UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
For the quarterly period ended April 29, 2006
OR
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 0-13200
Astro-Med, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
(401) 828-4000
(Registrants telephone number, including area code)
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 whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of accelerated filer and large accelerated filer in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer ¨. Accelerated filer ¨ Non-accelerated filer 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.
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuers classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
Common Stock, $.05 Par Value 5,359,050 shares
(excluding treasury shares) as of May 31, 2006
ASTRO-MED, INC.
INDEX
Part I.Financial Information:
Item 1. Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - April 29, 2006 and January 31, 2006
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - Three-Months Ended April 29, 2006 and April 30, 2005
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Three-Months Ended April 29, 2006 and April 30, 2005
Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements - April 29, 2006
Item 2.Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Item 4.Controls and Procedures
Part II.Other Information
Item 1.Legal Proceedings
Item 1A.Risk Factors
Item 2.Unregistered Sales of Securities and Use of Proceeds
Item 6.Exhibits
Signatures
Management Certifications
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Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
April 29,
2006(Unaudited)
January 31,2006
(Audited)
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Securities Available for Sale
Accounts Receivable, Net
Inventories
Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets
Deferred Tax Assets
Total Current Assets
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
Less Accumulated Depreciation
Total Property, Plant and Equipment, net
OTHER ASSETS
Goodwill
Amounts Due from Officers
Other
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Accounts Payable
Accrued Compensation
Accrued Expenses
Deferred Revenue
Income Taxes Payable
Deposit on Pending Sale
Total Current Liabilities
OTHER LIABILITIES
Deferred Tax Liabilities
SHAREHOLDERS EQUITY
Common Stock, $.05 Par Value, Authorized 13,000,000 Shares, Issued, 6,423,915 and 6,342,321 Shares, respectively
Additional Paid-In Capital
Retained Earnings
Treasury Stock, at Cost, 1,024,106 Shares
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
Total Shareholders Equity
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
2006
April 30,
2005
Net Sales
Cost of Sales
Gross Profit
Costs and Expenses:
Selling, General and Administrative
Research and Development
Operating Income
Other Income:
Investment Income
Other, Net
Income Before Income Taxes
Income Tax Expense
Net Income
Net Income Per Common Share - Basic
Net Income Per Common Share - Diluted
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Basic
Weighted Average Number of Common and Common Equivalent Shares Outstanding - Diluted
Dividends Declared Per Common Share
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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities:
Depreciation and Amortization
Share-Based Compensation
Deferred Income Taxes
Changes in Assets and Liabilities:
Accounts Receivable
Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses
Total Adjustments
Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Proceeds from Maturities of Securities Available for Sale
Purchases of Securities Available of Sale
Additions to Property, Plant and Equipment
Net Cash (Used in) Investing Activities
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from Common Shares Issued Under Employee Stock Option and Benefit Plans
Shares Repurchased
Dividends Paid
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
Net (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period
Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period
Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:
Cash Paid During the Period for:
Income Taxes
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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
April 29, 2006
(1) - Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and reflect all adjustments consisting of normal recurring adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim periods included herein. These financial statements do not include all disclosures associated with annual financial statements and, accordingly, should be read in conjunction with footnotes contained in the Companys annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2006.
(2) Principles of Consolidation
The accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements include the financial statements of Astro-Med, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
(3) Net Income Per Share
Net income per common share has been computed and presented pursuant to the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 128, Earnings Per Share. Net income per share is based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Net income per share assuming dilution is based on the weighted average number of shares and, if dilutive, common equivalent shares for stock options outstanding during the period.
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding - Basic
Dilutive Effect of Options Outstanding
Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted
For the three-months ended April 29, 2006 and April 30, 2005, the diluted per share amounts do not reflect options outstanding of 339,200 and 239,800, respectively. These outstanding options were not included in the weighted average common shares outstanding because the exercise price of the options was greater than the average market price of the underlying stock during the periods presented.
