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EMERSON RADIO CORP - Quarter Report: 2012 December (Form 10-Q)

Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

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 December 31, 2012

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 001-07731

 

 

EMERSON RADIO CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

DELAWARE   22-3285224

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

3 University Plaza, Suite 405, Hackensack, NJ   07601
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

(973) 428-2000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

(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.    x  Yes    ¨  No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every interactive data file required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    x  Yes    ¨  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. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer   ¨    Accelerated filer   ¨
Non-accelerated filer   ¨  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    Smaller reporting company   x

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

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of common stock as of February 14, 2013: 27,129,832.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Financial Statements

     3   

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition

     11   

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

     18   

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

     18   

PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

     19   

Item 1A. Risk Factors

     19   

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

     19   

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

     19   

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure

     19   

Item 5. Other Information

     19   

Item 6. Exhibits

     19   

SIGNATURES

     20   

 

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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

EMERSON RADIO CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except earnings per share data)

 

     Three Months Ended
December 31
     Nine Months Ended
December 31
 
     2012      2011      2012      2011  

Net Revenues:

           

Net product sales

   $ 22,608       $ 41,274       $ 99,783       $ 131,590   

Licensing revenue

     2,046         2,177         5,597         4,765   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net revenues

     24,654         43,451         105,380         136,355   

Costs and expenses:

           

Cost of sales

     20,484         36,657         88,759         119,257   

Other operating costs and expenses

     253         306         1,046         995   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     1,926         2,025         5,671         6,094   

Impairment of trademark

     —           —           1,326         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     22,663         38,988         96,802         126,346   

Operating income

     1,991         4,463         8,578         10,009   

Other income:

           

Interest income, net

     132         10         230         40   

Gain on sale of building

     —           347         —           347   

Realized gain on sale of marketable security

     —           —           —           828   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     2,123         4,820         8,808         11,224   

Provision for income taxes

     430         1,649         1,328         2,953   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 1,693       $ 3,171       $ 7,480       $ 8,271   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income per share:

           

Basic

   $ .06       $ .12       $ .28       $ .30   

Diluted

   $ .06       $ .12       $ .28       $ .30   

Weighted average shares outstanding:

           

Basic

     27,130         27,130         27,130         27,130   

Diluted

     27,130         27,130         27,130         27,130   

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

 

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EMERSON RADIO CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands except share data)

 

     December 31, 2012     March 31, 2012(A)  
     (Unaudited)        

ASSETS

    

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 23,288      $ 44,960   

Restricted cash

     102        215   

Short term investments

     35,040        —     

Accounts receivable, net

     5,945        12,134   

Other receivables

     1,820        1,193   

Due from affiliates

     —          1   

Inventory, net

     12,928        11,269   

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     5,420        2,873   

Deferred tax assets

     2,343        2,304   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     86,886        74,949   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     288        260   

Trademarks, net

     219        1,545   

Deferred tax assets

     1,453        1,668   

Other assets

     34        262   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 88,880      $ 78,684   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Current liabilities:

    

Current maturities of long-term borrowings

     42        64   

Accounts payable and other current liabilities

     11,627        9,152   

Due to affiliates

     —          11   

Accrued sales returns

     1,105        1,201   

Income taxes payable

     494        107   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     13,268        10,535   

Long-term borrowings

     41        72   

Deferred tax liabilities

     189        177   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     13,498        10,784   

Shareholders’ equity:

    

Preferred shares -$.01 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized at December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012, respectively; 3,677 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012, respectively; liquidation preference of $3,677,000 at December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012, respectively

     3,310        3,310   

Common shares — $.01 par value, 75,000,000 shares authorized, 52,965,797 shares issued at December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012, respectively; 27,129,832 shares outstanding at December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012, respectively

     529        529   

Capital in excess of par value

     98,785        98,785   

Accumulated other comprehensive income (losses)

     345        (82

Accumulated deficit

     (3,363     (10,418

Treasury stock, at cost, 25,835,965 shares

     (24,224     (24,224
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total shareholders’ equity

     75,382        67,900   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 88,880      $ 78,684   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

  

 

(A) Reference is made to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 13, 2012.

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

 

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EMERSON RADIO CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

     Nine Months Ended
December 31
 
     2012     2011  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 7,480      $ 8,271   

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     76        247   

Deferred tax expense

     188        2,149   

Asset allowances, reserves and other

     (862     (1,407

Gain on sale of building

     —          (347

Gain on sale of marketable security

     —          (828

Impairment of trademark

     1,326        —     

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable

     7,045        (2,171

Other receivables

     (627     (84

Due from affiliates

     1        (1

Inventories

     (1,747     (8,416

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (2,547     (1,682

Other assets

     228        77   

Accounts payable and other current liabilities

     2,475        1,477   

Due to affiliates

     (11     (1

Interest and income taxes payable

     387        (65
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided (used) by operating activities

     13,412        (2,781
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Short term investment

     (35,040     —     

Proceeds from sale of marketable security

     —          4,725   

Decrease in restricted cash

     113        56   

Additions to property and equipment

     (111     (33

Disposals of property and equipment

     7        —     

Proceeds from sale of building

     —          2,749   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash (used) provided by investing activities

     (35,031     7,497   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Repayments of short-term borrowings

     (22     (2,470

Repayments of capital lease and other rental obligations

     (31     (44
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used by financing activities

     (53     (2,514
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (21,672     2,202   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     44,960        39,796   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 23,288      $ 41,998   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash paid during the period for:

    

Interest

   $ 12      $ 18   

Income taxes

   $ 606      $ 1,492   

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

 

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EMERSON RADIO CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

NOTE 1 — BACKGROUND AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Emerson Radio Corp. (“Emerson”, consolidated — the “Company”), and its subsidiaries. The Company designs, sources, imports and markets a variety of houseware and consumer electronic products, and licenses the Company’s trademarks for a variety of products domestically and internationally.

The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present a fair statement of the Company’s consolidated financial position as of December 31, 2012 and the results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary in order to make the financial statements not misleading have been included. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The preparation of the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes; actual results could materially differ from those estimates. The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and accordingly do not include all of the disclosures normally made in the Company’s annual consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, these unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012 (“fiscal 2012”), included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, as amended, for fiscal 2012.

