Forward Industries, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2016 December (Form 10-Q)

[X]		QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
		EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
		For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2016.
		OR
[   ]		TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
		EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
		For the transition period from _____ to ____.

New York		13-1950672
(State or other jurisdiction of		(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)

 

FORWARD INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

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Note Regarding Use of Certain Terms

In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms have the meanings assigned to them as set forth below:

“Forward”, “Forward Industries”, “we”, “our”, and the “Company” refer to Forward Industries, Inc., a New York corporation, together with its consolidated subsidiaries;

“Common stock” refers to the common stock, $.01 par value per share, of Forward Industries, Inc.;

“Forward US” refers to Forward Industries’ wholly owned subsidiary Forward Industries (IN), Inc., an Indiana corporation;

“Forward Switzerland” refers to Forward Industries’ wholly owned subsidiary Forward Industries (Switzerland) GmbH, a Swiss corporation;

“Forward China” refers to Forward Industries Asia-Pacific Corporation (f/k/a Seaton Global Corporation), a British Virgin Islands registered corporation that is Forward’s exclusive sourcing agent in the Asia Pacific Region;

“GAAP” refers to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States;

“Commission” refers to the United States Securities and Exchange Commission;

“Exchange Act” refers to the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;

“Fiscal 2017” refers to our fiscal year ended September 30, 2017;

“Fiscal 2016” refers to our fiscal year ended September 30, 2016;

“Europe” refers to the countries included in the European Union;

“EMEA Region” means the geographic area encompassing Europe, the Middle East and Africa;

“APAC Region” refers to the Asia Pacific Region, consisting of Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, India, the Philippines and Vietnam;

“Americas” refers to the geographic area encompassing North, Central, and South America;

“OEM” refers to Original Equipment Manufacturer; and

“Retail” refers to the retail distribution channel.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FORWARD INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

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

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FORWARD INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(UNAUDITED)

 

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

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FORWARD INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

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     FORWARD INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)

 

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

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FORWARD INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1      OVERVIEW

Forward Industries, Inc. (“Forward” or the “Company”) designs and distributes carry and protective solutions, primarily for hand held electronic devices. The Company’s principal customer market is original equipment manufacturers, or “OEMs” (or the contract manufacturing firms of these OEM customers), that either package their products as accessories “in box” together with their branded product offerings, or sell them through their retail distribution channels. The Company’s OEM products include carrying cases and other accessories for medical monitoring and diagnostic kits and a variety of other portable electronic and non-electronic products (such as sporting and recreational products, bar code scanners, smartphones, GPS location devices, tablets, and firearms). The Company’s OEM customers are located in: (i) the Asia-Pacific Region, which we refer to as the “APAC Region” (ii) Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, which we refer to as the “EMEA Region” and (iii) the Americas. The Company does not manufacture any of its OEM products and sources substantially all of its OEM products from independent suppliers in China, through Forward China (refer to Note 7 – Buying Agency and Supply Agreement).

In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q reflect all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial position and results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented herein, but are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the year ending September 30, 2017. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, and with the disclosures and risk factors presented therein. The September 30, 2016 condensed consolidated balance sheet has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements.

NOTE 2      ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Accounting Estimates

The preparation of the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions.

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Forward Industries, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (Forward US and Forward Switzerland). All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Income Taxes

The Company recognizes future tax benefits and liabilities measured at enacted rates attributable to temporary differences between financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities and to net tax operating loss carryforwards to the extent that realization of these benefits is more likely than not. As of December 31, 2016, there was no change to our assessment that a full valuation allowance was required against all net deferred tax assets. Accordingly, any deferred tax provision or benefit was offset by an equal and opposite change to the valuation allowance. No current book income tax provision was recorded against book net income due to the existence of significant net operating loss carryforwards.

Revenue Recognition

The Company generally recognizes revenue from product sales to its customers when: (i) title and risk of loss are transferred (in general, these conditions occur at either point of shipment or point of destination, depending on the terms of sale); (ii) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (iii) the Company has no continuing obligations to the customer; and (iv) collection of the related accounts receivable is reasonably assured. The Company defers revenue when it receives consideration before achieving the criteria previously mentioned.

