10-Q 1 d10q.htm FORM 10-Q Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2008

OR

 

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

For the transition period from              to             

Commission File Number 0-511

COBRA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)

 

DELAWARE   36-2479991
(State of Incorporation)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

6500 WEST CORTLAND STREET

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

  60707
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (773) 889-8870

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 is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer  ¨   Accelerated filer  ¨
Non-accelerated filer  ¨   Smaller reporting company  x

(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

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

Number of shares of Common Stock of Registrant outstanding as of November 10, 2008: 6,471,280

 

 

 


Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page No.
PART I   FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

Item 1

  Financial Statements    3

Item 2

  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations    15

Item 3

  Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk    28

Item 4

  Controls and Procedures    28
PART II   OTHER INFORMATION   

Item 1A

  Risk Factors    29

Item 6

  Exhibits    29
SIGNATURE      30

 

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PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

Cobra Electronics Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations—Unaudited

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Net sales

   $ 33,242     $ 39,283     $ 96,418     $ 110,534  

Cost of sales

     23,538       29,550       66,358       84,333  
                                

Gross profit

     9,704       9,733       30,060       26,201  

Selling, general and administrative expense

     8,911       9,716       26,002       28,384  
                                

Earnings (loss) from operations

     793       17       4,058       (2,183 )

Interest expense

     (231 )     (419 )     (775 )     (1,149 )

Other (expense) income

     (135 )     212       (441 )     827  
                                

Earnings (loss) before income taxes

     427       (190 )     2,842       (2,505 )

Tax provision (benefit)

     285       (596 )     895       (1,768 )

Minority interest

     —         (2 )     (14 )     (13 )
                                

Net earnings (loss)

   $ 142     $ 404     $ 1,933     $ (750 )
                                

Net earnings (loss) per common share:

        

Basic

   $ 0.02     $ 0.06     $ 0.30     $ (0.12 )

Diluted

   $ 0.02     $ 0.06     $ 0.30     $ (0.12 )

Weighted average shares outstanding:

        

Basic

     6,471       6,469       6,471       6,454  

Diluted

     6,471       6,576       6,471       6,454  

Dividends declared per common share

   $ —       $ —       $ 0.16     $ 0.16  

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

 

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Cobra Electronics Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets—Unaudited

(In Thousands)

 

     September 30,
2008
    December 31,
2007
 

ASSETS

    

Current assets:

    

Cash

   $ 3,552     $ 1,860  

Receivables, net of allowance for claims and doubtful accounts of $185 in 2008 and $205 in 2007

     22,775       26,804  

Inventories, primarily finished goods, net

     29,568       33,054  

Deferred income taxes

     8,710       8,715  

Prepaid assets

     1,530       1,568  

Other current assets

     1,127       3,338  
                

Total current assets

     67,262       75,339  

Property, plant and equipment, at cost:

    

Buildings and improvements

     5,717       5,442  

Tooling and equipment

     21,509       21,554  
                
     27,226       26,996  

Accumulated depreciation

     (21,653 )     (20,423 )

Land

     230       230  
                

Property, plant and equipment, net

     5,803       6,803  

Other assets:

    

Cash surrender value of officers’ life insurance policies

     3,795       4,280  

Goodwill

     20,084       11,997  

Intangible assets

     13,445       15,559  

Other assets

     533       340  
                

Total other assets

     37,857       32,176  
                

Total assets

   $ 110,922     $ 114,318  
                

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

 

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Cobra Electronics Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Balance Sheets—Unaudited

(In Thousands, Except Share Data)

 

     September 30,
2008
    December 31,
2007
 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

    

Current liabilities:

    

Current maturities of long-term debt

   $ 1,240     $ 1,240  

Accounts payable

     4,739       7,273  

Payable to former PPL shareholders

     8,424       —    

Accrued salaries and commissions

     1,096       847  

Accrued advertising and sales promotion costs

     1,700       2,093  

Accrued product warranty costs

     921       3,440  

Accrued income taxes

     982       266  

Deferred income taxes

     17       —    

Other accrued liabilities

     3,176       4,505  
                

Total current liabilities

     22,295       19,664  
                

Non-current liabilities:

    

Long-term bank debt, net of current maturities

     13,000       18,745  

Deferred compensation

     6,809       6,320  

Deferred income taxes

     2,630       3,772  

Other long-term liabilities

     1,039       679  
                

Total non-current liabilities

     23,478       29,516  
                

Total liabilities

     45,773       49,180  

Commitments and contingencies

     —         —    

Minority interest

     34       23  

Shareholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock, $1 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized - none issued

     —         —    

Common stock, $.33 1/3 par value, 12,000,000 shares authorized - 7,039,100 issued for 2008 and 2007

     2,345       2,345  

Paid-in capital

     20,294       20,101  

Retained earnings

     47,077       46,179  

Accumulated comprehensive income

     (764 )     327  
                
     68,952       68,952  

Treasury stock, at cost (567,820 shares for 2008 and 2007)

     (3,837 )     (3,837 )
                

Total shareholders’ equity

     65,115       65,115  
                

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

   $ 110,922     $ 114,318  
                

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

 

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Cobra Electronics Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows—Unaudited

(In Thousands)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2008     2007  

Cash flows from operating activities:

    

Net earnings (loss)

   $ 1,933     $ (750 )

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     4,269       5,248  

Product software Impairment

     266       —    

Deferred income taxes

     (1,120 )     (236 )

Loss (gain) on cash surrender value (CSV) life insurance

     780       (193 )

Stock-based compensation

     194       158  

Tax benefit from stock options exercised

     —         19  

Minority interest

     14       13  

Changes in assets and liabilities:

    

Receivables

     4,029       7,255  

Inventories

     3,486       (7,947 )

Other current assets

     1,541       (2,483 )

Accounts payable

     (2,534 )     2,318  

Accrued income taxes

     716       (1,276 )

Accrued liabilities

     (3,992 )     (1,040 )

Deferred compensation

     489       481  

Deferred income

     (275 )     (616 )

Other long-term liabilities

     360       (115 )
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     10,156       836  
                

Cash flows from investing activities:

    

Capital expenditures

     (642 )     (1,272 )

Premiums on CSV life insurance

     (295 )     (295 )

Intangible assets

     154       (1,759 )
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (783 )     (3,326 )
                

Cash flows from financing activities:

    

Bank borrowings

     (5,745 )     3,022  

Transactions related to exercise of stock options, net

     —         112  

Dividends paid

     (1,035 )     (1,031 )

Other

     (1 )     23  
                

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

     (6,781 )     2,126  
                

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

     (900 )     (22 )
                

Net increase in cash

     1,692       (386 )

Cash at beginning of period

     1,860       1,878  
                

Cash at end of period

   $ 3,552     $ 1,492  
                

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

    

Cash paid during the period for:

    

Interest

   $ 791     $ 1,220  

Income taxes, net of refunds

   $ (780 )   $ 1,771  

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

 

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Cobra Electronics Corporation and Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007

(Unaudited)

The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by Cobra Electronics Corporation (the “Company”), without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. The Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2007 has been derived from the audited consolidated balance sheet as of that date. These consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s latest Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. In the opinion of management, the information contained herein reflects all adjustments necessary to make the results of operations for the interim periods a fair statement of such operations. Due to the seasonality of the Company’s business, the results of operations of any interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for a fiscal year.

(1) SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Business — The Company is a leading designer and marketer of two-way mobile communication products under the COBRA® brand name in the United States, Canada and Europe, holding the number one or strong number two position in each of its longstanding product lines and targeting a similar position for marine VHF radios and power inverters. The Company’s UK-based subsidiary, Performance Products Limited is a designer and marketer of consumer electronics principally in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in Europe, including GPS-enabled speed camera detection systems and satellite navigation devices under the SNOOPER® brand name and also markets a database of speed camera locations. A majority of the Company’s products are purchased from overseas suppliers, primarily in China, Hong Kong and South Korea. The consumer electronics market is characterized by rapidly changing technology and certain products may have limited life cycles. Management believes that it maintains strong relationships with its current suppliers and that, if necessary, other suppliers could be found. The extent to which a change in a supplier would have an adverse effect on the Company’s business depends on the timing of the change, the product or products that the supplier produces for the Company and the volume of that production. The Company also maintains insurance coverage that would, in certain limited circumstances, reimburse the Company for lost profits resulting from a supplier’s inability to fulfill its commitments to the Company.

Principles of Consolidation — The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. The consolidated financial statements also include a variable interest entity (“VIE”) of which PPL is the primary beneficiary. Except as otherwise set forth herein, the consolidated entities are collectively referred to as the “Company”. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company operates in two business segments, Cobra Consumer Electronics (“Cobra”) and Performance Products Limited (“PPL”); refer to Note 3 Segment Information for more detail.

(2) NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

SFAS No. 141R – Business Combinations: In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Financial Accounting Standard No. 141R (revised 2007), Business Combinations (“SFAS 141R”) to change how an entity accounts for the acquisition of a business. When effective, SFAS 141R will replace existing SFAS 141 in its entirety. SFAS 141R carries forward the existing requirements to account for all business combinations using the acquisition method (formerly called the purchase method). In general, SFAS 141R will require acquisition-date fair value measurement of identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and non-controlling interests in the acquiree. SFAS 141R will eliminate the current cost-based purchase method under SFAS 141.

 

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The new measurement requirements will result in the recognition of the full amount of acquisition-date goodwill, which includes amounts attributable to non-controlling interests. The acquirer will recognize in income any gain or loss on the remeasurement to acquisition-date fair value of consideration transferred or of previously acquired equity interests in the acquiree. Neither the direct costs incurred to effect a business combination nor the costs the acquirer expects to incur under a plan to restructure an acquired business will be included as part of the business combination accounting. As a result, those costs will be charged to expense when incurred, except for debt or equity issuance costs, which will be accounted for in accordance with other generally accepted accounting principles. SFAS 141R will also change the accounting for contingent consideration, in process research and development, contingencies, and restructuring costs. In addition, changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowances and acquired income tax uncertainties in a business combination that occur after the measurement period will impact income taxes under SFAS 141R.

SFAS 141R is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Early adoption is prohibited. The Company intends to adopt SFAS 141R effective January 1, 2009 and apply its provisions prospectively. The Company currently does not believe that the adoption of SFAS 141R will have a significant effect on its financial statements; however, the effect is dependent upon whether the Company makes any future acquisitions and the specifics of those acquisitions.

SFAS 141R amends the goodwill impairment test requirements in SFAS 142. For a goodwill impairment test as of a date after the effective date of SFAS 141R, the value of the reporting unit and the amount of implied goodwill, calculated in the second step of the test, will be determined in accordance with the measurement and recognition guidance on accounting for business combinations under Statement 141R. This change could effect the determination of what amount, if any, should be recognized as an impairment loss for goodwill recorded before the effective date of Statement 141R. This accounting will be required when Statement 141R becomes effective (January 1, 2009 for the Company) and applies to goodwill related to acquisitions accounted for originally under SFAS 141 as well as those accounted for under SFAS 141R. The Company has not determined what effect, if any, SFAS 141R will have on the results of its impairment testing subsequent to December 31, 2008.

