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
(in
thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended
|
Nine Months Ended
|
|||||||||||||||
March
31,
|
March
31,
|
March
31,
|
March
31,
|
|||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||||||||
Product
Revenue:
|
$ | 9,163 | $ | 9,355 | $ | 29,393 | $ | 28,873 | ||||||||
Cost
of goods sold
|
3,439 | 4,190 | 12,153 | 13,366 | ||||||||||||
Gross
profit
|
5,724 | 5,165 | 17,240 | 15,507 | ||||||||||||
Operating
expenses:
|
||||||||||||||||
Sales
& Marketing
|
1,640 | 2,004 | 4,820 | 5,711 | ||||||||||||
General
& administrative
|
1,183 | 763 | 5,276 | 2,260 | ||||||||||||
Research
and product development
|
1,701 | 1,848 | 5,134 | 5,782 | ||||||||||||
Total
operating expenses
|
4,524 | 4,615 | 15,230 | 13,753 | ||||||||||||
Operating
income
|
1,200 | 550 | 2,010 | 1,754 | ||||||||||||
Other
income (expense), net:
|
||||||||||||||||
Interest
income
|
283 | 572 | 893 | 1,163 | ||||||||||||
Other,
net
|
(87 | ) | 5 | (45 | ) | 66 | ||||||||||
Other
income, net:
|
196 | 577 | 848 | 1,229 | ||||||||||||
Income
from continuing operations before income taxes
|
1,396 | 1,127 | 2,858 | 2,983 | ||||||||||||
(Provision)
for income taxes
|
(335 | ) | (167 | ) | (955 | ) | (303 | ) | ||||||||
Income
from continuing operations
|
1,061 | 960 | 1,903 | 2,680 | ||||||||||||
Discontinued
operations:
|
||||||||||||||||
Income
from discontinued operations
|
- | - | - | 495 | ||||||||||||
Gain
(loss) on disposal of discontinued operations
|
- | 420 | 25 | (10 | ) | |||||||||||
Income
tax provision
|
- | (157 | ) | (9 | ) | (181 | ) | |||||||||
Income
from discontinued operations:
|
- | 263 | 16 | 304 | ||||||||||||
Net
income
|
$ | 1,061 | $ | 1,223 | $ | 1,919 | $ | 2,984 | ||||||||
See
accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial
statements
|
5
CLEARONE COMMUNICATIONS,
INC.
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (CONTINUED)
(Unaudited)
(in
thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
Three Months Ended
|
Nine Months Ended
|
|||||||||||||||
March
31,
|
March
31,
|
March
31,
|
March
31,
|
|||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||||||||
Basic
earnings per common share from continuing operations
|
$ | 0.10 | $ | 0.09 | $ | 0.18 | $ | 0.23 | ||||||||
Diluted
earnings per common share from continuing operations
|
$ | 0.10 | $ | 0.09 | $ | 0.18 | $ | 0.23 | ||||||||
Basic
earnings per common share from discontinued operations
|
$ | - | $ | 0.02 | $ | 0.00 | $ | 0.03 | ||||||||
Diluted
earnings per common share from discontinued operations
|
$ | - | $ | 0.02 | $ | - | $ | 0.03 | ||||||||
Basic
earnings per common share
|
$ | 0.10 | $ | 0.11 | $ | 0.18 | $ | 0.25 | ||||||||
Diluted
earnings per common share
|
$ | 0.10 | $ | 0.11 | $ | 0.18 | $ | 0.25 | ||||||||
Basic
weighted average shares
|
10,651,352 | 10,994,607 | 10,818,205 | 11,705,853 | ||||||||||||
Diluted
weighted average shares
|
10,747,317 | 11,101,791 | 10,921,932 | 11,770,145 | ||||||||||||
See
accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial
statements
|
6
CLEARONE
COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(in
thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
Nine Months Ended
|
||||||||
March
31,
|
March
31,
|
|||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Cash
flows from operating activities:
|
||||||||
Net
income from continuing operations
|
$ | 1,903 | $ | 2,680 | ||||
Adjustments
to reconcile net income from continuing operations
|
||||||||
to
net cash provided by (used in) operations:
|
||||||||
Depreciation
and amortization expense
|
580 | 678 | ||||||
Stock-based
compensation
|
551 | 658 | ||||||
(Recovery)
Write-off of inventory
|
(34 | ) | 499 | |||||
Loss
on disposal of assets and fixed assets write-offs
|
4 | 1 | ||||||
Provision
for doubtful accounts
|
15 | 1 | ||||||
Accounts
receivable
|
837 | 936 | ||||||
Deposit
- Bond
|
(908 | ) | - | |||||
Note
receivable - Ken-A-Vision
|
121 | (245 | ) | |||||
Inventories
|
(21 | ) | (838 | ) | ||||
Other
assets
|
(272 | ) | (43 | ) | ||||
Accounts
payable
|
348 | (651 | ) | |||||
Accrued
liabilities
|
497 | (737 | ) | |||||
Income
Taxes
|
(542 | ) | 3,696 | |||||
Other
liabilities
|
- | (55 | ) | |||||
Deferred
product revenue
|
(666 | ) | (760 | ) | ||||
Net
cash provided by continuing operating activities
|
2,413 | 5,820 | ||||||
Net
cash provided by discontinued operating activities
|
- | 47 | ||||||
Net
cash provided by operating activities
|
2,413 | 5,867 | ||||||
Cash
flows from investing activities:
|
||||||||
Purchase
of property and equipment
|
(684 | ) | (732 | ) | ||||
Purchase
of intellectual property
|
(49 | ) | - | |||||
Proceeds
from the sale of property and equipment
|
- | 60 | ||||||
Purchase
of marketable securities
|
(10,570 | ) | (22,650 | ) | ||||
Sale
of marketable securities
|
17,370 | 22,550 | ||||||
Net
cash provided by (used in) continuing investing activities
|
6,067 | (772 | ) | |||||
Net
cash provided by discontinued investing activities
|
16 | 822 | ||||||
Net
cash provided by (used in) investing activities
|
6,083 | 50 | ||||||
Cash
flows from financing activities:
|
||||||||
Proceeds
from common stock
|
591 | 36 | ||||||
Purchase
and retirement of stock
|
(3,370 | ) | (5,881 | ) | ||||
Tax
Benefit attributable to exercise of stock options
|
67 | - | ||||||
Net
cash used in financing activities
|
(2,712 | ) | (5,845 | ) | ||||
Net
increase in cash and cash equivalents
|
5,784 | 72 | ||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period
|
2,782 | 1,240 | ||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents at the end of the period
|
$ | 8,566 | $ | 1,312 | ||||
See
accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial
statements
|
7
CLEARONE
COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (CONTINUED)
(Unaudited)
(in
thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
Nine Months Ended
|
||||||||
March
31,
|
March
31,
|
|||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Supplemental
disclosure of cash flow information:
|
||||||||
Cash
paid for interest
|
$ | 2 | $ | 1 | ||||
Cash
paid (received) for income taxes
|
$ | 1,439 | $ | (3,176 | ) | |||
Supplemental
disclosure of non-cash financing activities:
|
||||||||
Exchanged
accounts receivable from a vendor with accounts payable to same
vendor
|
$ | 168 | $ | - | ||||
Increase
in accumulated deficit and income tax liability as a result of the
adoption of FIN48 (see Note 4)
|
$ | 295 | $ | - | ||||
Lease
incentive for Edgewater leasehold improvements
|
$ | - | $ | 1,049 | ||||
See
accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial
statements
|
8
CLEARONE
COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES
TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(in
thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
1. Basis
of Presentation
The
accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, consisting of the
condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2008 and June 30, 2007,
the condensed consolidated statements of income for the three and nine months
ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, and the condensed consolidated statements of cash
flows for the nine months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, have been prepared in
accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States
for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form
10-Q. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures
normally included in complete financial statements have been condensed or
omitted. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be
read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto
included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30,
2007.
In
management’s opinion, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring
adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been
included. The results of operations for interim periods are not
necessarily indicative of the results of operations to be expected for the
entire year or for any future period.
2. Inventory
Inventories,
net of reserves, consisted of the following as of March 31, 2008 and June 30,
2007 (in thousands):
March 31,
|
June 30,
|
|||||||
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||
Raw
materials
|
$ | 135 | $ | 453 | ||||
Finished
goods
|
5,426 | 4,695 | ||||||
Consigned
inventory
|
1,757 | 2,115 | ||||||
Total
inventory
|
$ | 7,318 | $ | 7,263 |
Consigned
inventory represents inventory at distributors and other customers where revenue
recognition criteria have not been achieved.
3. Share-Based
Payment
The
Company’s share-based compensation primarily consists of the following
plans:
On March
31, 2008 the Company had two share-based compensation plans, one that was
replaced on November 20, 2007, and one that became active on the same date. The
plans are described below.
The
Company’s 1998 Incentive Plan (the “1998 Plan”) had shares of common stock
available for issuance to employees and directors. Provisions of the 1998 Plan
include the granting of incentive and non-qualified stock
options. Through December 1999, 1,066,000 options were granted that
would cliff, or fully, vest after 9.8 years; however, such vesting was
accelerated for 637,089 of these options upon meeting certain earnings per share
goals through the fiscal year ended June 30, 2003. Subsequent to
December 1999 and through June 2002, 1,248,250 options were granted that would
cliff vest after 6.0 years; however, such vesting was accelerated for 300,494 of
these options upon meeting certain earnings per share goals through the fiscal
year ended June 30, 2005. As of March 31, 2008, 20,000 and 125,250 of
these options that cliff vest after 9.8 and 6.0 years, respectively, remain
outstanding.
9
The
Company also has a 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”). Provisions of
the 2007 Plan include the granting of up to 1,000,000 incentive and
non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock and
restricted stock units. Options may be granted to employees, officers,
non-employee directors and other service providers and may be granted upon such
terms as the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, in its sole
discretion, determine, or in the absence of a Compensation Committee, a properly
constituted Compensation Committee or the Board itself.
Of the
options granted subsequent to June 2002, all vesting schedules are based on
three- or four-year vesting schedules, with either one-third or one-fourth
vesting on the first anniversary and the remaining options vesting ratably over
the remainder of the vesting term. Generally, directors and officers have
three-year vesting schedules and all other employees have four-year vesting
schedules. Additionally, in the event of a change in control or the occurrence
of an extraordinary corporate transaction, the Company’s Board of Directors has
the authority to elect that all unvested options shall vest and become
exercisable immediately prior to the event or closing of the transaction. All
options outstanding as of March 31, 2008 had contractual lives of ten years.
Under the 1998 Plan, 2,500,000 shares were authorized for grant. As of March 31,
2008, there were 1,230,158 options outstanding under the 1998 Plan, which
includes the cliff vesting and three or four-year vesting options discussed
above. As of March 31, 2008, 1,500 options had been granted under the 2007 Plan
leaving 998,500 options available for granting.
The
Company also has an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”). Employees
can purchase common stock through payroll deductions of up to 10% of their base
pay. Amounts deducted and accumulated by the employees are used to
purchase shares of common stock on or about the first day of each
month. The Company contributes to the account of the employee one
share of common stock for every nine shares purchased by the employee under the
ESPP.
Effective
July 1, 2005, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(SFAS) No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment.” The Company adopted the fair value
recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123R using the modified prospective
transition method. Under this transition method, stock-based
compensation cost recognized beginning July 1, 2005 includes the straight-line
compensation cost for (a) all share-based payments granted prior to July 1,
2005, but not yet vested, based on the grant date fair values used in the pro
forma disclosures under the original SFAS No. 123 and (b) all share-based
payments granted on or after July 1, 2005, in accordance with the provisions of
SFAS No. 123R.
The
Company uses judgment in determining the fair value of the share-based payments
on the date of grant using an option-pricing model with assumptions regarding a
number of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables
include, but are not limited to, the risk-free interest rate of the awards, the
expected life of the awards, the expected volatility over the term of the
awards, the expected dividends of the awards, and an estimate of the amount of
awards that are expected to be forfeited. The Company uses the
Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of share-based
payments granted under SFAS No. 123R and the original SFAS No. 123.
4.
Income Taxes
In July
2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Interpretation No.
48 (“FIN 48”), “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” which clarifies the
accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the financial
statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income
Taxes. Under FIN 48, tax positions shall initially be recognized in the
financial statements when it is more likely than not the position will be
sustained upon examination by the tax authorities. Such tax positions shall
initially and subsequently be measured as the largest amount of tax benefit that
is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with the
tax authority assuming full knowledge of the position and all relevant
facts.
The
Company adopted the provisions of FIN 48 on July 1, 2007. Upon
adoption, the Company recognized a FIN 48 liability of $755 for permanent tax
items. Included in the $755 liability was approximately $78 in interest and
penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits. the Company also recognized $159
of temporary FIN 48 liability. After taking its SFAS No. 5 “Accounting for
Contingencies” contingent liability balance of $618 from June 30, 2007 the
Company posted a cumulative-effect adjustment of approximately $295, increasing
our liability for unrecognized tax benefits and reducing the July 1, 2007
balance of retained earnings. The total liability for unrecognized tax benefits
at July 1, 2007, including temporary tax differences, was approximately
$914.
10
During
the first nine months of its fiscal 2008, the Company recorded approximately
$130 related to unrecognized tax benefits that would favorably impact its
effective tax rate if recognized. The total outstanding balance for liabilities
related to unrecognized tax benefits at March 31, 2008 was $1,039 of which $82
was associated with interest and penalties. The Company account for interest
expense and penalties for unrecognized tax benefits as part of its income tax
provision.
The
Company is subject to income taxes in both the United States and in certain
non-U.S. jurisdictions. The Company estimates its current tax position together
with its future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences resulting
from differing treatment of items, such as deferred revenue, depreciation, and
other reserves for tax and accounting purposes. These temporary differences
result in deferred tax assets and liabilities. We must then assess the
likelihood that its deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable
income, prior year carryback, or future reversals of existing taxable temporary
differences. To the extent the Company believes that recovery is not more likely
than not, it establishes a valuation allowance against these deferred tax
assets. Significant management judgment is required in determining the Company’s
provision for income taxes, its deferred tax assets and liabilities, and any
valuation allowance recorded against its deferred tax assets. To the extent the
Company establishes a valuation allowance in a period, it must include and
expense the allowance within the tax provision in the consolidated statement of
operations. The reversal of a previously established valuation allowance results
in a benefit for income taxes. As of March 31, 2008, the Company continued to be
fully reserved against its net deferred tax assets which total to approximately
$4.5 million.
5. Contingent
Liability
In
accordance with SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies,
the Company accrued $1.8 million in its fiscal 2008 first quarter and an
additional $400 in the following two quarters, representing the probable amount
that as of the date of the financial statements could be reasonably estimated of
its liability, through trial, associated with the advancement of funds related
to indemnification agreements with two former officers. As disclosed in July
2007, the Company was informed that two of its former officers have been
indicted by the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Utah. The
Company has been advised that a new trial date of October 20, 2008 has been set.
The Company is cooperating fully with the U.S. Attorney's office in this matter
and has been advised that it is neither a target nor a subject of the
investigation or indictment.
6.
Investments
The
following table displays the gross unrealized loses and fair value of the
Company’s investments with unrealized losses that are not deemed to be
other-than-temporarily impaired (in thousands) inclusive of the length of time
the securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at March 31,
2008:
Description
of Securities
|
Total
- All Less than 12 Months
|
|||||||
Fair
Value
|
Unrealized
Losses
|
|||||||
Auction
Rate Securities
|
11,486 | 764 |
As
of March 31, 2008, $12.25 million of the Company’s investments were
invested in auction rate securities ("ARSs") which were in accordance with the
Company’s investment policy. Recently, auctions for these securities
were not successful, resulting in the Company continuing to hold these
securities and the issuers paying interest at the maximum contractual rate.
Based on current credit market conditions, it is likely that future auctions
related to these securities will be unsuccessful in the near
term. Unsuccessful auctions will result in the Company holding securities
beyond their next scheduled auction reset dates and limiting the short-term
liquidity of these investments.
While
these failures in the auction process have affected the Company’s ability to
access these funds in the near term, the Company does not believe that the value
of the underlying securities or collateral have been affected. The Company’s
ARSs are held at two different investment banks: UBS and Morgan Stanley. All but
one of the ARS investments are AAA and/or Aaa rated. The other ARS is A2/A
rated. UBS has reduced the value of the Company’s ARSs on its March 31, 2008
statement by approximately $764,000 from the par value citing the result of
unsuccessful auctions and resulting illiquidity. Morgan Stanley has not reduced
the par value of Company’s ARSs on the Company’s March 31, 2008 statement. Due
to the current market conditions including UBS’s decision to mark-down the
current value of the Company’s ARSs, the Company has evaluated the accounting
treatment of its ARS investments. In its evaluation, the Company has reviewed
SFAS No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities
in addition to SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements, and related guidance
issued by the FASB and the Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC).
