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Turtle Beach Corp - Quarter Report: 2023 March (Form 10-Q)

10-Q

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2023

or

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

For the transition period from to

 

Commission File Number: 001-35465

img252835359_0.jpg

TURTLE BEACH CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Nevada

27-2767540

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

 

44 South Broadway, 4th Floor

White Plains, New York

10601

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

 

(888) 496-8001

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

Trading Symbols

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value $0.001

HEAR

The Nasdaq Global Market

Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

N/A

The Nasdaq Global Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes No

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer

 

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

 

Smaller reporting company

 

 

 

Emerging growth company

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes No

The number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, outstanding on May 1, 2023 was 17,036,026.

 


 

INDEX

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

2

 

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements (unaudited)

2

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

2

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

3

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022

4

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

5

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholder's Equity for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 and 2022

6

 

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

7

 

 

 

Item 2.

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

17

 

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

23

 

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

24

 

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

25

 

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

25

 

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

25

 

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

37

 

 

 

Item 5.

Other Information

37

 

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

38

 

 

SIGNATURES

39

 

 

1


 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements.

Turtle Beach Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

(in thousands, except per-share data)

 

Net revenue

 

$

51,444

 

 

$

46,662

 

Cost of revenue

 

 

37,305

 

 

 

32,633

 

Gross profit

 

 

14,139

 

 

 

14,029

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling and marketing

 

 

9,523

 

 

 

10,829

 

Research and development

 

 

4,101

 

 

 

5,252

 

General and administrative

 

 

7,007

 

 

 

6,235

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

20,631

 

 

 

22,316

 

Operating loss

 

 

(6,492

)

 

 

(8,287

)

Interest expense

 

 

163

 

 

 

109

 

Other non-operating expense, net

 

 

120

 

 

 

719

 

Loss before income tax

 

 

(6,775

)

 

 

(9,115

)

Income tax benefit

 

 

(70

)

 

 

(2,639

)

Net loss

 

$

(6,705

)

 

$

(6,476

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.40

)

 

$

(0.40

)

Diluted

 

$

(0.40

)

 

$

(0.40

)

Weighted average number of shares:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

16,578

 

 

 

16,194

 

Diluted

 

 

16,578

 

 

 

16,194

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

2


 

Turtle Beach Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,
2023

 

 

March 31,
2022

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Net loss

 

$

(6,705

)

 

$

(6,476

)

Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

 

445

 

 

 

(429

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

445

 

 

 

(429

)

Comprehensive loss

 

$

(6,260

)

 

$

(6,905

)

 

See accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

3


 

Turtle Beach Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

(in thousands, except par value and share amounts)

 

Current Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

20,573

 

 

$

11,396

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

23,955

 

 

 

43,336

 

Inventories

 

 

65,214

 

 

 

71,252

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

9,108

 

 

 

9,196

 

Total Current Assets

 

 

118,850

 

 

 

135,180

 

Property and equipment, net

 

 

6,144

 

 

 

6,362

 

Goodwill

 

 

10,686

 

 

 

10,686

 

Intangible assets, net

 

 

2,471

 

 

 

2,612

 

Other assets

 

 

8,361

 

 

 

8,547

 

Total Assets

 

$

146,512

 

 

$

163,387

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revolving credit facility

 

$

 

 

$

19,053

 

Accounts payable

 

 

21,887

 

 

 

19,846

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

30,023

 

 

 

25,433

 

Total Current Liabilities

 

 

51,910

 

 

 

64,332

 

Income tax payable

 

 

2,135

 

 

 

2,076

 

Other liabilities

 

 

7,703

 

 

 

8,038

 

Total Liabilities

 

 

61,748

 

 

 

74,446

 

Commitments and Contingencies

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.001 par value - 25,000,000 shares authorized; 16,604,099 and 16,569,173 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively

 

 

17

 

 

 

17

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

208,999

 

 

 

206,916

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(123,303

)

 

 

(116,598

)

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

(949

)

 

 

(1,394

)

Total Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

84,764

 

 

 

88,941

 

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

$

146,512

 

 

$

163,387

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

4


 

Turtle Beach Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

March 31, 2022

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(6,705

)

 

$

(6,476

)

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

978

 

 

 

1,192

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

264

 

 

 

312

 

Amortization of debt financing costs

 

 

42

 

 

 

47

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

1,959

 

 

 

1,537

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

(89

)

 

 

(2,329

)

Change in sales returns reserve

 

 

(1,178

)

 

 

(3,285

)

Provision for obsolete inventory

 

 

(561

)

 

 

(874

)

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

 

20,578

 

 

 

27,423

 

Inventories

 

 

7,111

 

 

 

(14,615

)

Accounts payable

 

 

2,162

 

 

 

(7,494

)

Prepaid expenses and other assets

 

 

473

 

 

 

1,734

 

Income taxes payable

 

 

(271

)

 

 

(657

)

Other liabilities

 

 

4,226

 

 

 

(9,863

)

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

 

 

28,989

 

 

 

(13,348

)

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

 

(887

)

 

 

(611

)

Net cash used for investing activities

 

 

(887

)

 

 

(611

)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Borrowings on revolving credit facilities

 

 

53,892

 

 

 

 

Repayment of revolving credit facilities

 

 

(72,945

)

 

 

 

Proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants

 

 

125

 

 

 

361

 

Debt issuance costs

 

 

(80

)

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

 

 

(19,008

)

 

 

361

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

83

 

 

 

(422

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

9,177

 

 

 

(14,020

)

Cash and cash equivalents - beginning of period

 

 

11,396

 

 

 

37,720

 

Cash and cash equivalents - end of period

 

$

20,573

 

 

$

23,700

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for interest

 

$

190

 

 

$

64

 

Cash paid (received) for income taxes

 

$

-

 

 

$

126

 

See accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

5


 

Turtle Beach Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Statement of StockholdersEquity

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Additional
Paid-In

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Capital

 

 

Deficit

 

 

Income (Loss)

 

 

Total

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Balance at December 31, 2022

 

 

16,569

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

206,916

 

 

 

(116,598

)

 

 

(1,394

)

 

$

88,941

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6,705

)

 

 

 

 

$

(6,705

)

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

445

 

 

$

445

 

Issuance of restricted stock

 

 

14

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

-

 

Stock options exercised

 

 

21

 

 

 

 

 

 

124

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

124

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,959

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,959

 

Balance at March 31, 2023

 

 

16,604

 

 

$

17

 

 

$

208,999

 

 

$

(123,303

)

 

$

(949

)

 

$

84,764

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Additional
Paid-In

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Capital

 

 

Deficit

 

 

Income (Loss)

 

 

Total

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Balance at December 31, 2021

 

 

16,168

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

198,278

 

 

 

(57,052

)

 

 

127

 

 

$

141,369

 

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(6,476

)

 

 

 

 

 

(6,476

)

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(429

)

 

 

(429

)

Issuance of restricted stock

 

 

30

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock options exercised

 

 

47

 

 

 

 

 

 

361

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

361

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,537

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,537

 

Balance at March 31, 2022

 

 

16,245

 

 

$

16

 

 

$

200,176

 

 

$

(63,528

)

 

$

(302

)

 

$

136,362

 

 

See accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

6


 

Turtle Beach Corporation

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

Note 1. Background and Basis of Presentation

Organization

Turtle Beach Corporation (“Turtle Beach” or the “Company”), headquartered in White Plains, New York and incorporated in the state of Nevada in 2010, is a premier audio and gaming technology company with expertise and experience in developing, commercializing, and marketing innovative products across a range of large addressable markets under the Turtle Beach® and ROCCAT® brands. Turtle Beach is a worldwide leader of feature-rich headset solutions for use across multiple platforms, including video game and entertainment consoles, handheld consoles, personal computers (“PC”), tablets and mobile devices. ROCCAT is a gaming keyboards, mice and other accessories brand focused on the PC peripherals market.

VTB Holdings, Inc. (“VTBH”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Turtle Beach Corporation and the owner of Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc. (“VTB”), was incorporated in the state of Delaware in 2010. VTB, the owner of Turtle Beach Europe Limited (“TB Europe”), was incorporated in the state of Delaware in 1975 with operations principally located in White Plains, New York.



Basis of Presentation

The accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments (which include normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations, and cash flows for the periods presented. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain information and footnote disclosures, normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), have been condensed or omitted pursuant to those rules and regulations. The Company believes that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the entire fiscal year.

The December 31, 2022 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet has been derived from the Company’s audited financial statements included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 29, 2023 (“Annual Report”).

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the annual financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Annual Report that contains information useful to understanding the Company’s businesses and financial statement presentations.

Use of estimates: The preparation of accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions about future events. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These estimates may change, as new events occur and additional information is obtained, and will be recognized in the consolidated financial statements in the period in which such changes occur. Future actual results could differ materially from these estimates.

 

Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The preparation of consolidated annual and quarterly financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Company’s consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. The Company can give no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates.

There have been no material changes to the significant accounting policies and estimates from the information provided in Note 1 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report.

 

7


 

Note 3. Fair Value Measurement

The Company follows a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:

Level 1 — Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 — Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.

Financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, debt instruments and certain warrants. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had not elected the fair value option for any financial assets and liabilities for which such an election would have been permitted. The following is a summary of the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our financial instruments as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022:

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

Reported

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Reported

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Financial Assets and Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

20,573

 

 

$

20,573

 

 

$

11,396

 

 

$

11,396

 

Revolving credit facility

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

19,053

 

 

$

19,053

 

 

Cash equivalents are stated at amortized cost, which approximates fair value as of the consolidated balance sheet dates, due to the short period of time to maturity; and accounts receivable and accounts payable are stated at their carrying value, which approximates fair value due to the short time to the expected receipt or payment. The carrying value of the Credit Facility approximates fair value, due to the variable rate nature of the debt, as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Note 4. Allowance for Sales Returns

The following table provides the changes in our sales return reserve, which is classified as a reduction of accounts receivable:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Balance, beginning of period

 

$

7,817

 

 

$

8,998

 

Reserve accrual

 

 

3,594

 

 

 

2,683

 

Recoveries and deductions, net

 

 

(4,772

)

 

 

(5,968

)

Balance, end of period

 

$

6,639

 

 

$

5,713

 

 

Note 5. Composition of Certain Financial Statement Items

Inventories

Inventories consist of the following:

 

 

 

March 31,
2023

 

 

December 31,
2022

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Finished goods

 

$

64,360

 

 

$

70,407

 

Raw materials

 

 

854

 

 

 

845

 

Total inventories

 

$

65,214

 

 

$

71,252

 

 

8


 

 

Property and Equipment, net

Property and equipment, net, consists of the following:

 

 

 

March 31,
2023

 

 

December 31,
2022

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Machinery and equipment

 

$

2,758

 

 

$

2,373

 

Software and software development

 

 

2,396

 

 

 

2,396

 

Furniture and fixtures

 

 

1,721

 

 

 

1,713

 

Tooling

 

 

9,964

 

 

 

9,901

 

Leasehold improvements

 

 

2,037

 

 

 

2,050

 

Demonstration units and convention booths

 

 

15,662

 

 

 

15,379

 

Total property and equipment, gross

 

 

34,538

 

 

 

33,812

 

Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

 

(28,394

)

 

 

(27,450

)

Total property and equipment, net

 

$

6,144

 

 

$

6,362

 

 

Other Current Liabilities

Other current liabilities consist of the following:

 

 

 

March 31,
2023

 

 

December 31,
2022

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Accrued employee expenses

 

$

5,140

 

 

$

4,171

 

Accrued tax-related payables

 

 

2,838

 

 

 

4,159

 

Accrued marketing

 

 

2,665

 

 

 

4,147

 

Accrued royalty

 

 

1,621

 

 

 

2,527

 

Accrued freight

 

 

1,279

 

 

 

1,746

 

Accrued expenses

 

 

16,480

 

 

 

8,683

 

Total other current liabilities

 

$

30,023

 

 

$

25,433

 

 

Note 6. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 


Acquired Intangible Assets

Acquired identifiable intangible assets, and related accumulated amortization, as of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 consisted of:

 

 

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

 

Gross
Carrying
Value

 

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

 

Net Book
Value

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Customer relationships

 

$

8,085

 

 

$

6,872

 

 

$

1,213

 

Tradenames

 

 

3,066

 

 

 

2,263

 

 

 

803

 

Developed technology

 

 

1,884

 

 

 

1,529

 

 

 

355

 

Foreign currency

 

 

(1,466

)

 

 

(1,566

)

 

 

100

 

Total Intangible Assets

 

$

11,569

 

 

$

9,098

 

 

$

2,471

 

 

9


 

 

 

 

December 31, 2022

 

 

 

Gross
Carrying
Value

 

 

Accumulated
Amortization

 

 

Net Book
Value

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Customer relationships

 

$

8,085

 

 

$

6,750

 

 

$

1,335

 

Tradenames

 

 

3,066

 

 

 

2,147

 

 

 

919

 

Developed technology

 

 

1,884

 

 

 

1,495

 

 

 

389

 

Foreign currency

 

 

(1,375

)

 

 

(1,344

)

 

 

(31

)

Total Intangible Assets

 

$

11,660

 

 

$

9,048

 

 

$

2,612

 

 

In connection with the October 2012 acquisition of TB Europe, the acquired intangible assets related to customer relationships is being amortized over an estimated useful life of thirteen years with the amortization being included within sales and marketing expense.

