This report on Form 10-Q includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). All statements in this report, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements for purposes of these provisions, including any projections of earnings, revenues or other financial items, any statements of the plans and objectives of management for future operations, any statements concerning proposed new products or services, any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance, and any statements of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. All forward-looking statements included in this report are made as of the date hereof and are based on information available to us as of such date. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statement. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as “may,” “will,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “believes,” “estimates,” “potential,” or “continue,” or the negative thereof or other comparable terminology. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements contained herein are based upon reasonable assumptions at the time made, there can be no assurance that any such expectations or any forward-looking statement will prove to be correct. Our actual results will vary, and may vary materially, from those projected or assumed in the forward-looking statements. Future financial condition and results of operations, as well as any forward-looking statements, are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties, many of which we cannot predict with accuracy and some of which we might not anticipate, including, without limitation, product recalls and product liability claims; infringement of our technology or assertion that our technology infringes the rights of other parties; termination of supplier relationships, or failure of suppliers to perform; our expectations regarding the ongoing transition of manufacturing of our products from China to Singapore by our electronics manufacturing services provider; inability to successfully manage growth; delays in obtaining regulatory approvals or the failure to maintain such approvals; concentration of our revenue among a few customers, products or procedures; development of new products and technology that could render our products obsolete; market acceptance of new products; introduction of products in a timely fashion; price and product competition, availability of labor and materials, cost increases, and fluctuations in and obsolescence of inventory; volatility of the market price of our common stock; foreign currency fluctuations; changes in key personnel; work stoppage or transportation risks; integration of business acquisitions; and other factors referred to in our reports filed with the SEC, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. All subsequent forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. Additional factors that may have a direct bearing on our operating results are discussed in Part II, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022
BUSINESS OVERVIEW
ClearOne is a global Company that designs, develops and sells conferencing, collaboration, and AV networking solutions for voice and visual communications. The performance and simplicity of our advanced, comprehensive solutions offer a high level of functionality, reliability and scalability. We derive a major portion of our revenue from audio conferencing products and microphones by promoting our products in the professional audio-visual channel. We have extended our total addressable market from the installed audio conferencing market to adjacent complementary markets – microphones, video collaboration and AV networking. We have achieved this through strategic technological acquisitions as well as by internal product development.
On January 30, 2023, we introduced the new CHAT® 150 BT group speakerphone with USB and Bluetooth connectivity that enhances the conferencing experience for the ultimate in business class performance. With simple, instant connection to personal computers, mobile devices or Bluetooth-enabled desk phones, the CHAT® 150 BT group speakerphone provides users with an affordable way to upgrade home offices, executive offices, and mid-size meeting rooms with BYOD convenience and superior audio clarity for audio conferences and video meetings. The CHAT® 150 BT speakerphone also has an audio bridging feature that allows far end conference participants connected via a software conferencing application through USB, local users of the speakerphone, and far end callers on a mobile call connected through Bluetooth to all join the same call and hear each other clearly. Featuring a steerable microphone array with first-mic priority, the CHAT® 150 BT speakerphone intelligently activates the microphone closest to the person speaking, reducing interference from ambient noise. Like all ClearOne microphone products, the CHAT® 150 BT speakerphone is compatible with popular collaboration platforms including Microsoft® Teams, Zoom™, WebEx™, Google® Meet™, and many more. The new BT model retains all the class-leading features of the original CHAT® 150 speakerphone, including Advanced Noise Cancellation, Full Duplex Distributed Echo Cancellation™ and Automatic Level Control algorithms, to ensure highly intelligible, natural audio capture and playback. It also supports NFC tap-to-pair and includes a wired USB connection for compatibility with the full variety of modern devices.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
On January 16, 2023, we introduced UNITE 260 Pro camera, a professional grade 4K Ultra HD camera featuring both a 20X optical zoom and 16X digital zoom that allows users to capture every participant in all meeting, training, and learning environments it is deployed in. Compatible with all popular meeting applications like Microsoft® Teams, Zoom™, WebEx™, and Google® Meet™, the new camera features an AI-based smart face tracking mode that keeps a selected presenter in the frame as they move about the room. Alternatively, the camera’s AI-based auto framing mode always keeps an entire group in perfect view. With dual video outputs HDMI and IP, the UNITE 260 Pro Camera is an excellent choice for a hybrid environment: streaming content while simultaneously showing it live where the presentation is occurring.
In May 2023, we launched eight new COLLABORATE® Versa® packaged hardware systems to provide optimized audio and video performance for conference rooms and personal office spaces. The updated lineup of bundled solutions empowers businesses of all sizes and means to leverage powerful conferencing capabilities that include automatic voice tracking, face tracking and echo cancellation. The new lineup of COLLABORATE Versa solutions offers an ideal package for every small-to-medium sized conferencing space or personal office, giving business owners and IT staff mission-specific options that ensure maximum value, utility and performance in any room. The solutions launched were COLLABORATE Versa Room CT 160, COLLABORATE Versa Room CT, COLLABORATE Versa 20, COLLABORATE Versa 20 Plus, COLLABORATE Versa 160, COLLABORATE Versa 60, COLLABORATE Versa Pro 160, and COLLABORATE Versa Pro 60.
In June 2023, we returned to Infocomm for the first time since 2019 with a complete suite of products, programs, and on-site demonstrations designed to help partners grow their business across every vertical market where increased collaboration is a priority. We exhibited our solutions in Booth #3061 in the Orange County Convention Center from June 14-16, 2023 in Orlando, Florida.
At Infocomm 2023, we unveiled the BMA 360D, the newest member of the world’s most advanced beamforming microphone array ceiling tile family. The BMA 360D offers unrivaled audio performance and native compatibility with any Dante-enabled DSP mixer. The new Dante-compatible beamforming microphone array allows integrators and users to leverage ClearOne’s industry-leading microphone innovations in more projects and spaces than ever before. The BMA 360D takes our groundbreaking product to the next level by leveraging standard IP networking infrastructure in an enterprise, empowering AV and IT practitioners to upgrade existing room solutions to use more powerful microphones and expanding flexibility that enables third-party DSP integrations in new system designs. The added power and advanced beamforming also enhance the performance of critical modern functions such as voice lift and camera tracking. Dante integration in the BMA 360D enhances the array’s functionality by delivering unprocessed beam audio on individual Dante transmit channels. Additionally, a smart-switched output is delivered on a separate Dante channel to provide the optimal mix of active inputs while enabling ClearOne’s full suite of audio enhancements, which include echo cancellation, noise cancellation, and level control. The BMA 360D incorporates the industry’s only ultra-wideband, frequency-invariant beamforming mic array technology with uniform gain response across all frequency bands. With proprietary FiBeam™ and DsBeam™ technology, participants experience natural and full-fidelity audio across all beams and within a single beam. DsBeam delivers superb clarity and intelligibility through unparalleled sidelobe depth below -40 dB, resulting in superior rejection of reverb and noise even in challenging environments. Integrator setup is simplified by convenient preset beam patterns for common room layouts, while custom beam patterns can be created for unique floor plans. Combined with adaptive steering that focuses audio pickup on active speakers, the adjustable beam patterns provide impeccable coverage of every meeting or conference participant. The exceptional accuracy of ClearOne’s beamforming and adaptive steering technologies also enhance the performance of voice lift and camera tracking functions for any attached DSP mixer.
We also introduced at Infocomm, our powerful new DIALOG® UVHF wireless microphone system that combines class-leading flexibility, Power over Ethernet (PoE) simplicity, Dante technology, and up to 350 usable frequencies to offer professional-quality audio conferencing, video collaboration, and sound reinforcement for any size room. The new DIALOG UVHF system offers businesses and institutions a flexible wireless microphone system that can address varying types of audio pickup needs for rooms of virtually any size. With up to 350 available frequencies across 160 MHz of RF range, the system also delivers incredibly robust reception. Now corporate boardrooms, training rooms, college lecture halls, courtrooms and other multi-use venues can ensure excellent audio pickup quality and meet varying pickup needs with the simplicity of PoE that enables installation virtually anywhere through a single CAT6 ethernet cable. ClearOne’s free support for system design and remote commissioning makes it easier than ever to outfit any presentation space with a professional-quality multi-function audio pickup solution. The DIALOG UVHF system allows integrators, room designers and meeting hosts to address a wide range of audio pickup needs through five lavalier, lanyard and headset-type body microphones, two handheld microphones, a boundary microphone and three gooseneck microphones for podium use. Powering the microphones is simple and efficient, as all models use the same 12-hour off-the-shelf Li-ion battery that can be charged via USB-C or an optional eight-bay network-connected charging dock. Firmware updates can be done over the network, while the transmitters charge. The Dante-enabled system includes an eight-channel Dante Access Point to ensure optimal signal transmission and system reliability, while an optional DIALOG UVHF Dante interface provides eight Euroblock balanced analog outputs, including mixed output, USB audio output and eight GPIOs. The lightweight plenum-rated access point provides versatile mounting options for wall, ceiling, tabletop or pole mounting, including VESA mount holes. The DIALOG UVHF is the only system with a wireless access point that delivers antenna redundancy and diversity, with dual antennas providing spatial and polarization diversity that helps maintain high audio quality in harsh environments. A wired ethernet connection adds the ability to connect management software to the access point via a web browser. Secure RF connections are created using full-time standards-based FIPS 197 AES-256 encryption. ClearOne’s solutions are designed to support all leading collaboration platforms, including Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, GoToMeeting, Zoom and WebEx.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
In August 2023, we showcased our full range of conferencing, collaboration, and communications solutions at CEDIA 2023 held in Denver, Colorado. During the event, we highlighted the CHAT® 150 BT Speakerphone (USB and Bluetooth speakerphone), Versa® Mediabar™ (video soundbar), UNITE® 60 (4K ePTZ wide-angle tracking camera), COLLABORATE® Versa® Pro CT (product bundle consisting of Huddle DSP and BMA CTH beamforming mic array ceiling tile), COLLABORATE® Versa® Lite CT (USB Plug-N-Play beamforming mic array ceiling tile), and COLLABORATE® Versa® 60 (product bundle consisting of CHAT® 150 USB speakerphone, a UNITE® 60 wide angle 4K ePTZ camera, and a VERSA USB Hub).
In September 2023, our new DIALOG® UVHF Wireless Microphone System was named a winner in the Higher Education category of the 2023 Tech & Learning Magazine Awards of Excellence. The annual Tech & Learning Awards of Excellence program, conducted by leading educational technology publication Tech & Learning, recognizes innovation in the edtech industry and celebrates the most impressive products and solutions that support learning environments.
We continued our programs to cut costs and to speed up product development that we believe will enable us to get back to a growth path.
Overall revenue decreased by 22% in the third quarter of 2023 when compared to the third quarter of 2022, primarily due to a significant decrease in revenues from audio conferencing category. The revenue decline was partially due to our continued inability to source adequate inventory to meet the demand for professional audio products and BMA due to the ongoing transition of manufacturing of our products from China to Singapore by our electronics manufacturing services provider. The revenue decline was also caused by significantly reduced demand for our products in many regions including USA, Europe, the Middle East and China when compared to 2022-Q3 revenues. We expect the challenges with the manufacturing transition from China to Singapore to resolve in the fourth quarter of 2023 as we have seen improvement in product deliveries in the second and third quarters of 2023 when compared to the first quarter of 2023. Our revenue performance in 2023-Q3 also was to a small extent impacted negatively due to increased costs associated with the electronic raw materials that have affected the global manufacturing of high tech products. We expect these increased costs in various degrees to continue through 2023 and 2024.
Our gross profit margin decreased to 33.1% during the third quarter of 2023 from 41.0% during the third quarter of 2022. Our gross profit margin decreased to 32.8% during the first nine months of 2023 compared to 38.7% during the first nine months of 2022. Gross Profit margin decreased year over year mainly due to increase in administration and overhead costs as a percentage of revenue and change in the revenue mix of the products.
Net loss increased from $1.2 million in the third quarter of 2022 to $1.4 million in the third quarter of 2023. The increase in net loss was mainly due to (a) a decrease in revenues and associated gross margin, partially offset by (b) a decrease in operating expenses and (c) an increase in interest income. Net loss decreased from $3.5 million for the first nine months of 2022 to $3.2 million for the first nine months of 2023. The decrease was mainly due to (a) a recognition of $1.35 million from a one-time legal settlement of a contract dispute, (b) significant reduction in operating expenses, and (c) increase in interest income, partially reduced by (d) reduced revenue and associated gross margin.
We believe, although there can be no assurance, that we can return to generating operating profits through our strategic initiatives namely product innovation and cost reduction.
Industry conditions
We operate in a very dynamic and highly competitive industry which is dominated on the one hand by a few players with respect to certain products like traditional video conferencing appliances while on the other hand influenced heavily by a fragmented reseller market consisting of numerous regional and local players. The industry is also characterized by venture capitalist-funded start-ups and private companies willing to fund cumulative cash losses in order to gain market share and achieve certain non-financial goals. It has become increasingly important to have higher interoperability with other products in the audio visual market as well as certifications from leading video conferencing service providers like Microsoft and Zoom.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Economic conditions, challenges and risks
The audio-visual products market is characterized by intense competition and rapidly evolving technology. Our competitors vary within each product category. Our installed professional audio conferencing products, which is our flagship product category, continue to be ahead of the competition despite the reduction in revenues. Our strength in this space is largely due to our fully integrated suite of products consisting of DSP mixers, wide range of professional microphone products and video collaboration products. Despite our strong leadership position in the installed professional audio conferencing market, we face challenges to revenue growth due to the limited size of the market, pricing pressures from new competitors attracted to the commercial market due to higher margins, our limited ability to be interoperable with other audio visual products in the market, and the lack of certifications from Microsoft.
Our video products and beamforming microphone arrays, especially highly advanced BMA 360 and BMA-CT are critical to our long-term growth. We face intense competition in this market from well-established market leaders as well as emerging players rich with marketing funds. We expect our strategy of making our products more interoperable with other audio-visual products, continuing to improve the quality of our high-end audio conferencing products and microphones, and offering a wide range of innovative professional cameras will generate high growth in the near future.
We derive a significant portion of our revenue (approximately 56% in the first nine months of 2023) from international operations and expect this trend to continue in the future. Most of our revenue from outside the U.S. is billed in U.S. dollars and is not exposed to any significant currency risk. However, we are exposed to foreign exchange risk if the U.S. dollar is strong against other currencies as it will make U.S. Dollar denominated prices of our products less competitive.
In December 2019, a novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) started spreading from China and was declared a pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic caused severe global disruptions and had varying impact on our business. The installed audio conferencing market was negatively impacted due to lockdowns, postponement of projects and restrictions on installers to visit commercial sites. On the other hand, COVID-19 generated higher than normal demand in 2020 for our video products and personal conferencing products due to the significant expansion of work-from-home market. The extent of COVID-19’s effect on our operational and financial performance depends on multiple factors including the severity and infectiousness of current and future virus strains, effectiveness of vaccines especially on novel strains of COVID-19, government regulations, etc., all of which are uncertain and difficult to predict. Supply chain disruptions resulting from COVID-19 have caused significant fluctuations in our costs of goods resulting in a reduction of our gross margins in 2021 and 2022. We expect these fluctuations to continue in 2023. If the pandemic resurfaces to be a severe worldwide health crisis, the disease could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows and adversely impact the trading price of our common stock.
Deferred Product Revenue
Deferred product revenue decreased to $38 thousand on September 30, 2023 compared to $63 thousand on December 31, 2022.
A detailed discussion of our results of operations follows below.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Results of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023
The following table sets forth certain items from our unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 (“2023-Q3”) ("2023-YTD") and 2022 ("2022-Q3") ("2022-YTD"), respectively, together with the percentage of total revenue which each such item represents:
|
|
Three months ended September 30,
|
|
|
Nine months ended September 30, |
|
(dollars in thousands) |
|
2023
|
|
|
2022
|
|
|
Change Favorable (Adverse) in % |
|
|
2023
|
|
|
2022 |
|
|
Change Favorable (Adverse) in % |
|
Revenue
|
|
$ |
4,889 |
|
|
$ |
6,264 |
|
|
|
(22 |
) |
|
$ |
14,550
|
|
|
$ |
21,184 |
|
|
$ |
(31 |
) |
Cost of goods sold
|
|
|
3,273 |
|
|
|
3,694 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
|
9,771 |
|
|
|
12,991 |
|
|
|
25
|
|
Gross profit
|
|
|
1,616 |
|
|
|
2,570 |
|
|
|
(37 |
) |
|
|
4,779
|
|
|
|
8,193 |
|
|
|
(42 |
) |
Sales and marketing
|
|
|
1,119 |
|
|
|
1,151 |
|
|
|
3 |
|
|
|
3,634
|
|
|
|
4,273 |
|
|
|
15
|
|
Research and product development
|
|
|
889 |
|
|
|
876 |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
2,805
|
|
|
|
3,406 |
|
|
|
18
|
|
General and administrative
|
|
|
1,097 |
|
|
|
1,673 |
|
|
|
34 |
|
|
|
3,373
|
|
|
|
5,146 |
|
|
|
34
|
|
Total operating expenses
|
|
|
3,105 |
|
|
|
3,700 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
9,812
|
|
|
|
12,825 |
|
|
|
23
|
|
Operating loss
|
|
|
(1,489 |
) |
|
|
(1,130 |
) |
|
|
(32 |
) |
|
|
(5,033
|
) |
|
|
(4,632 |
) |
|
|
(9
|
) |
Other income (expense), net
|
|
|
157 |
|
|
|
(93 |
) |
|
|
269 |
|
|
|
1,877 |
|
|
|
1,220
|
|
|
|
54
|
|
Loss before income taxes
|
|
|
(1,332 |
) |
|
|
(1,223 |
) |
|
|
(9 |
) |
|
|
(3,156 |
) |
|
|
(3,412
|
) |
|
|
8
|
|
Provision for income taxes
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
|
25 |
|
|
|
24 |
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
60
|
|
|
|
23 |
|
Net loss
|
|
$ |
(1,351 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,248 |
) |
|
|
(8 |
) |
|
$ |
(3,202
|
) |
|
$ |
(3,472
|
) |
|
$ |
8
|
|
Revenue
Our revenue decreased to $4.9 million in 2023-Q3 compared to $6.3 million in 2022-Q3 due to a 42% decline in audio conferencing, a 5% decline in microphones, and a 14% increase in video products. Except for BMA and some video products, all other product categories suffered revenue declines year over year. Revenues from BMA and professional audio conferencing products were partially negatively impacted by our inability to source adequate inventory to meet the demand for these products, due to the ongoing transition of manufacturing of our products from China to Singapore by our electronics manufacturing services provider. Our traditional ceiling mics, personal audio conferencing products, and video cameras suffered revenue declines due to lack of demand. During the third quarter of 2023, revenues from Asia including India and the Middle East as a whole increased by 2% while all other regions suffered revenue loss. During 2023-Q3 revenues from Americas declined by 26% and from Europe and Africa declined significantly by 57%.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023 our revenues decreased from $21.2 million to $14.6 million compared to the same period in 2022 due to revenues from microphones decreasing by 27%, video products decreasing by 39% and audio conferencing decreasing by 33%.
Costs of Goods Sold and Gross Profit
Cost of goods sold includes expenses associated with finished goods purchased from outsourced manufacturers, the repackaging of our products, our manufacturing and operations organization, property and equipment depreciation, warranty expense, freight expense, royalty payments, and the allocation of overhead expenses.
Our gross profit margin decreased from 41.0% during 2022-Q3 to 33.1% during 2023-Q3. The gross profit margin was negatively impacted due to increases in material costs mainly due to an increase in administration and overhead costs as a percentage of revenue and a negative change in the revenue mix of the products partially offset by reduced inventory obsolescence costs.
Our gross profit margin decreased from 38.7% during 2022-YTD to 32.8% during 2023-YTD. The gross profit margin was negatively impacted due to increases in material costs mainly due to an increase in administration and overhead costs as a percentage of revenue and a negative change in the revenue mix of the products partially offset by reduced inventory obsolescence costs.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Our profitability in the near-term continues to depend significantly on our revenues from professional installed audio-conferencing products. We hold long-term inventory and if we are unable to sell our long-term inventory, our profitability might be affected by inventory write-offs and price mark-downs. Our long-term inventory includes approximately $0.4 million of wireless microphone-related finished goods and assemblies, $0.2 million of Converge Pro and Beamforming microphone array products, $0.9 million of video products, and $1.3 million of raw materials that will be used primarily for manufacturing professional audio conferencing products and BMA microphones. Any business changes that are adverse to these product lines could potentially impact our ability to sell our long-term inventory in addition to our current inventory.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses include sales and marketing (“S&M”) expenses, research and product development (“R&D”) expenses and general and administrative (“G&A”) expenses. Total operating expenses in 2023-Q3 was $3.1 million compared to $3.7 million in 2022-Q3. Total operating expenses were $9.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to $12.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The following contains a more detailed discussion of expenses related to sales and marketing, research and product development, general and administrative, and other items. The following contains a more detailed discussion of expenses related to sales and marketing, research and product development, general and administrative, and other items.
Sales and Marketing - S&M expenses include selling, customer service, and marketing expenses such as employee-related costs, allocations of overhead expenses, trade shows, and other advertising and selling expenses.
S&M expenses in 2023-Q3 decreased marginally to $1.1 million from $1.2 million for 2022-Q3. The decrease was primarily due to decreases in employment expenses and commissions paid to independent reps partially offset by increases in trade-show related expenses and employees benefit costs.
S&M expenses in the first nine months ended September 30, 2023 decreased to $3.6 million from $4.3 million for nine months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to (a) decreases in employment expenses and consultant expenses due to a reduction in headcount, (b) a decrease in commissions paid to employees and consultants, and (c) a decrease in marketing expenses related to advertising, partially offset by (d) an increase in trade-show related costs.
Research and Product Development - R&D expenses include research and development, product line management, engineering services, and test and application expenses, including employee-related costs, outside services, expensed materials, depreciation, and an allocation of overhead expenses.
R&D expenses remained at $0.9 million in 2023-Q3 and 2022-Q3.
R&D expenses decreased to $2.8 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to $3.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The decrease was primarily due to (a) a decline in project-related expenses, (b) decreased employment expenses due to a reduction in the headcount, and (c) a decline in allocated expenses, partially offset by (d) an increase in employee benefits and (e) an increase in legal expenses related to securing patents.
General and Administrative - G&A expenses include employee-related costs, professional service fees, allocations of overhead expenses, litigation costs, and corporate administrative costs, including costs related to finance and human resources teams.
G&A expenses decreased to $1.1 million in 2023-Q3 compared to $1.7 million in 2022-Q3. The reduction was primarily due to (i) a decrease in amortization costs relating to our capitalized patent defense costs, which was fully amortized in 2022-Q4, (ii) a decrease in legal expenses, (iii) and a decrease in employment-related expenses.
G&A expenses decreased to $3.4 million in 2023-YTD compared to $5.1 million in 2022-YTD. The reduction was primarily due to (i) a decrease in amortization costs relating to our capitalized patent defense costs, which was fully amortized in 2022-Q4, (ii) a decline in legal fees, (iii) and a decline in employment-related expenses, partially offset by (iv) an increase in insurance expenses and (v) an increase in investor relations expenses.
Interest Expense
Interest expense remained almost the same at $0.1 million in 2023-Q3 and 2022-Q3. Interest expense increased to $0.5 million in 2023-YTD compared to $0.3 million in 2022-YTD primarily due to interest associated with the prepayment of the $2 million bridge loan in January 2023.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Other income (expense), net
Other income (expense), net includes interest income, foreign currency changes and gain or loss on disposal of assets. Other income for 2023-Q3 included $0.24 million of interest income received on marketable securities. During 2022-Q3 there was no interest income. Other income in 2022-YTD included $1.5 million in gain from the forgiveness of CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program Loan. 2023-YTD included a receipt of $1.34 million from a one-time legal settlement of a contract dispute and $1.0 million of interest income received on marketable securities. All other items not discussed herein included in other income remained immaterial during 2023-YTD, 2022-YTD, 2023-Q3 and 2022-Q3.
Provision for income taxes
During each of the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, we did not recognize any benefit from the losses incurred due to setting up a full valuation allowance.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
As of September 30, 2023, our cash and cash equivalents were approximately $13.7 million compared to $1.0 million as of December 31, 2022. Our working capital was $36.7 million and $69.3 million as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
Net cash provided by operating activities was approximately $51.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2023, an increase of net cash provided by operating activities of approximately $53.2 million from $2.1 million of net cash used by operating activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The increase in cash inflow was primarily due to $55 million in receipts from legal settlements, the receipt of $4.5 million from the return of a bond deposited with a court, and a $1.3 million refund of income taxes with interest. These receipts were partially offset by operating losses and $6.7 million in income tax payments.
Net cash used in investing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $6.8 million compared to $2.3 million of net cash provided by investing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2022. The increase in cash used in investing activities was primarily due to an increase in purchases of marketable securities (net of sales) by $9.3 million and an increase in purchase of property and equipment by $0.3 million. These increases were partially offset by the elimination of capitalized legal expenses of $0.6 million.
Net cash used in financing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $31.7 million, comprised primarily of dividend distributions of $29.0 million, repayment of the bridge loan of $2.0 million and $0.7 million payments of principal amounts due on senior convertible debt. This compares to $0.5 million used in payments of principal amounts due on senior convertible debt and a receipt of $0.8 million in loan repayments refunded upon forgiveness of CARES Act Paycheck Protection Program loan in the nine months ended September 30, 2022.
As of September 30, 2023, our cash and cash equivalents were approximately $13.7 million compared to $1.0 million as of December 31, 2022. Our working capital was $36.7 million as of September 30, 2023. The Company believes, although there can be no assurance, that the current cash position and effective management of working capital, will provide the liquidity needed to meet our operating needs through at least November 8, 2024. The Company also believes that its strong portfolio of intellectual property and its solid brand equity in the market will enable it to raise additional capital if and when needed to meet its short and long-term financing needs; however, there can be no assurance that, if needed, the Company will be successful in obtaining the necessary funds through equity or debt financing on favorable terms or at all. If the Company needs additional capital and is unable to secure financing, it may be required to further reduce expenses, or delay product development and enhancement.
As of September 30, 2023, we had open purchase orders of approximately $3.6 million mostly for the purchase of inventory.
As of September 30, 2023, we had inventory totaling $11.5 million, of which non-current inventory accounted for $2.9 million. This compares to total inventories of $11.7 million, which includes non-current inventory of $2.7 million as of December 31, 2022.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Contractual Obligations and Commitments
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations as of September 30, 2023 (in millions):
|
|
Payment Due by Period
|
|
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Less Than
1 Year
|
|
|
1-3 Years
|
|
|
3-5 Years
|
|
|
More than 5
years
|
|
Senior convertible notes
|
|
$
|
1.2
|
|
|
$
|
1.2
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
Operating lease obligations
|
|
|
1.3
|
|
|
|
0.4
|
|
|
|
0.6
|
|
|
|
0.3
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Purchase obligations
|
|
|
3.6
|
|
|
|
3.6
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
—
|
|
Total
|
|
$
|
6.1
|
|
|
$
|
5.2
|
|
|
$
|
0.6
|
|
|
$
|
0.3
|
|
|
$
|
—
|
|
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
We have no off-balance-sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future material effect on our financial condition, changes in financial conditions, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources, results of operations or liquidity.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Our discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial position are based upon our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included under Item 1 of this Form 10-Q, which have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. We review the accounting policies used in reporting our financial results on a regular basis. We believe certain of our accounting policies are critical to understanding our financial position and results of operations. There have been no changes to the critical accounting policies as explained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
For a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements, see Note 1: “Business Description, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies” in the notes to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included under Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.