LIGHTPATH TECHNOLOGIES INC - Quarter Report: 2017 December (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended December 31, 2017

OR

For the transition period from ___________ to ____________

Commission file number 000-27548

LIGHTPATH TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 

http://www.lightpath.com

2603 Challenger Tech Ct. Suite 100

Orlando, Florida 32826 

(Address of principal executive offices) 

(ZIP Code)

(407) 382-4003

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name, former address, and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES ☒   NO ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (section 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). 

YES ☒    NO ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). YES ☐ NO ☒

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

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

25,727,981 shares of common stock, Class A, $.01 par value, outstanding as of February 9, 2018.

LIGHTPATH TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

Form 10-Q

Index

LIGHTPATH TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 

Consolidated Balance Sheets 

(unaudited)

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

LIGHTPATH TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income 

(unaudited)

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

LIGHTPATH TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity 

Six Months Ended December 31, 2017 

(unaudited)

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

LIGHTPATH TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 

(unaudited)

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

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

1. Basis of Presentation

References in this document to “the Company,” “LightPath,” “we,” “us,” or “our” are intended to mean LightPath Technologies, Inc., individually, or as the context requires, collectively with its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

The accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Article 8 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, therefore, do not include all information and footnotes necessary for a fair presentation of financial position, results of operations, and cash flows in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and related notes, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Unless otherwise stated, references to particular years or quarters refer to our fiscal years ended June 30 and the associated quarters of those fiscal years.

These Consolidated Financial Statements are unaudited, but include all adjustments, including normal recurring adjustments, which, in the opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year as a whole. The Consolidated Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2017 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.

History:

We were incorporated in Delaware in 1992 as the successor to LightPath Technologies Limited Partnership, a New Mexico limited partnership, formed in 1989, and its predecessor, Integrated Solar Technologies Corporation, a New Mexico corporation, formed in 1985. We completed our initial public offering (“IPO”) during fiscal 1996. On April 14, 2000, we acquired Horizon Photonics, Inc. (“Horizon”). On September 20, 2000, we acquired Geltech, Inc. (“Geltech”). In November 2005, we formed LightPath Optical Instrumentation (Shanghai) Co., Ltd (“LPOI”), a wholly-owned subsidiary located in Jiading, People’s Republic of China. In December 2013, we formed LightPath Optical Instrumentation (Zhenjiang) Co., Ltd (“LPOIZ”), a wholly-owned subsidiary located in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, People’s Republic of China. In December 2016, we acquired ISP Optics Corporation, a New York corporation (“ISP”), and its wholly-owned subsidiary, ISP Optics Latvia, SIA, a limited liability company founded in 1998 under the Laws of the Republic of Latvia (“ISP Latvia”). See Note 3, Acquisition of ISP Optics Corporation, to these unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements, for additional information.

We are a manufacturer and integrator of families of precision molded aspheric optics, diamond turned, ground and polished infrared optics, high-performance fiber-optic collimators, GRADIUM glass lenses and other optical materials used to produce products that manipulate light. We design, develop, manufacture and distribute optical components and assemblies utilizing the latest optical processes and advanced manufacturing technologies. We also perform research and development for optical solutions for the traditional optics markets and communications markets.

2. Significant Accounting Policies

Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash in the bank and cash equivalents with maturities of 90 days or less when purchased.

Allowance for accounts receivable, is calculated by taking 100% of the total of invoices that are over 90 days past due from the due date and 10% of the total of invoices that are over 60 days past due from the due date for U.S.-based accounts and 100% of invoices that are over 120 days past due for Chinese and Latvia-based accounts. Accounts receivable are customer obligations due under normal trade terms. We perform continuing credit evaluations of our customers’ financial condition. If our actual collection experience changes, revisions to our allowance may be required. After all attempts to collect a receivable have failed, the receivable is written off against the allowance.

Inventories, which consist principally of raw materials, tooling, work-in-process and finished lenses, collimators and assemblies, are stated at the lower of cost or market, on a first-in, first-out basis. Inventory costs include materials, labor and manufacturing overhead. Acquisition of goods from our vendors has a purchase burden added to cover customs, shipping and handling costs. Fixed costs related to excess manufacturing capacity have been expensed. We look at the following criteria for parts to consider for the inventory reserve: items that have not been sold in two years or that have not been purchased in two years or of which we have more than a two-year supply. These items as identified are reserved at 100%, as well as reserving 50% for other items deemed to be slow moving within the last twelve months and reserving 25% for items deemed to have low material usage within the last six months. The parts identified are adjusted for recent order and quote activity to determine the final inventory reserve.

Property and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets ranging from one to ten years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful lives of the related assets using the straight-line method. Construction in process represents the accumulated costs of assets not yet placed in service and primarily relates to manufacturing equipment.

Long-lived assets, such as property, plant, and equipment and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to its estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Assets to be disposed of would be separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and would no longer be depreciated.

Goodwill and intangible assets acquired in a business combination are recognized at fair value using generally accepted valuation methods appropriate for the type of intangible asset and reported separately from goodwill. Purchased intangible assets other than goodwill are amortized over their useful lives unless these lives are determined to be indefinite. Purchased intangible assets are carried at cost, less accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, generally two to fifteen years. The Company periodically re-assesses the useful lives of its intangible assets when events or circumstances indicate that useful lives have significantly changed from the previous estimate. Definite-lived intangible assets consist primarily of customer relationships, know-how/trade secrets and trademarks. Goodwill and intangible assets are tested for impairment on an annual basis and during the period between annual tests in certain circumstances, and written down when impaired.

Deferred rent relates to certain of our operating leases containing predetermined fixed increases of the base rental rate during the lease term being recognized as rental expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term, as well as applicable leasehold improvement incentives provided by the landlord. We have recorded the difference between the amounts charged to operations and amounts payable under the leases as deferred rent in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed on the basis of differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future based upon enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. Valuation allowances have been established to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.

We have not recognized a liability for uncertain tax positions. A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits or penalties has not been provided since there has been no unrecognized benefit or penalty. If there were an unrecognized tax benefit or penalty, we would recognize interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in operating expenses.

We file U.S. Federal income tax returns, and tax returns in various states and foreign jurisdictions. Our open tax years subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service generally remain open for three years from the filing date. Our tax years subject to examination by the state jurisdictions generally remain open for up to four years from the filing date. In Latvia, tax years subject to examination remain open for up to five years from the filing date and in China, tax years subject to examination remain open for up to ten years from the filing date.

Our cash and cash equivalents totaled approximately $7.7 million at December 31, 2017. Of this amount, approximately 51% was held by our foreign subsidiaries in China and Latvia. These foreign funds were generated in China and Latvia as a result of foreign earnings. With respect to the funds generated by our foreign subsidiaries in China, the retained earnings in China must equal at least 150% of the registered capital before any funds can be repatriated. As of December 31, 2017, we have retained earnings in China of approximately $1.4 million and we need to have approximately $11.3 million before repatriation will be allowed.

We currently intend to permanently invest earnings generated from our foreign Chinese and Latvian operations, and, therefore, we have not previously provided for United States taxes on related earnings. However, if in the future we change such intention, we would provide for and pay additional United States and foreign taxes, if any, at that time.

Revenue is recognized from product sales when products are shipped to the customer; provided, that the Company has received a valid purchase order, the price is fixed, title has transferred, collection of the associated receivable is reasonably assured, and there are no remaining significant obligations. Product development agreements are generally short term in nature with revenue recognized upon shipment to the customer for products, reports or designs. Invoiced amounts for sales for value-added taxes (“VAT”) are posted to the balance sheet and not included in revenue.

VAT is computed on the gross sales price on all sales of our products sold in the People’s Republic of China and Latvia. The VAT rates range up to 21%, depending on the type of products sold. The VAT may be offset by VAT paid by us on raw materials and other materials included in the cost of producing or acquiring our finished products. We recorded a VAT receivable net of payments, which is included in other receivables in the accompanying financial statements.

New product development costs are expensed as incurred.

Stock-based compensation is measured at grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense over the employee’s requisite service period. We estimate the fair value of each restricted stock unit or stock option as of the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton pricing model. Most awards granted under our Amended and Restated Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Omnibus Plan”) vest ratably over two to four years and generally have four to ten-year contract lives. The volatility rate is based on historical trends in common stock closing prices, and the expected term was determined based primarily on historical experience of previously outstanding awards. The interest rate used is the U.S. Treasury interest rate for constant maturities. The likelihood of meeting targets for option grants that are performance based are evaluated each quarter. If it is determined that meeting the targets is probable, then the compensation expense will be amortized over the remaining vesting period.

Management estimates. Management makes estimates and assumptions during the preparation of our Consolidated Financial Statements that affect amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Such estimates and assumptions could change in the future as more information becomes available, which in turn could impact the amounts reported and disclosed herein.

