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LIQUIDMETAL TECHNOLOGIES INC - Quarter Report: 2023 September (Form 10-Q)

lqmt20230930_10q.htm
 

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

 


 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2023

 

OR

 

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from          to

 

Commission File No001-31332

 

 

 


 

LIQUIDMETAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

33-0264467

(State or other jurisdiction of

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

Identification No.)

 

20321 Valencia Circle

Lake Forest, CA 92630

(Address of principal executive offices, zip code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (949) 635-2100

 

 

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  ☒    No  ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit 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.

 

Large accelerated filer ☐                   

Accelerated filer ☐        

Non-accelerated filer ☒

   

Smaller reporting company ☒        

Emerging growth company ☐

 

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  ☒

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act: None

 

The number of common shares outstanding as of November 14, 2023 was 917,285,149.

 

 

 

 

LIQUIDMETAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
FORM 10-Q
FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2023

 

 

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Liquidmetal Technologies, Inc. contains “forward-looking statements” that may state our management’s plans, future events, objectives, current expectations, estimates, forecasts, assumptions or projections about the company and its business. Any statement in this report that is not a statement of historical fact is a forward-looking statement, and in some cases, words such as “believes,” “estimates,” “projects,” “expects,” “intends,” “may,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “seeks,” and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from the anticipated outcomes or results. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and undue reliance should not be placed on these statements. It is important to note that our actual results could differ materially from what is expressed in our forward-looking statements due to the risk factors described in the section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 entitled “Risk Factors,” as well as the following risks and uncertainties:

 

 

Our history of operating losses and the uncertainty surrounding our ability to achieve or sustain profitability;

Our limited history of developing and selling products made from our bulk amorphous alloys;

Challenges associated with having products manufactured from our alloys and the use of third parties for manufacturing;

Our limited history of licensing our technology to third parties;

Lengthy customer adoption cycles and unpredictable customer adoption practices;

Our ability to identify, develop, and commercialize new product applications for our technology;

Competition from current suppliers of incumbent materials or producers of competing products;

Our ability to identify, consummate, and/or integrate strategic partnerships;

The potential for manufacturing problems or delays;

Potential difficulties associated with protecting or expanding our intellectual property position; and

 

We undertake no obligation, other than as required by applicable law, to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

 

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I - Financial Information

 
       
 

Item 1  Financial Statements

4

   

Consolidated Balance Sheets

4

   

Consolidated Statements of Operations

5

   

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

6

   

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

7

   

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

8

       
 

Item 2  Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

19

       
 

Item 3  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

23

       
 

Item 4  Controls and Procedures

23

       

PART II  Other Information

24

       
 

Item 1 – Legal Proceedings

24

       
 

Item 1A  Risk Factors

24

       
 

Item 2  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

24

       
 

Item 3  Defaults Upon Senior Securities

24

       
 

Item 4  Mine Safety Disclosures

24

       
 

Item 5  Other Information

24

       
 

Item 6  Exhibits

24

       

Signatures

25

 

 

 

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1 Financial Statements

 

 

LIQUIDMETAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

($ in thousands, except par value and share data)

 

  

September 30,

  

December 31,

 
  

2023

  

2022

 
  

(Unaudited)

  

(Audited)

 

ASSETS

        
         

Current assets:

        

Cash and cash equivalents

 $9,679  $2,269 

Restricted cash

  5   5 

Investments in debt securities- short term

  12,917   16,435 

Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts

  41   24 

Inventory

  26   25 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

  539   525 

Total current assets

 $23,207  $19,283 

Investments in debt securities- long term

  778   5,646 

Property and equipment, net

  7,746   7,980 

Patents and trademarks, net

  57   73 

Other assets

  268   353 

Total assets

 $32,056  $33,335 
         

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

        
         

Current liabilities:

        

Accounts payable

 $135  $88 

Accrued liabilities

  259   265 

Deferred revenue

  41   41 

Total current liabilities

 $435  $394 
         

Long-term liabilities

        

Other long-term liabilities

  902   902 

Total liabilities

 $1,337  $1,296 
         

Shareholders' equity:

        
         

Common stock, $0.001 par value; 1,100,000,000 shares authorized; 917,285,149 and 917,285,149 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively

  917   917 

Warrants

  18,179   18,179 

Additional paid-in capital

  288,102   288,013 

Accumulated deficit

  (276,459)  (274,696)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  59   (296)

Non-controlling interest in subsidiary

  (79)  (78)

Total shareholders' equity

 $30,719  $32,039 
         

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

 $32,056  $33,335 

 

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

 

 

 

LIQUIDMETAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

($ in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)

 

   

For the Three Months
Ended September 30,

   

For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,

 
   

2023

   

2022

   

2023

   

2022

 
                                 

Revenue

                               

Products

  $ 108     $ 18     $ 205     $ 284  

Licensing and royalties

    19       -       19       22  

Total revenue

  $ 127     $ 18     $ 224     $ 306  
                                 

Cost of sales

    89       15       164       243  
                                 

Gross profit

  $ 38     $ 3     $ 60     $ 63  
                                 

Operating expenses

                               

Selling, marketing, general and administrative

    746       744       2,504       2,319  

Research and development

    5       19       16       46  

Total operating expenses

  $ 751     $ 763     $ 2,520     $ 2,365  

Operating loss

    (713 )     (760 )     (2,460 )     (2,302 )
                                 

Lease income

    89       133       296       398  

Interest and investment income (loss)

    157       56       400       51  
                                 

Loss before income taxes

  $ (467 )   $ (571 )   $ (1,764 )   $ (1,853 )
                                 

Income taxes

    -       -       -       -  
                                 

Net loss

  $ (467 )   $ (571 )   $ (1,764 )   $ (1,853 )
                                 

Net loss attributable to non-controlling interest

    1       -       1       1  

Net loss attributable to Liquidmetal Technologies shareholders

  $ (466 )   $ (571 )   $ (1,763 )   $ (1,852 )
                                 
                                 

Per common share basic and diluted:

                               
                                 

Net loss per common share attributable to Liquidmetal Technologies shareholders, basic and diluted

  $ (0.00 )   $ (0.00 )   $ (0.00 )   $ (0.00 )
                                 
Number of weighted average shares - basic and diluted     917,285,149       917,285,149       917,285,149       916,970,128  

 

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

 

