UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED June 30, 2016

OR

☐	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

            FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM________________ TO ______________

Commission File number 1‑10799

ADDvantage Technologies Group, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

ADDVANTAGE TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, INC.

Form 10-Q

For the Period Ended June 30, 2016

      

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements.

ADDVANTAGE TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

 

See notes to unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements.

ADDVANTAGE TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

See notes to unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements.

ADDVANTAGE TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

 

ADDVANTAGE TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

 

See notes to unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements.

ADDVANTAGE TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies

Basis of presentation

The consolidated condensed financial statements include the accounts of ADDvantage Technologies Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned (collectively, the “Company”).  Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  The Company’s reportable segments are Cable Television (“Cable TV”) and Telecommunications (“Telco”).

The accompanying unaudited consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial statements and do not include all the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements.  However, the information furnished reflects all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring items which are, in the opinion of management, necessary in order to make the consolidated condensed financial statements not misleading.  It is suggested that these consolidated condensed financial statements be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09: “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)”.  This guidance was issued to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and develop a common revenue standard for U.S. GAAP and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).  In addition, in August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14: “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).  This update was issued to defer the effective date of ASU No. 2014-09 by one year.  Therefore, the effective date of ASU No. 2014-09 is for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017.  Management is evaluating the impact that ASU No. 2014-09 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16: “Business Combinations (Topic 805)”.  This guidance was issued to amend existing guidance related to measurement period adjustments associated with a business combination.  The new standard requires the Company to recognize measurement period adjustments in the reporting period in which the adjustments are determined, including any cumulative charge to earnings in the current period.  The amendment removes the requirement to adjust prior period financial statements for these measurement period adjustments.  The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and early adoption is permitted.  Management is evaluating the impact that ASU No. 2015-16 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17: “Income Taxes (Topic 740) – Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes.” This guidance was issued to simplify the presentation of deferred income taxes.  The amendments in this Update require that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position.  The effective date of ASU No. 2015-17 is for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods.  Management is evaluating the impact that ASU No. 2015-17 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02: “Leases (Topic 842)” which is intended to improve financial reporting about leasing transactions.  The ASU will require organizations (“lessees”) that lease assets with lease terms of more than twelve months to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases.  Organizations that own the assets leased by lessees (“lessors”) will remain largely unchanged from current GAAP.  In addition, the ASU will require disclosures to help investors and other financial statement users better understand the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases.  The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and early adoption is permitted.  Management is evaluating the impact that ASU No. 2016-02 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Note 2 – Acquisition

On December 31, 2015, the Company acquired the net operating assets of Advantage Solutions, LLC in Kingsport, Tennessee.  This new location for the Cable TV segment will provide cable television equipment repair services in the region as well as expand the Company’s Cable TV equipment sales opportunities.

The purchase price was allocated to the major categories of assets and liabilities based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition date. The following table summarizes the preliminary purchase price allocation:

Note 3 – Inventories

Inventories at June 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015 are as follows:

 

		June 30, 2016				September 30, 2015
New:
Cable TV		$	14,916,937			$	16,255,487
Refurbished:
Cable TV			3,832,035				3,676,132
Telco			6,125,195				6,426,005
Allowance for excess and obsolete inventory			(3,206,628	)			(2,756,628	)
		$	21,667,539			$	23,600,996

 

New inventory includes products purchased from the manufacturers plus “surplus-new”, which are unused products purchased from other distributors or multiple system operators.  Refurbished inventory includes factory refurbished, Company refurbished and used products.  Generally, the Company does not refurbish its used inventory until there is a sale of that product or to keep a certain quantity on hand.

The Company regularly reviews the Cable TV segment inventory quantities on hand, and an adjustment to cost is recognized when the loss of usefulness of an item or other factors, such as obsolete and excess inventories, indicate that cost will not be recovered when an item is sold.  The Company recorded charges in the Cable TV segment to allow for obsolete inventory, which increased the cost of sales during the nine months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, by approximately $0.5 million.  For the Telco segment, any obsolete and excess telecommunications inventory is processed through its recycling program when it is identified.