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FORWARD INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 2      ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED)

Share-Based Compensation Expense

The Company recognizes employee and director share-based compensation in its condensed consolidated income statements and comprehensive income at the grant-date fair value of stock options and other equity-based compensation. The determination of stock option grant-date fair value is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, which includes variables such as the expected volatility of the Company’s share price, the exercise behavior of its grantees, interest rates, and dividend yields. These variables are projected based on the Company’s historical data, experience, and other factors. In the case of awards with multiple vesting periods, the Company has elected to use the graded vesting attribution method, which recognizes compensation cost on a straight-line basis over each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award was, in-substance, multiple awards. Refer to Note 4 - Share-Based Compensation. In addition, the Company recognizes share-based compensation to non-employees based upon the fair value, using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, determined at the deemed measurement dates over the related contract service period.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 605-Revenue Recognition and most industry-specific guidance throughout the ASC. The standard requires that an entity recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 was further amended and is effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and should be applied retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying ASU 2014-09 recognized at the date of initial application. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, “Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory,” which applies to inventory that is measured using first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) or average cost. Under the updated guidance, an entity should measure inventory that is within scope at the lower of cost and net realizable value, which is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. Subsequent measurement is unchanged for inventory that is measured using last-in, first-out (“LIFO”). This ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and should be applied prospectively with early adoption permitted at the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2015-11 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes,” which applies to the classification of deferred tax assets and liabilities. The update eliminates the requirement to classify deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent or current within a classified statement of financial position. This ASU is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and should be applied prospectively with early adoption permitted at the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2015-17 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” which will require lessees to report most leases as assets and liabilities on the balance sheet, while lessor accounting will remain substantially unchanged. This ASU requires a modified retrospective transition approach for existing leases, whereby the new rules will be applied to the earliest year presented. The new standard is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adopting this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation — Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” which simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not anticipate that the adoption of ASU 2016-09 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

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FORWARD INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 3      SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

Stock Repurchase

In September 2002 and January 2004, the Board authorized the repurchase of up to an aggregate of 486,200 shares of outstanding common stock. Under those authorizations, through December 31, 2016, the Company repurchased an aggregate of 224,690 shares at a cost of approximately $487,000. During the three months ended December 31, 2016, the Company did not repurchase or retire any shares of its outstanding restricted common stock.

NOTE 4      SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model that uses the assumptions noted in the following table. The expected term represents the period over which the stock option awards are expected to be outstanding. The Company utilizes the “simplified” method to develop an estimate of the expected term of “plain vanilla” employee option grants. The expected volatility used is based on the historical price of the Company’s stock over the most recent period commensurate with the expected term of the award. The risk-free interest rate used is based on the implied yield of U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term equivalent to the award’s expected term. The Company historically has not paid any dividends on its common stock and had no intention to do so on the date the share-based awards were granted. The estimated annual forfeiture rate is based on management’s expectations and will reduce expense ratably over the vesting period. The forfeiture rate will be adjusted periodically based on the extent to which actual option forfeitures differ, or are expected to differ, from the previous estimate, when it is material.

There were no options granted during the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.

The following table summarizes stock option activity during the three months ended December 31, 2016:

 

The Company recognized compensation expense of approximately $2,000 and $4,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, for stock option awards in its condensed consolidated income statements and comprehensive income.

As of December 31, 2016, there was approximately $7,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock option awards. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.2 years.

 

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FORWARD INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 4     SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION (CONTINUED)

The following table provides additional information regarding stock option awards that were outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2016:

 

Restricted Stock Awards

The Company recognized compensation expense of approximately $48,000 and $78,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, for restricted stock awards in its condensed consolidated income statements and comprehensive income.

As of December 31, 2016, there was approximately $37,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested restricted stock awards. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.4 years.