 

 

LIQUIDMETAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

($ in thousands, except share and per share data)

(unaudited)

 

   

For the Three Months
Ended September 30,

   

For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,

 
   

2023

   

2022

   

2023

   

2022

 
                                 

Net loss

  $ (467 )   $ (571 )   $ (1,764 )   $ (1,853 )

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

                               

Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities

    118       (62 )     355       (347 )

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

    118       (62 )     355       (347 )

Comprehensive loss

  $ (349 )   $ (633 )   $ (1,409 )   $ (2,200 )

Less: Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests

    1       1       1       1  

Comprehensive loss attributable to Liquidmetal Technologies shareholders

  $ (348 )   $ (632 )   $ (1,408 )   $ (2,199 )

 

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

 

 

 

LIQUIDMETAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

($ in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

   

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2023

   

2022

 
                 

Operating activities:

               

Net loss

  $ (1,764 )   $ (1,853 )
                 

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

               

Depreciation and amortization

    250       259  

Stock-based compensation

    89       129  
                 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

               

Trade accounts receivable

    (17 )     147  

Inventory

    (1 )     (20 )

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    (14 )     (58 )

Other assets and liabilities

    85       (33 )

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

    41       (27 )

Deferred revenue

    -       4  

Net cash used in operating activities

    (1,331 )     (1,452 )
                 

Investing Activities:

               

Purchases of debt securities

    (6,933 )     (13,252 )

Proceeds from sales of debt securities

    15,674       15,816  

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    8,741       2,564  
                 

Financing Activities:

               

Common stock issuance

    -       212  

Net cash provided by financing activities

    -       212  
                 

Net increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

    7,410       1,324  
                 

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at beginning of period

    2,274       4,096  

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at end of period

  $ 9,684     $ 5,420  

 

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

 

 

LIQUIDMETAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022

(numbers in thousands, except percentages, share and per share data)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

1. Description of Business

 

Liquidmetal Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”) is a materials technology company that develops and commercializes products made from amorphous alloys. The Company’s family of alloys consists of a variety of bulk alloys and composites that utilize the advantages offered by amorphous alloys technology. The Company designs, develops, and sells products and custom parts from bulk amorphous alloys to customers in a wide range of industries. The Company also partners with third-party manufacturers and licensees to develop and commercialize Liquidmetal alloy products.

 

Amorphous alloys are, in general, unique materials that are distinguished by their ability to retain a random atomic structure when they solidify, in contrast to the crystalline atomic structure that forms in other metals and alloys when they solidify. Liquidmetal alloys are proprietary amorphous alloys that possess a combination of performance, processing, and potential cost advantages that the Company believes will make them preferable to other materials in a variety of applications. The amorphous atomic structure of bulk alloys enables them to overcome certain performance limitations caused by inherent weaknesses in crystalline atomic structures, thus facilitating performance and processing characteristics superior in many ways to those of their crystalline counterparts. The Company believes that the alloys and the molding technologies it employs may result in components, for many applications, that exhibit: exceptional dimensional control and repeatability that rivals precision machining, excellent corrosion resistance, brilliant surface finish, high strength, high hardness, high elastic limit, alloys that are non-magnetic, and the ability to form complex shapes common to the injection molding of plastics. Interestingly, all of these characteristics are achievable from the molding process, so design engineers often do not have to select specific alloys to achieve one or more of the characteristics as is the case with crystalline materials. The Company believes these advantages could result in Liquidmetal alloys supplanting high-performance alloys, such as titanium and stainless steel, and other incumbent materials in a wide variety of applications. Moreover, the Company believes these advantages could enable the introduction of entirely new products and applications that are not possible or commercially viable with other materials.

 

The Company’s revenues are derived from i) selling bulk Liquidmetal alloy products to customers who produce medical devices, automotive assemblies, sports and leisure goods, and non-consumer electronic devices, ii) selling tooling and prototype parts such as demonstration parts and test samples for customers with products in development, iii) product licensing and royalty revenue, and iv) research and development revenue. The Company expects that these sources of revenue will continue to significantly change the character of the Company’s revenue mix.

 

 

 

2. Basis of Presentation and Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022 have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) for interim financial information and in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by US GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future periods or the year ending December 31, 2023. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company's 2022 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on March 14, 2023.

 

Investments in Debt Securities

 

The Company will invest excess funds to maximize investment yield, while maintaining liquidity and minimizing credit risk. Debt securities are carried at fair value and consist primarily of investments in obligations of the United States Treasury, various U.S. and foreign corporations, and certificates of deposits. The Company classifies its investments in debt securities as available-for-sale with all unrealized gains or losses included as part of other comprehensive income. The Company evaluates its debt securities with unrealized losses on a quarterly basis for potential other-than-temporary impairments in value. As a result of this assessment, the Company did not recognize any other-than-temporary impairment losses considered to be credit related for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. 

 

8

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

The estimated fair values of financial instruments reported in the consolidated financial statements have been determined using available market information and valuation methodologies, as applicable. The fair value of cash and restricted cash approximate their carrying value due to their short maturities and are classified as Level 1 instruments within the fair value hierarchy.

 

Fair value is defined 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. Entities are required to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value based upon the following fair value hierarchy:

 

Level 1

Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

 

Level 2

Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and

 

Level 3

Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.

 

As of September 30, 2023, the following table represents the Company’s fair value hierarchy for items that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

 

  

Fair Value

  

Level 1

  

Level 2

  

Level 3

 
                 

Investments in debt securities (short-term)

 $12,917  $9,644  $3,273  $- 

Investments in debt securities (long-term)

  778   532   246   - 

 

As of December 31, 2022, the following table represents the Company’s fair value hierarchy for items that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

 

  

Fair Value

  

Level 1

  

Level 2

  

Level 3

 
                 

Investments in debt securities (short-term)

 $13,852  $10,138  $3,714  $- 

Investments in debt securities (long-term)

  8,267   199   8,068   - 

 

Leases

 

The Company leases its manufacturing facility under a long-term contract, which is accounted for as an operating lease. The lease provides for a fixed base rent and variable payments comprised of reimbursements for property taxes, insurance, utilities, and common area maintenance. The lease has a term of sixty-two months, exclusive of options to renew. In accordance with ASC 842, Leases, lease income, which includes escalating rents over the term of the lease, is recorded on a straight-line basis over the expected lease term. The difference between lease income and payments received is recorded as a rent receivable, which is included as a prepaid expense in the consolidated balance sheets. Amounts paid for broker commissions represent prepaid direct lease costs, and will be amortized as an off-set to lease income over the lease term.

