-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, QjaZriSoE2ldX+a+GVhynD3ZQt2odgqp1xH6lULOflYy/K7QsWq5JOzY+BI8Fgjp MVkOYn9IN2sNa1oYdYn4Ig== 0001193125-06-095310.txt : 20060501 0001193125-06-095310.hdr.sgml : 20060501 20060501165906 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001193125-06-095310 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 10 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20060131 FILED AS OF DATE: 20060501 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20060501 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: COMARCO INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000022252 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: RADIO & TV BROADCASTING & COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT [3663] IRS NUMBER: 952088894 STATE OF INCORPORATION: CA FISCAL YEAR END: 0131 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-05449 FILM NUMBER: 06795915 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2 CROMWELL STREET 2: . CITY: IRVINE STATE: CA ZIP: 92618 BUSINESS PHONE: 949-599-7400 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2 CROMWELL STREET 2: . CITY: IRVINE STATE: CA ZIP: 92618 10-K 1 d10k.htm FORM 10-K FOR YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2006 Form 10-K for year ended January 31, 2006
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


FORM 10-K

 


(Mark One)

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

For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2006

OR

 

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

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number 0-5449

 


COMARCO, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

California   95-2088894

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation or Organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

2 Cromwell, Irvine, CA 92618

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 


Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (949) 599-7400

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock

 


Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes  ¨  No  x

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.  Yes  ¨  No  x

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

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  x

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer, (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Large accelerated filer  ¨            Accelerated filer  ¨            Non-accelerated filer  x

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes  ¨  No  x

As of July 29, 2005, the aggregate market value of voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $58 million.

The number of shares of the Registrant’s common stock outstanding as of April 13, 2006 was 7,429,344.

Documents incorporated by reference: Part III incorporates information by reference to portions of the Registrant’s proxy statement for its fiscal 2006 annual meeting of shareholders.

 



Table of Contents

COMARCO, INC.

FORM 10-K

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2006

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page

PART I

   1

ITEM 1.

   BUSINESS    1

ITEM 1A.

   RISK FACTORS    7

ITEM 2.

   PROPERTIES    14

ITEM 3.

   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS    14

ITEM 4.

   SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS    15

PART II

   16

ITEM 5.

   MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES    16

ITEM 6.

   SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA    17

ITEM 7.

   MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS    18

ITEM 7A.

   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK    44

ITEM 8.

   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA    45

ITEM 9.

   CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE    77

ITEM 9A.

   CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES    77

ITEM 9B.

   OTHER INFORMATION    77

PART III

   78

ITEM 10.

   DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT    78

ITEM 11.

   EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION    78

ITEM 12.

   SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS    78

ITEM 13.

   CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS    78

ITEM 14.

   PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES    78

PART IV

   79

ITEM 15.

   EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES    79


Table of Contents

PART I

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report on Form 10-K, including the section entitled Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 regarding our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” and similar expressions or variations of such words are intended to identify forward-looking statements, but are not deemed to represent an all-inclusive means of identifying forward-looking statements as denoted in this report. Additionally, statements concerning future matters are forward-looking statements.

Although forward-looking statements in this report reflect the good faith judgment of our management, such statements can only be based on facts and factors currently known by us. Consequently, forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties and actual results and outcomes may differ materially from the results and outcomes discussed in or anticipated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences in results and outcomes include, without limitation, those specifically addressed under the section below entitled “Risk Factors,” as well as those discussed elsewhere in this report. Readers are urged not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report.

We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements in order to reflect any event or circumstance that may arise after the date of this report. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made throughout the entirety of this report, which attempt to advise interested parties of the risks and factors that may affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects.

ITEM 1.    BUSINESS

General

Comarco, Inc., through its subsidiary Comarco Wireless Technologies, Inc. (collectively, “we,” “Comarco,” or the “Company”), is a leading provider of wireless test solutions for the wireless industry. Comarco also designs and manufactures emergency call box systems and mobile power products for notebook computers, cellular telephones, DVDs, PDAs, and other handheld devices. Our operations consist solely of the operations of Comarco Wireless Technologies, Inc. (“CWT”).

We have three primary businesses: wireless test solutions (“WTS”), emergency call box systems (“call box” or “call box systems”), and mobile power products (“ChargeSource”). Our wireless test solutions business designs and manufactures hardware and software tools for use by wireless carriers, equipment vendors, and others. Our call box business designs and manufactures emergency call box systems and our mobile power products business designs universal power adapters for notebook computers, cellular telephones, DVDs, PDAs, and other handheld devices.

Our net revenue by business segment for fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004 was:

 

     Years Ended
     2006    2005    2004
     (In millions)

Business segment:

        

Wireless test solutions

   $ 24.5    $ 16.8    $ 11.1

Emergency call box systems

     10.0      6.6      7.0

Mobile power products (ChargeSource)

     12.3      5.8      16.2
                    
   $ 46.8    $ 29.2    $ 34.3
                    

 

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More financial information about our business segments is contained in Note 20 “Business Segment Information” of our consolidated financial statements.

References to “fiscal” years in this report refer to our fiscal years ended January 31; for example, “fiscal 2006” refers to our fiscal year ended January 31, 2006.

We file or furnish annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are available free of charge to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Our SEC filings are also available on our website at http://www.comarco.com as soon as reasonably practical following the time that they are filed with or furnished to the SEC. Any document we file or furnish with the SEC can be read at the SEC’s public reference room in Washington, DC. For further information on the public reference room, call the SEC at (800) SEC-0330.

Our Businesses

Wireless Test Solutions

Our WTS business designs and manufactures hardware and software tools for use by wireless carriers, equipment vendors, and others. Radio engineers, network improvement professionals and technicians, and others use these test tools to deploy and optimize wireless networks, and to verify the performance of the wireless networks and resulting quality of service once deployed.

Products

Our WTS product offerings are based on our Seven.Five product platform. Seven.Five is a hardware and software solution that is flexible, scalable, and modular, allowing our customers to work with all 2G, 2.5G, and 3G technologies. Seven.Five can be configured in virtually any combination of test mobiles and multi-band, multi-technology scanning receivers. Test applications include optimization and benchmarking of wireless networks, in-building or in-vehicle testing, fixed or mobile testing, and voice, data, or video testing.

Our Seven.Five product platform consists of the following:

 

    Seven.Five Solo: Suited for network deployment activities, Solo is a single calling module product available with a family of audio and data QoS algorithms. It is an entry-level product, capable of seamless migration to the Seven.Five Duo.

 

    Seven.Five Duo: As networks mature, the power of a calling module plus a scanner is necessary to quickly and efficiently optimize networks. Duo supports up to two calling modules, which can have mixed technologies, and one multi-band, multi-technology RF scanner. A portability kit is available for in-building needs.

 

    Seven.Five Multi: Designed for flexibility and scalability, Seven.Five Multi can house up to any combination of six calling modules or scanners in each chassis. Multiple chassis can be combined to allow for up to 96 calling modules. The customer can mix and match technologies for benchmarking applications or configure a system with similar technologies for optimization activities.

 

    Seven.Five Multi-Band, Multi-Technology RF Scanner: The most advanced scanner for field test applications. Capable of scans of over 3000 channels per second in multiple frequency bands, with multiple technologies, doing DVCC, BSIC and PN decoding simultaneously. The scanner offers spectrum analyzer-type measurements and full baseband decoding for GSM 850/900/1800/1900, EDGE, IS-136, CDMA2000 1X, EvDO, and WCDMA.

Services

Beginning in late fiscal 2004, we began leasing our WTS products on a limited basis. The demand for our leased equipment is primarily from customers providing engineering services to those wireless carriers requiring quality of service and benchmarking data on an outsourced basis.

 

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Our wireless test solutions business generated $24.5 million in revenue in fiscal 2006, $16.8 million in fiscal 2005, and $11.1 million in fiscal 2004.

Emergency Call Box Systems

Products

Our emergency call box business designs and manufactures emergency call box systems for state and local government agencies primarily located in California. Our call box products provide emergency communication over existing wireless networks and are typically deployed along major highways, and at schools, universities, shopping centers, and parks.

Services

In addition to call box products, we provide system installation and long-term maintenance services. Currently, there are approximately 12,300 call boxes that we maintain under long-term agreements that expire at various dates through February 2011.

Our emergency call box systems business generated $10.0 million in revenue in fiscal 2006, $6.6 million in fiscal 2005, and $7.0 million in fiscal 2004.

Mobile Power Products (ChargeSource)

Products

Our ChargeSource business designs universal power adapters for notebook computers, cellular telephones, DVDs, PDAs, and other handheld devices. Our ChargeSource mobile power products, which are designed with the needs of the traveling professional in mind, provide a high level of functionality and compatibility in an industry-leading compact design. Our current and planned product offering consists of universal AC/DC, AC, and DC power adapters designed for the right mix of power output and functionality for most retail, OEM, and enterprise customers. Our ChargeSource products are also universal, allowing those who use rechargeable electronic devices to carry just one power adapter. By simply changing the compact SmartTip connected to the end of the charging cable, our universal power adapters are capable of charging and powering multiple target devices, including most notebook computers, cellular telephones, PDAs, and other handheld devices.

Our ChargeSource product family consists of the following:

 

    120-Watt Universal AC/DC Adapter. This adapter is used in the office, home, and hotel, as well as the automobile and airplane, and is capable of charging most notebook computers requiring up to 120 watts of power, as well as cellular telephones, DVD players, PDAs, and other handheld devices.

 

    120-Watt and 70-Watt Universal DC Adapters. These adapters are used in the automobile and airplane and are capable of charging most notebook computers, as well as cellular telephones, DVD players, PDAs, and other handheld devices.

 

    Low-Power AC/DC Adapter. This adapter is used in the office, home, and hotel, as well as the automobile and airplane. It is designed for those individuals who do not travel with a notebook computer, but who have a need for a universal adapter that can charge cellular telephones, PDAs, DVD and MP3 players, digital cameras and camcorders, and other handheld devices.

We believe our patented electrical designs will continue to be the basis for even higher-power universal power adapters that are expected to meet evolving global standards, including the planned standards of the European Union (“EU”), and the increasing power requirements of the notebook computer OEMs, and allow us to offer customers cutting edge technology without significantly increasing the size or weight of our products. We also expect these higher-power universal power adapters to continue to be smaller and lighter than their OEM counterpart.

 

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Our ChargeSource business generated $12.3 million in revenue in fiscal 2006, $5.8 million in fiscal 2005, and $16.2 million in fiscal 2004.

Marketing, Sales, and Distribution

Wireless Test Solutions. We market and sell our WTS products primarily to wireless carriers through a direct sales force of technically trained personnel, as well as through independent sales representatives, and affiliated and unaffiliated resellers. Our North America sales are made through our direct sales and marketing organizations located in Irvine, California. Sales to our customers in Latin and South America are generally made through our offices located in Mexico City, Mexico and Sao Palo, Brazil assisted by the sales and marketing organizations based in Irvine, California. These offices also coordinate the marketing, sales, and support efforts of a network of representatives and resellers responsible for sales to customers in other geographic regions.

Switzerland-based SwissQual AG (“SwissQual”) is responsible for reselling and supporting our co-branded Seven.Five products in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa (our “European” region). During January 2006, we sold our 18 percent ownership interest, which we acquired during fiscal 2002. See section entitled “Wireless Test Solutions” of Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” We currently have a revenue sharing agreement in place that determines how much revenue we earn from SwissQual sales and, conversely, how much revenue SwissQual earns from our sales to customers located outside the European region. SwissQual is expected to continue as exclusive reseller of our Seven.Five product platform in the European region through January 2007. We are currently establishing a direct sales and support organization for the European region to replace SwissQual once the current reseller agreement expires. Additionally, we are exploring other potential strategic alliances that could enhance our technologies, positioning, and global footprint for sales and support.

Emergency Call Box Systems. We market and sell our call box systems primarily to state and local government agencies located in California through a direct sales force located in Irvine, California.

Mobile Power Products (ChargeSource). We have primarily sold our ChargeSource products through private label resellers.

We currently have a supply agreement with Kensington, a tier-one distributor of consumer electronics, to exclusively distribute certain of our ChargeSource products to “Big Box” retailers and other channels.

Competition

Wireless Test Solutions. The market for our hardware and software test tools is highly competitive and is served by numerous providers. Our primary competitors with respect to our WTS products are Agilent Technologies, Ascom, Ericsson, and Andrew Corporation. Additionally, we expect Spirent plc (“Spirent”), through its acquisition of SwissQual, to become a competitor once our reseller agreement with SwissQual expires in January 2007. Many of our competitors are larger and have greater financial resources.

The wireless industry is characterized by rapid technological changes, frequent new product and service introductions, and evolving industry standards. To compete successfully in our market, we believe we must:

 

    Properly identify customer needs;

 

    Price our products competitively;

 

    Innovate and develop new or enhanced products;

 

    Successfully commercialize new technologies in a timely manner;

 

    Manufacture and deliver our products in sufficient volumes on time, and

 

    Differentiate our offerings from our competitors’ offerings.

 

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Emergency Call Box Systems. The market for our emergency call box systems is also served by numerous competitors, including US Commlink owned by CNE Group, Inc., GAI-Tronics owned by Hubbell, Inc., Talk-A-Phone, and other manufacturers of wireless and wireline emergency and information communication devices. Certain of our competitors are larger and have greater financial resources.

Mobile Power Products (ChargeSource). Numerous providers, including Mobility Electronics, Inc., Targus, Belkin and Fellowes. The cellular telephone and personal computer OEMs also serve the market for our ChargeSource mobile power products. Many of our competitors are larger and have greater financial resources. We believe that the patents that cover our ChargeSource products provide us with a competitive advantage. However, our ability to compete in these markets depends on our ability to successfully commercialize new technologies in a timely manner, and manufacture and deliver our products in sufficient volumes.

Key Customers

We derive a substantial portion of our revenue from a limited number of customers.

Wireless Test Solutions. In fiscal 2006, revenue derived from Verizon and SwissQual accounted for $11.9 million or 25 percent and $8.8 million or 19 percent of total revenue, respectively. In fiscal 2005, revenue derived from SwissQual and TIM Cellular S.A., a wireless carrier based in Brazil, accounted for $6.6 million or 22 percent and $4.3 million or 15 percent of total revenue, respectively. Currently, we rely exclusively on SwissQual to resell our WTS product platform, Seven.Five, in the European marketplace. During January 2006, 100 percent of the outstanding shares, including our 18 percent ownership interest, of SwissQual were purchased by Spirent. If SwissQual sales significantly decrease, our revenue, operating results, and cash flows would be negatively impacted. We currently expect SwissQual to continue as our exclusive reseller in our European region until January 2007. However, we are unsure as to what long term effect, if any, the sale of SwissQual to Spirent will have on SwissQual’s future sales of our products. See the section below entitled “Risk Factors.”

Emergency Call Box Systems. Our call box business derives a significant portion of its revenue from state and local government agencies. Total revenue from these government agencies totaled $8.7 million or 18 percent, $6.2 million or 21 percent, and $6.0 million or 18 percent in fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively.

Mobile Power Products (ChargeSource). In fiscal 2006, Kensington, the distributor of our mobile power products, accounted for $11.8 million or 25 percent of total revenue. Additionally, in fiscal 2005 and 2004, Targus, the former distributor of our mobile power products, accounted for $4.1 million or 14 percent, and $16.2 million or 47 percent of total revenue, respectively.

The spending patterns of SwissQual, Verizon, Kensington, or any of our other key customers can vary significantly from year to year. Any significant reduction in the spending patterns of these customers could adversely affect our revenue, operating results, and cash flows.

International Operations

We sell our WTS and ChargeSource products to customers located throughout the world. In fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, we derived 68 percent, 53 percent, and 84 percent of our total revenue, respectively, from customers in the United States and 32 percent, 47 percent, and 16 percent, respectively, from customers in foreign countries, as determined by the “ship to” address. The sharp increase in the percentage of sales to foreign countries during fiscal 2005 is due to increased sales of our WTS products through SwissQual, coupled with decreased sales of our ChargeSource products due to the transition to a new distributor, which historically have been predominately sold in North America. In fiscal 2005, sales to Brazil accounted for $5.6 million or 19.3 percent of total revenue. In fiscal 2006 and 2004 there were no foreign countries from which we derived more than 10 percent of total revenue.

 

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Research and Development

We sell our products in markets that are characterized by rapid technology changes, frequent new product introductions, and evolving technology standards. Accordingly, we devote significant resources to design and develop new and enhanced products that can be manufactured cost effectively and sold at competitive prices. To focus these efforts, we strive to maintain close relationships with our customers and develop products that meet their needs.

As of April 10, 2006, we had approximately 37 engineers and other technical personnel dedicated to our research and development efforts. Generally, our research and development and other engineering efforts are managed and focused on a product-by-product basis, and can generally be characterized as follows:

 

    We collaborate closely with our customers and partners to design and manufacture new products or modify existing products to specifications required by our customers;

 

    We design and manufacture enhancements and improvements to our existing products in response to our customers’ requests or feedback; and

 

    We independently design and build new products in anticipation of the needs of our customers as they transition existing wireless networks to next-generation technologies.

Manufacturing and Suppliers

We maintain one manufacturing facility located in Irvine, California, which is ISO-9001:2000 certified. Our manufacturing process involves the assembly of numerous individual component products by production technicians. The parts and materials used by us consist primarily of printed circuit boards and related assemblies, specialized subassemblies, fabricated housings and chassis, and mobile telephones. Most of our components and sub-assemblies are manufactured by third parties to our specifications and are generally delivered to us for final assembly and testing. During fiscal 2005, we ceased manufacturing our ChargeSource products in-house, and transitioned all manufacturing responsibility related to these products to a contract manufacturer located in China.

Patents and Intellectual Property

We hold patents that cover key technical aspects of our ChargeSource products. However, we generally rely on a combination of trade secrets, copyrights, and contractual rights to protect our intellectual property embodied in the hardware and software products of our WTS business.

Industry Practices Impacting Working Capital

Existing industry practices that affect working capital and operating cash flow include the level of variability of customer orders relative to the volume of production, vendor lead times, materials availability for critical parts, inventory levels held to achieve rapid customer fulfillment, and provisions of extended payment terms to certain foreign customers.

Currently, we sell our products under purchase orders that are placed with short-term delivery requirements. As a result, we maintain significant levels of inventory and associated production and technical staff in order to meet our obligations. Delays in planned customer orders could result in higher inventory levels and negatively impact our operating results.

Our standard terms require customers to pay for our products in U.S. dollars. For those orders denominated in foreign currencies, we may limit our exposure to losses from foreign currency transactions through forward foreign exchange contracts. To date, sales denominated in foreign currencies have not been significant and we have not entered into any foreign exchange contracts.

 

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Employees

As of April 10, 2006, we employed approximately 142 employees. We believe our employee relations to be good. The majority of our employees are professional or technical personnel who possess training and experience in engineering, computer science, and management. Our future success depends in large part on our ability to retain key technical, marketing, and management personnel, and to attract and retain qualified employees, particularly the highly skilled radio, design, process, and test engineers involved in the development of new products. Competition for such personnel can be intense, and the loss of key employees, as well as the failure to recruit and train additional technical personnel in a timely manner, could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

Our success depends to a significant extent upon the contribution of our executive officers and other key employees. Our employee stock option plan expired during May 2005. During December 2005, the Board of Directors approved and adopted a new employee equity incentive plan (the “2005 Plan”) covering 450,000 shares of our common stock. The adoption of the 2005 Plan is subject to shareholder approval and is being put to a vote at the Company’s annual shareholders’ meeting in June 2006.

ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

A significant portion of our revenue is derived from the sale of our WTS products to customers in the wireless communications industry, which has experienced a significant downturn during the past several years. If the wireless communications industry does not continue to improve, our operating results and financial condition could suffer.

Revenue from the sale of our WTS products accounted for 52 percent of our total revenue in fiscal 2006. Wireless carriers are the primary customers for our WTS products. These customers operate in an environment driven by new technology, increased competition, and regulatory change. To compete effectively, the wireless carriers must offer their subscribers lower prices, improved quality of service, and innovative new services. Increasing minutes of use, global subscribers, and data-intensive applications are driving higher capacity utilization of existing networks, requiring wireless carriers around the globe to place a greater emphasis on capital expenditures devoted to their wireless networks. We continue to believe that wireless carriers are allocating increasing levels of capital resources to meet consumer demands. If wireless carriers reduce their capital investments in wireless infrastructure and related test tools offered by our WTS business, our operating results and financial condition may be adversely affected.

A significant portion of our revenue is derived from the sale and maintenance of emergency call box systems to governmental customers that have experienced severe budgetary constraints in the recent past. If current and planned projects to install or upgrade call box systems are delayed, our operating results and financial condition could suffer.

Revenue from the sale and maintenance of our emergency call box systems and upgrades accounted for 21 percent of our revenues in fiscal 2006. Approximately 76% of our call box revenue is derived from state and local governmental agencies in California, which prior to fiscal 2005, were experiencing severe budgetary constraints. As a result, several of our planned projects to install or upgrade call box systems were delayed in fiscal 2004 and 2003. If these adverse budgetary conditions recur, we expect significant reductions in spending by our governmental customers, which would likely adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.

Failure to adjust our operations due to changing market conditions or failure to accurately estimate demand for our products could adversely affect our operating results.

During the past several years, the spending patterns of many of our WTS customers have been volatile and unpredictable. In addition, consumer demand for our ChargeSource mobile power products has been subject to

 

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fluctuations as a result of our choices of distribution partners, market acceptance of our recently released products, the timing and size of customer orders, and consumer demand for rechargeable mobile electronic devices. Accordingly, it has been difficult for us to forecast the demand for these products. We also are limited in our ability to quickly adapt our manufacturing and related cost structures because a significant portion of our sales and marketing, design and other engineering, and manufacturing costs are fixed. If customer demand for our WTS and call box products declines or if we otherwise fail to accurately forecast reduced customer demand, we will likely experience excess capacity, which could adversely affect our operating results. Conversely, if market conditions improve, our manufacturing capacity may not be adequate to fill increased customer demand. As a result, we might not be able to fulfill customer orders in a timely manner, which could adversely affect our customer relationships and operating results.

The WTS and ChargeSource products we make are complex and have short life cycles. If we are unable to rapidly and successfully develop and introduce new products, some of our products may become obsolete and our operating results could suffer.

The wireless communications and consumer electronics industries are characterized by rapid technological changes, frequent new product introductions and evolving industry standards. Additionally, our ChargeSource mobile power products have short life cycles, and may become obsolete over relatively short periods of time. Our future success depends on our ability to develop, introduce, and deliver on a timely basis and in sufficient quantity new products, components, and enhancements. The success of any new product offering will depend on several factors, including our ability to:

 

    Properly identify customer needs and technological trends;

 

    Timely develop new technologies and applications;

 

    Price our products and services competitively;

 

    Timely manufacture and deliver our products in sufficient volume, and

 

    Differentiate our products from those of our competitors.

Development of new products requires high levels of innovation from both our engineers and our component suppliers. Development of a new product often requires a substantial investment before we can determine the commercial viability of the product. If we dedicate a significant amount of resources to the development of products that do not achieve broad market acceptance, our operating results may suffer. Our operating results may also be adversely affected due to the timing of product introductions by competitors, especially when a competitor introduces a new product before our own comparable product is ready to be introduced.

The wireless communications and consumer electronics industries are highly competitive, and our profitability will be adversely affected if we are not able to compete effectively.

The wireless communications and consumer electronics industries in which we sell our products are highly competitive in many areas, including the timing of development and introduction of new products, technology, price, quality, and customer service and support. Our competitors range from some of the respective industries’ largest corporations to many relatively small and highly specialized firms. Many of our competitors possess advantages over us, including greater financial and marketing resources, greater name recognition and larger and more established customer and supplier relationships. Our competitors also may be able to respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer needs. If we do not have the resources or expertise or otherwise fail to develop successful strategies to address these competitive disadvantages, we could lose customers causing our revenue to decline.

 

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The average selling prices of our products may decrease over their sales cycles, especially upon the introduction of new products, which may negatively affect our revenue and operating results.

Our products may experience a reduction in the average selling prices over their respective sales cycles. Further, as we introduce new or next-generation products, sales prices of legacy products may decline substantially. In order to sell products that have a falling average selling price and maintain margins at the same time, we need to continually reduce product and manufacturing costs. There can be no assurances we will be successful in our efforts to reduce these costs. In order to do so, we must carefully manage the price paid for components used in our products, as well as manage our inventory costs to reduce overall product costs. If we are unable to reduce the cost of legacy products as new products are introduced, our average gross margins may decline and adversely affect our operating results.

A significant portion of our revenue is dependent in part upon our relationships with our strategic distribution partners and their performance. If we are unable to successfully manage our relationships with the distributors of our mobile power products, our revenue and operating results could suffer.

Our ChargeSource mobile power products are distributed by Kensington, a tier-one distributor of consumer electronics. Due to the terms of our agreement with Kensington, our direct access to certain significant distribution channels may be limited. Accordingly, our success will depend in part upon Kensington’s ability and willingness to effectively and widely distribute our ChargeSource products. If Kensington does not purchase the volume of products that we anticipate, our revenue and results of operations will suffer.

In fiscal 2006, SwissQual accounted for $8.8 million or 19 percent of total revenue. During January 2006, we sold our 18 percent ownership interest in SwissQual to Spirent. See section entitled “Wireless Test Solutions” of Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” We currently expect SwissQual to continue as our exclusive reseller in our European region until January 2007. We are currently establishing a direct sales and support organization for the European region to replace SwissQual once the current reseller agreement expires. Additionally, we are exploring other potential strategic alliances that could enhance our technologies, positioning, and global footprint for sales and support. However, we are unsure as to what long term effect, if any, the sale of SwissQual to Spirent will have on SwissQual’s future sales of our products. Our success will depend in part upon our ability to replace SwissQual as the provider of sales and support services and upon our ability to compete with Spirent.

A significant portion of our revenue is derived from a limited number of customers, and any loss of, cancellation or delay in purchases by these customers could cause a significant decrease in our revenue.

We have historically derived a significant portion of our revenue from a limited number of customers.

Our three key customers for fiscal 2006 accounted for $32.5 million or 69 percent of total revenue.

SwissQual accounted for $8.8 million or 19 percent of total revenue. During January 2006, we sold our 18 percent ownership interest in SwissQual to Spirent. See section entitled “Wireless Test Solutions” of Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” We currently expect SwissQual to continue as our exclusive reseller in our European region until January 2007. However, we are unsure as to what long term effect, if any, the sale of SwissQual will have on SwissQual’s future sales of our products.

Kensington, the distributor of our mobile power products, accounted for $11.8 million or 25 percent of total revenue. Our current distribution agreement with Kensington requires them to purchase minimum quantities from us during the term of the agreement; however, it is not assured that Kensington will be able to meet its purchase commitments, or meet or exceed our historical level of unit sales.

If SwissQual, Kensington, or any of our other key customers reduces, cancels, or delays orders from us, and we are not able to develop other customers who purchase products at comparable levels, our revenue could decrease significantly. In addition any difficulty in collecting amounts due from one or more of our key customers would negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition. We expect that a limited number of customers will continue to represent a large percentage of our revenue.

 

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We may experience quality or safety defects in our products that could cause us to institute product recalls, require us to provide replacement products and harm our reputation.

In the course of conducting our business, we experience and attempt to address various quality and safety issues with our products. Often product defects are identified during our design, development, and manufacturing processes, which we are able to correct timely. Sometimes, defects are identified after introduction and shipment of products. If we are unable to timely fix defects or adequately address quality control issues, our relationships with our customers may be impaired, our reputation may suffer and we may lose customers. Any of the foregoing could adversely affect our business and results of operations.

Economic, political and other risks associated with our international sales and operations could adversely affect our results of operations.

We currently maintain sales and support operations in the United States, China, Europe, and Latin America. Our international operations accounted for approximately 32 percent of our revenue in fiscal 2006. Accordingly, our business is subject to worldwide economic and market conditions and risks generally associated with doing business abroad, such as fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates, weaknesses in the economic conditions in particular countries or regions, the stability of international monetary conditions, tariff and trade policies, domestic and foreign tax policies, foreign governmental regulations, political unrest and disruptions and delays in shipments. Specifically, our ChargeSource contract manufacturer and a majority of our component suppliers are located in Asia. We do business with our foreign supply base in U.S. dollars. Our costs increase in countries with currencies that are increasing in value against the U.S. dollar. Also, we cannot be sure that our international supply base will continue to accept orders denominated in U.S. dollars. If they do not, our costs will become more directly subject to foreign exchange fluctuations. These factors, among others, could adversely affect our sales of products and services in international markets.

Additionally, we have limited experience selling our products and services in markets outside our regions in the Americas and Europe. However, it is currently our intention to expand our international operations and establish additional sales and support offices in primary international markets. If our international sales efforts are not successful, our results of operations and financial condition could be negatively affected.

Our failure to address laws and regulations governing our government contracts, could adversely affect our business and operating results.

We depend on contracts with state and local governmental agencies for a significant portion of our revenue, and are subject to various laws and regulations that only apply to companies doing business with the government. For example, we supply call box products and provide system installation and long-term maintenance services to regional and municipal transit authorities and other governmental agencies. In fiscal 2006, we derived 18 percent of our revenue from contracts with these governmental customers. From time to time we are also subject to investigation for compliance with regulations governing our government contracts. Our failure to comply with any of these laws or regulations could result in suspension of these contracts, or subject us to administrative claims.

Disruptions in our relationships with our suppliers or in our suppliers’ operations could result in shortages of necessary components and adversely affect our operations.

We currently procure, and expect to continue to procure, certain components from single source manufacturers who provide unique component designs or who meet certain quality and performance requirements. In addition, we sometimes purchase customized components from single sources in order to take advantage of volume pricing discounts. In fiscal 2006, only the contract manufacturer of our ChargeSource products, which provided $4.5 million or 19 percent of all inventory purchases, provided more than 10 percent of total inventory purchases.

 

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The performance of these suppliers is largely outside our control. In the past, we have experienced, and may continue to experience, shortages of important single source components. Our suppliers may fail to timely deliver components or provide components of sufficient quality. If this occurs, we may need to adjust both product designs and production schedules, which could result in delays in the production and delivery of products to our customers. These delays or defects could harm our reputation and impair our customer relationships.

Third parties may claim that we are infringing their intellectual property, and we could suffer significant litigation, settlement or licensing costs and expenses or be prevented from selling certain products.

Third parties have claimed, and may in the future claim, that we are infringing their intellectual property rights. These intellectual property infringement claims, whether we ultimately are found to be infringing any third party’s intellectual property rights or not, are time-consuming, costly to defend, and divert resources and management attention away from our operations. Infringement claims by third parties also could subject us to significant damage awards or fines or require us to pay large amounts to settle such claims. Additionally, claims of intellectual property infringement might require us to enter into royalty or license agreements. If we cannot or do not license the infringed technology on acceptable terms or substitute similar technology from other sources, we could be prevented from or restricted in selling our products containing, or manufactured with, the infringed technology.

Third parties may infringe our intellectual property rights, and we may be required to spend significant resources enforcing these rights or otherwise suffer competitive injury.

Our success depends in large part on our proprietary technology. We generally rely upon patent, copyright, trademark, and trade secret laws in the United States and in certain other countries, and rely on confidentiality agreements with our employees, customers, and partners to establish and maintain our intellectual proprietary rights in our proprietary technology. We are required to spend significant resources to monitor and enforce our intellectual property rights; however these rights might not necessarily provide us with a sufficient competitive advantage. Our intellectual proprietary rights could be challenged, invalidated, or circumvented by competitors or others. Our employees, customers or partners could breach our confidentiality agreements, for which we may not have an adequate remedy available. We also may not be able to timely detect the infringement of our intellectual property rights, which could harm our competitive position. Finally, the rapid pace of technological change in the wireless communications and consumer electronics industries could make certain of our key proprietary technology obsolete or provide us with less of a competitive advantage.

If we suffer the loss of our manufacturing facility due to catastrophe, our operations would be adversely affected.

We have one manufacturing facility, which is located in Irvine, California. Although we carry insurance for property damage, we do not carry insurance or financial reserves for all possible catastrophes, including interruptions or potential losses arising from earthquakes or terrorism. Any significant disruption in our manufacturing operation at the facility, whether due to fire, natural disaster, or otherwise, would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results.

Additionally, as previously discussed, during fiscal 2005 we transitioned the manufacturing of our ChargeSource products to a contract manufacturer located in China. If any significant disruption occurs in the facility in China, it would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results.

We depend upon the services of key personnel, and may not be able to attract and retain additional key personnel.

Our success depends to a significant extent on the continued services and experience of our key research, engineering, sales, marketing and executive personnel. If for any reason our key personnel left our employ and

 

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we failed to replace a sufficient number of these personnel, we might not be able to maintain or expand our business. Competition for such highly skilled personnel in our wireless communications and consumer electronics industries is intense, and we cannot be certain that we will be able to hire or re-hire sufficiently qualified personnel in adequate numbers to meet the demand for our products and services. If we are unable to identify, hire and integrate these skilled personnel in a timely or cost-efficient manner, our operating results could suffer.

We may not be able to successfully integrate future acquisitions, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We have acquired, and are likely to acquire in the future, businesses, products, and technologies that complement or expand our current operations. Acquisitions could require significant capital investments and require us to integrate with companies that have different cultures, management teams and business infrastructure. Depending on the size and complexity of an acquisition, our successful integration of the acquisition could depend on several factors, including:

 

    Difficulties in assimilating and integrating the operations, products and workforces of an acquired business;

 

    The retention of key employees;

 

    Management of facilities and employees in separate geographic areas;

 

    The integration or coordination of different research and development and product manufacturing facilities;

 

    Successfully converting information and accounting systems, and

 

    Diversion of resources and management attention from our other operations.

If market conditions or other factors require us to change our strategic direction, we may fail to realize the expected value from one or more of our acquisitions. Our failure to successfully integrate our acquisitions or realize the expected value from past or future acquisitions could harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

We may need additional capital in the future to fund the growth of our businesses, which we may not be able to obtain or obtain on acceptable terms.

We currently anticipate that our available capital resources and operating income will be sufficient to meet our expected working capital and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months. However, it is not assured that such resources will be sufficient to fund the long-term growth of our business. In particular, we may experience a negative operating cash flow due to the timing of anticipated sales of our products. We may raise additional funds through public or private debt or equity financings if such financings become available on favorable terms. Or we may seek working capital financing under a revolving line of credit. We cannot assure that any additional financing we may need will be available on terms favorable to us, or at all. If adequate funds are not available or are not available on acceptable terms, we may not be able to take advantage of unanticipated opportunities, develop new products or otherwise respond to competitive pressures. In any such case, our operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.

Our quarterly operating results are subject to significant fluctuations and, if our operating results decline or are worse than expected, our stock price could fall.

We have experienced, and expect to continue to experience, significant quarterly fluctuations in revenue and operating results for our three businesses. Our quarterly operating results may fluctuate for many reasons, including:

 

    The size and timing of customer orders and shipments;

 

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    The degree and rate of growth in the markets in which we compete and the accompanying demand for our products;

 

    Limitations in our ability to forecast our manufacturing needs;

 

    Our ability to introduce, and the timing of our introductions of, new or enhanced products;

 

    Product failures and recalls, product quality control problems and associated in-field service support costs;

 

    Warranty expenses;

 

    Availability and cost of components, and

 

    Changes in average sales prices.

Due to these and other factors, our past results are not reliable indicators of our future performance. In addition, a significant portion of our operating expenses is relatively fixed due to sales, engineering and manufacturing overhead. If we experience a decline in revenue, we may be unable to reduce our fixed costs quickly enough to compensate for the decline, which would magnify the adverse impact of such revenue shortfall on our results of operations. If our operating results decline or are below expectations of securities analysts or investors, the market price of our stock may decline significantly.

Our stock price has been and will likely remain highly volatile.

The stock market in general, and the stock prices of technology and wireless communications companies in particular, have experienced fluctuations that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of these companies. Broad market and industry stock price fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of shares of our common stock. The market price of our stock has exhibited significant price fluctuations, which makes our stock unsuitable for many investors. Our stock price may also be affected by the following factors:

 

    Our quarterly operating results;

 

    Changes in the wireless communications and consumer electronics industries;

 

    Changes in the economic outlook of the particular markets in which we sell our products and services;

 

    The gain or loss of significant customers;

 

    Reductions in demand or expectations of future demand by our customers;

 

    Changes in stock market analyst recommendations regarding us, our competitors, or our customers;

 

    The timing and announcements of technological innovations or new products by our competitors or by us, and

 

    Other events affecting other companies that investors deem comparable to us.

Our articles of incorporation and shareholder rights plan could make a potential acquisition that is not approved by our board of directors more difficult.

Provisions of our articles of incorporation and our shareholder rights plan could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us. Our articles of incorporation prohibit the consummation of a merger, reorganization or recapitalization, sale or lease of a substantial amount of assets with, or issuance of equity securities valued at $2.0 million or more to a stockholder that owns 10 percent or more of our common stock, unless certain requirements relating to board or shareholder approval are met. Our articles also prohibit shareholder action by written consent, which could make certain changes of control more difficult by requiring the holding of a special meeting of shareholders for purposes of taking shareholder action.

 

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In addition, in February 2003 we adopted a shareholder rights plan whereby, for each outstanding share of common stock, we distributed a preferred stock purchase right entitling the holder to purchase one one-hundredth of a share of preferred stock at an exercise price of $75. If any person or group acquires or makes an offer to acquire 15 percent or more of our common stock, the preferred stock purchase right will become exercisable by persons other than the 15 percent or more person or group, unless our board of directors timely redeems the preferred stock purchase right or has approved the offer. As a result, the preferred stock purchase rights may cause substantial dilution to the ownership of a person or group that attempts to acquire us on terms not approved by our board of directors.

In February 2006, our Board of Directors terminated our shareholder rights plan effective January 31, 2007 and adopted a policy that, with certain exceptions, requires the board to obtain stockholder approval before adopting any shareholder rights plan in the future.

These provisions in our articles of incorporation and our existing shareholder rights plan could discourage takeover attempts which some shareholders might deem to be in their best interests or in which shareholders would receive a premium for their shares over the then existing market price of our common stock.

The trading volume of our common stock often has been limited and may depress the price for our common stock.

The trading volume of our common stock has been and may continue to be limited. Limited trading volume could depress the price for our common stock because fewer analysts may provide coverage for our stock and because investors might be unwilling to pay a higher market price for a stock that is less liquid. In addition, limited trading volume, along with market and industry stock price fluctuations and other factors affecting our operations, could result in greater volatility in the price of our common stock. A significant decline in our stock price, even if temporary, could result in substantial losses for individual shareholders and could subject us to costly and disruptive securities litigation.

ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES

Our headquarters and primary manufacturing facility is located in Irvine, California. This leased facility consists of approximately 42,000 square feet of office space and approximately 8,000 square feet of manufacturing/ warehouse space. The lease for this facility expires in August 2006. We are currently evaluating our options with respect to our future space requirements and expect to either extend our current lease or relocate to a new facility. We also lease office space and, in some instances, warehouse space in California, New York, China, and Mexico. The leases on these facilities expire on various dates through November 2007.

ITEM 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Comarco Wireless Technologies, Inc. v. Targus, Inc., Case No. 050004166, Superior Court of The State of California in and for The County of Orange:

On March 16, 2005, Comarco Wireless Technologies, Inc. (“CWT”) filed this action for breach of contract, breach of implied duty of good faith and fair dealing, open book account, goods had and received, account stated, quantum valebant, and unjust enrichment.

In response to CWT’s complaint, Targus, Inc. (“Targus”) filed a demurrer and motion to strike as the amounts in dispute are owed by Targus and a foreign subsidiary, Targus Europe. In response, on May 18, 2005, CWT filed the first amended complaint and added Targus Europe as a defendant. Both Targus and Targus Europe have answered the amended complaint. In response to the amended complaint, Targus Europe and Targus filed cross-complaints against CWT. Targus alleges that it suffered damages due to allegedly defective products. Targus Europe alleges that it suffered damages due to the delayed delivery of products. The court-mandated case management conference was held on August 26, 2005, at which a June 2006 trial date was set. On April 4, 2006,

 

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the parties attended a voluntary mediation and executed a stipulation for settlement agreement whereby Targus agreed to pay CWT $500,000 and both parties agreed to a release and discharge of all claims and causes of actions brought by each party.

Targus was the exclusive distributor of our ChargeSource products through January 2004, at which time they were removed as the exclusive distributor. Throughout fiscal 2005, we continued to honor our obligations under non-cancelable and non-returnable purchase orders placed by Targus and its affiliates and accepted by us through the first quarter of fiscal 2005 in an attempt to affect an orderly wind-down of the relationship. During December 2004, Targus ceased making payments for product shipped under an open book account. Prior to the mediation, Targus and its affiliates owed us approximately $1.0 million, which was reflected in accounts receivable subject to litigation, net of a $0.3 million reserve in the consolidated balance sheet. We adjusted the reserve at January 31, 2006 by $0.2 million to reflect the terms of the executed stipulation for settlement agreement.

Pulsar v. Comarco, Inc. et al, Case No. BC30638, Superior Court of California County of Los Angeles—Central District:

During fiscal 2001, we sold a business that, among other things, provided airport management services. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004, we were sued by a tenant at an airport where we provided management services pursuant to a contract with the County of Los Angeles (prior to the sale of this business during fiscal 2001). The claimant seeks damages of $2.0 million in addition to other unspecified damages. This matter was dismissed on August 17, 2005.

In addition to the matters discussed above, we are from time to time involved in various legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of our business. We believe that the outcome of all such pending legal proceedings will not in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations and financial position.

ITEM 4.    SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matter was submitted during the fourth quarter ended January 31, 2006 to a vote of our security holders.

 

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PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Market Information

Our common stock is traded on the Nasdaq National Market® under the symbol “CMRO.” The following table sets forth for the periods indicated the quarterly high and low closing prices per share as reported by the Nasdaq National Market. These prices represent actual reported sales transactions.

 

     High    Low

Year ended January 31, 2006:

     

First Quarter

   $ 8.84    $ 8.00

Second Quarter

     8.75      7.34

Third Quarter

     9.26      7.43

Fourth Quarter

     11.85      8.59

Year ended January 31, 2005:

     

First Quarter

   $ 9.95    $ 7.50

Second Quarter

     7.50      6.65

Third Quarter

     7.65      5.90

Fourth Quarter

     8.96      7.00

Holders

As of April 14, 2006, there were 363 holders of record of our common stock.

Dividends

We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock in the last two fiscal years. We anticipate that dividends on our common stock will not be paid for the foreseeable future and that all earnings will be retained for use in our business.

 

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ITEM 6.     SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

     Years Ended January 31,  
     2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  
     (In thousands, except per share data)  

Revenue:

          

Products

   $ 42,260     $ 24,159     $ 29,208     $ 30,372     $ 37,397  

Services

     4,618       5,064       5,057       5,314       12,171  
                                        
     46,878       29,223       34,265       35,686       49,568  
                                        

Cost of revenue:

          

Products

     26,727       17,445       18,591       26,229       18,324  

Services

     3,185       3,463       3,135       3,779       7,323  
                                        
     29,912       20,908       21,726       30,008       25,647  
                                        

Gross profit

     16,966       8,315       12,539       5,678       23,921  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     9,490       9,001       9,848       8,686       11,195  

Asset impairment charges

     —         —         —         205       —    

Engineering and support expenses

     7,682       7,521       5,812       5,194       5,003  
                                        

Operating income (loss)

     (206 )     (8,207 )     (3,121 )     (8,407 )     7,723  

Other income, net

     345       180       237       375       909  

Gain on sale of investment in SwissQual and intangible asset

     6,438       —         —         —         —    

Minority interest in (earnings) loss of subsidiary

     —         72       34       141       (50 )
                                        

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and discontinued operations

     6,577       (7,955 )     (2,850 )     (7,891 )     8,582  

Income tax expense (benefit)

     201       2,426       (1,008 )     (2,933 )     3,156  
                                        

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     6,376       (10,381 )     (1,842 )     (4,958 )     5,426  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

     (45 )     325       596       (5,185 )     (324 )
                                        

Net income (loss)

   $ 6,331     $ (10,056 )   $ (1,246 )   $ (10,143 )   $ 5,102  
                                        

Basic income (loss) per share:

          

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 0.86     $ (1.41 )   $ (0.26 )   $ (0.71 )   $ 0.77  

Discontinued operations

     (0.01 )     0.04       0.09       (0.74 )     (0.05 )
                                        

Net income (loss)

   $ 0.85     $ (1.37 )   $ (0.17 )   $ (1.45 )   $ 0.72  
                                        

Diluted income (loss) per share:

          

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 0.86     $ (1.41 )   $ (0.26 )   $ (0.71 )   $ 0.73  

Discontinued operations

     (0.01 )     0.04       0.09       (0.74 )     (0.05 )
                                        

Net income (loss)

   $ 0.85     $ (1.37 )   $ (0.17 )   $ (1.45 )   $ 0.68  
                                        
     As of January 31,  
     2006     2005     2004     2003     2002  
     (In thousands)  

Working capital

   $ 29,443     $ 19,057     $ 25,213     $ 26,500     $ 27,046  

Total assets

     52,805       40,226       52,139       50,315       67,069  

Borrowing under line of credit

     —         —         —         —         —    

Long-term debt

     —         —         —         —         —    

Stockholders’ equity

     36,108       29,774       38,891       38,186       47,937  

 

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Part II, Item 8 of this report on Form 10-K. This report contains forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements regarding trends, cyclicality, seasonality and growth in the markets we sell into, our strategic direction, expenditures in research and development, contracts, our future effective tax rate, new product introductions, changes to our manufacturing processes, our liquidity position, our ability to generate cash from continuing operations, our expected growth, the potential impact of our adopting new accounting pronouncements, our financial results, revenue generated from international sales, the impact of our enterprise resource planning systems implementation, the impact of our variable cost structure, and the existence or length of an economic recovery that involves risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ from the results contemplated by these forward-looking statements due to certain factors, including those discussed in Part I, Item 1A and elsewhere in this report.

Overview

Comarco, Inc., through its subsidiary Comarco Wireless Technologies, Inc. (collectively, “we,” “Comarco,” or the “Company”), is a leading provider of wireless test solutions for the wireless industry. Comarco also designs, manufactures, and maintains emergency call box systems and designs mobile power products for notebook computers, cellular telephones, PDAs, and other handheld devices. Our operations consist solely of the operations of Comarco Wireless Technologies, Inc. (“CWT”).

Our revenue and related cash flows are primarily derived from sales of our wireless test solutions (“WTS”) products, emergency call box systems and related maintenance services, and ChargeSource mobile power products. We have three reportable segments: WTS, Call Box, and ChargeSource. See “Segment Reporting” in Notes 2 and 20 of notes to our consolidated financial statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this report.

Industry and Company Trends and Uncertainties

Wireless Test Solutions

Our WTS business designs and manufactures hardware and software tools for use by wireless carriers, equipment vendors, and others. Radio engineers, network improvement professionals and technicians, and others use these test tools to deploy and optimize wireless networks, and to verify the performance of the wireless networks and resulting quality of service once deployed.

Wireless carriers are the primary customers for our WTS products. These customers operate in an environment driven by new technology, increased competition, and regulatory change. To compete effectively, the wireless carriers must offer their subscribers lower prices, improved quality of service, and innovative new services. Increasing minutes of use, global subscribers, and data-intensive applications are driving higher capacity utilization of existing networks, requiring wireless carriers around the globe to place a greater emphasis on capital expenditures devoted to their wireless networks. We continue to believe that wireless carriers are allocating increasing levels of capital resources to meet consumer demands and should also drive demand for our WTS products.

Management currently considers the following additional trends, events, and uncertainties to be important to understanding our WTS business:

 

    Our North American region experienced significant year-over-year revenue growth.

 

    Revenue is derived from a limited set of customers in each market where we do business and the timing and size of customer orders can vary greatly.

 

    Our European region is served by our reseller SwissQual AG (“SwissQual”). For the year ended January 31, 2006, revenue derived from SwissQual totaled approximately $8.8 million.

 

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    During January 2006, Spirent acquired 100 percent of the outstanding shares of SwissQual, including our 18 percent ownership interest, for consideration totaling up to approximately $71.3 million. In conjunction with this transaction, we recorded a $6.1 gain on sale of our 18 percent equity investment in SwissQual.

 

    During fiscal 2007, we expect increased competition in our European region. Additionally, we expect our ability to compete on a global basis to be driven by our ability to offer products that cover all current wireless technologies, as well as the timely integration of new technology and functionality into our product platform.

 

    We currently expect SwissQual to continue as our exclusive reseller in our European region until January 2007. We are currently establishing a direct sales and support organization for the European region to replace SwissQual once the current reseller agreement expires. Additionally, we are exploring other potential strategic alliances that could enhance our technologies, positioning, and global footprint for sales and support. However, we are unsure as to what long term effect, if any, the sale of SwissQual to Spirent will have on SwissQual’s future sales of our products. Our success will depend in part upon our ability to replace SwissQual as the provider of sales and support services and upon our ability to compete with Spirent.

 

    Through the end of fiscal 2005, revenue attributable to SwissQual sales was deferred until receipt of payment. Commencing with the first quarter of fiscal 2006, we changed our accounting for sales to SwissQual by recognizing revenue on a full accrual basis. This change was made based upon SwissQual’s financial strength and payment history and the lack of our ability to assert financial influence over the operations of SwissQual. WTS revenue for the year ended January 31, 2006 was increased by approximately $1.0 million due to this change.

During fiscal 2006, our North American region experienced increased spending by certain wireless carriers. This increased spending can be attributed to several trends: (i) the expanded availability and implementation of new technologies such as 3G wireless and broadband wireless; (ii) activity generated by efforts to consolidate networks resulting from recent merger activity; (iii) network quality enhancement programs to reduce churn; and (iv) network expansion and capacity programs geared toward enabling new and enhanced services.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2006, we were awarded a contract from Verizon Wireless (“Verizon”) for our Seven.Five voice and data test systems. Verizon is converting its nationwide wireless network to the CDMA EvDO standard, which is considered to be the U.S. equivalent of 3G, and is utilizing Seven.Five to measure the quality of its network. We began delivering on this contract during the second quarter of fiscal 2006 and completed during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006. For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2006, we recorded revenue attributable to this contract totaling approximately $6.7 million, excluding amortization of first year maintenance obligations.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2006, we were awarded an additional contract from Verizon to replace data testing equipment previously sourced from a competitor with our Seven.Five data systems. We delivered on the contract during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 and recorded revenue attributable to this contract totaling approximately $3.8 million, excluding amortization of first year maintenance obligations.

The two Verizon contracts discussed above were significant to our WTS business and its operations for the year ended January 31, 2006. While we currently expect to continue to win new business from Verizon during fiscal 2007, we do not expect this new business to recur at the same level achieved during fiscal 2006.

The wireless industry is composed of a relatively small number of wireless carriers and equipment vendors, which can lead to volatility in our results, as our business is characterized by sales to a limited set of customers in each region where we do business. The timing and size of customer orders can vary greatly making it difficult to forecast our results from period to period. Consequently, our WTS business may be affected in any single region by the priorities of a small group of customers.

 

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Under our current agreement, SwissQual is responsible for reselling and supporting our co-branded Seven.Five products in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa (our “European” region). We have a revenue sharing agreement in place that determines how much revenue we earn from SwissQual sales and, conversely, how much revenue SwissQual earns from our sales to customers located outside the European region. During January 2006, we sold our 18 percent ownership interest in SwissQual to Spirent.

Under the current distribution and sales agreement, SwissQual is expected to continue as exclusive reseller of our Seven.Five product platform in the European region through January 2007. We currently expect Spirent, through its acquisition of SwissQual, to compete for sales of mobile quality of service and benchmarking tools in the near future. This increased competition is expected to occur first in those regions of the world that deploy the wireless technologies currently adopted in our European region and with which SwissQual has expertise (e.g. GSM, GPRS, EDGE, WCDMA/UMTS). To effectively compete in the Americas and portions of Asia Pacific, vendors of wireless test and measurement tools must also have deep expertise in spread-spectrum wireless technologies (e.g. CDMA, CDMA2000, 1xEV-DO, EDGE). Our current Seven.Five product platform is compatible will all current wireless technologies and can be configured for all major markets worldwide.

We are currently establishing a direct sales and support organization for the European region to replace SwissQual once the current reseller agreement expires. Additionally, we are exploring other potential strategic alliances that could enhance our technologies, positioning, and global footprint for sales and support.

Emergency Call Box Systems

Our emergency call box business designs and manufactures emergency call box systems. Our call box products provide emergency communication over existing wireless networks. In addition to call box products, we provide system installation and long-term maintenance services. Currently, there are approximately 12,300 call boxes that we maintain under long-term agreements that expire at various dates through February 2011.

Wireless carriers have begun reallocating spectrum away from analog, or first generation, wireless technologies to digital, or 2G and 2.5G, wireless technologies. As a result, state and local agencies are upgrading their existing call box systems to digital to maintain the functional efficiencies of their call box systems. Our upgraded call box products, based on 2.5G GSM and CDMA technologies, offer a complete solution of current technology and services at a low cost designed to meet our customers’ needs. During fiscal 2006 and with more than 19,000 call box units installed, we have seen strong demand for digital upgrades.

Management currently considers the following additional trends, events, and uncertainties to be important to understanding our call box business:

 

    During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005, we were awarded a project by the San Bernardino Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies (“SAFE”) to upgrade approximately 1,600 call boxes to digital, valued at $2.5 million. San Bernardino SAFE also renewed their call box system maintenance contract for approximately $3.3 million over a five-year term. We commenced work on this contract late in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005 and completed the project during fiscal 2006 recording revenue relating to the digital upgrade project totaling approximately $1.9 million during fiscal 2006.

 

    During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005, we were awarded projects by the San Diego SAFE to upgrade approximately 1,400 call boxes with digital and text-telephony (“TTY”) technologies and retrofit approximately 1,000 call box sites to improve accessibility for persons with mobility limitations. These projects are valued at approximately $3.7 million. We commenced work on this contract during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006 recording revenue totaling approximately $1.0 million. We expect to complete the balance of this upgrade project during fiscal 2007 and record revenue totaling approximately $2.7 million.

 

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    During fiscal 2006, we were awarded multiple projects from various California SAFEs to upgrade approximately 3,900 call boxes with a mix of digital and/or text-telephony (“TTY”) technologies and to perform other retrofit and site mitigation services. These projects are valued at approximately $7.9 million. We expect to complete a significant portion of these projects during fiscal 2007. The subject call box systems are located in the following California counties: Riverside, Merced, Monterey, San Benito, Santa Barbara, and Orange. Also included are the call box systems owned by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission SAFE, which service the nine counties of the San Francisco Bay Area.

 

    As of January 31, 2006, there are approximately 12,300 call boxes that we maintain under long-term agreements. Certain of our SAFE customers have indicated that they intend to remove up to 1,600 call boxes to reduce the density of the systems and to make funds available for the necessary digital upgrades. We currently expect that as of January 31, 2007, there will be approximately 10,700 call boxes which we maintain under long-term agreements. Service revenue attributable to maintenance of existing call box systems is expected to total approximately $4.2 million in fiscal 2007.

 

    Current and anticipated projects to upgrade and expand existing call box systems are concentrated with several customers that are agencies of California’s state and local governments, from whom we currently generate approximately 76 percent of our call box revenue. In addition, we believe that the severe financial challenges experienced by California state government created uncertainty for our governmental customers in California, causing them to delay upgrades and expansions of certain call box systems. While this trend appears to have reversed, as evidenced by the awarded projects discussed above, we continue to be vulnerable to the spending patterns of our customers that are concentrated in California.

Mobile Power Products (ChargeSource)

Designed with the needs of the traveling professional in mind, our ChargeSource mobile power products provide a high level of functionality and compatibility in an industry-leading compact design. Our current and planned product offering consists of universal AC/DC, AC, and DC power adapters designed for the right mix of power output and functionality for most retail, OEM, and enterprise customers. Our ChargeSource products are also universal allowing those who use rechargeable electronic devices to carry just one power adapter. By simply changing the compact SmartTip connected to the end of the charging cable, our universal power adapters are capable of charging and powering multiple target devices, including most notebook computers, cellular telephones, PDAs, and other handheld devices.

Prior to fiscal 2004, most notebook computers required no more than 70 watts of power to operate. However, the personal computer industry is continuing to transition to notebook computers with increasing power requirements. As power requirements increase, so does the size of the OEM power adapter sold with each notebook computer. To address this industry wide trend, we have developed a family of high-power ChargeSource products that are compatible with most legacy, current, and planned notebook computers. These new ChargeSource products are able to deliver up to 120 watts of power in a very small form factor.

Management currently considers the following additional trends, events, and uncertainties to be important to understanding our ChargeSource business:

 

    During the third quarter of fiscal 2005, we entered into a supply agreement with Kensington, a tier-one distributor of consumer electronics, to distribute certain of our ChargeSource products to “Big Box” retailers and other channels. During fiscal 2006, we began shipping to Kensington as they obtained product placement within the retail channels. We currently expect to continue to ramp-up production of Kensington-branded ChargeSource products throughout fiscal 2007.

 

   

During January 2004 we entered into a supply agreement with Belkin Corporation (“Belkin” and the “Belkin Supply Agreement”) and began shipping a limited number of ChargeSource units to Belkin late

 

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in the first quarter of fiscal 2005. The subsequent sales and marketing efforts, as well as the ramp-up of unit sales of the Belkin-branded ChargeSource products did not meet our original expectations. The Belkin Supply Agreement was terminated in conjunction with the execution of the Mutual Release during the third quarter of fiscal 2005.

 

    In addition to transitioning the distribution of our ChargeSource products to Kensington, during fiscal 2005, we transitioned the manufacturing of our redesigned ChargeSource product line to a contract manufacturer located in China. These distribution and manufacturing initiatives, which are expected to enhance our competitiveness in the marketplace, interrupted our business during fiscal 2005 and 2006 resulting in lower revenue from the sales of our ChargeSource products.

 

    The current level of ChargeSource sales is insufficient to fully absorb our fixed overheard. Our ability to continue to penetrate the retail channels and the OEM after-market accessories market is dependent upon the retailers and our OEM partners and the timing of their respective initiatives. Accordingly, it has been difficult for us to predict when our ChargeSource sales would reach sufficient levels to support our current cost structure. However, we are encouraged by our current level of retail penetration and product placement and continue to believe that our ChargeSource business can break even with quarterly revenue of approximately $5.0 million.

On March 20, 2003 and in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission (“CPSC”), we voluntarily initiated a product safety recall of our legacy ChargeSource 70-watt universal AC power adapters. Comarco and Targus entered into an agreement to address the impact of the recall action. Under the terms of the agreement Comarco issued a $3.2 million credit to Targus in fiscal 2003 in consideration of a full release. Of the $3.2 million credit issued to Targus in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003, qualifying product returns totaling $2.1 million were received from Targus through October 31, 2003. During the third quarter of fiscal 2004, the remaining $1.1 million unused credit was recorded as revenue, consistent with the expiration of the right of return and the term of the agreement.

Critical Accounting Policies

The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to apply accounting policies and make certain estimates and judgments. Our significant accounting policies are presented in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements. Of our significant accounting policies, we believe the following involve a higher degree of uncertainty, subjectivity and judgments. These policies involve estimates and judgments that are inherently uncertain. Changes in these estimates and judgments may significantly impact our annual and quarterly operating results. We have identified the following as our most significant critical accounting policies.

Revenue Recognition

We recognize product revenue upon shipment provided there are no uncertainties regarding customer acceptance, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is probable. Generally, our products are shipped FOB named point of shipment, whether it is Irvine, our corporate headquarters, or Hong Kong, the shipping point of our ChargeSource products. Shipments to SwissQual, our WTS distributor in Europe, are shipped delivery duties unpaid (“DDU”). Under DDU, title and risk of loss for the goods shipped passes to the buyer at destination.

Our WTS products are integrated with embedded software. Accordingly, we recognize revenue using the residual method pursuant to requirements of Statement of Position No. 97-2, “Software Revenue Recognition,” and other applicable revenue recognition guidance and interpretations. Under the residual method, we allocate revenue to the undelivered element, typically maintenance, based on its respective fair value, with the fair value determined by the price charged when that element is sold separately. We amortize the revenue allocated to the maintenance element evenly over the term of the maintenance commitment made at the time of sale. We expense as incurred the costs associated with honoring the maintenance commitment. The revenue attributable to the

 

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delivered product is the residual amount after subtracting the revenue allocated to the undelivered element from the sales price. The revenue attributable to the delivered product is recognized following the policy for product sales described above.

We recognize service revenue as the services are performed. Maintenance revenue from extended warranty sales is deferred and recognized ratably over the term of the maintenance agreement, typically 12 months.

Significant management judgments must be made and used in connection with the revenue recognized in any accounting period. For our WTS business, management must make judgments, for example, regarding uncertainties surrounding customer acceptance because some orders may include acceptance test provisions that require we defer revenue upon shipment until such time as the client has accepted the equipment. Material differences may result in the amount and timing of our revenue for any period if our management made different judgments.

Software Development Costs

We had $1.4 million of capitalized software as of January 31, 2006, net of accumulated amortization of $7.1 million. Capitalized software amortization expense is included in cost of revenue. We capitalize software developed for sale or lease in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 86 (“SFAS No. 86”), “Accounting for Costs of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased, or Otherwise Marketed.” Software costs incurred subsequent to the determination of the technological feasibility of the software product are capitalized. Technological feasibility is generally demonstrated by the completion of a working model. Our policy is to capitalize the costs associated with development of new products and expense the costs associated with new releases, which primarily consist of enhancements or increased functionality of software embedded in existing products. Significant management judgment is required in determining whether technological feasibility has been achieved for a particular software project and in estimating the economic life of the related product. Capitalization ceases and amortization of capitalized costs begins when the software product is available for general release to our customers. Each quarter we compare capitalized software development costs to our estimate of projected revenues quarterly to determine if any impairment in value has occurred that would require an adjustment in the carrying value or change in expected useful lives under the guidelines established under SFAS No. 86. We also continually evaluate the recoverability of software acquired through acquisition or by direct purchase of technology.

Accounts Receivable

We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and adjust credit limits and related terms based upon payment history and the customer’s current credit worthiness. We continually monitor collections and payments from our customers and maintain a provision for estimated credit losses based upon our historical experience and any specific customer collection issues that we have identified. While such credit losses have historically been within our expectations and the provisions established, we cannot guarantee that we will continue to experience the same credit loss rates that we have in the past. Since our accounts receivable are concentrated in a relatively few number of customers, a significant change in the liquidity or financial position of any one of these customers could have a material adverse effect on the collectibility of our accounts receivable and our future operating results.

Specifically, our management must make estimates of the collectibility of our accounts receivable. Management analyzes specific customer accounts and establishes reserves for uncollectible receivables based upon specific identification of account balances that have indications of uncertainty of collection. Indications of uncertainty of collections may include the customer’s inability to pay, customer dissatisfaction, or other factors. Significant management judgments and estimates must be made and used in connection with establishing the allowance for doubtful accounts in any accounting period. Material differences may result in the amount and timing of our losses for any period if management made different judgments or utilized different estimates.

 

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Valuation of Inventory

We value inventory at the lower of the actual cost to purchase and/or manufacture the inventory (calculated on average costs, which approximates first-in, first-out basis) or market value. We regularly review inventory quantities on hand and record a write down of excess and obsolete inventory based primarily on excess quantities on hand based upon component usage in the preceding 12 months. As demonstrated during prior periods, demand for our products can fluctuate significantly. A significant increase in the demand for our products could result in a short-term increase in the cost of inventory purchases while a significant decrease in demand could result in an increase in the amount of excess inventory quantities on hand. In addition, our industry is characterized by rapid technological change, frequent new product development, and rapid product obsolescence that could result in an increase in the amount of obsolete inventory quantities on hand. In the future, if our inventory were determined to be overvalued, we would be required to recognize such costs in our cost of goods sold at the time of such determination. Therefore, any significant unanticipated changes in demand or technological developments could have a significant impact on the value of our inventory and our operating results.

Income Taxes

We are required to estimate our provision for income taxes in each of the tax jurisdictions in which we conduct business. This process involves estimating our actual current tax expense in conjunction with the evaluation and measurement of temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of certain items for tax and accounting purposes. These temporary timing differences result in the establishment of deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are recorded on a net basis and included in our consolidated balance sheets. We then assess on a periodic basis the probability that our net deferred tax assets, if any, will be recovered. If after evaluating all of the positive and negative evidence, a conclusion is made that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be recovered, a valuation allowance is provided with a corresponding charge to tax expense to reserve the portion of the deferred tax assets which are estimated to be more likely than not to be realized.

Significant management judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes, our deferred tax assets and liabilities and any required valuation allowance. During the second quarter of fiscal 2005, as a result of incurring cumulative losses for a three-year period, we established a valuation allowance totaling approximately $2.9 million, or the entire deferred tax asset balance existing as of the beginning of fiscal 2005, as reclassified. We reclassified $807,000 of reserves relating to research and experimentation credits included in the current taxes receivable as of January 31, 2004 to the net deferred tax asset upon the determination that it was more likely than not that the benefit of $807,000 would not be realized. In addition, a full valuation allowance has been provided on all net deferred tax asset additions during fiscal 2005, resulting in a fully reserved net tax asset. This valuation allowance was established based on management’s overall assessment of risks and uncertainties related to our future ability to realize, and hence, utilize certain deferred tax assets, primarily consisting of net operating losses, carry forward temporary differences and future tax deductions resulting from certain types of stock option exercises.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2005, we recorded a tax benefit of $446,000 due to the generation of refund claims created upon completion of our fiscal 2004 corporate tax returns, which were completed in the third quarter of fiscal 2005.

During fiscal 2006, we recorded net income of $6.3 million and utilized approximately $2.8 million of our net operating loss carryforwards. The remaining net deferred tax asset of $3.5 million at January 31, 2006, continues to be fully reserved.

Valuation of Goodwill

We account for goodwill and intangible assets in accordance with SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations,” and SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” Accordingly, we no longer amortize goodwill from

 

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acquisitions, but continue to amortize other acquisition-related intangibles and costs. As of January 31, 2006, we had $2.4 million of goodwill recorded in our audited consolidated balance sheet.

Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill impairment is deemed to exist if the net book value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value generally determined using a discounted cash flow methodology applied to the particular unit. This methodology differs from our previous policy, in accordance with accounting standards existing at that time, of using undiscounted cash flows on an enterprise-wide basis to determine recoverability. During the second quarter of fiscal 2003, we recorded a non-cash charge of $4.1 million to write down fully the carrying value of the goodwill related to our EDX reporting unit. As the net assets of the EDX reporting unit were sold during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004, such charge is reflected as a component of discontinued operations. Future impairments of intangible assets, if any, will be recorded as operating expenses.

We performed our annual goodwill impairment analysis as of January 31, 2006, and identified no impairment. The impairment review is based upon a discounted cash flow approach that uses estimates of future market share and revenue and costs for the reporting units, as well as appropriate discount rates. The estimates used are consistent with the plans and estimates that we use to manage the underlying businesses. However, if we fail to deliver new products for these groups, if the products fail to gain expected market acceptance, or if market conditions in the related businesses are unfavorable, revenue and cost forecasts may not be achieved and we may incur charges for impairment of goodwill.

For intangible assets with definite useful lives, we amortize the cost over the estimated useful lives and assess any impairment by estimating the future cash flow from the associated asset in accordance with SFAS No. 144 “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” We also annually review the useful lives of each of our intangible assets. As of January 31, 2006, we had $1.3 million of non-goodwill acquired intangible assets recorded in intangible assets, which includes $0.4 million for software rights and $0.9 million for intellectual property rights.

Valuation of Long-Lived Assets

We evaluate long-lived assets used in operations, including purchased intangible assets, when indicators of impairment, such as reductions in demand or significant economic slowdowns that negatively impact our customers or markets, are present. Reviews are performed to determine whether the carrying value of assets is impaired based on comparison to the undiscounted expected future cash flows. If the comparison indicates that there is impairment, the impaired asset is written down to fair value, which is typically calculated using a weighted average of the market approach and the discounted expected future cash flows using a discount rate based upon our cost of capital. Impairment is based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of those assets. Significant management judgment is required in the forecast of future operating results that is used in the preparation of expected discounted cash flows. It is reasonably possible that the estimates of anticipated future net revenue, the remaining estimated economic life of the products and technologies, or both, could differ from those used to assess the recoverability of these assets. In that event, additional impairment charges or shortened useful lives of certain long-lived assets could be required.

 

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Results of Operations—Continuing Operations

The following tables set forth certain items as a percentage of revenue from our audited consolidated statements of operations for fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004:

Consolidated

 

    Years Ended January 31,     2006 over
2005
% Change
    2005 over
2004
% Change
 
    2006     2005     2004      
    (In thousands)              
          % of
Revenue
          % of
Revenue
          % of
Revenue
             

Revenue:

               

Products

  $ 42,260     90 %   $ 24,159     83 %   $ 29,208     85 %   75 %   (17 %)

Services

    4,618     10 %     5,064     17 %     5,057     15 %   (9 %)    
                                             
  $ 46,878     100 %   $ 29,223     100 %   $ 34,265     100 %   60 %   (15 %)
                                             

Operating loss

  $ (206 )     $ (8,207 )     $ (3,121 )      
                                 

Income (loss) from continuing operations

  $ 6,376 (1)     $ (10,381 )     $ (1,842 )      
                                 

(1) Includes gain on sale of investment in SwissQual and intangible asset totaling $6.4 million.

 

     Years Ended January 31,    2006 over
2005
% Change
    2005 over
2004
% Change
 
     2006    2005    2004     
     (In thousands)             

Revenue:

                      

Americas

                      

North America

   $ 31,718       $ 15,415       $ 28,867       106 %   (47 %)

Others

     2,855         6,290         2,033       (55 %)   209 %

Europe

     12,022         7,168         3,105       68 %   131 %

Asia—Pacific

     283         350         260       (19 %)   35 %
                                        
   $ 46,878       $ 29,223       $ 34,265       60 %   (15 %)
                                        

Revenue

Revenue in fiscal 2006 increased by $17.6 million, or 60 percent, over fiscal 2005. This increase was driven by increased sales from all three business segments with WTS, call box and ChargeSource growing 46 percent, 52 percent, and 113 percent, respectively, on a year-over-year basis.

Revenue in fiscal 2005 decreased by $5.0 million, or 15 percent, over fiscal 2004. This decrease was driven by the disruption of our ChargeSource business attributable to the changes in our distribution relationships and our relocation of manufacturing to China resulting in a $10.4 million decrease in ChargeSource revenue, partially offset by a $5.7 million increase in sales of our WTS products driven by the release of our newly-developed Seven.Five product platform.

 

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Cost of Revenue and Gross Margin

 

    Years Ended January 31,     2006 over
2005
% Change
    2005 over
2004
% Change
 
    2006     2005     2004      
    (In thousands)              
        % of
Related
Revenue
        % of
Related
Revenue
        % of
Related
Revenue
             

Cost of revenue:

               

Products

  $ 24,801   59 %   $ 15,474   64 %   $ 15,819   54 %   60 %   (2 %)

Amortization—software development products

    1,926   4 %     1,971   8 %     2,772   10 %   (2 %)   (29 %)
                                       
    26,727   63 %     17,445   72 %     18,591   64 %   53 %   (6 %)
                                       

Services

    3,163   68 %     3,441   68 %     3,113   62 %   (8 %)   11 %

Amortization—software development services

    22   1 %     22         22            
                                       
    3,185   69 %     3,463   68 %     3,135   62 %   (8 %)   11 %
                                       
  $ 29,912   64 %   $ 20,908   72 %   $ 21,726   63 %   43 %   (4 %)
                           
    Years Ended January 31,     2006 over
2005
Change
    2005 over
2004
Change
 
    2006     2005     2004      
        (In thousands)                        

Gross margin:

               

Products

    37 %     28 %     36 %   9     (8 )

Services

    31 %     32 %     38 %   (1 )   (6 )

Combined gross margin

    36 %     28 %     37 %   8     (9 )

Cost of revenue in fiscal 2006 increased 43 percent over fiscal 2005 driven by increased product sales. As a percentage of revenue, cost of revenue in fiscal 2006 decreased by 8 percentage points to 64 percent. Excluding amortization of software development costs, cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue in fiscal 2006 decreased 5 percentage points to 60 percent compared to fiscal 2005. The fiscal 2006 decrease in cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue was principally due to increased year-over-year sales of our WTS products in our North American region made by our direct sales force and increased absorption of fixed manufacturing overhead attributable to increased manufacturing activity experienced by our three business segments, partially offset by increased charges for excess and obsolete inventory of $0.8 million.

Cost of product revenue decreased 6 percent in fiscal 2005 compared to fiscal 2004. Due to significantly lower sales of our ChargeSource products during fiscal 2005, related cost of revenue decreased approximately $4.0 million, which was partially offset by a $3.3 million increase in cost of revenue attributable to sales of our WTS products. Gross margin in fiscal 2005 decreased 9 percentage points to 28 percent primarily due to lower sales of our ChargeSource products during fiscal 2005 and the inability to absorb fixed manufacturing and start-up costs attributable to transitioning the production of our ChargeSource products to a contract manufacturer located in China, as well as increased charges for excess and obsolete inventory of $0.7 million.

 

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Operating Costs and Expenses

 

    Years Ended January 31,     2006 over
2005
% Change
    2005 over
2004
% Change
 
    2006     2005     2004      
    (In thousands)              
        % of
Revenue
        % of
Revenue
          % of
Revenue
             

Operating expenses:

               

Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding corporate overhead

  $ 4,386   9 %   $ 5,336   18 %   $ 6,276     18 %   (18 %)   (15 %)

Allocated corporate overhead

    5,104   11 %     3,665   12 %     3,572     11 %   39 %   3 %

Gross engineering and support expenses

    7,682   17 %     7,521   26 %     8,581     25 %   2 %   (12 %)

Capitalized software development costs

    —           —           (2,769 )   (8 %)        
                                         
  $ 17,172   37 %   $ 16,522   56 %   $ 15,660     46 %   4 %   6 %
                                         

Selling, general and administrative expenses in fiscal 2006 decreased $1.0 million, or 18 percent, compared to fiscal 2005. The fiscal 2006 decrease was primarily due to the recovery of bad debt expense related to our WTS business, totaling approximately $0.5 million in fiscal 2006, compared to bad debt expense recorded in fiscal 2005 of approximately the same amount.

Selling, general and administrative expenses in fiscal 2005 decreased approximately $0.9 million, or 15 percent, compared to fiscal 2004 primarily due to legal settlements and related fees incurred in fiscal 2004, totaling approximately $1.8 million, which exceeded similar type costs incurred in fiscal 2005 by approximately $1.4 million. Additionally, bad debt expense decreased $300,000 in fiscal 2005, primarily due to the reversal of previously established reserves for uncollectible ChargeSource accounts receivable that were collected. Offsetting the decrease in legal related expenses and bad debt expense and consistent with increased sales of our WTS products, selling related expenses increased by approximately $0.8 million in fiscal 2005 compared to fiscal 2004.

Allocated corporate overhead consists of salaries and other personnel-related expenses of our accounting and finance, human resources and benefits, and other administrative personnel, as well as professional fees, directors’ fees, and other costs and expenses attributable to being a public company. These costs are typically allocated to our three segments based on each business’s percentage share of total Company costs and expenses. As a percentage of revenue, allocated corporate overhead remained stable at 11 percent and 12 percent of revenue for fiscal 2006 and 2005, respectively.

The $1.4 million increase in fiscal 2006 allocated corporate overhead relates primarily to consulting fees incurred for Sarbanes-Oxley 404 readiness of $0.5 million and increased professional services expense of $0.3 million, primarily audit and tax related, and increased incentive compensation of approximately $0.6 million reflecting improved financial results in fiscal 2006.

Gross engineering and support expenses generally consist of salaries, employer paid benefits, and other personnel related costs of our hardware and software design engineers and testing and product support personnel, as well as facility and IT costs, professional and consulting fees, lab costs, material usages, and travel and related costs incurred in the development and support of our products. Engineering and support expenses in fiscal 2006 increased approximately $0.1 million compared to fiscal 2005 following a $1.1 million decrease in fiscal 2005 compared to fiscal 2004. During the first half of fiscal 2004, our WTS business completed the development of our Seven.Five product platform. As a result, we were able to reduce our engineering and support costs in fiscal 2005 and maintain stable engineering and support expenses in fiscal 2006.

 

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Table of Contents

We capitalize costs incurred for the development of software embedded in our WTS products subsequent to establishing technological feasibility. These capitalized costs are subject to an ongoing assessment of recoverability based on anticipated future revenue and changes in hardware and software technologies. Costs that are capitalized include direct labor and related overhead. We did not capitalize any software development costs in fiscal 2006 or 2005 as we completed the development of the software embedded in our Seven.Five product platform during the first half of fiscal 2004. Currently, we do not expect to capitalize software development costs during fiscal 2007.

Capitalized software development costs totaled approximately $2.8 million for fiscal 2004 and were consistent with the timing of the Seven.Five product platform development program.

Other Income, net

Other income, net, consists primarily of interest income earned on invested cash balances. Other income, net, was $345,000, $180,000, and $237,000 in fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively. The increase in other income in 2006 over 2005 of $165,000 is due to increases in our cash balances coupled with higher interest rates. The decline in other income in 2005 over 2004 is primarily caused by reduced interest income earned on decreased cash balances.

Gain on Sale of Investment in SwissQual and Intangible Asset

As further discussed in the section entitled “Results of Operations—Wireless Test Solutions” during January 2006, we sold our 18 percent interest in SwissQual. Upon the closing of the transaction, we received approximately $6.8 million of the closing consideration, net of transaction costs, and may receive up to an additional $5.4 million of any escrow distribution and contingent consideration. We recorded a gain on sale of investment totaling $6.1 million, which was based on the cash consideration we received.

Prior to the sale transaction, SwissQual declared and paid a dividend to its then current shareholders. During January 2006, we recorded the approximately $0.4 million dividend declared as a reduction in the cost basis of our investment in SwissQual. Additionally, during December 2005, we sold rights to software to SwissQual for approximately $0.5 million. At the time of the sale, such software rights had an unamortized book value of approximately $0.2 million. Accordingly, we recorded a gain on sale of intangible assets totaling approximately $0.3 million.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

Significant management judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes, our deferred tax assets and liabilities, and any required valuation allowance. During the second quarter of fiscal 2005, we established a valuation allowance totaling approximately $2.9 million, or the entire deferred tax asset balance existing as of the beginning of fiscal 2005, as reclassified. In addition, a full valuation allowance has been provided on all net deferred tax asset additions during fiscal 2005, resulting in a fully reserved net tax asset. This valuation allowance was established based on management’s overall assessment of risks and uncertainties related to our future ability to realize, and hence, utilize certain deferred tax assets, primarily consisting of net operating losses, carry forward temporary differences and future tax deductions resulting from certain types of stock option exercises. Due to the losses of the third and fourth quarters, the adjusted net deferred tax assets remain fully reserved as of January 31, 2005.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2005, we recorded a tax benefit of $446,000 due to the generation of refund claims created upon completion of fiscal 2004 corporate tax returns, which were completed in the third quarter of fiscal 2005.

During fiscal 2006, we recorded net income of $6.3 million and $0.2 million in AMT income tax expense and utilized approximately $2.8 million of our net operating loss carryforwards. The remaining net deferred tax asset of $3.5 million at January 31, 2006 continues to be fully reserved.

 

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Table of Contents

Wireless Test Solutions (“WTS”)

Revenue

 

     Years Ended January 31,     2006 over
2005
% Change
    2005 over
2004
% Change
 
     2006     2005     2004      
     (In thousands)              
          % of
Revenue
          % of
Revenue
          % of
Revenue
             

Revenue:

                 

Products

   $ 24,327    99 %   $ 16,475     98 %   $ 11,112     100 %   48 %   48 %

Services

     207    1 %     365     2 %     38         (43 %)   861 %
                                             
   $ 24,534    100 %   $ 16,840     100 %   $ 11,150     100 %   46 %   51 %
                                             

Operating income (loss)

   $ 1,675      $ (4,432 )     $ (2,302 )      
                                 
     Years Ended January 31,     2006 over
2005
% Change
    2005 over
2004
% Change
 
     2006     2005     2004      
     (In thousands)              

Revenue:

                 

Americas:

                 

North America

   $ 12,855      $ 3,686       $ 7,681       249 %   (52 %)

Others

     2,855        6,290         2,033       (55 %)   209 %

Europe

     8,630        6,861         1,433       26 %   379 %

Asia—Pacific

     194        3         3       6,367 %    
                                 
   $ 24,534      $ 16,840       $ 11,150       46 %   51 %
                                 

Revenue in fiscal 2006 increased by 46 percent compared to fiscal 2005 driven by two contracts, among others, from Verizon for the purchase of our Seven.Five voice and data systems. These contracts were significant to our WTS business and its operations for fiscal 2006 and were primarily responsible for the fiscal 2006 revenue increase in our North American region, which increased 249 percent compared to fiscal 2005. Revenue in fiscal 2006 derived from our customers in Latin America/South America decreased 55 percent compared to fiscal 2005. This decrease highlights that the wireless industry is composed of a relatively small number of wireless carriers and equipment vendors, which can lead to volatility in our results and that our business is characterized by sales to a limited set of customers in each region where we do business. The timing and size of customer orders can vary greatly making it difficult to forecast our results from period to period. Consequently, our WTS business is affected in any single region by the priorities of a small group of customers.

During fiscal 2006, SwissQual, the exclusive reseller in our European region continued to achieve year-over-year revenue growth, which continues to validate market acceptance of our Seven.Five product platform. Revenue in fiscal 2006 from SwissQual increased 34 percent compared to fiscal 2005. During January 2006, Spirent purchased 100 percent of the outstanding stock of SwissQual, which included our 18 percent equity investment. We currently expect SwissQual to continue as the exclusive reseller of our Seven.Five product platform in our European region through January 2007. See the section entitled “Risk Factors.”

Revenue in fiscal 2005 increased by 51 percent compared to fiscal 2004. During the first half of fiscal 2004, we completed development of our Seven.Five product platform and it was available for sale during all of fiscal 2005. Geographically, our customers in the Europe and Latin America/South America regions were furthest along in deploying 3G wireless technologies and, accordingly were the first regions to adopt the new 3G Seven.Five product platform. Revenue from our North America region declined 52 percent due to delays by wireless carriers based in North America in deploying 3G technologies across their wireless networks.

 

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Table of Contents

Cost of Revenue and Gross Margin

 

     Years Ended January 31,     2006 over
2005
% Change
    2005 over
2004
% Change
 
     2006     2005     2004      
     (In thousands)              
          % of
Related
Revenue
         % of
Related
Revenue
         % of
Related
Revenue
             

Cost of revenue:

                   

Products

   $ 10,896    45 %   $ 8,284    50 %   $ 4,192    38 %   32 %   98 %

Amortization—software development

     1,926    8 %     1,971    12 %     2,772    25 %   (2 %)   (29 %)
                                           
     12,822    53 %     10,255    62 %     6,964    63 %   25 %   47 %
                                           

Services

     73    35 %     28    8 %     —          161 %    
                                           
   $ 12,895    53 %   $ 10,283    61 %   $ 6,964    63 %   25 %   48 %
                               
     Years Ended January 31,     2006 over
2005
Change
    2005 over
2004
Change
 
     2006     2005     2004      
     (In thousands)              

Gross margin:

                   

Products

      47 %      38 %      37 %   9     1  

Services

      65 %      92 %      100 %   (27 )   (8 )

Combined gross margin

      47 %      39 %      37 %   8     2  

Cost of revenue in fiscal 2006 increased 25 percent over fiscal 2005 driven by increased product sales. As a percentage of revenue, cost of revenue in fiscal 2006 decreased by 8 percentage points to 53 percent. Excluding amortization of software development costs, cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue in fiscal 2006 decreased 4 percentage points to 45 percent compared to fiscal 2005. The fiscal 2006 decrease in cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue was due to the following factors:

 

    Increased year-over-year sales in our North American region made by our direct sales force, which provided increased net revenue to Comarco on sales of our Seven.Five products as compared to sales made by SwissQual in our European region;

 

    No sales of third-party non-core products with lower gross margins during fiscal 2006, and

 

    Increased absorption of fixed manufacturing overhead attributable to increased manufacturing activity experienced by our other two segments.

Driven by increased sales, cost of revenue in fiscal 2005 increased by 48 percent over fiscal 2004. As a percentage of revenue, cost of revenue in fiscal 2005 decreased by 2 percentage points to 61 percent compared to fiscal 2004. Excluding amortization of software development costs, cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue in fiscal 2005 increased by 11 percentage points to 49 percent compared to fiscal 2004. The fiscal 2005 increase in cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue was due to the following factors:

 

    Increased year-over-year sales through SwissQual, our exclusive reseller responsible for product and customer support in our European region, which provided reduced net revenue to Comarco on sales of our Seven.Five products as compared to sales made by our direct sales force in our exclusive regions;

 

    Sales of third-party non-core products with lower gross margins, and

 

    Decreased absorption of fixed manufacturing overhead attributable to decreased manufacturing activity experienced by our other two segments.

 

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Table of Contents

Amortization of previously capitalized software development costs, which totaled approximately $1.9 million in fiscal 2006, is currently expected to be approximately $1.1 million and $0.3 million for fiscal 2007, and 2008, respectively.

Operating Costs and Expenses

 

     Years Ended January 31,     2006 over
2005
% Change
    2005 over
2004
% Change
 
     2006     2005     2004      
     (In thousands)              
          % of
Revenue
         % of
Revenue
          % of
Revenue
             

Operating costs and expenses:

                  

Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding corporate overhead

   $ 2,641    11 %   $ 3,946    24 %   $ 2,145     19 %   (33 %)   84 %

Allocated corporate overhead

     2,488    10 %     2,084    12 %     1,297     12 %   19 %   61 %

Gross engineering and support expenses

     4,835    20 %     4,958    29 %     5,815     52 %   (2 %)   (15 %)

Capitalized software development costs

     —            —            (2,769 )   (25 %)       (100 %)
                                            
   $ 9,964    41 %   $ 10,988    65 %   $ 6,488     58 %   (9 %)   69 %
                                            

Selling, general and administrative expenses generally consist of salaries, employer paid benefits, commissions and other personnel related costs of our sales, marketing and support personnel, facility and IT costs, professional fees, advertising, promotions, printed media, and travel directly attributable to our WTS business. Selling, general and administrative expenses in fiscal 2006 decreased approximately $1.3 million, or 33 percent, compared to fiscal 2005. The fiscal 2006 decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses was due to the following factors:

 

    During fiscal 2006, we collected bad debts totaling approximately $0.5 million, which were previously reserved during the prior fiscal year, and

 

    Fiscal 2005 included a $0.4 million charge recognized in settlement of a dispute with a significant customer based in Latin America.

Excluding these charges and subsequent collections of bad debts, selling, general and administrative expenses in fiscal 2006 were comparable to fiscal 2005.

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue increased 5 percentage points in fiscal 2005 compared to fiscal 2004. Fiscal 2005 includes a $0.4 million charge recognized in settlement of a dispute with a significant customer based in Latin America, as well as a $0.5 million charge for uncollectible accounts receivable. There were no comparable charges in fiscal 2004. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased an additional $0.8 million, or 37 percent, driven by increased selling expenses consistent with our increased sales in fiscal 2005.

See the section above entitled “Consolidated” under the caption “Operating Costs and Expenses” for a discussion of allocated corporate overhead.

Gross engineering and support expenses generally consist of salaries, employer paid benefits, and other personnel related costs of our hardware and software design engineers and testing and product support personnel, as well as facility and IT costs, professional and consulting fees, lab costs, material usages, and travel and related

 

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Table of Contents

costs incurred in the development and support of our WTS business. Engineering and support expenses decreased approximately $0.9 million, or 15 percent, in fiscal 2005 compared to fiscal 2004. As previously discussed, we completed the development of our Seven.Five product platform during the first-half of fiscal 2004 and have entered a maintenance mode with respect to the product platform. As a result, we were able to reduce our engineering and support costs in fiscal 2005 and maintain stable engineering and support expenses in fiscal 2006.

We capitalize costs incurred for the development of software embedded in our WTS products subsequent to establishing technological feasibility. These capitalized costs are subject to an ongoing assessment of recoverability based on anticipated future revenue and changes in hardware and software technologies. Costs that are capitalized include direct labor and related overhead. We did not capitalize any software development costs in fiscal 2006 and 2005 as we completed the development of the software embedded in our Seven.Five product platform during the first half of fiscal 2004. Currently, we do not expect to capitalize software development costs during fiscal 2007.

Capitalized software development costs totaled approximately $2.8 million for fiscal 2004 and are consistent with the timing of the Seven.Five product platform development program.

During January 2006, Spirent acquired 100 percent of the outstanding shares of SwissQual, including our 18 percent ownership interest, for consideration totaling up to approximately $71.3 million. Approximately $37.6 million in cash was paid at the close of the transaction, which is net of $2.5 million of transaction costs, with an additional $9.1 million put into escrow to secure certain indemnification obligations. The escrowed consideration is expected to be released within 24 months of the close. In addition, up to $22.1 million in contingent consideration may be paid within 24 months upon satisfaction of certain performance and other requirements. Upon the closing of the transaction, we received approximately $6.8 million of the closing consideration, which is net of $0.5 million of transaction costs, for our 18 percent ownership interest in SwissQual and may receive up to an additional $5.4 million of any escrow distribution and contingent consideration. During January 2006, we recorded a gain on sale of investment totaling $6.1 million, which was based on the cash consideration we received. Due to uncertainty as to timing and amount of any escrow distribution and contingent consideration, we expect to record an additional gain when the contingencies have lapsed and the funds are probable of receipt.

Prior to the acquisition, SwissQual declared and paid a dividend to the then current shareholders. During January 2006, we recorded the approximately $0.4 million dividend declared as a reduction in the cost basis of our investment in SwissQual. Additionally, during December 2005, we sold rights to software to SwissQual for approximately $0.5 million. At the time of the sale, such software rights had an unamortized book value of approximately $0.2 million. Accordingly, we recorded a gain on sale of the intangible asset totaling approximately $0.3 million.

The gain on sale of investment in SwissQual and intangible asset is comprised of the following (in thousands):

 

           Total Gain

Sale of investment in SwissQual:

    

Cash proceeds

   $ 6,774    

Less: Cost basis

     (1,073 )  

 Dividend declared (before withholding)

     420    
          

Gain on sale of investment in SwissQual

     $ 6,121

Sale of intangible asset:

    

Cash proceeds

     550    

Less: Cost basis

     (233 )  
          

Gain on sale of intangible asset

       317
        

Gain on sale of investment in SwissQual and intangible asset

     $ 6,438
        

 

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Table of Contents

Emergency Call Box Systems

 

     Years Ended January 31,     2006 over
2005
% Change
    2005 over
2004
% Change
 
     2006     2005     2004      
     (In thousands)              
          % of
Revenue
         % of
Revenue
         % of
Revenue
             

Revenue:

                   

Products

   $ 5,630    56 %   $ 1,896    29 %   $ 1,945    28 %   197 %   (3 %)

Services

     4,411    44 %     4,699    71 %     5,019    72 %   (6 %)   (6 %)
                                           
   $ 10,041    100 %   $ 6,595    100 %   $ 6,964    100 %   52 %   (5 %)
                                           

Operating income

   $ 1,649      $ 591      $ 606       
                               

 

     Years Ended January 31,    2006 over
2005
% Change
    2005 over
2004
% Change
 
     2006    2005    2004     
     (In thousands)                  

Revenue:

                      

Americas:

                      

North America

   $ 10,041       $ 6,595       $ 6,962       52 %   (5 %)

Others

     —           —           —              

Europe

     —           —           2           (100 %)

Asia—Pacific

     —           —           —              
                                  
   $ 10,041       $ 6,595       $ 6,964       52 %   (5 %)
                                  

Revenue

Revenue in fiscal 2006 increased by 52 percent over fiscal 2005 due to our performance under the San Bernardino and San Diego digital upgrade contracts awarded during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005. As previously discussed, demand for digital upgrades to the existing installed base is expected to drive increased product revenue in fiscal 2007.

Revenue in fiscal 2005 decreased by 5 percent over fiscal 2004 due to both reduced product sales and services revenue. In fiscal 2004, services were provided to specific call box systems that were in addition to the scope of their respective long-term maintenance contracts. These additional services typically consist of site mitigation (wheelchair accessibility), and the removal and relocation of specific call box units. Revenue for these services tends to fluctuate from year to year.

 

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Table of Contents

Cost of Revenue and Gross Margin

 

     Years Ended January 31,     2006 over
2005
% Change
    2005 over
2004
% Change
 
     2006     2005     2004      
     (In thousands)                   
          % of
Related
Revenue
         % of
Related
Revenue
         % of
Related
Revenue
             

Cost of revenue:

                   

Products

   $ 3,357    60 %   $ 1,027    54 %   $ 1,422    73 %   227 %   (28 %)

Services

     3,090    70 %     3,413    73 %     3,113    62 %   (9 %)   10 %

Amortization—software development

     22    1 %     22          22             
                                           
     3,112    71 %     3,435    73 %     3,135    62 %   (9 %)   10 %
                                           
   $ 6,469    64 %   $ 4,462    68 %   $ 4,557    65 %   45 %   (2 %)
                               
     Years Ended January 31,     2006 over
2005
Change
    2005 over
2004
Change
 
     2006     2005     2004      
     (In thousands)              

Gross margin:

                   

Products

      40 %      46 %      27 %   (6 )   19  

Services

      29 %      27 %      38 %   2     (11 )

Combined gross margin

      36 %      32 %      35 %   4     (3 )

Cost of revenue in fiscal 2006 increased 45 percent over fiscal 2005 due to increased product sales and a charge for excess and obsolete inventory partially offset by decreased material costs in support of service revenue. As a percentage of revenue, cost of product revenue in fiscal 2006 increased by 6 percentage points to 60 percent. Fiscal 2006 cost of product revenue included a $0.3 million charge, or 6 percent of product revenue, to write down excess and obsolete inventory to its market value based on current and future market demand. There was no such charge incurred during fiscal 2005. As a percentage of revenue, cost of service revenue in fiscal 2006 decreased by 2 percentage points to 71 percent. While service revenue for fiscal 2006 decreased by approximately $0.3 million in comparison to the prior fiscal year, fiscal 2006 materials usage in support of service revenue decreased by approximately the same amount resulting in a decrease in cost of service revenue as a percentage of revenue for fiscal 2006. On a combined basis, cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue decreased by 4 percentage points to 64 percent due to increased product sales and a positive change in mix of business.

Cost of revenue in fiscal 2005 decreased 2 percent over fiscal 2004. As a percentage of revenue, cost of product revenue in fiscal 2005 decreased by 19 percentage points to 54 percent. Fiscal 2004 cost of product revenue included a $0.2 million charge in settlement of a dispute with the Los Angeles SAFE. The remainder of the decrease in fiscal 2005 cost of product revenue is attributable to higher fixed manufacturing costs as a percentage of revenue incurred during fiscal 2004 as compared to fiscal 2005. Cost of service revenue in fiscal 2005 increased 10 percent over fiscal 2004. This increase is attributable to increased material usage and field personnel costs in fiscal 2005.

 

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Table of Contents

Operating Costs and Expenses

 

    Years Ended January 31,     2006 over
2005
% Change
    2005 over
2004
% Change
 
    2006     2005     2004      
    (In thousands)                  
        % of
Revenue
        % of
Revenue
        % of
Revenue
             

Operating expenses:

               

Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding corporate overhead

  $ 339   3 %   $ 335   5 %   $ 676   10 %   1 %   (50 %)

Allocated corporate overhead

    906   9 %     587   9 %     606   9 %   54 %   (3 %)

Gross engineering and support expenses

    678   7 %     621   9 %     519   7 %   9 %   20 %
                                       
  $ 1,923   19 %   $ 1,543   23 %   $ 1,801   26 %   25 %   (14 %)
                                       

Selling, general and administrative expenses generally consist of salaries, employer paid benefits, commissions and other personnel related costs of our management, inside sales, and administrative personnel, facility and IT costs, professional fees, advertising, promotions, printed media, and travel directly attributable to our call box business.

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue decreased 5 percentage points in fiscal 2005 compared to fiscal 2004. Fiscal 2004 includes a charge for uncollectible accounts receivable and incremental legal fees attributable to the Los Angeles SAFE settlement, as compared to fiscal 2005, totaling approximately $0.2 million. The remainder of the decrease in fiscal 2005 was attributable to lower personnel costs.

See the section above entitled “Consolidated” under the caption “Operating Costs and Expenses” for a discussion of allocated corporate overhead.

Gross engineering and support expenses generally consist of salaries, employer paid benefits, and other personnel related costs of our hardware and software design engineers and testing and product support personnel, as well as facility and IT costs, professional and consulting fees, lab costs, material usages, and travel and related costs incurred in the development and support of our call box business.

Engineering and support expenses increased approximately $0.1 million, or 20 percent, in fiscal 2005 compared to fiscal 2004 driven by increased personnel and related costs.

Mobile Power Products (ChargeSource)

 

    Years Ended January 31,     2006 over
2005
% Change
    2005 over
2004
% Change
 
    2006     2005     2004      
    (In thousands)                    
          % of
Revenue
          % of
Revenue
          % of
Revenue
             

Revenue:

               

Products

  $ 12,303     100 %   $ 5,788     100 %   $ 16,151     100 %   113 %   (64 %)

Services

    —             —             —                
                                             
  $ 12,303     100 %   $ 5,788     100 %   $ 16,151     100 %   113 %   (64 %)
                                             

Operating loss

  $ (3,530 )     $ (4,366 )     $ (1,425 )      
                                 

 

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Table of Contents
     Years Ended January 31,    2006 over
2005
% Change
    2005 over
2004
% Change
 
     2006    2005    2004     
     (In thousands)             

Revenue:

                   

Americas:

                   

North America

   $ 8,822       $ 5,134       $ 14,224    72 %   (64 %)

Others

     —           —           —           

Europe

     3,392         307         1,670    1,005 %   (82 %)

Asia—Pacific

     89         347         257    (74 %)   35 %
                               
   $ 12,303       $ 5,788       $ 16,151    113 %   (64 %)
                               
     Years Ended January 31,    2006 over
2005
% Change
    2005 over
2004
% Change
 
     2006    2005    2004     
     (In thousands)             

Revenue:

                   

Kensington

   $ 11,827       $ 948       $ —      1,148 %    

Belkin

     —           641         —      (100 %)    

Targus

     —           4,131         16,151    (100 %)   (74 %)

Battery Biz

     404         —           —           

Other

     72         68         —      6 %    
                               
   $ 12,303       $ 5,788       $ 16,151    113 %   (64 %)
                               

Revenue in fiscal 2006 increased by 113 percent over fiscal 2005. This increase was primarily driven by the success of Kensington and their ability to penetrate the “Big Box” retailers and place our ChargeSource products. Kensington replaced Belkin as our exclusive distributor for the retail channels during the third quarter of fiscal 2005.

Revenue in fiscal 2005 decreased by 64 percent over fiscal 2004. This decrease is attributable to disruption in our business caused by the following initiatives:

 

    Replacing Targus and Belkin with Kensington as our exclusive distributor for the retail channels during fiscal 2005,

 

    Redesigning our entire ChargeSource product line, and

 

    Transitioning all product manufacturing to a contract manufacturer located in China.

The above initiatives were substantially completed during fiscal 2006 and are expected to enhance our competitiveness in the marketplace during fiscal 2007.

In fiscal 2004 and in cooperation with the U.S. CPSC, we announced a voluntary product safety recall of approximately 125,000 detachable plugs used on our legacy ChargeSource 70-watt universal AC power adapter. In conjunction with the product safety recall, Comarco and Targus, the exclusive distributor of the ChargeSource products at that time, entered into an agreement addressing the impact of the recall action. Accordingly, we accrued both a $3.2 million credit due to Targus reducing sales and additional recall costs of approximately $0.2 million classified in cost of revenue in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003. During the third quarter of fiscal 2004 in conjunction with the expiration of the right of return and the term of the agreement, we recognized the unused portion of the credit in the amount of $1.1 million as revenue.

 

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Cost of Revenue and Gross Margin

 

     Years Ended January 31,     2006 over
2005
% Change
    2005 over
2004
% Change
 
     2006     2005     2004      
     (In thousands)              
          % of
Revenue
         % of
Revenue
         % of
Revenue
             

Cost of revenue:

                   

Products

   $ 10,548    86 %   $ 6,163    106 %   $ 10,205    63 %   71 %   (40 %)

Amortization—software development

     —            —            —               
                                           
     10,548    86 %     6,163    106 %     10,205    63 %   71 %   (40 %)

Services

     —            —            —               
                                           
   $ 10,548    86 %   $ 6,163    106 %   $ 10,205    63 %   71 %   (40 %)
                                           
     Years Ended January 31,     2006 over
2005
Change
    2005 over
2004
Change
 
     2006     2005     2004      
     (In thousands)              

Gross margin:

                   

Products

      14 %      (6 %)      37 %   20     (43 )

Services

                        —       —    
                               
      14 %      (6 %)      37 %   20     (43 )
                               

Cost of revenue in fiscal 2006 increased 71 percent over fiscal 2005 reflecting increased product sales. Cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue decreased primarily due to increased product sales and the resulting improved absorption of fixed manufacturing costs. Cost of revenue for fiscal 2006 and 2005 included scrap and inventory charges totaling $1.3 million and $1.1 million, respectively. These charges were attributable to several factors including:

 

    Transitioning our contract manufacturer from a consignment model to turn-key;

 

    Write off of excess inventory and finished goods that were procured and manufactured based on anticipated market demand, and

 

    Write off of finished goods that were manufactured for our former distribution partners (Targus and Belkin).

While these factors are common when transitioning to contract manufacturing and to a new distribution partner, we believe that we are now in a position to mitigate these factors and better control excess and obsolete inventory. Excluding these charges, cost of revenue as a percentage of revenue in fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2005 was 75 percent and 87 percent, respectively.

Driven by decreased sales of our ChargeSource products, cost of revenue in fiscal 2005 decreased 40 percent over fiscal 2004. As a percentage of revenue, cost of revenue in fiscal 2005 increased by 43 percentage points to 106 percent. Due to the transition factors discussed above and related costs and production delays incurred during fiscal 2005 and the resulting lower sales, cost of revenue in fiscal 2005 exceeded revenue.

 

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Operating Costs and Expenses

 

     Years Ended January 31,     2006 over
2005
% Change
    2005 over
2004
% Change
 
     2006     2005     2004      
     (In thousands)              
          % of
Revenue
         % of
Revenue
         % of
Revenue
             

Operating expenses:

                   

Selling, general and administrative expenses, excluding corporate overhead

   $ 1,406    11 %   $ 1,055    18 %   $ 3,455    22 %   33 %   (69 %)

Allocated corporate overhead

     1,710    14 %     994    17 %     1,669    10 %   72 %   (40 %)

Gross engineering and support expenses

     2,169    18 %     1,942    34 %     2,247    14 %   12 %   (14 %)
                                           
   $ 5,285    43 %   $ 3,991    69 %   $ 7,371    46 %   32 %   (46 %)
                                           

Selling, general and administrative expenses generally consist of salaries, employer paid benefits, commissions and other personnel related costs of our management, sales, marketing and administrative personnel, facility and IT costs, professional fees, advertising, promotions, printed media, and travel directly attributable to our ChargeSource business. Selling, general and administrative expenses in fiscal 2006 increased by approximately $0.4 million, or 33 percent, compared to fiscal 2005. During fiscal 2005, we recovered a bad debt expense in the amount of approximately $0.3 million. No similar cost recovery was realized in fiscal 2006. Additionally, in fiscal 2006 we recorded $0.2 million in bad debt expense as a result of a voluntary mediation held on April 4, 2006 between Targus and CWT. The additional reserve recorded in fiscal 2006 brings the net receivable balance due from Targus down to $500,000, the amount Targus agreed to pay pursuant to the executed stipulated settlement agreement.

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue decreased 4 percentage points in fiscal 2005 compared to fiscal 2004. Fiscal 2005 includes approximately $0.3 million in credits for the reversal of previously established reserves for uncollectible accounts receivables which were collected. Fiscal 2004 includes approximately $1.7 million in incremental legal, settlement, and related costs, in comparison to fiscal 2005. There were no comparable costs in fiscal 2005. The remaining decrease is attributable to reserves established for uncollectible accounts receivables in fiscal 2004.

See the section above entitled “Consolidated” under the caption “Operating Costs and Expenses” for a discussion of allocated corporate overhead.

Gross engineering and support expenses generally consist of salaries, employer paid benefits, and other personnel related costs of our electrical and mechanical design engineers and testing and product support personnel, as well as facility and IT costs, professional and consulting fees, lab costs, material usages, and travel and related costs incurred in the development and support of our ChargeSource business. Engineering and support expenses increased approximately $0.2 million, or 12 percent, in fiscal 2006 compared to fiscal 2005. The increase is primarily due to the addition of engineering design resources, including employees, temporary labor, and outside design consultants, in support of our certain development programs that address the need for higher powered adapters, OEM design and performance requirements, and national and international regulatory requirements.

Engineering and support expenses decreased approximately $0.3 million, or 14 percent, in fiscal 2005 compared to fiscal 2004. The decrease is primarily due to reduced use of temporary labor and outside design consultants.

 

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Business Outlook

Our WTS business derives revenue from a limited set of customers and the timing and size of customer orders can vary greatly. As a result, WTS revenue can fluctuate from quarter to quarter. Currently, we expect WTS revenue for fiscal 2007 to range from $20 million to $24 million with a stronger second half of the year. WTS revenue for the first quarter ended April 30, 2006 is expected to range between $3.5 million and $4.0 million.

Regarding ChargeSource, we expect to continue to gain placement in retail, OEM, and other channels through its relationship with Kensington and others and launch a range of strategic new products. As a result, we expect ChargeSource revenue for fiscal 2007 to grow in comparison to the prior fiscal year and range between $16.0 million and $18.0 million. ChargeSource revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2007 is expected to range between $3.5 million and $4.0 million.

Our call box business enters fiscal 2007 with contracts to upgrade a significant portion of the installed base to digital and TTY technologies. Supported by these contracts and project awards, the emergency call box revenue for fiscal 2006 is currently expected to total approximately $18.0 million. During the first quarter of fiscal 2007, we experienced a delay in commencing work on a significant upgrade project. This project is now expected to commence in May 2006. Call box revenue for the first quarter of fiscal 2007 is expected to range between $2.5 million and $3.0 million.

Discontinued Operations

On January 6, 2004, we sold the net assets of our reporting unit EDX. This reporting unit was formerly included in the wireless test solutions segment, and has been classified as discontinued operations.

Income from discontinued operations was $596,000 for fiscal 2004, which includes income from operations of $258,000 on revenue of $1.1 million, plus an after-tax gain of $319,000 on the sale of EDX.

Additionally, during fiscal 2001, we sold our defense and commercial staffing businesses, the non-wireless businesses.

In fiscal 2005, we recorded income of $325,000 related primarily to the release of indemnification provisions provided by the terms of one of these sale transactions.

In fiscal 2006, we recorded expense of $45,000, primarily related to workers compensation expenses related to the staffing business. As of January 31, 2006, all estimated exit costs of the sale of both EDX and the non-wireless businesses have been utilized and we do not expect any discontinued operations in fiscal 2007.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The following table is a summary of our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:

 

     Years Ended January 31,  
     2006    2005     2004  
     (In thousands)  

Cash provided by (used in):

       

Operating activities

   $ 7,257    $ (1,814 )   $ (6,382 )

Investing activities

     6,487      (1,333 )     (4,426 )

Financing activities

     3      370       470  

Operating Activities

Cash provided by operating activities of $7.3 million in fiscal 2006 increased $9.1 million compared to fiscal 2005. This increase was driven by net income of $6.3 million, non-cash charges totaling $3.8 million and

 

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$1.7 million for depreciation and amortization and provisions for obsolete inventory, respectively, offset by gains totaling $6.4 million related to the sales of our investment in SwissQual and software rights. Also, a net change in operating assets and liabilities resulted in a $2.0 million increase in cash flow. Within the net change in operating assets and liabilities, increased sales resulted in an increase in accounts receivable and inventory, decreasing cash flow by $5.2 million, which was offset by a $1.7 million increase in deferred revenue and a $4.3 million increase in accrued liabilities.

Cash used in operating activities of $1.8 million in fiscal 2005 decreased $4.6 million compared to fiscal 2004. This decrease was driven by a net loss of $10.1 million, offset by non-cash charges totaling $4.5 million, $2.9 million, $1.0 million, and $0.3 million for depreciation and amortization, charges to fully reserve our deferred tax asset, provisions for obsolete inventory, and provisions for doubtful accounts, respectively, and a net change in operating assets and liabilities that resulted in a $0.5 million decrease in cash flow. Within the net change in operating assets and liabilities, decreased sales resulted in a decrease in accounts receivable and due from affiliate, increasing cash flow by $5.0 million, which was offset by a $3.3 million increase in inventory and a $1.7 million increase in deferred revenue.

Previously, we included cash flows from discontinued operations as a single amount in our consolidated statement of cash flows. In fiscal 2006, we separately disclosed the components of cash flows of discontinued operations, reconciled operating cash flows from net income rather than income from continuing operations, and restated our statements of cash flows for fiscal 2005 and 2004 to conform to the current presentation.

We increased our inventory balance in fiscal 2005 by approximately $3.3 million in support of expected demand. As discussed above, we transitioned the manufacturing of our ChargeSource products from in-house to a contract manufacturer located in China. In support of this effort, we have procured long-lead and other electrical components in accordance with our planned production plan. It is our current strategy to have our contract manufacturer build ChargeSource products under a turnkey model, whereby the contract manufacture procures all necessary components directly from our existing supply base and we simply procure the finished good from the contract manufacturer. During the first quarter of fiscal 2006, we received the first purchase orders for our component inventory, totaling approximately $0.6 million, from our contract manufacturer.

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

We purchased $0.8 million of property and equipment in fiscal 2006, compared to $1.3 million in fiscal 2005, and $1.7 million in fiscal 2004. The decreases in fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2005 are primarily due to transitioning manufacturing of our ChargeSource products from in-house to a contract manufacturer located in China. Accordingly, we no longer have requirements to acquire, upgrade, and maintain ChargeSource production equipment. Additionally, we have outsourced the design of non-critical components to our supply chain located in Asia, which has reduced our on-going investment in tooling.

The development of software is critical to our WTS products. During the first half of fiscal 2004, we completed the development of our Seven.Five product platform, which is compatible with all 2G, 2.5G, and 3G wireless technologies. During fiscal 2005 and subsequent to the completion of the development program, we transitioned into a maintenance mode. Accordingly, we capitalized no software development costs in fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2005. In fiscal 2004, we capitalized software development costs totaling $2.8 million. Currently, we do not expect to capitalize any software development in fiscal 2007 as our Seven.Five product platform is a modular solution that can be upgraded for new wireless technologies and configured for all wireless carriers irrespective of the wireless technologies deployed. In conjunction with the development and maintenance of Seven.Five, we expended $0.3 million, $0.1 million, and $0.5 million in fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, respectively, on rights to various wireless technologies.

During January 2006, we sold our 18 percent interest in SwissQual to Spirent. See the “Wireless Test Solutions” section of Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

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Prior to the acquisition by Spirent, SwissQual declared and paid a dividend to the then current shareholders. During January 2006, we recorded the approximately $0.4 million dividend declared as a reduction in the cost basis of our investment in SwissQual. As of January 31, 2006, we have received approximately $0.3 million, net of $0.1 million withheld by Swiss tax authorities and which we currently expect to be recaptured. Additionally, during December 2005, we sold rights to software to SwissQual for approximately $0.5 million. At the time of the sale, such software rights had an unamortized book value of approximately $0.2 million. Accordingly, we recorded a gain on sale of intangible assets totaling approximately $0.3 million.

During January 2004, we sold the net assets of our EDX reporting unit for $0.6 million in cash and recognized a pre-tax gain of $0.5 million.

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities was $0.4 million in fiscal 2005 and $0.5 million in fiscal 2004. In fiscal 2005 proceeds from the sales of common stock issued through employee and director stock option plans constituted all of our cash flows from financing activities. In fiscal 2004 proceeds from the sales of common stock issued through employee and director stock option plans, offset by the repurchase of our common stock, constituted all of our cash flows from financing activities.

During 1992, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program of up to 3.0 million shares of our common stock. From program inception through January 31, 2004, we repurchased approximately 2.6 million shares for an average price of $8.22 per share. During fiscal 2004, we repurchased approximately 26,000 shares in the open market for an average price of $7.61 per share. During fiscal 2006 and 2005, we had no stock repurchases.

We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalent balances will provide us sufficient funds to satisfy our cash requirements for at least the next 12 months. In addition to our cash and cash equivalent balances, we expect to derive a portion of our liquidity from our cash flows from operations. As discussed above, certain factors and events could negatively affect our cash flows from operations, including:

 

    Due to the uncertainties associated with the spending patterns of our customers and the corresponding demand for our WTS products, we have experienced and expect to continue to experience significant fluctuations in demand. Such fluctuations have caused and may continue to cause significant reductions in revenue, operating results, and cash flows.

 

    We rely exclusively on SwissQual to sell to and support customers in a very important region, Europe. Should SwissQual sales decrease or if their ability to pay for our products becomes impaired, our revenue, operating results, and cash flows would be negatively impacted. We are currently establishing a direct sales and support organization for the European region to replace SwissQual once the current reseller agreement expires. Additionally, we are exploring other potential strategic alliances that could enhance our technologies, positioning, and global footprint for sales and support. We are unsure as to what long term effect, if any, the sale of SwissQual to Spirent will have on SwissQual’s future sales of our products.

 

    In the event Kensington, the distributor of our ChargeSource products, is unable to perform under their non-cancelable commitments due to their inability to take delivery of the products and/or pay for such products in a timely manner, we would be required to establish alternative distribution channels. Such significant change would negatively impact our revenue, operating results, and cash flows.

 

    Should the contract manufacturer of our ChargeSource products become unable to manufacturer our ChargeSource products at the level currently anticipated, our operating results and cash flows would be negatively impacted.

We are focused on preserving our cash balances by continuously monitoring expenses, identifying cost savings, and investing only in those development programs and products most likely to contribute to our profitability.

 

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Contractual Obligations

In the course of our business operations, we incur certain commitments to make future payments under contracts such as operating leases and purchase orders. Payments under these contracts are summarized as follows as of January 31, 2006 (in thousands):

 

      Payments due by Period
     Less than
1 year
   1 to 3
years
   3 to 5
years
   Total

Operating lease obligations

   $ 397    $ 54    $ —      $ 451

Purchase obligations

     6,840      —        —        6,840
                           
   $ 7,237    $ 54    $ —      $ 7,291
                           

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment,” which revised SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” This statement supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (“APB No. 25”), “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” The revised statement addresses the accounting for share-based payment transactions with employees and other third parties, eliminates the ability to account for share-based compensation transactions using APB No. 25, and requires that the compensation costs relating to such transactions be recognized at fair value in the consolidated statement of operations. The revised statement is effective as of the first fiscal year beginning after June 15, 2005. We adopted the statement on February 1, 2006, as required. We have selected the modified prospective application transition method and will continue to use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of options granted. We are still studying the impact of applying the various provisions of SFAS No. 123R. However, it is expected that our expense for stock based compensation will increase.

In March 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, “Share-Based Payment” (“SAB No. 107”). SAB No. 107 provides guidance on the initial implementation of SFAS No. 123R. In particular, the statement includes guidance related to share-based payment (“SBP”) awards with non-employees, valuation methods, and selecting underlying assumptions such as expected volatility and expected term. It also gives guidance on the classification of compensation expense associated with SBP awards and accounting for the income tax effects of SBP awards upon the adoption of SFAS No. 123R. We are currently assessing the guidance provided in SAB No. 107 in connection with the implementation of SFAS No. 123R.

In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs—an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4.” SFAS No. 151 amends the guidance in ARB No. 43, Chapter 4, “Inventory Pricing,” to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage). This statement requires that those items be recognized as current-period charges. In addition, SFAS No. 151 requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. The provisions of SFAS No. 151 are effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. We are currently evaluating the effect that the adoption of SFAS No. 151 will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections.” SFAS No. 154 is a replacement of APB No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3. SFAS No. 154 provides guidance on the accounting for and reporting of accounting changes and error corrections. It establishes retrospective application as the required method for reporting a change in accounting principle. SFAS No. 154 provides guidance for determining whether retrospective application of a change in accounting principle is impracticable and for reporting a change when retrospective application is impracticable. SFAS No. 154 also addresses the reporting of a correction of an error by restating previously issued financial statements. SFAS No. 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. We will adopt this pronouncement beginning in fiscal year 2007.

 

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ITEM 7A.    QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Currency Risk

We are exposed to the risk of changes in currency exchange rates. As of January 31, 2006, we had no material accounts receivable denominated in foreign currencies. Our standard terms require customers to pay for our products and services in U.S. dollars. For those orders denominated in foreign currencies, we may limit our exposure to losses from foreign currency transactions through forward foreign exchange contracts. To date, sales denominated in foreign currencies have not been significant and we have not entered into any foreign exchange contracts.

Interest Rate Sensitivity

The primary objective of our investment activities is to preserve principal while at the same time maximizing the income we receive from our investments without significantly increasing risk. Some of the securities that we have invested in may be subject to market risk. This means that a change in prevailing interest rates may cause the principal amount of the investment to fluctuate. For example, if we hold a security that was issued with a fixed interest rate at the then-prevailing rate and the prevailing interest rate later rises, the principal amount of our investment will probably decline in value. To minimize this risk, we maintain a significant portion of our cash balances in money market funds. In general, money market funds are not subject to interest rate risk because the interest paid on such funds fluctuates with the prevailing interest rate.

We do not hold any derivative financial instruments.

Our cash and cash equivalents have maturities dates of three months or less and the fair value approximates the carrying value in our financial statements.

Equity Price Risk

Our short-term investments consist of balances maintained in a non-qualified deferred compensation plan funded by our executives and directors. We value these investments using the closing market value for the last day of each month. These investments are subject to market price volatility. We reflect these investments on our balance sheet at their market value, with the unrealized gains and losses reflected as adjustments to both short-term investments and the deferred compensation liability. We have also invested in equity instruments of SwissQual, a privately held company. As previously discussed, we sold our 18 percent interest in SwissQual to Spirent in January 2006.

Due to the inherent risk associated with some of our investments, and in light of current stock market conditions, we may incur future losses on the sales, write-downs, or write-offs of our investments. We do not currently hedge against equity price changes.

 

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ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

     Page

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm—BDO Seidman, LLP

   46

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm—KPMG LLP

   47

Financial Statements:

  

Consolidated Balance Sheets, January 31, 2006 and 2005

   48

Consolidated Statements of Operations, Years Ended January 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004

   49

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, Years Ended January 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004

   50

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, Years Ended January 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004

   51

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

   52

Schedule II—Valuation and Qualifying Accounts, Years Ended January 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004

   82

All other schedules are omitted because the required information is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule or because the information required is included in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Board of Directors and Stockholders

Comarco, Inc.

Irvine, California:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Comarco, Inc. as of January 31, 2006 and January 31, 2005, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended January 31, 2006. We have also audited the fiscal 2006 and 2005 information in the schedule listed in the accompanying index. These consolidated financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and schedule based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements and schedule are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits include consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and schedule, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements and schedule. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of Comarco, Inc. at January 31, 2006 and 2005, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in the two-year period ended January 31, 2006, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Also, in our opinion, the fiscal 2006 and 2005 information in the schedule presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

/s/ BDO Seidman, LLP        

Costa Mesa, California

March 31, 2006

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors and Stockholders

Comarco, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows of Comarco, Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended January 31, 2004. In connection with our audit of the consolidated financial statements, we also have audited the financial statement schedule of valuation and qualifying accounts for the year ended January 31, 2004. These consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audit.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and the cash flows of Comarco, Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended January 31, 2004, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Costa Mesa, California

May 9, 2004, except as to Note 20,

which is as of May 11, 2005

 

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COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share data)

 

     January 31,
     2006    2005
ASSETS      

Current Assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 26,017    $ 12,270

Short-term investments

     1,166      1,598

Accounts receivable, net of reserves of $78 and $551

     9,285      4,575

Accounts receivable subject to litigation, net of reserves of $480 and $280

     500      701

Amounts due from affiliate

     —        1,100

Inventory, net of reserves of $1,910 and $2,212

     8,749      8,448

Other current assets

     423      817
             

Total current assets

     46,140      29,509

Property and equipment, net

     1,595      2,154

Software development costs, net

     1,361      3,543

Acquired intangible assets, net

     1,257      1,495

Goodwill

     2,394      2,394

Other assets

     58      1,131
             
   $ 52,805    $ 40,226
             
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY      

Current Liabilities:

     

Accounts payable

   $ 727    $ 101

Deferred revenue

     5,480      3,747

Deferred compensation

     1,166      1,598

Accrued liabilities

     9,324      5,006
             

Total current liabilities

     16,697      10,452
             

Commitments and Contingencies

     

Stockholders’ Equity:

     

Preferred stock, no par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; no shares issued or outstanding at January 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively

     —        —  

Common stock, $0.10 par value, 50,625,000 shares authorized; 7,422,542 and 7,422,042 shares issued and outstanding at January 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively

     742      742

Additional paid-in capital

     14,054      14,051

Retained earnings

     21,312      14,981
             

Total stockholders’ equity

     36,108      29,774
             
   $ 52,805    $ 40,226
             

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

 

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COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

     Years Ended January 31,  
     2006     2005     2004  

Revenue:

      

Products

   $ 42,260     $ 24,159     $ 29,208  

Services

     4,618       5,064       5,057  
                        
     46,878       29,223       34,265  
                        

Cost of revenue:

      

Products

     26,727       17,445       18,591  

Services

     3,185       3,463       3,135  
                        
     29,912       20,908       21,726  
                        

Gross profit

     16,966       8,315       12,539  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     9,490       9,001       9,848  

Engineering and support expenses

     7,682       7,521       5,812  
                        

Operating loss

     (206 )     (8,207 )     (3,121 )

Other income, net

     345       180       237  

Gain on sale of investment in SwissQual and intangible asset

     6,438       —         —    

Minority interest in loss of subsidiary

     —         72       34  
                        

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and discontinued operations

     6,577       (7,955 )     (2,850 )

Income tax expense (benefit)

     201       2,426       (1,008 )
                        

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     6,376       (10,381 )     (1,842 )

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax expense of $0, $0, and $342

     (45 )     325       596  
                        

Net income (loss)

   $ 6,331     $ (10,056 )   $ (1,246 )
                        

Basic and diluted income (loss) per share:

      

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 0.86     $ (1.41 )   $ (0.26 )

Discontinued operations

     (0.01 )     0.04       0.09  
                        

Net income (loss)

   $ 0.85     $ (1.37 )   $ (0.17 )
                        

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

 

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COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands, except share data)

 

     Common
Stock Par
Value
    Additional
Paid-in
Capital
    Retained
Earnings
    Total  

Balance at January 31, 2003, 7,049,565 shares

   $ 705     $ 11,198     $ 26,283     $ 38,186  

Net loss

     —         —         (1,246 )     (1,246 )

Exercise of stock options, 71,250 shares

     7       299       —         306  

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options

     —         348       —         348  

Purchase and retirement of common stock, 25,640 shares

     (3 )     (192 )     —         (195 )

Minority interest resulting from exercise of subsidiary options

     —         (1 )     —         (1 )

Issuance of common stock to acquire subsidiary minority interest, 189,199 shares

     19       1,474       —         1,493  
                                

Balance at January 31, 2004, 7,284,374 shares

     728       13,126       25,037       38,891  

Net loss

     —         —         (10,056 )     (10,056 )

Exercise of stock options, 45,000 shares

     5       236       —         241  

Minority interest resulting from exercise of subsidiary options

     —         (6 )     —         (6 )

Issuance of common stock to acquire subsidiary minority interest, 92,668 shares

     9       695       —         704  
                                

Balance at January 31, 2005, 7,422,042 shares

     742       14,051       14,981       29,774  

Net income

     —         —         6,331       6,331  

Exercise of stock options, 500 shares

     —         3       —         3  
                                

Balance at January 31, 2006, 7,422,542 shares

   $ 742     $ 14,054     $ 21,312     $ 36,108  
                                

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

 

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COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

     Years Ended January 31,  
     2006     2005     2004  
           (Restated)
(See Note 5)
    (Restated)
(See Note 5)
 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

      

Net income (loss)

   $ 6,331     $ (10,056 )   $ (1,246 )

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

      

Depreciation and amortization

     3,828       4,525       5,190  

Gain on sale of investment in SwissQual

     (6,122 )     —         —    

Gain on sale of software development

     (317 )     —         —    

Loss on disposal of property and equipment

     28       152       58  

Tax benefit from exercise of stock options

     —         —         348  

Deferred income taxes

     —         2,876       (1,005 )

Provision (benefit) for doubtful accounts receivable

     (273 )     267       559  

Provision (benefit) for obsolete inventory

     1,748       960       (344 )

Gain on sale of EDX business, net of tax

     —         —         (319 )

Operating cash flows provided by (used in) discontinued operations

     —         —         (253 )

Minority interest in earnings of subsidiary

     —         (72 )     (34 )

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

      

Accounts receivable

     (3,136 )     3,439       (8,347 )

Amounts due from affiliate

     —         1,527       (1,954 )

Inventory

     (2,048 )     (3,258 )     (2,150 )

Other assets

     541       (216 )     438  

Accounts payable

     626       (436 )     230  

Deferred revenue

     1,733       (1,729 )     1,829  

Accrued liabilities

     4,318       207       618  
                        

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     7,257       (1,814 )     (6,382 )
                        

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

      

Purchases of property and equipment

     (832 )     (1,288 )     (1,749 )

Proceeds from sales of property and equipment

     5       57       12  

Proceeds from sale of investment in SwissQual

     6,774       —         —    

Proceeds from SwissQual dividend, net

     273       —         —    

Proceeds from sale of capitalized software

     550       —         —    

Software development costs

     —         —         (2,769 )

Acquired intangible assets

     (283 )     (102 )     (520 )

Cash received from sale of business—discontinued operations

     —         —         600  
                        

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     6,487       (1,333 )     (4,426 )
                        

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

      

Net proceeds from issuance of common stock

     3       241       306  

Proceeds from issuance of subsidiary common stock

     —         129       359  

Purchase and retirement of common stock

     —         —         (195 )
                        

Net cash provided by financing activities

     3       370       470  
                        

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     13,747       (2,777 )     (10,338 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     12,270       15,047       25,385  
                        

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 26,017     $ 12,270     $ 15,047  
                        

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

 

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COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. Organization

Comarco, Inc., through its subsidiary Comarco Wireless Technologies, Inc. (collectively, “Comarco” or the “Company”), is a leading provider of wireless test solutions for the wireless industry. Comarco also designs, manufactures, and maintains emergency call box systems and designs mobile power products for notebook computers, cellular telephones, PDAs, and other handheld devices. The Company’s operations consist solely of the operations of Comarco Wireless Technologies, Inc. (“CWT”), which was incorporated in the State of Delaware in September 1993.

 

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements of the Company include the accounts of Comarco, Inc. and CWT. All material intercompany balances, transactions, and profits have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the years reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

Certain accounting principles require subjective and complex judgments to be used in the preparation of financial statements. Accordingly, a different financial presentation could result depending on the judgments, estimates, or assumptions that are used. Such estimates and assumptions include, but are not specifically limited to, those required in the valuation of long-lived assets, allowance for doubtful accounts, reserves for inventory obsolescence, and valuation allowances for deferred tax assets.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from product sales is recognized upon shipment of products provided there are no uncertainties regarding customer acceptance, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collectibility is probable. The Company’s wireless test solutions products are integrated with embedded software. Accordingly, the Company’s revenue is recognized using the residual method pursuant to the requirements of Statement of Position No. 97-2, “Software Revenue Recognition,” and other applicable revenue recognition guidance and interpretations. Under the residual method, revenue is allocated to the undelivered element, typically maintenance, based on its respective fair value, with the fair value determined by the price charged when that element is sold separately. The revenue allocated to the maintenance element is amortized to revenue evenly over the term of the maintenance commitment made at the time of the sale. The costs associated with honoring the maintenance commitment are charged to expense as incurred. The revenue attributable to the delivered product is the residual amount after subtracting the revenue allocated to the undelivered element from the sales price. The revenue attributable to the delivered product is recognized following the policy for product sales described above.

Revenue from services is recognized as the services are performed. Maintenance revenue from extended warranty sales is deferred and recognized ratably over the term of the maintenance agreement.

 

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COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

All highly liquid investments with remaining maturity dates of three months or less when acquired are classified as cash and cash equivalents. The fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximates the amounts shown in the financial statements. Cash and cash equivalents are generally maintained in uninsured accounts.

Short-Term Investments

Short-term investments consist of balances maintained in a non-qualified deferred compensation plan funded by Company executives and directors. These investments are tradable at the discretion of the funding executives and directors and are subject to claims by the Company’s general creditors. Accordingly, these investments are classified as trading securities. Trading securities are recorded at market value based on current market quotes and totaled $1.2 million and $1.6 million as of January 31, 2006 and 2005, respectively. Unrealized holding gains on these short-term investments recorded for the years ended January 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004, were $54,000, $100,000, and $812,000, respectively, and are reflected as adjustments to both short-term investments and the deferred compensation liability.

Inventory

Inventory is valued at the lower of cost (calculated on average cost, which approximates first-in, first-out basis) or market value.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Additions, improvements, and major renewals are capitalized; maintenance, repairs, and minor renewals are expensed as incurred. Depreciation and amortization is calculated on a straight-line basis over the expected useful lives of the property and equipment. The expected useful lives of office furnishings and fixtures are five to seven years, and of equipment and purchased software are two to five years.

Research and Development and Software Development Costs

Research and development costs are charged to expense as incurred and are included in engineering and support costs. Costs incurred for the development of software embedded in the Company’s wireless test solutions products that will be sold are capitalized when technological feasibility has been established. Technological feasibility is generally demonstrated by the completion of a working model. These capitalized costs are subject to an ongoing assessment of recoverability based on anticipated future revenue and changes in hardware and software technologies. Costs that are capitalized include direct labor and related overhead.

Amortization of software development costs begins when the product is available for general release. Amortization is provided on a product-by-product basis on the shorter of the straight-line method over periods ranging from two to five years or the sales ratio method that is based on expected unit sales and the estimated life of the product. Unamortized software development costs determined to be in excess of net realizable value of the related product is expensed immediately.

Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets

Goodwill, which represents the excess of purchase price over fair value of net assets acquired in a business combination, is recorded at cost.

 

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COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Effective February 1, 2002, the Company implemented SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” SFAS No. 142 established new standards for goodwill acquired in a business combination, eliminated amortization of goodwill, and set forth methods for periodically evaluating goodwill for impairment. Under SFAS No. 142, goodwill impairment is deemed to exist if the net book value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value generally determined using a discounted cash flow methodology applied to the particular unit. This methodology differs from the Company’s previous policy, in accordance with accounting standards existing at that time, of using undiscounted cash flows on an enterprise-wide basis under SFAS No. 121, “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of” to determine recoverability. An annual impairment review is performed during the fourth quarter of each year. At January 31, 2006, we identified no impairment.

Long-Lived Assets

In accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” the Company evaluates long-lived assets, including intangible assets other than goodwill, for impairment when indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are less than the assets’ carrying amounts. Factors considered important which could trigger an impairment review include, but are not limited to, significant underperformance relative to expected historical or projected future operating results, significant changes in the manner of use of the assets or the strategy for the Company’s overall business, and significant negative industry or economic trends. If such assets are identified to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is the amount by which the carrying value of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.

Assets to be disposed of are separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated.

Investment in SwissQual

On July 31, 2001, the Company acquired an 18 percent equity stake in SwissQual for $1.0 million in cash. Based in Zuchwil, Switzerland, SwissQual is a developer of voice quality systems and software for measuring, monitoring, and optimizing the quality of mobile, fixed, and IP-based voice and data communications. On January 24, 2006, the Company sold its 18 percent minority interest in SwissQual (see Note 4). This investment was accounted for under the cost method and was included in other assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of January 31, 2005.

Income Taxes

As part of the process of preparing its consolidated financial statements the Company is required to estimate its provision for income taxes in each of the tax jurisdictions in which it conducts business. This process involves estimating the Company’s actual current tax expense in conjunction with the evaluation and measurement of temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of certain items for tax and accounting purposes. These temporary timing differences result in the establishment of deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are recorded on a net basis and included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. On a periodic basis, the Company assesses the probability that its net deferred tax assets, if any, will be recovered. If after evaluating all of the positive and negative evidence, a conclusion is made that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be recovered, a valuation allowance is provided with a corresponding charge to tax expense to reserve the portion of the deferred tax assets which are estimated to be more likely than not to be realized.

Significant management judgment is required in determining the Company’s provision for income taxes, its deferred tax assets and liabilities, and any required valuation allowance. During the second quarter of fiscal 2005,

 

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COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

as a result of incurring cumulative losses for a three-year period, the Company established a valuation allowance totaling approximately $2.9 million, or the entire deferred tax asset balance existing as of the beginning of fiscal 2005, as reclassified. The Company reclassified $807,000 of reserves relating to research and experimentation credits included in the current taxes receivable as of January 31, 2004 to the net deferred tax asset upon the determination that it was more likely than not that the benefit of $807,000 would not be realized. In addition, a full valuation allowance has been provided on all net deferred tax asset additions during fiscal 2005, resulting in a fully reserved net tax asset. This valuation allowance was established based on management’s overall assessment of risks and uncertainties related to the Company’s future ability to realize, and hence, utilize certain deferred tax assets, primarily consisting of net operating losses, carry forward temporary differences and future tax deductions resulting from certain types of stock option exercises. Due to the losses of the third and fourth quarters of fiscal 2005, the adjusted net deferred tax assets remain fully reserved as of January 31, 2005.

In the third quarter of fiscal 2005, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $446,000 due to the generation of refund claims created upon completion of fiscal 2004 corporate tax returns in the third quarter of fiscal 2005.

During fiscal 2006, the Company recorded net income of $6.3 million and utilized approximately $2.8 million of its net operating loss carryforwards. The remaining net deferred tax asset of $3.5 million at January 31, 2006, continues to be fully reserved.

Warranty Costs

The Company provides limited warranties for new call box sales for a period of 90 days and ChargeSource products for a period generally not to exceed 15 months. The Company accrues for the estimated cost of warranties at the time revenue is recognized. The accrual is a fixed rate which is consistent with the Company’s actual claim experience. Should actual warranty claim rates differ from our estimates, revisions to the liability would be required.

The Company generally provides a one year warranty for wireless test solutions products. As discussed above, the revenue allocated to maintenance is amortized to revenue evenly over the term of the maintenance commitment made at the time of the sale. The costs associated with honoring the maintenance commitment are charged to expense as incurred.

Minority Interest

During the years ended January 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company issued 0 shares and 30,000 shares of CWT stock, respectively, from the exercise of CWT stock options, which resulted in the creation of a minority interest. The option holder is required to hold the CWT stock purchased from the exercise of the stock options for at least six months.

In 2005, the Company acquired 66,000 minority shares of CWT by the issuance of 92,668 shares of Company common stock.

In 2004, the Company acquired 130,000 minority shares of CWT by the issuance of 189,199 shares of Company common stock.

Under the purchase method of accounting, the excess purchase price of $0 and $456,000 during fiscal 2006 and 2005, respectively, of the minority interest in CWT over the fair value of the proportionate share of the identifiable net assets of CWT has been recognized as definite-lived intangible assets attributable to intellectual property rights.

 

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COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Concentrations of Credit Risk

The Company’s cash and cash equivalents are principally on deposit in a non-insured short-term asset management account at a large financial institution. Accounts receivable potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk. The Company’s customer base is comprised primarily of large companies (see Note 6). The Company generally does not require collateral for accounts receivable. When required, the Company maintains allowances for credit losses, and to date such losses have been within management’s expectations. Once a specific account receivable has been reserved for as potentially uncollectible, our policy is to continue to pursue collections for a period of up to one year prior to recording a receivable write-off.

Segment Reporting

The Company follows SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information,” which establishes standards for the manner in which public companies report information about operating segments in annual and interim financial statements. It also establishes standards for related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas, and major customers. The method for determining what information to report is based on the way management organizes the operating segments within a company for making operating decisions and assessing financial performances. The Company organizes its segment reporting on the basis of product/service type.

In fiscal 2004 the Company reported its revenues in two segments: wireless test solutions and wireless applications. In fiscal 2005 the Company increased the number of segments to three by separating the wireless applications segment into two separate segments, call box and mobile power products, to conform to how the chief operating decision-maker now reviews the business and to conform to current internal financial reporting. Segment information for prior years has been restated to conform to the current year presentation.

The Company’s chief executive officer (“CEO”) is its chief operating decision-maker. The financial information that the CEO reviews to manage and evaluate the business and allocate resources is similar to the information presented in the accompanying consolidated statements of income focusing on revenues and gross profit for each segment. The Company operates in three business segments: wireless test solutions, call box, and mobile power products.

Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period excluding the dilutive effect of potential common stock, which consists of stock options. Diluted earnings per share gives effect to all dilutive potential common stock outstanding during the period. The effect of such potential common stock is computed using the treasury stock method.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company grants stock options for a fixed number of shares to employees with an exercise price equal to the fair value of the shares at the date of grant. The Company accounts for stock option grants using the intrinsic method in accordance with Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” and related interpretations in accounting for its stock-based compensation plans. The Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” Accordingly, no compensation expense is recognized for the stock option grants. Had compensation cost for the Company’s stock option plans been determined based on the fair value at the grant date for awards during the

 

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COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

years ended January 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 consistent with the provisions of SFAS No. 123, the Company’s net income (loss), basic income (loss) per share, and diluted income (loss) per share would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts as follows:

 

     Years Ended January 31,  
     2006     2005     2004  

Net income (loss):

      

As reported

   $ 6,331     $ (10,056 )   $ (1,246 )

Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects

     (275 )     (472 )     (632 )
                        

Pro forma

   $ 6,056     $ (10,528 )   $ (1,878 )
                        

Income (loss) per common share—basic:

      

As reported

   $ 0.85     $ (1.37 )   $ (0.17 )

Pro forma

     0.82       (1.44 )     (0.26 )

Income (loss) per common share—diluted:

      

As reported

   $ 0.85     $ (1.37 )   $ (0.17 )

Pro forma

     0.82       (1.44 )     (0.26 )

The per share weighted-average fair value of employee and director stock options granted during the years ended January 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 was $4.23, $4.08, and $3.62, respectively, on the date of grant using the Black Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

 

     Years Ended January 31,
     2006    2005    2004

Expected dividend yield

   0.0%    0.0%    0.0%

Expected volatility

   50.1%    46.9%    46.2%

Risk-free interest rate

   3.8%    3.8%    3.0%

Expected life

   6 years    6 years    6 years

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments have been determined using available market information. The estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts the Company could realize in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and/or estimation methodologies may have an effect on the estimated fair value amounts. The fair value of current financial assets, current liabilities, and other assets are estimated to be equal to their carrying amounts.

Reclassifications

Certain prior period balances have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.

Comprehensive Income

SFAS No. 130, “Reporting Comprehensive Income,” requires additional disclosures in the consolidated financial statements to reflect net unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities, net of income tax. The Company had no unrealized gains (losses) on available for sale securities and therefore there was no difference between net income (loss) and comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended January 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004.

 

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COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

3. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment,” which revised SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation.” This statement supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 (“APB No. 25”), “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees.” The revised statement addresses the accounting for share-based payment transactions with employees and other third parties, eliminates the ability to account for share-based compensation transactions using APB No. 25, and requires that the compensation costs relating to such transactions be recognized at fair value in the consolidated statement of operations. The revised statement is effective as of the first fiscal year beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company adopted the statement on February 1, 2006 as required. The Company has selected the modified prospective application transition method and will continue to use the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of options granted. The Company is still studying the impact of applying the various provisions of SFAS No. 123R. However, it is expected that the Company’s expense for stock based compensation will increase.

In March 2005, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, “Share-Based Payment” (“SAB No. 107”). SAB No. 107 provides guidance on the initial implementation of SFAS No. 123R. In particular, the statement includes guidance related to share-based payment (“SBP”) awards with non-employees, valuation methods, and selecting underlying assumptions such as expected volatility and expected term. It also gives guidance on the classification of compensation expense associated with SBP awards and accounting for the income tax effects of SBP awards upon the adoption of SFAS No. 123R. The Company is currently assessing the guidance provided in SAB No. 107 in connection with the implementation of SFAS No. 123R.

In November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, “Inventory Costs—an amendment of ARB No. 43, Chapter 4.” SFAS No. 151 amends the guidance in ARB No. 43, Chapter 4, “Inventory Pricing,” to clarify the accounting for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight, handling costs, and wasted material (spoilage). This statement requires that those items be recognized as current-period charges. In addition, SFAS No. 151 requires that allocation of fixed production overheads to the costs of conversion be based on the normal capacity of the production facilities. The provisions of SFAS No. 151 are effective for inventory costs incurred during fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company is currently evaluating the effect that the adoption of SFAS No. 151 will have on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, “Accounting Changes and Error Corrections.” SFAS No. 154 is a replacement of APB No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3. SFAS No. 154 provides guidance on the accounting for and reporting of accounting changes and error corrections. It establishes retrospective application as the required method for reporting a change in accounting principle. SFAS No. 154 provides guidance for determining whether retrospective application of a change in accounting principle is impracticable and for reporting a change when retrospective application is impracticable. SFAS No. 154 also addresses the reporting of a correction of an error by restating previously issued financial statements. SFAS No. 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. The Company will adopt this pronouncement beginning in fiscal year 2007.

 

4. Gain on Sale of Investment in SwissQual and Intangible Asset

During fiscal 2002, the Company purchased an 18 percent equity stake in Switzerland based SwissQual AG (“SwissQual”) for approximately $1.1 million. SwissQual is a developer of quality of service systems and software for measuring, monitoring, and optimizing the quality of mobile, fixed, and IP-based voice and data communications. Under this alliance, SwissQual is responsible for reselling and supporting Comarco’s co-branded Seven.Five products in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa (the Company’s “European”

 

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region). The Company has a revenue sharing agreement in place that determines how much revenue Comarco earns from SwissQual sales and, conversely, how much revenue SwissQual earns from the Company’s sales to customers located outside the European region.

During January 2006, Spirent plc (“Spirent”) acquired 100 percent of the outstanding shares of SwissQual for consideration totaling up to approximately $71.3 million. Approximately $37.6 million in cash was paid at the close of the transaction, which is net of $2.5 million of transaction costs, with an additional $9.1 million put into escrow to secure certain indemnification obligations. The escrowed consideration is expected to be released within 24 months of the close. In addition, up to $22.1 million in contingent consideration may be paid within 24 months upon satisfaction of certain performance and other requirements. Upon the closing of the transaction, the Company received approximately $6.8 million of the closing consideration, which is net of $0.5 million of transaction costs, for its 18 percent ownership interest in SwissQual and may receive up to an additional $5.4 million of any escrow distribution and contingent consideration. During January 31, 2006, the Company recorded a gain on sale of investment totaling $6.1 million, which was based on cash consideration received by the Company. Due to uncertainty as to timing and amount of any escrow distribution and contingent consideration, the Company expects to record an additional gain as the contingency lapses and the funds are probable of receipt.

Prior to the acquisition, SwissQual declared and paid a dividend to the then current shareholders. During January 2006, Comarco recorded the approximately $0.4 million dividend declared as a reduction in the cost basis of the Company’s investment in SwissQual. Additionally, during December 2005, the Company sold rights to software to SwissQual for approximately $0.5 million. At the time of the sale, such software rights had an unamortized book value of approximately $0.2 million. Accordingly, the Company recorded a gain on sale of the intangible asset totaling approximately $0.3 million.

The gain on sale of investment in SwissQual and intangible asset is comprised of the following (in thousands):

 

           Total Gain

Sale of investment in SwissQual:

    

Cash proceeds

   $ 6,774    

Less: Cost basis

     (1,073 )  

 Dividend declared

     420    
          

Gain on sale of investment

     $ 6,121

Sale of intangible asset:

    

Cash proceeds

     550    

Less: Cost basis

     (233 )  
          

Gain on sale of intangible asset

       317
        

Gain on sale of investment in SwissQual and intangible asset

     $ 6,438
        

 

5. Discontinued Operations

On January 6, 2004, Comarco sold the assets of the reporting unit EDX. This reporting unit was formerly included in the wireless test solutions segment. Gross proceeds from the sale totaled $600,000.

Additionally, during fiscal 2001, the Company sold its defense and commercial staffing businesses, the non-wireless businesses. Adjustments made to the estimated exit costs of these businesses are recorded as discontinued operations.

 

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Following is summarized financial information for the discontinued operations (in thousands):

 

     Years Ended January 31,
     2006     2005    2004

Revenue

   $ —       $ —      $ 1,068
                     

Income from discontinued operations of EDX (net of income tax expense (benefit) of $0, $0, and $148, respectively)

   $ —       $ —      $ 258

Income (loss) from discontinued operations of non-wireless businesses (net of income tax expense of $0, $0, and $11, respectively)

     (45 )     325      19

Gain on disposal of EDX business (net of income tax expense of $0, $0, and $183, respectively)

     —         —        319
                     

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

   $ (45 )   $ 325    $ 596
                     

Previously, the Company included cash flows from discontinued operations as a single amount in its consolidated statement of cash flows. In fiscal 2006, the Company separately disclosed the components of cash flows of discontinued operations, reconciled operating cash flows from net income rather than income from continuing operations, and restated its statement of cash flows for fiscal 2005 and 2004 to conform to the current presentation.

 

6. Customer Concentrations

A significant portion of the Company’s revenue is derived from a limited number of customers. The customers providing 10 percent or more of the company’s revenue for the years ended January 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 are listed below.

 

     Years Ended January 31,  
     2006     2005     2004  

Total revenue

   $ 46,878    100 %   $ 29,223    100 %   $ 34,265    100 %

Customer concentration:

               

Verizon Wireless

     11,885    25 %     —            —       

Kensington Technology Group

     11,827    25 %     —            —       

SwissQual

     8,788    19 %     6,564    22 %     —       

Targus, Inc.  

     —            4,131    14 %     16,151    47 %

TIM Cellular, S.A.  

     —            4,305    15 %     —       
                                       
   $ 32,500    69 %   $ 15,000    51 %   $ 16,151    47 %
                                       

During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003, the Company recognized a credit to one of its customers in the amount of $3.2 million, applied as a reduction of receivables and revenue. The credit was issued to our ChargeSource product line distributor in conjunction with a voluntary product safety recall of our 70-watt AC power adapters.

During the third quarter of fiscal 2004, the remaining $1.1 million unused credit was recognized as revenue upon the expiration of the right of return in accordance with the recall agreement with Targus Group International.

 

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The customers comprising 10 percent or more of the Company’s gross accounts receivable as of January 31, 2006 and 2005 are listed below.

 

     Years Ended January 31,  
     2006     2005  

Total gross accounts receivable

   $ 9,363    100 %   $ 5,126    100 %

Customer concentration:

          

SwissQual

     2,335    25 %     —       

Kensington Technology Group

     3,292    35 %     763    15 %

TIM Cellular, S.A.  

     —            2,128    41 %

Targus, Inc.

     —            —       
                          
   $ 5,627    60 %   $ 2,891    56 %
                          

The receivables due from SwissQual were classified as amounts due from affiliate in the consolidated balance sheets as of January 31, 2005.

 

7. Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable consist of the following (in thousands):

 

     January 31,  
     2006     2005  

Trade accounts receivable

   $ 9,363     $ 5,126  

Less: Allowances for doubtful accounts

     (78 )     (551 )
                
   $ 9,285     $ 4,575  
                

 

8. Inventory

Inventory, net of reserves, consists of the following (in thousands):

 

     January 31,
     2006    2005

Raw materials

   $ 4,359    $ 5,186

Work-in-process

     915      471

Finished goods

     3,475      2,791
             
   $ 8,749    $ 8,448
             

 

9. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consist of the following (in thousands):

 

     January 31,  
     2006     2005  

Office furnishings and fixtures

   $ 1,677     $ 1,677  

Equipment

     8,683       8,323  

Purchased software

     369       320  
                
     10,729       10,320  

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (9,134 )     (8,166 )
                
   $ 1,595     $ 2,154  
                

 

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During fiscal 2006, equipment with a cost basis of $360,000 and accumulated depreciation of $340,000 was retired upon completion of fixed asset physical inventory observations.

During fiscal 2005, equipment and purchased software with a cost basis of $862,000 and $85,000, respectively, and accumulated depreciation of $842,000 and $84,000, respectively, were retired upon completion of fixed asset physical inventory observations.

 

10. Software Development Costs

Software development costs consist of the following (in thousands):

 

     January 31,  
     2006     2005  

Capitalized software development costs

   $ 8,444     $ 8,978  

Less: Accumulated amortization

     (7,083 )     (5,435 )
                
   $ 1,361     $ 3,543  
                

Capitalized software development costs for the years ended January 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 totaled $0, $0, and $2.8 million, respectively. In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, we sold capitalized NQDI software to SwissQual for $550,000 cash. The capitalized software development costs of $534,000 and accumulated amortization of $301,000 were retired upon receiving the proceeds from SwissQual. Amortization of software development costs for the years ended January 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 totaled $1.9 million, $2.0 million, and $2.8 million, respectively, and have been reported in cost of revenue in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Future amortization on a straight line basis for fiscal 2007 and 2008 is expected to be $1.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

 

11. Goodwill and Acquired Intangible Assets

Goodwill and acquired intangible assets consist of the following (in thousands):

 

     January 31,  
     2006     2005  

Goodwill

   $ 2,394     $ 2,394  
                

Acquired intangible assets:

    

Definite-lived intangible assets:

    

Software algorithms

   $ —       $ 255  

License rights

     1,355       1,073  

Intellectual property rights

     1,244       1,244  
                
     2,599       2,572  

Less: accumulated amortization

     (1,342 )     (1,077 )
                

Total acquired intangible assets, net

   $ 1,257     $ 1,495  
                

During the first quarter of fiscal 2006, fully amortized software algorithms in the amount of $255,000 were retired.

 

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The following table presents goodwill by reportable segment (in thousands):

 

     Wireless
Test Solutions
   Call Box    Mobile
Power Products
   Total

Balance as of January 31, 2005

   $ 1,898    $ 496    $ —      $ 2,394
                           

Balance as of January 31, 2006

   $ 1,898    $ 496    $ —      $ 2,394
                           

The following table presents the future expected amortization of the definite-lived intangible assets (in thousands):

 

     Amortization
Expense

Fiscal year:

  

2007

     507

2008

     225

2009

     178

2010

     178

2011

     126

Thereafter

     43
      

Total estimated amortization expense

   $ 1,257
      

The Company ceased amortizing goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets beginning February 1, 2002 upon adoption of SFAS No. 142. Amortization of definite-lived acquired intangible assets for the years ended January 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 amounted to $521,000, $550,000, and $326,000, respectively.

During fiscal 2004, the Company acquired $520,000 in license rights related to mobile phone technologies. Additionally, the Company recognized $788,000 of intellectual property rights through the purchase of 130,000 minority shares of CWT. During fiscal 2005, the Company acquired $102,000 in license rights related to mobile phone technologies. Additionally, the Company recognized $456,000 of intellectual property rights through the purchase of 66,000 minority shares of CWT. During fiscal 2006, the Company acquired $282,000 in license rights related to mobile phone technologies.

The useful lives of the license rights related to mobile phone technologies are based upon the term of the underlying agreement and range from 1 to 4 years. The useful life of the intellectual property rights acquired through the purchase of minority interests is seven years and is based upon the life of CWT’s core technology as evaluated by a qualified third party.

 

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12. Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities consist of the following (in thousands):

 

     January 31,
     2006    2005

Accrued payroll and related expenses

   $ 2,991    $ 1,838

Uninvoiced receipts

     4,237      1,963

Accrued legal and professional fees

     505      652

Accrued federal and state income taxes

     590      —  

Accrued travel expenses

     118      98

Accrued temporary labor

     27      14

Due to SwissQual

     450      103

Other

     406      338
             
   $ 9,324    $ 5,006
             

 

13. Warranty Arrangements

Standard Warranty

The Company records an accrual for estimated warranty costs as products are sold. Warranty costs are estimated based on periodic analysis of historical experience. Changes in the estimated warranty accruals are recorded when the change in estimate is identified. A summary of the standard warranty accrual activity is shown in the table below (in thousands):

 

     January 31,  
     2006     2005     2004  

Beginning balance

   $ 177     $ 282     $ 313  

Accruals for warranties issued during the period

     947       450       511  

Utilization

     (952 )     (555 )     (542 )
                        
   $ 172     $ 177     $ 282  
                        

During the first quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company made an additional warranty accrual in the amount of $0.3 million, to accrue for estimated costs related to a limited number of ChargeSource 70-watt AC adapters that may fail prematurely. The Company completed replacing all of the units returned relating to this issue in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, and eliminated the unused portion of the accrual, totaling $150,000.

Extended Warranty

Revenue for the Company’s extended warranty contracts is deferred and recognized on a straight line basis over the contract period, typically one to four years. Costs incurred under separately priced extended warranty arrangements are expensed as incurred. A summary of the extended warranty activity is shown in the table below (in thousands):

 

     January 31,  
     2006     2005     2004  

Beginning balance

   $ 1,108     $ 1,904     $ 2,265  

Recognition of revenue

     (1,023 )     (1,690 )     (2,094 )

Deferral of revenue for new contracts

     2,154       894       1,733  
                        
   $ 2,239     $ 1,108     $ 1,904  
                        

 

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14. Income Taxes

Income taxes from continuing operations consist of the following amounts (in thousands):

 

     Years Ended January 31,  
     2006    2005     2004  

Federal:

       

Current

   $ 144    $ (393 )   $ 415  

Deferred

     —        2,508       (1,049 )

State:

       

Current

     57      (57 )     417  

Deferred

     —        368       (791 )
                       
   $ 201    $ 2,426     $ (1,008 )
                       

During the years ended January 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004, the Company recognized a credit to additional paid-in capital corresponding to the reduction of income taxes payable in the amounts of $0, $0, and $348,000, respectively, as a result of the tax benefit from exercises of Company nonqualified stock options.

The effective income tax rate on loss from continuing operations differs from the United States statutory income tax rates for the reasons set forth in the table below (dollars in thousands).

 

     Years Ended January 31,  
     2006     2005     2004  
     Amount     Percent
Pretax
Income
    Amount     Percent
Pretax
Income
    Amount     Percent
Pretax
Income
 

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes and discontinued operations

   $ 6,577     100 %   $ (7,955 )   100 %   $ (2,850 )   100 %

Computed “expected” tax on loss from continuing operations before income taxes

     2,236     34.0 %     (2,705 )   (34.0 )%     (969 )   (34.0 )%

State tax, net of federal benefit

     283     4.3       (269 )   (3.4 )     (198 )   (6.9 )

Research and MIC credits

     (127 )   (1.9 )     (501 )   (6.3 )     (170 )   (6.0 )

Change in valuation allowance

     (2,742 )   (41.7 )     6,256     78.6       —        

Receivable account adjustment

     —             (446 )   (5.6 )     —        

Permanent differences

     123     1.9       —             —        

True-up of deferred tax assets

     332     5.0       —             —        

AMT taxes accrued

     201     3.1       —             —        

Other, net

     (105 )   (0.2 )     91     1.2       329     11.5  
                                          

Income tax expense (benefit)

   $ 201     3.1 %   $ 2,426     30.5 %   $ (1,008 )   (35.4 )%
                                          

The receivable account adjustment in fiscal 2005 relates to the third quarter tax benefit of $446,000 due to the generation of refund claims created upon completion of our fiscal 2004 corporate tax returns in the third quarter.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

The total income tax expense (benefit) recorded for the years ended January 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 was recorded as follows (in thousands):

 

     Years Ended January 31,  
     2006    2005    2004  

Tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations

   $ 201    $ 2,426    $ (1,008 )

Tax expense (benefit) from discontinued operations

     —        —        342  
                      
   $ 201    $ 2,426    $ (666 )
                      

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities at January 31, 2006 and 2005 are as follows (in thousands):

 

     January 31,  
     2006     2005  

Deferred tax assets:

    

Accounts receivable

   $ 144     $ 325  

Inventory

     912       947  

Property and equipment, principally due to differing depreciation methods

     —         295  

Employee benefits, principally due to accrual for financial reporting purposes

     882       978  

Accrued liabilities for financial reporting purposes

     155       80  

Research and manufacturer investment credit carryforwards

     1,282       1,257  

Net operating losses

     280       3,214  

AMT credit carryforwards

     184       —    

Sale of SwissQual—basis difference

     111       —    

Deferred revenue

     42       398  

Other

     136       147  
                

Total gross deferred tax assets

     4,128       7,641  

Less valuation allowance

     (3,514 )     (6,256 )
                

Net deferred tax assets

   $ 614     $ 1,385  
                

Deferred tax liabilities:

    

Software development costs

   $ 549     $ 1,385  

Property and equipment, principally due to differing depreciation methods

     65       —    
                

Total gross deferred tax liabilities

   $ 614     $ 1,385  
                

Net deferred tax asset

   $ —       $ —    
                

During the second quarter of fiscal 2005, as a result of incurring cumulative losses for a three-year period, the Company established a valuation allowance totaling approximately $2.9 million or the entire deferred tax asset, as reclassified. The Company reclassified $807,000 of reserves relating to research and experimentation credits included in the current taxes receivable as of January 31, 2004 to the net deferred tax asset upon the determination that it was more likely than not that the benefit of $807,000 would not be realized.

The Company has federal and state research and experimentation credit carryforwards of $830,000 and $1.2 million, which expire through 2025 and indefinitely, respectively. Additionally, for state tax purposes, the Company has a manufacturer investment credit carryforward of $15,000, which expires through 2010.

 

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In addition, the Company has federal net operating loss carryforwards of $677,000, which expire through 2025. Due to an ownership change that occurred in December 2004, the Company is subject to Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) section 382, which limits the utilization of net operating losses to $2.5 million annually.

In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income. In fiscal 2006 the valuation allowance decreased $2.8 million due to the utilization of gross federal and state net operating loss carryforwards totaling $7.1 million and $6.6 million, respectively. The Company’s IRS section 382 limitation is $9.3 million (the $2.7 million standard limitation plus recognized built-in gain attributable to its investment in SwissQual of $5.2 million and $1.4 million of built-in gain related to other intangible assets), which exceeds the federal and state net operating loss carryforwards as of January 31, 2006. There was a $3.5 million valuation allowance for deferred tax assets as of January 31, 2006, based on management’s overall assessment of risks and uncertainties related to the Company’s future ability to realize, and hence utilize, the deferred tax assets, and a $6.3 million valuation allowance as of January 31, 2005. If the valuation allowance of $3.5 million is reversed in the future, $3.4 million will benefit the provision and $0.1 million will be credited to paid-in capital.

 

15. Stock Compensation

Comarco, Inc. has stock-based compensation plans under which outside directors and certain employees receive stock options. The employee stock option plans and a director stock option plan provide that officers, key employees, and directors may be granted options to purchase up to 2,704,337 shares of common stock of the Company at not less than 100 percent of the fair market value at the date of grant, unless the optionee is a 10 percent shareholder of the Company, in which case the price must not be less than 110 percent of the fair market value. Figures for these plans reflect a 3-for-2 stock split declared during the year ended January 31, 2001.

The director stock-based compensation plan expires in December 2010 and the employee stock option plan expired during May 2005. During December 2005, the Board of Directors approved and adopted a new employee equity incentive plan (the “2005 Plan”) covering 450,000 shares of our common stock. The adoption of the 2005 Plan is subject to shareholder approval and is being put to a vote at the Company’s annual shareholders’ meeting in June 2006. Under both plans, the options are exercisable in installments determined by the compensation committee of the Company’s Board of Directors; however, no employee option may be exercised prior to one year following the grant of the option. The options expire as determined by the committee, but no later than ten years and one week after the date of grant (five years for 10 percent shareholders).

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Transactions and other information relating to these plans for the three years ended January 31, 2006 are summarized below:

 

     Outstanding Options
     Number of
Shares
    Weighted-Average
Exercise Price

Balance, January 31, 2003

   850,270     $ 13.21

Options granted

   123,000       7.54

Options canceled or expired

   (97,000 )     16.14

Options exercised

   (71,250 )     4.30
        

Balance, January 31, 2004

   805,020       12.77

Options granted

   135,000       8.22

Options canceled or expired

   (36,000 )     9.03

Options exercised

   (45,000 )     5.36
        

Balance, January 31, 2005

   859,020       12.60

Options granted

   42,500       8.18

Options canceled or expired

   (39,500 )     11.69

Options exercised

   (500 )     6.91
        

Balance, January 31, 2006

   861,520       12.43
        

The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at January 31, 2006:

 

     Options Outstanding    Options Exercisable

Range of

Exercise Prices

   Number
Outstanding
   Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
  Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
   Number
Exercisable
   Weighted-Average
Exercise Price

$  6.91 to  9.89

   381,500    7.1   $ 8.08    175,750    $ 8.22

  10.00 to 12.41

   115,145    3.4     11.49    125,145      11.50

  13.21 to 17.50

   222,375    6.9     14.49    222,375      14.49

  19.33 to 23.67

   142,500    4.3     21.63    142,500      21.63
                 

$  6.91 to 23.67

   861,520   

6.1 years

  $ 12.43    665,770    $ 13.80
                 

Stock options exercisable at January 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 were 665,770, 556,645, and 523,395, respectively, at weighted-average exercise prices of $13.80, $14.70, and $13.86, respectively. Shares available under the plans for future grants at January 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 were 8,125, 81,687, and 188,187, respectively. As of January 31, 2006, the shares available for future grant are under the director stock option plan.

CWT also has a subsidiary stock option plan. Under this plan, officers and key employees of CWT may be granted options to purchase up to 600,000 shares of common stock of CWT at not less than 100 percent of the fair market value at the date of grant.

As of January 31, 2006, the Company owned all of the 3,353,000 outstanding shares of CWT common stock. The fair market value of the shares and the exercise dates of the options are determined by the compensation committee of the Company’s Board of Directors; however, no option may be exercised prior to one year following the grant of the option. The options expire as determined by the compensation committee, but not later than ten years and one week after the date of grant.

 

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COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

During the years ended January 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004, no options were granted under the CWT option plan. In the year ended January 31, 2006, no options were exercised. In the year ended January 31, 2005, 30,000 options were exercised at a weighted average exercise price of $4.30 per share. In the year ended January 31, 2004, 69,000 options were exercised at a weighted-average exercise price of $5.20.

Stock options exercisable under the CWT option plan at January 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 were 4,000, 49,000, and 79,000, respectively, at weighted-average exercise prices of $16.52, $12.34, and $9.29, respectively. Shares available under the plan for future grants at January 31, 2006 were 198,000.

The following table summarizes information about CWT stock options outstanding at January 31, 2006:

 

     Options Outstanding    Options Exercisable

Range of

Exercise Prices

   Number
Outstanding
   Weighted-Average
Remaining
Contractual Life
  Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
   Number
Exercisable
   Weighted-Average
Exercise Price

$              13.22

   1,000   

0.1 years

  $ 13.22    1,000    $ 13.22

17.62

   3,000    1.1     17.62    3,000      17.62
                 

$13.22 to 17.62

   4,000    0.8   $ 16.52    4,000    $ 16.52
                 

 

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COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

16. Earnings (Loss) Per Share

The Company calculates basic earnings (loss) per share by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the reporting period. Diluted earnings per share reflect the effects of potentially dilutive securities. Since the Company incurred a net loss for fiscal 2005 and 2004, basic and diluted net loss per share were the same because the inclusion of 11,678 and 29,008 potentially dilutive securities, respectively, would have been anti-dilutive. The reconciliation of the basic and diluted earnings per share computations is as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

 

     Years Ended January 31,  
     2006     2005     2004  

Basic:

      

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 6,376     $ (10,381 )   $ (1,842 )

Weighted average shares outstanding

     7,422       7,327       7,139  
                        

Basic earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations

   $ 0.86     $ (1.41 )   $ (0.26 )
                        

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

   $ (45 )   $ 325     $ 596  

Weighted average shares outstanding

     7,422       7,327       7,139  
                        

Basic earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations

   $ (0.01 )   $ 0.04     $ 0.09  
                        

Net income (loss)

   $ 6,331     $ (10,056 )   $ (1,246 )

Weighted average shares outstanding

     7,422       7,327       7,139  
                        

Basic earnings (loss) per share

   $ 0.85     $ (1.37 )   $ (0.17 )
                        

Diluted:

      

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ 6,376     $ (10,381 )   $ (1,842 )

Effect of subsidiary options

     —         —         —    
                        

Income (loss) used in calculation of diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

   $ 6,376     $ (10,381 )   $ (1,842 )
                        

Weighted average shares outstanding

     7,422       7,327       7,139  

Effect of dilutive securities—stock options

     15       —         —    
                        

Weighted average shares used in calculation of diluted earnings per share from continuing operations

     7,437       7,327       7,139  
                        

Diluted earnings (loss) per share from continuing operations

   $ 0.86     $ (1.41 )   $ (0.26 )
                        

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

   $ (45 )   $ 325     $ 596  

Effect of subsidiary options

     —         —         (7 )
                        

Income (loss) used in calculation of diluted loss per share from discontinued operations

   $ (45 )   $ 325     $ 589  
                        

Weighted average shares outstanding

     7,422       7,327       7,139  

Effect of dilutive securities—stock options

     —         11       29  
                        

Weighted average shares used in calculation of diluted loss per share from discontinued operations

     7,442       7,338       7,168  
                        

Diluted earnings (loss) per share from discontinued operations

   $ (0.01 )   $ 0.04     $ 0.09  
                        

Net income (loss)

   $ 6,331     $ (10,056 )   $ (1,246 )

Effect of subsidiary options

     —         —         —    
                        

Net income (loss) used in calculation of diluted earnings per share

   $ 6,331     $ (10,056 )   $ (1,246 )
                        

Weighted average shares outstanding

     7,422       7,327       7,139  

Effect of dilutive securities—stock options

     15       —         —    
                        

Weighted average shares used in calculation of diluted earnings (loss) per share

     7,437       7,327       7,139  
                        

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

   $ 0.85     $ (1.37 )   $ (0.17 )
                        

 

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COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

17. Related Party Transactions

On July 31, 2001, the Company acquired an 18 percent equity stake in SwissQual for $1.0 million in cash. Based in Zuchwil, Switzerland, SwissQual is a developer of voice quality systems and software for measuring, monitoring, and optimizing the quality of mobile, fixed, and IP-based voice and data communications. On January 24, 2006, the Company sold its 18 percent minority interest in SwissQual (see Note 4). This investment was accounted for under the cost method and was included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet as of January 31, 2005.

Shipments to SwissQual for the years ended January 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 totaled $7.8 million, $5.4 million, and $3.4 million, respectively. Accounts receivable balances due from SwissQual at January 31, 2006 and 2005 were $2.3 million and $1.1 million, respectively. Additionally, revenue attributable to shipments to SwissQual was deferred until receipt of payment through January 31, 2005. The amount deferred at January 31, 2005 was $1.0 million, included in deferred revenue on the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

During the second quarter of fiscal 2004, the Company entered into a revenue sharing agreement with SwissQual whereby SwissQual receives 10% of the revenue on all Seven.Five product sales, less associated hardware costs. At January 31, 2006 and 2005, the Company had accrued $450,000 and $103,000, respectively, relating to amounts payable to SwissQual under the revenue sharing agreement. During fiscal 2006 and 2005, the Company paid $960,000 and $822,000, respectively, to SwissQual under the revenue sharing agreement.

 

18. Employee Benefit Plans

The Company has a Savings and Retirement Plan (the “Plan”) that provides benefits to eligible employees. Under the Plan, as restated effective January 1, 2001, employees are eligible to participate on the first of the month following 30 days of employment, provided they are at least 18 years of age, by contributing between 1 percent and 20 percent of pre-tax earnings. Company contributions match employee contributions at levels as specified in the Plan document. In addition, the Company may contribute a portion of its net profits as determined by the Board of Directors. Company contributions, which consist of matching contributions, with respect to the Plan for the years ended January 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 were approximately $412,000, $389,000, and $398,000, respectively. During fiscal 2005 and 2004, the Company made matching contributions of $78,000 and $165,000, respectively, through forfeited matching funds previously contributed to the plan.

The Company also maintains a non-qualified deferred compensation plan funded by Company executives and directors. See Note 2 for further discussion.

 

19. Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information and Noncash Investing and Financing Activities

 

     Years Ended January 31,
         2006            2005            2004    
     (In thousands)

Cash paid during the year for:

        

Interest

   $ —      $ 2    $ 1

Income taxes

     3      110      2

In fiscal 2005, the Company issued 92,668 shares of the Company’s common stock with a fair value of $704,000 in connection with the purchase of CWT shares held by minority interests. In fiscal 2004, the Company issued 189,199 shares of the Company’s common stock with a fair value of $1,493,000 in connection with the purchase of CWT shares held by minority interests.

 

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COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

20. Business Segment Information

The Company has three reportable operating segments: wireless test solutions, call box, and mobile power products.

In fiscal 2004 the Company reported its revenues in two segments: wireless test solutions and wireless applications. In fiscal 2005 the Company increased the number of segments to three by separating the wireless applications segment into two separate segments, call box and mobile power products, to conform to how the chief operating decision-maker now reviews the business and to conform to current internal financial reporting. Segment information for prior years has been restated to conform to the current year presentation.

Wireless test solutions designs and manufactures hardware and software tools for use by wireless carriers, equipment vendors, and others. Radio frequency engineers, professional technicians, and others use these tools to design, deploy, and optimize wireless networks, and to verify the performance of the wireless networks once deployed.

The call box segment designs and manufactures call box systems that provide emergency communication over existing wireless networks. In addition, the call box segment provides system installation and long-term maintenance services. Currently, the Company services and maintains approximately 12,300 call boxes under long-term agreements.

The mobile power products segment designs and manufactures mobile power products for notebook computers, cellular telephones, PDAs, and other handheld devices.

Performance measurement and resource allocation for the reportable segments are based on many factors. The primary financial measures used are revenue and gross profit. The revenue, gross profit, gross margin, income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, and total assets attributable to these segments are as follows (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended January 31, 2006  
     Wireless
Test
Solutions
    Call Box     Mobile
Power
Products
    Corporate    Total  

Revenue

   $ 24,534     $ 10,041     $ 12,303     $ —      $ 46,878  

Cost of revenue

     12,895       6,469       10,548       —        29,912  
                                       

Gross profit

   $ 11,639     $ 3,572     $ 1,755     $ —      $ 16,966  
                                       

Gross margin

     47.4 %     35.6 %     14.3 %     —        36.2 %
                                       

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

   $ 8,198     $ 1,681     $ (3,469 )   $ 167    $ 6,577  
                                       

Total assets

   $ 13,775     $ 6,834     $ 5,013     $ 27,183    $ 52,805  
                                       

 

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COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

     Year Ended January 31, 2005  
     Wireless
Test
Solutions
    Call
Box
    Mobile
Power
Products
    Corporate    Total  

Revenue

   $ 16,840     $ 6,595     $ 5,788     $ —      $ 29,223  

Cost of revenue

     10,283       4,462       6,163       —        20,908  
                                       

Gross profit (loss)

   $ 6,557     $ 2,133     $ (375 )   $ —      $ 8,315  
                                       

Gross margin

     38.9 %     32.3 %     (6.5 )%     —        28.5 %
                                       

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

   $ (4,339 )   $ 606     $ (4,339 )   $ 117    $ (7,955 )
                                       

Total assets

   $ 16,813     $ 3,720     $ 5,458     $ 14,235    $ 40,226  
                                       
     Year Ended January 31, 2004  
     Wireless
Test
Solutions
    Call
Box
    Mobile
Power
Products
    Corporate    Total  

Revenue

   $ 11,150     $ 6,964     $ 16,151     $ —      $ 34,265  

Cost of revenue

     6,964       4,557       10,205       —        21,726  
                                       

Gross profit

   $ 4,186     $ 2,407     $ 5,946     $ —      $ 12,539  
                                       

Gross margin

     37.5 %     34.6 %     36.8 %     —        36.6 %
                                       

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes

   $ (2,265 )   $ 611     $ (1,415 )   $ 219    $ (2,850 )
                                       

Revenue by geographic area consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

     Years Ended January 31,
     2006    2005    2004

North America

   $ 31,718    $ 15,415    $ 28,867

Europe

     12,022      7,168      3,105

Asia—Pacific

     283      350      260

Latin America

     2,855      6,290      2,033
                    
   $ 46,878    $ 29,223    $ 34,265
                    

Long-lived assets outside of North America were not significant at January 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004.

The Company sells its products to wireless carriers, equipment vendors, and other customers located throughout the world. In fiscal 2006, 2005, and 2004, we derived 68 percent, 53 percent, and 84 percent of our revenue, respectively, from customers in the United States and 32 percent, 47 percent, and 16 percent, respectively, from customers in foreign countries, as determined by the “ship to” address. The sharp increase in the percentage of sales to foreign countries during fiscal 2005 is due to the increase in sales of the WTS business, which is mostly to foreign countries, coupled with the decline in sales of the mobile power products business, which historically has been predominately sold in the United States. In fiscal 2005, sales to Brazil accounted for $5.6 million or 19.3 percent of total revenue.

 

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COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

21. Commitments and Contingencies

Rental commitments under non-cancelable operating leases, principally on the Company’s office space and equipment, were $0.5 million at January 31, 2006, payable as follows (in thousands):

 

     Operating
Leases

Fiscal Year:

  

2007

   $ 397

2008

     54

2009

     —  
      

Total minimum lease payments

   $ 451
      

Certain of the rental commitments are subject to increases based on the change in the Consumer Price Index. Rental expense for the years ended January 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 was $0.8 million, $0.9 million, and $0.9 million, respectively.

Purchase Commitments with Suppliers

The Company generally issues purchase orders to its suppliers with delivery dates from four to six weeks from the purchase order date. In addition, the Company regularly provides significant suppliers with rolling six-month forecasts of material and finished goods requirements for planning and long-lead time parts procurement purposes only. The Company is committed to accept delivery of materials pursuant to its purchase orders subject to various contract provisions that allow it to delay receipt of such order or allow it to cancel orders beyond certain agreed lead times. Such cancellations may or may not include cancellation costs payable by the Company. In the past, the Company has been required to take delivery of materials from its suppliers that were in excess of its requirements and the Company has previously recognized charges and expenses related to such excess material. If the Company is unable to adequately manage its suppliers and adjust such commitments for changes in demand, it may incur additional inventory expenses related to excess and obsolete inventory. Such expenses could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations, and financial position. The Company’s fixed purchase commitments at January 31, 2006 totaled $6.8 million.

Employer Matching Contribution to the Company’s Savings and Retirement Plan

The Company has obligations to match employee contributions made to the Company’s savings and retirement plan. Generally, the Company’s obligation is equal to 100 percent of up to 5 percent of employees’ contribution amounts. If the Company is unable to meet the requisite matching, the Company’s Savings and Retirement Plan may need to be amended.

Executive Severance Commitments

During fiscal 2004, the Company entered into severance compensation agreements with four key executives. These agreements require the Company to pay these executives, in the event of a termination of employment following a change of control of the Company, approximately 12 months of their then current base salary and up to twice the amount of any bonus amount the executive would have achieved for the current year. The exact amount of this contingent obligation is not known and accordingly has not been recorded in the financial statements.

 

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COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

Legal Contingencies

On March 16, 2005, CWT filed a complaint against Targus, Inc. (“Targus”) (Case No. 050004166, Superior Court of The State of California in and for The County of Orange) for breach of contract, breach of implied duty of good faith and fair dealing, open book account, goods had and received, account stated, quantum valebant, and unjust enrichment.

In response to CWT’s complaint, Targus filed a demurrer and motion to strike as the amounts in dispute are owed by Targus and a foreign subsidiary, Targus Europe. In response, on May 18, 2005, CWT filed the first amended complaint and added Targus Europe as a defendant. Both Targus and Targus Europe have answered the amended complaint. In response to the amended complaint, Targus Europe and Targus filed cross-complaints against CWT. Targus alleges that it suffered damages due to allegedly defective products. Targus Europe alleges that it suffered damages due to the delayed delivery of products. The court-mandated case management conference was held on August 26, 2005, at which a June 2006 trial date was set. On April 4, 2006 the parties attended a voluntary mediation and executed a stipulation for settlement agreement whereby Targus agreed to pay CWT $500,000 and both parties agreed to a release and discharge of all claims and causes of actions brought by each party.

Targus was the exclusive distributor of the Company’s ChargeSource products through January 2004, at which time they were removed as the exclusive distributor. Throughout fiscal 2005, the Company continued to honor its obligations under non-cancelable and non-returnable purchase orders placed by Targus and its affiliates and accepted by Comarco through the first quarter of fiscal 2005 in an attempt to affect an orderly wind-down of the relationship. During December 2004, Targus ceased making payments to Comarco for product shipped under an open book account. Prior to the mediation, Targus and its affiliates owed Comarco approximately $1.0 million, which was reflected in accounts receivable subject to litigation, net of a $0.3 million reserve in the consolidated balance sheet. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company increased the reserve by $0.2 million to reflect the terms of the executed stipulation for settlement agreement.

During fiscal 2001, the Company sold a business that, among other things, provided airport management services. During the fourth quarter of fiscal 2004, the Company was sued by a tenant at an airport where the Company provided management services pursuant to a contract with the County of Los Angeles (prior to the sale of this business during the 2001 fiscal year). The claimant seeks damages of $2.0 million in addition to other unspecified damages. This matter was dismissed on August 17, 2005.

In addition to the matters discussed above, the Company is from time to time involved in various legal proceedings incidental to the conduct of its business. The Company believes that the outcome of all such pending legal proceedings will not in the aggregate have a material adverse effect on its consolidated results of operations and financial position.

 

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COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

 

22. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

Unaudited summarized financial data by quarter for 2006 and 2005 are as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

 

Year ended

January 31, 2006

   Fiscal Year Quarters
   First     Second     Third     Fourth

Revenue

   $ 7,962     $ 11,134     $ 13,574     $ 14,208

Gross profit

     2,437       4,065       5,212       5,252

Operating income (loss)

     (1,575 )     303       568       498

Income (loss) from continuing operations

     (1,518 )     366       613       6,915

Discontinued operations

     (3 )     (39 )     (3 )     —  

Net income (loss)

     (1,521 )     327       610       6,915
                              

Basic and diluted income (loss) per share:

        

Income (loss) from continuing operations

   $ (0.20 )   $ 0.04     $ 0.08     $ 0.93

Discontinued operations

     —         —         —         —  
                              

Net income (loss)

   $ (0.20 )   $ 0.04     $ 0.08     $ 0.93
                              

 

Year ended

January 31, 2005

   Fiscal Year Quarters  
   First     Second     Third     Fourth  

Revenue

   $ 9,070     $ 6,656     $ 6,715     $ 6,782  

Gross profit

     3,277       2,164       1,382       1,492  

Operating loss

     (1,215 )     (1,726 )     (2,455 )     (2,811 )

Loss from continuing operations

     (737 )     (4,954 )     (1,935 )     (2,755 )

Discontinued operations

     (3 )     (5 )     222       111  

Net loss

     (740 )     (4,959 )     (1,713 )     (2,644 )
                                

Basic and diluted income (loss) per share:

        

Loss from continuing operations

   $ (0.10 )   $ (0.68 )   $ (0.26 )   $ (0.37 )

Discontinued operations

     —         —         0.03       0.01  
                                

Net loss

   $ (0.10 )   $ (0.68 )   $ (0.23 )   $ (0.36 )
                                

 

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

The Company and subsidiaries have agreed to indemnify and hold KPMG LLP (KPMG) harmless against and from any and all legal costs and expenses incurred by KPMG in successful defense of any legal action or proceeding that arises as a result of KPMG’s consent to the inclusion (or incorporation by reference) of its audit report on the Company’s past financial statements included (or incorporated by reference) in this report on Form 10-K.

 

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the periodic reports that we file or submit with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that such information 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.

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the period covered by this report on Form 10-K. Based upon this evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report on Form 10-K.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

None.

 

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

 

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PART III

ITEM 10.    DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The information required by this Item 10 is included in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its fiscal 2006 annual meeting of shareholders to be held on June 20, 2006 and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 11.    EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The information required by this Item 11 is included in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its fiscal 2006 annual meeting of shareholders to be held on June 20, 2006 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information required by this Item 12 is included in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its fiscal 2006 annual meeting of shareholders to be held on June 20, 2006 and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13.    CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The information required by this Item 13 is included in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its fiscal 2006 annual meeting of shareholders to be held on June 20, 2006 and is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 14.    PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The information required by this Item 14 is included in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for its fiscal 2006 annual meeting of shareholders to be held on June 20, 2006 and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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PART IV

 

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

 

(a)    1.    Financial Statements (See Item 8)
   2.    Financial Statement Schedule:
     

The following additional information for the years ended January 31, 2006, 2005, and 2004 is submitted herewith:

 

II      Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

 

All other schedules are omitted because the required information is not present in amounts sufficient to require submission of the schedule or because the information required is included in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.

   3.    Exhibits
      3.1    Articles of Incorporation. The Articles of Incorporation are incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s report on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 12, 2000.
      3.2    By-Laws. The Restated By-Laws are incorporated herewith.
      3.3    Certificate of Determination of Series A Participating Preferred Stock. The Certificate of Determination is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 6, 2003.
   4.    Instruments defining the rights of security holders
      4.1    Rights Agreement, dated February 5, 2003, between Comarco, Inc. and U.S. Stock Transfer Corporation, as rights agent. The Rights Agreement is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 6, 2003.
      4.2    Amendment to the Rights Agreement, dated February 28, 2006. The Amendment is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2006.
   10.    Material Contracts
      10.1    1982 Stock Option Plan. The restated 1982 Stock Option Plan is incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit C to the Company’s definitive Proxy Materials filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 25, 1986.*
      10.2    Director Stock Option Plan dated July 1, 1987 is incorporated by reference from the Company’s report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 1988.*
      10.3    Nonqualified Employee Stock Option Plan for Comarco Wireless Technologies, Inc. dated August 1994 is incorporated by reference from the Company’s report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 30, 1994.*
      10.4    1995 Employee Stock Option Plan is incorporated by reference from the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-8 (File No. 33-63219) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 5, 1995.*

 

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Table of Contents
      10.5    Severance Compensation Agreement dated September 9, 2003 between the Company and Gregory Maton, Senior Vice President, regarding severance compensation in the event of a change in control of the Company incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2004.*
      10.6    Severance Compensation Agreement dated September 9, 2003 between the Company and Daniel R. Lutz, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, regarding severance compensation in the event of a change in control of the Company incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2004.*
      10.7    Severance Compensation Agreement dated September 9, 2003 between the Company and Thomas A. Franza, President and Chief Executive Officer, regarding severance compensation in the event of a change in control of the Company incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2004.*
      10.8    Severance Compensation Agreement dated September 9, 2003 between the Company and Peggy Vessell, Vice President and Secretary, regarding severance compensation in the event of a change in control of the Company incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2004.*
      10.9    Stock Purchase Agreement dated January 22, 2006 regarding SwissQual Holding AG (“SwissQual) between the Company, Spirent Holding Limited, Spirent plc, and the remaining shareholders of SwissQual. The Stock Purchase Agreement is incorporated herein by reference from the Company’s report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 25, 2006.
      21.1    Subsidiaries of the Company
      23.1    Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm—BDO Seidman LLP
      23.2    Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm—KPMG LLP
      31.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
      31.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
      32.1    Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
      32.2    Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
      99.1    Supplement to Registrant’s Registration Statements on Form S-8

* Management contract or executive compensation plan or arrangement.

 

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Table of Contents

COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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, on May 1, 2006.

 

COMARCO, INC.

/s/    THOMAS A. FRANZA        
Thomas A. Franza
President and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf by the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates so indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/    THOMAS A. FRANZA        

Thomas A. Franza

  

President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer), Director

  May 1, 2006

/s/    DANIEL R. LUTZ        

Daniel R. Lutz

  

Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

  May 1, 2006

/s/    DON M. BAILEY        

Don M. Bailey

  

Chairman of the Board, Director

  May 1, 2006

/s/    GERALD D. GRIFFIN        

Gerald D. Griffin

  

Director

  May 1, 2006

/s/    JEFFREY R. HULTMAN        

Jeffrey R. Hultman

  

Director

  May 1, 2006

/s/    ERIK VAN DER KAAY        

Erik van der Kaay

  

Director

  May 1, 2006

 

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Table of Contents

COMARCO, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

SCHEDULE II—VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

Three Years Ended January 31, 2006

(In thousands)

 

     Balance at
Beginning of
Year
   Charged to
Cost and
Expense
(Recovery)
    Deductions     Other Changes
Add (Deduct)
    Balance at
End of Year

Allowance for doubtful accounts and provision for unbilled receivables (deducted from accounts receivable):

           

Year ended January 31, 2006

   $ 831    $ (273 )   $ —       $ —       $ 558

Year ended January 31, 2005

   $ 594    $ 267     $ 30 (1)   $ —       $ 831

Year ended January 31, 2004

   $ 217    $ 559     $ 186 (1)   $ 4 (2)   $ 594

Allowance for deferred tax assets:

           

Year ended January 31, 2006

   $ 6,256    $ —       $ —       $ (2,742 )   $ 3,514

Year ended January 31, 2005

   $ —      $ 2,876     $ —       $ 3,380     $ 6,256

Year ended January 31, 2004

   $ —      $ —       $ —       $ —       $ —  

(1) Write-off of uncollectible receivables.
(2) Collection of previously written-off receivables.

 

82

EX-3.2 2 dex32.htm RESTATED BY-LAWS Restated By-Laws

EXHIBIT 3.2

BYLAWS

COMARCO, INC.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          Page
ARTICLE I    Applicability    1

Section 1.

   Applicability of Bylaws   
ARTICLE II    Offices    1

Section 1.

   Principal Executive Office   

Section 2.

   Other Offices   

Section 3.

   Change in Location or Number of Offices   
ARTICLE III    Meetings of Shareholders    1

Section 1.

   Place of Meetings    1

Section 2.

   Annual Meetings    1

Section 3.

   Special Meetings    1

Section 4.

   Notice of Annual, Special or Adjourned Meetings    2

Section 5.

   Record Date    3

Section 6.

   Quorum; Action at Meetings    3

Section 7.

   Adjournment    4

Section 8.

   Validation of Defectively Called, Noticed or Held Meetings    4

Section 9.

   Voting for Election of Directors    4

Section 10.

   Proxies    5

Section 11.

   Inspectors of Election    5

Section 12.

   No Action by Written Consent    6

Section 13.

   Notice of Shareholder Business    6
ARTICLE IV    Directors    6

Section 1.

   Number of Directors    6

Section 2.

   Election of Directors    6

Section 3.

   Term of Office    7

Section 4.

   Vacancies    7

Section 5.

   Removal    7

Section 6.

   Resignation    7

Section 7.

   Fees and Compensation    7

Section 8.

   Nominations of Directors    8
ARTICLE V    Committees of the Board of Directors    8

Section 1.

   Designation of Committees    8

Section 2.

   Powers of Committees    8


          Page
ARTICLE VI    Meetings of the Board of Directors and Committees Thereof    8

Section 1.

   Place of Meetings    8

Section 2.

   Organization Meeting    9

Section 3.

   Other Regular Meetings    9

Section 4.

   Special Meetings    9

Section 5.

   Notice of Special Meetings    9

Section 6.

   Validation of Defectively Held Meetings    9

Section 7.

   Quorum of Meetings    9

Section 8.

   Adjournment    10

Section 9.

   Motion Without a Meeting    10

Section 10.

   Meetings of and Action by Committees    10
ARTICLE VII    Officers    10

Section 1.

   Officers    10

Section 2.

   Election of Officers    10

Section 3.

   Subordinate Officers, Etc.    10

Section 4.

   Removal and Resignation    11

Section 5.

   Vacancies    11

Section 6.

   Chairman of the Board    11

Section 7.

   President    11

Section 8.

   Vice President    11

Section 9.

   Secretary    11

Section 10.

   Chief Financial Officer    12
ARTICLE VIII    Records and Reports    12

Section 1.

   Minute Book -Maintenance and Inspection    12

Section 2.

   Share Register -Maintenance and Inspection    12

Section 3.

   Books and Records of Account – Maintenance and Inspection    12

Section 4.

   Bylaws -Maintenance and Inspection    12
ARTICLE IX    Miscellaneous    13

Section 1.

   Checks, Drafts, Etc.    13

Section 2.

   Contracts, Etc. -How Executed    13

Section 3.

   Certificates of Stock    13

Section 4.

   Lost Certificates    13

Section 5.

   Representation of Shares of Other Corporations    13

Section 6.

   Construction and Definitions    13

Section 7.

   Indemnification of Corporate Agents; Purchase of Liability Insurance    14
ARTICLE X    Amendments    14

Section 1.

   Amendments    14


BYLAWS

OF

COMARCO, INC.

A CALIFORNIA CORPORATION

Restated as of August 1, 1996 and June 26, 2001

ARTICLE I

Applicability

Section 1. Applicability of Bylaws. These Bylaws govern, except as otherwise provided by statute or its Articles of Incorporation, the management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation.

ARTICLE II

Offices

Section 1. Principal Executive Office. The location of the principal executive office of the Corporation is 2 Cromwell, Irvine, CA 92618.1

Section 2. Other Offices. The Board of Directors may establish other offices at any place or places within or without the State of California.

Section 3. Change in Location or Number of Offices. The Board of Directors may change any office from one location to another or eliminate any office or offices.

ARTICLE III

Meetings of Shareholders

Section 1. Place of Meetings. Meetings of the shareholders shall be held at any place within or without the State of California designated by the Board of Directors, or, in the absence of such designation, at the principal executive office of the Corporation.

Section 2. Annual Meetings. An annual meeting of the shareholders shall be held within 180 days following the end of the fiscal year of the Corporation at a date and time designated by the Board of Directors. Directors shall be elected at each annual meeting and any other proper business may be transacted thereat.

Section 3. Special Meetings.

(a) Special meetings of the shareholders may be called by a majority of the Board of Directors, the Chairman of the Board, the President or the holders of shares entitled to cast not less than 10 percent of the votes at such meeting.


1 Office location changed effective June 2000.

 

1


(b) Any request for the calling of a special meeting of the shareholders shall (1) be in writing, (2) specify the date and time thereof which date shall be not less than 35 nor more than 60 days after receipt of the request, (3) specify the general nature of the business to be transacted thereat and (4) be given either personally or by first class mail, postage prepaid, or other means of written communication to the Chairman of the Board, President, any Vice President or Secretary of the Corporation. The officer receiving a proper request to call a special meeting of the shareholders shall cause notice to be given pursuant to the provisions of Section 4 of this Article to the shareholders entitled to vote thereat that a meeting will be held at the date and time specified by the person or persons calling the meeting.

(c) No business may be transacted at a special meeting unless the general nature thereof was stated in the notice of such meeting.

Section 4. Notice of Annual, Special or Adjourned Meetings.

(a) Whenever any meeting of the shareholders is to be held, a written notice of such meeting shall be given in the manner described in subdivision (d) of this Section not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date thereof to each shareholder entitled to vote thereat. The notice shall state the place, date and hour of the meeting and (1) in the case of a special meeting, the general nature of the business to be transacted or (2) in the case of the annual meeting, those matters which the Board of Directors, at the time of the giving of the notice, intend to present for action by the shareholders including, whenever directors are to be elected at a meeting, the names of nominees intended at the time of giving of the notice to be presented by management for election.

(b) Any proper matter may be presented at an annual meeting for action, except as is provided in subdivision (f) of Section 601 of the Corporations Code of the State of California.

(c) Notice need not be given of an adjourned meeting if the time and place thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, except that if the adjournment is for more than 45 days or if after the adjournment a new record date is provided for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each shareholder of record entitled to vote thereat.

(d) Notice of any meeting of the shareholders or any report shall be given either personally or by first class mail, postage prepaid, or other means of written communication, addressed to the shareholder at his address appearing on the books of the Corporation or given by him to the Corporation for the purpose of notice; or if no such address appears or is given at the place where the principal executive office of the Corporation is located or by publication at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the principal executive office is located. The notice or report shall be deemed to have been given at the time when delivered personally to the recipient or deposited in the mail or sent by other means of written communication. An affidavit of mailing of any notice or report in accordance with the provisions of these Bylaws or the General Corporation Law of the State of California, executed by the Secretary, assistant secretary or any transfer agent of the Corporation, shall be prima facie evidence of the giving of the notice or report.

 

2


(e) If any notice or report addressed to the shareholder at his address appearing on the books of the Corporation is returned to the Corporation by the United States Postal Service marked to indicate that the United States Postal Service is unable to deliver the notice or report to the shareholder at such address, all future notices or reports shall be deemed to have been duly given without further mailing if the same shall be available for the shareholder upon his written demand at the principal executive office of the Corporation for a period of one year from the date of the giving of the notice or report to all other shareholders.

Section 5. Record Date.

(a) The Board of Directors may fix a time in the future as a record date for the determination of the shareholders (1) entitled to notice of any meeting or to vote thereat, (2) entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or (3) entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any other lawful action. The record date so fixed shall be not more than 60 nor less than 10 days prior to the date of any meeting of the shareholders nor more than 60 days prior to any other action.

(b) In the event no record date is fixed:

(1) The record date for determining the shareholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall be at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which notice is given or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the business day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.

(2) The record date for determining shareholders entitled to give consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board of Directors has been taken, shall be the day on which the first written consent is given.

(3) The record date for determining shareholders for any other purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto, or the 60th day prior to the date of such other action, whichever is later.

(c) Only shareholders of record at the close of business on the record date are entitled to notice and to vote or to receive a dividend, distribution or allotment of rights or to exercise the rights, as the case may be, notwithstanding any transfer of any shares on the books of the Corporation after the record date.

(d) A determination of shareholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of shareholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting, but the Board shall fix a new record date if the meeting is adjourned for more than 45 days from the date set for the original meeting.

Section 6. Quorum: Action at Meetings.

(a) A majority of the shares entitled to vote, represented in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of the shareholders.

(b) Except as provided in subdivision (c) of this Section, the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares represented and voting at a duly held meeting at which a quorum is present

 

3


(which shares voting affirmatively also constitute at least a majority of the required quorum) shall be the act of the shareholders, unless the vote of a greater number is required by law or the Articles of Incorporation.

(c) The shareholders present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough shareholders to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than adjournment) is approved by at least a majority of the shares required to constitute a quorum.

Section 7. Adjournment.

Any meeting of the shareholders may be adjourned from time to time whether or not a quorum is present by the vote of a majority of the shares represented thereat either in person or by proxy. At the adjourned meeting the Corporation may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting.

Section 8. Validation of Defectively Called, Noticed or Held Meetings.

(a) The transactions of any meeting of the shareholders, however called and noticed, and wherever held, are as valid as though had at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum is present either in person or by proxy, and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the persons entitled to vote thereat, not present in person or by proxy, signs a written waiver of notice or a consent to the holding of the meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof. All such waivers, consents and approvals shall be flied with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.

(b) Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of, and presence at, such meeting, except (1) when the person objects, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened and (2) that attendance at a meeting is not a waiver of any right to object to the consideration of any matter required by the General Corporation Law of the State of California to be included in the notice but not so included, if such objection is expressly made at the meeting.

(c) Any written waiver of notice shall comply with subdivision (f) of Section 601 of the Corporations Code of the State of California.

Section 9. Voting for Election of Directors.

(a) Every shareholder complying with subdivision (b) of this Section and entitled to vote at any election of directors may cumulate his votes and give one candidate a number of votes equal to the number of directors to be elected multiplied by the number of votes to which his shares are normally entitled, or distribute his votes on the same principle among as many candidates as he thinks fit.

(b) No shareholder shall be entitled to cumulate his votes (i.e., cast for any one candidate a number of votes greater than the number of votes which such shareholder normally is entitled to cast) unless such candidates or candidates’ names have been placed in nomination prior to the voting and the shareholder has given notice at the meeting, prior to the voting, of his

 

4


intention to cumulate his votes. If any one shareholder has given such notice, all shareholders may cumulate their votes for candidates in nomination.

(c) Elections for directors may be by voice vote or by ballot unless any shareholder entitled to vote demands election by ballot at the meeting prior to the voting, in which case the vote shall be by ballot.

(d) In any election of directors, the candidates receiving the highest number of votes of the shares entitled to be voted for them up to the number of directors to be elected by such shares are elected as directors.

Section 10. Proxies.

(a) Every person entitled to vote shares may authorize another person or persons to act with respect to such shares by a written proxy signed by him or his attorney-in-fact and filed with the Secretary of the Corporation. A proxy shall be deemed signed if the shareholder’s name is placed on the proxy (whether by manual signature, typewriting, telegraphic transmission or otherwise) by him or his attorney-in-fact.

(b) Any duly executed proxy shall continue in full force and effect until the expiration of the term specified therein or upon its earlier revocation by the person executing it prior to the vote pursuant thereto (1) by a writing delivered to the Corporation stating that it is revoked, (2) by a subsequent proxy executed by the person executing the proxy and presented to the meeting or (3) by the attendance at the meeting and voting in person by the person executing the proxy. No proxy shall be valid after the expiration of 11 months from the date thereof unless otherwise provided in the proxy. The date contained on the form of proxy shall be deemed to be the date of its execution.

(c) A proxy which states that it is irrevocable, is irrevocable for the period specified therein subject to the provisions of subdivisions (e) and (f) of Section 705 of the Corporations Code of the State of California.

Section 11. Inspectors of Election.

(a) In advance of any meeting of the shareholders, the Board of Directors may appoint either one or three persons (other than nominees for the office of director) as inspectors of election to act at such meeting or any adjournments thereof. If inspectors of election are not so appointed, or if any person so appointed fails to appear or refuses to act, the chairman of any such meeting may, and on the request of any shareholder or his proxy shall, appoint inspectors of election (or persons to replace those who so fail or refuse to act) at the meeting. If appointed at a meeting on the request of one or more shareholders or the proxies thereof, the majority of shares represented in person or by proxy shall determine whether one or three inspectors are to be appointed.

(b) The duties of inspectors of election and the manner of performance thereof shall be as prescribed in Section 707 of the Corporations Code of the State of California.

 

5


Section 12. No Action by Written Consent. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the shareholders of the Corporation must be effected at a duly called annual meeting or special meeting of shareholders of the Corporation.

Section 13. Notice of Shareholder Business. At an annual meeting of the shareholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. To be properly brought before an annual meeting, business must be (a) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (b) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, or (c) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a shareholder. For business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a shareholder, the Secretary must have received written notice at least 30 days prior to the meeting. A shareholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth as to each matter the shareholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting, (ii) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, of the shareholder proposing such business, (iii) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the shareholder, and (iv) any material interest of the shareholder in such business. Notwithstanding anything in these Bylaws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at an annual meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section.

ARTICLE IV

Directors

Section 1. Number of Directors.

(a) The authorized number of directors shall be no less than five nor more than nine2 The exact number of directors shall be fixed from time to time, within the limits specified in this subdivision, by an amendment of subdivision (b) of this Section adopted by the Board of Directors.

(b) The exact number of directors shall be five3 until changed as provided in subdivision (a) of this Section.

(c) The maximum or minimum authorized number of directors may only be changed by an amendment of this Section approved by the vote or written consent of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote; provided, however, that an amendment reducing the minimum number to a number less than five shall not be adopted if the votes cast against its adoption at a meeting (or the shares not consenting in the case of action by written consent) exceed 16 -2/3% of such outstanding shares; and provided, further, that in no case shall the stated maximum authorized number of directors exceed two times the stated minimum number of authorized directors minus one.

Section 2. Election of Directors. Directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of the shareholders.


2 Changed at 7/10/96 Shareholders Meeting

 

3 Changed effective 2/4/03 BOD Meeting

 

6


Section 3. Term of Office. Each director, including a director elected to fill a vacancy, shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which he is elected and until a successor has been elected.

Section 4. Vacancies.

(a) A vacancy in the Board of Directors exists whenever any authorized position of director is not then filled by a duly elected director, whether caused by death, resignation, removal, change in the authorized number of directors, or otherwise.

(b) Except for a vacancy created by the removal of a director, vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, whether or not less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director. A vacancy created by the removal of a director shall be filled only by shareholders.

(c) The shareholder may elect a director at any time to fill any vacancy not filled by the directors.

Section 5. Removal.

(a) The Board of Directors may declare vacant the office of a director who has been declared of unsound mind by an order of court or convicted of a felony.

(b) Any or all of the directors may be removed without cause if such removal is approved by a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote; provided, however, that no director may be removed (unless the entire Board of Directors is removed) if whenever the votes cast against removal, or not consenting in writing to such removal, would be sufficient to elect such director if voted cumulatively at an election at which the same total number of votes were cast (or, if such action is taken by written consent, all shares entitled to vote were voted) and the entire number of directors authorized at the time of his most recent election were then being elected.

(c) Any reduction of the authorized number of directors does not remove any director prior to the expiration of his term of office.

Section 6. Resignation. Any director may resign effective upon giving written notice to the Chairman of the Board, the President, the Secretary or the Board of Directors of the Corporation, unless the notice specifies a later time for the effectiveness of such resignation. If the resignation is effective at a future time, a successor may be elected to take office when the resignation becomes effective.

Section 7. Fees and Compensation. Directors may be paid for their services in such capacity a sum in such amounts, at such times and upon such conditions as may be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors, and may be reimbursed for their expenses, if any, incurred in such capacity, including (without limitation) expenses of attendance at any meeting of the Board. No such payments shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation in any manner therefor.

 

7


Section 8. Nomination of Director. A nomination for director shall be accepted, and votes cast for a proposed nominee shall be counted by the inspectors of election, only if the Secretary has received at least 30 days prior to the meeting at which directors are to be elected a statement over the signature of the proposed nominee that he consents to being a nominee and, if elected, intends to serve as a director. Such statement shall also contain the stock ownership of the proposed nominee, occupations and business history for the previous five years, other directorship, names of business entities in which the proposed nominee owns a 10 percent or more equity interests, listing of any criminal convictions, including federal or state securities violations, and all other information required by the federal proxy rules in effect at the time the proposed nominee submits said statement.

ARTICLE V

Committees of the Board of Directors

Section 1. Designation of Committees. The Board of Directors may, by resolution adopted by a majority of the authorized number of directors, designate (1) one or more committees, each consisting of two or more directors and (2) one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent member at any meeting thereof. Any member or alternate member of a committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.

Section 2. Powers of Committees. Any committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors designating such committee, shall have all the authority of the Board, except with respect to:

(a) The approval of any action for which the General Corporation Law of the State of California also requires any action by the shareholders;

(b) The filling of vacancies on the Board or in any committed thereof;

(c) The fixing of compensation of the directors for serving on the Board or on any committee thereof;

(d) The amendment or repeal of these Bylaws or the adoption of new bylaws;

(e) The amendment or repeal of any resolution of the Board which by its express terms is not so amendable or repealable;

(f) A distribution to the shareholders of the Corporation, except at a rate or in a periodic amount or within a price range determined by the Board of Directors; or

(g) The designation of other committees of the Board or the appointment of members or alternate members thereof.

ARTICLE VI

Meetings of the Board of Directors and Committees Thereof

Section 1. Place of Meetings. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at any place within or without the State of California which has been designated from time to time by the Board, or, in the absence of such designation, at the principal executive office of

 

8


the Corporation. Special meetings of the Board shall be held either at any place within or without the State of California which has been designated in the notice of the meeting or, if not stated in the notice or if there is no notice, at the principal executive office of the Corporation.

Section 2. Organization Meeting. Immediately following each annual meeting of the shareholders, the Board of Directors shall hold a regular meeting for the purpose of organization and transaction of other business. Notice of any such meeting is not required.

Section 3. Other Regular Meetings. Other regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held without call at such time as shall be designated from time to time by the Board. Notice of any such meeting is not required.

Section 4. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time for any purpose or purposes by the Chairman of the Board or the President or any Vice President or the Secretary or any two directors. Notice shall be given of any special meeting of the Board.

Section 5. Notice of Special Meetings.

(a) Notice of the time and place of special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be delivered personally to each director or sent to each director by first class mail or telegraph, charges prepaid, telephone, including a voice messaging system or other system or technology designed to record and communicate messages, facsimile, electronic mail, or other electronic means. Such notice shall be given four days prior to the holding of the special meeting if sent by mail or 48 hours prior to the holding thereof if delivered personally or given by telephone, telegraph, facsimile, electronic mail, or other electronic means permitted in this Section. The notice or report shall be deemed to have been given at the time when delivered personally to the recipient or deposited in the mail or sent by other means of communication permitted in this Section.

(b) Notice of any special meeting of the Board of Directors need not specify the purpose thereof and need not be given to any director who signs a waiver of notice, whether before or after the meeting, or who attends the meeting without protesting, prior thereto or at its commencement, the lack of notice to him.

Section 6. Validation of Defectively Held Meetings. The transactions of any meetings of the Board of Directors, however called and noticed or wherever held, are as valid as though had at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice if a quorum is present and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the directors not present signs a written waiver of notice, a consent to holding the meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof. Such waivers, consents and approvals (a) need not specify the purpose of any meeting of the Board of Directors and (b) shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.

Section 7. Quorum of Meetings.

(a) A majority of the authorized number of directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the directors present at a meeting duly held at which a quorum is present is the act of the Board of Directors, unless action by a greater proportion of the directors is required by law or the Articles of Incorporation.

 

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(b) A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of directors, if any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for such meeting.

(c) Members of the Board may participate in a meeting through use of conference telephone or similar communications equipment so long as all members participating in such meeting can hear one another. Participation in a meeting by this means constitutes presence at such meeting.

Section 8. Adjournment. A majority of the directors present, whether or not a quorum is present, may adjourn any meeting for another time and place. If the meeting is adjourned for more than 24 hours, notice of any adjournment to another time or place shall be given prior to the time of the adjourned meeting to the directors who were not present at the time of the adjournment.

Section 9. Motion Without a Meeting. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board individually or collectively consent in writing to such action. Such written consent or consents shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board. Such action by written consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of such directors.

Section 10. Meeting of and Actions by Committees. The provisions of this Article apply to committees of the Board of Directors and action by such committees with such changes in the language of those provisions as are necessary to substitute the committee and its members for the Board and its members.

ARTICLE VII

Officers

Section 1. Officers. The Corporation shall have as officers, a President, a Secretary, and a Chief Financial Officer. The Corporation may also have, at the discretion of the Board, a Chairman of the Board, one or more vice presidents, one or more assistant secretaries, one or more assistant treasurers, and such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 of this Article.

Section 2. Selection of Officers. The officers of the Corporation, except such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 3 or Section 5 of this Article, shall be chosen by the Board of Directors.

Section 3. Subordinate Officers. The Board of Directors may appoint by resolution, and may empower the Chairman of the Board, if there be such an officer, or the President, to appoint such other officers as the business of the Corporation may require, each of whom shall hold office for such period, have such authority and perform such duties as are determined from time to time by resolution of the Board or, in the absence of any such determination, as are provided in these Bylaws. Any appointment of an officer shall be evidenced by a written instrument filed with the Secretary of the Corporation and maintained with the corporate records.

 

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Section 4. Removal and Resignation.

(a) Any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the Board of Directors or, except in case of any officer chosen by the Board, by any officer upon whom such power of removal may be conferred by resolution of the Board.

(b) Any officer may resign at any time effective upon giving written notice to the Chairman of the Board, President, any vice president, or Secretary of the Corporation, unless the notice specifies a later time for the effectiveness of such resignation.

Section 5. Vacancies. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or any other cause shall be filled in the manner prescribed in these Bylaws for regular appointments to such office.

Section 6. Chairman of the Board. If there is a Chairman of the Board, he shall, if present, preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors, exercise and perform such other powers and duties as may be from time to time assigned to him by resolution of the Board and, if there is no President, the Chairman of the Board shall be the chief executive officer of the Corporation and have the power and duties set forth in Section 7 of this Article.

Section 7. President. Subject to such supervisory powers, if any, as may be given by the Board of Directors to the Chairman of the Board, if there be such an Officer, the President shall be the Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of the Corporation and shall, subject to the control of the Board, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and affairs of the Corporation. He shall preside at all meetings of the shareholders and, in the absence of the Chairman of the Board, or if there be none, at all meetings of the board. He shall have the general powers and duties of management usually vested in the office of president of a corporation, and shall have such other powers and duties as may be prescribed from time to time by resolution of the Board.

Section 8. Vice President. In the absence or disability of the President, the vice presidents in order of their rank as fixed by the Board of Directors or, if not ranked, the Vice President designated by the Board, shall perform all the duties of the President and when so acting shall have all the powers of, and be subject to all the restrictions upon, the President. The vice presidents shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as from time to time may be prescribed for them respectively by the Board or as the President may from time to time delegate.

Section 9. Secretary.

(a) The Secretary shall keep or cause to be kept (1) the minute book, (2) the share register and (3) the seal, if any, of the Corporation.

(b) The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the shareholders and of the Board of Directors required by these Bylaws or by law to be given, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the Board.

 

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Section 10. Chief Financial Officer.

(a) The Chief Financial Officer shall perform the duties of a chief financial officer of a corporation. The Chief Financial Officer also shall keep, or cause to be kept, the books and records of account of the Corporation.

(b) The Chief Financial Officer shall deposit all monies and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the Corporation with such depositories as may be designated from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. He shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, shall render to the President and Board, whenever they request it, an account of all of his transactions as Chief Financial Officer and of the financial condition of the Corporation, and shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as may be prescribed from time to time by the Board or as the President may from time to time delegate.

ARTICLE VIII

Records and Reports

Section 1. Minute Book -Maintenance and Inspection. The Corporation shall keep or cause to be kept in written form at its principal executive office or such other place as the Board of Directors may order, a minute book which shall contain a record of all actions by its shareholders, Board or committees of the Board including the time, date and place of each meeting; whether a meeting is regular or special and, if special, how called; the manner of giving notice of each meeting and a copy thereof; the names of those present at each meeting of the Board or committees thereof; the number of shares present or represented at each meeting of the shareholders; the proceedings of all meetings; any written waivers of notice, consents to the holding of a meeting or approval of the minutes thereof; and written consents for action without a meeting.

Section 2. Share Register -Maintenance and Inspection. The Corporation shall keep or cause to be kept at its principal executive office or, if so provided by resolution of the Board of Directors, at the Corporation’s transfer agent or registrar, a share register, or a duplicate share register, which shall contain the names of the shareholders and their addresses, the number and classes of shares held by each, the number and date of certificates issued for the same and the number and date of cancellation of every certificate surrendered for cancellation.

Section 3. Books and Records of Account -Maintenance and Inspection. The Corporation shall keep or cause to be kept at its principal executive office or such other place as the Board of Directors may order, adequate and correct books and records of account.

Section 4. Bylaws; - Maintenance and Inspection. The Corporation shall keep at its principal executive office or, in the absence of such office in the State of California, at its principal business office in that state, the original or a copy of the Bylaws as amended to date.

 

12


ARTICLE IX

Miscellaneous

Section 1. Checks, Drafts, Etc. All checks, drafts or other orders for payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness, and any assignment or endorsement thereof, issued in the name of or payable to the Corporation, shall be signed or endorsed by such person or persons and in such manner as, from time to time, shall be determined by resolution of the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Contracts, Etc. -How Executed. The Board of Directors, except as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation, and such authority may be general or confirmed to specific instances; and, unless so authorized or ratified by the Board, no officer, employee or other agent shall have any power or authority to bind the Corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or to any amount

Section 3. Certificates of Stock. All certificates shall be signed in the name of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board or the President or a Vice President and by the Treasurer or an assistant treasurer or the Secretary or an assistant secretary, certifying the number of shares and the class or series thereof owned by the shareholder. Any or all of the signatures on a certificate may be by facsimile signature. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if such person were an officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.

Section 4. Lost Certificates. Except as provided in this Section, no new certificates for shares shall be issued in lieu of an old certificate unless the latter is surrendered to the Corporation and canceled at the same time. The Board of Directors may in case any share certificate or certificate for any other security is lost, stolen or destroyed, authorize the issuance of a new certificate in lieu thereof, upon such terms and conditions as the Board may require, including provision for indemnification of the Corporation secured by a bond or other adequate security sufficient to protect the Corporation against any claim that may be made against it. including any expense or liability, on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.

Section 5. Representation of Shares of Other Corporations. Any person designated by resolution of the Board of Directors or, in the absence of such designation, the Chairman of the Board, the President or any Vice President or the Secretary, or any other person authorized by any of the foregoing, is authorized to vote on behalf of the Corporation any and all shares of any other corporation or corporations, foreign or domestic, owned by the Corporation.

Section 6. Construction and Definitions. Unless the context otherwise requires, the general provisions, rules of construction and definitions contained in the Corporations Code of the State of California shall govern the construction of these Bylaws.

 

13


Section 7. Indemnification of Corporate Agent; Purchase of Liability Insurance.

(a) The Corporation shall, to the maximum extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of California, and as the same may from time to time be amended, indemnify each of its agents against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceeding to which such person was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party arising by reason of the fact that such person is or was an agent of the Corporation. For purposes of this Section 7, an “agent” of the Corporation includes any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or other agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or was a director, officer, employee or agent of a foreign or domestic corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the Corporation or of another enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation; “proceeding” means any threatened, pending or completed action or proceeding, whether civil, criminal administrative or investigative, and includes an action or proceeding by or in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor; and “expense” includes attorney’s fees and any expenses of establishing a right to indemnification under this subdivision (a).

(b) The right of indemnification provided in this Section shall inure to each person referred to herein, and shall extend to his legal representatives in the event of his death. The right of indemnification provided herein shall not be exclusive of any other rights to which any such person, or any other individual, may be entitled as a matter of law, or pursuant to any agreement, vote of directors or shareholders or otherwise.

(c) The Corporation shall, if and to the extent the Board of Directors so determines, by resolution, purchase and maintain insurance in an amount and on behalf of such agents of the Corporation as the Board may specify in such resolution against any liability asserted against or incurred by the agent in such capacity or arising out of the agent’s status as such whether or not the Corporation would have the capacity to indemnify the agent against such liability under the provisions of this Section.

ARTICLE X

Amendments

Section 1. Amendments. New bylaws may be adopted or these Bylaws may be amended or repealed by the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote. Subject to the next preceding sentence, bylaws (other than a bylaw or amendment thereof specifying or changing a fixed number of directors or the maximum or minimum number, or changing from a fixed to a variable board or vice versa) may be adopted, amended or repealed by the Board of Directors.

 

14

EX-21.1 3 dex211.htm SUBSIDIARIES OF THE COMPANY Subsidiaries of the Company

EXHIBIT 21.1

SUBSIDIARIES OF THE COMPANY

The following are the significant subsidiaries of Comarco, Inc.:

 

    Comarco Wireless Technologies, Inc. (CWT), incorporated in the state of Delaware.

 

    Comarco Wireless International, Inc. (formerly known as Comarco Wireless Europe, Inc.), incorporated in the State of Delaware.
EX-23.1 4 dex231.htm CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

EXHIBIT 23.1

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

COMARCO, Inc.

Irvine, California

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 33-44943, 33-45096, 33-63219, 333-11749, 333-78677, and 333-42350) of Comarco, Inc. of our report dated March 31, 2006 relating to the consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations, shareholders’ equity, and cash flows as of and for the years ended January 31, 2006 and 2005, and the referenced consolidated financial statement schedule therein, which appears in the January 31, 2006 annual report on Form 10-K of Comarco, Inc.

/s/ BDO Seidman LLP

April 28, 2006

EX-23.2 5 dex232.htm CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

EXHIBIT 23.2

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors

Comarco, Inc.

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements (Nos. 33-44943, 33-45096, 33-63219, 333-11749, 333-78677, and 333-42350) on Form S-8 of Comarco, Inc. of our report dated May 9, 2004, except as to Note 20, which is as of May 9, 2005, relating to the consolidated statements of income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows of Comarco, Inc. and subsidiaries for the year ended January 31, 2004, and the related schedule, which report appears in the January 31, 2006 annual report on Form 10-K of Comarco, Inc. and subsidiaries.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Costa Mesa, California

May 1, 2006

EX-31.1 6 dex311.htm SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF CEO Section 302 Certification of CEO

EXHIBIT 31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to Section 302 of the

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Thomas A. Franza, Chief Executive Officer of Comarco, Inc., certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of Comarco, Inc.;

 

  2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

  3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

  4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

 

  a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  c) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting;

 

  5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

 

  b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: May 1, 2006

    /s/    THOMAS A. FRANZA        
    Thomas A. Franza
    Chief Executive Officer
EX-31.2 7 dex312.htm SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION OF CFO Section 302 Certification of CFO

EXHIBIT 31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to Section 302 of the

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

I, Daniel R. Lutz, Chief Financial Officer of Comarco, Inc., certify that:

 

  1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K of Comarco, Inc.;

 

  2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

  3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

  4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

 

  a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

  b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

  c) disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting;

 

  5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

  a) all significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

 

  b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: May 1, 2006

    /s/    DANIEL R. LUTZ        
    Daniel R. Lutz
    Chief Financial Officer
EX-32.1 8 dex321.htm SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF CEO Section 906 Certification of CEO

EXHIBIT 32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to Section 906 of the

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with this annual report on Form 10-K of Comarco, Inc. I, Thomas A. Franza, Chief Executive Officer of Comarco, Inc., certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:

 

  1. This annual report on Form 10-K fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

  2. The information contained in this report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Comarco, Inc.

 

Date: May 1, 2006

    /s/    THOMAS A. FRANZA        
    Thomas A. Franza
    Chief Executive Officer

A signed original copy of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

EX-32.2 9 dex322.htm SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION OF CFO Section 906 Certification of CFO

EXHIBIT 32.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer

Pursuant to Section 906 of the

Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

In connection with this annual report on Form 10-K of Comarco, Inc. I, Daniel R. Lutz, Chief Financial Officer of Comarco, Inc., certify, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that, to my knowledge:

 

  1. This annual report on Form 10-K fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

  2. The information contained in this report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Comarco, Inc.

 

Date: May 1, 2006

    /s/    DANIEL R. LUTZ        
    Daniel R. Lutz
    Chief Financial Officer

A signed original copy of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

EX-99.1 10 dex991.htm SUPPLEMENT TO REGISTRANT'S FORM S-8 Supplement to Registrant's Form S-8

EXHIBIT 99.1

Supplement to Registrant’s Registration Statements on Form S-8

In accordance with the requirements of Form S-8, the registrant hereby supplements any discussion of the indemnification provisions of the registrant in all of the registrant’s registration statements previously filed on Form S-8 with the following undertaking:

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers, and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer, or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit, or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer, or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

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