On January 1, 2008, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”) as it relates to financial assets and liabilities. In February 2008, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) No. FAS 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157, which delayed the effective date of SFAS 157 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on at least an annual basis, until January 1, 2009 for calendar year-end entities. Also in February 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 157-1, Application of FASB Statement No. 157 to FASB Statement No. 13 and Other Accounting Pronouncements That Address Fair Value Measurements for Purposes of Lease Classification or Measurement Under Statement 13, which states that SFAS No. 13, Accounting for Leases (“SFAS 13”) and other accounting pronouncements that address fair value measurements for purposes of lease classification or measurement under SFAS 13 are excluded from the provisions of SFAS 157, except for assets and liabilities related to leases assumed in a business combination that are required to be measured at fair value under SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations (“SFAS 141”) or SFAS No. 141 (revised 2007), Business Combinations (“SFAS 141R”).

SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP), and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The provisions of this standard apply to other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurements and are to be applied prospectively with limited exceptions. The adoption of SFAS 157, as it relates to financial assets, had no impact on the financial statements. Management is currently evaluating the potential impact of SFAS 157, as it relates to nonfinancial assets and liabilities, on the financial statements.

 

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SFAS 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. This standard is now the single source in GAAP for the definition of fair value, except for the fair value of leased property as defined in SFAS 13. SFAS 157 establishes a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and (2) an entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under SFAS 157 are described below:

 

   

Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

 

   

Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (e.g., interest rates); and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

 

   

Level 3 – Inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

As of September 30, 2008, the Company had a derivative contract for an interest swap and a foreign exchange contract that were valued using quoted market prices. These financial instruments are exchange-traded and are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy because the exchange is not deemed to be an active market. The derivative was classified as a long-term liability on the balance sheet. As of September 30, 2008, the fair value of the interest rate swap was $184,000 and the fair value of the foreign exchange contract was $84,000.

SFAS No. 160 – Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements: In December 2007, the FASB issued Financial Accounting Standard No. 160 Non-Controlling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements (“SFAS 160”) an amendment of ARB No. 51. SFAS 160 changes the accounting for, and the financial statement presentation of, non-controlling equity interests in a consolidated subsidiary. SFAS 160 replaces the existing minority-interest provisions of Accounting Research Bulletin (ARB) 51, Consolidated Financial Statements, by defining a new term non-controlling interests to replace what were previously called minority interests. The new standard establishes non-controlling interests as a component of the equity of a consolidated entity.

The underlying principle of the new standard is that both the controlling interest and the non-controlling interests are part of the equity of a single economic entity: the consolidated reporting entity. Classifying non-controlling interests as a component of consolidated equity is a change from the current practice of treating minority interests as a mezzanine item between liabilities and equity or as a liability. The change affects both the accounting and financial reporting for non-controlling interests in a consolidated subsidiary. SFAS 160 includes reporting requirements intended to clearly identify and differentiate the interests of the parent and the interests of the non-controlling owners. The reporting requirements are required to be applied retrospectively.

SFAS 160 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those fiscal years beginning on or after December 15, 2008. Early adoption is prohibited. The Company intends to adopt SFAS 160 effective January 1, 2009 and apply its provisions prospectively. The Company will also present comparative financial statements that reflect the retrospective application of the disclosure and presentation provisions when it applies the requirements of SFAS 160. The Company currently does not believe that the adoption of SFAS 160 will have a material effect on its financial statements.

In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities – and amendment of FASB Statement No. 133, (“SFAS 161”). SFAS 161 requires enhanced disclosures about an entity’s derivative and hedging activities, including (i) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (ii) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under SFAS 133, and (iii) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. This standard becomes effective for the Company on January 1, 2009. Earlier adoption of SFAS 161, and separately, comparative disclosures for earlier periods at initial adoption are encouraged. As SFAS 161 only requires enhanced disclosures, this standard will have no impact on the financial statements.

In April 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position No. FAS 142-3, Determination of the Useful Life of Intangible Assets (“FSP No. FAS 142-3”). FSP No. FAS 142-3 requires companies estimating the useful life of a recognized intangible asset to consider their historical experience in renewing or extending similar arrangements or, in the absence of historical experience, to consider assumptions that market participants would use about renewal or extension as adjusted for SFAS No. 142’s, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, entity-specific factors. FSP No. FAS 142-3 will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008. The Company is currently evaluating the potential impact of adoption of FSP No. FAS 142-3 on its consolidated financial statements. However, the Company does not expect the adoption of FSP No. FAS 142-3 to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

 

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In May 2008, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 162, “The Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.” SFAS No. 162 identifies the sources of accounting principles and the framework for selecting the principles used in the preparation of financial statements that are presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. SFAS No. 162 becomes effective 60 days following the SEC’s approval of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board amendments to AU Section 411, “The Meaning of Present Fairly in Conformity With Generally Accepted Accounting Principles.” The Company does not expect that the adoption of SFAS No. 162 to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements.

(3) ACQUISITION OF PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS LIMITED – GOODWILL

In connection with the acquisition of Performance Products Limited (“PPL”) in October 2006, the Company recorded goodwill of $12 million. Pursuant to the purchase agreement, a final earn-out payment of $ 8.5 million was recorded as a payable and Goodwill in September 2008. The $8.5 was paid to the former shareholders of PPL on October 20, 2008. A roll-forward of the goodwill balance follows (in thousands):

 

Balance at January 1, 2008

   $ 11,997  

Final earn-out payment

     8,464  

Translation

     (377 )
        

Balance at September 30, 2008

   $ 20,084  
        

 

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(4) SEGMENT INFORMATION

The Company operates in two business segments (1) Cobra Consumer Electronics (“Cobra”) and (2) Performance Products Limited (“PPL”). The Cobra segment is comprised of Cobra Electronics Corporation, Cobra Hong Kong Limited (“CHK”) and Cobra Electronics Europe Limited (“CEEL”). The PPL segment includes Cobra Electronics U.K. Limited (“CEUK”) and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Performance Products Limited. The Company has separate sales departments and distribution channels for each segment, which provide segment-exclusive product lines to all customers for that segment. Currently, intersegment sales are not material.

The tabular presentation below summarizes the financial information by business segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007.

 

      Third Quarter - 2008 vs. 2007  
     2008     2007  
     COBRA     PPL     TOTAL     COBRA     PPL     TOTAL  
     (in thousands)  

Net sales

   $ 30,778     $ 2,464     $ 33,242     $ 35,695     $ 3,588     $ 39,283  

Cost of sales

     22,375       1,163       23,538       27,418       2,132       29,550  
                                                

Gross profit

     8,403       1,301       9,704       8,277       1,456       9,733  

Selling, general and administrative expense

     7,586       1,325       8,911       8,317       1,399       9,716  
                                                

Earnings (loss) from operations

     817       (24 )     793       (40 )     57       17  

Interest expense

     (231 )     —         (231 )     (417 )     (2 )     (419 )

Other (expense) income

     (328 )     193       (135 )     48       164       212  
                                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

     258       169       427       (409 )     219       (190 )

Tax expense (benefit)

     268       17       285       (234 )     (362 )     (596 )

Minority interest

     —         —         —         —         (2 )     (2 )
                                                

Net (loss) earnings

   $ (10 )   $ 152     $ 142     $ (175 )   $ 579     $ 404  
                                                
      Nine Months - September 30, 2008 vs. September 30, 2007  
     2008     2007  
     COBRA     PPL     TOTAL     COBRA     PPL     TOTAL  
     (in thousands)  

Net sales

   $ 84,286     $ 12,132     $ 96,418     $ 100,080     $ 10,454     $ 110,534  

Cost of sales

     60,693       5,665       66,358       78,147       6,186       84,333  
                                                

Gross profit

     23,593       6,467       30,060       21,933       4,268       26,201  

Selling, general and administrative expense

     21,981       4,021       26,002       24,287       4,097       28,384  
                                                

Earnings (loss) from operations

     1,612       2,446       4,058       (2,354 )     171       (2,183 )

Interest expense

     (775 )     —         (775 )     (1,113 )     (36 )     (1,149 )

Other (expense) income

     (774 )     333       (441 )     533       294       827  
                                                

Income (loss) before income taxes

     63       2,779       2,842       (2,934 )     429       (2,505 )

Tax expense (benefit)

     326       569       895       (1,472 )     (296 )     (1,768 )

Minority interest

     —         (14 )     (14 )     —         (13 )     (13 )
                                                

Net (loss) earnings

   $ (263 )   $ 2,196     $ 1,933     $ (1,462 )   $ 712     $ (750 )
                                                

There have been no differences in the basis of segmentation or the basis of measurement.

(5) MOBILE NAVIGATION STRATEGY CHANGE

The Company’s decision to change its North American mobile navigation strategy resulted in a $7.7 million charge in the fourth quarter of 2007. This strategy change limits the future development of mass market mobile navigation products in North America to unique mobile navigation products sold into niche markets with specialized and focused distribution and employs lower cost sourcing arrangements utilizing the platform of Performance Products Limited or that of other qualified vendors. In the second quarter of 2008, the Company incurred a $266,000 product software impairment charge because lower selling prices were anticipated for the remaining mobile navigation units on-hand. The mobile navigation strategy change reserve totaled $326,000 at September 30, 2008 and the Company does not expect future costs to exceed the current reserve balance.

 

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(6) FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

On February 15, 2008, the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the “LSA”) with The PrivateBank and Trust Company, as lender and agent, and RBS Citizens, N.A., as lender, for a $5.7 million term loan facility and a $40 million revolving credit facility, both of which mature on October 19, 2011. At September 30, 2008, the Company had interest-bearing debt outstanding of $14.2 million, consisting of the $4.8 million term loan and $9.4 million on the revolver.

Interest under the LSA is calculated based on the base rate (Prime or the Federal Funds Rate plus 0.5% per annum) or LIBOR, at the Company’s option, plus an applicable margin. The margin, which is currently -0.50% for the base rate loan and 1.00% for LIBOR loans, is determined based on the Company’s total debt to EBITDA ratio tested quarterly, commencing as of June 30, 2008. The revolving credit facility under the LSA is also subject to an unused line fee of 0.25%. Borrowings under the LSA are secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company except for equity interests in non-US subsidiaries. The Company entered into an interest rate swap which fixed the interest rate on the term loan at 5.34% plus the applicable margin. The weighted average interest rate for the first nine months of 2008 was 5.98%.

Availability under the revolver is calculated based on a borrowing base formula including 75% of eligible accounts receivable, 60% of eligible inventory and 60% of open trade letters of credit, but it can be subject to reserves at the lenders’ discretion. Excess availability must be at least $3 million at all times.

The LSA contains certain financial and other covenants including a fixed charge coverage ratio and a debt to EBITDA ratio. The term loan is subject to quarterly installment payments and mandatory prepayments based on certain asset sales and issuance of equity or debt.