(4) Revenue Recognition
The majority of the Companys product sales are recorded at the time of shipment, when legal title has transferred and risk of loss passes to the customer, when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the sellers price to the buyer is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured in accordance with the requirements in Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) 104, Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements. When a sale arrangement involves training or installation, the deliverables in the arrangement are evaluated to determine whether they represent separate units of accounting in accordance with SAB 104 and EITF 00-21, Revenue Arrangements With Multiple Deliverables. This evaluation occurs at inception of the arrangement and as each item in the arrangement is delivered. The total fee from the arrangement is allocated to each unit of accounting based on its relative fair value. Fair value for each element is established generally based on the sales price charged when the same or similar element is sold separately. Revenue is recognized when revenue recognition criteria for each unit of accounting are met. When other significant obligations remain after products are delivered, revenue is recognized only after such obligations are fulfilled. All of the Companys equipment contains embedded operating systems and data management software which is included in the purchase price of the equipment. The software is deemed incidental to the system as a whole as it is not sold separately or marketed separately and its production costs are minor as compared to those of the hardware system. Returns and customer credits are infrequent and are recorded as a reduction to sales. Rights of return are not included in sales arrangements. Revenue associated with products that contain specific customer acceptance criteria is not recognized before the customer acceptance criteria are satisfied. Discounts from list prices are recorded as a reduction to sales. Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling fees are included in sales while related shipping and handling costs are included in cost of sales.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(5) Share-Based Compensation
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No. 123(R), Share-Based Payment, which is a revision of SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. SFAS No. 123(R) supersedes APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and amends SFAS No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows. SFAS No. 123(R) addresses the accounting for share-based payment transactions in which an enterprise receives employee services in exchange for (a) equity instruments of the enterprise, or (b) liability instruments that are based on the fair value of the enterprises equity instruments that may be settled by the issuance of such equity instruments. SFAS No. 123(R) requires an entity to recognize the grant-date fair-value of stock options and other equity-based compensation issued to employees in the statement of operations.
The Company currently has options outstanding under the 1989, 1993 and 1997 Incentive Stock Option Plans and the 1989 and 1998 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plans. Under these plans, non-qualified stock options or incentive stock options may be granted to the Companys or its subsidiaries employees, officers, advisers, or consultants as defined. Options are granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant and generally vest in equal annual amounts over four years beginning on the first anniversary of the date of the grant. No options are exercisable for periods of more than ten years after date of grant. The plans were approved by the Companys shareholders, pursuant to which 2,915,000 shares of the Companys common stock were reserved for issuance. As of April 29, 2006, 524,547 options remain available for future grants. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors administers the plans, approves the individuals to whom options will be granted and determines the number of shares and exercise price of each option. Outstanding options under the plans at April 29, 2006 expire from March 24, 1997 through March 20, 2016. None of the Companys outstanding options include performance-based or market-based vesting conditions. In addition, the Company has a 1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan. This plan authorized the grant of options for up to 33,000 shares of common stock. Options granted under this plan vest six months after the grant date.
Under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), the Company is authorized to issue up to 198,000 shares of common stock, of which approximately 84,416 shares remain available as of April 29, 2006. The ESPP provides eligible employees the right to purchase common stock, via payroll deductions, on a monthly basis at 90% of the market price of the common stock at the end of each purchase period. During the three months ended April 29, 2006 and April 30, 2005, 634 and 753 shares were purchased under the plan.
As permitted by SFAS No. 123, the Company historically accounted for share-based payments to employees using APB Opinion No. 25s intrinsic value method and recognized no compensation expense for employee stock options or shares purchased under the ESPP. Effective as of February 1, 2006, the Company adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) under the modified prospective transition method outlined in the statement. A modified prospective transition method is one in which compensation expense is recognized beginning with the effective date (a) based on the requirements of SFAS No. 123(R) for all share-based payments granted after the effective date and (b) based on the requirements of SFAS No. 123 for all awards granted to employees prior to the effective date of SFAS No. 123(R) that remain unvested on the date of adoption.
As a result of the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), the Companys income before income taxes was reduced by approximately $100,000 for the three months ended April 29, 2006. The stock-based compensation expense included $18,900 recorded in cost of sales, $17,700 recorded in research and development, and $63,400 recorded in selling and general and administrative expense for the three months ended April 29, 2006. In accordance with the modified prospective transition method provided under SFAS No. 123(R), results for prior periods have not been restated. SFAS No. 123(R) requires forfeitures to be estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Historically, as permitted under SFAS No. 123, the Companys policy was to record forfeitures as incurred. As a result of its adoption of SFAS No. 123(R) the Company will apply an estimated forfeiture rate of 3% for option grants awarded subsequent to February 1, 2006. Such forfeiture rate will be periodically revised, if necessary, based on actual experience.
