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TRIO-TECH INTERNATIONAL - Quarter Report: 2013 December (Form 10-Q)

trt10q-dec312013.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the Quarterly Period Ended December 31, 2013

OR

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 1-14523

TRIO-TECH INTERNATIONAL
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)

California
 
95-2086631
(State or other jurisdiction of
 
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
 
Identification Number)
     
16139 Wyandotte Street
   
Van Nuys, California
 
91406
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)

           Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code:  818-787-7000

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 R  No o   

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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  R  No o

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 the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large Accelerated Filer
 o
 
Accelerated Filer
 o
         
Non-Accelerated Filer
 o
 
Smaller Reporting Company
 x
(Do not check if a 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 o   No x

As of February 04, 2014, there were 3,508,055 shares of the issuer’s Common Stock, no par value, outstanding.
 
 
 

 
 
TRIO-TECH INTERNATIONAL
INDEX TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION, OTHER INFORMATION AND SIGNATURE


   
Page
 
     
 
  
4
 
 
5
 
6
 
7
 
8
24
38
38
     
 
     
39
Item 1A.   
39
39
39
39
39
39
     
 
40
 
 
2

 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The discussions of Trio-Tech International’s (the “Company”) business and activities set forth in this Form 10-Q and in other past and future reports and announcements by the Company may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and assumptions regarding future activities and results of operations of the Company.  In light of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company: market acceptance of Company products and services; changing business conditions or technologies and volatility in the semiconductor industry, which could affect demand for the Company’s products and services; the impact of competition; problems with technology; product development schedules; delivery schedules; changes in military or commercial testing specifications which could affect the market for the Company’s products and services; difficulties in profitably integrating acquired businesses, if any, into the Company; risks associated with conducting business internationally and especially in Southeast Asia, including currency fluctuations and devaluation, currency restrictions, local laws and restrictions and possible social, political and economic instability; changes in U.S. and global financial and equity markets, including market disruptions and significant interest rate fluctuations; and other economic, financial and regulatory factors beyond the Company’s control. Other than statements of historical fact, all statements made in this Quarterly Report are forward-looking, including, but not limited to, statements regarding industry prospects, future results of operations or financial position, and statements of our intent, belief and current expectations about our strategic direction, prospective and future financial results and condition. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by the use of terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “potential,” “believes,” “can impact,” “continue,” or the negative thereof or other comparable terminology.  Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that are inherently difficult to predict, which could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from our expectations, forecasts and assumptions.

Unless otherwise required by law, we undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events, changed circumstances, or the occurrence of unanticipated events. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.
 
 
3


 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

TRIO-TECH INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT NUMBER OF SHARES)

   
December 31,
2013
   
June 30,
2013
 
ASSETS
 
(Unaudited)
       
CURRENT ASSETS:
           
Cash & cash equivalents
  $ 2,574     $ 2,793  
Short-term deposits
    100       104  
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful
               
accounts of $148 and $139
    9,223       8,728  
Other receivables
    326       993  
Loans receivable from property development projects, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $330 and nil
    826       1,139  
Inventories, less provision for obsolete inventory
               
of $865 and $912
    1,314       2,463  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    445       358  
Asset held for sale
    -       -  
 Total current assets
    14,808       16,578  
                 
INVESTMENTS
    --       791  
INVESTMENT PROPERTIES, Net
    1,861       1,893  
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, Net
    13,184       12,851  
OTHER ASSETS
    1,353       437  
RESTRICTED TERM DEPOSITS
    3,490       3,494  
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 34,696     $ 36,044  
                 
LIABILITIES
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
               
Lines of credit
  $ 3,336     $ 3,864  
Accounts payable
    4,342       4,136  
Accrued expenses
    2,539       3,060  
Income taxes payable
    468       459  
Current portion of bank loans payable
    717       770  
Current portion of capital leases
    84       105  
 Total current liabilities
    11,486       12,394  
                 
BANK LOANS PAYABLE, net of current portion
    2,207       2,613  
CAPITAL LEASES, net of current portion
    236       228  
DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES
    165       191  
OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
    38       12  
TOTAL LIABILITIES
  $ 14,132     $ 15,438  
                 
COMMITMENT AND CONTINGENCIES
    -       -  
                 
EQUITY
               
TRIO-TECH INTERNATIONAL’S SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY:
               
Common stock, no par value, 15,000,000 shares authorized; 3,508,055 and 3,321,555 shares issued and outstanding as at December 31, 2013 and June 30, 2013, respectively
  $ 10,873     $ 10,531  
Paid-in capital
    2,956       2,756  
Accumulated retained earnings
    1,286       1,668  
Accumulated other comprehensive gain-translation adjustments
    3,639       3,680  
 Total Trio-Tech International shareholders' equity
    18,754       18,635  
NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST
    1,810       1,971  
         TOTAL EQUITY
  $ 20,564     $ 20,606  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
  $ 34,696     $ 36,044  
 
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
4

 
TRIO-TECH INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
UNAUDITED (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT EARNINGS PER SHARE)

   
Six Months Ended
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
Dec. 31,
   
Dec. 31,
   
Dec. 31,
   
Dec. 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
Revenue
                       
  Products
 
$
10,101
   
$
9,055
   
$
4,696
   
$
3,419
 
  Testing Services
   
8,645
     
7,678
     
4,597
     
3,769
 
  Others
   
90
     
63
     
46
     
33
 
                                 
     
18,836
     
16,796
     
9,339
     
7,221
 
Cost of Sales
                               
   Cost of products sold
   
8,410
     
7,825
     
4,064
     
2,799
 
   Cost of testing services rendered
   
6,278
     
5,519
     
3,253
     
2,842
 
   Others
   
70
     
65
     
35
     
32
 
                                 
     
14,758
     
13,409
     
7,352
     
5,673
 
                                 
Gross Margin
   
4,078
     
3,387
     
1,987
     
1,548
 
                                 
Operating Expenses:
                               
  General and administrative
   
3,672
     
3,416
     
1,838
     
1,664
 
  Selling
   
413
     
253
     
208
     
126
 
  Research and development
   
101
     
145
     
49
     
72
 
  (Gain) / loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
   
11
     
(3
)
   
(2
)
   
-
 
           Total operating expenses
   
4,197
     
3,811
     
2,093
     
1,862
 
                                 
Loss from Operations
   
(119
)
   
(424
)
   
(106
)
   
(314
)
                                 
Other Income / (Expenses)
                               
  Interest expenses
   
(134
)
   
(154
)
   
(66
)
   
(76
)
  Other (expenses) / income, net
   
(41
)
   
310
     
(205
)
   
56
 
  Total other income / (expenses)
   
(175
)
   
156
     
(271
)
   
(20
)
                                 
 Loss from Continuing Operations before Income Taxes
   
(294
)
   
(268
)
   
(377
)
   
(334
)
                                 
Income Tax Benefits  /  (Expenses)
   
82
     
122
     
39
     
(2
)
                                 
Loss from continuing operations before non-controlling interest, net of tax
   
(212
)
   
(146
)
   
(338
)
   
(336
)
                                 
Other Operating Activities
                               
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint venture, net of tax
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
                                 
Discontinued Operations (Note 16)
                               
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
   
(72
)
   
(489
)
   
(30
)
   
(258
)
NET LOSS
   
(284
)
   
(635
)
   
(368
)
   
(594
)
                                 
Less: net income / (loss) attributable to the non-controlling interest
   
98
     
(112
)
   
(3
)
   
(88
)
Net Loss Attributable to Trio-Tech International Common Shareholder
 
 $
(382
)
 
 $
(523
)
 
 $
(365
)
 
 $
(506
)
                                 
Amounts Attributable to Trio-Tech International Common Shareholders:
                               
Loss from continuing operations, net of tax
   
(342
)
   
(281
)
   
(348
)
   
(374
)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax
   
(40
)
   
(242
)
   
(17
)
   
(132
)
Net Loss Attributable to Trio-Tech International Common Shareholders
 
 $
(382
)
 
 $
(523
)
 
 $
(365
)
 
 $
(506
)
                                 
 
Comprehensive Income / (Loss) Attributable to Trio-Tech International Common Shareholders: 
                               
               
 
               
Net loss
   
(284
)
   
(635
)
   
(368
)
   
(594
)
Foreign currency translation, net of tax
   
(144
)
   
716
     
39
     
161
 
Comprehensive Income / (Loss)
   
(428
)
   
81
     
(329)
     
(433)
 
Less: Comprehensive (loss) / income attributable to the non-controlling interest
   
(5
)
   
52
     
(1
)
   
(46
)
Comprehensive Income / (Loss) Attributable to Trio-Tech International Common Shareholders
 
 $
(423
)
 
$
29
   
 $
(328
)
 
 $
(387
)
                                 
Basic and Diluted Loss per Share:
                               
Basic and diluted loss per share from continuing operations attributable to Trio-Tech International
 
$
(0.10
)
 
$
(0.09
)
 
$
(0.10
)
 
$
(0.12
)
Basic and diluted loss per share from discontinued operations attributable to Trio-Tech International
 
$
(0.01
)
 
$
(0.07
)
 
$
-
   
$
(0.03
)
Basic and Diluted Loss per Share from Net Loss
                               
Attributable to Trio-Tech International
 
$
(0.11
)
 
$
(0.16
)
 
$
(0.10
)
 
$
(0.15
)
                                 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding
                               
Basic
   
3,508
     
3,322
     
3,508
     
3,322
 
Dilutive effect of stock options
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Number of shares used to compute earnings per share diluted
   
3,508
     
3,322
     
3,508
     
3,322
 
 
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
5

 
TRIO-TECH INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
(IN THOUSANDS) 

   
Common
Stock
   
Additional Paid-in
   
Accumulated Retained
   
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
   
Non- Controlling
       
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Earnings
   
Income
   
Interest
   
Total
 
          $
 
    $
 
    $
 
    $
 
    $
 
    $
 
 
Balance at June 30, 2012
   
3,322
     
10,531
     
2,431
     
2,687
     
3,187
     
1,720
     
20,556
 
                                                         
Stock option expenses
   
-
     
-
     
42
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
42
 
Net loss
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
(1,019
)
   
-
     
(83
)
   
(1,102
)
Translation adjustment
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
493
     
141
     
634
 
Dividend declared by subsidiary 
   
     
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(39
)
   
(39
)
Contributions to capital by related party – loan forgiveness
   
-
     
-
     
283
     
 
 
-
     
-
     
232
     
515
 
Balance at June 30, 2013
   
3,322
     
10,531
     
2,756
     
1,668
     
3,680
     
1,971
     
20,606
 
                                                         
Stock option expenses
   
-
     
-
     
200
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
200
 
Net (loss) / income
   
 -
     
-
     
-
     
(382
)
   
-
     
98
     
(284
)
Translation adjustment
   
 -
     
     
-
     
-
     
(41
)
   
(103
)
   
(144
)
Dividend declared by subsidiary 
   
     
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
(156
)
   
(156
)
Stock Options exercised
   
186
     
342
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
     
342
 
Balance at Dec. 31, 2013
   
3,508
     
10,873
     
2,956
     
1,286
     
3,639
     
1,810
     
20,564
 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
6

 
TRIO-TECH INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (IN THOUSANDS)
 
   
Six Months Ended
   
Six Months Ended
 
   
December 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
Cash Flow from Operating Activities
           
Net loss
  $ (284 )   $ (635 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash flow provided by operating activities
               
Depreciation and amortization
    1,198       1,266  
Bad debt (reversal) / expense, net
    337       20  
Inventory provision
    (47 )     (15 )
Warranty expense, net
    3       3  
Accrued interest expense, net of interest income
    5       24  
(Gain) / Loss on sale of property-continued operations
    11       (3 )
Stock option expenses
    200       19  
Deferred tax provision
    (23 )     (158 )
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisition effects
               
  Accounts receivables
    (504 )     4,591  
  Other receivables
    1,462       410  
  Other assets
    (916 )     181  
  Inventories
    1,192       173  
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    (87 )     5  
  Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
    (380 )     (2,222 )
  Income tax payable
    8       15  
  Other non-current liabilities
    26       (28 )
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
    2,201       3,646  
                 
Cash Flow from Investing Activities
               
Proceeds from maturing of unrestricted and restricted term deposits, net
    -       137  
Additions to property, plant and equipment
    (1,721 )     (765 )
Proceeds from disposal of plant, property and equipment
    31       3  
Net Cash Used in Investing Activities
    (1,690 )     (625 )
                 
Cash Flow from Financing Activities
               
Borrowing  / (Repayment) on lines of credit
    (445 )     (979 )
Repayment of bank loans and capital leases
    (556 )     (602 )
Proceeds from long-term bank loans
    68       1  
Proceeds from exercising stock options
    342       -  
Dividend paid to non-controlling interest
    (80 )     -  
                 
Net Cash used in Financing Activities
    (671 )     (1,580 )
                 
Effect of Changes in Exchange Rate
    (59 )     (223 )
                 
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH
    (219 )     1,218  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
    2,793       1,572  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
  $ 2,574     $ 2,790  
                 
Supplementary Information of Cash Flows
               
Cash paid during the period for:
               
Interest
  $ 132     $ 148  
Income taxes
  $ 20     $ 35  
                 
Non-Cash Transactions
               
  Capital lease of property, plant and equipment
  $ 68     $ -  
 
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
7

 
TRIO-TECH INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT EARNINGS PER SHARE AND NUMBER OF SHARES)

1. ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Trio-Tech International (“the Company” or “TTI” hereafter) was incorporated in fiscal 1958 under the laws of the State of California.  TTI provides third-party semiconductor testing and burn-in services primarily through its laboratories in Southeast Asia. In addition, TTI operates testing facilities in the United States.  The Company also designs, develops, manufactures and markets a broad range of equipment and systems used in the manufacturing and testing of semiconductor devices and electronic components. TTI conducts business in four business segments: Manufacturing, Testing Services, Distribution and Real Estate. In fiscal 2013 TTI conducted business in the foregoing four segments and in a fifth segment, Fabrication, which was discontinued during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. TTI has subsidiaries in the U.S., Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, China and Indonesia as follows:
 
 
Ownership
Location
     
Express Test Corporation (Dormant)
100%
Van Nuys, California
Trio-Tech Reliability Services (Dormant)
100%
Van Nuys, California
KTS Incorporated, dba Universal Systems (Dormant)
100%
Van Nuys, California
European Electronic Test Centre (Dormant)
100%
Dublin, Ireland
Trio-Tech International Pte. Ltd.
100%
Singapore
Universal (Far East) Pte. Ltd.  *
100%
Singapore
Trio-Tech International (Thailand) Co. Ltd. *
100%
Bangkok, Thailand
Trio-Tech (Bangkok) Co. Ltd.
100%
Bangkok, Thailand
(49% owned by Trio-Tech International Pte. Ltd. and 51% owned by
Trio-Tech International (Thailand) Co. Ltd.)
   
Trio-Tech (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
(55% owned by Trio-Tech International Pte. Ltd.)
55%
Penang and Selangor, Malaysia
Trio-Tech (Kuala Lumpur) Sdn. Bhd.
55%
Selangor, Malaysia
(100% owned by Trio-Tech Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.)
   
Prestal Enterprise Sdn. Bhd.
76%
Selangor, Malaysia
(76% owned by Trio-Tech International Pte. Ltd.)
   
Trio-Tech (Suzhou) Co. Ltd. *
100%
Suzhou, China
Trio-Tech (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. * (Dormant)
100%
Shanghai, China
Trio-Tech (Chongqing) Co. Ltd. *
100%
Chongqing, China
SHI International Pte. Ltd. (Dormant)
(55% owned by Trio-Tech International Pte. Ltd)
55%
Singapore
PT SHI Indonesia (Dormant)
(100% owned by SHI International Pte. Ltd.)
55%
Batam, Indonesia
Trio-Tech (Tianjin) Co. Ltd. *
100%
Tianjin, China
 
 * 100% owned by Trio-Tech International Pte. Ltd.
 
 
8

 
The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  All significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are presented in U.S. dollars.  The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements do not include all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for fair presentation have been included.  Operating results for the six months ended December 31, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014.  For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company's annual report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013.

2. NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

New pronouncements issued but not yet effective until after December 31, 2013 are not expected to have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position or results of operations.

3. INVENTORIES
 
Inventories consisted of the following:
 
   
Dec. 31,
       
   
2013
   
June 30,
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
2013
 
             
Raw materials
  $ 1,012     $ 1,072  
Work in progress
    953       1,930  
Finished goods
    210       356  
Less: provision for obsolete inventory
    (865 )     (912 )
Currency translation effect
    4       17  
    $ 1,314     $ 2,463  
 
 The following table represents the changes in provision for obsolete inventory:
 
   
Dec. 31,
       
   
2013
   
June 30,
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
2013
 
Beginning
  $ 912     $ 884  
Additions charged to expenses
    -       38  
Usage - disposition
    (47 )     (14 )
Currency translation effect
    -       4  
Ending
  $ 865     $ 912  

4. STOCK OPTIONS

On September 24, 2007, the Company’s Board of Directors unanimously adopted the 2007 Employee Stock Option Plan (the “2007 Employee Plan”) and the 2007 Directors Equity Incentive Plan (the “2007 Directors Plan”) each of which was approved by the shareholders on December 3, 2007. Each of those plans was amended by the Board in 2010 to increase the number of shares covered thereby, which amendments were approved by the shareholders on December 14, 2010. At present, the 2007 Employee Plan provides for awards of up to 600,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock to employees, consultants and advisors. The Board also amended the 2007 Directors Plan in November 2013 to further increase the number of shares covered thereby from 400,000 shares to 500,000 shares, which amendment was approved by the shareholders on December 9, 2013. The 2007 Directors Plan provides for awards of up to 500,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock to the members of the Board of Directors in the form of non-qualified options and restricted stock. These two plans are administered by the Board, which also establishes the terms of the awards.
 
 
9

 
Assumptions

The fair value for the options granted were estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions, assuming no expected dividends: 
 
   
Year Ended
June 30,
   
Six Months Ended
December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2013
 
             
Expected volatility
    92.53 %     88.53-104.94 %
Risk-free interest rate
    0.26 %     0.30 %
Expected life (years)
    2.50       2.50-3.25  

The expected volatilities are based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The observation is made on a weekly basis. The observation period covered is consistent with the expected life of options. The expected life of the options granted to employees has been determined utilizing the “simplified” method as prescribed by ASC Topic 718 Stock Based Compensation, which, among other provisions, allowed companies without access to adequate historical data about employee exercise behavior to use a simplified approach for estimating the expected life of a "plain vanilla" option grant. The simplified rule for estimating the expected life of such an option was the average of the time to vesting and the full term of the option. The risk-free rate is consistent with the expected life of the stock options and is based on the United States Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

2007 Employee Stock Option Plan

The Company’s 2007 Employee Plan permits the grant of stock options to its employees covering up to an aggregate of 600,000 shares of Common Stock. Under the 2007 Employee Plan, all options must be granted with an exercise price of not less than fair value as of the grant date and the options granted must be exercisable within a maximum of ten years after the date of grant, or such lesser period of time as is set forth in the stock option agreements. The options may be exercisable (a) immediately as of the effective date of the stock option agreement granting the option, or (b) in accordance with a schedule related to the date of the grant of the option, the date of first employment, or such other date as may be set by the Compensation Committee. Generally, options granted under the 2007 Employee Plan are exercisable within five years after the date of grant, and vest over the period as follows: 25% vesting on the grant date and the remaining balance vesting in equal installments on the next three succeeding anniversaries of the grant date. The share-based compensation will be recognized in terms of the grade method on a straight-line basis for each separately vesting portion of the award. Certain option awards provide for accelerated vesting if there is a change in control (as defined in the 2007 Employee Plan).
 
On September 17, 2013, stock options covering a total of 15,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock were granted to certain employees pursuant to the 2007 Employee Plan, with an exercise price equal to the fair value of the Company’s Common Stock (as defined under the 2007 Employee Plan in conformity with Regulation 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended) on September 17, 2013, the date of grant. These options vested as of the grant date. The fair value as of December 31, 2013 of the options to purchase 15,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock was approximately $22 based on the fair value of $1.52 per share determined by using the Black Scholes option pricing model.
 
On December 9, 2013, stock options covering a total of 35,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock were granted to certain employees pursuant to the 2007 Employee Plan, with an exercise price equal to the fair value of the Company’s Common Stock (as defined under the 2007 Employee Plan in conformity with Regulation 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended) on December 9, 2013, the date of grant. These stock option vest over the period as follows: 25% vesting on the grant date and the remaining balance vesting in equal installments on the next three succeeding anniversaries of the grant date. The fair value as of December 31, 2013 of the options to purchase 35,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock was approximately $3 based on the fair value of $2.04 per share determined by using the Black Scholes option pricing model.

Stock options to purchase 121,500 shares of its Common Stock were exercised during the six month period ended December 31, 2013. The total proceeds received were $230. The Company recognized stock-based compensation expenses of $25 in the six months ended December 31, 2013 under the 2007 Employee Plan. The balance of unamortized stock-based compensation of $43 based on fair value on the grant date related to options granted under the 2007 Employee Plan is to be recognized over a period of three years.

The Company did not grant any options pursuant to the 2007 Employee Plan during the six months ended December 31, 2012. The Company recognized stock-based compensation expenses of $19 in the six months ended December 31, 2012 under the 2007 Employee Plan. The balance of unamortized stock-based compensation of $17 based on fair value on the grant date related to options granted under the 2007 Employee Plan is to be recognized over a period of two years.
 
 
10


 
As of December 31, 2013, there were vested employee stock options covering a total of 125,750 shares of Common Stock. The weighted-average exercise price was $3.72 and the weighted average contractual term was 2.20 years. The total fair value of vested and outstanding employee stock options as of December 31, 2013 was $467.

As of December 31, 2012, there were vested employee stock options covering a total of 248,250 shares of Common Stock. The weighted-average exercise price was $2.95 and the weighted average remaining contractual term was 1.90 years. The total fair value of vested employee stock options as of December 31, 2012 was $496.

A summary of option activities under the 2007 Employee Plan during the six month period ended December 31, 2013 is presented as follows:

   
Options
   
Weighted Average
Exercise
Price
   
Weighted Average Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)
   
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
Outstanding at July 1, 2013
    263,500     $ 3.06       1.57     $ 122  
Granted
    50,000       3.26       4.87       -  
Exercised
    (121,500     (1.90     -       (181
Forfeited or expired
    (40,000     (4.72 )     -       -  
Outstanding at December 31, 2013
    152,000     $ 3.61       2.67     $ 45  
Exercisable at December 31, 2013
    125,750     $ 3.72       2.20       38  

The fair value of the 121,500 shares of common stock acquired upon exercise of options was $181. Cash received from the options exercised during the six months ended December 31, 2013 was approximately $230.

A summary of option activities under the 2007 Employee Plan during the six month period ended December 31, 2012 is presented as follows:

   
Options
   
Weighted Average
Exercise
Price
   
Weighted Average Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)
   
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
Outstanding at July 1, 2012
   
313,000
   
$
3.85
     
2.31
   
$
-
 
Granted
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Exercised
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Forfeited or expired
   
(44,000
   
(8.69)
     
-
     
-
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2012
   
269,000
   
$
3.05
     
2.06
   
$
-
 
Exercisable at December 31, 2012
   
248,250
   
$
2.95
     
1,90
     
-
 

A summary of the status of the Company’s non-vested employee stock options during the six months ended December 31, 2013 is presented below: 

         
Weighted Average Grant-Date
 
   
Options
   
Fair Value
 
Non-vested at July 1, 2013
    20,375     $ 3.26  
Granted
    50,000       1.65  
Vested
    (44,125 )     (2.33
Forfeited
    -       -  
Non-vested at December 31, 2013
    26,250     $ 1.69  
 
 
11

 
A summary of the status of the Company’s non-vested employee stock options during the six months ended December 31, 2012 is presented below: 

         
Weighted Average Grant-Date
 
   
Options
   
Fair Value
 
Non-vested at July 1, 2012
    43,250     $ 3.29  
Granted
    -       -  
Vested
    (21,375 )     (3.16
Forfeited
    (1,125     (3.16
Non-vested at December 31, 2012
    20,250     $ 2.08  

2007 Directors Equity Incentive Plan

The 2007 Directors Plan permits the grant of options covering up to an aggregate of 500,000 shares of Common Stock to its non-employee directors in the form of non-qualified options and restricted stock. The exercise price of the non-qualified options is 100% of the fair value of the underlying shares on the grant date. The options have five-year contractual terms and are generally exercisable immediately as of the grant date.

During the three months ended September 30, 2013, the Company granted options to purchase 60,000 shares of its Common Stock to our directors pursuant to the 2007 Directors Plan with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our Common Stock (as defined under the 2007 Directors Plan in conformity with Regulation 409A or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended) at the date of grant. The fair value of the options granted to purchase 60,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock was approximately $92 based on the fair value of $1.52 per share determined by the Black Scholes option pricing model.

During the three months ended December 31, 2013, the Company granted options to purchase 40,000 shares of its Common Stock to our directors pursuant to the 2007 Directors Plan with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our Common Stock (as defined under the 2007 Directors Plan in conformity with Regulation 409A or the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended) at the date of grant. The fair value of the options granted to purchase 40,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock was approximately $83 based on the fair value of $1.61 per share determined by the Black Scholes option pricing model.

Stock options to purchase 65,000 shares of its Common Stock were exercised during the six month period ended December 31, 2013. The total proceeds received were $112. The Company recognized stock-based compensation expenses of $175 in the six month period ended December 31, 2013 under the 2007 Directors Plan.
  
During the six months ended December 31, 2012, the Company did not grant any options pursuant to the 2007 Director Plan. There were no stock options exercised during the six months ended December 31, 2012. The Company did not recognize any stock-based compensation expenses during the six months ended December 31, 2012.

As of December 31, 2013, there were vested director stock options covering a total of 315,000 shares of Common Stock. The weighted-average exercise price was $3.62 and the weighted average remaining contractual term was 3.12 years. The total fair value of vested and outstanding directors' stock options as of December 31, 2013 was $1,140. All of our director stock options vest immediately at the date of grant. There were no unvested director stock options as of December 31, 2013.

As of December 31, 2012, there were vested director stock options covering a total of 325,000 shares of Common Stock. The weighted-average exercise price was $3.59 and the weighted average remaining contractual term was 2.32 years. The total fair value of vested and outstanding directors' stock options as of December 31, 2012 was $698. All of our director stock options vest immediately at the date of grant. There were no unvested director stock options as of December 31, 2012.
 
