LGL GROUP INC - Quarter Report: 2013 September (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES & EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

For the transition period from ____________ to ____________

Commission File No. 1-106

THE LGL GROUP, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

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.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

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):

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

 

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INDEX

THE LGL GROUP, INC.

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PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

THE LGL GROUP, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - UNAUDITED

(Dollars in Thousands)

See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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THE LGL GROUP, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS - UNAUDITED


(Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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THE LGL GROUP, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS - UNAUDITED

(Dollars in Thousands)

See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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THE LGL GROUP, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY - UNAUDITED

(Dollars in Thousands)

See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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THE LGL GROUP, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS – UNAUDITED

(Dollars in Thousands)

See Accompanying Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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THE LGL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES


NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The LGL Group, Inc. (the "Company"), incorporated in 1928 under the laws of the State of Indiana and reincorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in 2007, is a holding company with subsidiaries engaged in manufacturing custom-designed, highly engineered electronic components.

As of September 30, 2013, the subsidiaries of the Company are as follows:

The Company operates through its principal subsidiary, M-tron Industries, Inc., which includes the operations of M-tron Industries, Ltd. ("Mtron") and Piezo Technology, Inc. ("PTI"). The combined operations of Mtron and PTI are referred to herein as "MtronPTI."  MtronPTI has operations in Orlando, Florida, Yankton, South Dakota, Yantai, China, and Noida, India.  In addition, MtronPTI has sales offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai, China.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year ending December 31, 2013.

For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

The Company reduces the value of its inventories to market value when the market value is believed to be less than the cost of the item.  The inventory reserve for obsolescence as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 was $2,554,000 and $2,318,000, respectively.

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On June 30, 2011, MtronPTI entered into a loan agreement with Chase, which was amended on June 28, 2012, September 28, 2012, June 30, 2013 and September 19, 2013 (the "Chase Loan Agreement"). The Chase Loan Agreement provides for a revolving line of credit in the amount of $1,500,000, to be used solely for working capital needs (the "Chase Revolving Loan") and matures on June 30, 2014, provided that the Chase Loan Agreement may be extended for up to three 12-month renewal terms upon written request by MtronPTI and approval by Chase.

At September 30, 2013, MtronPTI had approximately $1,086,000 outstanding under the Chase Revolving Loan and available borrowing capacity of approximately $414,000 under the Chase Revolving Loan.

All outstanding obligations of MtronPTI under the Chase Loan Agreement are collateralized by a first priority security interest in all of the assets of MtronPTI, excluding real property. Additionally, in connection with the Chase Loan Agreement, PTI entered into a separate agreement with Chase providing that PTI would not mortgage or otherwise encumber certain real property it owns in Florida while any credit facility is outstanding under the Chase Loan Agreement.

As additional security for MtronPTI's obligations under the Chase Loan Agreement, MtronPTI has made a cash collateral deposit of $1,500,000 with Chase and entered into an Assignment of Deposit agreement with Chase providing Chase with a security interest in the account holding the deposit. The amount of the cash collateral deposit with Chase is included in restricted cash in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2013.  The related Assignment of Deposit agreement restricts MtronPTI's ability to withdraw any portion of the deposit and does not allow MtronPTI to assign the deposit or any part thereof.

 The Chase Loan Agreement also contains a variety of affirmative and negative covenants, including, but not limited to, a financial covenant that MtronPTI maintain tangible net worth not less than $6,000,000. As of September 30, 2013, MtronPTI was in compliance with all covenants under the Chase Loan Agreement.

The Company estimates the fair value of stock options on the grant date using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model. The Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model requires subjective assumptions, including future stock price volatility and expected time to exercise, which greatly affect the calculated values. There is no expected dividend rate. Historical Company information was the basis for the expected volatility assumption. The fair value of grants was calculated using historical volatility as the Company believes that the historical volatility over the life of the option is indicative of expected volatility in the future. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury zero-coupon rates with a remaining term equal to the expected term of the option. Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 718, Stock Compensation, also requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Based on past history of actual performance, a zero forfeiture rate has been assumed.

On March 26, 2013, the Board of Directors granted a total of 8,135 restricted shares of the Company's common stock to members of executive management.  The shares vest as follows: 30% on the first anniversary of the grant date; an additional 30% on the second anniversary of the grant date; and the remaining 40% on the third anniversary of the grant date.

