clro20180426_8k.htm

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):April 26, 2018 (April 20, 2018)

 

ClearOne, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Utah

 

001-33660

 

87-0398877

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

  5225 Wiley Post Way, Suite 500, Salt Lake City, Utah

 

84116  

  (Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)  

 

+1 (801) 975-7200

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Not applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

[  ]

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[  ]

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[  ]

 Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[  ]

 Pre-commencement communication pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company [  ]

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. [  ]

 

 

 

 

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition

 

On April 20, 2018, ClearOne, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31 2017. The full text of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit

No.

 

Description

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

Press Release dated April 20, 2018 titled “ClearOne Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2017 Financial Results”.

 

The information included in this Current Report on Form 8-K (including the exhibit hereto) is being furnished under Item 2.02, “Results of Operations and Financial Condition” and Item 9.01 “Financial Statements and Exhibits” of Form 8-K. As such, the information (including the exhibit) herein shall not be deemed to be “filed” for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that Section, nor shall it be incorporated by reference into a filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing. This Current Report (including the exhibit hereto) will not be deemed an admission as to the materiality of any information required to be disclosed solely to satisfy the requirements of Regulation FD.

 

 

 

 

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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

CLEARONE, INC.

 

 

 

Date: April 26, 2018

By:

/s/ Zeynep Hakimoglu

 

 

Zeynep Hakimoglu

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

Press Release dated April 20, 2018 titled “ClearOne Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2017 Financial Results”.

  

ex_111333.htm

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

 

ClearOne Reports Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2017 Financial Results

 

 

Increases in Converge® Pro 2 and Beamformer Microphone Array 2 Quarter-over-Quarter

 

Continued increase in Video Products Revenue Year-over-Year

 

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – April 20, 2018 – ClearOne (NASDAQ: CLRO), a global provider of audio and visual communication solutions, reported financial results for the three months and twelve months ended December 31, 2017.

 

“Our recently introduced products and the video category of our business continued to make progress in the fourth quarter,” said Zee Hakimoglu, president and chief executive officer. “Notwithstanding the overall revenue decline, Converge Pro 2, our new platform for professional audio conferencing, along with our Beamforming Microphone Array 2 made significant gains in the Pro AV market and posted robust quarter over quarter revenue growth of 48%. Our video category, especially the Collaborate® suite of video collaboration products has continued its revenue growth with year over year increases. Our confidence in our solutions and the potential for success with our strategy are reinforced by these successes.”

 

Financial Summary 

The Company uses certain non-GAAP financial measures and reconciles those to GAAP measures in the attached tables.

Q4 2017 revenue was $9.3 million, compared to $10.7 million in Q4 2016 and $10.6 million in Q3 2017. The year-over-year decrease as well as sequential revenue decline reflect the continuing transition to the next generation professional audio conferencing platform, and the on-going harm of infringement of ClearOne’s patents.

 

GAAP gross profit in Q4 2017 was $4.8 million, compared to $5.7 million in Q4 2016 and $6.5 million in Q3 2017. GAAP gross profit margin was 51% in Q4 2017, compared to 53% in Q4 2016 and 62% in Q3 2017. Year over year gross margin decline was mainly due to increased inventory obsolescence costs. Sequential decline in gross margin was largely due to higher than usual gross margin from the large order that was fulfilled in Q3 2017.

 

Operating expenses in Q4 2017 were $5.8 million which included net litigation proceeds of $0.8 million, compared to $6.8 million in Q4 2016 and $20.0 million in Q3 2017 which included impairment charges of $13.54 million. The majority of the decrease in operating expenses over Q4 2016 is attributable to reduced legal expenses in general in Q4 2017 and due to capitalization of legal expenses related to patent litigation. Non-GAAP operating expenses in Q4 2017 were $6.1 million, compared to $5.3 million in Q4 2016 and $6.0 million in Q3 2017. The year over year increase in Non-GAAP operating expenses was mainly due to the increase in R&D expenditure.