Notes Payable

The Company has an Amended and Restated Revolving Credit and Term Loan Agreement (“Credit and Term Loan Agreement”) with its primary financial lender.  At June 30, 2016, the Company has two term loans outstanding under the Credit and Term Loan Agreement.  The first outstanding term loan has an outstanding balance of $1.0 million at June 30, 2016 and is due on November 30, 2021, with monthly principal payments of $15,334 plus accrued interest.  The interest rate is the prevailing 30-day LIBOR rate plus 1.4% (1.87% at June 30, 2016) and is reset monthly.  This term loan is collateralized by inventory, accounts receivable, equipment and fixtures and general intangibles.

The second outstanding term loan has an outstanding balance of $3.5 million at June 30, 2016 and is due March 4, 2019, with monthly principal and interest payments of $68,505, with the balance due at maturity.  It is a five year term loan with a seven year amortization payment schedule with a fixed interest rate of 4.07%.  This term loan is collateralized by inventory, accounts receivable, equipment and fixtures and general intangibles.

Line of Credit

The Company has a $7.0 million Revolving Line of Credit (“Line of Credit”) under the Credit and Term Loan Agreement.  At June 30, 2016, the Company had no balance outstanding under the Line of Credit.  The Line of Credit requires quarterly interest payments based on the prevailing 30-day LIBOR rate plus 2.75% (3.24% at June 30, 2016), and the interest rate is reset monthly.  Any future borrowings under the Line of Credit are due on March 31, 2017.  Future borrowings under the Line of Credit are limited to the lesser of $7.0 million or the net balance of 80% of qualified accounts receivable plus 50% of qualified inventory.  Under these limitations, the Company’s total available Line of Credit borrowing base was $7.0 million at June 30, 2016.  Among other financial covenants, the Line of Credit agreement provides that the Company maintain a fixed charge ratio of coverage (EBITDA to total fixed charges) of not less than 1.25 to 1.0, determined quarterly.  The Line of Credit is collateralized by inventory, accounts receivable, equipment and fixtures and general intangibles.

Fair Value of Debt

FASB ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, defines fair value, establishes a consistent framework for measuring fair value and establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the observability of inputs used to measure fair value.  The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

 

 

The Company has determined the carrying value of its variable-rate term loan approximates its fair value since the interest rate fluctuates periodically based on a floating interest rate.

The Company has determined the fair value of its fixed-rate term loan utilizing the Level 2 hierarchy as the fair value can be estimated from broker quotes corroborated by other market data. These broker quotes are based on observable market interest rates at which loans with similar terms and maturities could currently be executed.  The Company then estimated the fair value of the fixed-rate term loan using cash flows discounted at the current market interest rate obtained.  The fair value of the Company’s fixed rate loan was $3.5 million as of June 30, 2016.

 

Note 7 – Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share are based on the sum of the average number of common shares outstanding and issuable, restricted and deferred shares.  Diluted earnings per share include any dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock.  In computing the diluted weighted average shares, the average share price for the period is used in determining the number of shares assumed to be reacquired under the treasury stock method from the exercise of options.

Basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 are:

The table below includes information related to stock options that were outstanding at the end of each respective three and nine month periods ended June 30, but have been excluded from the computation of weighted-average stock options for dilutive securities due to the option exercise price exceeding the average market price per share of our common stock for the three and nine months ended June 30, or their effect would be anti-dilutive.

 

 

Note 8 – Stock Option Plan

Plan Information

The 2015 Incentive Stock Plan (the “Plan”) provides for awards of stock options and restricted stock to officers, directors, key employees and consultants.  Under the Plan, option prices will be set by the Compensation Committee and may not be less than the fair market value of the stock on the grant date.

At June 30, 2016, 1,100,415 shares of common stock were reserved for stock award grants under the Plan.  Of these reserved shares, 434,211 shares were available for future grants.

Stock Options

All share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, are recognized in the financial statements based on their grant date fair value over the requisite service period.  Compensation expense for share-based awards is included in the operating, selling, general and administrative expense section of the Company’s consolidated condensed statements of income.