The following table summarizes restricted stock activity during the three months ended December 31, 2016:

 

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FORWARD INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 5     INCOME PER SHARE

Basic income per share data for each period presented is computed using the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each such period. Diluted income per share data is computed using the weighted-average number of common and dilutive common-equivalent shares outstanding during each period. Dilutive common-equivalent shares consist of: (i) shares that would be issued upon the exercise of stock options and warrants, computed using the treasury stock method; and (ii) shares of nonvested restricted stock. The Company calculated the potential diluted earnings per share in accordance with ASC 260, as follows:

 

The following securities were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share because their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive:

 

NOTE 6     CONCENTRATIONS

Concentration of Revenues and Accounts Receivable

For the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company had significant customers with individual percentage of total revenues equaling 10% or greater as follows:

 

       

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FORWARD INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 6     CONCENTRATIONS (CONTINUED)

At December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, concentration of accounts receivable with significant customers representing 10% or greater of accounts receivable was as follows:

 

NOTE 7     RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Buying Agency and Supply Agreement

On March 12, 2012, the Company entered into a Buying Agency and Supply Agreement (the “Supply Agreement”) with Forward Industries Asia-Pacific Corporation, a British Virgin Islands corporation (“Forward China”). The Supply Agreement, as amended, provides that, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth therein, Forward China will act as the Company’s exclusive buying agent and supplier of Products (as defined in the Supply Agreement) in the Asia Pacific region. The Company purchases products at Forward China’s cost and also pays to Forward China a monthly service fee equal to the sum of: (i) $100,000; and (ii) 4% of “Adjusted Gross Profit”, which is defined as the selling price less the cost from Forward China. The amended Supply Agreement expires on September 8, 2018, subject to renewal. Terence Bernard Wise, Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company, is a principal of Forward China. In addition, Jenny P. Yu, a Managing Director of Forward China, beneficially owns more than 5% of the Company’s shares of common stock. The Company recognized approximately $363,000 and $373,000 during the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, in service fees paid to Forward China, which are included as a component of costs of goods sold in the accompanying condensed consolidated income statements and comprehensive income. During the three months ended December 31, 2016, the Company received commissions of $12,904, which is included in net revenues.

NOTE 8     LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, the Company may become a party to legal actions or proceedings in the ordinary course of its business. As of December 31, 2016, there were no such actions or proceedings, either individually or in the aggregate, that, if decided adversely to the Company’s interests, the Company believes would be material to its business.

 

 

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ITEM 2.      MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, and the notes thereto, and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016. The following discussion and analysis compares our consolidated results of operations for the three months ended December 31, 2016 (the “2017 Quarter”) with those for the three months ended December 31, 2015 (the “2016 Quarter”). All figures in the following discussion are presented on a consolidated basis. All dollar amounts and percentages presented herein have been rounded to approximate values.

Business Overview

Forward Industries, Inc. designs and distributes carry and protective solutions, primarily for hand held electronic devices, including soft-sided carrying cases, bags, clips, hand straps, protective plates and other accessories made of leather, nylon, vinyl, plastic, PVC and other synthetic materials. Our principal customer market is original equipment manufacturers, or “OEMs” (or the contract manufacturing firms of these OEM customers), that either package our products as accessories “in box” together with their branded product offerings, or sell them through their retail distribution channels. Our OEM products include carrying cases and other accessories for blood glucose monitoring kits and a variety of other portable electronic and non-electronic products (such as sporting and recreational products, bar code scanners, smartphones, GPS and location devices, tablets, firearms and other products). Our carrying cases are designed to enable these devices to be stowed in a pocket, handbag, briefcase, or backpack, clipped to a belt or shoulder strap, or strapped to an arm, while protecting the consumer electronic or other product from scratches, dust, and mishandling. Our OEM customers are located in: (i) the Asia-Pacific Region, which we refer to as the “APAC Region” (ii) Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, which we refer to as the “EMEA Region” and (iii) the Americas. We do not manufacture any of our OEM products and source substantially all of our OEM products from independent suppliers in China (refer to Note 7 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements – Buying Agency and Supply Agreement).

During the second quarter of fiscal 2016, we began entering into supply agreements with our major healthcare customers. By the end of fiscal 2016, we had entered into supply agreements with all four of our major healthcare customers. Although there are no minimum purchase requirements, the agreements provide the framework and pricing for supplying the customers with our carrying cases.

