SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM 10-QSB
_________________________
(Mark One)
x | Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
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| For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2004, or |
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o | Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 |
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| For the transition period from ____________ to _____________ |
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| Commission file number 0-49939 |
_________________________
DICON FIBEROPTICS, INC.
(Exact Name of Small Business Issuer as Specified in Its Charter)
California | | 94-3006185 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of | | (IRS Employer |
Incorporation or Organization) | | Identification No.) |
| | |
1689 Regatta Blvd. | | |
Richmond, California | | 94804 |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) | | (Zip Code) |
(510) 620-5000
(Issuer’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
_________________________
Check whether the issuer (1) filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act during the past 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 x No o
The number of shares outstanding of the issuer’s common stock as of September 30, 2004, was 111,966,640.
Transitional Small Business Disclosure Format (check one): Yes o No x
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DICON FIBEROPTICS, INC.
Pages
PART I | | |
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Item 1. | | 3 |
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Item 2. | | 14 |
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Item 3. | | 22 |
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PART II | | |
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Item 1. | | 23 |
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Item 2. | | 23 |
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Item 3. | | 23 |
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Item 4. | | 23 |
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Item 5. | | 24 |
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Item 6. | | 24 |
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FINANCIAL INFORMATION
DiCon Fiberoptics, Inc. and Subsidiary Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands) | |
| | | |
| | September 30, | | March 31, | |
| | 2004 | | 2004 (1) | |
Assets | | | | | | | |
Current assets: | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 14,612 | | $ | 1,359 | |
Marketable securities | | | 3,091 | | | 20,250 | |
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $112 and $78, respectively | | | 4,154 | | | 3,155 | |
Inventories | | | 5,436 | | | 4,506 | |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | | 274 | | | 521 | |
Income tax receivable | | | 15 | | | 16 | |
| | | | | | | |
Total current assets | | | 27,582 | | | 29,807 | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | | | 54,460 | | | 58,750 | |
Other assets | | | 72 | | | 64 | |
| | | | | | | |
Total assets | | $ | 82,114 | | $ | 88,621 | |
| | | | | | | |
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity | | | | | | | |
Current liabilities: | | | | | | | |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | | $ | 3,461 | | $ | 2,914 | |
Advances received from customers | | | 3,538 | | | 3,549 | |
Mortgage and other debt | | | 4,604 | | | 6,059 | |
Deferred compensation payable | | | 129 | | | 120 | |
| | | | | | | |
Total current liabilities | | | 11,732 | | | 12,642 | |
Mortgage and other debt, net of current portion | | | 21,287 | | | 23,310 | |
| | | | | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 33,019 | | | 35,952 | |
| | | | | | | |
Commitments | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
Shareholders' equity: | | | | | | | |
Common stock: no par value; 200,000 shares authorized;111,967and 111,992 shares issued and outstanding, respectively | | | 22,254 | | | 22,279 | |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 13,375 | | | 13,217 | |
Deferred compensation | | | (485 | ) | | (550 | ) |
Retained earnings | | | 15,313 | | | 18,812 | |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | | | (1,362 | ) | | (1,089 | ) |
Total shareholders' equity | | | 49,095 | | | 52,669 | |
| | | | | | | |
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | | $ | 82,114 | | $ | 88,621 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
(1) Balances at March 31, 2004 are derived from the audited Financial Statements at that date.
DiCon Fiberoptics, Inc. and Subsidiary Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss (in thousands, except per share data) | |
| | | | | |
| | For the three months ended September 30, | | For the six months ended September 30, | |
| | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2004 | | 2003 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net sales | | $ | 6,842 | | $ | 3,708 | | $ | 11,271 | | $ | 7,476 | �� |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of goods sold | | | 3,921 | | | 4,566 | | | 8,268 | | | 9,150 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross profit/(loss) | | | 2,921 | | | (858 | ) | | 3,003 | | | (1,674 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | 1,718 | | | 1,347 | | | 3,016 | | | 2,801 | |
Research and development expenses | | | 1,667 | | | 1,614 | | | 3,081 | | | 3,352 | |
| | | 3,385 | | | 2,961 | | | 6,097 | | | 6,153 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss from operations | | | (464 | ) | | (3,819 | ) | | (3,094 | ) | | (7,827 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other (expense) income: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest expense | | | (304 | ) | | (330 | ) | | (604 | ) | | (694 | ) |
Other income, net | | | 68 | | | (2 | ) | | 200 | | | 222 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Loss before income taxes | | | (700 | ) | | (4,151 | ) | | (3,498 | ) | | (8,299 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income tax (expense) benefit | | | (1 | ) | | 309 | | | (1 | ) | | 573 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss | | $ | (701 | ) | $ | (3,842 | ) | $ | (3,499 | ) | $ | (7,726 | ) |
Other Comprehensive loss: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign currency translation adjustment | | | 18 | | | 516 | | | (256 | ) | | 601 | |
Unrealized holding (losses) gains on marketable securitiesarising during the period, net of realized (losses) gains | | | (19 | ) | | 18 | | | (17 | ) | | (64 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Comprehensive loss | | $ | (702 | ) | $ | (3,308 | ) | $ | (3,772 | ) | $ | (7,189 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss per share - Basic and diluted | | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.07 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Average shares used in computing net loss per share - basic and diluted | | | 111,976 | | | 112,013 | | | 111,982 | | | 112,023 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
DiCon Fiberoptics, Inc. and Subsidiary Unaudited Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows (in thousands) | |
| | Six Months Ended September 30, | |
| | | | 2004 | | 2003 | |
Cash flows from operating activities: | | | | | | | |
Net loss | | | | | $ | (3,499 | ) | $ | (7,726 | ) |
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | | | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation | | | | | | 4,142 | | | 4,761 | |
Deferred incomes taxes | | | | | | - | | | (573 | ) |
Write down excess and obsolete inventories | | | | | | 538 | | | 343 | |
Provision for bad debts | | | | | | 34 | | | 68 | |
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment | | | | | | 19 | | | 14 | |
Realized gain on available-for-sale marketable securities | | | | | | (22 | ) | | (95 | ) |
Interest accretion on deferred compensation liability | | | | | | - | | | 8 | |
Stock compensation expense | | | | | | 222 | | | 456 | |
Changes in assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable | | | | | | (1,033 | ) | | (77 | ) |
Inventories | | | | | | (1,548 | ) | | (211 | ) |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | | | | | | 245 | | | 72 | |
Income tax receivable | | | | | | - | | | 15,254 | |
Other assets | | | | | | (9 | ) | | 29 | |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | | | | | | 654 | | | (872 | ) |
Deferred compensation payable | | | | | | 9 | | | 134 | |
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities | | | | | | (248 | ) | | 11,585 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from investing activities: | | | | | | | | | | |
Purchases of marketable securities | | | | | | (1,496 | ) | | (14,547 | ) |
Sales of marketable securities | | | | | | 18,643 | | | 981 | |
Sale of property, plant and equipment | | | | | | 32 | | | 24 | |
Purchases of property, plant and equipment | | | | | | (199 | ) | | (34 | ) |
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | | | | | | 16,980 | | | (13,576 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Cash flows from financing activities: | | | | | | | | | | |
Borrowings under mortgages and other debt | | | | | | 1,559 | | | 2,726 | |
Repayment of mortgages and other debt | | | | | | (5,011 | ) | | (2,794 | ) |
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of repurchases | | | �� | | | (25 | ) | | (40 | ) |
Net cash (used in) financing activities | | | | | | (3,477 | ) | | (108 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents | | | | | | (2 | ) | | 2 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Net change in cash and cash equivalents | | | | | | 13,253 | | | (2,097 | ) |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | | | | | | 1,359 | | | 3,757 | |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | | | | | $ | 14,612 | | $ | 1,660 | |
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: | | | | | |
Cash paid for income taxes | | $ | 1 | | $ | 53 | |
Cash paid for interest | | $ | 595 | | $ | 685 | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited consolidated financial statements.
DiCon Fiberoptics, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The business of DiCon Fiberoptics, Inc. and Subsidiary (“DiCon” or the “Company”) is developing, manufacturing and marketing optical components, modules, and test instruments for optical communications markets. DiCon Fiberoptics, Inc. is incorporated in California. The Company has a domestic manufacturing facility and headquarters in Richmond, California. The Company, through Global Fiberoptics Inc. (“Global Fiberoptics”), its wholly owned Taiwanese subsidiary, formed in December 1999, also operates a manufacturing and sales facility in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and conducts manufacturing and Asian marketing and sales activities there.
The Company operates and reports based on a fiscal year that ends on March 31st. The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America for interim financial information and on the same basis of presentation as the audited financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB/A-1 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on July 2, 2004 (the “Company’s 10-KSB/A-1”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for audited financial statements. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the interim information includes all adjustments, consisting only of normal re curring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods. Footnote disclosures related to the interim financial information included herein are also unaudited. Such financial information should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto for the year ended March 31, 2004 included in the Company’s 10-KSB/A-1.
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Certain prior year balances have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
3. | Stock-based compensation |
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation issued to employees using the intrinsic value method of Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and, accordingly, presents disclosure of pro forma information required under Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”, as amended by SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation, Transition and Disclosure.” Stock and other equity instruments issued to non-employees are accounted for in accordance with SFAS No. 123 and Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 96-18, “Accounting for Equity Instruments That Are Issued to Other Than Employees for Acquiring, or in Conjunction with Selling Goods or Services ,” and recorded at their fair value. Expenses associated with stock-based compensation is amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the individual award.
Had compensation cost for the Company's stock option plans been determined based on the fair value of such awards at the grant dates as prescribed by SFAS No. 123, stock-based compensation costs would have impacted net loss and loss per common share for the fiscal periods presented, as follows:
DiCon Fiberoptics, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share data)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
| | For the three months ended, | | For the six months ended | |
| | September30 | | September 30, | |
| | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2004 | | 2003 | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Net loss, as reported | | $ | (701 | ) | $ | (3,842 | ) | $ | (3,499 | ) | $ | (7,726 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Add: Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net loss, net of tax | | | 111 | | | 164 | | | 222 | | | 456 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Deduct: Compensation expense based on fair value method, net of tax | | | (138 | ) | | (172 | ) | | (273 | ) | | (312 | ) |
Pro forma net loss | | $ | (728 | ) | $ | (3,850 | ) | $ | (3,550 | ) | $ | (7,582 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Reported net loss per share—basic and diluted | | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.07 | ) |
Pro forma net loss per share—basic and diluted | | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.07 | ) |
4. | Recent accounting pronouncements |
In March 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) approved the consensus reached on the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 03-1, “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and Its Application to Certain Investments” (“EITF 03-1”). The objective of this Issue is to provide guidance for identifying impaired investments. EITF 03-1 also provides new disclosure requirements for investments that are deemed to be temporarily impaired. The accounting provisions of EITF 03-1 are effective for all reporting periods beginning after June 15, 2004, while the disclosure requirements are effective only for annual periods ending after June 15, 2004. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financia l position, results of operations or cash flows.
In December 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued a revised Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 132, or SFAS 132R, “Employers’ Disclosures about Pensions and Other Post-retirement Benefits, an Amendment of FASB Statements No. 87, 88, and 106, and a Revision of FASB Statement No. 132.” This statement revises employers’ disclosures about pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plans. It does not change the measurement or recognition of those plans required by FASB Statements No. 87, “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions,” No. 88, “Employers’ Accounting for Settlements and Curtailments of Defined Benefit Pension Plans and for Termination Benefits” and No. 106, “Employers’ Accounting for Post - -retirement Benefits Other Than Pensions.” The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
In December 2003, the FASB issued a revised Interpretation No. 46, or FIN 46R, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities, an Interpretation of ARB No. 51,” replacing the original interpretation issued in January 2003. FIN 46R requires certain entities to be consolidated by enterprises that lack majority voting interest when equity investors of those entities have insignificant capital at risk or they lack voting rights, the obligation to absorb expected losses, or the right to receive expected returns. Entities identified with these characteristics are called variable interest entities and the interests that enterprises have in these entities are called variable interests. These interests can derive from certain guarantees, leases, loans or other arrangements that result in risks and rewards that are disp roportionate to the voting interests in the entities. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
DiCon Fiberoptics, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands, except per share data)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
As of September 30, 2004, DiCon had cash and cash equivalents of $14.6 million. In addition, the Company has $3.1 million invested in certificates of deposit and other marketable securities that in conformity with the requirements of generally accepted accounting principles were classified as marketable securities held available for sale.
DiCon believes its current cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities will be sufficient to meet its anticipated cash needs for working capital and capital expenditures for at least the next 12 months. There remains some possibility that DiCon may need to raise additional capital. For instance, it might need additional capital in order to refinance its loans, finance unanticipated growth or to invest in new technology. There can be no certainty that DiCon would be successful in raising the required capital or in raising capital at acceptable rates.
6. | Basic net loss per share |
Basic loss per share is computed by dividing the net loss (numerator) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding (denominator) during the periods presented, excluding the dilutive effect of stock options. Diluted net loss per share gives effect to all potentially dilutive common stock equivalents outstanding during the period. In computing diluted net loss per share, the average stock price for the period is used in determining the number of shares assumed to be purchased from the proceeds of stock option exercises.
The following is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted net loss per share computations for the periods presented below:
| | For the three months ended, | | For the six months ended | |
| | September30 | | September 30, | |
| | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2004 | | 2003 | |
Numerator: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss | | $ | (701 | ) | $ | (3,842 | ) | $ | (3,499 | ) | $ | (7,726 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Denominator: | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic and diluted weighted average shares | | | 111,976 | | | 112,013 | | | 111,982 | | | 112,023 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic and diluted net loss per share | | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | (0.07 | ) |
As a result of the losses incurred by the Company for the three months and the six months ended September 30, 2004, weighted average options to purchase 4,576 and 4,711 shares of common stock were anti-dilutive and excluded from the net loss per share calculations. For the three months and the six months ended September 30, 2003, weighted average options to purchase 4,647 and 4,677 shares of common stock were anti-dilutive and excluded from the net loss per share calculations.
The value of the Company’s investments by major security type is as follows:
| | Cost | | Unrealized | | Unrealized | | Fair | |
| | | | Gain | | Losses | | Value | |
September 30, 2004 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Certificate of Deposit | | $ | 3,091 | | $ | - | | $ | - | | $ | 3,091 | |
March 31, 2004 | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign Mutual Fund | | $ | 833 | | $ | 17 | | $ | - | | $ | 850 | |
Certificate of Deposit | | | 19,400 | | | - | | | - | | | 19,400 | |
Total | | $ | 20,233 | | $ | 17 | | $ | - | | $ | 20,250 | |
Debt securities include certificates of deposit with original maturities of greater than 90 days.
DiCon Fiberoptics, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Inventories consist of the following as of September 30, 2004 and March 31, 2004:
| | September 30, | | March 31, | |
| | 2004 | | 2004 | |
| | | | | |
Raw materials | | $ | 1,528 | | $ | 1,813 | |
Work-in-process | | | 3,908 | | | 2,693 | |
Total | | $ | 5,436 | | $ | 4,506 | |
During the six months period ended September 30, 2004, DiCon wrote off approximately $0.5 million of obsolete inventory. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, DiCon wrote off approximately $1.1 million of obsolete inventory and wrote down to fair value an additional $1.1 million of inventory.
9. | Property, Plant and Equipment, net |
Property, plant and equipment consist of the following as of September 30, 2004 and March 31, 2004:
| | September 30, | | March 31, | |
| | 2004 | | 2004 | |
Land | | $ | 10,000 | | $ | 10,000 | |
Building and improvements | | | 37,619 | | | 37,764 | |
Machinery, equipment and fixtures | | | 47,152 | | | 47,993 | |
Property, plant and equipment | | | 94,771 | | | 95,757 | |
Less:Accumulated depreciation | | | (40,311 | ) | | (37,007 | ) |
Property, plant and equipment, net | | $ | 54,460 | | $ | 58,750 | |
Depreciation expense was $4,142 and $9,219 for the six months endedSeptember 30, 2004 and for the year ended March 31, 2004.
10. | Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities |
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities consist of the following as of September 30, 2004 and March 31, 2004:
| | September 30, | | March 31, | |
| | 2004 | | 2004 | |
| | | | | |
Accounts payable | | $ | 1,238 | | $ | 1,053 | |
Accrued payroll | | | 768 | | | 900 | |
Accrual for vacated properties | | | 164 | | | 250 | |
Accrued liabilities | | | 1,291 | | | 711 | |
| | $ | 3,461 | | $ | 2,914 | |
11. | Mortgage and Other Debt |
The Company financed, in part, a new corporate campus by obtaining a construction loan from a bank of $27.0 million on August 24, 2000. In November 2001, the same bank refinanced the outstanding balance of the construction loan with a mortgage loan maturing on November 20, 2004, with an amortization schedule based on a 25-year loan. During the year ended March 31, 2002, the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the institution with which the Company maintains the mortgage loan was appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors.
DiCon Fiberoptics, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
On June 28, 2004, the bank agreed to extend the maturity date of the mortgage loan to October 20, 2007, subject to additional terms and conditions requiring the Company to make additional principal repayments as follows: $1.5 million 10 days after the date of execution of the loan extension agreement; $1.0 million on October 1, 2004; and seven installments each in the amount of $0.5 million on the first day of each calendar quarter, commencing on January 1, 2005 and ending on July 1, 2006.
Interest on the mortgage loan is accrued at a variable interest rate based on changes in the lender’s prime rate as of the 20th of each month (4.5 percent at September 30, 2004). Principal and interest are payable monthly. The balance of the mortgage loan as of September 30, 2004 was $22.7 million.
In April 2001, the Company obtained an equipment loan from a bank in the amount of $7.3 million. The loan was secured by specific pieces of equipment. The loan was repayable in equal monthly installments of principal and interest over 60 months beginning May 30, 2001. On September 30, 2004, the loan balance was $2.3 million. Effective April 30, 2002 and annually on April 30th of each year thereafter, the Company could elect to fix the interest rate on the equipment loan for a twelve month period at a rate of one-half of one percentage point (0.5 percent) per annum in excess of the prime rate. The Company had not elected the fixed rate option and the loan bore an interest rate of prime plus 0.5 percent (5.25 percent on September 30, 2004). On March 31, 2003, the Company was in violation of two of the financial covena nts under this loan agreement. The bank agreed to waive the covenants, but added an additional covenant requiring the Company to maintain a balance of cash and marketable securities (excluding equity securities) of at least two times the outstanding loan balance. The waiver was extended through March 31, 2005. The Company was in compliance with the additional covenant as of September 30, 2004. The loan was voluntarily prepaid in full on October 12, 2004.
Global Fiberoptics maintained a line of credit in Taiwan backed by commercial paper issued by Global Fiberoptics for a maximum of 100 million New Taiwan Dollars (or approximately $2.9 million as of September 30, 2004). The line of credit will mature on January 28, 2005. The outstanding balance of any commercial paper under this line of credit must be fully secured by either a cash deposit or bond fund certificate. As of September 30, 2004, there was no commercial paper outstanding.
In September 2004, Global Fiberoptics renewed its second line of credit of 80 million New Taiwan Dollars (or approximately $2.4 million as of September 30, 2004) from a Taiwan bank. The interest rate is based on a rate set by the bank at the time funds are drawn. The amount drawn as of September 30, 2004 was 31.5 million New Taiwan Dollars (or approximately $0.9 million as of September 30, 2004) with an interest rate of 3.25%.
12. | Stock Plans and Deferred Compensation Liability |
As an incentive for employees to assist in growing the Company, prior to March 31, 2001 the Company maintained a phantom stock plan (the “Phantom Stock Plan”) under which it granted eligible employees phantom stock units that entitled the employees to participate in the current and future value of the Company. In addition, the Company made contingent commitments to eligible employees to grant stock units in the future (the “Contingently Promised Stock Units”). The shares under the plan were valued semiannually, typically in May and December. These stock units vested 50 percent upon receipt and 50 percent on the first anniversary of the grant date and had an exercise price of zero. During the service period of one-year following the date of the grant, the vested units could be redeemed for cash on a ne t basis by forfeiting additional units equal to the number of units redeemed. Thereafter, a maximum of 60 percent of the units could be redeemed while the holder was still an employee of the Company. The Company recorded a liability for the value of the unredeemed vested shares at the current value as of the financial statement date.
On March 31, 2001, the Company offered its employees two new equity incentive plans, an Employee Stock Option Plan (the “Option Plan”) and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “Purchase Plan”). Grants under the Phantom Stock Plan have been discontinued. Under both the Option Plan and the Purchase Plan, the exercise or purchase price is not to be less than 85 percent of the fair value of Company’s common stock at the time of grant under the Option Plan or purchase under the Purchase Plan. New options granted under the Option Plan generally vest over five years and expire after ten years.
DiCon Fiberoptics, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Under the terms of the Option Plan, employees who were participants in the Phantom Stock Plan could convert their awarded phantom stock units and their Contingently Promised Stock Units into (1) options with an exercise price of $4.11 per share and cash payments of $4.11 per share (paid over four years); (2) additional options with an exercise price of $4.11; or (3) a combination of both (1) and (2). The cash payments and the options that were converted from vested stock units vested immediately. The cash payments and the options that were converted from Contingently Promised Units will vest in accordance with the original vesting schedule, but not less than 20 percent per year. At March 31, 2001, all phantom stock units for current employees under the Phantom Stock Plan were converted to options or options and cash paym ents pursuant to one of the alternatives noted above.
Cash payments related to the conversion are payable in four annual installments beginning on March 31, 2002. As of March 31, 2001, the Company anticipated making four annual payments of $5,930 each commencing March 31, 2002 for those employees who elected to receive a cash payout in lieu of additional options. The present value of the cash payments related to the conversion of vested phantom stock units of $15,131 was recorded as a liability as of March 31, 2001. The cash payments related to the conversion of the Contingently Promised Units are subject to continuing employment and, accordingly, the related expense and liability are accrued as earned by the employees. The first annual installment of $5,812 to those employees electing to receive cash in lieu of additional options was paid on March 28, 2 002.
As of December 31, 2002, the total remaining undiscounted future cash payments related to the conversion of the Company’s Phantom Stock Plan to its Option Plan totaled $7,645, payable in three equal annual installments beginning March 31, 2003. In order to reduce this liability, the Company offered the participants an opportunity to receive an early payment in January 2003. As a result, under the terms of the early payment program, the Company paid $1,979 on January 10, 2003 and reduced the future liability for Contingently Promised Units by $2,058.
The second and third annual installments of $416 and $347 to those employees electing to receive cash in lieu of additional options was paid on March 31, 2003 and 2004.
The Purchase Plan was available to all eligible employees who meet certain service requirements. Effective April 1, 2001, employees participating in the Purchase Plan could elect to deduct up to 10 percent of gross pay to purchase stock in the Company. Stock transactions pursuant to the Purchase Plan occurred semiannually on December 31 and March 31. The Company could sell up to 3,230 shares of stock under the Purchase Plan. Employees purchased 70 shares at a price of $3.85 per share on December 31, 2001 and 174 shares at a price of $2.10 on March 31, 2002. In May 2002, the Company issued 659 additional shares of common stock to employees under the Purchase Plan for aggregate cash consideration of $1,384 at a price of $2.10. In September 2002, the Company suspended the sale of shares to employees under the Purchase Plan.
Compensation expense related to the Company’s stock compensation plans and conversion of the Contingently Promised Units has been reflected in the Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the three months and six months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 as follows:
| | For the three months ended | | For the six months ended | |
| | September 30, | | September 30, | |
| | 2004 | | 2003 | | 2004 | | 2003 | |
Cost of goods sold | | $ | 10 | | $ | 21 | | $ | 22 | | $ | 59 | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | 35 | | | 74 | | | 76 | | | 203 | |
Research and development expenses | | | 72 | | | 157 | | | 160 | | | 431 | |
| | $ | 117 | | $ | 252 | | $ | 258 | | $ | 693 | |
The Company had cummulative net operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards of approximately $51.8 million as of March 31, 2004, which consists of $9.2 million federal tax and $42.6 million state tax credit carryforwards. The Company reported $1 corporation estimated tax expense paid for the six months ended September 30, 2004.
DiCon Fiberoptics, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Company’s investment in its Taiwan subsidiary is essentially permanent in duration and undistributed foreign earnings on September 30, 2004 amounted to $7.4 million. The Company was granted a five-year tax holiday in Taiwan, which will expire in 2006. There is no plan to distribute these earnings to DiCon. If at some future date all or portions of these foreign earnings are distributed as dividends to DiCon, substantial additional taxes would be due in Taiwan and in the United States.
Due to uncertainty surrounding the realization of the favorable tax attributes in future tax returns, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance against certain deferred tax assets at September 30, 2004. Management regularly evaluates the recoverability of the deferred tax asset and the level of the valuation allowance. At such time as it is determined that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will be realizable, the valuation allowance will be reduced.
14. | Commitments and contingencies |
The Company provides reserves for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time revenue is recognized. Estimates of the costs of warranty obligations are based on the Company’s historical experience of known project failure rates, use of materials and service delivery costs incurred in correcting product failures. In addition, from time to time, specific warranty accruals may be made if unforeseen technical problems arise. Should the Company’s accrual experience relative to these factors differ from estimates, the Company may be required to record additional warranty reserves. Alternatively, if the Company provides more reserves than needed, the Company may reverse a portion of such provision in future periods.
Changes in the Company’s warranty reserve during the six months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 were as follows:
| | As of September 30, | |
| | 2004 | | 2003 | |
Beginning balance | | $ | 16 | | $ | 56 | |
Accruals for warranties during the six months | | | 93 | | | 78 | |
Settlements made (in cash) during the six months | | | (71 | ) | | (105 | ) |
Ending balance | | $ | 38 | | $ | 29 | |
The Company moved to its new facilities in Richmond, California during the 2001 fiscal year. Accordingly, certain of the leased properties were no longer used for operating purposes and are available for sublease. As of September 30, 2004, there is only one non-cancelable operating lease remaining and this lease will terminate on September 14, 2005. The lease requires the Company to pay insurance, real property taxes in excess of the base property taxes in all tax years and maintenance costs. Lease expense net of sublease income for the six months ended September 30, 2004 and for the year ended March 31, 2004 was $40,000 and $82,000, respectively. As of September 30, 2004, the Company's estimate of the liability for the remaining costs of the lease, net of expected sublease income, is $0.2 million, and is included in acc ounts payable and accrued liabilities in the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Global Fiberoptics owns a condominium interest in the building in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. This facility is located on a ground lease that extends through 2011. The ground lease may be renewed indefinitely, and there is no penalty for early cancellation, except for forfeiture of the owned facility.
As of September 30, 2004, DiCon’s future gross commitments under all leases was $0.5 million.
DiCon Fiberoptics, Inc. and Subsidiary
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
(in thousands)
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Global Fiberoptics maintained a line of credit in Taiwan backed by commercial paper issued by Global Fiberoptics for a maximum of 100 million New Taiwan Dollars (or approximately $2.9 million as of September 30, 2004). As of September 30, 2004, there was no commercial paper outstanding. The interest rate is based on a rate set by the bank at the time funds are drawn.
Global Fiberoptics obtained a second line of credit of 80 million New Taiwan Dollars (or approximately $2.4 million) from a Taiwan bank as of September 30, 2004, of which 31.5 million New Taiwan Dollars (or approximately $0.9 million as of September 30, 2004) were drawn. These letters of credit primarily support workers’ compensation, merchandise import and payment obligations. The interest rate is based on a rate set by the bank at the time funds are drawn.
On October 12, 2004, the Company utilized available cash balances to voluntarily prepay in full a $2.3 million equipment loan from a bank.
Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis or Plan of Operation.
Certain statements contained in this report on Form 10-QSB that are not purely historical are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including, without limitation, statements regarding DiCon’s expectations, beliefs, anticipations, commitments, intentions and strategies regarding the future. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements. Factors that could contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those specific points discussed under “Risk Factors” in the Annual Report on Form 10-KSB filed by DiCon with the SEC.
Overview
DiCon designs and manufactures passive optical components, modules and test instruments for current and next-generation optical communications markets. DiCon designs and manufactures a broad portfolio of technically advanced products that filter, split, combine, attenuate, and route light in optical networks. DiCon also sells products used for testing optical devices and systems. DiCon’s products are based on its proprietary technologies, including thin-film coating, micro-optic design, optical element finishing, Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (“MEMS”), advanced packaging and process automation. DiCon was founded in 1986 and first became profitable in 1988. It remained profitable each fiscal year until the fiscal year ended March 31, 2002.
Since 2001, DiCon has operations from its owned 200,000 square feet facility in Richmond, California, which contains all of DiCon’s domestic manufacturing, R&D, sales and administration operations.
DiCon began its overseas manufacturing operations at its 44,000 square foot WDM product assembly facility in Kaohsiung, Taiwan in January 2000. This facility subsequently has been expanded through the purchase of an additional 44,000 square feet of space adjacent to the original facility. Although DiCon owns a condominium interest in the building, it is located on a ground lease that extends through 2011. The ground lease may be renewed indefinitely, and there is no penalty for early cancellation, except for forfeiture of the owned facility.
DiCon’s communications products include Wavelength Division Multiplexers (“WDMs”), amplifier components, switches and attenuators, MEMS devices and modules. Its measurement products include variable attenuators, tunable filters, and test instruments for telecommunication applications. DiCon markets and sells its products worldwide through its direct sales force, its subsidiary Global and through selected distributors.
The optical networking industry is rapidly changing and the volume and timing of orders are difficult to predict. Since the fourth quarter of 2000, the fiber optics industry has gone through a significant period of consolidation following a dramatic curtailment of capital spending by most carriers faced with substantial excess bandwidth capacity and very high levels of corporate debt. DiCon’s customers are manufacturers of telecommunications equipment. DiCon believes its customers generally view the purchase of DiCon’s products as a significant and strategic decision. As a result, customers typically commit substantial effort in evaluating DiCon’s technology, and testing and qualifying its products and manufacturing processes. This customer evaluation and qualification process frequently results in a lengt hy initial sales cycle of nine months or longer.
DiCon’s cost of goods sold consists primarily of the cost of direct materials, labor and manufacturing overhead, scrap and rework associated with products sold, as well as production start up costs. As demand changes, DiCon attempts to manage its manufacturing capacity to meet demand for existing and new products; however, certain portions of its costs are fixed and as volumes decrease, these expenses are difficult to reduce proportionately, if at all. The Company assesses its inventory position on a monthly and quarterly basis with its then current forecasts. During the six months ended September 30, 2004, DiCon wrote off approximately $0.5 million of obsolete inventory. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2004, DiCon wrote off approximately $1.1 million of obsolete inventory and wrote down to fair value an addi tional $1.1 million of inventory.
Research and development expenses consist primarily of salaries and related personnel expenses, fees paid to consultants and outside service providers, material and equipment costs, and other expenses related to the design, development, testing and enhancement of DiCon’s products. DiCon expenses all of its research and development costs as incurred and does not capitalize any research and development expenditures except for equipment with a useful life longer than one year and useful for purposes other than the current research and development project. DiCon believes that research and development is critical to strategic product development and expects to continue to devote significant resources to product research and development. DiCon
expects its research and development expenses to fluctuate both in absolute dollars and as a percentage of sales based on its perceived need for, and expected return from, its research and development efforts.
Selling, general and administrative expenses include salaries, benefits, commissions, product promotion and administrative expenses. DiCon expects these expenses to continue to be substantial as the Company strives to sustain its market share in the fiberoptic component manufacturing business.
Other income (expenses) consists primarily of interest income, offset by interest expense, plus realized gains or losses on sales of investments and fixed assets.
DiCon has invested $0.5 million for a 5.45% minority interest in a private company in Taiwan engaged in the optical coating business. This investment is held for investment purposes and is accounted for on the cost basis of accounting. The investment value has been fully impaired as of March 31, 2004.
DiCon maintains an Employee Stock Option Plan and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan as a means of motivating its employees to make a tangible contribution towards achieving its corporate objectives. In September 2002, DiCon suspended the sale of DiCon shares to employees under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities, net sales and expenses, and the related disclosures. Estimates are based on historical experience, knowledge of economic and market factors and various other assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. The following critical accounting policies are affected by significant estimates, assumptions and judgments used in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Revenue recognition
The Company derives its revenue from the sale of fiberoptic networking components. Revenue from product sales is recognized upon shipment of the product, provided that persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred and no significant obligations remain, the fee is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. Sales to distributors do not include the right to return or exchange products or price protection. A provision for returns and allowances is recorded at the time revenue is recognized based on the Company’s historical experience.
Allowances for doubtful accounts
The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers. Allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses are maintained resulting from the inability or unwillingness of customers to make required payments. When the Company becomes aware that a specific customer is unable to meet its financial obligations, such as the filing of a bankruptcy or deterioration in the customer’s operating results or financial position, the Company records a specific allowance to reflect the level of credit risk in the customer’s outstanding receivable balance. The Company is not able to predict changes in the financial condition of customers, and if circumstances related to the Company’s customers deteriorate, estimates of the recoverability of trade receivables could be materially affected and the Company may be required to record additional allowances. Alternatively, if the Company provides allowances on receivables that are ultimately collected, the Company will reverse such provisions in future periods based on actual collection experience.
Warranty accrual
The Company generally provides warranties for its products for one year. The Company provides reserves for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time revenue is recognized. Because the Company’s products are manufactured, in most cases, to customer specifications and their acceptance is based on meeting those specifications, the Company historically has experienced minimal warranty costs. Estimates of the costs of warranty obligations are based on the Company’s historical experience of known product failure rates and the use of materials and service delivery costs incurred in correcting product failures. In addition, from time to time, specific warranty accruals may be made if unforeseen technical problems arise. Should the Company’s actual experience relative to these factors differ from its ori ginal estimates, the Company may be required to record additional warranty reserves. Alternatively, if the Company provides more reserves that are in excess of its actual warranty costs, the Company will reverse a portion of such provisions in future periods.
Other long-term investments
Long-term investments are accounted for at historical cost and are subject to a periodic impairment review; however, for non-marketable equity securities classified under the other long-term investments of the Company, the impairment analysis requires significant judgment to identify events or circumstances that would likely have a significant adverse effect on the fair value of the investment. The indicators the Company uses to identify those events and circumstances include the investment’s revenue and earnings trends relative to predefined milestones and overall business prospects; the technological feasibility of the investment’s products and technologies; the general market conditions in the investment’s industry; and the investment’s liquidity, debt ratios and the rate at which the investment is using cash. Investments identified as having an indicator of impairment are subject to further analysis to determine if the investment is other than temporarily impaired, in which case the investment is written down to its impaired value. When an investment is not considered viable from a financial or technological point of view, the entire investment is written down, since the estimated fair market value is considered to be nominal. Impairment of non-marketable equity securities is recorded in impairment of other long-term investments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Fair value of financial instruments
The Company has determined that the amounts reported for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, short-term borrowings, accounts payable, accrued expenses, equipment loan and mortgage loan approximate fair value because of their short maturities and/or variable interest rates. Marketable securities are reported at their fair market value based on quoted market prices.
Inventories
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method. Cost is determined using standard cost, which approximates actual cost. The inventory of the Company is subject to rapid technological changes and obsolescence that could have an adverse affect on its utilization in future periods. Accordingly, the Company writes down excess and obsolete inventory based on the Company’s estimates of inventory to be sold or consumed.
Property, plant and equipment
The Company evaluates the recoverability of the net carrying value of its property, plant and equipment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate impairment may exist, by comparing the carrying values to the estimated future undiscounted cash flows. A deficiency in these cash flows relative to the carrying values is an indication of the need for a write-down due to impairment. The impairment write-down would then be the difference between the carrying values and the fair value of these assets. A loss on impairment would be recognized by a charge to earnings. The Company did not record an impairment charge for property, plant and equipment in the six months ended September 30, 2004 and the year ended March 31, 2004. Changes in these estimates could have a material adverse effect on the assessment of property, p lant and equipment, thereby requiring the Company to write down its assets.
Deferred taxes
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities represent the expected future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between corresponding amounts stated on the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using the enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be reversed. Valuation allowances are recognized as necessary to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized.
Financial Results
Three Months Ended September 30, 2004 Compared with Three Months Ended September 30, 2003
Net Sales
Net sales increased by 84.5% to $6.8 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2004 from $3.7 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2003. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the demand for fiberoptic components and test equipment by telecommunications equipment vendors.
In the quarter ended September 30, 2004, the Company recorded $0.15 million revenue from cancellations of prior purchase agreements with customer. In the quarter ended September 30, 2003, the Company recorded no revenue from cancellations of prior purchase agreements with customer.
The fiber optic communications industry is characterized by dynamic technological changes. Specific products may have a relatively short product life, even though basic product designs may have a substantial life. Generally, customers expect prices to decline steadily. During the current period of significant excess capacity, the pressure to reduce average selling prices may even be greater. DiCon seeks to offset this trend through new product introductions with higher average selling prices and through aggressive programs to improve manufacturing yields and cost reductions. There is no certainty that these programs will be successful in offsetting the pricing pressure from customers in the future.
Sales to different geographic areas may fluctuate from period to period depending on various factors such as new system development, purchase cycle and price. Net sales to customers outside North America represented 48% of total net sales for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, as compared to 48% for the quarter ended September 30, 2003.
As of September 30, 2004 and 2003, the Company experienced the following concentrations in sales to customers.
| |
| Three months ended |
| September 30, |
| 2004 | | 2003 | | |
| | | | | |
Percentage of revenue for 3 largest customers | 48.6% | | 30.1% | | |
| | | | | |
No. of customers accounting for over 10% of net sales | 4 | | 2 | | |
Sales to DiCon’s leading customers vary significantly from year to year and DiCon does not have the ability to predict future sales to these customers.
Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Margin
Cost of goods sold declined 14.1% to $3.9 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2004 from $4.6 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2003. Gross margin as a percentage of net sales was 42.7% in the quarter ended September 30, 2004, compared to a negative 23.1% in the quarter ended September 30, 2003. The improvement in gross margin in the quarter ended September 30, 2004 is mainly due to expense and cost reductions along with more efficient material management and production planning. During the quarter ended September 30, 2004, DiCon wrote off a total of $0.3 million or 3.9% of total net sales as compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2003 that an approximately $0.5 million write down of obsolete inventory and inventory impairment, or 12.1% of total net sales.
Gross margin can be affected by a number of factors, including product mix, customer mix, applications mix, product demand, pricing pressures, manufacturing constraints, higher costs resulting from new production facilities, and product yield. Considering these factors, gross margin fluctuations are difficult to predict and there can be no assurance that DiCon will achieve or maintain gross margin percentages at historical levels in future periods. DiCon anticipates the slight improvement in gross margin to continue in future periods if market demand stays at the current level.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense was $1.7 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2004, compared to $1.3 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2003. The increase in SG&A expenses primarily reflects unutilized Company surplus facility resources in Richmond due to increase in production volume in Global Fiberoptics in Taiwan.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development (“R&D”) expense was $1.7 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2004, compared to $1.6 million in the quarter ended September 30, 2003. DiCon believes that research and development is critical to strategic product development and expects to continue to devote significant resources to product research and development. Future expenditures are expected to fluctuate both in absolute dollars and as a percentage of revenue based on the need to invest in new research and development in order to remain competitive in this rapidly changing industry.
Other (Expense) Income
Other (expense) income for the quarters ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:
| | Three months ended | |
| | September 30, | |
(in thousands) | | 2004 | | 2003 | |
| | | | | |
Other (expense) income: | | | | | |
Interest expense | | $ | (304 | ) | $ | (330 | ) |
Interest income | | | 79 | | | 113 | |
Loss on disposal of fixed assets | | | - | | | (1 | ) |
Realized gain (losses) on sales of marketable securities | | | 22 | | | - | |
Gain (losses) on currency exchange | | | (83 | ) | | (151 | ) |
Other (expense) income, net | | | 50 | | | 37 | |
| | $ | (236 | ) | $ | (332 | ) |
Interest expense primarily represents the costs of borrowing by DiCon for its mortgage loan on the Richmond, California, facility and its equipment loan.
Loss Before Income Tax
DiCon reported a net loss before income tax of $0.7 million for the current quarter compared to $4.1 million for the same quarter in the prior year.
Income Tax (Expense) Benefit
The Company reported $1 corporate estimated tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2004. Due to uncertainty surrounding the realization of the favorable tax attributes in future tax returns, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance against certain deferred tax assets at September 30, 2004. Management regularly evaluates the recoverability of the deferred tax asset and the level of the valuation allowance. At such time as it is determined that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will be realizable, the valuation allowance will be reduced.
For the three months ended September 30, 2004, the effective tax rate was 0 % compared to 7.5% for the same period in last year. The tax rate for each period is the result of the consolidation of the tax provisions for the US operations with that of the Taiwan operations of Global Fiberoptics, and can vary substantially from period to period depending on the relative performance of each operation.
Six Months Ended September 30, 2004 Compared with Six Months Ended September 30, 2003
Net Sales
Net sales increased by 50.7% to $11.3 million for the six months ended September 30, 2004 from $7.5 million for the six months ended September 30, 2003. The increase was primarily due to an increase in the demand for fiberoptic components and test equipment by telecommunications equipment vendors.
In the quarter ended September 30, 2004, the Company recorded $0.15 million revenue from cancellations of prior purchase agreements with customer. In the quarter ended September 30, 2003, the Company recorded no revenue from cancellations of prior purchase agreements with customer.
The fiber optic communications industry is characterized by dynamic technological changes. Specific products may have a relatively short product life, even though basic product designs may have a substantial life. Generally, customers expect prices to decline steadily. During the current period of significant excess capacity, the pressure to reduce average selling prices may even be greater. DiCon seeks to offset this trend through new product introductions with higher average selling prices and through aggressive programs to improve manufacturing yields and cost reductions. There is no certainty that these programs will be successful in offsetting the pricing pressure from customers in the future.
Sales to different geographic areas may fluctuate from period to period depending on various factors such as new system development, purchase cycle and price. Net sales to customers outside North America represented 52% of total net sales for the six months ended September 30, 2004, as compared to 50% for the six months ended September 30, 2003, respectively.
As of September 30, 2004 and 2003, the Company experienced the following concentrations in sales to customers.
| Six months ended |
| September 30, |
| 2004 | | 2003 | | |
| | | | | |
Percentage of revenue for 3 largest customers | 42.7% | | 34.5% | | |
| | | | | |
No. of customers accounting for over 10% of net sales | 3 | | 2 | | |
| | | | | |
Sales to DiCon’s leading customers vary significantly from year to year and DiCon does not have the ability to predict future sales to these customers.
Cost of Goods Sold and Gross Margin
Costs of goods sold declined 9.6% to $8.3 million in the six months ended September 30, 2004 from $9.1 million in the six months ended September 30, 2003. Gross margin as a percentage of net sales was 26.6% in six months ended September 30, 2004, compared to a negative 22.4% in the six months ended September 30, 2003. The improvement in gross margin in the six months ended September 30, 2004 is mainly due to expense and cost reductions along with more efficient material management and production planning. During the six months ended September 30, 2004, DiCon wrote off a total of $0.5 million or 4.8% of total net sales as compared to the six months ended September 30, 2003 that an approximately $0.9 million write down of obsolete inventory and inventory impairment, or 12.8% of total net sales..
Gross margin can be affected by a number of factors, including product mix, customer mix, applications mix, product demand, pricing pressures, manufacturing constraints, higher costs resulting from new production facilities, and product yield. Considering these factors, gross margin fluctuations are difficult to predict and there can be no assurance that DiCon will achieve or maintain gross margin percentages at historical levels in future periods. DiCon anticipates the slight improvement in gross margin to continue in future periods if market demand stays at the current level.
Operating Expenses
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expense was $3.0 million for the six months ended September 30, 2004, compared to $2.8 million for the six months ended September 30, 2003. The increase in SG&A expenses primarily reflects unutilized Company surplus facility resources in Richmond due to increase in production volume in Global Fiberoptics in Taiwan.
Research and Development Expenses
Research and development (“R&D”) expense was $3.1 million for the six months ended September 30, 2004, compared to $3.4 million for the six months ended September 30, 2003. DiCon believes that research and development is critical to strategic product development and expects to continue to devote significant resources to product research and development. Future expenditures are expected to fluctuate both in absolute dollars and as a percentage of revenue based on the need to invest in new research and development in order to remain competitive in this rapidly changing industry.
Other (Expense) Income
Other (expense) income for the six months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 are as follows:
| | Six months ended | |
| | September 30, | |
(in thousands) | | 2004 | | 2003 | |
| | | | | |
Other (expense) income: | | | | | | | |
Interest expense | | $ | (604 | ) | $ | (694 | ) |
Interest income | | | 172 | | | 191 | |
Loss on disposal of fixed assets | | | (19 | ) | | (14 | ) |
Realized gain (losses) on sales of marketable securities | | | 22 | | | 95 | |
Gain (losses) on currency exchange | | | (83 | ) | | (183 | ) |
Other (expense) income, net | | | 108 | | | 133 | |
| | $ | (404 | ) | $ | (472 | ) |
Interest expense primarily represents the costs of borrowing by DiCon for its mortgage loan on the Richmond, California, facility and its equipment loan.
Loss Before Income Tax
The Company reported loss before income tax of $3.5 million for the six months ended September 30, 2004 compared to $8.3 million for the same six months in the prior year.
Income Tax (Expense) Benefit
The Company reported $1 corporate estimated tax expense for the six months ended September 30, 2004. Due to uncertainty surrounding the realization of the favorable tax attributes in future tax returns, the Company has recorded a valuation allowance against certain deferred tax assets at September 30, 2004. Management regularly evaluates the recoverability of the deferred tax asset and the level of the valuation allowance. At such time as it is determined that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax asset will be realizable, the valuation allowance will be reduced.
For the six months ended September 30, 2004, the effective tax rate was 0 % compared to 7% for the same period in last year. The tax rate for each period is the result of the consolidation of the tax provisions for the US operations with that of the Taiwan operations of Global Fiberoptics, and can vary substantially from period to period depending on the relative performance of each operation.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of September 30, 2004, DiCon had cash and cash equivalents of $14.6 million. In addition, the Company has $3.1 million invested in certificates of deposit and other marketable securities that in conformity with the requirements of generally accepted accounting principles were classified as marketable securities.
The cash outflow used in operating activities of $0.2 million for the six months ended September 30, 2004 was primarily attributable to the net loss for the six months ended September 30, 2004, and an increase of inventories of $1.5 million and accounts receivables of $1.0 million due to an increase in the volume of sales. This cash outflow is partially offset by a 0.7 million increase in accounts payable and reduction of prepaid expenses and other current assets of 0.2 million, and non-cash adjustments. Net cash provided by operations for the six months ended September 30, 2003 was $11.6 million. It was primarily attributable to an income tax refund of $15.3 million. These amounts were partially offset by a decrease in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $0.8 million.
The increase in cash flows from investing activities for the six months ended September 30, 2004 was primarily due to an increase in net proceeds of $17.1 million from the sale of marketable securities offset by $0.2 million in purchases of properties.
Cash used in investing activities of $13.6 million for the six months ended September 30, 2003 was primarily the result of the efforts to increase earnings on working capital by investing in certificates of deposits with maturities in excess of 90 days and mutual funds of $14.5 million. All certificates mature in one year or less. Additionally, the Company sold approximately $1.0 million of marketable securities during the six months ended September 30, 2003.
Cash flows used in financing activities increased to $3.5 million for the six months ended September 30, 2004 from $0.1 million in the six months ended September 30, 2003. This change is primarily attributable to the net increase of repayments ofmortgages and other debt.
The Company financed its new corporate campus by obtaining a construction loan from a bank of $27.0 million on August 24, 2000. In November 2001, the same bank refinanced the outstanding balance of the construction loan with a mortgage loan maturing on November 20, 2004, with an amortization schedule based on a 25-year loan. During the year ended March 31, 2002, the Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the institution with which the Company maintains the mortgage loan was appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors.
On June 28, 2004, the bank agreed to extend the maturity date of the mortgage loan to October 20, 2007, subject to additional terms and conditions requiring the Company to make additional principal repayments as follows: $1.5 million which was paid on July 1, 2004; $1.0 million on October 1, 2004; and seven installments each in the amount of $0.5 million on the first day of each calendar quarter, commencing on January 1, 2005 and ending on July 1, 2006.
Interest on the mortgage loan is accrued at a variable interest rate based on changes in the lender’s prime rate as of the 20th of each month (4.5 percent at September 30, 2004). Principal and interest are payable monthly. The balance of the mortgage loan as of September 30, 2004 was $22.7 million.
In April 2001, the Company obtained an equipment loan from a bank in the amount of $7.3 million. The loan was secured by specific pieces of equipment. The loan was repayable in equal monthly installments of principal and interest over 60 months beginning May 30, 2001. On September 30, 2004, the loan balance was $2.3 million. Effective April 30, 2002 and annually on April 30th of each year thereafter, the Company could elect to fix the interest rate on the equipment loan for a twelve month period at a rate of one-half of one percentage point (0.5 percent) per annum in excess of the prime rate. The Company had not elected the fixed rate option and the loan bore an interest rate of prime plus 0.5 percent (5.25 percent on June 30, 2004). On March 31, 2003, the Company was in violation of two of the financial covenants u nder this loan agreement. The bank agreed to waive the covenants, but added an additional covenant requiring the Company to maintain a balance of cash and marketable securities (excluding equity securities) of at least two times the outstanding loan balance. The waiver was extended through March 31, 2005. The Company was in compliance with the additional covenant as of September 30, 2004. The loan was voluntarily prepaid in full on October 12,2004.
Global Fiberoptics maintained a line of credit in Taiwan backed by commercial paper issued by Global Fiberoptics for a maximum of 100 million New Taiwan Dollars (or approximately $2.9 million as of September 30, 2004). The line of credit will mature on January 28, 2005. The outstanding balance of any commercial paper under this line of credit must be fully secured by either a cash deposit or bond fund certificate. As of September 30, 2004, there was no commercial paper outstanding.
In September 2004, Global Fiberoptics renewed its second line of credit of 80 million New Taiwan Dollars (or approximately $2.4 million as of September 30, 2004) from a Taiwan bank. The interest rate is based on a rate set by the bank at the time funds are drawn. The amount drawn as of September 30, 2004 was 31.5 million New Taiwan Dollars (or approximately $0.9 million as of September 30, 2004) with an interest rate of 3.25%.
DiCon believes its current cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities will be sufficient to meet its anticipated cash needs for working capital and capital expenditures for at least the next 12 months. There remains some possibility that DiCon may need to raise additional capital. It might need additional capital in order to refinance its loans, finance unanticipated growth or to invest in new technology. There can be no certainty that DiCon would be successful in raising the required capital or in raising capital at acceptable rates.
Commitments and Off Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company moved to its new facilities in Richmond, California during the 2001 fiscal year. Accordingly, certain of the leased properties were no longer used for operating purposes and are available for sublease. As of September 30, 2004, there is only one non-cancelable operating lease remaining and this lease will terminate on September 2005. The lease requires the Company to pay insurance, real property taxes in excess of the base property taxes in all tax years and maintenance costs. Lease expense net of sublease income for the six months ended September 30, 2004 and for the year ended March 31, 2004 was $40,000 and $82,000, respectively. As of September 30, 2004, the Company's estimate of the liability for the remaining costs of the lease, net of expected sublease income, is $0.2 million, and is included in account s payable and accrued liabilities in the Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Global Fiberoptics owns a condominium interest in the building in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. This facility is located on a ground lease that extends through 2011. The ground lease may be renewed indefinitely, and there is no penalty for early cancellation, except for forfeiture of the owned facility.
As of September 30, 2004, DiCon’s future gross commitments under all leases was $0.5 million.
Global Fiberoptics maintained a line of credit in Taiwan backed by commercial paper issued by Global Fiberoptics for a maximum of 100 million New Taiwan Dollars (or approximately $2.9 million as of September 30, 2004). As of September 30, 2004, there was no commercial paper outstanding. The interest rate is based on a rate set by the bank at the time funds are drawn.
Global Fiberoptics obtained a second line of credit of 80 million New Taiwan Dollars (or approximately $2.4 million) from a Taiwan bank as of September 30, 2004, of which 31.5 million New Taiwan Dollars (or approximately $0.9 million as of September 30, 2004) were drawn. These letters of credit primarily support workers’ compensation, merchandise import and payment obligations. The interest rate is based on a rate set by the bank at the time funds are drawn.
(a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. The undersigned principal executive officer and principal financial officer of DiCon conclude that DiCon’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of September 30, 2004 based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by paragraph (b) of Exchange Act Rule 13a-15.
(b) Changes in Internal Controls. There has been no change in DiCon’s internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Exchange Act Rule 13a-15 that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2004, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, DiCon’s internal control over financial reporting.
OTHER INFORMATION
DiCon is not a party to any material pending legal proceedings, other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
(a) | Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities by Small Business Issuer. |
None.
(b) | Purchases of Equity Securities by Small Business Issuer. |
Small Business Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Period | | Total Number of Shares Purchased (1) | | Average Price Paid per Share | | Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (2) | | Maximum Number of Shares that May yet be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (2) |
July 1, 2004 through July 31, 2004 | | 1,828 | | $0.96 | | -- | | -- |
August 1, 2004 through August 31, 2004 | | -- | | -- | | -- | | -- |
September 1, 2004 through September 30, 2004 | | 9,277 | | $0.96 | | -- | | -- |
Total | | 11,105 | | -- | | -- | | -- |
(1) All of the shares purchased were issued under the Employee Stock Purchase Program.
(2) DiCon does not have any publicly announced plans or programs for the purchase of shares.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
None.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
The annual meeting of shareholders of DiCon was held on September 12, 2004.
The following directors were elected at the meeting: Ho-Shang Lee, Gilles M. Corcos, C.L. Lin, Andrew F. Mathieson and Dunson Cheng. 105,932,257 shares were voted for the election of the five nominees and 6,043,660 shares were withheld from voting on the election of directors.
The shareholders voted on the ratification of the appointment of Burr, Pilger & Mayer LLP as the independent auditors for DiCon for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2005. 107,842,257 shares were voted for the ratification of the appointment, 4,043,660 shares were withheld from voting on the ratification of the appointment, and 90,000 shares were abstained from voting on the ratification of the appointment.
None.
Exhibit No. | | Description |
| | |
31.1 | | |
| | |
31.2 | | |
| | |
32.1 | | |
| | |
32.2 | | |
In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Act, the registrant caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
| | DICON FIBEROPTICS, INC. |
| | | (Registrant) |
|
Date: | November 12, 2004 | By: | /s/ Ho-Shang Lee | |
| | | (Signature) | |
|
| | Name: | Ho-Shang Lee, Ph.D. |
| | Title: | President and Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer) | |
|
Date: | November 12, 2004 | By: | /s/ Jannett Wang | |
| | | (Signature) | |
|
| | Name: | Jannett Wang | |
| | Title: | Vice President of Administration (principal financial officer) | |
Exhibit No. | | Description |
| | |
31.1 | | |
| | |
31.2 | | |
| | |
32.1 | | |
| | |
32.2 | | |