Pharma-Bio Serv, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2022 January (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended January 31, 2022

or

For the transition period from _____________ to ______________

Commission File No. 000-50956

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code 787-278-2709

N/A

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

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

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 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 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.

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 Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of March 11, 2022 was 22,960,486.

PHARMA-BIO SERV, INC.

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE QUARTER ENDED JANUARY 31, 2022

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

PHARMA-BIO SERV, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(Unaudited)

See notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 PHARMA-BIO SERV, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

See notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

PHARMA-BIO SERV, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)

See notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

PHARMA-BIO SERV, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity

(Unaudited)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

PHARMA-BIO SERV, INC.

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

See notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

PHARMA-BIO SERV, INC.

Notes To Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

January 31, 2022

(Unaudited)

NOTE A - ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

ORGANIZATION

Pharma-Bio Serv, Inc. (“Pharma-Bio”) is a Delaware corporation organized on January 14, 2004. Pharma-Bio is the parent company of Pharma-Bio Serv PR, Inc. (“Pharma-PR”), Pharma Serv, Inc. (“Pharma-Serv”), and Scienza Labs, Inc. (currently inactive) (“Scienza Labs”), each a Puerto Rico corporation, Pharma-Bio Serv US, Inc. (“Pharma-US”), a Delaware corporation, Pharma-Bio Serv SL (“Pharma-Spain”), a Spanish limited liability company, and Pharma-Bio Serv Brasil Servicos de Consultoria Ltda. (“Pharma-Brazil”), a Brazilian limited liability company. Pharma-Bio, Pharma-PR, Pharma-Serv, Scienza Labs, Pharma-US, Pharma-Spain and Pharma-Brazil are collectively referred to as the “Company.” The Company operates in Puerto Rico, the United States, Spain and Brazil under the name of Pharma-Bio Serv and is engaged in providing technical compliance consulting service.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The condensed consolidated balance sheet of the Company as of October 31, 2021 is derived from audited consolidated financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles. The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements, include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, which are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods. The results of operations for the three months ended January 31, 2022 are not necessarily indicative of expected results for the full 2022 fiscal year.

The accompanying financial data as of January 31, 2022, and for the three-month period ended January 31, 2022 and 2021 has been prepared by us, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally contained in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles have been condensed or omitted. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes contained in our audited Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021.

Consolidation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. 

Segments

The Company operates in three reportable business segments: (i) Puerto Rico technical compliance consulting, (ii) United States technical compliance consulting, and (iii) Europe technical compliance consulting. Accordingly, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are presented to show these three reportable segments.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments, cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, are considered reasonable estimates of fair value due to their liquidity or short-term nature.

Revenue Recognition

The Company records revenue under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. We evaluate our revenue contracts with customers based on the five-step model under ASC 606: (i) Identify the contract with the customer; (ii) Identify the performance obligations in the contract; (iii) Determine the transaction price; (iv) Allocate the transaction price to separate performance obligations; and (v) Recognize revenue when (or as) each performance obligation is satisfied.

Revenue is primarily derived from: (1) time and material contracts (representing approximately 99% of total revenues), and (2) short-term fixed-fee contracts or “not to exceed” contracts (representing approximately 1% of total revenues). Time and material contracts are typically based on the number of hours worked at contractually agreed upon rates. These service contracts relate to work which have no alternative use and for which the Company has an enforceable right to payment for the work completed to date. As a result, revenue is recognized over time when or as the Company transfers control of the promised products or services (known as performance obligations) to its customers. Revenue for short term fixed fee contracts or “not to exceed” contracts is recognized similarly, except that certain milestones also have to be reached before revenue is recognized. If the Company determines that a contract will result in a loss, the Company recognizes the estimated loss in the period in which such determination is made.

Cash Equivalents

For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, cash equivalents include investments in a money market obligations trust that is registered under the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are recorded at their estimated realizable value. Accounts are deemed past due when payment has not been received within the stated time period. The Company’s policy is to review individual past due amounts periodically and write off amounts for which all collection efforts are deemed to have been exhausted. Due to the nature of the Company’s customers, bad debts are mainly accounted for using the direct write-off method whereby an expense is recognized only when a specific balance is determined to be uncollectible in full. The effect of using this method approximates that of the allowance method. However, in the event the Company determines that the collectability of any account receivable reaches a certain uncertainty threshold, the Company will provide an allowance for doubtful account to reduce said balance. Accordingly, as of October 31, 2021 the Company provided an allowance of approximately $5.2 million, to cover the full balance of a customer account receivable. Nevertheless, the Company will continue to monitor this account and actively seek full payment from this customer.