Fair value of financial instruments. We account for financial instruments in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standard Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820 – Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”), which provides a framework for measuring fair value and expands required disclosure about fair value measurements of assets and liabilities. ASC 820 defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. ASC 820 also establishes a fair value hierarchy that requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The standard describes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable.

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing.

Fair value estimates discussed herein are based upon certain market assumptions and pertinent information available to management as of December 31, 2017.

The respective carrying value of certain on-balance-sheet financial instruments approximated their fair values. These financial instruments include receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities. Fair values were assumed to approximate carrying values for these financial instruments since they are short term in nature and their carrying amounts approximate fair values or they are receivable or payable on demand. The fair value of our capital lease obligations and acquisition term loan in the aggregate principal amount of $5 million (the “Term Loan”) payable to Avidbank Corporate Finance, a division of Avidbank (“Avidbank”) approximates their carrying values based upon current rates available to us. Loans payable also includes a note payable to the sellers of ISP, in the aggregate principal amount of $6 million (the “Sellers Note”). The carrying value of the Sellers Note includes a fair value premium based on a risk-adjusted discount rate, a Level 2 fair value measurement. See Note 13, Loans Payable, to these unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. Subsequent to the quarter ended December 31, 2017, we satisfied the Sellers Note and Term Loan in full, and entered into a new acquisition term loan payable to Avidbank. See Note 16, Subsequent Event, to these unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

We value our warrant liabilities based on open-form option pricing models, which are based on the relevant inputs and render the fair value measurement at Level 3. We base our estimates of fair value for warrant liabilities on the amount a third-party market participant would pay to transfer the liability and incorporate inputs such as equity prices, historical and implied volatilities, dividend rates and prices of convertible securities issued by comparable companies maximizing the use of observable inputs when available. See Note 10, Derivative Financial Instruments (Warrant Liability), to these unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

We do not have any other financial or non-financial instruments that would be characterized as Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3.

Debt issuance costs are recorded as a reduction to the carrying value of the related notes payable, by the same amount, and are amortized ratably over the term of the note.

Derivative financial instruments. We account for derivative instruments in accordance with FASB’s ASC Topic 815 – Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”), which requires additional disclosures about our objectives and strategies for using derivative instruments, how the derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for, and how the derivative instruments and related hedging items affect the financial statements.

We do not use derivative instruments to hedge exposures to cash flow, market or foreign currency risk. Terms of convertible debt instruments are reviewed to determine whether or not they contain embedded derivative instruments that are required under ASC 815 to be accounted for separately from the host contract, and recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. The fair value of derivative liabilities, if any, is required to be revalued at each reporting date, with corresponding changes in fair value recorded in current period operating results.

Freestanding warrants issued by us in connection with the issuance or sale of debt and equity instruments are considered to be derivative instruments. Pursuant to ASC 815, an evaluation of specifically identified conditions is made to determine whether the fair value of warrants issued is required to be classified as equity or as a derivative liability.

Comprehensive income is defined as the change in equity (net assets) of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. It includes all changes in equity during a period, except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Comprehensive income has two components, net income and other comprehensive income, and is included on the statement of comprehensive income. Our other comprehensive income consists of foreign currency translation adjustments made for financial reporting purposes.

Business segments are required to be reported by us. As we only operate in principally one business segment, no additional reporting is required.

Recent accounting pronouncements. There are new accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB that are not yet effective.

In May 2014, FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (Topic 606), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in ASC Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition,” and most industry-specific guidance. This ASU is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. The amendments in the ASU must be applied using one of two retrospective methods and were originally set to be effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2016. On July 9, 2015, the FASB modified ASU 2014-09 to be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. As modified, the FASB permits the early adoption of the new revenue standard, but not before the annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. A public organization would apply the new revenue standard to all interim reporting periods within the year of adoption.

ASU 2014-09 provides that an entity should apply a five-step approach for recognizing revenue, including (1) identifying the contract with a customer; (2) identifying the performance obligations in the contract; (3) determining the transaction price; (4) allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and (5) recognizing revenue when, or as, the entity satisfies a performance obligation. Also, the entity must provide various disclosures concerning the nature, amount and timing of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. We are currently working through the assessment phase of implementing this guidance. The effective date for us will be the first quarter of our fiscal year ending June 30, 2019, using one of two retrospective application methods.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases” (“ASU 2016-02”). This guidance requires an entity to recognize lease liabilities and a right-of-use asset for all leases on the balance sheet and to disclose key information about the entity’s leasing arrangements. ASU 2016-02 must be adopted using a modified retrospective approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after the date of initial adoption, with an option to elect to use certain transition relief. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period, with earlier adoption permitted. Our current operating lease portfolio is primarily comprised of real estate leases. Upon adoption of this standard, we expect our balance sheet to include a right of use asset and liability related to substantially all operating lease arrangements. The effective date for us will be the first quarter of our fiscal year ending June 30, 2020.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, “Income Taxes” (Topic 740) (“ASU 2016-16”). ASU 2016-16 will require an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset, other than inventory, when the transfer occurs. ASU 2016-16 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual reporting period for which financial statements have not been issued or made available for issuance. ASU 2016-16 is effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. We are currently evaluating the adoption date and the impact, if any, adoption will have on our financial position and results of operations.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, “Compensation - Stock Compensation” (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting (“ASU 2017-09”). The new guidance clarifies when a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award must be accounted for as a modification. ASU 2017-09 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. ASU 2017-09 is effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. We are currently evaluating the adoption date and the impact, if any, adoption will have on our financial position and results of operations.

3. Acquisition of ISP Optics Corporation

On December 21, 2016 (the “Acquisition Date”), we acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock of ISP (the “Acquisition”) pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 3, 2016 (the “Purchase Agreement”). Our Consolidated Financial Statements reflect the financial results of ISP’s operations beginning on the Acquisition Date.

Part of our growth strategy is to identify appropriate opportunities that would enhance our profitable growth through acquisition. As we developed our molded infrared capability and learned more about the infrared market, we became aware of larger business opportunities in this market that might be available with a broader range of product capability. We believed acquiring ISP would provide an excellent complementary fit with our business that would meet our requirement of profitable growth in a market space we are investing in, and saw the Acquisition as an opportunity to accelerate our growth, and expand our capabilities and our global reach.

We financed a portion of the Acquisition through a public offering of 8,000,000 shares of our Class A common stock, raising net proceeds of approximately $8.7 million. The public offering closed simultaneously with the closing of the Acquisition. For additional information, see Note 15, Public Offering of Class A Common Stock, to these unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements. We also closed a $5 million Term Loan with AvidBank. For additional information, see Note 13, Loans Payable, and Note 16, Subsequent Event, to these unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

In lieu of cash paid, we also financed a portion of the Acquisition through the issuance of the Sellers Note in the aggregate principal amount of $6 million to Joseph Menaker and Mark Lifshotz (the “Sellers”). For additional information, see Note 13, Loans Payable, and Note 16, Subsequent Event, to these unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Acquisition Date fair value of the consideration transferred totaled approximately $19.1 million, which consisted of the following:

Subsequently, in March 2017, a portion of the working capital adjustment, in the amount of $292,816, was applied to the Sellers Note as a payment, thereby decreasing the outstanding principal amount due under the Sellers Note, as reflected in these unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

The following table summarizes the estimated fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the Acquisition Date:

As part of the valuation analysis, we identified intangible assets, including customer relationships, customer backlog, trade secrets, trademarks, and non-compete agreements. The customer relationships, customer backlog, trade secrets, trademarks, and non-compete agreements were determined to have estimated values of $3,590,000, $366,000, $3,272,000, $3,814,000, and $27,000, respectively, and estimated useful lives of 15, 2, 8, 8, and 3 years, respectively. The estimated fair value of identifiable intangible assets is determined primarily using the “income approach”, which requires a forecast of all future cash flows. This also reflects a $2,744,262 adjustment to increase the basis of the acquired property, plant and equipment to reflect fair value of the assets at the Acquisition Date. The estimated useful lives range from 3 years to 10 years. Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment is calculated on a straight-line basis. This also reflects a $153,132 adjustment to increase the basis of the acquired inventory to reflect fair value of the inventory and a $230,407 adjustment to decrease the basis of the acquired deferred revenue to reflect the fair value of the deferred revenue at the Acquisition Date. The tax effects of these fair value adjustments resulted in a net deferred tax liability of approximately $5.4 million.

The goodwill recognized is attributable primarily to expected synergies and the assembled workforce of ISP. None of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes.

