Unassociated Document
 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

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

For the Quarterly period ended December 31, 2010

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

Commission file number 001-31747

UNIVERSAL SECURITY INSTRUMENTS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Maryland
52-0898545
(State or other jurisdiction of
(I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)
Identification No.)
   
11407 Cronhill Drive, Suite A
 
Owings Mills, Maryland
21117
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (410) 363-3000

Inapplicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year if changed from last report.)

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes  ¨   No ¨

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer ¨ Non-Accelerated Filer ¨ Smaller Reporting Company x

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

At February 11, 2011, the number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock was 2,387,887.
 

 
 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

   
Page
     
Part I - Financial Information
 
     
Item 1.
Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited):
 
     
 
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2010
3
     
 
Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
4
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the Nine Months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
5
 
 
 
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009
6
     
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
7
     
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
9
     
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
14
     
Part II - Other Information
 
     
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
15
     
Item 6.
Exhibits
15
     
 
Signatures
16

 
2

 

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1.                FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNIVERSAL SECURITY INSTRUMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

   
(unaudited)
   
(audited)
 
   
December 31, 2010
   
March 31, 2010
 
ASSETS
           
CURRENT ASSETS
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 7,297,247     $ 2,253,631  
Assets held for investment
    -       4,001,890  
Accounts receivable:
               
Trade less allowance for doubtful accounts of $75,000 at December 31, 2010 and $90,000 at March 31, 2010
    203,118       266,526  
Other receivables
    70,683       70,523  
Receivable from Hong Kong Joint Venture
    75,958       212,622  
Amount due from factor
    1,142,696       3,824,553  
Inventories, net of allowance for obsolete inventory of $100,000 at December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2010
    3,644,012       3,439,906  
Prepaid expenses
    319,596       351,192  
                 
TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS
    12,753,310       14,420,843  
                 
DEFERRED TAX ASSET
    1,970,962       1,877,156  
INVESTMENT IN HONG KONG JOINT VENTURE
    12,905,017       12,153,456  
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT – NET
    189,263       199,163  
OTHER ASSETS
    40,136       20,136  
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 27,858,688     $ 28,670,754  
                 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
CURRENT LIABILITIES
               
Accounts payable
  $ 442,292     $ 689,762  
Hong Kong Joint Venture accounts payable
    416,027       1,472,993  
Accrued liabilities:
               
Payroll and employee benefits
    171,855       232,034  
Commissions and other
    29,762       47,001  
                 
TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES
    1,059,936       2,441,790  
                 
Long-term obligation
    46,459       46,459  
                 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
    -       -  
                 
SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Common stock, $.01 par value per share; authorized 20,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 2,387,887 shares at December 31, 2010 and March 31, 2010
    23,879       23,879  
Additional paid-in capital
    13,135,198       13,135,198  
Retained earnings
    13,593,216       13,023,428  
                 
TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
    26,752,293       26,182,505  
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
  $ 27,858,688     $ 28,670,754  

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

 
3

 

UNIVERSAL SECURITY INSTRUMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Unaudited)

   
Three Months Ended December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Net sales
  $ 2,475,511     $ 6,321,490  
Cost of goods sold – acquired from Joint Venture
    1,723,931       4,454,098  
Cost of goods sold – other
    -       548,391  
                 
GROSS PROFIT
    751,580       1,319,001  
                 
Research and development expense
    181,986       126,713  
Selling, general and administrative expense
    1,061,936       1,315,207  
                 
Operating loss
    (492,342 )     (122,919 )
                 
Other income (expense):
               
Investment and interest income
    63,219       11,026  
Interest expense
    -       (27,444 )
                 
LOSS BEFORE EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF JOINT VENTURE
    (429,123 )     (139,337 )
                 
Equity in earnings of Joint Venture
    373,322       657,023  
                 
(Loss) income from operations before income taxes
    (55,801 )     517,686  
                 
Income tax benefit (expense)
    75,346       (254,196 )
                 
NET INCOME
  $ 19,545     $ 263,490  
                 
Income per share:
               
