ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
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The following discussion is intended to assist in the understanding of Hickok’s financial position at December 31, 2016 and September 30, 2016, results of operations for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 (first fiscal quarters of 2017 and 2016, respectively), and cash flows for the three months ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and with the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2016.
Summary
The Company has historically operated two business segments: 1) indicators and gauges that sell primarily to companies in the aircraft and locomotive industries and 2) automotive diagnostic tools and equipment that sell to OEMs and the aftermarket. These segments are now being reported as the Test and Measurement segment. In July 2016, the Company expanded its markets with the acquisition of a manufacturer of flexible metal hose for use in heavy truck, drilling, and grain handling, as well as silicone hose sold to these same industries. The acquisition of this business resulted in a new segment for the Company, referred to as the Industrial Hose segment.
Results of Operations
Sales for the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2016 increased to $2,356,926, an increase of approximately $980,000 and 71% from sales of $1,376,872 in the first fiscal quarter of the prior year. This increase in sales was attributable to the addition of our industrial hose division, resulting in an increase in sales of approximately $1,530,000. This increase in sales was offset by the decrease in sales from our test and measurements division of approximately $549,800. Sales demand in this division for the first fiscal quarter was soft and is expected to improve throughout the remainder of the fiscal year.
Cost of products sold in the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2016 was $1,773,688 or 75% of sales compared to $740,521 or 53% of sales in the first fiscal quarter of the prior year. The increase in costs was a combination of the addition of costs related to the industrial hose division and costs from the test and measurement division. Gross margin (sales less costs of products sold) was approximately 25% for the first fiscal quarter of 2017 compared to 46% for the first fiscal quarter of 2015. The primary reason for the decrease in margin is attributable to the sales decrease in the test and measurement for the first quarter. The Company believes that margins will increase throughout the remainder of the fiscal year based on anticipated improved sales.
Product development expenditures in the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2016 were $239,010 or 10% of sales compared to $246,773 or 18%, respectively, in the fiscal quarter of the prior year. The current level of product development expenses is expected to continue for the balance of the fiscal year. Management believes current resources will be sufficient to maintain current product development commitments and to continue to develop a reasonable flow of new products for both the OEM and aftermarket customers.
Marketing and administrative expenses in the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2016 were $651,574 or 28% of sales compared to $438,225 or 32%, respectively, in the fiscal quarter of the prior year. The increase in marketing and administrative expenses was primarily related to costs related to the addition of the industrial hose division of approximately $235,000, offset by a decrease of approximately $22,000 in the test and measurement division. Marketing and administrative expenses are expected to increase slightly due to investments in the sales process.
Interest charges in the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2016 were $50,769 compared to $174 in the first fiscal quarter of the prior year. The current year interest expense is primarily due to the recording of interest expense of $47,100 on notes payable related to the acquisition of a business on July 1, 2016. In addition, approximately $3,200 of interest is related to the capital leases for the IT infrastructure replacement that were not in place in the prior year.
The legal matter in fiscal 2017 of $50,000 was related to a lawsuit that was resolved.
Other income was $2,409 in the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2016 compared with $1,632 in the fiscal quarter of the prior year. Other income consists primarily of interest income on cash and cash equivalents and proceeds from the sale of scrap metal shavings.
Income taxes in the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2016 was $8,000 and represents 25% of the expected annual tax expense for fiscal 2017. Income tax expense is expected to be minimal as the Company believes it will be able to utilize the majority of the net operating loss and research and development credit carryforwards before they expire; however, there are certain limitations to the use of these tax credits that are expected to result in a small amount of alternative minimum tax.
The net loss in the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2016 was $(313,706) or $(0.11) per share as compared to the net loss of $(47,189) or $(0.03) per share in the first fiscal quarter of the prior year. The increased loss is primarily related to lower sales and losses in the test and measurement division of the business in the first quarter. Sales and profitability are expected to improve for the remainder of the fiscal 2017.
