Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

QUARTERLY REPORT

pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020

000-15701

(Commission file number)

NATURAL ALTERNATIVES INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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

Indicate by check mark whether NAI (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 NAI was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    ☒  Yes     ☐  No

Indicate by check mark whether NAI has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that NAI was required to submit such files).    ☒  Yes     ☐  No

Indicate by check mark whether NAI is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether NAI is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act): ☐ Yes ☒ No

As of November 9, 2020, 6,475,670 shares of NAI's common stock were outstanding, net of 2,386,688 treasury shares.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and with applicable rules and regulations. Pursuant to such rules and regulations, certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) have been condensed or omitted. In management’s opinion, all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows have been included and are of a normal, recurring nature. The results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full fiscal year or for any future periods.

You should read the financial statements and these notes, which notes are an integral part of the financial statements, together with our audited financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020 (“2020 Annual Report”). The accounting policies used to prepare the financial statements included in this Report are the same policies described in the notes to the consolidated financial statements in our 2020 Annual Report unless otherwise noted below.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

We did not adopt any accounting pronouncements during the three months ended September 30, 2020.

Recently Issued Accounting and Regulatory Pronouncements

In November 2020, the SEC issued Release No. 33-10825, Modernization of Regulation S-K Items 101, 103, and 105, which release amends and clarifies certain of our financial reporting requirements. This release will primarily impact risk factor disclosures in our future Annual Reports.

Other recently issued accounting pronouncements are not discussed in this Report as such pronouncements did not have, and are not believed by management to have, a material impact on our present or future financial statements.

Net Income per Common Share

We compute net income per common share using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period, and diluted net income per common share using the additional dilutive effect of all dilutive securities. The dilutive impact of stock options and unvested restricted shares account for the additional weighted average shares of common stock outstanding for our diluted net income per common share computation. We calculated basic and diluted net income per common share as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

During the three months ended September 30, 2020 we excluded shares related to stock options totaling 90,000 and 116,658 shares of unvested restricted stock, as their impact would have been anti-dilutive. We did not exclude any stock options or restricted stock shares for the three months ended September 30, 2019 as none would have had an anti-dilutive impact.

Revenue Recognition

We record revenue based on a five-step model that includes: (1) identifying a contract with a customer; (2) identifying the performance obligations in that contract; (3) determining the total transaction price; (4) allocating that transaction price among the performance obligations; and (5) recognizing revenue as each of the various performance obligations are satisfied.

Revenue is measured as the net amount of consideration expected to be received in exchange for fulfilling one or more performance obligations. We identify purchase orders from customers as contracts. The amount of consideration expected to be received, and thus revenue recognized, includes estimates of variable consideration, including estimates for early payment discounts and volume rebates. Such estimates are calculated using historical averages, adjusted for any expected changes due to current business conditions and experience. We review and update these estimates at the end of each reporting period and the impact of any adjustments is recognized in the period those adjustments are identified. In assessing whether collection of consideration from a customer is probable, we consider both the customer's ability and intent to pay that amount of consideration when it is due. Payment of invoices is due as specified in the underlying customer contracts, which is typically 30 days from the invoice date. Invoices are generally issued on the date of transfer of control of the products ordered to the customer.

Revenue is recognized at the point in time that each of our performance obligations is fulfilled, and control of ordered products is transferred to the customer. This transfer occurs when the product is shipped, or in some cases, when the product is delivered to the customer.

We provide early payment discounts to certain customers. Based on historical payment trends, we expect that these customers will continue to take advantage of these early payment discounts. The cost of these discounts is reported as a reduction to the transaction price of customer contracts. If the actual discounts differ from those estimated, the difference is also reported as a change in the transaction price.

Except for product defects, no right of return exists on the sale of our products. We estimate returns based on historical experience and recognize a returns liability for any estimated returns. As of September 30, 2020, we have no liability recorded for estimated returns of products.

We have an Exclusive Manufacturing Agreement with Juice Plus+, as amended and restated on March 31, 2019, (the "JP Agreement"). Pursuant to the JP Agreement, Juice Plus+ has granted us exclusive rights to manufacture and supply them with certain of their products within 24 countries where Juice Plus+ currently sells those products. The JP Agreement is effective through August 6, 2025. As part of the JP Agreement, we provide Juice Plus+ a cash discount that is amortized ratably over the remaining life of the JP Agreement based on the full value of the cash discount expected to be given over the same period. We recorded $0.4 million of cash sales discount during the three months ended September 30, 2020 and $0.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2019.

We currently own certain U.S. patents, and each patent’s corresponding foreign patent applications. All of these patents and patent rights relate to the ingredient known as “beta-alanine”, which we market and sell under our CarnoSyn® and SR CarnoSyn® trade names. We recorded beta-alanine raw material sales and royalty and licensing income as a component of revenue in the amount of $2.7 million during the three months ended September 30, 2020. We similarly recorded $3.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2019.  These royalty income and raw material sale amounts resulted in royalty expense paid to the original patent holders from whom NAI acquired its patents and patent rights. We recognized royalty expense as a component of cost of goods sold in the amount of $0.1 million during the three months ended September 30, 2020. We recognized $0.2 million of royalty expense during the three months ended September 30, 2019.

Stock-Based Compensation

We had an omnibus equity incentive plan that was approved by our Board of Directors effective October 15, 2009 and approved by our stockholders at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on November 30, 2009 ("2009 Plan"). Under the 2009 Plan, we granted nonqualified and incentive stock options and restricted stock grants to employees, non-employee directors and consultants. The 2009 Plan expired on October 15, 2019. The Board of Directors approved a new omnibus equity incentive plan to be effective October 15, 2019 (“2019 Plan”), subject to stockholder approval. However, the 2019 Plan was not approved by our stockholders and therefore did not become effective. We currently do not have an equity incentive plan but may still be recording exercises and forfeitures under the 2009 Plan.

We did not grant any options during each of the three month periods ending September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, respectively. All remaining outstanding stock options are fully vested. No options were exercised during the three month period ending September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019. There were no option forfeitures during the three month periods ended September 30, 2020 or September 30, 2019.

We did not grant any restricted stock shares during the three months ending September 30, 2020 or September 30, 2019. No restricted stock shares were forfeited during the three months ended September 30, 2020. During the three months ended September 30, 2019, 15,000 restricted stock shares were forfeited. Our net income included stock based compensation expense in connection with prior restricted stock grants of approximately $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020. Our net income included stock based compensation expense in connection with prior restricted stock grants of approximately $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019.

Deferred Compensation Plan

Effective July 16, 2020, the Board of Directors approved and adopted a Non-Qualified Incentive Plan (the “NQ Plan”). Pursuant to the NQ Plan, the Human Resources Committee and the Board of Directors may make deferred cash payments or other cash awards (“Awards”) to directors, officers, employees and eligible consultants of NAI (“Participants”). These Awards are made subject to conditions precedent that must be met before NAI is obligated to make the payment. The purpose of the NQ Plan is to enhance the long-term stockholder value of NAI by providing the Human Resources Committee and the Board of Directors the ability to make deferred cash payments or other cash awards to encourage Participants to serve NAI or to remain in the service of NAI, or to assist NAI to achieve results determined by the Human Resources Committee or the Board of Directors to be in NAI's best interest.

The NQ Plan authorizes the Human Resources Committee or the Board of Directors to grant to, and administer, unsecured and deferred cash Awards to Participants and to subject each Award to whatever conditions are determined appropriate by the Human Resources Committee or the Board of Directors. The terms of each Award, including the amount and any conditions that must be met to be entitled to payment of the Award are set forth in an Award Agreement between each Participant and NAI. The NQ Plan provides the Board of Directors with the discretion to set aside assets to fund the NQ Plan although that has not been done to date.