 

Other Recent Pronouncements

 

Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including its Emerging Issues Task Force) and the SEC did not or are not believed by management to have a material impact on the Company's present or future consolidated financial statements.

 

9

 
 

3. Significant Transactions

 

Yihao Manufacturing Agreement

 

On January 12, 2022, the Company entered into a manufacturing agreement (“Manufacturing Agreement”) with Dongguan Yihao Metal Materials Technology Co. Ltd. (“Yihao”) to become the primary contract manufacturer of the Company’s products. Under the Manufacturing Agreement, which has a term of five years, Yihao has agreed to serve as a non-exclusive contract manufacturer for amorphous alloy parts offered and sold by the Company at prices determined on a “cost-plus” basis. Yihao is an affiliate of Dongguan Eontec Co. Ltd. and Professor Lugee Li, the Company’s Chairman and largest beneficial owner of the Company’s capital stock.

 

Manufacturing Facility Purchase and Lease

 

On February 16, 2017, the Company purchased a 41,000 square foot manufacturing facility (the “Facility”) located in Lake Forest, CA, where operations commenced during July 2017. The purchase price for the Facility was $7,818.

 

On January 23, 2020, 20321 Valencia, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a lease agreement (the “Facility Lease”) pursuant to which the Company leased to MatterHackers, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Tenant”), an approximately 32,534 square foot portion of the Facility. The lease term is for 5 years and 2 months and is scheduled to expire on April 30, 2025. The base rent payable under the Facility Lease was $32,534 per month initially and is subject to periodic increases up to a maximum of approximately $39,000 per month. Tenant will pay approximately 79% of common operating expresses. The Facility Lease has other customary provisions, including provisions relating to default and usage restrictions. The Facility Lease grants to Tenant a right to extend the lease for one additional 60-month period at market rental value. 

 

Eontec License Agreement

 

On March 10, 2016, the Company and DongGuan Eontec Co., Ltd., a Hong Kong corporation (“Eontec”), entered into a Parallel License Agreement (the “License Agreement”) pursuant to which the parties agreed to cross-license certain patents, technical information, and trademarks between the Company and Eontec. In particular, the Company granted to Eontec a paid-up, royalty-free, perpetual license to the Company’s patents and related technical information to make, have made, use, offer to sell, sell, export, and import products in certain geographic areas outside of North America and Europe. In turn, Eontec granted to the Company a paid-up, royalty-free, perpetual license to Eontec’s patents and related technical information to make, have made, use, offer to sell, sell, export, and import products in certain geographic areas outside of specified countries in Asia. The license granted by the Company to Eontec is exclusive (including to the exclusion of the Company) in the countries of Brunei, Cambodia, China (P.R.C and R.O.C.), East Timor, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. The license granted by Eontec to the Company is exclusive (including to the exclusion of Eontec) in North America and Europe. The cross-licenses are non-exclusive in geographic areas outside of the foregoing exclusive territories.

 

Beyond the License Agreement, the Company collaborates with Eontec and its affiliate Yihao to accelerate the commercialization of amorphous alloy technology. This includes but is not limited to developing technologies to reduce the cost of amorphous alloys, working on die cast machine technology platforms to pursue broader markets, sharing knowledge to broaden our intellectual property portfolio, and utilizing Yihao’s volume production capabilities as a third party contract manufacturer.

 

Eutectix Business Development Agreement

 

On January 31, 2020, the Company entered into a Business Development Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Eutectix, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Eutectix”), which provides for collaboration, joint development efforts, and the manufacturing of products based on the Company’s proprietary amorphous metal alloys. Under the Agreement and amendments thereof, the Company licensed to Eutectix specified equipment owned by the Company, including two injection molding machines, two diecasting machines, and other machines and equipment, all of which will be used to make product for Company customers and Eutectix customers. The Company has also licensed to Eutectix various patents and technical information related to the Company’s proprietary technology. Under the Agreement, Eutectix agreed to pay the Company a royalty of six percent (6%) of the net sales price of licensed products sold by Eutectix, and Eutectix will also manufacture for the Company product ordered by the Company. The Agreement has a term of five years, subject to renewal provisions and the ability of either party to terminate earlier upon specified circumstances.

 

10

 

Apple License Transaction

 

On August 5, 2010, the Company entered into a license transaction with Apple Inc. (“Apple”) pursuant to which (i) the Company contributed substantially all of its intellectual property assets to a newly organized special-purpose, wholly-owned subsidiary, called Crucible Intellectual Property, LLC (“CIP”), (ii) CIP granted to Apple a perpetual, worldwide, exclusive license to commercialize such intellectual property in the field of consumer electronic products, as defined in the license agreement, in exchange for a one-time, upfront license fee, and (iii) CIP granted back to the Company a perpetual, worldwide, fully-paid, exclusive license to commercialize such intellectual property in all other fields of use.

 

Under the agreements relating to the license transaction with Apple, the Company was obligated to contribute, to CIP, all intellectual property developed through February 2016. The Company is also obligated to maintain certain limited liability company formalities with respect to CIP at all times after the closing of the license transaction.

 

Liquidmetal Golf Sublicense Agreement

 

Liquidmetal Golf Inc. (“Liquidmetal Golf” or “LMG”) is a majority-owned subsidiary which has the exclusive right and license to utilize the Company’s Liquidmetal alloy technology for purposes of golf equipment applications. This right and license is set forth in an intercompany license agreement dated January 1, 2002 between Liquidmetal Technologies and Liquidmetal Golf. This license agreement provides that Liquidmetal Golf has a perpetual and exclusive license to use Liquidmetal alloy technology for the purpose of manufacturing, marketing, and selling golf club components and other products used in the sport of golf. The Company owns 79% of the outstanding common stock in Liquidmetal Golf.

 

On January 13, 2022, Liquidmetal Golf entered into a sublicense agreement (“LMG Sublicense Agreement”) with Amorphous Technologies Japan, Inc. (“ATJ”), a newly formed Japanese entity that was established by Twins Corporation, a sporting goods company operating in Japan. Under the agreement, LMG granted to ATJ a nonexclusive worldwide sublicense to the Company’s amorphous alloy technology and related trademarks to manufacture and sell golf clubs and golf related products. The LMG Sublicense Agreement has a term of three years and provides for the payment of a running royalty to LMG of 3% of the net sales price of licensed products.