Our unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements reflect the financial results of ISP’s operations for the six months ended December 31, 2017. The following represents unaudited pro forma consolidated information as if ISP had been included in our consolidated results for the six months ended December 31, 2016:

These amounts have been calculated after applying our accounting policies and adjusting the results for Acquisition expenses and to reflect the additional interest expense and depreciation and amortization that would have been charged assuming the fair value adjustments to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets had been applied on July 1, 2016, together with the consequential tax effects. For the six months ended December 31, 2016, pro forma net income reflects adjustments of approximately $659,000 for amortization of intangibles and approximately $214,000 in additional interest, and excludes approximately $608,000 in Acquisition expenses and approximately $522,000 of non-recurring fees incurred by ISP.

Prior to the Acquisition, we had a preexisting relationship with ISP. We ordered anti-reflective coating services from ISP on an arms’ length basis. We had also partnered with ISP to develop and sell molded optics as part of a multiple lens assembly sold to a third party and had provided certain standard molded optics for resale through ISP’s catalog. At the Acquisition Date, we had amounts payable to ISP of $8,000 for services provided prior to the Acquisition, and ISP had payables of $24,500 due to us.

4. Inventories

The components of inventories include the following:

The value of tooling in raw materials was approximately $1.6 million at both December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2017.

5. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are summarized as follows:

6. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

There were no changes in the net carrying value of goodwill during the six months ended December 31, 2017.

Intangible assets, as a result of the Acquisition of ISP, were comprised of:

Future amortization of intangibles is as follows:

7. Accounts Payable

The accounts payable balance as of December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2017 both include approximately $73,000 of earned but unpaid board of directors’ fees.

8. Income Taxes

A summary of our total income tax expense and effective income tax rate for the three and six months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 is as follows:

The difference between our effective tax rates in the periods presented above and the federal statutory rate is primarily due to a tax benefit from our domestic losses being recorded with a full valuation allowance, as well as the effect of foreign earnings taxed at rates differing from the federal statutory rate. As of December 31, 2017, our Latvia operations are subject to a statutory income tax rate of 15%, and our China operations are subject to statutory income tax rates of 15% and 25% for LPOIZ and LPOI, respectively. During the three months ended December 31, 2017, the statutory tax rate applicable to LPOIZ was lowered from 25% to 15% in accordance with an incentive program for technology companies. The lower rate applies to LPOIZ’s 2017 tax year, beginning January 1, 2017. Accordingly, we recorded a tax benefit during the three months ended December 31, 2017 related to this retroactive rate change.

We record net deferred tax assets to the extent we believe it is more likely than not that these assets will be realized. Based on the level of historical taxable income, we have provided a full valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2017 and June 30, 2017. The net deferred tax asset results from federal and state tax credits with indefinite carryover periods that management expects to utilize in a future period.

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act

In December 2017, the United States (“U.S.”) enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “2017 Act”), which changes existing U.S. tax law and includes various provisions that are expected to affect companies. Among other things, the 2017 Act (i) changes U.S. corporate tax rates, (ii) generally reduces a company’s ability to utilize accumulated net operating losses, and (iii) requires the calculation of a one-time transition tax on certain foreign earnings and profits (“E&P”) that had not been previously repatriated. In addition, the 2017 Act impacts a company’s estimates of its deferred tax assets and liabilities.

Pursuant to U.S. GAAP, changes in tax rates and tax laws are accounted for in the period of enactment, and the resulting effects are recorded as discrete components of the income tax provision related to continuing operations in the same period. We continue to evaluate the impact of the 2017 Act on our financial statements. Based on our initial assessments to date, we expect the one-time transition tax on certain foreign E&P to have a minimal impact on us as we anticipate that we will be able to utilize our existing net operating losses to substantially offset any taxes payable on foreign E&P. Additionally, we expect significant adjustments to our gross deferred tax assets and liabilities; however, we also expect to record a corresponding offset to our estimated full valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets, which should result in minimal net effect to our provision for income taxes.

9. Compensatory Equity Incentive Plan and Other Equity Incentives

Share-Based Compensation Arrangements. The Omnibus Plan provides several available forms of stock compensation, including incentive stock options and restricted stock unit (“RSU”) awards. Stock-based compensation is measured at grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and is recognized as an expense over the employee’s requisite service period. We estimate the fair value of each stock option as of the date of grant using the Black-Scholes-Merton pricing model. Most options granted under the Omnibus Plan vest ratably over two to four years and generally have ten-year contract lives. The volatility rate is based on four-year historical trends in common stock closing prices and the expected term was determined based primarily on historical experience of previously outstanding options. The interest rate used is the U.S. Treasury interest rate for constant maturities. The likelihood of meeting targets for option grants that are performance based are evaluated each quarter. If it is determined that meeting the targets is probable, then the compensation expense will be amortized over the remaining vesting period.

The LightPath Technologies, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“2014 ESPP”) was adopted by our Board of Directors on October 30, 2014 and approved by our stockholders on January 29, 2015. The 2014 ESPP permits employees to purchase shares of our Class A common stock through payroll deductions, which may not exceed 15% of an employee’s compensation, at a price not less than 85% of the market value of our Class A common stock on specified dates (June 30 and December 31). In no event can any participant purchase more than $25,000 worth of shares of Class A common stock in any calendar year and an employee cannot purchase more than 8,000 shares on any purchase date within an offering period of 12 months and 4,000 shares on any purchase date within an offering period of six months. A discount of $1,915 and $943 for the six months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, is included in the selling, general and administrative expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income, which represents the value of the 10% discount given to the employees purchasing stock under the 2014 ESPP.

These plans are summarized below:

Grant Date Fair Values and Underlying Assumptions; Contractual Terms. We estimate the fair value of each stock option as of the date of grant. We use the Black-Scholes-Merton pricing model. The 2014 ESPP fair value is the amount of the discount the employee obtains at the date of the purchase transaction.

For stock options granted under the Omnibus Plan in the six month periods ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we estimated the fair value of each stock option as of the date of grant using the following assumptions:

Most options granted under the Omnibus Plan vest ratably over two to four years and are generally exercisable for ten years. The assumed forfeiture rates used in calculating the fair value of RSU grants was 0%, and the assumed forfeiture rates used in calculating the fair value of options for performance and service conditions were 20% for each of the six months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. The volatility rate and expected term are based on seven-year historical trends in Class A common stock closing prices and actual forfeitures. The interest rate used is the U.S. Treasury interest rate for constant maturities.

Information Regarding Current Share-Based Compensation Awards. A summary of the activity for share-based compensation awards under the Omnibus Plan in the six months ended December 31, 2017 is presented below:

The total intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2017 and 2016 was approximately $574,000 and $95,000, respectively.

No RSUs were exercised during the six months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

The total intrinsic value of RSUs outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2017 and 2016 was approximately $2.9 million and $1.7 million, respectively.

The total fair value of RSUs vested during the six months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was approximately $320,000 and $333,000, respectively.

The total fair value of option shares vested during the six months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 was approximately $89,000 and $306,000 respectively.

As of December 31, 2017, there was approximately $749,296 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements (including share options and RSUs) granted under the Omnibus Plan. We expect to recognize the compensation cost as follows:

RSU awards vest immediately or from two to four years from the date of grant.

We issue new shares of Class A common stock upon the exercise of stock options. The following table is a summary of the number and weighted average grant date fair values regarding our unexercisable/unvested awards as of December 31, 2017 and changes during the six months then ended:

Financial Statement Effects and Presentation. The following table shows total stock-based compensation expense for the six months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016 included in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income:

10. Derivative Financial Instruments (Warrant Liability)

On June 11, 2012, we executed a Securities Purchase Agreement with respect to a private placement of an aggregate of 1,943,852 shares of our Class A common stock at $1.02 per share and warrants to purchase up to 1,457,892 shares of our Class A common stock at an initial exercise price of $1.32 per share, which was subsequently reduced to $1.26 and then to $1.22 on December 21, 2016 as a result of our public offering (the “June 2012 Warrants”). The June 2012 Warrants were exercisable for a period of five years beginning on December 11, 2012 and expiring on December 11, 2017. We accounted for the June 2012 Warrants issued to investors in accordance with ASC 815-10. ASC 815-10 provides guidance for determining whether an equity-linked financial instrument (or embedded feature) is indexed to an entity’s own stock. This applies to any freestanding financial instrument or embedded feature that has all the characteristics of a derivative under ASC 815-10, including any freestanding financial instrument that is potentially settled in an entity’s own stock.

Due to certain adjustments that could be made to the exercise price of the June 2012 Warrants if we issued or sold shares of our Class A common stock at a price that was less than the then-current warrant exercise price, the June 2012 Warrants were classified as a liability, as opposed to equity, in accordance with ASC 815-10, as we determined that the June 2012 Warrants were not indexed to our Class A common stock.

During the term of the June 2012 Warrants, we re-measured the fair value of the outstanding June 2012 Warrants at the end of each reporting period to reflect their fair market value at the end of the current reporting period. We also measured the fair value upon each warrant exercise, to determine the fair value adjustment to the warrant liability related to the warrant exercise. We record the change in fair value of the June 2012 Warrants in the statement of comprehensive income, which is estimated using the Lattice option-pricing model using the following range of assumptions for the respective periods:

During the six months ended December 31, 2017, we issued 433,810 shares of our Class A common stock upon the exercise of the June 2012 Warrants, which included 329,195 that were subject to re-measurement. The June 2012 Warrants expired on December 11, 2017; therefore, we reduced the warrant liability to zero as of December 31, 2017.

The warrant liabilities were considered recurring Level 3 financial instruments. The following table summarizes the activity of Level 3 instruments measured on a recurring basis for the six months ended December 31, 2017:

11. Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing the weighted-average number of shares of Class A common stock outstanding, during each period presented. Diluted earnings per share is computed similarly to basic earnings per share, except that it reflects the potential dilution that could occur if dilutive securities or other obligations to issue shares of Class A common stock were exercised or converted into shares of Class A common stock. The computations for basic and diluted earnings per share are described in the following table:

The following potential dilutive shares were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share as their effects would be anti-dilutive:

12. Lease Commitments

We have operating leases for office space. At December 31, 2017, we have a lease agreement for our manufacturing and office facility in Orlando, Florida (the “Orlando Lease”). The Orlando Lease, which is for a seven-year original term with renewal options, expires in April 2022 and expanded our space to 25,847 square feet, including space added in July 2014. Minimum rental rates for the extension term were established based on annual increases of two and one half percent starting in the third year of the extension period. Additionally, there is one 5-year extension option exercisable by us. The minimum rental rates for such additional extension options will be determined at the time an option is exercised and will be based on a “fair market rental rate,” as determined in accordance with the Orlando Lease, as amended.

We received approximately $420,000 in a leasehold improvement allowance in fiscal 2015. The improvements were recorded as property and equipment and deferred rent on the consolidated balance sheets. Amortization of leasehold improvements was approximately $157,000 as of December 31, 2017. The deferred rent is being amortized as a reduction in lease expense over the term of the Orlando Lease.

At December 31, 2017, we, through our wholly-owned subsidiary, LPOI, have a lease agreement for an office facility in Shanghai, China (the “Shanghai Lease”) for 1,900 square feet. The Shanghai Lease commenced in October 2015 and was set to expire in October 2017. During the six months ended December 31, 2017, the Shanghai Lease was renewed for an additional one-year term, and now expires in October 2018.

At December 31, 2017, we, through our wholly-owned subsidiary, LPOIZ, have a lease agreement for a manufacturing and office facility in Zhenjiang, China (the “Zhenjiang Lease”) for 26,000 square feet. The Zhenjiang Lease, which is for a five-year original term with renewal options, expires March 2019. During the three months ended December 31, 2017, another lease was executed for 13,000 additional square feet in this same facility. This new lease has a 54-month term, and expires in December 2021.

At December 31, 2017, we, through our wholly-owned subsidiary ISP, have a lease agreement for a manufacturing and office facility in Irvington, New York (the “ISP Lease”) for 13,000 square feet. The ISP Lease, which is for a five-year original term with renewal options, expires in September 2020.

At December 31, 2017, we, through ISP’s wholly-owned subsidiary ISP Latvia, have two lease agreements for a manufacturing and office facility in Riga, Latvia (collectively, the “Riga Leases”) for 23,000 square feet. The Riga Leases, each of which is for a five-year original term with renewal options, expires in December 2019.

Rent expense totaled approximately $522,000 and $287,000 during the six months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

During fiscal 2014, 2015 and 2016, we entered into five capital lease agreements, with terms ranging from three to five years, for computer and manufacturing equipment, which are included as part of property and equipment. In November 2017, we entered into an additional capital lease agreement with a three and a half year term for manufacturing equipment, which is included as part of property and equipment. Assets under capital lease include approximately $1.0 million in manufacturing equipment, with accumulated amortization of approximately $461,000 as of December 31, 2017. Amortization related to capital lease assets is included in depreciation and amortization expense.

The approximate future minimum lease payments under capital and operating leases at December 31, 2017 were as follows:

13. Loans Payable

On December 21, 2016, we executed the Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (the “Amended LSA”) with AvidBank for the Term Loan in the aggregate principal amount of $5 million and a working capital revolving line of credit (the “Revolving Line”). The Amended LSA amends and restates that certain Loan and Security Agreement between AvidBank and us dated September 30, 2013, as amended and restated pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of December 23, 2014, and as further amended pursuant to that certain First Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of December 23, 2015.

On December 20, 2017, we executed the First Amendment to the Amended LSA (the “First Amendment”). The First Amendment amended, among other items, the maturity date of the Revolving Line from December 21, 2017 to March 21, 2018, increased the maximum amount of indebtedness secured by permitted liens from $600,000 to $800,000 in the aggregate, and increased the aggregate amount we may maintain in accounts with foreign financial institutions to $1,000,000. On January 16, 2018, the maturity date on the Revolving Line was extended further to December 21, 2018, as disclosed in Note 16, Subsequent Event, to these unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Term Loan was for a five-year term. Pursuant to the Amended LSA, interest on the Term Loan began accruing on December 21, 2016 and was paid monthly for the first six months of the term of the Term Loan. Thereafter, both principal and interest was due and payable in fifty-four (54) monthly installments. The Term Loan bore interest at a per annum rate equal to two percent (2.0%) above the Prime Rate, or 6.5% at December 31, 2017; provided, however, that at no time was the applicable rate permitted to be less than five and one-half percent (5.50%) per annum. Prepayment was permitted; however, we must pay a prepayment fee in an amount equal to (i) 1% of the principal amount of the Term Loan if prepayment occurs on or prior to December 21, 2017, or (ii) 0.75% of the principal amount of the Term Loan if such prepayment occurs after December 21, 2017 but on or prior to December 21, 2018, or (iii) 0.50% of the principal amount of the Term Loan if such prepayment occurs after December 21, 2018 but on or prior to December 21, 2019, or (iv) 0.25% of the principal amount of the Term Loan if such prepayment occurs after December 21, 2019 but on or prior to December 21, 2020. Costs incurred of approximately $72,000 were recorded as a discount on debt and will be amortized over the five-year term of the Term Loan. Amortization of approximately $7,700 is included in interest expense for the six months ended December 31, 2017.

Pursuant to the Amended LSA, Avidbank will, in its discretion, make loan advances under the Revolving Line to us up to a maximum aggregate principal amount outstanding not to exceed the lesser of (i) One Million Dollars ($1,000,000) or (ii) eighty percent (80%) (the “Maximum Advance Rate”) of the aggregate balance of our eligible accounts receivable, as determined by AvidBank in accordance with the Amended LSA. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an event of default, AvidBank may, in its discretion, cease making advances and terminate the Amended LSA; provided, that at the time of termination, no obligations remain outstanding and AvidBank has no obligation to make advances under the Amended LSA AvidBank also has the discretion to determine that certain accounts are not eligible accounts.

Amounts borrowed under the Revolving Line may be repaid and re-borrowed at any time prior to December 21, 2018, at which time all amounts shall be immediately due and payable. The advances under the Revolving Line bear interest, on the outstanding daily balance, at a per annum rate equal to one percent (1%) above the Prime Rate; provided, however, that at no time shall the applicable rate be less than four and one-half percent (4.5%) per annum. Interest payments are due and payable on the last business day of each month. Payments received with respect to accounts upon which advances are made will be applied to the amounts outstanding under the Amended LSA. There were no borrowings under the Revolving Line during the period. As of December 31, 2017, there was no outstanding balance under the Revolving Line.

Our obligations under the Amended LSA are collateralized by a first priority security interest (subject to permitted liens) in cash, U.S. inventory and accounts receivable. In addition, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Geltech, has guaranteed our obligations under the Amended LSA.

The Amended LSA contains customary covenants, including, but not limited to: (i) limitations on the disposition of property; (ii) limitations on changing our business or permitting a change in control; (iii) limitations on additional indebtedness or encumbrances; (iv) restrictions on distributions; and (v) limitations on certain investments. Additionally, the Amended LSA requires us to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio (as defined in the Amended LSA) of at least 1.15 to 1.00 and an asset coverage ratio (as defined in the Amended LSA) of at least 1.50 to 1.00. As of December 31, 2017, we were in compliance with all covenants.

Late payments are subject to a late fee equal to the lesser of five percent (5%) of the unpaid amount or the maximum amount permitted to be charged under applicable law. Amounts outstanding during an event of default accrue interest at a rate of five percent (5%) above the interest rate applicable immediately prior to the occurrence of the event of default. The Amended LSA contains other customary provisions with respect to events of default, expense reimbursement, and confidentiality.

