UTAH MEDICAL PRODUCTS INC - Quarter Report: 2016 March (Form 10-Q)

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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10‑Q

Quarterly Report Under Section 13 or 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

7043 South 300 West

Address of principal executive offices

 

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

 

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).   Yes ☒  No ☐

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock as of May 5, 2016: 3,758,170.

 

 

see notes to consolidated condensed financial statements

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

(2) Recent Accounting Standards. In May 2014, new accounting guidance was issued that outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The guidance is based on the principle that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  The guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to fulfill a contract.  Entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach for the adoption of the new standard.  This guidance becomes effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption is permitted for periods beginning after December 15, 2016.  UTMD is currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on its consolidated financial statements and expects to adopt it in 2018.

(5)  Notes payable.  In March 2011, the Company obtained a $14,000 loan from JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. and a $12,934 loan from JP Morgan Chase, London Branch to help finance UTMD's purchase of Femcare. The notes were fully paid off in February 2015.

UTMD maintains a warranty reserve to provide for estimated costs which are likely to occur. The amount of this reserve is adjusted, as required, to reflect its actual experience. Based on its analysis of historical warranty claims and its estimate that existing warranty obligations were immaterial, no warranty reserve was made at December 31, 2015 or March 31, 2016.

 (7)  Fair Value Measurements.  The Company follows ASC 820, Fair Value Measurement to determine fair value of its financial assets.  The following table provides financial assets carried at fair value measured as of March 31, 2016:

 

 

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

General

Utah Medical Products, Inc. (UTMD) manufactures and markets a well-established range of specialty medical devices.  The Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2015 provides a detailed description of products, technologies, markets, regulatory issues, business initiatives, resources and business risks, among other details, and should be read in conjunction with this report.  Because of the relatively short span of time, results for any given three month period in comparison with a previous three month period may not be indicative of comparative results for the year as a whole.  Currency amounts in the report are in thousands, except per-share amounts or where otherwise noted.  Currencies in this report are denoted as $ or USD = U.S. Dollars; AUD = Australia Dollars; £ or GBP = UK Pound Sterling; and EUR = Euros.

Analysis of Results of Operations

In the first calendar quarter (1Q) of 2016, UTMD achieved results representing a solid start to meeting its previously announced goals for 2016.

 

Income statement results in 1Q 2016 compared to 1Q 2015 were as follows:

As a company with operations outside the U.S. (OUS) with almost 30% of total consolidated sales invoiced in foreign currencies, the volatility of foreign currency exchange (FX) rates continues to have a significant impact on period-to-period financial results.

UTMD's FX rates for income statement purposes are transaction-weighted averages. The average rates from the applicable foreign currency to USD during 1Q 2016 and 1Q 2015 follow:

 

Despite the continued negative FX pressure on OUS sales, UTMD's total consolidated 1Q 2016 sales were $68 higher than in 1Q 2015 (up about 1%). In constant currency terms, i.e. using the same FX rates as in 1Q 2015, total consolidated 1Q 2016 sales were up $199 (up about 2%).  The weighted average negative impact on all foreign currency sales was 4.3%, reducing reported USD sales by $131.

UTMD's 1Q 2016 profit margins were exceptionally strong:

UTMD's consolidated 1Q 2016 gross profit margin (GPM) improved compared to 1Q 2015, and was higher than in year 2015 as a whole, as a result of improved productivity in manufacturing operations in both the U.S. and Ireland.

UTMD's Operating Income Margin (OIM) gained substantial leverage from two factors: 1) the suspended Obamacare Medical Device Excise Tax (MDET) previously included in Sales & Marketing (S&M) operating expenses, and 2) weaker GBP FX rate effect on fixed Identifiable Intangible Asset (IIA) amortization expense which comprises a significant portion of General & Administrative (G&A) operating expenses.

Income Before Tax (EBT) was leveraged further from two additional factors:  1) the lack of any interest expense from loans fully repaid in 1Q 2015, and 2) a reversal of the remeasured USD value of EUR cash balances held by UTMD's UK subsidiary.

Net Income (NI) and Earnings Per Share (EPS) in 1Q 2016 were up similar to EBT because UTMD's income tax provision rate and diluted shares used to calculate EPS changed little compared to 1Q 2015.

 

UTMD's Balance Sheet, in the absence of any debt, improved markedly during 1Q 2016. Cash and Investments were up $4.2 million, Stockholders' Equity was up $2.0 million, and working capital was up $3.1 million.  FX rates for Balance Sheet purposes are the applicable rates at the end of each reporting period. The FX rates from the applicable foreign currency to USD for assets and liabilities at the end of 1Q 2016 and the end of 1Q 2015 follow:

 

The Company believes that revenue should be recognized at the time of shipment as title generally passes to the customer at the time of shipment, or completion of services performed under contract.  Revenue recognized by UTMD is based upon documented arrangements and fixed contracts in which the selling price is fixed prior to acceptance and completion of an order.  Revenue from product or service sales is generally recognized at the time the product is shipped or service completed and invoiced, and collectibility is reasonably assured.  Over 99% of UTMD's revenue is recognized at the time UTMD ships a physical medical device to a customer, where the selling price for the item shipped was agreed prior to UTMD's acceptance and completion of the customer order. There are no post-shipment obligations which have been or are expected to be material to financial results.

There are circumstances under which revenue may be recognized when product is not shipped, which meet the criteria of SAB 104:  the Company provides engineering services, for example, design and production of manufacturing tooling that may be used in subsequent UTMD manufacturing of custom components for other companies.  This revenue is recognized when UTMD's service has been completed according to a fixed contractual agreement.

Terms of sale are established in advance of UTMD's acceptance of customer orders.  In the U.S., Ireland, UK and Australia, UTMD generally accepts orders directly from and ships directly to end user clinical facilities, as well as third party med/surg distributors, under UTMD's Standard Terms and Conditions (T&C) of Sale. About 14% of UTMD's domestic end user sales go through third party med/surg distributors which contract separately with U.S. clinical facilities to provide purchasing, storage and scheduled delivery functions for the applicable facility.  UTMD's T&C of Sale are substantially the same in the U.S., Ireland, UK and Australia.

UTMD may have separate discounted pricing agreements with a clinical facility or group of affiliated facilities based on volume of purchases.  Pricing agreements which are documented arrangements with clinical facilities, or groups of affiliated facilities, if applicable, are established in advance of orders accepted or shipments made.  For existing customers, past actual shipment volumes determine the fixed price by part number for the next agreement period of one or two years.  For new customers, the customer's best estimate of volume is accepted by UTMD for determining the ensuing fixed prices for the agreement period.  New customers typically have no longer than one-year agreements. Except on rare occasions such as when customers do not meet prepayment agreements, prices are not adjusted after an order is accepted. For the sake of clarity, the separate pricing agreements with clinical facilities based on volume of purchases disclosure is not inconsistent with UTMD's disclosure above that the selling price is fixed prior to the acceptance of a specific customer order.

Total 1Q 2016 consolidated sales were $68 higher than in 1Q 2015 (up 1%).  Comparing 1Q 2016 to 1Q 2015, total U.S. domestic sales were 2% lower and OUS sales were 3% higher.

Domestic sales in 1Q 2016 were $5,294 compared to $5,377 in 1Q 2015.  The components of domestic sales include 1) "direct sales" of UTMD's medical devices to user facilities (and med/surg stocking distributors for hospitals), 2) "OEM sales" of components and other products manufactured by UTMD for other medical device and non-medical device companies, and  3) sales of Filshie Clip System devices by UTMD's UK subsidiary, Femcare-Nikomed Ltd, to CooperSurgical Inc. (CSI) for distribution in the U.S. under an exclusive distribution agreement between CSI and Femcare executed prior to UTMD's acquisition of Femcare in 2011.  Direct sales, representing 63% of total domestic sales, were $56 (+2%) higher in 1Q 2016 than in 1Q 2015.  OEM sales, representing 14% of total domestic sales, were $120 (+19%) higher. CSI sales, representing 23% of 1Q 2016 total domestic sales, were $259 (18%) lower. Based on input from the marketplace, UTMD believes that the lower sales to CSI were not representative of a lower utilization rate of the Filshie Clip System in the U.S.

OUS sales in 1Q 2016 were $5,007 compared to $4,856 in 1Q 2015. The OUS sales were $151 higher despite the fact that OUS sales invoiced in foreign currencies were reduced 4.3% as a result of negative FX rates detailed above. Foreign currency OUS sales in 1Q 2016 were $2,910, which was 58% of all International sales and 28% of total consolidated sales.  Constant currency (using same FX rates as in 1Q 2015) OUS foreign currency sales were $3,040 in 1Q 2016.  As expected, the negative 1.2% impact of FX rates on 1Q 2016 total consolidated sales was much less than the negative 3.7% impact of FX rates in 1Q 2015.

Trade sales are sales to third parties, excluding sales from one UTMD entity to another.  Ireland subsidiary 1Q 2016 trade sales were up $530 (+46%). Ireland EUR trade sales were up 48%. The increase resulted primarily from $198 higher sales of blood pressure monitoring (BPM) kits to OUS distributors and $264 higher international sales of Filshie Sterishot kits, now manufactured entirely by UTMD Ireland, to customers located outside the UK and Australia. In addition, Ireland direct sales to Ireland end users in 1Q 2016 were up 15% (+17% in EUR).

Trade sales by UTMD's UK subsidiary, Femcare-Nikomed Ltd, were $607 lower (19%), $62 of which was due to the weaker GBP FX. UK subsidiary 1Q 2016 GBP trade sales were down 15%. A significant portion of the decline was due to sales to CSI (which are included in UK trade sales, but not in the International sales category, i.e. included in domestic sales), which were down $259 (18% lower). The other large decline resulted from transfer of Sterishot kit sales directly to international customers outside the UK and Australia to UTMD's Ireland subsidiary.  In 1Q 2016, the UK subsidiary had no international Sterishot sales, which were £197 in 1Q 2015 ($298). UK direct sales to UK end users in 1Q 2016 were up 3% (+9% in GBP).

Sales by UTMD's Australia subsidiary to Australia end users in 1Q 2016 were $67 (11%) lower than in 1Q 2015, $43 of which was due to the weaker AUD compared to a year earlier. Australia subsidiary AUD sales were down 4%.

The following table provides USD sales amounts divided into general product categories for total sales and the subset of OUS sales:

Global revenues (USD) by product category:

 

OUS revenues (USD) by product category:

 

 

*includes molded components sold to OEM customers.

Operating income (OI) is the profit remaining after subtracting operating expenses (OE) from GP. Operating expenses include sales and marketing (S&M) expenses, product development (R&D) expenses and general and administrative (G&A) expenses. UTMD's operating income margin is (OIM) its operating income divided by revenues.  OI in 1Q 2016 was $4,312 (41.9% OIM) compared to $3,877 (37.9% OIM) in 1Q 2015.

 

Consolidated 1Q 2016 USD operating expenses were $1,911 compared to $2,235 in 1Q 2015. The lower FX rates helped lower OUS OE, as the 1Q 2016 OE of UTMD's foreign subsidiaries in the aggregate would have been $54 higher using 1Q 2015 FX rates. Setting aside the lack of a MDET in 2016 and possible continuation of the favorable FX impact on foreign subsidiary OE, UTMD expects OE for the year 2016 as a whole to be approximately the same as in 2015.

Consolidated S&M expenses in 1Q 2016 were $405 (3.9% of sales) compared to $573 (5.6% of sales) in 1Q 2015.  S&M expenses in 1Q 2015 included $68 MDET. The MDET, initially imposed as a component of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (Obamacare), levied in 2015 as 2.3% of domestic sales of medical devices, was suspended by congress for the years of 2016 and 2017.

S&M expenses include all customer support costs including training. In general, training is not required for UTMD's products since they are well-established and have been clinically widely used. Written "Instructions For Use" are packaged with all finished devices. Although UTMD does not have any explicit contracts with customers to provide training, it does have agreements in the U.S. and UK under which it agrees to provide hospital members inservice and clinical training as required and reasonably requested.

UTMD promises prospective customers that it will provide, at no charge in reasonable quantities, copies of instruction materials developed for the use of its products. UTMD provides customer support from offices in the U.S., UK, Ireland and Australia by telephone, and employed representatives on a geographically dispersed basis, to answer user questions and help troubleshoot any user issues. Occasionally, on a case-by-case basis, UTMD may utilize the services of an independent practitioner to provide educational assistance to clinicians.  All inservice and training expenses are routinely expensed as they occur.  All of these services are allocated from S&M overhead costs included in Operating Expenses.  Historically, marginal consulting costs have been immaterial to financial results.

R&D expenses in 1Q 2016 were $110 (1.1% of sales) compared to $156 (1.5% of sales) in 1Q 2015.  R&D expenses were lower in comparison after the completion of internal development of a new L&D device, the CVX-Ripe™, designed to provide a mechanical means of ripening the cervix at term gestation that will reduce the time needed to allow induction of labor, and to reduce the total time of active labor needed to achieve a successful vaginal delivery.  The CVX-Ripe catheter was commercially introduced in 4Q 2015 after gaining U.S. FDA concurrence with UTMD's 510-K submission.

Consolidated G&A expenses were $1,396 (13.5% of sales) in 1Q 2016 compared to $1,507 (14.7% of sales) in 1Q 2015. The G&A expenses in 1Q 2016 included $576 (5.6% of sales) of non-cash expense from the amortization of IIA resulting from the Femcare acquisition, which were $611 (6.0% of sales) in 1Q 2015.  The lower USD amortization expense was the result of a stronger USD, as the amortization expense in GBP was £403 in 1Q 2016 compared to £404 in 1Q 2015.

G&A expenses include the cost of outside financial auditors and corporate governance activities related to the implementation of SEC rules resulting from the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as well as estimated stock-based compensation cost, a noncash expense. Option compensation expense included in G&A expenses was $21 in 1Q 2016 compared to $22 in 1Q 2015.

Summary comparison of (USD) consolidated operating expenses:

 

NOE/NOI includes the combination of 1) expenses from loan interest and bank fees; 2) expenses or income from losses or gains from remeasuring the value of EUR cash bank balances in the UK, and GBP cash balances in Ireland, in USD terms; and 3) income from rent of underutilized property, investment income and royalties received from licensing the Company's technology.  Negative NOE is NOI.  Net NOI in 1Q 2016 was $101 compared to $209 NOE in 1Q 2015. In other words, NOE was $310 lower in 1Q 2016 compared to 1Q 2015.  Interest expense in 1Q 2016 was zero. The loans obtained to help finance the acquisition of Femcare in 1Q 2011 were fully repaid in 1Q 2015 at an expense of $65 including accrued interest and bank fees. The total gain on remeasured foreign currency balances in 1Q 2016 was $73 compared to a loss of $168 in 1Q 2015, resulting in a $241 lower NOE.

Income before taxes (EBT) results from subtracting net NOE from, or adding net NOI to, as applicable, OI. The EBT Margin (EBTM) is EBT divided by revenues. Consolidated 1Q 2016 EBT was $4,413 (42.8% EBTM) compared to $3,667 (35.8% EBTM) in 1Q 2015. In addition to the higher OI described above, the $745 (+20%) higher 1Q 2016 EBT compared to 1Q 2015 can be attributed to 1) a lack of any interest expense, and 2) a reversal of the impact of remeasured EUR cash balances in the UK.

The EBT of Utah Medical Products, Ltd (Ireland) was EUR 669 in 1Q 2016 compared to EUR 751 in 1Q 2015. The EBT of Femcare Group Ltd (Femcare-Nikomed, Ltd., UK and Femcare Australia) was GBP 990 in 1Q 2016 compared to GBP 945 in 1Q 2015. The respective EBT margins of UTMD Ltd. (Ireland) were 39.9% in 1Q 2016 and 43.5% in 1Q 2015, and of Femcare Group were 45.9% in 1Q 2016 and 37.6% in 1Q 2015.

Excluding the noncash effects of depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and stock option expense, 1Q 2016 consolidated EBT excluding the remeasured bank balance currency gain or loss and interest expense ("adjusted consolidated EBITDA") were $5,103 compared to $4,698 in 1Q 2015. Management believes that this operating performance provides a good start to achieving its financial objectives for the year 2016, as previously provided in its 2015 SEC 10-K Report.

Net Income is EBT minus a provision for income taxes.  NI divided by revenues is UTMD's net income margin (NIM). UTMD's consolidated NI was $3,217 (31.2% NIM) in 1Q 2016, compared to NI of $2,667 (26.1% NIM) in 1Q 2015.

The average consolidated income tax provisions (as a % of EBT) in 1Q 2016 and 1Q 2015 were 27.1% and 27.3%, respectively. UTMD's combined state and federal income tax provision rate in the U.S. after all allowable deductions was 34.5% in 1Q 2016 compared to 34.2% in 1Q 2015. The corporate income tax rate in the UK was 20% in 1Q 2016 compared to 21% in 1Q 2015. The income tax rate in Australia remained 30% in both periods. The UTMD Ltd (Ireland) tax rate on export profits remained at 12.5% for both periods. The combined income tax rate was about the same despite the lower UK rate because 51% of 1Q 2016 consolidated EBT were generated in the U.S. at the highest tax rate, compared to 46% in 1Q 2015.

Earnings Per Share (EPS) are consolidated NI divided by the number of shares of stock outstanding (diluted to take into consideration stock option awards which are "in the money," i.e., have exercise prices below the applicable period's weighted average market value). Diluted EPS in 1Q 2016 were $0.853, 20.8% higher than EPS of $0.706 in 1Q 2015. The confluence of higher sales, higher GPM, lower operating expenses helped by the suspension of the MDET and the diminishing of foreign expenses by a stronger USD, no interest expense from being debt free and the gain in USD value of EUR currency in the UK, together with a slightly lower tax rate and diluted shares outstanding, produced the EPS increase. EPS for the most recent twelve months were $3.287, but this includes a 4Q 2015 "one-time" increase of $.093 from the adjustment in UTMD's deferred tax liability as a result of lower future income tax rates enacted in the UK in late 2015.

Diluted shares used to calculate EPS decreased to 3,769,900 in 1Q 2016 from 3,776,400 in 1Q 2015 despite a higher average share price, as a result of 13,000 shares repurchased after the end of 1Q 2015. Outstanding UTMD shares at the end of 1Q 2016 were 3,756,600 compared to 3,752,600 at the end of 1Q 2015. The number of shares added as a dilution factor in 1Q 2016 was 17,100 compared to 26,100 in 1Q 2015.

Outstanding UTMD shares at the end of 1Q 2016 were 3,756,600. The number of shares used for calculating EPS was higher than ending shares because of a time-weighted calculation of average outstanding shares plus dilution from unexercised employee and director options.  Employees exercised options for 5,750 shares in 1Q 2016.  Options outstanding at March 31, 2016 were 55,300 shares at an average exercise price of $39.43 per share, including shares awarded but not vested. This compares to 83,900 unexercised option shares outstanding at March 31, 2015 at an average exercise price of $37.29 per share.

The Company did not repurchase any of its shares in the open market in 1Q 2016 or in 1Q 2015. UTMD retains its program for repurchasing shares when they seem undervalued.  The closing share price at the end of 1Q 2016 was $62.54 compared to $58.54 at the end of calendar year 2015, and $59.86 at the end of 1Q 2015.

Return on equity (ROE) is the portion of NI retained by UTMD to internally finance its growth, divided by the average accumulated stockholders' equity for the applicable time period.  Annualized ROE (before stockholder dividends) in 1Q 2016 was 18% compared to 17% in 1Q 2015.  The higher ROE in 1Q 2016 was due to the increase in NI.  Targeting a high ROE over 20% remains a key financial objective for UTMD management.  ROE can be increased by increasing NI, or by reducing stockholders' equity by paying cash dividends to stockholders or by repurchasing shares.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Net cash provided by operating activities, including adjustments for depreciation and amortization and other non-cash expenses along with changes in working capital, totaled $4,133 in 1Q 2016 compared to $2,243 in 1Q 2015.  The most significant differences in the two periods were a $1,349 benefit to cash from an increase in 1Q 2016 accrued expenses compared to a decrease in 1Q 2015, the $549 increase in net income and a $443 benefit from a $337 increase in accounts payable in 1Q 2016 compared to a $106 decrease in 1Q 2015. The largest difference in use was a $350 larger increase in accounts receivable in 1Q 2016 compared to 1Q 2015.

The Company's elimination of its bank loan principal balance in 1Q 2015 was the most significant use of cash in either period. UTMD repaid the remaining $4,778 principal on its notes in February 2015. UTMD did not make cash dividend payments during either 1Q 2016 or 1Q 2015, as the dividends which would normally be paid in January were paid at the end of December of the prior applicable year.

Capital expenditures for property and equipment (PP&E) were $48 in 1Q 2016 compared to $68 in 1Q 2015.  Depreciation of PP&E was $149 in both 1Q 2016 and 2015.  Capital expenditures required to enhance manufacturing capabilities during 2016 are expected to be higher than in 2015 as a whole.

In 1Q 2016, UTMD received $148 and issued 5,369 shares of its stock upon the exercise of employee stock options, net of 381 shares retired upon employees trading those shares in payment of the stock option exercise price.  Option exercises in 1Q 2016 were at an average price of $29.70 per share.  In comparison, in 1Q 2015 the Company received $72 from issuing 4,172 shares of stock on the exercise of employee stock options, net of 815 shares retired upon employees trading those shares in payment of the stock option exercise price. Option exercises in 1Q 2015 were at an average price of $24.22 per share.

Management believes that current cash balances, income from operations and effective management of working capital will provide the liquidity needed to finance internal growth plans.  In addition, the Company may use cash for marketing or product manufacturing rights to broaden the Company's product offerings; to acquire its own facility in the UK; for continued share repurchases when the price of the stock is undervalued; for cash dividends to stockholders; and if available for a reasonable price, an acquisition that might strategically fit UTMD's business and be accretive to financial performance.

March 31, 2016 total consolidated assets increased $4,039 from December 31, 2015 to $83,214. The increase was due to a $4,238 increase in cash. Other significant changes in assets include an $824 increase in trade receivables, an $296 increase in consolidated inventories and a $1,207 decrease in net other intangible assets from a 2.6% lower USD value of Femcare IIA combined with $576 1Q 2016 period IIA amortization.   UTMD's Ireland subsidiary EUR-denominated assets were translated into USD at an FX rate 4.8% higher (stronger EUR) than the rate at the end of 2015. UTMD's UK subsidiary GBP-denominated assets were translated into USD at an FX rate 2.6% lower (weaker GBP) than the rate at the end of 2015.  UTMD's Australia subsidiary AUD-denominated assets were translated into USD at an FX rate 5.3% higher (stronger AUD) than the rate at the end of 2015.  Consolidated net property, plant and equipment increased $45 at March 31, 2016 from the end of 2015 due to changing FX rates, $48 in new asset purchases and $149 in depreciation.

Working capital (current assets minus current liabilities) was $31,936 at March 31, 2016, compared to $28,807 at December 31, 2015.  Current liabilities increased $2,268, including a $1,939 increase in accrued liabilities. The accrued liabilities increase was due to the 1Q 2016 quarterly dividend payment to stockholders accrued but not paid until after March 31, whereas the 4Q 2015 dividend was paid before the end of December 2015, as well as the U.S. quarterly income tax payment schedule which delays the 1Q 2016 estimated payment until April 15^th , while the 4Q 2015 payment is due December 15^th.  UTMD management believes that its working capital remains sufficient to meet normal operating needs, new capital investments and projected cash dividend payments to stockholders.

March 31, 2016 intangible assets (goodwill plus other intangible assets) declined $1,403 from the end of 2015.  The decrease was due to the lower FX rate for GBP Femcare intangibles as of March 31, 2016 compared to year-end 2015 plus $576 1Q 2016 amortization of identifiable intangible Femcare assets.  At March 31, 2016, net intangible assets including goodwill were 45% of total consolidated assets compared to 49% at year-end 2015, and 54% at March 31, 2015.

UTMD eliminated all of its remaining bank debt in February 2015. The deferred tax liability balance for Femcare identifiable intangible assets ($9,084 on the date of the acquisition), was $4,221 at March 31, 2016 compared to $4,452 at December 31, 2015 and $5,190 at March 31, 2015.  Reduction of the deferred tax liability occurs as the book/tax difference of amortization is eliminated over the remaining useful life of the Femcare identifiable intangible assets. UTMD's total debt ratio (total liabilities/total assets) as of March 31, 2016 increased to 14% compared to 12% as of December 31, 2015 as a result of the timing difference in accrued tax liability described above.  UTMD's total debt ratio as of March 31, 2015 was 15%.

As outlined in its December 31, 2015 SEC 10-K report, UTMD's plan for 2016 is to

1)  continue to exploit distribution and manufacturing synergies by further integrating capabilities and resources in its multinational operations;

2)  introduce additional products helpful to clinicians through internal new product development;

3)  continue achieving excellent overall financial operating performance;

4)  utilize positive cash generation to continue cash dividends to stockholders and make open market share repurchases if/when the UTMD share price seems undervalued; and

5)  be vigilant for accretive acquisition opportunities which may be increasingly brought about by difficult burdens on small, innovative companies.

 

None.

Forward-Looking Information.   This report contains certain forward-looking statements and information relating to the Company that are based on the beliefs of management as well as assumptions made by management based on information currently available.  When used in this document, the words "anticipate," "believe," "project," "estimate," "expect," "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company or its management, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.  Such statements reflect the current view of the Company respecting future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including the risks and uncertainties stated throughout the document.  Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause the forward statement not to come true as anticipated, believed, projected, expected, or intended.  Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may differ materially from those described herein as anticipated, believed, projected, estimated, expected or intended.  Financial estimates are subject to change and are not intended to be relied upon as predictions of future operating results, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or disclose revisions to those estimates.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

UTMD has manufacturing and trading operations, including related assets, in the U.S. denominated in the U.S. Dollar (USD), in Ireland denominated in the Euro (EUR), in England denominated in the British Pound (GBP) and in Australia denominated in the Australia Dollar (AUD).  The currencies are subject to exchange rate fluctuations that are beyond the control of UTMD.  The exchange rates were .8780, .9203 and .9308 EUR per USD as of March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015, respectively.  Exchange rates were .6954, .6774 and .6736 GBP per USD as of March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015, respectively.  Exchange rates were 1.3026, 1.3710 and 1.3115 AUD per USD on March 31, 2016, December 31, 2015 and March 31, 2015, respectively.  UTMD manages its foreign currency risk without separate hedging transactions by either invoicing customers in the local currency where costs of production were incurred, by converting currencies as transactions occur, and by optimizing global account structures through liquidity management accounts.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

The Company's management, under the supervision and with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and the Principal Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of March 31, 2016. Based on this evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer concluded that, as of March 31, 2016, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

There were no changes in the Company's internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2016, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal controls over financial reporting.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

The Company may be a party from time to time in litigation incidental to its business.  Presently, there is no litigation.

In addition to the other information set forth in this report, investors should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, "Item 1A. Risk Factors" in UTMD's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015, which could materially affect its business, financial condition or future results.  The risks described in the Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing the Company.  Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to UTMD or currently deemed to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect the Company's business, financial condition and/or operating results.

The voluminous Acts, administrative rules to enforce the Acts and promised efforts to reform the Acts, make the U.S. medical device marketplace unpredictable, particularly for the thousands of small medical device manufacturers including UTMD that do not have the overhead structure that the larger medical device companies can afford.  Fortunately, the U.S. Congress has suspended the MDET for the years of 2016-2017.  To the extent that the Acts will in the future continue to place additional burdens on small medical device companies in the form of the excise tax on medical device sales, additional oversight of marketing and sales activities and new reporting requirements, the result is likely to continue to be negative for UTMD's ability to effectively compete and support continued investments in new product development and marketing of specialty devices in the U.S.

The Company's experience in 2001-2005, when the FDA improperly sought to shut it down highlights the ongoing risk of being subject to a regulatory environment which can be arbitrary and capricious.  The risks associated with such a circumstance relate not only to the substantial costs of litigation in millions of dollars, but also loss of business, the diversion of attention of key employees for an extended period of time, including new product development and routine quality control management activities, and a tremendous psychological and emotional toll on dedicated and diligent employees.

Since the FDA reserves to itself the interpretation of which vague industry standards comprise law at any point in time, it is impossible for any medical device manufacturer to ever be confident that it is operating within the Agency's version of the law.  The unconstitutional result is that companies, including UTMD, are considered guilty prior to proving their innocence.

New premarketing submission administrative burdens and substantial increases in "user fees" increase product development costs and result in delays to revenues from new or improved devices.

GPOs, theoretically acting as bargaining agents for member hospitals, but actually collecting revenues from the companies that they are negotiating with, have made a concerted effort to turn medical devices that convey special patient safety advantages and better health outcomes, like UTMD's, into undifferentiated commodities. GPOs have been granted an antitrust exemption by the U.S. Congress. Otherwise, their business model based on "kickbacks" would be a violation of law.  These bureaucratic entities do not recognize or understand the overall cost of care as it relates to safety and effectiveness of devices, and they create a substantial administrative burden that is primarily related to collection of their administrative fees.

As the level of complexity and uncertainty in the medical device industry increases, evidenced, for example, by the unpredictable regulatory environment, the Company's views of the future and product/ market strategy may not yield financial results consistent with the past.

An aging population and an extended economic recession are placing greater burdens on healthcare systems, particularly hospitals.  The length of time and number of administrative steps required in adopting new products for use in hospitals has grown substantially in recent years.  Smaller companies like UTMD typically do not have the administrative resources to deal with broad new administrative requirements, resulting in either loss of revenue or increased costs.  As UTMD introduces new products it believes are safer and more effective, it may find itself excluded from certain clinical users because of the existence of long term supply agreements for preexisting products, particularly from competitors which offer hospitals a broader range of products and services.  Restrictions used by hospital administrators to limit clinician involvement in device purchasing decisions makes communicating UTMD's clinical advantages much more difficult.

UTMD's devices are frequently used in inherently risky situations to help physicians achieve a more positive outcome than what might otherwise be the case.  In any lawsuit where an individual plaintiff suffers permanent physical injury, the possibility of a large award for damages exists whether or not a causal relationship exists.

UTMD's distributors have varying expertise in marketing and selling specialty medical devices.  They also sell other devices that may result in less focus on the Company's products.  In some countries, notably China, Pakistan and India not subject to similarly rigorous standards, by copying, a distributor of UTMD's products may eventually become a competitor with a cheaper but lower quality version of UTMD's devices.

In a small company with limited resources, the distraction or loss of key personnel at any point in time may be disruptive to performance.  The Company's benefits programs are key to recruiting and retaining talented employees.  The rapid increase in UTMD's employee healthcare plan costs, for example, may cause the Company to have to reduce coverages which in turn represents a risk to retaining key employees.

Since a significant portion of UTMD's sales are outside the U.S. and consolidated financial results are reported in USD terms, a stronger USD can have negative effects. For the portion of sales to foreign entities made in fixed USD terms, a stronger USD makes the devices more expensive and weakens demand.  For the portion invoiced in a foreign currency, not only USD-denominated sales and profits are reduced, but also gross profits and operating profits in foreign currency terms are reduced because finished distributed products and/or U.S. made raw materials and components are likely being purchased in fixed USD.

UTMD did not purchase any of its own securities during 1Q 2016.

Item 6.  Exhibits

 

Exhibit #	SEC Reference #	Title of Document
1	31	Certification of CEO pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
2	31	Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
3	32	Certification of CEO pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
4	32	Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
5	101 ins	XBRL Instance
6	101.sch	XBRL Schema
7	101.cal	XBRL Calculation
8	101.def	XBRL Definition
9	101.lab	XBRL Label
10	101.pre	XBRL Presentation

 

SIGNATURES

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

 

 

 

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