UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

 

x Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended December 28, 2012

or

¨ Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from ____ to ____

 

Commission File Number 0-6508

 

IEC ELECTRONICS CORP.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 13-3458955
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 
incorporation or organization)  

 

105 Norton Street, Newark, New York 14513

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 315-331-7742

 

Not Applicable

(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

  Yes x No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer ¨   Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer ¨   Smaller reporting company x

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

  Yes ¨ No x

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

 

Common Stock, $0.01 par value 10,043,090 shares as of February 4, 2013

 

 
 

 

    Page
    Number
     
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
     
Item 1. Financial Statements:  
  Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 28, 2012 (Unaudited) and September 30, 2012 3
     
  Consolidated Income Statements for the three month periods ended December 28, 2012 and December 30, 2011 (Unaudited) 4
     
  Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the three month periods ended December 28, 2012 and December 30, 2011 (Unaudited) 5
     
  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three month periods ended December 28, 2012 and December 30, 2011 (Unaudited) 6
     
  Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) 7
     
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 24
     
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 27
     
Item 4. Controls and Procedures 27
     
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION  
     
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 28
     
Item 1A. Risk Factors 28
     
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 28
     
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities 28
     
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures 28
     
Item 5. Other Information 28
     
Item 6. Exhibits 28
     
Signatures 29
   
Index to Exhibits 30

 

2
 

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

 

IEC ELECTRONICS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

DECEMBER 28, 2012 and SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

   December 28,   September 30, 
   2012   2012 
    (unaudited)      
ASSETS          
Current assets:          
Cash  $2,778   $2,662 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance   20,279    23,193 
Inventories, net   21,898    19,348 
Deferred income taxes   1,366    1,365 
Other current assets   753    401 
Total current assets   47,074    46,969 
           
Fixed assets, net   17,318    17,120 
Intangible assets, net   5,398    5,511 
Goodwill   13,810    13,810 
Deferred income taxes   5,392    5,433 
Other assets   107    121 
Total assets  $89,099   $88,964 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY          
Current liabilities:          
Current portion of long-term debt  $3,380   $6,533 
Accounts payable   12,360    15,697 
Accrued payroll and related expenses   1,991    2,676 
Other accrued expenses   755    946 
Customer deposits   90    146 
Total current liabilities   18,576    25,998 
           
Long-term debt   28,227    21,104 
Total liabilities   46,803    47,102 
           
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY          
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value:          
500,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding   -    - 
Common stock, $0.01 par value:          
Authorized: 50,000,000 shares          
Issued: 11,026,733 and 10,943,185 shares, respectively          
Outstanding: 10,011,275 and 9,927,727 shares, respectively   110    109 
Additional paid-in capital   43,269    43,075 
Retained earnings   352    113 
Treasury stock, at cost: 1,015,458 shares   (1,435)   (1,435)
Total stockholders' equity   42,296    41,862 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity  $89,099   $88,964 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

3
 

  

IEC ELECTRONICS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS

THREE MONTH PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 28, 2012 and DECEMBER 30, 2011

(unaudited; in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

   Three Months Ended 
   December 28,   December 30, 
   2012   2011 
         
Net sales  $32,989   $33,859 
Cost of sales   28,285    28,372 
Gross profit   4,704    5,487 
Selling and administrative expenses   4,046    4,533 
Operating profit   658    954 
           
Interest and financing expense   279    353 
Other income   -    (902)
Income before provision for income taxes   379    1,503 
           
Provision for income taxes   140    555 
Net income  $239   $948 
           
Net income per common and common equivalent share:          
Basic  $0.02   $0.10 
Diluted   0.02    0.09 
           
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding:          
Basic   9,647,210    9,645,942 
Diluted   9,968,147    10,004,359 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

4
 

 

IEC ELECTRONICS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS of CHANGES in STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

THREE MONTH PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 28, 2012 and DECEMBER 30, 2011

(unaudited; in thousands)

 

   Common   Additional   Retained   Treasury   Total 
   Stock,   Paid-In   Earnings   Stock,   Stockholders' 
   par $0.01   Capital   (Deficit)   at cost   Equity 
                     
Balances, September 30, 2011  $108   $42,660   $(7,647)  $(1,435)  $33,686 
                          
Net income             948         948 
Stock-based compensation        135              135 
Directors' fees paid in stock        11              11 
Employee stock plan purchases        10              10 
                          
Balances, December 30, 2011  $108   $42,816   $(6,699)  $(1,435)  $34,790 
                          
Balances, September 30, 2012  $109   $43,075   $113   $(1,435)  $41,862 
                          
Net income             239         239 
Stock-based compensation        157              157 
Directors' fees paid in stock        5              5 
Restricted (non-vested) stock grants   1    (1)             - 
Exercise of stock options        8              8 
Shares withheld for payment of taxes upon vesting of restricted stock        (29)             (29)
Employee stock plan purchases        54              54 
                          
Balances, December 28, 2012  $110   $43,269   $352   $(1,435)  $42,296 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

5
 

 

IEC ELECTRONICS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS of CASH FLOWS

THREE MONTH PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 28, 2012 and DECEMBER 30, 2011

(unaudited; in thousands)

 

   Three Months Ended 
   December 28,   December 30, 
   2012   2011 
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:          
Net income  $239   $948 
Non-cash adjustments:          
Stock-based compensation   157    135 
Depreciation and amortization   1,140    1,015 
Change in contingent consideration   -    (907)
Directors' fees paid in stock   5    11 
Loss on sale of fixed assets   -    5 
Reserve for doubtful accounts   36    107 
Deferred tax expense   40    501 
Changes in current assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable   2,878    (123)
Inventories   (2,550)   (1,018)
Other current assets   (352)   (183)
Accounts payable   (3,337)   2,262 
Accrued expenses   (876)   (178)
Customer deposits   (56)   (12)
Net cash flows from operating activities   (2,676)   2,563 
           
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:          
Purchases of fixed assets   (1,211)   (1,242)
Proceeds from disposal of fixed assets   -    17 
Net cash flows from investing activities   (1,211)   (1,225)
           
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:          
Advances from revolving credit facility   20,284    17,017 
Repayments of revolving credit facility   (14,617)   (16,582)
Repayments under loan agreements and notes   (1,697)   (1,783)
Proceeds from exercise of stock options   8    - 
Proceeds from employee stock plan purchases   54    10 
Shares withheld for payment of taxes upon vesting of restricted stock   (29)   - 
Net cash flows from financing activities   4,003    (1,338)
           
Net cash flows for the period   116    - 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period   2,662    - 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period  $2,778   $- 
           
Supplemental cash flow information:          
Interest paid  $241   $333 
Income taxes paid   99    54 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

6
 

 

IEC ELECTRONICS CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

NOTE 1. OUR BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Our Business

 

IEC Electronics Corp. ("IEC", "we", "our", “us”, “Company”) is a premier provider of electronic contract manufacturing services (“EMS”) to advanced technology companies. We specialize in the custom manufacture of high reliability, complex circuit cards and system-level assemblies; a wide array of cable and wire harness assemblies capable of withstanding extreme environments; and precision sheet metal components. We excel where quality and reliability are of paramount importance and when low-to-medium volume, high-mix production is the norm. We utilize state-of-the-art, automated circuit card assembly equipment together with a full complement of high-reliability manufacturing stress testing methods. With our customers at the center of everything we do, we have created a high-intensity, rapid response culture capable of reacting and adapting to their ever-changing needs. Our customer-centric approach offers a high degree of flexibility while simultaneously complying with rigorous quality and on-time delivery standards. While many EMS services are viewed as commodities, we believe we set ourselves apart through an uncommon mix of capabilities including:

 

§A technology center that combines dedicated prototype manufacturing with an on-site Materials Analysis Lab, enabling the seamless transition of complex electronics from design to production.
§In-house, custom, functional testing and troubleshooting of complex system-level assemblies in support of end-order fulfillment.
§A laboratory that enables us to assist customers in mitigating the risk of purchasing counterfeit parts through our subsidiary, Dynamic Research and Testing Laboratories, LLC (“DRTL”).
§Build-to-print precision sheet metal and complex wire harness assemblies supporting just-in-time delivery of critical end-market, system-level electronics.
§A Lean/Six Sigma continuous improvement program supported by a team of Six Sigma Blackbelts delivering best-in-class results.
§Proprietary software-driven Web Portal providing customers real-time access to a wide array of operational data.

 

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles

 

IEC's financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”, as set forth in the Financial Accounting Standards Board's (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”).

 

Fiscal Calendar

 

The Company’s fiscal year ends on September 30th, and the first three quarters generally end on the Friday closest to the last day of the calendar quarter.

 

Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of IEC and its wholly owned subsidiaries: IEC Electronics Wire and Cable, Inc. (“Wire and Cable”); IEC Electronics Corp.-Albuquerque ("Albuquerque"); Southern California Braiding, Inc. (“SCB”) and DRTL. The Celmet unit operates as a division of IEC. All significant intercompany transactions and accounts are eliminated in consolidation.

 

Unaudited Financial Statements

 

The accompanying unaudited financial statements for the three months ended December 28, 2012 and December 30, 2011 have been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financia1 information. In the opinion of management, all adjustments required for a fair presentation of the information have been made. The accompanying financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012.

 

7
 

 

Reclassifications

 

Prior year financial statement amounts are reclassified as necessary to conform to the current year presentation. Such reclassifications generally involve transfers of individual accounts from one financial statement line-item to another, without affecting income before or after taxes.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company's cash and cash equivalents principally represent deposit accounts with Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company ("M&T"), a banking corporation headquartered in Buffalo, NY. In the fiscal year ended September 30, 2011, cash receipts and disbursements were used to repay or draw on IEC’s revolving credit facility and cash balances were de minimis.

 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts receivable based on the age of outstanding invoices and management's evaluation of collectability. Accounts are written off after all reasonable collection efforts have been exhausted and management concludes that likelihood of collection is remote.

 

Inventory Valuation

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value under the first-in, first-out method. The Company regularly assesses slow-moving, excess and obsolete inventory and maintains balance sheet reserves in amounts required to reduce the recorded value of inventory to lower of cost or market.

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

 

Property, plant and equipment (“PP&E”) are stated at cost and are depreciated over various estimated useful lives using the straight-line method. Maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred, while renewals and improvements are capitalized. At the time of retirement or other disposition of PP&E, cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is recorded in earnings.

 

Depreciable lives generally used for PP&E are presented in the table below. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life of the improvement.

 

    Estimated
PP&E Lives   Useful Lives
    (years)
Land improvements   10
Buildings and improvements   5 to 40
Machinery and equipment   3 to 5
Furniture and fixtures   3 to 7

 

Intangible Assets

 

Intangible assets (other than goodwill) are those that lack physical substance and are not financial assets. Such assets held by IEC were acquired in connection with business combinations and represent economic benefits associated with acquired customer relationships, a non-compete agreement, and a property tax abatement. Values assigned to individual intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives.

 

Reviewing Long-Lived Assets for Potential Impairment

 

ASC 360-10 (Property, Plant and Equipment) and 350-30 (Intangibles) require the Company to test long-lived assets (PP&E and definitive lived assets) for recoverability whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. If carrying value exceeds undiscounted future cash flows attributable to an asset, it is considered impaired and the excess of carrying value over fair value must be charged to earnings. No impairment charges were recorded by IEC during fiscal 2012 or the first quarter of fiscal 2013.

 

8
 

 

Goodwill

 

Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair value of net assets acquired in a business combination.   Under ASC 350, goodwill is not amortized but is reviewed for impairment at least annually or when events or circumstances indicate that carrying value may exceed fair value. The Company may elect to precede a quantitative review for impairment with a qualitative assessment of the likelihood that fair value of a particular reporting unit exceeds carrying value. If the qualitative assessment leads to a conclusion that it is more than 50 percent likely that fair value exceeds carrying value, no further testing is required. In the event of a less favorable outcome, we are required to proceed with quantitative testing.

 

The quantitative process entails comparing the overall fair value of the unit to which goodwill relates to carrying value.  If fair value exceeds carrying value, no further assessment of potential impairment is required.  If fair value of the unit is less than carrying value, a valuation of the unit's individual assets and liabilities is required to determine whether or not goodwill is impaired. Goodwill impairment losses are charged to earnings.

 

Most of IEC's recorded goodwill relates to SCB, acquired in December 2010, and a lesser portion relates to Celmet, which was acquired in July 2010.  No goodwill impairment has been experienced to date by either unit.

 

Leases

 

At the inception of a lease covering equipment or real estate, the lease agreement is evaluated under criteria discussed in ASC 840-10-25 (Leases). Leases meeting one of four key criteria are accounted for as capital leases and all others are treated as operating leases. Under a capital lease, the discounted value of future lease payments becomes the basis for recognizing an asset and a borrowing, and lease payments are allocated between debt reduction and interest. For operating leases, payments are recorded as rent expense. Criteria for a capital lease include (i) transfer of ownership during the lease term; (ii) existence of a bargain purchase option under terms that make it likely to be exercised; (iii) a lease term equal to 75 percent or more of the economic life of the leased property; and (iv) minimum lease payments that equal or exceed 90 percent of the fair value of the property.

 

In June 2008, IEC entered into a sale-leaseback arrangement with M&T under which fixed assets with a net book value of $2.0 million and an original cost of $15.6 million were sold to M&T and were leased back under a five-year operating lease. The sold assets were removed from the accounts and minimal loss on the transaction is being amortized over the lease term.

 

Legal Contingencies

 

When legal proceedings are brought or claims are made against us and the outcome is uncertain, ASC 450-10 (Contingencies) requires that we determine whether it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred. If such impairment or liability is probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated, the loss must be charged to earnings. No material charges for legal contingencies have been recorded by IEC during fiscal 2012 or the first quarter of fiscal 2013.

 

When it is considered probable that a loss has been incurred, but the amount of loss cannot be estimated, disclosure but not accrual of the probable loss is required. Disclosure of a loss contingency is also required when it is reasonably possible, but not probable, that a loss has been incurred.

 

Fair Value Measurements

 

Under ASC 825 (Financial Instruments), the Company is required to disclose the fair value of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate value. The Company’s financial instruments consist of cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and borrowings for which rates are generally variable. IEC believes that recorded value approximates fair value for all such instruments.

 

ASC 820 (Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures) defines fair value, establishes a framework for measurement, and prescribes related disclosures. ASC 820 defines fair value as the price that would be received upon sale of an asset or would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction. Inputs used to measure fair value are categorized under the following hierarchy:

 

9
 

 

Level 1: Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

 

Level 2: Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in markets whether active or not, and model-derived valuations based on observable inputs or value-drivers.

 

Level 3: Model-derived valuations using inputs for which active markets do not exist.

 

Incorporating Level 2 or Level 3 inputs into the measurement process requires significant judgment. Level 2 inputs were used in valuing fixed assets acquired in connection with IEC's fiscal 2011 and 2010 business combinations. Inputs of this nature included comparable sales values and depreciated cost values utilized in appraising acquired property and equipment.

 

Intangible asset valuations completed in connection with the Company's business combinations have been based on Level 3 inputs. The most significant such valuation, prepared for SCB's customer intangible, was derived from estimated future cash flows attributable to SCB's acquisition-date customer base. Key input assumptions utilized in the valuation process included the rate of customer attrition, cost of sales percent, and discount rate.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company’s revenue is principally derived from the sale of electronic products built to customer specifications, but also from other value-added support services and repair work. Revenue from product sales is recognized when (i) goods are shipped or title and risk of ownership have passed, (ii) the price to the buyer is fixed or determinable, and (iii) realization is reasonably assured.

 

Service revenue is generally recognized once the service has been rendered. For material management arrangements, revenue is generally recognized as services are rendered. Under such arrangements, some or all of the following services may be provided: design, bid, procurement, testing, storage or other activities relating to materials the customer expects to incorporate into products that it manufactures. Material management revenue amounted to less than 5.0% of total revenue in fiscal 2012 and the first quarter of fiscal 2013.

 

Provisions for discounts, allowances, rebates, estimated returns and other adjustments are recorded in the period the related sales are recognized.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

ASC 718 (Stock Compensation) requires that compensation expense be recognized for equity awards based on fair value as of the date of grant. For stock options, the Company uses the Black-Scholes pricing model to estimate grant date fair value. Costs associated with stock awards are recorded over requisite service periods, generally the vesting period. If vesting is contingent on the achievement of performance objectives, fair value is accrued over the period the objectives are expected to be achieved only if it is considered probable that the objectives will be achieved. The Company also has an employee stock purchase plan that provides for a discounted stock purchase price. Compensation expense related to the discount is recognized as employees contribute to the plan.

 

Income Taxes and Deferred Taxes

 

ASC 740 (Income Taxes) requires recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements or tax returns, but not in both. Deferred tax assets are also established for tax benefits associated with tax loss and tax credit carryforwards. Such deferred balances reflect tax rates that are scheduled to be in effect, based on currently enacted legislation, in the years the book/tax differences reverse and tax loss and tax credit carryforwards are expected to be realized. An allowance is established for any deferred tax asset for which realization is not likely.

 

ASC 740 also prescribes the manner in which a company measures, recognizes, presents, and discloses in its financial statements uncertain tax positions that the company has taken or expects to take on a tax return. The Company recognizes tax benefits from uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained following examination by taxing authorities, based on technical merits of the position. The Company believes that it has no material uncertain tax positions.

 

10
 

 

Any interest or penalties incurred are reported as interest expense. The Company’s income tax filings are subject to audit by various tax jurisdictions, and the current open year is fiscal 2011.

 

Earnings Per Share

 

Basic earnings per common share are calculated by dividing income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per common share add to the denominator incremental shares resulting from the assumed exercise of all potentially dilutive stock options, as well as restricted (non-vested) stock, restricted stock units (“RSU’s”) and anticipated issuance through the employee stock purchase plan. Options, restricted stock and RSU’s are primarily held by management and certain employees. A summary of shares used in earnings per share (“EPS”) calculations follows.

 

   Three Months Ended 
   December 28,   December 30, 
Shares for EPS Calculation  2012   2011 
         
Weighted average shares outstanding   9,647,210    9,645,942 
Incremental shares   320,937    358,417 
           
Diluted shares   9,968,147    10,004,359 
           
Options excluded from diluted shares as the effect of including these shares would have been anti-dilutive   52,342    44,000 

 

Dividends

 

IEC does not pay dividends on its common stock, as it is the Company's current policy to retain earnings for use in the business. Furthermore, certain covenants in the Company’s Third Amended and Restated Credit Facility Agreement with M&T restrict the Company from paying cash dividends. The Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Facility Agreement with M&T, as more fully described in Note 7 – Credit Facilities, modifies this restriction to allow dividend payments not to exceed a specified threshold.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, income and expenses and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Actual results may differ from management’s estimates.

 

Statements of Cash Flows


The Company presents operating cash flows using the indirect method of reporting under which non-cash income and expense items are removed from net income.

 

Comprehensive Income

 

IEC has no items of other comprehensive income (“OCI”) in any period presented in the accompanying financial statements, and in accordance with ASC 220-10-15, is not required to present captions for OCI or comprehensive income in the statements.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

FASB Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2011-04, "Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS," was issued in May 2011 to be effective for interim or annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The update changes the wording for certain measurement and disclosure requirements relating to fair value determinations under U.S. GAAP in order to make them more consistent with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). While many of the modifications are not expected to change the application of U.S. GAAP, additional disclosure requirements relating to the use of Level 3 inputs in determining fair value do apply to IEC. The Company uses such inputs in valuing certain assets acquired in business combinations, and, since its adoption of this update, has provided additional information regarding the sensitivity of derived values to changes in the inputs related to future acquisitions.

 

11
 

 

FASB Accounting Standards Update 2011-05, "Presentation of Comprehensive Income," was issued in June 2011 to be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Comprehensive income includes certain items that are recognized as OCI and are excluded from net income. Examples include unrealized gains/losses on certain investments and gains/losses on derivative instruments designated as hedges. Under provisions of the update, the components of OCI must be presented in one of two formats: either (i) together with net income in a continuous statement of comprehensive income or (ii) in a second statement of comprehensive income to immediately follow the income statement. An existing option to present the components of OCI as part of the statement of changes in shareholders' equity is being eliminated. Accounting Standards Update 2011-12, “Deferral of the Effective Date for Amendments to the Presentation of Reclassifications of Items Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income,” indefinitely defers the effective date of the requirement to reclassify adjustments from OCI to net income by component under ASU 2011-05 to allow time for reconsideration of these provisions.

 

FASB Accounting Standards Update 2011-08, "Testing Goodwill for Impairment," was issued in September 2011 to be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011. Under existing GAAP, entities are periodically required to evaluate the carrying value of a unit's goodwill by first determining fair value of the unit, and then, if fair value is less than the unit's carrying value, by allocating such fair value to the unit's assets and liabilities. Under provisions of the update, entities are permitted, but not required, to precede calculation of a unit's fair value with a qualitative evaluation of the likelihood that fair value is less than carrying value. If the qualitative assessment leads to a conclusion that there is more than a 50 percent likelihood that fair value exceeds carrying value, no further testing is required. In the event of a less favorable assessment, the entity is required to proceed to the previously mentioned quantitative testing. As permitted by the update, the Company adopted its provisions in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011.

 

Accounting Standards Update 2012-02, “Intangibles—Goodwill and Other: Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment,” was issued July 27, 2012 and is effective for annual and interim fiscal years beginning after December 25, 2012. The Update simplifies the guidance for testing the decline in the realizable value (impairment) of indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill. The amendments allow an organization the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test. An organization electing to perform a qualitative assessment is no longer required to calculate the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset unless the organization determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is “more likely than not” that the asset is impaired. The Company does not anticipate a significant impact upon adoption.

 

Accounting Standards Update 2012-04, “Technical Corrections and Improvements,” was issued October 2012 and for public entities, the amendments that are subject to the transition guidance will be effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The amendments in this Update cover a wide range of Topics in the Codification. These amendments are presented in two sections—Technical Corrections and Improvements (Section A) and Conforming Amendments Related to Fair Value Measurements (Section B). The amendments in this Update represent changes to clarify the Codification, correct unintended application of guidance, or make minor improvements to the Codification that are not expected to have a significant effect on current accounting. This Update is not intended to significantly change U.S. GAAP and the Company does not anticipate a significant impact upon adoption.

 

NOTE 2. ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

 

A summary of activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts during the three month periods follows:

  

   Three Months Ended 
   December 28,   December 30, 
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts  2012   2011 
   (thousands) 
Allowance, beginning of period  $406   $305 
Provision for doubtful accounts   36    107 
Allowance, end of period  $442   $412 

 

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NOTE 3. INVENTORIES

 

A summary of inventory by category at period end follows:

  

   December 28,   September 30, 
Inventories  2012   2012 
   (thousands) 
Raw materials  $12,489   $10,732 
Work-in-process   9,419    8,215 
Finished goods   1,495    1,661 
Total inventories   23,403    20,608 
Reserve for excess/obsolete inventory   (1,505)   (1,260)
Inventories, net  $21,898   $19,348 

 

NOTE 4. FIXED ASSETS

 

A summary of fixed assets by category and accumulated depreciation at period end follows:

 

   December 28,   September 30, 
Fixed Assets  2012   2012 
   (thousands) 
Land and improvements  $1,556   $1,556 
Buildings and improvements   9,852    9,852 
Leasehold improvements   1,374    1,374 
Machinery and equipment   23,449    23,085 
Furniture and fixtures   5,451    5,444 
Construction in progress   1,513    673 
Total fixed assets, at cost   43,195    41,984 
Accumulated depreciation   (25,877)   (24,864)
Fixed assets, net  $17,318   $17,120 

 

Depreciation expense during the three month periods follows:

 

   Three Months Ended 
   December 28,   December 30, 
Depreciation Expense  2012   2011 
   (thousands) 
     
Depreciation expense  $1,013   $888 

 

NOTE 5. INTANGIBLE ASSETS

 

IEC's intangible assets (other than goodwill) were acquired in connection with purchases of SCB in fiscal 2011 and Albuquerque in fiscal 2010.

 

Among SCB’s key attributes as an acquisition candidate were the relationships established with a number of military and defense contractors. The anticipated profitability of those relationships was considered by IEC in arriving at an amount to offer for the firm and also became the basis for allocating a portion of the purchase price to a related intangible asset. Based upon several key assumptions and a detailed analysis of value, $5.9 million was allocated to a customer-based intangible. The asset is being amortized over its fifteen-year estimated useful life, using the straight-line method.

 

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IEC also allocated $100 thousand to an intangible asset representing the estimated value of a five-year, non-compete agreement entered into with SCB’s selling shareholders. That intangible is being amortized evenly over its contractual life.

 

Albuquerque’s building and land were acquired subject to an Industrial Revenue Bond (“IRB”) that exempts the property from real estate taxes for the term of the IRB. The tax abatement was valued at $360 thousand at date of acquisition, and such value is being amortized over the 9.2 year exemption period that remained as of the acquisition date.

 

A summary of intangible assets by category and accumulated amortization at period end follows:

 

   December 28,   September 30, 
Intangible Assets  2012   2012 
   (thousands) 
Customer relationships  $5,900   $5,900 
Property tax abatement   360    360 
Non-compete agreement   100    100 
Total intangibles   6,360    6,360 
Accumulated amortization   (962)   (849)
Intangible assets, net  $5,398   $5,511 

 

Amortization expense during the three month periods follows:

 

   Three Months Ended 
   December 28,   December 30, 
Amortization Expense  2012   2011 
   (thousands) 
     
Intangible amortization expense  $113   $113 

 

A summary of amortization expense for the next five years follows:

 

   Estimated 
   future 
Future Amortization  amortization 
   (thousands) 
Twelve months ending December 28,     
2013  $452 
2014   452 
2015   452 
2016   432 
                        2017 and thereafter   3,610 

 

NOTE 6. GOODWILL

 

Goodwill balances result from the acquisitions of SCB in fiscal 2011 and Celmet in fiscal 2010. There were no changes in outstanding goodwill balances during the three months ended December 28, 2012.

 

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NOTE 7. CREDIT FACILITIES

 

A summary of borrowings at period end follows:

 

   Fixed/         Interest Rate   Balances 
   Variable         December 28,   September 30,   December 28,   September 30, 
Debt  Rate     Maturity   2012   2012   2012   2012 
           (percents)   (thousands) 
M&T borrowings:                              
Revolving credit facility  v    12/17/13    2.50    3.00   $12,255   $6,588 
SCB term loan  v    12/17/15    2.75    3.25    12,000    13,000 
Albuquerque term loan  v    12/16/14    2.75    3.25    2,000    2,250 
Albuquerque mortgage loan  v    12/16/14    2.75    3.25    3,200    3,267 
Celmet term loan  v    07/30/15    2.75    3.25    1,067    1,166 
Equipment loans (2)  v    12/17/13    3.25    3.25    604    672 
Equipment loan  f    06/03/13    2.85    2.93    62    108 
Energy loan  f    04/02/13    2.08    2.08    13    23 
                               
Other borrowings:                              
Seller notes, Wire and Cable  f    06/01/13    3.00    3.00    306    463 
Albuquerque industrial revenue bond  f    03/01/19    5.63    5.63    100    100 
Total debt                       31,607    27,637 
Less: current portion                       (3,380)   (6,533)
Long-term debt                      $28,227   $21,104 

 

Note: Sale-leaseback agreement with M&T is accounted for as an operating lease, and therefore is not included above.

 

M&T Credit Facilities

 

On December 17, 2010, IEC entered into the Third Amended and Restated Credit Facility Agreement (“2010 Credit Agreement”) with M&T, replacing a prior agreement dated July 30, 2010. This 2010 Credit Agreement added a $20.0 million term loan used for the SCB acquisition; increased the limit on the revolving credit facility from $15.0 million to $20.0 million; and eliminated a minimum threshold for variable interest tied to London interbank offered rate(“Libor”). The basic structure of the agreement and many of the terms and conditions remained unchanged from the prior agreement. Except as otherwise noted below, the revolving credit facility and term loan borrowings under the 2010 Credit Agreement bear interest at Libor plus a margin that varies between 2.25% and 3.75% based on the Company's ratio of debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, rent expense and non-cash stock compensation (“EBITDARS”), as defined.

 

The 2010 Credit Agreement has been superseded and replaced by the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Facility Agreement (“2013 Credit Agreement”), described below.

 

The 2010 Credit Agreement was modified on November 17, 2011 by a letter agreement that extended the equipment line to December 17, 2013 and made all loans under such line due and payable no later than that date. The 2010 Credit Agreement required prepayments of term loans equal to 50% of excess cash flow for fiscal years ending after September 30, 2010 and the letter agreement changed that requirement to fiscal years ending after September 30, 2011.

 

Individual debt facilities provided under the 2010 Credit Agreement are described below:

 

(a) Revolving Credit Facility (“Revolver”): Up to $20 million is available through December 17, 2013. The Company may borrow up to the lesser of (i) 85% of eligible receivables plus 35% of eligible inventories or (ii) $20 million. At IEC's election, another 35% of eligible inventories will be included in the borrowing base for limited periods of time during which a higher rate of interest is charged on the Revolver. Borrowings based on inventory balances are further limited to a cap of $3.75 million, or when subject to the higher percentage limit, $4.75 million. At December 28, 2012, the upper limit on Revolver borrowings was $20.0 million. Average available balances amounted to $11.9 million and $13.1 million during the three month periods ended December 28, 2012 and December 30, 2011, respectively.

 

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The Company incurs quarterly unused commitment fees approximating 0.375% of the excess of $20 million over average borrowings under the Revolver. Fees incurred amounted to $6 thousand and $8 thousand during the quarters ended December 28, 2012 and December 30, 2011, respectively. The fee percentage varies based on IEC's ratio of debt to EBITDARS.

 

(b) SCB Term Loan: $20 million was borrowed on December 17, 2010 and principal is being repaid in 60 equal monthly installments.

 

(c) Albuquerque Term Loan: $5 million was borrowed on December 16, 2009, and principal is being repaid in 60 equal monthly installments.

 

(d) Albuquerque Mortgage Loan: $4 million was borrowed on December 16, 2009. The loan is effectively secured by real property in Albuquerque, NM, and principal is being repaid in 60 monthly installments of $22 thousand plus a balloon payment due at maturity.

 

(e) Celmet Term Loan: $2 million was borrowed on July 30, 2010, and principal is being repaid in 60 equal monthly installments.

 

(f) Equipment Line of Credit: Up to $1.5 million, reduced by outstanding loans, is available through December 17, 2013. The line is available for purchases of capital equipment. Borrowings under the line are supported by individual notes that specify interest and principal repayment terms. The Company has the option to select whether the interest rate is fixed or variable. Equal payments of principal are being made over 48 months for two of the loans and over 60 months for one loan.

  

(g) Energy Loan (also referred to as the "NYSERDA” loan): $0.2 million was borrowed on April 2, 2008 under this facility, for which interest at a fixed rate of 2.08% is subsidized by the State of New York. Principal is being repaid in 60 equal monthly installments.

 

Borrowings under the 2010 Credit Agreement are secured by, among other things, the assets of IEC and its subsidiaries. The 2010 Credit Agreement also contains various affirmative and negative covenants including financial covenants. The Company is required to maintain (i) a minimum level of quarterly EBITDARS, (ii) a ratio of debt to twelve-month EBITDARS that is below a specified limit, and (iii) a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio as described in the table below.

 

Debt Covenant   Limit
Quarterly EBITDARS (000s)   Must be above $1,500
Total debt to EBITDARS   Must be below 3.00x
Fixed charge coverage ratio (a)   Must be above 1.25x

 

(a) The ratio compares (i) 12-month EBITDA plus non-cash stock compensation expense minus unfinanced capital expenditures minus cash taxes paid, to (ii) the sum of interest expense, principal payments, sale-leaseback payments and dividends, if any (fixed charges).

 

For the purpose of calculating compliance with the covenants, IEC's operating lease obligation to M&T for certain equipment sold to the bank on June 27, 2008 and leased back for a period of five years, is treated as debt. Rental payments for the remainder of the lease term ending June 2013 total $163 thousand.

 

Subsequent to the date of these financial statements, on January 18, 2013, the Company and M&T entered into the 2013 Credit Agreement. Many of the terms, conditions and covenants remain unchanged from the 2010 Credit Agreement. Although the financial covenants remain unchanged, the terms of the 2013 Credit Agreement provide that measurement of financial covenants will not occur until the end of the fiscal quarter ending in March 2013.

 

Significant modifications made in the 2013 Credit Agreement to the financing arrangements previously in effect under the 2010 Credit Agreement include:

 

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·Consolidation of all outstanding term debt, except the Albuquerque Mortgage Loan and the Energy Loan, and an $8,876,237 portion of outstanding loans under the Revolver, into two new and increased term loans, described below (“Term Loan A” and “Term Loan B”);
·Creation of a new Term Loan A in the original principal amount of $10,000,000, bearing interest at the fixed rate of 3.98% per annum, payable in equal monthly principal payments of $92,593 each plus accrued interest, with a final maturity date of February 1, 2022;
·Creation of a new Term Loan B in the original principal amount of $14,000,000, bearing interest at a variable rate equal to 2.50 percentage points above the LIBOR in effect from time to time, payable in equal monthly principal payments of $116,667 each plus accrued interest, with a final maturity date of February 1, 2023;
·Extension of the maturity date of the Albuquerque Mortgage Loan from December 16, 2014 to February 1, 2018, with no change to the monthly principal payments of $22,222 each plus accrued interest;
·Modification of the interest rate applicable to the Albuquerque Mortgage Loan from (i) a range on the applicable quarterly adjustment date of 2.50% to 3.75% above LIBOR based upon the Company’s then ratio of Debt to EBITDARS (ranging from 1.75:1.00 to 3.25:1.00), to (ii) a range on the applicable quarterly adjustment date of 2.00% to 3.25% above LIBOR based upon the Company’s then ratio of Debt to EBITDARS (ranging from 0.75:1.00 to 2.75:1.00);
·Continuation of the Revolver in the maximum available principal amount of the lesser of $20,000,000 or the amount available under the borrowing base (the formula for which, and interest rate surcharge applicable to optional over-base advances, remains unchanged), with an outstanding principal balance immediately after the closing of $3,656,140;
·Extension of the maturity date of the Revolver from December 17, 2013 to January 18, 2016;
·Modification of the interest rate applicable to the Revolver from (i) a range on the applicable quarterly adjustment date of 2.25% to 3.50% above LIBOR based upon the Company’s then ratio of Debt to EBITDARS (ranging from 1.75:1.00 to 3.25:1.00), to (ii) a range on the applicable quarterly adjustment date of 1.75% to 3.00% above LIBOR based upon the Company’s then ratio of Debt to EBITDARS (ranging from 0.75:1.00 to 2.75:1.00);
·Modification of the unused fee applicable to the Revolver from (i) a range on the applicable quarterly adjustment date of 0.125% to 0.500% based upon the Company’s then ratio of Debt to EBITDARS (ranging from 1.75:1.00 to 3.25:1.00), to (ii) a range on the applicable quarterly adjustment date of 0.125% to 0.500% based upon the Company’s then ratio of Debt to EBITDARS (ranging from 0.75:1.00 to 2.75:1.00);
·Elimination of mandatory prepayments based upon excess cash flow;
·Continuation, unchanged, of existing covenants requiring minimum quarterly EBITDARS, a maximum Debt to EBITDARS ratio, and minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, all measured at the end of each quarter commencing with the quarter ending in March 2013;
·Modification of the prohibition against dividends and stock repurchases to permit an aggregate maximum of $3,500,000 of such distributions prior to February 1, 2023 absent default at the time of the applicable payment; and
·Continuation of other terms, conditions, covenants, guarantees and collateral substantially unchanged.

 

In connection with the 2013 Credit Agreement, on January 18, 2013, the Company and M&T entered into an interest rate swap arrangement (“Swap Transaction”). The Swap Transaction is for a notional amount of $14,000,000 with an effective date of February 1, 2013 and a termination date of February 1, 2023. The Swap Transaction is designed to reduce the variability of future interest payments with respect to Term Loan B by effectively fixing the annual interest rate payable on outstanding principal of Term Loan B. Pursuant to the interest rate swap, the Company’s one-month LIBOR rate is swapped for a fixed rate of 1.32%. When the swap fixed rate is added to the Term Loan B Spread of 2.50%, the Company’s interest rate applicable to Term Loan B is effectively fixed at 3.82%.

 

Other Credit Facilities

 

(h) Seller Notes: The May 2008 acquisition of Wire and Cable was financed in part by three promissory notes payable to the sellers and totaling $3.8 million. These notes are subordinated to borrowings under the Credit Agreement and are being repaid in quarterly installments of $160 thousand, including interest. Effective October 1, 2011, the interest rate on the notes was reduced from 4.0% to 3.0% without altering any other terms of the borrowings.

 

(i) Albuquerque Industrial Revenue Bond: When IEC acquired Albuquerque, the Company assumed responsibility for a $100 thousand Industrial Revenue Bond issued by the City of Albuquerque. Interest on the bond is paid semiannually, and principal is due in its entirety at maturity. 

 

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A summary of contractual principal payments under IEC's borrowings for the next five years taking into consideration the 2013 Credit Agreement follows:

 

   Contractual 
   Principal 
Debt Repayment Schedule  Payments 
   (thousands) 
Twelve months ending December 28,     
2013  $3,380 
2014   2,778 
2015   2,778 
2016*   6,157 
2017 and thereafter   16,514 
   $31,607 

 

*Includes Revolver balance of $3,379 as of December 28, 2012.

 

NOTE 8. INCOME TAXES

 

Provision for income taxes during the three month periods follows:

 

   Three Months Ended 
   December 28,   December 30, 
Income Tax Provision  2012   2011 
   (thousands) 
Provision for income taxes  $140   $555 

 

IEC has federal and state net operating loss carryforwards (“NOLs”) for income tax purposes of approximately $11.9 million and $24.9 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2012, expiring mainly in years 2020 through 2025. It is estimated that the federal and state NOLs will produce future tax benefits totaling $4.5 million.

 

In addition, $1.0 million of New York State investment tax and other credits are available to the Company as carryforwards, expiring in various years through 2026. These credits cannot be utilized until the New York net operating loss carryforward is exhausted. We have recorded a valuation allowance for these credits to the extent that we believe it is more likely than not that the tax benefit will not be realized. If the credits expire unused, the related deferred tax asset and offsetting valuation allowance will be reduced.

 

NOTE 9. WARRANTY RESERVES

 

IEC generally warrants its products and workmanship for up to twelve months from date of sale. As an offset to warranty claims, the Company is sometimes able to obtain reimbursement from suppliers for warranty-related costs or losses. Based on historical warranty claims experience and in consideration of sales trends, a reserve is maintained for estimated future warranty costs to be incurred on products and services sold through the balance sheet date.

 

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A summary of additions to and charges against IEC's warranty reserves during the three month periods follows:

 

   Three Months Ended 
   December 28,   December 30, 
Warranty Reserve  2012   2011 
   (thousands) 
Reserve, beginning of period  $388   $448 
Provision   15    28 
Warranty costs   (23)   (62)
Reserve, end of period  $380   $414 

 

NOTE 10. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

 

The 2010 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan (“2010 Plan”) was approved by the Company’s stockholders at the January 2011 Annual Meeting of the Stockholders. This plan replaces IEC’s 2001 Stock Option and Incentive Plan (“2001 Plan”), which expired in December 2011. The 2010 Plan, which is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, provides for the following types of grants: incentive stock options, nonqualified options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units, performance compensation awards, cash incentive awards, director stock and other equity-based and equity-related awards. Awards are generally granted to certain members of management and employees, as well as directors. Under the 2010 Plan, up to 2,000,000 common shares may be issued over a term of ten years.

 

Stock-based awards granted through December 2011, were made under the 2001 Plan. Awards granted after December 2011, were made under the 2010 Plan and future awards will be made under the 2010 Plan.

 

Stock compensation expense recorded under the plans totaled $157 thousand and $135 thousand in the quarters ended December 28, 2012 and December 30, 2011, respectively. Expenses relating to stock options that comply with certain U.S. income tax rules are neither deductible by the Company nor taxable to the employee. Further information regarding awards granted under the 2001 Plan, 2010 Plan and employee stock purchase plan is provided below.

 

Stock Options

 

When options are granted, IEC estimates fair value using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and recognizes the computed value as compensation cost over the vesting period, which is typically four years. The contractual term of options granted under the plan is generally seven years.

 

Assumptions used in the Black-Scholes model and the estimated value of options follows:

 

   Three Months Ended 
   December 28,   December 30, 
Valuation of Options  2012   2011 
         
Assumptions for Black-Scholes:          
Risk-free interest rate   0.53%   1.16%
Expected term in years   4.0    4.9 
Volatility   49%   51%
Expected annual dividends   none    none 
           
Value of options granted:          
Number of options granted   50,000    10,000 
Weighted average fair value per share  $2.65   $2.12 
Fair value of options granted (000's)  $133   $21 

 

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A summary of stock option activity, together with other related data, follows:

 

   Three Months Ended 
   December 28, 2012   December 30, 2011 
       Wgtd. Avg.       Wgtd. Avg. 
   Number   Exercise   Number   Exercise 
Stock Options  of Options   Price   of Options   Price 
                 
Outstanding, beginning of period   280,789   $3.82    371,339   $3.32 
Granted   50,000    6.91    10,000    5.30 
Exercised   (1,750)   4.32    -      
Forfeited   (14,500)   6.59    (9,700)   4.60 
Expired   -         (5,000)   0.55 
Outstanding, end of period   314,539   $4.18    366,639   $3.36 
                     
For options expected to vest                    
Number expected to vest   298,812   $4.18    348,307   $3.36 
Weighted average remaining term, in years   4.2         4.2      
Intrinsic value (000s)       $721        $486 
                     
For exercisable options                    
Number exercisable   131,789   $2.04    125,239   $1.59 
Weighted average remaining term, in years   2.2         2.6      
Intrinsic value (000s)       $599        $377 
                     
For non-exercisable options                    
Expense not yet recognized (000s)       $512        $297 
Weighted average years to become exercisable   2.0         1.7      
                     
For options exercised                    
Intrinsic value (000s)       $4        $0 

 

Changes in the number of non-vested options outstanding, together with other related data, follows:

 

   Three Months Ended 
   December 28, 2012   December 30, 2011 
       Wgtd. Avg.       Wgtd. Avg. 
   Number   Exercise   Number   Exercise 
Stock Options  of Options   Price   of Options   Price 
                 
Non-vested, beginning of period   157,150   $3.82    241,100   $4.32 
Granted   50,000    6.91    10,000    5.30 
Vested   (9,900)   4.81    (3,594)   3.56 
Forfeited   (14,500)   6.59    (9,700)   4.60 
Non-vested, end of period   182,750   $5.71    237,806   $4.33 

 

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Restricted (Non-vested) Stock

 

Holders of IEC restricted stock have voting and dividend rights as of the date of grant, but until vested the shares may be forfeited and cannot be sold or otherwise transferred. At the end of the vesting period, which is typically four years (three years in the case of directors), holders have all the rights and privileges of any other IEC common stockholder. The fair value of a share of restricted stock is its market value on the date of grant, and that value is recognized as stock compensation expense over the vesting period.

 

A summary of restricted stock activity, together with related data, follows:

 

   Three Months Ended 
   December 28, 2012   December 30, 2011 
   Number of   Wgtd. Avg.   Number of   Wgtd. Avg. 
   Non-vested   Grant Date   Non-vested   Grant Date 
Restricted (Non-vested) Stock  Shares   Fair Value   Shares   Fair Value 
                 
Outstanding, beginning of period   339,939   $5.69    284,476   $5.76 
Granted   69,493    6.91    0      
Vested   (29,113)   4.17    (6,900)   3.49 
Shares withheld for payment of taxes upon vesting of restricted stock   (4,441)   4.70           
Forfeited   (4,200)   3.49    (8,400)   4.32 
Outstanding, end of period   371,678   $6.07    269,176   $5.86 
                     
For non-vested shares                    
Expense not yet recognized (000s)       $1,293        $1,005 
Weighted average remaining years for vesting        2.0         2.0 
                     
For shares vested                    
Aggregate fair value on vesting dates (000s)       $229        $35 

 

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

The Company began administering an employee stock purchase plan that provides for a discounted stock purchase price on October 1, 2011. Employee contributions and compensation expense recognized under the plan in the three months ended December 28, 2012 were $25 thousand and $3 thousand, respectively.

 

Stock Issued to Board Members

 

In addition to annual grants of restricted stock, Board members are granted common stock for certain services provided. During the quarters ended December 28, 2012 and December 30, 2011, board members were granted 730 and 2,050 shares of common stock, respectively. The Company recognized compensation expense related to Board members of $5 thousand and $11 thousand during the quarters ended December 28, 2012 and December 30, 2011, respectively.

 

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NOTE 11. MARKET SECTORS AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS

 

A summary of sales, according to the market sector within which IEC's customers operate, follows:

 

   Three Months Ended 
   December 28,   December 30, 
% of Sales by Sector  2012   2011 
         
Military & Aerospace   57%   37%
Medical   20%   27%
Industrial   16%   22%
Communications & Other   7%   14%
    100%   100%

 

Two individual customers represented 10% or more of sales for the three months ended December 28, 2012.  For this period, one customer in the Industrial sector represented 13% of sales and one customer in the Medical sector represented 10% of sales. Two individual customers represented 10% or more of sales for the three months ended December 30, 2011. One customer in the Medical sector represented 25% of sales and one customer in the Industrial sector represented 18% of sales. There were no individual customers representing 10% or more of receivables at December 28, 2012. Two individual customers represented 10% or more of receivables and aggregated 31% of outstanding receivable balances at December 30, 2011.

 

Credit risk associated with individual customers is periodically evaluated by analyzing the entity's financial condition and payment history. Customers generally are not required to post collateral.

 

NOTE 12. LITIGATION

 

There are no material, pending legal proceedings that involve IEC, its subsidiaries or their properties. From time to time, the Company may be involved in legal actions in the ordinary course of its business. However, management does not believe that any such proceedings commenced through the date of these financial statements, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position.

 

NOTE 13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

The Company is obligated under non-cancelable operating leases, primarily for manufacturing equipment, buildings and office equipment. Leases for buildings occupied by IEC's businesses expire as follows: Celmet in July 2014, and SCB primarily in September 2013. These operating leases generally contain renewal options and require the Company to pay executory costs such as taxes, insurance and maintenance.

 

A summary of minimum lease obligations through the remainder of the lease terms follows:

 

   Contractual 
   Lease 
Future Rental Obligations  Payments 
   (thousands) 
Twelve months ending December 28,     
2013  $728 
2014   189 
2015   9 
2016   3 

 

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Rent expense during the three month periods follows:

 

   Three Months Ended 
   December 28,   December 30, 
Rent Expense  2012   2011 
   (thousands) 
          
Rent expense  $357   $329 

 

During August 2011, one of IEC's operating units entered into a five-year agreement with one of its suppliers to purchase a minimum volume of materials in exchange for receiving favorable pricing on the unit's purchases. In the event the unit's cumulative purchases do not equal or exceed stated minimums, the supplier has a right to terminate the agreement and the IEC unit would be obligated to pay an early termination fee that declines from $365 thousand to zero over the term of the agreement. As of the date of this Report, the company expects to exceed minimum purchase requirements under the agreement, thereby avoiding any termination fee.

 

NOTE 14. RETIREMENT PLAN

 

The Company administers a retirement savings plan for the benefit of its eligible employees and their beneficiaries under the provisions of Sections 401(a) and (k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Eligible employees may contribute a portion of their compensation to the plan, and the Company is permitted to make discretionary contributions as determined by the Board of Directors. For the Albuquerque unit, the Company contributes 25% of the first 6% contributed by employees. Company contributions on behalf of Albuquerque employees totaled $8 thousand during the three months ended December 28, 2012, and $9 thousand during the three months ended December 30, 2011. There were no other Company contributions to the plan during the two periods.

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The information in this Management's Discussion and Analysis should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes.

 

Forward-Looking Statements: This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains certain statements that are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are made in reliance upon the protections provided by such Acts for forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements (such as when we describe what we “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” or “anticipate” will occur, and other similar statements) include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future sales and operating results, future prospects, the capabilities and capacities of business operations, any financial or other guidance and all statements that are not based on historical fact, but rather reflect our current expectations concerning future results and events. The ultimate correctness of these forward-looking statements is dependent upon a number of known and unknown risks and events and is subject to various uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be different from those expressed or implied by these statements.

 

The following important factors, among others, could affect future results and events, causing those results and events to differ materially from those views expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements: business conditions and growth or contraction in our customers' industries, the electronic manufacturing services industry and the general economy; variability of operating results; our dependence on a limited number of major customers; the potential consolidation of our customer base; availability of component supplies; dependence on certain industries; variability of customer requirements; uncertainties as to availability and timing of governmental funding for our customers; our ability to assimilate acquired businesses and to achieve the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions; unforeseen product failures and the potential product liability claims that may be associated with such failures; the availability of capital and other economic, business and competitive factors affecting our customers, our industry and business generally; failure or breach of our information technology systems; natural disasters; and other factors that we may not have currently identified or quantified.

 

We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time and we cannot predict those events or how they may affect us. When considering these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you should keep in mind the cautionary statements contained elsewhere in this report and in any documents incorporated herein by reference. In particular, you should consider the Risk Factors identified in Item 1 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012.

 

Overview

 

Since 2004, we have focused our efforts on developing relationships with customers who manufacture advanced technology products and who are unlikely to utilize offshore suppliers due to the proprietary nature of their products, governmental restrictions or volume considerations. We have continued to expand our business by adding new customers and markets, and our customer base is stronger and more diverse as a result. We proactively invest in areas we view as important for our continued growth. IEC is ISO 9001:2008 certified. Four of our units (IEC and Wire and Cable in Newark, NY; Albuquerque in NM; and SCB in Bell Gardens, CA) are AS9100 certified to serve the military and commercial aerospace market sector, and are ITAR registered. In addition, the Company’s locations in Newark, NY and Albuquerque, NM are Nadcap accredited for electronics manufacturing to support the most stringent quality requirements of the aerospace industry and the Newark, NY location is ISO 13485 certified to serve the medical market sector. Our Newark, NY location is also an NSA approved supplier under the COMSEC standard and its environmental systems are ISO 14001:2004 certified. DRTL is ISO 17025 accredited, which is the international standard covering testing and calibration laboratories. Albuquerque and SCB also perform work per NASA-STD-8739 and J-STD-001ES space standards.

 

We evaluate emerging technologies on an ongoing basis to maintain a technology roadmap so that relevant processes and advances in new equipment are available to our customers when commercial and design factors warrant. The current generation of interconnection technologies includes chip-scale packaging and ball-grid-array (“BGA”) assembly techniques. We have placed millions of plastic and ceramic BGA's since 1994. Future advances will be directed by our Technology Center, which combines Prototype and Pilot Build Services with the capabilities of our Advanced Materials Technology Laboratory and our Design Engineering Group.

 

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The technical expertise of our experienced workforce enables us to build some of the most advanced electronic, wire & cable, and precision metal systems sought by original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”).

 

Three Month Results

 

A summary of selected income statement amounts for the three months ended follows:

 

   Three Months Ended 
   December 28,   December 30, 
Income Statement Data  2012   2011 
   (thousands) 
         
Net sales  $32,989   $33,859 
Gross profit   4,704    5,487 
Selling and administrative expenses   4,046    4,533 
Interest and financing expense   279    353 
Other income   -    (902)
Income before provision for income taxes   379    1,503 
Provision for income taxes   140    555 
Net income  $239   $948 

 

Revenue decreased in the first quarter of fiscal 2013 by 2.6% as compared to the first quarter of the prior fiscal year. Aggregate revenue decreases in the medical, industrial and communications & other market sectors of $8.3 million were partially offset by increased revenue in the military & aerospace market sector of $7.4 million. Revenue for the medical market sector decreased $2.5 million primarily due to decreased demand from a customer due to completion of a recall program partially offset by an increase in demand from another customer for an ongoing program. Revenue for the industrial market sector decreased $3.5 million primarily due to delayed demand from one of our customers and a strategic decision by another customer to dual source product to mitigate risk. Revenue for the communications and other market sector also decreased by $2.3 million primarily due to decreased demand from two customers, one of which is now producing a component part in house. Military & aerospace revenue increased $7.4 million due primarily to revenue related to new programs from existing customers, revenue from a new customer and releases in military funding. These increases were partially offset by a $1.0 million decrease in revenue from one of our aerospace customers that discontinued outsourcing a product to us and began to manufacture it in house as a result of its available capacity due to decreased demand by its end customer.

 

Our first fiscal quarter gross profit decreased $0.8 million to 14.3% of sales from 16.2% of sales in the first quarter of the prior fiscal year. Lower sales volume and unfavorable changes in product mix at some locations was partially offset by higher sales volume and favorable changes in product mix at others. Lower than anticipated sales volumes at some locations reduced leverage on fixed overhead costs. In addition, we anticipated higher revenue volumes and incurred higher indirect labor as a result.

 

Selling and administrative ("S&A") expense decreased $0.5 million to 12.3% of revenue in the first fiscal quarter of 2013, as compared to 13.4% in the same quarter of the prior fiscal year. $0.2 million of the decrease is severance to our former CFO in the first quarter of the prior fiscal year. The remainder of the decrease is due to lower payroll related costs, including bonus due to lower sales volumes.

 

Interest expense decreased to $279 thousand in the first fiscal quarter from $353 thousand in the same quarter of the prior fiscal year. The decrease is the result of reductions in our term debt and interest rates, partially offset by an increase in average revolving debt. Average borrowings in the most recent fiscal quarter were lower than the first quarter of the prior fiscal year due to the repayment of term loans partially offset by increased revolving debt. The weighted average interest rate on IEC's debt was 0.73% lower than in the first quarter of the prior fiscal year. Detailed information regarding our borrowings, including a summary of modifications in the Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Facility Agreement, is provided in Note 7 - Credit Facilities to the consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report.

 

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IEC utilizes the other income/expense category of the income statement for non-operating items such as acquisition costs and various gains and losses. There was no other income/expense for the first quarter of the current fiscal year. In the first quarter of the prior fiscal year, $0.9 million of additional income was recorded related to a reduction in contingent consideration.

 

A lower provision for income taxes in the first fiscal quarter of 2013 results mainly from a decrease in pretax income as compared to the first quarter of the prior fiscal year.

 

With respect to tax payments, in the near term IEC expects to be sheltered by sizable net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards for federal and New York state income tax purposes. At the end of fiscal 2012, the carryforwards amounted to approximately $11.9 million and $24.9 million for federal and New York State, respectively. The carryforwards expire in varying amounts between 2020 and 2025 unless utilized prior to these dates. It is estimated that the federal and state NOLs will produce future tax benefits totaling $4.5 million.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Cash flow from operations, before considering changes in IEC’s working capital accounts, amounted to $1.6 million in the three months ended December 28, 2012, compared to $1.8 million in three months ended December 30, 2011. The decrease was driven by a $0.7 million decrease in net income, as well as a $0.5 million lower add-back for deferred taxes. The decrease in cash flow from operations was partially offset by the absence of an add-back related to contingent consideration. The net change in current asset and liability accounts used $4.3 million of cash in the fiscal quarter ended December 28, 2012, compared to generating $0.7 million of cash for the fiscal quarter ended December 30, 2011. This is due to decreases in accounts receivable and accounts payable and an increase in inventory resulting from lower sales volume.

 

Investing activities utilized $1.2 million of cash flow in each of the fiscal quarters ended December 28, 2012 and December 30, 2011. Cash was used to purchase equipment to enhance productivity and facilitate growth.

 

For the three months ended December 28, 2012, bank funding of the revolving credit facility represented the majority of cash generated from financing activities. Cash was also used to pay term loans, mortgage loans and the revolving credit facility. During the quarter ended December 28, 2012, the Company’s net borrowings were $4.0 million, and for the quarter ended December 30, 2011, we repaid $1.3 million.

 

As of December 28, 2012, borrowings under the revolving credit facility (“Revolver”) amounted to $12.3 million, and the maximum available was $20.0 million. Borrowings on the Revolver in the first quarter were due to funding working capital changes discussed above. The Company believes that its liquidity is sufficient to satisfy anticipated operating requirements during the next twelve months.

 

The Company's primary borrowing arrangement as of December 28, 2012 was provided in the Third Amended and Restated Credit Facility Agreement ("2010 Credit Agreement") entered into with Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company ("M&T") in December 2010, as amended and supplemented thereafter. Key provisions are more particularly described in Note 7 - Credit Facilities to the consolidated financial statements contained in this Quarterly Report. They define a borrowing base and describe various affirmative and negative covenants, including financial covenants. On January 18, 2013, the Company and M&T entered into a Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Facility Agreement (“2013 Credit Agreement”), key provisions of which also are described in Note 7 – Credit Facilities to the consolidated financial statements contained in this Quarterly Report. The terms of the 2013 Credit Agreement provide that measurement of financial covenants will not occur until the end of the fiscal quarter ending in March 2013. Such financial covenants remain unchanged from those contained in the 2010 Credit Agreement, and include (i) a minimum level of quarterly EBITDARS, (ii) a ratio of debt to twelve-month EBITDARS that is below a specified limit, and (iii) a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio. EBITDARS is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, rent expense and non-cash stock compensation.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

 

IEC is not a party to any material off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

Application of Critical Accounting Policies

 

Our application of critical accounting policies are disclosed in our 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012. During the quarter ended December 28, 2012 there have been no material changes to these policies.

 

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Recently Issued Accounting Standards

 

See Note 1. Our Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report for further information concerning recently issued accounting pronouncements.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

As a result of its financing activities, the Company is exposed to changes in interest rates that may adversely affect operating results. As of December 28, 2012, the Company had $31.6 million of debt, comprised of $31.1 million with variable interest rates and $0.5 million with fixed rates. Interest rates on variable loans are based on London interbank offered rate (“Libor”) and currently adjust daily, causing interest on such loans to vary from period to period. A sensitivity analysis as of December 28, 2012 indicates that a one-percentage point increase or decrease in interest rates, which represents more than a 10% change, would increase or decrease the Company's annual interest expense by approximately $311 thousand. As more fully described in Note 7 – Credit Facilities to the consolidated financial statement included in this Quarterly Report, after giving effect to the 2013 Credit Agreement and the Swap Transaction on January 18, 2013, the Company had $31.2 million of debt outstanding and had increased the portion of debt with effectively fixed rates of interest from $0.5 million to $24.4 million.

 

The Company is exposed to credit risk to the extent of non-performance by M&T under the 2013 Credit Agreement and the Swap Transaction. The bank's credit rating (reaffirmed A- by Fitch in December 2012) is monitored by the Company, and IEC expects that M&T will perform in accordance with the terms of the 2013 Agreement and the Swap Transaction.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

 

IEC's management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(c) and 15d-15(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”)) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of December 28, 2012, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

 

During the three months ended December 28, 2012, there were no changes in our internal controls that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

Limitations on the effectiveness of control systems

 

IEC's management does not expect that our disclosure controls and internal controls will prevent all errors and fraud. Because of inherent limitations in any such control system (e.g. faulty judgments, human error, information technology system error, or intentional circumvention), there can be no assurance that the objectives of a control system will be met under all circumstances. Moreover, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risks that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. The benefits of a control system also must be considered relative to the costs of the system and management’s judgments regarding the likelihood of potential events. In summary, there can be no assurance that any control system will succeed in achieving its goals under all possible future conditions, and as a result of these inherent limitations, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and may or may not be detected.

 

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PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings:

 

There are no material, pending legal proceedings that involve IEC, its subsidiaries or their properties. From time to time, the Company may be involved in legal actions in the ordinary course of its business. However, management does not believe that any such proceedings commenced through the date of the financial statements contained in Part I of this Quarterly Report, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material, adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors:

 

There are no material changes to the risk factors described in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2012.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds:

 

Issuer Purchase of Equity Securities
Period (1)  Total Number
of Shares
Purchased (2)
   Average Price
Paid per
Share
   Total Number
of Shares
Purchased as
Part of
Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs
   Maximum
Number of
Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased
Under the
Plans or
Programs
 
October 1, 2012 – October 26, 2012   -   $-    -    - 
October 27, 2012 – November 23, 2012   -    -    -    - 
November 24, 2012 – December 28, 2012   4,441    6.65    -    - 
Total   4,441   $6.65    -    - 

 

(1) The reported periods conform to the Company’s fiscal calendar.

 

(2) The total number of shares purchased in the period consists of shares withheld by the Company in satisfaction of withholding taxes due upon the vesting of restricted stock awards granted under the 2001 Plan. Shares withheld are cancelled and are no longer deemed issued and outstanding.

 

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities: None

 

Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures: Not Applicable

 

Item 5. Other Information: None

 

Item 6. Exhibits: For the exhibits that are filed herewith or incorporated herein by reference, see the Index to Exhibits located immediately following the signature page to this Report. The Index to Exhibits is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

    IEC Electronics Corp.
    (Registrant)
     
February 8, 2013   /s/ W. Barry Gilbert
    W. Barry Gilbert
    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
     
February 8, 2013   /s/ Vincent A. Leo
    Vincent A. Leo
    Chief Financial Officer

 

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IEC ELECTRONICS CORP.

Form 10-Q for Quarter Ended December 28, 2012

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit No.   Description
10.1   Fourth Amended and Restated Credit Facility Agreement, dated January 18, 2013, between IEC Electronics Corp. and Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 25, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference)
10.2   ISDA Master Agreement dated January 18, 2013 between IEC Electronics Corp. and Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 25, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference)
10.3   Schedule to ISDA Master Agreement dated January 18, 2013 between IEC Electronics Corp. and Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 25, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference)
10.4   Confirmation of Swap Transaction between IEC Electronics Corp. and Manufacturers and Traders Trust Company entered into January 18, 2013 (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 25, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference)
31.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
31.2   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.1   Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
101   The following items from this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language: (i) Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited), (ii) Consolidated Income Statements (unaudited), (iii) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (unaudited), (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited), and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the interactive data files in Exhibit 101 hereto are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended; are deemed not filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and otherwise are not subject to liability under those sections.

  

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