11
At March
31, 2008, the Company reclassified its entire ARS investment balance from
short-term/current investments to long-term/non-current auction rate securities
on its balance sheet due to the Company’s inability to determine when its ARS
investments will become liquid. Based on UBS’s and Morgan Stanley’s assessment
of fair value, as of March 31, 2008 the Company determined there was a decline
in the fair value of its ARS investments of $764 which was deemed temporary. The
Company deemed this decline temporary in accordance with SFAS No. 115, Accounting for Certain Investments
in Debt and Equity Securities, and related guidance issued by FASB and
the SEC which calls for the classification of impairments as “temporary” or
“other-than-temporary.” A temporary impairment charge results in an unrealized
loss being recorded in the other comprehensive income (loss) component of
stockholders’ equity. Such an unrealized loss does not affect net income (loss)
for the applicable reporting period. An other-than-temporary impairment charge
is recorded as a recognized loss in the consolidated statement of operations and
reduces net income (loss) for the applicable reporting period. The
differentiating factors between temporary and other-than-temporary impairment
are primarily the length of the time and the extent to which the market value
has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the
issuer and the intent and ability of the Company to retain its investment with
the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery
in market value. Since the Company, with its current knowledge, has the
ability to hold the ARSs as long as required to realize the full par value which
could be until final maturity of the underlying notes (between 2027 and 2039)
believes it is probable that it will be able to collect all amounts due
according to the contractual terms of the investment, the impairment has been
deemed to be not other-than-temporary.
Changes
in the unrealized holding losses on the Company’s ARS investments and reported
as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income are as
follows:
3Q
2008
|
3Q 2007 | |||||||
Balance,
beginning of period
|
$ | - | $ | - | ||||
Unrealized
holding (losses), in equity securities
|
(764 | ) | - | |||||
Balance,
end of period
|
$ | (764 | ) | $ | - |
7. Comprehensive
Income
The
components of comprehensive income (loss) are (in thousands):
Three Months Ended
|
Nine Months Ended
|
|||||||||||||||
March
31,
|
March
31,
|
March
31,
|
March
31,
|
|||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||||||||
Net
income
|
$ | 1,061 | $ | 1,223 | $ | 1,919 | $ | 2,984 | ||||||||
Other
comprehensive income (loss):
|
||||||||||||||||
Unrealized
gain (loss) on available-for-sale investment, net of taxes
|
(764 | ) | 0 | (764 | ) | 0 | ||||||||||
$ | 297 | $ | 1,223 | $ | 1,155 | $ | 2,984 |
8. Asset
Purchase
On March
12, 2008, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement with Ascalade
Communications, Inc., a Canadian corporation, to acquire the intellectual
property and production equipment related to and required for the production of
the Company’s MAX™ Wireless and the Ascalade design of conferencing
phones.
9. Bond
for Preliminary Injunction
As explained in Part II. Legal
Proceedings, and in reference to the case of ClearOne
Communications, Inc. v. Andrew
Chiang, et al, a
preliminary injunction
order was granted to ClearOne on October 30, 2007. In conjunction
with the United States District Court’s grant of ClearOne’s motion for a
preliminary injunction, the Court issued an order establishing the
amount for the bond to be posted by ClearOne. The bond was set in the amount of
$907,909, placed with the
clerk of the Court on November 6, 2007 and recorded as a deposit in the current
assets section of the Company’s balance sheet.
12
10. Recent
Accounting Pronouncements
In
September 2006, FASB issued SFAS No. 157 “Fair
Value Measurements.” This statement defines fair value,
establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted
accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value. SFAS
No.157 expands the disclosures about the use of fair value to measure assets and
liabilities in interim and annual periods subsequent to initial recognition. The
disclosures focus on the inputs used to measure fair value, the recurring fair
value measurements using significant unobservable inputs and the
effect of the measurement on earnings (or changes in net assets) for the
period. The guidance in SFAS No.157 also applies
for derivatives and other financial instruments measured
at fair value under Statement 133 “Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities” at initial recognition and in all subsequent
periods. SFAS No.157 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15,
2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We are currently
reviewing the requirements of SFAS No 157, and at this point in time, have not
determined what impact, if any, SFAS No.157 will have on our results of
operations and financial position.
In
February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No.159 “The Fair Value Option for Financial
Assets and Financial Liabilities.” This statement permits entities to
choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair
value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. The
objective is to improve financial reporting by providing entities with the
opportunity to mitigate volatility in reported earnings caused by measuring
related assets and liabilities differently without having to apply complex hedge
accounting provisions. This statement requires a business entity to
report unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has
been elected in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. An entity
may decide whether to elect the fair value option for each eligible item on its
election date, subject to certain requirements described in the statement. SFAS
No.159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15,
2007. The Company is currently reviewing the requirements of this
statement and, at this point in time, have not determined the impact, if any,
that this statement may have on its results of operations and financial
position.
In
December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141(R), Business Combinations. SFAS No.
141(R) establishes principles and requirements for how the acquirer of a
business recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable
assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the
acquiree. SFAS No. 141(R) also provides guidance for recognizing and measuring
the goodwill acquired in the business combination and determines what
information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate
the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS No. 141(R) is
effective for fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Earlier
adoption is prohibited. The Company is currently reviewing the requirements of
this statement and, at this point in time, have not determined the impact, if
any, that this statement may have on its results of operations and financial
position.
13
Item
2.
|
MANAGEMENT'S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
|
The
following discussion should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements and related notes to condensed consolidated
financial statements included in this Form 10-Q and our audited consolidated
financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended June 30, 2007 filed with the SEC and management’s discussion and analysis
contained therein. This discussion contains forward-looking
statements based on current expectations that involve risks and uncertainties,
such as our plans, objectives, expectations, and intentions, as set forth under
“Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” Our actual results
and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in these
forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including those set
forth in the following discussion and under the caption “Risk Factors” in Part
II, Item 1A, as well as other information found in the documents we file from
time to time with the SEC. Unless otherwise indicated, all references
to a year reflect our fiscal year that ends on June 30.
BUSINESS
OVERVIEW
We are an
audio conferencing products company. We develop, manufacture, market, and
service a comprehensive line of high-quality audio conferencing products, which
range from personal conferencing products to tabletop conferencing phones to
premium and professionally installed audio systems. We also manufacture and sell
conferencing furniture. We have a strong history of product innovation and plan
to continue to apply our expertise in audio engineering to develop and introduce
innovative new products and enhance our existing products. We believe the
performance and reliability of our high-quality audio products create a natural
communications environment, which saves organizations of all sizes time and
money by enabling more effective and efficient communication.
Our
products are used by organizations of all sizes to accomplish effective group
communication. Our end-users range from some of the world’s largest and most
prestigious companies and institutions to small and medium-sized businesses,
educational institutions, and government organizations as well as individual
consumers. We sell our products to these end-users primarily through a network
of independent distributors which in turn sell our products to dealers, systems
integrators, and value-added resellers. We also sell products on a limited basis
directly to dealers, systems integrators, value-added resellers, and
end-users.
CRITICAL
ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Our
discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition are
based upon our condensed consolidated financial statements, which have been
prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting
principles. We review the accounting policies used in reporting our
financial results on a regular basis. The preparation of these
financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting
period. We evaluate our assumptions and estimates on an ongoing basis
and may employ outside experts to assist in our evaluations. We
believe that the estimates we use are reasonable; however, actual results could
differ from those estimates. We believe the following critical
accounting policies affect our more significant assumptions and estimates that
we used to prepare our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Revenue
and Associated Allowances for Revenue Adjustments and Doubtful
Accounts
Included
in continuing operations is product revenue, primarily from product sales to
distributors, dealers, and end-users. Product revenue is recognized
when (i) the products are shipped and any right of return expires, (ii)
persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, (iii) the price is fixed and
determinable, and (iv) collection is reasonably assured.
14
We
provide a right of return on product sales to distributors. Revenue
from product sales to distributors is not recognized until the return privilege
has expired, which approximates when product is sold-through to customers of our
distributors (dealers, system integrators, value-added resellers, and end-users)
rather than when the product is initially shipped to a
distributor. We evaluate, at each quarter-end, the inventory in the
distributorship channel through information provided by certain of our
distributors. The level of inventory in the channel will fluctuate up
or down, each quarter, based upon our distributors’ individual
operations. Accordingly, each quarter-end revenue deferral is
calculated and recorded based upon the underlying, estimated channel inventory
at quarter-end. Although certain distributors provide certain channel
inventory amounts, we make judgments and estimates with regard to the amount of
inventory in the entire channel, for all customers and for all channel
inventory items, and the appropriate revenue and cost of goods
sold associated with those channel products. Although
these estimates and judgments regarding total channel inventory revenue and
cost of goods sold could differ from actual amounts, we believe that
our calculations are indicative of actual levels of inventory in the
distribution channel. As of March 31, 2008, we deferred $4.2 million in
revenue and $1.8 million in cost of goods sold related to products sold where
return rights had not lapsed. The amounts of deferred cost of goods
sold were included in consigned inventory. The following table
details the amount of deferred revenue and cost of goods sold at each period end
for the 21-month period ended March 31, 2008 (in thousands).