 

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Further, on March 26, 2013, the Board of Directors granted options to purchase a total of 62,401 shares of the Company's common stock to members of executive management. These stock options have an exercise price of $7.26, which reflects a 25% premium compared to the closing price on the date of grant, have a five-year life expiring on March 25, 2018, and vest as follows: 30% on the first anniversary of the grant date; an additional 30% on the second anniversary of the grant date; and the remaining 40% on the third anniversary of the grant date. These stock options have a grant date fair value of $2.33 per option.  This grant price, combined with the vesting period, reflects the objective to align management incentives with long-term value creation.

On May 10, 2013, the Company's Board of Directors granted 2,008 restricted shares of the Company's common stock to Donald H. Hunter (appointed to the Board of Directors on March 26, 2013) as a portion of his base director compensation for 2013.  These shares vested immediately on the grant date.  Total stock-based compensation expense for this grant was $10,000.

Restricted stock awards are granted at a value equal to the market price of our common stock on the date of the grant.

Compensation expense related to share-based compensation is recognized over the applicable vesting periods. As of September 30, 2013, there was approximately $426,000 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested share-based compensation arrangements.

The Company computes earnings (loss) per share in accordance with ASC 260, Earnings Per Share ("ASC 260").  Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted earnings (loss) per share adjusts basic earnings (loss) per share for the effects of stock options, non-participating restricted common stock, and other potentially dilutive financial instruments, only in the periods in which the effects are dilutive.  Shares of restricted stock granted to members of the Board of Directors as a portion of their director fees are deemed to be participating as defined by ASC 260 and therefore are included in the computation of basic earnings (loss) per share.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, there were options to purchase 192,401 shares of common stock that were excluded from the diluted earnings (loss) per share computation because the impact of the assumed exercise of such stock options would have been anti-dilutive, due to the net loss incurred and based on the fact that the exercise price of the options exceeded the market price of the common stock as of September 30, 2013. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012, there were options to purchase 130,000 shares of common stock that were excluded from the diluted earnings (loss) per share computation because the impact of the assumed exercise of such stock options would have been anti-dilutive, due to the net loss incurred and based on the fact that the exercise price of the options exceeded the market price of the common stock as of September 30, 2012.

On August 6, 2013, the Company distributed warrants to purchase shares of the Company's common stock as a dividend to holders of the Company's common stock on July 29, 2013, the record date for the dividend.  Stockholders received five warrants for each share of the Company's common stock owned on the record date.  When exercisable, 25 warrants will entitle their holder to purchase one share of the Company's common stock at an exercise price of $7.50 per share (subject to adjustment).

The warrants are "European style warrants" and will only become exercisable on the earlier of (i) their expiration date, August 6, 2018, and (ii) such date that the 30-day volume weighted average price per share, or VWAP, of the Company's common stock is greater than or equal to $15.00 (subject to adjustment). Once the warrants become exercisable, they may be exercised in accordance with the terms of the warrant agreement between the Company and the warrant agent until their expiration at 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the expiration date.

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The warrants are traded separately from the Company's common stock on the NYSE MKT under the symbol "LGL WS".

The Company measures financial and non-financial assets and liabilities at fair value in accordance with ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.  These measurements involve various valuation techniques and assume that the transactions would occur between market participants in the most advantageous market for the Company.  The following is a summary of valuation techniques utilized by the Company for its significant financial and non-financial assets and liabilities as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:

Assets

To estimate the fair value of its equity and U.S. Treasury securities, the Company obtains current market pricing from quoted market sources or uses pricing for identical securities. Assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis are summarized below.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, significant foreign revenues from operations (10% or more of foreign sales) were as follows:

 

 

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The Company allocates its foreign revenue based on the customer's ship-to location.

The Company had net deferred tax assets of $3,922,000 as of December 31, 2012, which were comprised of the following:  (i) net operating loss ("NOL") deferred tax assets of $2,116,000, resulting from an NOL carry-forward of approximately $6,223,000, which expire in years 2023 through 2032; (ii) research and development credit carry-forwards of approximately $994,000, which can be used to reduce future income tax liabilities and expire principally between 2020 and 2031; (iii) foreign tax credit carry-forwards of approximately $359,000, which are available to reduce future U.S. income tax liabilities subject to certain limitations and that expire in years 2018 through 2020, (iv) alternative minimum tax credit carry-forwards of approximately $111,000; and (v) other net deferred tax assets totaling $342,000.

The Company recorded a provision of ($3,922,000) and a benefit of $524,000 for income taxes, respectively, in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. Foreign tax benefits of $0 and $7,000, respectively, were provided in each of those periods. The provision is based on our estimated tax liability at the end of the year, including our assessment of the probability that we will be able to utilize our net operating losses and tax credits prior to expiration.  As of September 30, 2013, the Company's estimated consolidated annual effective tax rate was 39% before considering the current year change in the valuation allowance.

Based on the Company's assessment of the uncertainty surrounding the realization of the favorable U.S. tax attributes in future tax returns in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740, Income Taxes, the Company has determined that a full valuation allowance against our otherwise recognizable U.S. net deferred tax assets is required as of September 30, 2013.  The Company has recorded a full valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.  When assessing the need for valuation allowances, the Company considers future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies.  Should a change in circumstances lead to a change in judgment about the ability to realize deferred tax assets in future years, the Company will adjust related valuation allowances in the period that the change in circumstances occurs, along with a corresponding increase or charge to income.

In the normal course of business, the Company and its subsidiaries may become defendants in certain product liability, patent infringement, worker claims and other litigation.  The Company records a liability when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount is reasonably estimable. The Company is not involved in any legal proceedings other than routine litigation arising in the normal course of business, none of which the Company believes will have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations.

At September 30, 2013, the Company had $7,912,000 of cash and cash equivalents compared with $8,625,000 at December 31, 2012.  Of this amount, at September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, approximately $5,989,000 and $6,239,000, respectively, was invested in United States Treasury money market funds managed by a related entity (the "Fund Manager") which is related through two common directors.  One of the Company's directors, who is also a 10% stockholder, currently serves as a director and executive officer of the Fund Manager.  Another of the Company's directors serves as a director and audit committee member of the Fund Manager.  The fund transactions in 2013 and 2012 were directed solely at the discretion of Company management.

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On October 4, 2013, the Company entered into a new employment agreement with Gregory P. Anderson (the "Anderson Employment Agreement") under which Mr. Anderson will continue to serve as the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, effective as of November 2, 2013. Under the Anderson Employment Agreement, Mr. Anderson receives an annual base salary of $200,000 and is eligible to receive annual bonuses based upon the achievement of certain management objectives determined by the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board of Directors (the "Compensation Committee"). The term of the Anderson Employment Agreement is two years, starting on its effective date.

On October 7, 2013, the Company announced that its Board of Directors appointed Michael J. Ferrantino to serve as the Company's Executive Vice Chairman and as the Executive Chairman of M-tron Industries, Inc., the Company's principal operating subsidiary. Previously, Mr. Ferrantino, age 70, served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Valpey-Fisher Corporation from September 2002 until November 2009. From January 2002 until September 2002, Mr. Ferrantino served as the President of the Micro Networks Division of Integrated Circuit Systems, Inc. From prior to 2000 until January 2002, Mr. Ferrantino served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Micro Networks Corporation, and from April 2000 to January 2002, he served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Micro Networks Corporation. Currently, Mr. Ferrantino serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Spectra Analysis Instruments, Inc.

On October 17, 2013, the Company's management initiated a restructuring plan to realign its customer support operations across all of the Company's locations and to reduce structural costs by at least 10% in an effort to gain efficiencies in providing customer support.  Expenses related to this plan are expected to result in a one-time charge during the fourth quarter of 2013 of between $600,000 and $800,000, of which between approximately $250,000 and $325,000, respectively, will be non-cash.  Restructuring activities are expected to be substantially completed by December 31, 2013.

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Information included or incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q may contain forward-looking statements.  This information may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different than the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements, which involve assumptions and describe our future plans, strategies and expectations, are generally identifiable by use of the words "may," "should," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "intend" or "project" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology.

Examples of forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding efforts to grow revenue, expectations regarding fulfillment of backlog, future benefits to operating margins and the adequacy of cash resources.  Actual events or results may differ materially from those discussed in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, without limitation, the risks outlined under "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 1, 2013.  In light of these risks and uncertainties, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q will in fact be accurate.  Further, we do not undertake any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements.  As a result, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

In this section, the Company's primary market segments are referred to as Internet Communications Technology ("ICT") and as Aerospace and Defense ("Aero/Defense").  In several of the Company's prior filings and other disclosure, management referred to these market segments as Telecommunications, or "Telecom", and Military, Instrumentation, Space and Avionics, or "MISA", respectively.  The Company has not changed its primary market segments or the composition thereof, but is using ICT and Aero/Defense to refer to those market segments in order to utilize more widely accepted market or industry descriptions.

Results of Operations

Three months ended September 30, 2013, compared to three months ended September 30, 2012

Consolidated Revenues and Gross Margin

Consolidated revenues decreased by $1,209,000, or 16.5%, to $6,098,000, for the three-month period ended September 30, 2013, from $7,307,000 for the comparable period in 2012.  The decrease is primarily due to reduced demand from existing customers in our ICT market segment, offset by growth in our Aero/Defense market segment.  There has not been a notable structural recovery within our industry or in the markets we serve since relative weakness took hold in 2011 due to the natural disaster that affected Japan, and continued due to ongoing U.S. spending uncertainty and the instability of the economies within the Eurozone.  These systemic effects may have led to delays in infrastructure spending and relative weakness in macroeconomic growth in our industry, and it remains unclear whether there has been a permanent impairment to spending levels within the markets we serve.

As of September 30, 2013, the Company's order backlog was $8,446,000, which was a decrease of 6.9% compared to the backlog as of June 30, 2013, which was $9,070,000, and a decrease of 3.4% compared to the backlog as of September 30, 2012, which was $8,745,000. The decrease in backlog is due primarily to a year-over-year decline in orders from existing customers.

The backlog of unfilled orders includes amounts based on signed contracts as well as other agreements we have determined are legally binding and likely to proceed.  Although backlog represents only firm orders that are considered likely to be fulfilled within the 12 months following receipt of the order, cancellations or scope adjustments may and do occur. The order backlog is adjusted quarterly to reflect project cancellations, deferrals, revised project scope and cost, and sales of subsidiaries, if any.  The Company expects to fill substantially its entire current order backlog within the next twelve months, but cannot provide assurance as to the portion of the order backlog to be fulfilled in a given period.

Consolidated gross margin, which is consolidated revenues less manufacturing cost of sales, as a percentage of revenues decreased to 22.4% from 24.5% for the three-month period ended September 30, 2013, compared to the same prior year period.  The decrease was primarily due to a 16.5% decrease in revenues from the comparable period in 2012. The Company is focusing research and development efforts on the development of products that will serve additional segments of the timing and frequency control markets, as well as added sales efforts to gain market share in wireless infrastructure, aerospace, energy exploration, homeland security, military communications and personnel protection.

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Operating Loss

Operating loss of ($1,181,000) for the three months ended September 30, 2013, increased by $725,000 compared to an operating loss of ($456,000) for the comparable period in 2012.  The increase in operating loss was due to a 16.5% decrease in revenues and a $299,000 increase in engineering, selling and administrative expenses, driven primarily by strategic investments in both demand creation and research and development efforts.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense was $135,000 and $92,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Compensation expense related to stock-based compensation is recognized over the applicable vesting periods. As of September 30, 2013, there was approximately $426,000 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested share-based compensation arrangements.

On March 26, 2013, the Board of Directors granted a total of 8,135 restricted shares of the Company's common stock to members of executive management.  The shares vest as follows: 30% on the first anniversary of the grant date; an additional 30% on the second anniversary of the grant date; and the remaining 40% on the third anniversary of the grant date.

Further, on March 26, 2013, the Board of Directors granted options to purchase a total of 62,401 shares of the Company's common stock to members of executive management. These stock options have an exercise price of $7.26, which reflects a 25% premium compared to the closing price on the date of grant, have a five-year life expiring on March 25, 2018, and vest as follows: 30% on the first anniversary of the grant date; an additional 30% on the second anniversary of the grant date; and the remaining 40% on the third anniversary of the grant date. These stock options have a grant date fair value of $2.33 per option.  This grant price, combined with the vesting period, reflects the objective to align management incentives with long-term value creation.

On May 10, 2013, the Company's Board of Directors granted 2,008 restricted shares of the Company's common stock to Donald H. Hunter (appointed to the Board of Directors on March 26, 2013) as a portion of his base director compensation for 2013.  These shares vested immediately on the grant date.  Total stock-based compensation expense for this grant was $10,000.

Interest Expense, Net

Interest expense, net, was $4,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2013, which was a decrease of $19,000, from $23,000, for the three months ended September 30, 2012. The decrease was due to a reduction in the average outstanding balance on MtronPTI's credit facilities for the three months ended September 30, 2013, compared with the same prior year period.

Income Taxes

The Company recorded a benefit of $0 and $147,000 for income taxes, respectively, in the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. Foreign tax expense of $0 and $10,000, respectively were provided in each of those periods.  The provision is based on our estimated tax liability at the end of the year, including our assessment of the probability that we will be able to utilize our net operating losses and tax credits prior to expiration.  As of September 30, 2013, the Company's estimated consolidated annual effective tax rate was 39% before considering the current year change in the valuation allowance.

Based on the Company's assessment of the uncertainty surrounding the realization of the favorable U.S. tax attributes in future tax returns in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740, Income Taxes, the Company has determined that a full valuation allowance against our otherwise recognizable U.S. net deferred tax assets is required as of September 30, 2013.  The Company has recorded a full valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.  When assessing the need for valuation allowances, the Company considers future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies.  Should a change in circumstances lead to a change in judgment about the ability to realize deferred tax assets in future years, the Company will adjust related valuation allowances in the period that the change in circumstances occurs, along with a corresponding increase or charge to income.

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Net Loss

Net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2013, was ($1,199,000) compared to a net loss of ($314,000) for the comparable period in 2012. The increased loss is primarily due to the 16.5% decline in revenues compared to the same period in 2012. Basic and diluted net loss per share for the three month period ended September 30, 2013, was ($0.46) compared to a net loss per share of ($0.12) for the third quarter of 2012.

Nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to nine months ended September 30, 2012

Consolidated Revenues and Gross Margin

Consolidated revenues decreased by $1,602,000, or 7.3%, to $20,461,000 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, from $22,063,000 for the comparable period in 2012.  The decrease is primarily due to reduced demand from existing customers in our ICT market segment, offset by growth in our Aero/Defense market segment. There has not been a notable structural recovery within our industry or in the markets we serve since relative weakness took hold in 2011 due to the natural disaster that affected Japan, and continued due to ongoing U.S. spending uncertainty and the instability of the economies within the Eurozone.  These systemic effects may have led to delays in infrastructure spending and relative weakness in macroeconomic growth in our industry, and it remains unclear whether there has been a permanent impairment to spending levels within the markets we serve.

As of September 30, 2013, the Company's order backlog was $8,446,000, which was a decrease of 3.0% compared to the backlog as of December 31, 2012, which was $8,703,000, and a decrease of 3.4% compared to the backlog as of September 30, 2012, which was $8,745,000. The decrease in backlog from December 31, 2012 and September 30, 2012, is due primarily to a year-over-year decline in orders from existing customers.

Consolidated gross margin, which is consolidated revenues less manufacturing cost of sales, as a percentage of revenues increased to 27.2% for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, from 24.5% for the comparable period in 2012.  The increase in gross margin is due to a more favorable product mix and margin improvement initiatives. The Company is focusing research and development efforts on the development of products that will serve additional segments of the timing and frequency control markets, as well as added sales efforts to gain market share in wireless infrastructure, aerospace, energy exploration, homeland security, military communications and personnel protection.

Operating Loss

Operating loss of ($2,277,000) for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, increased by approximately $730,000 compared to the operating loss for the comparable period in 2012 of ($1,547,000). The increased operating loss was due to a 7.3% decline in revenue and a 12.8% increase in engineering, selling and administrative expense, offset by a 2.7% improvement in gross margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, as compared to the same prior year period.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense was $388,000 and $270,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Interest Expense, Net

Interest expense, net was $33,000 for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, which was a decrease of $45,000 from $78,000 for the comparable period in 2012.  The decrease was due to a reduction in the average outstanding balance on MtronPTI's credit facilities for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared with the same prior year period.

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Income Taxes

The Company recorded a provision of ($3,922,000) and a benefit of $524,000 for income taxes, respectively, in the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2012. Foreign tax benefits of $0 and $7,000, respectively were provided in each of those periods. The provision is based on our estimated tax liability at the end of the year, including our assessment of the probability that we will be able to utilize our net operating losses and tax credits prior to expiration.  As of September 30, 2013, the Company's estimated consolidated annual effective tax rate was 39% before considering the current year change in the valuation allowance.

Based on the Company's assessment of the uncertainty surrounding the realization of the favorable U.S. tax attributes in future tax returns in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740, Income Taxes, the Company has determined that a full valuation allowance against our otherwise recognizable U.S. net deferred tax assets is required as of September 30, 2013.  The Company has recorded a full valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.  When assessing the need for valuation allowances, the Company considers future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies.  Should a change in circumstances lead to a change in judgment about the ability to realize deferred tax assets in future years, the Company will adjust related valuation allowances in the period that the change in circumstances occurs, along with a corresponding increase or charge to income.

