Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of February 29, 2024 and August 31, 2023, the Company held approximately $3.984 million and $8.558 million of unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, respectively. The Company also held $1.678 million and $27.228 million of marketable securities at February 29, 2024 and August 31, 2023, respectively, which could be liquidated, if necessary.
As of February 29, 2024, the Company had an available $15.0 million line of credit with the Bank. The Company entered into a Change in Terms Agreement dated November 5, 2022 with the Bank, which extended the maturity date of the line of credit from November 5, 2022 to July 5, 2024. The line of credit has a variable interest rate set at the bank prime index rate, provided that in no event would such interest rate be less than 3.5% per annum. Borrowings are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries. The line of credit agreement contains certain nonfinancial and financial covenants, including the maintenance of certain financial ratios. As of each of February 29, 2024 and August 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with all such covenants. The outstanding balance of the line of credit as of each of February 29, 2024 and August 31, 2023 was zero.
The Company entered into a Construction Loan with the Bank to borrow up to $5.0 million for the primary purpose of financing tenant improvements at the Hunter Property. The Construction Loan was a line of credit evidenced by a Promissory Note in the principal amount of up to $5.0 million with a maturity date of May 15, 2027. The terms of the Construction Loan provide that the Company may only request advances through July 15, 2020, and thereafter, the Construction Loan would convert to a term loan with a fixed rate of 4.6%, which is entitled to a .25% rate discount if a demand deposit account is held with the Bank. On July 15, 2020, the amount drawn on the Construction Loan was converted to a term loan in the amount of $4.807 million. Interest on the Construction Loan is payable monthly (4.35% per annum as of each of February 29, 2024 and August 31, 2023). Concurrent with the execution of this Construction Loan, Bisco entered into a commercial security agreement, dated July 12, 2019, with the Bank, pursuant to which Bisco granted the Bank a security interest in substantially all of Bisco’s personal property to secure Bisco’s obligations under the Construction Loan. The outstanding balance of the Construction Loan at February 29, 2024 and August 31, 2023 was $4.406 million and $4.468 million, respectively.
The Company has also entered into a business loan agreement (and related $100,000 promissory note) on June 2, 2023 with the Bank in order to obtain a $100,000 letter of credit as security for the Company’s workers’ compensation requirements.
On October 5, 2023, Bisco entered into the Purchase Agreement with the Trust, which is beneficially owned and controlled by Mr. Glen F. Ceiley, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board and a major stockholder. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Trust agreed to sell the Hunter Property to Bisco for a purchase price of $31.0 million in cash. The transaction closed on October 20, 2023.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities was $460,000 for the six months ended February 29, 2024 as compared with cash provided by operating activities of $5.938 million for the six months ended February 28, 2023. Cash provided by operating activities in the current period was primarily due to net income earned in the period and an increase in trade accounts payable. Cash provided by operating activities was adversely impacted to some extent by an increase in inventory and a decrease in accrued expenses at the six months ended February 29, 2024 when compared to the prior year period. The prior period cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to the net income in that period and a decrease in trade accounts receivable.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities was $6.925 million for the six months ended February 29, 2024 as compared with cash used in investing activities of $17.71 million for the six months ended February 28, 2023. Cash used in investing activities in the current period is primarily due to the purchase of the Hunter Property in October 2023, partially offset by net sales of marketable securities. Prior period cash used in investing activities was primarily due to the purchase of marketable securities.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Cash provided by financing activities for the six months ended February 29, 2024 was $1.977 million as compared with cash used in financing activities of $205,000 for the six months ended February 28, 2023. The cash provided by financing activities for the current period is primarily due to the net increase in bank overdraft in the current period, which represents outstanding checks in excess of cash due to the nightly sweep feature of the cash account to the line of credit with the Bank. The cash used in financing activities for the prior period is primarily due to a decrease in the bank overdraft balance.