Liquidity and Capital Resource
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Total current assets at December 31, 2016 increased to approximately $8,055,000 from $7,767,000 at September 30, 2016, an increase of approximately $288,000. The increase in current assets is due primarily to an increase in cash and cash equivalents and prepaid expenses of approximately $547,000 and $125,000, respectively. The increases were offset by a decrease in accounts receivable and inventories of approximately $295,000 and $89,000. The increase in cash and cash equivalents was due primarily to the addition of the industrial hose division and a $1,300,000 cash deposit from a customer related to expected sales from that customer over the next several years. The decrease in inventory and accounts receivable was due primarily to lower sales and production this quarter for the test and measurement division, offset by increases due to the addition of the industrial hose division.
Working capital was approximately $5,400,000 at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2016. At December 31, 2016, current assets were 3.1 times current liabilities and the total of cash and cash equivalents and receivables was 1.8 times current liabilities. These ratios compare to 3.3 and 1.9 as of September 30, 2016.
Cash provided by operating activities in the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2016 was approximately $1,059,000 and was adequate to fund the Company's investing activities consisting of capital expenditures of approximately $155,000. Capital expenditures were needed for building improvements as well as for tooling, machinery and equipment for product manufacturing and IT infrastructure.
Cash used in financing activities of approximately $358,000 was primarily related to the $250,000 payment of the short-term financing, payment of approximately $82,000 for the related party notes in accordance with the terms of the notes, and payments of approximately $15,000 related to capital lease payments, and approximately $11,500 for the purchase of Class B shares.
In December 2016, the Company entered into Amendment No. 5 of the Convertible Loan Agreement which provides up to $467,000 of liquidity to meet on going working capital requirements. The Convertible Loan Agreement, as amended, is between the Company and a major shareholder who is also affiliated with
two Directors, as discussed in Note 5 to the Company's financial statements. This amended agreement modified the terms of the previously amended agreement by extending the due date of the loan agreement from December 30, 2016 to December 30, 2017 and continues to allow $250,000 of borrowing on the agreement at the Company's discretion. At December 31, 2016, the outstanding balance on the loan was $200,000.
The Company expects positive cash flow from operations to be sufficient to fund working capital needs and service principal and interest payments due related to the notes payable. In addition, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $3,607,000 as of December 31, 2016, and continues to maintain liquidity to operate the business. The Company currently has the ability to borrow against the $250,000 short term financing note and the convertible notes.
Management continues to tightly control expenses and will take actions as deemed necessary to maintain the necessary liquidity and generate positive cash flow from operations. Management believes the Company has adequate liquidity for working capital, capital expenditures and other strategic initiatives.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Hickok has no off-balance sheet arrangements (as defined in Regulation S-K Item 303 paragraph (a)(4)(ii)) that have or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on its financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.
Critical Accounting Pronouncements
The Company’s critical accounting policies are as presented in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and Management’s Discuss and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2016.
Forward-Looking Statements
The foregoing discussion includes forward-looking statements relating to the business of the Company. These forward-looking statements, or other statements made by the Company, are made based on management's expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting the Company and are subject to uncertainties and factors (including, but not limited to, those specified below) which are difficult to predict and, in many instances, are beyond the control of the Company. As a result, actual results of the Company could differ materially from those expressed in or implied by any such forward-looking statements. These uncertainties and factors include (a) the Company's ability to effectively integrate Federal Hose and manage the larger operations of the combined business, (b) the Company's dependence upon a limited number of customers and the automotive industry, (c) the highly competitive industry in which the Company operates, which includes several competitors with greater financial resources and larger sales organizations, (d) the acceptance in the marketplace of new products and/or services developed or under development by the Company including automotive diagnostic products and indicating instrument products, (e) the ability of the Company to further establish distribution and a customer base in the automotive aftermarket, (f) the Company's ability to capitalize on market opportunities including state automotive emissions programs and OEM tool programs, (g) the Company's ability to obtain cost effective financing and (h) the Company's ability to satisfy its interest payments.