Basic
    0.01       0.11  
Diluted
    0.01       0.11  
Shares used in computing net income per share:
               
Basic
    2,387,887       2,387,887  
Diluted
    2,395,865       2,395,201  

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

 
4

 

UNIVERSAL SECURITY INSTRUMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(Unaudited)

   
Nine Months Ended December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Net sales
  $ 9,871,310     $ 20,137,200  
Cost of goods sold - acquired from Joint Venture
    5,818,014       14,850,994  
Cost of goods – other
    1,126,330       1,149,699  
                 
GROSS PROFIT
    2,926,966       4,136,507  
                 
Research and development expense
    503,519       467,411  
Selling, general and administrative expense
    3,348,699       3,853,592  
                 
Operating loss
    (925,252 )     (184,496 )
                 
Other income (expense):
               
Investment and interest income
    173,271       20,451  
Interest expense
    (4,179 )     (69,190 )
                 
LOSS BEFORE EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF JOINT VENTURE
    (756,160 )     (233,235 )
                 
Equity in earnings of Joint Venture
    1,225,326       2,267,714  
                 
Income from operations before income taxes
    469,166       2,034,479  
Income tax benefit (expense)
    100,622       (234,654 )
                 
NET INCOME
  $ 569,788     $ 1,799,825  
                 
Income per share:
               
Basic
    0.24       0.75  
Diluted
    0.24       0.75  
Shares used in computing net income per share:
               
Basic
    2,387,887       2,389,360  
Diluted
    2,395,341       2,395,621  

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

 
5

 

UNIVERSAL SECURITY INSTRUMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)

   
Nine Months Ended December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
           
Net income
  $ 569,788     $ 1,799,825  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Depreciation and amortization
    43,428       38,017  
Earnings of the Joint Venture
    (1,225,326 )     (2,267,714 )
Investment earnings
     (173,271     -  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Decrease in accounts receivable and amounts due from factor
    2,881,769       898,754  
(Increase) decrease in inventories and prepaid expenses
    (172,510 )     3,538,094  
Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (1,381,854 )     (64,279 )
(Increase) decrease in deferred taxes and other assets
    (113,806 )     229,221  
                 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES
    428,218       4,171,918  
                 
INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
               
Purchase of assets held for sale
    (3,449,359 )     -  
Proceeds from sale of assets held for investment
    7,451,249       -  
Investment earnings
    173,271        -  
Dividends received from Joint Venture
    473,765       709,735  
Purchase of property and equipment
    (33,528 )     -  
                 
NET CASH PROVIDED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES
    4,615,398       709,735  
                 
FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
               
                 
Purchase and retirement of common stock
    -       (79,959 )
Borrowing from factor
    -       4,326,852  
Repayment to factor
    -       (4,326,852 )
Other long-term obligations
    -       2,145  
                 
NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES
    -       (77,814 )
                 
INCREASE IN CASH
    5,043,616       4,803,839  
                 
Cash at beginning of period
    2,253,631       284,030  
                 
CASH AT END OF PERIOD
  $ 7,297,247     $ 5,087,689  
                 
Supplemental information:
               
  Interest paid
  $ 4,179     $ 69,190  

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

 
6

 

UNIVERSAL SECURITY INSTRUMENTS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Statement of Management

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Universal Security Instruments, Inc. (USI or the Company) and its majority owned subsidiaries.  Significant inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the interim consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted.  The interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s March 31, 2010 audited financial statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form 10-K.  The interim operating results are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full fiscal year.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.

Joint Venture

The Company and its co-venturer, a Hong Kong corporation, each owns a 50% interest in a Hong Kong joint venture, Eyston Company Limited (the “Joint Venture”), that has manufacturing facilities in the People’s Republic of China, for the manufacturing of security products.  The following represents summarized balance sheet and income statement information of the Joint Venture as of and for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009:

   
2010
   
2009
 
Net sales
  $ 19,391,269     $ 22,592,798  
Gross profit
    5,495,467       7,235,461  
Net income
    2,537,992       3,737,826  
Total current assets
    13,042,670       17,560,768  
Total assets
    31,890,519       31,323,068  
Total current liabilities
    4,730,928       5,389,052  

During the nine months ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, the Company purchased $5,818,014 and $11,855,816 of products from the Joint Venture.  For the nine month period ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company has adjusted its earnings of the Joint Venture to reflect an increase of $35,867 and $398,801, respectively, for changes to inter-Company profit in inventory

Income Taxes

We calculate our interim tax provision in accordance with the guidance for accounting for income taxes in interim periods.  At the end of each interim period, we estimate the annual effective tax rate and apply that tax rate to our ordinary quarterly pre-tax income.  The tax expense or benefit related to significant, unusual or extraordinary discrete events during the interim period is recognized in the interim period in which those events occurred.  In addition, the effect of changes in enacted tax laws or rates or tax status is recognized in the interim period in which the change occurs.

The Company recognizes a liability or asset for the deferred tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets or liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements. These temporary differences will result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years when the reported amounts of the assets or liabilities are recovered or settled. The deferred tax assets are reviewed periodically for recoverability and valuation allowances are provided, whenever it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized.  The Company follows the financial pronouncement that gives guidance related to the recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and requires that we recognize in our financial statements the impact of a tax position, if that position is more likely than not to be sustained upon an examination, based on the technical merits of the position.  Interest and penalties related to income tax matters are recorded as income tax expenses.

 
7

 

Financing Receivables

In September 2010, the FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update requiring enhanced disclosure of the credit quality of financing receivables, as defined therein, and the adequacy of allowances for credit losses.

Management considers amounts due from the Company’s factor to be “financing receivables”. Trade accounts receivable, other receivables, and receivables from our Hong Kong Joint Venture are not considered by management to be financing receivables.

The Company sells the majority of its short-term receivables arising in the ordinary course of business to our factor. At the time a receivable is sold to our factor the credit risk associated with the credit worthiness of the debtor is assumed by the factor. The Company continues to bear any credit risk associated with delivery or warranty issues related to the products sold.

Management assesses the credit risk of both its trade accounts receivable and its financing receivables based on the specific identification of accounts that have exceeded credit terms. An allowance for uncollectible receivables is provided based on that assessment. Changes in the allowance account from one accounting period to the next are charged to operations in the period the change is determined.  Amounts ultimately determined to be uncollectible are eliminated from the receivable accounts and from the allowance account in the period that the receivables’ status is determined to be uncollectible.

Based on the nature of the factoring agreement and prior experience, no allowance for uncollectible financing receivables has been provided.  At December 31, 2010, an allowance of $75,000 has been provided for uncollectible trade accounts receivable.
 
Assets Held for Investment

Assets held for investment at March 31, 2010 consisted of investments in ten different bond and/or exchange traded funds.  These funds had no fixed maturity date and could be traded daily.  All of the Company’s investments are measured and recorded at fair value using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1).  Due to volatility in the bond market, all assets held for sale were converted to cash in December 2010.

Assets held for investment are accounted for as investments available for sale and recorded at their fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity in accumulated other comprehensive income.  Realized gains, net of losses, of $73,367 for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 on our investments available for sale are recognized in results of operations as investment and interest income.

Net Income per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share are computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented.  Diluted earnings per common share is computed based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the effect of stock options and other potentially dilutive common stock equivalents.  The dilutive effect of stock options and other potentially dilutive common stock equivalents is determined using the treasury stock method based on the Company’s average stock price.

A reconciliation of the weighted average shares of common stock utilized in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 is as follows:

 
8

 

   
Three Months Ended
December 31,
   
Nine Months Ended
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding for basic EPS
    2,387,887       2,387,887       2,387,887       2,389,360  
Shares issued upon the assumed exercise of outstanding stock options
    7,978       7,314       7,454       6,261  
Weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding for diluted EPS
    2,395,865       2,395,201       2,395,341       2,395,621  

Outstanding options to purchase 28,427 shares of common stock as of December 31, 2010 are not included in the above calculations as the effect would be anti-dilutive.

