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UNITED STATES

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

Washington, D.C. 20549

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FORM 10-Q

 

xQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended August 1, 2009

 

OR

 

oTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES

EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Transition Period From to ___ . ___

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Commission File Number: 0-23246

 

DAKTRONICS, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

 

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 o

 

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 o  No o

 

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.

 

Yes o No x  

 

The number of shares of the registrant’s common stock outstanding as of August 25, 2009 was 40,776,914.

DAKTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

FORM 10-Q

For the Quarter Ended August 1, 2009

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

DAKTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands, except share data)

 

 

DAKTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(continued)

(in thousands, except share data)

 

 

 

DAKTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

DAKTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

DAKTRONICS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(in thousands, except per share data)

(unaudited)

 

Note 1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Critical Accounting Policies

 

In the opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to fairly present our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts therein. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making estimates, actual results in future periods may differ from those estimates.

 

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted. The balance sheet at May 2, 2009 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.These financial statements should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended May 2, 2009, which are contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim period or for the full fiscal year.

 

The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Daktronics France SARL; Daktronics Shanghai, Ltd.; Daktronics GmbH; Star Circuits, Inc.; Daktronics Media Holdings, Inc.; MSC Technologies, Inc.; Daktronics UK, Ltd.; Daktronics Hong Kong, Ltd.; Daktronics Canada, Inc.; Daktronics Hoist, Inc.; Daktronics Beijing, Ltd; Daktronics Australia Pty Ltd; and Daktronics FZE. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

Investments in affiliates are accounted for by the equity method. We have evaluated our relationships with affiliates and have determined that these entities are not variable interest entities and therefore are not required to be considered for consolidation in our consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, our proportional share of the respective affiliate’s earnings or losses is included in other income (expense) in our consolidated statement of income.

 

Use of estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ significantly from those estimates. Material estimates that are particularly susceptible to significant change in the near-term relate to the determination of the estimated total costs on long-term construction contracts (“construction-type contracts”), estimated costs to be incurred for product warranties, excess and obsolete inventory, the reserve for doubtful accounts, stock-based compensation and income taxes. Changes in estimates are reflected in the periods in which they become known.

 

Restricted Cash: Restricted cash consists of deposits to secure bank guarantees issued by our Chinese subsidiary.

 

Software Costs: We capitalize certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining internal-use software. Capitalized software costs are included in Property and Equipment on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Software costs that do not meet capitalization criteria are expensed immediately.

 

Insurance: We are self-insured for certain losses related to health and liability claims and workers’ compensation, although we obtain third-party insurance to limit our exposure to these claims. We estimate our self-insured liabilities using a number of factors, including historical claims experience. Our self-insurance liability was $2,913 and $2,506 at August 1, 2009 and May 2, 2009, respectively, and is included in Accrued Expenses and Warranty Obligations in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 

Foreign currency translation: Our foreign subsidiaries use the local currency of their respective countries as their functional currency. The assets and liabilities of foreign operations are generally translated at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. The operating results of foreign operations are translated at weighted average exchange rates. The related translation gains or losses are reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity.

 

Product design and development: All expenses related to product design and development are charged to operations as incurred. Our product development activities include the enhancement of existing products and the development of new products.

 

Shipping and handling costs: Shipping and handling costs that are collected from our customers in connection with our sales are recorded as revenue. We record shipping and handling costs as a component of cost of sales at the time the product is shipped.

 

Receivables: Accounts receivable are reported net of an allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,927 and $2,164 at August 1, 2009 and May 2, 2009, respectively.

 

We make estimates regarding the collectability of our accounts receivable, long-term receivables, costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings and other receivables. In evaluating the adequacy of our allowance for doubtful accounts, we analyze specific balances, customer creditworthiness, changes in customer payment cycles, and current economic trends. If the financial condition of any customer was to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of its ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. We charge off receivables at such time as it is determined that collection will not occur.

 

In connection with certain sales transactions, we have entered into sales contracts with installment payments exceeding six months and sales type leases. The present value of these contracts and leases is recorded as a receivable upon the installation and acceptance of the equipment, and profit is recognized to the extent that the present value is in excess of cost. We generally retain a security interest in the equipment or in the cash flow generated by the equipment until the contract is paid.

 

Note 2. Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

 

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 157, Fair Value Measurements.  SFAS No. 157 establishes a framework for measuring fair value, clarifies the definition of fair value, and requires additional disclosures about fair value measurements that are already required or permitted by other accounting standards (except for measurements of share-based payments) and is expected to increase the consistency of those measurements.  SFAS No. 157, as issued, is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007.  In February 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position SFAS No. 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157, that deferred the effective date of SFAS No. 157 for one year for certain nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities.  Accordingly, we adopted certain parts of SFAS No. 157 at the beginning of fiscal year 2009, and the remaining parts of SFAS No. 157 were adopted by us at the beginning of fiscal year 2010.  The implementation of SFAS No. 157 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), Business Combinations. SFAS No. 141(R) amends SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations, and provides revised guidance for recognizing and measuring identifiable assets and goodwill acquired, liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree. Some of the revised guidance of SFAS No. 141(R) includes initial capitalization of acquired in-process research and development, expensing transaction and acquired restructuring costs and recording contingent consideration payments at fair value, with subsequent adjustments recorded to net earnings. It also provides disclosure requirements to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. We adopted SFAS No. 141(R) on May 3, 2009, and any acquisitions we make in fiscal 2010 and future periods will be subject to this new accounting guidance.

 

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 160, Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements. SFAS No. 160 establishes new standards that will govern the accounting for and reporting of noncontrolling interests in partially owned subsidiaries. SFAS No. 160 is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008 and requires retroactive adoption of the presentation and disclosure requirements for existing minority interests. All other requirements shall be applied prospectively. We adopted SFAS No. 160 on May 3, 2009. As of that date, we did not have any partially owned consolidated subsidiaries and, therefore, the adoption of this accounting standard had no effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133, which changes the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities. SFAS No. 161 requires companies to provide enhanced disclosures about (a) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (b) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS No. 133 and its related interpretations, and (c) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows.  We adopted SFAS No. 161 on May 3, 2009. The adoption of SFAS No. 161 had no effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. 142-3, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets. FSP No. 142-3 amends the factors that should be considered in developing renewal or extension assumptions used to determine the useful life of a recognized intangible asset under SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. FSP No. 142-3 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. We adopted FSP No. 142-3 on May 3, 2009. The adoption of FSP No. 142-3 had no effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. This standard is intended to improve financial reporting by identifying a consistent framework, or hierarchy, for selecting accounting principles to be used in preparing financial statements that are presented in conformity with GAAP for non-governmental entities. We adopted SFAS No. 162 on its effective date, November 15, 2008, and it did not have a material impact on the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2008, the FASB issued FSP Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) Issue No. 03-6-1, “Determining Whether Instruments Granted in Share-Based Payment Transactions Are Participating Securities”. FSP EITF No. 03-6-1 provides that unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents (whether paid or unpaid) are participating securities and shall be included in the computation of earnings per share (“EPS”) pursuant to the two-class method. FSP EITF No. 03-6-1 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. Upon adoption, all prior-period EPS data is required to be adjusted retrospectively (including interim financial statements, summaries of earnings, and selected financial data) to conform to the provisions of FSP EITF No. 03-6-1. We adopted EITF No. 03-6-1 on May 3, 2009. Since we do not have any share-based payments that would be considered to be participating securities under these provisions, the implementation will not have any impact on our computation of EPS unless we issue such securities in the future.

In November 2008, the FASB ratified EITF Issue No. 08-6, “Equity Method Investment Accounting Considerations”. EITF No. 08-6 applies to all investments accounted for under the equity method and clarifies the accounting for certain transactions and impairment considerations involving equity method investments. We adopted EITF No. 08-6 on May 3, 2009. Adopting EITF No. 08-6 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In November 2008, the FASB ratified EITF Issue No. 08-7, “Accounting for Defensive Intangible Assets”. EITF No. 08-7 applies to defensive intangible assets, which are acquired intangible assets that an entity does not intend to actively use but does intend to prevent others from obtaining access to the asset. EITF No. 08-7 requires an entity to account for defensive intangible assets as a separate unit of accounting. Defensive intangible assets should not be included as part of the cost of an entity’s existing intangible assets because the defensive intangible assets are separately identifiable. Defensive intangible assets must be recognized at fair value in accordance with SFAS No. 141(R) and SFAS No. 157. EITF No. 08-7 is effective for intangible assets acquired for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. We adopted EITF Issue No. 08-7 on May 3, 2009, and any intangible asset acquired after that date will be subject to this new accounting guidance.

 

In April 2009, the FASB issued three FASB Staff Positions intended to provide additional application guidance and enhanced disclosures regarding fair value measurements and impairments of securities. FSP No. 157-4, Determining Fair Value When the Volume and Level of Activity for the Asset or Liability Have Significantly Decreased and Identifying Transactions That Are Not Orderly, provides additional guidelines for estimating fair value in accordance with SFAS No. 157, Fair Value Measurements. FSP No. 115-2, Recognition and Presentation of Other-Than-Temporary Impairments, provides additional guidance related to the disclosure of impairment losses on securities and the accounting for impairment losses on debt securities. FSP No. 115-2 does not amend existing guidance related to other-than-temporary impairments of equity securities. FSP No. 107-1 and Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 28-1, Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments, increases the frequency of fair value disclosures. These FSPs are effective for fiscal years and interim periods ending after June 15, 2009. We adopted these FSPs on May 3, 2009. The adoption of these FSPs did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 165, Subsequent Events. SFAS No. 165 is intended to establish general standards of accounting for and disclosures of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. Specifically, SFAS No. 165 sets forth the period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements, and the disclosures that an entity should make about events or transactions that occurred after the balance sheet date.  SFAS No. 165 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods ending after June 15, 2009 and will be applied prospectively. We adopted SFAS No. 165 on August 1, 2009 and do not expect that it will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 168, The FASB Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. SFAS No. 168 replaces SFAS No. 162, The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, and establishes only two levels of U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), authoritative and nonauthoritative. The FASB Accounting Standards Codification (the “Codification”) will become the source of authoritative, nongovernmental GAAP, except for rules and interpretive releases of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), which are sources of authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. All other non-grandfathered, non-SEC accounting literature not included in the Codification will become non-authoritative. This standard is effective for financial statements for interim or annual reporting periods ending after September 15, 2009.  We will begin to use the new guidelines and numbering system prescribed by the Codification when referring to GAAP in the second quarter of fiscal 2010. As the Codification was not intended to change or alter existing GAAP, it will not have any impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

Note 3. Revenue Recognition

 

Multiple-element arrangements: We generate revenue from the sale of equipment and related services, including customization, installation and maintenance services. In some instances, we provide some or all of such equipment and services to our customers under the terms of a single multiple-element sales arrangement. These arrangements typically involve the sale of equipment bundled with some or all of these services, but may also involve instances in which we have contracted to deliver multiple pieces of equipment over time, rather than at a single point in time.

 

When a sales arrangement involves multiple elements, the items included in the arrangement (deliverables) are evaluated pursuant to Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 00-21, Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables, to determine whether they represent separate units of accounting. We perform this evaluation at the inception of an arrangement and as we deliver each item in the arrangement. Generally, we account for a deliverable (or a group of deliverables) separately if the delivered item(s) has standalone value to the customer, there is objective and reliable evidence of the fair value of the undelivered items included in the arrangement, and, if we have given the customer a general right of return relative to the delivered item(s), delivery or performance of the undelivered item(s) or service(s) is probable and substantially in our control.

 

When items included in a multiple-element arrangement represent separate units of accounting and there is objective and reliable evidence of fair value for all items included in the arrangement, we allocate the arrangement consideration to the individual items based on their relative fair values. If there is objective and reliable evidence of the fair value(s) of the undelivered item(s) in an arrangement, but no such evidence for the delivered item(s), we use the residual method to allocate the arrangement consideration. In either case, the amount of arrangement consideration allocated to the delivered item(s) is limited to the amount that is not contingent on us delivering additional products or services. Once we have determined the amount, if any, of arrangement consideration allocable to the delivered item(s), we apply the applicable revenue recognition policy, as described elsewhere herein, to determine when such amount may be recognized as revenue.

 

We generally determine if objective and reliable evidence of fair value for the items included in a multiple-element arrangement exists based on whether we have vendor-specific objective evidence (VSOE) of the price for which we sell an item on a standalone basis. If we do not have VSOE for the item, we will use the price charged by a competitor selling a comparable product or service on a standalone basis to similarly situated customers, if available.

 

If we cannot account for the items included in a multiple-element arrangement as separate units of accounting, they are combined and accounted for as a single unit of accounting, generally resulting in a delay in the recognition of revenue for the delivered item(s) until we have provided the undelivered item(s) or service(s) to the customer.

 

Construction-type contracts: Earnings on construction-type contracts are recognized on the percentage-of-completion method, measured by the percentage of costs incurred to date to estimated total costs for each contract. Operating expenses are charged to operations as incurred and are not allocated to contract costs. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are probable and estimable.

 

Equipment other than construction-type contracts: We recognize revenue on equipment sales, other than construction-type contracts, when title passes, which is usually upon shipment and then only if the terms of the arrangement are fixed and determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. We record estimated sales returns and discounts as a reduction of net sales in the same period revenue is recognized.

 

Long-term receivables and advertising rights: We occasionally sell and install our products at facilities in exchange for the rights to sell or to retain future advertising revenues. For these transactions, we recognize revenue for the amount of the present value of the future advertising payments if enough advertising is sold to obtain normal margins on the contract, and we record the related receivable in long-term receivables. On those transactions where we have not sold the advertising for the full value of the equipment at normal margins, we record the related cost of equipment as advertising rights. Revenue to the extent of the present value of the advertising payments is recognized in long-term receivables when it becomes fixed and determinable under the provisions of the applicable advertising contracts. At the time the revenue is recognized, costs of the equipment are recognized based on an estimate of overall margin expected.

 

In cases where we receive advertising rights as opposed to only cash payments in exchange for the equipment, revenue is recognized as it becomes earned and the related costs of the equipment are amortized over the term of the advertising rights, which are owned by us. On these transactions, advance collections of advertising revenues are recorded as deferred revenue.

 

The cost of advertising rights, net of amortization, was $2,355 as of August 1, 2009 and $2,392 as of May 2, 2009.

 

Product maintenance: In connection with the sale of our products, we also occasionally sell separately priced extended warranties and product maintenance contracts. The revenue related to such contracts is deferred and recognized ratably as net sales over the terms of the contracts, which vary up to 10 years.

 

Software: We typically sell our proprietary software bundled with video displays and certain other products, but we also sell our software separately. Pursuant to American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) Statement of Position (SOP) 97-2, “Software Revenue Recognition,” as amended by SOP 98-4, “Deferral of the Effective Date of a Provision of SOP 97-2,” and SOP 98-9, “Modification of SOP 97-2, Software Revenue Recognition with Respect to Certain Transactions,” revenues from software license fees on sales, other than construction-type contracts, are recognized when persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, delivery of the product has occurred, the fee is fixed and determinable and collection is probable. For sales of software included in construction-type contracts, the revenue is recognized under the percentage-of-completion method starting when all of the above-mentioned criteria have been met.

 

Services: Revenues generated by us for services such as event support, control room design, on-site training, equipment service and technical support for our equipment are recognized as net sales when the services are performed. Net sales from services offerings which are not included in construction-type contracts approximated 7.0% and 4.3% of net sales for the three months ended August 1, 2009 and August 2, 2008, respectively.

 

Rentals: We rent display equipment to our customers under short-term rental agreements, generally for periods no longer than 12 months. Revenues generated by us for equipment rentals are recognized over the period of the rental agreement.

 

Derivatives: We utilize derivative financial instruments to manage the economic impact of fluctuations in currency exchange rates on those transactions that are denominated in currency other than our functional currency, which is the U.S. dollar. We enter into currency forward contracts to manage these economic risks. SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, as amended by SFAS No. 137 and SFAS No. 138, requires us to recognize all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. Derivatives that are not hedges must be adjusted to fair value through earnings. If a derivative is a hedge, depending on the nature of the hedge, changes in the fair value of derivatives are either offset against the change in the fair value of the hedged assets, liabilities or firm commitments through earnings or recognized in accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss) until the hedged item is recognized in earnings.

 

To protect against the reduction in value of forecasted foreign currency cash flows resulting from export sales over the next year, we have instituted a foreign currency cash flow hedging program. We hedge portions of our forecasted revenue denominated in foreign currencies with forward contracts. When the dollar strengthens significantly against the foreign currencies, the decline in value of future foreign currency revenue is offset by gains in the value of the forward contracts designated as hedges. Conversely, when the dollar weakens, the increase in the value of future foreign currency cash flows is offset by losses in the value of the forward contracts.

 

There were no derivatives outstanding as of August 1, 2009.

 

 

 

Basic EPS is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that would occur if securities or other obligations to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in our earnings.

 

A reconciliation of the income and common share amounts used in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS for the three months ended August 1, 2009 and August 2, 2008 follows:

 

 

Note 5. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

 

We account for goodwill and other intangible assets in accordance with SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, and we complete an impairment analysis on at least an annual basis and more frequently if circumstances warrant.

 

Goodwill was $4,648 at August 1, 2009 and $4,549 at May 2, 2009. We performed an impairment analysis of goodwill as of November 1, 2008. In addition, due to the then current economic conditions, the effects of the recession on our markets and the decline in our stock price, we believed that an additional goodwill impairment test was required as of May 2, 2009. The result of the analysis at each time indicated that no goodwill impairment existed as of those dates.

 

As required by SFAS No. 142, intangibles with finite lives are amortized. Included in intangible assets are non-compete agreements, various patents and trademarks. The net value of intangible assets is included as a component of intangible and other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Estimated amortization expense based on intangibles as of August 1, 2009 is $315, $288, $245, $228, $228 for the fiscal years ending 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively and $552 thereafter. The following table sets forth the gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets by major intangible class as of August 1, 2009:

 

 

 

Note 6. Inventories

 

Inventories consist of the following:

 

 

Note 7. Segment Disclosure

 

We have five business units which meet the definition of reportable segments under SFAS No. 131 Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information: Commercial, Live Events, Schools and Theatres, Transportation and International.

 

Our Commercial segment consists of primarily sales of our PS-X, HD-X and our Galaxy® and Valo™ product lines, to resellers, primarily sign companies, outdoor advertisers, national retailers, quick-serve restaurants, casinos and petroleum retailers. Our Live Events segment consists of primarily sales of integrated scoring and video display systems to college and professional sports facilities and mobile PST display technology to video rental organizations and other live events type venues. Our Schools and Theatres segment primarily consists of sales of scoring systems, Galaxy® and PS-X display systems to primary and secondary education facilities and sales of our Vortek® automated rigging systems for theatre applications. Our Transportation segment primarily consists of sales of our Vanguard® and Galaxy® product lines to governmental transportation departments, airlines and other transportation related customers. Finally, our International segment primarily consists of sales of all product lines to geographics outside the United States and Canada.

 

Segment reports present results through contribution margin, which is comprised of gross profit less selling costs. Segment profit excludes general and administration expense, product development expense, interest income and expense, non-operating income and income tax expense. Assets are not allocated to the segments. Depreciation and amortization, excluding that portion related to non-allocated costs are allocated to each segment based on various financial measures. In general, segments follow the same accounting policies as those described in Note 1. Costs of domestic field sales and services infrastructure, including most field administrative staff, are allocated to the Commercial, Live Events and Schools and Theatres segments based on cost of sales. Shared manufacturing, building and utilities and procurement costs are allocated based on direct hours, square footage and other various financial measures. Beginning in fiscal 2010, we ceased allocation of general and administrative and product development expenses to reflect our management approach to these costs. Fiscal 2009 segment results have been retrospectively adjusted to conform to these changes.

 

We do not maintain information on sales by products and, therefore, disclosure of such information is not practical.

 

The following table sets forth certain financial information for each of our five functional operating segments:

 

 

 

No single geographic area comprises a material amount of net sales or long-lived assets other than the United States. The following table presents information about us in the United States and elsewhere:

 

 

 

 

Note 8. Share-Based Compensation

 

Stock incentive plans: During fiscal 2008, we established the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan (“2007 Plan”) and ceased granting options under the 2001 Incentive Stock Option Plan, the 2001 Outside Directors Option Plan (“2001 Plans”), the 1993 Incentive Stock Option Plan, as amended, and the 1993 Outside Directors Option Plan, as amended (“1993 Plans”). The 2007 Plan provides for the issuance of stock-based awards, including stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and deferred stock, to employees, directors and consultants. Stock options issued to employees under the plans generally have a ten-year life, an exercise price equal to the fair market value on the grant date and a five-year vesting period. Stock options granted to outside directors under these plans have a seven-year life, an exercise price equal to the fair market value on the date of grant and a three-year vesting period, provided that they remain on the Board. The restricted stock granted to members of the Board of Directors vests in one year, provided that they remain on the Board. As with stock options, restricted stock cannot be transferred during the vesting period.

 

 

We also have an employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”), which enables employees to contribute up to 10% of their compensation toward the purchase of our common stock at the end of the participation period at a purchase price equal to 85% of the lower of the fair market value of the common stock on the first or last day of the participation period.

 

A summary of the share-based compensation expense for stock options, restricted stock and our ESPP that we recorded in accordance with SFAS No. 123(R) is as follows:

 

 

As of August 1, 2009, there was $5,862 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under all of our equity compensation plans. Total unrecognized compensation cost may be adjusted for future changes in estimated forfeitures. We expect to recognize that cost over a weighted average period of five years.  

 

Note 9. Comprehensive Income

 

We follow the provisions of SFAS No. 130, Reporting Comprehensive Income, which establishes standards for reporting and displaying comprehensive income and its components. Comprehensive income reflects the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. For us, comprehensive income represents net income adjusted for foreign currency translation adjustments and net unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments, as applicable. The foreign currency translation adjustment included in comprehensive income has not been tax affected, as the investments in foreign affiliates are deemed to be permanent.

 

A summary of comprehensive income is as follows:

 

 

Note 10. Commitments and Contingencies

 

Securities litigation: Our company and two of our executive officers are named as defendants in a consolidated class action filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota in November 2008 on behalf of a class of investors who purchased our stock in the open market between November 15, 2006 and April 5, 2007.  In an Amended Consolidated Complaint filed on April 13, 2009 (the “Complaint”), the plaintiffs allege that the defendants made false and misleading statements of material facts about our business and expected financial performance in the company’s press releases, its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and conference calls, thereby inflating the price of the company’s common stock.  The Complaint alleges claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”).  The Complaint seeks compensatory damages on behalf of the alleged class in an unspecified amount, reasonable fees and costs of litigation, and such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and proper. On June 5, 2009, we filed a motion to dismiss the Complaint. In July 2009, the plaintiffs filed a memorandum of law in opposition to our motion to dismiss. Briefing on the motion is underway.

 

We believe that we, and the other defendants, have meritorious defenses to the claims made in the Complaint, and we intend to contest these actions vigorously. We are not able to predict the ultimate outcome of this litigation, but regardless of the merits of the claims, it may be costly and disruptive. The total costs cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. Securities class action litigation can result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention and resources, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, including our cash flow.  

 

In the third quarter of fiscal 2008, our Board of Directors received letters from lawyers acting on behalf of three of our shareholders.  The letters demanded that our company pursue claims against our officers, directors, and unspecified others for allegedly wrongful conduct based upon the same general events as are alleged in the Complaint discussed above.  The Board referred the demands to a special committee of independent directors for investigation and action.  The special committee concluded its investigation and determined that it would not be in the best interests of the company to take any action on the allegations contained in the demands at this time and that it will continue to monitor the matter and revisit the demands if more information becomes available.  

 

Other litigation: We are involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, based upon consultation with legal counsel, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements.

 

Guarantees: In connection with the sale of equipment to a financial institution, we entered into a contractual arrangement whereby we agreed to repurchase equipment at the end of the lease term at a fixed price of approximately $1,100. We have recognized a guarantee liability in the amount of $200 under the provisions of FASB Interpretation No. (“FIN”) 45, “Guarantor’s Accounting and Disclosure Requirements for Guarantees, Including Indirect Guarantees of Indebtedness of Others,” in the accompanying financial statements.

 

In connection with our investment in Outcast Media International, Inc. (“Outcast”), formerly FuelCast Media International, LLC, we have guaranteed outstanding debt of Outcast of approximately $3,229. This debt matures at various times through calendar year 2012, at which time our guarantee will expire subject to the debt being repaid by Outcast. We would be obligated to perform under the terms of the guarantee should Outcast default under the leases. Our guarantee obligation is generally limited to 50% of the amounts outstanding and we would have recourse back to Outcast under a reimbursement agreement. The guarantee was undertaken to support the rollout of LCD displays in connection with the core business of Outcast. The total amounts accrued relating to the guarantee liability under the provisions of FIN No. 45 was $89 as of August 1, 2009.

 

Warranties: We offer a standard parts coverage warranty for periods varying from one to five years for all of our products. We also offer additional types of warranties that include on-site labor, routine maintenance and event support. In addition, the length of warranty on some installations can vary from one to 10 years. The specific terms and conditions of these warranties vary primarily depending on the type of the product sold. We estimate the costs that may be incurred under the warranty and record a liability in the amount of such costs at the time the product revenue is recognized. Factors that affect our warranty liability include historical and anticipated claims costs. We periodically assess the adequacy of our recorded warranty liabilities and adjust the amounts as necessary.

 

During the third quarter of fiscal 2009, we discovered a warranty issue caused by our finishing process for certain products which causes the paint on aluminum surfaces to peel under certain conditions.  It appears that this issue relates to some products painted during the period beginning in January 2008 and extending through December 2008.  In January 2008, as a result of changes in environmental laws and regulations, we changed our painting process and the products used to clean and prime aluminum, which is the key component used in displays.  The products and processes we implemented were based on representations from certain suppliers and testing that we performed.  During the third quarter of fiscal 2009, we discovered an unusually high level of displays built from January 2008 through December 2008 on which the paint was peeling.  As of August 1, 2009, we had reserved approximately $2,199 for related warranty claims, which is at the low end of a range of estimates since no single amount within the range is a better estimate. As a result, it is possible that the ultimate loss related to this issue may increase by approximately $1,614 if the high end of the range becomes more probable but may be partially offset by recourse available to us from suppliers.

Changes in our product warranties for the three months ended August 1, 2009 consisted of the following:

 

 

Leases: We lease office space for sales and service locations, vehicles and equipment, primarily office equipment. Rental expense for operating leases was $871 and $779 for the three months ended August 1, 2009 and August 2, 2008, respectively. Future minimum payments under noncancelable operating leases, excluding executory costs such as management and maintenance fees, with initial or remaining terms of one year or more consisted of the following at August 1, 2009:

 

 

Purchase commitments: From time to time, we commit to purchase inventory and advertising rights over periods that extend beyond a year. As of August 1, 2009, we were obligated to purchase inventory and advertising rights through fiscal 2013 as follows:

 

 

In fiscal 2007, we committed to purchase a building in Brookings, South Dakota, for approximately $3,000. The purchase is planned to close in fiscal 2010. The building would be used for both manufacturing and office expansion and is located adjacent to our existing facilities. We do not expect to require use of the building in fiscal 2010 and are evaluating alternatives for the building.  

 

Note 11. Income Taxes

 

As of August 1, 2009, we did not have material unrecognized tax benefits that would affect our effective tax rate if recognized. We recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense. We do not expect our unrecognized tax benefits to change significantly over the next 12 months.

 

Our company, along with our subsidiaries, is subject to U.S. Federal income tax as well as income taxes of multiple state jurisdictions. As a result of the completion of exams by the Internal Revenue Service on prior years, fiscal years 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 are the only years remaining open under statutes of limitations. Certain subsidiaries are also subject to income tax in several foreign jurisdictions which have open tax years varying by jurisdiction extending back to 2003.  We operate under a tax holiday in China that will expire in fiscal 2012. At this time, we are unable to predict how the expiration of the tax holiday will impact us in the future.

 

Note 12. Fair Value Measurement

 

The carrying amounts reported on our Consolidated Balance Sheets for cash and cash equivalents approximate their fair values due to the highly liquid nature of the instruments. The fair values for fixed-rate contracts receivable are estimated using discounted cash flow analyses based on interest rates currently being offered for contracts with similar terms to customers with similar credit quality. The carrying amounts reported on our Consolidated Balance Sheets for contracts receivable approximate fair value. The notes payable are variable rate notes that reprice frequently. The fair value on these notes approximates their carrying values. The carrying amounts reported for variable rate long-term debt and marketing obligations approximate fair value. Fair values for fixed-rate long-term debt are estimated using a discounted cash flow calculation that applies interest rates currently being offered for debt with similar terms and underlying collateral. The total carrying value of long-term debt and marketing obligations reported on our Consolidated Balance Sheets approximates fair value.

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157 which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and establishes a hierarchy that categorizes and prioritizes the sources to be used to estimate fair value. SFAS No. 157 also expands disclosures about fair-value measurements. We adopted SFAS No. 157 on April 27, 2008 for all financial assets and liabilities and any other assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis. Although the adoption of SFAS No. 157 did not impact our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows, SFAS No. 157 requires us to provide additional disclosures within our condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

SFAS No. 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer the liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants and also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. The fair value hierarchy within SFAS No. 157 distinguishes between three levels of inputs that may be utilized when measuring fair value, consisting of level 1 inputs (using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities), level 2 inputs (using inputs other than level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are observable for the asset or liability) and level 3 inputs (unobservable inputs supported by little or no market activity based on our own assumptions used to measure assets and liabilities). A financial asset or liability’s classification within the above hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 

Our financial assets as of August 1, 2009 measured at fair value on a recurring basis were $35,189, which consisted of money market funds. We used level 1 inputs to determine the fair value of our financial assets. We have no assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis that used level 2 or level 3 inputs.

 

Note 13. Exit or Disposal Costs

 

During the second quarter of fiscal 2009, we closed our Canadian manufacturing facilities. This plant was engaged primarily in the manufacture of our portable Vanguard displays for roadside traffic management. We have also discontinued these Vanguard products. In the second quarter of fiscal 2009, we recorded the costs associated with this closure of approximately $1,100, on a pre-tax basis. This included approximately $700 related to inventory reserves, approximately $200 in severance costs and approximately $100 in lease termination costs, all of which has been included in cost of goods sold within our Transportation market. All costs related to the closure were settled in fiscal year 2009. We expect to save costs in the future as a result of this closure.

 

Note 14. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

We have evaluated the existence of both recognized and unrecognized subsequent events through August 28, 2009, the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

Item 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (including exhibits and information incorporated by reference herein) contains both historical and forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. The statements contained in this report that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements that are subject to the safe harbors created under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding our expectations, beliefs, intentions and strategies for the future. These statements appear in a number of places in this Report and include all statements that are not historical statements of fact regarding our intent, belief or current expectations with respect to, among other things: (i) our financing plans; (ii) trends affecting our financial condition or results of operations; (iii) our growth strategy and operating strategy; and (iv) the declaration and payment of dividends. The words “may,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “will,” “expect,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “plans” and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risk and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our ability to control, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors discussed herein, including those discussed in detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 2, 2009 in the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors”

 

The following discussion highlights the principal factors affecting changes in financial condition and results of operations. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes to the consolidated financial statements.

 

OVERVIEW

 

We design, manufacture and sell a wide range of display systems to customers in a variety of markets throughout the world. We focus our sales and marketing efforts on business units, geographical regions and products. The primary business units consist of Live Events, Commercial, Schools and Theatres, International and Transportation.

 

Our net sales and profitability historically have fluctuated due to the impact of large product orders, such as display systems for professional sport facilities and colleges and universities, as well as the seasonality of the sports market. Net sales and gross profit percentages also have fluctuated due to other seasonality factors, including the impact of holidays, which primarily affect our third quarter. Our gross margins on large product orders tend to fluctuate more than those for smaller standard orders. Large product orders that involve competitive bidding and substantial subcontract work for product installation generally have lower gross margins. Although we follow the percentage of completion method of recognizing revenues for large custom orders, we nevertheless have experienced fluctuations in operating results and expect that our future results of operations will be subject to similar fluctuations.

 

Orders are booked only upon receipt of a firm contract and after receipt of any required deposits. As a result, certain orders for which we have received binding letters of intent or contracts will not be booked until all required contractual documents and deposits are received. In addition, order bookings can vary significantly as a result of the timing of large orders.

 

We operate on a 52 to 53 week fiscal year, with our fiscal year ending on the Saturday closest to April 30 of each year. Within each fiscal year, each quarter is comprised of 13 week periods following the beginning of each fiscal year. In each 53 week year, each of the last three quarters is comprised of a 13 week period, and an additional week is added to the first quarter of that fiscal year. When April 30 falls on a Wednesday, the fiscal year ends on the preceding Saturday. Fiscal 2010 contains 52 weeks, and fiscal 2009 contained 53 weeks.

 

For a summary of recently issued accounting pronouncements and the effects of those pronouncements on our financial results, refer to note 2 of the notes to our consolidated financial statements, which are included elsewhere in this report.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

 

The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On a regular basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to estimated total costs on long-term construction-type contracts, estimated costs to be incurred for product warranties and extended maintenance contracts, bad debts, excess and obsolete inventory, income taxes, stock-based compensation and contingencies. Our estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 

 

We believe the following critical accounting policies require significant judgments and estimates in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements:

 

Revenue recognition on long-term construction-type contracts. Earnings on construction-type contracts are recognized on the percentage-of-completion method, measured by the percentage of costs incurred to date to estimated total costs for each contract. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are capable of being estimated. Generally, construction-type contracts we enter into have fixed prices established, and to the extent the actual costs to complete construction-type contracts are higher than the amounts estimated as of the date of the financial statements, the resulting gross margin would be negatively affected in future quarters when we revise our estimates. Our practice is to revise estimates as soon as such changes in estimates are known. We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in future estimates or assumptions we use to determine these estimates.

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts. We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to make required payments. If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. To identify impairment in customers’ ability to pay, we review aging reports, contact customers in connection with collection efforts and review other available information. We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions we use to determine the allowance for doubtful accounts. As of August 1, 2009 and May 2, 2009, we had an allowance for doubtful accounts balance of approximately $1.9 million and $2.2 million, respectively.

 

Warranties. We have recognized a reserve for warranties on our products equal to our estimate of the actual costs to be incurred in connection with our performance under the warranties. Generally, estimates are based on historical experience taking into account known or expected changes. If we would become aware of an increase in our estimated warranty costs, additional reserves may become necessary, resulting in an increase in costs of goods sold. Other than as disclosed in note 10 in the notes to the consolidated financial statements, we do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions we use to determine our reserve for warranties. As of August 1, 2009 and May 2, 2009, we had approximately $19.7 million and $19.8 million reserved for these costs, respectively.

 

Extended warranty and product maintenance. We recognize deferred revenue related to separately priced extended warranty and product maintenance agreements. The deferred revenue is recognized ratably over the contractual term. If we would become aware of an increase in our estimated costs under these agreements in excess of our deferred revenue, additional reserves may be necessary, resulting in an increase in costs of goods sold. In determining if additional reserves are necessary, we examine cost trends on the contracts and other information and compare that to the deferred revenue. We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions we use to determine estimated costs under these agreements. As of August 1, 2009 and May 2, 2009, we had $9.9 million and $9.5 million of deferred revenue related to extended warranty and product maintenance, respectively.

 

Inventory. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Market refers to the current replacement cost, except that market may not exceed the net realizable value (that is, estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less reasonably predictable costs of completion and disposal), and market is not less than the net realizable value reduced by an allowance for normal profit margins. In valuing inventory, we estimate market value where it is believed to be the lower of cost or market, and any necessary changes are charged to costs of goods sold in the period in which they occur. In determining market value, we review various factors such as current inventory levels, forecasted demand and technological obsolescence. We do not believe there is a reasonable likelihood that there will be a material change in the future estimates or assumptions we use to calculate the estimated market value of inventory. However, if market conditions change, including changes in technology, components used in our products or in expected sales, we may be exposed to unforeseen losses that could be material.

 

Income taxes. As part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements, we are required to estimate our income taxes in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. This process involves estimating the actual current tax expense as well as assessing temporary differences in the treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These timing differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included in our consolidated balance sheets. We must then assess the likelihood that our deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income in each jurisdiction, and to the extent we believe that recovery is not likely, a valuation allowance must be established. We review deferred tax assets, including net operating losses, and for those not expecting to be realized, we have recognized a valuation allowance. If our estimates of future taxable income are not met, a valuation allowance for some of these deferred tax assets would be required.

 

We operate within multiple taxing jurisdictions, both domestic and international, and are subject to audits in these jurisdictions. These audits can involve complex issues, including challenges regarding the timing and amount of deductions and the allocation of income amounts to various tax jurisdictions. At any one time, multiple tax years are subject to audit by various tax authorities.

 

We record our income tax provision based on our knowledge of all relevant facts and circumstances, including the existing tax laws, the status of current examinations and our understanding of how the tax authorities view certain relevant industry and commercial matters. In evaluating the exposures associated with our various tax filing positions, we record reserves for probable exposures, consistent with Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an Interpretation of SFAS No. 109. A number of years may elapse before a particular matter for which we have established a reserve is audited and fully resolved or clarified. We adjust our income tax provision in the period in which actual results of a settlement with tax authorities differs from our established reserve, when the statute of limitations expires for the relevant taxing authority to examine the tax position, or when more information becomes available. Our tax contingencies reserve contains uncertainties because management is required to make assumptions and to apply judgment to estimate the exposure associated with our various filing positions. We believe that any potential tax assessments from various tax authorities that are not covered by our income tax provision will not have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flow.

 

Some of the countries we are located in allow tax holidays or provide other tax incentives to attract and retain business. We have obtained holidays or other incentives where available and practicable. Our taxes could increase if certain tax holidays or incentives are retracted (which in some cases could occur if we fail to satisfy the conditions on which such holidays or incentives are based), they are not renewed upon expiration, or tax rates applicable to us in such jurisdictions are otherwise increased. It is anticipated that tax incentives with respect to certain operations will expire within the next four years. However, due to the possibility of changes in existing tax law and our operations, we are unable to predict how these expirations will impact us in the future. In addition, any acquisitions may cause our effective tax rate to increase, depending on the jurisdictions in which the acquired operations are located.

 

Stock-based compensation: We use the Black-Scholes standard option pricing model (“Black-Scholes model”) to determine the fair value of stock options and stock purchase rights. The determination of the fair value of the awards on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes model is affected by our stock price as well as assumptions regarding other variables, including projected employee stock option exercise behaviors, risk-free interest rate, expected volatility of our stock price in future periods and expected dividend yield.

 

We analyze historical employee exercise and termination data to estimate the expected life assumption. We believe that historical data currently represents the best estimate of the expected life of a new employee option.  The risk-free interest rate we use is based on the U.S. Treasury zero-coupon yield curve on the grant date for a maturity similar to the expected life of the options. We estimate the expected volatility of our stock price in future periods by using the implied volatility in market traded options. Our decision to use implied volatility was based on the availability of actively traded options for our common stock and our assessment that implied volatility is more representative of future stock price trends than the historical volatility of our common stock. We use an expected dividend yield consistent with our dividend yield over the period of time we have paid dividends in the Black-Scholes option valuation model.  The amount of stock-based compensation expense we recognize during a period is based on the portion of the awards that are ultimately expected to vest. We estimate pre-vesting option forfeitures at the time of grant by analyzing historical data, and we revise those estimates in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.

 

If factors change and we employ different assumptions for estimating stock-based compensation expense in future periods or if we decide to use a different valuation model, the expense in future periods may differ significantly from what we have recorded in the current period and could materially affect our net earnings and net earnings per share in a future period.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The following table sets forth the percentage of net sales represented by items included in our consolidated statements of income for the periods indicated:

 

 

 

NET SALES

 

Net sales decreased 29.6% to $113.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2009 as compared to $161.2 million for the same period of fiscal 2009. The first quarter of fiscal 2009 had one more week than the first quarter of fiscal 2010 which impacts the comparison between the periods.

 

A following table sets forth net sales and orders by customer market for the periods indicated:

 

 

Commercial Market. Net sales in the Commercial market declined 52.0% during the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to the same period of fiscal 2009. For the first quarter of fiscal 2010, net sales in the outdoor advertising (digital billboard) niche decreased by approximately $22 million or approximately 81% as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2009. Net sales in our reseller niche, which includes primarily sales of our Galaxy® products and sales for large custom contracts, declined by approximately $1.7 million or approximately 11%.

 

In the early part of the third quarter of fiscal 2009, we were notified that our largest customer in our outdoor advertising niche was decreasing its spending on digital billboards from approximately $100 million annually to approximately $15 million annually, effective for calendar year 2009. We were one of two primary vendors of digital billboards for this customer. This corresponded to a decline in orders overall in the outdoor advertising niche, which started to become evident late in the second quarter of fiscal 2009. It is our belief that the current economic conditions and limited credit availability caused this overall decline. Although we believe that this niche still remains a long-term growth opportunity, we do not expect to see it rebound until sometime in calendar year 2011, based on industry reports. It is also important to note that the outdoor advertising business has a number of constraints in addition to the current economic conditions, primarily the challenges of achieving adequate returns on investments on digital displays, which limit locations suitable for digital displays, and regulatory constraints, which we expect to be a long-term factor that limits deployment of digital displays.

 

The decline in the reseller niche sales was due to a lower level of sales of Galaxy displays which was partially offset by a higher level of net sales for large custom contracts. We attribute the decline in Galaxy displays to the weaker economic conditions in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as opposed to the same period of fiscal 2009. The level of custom contract orders in this niche is subject to volatility as described elsewhere and therefore it is difficult to project; however, we are seeing a growing number of opportunities. We have seen net sales decline sequentially each quarter since the first quarter of fiscal 2009 and are uncertain whether net sales have stabilized. Although there are indications that the conditions in the reseller niche could be improving, including interest in our products by national accounts, it is generally too early to conclude that the business could be rebounding. For the long-term, we believe that this market will be a growth area for the company.

 

Subject to the foregoing, our Commercial market generally benefits from increasing product acceptance, lower cost of displays, our distribution network and a better understanding by our customers of the product as a revenue generation tool.

 

In the past, the seasonality of the outdoor advertising niche has been a factor in the fluctuation of our net sales over the course of a fiscal year because the deployment of displays slows in the winter months in the colder climate regions of the United States. Generally speaking, seasonality is not a material factor in the rest of the Commercial market. Our estimates for sales and orders in the Commercial market could vary significantly depending on economic and credit factors and our ability to capture business in our national account niche.

 

Order bookings in the Commercial market were down approximately 58.4% in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to the same period of fiscal 2009. The decline was caused by declines in both the reseller and outdoor advertising market for the same reasons as described above. Orders were however positively impacted by orders of Galaxy displays for a large convenience store chain based in the Midwest which helped offset the overall decline.

 

Live Events Market. Net sales in the Live Events market decreased by approximately 14.6% in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to the same quarter of fiscal 2009. The decrease in net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to the same period in fiscal 2009 was the result of a decline in revenues from large new construction contracts exceeding $5 million as explained in prior filings, which lead to the significant growth during fiscal year 2009. These large contracts, each of which exceeded $5 million, contributed more than $25 million in net sales during the first quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to approximately $10 million in net sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2010.

 

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009, we began to see more significant competitive pressure, primarily aggressive pricing by multiple competitors in the Live Events marketplace, that we believe is not sustainable for the long-term. Until these pressures are reduced, they are likely to adversely affect our ability to book orders and our gross profit margin. As a result of these competitive factors, it is difficult to forecast net sales for the rest of fiscal 2010; however, we realize that given the unusually high level of net sales related to large new construction projects over the past 12 months, it is likely that net sales will decline significantly in fiscal 2010. This decline is more likely given the natural volatility of the business where it is not practical to sustain net sales growth rates similar to fiscal 2009 over consecutive years. In addition, although our Live Events business is typically resistant to economic conditions, the severity of the current economic environment causes us to be less optimistic about how the economy may impact this business. There have been transactions which have been delayed due to economic conditions, but the impact to date has not been material. This could change in the future; however, over the long-term we expect to see growth assuming that the economy improves and we are successful at counteracting competitive pressures.

 

Order bookings in the Live Events market were down more than 25.0% in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to the same period in fiscal 2009 due to the decrease in large orders as explained above, competitive pressures which we think have caused us to lose orders we otherwise would have earned and various other factors as explained above.

 

Our expectations regarding growth over the long-term in large sports venues is due to a number of factors, including the expanding market, with facilities historically spending more on larger display systems; our product and services offering, which remains the most integrated and comprehensive offering in the industry; and our field sales and service network, which is important to support our customers. In addition, we benefit from the competitive nature of sports teams who strive to out-perform their competitors with display systems. This impact has and is expected to continue to be a driving force in increasing transaction sizes in new construction and major renovations. Growth in the large sports venues is also driven by the desire for high-definition video displays, which typically drive larger displays or higher resolution displays, both of which increase the average transaction size. We believe that the effects of the economy have a lesser impact on the sports market as compared to our other markets because our products are generally revenue-generation tools (through advertising) for facilities, and the sports business is generally considered to be a recession-resistant business, although the severity of the current economic conditions are somewhat unprecedented. Net sales in our sports marketing and mobile and modular portion of this business unit were less than 2% of total net sales and thus were not significant in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 and the first quarter of fiscal 2009, respectively.

 

Schools and Theatres Market. Net sales in the Schools and Theatres market increased 8.6% in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to the same quarter in fiscal 2009.  Orders for the market have decreased 11.2% for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2009. Sales increased in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2009 principally as a result of maintaining shorter lead times in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. During the first quarter of fiscal 2009, many orders were delayed due to execution issues within manufacturing which caused orders to be cancelled or pushed out into the second quarter of fiscal 2009. These execution issues did not occur in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 and therefore we do not have the unusually large backlog that we had at the same time in fiscal 2009, which led to greater sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2009. As a result, we expect to see lower sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2009 as we don’t see orders increasing to offset this impact. Orders and net sales have also been impacted by the worsening economic conditions. Based on the forgoing, we expect that orders and net sales will be less in fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009 within this market.

 

Transportation Market. Net sales in the Transportation market increased approximately 32.0% in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to the same period in fiscal 2009. Orders for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 are down approximately 22.9% over the same period in fiscal 2009. The decrease in orders does not appear to be a reflection of the current poor economic conditions in the United States. Rather, we believe it is more a reflection of timing differences on when the orders have been or are expected to be booked. The increase in sales is the result of timing as driven by our customers and our larger backlog going into fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal year 2009. We expect that net sales in the Transportation market will grow in fiscal 2010 as compared to fiscal 2009, however orders may not increase, depending on the effects of federal stimulus spending and our ability to earn that business as it occurs.

International Market. Net sales in the International market in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2009 were down approximately 77.3%. Orders were down approximately 14.4% for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2009. The decrease in net sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2009 was attributable, in part, to large orders booked in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008 for a rail station in Beijing and a network of displays in the U.K. that converted to net sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2009. Due to the focus on large contracts in this market and the small number of contracts actually booked, volatility is not unusual. Overall, we have made considerable investments in growing our business internationally, where we do not have the same market share as we do domestically. As stated in prior filings, in the second half of fiscal 2009 we began to see more competitive pressures in this area similar to the competitive pressures described above in the Live Events market because the competitors tend to overlap. We believe that this had an adverse impact on our order bookings in the second half of fiscal 2009, which continued in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. In spite of the foregoing, it appears that this market may be seeing some strengthening as our opportunities seem to be increasing. If this strengthening converts to additional orders in the future, we expect that they will be at lower contract gross profit levels as compared to the prior fiscal year.

 

Advertising Revenues. We occasionally sell products in exchange for the advertising revenues generated from use of the products. These sales represented 0.6% and 1.6% of net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 and 2009, respectively. The gross profit percent on these transactions have typically been higher than the gross profit percent on other transactions of similar size, although the selling expenses associated with these transactions also are typically higher.

 

Backlog. The order backlog as of August 1, 2009 was approximately $113 million as compared to $173 million as of August 2, 2009, and $120 million at the beginning of the first quarter of fiscal 2010. Historically, our backlog varies due to the timing of large orders. The decline in backlog is the result of the lower level of order bookings as previously described across all markets coupled with the differences in net sales during the periods. Backlog varies significantly quarter to quarter due to the effects of large orders, and significant variations can be expected, as explained previously. In addition, our backlog is not necessarily indicative of future sales or net income.

 

GROSS PROFIT

 

Gross profit decreased 33.6% to $30.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to $45.3 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2009. As a percent of net sales, gross profit was 26.5% for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to 28.1% for the first quarter of fiscal 2009. The decrease in gross profit dollars was primarily the result of lower sales which were offset by lower warranty costs. Warranty costs declined by approximately $1.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2009. In addition, higher costs of manufacturing as a percent of cost of goods sold adversely impacted gross profit percents. Had we achieved the same percentage of cost of goods sold, in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as the first quarter of fiscal 2009, manufacturing costs would have been $2.9 million less. Manufacturing costs include a significant portion of fixed costs which are unable to be reduced during periods of lower sales. In spite of that, we continue to reduce costs where we can, including personnel and related costs, to lower this impact. However, it is unlikely that, absent increasing sales during the remainder of fiscal 2010, we can achieve the same percent of costs of goods sold as we did in the first quarter of fiscal 2009.

 

We are and have been over the past year and a half investing significant resources into standardizing our large video display product line, which we believe contained excessive custom design, increasing our risk of warranty costs. In addition, to reduce the level of warranty exposure, we have invested in enhanced product reliability testing equipment and personnel to implement more rigorous product testing procedures and to continue to enhance our quality processes in manufacturing. We believe that we have made progress in gaining control over our warranty costs but cannot be certain that new issues will not arise, including those described in the notes to consolidated financial statements.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2009, as described in the notes to consolidated financial statements, we discovered a warranty issue caused by our finishing process for certain products which causes the paint on aluminum surfaces to peel in certain conditions. We have accrued a reserve at the low end of the range of estimates since no single amount within the range is a better estimate. Therefore, it is possible that we could incur additional losses in fiscal 2010 of up to approximately $1.6 million, which would be at the high end of the estimated range.

We strive toward higher gross margins as a percent of net sales, although depending on the actual mix, the performance of larger projects, and our ability to execute on the business and level of future sales, margin percentages may not increase. We continue to examine areas for cost reduction, including personnel costs, and we believe that we can make reductions in manufacturing costs in the future that will positively impact gross profit. However, any improvements in gross profit margin percents are subject to volatility based on issues described herein and in our risk factors as contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

Gross profit in our Commercial business unit declined from approximately 28% in the first quarter of fiscal 2009 to approximately 20% in the same period of fiscal 2010 as a result of a decline in margin in all major niches. The decline resulted from greater costs of excess capacity caused by lower sales as previously explained. In addition the gross profit has declined in most niches within the commercial business unit due to increased competition and costs of services and warranties.

 

Gross profit in our Schools and Theatres business unit increased from approximately 27% in the first quarter of fiscal 2009 to approximately 31% in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. This increase resulted from higher margins on our standard products, primarily scoreboards, and Galaxy displays as a result of tighter controls over discounting as well as less variances in manufacturing as a result of more efficient operations which was reflected in better product lead times for the business unit.

 

Gross profit in our Live Events business unit decreased to approximately 26% in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to approximately 30% in the first quarter of fiscal 2009. The decrease was primarily the result of higher warranty and service costs in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to the same period of fiscal 2009. This was partially offset by better margin performance on the large contract business during the first quarter of fiscal 2010 compared to the same period in fiscal 2009.

 

Gorss profit in our Transportaion business unit increased to approximately 35% in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to approximately 21% in the first quarter of fiscal 2009. The increase was the result of better margins achieved on contracts booked for delivery in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2009.

 

Gross profit in the International business unit decreased to approximately 27% in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to approximately 28% in the same period one year ago. The decrease was the result of the lower gross margin percents on sales, primarily in China, which were unusually high in the first quarter of fiscal 2009, partially offset by lower warranty costs in Europe. The margins were unusually high in the first quarter of fiscal 2009 as a result of a couple of large contracts for which we were able to achieve much higher margins due to the newer technology underlying the contracts.

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

Operating expenses. Operating expenses, which are comprised of selling, general and administrative expenses and product design and development costs, decreased by approximately 12.4% from $30.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2009 to $26.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2010. As a percent of net sales, operating expenses increased from 19.0% of net sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2009 to 23.6% of net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2010. As a result of the downturn in orders and net sales that arose during the third quarter of fiscal 2009, we began a process to decrease all types of operating expenses to partially keep pace with the declining net sales. We expect these efforts to continue throughout fiscal 2010. The ultimate level of decreased spending is difficult to estimate as it involves continuous and evolving efforts. Our most significant cost factor within operating expense is personnel related costs, and to date, our approach has been focused on allowing attrition to drive a significant portion of the decrease coupled with a general hiring freeze. In addition, we have implemented wage freezes for salaried employees beginning in fiscal 2010 and have implemented various other cost reduction initiatives. We have limited the amount of decreases in spending so that we do not adversely impact our business when the economy and the market for our products improve, as our intention is to emerge from the downturn stronger than when we entered it.

 

All areas of operating expenses were impacted as a result of the first quarter of fiscal 2009 including 14 weeks as opposed to the more common 13 weeks of the first quarter of fiscal 2010.

 

Selling Expenses. Selling expenses consist primarily of salaries, other employee-related costs, travel and entertainment expense, facilities-related costs for sales and service offices, and expenditures for marketing efforts, including collateral materials, conventions and trade shows, product demos and supplies.

 

Selling expenses decreased 12.2% to $14.4 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to $16.4 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2009.  Selling expenses increased to 12.7% of net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 from 10.1% of net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2009. 

 

Selling expenses for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 were lower than selling expenses in the first quarter of fiscal 2009 as a result of a decrease in personnel costs, including taxes and benefits of approximately $1.4 million, a decline of $0.7 million in travel and entertainment costs, a $0.1 million decrease in commissions to third parties, a $0.1 decrease in conventions and various other changes. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in bad debt expense of approximately $0.2 million. The increase in bad debt expense was the result of a number of isolated product issues and customer issues, although a small portion of the increase could be resulting from the adverse economic conditions. The increase in commissions is due to the nature of the underlying transactions. Typically commissions are not a significant factor in our business.  The decrease in travel and entertainment is a reflection of the lower level of sales opportunities and cost savings initiatives in place.

 

Throughout the rest of fiscal 2010, we anticipate selling costs to decline from the current level.  This estimate is subject to containing costs, such as bad debt expense, travel and entertainment costs, and achieving additional employee attrition during the remaining quarters of fiscal 2010.   

 

General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses consist primarily of salaries, other employee-related costs, professional fees, shareholder relations fees, facilities and equipment-related costs for administration departments, amortization of intangibles and supplies.

 

General and administrative expenses decreased 15.6% to $6.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to $7.7 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2009. General and administrative expenses increased to 5.7% as a percent of net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 from 4.8% of net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2009.

 

General and administrative expenses decreased in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 over the same period in fiscal 2009 due to decreases of $0.3 million in professional and consulting fees, $0.1 in recruitment fees, $0.1 in software and hardware costs, $0.1 in telephone, $0.1 million in personnel and related payroll and benefits and $0.3 in other various expenses. Generally all declines in spending within this area are due to ongoing cost reduction efforts. We expect to continue examining opportunities for cost reductions within general and administrative expenses, however, material declines from the current level may become more difficult to obtain.

 

Product Design and Development. Product design and development expenses consist primarily of salaries, other employee-related costs, facilities and equipment-related costs and costs of supplies.

 

Product design and development expenses decreased 9.2% to $5.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to $6.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2009. Product design and development expenses increased to 5.2% as a percent of net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 from 4.1% of net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2009.

 

During the first quarter of fiscal year 2010, we committed to specific plans for developing a common module platform for our large display technology for the purpose of gaining reliability and improved operational control. As a result we have scaled back our expectations for cost reductions in product development and in addition we have transferred some personnel from other areas of the company to product development to help speed this development and aid in other development projects.

 

Based on the foregoing, we expect that product design and development expenses will approximate between 5.0% and 5.5% of net sales for fiscal 2010.

 

INTEREST INCOME AND EXPENSE

 

We occasionally generate interest income through product sales on an installment basis, under lease arrangements or in exchange for the rights to sell and retain advertising revenues from displays, which result in long-term receivables. We also invest excess cash in short-term temporary cash investments and marketable securities that generate interest income. Interest expense is comprised primarily of interest costs on our notes payable and long-term debt.

 

Interest income decreased 20.0% to $0.4 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 compared to $0.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2009. The decrease was the result of lower levels of interest-bearing long-term receivables. We expect that the amount of interest income will increase in fiscal 2010 over fiscal 2009 due to higher levels of temporary cash investments; however, our business is characterized by a great deal of volatility of working capital components and therefore cash balances could be lower than expected, leading to lower interest income.

 

Interest expense decreased to less than $0.05 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to $0.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2009. The decrease is due to lower average borrowings outstanding during the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to the first quarter of fiscal 2009. We expect that interest expense will decline from the level of the first quarter of fiscal 2010 in future quarters based on the expectation that we will pay down the debt incurred in that quarter.

 

OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET

 

Net other expense increased for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 to a loss of $0.6 million as compared to a loss of $0.3 million for the same period one year ago. The increase of net other expense results from the effects of earnings attributable to unconsolidated affiliates and currency gains and losses and a pre-tax loss of approximately $0.2 million in the first quarter of 2010 from the sale of our investment in Ledtronics, our Malaysia affiliate. Finally, as a result of the loss in value of the U.S. dollar, we experienced higher levels of currency losses on U.S. dollar advances to foreign subsidiaries. We also continue to have losses resulting from our equity investment in OutCast Media International, Inc., (“OutCast”) formerly known as FuelCast Media Networks.

 

INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

Income taxes were approximately $1.6 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2010 and $5.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2009. The effective tax rate for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 was 52.6% as compared to 34.5% for the first quarter of fiscal 2009. The increase in the effective rate is due to the size of losses incurred in foreign jurisdictions relative to domestic income which causes the effective rate to increase. In addition, due to the lower levels of income expected for the year domestically, the items that cause a change from the statutory rate to the effective rate have a more significant impact. If we are able to increase our income, we can expect that the effective tax rate will decrease.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Working capital was $110.6 million at August 1, 2009 and $104.5 million at May 2, 2009. We have historically financed working capital needs through a combination of cash flow from operations and borrowings under bank credit agreements.

 

Cash provided by operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 was $7.3 million. Net income of $1.4 million plus depreciation and amortization of $5.6 million, the add-back of equity in net losses of equity investments, and stock-based compensation, less $2.2 million in changes in net operating assets, and gain on sale of property and equipment, generated the cash provided by operations.

 

The most significant drivers of the change in net operating assets for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 were the decreases in accounts receivable, inventories, and costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings and increases in customer deposits. These changes were offset by increase in prepaid expenses and decreases in accounts payable, billing in excess of costs and estimated earnings and income taxes payable. The decrease in accounts receivables and inventories was the result of the lower level of net sales, however days sales outstanding actually increased by two days. Day’s inventory outstanding also increased slightly as compared to the end of fiscal 2009. Other changes in net operating assets were not significant and generally related to the change in overall business during the quarter. Overall, changes in operating assets and liabilities can be impacted by the timing of cash flows on large orders, as described above, that can cause significant fluctuations in the short term. As a result of various initiatives underway, including changes in manufacturing, purchasing, collections and payment processes, we expect to continue improving our cash flow relative to sales and costs of goods from operating activities.

 

Cash used by investing activities of $2.3 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 included $2.6 million for purchases of property and equipment and $0.3 million of purchased receivables from an affiliate, which were offset by $0.1 million of proceeds from the sale of property and equipment. During the first quarter of fiscal 2010, we invested approximately $0.4 million in manufacturing equipment, $0.9 million in product demonstration equipment, $0.8 million in information systems infrastructure, including software, $0.1 million in facilities, and $0.4 million in rental equipment. These investments were made to support sales, in the case of demo and rental equipment, and other areas, primarily for maintenance needs. As of the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2010, capital expenditures were 3.4% of net sales. The purchase of receivables from an affiliate related to our purchase of receivables from Outcast to facilitate cash flow for operations of their business.

 

Cash used by financing activities of $1.1 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 consisted of the dividend paid to shareholders of $3.9 million on June 23, 2009, which was partially offset by $2.8 million of additional long-term debt as previously described. During the first quarter of fiscal 2010, we incurred long-term debt related to a purchase of a long-term software maintenance agreement. This was done as a result of incentives and pricing considerations. We expect to use our cash to pay down this debt in the second quarter, given our current cash flow forecast.

 

Included in receivables as of August 1, 2009 was approximately $6.4 million of retainage on long-term contracts, all of which is expected to be collected in one year.

 

We have used and expect to continue to use cash reserves and, to a lesser extent, bank borrowings to meet our short-term working capital requirements. On large product orders, the time between order acceptance and project completion may extend up to and exceed 24 months depending on the amount of custom work and the customer’s delivery needs. We often receive down payments or progress payments on these product orders. To the extent that these payments are not sufficient to fund the costs and other expenses associated with these orders, we use working capital and bank borrowings to finance these cash requirements.

 

Our product development activities during the first quarter of fiscal 2010 included the enhancement of existing products and the development of new products from existing technologies. Product design and development expenses were $5.9 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 as compared to $6.5 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2009. We intend to incur expenditures at a rate of approximately 5.0% to 5.5% of fiscal year 2010 net sales to develop new display products using various display technologies to offer higher resolution and more cost effective and energy efficient displays. We also intend to continue developing software applications for our display systems to enable these products to continue to meet the needs and expectations of the marketplace.

 

We have a credit agreement with a bank which provides for a $45.0 million line of credit and includes up to $15.0 million for standby letters of credit. The line of credit is due on November 15, 2009. The interest rate ranges from LIBOR plus 75 basis points to LIBOR plus 125 basis points depending on certain ratios. The effective interest rate was 1.0% at August 1, 2009. We are assessed a loan fee equal to 0.1% per annum of any non-used portion of the loan. As of August 1, 2009, there were no advances under the line of credit. The credit agreement is unsecured and requires us to comply with certain covenants, including the maintenance of tangible net worth of at least $75 million, a minimum liquidity ratio, a limit on dividends and distributions and a minimum adjusted fixed charge coverage ratio. We were in compliance with all covenants as of August 1, 2009.

 

Daktronics Canada, Inc. has a credit agreement with a bank which provides for a $0.3 million line of credit. The line of credit is due on February 1, 2010. The interest rate on the line of credit is equal to 1.5% above the prime rate of interest and was 2.3% on August 1, 2009. As of August 1, 2009, no advances under the line of credit were outstanding. The line of credit is secured primarily by accounts receivable, inventory and other assets of the subsidiary.

 

Daktronics Shanghai, Ltd., has established a line of credit for $1.5 million to facilitate the issuance of bank guarantees in connection with orders it receives. The fees on the line are equal to 0.5% of the outstanding bank guarantees, and the line of credit is secured by a letter of credit issued by us. The line expires on May 31, 2010. As of August 1, 2009, no advances under the line of credit or bank guarantees were outstanding.

 

During the first quarter of fiscal 2010, we entered into a long-term debt arrangement with a financial institution under a vendor financing arrangement as previously described in the amount of $2.9 million. The interest rate on the loan is 0% and allows for the loan to be paid off at any time at the present value of the future payments discounted at 4.0%. The loan is secured by the underlying software maintenance agreement that the proceeds of the debt funded. The loan requires 36 monthly payments of approximately $0.08 million.

 

On May 28 2009, our Board declared an annual dividend payment of $0.095 per share on our common stock for the fiscal year ended May 2, 2009. Although we intend to pay regular annual dividends for the foreseeable future, all subsequent dividends will be reviewed annually and declared by our Board of Directors at its discretion.

 

We are sometimes required to obtain performance bonds for display installations, and we have a bonding line available through a surety company that provides for an aggregate of $100 million in bonded work outstanding. At August 1, 2009, we had approximately $37.2 million of bonded work outstanding against this line.

 

We believe that if our growth extends beyond current expectations or if we make any strategic investments, we may need to increase our credit facility or seek other means of financing our growth. We anticipate that we will be able to obtain any needed funds under commercially reasonable terms from our current lender or other sources. We believe that our working capital available from all sources will be adequate to meet the cash requirements of our operations in the foreseeable future.

 

Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE RATES

 

Through August 1, 2009, most of our net sales were denominated in United States dollars, and our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate changes on net sales has not been significant. Net sales originating outside the United States for the first quarter of fiscal 2010 were approximately 6.0% of total net sales, of which a portion was denominated in Canadian dollars, euros, Chinese renminbi or British pounds. If we believed that currency risk in any foreign location was significant, we would utilize foreign exchange hedging contracts to manage our exposure to the currency fluctuations. Over the long-term, net sales to international markets are expected to increase as a percentage of net sales and, consequently, a greater portion of this business could be denominated in foreign currencies. In addition, we fund operating cash to foreign subsidiaries in the form of loans denominated in United States dollars. As a result, operating results may become subject to fluctuations based upon changes in the exchange rates of certain currencies in relation to the United States dollar. To the extent that we engage in international sales denominated in United States dollars, an increase in the value of the United States dollar relative to foreign currencies could make our products less competitive in international markets. This effect is also impacted by the sources of raw materials from international sources. We will continue to monitor and minimize our exposure to currency fluctuations and, when appropriate, use financial hedging techniques, including foreign currency forward contracts and options, to minimize the effect of these fluctuations. However, exchange rate fluctuations as well as differing economic conditions, changes in political climates, differing tax structures and other rules and regulations could adversely affect our financial results in the future.

 

INTEREST RATE RISKS

 

Our exposure to market rate risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our debt and long-term accounts receivables. We maintain a blend of both fixed and floating rate debt instruments. As of August 1, 2009, our outstanding debt approximated $2.8 million, substantially all of which was in variable rate obligations. Each 100 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates would have an insignificant annual effect on variable rate debt interest based on the balances of such debt as of August 1, 2009. For fixed-rate debt, interest rate changes affect its fair market value but do not affect earnings or cash flows.

 

In connection with the sale of certain display systems, we have entered into various types of financings with customers. The aggregate amounts due from customers include an imputed interest element. The majority of these financings carry fixed rates of interest. As of August 1, 2009, our outstanding long-term receivables were approximately $23.4 million. Each 25 basis point increase in interest rates would have an associated annual opportunity cost to us of approximately $0.1 million.

 

The following table provides information about our financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates, including debt obligations, for the last three quarters of fiscal year 2010 and subsequent fiscal years.

 

 

The carrying amounts reported on the balance sheet for long-term receivables and long- and short-term debt approximates their fair value.

 

Approximately $36.2 million of our cash balances are denominated in United States dollars. Cash balances in foreign currencies are operating balances maintained in accounts of our foreign subsidiaries. A portion of the cash held in foreign accounts is used to collateralize outstanding bank guarantees issued by the foreign subsidiary.

 

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our “disclosure controls and procedures,” as that term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and Rule 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as of August 1, 2009, which is the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that as of August 1, 2009, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

Based on the evaluation described in the foregoing paragraph, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that during the quarter ended August 1, 2009, there was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

Our company and two of our executive officers are named as defendants in a consolidated class action filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of South Dakota in November 2008 on behalf of a class of investors who purchased our stock in the open market between November 15, 2006 and April 5, 2007.  In an Amended Consolidated Complaint filed on April 13, 2009 (the “Complaint”), the plaintiffs allege that the defendants made false and misleading statements of material facts about our business and expected financial performance in the company’s press releases, its filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and conference calls, thereby inflating the price of the company’s common stock.  The Complaint alleges claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”).  The Complaint seeks compensatory damages on behalf of the alleged class in an unspecified amount, reasonable fees and costs of litigation, and such other and further relief as the Court may deem just and proper. On June 5, 2009, we filed a motion to dismiss the Complaint. In July 2009, the plaintiffs filed a memorandum of law in opposition to our motion to dismiss. Briefing on the motion is underway.

 

We believe that we, and the other defendants, have meritorious defenses to the claims made in the Complaint, and we intend to contest these actions vigorously. We are not able to predict the ultimate outcome of this litigation, but regardless of the merits of the claims, it may be costly and disruptive. The total costs cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. Securities class action litigation can result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention and resources, which may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations, including our cash flow.  

 

In the third quarter of fiscal 2008, our Board of Directors received letters from lawyers acting on behalf of three of our shareholders.  The letters demanded that our company pursue claims against our officers, directors, and unspecified others for allegedly wrongful conduct based upon the same general events as are alleged in the Complaint.  The Board referred the demands to a special committee of independent directors for investigation and action.  The special committee concluded its investigation and determined that it would not be in the best interests of the company to take any action on the allegations contained in the demands at this time and that it will continue to monitor the matter and revisit the demands if more information becomes available.  

 

Item 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

The discussion of our business and operations included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read together with the risk factors described in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 2, 2009. It describes various risks and uncertainties to which we are or may become subject. These risks and uncertainties, together with other factors described elsewhere in this report, have the potential to affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, strategies or prospects in a material and adverse manner. New risks may emerge at any time, and we cannot predict those risks or estimate the extent to which they may affect financial performance.

 

 

Not Applicable

 

Item 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

Not Applicable

 

 

 

 

(b)        At the Annual Meeting, Frank J. Kurtenbach, James A. Vellenga and Bryon J. Anderson were re-elected to our Board of Directors. The terms of the following Directors continued after the Annual Meeting: James B. Morgan, John L. Mulligan, Duane E. Sander, Ph.D., Dr. Aelred J. Kurtenbach, Robert G. Dutcher, and Nancy D. Frame.

 

 

Election of the following three nominees as Directors of the company, until their successors are duly elected and qualified:

 

 

Ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP, as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2010:

 

 

 

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

 

On August 26, 2009, our Board of Directors adopted resolutions amending the compensation program for non-employee directors, such that each non-employee director will receive each year during his or her term of service, upon the director’s appointment, election or re-election to the Board of Directors, beginning upon his or her first appointment, election or re-election occurring on or after August 26, 2009, a grant of non-qualified stock options under the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan to purchase shares of the company’s common stock which is valued at $45,000 based on the requirements for determining compensation expense under SFAS 123(R) consistent with the company’s practices for computing such compensation. These option grants will have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the company’s common stock on the date of the grant and will vest one year from the date of grant if the non-employee director is then a director of the company. These new option grants will replace and supersede the prior automatic grants of options to non-employee directors of the company. Previously, each non-employee director would have received a grant of options valued at $135,000 upon the director’s appointment, election or re-election to the Board of Directors with one-third of the option vesting each year.

 

Consistent with the foregoing, on August 27, 2009, James A. Vellenga and Bryon J. Anderson were each granted a non-qualified option to purchase 12,821 shares at an exercise price of $8.25 per share.

 

 

The following exhibits are filed with this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:

 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

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

 

 

  /s/ William R. Retterath  

Daktronics, Inc.

William R. Retterath,

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer

and Principal Accounting

Officer)

 

Date: August 28, 2009