____________________________________________________________________________
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington, DC  20549
                             _______________________
                                    FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
   [ X ]  ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
          SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [FEE REQUIRED]
                                        
                    For the fiscal year ended March[NO FEE REQUIRED
          EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 7, 1996]
                                        
                    FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 19961997
                                        
                                       OR
                                        
   [   ]  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
          OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 [NO FEE REQUIRED]
                                        
                For the transition period from       to
                                        
                         Commission file number 0-25226
                                        
                               EMERSON RADIO CORP.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
                                        
       ____________Delaware____________________         ____________22-3285224Delaware                                    22-3285224
(State or other jurisdiction of        (I.R.S.(I.R.S Employer IdentifcationIdentification Number)
incorporation or organization)        

  Number)

_______NineNine Entin Road, Parsippany, NJ______     ___07054NJ                  07054
(Address of principal executive offices)         (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:_______(201) 884-5800_______   (973) 884-5800

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

Title of each class                  Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, par value              $.01      American Stock Exchange
$.01 per share                 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  Series A  Preferred
Stock and Warrants.

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
requirement for the past 90 days.   [X]  YES   [   ]  NO.

Indicate  by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item  405
of  Regulation  S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained,  to  the
best  of  registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K.  [    ].

Aggregate  market  value  of the voting stock of the  registrant  held  by  non-
affiliates  of  the registrant at June 27, 1996July 10, 1997 (computed by reference  to  the
last  reported sale price of the Common Stock on the American Stock Exchange  on
such date):  $30,278,133.$8,180,593.

Indicate  by  check  mark  whether the registrant has filed  all  documents  and
reports to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934  subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed  by  a
court.   [X]  YES   [  ]  NO.

Number of Common Shares outstanding at June 27, 1996:  40,252,772July 10, 1997: 41,101,687

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:  Proxy Statement for the 19961997  Annual
    Meeting of Stockholders:  Part III

________________________________________________________________________________
                                        
                                     PART I
                                        
Item 1. BUSINESS

General

      Emerson  Radio  Corp. ("Emerson" or the "Company"), one  of  the  nation's
largest   volume  consumer  electronics  distributors,  directly   and   through
subsidiaries, designs, sources, imports and markets a variety of televisions and
other  video  products, microwave ovens, audio car audio,and home theater  homeproducts.   The
Company  also  licenses  the  Emerson and personal  securityG-Clef  trademark  for  a  variety  of
television, video, certain other consumer electronic products as well  as  other
products domestically and clocks.internationally.  The Company distributes its products
primarily  through  mass  merchants and discount  retailers  leveraging  on  the
strength of its "EMERSONEmerson and G-Clef"G-Clef trademark, a nationally recognized trade name
in the consumer electronics industry.  The trade name "Emerson Radio" dates back
to  1912  and is one of the oldest and most well respected names in the consumer
productselectronics industry.  In addition, the Company offers audio 
products for sale under the "H.H. Scott" and "Electrophonic" brand names. 
Approximately $18 billion of factory sales are generated by the industry in
the market segment in which the Company competes.  In calendar year 1995,
Emerson was among the top brand names in unit sales volume of video cassette
recorders ("VCRs"), TV/VCR combinations and color televisions.

      The Company believes it possesses an advantage over its competitors due to
the  combination  of  (i)  the "EMERSONEmerson and G-Clef"G-Clef brand  recognition,  (ii)  its
extensive distribution base and established relations with customers in the mass
merchant  and  discount  retail  channels of distribution,  (iii)  its  sourcing
expertise  and  established vendor relations, and (iv)  an  infrastructure  with
personnel  experienced  in  servicing and providing logistical  support  to  the
domestic  mass  merchant distribution channel.  Emerson intends to  continue  to
leverage  its  core  competencies to offer a broad variety of  current  and  new
consumer  products  to  retail customers in developing markets  worldwide.   The
Company  has  in the past and intends in the future to form joint  ventures  and
enter  into  licensing  agreements which will take advantage  of  the  Company's
trademarks and utilize the Company's logistical and sourcing advantages.

      The  Company's  core  business consists of the distribution  and  sale  of
various  low to moderately priced product categories, including black and  white
and color televisions, VCRs,video cassette recorders ("VCRs"), video cassette players
("VCPs"),  TV/VCR  combination units, home stereo and portable  audio  products,
car audio, home  theater  home
and personal security products clocks  and  microwave ovens.  The majority  of  the  Company's
marketing and sales of these products is concentrated in the United States  and,
to  a  lesser  extent,  Canada and certain other international  regions.   Emerson's  major
competition  in these markets are foreign-based manufacturers and  distributors.
See "Business - Competition."

       The   Company  successfully  restructured  its  financial  position  (the
"Restructuring")  through  a plan of reorganization,  confirmed  by  the  United
States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey (the "Bankruptcy Court"),
pursuant  to  the provisions of Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code on  March  31,
1994 ("Plan of Reorganization").  Through the Restructuring, the Company reduced
its  institutional  debt by approximately $203 million.   Additionally,  in  the
fiscal  year  ended March 31, 1996 ("Fiscal 1996"), the Company has reduced  its
annual  fixed operating costs by approximately 60% since the fiscal  year  ended
March 31, 1993.

      The  Company was originally formed in the State of New York in 1956  under
the  name  Major Electronics Corp.  In 1977, the Company reincorporated  in  the
State  of  New Jersey and changed its name to Emerson Radio Corp.  On March  31,
1994,  the  Company  successfully reorganized itself under  Chapter  11  of  the
Federal  Bankruptcy Code.  On April 4, 1994, the Company was  reincorporated  in
Delaware  by merger of its predecessor into its wholly-owned Delaware subsidiary
formed  for  such purpose.  References to "Emerson" or the "Company"  refers  to
Emerson  Radio  Corp. and its predecessor and subsidiaries, unless  the  context
otherwise  indicates.  The Company's principal executive offices are located  at
Nine  Entin  Road,  Parsippany, New Jersey 07054-
0430.07054-0430.  The Company's  telephone
number in Parsippany, New Jersey, is (201)  884-
5800.

Company Products(973) 884-5800.

COMPANY PRODUCTS

     The Company directly and through subsidiaries designs, sources, imports and
markets a variety of television and other video products, microwave ovens, audio
car audio,and  home theater home and personal security products, and clocks, primarily on the strength of its "EMERSONEmerson and  G-Clef"G-Clef
trademark, a nationally recognized symbol in the consumer electronics  industry.
The Company's current product categories consist of the following:

Video Products      Audio Products      Other
VIDEO PRODUCTS AUDIO PRODUCTS OTHER Color televisions Shelf systems Home theater Black and white CD stereo systems Microwave ovens specialty televisions Color specialty Portable audio, televisions Shelf systems Home theater Black and white CD stereo systems Car audio specialty televisions Color specialty Portable audio, Microwave televisions cassette and CD ovens systems Color TV/VCR AM/FM Bicycle Home and combination units radios personal security Video cassette Personal audio, Clocks recorders cassette and CD systems Color TV/VCR Personal audio, combination units cassette and CD systems Video cassette Digital clock recorders radios Specialty video Digital clock cassette players radios
All of the Company's products offer various features. Color television units range in screen size from 5 inches to 25 inches and specialty color televisions are offered in 5 inch and 9 inch units. Combination units range in screen size from 9 inches to 25 inches. Portable audio systems incorporate AM/FM radios and/or cassette and/or CD players in a variety of models. Microwave ovens range in size from 0.6 cubic feet to 1.2 cubic feet containing features such as turntables, key pad touch controls, auto defrost and multi- power levels. In Fiscal 1996, the Company introduced new product categories which include home theater systems, car audio, home and personal security products, and clocks. Industry sales of units of home theater audio componentsspeakers increased 45%15% in 1995,1996 and are expected to $755 million.increase another 7% in 1997. Emerson introducedentered this market segment with two new products during the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996 ("Fiscal 1996") and is introducing another product in this market segment during the fiscal year ending March 31, 1998 ("Fiscal 1996. Car audio aftermarket sales are estimated1998"). The new product is CinemaSurround (TM), a new concept in Home Theater Technology which uses a sophisticated patent pending technology to have increased an average of 11% per yeardeliver dynamic 3-dimensional sound from 1990 to 1995. Declining prices have made CD car audio products more affordable and more visible toany stereo source, without the retail discount consumer. The sale of home and personal security products and clocks allows the Company to promote the "EMERSON and G-Clef" brand name in retail stores' other departments. Growth Strategyneed for any decoding electronics. GROWTH STRATEGY The Company's strategic focus is to: (i) develop and expand its distribution of consumer electronics products in the domestic marketplace to new customers, and(ii) the development and sale of new products, such as home theater, car audio and home and personal security products; (ii)theater; (iii) capitalize on opportunities to license the "EMERSONEmerson and G-Clef"G-Clef trademark; (iii)(iv) leverage and exploit its sourcing capabilities, buying power and logistics expertise in the Far East either internally or on behalf of third parties; (iv)(v) expand international sales and distribution channels; and (v)(vi) expand through strategic mergers and acquisitions of, or controlling interests in, companies in similar or complimentary businesses. As part of its efforts to expand through strategic mergers and acquisitions, the Company has been pursuingacquired 27% of the outstanding common stock of Sport Supply Group, Inc. ("SSG"), a New York Stock Exchange listed company, in December 1996. The Company also purchased five year warrants (the "SSG Warrants") to acquire an additional 1,000,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $7.50 per share, subject to standard anti-dilution adjustments. Assuming the exercise of all the SSG Warrants, the Company would beneficially own approximately 35% of SSG's outstanding common stock. As part of the securities acquisition, through merger of International Jensen Incorporated ("Jensen"). Jensen manufactures and distributes speakers for automobiles and the home-audio market. Initial contacts were made through Emerson's current financial advisor onSSG appointed the Company's behalf in 1995. On January 3, 1996, Jensen entered into and announced a merger agreement with Recoton Corporation ("Recoton"), whereby Jensen stockholders would be paid $8.90 per share in cash and Recoton stock. This merger agreement with Recoton also contemplateddesignees to become the contemporaneous sale of Jensen's original equipment manufacturing business ("OEM Business") to a group led by Mr. Robert G. Shaw, Chairmanmajority of the members of its Board Chief Executive Officerof Directors and Presidentcertain of Jensen, for a purchase price which the Company's management believes is far less than the net book value of the OEM Business. Emerson announced its initial merger proposaldirectly involved in April 1996, which contemplated a purchase price of $9.90 per shareSSG's day-to-day operations. Subsequent to all of Jensen's stockholders. Between April 1996 and the date hereof, Emerson has made a number ofsuch acquisition, proposals, which currently contemplate the purchase of Jensen while retaining the OEM Business, none of which have been accepted by Jensen. On June 24, 1996, Jensen announced, and its board approved, a revised merger agreement with Recoton providing for the payment of $11.00 per share to Jensen's outsideSSG's stockholders and $8.90 per share to Mr. Shaw and William Blair Leveraged Capital Fund, L.P. (the "Blair Fund"). Mr. Shaw and the Blair Fund ownelected Emerson's nominees as a majority of the outstanding stockmembers of Jensen. This merger transaction with Recoton still contemplatesits Board of Directors. In addition, the contemporaneous saleCompany arranged for foreign trade credit financing of $2 million for the OEM Businessbenefit of SSG. SSG is the largest direct mail distributor of sporting goods equipment and supplies in the United States. SSG sells its products at margins significantly higher than the average of Emerson's core business and to the group led by Mr. Shaw. Emerson believes that such sale is still at a price well below the value of the OEM Business. In response, Emerson announced a merger proposal on June 25, 1996, whereby Emerson would pay Jensen's public stockholders $12.00 per share and Mr. Shaw and the Blair Fund the same $8.90 per share that they have agreed to accept under the Recoton merger transaction. This proposalan institutional market which does not contemplaterequire the separate sale of the OEM Business. Jensen announced its rejectionsignificant after-market servicing costs typical of Emerson's offercore business. The investment allows Emerson to diversify from its core business of consumer electronics distribution to another distribution business that offers what management believes to be significant growth potential. Emerson should also benefit by several cost sharing opportunities including sharing the compensation costs of senior management. SSG benefited from the investment by gaining the liquidity needed to cure its then-existing loan default with its senior lenders and amended its secured credit facility on June 26, 1996, and Emerson announced on June 27, 1996, thatmore favorable terms. Also, SSG now possesses the capital necessary to take advantage of opportunities to increase its offer would remain open through Jensen's proxy solicitation process on the Recoton transaction. Emerson also indicated it planned to file proxy solicitation materials in opposition to the Recoton transaction. The Jensen/Recoton/Shaw transactions are the subject of certain litigationbusiness in the Chancery Court in Delaware which challenge the validity of such transaction and certain related transactions. The Company is not a party to such litigation. The Company and Jensen are also parties to litigationinstitutional sporting goods market both in the Federal District Court in Chicago, relatingU.S. and internationally and to alleged violations ofcontinue marketing its products showcased at the federal proxy rules and breaches of a confidentiality agreement by Emerson and its President, and a counterclaim brought by Emerson against Jensen and Mr. Shaw alleging fraud and fraudulent inducement in the execution of the confidentiality agreement. See "Legal Proceedings."1996 Olympic games. The Company believes that the "EMERSONEmerson and G-Clef"G-Clef trademark is widely recognized on a world-wide basis. A principal component of the Company's growth strategy is to utilize this brand name recognition together with the Company's reputation for quality and cost competitive products to aggressively promote its product lines within the United States and Canada and targeted geographic areas on an international basis. The Company's management believes that the Company will be able to compete more effectively in the highly competitive consumer electronics and microwave oven industries, domestically and internationally, by combining innovative approaches to the Company's current product line and augmenting its product line with complimentary products. The Company intends to pursue such plans either on its own, or by forging new relationships, including through license arrangements, partnerships orand joint ventures. The Company has successfully negotiated definitive licensing arrangements with (i) one of its suppliersSee "Business-Licensing and certain of its affiliates (collectively, the "Supplier"), (ii) a distributor of consumer electronics accessories, and (iii) the Franklin Mint. See "Business-Licensing". Further, the Company is actively pursuing additional similar transactions. Sales and DistributionRelated Activities." SALES AND DISTRIBUTION The Company has an integrated system to coordinate the purchasing, sales and distribution segments of its operations. The Company receives orders from its major accounts electronically or by the conventional modes of facsimile, telephone or mail. The Company does not have long-term contracts with any of its customers, but rather receives orders on an ongoing basis. Products imported by the Company (generally from the Far East and Mexico) are shipped by ocean and/or inland freight and then stored in contracted public warehouse facilities for shipment to customers. All merchandise received by Emerson is automatically updated into the Company's on-line inventory system. As a purchase order is received and filled, warehoused product is labeled and prepared for outbound shipment to Company customers by common, contract or small package carriers. The Company also makes available to its customers (through foreign subsidiaries) a direct import program, pursuant to which products are imported directly by the Company's customers. In Fiscal 1996 and the fiscal year ended March 31, 19951997 ("Fiscal 1995"1997"), and Fiscal 1996, products representing approximately 44%49% and 68%44% of net revenues, respectively, were imported directly from manufacturers to the Company's customers. The Company intends to increase this percentage to approximately 80% in Fiscal 1998. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition." If the Company experiences a decline in sales effected through direct imports and a corresponding increase in domestic sales, its working capital and inventory requirements will be incrementally affected. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition." Domestic MarketingDOMESTIC MARKETING In the United States, the Company markets its products primarily through mass merchandisers and discount retailers. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. ("Wal-Mart" or the "Customer") accounted for approximately 18%36% and 53%18%, and Target Stores, Inc., accounted for approximately 16%13% and 10%16% of the Company's net revenues in Fiscal 19961997 and Fiscal 1995,1996, respectively. Net revenues from Wal-Mart in Fiscal 1997 and 1996 exclude sales of certain video products which are subject to a license/supply arrangement, which became effective as of March 31, 1995. As a result,The Company reports the Company now reports royalty revenues attributable to such sales, in lieu of reporting the full dollar value of such sales and associated costs. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition." Net sales of these products to Wal-Mart accounted for approximately 47% of consolidated net revenues in Fiscal 1995. See "Business-Licensing."Business-Licensing and Related Activities." No other customer accounted for more than 10% of the Company's net revenues in either period. Approximately 58%43% and 34%58% of the Company's revenues in Fiscal 19961997 and Fiscal 1995,1996, respectively, were made through sales representative organizations which receive sales commissions and work closely with Companythe Company's sales personnel. The sales representative organizations sell, in addition to the Company's products, allied, but generally non-competitive, products. In most instances, either party may terminate a sales representative relationship on 30 days' prior notice in accordance with customary industry practice. The Company utilizes approximately 30 sales representative organizations, including twoone through which approximately 13% and 19% of the Company's net revenues were made in Fiscal 1997 and Fiscal 1996, respectively, and one other through which 14% of the Company's net revenues were made in Fiscal 1996 as compared to 10% each in Fiscal 1995.1996. No other sales representative organization accounted for more than 10% of the Company's net revenues in either period. The remainder of the Company's sales are made to retail customers serviced principally by Companythe Company's sales personnel. The Company has seventhree sales professionals based in the United States. The domestic sales force is based in the Company's New Jersey corporate headquarters, and in a regional officesoffice located in Missouri and Oregon. Foreign MarketingMissouri. FOREIGN MARKETING While the major portion of the Company's marketing efforts are directed toward the United States, approximately 5%4% and 7%5% of the Company's net revenues in Fiscal 19961997 and Fiscal 1995,1996, respectively, were made to foreign customers in Canada, Central and South America, Spain and the Middle East. See Note LM of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition." LicensingLICENSING AND RELATED ACTIVITIES In February 1997, the Company executed five-year license/supply agreements, subject to renewals, with Cargil International Corp. ("Cargil"), covering the Caribbean and Central and South American markets. The agreements provide for the license of the Emerson and G-Clef trademark for certain consumer electronics and other products to be sold in those markets and the provision of sourcing and inspection services. Under the terms of these agreements, the Company will receive minimum annual royalties through the life of the agreement and will receive a separate fee for sourcing and inspection services. Cargil assumes all costs and expenses associated with the purchasing, marketing and after-sales support of such products. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition." Subsequent to the end of Fiscal 1997, Emerson executed a four-year agreement with Daewoo Electronics Co. Ltd. and its U.S. affiliate (collectively, "Daewoo"). This agreement provides that, subject to existing agreements relating to sales to the Customer, Daewoo will manufacture and sell television and video products bearing the Emerson and G-Clef trademark to all customers in the U.S. market. Daewoo will also be responsible for, and assume all risks associated with, order processing, shipping, credit and collections, inventory, returns and after- sale services. The Company will arrange sales and provide marketing services and receive a commission for such services. Sales to the Customer are currently subject to a license/supply agreement with one of the Company's former suppliers and certain of its affiliates (collectively, the "Supplier"), as more fully described below. Additionally, in June 1997, the Company entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with World Wide One, a Hong Kong corporation, for use of the Emerson and G-Clef trademark in connection with the sale of certain consumer electronics products and other products to Makro International Far East Ltd. for their exclusive sale in in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. The term is initially for a six month trial period at which time the agreement will either be terminated or continue for an additional twelve months. In addition, the Company will provide sourcing and inspection services for at least 50% of World Wide One's purchase requirements. World Wide One is required to meet certain minimum sales requirements as well as ensuring the establishment of adequate service centers or agents for after sales warranty services. In Fiscal 1995, the Company successfully concluded licensing agreements with (i) the Supplier for the sale of certain video products bearing the "EMERSONEmerson and G-Clef"G-Clef trademark to the Customer's locations in the United States and Canada, (ii) Jasco Products Co., Inc. ("Jasco"), one of the largest domestic electronics accessory companies, for distribution of electronic accessories in the United States, and (iii) the Franklin Mint for distribution of classic Emerson Radio reproductions. The Company intends to pursue additional licensing opportunities and believes that such licensing activities has had and will continue to have a positive impact on operating results by generating royalty income with minimal costs, if any, and without the necessity of utilizing working capital or accepting customer returns. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition." DESIGN AND MANUFACTURING The Company is also considering strategic alternatives for its North American video business not covered undermajority of the license agreementCompany's products are manufactured by original equipment manufacturers in accordance with the Supplier. DesignCompany's specifications. These manufacturers are primarily located in Hong Kong, South Korea, China, Malaysia, Thailand and ManufacturingMexico. The Company's design team is responsible for product development and works closely with the Company's manufacturers.suppliers. The Company's engineers determine the detailed cosmetic and option specifications for new products, which typically incorporate commercially available electronic parts to be assembled according to the Company's designs. Accordingly, the exterior designs and operating features of the Company's products reflect the Company's judgment of current styles and consumer preferences. The Company's designs are tailored to meet the needs of the local market, particularly in the case of international distribution, where products are generally introduced on a country-by-country basis. The majority of the Company's products are manufactured by original equipment manufacturers in accordance with the Company's specifications. The manufacturers are primarily located in Hong Kong, South Korea, China, Malaysia, Thailand and Mexico. Certain of the Company's video products had been assembled by the Supplier in Indiana. During Fiscal 19961997 and Fiscal 1995,1996, approximately 93%100% and 89%93%, respectively, of the cost value of the Company's purchases consisted of imported finished goods. The Supplier, a manufacturer headquartered in Japan,Daewoo and Imarflex, Mfg. Co., Ltd. supplied approximately 16%22% and 73%16%, respectively, of the Company's total purchases in Fiscal 19961997 and approximately 21% and 14%, respectively in Fiscal 1995. Approximately 52% of the cost value1996. Additionally, Orient Power Electronics Limited supplied approximately 22% of the Company's total purchases in Fiscal 1995 were video products purchased from1997 and Kong Wah, the Supplier and sold to the Customer. As a result of the supply and license agreements (the "Agreements") between the Company and the Supplier, the Company expects that purchases of finished goods from the Supplier over the three-year term of the Agreements will continue to be in lower proportions than in Fiscal 1995. See "Business-Licensing." The Agreements also provide that the Supplier will supply the Company with certain video products for sale to other customers at preferred prices for the three-year term. The Agreements are currently the subject of certain lawsuits filed by the Company and the Supplier. See "Legal Proceedings." Additionally, Daewoo Electronics Co. Ltd., Kong Wah, Imarflex, Mfg. Co., Ltd. and Musical Electronics Limited supplied approximately 21%, 17%, 14%16% and 12%, respectively, of the Company's total purchases in Fiscal 1996. No other supplier accounted for more than 10% of the Company's total purchases in Fiscal 19961997 or Fiscal 1995.1996. Except foras to the litigation with the Supplier, (see "Legal Proceedings"), the Company considers its relationships with its suppliers to be satisfactory and believes that, barring any unusual shortages or economic conditions, it could develop, and has developed, alternative sources for the products it currently purchases. Except for the agreement with respect to the Agreements with the Supplier,Daewoo described above (See "Business-Licensing and Related Activities"), the Company does not have a contractual agreement with any of its suppliers for product purchases and no assurance can be given that certain short-termbrief shortages of product would not result if the Company were required to seek alternative sources of supply without adequate notice by a supplier or a reasonable opportunity to seek alternate production facilities and component parts. WarrantiesWARRANTIES The Company offers its United States and Canadian consumers limited warranties comparable to those offered to consumers by its competitors and accepts returns from its customers in accordance with customary industry practices. Returned ProductsRETURNED PRODUCTS The Company's customers return product to the Company for a variety of reasons, including liberal retailer return policies, damage to goods in transit and occasional cosmetic imperfections and mechanical failure. Effective April 1, 1994, the Company formed a partnership ("Partnership") with Hopper Radio of Florida, Inc. ("Hopper"). The Company and Hopper each own a 50% interest in the Partnership. The Partnership was formed to purchase (i) all returned consumer electronics products in the United States from the Company, refurbish them, if feasible, and sell them refurbished or "As-Is" on a worldwide basis in all countries where the Company has trademark rights, and (ii) new consumer electronics products from manufacturers sourced through a subsidiary of the Company or through third parties, if such new products could be obtained on more favorable prices and terms, for sale exclusively in Mexico and Central and South America. The partnership with Hopper hasPartnership, during its existence, enabled the Company to control the costs associated with product returns by providing a stable selling price for returned products and increased inventory turnover by utilizing the distribution network of Hopper to sell products. The Partnership's profits and losses are allocated evenly and the general managerial activities are under the control of Barry Smith, who is also the President of Hopper. The Company previously refurbished certain products which were either sold as refurbished or, if not refurbished, sold "As-Is". See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition." Effective April 24, 1996,January 1, 1997, the Company and Hopper entered into an agreement (the "Hopper Amendment") which, among other things, amended certain provisions inmutually agreed to dissolve the Partnership and Sales agreements and settled all outstanding litigation betweenwind down its operations. The partners have elected to extend such wind down to facilitate a more orderly liquidation of the Partnership. The Company Hopper and the other named parties. See "Legal Proceedings." Under the Hopper Amendment, Hopper advancedhas executed an additional $5 millionagreement with Hi Quality International (U.S.A.) Inc. ("Hi Quality") to replace the Partnership thereby increasing the liquidity of the Partnership and equalizing the investment of the partners and the sharing of cash flows. Additionally, the Hopper Amendment provides that the Partnership will continue to buy all ofas an outlet for the Company's product returnsreturned products. Hi Quality will purchase all returned consumer electronics products in the U.S. through December 31, 1996, excluding defective product returnsUnited States, that are not subject to the return to vendor agreements as noted below. Subsequent to this date, either partner may give notice to dissolve the Partnership, with a wind-down period to be completed no later than six monthsdiscussed below, from the date of such notice.Company, refurbish them, if feasible, and sell them refurbished or "As-Is" in the United States, Mexico and Canada. To further reduce the costs associated with product returns, the Company has entered into "return to vendor" agreements with the majority of its suppliers. For a fee, the agreements permit the Company to return defective- product returns to the supplier and to receive in exchange an "A" quality unit. The agreements cover certain microwave oven, home theater, audio and video products. The Company has realized and expects to continue to realize significant cost savings from such agreements commencing in the fiscal year ending March 31, 1997 ("Fiscal 1997"). Backlogagreements. BACKLOG From time-to-time, the Company has substantial orders from customers on hand. Management believes, however, that backlog is not a significant factor in its operations. The ability of management to correctly anticipate and provide for inventory requirements is essential to the successful operation of the Company's business. TrademarksTRADEMARKS The Company owns the "EMERSONEmerson and G-Clef",G-Clef, "H.H. Scott" and "Scott" trademarks for certain of its home entertainment and electronic products in the United States, Canada, Mexico and various other countries. Of the trademarks owned by the Company, those registered in the United States must be renewed at various times through 2008 and those registered in Canada must be renewed at various times through 2007.2011. The Company's trademarks are also registered on a worldwide basis, which registrations must be renewed at various times. The Company intends to renew all such trademarks. The Company considers the "EMERSONEmerson and G-Clef"G- Clef trademark to be of material importance to its business. The Company owns several other trademarks, none of which is currently considered by the Company to be of material importance to its business. The Company has licensed certain applications of the "EMERSONEmerson and G-Clef"G-Clef trademark to Cargil, Daewoo, World Wide One, the Supplier, Jasco and the Franklin Mint on a limited basis. See "Business - Licensing.Licensing and Related Activities." CompetitionCOMPETITION The market segment of the consumer electronics industry in which the Company competes generates approximately $18$16 billion of factory sales annually and is highly fragmented, cyclical and very competitive, supporting major American, Japanese and Korean companies, as well as numerous small importers. The industry is characterized by the short life cycle of products which requires continuous design and development efforts. Market entry is comparatively easy because of low initial capital requirements. The Company primarily competes in the low to medium-priced sector of the consumer electronics market. Management estimates that the Company has several dozen competitors, many of which are much larger and have greater financial resources than the Company. Emerson's major competitors are foreign-based manufacturers and distributors. The Company competes primarily on the basis of its products' reliability, quality, price and design, the "EMERSONEmerson and G-Clef"G-Clef trademark and service to retailers and their customers. The Company's products also compete at the retail level for shelf space and promotional displays, all of which have an impact on the Company's established and proposed distribution channels. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition." Government RegulationSEASONALITY The Company generally experiences stronger demand for its products in the quarters of each year ending September 30 and December 31. Accordingly, to accommodate such increased demand, the Company generally is required to place seasonally higher orders with its vendors during the quarters ending June 30 and September 30, thereby affecting the Company's need for working capital during such periods. On a corresponding basis, the Company also is subject to increased returns during the quarters ending on March 31 and June 30, which adversely affects the Company's collection activities during such periods, also affecting its liquidity. Operating results may fluctuate due to other factors such as the timing of the introduction of new products, price changes by the Company and its competitors, demand for the Company's products, product mix, delay, available inventory levels, fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates relative to the United States dollar, seasonal cost increases, and general economic conditions. GOVERNMENT REGULATION Pursuant to the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, the Trade Act of 1974 and regulations promulgated thereunder, the United States government charges tariff duties, excess charges, assessments and penalties on many imports. These regulations are subject to constant change and revision by government agencies and by action by the United States Trade Representative and may have the effect of increasing the cost of goods purchased by the Company or limiting quantities of goods available to the Company from its overseas suppliers. A number of states have adopted statutes regulating the manner of determining the amount of payments to independent service centers performing warranty service on products such as those sold by the Company. Additional Federal legislation and regulations regarding the importation of consumer electronics products, including the products marketed by the Company, have been proposed from time-to-time and, if enacted into law, could adversely affect the Company's results of operations. EmployeesEMPLOYEES As of June 27, 1996,July 10, 1997, the Company had approximately 154103 employees. The Company considers its labor relations to be generally satisfactory. ItemITEM 2. PROPERTIES The Company, directly and through its subsidiaries, leases warehouse and office space in New Jersey, Missouri, Canada, Missouri and the Far East under leases expiring at various times fromthrough calendar 1996 to 1998, at minimum aggregate rentals, net of sublease income, as follows: Year Ending MarchFISCAL YEAR ENDING MARCH 31, (In Thousands)(IN THOUSANDS) 1997 1,608 1998 1,197$1,231 1999 329 $3,134328 $1,559
In the past several years, the Company has closed substantially all of its leased or owned warehouse facilities in favor of utilizing public warehouse space as part of the Company's effort to convert fixed costs to variable costs. Such public warehouse commitments are evidenced by contracts with terms of up to one year. The cost for the public warehouse space is primarily based on a fixed percentage of the Company's sales from each respective location. Such amounts are not included in the above table. ItemThe Company does not presently own any real property. In addition, the Company has subleased all of its Canadian office space and 12% of its New Jersey corporate headquarters. ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS Bankruptcy Claims Pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization and the Bankruptcy Code, all claims against the Company existing as of September 29, 1993, were discharged, except as specifically set forth in the Plan of Reorganization. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition." The Plan of Reorganization provides that unsecured creditors other than the Company's bank group and the holders of the senior notes holding pre-petition claims which are allowed, will receive unsecured promissory notes in the principal amount equal to 18.3% of the allowed amount of the claim; the notes would bear interest at a rate based on the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") for one year obligations and would be payable as follows: (i) 35% of the outstanding principal is due 12 months from the date of issuance, and (ii) the remaining balance would be due 18 months from the date of issuance.BANKRUPTCY CLAIMS The Company is presently contesting claims submitted by several creditors.creditors in its reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code. The largest claim was filed on or about July 25, 1994 in connection with the rejection of certain executory contracts with two Brazilian entities, Cineral Electronica de Amazonia Ltda. and Cineral Magazine Ltda. (collectively, "Cineral"). The contracts were executed in August 1993, shortly before the Company's filingamount currently claimed is for bankruptcy protection. The amount claimed wasapproximately $93,563,457, of which $86,785,000 represents a claim for loss of profits and $6,400,000 for plant installation and the establishment of offices, which were installed and established prior to execution of the contracts.profits. The claim was filed as an unsecured claim and, therefore, will be satisfied, to the extent the claim is allowed by the Bankruptcy Court, in the manner other allowed unsecured claims were satisfied.satisfied, at 18.3% of the allowed claim. The Company believes the Bankruptcy Court will separately review the portion of the claim for lost profits from the substantially smaller claim for actual damages. The Company has objected to the claim, intends to vigorously contest such claim and believes it has meritorious defenses to the highly speculative portion of the claim for lost profits and the portion of the claim for actual damages for expenses incurred prior to the execution of the contracts. Additionally, on or about September 30, 1994, the Company instituted an adversary proceeding in the Bankruptcy Court asserting damages caused by Cineral and seeking declaratory relief and replevin. A motion filed by Cineral to dismiss the adversary proceeding has been denied. The adversary proceeding and claim objection have been consolidated into one proceeding and discovery commenced. This action has been stayed since June 1995 by order of the Bankruptcy Court pending settlement negotiations. An adverse final ruling on the Cineral claim could have a material adverse effect on the Company, even though it would be limited to 18.3% of the final claim determined by a court of competent jurisdiction; however, in light of the foregoing, the Company believes the chances for recovery for lost profits are remote. Teletech LitigationTELETECH LITIGATION In December 1990, an action entitled Emerson Radio (Hong Kong) Limited (a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company) and Teletech (Hong Kong) Limited was commenced in the Supreme Court of Hong Kong High Court (the "Teletech Action") by Emerson Radio (Hong Kong) Limited ("Emerson (H.K.)") against Teletech (Hong Kong) Limited ("Teletech"). The Statement of Claim, (the "Claim"), filed and served in March 1991, alleges that Teletech breached its agreements to sell cordless telephones and telephone answering machines to Emerson (H.K.). The Claim and seeks damages of approximately $1,000,000. In March 1991, Teletech filed a counterclaim that essentially denies the allegations and alleges that Emerson (H.K.) breached its agreement to purchase cordless telephones and telephone answering machines arising from wrongful cancellation of placed orders. The counterclaim seeks damages of approximately $1,700,000. In May 1991, Emerson (H.K.) filed a reply to the counterclaim denying the allegations in the counterclaim. The case is presently dormant. This litigation was not affected by the bankruptcy proceedings. Otake LitigationOTAKE LITIGATION On December 20, 1995, the Company filed suit in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey against Orion Sales, Inc., Otake Trading Co. Ltd., Technos Development Limited, Shigemasa Otake, and John Richard Bond, Jr. (collectively, the "Otake Defendants") alleging breach of contract, breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unfair competition, interference with prospective economic gain, and conspiracy in connection with certain activities of the Otake Defendants under certain agreements between the Company and the Otake Defendants. Mr. Bond is a former officer and sales representative of the Company, having served in the latter capacity until he became involved working for the other Otake Defendants. Certain of the other Otake Defendants have supplied the majority of the Company's purchases until the Company's most recent fiscal year. On December 21, 1995, Orion Sales, Inc. and Orion Electric (America), Inc. filed suit against the Company in the United States District Court, Southern District of Indiana, Evansville Division, alleging various breaches of certain agreements by the Company, including breaches of the confidentiality provisions, certain payment breaches, breaches of provisions relating to product returns, and other alleged breaches of those agreements, and seeking damages in the amount of $2,452,656, together with interest thereon, attorneys' fees, and certain othersother costs. While the outcome of the New Jersey and Indiana actions are not certain at this time, the Company believes it has meritorious defenses against the claims made by the plaintiffs in the Indiana action. In any event, the Company believes the results of that litigation should not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company or on its operations. To date, all royalty payments due under the license agreement with the Supplier have been made. Tax MattersTAX MATTERS In June and October 1988, the Franchise Tax Board of the State of California issued Notices of Proposed Assessment to the Company proposing additional state income tax of approximately $501,000 in the aggregate, plus interest, for the fiscal years 1980, 1985 and 1986. In August and November 1988, the Company filed protests with the Franchise Tax Board taking exception to the Notices of Proposed Assessment. After disallowing the Company's protest, on July 24, 1992, the Franchise Tax Board issued a formal Notice of Action assessing a deficiency in the aggregate of approximately $664,000, which includes interest through July 24, 1992. On August 24, 1992, the Company filed an appeal with the California State Board of Equalization. The Franchise Tax Board filed a response on April 29, 1993, and the Company filed its reply on July 16, 1993. On March 9, 1994,This matter was temporarily stayed during the Company filed an adversary complaint with the Bankruptcy Court, to obtain a declaratory judgment against the Franchise Tax Board with regard to this matter. The Franchise Tax Board filed its response on April 6, 1994. On July 26, 1994, the Franchise Tax Board moved to dismiss the adversaryCompany's bankruptcy proceeding, for the purpose of litigating the deficiency with the California State Board of Equalization and requested the Bankruptcy Court to abstain. On October 19, 1994,until the Bankruptcy Court entered an Order of Abstention which directeddirecting the parties to litigate in California. The Company appealed. The District Court of New Jersey has affirmed the Order of Abstention. The Company has appealed the District Court Order to the Third Circuit Court of Appeal. The Third Circuit Court of Appeal heard oral arguments on the merits on June 28, 1996, but has not yet rendered its decision. However, as a result of the District Court's dismissal of the proceeding the Company was advised that the automatic stay under Section 362 of the Bankruptcy Code was lifted and the Company must now continue the proceedings in California's State Board of Equalization. Subsequent to entry of the District Court order, the Company filed its reply brief with the California State Board of Equalization on October 27, 1995.is currently pending. On February 15, 1994, the Franchise Tax Board issued Notices of Proposed Assessment to the Company proposing additional state income tax of approximately $382,000 in the aggregate, plus interest, for the fiscal years 1987, 1988 and 1989. The Company filed its protest with the Franchise Tax Board on April 15, 1994, taking exception to the Notices of Proposed Settlement. Management believes that adequate amounts of tax reserves have been provided for any adjustments which may result from the above assessments and any possible additional adjustments for years not currently under examination. Litigation Regarding Certain Outstanding Common StockLITIGATION REGARDING CERTAIN OUTSTANDING COMMON STOCK Subsequent to confirmation of the Plan of Reorganization, litigation arose among the principal shareholders of Fidenas Investment Limited ("FIL"), the Company's largest shareholder prior to confirmation of the Plan of Reorganization, with respect to various business relations and transactions entered into among the shareholders, certain affiliates and their principals, including Geoffrey Jurick, the Company's Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer and President, and Petra and Donald Stelling. Mr. Stelling was the former Chairman of the Company; he resigned on December 2, 1993 as a director and as Chairman, creating uncertainty about the ability of FIL to honor its commitment to the Company and the Company's bank group to satisfy its obligations to infuse $75 million in funds for the purpose of financing the Restructuring. A proceeding was commenced in the Commonwealth of Bahamas by one of its shareholders, a Bahamian entity controlled by Petra Stelling, wife of Donald Stelling, for the winding-up of FIL. The liquidator appointed by the Bahamian Court for the winding-up of FIL commenced litigation against the predecessor of Fidenas International Limited, L.L.C. ("FIN"), presently the Company's largest stockholder, and Mr. Jurick with respect to claims arising from the acquisition of the Company's Common Stock by GSE Multimedia Technologies Corporation ("GSE") and FIN. On April 18, 1996, the Official Liquidator of FIL filed a complaint in the United States District Court in Newark, New Jersey (the "Court"), seeking damages and injunctive relief with respect to certain shares of Emerson Common Stock held in the names of FIN, GSE, and Elision International, Inc. ("Elision"). The Stelling interests have pursued Mr. Jurick and certain business associates (including Mr. Peter Bunger and Jerome Farnum, directors of the Company) and affiliates in actions in Switzerland for certain claims relating to their business relationships and transactions.Company. Based on certain charges raised by the Stellings, the Swiss authorities commenced investigations and have questioned Messrs.Mr. Jurick, Mr. Peter Bunger and Farnum.Mr. Jerome Farnum, directors of the Company. In connection with the settlement discussed below, letters were sent to the Swiss authorities requesting the discontinuance of the criminal investigations of these individuals. While the investigation is still pending, none of Messrs. Jurick, Bunger or Farnum have been charged or indicted by the Swiss authorities, and, in connection with the settlement discussed below, letters will be sent to the Swiss authorities requesting the discontinuance of the criminal investigations of these individuals.Court. The Federal Banking Commission of Switzerland has issued a decree purporting to determine that certain entities affiliated with Messrs. Jurick and Farnum are subject to Swiss banking laws and have engaged in banking activities without a license. The Company filed suit in the Court on July 14, 1994, naming Petra and Donald Stelling as defendants, alleging, among other things, breaches by Mr. Stelling of fiduciary duties and breaches of contract by Mr. Stelling, as agent, and Mrs. Stelling, as principal, and seeking monetary damages as well as declaratory judgments that the provisions of the Plan of Reorganization providing for releases do not apply to the Stellings and that they are estopped from claiming any interest in the Company. The Stellings filed a motion to dismiss the suit. An Official Liquidator was appointed in the Commonwealth of Bahamas for Fidenas International Bank Limited ("FiBank") (which management believes to be a holder of approximately 18% of the shares of Elision and approximately 11% of the shares of GSE). The Official Liquidator filed an action in the Bahamas and in the United States District Court on behalf of FiBank with respect to certain shares of Common Stock issued to FIN in conjunction with the Restructuring. An injunction on the transfer of such stock was issued by the Bahamian Court and the transfer of such shares has been restrained and the subject shares deposited into the registry of the Court pending further order. Barclays Bank PLC ("Barclays"), a creditor of Elision, has requested and obtained a preliminary injunction (still in effect) issued by a state court in Massachusetts, which enjoins Elision from transferring any interest in Elision's assets, other than in the usual course of business. In addition, Barclays obtained a default judgment against GSE in the amount of $1,835,423.26 in a state court in New York. On June 11, 1996, Barclays, Petra Stelling and certain other creditors of Mr. Jurick and entities affiliated to him (which are the Official Liquidatorprincipal stockholders of FiBankthe Company), (collectively, the "Creditors"), Mr. Jurick, the Company (together with the Creditors, the "Lead Parties"), FIN, Elision, GSE and the Official Liquidator of FILsuch principal stockholders signed a Stipulation of Settlement and Order (the "Settlement Agreement") providing for a settlement of all litigation among them on a global basis. Under the Settlement Agreement, Mr. Jurick and FINFidenas International Limited L.L.C. have agreed to pay the Creditors the aggregate sum of $49.5 million (the "Settlement Amount") and Mr. Jurick will be paid the sum of $3.5 million,million. Such payments are contemplated to be solely from the proceeds of the sale of the 29,152,542 shares of Emerson's Common Stock (the "Settlement Shares") owned by FIN, GSE, and Elision (the "Jurick Payment" and, together with the Settlement Amount, the "Aggregate Amount"). On the effective datesuch principal stockholders. All of the Settlement Agreement, all Settlement Shares owned by GSE and Elision will be transferred to and registered in FIN's name, and all Settlement Shares will besuch shares have been deposited with and will remain in the custody of the United States District Court in Newark, New Jersey ("the Court"), to prevent defaults under the Company's borrowing facilities. The Settlement Shares (consisting of 29,152,542 shares of Emerson's Common Stock) will be divided into two pools. The "Pool A Shares" initially will consist of 15,286,172 Settlement Shares. The "Pool B Shares" will consist of the number of Settlement Shares with respect to which Mr. Jurick must retain beneficial ownership of voting power to avoid an event of default arising out of a Change of Control under the Company's Indenture relating to its 8-1/2% Senior Subordinated Convertible Debentures Due 2002 and its United States secured credit facility. All Settlement Shares will be pledged to secure all obligations under the Settlement Agreement, but the Pool B Shares generally will not be available for sale or release from the custody of the Court or subject to foreclosure, to prevent defaults under the Company's borrowing facilities. FIN (which is controlled by Mr. Jurick) will retain title to and the voting power over all Settlement Shares, but will provide notice to the Creditors prior to certain stockholder votes. The Creditors may seek to have the Court direct FIN to vote against any proposal of the Emerson Board, but the Emerson Board may withdraw and not solicit any vote of its stockholders with respect to such proposal. The Settlement Agreement contemplates the employment of a marketing advisor (the "Advisor"), based on a recommendation by the Company, which must be approved by all of the other Lead Parties. If all Lead Parties do not approve an Advisor, an alternative mechanism exists for the Court to appoint the Advisor. The Advisor will formulate a marketing plan for the sale from time to time of the Pool A Shares and will also appoint the Settlement Agent, who will administer certain ministerial aspects of the settlement. On the date hereof, based on the closing price of the Company's Common Stock on June 28, 1996, the Pool A Shares have an aggregate market value of approximately $45.9 million. In formulating the marketing plan, the Advisor will take into account the interests of all of the Lead Parties, including the interests of the Company's minority stockholders. Sales may be made of the Settlement Shares in accordance with the marketing plan pursuant to a registered offering if the sales price is not less than 90% of the average of the three most recent closing prices (the "Average Closing Price"), or, other than in a registered offering, of up to 1% of the Emerson Common Stock outstanding per quarter, if the sales price is not less than 90% of the Average Closing Price. Any other attempted sale may be made only after notice to all Lead Parties, any of which may request that the Court conduct an expedited hearing contesting whether such sale should proceed. No definite time has been provided for the sale of any shares or the full payment of the AggregateSettlement Amount. However, a Creditor may apply to the Court, on notice to all other Lead Parties, to terminate the Settlement Agreement, based on the totality of the circumstances, on the grounds that its goals and purposes are not reasonably likely to be realized. No assurance can be given that sufficient proceeds will be realized from the sale of such shares to satisfy in full the Creditors. The Creditors will be able to resort to consent judgments against Mr. Jurick and his affiliates if the Settlement Agreement is terminated. The Settlement Agreement ends all litigation over ownership of the Settlement Shares. The Company has executed the Settlement Agreement to facilitate the settlement process. The Company's rights and obligations under the Settlement Agreement include the following: 1. The Company will advance certain expenses of the Advisor and the Settlement Agent and advance the reasonable fees and expenses for registration of the Settlement Shares, in each instance to be reimbursed from the proceeds of the first sales of the Settlement Shares. 2. If an offer to purchase Settlement Shares thatSuch a termination would also likely result in a Change of Control of the Company (i.e., beneficial ownership of 25% of more ofdefault under the Company's Common Stock) were to occur, the offeror will be required to meet with the Company's independent directors and President, or their successors (the "Special Committee"), and the Special Committee will determine whether to approve such offer in the exercise of their fiduciary duties under applicable Delaware law. Any of the Creditors may apply to the Court to permit an exception, subject to the legal standard set forth in the immediately preceding sentence. The Company intends to seek stockholder approval of an amendment to its Certificate of Incorporation to embody this provision therein. 3. The Company has agreed to register the offer and sale of the Pool A Shares as set forth in the marketing plan. The Company previously has filed a shelf registration statement covering five million Settlement Shares owned by FIN to finance a settlement, which is subject to certain contractual restrictions and may be offered for sale or sold only by means of an effective registration statement. 4. The Lead Parties have agreed that Mr. Jurick will limit his total cash compensation not to exceed $750,000 until the Settlement Amount has been paid. The Company has also agreed not to grant Mr. Jurick any additional non-cash compensation. On the date hereof, Mr. Jurick owns options to acquire 600,000 shares of Emerson Common stock at an exercise price of $1.10 per share. Mr. Jurick will continue to receive reimbursement of reasonable business expenses pursuant to the Company's policies. For the Settlement Agreement to become effective, the certificates representing certain of the Settlement Shares that are still held by the Swiss authorities must be received by the Court, the Settlement Agreement must be approved by the Court following a hearing on notice to interested parties, outstanding injunctions must be dissolved, and certain other documents must be received by the Court. The Lead Parties are currently working to resolve these matters. The Settlement Agreement is to become effective by December 31, 1996, or it may be withdrawn after that time if not yet effective. Requests are to be made by Petra Stelling to the Swiss authorities to discontinue the investigations involving Messrs. Jurick, Bunger, and Farnum, as described above. Hopper Litigation The Company filed a complaint on July 5, 1995 in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Morris County, alleging that Hopper, Barry Smith and three former employees of the Company (collectively, the "Hopper Defendants") formed a business entity for the purpose of engaging in the distribution of consumer electronics and that the action of the Hopper Defendants in connection therewith violated certain duties owed to, and rights including contractual rights from, two agreements with the Company. The Partnership continued to operate after the filing of the lawsuit. On January 25, 1996, the New Jersey Court dismissed the Company's complaint as to certain of the Hopper Defendants based upon the Court's determination that certain clauses contained in the agreements between the parties mandated Delaware as the more proper forum for the Company's lawsuit. The Company also filed suit on January 27, 1996, in the Delaware Chancery Court, New Castle County, as to those Hopper Defendants who did not reside in New Jersey, which contained similar allegations to those contained in the New Jersey suit. The Delaware suit also sought a preliminary injunction against those Hopper Defendants covered by the Delaware suit. Effective April 24, 1996, the Company and Hopper entered into the Hopper Amendment which, among other things, amended certain provisions in the Partnership and Sales Agreements and settled all outstanding litigation between the Company, Hopper and the other named parties. Under the Hopper Amendment, Hopper advanced an additional $5 million to the Partnership, thereby increasing the liquidity of the Partnership and equalizing the investment of the partners and the sharing of cash flows. Additionally, the Hopper Amendment provides that the Partnership will continue to buy all of the Company's product returns in the United States through December 31, 1996 excluding defective product returns subject to the return to vendor agreements. See "Business-Returned Products." Subsequent to this date, either partner may give notice to dissolve the Partnership, with a wind-down period to be completed no later than six months from the date of such notice. Jensen Litigationborrowing facilities. JENSEN LITIGATION On May 10, 1996, International Jensen Incorporated ("Jensen") filed an action in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, against the Company and its President, Eugene I. Davis, an officer of the Company, for violations of proxy solicitation rules and for breach of a confidentiality agreement with Jensen. On May 14, 1996, the Court entered a temporary restraining order against the Company and its President, which has subsequently lapsed, enjoining them from (i) further solicitation of Jensen's stockholders or their representatives until the Company has filed a Proxy Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission which complies with the provisions of Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; (ii) making further solicitation containing false and misleading or misleading statements of material fact or material omissions; and (iii) disclosing confidential information in violation of the confidentiality agreement. On May 20, 1996, the Company filed a counterclaim in this action alleging that Jensen and Mr.its Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, Robert G. Shaw fraudulently induced the Company to enter into a confidentiality agreement and failed to negotiate with the Company in good faith. Subsequently, Recoton Corporation ("Recoton"), the successful bidder in acquiring Jensen, filed an action in the same Court against Emerson. In its counterclaim,June 1997, Emerson, Mr. Davis, Jensen, Recoton, and certain other related parties entered into a settlement agreement settling all disputes among them and releasing each other from all liability in connection with the Company requests such other equitable or other relief as the Court finds proper and an awardsubject matter of attorneys' fees and expenses. The Company and its President intendthese actions on terms Emerson believes to vigorously defend Jensen's claim against the Company andbe beneficial to vigorously pursue its counterclaim against Jensen and Mr. Shaw. The Company believes that Jensen's claims are without basis, that it has meritorious defenses against Jensen's claim and that the litigation or results thereof will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position. See "Business - Growth Strategy." Other Litigationit. OTHER LITIGATION The Company is involved in other legal proceedings and claims of various types in the ordinary course of business. While any such litigation to which the Company is a party contains an element of uncertainty, management presently believes that the outcome of each such proceeding or claim which is pending or known to be threatened, (including the actions noted above), or all of them combined, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position. ItemITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996.1997. PART II ItemITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS (a) Market Information The Company's Common Stock has traded on the American Stock Exchange since December 22, 1994 under the symbol MSN. The Common Stock began trading publicly on September 1, 1994 in the over-the-counter market. Prior thereto, there was no established public trading market for the Common Stock. Prior to confirmation of the Plan of Reorganization on March 31, 1994, there were approximately 4,500 stockholders of record of the common stock of the Company's predecessor. The shares of such stockholders were terminated and cancelled on the effective date of the Plan of Reorganization. Such shares had been traded on the New York Stock Exchange until trading was suspended on October 6, 1993 and the shares delisted on April 15, 1994. The following table sets forth the range of high and low bidsales prices for the Company's Common Stock as reported by the National Quotations Bureau for the period September 1, 1994 through December 21, 1994 and the range of high and low sales prices as reported by the American Stock Exchange from December 22, 1994.during the last two fiscal years. Fiscal 1995 High Low
FISCAL 1996 HIGH LOW Second Quarter $1-1/2 $1 Third Quarter 2-7/8 15/16 Fourth Quarter 3-3/8 2 Fiscal 1996 High Low First Quarter $3-1/8 $2-1/4 Second Quarter 3-3/4 2-1/4 Third Quarter 3 1-3/8 Fourth Quarter 2-7/8 1-3/4 FISCAL 1997 HIGH LOW First Quarter $3 $2 Second Quarer 3 2 Third Quarter 2-1/4 1-1/8 Fourth Quarter 1-7/8 7/8
The Series A Preferred Stock and Warrants outstanding are freely tradeable;tradable; however, there is no established trading market for either security. (b) Holders At June 27, 1996,July 10, 1997, there were approximately 450465 stockholders of record of the Company's Common Stock, and 2119 holders of record of the Series A Preferred Stock and 1412 holders of the Warrants. (c) Dividends The Company's policy has been to retain all available earnings, if any, for the development and growth of its business. The Company has never paid cash dividends on its Common Stock. In deciding whether to pay dividends on the Common Stock in the future, the Company's Board of Directors will consider factors it deems relevant, including the Company's earnings and financial condition and its working capital and anticipated capital expenditures. The Company's United States credit facility and the Indenture contain certain dividend payment restrictions on the Company's Common Stock. Additionally, the Company's Certificate of Incorporation, defining the rights of the Series A Preferred Stock, prohibits Common Stock dividends unless the Series A Preferred Stock dividends are paid or put aside. The Series A Preferred Stock earnsaccrues dividends, payable on a quarterly basis, at a 7% dividend rate through March 31, 1997, then declining by a 1.4% dividend rate each succeeding year until March 31, 2001 when no further dividends are payable. ItemThe Company is currently in arrears on $469,000 of dividends of the Company's Series A Preferred Stock. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition." ITEM 6. SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA The Company changed its fiscal year end from December 31 to March 31, commencing with the period ended March 31, 1992. The following table sets forth selected consolidated financial data of the Company for the years ended March 31, 1997, 1996, 1995, 1994 and 1993, the three months ended March 31, 1992 and the year ended December 31, 1991.1993. The selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with the Company's consolidated financial statements, including the notes thereto, and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition" set forth elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Three Year Months Year Year Year Year Ended Ended Ended Ended Ended Ended Dec. Mar. Mar. Mar. Mar. Mar.
YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR YEAR ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED ENDED MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, MARCH 31, 31, 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 (In thousands, except per share data) SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS: Summary of Operations: Net Revenues: Core Business (1) $716,651 $169,936Revenues(1) $741,357 $487,390 $654,671 $245,667 Personal Computers and Other 73,555 1,562 $790,206 $171,498 $741,357 $487,390 $654,671 $245,667$178,708 Net Earnings (Loss)(2): Before Extraordinary Gain $(60,746) $ (6,976) $(56,000) $(73,654) $ 7,375 $(13,389) $(23,968) Gain Extraordinary Gain 129,155 $(60,746) $ (6,976) $(56,000) $ 55,501 $ 7,375 $(13,389) Balance Sheet Data at Period End:$(23,968) BALANCE SHEET DATA AT PERIOD END: Total Assets $226,131 $216,693 $194,510 $119,021 $113,969 $ 96,576 $58,768 Current Liabilities (3) 218,504 215,069 249,307 76,083 59,782 35,008 21,660 Long-Term Debt (3) 130 157 151 227 214 20,886 21,079 Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) 4,550 (1,480) (57,895) 42,617 53,651 40,382 16,029 Working Capital (Deficit) (29,503) (36,003) (89,949) 32,248 42,598 50,30648,434 13,258 Current Ratio 0.9 to 0.8 to 0.6 to 1 1.4 to 1 1.7 to 1 2.4 to 1 1.6 to 1 1 1 1 1 Per Common Share:PER COMMON SHARE: Net Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share (2) (4): Before Extraordinary Gain $( 1.60) $(0.18) $(1.47) $(1.93) $ 0.16 $(0.35) $(0.61) Extraordinary Gain 3.38 $( 1.60) $(0.18) $(1.47) $ 1.45 $ 0.16 $(0.35) $(0.61) Common Shareholders' Equity (Deficit) (5) Perper Common Share $ 0.12 $(0.04)(5) $(1.52) $ 0.98 $ 1.08 $ 0.75 $ 0.15 Weighted Average Number of Common and Common Equivalent Shares Outstanding 37,897 37,968 38,179 38,191 46,571 40,253 40,292
______________________________ (1) The decline in net direct revenues for Fiscal 1997 and 1996 was due primarily to the implementation of the Agreements signed with the Supplier, effective March 31, 1995. Net Revenues for Fiscal 1996 excludes $254,840,000 of Emerson branded gross sales pursuant to the Agreements during the year. Net Revenues for Fiscal 1995 included $340,465,000 of sales of video products now covered by the new arrangement with the Supplier. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition." (2) Net earnings for the fiscal year ended March 31,Fiscal 1994 includeincludes an extraordinary gain of $129,155,000, or $3.38 per common share, on the extinguishment of debt settled in the Plan of Reorganization. Accordingly, the Company recorded reorganization expenses of $17,385,000 relating primarily to the writedown of assets transferred to creditors under the Plan of Reorganization and professional fees and other related expenses incurred during the bankruptcy proceedings. The results of operations for the fiscal year ended March 31,Fiscal 1993 the three months ended March 31, 1992 and the year ended December 31, 1991 include restructuring and other nonrecurring charges aggregating $35,002,000, $3,698,000 and $36,964,000, respectively.$35,002,000. These charges represent the cost of discontinuing theits personal computer business, professional fees and other expenses related to the Company's financial restructuring, and the up-front costs and writedowns of certain assets associated with implementing long-term cost reduction programs. Charges for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1993 also includeprograms and costs related to the proxy contest settled in June 1992. The year ended December 31, 1991 also includes charges related to the discontinuance of the then existing H.H. Scott domestic business. (3) The aggregate outstanding principal balance of the Company's senior notes has been classified as current as of March 31, 1993 and 1992, and December 31, 1991.1993. See Note B of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. (4) Net earnings (loss) per common share for all periods prior to Fiscal 19951993 and Fiscal 1994 are based on the weighted average number of old common shares outstanding during each period. Net loss per common share for Fiscal 1996 is based on the net loss and deduction of preferred stock dividend requirements (resulting in a loss attributable to common stockholders) and the weighted average of new Common Stock outstanding during the fiscal year. The net loss per share does not include common stock equivalents assumed outstanding since they are anti-dilutive. Net earnings per common share for Fiscal 1995 is based on the weighted average number of shares of new Common Stock and related common stock equivalents outstanding during the year. Common Stock equivalents include 9,081,000 shares assuming conversion of $10 million of Series A Preferred Stock at a price equal to 80% of the weighted average market value of a share of Common Stock, determined on a quarterly basis. Since the Series A Preferredpreferred Stock iswas not convertible into Common Stock until March 31, 1997, the number of shares issuable upon conversion may behave been significantly different. Net loss per common share for Fiscal 1996 and Fiscal 1997 are based on the net loss and deduction of preferred stock dividend requirements (resulting in a loss attributable to common stockholders) and the weighted average of new Common Stock outstanding during each fiscal year. The net loss per share does not include common stock equivalents assumed outstanding since they are anti-dilutive. (5) Calculated based on common shareholders' equity (deficit) divided by actual shares of Common Stock outstanding. Common shareholders' equity at March 31, 1997, 1996, 1995 and 1994 is equal to total shareholders' equity less $10 million for the liquidation preference of the Series A Preferred Stock. ItemITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION General On August 30, 1995,GENERAL In December 1996, the Company completed a private placementpurchased from SSG 1,600,000 newly-issued shares of $20,750,000common stock (the "SSG Stock") for aggregate principal amountconsideration of 8-1/2% Senior Subordinated Convertible Debentures Due 2002 (the "Debentures"), resulting in net proceeds to the Company of$11.5 million, or approximately $19,208,000 after the payment of the expenses of such offering. The proceeds of this offering were initially applied against the Company's United States secured credit facility to reduce the then present working capital costs. See Note F of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Management is currently utilizing the benefits of such net proceeds to fund an intercompany obligation to a foreign subsidiary, exploit new business opportunities via product line additions and extensions and the expansion of its distribution base, and may use such proceeds for acquisitions, including for the potential acquisition of Jensen. See "Business - Growth Strategy" and "Legal Proceedings." The Company also amended its United States secured credit facility with its primary United States lender ("the Lender") effective as of August 24, 1995. The amendment includes, among other things, a reduction of 1% in the interest rate charged on borrowings, down to 1.25% above the stated prime rate, an extension on the term of the facility for one additional year to March 1998, an increase in working capital requirements, a reduction of other loan fees and charges under such facility, and the release of the Lender's security interests in the trademarks of the Company. The trademarks are subject to a negative pledge covenant.$7.19 per share. In addition, the Company recastpurchased, for aggregate consideration of $500,000, five year warrants to acquire an additional 1,000,000 shares of SSG Stock at an exercise price of $7.50 per share, subject to standard anti-dilution adjustments. Prior to such purchase, the Company beneficially owned 669,500 shares or approximately 9.9% of SSG's outstanding common stock which it had purchased for $4,228,000 in open market purchases. Following the stock acquisition, the Company owns 2,269,500 shares or approximately 27% of SSG's outstanding common stock. Assuming the exercise of all the SSG Warrants, the Company would beneficially own approximately 35% of the outstanding shares of SSG Stock. As part of the securities acquisition, SSG appointed the Company's designees to become the majority of the members of its adjusted net worth covenantBoard of Directors and certain of the Company's management is directly involved in SSG's day-to-day operations. Subsequent to such acquisition, SSG's stockholders elected Emerson's nominees as a majority of the members of its Board of Directors. In addition, the Company arranged for foreign trade credit financing of $2 million for the benefit of SSG. The $12 million purchase price paid by the Company was obtained from the Lender (as hereinafter defined), under the terms of its existing credit facility, and in accordance with the terms of the consent obtained from such Lender. Pursuant to a Pledge and Security Agreement dated December 10, 1996, the Company has pledged to the Lender the 1,600,000 shares of SSG Stock and the SSG Warrants acquired on such facility effective June 30,December 10, 1996. See Notes ESSG is the largest direct mail distributor of sporting goods equipment and Nsupplies in the United States. SSG sells its products at margins significantly higher than the average of NotesEmerson's core business and to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.an institutional market which does not require the significant after-market servicing costs typical of Emerson's core business. The modificationsinvestment allows Emerson to diversify from its United Statescore business of consumer electronics distribution to another distribution business which offers what management believes to be significant growth potential. Emerson should also benefit by several cost sharing opportunities including sharing the compensation costs of senior management. SSG benefited from the investment by gaining the liquidity needed to cure its then-existing loan default with its senior lenders and amended its secured credit facility togetheron more favorable terms. Also, SSG now possesses the capital necessary to take advantage of opportunities to increase its business in the institutional sporting goods market both in the U.S. and internationally and to continue marketing its products showcased at the 1996 Olympic games. In February 1997, the Company executed five-year license/supply agreements, subject to renewals, with Cargil covering the Caribbean and Central and South American markets. The agreements provide for the license of the Emerson and G-Clef trademark for certain consumer electronics and other products and the provision of sourcing and inspection services. Under the terms of the agreements, the Company will receive minimum annual royalties through the life of the agreements and will receive a separate fee for sourcing and inspection services. Cargil assumes all costs and expenses associated with the net proceeds frompurchasing, marketing and after sales support of such products. The Company believes that this transaction will have a positive impact on operating results by generating royalty and servicing revenues with minimal costs while limiting its working capital risks. Subsequent to the end of Fiscal 1997, Emerson executed a four-year agreement with Daewoo. This agreement provides that, subject to existing agreements relating to sales to the Customer, Daewoo will manufacture and sell television and video products bearing the Emerson and G-Clef trademark to all customers in the U.S. market. Daewoo will also be responsible for and assume all risks associated with, order processing, shipping, credit and collections, inventory, returns and after-sale services. The Company will arrange sales and provide marketing services and receive a commission for such services. Sales to the Customer are currently subject to a license/supply agreement with the Supplier, as more fully described below. Additionally, in June 1997, the Company entered into a non-exclusive license agreement with World Wide One, a Hong Kong corporation, for use of the Emerson & G-Clef trademark in connection with the sale of certain consumer electronics products and other products for sale exclusively to Makro International Far East Ltd. in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. The term is initially for a six month trial period at which time the Debentures, has enabledagreement will either be terminated or continue for an additional twelve months. In addition, Emerson will provide sourcing and inspection services for at least 50% of World Wide One's purchase requirements. World Wide One is required to meet certain minimum sales requirements as well as ensuring the Company to reduce its effective costestablishment of borrowing while permittingadequate service centers or agents for after sales warranty services for the Company to expand its product lines and distribution base.goods. Effective March 31, 1995, the Company and the Supplier entered into the Agreements. The Company granted a license of certain trademarks to the Supplier for a three-year term. The license permits the Supplier to manufacture and sell certain video products under the "EMERSONEmerson and G-Clef"G-Clef trademark to the Customer, in the United States and Canada. As a result, the Company is receivingreceives royalties attributable to such sales over the three-year term of the Agreements in lieu of reporting the full dollar value of such sales and associated costs. Net sales of these products to the Customer accounted for approximately 47% of consolidated net revenues for Fiscal 1995. The Company will continuecontinues to supply other products to the Customer directly. Further, the Agreements providethese agreements provided that the Supplier willwould supply the Company with certain video products for sale to other customers at preferred prices for a three-year term. Under the terms of the Agreements,these agreements, the Company will receivereceives non-refundable minimum annual royalties from the Supplier to be credited against royalties earned from sales of VCRs, VCPs, TV/VCR combination units, and color televisions to the Customer. In addition, effective August 1, 1995, the Supplier assumed responsibility for returns and after-sale and warranty services on all video products manufactured by the Supplier and sold to the Customer, including video products sold by the Company prior to August 1, 1995. As a result, the impact of sales returns on the Company's operating results have been significantly reduced, effective with the quarter ended September 30, 1995. The Company has reported lower net direct revenues in Fiscal 1997 and Fiscal 1996 as a result of the Agreements,these agreements, but its net operating results for such yearyears have not been impacted negatively. The Company has realized and expects to continue to realize a more stable cash flow, over the three-year term of the Agreements, as well as reduced short-term borrowings necessary to finance accounts receivable and inventory and has thereby reducingreduced interest costs. Additionally, the Company's gross margins are expected to improve as the change in mix to higher margin products and a reduction in costs for product returns (which have historically been higher for video products) take hold. The Company and the Supplier are currently involved in litigation over certain matters concerning the terms of the Agreements. The Company reported a significant decline in its net direct sales for Fiscal 1997 and 1996 as compared to Fiscal 1995 primarily due to the licensed video sales. However, the Company's United States sales to other customers in the United States also declined during these periods due to increased price competition, primarily in video product categories, highhigher retail stock levels, weak consumer demand, a slowdown insoft retail activitymarket and the extremely high level of sales achieved in Fiscal 1995. The Company expects its sales in the United States sales for the first quartertwo quarters of Fiscal 19971998 to be lower than the first quartertwo quarters of Fiscal 19961997 due to the continuing weak retail climate and the increased level of price competition in videomost product categories. ResultsRESULTS OF OPERATIONS - FISCAL 1997 COMPARED WITH FISCAL 1996 Consolidated net revenues for Fiscal 1997 decreased $66,959,000 (or 27%) as compared to Fiscal 1996. The decrease resulted from decreases in unit sales of Operations -video cassette recorders, televisions, television/video cassette recorder combination units and audio products due to higher retail stock levels, increased price competition in these product categories, weak consumer demand, a soft retail market and closure of its Canadian office. This was partially offset by increased sales of microwave ovens attributable to a broader product line, larger size units and increased model selections by customers, and by sales of home theater and car audio products which were not introduced until the second and third quarters of Fiscal 1996. Excluding the Company's video products, the Company's U.S. gross sales increased by approximately 13% for Fiscal 1997. Revenues recorded from the licensing of the Emerson and G-Clef trademark were $5,040,000 in Fiscal 1997 as compared to $4,409,000 for Fiscal 1996. The increase in royalty income is primarily due to the execution of the Cargil license agreement in February 1997, partially offset by lower aggregate sales reported by the licensees of other Emerson and G-Clef brand products. The Company's Canadian operations reported a decline of $5.7 million in net revenues for Fiscal 1997 due to declines in unit volume and sales prices resulting from a weak Canadian retail economy and the closure of the Company's local office and Company-operated distribution operations in favor of an independent distributor. Cost of sales, as a percentage of consolidated net revenues, was 97% in Fiscal 1997 as compared to 94% in Fiscal 1996. Gross profit margins in Fiscal 1997 were unfavorably impacted by lower sales prices, a higher proportion of close-out sales, the allocation of reduced fixed costs over a lower revenue base in Fiscal 1997 and the recognition of income relating to reduced reserve requirements for sales returns in Fiscal 1996. However, gross profit margins were favorably impacted by the introduction of higher margin products --home theater and car audio products, and by a reduction in the costs associated with product returns related to the Company's agreements with a majority of its suppliers to return defective products and receive in exchange an "A" quality unit. The Company's margins continue to be impacted by the pricing category of the consumer electronics market in which the Company competes. The Company's products are generally placed in the low-to-medium priced category of the market. These categories tend to be the most competitive and generate the lowest profits. The Company believes that the combination of (i) the new television and video arrangement with Daewoo, (ii) the license agreement with Cargil, and (iii) the introduction of the new CinemaSurround(TM) product will all have a favorable impact on the Company's gross profit margins. The Company intends to promote its direct import programs to reduce its inventory levels and working capital risks thereby reducing its inventory overhead costs. In addition, the Company is focusing on its higher margin products and is reviewing new product categories which can generate higher margins than its current business, either through license arrangements, acquisitions, joint ventures or on its own. The Company also plans on expanding its sales and distribution channels into the Central and Southeast Asia markets. Other operating costs and expenses declined $1,724,000 in Fiscal 1997 as compared to Fiscal 1996, primarily as a result of (i) reduced sales levels and reduced customer returns and (ii) a decrease in compensation and other expenses incurred to perform after-sale services as a result of the Company's downsizing program. Selling, general and administrative expenses ("S,G&A") as a percentage of net revenues were 11% in Fiscal 1997 as compared withto 8% in Fiscal 1996. The increase in S,G&A as a percentage of net revenues is due primarily to the allocation of S,G&A costs over a lower sales base. In absolute terms, S,G&A decreased by $715,000 in Fiscal 1997 as compared to Fiscal 1996. The decrease was primarily attributable to a reduction in fixed costs and compensation expense relating to the Company's continuing cost reduction program in both the U.S. and its foreign offices and lower selling expenses attributable to lower sales, partially offset by the reversal of accounts receivable reserves in the prior year and foreign currency exchange losses. The Company's exposure to foreign currency fluctuations, primarily in Canada and Spain, resulted in the recognition of net foreign currency exchange losses aggregating $57,000 in Fiscal 1997 as compared to net foreign currency exchange gains aggregating $508,000 in Fiscal 1996. The Company has reduced its exposure to foreign currency fluctuations by conducting its Canadian and Spanish business in U.S. dollars. Interest expense increased $154,000 in Fiscal 1997 as compared to Fiscal 1996. The increase was attributable to interest incurred on the Debentures issued in August 1995 partially offset by lower average borrowings at lower average interest rates on the U.S. revolving line of credit facility. The Company recorded restructuring and other nonrecurring charges of $2,972,000 in Fiscal 1997. The Company recognized $1,065,000 of restructuring charges relating to the closure of the Company's local Canadian office and distribution operations in favor of an independent distributor and the downsizing of the Company's U.S. operations. The charges include costs for employee severance, asset write-downs, and facility and equipment lease costs. Additionally, the Company recognized $1,907,000 of nonrecurring charges relating to the proposed but unsuccessful acquisition of International Jensen Incorporated. These costs primarily include investment banking, loan commitment, and professional fees, including litigation costs, relating to the proposed acquisition. As a result of the foregoing factors, the Company incurred a net loss of $23,968,000 in Fiscal 1997 as compared to a net loss of $13,389,000 in Fiscal 1996. RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - FISCAL 1996 COMPARED WITH FISCAL 1995 Consolidated net revenues for Fiscal 1996 decreased $409,004,000 (or 62%) as compared to Fiscal 1995. The effects of the Agreementsagreements with the Supplier described above accounted for a substantial portion of the decrease in revenues, and sales to the Customer were reduced to 18% of consolidated net revenues in Fiscal 1996 as compared to 53% in Fiscal 1995. Gross sales to the Customer of video products bearing the" EMERSON and G-Clef" trademark were reported by the Supplier to the Company to be $254,840,000 in Fiscal 1996 or 25% lower than recorded by the Company in Fiscal 1995. Royalty income recognized by the Company from these sales was $4,442,000 in Fiscal 1996. In addition, sales to other customers for Fiscal 1996 decreased as a result of lower unit sales of televisions and television/video cassette recorder combination units due to increased price competition in these product categories. The Company's Canadian operations reported a decline of $17.8 million in sales for Fiscal 1996 due to declines in unit volume and sales prices due to a weak Canadian retail economy and the bankruptcy of two key customers in Fiscal 1995. The Company's European sales decreased $16.7 million in Fiscal 1996 due to the Company's discontinuance and wind-down of its Spanish branch and subsequent assignment, to an independent distributor, of the rights to sell Emerson Radio brand product in Spain. Cost of sales, as a percentage of consolidated revenues, was 94% in Fiscal 1996 as compared to 92% in Fiscal 1995. Gross profit margins in Fiscal 1996 were lower on a comparative basis due primarily to the recognition of large purchase discounts in Fiscal 1995 and the recognition of a loss experienced by the Company's 50%-owned joint venture which sells product returns in Fiscal 1996. Additionally, the Company experienced lower sales prices and the allocation of reduced fixed costs over a lower revenue base in Fiscal 1996 which were substantially offset by a change in product mix, the recognition of licensing income, reduced reserve requirements for sales returns and reduced fixed costs associated with the downsizing of the Company's foreign offices. The reduction in gross margins was unfavorably impacted by the accrual of $9.9 million in Fiscal 1995 of purchase discounts received from one of the Company's suppliers. Beginning in Fiscal 1996, the Company was not entitled to a purchase discount from this supplier due to a reduction in purchase volume associated with the Agreements. Due to the increase in the value of the Japanese Yen in 1995, and its impact on the cost of certain raw materials and subassemblies of the Company's suppliers, the Company absorbed certain price increases from its suppliers. Additionally, the Company was not able to recover such price increases from its customers due to increased price competition. As the value of the Yen has decreased in 1996, the Company has been able to negotiate lower prices from various sources of supply for certain audio and video products. The Company's margins continue to be impacted by the pricing category of the consumer electronics market in which the Company competes. The Company's products are generally placed in the low-to-medium priced category of the market. These categories tend to be the most competitive and generate the lowest profits. The Company intends to focus on its higher margin products and is reviewing new product categories that can generate higher margins than the current business, either through license arrangements, acquisitions, joint ventures or on its own. Other operating costs and expenses declined $3,968,000 in Fiscal 1996 as compared to Fiscal 1995, primarily as a result of a decrease in (i) handling and freight charges associated with reduced customer returns and (ii) compensation and other expenses incurred to perform after-sale services as a result of the Company's downsizing program. See Note M to the Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. Selling, general and administrative expenses ("S,G&A")&A as a percentage of revenues were 8% in Fiscal 1996 as compared to 5% in Fiscal 1995. In absolute terms, S,G&A decreased by $11,550,000 in Fiscal 1996 as compared to Fiscal 1995. The decrease for Fiscal 1996 was primarily attributable to lower selling expenses due to lower revenues, a reduction in compensation and fixed overhead costs relating to the Company's downsizing program, lower provisions for accounts receivable reserves and higher professional fees incurred in Fiscal 1995 due to bankruptcy costs. The increase in S,G&A as a percentage of revenues is due primarily to the allocation of fixed S,G&A costs over a significantly lower revenue base. Additionally, the Company's exposure to foreign currency fluctuations, primarily in Canada and Spain, resulted in the recognition of net foreign currency exchange gains aggregating $508,000 in Fiscal 1996 as compared to $354,000 in Fiscal 1995. In Fiscal 1997, the Company will be conducting its business in Spain in U.S. dollars, thereby reducing its exposure to foreign currency fluctuations. Interest expense increased by $393,000 in Fiscal 1996 as compared to Fiscal 1995. The increase in interest expense was attributable to interest incurred on the Debentures issued in August 1995, partially offset by lower average borrowings on the Company's United States secured credit facility. As a result of the foregoing factors, the Company incurred a net loss of $13,389,000 in Fiscal 1996 as compared to net earnings of $7,375,000 in Fiscal 1995. Results of Operations -- Fiscal 1995 Compared with Fiscal 1994 Consolidated net revenuesLIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES Net cash provided by operating activities was $16,688,000 for Fiscal 1995 increased $167,281,000 as compared to Fiscal 1994, resulting from a significant increase1997. Cash was generally provided by the reduction in unit sales of VCRs, VCPsaccounts receivables and TV/VCR combination units,inventories partially offset by a decline in unit sales of color televisions and audio products, as well as lower sales prices for such products. The sales increase for the VCR, VCP and TV/VCR product categories was attributable to significantly higher sales to the Company's two largest customers, resulting from an improved retail climate, low retail stock levels after the 1993 holiday season, and an improved perception of the Company by retailers since its emergence from bankruptcy. Net sales to the Company's largest customer approximated 53% of consolidated net revenues for Fiscal 1995. The Company's Canadian operations experienced a decline in net revenues for Fiscal 1995 due to declines in unit volume and sales prices (relating to a weak retail climate) and unfavorable foreign currency exchange rates. Cost of sales, as a percentage of consolidated revenues, was approximately 92% for Fiscal 1995 as compared to approximately 100% for Fiscal 1994. Gross profit margins were favorably impacted by the allocation of fixed overhead costs over a significantly higher revenue base, a decline in fixed overhead costs, reduced losses associated with product returns, the recognition of $9.9 million of purchase discounts from a supplier, $1.2 million of licensing income and reduced reserve requirements for sales returns due primarily to an agreement with the Company's largest supplier. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources." This improvement was partially offset by a 1% decline in gross profit margins attributable to lower sales prices in most product categories resulting from increased price competition, and a change in product mix. Other operating costs and expenses declined $3,230,000 in Fiscal 1995 as compared to Fiscal 1994, primarily as a result of a decrease in compensation and other expenses incurred to process product returns, due to the Company's downsizing program and changes in the resale arrangement for product returns. See "Business - Refurbished Products." S,G&A, as a percentage of revenues, was 5% and 7% for Fiscal 1995 and Fiscal 1994, respectively. In absolute terms, S,G&A decreased $3,505,000 in Fiscal 1995. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower compensation expense relating to the Company's downsizing program, lower selling expenses, including decreases in promotional allowances granted to customers, and improved foreign currency results. The Company's exposure to foreign currency fluctuations, primarily in Canada and Spain, resulted in net foreign currency exchange gains aggregating $354,000 in Fiscal 1995 as compared to net foreign currency exchange losses of $1,406,000 in Fiscal 1994. Interest expense decreased $7,361,000 in Fiscal 1995 as compared to Fiscal 1994. The decrease was attributable to the extinquishment of approximately $203 million of institutional debt in connection with the Restructuring, effective March 31, 1994, and a moratorium on interest accrued on pre-petition indebtedness during the pendency of the Company's bankruptcy proceedings in Fiscal 1994. In Fiscal 1994, the Company recorded reorganization costs of $17,385,000 relating to professional fees and related expenses incurred in the bankruptcy proceedings, and the writedown of certain assets transferred to a liquidating trust pursuant to the bankruptcy settlement. The Company recorded an extraordinary gain on extinguishment of debt of $129,155,000 in Fiscal 1994. This gain related to the settlement of the Company's pre-petition liabilities, as a result of the Company's emergence from bankruptcy. As a result of the foregoing factors, the Company earned $7,375,000 and $55,501,000 for Fiscal 1995 and Fiscal 1994, respectively. Liquidity and Capital Resources Net cash utilized by operating activities was $11,357,000 for Fiscal 1996. Cash was used to fund the loss from operations and to reduce a large customer's credit balance, partially offset by aoperations. The decrease in accounts receivable and receiptis due primarily to the paydown of funds for purchase discounts accrued in Fiscal 1995. The license revenues earned from sales of video products$9.8 million by the SupplierCompany's 50% owned joint venture (E&H Partners). The decrease in inventory is primarily due to a more conservative purchasing strategy focusing on reducing inventory levels and associated carrying costs, and the Customer in Fiscal 1996 did not generate any cash during this period because the royalty earned in excessclosure of the minimum annual royalty (received in Fiscal 1995) was not received until May 1996.Company's Canadian distribution operations. Net cash utilized by investing activities was $1,198,000$14,623,000 for Fiscal 1996. Investing activities consisted1997. Cash was utilized primarily of capital expenditures for the purchase of new product molds partially offset by the redemption of pledged certificates of deposit. In Fiscal 1996, the Company's investment in SSG as noted above. Net cash utilized by financing activities provided $11,668,000 of cash.was $15,558,000. Cash was provided by the private placement of $20,750,000 aggregate principal amount of Debentures. The proceeds of approximately $19,208,000, net of issuance costs, was initially usedutilized primarily to reduce the Company's borrowings under theits U.S. line of credit facility and to fund costs for product line additions and extension and expansionthrough the collection of the Company's distribution base.accounts receivable. On September 29, 1993, the Company and five of its U.S. subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for relief under the reorganization provisions of Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code and operated as debtors-in-possession under the supervision of the Bankruptcy Court while their reorganization case was pending. The precipitating factor for these filings was the Company's severe liquidity problems relating to its high level of indebtedness and a significant decline in sales from the prior year. Effective March 31, 1994, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order confirming the Plan of Reorganization. The Plan of Reorganization provided for the implementation of a recapitalization of the Company. In accordance with the Plan of Reorganization, the Company's pre-petition liabilities (of approximately $233 million) were settled with the creditors in the aggregate, as follows: I. The Company's bank group (the "Bank Lenders") received $70 million in cash and the right to receive the initial $2 million of net proceeds from one of the Company's non-trade receivables. II. The institutional holders of the Company's senior notes (the "Noteholders") initially received $2,650,000 in cash and warrants to purchase 750,000 shares of common stock for a period of seven years at an exercise price of $1.00 per share, provided that the exercise price shall increase by 10% per year commencing in year four, and further received $1 million, payable $922,498 in cash from the initial public offering of common stock and $77,502 in common stock calculated on the basis of $1.00 per share. III. The Bank Lenders and Noteholders received their pro rata percentage of the following: A. $2,350,000 in cash (however $350,000 of this amount was distributable to the holders of allowed unsecured claims); B. 10,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock with a face value of $10 million (estimated fair market value of approximately $9 million at March 31, 1994); C. 4,025,277 shares of common stock, including 691,944 shares issued in February 1995 pursuant to an anti-dilution provision; D. The net proceeds from the sale of the Company's Indiana land and building; and E. The net proceeds to be received from the non-trade receivables discussed in I. above in excess of $2 million. IV. Holders of allowed unsecured claims received a pro-rata portion of the $350,000 distribution and interest bearing promissory notes equal to 18.3% of the allowed claim amount, payable in two installments over 18 months. See "Legal Proceedings." In accordance with the Plan of Reorganization, the Company completed an initial public offering of its Common Stock in September 1994 to shareholders of record as of March 31, 1994, excluding its largest pre-bankruptcy shareholder. The Company sold 6,149,993 shares of Common Stock for $1.00 per share resulting in proceeds to the Company, net of issuance costs, of $5,692,000. The Company maintains an asset-based revolving credit facility, as amended, with the Lender. The facility provides for revolving loans and letters of credit, subject to individual maximums which, in the aggregate, cannot exceed the lesser of $60$30 million or a "Borrowing Base" amount based on specified percentages of eligible accounts receivable and inventories. All credit extended under the line is secured by the U.S. and Canadian assets of the Company except for trademarks, which are subject to a negative pledge covenant. The interest rate on these borrowings is 1.25% above the stated prime rate. At March 31, 1996,1997, the weighted average interest rate on the outstanding borrowings was 9.5%. Based on the "Borrowing Base" amount at March 31, 1996, $5.51997, $1.7 million of the credit facility was not utilized. The facility is also subject to an unused line fee of 0.25% per annum. Pursuant to the terms of this credit facility, as amended, the Company is restricted from, among other things, paying cash dividends (other than on the Series A Preferred Stock), redeeming stock, and entering into certain transactions and is required to maintain certain working capital and equity levels (as defined). The Company was required to maintain a minimum adjusted net worth, as defined, of $38,000,000$17,000,000 and a minimum working capital of $10,000,000 at March 31, 1996. Effective June 30, 1996, such minimum adjusted1997. Adjusted net worth as amended, is $30,000,000. See Note Nat March 31, 1997 was $18,811,000. An event of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K.default under the credit facility may trigger a default under the Company's 8 1/2% Senior Subordinated Convertible Debentures Due 2002. At March 31, 1996,1997, there was $21,151,000$5,689,000 outstanding under the revolving loan facility, and $1,177,000$444,000 of outstanding letters of credit issued for inventory purchases. The Company's Hong Kong subsidiary currently maintains various credit facilities, as amended, aggregating $62.1$28.5 million with a bank in Hong Kong consisting of the following: (i) a $12.1$3.5 million credit facility which is generally used for letters of credit for a foreign subsidiary's direct import business and affiliates' inventory purchases and (ii) a $50$25 million credit facility, for the benefit of a foreign subsidiary, which is for the establishment of back-to-back letters of credit with the Customer. At March 31, 1996,1997, the Company's Hong Kong subsidiary had pledged $4$1 million in certificates of deposit to this bank to assure the availability of these credit facilities. At March 31, 1996,1997, there were $5,644,000$4,488,000 and $3,056,000,$6,598,000, respectively, of letters of credit outstanding under these credit facilities. The Company's Hong Kong subsidiary maintains an additional credit facility with another bank in Hong Kong. The facility provides for (i) a $10 million line of credit for documentary letters of credit, (ii) a $10 million back-to- back letter of credit line and (iii) a $100,000 standby letter of credit facility. At March 31, 1996, the Company's Hong Kong subsidiary had pledged $5,000,000 in certificates of deposit to assure the availability of these credit facilities. At March 31, 1996, $991,000 of the letter of credit line was utilized. In November 1995, the Company's Board of Directors approved a plan to repurchase up to 2 million of its common shares, or about 20% of the Company's current float of approximately 11 million shares, from time to time in the open market. Although there are 40,252,772 shares outstanding, approximately 29.2 million shares are held directly or indirectly by affiliated entities of Geoffrey Jurick, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company (which are subject to a settlement agreement with his and his affiliated entities' creditors - see "Legal Proceedings"). The Company has agreed with Mr. Jurick that such shares will not be subject to repurchase. The stock repurchase program is subject to consent of certain of the Company's lenders, certain court imposed restrictions, price and availability of shares, compliance with securities laws and alternative capital spending programs, including new acquisitions. The repurchase of common shares is intended to be funded by working capital, if and when available. It is uncertain at this time when, or if, the Company might be able to so repurchase any of its shares of Common Stock. Since the emergence of the Company from bankruptcy, management believes that it has been able to compete more effectively in the highly competitive consumer electronics and microwave oven industries in the United States and Canada by combining innovative approaches to the Company's current product line such as value-added promotions, and augmenting its product line with higher margin complimentary products. The Company also intends to engage in the marketing of distribution, sourcing and other services to third parties.parties similar to the sales and marketing arrangements to be provided to Daewoo and the sourcing and inspection services to be provided to Cargil. In addition, the Company intends to undertake efforts to expand the international distribution of its products into areas where management believes low to moderately priced, dependable consumer electronics and microwave oven products will have a broad appeal. The Company has in the past and intends in the future to pursue such plans either on its own or by forging new relationships, including license arrangements, partnerships, joint ventures or strategic mergers and acquistionsacquisitions of, or controlling interests in, companies in similar or complimentary businesses. In Fiscal 1995, theThe Company successfully concluded several licensing agreements for existing core business products and new products. The Companyproducts, and intends to pursue additional licensing opportunities andopportunities. The Company believes that such licensing activities will have a positive impact on net operating results by generating royalty income with minimal costs, if any, and without the necessity of utilizing working capital or accepting customer returns. The Company is also considering strategic alternatives for its North American video business not covered under the license agreement with the Supplier. Short-Term Liquidity.SHORT-TERM LIQUIDITY. At present, management believes that future cash flow from operations and the institutional financing noted above will be sufficient to fund all of the Company's cash requirements for the next fiscal year. However, the adequacy of future cash flow from operations are dependent upon the Company achieving its business plan. During Fiscal 1997, the Company reduced inventory levels approximately 62% and executed cost-reduction programs in both its U.S. and foreign offices. The Company intends to further reduce inventory levels and shift a higher proportion of its sales to direct import thereby reducing its inventory and its needs for working capital. In Fiscal 1997, products representing approximately 49% of net revenues were directly imported from manufacturers to the Company's customers. The Company's business plan includes an increase in this percentage to approximately 80% in Fiscal 1998. This increase in the direct import portion of sales is critical in providing sufficient working capital to meet its sales objectives. If the Company does not obtain this objective, it may not have sufficient working capital to finance its sales plan. It may be necessary for the Company to margin or sell some of the SSG Stock to adequately finance the Company's operations. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully achieve its business plan in a time frame or manner which will permit the Company to fund current operations and other planned expenditures at current and expected sales volumes, if at all. Additionally, the Company is currently in arrears on $469,000 of dividends on the Company's Series A Preferred Stock. The preferred stock is convertible into common stock at any time during the period beginning on March 31, 1997 and ending on March 31, 2002 and at a price per share of common stock equal to 80% of the market value of a share of common stock on the date of conversion. The preferred stock dividend rate for Fiscal 1998 is 5.6%. The Company's liquidity is impacted by the seasonality of its business. The Company records the majority of its annual sales in the quarters ending September 30 and December 31. This requires the Company to open significantly higher amounts of letters of credit during the quarters ending June 30 and September 30, therefore significantly increasing the Company's working capital needs during these periods. Additionally, the Company receives the largest percentage of customer returns in the quarter ending March 31. The higher level of returns during this period adversely impacts the Company's collection activity during this period, and therefore its liquidity. The Company believes that the Agreementsagreements with the Supplier (as noted above)Daewoo and Cargil, as discussed above, and the "return-to- vendor" agreementsarrangements it has implemented over the past twelve months concerning returned merchandise, should favorably impact the Company's cash flow over their respective terms. Long-Term Liquidity.LONG-TERM LIQUIDITY. The Company has discontinued certain lower margin lines of products and believes that this, together with the agreements covering its North American video business and the introduction of CinemaSurround(TM), can reverse the negative trends of operating losses reported in Fiscal 1997 and Fiscal 1996. Additionally, the Company believes that the SSG business offers significant growth potential. In its first full quarter under Emerson's management team, SSG reported record earnings and double digit sales growth as compared to the same period a year ago. The revolving credit facility with the Lender imposes financial covenants on the Company thatwhich could materially affect its liquidity in the future. However, managementThe Company intends on renegotiating with the Lender to amend the U.S. revolving credit facility to ensure continued compliance with all covenants. Alternatively, the Company may seek replacement funding. Management believes that the financing noted above andexecution of its business plan as well as the anticipated cash flow from operations in Fiscal 1997and the financing noted above will provide sufficient liquidity to meet the Company's operating and debt service cash requirements on a long-term basis. In November 1995,HONG KONG OPERATIONS A significant amount of the Company's stockholders approved an amendmentactivities are conducted through its Hong Kong subsidiary, and the Company's Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President is resident in Hong Kong. Hong Kong, formerly a British administered territory, reverted to the sovereignty of The People's Republic of China on July 1, 1997. Accordingly, there is a risk that the Company's certificateoperations in Hong Kong may be interrupted or terminated. However, the Company cannot predict what impact, if any, the renewal of incorporation increasingChina's sovereignty will have on the numberCompany, its business, or its results of authorized shares of preferred stock from one million shares to ten million shares. Such additional shares provide management with the flexibility to take advantage of any opportunities that may occur for which additional capital would need to be raised or shares would be used to acquire a business. Inflation and Foreign Currencyoperations. INFLATION AND FOREIGN CURRENCY Except as disclosed above, neither inflation nor currency fluctuations had a significant effect on the Company's results of operations during Fiscal 1996,1997, Fiscal 19951996 or Fiscal 1994.1995. The Company's exposure to currency fluctuations has been minimized by the use of U.S. dollar denominated purchase orders, and by sourcing production in more than one country. However, the strength of the Japanese Yen in 1995 had raised the costs of certain raw materials and subassemblies of the Company's suppliers which were passed on to the Company in the form of price increases in Fiscal 1996. The Company was not able to recover such price increases from the selling price to its customers due to increased price competition. However, the Company has been able to negotiate lower prices from various sources of supply for certain audio products, commencing in the second half of Fiscal 1996 and for certain video products commencing in Fiscal 1997. The weakeningFORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Certain statements in this annual report on Form 10-K under the captions "Business" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and elsewhere in this annual report and in future filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, constitute "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the valuePrivate Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the Japanese Yen in 1996 should enableactual results, performance or achievements of the Company to obtain furtherbe materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the following: product supply and demand; general economic and business conditions and condition of the retail consumer electronics market; price competition and competition from companies with greater resources; success of operating initiatives and new product introductions, including CinemaSurround(TM); operating costs including continuing the Company's cost reductions from its suppliers. Itemreduction program and Company's return to vendor program; effects of foreign trade; effects of the reversion of Hong Kong to the sovereignty of the People's Republic of China; advertising and promotional efforts; brand awareness; the existence or absence of adverse publicity; success of the Company's acquisition strategy including results of SSG's operations; changes in business strategy or development plans; success of management's strategy to finance or refinance the Company's operations; quality of management; success of licensing arrangements; availability, use and terms of capital and compliance with debt covenants; business abilities and judgment of personnel; availability of qualified personnel; labor and employee benefit costs; changes in, or the failure to comply with, government regulations and other factors referenced in this annual report. ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK. Not applicable. ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA The financial statements and supplementary data required by this Item 8 are set forth at the pages indicated in Item 14(a) below. ItemITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE None. PART III ItemITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS The information required is incorporated herein by reference to the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the 19961997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. ItemITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The information required is incorporated herein by reference to the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the 19961997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. ItemITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT The information required is incorporated herein by reference to the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the 19961997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. ItemITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS The information required is incorporated herein by reference to the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for the 19961997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. PART IV ItemITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, STATEMENT SCHEDULE AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K (a) Financial Statements and Schedule: Report of Independent Auditors F-1 Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended March 31, 1997, 1996 1995 and 19941995 F-2 Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 19961997 and 19951996 F-3 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity for the years ended March 31, 1997, 1996 1995 and 19941995 F-4 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended March 31, 1997, 1996 1995 and 19941995 F-5 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-6 Schedule VIII -- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves F-26F-27 ALL OTHER SCHEDULES ARE OMITTED BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT APPLICABLE OR THE REQUIRED INFORMATION IS SHOWN IN THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OR NOTES THERETO. (b) No reports on Form 8-K were filed by the Company during the last quarter of the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996.1997. (c) Exhibits (2) Confirmation Order and Fourth Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization of Emerson Radio Corp. ("Old Emerson") and certain subsidiaries under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, dated March 31, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (2) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-53621, declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on August 9, 1994). (3) (a) Certificate of Incorporation of Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3) (a) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994). (3) (b) Certificate of Designation for Series A Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3) (b) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994). (3) (c) Plan of Reorganization and Agreement of Merger by and between Old Emerson and Emerson Radio (Delaware) Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3) (c) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994). (3) (d) Certificate of Merger of Old Emerson with and into Emerson Radio (Delaware) Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3) (d) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33- 53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994). (3) (e) Amendment dated February 14, 1996 to the Certificate of Incorporation of Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3) (a) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1995). (3) (f) By-Laws of Emerson adopted March 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3) (e) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994). (3) (g) Amendment dated November 28, 1995 to the By-Laws of Emerson adopted March 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3) (b) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1995). (4) (a) Warrant Agreement to Purchase 750,000 shares of Common Stock, dated as of March 31, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4) (a) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33- 53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994). (4) (b) Indenture, dated as of August 17, 1995 between Emerson and Bank One, Columbus, NA, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (1) of Emerson's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 8, 1995). (4) (c) Common Stock Purchase Warrant Agreement to purchase 50,000 shares of Common Stock, dated as of December 8, 1995 between Emerson and Michael Metter (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (e) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1995). (4) (d) Common Stock Purchase Warrant Agreement to purchase 200,000 shares of Common Stock, dated as of December 8, 1995 between Emerson and Kenneth A. Orr (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (f) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1995). (10) (a) Agreement, dated as of November 14, 1973, between National Union Electric Corporation ("NUE") and Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (a) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994). (10) (b) Trademark User Agreement, dated as of February 28, 1979, by and between NUE and Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (b) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33- 53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994). (10) (c) Agreement, dated July 2, 1984, between NUE and Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (c) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994). (10) (d) Agreement, dated September 15, 1988, between NUE and Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (d) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994). (10) (e) Form of Promissory Note issued to certain Pre-Petition Creditors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (e) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994). (10) (f) Loan and Security Agreement, dated March 31, 1994, by and among Emerson, Majexco Imports, Inc. and Congress Financial Corporation ("Congress") (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (f) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33- 53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994). (10) (g) Amendment No. 1 to Financing Agreements, dated as of August 24, 1995, among Emerson, Majexco Imports, Inc. and Congress (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (2) of Emerson's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 8, 1995). (10) (h) Amendment No. 2 to Financing Agreements, dated as of February 13, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (c) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1995). (10) (i) Amendment No. 3 to Financing Agreements, dated as of August 20, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (b) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1995). (10) (j) Amendment No. 4 to Financing Agreements, dated as of November 14, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (c) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996). (10) (k) Amendment No. 5 to Financing Agreements, dated as of February 18, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (e) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1996). (10) (l) Emerson Radio Corp. Stock Compensation Program (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (i) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994). (10) (j)(m) Employment Agreement between Emerson and Eugene I. Davis (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(a)(4) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for quarter ended June 30, 1992). (10) (k)(n) Extension of Employment Agreement between Emerson and Albert G. McGrath, Jr. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(a)(7) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for quarter ended June 30, 1992).Eugene I. Davis dated April 16, 1997.* (10) (l) Agreement dated as of January 1, 1996, between Emerson and Albert G. McGrath, Jr. relating to termination of employment and agreement on consulting services (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (a) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1995). (10) (m)(o) Employment Agreement between Emerson and Geoffrey P. Jurick (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(a)(6) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for quarter ended June 30, 1992). (10) (n)(p) Employment Agreement between Emerson Radio (Hong Kong) Ltd. and Geoffrey P. Jurick (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(a)(6) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for quarter ended June 30, 1992). (10) (o)(q) Employment Agreement between Emerson Radio International Ltd. (formerly Emerson Radio (B.V.I)(B.V.I.), Ltd.) and Geoffrey P. Jurick (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(a)(6) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for quarter ended June 30, 1992). (10) (p)(r) Extension of Employment Agreement between Emerson and Geoffrey P. Jurick dated April 16, 1997.* (10) (s) Lease Agreement dated as of March 26, 1993, by and between Hartz Mountain Parsippany and Emerson with respect to the premises located at Nine Entin Road, Parsippany, NJ (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (ww) of Emerson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992). (10) (q) Employment Agreement, dated July 13, 1993, between Emerson and Merle Eakins (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (10)(vv) to Emerson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1993). (10) (r) Agreement dated as of January 31, 1996, between Emerson and Merle Eakins relating to termination of employment and agreement on consulting services (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (b) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1995). (10) (s)(t) Employment Agreement, dated April 1, 1994, between Emerson and John Walker (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (10)(ee) of Emerson's Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994). (10) (t) Liquidating Trust(u) Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement between Emerson and John P. Walker dated April 16, 1997.* (10) (v) Employment Agreement, dated as of March 31, 1994, byJanuary 29, 1996 between Emerson and among Emerson, Majexco Imports, Inc., H.H. Scott, Inc., and Stuart D. Gavsy, Esq., as TrusteeMarino Andriani (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (10) (ff)(a) of Emerson's Registration StatementQuarterly Report on Form S-1, Registration No. 33- 53621, declared effective by10-Q for the SEC on August 9, 1994)quarter ended September 30, 1996). (10) (u)(w) Partnership Agreement, dated April 1, 1994, between Emerson and Hopper Radio of Florida, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (q) of Emerson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1995). (10) (v)(x) Sales Agreement, dated April 1, 1994, between Emerson and E & H Partners (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (r) of Emerson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1995). (10) (w)(y) Agreement, dated as of April 24, 1996 by and among Emerson and E & H Partners relating to amendments of the Partnership Agreement dated April 1, 1994 and the Sales Agreement dated April 1, 1994 and the settlement of certain outstanding litigation.* (10) (x) Independent Consultant's Agreement, dated October 1, 1994, between Emerson Radio International Ltd. and Peter G. Bunger (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (t) of Emerson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1995). (10) (y) Independent Consultant's Agreement, dated October 1, 1994, between Emerson Radio Europe B.V. and Peter G. Bunger (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (u) of Emerson's Annual Report of Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1995). (10) (z) Employment Agreement, dated October 3, 1994, between Emerson and Andrew Cohan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (v) of Emerson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1995). (10) (aa) License Agreement, dated February 22, 1995, between Emerson and Otake Trading Co. Ltd. and certain affiliates ("Otake") (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(a)(1) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q10- Q for quarter ended December 31, 1994). (10) (ab)(aa) Supply Agreement, dated February 22, 1995, between Emerson and Otake (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(a)(2) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for quarter ended December 31, 1994). (10) (ac)(ab) 1994 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (y) of Emerson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1995). (10) (ad)(ac) Consulting Agreement, dated as of December 8, 1995 between Emerson and First Cambridge Securities Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (d) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1995). (10) (ad) License Agreement, dated as of August 23, 1996 between Emerson and REP Investment Limited Liability Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (d) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996). (10) (ae) Distribution Agreement, dated as of September 11, 1996 between Emerson, Emerson Radio Canada Ltd. and AVS Technologies Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (e) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996). (10) (af) Stipulation of Settlement and Order dated June 11, 1996 by and among the Official Liquidator of Fidenas International Bank Limited, Petra Stelling, Barclays Bank PLC, the Official Liquidator of Fidenas Investment Limited, Geoffrey P. Jurick, Fidenas International Limited, L.L.C., Elision International, Inc., GSE Multimedia Technologies Corporation and Emerson. (10) (ag) Pledge Agreement dated as of February 4, 1997 by Fidenas International Limited, L.L.C. ("FIN") in favor of TM Capital Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (a) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1996). (10) (ah) Registration Rights Agreement dated as of February 4, 1997 by and among Emerson, FIN, the Creditors, FIL and TM Capital Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (b) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1996). (10) (ai) License and Exclusive Distribution Agreement with Cargil International Corp. dated as of February 12, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (c) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1996). (10) (aj) Supply and Inspection Agreement with Cargil International Corp. dated as of February 12, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (d) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1996). (10) (ak) Agreement dated April 10, 1997 between Emerson and Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.* (10) (al) Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of November 27, 1996, by and between Sport Supply Group, Inc. ("SSG") and Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (2)(a) of Emerson's Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 27, 1996). (10) (am) Form of Warrant Agreement by and between SSG and Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)(a) of Emerson's Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 27, 1996). (10) (an) Form of Registration Rights Agreement by and between SSG and Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)(b) of Emerson's Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 27, 1996). (10) (ao) Consent No. 1 to Financing Agreements among Emerson, certain of its subsidiaries, and Congress (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(b) of Emerson's Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 27, 1996). (10) (ap) License Agreement dated as of June 16, 1997 by and between World Wide One Ltd. and Emerson.* (10) (aq) Agreement dated as of July 2, 1997 by and between Hi Quality International (U.S.A.) Inc. and Emerson.* (11) Computation of Primary Earnings Per Share.* (12) Computation of Ratio of Earnings (Loss) to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends.* (21) Subsidiaries of the Company as of March 31, 1996.1997.* (27) Financial Data Schedule for year ended March 31, 1996.1997.* ___________________ * Filed herewith. SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. EMERSON RADIO CORP. By: /s/ Geoffrey P. Jurick Geoffrey P. Jurick Chairman of the Board Dated: July 1, 199614, 1997 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. /s/Geoffrey P. Jurick Chairman of the Board, July 1, 199614, 1997 Geoffrey P. Jurick Chief Executive Officer and President /s/ Eugene I. Davis PresidentVice Chairman and Director July 1, 199614, 1997 Eugene I. Davis /s/ John P. Walker Executive Vice President, July 1, 199614, 1997 John P. Walker Chief Financial Officer /s/ Eddie Rishty Senior Vice President- July 1, 1996 Eddie Rishty Controller & Logistics (Chief Accounting Officer) /s/ Robert H. Brown, Jr., Director July 1, 199614, 1997 Robert H. Brown, Jr. /s/ Peter G. Bunger Director July 1, 199614, 1997 Peter G. Bunger /s/ Jerome H. Farnum Director July 1, 199614, 1997 Jerome H. Farnum /s/ Raymond L. Steele Director July 1, 199614, 1997 Raymond L. Steele REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of Emerson Radio Corp.TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF EMERSON RADIO CORP. We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Emerson Radio Corp. and Subsidiaries as of March 31, 19961997 and 1995,1996, and the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.1997. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 14(a). These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatements.misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Emerson Radio Corp. and Subsidiaries at March 31, 19961997 and 19951996, and the consolidated results of its operations and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994,1997, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein. ERNST & YOUNG LLP New York, New York June 7, 1996, except for Note N, as to which the date is June 28, 1996.July 11, 1997 EMERSON RADIO CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except per share data) Years Ended March
YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 1996 1995 1994 Net revenues $178,708 $245,667 $654,671 $487,390 Costs and expenses: Cost of sales 174,184 231,455 604,329 486,536 Other operating costs and expenses 3,079 4,803 8,771 12,001 Selling, general and administrative expenses 18,782 19,497 31,047 34,552Restructuring and other nonrecurring charges 2,972 - - 199,017 255,755 644,147 533,089 Operating profit (loss) (20,309) (10,088) 10,524 (45,699) Interest expense 3,429 3,275 2,882 10,243 Earnings (loss) before reorganization costs and taxes (13,363) 7,642 (55,942) Reorganization items: Writedown of assets 12,914 Professional fees and other related expenses 4,545 Interest earned on accumulated cash (74) 17,385 Earnings (loss) before income taxes and extraordinary gain(23,738) (13,363) 7,642 (73,327) Provision for income taxes 230 26 267 327 Earnings (loss) before extraordinary gain (13,389) 7,375 (73,654) Extraordinary gain on extinguishment of debt 129,155 Net earnings (loss) $(23,968) $(13,389) $7,375 $55,501 Net earnings (loss) per common share: Before extraordinary gainshare $(0.61) $(0.35) $0.16 $(1.93) Extraordinary gain 3.38 Net earnings (loss) $(0.35) $0.16 $1.45 Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding 40,253 46,571 38,191 Pro forma: Loss per common share $(1.51) Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 33,33340,292 40,253 46,571
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. EMERSON RADIO CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except share data) March
MARCH 31, 1997 1996 1995 ASSETS Current Assets: Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $2,640 $16,133 $ 17,020 Accounts receivable (less allowances of $6,001 and $6,139, and $9,350, respectively) 12,452 23,583 34,309 Inventories 13,329 35,292 35,336 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 10,306 15,7156,497 8,434 Total current assets 85,314 102,38034,918 83,442 Property and equipment, net 2,130 3,501 4,676Investment in unconsolidated affiliate 16,033 1,872 Other assets 5,687 7,761 6,913 Total Assets $58,768 $96,576 $113,969 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Notes payable $5,689 $21,151 $ 27,296 Current maturities of long-term debt 85 173 508 Accounts payable and other current liabilities 13,053 10,391 18,982 Accrued sales returns 2,730 3,091 12,713 Income taxes payable 103 202 283 Total current liabilities 21,660 35,008 59,782 Long-term debt, less current maturities 20,856 20,886 214 Other non-current liabilities 223 300 322 Shareholders' Equity: Preferred shares -- 10,000,000 shares authorized, 10,000 shares issued and outstanding 9,000 9,000 Common shares -- $.01 par value, 75,000,000 shares authorized; 40,335,642 and 40,252,772 shares issued and outstanding, respectively 403 403 Capital in excess of par value 109,278 108,991 107,969 Accumulated deficit (102,843) (78,175) (64,086) Cumulative translation adjustment 191 163 365 Total shareholders' equity 16,029 40,382 53,651 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $96,576 $113,969$58,768 $96,576
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. EMERSON RADIO CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (In thousands, except share data) Common
Commom Shares Issued Capital Cumu- in lative Pre- Number Excess Accumu- Cumulative Preferred NumberTrans- ferred of Par Excess of0f lated Translationlation Stock of Shares Value Par Value Deficit Adjustment Balance -- March 31,1993 38,191,299 $3,819 $63,730 $(126,262) $818 Cancellation of common stock (38,191,299) (3,819) 3,819 Issuance of common stock 30,000,000 300 29,700 Issuance of preferred and common stock and warrants pursuant to bankruptcy settlement $9,000 3,333,333 33 6,192 Other (14) (200) Net earnings 55,501 Balance -- MarchBalance-March 31, 1994 9,000$9,000 33,333,333 333 103,427 (70,761) 618$333 $103,427 $(70,761) $618 Issuance of common stock in public offering, net of expenses 6,149,993 62 5,630 Issuance of common stock to former creditors 769,446 8 (8) Payment to former creditors (922) Preferred stock dividends (700) Other (158) (253) Net earnings 7,375 Balance -- MarchBalance-March 31, 1995 9,000 40,252,772 403 107,969 (64,086) 365 Issuance of common stock warrants 1,065 Preferred stock dividends (700) Other (43) (202) Net loss (13,389) Balance -- MarchBalance-March 31, 1996 9,000 40,252,772 403 108,991 (78,175) 163 Issuance of common stock warrants 257 Exercise of stock options and warrants 82,870 40 Preferred stock dividends (700) Other (10) 28 Net loss (23,968) Balance-March 31, 1997 $9,000 40,252,77240,335,642 $403 $108,991 $(78,175) $163$109,278 $(102,843) $191
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. EMERSON RADIO CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (In thousands)
Years Ended March 31, 1997 1996 1995 1994 Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net earnings (loss) ($23,968) $(13,389) $7,375 $55,501 Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash provided (used) by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 2,877 3,664 3,876 7,327 Extraordinary gain (129,155) Reorganization expenses 12,914Restructuring and other nonrecurring charges 2,782 Asset valuation and loss reserves ( 752) (14,209) (2,268) (1,296) Other 1,048 298 (969) 2,643 Changes in assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable 11,230 17,391 (14,805) 12,081 Inventories 20,871 (437) 11,032 34,942 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 5,0711,767 3,231 (5,598) 6,181 Other assets (896) (601) (605) 89 Accounts payable and other current liabilities 1,827 (9,092) (18,633) 27,287 Income taxes payable (98) (53) (379) (924) Net cash provided (used) by operations (11,357)16,688 (13,197) (20,974) 27,590 Cash Flows from Investing Activities: Investment in unconsolidated affiliate (14,480) 1,840 Additions to property and equipment (255) (1,666) (2,874) (3,552) Redemption of (investment in) certificates of deposit 100 945 8,455 (500) Other 12 (477) 110 114 Net cash provided (used) by investing activities (1,198)(14,623) 642 5,691 (3,938) Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Net borrowings (repayments) under line of credit facility (15,462) (6,145) 7,256 20,040 ProceedsNet proceeds from private placement of senior subordinated convertible debentures 19,208 Proceeds from issuances of common stock 5,692 30,000 Retirement of long-term debt (118) (298) (500) (30) Payment to former creditors (922) Payment of preferred stock dividends (231) (700) (525) Payment of pre-petition obligations (75,000) Payment of debt costs (237) (2,139) Other 253 (160) (321) (83) Net cash provided (used) by financing activities (15,558) 11,668 10,680 (27,212) Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (13,493) (887) (4,603) (3,560) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 16,133 17,020 21,623 25,183 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $16,133 $17,020 $21,623$2,640 $16,133 $17,020
The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. EMERSON RADIO CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS MarchMARCH 31, 1996 Note1997 NOTE A -- Significant Accounting Policies:SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES: (1) Basis of Presentation:BASIS OF PRESENTATION: The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Emerson Radio Corp. and its majority-owned subsidiaries (the "Company"). All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. A 50% ownership of a domestic joint venture isand a 27% owned investment are accounted for by the equity method (see Note M)Notes D and N). Historical cost accounting was used to account for the plan of reorganization (the "Plan of Reorganization") (see Note B) since the transaction did not meet the criteria required for fresh-start reporting. (2) Use of Estimates:USE OF ESTIMATES: The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. (3) Cash and Cash Equivalents:CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS: Short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase are considered to be cash equivalents. The carrying amount reported in the balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value. (4) Inventories:INVENTORIES: Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market. (5) Property and Equipment:PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT: Property and equipment, stated at cost, is being depreciated for financial accounting purposes on the straight-line method over its estimated useful life. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the useful life of the improvement or the term of the lease. Upon the sale or retirement of property and equipment, the costs and related accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the accounts. Any resulting gains or losses are included in income. The cost of repairs and maintenance is charged to expense as incurred. (6) Warranty Claims:WARRANTY CLAIMS: The Company provides an accrual for future warranty costs when the product is sold. (7) Net Earnings (Loss) per Share:NET EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE: Net loss per common share for the yearyears ended March 31, 1997 and 1996 isare based on the net loss and deduction of preferred stock dividend requirements and the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during theeach period. This calculation does not include common stock equivalents since they are anti- dilutive.anti-dilutive. Net earnings per common share for the year ended March 31, 1995 is based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock and common stock equivalents outstanding during the year. Common stock equivalents include shares issuable upon conversion of the Company's Series A Preferred Stock, exercise of stock options and warrants, and shares issued in the year ended March 31, 1995 primarily to satisfy an anti-dilution provision. The Series A Preferred Stock is notwas first convertible into common stock untilbeginning after March 31, 1997, and the number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion iswill be dependent on the market value of the common stock at the time of conversion (See Note I(3)J(3)). Net earnings (loss) per common share for the year endedNo shares have been converted as of March 31, 19941997. In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No. 128, "Earnings Per Share" ("FAS 128"), which is basedrequired to be adopted on December 31, 1997. At that time, the Company will be required to change the method currently used to compute earnings per share and to restate all prior periods. Under the new requirements for calculating primary earnings per share, the dilutive effect of stock otions will be excluded. The impact of FAS 128 on the weighted average numbercalculation of shares of common stock outstanding priorprimary earnings per share is not expected to confirmation of the Plan of Reorganization (See Note B) and cancelled as a part thereof, and do not include common stock equivalents assumed outstanding since they were anti-dilutive. Pro forma loss per common share for the year ended March 31, 1994 gives effect to the bankruptcy restructuring and is based on the number of shares of common stock issued and outstanding at March 31, 1994. The pro forma loss per common share does not include common stock equivalents assumed outstanding since they were anti-dilutive. The pro forma loss per common share also gives effect to the following adjustments: (i) Elimination of extraordinary gain of $129,155,000 and reorganization expenses of $17,385,000; (ii) Reduction of $6,666,000 in interest expense to give effect to the reorganized debt structure. The pro forma interest expense is based on the maximum amount of borrowings ($45 million) permitted under the new credit facility at the interest rate that would have been in effect for the year ended March 31, 1994 (8.25%). Additionally, the amortization of closing fees on the credit facility is included in the pro forma interest expense above; (iii) Assumed dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock aggregating $700,000 for the year ended March 31, 1994.be material. (8) Foreign Currency:FOREIGN CURRENCY: The assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries have been translated at current exchange rates, and related revenues and expenses have been translated at average rates of exchange in effect during the year. Related translation adjustments are reported as a separate component of shareholders' equity. Gains and losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and amounted to a loss of $79,000 and gains of $475,000 and $220,000 and a loss of $1,489,000 for the years ended March 31, 1997, 1996 1995 and 1994,1995, respectively. The Company does not enter into foreign currency exchange contracts to hedge its exposures related to foreign currency fluctuations. However, the Company is reducing its foreign currency exposure by conducting its European businessand Canadian businesses in U.S. dollars commencing in the fiscal year ending March 31, 1997. Note(9) RECLASSIFICATION: Certain amounts in the prior periods consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to current periods presentation. NOTE B -- Reorganization:REORGANIZATION: On September 29, 1993, the Company and five of its U.S. subsidiaries filed voluntary petitions for relief under the reorganization provisions of Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code and operated as debtors-in-possession under the supervision of the Bankruptcy Court while their reorganization cases were pending. The precipitating factor for these filings was the Company's severe liquidity problems relating to its high level of indebtedness and a significant decline in sales from the prior year. Effective March 31, 1994, the Bankruptcy Court entered an order confirming the Plan of Reorganization. The Plan of Reorganization provided for the implementation of a recapitalization of the Company. In accordance with the Plan of Reorganization, the Company's pre-petition liabilities (of approximately $233 million) were settled with the creditors in the aggregate, as follows: I. The Company's bank group (the "Bank Lenders") received $70 million in cash and the right to receive the initial $2 million of net proceeds from one of the Company's non-trade receivables. II. The institutional holders of the Company's senior notes (the "Noteholders") initially received $2,650,000 in cash and warrants to purchase 750,000 shares of common stock for a period of seven years at an exercise price of $1.00 per share, provided that the exercise price shall increase by 10% per year commencing in year four, and further received $1 million, payable $922,498 in cash from the initial public offering of common stock (see Note I(5)J(5)) and $77,502 in common stock calculated on the basis of $1.00 per share. III. The Bank Lenders and Noteholders received their pro rata percentage of the following: A. $2,350,000 in cash (however $350,000 of this amount was distributable to the holders of allowed unsecured claims); B. 10,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock with a face value of $10 million (estimated fair market value of approximately $9 million at March 31, 1994); C. 4,025,277 shares of common stock, including 691,944 shares issued in February 1995 pursuant to an anti-dilution provision; D. The net proceeds from the sale of the Company's Indiana land and building; and E. The net proceeds to be received from the non-trade receivables discussed in I. above in excess of $2 million. IV. Holders of allowed unsecured claims received a pro-rata portion of the $350,000 distribution and interest bearing promissory notes equal to 18.3% of the allowed claim amount, payable in two installments over 18 months (see Note F)G). Pursuant to the provisions of the Plan of Reorganization, as of March 31, 1994, the equity of the Company's shareholders, and the equity interest of holders of stock options and warrants were cancelled. Based on the settlement of the Chapter 11 proceedings, the Company recognized an extraordinary gain of $129.2 million from the extinguishment of debt. Additionally, the Company recognized a writedown of $12.9 million to estimated fair market value on the assets transferred for the benefit of the Bank Lenders and Noteholders. Pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, and in consideration for $30 million, the reorganized Company issued 30 million shares of common stock, initially held by the following parties: Number of Shares
NUMBER OF SHARES Fidenas International Limited L.L.C. ("FIN") 16,400,000 Elision International, Inc. ("Elision") 1,600,000 GSE Multimedia Technologies Corporation ("GSE") 12,000,000
The Company's Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer and President has a controlling beneficial ownership interest in each of the three entities listed above and, therefore holds an approximate 73% interest in the Company's outstanding common stock at March 31, 1996.1997. Included above are 847,458 shares of common stock held by FIN, as nominee, as to which FIN and the Company's CEO, Mr. Geoffrey P. Jurick, disclaim beneficial ownership. In accordance with a Stipulation of Settlement and Order (the "Settlement Agreement") dated June 11, 1996, upon the effective date of the Settlement Agreement, Elision and GSE willwere to transfer all of their Emerson shares to FIN, to be registered in the name of FIN. See Note K. NoteL. NOTE C -- Inventories:INVENTORIES: Inventories are comprised primarily of finished goods. Spare parts inventories, net of reserves, aggregating $2,042,000$1,469,000 and $2,763,000$2,042,000 at March 31, 19961997 and 1995,1996, respectively, are included in "Prepaid expenses and other current assets." NoteNOTE D -- PropertyINVESTMENT IN UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATE: On December 10, 1996, the Company purchased from Sport Supply Group, Inc. ("SSG") 1,600,000 shares of newly issued common stock, $.01 par value per share (the "SSG Stock"), for aggregate consideration of $11.5 million, or approximately $7.19 per share. In addition, the Company purchased, for an aggregate consideration of $500,000, five-year warrants (the "SSG Warrants") to acquire an additional 1,000,000 shares of SSG Stock at an exercise price of $7.50 per share, subject to standard anti-dilution adjustments, pursuant to a Warrant Agreement. Prior to such purchase, the Company beneficially owned approximately 9.9% of the outstanding shares of SSG Stock which it had purchased for $4,228,000 in open market transactions. Based upon the purchase of the SSG Stock as set forth above, the Company owns approximately 27% of the outstanding shares of the SSG Stock. If the Company exercises all of the SSG Warrants, it will beneficially own approximately 35% of the SSG Stock. In addition, the Company has arranged for foreign trade credit financing of $2 million for the benefit of SSG to supplement SSG's existing credit facilities. In connection with such purchase, SSG appointed the Company's designees to become the majority of the members of its Board of Directors and Equipment:the Company's management is directly involved in SSG's day-to-day operations. In March 1997, SSG's stockholders elected Emerson's nominees as a majority of the members of its Board of Directors. The investment in and results of operations of SSG are accounted for by the equity method. SSG's fiscal year end is October 31; therefore, the Company's equity in earnings (losses) of SSG will be recorded on a two-month delay basis. The Company's investment in SSG includes goodwill of $3,973,000 and is being amortized on a straight line basis over 40 years. At March 31, 1997, the aggregate market value quoted on the New York Stock Exchange of Emerson's shares of SSG Stock was approximately $13,333,000. Summarized financial information derived from SSG's financial reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission was as follows (in thousands): (Unaudited) As of January 31, 1997 Current assets $39,850 Property, plant and equipment and other assets 36,748 Current liabilities 39,011 Long-term debt 324
(Unaudited) For the three months ended January 31, 1997 Net sales $14,580 Gross Profit 5,905 Loss from continuing operations (1,356) Loss from discontinued operations (2,574) Net loss (3,930)
NOTE E -- PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT: Property and equipment is comprised of the following: MarchMARCH 31, 1997 1996 1995 (In thousands) Furniture and fixtures $ 4,5284,021 $ 5,8544,528 Molds and tooling - 1,281 3,806 Machinery and equipment 891 1,372 1,847 Leasehold improvements 739 742 2715,651 7,923 11,778 Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 3,521 4,422 7,102$ 2,130 $ 3,501 $ 4,676
Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment amounted to $1,631,000, $2,800,000 $3,267,000 and $6,679,000$3,267,000 for the years ended March 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, and 1994, respectively. Pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, the Company transferred its land and building in Indiana to a liquidating trust established for the benefit of the Bank Lenders and Noteholders. In connection with this transfer, the Company recorded a writedown of approximately $2.3 million to reduce the carrying value to estimated fair market value at March 31, 1994. Note ENOTE F -- Notes Payable:NOTES PAYABLE: Effective March 31, 1994, the Company entered into a three year Loan and Security Agreement, as amended, in August and December 1995, with a U.S. financial institution (the "Lender") providing for an asset-based revolving credit facility. The facility provides for revolving loans and letters of credit, subject to individual maximums and, in the aggregate, not to exceed the lesser of $60$30 million or a "Borrowing Base" amount based on specified percentages of eligible accounts receivable and inventories. All credit extended under the line of credit is secured by the U.S. and Canadian assets of the Company, except for trademarks which are subject to a negative pledge covenant. The interest rate on these borrowings is 1.25% above the stated prime rate. At March 31, 19961997 and 1995,1996, the interest rate on the outstanding borrowings was 9.5% and 11.25%, respectively.. The facility is also subject to an unused line fee of 0.25% per annum. Pursuant to the Loan and Security Agreement, as amended, the Company is restricted from, among other things, paying cash dividends (other than on the Series A Preferred Stock), redeeming stock, and entering into certain transactions and is required to maintain certain working capital and equity levels (as defined). The Company was required to maintain a minimum adjusted net worth, as defined, of $17,000,000 and a minimum working capital of $10,000,000 at March 31, 1997. Adjusted net worth at March 31, 1997 was $18,811,000. An event of default under the credit facility may trigger a default under the Company's 8 1/2% Senior Subordinated Convertible Debentures Due 2002. At March 31, 1996,1997, there was $21,151,000$5,689,000 outstanding under the revolving loan facility and approximately $1,177,000$444,000 of outstanding letters of credit issued for inventory purchases. The fair market value of these notes payable is estimated to approximate their carrying amount. Cash paid for interest was $3,436,000, $3,207,000 $3,371,000 and $11,251,000$3,371,000 for the years ended March 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, and 1994, respectively. In the six months ended March 31, 1994, interest expense was only accrued and paid on the Company's debtor-in-possession financing. No interest was accrued during the pendency of the bankruptcy proceedings on the debt owed to the Bank Lenders or the Noteholders. Had the contractual interest been accrued during this period, interest expense would have been approximately $10.2 million higher than the amount reported on the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended March 31, 1994. Note FNOTE G -- Long-Term Debt:LONG-TERM DEBT: Long-term debt consists of the following: MarchMARCH 31, 1997 1996 1995 (In thousands) 8-1/8 1/2% Senior Subordinated Convertible Debentures Due 2002 $20,750 $ --$20,750 Notes payable to unsecured creditors 3 79 465 Equipment notes and other 188 230 25720,941 21,059 722 Less current obligations 85 173 508$20,856 $20,886 $ 214
The 8-1/8 1/2% Senior Subordinated Convertible Debentures Due 2002 (the "Debentures") were issued in August 1995. The Debentures bear interest at the rate of 8-1/8 1/2% per annum, payable quarterly on the 15th of March, June, September and December, in each year. The Debentures mature on August 15, 2002. The Debentures are convertible into shares of the Company's common stock at any time prior to redemption or maturity at an initial conversion price of $3.9875 per share, subject to adjustment under certain circumstances. The Debentures are redeemable, at the option of the Company, three years from the date of issuance, in whole or in part, at an initial redemption price of 104% of principal, decreasing by 1% per year until maturity. The Debentures are subordinated to all existing and future senior indebtedness (as defined in the indenture governing the Debentures). The Debentures restrict, among other things, the amount of senior indebtedness and other indebtedness that the Company, and, in certain instances, its subsidiaries, may incur. Each holder of Debentures has the right to cause the Company to redeem the Debentures if certain designated events (as defined) should occur. The Debentures are subject to certain restrictions on transfer, although the Company has registered the offer and sale of the Debentures and the underlying common stock. Pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, the holders of allowed unsecured claims received interest bearing promissory notes equal to 18.3% of the claim amount. The notes arewere due in two installments: 35% of the outstanding principal iswas due 12 months from the date of issuance, and the remaining balance iswas due 18 months from the date of issuance. The notes bear interest at the London Interbank Offered Rate in effect at the date of issuance for one year obligations. Note GNOTE H -- Income Taxes:INCOME TAXES: The income tax provision consists of the following: Years Ended MarchYEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 1996 1995 1994 (In thousands) Current: Current: Federal $ 0 $ (39) $ 40 Foreign, state and other 230 65 227 327$230 $ 26 $267 $327
The difference between the effective rate reflected in the provision for income taxes and the amounts determined by applying the statutory U.S. rate of 34% to earnings (loss) before income taxes are analyzed below: Years Ended MarchYEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997 1996 1995 1994 (In thousands) Statutory provision (benefit) $(7,561) $(4,543) $2,598 $(24,931) Utilization of net operating loss carryforwards --- --- (632) --- U.S. and foreign net operating losses without tax benefit 7,588 4,493 1,675 24,975 Foreign income subject to foreign tax, not subject to U.S. tax --- --- (785) --- Tax recognition of prior year book deductions --- --- (888) --- Rate differential on foreign income 9(loss) 248 96 (1,959) 327 Nondeductible bankruptcy expenses 6 24 137 1,545 Nondeductible debt restructuring expenses --- --- (1,540) Other, net (51) (44) 121 (49) Total income tax provision $ 230 $ 26 $267 $ 327267
Effective April 1, 1993, theThe Company adoptedaccounts for income taxes in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes," under which the liability method (rather than the deferred method) is used in accounting for income taxes. Under the liability method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities, and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The change had no effect on the results of operations for the year ended March 31, 1994. Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows: MarchMARCH 31, 1997 1996 1995 (In thousands) Deferred tax assets: Deferred tax assets: Accounts receivable reserves $ 2,995 $ 7,6533,372 $2,995 Inventory reserves 2,553 2,259 1,188 Net operating loss carryforwards 24,978 18,250 10,588 Other 227 445 1,014 Total deferred tax assets 31,130 23,949 20,443 Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets (30,921) (23,287) (20,189) Net deferred tax assets 209 662 254 Deferred tax liabilities 209 (662) (254) Net deferred taxes $ -- $ --
Total deferred tax assets of the Company at March 31, 1997 and 1996 represent the tax-effected net operating loss carryforwards subject to annual limitations (as discussed below), and tax-effected deductible temporary differences. The Company has established a valuation reserve against any expected future benefits. Cash paid for income taxes was $125,000, $151,000 $725,000 and $946,000$725,000 for the years ended March 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Losses before taxes of foreign subsidiaries was $2,512,000 and 1994,$6,233,000 for the years ended March 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. Income before taxes of foreign subsidiaries was $3,786,000 for the year ended March 31, 1995. Losses before taxes of foreign subsidiaries was $6,233,000 and $16,042,000 for the years ended March 31, 1996 and 1994, respectively. Provision is made for federal income taxes which may be payable on earnings of foreign subsidiaries to the extent that the Company anticipates they will be remitted. Unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries which have been, or are intended to be permanently reinvested (and for which no federal income tax has been provided) aggregated $1,034,063,$338,000, $1,034,000 and $3,396,000 and $1,086,000 at March 31, 1997, 1996 1995 and 1994,1995, respectively. As of March 31, 1996, the Company has a net operating loss carryforward of approximately $117,810,000,$137,600,000, of which $33,074,000, $13,385,000, $50,193,000, $21,159,000 and $21,159,000$19,789,000 will expire in 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2010,2012, respectively. The utilization of these net operating losses will be limited based on the effects of the Plan of Reorganization consummated on March 31, 1994. Pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, the Bank Lenders, the Noteholders, FIN, Elision and GSE initially received 100% of the common stock. As a result, an ownership change occurred with respect to the Company, and subjected the Company's net operating losses and foreign tax credit carryforwards to the limitation provided for in Section'sSections 382 and 383, respectively, of the Internal Revenue Code. Subject to special rules regarding increases in the annual limitation for the recognition of net unrealized built-in gains, the Company's annual limitation will be approximately $2.2 million. Note HNOTE I -- Commitments and Contingencies:COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES: (1) Leases:LEASES: The Company leases warehouse and office space at minimum aggregate rentals net of sublease income as follows: Fiscal Year Ending March 31, Amount (In thousands) 1997 $ 1,608 1998 1,197$1,231 1999 329 $3,134328 $1,559
Rent expense, net of rental income, aggregated $1,790,000, $1,705,000 $2,731,000 and $2,663,000$2,731,000 for the years ended March 31, 1997, 1996 1995 and 1994,1995, respectively. Rental income from the sublease of warehouse and office space aggregated $256,000, $278,000 $273,000 and $89,000$273,000 in the years ended March 31, 1997, 1996 1995 and 1994,1995, respectively. (2) Letters of Credit:LETTERS OF CREDIT: Outstanding letters of credit for the purchase of inventory not reflected in the accompanying financial statements, aggregated $6,821,000$4,932,000 (including $1,177,000$444,000 issued under the Loan and Security Agreement -- see Note E)F) at March 31, 1996.1997. $1,995,000 of such outstanding letters of credit are not reflected in the accompanying financial statements. The Company's Hong Kong subsidiary also currently maintains various credit facilities aggregating $62.1$28.5 million with a bank in Hong Kong consisting of the following: (i) a $12.1$3.5 million credit facility which is generally used for letters of credit for a foreign subsidiary's direct import business and affiliates' inventory purchases, and (ii) a $50$25 million credit facility, for the benefit of a foreign subsidiary, which is for the establishment of back-to-back letters of credit with the Company's largest customer. At March 31, 1996,1997, the Company's Hong Kong subsidiary had pledged $4$1 million in certificates of deposit to this bank to assure the availability of these credit facilities. At March 31, 1996,1997, there were $5,644,000$4,488,000 and $3,056,000$6,598,000 of letters of credit outstanding under these credit facilities. The Company's Hong Kong subsidiary maintains an additional credit facility with another bank in Hong Kong. The facility provides for (i) a $10 million line of credit for documentary letters of credit, (ii) a $10 million back-to-back letter of credit line, and (iii) a $100,000 standby letter of credit facility. At March 31, 1996, the Company's Hong Kong subsidiary has pledged $5,000,000 in certificates of deposit to assure the availability of these credit facilities. At March 31, 1996, $991,000 of the letter of credit line was utilized. Note I -- Shareholders' Equity:NOTE J-- SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: (1) In July 1994, the Company's Board of Directors adopted, and the stockholders subsequently ratified, a Stock Compensation Program ("Program") intended to secure for the Company and its stockholders the benefits arising from ownership of the Company's common stock by those selected directors, officers, other key employees, advisors and consultants of the Company who are most responsible for the Company's success and future growth. The maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock available pursuant to the Program is 2,000,000 shares and the Program is comprised of 4 parts -- the Incentive Stock Option Plan, the Supplemental Stock Option Plan, the Stock Appreciation Rights Plan and the Stock Bonus Plan. A summary of transactions since the inception of the Program is as follows: Number of Price Aggregate Shares Per Share PriceNUMBER OF PRICE AGGREGATE SHARES PER SHARE PRICE Granted 1,860,000 $1.00 - $1.10 $1,920,000 Cancelled (30,000) $1.00 (30,000) Outstanding -- MarchOutstanding--March 31, 1995 1,830,000 $1.00$1.10 - $1.10 1,890,000 Granted 125,000 $2.63 - $2.88 341,000 Cancelled (287,000) $1.00 (287,000) Outstanding -- MarchOutstanding--March 31, 1996 1,668,000 $1.00 - $2.88 $1,944,0001,944,000 Granted 50,000 $2.25 - $2.56 119,000 Exercised (69,000) $1.00 (69,000) Cancelled (59,000) $1.00 - $2.56 (67,000) Outstanding--March 31, 1997 1,590,000 $1.00 - $2.56 $1,927,000
The term of each option is ten years, except for options issued to any person who owns more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of capital stock, for which the term is five years. Options may not be exercised during the first year after the date of the grant. Thereafter each option becomes exercisable on a pro rata basis on each of the first through third anniversaries of the date of the grant. The exercise price of options granted must be at least equal to the fair market value of the shares on the date of the grant, except that the option price with respect to an option granted to any person who owns more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of capital stock shall not be less than 110% of the fair market value of the shares on the date of the grant. The Company has elected to follow APB25 and related interpretations for stock-based compensation and accordingly has recognized no compensation expense. Had compensation cost been determined based upon the fair value at grant date for awards consistent with the methodology prescribed by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" ("FAS 123"), the Company's net loss would have increased approximately $45,000 and $81,000 for the years ended March 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively, and the Company's net income would have decreased by $1,342,000 or $0.03 per share for the year ended March 31, 1995. The fair value of these options, and all other options and warrants of the Company, was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions for the years ended March 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995; risk-free interest rate of 5%, an expected life of 10 years and a dividend yield of zero. For the years ended March 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, volatility was 73%, 85% and 60%, respectively. The effects of applying FAS 123 and the results obtained are not likely to be representative of the effects on future pro-forma income. (2) In October 1994, the Company's Board of Directors adopted, and the stockholders subsequently approved, the 1994 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan. The maximum number of shares of common stock available under such plan is 300,000 shares. A summary of transactions since inception of the plan is as follows: Number of Price Aggregate Shares Per Share PriceNUMBER OF PRICE AGGREGATE SHARES PER SHARE PRICE Granted 175,000 $1.00 $175,000 Outstanding--March 31, 1995 175,000 $1.00 175,000 Cancelled (25,000) $1.00 (25,000) Outstanding--March 31, 1996, March 31, 1997 150,000 $1.00 $150,000
The provisions for exercise price, term and vesting schedule are the same as noted above for the Stock Compensation Program. Had compensation cost been determined based upon the fair value at grant date for awards consistent with the methodology prescribed by FAS 123, the Company's net income would have decreased approximately $130,000 for the year ended March 31, 1995. (3) Pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, on March 31, 1994, the Company issued Series A Preferred Stock, $.01 par value, with a face value of $10 million and an estimated fair market value of approximately $9 million. The preferred stock is convertible into Common Stock at any time during the period beginning on March 31, 1997 and ending on March 31, 2002; the preferred stock is convertible into common stock at a price per share of common stock equal to 80% of the market value of a share of common stock on the date of conversion. The preferred stock bears dividends commencing June 30, 1994 on a cumulative basis at the following rates: Dividend RateDIVIDEND RATE Year 1 to 3 7.0% Year 4 5.6% Year 5 4.2% Year 6 2.8% Year 7 1.4% Thereafter None
The preferred stock is non-voting. However, the terms of the preferred stock provide that holders shall have the right to appoint two directors to the Company's Board of Directors if the preferred stock dividends are in default for six consecutive quarters. At March 31, 1997, the Company was in arrears on $469,000 of dividends. (4) Pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, the Noteholders received warrants for the purchase of 750,000 shares of common stock. The warrants are exercisable for a period of seven years from March 31, 1994 and provide for an exercise price of $1.00 per share for the first three years, escalating by $.10 per share per annum thereafter until expiration of the warrants. (5) In accordance with the Company's Plan of Reorganization, the Company completed an initial public offering of its common stock in September 1994 to shareholders of record (in those states in which the offering could be made) as of March 31, 1994, excluding the Company's former largest shareholder. The Company sold 6,149,993 shares of common stock for $1.00 per share resulting in proceeds to the Company, net of issuance costs, of approximately $5,692,000. Pursuant to the terms of the Plan of Reorganization, in January 1995, the Company paid approximately $922,000 to satisfy certain obligations owed to former creditors, and in February 1995 issued 769,446 shares of common stock to former creditors, primarily to satisfy an anti-dilution provision. The remainder of such funds were used for working capital and other corporate purposes. (6) In connection with the Debentures offering in August 1995, the Company issued to the placement agent and its authorized dealers warrants for the purchase of 500,000 shares of common stock. The warrants are exercisable for a period of four years from August 24, 1996 and provide for an exercise price of $3.9875 per share, subject to adjustment under certain circumstances. Had compensation cost been determined based upon the fair value at grant date for awards consistent with the methodology prescribed by FAS 123, the Company's net loss would have increased approximately $1,140,000 or $0.03 per share for the year ended March 31, 1996. (7) In connection with a consulting agreement in December 1995, the Company issued to the consultant, warrants for the purchase of 250,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $4.00 per share. The warrants vest and may be exercised by the holder (i) 50% at any time after six months from the date of issuance, and (ii) the balance at any time after one year from the date of issuance, in either event until December 8, 2000, when such warrants shall expire. Had compensation cost been determined based upon the fair value of grant date for awards consistent with the methodology prescribed by FAS 123, the Company's net loss would have increased approximately $145,000 for the year ended March 31, 1996. (8) In November 1995, the Company filed a shelf registration statement covering 5,000,000 shares of common stock owned by FIN to finance a settlement of the Litigation Regarding Certain Outstanding Common Stock (See Note K). The shares covered by the shelf registration are subject to certain contractual restrictions and may be offered for sale or sold only by means of an effective prospectus following registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. (9) In November 1995, the Company's stockholders approved an amendment to the Company's certificate of incorporation increasing the number of authorized shares of preferred stock from one million shares to ten million shares. (10) In November 1995, the Company's Board of Directors approved a plan to repurchase up to two million of its common shares, or about 20% of the Company's current float of approximately eleven million shares, from time to time in the open market. Although there are 40,252,77240,335,642 shares outstanding, approximately 29.2 million shares are held directly or indirectly by affiliated entities of Geoffrey Jurick, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer and President of the Company. The Company has agreed with Mr. Jurick that such shares will not be subject to repurchase. The stock repurchase program is subject to consent of certain of the Company's lenders, certain court imposed restrictions, price and availability of shares, compliance with securities laws and alternative capital spending programs, including new acquisitions. The repurchase of common shares is intended to be funded by working capital, if and when available. It is uncertain at this time when the Company might be able to so repurchase any of its shares of Common Stock. Note J(11) In connection with a consulting agreement in August 1996, the Company issued warrants for the purchase of 250,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $4.00 per share. The warrants vest and may be exercised by the holder (i) 50% at any time after six months from the date of issuance, and (ii) the balance at any time after one year from the date of issuance, in either event until August 1, 2001, when such warrants shall expire. The fair value of these warrants at the date of grant was estimated to be approximately $225,000. These warrants are being amortized over the vesting period and accordingly, consulting expense related to the warrants amounted to approximately $182,000 for the year ended March 31, 1997. NOTE K -- License Agreements:LICENSE AGREEMENTS: (1) In February 1997, the Company executed five-year license/supply agreements, subject to renewals, with Cargil International Corp. ("Cargil"), covering the Caribbean and Central and South American markets. The agreements provide for the license of the Emerson and G-Clef trademark for certain consumer electronics and other products and the provision of sourcing and inspection services. Under the terms of the agreements, the Company will receive minimum annual royalties through the life of the agreements and will receive a separate fee for sourcing and inspection services. Cargil assumes all costs and expenses associated with the purchasing, marketing and after sales support of such products. The Company believes that this transaction will have a positive impact on operating results by generating royalty and servicing revenues with minimal costs while limiting its working capital risks. (2) In February 1995, the Company and a former large supplier and certain of its affiliates (collectively, the "Supplier") entered into two mutually contingent agreements (the "Agreements"). Effective March 31, 1995, the Company granted a license of certain trademarks to the Supplier for a three-year term. The license permitspermited the Supplier to manufacture and sell certain video products under the "EMERSONEmerson and G-Clef"G-Clef trademark to one of the Company's significant customers (the "Customer") in the U.S. and Canada, and precludesprecluded the Supplier from supplying product to the Customer other than under the "EmersonEmerson and G-Clef"G-Clef or the Supplier trademarks. The Company will continuecontinues to supply other products to the Customer directly. Further, the Agreements provideprovided that the Supplier willwould supply the Company with certain video products for sale to other customers at preferred prices for a three-year term. Under the terms of the Agreements, the Company will receivereceives non-refundable minimum annual royalties from the Supplier to be credited against royalties earned from sales of video cassette recorders and players, television/video cassette recorder and player combinations, and color televisions to the Customer. In addition, effective August 1, 1995, the Supplier assumed responsibility for returns and after-sale and warranty services on all video products manufactured by the Supplier and sold to the Customer, including video products sold by the Company prior to April 1, 1995. Royalty income recognized by the Company pursuant to the Agreements was $4,000,000 and $4,442,000 in Fiscal 1996.1997 and 1996, respectively. Additionally, the Company and the Supplier agreed on a series of purchase discounts, consistent with agreements and past practices between the Supplier and the Company. Through March 31, 1995, the Supplier had paid the Company $6.3 million against an aggregate $10.2 million of purchase discounts for product purchased from January 1, 1993 to March 31, 1995, and the balance of $3.9 million was paid in September 1995. The Company recognized $9.9 million of discounts in the year ended March 31, 1995, of which $4.3 million of discounts were attributable to purchases prior to April 1, 1994. (2)(3) In October 1994, the Company entered into a license agreement with Jasco Products Co., Inc., ("Jasco"), which wasas amended, during Fiscal 1996, whereby the Company granted a license of certain trademarks to Jasco for use on non-competing consumer electronics accessories. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company will receive minimum annual royalties through the life of the agreement, which expires on December 31, 1997,1998, and the agreement is automatically renewable for three successive three-year periods based upon Jasco's compliance with the agreement. The minimum royalty was not exceeded in the first, second or third contract yearyears ended December 31, 1995.1996. The Company recognized license fee income of approximately $1,125,000 in the year ended March 31, 1995. In April 1997, the agreement was amended to extend the initial three-year period for one additional year. (4) Subsequent to the end of Fiscal 1997, Emerson executed a four-year agreement with Daewoo Electronics Co. Ltd. and its U.S. affiliate (collectively "Daewoo"). This agreement provides that, subject to existing agreements relating to sales to the Customer, Daewoo will manufacture and sell television products bearing the Emerson and G-Clef trademark to all customers in the U.S. market. Daewoo will also be responsible for, and assume all risks associated with, order processing, shipping, credit and collections, inventory, returns and after sale services. The Company will arrange sales and provide marketing services and receive a commission for such services. Sales to the Customer are currently subject to a license/supply agreement with the Supplier, as more fully described in Note K -- Legal Proceedings: Otake LitigationK. NOTE L --LEGAL PROCEEDINGS: OTAKE LITIGATION On December 20, 1995, the Company filed suit in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey against Orion Sales, Inc., Otake Trading Co. Ltd., Technos Development Limited, Shigemasa Otake, and John Richard Bond, Jr. (collectively, the "Otake Defendants") alleging breach of contract, breach of covenant of good faith and fair dealing, unfair competition, interference with prospective economic gain, and conspiracy in connection with certain activities of the Otake Defendants under certain agreements between the Company and the Otake Defendants. Mr. Bond is a former officer and sales representative of the Company, having served in the latter capacity until he became involved working for the other Otake Defendants. Certain of the other Otake Defendants have supplied the majority of the Company's purchases until the Company's most recent fiscal year. On December 21, 1995, Orion Sales, Inc. and Orion Electric (America), Inc. filed suit against the Company in the United States District Court, Southern District of Indiana, Evansville Division, alleging various breaches of certain agreements by the Company, including breaches of the confidentiality provisions, certain payment breaches, breaches of provisions relating to product returns, and other alleged breaches of those agreements, and seeking damages in the amount of $2,452,656, together with interest thereon, attorneys' fees, and certain othersother costs. While the outcome of the New Jersey and Indiana actions are not certain at this time, the Company believes it has meritorious defenses against the claims made by the plaintiffs in the Indiana action. In any event, the Company believes the results of that litigation should not have a material adverse effect on the financial condition of the Company or on its operations. Litigation Regarding Certain Outstanding Common Stock:LITIGATION REGARDING CERTAIN OUTSTANDING COMMON STOCK: The 30 million shares of Common Stock issued to GSE, FIN and Elision on March 31, 1994, pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, were the subject of certain legal proceedings. On June 11, 1996, the Settlement Agreement was executed, which settles various legal proceedings in Switzerland, the Bahamas and the United States. The Settlement Agreement provides for, among other things, the payment by Mr. Jurick and his affiliated entities of $49.5 million to various claimants of Mr. Jurick and affiliated entities (the "Creditors"), to be paid from the proceeds of the sale of the 29,152,542 shares of Emerson common stock (the "Settlement Shares") owned by affiliated entities of Mr. Jurick. In addition, Mr. Jurick will be paid the sum of $3.5 million from the sale of such stock. The Settlement Shares will be sold over an extended, but indeterminate, period of time by a financial advisor, initially TM Capital (the "Advisor") to be selected by Emerson in consultation with Mr. Jurick and the Creditors. Such. The Advisor will formulate a marketing plan taking into consideration (i) the interests of Emerson's minority stockholders, and (ii) the goal of generating sufficient proceeds to pay the Creditors and Mr. Jurick as quickly as possible. The Settlement Shares will be divided into two pools. The Pool A Shares will initially consist of 15,286,172 Emerson shares. The Pool B Shares consist of the number of Emerson shares with respect to which Mr. Jurick must retain beneficial ownership of voting power to avoid an event of default arising out of a change of control pursuant to the terms of the Company's Loan and Security Agreement with the Lender and/or the indenture governing the Debentures. Sales may be made of the Settlement Shares pursuant to a registered offering if the sales price in not less than 90% of the average of the three most recent closing prices (the "Average Closing Price"), or, other than in a registered offering, of up to 1% of the Emerson common stock outstanding per quarter, if the sales price is not less than 90% of the Average Closing Price. Any other attempted sales are subject to the consent of Mr. Jurick, the Creditors and if necessary, the Court. The Settlement Agreement will only become effective after, among other things, receipt by theUnited States District Court of certain share certificates currently held in foreign jurisdictions and all documents required in the Settlement Agreement. Bankruptcy Claims:Newark, New Jersey. BANKRUPTCY CLAIMS: The Company is presently engaged in litigation regarding several bankruptcy claims which have not been resolved since the restructuring of the Company's debt. The largest claim was filed on or about July 25, 1994 in connection with the rejection of certain executory contracts with two Brazilian entities, Cineral Electronica de Amazonia Ltda. and Cineral Magazine Ltda. (collectively, "Cineral"). The contracts were executed in August 1993, shortly before the Company's filingamount currently claimed is for bankruptcy protection. The amount claimed wasapproximately $93,563,457, of which $86,785,000 represents a claim for loss of profits and $6,400,000 for plant installation and establishment of offices, which were installed and established prior to execution of the contracts.profits. The claim was filed as an unsecured claim and, therefore, will be satisfied, to the extent the claim is allowed by the Bankruptcy Court, in the manner other allowed unsecured claims were satisfied. The Company has objected to the claim and intends to vigorously contest such claim and believes it has meritorious defenses to the highly speculative portion of the claim for lost profits and the portion of the claim for actual damages for expenses incurred prior to the execution of the contracts. Additionally, on or about September 30, 1994, the Company instituted an adversary proceeding in the Bankruptcy Court asserting damages caused by Cineral and seeking declaratory relief and replevin. A motion filed by Cineral to dismiss the adversary proceeding has been denied. The adversary proceeding and claim objection have been consolidated into one proceeding and discovery commenced. This action has been stayed since June 1995 by order of the Bankruptcy Court pending settlement negotiations. An adverse final ruling on the Cineral claim could have a material adverse effect on the Company, even though it would be limited to 18.3% of the final claim determined by a court of competent jurisdiction; however, with respect to the claim for lost profits, in light of the foregoing, the Company believes the chances for recovery for lost profits are remote. Hopper Litigation Effective April 24, 1996, the Company and Hopper entered into the Hopper Amendment which, among other things, amended certain provisions in the Partnership and Sales Agreements and settled all outstanding litigation between the Company, Hopper and the other named parties. Under the Hopper Amendment, Hopper advanced an additional $5 million to the Partnership, thereby increasing the liquidity of the Partnership and equalizing the investment of the partners and the sharing of cash flows. Additionally, the Hopper Amendment provides that the Partnership will continue to buy certain of the Company's product returns through December 31, 1996. Subsequent to this date, either partner may give notice to dissolve the Partnership, with a wind-down period to be completed no later than six months from the date of notice. International Jensen IncorporatedINTERNATIONAL JENSEN INCORPORATED ("Jensen"JENSEN") LitigationLITIGATION On May 10, 1996, Jensen filed an action in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, against the Company and its President, Eugene I. Davis, an officer of the Company for violations of proxy solicitation rules and for breach of a confidentiality agreement with Jensen. On May 14, 1996, the Court entered a temporary restraining order against the Company and its President, which subsequently lapsed, enjoining them from (i) further solicitation of Jensen's stockholders or their representatives until the Company has filed a Proxy Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission which complies with the provisions of Regulation 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; (ii) making further solicitation containing false and misleading or misleading statements of material fact or material omissions; and (iii) disclosing confidential information in violation of the confidentiality agreement. On May 20, 1996, the Company filed a counterclaim in this action alleging that Jensen and its Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President, Robert G. Shaw, fraudulently induced the Company to enter into a confidentiality agreement and failed to negotiate with the Company in good faith. In its counterclaim, the Company requests such other equitable or other relief as the Court finds proper and an award of attorneys' fees and expenses. The CompanySubsequently, Recoton Corporation ("Recoton"), the successful bidder in acquiring Jensen, filed an action in the same court against Emerson. In June 1997, Emerson, Mr. Davis, Jensen, Recoton and its President intendcertain other related parties entered into a settlement agreement settling all disputes among them and releasing each other from all liability in connection with the subject matter of these actions on terms Emerson believes to vigorously defend Jensen's claim against the Company andbe beneficial to vigorously pursue its counterclaim against Jensen and Mr. Shaw. The Company believes that Jensen's claims are without basis, that it has meritorious defenses againstJensen's claim and that the litigation or results thereof will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position. Other Litigation:it. OTHER LITIGATION: The Company is involved in other legal proceedings and claims of various types in the ordinary course of business. While any such litigation contains an element of uncertainty, management presently believes that the outcome of each such proceeding or claim which is pending or known to be threatened, (including the actions noted above), or all of them combined, will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's consolidated financial position. Note LNOTE M -- Business Segment Information and Major Customers:BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS: The consumer electronics business is the Company's only business segment. Operations in this business segment are summarized below by geographic area: Year Ended MarchYEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 19961997 U.S. Foreign Eliminations ConsolidatedFOREIGN ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED (In thousands) Sales to unaffiliated customers $234,369$ 172,417 $ 6,291 $ -- $178,708 Transfers between geographic areas 2,592 581 (3,173) -- Total net revenues $ 175,009 $ 6,872 $ (3,173) $178,708 Earnings (loss) before income taxes $ (20,677) $(1,791) $ -- $(22,468) Identifiable assets $ 58,513 $ 1,520 $ -- $ 60,033 YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 Sales to unaffiliated customers $ 234,369 $11,298 $ -- $245,667 Transfers between geographic areas 2,884 876 (3,760) -- Total net revenues $237,253$ 237,253 $12,174 $ (3,760) $245,667 Earnings (loss) before income taxes $(11,324)$ (11,324) $(2,039) $ -- $(13,363) Identifiable assets $ 90,350 $ 6,226 $ -- $ 96,576 Year Ended March 31,1995YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1995 Sales to unaffiliated customers $608,717$ 608,717 $45,954 $ -- $654,671 Transfers between geographic areas 5,954 184 (6,138) -- Total net revenues $614,671$ 614,671 $46,138 $ (6,138) $654,671 Earnings (loss) before income taxes $ 12,238 $(4,596) $ -- $ 7,642 Identifiable assets $98,604$ 98,604 $15,470 $ (105) $113,969 Year Ended March 31, 1994 Sales to unaffiliated customers $433,495 $53,895 $ -- $487,390 Transfers between geographic areas 2,587 -- (2,587) -- Total net revenues $436,082 $53,895 $ (2,587) $487,390 Loss before reorganization costs and income taxes $(50,718) $(5,224) $ -- $(55,942) Identifiable assets $ 99,726 $19,295 $ -- $119,021
Transfers between geographic areas are accounted for on a cost basis. Identifiable assets are those assets used in operations in each geographic area. At March 31, 19961997 and 1995,1996, total assets include $27,779,000$10,657,000 and $37,492,000,$27,779,000, respectively, of assets located in foreign countries. The Company's net sales to one customer aggregated approximately 18%36%, 53%18% and 34%53% of consolidated net revenues for the years ended March 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Trade receivables from this customer approximated 11% of accounts receivable at March 31, 1997, and 1994, respectively.has not been collateralized. At March 31, 1996 and 1995,1997, the Company had a liability balance to this customer for product returns. The Company's net sales to another customer aggregated 13%, 16%, 10% and 12%10% for the years ended March 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Trade receivables from this customer approximated 5% and 10% of accounts receivable at March 31,1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively, and were not collateralized. Note Mrespectively. NOTE N -- Investment in Joint VentureINVESTMENT IN JOINT VENTURE The Company has a 50% investment in E & H Partners, a joint venture that purchases, refurbishes and sells certain of the Company's product returns. The results of this joint venture are accounted for by the equity method. The Company's equity in the earnings (loss) of the joint venture is reflected as an increase or reduction of cost of sales in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations. Summarized financial information relating to the joint venture is as follows: MarchMARCH 31, 1997 1996 1995 (In thousands) ACTIVITY BETWEEN COMPANY AND E & H PARTNERS Activity between Company and E & H Partners Accounts receivable from joint venture (a) $3,522 $13,270 $15,283 Investment in joint venture 440 1,265 1,565 Sales to joint venture 5,792 17,629 32,500 E & H Partners Summarized Financial InformationPARTNERS SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL INFORMATION Condensed balance sheet: Current assets $ 7,947 $19,326 $26,749 Noncurrent assets - 162 161 Total $ 7,947 $19,488 $26,910 Current liabilities $ 7,476 $16,958 $23,780 Partnership equity 471 2,530 3,130 Total $7,947 $19,488 $26,910 Condensed income statement: Net sales (b) $31,564 $27,712 $24,760 Net earnings (loss) (2,058) (600) 2,130
___________________ (a) Accounts receivable were secured by a full lien on all of the partnership's inventory at these dates, and such lien had been assigned to the Lender as collateral for the U.S. line of credit facility. In April 1996, the Company agreed to equally share the lien on the partnership's inventory with the other partner in the joint venture, in exchange for, among other things, a $5 million loan by such partner to the joint venture and a subsequent paydown of E&H Partners' obligation to the Company of the same amount. (b) Includes sales to the Company of $7,058,000, $5,964,000 and $3,796,000, respectively. Note N -- Subsequent Events: In June 1996,Effective January 1, 1997, the Company amendedpartners to the E&H Partnership mutually agreed to dissolve the joint venture and wind down its adjusted net worth covenant withoperations The partners may have elected to extend such wind down in order to facilitate a more orderly liquidation of the Lender, effective June 30, 1996. The adjusted net worth covenant, as amended, requires the Company to maintain an adjusted net worth, as defined, of not less than the sum of (i) the base amount of $30,000,000 plus (ii) any proceeds received by the Company after December 31, 1995 from the sale of any equity or debt securities.joint venture. EMERSON RADIO CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES SCHEDULE VIII VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES (In thousands)
Column A Column B Column C ColumnDColumn D Column E Balance Charged Balance at to costs at end beginning costs endand of of and year DescriptionDecription of year expenses Deductions (C) Allowance for doubtful accounts/chargebacks: Year ended: March 31, 1997 $ 2,831 $ 2,558 $2,703(A) $ 2,686 March 31, 1996 $4,150 $1,111 $2,430 $2,8314,150 1,111 2,430 2,831 March 31, 1995 3,349 1,306 505(A)505 4,150 March 31, 1994 3,267 3,023 2,941(A) 3,349 Inventory reserves: Year ended: March 31, 1997 $1,222 $5,081 $4,142(B) $2,161 March 31, 1996 $ 470 $1,087 $1,087 335 $1,2221,222 March 31, 1995 644 251 425(B)425 470 March 31, 1994 1,559 6,619 7,534(B) 644
(A) Accounts written off, net of recoveries. (B) Net realizable value reserve removed from account when inventory is sold. (C) Amounts do not include certain accounts receivable reserves that are disclosed as "allowances" on the Consolidated Balance Sheets since they are not valuation reserves. INDEX TO EXHIBITS PAGE NUMBER IN SEQUENTIAL NUMBERING EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION SYSTEM (2) Confirmation Order and Fourth Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization of Emerson Radio Corp. ("Old Emerson") and certain subsidiaries under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code, dated March 31, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (2) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-53621, declared effective by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on August 9, 1994). (3) (a) Certificate of Incorporation of Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3) (a) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994). (3) (b) Certificate of Designation for Series A Preferred Stock (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3) (b) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994). (3) (c) Plan of Reorganization and Agreement of Merger by and between Old Emerson and Emerson Radio (Delaware) Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3) (c) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994). (3) (d) Certificate of Merger of Old Emerson with and into Emerson Radio (Delaware) Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3) (d) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994). (3) (e) Amendment dated February 14, 1996 to the Certificate of Incorporation of Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3) (a) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1995). (3) (f) By-Laws of Emerson adopted March 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3) (e) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994). (3) (g) Amendment dated November 28, 1995 to the By-Laws of Emerson adopted March 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3) (b) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1995). (4) (a) Warrant Agreement to Purchase 750,000 shares of Common Stock, dated as of March 31, 1994 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4) (a) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994). (4) (b) Indenture, dated as of August 17, 1995 between Emerson and Bank One, Columbus, NA, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (1) of Emerson's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 8, 1995). (4) (c) Common Stock Purchase Warrant Agreement to purchase 50,000 shares of Common Stock, dated as of December 8, 1995 between Emerson and Michael Metter (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (e) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1995). (4) (d) Common Stock Purchase Warrant Agreement to purchase 200,000 shares of Common Stock, dated as of December 8, 1995 between Emerson and Kenneth A. Orr (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (f) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1995). (10) (a) Agreement, dated as of November 14, 1973, between National Union Electric Corporation ("NUE") and Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (a) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994). (10) (b) Trademark User Agreement, dated as of February 28, 1979, by and between NUE and Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (b) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994). (10) (c) Agreement, dated July 2, 1984, between NUE and Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (c) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994). (10) (d) Agreement, dated September 15, 1988, between NUE and Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (d) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994). (10) (e) Form of Promissory Note issued to certain Pre- Petition Creditors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (e) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994). (10) (f) Loan and Security Agreement, dated March 31, 1994, by and among Emerson, Majexco Imports, Inc. and Congress Financial Corporation ("Congress") (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (f) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994). (10) (g) Amendment No. 1 to Financing Agreements, dated as of August 24, 1995, among Emerson, Majexco Imports, Inc. and Congress (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (2) of Emerson's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 8, 1995). (10) (h) Amendment No. 2 to Financing Agreements, dated as of February 13, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (c) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1995). (10) (i) Amendment No. 3 to Financing Agreements, dated as of August 20, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (b) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1995). (10) (j) Amendment No. 4 to Financing Agreements, dated as of November 14, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (c) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996). (10) (k) Amendment No. 5 to Financing Agreements, dated as of February 18, 1997 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (e) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1996). (10) (l) Emerson Radio Corp. Stock Compensation Program (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (i) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994). (10) (j)(m) Employment Agreement between Emerson and Eugene I. Davis (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(a)(4) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for quarter ended June 30, 1992). (10) (k)(n) Extension of Employment Agreement between Emerson and Albert G. McGrath, Jr. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(a)(7) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for quarter ended June 30, 1992).Eugene I. Davis dated April 16, 1997.* (10) (l) Agreement dated as of January 1, 1996, between Emerson and Albert G. McGrath, Jr. relating to termination of employment and agreement on consulting services (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (a) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1995). (10) (m)(o) Employment Agreement between Emerson and Geoffrey P. Jurick (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(a)(6) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for quarter ended June 30, 1992). (10) (n)(p) Employment Agreement between Emerson Radio (Hong Kong) Ltd. and Geoffrey P. Jurick (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(a)(6) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for quarter ended June 30, 1992). (10) (o)(q) Employment Agreement between Emerson Radio International Ltd. (formerly Emerson Radio (B.V.I)(B.V.I.), Ltd.) and Geoffrey P. Jurick (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(a)(6) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for quarter ended June 30, 1992). (10) (p)(r) Extension of Employment Agreement between Emerson and Geoffrey P. Jurick dated April 16, 1997.* (10) (s) Lease Agreement dated as of March 26, 1993, by and between Hartz Mountain Parsippany and Emerson with respect to the premises located at Nine Entin Road, Parsippany, NJ (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (ww) of Emerson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992). (10) (q) Employment Agreement, dated July 13, 1993, between Emerson and Merle Eakins (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (10)(vv) to Emerson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1993). (10) (r) Agreement dated as of January 31, 1996, between Emerson and Merle Eakins relating to termination of employment and agreement on consulting services (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (b) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1995). (10) (s)(t) Employment Agreement, dated April 1, 1994, between Emerson and John Walker (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (10)(ee) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994). (10) (t) Liquidating Trust Agreement, dated as of March 31, 1994, by and among Emerson, Majexco Imports, Inc., H.H. Scott, Inc., and Stuart D. Gavsy, Esq., as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (ff) of Emerson's Registration Statement on Form S-1, Registration No. 33-53621, declared effective by the SEC on August 9, 1994). (10) (u) Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement between Emerson and John P. Walker dated April 16, 1997.* (10) (v) Employment Agreement, dated January 29, 1996 between Emerson and Marino Andriani (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit (10) (a) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996). (10) (w) Partnership Agreement, dated April 1, 1994, between Emerson and Hopper Radio of Florida, Inc (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (q) of Emerson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1995). (10) (v)(x) Sales Agreement, dated April 1, 1994, between Emerson and E & H Partners (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (r) of Emerson's Annual Report on Form 10- K for the year ended March 31, 1995). (10) (w)(y) Agreement, dated as of April 24, 1996 by and among Emerson and E & H Partners relating to amendments of the Partnership Agreement dated April 1, 1994 and the Sales Agreement dated April 1, 1994 and the settlement of certain outstanding litigation.* (10) (x) Independent Consultants Agreement, Dated October 1, 1994, between Emerson Radio International Ltd. and Peter G. Bunger (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (t) of Emerson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1995). (10) (y) Independent Consultant's Agreement, dated October 1, 1994, between Emerson Radio Europe B.V. and Peter G. Bunger (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (u) of Emerson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1995). (10) (z) Employment Agreement, dated October 3, 1994, between Emerson and Andrew Cohan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (v) of Emerson's Annual Report on Form 10- K for the year ended March 31, 1995). (10) (aa) License Agreement, dated February 22, 1995, between Emerson and Otake Trading Co. Ltd. and certain affilatesaffiliates ("Otake") (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(a)(1) of Emerson's quarterly reportQuarterly Report on Form 10-Q for quarter ended December 31, 1994). (10) (ab)(aa) Supply Agreement, dated February 22, 1995, between Emerson and Otake (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 6(a)(2) of Emerson's quarterly reportQuarterly Report on Form 10-Q for quarter ended December 31, 1994). (10) (ac)(ab) 1994 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (y) of Emerson's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 1995). (10) (ad)(ac) Consulting Agreement, dated as of December 8, 1995 between Emerson and First Cambridge Securities Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (d) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1995). (10) (ad) License Agreement, dated as of August 23, 1996 between Emerson and REP Investment Limited Liability Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (d) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996). (10) (ae) Distribution Agreement, dated as of September 11, 1996 between Emerson, Emerson Radio Canada Ltd. and AVS Technologies Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (e) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996). (10) (af) Stipulation of Settlement and Order dated June 11, 1996 by and among the Official Liquidator of Fidenas International Bank Limited, Petra Stelling, Barclays Bank PLC, the Official Liquidator of Fidenas Investment Limited, Geoffrey P. Jurick, Fidenas International Limited, L.L.C., Elision International, Inc., GSE Multimedia Technologies Corporation and Emerson. 10) (ag) Pledge Agreement dated as of February 4, 1997 by Fidenas International Limited, L.L.C. ("FIN") in favor of TM Capital Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (a) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1996). (10) (ah) Registration Rights Agreement dated as of February 4, 1997 by and among Emerson, FIN, the Creditors, FIL and TM Capital Corp. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (b) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1996). (10) (ai) License and Exclusive Distribution Agreement with Cargil International Corp. dated as of February 12, 1997 ( incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (c) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1996). (10) (aj) Supply and Inspection Agreement with Cargil International Corp. dated as of February 12, 1996 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) (d) of Emerson's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1996). (10) (ak) Agreement dated April 10, 1997 between Emerson and Daewoo Electronics Co., Ltd.* 10) (al) Securities Purchase Agreement dated as of November 27, 1996, by and between Sports Supply Group, Inc. ("SSG") and Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (2)(a) of Emerson's Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 27, 1996). (10) (am) Form of Warrant Agreement by and between SSG and Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)(a) of Emerson's Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 27, 1996). (10) (an) Form of Registration Rights Agreement by and between SSG and Emerson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)(b) of Emerson's Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 27, 1996). (10) (ao) Consent No. 1 to Financing Agreements among Emerson, certain of its subsidiaries, and Congress (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)(b) of Emerson's Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 27, 1996). (10) (ap) License Agreement dated as of June 16, 1997 by and between World Wide One Ltd. and Emerson.* (10) (aq) Agreement dated as of July 2, 1997 by and between Hi Quality International (U.S.A.) Inc. and Emerson.* (11) Computation of Primary Earnings Per Share.* (12) Computation of Ratio of Earnings (Loss) to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock Dividends.* (21) Subsidiaries of the Registrant as of March 31, 1996.1997.* (27) Financial Data Schedule for year ended March 31, 1996.1997.* ___________________ * Filed herewith. EXHIBIT 11 Emerson Radio Corp. and Subsidiaries Exhibit to Form 10-K Computation of Primary Earnings Per Share (in thousands, except per share data)
Years Ended March 31, 1997 1996 1995 1994 Net earnings (loss) $(23,968) $(13,389) $ 7,375 $55,501 Preferred stock dividends (700) N/A(700) N/A Net earnings (loss) attributable to common stockholders $(24,668) $(14,089) $7,375 $55,501 common shareholders Weighted average number of actual shares outstanding 40,292 40,253 36,530 38,191 Additional shares assuming conversion or exercise of: Preferred stock (a) 9,081 Stock options and warrants 960 Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding 40,292 40,253 46,571 38,191 Primary earnings (loss) per share $(0.61) $(0.35) $0.16 $1.45
___________________________ (a) Based on the assumed conversion of $10 million of Series A Preferred Stock into Common Stock at a price per share equal to 80% of the weighted average market value of a share of Common Stock, determined on a quarterly basis. Since the Series A Preferred Stock is not convertible into Common Stock until March 31, 1997, the number of shares issuable upon conversion may be___________________________ (a) Based on the assumed conversion of $10 million of Series A Preferred Stock into Common Stock at a price per share equal to 80% of the weighted average market value of a share of Common Stock, determined on a quarterly basis. Since the Series A Preferred Stock was not convertible into Common Stock until March 31, 1997, the number of shares issuable upon conversion may have been significantly different than noted above. EXHIBIT 12 EMERSON RADIO CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES EXHIBIT TO FORM 10-K COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS (LOSS) TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK DIVIDENDS (In thousands, except ratio data)
Historical Three Year Months Year Year Year Year Ended Ended Ended Ended Ended Ended Dec. Mar. Mar. Mar. Mar. Mar. 31, 31, 31, 31, 31, 31, 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 Pretax earnings (loss) $(59,571) $(6,743) $(55,291) $(73,327) $7,642 $(13,363) $(23,968) Fixed charges: Interest 18,546 4,217 18,257 10,243 2,582 2,788 2,789 Amortization of debt expenses -- -- 300 487 18,546 4,217640 18,257 10,243 2,882 3,275 3,429 Pretax earnings (loss) before fixed charges $(41,025) $(2,526) $(37,034) $(63,084) $10,524 $(10,088) $(20,539) Fixed charges: Interest $ 18,546 $ 4,217 $ 8,25718,257 $ 10,243 $ 2,582 $ 2,788 $ 2,789 Amortization of debt expenses -- -- 300 487 640 Preferred stock dividend requirements 725(a) 700 $ 18,546 $ 4,217 $ 8,257700 $18,257 $ 10,243 $ 3,607 $ 3,975 $ 4,129 Ratio of earnings (loss) to combined fixed charges and preferred stock dividends (2.21) (0.60) (2.03) (6.16) 2.92 (2.54) (4.97) Coverage deficiency $ 18,546 $ 4,217 $ 8,257$18,257 $ 10,243 $ 3,975
- $ 3,975 $ 4,129 ________________________ (a) The preferred stock dividend requirements have been adjusted to reflect the pretax earnings which would be required to cover such dividend requirements. EXHIBIT 21 Emerson Radio Corp. and Subsidiaries Exhibit to Form 10-K Subsidiaries of the Registrant
Jurisdiction of Percentage of Name of Subsidiary Incorporation of Ownership Emerson Radio (Hong Kong) Limited. Hong Kong 100%* Kong) Limited Emerson Radio British 100% International Ltd. British Virgin Islands 100% Sport Supply Group, Inc. Delaware 27% * One share is owned by a resident director pursuant to local law.