The following table illustrates the effect on net income and net income per share as if the fair value based method had been applied during the three months ended April 30, 2005:
Net income as reported
Stock-based employee compensation determined under the fair value based method, net of any applicable related tax effects
Pro forma net income
Net income per common share diluted
As reported
Pro forma
The Company has estimated the fair value of each option grant on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. The volatility assumption is based on the historical weekly price data of the Companys common stock over a period equivalent to the weighted average expected life of the Companys options. Management evaluated whether there were factors during that period which were unusual and would distort the volatility figure if used to estimate future volatility and concluded that there were no such factors. In determining the expected life of the option grants, the Company has observed the actual terms of prior grants with similar characteristics, the actual vesting schedule of the grant, and assessed the expected risk tolerance of different option groups. The risk-free interest rate is based on the actual U.S. Treasury zero coupon rates for bonds matching the expected term of the option as of the option grant date. The risk-free interest rate was 3.78% and 3.43% for all options granted in the first quarter of 2006 and 2005, respectively.
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(5) Share-Based Compensation (Continued)
The fair value of stock options granted during the quarter ended April 29, 2006 and April 30, 2005 was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:
Risk Free Interest Rate
Expected Volatility
Expected Life (in years)
Dividend Yield
Aggregated information regarding the Companys stock option plans as of April 29, 2006 is summarized below:
Outstanding at January 31, 2006
Granted
Exercised
Expired or canceled
Outstanding at April 29, 2006
Exercisable at April 29, 2006
The total aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised during the three months ended April 29, 2006 was $341,903. No options were exercised during the three months ended April 30, 2005. The fair value per share for all options granted during the three months ended April 29, 2006 and April 30, 2005 was $4.31 per share and $3.93 per share, respectively. As of April 30, 2005, the number of options exercisable was 1,349,590 and the weighted average exercise price of those options was $6.73 per share. As of April 29, 2006, there was $1,144,000 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to share-based compensation arrangements, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 4 years.
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(6) Comprehensive Income
The Companys total comprehensive income is as follows:
Comprehensive Income:
Other Comprehensive Income:
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax
Unrealized gain (loss) on securities:
Unrealized holding gain (loss) arising during the period, net of tax
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Comprehensive Income
(7) Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out) or market and include material, labor and manufacturing overhead. The components of inventories were as follows:
Materials and Supplies
Work-In-Process
Finished Goods
(8) Income Taxes
An income tax expense of $318,927 was recorded in the first quarter of the current year which is equal to an effective tax rate of 37%. This compares to an income tax expense of $224,124 in the first quarter of the prior year which is equal to an effective tax rate of 36%.
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(9) Segment Information
The Company reports three reporting segments consistent with its sales product groups: Test & Measurement (T&M); QuickLabel Systems (QuickLabel) and Grass Technologies which was formerly known as Grass-Telefactor (G-T). The Company evaluates segment performance based on the segment profit (loss) before corporate and financial administration expenses.
Summarized below are the sales and segment operating profit (loss) for each reporting segment for the three-months ended April 29, 2006 and April 30, 2005.
Segment
Operating Profit (Loss)
T&M
QuickLabel
G-T
Total
Corporate Expenses
Other Income, Net
(10) Product Warranty Liability
Changes in the Companys product warranty liability during the quarters ended April 29, 2006 and April 30, 2005, respectively, are as follows:
Balance, beginning of the period
Warranty expense during the period
Settlements made during the period
Balance, end of the period
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MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Business Overview
This section should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company included elsewhere herein and the Companys Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2006.
The Company develops and manufactures systems that have the ability to acquire, process, analyze, store and present electronic data in a variety of useable forms. The Company sells its product under brand names including Astro-Med (T&M), QuickLabel Systems (QuickLabel) and Grass Technologies, formerly known as Grass Telefactor, (G-T). Products sold under the Astro-Med brand acquire and record data and print the output onto charts or electronic media. Products sold under the QuickLabel Systems brand create product and packaging labels and tags in one or many colors. Products sold under the Grass Technologies brand electronically capture and record neurological data that is used to diagnose epilepsy or to study sleep disorders. The Company supplies a range of products that include hardware, software and consumables to customers who are in a variety of industries.
The Company competes worldwide in many markets including clinical and research medicine, aerospace, automotive and general manufacturing. The Company retains a competitive position in its respective markets by virtue of proprietary technology, product reputation, delivery, technical assistance and service to customers. The Company markets its products worldwide by advertising and promotion using major national and international trade journals, scientific meetings and trade shows, direct mailing campaigns, and the internet. The products are sold by direct field sales persons as well as independent dealers and representatives. In the United States, the Company has direct field sales people located in major cities from coast to coast specializing in either T&M Recorders and Data Acquisitions systems, QuickLabel Color Label printers and media systems, or G-T Neurological Instrumentation products. Additionally, the Company has direct field sales and service centers in Canada, England, France, Germany, Italy and Holland. In the remaining parts of the world, the Company utilizes approximately 80 independent dealers and representatives selling and marketing its products in 40 countries.