Deferred Revenue
|
Deferred Cost of Goods Sold
|
Deferred Gross Profit
|
||||||||||
March
31, 2008
|
$ | 4,206 | $ | 1,757 | $ | 2,449 | ||||||
December
31, 2007
|
4,980 | 1,859 | 3,121 | |||||||||
September
30, 2007
|
5,875 | 2,149 | 3,726 | |||||||||
June
30, 2007
|
4,872 | 2,115 | 2,757 | |||||||||
March
31, 2007
|
5,111 | 2,265 | 2,846 | |||||||||
December
31, 2006
|
4,711 | 2,166 | 2,545 | |||||||||
September
30, 2006
|
5,249 | 2,541 | 2,708 | |||||||||
June
30, 2006
|
5,871 | 2,817 | 3,054 |
We offer
rebates and market development funds to certain of our distributors and dealers,
systems integrators, value-added resellers, and end-users and based upon volume
of product purchased by them. We record rebates as a reduction of
revenue in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 00-22,
“Accounting for Points and Certain Other Time-Based or Volume-Based Sales
Incentive Offers, and Offers for Free Products or Services to Be Delivered in
the Future.” Beginning January 1, 2002, we adopted EITF Issue No.
01-9, “Accounting for Consideration Given by a Vendor to a Customer (Including a
Reseller of the Vendor’s Products).” We continue to record rebates as
a reduction of revenue in the period revenue is recognized.
We offer
credit terms on the sale of our products to a majority of our customers and
perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers’ financial
condition. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for
estimated losses resulting from the inability or unwillingness of our customers
to make required payments based upon our historical collection experience and
expected collectibility of all accounts receivable. Our actual bad
debts in future periods may differ from our current estimates and the
differences may be material, which may have an adverse impact on our future
accounts receivable and cash position.
Purchased
Intangibles
We assess
the impairment of intangibles annually or whenever events or changes in
circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be
recoverable. Some factors we consider important that could trigger an
impairment review include the following:
·
|
Significant
underperformance relative to projected future operating
results;
|
·
|
Significant
changes in the manner of our use of the acquired assets or the strategy
for our overall business; and
|
·
|
Significant
negative industry or economic
trends.
|
15
If we
determine that the carrying value of intangibles may not be recoverable based
upon the existence of one or more of the above indicators of impairment, we
would typically measure any impairment based on a projected discounted cash flow
method using a discount rate determined by us to be commensurate with the risk
inherent in our current business model. We evaluate intangibles for
impairment at least annually.
We plan
to conduct our annual impairment tests in the fourth quarter of every fiscal
year, unless impairment indicators exist sooner. Screening for and
assessing whether impairment indicators exist or if events or changes in
circumstances have occurred, including market conditions, operating
fundamentals, competition, and general economic conditions, requires significant
judgment. Additionally, changes in the high-technology industry occur
frequently and quickly. Therefore, there can be no assurance that a
charge to operations will not occur as a result of future purchased intangible
impairment tests.
Impairment
of Long-Lived Asset
We assess
the impairment of long-lived assets, such as property, equipment, and
definite-lived intangibles subject to amortization, annually or whenever events
or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not
be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is
measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset or asset group to
estimated future undiscounted net cash flows of the related asset or group of
assets over their remaining lives. If the carrying amount of an asset
exceeds its estimated future undiscounted cash flows, an impairment charge is
recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the estimated
fair value of the asset. Impairment of long-lived assets is assessed
at the lowest levels for which there are identifiable cash flows that are
independent of other groups of assets. The impairment of long-lived
assets requires judgments and estimates. If circumstances change,
such estimates could also change. Assets held for sale are reported
at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value, less the estimated costs to
sell.
Accounting
for Income Taxes
We are
subject to income taxes in both the United States and in certain non-U.S.
jurisdictions. We estimate our current tax position together with our
future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences resulting from
differing treatment of items, such as deferred revenue, depreciation, and other
reserves for tax and accounting purposes. These temporary differences
result in deferred tax assets and liabilities. We must then assess
the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future
taxable income, prior year carryback, or future reversals of existing taxable
temporary differences. To the extent we believe that recovery is not
more likely than not, we establish a valuation allowance against these deferred
tax assets. Significant management judgment is required in
determining our provision for income taxes, our deferred tax assets and
liabilities, and any valuation allowance recorded against our deferred tax
assets. To the extent we establish a valuation allowance in a period,
we must include an expense for the allowance within the tax provision in the
condensed consolidated statement of operations. The reversal of a previously
established valuation allowance results in a benefit for income taxes. As of
March 31, 2008, we continued to be fully reserved against our net deferred tax
assets which total approximately $4.5 million.
Lower-of-Cost
or Market Adjustments and Reserves for Excess and Obsolete
Inventory
We
account for our inventory on a first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis, and make
appropriate adjustments on a quarterly basis to write down the value of
inventory to the lower-of-cost or market.
In order
to determine what, if any, inventory needs to be written down, we perform a
quarterly analysis of obsolete and slow-moving inventory. In general,
we write down our excess and obsolete inventory by an amount that is equal to
the difference between the cost of the inventory and its estimated market value
if market value is less than cost, based upon assumptions about future product
life-cycles, product demand, or market conditions. Those items that
are found to have a supply in excess of our estimated demand are considered to
be slow-moving or obsolete and the appropriate reserve is made to write down the
value of that inventory to its realizable value. These charges are
recorded in cost of goods sold. At the point of the loss recognition,
a new, lower-cost basis for that inventory is established and subsequent changes
in facts and circumstances do not result in the restoration or increase in that
newly established cost basis. If there were to be a sudden and
significant decrease in demand for our products, or if there were a higher
incidence of inventory obsolescence because of rapidly changing technology and
customer requirements, we could be required to increase our inventory
allowances, and our gross profit could be adversely affected.
16
Share-Based
Payment
Prior to
June 30, 2005 and as permitted under the original SFAS No. 123, we accounted for
our share-based payments following the recognition and measurement principles of
Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees,” as interpreted. Accordingly, no share-based compensation
expense had been reflected in our statements of operations for unmodified option
grants since (1) the exercise price equaled the market value of the underlying
common stock on the grant date and (2) the related number of shares to be
granted upon exercise of the stock option was fixed on the grant
date.
In
December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based
Payment.” SFAS No. 123R is a revision of SFAS No.
123. SFAS No. 123R establishes standards for the accounting for
transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or
services. Primarily, SFAS No. 123R focuses on accounting for
transactions in which an entity obtains employee services in share-based payment
transactions. It also addresses transactions in which an entity
incurs liabilities in exchange for goods or services that are based on the fair
value of the entity’s equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance
of those equity instruments.
Under
SFAS No. 123R, we measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for
an award of equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of the award
(with limited exceptions). That cost will be recognized over the
period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for
the awards – the requisite service period (usually the vesting
period). No compensation cost is recognized for equity instruments
for which employees do not render the requisite service. Therefore,
if an employee does not ultimately render the requisite service, the costs
associated with the unvested options will not be recognized,
cumulatively.
Effective
July 1, 2005, we adopted SFAS No. 123R and its fair value recognition provisions
using the modified prospective transition method. Under this
transition method, stock-based compensation cost recognized after July 1, 2005
includes the straight-line basis compensation cost for (a) all share-based
payments granted prior to July 1, 2005, but not yet vested, based on the grant
date fair values used for the pro forma disclosures under the original SFAS No.
123 and (b) all share-based payments granted or modified on or after July 1,
2005, in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 123R.
Under
SFAS No. 123R, we recognize compensation cost net of an anticipated forfeiture
rate and recognize the associated compensation cost for those awards expected to
vest on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. We
use judgment in determining the fair value of the share-based payments on the
date of grant using an option-pricing model with assumptions regarding a number
of highly complex and subjective variables. These variables include,
but are not limited to, the expected life of the awards, the expected volatility
over the term of the awards, the expected dividends of the awards, the risk-free
interest rate of the awards, and an estimate of the amount of awards that are
expected to be forfeited. If assumptions change in the application of
SFAS No. 123R in future periods, the stock-based compensation cost ultimately
recorded under SFAS No. 123R may differ significantly from what was recorded in
the current period.
SEASONALITY
Our audio
conferencing products revenue has historically been strongest during our second
and fourth fiscal quarters. There can be no assurance that any
historical sales patterns will continue and, as a result, sales for any prior
quarter are not necessarily indicative of the sales to be expected in any future
quarter.
17
ANALYSIS
OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Results
of Operations for the three months or the third fiscal quarter (“3Q”) and nine
months of the fiscal year (“9M”) ended March 31, 2008 and 2007
The
following table sets forth certain items from our unaudited condensed
consolidated statements of operations (in thousands) for the three and nine
months ended March 31, 2008 and 2007, together with the percentage of total
revenue that each such item represents:
CLEARONE
COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(Unaudited)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in
thousands of dollars, except per share amounts)
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended
|
Nine Months Ended
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
March
31,
|
March
31,
|
March
31,
|
March
31,
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
2008
|
2007
|
2008
|
2007
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
%
of Revenue
|
%
of Revenue
|
%
of Revenue
|
%
of Revenue
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Product
Revenue:
|
$ | 9,163 | 100% | $ | 9,355 | 100% | $ | 29,393 | 100% | $ | 28,873 | 100% | ||||||||||||||||||||
Cost
of goods sold
|
3,439 | 38% | 4,190 | 45% | 12,153 | 41% | 13,366 | 46% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Gross
profit
|
5,724 | 62% | 5,165 | 55% | 17,240 | 59% | 15,507 | 54% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Operating
expenses:
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sales
& Marketing
|
1,640 | 18% | 2,004 | 21% | 4,820 | 16% | 5,711 | 20% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
General
& administrative
|
1,183 | 13% | 763 | 8% | 5,276 | 18% | 2,260 | 8% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Research
and product development
|
1,701 | 19% | 1,848 | 20% | 5,134 | 17% | 5,782 | 20% | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total
operating expenses
|
4,524 | 49% | 4,615 | 49% | 15,230 | 52% | 13,753 | 48% |
Revenue
Revenue
for 3Q 2008 decreased by 2%, or approximately $190,000, compared to 3Q
2007. The 3Q 2008 decrease was due mainly to lower sales of the
Company’s professional audio and premium conferencing products in addition to
lower accessories revenue which collectively decreased approximately $500,000
from 3Q 2007. The 3Q 2008 decreases were offset by an approximate $300,000
collective increase in the Company’s tabletop and personal conferencing products
over the same period of 2007. Revenues generated within the United States
decreased from 70% in 3Q 2007 to 63% in 3Q 2008.
9M 2008
revenue increased by 2%, or approximately $520,000 compared to 9M 2007. The 9M
2008 revenue increase was led by growth in professional audio, tabletop,
personal and OEM conferencing product sales which collectively increased
approximately $1 million over 9M 2007. The Company also expended about $250,000
less in marketing programs (e.g. marketing development funds, rebates, etc.) in
9M 2008 than in 9M 2007. These revenue increases were offset by reduced premium
conferencing, conferencing furniture and other product sales which together
declined about $725,000 in 9M 2008. Revenues generated within the United States
increased from 70% in 9M 2007 to 72% in 3Q 2008.
We
evaluate, at each quarter-end, the inventory in the channel through information
provided by certain of our distributors. The level of inventory in the
channel fluctuates up or down, each quarter, based upon our distributors’
individual operations. Accordingly, each quarter-end revenue deferral is
calculated and recorded based upon the underlying, estimated channel inventory
at quarter-end. During 3Q 2008 and 2007, the net change in deferred
revenue based on the net movement of inventory in the channel was a net
recognition (deferral) of $774,000 and ($400,000) in revenue, respectively. For
9M 2008 and 2007, the net change in deferred revenue based on the net movement
of inventory in the channel was a net recognition of $666,000 and $760,000 in
revenue, respectively.
18
Costs
of Goods Sold and Gross Profit
Costs of
goods sold (“COGS”) from the product segment includes expenses associated with
finished goods purchased from outsourced manufacturers, the manufacture of our
products, including material and direct labor, our manufacturing and operations
organization, property and equipment depreciation, warranty expense, freight
expense, royalty payments, and the allocation of overhead expenses.
The
Company’s gross profit margin (GPM), gross profit as a percentage of sales, was
62% and 59% in 3Q and 9M 2008, respectively, compared to 55% and 54% in 3Q and
9M 2007, respectively. GPM for 3Q 2008 was significantly higher than the same
period of 2007 primarily as a result of the Company reducing its reserve for
inventory obsolescence by approximately $400,000; largely the result of the
increased sales velocity of several lines of its tabletop conferencing products.
The increase in GPM for 9M 2008 over the same period of 2007 was due primarily
to a favorable mix of higher margin product revenue in 9M 2008, led by the
Company’s professional audio conferencing products, in addition to the reduction
in the Company’s inventory obsolescence reserve discussed above.
Operating
Expenses
3Q 2008
operating expenses were $4.5 million, a decrease of $90,000, or 2%, from $4.6
million for 3Q 2007. 9M 2008 operating expenses of $15.2 million were
$1.5 million or 11% higher than the 9M 2007 total of $13.8 million. The
following is a more detailed discussion of expenses related to sales and
marketing, general and administrative, and research and product
development.
Sales and
marketing expenses. Sales
and Marketing (S&M) expenses include selling, customer service, and
marketing expenses such as employee-related costs, allocations of overhead
expenses, trade shows, and other advertising and selling expenses. 3Q 2008
S&M expenses decreased $364,000, or 18%, to $1.6 million compared to 3Q 2007
expenses of $2.0 million. As a percentage of revenues, 3Q 2008 and 2007 S&M
expenses were 18% and 21%, respectively. The lower 3Q 2008 percentage
can be attributed to lower S&M expenses primarily related to significantly
lower payroll and related expenses of $335,000 associated with lower S&M
headcount. 9M 2008 S&M expenses decreased about $900,000, or 16%,
to $4.8 million compared to 9M 2007 expenses of $5.7 million due to $1 million
lower payroll and related expenses of $1 million partially offset by an increase
in advertising and related expenses to promote the Company’s differentiated
value in targeted publications and trade shows. As a percentage of revenues, 9M
2008 and 2007 S&M expenses were 16% and 20%, respectively.
General
and administrative expenses. General
and administrative (G&A) expenses include employee-related costs,
professional service fees, allocations of overhead expenses, litigation costs
and corporate administrative costs, including finance and human resources. 3Q
2008 G&A expenses increased $420,000, or 55%, to $1.2 million compared to 3Q
2007 expenses of $763,000. 3Q 2008 and 2007 G&A expenses were 13% and 8% of
revenue, respectively. The 3Q 2008 increase was due primarily to
accruing an additional $300,000 for the Company’s contingent liability reserve
associated with the advancement of funds related to indemnification agreements
with two former officers. 9M 2008 G&A expenses increased $3.0 million, or
133%, to $5.3 million compared to 9M 2007 expenses of $2.3 million. 9M 2008 and
2007 G&A expenses were 18% and 8% of revenue, respectively. The $3.0 million
increase in 9M 2008 was primarily due to estimating and establishing a $1.8
million accrual for a contingent liability in 1Q 2008, which was subsequently
increased by $400,000 in the subsequent two quarters. In accordance with SFAS
No. 5, Accounting for
Contingencies, the Company has accrued a total of $2.2 million in 9M
2008, the balance of which was $670,000 at March 31, 2008, representing the
probable amount that as of the date of the financial statements could be
reasonably estimated of its liability, through trial, associated with the
advancement of funds related to indemnification agreements with two former
officers (please refer to “Legal Proceedings” in Part II of this Form 10-Q for
additional information). Also, during 9M 2008 the Company incurred an additional
$840,000 in legal fees over 9M 2007, primarily related to its lawsuit against
WideBand, Biamp et al. The Company also paid Edward D. Bagley, the Company’s
former director and Chairman the sum of $200,000 in 1Q 2008 upon his resignation
and in consideration for his service as a director of the Company since
1994.
19
Research
and product development expenses. Research
and product development (R&D) expenses include research and development,
product line management, engineering services, and test and application
expenses, including employee-related costs, outside services, expensed
materials, depreciation, and an allocation of overhead expenses. 3Q
2008 R&D expenses decreased to $1.7 million from $1.9 million in 3Q
2007. As a percentage of revenues, 3Q 2008 and 2007 R&D expenses
were 19% and 20%, respectively. As a percentage of revenues, 9M 2008
R&D expenses decreased to $5.1 million from $5.8 million in 9M 2007. 9M 2008
and 2007 R&D expenses were 17% and 20% of revenue, respectively. The
$648,000 decrease in 9M 2008 was due primarily to lower payroll and related
expenses in addition to lower R&D project expenses.
Operating
income. 3Q 2008 operating income increased 118% to $1.2
million compared to 3Q 2007 operating income of $550,000. The 3Q 2008
operating income increase of $650,000 was due mainly to the $560,000 gross
profit increase. 9M 2008 operating income was $2.0 million compared to $1.8
million in 9M 2007. The approximate $200,000 operating income increase in 9M
2008 was due to the $1.7 million gross profit increase partially offset by the
$1.5 million increase in operating expenses.