The results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be expected for any other interim periods or for the full year ended March 31, 2013 (“fiscal 2013”).

Certain reclassifications may have been made to conform the prior year’s financial statements to the current presentation.

Unless otherwise disclosed in the notes to these financial statements, the estimated fair value of the financial assets and liabilities approximates the carrying value.

Subsequent events have been evaluated through February 14, 2013.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company measures compensation cost for stock-based compensation arrangements based on grant date fair value. The computed fair value is expensed ratably over the requisite vesting period as required by ASC Topic 718 “Compensation — Stock Compensation”. All outstanding stock based compensation arrangements issued by the Company were fully vested as of November 30, 2009. Consequently, the Company recorded no compensation costs during either of the three or nine month periods ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011.

Sales Allowance and Marketing Support Expenses

Sales allowances, marketing support programs, promotions and other volume-based incentives which are provided to retailers and distributors are accounted for on an accrual basis as a reduction to net revenues in the period in which the related sales are recognized in accordance with ASC topic 605, “Revenue Recognition”, subtopic 50 “Customer Payments and Incentives” and Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting Bulletins 101 “Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements,” and 104 “Revenue Recognition, corrected copy” (“SAB’s 101 and 104”).

At the time of sale, the Company reduces recognized gross revenue by allowances to cover, in addition to estimated sales returns as required by ASC topic 605, “Revenue Recognition”, subtopic 15 “Products”, (i) sales incentives offered to customers that meet the criteria for accrual under ASC topic 605, subtopic 50 and (ii) under SAB’s 101 and 104, an estimated amount to recognize additional non-offered deductions it anticipates and can reasonably estimate will be taken by customers which it does not expect to recover. Accruals for the estimated amount of future non-offered deductions are required to be made as contra-revenue items because that percentage of shipped revenue fails to meet the collectability criteria within SAB 104’s and 101’s four revenue recognition criteria, all of which are required to be met in order to recognize revenue.

If additional marketing support programs, promotions and other volume-based incentives are required to promote the Company’s products subsequent to the initial sale, then additional reserves may be required and are accrued for when such support is offered.

 

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NOTE 2 — COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

Comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Three months  ended
December 31
     Nine months ended
December 31
 
     2012      2011      2012      2011  

Net income

   $ 1,693       $ 3,171       $ 7,480       $ 8,271   

Foreign currency translation adjustment

     —           —           427         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Comprehensive income

   $ 1,693       $ 3,171       $ 7,907       $ 8,271   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 3 — NET EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

     Three months ended
December 31,
     Nine months ended
December 31,
 
     2012      2011      2012      2011  

Numerator:

           

Net income

   $ 1,693       $ 3,171       $ 7,480       $ 8,271   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Denominator:

           

Denominator for basic earnings per share — weighted average shares

     27,130         27,130         27,130         27,130   

Effect of dilutive securities on denominator:

           

Options (computed using the treasury stock method)

     —           —          —           —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Denominator for diluted earnings per share — weighted average shares and assumed conversions

     27,130         27,130         27,130         27,130   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic and diluted earnings per share

   $ .06       $ .12       $ .28       $ .30   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

NOTE 4 — SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Outstanding capital stock at December 31, 2012 consisted of common stock and Series A preferred stock. The Series A preferred stock is non-voting, has no dividend preferences and has not been convertible since March 31, 2002; however, it retains a liquidation preference.

At December 31, 2012, the Company had approximately 50,000 options outstanding and exercisable, all of which were non-dilutive for the three and nine month periods ending December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, with exercise prices ranging from $3.07 to $3.19. 25,000 of these options expire in January 2016 and 25,000 of these options expire in November 2016.

NOTE 5 — INVENTORY

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method. As of December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012, inventories consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2012     March 31, 2012  
     (Unaudited)        

Finished goods

   $ 13,095      $ 11,347   

Less inventory allowances

     (167     (78
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net inventory

   $ 12,928      $ 11,269   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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NOTE 6 — INCOME TAXES

The Company has no U.S. federal net operating loss carry forwards and some U.S. state net operating loss carry forwards included in net deferred tax assets that are available to offset future taxable income and can be carried forward for 20 years. Although realization is not assured, management believes it is more likely than not that all of the net deferred tax assets will be realized through tax planning strategies available in future periods and through future profitable operating results. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable could be reduced or eliminated if certain tax planning strategies are not successfully executed or estimates of future taxable income during the carry forward period are reduced. If management determines that the Company would not be able to realize all or part of the net deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would be charged to income in the period such determination was made.

The Company’s effective tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate primarily due to expenses that are not deductible for federal income tax purposes, income and losses incurred in foreign jurisdictions and taxed at locally applicable tax rates, and state income taxes.

The Company is subject to examination and assessment by tax authorities in numerous jurisdictions. A summary of the Company’s open tax years is as follows as of December 31, 2012:

 

Jurisdiction    Open tax years  

U.S. federal

     2008-2011   

States

     2007-2011   

Based on the outcome of tax examinations or due to the expiration of statutes of limitations, it is reasonably possible that the unrecognized tax benefits related to uncertain tax positions taken in previously filed returns may be different from the liabilities that have been recorded for these unrecognized tax benefits. As a result, the Company may be subject to additional tax expense.

Taxability of March 2010 Dividend

As previously disclosed, on March 2, 2010, the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) declared an extraordinary dividend of $1.10 per common share, which was paid on March 24, 2010. In connection with the Company’s determination as to the taxability of the dividend, the Board relied upon information and research provided to it by the Company’s tax advisors and, in reliance on the “stock-for-debt” exception in the Internal Revenue Code Sections 108(e)(8) and (e)(10), concluded that 4.9% of such dividend paid was taxable to the recipients.

In August 2012, the Company received a Form 886-A from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) which challenges the Company’s conclusions and determines that the Company does not qualify for the above-referenced exception. Accordingly, the IRS has concluded that 100% of the dividend paid was taxable to the recipients. The Company is defending its position and calculations and is contesting the position asserted by the IRS. The Company prepared and, on October 25, 2012, delivered its rebuttal to the IRS contesting the IRS determination.

In the event that the Company is not successful in establishing with the IRS that the Company’s calculations were correct, then the shareholders who received the dividend likely will be subject to and liable for an assessment of additional taxes due. Moreover, the Company may be contingently liable for taxes due by its shareholders resulting from the dividend paid by the Company.