Contingencies

From time to time, the Company is involved in various lawsuits and legal matters.  It is the opinion of management, based on the advice of legal counsel, that the ultimate outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial statements.

Subsequent Events

The Company evaluated its December 31, 2010 financial statements for subsequent events through the date financial statements were issued.  The Company is not aware of any subsequent events which would require recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Changes to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) are established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in the form of accounting standards updated (ASU’s) to the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification.

The Company considers the applicability and impact of all ASU’s.  Recently issued ASU’s were evaluated and determined to be either not applicable or are not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

As used throughout this Report, “we,” “our,” “the Company” “USI” and similar words refers to Universal Security Instruments, Inc.

Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements reflecting our current expectations with respect to our operations, performance, financial condition, and other developments.  These forward-looking statements may generally be identified by the use of the words “may”, “will”, “believes”, “should”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “estimates”, and similar expressions.  These statements are necessarily estimates reflecting management’s best judgment based upon current information and involve a number of risks and uncertainties.  We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, and readers are advised that various factors could affect our financial performance and could cause our actual results for future periods to differ materially from those anticipated or projected.  While it is impossible to identify all such factors, such factors include, but are not limited to, those risks identified in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K.

overview

We are in the business of marketing and distributing safety and security products which are primarily manufactured through our 50%-owned Hong Kong Joint Venture.  Our financial statements detail our sales and other operational results only, and report the financial results of the Hong Kong Joint Venture using the equity method.  Accordingly, the following discussion and analysis of the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2010 and 2009 relate to the operational results of the Company.  A discussion and analysis of the Hong Kong Joint Venture’s operational results for these periods is presented below under the heading “Joint Venture.”

 
9

 

The Company has developed new products based on new smoke and gas detection technologies, with what the Company believes are improved sensing technology and product features.  The Company has applied for patents for these new products.  Before these products can be sold, independent testing agencies evaluate the effectiveness of the products in performing their stated function and issue an approval and testing certificate for each product.  In connection with its North American sales of new generation product lines, the Company received its first certification in December and expects to receive additional certifications by the end of this year.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009

Sales.  Net sales for the three months ended December 31, 2010 were $2,475,511 compared to $6,321,490 for the comparable three months in the prior fiscal year, a decrease of $3,845,979 (60.8%).  The primary reasons for the decrease in net sales volumes were lower sales of our core product lines, including smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms, to a major national retailer, as previously announced, and, to a lesser extent, lower sales of these products to the electrical distribution trade due to a continued reduction in new home construction during the quarter as compared to the same quarter in the previous year.

Gross Profit Margin.  Gross profit margin is calculated as net sales less cost of goods sold expressed as a percentage of net sales.  Our gross profit margin was 30.4% and 20.9% of sales for the quarters ended December 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively.  The increase in gross profit margin was primarily due to reduced sales to a national retailer that had historically provided lower gross profit margins.

Expenses.  Research and development expense increased by $55,273 from the comparable three months in the prior year, primarily due to the development of new products for the North American market.  As a percentage of net sales, these expenses increased to 7.4% for the three month period ended December 31, 2010, from 2.0% for the 2009 period.  The increase in costs as a percentage of net sales was primarily due to the development of new products for the North American market and a comparison to lower overall net sales.

Selling, general and administrative expense decreased by $253,271 from the comparable three months in the prior year.  As a percentage of net sales, these expenses increased to 42.9% for the three month period ended December 31, 2011 from 20.8% for the 2009 period.  The decrease in costs was primarily due to a reduction in freight and commissions on lower net sales. The expenses increased as a percentage of net sales, primarily due to fixed costs of administration that do not decrease at the same rate as the reduction in net sales.

Investment Income and Interest Expense and Income.  Our investment and interest income, net of interest expense, was $63,219 for the quarter ended December 31, 2010, compared to net interest expense of $16,418 for the quarter ended December 31, 2009.  The increase in interest income, net of interest expense, is due to earnings on assets held for investment which were held for the majority of the quarter, and to reduced borrowings from our factor.