We continue to be challenged by rising costs from our China-based suppliers, which causes our gross margins to narrow when we are unable to fully pass cost increases to our customers. Our dedicated Asia-based sourcing agent has made meaningful progress in areas such as quality assurance and overall operational performance that has better positioned us to negotiate and pass through such cost increases with our customers.

Variability of Revenues and Results of Operations

Because a high percentage of our net revenues is highly concentrated in four large customers, and because the volumes of these customers’ order flows to us are highly variable, having short lead times, our quarterly revenues, and consequently our results of operations, are susceptible to significant variability over a relatively short period of time.

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

We discuss the material accounting policies that are critical in making these estimates and judgments in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2016, under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates”. There has been no material change in critical accounting policies or estimates since September 30, 2016.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

For information on recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 2 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 COMPARED TO THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2015

Net Income

Net income in the 2017 Quarter was approximately $151,000 compared to approximately $244,000 in the 2016 Quarter. The 2017 Quarter decrease in net income is primarily due to a decrease in gross profit of approximately $363,000, partially offset by a decrease in general and administrative expenses of approximately $248,000 and a decrease in sales and marketing expenses of approximately $15,000.

 

Net income per basic and diluted share was $0.02 per share for the 2017 Quarter and $0.03 per share for the 2016 Quarter.

Net Revenues

Net revenues in the 2017 Quarter decreased $0.5 million, or 8%, to $6.6 million from $7.1 million in the 2016 Quarter primarily due to lower revenues from Diabetic Products. The tables below set forth revenues by channel, product line, and geographic location of our customers for the periods indicated:

 

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Diabetic Product Revenues

We design and sell carrying cases for blood glucose diagnostic kits directly to OEMs (or their contract manufacturers). The OEM customer or its contract manufacturer packages our carry cases “in box” as a custom accessory for the OEM’s blood glucose testing and monitoring kits, or to a lesser extent, sells them through its retail distribution channels.

Revenues from Diabetic Products decreased $0.7 million to $5.5 million in the 2017 Quarter, from $6.2 million in the 2016 Quarter. The decrease was primarily due to lower revenues derived from three of our major Diabetic Products’ customers (Diabetic Products Customers B, C and D) and revenues from our other Diabetic Products’ customers. The decrease was offset, in part, by higher revenues derived from our largest major Diabetic Products’ customers (Diabetic Products Customer A).

The following table sets forth our revenues by Diabetic Products’ customers for the periods indicated:

 

Revenues from Diabetic Products represented 84% of our total net revenues in the 2017 Quarter compared to 87% of our total net revenues in the 2016 Quarter.

Other Product Revenues

We design and sell cases and protective solutions to OEMs for a diverse array of portable electronic devices (such as bar code scanners, GPS devices, cellular phones, tablets and cameras), as well as a variety of other products (such as sporting and recreational products and firearms) on a made-to-order basis that are customized to fit the products sold by our OEM customers.

Revenues of Other Products increased $0.2 million to $1.1 million in the 2017 Quarter from $0.9 million in the 2016 Quarter. This is primarily due to overall net increases of $0.1 million from several small existing customers as well as the addition of $0.1 million from some new small customers. We will continue to focus on our sales and sales support teams in our attempt to expand and diversify our Other Products customer base.

Revenues from Other Products represented 16% of our net revenues in the 2017 Quarter compared to 13% of our total net revenues in the 2016 Quarter.

Gross Profit

The decrease in gross profit of approximately $363,000 was driven by a year over year decline in net revenues of 8% as well as a decline in gross margins. The decline in gross margins results from pricing pressures from our customers. Our gross margin decreased to 17.6% in the 2017 Quarter compared to 21.3% in the 2016 Quarter.

Sales and Marketing Expenses

Sales and marketing expenses decreased approximately $15,000, or 4%, to approximately $418,000 in the 2017 Quarter compared to approximately $433,000 in the 2016 Quarter, primarily due to decreased personnel expenses of approximately $59,000, partially offset by increased other expenses of approximately $23,000 and travel and entertainment expenses of approximately $21,000. Fluctuations in other components of “Sales and Marketing Expenses” were not material individually or in the aggregate.

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General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses decreased approximately $248,000, or 30%, to approximately $593,000 in the 2017 Quarter from approximately $841,000 in the 2016 Quarter, primarily due to decreased personnel expenses of approximately $54,000, director fees (including share-based compensation) of approximately $50,000, director expense reimbursement of approximately $47,000, legal fees regarding board matters of approximately $44,000, and other expenses of approximately $22,000. Fluctuations in other components of “General and Administrative Expenses” were not individually material.

Other Expense (Income), Net

Other expense (income), net, consisting primarily of foreign exchange losses, was approximately $(3,000) in the 2017 Quarter compared to approximately $4,000 in the 2016 Quarter.

For the 2017 Quarter, although the Company generated net income of approximately $151,000, the Company recognized no income tax expense due to the existence of significant net operating loss carryforwards. The Company’s deferred tax provision is completely offset by a full valuation allowance.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our primary source of liquidity comes from operations. Our working capital would be adversely affected by any: (i) operating losses; (ii) increases in accounts receivable and inventories arising in the ordinary course of business; and (iii) material increases in expenses. Historically, our sources of liquidity have been adequate to satisfy working capital requirements arising in the ordinary course of business. We anticipate that our liquidity and financial resources for the next twelve months will be adequate to manage our operating and financial requirements.

At December 31, 2016, our current ratio (current assets divided by current liabilities) was 2.9; our quick ratio (current assets less inventories divided by current liabilities) was 2.4; and our working capital (current assets less current liabilities) was $8.4 million. As of December 31, 2016 and the filing date of this report, we had no short or long-term debt outstanding. We do not anticipate the need to purchase additional material capital assets in order to carry out our business.

During the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, our sources and uses of cash were as follows:

Cash Flows from Operating Activities

During the 2017 Quarter, cash used in operating activities of approximately $520,000 resulted primarily from an increase in accounts receivable of approximately $902,000, partially offset by net income of approximately $151,000, an increase in accounts payable (including due to Forward China) and accrued expenses of approximately $143,000, and the add back of non-cash share-based compensation of approximately $50,000.

During the 2016 Quarter, cash used in operating activities of approximately $672,000 resulted primarily from an increase in accounts receivable of approximately $1,069,000 and an increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets of approximately $81,000, partially offset by net income of approximately $244,000, an increase in accounts payable (including due to Forward China) and accrued expenses of approximately $162,000 and the add back of non-cash share-based compensation of approximately $82,000.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

In the 2017 Quarter, there was no cash used in investing activities.

In the 2016 Quarter, cash used in investing activities of approximately $44,000 resulted from purchases of property and equipment.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

In the 2017 Quarter, there was no cash used in financing activities.

In the 2016 Quarter, cash used in financing activities of approximately $2,000 resulted from the repurchase of restricted stock.

 

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Related Party Transactions

For information on related party transactions and their financial impact, see Note 7 to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained herein.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This report contains “forward-looking statements”, as such term is used within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding our liquidity and working capital. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “seeks,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects” and similar references to future periods. Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. We caution you therefore against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include the failure to receive material orders, failure to diversify the industries which we sell our products, potential imposed tariffs or other restrictions placed on Chinese imports by the U.S. government, and pricing pressure on our products. Further information on our risk factors is contained in our filings with the SEC, including our Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2016. Any forward-looking statement made by us speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ITEM 3.      QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 Not applicable.

ITEM 4.      CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Our management carried out an evaluation, with the participation of our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, required by Rule 13a-15 and Rule 15d-15 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based on their evaluation, our management has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of the end of the period covered by this report to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and Rule 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Limitations of the Effectiveness of Controls and Procedures. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the control system are met. Because of the inherent limitations of any control system, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues, if any, within a company have been detected.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Signatures

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

Dated: February 13, 2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

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* This exhibit is being furnished rather than filed and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing, in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

     Copies of this report (including the financial statements) and any of the exhibits referred to above will be furnished at no cost to our shareholders who make a written request to Forward Industries, Inc., 477 S. Rosemary Ave. Ste. 219, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

 

 

 

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