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QUALSTAR CORP - Quarter Report: 2005 March (Form 10-Q)

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
Form 10-Q
 
     
þ
  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005
 
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
    For the transition period from           to
Commission file number 000-30083
QUALSTAR CORPORATION
     
Incorporated under the laws   95-3927330
of the State of California
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
3990-B Heritage Oak Court
Simi Valley, CA 93063
(805) 583-7744
      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 þ          No o
      Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).     Yes o          No þ
      Total shares of common stock without par value outstanding at March 31, 2005 is 12,253,117.
 
 


 

QUALSTAR CORPORATION
FORM 10-Q
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005
Table of Contents
                 
        Page
         
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
  ITEM 1.     Financial Statements:        
        Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets — March 31, 2005 and June 30, 2004     3  
        Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations — Three months and nine months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004     4  
        Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows — Nine months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004     5  
        Consolidated Condensed Statement of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity — Nine months ended March 31, 2005     6  
        Notes to Interim Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements     7  
  ITEM 2.     Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations     11  
  ITEM 3.     Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk     16  
  ITEM 4.     Controls and Procedures     16  
 
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
  ITEM 4.     Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders     16  
  ITEM 6.     Exhibits     17  
Signatures     18  

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PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1. Financial Statements
QUALSTAR CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
March 31, 2005 and June 30, 2004
                     
    March 31,   June 30,
    2005   2004
         
    (Unaudited)    
    (In thousands)
ASSETS
Current assets:
               
 
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 2,434     $ 6,401  
 
Marketable securities
    31,663       29,376  
 
Receivables, net of allowances of $278 as of March 31, 2005, and $217 at June 30, 2004, respectively
    3,185       4,628  
 
Inventories
    7,648       7,418  
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    469       470  
 
Prepaid income taxes
    638       1,072  
 
Deferred income taxes
          594  
             
   
Total current assets
    46,037       49,959  
             
Property and equipment, net
    1,263       1,439  
Other assets
    209       249  
             
   
Total assets
  $ 47,509     $ 51,647  
             
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
               
 
Accounts payable
  $ 832     $ 1,171  
 
Accrued payroll and related liabilities
    486       500  
 
Other accrued liabilities
    1,254       1,754  
             
   
Total current liabilities
    2,572       3,425  
Deferred income taxes
          158  
Shareholders’ equity:
               
 
Common stock, no par value; 50,000 shares authorized, 12,253 and 12,596 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2005 and June 30, 2004, respectively
    18,370       20,121  
 
Notes from directors
          (45 )
 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (304 )     (101 )
 
Retained earnings
    26,871       28,089  
             
   
Total shareholders’ equity
    44,937       48,064  
             
   
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
  $ 47,509     $ 51,647  
             
See the accompanying notes to these interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

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QUALSTAR CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months and Nine Months Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004
                                   
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    March 31,   March 31,
         
    2005   2004   2005   2004
                 
    (Unaudited)
    (In thousands, except per share data)
Net revenues
  $ 5,742     $ 8,302     $ 18,439     $ 23,834  
Cost of goods sold
    3,881       5,295       11,934       14,993  
                         
Gross profit
    1,861       3,007       6,505       8,841  
                         
Operating expenses:
                               
 
Research and development
    904       1,070       2,722       3,291  
 
Sales and marketing
    822       910       2,537       2,648  
 
General and administrative
    924       1,697       2,992       4,484  
                         
Total operating expenses
    2,650       3,677       8,251       10,423  
                         
Loss from operations
    (789 )     (670 )     (1,746 )     (1,582 )
Investment income
    219       142       594       488  
                         
Loss before income taxes
    (570 )     (528 )     (1,153 )     (1,094 )
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    65       (182 )     65       (379 )
                         
Net loss
  $ (635 )   $ (346 )   $ (1,218 )   $ (715 )
                         
Loss per share:
                               
 
Basic
  $ (0.05 )   $ (0.03 )   $ (0.10 )   $ (0.06 )
                         