On December 21, 2016, we also entered into the Sellers Note in the aggregate principal amount of $6 million. The Sellers Note was fully satisfied on January 16, 2018, as discussed in Note 16, Subsequent Events, to these unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

Pursuant to the Sellers Note, during the period commencing on December 21, 2016 (the “Issue Date”) and continuing until the fifteen month anniversary of the Issue Date (the “Initial Period”), interest will accrue on only the principal amount of the Sellers Note in excess of $2.7 million at an interest rate equal to ten percent (10%) per annum. After the Initial Period, interest will accrue on the entire unpaid principal amount of the Sellers Note from time to time outstanding, at an interest rate equal to ten percent (10%) per annum. Given that the Sellers Note was satisfied in full in January 2018 (as discussed in Note 16, Subsequent Events, to these unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements), we paid interest semi-annually in arrears solely during the Initial Period. The Sellers Note was for a five-year term, and any unpaid interest and principal, together with any other amounts payable under the Sellers Note, would have been due and payable on December 21, 2021, the maturity date. We had the right to prepay the Sellers Note in whole or in part without penalty or premium. If during the term of the Sellers Note, we did not pay any amount payable when due, whether at the maturity date, by acceleration, or otherwise, such overdue amount would have bore interest at a rate equal to twelve (12%) per annum from the date of such non-payment until such amount was paid in full. The Sellers Note was valued based on the present value of expected cash flows, using a risk-adjusted discount rate of 7.5%. The fair value of the Sellers Note was determined to be approximately $6,327,200 based on the present value of expected future cash flows, using a risk-adjusted discount rate of 7.5%. The Sellers Note is included in Loans payable, less current portion on the consolidated balance sheet. As of December 31, 2017 approximately $140,000 was added to the fair value premium and was amortized. As of December 31, 2017 the amount outstanding under the Sellers Note was $5.7 million, after applying the approximately $293,000 working capital adjustment, as discussed in Note 3, Acquisition of ISP Optics Corporation, to these unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

There was no payment defaults or other events of defaults as of December 31, 2017, or prior to the Sellers Note being paid in full on January 16, 2018. If a payment default, or any other “event of default,” such as a bankruptcy event or a change of control of the Company had occurred, the entire unpaid and outstanding principal balance of the Sellers Note, together with all accrued and unpaid interest and any and all other amounts payable under the Sellers Note, would have been immediately be due and payable.

Future maturities of loans payable are as follows:

14 . Foreign Operations

Assets and liabilities denominated in non-U.S. currencies are translated at rates of exchange prevailing on the balance sheet date, and revenues and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange for the period. During the six months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we recognized a gain of approximately $409,000 and a loss of $272,000 on foreign currency transactions, respectively, included in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income in the line item entitled “Other income (expense), net.” Gains or losses on the translation of the financial statements of a non-U.S. operation, where the functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar, are reflected as a separate component of equity, which was a gain of approximately $123,000 and $75,000 for the six months ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, we had approximately $14.4 million in assets and $12.4 million in net assets located in China, compared to approximately $14.0 million in assets and $12.3 million in net assets located in China as of June 30, 2017. As of December 31, 2017, we had approximately $6.4 million in assets and $6.1 million in net assets located in Latvia, compared to approximately $6.1 million in assets and $6.0 in net assets located in Latvia as of June 30, 2017.

15. Public Offering of Class A Common Stock

On December 16, 2016, we entered into an Underwriting Agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Roth Capital Partners, LLC (“Roth Capital”), as representative of the several underwriters identified therein (collectively, the “Underwriters”), relating to the firm commitment offering of 7,000,000 shares of our Class A common stock, at a public offering price of $1.21 per share. Under the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, we also granted the Underwriters an option, exercisable for 45 days, to purchase up to an additional 1,000,000 shares of Class A common stock to cover any over-allotments.

On December 21, 2016, we completed our underwritten public offering of 8,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, which included the full exercise by the Underwriters of their option to purchase 1,000,000 shares of Class A common stock to cover over-allotments, at a public offering price of $1.21 per share. We realized net proceeds of approximately $8.7 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses. The net proceeds from the offering provided funds for a portion of the purchase price of the Acquisition of ISP, as well as provided funds for the payment of transaction expenses and other costs incurred in connection with the Acquisition.

The offering of the shares of Class A common stock was made pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-1, as amended (Registration No. 333-213860), which the SEC declared effective on December 15, 2016, and the final prospectus dated December 16, 2016.

16. Subsequent Event

Note Satisfaction and Securities Purchase Agreement

On January 16, 2018, we entered into a Note Satisfaction and Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Note Satisfaction Agreement”) with the Sellers with respect to the Sellers Note. At the closing of the Acquisition of ISP, as partial consideration for the shares of ISP, we issued the Sellers Note in the original principal amount of $6,000,000, which principal payment amount was subsequently reduced to $5,704,439, as of March 21, 2017, by letter agreement between the Sellers and us.

Pursuant to the Note Satisfaction Agreement, we and the Sellers agreed to satisfy the Sellers Note in full by (i) converting 39.5% of the outstanding principal amount of the Sellers Note into shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, and (ii) paying the remaining 60.5% of the outstanding principal amount of the Sellers Note, plus all accrued but unpaid interest, in cash to the Sellers. As of January 16, 2018, the outstanding principal amount of the Sellers Note was $5,707,183, and there was $20,883 in accrued but unpaid interest thereon (collectively, the “Note Satisfaction Amount”). Accordingly, we paid approximately $3,453,582 plus all accrued but unpaid interest on the Sellers Note, in cash (the “Cash Payment”) and issued 967,208 shares of Class A common stock (the “Shares”), which represents the balance of the Note Satisfaction Amount divided by the Conversion Price (as defined below). The “Conversion Price” equaled $2.33, representing the average closing bid price of the Class A common stock, as reported by Bloomberg for the five (5) trading days preceding January 16, 2018. The Cash Payment was paid using approximately $600,000 cash on hand and approximately $2.9 million in proceeds from an acquisition term loan (as discussed below) from Avidbank. As of January 16, 2018, the Sellers Note was deemed satisfied in full and terminated.

The Shares issued to the Sellers were exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), pursuant to Section 4(a)(2) of the Act (in that the Shares were issued by the Company in a transaction not involving any public offering), and pursuant to Rule 506 of Regulation D as promulgated by the SEC under the Act. The Shares are restricted securities that have not been registered under the Act and may not be offered or sold absent registration or applicable exemption from the registration requirements.

Registration Rights Agreement

In connection with the Note Satisfaction Agreement, the Company and the Sellers also entered into a Registration Rights Agreement dated January 16, 2018, pursuant to which we agreed to file with the SEC by February 15, 2018, and to cause to be declared effective, a registration statement to register the resale of the Shares issued to partially pay the Note Satisfaction Amount.

Second Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement

On January 16, 2018, we entered into a Second Amendment to the Amended LSA (the “Second Amendment”) relating to its Term Loan.

Pursuant to the Second Amendment, Avidbank paid a single cash advance to us in an original principal amount of $7,294,000 (the “Term II Loan”). The proceeds of the Term II Loan were used to repay all amounts owing with respect to the Term Loan, with the remainder used to repay the amounts owing under the Sellers Note. As of January 16, 2018, the Term Loan was deemed satisfied in full and terminated. The Term II Loan is for a five-year term. Pursuant to the Second Amendment, interest on the Term II Loan accrues starting on January 16, 2018 and both principal and interest is due and payable in sixty (60) monthly installments beginning on the tenth day of the first month following the date of the Second Amendment (or February 10, 2018), and continuing on the same day of each month thereafter for so long as the Term II Loan is outstanding. The Term II Loan bears interest at a per annum rate equal to two percent (2.0%) above the Prime Rate; provided, however, that at no time shall the applicable rate be less than five and one-half percent (5.50%) per annum. Prepayment by us is permitted; however, we must pay a prepayment fee in an amount equal to (i) 0.75% of the Excess Prepayment Amount if prepayment occurs on or prior to January 16, 2019, or (ii) 0.5% of the Excess Prepayment Amount if prepayment occurs after January 16, 2019 but on or before January 16, 2020, or (iii) 0.25% of the Excess Prepayment Amount if prepayment occurs after January 16, 2020 but on or prior to January 16, 2021, or (iv) 0.10% of the Excess Prepayment Amount if such prepayment occurs after January 16, 2021 but on or prior to January 16, 2022. For purposes of the Second Amendment, the “Excess Prepayment Amount” equals the amount of the Term II Loan being prepaid in excess of $2,850,000.

