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STARRETT L S CO - Quarter Report: 2015 December (Form 10-Q)

scx20151231_10q.htm

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D. C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

  

  

  

For the quarterly period ended

December 31, 2015

  

  

OR

  

  

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

 

 

For the transition period from

  

to

  

      

  

Commission file number

1-367

 

THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

MASSACHUSETTS

  

04-1866480

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

  

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

121 CRESCENT STREET, ATHOL, MASSACHUSETTS

01331-1915

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code

978-249-3551

  

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

  

YES ☒    NO ☐

 

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

 

YES ☒     NO ☐

 

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

 

Large Accelerated Filer ☐         Accelerated Filer ☒         Non-Accelerated Filer ☐         Smaller Reporting Company ☐

 

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

  

YES ☐    NO ☒

 

 

Common Shares outstanding as of

 

January 31, 2016

  

  

 

  

Class A Common Shares

 

6,240,537

  

  

 

  

Class B Common Shares

 

775,081

  

 

 
1

 

 

 THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY

 

CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

Page No.

 

 

 

 

Part I.

Financial Information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets – December 31, 2015 (unaudited) and June 30, 2015

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations – three and six months ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (unaudited)

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) – three and six months ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (unaudited)

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity – six months ended December 31, 2015 (unaudited)

6

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - six months ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (unaudited)

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

8-12

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

12-15

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

15

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

15

       
Part II. Other Information:  
       
  Item 1A. Risk Factors 15
       
  Item 6. Exhibits 16
       
SIGNATURES   17

 

 

 
2

 

 

PART I.                      FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1.                      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands except share data)

 

   

December 31,

2015

(unaudited)

   

June 30,

2015

 
                 

ASSETS

               

Current assets:

               

Cash

  $ 18,380     $ 11,108  

Short-term investments

    -       7,855  

Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful accounts of $698 and $612, respectively)

    31,204       40,311  

Inventories

    58,262       63,003  

Current deferred income tax assets

    4,143       4,554  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

    6,200       6,582  

Total current assets

    118,189       133,413  
                 

Property, plant and equipment, net

    42,940       44,413  

Income taxes receivable

    3,103       3,383  

Deferred income tax assets, net of current portion

    18,782       18,803  

Intangible assets, net

    6,783       7,125  

Goodwill

    3,034       3,034  

Other assets

    2,170       2,101  

Total assets

  $ 195,001     $ 212,272  
                 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

               

Current liabilities:

               

Notes payable and current maturities of long-term debt

  $ 1,516     $ 1,552  

Accounts payable

    8,148       9,471  

Accrued expenses

    5,876       7,011  

Accrued compensation

    3,479       5,565  

Total current liabilities

    19,019       23,599  
                 

Long-term debt, net of current portion

    17,889       18,552  

Other income tax obligations

    4,680       4,607  

Deferred income tax liabilities

    1,489       1,548  

Postretirement benefit and pension obligations

    48,152       49,536  

Total liabilities

    91,229       97,842  
                 

Stockholders' equity:

               

Class A Common stock $1 par (20,000,000 shares authorized; 6,239,083 outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 6,223,558 outstanding at June 30, 2015)

    6,239       6,224  

Class B Common stock $1 par (10,000,000 shares authorized; 780,474 outstanding at December 31, 2015 and 789,069 outstanding at June 30, 2015)

    780       789  

Additional paid-in capital

    55,010       54,869  

Retained earnings

    97,037       98,164  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    (55,294

)

    (45,616

)

Total stockholders' equity

    103,772       114,430  

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $ 195,001     $ 212,272  

  

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 
3

 

 

THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(in thousands except per share data) (unaudited)

 

   

3 Months Ended

   

6 Months Ended

 
   

12/31/2015

   

12/31/2014

   

12/31/2015

   

12/31/2014

 
                                 

Net sales

  $ 53,671     $ 63,821     $ 104,709     $ 123,993  

Cost of goods sold

    37,672       41,657       72,858       82,686  

Gross margin

    15,999       22,164       31,851       41,307  

% of Net sales

    29.8

%

    34.7

%

    30.4

%

    33.3

%

                                 
                                 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

    14,796       18,461       30,469       36,538  
                                 

Operating income

    1,203       3,703       1,382       4,769  
                                 

Other income (expense)

    (211

)

    620       92       1,295  
                                 

Income before income taxes

    992       4,323       1,474       6,064  
                                 

Income tax expense

    534       1,876       1,194       2,694  
                                 

Net income

  $ 458     $ 2,447     $ 280     $ 3,370  
                                 
                                 
                                 

Basic and diluted income per share

  $ 0.07     $ 0.35     $ 0.04     $ 0.48  
                                 

Weighted average outstanding shares used in per share calculations:

                               

Basic

    7,022       6,974       7,018       6,970  

Diluted

    7,043       7,012       7,050       7,010  
                                 
                                 
                                 

Dividends per share

  $ 0.10     $ 0.10     $ 0.20     $ 0.20  

 

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements 

 

 
4

 

  

THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 (in thousands) (unaudited)

 

   

3 Months Ended

   

6 Months Ended

 
   

12/31/2015

   

12/31/2014

   

12/31/2015

   

12/31/2014

 
                                 

Net income

  $ 458     $ 2,447     $ 280     $ 3,370  

Other comprehensive income (loss):

                               

Translation gain (loss)

    102       (4,820

)

    (9,678

)

    (11,768

)

Pension and postretirement plans, net of tax of $0,$0,$0 and $22 respectively

    -       -       -       (22

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

    102       (4,820

)

    (9,678

)

    (11,790

)

                                 

Total comprehensive income (loss)

  $ 560     $ (2,373

)

  $ (9,398

)

  $ (8,420

)

 

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 
5

 

 

THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity

For the Six Months Ended December 31, 2015

(in thousands except per share data) (unaudited)
 

   

Common Stock

Outstanding

   

Addi-

tional

Paid-in

   

Retained

   

Accumulated

Other Com-prehensive

         
   

Class A

   

Class B

   

Capital

   

Earnings

   

Loss

   

Total

 

Balance June 30, 2015

  $ 6,224     $ 789     $ 54,869     $ 98,164     $ (45,616

)

  $ 114,430  

Total comprehensive income (loss)

    -       -       -       280       (9,678

)

    (9,398

)

Dividends ($0.20 per share)

    -       -       -       (1,407

)

    -       (1,407

)

Repurchase of shares

    (22

)

    (3

)

    (272

)

    -       -       (297

)

Issuance of stock

    22       9       341       -       -       372  

Stock-based compensation

    -       -       72       -       -       72  

Conversion

    15       (15

)

    -       -       -       -  

Balance December 31, 2015

  $ 6,239     $ 780     $ 55,010     $ 97,037     $ (55,294

)

  $ 103,772  
                                                 

Accumulated balance consists of:

                                               

Translation loss

                                  $ (46,978

)

       

Pension and postretirement plans, net of taxes

                                    (8,316

)

       
                                    $ (55,294

)

       


See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 
6

 

   

THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands of dollars) (unaudited)

 

   

6 Months Ended

 
   

12/31/2015

   

12/31/2014

 
                 

Cash flows from operating activities:

               

Net income

  $ 280     $ 3,370  

Non-cash operating activities:

               

Depreciation

    3,052       3,959  

Amortization

    667       634  

Stock-based compensation

    227       211  

Net long-term tax obligations

    320       1,723  

Deferred taxes

    (1

)

    1,301  

Unrealized transaction gain

    44       (6

)

Income on equity method investment

    (73

)

    (116

)

Working capital changes:

               

Accounts receivable

    4,666       5,928  

Inventories

    (661

)

    (6,158

)

Other current assets

    (235

)

    (1,468

)

Other current liabilities

    (1,351

)

    (2,986

)

Postretirement benefit and pension obligations

    (677

)

    (866

)

Other

    (79

)

    310  

Net cash provided by operating activities

    6,179       5,836  
                 

Cash flows from investing activities:

               

Additions to property, plant and equipment

    (3,611

)

    (2,768

)

Software development

    (325

)

    (300

)

Purchase of investments

    -       (45

)

Proceeds from sale of investments

    7,621       201  

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    3,685       (2,912

)

                 

Cash flows from financing activities:

               

Proceeds from short-term borrowings

    -       921  

Proceeds from long-term borrowings

    750       -  

Long-term debt repayments

    (1,448

)

    (767

)

Proceeds from common stock issued

    217       256  

Shares repurchased

    (297

)

    (33

)

Dividends paid

    (1,407

)

    (1,396

)

Net cash used in financing activities

    (2,185

)

    (1,019

)

                 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

    (407

)

    (1,999

)

                 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

    7,272       (94

)

Cash, beginning of period

    11,108       16,233  

Cash, end of period

  $ 18,380     $ 16,139  
                 

Supplemental cash flow information:

               

Interest paid

  $ 349     $ 363  

Income taxes paid, net

    557       1,183  

 

See Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 
7

 

 

THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY

Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2015

 

Note 1:   Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Account Policies

 

The balance sheet as of June 30, 2015, which has been derived from audited financial statements, and the unaudited interim financial statements as of and for the three and six months ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, have been prepared by The L.S. Starrett Company (the “Company”) in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial reporting.  Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.  These unaudited financial statements, which, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments (including normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation, should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2015.  Operating results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for any future interim period or for the entire fiscal year.

 

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes.  Note 2 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2015 describes the significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.

 

Note 2:   Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued a new standard related to the “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” which amends the existing accounting standards for revenue recognition. The standard requires entities to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. This standard is applicable for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 and for interim periods within those years and early adoption is not permitted. The Company expects to adopt this standard on July 1, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

 

Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2015-11, "Inventory - Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory" requires companies to measure most inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value, thereby simplifying the current guidance under which a company must measure inventory at the lower of cost or market. This Update eliminates the need to determine replacement cost and evaluate whether said cost is within a quantitative range. This Update also further aligns U.S. GAAP and international accounting standards. For public companies, the guidance in ASU 2015-11 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. Management does not expect ASU 2015-11 to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements and disclosures.

 

Accounting Standards Update 2015-17, “Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes” requires that companies classify all deferred taxes as non-current assets or liabilities. This change is applicable for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and for interim periods within those years. There is no impact to earnings as a result of this change; however, current assets will be reduced by the amount of the current deferred tax asset as that amount will be included with the long term deferred tax asset upon adoption of this ASU. 

 

Note 3:   Stock-based Compensation

 

On September 5, 2012, the Board of Directors adopted The L.S. Starrett Company 2012 Long Term Incentive Plan (the “2012 Stock Plan”). The 2012 stock plan was approved by shareholders on October 17, 2012. The 2012 Stock Plan permits the granting of the following types of awards to officers, other employees and non-employee directors: stock options; restricted stock awards; unrestricted stock awards; stock appreciation rights; stock units including restricted stock units; performance awards; cash-based awards; and awards other than previously described that are convertible or otherwise based on stock. The 2012 Stock Plan provides for the issuance of up to 500,000 shares of common stock. 

 

Options granted vest in periods ranging from one year to three years and expire ten years after the grant date. Restricted stock units (“RSU”) granted generally vest from one year to three years. Vested restricted stock units will be settled in shares of common stock. As of December 31, 2015, there were 20,000 stock options and 73,367 restricted stock units outstanding. In addition, there were 391,600 shares available for grant under the 2012 Stock Plan as of December 31, 2015.

 

For stock option grants the fair value of each grant is estimated at the date of grant using the Binomial Options pricing model. The Binomial Options pricing model utilizes assumptions related to stock volatility, the risk-free interest rate, the dividend yield, and employee exercise behavior. Expected volatilities utilized in the model are based on the historic volatility of the Company’s stock price. The risk free interest rate is derived from the U.S. Treasury Yield curve in effect at the time of the grant. The expected life is determined using the average of the vesting period and contractual term of the options (Simplified Method).

 

 

 
8

 

 

No stock options were granted during the six months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

 

The weighted average contractual term for stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2015 was 7 years.  The aggregate intrinsic value of stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2015 was $0.1 million. Stock options exercisable as of December 31, 2015 were 20,000.

 

The Company accounts for stock options and RSU awards by recognizing the expense of the grant date fair value ratably over vesting periods generally ranging from one year to three years. The related expense is included in selling, general and administrative expenses. 

 

There were 40,200 RSU awards with a fair value of $15.11 per RSU granted during the six months ended December 31, 2015. There were 9,067 RSUs settled during the six months ended December 31, 2015.  The aggregate intrinsic value of RSU awards outstanding as of December 31, 2015 was $1.2 million.  As of December 31, 2015 all vested awards had been issued and settled.

 

On February 5, 2013, the Board of Directors adopted The L.S. Starrett Company 2013 Employee Stock Ownership Plan (the “2013 ESOP”). The purpose of the plan is to supplement existing Company programs through an employer funded individual account plan dedicated to investment in common stock of the Company, thereby encouraging increased ownership of the Company while providing an additional source of retirement income.  The plan is intended as an employee stock ownership plan within the meaning of Section 4975 (e) (7) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. U.S. employees who have completed a year of service are eligible to participate.

 

Compensation expense related to all stock based plans for the six month periods ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 was $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively.  As of December 31, 2015, there was $1.1 million of total unrecognized compensation costs related to outstanding stock-based compensation arrangements. Of this cost $0.7 million relates to performance based RSU grants that are not expected to be awarded. The remaining $0.4 million is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.2 years.

 

Note 4:   Inventories

 

Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):

 

   

12/31/2015

   

6/30/2015

 

Raw material and supplies

  $ 31,182     $ 32,784  

Goods in process and finished parts

    16,195       18,569  

Finished goods

    39,364       39,689  
      86,741       91,042  

LIFO Reserve

    (28,479

)

    (28,039

)

Inventories

  $ 58,262     $ 63,003  

 

LIFO inventories were $12.5 million and $14.6 million at December 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015, respectively, such amounts being approximately $28.5 million and $28.0 million, respectively, less than if determined on a FIFO basis.  The use of LIFO, as compared to FIFO, resulted in a $0.4 million increase in cost of sales for the six months ended December 31, 2015 compared to a $0.1 million decrease for the six months ended December 31, 2014.

 

Note 5:   Goodwill and Intangible Assets

 

The Company’s acquisition of Bytewise in 2011 gave rise to a goodwill asset balance. The Company performed a qualitative analysis in accordance with ASU 2011-08 for its October 1, 2015 annual assessment of goodwill (commonly referred to as “Step Zero”). From a qualitative perspective, in evaluating whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its respective carrying amount, relevant events and circumstances were taken into account, with greater weight assigned to events and circumstances that most affect the fair value or the carrying amounts of its assets. Items that were considered included, but were not limited to, the following: macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions, cost factors, overall financial performance and changes in management or key personnel. After assessing these and other factors the Company determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying amount as of October 1, 2015.

 

 

 
9

 

 

Amortizable intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands):

 

   

12/31/2015

   

6/30/2015

 

Non-compete agreement

  $ 600     $ 600  

Trademarks and trade names

    1,480       1,480  

Completed technology

    2,358       2,358  

Customer relationships

    4,950       4,950  

Software development

    1,980       1,655  

Other intangible assets

    325       325  

Total

    11,693       11,368  

Accumulated amortization

    (4,910

)

    (4,243

)

Total net balance

  $ 6,783     $ 7,125  

 

Amortizable intangible assets are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the period of expected economic benefit.

 

The estimated useful lives of the intangible assets subject to amortization are 14 years for trademarks and trade names, 8 years for non-compete agreements, 10 years for completed technology,  8 years for customer relationships and 5 years for software development.

 

The estimated aggregate amortization expense for the remainder of fiscal 2016 and for each of the next five years and thereafter, is as follows (in thousands):

 

2016 (Remainder of year)

  $ 749  

2017

    1,497  

2018

    1,429  

2019

    1,350  

2020

    826  

2021

    389  

Thereafter

    543  

 

Note 6:   Pension and Post-retirement Benefits

 

Net periodic benefit costs for the Company's defined benefit pension plans consist of the following (in thousands): 

 

   

Three Months Ended

   

Six Months Ended

 
   

12/31/2015

(Unaudited)

   

12/31/2014

   

12/31/2015

(Unaudited)

   

12/31/2014

 

Service cost

  $ 715     $ 694     $ 1,429     $ 1,388  

Interest cost

    1,759       1,722       3,527       3,412  

Expected return on plan assets

    (1,585

)

    (1,772

)

    (3,179

)

    (3,512

)

Amortization of net loss

    12       7       26       14  
    $ 901     $ 651     $ 1,803     $ 1,302  

   

Net periodic benefit costs for the Company's Postretirement Medical Plan consists of the following (in thousands): 

 

   

Three Months Ended

   

Six Months Ended

 
   

12/31/2015

(Unaudited)

   

12/31/2014

   

12/31/2015

(Unaudited)

   

12/31/2014

 

Service cost

  $ 27     $ 29     $ 53     $ 57  

Interest cost

    72       61       144       122  

Amortization of prior service credit

    (196

)

    (200

)

    (391

)

    (400

)

Amortization of net loss

    3               7          
    $ (94

)

  $ (110

)

  $ (187

)

  $ (221

)

 

 

 
10

 

 

The Company’s pension plans use fair value as the market-related value of plan assets and recognize net actuarial gains or losses in excess of ten percent (10%) of the greater of the market-related value of plan assets or of the plans’ projected benefit obligation in net periodic (benefit) cost as of the plan measurement date, which is the same as the fiscal year end of the Company. Net actuarial gains or losses that are less than 10% of the thresholds noted above are accounted for as part of the accumulated other comprehensive loss.

 

Effective December 31, 2014, the Company terminated the eligibility of employees ages 55 - 64 years old to enter into the Post-retirement Medical Plan.

 

Note 7:   Debt

 

Debt, including capitalized lease obligations, is comprised of the following (in thousands):

 

   

12/31/2015

   

6/30/2015

 

Notes payable and current maturities of long term debt

               

Loan and Security Agreement

  $ 1,507     $ 1,474  

Capitalized leases

    9       78  
      1,516       1,552  

Long-term debt

               

Loan and Security Agreement

    17,889       18,552  
    $ 19,405     $ 20,104  

 

The Company amended its Loan and Security Agreement, which includes a Line of Credit and a Term Loan, in January 2015 with changes that took effect on April 25, 2015.  Borrowings under the Line of Credit may not exceed $23.0 million.  The agreement expires on April 30, 2018 and has an interest rate of LIBOR plus 1.5%.  As of December 31, 2015, $9.4 million was outstanding on the Line of Credit.

 

The material financial covenants of the amended Loan and Security Agreement are: 1) funded debt to EBITDA, excluding non-cash and retirement benefit expenses (“maximum leverage”), not to exceed 2.25 to 1.2) annual capital expenditures not to exceed $15.0 million, 3) maintain a Debt Service Coverage Rate of a minimum of 1.25 to 1 and 4) maintain consolidated cash plus liquid investments of not less than $10.0 million at any time.  The Company was in compliance with all debt covenants as of December 31, 2015.

 

On November 22, 2011, in conjunction with the Bytewise acquisition, the Company entered into a $15.5 million term loan (the “Term Loan”) under the existing Loan and Security Agreement with TD Bank N.A.  The Term Loan is a ten year loan bearing a fixed interest rate of 4.5% and is payable in fixed monthly payments of principal and interest of $160,640.  The Term Loan, which had a balance of $10.0 million at December 31, 2015, is subject to the same financial covenants as the Loan and Security Agreement.

 

The effective interest rate on the Line of Credit under the Loan and Security Agreement for the six months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 was 2.1% and 2.0%, respectively.  

 

Note 8:   Income Taxes

 

The Company is subject to U.S. federal income taxes and various state, local and foreign income taxes in numerous jurisdictions.  The Company’s domestic and foreign tax liabilities are subject to the allocation of revenues and expenses in different jurisdictions and the timing of recognizing revenues and expenses.  Additionally, the amount of income taxes paid is subject to the Company’s interpretation of applicable tax laws in the jurisdictions in which it files.

 

The Company provides for income taxes on an interim basis based on an estimate of the effective tax rate for the year. This estimate is reassessed on a quarterly basis. Discrete tax items are accounted for in the quarterly period in which they occur.

 

The tax expense for the second quarter of fiscal 2016 was $534,000 on a profit before tax of $992,000 (an effective tax rate of 53.8%). The tax expense for the second quarter of fiscal 2015 was $1,876,000 on a profit before tax for the quarter of $4,323,000 (an effective tax rate of 43.4%). For the first half of fiscal 2016, tax expense was $1,194,000 on profit before tax of $1,474,000 (an effective tax rate of 81.0%) and for the first half of fiscal 2015, tax expense was $2,694,000 on profit before tax of $6,064,000 (tax rate of 44.4%). The tax rate is higher than the U.S. statutory rate primarily due to losses in foreign jurisdictions for which no tax benefit is recognized. In the first quarter of fiscal 2016, there was a discrete reduction to tax expense of $54,000 related to return to provision adjustments in the United Kingdom (UK). In addition, in the second quarter of fiscal 2016, there were discrete adjustments of an increase for interest on audit exposures of $46,000 and a decrease for return to provision adjustments in the U.S. of $146,000. In the first half of fiscal 2015, there was a discrete reduction to tax expense of $108,000 related to use of tax loss carryforwards and a reduction of the tax liability for audits related to the expiration of the statute of limitations; $33,000 of this was recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2015.

 

 
11

 

 

U.S. Federal tax returns through fiscal 2011 are generally no longer subject to review by tax authorities; however, tax loss carryforwards from years before fiscal 2012 are still subject to adjustment. As of December 31, 2015, the Company has resolved all open income tax audits and there were no other local or federal income tax audits in progress. In international jurisdictions including Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore and the UK, which comprise a significant portion of the Company’s operations, the years that may be examined vary by country. The Company’s most significant foreign subsidiary in Brazil is subject to audit for the calendar years 2010 – 2014. During the next twelve months, it is possible that the Company will recognize a reduction of $0.4 million in its long term tax obligations due to the lapse of the applicable statute of limitations.

 

Accounting for income taxes requires estimates of future benefits and tax liabilities. Due to the temporary differences in the timing of recognition of items included in income for accounting and tax purposes, deferred tax assets or liabilities are recorded to reflect the impact arising from these differences on future tax payments. With respect to recorded deferred tax assets, the Company assesses the likelihood that the asset will be realized by addressing the positive and negative evidence to determine whether realization is more likely than not to occur. If realization is in doubt because of uncertainty regarding future profitability, the Company provides a valuation allowance related to the asset to the extent that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will not be realized. Should any significant changes in the tax law or the estimate of the necessary valuation allowance occur, the Company would record the impact of the change, which could have a material effect on our financial position.

 

No valuation allowance has been recorded for the Company’s domestic federal net operating loss (NOL) carry-forwards. The Company continues to believe that due to forecasted future taxable income and certain tax planning strategies available, it is more likely than not that it will be able to utilize the U.S. federal NOL carryforwards. In certain other countries where Company operations are in a loss position, the deferred tax assets for tax loss carryforwards and other temporary differences are fully offset by a valuation allowance.

 

Note 9:   Contingencies

 

The Company is involved in certain legal matters which arise in the normal course of business. These matters are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

 

 

ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Three months Ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014

 

Overview

 

The Company is a multi-national business that has experienced the headwinds of a strong dollar and a slowing international and domestic economy. The domestic market has slowed primarily due to spending cuts in the oil sector while the international divisions have encountered stagnant or recessionary economic conditions and weakening currencies.

 

Net sales decreased $10.2 million or 16% from $63.9 million in fiscal 2015 to $53.7 million in fiscal 2016. International results account for $9.1 million or 90% of the shortfall. Operating income declined $2.5 million as $6.1 million of erosion in gross margin more than offset a $3.6 million decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

Net Sales

 

North American sales decreased $1.1 million or 3% from $35.4 million in fiscal 2015 to $34.3 million in fiscal 2016. A weakening in manufacturing activity resulted in reduced demand for precision hand tools and saws which more than offset continued gains in capital equipment metrology products.

 

 

 
12

 

 

International sales declined $9.1 million or 32% from $28.5 million in fiscal 2015 to $19.4 million in fiscal 2016. A combination of recession in Brazil, an economic slowdown in China and Europe, the unfavorable pricing impact of a strong dollar and $5.5 million in currency losses all contributed to difficult trading in our overseas markets.

 

Gross Margin

 

Gross margin decreased $6.1 million or 28% from 35% of sales in fiscal 2015 to 30% of sales in fiscal 2016. Lower revenues and margin decline representing $3.6 million and $2.5 million, respectively.

 

North American gross margins decreased $2.6 million from $12.4 million or 35% of sales in fiscal 2015 to $9.8 million or 29% of sales in fiscal 2016. The reduced gross margins were the result of a revenue decline in precision hand tools, without a comparable reduction in overhead costs, more than offsetting gains in the capital equipment gross margins.

 

International gross margins declined $3.5 million from 34% of sales in fiscal 2015 to 32% of sales in fiscal 2016. Unfavorable exchange rates had an impact of $1.8 million related principally to the weakening Brazilian Real coupled with revenue volume declines in Brazil and China based upon constant exchange rates.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $3.6 million or 20% from 18.4 million in fiscal 2015 to $14.8 million in fiscal 2016. 

 

North American expenses decreased $1.8 million from $10.0 million in fiscal 2015 to $8.2 million in fiscal 2016 principally due to lower incentive compensation, professional fees, and software amortization.

 

International expenses declined $1.8 million or 21% as the strong dollar resulted in a $1.7 million decrease in Brazilian expenses expressed in U. S. dollars as the Brazilian currency declined 70% in twelve months.

 

Other Income (expense)

 

Other income declined $0.8 million from income of $0.6 million in fiscal 2015 to an expense of $0.2 million in fiscal 2016 principally due to lower interest income and the impact of the stronger U. S. dollar on foreign subsidiaries’ dollar denominated assets and liabilities.

 

Income Taxes

 

The effective tax rate for the second quarter of fiscal 2016 and 2015 were 54% and 44%, respectively. The quarterly tax rate is higher than a normalized combined federal and state rate of approximately 40% principally due to losses in some foreign subsidiaries for which no tax benefit is recognized. The tax rate includes discrete benefits of $0.1 million in fiscal 2016 and $0.0 million in fiscal 2015.

 

Net Income

 

The Company recorded net income of $0.5 million or $0.07 per share in the second quarter of fiscal 2016 compared to net income of $2.4 million or $0.35 per share in fiscal 2015 principally due to reduced Operating Income, Other Expenses and a higher effective tax rate.

 

Six Months Ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014

 

Overview 

 

Net sales declined $19.3 million or 16% from $124.0 million in fiscal 2015 to $104.7 million in fiscal 2016. North America and International operations posting declines of $2.8 and $16.5 million, respectively. Operating income decreased $3.4 million in fiscal 2016 from $4.8 million in fiscal 2015 compared to $1.4 million in fiscal 2016 as lower sales and related gross margins more than offset reduced selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

Net Sales

 

North American sales decreased $2.8 million or 4% from $69.5 million in fiscal 2015 to $66.7 million in fiscal 2016, as demand for all precision hand tools declined, particularly in the oil and agricultural sectors.

 

 

 
13

 

 

International sales declined $16.5 million or 30% from $54.5 million in fiscal 2015 to $38.0 million in fiscal 2016.Unfavorable exchange rates representing $8.5 million of the shortfall. The impact of a recessionary economic environment was significant in Brazil as revenue declined 19% in local currency.

 

Gross Margin

 

Gross margin decreased $9.4 million or 23% from 33% of sales in fiscal 2015 to 30% of sales in fiscal 2016.Lower revenues and margin decline represented $6.4 and $3.1 million, respectively.

 

North American gross margins decreased $2.6 million or 12% in fiscal 2016 compared to fiscal 2015, as a result of reduced precision hand tool and saw product line revenues and increased costs.

 

International gross margins declined $6.8 million with weakening currencies representing $2.8 million. Excluding foreign exchange economic factors impacting margins, volume declines represented $2.2 and $1.0 million in Brazil and Europe, respectively.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

Selling, general and administrative expense decreased $6.0 million or 16% from $36.5 million in fiscal 2015 to $30.5 million in fiscal 2016.

 

North American expenses decreased $2.2 million or 11% due to the completion of profit sharing in November of 2014 related to the Bytewise acquisition; lower incentive compensation; reduced professional fees; and completion of software amortization in fiscal 2015 related to a new ERP system.

 

International expenses decreased $3.8 million or 22% due to a $3.0 foreign currency reduction for expenses expressed in U. S. dollars, primarily due to a weakening of the Brazilian Real relative to the U. S. dollar. In addition, reduced spending for sales commissions and incentive compensation contributed an additional $0.6 million.

 

Other Income

 

Other income declined $1.2 million from income of $1.3 million in fiscal 2015 to $0.1 million in fiscal 2016 due to lower interest income and the devaluation of the Chinese Yuan currency relative to the U. S. dollar.

 

Income Taxes

 

The effective tax rate for the first of fiscal 2016 and 2015 was 81% and 44%, respectively. The effective rate is higher than federal and state statutory rates of approximately 40% due to losses in some foreign subsidiaries for which no tax benefit is recognized in consolidation.

 

Net Income

 

The Company recorded net income of $0.3 million or $0.04 per share in the first half of fiscal 2016 compared to net income of $3.4 million or $0.48 per share in fiscal 2015 principally due to lower Operating Income, reduced Other Income and a higher effective tax rate.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES 

 

Cash flows (in thousands)

 

Six Months Ended

 
   

12/31/2015

   

12/31/2014

 
                 

Cash provided by operating activities

  $ 6,179     $ 5,836  

Cash provided by (used in) investing activities

    3,685       (2,912

)

Cash used in financing activities

    (2,185

)

    (1,019

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash

    (407

)

    (1,999

)

                 

Net increase (decrease) in cash

  $ 7,272     $ (94

)

 

 
14

 

 

Net cash flow for the six months ending December 31, 2015 was $7.3 million principally due to the sale of investments of $7.6 million. This represents an improvement of $7.4 million compared to fiscal 2015 primarily due to the sale of investments of $7.6 million.  

 

Liquidity and Credit Arrangements

 

The Company believes it maintains sufficient liquidity and has the resources to fund its operations.  In addition to its cash, the Company maintains a $23 million line of credit in connection with its Loan and Security Agreement, of which, $9.4 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2015.  Availability under the agreement is further reduced by open letters of credit totaling $0.9 million. The Loan and Security Agreement was renewed in January of 2015.  The Loan and Security Agreement contains financial covenants with respect to leverage, tangible net worth, and interest coverage, and also contains customary affirmative and negative covenants, including limitations on indebtedness, liens, acquisitions, asset dispositions and fundamental corporate changes, and certain customary events of default.  As of December 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenants related to its Loan and Security Agreement. The Loan and Security Agreement expires on April 30, 2018.

 

The effective interest rate on the borrowings under the Loan and Security Agreement during the six months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 was 2.1% and 2.0% respectively. 

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

The Company has no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources.

 

 

ITEM 3.             QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

There have been no material changes in qualitative and quantitative disclosures about market risk from what was reported in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2015.

 

 

ITEM 4.             CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

The Company's management, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2015, and they have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of such date. All information required to be filed in this report was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period required by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and such information 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. Management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2015, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

There have been no changes in internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2015.

 

 

PART II.            OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1A.          RISK FACTORS

 

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements about the Company’s business, competition, sales, expenditures, foreign operations, plans for reorganization, interest rate sensitivity, debt service, liquidity and capital resources, and other operating and capital requirements. In addition, forward-looking statements may be included in future Company documents and in oral statements by Company representatives to securities analysts and investors.  The Company is subject to risks that could cause actual events to vary materially from such forward-looking statements.  You should carefully review and consider the information regarding certain factors which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results set forth under Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2015. There have been no material changes from the factors disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2015.

 

 
15

 

 

ITEM 6.             EXHIBITS  

 

31a

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.

 

31b

Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, filed herewith.

 

32

Certifications of the Principal Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

10.1

The L.S. Starrett Company 2012 Long-Term Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to The L.S. Starrett Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 333-184934) filed November 14, 2012).

 

101

The following materials from The L. S. Starrett Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2015 are furnished herewith, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iv) the Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity, (v) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text.

 

 

 
16

 

 

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.

 

  

  

  

THE L. S. STARRETT COMPANY

(Registrant)

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

Date

February 3, 2016

  

/S/R. Douglas A. Starrett

  

  

  

Douglas A. Starrett - President and CEO (Principal Executive Officer)

  

  

  

  

Date

February 3, 2016

  

/S/R. Francis J. O’Brien

  

  

  

Francis J. O’Brien - Treasurer and CFO (Principal Accounting Officer)

 

 

17