Other income,
net. Other income, net, includes interest income, interest
expense, capital gains, gain (loss) on the disposal of assets, and currency gain
(loss). 3Q 2008 other income was $196,000, a decrease of $380,000
from other income of $577,000 in 3Q 2007. 9M 2008 other income was
$850,000, a decrease of $380,000 from other income of $1.2 million in 9M 2007.
The decreases in both 3Q and 9M 2008 were primarily due to the Company’s 9M 2007
receipt of $326,000 in interest income related to an income tax
refund.
Income from continuing operations
before income taxes. 3Q
2008 and 3Q 2007 income from continuing operations was $1.1 million and
$960,000, respectively. As a percentage of revenues, 3Q 2008 and 2007
income from continuing operations was 12% and 10%, respectively. 9M 2008 income
from continuing operations was $1.9 million compared to $2.7 million in 9M
2007. As a percentage of revenues, 9M 2008 and 2007 income from
continuing operations was 6% and 9%, respectively. The lower income from
continuing operations in 9M 2008 was due to primarily to the $2.2 million
contingent liability charged to G&A expenses associated with the advancement
of funds under indemnification agreements with two former officers, partially
offset by the 9M 2008 higher gross profit of $1.7 million and $250,000 increased
operating income.
Income (loss) from discontinued
operations, net of tax. During 3Q 2008 and 2007 we recorded
income from discontinued operations, net of tax of $0 and $263,000,
respectively. The 3Q 2007 income was exclusively related to funds received
through the receivership of OM Video. For 9M 2008 and 2007 income
from discontinued operations, net of tax was $16,000 and $304,000,
respectively. During 9M 2007, we recognized $41,000 in income from
discontinued operations from the document and educational camera product line
and $263,000 related to funds received through the OM Video
receivership.
Net
income and earnings per share. 3Q 2008 net
income was $1.1 million, a decrease of $160,000 from $1.2 million in 3Q 2007. As
a percentage of revenues, 3Q 2008 and 2007 net income was 12% and 13%,
respectively. The 3Q 2008 decrease was due primarily to the $263,000
income from discontinued operations realized in 3Q 2007. As a percentage of
revenues, 9M 2008 and 2007 net income was 7% and 10%,
respectively. The $1.1 million 9M 2008 decrease was due largely to
the establishment of the $2.2 million accrual for the contingent liability
previously discussed in addition to an increased tax provision of $652 partially
offset by the $1.7 million 9M 2008 increase in gross profit. The income tax
provision rates in 3Q and 9M 2008 were 24% and 33%, respectively, compared to
15% and 10% in 3Q and 9M 2007, respectively. The increase in the 2008 tax rates
were due largely to the Company’s adoption of FIN 48 Accounting for Uncertainty in Income
Taxes in addition to recognition of tax on the undistributed earnings of
the Company’s foreign subsidiaries and deferring $400,000 of the legal
contingent liability into the next fiscal year.
Diluted
3Q 2008 earnings per share (EPS) were 10% lower than in 3Q 2007. Diluted 9M 2008
EPS from continuing operations were 31% lower than in 9M 2007. The 3Q 2008 EPS
from continuing operations decrease was due primarily to the $263,000 income
from discontinued operations recognized in 3Q 2007 partially offset by
approximately 343,000 fewer diluted shares outstanding due to the Company’s open
market share repurchases. The 9M 2008 31% decrease in EPS over the same period
of the prior year was due to the lower net income previously discussed partially
offset by 848,000 fewer diluted shares outstanding.
3Q and 9M
2008 diluted weighted shares outstanding were 10,747,317 and 10,921,932,
respectively. 3Q and 9M 2007 diluted weighted shares outstanding were 11,101,791
and 11,770,145, respectively.
20
LIQUIDITY
AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Net cash
provided by operating activities was $2.4 million in 9M 2008, a decrease of $3.5
million from the net cash provided by operating activities of $5.9 million in 9M
2007. The year-over-year decrease can be attributed primarily to
receipt of a $3.5 million federal income tax refund received in 9M 2007. The
Company also recognized approximately $800,000 lower net income in 9M 2008 which
was offset by changes in working capital, exclusive of the $3.5 million income
tax refund, of about $1.0 million in addition to lower depreciation and
stock-based compensation which collectively decreased approximately $170,000
from 9M 2007.
Net cash
flows provided by investing activities were $6.1 million in 9M 2008, an increase
of about $6.0 million from 9M 2007. During 9M 2008 the Company
converted about $6.8 million of marketable securities to cash and cash
equivalents.
Net cash
(used in) financing activities in 9M 2008 totaled ($2.7 million) which was
approximately $3.1 million less than the ($5.8 million) (used in) financing
activities during 9M 2007. In 9M 2007 the Company repurchased about 1.3 million
of its shares for about $5.8 million compared to 9M 2008 repurchases of 600,000
shares for $3.4 million. In 9M 2008 the Company also received about $600,000
upon the exercise of stock options compared to $40,000 in the prior year
period.
Additionally
in 9M 2008, we paid approximately $1.4 million in income taxes and reduced our
July 1, 2007 balance of retained earnings by $295 upon our adoption of FASB
issued Interpretation No. 48 (“FIN 48”), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income
Taxes as discussed in note 5. During 9M 2007 we recorded $1.1 million in
non-cash financing activities related to leasehold improvements to our new
headquarters, the majority of which was paid as an incentive by the lessor as
part of the lease agreement. These improvements are being accounted for in
accordance with FASB Technical Bulletin No. 88-1, Issues Relating to Accounting for
Leases, which states among other things that landlord incentives which
fund leasehold improvements should be recorded as deferred rent and amortized as
reductions to lease expense over the term of the lease.
Management
believes that future income from operations and effective management of working
capital will provide the liquidity needed to finance growth plans. In addition
to capital expenditures, the Company plans to use cash during the remainder of
fiscal 2008 for selective infusions of technological, marketing or product
manufacturing rights to broaden the Company's product offerings; for continued
share repurchases; and if available for a reasonable price, acquisitions that
may strategically fit the Company’s business and are accretive to
performance.
Item
3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET
RISK
Our
exposure to market risk has not changed materially since June 30,
2007.
Item
4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
We
maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information
required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized,
and reported within the required time periods and that such information is
accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely
decisions regarding required disclosure. The effectiveness of any
system of disclosure controls and procedures is subject to certain limitations,
including the exercise of judgment in designing, implementing, and evaluating
the controls and procedures, the assumptions used in identifying the likelihood
of future events, and the inability to eliminate improper conduct
completely. A controls system, no matter how well-designed and
operated, cannot provide absolute assurance that the objectives of the controls
system are met, and no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance
that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within a company have
been detected. As a result, there can be no assurance that our
disclosure controls and procedures will detect all errors or fraud.
21
As
required by Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act, we have completed an evaluation,
under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including
the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the
effectiveness and the design and operation of our disclosure controls and
procedures as of March 31, 2008.
Based
upon this evaluation, our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and
the Chief Financial Officer, has concluded that our disclosure controls and
procedures were effective as of March 31, 2008.
There
were no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that
occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2008, that have materially affected,
or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal controls
over financial reporting.
22
PART
II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item
1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Legal
Proceedings. In addition to the legal proceedings described
below, we are also involved from time to time in various claims and other legal
proceedings which arise in the normal course of business. Such matters are
subject to many uncertainties and outcomes that are not predictable. The
following is an update to the proceedings described more fully in the Company’s
Annual Report on SEC Form 10-K ITEM 3 - LEGAL PROCEEDINGS, for the year-ended
2007 and subsequent interim Form 10-Q updates.
Former Officer
Indemnification. The Company has been informed that a trial date has been
set for October 20, 2008. In accordance with SFAS No. 5, Accounting for
Contingencies, ClearOne has accrued a total of $2.2 million in the first nine
months of its fiscal 2008, the balance of which was about $670,000 at March 31,
2008 representing the probable amount that as of the date of the financial
statements could be reasonably estimated of its liability, through trial,
associated with the advancement of funds related to the indemnification
agreements. The accrual is management’s best estimate of the Company’s liability
as of the date of the issuance of its financial statements. In accordance with
SFAS No. 5, the Company will adjust its contingent liability, as necessary, to
reflect the probable amount of its liability that can be reasonably estimated.
The Company’s actual liability may be higher or lower than management’s estimate
upon final resolution of the matter.
Ernst & Young LLP
(“E&Y”). In the Company’s claims against E&Y for breach of
contract and professional negligence, the parties reached an agreement on a
number of arbitration scheduling and procedural matters including discovery and
commencing the hearing on April 20, 2009.
Item
1A. RISK FACTORS
Investors
should carefully consider the risks described below. The risks
described below are not the only risks we face, and there are risks that we are
not presently aware of or that we currently believe are immaterial that may also
impair our business operations. Any of these risks could harm our
business. The trading price of our common stock could decline
significantly due to any of these risks and investors may lose all or part of
their investment. In assessing these risks, investors should also
refer to the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including our March 31, 2008 unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements and related notes.
Risks
Relating to Our Business
We
face intense competition in all markets for our products and services; our
operating results will be adversely affected if we cannot compete effectively
against other companies.
As
described in more detail in the section entitled “Competition,” in our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2007, the markets for our
products and services are characterized by intense competition, pricing
pressures and rapid technological change. We compete with businesses
having substantially greater financial, research and development, manufacturing,
marketing, and other resources. If we are not able to continually
design, manufacture, and successfully introduce new or enhanced products or
services that are comparable or superior to those provided by our competitors
and at comparable or better prices, we could experience pricing pressures and
reduced sales, profits, and market share, each of which could have a materially
adverse effect on our business.
Difficulties
in estimating customer demand in our products segment could harm our profit
margins.
Orders
from our distributors and other distribution participants are based on demand
from end-users. Prospective end-user demand is difficult to measure. This means
that our revenues in any fiscal quarter could be adversely impacted by low
end-user demand, which could in turn negatively affect orders we receive from
distributors, dealers, systems integrators and value-added resellers. Our
expectations for both short- and long-term future net revenues are based on our
own estimates of future demand.
23
Revenues
for any particular time period are difficult to predict with any degree of
certainty. We usually ship products within a short time after we receive an
order; so consequently, unshipped backlog has not been a good indicator of
future revenues. We believe that the current level of backlog will fluctuate
dependent in part on our ability to forecast revenue mix and plan our
manufacturing accordingly. A significant portion of our orders are received in
the last month of the quarter. We budget the amount of our expenses based on our
revenue estimates. If our estimates of sales are not accurate and we experience
unforeseen variability in our revenues and operating results, we may be unable
to adjust our expense levels accordingly and our gross profit and results of
operations will be adversely affected. Higher inventory levels or stock
shortages may also result from difficulties in estimating customer
demand.
Our
sales depend to a certain extent on government funding and
regulation.
In the
audio conferencing products market, the revenues generated from sales of our
audio conferencing products for distance learning and courtroom facilities are
dependent on government funding. In the event government funding for
such initiatives was reduced or became unavailable, our sales could be
negatively impacted. Additionally, many of our products are subject to
governmental regulations. New regulations could significantly impact sales in an
adverse manner.
Product
development delays or defects could harm our competitive position and reduce our
revenues.
We have
experienced and may again experience, technical difficulties and delays with the
development and introduction of new products. Many of the products we develop
contain sophisticated and complicated circuitry, software and components, and
utilize manufacturing techniques involving new technologies. Potential
difficulties in the development process that could be experienced by us include
difficulty in:
·
|
meeting
required specifications and regulatory
standards;
|
·
|
meeting
market expectations for
performance;
|
·
|
hiring
and keeping a sufficient number of skilled
developers;
|
·
|
obtaining
prototype products at anticipated cost
levels;
|
·
|
having
the ability to identify problems or product defects in the development
cycle; and
|
·
|
achieving
necessary manufacturing
efficiencies.
|
Once new
products reach the market, they may have defects, or may be met by unanticipated
new competitive products, which could adversely affect market acceptance of
these products and our reputation. If we are not able to manage and minimize
such potential difficulties, our business and results of operations could be
negatively affected.
Our
profitability may be adversely affected by our continuing dependence on our
distribution channels.
We market
our products primarily through a network of distributors which in turn sell our
products to systems integrators, dealers, and value-added resellers. The
majority of our agreements with such distributors and other distribution
participants are non-exclusive, terminable at will by either party and generally
short-term. No assurances can be given that any or all such distributors or
other distribution participants will continue their relationship with us.
Distributors and to a lesser extent systems integrators, dealers, and
value-added resellers cannot easily be replaced, and the loss of revenues and
our inability to reduce expenses to compensate for the loss of revenues could
adversely affect our net revenues and profit margins.
Although
we rely on our distribution channels to sell our products, our distributors and
other reseller participants are not obligated to devote any specified amount of
time, resources, or efforts to the marketing of our products or to sell a
specified number of our products. There are no prohibitions on distributors or
other resellers offering products that are competitive with our products and
some do offer competitive products. The support of our products by distributors
and other resller participants may depend on the competitive strength of our
products and the price incentives we offer for their support. If our
distributors and other reseller participants are not committed to our products,
our revenues and profit margins may be adversely affected.
24
We
cannot guarantee that our assumptions and judgments respecting recognition of
revenue will be accurate.
We defer
recognition of revenue from product sales to distributors until the return
privilege has expired, which approximates when product is sold-through to
customers of our distributors. We evaluate, at each quarter-end, the inventory
in the channel through information provided by certain of our distributors. We
use this information along with our judgment and estimates to determine the
amount of inventory in the entire channel, for all customers and for all
inventory items, and the appropriate revenue and cost of goods sold associated
with those channel products. We cannot guarantee that the third party data, as
reported, or that our assumptions and judgments regarding total channel
inventory revenue and cost of goods sold, will be accurate. We periodically
audit a limited number of distributors.
We
depend on an outsourced manufacturing strategy.
In August
2005, we entered into a manufacturing agreement with a manufacturing services
provider to manufacturer substantially all the products that were previously
manufactured at our Salt Lake City, Utah manufacturing facility. Subsequently,
we entered into agreements with offshore manufacturers who also manufacture
several of our product lines. If these manufacturers that experience
difficulties in obtaining sufficient supplies of components, component prices
significantly exceed anticipated costs, an interruption in their operations, or
otherwise suffer capacity constraints, we would experience a delay in shipping
these products which would have a negative impact on our revenues. Should there
be any disruption in services due to natural disaster, economic or political
difficulties, quarantines, transportation restrictions, acts of terror,
restrictions associated with infectious diseases, or other similar events, or
any other reason, such disruption would have a material adverse effect on our
business. Operating in the international environment exposes us to certain
inherent risks, including unexpected changes in regulatory requirements and
tariffs, and potentially adverse tax consequences, which could materially affect
our results of operations. Currently, we do not have a second source of
manufacturing for some of our products.
The cost
of delivered product from our outsourced manufacturers is a direct function of
their ability to buy materials at a competitive price and to realize
efficiencies and economies of scale within their overall business structure. If
they are unsuccessful in driving efficient cost models, our delivered costs
could rise, affecting our profitability and ability to compete. In addition, if
the contract manufacturers are unable to achieve greater operational
efficiencies, delivery schedules for new product development and current product
delivery could be negatively impacted.
Environmental
laws and regulations subject us to a number of risks and could result in
significant costs and impact on revenue
We rely
on our suppliers to provide us with materials that are compliant with
environmental laws and regulations such as Restrictions on
Hazardous Substances (RoHS) rules in Europe, and Waste Electrical and Electronic
(WEEE) directives, among others. We also rely on our contract
manufacturer’s whose processes must be maintained in accordance with such
regulations. We work with our suppliers and contract manufacturers
for ongoing compliance with regulations and attempt to identify possible
discrepancies as quickly as possible; however, one or more of our products could
be in violation of a regulation due to a supplier and/or contract manufacturer
making a non-compliant material or process change which could result in a
material adverse effect on our operating results.
We
depend on an outsourced fulfillment strategy.
In
January 2008, we commenced the use of a third party supply chain management
(“SCM”) firm who manages the receiving, storing, picking, packing, shipping and
inventory management of the majority of the Company’s products. If the SCM firm
experiences difficulties and/or interruptions in their operations preventing
them from adequately fulfilling the Company’s products, we would experience a
delay in shipping product to our customers which would negatively impact on our
revenues. Should there be any disruption in the SCM’s services due to natural
disaster, economic or political difficulties, quarantines, labor disputes,
transportation restrictions, acts of terror or other similar events, such
disruption would have a material adverse effect on our business. Currently, we
do not have a second source for fulfillment of the majority of our
products.
25
Product
obsolescence could harm demand for our products and could adversely affect our
revenues and our results of operations.
Our
industry is subject to rapid and frequent technological innovations that could
render existing technologies in our products obsolete and thereby decrease
market demand for such products. If any of our products become slow-moving or
obsolete and the recorded value of our inventory is greater than its market
value, we will be required to write down the value of our inventory to its fair
market value, which would adversely affect our results of operations. In limited
circumstances, we are required to purchase components that our outsourced
manufacturers use to produce and assemble our products. Should technological
innovations render these materials obsolete, we will be required to write down
the value of this inventory, which could adversely affect our results of
operations.
If
we are unable to protect our intellectual property rights or have insufficient
proprietary rights, our business would be materially impaired.
We
currently rely primarily on a combination of trade secrets, copyrights,
trademarks, patents, patents pending, confidentiality and nondisclosure
agreements to establish and protect our proprietary/intellectual property rights
in our products. No assurances can be given that others will not independently
develop similar technologies, or duplicate or design around aspects of our
technology. In addition, we cannot assure that any patent or registered
trademark owned by us will not be invalidated, circumvented or challenged, or
that the rights granted thereunder will provide competitive advantages to us.
Litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights. We
believe our products and other proprietary rights do not infringe upon any
proprietary rights of third parties; however, we cannot assure that third
parties will not assert infringement claims in the future. Our industry is
characterized by vigorous protection of intellectual property rights. Such
claims and the resulting litigation are expensive and could divert management’s
attention, regardless of their merit. In the event of a claim, we might be
required to license third-party technology or redesign our products, which may
not be possible or economically feasible.
We
currently hold a number of patents. To the extent that we have patentable
technology for which we have not filed patent applications, others may be able
to use such technology or even gain priority over us by patenting such
technology themselves.
International
sales account for a significant portion of our revenue and risks inherent in
international sales could harm our business.
International
sales represent a significant portion of our total product revenue. We
anticipate that the portion of our total product revenue from international
sales will continue to increase as we further enhance our focus on developing
new products for new markets, establishing new distribution partners,
strengthening our presence in emerging economies, and improving product
localization with country-specific product documentation and marketing
materials. Our international business is subject to the financial and operating
risks of conducting business internationally, including:
·
|
unexpected
changes in, or the imposition of, additional legislative or regulatory
requirements;
|
·
|
unique
environmental regulations;
|
·
|
fluctuating
exchange rates;
|
·
|
tariffs
and other barriers;
|
·
|
difficulties
in staffing and managing foreign sales
operations;
|
·
|
import
and export restrictions;
|
·
|
greater
difficulties in accounts receivable collection and longer payment
cycles;
|
·
|
potentially
adverse tax consequences;
|
·
|
potential
hostilities and changes in diplomatic and trade relationships;
and
|
·
|
disruption
in services due to natural disaster, economic or political difficulties,
quarantines, transportation, or other restrictions associated with
infectious diseases.
|
26
We
may not be able to hire and retain qualified key and highly-skilled technical
employees, which could affect our ability to compete effectively and may cause
our revenue and profitability to decline.
We depend
on our ability to hire and retain qualified key and highly-skilled
employees to manage, research and develop, market, and service new and existing
products. Competition for such key and highly-skilled employees is intense, and
we may not be successful in attracting or retaining such personnel. To succeed,
we must hire and retain employees who are highly skilled in the rapidly changing
communications and Internet technologies. Individuals who have the skills and
can perform the services we need to provide our products and services are in
great demand. Because the competition for qualified employees in our industry is
intense, hiring and retaining employees with the skills we need is both
time-consuming and expensive. We might not be able to hire enough skilled
employees or retain the employees we do hire. In addition, provisions of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and related rules of the SEC impose heightened
personal liability on some of our key employees. The threat of such liability
could make it more difficult to identify, hire and retain qualified key and
highly-skilled employees. We have relied on our ability to grant stock options
as a means of recruiting and retaining key employees. Recent accounting
regulations requiring the expensing of stock options will impair our future
ability to provide these incentives without incurring associated compensation
costs. Our inability to hire and retain employees with the skills we seek
could hinder our ability to sell our existing products, systems, or services or
to develop new products, systems, or services with a consequent adverse effect
on our business, results of operations, financial position, or
liquidity.
We
rely on third-party technology and/or license agreements.
We have
licensing agreements with various suppliers for software and hardware
incorporated into our products. These third-party licenses may not continue to
be available to us on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. The termination
or impairment of these licenses could result in delays of current product
shipments or delays or reductions in new product introductions until equivalent
designs could be developed, licensed, and integrated, if at all possible, which
would have a material adverse effect on our business.
We
may have difficulty in collecting outstanding receivables.
We grant
credit without requiring collateral to substantially all of our customers. In
times of economic uncertainty, the risks relating to the granting of such credit
would typically increase. Although we monitor and mitigate the risks
associated with our credit policies, we cannot ensure that such mitigation will
be effective. Future losses could be significant and, if incurred, could harm
our business and have a material adverse effect on our operating results and
financial position.
Interruptions
to our business could adversely affect our operations.
As with
any company, our operations are at risk of being interrupted by earthquake,
fire, flood, and other natural and human-caused disasters, including disease and
terrorist attacks. Our operations are also at risk of power loss,
telecommunications failure, and other infrastructure and technology based
problems. To help guard against such risks, we carry business interruption loss
insurance to help compensate us for losses that may occur.
Risks
Relating to Our Company
Our
stock price fluctuates as a result of the conduct of our business and stock
market fluctuations.
The
market price of our common stock has experienced significant fluctuations and
may continue to fluctuate. The market price of our common stock may be
significantly affected by a variety of factors, including:
·
|
statements
or changes in opinions, ratings, or earnings estimates made by brokerage
firms or industry analysts relating to the market in which we do business
or relating to us specifically;
|
·
|
disparity
between our reported results and the projections of
analysts;
|
·
|
the
shift in sales mix of products that we currently sell to a sales mix of
lower-gross profit product
offerings;
|
·
|
the
level and mix of inventory levels held by our
distributors;
|
·
|
the
announcement of new products or product enhancements by us or our
competitors;
|
·
|
technological
innovations by us or our
competitors;
|
·
|
success
in meeting targeted availability dates for new or redesigned
products;
|
27
·
|
the
ability to profitably and efficiently manage our supplies of products and
key components;
|
·
|
the
ability to maintain profitable relationships with our
customers;
|
·
|
the
ability to maintain an appropriate cost
structure;
|
·
|
quarterly
variations in our results of
operations;
|
·
|
general
consumer confidence or general market conditions or market conditions
specific to technology industries;
|
·
|
domestic
and international economic
conditions;
|
·
|
the
adoption of the new accounting standard, SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based
Payments,” which requires us to record compensation expense for certain
options issued before July 1, 2005 and for all options issued or modified
after June 30, 2005;
|
·
|
our
ability to report financial information in a timely manner;
and
|
·
|
the
markets in which our stock is
traded.
|
We
have previously identified material weaknesses in our internal
controls.
In our
Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, we reported and identified a
material weakness in our internal controls. Although we believe we have remedied
this weakness through the commitment of considerable resources, we are always at
risk that any future failure of our own internal controls or the internal
control at any of our outsourced manufacturers or partners could result in
additional reported material weaknesses. Any future failures of our internal
controls could have a material impact on our market capitalization, results of
operations, or financial position, or have other adverse
consequences.
Item
2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF
PROCEEDS
Items
2(a) and (b) are not applicable
(c) Stock
Repurchases
The
following table details purchases by ClearOne of its own securities during 3Q
2008.
ISSUER
PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Period
|
Total
Number of Shares Purchased
|
Average
Price Paid per Share
|
Total
Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or
Programs
|
Maximum
Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares that May be Purchased Under
the Plans or Programs (1)
|
January
1, 2008 – January 31, 2008
|
61,454
|
$4.94
|
61,454
|
$1,658,000
|
February
1, 2008 – February 28, 2008
|
121,677
|
$5.16
|
121,677
|
$1,030,000
|
March
1, 2008 – March 31, 2008
|
160,427
|
$4.83
|
160,427
|
$255,000
|
Total
|
343,558
|
343,558
|
(1)
|
On
August 30, 2007, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had
approved a stock buy-back program to purchase up $3,625,000 of the
Company’s common stock over the next 12 months in open market and private
block transactions. All repurchased shares will be immediately retired.
The stock buy-back program will expire on August 30,
2008.
|
Item
3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES
Not
Applicable.
Item
4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
Not
Applicable
28
Item
5. OTHER INFORMATION
Not
Applicable.
Item
6. EXHIBITS
Exhibit
|
SEC
Ref.
|
||
No.
|
No.
|
Title of Document
|
Location
|
31.1
|
31
|
Section
302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
|
This
filing
|
31.2
|
31
|
Section
302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
|
This
filing
|
32.1
|
32
|
Section
906 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
|
This
filing
|
32.2
|
32
|
Section
906 Certification of Chief Financial Officer
|
This
filing
|
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant
has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.
CLEARONE
COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
|
||
May
13, 2008
|
By:
|
/s/ Zeynep Hakimoglu
|
Zeynep
Hakimoglu
|
||
President
and Chief Executive Officer
|
||
(Principal
Executive Officer)
|
||
May
13, 2008
|
By:
|
/s/ Greg A. LeClaire
|
Greg
A. LeClaire
|
||
Chief
Financial Officer
|
||
(Principal
Financial and Accounting Officer)
|
29