Net Loss

Net loss for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2013, was ($6,246,000) compared to ($1,122,000) for the comparable period in 2012.  The increased loss is primarily due to an increase in the valuation allowance of $3,922,000 against the Company's deferred tax assets as of June 30, 2013, the 7.3% decline in revenues, and the 12.8% increase in engineering, selling and administrative expenses, offset by the 2.7% improvement in gross margin, compared to the same period in 2012.  Basic and diluted net loss per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, was ($2.40) compared with ($0.43) for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

On October 17, 2013, management initiated a restructuring plan to realign its customer support operations across all of the Company's locations and to reduce structural costs by at least 10% in an effort to gain efficiencies in providing customer support.  Expenses related to this plan are expected to result in a one-time charge during the fourth quarter of 2013 of between $600,000 and $800,000, of which between approximately $250,000 and $325,000, respectively, will be non-cash.  Restructuring activities are expected to be substantially completed by December 31, 2013.  We expect that these changes, along with the Company's investments in product development and in added sales efforts to gain market share in our target market segments, will improve our operating performance while supporting the Company's ability to grow over the medium and long term.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company's cash and cash equivalents, and investments in marketable securities at September 30, 2013, totaled $7,973,000, a decrease of $696,000 compared to $8,669,000 at December 31, 2012.  Specifically, cash and cash equivalents decreased by $713,000, from $8,625,000 at December 31, 2012 to $7,912,000 at September 30, 2013. At September 30, 2013, MtronPTI had approximately $1,086,000 outstanding and available borrowing capacity of approximately $414,000 under its revolving line of credit with Chase (as defined below), compared with $1,249,000 outstanding and available borrowing capacity of $251,000 at December 31, 2012.

Cash used in operating activities was ($60,000) for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to cash provided by operating activities of $1,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  The decrease in cash used in operations was due primarily to a net loss of ($6,246,000) and a decrease in trade accounts payable, accrued compensation and commissions expense and other accrued liabilities of ($827,000), offset by a deferred tax provision of $3,922,000, a decrease in accounts receivable of 1,072,000, a decrease in inventory of $524,000, a decrease in other assets of $354,000, impairment of note receivable of $11,000, stock-based compensation of $388,000 and depreciation and amortization of $742,000, for the first nine months of 2013, compared to a net loss of ($1,122,000), a deferred income tax benefit of ($524,000) and an increase in other assets of ($24,000), offset by an increase in trade accounts payable, accrued compensation and commissions expense, and other accrued liabilities of $323,000, a decrease in accounts receivable of $260,000, a decrease in inventory of $242,000, an increase in stock-based compensation of $270,000, and depreciation and amortization of $576,000, for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

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Cash used in investing activities was ($351,000) for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared to ($805,000) for the same period in 2012. The decrease was due primarily to a reduction in spending on software to replace the Company's enterprise resource planning systems, which project was substantially completed in 2012.

Cash used in financing activities was ($302,000) for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, compared with ($3,421,000) for the same period in 2012. The change was due primarily to a decrease in net repayments on notes payable to bank of 1,413,000 and a decrease in repayments on long-term debt of $197,000 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2012, and an increase in restricted cash of ($1,500,000) during the first nine months of 2012, which was assigned to Chase as additional security for MtronPTI's obligations under the Chase Loan Agreement (as defined below).

At September 30, 2013, total liabilities of $3,931,000 were $1,048,000 less than the total liabilities at December 31, 2012, of $4,979,000.  The decrease was due to a decrease in accounts payable of $914,000, a decrease in borrowings under the Chase Revolving Loan (as defined below) of $163,000, a decrease in accrued compensation and commissions expense of $84,000 and the payoff of the Chase Term Loan (as defined below) balance of $58,000, offset by an increase of ($171,000) in accrued other expenses.