 
Diluted
  $ (0.05 )   $ (0.03 )   $ (0.10 )   $ (0.06 )
                         
Shares used to compute loss per share:
                               
 
Basic
    12,253       12,587       12,446       12,574  
                         
 
Diluted
    12,253       12,587       12,446       12,574  
                         
See the accompanying notes to these interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

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QUALSTAR CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For the Nine Months Ended March 31, 2005 and 2004
                     
    Nine Months Ended
    March 31,
     
    2005   2004
         
    (Unaudited)
    (In thousands)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
               
 
Net loss
  $ (1,218 )   $ (715 )
 
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
   
Depreciation and amortization
    349       314  
   
Provision for (recovery of) bad debts and returns
    (2 )     308  
   
Amortization of deferred compensation
          140  
   
Accrued interest on directors’ notes
          (5 )
   
Gain on sale of securities
    (11 )      
 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
   
Accounts receivable
    1,445       300  
   
Inventories
    (230 )     (40 )
   
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    5       (285 )
   
Prepaid income taxes
    434       208  
   
Deferred income taxes
    436        
   
Accounts payable
    (339 )     108  
   
Other accrued liabilities
    (514 )     392  
             
Net cash provided by operating activities
    355       725  
             
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
 
Purchases of property, equipment and leasehold improvements
    (137 )     (149 )
 
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities
    18,000       31,456  
 
Purchases of marketable securities
    (20,479 )     (34,865 )
             
Net cash used in investing activities
    (2,616 )     (3,558 )
             
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
 
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    76       38  
 
Repurchase of common stock
    (1,827 )     (314 )
 
Principal and interest payments on directors’ notes
    45       79  
             
Net cash used in financing activities
    (1,706 )     (197 )
             
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (3,967 )     (3,030 )
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    6,401       6,236  
             
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 2,434     $ 3,206  
             
Supplemental cash flow disclosure:
               
 
Income taxes paid
  $     $  
             
See the accompanying notes to these interim condensed consolidated financial statements.

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QUALSTAR CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Nine Months Ended March 31, 2005
                                                   
            Accumulated        
    Common Stock   Notes   Other        
        from   Comprehensive   Retained    
    Shares   Amount   Directors   Loss   Earnings   Total
                         
            (Unaudited)        
            (In thousands)        
Balance at June 30, 2004
    12,596     $ 20,121     $ (45 )   $ (101 )   $ 28,089     $ 48,064  
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    16       76                         76  
Retirement of shares pursuant to stock repurchase
    (359 )     (1,827 )                       (1,827 )
Principal and interest payments on directors’ notes
                45                   45  
Comprehensive loss:
                                               
 
Change in unrealized losses on investments
                      (203 )           (203 )
 
Net loss
                                    (1,218 )     (1,218 )
                                     
Comprehensive loss
                                            (1,421 )
                                     
Balance at March 31, 2005
    12,253     $ 18,370     $     $ (304 )   $ 26,871     $ 44,937  
                                     
See the accompanying notes to these condensed consolidated financial statements.

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QUALSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
March 31, 2005
(in thousands, except per share data)
(UNAUDITED)
NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
      The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited, except for the balance sheet at June 30, 2004 which is derived from our audited financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in Qualstar Corporation’s (“Qualstar,” “us,” “we,” or “our”) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on September 24, 2004. In the opinion of management, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting primarily of normal recurring items, which are necessary for the fair presentation of Qualstar’s consolidated financial position as of March 31, 2005, consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2005, and consolidated cash flows for the nine months ended March 31, 2005. Operating results for the three and nine month periods ended March 31, 2005 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for a full year.
NOTE 2. LOSS PER SHARE
      The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share for the three months and nine months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004:
                                   
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    March 31,   March 31,
         
    2005   2004   2005   2004
                 
Numerator:
                               