Income Taxes.  During the quarter ended December 31, 2010, the Company generated a net income tax benefit of $75,346.  For the corresponding 2009 period, the Company incurred net income tax expense of $254,196.  The provision for income taxes for the quarter ended December 31, 2010, as compared to the same quarter in the prior year, is determined principally by the loss from operations and the amount and timing of the unrealized earnings of and the payment of dividends by the Hong Kong Joint Venture.  The income tax benefit for the three months ended December 31, 2010 and the income tax expense for the same period of the prior year is derived from the estimated taxes resulting from the sum of taxable results from operations plus dividends received from the Hong Kong Joint Venture, less the benefit derived, if any, from the utilization of net operating losses available.

Net Income.  We reported net income of $19,545 for the quarter ended December 31, 2010, compared to net income of $263,490 for the corresponding quarter of the prior fiscal year, a $243,945  (92.6%) decrease.  The reason for the decrease in net income is reduced revenues, principally from the loss of a national retail customer and lower joint venture earnings.

 
10

 

Nine Months Ended December 31, 2010 and 2009

Sales.  Net sales for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 were $9,871,310 compared to $20,137,200 for the comparable nine months in the prior fiscal year, a decrease of $10,265,890 (51.0%).  The primary reasons for the decrease in net sales volumes were lower sales of our core product lines, including smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms to a major national retailer, as previously announced, and, to a lesser extent, lower sales of these products to the electrical distribution trade due to a continued reduction in new home construction during the period as compared to the same period in the previous year.

Gross Profit Margin.  The gross profit margin is calculated as net sales less cost of goods sold expressed as a percentage of net sales.  The Company’s gross profit margin increased from 20.5% for the period ended December 31, 2009 to 29.7% for the current period ended December 31, 2010.  The increase in gross profit margin was primarily due to reduced sales to a national retailer that had historically provided lower gross profit margins.

Expenses.  Research and development expense increased by $36,108 from the comparable nine months in the prior year, primarily due to the development of new products for the North American market.  As a percentage of sales, these expenses were 5.1% for the nine month period ended December 31, 2010 and 2.3% for the comparable 2009 period.  The primary reason for the increase in expenses as a percentage of sales is due to the development of new products for the North American market and a comparison to lower overall net sales.

Selling, general and administrative expense decreased by $504,893 from the comparable nine months in the prior year.  As a percentage of net sales, these expenses increased to 33.9% for the nine month period ended December 31, 2010 from 19.1% for the 2009 period.  The decrease in costs was primarily due to a reduction in freight and commissions on lower net sales. The expenses increased as a percentage of net sales, primarily due to fixed costs of administration that do not decrease at the same rate as the reduction in net sales.

Investment Income and Interest Expense.  Net interest income, net of interest expense, was $169,092 for the nine months ended December 31, 2010, compared to net interest expense of $48,739 for the nine months ended December 31, 2009.  The increase in interest income, net of interest expense, is due to earnings on assets held for investment which were held for the majority of the nine month period and to reduced borrowing from our factor.

Income Taxes.  During the nine months ended December 31, 2010, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $100,622.  For the corresponding 2009 period, the Company recorded a tax expense of $234,654.  The provision for income tax benefit for the nine months ended December 31, 2010, as compared to the same period in the prior year, is determined principally by the loss from operations and the amount and timing of the unrealized earnings of and the payment of dividends by the Hong Kong Joint Venture.  The income tax benefit for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 and the income tax expense for the same period of the prior year is derived from the estimated taxes resulting from the sum of taxable results from operations plus dividends received from the Hong Kong Joint Venture, less the benefit derived, if any, from the utilization of net operating losses available.

Net Income.  We reported net income of $569,788 for the nine months ended December 31, 2010 compared to net income of $1,799,825 for the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.  The primary reasons for the decrease are reduced revenues, principally from the loss of a national retail customer and lower joint venture earnings.

Financial Condition and Liquidity

The Company has a Factoring Agreement with CIT Group, Inc. (CIT) which supplies both short-term borrowings and letters of credit to finance foreign inventory purchases.  The maximum amount available under the Factoring Agreement is currently $7,500,000. Based on specified percentages of our accounts receivable and inventory and letter of credit commitments, as of December 31, 2010 we had a borrowing availability of  $2,520,740 under the Factoring Agreement and had no borrowings.  The interest rate under the Factoring Agreement on the uncollected factored accounts receivable and any additional borrowings is equal to the prime rate of interest charged by our lender.  At December 31, 2010, the prime rate was 3.25%.  Borrowings are collateralized by all of our accounts receivable and inventory.  The Company does not anticipate any changes  in its ability to maintain its short-term or long-term liquidity.

Our factored accounts receivable as of the end of our last fiscal year was $3,824,553, and was $1,142,696 as of December 31, 2010.  Our prepaid expenses as of the end of our last fiscal year were $351,192, and were $319,596 as of December 31, 2010.

 
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Operating activities provided cash of $601,489 for the nine months ended December 31, 2010.  This was primarily due to a decrease in accounts receivable and amounts due from factor of $2,881,769, offset by a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $1,381,854 and earnings of the Joint Venture of $1,209,050.  For the same period last year, operating activities provided cash of $4,171,918, primarily as a result of decreases in inventory and prepaid expenses offset by a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses.

Investing activities provided cash of $4,442,127 during the nine months ended December 31, 2010, primarily as a result of the sale of assets held for investment.  For the same period last year, investing activities provided cash of $709,735 related to dividends received from the Joint Venture.  The Company invested in assets held for investment in an effort to obtain a more favorable return.

Financing activities used cash of $77,813 at December 31, 2009 that resulted primarily from retirement of common stock.

We believe that funds available under the Factoring Agreement, distributions from the Joint Venture, and our line of credit facilities provide us with sufficient resources to meet our requirements for liquidity and working capital.

Joint Venture

Net Sales.  Net sales of the Joint Venture for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 were $6,922,505 and $19,391,269, respectively, compared to $8,533,190 and $22,592,798, respectively, for the comparable period in the prior fiscal year.  The 18.9% and 14.2% respective decreases in net sales by the Joint Venture for the three and six month periods were due to lower volumes of sales of smoke alarm products to the Company for sale to a national retailer.

Gross Margins.  Gross margins of the Joint Venture for the nine month period ended December 31, 2010 decreased to 28.3% from 32.0% for the 2009 corresponding period.  For the three month period ended December 31, 2010, gross margins decreased to 27.6% from the 33.7% gross margin of the prior year’s corresponding period.  The lower gross margins for the 2010 period was due to product mix of the Joint Venture’s sales; since gross margins depend on sales volume of various products, with varying margins, lower sales of higher margin products and increased sales of lower margin products affect the overall gross margins.

Expenses.  Selling, general and administrative expenses were $1,039,048 and $3,075,969, respectively, for the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2010, compared to $1,541,932 and $3,694,679 in the prior year’s respective periods.  As a percentage of sales, expenses were 15.0% and 15.9% for the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2010, compared to 18.1% and 16.3% for the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2009.  The decrease in selling, general and administrative actual expense and as a percent of sales were primarily due to lower selling and freight costs on decreased net sales.

Interest Income and Expense.  Net interest income on assets held for investment was $113,964 and $285,697 respectively, for the three and nine month periods ended December 31, 2010, compared to net interest income of $59,504 and $153,966, respectively, for the prior year’s periods.

Net Income.  For the reasons stated above, net income for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2010 was $889,164 and $2,537,992, respectively, compared to $1,321,702 and $3,737,826, respectively, in the comparable periods last year.

Liquidity.  Cash needs of the Joint Venture are currently met by funds generated from operations.  During the nine months ended December 31, 2010, working capital increased by $558,509 from $11,756,026 on March 31, 2010 to $12,314,535 on December 31, 2010.

Critical Accounting Policies

Management’s discussion and analysis of our consolidated financial statements and results of operations are based on our Consolidated Financial Statements included as part of this document. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities.  On an ongoing basis, we evaluate these estimates, including those related to bad debts, inventories, income taxes, and contingencies and litigation. We base these estimates on historical experiences, future projections and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily available from other sources.  Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

 
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We believe the following critical accounting policies affect management’s more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of its consolidated financial statements.  For a detailed discussion on the application on these and other accounting policies, see Note A to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of the Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2010.  Certain of our accounting policies require the application of significant judgment by management in selecting the appropriate assumptions for calculating financial estimates.  By their nature, these judgments are subject to an inherent degree of uncertainty and actual results could differ from these estimates.  These judgments are based on our historical experience, terms of existing contracts, current economic trends in the industry, information provided by our customers, and information available from outside sources, as appropriate.  Our critical accounting policies include:

Revenue Recognition.  We recognize sales upon shipment of products net of applicable provisions for any discounts or allowances.  The shipping date from our warehouse is the appropriate point of revenue recognition since upon shipment we have substantially completed our obligations which entitle us to receive the benefits represented by the revenues, and the shipping date provides a consistent point within our control to measure revenue.  Customers may not return, exchange or refuse acceptance of goods without our approval.  We have established allowances to cover anticipated doubtful accounts based upon historical experience.

Inventories.  Inventories are valued at the lower of market or cost.  Cost is determined on the first-in first-out method.  We have recorded a reserve for obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions.  Management reviews the reserve quarterly.

Income Taxes.  The Company recognizes a liability or asset for the deferred tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets or liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements. These temporary differences will result in taxable or deductible amounts in future years when the reported amounts of the assets or liabilities are recovered or settled. The deferred tax assets are reviewed periodically for recoverability and valuation allowances are provided, whenever it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset will not be realized.  The Company follows the financial pronouncement that gives guidance related to the financial statement of recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and requires that we recognize in our financial statements the impact of a tax position, if that position is more likely than not to be sustained upon an examination, based on the technical merits of the position.  Interest and penalties related to income tax matters are recorded as income tax expenses.

Assets Held for Investment.  Assets held for investment at March 31, 2010 consist of investments in 10 different bond and/or exchange traded funds.  These funds have no fixed maturity date and may be traded daily.  All of the Company’s investments are measured and recorded at fair value using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1).  These funds invest in, under normal circumstances, a portfolio of fixed income securities, including, but not limited to, non-mortgage securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government, its agencies, instrumentalities or sponsored enterprises (“U.S. Government Securities”), corporate notes and commercial paper and fixed and floating rate asset-backed securities.  All of the funds are subject to various risks including, but not limited to interest rate risk, credit risk, high yield risk, market risk, liquidity risk, foreign (non-U.S.) investment risk, currency risk, leveraging risk and management risk.

Assets held for investment are accounted for as investments available for sale and are recorded at their fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported as a separate component of stockholders' equity in accumulated other comprehensive income. Gains and losses on our investments available for sale are recognized in results of operations as investment income when realized.

Financing Receivables. In September 2010, the FASB issued an Accounting Standards Update requiring enhanced disclosure of the credit quality of financing receivables, as defined therein, and the adequacy of allowances for credit losses.  Management considers amounts due from the Company’s factor to be “financing receivables”. Trade accounts receivable, other receivables, and receivables from our Hong Kong Joint Venture are not considered by management to be financing receivables.

 
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The Company sells the majority of its short-term receivables arising in the ordinary course of business to our factor. At the time a receivable is sold to our factor the credit risk associated with the credit worthiness of the debtor is assumed by the factor. The Company continues to bear any credit risk associated with delivery or warranty issues related to the products sold.

Management assesses the credit risk of both its trade accounts receivable and its financing receivables based on the specific identification of accounts that have exceeded credit terms. An allowance for uncollectible receivables is provided based on that assessment. Changes in the allowance account from one accounting period to the next are charged to operations in the period the change is determined.  Amounts ultimately determined to be uncollectible are eliminated from the receivable accounts and from the allowance account in the period that the receivables’ status is determined to be uncollectible.

Based on the nature of the factoring agreement and prior experience, no allowance for uncollectible financing receivables has been provided. At December 31, 2010, an allowance of $75,000 has been provided for uncollectible trade accounts receivable.
 
From time to time, we are subject to lawsuits and other claims, related to patents and other matters.  Management is required to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes to these matters, as well as potential ranges of probable losses.  A determination of the amount of reserves required, if any, for these contingencies is based on a careful analysis of each individual issue with the assistance of outside legal counsel. It is the opinion of management, based on advice of legal counsel, that the ultimate outcome of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial statements.

We generally provide warranties from one to ten years to the non-commercial end user on all products sold.  The manufacturers of our products provide us with a one-year warranty on all products we purchase for resale.  Claims for warranty replacement of products beyond the one-year warranty period covered by the manufacturers are immaterial and we do not record estimated warranty expense or a contingent liability for warranty claims.

recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted

Changes to accounting principles generally accepted in the United Stated of America (U.S. GAAP) are established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in the form of accounting standards updated (ASU’s) to the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification.

We consider the applicability and impact of all ASU’s.  Recently issued ASU’s were evaluated and determined to be either not applicable or are not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

ITEM 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

We maintain a system of disclosure controls and procedures that is designed to provide reasonable assurance that information, which is required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and is accumulated and communicated to management in a timely manner.  Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated this system of disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, and have concluded that the system is effective.  There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 
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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.                LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time, the Company is involved in various lawsuits and legal matters. It is the opinion of management, based on the advice of legal counsel, that these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial statements.

ITEM 6.                EXHIBITS

Exhibit No.
3.1
Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 1988, File No. 1-31747)
3.2
Articles Supplementary, filed October 14, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 31, 2002, file No. 1-31747)
3.3
Bylaws, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2009, File No. 1-31747)
10.1
Hong Kong Joint Venture Agreement, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2003, File No. 1-31747)
10.2
Amended and Restated Factoring Agreement between the Registrant and The CIT Group/Commercial Services, Inc. (“CIT”), dated June 22, 2007 (substantially identical agreement entered into by the Registrant’s wholly-owned subsidiary, USI Electric, Inc.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 26, 2007, file No. 1-31747)
10.3
Amended and Restated Inventory Security Agreement between the Registrant and CIT, dated June 22, 2007 (substantially identical agreement entered into by the Registrant’s wholly-owned subsidiary, USI Electric, Inc.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed June 26, 2007, file No. 1-31747)
10.4
Amendment, dated December 22, 2009, to Amended and Restated Factoring Agreement between the Registrant and CIT dated June 22, 2007 (substantially identical agreement entered into by the Registrant’s wholly-owned subsidiary, USI Electric, Inc.) (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed February 16, 2010, file No. 1-31747)
10.5
Lease between Universal Security Instruments, Inc. and St. John Properties, Inc. dated November 4, 2008 for its office and warehouse located at 11407 Cronhill Drive, Suites A-D, Owings Mills, Maryland 21117 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.8 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2008, File No. 1-31747)
10.6
Amendment to Lease between Universal Security Instruments, Inc. and St. John Properties, Inc. dated June 23, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2009, File No. 1-31747)
10.7
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement dated July 18, 2007 between the Company and Harvey B. Grossblatt (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.7 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2007, File No. 1-31747), as amended by Addendum dated November 13, 2007 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 15, 2007, File No. 1-31747), by Addendum dated September 8, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed September 8, 2008, File No. 1-31747), and by Addendum dated March 11, 2010 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 12, 2010, File No. 1-31747)
31.1
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Executive Officer*
31.2
Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Principal Financial Officer*
32.1
Section 1350 Certifications*
99.1
Press Release dated February 11, 2011*
*Filed herewith

 
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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.

 
UNIVERSAL SECURITY INSTRUMENTS, INC.
 
(Registrant)
     
Date: February 11, 2011
By:
/s/ Harvey B. Grossblatt
   
Harvey B. Grossblatt
   
President, Chief Executive Officer
     
 
By:
/s/ James B. Huff
   
James B. Huff
   
Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
   
(principal financial officer)

 
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