On June 30, 2011, certain of the Company's subsidiaries, together referred to as MtronPTI, entered into a loan agreement with J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. ("Chase"), which was amended on June 28, 2012, September 28, 2012, June 30, 2013 and September 19, 2013 (the "Chase Loan Agreement").  The Chase Loan Agreement currently provides for a revolving line of credit in the amount of $1,500,000, to be used solely for working capital needs (the "Chase Revolving Loan"), and matures on June 30, 2014, provided that the Chase Loan Agreement may be extended for up to three 12-month renewal terms upon written request by MtronPTI and approval by Chase.  The Chase Revolving Loan bears interest at the greater of (x) Chase's prime rate or (y) the one-month LIBOR rate plus 2.50% per annum (3.25% at September 30, 2013), with interest due and payable on a monthly basis and the outstanding principal balance plus all accrued but unpaid interest due and payable on the maturity date.

All outstanding obligations of MtronPTI under the Chase Loan Agreement are collateralized by a first priority security interest in all of the assets of MtronPTI, excluding real property.  Additionally, in connection with the Chase Loan Agreement, PTI entered into a separate agreement with Chase providing that PTI would not mortgage or otherwise encumber certain real property it owns in Florida while any credit facility is outstanding under the Chase Loan Agreement.

As additional security for MtronPTI's obligations under the Chase Loan Agreement, MtronPTI has made a cash collateral deposit of $1,500,000 with Chase and entered into an Assignment of Deposit agreement with Chase providing Chase with a security interest in the account holding the deposit. The amount of the cash collateral deposit with Chase is included in restricted cash in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.  The related Assignment of Deposit agreement restricts MtronPTI's ability to withdraw any portion of the deposit and does not allow MtronPTI to assign the deposit or any part thereof.

The Chase Loan Agreement also contains a variety of affirmative and negative covenants, including, but not limited to, a financial covenant that MtronPTI maintain tangible net worth net less than $6,000,000. As of September 30, 2013, MtronPTI was in compliance with all covenants under the Chase Loan Agreement.

The Company believes that existing cash and cash equivalents, cash generated from operations and available borrowings on its revolving line of credit will be sufficient to meet its ongoing working capital and capital expenditure requirements for the next 12 months.  However, the Company may need to seek additional capital to fund future growth in its business, to provide flexibility to respond to dynamic market conditions, or to fund its strategic growth objectives.  

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The Board has adhered to a practice of not paying cash dividends.  This policy takes into account our long-term growth objectives, including our anticipated investments for organic growth, potential technology acquisitions or other strategic ventures, and stockholders' desire for capital appreciation of their holdings.  In addition, the tangible net worth financial covenant under the Chase Loan Agreement effectively places certain limitations on MtronPTI's ability to make certain payments to its parent, including but not limited to payments of dividends and other distributions, which effectively could limit the Company's ability to pay cash dividends to stockholders. No cash dividends have been paid to the Company's stockholders since January 30, 1989, and none are expected to be paid for the foreseeable future.

Critical Accounting Policies

Our condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of such statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements. Our estimates are based on historical experience and other assumptions that we consider to be reasonable given the circumstances. Actual results may vary from our estimates.

The Company's most critical accounting policies include revenue recognition, accounts receivable allowance, valuation of inventories, accounting for warranty obligations, accounting for income taxes, and accounting for stock-based compensation.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of its product in accordance with the criteria in ASC 605, Revenue Recognition, which are:

‒	Persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists;

‒	Delivery has occurred;

‒	The seller's price to the buyer is fixed and determinable; and

‒	Collectability is reasonably assured.

The Company meets these conditions upon shipment because title and risk of loss passes to the customer at that time.  However, the Company offers a limited right of return and/or authorized price protection provisions in its agreements with certain electronic component distributors who resell the Company's products to original equipment manufacturers or electronic manufacturing services companies.  As a result, the Company estimates and records a reserve for future returns and other charges against revenue at the time of shipment consistent with the terms of sale. The reserve is estimated based on historical experience with each respective distributor.  The amount of these reserves at September 30, 2013, is not material to the financial statements.

The Company recognizes revenue related to transactions with a right of return and/or authorized price protection provisions when the following conditions are met:

‒	Seller's price to the buyer is  fixed or determinable at the date of sale;

‒	Buyer has paid the seller, or the buyer is obligated to pay the seller and the obligation is not contingent on resale of the product;

‒	Buyer's obligation to the seller would not be changed in the event of theft or physical destruction or damage of the product;

‒	Buyer acquiring the product for resale has economic substance apart from that provided by the seller;

‒	Seller does not have obligations for future performance; and

‒	The amount of future returns can be reasonably estimated.

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Accounts Receivable Allowance

Accounts receivable on a consolidated basis consists principally of amounts due from both domestic and foreign customers.  Credit is extended based on an evaluation of the customer's financial condition and collateral is not generally required.  In relation to export sales, the Company generally requires letters of credit supporting a significant portion of the sales price prior to production to limit exposure to credit risk.  Certain credit sales are made to industries that are subject to cyclical economic changes.  The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts at a level that management believes is sufficient to cover potential credit losses.

The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments.  Estimates are based on historical collection experience, current trends, credit policy and relationship between accounts receivable and revenues.  In determining these estimates, the Company examines historical write-offs of its receivables and reviews each client's account to identify any specific customer collection issues.  If the financial condition of its customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payment, additional allowances might be required.  The Company's failure to estimate the losses for doubtful accounts accurately and ensure that payments are received on a timely basis could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.

Inventory Valuation

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value using the FIFO (first-in, first-out) method.

The Company maintains a reserve for inventory based on estimated losses that result from inventory that becomes obsolete as of period end. In determining these estimates, the Company performs an analysis on demand and usage for each inventory item over historical time periods.  Based on that analysis, the Company reserves a percentage of the inventory amount within each time period based on historical demand and usage patterns of specific items in inventory.

Warranties

The Company offers a standard one-year warranty. The Company tests its products prior to shipment in order to ensure that they meet each customer's requirements based upon specifications received from each customer at the time its order is received and accepted. The Company's customers may request to return products for various reasons, including but not limited to the customers' belief that the products are not performing to specification. The Company's return policy states that it will accept product returns only with prior authorization and if the product does not meet customer specifications, in which case the product would be replaced or repaired. To accommodate the Company's customers, each request for return is reviewed, and if and when it is approved, a return materials authorization ("RMA") is issued to the customer. Each month the Company records a specific warranty reserve for approved RMAs covering products that have not yet been returned. The Company does not maintain a general warranty reserve because, historically, valid warranty returns resulting from a product not meeting specifications or being non-functional have been immaterial.

Income Taxes

Significant management judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowance recorded against net deferred tax assets. The future recoverability of the Company's net deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income prior to the expiration of the loss carry forwards. At September 30, 2013, the Company recognized a full valuation allowance against the Company's net deferred tax assets.  The valuation allowance was calculated in accordance with the provisions of ASC 740, Income Taxes, which requires an assessment of both positive and negative evidence when measuring the need for a valuation allowance.  The Company's forecast of a three-year cumulative loss for the years 2011 through 2013, in the view of management, represents sufficient negative evidence to require a valuation allowance under the provisions of ASC 740, Income Taxes.  We intend to maintain a valuation allowance until sufficient positive evidence exists to support its reversal.

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Stock-Based Compensation

The Company measures the cost of employee services in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award and recognizes the cost over the requisite service period, typically the vesting period.

The Company estimates the fair value of stock options on the grant date using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model. The Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model requires subjective assumptions, including future stock price volatility and expected time to exercise, which greatly affect the calculated values. There is no expected dividend rate. Historical Company information was the basis for the expected volatility assumption as the Company believes that the historical volatility over the life of the option is indicative of expected volatility in the future. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury zero-coupon rates with a remaining term equal to the expected term of the option. The Company also estimates forfeitures at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Based on past history of actual performance, a zero forfeiture rate has been assumed.  Typically, the Company sets the exercise price for stock options at a premium above the closing market price on the date of grant, which combined with the vesting period, reflects the objective to align management incentives with long-term value creation.

Restricted stock awards are granted at a value equal to the market price of our common stock on the date of the grant.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

Not applicable.

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

As of the end of the period covered by this report, the Company's principal executive officer and principal financial officer evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")). Based on their evaluation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures, the Company's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, with the participation of the Company's management, have concluded that the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2013, to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (a) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms and (b) accumulated and communicated to management, including the Company's principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

During the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2013, there were no changes in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting, or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls, that 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

 

 

None.

 

 

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table presents information related to our repurchases of our common stock during the quarter ended September 30, 2013:

(1)

All of the shares purchased during the quarter ended September 30, 2013, were purchased under our publicly announced repurchase program. On August 29, 2011, we announced that our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 100,000 shares, increasing the total number of shares authorized to be repurchased under our repurchase program to 540,000 shares. There is no expiration date for this program.

 

None.

 

None.

 

None.

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Item 6.                                      Exhibits.

The following is a list of exhibits filed as part of this Form 10-Q:

____________

* Filed herewith

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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.

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