 
12


 
A summary of option activities under the 2007 Directors Plan during the three months ended December 31, 2013 is presented as follows: 
   
Options
   
Weighted Average
Exercise
Price
   
Weighted Average Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)
   
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
                                 
Outstanding at July 1, 2013
   
340,000
   
$
3.53
     
1.96
   
$
80
 
Granted
   
100,000
     
3.41
     
3.41
     
-
 
Exercised
   
(65,000)
     
1.72
     
-
     
-
 
Forfeited or expired
   
(60,000
)
   
(4.81
)
   
-
     
-
 
Outstanding at December 31, 2013
   
315,000
   
$
3.62
     
3.12
   
$
82
 
Exercisable at December 31, 2013
   
315,000
   
$
3.62
     
3.12
     
82
 
 
A summary of option activities under the 2007 Directors Plan during the three months ended December 31, 2012 is presented as follows:

   
Options
   
Weighted Average
Exercise
Price
   
Weighted Average Remaining
Contractual
Term (Years)
   
Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value
 
                         
Outstanding at July 1, 2012
    385,000     $ 4.52       2.45     $ -  
Granted
    -       -       -       -  
Exercised
    -       -       -       -  
Forfeited or expired
    (60,000 )     (4.81 )     -       -  
Outstanding at December 31, 2012
    325,000     $ 3.59       2.32     $ -  
Exercisable at December 31, 2012
    325,000     $ 3.59       2.32     $ -  

5.   EARNINGS PER SHARE

The Company adopted ASC Topic 260, Earnings Per Share. Basic EPS are computed by dividing net income available to common shareholders (numerator) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding (denominator) during the period.  Diluted EPS give effect to all dilutive potential common shares outstanding during a period.  In computing diluted EPS, the average price for the period is used in determining the number of shares assumed to be purchased from the exercise of stock options and warrants.

Stock options to purchase 467,000 shares of Common Stock at exercise prices ranging from $1.72 to $9.57 per share were outstanding as of December 31, 2013 and were excluded in the computation of diluted EPS because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

Stock options to purchase 594,000 shares of Common Stock at exercise prices ranging from $1.72 to $9.57 per share were outstanding as of December 31, 2012 and were excluded in the computation of diluted EPS because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.
 
 
13

 
The following table is a reconciliation of the weighted average shares used in the computation of basic and diluted EPS for the years presented herein: 
 
   
Six Months Ended
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
Dec. 31,
   
Dec. 31,
   
Dec. 31,
   
Dec. 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
   
(Unaudited)
 
                         
Loss attributable to Trio-Tech International common shareholders from continuing operations, net of tax
 
$
(342
 
$
(281
)
 
$
(348
 
$
(374
)
Loss attributable to Trio-Tech International common shareholders from discontinued operations, net of tax
   
(40
)
   
(242
)
   
(17)
     
(132
)
Net loss attributable to Trio-Tech International common shareholders
 
$
(382
 
$
(523
)
 
$
(365
 
$
(506
)
                                 
Basic and diluted loss per share from continuing operations attributable to Trio-Tech International
 
$
(0.10
   
  (0.09)
     
(0.10
   
  (0.12
 )
                                 
Basic and diluted loss per share from discontinued operations attributable to Trio-Tech International
   
(0.01
   
(0.07
)
   
-
     
(0.03
)
Basic and diluted loss per share from net loss attributable to Trio-Tech International
 
$
(0.11
 
 $
(0.16
)
 
$
(0.10
 
 $
(0.15
)
                                 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic
   
3,508
     
3,322
     
3,508
     
3,322
 
                                 
Dilutive effect of stock options
   
-
     
-
     
-
     
-
 
Number of shares used to compute earnings per share - diluted
   
3,508
     
3,322
     
3,508
     
3,322
 

 6.   ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

Accounts receivable consists of customer obligations due under normal trade terms. Although management generally does not require collateral, letters of credit may be required from the customers in certain circumstances. Management periodically performs credit evaluations of the customers’ financial conditions.

Senior management reviews accounts receivable on a monthly basis to determine if any receivables will potentially be uncollectible. Management includes any accounts receivable balances that are determined to be uncollectible in the allowance for doubtful accounts.  After all attempts to collect a receivable have failed, the receivable is written off against the allowance.  Based on the information available to us, management believed the allowance for doubtful accounts as of December 31, 2013 and June 30, 2013 was adequate.  

 The following table represents the changes in the allowance for doubtful accounts:
 
   
Dec. 31,
       
   
2013
   
June 30,
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
2013
 
Beginning
  $ 139     $ 122  
Additions charged to expenses
    10       196  
Recovered / Write-off
    (3 )     (131 )
Currency translation effect
    2       (48 )
Ending
  $ 148     $ 139  
 
 
14

 
7.   WARRANTY ACCRUAL

The Company provides for the estimated costs that may be incurred under its warranty program at the time the sale is recorded.  The Company provides warranty for products manufactured in the term of one year.  The Company estimates the warranty costs based on the historical rates of warranty returns.  The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of its recorded warranty liability and adjusts the amounts as necessary.
 
   
Dec. 31,
       
   
2013
   
June 30,
 
   
(Unaudited)
   
2013
 
Beginning
  $ 61     $ 60  
Additions charged to cost and expenses
    18       1  
Recovered
    -       -  
Actual usage
    (15 )     -  
Currency translation effect
    -       -  
Ending
    64       61  

8.  INCOME TAX

The Company had no material adjustments to its liabilities for unrecognized income tax benefits according to the provisions of ASC Topic 740 Income Tax. The Company had an income tax benefit of $39 and $82 for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013, respectively, as compared to the income tax expense of $2 and income tax benefit of $122, respectively, for the same periods in the last fiscal year.

The Company accrues penalties and interest related to unrecognized tax benefits when necessary as a component of penalties and interest expenses, respectively.  The Company had not accrued any penalties or interest expenses relating to unrecognized benefits at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2013.

The major tax jurisdictions in which the Company files income tax returns are the United States, Singapore and Malaysia.  The statute of limitations, in general, is open for years 2004 to 2013 for tax authorities in those jurisdictions to audit or examine income tax returns.  The Company is under annual review by the government of Singapore.  However, the Company is not currently under tax examination in any other jurisdiction.

9.   INVESTMENT PROPERTIES

The following table presents the Company’s investment in properties in China and Malaysia as of December 31, 2013. The exchange rate is based on the exchange rate as of December 31, 2013 published by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

 
Investment Date
 
Investment Amount
(RM
B)
 
 
Investment Amount
(
U.S. Dollars)
 
Purchase of rental property – Property I - MaoYe
01/04/2008
   
5,554
     
917
 
Purchase of rental property – Property II - JiangHuai
01/06/2010
   
3,600
     
595
 
Purchase of rental property – Property III - Fu Li
01/06/2010
   
4,025
     
665
 
Gross investment in rental property
     
13,179
     
2,177
 
Accumulated depreciation on rental property
     
(2,631
)
   
(434
)
Net investment in property – China
     
10,548
     
1,743
 


 
Investment Date
 
Investment Amount
(RM)
   
Investment Amount
(U.S. Dollar
s)
 
Purchase of rental property – Penang Property I
31/12/2012
   
681
     
209
 
Gross investment in rental property
     
681
     
209
 
Accumulated depreciation on rental property
     
(294
)
   
(91
)
Net investment in property – Malaysia
     
387
     
118
 
 
 
15


 
Rental Property I

In fiscal 2008, Trio-Tech (Chongqing) Co. Ltd. (“TTCQ”) purchased an office in Chongqing, China from MaoYe Property Ltd. (“MaoYe”), for a total cash purchase price of RMB 5,554, or approximately $917 based on the exchange rate as of December 31, 2013 published by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. TTCQ rented this property to a third party on July 13, 2008. The term of the rental agreement was five years. The rental agreement was renewed on July 16, 2013 for a further period of five years. The rental agreement provides for a rent increase of 8% every year after July 15, 2015. The renewed agreement expires on July 15, 2018.

Property purchased from MaoYe generated a rental income of RMB 179, or approximately $29, and RMB 350, or approximately $57, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013, respectively, and RMB 135, or approximately $22, and RMB 269, or approximately $43, for the same periods in the last fiscal year, respectively.

Rental Property II

In fiscal 2010, TTCQ purchased eight units of commercial property in Chonqing, China, from Chongqing JiangHuai Real Estate Development Co., Ltd, (“JiangHuai”) for a total purchase price of RMB 3,600, or approximately $595 based on the exchange rate as of December 31, 2013 published by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. TTCQ rented these commercial units to a third party and renewed the rental agreement of this property on January 8, 2011. The rental agreement provided for a one-year renewable term with an annual rental income of RMB 720, or approximately $118 based on the average rate for the period six month period ended December 31, 2013.

Property purchased from JiangHuai generated a rental income of RMB 27, or approximately $5, and RMB 55, or approximately $9, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013, respectively, and did not generate any rental income for the same periods in last fiscal year.

Other Properties III – Fu Li

In fiscal 2010, TTCQ entered into a Memorandum Agreement with Chongqing Fu Li Real Estate Development Co. Ltd., (“FuLi”) to purchase two commercial properties totaling 311.99 square meters (“office space”) located in Jiang Bei District Chongqing. Although TTCQ currently rents its office premises from a third party, it intends to use the office space as its office premises. The total purchase price committed and paid was RMB 4,025, or approximately $665 based on the exchange rate as of December 31, 2013 published by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.  The development was completed and the property was handed over during April 2012 and the title deed was received during the third quarter of fiscal 2013.

Property purchased from Fu Li generated a rental income of RMB 74, or approximately $12, and RMB 147, or approximately $24 for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013, respectively, and RMB 70, or approximately $11, and RMB 127, or approximately $20, respectively, for the same periods in the last fiscal year.

Penang Property I

Since the market value of the factory building in Penang, Malaysia is increasing significantly, during the second quarter of fiscal 2013 Trio-Tech Malaysia (“TTM”) changed the plans of sale and concluded to hold the factory building in Penang and is looking for a tenant to rent the factory building. Hence, TTM has re-classified the factory building as investment property, which has a net book value of $118.

Summary

Total rental income for all investment properties (Property I, II and III) in China was $46 and $90 for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013, respectively, and was $33 and $63, respectively, for the same periods in the last fiscal year.

Rental income from the Penang property was nil for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013 as the property in Penang, Malaysia is vacant at the date of this report. TTM is in the process of identifying a suitable tenant.

Depreciation expenses for all investment properties in China were $26 and $54 for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013, respectively, and were $28 and $54, respectively, for the same periods in the last fiscal year.
 
 
16

 
10.   LOAN RECEIVABLE FROM PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

The following table presents TTCQ’s loan receivable from property development projects in China as of December 31, 2013. The exchange rate is based on the date published by the Monetary Authority of Singapore as on December 31, 2013.

 
Loan Expiry
Date
 
Loan Amount
(RMB)
   
Loan Amount
(U.S. Dollars)
 
Investment in JiaSheng (Project B-48 Phase 2)
31-Oct-2013
   
5,000
     
826
 
Investment in JiangHuai (Project - Yu Jin Jiang An)
31-May-2013
   
 2,000
     
330
 
Less : Allowance for doubtful receivables
     
(2,000
)
   
(330
)
Net loan receivable from property development projects
     
5,000
     
826
 
 
On November 1, 2010, TTCQ entered into a Memorandum Agreement with JiaSheng Property Development Co. Ltd. (“JiaSheng”) to invest in their property development projects (Project B-48 Phase 2) located in Chongqing City, China. Due to the short-term nature of the investment, the amount was classified as a loan based on ASC Topic 310-10-25 Receivables, amounting to RMB 5,000, or approximately $826, based on the exchange rate as at December 31, 2013 published by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The agreement guaranteed TTCQ an income of RMB 1,250, or approximately $196, payable in four installments of RMB 313, or approximately $51. The amount is unsecured and repayable at the end of the term. The loan was renewed in November 2011 for a period of one year, which expired on October 31, 2012 and was renewed in November 2012 and expired in November 2013. On November 1, 2013 the loan was transferred by JiaSheng to and is now payable by Chong Qing Jun Zhou Zhi Ye Co. Ltd., and the transferred agreement expires on October 31, 2016. The book value of the loan receivable approximates its fair value. TTCQ recorded other income of RMB 313, or approximately $51, and RMB 625, or approximately $102, from JiaSheng for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013.

On November 1, 2010, TTCQ entered into another Memorandum Agreement with JiangHuai Property Development Co. Ltd. (“JiangHuai”) to invest in their property development projects (Project - Yu Jin Jiang An) located in Chongqing City, China. Due to the short-term nature of the investment, the amount was classified as a loan based on ASC Topic 310-10-25 Receivables, amounting to RMB 2,000, or approximately $330 based on the exchange rate as at December 31, 2013 published by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. The agreement guaranteed TTCQ an income of RMB 400, or approximately $66, payable in 12 installments of RMB 33, or approximately $5. The amount is secured by the underlying property and repayable at the end of the term. The loan was renewed, but expired on May 31, 2013. TTCQ is in the process of recovering the outstanding amount. TTCQ did not generate other income from JiangHuai for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013, while it recorded other income of $11 and $26 for the same periods in the last fiscal year, respectively. An allowance for doubtful receivables of $330 was provided for during the second quarter of fiscal 2014, based on the company’s financial policy.

11.   BUSINESS SEGMENTS
 
In fiscal 2014, the Company operates in four segments: the testing service industry (which performs structural and electronic tests of semiconductor devices), the designing and manufacturing of equipment (which equipment tests the structural integrity of integrated circuits and other products), distribution of various products from other manufacturers in Singapore and Southeast Asia, and the real estate segment in China. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company discontinued operations in the fabrication segment.