 

Net loss in Q4 2017 was $3.6 million, or $0.43 per share, compared to net loss of $1.1 million, or $0.12 per share, in Q4 2016 and net loss of $9.3 million, or $1.07 per share, in Q3 2017. Net loss in Q4 2017 was largely caused by the reduction in tax benefits of approximately $2.6 million due to changes in federal income tax rates effective 2018. Non-GAAP net loss was $2.3 million, or $0.27 per share, in Q4 2017, compared to non-GAAP net loss of $0.1 million in Q4 2016 and net income of $0.8 million, or $0.09 per share, in Q3 2017. Non-GAAP net loss in Q4 2017 was caused by lower revenues and increased R&D expenditures mentioned in the previous paragraphs as well as reduction in tax benefit claimed due to tax rate change.

 

Page 1 of 6

 

 

($ in 000, except per share)

 

Three months ended December 31,

   

Year ended December 31,

 
   

2017

   

2016

   

Change

   

2017

   

2016

   

Change

 

GAAP

                                               

Revenue

  $ 9,255     $ 10,730       -14 %   $ 41,804     $ 48,637       -14 %

Gross Profit

    4,753       5,690       -16 %     24,009       29,487       -19 %

Operating Income (Loss)

    (1,052 )     (1,151 )     -9 %     (16,193 )     3,566       -554 %

Net Income (Loss)

    (3,608 )     (1,088 )     -232 %     (14,172 )     2,444       -680 %

Earnings (Loss) Per Share (Diluted)

    (0.43 )     (0.12 )     -258 %     (1.65 )     0.26       -735 %

Non-GAAP

                                               

Non-GAAP Gross Profit

  $ 4,759     $ 5,909       -19 %   $ 24,036     $ 30,007       -20 %

Non-GAAP Operating Income (Loss)

    (1,337 )     630       -312 %     (309 )     7,560       -104 %

Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss)

    (2,297 )     (168 )     -1267 %     (1,490 )     4,994       -130 %

Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA

    (1,171 )     919       -231 %     571       8,648       -93 %

Non-GAAP Earnings (Loss) per share (Diluted)

    (0.27 )     (0.02 )     -1250 %     (0.17 )     0.54       -132 %

 

Balance Sheet Highlights

At December 31, 2017, cash, cash equivalents and investments were $18.6 million, as compared with $38.5 million at December 31, 2016. A significant portion of this decrease can be attributed to patent litigation expenses ($3.4 million), share repurchases ($5.1 million), dividend payments ($2.2 million) and higher investment in inventory related to the Converge Pro 2 platform and wireless microphones ($9.5 million) which is expected to be realized in cash. The Company continued to have no debt.

 

During Q4 of 2017, the Company paid a cash dividend of $0.07 per share and repurchased approximately 119,000 shares amounting to $1.0 million. As of December 31, 2017, the Company has acquired approximately 1.1 million shares amounting to $11.2 million since this program commenced in March 2016.

 

ClearOne senior management will host an investor conference call, the details of which will be announced later, after the financial results of the 2018 first quarter results are available.

 

About ClearOne

ClearOne is a global company that designs, develops and sells conferencing, collaboration, and network streaming solutions for voice and visual communications. The performance and simplicity of its advanced comprehensive solutions offer unprecedented levels of functionality, reliability and scalability. More information about the Company can be found at www.clearone.com.

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement our consolidated financial statements presented on a GAAP basis, ClearOne uses non-GAAP measures of gross profit, operating income (loss), net income (loss), adjusted Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (EBITDA) and net income (loss) per share, which are adjusted to exclude certain costs, expenses, gains and losses we believe appropriate to enhance an overall understanding of our past financial performance from period to period and also our prospects for the future. These adjustments to our current period GAAP results are made with the intent of providing both management and investors a more complete understanding of ClearOne’s underlying operational results and trends and our marketplace performance. The non-GAAP results are an indication of our baseline performance before certain gains, losses, or other charges that are considered by management to be outside of our core operating results. In addition, these adjusted non-GAAP results are among the primary indicators management uses as a basis for our planning and forecasting of future periods. The presentation of this additional non-GAAP financial information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for gross profit, operating income (loss), net income (loss), income (loss) per share or other financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. There are limitations to the use of non-GAAP financial measures.  Other companies, including companies in ClearOne’s industry, may calculate non-GAAP financial measures differently than ClearOne does, limiting the usefulness of those measures for comparative purposes. A detailed reconciliation of non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures is included with this release below.

 

Page 2 of 6

 

 

Forward Looking Statements

This release contains “forward-looking” statements that are based on present circumstances and on ClearOne’s predictions with respect to events that have not occurred, that may not occur, or that may occur with different consequences and timing than those now assumed or anticipated. Such forward-looking statements and any statements of the plans and objectives of management for future operations and forecasts of future growth and value, are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from the events or results described in the forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are made only as of the date of this release and ClearOne assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The information in this press release should be read in conjunction with, and is modified in its entirety by, the Annual Report on Form 10-K (the “10-K”) filed by the Company for the same period with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and all of the Company’s other public filings with the SEC (the “Public Filings”). In particular, the financial information contained herein is subject to and qualified by reference to the financial statements contained in the 10-K, the footnotes thereto and the limitations set forth therein. Investors may not rely on the press release without reference to the 10-K and the Public Filings.

 

Contact:

Investor Relations

801-975-7200

investor_relations@clearone.com

http://investors.clearone.com

 

Page 3 of 6

 

 

CLEARONE, INC

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except par value)

 

   

As at

 
   

December 31, 2017

   

December 31, 2016

 

ASSETS

               

Current assets:

               

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 5,571     $ 12,100  

Marketable securities

    2,689       5,030  

Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $472 and $187, respectively

    7,794       7,461  

Inventories, net

    14,415       11,377  

Distributor channel inventories

    1,555       1,530  

Prepaid expenses and other assets

    1,862       2,642  

Total current assets

    33,886       40,140  

Long-term marketable securities

    10,349       21,365  

Long-term inventories, net

    8,708       1,664  

Property and equipment, net

    1,549       1,513  

Intangibles, net

    6,543       5,677  

Goodwill

            12,724  

Deferred income taxes

    6,531       4,654  

Other assets

    311       387  

Total assets

  $ 67,877     $ 88,124  

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

               

Current liabilities:

               

Accounts payable

  $ 4,122     $ 3,545  

Accrued liabilities

    1,843       1,894  

Deferred product revenue

    4,635       3,882  

Total current liabilities

    10,600       9,321  

Deferred rent

    103       103  

Other long-term liabilities

    607       1,251  

Total liabilities

    11,310       10,675  
                 

Shareholders' equity:

               

Common stock, par value $0.001, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 8,319,022 and 8,812,644 shares issued and outstanding

    8       9  

Additional paid-in capital

    47,464       46,669  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

    (65 )     (205 )

Retained earnings

    9,160       30,976  

Total shareholders' equity

    56,567       77,449  

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

  $ 67,877     $ 88,124  

 

Page 4 of 6

 

 

CLEARONE, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in thousands, except per share values)

 

   

Three months ended December 31,

   

Year ended December 31,

 
   

2017

   

2016

   

2017

   

2016

 

Revenue

  $ 9,255     $ 10,730     $ 41,804     $ 48,637  

Cost of goods sold

    4,502       5,040       17,795       19,150  

Gross profit

    4,753       5,690       24,009       29,487  
                                 

Operating expenses:

                               

Sales and marketing

    2,603       2,337       10,996       10,032  

Research and product development

    2,395       2,083       9,342       8,564  

General and administrative

    1,564       2,421       7,161       7,325  

Impairment of intangibles

    33             769        

Impairment of goodwill

                12,724        

Legal proceeds, net

    (790 )           (790 )      

Total operating expenses

    5,805       6,841       40,202       25,921  
                                 

Operating income (loss)

    (1,052 )     (1,151 )     (16,193 )     3,566  
                                 

Other income, net

    36       118       300       312  

Income (loss) before income taxes

    (1,016 )     (1,033 )     (15,893 )     3,878  

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

    2,592       55       (1,721 )     1,434  

Net income (loss)

  $ (3,608 )   $ (1,088 )   $ (14,172 )   $ 2,444  
                                 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

    8,384,938       8,860,186       8,576,588       9,021,980  

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

    8,384,938       9,089,328       8,576,588       9,306,034  
                                 

Basic earnings (loss) per common share

  $ (0.43 )   $ (0.12 )   $ (1.65 )   $ 0.27  

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share

  $ (0.43 )   $ (0.12 )   $ (1.65 )   $ 0.26  
                                 

Net income (loss)

    (3,608 )     (1,088 )     (14,172 )     2,444  
                                 

Comprehensive income:

                               

Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net of tax

    (32 )     (180 )     36       (1 )

Change in foreign currency translation adjustment

    16       (57 )     104       (38 )

Comprehensive income (loss)

    (3,624 )     (1,325 )     (14,032 )     2,405  

 

Page 5 of 6

 

 

CLEARONE, INC.

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATION OF GAAP MEASURES TO NON-GAAP MEASURES

(Dollars in thousands, except per share values)

 

   

Three months ended December 31,

   

Year ended December 31,

 
   

2017

   

2016

   

2017

   

2016

 

GAAP gross profit

  $ 4,753     $ 5,690     $ 24,009     $ 29,487  

Inventory scrap related to wireless manufacturing move

          211             494  

Stock-based compensation

    6       8       27       26  

Non-GAAP gross profit

  $ 4,759     $ 5,909     $ 24,036     $ 30,007  
                                 

GAAP operating income (loss)

  $ (1,052 )   $ (1,151 )   $ (16,193 )   $ 3,566  

Inventory scrap related to wireless manufacturing move

          211             494  

Stock-based compensation

    150       173       665       667  

Amortization of intangibles

    258       266       964       1,122  

Impairment of intangible asset

    33             769        

Impairment of goodwill

                12,724        

Legal proceeds, net

    (910 )           (910 )      

Legal expenses, acquisition expenses, re-audit expenses, restructuring expenses, etc. not related to regular operations

    184       1,131       1,672       1,711  

Non-GAAP operating income (loss)

  $ (1,337 )   $ 630     $ (309 )   $ 7,560  
                                 

GAAP net income (loss)

  $ (3,608 )   $ (1,088 )   $ (14,172 )   $ 2,444  

Inventory scrap related to wireless manufacturing move

          211             494  

Stock-based compensation

    150       173       665       667  

Amortization of intangibles

    258       266       964       1,122  

Impairment of intangible asset

    33             769        

Impairment of goodwill

                12,724        

Legal proceeds, net

    (910 )           (910 )      

Legal expenses, acquisition expenses, re-audit expenses, restructuring expenses, etc. not related to regular operations

    184       1,131       1,672       1,711  

Loss on disposal of assets related to wireless microphones manufacturing

                      53  

Tax effect of non-GAAP adjustments

    1,596       (861 )     (3,202 )     (1,497 )

Non-GAAP net income (loss)

  $ (2,297 )   $ (168 )   $ (1,490 )   $ 4,994  
                                 

GAAP net income (loss)

  $ (3,608 )   $ (1,088 )   $ (14,172 )   $ 2,444  

Number of shares used in computing GAAP income per share (diluted)

    8,384,938       9,089,328       8,576,588       9,306,034  

GAAP income (loss) per share (diluted)

  $ (0.43 )   $ (0.12 )   $ (1.65 )   $ 0.26  

Non-GAAP net income (loss)

  $ (2,297 )   $ (168 )   $ (1,490 )   $ 4,994  

Number of shares used in computing Non-GAAP income per share (diluted)

    8,384,938       9,089,328       8,576,588       9,306,034  

Non-GAAP income (loss) per share (diluted)

  $ (0.27 )   $ (0.02 )   $ (0.17 )   $ 0.54  
                                 

GAAP total net income (loss)

  $ (3,608 )   $ (1,088 )   $ (14,172 )   $ 2,444  

Inventory scrap related to wireless manufacturing move

          211             494  

Stock-based compensation

    150       173       665       667  

Depreciation

    130       171       580       723  

Amortization of intangibles

    258       266       964       1,122  

Impairment of intangible asset

    33             769        

Impairment of goodwill

                12,724        

Legal proceeds, net

    (910 )           (910 )      

Legal expenses, acquisition expenses, re-audit expenses, restructuring expenses, etc. not related to regular operations

    184       1,131       1,672       1,711  

Loss on disposal of assets related to wireless microphones manufacturing

                      53  

Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

    2,592       55       (1,721 )     1,434  

Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA

  $ (1,171 )   $ 919     $ 571     $ 8,648  

 

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