(7) EARNINGS/LOSS PER SHARE

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2008    2007     2008    2007  
     (In Thousands, Except Share Data)  

Basic earnings (loss) per share:

          

Net earnings (loss) available to common shareholders

   $ 142    $ 404     $ 1,933    $ (750 )

Weighted-average shares outstanding

     6,471,280      6,469,118       6,471,280      6,453,784  
                              

Basic earnings (loss) per share

   $ 0.02    $ 0.06     $ 0.30    $ (0.12 )
                              

Diluted earnings (loss) per share:

          

Weighted-average shares outstanding

     6,471,280      6,469,118       6,471,280      6,453,784  

Dilutive shares issuable in connection with stock option plans (a)

     —        461,546       —        —    

Less: shares purchasable with option proceeds

     —        (354,243 )     —        —    
                              

Total

     6,471,280      6,576,421       6,471,280      6,453,784  
                              

Diluted earnings (loss) per share

   $ 0.02    $ 0.06     $ 0.30    $ (0.12 )
                              

 

(a) Stock options to purchase 478,796 shares were not included in the calculation for dilutive loss per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2007, as the effect would have been antidilutive. Stock options to purchase shares for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 were not included since the exercise price was above the market price.

 

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(8) COMPREHENSIVE EARNINGS/LOSS

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2008     2007     2008     2007  
     (In Thousands)  

Net earnings (loss)

   $ 142     $ 404     $ 1,933     $ (750 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss):

        

Foreign currency translation adjustment (no tax effect)

     (1,145 )     46       (841 )     142  

Interest rate swap and foreign exchange (net of tax)

     (301 )     (25 )     (250 )     (28 )
                                

Total comprehensive (loss) earnings

   $ (1,304 )   $ 425     $ 842     $ (636 )
                                

(9) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

The Company is subject to various unresolved legal actions, which arise in the normal course of its business. None of these matters are expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations. However, the ultimate resolution of these matters could result in a change in the Company’s estimate of its liability for these matters.

The Company warrants to the consumer who purchases its products that it will repair or replace, without charge, defective products within a specified time period, generally one year. The Company also has a return policy for its customers that allows customers to return to the Company products returned to them by their customers for full or partial credit based on when the Company’s customer last purchased these products. Consequently, it maintains a warranty reserve, which reflects historical warranty return rates by product category multiplied by the most recent six months of unit sales of that model and the unit standard cost of the model. A roll-forward of the warranty reserve follows:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2008
    Year Ended
December 31, 2007
 
     (In Thousands)  

Accrued product warranty costs, beginning of period

   $ 3,440     $ 1,963  

Warranty provision

     2,247       4,304  

Warranty expenditures

     (4,766 )     (2,827 )
                

Accrued product warranty costs, end of period

   $ 921     $ 3,440  
                

The decrease in the accrued warranty reserve was mainly due to the mobile navigation warranty reserve, which declined to $132,000 at September 30, 2008 from $2.1 million at December 31, 2007 as a result of returns received during the first nine months of 2008 and substantially lower sales of mobile navigation products during this period.

At September 30, 2008 and 2007, the Company had outstanding inventory purchase orders with suppliers totaling approximately $22.1 million and $26.1 million, respectively. This decrease in purchase commitments reflects improved vendor performance, lower two-way radio demand and the mobile navigation strategy change.

 

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(10) INVENTORY VALUATION RESERVES

The Company maintains a liquidation reserve representing the write-down of returned product from its customers to its net realizable value. Returned inventory is either sold to various liquidators or returned to vendors for partial credit against similar, new models. The decision to sell or return products to vendors depends upon the estimated future demand for the models. Judgments are made as to whether various models are to be liquidated or returned to the vendor, taking into consideration the liquidation prices expected to be received and the amount of the vendor credit. The amount of the reserve is determined by comparing the cost of each unit returned to the estimated amount to be realized upon each unit’s disposition, either from returning the unit to the vendor for partial credit towards the cost of new, similar product or liquidating the unit. This reserve can fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter depending upon quantities of returned inventory on hand and the estimated liquidation price or vendor credit per unit. A roll-forward of the liquidation reserve follows:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2008
    Year Ended
December 31, 2007
 
     (In Thousands)  

Liquidation reserve, beginning of period

   $ 2,695     $ 1,112  

Liquidation provision

     3,716       7,339  

Liquidation of models

     (5,860 )     (5,756 )
                

Liquidation reserve, end of period

   $ 551     $ 2,695  
                

The decrease in the inventory liquidation reserve was mainly due to the mobile navigation reserve, which declined to $6,000 at September 30, 2008 from $1.9 million at December 31, 2007 as a result of the returns received during the first nine months of 2008 and substantially lower sales of mobile navigation products during this period.

The Company maintains a net realizable value (“NRV”) reserve to write-down, as necessary, certain finished goods, except for those goods covered by the previously discussed liquidation reserve, below cost. The reserve includes models where it is determined that the estimated realizable value is less than cost. Thus, judgments must be made about which slow-moving, excess or non-current models are to be included in the reserve and the NRV of such models. The estimated NRV of each model is the per unit price that is estimated to be received if the model were sold in the marketplace.

This reserve will vary depending upon the specific models selected, the estimated NRV for each model and quantities of each model that are determined will be sold below cost from quarter to quarter. A roll-forward of the NRV reserve follows:

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2008
    Year Ended
December 31, 2007
 
     (In Thousands)  

Net realizable reserve, beginning of period

   $ 1,614     $ 736  

NRV provision

     660       4,121  

NRV write-offs

     (2,095 )     (3,243 )
                

Net realizable reserve, end of period

   $ 179     $ 1,614  
                

The decrease in the NRV reserve was mainly due to the mobile navigation reserve, which declined to $10,000 at September 30, 2008 from $1.3 million at December 31, 2007 because of sales of mobile navigation products in the first nine months of 2008 that had been fully reserved for at December 31, 2007.

