UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 20192020

 

or

 

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

 

For the transition period from                              to

 

Commission File Number: 000-52046

 

 

(Exact  (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 36-4151663
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
   
10201 North Loop East  
Houston, Texas 77029
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(713) 609-2100

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

Title of each classTrading symbolName of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $0.001 per shareHWCCThe Nasdaq Stock Market

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934:

Title of each classTrading symbolName of each exchange on which registered
Common stock, par value $0.001 per shareHWCCThe Nasdaq Stock Market

At May 1, 20192020 there were 16,612,39616,584,460 outstanding shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.001 par value per share.

 

 

 

HOUSTON WIRE & CABLE COMPANY

Form 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended March 31, 20192020

 

INDEX

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION 
   
Item 1.Financial Statements (Unaudited) 
 Consolidated Balance Sheets2
 Consolidated Statements of Operations 3
 Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity4
 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 5
 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 6
   
Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Overview119
 Overview119
 Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor”119
 Results of Operations 1210
 Impact of Inflation and Commodity Prices 1311
 Liquidity and Capital Resources 1311
 Contractual Obligations1412
   
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 1513
   
Item 4.Controls and Procedures 1513
   
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION 1513
   
Item 1.Legal Proceedings 1513
Item 1A.Risk Factors 1513
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 1513
Item 3.Defaults Upon Senior Securities 1513
Item 4.Mine Safety Disclosures 1513
Item 5.Other Information 1513
Item 6.Exhibits 1614
  
Signature Page 1715

1


HOUSTON WIRE & CABLE COMPANY

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share data)

 

 March 31, December 31,  March 31, December 31, 
 2019  2018  2020  2019 
 (unaudited)      (unaudited)     
Assets                
Current assets:                
Cash $256  $1,393  $3,536  $4,096 
Accounts receivable, net:                
Trade  58,350   52,946   55,054   50,325 
Other  1,585   6,847   2,114   6,640 
Inventories, net  95,325   94,325   109,383   114,069 
Income taxes     435   1,017   1,353 
Prepaids  1,742   737 
Other current assets  490    
Prepaids and other current assets  3,157   1,833 
Total current assets  157,748   156,683   174,261   178,316 
                
Property and equipment, net  11,377   11,456   15,399   14,589 
Intangible assets, net  10,984   11,179   9,888   10,282 
Goodwill  22,353   22,353   22,353   22,353 
Deferred income taxes  704   600 
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net  11,954      12,962   13,481 
Deferred income taxes  747   930 
Other assets  503   456   506   527 
Total assets $215,666  $203,057  $236,073  $240,148 
                
Liabilities and stockholders’ equity                
Current liabilities:                
Trade accounts payable $7,829  $11,253  $14,651  $13,858 
Accrued and other current liabilities  12,583   19,232   15,332   23,261 

Operating lease liabilities

  3,082      2,783   2,742 
Income taxes  99    

Total current liabilities

  23,593   30,485   32,766   39,861 
                
Debt  78,940   71,316   85,920   83,500 
Operating lease long term liabilities  9,280      10,652   11,182 
Other long term liabilities  440   578   2,234   1,977 
Total liabilities  112,253   102,379   131,572   136,520 
                
Stockholders’ equity:                
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding            
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized: 20,988,952 shares issued: 16,612,396 and 16,611,651 outstanding at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively  21   21 
Common stock, $0.001 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized: 20,988,952 shares issued: 16,584,460 and 16,556,950 outstanding at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively  21   21 
Additional paid-in-capital  53,856   53,514   52,276   52,304 
Retained earnings  108,360   105,975   109,171   108,626 
Treasury stock  (58,824)  (58,832)  (56,967)  (57,323)
Total stockholders’ equity  103,413   100,678   104,501   103,628 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity $215,666  $203,057  $236,073  $240,148 

 

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

 


HOUSTON WIRE & CABLE COMPANY

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
 March 31,  March 31, 
 2019  2018  2020  2019 
          
Sales $85,270  $85,026  $83,533  $85,270 
Cost of sales  64,011   64,537   63,941   64,011 
Gross profit  21,259   20,489   19,592   21,259 
                
Operating expenses:                
Salaries and commissions  9,180   9,194   9,474   9,180 
Other operating expenses  7,663   7,480   7,565   7,663 
Depreciation and amortization  553   545   767   553 
Impairment charge  200    
Total operating expenses  17,396   17,219   18,006   17,396 
                
Operating income  3,863   3,270   1,586   3,863 
Interest expense  741   644   813   741 
Income before income taxes  3,122   2,626   773   3,122 
Income tax expense  838   679   228   838 
Net income $2,284  $1,947  $545  $2,284 
                
Earnings per share:                
Basic $0.14  $0.12  $0.03  $0.14 
Diluted $0.14  $0.12  $0.03  $0.14 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:                
Basic  16,477,855   16,349,902   16,387,460   16,477,855 
Diluted  16,577,126   16,422,961   16,436,293   16,577,126 

  

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.


3

HOUSTON WIRE & CABLE COMPANY

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

(Unaudited)

  

     Additional        Total 
  Common Stock  Paid-In  Retained  Treasury Stock  Stockholders’ 
  Shares  Amount  Capital  Earnings  Shares  Amount  Equity 
  (In thousands, except share data) 
Balance at December 31, 2018  20,988,952  $21  $53,514  $105,975   (4,377,301) $(58,832) $100,678 
                             
Net income           2,284         2,284 
Repurchase of treasury shares              (1,506)  (8)  (8)
Amortization of unearned stock compensation        342            342 
Impact of released deferred restricted stock units              2,251   16   16 
Impact of adoption of ASU 2016-02 (Note 7)           101         

101

 
Balance at March 31, 2019  20,988,952  $21  $53,856  $108,360   (4,376,556) $(58,824) $103,413 
     Additional        Total 
  Common Stock  Paid-In  Retained  Treasury Stock  Stockholders’ 
  Shares  Amount  Capital  Earnings  Shares  Amount  Equity 
  (In thousands, except share data) 
    
Balance at December 31, 2019  20,988,952  $21  $52,304  $108,626   (4,432,002) $(57,323) $103,628 
                             
Net income           545         545 
Amortization of unearned stock compensation        328            328 
Impact of released restricted stock units        (356)     27,510   356    
Balance at March 31, 2020  20,988,952  $21  $52,276  $109,171   (4,404,492) $(56,967) $104,501 

  

   Additional     Total    Additional     Total 
 Common Stock Paid-In Retained Treasury Stock Stockholders’  Common Stock Paid-In Retained Treasury Stock Stockholders’ 
 Shares Amount Capital Earnings Shares Amount Equity  Shares  Amount  Capital  Earnings  Shares  Amount  Equity 
 (In thousands, except share data)  (In thousands, except share data) 
Balance at December 31, 2017  20,988,952  $21  $54,006  $97,336   (4,497,771) $(60,619) $90,744 
   
Balance at December 31, 2018  20,988,952  $21  $53,514  $105,975   (4,377,301) $(58,832) $100,678 
                                                        
Net income           1,947         1,947            2,284         2,284 
Repurchase of treasury shares              (8,798)  (63)  (63)              (1,506)  (8)  (8)
Amortization of unearned stock compensation        158            158         342            342 
Balance at March 31, 2018  20,988,952  $21  $54,164  $99,283   

(4,506,569

) $(60,682) $92,786 
Impact of released deferred restricted stock units              2,251   16   16 
Impact of adoption of ASU 2016-02 (Note 7)           101         101 
Balance at March 31, 2019  20,988,952  $21  $53,856  $108,360   (4,376,556) $(58,824) $103,413 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 


HOUSTON WIRE & CABLE COMPANY

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

 

Three Months

Ended March 31,

  

Three Months

Ended March 31,

 
 2019  2018  2020  2019 
          
Operating activities                
Net income $2,284  $1,947  $545  $2,284 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:                
Impairment charge  200    
Depreciation and amortization  553   545   767   553 
Amortization of unearned stock compensation  342   313   328   342 
Non-cash lease expense  986      904   986 
Provision for refund liability  559   50   18   559 
Provision for inventory obsolescence  170   224   173   170 
Deferred income taxes  284   (137)  (104)  284 
Other non-cash items  34   11   62   34 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:                
Accounts receivable  (723)  2,749   (253)  (723)
Inventories  (1,170)  (5,511)  4,513   (1,170)
Prepaids  (1,005)  (1,435)  (1,238)  (1,005)
Other assets  (549)     (77)  (549)
Lease payments  (982)     (907)  (982)
Book overdraft     149 
Trade accounts payable  (3,424)  297   793   (3,424)
Accrued and other current liabilities  (6,460)  (6,204)  (8,281)  (6,460)
Income taxes  534   809   336   534 
Other operating activities  93   109   257   93 
Net cash used in operating activities  (8,474)  (6,084)  (1,964)  (8,474)
                
Investing activities                
Expenditures for property and equipment  (278)  (452)  (857)  (278)
Net cash used in investing activities  (278)  (452)  (857)  (278)
                
Financing activities                
Borrowings on revolver  94,333   91,514   85,653   94,333 
Payments on revolver  (86,709)  (84,886)  (83,233)  (86,709)
Payment of dividends     (29)
Release (purchase) of treasury stock/stock surrendered on vested awards  8   (63)
Release of treasury stock/stock surrendered on vested awards     8 

Lease payments

  (17)     (159)  (17)
Net cash provided by financing activities  7,615   6,536   2,261   7,615 
                
Net change in cash  (1,137)     (560)  (1,137)
Cash at beginning of period  1,393      4,096   1,393 
                
Cash at end of period $256  $  $3,536  $256 
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash activities        
Purchase of assets under finance leases $526  $11 

 

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.


HOUSTON WIRE & CABLE COMPANY

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

1.Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

1.     Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

 

Houston Wire & Cable Company (the “Company”), through its wholly owned subsidiaries, provides industrial products including Electrical Wire and Cable, Steel Wire Rope and Hardware, and Fasteners to the U.S. market through twenty-onetwenty-two locations in fourteen states throughout the United States. The Company has no other business activity.

 

The consolidated financial statements as of March 31, 20192020 and for the three months ended March 31, 20192020 and 20182019 have been prepared following accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair presentation of the results of these interim periods have been included. The results of operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the time these financial statements in this Form 10-Q were filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

 

The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. The most significant estimates are those relating to the allowance for doubtful accounts, the refund liability, the inventory obsolescence reserve, vendor rebates, the realization of deferred tax assets and the valuation of goodwill and indefinite-lived assets. Actual results could differ materially from the estimates and assumptions used for the preparation of the financial statements.

 

For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20182019 filed with the SEC.

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

 

The Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) is the sole source of authoritative GAAP other than SEC issued rules and regulations that apply only to SEC registrants. The FASB issues an Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) to communicate changes to the codification. The Company considers the applicability and impact of all ASUs. The following are ASUs that were recently adopted by the Company.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” Under the new guidance as amended, a lessee is required to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for leases greater than 1 year, both finance and operating leases. This update was effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 with early adoption permitted. Under the transition rules, an entity initially applies the new leases standard at the adoption date and recognizes a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption and the comparative periods presented in the financial statements continue to be in accordance with previously-existing GAAP. The Company has adopted this ASU effective January 1, 2019. See Note 7 for detailed information.

In June 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-07, “Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” which simplifies the accounting for share-based payment arrangements with nonemployees for goods and services. Under the ASU, the guidance on such payments to nonemployees is aligned with the accounting for share-based payments granted to employees, including the measurement of equity-classified awards, which is fixed at the grant date under the new guidance. The ASU superseded Subtopic 505-50, “Equity - Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees,” and was effective for public entities for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company adopted this ASU in the first quarter of 2019 and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” The amendments in this update eliminate, add and modify certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements as part of the FASB’s disclosure framework project. The guidance is effective for public companies beginningCompany adopted this ASU in the first quarter of 2020, and earlythe adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessingdid not have a material impact on the impact of this ASU on itsCompany’s consolidated financial statements and evaluating the timing of adoption.


In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, “Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans.” The amendments in this update eliminate, add and modify certain disclosure requirements for defined benefit pension plans. The guidance is effective for public companies beginning in the first quarter of 2020 and early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements and evaluating the timing of adoption.statements.

 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40); Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract.” The amendments in this update require implementation costs incurred by customers in cloud computing arrangements (i.e., hosting arrangements) to be capitalized under the same premises of authoritative guidance for internal-use software, and deferred over the non-cancellable term of the cloud computing arrangement plus any option renewal periods that are reasonably certain to be exercised by the customer or for which the exercise is controlled by the service provider. The guidance is effective for public companies beginningCompany adopted this ASU in the first quarter of 2020, and earlythe adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-11, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. This ASU, among other narrow-scope improvements, clarifies guidance around how to report expected recoveries. This ASU permits organizations to record expected recoveries on assets purchased with credit deterioration. In addition to other narrow technical improvements, the ASU also reinforces existing guidance that prohibits organizations from recording negative allowances for available-for-sale debt securities. The effective date and transition methodology are the same as in ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The FASB deferred the effective dates of this ASU for smaller reporting companies (“SRC”) to fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022. As of March 31, 2020, the Company qualifies as a SRC and will adopt this ASU in the first quarter of 2023.


In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. This ASU removes specific exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 in GAAP. It eliminates the need for an organization to analyze whether certain exceptions apply in a given period. This ASU also improves financial statement preparers’ application of income tax-related guidance and simplifies GAAP for: a) Franchise taxes that are partially based on income; b) Transactions with a government that result in a step up in the tax basis of goodwill; c) Separate financial statements of legal entities that are not subject to tax; and d) Enacted changes in tax laws in interim periods. For public business entities, ASU 2019-12 is permitted.effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” The amendments in this update amend the guidance of the impairment of financial instruments and add an impairment model, known as the current expected credit loss (CECL) model. The CECL model is designed to capture expected credit losses through the establishment of an allowance account, which will be presented as an offset to the amortized cost basis of the related financial asset. The guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is currently assessing the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements and evaluating the timing of adoption.2.     Earnings per Share

2.Earnings per Share

 

Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share include the dilutive effects of options and unvested restricted stock awards and units.

 

The following reconciles the denominator used in the calculation of diluted earnings per share:

 

 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
 March 31,  March 31, 
 2019 2018  2020 2019 
Denominator:          
Weighted average common shares for basic earnings per share  16,477,855   16,349,902 
Weighted average common shares outstanding for basic earnings per share  16,387,460   16,477,855 
Effect of dilutive securities  99,271   73,059   48,833   99,271 
Weighted average common shares for diluted earnings per share  16,577,126   16,422,961 
Weighted average common shares outstanding for diluted earnings per share  16,436,293   16,577,126 

 

Stock awards to purchase 356,890553,547 shares and 422,947356,890 shares of common stock were not included in the diluted net income per share calculation for the three months ended March 31, 20192020 and 2018,2019, respectively, as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

 

3.Debt

3.Debt

  

On March 12, 2019 and December 10, 2019, the Company, as guarantor, HWC Wire & Cable Company and Vertex, as borrowers, and Bank of America, N.A., as agent and lender, entered into athe Second Amendmentand Third Amendments, respectively, to the Fourth Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement (such agreement, as so amended, the “Loan Agreement”). The Second Amendment extendsextended the expiration date ofuntil March 12, 2024 and the Company’s $100 millionThird Amendment increased the revolving credit facility until March 12, 2024.to $115 million. Under certain circumstances the Company may request an increase in the commitment by an additional $50 million.

 

Portions of the loan may be converted to LIBOR loans in minimum amounts of $1.0 million and integral multiples of $0.1 million. LIBOR loans bear interest at the British Bankers Association LIBOR Rate plus 100 to 150 basis points based on availability, and loans not converted to LIBOR loans bear interest at a fluctuating rate equal to the greatest of the agent’s prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 50 basis points, or 30-day LIBOR plus 150 basis points. The unused commitment fee is 25 basis points.

 

Availability under the Loan Agreement is limited to a borrowing base equal to 85% of the value of eligible accounts receivable, plus the lesser of 70% of the value of eligible inventory or 90% of the net orderly liquidation value percentage of the value of eligible inventory, in each case less certain reserves. The Loan Agreement is secured by substantially all of the property of the Company, other than real estate.

  

The Loan Agreement includes, among other things, covenants that require the Company to maintain a specified minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, unless certain availability levels exist. Additionally, the Loan Agreement allows for the unlimited payment of dividends and repurchases of stock, subject to the absence of events of default and maintenance of a fixed charge coverage ratio and minimum level of availability. The Loan Agreement contains certain provisions that may cause the debt to be classified as a current liability, in accordance with GAAP, if availability falls below certain thresholds, even though the ultimate maturity date under the Loan Agreement remains March 12, 2024. At March 31, 2019,2020, the Company was in compliance with the availability-based covenants governing its indebtedness.

 


The carrying amount of long-term debt approximates fair value as it bears interest at variable rates. The fair value is a Level 2 measurement as defined in ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement.”

 

4.     Impairment of Goodwill and Intangible Assets

4.Income Taxes

 

The Company calculatestests goodwill and indefinite lived intangibles for impairment at least annually or more frequently whenever events or circumstances occur indicating that it might be impaired. During the first quarter of 2020, the Company’s market capitalization declined significantly, driven by current macroeconomic and geopolitical conditions due in large part to the COVID-19 outbreak, which has contributed to decline in demand for the Company’s products, a decline in overall financial performance, partially due to the decline in oil prices, and decline in industry and market conditions. Based on these events, the Company concluded that it was more-likely-than-not that the fair value of certain of its provision for income taxes duringreporting units were less than their carrying values. Therefore, the Company performed an interim goodwill impairment test.


Goodwill impairment is evaluated at each of the four reporting periods by applyingunits. The Company determined the estimated annualfair values of two reporting units with goodwill and certain of its indefinite lived intangibles exceeded their respective carrying values. Additionally, the Company determined the fair value of its Southwest reporting unit’s tradenames was below its carrying value, and as a result, recorded an impairment charge of $0.2 million in March 2020.

5.     Income Taxes

The effective tax rate for the full fiscal yearthree months ended March 31, 2020 was 29.5% compared to pre-tax income or loss, excluding discrete items,26.8% for the reporting period.same period in 2019. Compared to the U.S. statutory rate, the effective tax rate was impacted by state income taxes and nondeductible expenses. Due to the continuing uncertainty in the Company’s industry, the Company has utilized the method of recording income taxes on a year-to-date effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The Company will evaluate its use of this method each quarter until such time as a return to the annualized estimated effective tax rate method is deemed appropriate.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was signed into law on March 27, 2020. The CARES Act contains several tax law changes for corporations, including modifications for net operating loss carrybacks, the refundability of prior-year minimum tax liability, limitations on business interest and limitations on charitable contribution deductions. These benefits did not impact the Company’s tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2020.

 

5.6.Incentive Plans

 

Stock Option Awards

  

There were no stock option awards granted during the first three months of 20192020 or 2018.2019.

 

Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units

There were no restricted stock awards or units granted during the first three months of 2020.

On March 12, 2019, the Board of Directors granted 52,910 performance stock units to the Company’s President and CEO and 13,228 performance stock units to the CFO. Each grant of performance stock units vests on December 31, 2021, based on and subject to the Company’s achievement of cumulative EBITDA and stock price performance goals over a three-year period, as long as the grantee is then employed by the Company, and upon vesting will be settled in shares of our common stock. Any dividends declared will be accrued and paid to the grantee if and when the related shares vest.

Total stock-based compensation cost was $0.3 million for each of the three months ended March 31, 20192020 and 2018,2019, respectively, and is included in salaries and commissions for employees, and in other operating expenses for non-employee directors.

 

6.7.Commitments and Contingencies

As a result of unfavorable lease terms relative to market for one of the leases acquired as part of the Vertex acquisition in 2016, there is a remaining additional liability of $0.2 million that is being amortized over the remaining term of the lease, which was 51 months at March 31, 2019.

  

The Company had outstanding under the Loan Agreement letters of credit totaling $0.5$0.7 million to certain vendors as of March 31, 2019.2020.

  

ThereFrom time to time, the Company is involved in lawsuits that are nobrought against us in the normal course of business. The Company is not currently a party to any legal proceedings pending againstthat it expects, either individually or involvingin the Company that, in management’s opinion, based on the current known facts and circumstances, are expectedaggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, cash flows, or results offrom operations.

 

7.8.LeasesSubsequent Events

Effective January 1, 2019,

The COVID-19 pandemic has spread throughout the United States and the countries in which our offshore suppliers are located. Governments in affected regions have implemented, and may continue to implement, safety precautions which include quarantines, travel restrictions, business closures, cancellations of public gatherings and other measures as they deem necessary. Many organizations and individuals, including the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842)” and the series of related Accounting Standards Updates that followed (collectively referredits employees are taking additional steps to as “Topic 842��).avoid or reduce infection, including limiting travel and working remotely. The most significant changes under the new guidance include clarificationCompany continues to monitor its operations and government recommendations and has made modifications to its normal operations because of the definitionpandemic, including requiring most of its non-essential employees to work remotely. The Company has maintained a lease,substantial portion of its operational capacity at its warehouses across the continental United States and the requirements for lesseeshas instituted several health and safety protocols and procedures to recognize a right-of-use (ROU) asset and a lease liability for all qualifying leases with terms longer than twelve months in the consolidated balance sheet. In addition, under Topic 842, additional disclosures are required to meet the objective of enabling users of financial statements to assess the amount, timingsafeguard its employees.

The rapid development and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases.

The Company elected the practical expedient available under ASU 2018-11 “Leases: Targeted Improvements” which allowsCOVID-19 pandemic precludes any prediction as to the ultimate adverse impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the Company’s business. However, the outbreak has caused the Company to apply the transition provision for Topic 842 at the Company’s adoption date instead of at the earliest comparative period presentedexperience adverse impacts, including reductions in the Company’s financial statements. Therefore,demand for its products. In response, the Company recognizedhas implemented several cost savings measures which include furloughing employees, payroll reductions, and measured leases existing at January 1, 2019 but without retrospective application. The Company also elected all other available practical expedients exceptmeasures to decrease corporate and non-critical expenses. While we cannot reasonably estimate the hindsight practical expedient. In electing the practical expedients,length or severity of this pandemic, we currently anticipate an adverse impact on our consolidated financial position, consolidated results of operations, and consolidated cash flows in fiscal 2020.

On May 4, 2020, the Company utilizedreceived a $6.2 million Payroll Protection Program loan from Bank of America, funded under the transition practical expedient package whereby the Company did not reassess (i) whether any of the Company’s expired or existing contracts containCARES Act. The loan has a lease, (ii) the classification for any expired or existing leases and (iii) initial direct costs for any existing leases.1.0% interest rate after a six-month deferment period.  

 


The impact of Topic 842 on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of January 1, 2019 was the recognition of ROU assets and lease liabilities for operating leases, while the Company’s accounting for finance leases remained substantially unchanged. The Company’s finance leases were immaterial prior to the adoption of Topic 842, and no change was made to the classification for these leases. As a result of the adoption of Topic 842, beginning retained earnings was impacted by $0.1 million and there was no impact to the income statement.

The Company leases property including warehouse space, offices, vehicles and office equipment. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. As part of the transition to the new standard, the Company reviewed agreements with suppliers, vendors, customers, and other outside parties to determine if any agreements met the definition of an embedded lease. Based on the nature of the contracts reviewed, and various factors, including identified assets included in the agreement to which the Company has exclusive rights of control as described by Topic 842, were considered. The Company concluded that these are not material agreements with parties that would constitute an embedded lease. For purposes of calculating operating lease liabilities, lease terms may be deemed to include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option.

Beginning January 1, 2019, operating ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. Operating leases in effect prior to January 1, 2019 were recognized at the present value of the remaining lease payments over the remaining lease term as of January 1, 2019. The Company is required to determine a discount rate in order to calculate the present value of lease payments. If the rate is not included in the lease or cannot be readily determined, the Company uses its incremental secured borrowing rate based on lease term information available at the commencement date of the lease in determining the present value of lease payments. The Company recognizes lease components and non-lease components together and not as separate parts of a lease for all leases. The Company will exercise this practical expedient in the future by asset class.

The expenses generated by the lease activity of the Company as lessee for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were as follows:

Lease Type Income Statement Classification Amount 
(Dollars in thousands)      
Consolidated operating lease expense Operating expenses $986 
       
Consolidated financing lease amortization Operating expenses  17 
Consolidated financing lease interest Interest expense  2 
Consolidating financing lease expense    19 
       
 Net lease cost Operating expenses $1,005 


The value of the net assets and liabilities generated by the leasing activity of the Company as lessee as of March 31, 2019 were as follows:

Lease Type Balance Sheet Classification Amount 
(Dollars in thousands)      
Total ROU operating lease assets(1) Operating lease right-of-use assets, net $11,954 
Total ROU financing lease assets(2) Property and equipment, net  220 
 Total lease assets   $12,174 
       
Total current operating lease obligation Operating lease liabilities $3,082 
Total current financing lease obligation Accrued and other current liabilities  70 
 Total current lease obligation   $3,152 
       
Total long term operating lease obligation Operating lease long term liabilities $9,280 
Total long term financing lease obligation Other long term liabilities  159 
 Total long term lease obligation   $9,439 

(1)Operating lease assets are recorded net of accumulated amortization of $0.8 million as of March 31, 2019

(2)Financing lease assets are recorded net of accumulated amortization of $0.1 million as of March 31, 2019

The future minimum lease payments for finance and operating lease liabilities of the Company as lessee as of March 31, 2019 were as follows:

Maturity Date of Lease Liabilities Operating Leases  Financing Leases  Total 
(Dollars in thousands)            
Year one $3,665  $77  $3,742 
Year two  2,831   72   2,903 
Year three  2,680   61   2,741 
Year four  2,322   32   2,354 
Year five  1,081   1   1,082 
Subsequent years  1,462      1,462 
 Total lease payments  14,041   243   14,284 
Less: Interest  1,679   14   1,693 
 Present value of lease liabilities $12,362  $229  $12,591 

The weighted average remaining lease terms and discount rates of the leases held by the Company as of March 31, 2019 were as follows:

Lease Type 

Weighted Average

Term in Years

  Weighted Average Interest Rate 
Operating leases  4.7   5.5 
Financing leases  3.3   3.6 

The cash outflows of the leasing activity of the Company as lessee for the three months ended March 31, 2019 were as follows:

Cash Flow Source Classification Amount 
(Dollars in thousands)      
Operating cash outflows from operating leases Operating activities $980 
Operating cash outflows from financing leases Operating activities  2 
Financing cash outflows from financing leases Financing activities  17 

Any leases, new or modified, for the three months ended March 31, 2019 are not material.

8.Subsequent Events

Following the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on May 7, 2019, the Company approved the award of restricted stock units with a grant date value of $60,000 to each non-employee director who was elected and re-elected, for an aggregate of 58,920 restricted stock units. Each award of restricted stock units vests at the date of the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Each non-employee director is entitled to receive a number of shares of the Company’s common stock equal to the number of vested restricted stock units, together with dividend equivalents from the date of grant, at such time as the director’s service on the board terminates for any reason.


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

 

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”) is intended to help the reader understand the Company’s financial position and results of operations. MD&A is provided as a supplement to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) and the accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited) and should be read in conjunction with the MD&A included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.2019.

 

Overview

 

We are a provider of industrial products including Electrical Wire and Cable, Steel Wire Rope and Hardware, and Fasteners to the U.S. market. We provide our customers with a single-source solution by offering a large selection of in-stock items, exceptional customer service and high levels of product expertise.

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

 

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgmentsassumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenue and expenses. On an on-going basis, we make and evaluate estimates and judgments,assumptions, including those related to the allowance for doubtful accounts, the refund liability, the inventory obsolescence reserve, vendor rebates, the realization of deferred tax assets and liabilities and the valuation of goodwill and indefinite-lived assets. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances; the results of which form the basis for making judgments about amounts and timing of revenue and expenses, the carrying values of assets and the recorded amounts of liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates and such estimates may change if the underlying conditions or assumptions change. We have discussed the development and selection of critical accounting policies and estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors, and the Audit Committee has reviewed our related disclosures. The critical accounting policies related to the estimates and judgments are discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20182019 under Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. There have been no changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates during the three months ended March 31, 2019.2020.   

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The rapid development and uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic precludes any prediction as to the ultimate adverse impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the Company’s business. However, the outbreak has caused the Company to experience adverse impacts, including reductions in the demand for its products. In response, the Company has implemented several cost savings measures which include furloughing employees, payroll reductions, and other measures to decrease corporate and non-critical expenses. While we cannot reasonably estimate the length or severity of this pandemic, we currently anticipate an adverse impact on our consolidated financial position, consolidated results of operations, and consolidated cash flows in fiscal 2020.

 

Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor”

 

Forward-looking statements in this report are made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Such forward-looking statements may relate to, but are not limited to, information or assumptions about our sales and marketing strategy, sales (including pricing), income, operating income or gross margin improvements, working capital, cash flow, interest rates, impact of changes in accounting standards, future economic performance, management’s plans, goals and objectives for future operations, performance and growth or the assumptions relating to any of the forward-looking statements.  These statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts.  They use words such as “aim”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend”, “may”, “plan”, “project”, “should”, “will be”, “will continue”, “will likely result”, “would” and other words and terms of similar meaning in conjunction with a discussion of future operating or financial performance.  The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are not guarantees because there are inherent difficulties in predicting future results.  Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements.  The factors listed under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018,2019 and in Part II, Item 1A of this report, as well as any other cautionary language in this report, provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations we describe in our forward-looking statements.

 


Results of Operations

 

The following table shows, for the periods indicated, information derived from our consolidated statements of operations, expressed as a percentage of net sales for the periods presented.

 

 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
 March 31,  March 31, 
 2019 2018  2020 2019 
          
Sales  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%  100.0%
Cost of sales  75.1%  75.9%  76.5%  75.1%
Gross profit  24.9%  24.1%  23.5%  24.9%
                
Operating expenses:                
Salaries and commissions  10.8%  10.8%  11.3%  10.8%
Other operating expenses  9.0%  8.8%  9.1%  9.0%
Depreciation and amortization  0.6%  0.6%  0.9%  0.6%
Impairment charge  0.3%   
Total operating expenses:  20.4%  20.3%  21.6%  20.4%
                
Operating income  4.5%  3.8%  1.9%  4.5%
Interest expense  0.9%  0.8%  1.0%  0.9%
                
Income before income taxes  3.7%  3.1%  0.9%  3.7%
Income tax expense  1.0%  0.8%  0.3%  1.0%
                
Net income  2.7%  2.3%  0.7%  2.7%

 

Note:Due to rounding, percentages may not add up to total operating expenses, operating income, income before income taxes or net income.

 

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 20192020 and 20182019

 

Sales

 

 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
 March 31,  March 31, 
(Dollars in millions) 2019 2018 Change  2020 2019 Change 
Sales $85.3  $85.0  $0.3   0.3% $83.5  $85.3  $(1.7)  (2.0)%
                

Our sales for the first quarter were near flatslightly down at $83.5 million in 2020 compared to $85.3 million in 2019, comparedprimarily due to $85.0 million in 2018.reduced market demand, as a result of current economic conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. We estimate sales for our project business, which targets end markets for Environmental Compliance, Engineering & Construction, Industrials, Utility Power Generation, and Mechanical Wire Rope, increaseddecreased 5%, while Maintenance, Repair, and Operations (MRO) sales decreased 1%1.0%, as compared to 2018.2019.

 

Gross Profit

 

 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
 March 31,  March 31, 
(Dollars in millions) 2019 2018 Change  2020 2019 Change 
Gross profit $21.3  $20.5  $0.8   3.8% $19.6  $21.3  $(1.7)  (7.8)%
Gross margin  24.9%  24.1%          23.5%  24.9%        

 

Gross profit increased 3.8%decreased 7.8% to $19.6 million in 2020 from $21.3 million in 2019 from $20.5 million in 2018.2019. The increasedecrease in gross profit was primarily attributable to higherthe reduction in sales and lower product gross margin.margins. Gross margin (gross profit as a percentage of sales) increased slightlydecreased to 23.5% in 2020 from 24.9 % in 2019 from 24.1% in 2018 primarily due to improved pricing discipline and product mix.a decline in copper prices.

 


10

Operating Expenses

 

 Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended 
 March 31,  March 31, 
(Dollars in millions) 2019 2018 Change  2020 2019 Change 
Operating expenses:                                
Salaries and commissions $9.2  $9.2  $0.0   (0.2)% $9.5  $9.2  $0.3   3.2%
Other operating expenses  7.7   7.5   0.2   2.4%  7.6   7.7   (0.1)  (1.3)%
Depreciation and amortization  0.6   0.5   0.1   1.5%  0.8   0.6   0.2   38.7%
Impairment charge  0.2      0.2   100.0%
Total operating expenses $17.4  $17.2  $0.2   1.0% $18.0  $17.4  $0.6   3.5%
                                
Operating expenses as a percent of sales  20.4%  20.3%          21.6%  20.4%        

 

Note:  Due to rounding, numbers may not add up to total operating expenses.

 

OperatingSalaries and commissions increased $0.3 million in 2020 compared to 2019 due to slightly higher temporary warehouse labor as a result of the warehouse moves in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Other operating expenses in 20192020 were almost flat compared to 2018,2019, as we focus on expense management in linelight of current economic conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Depreciation and amortization increased primarily due to depreciation on additional right-of-use assets acquired in the first quarter of 2020.

We recorded an impairment charge in the first quarter of 2020 with the change in sales in 2019 versus 2018.respect to tradenames at our Southwest reporting unit. (See Note 4 of our Consolidated Financial Statements)

 

Interest Expense

 

Interest expense increased to $0.8 million in 2020 from $0.7 million in 2019 from $0.6 million in 2018 due to an increase in the average debt, offset by a lower average effective interest rate. Average debt was $89.2 million in 2020 compared to $73.5 million in 2019 compared to $76.9 million in 2018.2019. The average effective interest rate was 3.4% in 2020 compared to 3.9% in 2019 compared to 3.3% in 2018.2019.

 

Income Taxes

 

The income tax expense of $0.8$0.2 million increased slightlydecreased from $0.7$0.8 million in the prior year period. period, primarily due to the decrease in income before income taxes.Due to the continuing uncertainty in our industry, we utilized the method of recording income taxes on a year-to-date effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020.The actual effective income tax rate for the quarter increased slightly to 29.5% in 2020 from the estimated rate of 26.8% in 2019 from 25.9% in 2018 due to forfeited vested share-based awards.

Net Income

We achieved netstate income of $2.3 million in 2019 compared to $1.9 million in 2018.taxes and nondeductible expenses.

 

Impact of Inflation and Commodity Prices

 

Our results of operations are affected by changes in the inflation rate and commodity prices. Moreover, because copper, steel, aluminum, nickel and petrochemical products are components of the industrial products we sell, fluctuations in the costs of these and other commodities have historically affected our operating results. To the extent commodity prices decline, the net realizable value of our existing inventory could also decline, and our gross profit couldcan be adversely affected because of either reduced selling prices or lower of cost or marketnet realizable value adjustments in the carrying value of our inventory. If weWe turn our inventory approximately three times a year, therefore, the impact of changes in commodity prices in any particular quarter would primarily affect the results of the succeeding two calendar quarters. If we are unable to pass on to our customers future cost increases due to inflation or rising commodity prices, our operating results could be adversely affected.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Our primary capital needs are for working capital obligations, capital expenditures and other general corporate purposes, including acquisitions. Our primary sources of working capital are cash from operations supplemented by bank borrowings.

 


Liquidity is defined as the ability to generate adequate amounts of cash to meet the current need for cash. We assess our liquidity in terms of our ability to generate cash to fund our operating activities. Significant factors which could affect liquidity include the following:

 

the adequacy of available bank lines of credit;

cash flows generated from operating activities;

capital expenditures;

acquisitions; and

the ability to attract long-term capital with satisfactory terms

 


Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 20192020 and 20182019

 

Our net cash used in operating activities was $8.5$2.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 20192020 compared to $6.1$8.5 million in 2018.2019. We had net income of $0.5 million in 2020 compared to $2.3 million in 2019 compared to $1.9 million in 2018.2019.

 

Changes in our operating assets and liabilities resulted in cash used in operating activities of $13.7$4.9 million in 2019.2020. A decrease in accrued and other liabilities of $6.5$8.3 million andwas the main use of cash, offset by a decrease in accounts payableinventory of $3.4 million combined with an increase of $1.2 million in inventories, $1.0 million in lease payments, $1.0 million in prepaid expenses, and $0.7 million in accounts receivable were the main uses of cash.$4.5 million.

 

Net cash used in investing activities was $0.8 million in 2020 compared to $0.3 million in 2019 compared to $0.5 million in 2018.2019.

 

Net cash provided by financing activities was $2.3 million in 2020 compared to $7.6 million in 2019 compared to $6.5 million in 2018.2019. Net borrowings on the revolver of $7.6$2.4 million were the primary source for financing activities in 2019.2020.

 

Indebtedness

 

Our principal source of liquidity at March 31, 20192020 was working capital of $134.2$141.5 million compared to $126.2$138.5 million at December 31, 2018.2019. We also had available borrowing capacity of $20.6$27.4 million at March 31, 20192020 and $28.7$22.8 million at December 31, 20182019 under our loan agreement. The availability at March 31, 20192020 is net of outstanding letters of credit of $0.5$0.7 million.

 

We believe that we will have adequate availability of capital to fund our present operations, meet our commitments on our existing debt, and fund anticipated growth over the next twelve months, including expansion in existing and targeted market areas. We continually seek potential acquisitions and from time to time hold discussions with acquisition candidates. If suitable acquisition opportunities or working capital needs arise that would require additional financing, we believe that our financial position and earnings history provide a solid base for obtaining additional financing resources at competitive rates and terms. Additionally, based on market conditions, we may decide to issue additional shares of common or preferred stock to raise funds.

 

Contractual Obligations

 

The following table summarizes our loan commitment at March 31, 2019.2020.

 

In thousands Total 

Less than 

1 year 

 1-3 years 3-5 years 

More 

than 

5 years 

 

 

Total

 

Less than

1 year

 

1-3 years

 

3-5 years

 

More

than

5 years

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total debt  $ 78,940 $ $ $78,940 $ 

 

 $

  85,920

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

85,920

 

 

$

 

 

 

There were no material changes in operating lease obligations or non-cancellable purchase obligations since December 31, 2018.2019.

12

 


Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

There were no material changes to our market risk as set forth in Items 7A and 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.2019.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

As of March 31, 2019,2020, an evaluation was performed by the Company’s management, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, the chief executive officer and the chief financial officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

Effective January 1, 2019, the Company adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842).” Changes There were made to business processes, including information systems, to capture the additional recording and reporting obligations required by the new ASU. To maintain adequate controls over these new business processes and information systems, the Company evaluated, updated and added new internal controls over financial reporting applicable to lease accounting and reporting. There have been no other changes in itsthe Company’s internal control over financial reporting inthat occurred during the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019,2020, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Part II. Other Information

 

Item 1 - Not applicable and has been omitted.

 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

 

ThereThe COVID-19 pandemic, efforts to mitigate or disrupt the pandemic and the related weak, or weakening of, economic or other negative conditions, have impacted our business, and could result in a material adverse effect on our operations, liquidity, financial condition and financial results.

A novel strain of coronavirus (COVID-19) was first identified in Wuhan, China in December 2019 and subsequently declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. To date, this outbreak, which has surfaced in nearly all regions around the world, and preventative measures taken to contain or mitigate the outbreak have caused, and are continuing to cause, business slowdown or shutdown in affected areas and significant disruption in the financial markets both globally and in the United States, which could lead to a decline in capital spending, and in turn impact, possibly materially, our business, sales, financial condition and results of operations. It is currently not practicable to predict the precise potential impact, as well as the extent of any impact, of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, and on the global economy as a whole. It is also currently not possible to predict how long the pandemic will last or the time that it will take for economic activity to return to prior levels. A prolonged situation could have a significant adverse effect on economies and financial markets globally, potentially leading to a significant worldwide economic downturn, which could have a significant adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic adversely affects our business, results of operations, and financial condition will likely depend on numerous evolving factors which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including but not limited to:

Reductions in the demand for our products as a result of downturns in capital spending,

Disruption to our distribution centers and our suppliers and other vendors, including through the effects of facility closures,

Impacts to our distribution and logistics providers’ ability to operate or increases in their operating costs,

Labor shortages,

Real time changes in operating procedures and costs, including for additional cleaning and disinfection

Significant disruption of global financial markets, which could have a negative impact on our ability to access capital in the future.

We intend to continue to monitor the situation and adjust our current policies and practices as more information and guidance become available.

Other than this item, there were no material changes in the risk factors disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.2019.

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

Our board authorized a stock repurchase program of $25 million in March 2014. The program has no expiration date. Purchases under the stock repurchase program were suspended in November 2016 and reactivated in August 2019.

No shares of common stock were purchased during the three months ended March 31, 2020. As of March 31, 2020, $8.1 million remained available under the repurchase authorization.

 

Item 23 - Not applicable and has been omitted.

 

Item 34 - Not applicable and has been omitted.

 

Item 45 - Not applicable and has been omitted.


Item 5 - Not applicable and has been omitted.


Item 6.  Exhibits

 

(a) Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

 

Exhibit

Number

Document Description

31.1

Certification by James L. Pokluda III pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2

Certification by Christopher M. Micklas pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1

Certification by James L. Pokluda III and Christopher M. Micklas pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document(1)

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase

(1)

Attached as exhibit 101 to this report are the following documents formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) the Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 20192020 and December 31, 2018;2019; (ii) the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three month periods ended March 31, 20192020 and 2018;2019; (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three month periods ended March 31, 20192020 and 2018;2019; and (vi) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

16 


Signature

 

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

 

Date:  May 10, 20198, 2020

HOUSTON WIRE & CABLE COMPANY

BY:

/s/ Christopher M. Micklas

Christopher M. Micklas, Chief Financial Officer

17