clro-20230406.htm
0000840715 CLEARONE INC false 0000840715 2023-04-06 2023-04-06
 

 

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 6, 2023 (March 31, 2023)

 

ClearOne, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

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))

 

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:  


Title of each class

Trading Symbol(s)

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.001

CLRO

The Nasdaq Capital Market


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 3, 2023, ClearOne, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2022. 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 of ClearOne, Inc. dated April 3, 2023.

Exhibit 104.1
The cover page from this Current Report on Form 8-K, formatted in Inline XBRL.

 

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.

 

 

 

April 6, 2023

By:

/s/ Narsi Narayanan

 

 

Narsi Narayanan

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 



Exhibit 99.1

ClearOne, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2022 Financial Results


Records GAAP EPS of $0.83 after accounting for one-time legal settlement receivable of $55 million.

Delays in manufacturing transition contribute to revenue decrease even as unfulfilled orders keep growing.

Overall revenue decreases by 44%

Non-GAAP Opex declines by 24%

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – March 31, 2023 – ClearOne (NASDAQ: CLRO), a global provider of audio and visual communication solutions, reported financial results for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2022.

"The continued delays in the transition of our outsourced manufacturing from China to Singapore caused us to lose revenue on our core audio conferencing products. This combined with the decline in video products, especially our professional cameras, contributed to a 44% decline in revenues. The delay in the transition is expected to affect our 2023-Q1 revenues also. However, with our recent legal settlements which have provided us with over $56 million in cash (before paying taxes) and with our new products that are expected to increase our market share due to better interoperability features, we are confident that we will be able to weather these difficult times. We also take comfort in the fact that our unfilled backlog is continuing to increase as we strive to satisfy our customers’ demand" said Derek Graham, CEO of ClearOne.


Recent Highlights

On January 30, 2023, we introduced the new CHAT® 150 BT group speakerphone with USB and Bluetooth connectivity that enhances the conferencing experience for the ultimate in business class performance. With simple, instant connection to personal computers, mobile devices or Bluetooth-enabled desk phones, the CHAT® 150 BT group speakerphone provides users with an affordable way to upgrade home offices, executive offices, and mid-size meeting rooms with BYOD convenience and superior audio clarity for audio conferences and video meetings.  The CHAT® 150 BT speakerphone also has an audio bridging feature that allows far end conference participants connected via a software conferencing application through USB, local users of the speakerphone, and far end callers on a mobile call connected through Bluetooth to all join the same call and hear each other clearly. Featuring a steerable microphone array with first-mic priority, the CHAT® 150 BT speakerphone intelligently activates the microphone closest to the person speaking, reducing interference from ambient noise. Like all ClearOne microphone products, the CHAT® 150 BT speakerphone is compatible with popular collaboration platforms including Microsoft® Teams, Zoom™, WebEx™, Google® Meet™, and many more. The new BT model retains all the class-leading features of the original CHAT® 150 speakerphone, including Advanced Noise Cancellation, Full Duplex Distributed Echo Cancellation™ and Automatic Level Control algorithms, to ensure highly intelligible, natural audio capture and playback. It also supports NFC tap-to-pair and includes a wired USB connection for compatibility with the full variety of modern devices.

On January 16, 2023, we introduced UNITE 260 Pro camera, a professional grade 4K Ultra HD camera featuring both a 20X optical zoom and 16X digital zoom that allows users to capture every participant in all meeting, training, and learning environments it is deployed in. Compatible with all popular meeting applications like Microsoft® Teams, Zoom™, WebEx™, and Google® Meet™, the new camera features an AI-based smart face tracking mode that keeps a selected presenter in the frame as they move about the room. Alternatively, the camera’s AI-based auto framing mode always keeps an entire group in perfect view. With dual video outputs HDMI and IP, the UNITE 260 Pro Camera is an excellent choice for a hybrid environment: streaming content while simultaneously showing it live where the presentation is occurring.

In November 2022, we announced the introduction of UNITE 160, a new camera that offers cutting-edge 4K UHD performance with 12x optical zoom capabilities, remote-controlled mechanical pan and tilt as well as AI-powered smart face tracking and auto framing. This camera is designed to capture all participants in large rooms while enabling automated focus on a moving presenter, making it ideal for larger spaces including board rooms, training centers, conference rooms and classrooms. This new camera offers an integrated AI-based camera tracking solution for rooms that are a fit for ClearOne's single Versa Lite CT and a single camera. This new lower-cost camera tracking configuration eliminates the need for a DSP mixer and a control system.

In October 2022, we announced the introduction of UNITE 60, a new wide angle 4K USB camera featuring AI-powered smart face and voice tracking, along with electronic PTZ (pan/tilt/zoom) capabilities. With a 120-degree field of view, and a plug-and-play USB 3.0 connection for video, control, and power, the new UNITE® 60 camera is ideally suited for rooms such as executive offices, huddle rooms, or smaller conference rooms. The UNITE 60 camera leverages a wide dynamic range and super-high SNR with advanced 2D and 3D noise reduction to deliver excellent visuals across varied lighting conditions. In addition to the AI auto-tracking feature, the camera can also be controlled via IR remote or UVC protocol. The camera can be paired with a wide variety of microphones and speakers.




Financial Summary


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


Q4 2022 revenue was $4.0 million, compared to $7.2 million in Q4 2021 and $6.3 million in Q3 2022. The decrease in year-over-year revenue as well as in sequential revenue was mainly due to (a) a decline in revenue from video products due to decline in demand and (b) our inability to fulfill the demand for our core audio conferencing and beamforming microphone arrays due to ongoing delays with the transition of our outsourced manufacturing from China to Singapore.

GAAP gross profit in Q4 2022 was $1.3 million, compared to $2.6 million in each of  Q4 2021 and Q3 2022. GAAP gross profit margin was 31% in Q4 2022, compared to 37% in Q4 2021 and 41% in Q3 2022. Gross Profit margin decreased year over year as well as sequentially mainly due to increase in material costs due to supply chain constraints and increased administration costs as a percentage of revenue partially offset by reduction in inventory obsolescence and freight and tariff costs.

Operating expenses in Q4 2022 were $3.9 million, compared to $5.1 million in Q4 2021 and $3.7 million in Q3 2022. Non-GAAP Operating expenses in Q4 2022 were $3.4 million, compared to $4.4 million in Q4 2021 and $3.0 million in Q3 2022. The decrease in year-over-year as well as sequential Non-GAAP Operating expenses was mainly due to the deep-cost cutting measures initiated in 2022 partially offset by an increase in bonuses for executives and other employees. 

GAAP net income in Q4 2022 was $24.0 million, or $0.97 per share, compared to a net loss of $(2.3) million, or $(0.10) per share, in Q4 2021 and a net loss of $1.2 million, or $0.05 per share, in Q3 2022. The change from net loss to net income both year-over-year and sequentially was primarily due to the recognition of a gain of $33.6 million related to the one-time legal settlement receivable of $55 million net of unamortized capitalized legal expenses of $21.4 million. This gain was partially offset by operating loss and provision for income tax.


($ in 000, except per share)

  

Three months ended December 31,

  

  

Year ended December 31,


  

  

2022

  

  

2021

  

Change in %

Favorable/(Adverse)

  

  

2022

  

  

2021

  

Change in % Favorable/(Adverse)


GAAP

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  


Revenue

$

4,021

  

$

7,202

  

(44

)

$

25,205

  

$

28,967

  

(13

)

Gross profit

  

1,264

  

  

2,638

  

(52

)

  

9,457

  

  

11,916

  

(21

)

Operating expenses

  

3,854

  

  

5,114

  

25

  

16,679

  

  

19,411

  

14

Operating loss

  

(2,590

)

  

(2,476

)

(5

)

  

(7,222

)

  

(7,495

)

4

Net income (loss)

  

24,028

  

(2,284

)

1,152

  

20,556

  

(7,694

)

367


Diluted income (loss) per share

  

0.97

  

(0.10

)

1,070

  

0.83

  

(0.39

)

313


Non-GAAP

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  


Non-GAAP operating expenses

  

3,358

  

  

4,429

  

24

  

14,062

  

  

16,996

  

17

Non-GAAP operating loss

  

(2,092

)

  

(1,788

)

(17

)

  

(4,597

)

  

(5,070

)

9

Non-GAAP net income (loss)

  

(2,292

)

  

(1,596

)

(44

)

  

(5,165

)

  

(5,269

)

2

Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA

  

(2,062

)

  

(1,678

)

(23

)

  

(4,383

)

  

(4,660

)

6

Non-GAAP diluted income (loss) per share

  

(0.09

)

  

(0.07

)

(29

)

  

(0.19

)

  

(0.27

)

30





Balance Sheet Highlights


As of December 31, 2022, cash, cash equivalents and investments were $1.0 million, as compared with $4.1 million as of December 31, 2021. As of December 31, 2022, the Company carried an aggregate debt of $3.9 million on account of senior convertible notes issued in December 2019, and a short-term bridge loan obtained in Q4 2022. The Company’s cash position was strengthened by the receipts in excess of $56 million in the first quarter of 2023 pursuant to legal settlements. The Company also repaid the short-term bridge loan in January 2023.


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. Visit ClearOne 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 in this release below.


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 and the possible outcomes of litigation, 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-Q, including the footnotes thereto, as well as the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (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-Q, the 10-K, and the Public Filings.





CLEARONE, INC

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in thousands, except par value)


  

  

  

December 31, 2022


  

  

December 31, 2021


ASSETS

  

  

  


  

  

  


Current assets:

  

  

  


  

  

  


Cash and cash equivalents

  

$

984


  

$

1,071


Marketable securities

  

  


  

  

1,790


Legal settlement receivable

55,000



Receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $326

  

  

3,603


  

  

4,991


Inventories, net

  

  

8,961


  

  

10,033


Income tax receivable



1,071


7,535

Prepaid expenses and other assets

  

  

7,808


  

  

4,021


      Total current assets

  

  

77,427


  

  

29,441


Long-term marketable securities

  

  


  

  

1,220


Long-term inventories, net

  

  

2,707


  

  

3,567


Property and equipment, net

  

  

383


  

  

744


Operating lease - right of use assets, net

  

  

1,047


  

  

1,537


Intangibles, net

  

  

2,071


  

  

25,086


Other assets

  

  

115


  

  

4,597


Total assets

  

$

83,750


  

$

66,192


LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

  

  

  


  

  

  


Current liabilities:

  

  

  


  

  

  


Accounts payable

  

$

1,284


  

$

5,388


Accrued liabilities

  

  

3,041


  

  

2,549


Deferred product revenue

63


54

Short-term debt

  

  

3,732


  

  

3,481


Total current liabilities

  

  

8,120


  

  

11,472


Long-term debt

  

  


  

  

  1,535


Operating lease liability

  

  

492


  

  

1,026


Other long-term liabilities

  

  

1,008


  

  

655


Total liabilities

  

  

9,620


  

  

14,688


  

  

  

  


  

  

  


Shareholders' equity:

  

  

  


  

  

  


Common stock, par value $0.001, 50,000,000 shares authorized, 23,955,767 and 22,410,126 shares issued and outstanding

  

  

24


  

  

22


Additional paid-in capital

  

  

74,910


  

  

72,795


Accumulated other comprehensive loss

  

  

(288

)

  

  

(241

)

Accumulated deficit

  

  

(516

)

  

  

(21,072

)

Total shareholders' equity

  

  

74,130

  

  

51,504


Total liabilities and shareholders' equity

  

$

83,750

  

$

66,192





CLEARONE, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Dollars in thousands, except per share values)


  

  

Three months ended December 31,


  

Year ended December 31,


  

  

2022


  

2021


  

2022


  

2021


Revenue

  

$

4,021


  

$

7,202


  

$

25,205


  

$

28,967


Cost of goods sold

  

  

2,757


  

  

4,564


  

  

15,748


  

  

17,051


Gross profit

  

  

1,264


  

  

2,638


  

  

9,457


  

  

11,916


  

  

  

  


  

  

  


  

  

  


  

  

  


Operating expenses:

  

  

  


  

  

  


  

  

  


  

  

  


Sales and marketing

  

  

1,244


  

  

1,716


  

  

5,517


  

  

6,736


Research and product development

  

  

984


  

  

1,541


  

  

4,390


  

  

5,794


General and administrative

  

  

1,626


  

  

1,857


  

  

6,772


  

  

6,881


Total operating expenses

  

  

3,854


  

  

5,114


  

  

16,679


  

  

19,411


  

  

  



  

  



  

  



  

  



Operating loss

  

  

(2,590

)

  

  

(2,476

)

  

  

(7,222

)

  

  

(7,495

)

  

  

  

  


  

  

  


  

  

  


  

  

  


Interest expense

(135 )

(145 )

(420 )

(514 )

Other income, net

  

  

33,597


  

  

15


  

  

35,102


  

  

32


  

  

  



  

  



  

  



  

  



Income (loss) before income taxes

  

  

30,872

  

  

(2,606

)

  

  

27,460

  

  

(7,977

)

  

  

  















Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

  

  

6,844

  

  

(322

)

  

  

6,904

  

  

(283

)

  

  

  

  


  

  

  


  

  

  


  

  

  


Net income (loss)

  

$

24,028

  

$

(2,284

)

  

$

20,556

  

$

(7,694

)

  

  

  

  


  

  

  


  

  

  


  

  

  


Basic weighted average shares outstanding

  

  

23,952,590


  

  

22,403,408


  

  

23,937,962


  

  

19,859,817


Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

  

  

24,947,851


  

  

22,403,408


  

  

25,189,147


  

  

19,859,817


  

  

  



  

  



  

  



  

  



Basic income (loss) per share

  

$

1.00

  

$

(0.10

)

  

$

0.86

  

$

(0.39

)

Diluted income (loss) per share

  

$

0.97

  

$

(0.10

)

  

$

0.83

  

$

(0.39

)

  

  

  

  


  

  

  


  

  

  


  

  

  


Comprehensive income (loss):

  

  

  


  

  

  


  

  

  


  

  

  


Net income (loss)

  

  

24,028

  

  

(2,284

)

  

  

20,556

  

  

(7,694

)

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

  

  

  

  

(15

)

  

  

(2

)

  

  

(28

)

    Change in foreign currency translation adjustment

  

  

(22

)

  

  

(1

)

  

  

(45

)

  

  

(27

)

Comprehensive income (loss)

  

  

24,006

  

  

(2,300

)

  

  

20,509

  

  

(7,749

)





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,


  

  

2022


  

2021


  

2022


  

2021


GAAP operating loss

  

$

(2,590

)

  

$

(2,476

)

  

$

7,222

  

$

(7,495

)

Stock-based compensation

  

  

24


  

  

37


  

  

113


  

  

137


Amortization of intangibles

  

  

474


  

  

651


  

  

2,512


  

  

2,288


Non-GAAP operating loss

  

$

(2,092

)

  

$

(1,788

)

  

$

(4,597

)

  

$

(5,070

)

  

  

  

  


  

  

  


  

  

  


  

  

  


GAAP net income (loss)

  

$

24,028

  

$

(2,284

)

  

$

20,556

  

$

(7,694

)

Stock-based compensation

  

  

24


  

  

37


  

  

113


  

  

137


Amortization of intangibles

  

  

474


  

  

651


  

  

2,512


  

  

2,288


Other income adjustment

(33,623 )




(35,151 )


Tax effect

6,805





6,805



Non-GAAP net income (loss)

  

$

(2,292

)

  

$

(1,596

)

  

$

(5,165

)

  

$

(5,269

)

  

  

  

  


  

  

  


  

  

  


  

  

  


GAAP net income (loss)

  

$

24,028

  

$

(2,284

)

  

$

20,556

  

$

(7,694

)

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

  

  

24,947,851


  

  

22,403,408


  

  

25,189,147


  

  

19,859,817


GAAP diluted income (loss) per share

  

$

0.97

  

$

(0.10

)

  

$

0.83

  

$

(0.39

)

Non-GAAP net income (loss)

  

$

(2,292

)

  

$

(1,596

)

  

$

(5,165

)

  

$

(5,269

)

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

  

  

24,947,851


  

  

22,403,408


  

  

25,189,147


  

  

19,859,817


Non-GAAP diluted income (loss) per share

  

$

(0.09

)

  

$

(0.07

)

  

$

(0.19

)

  

$

(0.27

)

  

  

  

  


  

  

  


  

  

  


  

  

  


GAAP net income (loss)

  

$

24,028

  

$

(2,284

)

  

$

20,556

  

$

(7,694

)

Stock-based compensation

  

  

24


  

  

37


  

  

113


  

  

137


Interest expense



135


145


420


514

Depreciation

  

  

56


  

  

95


  

  

263


  

  

378


Amortization of intangibles

  

  

474


  

  

651


  

  

2,512


  

  

2,288


Other income adjustment

(33,623 )




(35,151 )


Provision for (benefit from) income taxes

  

  

6,844

  

  

(322

)

  

  

6,904

  

  

(283

)

Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA

  

$

(2,062

)

  

$

(1,678

)

  

$

(4,383

)

  

$

(4,660

)


Contact:

Narsi Narayanan

385-426-0565

investor_relations@clearone.com

http://investors.clearone.com