Income Taxes

The Company follows an asset and liability approach method of accounting for income taxes. This method measures deferred income taxes by applying enacted statutory rates in effect at the balance sheet date to the differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts on the financial statements. The resulting deferred tax assets or liabilities are adjusted to reflect changes in tax laws as they occur. A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized.

The Company follows guidance from the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) related to Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, which includes a two-step approach to recognizing, de-recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. As of January 31, 2022, the Company had no significant uncertain tax positions that would be reduced as a result of a lapse of the applicable statute of limitations.

Leases

The Company follows accounting standards issued by the FASB for the accounting and disclosure of leases. Under those standards, assets and liabilities that arise from leases are recognized on the balance sheet, and the leases are categorized at their inception as either operating or finance leases.

Operating lease right-of-use assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments under the lease. Lease recognition occurs at the commencement date, and lease liability amounts are based on the present value of lease payments made during the lease term.

Property and Equipment

Owned property and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation of owned assets are provided for, when placed in service, in amounts sufficient to relate the cost of depreciable assets to operations over their estimated service lives, using straight-line basis. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed when incurred. As of January 31, 2022 and October 31, 2021, the accumulated depreciation amounted to $551,589 and $538,384, respectively.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

The Company evaluates for impairment its long-lived assets to be held and used, and long-lived assets to be disposed of, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Based on management estimates, no impairment of the long-lived assets was present as of January 31, 2022 and October 31, 2021.

Stock-based Compensation

Stock-based compensation expense is recognized in the consolidated financial statements based on the fair value of the awards granted. Stock-based compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and is recognized as expense over the requisite service period, which generally represents the vesting period, and includes an estimate of awards that will be forfeited. The Company calculates the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model at the grant date, while for restricted stock units the fair market value of the units is determined by Company’s share market value at grant date. Excess tax benefits related to stock-based compensation are reflected as cash flows from financing activities rather than cash flows from operating activities. The Company has not recognized such cash flows from financing activities since there has been no tax benefit related to the stock-based compensation.

Earnings Per Share of Common Stock

Basic earnings per share of common stock is calculated by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per share includes the dilution of common stock equivalents, which include principally shares that may be issued upon the exercise of warrants, stock option and restricted stock unit awards.

The diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding were calculated using the treasury stock method for the respective periods.

Foreign Operations

The functional currency of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is its local currency. The assets and liabilities of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Income and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates prevailing during the period. The cumulative translation effect for subsidiaries using a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar is included as a cumulative translation adjustment in stockholders’ equity and as a component of comprehensive income.

The Company’s intercompany accounts are typically denominated in the functional currency of the foreign subsidiary. Gains and losses resulting from the remeasurement of intercompany receivables that the Company considers to be of a long-term investment nature are recorded as a cumulative translation adjustment in stockholders’ equity and as a component of comprehensive income, while gains and losses resulting from the remeasurement of intercompany receivables from those international subsidiaries for which the Company anticipates settlement in the foreseeable future are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations.

Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the filing date of this report. The Company has determined that there are no events occurring in this period that required disclosure or adjustment, except as disclosed in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the January 31, 2021 condensed consolidated financial statements to conform them to the January 31, 2022 condensed consolidated financial statements presentation. Such reclassifications do not affect net income as previously reported.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent accounting pronouncements pending adoption not discussed above or in the Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2021 are either not applicable or will not have or are not expected to have a material impact on us.

NOTE B - INCOME TAXES

On December 22, 2017, Public Law 115-97, commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Tax Reform”), was enacted. The Tax Reform imposed a mandatory one-time transition tax (the “Transition Tax”) over foreign subsidiaries undistributed earnings and profits (“E&Ps”) earned prior to a date set by the statute. Based on the Company’s E&Ps, the Transition Tax was determined to be approximately $2.7 million. The Transition Tax liability must be paid over a period of eight years which started with the Company’s second quarter of fiscal year 2019. In the past, most of these E&Ps’ were not repatriated since such E&Ps’ were considered to be reinvested indefinitely in the foreign location, therefore no US tax liability was incurred unless the E&Ps were repatriated as a dividend. After December 31, 2017, the Tax Reform has established a 100% tax exemption on the foreign-source portion of dividends received attributable to E&Ps, with certain limitations. However, foreign subsidiaries earnings are subject to U.S. tax at a reduced rate of 10.5%.

In June 2011, Pharma-Bio, Pharma-PR and Pharma-Serv obtained a Grant of Industrial Tax Exemption pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in Act No. 73 of May 28, 2008 (“the Grant”) issued by the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (“PRIDCO”). The Grant was effective as of November 1, 2009 and covers a fifteen-year period. The Grant provides relief on various Puerto Rico taxes, including income tax, with certain limitations, for most of the activities carried on within Puerto Rico, including those that are for services to parties located outside of Puerto Rico. Industrial Development Income (“IDI”) covered under the Grant are subject to a fixed income tax rate of 4%. In addition, IDI earnings distributions accumulated since November 1, 2009 are exempt from Puerto Rico earnings distribution tax.

Puerto Rico operations not covered in the exempt activities of the Grant are subject to Puerto Rico income tax at a maximum tax rate of 37.5% as provided by the 1994 Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code, as amended. The operations carried out in the United States by the Company’s subsidiaries, is taxed in the United States at a maximum regular federal income tax rate of 21%.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are computed for differences between the consolidated financial statements and tax bases of assets and liabilities that will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future, based on enacted tax laws and rates applicable to the periods in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income.

Pharma-PR, Pharma-Serv and Scienza Labs have established an allowance against a customer account receivable which represents a potential deferred tax asset for those subsidiaries. However, an allowance has been provided covering the total amount of the potential deferred tax assets since it is uncertain whether they can be used in the future. Realization of future tax benefits related to a deferred tax asset is dependent on many factors. Accordingly, the income tax benefit will be recognized when realization is determined to be more probable than not. Also, a deferred tax asset resulting from Pharma-Spain carryforward losses was fully allowed, however the remaining carryforward losses for Pharma-Spain were not significant.

The Company files income tax returns in the United States (federal and various states jurisdictions), Puerto Rico, Spain and Brazil. The 2017 (2016 for Puerto Rico) through 2020 tax years are open and may be subject to potential examination in one or more jurisdictions. Currently, the Company has no federal, state, Puerto Rico or foreign income tax examination.

NOTE C – EARNINGS PER SHARE

The following data shows the amounts used in the calculations of basic and diluted earnings per share.

Options for the purchase of 160,000 and 80,000 shares of common stock for the three-month periods ended in January 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively, were not included in computing diluted earnings per share because their effects were antidilutive.

NOTE D – EQUITY TRANSACTIONS

On June 13, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the Company to repurchase up to two million shares of its outstanding common stock under the Company Stock Repurchase Program. The timing, manner, price and amount of any repurchases under the Company Stock Repurchase Program will be at the discretion of the Company, subject to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and related rules. The Company Stock Repurchase Program does not oblige the Company to repurchase any shares and it may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time and for any reason. No shares will be repurchased under the Company Stock Repurchase Program directly from directors or officers of the Company. To conserve cash due to the economic uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic, in April 2020 the Company suspended the purchases under the Company Stock Repurchase Program, though this was resumed in September 2021. As of January 31, 2022 and October 31, 2021, a total of 421,357 and 366,754 shares of the Company’s common stock were purchased under the Company Stock Repurchase Program for an aggregate amount of $412,431 and $357,272, respectively.

On November 15, 2021 the Board of Directors of the Company declared a cash dividend of $0.075 per common share for shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 15, 2021. Accordingly, an aggregate dividend payment of $1,722,391 was paid on January 3, 2022. Also, the Board of Directors of the Company declared, on February 7, 2022, a cash dividend of $0.075 per common share. This dividend was paid on March 15, 2022 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 25, 2022.

NOTE E - SEGMENT DISCLOSURES

The Company’s segments are based on the organizational structure for which financial results are regularly evaluated by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to determine resource allocation and assess performance. Each reportable segment is managed by its own management team and reports to executive management. The Company has three reportable segments: (i) Puerto Rico technical compliance consulting, (ii) United States technical compliance consulting, and (iii) Europe technical compliance consulting. These reportable segments provide services primarily to the pharmaceutical, chemical, medical device and biotechnology industries in their respective markets.