The real estate segment recorded other income of $46 and $90, respectively, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013 as compared to $33 and $63, respectively, for the same periods in the last fiscal year. Due to the short-term nature of the investment, the amount was classified as a loan receivables based on ASC Topic 310-10-25 Receivables, hence the investment income was also classified under other income, which is not part of the below table.

The revenue allocated to individual countries was based on where the customers were located. The allocation of the cost of equipment, the current year investment in new equipment and depreciation expense have been made on the basis of the primary purpose for which the equipment was acquired.
 
All inter-segment revenue was from the manufacturing segment to the testing and distribution segments. Total inter-segment revenue was $48 and $196 for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013, respectively, as compared to $91 and $399, respectively, for the same periods in the last fiscal year.  Corporate assets mainly consisted of cash and prepaid expenses. Corporate expenses mainly consisted of stock option expenses, salaries, insurance, professional expenses and directors' fees. In fiscal 2014, corporate expenses are allocated to the four segments, in fiscal 2013, corporate expenses were allocated to the five then operating segments. The following tables report segment operating (loss) / income and include Corporate expenses allocated to the segments, which expenses are eliminated in the consolidation.
 
 
17


 
The following segment information is un-audited for the six months ended December 31, 2013:

Business Segment Information:
 
                         
 
Six months
       
Operating
         
Depr.
       
 
Ended
 
Net
   
(Loss)
   
Total
   
and
   
Capital
 
 
Dec. 31,
 
Revenue
   
Income
   
Assets
   
Amort.
   
Expenditures
 
Manufacturing
2013
 
$
8,569
   
$
(328
)
 
$
10,872
   
$
77
   
$
221
 
 
2012
   
8,371
     
(431
)
   
9,777
     
90
     
19
 
                                           
Testing Services
2013
   
8,645
     
391
     
19,331
     
1,067
     
1,500
 
 
2012
   
7,678
     
70
     
19,292
     
1,120
     
745
 
                                           
Distribution
2013
   
1,532
     
199
     
418
     
-
     
-
 
 
2012
   
684
     
84
     
378
     
2
     
1
 
                                           
Real Estate
2013
   
90
     
(45
)
   
3,893
     
54
     
-
 
 
2012
   
63
     
(121
)
   
4,161
     
54
     
-
 
                                           
Fabrication *
2013
   
-
     
-
     
106
     
-
     
-
 
Services
2012
   
-
     
(34
)
   
367
     
-
     
-
 
                                           
Corporate &
2013
   
-
     
(336
)
   
76
     
-
     
-
 
Unallocated
2012
   
-
     
8
     
58
     
-
     
-
 
                                           
Total Company
2013
 
$
18,836
   
$
(119
)
 
$
34,696
   
$
1,198
   
$
1,721
 
 
2012
 
$
16,796
   
$
(424
)
 
$
34,033
   
$
1,266
   
$
765
 

The following segment information is unaudited for the three months ended December 31, 2013:

Business Segment Information:
 
                         
 
Three months
       
Operating
         
Depr.
       
 
Ended
 
Net
   
(Loss)
   
Total
   
and
   
Capital
 
 
Dec. 31,
 
Revenue
   
Income
   
Assets
   
Amort.
   
Expenditures
 
Manufacturing
2013
 
$
4,368
   
$
(201
)
 
$
10,872
   
$
38
   
$
91
 
 
2012
   
3,079
     
(191
)
   
9,777
     
44
     
13
 
                                           
Testing Services
2013
   
4,597
     
289
     
19,331
     
531
     
1,146
 
 
2012
   
3,769
     
(34
)
   
19,292
     
569
     
78
 
                                           
Distribution
2013
   
328
     
7
     
418
     
-
     
-
 
 
2012
   
340
     
38
     
378
     
1
     
1
 
                                           
Real Estate
2013
   
46
     
(22
)
   
3,893
     
27
     
-
 
 
2012
   
33
     
(57
)
   
4,161
     
27
     
-
 
                                           
Fabrication *
2013
   
-
     
-
     
106
     
-
     
-
 
Services
2012
   
-
     
(10
)
   
367
     
-
     
-
 
                                           
Corporate &
2013
   
-
     
(179
)
   
76
     
-
     
-
 
Unallocated
2012
   
-
     
(60
)
   
58
     
-
     
-
 
                                           
Total Company
2013
 
$
9,339
   
$
(106
)
 
$
34,696
   
$
596
   
$
1,237
 
 
2012
 
$
7,221
   
$
(314
 
$
34,033
   
$
641
   
$
92
 
 
* Fabrication services is a discontinued operation (Note 16)
 
 
18

 
12.   NON-CONTROLLING INTEREST

In accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 810 Consolidation, the Company has classified the non-controlling interest as a component of stockholders’ equity in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Additionally, the Company has presented the net income attributable to the Company and the non-controlling ownership interests separately in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.

Non-controlling interest represents the minority stockholders’ share of 45% of the equity of Trio-Tech Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. 45% interest in SHI International Pte. Ltd. and 24% interest in Prestal Enterprise Sdn. Bhd., which are subsidiaries of the Company.

The table below reflects a reconciliation of the equity attributable to non-controlling interest:
 
   
Dec. 31, 2013
   
June 30, 2013
 
Non-controlling interest
 
(Unaudited)
       
Beginning balance
  $ 1,971     $ 1,720  
Net income / (loss)
    98       (83 )
Dividend declared by a subsidiary
    (156 )     244  
Contributions to capital by related party – loan forgiveness
    -       (39 )
Translation adjustment
    (103 )     129  
Ending balance
  $ 1,810     $ 1,971  

13.  FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS APPROXIMATE CARRYING VALUE

In accordance with ASC Topic 825, the Company considers the following:
 
Term deposits – The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Loan receivables from property development projects – The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short-term nature.
 
Restricted term deposits – The carrying amount approximates fair value because of the short maturity of these instruments.

Lines of credit – The carrying value of the lines of credit approximates fair value due to their short-term nature of the obligations.

Bank loans payable – The carrying value of the Company’s bank loan payables approximates its fair value as the interest rates associated with long-term debt is adjustable in accordance with market situations when the Company borrowed funds with similar terms and remaining maturities.

14.   BANK LOANS PAYABLE
 
Bank loans payable consisted of the following:
 
   
Dec. 31, 2013
(Unaudited)
   
June 30, 2013
 
Note payable denominated in Malaysian ringgit to a commercial bank for infrastructure investment, maturing in August 2024, bearing interest at the bank’s prime rate (5.1% at December 31, 2013) per annum, with monthly payments of principal plus interest through August 2024, collateralized by the acquired building with the net book value of Malaysian ringgit 12,133, or approximately $3,697
   
573
     
885
 
                 
Note payable denominated in U.S. dollars to a financial institution for working capital plans in Singapore and its subsidiaries, maturing in December 2014, bearing interest at the bank’s prime rate plus 1.50% (5.1% at December 31, 2013) per annum, monthly payments of principal plus interest through December 2014. This note payable is secured by plant and equipment with the net book value of Singapore dollars 679, or approximately $537.
   
2,351
     
2,498
 
                 
      Current portion
   
(717
)
   
(770
)
      Long term portion of bank loans payable
 
$
2,207
   
$
2,613
 
 
 
19

 
Future minimum payments (excluding interest) as at December 31, 2013 were as follows:
 
2013
 
$
717
 
2014
   
152
 
2015
   
160
 
2016
   
168
 
2017
   
175
 
Thereafter
   
1,552
 
Total obligations and commitments
 
$
2,924
 

15.   COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Trio-Tech (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. has expansion plans to meet the growing demands of a major customer in Malaysia, as the existing facility is inadequate to meet the demands of that customer.  The Company has capital commitments for the purchase of equipment and other related infrastructure costs amounting to RM 110, or approximately $34 based on the exchange rate as on December 31, 2013 published by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, in the Malaysia operations.

Trio-Tech (Tianjin) Co. Ltd. in China has capital commitments for the purchase of equipment and other related infrastructure costs amounting to RMB 53, or approximately $9 based on the exchange rate as on December 31, 2013 published by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

16.   DISCONTINUED OPERATION AND CORRESPONDING RESTRUCTURING PLAN

The Company’s Indonesia operation and the Indonesia operation’s immediate holding company, which comprise the fabrication services segment, suffered continued operating losses in the past four fiscal years, and the cash flow was minimal for the past four years.  The Company established a restructuring plan to close the fabrication services operation, and in accordance with ASC Topic 205-20, Presentation of Financial Statement Discontinued Operations (“ASC Topic 250-20”), the Company presented the operation results from fabrication services as a discontinued operation, as the Company believed that no continued cash flow would be generated by the discontinued component and that the Company would have no significant continuing involvement in the operations of the discontinued component. In accordance with the restructuring plan, the Company is negotiating with its suppliers to settle the outstanding balance of accounts payable of $387 and is collecting the accounts receivable of $61. The Company’s fabrication operation in Indonesia is in the process of winding down.

In January 2010, the Company established a restructuring plan to close the Testing operation in Shanghai, China.  Based on the restructuring plan and in accordance with ASC Topic 205-20, the Company presented the operation results from Shanghai as a discontinued operation, as the Company believed that no continued cash flow would be generated by the discontinued component (Shanghai subsidiary) and that the Company would have no significant continuing involvement in the operations of the discontinued component.

The discontinued operations in Shanghai and in Indonesia incurred general and administrative expenses of $3 and $7, respectively, for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013 and incurred general and administrative expenses and selling expenses of $70 and $147, respectively, for the same periods in the last fiscal year. The Company anticipates that it may incur additional costs and expenses at the time of winding down the business of the subsidiary through which the facilities operated. The Shanghai operation has an outstanding balance of accounts payable of $41 and is collecting the accounts receivable of $2.
 
 
20


 
Loss from discontinued operations was as follows:
 
   
Six Months Ended
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
Dec. 31,
   
Dec. 31,
   
Dec. 31,
   
Dec. 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
Unaudited
   
Unaudited
   
Unaudited
   
Unaudited
 
                         
REVENUE
 
$
-
   
$
302
   
$
-
   
$
130
 
COST OF SALES
   
3
 
   
578
     
-
     
331
 
                                 
GROSS LOSS
   
(3
)
   
(276
)
   
-
     
(201
)
OPERATING EXPENSES
                               
  General and administrative
   
     
  139
     
3
     
  66
 
  Selling
   
-
     
8
     
-
     
4
 
      Total
   
7
     
147
     
3
     
70
 
                                 
LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATION
   
(10
)
   
(423
)
   
(3)
     
(271
)
                                 
OTHER INCOME
   
(62
)
   
(66)
     
(27)
     
13
 
                                 
LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
 
$
(72
)
 
$
(489
)
 
$
(30
 
$
(258
)

The Company does not provide a separate cash flow statement for the discontinued operation, as the impact of the discontinued operation was immaterial.

17.  INVESTMENTS

During the second quarter of fiscal 2011, the Company entered into a joint-venture agreement with JiaSheng to develop real estate projects in China. The Company invested RMB 10,000, or approximately $1,653 based on the exchange rate as of December 31, 2013 published by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, for a 10% interest in the newly formed joint venture, which was incorporated as a limited liability company, Chong Qing Jun Zhou Zhi Ye Co. Ltd. (the “joint venture”), in China. The agreement stipulated that the Company would nominate two of the five members of the Board of Directors of the joint venture and had the ability to assign two members of management to the joint venture.  The agreement also stipulated that the Company would receive a fee of RMB 10,000, or approximately $1,653 based on the exchange rate as of December 31, 2013 published by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, for the services rendered in connection with obtaining priority to bid in certain real estate projects from the local government. Upon signing of the agreement, JiaSheng paid the Company RMB 5,000 in cash, or approximately $827 based on the exchange rate published by the Monetary Authority of Singapore as of December 31, 2013. The remaining RMB 5,000 would be paid over 72 months commencing in 36 months from the date of the agreement when the joint venture secured a property development project stated inside the joint venture agreement. The Company considered the RMB 5,000, or approximately $827 based on the exchange rate as of December 31, 2013 published by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, received in cash from JiaSheng, the controlling venturer in the joint venture, as a partial return of the Company’s initial investment of RMB 10,000, or approximately $1,653 based on the exchange rate as of December 31, 2013 published by the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Therefore, the RMB 5,000, received in cash was offset against the initial investment of RMB 10,000 resulting in a net investment of RMB 5,000 as of December 31, 2013. The Company further reduced its investments by RMB 137, or approximately $23, towards the losses from operations incurred by the joint-venture, resulting in a net investment of RMB 4,863, or approximately $804 based on exchange rates published by the Monetary Authority of Singapore as of December 31, 2013. The Company considered the collectability of the remaining RMB 5,000 uncertain due to the extended terms of the payment, and therefore has not recorded this amount as a receivable as of December 31, 2013.
 
 
21


“Investment in unconsolidated joint venture” as shown in the balance sheet consists of the cost of an investment in a joint venture, in which we have a 10% interest. Prior to the first quarter of fiscal 2012, the investment in this China affiliate was recorded on the equity basis. In the first quarter of fiscal 2012, due to the resignation of two directors representing Trio-Tech on the board of the joint venture, the Company concluded that it could no longer exert significant influence over the joint venture. Therefore, the Company began accounting for this investment using the cost method effective September 29, 2011. During the second quarter of fiscal 2014, TTCQ disposed of its 10% interest in the joint venture. The joint venture had to raise funds for the development of the project. As a joint-venture partner, TTCQ was required to stand guarantee for the funds to be borrowed; considering the amount of borrowing, the risk involved was higher than the investment made and hence TTCQ decided to dispose of the 10% interest in the joint venture investment. On October 2, 2013, TTCQ entered into a share transfer agreement with Zhu Shu. Based on the agreement the purchase price was to be paid by (1) RMB 10,000, or approximately $1,634 based on exchange rates published by the Monetary Authority of Singapore as of October 2, 2013, by non-monetary consideration and (2) the remaining RMB 8,000, or approximately $1,307 based on exchange rates published by the Monetary Authority of Singapore as of October 2, 2013, by cash consideration. The consideration consists of (1) commercial units measuring 668 square meters to be delivered in June 2016 and (2) sixteen quarterly equal installments of RMB 500 per quarter commencing from January 2014. Based on ASC Topic 845 Non-monetary consideration, the Company deferred the recognition of the gain on disposal of the 10% interest in joint venture investment until such time that the consideration is paid, so that the gain can be ascertained. Thus the recorded value of the disposed investment amounting to $804 is classified as “other assets” under non-current assets, because it is considered as a down-payment for the purchase of the commercial property in Chongqing.
 
In accordance with ASC Topic 323 Investments – Other, Cost Method Investments, ‘‘Investments’’ as shown on the Company’s Balance Sheet consists of the cost of an investment in the joint venture, in which the Company has a 10% interest. Prior to the first quarter of fiscal 2012, the Company’s 10% ownership in this China affiliate was recorded on the equity basis.

In accordance with ASC Topic 810-10-50, Disclosure for Variable Interest Entities, the Company analyzes its investments in joint ventures to determine if the joint venture is a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and would require consolidation. The Company (a) evaluates the sufficiency of the total equity at risk, (b) reviews the voting rights and decision-making authority of the equity investment holders as a group, and whether there are any guaranteed returns, protection against losses, or capping of residual returns within the group, and (c) establishes whether activities within the venture are on behalf of an investor with disproportionately few voting rights in making this VIE determination. The Company would consolidate a venture that is determined to be a VIE if it was the primary beneficiary.  Beginning January 1, 2010, a new accounting standard became effective and changed the method by which the primary beneficiary of a VIE is determined, a primarily qualitative approach whereby the variable interest holder, if any, has the power to direct the VIE’s most significant activities and is the primary beneficiary. The Company has determined that although the investment is a VIE, the Company is not the primary beneficiary.  Therefore, the Company does not consolidate the joint venture and it is accounted for using the cost method, since there is no significant influence.

18. LINES OF CREDIT

The Company’s credit rating provides it with readily and adequate access to funds in global markets. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had certain lines of credit that are collateralized by restricted deposits.

Entity with
 
Type of
 
Interest
 
Expiration
   
Credit
   
Unused
 
Facility
 
Facility
 
Rate
 
Date
   
Limitation
   
Credit
 
Trio-Tech International Pte. Ltd., Singapore
 
 
Line of Credit
 
With interest rates ranging from 1.77% to 6.04%
    --     $   8,298     $   4,731  
Trio-Tech (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
 
 
Line of Credit
 
With interest rates ranging from 4.60% to 8.60%
    --     $   914     $   914  

19.   ASSET HELD FOR SALE

During the third quarter of fiscal 2011, Trio-Tech (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (“TTM”), a 55% owned subsidiary of the Registrant, planned to sell the factory building in Penang, Malaysia which was being used as its testing facility before the Company moved the entire operation to Petaling Jaya, Malaysia. The Malaysia operation ceased the depreciation of that property in accordance with ASC Topic 360 Property, plant and equipment.

Since the market value of the factory building in Penang, Malaysia is increasing significantly, during the second quarter of fiscal 2013 TTM changed the plans of sale and concluded to hold the factory building in Penang and is looking for a tenant to rent the factory building. Hence TTM has re-classified the factory building as investment property, which then had a net book value of $135.

20. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTION

A subsidiary of SHI International Pte. Ltd. owed $515 to a related party. The loan was forgiven by the related party during the second quarter of fiscal 2012. The forgiveness of the loan amounting to $515 was recorded as additional paid in capital during the second quarter of fiscal 2013 and non-controlling interest for their portion of the related forgiveness.
 
 
22


 
21. OTHER ASSETS

   
Dec. 31, 2013
   
June 30, 2013
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
Down payment for purchase of commercial property
  $ 804     $ -  
Down payment for property, plant and equipment
    28       74  
Deposit for rental and utilities
    156       157  
Long term receivables
    74       -  
Deferred tax asset
    289       203  
Others
    2       3  
Ending balance
  $ 1,353     $ 437  

22. OTHER INCOME

Other income consisted of the following:

   
Six Months Ended
   
Three Months Ended
 
   
Dec. 31,
   
Dec. 31,
   
Dec. 31,
   
Dec. 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
   
Unaudited
   
Unaudited
   
Unaudited
   
Unaudited
 
                         
Allowance for doubtful loan receivables
 
$
(338
)
 
$
-
   
$
(338
 
$
-
 
Investment income deemed interest income
   
102
     
132
     
51
     
66
 
Interest income
   
2
 
   
-
     
1
     
-
 
Other rental income
   
  165
     
  27
     
  60
     
11 
 
Exchange gain / (loss)
   
32
 
   
157
     
(6
   
(21
)
Other miscellaneous (expense) / income
   
  (4
)
   
  (6
)
   
  27
     
 
 
                               
      Total
   
(41
)
   
310
     
(205
   
56
 

Other income for both the three and six months ending December 31, 2013 included $338 allowance for doubtful loan and doubtful interest receivables, as compared to nil for the same period in the last fiscal year. Investment income which was deemed to be interest income since the investment was deemed and classified as a loan receivables based on ASC Topic 310-10-25 Receivables amounted to $51 and $102 for the three and six months ending December 31, 2013, respectively, as compared to $66 and $132 for the same periods in the last fiscal year, respectively.
 
 
23


 
TRIO-TECH INTERNATIONAL AND SUBSIDIARIES
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)


Overview

The following should be read in conjunction with the condensed consolidated unaudited financial statements and notes in Item I above and with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes, and the information under the headings “Risk Factors” and “Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2013.

Trio-Tech International (“TTI”) was incorporated in 1958 under the laws of the State of California.  As used herein, the term “Trio-Tech” or “Company” or “we” or “us” or “Registrant” includes Trio-Tech International and its subsidiaries unless the context otherwise indicates. Our mailing address and executive offices are located at 16139 Wyandotte Street, Van Nuys, California 91406, and our telephone number is (818) 787-7000.

The Company is a provider of reliability test equipment and services to the semiconductor industry. Our customers rely on us to verify that their semiconductor components meet or exceed the rigorous reliability standards demanded for aerospace, communications and other electronics products.

TTI generated more than 99% of its revenue from its three core business segments in the test and measurement industry, i.e. manufacturing of test equipment, testing services and distribution of test equipment during the six months ended December 31, 2013. To reduce our risks associated with sole industry focus and customer concentration, the Company expanded its business into real estate investment and the oil and gas equipment fabrication business in 2007 and 2009, respectively. However, in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company decided to discontinue its oil and gas equipment fabrication business, which segment is considered a discontinued operation.

Manufacturing

TTI develops and manufactures an extensive range of test equipment used in the "front end" and the "back end" manufacturing processes of semiconductors. Our equipment includes leak detectors, autoclaves, centrifuges, burn-in systems and boards, HAST testers, temperature controlled chucks, wet benches and more.

Testing

TTI provides comprehensive electrical, environmental, and burn-in testing services to semiconductor manufacturers in our testing laboratories in Southeast Asia and the United States. Our customers include both manufacturers and end-users of semiconductor and electronic components, who look to us when they do not want to establish their own facilities. The independent tests are performed to industry and customer specific standards.
 
Distribution

In addition to our own products and services, TTI also provides an extensive range of complementary environmental and reliability test equipment from reputable manufacturers through our distribution operations. Such equipment includes temperature cycling and shock test chambers, reflow ovens, interface systems, vibration systems, mechanical shock testers, drop testers and more. Besides equipment, we also distribute a wide range of components such as connectors, sockets and touch-screen panels.

Real Estate

Beginning in 2007, TTI has invested in real property in Chongqing, China, which has generated investment income from the rental revenue from real estate we purchased in Chongqing, China, and investment returns from deemed loan receivables, which are classified as other income. The rental income is generated from the rental properties in MaoYe, JiangHuai and FuLi in Chongqing, China. The investment which is deemed a loan receivable generates investment returns from the investments in JiaSheng and JiangHuai.

Fabrication – Discontinued Operations

We have fabricated equipment structures used in the oil and gas industry at our subsidiary, PT SHI Indonesia (“PT SHI”), in Indonesia. As more fully described elsewhere in this Form 10-Q, in the second quarter of fiscal 2013 management terminated the lease of the fabrication yard and decided to outsource fabrication projects to service providers who have facilities to undertake such projects. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 management decided to discontinue this operation.
 
 
24


 
Second Quarter Fiscal 2014 Highlights
 
 
·
Manufacturing segment revenue increased by $1,289, or 41.9%, to $4,368 for the second quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to $3,079 for the same period in fiscal 2013.
 
·
Testing segment revenue increased by $828, or 22.0%, to $4,597 for the second quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to $3,769 for the same period in fiscal 2013.
 
·
Distribution segment revenue decreased by $12, or 3.5%, to $328 for the second quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to $340 for the same period in fiscal 2013.
 
·
Real estate segment revenue increased by $13, or 39.4%, to $46 for the second quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to $33 for the same period in fiscal 2013.
 
·
The overall gross profit margins decreased by 0.1% to 21.3% for the second quarter of fiscal 2014, from 21.4% for the same period in fiscal 2013.
 
·
Loss from operations decreased by $208 to $106 for the second quarter of fiscal 2014, compared to $314 for the same period in fiscal 2013.
 
·
General and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue decreased by 3.4% to 19.7% for the second quarter of fiscal 2014, from 23.1% for the same period in fiscal 2013.
 
·
Selling expenses as a percentage of revenue increased by 0.5% to 2.2% for the second quarter of fiscal 2014, from 1.7% for the same period in fiscal 2013.
 
·
Net loss attributable to Trio-Tech International for the second quarter of 2014 was $365 as compared to $506 for the same period in fiscal 2013.

Results of Operations and Business Outlook

The following table sets forth our revenue components for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
 
 Revenue Components
 
Three Months Ended
December 31,
   
Six Months Ended
December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
   
2013
   
2012
 
Revenue:
                       
Manufacturing
    46.8 %     42.6 %     45.5 %     49.8 %
Testing Services
    49.2       52.2       45.9       45.7  
Distribution
    3.5       4.7       8.1       4.1  
Real Estate
    0.5       0.5       0.5       0.4  
                                 
Total
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %

Revenue for the three months and six months ended December 31, 2013 was $9,339 and $18,836, respectively, an increase of     $2,118 and $2,040, respectively, when compared to the revenue for the same periods of the prior fiscal year. As a percentage, revenue increased by 29.3% and 12.1% for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013, respectively, when compared to total revenue for the same periods of the prior year.
 
For the three months ended December 31, 2013, the increase in revenue was primarily due to an increase in revenue in the testing segment in our China operations, an increase in revenue in the manufacturing segment in our Singapore operations and an increase in revenue from the real estate segment in China, but partially offset by a decrease in revenue in the testing segment in our Singapore and Thailand operations and in the distribution segment.

For the six months ended December 31, 2013, the increase in revenue was primarily due to an increase in revenue in the manufacturing segment in our Singapore operations, in the testing segment in our Malaysia and Tianjin, in our China operations, in the distribution segment in our Singapore operation and in the real estate segment in China. The increase in revenue was partially offset by the decrease in revenue in the testing segment in our Singapore operation and Suzhou in our China operations.

Revenue into and within China, the Southeast Asia regions and other countries (except revenue into and within the United States) increased by $2,069 (or 29.8%) to $9,013, and by $2,297 (or 14.4%) to $18,230 for the three months and six months ended December 31, 2013, respectively, as compared with $6,944 and $15,933, respectively, for the same periods of last fiscal year.  
 
Revenue into and within the United States was $326 and $606 for the three months and six months ended December 31, 2013, respectively, an increase of $49 and a decrease of $257, respectively, from $277 and $863 for the same periods of last fiscal year, respectively. The increase in the three months result was mainly due to an increase in orders from our customers in the U.S. market in the second quarter of fiscal 2013 as compared to the same period in the last fiscal year.  However, for the six months result, there was a decrease in revenue due to the lower orders received in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 and the delay in delivering certain orders to our customers during the second quarter of fiscal 2014, as compared to the same period in the last fiscal year.
 
 
25


 
Revenue for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013 can be discussed within the four segments as follows:

Manufacturing Segment

Revenue in the manufacturing segment as a percentage of total revenue was 46.8% and 45.5% for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013, respectively, an increase of 4.2% and a decrease of 4.3% of total revenue, respectively, when compared to the same periods of the last fiscal year.  The absolute amount of revenue increased by $1,289 to $4,368 from $3,079 and increased by $198 to $8,569 from $8,371 for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013, respectively, compared to the same periods of the last fiscal year. 

Revenue in the manufacturing segment for the three month period ended December 31, 2013 increased in the Singapore operations due to an increase in capital spending by one of our major customers as compared to the same period of last fiscal year. The revenue in the manufacturing segment from this major customer accounted for 62.2% and 51.5% of our total revenue in the manufacturing segment for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Revenue in the manufacturing segment for the six month period ended December 31, 2013 increased in the Singapore operations. Though the revenue from the manufacturing segment in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 was lower than that of the same period in last year, the increase in the second quarter of fiscal 2014, which was due to an increase in capital spending by one of our major customers, enabled us to increase the revenue. This increase was partially offset by the decrease in revenue in the U.S. operation for the six month period ended December 31, 2013, as compared to the same period of the last fiscal year. The revenue in the manufacturing segment from this major customer accounted for 57.3% and 64.5% of our total revenue in the manufacturing segment for the six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

The future revenue in our manufacturing segment will be significantly affected by the purchase and capital expenditure plans of this major customer, if the customer base cannot be increased.

Testing Services Segment

Revenue in the testing segment as a percentage of total revenue was 49.2% and 45.9% for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013, respectively, a decrease of 3.0% and an increase of 0.2%, respectively, of total revenue when compared to the same periods of the last fiscal year.  The absolute amount of revenue increased by $828 to $4,597 from $3,769 and by $967 to $8,645 from $7,678 for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013, respectively, compared to the same periods of the last fiscal year. 

Revenue in the testing segment for the three and six month period ended December 31, 2013 increased primarily due to an increase in testing volume in our China and Malaysia operations, but partially offset by a decrease in testing volume in our Singapore and Thailand operations. The increase in testing volume in our China operations was mainly caused by an increase in orders from our major customers due to the increase in demand for our customers’ products. The decrease in our testing volume in the Singapore operation was due to the decrease in the volume from our customers due to lower demand for their products produced in Singapore. The Thailand operations had lower volume in the second quarter of this fiscal year as compared to the second quarter of the previous fiscal year, because of the shutdown of our customers’ production facilities during December 2013 caused by the political situation in Thailand.

Demand for testing services varies from country to country depending on changes taking place in the market and our customers’ forecasts.  As it is difficult to accurately forecast fluctuations in the market, management believes it is necessary to maintain testing facilities in close proximity to our customers in order to make it convenient for them to send us their newly manufactured parts for testing and to enable us to maintain a share of the market.

Distribution Segment

Revenue in the distribution segment accounted for 3.5% and 8.1% of total revenue for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013, respectively, a decrease of 1.2% and an increase of 4.0%, respectively, when compared to the same periods of the prior fiscal year.  The absolute amount of revenue decreased by $12 to $328 from $340, and increased by $848 to $1,532 from $684 for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013, respectively, compared to the same periods of the last fiscal year. 

Revenue in the distribution segment for the three month period ended December 31, 2013 decreased primarily due to a delay in our delivery of an order to our existing customer. The change in specifications required by such customer caused the delay in delivering such order.
 
 
26


 
Revenue in the distribution segment for the six month period ended December 31, 2013 increased primarily due to the increase in sales during the first quarter of fiscal 2013 as compared to the same period in the last fiscal year. Demand for the distribution segment varies depending on the demand for our customers’ products and the changes taking place in the market and our customers’ forecasts.  Hence it is difficult to accurately forecast fluctuations in the market.

Real Estate Segment

The real estate segment accounted for 0.5% of total net revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. The real estate segment accounted for 0.5% for the six months ended December 31, 2013, an increase of 0.1% from 0.4% for the same period in the last fiscal year. The absolute amount of revenue in the real estate segment increased by $13 to $46 from $33 and by $27 to $90 from $63 for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013, respectively, compared to the same periods of the last fiscal year. The increase was primarily due to an increase in rental income in the real estate segment for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013 as described below.

The two main revenue components for the real estate segment were investment income and rental income.

No investment income was recorded as “revenue” for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012. Income of $51 and $102 for each of the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 from certain of our property development investments was reclassified to loan receivables commencing in the third quarter of fiscal 2011 in accordance with ASC Topic 310-10-25 Receivables. Such income is included in “Other Income.”

Rental income for the three and six months ended December 31, 2013 was $46 and $90 respectively, as compared to $33 and $63, respectively, for the same periods of the last fiscal year. The increase of $13 and $27, respectively, was primarily due to the new lease rental agreement for three units in JianHuai rental property, signed during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 and by the increase in rental in JiaSheng and FuLi rental properties. The units in JiangHuai did not generate such rental income in the same period of the last fiscal year.

“Investment in unconsolidated joint venture” as shown in the balance sheet consists of the cost of an investment in a joint venture, in which we have a 10.0% interest. Prior to the first quarter of fiscal 2012, the investment in this China affiliate was recorded on the equity basis. In the first quarter of fiscal 2012, we concluded that we could no longer exert significant influence on the operating and financial activities of the joint venture. Therefore, effective September 29, 2011, we began accounting for this investment using the cost method. During the second quarter of fiscal 2014, TTCQ disposed of its 10% interest in the joint venture. The joint venture had to raise funds for the development of the project. As a joint-venture partner TTCQ was required to stand guarantee for the funds to be borrowed; considering the amount of borrowing, the risk involved was higher than the investment made and hence TTCQ decided to dispose of the 10% interest in the joint venture investment. On October 2, 2013, TTCQ entered into a share transfer agreement with Chongqing Jun Zhou Co Ltd. (“Jun Zhou”). Based on the agreement, the purchase price was to be paid through (1) non-monetary consideration consisting of commercial units measuring 668 square meters to be delivered in June 2015 and (2) sixteen quarterly equal installments of RMB 500 per quarter commencing from January 2014. Based on ASC Topic 845 Non-monetary consideration, the Company deferred the recognition of the gain or loss on disposal of the 10% interest in joint venture investment, until such time that the consideration is paid so that the gain or loss can be ascertained. Hence the recorded value of the disposed investment amounting to $804 is classified as “other assets” under non-current assets, since it is considered a down-payment for the purchase of the commercial property in Chongqing.

Uncertainties and Remedies

There are several influencing factors which create uncertainties when forecasting performance, such as the ever-changing nature of technology, specific requirements from the customer, and decline in demand for certain types of burn-in devices or equipment, decline in demand for testing services and fabrication services, and other similar factors. One factor that influences uncertainty is the highly competitive nature of the semiconductor industry. Another is that some customers are unable to provide a forecast of the products required in the upcoming weeks; hence it is difficult to plan for the resources needed to meet these customers’ requirements due to short lead time and last minute order confirmation. This will normally result in a lower margin for these products, as it is more expensive to purchase materials in a short time frame.  However, the Company has taken certain actions and formulated certain plans to deal with and to help mitigate these unpredictable factors.  For example, in order to meet manufacturing customers’ demands upon short notice, the Company maintains higher inventories, but continues to work closely with its customers to avoid stock piling.  We have also been improving customer service from staff by keeping our staff up to date on the newest technology and stressing the importance of understanding and meeting the stringent requirements of our customers.  Finally, the Company is exploring new markets and products, looking for new customers, and upgrading and improving burn-in technology while at the same time searching for improved testing methods of higher technology chips.

There are several influencing factors which create uncertainties when forecasting performance of our real estate segment, such as obtaining the rights by the joint venture to develop the real estate projects in China, inflation in China, currency fluctuations and devaluation, changes in Chinese laws, regulations, or their interpretation.
 
 
27

 
Comparison of the Second Quarter Ended December 31, 2013 (“Q2 2014”) and December 31, 2012 (“Q2 2013”)

The following table sets forth certain consolidated statements of income data as a percentage of revenue for the second quarters of fiscal 2014 and 2013, respectively:

   
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
Revenue
    100.0 %     100.0 %
Cost of sales
    78.7       78.6  
Gross Margin
    21.3 %     21.4 %
Operating expenses
               
General and administrative
    19.7 %     23.0 %
Selling
    2.2       1.7  
Research and development
    0.5       1.0  
Impairment loss
    0.0       0.0  
Gain on disposal of PP&E
    0.0       0.0  
Total operating expenses
    22.4 %     25.7 %
Loss from Operations
    (1.1 )%     (4.3 )%
 
Overall Gross Margin

Overall gross margin as a percentage of revenue decreased by 0.1% to 21.3% for the three months ended December 31, 2013, from 21.4% for the same period of the last fiscal year, primarily due to a decrease in the gross profit margin in the manufacturing and distribution segments. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in gross profit margin in the testing and real estate segments. In terms of absolute dollar amounts, gross profits increased by $439 to $1,987 for the three months ended December 31, 2013, from $1,548 as compared to the same period of the last fiscal year.

Gross profit margin as a percentage of revenue in the manufacturing segment decreased by 4.9% to 13.3% for the three months ended December 31, 2013, from 18.2% in the same period of the last fiscal year. The decrease in gross margin was due to the change in product mix, as this segment increased sales of products that had lower profit margin items insufficient to offset the increase in gross margin due to the change in product mix in the manufacturing segment as compared to the same period of last fiscal year. The increase in revenue in our Singapore operation was primarily due to the increase in orders from products with lower gross profit margin. In absolute dollar amounts, gross profits in the manufacturing segment increased by $20 to $580 for the three months ended December 31, 2013 from $560 for the same period of last fiscal year.

Gross profit margin as a percentage of revenue in the testing segment increased by 4.6% to 29.2% for the three months ended December 31, 2013, from 24.6% in the same period of the last fiscal year.   The increase was primarily due to an increase in testing volume in our Malaysia operations and in Tianjin and Suzhou in our China operations, which was partially offset by the decrease in testing volume in our Singapore and Thailand operations.  Significant portions of our cost of goods sold are fixed in the testing segment.  Thus, as the demand of services and factory utilization increase, the fixed costs are spread over the increased output, which increases the gross profit margin. The Tianjin and Suzhou in our China operations and the Malaysia operations increased their space utilization and the Singapore and Thailand operations decreased their space utilization. Thailand was affected by a slowdown caused by the shutdown of the production facilities of our customers due to the political situation during December 2013. In absolute dollar amounts, gross profit in the testing segment increased by $417 to $1,344 for the three months ended December 31, 2013 from $927 for the same period of the last fiscal year.

The gross profit margin of the distribution segment is not only affected by the market price of our products, but also our product mix, which changes frequently as a result of changes in market demand. Gross profit margin as a percentage of revenue in the distribution segment decreased by 1.7% to 15.9% for the three months ended December 31, 2013, from 17.6% in the same period of the last fiscal year. The decrease in gross margin as a percentage of revenue was due to the change in product mix, as this segment increased sales of products that had lower profit margin items insufficient to offset the decrease in gross margin due to the change in product mix in the distribution segment as compared to the same period of last fiscal year. In terms of absolute dollar amounts, gross profit in the distribution segment for the three months ended December 31, 2013 was $52, a decrease of $8 as compared to $60 in the same period of last fiscal year. 
 
 
28


 
Gross profit margin as a percentage of revenue in the real estate segment was 23.9% for the three months ended December 31, 2012, an increase of 20.9% as compared to 3.0% in the same period of the last fiscal year. In absolute dollar amounts, gross profit in the real estate segment for the three months ended December 31, 2013 was $11, an increase of $10 from $1 in the same period of last fiscal year.  The increase in the gross profit margin as a percentage of revenue was due to an increase in rental revenue, as new rental contracts were entered into in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 and also due to an increase in rental due from the renewal of rental agreements. The increase in rental revenue does not have a direct impact on its cost, hence resulting in a higher gross margin.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the second quarters of fiscal 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

   
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
(Unaudited)
 
2013
   
2012
 
General and administrative
  $ 1,838     $ 1,664  
Selling
    208       126  
Research and development
    49       72  
Gain on disposal of Property, plant and equipment
    (2 )     -  
Total
  $ 2,093     $ 1,862  

General and administrative expenses increased by $174, or 10.5%, from $1,664 to $1,838 for the three months ended December 31, 2013 compared to the same period of last fiscal year. The increase in the general and administrative expenses was mainly attributable to the increase in the expenses in the U.S. corporate office, the increase in expenses in the testing segments in China, Malaysia and the U.S., and the increase in expenses in the distribution segment in the Singapore operation, which was partially offset by the decrease in expenses in the testing segment in the Singapore and Thailand operation. The increase was primarily in the Corporate office; stock option expenses in Corporate for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 which was $86 as compared to $8 for the same period of last fiscal year, and there was an increase in travel expenses. In the testing segment in the Tianjin operations, general and administrative expenses increased primarily due to an increase in scale of operations.

Selling expenses increased by $82, or 65.07%, for the three months ended December 31, 2013, from $126 to $208 compared to the same period of the last fiscal year. The increase was mainly due to an increase in travel expenses and commission expenses as the commissionable revenue increased in the Singapore operation.

Loss from Operations

Loss from operations decreased by $208 to $106 for the three months ended December 31, 2013 as compared to a loss from operations of $314 for the same period of the last fiscal year. The decrease in loss from operations was mainly due to the increase in revenue and gross margin, but was partially offset by the increase in operating expenses, as previously discussed.

Interest Expense

Interest expense for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 and 2013 was as follows:
 
   
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
(Unaudited)
 
2013
   
2012
 
Interest expenses
 
 $
(66
 
$
(76

Interest expense decreased by $10 to $66 for the three months ended December 31, 2013, primarily due to payment of credit facilities to a bank and a decreasing line of credit utilized in the Singapore operation. We are trying to keep our debt at a minimum in order to save financing costs.  As of December 31, 2013, the Company had an unused line of credit of $5,645.

Income Tax Benefit / (Expenses)
 
Income tax benefits for the three months ended December 31, 2012 was $39, as compared to income tax expenses of $2 for the same quarter last fiscal year. The increase in income tax benefit was mainly due to deferred tax for the timing difference recorded for the three months ended December 2013 as compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year. Although the China operation increased its taxable income, loss carry-forwards in that operation helped to reduce tax expenses.
 