 

Stock options are valued at the date of the award, which does not precede the approval date, and compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.  Stock options granted to employees generally become exercisable over a three, four or five-year period from the date of grant and generally expire ten years after the date of grant.  Stock options granted to the Board of Directors generally become exercisable on the date of grant and generally expire ten years after the grant.

A summary of the status of the Company's stock options at June 30, 2016 and changes during the nine months then ended is presented below:

 

The Company granted nonqualified stock options of 50,000 shares for the nine months ended June 30, 2016.  The Company estimates the fair value of the options granted using the Black-Scholes option valuation model.  The Company estimates the expected term of options granted based on the historical grants and exercises of the Company’s options.  The Company estimates the volatility of its common stock at the date of the grant based on both the historical volatility as well as the implied volatility on its common stock.  The Company bases the risk-free rate that is used in the Black-Scholes option valuation model on the implied yield in effect at the time of the option grant on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with equivalent expected term.  The Company has never paid cash dividends on its common stock and does not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future.  Consequently, the Company uses an expected dividend yield of zero in the Black-Scholes option valuation model.  The Company amortizes the resulting fair value of the options ratably over the vesting period of the awards.  The Company uses historical data to estimate the pre-vesting option forfeitures and records share-based expense only for those awards that are expected to vest.

The estimated fair value at date of grant for stock options utilizing the Black-Scholes option valuation model and the assumptions that were used in the Black-Scholes option valuation model for the nine months ended June 30, 2016 are as follows:

Compensation expense related to unvested stock options recorded for the nine months ended June 30, 2016 is as follows:

 

The Company records compensation expense over the vesting term of the related options.  At June 30, 2016, compensation costs related to these unvested stock options not yet recognized in the consolidated condensed statements of income was $66,020.

Restricted Stock

The Company granted restricted stock in March 2016 to its Board of Directors and a Company officer totaling 62,874 shares, which were valued at market value on the date of grant.  The shares are being held by the Company for 12 months and will be delivered to the directors at the end of the 12 month holding period.  The fair value of these shares at issuance totaled $105,000, which is being amortized over the 12 month holding period as compensation expense.  The Company granted restricted stock in December 2015 and October 2015 to two new Directors totaling 3,333 and 4,465 shares, respectively which were valued at market value on the date of the grants.  The holding restriction on these shares expired the first week of March 2016.  The fair value of the shares issued December 2015 and October 2015 totaled $7,500 and $10,000, respectively and was amortized over the holding period as compensation expense.  The Company granted restricted stock in April 2014 to certain employees totaling 23,676 shares, which were valued at market value on the date of grant.  The shares have a holding restriction, which will expire in equal annual installments of 7,892 shares over three years starting in April 2015.  The fair value of these shares upon issuance totaled $76,000 and is being amortized over the respective one, two and three year holding periods as compensation expense.  The unamortized portion of the restricted stock is included in prepaid expenses on the Company’s consolidated condensed balance sheets.

Note 9 – Segment Reporting

The Company is reporting its financial performance based on its external reporting segments: Cable Television and Telecommunications. These reportable segments are described below.

Cable Television (“Cable TV”)

The Company’s Cable TV segment sells new, surplus and re-manufactured cable television equipment throughout North America, Central America, South America and, to a substantially lesser extent, other international regions that utilize the same technology.  In addition, this segment also repairs cable television equipment for various cable companies.

Telecommunications (“Telco”)

The Company’s Telco segment primarily sells certified used telecommunications networking equipment from a broad range of manufacturers to customers primarily in North America.  In addition, this segment is a reseller of new telecommunications equipment from certain manufacturers.  Also, this segment offers its customers decommissioning services for surplus and obsolete equipment, which it in turn processes through its recycling services.

The Company evaluates performance and allocates its resources based on operating income.  The accounting policies of its reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies.

Segment assets consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, inventory, property and equipment, goodwill and intangible assets.

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

Special Note on Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in Management's Discussion and Analysis (“MD&A”), other than purely historical information, including estimates, projections, statements relating to our business plans, objectives and expected operating results, and the assumptions upon which those statements are based, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “estimates,” “projects,” “believes,” “plans,” “intends,” “will likely result,” and similar expressions.  Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties which may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and developments beyond our control or foresight, including changes in the trends of the cable television industry, changes in the trends of the telecommunications industry, changes in our supplier agreements, technological developments, changes in the economic environment generally, the growth or formation of competitors, changes in governmental regulation or taxation, changes in our personnel and other such factors.  Our actual results, performance or achievements may differ significantly from the results, performance or achievement expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements.  We do not undertake any obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Overview

The following MD&A is intended to help the reader understand the results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows of the Company.  MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with the information presented elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q and with the information presented in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2015, which includes our audited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements.

The Company is reporting its financial performance based on its external reporting segments: Cable Television and Telecommunications. These reportable segments are described below.

Cable Television (“Cable TV”)

The Company’s Cable TV segment sells new, surplus and re-manufactured cable television equipment throughout North America, Central America and South America and, to a substantially lesser extent, other international regions that utilize the same technology.  In addition, this segment also repairs cable television equipment for various cable companies.

Telecommunications (“Telco”)

The Company’s Telco segment sells certified used telecommunications networking equipment from a broad range of manufacturers primarily in North America.  In addition, this segment is a reseller of new telecommunications equipment from certain manufacturers.  Also, this segment offers its customers decommissioning services for surplus and obsolete equipment, which it then processes through its recycling program.

 

Recent Business Developments

Investment in YKTG Solutions, LLC (“YKTG Solutions”)

On March 10, 2016, the Company announced that it entered into a joint venture, YKTG Solutions, which will support decommission work on cell tower sites across 13 states in the northeast on behalf of a major U.S. wireless provider.  YKTG Solutions is owned 51% by YKTG, LLC and 49% by ADDvantage Technologies Group, and YTKG Solutions has been certified as a minority-based enterprise.  The joint venture is governed by an operating agreement for the purpose of completing the decommission project, but the operating agreement can be expanded to include other projects upon agreement by both owners.

For its role in the decommission project, the Company will earn a management fee from YKTG Solutions based on billings.  The Company is financing the decommission project pursuant to the terms of a loan agreement between the Company and YKTG Solutions by providing a revolving line of credit.  The management fee encompasses any interest earned on outstanding advances under the loan agreement.  The Company anticipates that this project will be completed in our third quarter of 2017, and estimates that this project will generate a total of approximately $1 million in pretax income over the life of the project.

In the third quarter of 2016, YKTG Solutions completed another project with a major U.S. telecommunications provider, which generated management fees to the Company of $38 thousand and equity earnings of $0.3 million.

For the nine months ended June 30, 2016, the Company recognized management fees of $0.2 million as other income and $31 thousand as interest income from our participation in the projects and financing provided.  In addition, the Company recognized income from the equity method investment of $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and a loss of $0.1 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2016 for its role in YKTG Solutions.

Results of Operations

Consolidated

Consolidated sales decreased $1.8 million, or 15%, to $10.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $11.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015.  The decrease in sales was due to a decrease in sales from both the Cable TV and Telco segments of $0.8 million and $1.1 million, respectively.  Consolidated gross profit decreased $0.6 million, or 16%, to $3.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $4.1 million for the same period last year.  The decrease in gross profit was due to a decrease in gross profit from both the Cable TV and Telco segments of $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively.

Consolidated operating, selling, general and administrative expenses include all personnel costs, which include fringe benefits, insurance and business taxes, as well as occupancy, communication and professional services, among other less significant cost categories.  Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $0.1 million, or 4%, to $3.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $3.2 million for the same period last year.  This decrease in expenses was due to a decrease in the Telco segment of $0.2 million, partially offset by an increase in the Cable TV segment of $0.1 million.

Other income (expense) consists of activity related to our investment in YKTG Solutions, including other income, interest income and equity earnings (losses), and interest expense related to our notes payable.  Other income, which is our fee for our role in the YKTG Solutions projects, for the three months ended June 30, 2016 was $0.1 million.  Equity income for the three months ended June 30, 2016 was $0.1 million.  Interest expense remained relatively flat at $0.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 compared to the same period last year.

The provision for income taxes was $0.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016, or an effective rate of 38%, compared to income taxes of $0.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2015, or an effective rate of 27%.

Segment Results

Cable TV

Sales for the Cable TV segment decreased $0.8 million to $5.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $6.7 million for the same period last year.  The decrease in sales was due primarily to a decrease in new equipment sales of $0.9 million, partially offset by an increase in repairs revenue of $0.1 million.  Gross margin was 36% for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 35% for the same period last year.

Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses increased $0.1 million to $1.6 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $1.5 million for the same period last year.  The increase was due primarily to increased personnel costs primarily related to the acquisition of the net operating assets of Advantage Solutions, LLC.

Telco

Sales for the Telco segment decreased $1.1 million to $4.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $5.2 million for the same period last year.  The decrease in sales primarily resulted from a decrease in used equipment sales of $1.8 million, partially offset by an increase in new equipment sales and recycling revenue of $0.3 and $0.4 million, respectively.  The decrease in used equipment sales was due primarily to the absence of $0.8 million in equipment sales to an end-user customer in the third quarter of 2015.  Gross margin was 32% for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 33% for the same period last year.

Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $0.2 million to $1.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2016 from $1.7 million for the same period last year.  The decrease in expenses was due to decreased expenses related to the earn-out payments resulting from the Nave Communications acquisition of $0.1 million and decreased personnel costs of $0.1 million.

Consolidated

Consolidated sales decreased $5.2 million, or 15%, to $28.9 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2016 from $34.1 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2015.  The decrease in sales was in both the Cable TV and Telco segments of $2.4 million and $3.0 million, respectively.  Consolidated gross profit decreased $2.4 million, or 20%, to $9.8 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2016 from $12.2 million for the same period last year.  The decrease in gross profit was in both the Cable TV and Telco segment of $0.6 million and $1.8 million, respectively.

Consolidated operating, selling, general and administrative expenses include all personnel costs, which include fringe benefits, insurance and business taxes, as well as occupancy, communication and professional services, among other less significant cost categories.  Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $1.1 million, or 11%, to $9.0 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2016 from $10.1 million for the same period last year.  This decrease in expenses was primarily due to the Telco segment of $1.4 million, partially offset by an increase in expenses of $0.3 million from the Cable TV segment.

Other income and expense consists of activity related to our investment in YKTG Solutions, including other income, interest income and equity earnings (losses), and interest expense related to our notes payable.  Other income, which is our fee for our role in the YKTG Solutions projects, for the nine months ended June 30, 2016 was $0.2 million.  Equity losses for the nine months ended June 30, 2016 were $0.1 million.  Interest expense decreased $52 thousand to $184 thousand for the nine months ended June 30, 2016 from $236 thousand for the same period last year.

The provision for income taxes was $0.3 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2016, or an effective rate of 38%, from a provision for income taxes of $0.6 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2015, or an effective rate of 32%.

Segment Results

Cable TV

Sales for the Cable TV segment decreased $2.4 million to $17.0 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2016 from $19.4 million for the same period last year.  The decrease in sales was due primarily to a decrease in new equipment sales of $3.2 million, partially offset by an increase of $0.4 million in both refurbished equipment sales and repairs revenue.  The decline in equipment sales for the Cable TV segment primarily occurred in the first quarter of fiscal year 2016.  The Cable TV segment has experienced declining equipment sales over the past several years for the products we traditionally carry due to the continued consolidation of the cable television operators and fewer upgrades of the cable television networks and plant expansions.  For the first quarter of fiscal year 2016, our equipment sales

decreased to their lowest level during this downturn.  However, we believe some of the decrease in sales was due to uncertainties caused by pending merger activities.  In the second and third quarters of fiscal year 2016, we saw our equipment sales increase back to similar levels we experienced last year.   Gross margin was 33% for the nine months ended June 30, 2016 and 32% for the same period last year.

Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses increased $0.2 million to $4.6 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2016 from $4.4 million for the same period last year.  The increase was due primarily to increased personnel costs primarily related to the acquisition of the net operating assets of Advantage Solutions, LLC.

Telco

Sales for the Telco segment decreased $3.0 million to $12.1 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2016 from $15.1 million for the same period last year.  The decrease in sales resulted from a decrease in used equipment sales of $4.4 million, partially offset by new equipment sales and recycling revenue increases of $0.9 million and $0.5 million, respectively.  The decrease in sales was due primarily to the absence of $2.3 million in equipment sales to an end-user customer in the second and third quarters of 2015.  In addition, in the first quarter of fiscal year 2016, we believe that the decreased sales volume was due largely to delays in capital expenditures from our major customers due to weak economic conditions and budgetary constraints.  Sales for the Telco segment did increase in the second and third quarters of fiscal year 2016 as compared to the first quarter as we saw these conditions improve.  Gross margin was 35% for the nine months ended June 30, 2016 and 40% for the same period last year.  The decrease in gross margin was due primarily to decreased margins from recycling revenue resulting from lower commodity prices.

Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $1.4 million to $4.3 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2016 from $5.7 million for the same period last year.  The decrease in expenses was due primarily to decreased expenses related to the earn-out payments resulting primarily from the Nave Communications acquisition of $0.9 million and decreased personnel costs of $0.3 million.  In March 2016, we made our second annual earn-out payment for $0.2 million, which was equal to 70% of Nave Communications’ annual adjusted EBITDA in excess of $2.0 million per year (“Nave Earn-out”).  We will make the third and final Nave Earn-out payment in March 2017, which we estimate will be between $0.3 million and $1.0 million.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure

EBITDA is a supplemental, non-GAAP financial measure.  EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization.  In addition, EBITDA as presented excludes other income, interest income and income from equity method investment.  EBITDA is presented below because this metric is used by the financial community as a method of measuring our financial performance and of evaluating the market value of companies considered to be in similar businesses.  Since EBITDA is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, it should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, net earnings as an indicator of operating performance.  EBITDA, as calculated below, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies.  In addition, EBITDA is not necessarily a measure of our ability to fund our cash needs.

 

A reconciliation by segment of income (loss) from operations to EBITDA follows:

 

(a)	The Telco segment includes earn-out expenses of zero and $0.8 million for the nine months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively, related to the acquisition of Nave Communications.

Critical Accounting Policies

Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Form 10-K for fiscal 2015 includes a summary of the significant accounting policies or methods used in the preparation of our Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.  Some of those significant accounting policies or methods require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported by us.  We believe the following items require the most significant judgments and often involve complex estimates.

General

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles requires management 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.  We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience, current market conditions, and various other factors we believe 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 could differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.  The most significant estimates and assumptions relate to the carrying value of our inventory and, to a lesser extent, the adequacy of our allowance for doubtful accounts.

Inventory Valuation

Our position in the industry requires us to carry large inventory quantities relative to annual sales, but it also allows us to realize high overall gross profit margins on our sales.  We market our products primarily to MSOs, telecommunication providers and other users of cable television and telecommunication equipment who are seeking products for which manufacturers have discontinued production or cannot ship new equipment on a same-day basis as well as providing used products as an alternative to new products from the manufacturer.  Carrying these large inventory quantities represents our largest risk.

 

We are required to make judgments as to future demand requirements from our customers.  We regularly review the value of our inventory in detail with consideration given to rapidly changing technology which can significantly affect future customer demand.  For individual inventory items, we may carry inventory quantities that are excessive relative to market potential, or we may not be able to recover our acquisition costs for sales that we do make.  In order to address the risks associated with our investment in inventory, we review inventory quantities on hand and reduce the carrying value when the loss of usefulness of an item or other factors, such as obsolete and excess inventories, indicate that cost will not be recovered when an item is sold.

Our inventories consist of new and used electronic components for the cable television industry.  Inventory is stated at the lower of cost and net realizable value, with cost determined using the weighted-average method.  Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation.  At June 30, 2016, we had total inventory, before the reserve for excess and obsolete inventory, of $24.9 million, consisting of $14.9 million in new products and $10.0 million in used or refurbished products.

For the Cable TV segment, our reserve at June 30, 2016 for excess and obsolete inventory was $3.2 million, which reflects an increase of approximately $0.5 million to reflect deterioration in the market demand of that inventory.  If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, and our estimates prove to be inaccurate, we could be required to increase our inventory reserve and our gross margins could be materially adversely affected.

For the Telco segment, we do not maintain an inventory reserve as we recycle any surplus and obsolete equipment on hand through our recycling program when it is identified.

Inbound freight charges are included in cost of sales.  Purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, warehousing costs, internal transfer costs and other inventory expenditures are included in operating expenses, since the amounts involved are not considered material.

Accounts Receivable Valuation

Management judgments and estimates are made in connection with establishing the allowance for doubtful accounts. Specifically, we analyze the aging of accounts receivable balances, historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit-worthiness, current economic trends and changes in our customer payment terms.  Significant changes in customer concentration or payment terms, deterioration of customer credit-worthiness, or weakening in economic trends could have a significant impact on the collectability of receivables and our operating results.  If the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payments, an additional provision to the allowance for doubtful accounts may be required.  The reserve for bad debts was approximately $0.3 million at June 30, 2016 and September 30, 2015.   At June 30, 2016, accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts, was $5.8 million.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price of acquisitions over the acquisition date fair value of the net assets of businesses acquired.  Goodwill is not amortized and is tested at least annually for impairment.  We perform our annual analysis during the fourth quarter of each fiscal year and in any other period in which indicators of impairment warrant additional analysis.  Goodwill is evaluated for impairment by first comparing our estimate of the fair value of each reporting unit, or operating segment, with the reporting unit’s carrying value, including goodwill.  Our reporting units for purposes of the goodwill impairment calculation are the Cable TV operating segment and the Telco operating segment.

 

We did not record a goodwill impairment for either of our two reporting units in the three year period ended September 30, 2015.  Although we do not anticipate a future impairment charge, certain events could occur that might adversely affect the reported value of goodwill.  Such events could include, but are not limited to, economic or competitive conditions, a significant change in technology, the economic condition of the customers and industries we serve, a significant decline in the real estate markets we operate in, and a material negative change in the relationships with one or more of our significant customers or equipment suppliers.  If our judgments and assumptions change as a result

of the occurrence of any of these events or other events that we do not currently anticipate, our expectations as to future results and our estimate of the implied value of each reporting unit also may change.

Intangibles

Intangible assets that have finite useful lives are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives ranging from 3 years to 10 years. 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities

We finance our operations primarily through operations and a revolving line of credit of up to $7.0 million.  During the nine months ended June 30, 2016, we generated $2.7 million of cash flow from operations.  The cash flow from operations was favorably impacted by $1.5 million from a net decrease in inventory primarily from the Cable TV segment and by $0.6 million from a net increase in accounts payable due primarily to timing of inventory purchases.  The cash flow from operations was unfavorably impacted by $1.4 million from an increase in accounts receivable.

In March 2016, we paid $0.2 million for the second of three annual earn-out payments.  The earn-out is equal to 70% of Nave Communications adjusted EBITDA earnings in excess of $2.0 million for the twelve month period beginning March 1 each year.  We estimate the final remaining annual payment will be between $0.3 million and $1.0 million.

Cash Flows Used for Investing Activities

In March 2016, we paid $1.0 million for the second of three annual installment payments to the Nave Communications owners for deferred consideration resulting from the Nave Communications acquisition.  The deferred consideration, which consists of $3.0 million to be paid in equal annual installments over the three years, is recorded at its present value of $1.0 million at June 30, 2016.

On December 31, 2015, we acquired the net operating assets of a business for $0.2 million.  The acquisition is discussed in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

We believe that our cash and cash equivalents of $5.1 million at June 30, 2016, cash flow from operations and our existing line of credit provide sufficient liquidity and capital resources to meet our working capital and debt payment needs.

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures.

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure the information we are required to disclose in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Based on their evaluation as of June 30, 2016, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to accomplish their objectives and to ensure the information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

 

PART II   OTHER INFORMATION

 

SIGNATURES

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

ADDVANTAGE TECHNOLOGIES GROUP, INC.

(Registrant)

 

David L. Humphrey,

President and Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

Scott A. Francis,

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

Exhibit Index

The following documents are included as exhibits to this Form 10-Q: