VYST Vystar Corporation (CE)

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

History and Nature of Business

Vystar Corporation (“Vystar”, the “Company”, “we,” “us,” or “our”) is based in Worcester, Massachusetts. The Company uses patented technology to produce a line of innovative air purifiers, which destroy viruses and bacteria through the use of ultraviolet light. Vystar also manufactures and sells reduced allergen natural rubber latex used primarily in various bedding products. In addition, Vystar has a majority ownership in Murida Furniture Co., Inc. dba Rotmans Furniture (“Rotmans”), the largest furniture and flooring store in New England and one of the largest independent furniture retailers in the U.S.

Vystar is the creator and exclusive owner of the innovative technology to produce Vytex^® Natural Rubber Latex (“NRL”). Vytex NRL uses a global multi-patented technology and proprietary formulation to reduce non-rubber particles including the antigenic proteins associated with latex allergies, resulting in a cleaner form of latex. The antigenic protein levels are reduced to virtually undetectable levels.

In May of 2018, Vystar acquired substantially all of the assets of UV Flu Technologies, Inc., formerly traded on the OTC under the ticker UVFT, whose patented ViraTech™ UV light air purification technology destroys greater than 99% of airborne bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms and virtually eliminates concentrations of odors and volatile organic compounds (“VOCs”).

As part of Vystar’s mission to offer eco-friendly, sustainable materials and products that create a better environment for consumers and workers throughout the product lifecycle, UV Flu Technologies is an excellent counterpart to our Vytex materials and Vytex bedding products. Vystar products will help create a perfect natural sleep environment starting with Vytex bedding made from the purest latex in the world and UV Flu Technologies’ RxAir™ air purifier ensuring every breath is free of harmful pathogens, VOCs and odors.

In May of 2019, Vystar acquired the assets of Fluid Energy Conversion Inc. (“FEC”), primarily consisting of its patent on the Hughes Reactor, which has the ability to control, enhance, and focus energy in flowing liquids and gases. Vystar intends to use this technology to enhance the effectiveness of Vystar’s RxAir purification system to destroy airborne pathogens while decreasing the cost and size of Vystar’s RxAir units.

In July of 2019, Vystar acquired 58% of the outstanding shares of common stock of Rotmans. Rotmans sells a broad line of residential furniture and decorative accessories and serves customers throughout the New England region. The acquisition is expected to add approximately $30 million in top line revenue and enable Vystar to capitalize on the infrastructure already in place at Rotmans for accounting, retail sales facilities and staff, customer service, warehousing, and delivery. In addition, Rotmans will offer significant marketing and advertising opportunities for all of Vystar’s brands to Rotmans’ thousands of existing customers. The Company and Rotmans are exploring a number of initiatives relating to environmentally friendly product development and distribution that will utilize the access to the capital markets afforded by this combination.

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) as codified in the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification.

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through the date of the filing of its Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other than those events disclosed in Note 18, the Company is not aware of any other significant events that occurred subsequent to the balance sheet date but prior to the filing of this report that would have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Basis of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned or controlled operating subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

COVID-19

In December 2019, a novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) emerged and has subsequently spread worldwide. The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19 a pandemic resulting in federal, state, and local governments mandating various restrictions, including travel restrictions, restrictions on public gatherings, stay at home orders and advisories and quarantining of people who may have been exposed to the virus. On March 24, 2020, Massachusetts required all non-essential businesses to close their physical workplaces. As a result, the Rotmans showroom, offices and warehouse temporarily closed. During that time, associates worked remotely where possible. The Company re-opened on June 10, 2020 and continues to monitor developments, including government requirements and recommendations.

The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of results for the entire year. The pandemic has resulted in significant economic disruption. Although our showroom has reopened, we cannot reasonably estimate the impact on Vystar should the pandemic persist or worsen. Accordingly, the estimates and assumptions made as of March 31, 2020 could change in subsequent interim reports and upon final determination at year-end, and it is reasonably possible that such changes could be significant (although the potential effects cannot be measured at this time).

Segment Reporting

Operating segments are identified as components of an enterprise about which separate discrete financial information is available for evaluation by the chief operating decision maker, or decision-making group, in making decisions on how to allocate resources and assess performance. The Company’s chief operating decision maker is the chief executive officer. The Company and the chief executive officer view the Company’s operations and manage its business as one reportable segment with different operating segments.

Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying disclosures. Significant estimates made by management include, among others, allowance for obsolete inventory, the allocation of purchase price related to acquisitions, the recoverability of long-lived assets, fair values of right of use assets and lease liabilities, valuation of derivative liabilities, share-based compensation and other equity issuances. Although these estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions the Company may undertake in the future, actual results could differ from these estimates.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments consist principally of cash, accounts receivable, investments - equity securities, accounts payable, accrued expenses and interest payable, lines of credit, shareholder notes payable, long-term debt and unearned revenue. The carrying values of all the Company’s financial instruments approximate or equal fair value because of their short maturities and market interest rates or, in the case of equity securities, being stated at fair value.

In specific circumstances, certain assets and liabilities are reported or disclosed at fair value. Fair value is the exit price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date in the Company’s principal market for such transactions. If there is not an established principal market, fair value is derived from the most advantageous market.

Valuation inputs are classified in the following hierarchy:

Highest priority is given to Level 1 inputs and the lowest priority to Level 3 inputs. Acceptable valuation techniques include the market approach, income approach, and cost approach. In some cases, more than one valuation technique is used. The derivative liabilities were recognized at fair value on a recurring basis through the date of the settlement and March 31, 2020 and are level 3 measurements. There have been no transfers between levels during the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Acquisitions

Amounts paid for acquisitions are allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. The fair value of identifiable intangible assets is based on valuations that use information and assumptions provided by management. Identifiable intangible assets with finite lives are amortized over their useful lives. Acquisition-related costs, including, legal, accounting, and other costs, are capitalized in asset acquisitions and for business combinations are expensed in the periods in which the costs are incurred. The results of operations of acquired assets are included in the financial statements from the acquisition date.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include all liquid investments with a maturity date of less than three months when purchased. Cash equivalents also include amounts due from third-party financial institutions for credit and debit card transactions which typically settle within five days.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable are stated at the amount management expects to collect from outstanding balances. The Company routinely sells, without recourse, trade receivables resulting from retail furniture sales to various financial institutions at an average service charge of 5.9% in 2020. Amounts sold during the first quarter of 2020 were approximately $1,691,000. There were no sales of trade receivables in the first quarter of 2019. Retail furniture receivables retained by the Company are generally collateralized by the merchandise sold, represent valid claims against debtors for sales arising on or before the balance sheet date and are reduced to their estimated net realizable value. In addition, the Company grants credit to Vytex customers without requiring collateral. The amount of accounting loss for which Vystar is at risk in these unsecured accounts receivable is limited to their carrying value. Management provides for uncollectible amounts through a charge to earnings and a credit to an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon its assessment of the current status of individual accounts. Balances that are still outstanding after management has performed reasonable collection efforts are written off through a charge to the allowance and a credit to accounts receivable. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, the Company considers accounts receivable to be fully collectible and no allowance for doubtful accounts was recorded.

Inventories

Inventories include those costs directly attributable to the product before sale. Inventories consist primarily of finished goods of foam toppers, furniture, mattresses and pillows and are carried at net realizable value, which is defined as selling price less cost of completion, disposal and transportation. The Company evaluates the need to record write-downs for inventory on a regular basis. Appropriate consideration is given to obsolescence, slow-moving and other factors in evaluating net realizable values. Inventories not expected to be sold within 12 months are classified as long-term.

Prepaid Expenses and Other Assets

Prepaid expenses and other assets include amounts related to prepaid insurance policies, which are expensed on a straight-line basis over the life of the underlying policy, and other expenses.

Investments - Equity Securities

Marketable equity securities have been categorized as available-for-sale and, as a result, are stated at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses are reflected in the statement of operations. The Company periodically reviews the available-for-sale securities for other than temporary declines in fair value below cost and more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. As of March 31, 2020, the Company believes that the carrying value of the available-for-sale securities was recoverable in all material respects.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally 5 to 10 years, using straight-line and accelerated methods.

Expenditures for major renewals and betterments are capitalized, while routine repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. When property items are retired or otherwise disposed of, the asset and related reserve accounts are relieved of the cost and accumulated depreciation, respectively, and the resultant gain or loss is reflected in earnings. As of March 31, 2020, the net balance of property and equipment is $1,787,616 with accumulated depreciation of $300,922. As of December 31, 2019, the net balance of property and equipment is $1,879,739 with accumulated depreciation of $208,799.

Intangible Assets

Patents represent legal and other fees associated with the registration of patents. The Company has five issued patents with the United States Patent and Trade Office (“USPTO”) as well as five issued international Patent Cooperation Treaty (“PCT”) patents. Patents are carried at cost and are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, typically ranging from 9 to 20 years.

The Company has trademark protection for “Vystar”, “Vytex”, and “RxAir” among others. Trademarks are carried at cost and since their estimated life is indeterminable, no amortization is recognized. Instead, they are evaluated annually for impairment.

Customer relationships, tradename and marketing related intangibles are carried at cost and are being amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, typically ranging from 5 to 10 years.

Long-Lived Assets

We review our long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable. We evaluate assets for potential impairment by comparing estimated future undiscounted net cash flows to the carrying amount of the assets. If the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the estimated future undiscounted cash flows, impairment is measured based on the difference between the carrying amount of the assets and fair value. Assets to be disposed of would be separately presented in the consolidated balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell and are no longer depreciated. The assets and liabilities of a disposal group classified as held-for-sale would be presented separately in the appropriate asset and liability sections of the consolidated balance sheet, if material. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, we did not recognize any impairment of our long-lived assets.

Goodwill

Goodwill reflects the cost of an acquisition in excess of the fair values assigned to identifiable net assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, rather, it is subject to a periodic assessment for impairment by applying a fair value-based test. We perform our annual impairment test at the end of each calendar year, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate the asset might be impaired.

Accounting for acquisitions requires us to recognize, separately from goodwill, the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at their acquisition-date fair values. Goodwill as of the acquisition date is measured as the excess of consideration transferred and the net of the acquisition-date fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed. While we use best estimates and assumptions to accurately value assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date, the estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement.

The impairment model permits, and we utilize, a simplified approach for determining goodwill impairment. In the first step, we evaluate the recoverability of goodwill by estimating the fair value of our reporting unit using multiple techniques, including an income approach using a discounted cash flow model and a market approach. Based on an equal weighting of the results of these two approaches, a conclusion of fair value is estimated. The fair value is then compared to the carrying value of our reporting unit. If the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, the Company recognizes this amount as an impairment loss. Impairment losses, limited to the carrying value of goodwill, represent the excess of the carrying amount of goodwill over its implied fair value.

Convertible Notes Payable

Borrowings are recognized initially at the principal amount received. Borrowings are subsequently carried at amortized cost; any difference between the proceeds (net of transaction costs) and the redemption value is recognized as interest expense in the statements of operations over the period of the borrowings using the effective interest method.

Derivatives

The Company evaluates its debt instruments or other contracts to determine if those contracts or embedded components of those contracts qualify as derivatives to be separately accounted for under the relevant sections of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 815-40, Derivative Instruments and Hedging: Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity. The result of this accounting treatment could be that the fair value of a financial instrument is classified as a derivative instrument and is marked-to-market at each balance sheet date and recorded as a liability. In the event the fair value is recorded as a liability, the change in fair value is recorded in the statements of operations as other income or other expense. Upon conversion or exercise of a derivative instrument, the instrument is marked to fair value at the conversion date and then that fair value is reclassified to equity. Financial instruments that are initially classified as equity that become subject to reclassification under ASC Topic 815-40 are reclassified to a liability account at the fair value of the instrument on the reclassification date.

The Company applies the accounting standard that provides guidance for determining whether an equity-linked financial instrument, or embedded feature, is indexed to an entity’s own stock. The standard applies to any freestanding financial instrument or embedded features that have the characteristics of a derivative, and to any freestanding financial instruments that are potentially settled in an entity’s own common stock. From time to time, the Company has issued notes with embedded conversion features. Certain of the embedded conversion features contain price protection or anti-dilution features that result in these instruments being treated as derivatives for accounting purposes. Accordingly, during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company has classified all conversion features as derivative liabilities and has estimated the fair value of these embedded conversion features using a Monte Carlo simulation model.

Unearned Revenue

Unearned revenue consists of customer advance payments, deposits on sales of undelivered merchandise and deferred warranty revenue on self-insured stain protection warranty coverage. There was no unearned revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2019.

Changes to unearned revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2020 are summarized as follows:

Loss Per Share

The Company presents basic and diluted loss per share. Because the Company reported a net loss in the first quarter of 2020 and 2019, common stock equivalents, including stock options and warrants, were anti-dilutive; therefore, the amounts reported for basic and dilutive loss per share were the same. Excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share were options to purchase 27,983,271 and 29,098,270 shares of common stock for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, as their effect would be anti-dilutive. Warrants to purchase 14,237,315 and 14,382,380 shares of common stock for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, were also excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share as their effect would be anti-dilutive. In addition, preferred stock convertible to 4,661,180 and 4,382,730 shares of common stock three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, were excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share as their effect would be anti-dilutive.

Revenue

Our principal activities from which we generate our revenue are product sales. Revenue is measured based on considerations specified in a contract with a customer. A contract exists when it becomes a legally enforceable agreement with a customer. The contract is based on either the acceptance of standard terms and conditions at the retail store, on the websites for e-commerce customers and via telephone with our third-party call center for our print media and direct mail customers, or the execution of terms and conditions contracts with retailers and wholesalers. These contracts define each party’s rights, payment terms and other contractual terms and conditions of the sale.

Consideration is typically paid prior to shipment via credit card or check when our products are sold direct to consumers, which is typically within 1 to 2 days or approximately 30 days from the time control is transferred when sold to wholesalers, distributors and retailers. We apply judgment in determining the customer’s ability and intention to pay, which is based on a variety of factors including the customer’s historical payment experience and, in some circumstances, published credit and financial information pertaining to the customer.

A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct product to the customer, which for us is transfer of finished goods to our customers. Performance obligations promised in a contract are identified based on the goods that will be transferred to the customer that are both capable of being distinct and are distinct in the context of the contract, whereby the transfer of the goods is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract. We have concluded the sale of finished goods and related shipping and handling are accounted for as the single performance obligation.

The transaction price of a contract is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when or as the customer receives the benefit of the performance obligation. The transaction price is determined based on the consideration to which we will be entitled to receive in exchange for transferring goods to the customer. We issue refunds to retail, e-commerce and print media customers, upon request, within 30 days of delivery. We estimate the amount of potential refunds at each reporting period using a portfolio approach of historical data, adjusted for changes in expected customer experience, including seasonality and changes in economic factors. For retailers, distributors and wholesalers, we do not offer a right of return or refund and revenue is recognized at the time products are shipped to customers. In all cases, judgment is required in estimating these reserves. Actual claims for returns could be materially different from the estimates. As of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, reserves for estimated sales returns totaled $3,000, respectively, and are included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as accrued expenses.

We recognize revenue when we satisfy a performance obligation in a contract by transferring control over a product to a customer when product is shipped based on fulfillment by the Company. The Company considers fulfillment when it passes all liability at the point of shipping through third party carriers or in-house delivery services. Delivery fees are charged to customers and are included in revenue in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations and the costs associated with these deliveries are included in operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction, that are collected by us from a customer, are excluded from revenue. Shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight after control over a product has transferred to a customer are accounted for as a fulfillment cost and are included in cost of revenue in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

The Company also defers revenues for separately-priced stain protection warranty coverage for which it is ultimately self-insured. Revenue is recognized from the extended warranty sales on a straight-line basis over the respective contract term. The extended warranty terms primarily range from three to five years from the date of delivery. At March 31, 2020, deferred warranty revenue was approximately $812,000 and is included in unearned revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company recorded total proceeds of approximately $98,000 and recognized total revenues of approximately $134,000 related to deferred warranty revenue arrangements. Commission costs in obtaining extended warranty contracts are capitalized and recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the period of the warranty contract. At March 31, 2020, deferred commission costs are approximately $336,000 and included in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. All other costs, such as costs of services performed under the contract, general and administrative expenses, and advertising costs are expensed as incurred.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue consists primarily of product and freight costs and fees paid to online retailers.

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed when incurred. Research and development costs include all costs incurred related to the research, development and testing of the Company’s process to produce Vytex NRL.

Vytex NRL has produced protein test results on finished products that are both “below detection” and “not detectable” in terms of the amount of proteins remaining in these finished goods made with Vytex NRL. These results have been reproduced in many subsequent tests. For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, Vystar’s research and development costs were not significant.

Advertising Costs