The Second Amendment amends, among other items, (1) certain definitions related to the fixed charge coverage ratio, and (2) the maturity date of the Revolving Line from March 21, 2018 to December 21, 2018.

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

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. All statements in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2017 (the “Quarterly Report”), other than statements of historical facts, which address activities, events or developments that we expect or anticipate will or may occur in the future, including such things as future capital expenditures, growth, product development, sales, business strategy and other similar matters are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based largely on our current expectations and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results could differ materially from the forward-looking statements set forth herein as a result of a number of factors, including, but not limited to, limited cash resources and the need for additional financing, our dependence on a few key customers, our ability to transition our business into new markets, our ability to increase sales and manage and control costs and other risks described in our reports on file with the SEC. In light of these risks and uncertainties, all of the forward-looking statements made herein are qualified by these cautionary statements and there can be no assurance that the actual results or developments anticipated by us will be realized. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any of the forward-looking statements contained herein.

The discussions of our results as presented in this Quarterly Report include use of the non-GAAP term “gross margin”, as well as other non-GAAP measures discussed in more detail under the heading “Non-GAAP Financial Measures.” Gross margin is determined by deducting the cost of sales from operating revenue. Cost of sales includes manufacturing direct and indirect labor, materials, services, fixed costs for rent, utilities and depreciation, and variable overhead. Gross margin should not be considered an alternative to operating income or net income, which are determined in accordance with GAAP. We believe that gross margin, although a non-GAAP financial measure is useful and meaningful to investors as a basis for making investment decisions. It provides investors with information that demonstrates our cost structure and provides funds for our total costs and expenses. We use gross margin in measuring the performance of our business and have historically analyzed and reported gross margin information publicly. Other companies may calculate gross margin in a different manner.

Overview

Historical:

We are in the business of manufacturing optical components and higher level assemblies, including precision molded glass aspheric optics, diamond turned, ground and polished infrared optics, proprietary high performance fiber optic collimators, GRADIUM glass lenses and other optical materials used to produce products that manipulate light. All the products we produce enable lasers and imaging devices to function more effectively.

In November 2005, we formed LPOI, a wholly-owned subsidiary, located in Jiading, People’s Republic of China. In December 2013, we formed LPOIZ, a wholly-owned subsidiary located in the New City district, of the Jiangsu province, of the People’s Republic of China. LPOIZ’s 39,000 square foot manufacturing facility serves as our primary manufacturing facility in China and provides a lower cost structure for production of larger volumes of optical components and assemblies. The LPOI facility is primarily used for sales and support functions.

In December 2016, we acquired ISP and its wholly-owned subsidiary ISP Latvia. ISP is a vertically integrated manufacturer offering a full range of infrared products from custom infrared optical elements to catalog and high performance lens assemblies. ISP’s New York facility functions as its global headquarters for operations, while also providing manufacturing capabilities, optical coatings, and optical and mechanical design, assembly, and testing. ISP Latvia is located in Riga, Latvia. It is a manufacturer of high precision optics and offers a full range of infrared products, including catalog and custom infrared optics. For additional information, see Note 3, Acquisition of ISP Optics Corporation, to the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Product Groups and Markets:

We organized our business based on five product groups: low volume precision molded optics (“LVPMO”), high volume precision molded optics (“HVPMO”), specialty products, infrared products, and non-recurring engineering (“NRE”). Our LVPMO product group consists of precision molded optics with a sales price greater than $10 per lens and is usually sold in smaller lot quantities. Our HVPMO product group consists of precision molded optics with a sales price of less than $10 per lens and is usually sold in larger lot quantities. Our infrared product group is comprised of both molded and turned lenses and assemblies and includes all ISP products. Our specialty product group is comprised of value-added products, such as optical subsystems, assemblies, GRADIUM lenses, and isolators. Our NRE product group consists of those products we develop pursuant to product development agreements we enter into with customers. Typically, customers approach us and request that we develop new products or applications for our existing products to fit their particular needs or specifications. The timing and extent of any such product development is outside of our control.

We currently serve the following major markets: industrial, laser, defense, medical, telecommunications, and instrumentation. Within our product groups, we have various applications that serve these major markets. For example, our HVPMO lenses are typically used in industrial tools, especially in China. Our HVPMO and LVPMO lenses are also used in applications for the telecommunications market, such as cloud computing, video distribution via digital technology, wireless broadband, and machine to machine connection, and the laser market, such as laser tools, scientific and bench top lasers, and bar code scanners. Our infrared products can also be used in various applications within our major markets. Currently, sales of our infrared products are primarily for customers in the industrial market that use thermal imaging cameras. Our infrared products can also be used for gas sensing devices, spectrometers, night vision systems, automotive driver systems, thermal weapon gun sights, and infrared counter measure systems, among others.

Within the larger overall markets, which are estimated to be in the multi-billions of dollars, we believe there is a market of approximately $1.7 billion for our current products and capabilities. We continue to believe our products will provide significant growth opportunities over the next several years and, therefore, we will continue to target specific applications in each of these major markets. In addition to these major markets, a large percentage of our revenues are derived from sales to unaffiliated companies that purchase our products to fulfill their customer’s orders, as well as unaffiliated companies that offer our products for sale in their catalogs. Our strategy is to leverage our technology, know-how, established low cost manufacturing capability and partnerships to grow our business.

Results of Operations

Fiscal Second Quarter: Three months ended December 31, 2017, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2016

Revenues:

Revenue for the second quarter of fiscal 2018 was approximately $8.4 million, an increase of approximately $2.5 million, or 42%, as compared to the same period of the prior fiscal year. The increase from the second quarter of the prior fiscal year resulted from an approximately $3.4 million increase, or 378%, in revenues generated by infrared products, primarily attributable to ISP. This increase was partially offset by an approximately $745,000 decrease, or 36%, in sales of HVPMO lenses, and an approximately $200,000 decrease, or 9%, in sales of LVPMO lenses, both primarily attributed to reduced demand from the telecommunications industry.

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin:

Gross margin in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 was $3.5 million, an increase of 7%, as compared to $3.3 million in the prior year period. Gross margin as a percentage of revenue was 42% for the second quarter of fiscal 2018, compared to 56% for the second quarter of fiscal 2017. The change in gross margin as a percentage of revenue is primarily attributable to the inclusion of revenues generated by ISP, and the associated cost of sales. Gross margin as a percentage of revenue with respect to ISP’s products historically has been lower than our existing products. In addition, we offered a pricing discount in connection with a large contract in exchange for increased volume production orders from the customer, which impacted our gross margin by approximately 3% of revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2017. Total cost of sales was approximately $4.8 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2018, an increase of approximately $2.3 million, as compared to the same period of the prior fiscal year. The increase in total cost of sales is primarily due to the increase in volume of sales, particularly as a result of sales attributable to ISP.

Selling, General and Administrative:

During the second quarter of fiscal 2018, selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) costs were approximately $2.3 million, compared to $1.7 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2017, an increase of approximately $598,000 primarily attributable to the addition of ISP’s SG&A costs. The increase was primarily due to an approximately $380,000 increase in wages, an approximately $140,000 increase in IT services and consulting, an approximately $130,000 increase in travel expenses, and an approximately $73,000 increase in professional fees, offset by an approximately $125,000 decrease in expenses related to the Acquisition of ISP incurred during the second quarter of fiscal 2017. We expect future SG&A costs to remain at similar levels during the remainder of fiscal 2018.

New Product Development:

New product development costs were approximately $413,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2018, an increase of approximately $146,000, or 54%, as compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2017. This increase was primarily due to an approximately $86,000 increase in wages, an approximately $20,000 increase in patent expenses, and an approximately $40,000 increase in materials and other expenses. We anticipate that these expenses will remain at current levels for the remainder of fiscal 2018.

Other Income (Expense):

Interest expense was approximately $194,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2018, as compared to approximately $6,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2017. Interest expense resulted from (i) amortization of debt costs related to our prior invoiced-based working capital revolving line of credit with Avidbank pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated December 23, 2014, as further amended by that First Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan Security Agreement dated December 23, 2015 (collectively, the “Prior Line of Credit”), (ii) interest on the Term Loan and the Sellers Note, and (iii) interest on capital leases.

In the second quarter of fiscal 2018, we recognized non-cash expense of approximately $243,000 related to the change in the fair value of warrant liability in connection with our June 2012 Warrants. We recognized income of approximately $247,000 in the same period last year. The change in fair value of the June 2012 Warrants is not impacted by our actual operations but is instead strongly tied to the change in market value of our Class A common stock. The June 2012 Warrants expired on December 11, 2017; therefore, there is no remaining warrant liability as of December 31, 2017.

Other income, net, was approximately $195,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2018, compared to other expense of approximately $235,000 in the second quarter of fiscal 2017, primarily resulting from foreign exchange gains and losses. We execute all foreign sales from our Orlando and New York facilities and inter-company transactions in United States dollars, mitigating the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. Assets and liabilities denominated in non-United States currencies, primarily the Chinese Yuan and Euro, are translated at rates of exchange prevailing on the balance sheet date, and revenues and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange for the year. During the second quarter of fiscal 2018 and 2017, we incurred a gain of $163,000 and a loss of $237,000, respectively, on foreign currency translation.

Income taxes:

During the second quarter of fiscal 2018, we recorded an income tax benefit of approximately $194,000, compared to income tax expense of approximately $241,000 for the second quarter of fiscal 2017. The decrease in our tax expenses and effective income tax rate were primarily attributable to the mix of taxable income and losses generated in our various tax jurisdictions. During the second quarter of fiscal 2018, the statutory tax rate applicable to LPOIZ was decreased from 25% to 15% in accordance with an incentive program for technology companies. The lower rate applies to LPOIZ’s 2017 tax year, beginning January 1, 2017. Accordingly, we recorded a tax benefit during the second quarter of fiscal 2018 related to this retroactive rate change.

Net Income:

Net income was approximately $423,000, or $0.02 basic and diluted earnings per share, during the second quarter of fiscal 2018, compared with the second quarter of fiscal 2017, in which we reported net income of approximately $1.1 million, or $0.07 and $0.06, basic and diluted earnings per share, respectively. The decrease in net income is primarily due to the approximately $430,000 difference in the change in fair value of the June 2012 Warrant liability, which resulted in non-cash expense of $243,000 for the second quarter of fiscal 2018, compared to non-cash income of $247,000 for the second quarter of fiscal 2017. Net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2018 was also affected by increases in the following: (i) amortization of intangibles, (ii) SG&A expenses, (iii) interest expense, and (iv) new product development costs. All of the amortization of intangibles and a portion of the increase in SG&A expenses during the second quarter of fiscal 2018 were related to the Acquisition of ISP. Net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2018 was also favorably impacted by the aforementioned tax benefit.

Weighted-average basic and diluted common shares outstanding increased to 24,525,839 and 26,437,359, respectively, in the second quarter of fiscal 2018 from 16,541,205 and 17,902,712, respectively, in the second quarter of fiscal 2017. The increase was primarily due to 8 million shares of Class A common stock issued in connection with the Acquisition of ISP, and to a lesser extent, shares of Class A common stock issued under the 2014 ESPP and shares of Class A common stock issued as a result of the exercises of stock options and the June 2012 Warrants.

Fiscal First Half: Six months ended December 31, 2017, compared to the six months ended December 31, 2016

Revenues:

Revenue for the first half of fiscal 2018 was approximately $15.9 million, an increase of approximately $5.1 million, or 47%, as compared to the same period of the prior fiscal year. The increase from the first half of the prior fiscal year is attributable to (i) an approximately $6.5 million increase, or 453%, in revenues generated by infrared products, primarily attributable to ISP and (ii) an approximately $152,000 increase, or 77%, in revenues from NRE projects. These increases were partially offset by (i) an approximately $597,000 decrease, or 14%, in sales of LVPMO lenses primarily attributed to the telecommunications and data communications industries, (ii) an approximately $784,000 decrease, or 22%, in sales of HVPMO lenses primarily attributed to applications for certain industrial tools, and (iii) a decrease of approximately $218,000, or 17%, in specialty products primarily due to the timing of orders in the defense and medical sectors in the first quarter of fiscal 2018.

Cost of Sales and Gross Margin:

Gross margin in the first half of fiscal 2018 was $6.8 million, an increase of 11%, as compared to $6.1 million in the prior year period. Gross margin as a percentage of revenue was 43% for the first half of fiscal 2018, compared to 56% for the first half of fiscal 2017. The change in gross margin as a percentage of revenue is primarily attributable to the inclusion of revenues generated by ISP, and the associated cost of sales. Gross margin as a percentage of revenue with respect to ISP’s products historically has been lower than our existing products. In addition, we offered a pricing discount in connection with a large contract in exchange for increased volume production orders from the customer, which impacted our gross margin by approximately 4% of revenue during the first half of fiscal 2018. Total cost of sales was approximately $9.1 million for the first half of fiscal 2018, an increase of approximately $4.4 million as compared to the same period of the prior fiscal year. The increase in total cost of sales is primarily due to the increase in volume of sales, particularly as a result of sales attributable to ISP.

Selling, General and Administrative:

During the first half of fiscal 2018, SG&A costs were approximately $4.7 million, compared to $3.9 million in the first half of fiscal 2017, an increase of approximately $830,000 primarily attributable to the addition of ISP’s SG&A costs. The increase was primarily due to an approximately $800,000 increase in wages, an approximately $270,000 increase in IT services and consulting, an approximately $260,000 increase in travel expenses, and an approximately $108,000 increase in professional fees, offset by the absence of approximately $608,000 in expenses related to the Acquisition of ISP incurred during the first half of fiscal 2017. We expect future SG&A costs to remain at similar levels during the remainder of fiscal 2018.

New Product Development:

New product development costs were approximately $794,000 in the first half of fiscal 2018, an increase of approximately $249,000, or 46%, as compared to the first half of fiscal 2017. This increase was primarily due to an approximately $170,000 increase in wages, an approximately $47,000 increase in patent expenses and an approximately $32,000 increase in travel and other expenses. We anticipate that these expenses will remain at current levels for the remainder of fiscal 2018.

Other Income (Expense):

Interest expense was approximately $395,000 in the first half of fiscal 2018, as compared to approximately $13,000 in the first half of fiscal 2017. Interest expense resulted from (i) amortization of debt costs related to our Prior Line of Credit, (ii) interest on the Term Loan and the Sellers Note and (iii) interest on capital leases.

In the first half of fiscal 2018, we recognized non-cash expense of approximately $195,000 related to the change in the fair value of warrant liability in connection with our June 2012 Warrants. We recognized income of approximately $290,000 in the same period last year. The change in fair value of the June 2012 Warrants is not impacted by our actual operations but is instead strongly tied to the change in market value of our Class A common stock. The June 2012 Warrants expired on December 11, 2017; therefore, there is no remaining warrant liability as of December 31, 2017.

Other income, net, was approximately $443,000 in the first half of fiscal 2018, compared to other expense of approximately $257,000 in the first half of fiscal 2017, primarily resulting from foreign exchange gains and losses. We execute all foreign sales from our Orlando and New York facilities and inter-company transactions in United States dollars, mitigating the impact of foreign currency fluctuations. Assets and liabilities denominated in non-United States currencies, primarily the Chinese Yuan and Euro, are translated at rates of exchange prevailing on the balance sheet date, and revenues and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange for the year. During the first half of fiscal 2018 and 2017, we incurred a gain of $409,000 and a loss of $272,000, respectively, on foreign currency translation.

Income taxes:

During the first half of fiscal 2018, we recorded an income tax benefit of approximately $136,000, compared to income tax expense of approximately $506,000 for the first half of fiscal 2017. The decrease in our tax expenses and effective income tax rate were primarily attributable to the mix of taxable income and losses generated in our various tax jurisdictions. During the second quarter of fiscal 2017, the statutory tax rate applicable to LPOIZ was decreased from 25% to 15% in accordance with an incentive program for technology companies. The lower rate applies to LPOIZ’s 2017 tax year, beginning January 1, 2017. Accordingly, we recorded a tax benefit during the second quarter of fiscal 2018 related to this retroactive rate change.

Net Income:

Net income was approximately $641,000, or $0.03 and $0.02 basic and diluted earnings per share, respectively, during the first half of fiscal 2018, compared with the first half of fiscal 2017, in which we reported net income of approximately $1.2 million, or $0.08 and $0.07 basic and diluted earnings per share, respectively. The decrease in net income is primarily due to the approximately $485,000 difference in the change in fair value of the June 2012 Warrant liability, which resulted in non-cash expense of $195,000 for the first half of fiscal 2018, compared to non-cash income of $290,000 for the first half of fiscal 2017. Net income for the first half of fiscal 2018 was also affected by increases in the following: (i) amortization of intangibles, (ii) SG&A expenses, (iii) interest expense and (iv) new product development costs as compared to the prior year period. All of the amortization of intangibles and a portion of the increase in SG&A expenses during the first half of fiscal 2018 were related to the Acquisition of ISP. Net income for the first half of fiscal 2018 was also favorably impacted by the aforementioned tax benefit.

Weighted-average basic and diluted common shares outstanding increased to 24,380,448 and 26,326,759, respectively, in the first half of fiscal 2018 from 16,079,030 and 17,523,735, respectively, in the first half of fiscal 2017. The increase was primarily due to 8 million shares of Class A common stock issued in connection with the Acquisition of ISP, and to a lesser extent, shares of Class A common stock issued under the 2014 ESPP and shares of Class A common stock issued as a result of the exercises of stock options and the June 2012 Warrants.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At December 31, 2017, we had working capital of approximately $14.8 million and total cash and cash equivalents of approximately $7.7 million, of which approximately $4.0 million of total cash and cash equivalents were held by our foreign subsidiaries.

Cash and cash equivalents held by our foreign subsidiaries were generated in China and Latvia as a result of foreign earnings. Before any funds can be repatriated from China, the retained earnings in China must equal at least 150% of the registered capital. As of December 31, 2017, we had retained earnings of $1.4 million and we need to have $11.3 million before repatriation will be allowed. We currently intend to permanently invest earnings from foreign operations, and therefore, we have not previously provided United States taxes on the related earnings. We would provide for and pay additional United States taxes at such time.

On December 21, 2016, we executed the Amended LSA with AvidBank for the Term Loan in the aggregate principal amount of $5 million and the Revolving Line. The Amended LSA amends and restates that certain Loan and Security Agreement between us and AvidBank dated September 30, 2013, as amended and restated pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of December 23, 2014, and as further amended pursuant to that certain First Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of December 23, 2015.

On December 20, 2017, we executed the First Amendment to the Amended LSA. The First Amendment amends, among other items, the maturity date of the Revolving Line from December 21, 2017 to March 21, 2018. On January 16, 2018, we executed the Second Amendment to the Amended LSA. Pursuant to the Second Amendment, Avidbank advanced us the Term II Loan, in the original principal amount of $7,294,000. The proceeds were used to repay all amounts owning with respect to the Term Loan, with the remainder used to repay the amounts owing under the Sellers Note. As of January 16, 2018, the Term Loan and Sellers Note were deemed satisfied in full. For additional information on the terms of the Term Loan, Sellers Note, and Term II Loan, see Note 13, Loans Payable, and Note 16, Subsequent Event, to the unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements to this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

As of December 31, 2017, the amount outstanding under the Term Loan was approximately $4.4 million and there was no amount outstanding under the Revolving Line. Costs incurred of approximately $72,000 were recorded as a discount on debt and will be amortized over the five-year term of the Term Loan. Amortization of approximately $7,700 is included in interest expense for the six months ended December 31, 2017.

As of December 31, 2017, the amount outstanding under the Sellers Note was $5.7 million, after applying the approximately $293,000 working capital adjustment to the balance.

We believe that we have adequate financial resources to sustain our current operations in the coming year. We have established milestones that will be tracked to ensure that as funds are expended we are achieving results before additional funds are committed. We anticipate sales growth during the remainder of fiscal 2018 primarily from infrared products, as well as some growth in specialty products. We structured our sales team to enhance our incremental organic growth position for our core aspheric lens business, prime our operations for the anticipated high growth of our new infrared products, and allow for the integration of strategic acquisitions. We are also benefiting from a substantial increase in revenue generating opportunities and broader market applications as a result of our investments in technologies that decreased our lens production costs and expanded our production capacity. We believe we can further improve upon our track record of growth – and do so far more profitably.

We generally rely on cash from operations and equity and debt offerings, to the extent available, to satisfy our liquidity needs and to maintain our ability to repay the Term II Loan. There are a number of factors that could result in the need to raise additional funds, including a decline in revenue or a lack of anticipated sales growth, increased material costs, increased labor costs, planned production efficiency improvements not being realized, increases in property, casualty, benefit and liability insurance premiums, and increases in other discretionary spending, particularly sales and marketing related. We will also continue efforts to keep costs under control as we seek renewed sales growth. Our efforts continue to be directed toward maintaining positive cash flow and profitability. If our efforts are not successful, we will need to raise additional capital. Should capital not be available to us at reasonable terms, other actions may become necessary in addition to cost control measures and continued efforts to increase sales. These actions may include exploring strategic options for the sale of the Company, the sale of certain product lines, the creation of joint ventures or strategic alliances under which we will pursue business opportunities, the creation of licensing arrangements with respect to our technology, or other alternatives.

Cash Flows – Financings:

Net cash used in financing activities was approximately $14,000 in the first half of fiscal 2018, compared to net cash provided of approximately $13.7 million in the first half of fiscal 2017. Cash used in financing activities for the first half of fiscal 2018 reflects approximately $680,000 in principal payments on our loans and capital leases, offset by approximately $660,000 in proceeds from the exercise of June 2012 Warrants, proceeds from the sale of Class A common stock under the 2014 ESPP in the first six months of fiscal 2018 and proceeds from the exercise of stock options. Cash provided by financing activities for the first half of fiscal 2017 consisted principally of the debt and equity financing for the Acquisition of ISP.

Cash Flows – Operating and Investing:

Cash flow provided by operations was approximately $1.6 million for the first six months of fiscal 2018, compared to approximately $1.5 million for the first six months of fiscal 2017. We anticipate improvement in our cash flows provided by operations in future years due to sales growth, particularly as a result of the Acquisition of ISP, and continued margin improvements based on production efficiencies and reductions in product costs, offset by marginal increases in selling, administrative, and new product development expenditures.

During the first six months of fiscal 2018, we expended approximately $1.9 million in investments in capital equipment, compared to approximately $873,000 in the first six months of fiscal 2017. The majority of our capital expenditures during the first six months of both fiscal 2018 and fiscal 2017 were related to the purchase of equipment used to enhance or expand our production capacity, tooling for our precision molded products, and equipment and facility improvements for LPOIZ’s facility in Zhenjiang. Overall, we anticipate an increase in capital expenditures during fiscal 2018, as compared to fiscal 2017, with the majority of expenses being incurred in the first and fourth quarters of fiscal 2018; however, the total amount expended will depend on opportunities and circumstances.

How we operate:

We have continuing sales of two basic types: occasional sales via ad-hoc purchase orders of mostly standard product configurations (our “turns” business) and the more challenging and potentially more rewarding business of customer product development. In this latter type of business we work with customers to help them determine optical specifications and even create certain optical designs for them, including complex multi-component designs that we call “engineered assemblies”. This is followed by “sampling” small numbers of the product for the customers’ test and evaluation. Thereafter, should a customer conclude that our specification or design is the best solution to their product need; we negotiate and “win” a contract (sometimes called a “design win”) – whether of a “blanket purchase order” type or a supply agreement. The strategy is to create an annuity revenue stream that makes the best use of our production capacity, as compared to the turns business, which is unpredictable and uneven. This annuity revenue stream can also generate low-cost, high-volume type orders. A key business objective is to convert as much of our business to the design win and annuity model as is possible. We face several challenges in doing so:

Despite these challenges to winning more “annuity” business, we nevertheless believe we can be successful in procuring this business because of our unique capabilities in optical design engineering that we make available on the merchant market, a market that we believe is underserved in this area of service offering. Additionally, we believe that we offer value to some customers as a source of supply in the United States should they be unwilling to commit their entire source of supply of a critical component to foreign merchant production sources. We also continue to have the proprietary GRADIUM lens glass technology to offer to certain laser markets.

Our key indicators:

Usually on a weekly basis, management reviews a number of performance indicators. Some of these indicators are qualitative and others are quantitative. These indicators change from time to time as the opportunities and challenges in the business change. They are mostly non-financial indicators, such as units of shippable output by product line, production yield rates by major product line and the output and yield data from significant intermediary manufacturing processes that support the production of the finished shippable product. These indicators can be used to calculate such other related indicators as fully yielded unit production per-shift, which varies by the particular product and our state of automation in production of that product at any given time. Higher unit production per shift means lower unit cost and therefore improved margins or improved ability to compete where desirable for price sensitive customer applications. The data from these reports is used to determine tactical operating actions and changes. We believe that our non-financial production indicators, such as those noted, are proprietary information.

Financial indicators that are usually reviewed at the same time include the major elements of the micro-level business cycle:

These indicators are similarly used to determine tactical operating actions and changes and are discussed in more detail below.

Sales Backlog:

Sales growth has been and continues to be our best indicator of success. Our best view into the efficacy of our sales efforts is in our “order book.” Our order book equates to sales “backlog.” It has a quantitative and a qualitative aspect: quantitatively, our backlog’s prospective dollar value and qualitatively, what percent of the backlog is scheduled by the customer for date-certain delivery. We define our “12-month backlog” as that which is requested by the customer for delivery within one year and which is reasonably likely to remain in the backlog and be converted into revenues. This includes customer purchase orders and may include amounts under supply contracts if they meet the aforementioned criteria. Generally, a higher 12-month backlog is better for us.

Our 12-month backlog at December 31, 2017 was approximately $12.3 million, compared to $9.3 million as of June 30, 2017. Backlog growth rates for the last five fiscal quarters are as follows: