Item 1. Business
GENERAL DISCUSSION
Frequency Electronics, Inc. (sometimes referred to as “Registrant”, “Frequency Electronics” or the “Company”) is a world leader in precision time and frequency generation technology, which is employed in commercial and Government Satellite Payload systems, Secure Communications, Command, Control, Communication, Computer, Intelligence, Security and Reconnaissance (“C4ISR”), and Electronic Warfare (“EW”) systems. Its technology is used for a wide range of space and non-space applications.
Unless the context indicates otherwise, references to the Registrant or the Company are to Frequency Electronics, Inc. and its subsidiaries. References to “FEI” are to the parent company alone and do not refer to any of the subsidiaries. Frequency Electronics, a Delaware corporation, has its principal executive office at 55 Charles Lindbergh Boulevard, Mitchel Field, New York 11553. Its telephone number is 516-794-4500 and its website is www.frequencyelectronics.com.
Frequency Electronics was founded in 1961 as a research and development firm generating proprietary precision time and frequency technology primarily under contracts for end-use by the United States (“U.S.”) Government. In the mid-1990’s, the Company evolved into a designer, developer and manufacturer of state-of-the-art products for both commercial and government end-use. The Company’s present mission is to be the world leader in providing precision time and low phase noise frequency generation systems, from 1 Hz to 46 GHz for space and other challenging environments. The Company’s technology is the key element in enhancing the functionality and performance of many electronic systems.
MARKETS
The Company’s dominant end markets are satellite payloads and precision time for terrestrial secure communications and command and control.
For the satellite market, the Company has a unique legacy of providing master timing systems, power converters, and frequency generation, synthesis and distribution systems. It is currently addressing new opportunities for next-generation atomic clocks and low G-sensitive oscillators for both space and terrestrial applications representing a potential for a significant increase in revenue for FEI products. These products are applicable for both commercial and U.S. Government end-use. Currently, approximately one thousand satellites with varying remaining useful life are operating in High/Geostationary, Medium and Low Earth Orbits. The number of operational satellites with emphasis on high-throughput is expected to continue to grow over the next ten years as new satellites are added and older ones are replaced. Furthermore, the U.S. Government is expected to issue a contract for additional satellites for the GPS III Follow-on program, and the Company is well positioned to compete for the onboard clock ensemble with its high-precision digital atomic frequency standard.
For the terrestrial secure communications and command and control market, the Company’s products support multiple C4ISR counter measures and EW applications for the U.S. Government on land, sea and air-borne platforms. Recently identified threats to the communication capabilities of U.S. Government facilities through jamming, multi-path or “spoofing” global positioning systems (“GPS”) signals may be mitigated by the Company’s technologies. In addition, similar types of threats to the public and enterprise networks have been identified by the Department of Homeland Security. The Company’s high precision, ruggedized clocks combined with specialized software are essential for certain secure communication systems.
To address these markets, the Company has several corporate entities which operate under two reportable segments primarily based on the geographic locations of its subsidiaries. The two reportable segments are (1) FEI-NY, which includes the subsidiaries FEI Government Systems, Inc., FEI Communications, Inc., Frequency Electronics, Inc. Asia (“FEI-Asia”), being classified as an Asset Held for Sale, (see Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “Consolidated Financial Statements”) for details) and FEI-Elcom Tech, Inc. (“FEI-Elcom”) and (2) FEI-Zyfer, Inc. (“FEI-Zyfer”).
Frequency Electronics has made a strategic decision to focus on satellite payloads, C4ISR and EW market segments, because these business areas represent significant opportunities for revenue growth. Accordingly, the Company has divested its Gillam-FEI s.a. (“Gillam”) Belgium subsidiary, and has classified FEI-Asia as an Asset Held for Sale.
On April 26, 2018, the Company sold Gillam to a European entity, in a stock purchase agreement, for $1 million in cash and a note receivable payable in three years for $1 million. The loss recorded due to the sale of Gillam was approximately $359,000. For additional details see Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
1. FEI-NY - U.S. Government and commercial satellite electronics, as well as products for the U.S. military and commercial telecom customers, are designed and manufactured at the Company’s Long Island, New York headquarters facility.
FEI-Asia was established in fiscal year 2002 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, to be the Company’s Asia-based low-cost manufacturer of certain commercial communication products used primarily in the wireless and wireline markets as well as power grids. FEI-Asia is located in the Free-Trade Zone in Tianjin, China.
FEI-Elcom designs and manufactures Radio Frequency (“RF”) microwave modules, devices and subsystems up to 46 GHz including fast switching, ultra-low phase noise synthesizers, up-down converters, receivers, tuners, ceramic resonance oscillators and dielectric resonance oscillators. These instruments and components are mission critical for multiple applications in the EW market, SATCOM communication, surveillance, signal intelligence (COMINT, MASINT and ELINT), threat simulation, electronic attack (“EA”) and electronic prevention (“EP”) systems. FEI-Elcom’s RF microwave technology has also been utilized to develop new products for application in the Company’s satellite payload end market. The Company has consolidated FEI-Elcom’s manufacturing capabilities with other FEI-NY operations in an effort to reduce costs and improve margin.
2. FEI-Zyfer - Precision time references for terrestrial secure communications and command and control, and frequency products that incorporate GPS technology are manufactured by the Company’s subsidiary, FEI-Zyfer. FEI-Zyfer’s GPS capability complements the Company’s existing technologies and permits the combined entities to provide a broader range of embedded systems for a variety of timing functions and anti-spoofing (“SAASM”) applications.
For additional information about these reportable segments, see Item 1. Business - Reportable Segments and Products.
In addition to its subsidiaries, the Company made a strategic investment in and licensed certain technology to Morion, Inc. (“Morion”), a Russian crystal oscillator manufacturer located in St. Petersburg, Russia. The Company’s relationship with Morion, which includes ownership of 4.6% of the outstanding shares of Morion’s common stock, permits the Company to secure a cost-effective source for high precision quartz resonators and crystal oscillators. The Morion investment is accounted for under the cost method. For more information regarding the Company’s investment in Morion, see Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
REPORTABLE SEGMENTS AND PRODUCTS
The Company operates under two reportable segments, primarily aligned with the geographical locations of its subsidiaries: (1) FEI-NY and (2) FEI-Zyfer. Within each segment the Company designs, develops, manufactures and markets precision time and frequency control products for different markets as described below. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer measures segment performance based on total revenues and profits generated by each geographic center rather than on the specific types of customers or end-users. Consequently, the Company determined that the segments indicated above appropriately reflect the way the Company’s management views the business. The FEI-NY segment, which operates out of the Company’s Long Island, New York headquarters facility, also includes the operations of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, FEI-Asia and FEI-Elcom. FEI-Asia functions as a manufacturing facility for FEI-NY and FEI-Zyfer with historically minimal sales to outside customers. FEI-Elcom, in addition to its own product line, provides design and technical support for the FEI-NY segment’s business. The products manufactured by the FEI-NY segment are principally marketed to the commercial and U.S. Government satellite markets, to other U.S. Department of Defense (“DOD”) customers and to wireless communications network providers. The FEI-Zyfer segment, which operates out of California, designs and manufactures products which incorporate GPS technologies and high-precision clocks designed and manufactured at FEI-NY. FEI-Zyfer sells its products to both commercial and U.S. Government customers and collaborates with FEI-NY on joint product development activities.
During fiscal years 2019 and 2018, approximately 77% and 68%, respectively, of the Company’s consolidated revenues were from products sold by the FEI-NY segment. In fiscal years 2019 and 2018, sales for the FEI-Zyfer segment were 25% and 39% of consolidated revenues, respectively. (The sum of annual sales percentages exceeds 100% due to intersegment sales.)
Consolidated revenues include sales to end-users in countries located outside of the U.S., primarily in Europe and China. During fiscal years 2019 and 2018, foreign sales comprised 3% and 6%, respectively, of consolidated revenues. For segment information, see Note 14 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
FEI-NY segment:
The Company provides precision time, frequency generation and synchronization products and subsystems that are found on-board satellites, in ground-based communication systems and imbedded in mobile platforms operated by the U.S. military. The Company has made a substantial investment in research and development (“R&D”) to apply its core technologies to satellite payloads, non-space DOD programs and commercial and industrial markets. Revenues from satellite payloads, both for commercial and U.S. Government applications, have become the Company’s largest business area while the portion of network infrastructure sales has declined relatively. The Company expects to continue to generate substantial revenues from deployment of new and replacement satellites and other U.S. Government/DOD applications including sales of ruggedized subsystems for moving platforms of the U.S. military.
Satellite Payloads
The use of satellites launched for communications, navigation, weather forecasting, video and data transmissions and Internet access has expanded the need to transmit increasing amounts of voice, video, and data to earth-based receivers. This requires more precise timing and frequency control at the satellite. The Company manufactures the master timing systems (quartz, rubidium) and other significant timing and frequency generation products for communication satellites, and many of the Company’s other space assemblies are used onboard spacecraft for command, control and power distribution. Efficient and reliable DC-DC power converters are also manufactured for the Company’s own assemblies and as stand-alone products for space applications. The Company’s oven-controlled quartz crystal oscillators are cost-effective precision frequency sources suited for high-end performance required in satellite communications, airborne and terrestrial datalinks and geophysical survey positioning systems. Newly developed and upgraded frequency generators, synthesizers, and up/down converters and receivers have augmented the Company’s product offerings and positioned the Company to provide a greater share of a typical satellite’s payload. Commercial satellite programs which utilize the Company’s space-qualified products include Iridium NEXT Constellation, Intelsat EPIC, O3B, WAAS, MexSat, MSV, ICO, TerreStar, EchoStar, Inmarsat and others. The Company is also positioned to potentially provide products for planned satellite constellations that will operate in low- or mid-earth orbits.
In the years ahead, the Company expects that the DOD will require more secure communication capabilities, more assets in space and greater bandwidth. The Global Positioning Satellite System, the MILSTAR Satellite System and the AEHF Satellite System are examples of the programs in which the Company has participated or will participate - programs which management believes are important to the success of the U.S. Government’s communication, intelligence and Precision Navigation and Timing (PNT) needs. The Company previously manufactured the master clock for the Trident missile, the basic timing system for the Voyager I and Voyager II deep space exploratory missions and the quartz timing system for the Space Shuttle. The Company’s product offerings for U.S. Government satellite programs are similar in design and function to those used on commercial satellites, as described above. The Company is developing an advanced technology optically pumped rubidium atomic clock intended for a variety of government programs requiring higher precision timing, which it believes will become the next generation of space and terrestrial atomic clocks.
U.S. Government- Non-space:
In addition to space-based programs, the Company’s proprietary products have been used in airborne and ground-based guidance, navigation, communications, radar, sonar and electronic countermeasures and timing systems. The Company has developed and patented a low g-sensitivity (gravity) technology which offers a 100 times improvement in performance under shock, vibration and other environmental effects. Products are built in accordance with DOD standards and are in use on many of the U.S. Government’s important military applications. The Company anticipates that adequate funds will be provided by the U.S. Government to ensure that these programs are sustained.
FEI-Elcom addresses RF microwave modules and subsystems up to 46 GHz including fast switching, ultra-low phase noise synthesizers, up-down converters, receivers, tuners, ceramic resonance oscillators and dielectric resonance oscillators. These instruments and components are mission critical for many applications in the EW market, including SATCOM communication, surveillance, intelligence collection (SIGINT, COMINT, MASINT, and ELINT), threat simulation, EA and EP systems.
The Company’s sales on U.S. Government programs for both space and non-space applications are generally made under fixed price or cost-plus contracts either directly with U.S. Government agencies or indirectly through subcontracts intended for government end-use. For fixed-price contracts, the price paid to the Company is not subject to adjustment by reason of costs incurred by the Company in the performance of the contract, except for costs incurred due to contract changes ordered by the customer. These contracts are negotiated on terms under which the Company bears the risk of cost overruns and derives the benefit from cost savings. Cost-plus contracts reimburse the Company for the actual costs incurred in performance of the contract requirements.