(11) OTHER INCOME/EXPENSE

The following table shows the components of other income/expense:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     2008     2007     2008     2007
     (In Thousands)

Interest income

   $ 11     $ 10     $ 56     $ 25

CSV (loss) gain

     (319 )     (27 )     (780 )     193

Exchange gain

     20       254       134       412

Other - net

     153       (25 )     149       197
                              
   $ (135 )   $ 212     $ (441 )   $ 827
                              

 

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

ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Executive Summary—Third Quarter

Net earnings for the third quarter of 2008 totaled $142,000 or $.02 per share, compared to net earnings of $404,000 or $.06 per share for the third quarter of 2007. Key factors contributing to the lower net earnings were:

 

   

Net sales declined $6.0 million, or 15.4%, due to lower sales of mobile navigation, as a result of the change in the Company’s North American mobile navigation strategy in the fourth quarter of 2007, as well as lower sales of two-way radios, Citizens Band radios and radar detectors in North America. A sales decline of $1.1 million at PPL also contributed to the overall revenue decline.

 

   

Gross margins increased by 4.4 points to 29.2 points, nearly offsetting the decline in net sales and resulting in a decrease

in gross profit of $29,000.

 

   

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $805,000 or 8.3% due to the Company’s cost containment efforts, headcount reductions and lower professional fees.

 

   

Operating income increased to $793,000 from $17,000 in the third quarter of 2007 as the efforts to contain selling, general and administrative expenses resulted in improved operating margins.

 

   

Other expenses, including interest, increased by $159,000 primarily due to an increase in cash surrender value (“CSV”) expense for life insurance of $292,000, which was partially offset by $188,000 of lower interest expense because of reduced debt and a decline in interest rates.

The combined impact of the foregoing factors was a $617,000 improvement in income before taxes.

The effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2008 was 66.7% compared to 313.7% for the third quarter of 2007. The 66.7% effective tax rate for the third quarter of 2008 was due principally to the effect of non-deductible CSV expense of $319,000. The 313.7% effective rate for the tax benefit for the third quarter of 2007 was due to a reversal of the net operating loss (“NOL”) valuation allowance for CEEL and a tax benefit for PPL due to a pending decline in the corporate tax rate in the United Kingdom from 30% to 28% and the impact of this action on deferred taxes on the Company’s balance sheet.

 

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Table of Contents

Executive Summary—Nine Months

Net earnings for the first nine months of 2008 totaled $1.9 million or $.30 per share – an increase of $2.7 million or $.42 per share compared to the same period of 2007. Key factors contributing to the improved net earnings were:

 

   

Net sales declined $14.1 million, or 12.8%, due to lower sales of mobile navigation, as a result of the change in the fourth quarter of 2007 of the Company’s North American mobile navigation strategy, as well as lower sales of two-way radios,

Citizens Band radios and radar detectors in North America. Partially offsetting these lower sales was a $1.7 million net

sales increase at PPL.

 

   

Gross profit increased by $3.9 million despite the sales decline as gross margin rose 7.5 points to 31.2% because of higher margins on new models, lower airfreight and the change in the Company’s North American mobile navigation strategy.

 

   

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $2.4 million, or 8.4%, due to lower selling expense as a result of the decline in sales as well headcount reductions, lower professional fees and the Company’s overall cost containment efforts.

 

   

Operating income increased $6.2 million to $4.1 million as the improvements in gross margins and efforts to contain selling, general and administrative expenses resulted in improved operating margins.

 

   

Other expenses, including interest, increased by $894,000 mainly due to $780,000 of a CSV expense in 2008 compared to $193,000 of CSV income in 2007. This was partially offset by $374,000 of lower interest expense because of reduced debt

and a decline in the interest rate incurred.

The combined impact of the foregoing factors was $2.8 million of income before income taxes compared to a $2.5 million loss before income taxes for the first nine months of 2007.

The effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2008 was 31.5% compared to 70.6% for the same period a year ago. The 70.6% effective rate for the tax benefit for the nine-month period ending September 30, 2007 was due to a reversal of the NOL valuation allowance for CEEL and a tax benefit for PPL due to a pending decline in the corporate tax rate in the United Kingdom from 30% to 28% and the impact of this action on deferred taxes on the company’s balance sheet.

 

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EBITDA

The following table shows the reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and EBITDA As Defined:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     (in thousands)  
     2008     2007     2008     2007  

Net income (loss)

   $ 142     $ 404     $ 1,933     $ (750 )

Depreciation/amortization

     1,130       1,481       4,535       5,248  

Interest expense

     231       419       775       1,149  

Income tax provision (benefit)

     285       (596 )     895       (1,768 )

Minority interest

     —         2       14       13  
                                

EBITDA

     1,788       1,710       8,152       3,892  

Stock option expense

     65       67       194       158  

CSV loss (gain)

     319       27       780       (193 )

Other non-cash items

     (217 )     986       (273 )     959  
                                

EBITDA As Defined

   $ 1,955     $ 2,790     $ 8,853     $ 4,816  
                                

EBITDA represents earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA As Defined, represents EBITDA plus the applicable adjustments required to agree with the EBITDA measurement for compliance with the financial covenants of the Company’s lenders. The Company believes EBITDA is a useful performance indicator and is frequently used by management, securities analysts and investors to judge operating performance between time periods and among other companies. The Company uses EBITDA As Defined to assess operating performance and ensure compliance with financial covenants.

EBITDA and EBITDA As Defined are Non-GAAP performance indicators that should be used in conjunction with GAAP performance measurements such as net sales, operating profit and net income to evaluate the Company’s operating performance. EBITDA and EBITDA As Defined are not alternatives to net income or cash flow from operations determined in accordance with GAAP. Furthermore, EBITDA and EBITDA As Defined may not be comparable to the calculation of similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

 

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Table of Contents

Third Quarter 2008 Compared to Third Quarter 2007

The following table contains sales and pre-tax profit (loss) after eliminating intercompany accounts by business segment for the third quarter ending September 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

Business Segment

   2008    2007     2008 vs. 2007
Increase (Decrease)
 
       
   (in thousands)  
   Net Sales    Pre-tax
Profit
   Net Sales    Pre-tax
(Loss)
Profit
    Net
Sales
    Pre-tax
Profit
 

Cobra

   $ 30,778    $ 258    $ 35,695    $ (409 )   $ (4,917 )   $ 667  

PPL

     2,464      169      3,588      219       (1,124 )     (50 )
                                             

Total Company

   $ 33,242    $ 427    $ 39,283    $ (190 )   $ (6,041 )   $ 617  
                                             

Cobra Business Segment

Cobra net sales decreased $4.9 million, or 13.8%, in the third quarter of 2008 to $30.8 million. During the fourth quarter of 2007, the Company announced a change in its mass market mobile navigation strategy in North America. As part of this change in strategy, all future development of mass marketed mobile navigation products ceased with future efforts limited to unique mobile navigation products sold into niche markets with specialized and focused distribution. When such products are launched, lower cost sourcing arrangements utilizing the PPL platform or that of other qualified vendors will be employed. Accordingly, $1.2 million of this decline was due to lower mobile navigation/GPS product net sales as a result of this change in strategy. The remaining $3.7 million decline was due to lower sales of two-way radios, Citizens Band radios and detectors in the United States due to weak store traffic and competitive pressures. The following table summarizes the net sales for the three-month periods ending September 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

     Mobile Navigation/
GPS Products

Net Sales
    Other
Products
Net Sales
    Total
Net Sales
 
     (in thousands)  

2008

   $ 674     $ 30,104     $ 30,778  

2007

     1,897       33,798       35,695  
                        

Decrease

   $ (1,223 )   $ (3,694 )   $ (4,917 )
                        

 

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Table of Contents

Gross profit increased $126,000 in the third quarter of 2008 from the third quarter of 2007 to $8.4 million and the gross margin improved to 27.3% in the third quarter of 2008 from 23.2% in the third quarter of 2007. The gross margin improvement was due to increased gross margins on domestic two-way radios, detectors and Citizens Band radios, which benefited from sales of new, higher-margin models. Additionally, substantially lower air freight also contributed to the improvement in the two-way radio gross margin. Lastly, the gross margin in mobile navigation improved as prices for the most recent product, the NAV ONE™ 5000, remained stable through the third quarter of 2008. The following table summarizes the gross profit for the three-month periods ending September 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

     Mobile Navigation/
GPS Products Gross

(Loss) Profit
    Other
Products
Gross Profit
    Total
Gross Profit
 
     (in thousands)  

2008 gross (loss) profit

   $ (54 )   $ 8,457     $ 8,403  

2007 gross (loss) profit

     (941 )     9,218       8,277  
                        

Increase

   $ 887     $ (761 )   $ 126  
                        

2008 gross margin

     -8.0 %     28.1 %     27.3 %

2007 gross margin

     -49.6 %     27.3 %     23.2 %

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $731,000, or 8.8%, to $7.6 million in the third quarter of 2008 from $8.3 million in the third quarter of 2007. The decrease was due to less variable selling expenses because of the lower sales as well as reduced professional fees and management’s efforts to reduce spending.

Other expense, including interest, increased $190,000 in the third quarter of 2008 as compared to the third quarter of 2007. This increase was mainly due to a $319,000 loss in 2008 on the cash surrender value of life insurance, owned by the Company for the purpose of funding deferred compensation programs for several current and former officers. The loss was generated as the investment vehicles in which the cash was invested declined in value in line with the overall financial markets. Partially offsetting the cash surrender value loss was a $186,000 decline in interest expense, primarily because of a reduced level of borrowings and lower interest rates.

As a result of the above, there was a pre-tax profit of $258,000 in the third quarter of 2008 compared to a pre-tax loss of $409,000 in third quarter of 2007.

 

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Table of Contents

Performance Products Limited (“PPL”) Business Segment

PPL’s net sales decreased $1.1 million, or 31.3%, to $2.5 million in the third quarter of 2008 from $3.6 million in the third quarter of 2007. This decrease was due to lower sales of personal navigation and GPS locator products in the United Kingdom and in part was due to the weakness in the United Kingdom economy.

Gross profit decreased $155,000 to $1.3 million in the third quarter of 2008 from $1.5 million in the third quarter of 2007. However, the gross margin improved to 52.8% in 2008 from 40.6% in 2007 as the higher-margin download fees of PPL’s proprietary Enigma data base—which provides accurate and comprehensive listings of fixed speed cameras, high accident zones and other hazards—accounted for a higher percentage of revenues in 2008.

Selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $1.3 million for the third quarter of 2008 and were $74,000 or 5.3% lower than the third quarter of 2007. As a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses increased to 53.8% in 2008 from 39.0% in 2007 due to the lower level of sales in 2008 as compared to 2007.