NOTE 7 — RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

From time to time, Emerson engages in business transactions with its controlling shareholder, The Grande Holdings Limited (Provisional Liquidators Appointed) (“Grande”), and one or more of Grande’s direct and indirect subsidiaries. Set forth below is a summary of such transactions.

Controlling Shareholder

Grande has, together with S&T International Distribution Limited (“S&T”), a subsidiary of Grande, Grande N.A.K.S. Ltd. and Christopher Ho (Chairman of Grande’s and Emerson’s Boards of Directors) (together with Grande, the “Reporting Persons”) filed, on July 5, 2012, a Schedule 13D/A with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) stating that, as of the filing date, the Reporting Persons (except Christopher Ho) had the shared power to vote and direct the disposition of 15,243,283 shares, or approximately 56.2%, of the outstanding common stock of Emerson, subject only to the rights granted to Deutsche Bank AG (“Deutsche Bank”) pursuant to a security agreement entered into between S&T and Deutsche Bank on January 20, 2010 in which S&T granted a security interest in an aggregate of 3,780,600 shares in Emerson common stock (the “Pledged Shares”) owned by S&T but pledged to Deutsche Bank for the purposes of securing obligations owing from Grande to Deutsche Bank (the “Secured Obligations”).

The aforementioned Schedule 13D/A also states that, as of the filing date, the Reporting Persons are aware only of the sale of 391,199 of the Pledged Shares by Deutsche Bank and that they have not yet been able to verify whether, or to what extent, Deutsche Bank has taken any other actions in respect of the Pledged Shares. The Reporting Persons also are of the view that the Secured Obligations have already been settled and, therefore, S&T reportedly is seeking clarification of the basis on which Deutsche Bank has claimed beneficial ownership of the remaining 3,380,079 shares out of the remaining 3,389,401 Pledged Shares. On February 11, 2011, Deutsche Bank filed a Schedule 13G with the SEC stating that it had sole voting and sole dispositive power over the Pledged Shares, which represent approximately 12.5% of the Company’s outstanding common stock. On January 9, 2012, Deutsche Bank filed with the SEC a Form 4 Statement of Changes in Beneficial Ownership stating that, after sales by it of certain of the Pledged Shares, it beneficially owned 3,380,079 shares of Emerson’s common stock, and on February 10, 2012, Deutsche Bank filed with the SEC a Schedule 13G stating that it was the beneficial owner with sole voting and sole dispositive power of such shares. In a letter to the Board dated February 8, 2013, S&T asserts that it is negotiating a settlement of its outstanding obligations to Deutsche Bank and that upon discharge of such obligations it will recover unencumbered interest in the 3,380,079 shares.

 

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On May 31, 2011, upon application of a major creditor, the High Court of Hong Kong appointed Fok Hei Yu (who is also known by the anglicized name Vincent Fok), a current director, and Roderick John Sutton, both of FTI Consulting (Hong Kong) Limited (“FTI”), as Joint and Several Provisional Liquidators over Grande. Accordingly, as of May 31, 2011, the directors of Grande no longer have the ability to exercise control over Grande or the power to direct the voting and disposition of the 15,243,283 shares claimed to be owned by Grande. Instead, Mr. Fok, as a Provisional Liquidator over Grande, has such power.

Related Party Transactions

Rented Office Space in Hong Kong

The Company is billed for service charges from Brighton Marketing Limited, a subsidiary of Grande, in connection with the Company’s rented office space in Hong Kong. These charges totaled approximately $1,000 for the three month period ended December 31, 2012 and approximately $5,000 for the three month period ended December 31, 2011. For the nine month periods ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, these charges totaled approximately $4,000 and $30,000, respectively. Emerson owed Brighton Marketing Limited nil at December 31, 2012 and approximately $1,000 at December 31, 2011 pertaining to these charges.

During the three month and nine month periods ended December 31, 2012, the Company was also billed for service charges from The Grande Properties Management Limited, a related party to Christopher Ho, in connection with the Company’s rented office space in Hong Kong, in the amounts of approximately $11,000 and approximately $31,000, respectively. During the three month and nine month periods ended December 31, 2011, the Company was billed for service charges from The Grande Group (HK) Ltd., a related party to Christopher Ho, in connection with the Company’s rented office space in Hong Kong, in the amounts of approximately $9,000 and approximately $18,000, respectively. The Company owed nil to The Grande Properties Management Limited related to these charges at December 31, 2012 and the Company owed nil to The Grande Group (HK) Ltd. related to these charges at December 31, 2011. Beginning July 3, 2012, the Company entered into a rental agreement with Lafe Strategic Services Limited (“Lafe”), which is a related party of Christopher Ho, whereby the Company is leasing out excess space within its rented office space in Hong Kong to Lafe. The rental agreement is on a month-by-month basis, cancellable by either the Company or Lafe on one month’s written notice. During the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2012, the Company earned rental income of approximately $9,000 and $18,000, respectively, from this arrangement. At December 31, 2012, Lafe owed Emerson nil in rental payable from this arrangement, and Emerson owed Lafe an amount of approximately $6,000 for a security deposit paid to the Company by Lafe at the inception of the agreement.

Consulting Services Provided to Emerson by one of its Directors

During the three months ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, Emerson paid consulting fees of approximately $31,000 and $20,000, respectively, to Mr. Eduard Will, a director of Emerson, for work performed by Mr. Will related to strategy for the Kayne Litigation as more fully described in Note 9 – “Legal Proceedings – Kayne Litigation” and merger and acquisition research. In addition, during each of the three months ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, Emerson paid expense reimbursements and advances, in the aggregate, of approximately $12,000 and $7,000 to Mr. Will, respectively, related to this consulting work and his service as a director of Emerson.

During the nine months ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, Emerson paid consulting fees of approximately $93,000 and $33,000, respectively, to Mr. Eduard Will, a director of Emerson, for work performed by Mr. Will related to strategy for the Kayne Litigation as more fully described in Note 9 – “Legal Proceedings – Kayne Litigation”, merger and acquisition research, as well as work related to the strategy for a shareholder derivative lawsuit that the Company settled in January 2011. In addition, during the nine months ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, Emerson paid expense reimbursements and advances, in the aggregate, of approximately $12,000 and approximately $18,000, respectively, to Mr. Will, related to this consulting work and his service as a director of Emerson.