 
29

 
Non-controlling Interest

As of December 31, 2012, we held a 55% interest in Trio-Tech (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd., Trio-Tech (Kuala Lumpur) Sdn. Bhd., SHI International Pte. Ltd., PTSHI Indonesia, and a 76% interest in Prestal Enterprise Sdn. Bhd. The non-controlling interest for the three months ended December 31, 2013, in the net loss of subsidiaries, was $3, an improvement of $85 compared to the non-controlling interest in the net loss of $88 for the same period of the previous fiscal year.  The decrease in the non-controlling interest in the net loss of subsidiaries was attributable to the lower net loss generated by SHI International Pte. Ltd. and its subsidiary PT SHI Indonesia amounting to $13 as compared to $126 in the previous fiscal year, which was partially offset by the lower net income generated by the Malaysia operations amounting to $10 as compared to $38 for the same period in the previous fiscal year.

Loss from Discontinued Operations

Loss from discontinued operations of the fabrication segment was $17 for the three months ended December 31, 2013 as compared to $132 for the same period of the last fiscal year.  

Net Loss

Net loss was $365 for the three months ended December 31, 2013, as compared to a net loss of $506 for the three months ended December 31, 2012. The decrease in net loss was mainly due to an increase in revenue and gross margin, but partially offset by the increase in operating expenses, as previously discussed.

Loss per Share

Basic and diluted loss per share from continuing operations for the three months ended December 31, 2013 was $0.10 compared to basic and diluted loss per share of $0.12 in the same period of the last fiscal year. Decrease in loss per share was mainly due to increase in revenue, increase in gross margin partially offset by the increase in operating expenses, as discussed earlier. The increase in the shares outstanding due to exercising the stock option also helped the decrease in the loss per share.

Basic and diluted loss per share from the discontinued operations was nil and $0.03 for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Decrease in loss per share in the discontinued operations was mainly because the operations was discontinued in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, hence during the second quarter of fiscal 2013 there were expenses being incurred. There was no such expense in the second quarter of fiscal 2014. The increase in the shares outstanding due to exercising the stock option also helped the decrease in the loss per share.

Segment Information

The revenue, gross margin and income from each segment for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 and the second quarter of fiscal 2013, respectively, are presented below. As the revenue and gross margin for each segment have been discussed in the previous section, only the comparison of income from operations is discussed below.

Manufacturing Segment

The revenue, gross margin and loss from operations for the manufacturing segment for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

   
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
(Unaudited)
 
2013
   
2012
 
Revenue
  $ 4,368     $ 3,079  
Gross margin
    13.3 %     18.2 %
Loss from operations
  $ (201 )   $ (191 )

Loss from operations in the manufacturing segment increased by $10 to a loss of $201 for the three months ended December 31, 2013 from a loss of $191 in the same period of the last fiscal year. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the operating expenses, but partially offset by an increase in revenue and an increase in the gross margin as discussed earlier. Operating expenses for the manufacturing segment were $781 and $751 for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.  The increase in operating expenses of $30 was mainly due to an increase in selling expenses of $71 and increase in allocation of corporate expenses, which was partially offset by the decrease in general and administrative expenses and research and development expenses, as compared to the same period of last fiscal year. The increase in selling expenses was mainly due to the increase in commissionable sales.
 
 
30


 
Testing Segment

The revenue, gross margin and income / (loss) from operations for the testing segment for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

   
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
(Unaudited)
 
2013
   
2012
 
Revenue
 
$
4,597
   
$
3,769
 
Gross margin
   
29.2
%
   
24.6
%
Income / (Loss) from operations
 
$
289
   
$
(34
)

Income from operations in the testing segment for the three months ended December 31, 2013 was $289, an improvement of $323 compared to a loss of $34 in the same period of the last fiscal year. The improvement in operating results was attributable to an increase of $417 in gross margin, as discussed earlier, which was partially offset by the increase of $94 in operating expenses.  Operating expenses were $1,055 and $961 for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The increase in operating expenses was mainly attributable to an increase in general and administrative expenses, an increase in selling expenses and an increase in the allocation of the corporate charges. Corporate charges are allocated on a predetermined fixed charge basis. The operating expenses also increased in the Malaysia and China operations, but were partially offset by the decrease in operating expenses in the Singapore and Thailand operations, as compared to the same period of last fiscal year.

Distribution Segment

The revenue, gross margin and income from operations for the distribution segment for the second quarter of fiscal 2014 and 2013 were as follows: 

   
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
(Unaudited)
 
2013
   
2012
 
Revenue
 
$
328
   
$
340
 
Gross margin
   
15.9
%
   
17.6
%
Income from operations
 
$
7
   
$
38
 

Income from operations in the distribution segment decreased by $31 to $7 for the three months ended December 31, 2013, as compared to $38 in the same period of the last fiscal year. The decrease in operating income was mainly due to a decrease in revenue and decrease in gross profit of $8 and an increase in operating expenses mainly due to general and administrative expenses and increase in allocation of corporate charges. Operating expenses were $45 and $22 for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Real Estate Segment

The revenue, gross margin and loss from operations for the real estate segment for the second quarters of fiscal 2014 and 2013 were as follows:

   
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
(Unaudited)
 
2013
   
2012
 
Revenue
 
$
46
   
$
33
 
Gross margin
   
23.9
%
   
3.0
%
Loss from operations
 
$
(22
)
 
$
(57
)

Loss from operations in the real estate segment for the three months ended December 31, 2013 was $22, a decrease of $35 compared to a loss of $57 for the same period of the last fiscal year.  The decrease in operating loss was mainly due to a decrease in operating expenses by $25. The operating expenses were $33 and $57 for the three months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease in operating expenses as compared to the same quarter in last fiscal year was primarily due to a decrease in traveling expenses.
 
 
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Corporate

The loss from operations for corporate for the second quarters of fiscal 2014 and 2013 were as follows:    

   
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
(Unaudited)
 
2013
   
2012
 
Loss from operations
  $ (178   $ (60

Corporate operating loss increased by $118 to $178 for the three months ended December 31, 2013 from $60 in the same period of the last fiscal year.  The increase in operating loss was mainly due to an increase in stock option expenses and travel expenses, though partially offset by the increase in corporate overhead recharged (as corporate overhead is recharged based on a pre-determined fixed amount).  Stock option expenses during the three months ended December 31, 2013 were $86 as compared to $8 for the same period of last fiscal year.

Comparison of the Six Months Ended December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012

   
Six Months Ended December 31,
 
   
2013
   
2012
 
Revenue
   
100.0
%
   
100.0
%
Cost of sales
   
78.3
     
79.8
 
Gross Margin
   
21.7
%
   
20.2
%
Operating expenses
               
General and administrative
   
19.5
%
   
20.3
%
Selling
   
2.2
     
1.5
 
Research and development
   
0.5
     
0.9
 
Impairment loss
   
0.0
     
0.0
 
Gain on disposal of PP&E
   
0.1
     
0.0
 
Total operating expenses
   
22.3
%
   
22.7
%
Loss from Operations
   
(0.6
)%
   
(2.5
)%

Overall Gross Margin

Overall gross margin as a percentage of revenue increased by 1.5% to 21.7% for the six months ended December 31, 2013, from 20.2% in the same period of the last fiscal year, primarily due to an increase in the gross profit margin in the manufacturing, distribution and real estate segments, which was partially offset by a decrease in the gross profit margin in the testing segment. In terms of absolute dollar amounts, gross profits increased by $691 to $4,078 for the six months ended December 31, 2013, from $3,387 for the same period of the last fiscal year.

Gross profit margin as a percentage of revenue in the manufacturing segment increased by 2.8% to 16.0% for the six months ended December 31, 2013, from 13.2% in the same period of the last fiscal year. In terms of absolute dollar amounts, the gross profit increased by $272 to $1,375 for the six months ended December 31, 2013 as compared to $1,103 for the same period in last fiscal year. The improvement in absolute dollar amount of gross margin was primarily due to an increase in revenue in the Singapore operations. The increase in revenue was higher than the increase in cost of sales for the six months ended December 31, 2013.

Gross profit margin as a percentage of revenue in the testing segment decreased by 0.7% to 27.4% for the six months ended December 31, 2013 from 28.1% in the same period of the last fiscal year. Thailand operations decreased its revenue and gross margin during the six months ended December 31, 2013 as compared to the same period of the last fiscal year. Thus, as the demand of services and factory utilization decreases, the fixed costs are spread over the decreased output, which decreases the gross profit margin. During the second quarter of fiscal 2014, the Thailand operation was affected by a slowdown caused by the shutdown of customers’ production facilities due to political conditions in Thailand. In terms of absolute dollar amounts, gross profit in the testing segment increased by $208 to $2,367 for the six months ended December 31, 2013, from $2,159 for the same period of the last fiscal year. Gross profit in absolute dollar increased in our Tianjin, Suzhou and Malaysia operations, which profit was partially offset by the decrease in our Singapore and Thailand operations.

Gross profit margin as a percentage of revenue in the distribution segment increased by 2.0% to 20.6% for the six months ended December 31, 2013, from 18.6% for the same period of the last fiscal year.  The increase was due to a change in product mix, as this segment increased sales of products that had higher profit margin items sufficient to offset the decrease in gross margin due to the change in product mix in the distribution segment as compared to the same period of last fiscal year.  In terms of absolute dollar amounts, gross profit in the distribution segment for the six months ended December 31, 2013 was $316, an increase of $189 as compared to $127 in the same period of the last fiscal year. The gross profit margin of the distribution segment was not only affected by the market price of our products, but also our product mix, which changes frequently as a result of changes in market demand.
 
 
32


 
Gross profit margin as a percentage of revenue in the real estate segment was 22.2% for the six months ended December 31, 2013, an increase of 25.4% from a negative 3.2% for the same period in the last fiscal year. In terms of absolute dollar amounts, gross profit in the real estate segment for the six months ended December 31, 2013 was $20, an improvement of $22 from a negative $2 in the same period of the last fiscal year.  The increase in the gross profit margin as a percentage of revenue was due to an increase in rental revenue, as certain properties commenced their rental in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013 and certain rental agreements were renewed at a higher rent.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:
 
   
Six Months Ended December 31,
 
(Unaudited)
 
2013
   
2012
 
General and administrative
  $ 3,672     $ 3,416  
Selling
    413       253  
Research and development
    101       145  
Impairment loss
    -       -  
(Gain) / Loss on disposal of PP&E
    11       (3 )
Total
  $ 4,197     $ 3,811  
 
General and administrative expenses increased by $256, or 7.5%, from $3,416 to $3,672 for the six months ended December 31, 2013 compared to the same period of the last fiscal year, primarily in the corporate office in the U.S., the distribution segment and the manufacturing segment in the Singapore operations, but were partially offset by the decrease in expenses in the testing segment and real estate segment in the China operation. The increase in general and administrative expenses was mainly attributable to an increase in stock option expenses and an increase in traveling expenses in the corporate office and an increase in general and administrative expenses such as salary and staff related expenses in the Tianjin operations for the six months ended December 31, 2013 as compared to the same period of last fiscal year.

Selling expenses increased by $160, or 63.2 %, for the six months ended December 31, 2013, from $253 to $413 compared to the same period of the last fiscal year, which was mainly due to an increase in commission expenses as a result of an increase in commissionable sales in the manufacturing segment in our Singapore operations.

Loss from Operations

Loss from operations decreased by $305 from $424 to $119 for the six months ended December 31, 2013 as compared to the same period of the last fiscal year, mainly due to an increase in revenue and gross profit margin which was partially offset by the increase in operating expenses.

Interest Expenses

Interest expenses for the six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:

   
Six Months Ended December 31,
 
(Unaudited)
 
2013
   
2012
 
Interest expenses
 
$
(134
)
 
$
(154
)

Interest expenses decreased by $20 to $134 from $154 for the six months ended December 31, 2013 as compared to the same period of the last fiscal year due to repayment and reducing the credit facilities to the Singapore operation for working capital.

Income Tax Benefit / (Expenses)

Income tax benefit for the six months ended December 31, 2013 was $82, a decrease of $40 compared to income tax benefit of $122 for the same period of the last fiscal year.  The decrease in income tax benefit was mainly due to a decrease in deferred tax for the timing difference recorded for the six months ended December 2013, as compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year.
 
 
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Non-controlling Interest

As of December 31, 2013, we held a 55% interest in Trio-Tech Malaysia, Trio-Tech (Kuala Lumpur) Sdn. Bhd., SHI International Pte. Ltd., PTSHI Indonesia, and a 76% interest in Prestal Enterprise Sdn. Bhd. The non-controlling interest for the six months ended December 31, 2013, in the net income of subsidiaries, was $98 as compared to the non-controlling interest in the net loss of $112 for the same period of the last fiscal year. The increase in the non-controlling interest in the net income of subsidiaries was attributable to the increase in net income generated by the Malaysia testing operation as a result of an increase in revenue, which was partially offset by net loss suffered in the discontinued fabrication segment of the SHI Singapore operation as compared to the same period in the prior fiscal year.

Loss from Discontinued Operations

Loss from discontinued operations was $40 for the six months ended December 31, 2013 as compared to $242 for the same period of the last fiscal year.  

Net Loss

Net loss was $382 for the six months ended December 31, 2013, a $141 improvement from a $523 net loss for the same period in the last fiscal year. The decrease in net loss was mainly due to an increase in revenue and increase in gross margin, which was partially offset by the increase in operating expenses as discussed above.

Loss per Share

Basic and diluted loss per share from continuing operations for the six months ended December 31, 2013 was $0.10 compared to basic and diluted loss per share of $0.09 in the same period of the last fiscal year.  Increase in loss per share was mainly due to stock option expenses of $200 for the six months ending December 31, 2013, as discussed earlier. The increase in the shares outstanding due to exercising the stock option helped to reduce the increase in the loss per share.