As indicated above, many of the programs and platforms for which the Company supplies products and systems, are used by the U.S. Government for maintaining secure communications world-wide, for obtaining vital intelligence and for enabling precision targeting capabilities. It is the belief of management that the future success of the mission of the U.S. military and intelligence community is dependent on successful and timely deployment of these systems. Thus, the Company anticipates that adequate funds will be provided by the U.S. Government to ensure that the programs are completed. However, the Company’s experience indicates that programs and/or product sales can be delayed due to periodic U.S. Government appropriations cycles.
Negotiations on U.S. Government contracts are sometimes based in part on Certificates of Current Costs. An inaccuracy in such certificates may entitle the government to an appropriate recovery. The Company’s accounts with respect to these contracts are subject to audit by the Defense Contracts Audit Agency (“DCAA”). Frequency’s last full incurred cost audit was performed in 2008. The Company is required to submit for subsequent review an incurred cost report by October 31, for each year then ended. All such required reports have been filed with no adverse comment to date.
FEI has a DCAA audited and approved accounting system, which enables the company to enter into contracts directly with U.S. Government agencies that require government certified accounting systems.
Government end-use contracts are subject to termination by the purchaser for convenience or default, as well as various other Federal Acquisition Regulations (“FAR”) provisions. In the event of a termination for convenience, the Company is entitled to receive compensation as provided under the specific terms of such contracts. There were no end-use contracts terminated for the year ended April 30, 2019.
FEI-Zyfer segment:
FEI-Zyfer designs, develops and manufactures products which provide Precision Navigation and Timing (PNT), primarily incorporating GNSS technology. FEI-Zyfer’s products make use of both “in-the-clear” civil and “crypto-secured” military signals from GPS. FEI-Zyfer’s products are integrated into radar systems, airborne SIGINT/COMINT platforms, information networks, test equipment, military command and control terminals, and satellite ground stations. FEI-Zyfer’s products are an important extension of FEI’s core product line, specifically in secure PNT for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Combat Systems, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C5ISR). Recently identified threats to the communication capabilities of U.S. Government and to the public and enterprise networks through jamming, multi-path or “spoofing” GPS signals may be mitigated by FEI-Zyfer’s technologies and products. High precision, ruggedized clocks combined with specialized software are essential for certain communication and operational security. More than 90% of FEI-Zyfer’s revenues are derived from sales where the end user is the U.S. Government.
BACKLOG
As of April 30, 2019, the Company’s consolidated backlog amounted to approximately $37 million compared to approximately $30 million at the end of the prior fiscal year. Approximately 80% of the current backlog is expected to be filled during the Company’s fiscal year ending April 30, 2020. As of April 30, 2019, there are no amounts included in backlog under cost-plus fixed-fee (“CPFF”) contracts that have not been funded. The Company excludes from backlog those contracts or awards for which it has not received authorization to proceed. On fixed price contracts, the Company excludes any unfunded portion. The Company expects any partially funded contracts to become fully funded over time and will add the additional funding to its backlog at that time. The backlog is subject to change for various reasons, including possible cancellation of orders, change orders, terms of the contracts and other factors beyond the Company’s control. Accordingly, the backlog is not necessarily indicative of the revenues or profits (losses) which may be realized when the results of such contracts are reported.
CUSTOMERS AND SUPPLIERS
The Company markets its products both directly and through independent sales representative organizations located in the U.S., Europe and Asia. Sales to non-U.S. end-users totaled approximately 3% and 6% of net revenues in fiscal years 2019 and 2018, respectively.
The Company’s products are sold to both commercial and governmental customers. For the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018, approximately 87% and 74%, respectively, of the Company’s sales were made under contracts to the U.S. Government or subcontracts for U.S. Government end-use.
During fiscal year 2019, Lockheed Martin Corporation (“Lockheed Martin”) and BAE Systems, each accounted for more than 10% of FEI-NY segment revenues; additionally, Lockheed Martin accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated revenues. During fiscal year 2018, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman Corporation (“Northrop Grumman”) and Thales Alenia Space each accounted for more than 10% of FEI-NY segment revenues; additionally, Lockheed Martin also accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated revenues.
During fiscal year 2018, Raytheon Company (“Raytheon”) and Naval Supply Systems Command Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk Contracting Philadelphia Office (“NAVSUP”) each accounted for more than 10% of FEI-Zyfer segment revenues; additionally, Raytheon also accounted for more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated revenues.
The loss by the Company of any one of these customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business. The Company believes its relationship with these companies to be mutually satisfactory and is not aware of any prospect for the cancellation or significant reduction of any of its commercial or existing U.S. Government contracts.
The Company purchases a variety of components such as transistors, resistors, capacitors, connectors and diodes for use in the manufacture of its products. The Company is not dependent upon any one supplier or source of supply for any of its component part purchases and maintains alternative sources of supply for all of its purchased components. The Company has found its suppliers generally to be reliable and price-competitive.
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The Company’s technological leadership continues to be an essential factor to support future growth in revenues and earnings. The Company has focused its internal R&D efforts on improving the core physics and electronic packages in its time and frequency products, conducting research to develop new time and frequency technologies and capabilities, improving product manufacturability by seeking to reduce its production costs through product redesign and process improvements and other measures to take advantage of lower cost components.
The Company continues to focus a significant portion of its own resources and efforts on developing hardware for satellite (commercial and U.S. Government) and terrestrial commercial communications systems, including wireless and GPS-related systems. During fiscal years 2019 and 2018, the Company expended $6.5 million and $7.0 million of its own funds, respectively, on such R&D activity. See Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations. Additionally, the Company receives customer funding for specific R&D projects and anticipates additional funding from customers for future R&D initiatives. During fiscal years 2019 and 2018, some of the Company’s development resources were applied to certain CPFF contracts and the design-stage of fixed-price satellite payload programs. For fiscal year 2020, the resources to be allocated to R&D will depend on market conditions and identification of new opportunities, as was the case in fiscal 2019.
PATENTS AND LICENSES
The Company believes that its business is generally not dependent on patent or license protection. Rather, it is primarily dependent upon the Company’s technical competence, the quality of its products and its prompt and responsible contract performance. However, employees working for the Company assign all rights to inventions to the Company, and the Company presently holds such patents and licenses. In certain limited circumstances, the U.S. Government may use or permit the use by the Company’s competitors of certain patents or licenses the government has funded. During fiscal year 2003, the Company received a broad and significant patent for proprietary quartz oscillator technology which the Company has incorporated into its legacy designs, and which it will incorporate into future designs, to exploit in both legacy and new applications. In 2006, the Company obtained a basic patent for its low g-sensitivity technology which management believes will permit greatly enhanced performance of devices on moving platforms and under externally imposed shock or vibration.
COMPETITION
The Company experiences competition in all areas of its business. Many of the Company’s competitors are larger, have greater financial resources and have larger R&D and marketing staffs. The Company has a strong history of competing successfully in this environment due to the quality, reliability and outstanding record of performance its products have achieved. The Company competes primarily on the basis of the accuracy, performance and reliability of its products, the ability of its products to function under severe conditions, such as in space or in other extremely hostile environments, and the Company’s track record of prompt and responsive contract performance and technical competence. The Company has unique and broad capabilities which include quartz, rubidium and cesium-based timing references and specialized RF microwave technology. With respect to very high precision products, the Company encounters fewer competitors than it does for lower precision products for which there are a significant number of suppliers.
The Company’s principal competition for space products is the in-house capability of its major customers such as Boeing, Northrop Grumman and Lockheed Martin as well as a number of other firms capable of providing high-reliability microwave frequency generators. With respect to non-space products, such as systems for precision time for terrestrial secure communication and command and control, and products for multiple applications in the EW market, the Company competes with larger domestic companies such as the previous Microsemi Corporation (now a part of Microchip Technology Inc.) and Mercury Systems.
The Company has previously outsourced certain manufacturing processes to third parties and to its wholly-owned subsidiary, FEI-Asia in Tianjin, China and to Russia-based Morion, in which the Company is a minority shareholder. The Company believes its ability to obtain raw materials, manufacture finished products, integrate them into systems and sub-systems and interface these systems with highly sophisticated end-user applications provides a strong competitive edge.
EMPLOYEES
The Company employs approximately 280 full-time persons worldwide. No employees are represented by labor unions.
OTHER ASPECTS
The Company’s business is not seasonal although it expects to experience some fluctuation in revenues during the second fiscal quarter as a result of summer holiday periods. No unusual working capital requirements exist. Our U.S. Government contracts are subject to FARS, which impose various requirements and failure to comply could potentially have consequences.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY
The executive officers hold office until the annual meeting of the Board of Directors following the annual meeting of stockholders, subject to earlier removal by the Board of Directors.
The names of all executive officers of the Company and all positions and offices with the Company which they presently hold are as follows:
Stanton D. Sloane
-
President and Chief Executive Officer
Martin B. Bloch
-
Chief Scientist and Executive Chairman of the Board
Oleandro Mancini
-
Senior Vice President, Business Development
Steven Strang
-
President, FEI-Zyfer
Thomas McClelland
-
Vice President, Advanced Development
Adrian Lalicata
-
Vice President, RF & Microwave Systems
Steven L. Bernstein
-
Chief Financial Officer and Secretary and Treasurer
Stanton D. Sloane, age 68, has served as a Director of the Company since August 2016. On May 1, 2018, Dr. Sloane was named President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Prior to being named President and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Sloane had served as the Chief Operating Officer of the Company since September 2017. Dr. Sloane was President and Chief Executive Officer of Comtech Telecommunications Corp. (Nasdaq: CMTL) from January 2015 until September 2016 and a director of Comtech from January 2012 until September 2016. Prior to joining Comtech, Dr. Sloane was President and CEO and a Director of Decision Sciences International Corporation, a privately-held advanced security and detection systems company, from August 2011 through January 2015. Prior to that, he served as President and CEO and a Directors of SRA International, Inc. (“SRA”), an information solutions company. He served as President and CEO of SRA from April 2007 through July 2011, during which time he helped lead the sale of SRA to a private equity firm. Prior to joining SRA, he was Executive Vice President of Lockheed Martin's Integrated Systems & Solutions from June 2004 until April 2007. He began his business career with General Electric Aerospace in 1984 and progressed through engineering, program management, and business development assignments in a variety of General Electric Aerospace and subsequently Lockheed Martin businesses. He also served as an officer in the U.S. Navy from 1976 until 1981. Dr. Sloane holds a bachelor's degree in Professional Studies (Aeronautics) from Barry University, a master's degree in Human Resources Management from Pepperdine University, and a Doctor of Management degree from the Weatherhead Business School at Case Western Reserve University.
Martin B. Bloch, age 83, has served as a Director of the Company and of its predecessor since 1961. Mr. Bloch has served as the Company’s Chief Scientist since May 1, 2018. Prior to being named Chief Scientist, he served continuously since 1961 as the Company's President and, except for December 1993 through October 1998, as its Chief Executive Officer. Previously, he served as chief electronics engineer of the Electronics Division of Bulova Watch Company.
Oleandro Mancini, age 70, joined the Company in August 2000 as Vice President, Business Development and was promoted to Senior Vice President in 2010. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Mancini served from 1998 to 2000 as Vice President, Sales and Marketing at Satellite Transmission Systems, Inc. and from 1995 to 1998 as Vice President, Business Development at Cardion, Inc., a Siemens A.G. company. From 1987 to 1995, he held the position of Vice President, Engineering at Cardion, Inc.
Steven Strang, age 55, was named President of FEI-Zyfer, Inc., effective May 1, 2005. Previously, Mr. Strang was Executive Vice President of this subsidiary and its predecessor companies where he has served for 20 years in various technical and management positions.
Thomas McClelland, age 64, joined the Company as an engineer in 1984 and was elected Vice President, Commercial Products in March 1999. In fiscal year 2011, Mr. McClelland’s title was modified to Vice President Advanced Development to describe his expanded role in the Company.
Adrian Lalicata, age 72, joined the Company in 2006 as Vice President, RF & Microwave Systems. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Lalicata served as Vice President of Engineering at Herley-CTI and Communication Techniques, a Dover Company. Mr. Lalicata has also served as Director of Engineering at Microphase Corp. and Adcomm, Inc. He also held leading engineering positions at Loral Electronic Systems, Cardion Electronics, and Airborne Instruments Laboratories.
Steven L. Bernstein, age 54, joined the Company in April 2010 as its Controller and was appointed to the position of Chief Financial Officer in April 2016. Effective January 1, 2019, Mr. Bernstein was also appointed as Secretary and Treasurer of the Company, in addition to his role as Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Bernstein worked in the North America accounting group of Arrow Electronics, a Fortune 500 electronics distributor.
Item 1A.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
This item is not required for smaller reporting companies.
Item 1B.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
Not Applicable.
Item 2.
Item 2. Properties
The Company operates out of several facilities located around the world. Each facility is used for manufacturing its products and for administrative activities. The following table presents the location, size and terms of ownership/occupation:
The Company’s facility located in Mitchel Field, Long Island, New York, is part of the building that the Company constructed in 1981 and expanded in 1988 on land leased from Nassau County. In January 1998, the Company sold this building and the related land lease to Reckson Associates Realty Corp. (“Reckson”), leasing back the space that it presently occupies.
The Company leased its manufacturing and office space from Reckson under an initial 11-year lease followed by two five-year renewal periods which ended in January 2019. On July 25, 2018, the Company signed an amendment to the lease with RA 55 CLB LLC (as successor-in-interest to Reckson) which extended the current lease terms ten years and eight months through September 30, 2029. Pursuant to the amendment to the lease agreement, the Company shall pay a gradually increasing annual rent of $1,046,810 in 2019 to $1,276,056 in 2029. The Company believes the leased space is adequate to meet the Company’s domestic operational needs which encompass the principal operations of the FEI-NY segment and also serves as the Company’s world-wide corporate headquarters.
The Garden Grove, California facility is leased by the Company’s subsidiary, FEI-Zyfer. The facility consists of a combination office and manufacturing space. The Company has signed a second amendment to the lease, which extends the lease an additional 88 months, beginning October 1, 2017 and expiring January 31, 2025. The average annual rent over the period of the amendment is approximately $312,000. The Company believes the leased space is adequate to meet FEI-Zyfer’s operational needs.
The Tianjin, China facility is the location of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, FEI-Asia. The subsidiary’s office and manufacturing facility is located in the Tianjin Free-Trade Zone. The lease was renewable annually with monthly rent of $8,500 through August 2019. As mentioned in Footnote 3, below, FEI-Asia was sold on May 21, 2019 and as a result the lease commitment transferred with the sale.
FEI-Elcom entered into a new lease agreement on February 1, 2018 regarding its Northvale, New Jersey facility. The facility consists of a combination office and manufacturing space. The lease, which expires in January 31, 2021, requires monthly payments of $9,673. The Company believes the leased space is adequate to meet FEI-Elcom’s operational needs.
Item 3.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
From time to time, the Company may become a defendant in litigation arising out of the ordinary course of business. As of July 26, 2019, the Company is not a party to any material legal proceeding.
Item 4.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
PART II
Item 5.
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The common stock of the Company is listed on The Nasdaq Global Market (“NASDAQ”) under the ticker symbol “FEIM.” As of July 25, 2019, the approximate number of holders of record of common stock was 520.
DIVIDEND POLICY
The Board of Directors reviews the Company’s dividend policy at each regular meeting. No dividends were declared or paid during fiscal years 2019 and 2018.
STOCK BUYBACK PROGRAM
In March 2005, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program for up to $5 million of the Company’s outstanding common stock. This program does not have an expiration date. Shares may be purchased in open market purchases, private transactions or otherwise at such times and from time to time, and at such prices and in such amounts as the Company believes appropriate and in the best interests of its shareholders. The timing and volume of repurchases will vary depending on market conditions and other factors. Purchases may be commenced or suspended at any time without notice. During fiscal year 2009, the Company repurchased 724,632 shares under the buyback program, including a block purchase of 615,000 shares from its former largest institutional shareholder. The average purchase price was $4.29 per share or an aggregate amount of approximately $3.1 million. With these purchases, the Company has acquired approximately $4 million of its common stock out of the total authorization of $5 million. The Company did not make any purchases of stock for the treasury during fiscal years 2019 or 2018.
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION
(1)
The Company’s equity compensation plans are described in Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Item 6.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Not Applicable.
Item 7.
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:
The statements in this Annual Report on Form 10-K regarding future earnings and operations and other statements relating to the future constitute “forward-looking” statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements inherently involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. Factors that would cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, inability to integrate operations and personnel, actions by significant customers or competitors, general domestic and international economic conditions, consumer spending trends, reliance on key customers, continued acceptance of the Company’s products in the marketplace, competitive factors, new products and technological changes, product prices and raw material costs, dependence upon third-party vendors, competitive developments, changes in manufacturing and transportation costs, the availability of capital, and the outcome of any litigation and arbitration proceedings. The factors listed above are not exhaustive. Other sections of this Form 10-K include additional factors that could materially and adversely impact the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Moreover, the Company operates in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict the impact of all these factors on the Company’s business, financial condition or results of operations or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not rely on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. Any or all of the forward-looking statements contained in this Form 10-K and any other public statement made by the Company or its management may turn out to be incorrect. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
The Company’s significant accounting policies are described in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company believes its most critical accounting policies to be the recognition of revenue and costs on production contracts, income taxes and the valuation of inventory. Each of these areas requires the Company to make use of reasonable estimates, including estimating the cost to complete a contract, the realizable value of its inventory or the market value of its products. Changes in estimates can have a material impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized when a performance obligation is satisfied, which is when the expected goods or services are transferred to the customer, in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to receive. A performance obligation is a distinct product or service that is transferred to the customer based on the contract. The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation and is recognized as revenue upon satisfaction of that performance obligation. The Company derives revenue from contracts with customers by units sold with specific specifications and frequencies that are used by a specific customer and contracts where the end user is the government. The Company’s contracts typically include multiple performance obligations which are satisfied either by shipped projects or the completion of milestones as defined in the contract. The transaction price is allocated either (i) based on the sale price of each item shipped or (ii) as defined by the milestones stated in the contract.
Revenues under larger, long-term contracts, which generally require billings based on achievement of milestones rather than delivery of product, are reported in operating results using the Percentage of Completion (“POC”) method. On fixed-price contracts, which are typical for commercial and U.S. Government satellite programs and other long-term U.S. Government projects, and which require initial design and development of the product, revenue is recognized on the cost-to-cost method. Under this method, revenue is recorded based upon the ratio that incurred costs bear to total estimated contract costs with related cost of sales recorded as the costs are incurred. Each month management reviews estimated contract costs through a process of aggregating actual costs incurred and estimating additional costs to completion based upon the current available information and status of the contract. The effect of any change in the estimated gross margin rate (“GM Rate”) for a contract is reflected in revenues in the period in which the change is known. Provisions for the full amount of anticipated losses on contracts are made in the period in which they become determinable.
On production-type orders, revenue is recorded as units are delivered with the related cost of sales recognized on each shipment based upon a percentage of estimated final program costs. Changes in job performance on long-term contracts and production-type orders may result in revisions to costs and income and are recognized in the period in which revisions are determined to be required. Provisions for anticipated losses on customer orders are made in the period in which they become determinable.
For customer orders in the Company’s FEI-Zyfer segment or smaller contracts or orders in the FEI-NY segment, sales of products and services to customers are reported in operating results based upon (i) shipment of the product or (ii) performance of the services pursuant to terms of the customer order. When payment is contingent upon customer acceptance of the installed system, revenue is deferred until such acceptance is received and installation completed.
In connection with the adoption of ASU 2014-09, there were changes to the timing of the Company’s revenue recognition associated with the significant portion of our business that was not being accounted for as POC in prior years for contracts where the end customer was the U.S. Government. These production-type contracts under which revenue was previously recorded as Passage of Title (“POT”) are currently being recognized as POC following adoption of this ASU. As a result, the Company will begin recognizing revenue earlier under these contracts. The Company’s products generally carry a one-year warranty, but may vary based on the contract terms.
Significant judgment is used in evaluating the financial information for certain contracts related to the adoption of this ASU to determine an appropriate budget and estimated cost. The Company evaluates this information continuously and bases its judgments on historical experience, design specifications, and expected costs for material and labor.
Contract costs include all direct material, direct labor costs, manufacturing overhead and other direct costs related to contract performance. Selling, general and administrative costs are charged to expense as incurred.
Inventory
In accordance with industry practice, inventoried costs contain amounts relating to contracts and programs with long production cycles, a portion of which will not be realized within one year. Inventory write downs are established for slow-moving materials, obsolete items and costs incurred on programs for which production-level orders cannot be determined as probable. Such write-downs are based upon management’s experience and expectations for future business. Any changes arising from revised expectations are reflected in cost of sales in the period the revision is made. The Company has implemented additional policies to better manage inventory going forward, and feels it is better positioned for the future after these events.
Income Taxes
Our income tax expense, deferred tax asset and liabilities, and liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits reflect management’s best estimate of current and future taxes to be paid. We are subject to tax in the U. S. and foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgments and estimates are required in the determination of the consolidated income tax expense.
Deferred income taxes arise from temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements, which will result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future. In evaluating our ability to recover deferred tax assets in the jurisdiction from which they arise, we consider all positive and negative evidence, including the reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies, and results of recent operations. As of April 30, 2019 and 2018, we have a full valuation allowance against our U.S. net deferred tax assets. If these estimates and assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to reduce its existing valuation allowance resulting in less income tax expense. The Company evaluates the likelihood of realizing its deferred tax assets quarterly.
Tax benefits are recognized for an uncertain tax position when, in the Company’s judgment, it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority. For a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the tax benefit is measured as the largest amount that is judged to have a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority. The liability associated with unrecognized tax benefits is adjusted periodically due to changing circumstances and when new information becomes available. Such adjustments are recognized entirely in the period in which they are identified. The effective tax rate includes the net impact of changes in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits and subsequent adjustments as considered appropriate by the Company. While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular tax matter, the Company believes its liability for unrecognized tax benefits is adequate. Interest and penalties recognized on income taxes are recorded as income tax expense.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Discontinued Operations Presentation
The results of Gillam for fiscal year ended April 30, 2018 is presented as discontinued operations in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss. Unless otherwise stated, financial results discussed herein refer to continuing operations.
Consolidated Results
The table below sets forth for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018, the percentage of consolidated net sales represented by certain items in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations:
Revenues
Fiscal 2019 revenues from satellite programs, one of the Company’s largest business area, increased by $8.6 million, or 61%, compared to the prior fiscal year. For Fiscal 2019 satellite program revenues for government end use were 46% of total revenues as compared to 36% for the prior fiscal year. Satellite program revenues for commercial end use were 5% and 14% of total revenue for Fiscal 2019 and Fiscal 2018, respectively. Revenues on satellite program contracts are recorded in the FEI-NY segment and are recognized primarily under the POC method. Sales revenues from non-space U.S. Government/DOD customers increased by approximately $5.2 million or 29% in Fiscal 2019 compared to prior fiscal year. These revenues are recorded in both the FEI-NY and FEI-Zyfer segments and accounted for approximately 46% and 45% of consolidated revenues for fiscal years 2019 and 2018, respectively. For the year ended April 30, 2019, other commercial and industrial sales accounted for approximately 8% of consolidated revenues compared to approximately 19% for fiscal year 2018. Sales in this business area were $3.9 million for the year ended April 30, 2019 compared to $7.6 million for the preceding year. Changes in revenue for the current year are partially due to implementation of ASU 2014-09 (see Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
Gross Profit
For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019, the gross profit and gross profit percentage both increased compared to the prior year. The higher gross profit and gross profit percentage was the result of higher revenues and decreased repair costs. Increased margin and margin percent result from higher revenues in relation to levels of relatively fixed overhead cost required to be maintained for the Company’s mission. For the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019, gross margin includes a charge of $1.1 million as a result of changes in inventory reserve policy. Gross profit and gross profit percentage for Fiscal 2018 were negatively impacted by the inclusion of $5.6 million of inventory adjustments.
Selling and Administrative Expenses
In fiscal years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018, selling and administrative costs (“SG&A”) were 24% and 27%, respectively, of consolidated revenues. SG&A decreased as a percentage of consolidated revenues due to the increase in revenues as compared to the increase in SG&A dollars. The percentage decrease of SG&A was impacted by the year over year increase in revenues. SG&A expenses in Fiscal 2019 included a one-time charge of approximately $1 million for the loss associated with the sale of FEI-Asia. Increased deferred compensation expense and professional fees were partially offset by cost savings in moving certain manufacturing from New Jersey to New York and moving the New Jersey facility into a smaller space. Stock compensation expenses which are included in total SG&A, were $298,000 and $275,000 in Fiscal 2019 and Fiscal 2018, respectively.
Research and Development Expenses
As a percentage of consolidated revenue, R&D expense for the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018 was approximately 13% and 18%, respectively. The approximately $440,000 decrease in expense year over year reflects a higher level of customer funded R&D as a portion of the total R&D effort. These R&D efforts address large business opportunities in secure communications command and control, and satellite systems that require advanced technologies and capabilities going forward.
The funds received in connection with customer funded R&D appears in revenues and the associated expenses are included in costs of revenues and are not included in the table above. The Company anticipates that changing U.S. Government limitation of funding priorities will reduce levels of customer funded R&D in Fiscal 2020. Although funding is obtained from customers, the Company retains the rights to any products developed. The Company believes that internally generated cash and cash reserves are adequate to fund its R&D activity.
Operating (Loss)
For fiscal year ended April 30, 2019, the Company recorded an operating loss of $2.8 million compared to an operating loss of $12.4 million in the prior year.
Operating loss reflects approximately $1 million related to the loss on the sale of FEI-Asia and a charge of $1.1 million related to the Company’s new inventory reserve policy. For fiscal year ended April 30, 2018, the operating loss included approximately $5.6 million inventory adjustments, approximately $3.0 of unabsorbed manufacturing overhead and other costs related to lower sales.
Other Income (Expense)
Investment income is derived primarily from the Company’s holdings of marketable securities. Earnings on securities may vary based on fluctuating interest rates, dividend payout levels, and the timing of purchases, sales, redemptions or maturities of securities. Investment income in Fiscal 2018 included gains of approximately $1.0 million from divesting all of the Company’s holdings in equity securities compared to minimal gains in Fiscal 2019. In Fiscal 2019, the Company received approximately $290,000 in interest and dividends compared to $220,000 in the prior year. The majority of the other income (expense) was $325,000 of certain miscellaneous income and the proceeds of an insurance policy.
Income Tax Provision
Effective tax rate on pre-tax book income:
For the year ended April 30, 2019, the Company recorded an income tax provision of $56,000 primarily related to a state and local taxes, a foreign tax benefit and an increase in the uncertain tax position liability. The Company recorded income tax provision of $11.2 million in the prior year when it established a full valuation allowance against its U.S. net deferred tax assets as they became unrealizable on a more-likely-than-not basis.
The Company’s effective tax rate of (2.27%) differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% primarily as a result of a domestic pretax loss for which there is no tax benefit, state and local taxes, a foreign tax benefit and an increase in the uncertain tax position liability. (See Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a reconciliation of the actual tax benefit to the expected tax provision at the federal statutory rate, the components of deferred taxes and a tabular roll-forward of unrecognized tax benefits.)
As of April 30, 2019, the Company has U.S. federal net operating losses of $23 million of which $4 million begins to expire in Fiscal 2023 through 2031 and which are subject to annual limitation under Internal Revenue Code Section 382. The remaining U.S. federal net operating losses of $18.9 million have an indefinite carry-forward period. The U.S. federal capital loss carry-forward of $9.9 million expires in 2023. The Company also has state net operating loss carry-forwards, R&D tax credits, and state tax credits that expire in various years and amounts.
On December 22, 2017 the legislation commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA” or the “Act”) was enacted into law. The Act made comprehensive changes to the U.S. tax code, including, but not limited to:
(1) reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%; (2) changing rules related to uses and limitations of net operating loss carry-forwards created in tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, as well as the repeal of the current carryback provisions for net operating losses arising in tax years ending after December 31, 2017; (3) immediate full expensing of certain qualified property; (4) creating a new limitation on deductible interest expense; (5) eliminating the corporate alternative minimum tax; (6) repeal of the deduction for income attributable to domestic production activities; and (7) changes in the manner in which international operations are taxed in the U.S. including a mandatory one-time transition tax on the accumulated untaxed earnings of foreign subsidiaries of U.S. shareholders.
In response to the TCJA, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”), which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of TCJA. The purpose of SAB 118 was to address any uncertainty or diversity of view in applying ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes in the reporting period in which the TCJA was enacted. SAB 118 addresses situations where the accounting is incomplete for certain income tax effects of the TJCA upon issuance of a company’s financial statements for the reporting period which include the enactment date. SAB 118 allows for a provisional amount to be recorded if it is a reasonable estimate of the impact of the TCJA. Additionally, SAB 118 allows for a measurement period to finalize the impacts of the TCJA, not to extend beyond one year from the date of enactment. For the year ended April 30, 2018, the Company recorded a provisional decrease in its deferred tax assets and liabilities for the reduction in the federal tax rate with a corresponding adjustment to the valuation allowance. During the year ended April 30, 2019, the Company completed the accounting for the tax effects of the TCJA with no material changes to the provisional estimate recorded in prior periods.
The TCJA also established the Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) provisions that impose a tax on foreign income in excess of a deemed return on tangible assets on foreign corporations. The Company does not anticipate being subject to GILTI due to the sale of Gillam in Fiscal 2018 and the treatment of FEI-Asia as a disregarded entity for U.S. tax purposes.
Discontinued Operations
On April 26, 2018, the Company sold Gillam to a European entity in a stock purchase agreement, for $1.0 million in cash and a note receivable payable in three years for $1.0 million. The loss recorded due to the sale of Gillam was approximately $359,000 in Fiscal 2018.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Net cash from continuing operations used in operations was $0.6 million in Fiscal 2019 compared to cash provided by operations of $3.3 million in Fiscal 2018. The Company’s balance sheet continues to reflect a highly liquid position with working capital of $46.9 million at April 30, 2019. Included in working capital at April 30, 2019 is approximately $11.9 million consisting of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. The Company’s current ratio at April 30, 2019 is 9.0 to 1 compared to 9.9 to 1 at the end of the prior fiscal year.
During fiscal years 2019 and 2018, the Company incurred $6.2 million and $18.4 million, respectively, in non-cash charges to earnings, including adjustments relating to the Asia assets held for sale in Fiscal 2019, the sale of Gillam in Fiscal 2018, depreciation and amortization expense, inventory adjustments, warranty and accounts receivable reserves and certain employee benefit plan expenses, including accounting for stock-based compensation. During fiscal year 2019, operating cash was decreased by increases in accounts receivable and prepaid expenses offset by decreases in inventory. During fiscal year 2018, operating cash was increased by decreases in inventory, accounts payable, and accounts receivable.
Net cash used in investing activities for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019 was $7.2 million compared to $0.3 million provided by investing activities in fiscal year 2018. In fiscal year 2019, investing activities included adjustments to the investment in FEI-Asia related to the available-for-sale status of $2.5 million, the purchase of marketable securities net of proceeds related to sales of marketable securities of $1.9 million, and purchases of fixed assets of $2.8 million. In fiscal year 2018, investing activities included net proceeds from the sale of Gillam of approximately $188,000, net proceeds from the redemption, sale or purchase of marketable securities for approximately $1.5 million and uses of cash for the acquisitions of capital equipment and other long-term assets for approximately $1.4 million. The Company may continue to invest cash equivalents as dictated by its investment and acquisition strategies.
There was no cash provided by financing activities for the current nor prior year. As of April 30, 2019, the Company had available credit at variable terms based on its securities holdings under an advisory arrangement, under which no borrowings have been made.
The Company will continue to expend resources to develop, improve and acquire products for space applications, guidance and targeting systems, and communication systems which management believes will result in future growth and profitability. During fiscal year 2019, the Company secured partial customer funding for a portion of its R&D efforts. The customer funds received in connection therewith appear in revenues and are not included in R&D expenses. For fiscal year 2020, the Company anticipates securing additional customer funding for a portion of its R&D activities and will allocate internal funds depending on market conditions and identification of new opportunities as in fiscal 2019. The Company expects internally generated cash will be adequate to fund these R&D efforts. The Company may also pursue acquisitions to expand its range of products and may use internally generated cash and external funding in connection with such acquisitions.
The Company’s international business may be subject to changes where contracts are delineated in other than U.S. Dollars.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, other than operating leases, that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.
As of April 30, 2019, the Company’s consolidated backlog amounted to approximately $37 million as compared to approximately $30 million at the beginning of the fiscal year. See Item 1. Business - Backlog. Approximately 80% of this backlog is expected to be filled during the Company’s fiscal year ending April 30, 2020. The Company excludes from backlog any contracts or awards for which it has not received authorization to proceed. On fixed price contracts, the Company excludes any unfunded portion. The Company expects any partially funded contracts to become fully funded over time and will add the additional funding to its backlog at that time. The backlog is subject to change by reason of several factors including possible cancellation of orders, change orders, terms of the contracts and other factors beyond the Company’s control. Accordingly, the backlog is not necessarily indicative of the revenues or profits (losses) which may be realized when the results of such contracts are reported.
The Company’s liquidity is adequate to meet its operating and investment needs through at least July 26, 2020.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-13 Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) (“ASU 2018-13”) which modifies the disclosure requirement on fair value measurements. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is evaluating the effect, if any, the update will have on the financial statements when adopted in Fiscal 2021.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”), which simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under ASU 2017-04 goodwill impairment will be tested by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognizing an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. The new guidance must be applied on a prospective basis and is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company will not be early adopting and is in the process of determining the effect that ASU 2017-04 may have; however, the Company expects the new standard to have an immaterial effect on its financial statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (“ASU 2016-13”), which replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is evaluating the effect, if any, the update will have on the financial statements when adopted in Fiscal 2021.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842). The objective of the update is to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The standard requires a modified retrospective transition approach for existing leases. The amendments of the ASU 2016-02 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this standard at the beginning of Fiscal 2020 and recognize a right-of-use asset of approximately $13.2 million and a corresponding lease liability of approximately $13.4 million.
OTHER MATTERS
The financial information reported herein is not necessarily indicative of future operating results or of the future financial condition of the Company. Except as noted, management is unaware of any impending transactions or internal events that are likely to have a material adverse effect on results from operations.
INFLATION
During fiscal year 2019, as in fiscal year 2018, the impact of inflation on the Company’s business has not been materially significant.
Item 7A.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk
Not applicable
Item 8.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of
Frequency Electronics, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Frequency Electronics, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the "Company") as of April 30, 2019 and 2018, and the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, cash flows, and changes in stockholders' equity for each of the years then ended, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company as of April 30, 2019 and 2018, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting 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.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2008.
EISNERAMPER LLP
New York, New York
July 26, 2019
FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Balance Sheets
April 30, 2019 and 2018
(In thousands, except par value)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
Years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS, INC. and SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018
(Continued)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
Years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018
(In thousands, except share data)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
April 30, 2019 and 2018
1. Summary of Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation:
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Frequency Electronics, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Company” or “Registrant”). References to “FEI” are to the parent company alone and do not refer to any of its subsidiaries. The Company is principally engaged in the design, development and manufacture of precision time and frequency control products and components for microwave integrated circuit applications. See Note 14 for information regarding the Company’s business segments: (1) FEI-NY (which includes the subsidiaries FEI Government Systems, Inc., FEI Communications, Inc., Frequency Electronics, Inc. Asia (“FEI-Asia”) and FEI-Elcom Tech, Inc. (“FEI-Elcom”)), and (2) FEI-Zyfer, Inc. (“FEI-Zyfer”). Intercompany accounts and significant intercompany transactions are eliminated in consolidation.
These financial statements have been prepared in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported and disclosed in the financial statements and related notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Cash Equivalents:
The Company considers certificates of deposit and other highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company places its temporary cash investments with high credit quality financial institutions. Such investments may at times be in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) and Securities Investor Protection Corporation (“SIPC”) insurance limits. No losses have been experienced on such investments.
Marketable Securities:
Marketable securities consist of corporate debt securities, certificates-of-deposit, and debt securities of U.S. Government agencies. All marketable securities were held in the custody of one financial institution at April 30, 2019 and two financial institutions at April 30, 2018. Investments in debt securities are categorized as available-for-sale and are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from income and recorded directly to stockholders’ equity. The Company recognizes gains or losses when securities are sold using the specific identification method.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:
Losses from uncollectible accounts receivable are provided for by utilizing the allowance for doubtful accounts method based upon management’s estimate of uncollectible accounts. Management analyzes accounts receivable and the potential for bad debts, customer concentrations, credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment terms when evaluating the amount recorded for the allowance for doubtful accounts.
Property, Plant and Equipment:
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost and include interest on funds borrowed to finance construction. Expenditures for renewals and betterments are capitalized; maintenance and repairs are charged to income when incurred. When fixed assets are sold or retired, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are eliminated from the respective accounts and any gain or loss is credited or charged to income.
If events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of a long-lived asset may not be recoverable, the Company estimates the future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. If the sum of the expected future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) is less than the carrying amount of the long-lived asset, an impairment loss is recognized. To date, no impairment losses have been recognized.
FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
April 30, 2019 and 2018
Inventories:
Inventories, which consist of finished goods, work-in-process, raw materials and components, are accounted for at the lower of cost (specific and average) or net realizable value.
Depreciation and Amortization:
Depreciation of fixed assets is computed on the straight-line method based upon the estimated useful lives of the assets (40 years for buildings and 3 to 10 years for other depreciable assets). Leasehold improvements and equipment acquired under capital leases are amortized on the straight-line method over the shorter of the term of the lease or the useful life of the related asset.
Amortization of identifiable intangible assets is based upon the expected lives of the assets and is recorded at a rate which approximates the Company’s utilization of the assets.
Intangible Assets:
Intangible assets consist of the ISO 9000 certification arising from the acquisition of FEI-Elcom in the assignment of fair value to its acquired assets including intangibles. The certification is valued at fair value and was amortized over the estimated useful life of 3 years from the date of acquisition.
Goodwill:
The Company records goodwill as the excess of purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill is tested for impairment on at least an annual basis at year end. When it is determined that the carrying value of goodwill may not be recoverable, the Company writes down the goodwill to an amount to commensurate with the revised value of the acquired assets. The Company measures impairment based on revenue projections, recent transactions involving similar businesses and price/revenue multiples at which they were bought and sold, price/revenue multiples of competitors, and the present market value of publicly-traded companies in the Company’s industry. Management has determined that goodwill is not impaired as of April 30, 2019 and 2018.
Revenue and Cost Recognition:
Revenue is recognized when a performance obligation is satisfied, which is when the expected goods or services are transferred to the customer, in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to receive. A performance obligation is a distinct product or service that is transferred to the customer based on the contract. The transaction price is allocated to each performance obligation and is recognized as revenue upon satisfaction of that performance obligation. The Company derives revenue from contracts with customers by units sold with specific specifications and frequencies that are used by a specific customer and contracts where the end user is the U.S. Government. The Company’s contracts typically include multiple performance obligations which are satisfied either by shipped projects or the completion of milestones as defined in the contract. The transaction price is allocated either (i) based on the sale price of each item shipped or (ii) as defined by the milestones stated in the contract.
Revenues under larger, long-term contracts, which generally require billings based on achievement of milestones rather than delivery of product, are reported in operating results using the POC method. On fixed-price contracts, which are typical for commercial and U.S. Government satellite programs and other long-term U.S. Government projects, and which require initial design and development of the product, revenue is recognized on the cost-to-cost method. Under this method, revenue is recorded based upon the ratio that incurred costs bear to total estimated contract costs with related cost of sales recorded as the costs are incurred. Each month management reviews estimated contract costs through a process of aggregating actual costs incurred and estimating additional costs to completion based upon the current available information and status of the contract. The effect of any change in the estimated gross margin rate (“GM Rate”) for a contract is reflected in revenues in the period in which the change is known. Provisions for the full amount of anticipated losses on contracts are made in the period in which they become determinable.
FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
April 30, 2019 and 2018
On production-type orders, revenue is recorded as units are delivered with the related cost of sales recognized on each shipment based upon a percentage of estimated final program costs. Changes in job performance on long-term contracts and production-type orders may result in revisions to costs and income and are recognized in the period in which revisions are determined to be required. Provisions for anticipated losses on customer orders are made in the period in which they become determinable.
For customer orders in the Company’s FEI-Zyfer segment or smaller contracts or orders in the FEI-NY segment, sales of products and services to customers are reported in operating results based upon (i) shipment of the product or (ii) performance of the services pursuant to terms of the customer order. When payment is contingent upon customer acceptance of the installed system, revenue is deferred until such acceptance is received and installation completed.
In connection with the adoption of ASU 2014-09, there were changes to the timing of the Company’s revenue recognition associated with the significant portion of our business that was not being accounted for as POC in prior years for contracts where the end customer was the U.S. Government. These production-type contracts under which revenue was previously recorded as POT are currently being recognized as POC following adoption of this ASU. As a result, the Company will begin recognizing revenue earlier under these contracts. The Company’s products generally carry a one-year warranty, but may vary based on the contract terms.
Significant judgment is used in evaluating the financial information for certain contracts related to the adoption of this ASU to determine an appropriate budget and estimated cost. The Company evaluates this information continuously and bases its judgments on historical experience, design specifications, and expected costs for material and labor.
Contract costs include all direct material, direct labor costs, manufacturing overhead and other direct costs related to contract performance. Selling, general and administrative costs are charged to expense as incurred.
Practical Expedients
The Company expenses sales commissions as sales and marketing expenses in the period they are incurred if the expected amortization period is one year or less.
The Company expenses costs, other than sales commissions, to obtain a contract in the period for which they are incurred as these amounts would have been incurred even if the contract had not been obtained.
Disaggregation of Revenue
Total revenue related to the adoption ASU 2014-09 and recognized over time as POC was approximately $45.3 million of the $49.5 million reported for the year ended April 30, 2019. The amounts by segment and product line were as follows:
FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
April 30, 2019 and 2018
Comprehensive Loss:
Comprehensive loss consists of net income and other comprehensive loss. Other comprehensive loss includes changes in unrealized gains or losses, net of tax, on securities (for Fiscal 2019, debt securities) available for sale during the year and the effects of foreign currency translation adjustments.
Research and Development Expenses:
The Company engages in research and development (“R&D”) activities to identify new applications for its core technologies, to improve existing products and to improve manufacturing processes to achieve cost reductions and manufacturing efficiencies. R&D costs include direct labor, manufacturing overhead, direct materials and contracted services. Such costs are expensed as incurred. The Company also engages in customer-funded R&D activity. The customer funds received in connection therewith appear in revenues and the associated expenses are included in costs of revenues and are not included in R&D expenses.
Income Taxes:
The Company recognizes deferred tax liabilities and assets based on the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns. Under this method, deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the difference between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. Valuation allowances are established and adjusted when necessary to increase or reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized.
The Company analyzes its tax positions under accounting standards which prescribe recognition thresholds that must be met before a tax benefit is recognized in the financial statements and provides guidance on de-recognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure, and transition. An entity may only recognize or continue to recognize tax positions that meet a “more likely than not” threshold. Interest and penalties recognized on income taxes are recorded as income tax expense.
Earnings per Share:
Basic earnings per share are computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding. Diluted earnings per share are computed by dividing net earnings by the sum of the weighted average number of shares of common stock and the if-converted effect of unexercised stock options and stock appreciation rights. Diluted earnings per share are not computed where the if-converted effect of such items would be anti-dilutive.
Fair Values of Financial Instruments:
Cash and cash equivalents, short-term credit obligations, long-term debt and cash surrender value are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at amounts considered by management to reasonably approximate fair value based upon the nature of the instrument and current market conditions. Management is not aware of any factors that would significantly affect the value of these amounts. The Company also has an investment in a privately-held Russian company, Morion, Inc. (“Morion”). The Company is unable to reasonably estimate a fair value for this investment.
Foreign Operations and Foreign Currency Adjustments:
The Company maintains manufacturing operations in the People’s Republic of China. The Company is vulnerable to currency risks in this country. The local currency is the functional currency of FEI-Asia. No foreign currency gains or losses are recorded on intercompany transactions since they are affected at current rates of exchange. The results of operations of FEI-Asia, when translated into U.S. dollars, reflect the average rates of exchange for the periods presented. The balance sheet of FEI-Asia, except for equity accounts which are translated at historical rates, are translated into U.S. dollars at the rate of exchange in effect on the date of the balance sheet. As a result, similar results in local currency can vary upon translation into U.S. dollars if exchange rates fluctuate significantly from one period to the next. For the year ended April 30, 2019, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, FEI-Asia, which is reported under the FEI-NY segment, is classified as held-for-sale (see Note 3).
FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
April 30, 2019 and 2018
Equity-based Compensation:
The Company values its share-based payment transactions using the Black-Scholes valuation model. Such value is recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the service period of the awards, which is generally the vesting period, net of estimated forfeitures.
The weighted average fair value of each option or stock appreciation right (“SAR”) has been estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following range of weighted average assumptions used for grants:
The expected life assumption was determined based on the Company’s historical experience as well as the term of recent stock appreciation rights (“SARS”) agreements. The expected volatility assumption was based on the historical volatility of the Company’s common stock. The dividend yield assumption was determined based upon the Company’s past history of dividend payments and the Company’s current decision to suspend payment of dividends. The risk-free interest rate assumption was determined using the implied yield currently available for zero-coupon U.S. Government issues with a remaining term equal to the expected life of the stock options or SARs.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Financial instruments, which potentially subject the Company to concentration of credit risk, consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and trade receivables. The Company maintains accounts at several commercial banks at which the balances exceed FDIC limits. The Company has not experienced any losses on such amounts. Concentration of credit risk with respect to trade receivables is generally diversified due to the large number of entities comprising the Company’s customer base and their dispersion across geographic areas principally within the U. S. The Company routinely addresses the financial strength of its customers and, as a consequence, believes that its receivable credit risk exposure is limited. The Company does not require customers to post collateral.
New Accounting Pronouncements:
In August 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2018-13 Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) (“ASU 2018-13”) which modifies the disclosure requirement on fair value measurements. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is evaluating the effect, if any, the update will have on the financial statements when adopted in Fiscal 2021.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which simplifies how an entity is required to test goodwill for impairment by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Under ASU 2017-04 goodwill impairment will be tested by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and recognizing an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. The new guidance must be applied on a prospective basis and is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company will not be adopting ASU 2017-04 early and is in the process of determining the effect that ASU 2017-04 may have; however, the Company expects the new standard to have an immaterial effect on its financial statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments which replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current generally accepted accounting principles U.S. GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is evaluating the effect, if any, the update will have on the financial statements when adopted in Fiscal 2021.
FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
April 30, 2019 and 2018
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842). The objective of the update is to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The standard requires a modified retrospective transition approach for existing leases. The amendments of the ASU 2016-02 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. The Company will adopt this standard at the beginning of Fiscal 2020 and recognize a right-of-use asset of approximately $13.2 million and a corresponding lease liability of approximately $13.4 million.
Newly Adopted Accounting Standards
Revenue from Contracts with Customers
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (“ASU 2014-09”), as amended, which establishes new guidance for revenue recognition. ASU 2014-09 eliminates most of the existing industry-specific revenue recognition guidance and significantly expands related disclosures. Additionally, it supersedes some cost guidance in Subtopic 605-35, Revenue Recognition-Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts, and creates a new Subtopic 340-40, Other Assets and Deferred Costs-Contracts with Customers. The Company determines revenue recognition through the following steps: identification of the contract, or contracts, with the customer; identification of the performance obligations in the contract; determination of the transaction price; allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and recognize revenue when, or as, the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The core principle of the guidance is that the Company will recognize revenue upon the transfer of the promised goods and services to its customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. The new guidance requires significant additional judgement and estimation (as compared to the previous guidance) that may include, but is not limited to, identifying performance obligations and estimating the amount of variable consideration, if any, to include in the transaction price, and allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations. The new standard allows for two methods of adoption, either by (i) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (“full retrospective method”) or (ii) retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the new guidance recognized at the date of initial application (“modified-retrospective method”). The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 using the modified-retrospective method, which resulted in a cumulative effect increase of $484,000, including the adoption of ASC 340-40 as noted below, as of the date of adoption on May 1, 2018, to retained earnings. The adoption of ASU 2014-09 effected all new and open contracts as of the adoption date.
In connection with the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on May 1, 2018, the Company also adopted the guidance in ASC 340-40, Other Assets and Deferred Costs - Contracts with Customers (“ASC 340-40”), with respect to capitalization and amortization of incremental costs of obtaining a contract. The new cost guidance requires the capitalization of all incremental costs incurred to obtain a contract with a customer that it would not have incurred if the contract had not been obtained, provided it expects to recover the costs. The Company expects that sales commissions as a result of obtaining customer contracts are recoverable, and therefore the Company defers and capitalizes them as contract costs. As a result of this new guidance, the Company capitalizes sales commissions for which the expected amortization period is greater than one year. The Company classifies the unamortized portion of deferred commissions as current or noncurrent assets based upon the timing of when the Company expects to recognize the expense. The current and noncurrent portion of deferred commissions are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets, respectively, in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. Adoption of ASC 340-40 resulted in a cumulative effect adjustment of $87,000 to total assets, $109,000 to total liabilities, and a $22,000 reduction to retained earnings, as of the date of adoption, on May 1, 2018.
FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
April 30, 2019 and 2018
The cumulative effect of changes made to the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of May 1, 2018 was as follows (in thousands):
Notes:
(a) Adjustment to unbilled accounts receivable for additional revenue recognized for which amounts have not been invoiced due to adoption of ASU 2014-09.
(b) Adjustment for additional allocated inventory costs related to additional revenue recognized due to adoption of ASU 2014-09.
(c) Adjustment for short-term capitalization of sales commissions, net of amortized amounts, due to adoption of ASC 340-40.
(d) Adjustment for long-term capitalization of sales commissions, net of amortized amounts, due to adoption of ASC 340-40.
(e) Adjustment to record short-term liability of sales commissions, net of amounts paid, due to adoption of ASC 340-40.
(f) Adjustment to record long-term liability of sales commissions, net of amounts paid, due to adoption of ASC 340-40.
(g) The cumulative effect of initially adopting ASU 2014-09 and ASC 340-40 using the modified-retrospective method as an adjustment to the beginning balance of (Accumulated deficit) Retained Earnings.
FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
April 30, 2019 and 2018
The impact of adopting the standard on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended April 30, 2019 were as follows (in thousands):
Consolidated Balance Sheet
Notes:
(a) Cumulative adjustment to unbilled accounts receivable for additional revenue recognized for which amounts have not been invoiced due to adoption of ASU 2014-09.
(b) Cumulative adjustment for additional allocated inventory costs related to additional revenue recognized due to adoption of ASU 2014-09.
(c) Cumulative adjustment for short-term capitalization of sales commissions, net of amortized amounts, due to adoption of ASC 340-40.
(d) Cumulative adjustment for long-term capitalization of sales commissions, net of amortized amounts, due to adoption of ASC 340-40.
(e) Cumulative adjustment to record short-term liability of sales commissions, net of amounts paid, due to adoption of ASC 340-40.
(f) Cumulative adjustment to record long-term liability of sales commissions, net of amounts paid, due to adoption of ASC 340-40.
(g) The cumulative effect of initially adopting for ASU 2014-09 and ASC 340-40 using the modified-retrospective method as an adjustment to the balance of Retained earnings (Accumulated deficit).
Consolidated Statement of Operations
Note:
(a) Additional expense related the amortization of sales commissions due to the adoptions of ASC 340-40.
FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
April 30, 2019 and 2018
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“ASU 2016-01”). ASU 2016-01 requires all equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in the fair value recognized through net income (other than those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee). The amendments also require an entity to present separately in other comprehensive income the portion of the total change in the fair value of a liability resulting from a change in the instrument-specific credit risk when the entity has elected to measure the liability at fair value in accordance with the fair value option for financial instruments. The Company adopted ASU 2016-01 on May 1, 2018 with no impact to the financial statements for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2019 as prior to adoption, all of the Company’s equity investments were sold.
2. Discontinued Operations
On April 26, 2018, the Company sold its Gillam-FEI s.a. (“Gillam”) Belgium subsidiary to a European entity, in a stock purchase agreement, for $1 million in cash received on April 27, 2018, and a note receivable payable in three years for $1 million, included in other assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The loss recorded due to the sale of Gillam was approximately $359,000. The calculation of the loss was the carrying amount of the investment on FEI-NY’s books less the retained earnings and remaining equity amounts of Gillam reduced by the cash received and the note receivable which is recorded in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As such Gillam’s results have been classified as discontinued operations in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss.
Summarized operating results for the Gillam discontinued operations for the year ended April 30, 2018, were as follows (in thousands):
3. Assets Held for Sale
For the year ended April 30, 2019, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, FEI-Asia, which is reported under the FEI-NY segment, was classified as held-for-sale. The table below represents FEI-Asia’s assets and liabilities as of April 30, 2019 (in thousands):
FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
April 30, 2019 and 2018
On May 21, 2019 the Company completed the sale of its wholly-owned subsidiary FEI-Asia to an Asian corporation. FEI-Asia was sold for $130,000 in addition to all rights, benefits and obligations attached thereto, free and clear from any encumbrance. The results of this transaction, including approximately $85,000 of income for the twenty-one days in May 2019, are included in the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019. The above transaction resulted in a consolidated loss of approximately $1 million.
4. Earnings per Share
Reconciliations of the weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted Earnings per Share for the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, were as follows (in thousands):
** For the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018, dilutive securities are excluded since the inclusion of such shares would be antidilutive due to the net loss for the period. The exercisable shares excluded for 2019 and 2018 are 1,216,000 and 1,259,500, respectively. The effect of dilutive securities for 2019 and 2018 would have been 242,874 and 127,536, respectively.
5. Costs and Estimated Earnings in Excess of Billings
At April 30, 2019 and 2018, costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings, net, consisted of the following (in thousands):
Such amounts represent revenue recognized on long-term contracts that had not been billed at the balance sheet dates or represent a liability for amounts billed in excess of the revenue recognized. Amounts are billed to customers pursuant to contract terms. In general, the recorded amounts will be billed and collected or revenue recognized within twelve months of the balance sheet date. Revenue on these long-term contracts is accounted for on the POC basis. During the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018, revenue recognized under POC contracts was approximately $45.3 million and $16.7 million, respectively. If contract losses are anticipated, costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings are reduced for the full amount of such losses when they are determinable. Total contract losses at April 30, 2019 were approximately $136,000. There were no contract losses for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2018.
6. Inventories
Inventories at April 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, consisted of the following (in thousands):
FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
April 30, 2019 and 2018
For the year ended April 30, 2018, the Company recorded a non-cash write-down of approximately $5.6 million of inventory. Inventory write-down resulted from two principal factors: (1) adoption by satellite manufacturers of policies precluding the use of parts and components over ten years old. This policy was unanticipated and resulted in reduced likelihood of FEI being able to use inventory that exceeds that threshold, and (2) changing technology associated with the advanced analog-to-digital converters which enables direct synthesis of certain frequencies for which FEI previously provided frequency conversion technology, reducing the likelihood that some parts and components associated with frequency conversion will be usable. Additionally, the Company’s new inventory reserve policy resulted in a charge of $1.1 million in the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019. Inventory reserves included in inventory were $6.6 million and $5.5 million for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
7. Property, Plant and Equipment and Leases
Property, plant and equipment at April 30, 2019 and 2018, consisted of the following (in thousands):
Depreciation and amortization expense for the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018 was $2,802,000 and $2,484,000, respectively.
Maintenance and repairs charged to operations for the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018 was approximately $309,000 and $466,000, respectively.
The Company leases its Long Island, New York headquarters building. On July 25, 2018, the Company signed an amendment to the lease which extends the current lease terms ten years and eight months through September 30, 2029. Pursuant to the amendment to the lease agreement, the annual rent will increase from $1,046,810 in 2019 to $1,276,056 in 2029. Under the terms of the lease, the Company is required to pay its proportionate share of real estate taxes, insurance and other charges.
In addition, the Company’s subsidiaries in New Jersey and California lease their office and manufacturing facilities. On February 1, 2018, FEI-Elcom entered into a new lease agreement in New Jersey for office and manufacturing space encompassing approximately 9,000 square feet. The monthly rent is $9,673 through the end of the lease which expires in January 31, 2021. FEI-Zyfer has signed a second amendment to its lease in California, which extends the lease an additional 88 months, beginning October 1, 2017 and expiring January 31, 2025. The average annual rent over the period of the amendment is approximately $312,000. FEI-Zyfer leases office and manufacturing space encompassing 27,850 square feet.
Rent expense under operating leases for the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018 was approximately $1.2 million and $1.7 million, respectively. The Company records rent expense on its New York building and FEI-Zyfer facility on the straight-line method over the lives of the respective leases. As a result, as of April 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet included deferred rent payable of approximately $236,000 and $110,000, respectively, which will be recognized over the respective rental periods.
Future non-cancelable minimum lease payments required by the operating leases for the years ended April 30 were as follows (in thousands):
FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
April 30, 2019 and 2018
8. Marketable Securities
The cost, gross unrealized gains, gross unrealized losses and fair market value of available-for-sale securities at April 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, were as follows (in thousands):
The following table presents the fair value and unrealized losses, aggregated by investment type and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands):
The Company regularly reviews its investment portfolio to identify and evaluate investments that have indications of possible impairment. The Company does not believe that its investments in marketable securities with unrealized losses at April 30, 2019 were other-than-temporary due to market volatility of the security’s fair value, analysts’ expectations and the Company’s ability to hold the securities for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recoveries in market value.
Proceeds from the sale or redemption of available-for-sale securities and the resulting gross realized gains and losses included in the determination of net loss for the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, were as follows (in thousands):
Maturities of fixed income securities classified as available-for-sale at April 30, 2019 were as follows (at cost, in thousands):
FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
April 30, 2019 and 2018
The fair value accounting framework provides a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements).
The levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
Level 1
Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access.
Level 3
Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.
The asset’s or liability’s fair value measurement level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Valuation techniques used need to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. All of the Company’s investments in marketable securities are Level 1 assets.
9. Debt Obligations
As of April 30, 2019, the Company had available credit with UBS Bank USA at variable terms based on its securities holdings under an advisory arrangement, under which no borrowings have been made.
10. Accrued Liabilities
Accrued liabilities at April 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, consisted of the following (in thousands):
11. Investment in Morion, Inc.
The Company has an investment in Morion a privately-held Russian company, which manufactures high precision quartz resonators and crystal oscillators. The Company’s investment consists of 4.6% of Morion’s outstanding shares, accordingly, the Company accounts for its investment in Morion on the cost basis. This investment, of approximately $800,000, is included in other assets in the accompanying balance sheets. During the fiscal years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company acquired product from Morion in the aggregate amount of approximately $437,000 and $446,000, respectively, and the Company sold product to Morion in the aggregate amount of approximately $2,000 and $203,000, respectively. At April 30, 2019 and 2018, there was no accounts receivable balance due from Morion and approximately $38,000 and $85,000 was payable to Morion, respectively. During the fiscal years 2019 and 2018, the Company received dividends from Morion of approximately $105,000 and $85,000, respectively.
FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
April 30, 2019 and 2018
On October 22, 2012, the Company entered into an agreement to license its rubidium oscillator production technology to Morion. The agreement required the Company to sell certain fully-depreciated production equipment previously owned by the Company and to provide training to Morion employees to enable Morion to produce a minimum of 5,000 rubidium oscillators per year. Morion will pay the Company approximately $2.7 million for the license and the equipment plus 5% royalties on third party sales for a 5-year period following an initial production run. During the same 5-year period, the Company commits to purchase from Morion a minimum of approximately $400,000 worth of rubidium oscillators per year although Morion is not obligated to sell that amount to the Company. During the fiscal year ended April 30, 2016, sales to Morion included $375,000 for product and training services under this agreement. Per the amended agreement, the balance of $1 million for the transfer of the license will be due once the United States Department of State (“State Department”) approves the removal of certain provisions of the original agreement. The State Department has approved the technology transfer called for under the agreement.
On March 29, 2016, the Company renegotiated the $1 million amendment under the original agreement dated October 22, 2012 to $602,000 due to the U.S. Government easing of export regulations. Of this amount, $392,500 was billed and paid during Fiscal 2016 and the balance of $210,000 was billed during fiscal year 2017 and was subsequently collected. During the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019 and 2018, sales to Morion included $2,000 and $203,000, respectively, under this agreement.
Morion operates as a subsidiary of Gazprombank, a state-owned Russian bank. On July 16, 2014, after the Company’s investment in Morion, Gazprombank became subject to the U.S. Department of Treasury’s prohibition against U.S. persons from providing it with new financing.
12. Employee Benefit Plans
Profit Sharing Plan:
The Company provides its U.S.-based employees with a profit sharing plan and trust under section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. This plan allows all eligible employees to defer a portion of their income through voluntary contributions to the plan. In accordance with the provisions of the plan, the Company can make discretionary matching contributions in the form of cash or common stock. For the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company contributed 41,211 and 46,628 shares of common stock, respectively. The approximate value of these shares at the date of contribution was $412,000 and $433,000 in fiscal years 2019 and 2018, respectively. Contributed shares are drawn from the Company’s common stock held in treasury and are removed at the Company’s original cost of acquisition of such shares on a specific identification basis. In addition to changes in the treasury stock accounts, during fiscal years 2019 and 2018, such transactions increased additional paid in capital by $223,000 and $219,000, respectively. As of April 30, 2019, the plan held a total of 623,672 shares, which are allocated to the accounts of the individual participants.
Income Incentive Pool:
The Company maintains incentive bonus programs for certain employees which are based on operating profits of the individual subsidiaries to which the employees are assigned. The Company also adopted a plan for the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, which formula is based on consolidated pre-tax profits. Under these plans, the Company charged approximately $195,000 and $60,000 to selling and administrative expenses for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Employee Stock Plans:
The Company has various stock plans, some of which have been approved by the Company’s stockholders, for key management employees, including officers and directors who are employees, certain consultants and independent members of the Board of Directors. The plans are Nonqualified Stock Options (“NQSO”) plans, Incentive Stock Option (“ISO”) plans and SARS. Under these plans, options or SARS are granted at the discretion of the Stock Option Committee at an exercise price not less than the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.
FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
April 30, 2019 and 2018
Typically, options and SARS vest over a four-year period from the date of grant. The options and SARS generally expire ten years after the date of grant (the most recent SAR awards expire in five years) and are subject to certain restrictions on transferability of the shares obtained on exercise. Under the Company’s 2005 Stock Award Plan (“Plan”) the Company provided option holders the opportunity to exercise stock options either by paying the exercise price for the shares or to do a cashless exercise whereby the individual receives the net number of shares of stock equal in value to the exercised number of shares times the difference between the current market value of the Company’s stock and the exercise price. Under the Plan, instruments granted under other plans which expire, are canceled, or are tendered in the exercise of such instruments, increase the shares available under the Plan.
As of April 30, 2019, eligible employees and directors have been granted SARS representing approximately 2,384,000 shares of Company stock, of which approximately 1,500,000 shares are outstanding and approximately 1,216,000 shares with a weighted average exercise price of $9.12 are exercisable. As of April 30, 2018, eligible employees and directors have been granted SARS representing approximately 2,222,000 shares of Company stock, of which approximately 1,488,000 shares are outstanding and approximately 1,260,000 shares with a weighted average exercise price of $8.55 are exercisable. When the SARS become exercisable, the Company will settle the SARS by issuing to exercising recipients the number of shares of stock from treasury stock, if available, equal to the appreciated value of the Company’s stock between the grant date and exercise date. At the time of exercise, the quantity of shares under the SARS grant equal to the exercise value divided by the then market value of the shares will be returned to the pool of available shares for future grant under the Plan. During the year ended April 30, 2019, employees exercised SARS representing 145,750 shares of Company stock and received 71,111 shares of Company stock. The 74,639 share difference was returned to the pool of available shares and may be used for future grants. During the year ended April 30, 2018, employees exercised SARS representing 3,500 shares of Company stock and received 861 shares of Company stock. The 2,639 share difference was returned to the pool of available shares and may be used for future grants.
The excess of the consideration received over the par value of the common stock or cost of treasury stock issued under both types of option plans is recognized as an increase in additional paid-in capital.
The following table summarizes information about stock option and SARs activity for the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018:
As of April 30, 2019, total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested options and SARs under the plans was approximately $635,000. These costs are expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.4 years.
During the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018, 104,250 and 151,000 shares, respectively, vested, the fair value of which was approximately $403,000 and $628,000, respectively. The weighted average grant date fair value of SARs granted during the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018, were approximately $3.01 and $2.71, respectively.
FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
April 30, 2019 and 2018
Stock-based compensation costs capitalized as part of work in process inventory or included in the cost of sales of programs on which the Company recognizes revenue under the POC method were approximately $190,000 and $168,000 for the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Selling and administrative expenses included stock-based compensation expense of approximately $298,000 and $275,000 for the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
The Company classifies cash flows resulting from the tax benefits from tax deductions recognized upon the exercise of stock options or SARS (tax benefits) as financing cash flows. The Company did not recognize any tax benefits from the exercise of stock options and SARS for the fiscal years presented.
Restricted Stock Plan and Other Issuances:
During fiscal year 1990, the Company adopted a Restricted Stock Plan which provided that key management employees could be granted rights to purchase an aggregate of 375,000 shares of the Company’s common stock. The grants, transferability restrictions and purchase price were determined at the discretion of a special committee of the board of directors. The purchase price could not be less than the par value of the common stock. Transferability of shares is restricted for a four-year period, except in the event of a change in control as defined therein. As a result of the adoption by the Company’s stockholders of the 2005 Stock Award Plan, the Restricted Stock Plan was discontinued. No additional grants will be made under this plan. As of April 30, 2019 and 2018, grants for 7,500 shares are available to be purchased at a price of $4.00 per share. During the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018 the Company issued 1,100 shares and 2,850 shares from treasury stock, respectively, to select employees for milestone years of service to the Company. These shares are for common stock and are fully vested at time of issuance.
Deferred Compensation Agreements:
The Company has a series of agreements with key employees providing for the payment of benefits upon retirement or death. Under these agreements, each key employee receives specified retirement payments for the remainder of the employee’s life with a minimum payment of ten years’ benefits to either the employee or their beneficiaries. The agreements also provide for lump sum payments upon termination of employment without cause and reduced benefits upon early retirement. The Company pays the benefits out of its working capital but has also purchased whole life or term life insurance policies on the lives of certain of the participants to cover the optional lump sum obligations of the agreements upon the death of the participant. Deferred compensation expense charged to selling and administrative expenses during the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018 was approximately $1.3 million and $909,000, respectively.
Life Insurance Policies and Cash Held in Trust:
The whole-life insurance policies on the lives of certain participants covered by deferred compensation agreements have been placed in a trust. Upon the death of any insured participant, cash received from life insurance policies in excess of the Company’s deferred compensation obligations to the estate or beneficiaries of the deceased, are also placed in the trust. These assets belong to the Company until a change of control event, as defined in the trust agreement, should occur. At that time, the Company is required to add sufficient cash to the trust so as to match the deferred compensation liability described above. Such funds will be used to continue the deferred compensation arrangements following a change of control.
13. Income Taxes
On December 22, 2017, the legislation commonly known as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “TCJA” or the “Act”) was enacted into law. The Act made comprehensive changes to the U.S. tax code, including, but not limited to: (1) reducing the U.S. federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%; (2) changing rules related to uses and limitations of net operating loss carry-forwards created in tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 as well as the repeal of the current carryback provisions for net operating losses arising in tax years ending after December 31, 2017; (3) immediate full expensing of certain qualified property; (4) creating a new limitation on deductible interest expense; (5) eliminating the corporate alternative minimum tax; (6) repeal of the deduction for income attributable to domestic production activities; and (7) changes in the manner in which international operations are taxed in the U.S. including a mandatory one-time transition tax on the accumulated untaxed earnings of foreign subsidiaries of U.S. shareholders.
FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
April 30, 2019 and 2018
In response to the TCJA, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”), which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of TCJA. The purpose of SAB 118 was to address any uncertainty or diversity of view in applying ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes in the reporting period in which the TCJA was enacted. SAB 118 addresses situations where the accounting is incomplete for certain income tax effects of the TJCA upon issuance of a company’s financial statements for the reporting period which include the enactment date. SAB 118 allows for a provisional amount to be recorded if it is a reasonable estimate of the impact of the TCJA. Additionally, SAB 118 allows for a measurement period to finalize the impacts of the TCJA, not to extend beyond one year from the date of enactment. For the year ended April 30, 2018, the Company recorded a provisional decrease in its deferred tax assets and liabilities for the reduction in the federal tax rate with a corresponding adjustment to the valuation allowance. During the year ended April 30, 2019, the Company completed the accounting for the tax effects of the TCJA with no material changes to the provisional estimate recorded in prior periods.
The TCJA also established the Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) provisions that impose a tax on foreign income in excess of a deemed return on tangible assets on foreign corporations. The Company does not anticipate being subject to GILTI due to the sale of Gillam in Fiscal 2018 and the treatment of FEI-Asia as a disregarded entity for U.S. tax purposes.
The income before provision for income taxes consisted of (in thousands):
The provision for income taxes consisted of the following (in thousands):
The following table reconciles the reported income tax expense (benefit) with the amount computed using the federal statutory income tax rate (in thousands):
FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
April 30, 2019 and 2018
The components of deferred taxes are as follows (in thousands):
The components of the deferred tax asset were as follows (in thousands):
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, the Company considers whether it is more-likely-than-not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. A valuation allowance, if needed, reduces the deferred tax assets to the amounts expected to be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income in those periods in which temporary differences become deductible and/or net operating loss carry-forwards can be utilized. We assess all positive and negative evidence when determining the amount of the net deferred tax assets that are more likely than not to be realized. This evidence includes, but is not limited to, prior earnings history, scheduled reversal of taxable temporary differences, tax planning strategies and projected future taxable income. Significant weight is given to positive and negative evidence that is objectively verifiable.
As required by the authoritative accounting guidance on accounting for income taxes, the Company evaluates the realizability of its deferred tax assets at each reporting date. Accounting for income taxes requires that a valuation allowance be established when it is more-likely-than-not that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In circumstances where there is sufficient negative evidence indicating that the deferred tax assets are not more-likely-than-not realizable, the Company establishes a valuation allowance. As of April 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company had a full valuation allowance against its U.S. net deferred tax assets. If these estimates and assumptions change in the future, the Company may be required to reduce its existing valuation allowance resulting in less income tax expense. For the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018, the valuation allowance increased by approximately $1.3 million and $9.4 million, respectively.
As of April 30, 2019, the Company has U.S. federal net operating losses of $23 million of which $4 million begins to expire in Fiscal 2023 through 2031 and which are subject to annual limitation under Internal Revenue Code Section 382. The remaining U.S. federal net operating losses of $18.9 million have an indefinite carry-forward period. The U.S. federal capital loss carry-forward of $9.9 million expires in 2023. The Company also has state net operating loss carry-forwards, R&D tax credits, and state tax credits that expire in various years and amounts.
FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
April 30, 2019 and 2018
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amounts of unrecognized tax benefits, is as follows (in thousands):
The entire amount reflected in the table above at April 30, 2019, if recognized, would reduce our effective tax rate. As of April 30, 2019, and 2018, the Company had $64,000 and $10,000, respectively, accrued for the payment of interest and penalties. For the fiscal years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018, the Company recognized interest and penalties of $54,000 and $3,000, respectively. Although it is difficult to predict or estimate the change in the Company’s unrecognized tax benefits over the next twelve months, the Company believes that it is reasonably possible that decreases in unrecognized tax benefits of up to $40,000 may be recognized during the next twelve months.