 
Net loss
  $ (635 )   $ (346 )   $ (1,218 )   $ (715 )
Denominator:
                               
 
Denominator for basic net loss per share — weighted average shares
    12,253       12,587       12,446       12,574  
 
Dilutive potential common shares from employee stock options and restricted stock
                       
                         
 
Denominator for diluted net loss per share — adjusted weighted average shares and assumed conversions
    12,253       12,587       12,446       12,574  
                         
Basic net loss per share
  $ (0.05 )   $ (0.03 )   $ (0.10 )   $ (0.06 )
                         
Diluted net loss per share
  $ (0.05 )   $ (0.03 )   $ (0.10 )   $ (0.06 )
                         
      All shares related to stock options are excluded for the three months and nine months ended March 31, 2005, and 2004, respectively, from the computation of diluted loss per share as the effect would have been antidilutive.
NOTE 3. STOCK BASED COMPENSATION
      Employee stock options are accounted for under Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” as amended and interpreted, which requires recognition of expense when the option price is less than the fair value of the stock at the date of grant. Qualstar generally awards options for a fixed number of shares at an option price equal to the fair value at the date of grant. Qualstar has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s

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QUALSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
(FASB) Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (SFAS 123).
      If the Company recognized employee stock option-related compensation expense in accordance with SFAS 123 and used the minimum value method for grants prior to the Company’s initial public offering and the Black-Scholes method model afterward for determining the weighted average fair value of options granted, the Company’s net loss and loss per share would have been increased to the pro forma amounts indicated below:
                                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    March 31,   March 31,
         
    2005   2004   2005   2004
                 
Net loss as reported
  $ (635 )   $ (346 )   $ (1,218 )   $ (715 )
Stock-based employee compensation cost included in reported net income (loss)
          11             140  
Pro forma stock-based employee compensation cost under SFAS 123
    (68 )     (128 )     (204 )     (384 )
                         
Pro forma net loss
  $ (703 )   $ (463 )   $ (1,422 )   $ (959 )
                         
Loss per share:
                               
Basic — as reported
  $ (0.05 )   $ (0.03 )   $ (0.10 )   $ (0.06 )
                         
Basic — pro forma
  $ (0.06 )   $ (0.04 )   $ (0.11 )   $ (0.08 )
                         
Diluted — as reported
  $ (0.05 )   $ (0.03 )   $ (0.10 )   $ (0.06 )
                         
Diluted — pro forma
  $ (0.06 )   $ (0.04 )   $ (0.11 )   $ (0.08 )
                         
Basic Weighted Average Shares
    12,253       12,587       12,446       12,574  
Diluted Weighted Average Shares
    12,253       12,587       12,446       12,574  
NOTE 4. MARKETABLE SECURITIES
      Marketable securities consist primarily of high-quality U.S. corporate securities and U.S. federal government and state government debt securities. These securities are classified in one of three categories: trading, available-for-sale, or held-to-maturity. Trading securities are bought and held principally for the purpose of selling them in the near term. Held-to-maturity securities are those securities which Qualstar has the ability and intent to hold until maturity. All other securities not included in trading or held-to-maturity are classified as available-for-sale. All of Qualstar’s marketable securities were classified as available-for-sale at March 31, 2005 and June 30, 2004.
      Available-for-sale securities are recorded at market value. Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the related income tax effect, on available-for-sale securities are excluded from earnings and are reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity until realized. Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned. Realized gains and losses for securities classified as available-for-sale are included in earnings when the underlying securities are sold and are derived using the specific identification method for determining the cost of securities sold.
      On March 31, 2004, the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) reached a consensus on Issue No. 03-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments”, (EIFT 03-1) effective for annual financial statements with fiscal years ending after June 15, 2004. EITF 03-1 provides guidance for determining when an investment is other-than-temporarily impaired, and states that an investment is considered other-than-temporarily impaired when its fair value is less than its amortized cost

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QUALSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
basis and is deemed other than temporary. In accordance with EITF 03-1, the Company recognized an impairment loss for other-than-temporary decline in investments of $160,000 equal to the difference between the amortized cost basis and its fair value in the three month period ended June 30, 2004. The Company disposed of this investment in the three month period ended March 31, 2005 and recognized a gain of $11,000 against the $160,000 impairment loss previously recognized. The application of EITF 03-1 to the Company’s marketable securities portfolio has not resulted in the identification of an other-than-temporarily impaired investment in the three and nine month periods ended March 31, 2005.
NOTE 5. INVENTORIES
      Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis) or market. Inventory is comprised as follows:
                 
    March 31, 2005   June 30, 2004
         
Raw materials
  $ 6,629     $ 6,370  
Finished goods
    1,019       1,048  
             
    $ 7,648     $ 7,418  
             
NOTE 6. COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
      For the nine months ended March 31, 2005 and 2004, comprehensive loss amounted to approximately $1,421,000 and $826,000, respectively. The difference between net loss and comprehensive loss relates to the changes in the unrealized losses or gains the Company recorded for its available-for-sale securities.
NOTE 7. STOCK REPURCHASE
      On February 12, 2003, the Company announced that the Board of Directors had authorized a stock repurchase program of up to 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The stock repurchase is funded by available working capital. There is no time limit for the completion of the stock repurchase program and it may be discontinued at any time. During the three month period ended March 31, 2005, the Company did not repurchase any of its common shares. From February 12, 2003 through March 31, 2005, the Company repurchased 498,559 shares of its common stock at a total cost of $2,484,961, or an average price of $4.98 per share.
NOTE 8. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
      We are not currently a party to any material legal proceeding. We may from time to time become involved in litigation relating to claims arising in the ordinary course of business. These claims, even if not meritorious, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources.
NOTE 9. INCOME TAXES
      The Company does not record deferred taxes on domestic pretax income or losses due to the availability of net operating loss carryforwards which have been fully reserved through valuation allowances and due to the uncertainty surrounding the timing of realizing net operating loss carryforwards generated in the current period in future periods.
      The Company had a prior fiscal year under audit by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), for which the IRS issued a no change opinion in the quarter ended March 31, 2005.

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QUALSTAR CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — (Continued)
NOTE 10. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
      On December 16, 2004, the FASB issued FASB Statement No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-Based Payment (SFAS 123(R), which is a revision of FASB Statement No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. SFAS 123(R) supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and amends FASB Statement No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows. Generally, the approach in SFAS 123(R) is similar to the approach described in Statement 123. However, SFAS 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the income statement based on their fair values. Pro forma disclosure is no longer an alternative.
      SFAS 123(R) must be adopted no later than July 1, 2005. Early adoption will be permitted in periods in which financial statements have not yet been issued. We expect to adopt SFAS 123(R) on July 1, 2005.
      SFAS 123(R) permits public companies to adopt its requirements using one of two methods. The first method is a modified prospective transition method whereby a company would recognize share-based employee costs from the beginning of the fiscal period in which the recognition provisions are first applied as if the fair-value-based accounting method had been used to account for all employee awards granted, modified, or settled after the effective date and to any awards that were not fully vested as of the effective date. Measurement and attribution of compensation cost for awards that are nonvested as of the effective date of SFAS 123(R) would be based on the same estimate of the grant-date fair value and the same attribution method used previously under SFAS 123.
      The second adoption method is a modified retrospective transition method whereby a company would recognize employee compensation cost for periods presented prior to the adoption of SFAS 123(R) in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS 123; that is, an entity would recognize employee compensation cost in the amounts reported in the pro forma disclosures provided in accordance with SFAS 123. A company would not be permitted to make any changes to those amounts upon adoption of SFAS 123(R) unless those changes represent a correction of an error. For periods after the date of adoption of SFAS 123(R), the modified prospective transition method described above would be applied.
      The Company currently expects to adopt SFAS 123(R) using the modified prospective transition method, and expects the adoption to have an effect on Qualstar’s results of operations similar to the amounts reported historically in the Company’s footnotes under the pro forma disclosure provisions of SFAS 123.

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ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
      Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q concerning the future business, operating results and financial condition of Qualstar are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements inherently are subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which we cannot predict or quantify. Our actual results may differ materially from the results projected in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2004 in “ITEM 1 Business,” including the section therein entitled “Risk Factors,” and in “ITEM 7-Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” You generally can identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believes,” “may,” “expects,” “intends,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “seeks,” or “continues,” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of events or circumstances in the future.
OVERVIEW
      We design, develop, manufacture and sell automated magnetic tape libraries used to store, retrieve and manage electronic data primarily in network computing environments. We offer tape libraries for multiple tape drive technologies including AIT, Super AIT, SuperDLT, and LTO tape drives and media.
      We have developed a network of value added resellers who specialize in delivering complete storage solutions to end users. End users of our products range from small businesses requiring simple automated backup solutions to large organizations needing complex storage management solutions. We also sell our products to original equipment manufacturers who incorporate our products with theirs, which they sell as a complete system or solution. We assist our customers with marketing and technical support.
      In July 2002, we purchased the assets of N2Power, Incorporated, a supplier of ultra small high efficiency open-frame switching power supplies. Power supplies provided by N2Power are utilized within our tape library products as well as sold to original equipment manufacturers for incorporation into their products. N2Power products are sold under the N2Power brand name as well as under a private label brand name through independent sales representatives and distributors. Revenues from N2Power products have not been material as a percentage of total revenues for fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
      Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to customer promotional offers, sales returns, bad debts, inventories, warranty costs, investments, and income taxes. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
      We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
      Revenue is recognized upon shipment of product to our customers. Title and risk of loss transfer to the customer when the product leaves our dock in Simi Valley, California, or another shipping location designated by us. In general, these customers are allowed to return the product, free of penalty, within thirty days of

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shipment, if the product does not meet specifications. Revenues from technical support services and other services are recognized at the time services are performed.
      We record an allowance for estimated sales returns based on past experience and current knowledge of our customer base. Our experience has been such that only a very small percentage of libraries are returned. Should our experience change, however, we may require additional allowances for sales returns.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
      We estimate our allowance for doubtful accounts based on an assessment of the collectibility of specific accounts and the overall condition of accounts receivable. In evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts, we analyze specific trade receivables, historical bad debts, customer credits, customer credit-worthiness and changes in customers’ payment terms and patterns. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make additional payments, then we may need to make additional allowances. Likewise, if we determine that we could realize more of our receivables in the future than previously estimated, we would adjust the allowance to increase income in the period we made this determination.
Inventory Valuation
      We record inventories at the lower of cost or market value. We assess the value of our inventories periodically based upon numerous factors including expected product or material demand, current market conditions, technological obsolescence, current cost and net realizable value. If necessary, we write down our inventory for estimated obsolescence, potential shrinkage, or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If technology changes more rapidly than expected, or market conditions become less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required.
Warranty Obligations
      We provide for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time revenue is recognized. We engage in extensive product quality programs and processes, including active monitoring and evaluation of product failure rates, material usage and estimation of service delivery costs incurred in correcting a product failure. However, should actual product failure rates, material usage, or service delivery costs differ from our estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability would be required. Historically our warranty costs have not been significant.
Accounting for Income Taxes
      We estimate our tax liability based on current tax laws in the statutory jurisdictions in which we operate. These estimates include judgments about deferred tax assets and liabilities resulting from temporary differences between assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting purposes and such amounts recognized for tax purposes, as well as about the realization of deferred tax assets.
      We maintain a valuation allowance to offset our deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty surrounding the timing of realizing the benefits of these deferred tax assets in future years. We have considered future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for such a valuation allowance. In the event we were to determine that we would be able to realize all or part of our net deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment to the deferred tax asset would be charged to income in the period such determination was made.
      We may periodically undergo examinations by the federal and state regulatory authorities and the Internal Revenue Service. We may be assessed additional taxes and or penalties contingent on the outcome of these examinations. Our previous examinations have not resulted in any unfavorable or significant assessments.

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      The Company had a prior fiscal year under audit by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”), for which the IRS issued a no change opinion in the quarter ended March 31, 2005.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
      The following table reflects, as a percentage of net revenues, statements of operations data for the periods indicated:
                                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    March 31,   March 31,
         
    2005   2004   2005   2004
                 
Net revenues
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
Cost of goods sold
    67.6       63.8       64.7       62.9  
                         
Gross profit
    32.4       36.2       35.3       37.1  
                         
Operating expenses:
                               
Research and development
    15.7       12.9       14.8       13.8  
Sales and marketing
    14.3       11.0       13.8       11.1  
General and administrative
    16.1       20.4       16.2       18.8  
                         
Total operating expenses
    46.1       44.3       44.8       43.7  
                         
Loss from operations
    (13.7 )     (8.1 )     (9.5 )     (6.6 )
Investment income
    3.8       1.7       3.2       2.0  
                         
Loss before income taxes
    (9.9 )     (6.4 )     (6.3 )     (4.6 )
Provision (benefit) for income taxes
    1.1       (2.2 )     0.4       (1.6 )
                         
Net loss
    (11.0 )%     (4.2 )%     (6.7 )%     (3.0 )%
                         
      Revenues are recognized upon shipment of the product to the customer, less estimated returns, for which provision is made at the time of sale. The following table summarizes our revenue by major product line:
                                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    March 31,   March 31,
         
    2005   2004   2005   2004
                 
Tape library revenues:
                               
TLS
    45.4 %     56.9 %     51.2 %     58.3 %
RLS
    14.1       17.5       13.0       16.0  
                         
      59.5       74.4       64.2       74.3  
                         
Other revenues:
                               
Service
    10.9       5.8       10.4       7.3  
Media
    10.5       11.7       10.0       9.4  
Power Supplies, Spares, Upgrades, 9 Track
    19.1       8.1       15.4       9.0  
                         
      100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
                         
Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2004.
      Net Revenues. Revenues are recognized upon shipment of the product to the customer, less estimated returns, for which provision is made at the time of sale. Net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2005 were $5.7 million, compared with net revenues of $8.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004, a decrease of $2.6 million. The decrease in revenues is attributed to lower revenues from tape libraries incorporating AIT and SAIT tape drives and the completion of a large shipment of RLS tape libraries to a video surveillance OEM in the third quarter of fiscal 2004. There were no customers providing greater than 10% of our revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2005.

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      Gross Profit. Gross profit represents the difference between our net revenues and cost of goods sold. Cost of goods sold consists primarily of purchased parts, direct and indirect labor costs, rent, technical support costs, depreciation of plant and equipment, utilities, and packaging costs. Gross profit was $1.9 million, or 32.4% of net revenues, for the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to $3.0 million, or 36.2% of net revenues, for the three months ended March 31, 2004. The decline in gross profit was primarily the result of lower overhead absorption.
      Research and Development. Research and development expenses consist of engineering salaries, benefits, outside consultant fees, and purchased parts and supplies used in development activities. Research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2005 were $904,000, or 15.7% of net revenues, as compared to $1.1 million, or 12.9% of net revenues, for the three months ended March 31, 2004. The decrease in research and development expenses in absolute dollars was due to lower compensation expense resulting from fewer employees, lower prototype material costs incurred by our Advanced Development Group, as the multi-year development initiative that was established to develop a new line of enterprise-class tape libraries moves towards completion, and lower expense associated with libraries shipped to independent software vendors.
      Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of employee salaries and benefits, sales commissions, trade show costs, advertising and travel related expenses. Sales and marketing expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2005 were $822,000, or 14.3% of net revenues, compared to $910,000, or 11.0% of net revenues, for the three months ended March 31, 2004. The decrease in sales and marketing expenses in absolute dollars was primarily due to lower commissions related to lower revenues.
      General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses include employee salaries and benefits, deferred compensation related to stock options and restricted stock, provision for doubtful accounts and professional service fees. General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2005 were $924,000, or 16.1% of net revenues, compared with $1.7 million, or 20.4% of net revenues, for the three months ended March 31, 2004. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was due to a decrease in compensation expense resulting from fewer employees, lower bad debt expense, and the absence of legal costs related to the Company’s dispute with Raytheon Company. The dispute with Raytheon was settled in April 2004.
      Investment Income. Investment income was $219,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2005, compared to $142,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004. The increase is attributed to lowering the average duration of our portfolio to capture the higher short term yields available in the current higher interest rate environment.
      Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes. We recorded a provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2005 of $65,000, as compared to a benefit for income taxes of $182,000, for the three months ended March 31, 2004. In the third quarter of fiscal 2005, we did not have any net operating loss carryback availability, and due to uncertainty surrounding the timing of realizing our net deferred tax assets, we recorded a valuation allowance that was partially offset by the recognition of R&D credits to be received.
Nine Months Ended March 31, 2005 Compared to Nine Months Ended March 31, 2004.
      Net Revenues. Net revenues for the nine months ended March 31, 2005 were $18.4 million, compared with net revenues of $23.8 million for the nine months ended March, 2004, a decrease of $5.4 million. The decrease in revenues is attributed to lower revenues from tape libraries incorporating AIT and SAIT tape drives. Revenue was higher in the first nine months of fiscal 2004 primarily due to a large shipment of RLS tape libraries to a video surveillance OEM. There were no customers providing greater than 10% of our revenues for the nine months ended March 31, 2005.
      Gross Profit. Gross profit was $6.5 million, or 35.3% of net revenues, for the nine months ended March 31, 2005, compared to $8.8 million, or 37.1% of net revenues, for the nine months ended March 31, 2004. The decline in gross profit was primarily the result of lower overhead absorption.

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      Research and Development. Research and development expenses for the nine months ended March 31, 2005 were $2.7 million or 14.8% of net revenues, as compared to $3.3 million, or 13.8% of net revenues, for the nine months ended March 31, 2004. The decrease in research and development expenses in absolute dollars was due to lower compensation expense resulting from fewer employees, lower prototype material costs incurred by our Advanced Development Group, as the multi-year development initiative that was established to develop a new line of enterprise-class tape libraries moves towards completion, and lower expense associated with libraries shipped to independent software vendors.
      Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expenses for the nine months ended March 31, 2005 were $2.5 million, or 13.8% of net revenues, compared to $2.6 million, or 11.1% of net revenues, for the nine months ended March 31, 2004. The decrease in sales and marketing expenses in absolute dollars was primarily due to lower commission expenses related to lower revenues during the nine months ended March 31, 2005.
      General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses for the nine months ended March 31, 2005 were $3.0 million, or 16.2% of net revenues, compared with $4.5 million, or 18.8% of net revenues, for the nine months ended March 31, 2004. The decrease in general and administrative expenses was due to a decrease in compensation expense resulting from fewer employees, the absence of the deferred stock compensation amortization related to stock options and restricted stock, lower bad debt expense, and the absence of legal costs related to the Company’s dispute with Raytheon Company. The dispute with Raytheon was settled in April 2004.
      Investment Income. Investment income was $594,000 in the nine months ended March 31, 2005, compared to $488,000 for the nine months ended March 31, 2004. The increase is attributed to lowering the average duration of our portfolio to capture the higher short-term yields available in the current higher interest rate environment.
      Provision (Benefit) for Income Taxes. We recorded a provision for income taxes for the nine months ended March 31, 2005 of $65,000, as compared to a benefit for income taxes of $379,000, for the nine months ended March 31, 2004. In the nine months ended March 31, 2005, we did not have any net operating loss carryback availability, and due to uncertainty surrounding the timing of realizing our net deferred tax assets, we recorded a valuation allowance that was partially offset by the recognition of R&D credits to be received.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
      Historically, we have funded our capital requirements with cash provided by operations. Net cash provided by operating activities was $355,000 in the nine months ended March 31, 2005 as compared to cash provided by operations of $725,000 in the nine months ended March 31, 2004. For the nine months ended March 31, 2005, cash was provided by operating activities primarily by reductions in accounts receivable and deferred taxes, and the receipt of a cash refund from the Internal Revenue Service, partially offset by a decrease in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities. For the nine months ended March 31, 2004, cash was provided by operating activities primarily by a reduction in accounts receivable and an increase in other accrued liabilities, partially offset by an increase in prepaid expenses.
      Cash used in investing activities was $2.6 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2005, primarily attributed to the purchase of marketable securities. Cash used by investing activities during the first nine months of fiscal 2004 was $3.6 million related primarily to the purchase of marketable securities.
      Cash used in financing activities was $1.7 million during the first nine months of fiscal 2005, primarily attributed to the repurchase of 359,082 shares of our common stock. Cash used by investing activities during the first nine months of fiscal 2004 was $197,000 related primarily to the repurchase of 62,910 shares of our common stock.
      As of March 31, 2005, we had $2.4 million in cash and cash equivalents and $31.7 million in marketable securities. We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents and anticipated cash flows from our operating activities, plus funds available from the sale of our marketable securities, will be sufficient to fund our working capital and capital expenditure needs for at least the next 12 months. We may utilize cash to invest in businesses, products or technologies that we believe are strategic. We regularly evaluate other

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companies and technologies for possible investment by us. In addition, we have made and may in the future make investments in companies with whom we have identified potential synergies. However, we have no present commitments or agreements with respect to any material acquisition of other businesses or technologies.
ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
      We develop products in the United States and sell them worldwide. As a result, our financial results could be affected by factors such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates or weak economic conditions in foreign markets. As all sales are currently made in U.S. dollars, a strengthening of the U.S. dollar could make our products less competitive in foreign markets. Our interest income is sensitive to changes in the general level of U.S. interest rates, particularly since the majority of our investments are in short-term instruments. We have no outstanding debt nor do we utilize derivative financial instruments. Therefore, no quantitative tabular disclosures are required.
ITEM 4. 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 the design and operation of Qualstar’s disclosure controls and procedures as of March 31, 2005, pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms, and to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
      We did not make any changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the third quarter of fiscal 2005 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
      The following matters were voted upon at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company held on March 17, 2005:
        1. The following persons were elected as directors to serve a one year term expiring at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held in 2006 or until their successors are elected and qualified:
                 
    Number of Votes Cast
     
Name   For   Authority
         
        Withheld
William J. Gervais
    9,829,461       1,584,901  
Richard A. Nelson
    9,829,461       1,584,901  
Carl W. Gromada
    11,383,055       31,307  
Jose M. Miyar
    11,382,555       31,807  
Robert E. Rich
    11,383,055       31,307  
Robert T. Webber
    11,382,555       31,807  

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ITEM 6. Exhibits
      (a) Exhibits:
         
Exhibit    
No.   Description
     
  31 .1   Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
  31 .2   Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
  32 .1   Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
  32 .2   Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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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.
  QUALSTAR CORPORATION
  By:  /s/ WILLIAM J. GERVAIS
 
 
  William J. Gervais
  President, Chief Executive Officer
Dated: May 13, 2005
  By:  /s/ FREDERIC T. BOYER
 
 
  Frederic T. Boyer
  Principal Financial Officer
Dated: May 13, 2005

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EXHIBIT INDEX
         
Exhibit    
No.   Description
     
  31 .1   Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
  31 .2   Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
  32 .1   Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
  32 .2   Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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