Basic and diluted loss per share from discontinued operations for the six months ended December 31, 2013 was $0.01 compared to basic and diluted loss per share of $0.07 in the same period of the last fiscal year. Decrease in loss per share in the discontinued operations was mainly because the operations was discontinued in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013, hence during the second quarter of fiscal 2013 there were expenses being incurred. There was no such expense for the six months ended December 31, 2013. The increase in the shares outstanding due to exercising the stock option also helped the decrease in the loss per share.

Segment Information

The revenue, gross profit margin and income or loss from each segment for the six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, are presented below.  As the segment revenue and gross margin for each segment have been discussed in the previous section, only the comparison of income from operations is discussed below.

Manufacturing Segment

The revenue, gross margin and loss from operations for the manufacturing segment for the six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:

   
Six Months Ended December 31,
 
(Unaudited)
 
2013
   
2012
 
Revenue
  $ 8,569     $ 8,371  
Gross margin
    16.0 %     13.2 %
Loss from operations
  $ (328 )   $ (431 )
 
Loss from operations from the manufacturing segment decreased by $103 to $328 for the six months ended December 31, 2013 from $431 in the same period of the last fiscal year, primarily due to an increase in revenue by $198, resulting in an increase in gross profit by $272, as discussed earlier. Operating expenses for the manufacturing segment were $1,703 and $1,534 for the six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The increase in operating expenses of $169 was mainly due to an increase in selling expenses, an increase in general and administrative expenses and an increase in allocation of corporate charges.  Corporate expenses charged in fiscal 2014 were based on a pre-determined fixed amount, which was higher than the previous fiscal year in Singapore operations for the six months ended December 31, 2013. This increase was partially offset by the decrease in research and development expenses due to reduction in headcount caused by the staff turnover.
 
 
34


 
Testing Segment

The revenue, gross margin and income from operations for the testing segment for the six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:

   
Six Months Ended December 31,
 
(Unaudited)
 
2013
   
2012
 
Revenue
  $ 8.645     $ 7,678  
Gross margin
    27.4 %     28.1 %
Income from operations
  $ 391     $ 70  

Income from operations in the testing segment for the six months ended December 31, 2013 was $391, an improvement of $321 compared to $70 in the same period of the last fiscal year.  The increase in operating income was attributable to an increase of $208 in gross profit and a decrease of $113 in operating expenses.  Operating expenses were $1,976 and $2,089 for the six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The decrease in operating expenses was mainly attributable to a decrease in operating expenses in the Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand operations, which was partially offset by an increase in operating expenses in our China operations.

Distribution Segment

The revenue, gross margin and income from operations for the distribution segment for the six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows: 
 
   
Six Months Ended December 31,
 
(Unaudited)
 
2013
   
2012
 
Revenue
  $ 1,532     $ 684  
Gross margin
    20.6 %     18.6 %
Income from operations
  $ 199     $ 84  

Income from operations in the distribution segment increased by $115 to $199 for the six months ended December 31, 2013 from $84 for the same period of last year. The increase in operating income was mainly due to an increase in revenue and an increase in gross profit. Gross profit increased by $189, which was partially offset by an increase in operating expenses of $74. Operating expenses were $117 and $43 for the six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The increase in operating expenses was mainly due to an increase in general and administrative expenses, an increase in allocation of corporate expenses on a predetermined fixed charge basis which was higher than that of the same period in last fiscal year, and an increase in selling expenses caused by the increase in commission expenses which was due to an increase in commissionable sales.

Real Estate Segment

The revenue, gross margin and loss from operations for the real estate segment for the six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows: 

   
Six Months Ended December 31,
 
(Unaudited)
 
2013
   
2012
 
Revenue
  $ 90     $ 63  
Gross margin
    22.2 %     (4.8 )%
Loss from operations
  $ (45   $ (121 )

Loss from operations in the real estate segment for the six months ended December 31, 2013 was $45, a decrease of $76 compared to a loss of $121 for the same period of the last fiscal year.  The decrease in operating loss was mainly due to a decrease in operating expenses. Operating expenses decreased by $54 to $65 for the six months ended December 31, 2013 as compared to $119 for the same period in the last fiscal year. The decrease in operating expenses was mainly due to a decrease in allowance for doubtful receivables, as previously discussed, which was offset by the increase in gross margin as discussed earlier.
 
 
35

 
Corporate

The loss from operations for corporate for the six months ended December 31, 2013 and 2012 were as follows:   

   
Six Months Ended December 31,
 
(Unaudited)
 
2013
   
2012
 
Income / (Loss) from operations
  $ (335   $ 7  

Corporate operating losses for the six months ended December 31, 2013 was $335, compared to an operating income of $7 for the same period of the last fiscal year.  This was mainly due to an increase in stock option expenses and travel expenses, and a decrease in corporate charges allocated to subsidiaries. Corporate expenses are recharged based on a pre-determined fixed amount. The corporate expenses recharged for the six months ended December 31, 2013 were $506 as compared to $511 for the same period in last fiscal year. The stock option expenses for the six months ended December 31, 2013 were $200, an increase of $181 from $19 for the same period in the last fiscal year.

Financial Condition

During the six months ended December 31, 2013 total assets decreased by $1,348, from $36,044 as at June 30, 2013 to $34,696 as at December 31, 2013. The decrease in total assets was primarily due to a decrease in cash and cash equivalent, other receivables, inventories, loan receivables from property development projects, investments, investment in properties and restricted term deposits, which was partially offset by an increase in trade accounts receivables, prepaid expenses, property, plant and equipment and other assets.
 
Cash and cash equivalents were $2,574 as at December 31, 2013, reflecting a decrease of $219 from $2,793 as at June 30, 2013, primarily due to increased capital expenditure in Tianjin, China and the Malaysia operations. Capital expenditures increased by $956 for the six months ended December 31, 2013 from $1,721 as compared to $765 during the same period in the last fiscal year. This decrease in cash and cash equivalents was partially offset by the collections from the customers.

At December 31, 2013, the trade accounts receivable balance increased by $495 to $9,223 from $8,728 as at June 30, 2013, primarily due to an increase in revenue in the Singapore and China operations for the second quarter of fiscal 2014. The rate of turnover of accounts receivables was 86 days at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to 112 days at the end of the of fiscal year 2013. The increase in accounts receivable turnover was primarily due to collections in the six month period ended December 31, 2013, as compared to the year end of last fiscal year.

At December 31, 2013, other receivables were $326, reflecting a decrease of $667 from $993 as at June 30, 2013. The decrease was primarily due to the decrease in advance payment in our Singapore and Tianjin operations and the decrease in goods and services taxes claimable, as the sales were higher than the purchases during the three months ended December 31, 2013.

At December 31, 2013, loan receivable from property development projects was $826, compared to $1,139 as at June 30, 2013.  The decrease was primarily caused by the allowance for doubtful receivables amounting to RMB 2,000, or approximately $330, which was partially offset by the exchange fluctuation between Chinese renminbi, Singapore dollars and U.S. dollars from June 30, 2013 to December 31, 2013. The loan receivable from property development projects was primarily attributable to a loan receivable from a property development project of RMB 5,000, or approximately $826 based on the exchange rate as on December 31, 2013 published by Monetary Authority of Singapore, from JiaSheng. The investment was classified as a loan based on ASC Topic 310-10-25 Receivables.

Inventory at December 31, 2013 was $1,314, a decrease of $1,149 compared to $2,463 as at June 30, 2013. The decrease in inventory was mainly due to a decrease in the work in progress, raw material and finished goods in the Singapore operations in the second quarter as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2013. The turnover of inventory was 59 days at the end of the second quarter of fiscal 2014 compared to 82 days at the end of fiscal year 2013.  The increase in inventory turnover rate was due to an increase in utilization of the inventory by the Singapore operation in the six month period ended December 31, 2013, as compared to the year end of fiscal 2013.
 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets were $445 as at December 31, 2013 compared to $358 as at June 30, 2013. The increase of $87 was primarily due to prepayments for insurance by the Singapore and Malaysia operations.

Investments in unconsolidated joint venture decreased by $791 from $791 to nil, mainly due to the disposal of the entire interest in the joint venture. The disposal is recorded at cost and since the disposal is partially for non-monetary consideration, the recording of the gain or loss has been deferred until such period that the gain or loss can be determined based on ASC Topic 845 Non-monetary consideration.
 
 
36


 
Investment properties in China and Malaysia at December 31, 2013 were $1,861, a decrease of $32 from $1,893 as at June 30, 2013.  The decrease was primarily due to depreciation of $54 charged for the six months ended December 31, 2013, which was partially offset by the exchange fluctuation between Chinese renminbi, Singapore dollars and U.S. dollars from June 30, 2013 to December 31, 2013.

Property, plant and equipment increased by $333 from $12,851 as at June 30, 2013 to $13,184 as at December 31, 2013, mainly due to capital expenditures. Capital expenditures during the six months ended December 31, 2013 was $1,721 as compared to $765 during the same period in the last fiscal year, incurred mostly in the Tianjin and Malaysia operations for the six months ended December 31, 2013. The increase was partially offset by the depreciation charge for the six months ended December 31, 2013.

Other assets as at December 31, 2013 increased by $916 to $1,353, compared to $437 as at June 30, 2013.  The increase in other assets was primarily due to the down payment for the purchase of a commercial property in Chongqing, China, developed by the joint venture. This increase was partially offset by the reclassification of the down payment of fixed assets to property, plant and equipment in the Malaysia and Tianjin operations during the six months ended December 31, 2013.

Lines of credit as at December 31, 2013 decreased by $528 to $3,336, compared to $3,864 as at June 30, 2013. This was mainly due to the payment made by the Singapore operations to repay part of the credit facility.

Accounts payable as at December 31, 2013 increased by $206 to $4,342 from $4,136, mainly because the majority of the purchases and expenses were towards the period ended December 31, 2013 and hence accounts payable to the creditors in Singapore, Malaysia and China operations were not yet due.

Accrued expenses as at December 31, 2013 decreased by $521 to $2,539 from $3,060, mainly due to the fact that year-end accruals settled during the period ended December 31, 2013.

Bank loans payable net of current portion as at December 31, 2013 decreased by $406 to $2,207 from $2,613, mainly due to repayment by our Singapore and Malaysia operations.

Liquidity Comparison

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $1,445 to $2,201 for the six months ended December 31, 2013, compared to $3,646 in the same period of the last fiscal year. The decrease in net cash generated by operating activities was primarily due to a decrease in accounts receivables by $5,095 and a decrease in other assets by $1,097, which were partially offset by an increase in payables by $1,842, an increase in other receivable by $1052, and an increase in inventory by $1,019, as previously discussed.

Net cash used in investing activities increased by $1,065 to $1,690 for the six months ended December 31, 2013, compared to $625 for the same period of the last fiscal year.  The increase in cash outflow in the investing activities was primarily due to an increase in capital spending by $956 and maturing deposits of $137, which was partially offset by $28 representing the proceeds from disposal of property, plant and equipment during the six months ended December 31, 2013.
 
Net cash used in financing activities for the six months ended December 31, 2013 was $671, representing a decrease of $909 compared to $1,580 during the same period of the last fiscal year. The decrease in outflow was mainly due to decrease in repayment of lines of credit by $534 and repayment of bank loans and capital leases of $46 in our Singapore operation, while there was a cash inflow of $342 from the stock options being exercised during the six months ended December 31, 2013, as compared to the same period of last fiscal year.

We believe that our projected cash flows from operations, borrowing availability under our revolving lines of credit, cash on hand, trade credit and the secured bank loan will provide the necessary financial resources to meet our projected cash requirements for at least the next 12 months.  

Critical Accounting Estimates & Policies

There have been no significant changes in the critical accounting policies, except as disclosed in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in the most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K
 
 
37

 
ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
 
Not applicable.

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
An evaluation was carried out by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) or 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of December 31, 2013, the end of the period covered by this Form 10-Q. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures were effective at a reasonable level.  
 
During the period covered by this report, there have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect the Company’s internal control overall financial reporting.

 
 
38

 
TRIO-TECH INTERNATIONAL
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.          Legal Proceedings

Not applicable.

Item 1A.       Risk Factors

Not applicable

Item 2.          Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Malaysia and Singapore regulations prohibit the payment of dividends if the Company does not have sufficient retained earnings and tax credit. In addition, the payment of dividends can only be made after making deductions for income tax pursuant to the regulations. Furthermore, the cash movements from the Company’s 55% owned Malaysian subsidiary to overseas are restricted and must be authorized by the Central Bank of Malaysia. California law also prohibits the payment of dividends if the Company does not have sufficient retained earnings or cannot meet certain asset to liability ratios.

Item 3.          Defaults Upon Senior Securities
 
Not applicable.
 
Item 4.          Mine Safety Disclosures
 
Not applicable.

Item 5.          Other Information

Not applicable.

Item 6.          Exhibits
 
31.1
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer of Registrant
31.2
Rule 13a-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer of Registrant
32
Section 1350 Certification
101.INS* 
XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH* 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema
101.CAL* 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase
101.DEF* 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase
101.LAB* 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase
101.PRE* 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase
 
* Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language) information included in Exhibit 101 hereto is deemed furnished and not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.
 
 
39

 
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.                   
 
 
 
TRIO-TECH INTERNATIONAL
 
 
 
By: 
/s/ Victor H.M. Ting
   
VICTOR H.M. TING
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Dated: February 14, 2014


 
 
40