 

Swatch Group License 

 

In March 2009, the Company entered into a license agreement with Swatch Group, Ltd. (“Swatch”) under which Swatch was granted a non-exclusive license to the Company’s technology to produce and market watches and certain other luxury products. In March 2011, this license agreement was amended to grant Swatch exclusive rights as to watches as against all third parties (including the Company), but non-exclusive as to Apple. The Company will receive royalty payments over the life of the contract on all Liquidmetal products produced and sold by Swatch. The license agreement with Swatch will expire on the expiration date of the last licensed patent.

 

11

 
 

4. Investments in Debt Securities

 

The following table sets forth amortized cost fair value, and unrealized gains (losses) of investments in debt securities (short-term and long-term):

 

     

Amortized Cost

   

Fair Value

 
   Longest  

September 30,

   

December 31,

   

September 30,

   

December 31,

 
 

Maturity Date

 

2023

   

2022

   

2023

   

2022

 
                                   

U.S. government and agency securities

2024

    8,607       11,964       8,671       11,922  

Corporate bonds

2025

    5,140       10,421       5,024       10,159  
        13,747       22,385       13,695       22,081  

 

Income from these investments totaled $157 and $400 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. Income from these investments totaled $56 and $51 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively. Such amounts are included as a portion of interest and investment income on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

 

Based on the Company’s review of its debt securities that are individually in an unrealized loss position at September 30, 2023, it was determined that the losses were primarily the result current economic factors, impacting all global debt and equity markets, that are the result of global macro events. The impact of the Company’s investment portfolio is considered to be temporary, rather than a deterioration of overall credit quality. As of September 30, 2023, all investments are current on their scheduled interest and dividend payments. The Company does not intend to sell and it is not more likely than not that the Company will be required to sell these securities prior to recovering their amortized cost. As such, the Company does not consider these securities to be other-than-temporarily impaired at September 30, 2023.

 

 

5. Trade Accounts Receivable

 

Trade accounts receivable were comprised of the following:

 

   

September 30,

   

December 31,

 
   

2023

   

2022

 

Trade accounts receivable

  $ 41     $ 24  

Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts

    -       -  

Trade accounts receivable

  $ 41     $ 24  

 

 

6. Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets totaled $539 and $525 as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Included within these totals are the following:

 

   

September 30,

   

December 31,

 
   

2023

   

2022

 
                 

Prepaid service invoices

    99     $ 110  

Prepaid insurance premiums

    321       265  

Prepaid lease costs and receivables- short term

    21       23  

Interest and other receivables

    98       127  

Total

  $ 539     $ 525  

 

As of September 30, 2023, prepaid lease costs and receivables-short term are comprised of $16 in prepaid broker commissions that are expected to be amortized within the next twelve months and $5 in receivables for allocated utility costs.

 

12

 
 

7. Inventory

 

Inventory totaled $26 and $25 as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Included within these totals are the following:

 

   

September 30,

   

December 31,

 
   

2023

   

2022

 
                 

Work in progress

  $ 26     $ 25  

Finished goods

    -       -  

Total

  $ 26     $ 25  

 

 

8. Property and Equipment, net

 

Property and equipment consist of the following:

 

   

September 30,

   

December 31,

 
   

2023

   

2022

 
                 

Land, building, and improvements

  $ 9,610     $ 9,610  

Machinery and equipment

    1,304       1,304  

Computer equipment

    272       272  

Office equipment, furnishings, and improvements

    51       51  

Total

    11,237       11,237  

Accumulated depreciation

    (3,491 )     (3,257 )

Total property and equipment, net

  $ 7,746     $ 7,980  

 

Depreciation expense for three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $78 and $234, respectively. Depreciation expense for three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $78 and $236, respectively. Such amounts were included in selling, marketing, general, and administrative expenses within Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

 

 

9. Patents and Trademarks, net

 

Net patents and trademarks totaled $57 and $73 as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively, and primarily consisted of purchased patent rights and internally developed patents.

 

Purchased patent rights represent the exclusive right to commercialize the bulk amorphous alloy and other amorphous alloy technology acquired from California Institute of Technology (“Caltech”), through a license agreement with Caltech and other institutions. All fees and other amounts payable by the Company for these rights and licenses have been paid or accrued in full, and no further royalties, license fees, or other amounts will be payable in the future under the license agreement.

 

In addition to the purchased and licensed patents, the Company has internally developed patents. Internally developed patents include legal and registration costs incurred to obtain the respective patents. The Company currently holds various patents and numerous pending patent applications in the United States, as well as numerous foreign counterparts to these patents outside of the United States.

 

The Company amortizes capitalized patents and trademarks over an average of 10 to 17 year periods. Amortization expense for patents and trademarks was $4 and $16 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. Amortization expense for patents and trademarks was $6 and $23 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively. 

 

13

 
 

10. Other Assets

 

Other assets totaled $268 and $353 as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Included within these totals are the following:

 

   

September 30,

   

December 31,

 
   

2023

   

2022

 
                 

Utility deposits

  $ 14     $ 14  

Prepaid lease costs and receivables- long term

    254       339  

Total

  $ 268     $ 353  

 

As of September 30, 2023, prepaid lease costs and receivables-long term are comprised of $16 in unamortized prepaid broker commissions that are not expected to be amortized within the next twelve months and $238 in straight-line rent accruals.

 

 

11. Accrued Liabilities

 

Accrued liabilities totaled $259 and $265 as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Included within these totals are the following:

 

   

September 30,

   

December 31,

 
   

2023

   

2022

 
                 

Accrued payroll, vacation, and bonuses

  $ 110     $ 124  

Accrued severance

    56       56  

Accrued audit fees

    93       85  

Total

  $ 259     $ 265  

 

 

12. Other Long-Term Liabilities  

 

Other long-term liabilities was $902 as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, and consisted of $859 of long-term, aged payables to vendors, individuals, and other third parties that have been outstanding for more than 5 years. Also included in the balance is $43 in tenant deposits under the Facility Lease. 