On July 16, 2020, deferred cash awards of $1.0 million were granted to various officers, directors and employees of NAI pursuant to the NQ Plan, each providing for three equal cash payments to the Participant, each of which shall be paid on the one year, and two year, and three year anniversary of the date of the grant of such Award (the “Award Date”); provided that, on the date of each payment (the “Payment Date”), the Participant has been since Award Date, and continues to be through the Payment Date, a member of our Board of Directors or an employee of NAI. In the event a Participant ceases to be an employee of NAI or a member of our Board of Directors prior to any Payment Date, no further payments shall be made in connection with the Award.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Except for cash and cash equivalents and assets and liabilities related to our pension plan, as of September 30, 2020 and June 30, 2020, we did not have any financial assets or liabilities classified as Level 1. We classify derivative forward exchange contracts as Level 2 assets and liabilities. The fair value of our forward exchange contracts as of September 30, 2020 was a net liability of $2.4 million. The fair value of our forward exchange contracts as of June 30, 2020 included a net asset of $0.3 million. The fair values were determined by obtaining pricing from our bank and corroborating those values with a third party bank. We also classify our outstanding line of credit balance as a Level 2 liability, as the fair value is based on inputs that can be derived from information available in publicly quoted markets. As of September 30, 2020, and June 30, 2020, we did not have any financial assets or liabilities classified as Level 3. We did not transfer any assets or liabilities between these levels during fiscal 2020 or the three months ended September 30, 2020. 

COVID-19 Pandemic

We continue to monitor and evaluate the risks to public health and the impact on overall global business activity related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including its potential impacts on our employees, customers, suppliers and financial results. As the situation remains fluid, it is difficult to predict the duration and scope of the pandemic and its impact on our business. However, it may result in a material adverse impact to our financial position, operations and cash flows if conditions persist or worsen.

B. Inventories, net

Inventories, net consisted of the following (in thousands):

The inventory reserve includes $0.8 million as of September 30, 2020 and $1.0 million as of June 30, 2020 related to one of our former customers, Kaged Muscle. We are working with this former customer to transition to a replacement manufacturer, including the transfer of inventory items we hold specific to this customer. However, due to the uncertainty regarding the future operations of this former customer, we recorded a reserve against inventory specific to this customer equal to the estimated net realizable value of those items. During the three months ended September 30, 2020 our inventory reserve related to this customer was reduced by $0.2 million due to amounts purchased by the customer and their new contract manufacturer.

C. Property and Equipment

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

D. Other Comprehensive Loss

Other comprehensive (loss) income (“OCL” and “OCI”) consisted of the following during the three months ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019 (in thousands):

ASU 2018-02, “Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income”, allows for a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income (OCI) to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Under this ASU, we reclassified $0.1 million of gains from OCI to retained earnings for the three months ended September 30, 2019.

E. Leases

On July 1, 2019, we adopted FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), Topic 842, Leases, or ASC 842, which requires the recognition of the “Right of Use Assets” and related operating and finance lease liabilities on the balance sheet. As permitted by ASC 842, we elected the adoption date of July 1, 2019, which is the date of initial application. Under ASC 842, all leases are required to be recorded on the balance sheet and are classified as either operating leases or finance leases. The lease classification affects the expense recognition in the income statement. Operating lease expenses are recorded entirely in operating expenses. Finance lease charges are split, where amortization of the Right of Use Asset is recorded in operating expenses and an implied interest component is recorded in interest expense. The expense recognition for operating leases and finance leases under ASC 842 is substantially consistent with ASC 840. As a result, there is no material difference in our results of operations presented in our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income for each period presented.

We adopted ASC 842 using a modified retrospective approach for all leases existing at July 1, 2019. The adoption of ASC 842 had a substantial impact on our balance sheet. The most significant impact was the recognition of the operating lease Right of Use Assets and the liability for operating leases. Upon adoption, leases that were previously classified as operating leases under ASC 840 were classified as operating leases under ASC 842, and we recorded an adjustment of $20.7 million to operating lease Right of Use Assets and an adjustment of $20.9 million to the related lease liability. The lease liability is based on the present value of the remaining minimum lease payments, determined under ASC 840, discounted using our secured incremental borrowing rate at the effective date of July 1, 2019, and using the expected lease term(s), including any optional renewals, as the length of time over which to discount payments. As permitted under ASC 842, we elected several practical expedients that permit us to not reassess (1) whether existing contracts are or contain a lease, (2) the classification of existing leases, and (3) whether previously capitalized costs continue to qualify as initial indirect costs. The application of the practical expedients did not have a significant impact on the measurement of the operating lease liability.

Other information related to leases was as follows (in thousands):

We lease substantially all of our product manufacturing and support office space used to conduct our business. For contracts entered into on or after that effective date, at the inception of a contract we assess whether the contract is, or contains, a lease. Our assessment is based on: (1) whether the contract involves the use of a distinct identified asset, (2) whether we obtain the right to substantially all the economic benefit from the use of the asset throughout the period of the contract, and (3) whether we have the right to direct the use of the asset during such time period. At inception of a lease, we allocate the consideration in the contract to each lease component based on its relative stand-alone price to determine the lease payments.

Leases are classified as either finance leases or operating leases. A lease must be classified as a finance lease if any of the following criteria are met: the lease transfers ownership of the asset by the end of the lease term, the lease contains an option to purchase the asset that is reasonably certain to be exercised, the lease term is for a major part of the remaining useful life of the asset or the present value of the lease payments equals or exceeds substantially all of the fair value of the asset. A lease is classified as an operating lease if it does not meet any of these criteria. Substantially all our operating leases are comprised of payments for the use of manufacturing space. We have no leases classified as finance leases. As of September 30, 2020, the weighted average remaining lease term for our operating leases was 7.0 years. The weighted average discount rate for our operating leases was 3.25%. As of June 30, 2020, the weighted average remaining lease term for our operating leases was 7.2 years. The weighted average discount rate was 3.24%.

For all leases at the lease commencement date, a Right of Use Asset and a lease liability are recognized. The Right of Use Asset represents the right to use the leased asset for the lease term. The lease liability represents the present value of the lease payments under the lease.

The Right of Use Asset is initially measured at cost, which primarily comprises the initial amount of the lease liability, plus any initial direct costs incurred, consisting mainly of brokerage commissions, less any lease incentives received. All Right of Use Assets are reviewed for impairment. The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the lease payments, discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate cannot be readily determined, our secured incremental borrowing rate for the same term as the underlying lease. For our real estate and other operating leases, we use our secured incremental borrowing rate.

Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability comprise the following: the fixed noncancelable lease payments, payments for optional renewal periods where it is reasonably certain the renewal period will be exercised, and payments for early termination options unless it is reasonably certain the lease will not be terminated early.

Some of our manufacturing leases contain variable lease payments, including payments based on an index or rate. Variable lease payments based on an index or rate are initially measured using the index or rate in effect at lease commencement and separated into lease and non-lease components based on the initial amount stated in the lease or standalone selling prices. Lease components are included in the measurement of the initial lease liability. Additional payments based on the change in an index or rate, or payments based on a change in our portion of the operating expenses, including real estate taxes and insurance, are recorded as a period expense when incurred. Lease modifications result in remeasurement of the lease liability.

Lease expense for operating leases consists of the lease payments plus any initial direct costs, primarily brokerage commissions, and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Included in lease expense are any variable lease payments incurred in the period that were not included in the initial lease liability. Lease expense for finance leases consists of the amortization of the Right of Use Asset on a straight-line basis over the lease term and interest expense determined on an amortized cost basis. The lease payments are allocated between a reduction of the lease liability and interest expense.

We have elected not to recognize Right of Use Assets and lease liabilities for short-term leases that have a term of 12 months or less. The effect of short-term leases if we had used Right of Use Assets and lease liabilities would not have been material.

F. Debt

On July 1, 2019, we executed an amendment to our credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. to extend the maturity date for our working line of credit from February 1, 2021, to November 1, 2022. The Credit Agreement provides us with a credit line of up to $10.0 million. The line of credit may be used to finance working capital requirements. There was no commitment fee required as part of this amendment.

Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, borrowings are subject to eligibility requirements including maintaining (i) a ratio of total liabilities to tangible net worth of not greater than 1.25 to 1.0 at any time; and (ii) a ratio of total current assets to total current liabilities of not less than 1.75 to 1.0 at each fiscal quarter end. Any amounts outstanding under the line of credit will bear interest at a fixed or fluctuating interest rate as elected by us from time to time; provided, however, that if the outstanding principal amount is less than $100,000 such amount shall bear interest at the then applicable fluctuating rate of interest. If elected, the fluctuating rate per annum would be equal to 1.25% above the daily one month LIBOR rate as in effect from time to time. If a fixed rate is elected, it would equal a per annum rate of 1.25% above the LIBOR rate in effect on the first day of the applicable fixed rate term. Any amounts outstanding under the line of credit must be paid in full on or before the maturity date. Amounts outstanding that are subject to a fluctuating interest rate may be prepaid at any time without penalty. Amounts outstanding that are subject to a fixed interest rate may be prepaid at any time in minimum amounts of $100,000, subject to a prepayment fee equal to the sum of the discounted monthly differences between payment under a fixed rate versus payment under the variable rate for each month from the month of prepayment through the month in which the then applicable fixed rate term matures. On September 30, 2020, we were in compliance with all of the financial and other covenants required under the Credit Agreement.