The Company is subject to taxation in the U.S. federal, various state and local jurisdictions, and foreign jurisdictions. The Company is no longer subject to examination of its federal income tax returns by the Internal Revenue Service for fiscal years 2016 and prior. During Fiscal 2018, the Company closed an Internal Revenue Service examination of its Fiscal 2016 tax return with no change to the tax liability reported. The Company is no longer subject to examination by the taxing authorities in its foreign jurisdictions for Fiscal 2015 and prior. Net operating losses and tax attributes generated by domestic and foreign entities in closed years and utilized in open years are subject to adjustment by the tax authorities.
14. Segment Information
The Company operates under two reportable segments based on the geographic locations of its subsidiaries:
(1)
FEI-NY - operates out of New York and its operations consist principally of precision time and frequency control products used in three principal markets- communication satellites (both commercial and U.S. Government-funded); terrestrial cellular telephone or other ground-based telecommunication stations; and other components and systems for the U.S. military.
The FEI-NY segment also includes the operations of the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries, FEI-Elcom and FEI-Asia. FEI-Asia functions as a manufacturing facility for the FEI-NY segment with historically minimal sales to outside customers. FEI-Elcom, in addition to its own product line, provides design and technical support for the FEI-NY segment’s satellite business.
(2)
FEI-Zyfer - operates out of California and its products incorporate Global Positioning System (GPS) technologies into systems and subsystems for secure communications, both government and commercial, and other locator applications. This segment also provides sales and support for the Company’s wireline telecommunications family of products, including US5G, which are sold in the U. S. market.
The Company measures segment performance based on total revenues and profits generated by each geographic location rather than on the specific types of customers or end-users. Consequently, the Company determined that the segments indicated above most appropriately reflect the way the Company’s management views the business.
The accounting policies of the two segments are the same as those described in the “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.” The Company evaluates the performance of its segments and allocates resources to them based on operating profit which is defined as income before investment income, interest expense and taxes. All acquired assets, including intangible assets, are included in the assets of both reporting segments.
FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
April 30, 2019 and 2018
The table below presents information about reported segments for each of the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, with reconciliation of segment amounts to consolidated amounts as reported in the statement of operations or the balance sheet for each of the years (in thousands):
Major Customers
The Company’s products are sold to both commercial and governmental customers. For the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018, approximately 87% and 74% respectively, of the Company’s sales were made under contracts to the U.S. Government or subcontracts for U.S. Government end-use.
In Fiscal 2019 and 2018, sales to two and three customers, respectively, of the FEI-NY segment accounted for more than 10% of that segment’s sales. One of these customers also exceeded 10% of the Company’s consolidated revenues each year. In the FEI-Zyfer segment, two customers accounted for more than 10% of that segment’s sales in Fiscal 2018. One of these customers also exceeded 10% of the Company’s consolidated revenues.
The loss by the Company of any one of these customers would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business. The Company believes its relationship with these customers to be mutually satisfactory. Sales to the major customers referenced above can include commercial and governmental end users.
FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
April 30, 2019 and 2018
Foreign Sales
Revenues in each of the Company’s segments include sales to foreign governments or to companies located in foreign countries. For the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018, revenues, based on the location of the procurement entity and excluding intersegment sales, were derived from the following countries (in thousands):
15. Product Warranties
The Company generally provides its customers with a one-year warranty regarding the manufactured quality and functionality of its products. For some limited products, the warranty period has been extended. The Company establishes warranty reserves based on its product history, current information on repair costs and annual sales levels. As of April 30, 2019, and 2018, respectively, changes in the carrying amount of accrued product warranty costs, reported in accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheet, were as follows (in thousands):
FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - Continued
April 30, 2019 and 2018
16. Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (“AOCI”) by component and reclassifications from AOCI to Other income (expense), net, for the years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, were as follows (in thousands):
**The reclassification adjustments represent net realized gains on the sale or redemption of available-for-sale marketable securities that were reclassified from AOCI to Other income (expense), net.
17. Subsequent Events
On May 21, 2019, the Company completed the sale of its wholly-owned subsidiary FEI-Asia to an Asian corporation. FEI-Asia was sold for $130,000 in addition to all rights, benefits and obligations attached thereto, free and clear from any encumbrance. The results of this transaction, including approximately $85,000 of income for the twenty-one days in May 2019, are included in the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019. The above transaction resulted in a consolidated loss of approximately $1 million.
Item 9.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures.
The Company’s management, with the participation of the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on their evaluation, the Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer have concluded that, as of April 30, 2019, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management of Frequency Electronics is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. The Company’s internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Because of inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management has assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of April 30, 2019. In making this assessment, management used the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management has concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of April 30, 2019.
Financial Reporting
As of result of a provision of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, which, among other things, permanently exempted non-accelerated filers, such as us, from complying with the requirements of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, which requires an issuer to include an attestation report from an issuer’s independent registered public accounting firm on the issuer’s internal control over financial reporting, this annual report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding our internal control over financial reporting.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting.
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the year ended April 30, 2019 to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
PART III
Item 10.
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Company
The information required to be furnished pursuant to this item with respect to Directors of the Company, in compliance with Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act and the Company’s code of ethics is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s definitive proxy statement to be filed no later than 120 days after April 30, 2019, for the annual meeting of stockholders to be held on or about October 10, 2019 (the “2019 Proxy Statement”). The information required to be furnished pursuant to this item with respect to Executive Officers is set forth, pursuant to General Instruction G(3) of Form 10-K, under Part I of this Report.
Item 11.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
This item is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s 2019 Proxy Statement under “Election of Directors” and “Executive Compensation.”
Item 12.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
This item is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s 2019 Proxy Statement under “Executive Compensation” and “Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.”
Item 13.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
This item is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s 2019 Proxy Statement under “Election of Directors.”
Item 14.
Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services
This item is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s 2019 Proxy Statement under “Appointment of Independent Auditors” and “Report of the Audit Committee.”
PART IV
Item 15.
Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)
Index to Financial Statements and Exhibits
The financial statements and exhibits are listed below and are filed as part of this report.
(1) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Included in Part II of this report:
Page(s)
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets
- April 30, 2019 and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss
- years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
- years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018
23-24
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity
- years ended April 30, 2019 and 2018
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
26-47
(2) EXHIBITS
Exhibit No. in
this Form 10-K
Description of Exhibit
NOTE
2.1
Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 21, 2012, by and among the Registrant, Elcom Technologies Inc. and the stockholders of Elcom Technologies Inc. identified on the signature pages thereto
(11)
3.1
Copy of Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware
(1)
3.2
Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on March 27, 1981
(2)
3.3
Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant filed with Secretary of State of Delaware on October 26, 1984
(5)
3.4
Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on October 22, 1986
(7)
3.5
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on October 26, 1987
(9)
3.6
Amended Certificate of Incorporation of the Company filed with the Secretary of State of Delaware on November 2, 1989
(9)
3.7
Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Registrant, as amended
(13)
4.1
Specimen of Common Stock certificate
(1)
Exhibit No. in
this Form 10-K
Description of Exhibit
NOTE
4.2
Description of Capital Stock
Filed herewith
10.1*
Employment agreement, dated as of March 17, 2008, between Registrant and Martin Bloch
(4)
10.2
Settlement Agreement dated as of September 13, 2016, by and among Registrant, Privet Fund LP, Privet Fund Management LLC, Ryan J. Levenson and General Lance W. Lord
(14)
10.3*
Frequency Electronics, Inc. 2005 Stock Plan
(16)
10.4
Lease Agreement between Registrant and Reckson Operating Partnership, L.P. dated January 6, 1998
(15)
10.5
First Amendment to Lease Amendment between Registrant and RA 55 CLB LLC (as successor-in-interest to Reckson Operating Partnership, L.P.) dated July 25, 2018
(17)
10.6*
Registrant’s Cash or Deferral Profit Sharing Plan and Trust under Internal Revenue Code Section 401, dated April 1, 1985
(6)
10.7
Amendment dated Jan. 1, 1988 to Registrant’s Cash or Deferred Profit Sharing Plan and Trust under Section 401 of Internal Revenue Code
(8)
10.8*
Form of Deferred Compensation Agreement
(18)
10.9*
Form of Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement
(19)
10.10*
Memorandum of Understanding, dated April 30, 2018, between Stanton Sloane and the Registrant
(20)
10.11*
Employment Agreement effective as of May 1, 2018, between Stanton Sloane and the Registrant
Filed herewith
List of Subsidiaries of Registrant
Filed herewith
23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Filed herewith
31.1
Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Filed herewith
31.2
Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Filed herewith
Certifications of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Filed herewith
The following materials from the Frequency Electronics, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2019 formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss, (iii) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
* Denoted compensatory plans or arrangements or management contracts
NOTES:
(1)
Filed with the SEC as an exhibit, numbered as indicated above, to the registration statement of Registrant on Form S-1, File No. 2-29609, [on DATE], which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.
(2)
Filed with the SEC as Exhibit 3.2 to the registration statement of Registrant on Form S-1, File No. 2-71727, [on DATE], which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.
(3)
[Intentionally Omitted]
(4)
Filed with the SEC as Exhibit 10.1 to a current report of Registrant on Form 8-K, File No. 1-08061, on May 4, 2018, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.
(5)
Filed with the SEC as Exhibit 3.3 to the annual report of Registrant on Form 10-K, File No. 1-8061, for the year ended April 30, 1985, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.
(6)
Filed with the SEC as Exhibit 10.16 to the annual report of Registrant on Form 10-K, File No. 1-8061, for the year ended April 30, 1986, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.
(7)
Filed with the SEC as Exhibit 3.4 to the annual report of Registrant on Form 10-K, File No. 1-8061, for the year ended April 30, 1987, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.
(8)
Filed with the SEC as Exhibit 10.24 to the annual report of Registrant on Form 10-K, File No. 1-8061, for the year ended April 30, 1989, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.
(9)
Filed with the SEC as an exhibit, numbered as indicated above, to the annual report of Registrant on Form 10-K, File No. 1-8061, for the year ended April 30, 1990, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.
(10)
[Intentionally Omitted]
(11)
Filed with the SEC as Exhibit 2.1 to the current report of Registrant on Form 8-K, File No. 1-8061, on February 27, 2012, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.
(12)
[Intentionally Omitted]
(13)
Filed with the SEC as Exhibit 3.1 to a current report of the Registrant on Form 8-K, File No. 1-8061, on December 18, 2014, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.
(14)
Filed with the SEC as Exhibit 10.1 to a current report of the Registrant on Form 8-K, File No. 1-8061, on September 16, 2016, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.
(15)
Filed with the SEC as Exhibit 10.13 to the annual report of Registrant on Form 10-K, File No. 1-8061, for the year ended April 30, 1998, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.
(16)
Filed with the SEC as Exhibit 10.1 to a current report of the Registrant on Form 8-K, File No. 1-8061, on October 4, 2005, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.
(17)
Filed with the SEC as Exhibit 10.13 to the annual report of Registrant on Form 10-K, File No. 1-8061, for the year ended April 30, 2018, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.
(18)
Filed with the SEC as Exhibit 10.17 to Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A to the annual report of Registrant on Form 10-K, File No. 1-8061, for the year ended April 30, 2018, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.
(19)
Filed with the SEC as Exhibit 10.18 to Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A to the annual report of Registrant on Form 10-K, File No. 1-8061, for the year ended April 30, 2018, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.
(20)
Filed with the SEC as Exhibit 10.19 to Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-K/A to the annual report of Registrant on Form 10-K, File No. 1-8061, for the year ended April 30, 2018, which exhibit is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary.
None.
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.
FREQUENCY ELECTRONICS, INC.
By:
/s/ Stanton Sloane
Stanton Sloane
President and CEO
(Principal Executive Officer)
By:
/s/ Steven L. Bernstein
Steven L. Bernstein
Chief Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Dated: July 26, 2019
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/ Joel Girsky
Director
7/26/19
Joel Girsky
/s/ Jonathan Brolin
Lead Independent Director
7/26/19
Jonathan Brolin
/s/ Richard Schwartz
Director
7/26/19
Richard Schwartz
/s/ Stanton D. Sloane
Director, President and CEO
7/26/19
Stanton D. Sloane
/s/ Russell M. Sarachek
Director
7/26/19
Russell M. Sarachek
/s/ General Lance W. Lord
Director
7/26/19
General Lance W. Lord
/s/ Martin B. Bloch
Executive Chairman
7/26/19
Martin B. Bloch