The following table presents information about the reported revenue from services and earnings from operations of the Company for the three-month periods ended January 31, 2022 and 2021. There is no intersegment revenue for the mentioned periods. Corporate expenses that support the operating units have been allocated to the segments. Asset information by reportable segment is not presented, since the Company does not produce such information internally, nor does it use such data to manage its business.

Long lived assets (property and equipment) as of January 31, 2022 and October 31, 2021, and related depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended January 31, 2022 and 2021, were concentrated in the corporate offices in Puerto Rico. Accordingly, depreciation expense and acquisition of property and equipment, as presented in the statements of cash flows are mainly related to the corporate offices.

NOTE F - CONCENTRATIONS OF RISK

Cash and cash equivalents

The Company’s domestic cash and cash equivalents consist of cash deposits in FDIC insured banks (substantially covered by FDIC insurance by the spread of deposits in multiple FDIC insured banks), a money market obligations trust registered under the US Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and U.S. Treasury securities with maturities of three months or less. In the foreign markets we serve, we also maintain cash deposits in foreign banks, which tend to be insignificant and have no specific insurance. No losses have been experienced or are expected with respect to deposits in these accounts.

Accounts receivable and revenues

Except as indicated in Note A for a specific customer account receivable, management deems all of the Company’s accounts receivable to be fully collectible, and, as such, does not maintain any allowances for uncollectible receivables.

The Company’s revenues, and the related receivables, are concentrated in the pharmaceutical industry in Puerto Rico, the United States, Spain and Brazil. Although a few customers represent a significant source of revenue, the Company’s functions are not a continuous process, accordingly, the client base for which the services are typically rendered, on a project-by-project basis, changes regularly.

The Company provided a substantial portion of its services to four customers, which accounted for 10% or more of its revenues in either of the three-month periods ended January 31, 2022 and 2021. During the three months ended January 31, 2022, revenues from these customers were 18.1%, 14.3%, 12.3% and 3.0%, or a total of 47.7%, as compared to the percentages for the same period last year of 20.1%, 10.6%, 6.3% and 15.4%, or a total of 52.4%, respectively. At January 31, 2022, amounts due from these customers represented 35.1% of the Company’s total accounts receivable balance.

The information related to major customers in the above paragraph is based on revenues earned from said customers at the segment level because in management’s opinion contracts by segments are totally independent of each other, and therefore such information is more meaningful to the reader. However, at the global level four customers accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s revenues in either of the three-month periods ended January 31, 2022 and 2021. During the three months ended January 31, 2022, aggregate revenues from these global groups of affiliated companies were 18.1%, 14.3%, 12.3% and 6.3%, or a total of 51.0%, as compared to the same period last year for 20.1%, 10.6%, 6.3% and 17.6%, or a total of 54.6%, respectively. At January 31, 2022 amounts due from these global groups of affiliated companies represented 39.2% of total accounts receivable balance.

NOTE G – SUBSEQUENT EVENT

The Board of Directors of the Company declared on February 7, 2022, a cash dividend of $0.075 per common share. This dividend was paid on March 15, 2022 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on February 25, 2022. 

On March 16, 2022, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors of the Company approved an increase to the quarterly retainer for each of the Company’s non-employee directors from $10,000 to $12,500 commencing with the year ending October 31, 2022 and a one-time cash bonus of $20,000 for each of the Company’s non-employee directors for the year ended October 31, 2021. 

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

The following discussion of our results of operations and financial condition should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the related notes included under Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In addition, reference should be made to our audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto, and related Management’s Discussion and Analysis appearing in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2021. The following discussion includes forward-looking statements. For a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ from results discussed in the forward-looking statements, see “Forward Looking Statements” below and the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2021 and this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Overview

We are a compliance and technology transfer services consulting firm with headquarters in Puerto Rico, servicing the Puerto Rico, United States, Europe and Brazil markets. The compliance consulting service sector in those markets consists of local compliance and validation consulting firms, United States dedicated validation and compliance consulting firms and large publicly traded and private domestic and foreign engineering and consulting firms. We provide a broad range of compliance related consulting services. We market our services to pharmaceutical, chemical, biotechnology, medical devices, cosmetics and food industries, and allied products companies in Puerto Rico, the United States, Europe and Brazil. Our consulting team includes experienced engineering and life science professionals, former quality assurance managers and directors, and professionals with bachelors, masters and doctorate degrees in health sciences and engineering.

We actively operate in Puerto Rico, the United States, Europe and Brazil and pursue to further expand these markets by strengthening our business development infrastructure and by constantly realigning our business strategies as new opportunities and challenges arise.

We market our services with an active presence in industry trade shows, professional conventions, industry publications and company provided seminars to the industry. Our senior management is also actively involved in the marketing process, especially in marketing to major accounts. Our senior management and staff also concentrate on developing new business opportunities and focus on the larger customer accounts (by number of consultants or dollar volume) and responding to prospective customers’ requests for proposals.

We consider our core business to be Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and international agencies regulatory compliance consulting related services.

The Company holds a tax grant issued by the Puerto Rico Industrial Development Company (“PRIDCO”), which provides relief on various Puerto Rico taxes, including income tax, with certain limitations, for most of the activities carried on within Puerto Rico, including those that are for services to parties located outside of Puerto Rico.

The following table sets forth information as to our revenue for the three-month periods ended January 31, 2022 and 2021, by geographic regions (dollars in thousands).

For the three-month period ended January 31, 2022, the Company’s total revenues were approximately $5.0 million, a net increase of approximately $0.5 million when compared to the same period last year. The US consulting market had a revenue increase in project of approximately $0.7 million, which was partially offset by a combined net decrease in project revenue in Europe, Brazil and Puerto Rico markets of approximately $0.2 million. When compared to the same period last year, gross profit decreased by 4.5 percentage points. The net decrease in gross profit percentage points is mainly attributable to overall lower margin projects in the Puerto Rico and the US markets for the three-month period ended January 31, 2022. Selling, general and administrative expenses were approximately $0.9 million, a decrease of approximately $0.1 million. The decrease is mainly attributable to a decrease in consulting fees, and other administrative and general expenses. These factors resulted in a net income of approximately $0.3 million for the three-month period ended January 31, 2022, reflecting no significant change when compared to the same period last year.

While we have not identified any material adverse effect resulting from the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, we continue to actively monitor the pandemic and any potential future impact it may have on our business and results of operations. The extent to which our operations will be impacted by the pandemic will depend largely on unknown developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be accurately predicted, including new information which may emerge concerning our customers, the severity of the pandemic and actions by government authorities to contain the outbreak or treat its impact, among other things.

Regional or global conflicts, including was or economic sanctions between nations, price inflation, the COVID-19 pandemic, the Puerto Rico government financial crisis, the Tax Reform, other tax reforms on the markets where we do business, bio-pharmaceutical industry consolidations, trends on managing contract resources, and the Puerto Rico Act 154-2010, all pose current and future challenges which may adversely affect our future performance. We believe that our future profitability and liquidity will be dependent on the effect the local and global economy, including any impacts of regional or global conflicts, price inflation, the COVID-19 pandemic, changes in tax laws, worldwide life science manufacturing industry consolidations, operational constraints imposed by our customers due to the coronavirus pandemic and resources management trends will have on our operations, and our ability to seek service opportunities and adapt to industry trends.

Results of Operations

The following table that sets forth our statements of operations for the three-month periods ended January 31, 2022 and 2021 (dollars in thousands, and as a percentage of revenues):

Revenues. For the three-month period ended January 31, 2022, the Company’s total revenues were approximately $5.0 million, a net increase of approximately $0.5 million when compared to the same period last year. The US consulting market had a revenue increase in projects of approximately $0.7 million, which was partially offset by a combined net decrease in projects revenue in Europe, Brazil and Puerto Rico markets of approximately $0.2 million.

Cost of Services; gross profit. For the three-month period ended January 31, 2022, cost of services were approximately $3.8 million, an increase of $0.6 million, when compared to the same period last year. When compared to the same period last year, gross profit decreased by 4.5 percentage points. The net decrease in gross profit percentage points is mainly attributable to overall lower margin projects in the Puerto Rico and US markets for the three-month period ended January 31, 2022.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. For the three-month period ended January 31, 2022, selling, general and administrative expenses were approximately $0.9 million, a decrease of approximately $0.1 million, when compared to the same period last year. The decrease is mainly attributable to a decrease in consulting fees, and other administrative and general expenses.

Net Income. Net income for the three months ended January 31, 2022 was approximately $0.3 million, reflecting no significant change when compared to the same period last year.

For the three-month period ended January 31, 2022, net income per common share for both basic and diluted was $0.013, an increase of $0.001 per share when compared to the same period last year.

 Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity is a measure of our ability to meet potential cash requirements, including planned capital expenditures. As of January 31, 2022, the Company had approximately $18.7 million in working capital.

On June 13, 2014, the Board of Directors of the Company authorized the Company to repurchase up to two million shares of its common stock (the “Repurchase Program”). The Repurchase Program does not have an expiration date. During the three-month period ended January 31, 2022, the Company repurchased 54,603 shares of its common stock. As of January 31, 2022, the Company has 1,578,643 shares of common stock available for future repurchases under the Repurchase Program.

Our primary cash needs consist of the payment of compensation to our consulting team, overhead expenses, and statutory taxes. Additionally, we may use cash for the repurchase of our common stock under the Company Stock Repurchase Program, capital expenditures and business development expenses. Management believes that based on the current level of working capital, operations and cash flows from operations, and the collectability of high-quality customer receivables are sufficient to fund anticipated expenses and satisfy other possible long-term contractual commitments.

To the extent that we pursue possible opportunities to expand our operations, either by acquisition or by the establishment of operations in a new market, we will incur additional overhead, and there may be a delay between the period we commence operations and our generation of net cash flow from operations.

While uncertainties relating to the current local and global economic condition, competition, the industries and geographical regions served by us and other regulatory matters exist within the consulting services industry, as described above, management is not aware of any other trends or events likely to have a material adverse effect on liquidity or its financial statements.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We were not involved in any significant off-balance sheet arrangement during the three months ended January 31, 2022.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

There were no material changes during the three months ended January 31, 2022 to the critical accounting policies reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021.

New Accounting Pronouncements

There were no new accounting standards issued since our filing of the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2021, which could have a significant effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Forward-Looking Statements

Our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and prospects, and the prevailing market price and performance of our common stock, may be adversely affected by a number of factors, including but not limited to, the factors set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2021 and this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Certain statements and information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as other written or oral statements made from time to time by us or by our authorized executive officers on our behalf, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include all statements other than those made solely with respect to historical fact and identified by words such as “believes”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “intends” and similar expressions, but such words are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. We intend for our forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and we set forth this statement and these risk factors in order to comply with such safe harbor provisions. You should note that our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or when made and we undertake no duty or obligation to update or revise our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Although we believe that the expectations, plans, intentions and projections reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. The risks, uncertainties and other factors that our stockholders and prospective investors should consider include, but are not limited to, those include the following: set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2021 and this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q .

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Based on an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, there has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during our last fiscal quarter identified in connection with that evaluation that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II– OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

From time to time, we may be a party to legal proceedings incidental to our business. Currently, there are no proceedings threatened or pending against us, which, if determined adversely to us, would have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations and cash flows.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

Except as set forth below, there have been no material changes to the risk factors included in our Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 2021.

War, terrorism, and other acts of violence may affect the markets in which we operate, our clients and our service delivery.

Our business may be adversely affected by regional or global instability, disruption or destruction, regardless of cause, including war, terrorism, riot, civil insurrection or social unrest. For example, the significant military action against Ukraine launched by Russia may affect the markets in which we operate. Such events may cause clients to delay their decisions on spending for the services provided by us and give rise to sudden significant changes in regional and global economic conditions and cycles. These events pose risks which could adversely affect our financial results.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS.

(c) The following table provides information about purchases by the Company of its shares of common stock during the three-month period ended January 31, 2022:

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION.

On March 16, 2022, upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the Board of Directors of the Company approved an increase to the quarterly retainer for each of the Company’s non-employee directors from $10,000 to $12,500 commencing with the year ending October 31, 2022 and a one-time cash bonus of $20,000 for each of the Company’s non-employee directors for the year ended October 31, 2021. 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

(a)     Exhibits:

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SIGNATURES

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