Our obligations under the Credit Agreement are secured by our accounts receivable and other rights to payment, general intangibles, inventory, equipment and fixtures. We also have credit approval with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. which allows us to hedge foreign currency exposures up to 30 months in the future. We also have credit approval with Bank of America which allows us to hedge foreign currency exposures up to 24 months in the future.

In light of the global economic uncertainty related to COVID-19 and as a preventative measure to provide our business with potentially necessary liquidity, and out of an abundance of caution, we withdrew $10 million from our credit facility with Wells Fargo during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020. While we have not yet experienced any significant negative effects related to COVID-19 and notwithstanding our belief that our cash position and working capital excluding this $10.0 million borrowing is sufficient to support our ongoing operations, we deemed it prudent to borrow against our line of credit to ensure that such funds would be available to us if and when we need them. As of September 30, 2020, we did not have any remaining availability under our credit facilities.

G. Economic Dependency

We had substantial net sales to certain customers during the periods shown in the following table. The loss of any of these customers, or a significant decline in (i) sales to these customers, (ii) the growth rate of sales to these customers, or (iii) these customers’ ability to make payments when due, each individually could have a material adverse impact on our net sales and net income. Net sales to any one customer representing 10% or more of the respective period's consolidated net sales were as follows (in thousands):

(a)          Sales were less than 10% of the respective period’s total net sales.

We buy certain products, including beta-alanine, from a limited number of raw material suppliers who meet our quality standards. The loss of any of these suppliers could have a material adverse impact on our net sales and net income. Raw material purchases from any one supplier representing 10% or more of the respective period’s total raw material purchases were as follows (dollars in thousands):

(a)          Purchases were less than 10% of the respective period’s total raw material purchases.

Financial instruments that subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable. We place our cash and cash equivalents with highly rated financial institutions. Credit risk with respect to receivables is concentrated with two of our largest customers, whose receivable balances collectively represented 55.8% of gross accounts receivable at September 30, 2020 and 65.7% at June 30, 2020. As of September 30, 2020 and June 30, 2020, we had a receivable balance of $3.3 million from a former contract manufacturing customer that we have recorded a bad debt reserve equal to 100% of this outstanding balance and thus did not reflect it in the percentages listed above. Additionally, amounts due related to our beta-alanine raw material sales were 4.9% of gross accounts receivable at September 30, 2020, and 2.5% of gross accounts receivable at June 30, 2020. Concentrations of credit risk related to the remaining accounts receivable balances are limited due to the number of customers comprising our remaining customer base.

H. Segment Information

Our business consists of two segments for financial reporting purposes. The two segments are identified as (i) private-label contract manufacturing, which primarily relates to the provision of private-label contract manufacturing services to companies that market and distribute nutritional supplements and other health care products, and (ii) patent and trademark licensing, which primarily includes direct raw material sales and royalty income from our license and supply agreements associated with the sale and use of beta-alanine under our CarnoSyn® and SR CarnoSyn® trade names.

We evaluate performance of these segments based on a number of factors. The primary performance measures for each segment are net sales and income or loss from operations before the allocation of certain corporate level expenses. Operating income or loss for each segment does not include corporate general and administrative expenses, interest expense and other miscellaneous income and expense items. Corporate general and administrative expenses include, but are not limited to human resources, corporate legal, finance, information technology, and other corporate level related expenses, which are not allocated to any segment. Transfers of raw materials between segments are recorded at cost. The accounting policies of our segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note A. above and in the consolidated financial statements included in our 2020 Annual Report.

Our operating results by business segment were as follows (in thousands):

Our private-label contract manufacturing products are sold both in the U.S. and in markets outside the U.S., including Europe, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Asia. Our primary markets outside the U.S. are Europe and Asia. Our patent and trademark licensing activities are primarily based in the U.S.

Net sales by geographic region, based on the customers’ location, were as follows (in thousands):

Products manufactured by our Swiss subsidiary ("NAIE") accounted for 86% of net sales in markets outside the U.S. for the three months ended September 30, 2020. Products manufactured by NAIE accounted for 89% of net sales in markets outside the U.S. for the three months ended September 30, 2019. No products manufactured by NAIE were sold in U.S. markets during the three month periods ended September 30, 2020 and 2019.

Long-lived assets by geographic region, based on the location of the company or subsidiary at which they were located or made, were as follows (in thousands):

Total assets by geographic region, based on the location of the company or subsidiary at which they were located or made, were as follows (in thousands):

Capital expenditures by geographic region, based on the location of the company or subsidiary at which they were located or made, were as follows (in thousands):

I. Income Taxes

Our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2020 was (28.0%). Our effective rates differ from the fiscal 2021 U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% primarily due to a discrete tax benefit discussed below. Our effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2019 was 21.3%.

To determine our quarterly provision for income taxes, we use an estimated annual effective tax rate, which is based on expected annual income, statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available in the various jurisdictions to which we are subject. Certain significant or unusual items are separately recognized in the quarter in which they occur and can be a source of variability in the effective tax rate from quarter to quarter. We recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions, if any, as an income tax expense.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) was enacted on March 27, 2020 in the United States. The CARES Act and related notices include several significant provisions, including delaying certain payroll tax payments, mandatory transition tax payments under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“TCJ Act”), and estimated income tax payments. The CARES Act also allows net operating losses (NOL) to be carried back five years.  We expect to use this carryback period for the NOL generated with our June 30, 2020 federal tax return, and have recorded a discrete tax benefit in the current quarter, as discussed below.

On July 23, 2020, the Department of Treasury issued final regulations which provide an exclusion to the global intangible low-taxed income (GILTI) calculation on an elective basis.  These regulations were effective September 21, 2020 and may be retroactively. Under these new regulations, we are able to exclude the GILTI calculation from our domestic taxable income if the deemed effective tax rate at our foreign subsidiary is greater than 18.9%.  We assessed this rate, including the implementation of certain tax strategies, and we have determined that our effective rate at NAIE is greater than 18.9% as of the year ending June 30, 2020.  We reassessed our estimated taxes for fiscal 2020 and in the three months ended September 30, 2020 we recorded a reduction to our fiscal 2020 estimated taxes of $0.4 million as a discrete benefit.  As a result of this adjustment, we now expect our domestic tax return will reflect a net operating loss and, in accordance with the CARES ACT, we plan on carrying this loss back to fiscal 2015, which reflected a higher federal tax rate.  Due to this rate differential we have recorded a permanent discrete tax benefit of $0.3 million during the three months ended September 30, 2020.  As a result of this tax planning strategy for NAIE, during the three months ended September 30, 2020 we have recorded additional foreign estimated tax expense of $0.4 million and we have reversed our deferred tax liability of $0.5 million.

We record valuation allowances to reduce our deferred tax assets to an amount we believe is more likely than not to be realized. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. During the three months ended September 30, 2020, there was no change to our valuation allowance for our deferred tax assets.

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates for each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled using the tax rates then in effect. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized as income or expense in the period that includes the enactment date for such new rates.

We are subject to taxation in Switzerland and in the U.S. at the federal level and in various state jurisdictions. Our tax years for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2017 and forward are subject to examination by the U.S. tax authorities. Our tax years for the fiscal years ended June 30, 2007 and forward are subject to examination by the state tax authorities. Our tax years for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2019 and forward are subject to examination by the Swiss tax authorities.

It is our policy to establish reserves based on management’s assessment of exposure for certain positions taken in previously filed tax returns that may become payable upon audit by tax authorities. Our tax reserves are analyzed quarterly, and adjustments are made as events occur that we believe warrant adjustments to those reserves. There were no adjustments to reserves in the three month periods ended September 30, 2020.

J. Treasury Stock

On September 18, 2020, the Board of Directors authorized a $2.0 million increase to our stock repurchase plan (“Repurchase Plan”), thus bringing the total authorized repurchase amount to $12.0 million. Under the Repurchase Plan, we may, from time to time, purchase shares of our common stock, depending upon market conditions, in open market or privately negotiated transactions.

During the three months ended September 30, 2020 we repurchased 235,390 shares at a weighted average cost of $7.38 and a total cost of $1.7 million under this Repurchase Plan. During the three months ended September 30, 2019 we repurchased 1,031 shares at a weighted average cost of $8.44 and a total cost of $8,700 under this Repurchase Plan.

During the three months ended September 30, 2020, we acquired 692 shares from employees in connection with restricted stock shares that vested during that year at a weighted average cost of $6.74 per share and a total cost of $5,000. During the three months ended September 30, 2019, we acquired 686 shares from employees in connection with restricted stock shares that vested during the period at a weighted average cost of $9.90 per share and a total cost of $7,000. These shares were returned to us by the subject employees and in exchange we paid each employee’s required tax withholding liability incurred due to the vesting of their restricted stock shares during that period. The valuation of the shares we acquired and the number of shares returned to us was calculated based on the closing share price on the date the shares vested.

K. Derivatives and Hedging

We are exposed to gains and losses resulting from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates relating to forecasted product sales denominated in foreign currencies and to other transactions of NAIE, our foreign subsidiary. As part of our overall strategy to manage the level of exposure to the risk of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, we may use foreign exchange contracts in the form of forward contracts. To the extent we enter into such contracts, there can be no guarantee any such contracts will be effective hedges against our foreign currency exchange risk.

As of September 30, 2020, we had forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges primarily to protect against the foreign exchange risks inherent in our forecasted sales of products at prices denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. These contracts are expected to be settled through August 2022. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, we record the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative in accumulated other comprehensive income (“OCI”) as a separate component of stockholders’ equity and subsequently reclassify these amounts into earnings in the period during which the hedged transaction is recognized in earnings.

For foreign currency contracts designated as cash flow hedges, hedge effectiveness is measured using the spot rate. Changes in the spot-forward differential are excluded from the test of hedge effectiveness and are recorded currently in earnings as interest income or expense. We measure effectiveness by comparing the cumulative change in the hedge contract with the cumulative change in the hedged item. No hedging relationships were terminated as a result of ineffective hedging for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019.

We monitor the probability of forecasted transactions as part of the hedge effectiveness testing on a quarterly basis. During the three months ended September 30, 2020 and September 30, 2019, we did not have any losses or gains related to the ineffective portion of our hedging instruments.

As of September 30, 2020, the notional amounts of our foreign exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges were approximately $75.7 million (EUR 66.2 million). As of September 30, 2020, a net loss of approximately $1.8 million related to derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges was recorded in OCI. It is expected that $1.9 million will be reclassified into earnings in the next 12 months along with the earnings effects of the related forecasted transactions.

As of September 30, 2020, $2.5 million of the fair value of our cash flow hedges was classified as a short term liability, and $0.1 million was classified as other noncurrent assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the three months ended September 30, 2020, we recognized $2.1 million of net losses in OCI, and reclassified $0.6 million of losses and forward point amortization from OCI to Sales. As of June 30, 2020, $0.5 million of the fair value of our cash flow hedges was classified as a current asset, and $0.2 million was classified as a long-term liability in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the three months ended September 30, 2019, we recognized $1.3 million of net gains in OCI, reclassified $0.8 million of gains and forward point amortization from OCI to Sales, and reclassified $54,000 of gains from OCI to Other Income.

L. Contingencies

From time to time, we become involved in various investigations, claims and legal proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of our business. These matters may relate to product liability, employment, intellectual property, regulatory, contract or other matters. The resolution of these matters as they arise may be subject to various uncertainties and, even if such claims are without merit, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources. While unfavorable outcomes are possible, based on available information, we currently do not believe the resolution of these matters will result in a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial condition, or results of operations. However, a settlement payment or unfavorable outcome could be greater than we currently anticipate and if so, could adversely impact our results of operations. Our evaluation of the likely impact of these actions could change in the future and we could have unfavorable outcomes we do not expect.