At December 31, 2012, the Company owed Mr. Will nil and at December 31, 2011, Mr. Will owed the Company approximately $1,000 in the form of unused travel advances previously paid to him for which the travel had not yet occurred.

 

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Dividend-Related Issues with S&T

On March 2, 2010, the Board declared an extraordinary dividend of $1.10 per common share, which was paid on March 24, 2010. In connection with the Company’s determination as to the taxability of the dividend, the Board relied upon information and research provided to it by the Company’s tax advisors and, in reliance on the “stock-for-debt” exception in the Internal Revenue Code Sections 108(e)(8) and (e)(10), concluded that 4.9% of such dividend paid was taxable to the recipients.

In August 2012, the Company received a Form 886-A from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) which challenges the Company’s conclusions and determines that the Company does not qualify for the above-referenced exception. Accordingly, the IRS has concluded that 100% of the dividend paid was taxable to the recipients. The Company is defending its position and calculations and is contesting the position asserted by the IRS. The Company prepared and, on October 25, 2012, delivered its rebuttal to the IRS contesting the IRS determination.

In the event that the Company is not successful in establishing with the IRS that the Company’s calculations were correct, then the shareholders who received the dividend likely will be subject to and liable for an assessment of additional taxes due. Moreover, the Company may be contingently liable for taxes due by its shareholders resulting from the dividend paid by the Company.

Initially, the Company withheld from the dividend funds allocated to the tax liability associated with such dividend. As previously disclosed, on April 7, 2010, upon a request made to the Company by S&T, the Company entered into an agreement with S&T (the “Agreement”), whereby the Company returned to S&T on April 7, 2010 that portion of the funds withheld for taxes from the dividend paid on March 24, 2010 to S&T, which the Company believes is not subject to U.S. tax based on the Company’s good-faith estimate of its accumulated earnings and profits. The Agreement includes provisions pursuant to which S&T agreed to indemnify the Company for any liability imposed on it as a result of the Company’s agreement not to withhold such funds for S&T’s possible tax liability and a pledge of stock as collateral. The Company continues to assert that such dividend is not subject to U.S. tax based on the Company’s good-faith estimate of its accumulated earnings and profits. In addition, the Company also continues to assert that this transaction results in an off-balance sheet arrangement and a possible contingent tax liability of the Company, which, if recognized, would be offset in part by the calling by the Company on S&T of the indemnification provisions of the Agreement.

Per the terms of the Agreement, Emerson invoiced S&T in June 2010 approximately $42,000 for reimbursement of legal fees incurred by Emerson with regard to the Agreement and approximately $33,000 as a transaction fee for having entered into the Agreement. In January 2011, Emerson agreed, upon the request of S&T, to waive approximately $5,000 of the legal charges that had been invoiced to S&T in June 2010. S&T paid the full amount owed to Emerson of approximately $70,000 in February 2011.

In March 2011, upon the request of S&T to the Company, the Company and S&T agreed that the collateral pledged as a part of the Agreement would no longer be required and such collateral was returned by the Company to S&T in March 2011 and the Agreement was amended and restated to remove the collateral requirement but retain the indemnification provisions. The Agreement, as amended (the “Amended Agreement”), remains in effect as of today. In the event that (i) the Company is not successful in establishing with the IRS that the Company’s calculations were correct and (ii) S&T is unable or unwilling to pay the additional taxes due or indemnify Emerson under the terms of the Amended Agreement, the Company may be liable to pay such additional taxes which would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and operations.

Other

During the three months ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, Emerson invoiced Vigers Appraisal & Consulting Ltd. (“Vigers”), a related party of Christopher Ho, approximately $1,000 and $1,000, respectively, for usage of telephone and data lines maintained by Emerson. During the nine months ended December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, Emerson invoiced Vigers approximately $3,000 and $3,000, respectively, for usage of telephone and data lines maintained by Emerson. Vigers owed Emerson nil at both December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 related to this activity.

NOTE 8 — BORROWINGS

Short-term Borrowings

Letters of Credit — The Company uses Hang Seng Bank to issue letters of credit on behalf of the Company, as needed, on a 100% cash collateralized basis. At December 31, 2012, the Company had outstanding letters of credit totaling $102,000. A like amount of cash, which was posted by the Company as collateral against these outstanding letters of credit, at December 31, 2012, has been classified by the Company as Restricted Cash on the balance sheet.

Long-term Borrowings

At December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012, borrowings under long-term facilities consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     December 31, 2012     March 31, 2012  
     (Unaudited)        

Capitalized lease obligations

     83        136   

Less current maturities

     (42     (64
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Long term debt

   $ 41      $ 72   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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NOTE 9 — LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Kayne Litigation — On July 7, 2011, the Company was served with an amended complaint (the “Complaint”) filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging, among other things, that the Company, certain of its present and former directors and other entities or individuals now or previously associated with Grande, intentionally interfered with the ability of the plaintiffs to collect on a judgment (now approximately $47 million) they had against Grande by engaging in transactions (such as the dividend paid to all shareholders in March 2010) which transferred assets out of the United States. The Complaint also asserts claims under the civil RICO statute and for alter ego liability. In the Company’s opinion, the claims appear to be devoid of merit. Accordingly, on September 27, 2011, Emerson moved to dismiss the action for failure to state a claim (the “Motion”). On or about February 27, 2012, the Court dismissed the intentional interference claim and portions of the Civil RICO claim with leave to re-plead, but denied the Motion to dismiss the alter ego claim. On March 19, 2012, the plaintiffs filed a Second Amended Complaint setting forth the same claims as the Complaint. On April 20, 2012, the Company moved to dismiss the re-pleaded intentional interference and RICO claims, and oral arguments on this motion were held on June 18, 2012. On September 6, 2012, the Court dismissed the RICO claim, but granted the plaintiffs leave to re-plead. On September 17, 2012, the plaintiffs filed a Third Amended Complaint setting forth the same claims as the Complaint. The Company’s response to the Third Amended Complaint was due and filed on October 4, 2012, which joined in a co-defendants’ motion to dismiss the alter ego claim and the RICO claim. The Court heard oral argument on December 17, 2012, but has not yet issued its decision. In the interim, the parties have exchanged document discovery requests and responses and plaintiffs and defendants, including the Company, have produced documents. Several depositions have been taken with more scheduled to take place in February. This matter has now been scheduled for a July 2, 2013 trial date. Emerson is defending the action vigorously.

Except for the litigation matter described above, the Company is not currently a party to any legal proceedings other than litigation matters, in most cases involving ordinary and routine claims incidental to our business. Management cannot estimate with certainty the Company’s ultimate legal and financial liability with respect to such pending litigation matters. However, management believes, based on our examination of such matters, that the Company’s ultimate liability will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

NOTE 10 — MARKETABLE SECURITIES

As of December 31, 2012 and March 31, 2012, the Company had no marketable securities.

During Fiscal 2012, the Company sold for cash proceeds its last remaining student loan auction rate security for $4.7 million and realized a gain of $0.8 million as a result.

NOTE 11 — TRADEMARKS

During the nine months ended December 31, 2012, upon completion of an analysis which showed the absence of future expected cash flows, the Company determined that the value of one of its non-strategic trademarks was fully impaired. Thus, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $1.3 million in September 2012 to write off this trademark. The Company does not anticipate any future material adverse financial impacts arising from this impairment.

NOTE 12 — SHORT TERM INVESTMENTS

During August and December 2012, the Company invested $35.0 million in certificates of deposit with durations in excess of three months. $20.0 million of these certificates mature in February 2013 and bear an interest rate of 1.89% per annum, and $15.0 million of these certificates mature in June 2013 and bear an interest rate of 1.35% per annum.

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

The following discussion of the Company’s operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements and notes thereto included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report.

In the following discussions, most percentages and dollar amounts have been rounded to aid presentation. Accordingly, all amounts are approximations.

 

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Forward-Looking Information

This report contains forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

Forward-looking statements include statements with respect to the Company’s beliefs, plans, objectives, goals, expectations, anticipations, assumptions, estimates, intentions, and future performance, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may be beyond the Company’s control, and which may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

All statements other than statements of historical fact are statements that could be forward-looking statements. The reader can identify these forward-looking statements through the Company’s use of words such as “may,” “will,” “can,” “anticipate,” “assume,” “should,” “indicate,” “would,” “believe,” “contemplate,” “expect,” “seek,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan,” “project,” “predict,” “could,” “intend,” “target,” “potential,” and other similar words and expressions of the future. These forward-looking statements may not be realized due to a variety of factors, including, without limitation:

 

   

the impact, if any, on the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operation arising from the appointment of the Provisional Liquidators over Grande;

 

   

the decline in, and any further deterioration of, consumer spending for retail products, such as the Company’s products;

 

   

the Company’s inability to resist price increases from its suppliers or pass through such increases to its customers;

 

   

the loss of any of the Company’s key customers or reduction in the purchase of the Company’s products by any such customers;

 

   

conflicts of interest that exist based on the Company’s relationship with Grande;

 

   

the Company’s inability to improve and maintain effective internal controls or the failure by its personnel to comply with such internal controls;

 

   

the Company’s inability to maintain its relationships with its licensees and distributors, renew existing licenses, or the failure to obtain new licensees or distribution relationships on favorable terms;

 

   

cash generated by operating activities represents the Company’s principal source of funding and therefore the Company depends on its ability to successfully manage its operating cash flows to fund its operations;

 

   

the Company’s inability to anticipate market trends, enhance existing products or achieve market acceptance of new products;

 

   

the Company’s dependence on a limited number of suppliers for its components and raw materials;

 

   

the Company’s dependence on third party manufacturers to manufacture and deliver its products;

 

   

changes in consumer spending and economic conditions;

 

   

the failure of third party sales representatives to adequately promote, market and sell the Company’s products;

 

   

the Company’s inability to protect its intellectual property;

 

   

the effects of competition;

 

   

changes in foreign laws and regulations and changes in the political and economic conditions in the foreign countries in which the Company operates;

 

   

changes in accounting policies, rules and practices;

 

   

the effects of the continuing appreciation of the renminbi and increases in costs of production in China; and

 

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  the other factors listed under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Form 10-K, as amended, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2012 and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

All forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary notice. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report or the date of the document incorporated by reference into this report. The Company has no obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation, to update, revise or correct any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Management has expressed its expectations, beliefs and projections in good faith and it believes it has a reasonable basis for them. However, management cannot assure the reader that its expectations, beliefs or projections will be achieved or accomplished.

Results of Operations

The following table summarizes certain financial information for the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2012 (fiscal 2013) and December 31, 2011 (fiscal 2012) (in thousands):

 

     Three months ended
December 31
     Nine months ended
December 31
 
     2012      2011      2012      2011  

Net product sales

   $ 22,608       $ 41,274       $ 99,783       $ 131,590   

Licensing revenue

     2,046         2,177         5,597         4,765   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net revenues

     24,654         43,451         105,380         136,355   

Cost of sales

     20,484         36,657         88,759         119,257   

Other operating costs and expenses

     253         306         1,046         995   

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     1,926         2,025         5,671         6,094   

Impairment of trademark

     —           —           1,326         —     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating income

     1,991         4,463         8,578         10,009   

Interest income, net

     132         10         230         40   

Gain on sale of building

     —           347         —           347   

Realized gain on sale of marketable security

     —           —           —           828   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

     2,123         4,820         8,808         11,224   

Provision for income taxes

     430         1,649         1,328         2,953   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 1,693       $ 3,171       $ 7,480       $ 8,271   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net product sales — Net product sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2013 were $22.6 million as compared to $41.3 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2012, a decrease of $18.7 million or 45.2%. For the nine month period of fiscal 2013, net product sales were $99.8 million as compared to $131.6 million for the nine month period of fiscal 2012, a decrease of $31.8 million or 24.2%. The Company’s net product sales were lower on a year-over-year basis for both the third quarter of fiscal 2013 and the nine month period of fiscal 2013 due to pricing pressures, intense competitive activity and a challenging retail sales environment. The Company’s sales during the nine month periods of fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012 were highly concentrated among the Company’s two largest customers, as to which gross product sales comprised approximately 94.1% and 90.4%, respectively, of the Company’s total gross product sales. Net product sales may be periodically impacted by adjustments made to the Company’s sales allowance and marketing support accrual to record unanticipated customer deductions from accounts receivable or to reduce the accrual by any amounts which were accrued in the past but not taken by customers through deductions from accounts receivable within a certain time period. In the aggregate, these adjustments had the effect of increasing net product sales and operating income by approximately $0.3 million and $0.2 million for the third quarters of fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, respectively, and approximately $0.8 million and $0.8 million for the nine month periods of fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, respectively. The Company confronts increasing pricing pressure which is a trend that management expects to continue.

Net product sales are comprised primarily of the sales of houseware products which bear the Emerson® brand name. The major elements which contributed to the overall decrease in net product sales were as follows:

 

  i) Houseware product net sales decreased $17.0 million, or 44.2%, to $21.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 as compared to $38.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2012, principally driven by a decrease in sales of all products offered by the Company in the category, which is comprised of microwave ovens, compact refrigerators and wine coolers. For the nine month period of fiscal 2013, houseware products net sales were $96.6 million, a decrease of $26.5 million or 21.5%, from $123.1 million for the nine month period of fiscal 2012, principally driven by a decrease in sales of all products offered by the Company in the category, which is comprised of microwave ovens, compact refrigerators and wine coolers; and

 

  ii) Audio product net sales were $1.1 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 as compared to $2.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2012, a decrease of $1.7 million, or 59.7%, resulting from decreased sales of all products offered by the Company in the category, which is comprised of clock radios and portable audio products. For the nine month period of fiscal 2013, audio product net sales were $3.1 million, a decrease of $5.4 million, or 63.0%, from $8.5 million in the nine month period of fiscal 2012, resulting from decreased sales of all products offered by the Company in the category, which is comprised of clock radios and portable audio products.

 

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As reported by the Company in a Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 19, 2012, the Company has been informed by its customer Wal-Mart, which accounted for approximately 48% of the Company’s net revenues during the year ended March 31, 2012 (“Fiscal 2012”), that, commencing with the Spring of 2013, it will discontinue purchasing from Emerson two microwave oven products currently sold by the Company to Wal-Mart. During Fiscal 2012, these two microwave oven products comprised, in the aggregate, approximately $48.4 million, or 31%, of the Company’s net product sales. Currently, it is anticipated that Emerson will continue shipping these products throughout the remainder of Fiscal 2013 (the year ending March 31, 2013), with sales of such products declining through the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2013. Emerson anticipates that the full impact of Wal-Mart’s decision will be realized by the Company in Fiscal 2014, which begins on April 1, 2013. As previously disclosed by the Company, the complete loss of, or significant reduction in, business with either of the Company’s key customers will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations. Accordingly, Wal-Mart’s decision will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business and results of operations. The Company is considering various strategic initiatives, including a complete analysis of its current and prospective product lines and pricing strategies. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to increase sales of such products at levels sufficient to offset the adverse impact of Wal-Mart’s decision, if at all.

Licensing revenue — Licensing revenue in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 was $2.0 million compared to $2.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2012, a decrease of $0.2 million or 6.0%. Licensing revenue for the nine month period of fiscal 2013 was $5.6 million as compared to $4.8 million for the nine month period of fiscal 2012, an increase of $0.8 million or 17.5%. The increase in year-over-year licensing revenue for the nine month period of fiscal 2013 was due to approximately $1.3 million of higher year-over-year licensing revenue earned from the Company’s largest licensee, Funai Corporation, Inc. (“Funai”), on higher year-over-year sales by Funai of products bearing the Emerson® brand name, partially offset by lower aggregate year-over-year licensing revenues earned by the Company due to a lower year-over-year number of licensees as well as lower year-over-year sales of products bearing the Emerson® brand name by its active licensees other than Funai.

The Company’s largest license agreement is with Funai, which accounted for approximately 86% and 88% of the Company’s total licensing revenue for the third quarter and nine month period of fiscal 2013, respectively, and which was amended during December 2012 to extend the term of the agreement until March 31, 2015. The agreement provides that Funai will manufacture, market, sell and distribute specified products bearing the Emerson® trademark to customers in the U.S. and Canadian markets. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company receives non-refundable minimum annual royalty payments of $3.75 million each calendar year and a license fee on sales of product subject to the agreement in excess of the minimum annual royalties.

Net revenues — As a result of the foregoing factors, the Company’s net revenues were $24.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 as compared to $43.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2012, a decrease of $18.8 million, or 43.3%, and $105.4 million in the nine month period of fiscal 2013 as compared to $136.4 million in the nine month period of fiscal 2012, a decrease of $31.0 million, or 22.7%.

Cost of Sales — In absolute terms, cost of sales decreased $16.2 million, or 44.1%, to $20.5 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 as compared to $36.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2012. Cost of sales, as a percentage of net revenues was 83.1% in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 as compared to 84.4% in the third quarter of fiscal 2012. Cost of sales, as a percentage of net product sales was 90.6% in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 as compared to 88.8% in the third quarter of fiscal 2012. The decrease in absolute terms for the third quarter of fiscal 2013 as compared to the third quarter of fiscal 2012 was primarily related to the reduced net product sales, partially offset higher year-over-year cost of sales as a percentage of sales.

In absolute terms, cost of sales decreased $30.5 million, or 25.6%, to $88.8 million in the nine month period of fiscal 2013 as compared to $119.3 million in the nine month period of fiscal 2012. Cost of sales, as a percentage of net revenues was 84.2% in the nine month period of fiscal 2013 as compared to 87.5% in the nine month period of fiscal 2012. Cost of sales, as a percentage of net product sales was 89.0% in the nine month period of fiscal 2013 as compared to 90.6% in the nine month period of fiscal 2012. The decrease in absolute terms for the nine month period of fiscal 2013 as compared to the nine month period of fiscal 2012 was primarily related to the reduced net product sales and lower year-over-year cost of sales as a percentage of sales, partially offset by the impact of an inventory valuation reserve reduction that occurred in the nine month period of fiscal 2012 that did not repeat in the nine month period of fiscal 2013. The improved margins for the nine month period ended December 31, 2012 are not anticipated to continue for the remainder of fiscal 2013 and are not indicative of results expected to be achieved in subsequent quarters.

 

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The Company purchases the products it sells from a limited number of factory suppliers. For the third quarter of fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, 90% and 85%, respectively, of such purchases were from the Company’s two largest suppliers. For the nine month period of fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, 78% and 79%, respectively, of such purchases were from the Company’s two largest suppliers.

Other Operating Costs and Expenses — As a percentage of net revenues, other operating costs and expenses were 1.0% in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 and 0.7% in the third quarter of fiscal 2012. In absolute terms, other operating costs and expenses were $0.3 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2013 as compared to $0.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2012 as a result of higher warranty and returns processing costs. For the nine month period of fiscal 2013, other operating costs were 1.0% of net revenues as compared to 0.7% of net revenues for the nine month period of fiscal 2012. In absolute terms, other operating costs and expenses were $1.0 million for the nine month period of fiscal 2013 as compared to $1.0 million for the nine month period of fiscal 2012 also resulting from higher warranty and returns processing costs.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (“S,G&A”) — S,G&A, as a percentage of net revenues, was 7.8% in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 as compared to 4.7% in the third quarter of fiscal 2012. S,G&A, in absolute terms, decreased slightly by $0.1 million, or 4.9%, to $1.9 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2013 as compared to $2.0 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2012. For the nine month period of fiscal 2013, S,G&A was 5.4% of net revenues as compared to 4.5% for the nine month period of fiscal 2012. In absolute terms, S,G&A decreased $0.4 million, or 6.9%, to $5.7 million for the nine month period of fiscal 2013 as compared to $6.1 million in the nine month period of fiscal 2012. The decreases in S,G&A in absolute terms between the third quarters of fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, and the nine month periods of fiscal 2013 and fiscal 2012, respectively, were primarily due to lower compensation and consulting costs, partially offset by higher legal fees.

Impairment of trademark — During the nine months ended December 31, 2012, upon completion of an analysis which showed the absence of future expected cash flows, the Company determined that the value of one of its non-strategic trademarks was fully impaired. Thus, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $1.3 million in September 2012 to write off this trademark. The Company does not anticipate any future material adverse financial impacts arising from this impairment.

Interest income, net — Interest income, net, was $132,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 as compared to $10,000 in the third quarter of fiscal 2012, an increase of $122,000. Interest income, net, was $230,000 in the nine month period of fiscal 2013 as compared to $40,000 in the nine month period of fiscal 2012, an increase of $190,000.

Realized Gain on Sale of Marketable Security — Realized gain on sale of marketable security was nil in both the third quarter and nine month period of fiscal 2013 and nil in the third quarter of fiscal 2012 and $828,000 in the nine month period of fiscal 2012. The realized gain resulted from the sale in May 2011 of the Company’s last remaining auction rate security (see Note 10 – “Marketable Securities”).

Provision for Income Taxes — In the third quarter and nine month period of fiscal 2013, the Company recorded income tax expense of $0.4 million and $1.3 million, respectively, as compared to $1.6 million and $3.0 million, respectively, in the third quarter and nine month period of fiscal 2012.

Net income — As a result of the foregoing factors, the Company realized net income of $1.7 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2013 as compared to $3.2 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2012, a decrease of $1.5 million, or 46.6%. For the nine month period of fiscal 2013, the Company realized net income of $7.5 million as compared to $8.3 million in the nine month period of fiscal 2012, a decrease of $0.8 million, or 9.6%.

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

General

As of December 31, 2012, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $23.3 million, as compared to approximately $42.0 million at December 31, 2011. Working capital increased to $73.6 million at December 31, 2012 as compared to $63.0 million at December 31, 2011. The decrease in cash and cash equivalents of approximately $18.7 million was primarily due to an increase in short term investments, an increase in prepaid expenses and a decrease in accounts payable, partially offset by net income generated by the Company, a decrease in accounts receivable and a decrease in inventory during the twelve months ended December 31, 2012.

Cash flow provided by operating activities was $13.4 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2012, resulting primarily from the net income generated during the period, decreases in accounts receivable and increases in accounts payable partially offset by increases in prepaid expenses and inventory.

Net cash used by investing activities was $35.0 million for the nine months ended December 31, 2012, primarily due to short term investments in certificates of deposit and additions to property, plant and equipment, partially offset by a reduction in restricted cash.

Net cash used by financing activities was $53,000 for the nine months ended December 31, 2012, resulting from payments made on the Company’s capital lease and rental obligations.

Other Events and Circumstances Pertaining to Liquidity

Provisional Liquidation of the Company’s controlling shareholder

As previously disclosed, on May 31, 2011, upon application of a major creditor, the High Court of Hong Kong appointed Provisional Liquidators over Grande, which is the Company’s controlling stockholder. Following the appointment of the Provisional Liquidators over Grande, certain major factory suppliers, including Midea, which is the Company’s largest factory supplier, have significantly reduced the maximum amount of open credit lines available to the Company. The Company relies on its cash on hand and cash generated by ongoing operations to manage its business.

Taxability of March 2010 Dividend

As previously disclosed, on March 2, 2010, the Board declared an extraordinary dividend of $1.10 per common share, which was paid on March 24, 2010. In connection with the Company’s determination as to the taxability of the dividend, the Board relied upon information and research provided to it by the Company’s tax advisors and, in reliance on the “stock-for-debt” exception in the Internal Revenue Code Sections 108(e)(8) and (e)(10), concluded that 4.9% of such dividend paid was taxable to the recipients.

In August 2012, the Company received a Form 886-A from the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS”) which challenges the Company’s conclusions and determines that the Company does not qualify for the above-referenced exception. Accordingly, the IRS has concluded that 100% of the dividend paid was taxable to the recipients. The Company is defending its position and calculations and is contesting the position asserted by the IRS. The Company prepared and, on October 25, 2012, delivered its rebuttal to the IRS contesting the IRS determination.

In the event that the Company is not successful in establishing with the IRS that the Company’s calculations were correct, then the shareholders who received the dividend likely will be subject to and liable for an assessment of additional taxes due. Moreover, the Company may be contingently liable for taxes due by its shareholders resulting from the dividend paid by the Company.

Initially, the Company withheld from the dividend funds allocated to the tax liability associated with such dividend. As previously disclosed, on April 7, 2010, upon a request made to the Company by its foreign controlling shareholder, S&T, the Company entered into an agreement with S&T (the “Agreement”), whereby the Company returned to S&T on April 7, 2010 that portion of the funds withheld for taxes from the dividend paid on March 24, 2010 to S&T, which the Company believes is not subject to U.S. tax based on the Company’s good-faith estimate of its accumulated earnings and profits. The Agreement includes provisions pursuant to which S&T agreed to indemnify the Company for any liability imposed on it as a result of the Company’s agreement not to withhold such funds for S&T’s possible tax liability and a pledge of stock as collateral. The Company continues to assert that such dividend is not subject to U.S. tax based on the Company’s good-faith estimate of its accumulated earnings and profits. In addition, the Company also continues to assert that this transaction results in an off-balance sheet arrangement and a possible contingent tax liability of the Company, which, if recognized, would be offset in part by the calling by the Company on S&T of the indemnification provisions of the Agreement.

 

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In March 2011, upon the request of S&T to the Company, the Company and S&T agreed that the collateral pledged as a part of the Agreement would no longer be required and such collateral was returned by the Company to S&T in March 2011 and the Agreement was amended and restated to remove the collateral requirement but retain the indemnification provisions. The Agreement, as amended (the “Amended Agreement”), remains in effect as of today. In the event that (i) the Company is not successful in establishing with the IRS that the Company’s calculations were correct and (ii) S&T is unable or unwilling to pay the additional taxes due or indemnify Emerson under the terms of the Amended Agreement, the Company may be liable to pay such additional taxes which would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition and operations.

 

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Credit Arrangements

Letters of Credit — The Company utilizes Hang Seng Bank to issue letters of credit on behalf of the Company, as needed, on a 100% cash collateralized basis. At December 31, 2012, the Company had outstanding letters of credit totaling $102,000. A like amount of cash, which was posted by the Company as collateral against these outstanding letters of credit, at December 31, 2012, has been classified by the Company as Restricted Cash on the balance sheet.

Short-term Liquidity

During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2012, products representing approximately 33% and 49% of net sales, respectively, were imported directly to the Company’s customers. The direct importation of product by the Company to its customers significantly benefits the Company’s liquidity because this inventory does not need to be financed by the Company.

The Company’s principal existing sources of cash are generated from operations. The Company believes that its existing cash balance and sources of cash will be sufficient to support existing operations over the next 12 months.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

There were no Accounting Standards Updates (“ASUs”) issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board during the three months ended December 31, 2012 which relate to or could relate to the Company as concerns the Company’s normal ongoing operations or the industry in which the Company operates.

Inflation, Foreign Currency, and Interest Rates

The Company’s exposure to currency fluctuations has been minimized by the use of U.S. dollar denominated purchase orders. The Company purchases virtually all of its products from manufacturers located in China.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

Not applicable.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

(a) Disclosure controls and procedures

The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d — 15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in its Exchange Act reports are recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Due to the inherent limitations of control systems, not all misstatements may be detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty and that breakdowns can occur because of a simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons; by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the control. Our controls and procedures can only provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the above objectives have been met.

The Company’s management concluded that disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act), as of December 31, 2012, are effective to reasonably ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) Changes in Internal Controls Over Financial Reporting

There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings.

Kayne Litigation — On July 7, 2011, the Company was served with an amended complaint (the “Complaint”) filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California alleging, among other things, that the Company, certain of its present and former directors and other entities or individuals now or previously associated with Grande, intentionally interfered with the ability of the plaintiffs to collect on a judgment (now approximately $47 million) they had against Grande by engaging in transactions (such as the dividend paid to all shareholders in March 2010) which transferred assets out of the United States. The Complaint also asserts claims under the civil RICO statute and for alter ego liability. In the Company’s opinion, the claims appear to be devoid of merit. Accordingly, on September 27, 2011, Emerson moved to dismiss the action for failure to state a claim (the “Motion”). On or about February 27, 2012, the Court dismissed the intentional interference claim and portions of the Civil RICO claim with leave to re-plead, but denied the Motion to dismiss the alter ego claim. On March 19, 2012, the plaintiffs filed a Second Amended Complaint setting forth the same claims as the Complaint. On April 20, 2012, the Company moved to dismiss the re-pleaded intentional interference and RICO claims, and oral arguments on this motion were held on June 18, 2012. On September 6, 2012, the Court dismissed the RICO claim, but granted the plaintiffs leave to re-plead. On September 17, 2012, the plaintiffs filed a Third Amended Complaint setting forth the same claims as the Complaint. The Company’s response to the Third Amended Complaint was due and filed on October 4, 2012, which joined in a co-defendants’ motion to dismiss the alter ego claim and the RICO claim. The Court heard oral argument on December 17, 2012, but has not yet issued its decision. In the interim, the parties have exchanged document discovery requests and responses and plaintiffs and defendants, including the Company, have produced documents. Several depositions have been taken with more scheduled to take place in February. This matter has now been scheduled for a July 2, 2013 trial date. Emerson is defending the action vigorously.

Except for the litigation matter described above, the Company is not currently a party to any legal proceedings other than litigation matters, in most cases involving ordinary and routine claims incidental to our business. Management cannot estimate with certainty the Company’s ultimate legal and financial liability with respect to such pending litigation matters. However, management believes, based on our examination of such matters, that the Company’s ultimate liability will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 1A. Risk Factors.

There were no material changes in any risk factors previously disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 13, 2012.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

None

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

(a) None

(b) None

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosure.

Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information.

None

Item 6. Exhibits.

31.1    Certification of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
31.2    Certification of the Company’s Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*

 

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32    Certification of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.**
101.1+    XBRL Instance Document. ***
101.2+    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. ***
101.3+    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. ***
101.4+    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. ***
101.5+    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. ***
101.6+    XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. ***

 

* filed herewith
** furnished herewith
*** The XBRL information is being furnished and not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is not incorporated by reference into any registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

     EMERSON RADIO CORP.
     (Registrant)
    

/s/ Duncan Hon

Date: February 14, 2013      Duncan Hon
    

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

    

/s/ Andrew L. Davis

Date: February 14, 2013      Andrew L. Davis
    

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

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