UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
| ¨ | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2008
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 0-5449
COMARCO, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
| | |
| California | | 95-2088894 |
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) | | (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
| | |
| 25541 Commercentre Drive, Lake Forest, CA | | 92630 |
| (Address of Principal Executive Offices) | | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:
(949) 599-7400
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Common Stock
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No x
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 x No ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer ¨ Non-accelerated filer (do not check if a smaller reporting company) ¨
Smaller reporting company x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
As of July 31, 2007, the aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately $44 million.
The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of April 4, 2008 was 7,326,671.
Documents incorporated by reference:
Part III incorporates information by reference to portions of the registrant’s proxy statement for its fiscal 2008 annual meeting of shareholders.
COMARCO, INC.
FORM 10-K
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2008
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This report on Form 10-K, including the section entitled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 regarding our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not deemed to represent an all-inclusive means of identifying forward-looking statements as denoted in this report. Additionally, statements concerning future matters are forward-looking statements.
Although forward-looking statements in this report reflect the good faith judgment of our management, such statements can only be based on facts and factors currently known by us. Consequently, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties and actual results and outcomes may differ materially from the results and outcomes discussed in or anticipated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences in results and outcomes include, without limitation, those specifically addressed under the section below entitled “Risk Factors,” as well as those discussed elsewhere in this report. Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report.
We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this report. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made throughout the entirety of this report, which attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects.
General
Comarco, Inc., through its subsidiary Comarco Wireless Technologies, Inc. (collectively, “we,” “Comarco,” or the “Company”), is a leading designer and manufacturer of external mobile power adapters used to power and charge notebook computers, mobile phones, BlackBerry® smartphones, iPods®, and many other rechargeable handheld devices. Comarco is also a provider of wireless test solutions for the wireless industry, as well as a provider of emergency call boxes and related maintenance services. Our operations consist solely of the operations of Comarco Wireless Technologies, Inc. (“CWT”), which was incorporated in the state of Delaware in September 1993. Comarco, Inc. is a California corporation whose common stock has been publicly traded since 1971 when it was spun-off from Genge Industries, Inc.
We have three primary businesses: mobile power products (“ChargeSource®”), wireless test solutions (“WTS”), and emergency call boxes (“Call Box”). Our ChargeSource® business designs and manufactures external power adapters for notebook computers, mobile phones, and many other rechargeable handheld devices. Our WTS business designs and manufactures hardware and software tools for use by wireless carriers, equipment vendors, and service providers. Our Call Box business designs, manufactures, and maintains emergency call boxes.
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Our net revenue by business segment for fiscal 2008, 2007, and 2006 was:
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, |
| | 2008 | | 2007 | | 2006 |
| | | (In millions) |
Business segment: | | | | | | | | | |
ChargeSource® | | $ | 5 | | $ | 17 | | $ | 12 |
Wireless Test Solutions | | | 7 | | | 15 | | | 25 |
Call Box | | | 11 | | | 16 | | | 10 |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 23 | | $ | 48 | | $ | 47 |
| | | | | | | | | |
More financial information about our business segments is contained in Note 21 “Business Segment Information” of our consolidated financial statements.
References to “fiscal” years in this report refer to our fiscal years ended January 31; for example, “fiscal 2008” refers to our fiscal year ended January 31, 2008.
We file or furnish annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements, and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Our SEC filings are available free of charge to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website onhttp://www.sec.gov. Our SEC filings are also available on our website athttp://www.comarco.com as soon as reasonably practical following the time that they are filed with or furnished to the SEC. Any document we file or furnish with the SEC can be read at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20549. For further information on the Public Reference Room, call the SEC at (800) SEC-0330.
Our Businesses
ChargeSource®
Our ChargeSource® business designs and manufactures external power adapters for notebook computers, mobile phones, and many other rechargeable handheld devices. These mobile power products, which are designed with the needs of the traveling professional in mind, provide a high level of functionality and compatibility in an industry leading compact design.
Products
Our current and planned ChargeSource® product offering consists of external AC/DC, AC, and DC power adapters designed for the right mix of power output and functionality for most retail, original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”), and enterprise customers. Our ChargeSource® products are also programmable, allowing those who use multiple rechargeable electronic devices to carry just one power adapter. By simply changing the compact SmartTip® connected to the end of the charging cable, our external power adapters are capable of charging and powering multiple devices.
We believe our patented electrical designs will continue to be the basis for even higher-power external power adapters that are expected to meet evolving global standards, including the planned standards of the European Union (“EU”), and the increasing power requirements of the notebook computer OEMs, and allow us to offer customers cutting edge technology while significantly decreasing size and weight.
Our ChargeSource® business generated revenue totaling $5.4 million, $16.7 million, and $12.3 million in fiscal 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively.
Wireless Test Solutions
Our WTS business designs and manufactures hardware and software tools for use by wireless carriers, equipment vendors, and service providers. Radio frequency engineers, network improvement professionals and technicians use these test tools to deploy and optimize wireless networks, and to verify the performance of the wireless networks and resulting quality of service once deployed.
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Products
Our WTS product offering consists of integrated hardware and software solutions that are flexible, scalable, and modular, allowing our customers to analyze and test all 2G, 2.5G, and 3G technologies. Test applications include optimization and Quality of Service (“QoS”) testing/benchmarking of wireless networks, in-building or in-vehicle testing, fixed or mobile testing, and voice, data, or video testing.
Services
Our WTS business leases test systems on a limited basis. The demand for our leased equipment is primarily from customers providing engineering services to wireless carriers requiring QoS and benchmarking data on an outsourced basis.
Our WTS business generated revenue totaling $6.7 million, $15.3 million, and $24.5 million in fiscal 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively.
Call Box
Products
Our Call Box business designs, manufactures, and maintains emergency call boxes that incorporate digital wireless and text-telephony (“TTY”) technologies provided by wireless carriers for state and local governmental agencies primarily located in California and New York. Our call boxes provide emergency communication over existing wireless networks and are typically deployed along major highways, and at schools, universities, shopping centers, and parks.
Services
In conjunction with the sale of call boxes, we provide installation and long-term maintenance services. Currently, there are approximately 9,200 call boxes that we maintain under long-term agreements that expire at various dates through January 2012. Under the terms of the maintenance agreements with government customers, each agreement can be terminated without cause upon a 30-day written notice.
Our Call Box business generated revenue totaling $11.1 million, $15.7 million, and $10.0 million in fiscal 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively.
Marketing, Sales, and Distribution
ChargeSource®
We believe demand for our mobile power products can be categorized into the following three distinct channels:
| | • | | OEM-branded accessories, and |
Retail. To reach the retail consumer, we have historically entered into exclusive distribution agreements with a single distributor of consumer electronics. Our distribution partner brands our products and distributes them to retailers, focusing on national “big-box” retail chains and office superstores. Due to the terms of this exclusive distribution agreement, our direct access to certain significant distribution channels was limited. Accordingly, our success was dependent to a large degree upon our exclusive distributor’s ability and willingness to effectively and
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widely distribute our ChargeSource® products. During fiscal years 2008, 2007, and 2006, Kensington Technology Group (“Kensington”), a division of ACCO Brands Corporation was the source of the majority of our ChargeSource® revenue. Revenue generated by Kensington for fiscal 2008, 2007, and 2006 totaled $4.6 million, $15.4 million, and $11.8 million, respectively, or as a percentage of total ChargeSource® revenue, 86 percent, 92 percent, and 96 percent, respectively.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2008, we entered into a non-exclusive distribution arrangement with Kensington, thereby terminating our exclusive distribution agreement. Under this non-exclusive agreement, we have the right to penetrate all channels with multiple partners and Kensington has the right to purchase our products at competitive prices without volume minimums. Kensington is also able to purchase mobile power products from our competitors.
OEM-branded accessories. The notebook computer OEMs offer an expansive selection of notebook computer accessories through their on-line retail portals, catalogs, and other channels. Many of these accessories have been designed to OEM specifications to be compatible and/or to complement their specific notebook computers. Typically, the OEMs will brand these products and market them in conjunction with the sale of their notebook computers.
Late in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, we began volume production of a small form factor 90-watt AC/DC external power adapter designed to the stringent specifications of Lenovo, a leading notebook computer OEM. We entered the first quarter of fiscal 2009 with a backlog of 216,000 units on order from Lenovo.
We typically work directly with distributors and OEMs on these designs and products in response to their requests. The desired products are both AC only and AC/DC, as well as with and without programmability. Once generally available, we expect to receive purchase orders from the OEM and deliver the ordered products directly from our contract manufacturer into their supply chain organization.
OEM “in-the-box.” Notebook computers are typically sold with a conventional AC-only power adapter included with the purchase or “in-the-box.” These “in-the-box” adapters are manufactured for low cost and delivered in quantities of tens of millions per year. As notebook computer power and regulatory requirements increase, the size and weight of the power adapter may also increase. We believe our patented electrical design, which is the basis for our small and light power adapters, can address this large and growing market. As with OEM-branded accessories, we typically work directly with the OEMs on these designs and products in response to their requests. Products designed for this channel must be ultra-low cost and reliable, and must be manufactured in high volume.
Wireless Test Solutions
We market and sell our WTS products primarily to wireless carriers through a small direct sales force of technically trained personnel, as well as through select independent sales representatives, and affiliated and unaffiliated resellers. Our North America sales are made through our direct sales and marketing departments located in Lake Forest, California. Sales to our customers in Latin and South America are generally made through our independent sales representatives located in Mexico City, Mexico, and Sao Paulo, Brazil, assisted by the sales and marketing organizations based in Lake Forest, California. The Lake Forest office also coordinates the marketing, sales, and support efforts of a network of representatives and resellers responsible for sales to customers in other geographic regions.
Through December 31, 2006, Switzerland-based SwissQual AG (“SwissQual”) was responsible for reselling and supporting our co-branded Seven.Five products in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa (our “European” region). During January 2006, we sold our 18 percent ownership interest in SwissQual, which we acquired during fiscal 2002. During January 2006, Spirent Communications plc (“Spirent”) acquired 100 percent of the outstanding shares of SwissQual, including our 18 percent ownership interest, for consideration totaling up to approximately $71.3 million. See section entitled “Wireless Test Solutions” of Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” We currently have a revenue sharing agreement in place that determines how much revenue we earn from SwissQual sales and, conversely, how much revenue SwissQual earns from our sales to customers located outside the European region through December 31, 2010. The
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revenue sharing is based upon sales of upgrades to the current installed base of Seven.Five systems. Both the revenue sharing that we earn from SwissQual and that we pay to SwissQual under the agreement is expected to diminish over time as both companies have introduced new products into the marketplace.
During November 2006, in response to increased competition in the QoS market, we announced a cooperative alliance with Ascom (Schweiz) AG (“Ascom”), a leading specialist in wireless onsite communications solutions based in Switzerland, to develop, market, and support next-generation wireless network QoS, optimization, and test measurement systems. Together we are currently developing harmonized test and measurement systems and solutions for 3G and 4G wireless standards, accelerating the availability of upgrades to the installed base in Europe and our home markets, while enabling the rapid deployment of new products. These harmonized products and solutions became available during the third quarter of fiscal 2008. Additionally, we will share sales and support resources with Ascom on a global basis and we no longer intend to maintain a separate direct sales and support organization for our European region.
Call Box
We market and sell our call boxes primarily to state and local governmental agencies located in California and New York through a direct sales force located in Lake Forest, California.
Competition
ChargeSource®
Numerous providers, including Delta Electronics, Inc., Mobility Electronics, Inc., Targus, Belkin, Kensington, and APC, sell products that compete directly with our ChargeSource® products. Cellular telephone and personal computer OEMs also deliver competitors’ products to the market for our ChargeSource® external power adapters. Many of these distributors and our design and manufacturing competitors are larger and have greater financial resources. We believe that the patents that cover our ChargeSource® products provide us with a competitive advantage.
To compete successfully in this market, we believe we must:
| | • | | Differentiate our offerings through innovation and development of new or enhanced products; |
| | • | | Successfully meet stringent design specifications in a timely manner; |
| | • | | Manufacture and deliver low cost products in sufficient volumes on time; and |
| | • | | Price our products competitively. |
Wireless Test Solutions
The market for our hardware and software test tools is highly competitive and is served by numerous providers. Our primary competitors with respect to our WTS products are Agilent Technologies, Ascom, Ericsson, Andrew Corporation (CommScope), and SwissQual. Many of our competitors are larger and have greater financial resources.
The wireless industry is characterized by rapid technological changes, frequent new product and service introductions, and evolving industry standards. To compete successfully in this market, we believe we must:
| | • | | Properly identify customer needs; |
| | • | | Price our products competitively; |
| | • | | Differentiate our offerings through innovation and development of new or enhanced products; |
| | • | | Successfully commercialize new technologies in a timely manner; and |
| | • | | Manufacture and deliver our products in sufficient volumes on time. |
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Call Box
The market for our call boxes is served by numerous competitors, including US Commlink, GAI-Tronics, Talk-A-Phone, and other manufacturers of wireless and wireline emergency and information communication devices. Certain of our competitors are larger and have greater financial resources.
To compete successfully in the call box market, we believe we must:
| | • | | Price our products and services competitively; and |
| | • | | Manufacture and deliver our products and services on time. |
Key Customers
We derive a substantial portion of our revenue from a limited number of customers.
ChargeSource®
In fiscal 2008, 2007, and 2006, Kensington, our primary distributor of ChargeSource® products, accounted for revenue totaling $4.7 million, $15.4 million, and $11.8 million, or 20 percent, 32 percent, and 25 percent of total consolidated revenue, respectively.
Wireless Test Solutions
In fiscal 2008, 2007, and 2006, Verizon accounted for revenue totaling $3.7 million, $7.0 million, and $11.9 million, or 16 percent, 15 percent, and 25 percent of total consolidated revenue, respectively. In fiscal 2007 and 2006, SwissQual, our former exclusive distributor of WTS products in our European region, accounted for $2.5 million and $8.8 million, or 5 percent and 19 percent of total consolidated revenue, respectively. During fiscal 2008, revenue earned from SwissQual was negligible, primarily due to the termination of the sales alliance in December 2006.
Call Box
Our Call Box business derives a significant portion of its revenue from state and local governmental agencies. In fiscal 2008, 2007, and 2006, revenue from these governmental agencies totaled $10.7 million, $14.7 million, and $8.7 million, or 46 percent, 31 percent, and 18 percent of total consolidated revenue, respectively.
The spending patterns of Verizon, Kensington, or any of our other key customers can vary significantly from year to year. Any significant reduction in the spending patterns of these customers could adversely affect our revenue, operating results, and cash flows.
International Operations
We sell our ChargeSource® and WTS products to customers located throughout the world. In fiscal 2008, 2007, and 2006, we derived 82 percent, 81 percent, and 68 percent of total revenue, respectively, from customers in the United States and 18 percent, 19 percent, and 32 percent, respectively, from customers in foreign countries, as determined by the “ship to” address. The decrease in the percentage of sales to foreign countries during fiscal 2008 and 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006 is primarily due to decreasing sales of our WTS products to SwissQual. In fiscal 2008, 2007, and 2006, there were no foreign countries from which we derived more than 10 percent of total revenue.
Research and Development
We sell our products in markets that are characterized by rapid technology changes, frequent new product introductions, and evolving technology standards. Accordingly, we devote significant resources to designing and
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developing new and enhanced products that can be manufactured cost effectively and sold at competitive prices. During fiscal 2008, 2007, and 2006 we incurred approximately $6.5 million, $5.7 million, and $5.5 million, respectively, in research and development expenses. To focus these efforts, we strive to maintain close relationships with our customers and develop products that meet their needs.
As of April 4, 2008, we had approximately 29 engineers, 9 of whom are dedicated ChargeSource® engineers, and other technical personnel dedicated to our research and development efforts. Generally, our research and development and other engineering efforts are managed and focused on a product-by-product basis, and can generally be characterized as follows:
| | • | | We collaborate closely with our customers and partners to design and manufacture new products or modify existing products to specifications required by our customers; |
| | • | | We design and manufacture enhancements and improvements to our existing products in response to our customers’ requests or feedback; and |
| | • | | We independently design and build new products in anticipation of the needs of our customers as they transition existing wireless networks to next-generation technologies. |
Manufacturing and Suppliers
For our WTS and Call Box products, we maintain one ISO-9001:2000 certified manufacturing facility in Lake Forest, California. For all three businesses, our manufacturing process involves the final assembly and test of individual components by production technicians. The components used by us consist primarily of printed circuit boards and related assemblies, specialized subassemblies, fabricated housings and chassis, and test mobiles. Most of our components and subassemblies are manufactured by third parties to our specifications and are generally delivered to us for final assembly and test. During fiscal 2005, we ceased manufacturing our ChargeSource® products in-house and transitioned all manufacturing responsibility related to these products to contract manufacturers located in China.
Patents and Intellectual Property
We hold patents that cover key technical aspects of our ChargeSource® products. For our WTS business, we generally rely on a combination of trade secrets, copyrights, and contractual rights to protect our intellectual property embodied in the hardware and software products.
Industry Practices Impacting Working Capital
Our working capital and operating cash flow is affected by our need to balance inventory levels with customer demand. Existing industry practices that affect our working capital and operating cash flow include (i) the level of variability of customer orders relative to the volume of production, (ii) vendor lead times, (iii) materials availability for critical parts, (iv) inventory levels necessary to achieve rapid customer fulfillment, and (v) the granting of extended payment terms to certain foreign customers.
Currently, we sell our products under purchase orders that are placed with short-term delivery requirements. As a result, we periodically maintain significant levels of inventory of long-lead components in order to meet our expected obligations. Delays in planned customer orders could result in higher inventory levels and negatively impact our operating results.
Our standard terms require customers to pay for our products in U.S. dollars. For those orders denominated in foreign currencies, we may limit our exposure to losses from foreign currency transactions through forward foreign exchange contracts. To date, sales denominated in foreign currencies have not been significant and we have not entered into any foreign exchange contracts.
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Employees
As of April 4, 2008, we employed approximately 119 employees. We believe our employee relations to be good. The majority of our employees are professional or technical personnel who possess training and experience in engineering, computer science, and management. Our future success depends in large part on our ability to retain key technical, marketing, and management personnel, and to attract and retain qualified employees, particularly the highly skilled engineers involved in the development of new products. Competition for such personnel can be intense, and the loss of key employees, as well as the failure to recruit and train additional technical personnel in a timely manner, could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
Our success depends to a significant extent upon the contribution of our executive officers and other key employees. During December 2005, the Board of Directors approved and adopted the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”) covering 450,000 shares of our common stock. The adoption of the 2005 Plan was ratified by our shareholders at the annual shareholders’ meeting held on June 20, 2006.
Failure to adjust our operations in response to changing market conditions or failure to accurately estimate demand for our products could adversely affect our operating results.
The spending patterns of many of our WTS customers have been volatile, unpredictable, and driven by market and technological factors that we cannot control or predict. In addition, consumer demand for our ChargeSource® mobile power products has been subject to fluctuations as a result of our choices of distribution partners, market acceptance of our products, the timing and size of customer orders, and consumer demand for rechargeable mobile electronic devices. Accordingly, it has been difficult for us to forecast the demand for these products. We also are limited in our ability to quickly adapt our manufacturing and related cost structures to changing market conditions because a significant portion of our sales and marketing, design and other engineering, and manufacturing costs are fixed. If customer demand for our WTS and ChargeSource® products declines or if we otherwise fail to accurately forecast reduced customer demand, we will likely experience excess capacity, which could adversely affect our operating results. Conversely, if market conditions improve, our manufacturing capacity may not be adequate to fill increased customer demand. As a result, we might not be able to fulfill customer orders in a timely manner, which could adversely affect our customer relationships and operating results.
A significant portion of our revenue is derived from the sale of our WTS products to customers in the wireless communications industry. We are currently experiencing a significant decrease in revenue caused by widespread industry consolidation including substantial delays in purchasing decisions by our customers and reduced demand for our products. If these market conditions continue, our operating results and financial condition could suffer.
Revenue from the sale of our WTS products accounted for 29 percent of total revenue for fiscal 2008. Wireless carriers are the primary customers for our WTS products. These customers operate in an environment driven by new technology, increased competition, and regulatory change. To compete effectively, the wireless carriers must offer their subscribers lower prices, improved quality of service, and innovative new services. Increasing use, global subscribers, and data-intensive applications are driving higher capacity utilization of existing networks, requiring wireless carriers around the globe to place a greater emphasis on capital expenditures devoted to their wireless networks. Despite this greater emphasis, current demand for our WTS products has decreased compared to the prior fiscal year driven by widespread industry consolidation, delays in purchasing decisions by our customers, increased competition, and increased pricing pressure. If these market conditions continue, our operating results and financial condition may be adversely affected.
A substantial portion of our call box revenue in fiscal 2008 was derived from non-recurring upgrades of call boxes for government customers. If we are unable to replace this revenue stream, our operating results and financial condition will be negatively impacted.
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Approximately $4.6 million and $10.0 million of our fiscal 2008 and 2007 call box revenue was generated from sales of digital and text-telephony upgrades to our installed base of call boxes. During fiscal 2009 we expect to substantially complete the previously awarded digital and TTY upgrade contracts. We expect call box revenue for fiscal 2009 to decrease compared to fiscal 2008. If we are unable to replace this revenue stream, our operating results and financial condition will be negatively impacted.
The ChargeSource® and WTS products we make are complex and have short life cycles. If we are unable to rapidly and successfully develop and introduce new products, some of our products may become obsolete and our operating results could suffer.
The wireless communications and consumer electronics industries are characterized by rapid technological changes, frequent new product introductions, and evolving industry standards. Additionally, our ChargeSource® mobile power products have short life cycles, and may become obsolete over relatively short periods of time. Our future success depends on our ability to develop, introduce, and deliver on a timely basis and in sufficient quantity new products, components, and enhancements. The success of any new product offering will depend on several factors, including our ability to:
| | • | | Properly identify customer needs and technological trends; |
| | • | | Timely develop new technologies and applications; |
| | • | | Price our products and services competitively; |
| | • | | Timely manufacture and deliver our products in sufficient volume, and |
| | • | | Differentiate our products from those of our competitors. |
Development of new products requires high levels of innovation from both our engineers and our component suppliers. Development of a new product often requires a substantial investment before we can determine the commercial viability of the product. If we dedicate a significant amount of resources to the development of products that do not achieve broad market acceptance, our operating results may suffer. Our operating results may also be adversely affected due to the timing of product introductions by competitors, especially if a competitor introduces a new product before our own comparable product is ready to be introduced.
The wireless communications and consumer electronics industries are highly competitive, and our profitability will be adversely affected if we are not able to compete effectively.
The wireless communications and consumer electronics industries in which we sell our products are highly competitive. We compete on many levels, including the timing of development and introduction of new products, technology, price, quality, customer service, and support. Our competitors range from some of the respective industries’ largest corporations to relatively small and highly specialized firms. Many of our competitors possess advantages over us, including greater financial and marketing resources, greater name recognition and larger and more established customer and supplier relationships. Our competitors also may be able to respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer needs. If we do not have the resources or expertise necessary to compete or to match our competitors or otherwise fail to develop successful strategies to address these competitive disadvantages, we could lose customers and revenue.
The average selling prices of our products may decrease over their sales cycles, especially upon the introduction of new products, which may negatively affect our revenue and operating results.
Our products may experience a reduction in the average selling prices over their respective sales cycles. Further, as we introduce new or next-generation products, sales prices of legacy products may decline substantially. In order to sell products that have a falling average selling price and maintain margins at the same time, we need to continually reduce product and manufacturing costs. There can be no assurances we will be successful in our efforts to reduce these costs. In order to do so, we must carefully manage the price paid for components used in our products, as well as manage our inventory costs to reduce overall product costs. If we are unable to reduce the overall production cost of legacy products as new products are introduced, our average gross margins may decline and adversely affect our operating results.
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A significant portion of our revenue is dependent in part upon our relationships with our strategic distribution partners and their performance. If we are unable to successfully manage our relationships with the distributors of our mobile power products, our revenue and operating results could suffer.
Our ChargeSource® mobile power products are distributed by Kensington, a distributor of consumer electronics. Our success will depend in part upon Kensington’s ability and willingness to effectively and widely distribute our ChargeSource® products on a non-exclusive basis. If Kensington and any other distributors we may do business with in the future do not purchase the volume of products that we anticipate, our revenue and results of operations will suffer.
During November 2006, in response to increased competition in the QoS market, we announced a cooperative alliance with Ascom, a leading specialist in wireless onsite communications solutions based in Switzerland, to develop, market, and support next-generation wireless network QoS, optimization, and test measurement systems. Together we have developed harmonized test and measurement systems and solutions for 3G and 4G wireless standards, accelerating the availability of upgrades to the installed base in Europe and our home markets, while enabling the rapid deployment of new products. These harmonized products and solutions are now available to the market. Additionally, the companies will share sales and support resources on a global basis. We believe our alliance with Ascom will open sales channels, particularly in our European region. Our success will depend in part upon Ascom’s ability to capture the current installed base in Europe, as well as to provide sales and support services in that region. If we are unable to sell our jointly developed harmonized products, our revenue and operating results could suffer.
A significant portion of our revenue is derived from a limited number of customers, and any loss of, cancellation, or delay in purchases by these customers could cause a significant decrease in our revenue.
We have historically derived a significant portion of our revenue from a limited number of customers. Our two key customers for fiscal 2008 accounted for $8.4 million, or 36 percent of total revenue. We expect that a limited number of customers will continue to represent a large percentage of our revenue in the future. If any of our key customers reduces, cancels, or delays orders, and we are not able to develop other customers who purchase products at comparable levels, our revenue could decrease significantly. In addition, any difficulty in collecting amounts due from one or more of our key customers would negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition.
We may experience quality or safety defects in our products that could cause us to institute product recalls, require us to provide replacement products and harm our reputation.
In the course of conducting our business, we experience and attempt to address various quality and safety issues with our products. Often product defects are identified during our design, development, and manufacturing processes, which we are able to correct in a timely manner. Sometimes, defects are identified after introduction and shipment of products. If we are unable to fix defects in a timely manner or adequately address quality control issues, our relationships with our customers may be impaired, our reputation may suffer and we may lose customers. Any of the foregoing could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
Economic, political, and other risks associated with our international sales and operations could adversely affect our results of operations.
We currently maintain sales and support operations in the United States, China, Europe, and Latin America. Our international operations accounted for approximately 18 percent of total revenue for fiscal 2008. Accordingly, our business is subject to worldwide economic and market conditions and risks generally associated with doing business abroad, such as fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates, weaknesses in the economic conditions in particular countries or regions, the stability of international monetary conditions, tariff and trade policies, domestic and foreign tax policies, foreign governmental regulations, political unrest and disruptions, and delays in shipments. Specifically, our ChargeSource® contract manufacturer and a majority of our component suppliers are located in Asia. We do business with our foreign supply base in U.S. dollars. Our costs increase in countries with currencies that are increasing in value against the U.S. dollar. Also, we cannot be sure that our international supply base will
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continue to accept orders denominated in U.S. dollars. If they do not, our costs will become more directly subject to foreign exchange fluctuations. These factors could adversely affect our ability to outsource our manufacturing and supply needs to foreign countries as well as our sales of products and services in international markets.
Our failure to address laws and regulations governing our government contracts, could adversely affect our Call Box business and operating results.
We depend on contracts with state and local governmental agencies for a significant portion of our call box revenue, and are subject to various laws and regulations that only apply to companies doing business with the government. For example, we supply call boxes and provide installation and long-term maintenance services to regional and municipal transit authorities and other governmental agencies. In fiscal 2008, we derived 46 percent of our revenue from contracts with these governmental customers. From time to time we are also subject to investigation for compliance with regulations governing our government contracts. Our failure to comply with any of these laws or regulations could result in suspension of these contracts, or subject us to administrative claims.
Disruptions in our relationships with our suppliers or in our suppliers’ operations could result in shortages of necessary components and adversely affect our operations.
We currently procure, and expect to continue to procure, certain components from single source manufacturers who provide unique component designs or who meet certain quality and performance requirements. In addition, we sometimes purchase customized components from single sources in order to take advantage of volume pricing discounts. In fiscal 2008, one of the contract manufacturers for our ChargeSource® products provided $2.2 million, or 19 percent of all inventory purchases, and the contract manufacturer of our printed circuit boards provided $1.6 million, or 14 percent of all inventory purchases.
The performance of these suppliers is largely outside of our control. In the past, we have experienced, and may continue to experience, shortages of important single source components. Our suppliers may fail to timely deliver components or provide components of sufficient quality. If this occurs, we may need to adjust both product designs and production schedules, which could result in delays in the production and delivery of products to our customers. These delays or defects could harm our reputation, impair our customer relationships, and adversely affect our operations.
Third parties may claim that we are infringing their intellectual property, and we could suffer significant litigation, settlement or licensing costs and expenses or be prevented from selling certain products.
Third parties have claimed, and may in the future claim, that we are infringing their intellectual property rights. These intellectual property infringement claims, whether we ultimately are found to be infringing any third party’s intellectual property rights or not, are time-consuming, costly to defend, and divert resources and management attention away from our operations. Infringement claims by third parties also could subject us to significant damage awards or fines or require us to pay large amounts to settle such claims. Additionally, claims of intellectual property infringement might require us to enter into royalty or license agreements. If we cannot or do not license the infringed technology on acceptable terms or substitute similar technology from other sources, we could be prevented from or restricted in selling our products containing, or manufactured with, the infringed technology.
Third parties may infringe our intellectual property rights, and we may be required to spend significant resources enforcing these rights or otherwise suffer competitive injury.
Our success depends in large part on our proprietary technology. We generally rely upon patent, copyright, trademark, and trade secret laws in the United States and in certain other countries, and upon confidentiality agreements with our employees, customers, and partners to establish and maintain our intellectual proprietary rights in our proprietary technology. We are required to spend significant resources to monitor and enforce our intellectual property rights; however these rights might not necessarily provide us with a sufficient competitive advantage. Our intellectual proprietary rights could be challenged, invalidated, or circumvented by competitors or others. Our employees, customers or partners could breach our confidentiality agreements, for which we may not have an adequate remedy available. We also may not be able to timely detect the infringement of our intellectual property rights. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could harm our competitive position.
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If we suffer the loss of our manufacturing facility due to catastrophe, our operations would be adversely affected.
We have one manufacturing facility, which is located in Lake Forest, California. Although we carry insurance for property damage, we do not carry insurance or financial reserves for all possible catastrophes, including interruptions or potential losses arising from earthquakes or terrorism. Any significant disruption in our manufacturing operations at the facility, whether due to fire, natural disaster, or otherwise, would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results.
Additionally, as previously discussed, during fiscal 2005 we transitioned the manufacturing of our ChargeSource® products to a contract manufacturer located in China. If any significant disruption occurs in the facility in China, it would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results.
We depend upon the services of key personnel, and may not be able to attract and retain additional key personnel.
Our success depends to a significant extent on the continued services and experience of our key research, engineering, sales, marketing, and executive personnel. If for any reason our key personnel left our employ and we failed to replace a sufficient number of these personnel, we might not be able to maintain or expand our business. Competition for such highly skilled personnel in our wireless communications and consumer electronics industries is intense, and we cannot be certain that we will be able to hire or re-hire sufficiently qualified personnel in adequate numbers to meet the demand for our products and services. If we are unable to identify, hire, and integrate these skilled personnel in a timely or cost-efficient manner, our operating results could suffer.
We may need additional capital in the future to fund the growth of our businesses, which we may not be able to obtain on acceptable terms.
We currently anticipate that our available capital resources and operating income will be sufficient to meet our expected working capital and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months. However, it is not assured that such resources will be sufficient to fund the long-term growth of our business. In particular, we may experience a negative operating cash flow due to the timing of anticipated sales of our products. We may raise additional funds through public or private debt or equity financings if such financings become available on acceptable terms or we may seek working capital financing under a revolving line of credit. We cannot be certain that any additional financing we may need will be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all. If adequate funds are not available or are not available on acceptable terms, we may not be able to take advantage of unanticipated opportunities, develop new products or otherwise respond to competitive pressures, and our operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.
Our quarterly operating results are subject to significant fluctuations and, if our operating results decline or are worse than expected, our stock price could fall.
We have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, significant quarterly fluctuations in revenue and operating results for our three business segments. Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate for many reasons, including:
| | • | | The size and timing of customer orders and shipments; |
| | • | | The degree and rate of growth in the markets in which we compete and the accompanying demand for our products; |
| | • | | Limitations in our ability to forecast our manufacturing needs; |
| | • | | Our ability to introduce, and the timing of our introductions of, new or enhanced products; |
| | • | | Product failures and recalls, product quality control problems and associated in-field service support costs; |
| | • | | Availability and cost of components, and |
| | • | | Changes in average sales prices. |
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Due to these and other factors, our past results are not reliable indicators of our future performance. In addition, a significant portion of our operating expenses is relatively fixed due to sales, engineering, and manufacturing overhead. If we experience a decline in revenue, we may be unable to reduce our fixed costs quickly enough to compensate for the decline, which would magnify the adverse impact of such revenue shortfall on our results of operations. If our operating results decline or are below expectations of securities analysts or investors, the market price of our stock may decline significantly.
Our stock price has been and will likely remain highly volatile.
The stock market in general, and the stock prices of technology and wireless communications companies in particular, have experienced fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of these companies. Broad market and industry stock price fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of shares of our common stock. The market price of our stock has exhibited significant price fluctuations, which makes our stock unsuitable for many investors. Our stock price may also be affected by the following factors:
| | • | | Our quarterly operating results; |
| | • | | Changes in the wireless communications and consumer electronics industries; |
| | • | | Changes in the economic outlook of the particular markets in which we sell our products and services; |
| | • | | The gain or loss of significant customers; |
| | • | | Reductions in demand or expectations of future demand by our customers; |
| | • | | Changes in stock market analyst recommendations regarding us, our competitors, or our customers; |
| | • | | The timing and announcements of technological innovations or new products by our competitors or by us, and |
| | • | | Other events affecting other companies that investors deem comparable to us. |
All of these factors may contribute to the volatility of our stock price.
The trading volume of our common stock often has been limited and may depress the price for our common stock.
A significant decline in our stock price, even if temporary, could result in substantial losses for individual shareholders. The trading volume of our common stock has been and may continue to be limited. Limited trading volume could depress the price for our common stock because fewer analysts may provide coverage for our stock and because investors might be unwilling to pay a higher market price for a stock that is less liquid. This limited trading volume, along with market and industry stock price fluctuations and other factors affecting our operations, may depress the price for our common stock or result in greater volatility in the price of our common stock.
| ITEM 1B. | UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS |
None.
Our headquarters and manufacturing facility is located in Lake Forest, California. This leased facility consists of approximately 25,000 square feet of office space and approximately 5,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space. The lease for this facility expires in August 2011. We also lease office space and, in some instances, warehouse space in California, New York, China, and Mexico. The leases on these facilities, which are used by our call box and WTS businesses, expire on various dates through June 2010.
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Mobility Electronics, Inc. (“Mobility”) vs. Comarco Wireless Technologies, Inc., Case No. 5:07cv00084, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. On June 8, 2007, Mobility sued us alleging that two Mobility patents are infringed by the mechanical keying arrangement between power adapters and programming tips used by us in our mobile power products sold through our distributors. We have denied liability and countersued alleging that Mobility has breached a Settlement Agreement entered into between the parties in 2003 to settle a previous patent infringement suit, and that Mobility is liable for infringement of at least one Comarco patent by effectively sub-licensing a third party to manufacture and sell power adapter products and accessories covered by the Comarco patent. Mobility has denied liability and amended its claims to further allege that we breached the Settlement Agreement by asserting claims against Mobility because its activities are permissible under the Settlement Agreement. On November 29, 2007, we filed our Answer, Defense, and Counterclaims. On March 5, 2008, both parties attended mediation before a retired U.S. district court judge, which did not lead to a settlement. However, the parties may continue mediation within a month or two. Trial is set for July 2009.
SwissQual AG (“SwissQual”) vs. Comarco Wireless Technologies, Inc., Case No. cv-07-07819, Central District of California.On November 30, 2007, SwissQual filed a lawsuit against us alleging fraud, intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, breach of contract, trademark infringement, unfair competition, trade secret misappropriation, and seeking declaratory relief relating to the December 15, 2005 Distribution and Sales Agreement between the parties.
We answered SwissQual’s complaint and denied any and all liability to SwissQual and denied that SwissQual is entitled to any of the relief sought in its complaint. In addition, we asserted counterclaims against SwissQual alleging breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, trade secret misappropriation, intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, negligent interference with prospective economic advantage, unfair competition, conversion, unjust enrichment/restitution, an accounting for money owed due to SwissQual’s misconduct and seeking declaratory relief relating to SwissQual’s failure to comply with its support obligations, indemnity, and trademark ownership. SwissQual has informed the Court that it will be amending its complaint. Discovery has not yet commenced and a trial date has been set for February 10, 2009.
The matters described above are in the very early stages and the outcome of these matters is neither determinable nor estimable. We believe we have meritorious defenses to the matters described above and intend to vigorously defend these actions. In addition to the pending matters described above, we are from time to time involved in various legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of our business. We believe that the outcome of all such pending legal proceedings will not in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations and financial position.
| ITEM 4. | SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS |
No matter was submitted during the fourth quarter ended January 31, 2008 to a vote of our security holders.
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PART II
| ITEM 5. | MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES |
Market Information
Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market® under the symbol “CMRO.” The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the quarterly high and low closing prices per share as reported by the Nasdaq National Market. These prices represent actual reported sales transactions.
| | | | | | |
| | | High | | Low |
Year ended January 31, 2008: | | | | | | |
First Quarter | | $ | 9.15 | | $ | 6.51 |
Second Quarter | | | 6.90 | | | 5.75 |
Third Quarter | | | 6.43 | | | 5.32 |
Fourth Quarter | | | 6.01 | | | 4.91 |
Year ended January 31, 2007: | | | | | | |
First Quarter | | $ | 13.01 | | $ | 10.63 |
Second Quarter | | | 12.31 | | | 8.76 |
Third Quarter | | | 9.81 | | | 7.75 |
Fourth Quarter | | | 10.30 | | | 7.31 |
Holders
As of April 4, 2008, there were 314 holders of record of our common stock.
Dividends
We declared a special dividend of $1.00 per share to shareholders of record on April 5, 2007, paid on April 23, 2007. The amount paid was $7.4 million. We do not expect to pay cash dividends in the near future.
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| ITEM 6. | SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | 2005 | | | 2004 | |
| | (In thousands, except per share data) | |
Revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Products | | $ | 18,353 | | | $ | 42,725 | | | $ | 42,260 | | | $ | 24,159 | | | $ | 29,208 | |
Services | | | 4,847 | | | | 5,051 | | | | 4,618 | | | | 5,064 | | | | 5,057 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 23,200 | | | | 47,776 | | | | 46,878 | | | | 29,223 | | | | 34,265 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Products | | | 14,083 | | | | 26,262 | | | | 26,727 | | | | 17,445 | | | | 18,591 | |
Services | | | 3,291 | | | | 3,352 | | | | 3,185 | | | | 3,463 | | | | 3,135 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 17,374 | | | | 29,614 | | | | 29,912 | | | | 20,908 | | | | 21,726 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross profit | | | 5,826 | | | | 18,162 | | | | 16,966 | | | | 8,315 | | | | 12,539 | |
Selling, general, and administrative expenses | | | 10,244 | | | | 10,674 | | | | 9,490 | | | | 9,001 | | | | 9,848 | |
Goodwill impairment charge | | | 496 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Engineering and support expenses | | | 8,799 | | | | 7,989 | | | | 7,682 | | | | 7,521 | | | | 5,812 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating loss | | | (13,713 | ) | | | (501 | ) | | | (206 | ) | | | (8,207 | ) | | | (3,121 | ) |
Other income, net | | | 842 | | | | 941 | | | | 345 | | | | 180 | | | | 237 | |
Gain on sale of equipment, net | | | 321 | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | |
Gain on sale of investment in SwissQual and intangible asset | | | 1,976 | | | | 1,687 | | | | 6,438 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Minority interest in loss of subsidiary | | | — | | | | — | | | | — | | | | 72 | | | | 34 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and discontinued operations | | | (10,574 | ) | | | 2,127 | | | | 6,577 | | | | (7,955 | ) | | | (2,850 | ) |
Income tax expense (benefit) | | | (590 | ) | | | 350 | | | | 201 | | | | 2,426 | | | | (1,008 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations | | | (9,984 | ) | | | 1,777 | | | | 6,376 | | | | (10,381 | ) | | | (1,842 | ) |
Income (loss) from discontinued operations | | | — | | | | — | | | | (45 | ) | | | 325 | | | | 596 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | (9,984 | ) | | $ | 1,777 | | | $ | 6,331 | | | $ | (10,056 | ) | | $ | (1,246 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic income (loss) per share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations | | $ | (1.36 | ) | | $ | 0.24 | | | $ | 0.86 | | | $ | (1.41 | ) | | $ | (0.26 | ) |
Discontinued operations | | | — | | | | — | | | | (0.01 | ) | | | 0.04 | | | | 0.09 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | (1.36 | ) | | $ | 0.24 | | | $ | 0.85 | | | $ | (1.37 | ) | | $ | (0.17 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Diluted income (loss) per share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations | | $ | (1.36 | ) | | $ | 0.24 | | | $ | 0.86 | | | $ | (1.41 | ) | | $ | (0.26 | ) |
Discontinued operations | | | — | | | | — | | | | (0.01 | ) | | | 0.04 | | | | 0.09 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | (1.36 | ) | | $ | 0.24 | | | $ | 0.85 | | | $ | (1.37 | ) | | $ | (0.17 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash dividends declared per common share | | $ | 1.00 | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | As of January 31, |
| | 2008 | | 2007 | | 2006 | | 2005 | | 2004 |
| | (In thousands) |
Working capital | | $ | 17,723 | | $ | 33,618 | | $ | 29,443 | | $ | 19,057 | | $ | 25,213 |
Total assets | | | 32,581 | | | 51,413 | | | 52,805 | | | 40,226 | | | 52,139 |
Borrowing under line of credit | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
Long-term debt | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
Stockholders’ equity | | | 20,815 | | | 37,989 | | | 36,108 | | | 29,774 | | | 38,891 |
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| ITEM 7. | MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS |
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Part II, Item 8 of this report on Form 10-K. This report contains forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements regarding trends, cyclicality, seasonality, and growth in the markets we sell into, our strategic direction, expenditures in research and development, contracts, our future effective tax rate, new product introductions, changes to our manufacturing processes, our liquidity position, our ability to generate cash from continuing operations, our expected growth, the potential impact of our adopting new accounting pronouncements, our financial results, revenue generated from international sales, the impact of our variable cost structure, and the existence or length of an economic recovery that involves risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ from the results contemplated by these forward-looking statements due to certain factors, including those discussed in Part I, Item 1A and elsewhere in this report.
Overview
Comarco, Inc., through its subsidiary Comarco Wireless Technologies, Inc. (collectively, “we,” “Comarco,” or the “Company”), is a leading designer and manufacturer of external mobile power adapters used to power and charge notebook computers, mobile phones, BlackBerry® smartphones, iPods®, and many other rechargeable handheld devices. Comarco is also a provider of wireless test solutions for the wireless industry, as well as a provider of emergency call boxes and related maintenance services. Our operations consist solely of the operations of Comarco Wireless Technologies, Inc. (“CWT”).
Our revenue and related cash flows are primarily derived from sales of our ChargeSource® mobile power products, wireless test solutions (“WTS”) products, and call boxes and related maintenance services. We have three reportable segments: ChargeSource®, WTS, and Call Box. See “Segment Reporting” in Notes 2 and 21 of notes to our consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this report.
Industry and Company Trends and Uncertainties
ChargeSource®
Designed with the needs of the traveling professional in mind, our ChargeSource® external mobile power adapters provide a high level of functionality and compatibility in an industry-leading compact design. Our current and planned ChargeSource® product offering consists of external AC/DC, AC, and DC power adapters designed for the right mix of power output and functionality for most retail, OEM, and enterprise customers. Our ChargeSource® products are also programmable, allowing those who use rechargeable electronic devices to carry just one power adapter. By simply changing the compact SmartTip® connected to the end of the charging cable, our external power adapters are capable of charging and powering multiple devices, including most notebook computers, mobile phones, BlackBerry® smartphones, iPods®, and many other handheld devices without requiring a peripheral product.
Personal computer manufacturers continue to design and manufacture notebook computers with enhanced functionality and features. These notebook computers generally have greater power requirements. As power requirements increase, so generally does the size of the OEM power adapter sold with each notebook computer. To address this industry-wide trend, we have developed a family of compact high-power ChargeSource® external power adapters that are compatible with most legacy, current, and planned notebook computers. These new ChargeSource® external power adapters are able to deliver up to 120 watts of power in a very small form factor or compact size.
Management currently considers the following additional trends, events, and uncertainties to be important to understanding our ChargeSource® business:
| | • | | In late January 2008, we began volume production of a small form factor 90-watt AC/DC external power adapter designed to the stringent specifications of Lenovo, a leading notebook computer OEM. This innovative product is currently being marketed and sold as an OEM-branded aftermarket accessory. |
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| | • | | During the first quarter of fiscal 2008, we entered into a non-exclusive distribution arrangement with Kensington, thereby terminating our exclusive distribution agreement. Under the non-exclusive agreement, we have the right to penetrate all channels with multiple partners and Kensington has the right to purchase our products without volume minimums. Kensington is also able to purchase mobile power products from our competitors. |
| | • | | Due to the transition to a non-exclusive distribution model, we have experienced and may continue to experience disruption in the sale of our ChargeSource® products over the next several quarters. |
| | • | | ChargeSource® revenue for fiscal 2008 decreased significantly to $5.4 million compared to $16.7 million for fiscal 2007. However, on a sequential basis, ChargeSource® revenue for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 increased approximately $0.6 million compared to the prior fiscal quarter. This sequential increase is attributable to new orders for our existing product line and the initial shipments of the Lenovo product. |
| | • | | The current level of ChargeSource® sales is insufficient to fully absorb our fixed manufacturing and supply chain overhead. Our ability to drive increased sales is dependent upon, among others, the following factors: |
| | – | Successful development and release for manufacture of certain AC and AC/DC external power adapter products designed to address the requirements of our retail and OEM accessories channels; |
| | – | Securing additional retail distribution partners under non-exclusive arrangements; and |
| | – | Market and customer acceptance of our new products expected to be available by the end of the first quarter of 2009. |
| | • | | Our ChargeSource® products are based on proprietary patented construction technology that enables the production of slim and light power sources for many rechargeable mobile devices from standard wall outlets, as well as power outlets in airplanes, cars, and other modes of transportation. |
| | • | | As of January 31, 2008, we have a backlog of orders from Lenovo of 216,000 units, and therefore expect our revenue to increase in the first quarter of fiscal 2009. |
Wireless Test Solutions
Our WTS business designs and manufactures hardware and software tools for use by wireless carriers, equipment vendors, and service providers. Radio frequency engineers, network improvement professionals and technicians use these test tools to deploy and optimize wireless networks, and to verify the performance, and resulting quality of service, of the wireless networks once deployed.
Wireless carriers are the primary customers for our WTS products. These customers operate in an environment driven by new technology, increased competition, and regulatory change. To compete effectively, the wireless carriers must offer their subscribers lower prices, improved quality of service, and innovative new services. Increasing use, global subscribers, and data-intensive applications are driving higher capacity utilization of existing networks, requiring wireless carriers around the globe to place a greater emphasis on capital expenditures devoted to their wireless networks. Despite this greater emphasis, current demand for our WTS products has decreased compared to the prior fiscal year driven by widespread industry consolidation, delays in purchasing decisions by our customers, increased competition, and increased pricing pressure.
Management currently considers the following additional trends, events, and uncertainties to be important to understanding our WTS business:
| | • | | Current demand for our next-generation mobile test equipment was soft across all our regions as wireless carriers delay deployment of capital for such mobile test tools. WTS revenue for fiscal 2008 decreased compared to the prior fiscal year, underscoring the challenges of our WTS business, which include a consolidating customer base comprised of a relatively small number of wireless carriers and |
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| | equipment vendors, as well as uncertainty regarding the timing and amount of anticipated orders from this customer base. Additionally, we have experienced increased competition in our European region from SwissQual and others. We expect our ability to compete on a global basis to be driven by our ability to offer products that cover all current wireless technologies, as well as the timely integration of new technology and functionality into our product platform. |
| | • | | During fiscal 2007, we entered into a cooperative alliance with Ascom, a leading specialist in wireless onsite communications solutions based in Switzerland, to develop, market, and support next-generation wireless network QoS, optimization, and test measurement systems. Together we have developed harmonized test and measurement systems and solutions for 3G and 4G wireless standards. These harmonized products and solutions are now available to the worldwide marketplace. |
| | • | | Late in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, we received a purchase order from AT&T valued at approximately $10.1 million for the Symphony™ Multi system, jointly developed by Ascom and Comarco. We began delivery on this order during the first quarter of fiscal 2009, and expect to complete delivery during the first half of fiscal 2009. |
Call Box
Our Call Box business designs, manufactures, and maintains emergency call boxes. Our call boxes provide emergency communication over existing wireless networks. In addition to call boxes, we provide installation and long-term maintenance services. Currently, there are approximately 9,200 call boxes that we maintain under long-term agreements that expire at various dates through January 2012.
Wireless carriers have begun reallocating spectrum away from analog, or first generation, wireless technologies to digital, or 2G and 2.5G, wireless technologies. As a result, state and local governmental agencies are continuing to upgrade their existing call box systems to digital to maintain the functional efficiencies of their call box systems. Our upgraded call boxes are configured to accommodate 2.5G GSM and CDMA wireless technologies. During fiscal 2008, 2007, and 2006, we executed on multiple upgrade contracts.
Management currently considers the following additional trends, events, and uncertainties to be important to understanding our Call Box business:
| | • | | During fiscal 2008, we upgraded 2,900 call boxes from analog to digital and/or text-telephony (“TTY”) technologies provided by wireless carriers and recorded revenue totaling approximately $4.5 million. This upgrade revenue also included revenue related to retrofit, site mitigation, and call box removal activities performed in conjunction with the upgrade of the call boxes. During fiscal 2007, we upgraded approximately 4,800 call boxes and recorded revenue totaling approximately $10.0 million, which also included revenue related to retrofit, site mitigation activities, and call box removal activities. |
| | • | | During the third quarter of fiscal 2008, we were awarded a contract by Kern County, California to upgrade their existing analog call box system, consisting of approximately 574 units. This contract is valued at approximately $1.5 million. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, we recorded $0.4 million of revenue and completed 216 units. We expect to complete the project during the second quarter of fiscal 2009, which includes site mitigation valued at $0.3 million. |
| | • | | During the third quarter of fiscal 2008, we were awarded the amended contract to upgrade the call boxes owned by the Riverside County SAFE, located in California, to digital and TTY technologies. This upgrade is valued at approximately $1.6 million. We began work during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, recording revenue of $0.9 million, and expect to complete the project during the first quarter of fiscal 2009. |
| | • | | We anticipate a decline in call box revenue during fiscal 2009 compared to fiscal 2008, as we expect to substantially complete the upgrade of the installed base by the first quarter of fiscal 2009. |
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Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to apply accounting policies and make certain estimates and judgments. All of our significant accounting policies are presented in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements. Of our significant accounting policies, we believe the following are the most significant and involve a higher degree of uncertainty, subjectivity, and judgments. These policies involve estimates and judgments that are inherently uncertain. Changes in these estimates and judgments may significantly impact our annual and quarterly operating results.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize product revenue upon shipment provided there are no uncertainties regarding customer acceptance, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is probable. Generally, our products are shipped FOB named point of shipment, whether it is Lake Forest, our corporate headquarters, or Hong Kong, the shipping point of our ChargeSource® products. Shipments to SwissQual, our former exclusive WTS distributor in Europe, are shipped delivery duties unpaid (“DDU”). Under DDU, title and risk of loss for the goods shipped passes to the buyer at destination.
Our WTS products are integrated with embedded software. Accordingly, we recognize revenue using the residual method pursuant to requirements of Statement of Position No. 97-2, “Software Revenue Recognition,” and other applicable revenue recognition guidance and interpretations. Under the residual method, we allocate revenue to the undelivered element, typically maintenance, based on its respective fair value, with the fair value determined by the price charged when that element is sold separately. We amortize the revenue allocated to the maintenance element evenly over the term of the maintenance commitment made at the time of sale. We expense as incurred the costs associated with honoring the maintenance commitment. The revenue attributable to the delivered product is the residual amount after subtracting the revenue allocated to the undelivered element from the sales price. The revenue attributable to the delivered product is recognized following the policy for product sales described above.
We recognize service revenue as the services are performed. Maintenance revenue from extended warranty sales is deferred and recognized ratably over the term of the maintenance agreement, typically 12 to 48 month periods.
Significant management judgments must be made and used in connection with the revenue recognized in any accounting period. For our WTS business, management must make judgments, for example, regarding uncertainties surrounding customer acceptance because some orders may include acceptance test provisions that require we defer revenue upon shipment until such time as the client has accepted the equipment. Material differences may result in the amount and timing of our revenue for any period if our management made different judgments.
Stock-based Compensation
Effective February 1, 2006, the start of our fiscal year 2007, we adopted SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123R”) using the modified prospective method and, therefore, have not revised prior periods’ results for the adoption of this accounting statement. SFAS No. 123R requires all share-based payments to be measured based on the award’s fair value on the date of grant, and is recognized as expense ratably over the requisite service period. We currently use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to estimate the fair value of our share-based payments. The Black-Scholes option-pricing model is based on a number of assumptions, including expected volatility, expected forfeiture rates, expected life, risk-free interest rate and expected dividends. If the assumptions change, stock-based compensation may differ significantly from what we have recorded in the past.
For fiscal year 2006, stock-based compensation was determined under Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25 “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and related interpretations in accounting for stock-based compensation plans.
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Software Development Costs
We had $8.4 million of gross capitalized software as of January 31, 2008, which has been fully amortized. Capitalized software amortization expense is included in cost of revenue. We capitalize software developed for sale or lease in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 86 (“SFAS No. 86”), “Accounting for Costs of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased, or Otherwise Marketed.” Software costs incurred subsequent to the determination of the technological feasibility of the software product are capitalized. Technological feasibility is generally demonstrated by the completion of a working model. Our policy is to capitalize the costs associated with development of new products and expense the costs associated with new releases, which primarily consist of enhancements or increased functionality of software embedded in existing products. Significant management judgment is required in determining whether technological feasibility has been achieved for a particular software project and in estimating the economic life of the related product. Capitalization ceases and amortization of capitalized costs begins when the software product is available for general release to our customers. Each quarter we compare capitalized software development costs to our estimate of projected revenues quarterly to determine if any impairment in value has occurred that would require an adjustment in the carrying value or change in expected useful lives under the guidelines established under SFAS No. 86. We also continually evaluate the recoverability of software acquired through acquisition or by direct purchase of technology.
Accounts Receivable
We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and adjust credit limits and related terms based upon payment history and the customer’s current credit worthiness. We continually monitor collections and payments from our customers and maintain a provision for estimated credit losses based upon our historical experience and any specific customer collection issues that we have identified. While such credit losses have historically been within our expectations and the provisions established, we cannot guarantee that we will continue to experience the same credit loss rates that we have in the past. Since our accounts receivable are concentrated in a relatively few number of customers, a significant change in the liquidity or financial position of any one of these customers could have a material adverse effect on the collectibility of our accounts receivable and our future operating results.
Specifically, our management must make estimates of the collectibility of our accounts receivable. Management analyzes specific customer accounts and establishes reserves for uncollectible receivables based upon specific identification of account balances that have indications of uncertainty of collection. Indications of uncertainty of collections may include the customer’s inability to pay, customer dissatisfaction, or other factors. Significant management judgments and estimates must be made and used in connection with establishing the allowance for doubtful accounts in any accounting period. Material differences may result in the amount and timing of our losses for any period if management made different judgments or utilized different estimates.
Valuation of Inventory
We value inventory at the lower of the actual cost to purchase and/or manufacture the inventory (calculated on average costs, which approximates first-in, first-out basis) or market value. We regularly review inventory quantities on hand and record a write down of excess and obsolete inventory based primarily on excess quantities on hand based upon historical and forecasted component usage. As demonstrated during prior periods, demand for our products can fluctuate significantly. A significant increase in the demand for our products could result in a short-term increase in the cost of inventory purchases while a significant decrease in demand could result in an increase in the amount of excess inventory quantities on hand. In addition, our industry is characterized by rapid technological change, frequent new product development, and rapid product obsolescence that could result in an increase in the amount of obsolete inventory quantities on hand. In the future, if our inventory were determined to be overvalued, we would be required to recognize such costs in our cost of goods sold at the time of such determination. Therefore, any significant unanticipated changes in demand or technological developments could have a significant impact on the value of our inventory and our operating results.
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Income Taxes
We are required to estimate our provision for income taxes in each of the tax jurisdictions in which we conduct business. This process involves estimating our actual current tax expense in conjunction with the evaluation and measurement of temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of certain items for tax and accounting purposes. These temporary timing differences result in the establishment of deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are recorded on a net basis and included in our consolidated balance sheets. We then assess on a periodic basis the probability that our net deferred tax assets, if any, will be recovered. If after evaluating all of the positive and negative evidence, a conclusion is made that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be recovered, a valuation allowance is provided with a corresponding charge to tax expense to reserve the portion of the deferred tax assets which are estimated to be more likely than not to be realized.
Significant management judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes, our deferred tax assets and liabilities and any required valuation allowance. During the second quarter of fiscal 2005, as a result of incurring cumulative losses for a three-year period, we established a valuation allowance totaling approximately $2.9 million, or the entire deferred tax asset balance existing as of the beginning of fiscal 2005. This valuation allowance was established based on management’s overall assessment of risks and uncertainties related to our future ability to realize, and hence, utilize certain deferred tax assets, primarily consisting of net operating losses, carry forward temporary differences and future tax deductions resulting from certain types of stock option exercises. Due to the current and prior years’ operating losses, the adjusted net deferred tax assets remain fully reserved as of January 31, 2008.
Valuation of Goodwill
We account for goodwill and intangible assets in accordance with SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations,” and SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” Accordingly, we no longer amortize goodwill from acquisitions, but continue to amortize other acquisition-related intangibles and costs. As of January 31, 2008, we had $1.9 million of goodwill recorded in our audited consolidated balance sheet.
Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill impairment is deemed to exist if the net book value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value generally determined using a discounted cash flow methodology applied to the particular unit. This methodology differs from our previous policy, in accordance with accounting standards existing at that time, of using undiscounted cash flows on an enterprise-wide basis to determine recoverability.
We performed our annual goodwill impairment analysis as of January 31, 2008, and identified impairment related to our call box acquisition goodwill in the amount of $0.5 million. The impairment review is based upon a discounted cash flow approach that uses estimates of future market share and revenue and costs for the reporting units, as well as appropriate discount rates. The estimates used are consistent with the plans and estimates that we use to manage the underlying businesses. However, if we fail to deliver new products for these groups, if the products fail to gain expected market acceptance, or if market conditions in the related businesses are unfavorable, revenue and cost forecasts may not be achieved and we may incur additional charges for impairment of goodwill.
For intangible assets with definite useful lives, we amortize the cost over the estimated useful lives and assess any impairment by estimating the future cash flow from the associated asset in accordance with SFAS No. 144 “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” We also annually review the useful lives of each of our intangible assets. As of January 31, 2008, we had $0.5 million of non-goodwill acquired intangible assets recorded in intangible assets, which relates to intellectual property rights.
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets
We evaluate long-lived assets used in operations, including purchased intangible assets, when indicators of impairment, such as reductions in demand or significant economic slowdowns that negatively impact our customers or markets, are present. Reviews are performed to determine whether the carrying value of assets is impaired based on comparison to the undiscounted expected future cash flows. If the comparison indicates that there is impairment, the impaired asset is written down to fair value, which is typically calculated using a weighted average of the market approach and the discounted expected future cash flows using a discount rate based upon our cost of capital.
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Impairment is based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of those assets. Significant management judgment is required in the forecast of future operating results that is used in the preparation of expected discounted cash flows. It is reasonably possible that the estimates of anticipated future net revenue, the remaining estimated economic life of the products and technologies, or both, could differ from those used to assess the recoverability of these assets. In that event, additional impairment charges or shortened useful lives of certain long-lived assets could be required.
Results of Operations—Continuing Operations
The following tables set forth certain items as a percentage of revenue from our audited consolidated statements of operations for fiscal 2008, 2007, and 2006:
Consolidated
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | | | 2008 over
2007 | | | 2007 over
2006 | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | % Change | | | % Change | |
| | (In thousands) | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | % of Revenue | | | | | | % of Revenue | | | | | | % of Revenue | | | | | | | |
Revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Products | | $ | 18,353 | | | 79 | % | | $ | 42,725 | | | 89 | % | | $ | 42,260 | | | 90 | % | | (57 | )% | | 1 | % |
Services | | | 4,847 | | | 21 | % | | | 5,051 | | | 11 | % | | | 4,618 | | | 10 | % | | (4 | )% | | 9 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 23,200 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 47,776 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 46,878 | | | 100 | % | | (51 | )% | | 2 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating loss | | $ | (13,713 | ) | | | | | $ | (501 | ) | | | | | $ | (206 | ) | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations | | $ | (9,984 | ) (1) | | | | | $ | 1,777 | (2) | | | | | $ | 6,376 | (3) | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(1) | Includes gain on sale of investment in SwissQual totaling $2.0 million. |
(2) | Includes gain on sale of investment in SwissQual totaling $1.7 million. |
(3) | Includes gain on sale of investment in SwissQual and intangible asset totaling $6.4 million. |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | | 2008 over
2007 | | | 2007 over
2006 | |
| | 2008 | | 2007 | | 2006 | | % Change | | | % Change | |
| | (In thousands) | | | | | | |
Revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Americas | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
North America | | $ | 19,038 | | $ | 38,570 | | $ | 31,718 | | (51 | )% | | 22 | % |
Others | | | 986 | | | 2,171 | | | 2,855 | | (55 | )% | | (24 | )% |
Europe | | | 2,303 | | | 6,311 | | | 12,022 | | (64 | )% | | (48 | )% |
Asia – Pacific | | | 873 | | | 724 | | | 283 | | 21 | % | | 155 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 23,200 | | $ | 47,776 | | $ | 46,878 | | (51 | )% | | 2 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenue
The fiscal 2008 decrease in revenue of $24.6 million is attributable to decreased sales from all three of our businesses. The fiscal 2008 decrease in revenue for our ChargeSource®, WTS, and Call Box businesses totaled $11.3 million, $8.7 million, and $4.6 million, respectively, compared to fiscal 2007.
The fiscal 2007 increase in revenue of $0.9 million compared to fiscal 2006, is attributable to a $4.4 million and $5.7 million increase in sales by our ChargeSource® and Call Box businesses, respectively, offset by a $9.2 million decrease in sales by our WTS business.
A more detailed analysis of the revenue changes appears in the discussion of each of our business segments below.
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Cost of Revenue and Gross Margin
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | | | 2008 over
2007 | | | 2007 over
2006 | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | % Change | | | % Change | |
| | (In thousands) | | | | | | | |
| | | | | % of Related
Revenue | | | | | % of Related
Revenue | | | | | % of Related
Revenue | | | | | | | |
Cost of revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Products | | $ | 13,851 | | 76 | % | | $ | 25,165 | | 59 | % | | $ | 24,801 | | 59 | % | | (45 | )% | | 2 | % |
Amortization – software development products | | | 232 | | 1 | % | | | 1,097 | | 3 | % | | | 1,926 | | 4 | % | | (79 | )% | | (43 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 14,083 | | 77 | % | | | 26,262 | | 62 | % | | | 26,727 | | 63 | % | | (46 | )% | | (2 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Services | | | 3,280 | | 68 | % | | | 3,330 | | 66 | % | | | 3,163 | | 68 | % | | (1 | )% | | 5 | % |
Amortization – software development services | | | 11 | | — | | | | 22 | | — | | | | 22 | | 1 | % | | (50 | )% | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 3,291 | | 68 | % | | | 3,352 | | 66 | % | | | 3,185 | | 69 | % | | (2 | )% | | 5 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 17,374 | | 75 | % | | $ | 29,614 | | 62 | % | | $ | 29,912 | | 64 | % | | (41 | )% | | (1 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | | | 2008 over
2007 ppt | | | 2007 over
2006 ppt |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | Change | | | Change |
| | (In thousands) | | | | | | |
Gross margin: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Products | | 23 | % | | 38 | % | | 37 | % | | (15 | ) | | 1 |
Services | | 32 | % | | 34 | % | | 31 | % | | (2 | ) | | 3 |
Combined gross margin | | 25 | % | | 38 | % | | 36 | % | | (13 | ) | | 2 |
The fiscal 2008 decrease in cost of revenue of $12.2 million compared to fiscal 2007 is primarily attributable to the 51 percent volume decrease in total revenue. The cost of revenue did not decline by as much as revenue due to fixed manufacturing overhead remaining relatively constant in fiscal 2008 compared to fiscal 2007, as well as approximately $0.4 million in higher scrap charges, specifically as related to ChargeSource®. A more detailed analysis of the cost of revenue and gross margin changes appears in the discussion of our business segments below.
The fiscal 2007 decrease in cost of revenue of $0.3 million compared to fiscal 2006, was attributable to a $0.8 million decrease in amortization of software development, a $1.1 million decrease in ChargeSource® inventory charges, partially offset by a $0.6 million increase in subcontractor costs in support of our call box upgrades, and the increase in total revenue.
Operating Costs and Expenses
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | | | 2008 over
2007 | | | 2007 over
2006 | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | % Change | | | % Change | |
| | (In thousands) | | | | | | | |
| | | | | % of Revenue | | | | | % of Revenue | | | | | % of Revenue | | | | | | | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling, general, and administrative expenses, excluding corporate overhead | | $ | 5,253 | | 22 | % | | $ | 5,485 | | 11 | % | | $ | 4,386 | | 9 | % | | (4 | )% | | 25 | % |
Allocated corporate overhead | | | 4,991 | | 22 | % | | | 5,189 | | 11 | % | | | 5,104 | | 11 | % | | (4 | )% | | 2 | % |
Goodwill impairment charge | | | 496 | | 2 | % | | | — | | — | | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Gross engineering and support expenses | | | 8,799 | | 38 | % | | | 7,989 | | 17 | % | | | 7,682 | | 17 | % | | 10 | % | | 4 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 19,539 | | 84 | % | | $ | 18,663 | | 39 | % | | $ | 17,172 | | 37 | % | | 5 | % | | 9 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
As revenue has declined for the year ended January 31, 2008 compared to the prior fiscal years presented, selling, general, and administrative expenses, allocated corporate overhead expenses, and gross engineering and support expenses all represent a larger percentage of revenue than in the prior year. The fixed cost structure of our business has been maintained in support of our expected future business.
The fiscal 2008 decrease in selling, general, and administrative expenses of $0.2 million compared to fiscal 2007 relates to a reduction in WTS selling expenses in Europe and South America, as well as reduced commission expenses earned by WTS sales staff offset by increased legal fees of $0.8 million incurred relating to the Mobility litigation.
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The fiscal 2007 increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses of $1.1 million compared to fiscal 2006 was attributable to several factors including:
| | • | | A $0.5 million non-recurring bad debt recovery related to our WTS business recorded in fiscal 2006; |
| | • | | The fiscal 2007 increase in legal fees of approximately $0.4 million compared to fiscal 2006, relating to the development and protection of our ChargeSource® intellectual property rights, and |
| | • | | The fiscal 2007 increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses of approximately $0.2 million compared to fiscal 2006, relating to increased call box personnel costs. |
Allocated corporate overhead consists of salaries and other personnel-related expenses of our accounting and finance, human resources and benefits, and other administrative personnel, as well as professional fees, directors’ fees, and other costs and expenses attributable to being a public company. These costs are typically allocated to our three businesses based on each business’s percentage share of total Company costs and expenses. As a percentage of revenue, allocated corporate overhead doubled to 22 percent in fiscal 2008 compared to 11 percent in fiscal 2007.
In fiscal 2008, allocated corporate overhead decreased by $0.2 million or 4 percent. The primary reason for the decrease is due to non-recurring corporate relocation expenses of $0.3 million incurred in fiscal 2007 relating to the August 2006 corporate office move to its present location. Offsetting this decrease was a slight increase in expenses related to the current year Sarbanes-Oxley 404 internal control testing and SFAS No. 123R compensation expense.
While allocated corporate overhead for fiscal 2007 increased by less than $0.1 million compared to fiscal 2006, the specific cost components did fluctuate. In fiscal 2007, we adopted SFAS No. 123R and included approximately $0.3 million of non-cash compensation expense in allocated corporate overhead. Additionally, in fiscal 2007 we incurred approximately $0.3 million related to relocating our corporate offices. These fiscal 2007 increases in allocated corporate overhead were offset by a decrease in incentive compensation for our corporate officers totaling $0.5 million compared to fiscal 2006.
The fiscal 2008 goodwill impairment charge relates to the impairment of call box goodwill in the amount of $0.5 million. We perform the annual assessment of impairment for goodwill during the fourth quarter each year. During the current year assessment it was determined that the future cash flows anticipated to be generated by the business are insufficient to cover the current carrying value of assets. The entire balance of goodwill related to the fiscal 1997 GTE call box acquisition and the fiscal 1998 Cubic acquisition were written-off.
Gross engineering and support expenses generally consist of salaries, employer paid benefits, and other personnel related costs of our hardware and software design engineers and testing and product support personnel, as well as facility and IT costs, professional and consulting fees, lab costs, material usages, and travel and related costs incurred in the development and support of our products.
The fiscal 2008 increase in engineering and support costs includes approximately $0.8 million in increased materials and lab testing for the development of the Lenovo OEM power adapter by our ChargeSource® business.
The fiscal 2007 increase in engineering and support expenses of $0.3 million compared to fiscal 2006, was primarily attributable to increased WTS engineering costs consisting of wages and related costs, as well as third-party design fees in support of the redesign of the Seven.Five QoS software to exclude SwissQual content.
We capitalize costs incurred for the development of software embedded in our WTS products subsequent to establishing technological feasibility. These capitalized costs are subject to an ongoing assessment of recoverability based on anticipated future revenue and changes in hardware and software technologies. Costs that are capitalized include direct labor and related overhead. We did not capitalize any software development costs in fiscal 2008, 2007, or 2006.
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Other Income, net
Other income, net, consists primarily of interest income earned on invested cash balances. Other income, net, was $0.8 million, $0.9 million, and $0.3 million in fiscal 2008, 2007, and 2006, respectively. The increases in fiscal 2008 and 2007 in other income compared to fiscal 2006 were due to increases in our cash balances coupled with higher interest rates.
Gain on Sale of Equipment, net
The gain on sale of equipment recorded during the first quarter of fiscal 2008 relates to the sale of WTS equipment, the majority of which was previously leased to outsourced engineering services providers.
Gain on Sale of Investment in SwissQual and Intangible Asset
As further discussed in the section entitled “Results of Operations – Wireless Test Solutions” during January 2006, we sold our 18 percent interest in SwissQual. Upon the closing of the transaction, we received approximately $6.8 million of the closing consideration, net of transaction costs. We recorded a gain on sale of investment totaling $6.1 million, which was based on the cash consideration we received. During fiscal 2007, we received $1.7 million of contingent consideration, net of $0.1 million of transaction costs, recorded as gain on sale of investment in SwissQual. During fiscal 2008, we received $2.0 million of contingent consideration and escrow distributions, net of $43,000 of transaction costs, recorded as gain on sale of investment in SwissQual.
Prior to the sale transaction, SwissQual declared and paid a cash dividend to its then current shareholders. During January 2006, we recorded the approximately $0.4 million dividend declared as a reduction in the cost basis of our investment in SwissQual. Additionally, during December 2005, we sold rights to software to SwissQual for approximately $0.5 million. At the time of the sale, such software rights had an unamortized book value of approximately $0.2 million. Accordingly, we recorded a gain on sale of intangible assets totaling approximately $0.3 million.
Income Tax Expense (Benefit)
Significant management judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes, our deferred tax assets and liabilities, and any required valuation allowance. During the second quarter of fiscal 2005, we established a valuation allowance totaling approximately $2.9 million, or the entire deferred tax asset balance existing as of the beginning of fiscal 2005. This valuation allowance was established based on management’s overall assessment of risks and uncertainties related to our future ability to realize, and hence, utilize certain deferred tax assets, primarily consisting of net operating losses, carry forward temporary differences, and future tax deductions resulting from certain types of stock option exercises. Due to the current and prior years’ operating losses, the adjusted net deferred tax assets remained fully reserved as of January 31, 2008.
During fiscal 2008, we recorded a net loss of $10.0 million and recorded $0.6 million in income tax benefit. The net deferred tax asset of $7.7 million at January 31, 2008 is fully reserved, and includes net operating loss carryforwards created in the current fiscal year of $2.7 million.
During fiscal 2007, we recorded net income of $1.8 million and recorded $0.4 million in income tax expense, having fully utilized our net operating loss carryforwards. The net deferred tax asset of $4.3 million at January 31, 2007 was fully reserved.
During fiscal 2006, we recorded net income of $6.3 million and $0.2 million in AMT income tax expense and utilized approximately $2.8 million of our net operating loss carryforwards. The remaining net deferred tax asset of $3.5 million at January 31, 2006 was fully reserved.
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ChargeSource®
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | | | 2008 over
2007 | | | 2007 over
2006 | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | % Change | | | % Change | |
| | (In thousands) | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | % of Revenue | | | | | | % of Revenue | | | | | | % of Revenue | | | | | | | |
Revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Products | | $ | 5,434 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 16,745 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 12,303 | | | 100 | % | | (68 | )% | | 36 | % |
Services | | | — | | | — | | | | — | | | — | | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 5,434 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 16,745 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 12,303 | | | 100 | % | | (68 | )% | | 36 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating loss | | $ | (8,740 | ) | | | | | $ | (459 | ) | | | | | $ | (3,530 | ) | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | | 2008 over
2007 | | | 2007 over
2006 | |
| | 2008 | | 2007 | | 2006 | | % Change | | | % Change | |
| | (In thousands) | | | | | | |
Revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Americas: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
North America | | $ | 3,012 | | $ | 13,346 | | $ | 8,822 | | (77 | )% | | 51 | % |
Others | | | — | | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | |
Europe | | | 2,127 | | | 3,294 | | | 3,392 | | (35 | )% | | (3 | )% |
Asia – Pacific | | | 295 | | | 105 | | | 89 | | 181 | % | | 18 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 5,434 | | $ | 16,745 | | $ | 12,303 | | (68 | )% | | 36 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | | 2008 over
2007 | | | 2007 over
2006 | |
| | 2008 | | 2007 | | 2006 | | % Change | | | % Change | |
| | (In thousands) | | | | | | |
Revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Kensington | | $ | 4,660 | | $ | 15,425 | | $ | 11,827 | | (70 | )% | | 30 | % |
Battery Biz | | | 259 | | | 1,055 | | | 404 | | (75 | )% | | 161 | % |
Tumi | | | 280 | | | 213 | | | — | | 31 | % | | — | |
Lenovo | | | 226 | | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | |
Other | | | 9 | | | 52 | | | 72 | | (83 | )% | | (28 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 5,434 | | $ | 16,745 | | $ | 12,303 | | (68 | )% | | 36 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The fiscal 2008 decrease in revenue of $11.3 million, or 68 percent, is primarily due to decreased sales to Kensington. As previously discussed, in April 2007 we entered into a non-exclusive retail distribution agreement with Kensington to allow us to partner with multiple retail distributors. Since the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, Kensington has purchased fewer ChargeSource® products compared to orders placed under the now terminated exclusive retail distribution agreement. We continue to believe that Kensington is sourcing certain external power adapters, which are not slim and light, from other Asian suppliers, resulting in decreased orders for our slim and light ChargeSource® products.
The fiscal 2007 increase in ChargeSource® revenue of $4.4 million compared to fiscal 2006, was primarily attributable to an increase in sales to Kensington of $3.6 million. Kensington became our exclusive distributor for the retail channel during the third quarter of fiscal 2005 and we began shipping to Kensington during the first quarter of fiscal 2006 as they achieved product placement in retail. ChargeSource® revenue ramped-up during fiscal 2006. First quarter revenue totaled $1.8 million increasing to $4.7 million in the fourth quarter. For the first three quarters of fiscal 2007, ChargeSource® revenue ranged between $4.1 million and $4.5 million per quarter. For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 ChargeSource® revenue decreased to $3.8 million compared to the prior 2007 fiscal quarters. We believe Kensington reduced their orders during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007 in an effort to reduce their inventory of previously purchased ChargeSource® products.
27
Cost of Revenue and Gross Margin
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | | | 2008 over
2007 | | | 2007 over
2006 | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | % Change | | | % Change | |
| | (In thousands) | | | | | | | |
| | | | | % of Revenue | | | | | % of Revenue | | | | | % of Revenue | | | | | | | |
Cost of revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Products | | $ | 7,329 | | 135 | % | | $ | 11,901 | | 71 | % | | $ | 10,548 | | 86 | % | | (38 | )% | | 13 | % |
Amortization – software development | | | — | | — | | | | — | | — | | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 7,329 | | 135 | % | | | 11,901 | | 71 | % | | | 10,548 | | 86 | % | | (38 | )% | | 13 | % |
Services | | | — | | | | | | — | | — | | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 7,329 | | 135 | % | | $ | 11,901 | | 71 | % | | $ | 10,548 | | 86 | % | | (38 | )% | | 13 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | | | 2008 over
2007 ppt | | | 2007 over
2006 ppt |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | Change | | | Change |
| | (In thousands) | | | | | | |
Gross margin: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Products | | (35 | )% | | 29 | % | | 14 | % | | (64 | ) | | 15 |
Services | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | — |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | (35 | )% | | 29 | % | | 14 | % | | (64 | ) | | 15 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The fiscal 2008 decrease in cost of revenue is attributable to a 68 percent volume decrease in revenue compared to fiscal 2007. The current level of ChargeSource® revenue is insufficient to fully absorb our fixed manufacturing overhead. Cost of revenue for the year ended January 31, 2008 includes $2.4 million of under-absorbed fixed manufacturing overhead. Additionally, the fiscal 2008 cost of revenue includes $0.3 million in increased scrap costs over the prior year, primarily due to design changes made during the development of the Lenovo product.
The fiscal 2007 increase in cost of revenue was attributable to a 36 percent volume increase in revenue compared to fiscal 2006. Cost of revenue for fiscal 2007 and 2006 included scrap and inventory charges totaling $0.2 million and $1.3 million, respectively. Due to the revenue volume increase and a $1.1 million decrease in scrap and inventory charges incurred in fiscal 2007, cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue decreased to 71 percent from 86 percent for fiscal 2006. Additionally, cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue for fiscal 2007 decreased due to improved absorption of fixed manufacturing costs driven by the fiscal 2007 increase in revenue volume compared to fiscal 2006.
Operating Costs and Expenses
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | | | 2008 over
2007 | | | 2007 over
2006 | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | % Change | | | % Change | |
| | (In thousands) | | | | | | | |
| | | | | % of Revenue | | | | | % of Revenue | | | | | % of Revenue | | | | | | | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling, general, and administrative expenses, excluding corporate overhead | | $ | 2,408 | | 44 | % | | $ | 1,723 | | 10 | % | | $ | 1,406 | | 11 | % | | 40 | % | | 22 | % |
Allocated corporate overhead | | | 1,940 | | 36 | % | | | 1,849 | | 11 | % | | | 1,710 | | 14 | % | | 5 | % | | 8 | % |
Gross engineering and support expenses | | | 2,497 | | 46 | % | | | 1,731 | | 10 | % | | | 2,169 | | 18 | % | | 44 | % | | (20 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 6,845 | | 126 | % | | $ | 5,303 | | 31 | % | | $ | 5,285 | | 43 | % | | 29 | % | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling, general, and administrative expenses generally consist of salaries, employer paid benefits, commissions and other personnel related costs of our management, sales, marketing and administrative personnel, facility and IT costs, professional fees, advertising, promotions, printed media, and travel directly attributable to our ChargeSource® business.
The fiscal 2008 increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses is attributable to an increase in legal fees of $0.8 million related primarily to the Mobility litigation, offset by reduced personnel costs of nearly $0.1 million.
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The fiscal 2007 increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses in fiscal 2007 of $0.3 million compared to fiscal 2006, was primarily attributable to increased legal fees relating to the development and protection of our intellectual property rights.
See the caption “Operating Costs and Expenses” under the “Consolidated” section earlier in this document for a discussion of allocated corporate overhead.
Gross engineering and support expenses generally consist of salaries, employer paid benefits, and other personnel related costs of our electrical and mechanical design engineers and testing and product support personnel, as well as facility and IT costs, professional and consulting fees, lab costs, material usages, and travel and related costs incurred in the development and support of our ChargeSource® business.
The fiscal 2008 increase in engineering and support costs of $0.8 million relates primarily to the design of the new small form factor 90-watt AC/DC external power adapter for Lenovo, which began shipping in the latter part of the fourth quarter. We incurred $0.4 million in increased material costs during the design phase as well as increased professional fees for lab testing and certifications of $0.2 million. There was also an additional $0.1 million in increased incentive compensation during fiscal 2008.
The fiscal 2007 decrease in engineering and support expenses of $0.4 million compared to fiscal 2006, was primarily attributable to reduced personnel costs, primarily contract labor, as well as reduced independent lab testing fees. During fiscal 2007, our design and development efforts focused on a single external high-power adapter platform intended to meet the requirements of retail distribution, as well as the notebook computer OEMs.
Wireless Test Solutions
Revenue
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | | | 2008 over
2007 | | | 2007 over
2006 | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | % Change | | | % Change | |
| | (In thousands) | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | % of Revenue | | | | | | % of Revenue | | | | | % of Revenue | | | | | | | |
Revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Products | | $ | 5,962 | | | 90 | % | | $ | 14,653 | | | 96 | % | | $ | 24,327 | | 99 | % | | (59 | )% | | (40 | )% |
Services | | | 695 | | | 10 | % | | | 654 | | | 4 | % | | | 207 | | 1 | % | | 6 | % | | 216 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 6,657 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 15,307 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 24,534 | | 100 | % | | (57 | )% | | (38 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating income (loss) | | $ | (6,832 | ) | | | | | $ | (1,978 | ) | | | | | $ | 1,675 | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | | 2008 over
2007 | | | 2007 over
2006 | |
| | 2008 | | 2007 | | 2006 | | % Change | | | % Change | |
| | (In thousands) | | | | | | |
Revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Americas: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
North America | | $ | 4,917 | | $ | 9,500 | | $ | 12,855 | | (48 | )% | | (26 | )% |
Others | | | 986 | | | 2,171 | | | 2,855 | | (55 | )% | | (24 | )% |
Europe | | | 176 | | | 3,017 | | | 8,630 | | (94 | )% | | (65 | )% |
Asia – Pacific | | | 578 | | | 619 | | | 194 | | (7 | )% | | 219 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 6,657 | | $ | 15,307 | | $ | 24,534 | | (57 | )% | | (38 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The decrease in WTS revenue of $8.7 million in fiscal 2008 as compared to fiscal 2007 relates to decreased revenue across all of our regions. The wireless industry is composed of a relatively small number of wireless carriers and equipment vendors, which can lead to volatility in our results. Our business is characterized by sales to a limited set of customers in each region where we do business. Specifically, in Europe and North America, sales to SwissQual and Verizon decreased $2.5 million and $3.3 million, respectively.
As previously discussed, we received an order from AT&T valued at $10.1 million, which we began delivering during the first quarter of fiscal 2009.
29
The decrease of product revenue of $9.7 million in fiscal 2007 as compared to fiscal 2006 was attributable to decreased sales to Verizon and SwissQual, the former exclusive reseller of our WTS products in our European region. Fiscal 2007 product revenue from Verizon decreased approximately $4.9 million to $7.0 million as compared to $11.9 million for fiscal 2006. As discussed above, we were awarded two significant contracts from Verizon during fiscal 2006 that were completed during fiscal 2006 and 2007. Additionally, fiscal 2007 sales to SwissQual decreased to $2.5 million as compared to $8.8 million for fiscal 2006, representing a decrease of approximately $6.3 million. Due to the sale of SwissQual to Spirent in January 2006, SwissQual ceased to be our reseller in Europe effective December 31, 2006.
Cost of Revenue and Gross Margin
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | | | 2008 over
2007
% Change | | | 2007 over
2006
% Change | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | |
| | (In thousands) | | | | | | | |
| | | | | % of Related
Revenue | | | | | % of Related
Revenue | | | | | % of Related
Revenue | | | | | | | |
Cost of revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Products | | $ | 2,798 | | 47 | % | | $ | 5,119 | | 35 | % | | $ | 10,896 | | 45 | % | | (45 | )% | | (53 | )% |
Amortization – software development | | | 232 | | 4 | % | | | 1,097 | | 7 | % | | | 1,926 | | 8 | % | | (79 | )% | | (43 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 3,030 | | 51 | % | | | 6,216 | | 42 | % | | | 12,822 | | 53 | % | | (51 | )% | | (51 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Services | | | 431 | | 62 | % | | | 270 | | 41 | % | | | 73 | | 35 | % | | 60 | % | | 270 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 3,461 | | 52 | % | | $ | 6,486 | | 42 | % | | $ | 12,895 | | 53 | % | | (47 | )% | | (50 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | | | 2008 over
2007 ppt
Change | | | 2007 over
2006 ppt
Change | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | |
| | | | | (In thousands) | | | | | | | |
Gross margin: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Products | | 49 | % | | 58 | % | | 47 | % | | (9 | ) | | 11 | |
Services | | 38 | % | | 59 | % | | 65 | % | | (21 | ) | | (6 | ) |
Combined gross margin | | 48 | % | | 58 | % | | 47 | % | | (10 | ) | | 11 | |
The fiscal 2008 decrease in cost of revenue is attributable to a 57 percent decrease in revenue. Capitalized software amortization decreased by $0.9 million, or 79 percent, over the prior year, which contributed to the decline in cost of goods sold. Offsetting the declines in cost of goods sold related to a reduction in revenue and capitalized software amortization, was a $0.5 million increase in expenditures to fulfill maintenance commitments.
The fiscal 2007 decrease in cost of revenue was attributable to the 40 percent volume decrease in product revenue compared to fiscal 2006, as well as other factors. The fiscal 2007 cost of product revenue as a percentage of product revenue decreased to 35 percent from 45 percent for fiscal 2006. The fiscal 2007 decrease in cost of product revenue as a percentage of product revenue was due to the following factors:
| | • | | Cost of product revenue for fiscal 2007 and 2006 included approximately $0.5 million and $1.1 million of incremental allocated fixed manufacturing costs, respectively, resulting in a fiscal 2007 decrease of approximately $0.6 million compared to fiscal 2006. This decrease was driven by the decrease in product revenue for fiscal 2007; |
| | • | | We typically achieve a lower net revenue on sales to SwissQual due to required revenue sharing under the distribution and sales agreement. For fiscal 2007, sales to SwissQual as a percentage of total WTS revenue decreased to 17 percent from 36 percent for fiscal 2006; |
| | • | | During the second and third quarters of fiscal 2007, we shipped several higher-margin Seven.Five upgrade orders. No similar upgrade orders were shipped during fiscal 2006; and |
| | • | | During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2007, we recorded approximately $1.1 million in revenue sharing from SwissQual under the distribution and sales agreement. The related products sold had no cost borne by us and increased our gross profit by the revenue sharing received. |
Fiscal 2008, 2007, and 2006 amortization of previously capitalized software development costs totaled approximately $0.2 million, $1.1 million, and $1.9 million, respectively.
30
Operating Costs and Expenses
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | | | 2008 over
2007
% Change | | | 2007 over
2006
% Change | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | |
| | (In thousands) | | | | | | | |
| | | | | % of Revenue | | | | | % of Revenue | | | | | % of Revenue | | | | | | | |
Operating costs and expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling, general, and administrative expenses, excluding corporate overhead | | $ | 2,417 | | 36 | % | | $ | 3,258 | | 21 | % | | $ | 2,641 | | 11 | % | | (26 | )% | | 23 | % |
Allocated corporate overhead | | | 1,841 | | 28 | % | | | 1,858 | | 12 | % | | | 2,488 | | 10 | % | | (1 | )% | | (25 | )% |
Gross engineering and support expenses | | | 5,770 | | 87 | % | | | 5,683 | | 37 | % | | | 4,835 | | 20 | % | | 2 | % | | 18 | % |
Capitalized software development costs | | | — | | — | | | | — | | — | | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 10,028 | | 151 | % | | $ | 10,799 | | 70 | % | | $ | 9,964 | | 41 | % | | (7 | )% | | 8 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling, general, and administrative expenses generally consist of salaries, employer paid benefits, commissions and other personnel related costs of our sales, marketing and support personnel, facility and IT costs, professional fees, advertising, promotions, printed media, and travel directly attributable to our WTS business.
The fiscal 2008 decrease in selling, general, and administrative expenses of $0.8 million relates to decreased personnel and related costs of $0.5 million in North America and reduced travel of $0.3 million in all regions and a general decrease in sales commissions.
The fiscal 2007 increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses of $0.6 million compared to fiscal 2006, was attributable to a $0.5 million non-recurring bad debt recovery recorded in fiscal 2006. In fiscal 2007, we recorded approximately $0.1 million in bad debt expense to reserve potentially uncollectible accounts receivable.
See the caption “Operating Costs and Expenses” under the “Consolidated” section earlier in this document for a discussion of allocated corporate overhead.
Gross engineering and support expenses generally consist of salaries, employer paid benefits, and other personnel related costs of our hardware and software design engineers and testing and product support personnel, as well as facility and IT costs, professional and consulting fees, lab costs, material usages, and travel and related costs incurred in the development and support of our WTS business.
Gross engineering expenses increased $0.1 million in fiscal 2008 or 2 percent, primarily due to increased wages and related expenses.
The fiscal 2007 increase in gross engineering and support costs of $0.8 million compared to fiscal 2006 was primarily attributable to increased WTS engineering costs consisting of wages and related costs, as well as third-party design fees in support of the redesign of the Seven.Five QoS software to exclude SwissQual content. The fiscal 2007 increase in wages and related costs, and third-party design fees totaled approximately $0.5 million compared to fiscal 2006.
We capitalize costs incurred for the development of software embedded in our WTS products subsequent to establishing technological feasibility. These capitalized costs are subject to an ongoing assessment of recoverability based on anticipated future revenue and changes in hardware and software technologies. Costs that are capitalized include direct labor and related overhead. We did not capitalize any software development costs in fiscal 2008, 2007, or 2006.
During January 2006, Spirent acquired 100 percent of the outstanding shares of SwissQual, including our 18 percent ownership interest, for consideration totaling up to approximately $71.3 million. Approximately $37.6 million in cash was paid at the close of the transaction, which is net of $2.5 million of transaction costs, with
31
an additional $9.1 million put into escrow to secure certain indemnification obligations. In addition, up to $22.1 million in contingent consideration may be paid within 24 months of closing upon satisfaction of certain performance and other requirements. The majority of the escrowed consideration was released to SwissQual shareholders in January 2008. Upon the closing of the transaction, we received approximately $6.8 million of the closing consideration, which is net of $0.5 million of transaction costs, for our 18 percent ownership interest in SwissQual. During January 2006, we recorded a gain on sale of investment totaling $6.1 million, which was based on the cash consideration we received.
During fiscal 2007, we received $1.7 million of contingent consideration net of $0.1 million of transaction costs, recorded as gain on sale of investment in SwissQual. During fiscal 2008, we received $2.0 million of contingent consideration and escrow distributions net of $43,000 of transaction costs, recorded as a gain on sale of investment in SwissQual. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, we received $1.4 million of escrow distributions.
Prior to the acquisition, SwissQual declared and paid a dividend to the then current shareholders. During January 2006, we recorded the approximately $0.4 million dividend declared as a reduction in the cost basis of our investment in SwissQual. Additionally, during December 2005, we sold rights to software to SwissQual for approximately $0.5 million. At the time of the sale, such software rights had an unamortized book value of approximately $0.2 million. Accordingly, we recorded a gain on sale of the intangible asset totaling approximately $0.3 million.
The gain on sale of investment in SwissQual and intangible asset is comprised of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | |
| | 2008 | | 2007 | | 2006 | |
Sale of investment in SwissQual: | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash proceeds | | $ | 1,976 | | $ | 1,687 | | $ | 6,774 | |
Less: Cost basis | | | — | | | — | | | (1,073 | ) |
Dividend declared (before withholding) | | | — | | | — | | | 420 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Gain on sale of investment in SwissQual | | | 1,976 | | | 1,687 | | | 6,121 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Sale of intangible asset: | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash proceeds | | | — | | | — | | | 550 | |
Less: Cost basis | | | — | | | — | | | (233 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Gain on sale of intangible asset | | | — | | | — | | | 317 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Gain on sale of investment in SwissQual and intangible asset | | $ | 1,976 | | $ | 1,687 | | $ | 6,438 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Call Box
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | | | 2008 over
2007
% Change | | | 2007 over
2006
% Change | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | |
| | (In thousands) | | | | | | | |
| | | | | % of Revenue | | | | | % of Revenue | | | | | % of Revenue | | | | | | | |
Revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Products | | $ | 6,957 | | 63 | % | | $ | 11,327 | | 72 | % | | $ | 5,630 | | 56 | % | | (39 | )% | | 101 | % |
Services | | | 4,152 | | 37 | % | | | 4,397 | | 28 | % | | | 4,411 | | 44 | % | | (6 | )% | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 11,109 | | 100 | % | | $ | 15,724 | | 100 | % | | $ | 10,041 | | 100 | % | | (29 | )% | | 57 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating income | | $ | 1,859 | | | | | $ | 1,936 | | | | | $ | 1,649 | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | | 2008 over
2007
% Change | | | 2007 over
2006
% Change | |
| | 2008 | | 2007 | | 2006 | | |
| | (In thousands) | | | | | | |
Revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Americas: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
North America | | $ | 11,109 | | $ | 15,724 | | $ | 10,041 | | (29 | )% | | 57 | % |
Others | | | — | | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | |
Europe | | | — | | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | |
Asia – Pacific | | | — | | | — | | | — | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 11,109 | | $ | 15,724 | | $ | 10,041 | | (29 | )% | | 57 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
32
Revenue
The fiscal 2008 decrease in revenue of $4.6 million, or 29 percent, is primarily due to a decrease in sales of digital and TTY upgrades as many of the awarded contracts for such upgrades were completed during fiscal 2007. In fiscal 2008 we upgraded approximately 2,900 call boxes with digital and/or TTY technologies and recorded revenue totaling $4.6 million. This decrease is offset by new sales to call box customers in the current year over the prior year.
We currently expect fiscal 2009 call box product revenue to be less than fiscal 2008 as we have completed the majority of upgrade contracts that we have been awarded.
The fiscal 2007 increase in call box product revenue of $5.7 million compared to fiscal 2006, was primarily attributable to an increase in sales of digital and TTY upgrades to our installed base of call boxes under maintenance contracts. As discussed previously, during fiscal 2007, we upgraded approximately 4,800 call boxes with digital and/or TTY technologies and recorded revenue totaling approximately $10.0 million. Such upgrade revenue also included revenue related to retrofit, site mitigation, and call box removal activities performed in conjunction with the upgrade of the call boxes. For fiscal 2006 we upgraded approximately 1,800 call boxes and recorded revenue totaling approximately $3.1 million, which also includes revenue related to retrofit, site mitigation activities, and call box removal activities. Non-upgrade product revenue for fiscal 2007 and 2006 totaled approximately $1.3 million and $2.5 million, respectively. During fiscal 2006, we sold 218 new digital and TTY call boxes valued at approximately $1.2 million to a customer in Hawaii; we do not maintain this call box system.
Cost of Revenue and Gross Margin
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | | | 2008 over
2007
% Change | | | 2007 over
2006
% Change | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | |
| | (In thousands) | | | | | | | |
| | | | | % of Related
Revenue | | | | | % of Related
Revenue | | | | | % of Related
Revenue | | | | | | | |
Cost of revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Products | | $ | 3,724 | | 54 | % | | $ | 8,145 | | 72 | % | | $ | 3,357 | | 60 | % | | (54 | )% | | 143 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Services | | | 2,849 | | 69 | % | | | 3,060 | | 70 | % | | | 3,090 | | 70 | % | | (7 | )% | | (1 | )% |
Amortization – software development | | | 11 | | — | | | | 22 | | — | | | | 22 | | 1 | % | | (50 | )% | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 2,860 | | 69 | % | | | 3,082 | | 70 | % | | | 3,112 | | 71 | % | | (7 | )% | | (1 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 6,584 | | 59 | % | | $ | 11,227 | | 71 | % | | $ | 6,469 | | 64 | % | | (41 | )% | | 74 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | | | 2008 over
2007 ppt
Change | | 2007 over
2006 ppt
Change | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | |
| | (In thousands) | | | | | | |
Gross margin: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Products | | 46 | % | | 28 | % | | 40 | % | | 18 | | (12 | ) |
Services | | 31 | % | | 30 | % | | 29 | % | | 1 | | 1 | |
Combined gross margin | | 41 | % | | 29 | % | | 36 | % | | 12 | | (7 | ) |
The fiscal 2008 decrease in cost of revenue is consistent with the 29 percent volume decrease in revenue compared to fiscal 2007. Additionally, the allocation of fixed manufacturing overhead to the Call Box business decreased by approximately $0.9 million in fiscal 2008 compared to fiscal 2007, as the majority of fiscal 2008 fixed costs supported the ChargeSource® business.
The fiscal 2007 increase in cost of revenue was primarily attributable to a 101 percent volume increase in product revenue compared to fiscal 2006. Cost of product revenue for fiscal 2007 included approximately $0.6 million of incremental subcontractor costs compared to fiscal 2006. Due to the significant increase in upgrade activities during fiscal 2007, we utilized third parties to perform certain upgrade installation, site mitigation, and retrofit work to a much greater extent than in fiscal 2006. Also driven by the significant increase in upgrade activity during fiscal 2007, we incurred approximately $0.8 million of incremental allocated fixed manufacturing costs compared to fiscal 2006. During fiscal 2007, more of our manufacturing resources were utilized to meet the increased demand for call box upgrades which increased the allocation of such costs to call box cost of product revenue. As a result, cost of product revenue as a percentage of product revenue for fiscal 2007 increased to 72 percent from 60 percent for fiscal 2006.
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Operating Costs and Expenses
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | | | 2008 over
2007
% Change | | | 2007 over
2006
% Change | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | | | |
| | (In thousands) | | | | | | | |
| | | | | % of Revenue | | | | | % of Revenue | | | | | % of Revenue | | | | | | | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling, general, and administrative expenses, excluding corporate overhead | | $ | 428 | | 4 | % | | $ | 504 | | 3 | % | | $ | 339 | | 3 | % | | (15 | )% | | 49 | % |
Allocated corporate overhead | | | 1,210 | | 11 | % | | | 1,482 | | 9 | % | | | 906 | | 9 | % | | (18 | )% | | 64 | % |
Goodwill impairment charge | | | 496 | | 4 | % | | | — | | — | | | | — | | — | | | — | | | — | |
Gross engineering and support expenses | | | 532 | | 5 | % | | | 575 | | 4 | % | | | 678 | | 7 | % | | (7 | )% | | (15 | )% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 2,666 | | 24 | % | | $ | 2,561 | | 16 | % | | $ | 1,923 | | 19 | % | | 4 | % | | 33 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling, general, and administrative expenses generally consist of salaries, employer paid benefits, commissions and other personnel related costs of our management, inside sales, and administrative personnel, facility and IT costs, professional fees, advertising, promotions, printed media, and travel directly attributable to our Call Box business.
The fiscal 2008 decrease in selling, general, and administrative expenses of $0.1 million compared to fiscal 2007 relates to reduced travel and reduced bad debt expense relating to uncollectible accounts receivable.
The fiscal 2007 increase in selling, general, and administrative expenses of $0.2 million compared to fiscal 2006 was primarily related to increased personnel costs. As a percentage of revenue, selling, general, and administrative expenses remained flat at 3 percent of revenue compared to fiscal 2006.
See the caption “Operating Costs and Expenses” under the “Consolidated” section earlier in this document for a discussion of allocated corporate overhead.
The fiscal 2008 goodwill impairment charge relates to the impairment of Call Box goodwill in the amount of $0.5 million. We perform the annual assessment of impairment for goodwill during the fourth quarter each year. During the current year assessment it was determined that the future cash flows anticipated to be generated by the business are insufficient to cover the current carrying value of assets. The entire balance of goodwill related to the fiscal 1997 GTE call box acquisition and the fiscal 1998 Cubic acquisition were written-off.
Gross engineering and support expenses generally consist of salaries, employer paid benefits, and other personnel related costs of our hardware and software design engineers and testing and product support personnel, as well as facility and IT costs, professional and consulting fees, lab costs, material usages, and travel and related costs incurred in the development and support of our Call Box business.
The fiscal 2007 decrease in engineering and support expenses of $0.1 million compared to fiscal 2006, was due to decreased product development activity during fiscal 2007 and reduced consumption of development material. The redesign of our TTY upgrade device was substantially completed during fiscal 2006.
Business Outlook
We expect revenues on an overall basis to increase during fiscal 2009.
As previously discussed, late in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 we began shipping volume production of a small form factor 90-watt AC/DC external power adapter to Lenovo, a leading notebook computer OEM.
34
During fiscal 2008, demand for our WTS products decreased compared to the prior fiscal year due to widespread industry consolidation, delays in purchasing decisions by customers, primarily wireless carriers, and increased competition and price pressure. Our first order for Symphony™ Multi, our next-generation 3G and 4G wireless network optimization and QoS system developed through our alliance with Ascom, a leading Swiss company with the largest installed base of wireless QoS systems in the world, was received late in the fourth quarter. This order from AT&T, valued at $10.1 million, is expected to be delivered during the first half of fiscal 2009. We believe our partnership with Ascom may open sales channels in Europe for our harmonized technology, including our integrated scanners.
During fiscal 2009, our Call Box business is expected to substantially complete the digital TTY upgrade contracts awarded in the prior fiscal years. As a significant portion of the installed base was upgraded during fiscal 2008 and 2007, we expect call box revenue for fiscal 2009 to decrease compared to fiscal 2008.
Discontinued Operations
On January 6, 2004, we sold the net assets of our reporting unit EDX. This reporting unit was formerly included in the wireless test solutions segment, and has been classified as discontinued operations.
Additionally, during fiscal 2001, we sold our defense and commercial staffing businesses, the non-wireless businesses. Adjustments made to the estimated exit costs of these businesses are recorded as discontinued operations.
In fiscal 2006, we recorded expense of $45,000, primarily related to workers compensation expenses related to the staffing business. As of January 31, 2006, all estimated exit costs of the sale of both EDX and the non-wireless businesses have been utilized.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The following table is a summary of our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 |
| | (In thousands) |
Cash provided by (used in): | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating activities | | $ | (3,404 | ) | | $ | 2,986 | | | $ | 7,257 |
Investing activities | | | 1,728 | | | | (2,107 | ) | | | 6,487 |
Financing activities | | | (7,673 | ) | | | (536 | ) | | | 3 |
Operating Activities
The cash used in operating activities during fiscal 2008 of $3.4 million relates to our net loss before the gain on sale of SwissQual of $12.0 million, offset by non-cash depreciation and amortization of $2.1 million and a goodwill impairment charge of $0.5 million, as well as collection of accounts receivable in the current year of $6.2 million. The remaining change in operating activities nets to a cash usage of $0.2 million.
Cash provided by operating activities of $3.0 million in fiscal 2007 related to net income of $0.1 million before the gain on sale of SwissQual of $1.7 million as well as non-cash charges for depreciation and amortization, FAS No. 123R compensation expense, and inventory reserves of $3.1 million, $0.6 million, and $0.6 million, respectively, and a decrease in inventory of $2.6 million, a decrease in accrued liabilities of $3.1 million, and an increase in accounts receivable of $1.2 million. The decrease in accrued liabilities relates primarily to the payout of fiscal 2006 accrued bonuses of $1.2 million and a reduction in accrued uninvoiced receipts for inventory purchases.
35
Cash provided by operating activities of $7.3 million in fiscal 2006 was driven by net income of $6.3 million, non-cash charges totaling $3.8 million and $1.7 million for depreciation and amortization and provisions for obsolete inventory, respectively, offset by gains totaling $6.4 million related to the sales of our investment in SwissQual and software rights. Also, a net change in operating assets and liabilities resulted in a $2.0 million increase in cash. Within the net change in operating assets and liabilities, increased sales resulted in an increase in accounts receivable and inventory, decreasing cash by $5.2 million, which was offset by a $1.7 million increase in deferred revenue and a $4.3 million increase in accrued liabilities.
Previously, we included cash flows from discontinued operations as a single amount in our consolidated statement of cash flows. In fiscal 2006, we separately disclosed the components of cash flows of discontinued operations, reconciled operating cash flows from net income rather than income from continuing operations, and restated our statements of cash flows for fiscal 2005 to conform to the current presentation.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
During fiscal 2008 we received $2.0 million in contingent sales consideration and escrow proceeds relating to the fiscal 2006 sale of SwissQual. Additionally, we spent $0.9 million in capital equipment purchases, primarily tooling and other equipment, used by our contract manufacturers for the manufacture of our ChargeSource® products. Additionally, we received $0.4 million relating primarily to the sale of WTS equipment that had been previously leased.
We purchased $3.2 million of property and equipment in fiscal 2007 compared to $0.8 million of property and equipment in fiscal 2006. The increase in fiscal 2007 capital expenditures of $2.4 million relates primarily to tenant improvements of $1.4 million made relating to our corporate relocation as well as equipment built for a revenue sharing contract with one of our WTS customers.
During January 2006, we sold our 18 percent interest in SwissQual to Spirent. See the “Wireless Test Solutions” section of Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Prior to the acquisition by Spirent, SwissQual declared and paid a dividend to its then current shareholders. During January 2006, we recorded the approximately $0.4 million dividend declared as a reduction in the cost basis of our investment in SwissQual. As of January 31, 2006, we received approximately $0.3 million, net of $0.1 million withheld by Swiss tax authorities which was recaptured in the first quarter of fiscal 2008. Additionally, during December 2005, we sold rights to software to SwissQual for approximately $0.5 million. At the time of the sale, such software rights had an unamortized book value of approximately $0.2 million. Accordingly, we recorded a gain on sale of intangible assets totaling approximately $0.3 million.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
During 1992, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program of up to 3.0 million shares of our common stock. From program inception through January 31, 2008, we repurchased approximately 2.7 million shares for an average price of $8.20 per share.
During the first quarter of fiscal 2008, we declared and paid a special dividend of $1 per share of our outstanding common stock for a total payment of $7.4 million. During fiscal 2007 and 2006, no dividends were declared or paid.
During fiscal 2008, we repurchased approximately 58,000 shares in the open market for a total cost of $0.4 million, or an average price of $6.70 per share. During fiscal 2007, we repurchased approximately 58,000 shares in the open market for a total cost of approximately $0.5 million, or an average price of $9.17 per share. During fiscal 2006 we had no stock repurchases.
We have a letter of credit from U.S. Bank in the amount of $250,000 secured by a certificate of deposit with a six-month maturity, which is reflected as restricted cash on the consolidated balance sheet.
36
We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalent balances will provide us sufficient funds to satisfy our cash requirements for at least the next 12 months. In addition to our cash and cash equivalent balances, we expect to derive a portion of our liquidity from our cash flows from operations. As discussed above, certain factors and events could negatively affect our cash flows from operations, including:
| | • | | Due to the uncertainties associated with the spending patterns of our customers and the corresponding demand for our WTS products, we have experienced and expect to continue to experience significant fluctuations in demand. Such fluctuations have caused and may continue to cause significant reductions in revenue, operating results, and cash flows. |
| | • | | In the event Kensington or any other customers of our ChargeSource® business are unable to perform due to their inability to take delivery of the ordered products and/or pay for such products in a timely manner, we would be required to establish alternative distribution channels. Such significant change would negatively impact our revenue, operating results, and cash flows. |
| | • | | Should the contract manufacturer of our ChargeSource® products become unable to manufacture our ChargeSource® products at the level currently anticipated, our operating results and cash flows would be negatively impacted. |
We are focused on preserving our cash balances by continuously monitoring expenses, identifying cost savings, and investing only in those development programs and products most likely to contribute to our profitability.
Contractual Obligations
In the course of our business operations, we incur certain commitments to make future payments under contracts such as operating leases and purchase orders. Payments under these contracts are summarized as follows as of January 31, 2008 (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Payments due by Period |
| | Less than
1 year | | 1 to 3
years | | 3 to 5
years | | More than
5 years | | Total |
Operating lease obligations | | $ | 491 | | $ | 816 | | $ | 221 | | $ | — | | $ | 1,528 |
Purchase obligations | | | 5,281 | | | — | | | — | | | — | | | 5,281 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 5,772 | | $ | 816 | | $ | 221 | | $ | — | | $ | 6,809 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In addition to the amounts shown in the table above, we have unrecognized tax benefits in the amount of $0.6 million relating to the adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes—An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” which we are uncertain as to if or when such amounts may be settled.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). This new standard establishes a framework for measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities. This framework is intended to provide increased consistency in how fair value determinations are made under various existing accounting standards that permit, or in some cases require, estimates of fair market value. SFAS 157 also expands financial statement disclosure requirements about a company’s use of fair value measurements, including the effect of such measures on earnings. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, which for us is fiscal 2009. In February 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position 157-1 (which includes leases under SFAS 13) and Staff Position 157-2, which delayed the effective date for non-financial assets and liabilities, except those items recognized on an annual or more frequent basis to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. We do not expect the adoption of SFAS 157 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS 159”). This standard amends SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investment in Debt and Equity Securities,” with respect to accounting for a transfer to the trading category for all entities with available-for-sale and trading securities electing the fair value option. This standard allows companies to elect fair value accounting for many financial instruments and other items that currently are not required to be accounted as such, allows different applications for electing the option for a
37
single item or groups of items, and requires disclosures to facilitate comparisons of similar assets and liabilities that are accounted for differently in relation to the fair value option. SFAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, which for us is fiscal 2009. We do not expect SFAS 159 to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141R”). SFAS 141R establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer in a business combination: (i) recognizes and measures the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree; (ii) recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in a business combination or gain from a bargain purchase; and (iii) determines what information to disclose to enable financial statement users to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS 141R is applicable prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. After its effective date, SFAS 141R would have an impact on the accounting for any business we may acquire in the future.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements” (“SFAS 160”). This standard establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. Early adoption of SFAS 160 is prohibited. After its effective date, SFAS 160 would have an impact on the presentation and disclosure of the non-controlling interests of any non-wholly-owned businesses we may acquire in the future.
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| ITEM 7A. | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK |
Currency Risk
We are exposed to the risk of changes in currency exchange rates. As of January 31, 2008, we had no material accounts receivable denominated in foreign currencies. Our standard terms require customers to pay for our products and services in U.S. dollars. For those orders denominated in foreign currencies, we may limit our exposure to losses from foreign currency transactions through forward foreign exchange contracts. To date, sales denominated in foreign currencies have not been significant and we have not entered into any foreign exchange contracts.
Interest Rate Sensitivity
The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve principal while at the same time maximizing the income we receive from our investments without significantly increasing risk. Some of the securities that we have invested in may be subject to market risk. This means that a change in prevailing interest rates may cause the principal amount of the investment to fluctuate. For example, if we hold a security that was issued with a fixed interest rate at the then-prevailing rate and the prevailing interest rate later rises, the principal amount of our investment will probably decline in value. To minimize this risk, we maintain a significant portion of our cash balances in money market funds. In general, money market funds are not subject to interest rate risk because the interest paid on such funds fluctuates with the prevailing interest rate.
We do not hold any derivative financial instruments.
Our cash and cash equivalents have maturities dates of three months or less and the fair value approximates the carrying value in our consolidated financial statements.
Equity Price Risk
Our short-term investments consist of balances maintained in a non-qualified deferred compensation plan funded by our executives and directors. We value these investments using the closing market value for the last day of each month. These investments are subject to market price volatility. We reflect these investments on our balance sheet at their market value, with the unrealized gains and losses reflected as adjustments to both short-term investments and the deferred compensation liability.
Due to the inherent risk associated with some of our investments, and in light of current stock market conditions, we may incur future losses on the sale, write-downs, or write-offs of our investments. We do not currently hedge against equity price changes.
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| ITEM 8. | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA |
COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| | |
| | | Page |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | | 41 |
| |
Financial Statements: | | |
| |
Consolidated Balance Sheets, January 31, 2008 and 2007 | | 42 |
| |
Consolidated Statements of Operations, Years Ended January 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 | | 43 |
| |
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, Years Ended January 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 | | 44 |
| |
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Years Ended January 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 | | 45 |
| |
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements | | 46 |
| |
Schedule II — Valuation and Qualifying Accounts, Years Ended January 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 | | 76 |
All other schedules are omitted because the required information is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule or because the information required is included in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.
40
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Board of Directors and Stockholders
Comarco, Inc.
Lake Forest, California:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Comarco, Inc. as of January 31, 2008 and January 31, 2007, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended January 31, 2008. We have also audited the information in the schedule listed in the accompanying index. These consolidated financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements and schedule are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits include consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements and schedule, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements and schedule. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Comarco, Inc. at January 31, 2008 and 2007, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended January 31, 2008, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
As discussed in Note 2, the Company adopted, effective February 1, 2006, Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment.” As discussed in Note 4, the Company adopted, effective February 1, 2007, Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.”
Also, in our opinion, the information in the schedule presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.
/s/ BDO Seidman, LLP
Costa Mesa, California
April 29, 2008
41
COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share data)
| | | | | | |
| | | January 31, |
| | | 2008 | | 2007 |
ASSETS | | | | | | |
Current Assets: | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents | | $ | 17,011 | | $ | 26,360 |
Short-term investments | | | 336 | | | 897 |
Accounts receivable, net of reserves of $43 and $111 | | | 4,728 | | | 10,942 |
Inventory, net of reserves of $954 and $600 | | | 4,466 | | | 5,452 |
Other current assets | | | 734 | | | 427 |
| | | | | | |
Total current assets | | | 27,275 | | | 44,078 |
Property and equipment, net | | | 2,586 | | | 3,331 |
Software development costs, net | | | — | | | 243 |
Acquired intangible assets, net | | | 525 | | | 820 |
Goodwill | | | 1,898 | | | 2,394 |
Restricted cash | | | 250 | | | 500 |
Other assets | | | 47 | | | 47 |
| | | | | | |
Total assets | | $ | 32,581 | | $ | 51,413 |
| | | | | | |
| | |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY | | | | | | |
Current Liabilities: | | | | | | |
Accounts payable | | $ | 1,290 | | $ | 718 |
Deferred revenue | | | 2,221 | | | 2,586 |
Deferred compensation | | | 336 | | | 897 |
Accrued liabilities | | | 5,705 | | | 6,259 |
| | | | | | |
Total current liabilities | | | 9,552 | | | 10,460 |
Deferred income taxes | | | — | | | 59 |
Tax liability: FIN 48 | | | 86 | | | — |
Deferred rent | | | 573 | | | 767 |
Deferred revenue, net of current portion | | | 1,555 | | | 2,138 |
| | | | | | |
Total liabilities | | | 11,766 | | | 13,424 |
| | | | | | |
Commitments and Contingencies and Subsequent Event | | | | | | |
| | |
Stockholders’ Equity: | | | | | | |
Preferred stock, no par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding at January 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively | | | — | | | — |
Common stock, $0.10 par value, 50,625,000 shares authorized; 7,326,671 and 7,371,637 shares issued and outstanding at January 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively | | | 733 | | | 737 |
Additional paid-in capital | | | 14,434 | | | 14,163 |
Retained earnings | | | 5,648 | | | 23,089 |
| | | | | | |
Total stockholders’ equity | | | 20,815 | | | 37,989 |
| | | | | | |
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity | | $ | 32,581 | | $ | 51,413 |
| | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | |
Revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Products | | $ | 18,353 | | | $ | 42,725 | | | $ | 42,260 | |
Services | | | 4,847 | | | | 5,051 | | | | 4,618 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 23,200 | | | | 47,776 | | | | 46,878 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cost of revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Products | | | 14,083 | | | | 26,262 | | | | 26,727 | |
Services | | | 3,291 | | | | 3,352 | | | | 3,185 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | 17,374 | | | | 29,614 | | | | 29,912 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross profit | | | 5,826 | | | | 18,162 | | | | 16,966 | |
Selling, general, and administrative expenses | | | 10,244 | | | | 10,674 | | | | 9,490 | |
Goodwill impairment charge | | | 496 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Engineering and support expenses | | | 8,799 | | | | 7,989 | | | | 7,682 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating loss | | | (13,713 | ) | | | (501 | ) | | | (206 | ) |
Other income, net | | | 842 | | | | 941 | | | | 345 | |
Gain on sale of equipment, net | | | 321 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Gain on sale of investment in SwissQual and intangible asset | | | 1,976 | | | | 1,687 | | | | 6,438 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and discontinued operations | | | (10,574 | ) | | | 2,127 | | | | 6,577 | |
Income tax expense (benefit) | | | (590 | ) | | | 350 | | | | 201 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations | | | (9,984 | ) | | | 1,777 | | | | 6,376 | |
Loss from discontinued operations | | | — | | | | — | | | | (45 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | (9,984 | ) | | $ | 1,777 | | | $ | 6,331 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic and diluted income (loss) per share: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations | | $ | (1.36 | ) | | $ | 0.24 | | | $ | 0.86 | |
Discontinued operations | | | — | | | | — | | | | (0.01 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | (1.36 | ) | | $ | 0.24 | | | $ | 0.85 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
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COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In thousands, except share data)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Common
Stock | | | Additional
Paid-in
Capital | | | Retained
Earnings | | | Total | |
Balance at January 31, 2005, 7,422,042 shares | | $ | 742 | | | $ | 14,051 | | | $ | 14,981 | | | $ | 29,774 | |
Net income | | | — | | | | — | | | | 6,331 | | | | 6,331 | |
Exercise of stock options, 500 shares | | | — | | | | 3 | | | | — | | | | 3 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at January 31, 2006, 7,422,542 shares | | | 742 | | | | 14,054 | | | | 21,312 | | | | 36,108 | |
Net income | | | — | | | | — | | | | 1,777 | | | | 1,777 | |
Exercise of stock options, 7,525 net shares (represents net exercises of 45,000 options) | | | 1 | | | | (1 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
Purchase and retirement of common stock, 58,430 shares | | | (6 | ) | | | (530 | ) | | | — | | | | (536 | ) |
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options | | | — | | | | 85 | | | | — | | | | 85 | |
Stock based compensation expense | | | — | | | | 555 | | | | — | | | | 555 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at January 31, 2007, 7,371,637 shares | | | 737 | | | | 14,163 | | | | 23,089 | | | | 37,989 | |
Net loss | | | — | | | | — | | | | (9,984 | ) | | | (9,984 | ) |
Exercise of stock options, 12,671 shares (2,671 represent net exercises of 16,125 options) | | | 1 | | | | 83 | | | | — | | | | 84 | |
Special cash dividend, $1 per share of common stock outstanding | | �� | — | | | | — | | | | (7,371 | ) | | | (7,371 | ) |
Purchase and retirement of common stock, 57,637 shares | | | (5 | ) | | | (381 | ) | | | — | | | | (386 | ) |
Stock based compensation expense | | | — | | | | 569 | | | | — | | | | 569 | |
Cumulative effect of accounting change: adoption of FIN 48 | | | — | | | | — | | | | (86 | ) | | | (86 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at January 31, 2008, 7,326,671 shares | | $ | 733 | | | $ | 14,434 | | | $ | 5,648 | | | $ | 20,815 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
44
COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | |
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | (9,984 | ) | | $ | 1,777 | | | $ | 6,331 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization | | | 2,094 | | | | 3,148 | | | | 3,827 | |
Goodwill impairment charge | | | 496 | | | | — | | | | — | |
Gain on sale of investment in SwissQual | | | (1,976 | ) | | | (1,687 | ) | | | (6,121 | ) |
Stock based compensation expense | | | 569 | | | | 555 | | | | — | |
Gain on sale of software development | | | — | | | | — | | | | (317 | ) |
Loss (gain) on disposal of property and equipment, net | | | (313 | ) | | | (35 | ) | | | 28 | |
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options | | | — | | | | 85 | | | | — | |
Deferred income taxes | | | (59 | ) | | | 59 | | | | — | |
Provision (benefit) for doubtful accounts receivable | | | (4 | ) | | | 91 | | | | (273 | ) |
Provision for obsolete inventory | | | 107 | | | | 647 | | | | 1,748 | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable | | | 6,218 | | | | (1,248 | ) | | | (3,136 | ) |
Inventory | | | 879 | | | | 2,649 | | | | (2,048 | ) |
Other assets | | | (307 | ) | | | 8 | | | | 541 | |
Accounts payable | | | 572 | | | | (9 | ) | | | 626 | |
Deferred revenue | | | (948 | ) | | | (756 | ) | | | 1,733 | |
Accrued liabilities | | | (554 | ) | | | (3,065 | ) | | | 4,318 | |
Deferred rent | | | (194 | ) | | | 767 | | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities | | | (3,404 | ) | | | 2,986 | | | | 7,257 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Purchases of property and equipment | | | (877 | ) | | | (3,245 | ) | | | (832 | ) |
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment | | | 379 | | | | 36 | | | | 5 | |
Proceeds from sale of investment in SwissQual | | | 1,976 | | | | 1,687 | | | | 6,774 | |
Proceeds from SwissQual dividend, net | | | — | | | | — | | | | 273 | |
Proceeds from sale of capitalized software | | | — | | | | — | | | | 550 | |
Acquired intangible assets | | | — | | | | (85 | ) | | | (283 | ) |
Decrease (increase) in restricted cash | | | 250 | | | | (500 | ) | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | | | 1,728 | | | | (2,107 | ) | | | 6,487 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock | | | 84 | | | | — | | | | 3 | |
Cash dividends paid | | | (7,371 | ) | | | — | | | | — | |
Purchase and retirement of common stock | | | (386 | ) | | | (536 | ) | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | | | (7,673 | ) | | | (536 | ) | | | 3 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | | (9,349 | ) | | | 343 | | | | 13,747 | |
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | | | 26,360 | | | | 26,017 | | | | 12,270 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | | $ | 17,011 | | | $ | 26,360 | | | $ | 26,017 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
45
COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comarco, Inc., through its subsidiary Comarco Wireless Technologies, Inc. (collectively, “we,” “Comarco,” or the “Company”), is a leading designer and manufacturer of external mobile power adapters used to power and charge notebook computers, mobile phones, BlackBerry® smartphones, iPods®, and many other rechargeable handheld devices. Comarco is also a provider of wireless test solutions for the wireless industry, as well as a provider of emergency call boxes and related maintenance services. Our operations consist solely of the operations of Comarco Wireless Technologies, Inc. (“CWT”), which was incorporated in the state of Delaware in September 1993. Comarco, Inc. is a California corporation whose common stock has been publicly traded since 1971 when it was spun-off from Genge Industries, Inc.
| 2. | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of Comarco, Inc. and CWT. All material intercompany balances, transactions, and profits have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the years reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.
Certain accounting principles require subjective and complex judgments to be used in the preparation of financial statements. Accordingly, a different financial presentation could result depending on the judgments, estimates, or assumptions that are used. Such estimates and assumptions include, but are not specifically limited to, those required in the assessment of the impairment of long-lived assets, allowance for doubtful accounts, reserves for inventory obsolescence, and valuation allowances for deferred tax assets.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue from product sales is recognized upon shipment of products provided there are no uncertainties regarding customer acceptance, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is probable. The Company’s wireless test solutions products are integrated with embedded software. Accordingly, the Company’s revenue is recognized using the residual method pursuant to the requirements of Statement of Position No. 97-2, “Software Revenue Recognition,” and other applicable revenue recognition guidance and interpretations. Under the residual method, revenue is allocated to the undelivered element, typically maintenance, based on its respective fair value, with the fair value determined by the price charged when that element is sold separately. The revenue allocated to the maintenance element is amortized to revenue evenly over the term of the maintenance commitment made at the time of the sale. The costs associated with honoring the maintenance commitment are charged to expense as incurred. The revenue attributable to the delivered product is the residual amount after subtracting the revenue allocated to the undelivered element from the sales price. The revenue attributable to the delivered product is recognized following the policy for product sales described above.
Revenue from services is recognized as the services are performed. Maintenance revenue from extended warranty sales is deferred and recognized ratably over the term of the maintenance agreement.
46
COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Cash and Cash Equivalents
All highly liquid investments with remaining maturity dates of three months or less when acquired are classified as cash and cash equivalents. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximates the amounts shown in the financial statements. Cash and cash equivalents are generally maintained in uninsured accounts.
Short-Term Investments
Short-term investments consist of balances maintained in a non-qualified deferred compensation plan funded by Company executives and directors. These investments are tradable at the discretion of the funding executives and directors, and are subject to claims by the Company’s general creditors. Accordingly, these investments are classified as trading securities. Trading securities are recorded at market value based on current market quotes and totaled $0.3 million and $0.9 million as of January 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Unrealized holding gains and (losses) on these short-term investments recorded for the years ended January 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 were ($32,000), $127,000, and $54,000, respectively, and are reflected as adjustments to both short-term investments and the deferred compensation liability.
Inventory
Inventory is valued at the lower of cost (calculated on average cost, which approximates first-in, first-out basis) or market value.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Additions, improvements, and major renewals are capitalized; maintenance, repairs, and minor renewals are expensed as incurred. Depreciation and amortization is calculated on a straight-line basis over the expected useful lives of the property and equipment. The expected useful lives of office furnishings and fixtures are five to seven years, and of equipment and purchased software are two to five years.
Research and Development and Software Development Costs
Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred and are included in engineering and support costs. During fiscal 2008, 2007, and 2006 the Company incurred approximately $6.5 million, $5.7 million, and $5.5 million in research and development expense. Costs incurred for the development of software embedded in the Company’s wireless test solutions products that will be sold are capitalized when technological feasibility has been established. Technological feasibility is generally demonstrated by the completion of a working model. These capitalized costs are subject to an ongoing assessment of recoverability based on anticipated future revenue and changes in hardware and software technologies. Costs that are capitalized include direct labor and related overhead.
Amortization of software development costs begins when the product is available for general release. Amortization is provided on a product-by-product basis on the shorter of the straight-line method over periods ranging from two to five years or the sales ratio method that is based on expected unit sales and the estimated life of the product. Unamortized software development costs determined to be in excess of net realizable value of the related product is expensed immediately.
Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets
Goodwill, which represents the excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired in a business combination, is recorded at cost.
Effective February 1, 2002, the Company implemented SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” SFAS No. 142 established new standards for goodwill acquired in a business combination, eliminated amortization of goodwill, and set forth methods for periodically evaluating goodwill for impairment. Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill impairment is deemed to exist if the net book value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value generally determined using a discounted cash flow methodology applied to the particular unit. This methodology differs from the Company’s previous policy, in accordance with accounting standards existing at that
47
COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
time, of using undiscounted cash flows on an enterprise-wide basis under SFAS No. 121, “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of” to determine recoverability. An annual impairment review is performed during the fourth quarter of each year. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, it was determined that the goodwill attributable to the Company’s Call Box business was impaired in total.
Long-Lived Assets
In accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” the Company evaluates long-lived assets, including intangible assets other than goodwill, for impairment when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets’ carrying amounts. Factors considered important which could trigger an impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results, significant changes in the manner of use of the assets or the strategy for the Company’s overall business, and significant negative industry or economic trends. If such assets are identified to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. No impairments were identified during the year ended January 31, 2008.
Assets to be disposed of are separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated.
Investment in SwissQual
On July 31, 2001, the Company acquired an 18 percent equity stake in SwissQual for $1.0 million in cash. Based in Zuchwil, Switzerland, SwissQual is a developer of voice quality systems and software for measuring, monitoring, and optimizing the quality of mobile, fixed, and IP-based voice and data communications. On January 24, 2006, the Company sold its 18 percent minority interest in SwissQual (see Note 5).
Income Taxes
As part of the process of preparing its consolidated financial statements, the Company is required to estimate its provision for income taxes in each of the tax jurisdictions in which it conducts business. This process involves estimating the Company’s actual current tax expense in conjunction with the evaluation and measurement of temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of certain items for tax and accounting purposes. These temporary timing differences result in the establishment of deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are recorded on a net basis and included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. On a periodic basis, the Company assesses the probability that its net deferred tax assets, if any, will be recovered. If after evaluating all of the positive and negative evidence, a conclusion is made that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be recovered, a valuation allowance is provided with a corresponding charge to tax expense to reserve the portion of the deferred tax assets which are estimated to be more likely than not to be realized.
Significant management judgment is required in determining the Company’s provision for income taxes, its deferred tax assets and liabilities, and any required valuation allowance. During the second quarter of fiscal 2005, as a result of incurring cumulative losses for a three-year period, the Company established a valuation allowance totaling approximately $2.9 million, or the entire deferred tax asset balance existing as of the beginning of fiscal 2005. This valuation allowance was established based on management’s overall assessment of risks and uncertainties related to the Company’s future ability to realize, and hence, utilize certain deferred tax assets, primarily consisting of net operating losses, carry forward temporary differences and future tax deductions resulting from certain types of stock option exercises. Due to the current and prior years’ operating losses, the adjusted net deferred tax assets remain fully reserved as of January 31, 2008.
The Company adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”) on February 1, 2007. This interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109 “Accounting for Income Taxes” and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement criteria for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The interpretation also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest, and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition (see Note 4).
48
COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
During fiscal 2008, the Company recorded net loss of $10.0 million and recorded an income tax benefit of $0.6 million. The net deferred tax asset of $7.7 million, $2.7 million of which relates to net operating losses created in fiscal 2008, at January 31, 2008 continues to be fully reserved.
During fiscal 2007, the Company recorded net income of $1.8 million, utilized its remaining federal and California net operating loss carryforwards, and recorded income tax expense of $0.4 million. The remaining net deferred tax asset of $4.3 million, at January 31, 2007, was fully reserved.
During fiscal 2006, the Company recorded net income of $6.3 million and utilized approximately $2.8 million of its net operating loss carryforwards. The remaining net deferred tax asset of $3.5 million at January 31, 2006 was fully reserved.
Warranty Costs
The Company provides limited warranties for new call box sales for a period of 90 days and ChargeSource® products for a period generally not to exceed 15 months. The Company accrues for the estimated cost of warranties at the time revenue is recognized. The accrual is a fixed rate which is consistent with the Company’s actual claim experience. Should actual warranty claim rates differ from the Company’s estimates, revisions to the liability would be required.
The Company generally provides a one year warranty for wireless test solutions products. As discussed above, the revenue allocated to maintenance is amortized to revenue evenly over the term of the maintenance commitment made at the time of the sale. The costs associated with honoring the maintenance commitment are charged to expense as incurred.
Minority Interest
As discussed further in Note 16, the Company has a subsidiary stock option plan whereby officers and employees of CWT may be granted options to purchase common stock of CWT. During fiscal 2008, 2007, and 2006 no options were granted under the subsidiary option plan. During fiscal 2008, 2007, and 2006 no options were exercised and, accordingly, no minority interest in earnings was recorded in those years.
There are no options outstanding under the subsidiary option plan as of January 31, 2008.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are principally on deposit in a non-insured short-term asset management account at a large financial institution. Accounts receivable potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk. The Company’s customer base is comprised primarily of large companies (see Note 7). The Company generally does not require collateral for accounts receivable. When required, the Company maintains allowances for credit losses, and to date such losses have been within management’s expectations. Once a specific account receivable has been reserved for as potentially uncollectible, the Company’s policy is to continue to pursue collections for a period of up to one year prior to recording a receivable write-off.
Segment Reporting
The Company follows SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” which establishes standards for the manner in which public companies report information about operating segments in annual and interim financial statements. It also establishes standards for related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas, and major customers. The method for determining what information to report is based on the way management organizes the operating segments within a company for making operating decisions and assessing financial performances. The Company organizes its segment reporting on the basis of product/service type.
49
COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Company operates in three business segments: ChargeSource®, Wireless Test Solutions, and Call Box.
The Company’s chief executive officer (“CEO”) is its chief operating decision-maker. The financial information that the CEO reviews to manage and evaluate the business and allocate resources is similar to the information presented in the accompanying consolidated statements of income focusing on revenues and gross profit for each segment.
Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share
Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period excluding the dilutive effect of potential common stock, which for the Company consists solely of stock options. Diluted earnings per share reflects the dilution that would result from the exercise of all dilutive stock options outstanding during the period. The effect of such potential common stock is computed using the treasury stock method (see Note 17).
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company grants stock options for a fixed number of shares to employees with an exercise price equal to the fair value of the shares at the date of grant.
As of February 1, 2006, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment,” (“SFAS No. 123R”) using the modified prospective method, which requires measurement of compensation cost for all stock awards at fair value on date of grant and recognition of compensation over the service period for awards expected to vest. The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model, which is consistent with the Company’s valuation techniques previously utilized for options in footnote disclosures required under SFAS No. 123, and requires the input of subjective assumptions. These assumptions include estimating the length of time employees will retain their vested stock options before exercising them (the “expected term”), the estimated volatility of the common stock price over the expected term, and the number of options that will ultimately not complete their vesting requirements (“forfeitures”). Changes in these subjective assumptions can materially affect the estimate of fair value of stock-based compensation and, consequently, the related amount recognized as an expense on the consolidated statements of operations. As required under the accounting rules, the Company reviews its valuation assumptions at each grant date and, as a result, is likely to change its valuation assumptions used to value employee stock-based awards granted in future periods. The values derived from using the Black-Scholes model are recognized as expense over the vesting period, net of estimated forfeitures. The estimation of stock awards that will ultimately vest requires significant judgment. Actual results, and future changes in estimates, may materially differ from the Company’s current estimates. Prior periods have not been restated to incorporate the stock-based compensation charge.
The compensation expense recognized in connection with the adoption of SFAS 123R is summarized in the table below (in thousands except per share amounts):
| | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended
January 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | |
Compensation expense relating to SFAS 123R | | $ | 569,000 | | | $ | 555,000 | |
Impact on diluted earnings per share | | $ | (0.08 | ) | | $ | (0.06 | ) |
There was no impact on cash flows from operating, investing, or financing activities in connection with the adoption of SFAS 123R. The total compensation cost related to nonvested awards not yet recognized is approximately $0.7 million, which will be expensed over a weighted average remaining life of 21.7 months.
The per share weighted-average fair value of employee and director stock options granted during the years ended January 31, 2008 and 2007 was $2.87 and $5.36, respectively, on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
| | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended
January 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | |
Expected dividend yield | | 0.0 | % | | 0.0 | % |
Expected volatility | | 40.1 | % | | 44.2 | % |
Weighted average risk-free interest rate | | 4.8 | % | | 4.8 | % |
Expected life (in years) | | 5.8 | | | 6.1 | |
Expected forfeitures | | 10.6 | % | | 10.6 | % |
50
COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Prior to February 1, 2006, the Company accounted for stock option grants using the intrinsic method in accordance with Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and related interpretations in accounting for its stock-based compensation plans. The Company adopted the disclosure-only provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 123 (“SFAS No. 123”), “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” Accordingly, no compensation expense was recognized for the stock option grants. Had compensation cost for the Company’s stock option plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant date for awards during the year ended January 31, 2006, consistent with the provisions of SFAS No. 123, the Company’s net income, basic income per share, and diluted income per share would have been adjusted to the pro forma amounts as follows (in thousands except per share amounts):
| | | | |
| | | Year Ended
January 31, 2006 | |
Net income: | | | | |
As reported | | $ | 6,331 | |
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects | | | (275 | ) |
| | | | |
Pro forma | | $ | 6,056 | |
| | | | |
Income per common share—basic: | | | | |
As reported | | $ | 0.85 | |
Pro forma | | | 0.82 | |
Income per common share—diluted: | | | | |
As reported | | $ | 0.85 | |
Pro forma | | | 0.82 | |
The per share weighted-average fair value of employee and director stock options granted during the year ended January 31, 2006 was $4.23 on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:
| | | |
| | | Year Ended
January 31, 2006 | |
Expected dividend yield | | 0.0 | % |
Expected volatility | | 50.1 | % |
Weighted average risk-free interest rate | | 3.8 | % |
Expected life (in years) | | 6 | |
Expected forfeitures | | 10 | % |
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments have been determined using available market information. The estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could realize in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have an effect on the estimated fair value amounts. The fair value of current financial assets, current liabilities, and other assets are estimated to be equal to their carrying amounts.
Comprehensive Income
SFAS No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income,” requires additional disclosures in the consolidated financial statements to reflect net unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities, net of income tax. The Company had no unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities and therefore there was no difference between net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended January 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006.
51
COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| 3. | Recent Accounting Pronouncements |
In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS 157”). This new standard establishes a framework for measuring the fair value of assets and liabilities. This framework is intended to provide increased consistency in how fair value determinations are made under various existing accounting standards that permit, or in some cases require, estimates of fair market value. SFAS 157 also expands financial statement disclosure requirements about a company’s use of fair value measurements, including the effect of such measures on earnings. This statement is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, which for Comarco is fiscal 2009. In February 2008, the FASB issued Staff Position 157-1 (which includes leases under SFAS 13) and Staff Position 157-2, which delayed the effective date for non-financial assets and liabilities, except those items recognized on an annual or more frequent basis to fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2008. The Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS 157 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities – Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115” (“SFAS 159”). This standard amends SFAS No. 115, “Accounting for Certain Investment in Debt and Equity Securities,” with respect to accounting for a transfer to the trading category for all entities with available-for-sale and trading securities electing the fair value option. This standard allows companies to elect fair value accounting for many financial instruments and other items that currently are not required to be accounted as such, allows different applications for electing the option for a single item or groups of items, and requires disclosures to facilitate comparisons of similar assets and liabilities that are accounted for differently in relation to the fair value option. SFAS 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, which for Comarco is fiscal 2009. The Company does not expect SFAS 159 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial position and results of operations.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), “Business Combinations” (“SFAS 141R”). SFAS 141R establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer in a business combination: (i) recognizes and measures the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree; (ii) recognizes and measures the goodwill acquired in a business combination or gain from a bargain purchase; and (iii) determines what information to disclose to enable financial statement users to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. SFAS 141R is applicable prospectively to business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. After its effective date, SFAS 141R would have an impact on the accounting for any business the Company may acquire in the future.
In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, “Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements” (“SFAS 160”). This standard establishes accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. Early adoption of SFAS 160 is prohibited. After its effective date, SFAS 160 would have an impact on the presentation and disclosure of the non-controlling interests of any non-wholly-owned businesses the Company may acquire in the future.
| 4. | Adoption of New Accounting Pronouncement |
The Company adopted the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes – An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”) on February 1, 2007. This interpretation clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an enterprise’s financial statements in accordance with FASB Statement No. 109 “Accounting for Income Taxes” and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement criteria for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. The interpretation also provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition.
52
COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
As a result of the adoption of FIN 48, the Company recorded an $86,000 decrease in retained earnings and increased non-current liabilities by $86,000. As of February 1, 2007, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefit is $0.6 million. If reversed, $86,000 of the decrease in the unrecognized benefit amount would result in a reduction in income tax expense.
The Company recognizes interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits in the income tax expense line item of the Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of January 31, 2008, the Company had accrued approximately $14,000 in interest and penalties, which has been recorded directly to retained earnings in accordance with the adoption of FIN 48.
The Company and its subsidiaries file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and in certain state jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal or state income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2002 in those jurisdictions where returns have been filed. Due to normal closures of the statute of limitations, the Company anticipates that there is a reasonable possibility that the amount of unrecognized federal tax benefits will decrease by $31,000 during the first quarter of fiscal 2009.
| 5. | Gain on Sale of Investment in SwissQual and Intangible Asset |
During fiscal 2002, the Company purchased an 18 percent equity stake in Switzerland based SwissQual AG (“SwissQual”) for approximately $1.1 million. SwissQual is a developer of quality of service systems and software for measuring, monitoring, and optimizing the quality of mobile, fixed, and IP-based voice and data communications. Under this alliance, SwissQual was responsible for reselling and supporting Comarco’s co-branded Seven.Five products in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa (the Company’s “European” region) through December 31, 2006. The Company has a revenue sharing agreement in place that determines how much revenue Comarco earns from SwissQual sales and, conversely, how much revenue SwissQual earns from the Company’s sales to customers located outside the European region, through December 31, 2010.
During January 2006, Spirent Communications plc (“Spirent”) acquired 100 percent of the outstanding shares of SwissQual for consideration totaling up to approximately $71.3 million. Approximately $37.6 million in cash was paid at the close of the transaction, which is net of $2.5 million of transaction costs, with an additional $9.1 million put into escrow to secure certain indemnification obligations. In addition, up to $22.1 million in contingent consideration may be paid within 24 months of closing upon satisfaction of certain performance and other requirements. The majority of the escrowed consideration was released to SwissQual shareholders in January 2008. Upon the closing of the transaction, the Company received approximately $6.8 million of the closing consideration, which is net of $0.5 million of transaction costs, for its 18 percent ownership interest in SwissQual and may receive up to an additional $5.4 million of any additional escrow distribution and contingent consideration. During January 31, 2006, the Company recorded a gain on sale of investment totaling $6.1 million, which was based on cash consideration received by the Company. During fiscal 2007, the Company received $1.7 million of contingent consideration, net of $0.1 million of transaction costs, recorded as gain on sale of investment in SwissQual. During fiscal 2008, the Company received $2.0 million of contingent consideration and escrow distributions, net of $43,000 of transaction costs, recorded on a cash basis as gain on sale of investment in SwissQual. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company received $1.4 million of escrow distributions.
Prior to the acquisition, SwissQual declared and paid a dividend to the then current shareholders. During January 2006, Comarco recorded the approximately $0.4 million dividend declared as a reduction in the cost basis of the Company’s investment in SwissQual. Additionally, during December 2005, the Company sold rights to software to SwissQual for approximately $0.5 million. At the time of the sale, such software rights had an unamortized book value of approximately $0.2 million. Accordingly, the Company recorded a gain on sale of the intangible asset totaling approximately $0.3 million.
53
COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The gain on sale of investment in SwissQual and intangible asset is comprised of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | 2007 | | 2006 | |
Sale of investment in SwissQual: | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash proceeds | | $ | 1,976 | | $ | 1,687 | | $ | 6,774 | |
Less: Cost basis | | | — | | | — | | | (1,073 | ) |
Dividend declared | | | — | | | — | | | 420 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Gain on sale of investment | | | 1,976 | | | 1,687 | | | 6,121 | |
Sale of intangible asset: | | | | | | | | | | |
Cash proceeds | | | — | | | — | | | 550 | |
Less: Cost basis | | | — | | | — | | | (233 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Gain on sale of intangible asset | | | — | | | — | | | 317 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Gain on sale of investment in SwissQual and intangible asset | | $ | 1,976 | | $ | 1,687 | | $ | 6,438 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| 6. | Discontinued Operations |
On January 6, 2004, Comarco sold the assets of the reporting unit EDX. This reporting unit was formerly included in the wireless test solutions segment. Gross proceeds from the sale totaled $0.6 million.
Additionally, during fiscal 2001, the Company sold its defense and commercial staffing businesses, the non-wireless businesses. Adjustments made to the estimated exit costs of these businesses are recorded as discontinued operations.
Following is summarized financial information for the discontinued operations (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | 2007 | | 2006 | |
Revenue | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Income from discontinued operations of EDX | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | — | |
Loss from discontinued operations of non-wireless businesses | | | — | | | — | | | (45 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Loss from discontinued operations | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | (45 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| 7. | Customer Concentrations |
A significant portion of the Company’s revenue is derived from a limited number of customers. The customers providing 10 percent or more of the company’s revenue for the years ended January 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 are listed below (in thousands, except percentages).
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | |
Total revenue | | $ | 23,200 | | 100 | % | | $ | 47,776 | | 100 | % | | $ | 46,878 | | 100 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Customer concentration: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Verizon Wireless | | $ | 3,733 | | 16 | % | | $ | 7,002 | | 15 | % | | $ | 11,885 | | 25 | % |
Kensington | | | 4,659 | | 20 | % | | | 15,425 | | 32 | % | | | 11,827 | | 25 | % |
SwissQual | | | — | | — | | | | 2,525 | | 5 | % | | | 8,788 | | 19 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 8,392 | | 36 | % | | $ | 24,952 | | 52 | % | | $ | 32,500 | | 69 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The customers comprising 10 percent or more of the Company’s gross accounts receivable as of January 31, 2008 and 2007 are listed below (in thousands, except percentages).
54
COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | January 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | |
Total gross accounts receivable | | $ | 4,771 | | 100 | % | | $ | 11,053 | | 100 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Customer concentration: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Kensington | | $ | 1,209 | | 25 | % | | $ | 2,975 | | 27 | % |
MTC SAFE | | | 186 | | 4 | % | | | 1,531 | | 14 | % |
Kern Motorist Authority | | | 501 | | 11 | % | | | — | | — | |
SwissQual | | | 37 | | — | | | | 1,185 | | 11 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 1,933 | | 40 | % | | $ | 5,691 | | 52 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable consist of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | |
| | | January 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | |
Trade accounts receivable | | $ | 4,771 | | | $ | 11,053 | |
Less: Allowances for doubtful accounts | | | (43 | ) | | | (111 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 4,728 | | | $ | 10,942 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Inventory, net of reserves, consists of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | |
| | | January 31, |
| | | 2008 | | 2007 |
Raw materials | | $ | 2,637 | | $ | 1,912 |
Work-in-process | | | 118 | | | 195 |
Finished goods | | | 1,711 | | | 3,345 |
| | | | | | |
| | $ | 4,466 | | $ | 5,452 |
| | | | | | |
| 10. | Property and Equipment |
Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | |
| | | January 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | |
Office furnishings and fixtures | | $ | 2,206 | | | $ | 2,211 | |
Equipment | | | 8,151 | | | | 9,024 | |
Purchased software | | | 472 | | | | 505 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | 10,829 | | | | 11,740 | |
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization | | | (8,243 | ) | | | (8,409 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 2,586 | | | $ | 3,331 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Depreciation and amortization expense for fiscal 2008, 2007, and 2006 totaled $1.6 million, $1.5 million, and $1.4 million, respectively.
During fiscal 2008, nearly fully depreciated property and equipment with a cost basis of $1.8 million was retired in conjunction with fixed asset physical inventory observations.
During fiscal 2007, fully depreciated leasehold improvements with a cost basis of $0.9 million were retired upon the Company’s corporate relocation in the third quarter of fiscal 2007.
55
COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| 11. | Software Development Costs |
Software development costs consist of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | |
| | | January 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | |
Capitalized software development costs | | $ | 8,444 | | | $ | 8,444 | |
Less: Accumulated amortization | | | (8,444 | ) | | | (8,201 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
| | $ | — | | | $ | 243 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Capitalized software development costs for the years ended January 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 totaled $0, $0, and $0, respectively. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company sold capitalized NQDI software to SwissQual for $0.6 million cash. The capitalized software development costs of $0.5 million and accumulated amortization of $0.3 million were retired upon receiving the proceeds from SwissQual.
Amortization of software development costs for the years ended January 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 totaled $0.2 million, $1.1 million, and $1.9 million, respectively, and have been reported in cost of revenue in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
| 12. | Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets |
Goodwill and acquired intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | |
| | | January 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | |
Goodwill | | $ | 1,898 | | | $ | 2,394 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Acquired intangible assets: | | | | | | | | |
Definite-lived intangible assets: | | | | | | | | |
License rights | | $ | 1,440 | | | $ | 1,440 | |
Intellectual property rights | | | 1,244 | | | | 1,244 | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | 2,684 | | | | 2,684 | |
Less: accumulated amortization | | | (2,159 | ) | | | (1,864 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Total acquired intangible assets, net | | $ | 525 | | | $ | 820 | |
| | | | | | | | |
During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008, in conjunction with the Company’s annual impairment review of goodwill, it was determined that the goodwill attributable to the acquisition of the Company’s Call Box business was impaired in total.
The following table presents goodwill by reportable segment (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | ChargeSource® | | Wireless Test
Solutions | | Call
Box | | Total |
Balance as of January 31, 2007 | | $ | — | | $ | 1,898 | | $ | 496 | | $ | 2,394 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance as of January 31, 2008 | | $ | — | | $ | 1,898 | | $ | — | | $ | 1,898 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
56
COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following table presents the future expected amortization of the definite-lived intangible assets (in thousands):
| | | |
| | | Amortization
Expense |
Fiscal year: | | | |
2009 | | $ | 178 |
2010 | | | 178 |
2011 | | | 126 |
2012 | | | 43 |
2013 | | | — |
Thereafter | | | — |
| | | |
Total estimated amortization expense | | $ | 525 |
| | | |
The Company ceased amortizing goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets beginning February 1, 2002 upon adoption of SFAS No. 142. Amortization of definite-lived acquired intangible assets for the years ended January 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 amounted to $0.3 million, $0.5 million, and $0.5 million, respectively.
During fiscal 2008, 2007, and 2006, the Company acquired $0, $85,000, and $0.3 million in license rights related to mobile phone technologies, respectively.
The useful lives of the license rights related to mobile phone technologies are based upon the term of the underlying agreement and range from 1 to 4 years. The useful life of the intellectual property rights acquired through the purchase of minority interests is seven years and is based upon the life of CWT’s core technology.
Accrued liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | |
| | | January 31, |
| | | 2008 | | 2007 |
Accrued payroll and related expenses | | $ | 1,811 | | $ | 2,105 |
Uninvoiced materials and services received | | | 1,719 | | | 1,989 |
Accrued legal and professional fees | | | 557 | | | 554 |
Accrued federal and state income taxes | | | — | | | 562 |
Current portion of deferred rent | | | 193 | | | 175 |
Accrued travel expenses | | | 139 | | | 101 |
Accrued temporary labor | | | 29 | | | 28 |
SwissQual revenue sharing | | | 108 | | | 93 |
Accrued sales tax | | | 83 | | | 61 |
Amounts payable to contract manufacturer | | | 707 | | | — |
Other | | | 359 | | | 591 |
| | | | | | |
| | $ | 5,705 | | $ | 6,259 |
| | | | | | |
Standard Warranty
The Company records an accrual for estimated warranty costs for its ChargeSource® and Call Box businesses as products are sold. Warranty costs are estimated based on periodic analysis of historical experience. Changes in the estimated warranty accruals are recorded when the change in estimate is identified. A summary of the standard warranty accrual activity is shown in the table below (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | January 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | |
Beginning balance | | $ | 344 | | | $ | 172 | | | $ | 177 | |
Accruals for warranties issued during the period | | | 195 | | | | 1,050 | | | | 947 | |
Utilization | | | (435 | ) | | | (878 | ) | | | (952 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 104 | | | $ | 344 | | | $ | 172 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
57
COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
During the first quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company made an additional warranty accrual in the amount of $0.3 million, to accrue for estimated costs related to a limited number of ChargeSource® 70-watt AC adapters that may fail prematurely. The Company completed replacing all of the units returned relating to this issue in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, and eliminated the unused portion of the accrual, totaling $150,000 at that time.
Embedded Post Contract Support and Warranty
The Company defers revenue relating to its WTS product sales for post contract support and warranty for the term of the maintenance commitment made at the time of the sale, generally one year. A summary of the post contract support and warranty activity is shown in the table below (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | January 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | |
Beginning balance | | $ | 551 | | | $ | 1,477 | | | $ | 809 | |
Deferral of revenue | | | 444 | | | | 1,500 | | | | 2,274 | |
Amortization of deferred revenue | | | (795 | ) | | | (2,426 | ) | | | (1,606 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 200 | | | $ | 551 | | | $ | 1,477 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Extended Post Contract Support and Warranty
Revenue for the Company’s WTS extended post contract support and warranty contracts is deferred and recognized on a straight line basis over the contract period, typically one to four years. Costs incurred under separately priced extended warranty arrangements are expensed as incurred. A summary of the extended post contract support and warranty activity is shown in the table below (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | January 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | |
Beginning balance | | $ | 2,952 | | | $ | 2,239 | | | $ | 1,108 | |
Recognition of revenue | | | (1,174 | ) | | | (1,363 | ) | | | (1,023 | ) |
Deferral of revenue for new contracts | | | 660 | | | | 2,076 | | | | 2,154 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 2,438 | | | $ | 2,952 | | | $ | 2,239 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income tax (benefit) expense from continuing operations consist of the following amounts (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | 2006 |
Federal: | | | | | | | | | | |
Current | | $ | (550 | ) | | $ | 245 | | $ | 144 |
Deferred | | | (53 | ) | | | 53 | | | — |
State: | | | | | | | | | | |
Current | | | 19 | | | | 27 | | | 57 |
Deferred | | | (6 | ) | | | 6 | | | — |
Foreign: | | | | | | | | | | |
Current | | | — | | | | 19 | | | — |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | (590 | ) | | $ | 350 | | $ | 201 |
| | | | | | | | | | |
58
COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The effective income tax rate on loss from continuing operations differs from the United States statutory income tax rates for the reasons set forth in the table below (dollars in thousands).
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | | | 2006 | |
| | | Amount | | | Percent
Pretax
Income | | | Amount | | | Percent
Pretax
Income | | | Amount | | | Percent
Pretax
Income | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and discontinued operations | | $ | (10,574 | ) | | 100 | % | | $ | 2,127 | | | 100 | % | | $ | 6,577 | | | 100 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Computed “expected” income tax (benefit) on income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | | $ | (3,595 | ) | | (34.0 | %) | | $ | 723 | | | 34.0 | % | | $ | 2,236 | | | 34.0 | % |
State tax, net of federal benefit | | | (455 | ) | | (4.3 | ) | | | 91 | | | 4.3 | | | | 283 | | | 4.3 | |
Research and MIC credits | | | (104 | ) | | (1.0 | ) | | | (565 | ) | | (26.6 | ) | | | (127 | ) | | (1.9 | ) |
Change in valuation allowance | | | 3,387 | | | 32.0 | | | | 806 | | | 37.9 | | | | (2,742 | ) | | (41.7 | ) |
Permanent differences | | | 101 | | | 1.0 | | | | 121 | | | 5.7 | | | | 123 | | | 1.9 | |
Return to provision adjustments | | | 93 | | | 0.9 | | | | (466 | ) | | (21.9 | ) | | | 332 | | | 5.0 | |
Establish (eliminate) deferred tax liability | | | (59 | ) | | (0.6 | ) | | | 59 | | | 2.8 | | | | — | | | — | |
Release of reserves due to current period events | | | — | | | — | | | | (490 | ) | | (23.0 | ) | | | — | | | — | |
Foreign taxes paid | | | — | | | — | | | | 19 | | | 0.9 | | | | — | | | — | |
AMT taxes accrued or paid | | | — | | | — | | | | — | | | — | | | | 201 | | | 3.1 | |
Other, net | | | 42 | | | 0.4 | | | | 52 | | | 2.4 | | | | (105 | ) | | (1.6 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income tax (benefit) expense | | $ | (590 | ) | | (5.6 | %) | | $ | 350 | | | 16.5 | % | | $ | 201 | | | 3.1 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
59
COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities at January 31, 2008 and 2007 are as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | |
| | | January 31, | |
| | | 2008 | | | 2007 | |
Deferred tax assets: | | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable | | $ | 19 | | | $ | 46 | |
Inventory | | | 464 | | | | 339 | |
Property and equipment, principally due to differing depreciation methods | | | 231 | | | | 483 | |
Employee benefits, principally due to accrual for financial reporting purposes | | | 531 | | | | 252 | |
Accrued liabilities for financial reporting purposes | | | 259 | | | | 586 | |
Net research and manufacturer investment credit carryforwards | | | 1,583 | | | | 1,207 | |
Net operating losses | | | 2,695 | | | | — | |
AMT credit carryforwards | | | 295 | | | | 295 | |
Sale of SwissQual – basis difference | | | — | | | | 56 | |
Deferred rent | | | 63 | | | | 84 | |
FAS 123R deferred compensation | | | 430 | | | | 212 | |
Deferred revenue | | | 853 | | | | 727 | |
Other | | | 294 | | | | 292 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total gross deferred tax assets | | | 7,717 | | | | 4,579 | |
Less valuation allowance | | | (7,717 | ) | | | (4,330 | ) |
| | | | | | | | |
Net deferred tax assets | | $ | — | | | $ | 249 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Deferred tax liabilities: | | | | | | | | |
Software development costs | | $ | — | | | $ | 104 | |
Deferred revenue for extended warranty contracts | | | — | | | | 145 | |
Deferred tax liability – goodwill | | | — | | | | 59 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Total gross deferred tax liabilities | | $ | — | | | $ | 308 | |
| | | | | | | | |
Net deferred tax liability | | $ | — | | | $ | 59 | |
| | | | | | | | |
The Company has federal and state research and experimentation credit carryforwards of $0.9 million and $1.3 million, which expire through 2028 and indefinitely, respectively. Additionally, for state tax purposes, the Company has a manufacturer investment credit carryforward of $70,000, which expires through 2010. The Company has a net operating loss carryforward of $6.8 million for federal and $9.1 million for state, which expire through 2028 and 2018, respectively.
In assessing the probability that deferred tax assets will benefit future periods, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income. There was a $7.7 million valuation allowance for deferred tax assets as of January 31, 2008, an increase of $3.4 million during the fiscal year, based on management’s overall assessment of risks and uncertainties related to the Company’s future ability to realize, and hence utilize, the deferred tax assets.
A reconciliation of the beginning balance of the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits at the adoption of FIN 48 and the ending amount of unrecognized tax benefit is as follows (in thousands):
| | | |
| | | Unrecognized
Tax Benefits |
Balance at February 1, 2007 | | $ | 592 |
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year | | | — |
Reductions due to lapses of statute of limitations | | | — |
Reductions for tax positions of prior years | | | — |
| | | |
Balance at January 31, 2008 | | $ | 592 |
| | | |
60
COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comarco, Inc. has stock-based compensation plans under which outside directors and certain employees receive stock options. The employee stock option plans and a director stock option plan provide that officers, key employees, and directors may be granted options to purchase up to 2,704,337 shares of common stock of the Company at not less than 100 percent of the fair market value at the date of grant, unless the optionee is a 10 percent shareholder of the Company, in which case the price must not be less than 110 percent of the fair market value. Figures for these plans reflect a 3-for-2 stock split declared during the year ended January 31, 2001.
The director stock-based compensation plan (the “Director Plan”) expires in December 2010, and the Company’s former employee stock option plan (the “Employee Plan”) expired during May 2005. During December 2005, the Board of Directors approved and adopted a new equity incentive plan (the “2005 Plan”) covering 450,000 shares of common stock. The 2005 Plan was approved by the Company’s shareholders at its annual shareholders’ meeting in June 2006. Under all plans, the options are exercisable in installments determined by the compensation committee of the Company’s Board of Directors; however, no employee option may be exercised prior to one year following the grant of the option. The options granted under all three plans expire as determined by the committee, but no later than ten years and one week after the date of grant (five years for 10 percent shareholders).
Transactions and other information relating to these plans for the three years ended January 31, 2008 are summarized below:
| | | | | | | | |
| | | Outstanding Options |
| | Number of
Shares | | | Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price | | Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(In thousands) |
Balance, January 31, 2005 | | 859,020 | | | 12.60 | | $ | 26 |
| | | | | | | | |
Options granted | | 42,500 | | | 8.18 | | | |
Options canceled or expired | | (39,500 | ) | | 11.69 | | | |
Options exercised | | (500 | ) | | 6.91 | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Balance, January 31, 2006 | | 861,520 | | | 12.43 | | $ | 683 |
| | | | | | | | |
Options granted | | 207,000 | | | 10.00 | | | |
Options canceled or expired | | (37,750 | ) | | 8.83 | | | |
Options exercised | | (45,000 | ) | | 9.72 | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Balance, January 31, 2007 | | 985,770 | | | 12.18 | | $ | 41 |
| | | | | | | | |
Options granted | | 92,500 | | | 6.27 | | | |
Options canceled or expired | | (210,145 | ) | | 12.51 | | | |
Options exercised | | (26,125 | ) | | 7.74 | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Balance, January 31, 2008 | | 842,000 | | | 11.59 | | $ | — |
| | | | | | | | |
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at January 31, 2008:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Range of
Exercise Prices | | Options Outstanding | | Options Exercisable |
| | Number Outstanding | | Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Life | | Weighted-Average
Exercise Price | | Number Exercisable | | Weighted-Average
Exercise Price |
| $ 6.19 to 9.89 | | 387,500 | | 6.1 | | $ | 7.62 | | 264,750 | | $ | 7.86 |
| 10.43 to 12.41 | | 197,000 | | 7.1 | | | 10.76 | | 107,000 | | | 11.04 |
| 13.21 to 17.50 | | 122,500 | | 2.0 | | | 14.32 | | 122,500 | | | 14.32 |
| 19.33 to 23.67 | | 135,000 | | 2.3 | | | 21.72 | | 135,000 | | | 21.72 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 6.19 to 23.67 | | 842,000 | | 5.1 years | | | 11.59 | | 629,250 | | | 12.63 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Stock options exercisable at January 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 were 629,250, 706,395, and 665,770, respectively, at weighted-average exercise prices of $12.63, $13.35, and $13.80, respectively. Shares available under the plans for future grants at January 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 were 204,500, 267,625, and 8,125, respectively. As of January 31, 2008, the shares available for future grant under the director stock option plan totaled 625.
61
COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CWT also has a subsidiary stock option plan. Under this plan, officers and key employees of CWT may be granted options to purchase up to 600,000 shares of common stock of CWT at not less than 100 percent of the fair market value at the date of grant.
As of January 31, 2008, the Company owned all of the 3,353,000 outstanding shares of CWT common stock. The fair market value of the shares and the exercise dates of the options are determined by the compensation committee of the Company’s Board of Directors; however, no option may be exercised prior to one year following the grant of the option. The options expire as determined by the compensation committee, but not later than ten years and one week after the date of grant.
During, fiscal 2008, 2007, and 2006 no options were granted under the subsidiary option plan. During fiscal 2008, 2007, and 2006 no options were exercised and, accordingly, no minority interest in earnings was recorded in those years. There are no options outstanding under the subsidiary option plan as of January 31, 2008.
Stock options exercisable under the CWT option plan at January 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 were 0, 3,000, and 4,000, respectively, at weighted-average exercise prices of $0, $17.62, and $16.52, respectively. Shares available under the plan for future grants at January 31, 2008 were 198,000.
| 17. | Earnings (Loss) Per Share |
The Company calculates basic earnings (loss) per share by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the effects of potentially dilutive securities. Since the Company incurred a net loss for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2008, basic and diluted loss per share were the same because the inclusion of 72 potential common shares related to outstanding stock options in the calculation would have been antidilutive. The summary of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | | 2006 | |
Basic: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations | | $ | (9,984 | ) | | $ | 1,777 | | $ | 6,376 | |
Weighted average shares outstanding | | | 7,338 | | | | 7,394 | | | 7,422 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations | | $ | (1.36 | ) | | $ | 0.24 | | $ | 0.86 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from discontinued operations | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | $ | (45 | ) |
Weighted average shares outstanding | | | 7,338 | | | | 7,394 | | | 7,422 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations | | $ | 0.00 | | | $ | 0.00 | | $ | (0.01 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | (9,984 | ) | | $ | 1,777 | | $ | 6,331 | |
Weighted average shares outstanding | | | 7,338 | | | | 7,394 | | | 7,422 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic earnings (loss) per share | | $ | (1.36 | ) | | $ | 0.24 | | $ | 0.85 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Diluted: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations | | $ | (9,984 | ) | | $ | 1,777 | | $ | 6,376 | |
Effect of subsidiary options | | | — | | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) used in calculation of diluted earnings per share from continuing operations | | $ | (9,984 | ) | | $ | 1,777 | | $ | 6,376 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares outstanding | | | 7,338 | | | | 7,394 | | | 7,422 | |
Effect of dilutive securities – stock options | | | — | | | | 29 | | | 15 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares used in calculation of diluted earnings per share from continuing operations | | | 7,338 | | | | 7,423 | | | 7,437 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations | | $ | (1.36 | ) | | $ | 0.24 | | $ | 0.86 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
62
COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, | |
| | 2008 | | | 2007 | | 2006 | |
Income (loss) from discontinued operations | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | $ | (45 | ) |
Effect of subsidiary options | | | — | | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) used in calculation of diluted loss per share from discontinued operations | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | $ | (45 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares outstanding | | | 7,338 | | | | 7,394 | | | 7,422 | |
Effect of dilutive securities – stock options | | | — | | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares used in calculation of diluted loss per share from discontinued operations | | | 7,338 | | | | 7,394 | | | 7,442 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Diluted earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | $ | (0.01 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | (9,984 | ) | | $ | 1,777 | | $ | 6,331 | |
Effect of subsidiary options | | | — | | | | — | | | — | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) used in calculation of diluted earnings per share | | $ | (9,984 | ) | | $ | 1,777 | | $ | 6,331 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares outstanding | | | 7,338 | | | | 7,394 | | | 7,422 | |
Effect of dilutive securities – stock options | | | — | | | | 29 | | | 15 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Weighted average shares used in calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share | | | 7,338 | | | | 7,423 | | | 7,437 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Diluted earnings (loss) per share | | $ | (1.36 | ) | | $ | 0.24 | | $ | 0.85 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| 18. | Related Party Transactions |
On July 31, 2001, the Company acquired an 18 percent equity stake in SwissQual for $1.0 million in cash. Based in Zuchwil, Switzerland, SwissQual is a developer of voice quality systems and software for measuring, monitoring, and optimizing the quality of mobile, fixed, and IP-based voice and data communications. On January 24, 2006, the Company sold its 18 percent minority interest in SwissQual (see Note 5).
Revenue recorded related to SwissQual for the years ended January 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 totaled $70,000, $2.5 million, and $8.8 million, respectively. Accounts receivable balances due from SwissQual at January 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 were $37,000, $1.2 million, and $2.3 million, respectively.
During the second quarter of fiscal 2004, the Company entered into a revenue sharing agreement with SwissQual whereby SwissQual receives 10% of the revenue on all Seven.Five product sales, less associated hardware costs. At January 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006, the Company had accrued $0.1 million, $93,000, and $0.5 million, respectively, relating to amounts payable to SwissQual under the revenue sharing agreement. During fiscal 2008, 2007, and 2006, the Company paid $0.9 million, $1.8 million, and $1.0 million, respectively, to SwissQual under the revenue sharing agreement.
| 19. | Employee Benefit Plans |
The Company has a Savings and Retirement Plan (the “Plan”) that provides benefits to eligible employees. Under the Plan, as restated effective January 1, 2001, employees are eligible to participate on the first of the month following 30 days of employment, provided they are at least 18 years of age, by contributing between 1 percent and 20 percent of pre-tax earnings. Company contributions match employee contributions at levels as specified in the Plan document. In addition, the Company may contribute a portion of its net profits as determined by the Board of Directors. Company contributions, which consist of matching contributions, with respect to the Plan for the years ended January 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 were each approximately $0.4 million. During fiscal 2008, the Company made matching contributions of $93,000 through forfeited matching funds previously contributed to the plan.
The Company has obligations to match employee contributions made to the Company’s savings and retirement plan. Generally, the Company’s obligation is equal to 100 percent of up to 5 percent of employees’ contribution amounts. If the Company is unable to meet the requisite matching, the Company’s Savings and Retirement Plan may need to be amended.
The Company also maintains a non-qualified deferred compensation plan funded by Company executives and directors. See Note 2 for further discussion.
63
COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| 20. | Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information and Noncash Investing and Financing Activities |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, |
| | 2008 | | 2007 | | 2006 |
| | (In thousands) |
Cash paid during the year for: | | | | | | | | | |
Interest | | $ | 7 | | $ | 2 | | $ | — |
Income taxes | | $ | 737 | | $ | 215 | | $ | 3 |
In the first quarter of fiscal 2008, 16,125 stock options were exercised as net cashless exercises and therefore no cash was received upon exercise. The number of shares of Company common stock issued totaled 2,671.
In the first quarter of fiscal 2007, 45,000 stock options were exercised as net cashless exercises and therefore no cash was received upon exercise. The number of shares of Company common stock issued totaled 7,525.
The fiscal 2007 purchases of property and equipment include approximately $0.9 million of expenditures related to leasehold improvements at the Company’s new corporate offices, which were reimbursed by the landlord.
| 21. | Business Segment Information |
The Company has three reportable operating segments: ChargeSource®, Wireless Test Solutions, and Call Box.
ChargeSource® designs and manufactures mobile power products for notebook computers, cellular telephones, BlackBerry® smartphones, iPods®, and other handheld devices.
Wireless Test Solutions designs and manufactures hardware and software tools for use by wireless carriers, equipment vendors, and service providers. Radio frequency engineers, network improvement professionals, and technicians use these tools to design, deploy, and optimize wireless networks, and to verify the performance of the wireless networks once deployed.
Call Box designs and manufactures call boxes that provide emergency communication over existing wireless networks. In addition, the call box segment provides installation and long-term maintenance services. As of January 31, 2008, the Company services and maintains approximately 9,200 call boxes under long-term agreements.
Performance measurement and resource allocation for the reportable segments are based on many factors. The primary financial measures used are revenue and gross profit. The revenue, gross profit, gross margin, income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, and total assets attributable to these segments are as follows (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Year Ended January 31, 2008 | |
| | ChargeSource® | | | Wireless Test
Solutions | | | Call Box | | | Corporate | | Total | |
Revenue | | $ | 5,434 | | | $ | 6,657 | | | $ | 11,109 | | | $ | — | | $ | 23,200 | |
Cost of revenue | | | 7,329 | | | | 3,461 | | | | 6,584 | | | | — | | | 17,374 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross profit (loss) | | $ | (1,895 | ) | | $ | 3,196 | | | $ | 4,525 | | | $ | — | | $ | 5,826 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross margin | | | (34.9 | )% | | | 48.0 | % | | | 40.7 | % | | | — | | | 25.1 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | | $ | (8,671 | ) | | $ | (4,469 | ) | | $ | 1,901 | | | $ | 665 | | $ | (10,574 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets | | $ | 3,320 | | | $ | 7,108 | | | $ | 4,047 | | | $ | 18,106 | | $ | 32,581 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
64
COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Year Ended January 31, 2007 | |
| | ChargeSource® | | | Wireless Test
Solutions | | | Call Box | | | Corporate | | Total | |
Revenue | | $ | 16,745 | | | $ | 15,307 | | | $ | 15,724 | | | $ | — | | $ | 47,776 | |
Cost of revenue | | | 11,901 | | | | 6,486 | | | | 11,227 | | | | — | | | 29,614 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross profit | | $ | 4,844 | | | $ | 8,821 | | | $ | 4,497 | | | $ | — | | $ | 18,162 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross margin | | | 28.9 | % | | | 57.6 | % | | | 28.6 | % | | | — | | | 38.0 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | | $ | (396 | ) | | $ | (227 | ) | | $ | 1,987 | | | $ | 763 | | $ | 2,127 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets | | $ | 4,615 | | | $ | 10,861 | | | $ | 8,181 | | | $ | 27,756 | | $ | 51,413 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| | | Year Ended January 31, 2006 | |
| | ChargeSource® | | | Wireless Test
Solutions | | | Call Box | | | Corporate | | Total | |
Revenue | | $ | 12,303 | | | $ | 24,534 | | | $ | 10,041 | | | $ | — | | $ | 46,878 | |
Cost of revenue | | | 10,548 | | | | 12,895 | | | | 6,469 | | | | — | | | 29,912 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross profit | | $ | 1,755 | | | $ | 11,639 | | | $ | 3,572 | | | $ | — | | $ | 16,966 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Gross margin | | | 14.3 | % | | | 47.4 | % | | | 35.6 | % | | | — | | | 36.2 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes | | $ | (3,469 | ) | | $ | 8,198 | | | $ | 1,681 | | | $ | 167 | | $ | 6,577 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total assets | | $ | 5,013 | | | $ | 13,775 | | | $ | 6,834 | | | $ | 27,183 | | $ | 52,805 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenue by geographic area consisted of the following (in thousands):
| | | | | | | | | |
| | | Years Ended January 31, |
| | 2008 | | 2007 | | 2006 |
North America | | $ | 19,038 | | $ | 38,570 | | $ | 31,718 |
Europe | | | 2,303 | | | 6,311 | | | 12,022 |
Asia – Pacific | | | 873 | | | 724 | | | 283 |
Latin America | | | 986 | | | 2,171 | | | 2,855 |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | $ | 23,200 | | $ | 47,776 | | $ | 46,878 |
| | | | | | | | | |
Long-lived assets outside of North America were not significant at January 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006.
The Company sells its products to wireless carriers, equipment vendors, and other customers located throughout the world. In fiscal 2008, 2007, and 2006, the Company derived 82 percent, 81 percent, and 68 percent of its revenue, respectively, from customers in the United States and 18 percent, 19 percent, and 32 percent, respectively, from customers in foreign countries, as determined by the “ship to” address. Although the Company ships products to foreign countries, all sales are recorded in the United States and such sales are not considered foreign source income.
65
COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| 22. | Commitments and Contingencies |
Rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases, principally on the Company’s office space and equipment, were $1.5 million at January 31, 2008, payable as follows (in thousands):
| | | |
| | | Operating
Leases |
Fiscal Year: | | | |
2009 | | $ | 491 |
2010 | | | 430 |
2011 | | | 386 |
2012 | | | 221 |
2013 | | | — |
| | | |
Total minimum lease payments | | $ | 1,528 |
| | | |
Certain of the rental commitments are subject to increases based on the change in the Consumer Price Index. Rental expense for the years ended January 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 was $0.9 million, $1.0 million, and $0.8 million, respectively.
Purchase Commitments with Suppliers
The Company generally issues purchase orders to its suppliers with delivery dates from four to six weeks from the purchase order date. In addition, the Company regularly provides significant suppliers with rolling six-month forecasts of material and finished goods requirements for planning and long-lead time parts procurement purposes only. The Company is committed to accept delivery of materials pursuant to its purchase orders subject to various contract provisions that allow it to delay receipt of such order or allow it to cancel orders beyond certain agreed lead times. Such cancellations may or may not include cancellation costs payable by the Company. In the past, the Company has been required to take delivery of materials from its suppliers that were in excess of its requirements and the Company has previously recognized charges and expenses related to such excess material. If the Company is unable to adequately manage its suppliers and adjust such commitments for changes in demand, it may incur additional inventory expenses related to excess and obsolete inventory. Such expenses could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, and financial position. The Company’s fixed purchase commitments at January 31, 2008 totaled $5.3 million.
Executive Severance Commitments
The Company has entered into severance compensation agreements with several key executives. These agreements require the Company to pay these executives, in the event of a termination of employment following a change of control of the Company, approximately 12 months of their then current annual base salary and the amount of any bonus amount the executive would have achieved for the current year. The exact amount of this contingent obligation is not known and accordingly has not been recorded in the consolidated financial statements.
Letter of Credit
In May 2006, the Company obtained a $0.5 million letter of credit from US Bank pursuant to a lease provision for its new corporate offices to which the Company relocated on August 28, 2006. On November 6, 2007, the letter of credit was reduced to $250,000 pursuant to the provisions of the lease. The letter of credit is secured by a certificate of deposit with a 6-month maturity, which is reflected as restricted cash on the consolidated balance sheet.
66
COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Legal Contingencies
On June 8, 2007, Mobility Electronics, Inc. (“Mobility”) sued the Company alleging that two Mobility patents are infringed by the mechanical keying arrangement between power adapters and programming tips used by the Company in its mobile power products sold through its distributors. The Company has denied liability and countersued alleging that Mobility has breached a Settlement Agreement entered into between the parties in 2003 to settle a previous patent infringement suit, and that Mobility is liable for infringement of at least one of the Company’s patents, by effectively sub-licensing a third party to manufacture and sell power adapter products and accessories covered by the patent. Mobility has denied liability and amended its claims to further allege that the Company breached the Settlement Agreement by asserting claims against Mobility because its activities are permissible under the Settlement Agreement. On November 29, 2007, the Company filed its Answer, Defenses, and Counterclaims. On March 5, 2008, both parties attended mediation before a retired U.S. district court judge, which did not lead to a settlement. However, the parties may continue the mediation within a month or two. Trial is set for July 2009.
On November 30, 2007, SwissQual filed a lawsuit against the Company alleging fraud, intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, breach of contract, trademark infringement, unfair competition, trade secret misappropriation and seeking declaratory relief relating to the December 15, 2005 Distribution and Sales Agreement between the parties.
The Company answered SwissQual’s complaint and denied any and all liability to SwissQual and denied that SwissQual is entitled to any of the relief sought in its complaint. In addition, the Company asserted counterclaims against SwissQual alleging breach of contract, breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing, trade secret misappropriation, intentional interference with prospective economic advantage, negligent interference with prospective economic advantage, unfair competition, conversion, unjust enrichment/restitution, an accounting for money owed due to SwissQual’s misconduct and seeking declaratory relief relating to SwissQual’s failure to comply with its support obligations, indemnity, and trademark ownership. SwissQual has informed the Court that it will be amending its complaint. Discovery has not yet commenced and the trial date has been set for February 10, 2009.
The matters described above are in the very early stages and the outcome of these matters is neither determinable nor estimable. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to the matters described above and intends to vigorously defend these actions. In addition to the pending matters described above, the Company is from time to time involved in various legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of its business. The Company believes that the outcome of all such pending legal proceedings will not in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on its consolidated results of operations and financial position.
The Company’s former President and Chief Executive Officer left the Company effective March 10, 2008. In conjunction with his departure the Company and he entered into a separation and release agreement whereby he was paid approximately $0.7 million.
67
COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
| 24. | Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) |
Unaudited summarized financial data by quarter for 2008 and 2007 are as follows (in thousands, except per share data):
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Year Ended January 31, 2008
Fiscal Year Quarters | |
| | First | | | Second | | | Third | | | Fourth | |
Revenue | | $ | 5,415 | | | $ | 5,919 | | | $ | 5,015 | | | $ | 6,851 | |
Gross profit | | | 2,179 | | | | 1,808 | | | | 1,126 | | | | 713 | |
Operating loss | | | (2,178 | ) | | | (2,707 | ) | | | (3,656 | ) | | | (5,172 | ) |
Net loss | | | (1,615 | ) | | | (2,220 | ) | | | (2,581 | ) | | | (3,567 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic and diluted loss per share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss | | $ | (0.22 | ) | | $ | (0.30 | ) | | $ | (0.35 | ) | | $ | (0.49 | ) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
| | | Year Ended January 31, 2007 Fiscal Year
Quarters | |
| | First | | | Second | | | Third | | | Fourth | |
Revenue | | $ | 10,555 | | | $ | 12,972 | | | $ | 11,403 | | | $ | 12,846 | |
Gross profit | | | 3,531 | | | | 4,726 | | | | 3,906 | | | | 5,999 | |
Operating income (loss) | | | (865 | ) | | | 21 | | | | (903 | ) | | | 1,246 | |
Net income (loss) | | | (575 | ) | | | 242 | | | | (650 | ) | | | 2,760 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic and diluted income (loss) per share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net income (loss) | | $ | (0.08 | ) | | $ | 0.03 | | | $ | (0.09 | ) | | $ | 0.38 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
68
| ITEM 9. | CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE |
None.
| ITEM 9A. | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES |
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the periodic reports that we file or submit with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the period covered by this report on Form 10-K. Based upon this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report on Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
During the fourth quarter of the fiscal year ended January 31, 2008, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as it is defined in the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed under the supervision of the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, and effected by the Company’s Board of Directors, management, and other personnel. These internal controls are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the reported financial information is presented fairly and in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, that disclosures are adequate, and that the judgments inherent in the preparation of financial statements are reasonable. There are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any system of internal control, including the possibility of human error and overriding of controls. Consequently, an effective internal control system can only provide reasonable, not absolute, assurance with respect to reporting financial information. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Our internal control over financial reporting includes policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
69
Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework and criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of January 31, 2008.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of our independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by our independent registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit us to provide only management’s report in this annual report.
| ITEM 9B. | OTHER INFORMATION |
None.
70
PART III
| ITEM 10. | DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE |
The information required by this Item 10 is included in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its fiscal 2008 annual meeting of shareholders to be held on June 24, 2008 and is incorporated herein by reference.
| ITEM 11. | EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION |
The information required by this Item 11 is included in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its fiscal 2008 annual meeting of shareholders to be held on June 24, 2008 and is incorporated herein by reference.
| ITEM 12. | SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS |
The information required by this Item 12 is included in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its fiscal 2008 annual meeting of shareholders to be held on June 24, 2008 and is incorporated herein by reference.
| ITEM 13. | CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE |
The information required by this Item 13 is included in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its fiscal 2008 annual meeting of shareholders to be held on June 24, 2008 and is incorporated herein by reference.
| ITEM 14. | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES |
The information required by this Item 14 is included in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its fiscal 2008 annual meeting of shareholders to be held on June 24, 2008 and is incorporated herein by reference.
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PART IV
| ITEM 15. | EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES |
| | | | |
| (a) | | 1. | | Financial Statements (See Item 8) |
| | 2. | Financial Statement Schedule: |
The following additional information for the years ended January 31, 2008, 2007, and 2006 is submitted herewith:
II Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
All other schedules are omitted because the required information is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule or because the information required is included in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.
| | |
| 3.1 | | Articles of Incorporation. The Articles of Incorporation are incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 12, 2000. |
| |
| 3.2 | | By-Laws. The Restated By-Laws are incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 13, 2008. |
| |
| 3.3 | | Certificate of Determination of Series A Participating Preferred Stock. The Certificate of Determination is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 6, 2003. |
| | 4. | Instruments defining the rights of security holders |
| | |
| 4.1 | | Rights Agreement, dated February 5, 2003, between Comarco, Inc. and U.S. Stock Transfer Corporation, as rights agent. The Rights Agreement is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 6, 2003. |
| |
| 4.2 | | Amendment to the Rights Agreement, dated February 28, 2006. The Amendment is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2006. |
| | |
| |
| 10.1 | | 1982 Stock Option Plan. The restated 1982 Stock Option Plan is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit C to the Company’s definitive Proxy Materials filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 25, 1986. * |
| |
| 10.2 | | Director Stock Option Plan dated July 1, 1987 is incorporated by reference from the Company’s report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 1988. * |
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| | |
| 10.3 | | Nonqualified Employee Stock Option Plan for Comarco Wireless Technologies, Inc. dated August 1994 is incorporated by reference from the Company’s report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 30, 1994. * |
| |
| 10.4 | | 1995 Employee Stock Option Plan is incorporated by reference from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 33-63219) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 5, 1995. * |
| |
| 10.5 | | 2005 Equity Incentive Plan is incorporated by reference from Appendix A to the Company’s definitive Proxy Materials filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 16, 2006. * |
| |
| 10.6 | | Stock Purchase Agreement dated January 22, 2006 regarding SwissQual Holding AG (“SwissQual) between the Company, Spirent Holding Limited, Spirent plc, and the remaining shareholders of SwissQual. The Stock Purchase Agreement is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 25, 2006. |
| |
| 10.7 | | Amended and Restated Severance Compensation Agreement dated June 11, 2007 between the Company and Peggy Vessell-Eoff, Vice President and Secretary, regarding severance compensation in the event of a change in control of the Company is filed herewith. * |
| |
| 10.8 | | Amended and Restated Severance Agreement, dated June 11, 2007, between the Company and Thomas A. Franza is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 15, 2007. * |
| |
| 10.9 | | Amended and Restated Severance Agreement, dated June 11, 2007, between the Company and Daniel R. Lutz is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 15, 2007. * |
| |
| 10.10 | | Amended and Restated Severance Agreement, dated June 11, 2007, between the Company and Thomas W. Lanni is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 15, 2007. * |
| |
| 10.11 | | Amended and Restated Severance Agreement, dated June 11, 2007, between the Company and Fredrik L. Torstensson is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 15, 2007. * |
| |
| 10.12 | | Amended and Restated Severance Agreement, dated June 11, 2007, between the Company and John McMunn is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 15, 2007. * |
| |
| 10.13 | | Amended and Restated Severance Agreement, dated June 11, 2007, between the Company and Mark Chapman is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 15, 2007. * |
| |
| 10.14 | | Severance Compensation Agreement, dated August 28, 2007, between the Company and Alisha Charlton is filed herewith. * |
| |
| 10.15 | | Separation and Release Agreement, dated March 23, 2008, between the Company and Thomas A. Franza is filed herewith. * |
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| | |
| |
| 21.1 | | Subsidiaries of the Company |
| |
| 23.1 | | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm – BDO Seidman LLP |
| |
| 31.1 | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
| |
| 31.2 | | Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
| |
| 32.1 | | Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
| |
| 32.2 | | Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
| |
| 99.1 | | Supplement to Registrant’s Registration Statements on Form S-8 |
| * | Management contract or executive compensation plan or arrangement. |
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COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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, on April 30, 2008.
|
| COMARCO, INC. |
|
/s/ SAMUEL M. INMAN, III |
Samuel M. Inman, III President and Chief Executive Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
| | | | |
Signature | | Title | | Date |
| | |
/s/ SAMUEL M. INMAN, III Samuel M. Inman, III | | President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer), Director | | April 30, 2008 |
| | |
/s/ WINSTON E. HICKMAN Winston E. Hickman | | Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) | | April 30, 2008 |
| | |
/s/ RICHARD T. LEBUHN Richard T. LeBuhn | | Director | | April 30, 2008 |
| | |
/s/ GERALD D. GRIFFIN Gerald D. Griffin | | Director | | April 30, 2008 |
| | |
/s/ JEFFREY R. HULTMAN Jeffrey R. Hultman | | Director | | April 30, 2008 |
| | |
/s/ ROBERT W. SUNDIUS, JR. Robert W. Sundius, Jr. | | Director | | April 30, 2008 |
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COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Three Years Ended January 31, 2008
(In thousands)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Balance at
Beginning of
Year | | Charged to
Cost and
Expense
(Recovery) | | | Deductions | | | Other Changes
Add (Deduct) | | | Balance at
End of Year |
Allowance for doubtful accounts and provision for unbilled receivables (deducted from accounts receivable): | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Year ended January 31, 2008 | | $ | 111 | | $ | (3 | ) | | $ | (65 | )(1) | | $ | — | | | $ | 43 |
| | | | | |
Year ended January 31, 2007 | | $ | 558 | | $ | 90 | | | $ | (537 | )(1) | | $ | — | | | $ | 111 |
| | | | | |
Year ended January 31, 2006 | | $ | 831 | | $ | (273 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | 558 |
| | | | | |
Allowance for deferred tax assets: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | |
Year ended January 31, 2008 | | $ | 4,330 | | $ | (59 | ) | | $ | — | | | $ | 3,446 | | | $ | 7,717 |
| | | | | |
Year ended January 31, 2007 | | $ | 3,514 | | $ | 59 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 757 | | | $ | 4,330 |
| | | | | |
Year ended January 31, 2006 | | $ | 6,256 | | $ | — | | | $ | — | | | $ | (2,742 | ) | | $ | 3,514 |
(1) | Write-off of uncollectible receivables. |
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