10-Q 1 a08-1335_110q.htm 10-Q

 

FORM 10-Q

 

United States

Securities and Exchange Commission

Washington, D. C. 20549

 

(Mark One)

 

x

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended:  November 30, 2007

 

OR

 

o

Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Commission File Number: 0-14820

 

IMMUCOR, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Georgia

 

22-2408354

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer

incorporation or organization)

 

Identification No.)

 

3130 Gateway Drive P.O. Box 5625 Norcross, Georgia 30091-5625

(Address of principal executive offices)  (Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number:  (770) 441-2051

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

Yes x        No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer x            Accelerated filer o             Non-accelerated filer o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Yes o       No  x

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

 

As of December 31, 2007: Common Stock, $0.10 Par Value – 69,971,367

 

 



 

IMMUCOR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

FORM 10-Q

 

INDEX

 

PART I.      FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

 

Item 1.

Financial Statements

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of November 30, 2007 (unaudited) and May 31, 2007

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and six months ended November 30, 2007 and 2006 (unaudited)

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders’ Equity and Comprehensive Income for the period June 1, 2007 through November 30, 2007 (unaudited)

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended November 30, 2007 and 2006 (unaudited)

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

 

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

 

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

 

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

 

 

PART II.      OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

 

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

 

 

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

 

 Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

 

Item 6.

Exhibits

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

2



 

PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. Financial Statements

 

IMMUCOR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Amounts in thousands, except share data)

 

 

 

November 30, 2007

 

May 31, 2007

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT ASSETS:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

137,778

 

$

113,551

 

Trade accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,886 at November 30, 2007 and $1,726 at May 31, 2007

 

53,547

 

47,768

 

Inventories

 

36,337

 

29,320

 

Deferred income tax assets, current portion

 

4,561

 

3,614

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

5,534

 

5,567

 

Total current assets

 

237,757

 

199,820

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, Net

 

33,570

 

30,245

 

GOODWILL

 

36,159

 

34,763

 

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, Net

 

5,982

 

5,719

 

DEFERRED INCOME TAX ASSETS

 

7,797

 

4,225

 

OTHER ASSETS

 

691

 

706

 

Total assets

 

$

321,956

 

$

275,478

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

8,761

 

$

8,056

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

14,793

 

14,055

 

Income taxes payable

 

5,570

 

7,180

 

Deferred revenue, current portion

 

9,929

 

7,321

 

Current portion of acquisition liability

 

4,079

 

343

 

Total current liabilities

 

43,132

 

36,955

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACQUISITION LIABILITY

 

 

3,488

 

DEFERRED REVENUE

 

12,718

 

12,361

 

DEFERRED INCOME TAX LIABILITIES

 

976

 

1,275

 

OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

 

2,009

 

1,951

 

Total liabilities

 

58,835

 

56,030

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 10)

 

 

 

 

 

SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.10 par value; authorized 120,000,000 shares, issued and outstanding 69,969,774 and 69,086,652 shares at November 30, 2007 and May 31, 2007, respectively

 

6,997

 

6,909

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

33,508

 

29,076

 

Retained earnings

 

213,519

 

179,768

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

9,097

 

3,695

 

Total shareholders’ equity

 

263,121

 

219,448

 

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

$

321,956

 

$

275,478

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

3



 

IMMUCOR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Amounts in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

November 30,
2007

 

November 30,
2006

 

November 30,
2007

 

November 30,
2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NET SALES

 

$

61,924

 

$

54,426

 

$

125,556

 

$

105,466

 

COST OF SALES

 

20,050

 

16,583

 

37,802

 

33,087

 

GROSS PROFIT

 

41,874

 

37,843

 

87,754

 

72,379

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

1,434

 

1,808

 

3,489

 

3,034

 

Selling and marketing

 

7,844

 

6,755

 

15,413

 

12,314

 

Distribution

 

2,646

 

2,380

 

5,330

 

4,668

 

General and administrative

 

6,278

 

5,291

 

12,158

 

10,513

 

Restructuring expense

 

192

 

182

 

723

 

569

 

Amortization expense and other

 

87

 

86

 

173

 

173

 

Total operating expenses

 

18,481

 

16,502

 

37,286

 

31,271

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME FROM OPERATIONS

 

23,393

 

21,341

 

50,468

 

41,108

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NON-OPERATING INCOME (EXPENSES):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income

 

1,131

 

645

 

2,244

 

1,163

 

Interest expense

 

(86

)

(111

)

(181

)

(229

)

Other, net

 

268

 

154

 

87

 

94

 

Total non-operating income

 

1,313

 

688

 

2,150

 

1,028

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES

 

24,706

 

22,029

 

52,618

 

42,136

 

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

 

8,542

 

7,927

 

18,704

 

15,301

 

NET INCOME

 

$

16,164

 

$

14,102

 

$

33,914

 

$

26,835

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Per common share - basic

 

$

0.23

 

$

0.21

 

$

0.49

 

$

0.39

 

Per common share - diluted

 

$

0.23

 

$

0.20

 

$

0.48

 

$

0.38

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

4



 

IMMUCOR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited, amounts in thousands)

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Additional
Paid-In

 

Retained

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

 

Total
Shareholders’

 

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Capital

 

Earnings

 

Income*

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BALANCE, MAY 31, 2007, as previously reported

 

69,087

 

$

6,909

 

$

29,076

 

$

179,768

 

$

3,695

 

$

219,448

 

Adjustment on adoption of FIN 48 (see Note 7)

 

 

 

 

(163

)

 

(163

)

BALANCE, MAY 31, 2007, adjusted

 

69,087

 

6,909

 

29,076

 

179,605

 

3,695

 

219,285

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares issued under employee stock plans

 

1,109

 

111

 

2,135

 

 

 

2,246

 

Share-based compensation expense

 

 

 

2,032

 

 

 

2,032

 

Stock repurchases and retirements

 

(226

)

(23

)

(6,014

)

 

 

(6,037

)

Tax benefits related to share-based compensation

 

 

 

6,279

 

 

 

6,279

 

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

5,402

 

5,402

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

33,914

 

 

33,914

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

39,316

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BALANCE, NOVEMBER 30, 2007

 

69,970

 

$

6,997

 

$

33,508

 

$

213,519

 

$

9,097

 

$

263,121

 

 


*Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income balance primarily consists of foreign currency translation adjustments and has no tax effect.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

5



 

IMMUCOR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited, amounts in thousands)

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

November 30,
2007

 

November 30,
2006

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

33,914

 

$

26,835

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

4,063

 

3,211

 

Accretion of acquisition liabilities

 

90

 

90

 

(Profit) Loss on retirement of fixed assets

 

(20

)

100

 

Provision for doubtful accounts

 

277

 

(53

)

Share-based compensation expense

 

2,032

 

1,652

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(3,031

)

(1,913

)

Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation

 

(6,279

)

(9,475

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, trade

 

(3,776

)

(3,635

)

Income taxes

 

2,270

 

(1,263

)

Inventories

 

(6,073

)

(1,883

)

Other assets

 

(123

)

1,758

 

Accounts payable

 

441

 

(1,013

)

Deferred revenue

 

2,769

 

1,361

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

56

 

2,001

 

Cash provided by operating activities

 

26,610

 

17,773

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(5,711

)

(4,729

)

Proceeds from short-term investments, net

 

 

988

 

Cash used in investing activities

 

(5,711

)

(3,741

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Repayments of long-term debt and liabilities

 

(233

)

(478

)

Repurchase of common stock

 

(5,539

)

(4,872

)

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

 

1,794

 

2,389

 

Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation

 

6,279

 

9,475

 

Cash provided by financing activities

 

2,301

 

6,514

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

1,027

 

(126

)

INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

 

24,227

 

20,420

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF PERIOD

 

113,551

 

54,103

 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD

 

$

137,778

 

$

74,523

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

 

 

 

 

 

Tax paid

 

$

19,464

 

$

17,793

 

Interest paid

 

84

 

120

 

NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

 

 

 

 

 

Shares surrendered for amounts due on stock options exercised

 

$

498

 

$

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

6



 

IMMUCOR, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Unaudited)

 

1.              NATURE OF BUSINESS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

Nature of Business

Immucor, Inc. (“Immucor” and, together with its wholly owned subsidiaries, the “Company”) is in the business of developing, manufacturing and marketing immunological diagnostic medical products. The Company operates facilities in the United States, Canada, Europe and Japan. The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its subsidiaries.

 

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information, and the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) instructions for Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, unless otherwise disclosed in a separate note, considered necessary for a fair presentation of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been recorded in the interim periods presented. These unaudited, condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited, consolidated financial statements and related notes for the year ended May 31, 2007, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements present results of operations for the three and six months ended November 30, 2007. These results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for the year ending May 31, 2008, or any other period.

 

Basis of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Immucor and all its subsidiaries. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

2.              INVENTORIES

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis) or market (net realizable value):

 

 

 

November 30, 2007

 

May 31, 2007

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Raw materials and supplies

 

$

7,793

 

$

6,364

 

Work in process

 

4,776

 

4,829

 

Finished goods

 

23,768

 

18,127

 

 

 

$

36,337

 

$

29,320

 

 

Finished goods at November 30, 2007 and May 31, 2007 include approximately $6.4 million and $3.4 million, respectively, of Echo™ instruments and related parts and accessories. The Company launched its Echo™ instrument in the first quarter ended August 31, 2007 and has increased its Echo™ inventory during the six months ended November 30, 2007 in anticipation of an increase in Echo™ instrument business.

 

3.              SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

During the first quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company either withheld from certain option exercises or reacquired from certain restricted stock holders an aggregate of 206,787 shares valued at $5.5 million in compliance with the statutory tax withholding requirements. The Company retired these shares and disclosed their value as ‘Stock repurchases and retirements’ in the condensed consolidated statement of shareholders’ equity and

 

7



 

comprehensive income and as ‘Repurchase of common stock’ under financing activities in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

 

During the first quarter of fiscal 2008, the Company also withheld 18,609 shares valued at $0.5 million from an employee who exercised options and elected to pay the option exercise price by having shares withheld. These shares were also retired and their values were disclosed as ‘Stock repurchases and retirements’ in the condensed consolidated statement of shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income and as ‘Non-cash investing and financing activities’ in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.

 

The shares acquired in the first quarter of fiscal 2008 were returned to the status of authorized, but unissued shares. No shares were withheld or acquired in the second quarter of fiscal 2008.

 

4.              STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

 

The Company instituted a stock repurchase program in June 1998 for up to 6,075,000 shares of its common stock. On June 1, 2004, August 2, 2004 and December 13, 2005, the Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to an additional 675,000, 1,125,000 and 1,500,000 shares, respectively.

 

During the six months ended November 30, 2007, the Company did not make any repurchases in the open market under the 1998 repurchase program. During the six months ended November 30, 2006, 281,969 shares were repurchased for $4.9 million. As of November 30, 2007, 8,232,944 shares had been repurchased under the program, leaving 1,142,056 shares available for repurchase.

 

The shares repurchased in fiscal 2007 were returned to the status of authorized, but unissued shares.

 

5.              SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

 

Plan summary

 

The Immucor, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “2005 Plan”) was the only active plan during the first six months of fiscal 2008. Under the 2005 Plan, management is able to award stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, deferred stock, and other performance-based awards as incentive and compensation to employees. The maximum number of shares of the Company’s common stock as to which awards may be granted under the 2005 Plan is 3,600,000. The maximum number of shares that may be used for awards other than stock options is 1,800,000, and the maximum number of shares that may be used for grants of incentive stock options is 1,800,000. Options are granted at the closing market price on the date of the grant. Option awards generally vest equally over a four-year period and have a six-year contractual term. Restricted stock awards generally vest equally over a five-year period. The 2005 Plan provides for accelerated vesting of option and restricted stock awards if there is a change in control, as defined in the 2005 Plan.

 

Valuation method used and assumptions

 

The fair value of each option grant in the three months and six months ended November 30, 2007 and 2006 was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

November 30,

 

November 30,

 

November 30,

 

November 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

Risk-free interest rate (1)

 

4.05%

 

4.61%

 

5.04%

 

4.96%

 

Expected volatility (2)

 

40.04%

 

46.82%

 

40.25%

 

47.81%

 

Expected life (years) (3)

 

4.25 

 

4.25 

 

4.25 

 

4.25 

 

Expected dividend yield (4)

 

— 

 

— 

 

— 

 

— 

 

 


(1)

Based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

(2)

Expected stock price volatility is based on the average historical volatility of the Company’s shares during the period corresponding to the expected life of the options.

 

8



 

(3)

Represents the period of time options are expected to remain outstanding. The weighted average expected option term was determined using the “simplified method” as allowed by Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107. The “simplified method” calculates the expected term as the average of the vesting term and original contractual term of the options.

(4)

The Company has not paid dividends on its common stock and does not expect to pay dividends on its common stock in the near future.

 

Impact of adoption of SFAS 123R

 

On adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123R”) as of June 1, 2006, the unrecognized compensation expense associated with the remaining portion of the unvested outstanding awards was $4.5 million ($2.9 million, net of taxes) which is being recognized on a straight-line basis over the weighted-average vesting period of approximately 1.75 years.

 

Total share-based compensation expense included in the condensed consolidated statements of income for the three-month periods ended November 30, 2007 and November 30, 2006 was $1.0 million ($0.7 million, net of taxes), and $0.9 million ($0.7 million, net of taxes), respectively. Total share-based compensation expense included in the condensed consolidated statements of income for the six-month periods ended November 30, 2007 and November 30, 2006 was $2.0 million ($1.4 million, net of taxes), and $1.7 million ($1.2 million, net of taxes), respectively.

 

The impact of the adoption of SFAS 123R on basic and diluted earnings per share was a reduction by $0.01 per share for each of the three-month periods ended November 30, 2007 and November 30, 2006. The impact on basic and diluted earnings per share was a reduction by $0.02 per share for each of the six-month periods ended November 30, 2007 and November 30, 2006.

 

Stock option activity

 

The options granted under the 2005 Plan during the six months ended November 30, 2007 have a six-year term with vesting of 25% at each anniversary of the issuance date; the restricted shares vest 20% at each anniversary of the issuance date. The Company has not granted any option or share awards with market or performance conditions. Compensation costs for stock options with tiered vesting terms are recognized evenly over the vesting periods.

 

The following is a summary of the changes in outstanding options for the six months ended November 30, 2007:

 

 

 

Number of
Shares

 

Weighted
Average
Exercise Price

 

Weighted
Average
Remaining
Contractual
Life (years)

 

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Outstanding at May 31, 2007

 

3,570,914

 

$

5.63

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

424,736

 

$

29.23

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(1,038,489

)

$

1.85

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

(9,141

)

$

20.44

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

(223,605

)

$

1.21

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at August 31, 2007

 

2,724,415

 

$

11.07

 

5.5

 

$

60,712

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

4,998

 

$

31.72

 

 

 

 

 

Exercised

 

(43,863

)

$

7.53

 

 

 

 

 

Forfeited

 

(8,910

)

$

29.23

 

 

 

 

 

Expired

 

(83,725

)

$

1.05

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at November 30, 2007

 

2,592,915

 

$

11.43

 

5.4

 

$

51,351

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exercisable at November 30, 2007

 

1,680,608

 

$

6.26

 

5.1

 

$

41,949

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares available for future grants at November 30, 2007

 

1,084,137

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9



 


(1)

The aggregate intrinsic value in the above table represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the Company’s closing stock price on the last trading day of the quarter and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of options).

(2)

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of share options granted during the first six months of fiscal years 2008 and 2007 was $11.59 and $7.83, respectively. The total intrinsic value of share options exercised during the first six months of fiscal years 2008 and 2007 was $29.6 million and $27.8 million, respectively.

 

Restricted stock activity

 

The Company awarded restricted shares for the first time on June 6, 2006. The following is a summary of the changes in nonvested restricted stock for the six months ended November 30, 2007:

 

 

 

Number of Shares

 

Weighted-Average
Grant-Date Fair
Value

 

 

 

Nonvested stock outstanding at May 31, 2007

 

112,590

 

$

17.51

 

Granted

 

48,055

 

29.23

 

Vested

 

(22,518

)

17.51

 

Forfeited

 

(1,360

)

 

Nonvested stock outstanding at August 31, 2007

 

136,767

 

$

21.63

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

 

 

Vested

 

(3,648

)

23.49

 

Forfeited

 

(184

)

17.51

 

Expired

 

 

 

Nonvested stock outstanding at November 30, 2007

 

132,935

 

$

21.58

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares available for future grants at November 30, 2007

 

1,630,984

 

 

 

 

The total fair value of shares vested during the six-month period ended November 30, 2007 was $0.8 million. No shares vested during the six-month period ended November 30, 2006.

 

As of November 30, 2007, there was $8.7 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation arrangements. This compensation cost is expected to be recognized through June 8, 2012, based on existing vesting terms with the weighted average remaining expense recognition period being approximately 3.24 years.

 

6.              COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 

The components of comprehensive income for the three-month and six-month periods ended November 30, 2007 and 2006 are as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

November 30,

 

November 30,

 

November 30,

 

November 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

16,164

 

$

14,102

 

$

33,914

 

$

26,835

 

Net foreign currency translation adjustments

 

4,031

 

811

 

5,402

 

73

 

Comprehensive income

 

$

20,195

 

$

14,913

 

$

39,316

 

$

26,908

 

 

No tax effect is recorded for foreign currency translation adjustments as the foreign net assets translated are deemed permanently invested.

 

10



 

7.              INCOME TAXES

 

The Company adopted the provisions of Financial Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109” (“FIN 48”) on June 1, 2007. The cumulative effect of implementation of FIN 48 was a $0.2 million increase in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits, which was accounted for as a decrease in the May 31, 2007 balance of retained earnings. As of the adoption date, the Company had gross unrecognized tax benefits of $5.1 million, which was accounted for as follows (in thousands):

 

Reduction in Retained Earnings (cumulative effect)

 

$

163

 

Addition to Deferred Tax Assets

 

$

1,745

 

Reduction in FAS 5 Reserve

 

$

3,222

 

Increase in Liability

 

$

5,130

 

 

The total balance of unrecognized tax benefits that would affect the effective tax rate, if recognized, is $3.4 million. The Company does not currently anticipate that the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease during the twelve months ending November 30, 2008.

 

The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. Upon adoption of FIN 48 on June 1, 2007, the Company recognized $1.0 million of gross interest expense. The company has not recognized any penalties upon adoption of FIN 48. The amount of the unrecognized tax benefits did not change significantly during the three or six months ended November 30, 2007.

 

The Company is subject to taxation in the U.S. and various states and foreign jurisdictions. The Company’s tax years for the fiscal years ended May 31, 2004, May 31, 2005, and May 31, 2006 are subject to examination by the tax authorities.

 

With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state, local or foreign examinations by tax authorities for years before the fiscal year ended May 31, 2004.

 

8.              EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 128, “Earnings per Share”.

 

Basic earnings per common share are calculated by dividing net income by weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per common share are calculated by dividing net income by weighted-average common shares outstanding during the period plus dilutive potential common shares, which are determined as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

 

11



 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

November 30,

 

November 30,

 

November 30,

 

November 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Income

 

$

16,164

 

$

14,102

 

$

33,914

 

$

26,835

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For basic earnings per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

- weighted average shares basis

 

69,954

 

68,245

 

69,693

 

67,971

 

Effect of dilutive stock options and restricted stock

 

1,157

 

2,301

 

1,401

 

2,388

 

Denominator for diluted earnings per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-adjusted weighted average shares basis

 

71,111

 

70,546

 

71,094

 

70,359

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per common share – basic

 

$

0.23

 

$

0.21

 

$

0.49

 

$

0.39

 

Earnings per common share – diluted

 

$

0.23

 

$

0.20

 

$

0.48

 

$

0.38

 

 

The effect of 2,760 and 332 out-of-the-money options for the quarter ended November 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and 10,813 and 4,029 out-of-the-money options for the six months ended November 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, were excluded from the above calculation as inclusion of these securities would be anti-dilutive.

 

9.              SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION

 

The Company’s operations and segments are organized around geographic areas. Immucor’s “Other” segment includes the operations of Belgium, Portugal, Spain and France. The foreign locations principally function as distributors of products developed and manufactured by the Company in the United States and Canada. The accounting policies applied in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements are applied consistently across all segments. Intersegment sales are recorded at market price and are eliminated in consolidation.

 

Segment information for the three-month and six-month periods ended November 30, 2007 and 2006 is summarized below (in thousands).

 

12



 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2007

 

 

 

U.S.

 

Germany

 

Italy

 

Canada

 

Japan

 

Other

 

Elims

 

Consolidated

 

Traditional reagent revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated customers

 

$

32,713

 

$

2,221

 

$

2,160

 

$

2,536

 

$

1,832

 

$

1,562

 

$

 

$

43,024

 

Affiliates

 

1,364

 

904

 

 

49

 

 

1

 

(2,318

)

 

Total

 

34,077

 

3,125

 

2,160

 

2,585

 

1,832

 

1,563

 

(2,318

)

43,024

 

Capture revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated customers

 

7,530

 

999

 

1,365

 

728

 

132

 

1,485

 

 

12,239

 

Affiliates

 

1,481

 

588

 

 

 

 

 

(2,069

)

 

Total

 

9,011

 

1,587

 

1,365

 

728

 

132

 

1,485

 

(2,069

)

12,239

 

Net instrument revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated customers

 

3,226

 

1,509

 

623

 

735

 

62

 

316

 

 

6,471

 

Affiliates

 

217

 

828

 

 

 

 

 

(1,045

)

 

Total

 

3,443

 

2,337

 

623

 

735

 

62

 

316

 

(1,045

)

6,471

 

Net collagen revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated customers

 

190

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

190

 

Affiliates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

190

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

190

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Sales

 

46,721

 

7,049

 

4,148

 

4,048

 

2,026

 

3,364

 

(5,432

)

61,924

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

21,124

 

(66

)

684

 

1,438

 

(107

)

124

 

196

 

23,393

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

1,143

 

183

 

386

 

59

 

52

 

259

 

 

2,082

 

Amortization

 

71

 

 

 

 

17

 

 

 

88

 

Restructuring expenses

 

192

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

192

 

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

7,955

 

(301

)

414

 

377

 

 

25

 

72

 

8,542

 

Capital expenditures

 

1,670

 

103

 

601

 

19

 

66

 

313

 

 

2,772

 

 

 

 

For the Three Months Ended November 30, 2006

 

 

 

U.S.

 

Germany

 

Italy

 

Canada

 

Japan

 

Other

 

Elims

 

Consolidated

 

Traditional reagent revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated customers

 

$

28,472

 

$

1,851

 

$

2,093

 

$

2,175

 

$

1,842

 

$

1,007

 

$

 

$

37,440

 

Affiliates

 

1,494

 

503

 

 

57

 

 

91

 

(2,145

)

 

Total

 

29,966

 

2,354

 

2,093

 

2,232

 

1,842

 

1,098

 

(2,145

)

37,440

 

Capture revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated customers

 

6,682

 

784

 

1,502

 

484

 

201

 

1,302

 

 

10,955

 

Affiliates

 

1,401

 

232

 

 

 

 

 

(1,633

)

 

Total

 

8,083

 

1,016

 

1,502

 

484

 

201

 

1,302

 

(1,633

)

10,955

 

Net instrument revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated customers

 

2,608

 

1,132

 

304

 

149

 

3

 

686

 

 

4,882

 

Affiliates

 

248

 

1,054

 

 

 

 

 

(1,302

)

 

Total

 

2,856

 

2,186

 

304

 

149

 

3

 

686

 

(1,302

)

4,882

 

Net collagen revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated customers

 

1,149

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,149

 

Affiliates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

1,149

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,149

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Sales

 

42,054

 

5,556

 

3,899

 

2,865

 

2,046

 

3,086

 

(5,080

)

54,426

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

18,778

 

(53

)

896

 

1,405

 

163

 

231

 

(79

)

21,341

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

783

 

160

 

341

 

48

 

39

 

198

 

 

1,569

 

Amortization

 

71

 

 

 

 

16

 

2

 

 

89

 

Restructuring expenses

 

182

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

182

 

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

6,997

 

(95

)

498

 

536

 

 

20

 

(29

)

7,927

 

Capital expenditures

 

2,346

 

228

 

145

 

20

 

8

 

202

 

 

2,949

 

 

13



 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended November 30, 2007

 

 

 

U.S.

 

Germany

 

Italy

 

Canada

 

Japan

 

Other

 

Elims

 

Consolidated

 

Traditional reagent revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated customers

 

$

68,010

 

$

4,148

 

$

4,336

 

$

4,850

 

$

3,662

 

$

3,095

 

$

 

$

88,101

 

Affiliates

 

2,960

 

1,921

 

 

118

 

 

6

 

(5,005

)

 

Total

 

70,970

 

6,069

 

4,336

 

4,968

 

3,662

 

3,101

 

(5,005

)

88,101

 

Capture revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated customers

 

15,077

 

1,934

 

2,899

 

1,348

 

229

 

2,690

 

 

24,177

 

Affiliates

 

3,177

 

1,140

 

 

 

 

 

(4,317

)

 

Total

 

18,254

 

3,074

 

2,899

 

1,348

 

229

 

2,690

 

(4,317

)

24,177

 

Net instrument revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated customers

 

6,134

 

2,373

 

1,293

 

969

 

158

 

654

 

 

11,581

 

Affiliates

 

874

 

1,724

 

 

 

 

 

(2,598

)

 

Total

 

7,008

 

4,097

 

1,293

 

969

 

158

 

654

 

(2,598

)

11,581

 

Net collagen revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated customers

 

1,697

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,697

 

Affiliates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

1,697

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,697

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Sales

 

97,929

 

13,240

 

8,528

 

7,285

 

4,049

 

6,445

 

(11,920

)

125,556

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

46,085

 

30

 

1,639

 

2,679

 

(199

)

371

 

(137

)

50,468

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

2,104

 

360

 

719

 

112

 

100

 

495

 

 

3,890

 

Amortization

 

141

 

 

 

 

32

 

 

 

173

 

Restructuring expenses

 

723

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

723

 

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

17,186

 

(267

)

950

 

850

 

 

36

 

(51

)

18,704

 

Capital expenditures

 

4,074

 

162

 

800

 

86

 

88

 

501

 

 

 

5,711

 

Property & equipment - net

 

23,535

 

2,276

 

3,120

 

1,351

 

619

 

2,669

 

 

33,570

 

Total assets at period end

 

277,972

 

18,602

 

26,539

 

20,602

 

15,609

 

13,391

 

(50,759

)

321,956

 

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended November 30, 2006

 

 

 

U.S.

 

Germany

 

Italy

 

Canada

 

Japan

 

Other

 

Elims

 

Consolidated

 

Traditional reagent revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated customers

 

$

56,700

 

$

3,685

 

$

4,017

 

$

4,385

 

$

3,741

 

$

2,020

 

$

 

$

74,548

 

Affiliates

 

3,080

 

911

 

 

115

 

 

132

 

(4,238

)

 

Total

 

59,780

 

4,596

 

4,017

 

4,500

 

3,741

 

2,152

 

(4,238

)

74,548

 

Capture revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated customers

 

12,201

 

1,676

 

2,847

 

921

 

332

 

2,565

 

 

20,542

 

Affiliates

 

2,617

 

277

 

 

 

 

 

(2,894

)

 

Total

 

14,818

 

1,953

 

2,847

 

921

 

332

 

2,565

 

(2,894

)

20,542

 

Net instrument revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated customers

 

4,827

 

1,564

 

585

 

254

 

5

 

916

 

 

8,151

 

Affiliates

 

438

 

1,876

 

 

 

 

 

(2,314

)

 

Total

 

5,265

 

3,440

 

585

 

254

 

5

 

916

 

(2,314

)

8,151

 

Net collagen revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unaffiliated customers

 

2,225

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,225

 

Affiliates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

2,225

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,225

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net Sales

 

82,088

 

9,989

 

7,449

 

5,675

 

4,078

 

5,633

 

(9,446

)

105,466

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

 

36,929

 

(338

)

1,533

 

2,611

 

52

 

638

 

(317

)

41,108

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation

 

1,483

 

327

 

667

 

95

 

78

 

384

 

 

3,034

 

Amortization

 

141

 

 

 

 

32

 

4

 

 

177

 

Restructuring expenses

 

569

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

569

 

Income tax (benefit) expense

 

13,610

 

(95

)

838

 

1,030

 

 

35

 

(117

)

15,301

 

Capital expenditures

 

3,633

 

274

 

404

 

35

 

20

 

363

 

 

4,729

 

Property & equipment, net

 

18,207

 

2,447

 

2,904

 

1,239

 

529

 

2,111

 

 

27,437

 

Total assets at period end

 

196,081

 

12,911

 

20,715

 

15,479

 

13,020

 

10,402

 

(44,130

)

224,478

 

 

The Company’s U.S. operations made net export sales to unaffiliated customers of approximately $1.6 million and $1.4 million for the three months ended November 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and approximately $2.9 million and $2.6 million for the six months ended November 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The Company’s German operations made net export sales to unaffiliated customers of approximately $2.1 million and $1.3 million for the three months ended November 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively, and approximately $3.4 million and $2.2 million for the six months ended November 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively. The Company’s Canadian operations made net

 

14



 

export sales to unaffiliated customers of approximately $0.7 million and $0.4 million, respectively, for the three months ended November 30, 2007 and 2006, and approximately $1.1 million and $0.9 million for the six months ended November 30, 2007 and 2006, respectively.

 

The Company discontinued manufacturing collagen products in the second quarter of fiscal 2008.

 

10.       COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

FTC Investigation

On October 12, 2007, the Company received a letter from the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) requesting that the Company voluntarily provide certain documents and information to the FTC concerning three acquisitions made by the Company in the period from 1996 through 1999, and concerning the Company’s product pricing activities since then.  The letter states the request is part of a non-public investigation by the FTC of whether the Company violated federal antitrust laws or engaged in unfair methods of competition through those acquisitions, and whether the Company or others engaged in unfair methods of competition by restricting price competition.  The FTC letter states that neither the letter nor the existence of the investigation indicates that the FTC has concluded that the Company or anyone else has violated the law.  The Company intends to cooperate with the FTC in this investigation, and is in the process of responding to the FTC’s request.  At this time the Company cannot reasonably assess the timing or outcome of the investigation or its effect, if any, on the Company’s business.

 

Other than as set forth above or as previously reported in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007, as amended, the Company is not currently subject to any material legal proceedings, nor, to the Company’s knowledge, is any material legal proceeding threatened against the Company.  However, from time to time, the Company may become a party to certain legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. Management does not believe any ongoing legal proceedings, including those summarized above, will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position.

 

11.       RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

 

Income taxes

 

On July 13, 2006, the Financial Accounting Standard Board (“FASB”) issued FIN 48.  FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in an entity’s financial statements in accordance with  Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 109, “Accounting for Income Taxes” and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attributes for financial statement disclosure of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return.  Under FIN 48, the impact of an uncertain income tax position on an income tax return must be recognized at the largest amount that is more-likely-than-not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority.  An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained.  Additionally, FIN 48 provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The Company implemented FIN 48 effective June 1, 2007. A more detailed discussion of the effect of the adoption of FIN 48 is included in Note 7, “Income Taxes.”

 

Fair value measurements

 

In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements”. SFAS No. 157 provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities. This standard also responds to investors’ requests for expanded information about the extent to which companies measure assets and liabilities at fair value, the information used to measure fair value and the effect of fair value measurements on earnings.  SFAS No. 157 applies whenever other standards require (or permit) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value. The standard does not expand the use of fair value in any new circumstances. SFAS No. 157 is effective for the Company in its fiscal year beginning June 1, 2008. The Company does not believe SFAS No. 157 will have a material impact on its results of operation or financial position.

 

15



 

Fair value option for certain financial instruments

 

On February 15, 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” which gives entities the option to measure eligible financial assets, financial liabilities and firm commitments at fair value (i.e., the fair value option), on an instrument-by-instrument basis, that are otherwise not permitted to be accounted for at fair value under other accounting standards.  The election to use the fair value option is available when an entity first recognizes a financial asset or financial liability or upon entering into a firm commitment. Subsequent changes in fair value must be recorded in earnings.  SFAS No. 159 is effective for the Company in its fiscal year beginning June 1, 2008. The Company is currently assessing the effect of implementing this guidance, which is dependent upon the nature and extent of eligible items elected to be measured at fair value upon initial application of the standard.  However, the Company does not expect the adoption of SFAS No. 159 to have a material impact on its results of operation or financial position.

 

Advance payments for research and development activities

 

In June 2007, the Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) issued EITF 07-3, “Accounting for Nonrefundable Advance Payments for Goods or Services to Be Used in Future Research and Development Activities” (“EITF 07-3”). EITF 07-3 addresses the diversity that exists with respect to the accounting for the non-refundable portion of a payment made by a research and development entity for future research and development activities. The EITF concluded that an entity must defer and capitalize non-refundable advance payments made for research and development activities until the related goods are delivered or the related services are performed.  Entities should continue to evaluate whether they expect the goods to be delivered or services to be rendered.  If an entity does not expect the goods to be delivered or services to be rendered, the capitalized advance payment should be charged to expense.  EITF 07-3 is effective for the Company in its fiscal year beginning June 1, 2008. The Company does not believe the adoption of EITF 07-3 will have a material impact on its results of operations or financial position.

 

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

 

Certain statements that the Company may make from time to time, including all statements contained in this report that are not statements of historical fact, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the safe harbor provisions set forth in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as “plans,” “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “will,” “should” and other words of similar meaning used in conjunction with, among other things, discussions of future operations, financial performance, product development and new product launches, FDA and other regulatory applications and approvals, market position and expenditures.  Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement made by, or on behalf of, the Company include the following, some of which are described in greater detail below: lower than expected market acceptance of the Company’s new Galileo Echo instrument; the decision of customers to defer capital spending; the inability of customers to efficiently integrate the Company’s instruments into their blood banking operations; increased competition in the sale of instruments and reagents, particularly in North America; product development or regulatory obstacles; the ability to hire and retain key managers; changes in interest rates; fluctuations in foreign currency conversion rates; the ability of the Company’s Japanese subsidiary to attain expected revenue, gross margin and net income levels; the outcome of any legal claims or regulatory investigations known or unknown; delays in regulatory approvals required to move Houston manufacturing to another Company facility; higher than expected Houston closure costs; higher than expected manufacturing consolidation costs; the unexpected application of different accounting rules; and general economic conditions. In addition, the strengthening of the US Dollar versus the Euro, Canadian Dollar and Japanese Yen would adversely impact reported results. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements.  The Company cautions that historical results should not be relied upon as indications of future performance.  The Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.  Additional information concerning these and other factors which could cause differences between forward-looking statements and future actual results is discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2007.

 

16



 

Overview

 

Our Business

 

We develop, manufacture, and sell a complete line of reagents and automated systems used primarily by hospitals, clinical laboratories and blood banks in tests performed to detect and identify certain properties of human blood prior to blood transfusion. We have manufacturing facilities in the United States and Canada. We sell our products from these facilities and through our affiliates in Germany, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, France and Japan.

 

The FDA regulates all aspects of the immunohematology industry, including marketing of reagents and instruments used to detect and identify blood properties. Our industry has been very labor intensive, but in recent years it has made noticeable advances in automating certain manual processes.  We believe that companies that have successfully introduced new technologies and automated products have seen their profitability improve.

 

We have introduced several instruments in the past, and we continue to focus on developing new instruments and improving our existing instruments. In June 2007, we received FDA clearance to market our latest instrument, Echo™, which is a compact bench top, fully-automated walk-away instrument for small- and medium-sized hospitals, blood banks and transfusion laboratories.  Echo™ uses Capture products, our proprietary reagents, and offers an extensive test menu and significant labor reduction while increasing productivity and patient safety. We expect to increase our market share and revenues from the sale of Echo™ and Galileo® instruments and the sale of Capture products in the near term. Instruments and Capture products currently account for approximately 30% of our revenues.

 

Performance

 

In fiscal 2008, we continue to focus on increasing revenue and market share. We have concentrated our efforts on successfully marketing the Echo™, which received FDA clearance in June 2007. As part of this effort, in fiscal 2008, we have continued to critically examine our organizational structure and modify it where necessary, including the hiring and training of additional sales, technical and contracting personnel to ensure the smooth introduction of the Echo™. We also continue to place Galileo® instruments in the market.

 

As of November 30, 2007, we had received orders for a total of 540 Galileo® instruments worldwide (an increase of 36 instruments in the second quarter of fiscal 2008), including 304 in Europe, 234 in North America and 2 in Japan, and 478 of these Galileo® instruments were generating reagent revenues, an increase of 22 instruments in the second quarter of fiscal 2008. We began selling Echo™ in the first quarter of fiscal 2008. As of November 30, 2007, we had received orders for a total of 85 Echo™ instruments worldwide, with orders for 55 Echo™ instruments received in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 and 30 Echo™ instruments prior to the second quarter of fiscal 2008.

 

Revenue increased by 14% and 19% during the three months and six months ended November 30, 2007, respectively, compared to revenue earned in the corresponding periods of fiscal 2007. These improvements were largely attributable to the price increases in our traditional reagents (reagents not using our patented Capture technology) introduced in fiscal 2006 and 2007, and to a lesser extent due to exchange gains and sales volume increases in Capture products and instruments. We do not expect prices for traditional reagents to increase in fiscal 2008 as much as they increased in fiscal 2007.

 

Our overall gross margin decreased to 68% during the second quarter of fiscal 2008 from 70% achieved in the corresponding quarter of fiscal 2007. The reduction in the overall gross margin was primarily due to a reduction in instrument margins as a result of an increase in instrument sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 compared to the corresponding quarter of fiscal 2007. In the second quarter of fiscal 2008, we expensed the cost of 25 Galileo and 9 Echo instruments for which revenue was deferred, compared to 8 Galileo expensed in the prior year second quarter. We may see similar pressure on our overall gross margin as we expect the number of such transactions to increase in the future. Margin on products other than instruments improved from 75% in the second quarter of fiscal 2007 to 76% in the current quarter.

 

In the second quarter of fiscal 2008, our operating expenses rose by 12% while gross profit increased by 11%, which translated into a 15% increase in net income compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2007. In the six months ended November 30, 2007, our operating expenses rose by 19% while gross profit increased by 21%, which translated into a 26% increase in net income compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2007. Expenses relating to the Echo™ launch and cost associated with the development of the next generation of the

 

17



 

Galileo® contributed to a higher percentage increase in operating expenses than we have experienced in the recent past.

 

On December 10, 2007, we entered into an agreement to sell our Houston property and certain of the Houston assets for approximately $2.4 million to SkinMedica, Inc., for whom we used to manufacture certain collagen products at the Houston facility. We will record a gain of approximately $1.0 million on this sale in the third quarter of fiscal 2008. With this sale, the restructuring plan relating to the closure of the Houston, Texas, manufacturing facility and the consolidation of production in Norcross, Georgia, and Halifax, Nova Scotia is substantially complete.

 

Business Outlook

 

For fiscal 2008, our primary focus has been and will be to successfully introduce and market the new Echo to small- and medium-size customers. We will also continue to focus on placing Galileo® instruments with larger customers. Over the next few years, we expect our core business to shift gradually from being mainly a supplier of traditional reagents to being a major supplier of automated instruments that use our proprietary Capture technology and products. We expect to complete our development of the next generation of the Galileo® with additional and improved features in the 2008 calendar year, and we expect to submit it to the FDA for clearance in the 2009 calendar year.

 

We have decided to sell our products directly in France instead of through a distributor, and we are currently developing a transition plan with Bio-Rad Laboratories, Inc., our current distributor. Because our marketing efforts in France will be disrupted during the transition, we expect instrument revenue and related reagent revenue to be lower in France in fiscal 2008 than originally expected.  However, this expected shortfall will not be material to our overall results. In the six months ended November 30, 2007, we have spent $0.2 million and expect to incur additional expenses in the remainder of fiscal 2008 to establish the new organization in France.

 

Results of Operations

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

November 30,

 

Change

 

November 30,

 

Change

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Amount

 

%

 

2007

 

2006

 

Amount

 

%

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

Net Sales

 

$

61,924

 

$

54,426

 

$

7,498

 

14%

 

$

125,556

 

$

105,466

 

$

20,090

 

19%

 

Gross profit

 

41,874

 

37,843

 

4,031

 

11%

 

87,754

 

72,379

 

15,375

 

21%

 

Gross profit percentage

 

68

%

70

%

n/m

 

-2%

 

70

%

69

%

n/m

 

1%

 

Operating expenses

 

18,481

 

16,502

 

1,979

 

12%

 

37,286

 

31,271

 

6,015

 

19%

 

Income from Operations

 

23,393

 

21,341

 

2,052

 

10%

 

50,468

 

41,108

 

9,360

 

23%

 

Non-operating income

 

1,313

 

688

 

625

 

91%

 

2,150

 

1,028

 

1,122

 

109%

 

Income before income tax

 

24,706

 

22,029

 

2,677

 

12%

 

52,618

 

42,136

 

10,482

 

25%

 

Provision for income tax

 

8,542

 

7,927

 

615

 

8%

 

18,704

 

15,301

 

3,403

 

22%

 

Net income

 

$

16,164

 

$

14,102

 

$

2,062

 

15%

 

$

33,914

 

$

26,835

 

$

7,079

 

26%

 

 

Improved sales, along with a proportionately lower increase in operating expenses, resulted in an increase in net income of $2.1 million and $7.1 million for the three-month and six-month periods of fiscal 2008, respectively, which translate into a 15% and a 26% increase over the corresponding periods of fiscal 2007, respectively. Diluted earnings per share totaled $0.23 and $0.48 for the three-month and six-month periods of fiscal 2008, respectively, as compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.20 and $0.38 for the corresponding periods of fiscal 2007, respectively.

 

United States operations continue to generate the majority of our revenue and operating income. U.S. operations generated 77% and 91%, respectively, of our revenue and operating income in the six months ended November 30, 2007 compared to 72% and 90%, respectively, in the corresponding period of fiscal 2007.

 

18



 

Net Sales

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

Six Months Ended

 

 

 

 

 

November 30,

 

Change

 

November 30,

 

Change

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Amount

 

%

 

2007

 

2006

 

Amount

 

%

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

Traditional reagents

 

$

43,024

 

$

37,440

 

$

5,584

 

15%

 

$

88,101

 

$

74,548

 

$

13,553

 

18%

 

Capture products

 

12,239

 

10,955

 

1,284

 

12%

 

24,177

 

20,542

 

3,635

 

18%

 

Instruments

 

6,471

 

4,882

 

1,589

 

33%

 

11,581

 

8,151

 

3,430

 

42%

 

Collagen

 

190

 

1,149

 

(959

)

-83%

 

1,697

 

2,225

 

(528

)

-24%

 

 

 

$

61,924

 

$

54,426

 

$

7,498

 

14%

 

$

125,556

 

$

105,466

 

$

20,090

 

19%

 

 

Of the $7.5 million total increase in revenues in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 compared to the corresponding quarter of fiscal 2007, approximately $6.6 million came from price increases in the United States, approximately $1.9 million was attributable to the effect of the changes in the Euro, Japanese Yen and Canadian dollar exchange rates and approximately $0.8 million came from sales increases, including instrument revenues outside the United States. These revenue increases were partially offset by approximately $1.8 million in volume decreases (including a reduction of $1.0 million due to the discontinuation of the production of collagen products) in the United States.

 

Of the $20.1 million total increase in revenues in the six months ended November 30, 2007 compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2007, approximately $15.3 million came from price increases in the United States, approximately $2.7 million was attributable to the effect of the changes in the Euro, Japanese Yen and Canadian dollar exchange rates and approximately $2.4 million came from sales increases, including instrument revenues outside the United States. These revenue increases were partially offset by approximately $0.3 million in volume decreases (a reduction of $0.5 million due to the discontinuation of the production of collagen products, offset by $0.2 million volume increases in other products) in the United States.

 

The 15% and 18% growth in traditional reagent revenue in the three-month and six-month periods ended November 30, 2007, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods of fiscal 2007 occurred mainly as a result of price increases in the United States.  Traditional reagent sales have historically been our primary source of revenue and still constitute roughly 70% of our revenues.  We expect the significance of this line of products to gradually decline as we place more instruments in the market that use our proprietary Capture products. We do not expect prices for traditional reagents to increase in fiscal 2008 as much as they increased in fiscal 2007.

 

Sales of Capture products increased by 12% and 18% in the three-month and six-month periods ended November 30, 2007, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods of fiscal 2007 mainly due to volume increases.  Sales of Capture products are largely dependent on the number of installed instruments requiring the use of Capture reagents.  As we succeed in placing more instruments in the market, we expect revenue from Capture products to continue to increase.

 

Revenue from instruments increased by 33% and 42% in the three-month and six-month periods ended November 30, 2007, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods of fiscal 2007. Most instrument sales in the United States are recognized over the life of the underlying reagent contract, which is normally five years. In the fiscal 2008 quarter, $2.1 million of deferred revenue was recognized from previously placed instruments compared to $1.0 million recognized in the 2007 quarter, and approximately $3.3 million of instrument sales were deferred in this manner, compared to $1.1 million in the 2007 quarter. In the first six months of fiscal 2008, $3.7 million of deferred revenue was recognized from previously placed instruments compared to $1.8 million recognized in the corresponding period of fiscal 2007, and in the 2008 fiscal period, approximately $6.1 million of instrument sales were deferred in this manner, compared to $3.0 million in the corresponding 2007 period. As of November 30, 2007 and November 30, 2006, deferred instrument and service revenues totaled $22.6 million and $17.4 million, respectively.

 

We discontinued manufacturing collagen products in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 as our commitment to a third party has expired. This action resulted in a revenue decrease of $1.0 million and $0.5 million in the three-month and six-month periods, respectively, compared to revenue earned from these products in the corresponding periods of fiscal 2007.

 

19



 

Gross Margins

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
November 30,

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Change

 

 

 

Amount

 

Margin %

 

Amount

 

Margin %

 

Amount

 

%

 

 

 

(in ’000)

 

 

 

(in ’000)

 

 

 

(in ’000)

 

 

 

Traditional reagents

 

$

32,153

 

75%

 

$

28,040

 

75%

 

$

4,113

 

15%

 

Capture products

 

10,335

 

84%

 

9,088

 

83%

 

1,247

 

14%

 

Instruments

 

(505

)

-8%

 

446

 

9%

 

(951

)

213%

 

Collagen

 

(109

)

-57%

 

269

 

23%

 

(378

)

-141%

 

 

 

$

41,874

 

68%

 

$

37,843

 

70%

 

$

4,031

 

11%

 

 

 

 

Six Months Ended
November 30,

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Change

 

 

 

Amount

 

Margin %

 

Amount

 

Margin %

 

Amount

 

%

 

 

 

(in ’000)

 

 

 

(in ’000)

 

 

 

(in ’000)

 

 

 

Traditional reagents

 

$

68,016

 

77%

 

$

55,462

 

74%

 

$

12,554

 

23%

 

Capture products

 

20,436

 

85%

 

16,819

 

82%

 

3,617

 

22%

 

Instruments

 

(715

)

-6%

 

(575

)

-7%

 

(140

)

-24%

 

Collagen

 

17

 

1%

 

673

 

30%

 

(656

)

-97%

 

 

 

$

87,754

 

70%

 

$

72,379

 

69%

 

$

15,375

 

21%

 

 

Our overall gross margin decreased to 68% during the second quarter of fiscal 2008 from 70% achieved in the corresponding quarter of fiscal 2007. In the second quarter of fiscal 2008, we expensed the cost of 25 Galileo and 9 Echo instruments for which revenue was deferred compared to 8 Galileo in the prior year second quarter. The reduction in the overall gross margin was primarily due to a reduction in instrument margins as a result of this increase in instrument sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 compared to the corresponding quarter of fiscal 2007. Additionally, the discontinuation of the production of collagen products accounted for about 0.5% reduction in the overall gross margin. Margin on products other than the instruments improved from 75% in the second quarter of fiscal 2007 to 76% in the current quarter.

 

For the six months ended November 30, 2007, our overall gross margin increased to 70% from 69% achieved in the corresponding period of fiscal 2007. Improvements in margins of traditional reagents and Capture products by 2% and 3%, respectively, contributed to the 1% increase in the overall margin during the six months ended November 30, 2007 compared to the overall margin achieved in the corresponding period of fiscal 2007.

 

Gross margins on traditional reagents for the three-month periods ended November 30, 2007 and November 30, 2006 remained at 75%. Gross margin on traditional reagents improved by 3% to 77% in the six-month period ended November 30, 2007 compared to the corresponding period of fiscal 2007 primarily due to price increases.

 

The gross margin on Capture products improved by 1% and 3% in the three-month and six-month periods ended November 30, 2007, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods of fiscal 2007.  This improvement was largely impacted by a reduction in royalty expenses.  In the six-month period ended November 30, 2006, we paid royalties of $0.2 million under an agreement which expired in fiscal 2007 for certain Capture products; we did not incur any royalty expenses for these products in the six-month period ended November 30, 2007.

 

In the case of instruments, comparing gross margin from period to period can be misleading due to the method of accounting used for revenue and cost for certain types of instrument sales.  Where sales contracts have price guarantee clauses, instrument costs are expensed when the sale is made, but the related revenue is deferred and recorded as income over the term of the contract.  For the three-month and six-month periods ended November 30, 2007, the gross margin on instruments was negative 8% and negative 6%, respectively, compared to 9% and negative 7%, respectively, for the corresponding periods in fiscal 2007.

 

20



 

Operating Expenses

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
November 30,

 

Change

 

Six Months Ended
November 30,

 

Change

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Amount

 

%

 

2007

 

2006

 

Amount

 

%

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

Research and development

 

$

1,434

 

$

1,808

 

$

(374

)

-21%

 

$

3,489

 

$

3,034

 

$

455

 

15%

 

Selling and marketing

 

7,844

 

6,755

 

1,089

 

16%

 

15,413

 

12,314

 

3,099

 

25%

 

Distribution

 

2,646

 

2,380

 

266

 

11%

 

5,330

 

4,668

 

662

 

14%

 

General and administrative

 

6,278

 

5,291

 

987

 

19%

 

12,158

 

10,513

 

1,645

 

16%

 

Restructuring expense

 

192

 

182

 

10

 

5%

 

723

 

569

 

154

 

27%

 

Amortization expense and other

 

87

 

86

 

1

 

1%

 

173

 

173

 

––

 

0%

 

Total operating expenses

 

$

18,481

 

$

16,502

 

$

1,979

 

12%

 

$

37,286

 

$

31,271

 

$

6,015

 

19%

 

 

Selling and marketing expenses increased by approximately $1.1 million and $3.1 million for the three-month and six-month periods ended November 30, 2007, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods of fiscal 2007. Such expenses were impacted primarily by new hires, annual salary increases and other salary related expenses and an increase in sales meetings, conventions and travel expenses. A significant amount of these expenses related to the launch of the Echo™ instrument in fiscal 2008.

 

General and administrative expenses increased by $1.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal 2008 compared to the corresponding 2007 quarter; $0.6 million of the increase related to personnel costs and consultancy fees. General and administrative expenses increased by $1.6 million in the six-month period ended November 30, 2007 compared to the corresponding 2007 fiscal period; major variations were an increase in salaries, new hires, share-based compensation and bonus expenses (approximately $1.6 million) and a reduction in professional services attributable primarily to the reduction in outsourcing of Sarbanes-Oxley compliance work (approximately $0.7 million).

 

Income Taxes

 

The provision for income taxes increased $0.6 million and $3.4 million in the three-month and six-month periods ended November 30, 2007, respectively, compared to the corresponding periods in fiscal 2007 primarily due to higher pre-tax income. The effective income tax rate was 34.6% and 35.5% in the three-month and six-month periods ended November 30, 2007, respectively, compared with 36.0% and 36.3% in the three-month and six-month periods ended November 30, 2006. The decrease in the effective rates in fiscal 2008 is principally due to the reduction of the German income tax rate by approximately 10% and the recording of previously unclaimed research and development credits in fiscal 2008 by the Canadian affiliate.

 

As a result of utilizing compensation cost deductions arising from the exercise of nonqualified employee stock options granted prior to June 1, 2006 for federal and state income tax purposes, we realized income tax benefits of approximately $1.9 million and $6.3 million in the three-month and six-month periods ended November 30, 2007, respectively, compared to $9.1 million and $9.5 million realized in the corresponding periods of fiscal 2007.  As required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, these income tax benefits are recognized in our financial statements as additions to additional paid-in capital rather than as reductions of the respective income tax provisions in the consolidated financial statements because the related compensation deductions were not recognized as compensation expense for financial reporting purposes. Our income tax liability is reduced by these amounts.

 

Non-Operating Income (Expenses)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended
November 30,

 

Change

 

Six Months Ended
November 30,

 

Change

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

Amount

 

2007

 

2006

 

Amount

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

($ in thousands)

 

Non-operating income

 

$

1,313

 

$

688

 

$

625

 

$

2,150

 

$

1,028

 

$

1,122

 

 

The increases in non-operating income for the three-month and six-month periods of fiscal 2008 compared to the corresponding periods of fiscal 2007 were primarily attributable to an increase in interest income due to the increase in our cash balances.

 

Net Income and Earnings per Share

 

Higher sales and gross profit resulted in net income of $16.1 million, up 15% from $14.1 million for the second

 

21



 

quarter compared to the corresponding 2007 quarter and, for the six-month period ended November 30, 2007, higher sales and gross profit resulted in net income of $33.9 million, up 26% from $26.8 million for the corresponding fiscal 2007 period.  For the second quarter of fiscal 2008, diluted earnings per share were $0.23, up from $0.20 for the corresponding fiscal 2007 quarter.  For the six-month period ended November 30, 2007, diluted earnings per share were $0.48, up from $0.38 for the 2007 fiscal period.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

 

 

For the Six Months Ended
November 30,

 

 

 

2007

 

2006

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

26,610

 

$

17,773

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(5,711

)

(3,741

)

Net cash provided by financing activities

 

2,301

 

6,514

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

1,027

 

(126

)

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

$

24,227

 

$

20,420

 

 

Our cash and cash equivalents were $137.8 million at November 30, 2007, as compared to $113.6 million at May 31, 2007.  Factors significantly contributing to the $24.2 million increase in the six-month period ended November 30, 2007 were the $33.9 million in net income and $6.3 million in tax benefits received from the exercise of stock options, partly offset by an increase in inventory of $6.1 million and a cash outflow of $5.5 million for payment of withholding taxes in compliance with the statutory tax withholding requirements on exercise of options and vesting of restricted shares in exchange for surrender of the Company’s shares of equal value.

 

Operating Activities - Net cash generated by operating activities was $26.6 million for the six-month period ended November 30, 2007 (the “2008 Period”), an increase of $8.8 million over the $17.8 million generated in the six-month period ended November 30, 2006 (the “2007 Period”).  The increase in net income of $7.1 million (from $26.8 million for the 2007 Period to $33.9 million for the 2008 Period) and, among other things, an adjustment of approximately $3.2 million ($6.3 million for the 2008 Period compared to $9.5 million for the 2007 Period) for the tax benefit arising on exercise of stock options (which is required to be disclosed as cash generated by financing activities since our adoption of SFAS 123(R) effective June 1, 2006) was partly offset by an increase in inventory of approximately $4.2 million ($6.1 million in the 2008 Period compared to $1.9 million in the 2007 Period) mainly due to the build up of inventory of instruments and related parts in anticipation of an increase in instrument business in the near term following the launch of our Echo™ instrument in June 2007.

 

Investing Activities - For the 2008 Period, $5.7 million of net cash was used in investing activities for the purchase of property and equipment. In the 2007 Period, we spent $4.7 million on the purchase of property and equipment, offset by proceeds from the maturity of short term investments ($1.0 million).

 

Financing Activities – In the 2008 Period, net cash provided by financing activities was $2.3 million, compared to $6.5 million of net cash provided in the 2007 Period. During the first quarter of fiscal 2008, we had a cash outflow of $5.5 million for payment of withholding taxes in compliance with the statutory tax withholding requirements on exercise of options and vesting of restricted shares in exchange for surrender of the Company’s shares of equal value. The value of these reacquired shares is disclosed as ‘Repurchase of common stock’ under financing activities in the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.  In the 2008 Period, we did not repurchase any shares in the open market under our stock repurchase program, compared to the $4.9 million used in the 2007 Period for this purpose. We received $1.8 million and $2.4 million from the exercise of employee stock options in the 2008 Period and 2007 Period, respectively.  We received $6.3 million and $9.5 million excess tax benefits from share-based compensation for the 2008 Period and 2007 Period, respectively.

 

22



 

Stock Repurchase Program

 

During the 2008 Period, we did not repurchase any shares under the program. During the 2007 Period, 281,969 shares amounting to $4.9 million were repurchased under this program.  An aggregate of 1,142,056 shares were available for repurchase under the program as of November 30, 2007.

 

Contingent Liabilities

 

We record contingent liabilities resulting from asserted and unasserted claims against us when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable.  We disclose contingent liabilities when there is a reasonable possibility that the ultimate loss will exceed the recorded liability. Estimating probable losses requires analysis of multiple factors, in some cases including judgments about the potential actions of third-party claimants and courts. Therefore, actual losses in any future period are inherently uncertain. We currently are involved in certain legal proceedings. We do not believe these proceedings will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position. It is possible, however, that future results of operations for any particular quarterly or annual period could be materially affected by changes in our assumptions or the effectiveness of our strategies related to these proceedings.  Contingent liabilities are described in Note 10 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

Future Cash Requirements and Restrictions

 

We expect that cash and cash equivalents and cash flows from operations will be sufficient to support operations and planned capital expenditures for at least the next 12 months.  There are no restrictions on our subsidiaries with respect to sending dividends, or making loans or advances to Immucor.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

General

 

We have identified the policies below as critical to our business operations and to the understanding of our results of operations. The impact and any associated risks related to these policies on our business operations are discussed throughout Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations where such policies affect our reported and expected financial results.  For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q and the notes to the consolidated financial statements and the Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007. Senior management has discussed the development and selection of critical accounting estimates and the related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations disclosure with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. We believe that our most critical accounting policies and estimates relate to the following:

 

i.

Revenue recognition

ii.

Trade accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts

iii.

Inventories

iv.

Goodwill

v.

Income taxes

vi.

Share-based compensation

 

i) Revenue Recognition

 

In accordance with the Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 104, “Revenue Recognition”, guidance, we recognize revenue when the following four basic criteria have been met:  (1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; (2) delivery has occurred or services rendered; (3) the fee is fixed and determinable; and (4) collectibility is reasonably assured.  Should changes in conditions cause management to determine these criteria are not met for certain future transactions, revenue recognized for any reporting period could be adversely affected.

 

·                  Reagent sales

Revenue from the sale of our reagents to end users is recognized upon shipment when both title and risk of loss transfer to the customer, unless there are specific contractual terms to the contrary.  Revenue from the

 

23



 

sale of our reagents to distributors is recognized FOB customs clearance when both title and risk of loss transfer to the customer.

 

·      Medical instrument sales

Revenue from the sale of our medical instruments without multiple deliverables is generally recognized upon shipment and completion of contractual obligations.  Revenue from rentals of our medical instruments is recognized over the term of the rental agreement.  Instrument service contract revenue is recognized over the term of the contract.

 

In cases of sales of instruments with multiple deliverables, we recognize revenue in accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 00-21, “Accounting for Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables”. Our medical instrument sales contracts with multiple deliverables include the sale or rental of an instrument (including delivery, installation and training), the servicing of the instrument during the first year, and, in many cases, price guarantees for consumables purchased during the contract period.  We have determined the fair value of certain of these elements, such as training and first year service.  The portion of the instrument sales price applicable to the instrument itself is recognized upon shipment and completion of contractual obligations relating to training and/or installation.  If the agreement does not include any price guarantees, the sales price in excess of the fair values of training and service is allocated to the instrument itself.  The fair value of a training session is recognized as revenue when services are provided.  If multiple training sessions are contractually provided, then additional training revenue is recognized upon delivery.  The fair value of first year service is recognized over the first year of the contract.  If the agreement contains price guarantees, the entire arrangement consideration is deferred and recognized over the related guarantee period due to the fair value of the price guarantee not being determinable at the point of sale.  The allocation of the total consideration, which is based on the estimated fair value of the units of accounting, requires judgment by management.

 

ii) Trade Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

 

Trade receivables at November 30, 2007, totaling $53.5 million, and at May 31, 2007, totaling $47.8 million, are net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $1.9 million and $1.7 million, respectively. The allowance for doubtful accounts represents a reserve for estimated losses resulting from the inability of our customers to pay their debts. The collectibility of trade receivable balances is regularly evaluated based on a combination of factors such as customer credit-worthiness, past transaction history with the customer, current economic industry trends and changes in customer payment patterns.  If it is determined that a customer will be unable to fully meet its financial obligation, such as in the case of a bankruptcy filing or other material events impacting its business, a specific allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded to reduce the related receivable to the amount expected to be recovered.

 

iii) Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis) or market (net realizable value).  Cost includes material, labor and manufacturing overhead.  We use a standard cost system as a tool to monitor production efficiency. The standard cost system applies estimated labor and manufacturing overhead factors to inventory based on budgeted production and efficiency levels, staffing levels and costs of operation, based on the experience and judgment of management. Actual costs and production levels may vary from the standard established and such variances are charged to the consolidated statement of income as a component of cost of sales.  Since U.S. generally accepted accounting principles require that the standard cost approximate actual cost, periodic adjustments are made to the standard rates to approximate actual costs.  The provision for obsolete and/or excess inventory is reviewed on a quarterly basis or, if warranted by circumstances, more frequently. In evaluating this reserve, management considers technology changes, competition, customer demand, product shelf life and manufacturing quality.  No material changes have been made to the inventory policy during the second quarter of fiscal 2008.

 

iv) Goodwill

 

On adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”, goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets are no longer amortized but are tested for impairment annually or

 

24



 

more frequently if impairment indicators arise.  Intangible assets that have finite lives continue to be amortized over their useful lives.

 

We evaluate the carrying value of goodwill as at the end of the third quarter of each year and between annual evaluations if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount. Such circumstances could include, but are not limited to: (1) a significant adverse change in legal factors or in business climate, (2) unanticipated competition, or (3) an adverse action or assessment by a regulator. When evaluating whether goodwill is impaired, we compare the fair value of the reporting unit to which the goodwill is assigned to the reporting unit’s carrying amount, including goodwill.  The fair value of the reporting unit is estimated using primarily the income, or discounted cash flows, approach. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, then the amount of the impairment loss must be measured.  The impairment loss would be calculated by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill to its carrying amount.  In calculating the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the other assets and liabilities of that unit based on their fair values.  The excess of the fair value of a reporting unit over the amount assigned to its other assets and liabilities is the implied fair value of goodwill. An impairment loss would be recognized when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value.

 

v) Income Taxes

 

We record the estimated future tax effects of temporary differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and amounts reported in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, as well as operating loss and tax credit carry-forwards. The value of our deferred tax assets assumes that we will be able to generate sufficient future taxable income in certain tax jurisdictions, based on estimates and assumptions. If these estimates and related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record additional valuation allowances against our deferred tax assets resulting in additional income tax expense in our consolidated statements of income. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, we consider whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, and we consider the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, carry-back opportunities, and tax-planning strategies in making this assessment.  We assess the need for additional valuation allowances quarterly.

 

The calculation of tax liabilities involves significant judgment in estimating the impact of uncertainties in the application of complex tax laws. Although FIN 48, which we adopted at the beginning of fiscal 2008, provides further clarification on the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the financial statements, the new threshold and measurement attribute prescribed by the FASB will continue to require significant judgment by management. Resolution of these uncertainties in a manner inconsistent with our expectations could have a material impact on our results of operations.

 

vi) Share-based Employee Compensation

 

We adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS 123(R)”), on June 1, 2006, using the modified prospective transition method, which requires that (i) compensation costs be recorded as earned for all unvested stock options outstanding at the beginning of the first fiscal year of adoption of SFAS 123(R) based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation”, and (ii) for compensation costs for all share-based payments granted or modified subsequent to the adoption be recorded, based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123(R). On adoption of SFAS 123(R), we elected to attribute the value of share-based compensation to expense using the straight-line method, which was previously used for disclosing our pro forma information required under SFAS 123.

 

We elected to value our share-based payment awards using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model (the “Black-Scholes model”), which was previously used for disclosing our pro forma information required under SFAS 123. The Black-Scholes model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable.  The Black-Scholes model requires the input of certain assumptions. Our stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and changes in the assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimates.

 

25



 

We have calculated our additional paid in capital pool (“APIC pool”) based on the actual income tax benefits received from exercises of stock options granted after the effective date of SFAS 123 using the long method. The APIC pool is available to absorb any tax deficiencies subsequent to the adoption of SFAS 123(R).

 

ITEM 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

There have been no material changes regarding the Company’s market risk position since the filing of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007.  For further details regarding the quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk, see Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007.

 

ITEM 4.  Controls and Procedures

 

As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, an evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of November 30, 2007.  Based upon our evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of November 30, 2007, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms, and that it 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.

 

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended November 30, 2007 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

26



 

PART II

 

OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. Legal Proceedings

 

FTC Investigation

On October 12, 2007, we received a letter from the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) requesting that we voluntarily provide certain documents and information to the FTC concerning three acquisitions made by us in the period from 1996 through 1999, and concerning our product pricing activities since then.  The letter states the request is part of a non-public investigation by the FTC of whether we violated federal antitrust laws or engaged in unfair methods of competition through those acquisitions, and whether we or others engaged in unfair methods of competition by restricting price competition.  The FTC letter states that neither the letter nor the existence of the investigation indicates that the FTC has concluded that we or anyone else has violated the law.  We intend to cooperate with the FTC in this investigation, and are in the process of responding to the FTC’s request.  At this time we cannot reasonably assess the timing or outcome of the investigation or its effect, if any, on our business.

 

Other than as set forth above or as previously reported in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the fiscal period ended August 31, 2007, or our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2007, as amended, we are not currently subject to any material legal proceedings, nor, to our knowledge, is any material legal proceeding threatened against us.  However, from time to time, we may become a party to certain legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business. Management does not believe any ongoing legal proceedings, including those summarized above, will have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position.

 

ITEM 1A.  Risk Factors

 

As noted in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended May 31, 2007 in fiscal 2007 approximately 80% of our revenues and 95% of our net income were generated from sales in North America, and these results could be significantly and negatively impacted if current or new competitors increased their competition based on price, thereby potentially reducing our market share and gross margins.  In September 2007 Alba Bioscience, a Scottish company with US operations in Durham, North Carolina, announced it had received US FDA clearance to market 15 monoclonal blood grouping reagents, including some not previously available in the US.  If Alba enters the North American market, their entry, together with the expected entry of Biotest, Bio-Rad and others noted in our Annual Report on Form 10-K would create additional competition.

 

There have been no other material changes to the risk factors set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K which could materially affect our business, financial condition or future results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing our company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial also may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and/or operating results.

 

ITEM 2.        Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

The Company did not sell unregistered securities during the period covered by this report. The Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock under its stock repurchase program during the quarter ended November 30, 2007.

 

ITEM 4.       Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

The Company held its Annual Meeting of Shareholders on November 15, 2007. The following is a summary of the matters voted on at that meeting:

 

The shareholders voted on the election of eight directors, all incumbent directors of the Company, to serve until the Company’s next Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Each of these directors was elected by the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting.

 

27



 

The number of shares cast for and the number of shares withheld, with respect to each of these persons, were as follows:

 

Name

 

Votes For

 

Votes Withheld

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roswell S. Bowers

 

56,822,998

 

9,546,540

 

Dr. Gioacchino DeChirico

 

63,391,443

 

2,978,095

 

Ralph A. Eatz

 

63,113,655

 

3,255,883

 

Michael S. Goldman

 

54,858,012

 

11,511,526

 

Dr. Jack Goldstein

 

63,185,659

 

3,183,879

 

John A. Harris

 

61,191,617

 

5,177,921

 

Hiroshi Hoketsu

 

63,376,870

 

2,992,668

 

Joseph E. Rosen

 

61,188,828

 

5,180,710

 

 

ITEM 6.  Exhibits

 

31.1         Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a).

 

31.2         Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a).

 

32.1         Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

32.2         Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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

 

 

IMMUCOR, INC.

(Registrant)

 

 

Date:

January 8, 2008

 

By:

/s/ Dr. Gioacchino De Chirico

 

 

Dr. Gioacchino De Chirico, Chief Executive Officer
(on behalf of Registrant and as Principal Executive Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

January 8, 2008

 

By:

/s/ Richard A. Flynt

 

 

Richard A. Flynt, Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

28



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Number

 

Description

 

 

 

31.1

 

Certification of Principal Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a).

 

 

 

31.2

 

Certification of Principal Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule 15d-14(a).

 

 

 

32.1

 

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxlcy Act of 2002.

 

 

 

32.2

 

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxlcy Act of 2002.

 

29