 

 

13. Stock Compensation Plans

 

On June 28, 2012, the Company adopted the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (“2012 Plan”), with the approval of the shareholders, which provides for the grant of stock options to officers, employees, consultants, and directors of the Company and its subsidiaries. The 2012 Plan provides for the granting to employees of incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and for the granting to employees and consultants of non-statutory stock options. In addition, the Plan permits the granting of stock appreciation rights, or SARs, with or independently of options, as well as stock bonuses and rights to purchase restricted stock. A total of 30,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock may be granted under the 2012 Plan, and all options granted under the 2012 Plan had exercise prices that were equal to the fair market value on the date of grant. Under this plan, the Company had outstanding grants of options to purchase 3,709,500 and 5,674,000 shares of the Company’s common stock as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

 

On January 27, 2015, the Company adopted its 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (“2015 Plan”), which provided for the grant of stock options to officers, employees, consultants, and directors of the Company and its subsidiaries. A total of 40,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock are available for issuance under the 2015 Plan. All options granted under the 2015 Plan had exercise prices that were equal to the fair market value on the dates of grant. Under this plan, the Company had outstanding grants of options to purchase 15,391,667 and 20,941,667 shares of the Company’s common stock as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.

 

Stock based compensation expense attributable to these plans was $17 and $89 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2023, respectively. This compares to $32 and $129 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively.

 

14

 
 

14. Facility Lease

 

Amounts collected under the Facility Lease are comprised of base rents and reimbursements for direct facility expenses (property taxes and insurance), common area maintenance, and utilities. Amounts recorded to lease income are comprised of base rents and direct facility expenses, recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Reimbursements for common area maintenance and utility expense are recorded as reductions to like expenses within sales, general, and administrative costs.

 

The future minimum rents due to the Company under the Facility Lease are as follows:

 

Year

 

Base Rents

 
         

2023 (remaining three months)

  $ 128  

2024

    523  

2025

    177  

2026

    -  

Thereafter

    -  
    $ 828  

 

 

15. Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity

 

The following table provides the Company’s changes in equity for the three months ended September 30, 2023:

 

  

Preferred

Shares

  

Common
Shares

  

Common
Stock

  

Warrants

part of

Additional

Paid-in

Capital

  

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

  

Accumulated
Deficit

  

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

  

Non-

Controlling Interest

  

Total

 

Balance, December 31, 2022

  -   917,285,149  $917  $18,179  $288,013  $(274,696) $(296) $(78) $32,039 
                                     

Stock-based compensation

                  89               89 

Net loss

                      (1,763)      (1)  (1,764)

Other comprehensive income

                          355       355 
                                     

Balance, September 30, 2023

  -   917,285,149  $917  $18,179  $288,102  $(276,459) $59  $(79) $30,719 
                                     

 

The following table provides the Company’s changes in equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2023:

 

   

Preferred Shares

   

Common
Shares

   

Common
Stock

   

Warrants

part of

Additional

Paid-in

Capital

   

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

   

Accumulated
Deficit

   

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

   

Non-

Controlling Interest

   

Total

 

Balance, June 30, 2023

    -       917,285,149     $ 917     $ 18,179     $ 288,085     $ (275,993 )   $ (59 )   $ (78 )   $ 31,051  
                      -                                                  

Stock-based compensation

                                    17                               17  

Net loss

                                            (466 )             (1 )     (467 )

Other comprehensive income

                                                    118               118  
                                                                         

Balance, September 30, 2023

    -       917,285,149     $ 917     $ 18,179     $ 288,102     $ (276,459 )   $ 59     $ (79 )   $ 30,719  

 

15

 

The following table provides the Company’s changes in equity for the three months ended September 30, 2022:

 

   

Preferred Shares

   

Common
Shares

   

Common
Stock

   

Warrants

part of

Additional

Paid-in

Capital

   

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

   

Accumulated
Deficit

   

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

   

Non-

Controlling Interest

   

Total

 

Balance, December 31, 2021

    -       914,449,957     $ 914     $ 18,179     $ 287,641     $ (272,303 )   $ (62 )   $ (77 )   $ 34,292  
                                                                         

Common stock issuance

            2,835,192       3               209                               212  

Stock-based compensation

                                    129                               129  

Net loss

                                            (1,852 )             (1 )     (1,853 )

Other comprehensive loss

                                                    (347 )             (347 )
                                                                         

Balance, September 30, 2022

    -       917,285,149     $ 917     $ 18,179     $ 287,979     $ (274,155 )   $ (409 )   $ (78 )   $ 32,433  

 

The following table provides the Company’s changes in equity for the nine months ended September, 2022:

 

   

Preferred Shares

   

Common
Shares

   

Common
Stock

   

Warrants part of Additional Paid-in Capital

   

Additional
Paid-in
Capital

   

Accumulated
Deficit

   

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

   

Non- Controlling Interest

   

Total

 

Balance, June 30, 2022

    -       917,285,149     $ 917     $ 18,179     $ 287,947     $ (273,584 )   $ (347 )   $ (78 )   $ 33,034  
                                                                         

Stock-based compensation

                                    32                               32  

Net loss

                                            (571 )                   (571 )

Other comprehensive loss

                                                    (62 )             (62 )
                                                                         

Balance, September 30, 2022

    -       917,285,149     $ 917     $ 18,179     $ 287,979     $ (274,155 )   $ (409 )   $ (78 )   $ 32,433  

 

16

 
 

16. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (AOCI)

 

The following table presents a summary of the changes in each component of AOCI for the three months ended September 30, 2023:

 

   

Unrealized gains

(losses) on available-

for-sale securities

   

Total

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, as of June 30, 2023

  $ (59 )   $ (59 )
                 

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications

    118       118  

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

    -       -  

Net increase in other comprehensive income (loss)

    118       118  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, as of September 30, 2023

  $ 59     $ 59  

 

 

The following table presents a summary of the changes in each component of AOCI for the nine months ended September 30, 2023:

 

   

Unrealized gains

(losses) on available-

for-sale securities

   

Total

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, as of December 31, 2022

  $ (296 )   $ (296 )
                 

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications

    355       355  

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

    -       -  

Net increase in other comprehensive income (loss)

    355       355  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, as of September 30, 2023

  $ 59     $ 59  

 

 

The following table presents a summary of the changes in each component of AOCI for the three months ended September 30, 2022:

 

   

Unrealized gains

(losses) on available-

for-sale securities

   

Total

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, as of June 30, 2022

  $ (347 )   $ (347 )
                 

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications

    (62 )     (62 )

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

    -       -  

Net increase in other comprehensive income (loss)

    (62 )     (62 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, as of September 30, 2022

  $ (409 )   $ (409 )

 

17

 

The following table presents a summary of the changes in each component of AOCI for the nine months ended September 30, 2022:

 

   

Unrealized gains

(losses) on available-

for-sale securities

   

Total

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, as of December 31, 2021

  $ (62 )   $ (62 )
                 

Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications

    (347 )     (347 )

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

    -       -  

Net increase in other comprehensive income (loss)

    (347 )     (347 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, as of September 30, 2022

  $ (409 )   $ (409 )

 

 

17. Loss Per Common Share

 

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing earnings (loss) attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the applicable period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution of securities that could share in the earnings.

 

Options to purchase 19,101,167 shares of common stock, at prices ranging from $0.07 to $0.38 per share, were outstanding at September 30, 2023, but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS for the same period as the inclusion would have been antidilutive, given the Company’s net loss. Warrants to purchase 10,066,809 shares of common stock, with a price of $0.07 per share, outstanding at September 30, 2023, were not included in the computation of diluted EPS for the same period as the inclusion would have been antidilutive, given the Company’s net loss.

 

Options to purchase 26,615,667 shares of common stock, at prices ranging from $0.07 to $0.38 per share, were outstanding at September 30, 2022, but were not included in the computation of diluted EPS for the same period as the inclusion would have been antidilutive, given the Company’s net loss. Warrants to purchase 10,066,809 shares of common stock, with a price of $0.07 per share, outstanding at September 30, 2022, were not included in the computation of diluted EPS for the same period as the inclusion would have been antidilutive, given the Company’s net loss.

 

 

18. Related Party Transactions

 

On March 10, 2016, the Company entered into a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “2016 Purchase Agreement”) with Liquidmetal Technology Limited, a Hong Kong company (the “Investor”), which is controlled by the Company’s Chairman, Professor Li. The 2016 Purchase Agreement provided for the purchase by the Investor of a total of 405,000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $63,400. In relation to the foregoing investment, the Company issued to the Investor a warrant to acquire 10,066,809 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.07 per share. The warrant will expire on the tenth anniversary of its issuance date.

 

On March 20, 2016, in connection with the 2016 Purchase Agreement, the Company and Eontec, entered into a cross-license agreement to share their respective technologies. Eontec is a publicly held Hong Kong corporation of which Professor Li is the Chairman and major shareholder. Eontec is also an affiliate of Yihao. Yihao is currently the Company’s primary outsourced manufacturer. As of September 30, 2023, Professor Li is a greater-than 5% beneficial owner of the Company and serves as the Company’s Chairman. Equipment and services procured from Eontec through its affiliate Yihao were $85 and $163 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. Equipment and services procured from Eontec through its affiliate Yihao were $10 and $165 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively.

 

On May 10, 2022, Mr. Abdi Mahamedi resigned as a director of the Company. Mr. Mahamedi did not resign because of any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations, policies or practices. In connection with Mr. Mahamedi’s resignation, the Board of Directors of the Company approved an amendment to Mr. Mahamedi’s previously granted options to purchase an aggregate of 1,870,000 shares of Company common stock to provide for the extension of the exercise period of the options through May 10, 2025.

 

Upon Mr. Mahamedi’s resignation as a director, the Company entered into a Consulting Agreement, dated May 10, 2022, with Rosewood LLC pursuant to which Mr. Mahamedi as the owner of Rosewood LLC will assess and present business opportunities for the licensing and sublicensing of the Company’s technology. Mr. Mahamedi will also provide business development services and perform other special projects as requested by the Company. The Consulting Agreement has a term of 5 years, subject to the right of the Company or Mr. Mahamedi to terminate the agreement at any time after December 1, 2022 and subject to certain other early-termination rights. As sole consideration for the Consulting Agreement, the Company granted to Mr. Mahamedi an option to purchase up to 2.0 million shares of Company common stock at an exercise price of the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on May 10, 2022 that will vest 33% on the first anniversary of the grant date and the remainder vesting monthly over the ensuing two years, provided that Mr. Mahamedi continues to be engaged as a consultant on each such vesting date. The options have a term of 5 years.

 

18

 
 

Item 2 Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

This managements discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. All amounts described in this section are in thousands, except percentages, periods of time, and share and per share data.

 

This managements discussion and analysis, as well as other sections of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including statements regarding our plans, future events, objectives, expectations, estimates, forecasts, assumptions, or projections. Any statement that is not a statement of historical fact is a forward-looking statement, and in some cases, words such as believe, estimate, project, expect, intend, may, anticipate, plan, seek, and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from the anticipated outcomes or results, and undue reliance should not be placed on these statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the matters discussed in Part II herein, under the heading Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and other risks and uncertainties discussed in other filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including risks described in subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K and other filings). We disclaim any intention or obligation, other than as required by applicable law, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

 

Overview

 

We are a materials technology company that develops and commercializes products made from amorphous alloys. Our Liquidmetal® family of alloys consists of a variety of proprietary bulk alloys and composites that utilize the advantages offered by amorphous alloy technology. We design, develop, and sell custom products and parts from bulk amorphous alloys to customers in various industries. We also partner with third-party manufacturers and licensees to develop and commercialize Liquidmetal alloy products.

 

Amorphous alloys are, in general, unique materials that are distinguished by their ability to retain a random atomic structure when they solidify, in contrast to the crystalline atomic structure that forms in other metals and alloys when they solidify. Liquidmetal alloys are proprietary amorphous alloys that possess a combination of performance, processing, and potential cost advantages that we believe will make them preferable to other materials in a variety of applications. The amorphous atomic structure of bulk alloys enables them to overcome certain performance limitations caused by inherent weaknesses in crystalline atomic structures, thus facilitating performance and processing characteristics superior in many ways to those of their crystalline counterparts. We believe the alloys and the molding technologies we employ can result in components for many applications that exhibit exceptional dimensional control and repeatability that rivals precision machining, excellent corrosion resistance, brilliant surface finish, high strength, high hardness, high elastic limit, alloys that are non-magnetic, and the ability to form complex shapes common to the injection molding of plastics. All of these characteristics are achievable from the molding process, so design engineers often do not have to select specific alloys to achieve one or more of the characteristics as is the case with crystalline materials. We believe these advantages could result in Liquidmetal alloys supplanting high-performance alloys, such as titanium and stainless steel, and other incumbent materials in a wide variety of applications. Moreover, we believe these advantages could enable the introduction of entirely new products and applications that are not possible or commercially viable with other materials.

 

Licensing Transactions

 

Eontec License Agreement

 

On March 10, 2016, we entered into a Parallel License Agreement (the “License Agreement”) with DongGuan Eontec Co., Ltd., a Hong Kong corporation (“Eontec”) pursuant to which the parties agreed to cross-license certain patents, technical information, and trademarks between us and Eontec. In particular, we granted to Eontec a paid-up, royalty-free, perpetual license to our patents and related technical information to make, have made, use, offer to sell, sell, export, and import products in certain geographic areas outside of North America and Europe, and Eontec granted to us a paid-up, royalty-free, perpetual license to Eontec’s patents and related technical information to make, have made, use, offer to sell, sell, export, and import products in certain geographic areas outside of specified countries in Asia. The license granted by us to Eontec is exclusive (including to the exclusion of us) in the countries of Brunei, Cambodia, China (P.R.C and R.O.C.), East Timor, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. The license granted by Eontec to us is exclusive (including to the exclusion of Eontec) in North America and Europe. The cross-licenses are non-exclusive in geographic areas outside of the foregoing exclusive territories.

 

Beyond the License Agreement, we collaborate with Eontec and its affiliate Yihao to accelerate the commercialization of amorphous alloy technology. This includes but is not limited to developing technologies to reduce the cost of amorphous alloys, working on die cast machine technology platforms to pursue broader markets, sharing knowledge to broaden our intellectual property portfolio, and utilizing Yihao’s volume production capabilities as a third party contract manufacturer.

 

 

Eutectix Business Development Agreement

 

On January 31, 2020, we entered into a Business Development Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Eutectix, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Eutectix”), which provides for collaboration, joint development efforts, and the manufacturing of products based on our proprietary amorphous metal alloys. Under the Agreement and amendments thereof, we licensed to Eutectix specified equipment owned by us, including two injection molding machines, two diecasting machines, and other machines and equipment, all of which will be used to make product for Company customers and Eutectix customers. We have also licensed to Eutectix various patents and technical information related to our proprietary technology. Under the Agreement, Eutectix will pay us a royalty of six percent (6%) of the net sales price of licensed products sold by Eutectix, and Eutectix will also manufacture products for us. The Agreement has a term of five years, subject to renewal provisions and the ability of either party to terminate earlier upon specified circumstances.

 

Apple License Transaction

 

On August 5, 2010, we entered into a license transaction with Apple pursuant to which (i) we contributed substantially all of our intellectual property assets to a newly organized special-purpose, wholly-owned subsidiary, called Crucible Intellectual Property, LLC (“CIP”), (ii) CIP granted to Apple a perpetual, worldwide, fully-paid, exclusive license to commercialize such intellectual property in the field of consumer electronic products, as defined in the license agreement, in exchange for a license fee, and (iii) CIP granted back to us a perpetual, worldwide, fully-paid, exclusive license to commercialize such intellectual property in all other fields of use.

 

Under the agreements relating to the license transaction with Apple, we were obligated to contribute, to CIP, all intellectual property developed by us through February 2016. We are also obligated to maintain certain limited liability company formalities with respect to CIP at all times after the closing of the license transaction.

 

Other Material License Transactions

 

On January 13, 2022, our majority owned subsidiary, Liquidmetal Golf (“LMG”), entered into a sublicense agreement (“LMG Sublicense Agreement”) with Amorphous Technologies Japan, Inc. (“ATJ”), a newly formed Japanese entity that was established by Twins Corporation, a sporting goods company operating in Japan. Under the agreement, LMG granted to ATJ a nonexclusive worldwide sublicense to our amorphous alloy technology and related trademarks to manufacture and sell golf clubs and golf related products. The LMG Sublicense Agreement has a term of three years and provides for the payment of a running royalty to LMG of 3% of the net sales price of licensed products.

 

In March 2009, we entered into a license agreement with Swatch Group, Ltd. (“Swatch”) under which Swatch was granted a non-exclusive license to our technology to produce and market watches and certain other luxury products. In March 2011, this license agreement was amended to grant Swatch exclusive rights as to watches and all third parties (including us), but non-exclusive as to Apple. We will receive royalty payments over the life of the contract on all Liquidmetal products produced and sold by Swatch. The license agreement with Swatch will expire on the expiration date of the last licensed patent.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates and assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

We believe that the following accounting policies are the most critical to our consolidated financial statements since these policies require significant judgment or involve complex estimates that are important to the portrayal of our financial condition and operating results:

 

 

Revenue recognition

 

Impairment of long-lived assets and definite-lived intangibles

 

Deferred tax assets

 

Share based compensation

 

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the “2022 Annual Report”) contains further discussions on our critical accounting policies and estimates.

 

 

Results of Operations

 

Comparison of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022

 

   

For the three months ended September 30,

 

For the nine months ended September 30,

 
   

2023

    % of     

2022

  % of  

2023

  % of  

2022

  % of  
   

in 000's

 

Revenue

 

in 000's

 

Revenue

 

in 000's

 

Revenue

 

in 000's

 

Revenue

 
                                                           
                                                           

Revenue:

                                                         

Products

  $ 108           $ 18           $ 205           $ 284          

Licensing and royalties

    19             -             19             22          

Total revenue

    127             18             224             306          
                                                           

Cost of sales

    89     70 %     15     83 %     164     73 %     243     79 %  

Gross profit

    38     30 %     3     17 %     60     27 %     63     21 %  
                                                           

Selling, marketing, general and administrative

    746     587 %     744     4133 %     2,504     1118 %     2,319     758 %  

Research and development

    5     4 %     19     106 %     16     7 %     46     15 %  

Total operating expense

    751             763             2,520             2,365          
                                                           

Operating loss

    (713 )           (760 )           (2,460 )           (2,302 )        
                                                           

Lease income

    89             133             296             398          

Interest and investment income (loss)

    157             56             400             51          
Net loss   $ (467 )         $ (571 )         $ (1,764 )         $ (1,853 )        

 

Revenue and operating expenses

 

Revenue. Total revenue increased to $127 for the three months ended September 30, 2023 from $18 for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase for the period was attributable to higher licensing and royalties revenue and higher general production shipments of products made by our contract manufacturer. Total revenue decreased to $224 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 from $306 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease for the period was attributable to lower licensing and royalties revenue and lower general production shipments of products made by our contract manufacturer.

 

Cost of sales. Cost of sales was $89, or 70% of total revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2023, an increase from $15, or 83% of total revenue, for the three months ended September 30, 2022. The increase for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was attributable to higher products revenue and higher gross profit percentages. Cost of sales was $164, or 73% of total revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, a decrease from $243, or 79% of total revenue, for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was attributable to lower products revenue and lower gross profit percentages. If we begin increasing our products revenues with shipments of routine, commercial products and parts through third party contract manufacturers, we expect our cost of sales percentages to decrease, stabilize and be more predictable.

 

Gross profit. Our gross profit increased to $38 for the three months ended September 30, 2023 from $3 for the three months ended September 30, 2022. Our gross profit as a percentage of total revenue, increased to 30% for the three months ended September 30, 2023 from 17% for the three months ended September 30, 2022. Our gross profit decreased to $60 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 from $63 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. Our gross profit as a percentage of total revenue, increased to 27% for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 from 21% for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. Early prototype and pre-production orders generally result in a higher cost mix, relative to revenue, than would otherwise be incurred in an on-site production environment, with higher volumes and more established operating processes, or through contract manufacturers. As such, our gross profit percentages have fluctuated and may continue to fluctuate based on volume and quoted production prices per unit and may not be representative of our future business. If we begin increasing our products revenues with shipments of routine, commercial products and parts through future orders to third party contract manufacturers, we expect our gross profit percentages to stabilize, increase, and be more predictable.

 

 

 

Selling, marketing, general and administrative. Selling, marketing, general, and administrative expenses were $746 and $2,504 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to $744 and $2,319 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively. The increase in expenses was primarily attributable to increased costs related to additional sales and marketing promotions as well as costs associated with our 2023 annual shareholders meeting.

 

Research and development. Research and development expenses were $5 and $16 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively, compared to $19 and $46 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively. We continue to perform research and development of new Liquidmetal alloys and related processing capabilities, albeit on a reduced basis in comparison with prior periods.

 

Operating loss. Operating loss was $713 and $2,460 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. This compares to $760 and $2,302 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, respectively. Fluctuations in our operating loss are primarily attributable to variations in revenue, cost of sales, and operating expenses, as discussed above.

 

We continue to invest in our technology infrastructure to expedite the adoption of our technology, but we have experienced long sales lead times for customer adoption of our technology. Until that time when we can either (i) increase our revenues with shipments of routine, commercial products and parts through third party contract manufacturers or (ii) obtain significant licensing revenues, we expect to continue to have operating losses for the foreseeable future.

 

Other income and expenses

 

Lease income. Lease income relates to straight-line rental income received under the Facility Lease. Such amounts were $89 and $296 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, respectively. This compares to $133 and $398 for the three and nine months ended September 2022, respectively.

 

Interest and investment income. Interest and investment income relates to interest earned from our cash deposits and investments in debt securities for the respective periods. Interest and investment income was $157 and $400 for the three and nine months ended September, 2023, respectively. This compares to interest and investment loss of $56 and $55 during the three and nine months ended September, 2022, respectively. The increase during 2023 is due to recent federal interest rate hikes resulting in higher yields in interest income for corporate debt and bond markets.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Cash used in operating activities

 

Cash used in operating activities totaled $1,331 and $1,452 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The cash was primarily used to fund operating expenses related to our business and product development efforts.

 

Cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

Cash provided by investing activities totaled $8,741 and used in investing activities totaled $2,564 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Investing inflows primarily consist of proceeds from the sale of debt securities. Investing outflows primarily consist of purchases of debt securities.

 

Cash provided by financing activities

 

Cash provided by financing activities totaled $0 for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and $212 for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 related to the exercise of our stock options.

 

Financing arrangements and outlook

 

We have a relatively limited history of selling bulk amorphous alloy products and components on a mass-production scale. Furthermore, the ability of future contract manufacturers to produce our products in desired quantities and at commercially reasonable prices is uncertain and is dependent on a variety of factors that are outside of our control, including the nature and design of the component, the customer’s specifications, and required delivery timelines. These factors have previously required that we engage in equity sales under various stock purchase agreements to support its operations and strategic initiatives.

 

However, as of September 30, 2023, we had $9,684 in cash and restricted cash, as well as $13,695 in investments in debt securities. We view this total of $23,379 as readily available sources of liquidity in the event needed to advance our existing strategy, and/or pursue an alternative strategy. As such, we anticipate that our current capital resources, when considering expected losses from operations, will be sufficient to fund our operations for the foreseeable future. 

 

 

Item 3 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

None.

 

Item 4 Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (our Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer), we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of September 30, 2023. Based on their evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer has concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2023

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as that term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the quarter ended September 30, 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1 Legal Proceedings

 

None.

 

Item 1A Risk Factors

 

For a detailed discussion of the risk factors that should be understood by any investor contemplating an investment in our stock, please refer to Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in the 2022 Annual Report. There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in the 2022 Annual Report.

 

Item 2 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

During the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we did not issue or sell any unregistered equity securities.

 

Item 3 Defaults Upon Senior Securities

 

None.

 

Item 4 Mine Safety Disclosures

 

None.

 

Item 5 Other Information

 

None.

 

Item 6 Exhibits

 

The following documents are filed as exhibits to this Report:

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description of Document                                                      

     

31.1

 

Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, Tony Chung, as required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

     

32.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, Tony Chung, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

     

101.1

 

The following financial statements from Liquidmetal Technologies, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 (unaudited), formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

     

104

 

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

 

LIQUIDMETAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

 
 

(Registrant)

 
     

Date: November 14, 2023

/s/ Tony Chung

 
 

Tony Chung

 
 

Chief Executive Officer

 
 

(Principal Executive Officer and Principal

Financial Officer)

 

 

25