Effective as of February 1, 2006, we adopted SFAS No. 123(R). Share-Based Payment which requires that we recognize compensation expense in our statement of operations for the grant-date fair value of stock options and other equity-based compensation issued to employees. Before February 1, 2006, we accounted for share-based payments to employees using APB Opinion No. 25s intrinsic value method and recognized no compensation expense for employee stock options or shares purchased under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan.
We adopted the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R) under the modified prospective transition method. A modified prospective transition method is one in which compensation expense is recognized beginning with the effective date (a) based on the requirements of SFAS 123(R) for all share-based payments granted after the effective date and (b) based on the requirements of SFAS No. 123 for all awards granted to employees prior to the effective date of SFAS No. 123(R) that remain unvested on the effective date. In accordance with the modified prospective transition method provided under SFAS No. 123(R), results for prior periods have not been restated. As a result, our financial statements for the periods ended before February 1, 2006 are not directly comparable to our financial statements for periods ended after February 1, 2006. Moreover, because the grant-date fair value method under SFAS No. 123(R) is not the same as the method under SFAS No. 123, our results of operations for periods ending after February 1, 2006 are not directly comparable to our pro forma disclosures in the notes to our financial statements for periods ended before February 1, 2006 under SFAS No. 123.
We estimate the fair value of each option on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. This model incorporates assumptions as to stock price volatility, the expected life of options, a risk free interest rate and dividend yield. Many of these assumptions are highly subjective and require the exercise of management judgment. If our actual experience differs from our estimates and we chose to employ different assumptions in the future, the stock-based compensation expense that we record in future periods may differ materially from that recorded in the current period.
As s result of the adoption of SFAS No. 123(R), our income before income tax expense for the three months ended April 29, 2006 was reduced by approximately $100,000. As of April 29, 2006, there was $1,144,000 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to share-based compensation arrangements, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 4 years. Based on the assumptions and estimates described above, we estimate that we will record stock-based compensation expense of approximately $400,000 to $500,000 for the year ending January 31, 2007.
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Results of Operations
Three-Months Ended April 29, 2006 vs. Three-Months Ended April 30, 2005
% Increase(Decrease)Over
Prior Year
GT
Sales revenue in the first quarter was $15,642,000, up 10.2% from the prior years first quarter sales revenue of $14,193,000. Sales through the Companys T&M product group increased 44.0%, while sales through the Companys QuickLabel and GT product groups increased 3.0% and 1.8%, respectively. Sales through the Companys domestic and international channels of distribution were both up with the domestic channel increasing 12.1% and the international channel increasing 5.8%. However, excluding the $133,000 unfavorable impact of the change in foreign exchange rates, international sales would have increased 8.9%.
Hardware sales in the quarter were $7,970,000 reflecting a 21.1% increase from the prior years hardware sales of $6,579,000. All three product groups reported increases in their shipments of hardware products, however, the T&M product group with its Ruggedized and Everest product lines dominated the increase.
The Companys consumable sales continue to expand with the first quarter volume reaching $6,450,000, reflecting an increase of 1.5% from the prior year. The increase was driven primarily by the Quicklabel Consumables which were up 4.6% from the prior year. Sales of Grass Technologies Consumables were down 6.7% from the prior year.
Sales of the Companys service and other related-product revenue in the quarter was $1,223,000, down nominally from the prior years service and other related product revenue of $1,258,000
Gross profit dollars were $5,276,000, which generated a gross profit margin of 40.1% for the quarter which was consistent with the prior years gross profit margin of 40.1%. The consistent gross profit margin despite the increase in sales was the result of increased spending within the manufacturing operation.
Operating expenses were $5,564,000 for the quarter compared to $5,173,000 for the same quarter in the prior year. Selling expenses increased 5.1% from the prior year as a result of additional commission and installation expense related to higher sales. G&A increased 14.2% as a result of higher compensation and outside testing services expenses. Research and development spending increased 10.5% as a result of increases in compensation expense driven by additional personnel and product testing activities. Operating income was $712,000 which represented a 38.1% increase over the prior year.
Net income in the first quarter was $543,000 reflecting a 3.5% return on sales and an EPS of $0.09 per diluted share. For the comparable period in the previous year, net income was $398,000, reflecting a 2.8% return on sales and an EPS of $0.07 per diluted share. Included within net income for the current quarter was approximately $85,000, net of tax benefit, related to the adoption of SFAS 123(R). We did not report any expense related to SFAS 123(R) in the first quarter of the prior year.
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Results of Operations (Continued)
The Company reports three reporting segments consistent with its sales product groups: Test & Measurement (T&M); QuickLabel Systems (QuickLabel) and Grass-Technologies (GT). The Company evaluates segment performance based on the segment profit before corporate and financial administration expenses.
Summarized below are the sales and segment operating profit (loss) for each reporting segment.
Income Tax (Expense) Benefit
Test & Measurement
T&M sales were $3,776,000 for the quarter compared to $2,622,000 in the prior year. The increase of $1,154,000, or 44%, was driven by significant growth in the Ruggedized product line. Sales of the Everest telemetry workstation recorders also experienced significant growth, up 42% from the prior year. Consumables and Service & Other were consistent with the prior year. Gross profit margins increased significantly as a result of increased volume and improved product mix. Operating expenses increased 15.9% as a result of increases within R&D spending on the Ruggedized products.
QuickLabel Systems
QuickLabel sales were $7,267,000 for the quarter compared to $7,054,000 in the prior year. The increase of $213,000, or 3%, was driven by an increase in QuickLabel Hardware and a 4.6% increase in QuickLabel Consumables. Gross profit margins decreased due to unfavorable manufacturing absorption. Operating expenses were consistent with the prior year.
Grass Technologies
GT sales were $4,599,000 for the quarter compared to $4,517,000 in the prior year. The increase of $82,000, or 1.8% was driven by an increase in EEG and PSG system sales, tempered by lower LTM and Consumable sales. Gross profit margins were consistent with the prior year. During the quarter operating expenses were also consistent with the prior year.
Financial Condition
The Company expects to finance its future working capital needs, capital expenditures and acquisition requirements through internal funds. To the extent the Companys capital and liquidity requirements are not satisfied internally, the Company may utilize a $3.5 million unsecured bank line of credit, all of which is currently available. Borrowings under this line of credit bear interest at the banks prime rate. The expiration date of this line of credit is July 31, 2006 and is expected to be renewed.
The Companys Statements of Cash Flows for the three-months ended April 29, 2006 and April 30, 2005 are included on page 5. Net cash flow provided by operating activities for the current quarter was $1,523,383 versus $326,660 in the first quarter of the previous year. The increase in the current quarter cash flow over the prior year can be attributed almost entirely to better working capital management. The accounts receivable balance decreased 4.3% to $10,167,643, down from $10,623,553 at year-end. The cash collection cycle also improved to 59 Net Days Sales Outstanding at the end of the quarter as compared to the 60 days sales outstanding at year-end. Inventory increased 5.6% to $10,363,389, up from $9,809,770 at year-end. Net Days Inventory on Hand were 102 days which was consistent with year-end.
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Financial Condition (Continued)
Cash and securities available for sale at the end of the first quarter totaled $16,338,357 up 11.0% from $14,723,718 at year-end. The increase in cash and securities available for sale can be attributed to cash provided by operations of $2,066,442 and proceeds from employee stock option exercises of $609,408 in the first quarter of this year, offset by the $228,557 of capital expenditures made in the quarter and the $269,606 dividend payment. Capital expenditures consisted primarily of the purchase of machinery and equipment that will be used to increase capacity and efficiency.
During the quarter the Company purchased $2,525,000 of marketable securities.
The Company paid cash dividends in the quarter of $269,606 or $0.05 per common share.
In the first quarter ended April 29, 2006, the Company received $609,408 of proceeds from the exercise of employee stock options.
Critical Accounting Policies, Commitments and Certain Other Matters
In the Companys Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2006, the Companys most critical accounting policies and estimates upon which our financial status depends were identified as those relating to revenue recognition, warranty claims, bad debt, inventories and long-lived assets. We considered the disclosure requirements of Financial Release (FR) 60 (FR-60) regarding critical accounting policies and FR-61 regarding liquidity and capital resources, certain trading activities and related party/certain other disclosures, and concluded that nothing materially changed during the quarter that would warrant further disclosure under these releases.
Safe Harbor Statement
This document contains forward-looking statements based on current expectations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated include, but are not limited to, general economic, financial and business conditions; declining demand in the test and measurement markets, especially defense and aerospace; competition in the specialty printer industry; ability to develop market acceptance of the QuickLabel color printer products and effective design of customer required features; competition in the data acquisition industry; competition in the neurophysiology industry; the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on the results of operations; the ability to successfully integrate acquisitions; the business abilities and judgment of personnel and changes in business strategy.
Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Astro-Med, Inc.s exposure to market risk has not changed materially from its exposure at January 31, 2006 as set forth in Item 7A in Astro-Med, Inc.s Form 10K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2006.
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Item 4. Disclosure Controls and Procedures
As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), the Company conducted an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Companys management, including the Chairman of the Board (serving as the principal executive officer) and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Companys disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, the Chairman of the Board and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures are effective in ensuring that all information required to be disclosed in reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported with in the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms. There was no significant change in the Companys internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Companys most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Companys internal control over financial reporting.
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
There are no pending or threatened legal proceedings against the Company believed to be material to the financial position or results of operations of the Company.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Investing in our common stock involves a degree of risk. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties may also impair our business operations. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations would likely suffer.
Astro-Med competes in highly competitive markets which are likely to become more competitive. The markets for our products are characterized by rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards and frequent new product introductions. Current competitors or new market entrants may develop new products with features that could adversely affect the competitive position of our products. We may not be successful in selecting, developing, manufacturing and marketing new products or enhancing our existing products or in responding effectively to technological changes, new standards or product announcements by competitors. The timely availability of new products and enhancements, and their acceptance by customers are important to our future success. Delays in such availability or a lack of market acceptance could have an adverse effect on our business. Additionally, there may be technological innovation that eliminates or reduces the needs for our products.
Astro-Med could incur liabilities as a result of installed product failures due to design or manufacturing defects. Our products may have defects despite testing internally or by current or potential customers. These defects could result in product returns or recalls and loss or delay in market acceptance which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, or financial condition.
Astro-Med sells a significant portion of its products internationally. We sell our products worldwide through several foreign locations and distributors. Our worldwide operations are subject to the risks normally associated with foreign operations including, but not limited to:
International sales, which are both direct and indirect sales to customers outside the U.S. accounted for approximately 30% of our sales in fiscal 2006. We anticipate that international sales will continue to account for a significant portion of our revenue. We invoice our customers in various currencies. Occasionally we use rate protection agreements or derivative agreements to hedge any foreign currency exposure. Accordingly, we may be exposed to exchange losses based upon currency exchange rate fluctuations, which losses could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.
Astro-Med depends on the ongoing service of its senior management and ability to attract and retain other key personnel. Our success depends to a significant degree upon the continuing contributions of key management, sales, marketing, research and development and manufacturing personnel, many of whom we would have difficulty replacing. We believe that our future success will depend in large part upon our ability to attract and retain highly skilled engineers and management, sales and marketing personnel. Failure to attract and retain key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, or financial position.
Astro-Med cannot provide any assurance that current laws, or any laws enacted in the future, will not have a material adverse effect on our business. Our operations are subject to laws, rules, regulations, including environmental regulations, government policies and other requirements in each of the jurisdictions in which we conduct business. Changes in laws, rules, regulations, policies or requirements could result in the need to modify our products and could affect the demand for our products, which may have an adverse impact on our future operating results. In addition, we must comply with new regulations restricting our ability to include lead and certain other substances in our products. If we do not comply with applicable laws, rules and regulations we could be subject to costs and liabilities and our business may be adversely impacted.
Astro-Med relies on sole source suppliers that may result in product delays or price increases. We currently obtain certain components of our products and certain finished products from sole sources. In the future, our suppliers may not be able to meet our demand for components and products in a timely and cost effective manner. Our inability to secure and qualify alternative sources of supply in a timely manner may disrupt our ability to fulfill customer orders.
Astro-Med spends a significant amount of time and effort related to the development of our Ruggedized and Color Printer products. Failure to develop these products and markets as anticipated could adversely affect our growth.
Astro-Med will be relocating the Braintree, MA manufacturing facility during fiscal 2007. Failure to effectively execute the relocation plan could cause potential disruptions to our business.
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Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
On August 16, 2004, the Company announced that its Board of Directors had approved the repurchase of 600,000 shares of common stock. This is an ongoing authorization without any expiration date. The Company made no purchases of its common stock pursuant to this authority during the first quarter of fiscal 2007.
Item 6. Exhibits
(a) Exhibits:
The following exhibits are filed as part of this report on Form 10-Q:
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
/s/ A.W. Ondis
/s/ Joseph P. OConnell
Joseph P. OConnell
Vice President and Treasurer
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