 

In May 2019, the Company completed its acquisition of the business and assets of ROCCAT. The acquired intangible assets relating to developed technology, customer relationships, and trade name are subject to amortization. During the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company made the decision to increasingly leverage the Turtle Beach brand across our product portfolio including PC products over time. Due to this decision, the Company prepared an impairment calculation to determine the present value of the ROCCAT tradename asset using the relief from royalty method. As a result of the present value calculation, in the fourth quarter 2022, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $0.8 million for the ROCCAT tradename intangible asset.



In January 2021, the Company completed its acquisition of the business and assets relating to the Neat Microphones business. During the fourth quarter of 2022, as part of the 2023 annual operating and strategic plan process, the Company made the decision to transition microphone products to the Turtle Beach brand. As a result of this decision, there was no longer a basis for carrying the remaining net intangible assets related to the Neat brand. In the fourth quarter 2022, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $
1.1 million related to the remaining Neat net intangible assets.



Amortization expense related to definite lived intangible assets of
$0.3 million was recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and $0.3 million was recognized for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

 

As of March 31, 2023, estimated annual amortization expense related to definite lived intangible assets in future periods was as follows:

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

2023

 

$

773

 

2024

 

 

1,003

 

2025

 

 

425

 

2026

 

 

170

 

Thereafter

 

 

-

 

Total

 

$

2,371

 

 

There were no changes in the carrying values of goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2023 from the balance as of December 31, 2022.

 

Note 7. Revolving Credit Facility and Long-Term Debt

 

 

 

March 31,
2023

 

 

December 31,
2022

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Revolving credit facility, maturing April 2025

 

$

-

 

 

$

19,053

 

 

Total interest expense, inclusive of amortization of deferred financing costs, on long-term debt obligations was $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Amortization of deferred financing costs was $42 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and $47 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

10


 

Revolving Credit Facility

On March 5, 2018, Turtle Beach and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an amended and restated loan, guaranty and security agreement (the “Credit Facility”) with Bank of America, N.A. (“Bank of America”), as administrative agent, collateral agent and security trustee for Lenders (as defined therein), which replaced the then existing asset-based revolving loan agreement. The Credit Facility was amended on each of December 17, 2018, May 31, 2019, and March 10, 2023. The Credit Facility, as amended, expires on April 1, 2025 and provides for a line of credit of up to $80 million inclusive of a sub-facility limit of $15 million for TB Europe, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Turtle Beach. In addition, the Credit Facility provides for a $40 million accordion feature.

On March 10, 2023, the Company entered into a Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan, Guaranty and Security Agreement (the “Third Amendment”), by and among the Company, VTB, TBC Holding Company LLC, TB Europe, VTBH, the financial institutions party thereto from time to time and Bank of America, as administrative agent, collateral agent and security trustee for the lenders.

The Third Amendment provides for, among other things: (i) extending the maturity date of the Credit Facility from March 5, 2024 to April 1, 2025; (ii) updating the interest rate and margin terms; (iii) removing the FILO Loan facility; (iv) updating the sub-facility limit for TB Europe to $15 million; (v) increasing our undrawn commitment fee by 0.125%; and (vi) transitioning the reference interest rates from LIBOR to BSBY, SONIA and EUIBOR, as applicable.

The maximum credit availability for loans and letters of credit under the Credit Facility is governed by a borrowing base determined by the application of specified percentages to certain eligible assets, primarily eligible trade accounts receivable and inventories, and is subject to discretionary reserves and revaluation adjustments. The Credit Facility may be used for working capital, the issuance of bank guarantees, letters of credit and other corporate purposes.

Amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility bear interest at a rate equal to (i) a rate published by Bank of America or the U.S. Bloomberg Short-Term Bank Yield Index (“BSBY”) rate for loans denominated in U.S. Dollars, (ii) the Sterling Overnight Index Average Reference Rate (“SONIA”) for loans denominated in Sterling, (iii) and the Euro Interbank Offered Rate (“EUIBOR”) for loans denominated in Euros, plus in each case, an applicable margin, which is between 0.50% to 2.50% for base rate loans and UK base rate loans, and 1.50% to 3.50% for U.S. BSBY rate loans, U.S. BSBY daily floating rate loans and UK alternative currency loans. In addition, Turtle Beach is required to pay a commitment fee on the unused revolving loan commitment at a rate ranging from 0.375% to 0.50% and letter of credit fees and agent fees. As of March 31, 2023, interest rates for outstanding borrowings were 10.50% for base rate loans and 6.50% for LIBOR rate loans, which reference interest rates were still in effect prior to the Libor Transition Amendments.

The Company is subject to quarterly financial covenant testing if certain availability thresholds are not met or certain other events occur (as set forth in the Credit Facility). At such times, the Credit Facility requires the Company and its restricted subsidiaries to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.00 to 1.00 as of the last day of each fiscal quarter.

The Credit Facility also contains affirmative and negative covenants that, subject to certain exceptions, limit our ability to take certain actions, including the Company’s ability to incur debt, pay dividends and repurchase stock, make certain investments and other payments, enter into certain mergers and consolidations, engage in sale leaseback transactions and transactions with affiliates, and encumber and dispose of assets. Obligations under the Credit Facility are secured by a security interest and lien upon substantially all of the Company’s assets.

As of March 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants under the Credit Facility, as amended, and excess borrowing availability was approximately $46.8 million.

Note 8. Income Taxes

In order to determine the quarterly provision for income taxes, the Company uses an estimated annual effective tax rate, which is based on expected annual income and statutory tax rates in the various jurisdictions. However, to the extent that application of the estimated annual effective tax rate is not representative of the quarterly portion of actual tax expense expected to be recorded for the year, the Company determines the provision for income taxes based on actual year-to-date income (loss). Certain significant or unusual items are separately recognized as discrete items in the period during which they occur and can be a source of variability in the effective tax rates from quarter to quarter.

The following table presents the Company’s income tax expense and effective income tax rate:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Income tax benefit

 

$

(70

)

 

$

(2,639

)

Effective income tax rate

 

 

1.0

%

 

 

29.0

%

 

11


 

 

Income tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was ($0.1) million at an effective tax rate of 1.0%. Income tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was ($2.6) million at an effective tax rate of 29.0%. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was primarily impacted by a true-up to foreign incomes tax payable, partially offset by the change in U.S. valuation allowance, foreign taxes and interest on uncertain tax positions.

The Company recognizes only those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold and establishes tax reserves for uncertain tax positions that do not meet this threshold. Interest and penalties associated with income tax matters are included in the provision for income taxes in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. As of March 31, 2023, the Company had uncertain tax positions of $2.9 million, inclusive of $0.8 million of interest and penalties.

As required by the authoritative guidance on accounting for income taxes the Company evaluates the realizability of deferred tax assets on a jurisdictional basis at each reporting date. Accounting for income taxes requires that a valuation allowance be established when it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the deferred taxes will not be realized. The Company considers all positive and negative evidence in determining if, based on the weight of such evidence, a valuation allowance is required. In circumstances where there is sufficient negative evidence indicating that the deferred tax assets are not more likely than not realizable, the Company establishes a valuation allowance. Due to the significant 2022 pre-tax loss, coupled with cumulative book losses projected in early future years, the Company recorded a valuation allowance on its net U.S. deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2022. The Company’s continues to maintain this valuation allowance for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

The Company is subject to income taxes domestically and in various foreign jurisdictions. The Company files U.S., state and foreign income tax returns in jurisdictions with various statutes of limitations. The federal tax years open under the statute of limitations are 2019 through 2021, and the state tax years open under the statute of limitations are 2018 through 2021.

Note 9. Stock-Based Compensation

Total estimated stock-based compensation expense for employees and non-employees, related to all of the Company’s stock-based awards, was as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Cost of revenue

 

$

175

 

 

$

26

 

Selling and marketing

 

 

490

 

 

 

398

 

Research and development

 

 

356

 

 

 

283

 

General and administrative

 

 

938

 

 

 

830

 

Total stock-based compensation

 

$

1,959

 

 

$

1,537

 

 

The following table presents the stock activity and the total number of shares available for grant as of March 31, 2023:

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Balance at December 31, 2022

 

 

550

 

Options Cancelled

 

 

6

 

Restricted Stock Granted

 

 

(18

)

Restricted Stock Forfeited

 

 

5

 

Balance at March 31, 2023

 

 

543

 

 

12


 

Stock Option Activity

 

 

 

Options Outstanding

 

 

 

Number of
Shares
Underlying
Outstanding
Options

 

 

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price

 

 

Weighted-
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Term

 

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic
Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in years)

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2022

 

 

1,577,545

 

 

$

7.66

 

 

 

5.81

 

 

$

2,465,015

 

Options Granted

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options Exercised

 

 

(21,141

)

 

 

5.90

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options Forfeited

 

 

(5,843

)

 

 

14.98

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2023

 

 

1,550,561

 

 

$

7.66

 

 

 

5.60

 

 

$

5,405,871

 

Vested and expected to vest at March 31, 2023

 

 

1,547,737

 

 

$

7.73

 

 

 

5.59

 

 

$

5,395,849

 

Exercisable at March 31, 2023

 

 

1,333,462

 

 

$

7.65

 

 

 

5.36

 

 

$

4,833,381

 

 

Stock options are time-based and the majority are exercisable within 10 years of the date of grant, but only to the extent they have vested. The options generally vest as specified in the option agreements subject to acceleration in certain circumstances. In the event participants in the plan cease to be employed or engaged by the Company, all vested options would be forfeited if they are not exercised within 90 days. Forfeitures on option grants are estimated at 10% for non-executives and 0% for executives based on evaluation of historical and expected future turnover. Stock-based compensation expense was recorded net of estimated forfeitures, such that expense was recorded only for those stock-based awards expected to vest. The Company reviews this assumption periodically and will adjust it if it is not representative of future forfeiture data and trends within employee types (executive vs. non-executive).

Aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the estimated fair value of the underlying common stock and the exercise price of outstanding, in-the-money options. The aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised was $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

 

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of options granted as of the grant date. There were no new options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2023. The total estimated fair value of employee options vested during the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $0.3 million. As of March 31, 2023, total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options granted to employees was $0.9 million, which is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted average vesting period of 1.1 years.

Restricted Stock Activity

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value
Per Share

 

Nonvested restricted stock at December 31, 2022

 

 

865,446

 

 

$

18.75

 

Granted

 

 

17,800

 

 

 

8.59

 

Vested

 

 

(13,785

)

 

 

22.47

 

Shares forfeited

 

 

(5,456

)

 

 

21.68

 

Nonvested restricted stock at March 31, 2023

 

 

864,005

 

 

$

18.99

 

 

As of March 31, 2023, total unrecognized compensation costs related to the nonvested restricted stock awards was $10.4 million, which will be recognized over a remaining weighted average vesting period of 1.9 years.

Performance-Based Restricted Share Units

 

As of March 31, 2023, the Company had 256,342 performance-based restricted share units outstanding. The vesting of performance-based restricted share units is determined over a three-year period based on (i) the amount by which revenue growth exceeds a defined baseline market growth each year and (ii) the achievement of specified tiers of adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of net revenue each year, with the ability to earn and vest into such units ranging from 0% to 200%.

13


 

Note 10. Net Loss Per Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net loss per share of common stock attributable to common stockholders:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(in thousands, except per-share data)

 

Net loss

 

$

(6,705

)

 

$

(6,476

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding — Basic

 

 

16,578

 

 

 

16,194

 

Plus incremental shares from assumed conversions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dilutive effect of restricted stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dilutive effect of stock options

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dilutive effect of warrants

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding — Diluted

 

 

16,578

 

 

 

16,194

 

Net loss per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

(0.40

)

 

$

(0.40

)

Diluted

 

$

(0.40

)

 

$

(0.40

)

 

Incremental shares from stock options and restricted stock awards are computed using the treasury stock method. The weighted average shares listed below were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because to do so would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented or were otherwise excluded under the treasury stock method. The treasury stock method calculates dilution assuming the exercise of all in-the-money options and vesting of restricted stock, reduced by the repurchase of shares with the proceeds from the assumed exercises and unrecognized compensation expense for outstanding awards.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Stock options

 

 

1,557

 

 

 

1,725

 

Unvested restricted stock awards

 

 

863

 

 

 

793

 

Warrants

 

 

550

 

 

 

550

 

Total

 

 

2,970

 

 

 

3,068

 

 

Note 11. Segment Information

The following table represents total net revenues based on where customers are physically located:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

North America

 

$

40,712

 

 

$

31,368

 

Europe and Middle East

 

 

9,726

 

 

 

12,122

 

Asia Pacific

 

 

1,006

 

 

 

3,172

 

Total net revenues

 

$

51,444

 

 

$

46,662

 

 

Note 12. Commitments and Contingencies

Litigation

The Company is subject to various legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of its business. Although the amount of any liability that could arise with respect to these actions cannot be determined with certainty, in the Company’s opinion, any such liability will not have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, consolidated results of operations or liquidity.

 

Shareholders Class Action: On August 5, 2013, VTB Holdings, Inc. (“VTBH”) and the Company (f/k/a Parametric Sound Corporation) announced that they had entered into the Merger Agreement pursuant to which VTBH would acquire an approximately 80% ownership interest and existing shareholders would maintain an approximately 20% ownership interest in the combined company (the “Merger”). Following the

14


 

announcement, several shareholders filed class action lawsuits in California and Nevada seeking to enjoin the Merger. The plaintiffs in each case alleged that members of the Company’s Board of Directors breached their fiduciary duties to the shareholders by agreeing to a merger that allegedly undervalued the Company. VTBH and the Company were named as defendants in these lawsuits under the theory that they had aided and abetted the Company’s Board of Directors in allegedly violating their fiduciary duties. The plaintiffs in both cases sought a preliminary injunction seeking to enjoin closing of the Merger, which, by agreement, was heard by the Nevada court with the California plaintiffs invited to participate. On December 26, 2013, the court in the Nevada case denied the plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction. Following the closing of the Merger, the Nevada plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint, which made essentially the same allegations and sought monetary damages as well as an order rescinding the Merger. The California plaintiffs dismissed their action without prejudice, and sought to intervene in the Nevada action, which was granted. Subsequent to the intervention, the plaintiffs filed a third amended complaint, which made essentially the same allegations as prior complaints and sought monetary damages. On June 20, 2014, VTBH and the Company moved to dismiss the action, but that motion was denied on August 28, 2014. On September 14, 2017, a unanimous en banc panel of the Nevada Supreme Court granted defendants’ petition for writ of mandamus and ordered the trial court to dismiss the complaint but provided a limited basis upon which plaintiffs could seek to amend their complaint. Plaintiffs amended their complaint on December 1, 2017 to assert the same claims in a derivative capacity on behalf of the Company, as a well as in a direct capacity, against VTBH, Stripes Group, LLC, SG VTB Holdings, LLC, and the former members of the Company’s Board of Directors. All defendants moved to dismiss this amended complaint on January 2, 2018, and those motions were denied on March 13, 2018. Defendants petitioned the Nevada Supreme Court to reverse this ruling on April 18, 2018. On June 15, 2018, the Nevada Supreme Court denied defendants’ writ petition without prejudice. The district court subsequently entered a pretrial schedule and set trial for November 2019. On January 18, 2019, the district court certified a class of shareholders of the Company as of January 15, 2014. On October 11, 2019, the parties notified the district court that they had reached a settlement that would resolve the pending action if ultimately approved by the Court. On January 13, 2020, the district court preliminarily approved the settlement between the plaintiffs and all defendants. A final hearing was held on May 18, 2020, wherein the Court approved the settlement and entered final judgment.

On May 22, 2020, PAMTP LLC, which purports to hold the claims of eight shareholders who opted out of the class settlement described above, brought suit against the Company, the Company’s CEO, Juergen Stark, Stripes Group, LLC, SG VTB Holdings, LLC, Kenneth Fox, and former members of the Company’s Board of Directors in Nevada state court. This opt-out action asserts the same direct claims that were asserted by the class of shareholders described above. The defendants filed two motions to dismiss this complaint, which were heard on August 10, 2020. The Court denied those motions by order of August 20, 2020. The case was tried in August 2021 and all remaining defendants, including the Company, prevailed on all counts with final judgment entered in their favor on September 3, 2021. Plaintiff is appealing that judgment.

Employment Litigation: On April 20, 2017, a former employee filed an action in the Superior Court for the County of San Diego, State of California. The complaint alleges claims including wrongful termination, retaliation and various other provisions of the California Labor Code. The complaint seeks unspecified economic and non-economic losses, as well as allegedly unpaid wages, unreimbursed business expenses statutory penalties, interest, punitive damages and attorneys’ fees. The Company filed a cross-complaint against the former employee on May 25, 2017 for certain activities related to his employment with the Company. The matter was tried between September 24 and October 7, 2021. On October 8, 2021 a jury rendered a unanimous verdict in favor of the Company on the employment claims. The Court granted a directed verdict to the Company on its Cross- Complaint against the former employee. Judgment was entered in favor of the Company on October 27, 2021. On December 20, 2021, the former employee filed a notice of appeal of the judgment.

Intellectual Property Dispute: On November 24, 2020, ABP Technology Limited (ABP) issued a claim for trademark infringement in the High Court of England and Wales against Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc. (“VTB”) and Turtle Beach Europe Limited (“TB Europe”) relating to the use by VTB and TB Europe of the sign STEALTH on and in relation to gaming headsets in the UK. On November 16, 2022 the parties entered into a confidential settlement agreement in full and final settlement of all claims regarding this matter. Accordingly, the High Court claim has been discontinued.

The Company will continue to vigorously defend itself in the foregoing unresolved matters. However, litigation and investigations are inherently uncertain. Accordingly, the Company cannot predict the outcome of these matters. The Company has not recorded any accrual at March 31, 2023 for contingent losses associated with these matters based on its belief that losses, while possible, are not probable. Further, any possible range of loss cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. The unfavorable resolution of these matters could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows. The Company is engaged in other legal actions, not described above, arising in the ordinary course of its business and, while there can be no assurance, believes that the ultimate outcome of these other legal actions will not have a material adverse effect on its business, results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows.

15


 

Warranties

The Company warrants its products against certain manufacturing and other defects. These product warranties are provided for specific periods of time depending on the nature of the product. Warranties are generally fulfilled by replacing defective products with new products. The following table provides the changes in our product warranty reserve, which are included in accrued liabilities:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Warranty, beginning of period

 

$

618

 

 

$

856

 

Warranty costs accrued

 

 

185

 

 

 

121

 

Settlements of warranty claims

 

 

(187

)

 

 

(188

)

Warranty, end of period

 

$

616

 

 

$

789

 

 

Operating Leases - Right of Use Assets

The Company adopted ASU 2016-02, Leases, on January 1, 2019. The Company determines whether an arrangement is a lease at inception. The Company leases office spaces that provide for future minimum rental lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases that have remaining lease terms of one year to nine years, and do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants.

The components of the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities were as follows:

 

 

 

Balance Sheet Classification

 

March 31, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Right-of-use assets

 

Other assets

 

$

7,772

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease liability obligations, current

 

Other current liabilities

 

$

1,085

 

Lease liability obligations, noncurrent

 

Other liabilities

 

 

7,288

 

Total lease liability obligations

 

 

 

$

8,373

 

Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years)

 

 

 

 

6.6

 

Weighted-average discount rate

 

 

 

 

4.3

%

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2023, the Company recognized approximately $0.4 million of lease costs in operating expenses and approximately $0.3 million of operating cash flows from operating leases.

Approximate future minimum lease payments for the Company’s right of use assets over the remaining lease periods as of March 31, 2023, are as follows:

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

2023

 

$

968

 

2024

 

 

1,437

 

2025

 

 

1,451

 

2026

 

 

1,361

 

2027

 

 

1,383

 

Thereafter

 

 

3,182

 

Total minimum payments

 

 

9,782

 

Less: Imputed interest

 

 

(1,409

)

Total

 

$

8,373

 

 

Note 13. Subsequent Event

 

On May 1, 2023, the Company announced that the Company and Juergen Stark, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, have agreed that Mr. Stark would not continue as Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company, with his employment to terminate effective as of the close of business on June 30, 2023. On May 2, 2023, the Company entered into a separation agreement with Mr. Stark.

16


 

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of our operations should be read together with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in Part I of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and with our audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2023 (the "Annual Report.")

This Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements in this Report are indicated by words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “believes,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “projects,” “strategies” and similar expressions or negatives thereof. Caution should be taken not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements because they involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in, or reasonably inferred from, such statements. Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company's management and are made only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by the federal securities laws. In addition, forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including those described elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's historical experience and its present expectations or projections.

Business Overview

 

Turtle Beach Corporation (“Turtle Beach” or the “Company”), headquartered in White Plains, New York, and incorporated in the state of Nevada in 2010, is a premier audio and gaming technology company with expertise and experience in developing, commercializing, and marketing innovative products across a range of large addressable markets under the Turtle Beach® and ROCCAT® brands. Turtle Beach is a worldwide leader of feature-rich gaming solutions for use across multiple platforms, including video game and entertainment consoles, handheld consoles, personal computers (“PC”), tablets and mobile devices. ROCCAT is a gaming headsets, keyboards, mice, and other accessories brand focused on the personal computer peripherals market.



Business Trends

 

Turtle Beach participates in the global software and accessories gaming market, which is estimated to be approximately $193 billion. The global gaming audience now exceeds global cinema and music markets with over three billion active gamers worldwide. Gaming peripherals, such as headsets, keyboards, mice, microphones, controllers, and simulation controls are estimated to be an $8.4 billion business globally with about 80% of that market in the Americas and Europe where the Company’s business is focused.

Competitive esports is a global phenomenon where professional gamers train and compete to win prize money, partner with major brands, and attract dedicated fans – similar to traditional professional sports. In 2022, there were over 530 million esports viewers, approximately 50% of whom considered themselves “esports enthusiasts,” and that number is expected to increase to roughly 650 million viewers by 2025 according to an April 2022 report from Newzoo.

The console and PC gaming accessory markets are also driven by major game launches and long-running franchises that encourage players to continually buy equipment and accessories. On Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and PC, flagship games like Call of Duty, Destiny, Star Wars: Battlefront, Battlefield, Grand Theft Auto, and battle royale games like Fortnite, Call of Duty Warzone, Apex Legends, and PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds, are examples of major franchises that prominently feature online multiplayer modes that encourage communication and drive increased demand for gaming headsets. Many of these established franchises launch new titles annually, leading into the holidays and as a result can cause an additional boost to the normally strong holiday sales for gaming accessories.

Many gamers play online where a gaming headset, which includes a microphone, is required because it allows players to communicate with each other in real-time, provides a more immersive experience, and delivers a competitive advantage.


Console Headset Market

Turtle Beach is the leading console gaming headset manufacturer in the U.S. and other major console markets. Turtle Beach has achieved these global market shares by delivering high-quality products that often include first-to-market innovations, robust features, superior sound, unmatched comfort, and top customer support – all key factors that consumers seek when shopping for a gaming headset.

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The global market for console gaming headsets, in which Turtle Beach has been the market leader for the past 13 years, is estimated to be approximately $1.4 billion. PlayStation and Xbox consoles continue to be dominant gaming platforms in North America and Europe for games that drive headset usage. Consistent with a historical pattern of major new console launches every 7-8 years, Microsoft and Sony launched their latest consoles, Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5, ahead of the 2020 holiday season, and in 2021/2022 demand for the latest Xbox and PlayStation consoles exceeded the available supply for consumers to purchase. In 2023, the demand for gaming consoles is expected to improve as additional supplies are available, which is expected to help the overall console market reach single digit percentage growth.

Nintendo has sold over 122.5 million units of its highly popular Nintendo Switch since the platform's release in early 2017. Nintendo continues adding and expanding its library of games, including an increased number of multiplayer chat-enabled games. Nintendo also sells the Nintendo Switch Lite, a follow-on product that offers gamers the hand-held only version of their popular gaming console.



PC Accessories Market

 

The market for PC gaming headsets, mice, and keyboards is estimated to be approximately $3.2 billion. PC gaming continues to be a main gaming platform in the U.S. and internationally, driven by big AAA game launches, PC-specific esports leagues, popular teams and players, content creators and influencers and cross-platform play. While most games are available on multiple platforms, gaming on PC offers advantages including improved graphics, increased speed and precision of mouse/keyboard controls, and the ability for deeper customization. Gaming mice and keyboards are engineered to provide gamers with high-end performance and a superior gaming experience through features such as faster response times, improved materials and build quality, programmable buttons and keys, and software suites to customize and control devices and settings.

PC gaming mice come in a variety of different ergonomic shapes and sizes, are available in both wired and wireless models, offer options for different sensors (optical and laser) and responsiveness, and often feature integrated RGB LED lighting and software to unify the lighting with other devices for a visually consistent PC gaming appearance. Similarly, PC gaming keyboards often deliver a competitive advantage by offering options for mechanical and optical key switches that feel and sound different and offer customizable lighting.

Controllers and Gaming Simulation Market

In 2022, we further expanded our gaming simulation and gaming controller product lines. For the flight simulation market, we launched the VelocityOneTM Pedals and VelocityOneTM Stand, which perfectly pair with the VelocityOne FlightTM simulation control system for the complete, most immersive flight simulation experience on the market, and also launched the VelocityOneTM Flightstick, which is a single stick joystick controller for air and space flight combat games. For the gamepads/controllers market, we added new colorways for its original Recon Controller, as well as launched the lower-cost REACT-R controller, and mobile-focused Recon Cloud and Atom controller offerings. These markets increased our total addressable market by $1 billion, with third-party game controllers at roughly $500 million and PC/console flight simulation hardware at roughly $500 million in the global market.

 

Supply Chain and Operations

We have a global network of suppliers that manufacture products to meet the quality standards sought by our customers and our cost objectives. We have worked closely with component, manufacturing, and global logistic partners to build a supply chain that we consider dependable, scalable, and efficient to provide high-quality, reliable products employing leading cost management practices. The use of outsourced manufacturing facilities is designed to take advantage of specific expertise and allow for flexibility and scalability to respond to both seasonality and changing demands for our products.

 

We have experienced and may continue to experience increased freight costs and component availability challenges. Further, market conditions have significantly increased the lead time on many product components, causing us to purchase components earlier than normal to meet forecasted demand, which, in some cases, led to excess inventories of certain components ordered with long lead times ahead of shifting demand. We expect to continue to experience challenges impacting our supply chain and logistics operations. As a result, Turtle Beach continues to take proactive steps to limit the impact of these challenges and are working closely with our manufacturing and freight providers to reduce costs.

 

Key Performance Indicators and Non-GAAP Measures

 

Management routinely reviews key performance indicators, including revenue, operating income and margins, and earnings per share, among others. In addition, we believe certain other measures provide useful information to management and investors about us and our financial

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condition and results of operations for the following reasons: (i) they are measures used by our Board of Directors and management team to evaluate our operating performance; (ii) they are measures used by our management team to make day-to-day operating decisions; (iii) the adjustments made are often viewed as either non-recurring or not reflective of ongoing financial performance and/or have no cash impact on operations; and (iv) the measures are used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties as a common operating performance measure to compare results across companies in our industry by adjusting for potential differences caused by variations in capital structures (affecting relative interest expense), and the age and book value of facilities and equipment (affecting relative depreciation and amortization expense). These other metrics, however, are not measures of financial performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and given the limitations of these metrics as analytical tools, should not be considered a substitute for gross profit, gross margins, net income (loss) or other consolidated income statement data as determined in accordance with GAAP. We consider the following non-GAAP measures, which may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies, to be key performance indicators:

 

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation (non-cash) and certain non-recurring special items that we believe are not representative of core operations.

 

Cash Margin is defined as gross margin excluding depreciation and amortization, and stock-based compensation.

We believe that the presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is appropriate to provide additional information to investors about our operating profitability adjusted for certain non-cash items, non-routine items that we do not expect to continue at the same level in the future, as well as other items that are not core to our operations. Further, we believe Adjusted EBITDA provides a meaningful measure of operating profitability because we use it for evaluating our business performance, making budgeting decisions, and comparing our performance against that of other peer companies using similar measures. However, Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and, given the limitations of these metrics as analytical tools, should not be considered a substitute for gross profit, gross margins, net income (loss) or other consolidated income statement data as determined in accordance with GAAP.

Adjusted EBITDA (and a reconciliation to Net income (loss), the nearest GAAP financial measure) for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022, are as follows:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Net loss

 

$

(6,705

)

 

$

(6,476

)

Interest expense

 

 

163

 

 

 

109

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

1,242

 

 

 

1,504

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

1,959

 

 

 

1,537

 

Income tax benefit

 

 

(70

)

 

 

(2,639

)

Proxy contest and other

 

 

1,086

 

 

 

232

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

(2,325

)

 

$

(5,733

)

 

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

 

Net loss for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $(6.7) million with Adjusted EBITDA of $(2.3) million, compared to $(6.5) million with Adjusted EBITDA of $(5.7) million for the prior year, due to higher revenue driven by consumer demand, and operating expense management initiatives during the prior year.

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Results of Operations

The following table sets forth the Company’s statements of operations for the periods presented:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Net revenue

 

$

51,444

 

 

$

46,662

 

Cost of revenue

 

 

37,305

 

 

 

32,633

 

Gross profit

 

 

14,139

 

 

 

14,029

 

Operating expenses

 

 

20,631

 

 

 

22,316

 

Operating loss

 

 

(6,492

)

 

 

(8,287

)

Interest expense

 

 

163

 

 

 

109

 

Other non-operating expense, net

 

 

120

 

 

 

719

 

Loss before income tax

 

 

(6,775

)

 

 

(9,115

)

Income tax benefit

 

 

(70

)

 

 

(2,639

)

Net loss

 

$

(6,705

)

 

$

(6,476

)

 

Net Revenue and Gross Profit

The following table summarizes net revenue and gross profit for the periods presented:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Net Revenue

 

$

51,444

 

 

$

46,662

 

Gross Profit

 

$

14,139

 

 

$

14,029

 

Gross Margin

 

 

27.5

%

 

 

30.1

%

Cash Margin (1)

 

 

28.8

%

 

 

31.4

%

 

(1)
Excludes depreciation and amortization, and stock-based compensation

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023 to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2022

Net revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $51.4 million, a $4.8 million increase from $46.7 million reflecting a stronger U.S. console gaming headset market and increased consumer demand.

For the three months ended March 31, 2023, gross margin decreased to 27.5% from 30.1% in the comparable prior year period as a result of promotional spend above historic levels, partially offset by lower freight and logistics costs.

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Selling and marketing

 

$

9,523

 

 

$

10,829

 

Research and development

 

 

4,101

 

 

 

5,252

 

General and administrative

 

 

7,007

 

 

 

6,235

 

Total operating expenses

 

$

20,631

 

 

$

22,316

 

 

Selling and Marketing

Selling and marketing expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 totaled $9.5 million compared to $10.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. This decrease was primarily due to lower marketing initiatives to align with current consumer demand.

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Research and Development

Research and development costs for the three months ended March 31, 2023 were $4.1 million compared to $5.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022, due to expense management initiatives during the prior year to align headcount with new product and portfolio expansion strategies.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2023 totaled $7.0 million compared to $6.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. Excluding certain non-recurring proxy contest and other costs, expenses decreased $0.2 million primarily due to lower revenue-based employee expenses and certain corporate legal costs, partially offset by higher professional services costs.

Income Taxes

 

Income tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was ($0.1) million at an effective tax rate of 1.0% compared to income tax benefit for the three months ended March 31, 2022 of ($2.6) million at an effective tax rate of 29.0%. The effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was primarily impacted by a true-up to foreign incomes tax payable, partially offset by the change in U.S. valuation allowance, foreign taxes and interest on uncertain tax positions.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary sources of working capital are cash flows from operations and availability under our revolving credit facility. We have funded operations and acquisitions in recent periods with operating cash flows and borrowings under our revolving credit facility.

The following table summarizes our sources and uses of cash:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2023

 

 

2022

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

$

11,396

 

 

$

37,720

 

Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities

 

 

28,989

 

 

 

(13,348

)

Net cash used for investing activities

 

 

(887

)

 

 

(611

)

Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities

 

 

(19,008

)

 

 

361

 

Effect of foreign exchange on cash

 

 

83

 

 

 

(422

)

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

20,573

 

 

$

23,700

 

 

Operating activities

Cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2023 was $29.0 million, an increase of $42.3 million as compared to cash used for operating activities of $13.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022. The increase is primarily the result of market-driven inventory management activity and higher gross receipts.

Investing activities

Cash used for investing activities was $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2023, which was related to certain capital investments, compared to $0.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022.

Financing activities

Net cash used for financing activities was ($19.0) million during the three months ended March 31, 2023 compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $0.4 million during the three months ended March 31, 2022. Financing activities during the three months ended March 31, 2023 consisted primarily of $19.1 million revolving credit facility net repayments.

Management assessment of liquidity

Management believes that our current cash and cash equivalents, the amounts available under our revolving credit facility and cash flows derived from operations will be sufficient to meet anticipated short-term and long-term funding for working capital and capital expenditures including amounts to develop new products, fund future stock repurchases and to pursue strategic opportunities. Significant assumptions

21


 

underlie this belief, including, among other things, that there will be no material adverse developments in our business, liquidity or capital requirements.

In addition, the Company monitors the capital markets on an ongoing basis and may consider raising capital if favorable market conditions develop.

Foreign cash balances at March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were $3.7 million and $6.5 million, respectively.

Revolving Credit Facility

On March 5, 2018, Turtle Beach and certain of its subsidiaries entered into an amended and restated loan, guaranty and security agreement (the “Credit Facility”) with Bank of America, N.A. (“Bank of America”), as administrative agent, collateral agent and security trustee for Lenders (as defined therein), which replaced the then existing asset-based revolving loan agreement. The Credit Facility was amended on each of December 17, 2018, May 31, 2019, and March 10, 2023. The Credit Facility, as amended, expires on April 1, 2025 and provides for a line of credit of up to $80 million inclusive of a sub-facility limit of $15 million for TB Europe, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Turtle Beach. In addition, the Credit Facility provides for a $40 million accordion feature.

On March 10, 2023, the Company entered into a Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan, Guaranty and Security Agreement (the “Third Amendment”), by and among the Company, VTB, TBC Holding Company LLC, TB Europe, VTBH, the financial institutions party thereto from time to time and Bank of America, as administrative agent, collateral agent and security trustee for the lenders.

The Third Amendment provides for, among other things: (i) extending the maturity date of the Credit Facility from March 5, 2024 to April 1, 2025; (ii) updating the interest rate and margin terms; (iii) removing the FILO Loan facility; (iv) updating the sub-facility limit for TB Europe to $15 million; (v) increasing our undrawn commitment fee by 0.125%; and (vi) transitioning the reference interest rates from LIBOR to BSBY, SONIA and EUIBOR, as applicable.

The maximum credit availability for loans and letters of credit under the Credit Facility is governed by a borrowing base determined by the application of specified percentages to certain eligible assets, primarily eligible trade accounts receivable and inventories, and is subject to discretionary reserves and revaluation adjustments. The Credit Facility may be used for working capital, the issuance of bank guarantees, letters of credit and other corporate purposes.

Amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility bear interest at a rate equal to (i) a rate published by Bank of America or the U.S. Bloomberg Short-Term Bank Yield Index (“BSBY”) rate for loans denominated in U.S. Dollars, (ii) the Sterling Overnight Index Average Reference Rate (“SONIA”) for loans denominated in Sterling, (iii) and the Euro Interbank Offered Rate (“EUIBOR”) for loans denominated in Euros, plus in each case, an applicable margin, which is between 0.50% to 2.50% for base rate loans and UK base rate loans, and 1.50% to 3.50% for U.S. BSBY rate loans, U.S. BSBY daily floating rate loans and UK alternative currency loans. In addition, Turtle Beach is required to pay a commitment fee on the unused revolving loan commitment at a rate ranging from 0.375% to 0.50% and letter of credit fees and agent fees. As of March 31, 2023, interest rates for outstanding borrowings were 10.50% for base rate loans and 6.50% for LIBOR rate loans, which reference interest rates were still in effect prior to the Libor Transition Amendments.

The Company is subject to quarterly financial covenant testing if certain availability thresholds are not met or certain other events occur (as set forth in the Credit Facility). At such times, the Credit Facility requires the Company and its restricted subsidiaries to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.00 to 1.00 as of the last day of each fiscal quarter.

The Credit Facility also contains affirmative and negative covenants that, subject to certain exceptions, limit our ability to take certain actions, including the Company’s ability to incur debt, pay dividends and repurchase stock, make certain investments and other payments, enter into certain mergers and consolidations, engage in sale leaseback transactions and transactions with affiliates, and encumber and dispose of assets. Obligations under the Credit Facility are secured by a security interest and lien upon substantially all of the Company’s assets.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Our discussion and analysis of our results of operations and capital resources are based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in conformity with GAAP. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Management bases its estimates, assumptions and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances.

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Different assumptions and judgments would change the estimates used in the preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements, which, in turn, could change the results from those reported. Management evaluates its estimates, assumptions and judgments on an ongoing basis. For a discussion of the critical estimates that affect the condensed consolidated financial statements, see “Critical Accounting Estimates” included in Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report.

See Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contained herein for a complete discussion of recent accounting pronouncements. We are currently evaluating the impact of certain recently issued guidance on our financial condition and results of operations in future periods.

Item 3 - Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact our financial position due to adverse changes in financial market prices and rates. The Company’s market risk exposure is primarily a result of fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and inflation.

The Company has used derivative financial instruments, specifically foreign currency forward and option contracts, to manage exposure to foreign currency risks, by hedging a portion of its forecasted expenses denominated in British Pounds expected to occur within a year. The effect of exchange rate changes on foreign currency forward and option contracts is expected to offset the effect of exchange rate changes on the underlying hedged item. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we did not have any derivative financial instruments.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

The Company has exchange rate exposure primarily with respect to the British Pound and Euro. As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, our monetary assets and liabilities that are subject to this exposure are immaterial, therefore the potential immediate loss to us that would result from a hypothetical 10% change in foreign currency exchange rates would not be expected to have a material impact on our earnings or cash flows. This sensitivity analysis assumes an unfavorable 10% fluctuation in the exchange rates affecting the foreign currencies in which monetary assets and liabilities are denominated and does not take into account the offsetting effect of such a change on our foreign currency denominated revenues.

Inflation Risk

The Company is exposed to market risk due to inflationary pressures, including higher labor-related costs, increases in the costs of the goods and services we purchase as part of the manufacture and distribution of our products, increased costs from supply chain and logistic headwinds and in our operations generally. Such inflationary pressures have been and could continue to be exacerbated by higher oil prices, geopolitical turmoil, and economic policy actions. Inflationary pressures can also have a negative impact on demand for the products we sell. Reduced or delayed discretionary spending by consumers in response to inflationary pressures has reduced consumer demand for our products, resulting in reduced sales. In 2022, we experienced a higher rate of inflation than in recent years resulting in higher cost of goods, selling expenses, and general and administrative expenses. Such increases have had and may continue to have a negative impact on the Company’s profit margins if selling prices of products do not increase with the increased costs.

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Item 4 - Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13(a)-15(e) and 15(d)-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), are designed to ensure that (1) information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms; and (2) that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.

At the conclusion of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision of our Chief Executive Officer (our principal executive officer, or PEO) and our Chief Financial Officer (our principal financial officer, or PFO), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based upon that evaluation, our PEO and PFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act, were not effective in regards to the internal controls over the tax provision as of March 31, 2023.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We identified a material weakness in internal control related to the proper design and implementation of certain controls over our income tax provision and management’s review of the income tax provision. To address this material weakness, we have implemented certain remedial measures, as described in Item 9A of our 2022 Form 10-K. Based on this evaluation, we consider the material weakness not to have been fully remediated as management has not yet been able to conclude, through testing, that the applicable controls have operated effectively.

Except as described above, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the period covered that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Our process for evaluating controls and procedures is continuous and encompasses constant improvement of the design and effectiveness of established controls and procedures and the remediation of any deficiencies, which may be identified during this process.

Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

24


 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Please refer to Note 12, “Commitments and Contingencies” in the notes to the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which is incorporated into this item by reference.

Item 1A - Risk Factors

Set forth below is a summary of certain material risks related to an investment in our securities, which should be considered carefully in evaluating such an investment. Our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows can be affected by a number of factors, whether currently known or unknown, including but not limited to those described below, any one or more of which could, directly or indirectly, cause the Company’s actual results of operations and financial condition to vary materially from past, or from anticipated future, results of operations and financial condition. Any of these factors, in whole or in part, could materially and adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and common stock price. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently consider immaterial may also impair our business operations.

The following discussion of risk factors contains forward-looking statements. These risk factors may be important to understanding any statement in this Form 10-Q or elsewhere. The following information should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes in Part I, Item 1, “Financial Statements” and Part I, Item 2, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Because of the following factors, as well as other factors affecting the Company’s financial condition and operating results, past financial performance should not be considered to be a reliable indicator of future performance, and investors should not use historical trends to anticipate results or trends in future periods.

Risks Related to Our Operations

 

Our business has been and could continue to be adversely affected by inflationary pressures.

 

We are exposed to inflationary pressures including higher labor-related costs and increases in the costs of the goods and services we purchase as part of the manufacture and distribution of our products and in our operations generally. Since 2021, global supply chain constraints and the continuing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic (including government measures adopted in response thereto) have resulted in heightened inflationary cost pressures, and these pressures continue to affect our business. Such inflationary pressures have also been and could continue to be exacerbated by higher oil prices, geopolitical turmoil (including the ongoing conflict in Ukraine), increased logistics costs and economic policy actions and could lead to a recessionary environment. As interest rates rise to address inflation, such increases have led to, and could lead to further increases in our borrowing costs over time.

 

Inflationary pressures can also have a negative impact on demand for the products we sell. Reduced or delayed discretionary spending by consumers, specifically for consumer electronic goods, in response to inflationary pressures has and could continue to reduce demand for our products, resulting in reduced sales. Our inability to adequately increase prices to offset increased costs associated with such inflationary pressures, or otherwise mitigate their impact, will increase our costs of doing business and could further reduce our margins and profitability. In 2022, reduced margins and profitability stemming from inflationary pressures were considered triggering events and led to interim goodwill and long-lived asset quantitative impairment tests. If such impacts are prolonged or substantial, they could necessitate similar impairment tests in the future or otherwise have a material negative effect on our results of operations.

 

Our brands face significant competition from other consumer electronics companies and this competition could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

 

We compete with other producers of gaming accessories, including video game console manufacturers. Our competitors may undertake more extensive marketing campaigns, adopt more aggressive pricing policies, or develop more commercially successful products for the PC and video game platforms than we do. In addition, competitors with large product lines and popular products, in particular the video game console manufacturers, typically have greater leverage with retailers, distributors and other customers, who may be willing to promote products with less consumer appeal in return for access to those competitors’ more popular products.

 

In the event that a competitor reduces prices, we could be forced to respond by lowering our prices to remain competitive. If we are forced to lower prices, we may be required to “price protect” products that remain unsold in our customers’ inventories at the time of the price reduction. Price protection results in our issuing a credit to our customers in the amount of the price reduction for each unsold unit in that customer’s inventory. Our price protection policies, which are customary in the industry, can have a major impact on our profitability.

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The manufacture, supply and shipment of our products are subject to supply chain and logistics risks that could adversely impact our financial results.

 

We face a number of risks related to supply chain management and logistics with respect to our products. We experienced, and may in the future continue to experience, supply or labor shortages or other disruptions to our supply chain or logistics, which could result in shipping delays and increased costs, each of which could negatively impact our results, operations, product development, and sales. The extent and duration of the impact of these challenges are subject to numerous factors, including the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, behavioral changes, wage and price costs, adoption of new or revised regulations, and broader macroeconomic conditions.

 

We have experienced supply chain disruptions that resulted in significant cost increases for commodities and components used in our products, as well as component shortages that have negatively affected our sales and results of operations. For example, the market shortage of semiconductors that persisted during 2020 and 2021 caused disruptions, from both a supply and pricing standpoint. As discussed above, recent inflationary pressures have also been exacerbated by the lower availability of, and increased prices for, freight and logistics, including air, sea, and ground freight. We may not be able to pass along these price increases to our customers. While we have taken and continue to take measures to implement cost saving initiatives and procure and maintain levels of inventory to prioritize product availability amidst global supply chain and logistical challenges, including by working closely with our suppliers, there can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to do so. Accordingly, any future delays, disruptions, and supply and pricing risks, such as the ongoing supply chain challenges and disruptions that we expect to continue during 2023, could affect our ability to meet customer demand for our products, which could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

The manufacture, supply and shipment of our products are dependent upon a limited number of third parties, and our success is dependent upon the ability of these parties to manufacture, supply and ship sufficient quantities of our products to us in a timely fashion, as well as the continued viability and financial stability of these third parties. In addition, many of our products use components with long order lead times and constrained supply. Any disruption in supply of these components could materially impact the ability of our third-party manufacturing partners to produce our products.

 

We rely on third parties to manufacture and manage the logistics of transporting and distributing our products, which subjects us to a number of risks that have been exacerbated as a result of the ongoing supply chain issues that originated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our manufacturers’ and suppliers’ ability to supply products to us is also subject to a number of risks, including the unavailability of raw materials or components, their financial instability, the destruction of their facilities, work stoppages and any future public health crisis. Any shortage of raw materials or components or an inability to control costs associated with manufacturing could increase our costs or impair our ability to ship orders in a timely and cost-efficient manner. As a result, we could experience cancellations of orders, refusal to accept deliveries or a reduction in our prices and margins, any of which could harm our financial performance and results of operations.

 

We could be negatively affected if we are not able to engage third parties with the necessary capabilities or capacity on reasonable terms, or if those we engage with fail to meet their obligations (whether due to financial difficulties, manufacturing constraints, or other reasons). Moreover, there can be no assurance that such manufacturers and suppliers will not refuse to supply us at prices we deem acceptable, independently market their own competing products in the future, or otherwise discontinue their relationships with us. Our failure to maintain these existing manufacturing and supplier relationships, or to establish new relationships on similar terms in the future, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.

 

In particular, certain of our products have a number of components and subassemblies produced by outside suppliers. In addition, for certain of these items, we qualify only a single source of supply with long lead times, which can magnify the risk of shortages or result in excess supply or decrease our ability to negotiate price with our suppliers. Also, if we experience quality problems with suppliers, then our production schedules could be significantly delayed or costs significantly increased. Each of these factors could have an adverse effect on our business, liquidity, results of operations and financial position.

 

In addition, the ongoing effectiveness of our supply chain is dependent on the timely performance of services by third parties shipping products and materials to and from our warehouse facilities and other locations. If we encounter problems with these shipments, our ability to meet retailer expectations, manage inventory, complete sales and achieve objectives for operating efficiencies could be materially adversely affected and we may be required to incur materially higher costs for shipping, including air freight. We have experienced some of these problems in the past and we cannot assure you that we will not experience similar problems in the future.

The widespread outbreak of an illness, communicable disease, or any other public health crisis could adversely affect our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

We could be negatively impacted by the widespread outbreak of an illness, communicable disease, or any other public health crisis that results in economic or trade disruptions, including the disruption of global supply chains. The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted the economy on a global, national, and local level, disrupted global supply chains, and created volatility and disruption of financial markets.

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Responses from U.S. and international governmental authorities and companies to reduce the spread of COVID-19 affected economic activity through various containment measures including, among others, restrictions on retail outlets, business closures, work stoppages, quarantine and work-from-home guidelines, limiting capacity at public spaces and events, vaccination requirements, or restrictions of global and regional travel. Another outbreak of an illness, a communicable disease, or any other public health crisis, and any resulting impacts, such as an extended period of global supply chain and/or economic disruption, labor shortages, or government-mandated actions in response to such public health crisis could materially affect our business, results of operations, access to sources of liquidity, and financial condition.

We depend upon the success and availability of third-party gaming platforms and the release of certain game titles to drive sales of our headset products.

 

The performance of our gaming accessories business is affected by the continued success of the PC gaming market and third-party gaming platforms, such as Microsoft’s Xbox consoles and Sony’s PlayStation consoles, as well as video games developed by such manufacturers and other third-party publishers. Our business could suffer if any of these parties fail to continue to drive the success of these platforms, develop new or enhanced video game platforms, develop popular game and entertainment titles for current or future generation platforms or produce and timely release sufficient quantities of such consoles. Further, if a platform is withdrawn from the market or fails to sell, we may be forced to liquidate inventories relating to that platform or accept returns resulting in significant losses.

The industries in which we operate are subject to competition in an environment of rapid technological change, and if we do not adapt to, and appropriately allocate our resources among, emerging technologies, our revenues could be negatively affected.

 

We must make substantial product development and other investments to align our product portfolio and development efforts in response to market changes in the gaming industry. We must anticipate and adapt our products to emerging technologies in order to keep those products competitive. When we choose to incorporate a new technology into our products or to develop a product for a new platform or operating system, we are often required to make a substantial investment prior to the introduction of the product. If we invest in the development of a new technology or a product for a new platform that does not achieve significant commercial success, our revenues from those products likely will be lower than anticipated and may not cover our costs. Further, our competitors may develop or adapt to an emerging technology more quickly or effectively than we do, creating products that are technologically superior to ours, more appealing to consumers, or both.

New and emerging technologies and alternate platforms for gaming, such as mobile devices and virtual reality devices, could make our products, generally designed for existing console and PC gaming platforms less attractive or, in time, obsolete, which could require us to transition our business model, such as by developing products for other gaming platforms.

 

There are numerous steps required to develop a product from conception to commercial introduction and to ensure timely shipment to retail customers, including designing, sourcing and testing the electronic components, receiving approval of hardware and other third-party licensors, factory availability and manufacturing and designing the graphics and packaging. Any difficulties or delays in the product development process will likely result in delays in the contemplated product introduction schedule. It is common in new product introductions or product updates to encounter technical and other difficulties affecting manufacturing efficiency and, at times, the ability to manufacture the product at all. Although these difficulties can be corrected or improved over time with continued manufacturing experience and engineering efforts, if one or more aspects necessary for the introduction of products are not completed as scheduled, or if technical difficulties take longer than anticipated to overcome, the product introductions will be delayed, or in some cases may be terminated. No assurances can be given that our products will be introduced in a timely fashion, and if new products are delayed, our sales and revenue growth may be limited or impaired.

A significant portion of our revenue is derived from a few large customers, and the loss of any such customer, or a significant reduction in purchases by such customer, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

During 2022, our three largest retail customers accounted for approximately 51% of our gross sales in the aggregate. The loss of, or financial difficulties experienced by, any of these or any of our other significant customers, including as a result of the bankruptcy of a customer, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. We do not have long-term agreements with these or other significant customers and our agreements with these customers do not require them to purchase any specific amount of products. Many of our customers generally purchase from us on a purchase order basis. As a result, agreements with respect to pricing, returns, cooperative advertising or special promotions, among other things, are subject to periodic negotiation with each customer. No assurance can be given that these or other customers will continue to do business with us or that they will maintain their historical levels of business. In addition, the uncertainty of product orders can make it difficult to forecast our sales and allocate our resources in a manner consistent with actual sales, and our expense levels are based in part on our expectations of future sales. If our expectations regarding future sales are inaccurate, we may be unable to reduce costs in a timely manner to adjust for sales shortfalls or ensure adequate product supply to meet customer demand. In addition, financial difficulties experienced by a significant customer could increase our exposure to uncollectible receivables and the risk that losses from uncollected receivables exceed the reserves we have set aside in anticipation of this risk or limit our ability to continue to do business with such customers.

 

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If our marketing efforts do not effectively raise the recognition and reputation of our brands, we may not be able to successfully implement our gaming accessory growth strategy.

 

We believe that our ability to extend the recognition and favorable perception of our Turtle Beach and ROCCAT brands is critical to implement our gaming accessory growth strategy, which includes maintaining our strong position in console gaming headsets and building our brand recognition and product appeal in PC gaming headsets, keyboards, and mice as well as in additional new categories over time. These efforts cause us to incur significant costs in marketing; however, these expenditures may not result in an increase in net sales that is sufficient to cover such costs.

 

If we fail to build and maintain our brands, or if we incur significant expenses in an unsuccessful attempt to build and maintain our brands, our business and ability to implement our growth strategy may be harmed.

 

Turtle Beach relies on its partnerships with influencers, athletes and esports teams to expand our market and promote our products, and our marketing and promotion partners may not perform to our expectations.

 

Relationships with new and established influencers, athletes and esports teams have been, and will continue to be, important to our success. We rely on these partners to assist us in generating increased acceptance and use of our product offerings. We have established a number of these relationships, and our growth depends in part on establishing new relationships and maintaining existing ones. Certain partners may not view their relationships with us as significant to their own businesses, and they may reassess their commitment to us or decide to partner with our competitors in the future. We cannot guarantee that any partner will perform their obligations as agreed or that we would be able to specifically enforce any agreement with them. If any partner does not perform consistent with our agreements, we may be subject to negative or adverse publicity and other reputational risks, including the risk of unfavorable perception on social media or other platforms. Additionally, our failure to maintain and expand these relationships may adversely impact our future revenue.

Our net sales and operating income fluctuate on a seasonal basis and decreases in sales or margins during peak seasons could have a disproportionate effect on our overall financial condition and results of operations.

Historically, a significant portion of our annual revenues have been generated during the holiday season of September to December. If we do not accurately forecast demand for products, we could incur additional costs or experience manufacturing delays. Any shortfall in net sales during this period would cause our annual results of operations to suffer significantly.

Demand for our products depends on many factors such as consumer preferences and the introduction or adoption of game platforms and related content and can be difficult to forecast. If we misjudge the demand for our products, we could face the following problems in our operations, each of which could harm our operating results:

If our forecasts of demand for products are too high, we may accumulate excess inventories of products, which could lead to markdown allowances or write-offs affecting some or all of such excess inventories. We may also have to adjust the prices of our existing products to reduce such excess inventories;
If demand for specific products increases beyond what we forecast, our suppliers and third-party manufacturers may not be able to increase production or obtain required components quickly enough to meet the demand. Our failure to meet market demand may lead to missed opportunities to increase our base of gamers, damage our relationships with retailers or harm our business; and
The on-going transition to new console platforms increases the likelihood that we could fail to accurately forecast demand for headsets, microphones, simulation hardware, and other gaming accessories for these platforms.

Our results of operations and financial condition may be adversely affected by global business, political, operational, financial and economic conditions.

We face business, political, operational, financial and economic risks inherent in international business, many of which are beyond our control, including:

higher product component costs and higher transportation and logistics costs driven by increasing rates of inflation globally;
changes in consumer discretionary spending and preferences driven by increasing rates of inflation;
trade restrictions, higher tariffs, currency fluctuations or the imposition of additional regulations relating to import or export of our products, especially in China, where many of our Turtle Beach products are manufactured, which could force us to seek alternate manufacturing sources or increase our costs;
difficulties obtaining domestic and foreign export, import and other governmental approvals, permits and licenses, and compliance with foreign laws, which could halt, interrupt or delay our operations if we cannot obtain such approvals, permits and licenses;

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compliance with anti-corruption laws, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the U.K. Bribery Act 2010, the European Union Anti-Corruption Act and other similar laws, or non-compliance with such laws, which could subject us to trade sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, the U.S. Department of Commerce and equivalent foreign entities;
difficulties encountered by our international distributors or us in staffing and managing foreign operations or international sales, including higher labor costs and tightening of the overall labor markets;
compliance by third-party suppliers, manufacturers and their subcontractors with our Manufacturer Code of Conduct and other applicable compliance policies;
transportation delays and difficulties of managing international distribution channels;
longer payment cycles for, and greater difficulty collecting, accounts receivable;
political and economic instability, including wars (such as the ongoing conflict in Ukraine), terrorism, political unrest, boycotts, curtailment of trade and other business restrictions, any of which could materially and adversely affect our net sales and results of operations;
public health issues (such as a pandemic); and
natural disasters or adverse or extreme weather conditions.

 

Any of these factors could reduce our net sales, decrease our gross margins, increase our expenses or reduce our profitability. Should we establish our own operations in international territories where we currently utilize distributors, we will become subject to greater risks associated with operating outside of the United States.

 

The electronics industry in general has historically been characterized by a high degree of volatility and is subject to substantial and unpredictable variations resulting from changing business cycles. Our operating results will be subject to fluctuations based on general economic conditions, and in particular conditions that impact discretionary consumer spending. Downturns in the worldwide economy could adversely affect our business. We have and could continue to experience a reduction in demand for our products or a lengthening of consumer replacement schedules for our products. Sustained reduced demand for these products could result in further decreases in our average selling prices and product sales. A deterioration of current conditions in worldwide credit markets could limit our ability to obtain financing. A lack of available credit in financial markets may adversely affect the ability of our commercial customers to finance purchases and operations and could result in a decrease in orders or spending for our products as well as create supplier disruptions. We are unable to predict the likely duration and severity of any adverse economic conditions and disruptions in financial markets and the effects they will have on our business and its financial condition. Difficult economic conditions may also result in a higher rate of losses on our accounts receivable due to defaults or bankruptcies. As a result, a downturn in the worldwide economy could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.

If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately report financial results or prevent fraud, which could have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition.

A material weakness is a deficiency or combination of deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our consolidated financial statements would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. If we experience a material weakness or otherwise fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls in the future, we may not be able to accurately or timely report our financial condition or results of operations. Any failure to maintain effective disclosure controls and internal control over financial reporting could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

In connection with preparing the financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2022, we identified a material weakness in our internal control related to the proper design and implementation of certain controls over our income tax provision and management’s review of the income tax provision. The material weakness in internal controls over the tax provision did not result in any material misstatements in these financial statements or omissions in our previously reported financial statements.

Although we intend to take remedial actions in response to this control deficiency, there is no assurance that we will be able to prevent a material error or future control deficiencies (including material weaknesses) from occurring. Our inability to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective could result in a loss of investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which could cause the price of our common stock to decline, and we may be subject to investigation, litigation, increases in insurance premiums or regulatory fines and sanctions.


Our business could be negatively affected as a result of actions of activist stockholders.

Immersion Corporation (Nasdaq: IMMR, “Immersion”), through a subsidiary that owns approximately 8.4% of our outstanding common stock, has notified the Company of its intent to nominate three directors for election at the Company’s 2023 annual meeting of stockholders

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(the “Notice”). To avoid a costly and distracting proxy contest, the Company has engaged in good faith with Immersion numerous times but was unable to reach an amicable resolution that, in our view, would be aligned with the best interests of our stockholders. Responding to Immersion’s proxy contest and any future campaigns by Immersion or other activist stockholders can be disruptive, costly and time-consuming, and can divert the attention of our Board, management and employees. Perceived uncertainties as to the future direction or governance of the Company may cause concern to our current or potential regulators, vendors or strategic partners, or make it more difficult to execute on our strategy or to attract and retain qualified personnel, which may have a material impact on our business and operating results. In addition, in the event of shareholder activism, particularly with respect to matters which our Board, in exercising their fiduciary duties, disagree with or have determined not to pursue, our business could be adversely affected. The Company could also face difficulty in attracting and retaining qualified directors to serve on our Board due to the perceived instability in the organization or lack of continuity if an activism campaign results in the appointment of an activist shareholder on the Board. The Company could also face difficulty in attracting and retaining qualified directors to serve on our Board due to the perceived instability in the organization or lack of continuity if an activism campaign results in the appointment of an activist shareholder on the Board. Activist campaigns such as the proxy contest launched by Immersion may also cause significant fluctuations in our stock price based on temporary or speculative market perceptions or other factors that do not necessarily reflect the underlying fundamentals and prospects of our business, all of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company. Moreover, if any of Immersion’s (or other activists’) nominees are elected with a specific agenda, it may adversely affect our ability to effectively and timely implement our long-term strategies, and this could in turn have an adverse effect on our business.

We have adopted a stockholder rights plan, which, together with provisions in our Articles of Incorporation and Nevada law, could discourage or prevent a potential takeover of our Company that might otherwise result in you receiving a premium over the market price for your common stock.

We adopted a stockholder rights plan pursuant to which we distributed one right for each outstanding share of common stock held by stockholders of record as of April 10, 2023. Subject to certain exceptions, the rights generally would become exercisable upon any person or group acquiring beneficial ownership of twelve percent (12%) or more of the then-outstanding shares of our common stock without the approval of the Board of Directors. Because the triggering of the rights may substantially dilute the stock ownership of a person or group attempting a take-over of us without the approval of our Board of Directors, even if such a change in control would result in our stockholders receiving a premium for their shares, the plan could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, or a significant percentage of our outstanding capital stock, without first negotiating with our Board of Directors.

Additionally, our Articles of Incorporation permit our Board of Directors to issue special shares from time to time, with such rights and preferences as they consider appropriate. Our Board of Directors could authorize the issuance of special shares with terms and conditions and under circumstances that could have an effect of discouraging a takeover or other transaction.

As a Nevada corporation, we are also subject to certain provisions of the Nevada General Corporation Law that have anti-takeover effects and may inhibit a non-negotiated merger or other business combination. These provisions are intended to encourage any person interested in acquiring us to negotiate with, and to obtain the approval of, our Board of Directors in connection with such a transaction. However, certain of these provisions may discourage a future acquisition of the Company, including an acquisition in which the stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares. As a result, stockholders who might desire to participate in such a transaction may not have the opportunity to do so.

Risks Related to our Intellectual Property

Our competitive position will be adversely damaged if our products are found to infringe on the intellectual property rights of others.

 

Other companies and our competitors may currently own or obtain patents or other proprietary rights that might prevent, limit or interfere with our ability to make, use or sell our products. Although we do not believe that our products infringe the proprietary rights of any third parties, we have received notices of alleged infringement in the past and there can be no assurance that infringement or other legal claims will not be asserted against us in the future or that we will not be found to infringe the intellectual property rights of others. The electronics industry is characterized by vigorous protection and pursuit of intellectual property rights and positions, resulting in significant and often protracted and expensive litigation. In the event of a successful claim of infringement against us and our failure or inability to license the infringed technology, our business and operating results could be adversely affected. Any litigation or claims, whether or not valid, could result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources. An adverse result from intellectual property litigation could cause us to do one or more of the following:

cease selling, incorporating or using products or services that incorporate the challenged intellectual property;
obtain a license from the holder of the infringed intellectual property right, which license may not be available on reasonable terms, if at all; and/or
redesign products or services that incorporate the disputed technology.

 

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If we take any of the foregoing actions, we could face substantial costs and shipment delays and our business could be seriously harmed. Although we carry general liability insurance, our insurance may not cover claims of this type or may be inadequate to insure us for all liability that may be imposed.

 

In addition, it is possible that our customers or end users may seek indemnity from us in the event that our products are found or alleged to infringe the intellectual property rights of others. Any such claim for indemnity could result in substantial costs to us that could adversely impact our operating results.

 

If we are unable to obtain and maintain intellectual property rights and/or enforce those rights against third parties who are violating those rights, our business could suffer.

 

We rely on various intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, trade secrets and trade dress to protect our Turtle Beach brand name, reputation, product appearance, and technology. Although we have entered into confidentiality and invention assignment agreements with our employees and contractors, and nondisclosure agreements with selected parties with whom we conduct business to limit access to and disclosure of our proprietary information, these contractual arrangements and the other steps we have taken to protect our intellectual property may not prevent misappropriation of that intellectual property or deter independent third-party development of similar technologies. Monitoring the unauthorized use of proprietary technology and trademarks is costly, and any dispute or other litigation, regardless of outcome, may be costly and time consuming and may divert the attention of management and key personnel from our business operations. The steps taken by us may not prevent unauthorized use of proprietary technology or trademarks. Many features of our products are not protected by patents; we may not have the legal right to prevent others from reverse engineering or otherwise copying and using these features in competitive products. If we fail to protect or to enforce our intellectual property rights successfully, our competitive position could suffer, which could adversely affect our financial results.

 

We are susceptible to counterfeiting of our products, which may harm our reputation for producing high-quality products and force us to incur expenses in enforcing our intellectual property rights. Such claims and lawsuits can be expensive to resolve, require substantial management time and resources, and may not provide a satisfactory or timely result, any of which may harm our results of operations. As some of our products are sold internationally, we are also dependent on the laws of many countries to protect and enforce our intellectual property rights. These laws may not protect intellectual property rights to the same extent or in the same manner as the laws of the United States.

 

Further, we are party to licenses that grant us rights to intellectual property, including trademarks, which are necessary or useful to our business. One or more of our licensors may allege that we have breached our license agreement with them and seek to terminate our license. If successful, this could result in our loss of the right to use the licensed intellectual property, which could adversely affect our ability to commercialize our technologies or products, as well as harm our competitive business position and our business prospects.

 

Our success also depends in part on our ability to obtain and enforce intellectual property protection of our technology, particularly our patents. There is no guarantee any patent will be granted on any patent application that we have filed or may file. Claims allowed from existing or pending patents may not be of sufficient scope or strength to protect the economic value of our technologies. Further, any patent that we may obtain will expire at some point, and it is possible that it may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented even prior to expiration.

 

We may initiate claims or litigation against third parties in the future for infringement of our proprietary rights or to determine the scope and validity of our proprietary rights or the proprietary rights of our competitors. These claims could result in costly litigation and divert the efforts of our technical and management personnel. As a result, our operating results could be adversely affected and our financial condition could be negatively impacted.

We are dependent upon third-party intellectual property to manufacture some of our products.

 

The performance of certain technology used in new generation consoles, such as integrated voice and chat audio from the Xbox®

platforms are improved by a licensed component to ensure compatibility with our products.

 

While we currently believe that we have the necessary licenses, or can obtain the necessary licenses, in order to produce compatible products, there is no guarantee that our licenses will be renewed or granted in the first instance in the future. Moreover, if these first parties enter into license agreements with companies other than us for their “closed systems” or if we are unable to obtain sufficient quantities of these headset adapters or chips, we would be placed at a competitive disadvantage.

 

In order for certain of our headsets to connect to the Xbox® platforms’ advanced features and controls, a proprietary computer chip or wireless module is required. As a result, with respect to our products designed for the Xbox® platforms, we are currently reliant on Microsoft or their designated supplier to provide us with sufficient quantities of such chips and/or modules. If we are unable to obtain sufficient quantities of these chips and/or modules, sales of such Xbox® platform compatible headsets and consequently our revenues would be adversely affected.

 

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We are licensed and approved by Microsoft to develop and sell Xbox® platform compatible audio products pursuant to a license agreement under which we have the right to manufacture (including through third-party manufacturers), market and sell audio products for the Xbox® platform video game console. Our current Xbox® platform headsets are dependent on this license, and headsets for future Xbox® consoles may also be dependent on this license. Microsoft has the right to terminate that license under certain circumstances set forth in the agreement. Should that license be terminated, our headset offerings may be limited, which could significantly reduce our revenues. While Sony does not currently require a license for audio products to be compatible with PlayStation® consoles, they could do so in the future.

 

While the Company believes it currently has the necessary licenses, or can obtain the necessary licenses to produce compatible products, Microsoft, Sony and other third-party gaming platform manufacturers may control or limit our ability to manufacture headsets compatible with their platforms, and could cause unanticipated delays in the release of our products as well as increases to projected development, manufacturing, licensing, marketing or distribution costs, any of which could negatively impact our business.

Risks Related to Liquidity

We depend upon the availability of capital under our revolving credit facility to finance our operations. Any additional financing that we may need may not be available on favorable terms, or at all.

 

In addition to cash flow generated from operations, we have financed our operations with the Credit Facility. If we are unable to comply with the financial and other covenants contained in the Credit Facility and are unable to obtain a waiver under the Credit Facility, Bank of America may declare any outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility immediately due and payable. If we had outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility, such an event would have an immediate and material adverse impact on our business, results of operations, and financial condition. We could be required to obtain additional financing from other sources, and we cannot predict whether or on what terms, if any, additional financing might be available. If we were required to seek additional financing and were unable to obtain it, we might need to change our business and capital expenditure plans, which may have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, any debt under the Credit Facility could make it more difficult to obtain other debt financing in the future. The Credit Facility contains certain financial covenants and other restrictions that limit our ability, among other things, to incur certain additional indebtedness; pay dividends and repurchase stock; make certain investments and other payments; enter into certain mergers or consolidations; undergo certain changes of control of our company or board of directors; engage in sale and leaseback transactions and transactions with affiliates; and encumber and dispose of assets.

 

If we violate any of these covenants, we will likely be unable to borrow under the Credit Facility. If a default occurs and is not timely cured or waived, Bank of America could seek remedies against us, including termination or suspension of obligations to make loans and issue letters of credit, and acceleration of amounts then outstanding under the applicable Credit Facility. No assurance can be given that we will be able to maintain compliance with these covenants in the future. The Credit Facility is asset based and can only be drawn down in an amount to which eligible collateral exists and can be negatively impacted by extended collection of accounts receivable, unexpectedly high product returns and slow-moving inventory, among other factors. In addition, we have granted the lender a first-priority lien against substantially all of our assets, including trade accounts receivable and inventories. Failure to comply with the operating restrictions or financial covenants could result in the lender terminating or suspending its obligation to make loans and issue letters of credit to us.

 

Additionally, a significant downturn in demand for our products or a reduction in gross margins could have a material impact on our result of operations, adversely affecting our ability to obtain financing.

General Risk Factors

The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly.

We cannot predict the prices at which our common stock may trade. The market price of our common stock may fluctuate widely, depending on many factors, some of which may be beyond our control, including but not limited to:

actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results due to factors related to our business;
success or failure of our business strategy;
the success of third-party gaming platforms and certain game titles to drive sales;
our quarterly or annual earnings, or those of other companies in our industry;
changes in earnings estimates by securities analysts or our ability to meet those estimates;
our ability to execute transformation, restructuring and realignment actions;
the operating and stock price performance of other comparable companies;
actions of, or our engagement with, activist stockholders;

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comments by securities analysts or other third parties, including in articles, letters and other media;
speculation in the press about the future of our company or our industry;
overall market fluctuations; and
general economic conditions and other external factors.

 

Stock markets in general have experienced volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of a particular company. These broad market fluctuations could adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. These fluctuations may also cause short sellers to periodically enter the market on the belief that we may experience worse results in the future. We cannot predict the actions of market participants and, therefore, can offer no assurances that the market for our common stock will be stable or appreciate over time.

 

We have adopted a shareholder rights plan, which, together with provisions in our articles of incorporation and Nevada law, could discourage or prevent a potential takeover of our Company that might otherwise result in you receiving a premium over the market price for your common stock.

 

We adopted a shareholder right plan pursuant to which we will distribute one right for each outstanding share of common stock held by stockholders of record as of April 10, 2023. Because the rights may substantially dilute the stock ownership of a person or group attempting a take-over of us without the approval of our Board of Directors, even if such a change in control would result in our shareholders receiving a premium for their shares, the plan could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, or a significant percentage of our outstanding capital stock, without first negotiating with our Board of Directors. Additionally, our articles of incorporation permit our Board of Directors to issue special shares from time to time, with such rights and preferences as they consider appropriate. Our Board of Directors could authorize the issuance of special shares with terms and conditions and under circumstances that could have an effect of discouraging a takeover or other transaction.

 

As a Nevada corporation, we are also subject to certain provisions of the Nevada General Corporation Law that have anti-takeover effects and may inhibit a non-negotiated merger or other business combination. These provisions are intended to encourage any person interested in acquiring us to negotiate with, and to obtain the approval of, our Board of Directors in connection with such a transaction. However, certain of these provisions may discourage a future acquisition of the Company, including an acquisition in which the stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares. As a result, stockholders who might desire to participate in such a transaction may not have the opportunity to do so.

If we are unable to protect our information systems against service interruption, misappropriation of data, cyber-attacks or other breaches of security, our operations could be disrupted, our reputation may be damaged, and we may be financially liable for damages.

 

We rely heavily on information systems, including a full range of retail, financial, sourcing and merchandising systems, to manage our operations. We regularly make investments to upgrade, enhance or replace these systems, as well as leverage new technologies to support our growth strategies. In addition, we have implemented enterprise-wide initiatives that are intended to standardize business processes and optimize performance. Any delays or difficulties in transitioning to new systems or integrating them with current systems or the failure to implement our initiatives in an orderly and timely fashion could result in additional investment of time and resources, which could impair our ability to improve existing operations and support future growth, and ultimately have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

The reliability and capacity of our information systems are critical. Despite preventative efforts, our systems are vulnerable to damage or interruption from, among other things, natural disasters, technical malfunctions, inadequate systems capacity, human error, power outages, computer viruses and security breaches. Any disruptions affecting our information systems could have a material adverse impact on our business. In addition, any failure to maintain adequate system security controls to protect our computer assets and sensitive data, including associate and client data, from unauthorized access, disclosure or use could damage our reputation with our associates and our clients, exposing us to financial liability, legal proceedings (such as class action lawsuits), and/or regulatory action. While we have implemented measures to prevent security breaches and cyber incidents, our preventative measures and incident response efforts may not be entirely effective. As a result, we may not be able to immediately detect any security breaches, which may increase the losses that we would suffer. Further, remote working arrangements increase the risk of cybersecurity attacks and data breaches, particularly through phishing attempts, as our employees and third parties with whom we interact leverage our IT infrastructure in previously unanticipated ways. Finally, our ability to continue to operate our business without significant interruption in the event of a disaster or other disruption depends, in part, on the ability of our information systems to operate in accordance with our disaster recovery and business continuity plans.

 

Our reliance on information systems and other technology also gives rise to cybersecurity risks, including security breach, espionage, system disruption, theft and inadvertent release of information. The occurrence of any of these events could compromise our networks, and the information stored there could be accessed, publicly disclosed, lost or stolen. Any such access, disclosure or other loss of information could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability or regulatory penalties under laws protecting the privacy of personal information, disrupt

33


 

operations, and damage our reputation, which could adversely affect our business. In addition, as security threats continue to evolve, we may need to invest additional resources to protect the security of our systems.

 

We are subject to laws and regulations relating to data privacy, data protection, and other related matters, which are subject to change, and our failure to comply could negatively affect our business and reputation.

 

We are subject to a variety of laws and regulations with respect to data privacy, data protection and other related matters, including the California Consumer Privacy Act, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act, and the European Union General Data Protection Regulation. These laws and the regulations associated therewith have evolved significantly in recent years, and future laws and regulations in other jurisdictions in which our business operates may be enacted. In addition, the application and interpretation of these laws and regulations are often unpredictable and uncertain.

 

Compliance with existing and emerging data privacy laws, regulations and industry standards could result in increased compliance costs and/or lead to changes in our business practices and policies, and any failure to abide by these laws, regulations and industry standards could adversely affect our reputation, lead to public enforcement actions or private litigation against us, require additional investment in resources or personnel, and reduce the availability of previously useful data, any of which could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition

We have been party to stockholder litigation, and in the future could be party to additional stockholder litigation, which could harm our business, financial condition and operating results.

We have had, and may continue to have, actions brought against us by stockholders, including in connection with the Merger, as further described in Note 12. Commitments and Contingencies, based on past transactions, changes in our stock price or other matters. Any such claims, whether or not resolved in our favor, could divert our management and other resources from the operation of our business and otherwise result in unexpected and substantial expenses that would adversely and materially impact our business, financial condition and operating results.

 

Loss of our key management and other personnel could impact our business.

 

Our future success depends largely upon the continued service of our executive officers and other key management and technical personnel and on our ability to continue to attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel. In addition, competition for skilled and non-skilled employees among companies like ours is intense, and the loss of skilled or non-skilled employees or an inability to attract, retain and motivate additional skilled and non-skilled employees required for the operation and expansion of our business could hinder our ability to conduct research activities successfully, develop new products, attract customers and meet customer shipments.

 

34


 

Our business could be adversely affected by significant movements in foreign currency exchange rates.

 

We are exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency transaction exchange rates, particularly with respect to the Euro and the British Pound. Any significant change in the value of currencies of the countries in which we do business relative to the value of the U.S. dollar could affect our ability to sell products competitively and control our cost structure. Additionally, we are subject to foreign exchange translation risk due to changes in the value of foreign currencies in relation to our reporting currency, the U.S. dollar. The translation risk is primarily concentrated in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the British Pound. As the U.S. dollar fluctuates against other currencies in which we transact business, revenue and income could be impacted.

Any acquisitions we pursue could disrupt our business and harm our financial condition and results of operations.

As part of our business strategy, we review and intend to continue to review acquisition opportunities that we believe would be advantageous or complementary to the development of our business. If we make any acquisitions, we could take any or all of the following actions, any one of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations or share price:

use a significant portion of our available cash;
require a significant devotion of management’s time and resources in the pursuit or consummation of such acquisition;
incur debt, which may not be available to us on favorable terms and may adversely affect our liquidity;
issue equity or equity-based securities that would dilute existing stockholders’ ownership percentage;
assume contingent and other liabilities; and
take charges in connection with such acquisitions.

Acquisitions also entail numerous other risks, including, without limitation: difficulties in assimilating acquired operations, products, technologies and personnel; unanticipated costs; risks of entering markets in which we have limited or no prior experience; regulatory approvals; unanticipated costs or liabilities; and potential loss of key employees from either our existing business or the acquired organization. Acquisitions may result in accounting charges for restructuring and other expenses, amortization of purchased technology and intangible assets and stock-based compensation expense, any of which could materially and adversely affect our operating results. We may not be able to realize the anticipated synergies, innovation, operational efficiencies, and benefits of the acquisition or successfully integrate with our existing business the businesses, products, technologies or personnel that we acquire, and our failure to do so could harm our business and operating results.

Our products may be subject to warranty claims, product liability and product recalls.

 

We may be subject to product liability or warranty claims that could result in significant direct or indirect costs, or we could experience greater returns from retailers than expected, which could harm our net sales. The occurrence of any quality problems due to defects in our products could make us liable for damages and warranty claims in excess of any existing reserves. In addition to the risk of direct costs to correct any defects, warranty claims, product recalls or other problems, any negative publicity related to the perceived quality of our products could also affect our brand image, decrease retailer and distributor demand and our operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected. Changes in production levels or processes could result in increased manufacturing errors, as well as higher component, manufacturing and shipping costs, all of which could reduce our profit margins, result in prices increases and harm our relationships with retailers and consumers.

 

We could incur unanticipated expenses in connection with warranty or product liability claims relating to a recall of one or more of our products, which could require significant expenditures to defend. Additionally, we may be required to comply with governmental requirements to remedy the defect and/or notify consumers of the problem that could lead to unanticipated expense, and possible product liability litigation against a customer or us.

Changes in laws or regulations or the manner of their interpretation or enforcement could adversely impact our financial performance and restrict our ability to operate our business or execute our strategies.

We are subject to numerous domestic and foreign laws and regulations, including those related to customs, securities, consumer protection, data privacy, general employment and employee health and safety. New laws or regulations, changes in existing laws or regulations or the manner of their interpretation or enforcement, may create uncertainty, increase our cost of doing business and restrict our ability to operate our business or execute our strategies. This could include, among other things, compliance costs and enforcement under the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act related to disclosure and reporting requirements for companies that use “conflict” minerals originating from the Democratic Republic of Congo or adjoining countries. Additionally, the California Consumer Privacy Act and EU General Data Protection Regulation have significantly affected how we are able to market our products. The SEC has also enacted or proposed significant changes to its regulations in recent years that impact our operations associated with being a public company.

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We continually evaluate and monitor developments with respect to new and proposed laws, regulations, standards and rules and cannot predict or estimate the amount of the additional costs we may incur due to these laws, regulations, standards and rules or the timing of such costs. Any such new or changed laws, regulations, standards and rules may be subject to varying interpretations and as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory authorities and governing bodies. This could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. We are committed to maintaining high standards of corporate governance and public disclosure. If our efforts to comply with new or changed laws, regulations and standards differ from the activities intended by regulatory authorities or governing bodies due to ambiguities related to practice, regulatory authorities may initiate legal proceedings against us and we may be harmed.

We are subject to various environmental laws and regulations that could impose substantial costs on us and may adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

Our operations and some of our products are regulated under various federal, state, local and international environmental laws. In addition, regulatory bodies in many of the jurisdictions in which we operate propose, enact and amend environmental laws and regulations on a regular basis. If we were to violate or become liable under these environmental laws, we could be required to incur additional costs to comply with such regulations and may incur fines and civil or criminal sanctions, third-party property damage or personal injury claims, or could be required to incur substantial investigation or remediation costs. Liability under environmental laws may be joint and several and without regard to comparative fault. The ultimate costs under environmental laws and the timing of these costs are difficult to predict. Although we cannot predict the ultimate impact of any new environmental laws and regulations, such laws may result in additional costs or decreased revenue, and could require that we redesign or change how we manufacture our products, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business. Additionally, to the extent that our competitors choose not to abide by these environmental laws and regulations, we may be at a cost disadvantage, thereby hindering our ability to effectively compete in the marketplace.

Our goals and disclosures related to environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) matters have and will likely continue to result in additional costs and risks to us, which may adversely affect our reputation, employee retention, and willingness of our customers and partners to do business with us.

Investor advocacy groups, institutional investors, investment funds, proxy advisory services, stockholders, and customers are increasingly focused on the ESG goals and practices of companies. We are frequently asked by these groups to set ambitious ESG goals and provide new and more robust disclosure of ESG goals, progress toward ESG goals and other matters of interest to ESG stakeholders. We have set ESG goals and are enhancing related disclosure of goals, progress, and other matters relating to ESG. Our efforts to accomplish and accurately disclose ESG-related goals and objectives present numerous operational, reputational, financial, legal, and other risks, any of which could have a negative impact on our business, reputation, and stock price.

Our ability to set and achieve ESG goals and initiatives is subject to numerous risks including, among others: (1) the availability and cost of limiting, eliminating or tracking our use of carbon-based energy sources and technologies, (2) evolving regulatory requirements affecting ESG standards or disclosures, including those related to greenhouse gas emissions tracking and disclosure, (3) our ability to partner with providers that can meet our sustainability, diversity, and other standards, (4) our ability to recruit, develop, and retain diverse talent, (5) the impact of our organic growth and acquisitions or dispositions of businesses or operations on our ESG goals, and (6) customers’ actual demand for ESG-oriented product offerings, which may be more expensive and less available than other options.

Standards for tracking and reporting on ESG matters are relatively new, have not been harmonized and continue to be promulgated and evolve. Our selection of disclosure frameworks that seek to align with various reporting standards may change from time to time, including in response to new disclosure requirements, and may result in a lack of consistent or meaningful comparative data from period to period. In addition, our processes and controls may not always comply with evolving standards for identifying, measuring and reporting ESG metrics, our interpretation of reporting standards may differ from those of others and such standards may change over time, any of which could result in significant revisions to our ESG goals or reported progress in achieving such goals.

If our ESG practices do not meet evolving investor or other stakeholder expectations and standards or regulatory requirements, then our reputation, our ability to attract or retain employees and our attractiveness as an investment, business partner or acquiror could be negatively impacted. Similarly, our failure or perceived failure to pursue or fulfill our goals, targets and objectives or to satisfy various reporting standards within the timelines we announce, or at all, could also have similar negative impacts and expose us to government enforcement actions and private litigation.

36


 

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

 

On April 9, 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program to acquire up to $15.0 million of its common stock. Any repurchases under the program will be made from time to time on the open market at prevailing market prices. On April 1, 2021, the Board of Directors approved an extension and expansion of this stock repurchase program up to $25.0 million of its common shares, expiring April 9, 2023. On March 3, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a two-year extension of this stock repurchase plan.

 

 

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

 

 

Total
Number
of Shares
Purchased

 

 

Average
Price Paid
Per Share

 

 

Total Number
of Shares
Purchased As
Part of Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs

 

 

Approximate
Dollar Value
of Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans or
Programs

 

Period

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 1-31, 2023

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 1-28, 2023

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 1-31, 2023

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

$

17,594,289

 

Total

 

 

 

 

$

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the first quarter of 2023, we did not repurchase any shares of common stock.

Item 5 - Other Information

None.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

 

 

  3.1

 

 

Articles of Incorporation of Turtle Beach Corporation, as amended (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Company’s 10-Q filed August 6, 2018).

 

 

 

 

  3.2

 

 

Bylaws, as amended, of Turtle Beach Corporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s 8-K filed June 20, 2019).

 

 

 

 

  3.3

 

 

Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock of Turtle Beach Corporation (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2023).

 

 

 

 

  4.1

 

 

Rights Agreement, dated as of March 28, 2023, by and between Turtle Beach Corporation and Issuer Direct Corporation, as rights agent (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 29, 2023).

 

 

 

 

  10.1

 

 

Third Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan, Guaranty and Security Agreement, dated March 10, 2023, by and among Turtle Beach Corporation, Voyetra Turtle Beach, Inc., TBC Holding Company LLC, Turtle Beach Europe Limited, VTB Holdings, Inc., the financial institutions party thereto and Bank of America, N.A., as administrative agent, collateral agent and security trustee for the lenders (Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 15, 2023).

 

 

 

 

 31.1 **

 

Certification of Juergen Stark, Principal Executive Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

 

 31.2 **

 

Certification of John T. Hanson, Principal Financial Officer, pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

 

 

 32.1 **

 

Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, executed by Juergen Stark, Principal Executive Officer and John Hanson, Principal Financial Officer.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) Exhibits

 

 

 

 

101.INS

 

Inline XBRL Instance Document

 

 

 

 

101.SCH

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

 

 

 

 

101.CAL

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

 

 

 

 

101.DEF

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

 

 

 

 

101.LAB

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document

 

 

 

 

101.PRE

 

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

 

 

 

 

104

 

Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

** Filed herewith.

 

38


 

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TURTLE BEACH CORPORATION

 

 

 

 

Date:

May 4, 2023

 

By:

/s/ JOHN T. HANSON

 

 

 

 

John T. Hanson

Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary

 

 

 

 

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

39