As a result of the above, income before income taxes decreased to $169,000 in the third quarter of 2008 from $219,000 in the third quarter of 2007.

 

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Nine Months 2008 Compared to Nine Months 2007

The following table contains sales and pre-tax profit (loss) after eliminating intercompany accounts by business segment for the nine-month periods ending September 30, 2008 and 2007.

 

     2008    2007     2008 vs. 2007
Increase (Decrease)
     (in thousands)

Business Segment

   Net Sales    Pre-tax
(Loss)
Profit
   Net Sales    Pre-tax
(Loss)
Profit
    Net Sales     Pre-tax
Profit

Cobra

   $ 84,286    $ 63    $ 100,080    $ (2,934 )   $ (15,794 )   $ 2,997

PPL

     12,132      2,779      10,454      429       1,678       2,350
                                           

Total Company

   $ 96,418    $ 2,842    $ 110,534    $ (2,505 )   $ (14,116 )   $ 5,347
                                           

Cobra Business Segment

Cobra net sales decreased $15.8 million, or 15.8%, in 2008 to $84.3 million as compared to the first nine months of 2007. $5.9 million of the decline was due to lower mobile navigation sales as a result of the change in Cobra’s North American mass market mobile navigation strategy as previously discussed. The remaining $9.9 million decline was due primarily to lower sales of Citizens Band radios, detectors and two-way radios in the United States. Sales of Citizens Band radios declined as the weak economy and higher fuel prices reduced discretionary income of professional drivers, with strong sales of the new 29 LTD BT with Bluetooth® wireless technology, introduced earlier in 2008, offsetting some of the decline. Lower detector sales resulted principally from weak store traffic and competitive pressures, which were offset, in part, by sales to a major account with which Cobra had not done business for several years. Two-way radio sales in the U.S. decreased because of a reduction in the number of skus at a major retailer, mostly driven by the continuing decline of this product category. However, some of this domestic decrease was offset by a large increase in sales to Cobra’s Canadian distributor because of increased placement. The following table summarizes the net sales for the nine-month periods ending September 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

      Mobile Navigation/
GPS Products

Net Sales
    Other
Products
Net Sales
    Total
Net Sales
 
     (in thousands)  

2008

   $ 309     $ 83,977     $ 84,286  

2007

     6,165       93,915       100,080  
                        

Decrease

   $ (5,856 )   $ (9,938 )   $ (15,794 )
                        

 

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Gross margin increased to 28.0% in the first nine months of 2008 from 21.9% in the first nine months of 2007, which resulted in an increase in gross profit of $1.7 million to $23.6 million in the first nine months of 2008 from $21.9 million in the same period a year ago. Approximately 2.4 points of the gross margin improvement was as the result of the change in Cobra’s North American mass market mobile navigation strategy as previously discussed including the positive effect of pricing stability during the period for the NAV ONE 5000, which was introduced late in 2007. Also contributing to the gross margin improvement was significantly lower air freight and the favorable impact of new, higher-margin models such as the 29 LTD BT Citizens Band radio and the XRS 9950 radar detector that includes an optional speed/red light camera GPS locator with Cobra’s proprietary verified data for the entire United States and Canada.

 

     Mobile Navigation/
GPS Products Gross
Profit (Loss)
    Other
Products
Gross Profit
    Total
Gross Profit
 
     (in thousands)  

2008 gross profit

   $ (11 )   $ 23,604     $ 23,593  

2007 gross (loss) profit

     (2,074 )     24,007       21,933  
                        

Increase

   $ 2,063     $ (403 )   $ 1,660  
                        

2008 gross margin

     -3.6 %     28.1 %     28.0 %

2007 gross margin

     -33.6 %     25.6 %     21.9 %

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $2.3 million, or 9.5%, to $22.0 million in the first nine months of 2008 from $24.3 million in the first nine months of 2007. The decrease was due to less variable selling expenses because of the lower sales as well as headcount reductions, lower professional fees and management’s efforts to reduce spending.

Other expense, including interest, was $969,000 higher in the first nine months of 2008 as compared to the same period of 2007 mainly because of a $780,000 loss in 2008 on the cash surrender value of life insurance compared to a $193,000 gain in the prior year. Interest expense decreased $338,000 because of lower borrowing levels and a decline in the interest rate.

As a result of the above, there was pre-tax profit of $63,000 in the first nine months of 2008 compared to a pre-tax loss of $2.9 million in the first nine months of 2007.

 

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Performance Products Limited (“PPL”) Business Segment

PPL’s net sales increased $1.7 million, or 16.1%, to $12.1 million in the nine-month period ending September 30, 2008 from $10.4 million for the comparable 2007 period. Higher sales of smartphones and personal navigation products were partially offset by sales declines of GPS products. Sales of personal navigation products were aided by having a full array of products available for sale in 2008 compared to the limited availability in 2007 resulting from development and production problems.

Gross profit increased $2.2 million to $6.5 million, or 53.3%, in the nine-months ending September 30, 2008 from the $4.3 million, or 40.8%, for the prior year period. The increase in gross margin was due to higher sales volume and the mix impact as higher-margin download fees and smartphone sales accounted for a larger portion of the 2008 revenue.

Selling, general and administrative expenses totaled $4.0 million for the first nine months of 2008 and for the same period of 2007. Expressed as a percentage of net sales, selling, general and administrative expenses were 33.1% in 2008 compared to 39.2% for 2007.

As a result of the above, pre-tax profit for the nine-month period ending September 30, 2008 increased to $2.8 million from $429,000 for the prior year’s period.

 

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

On January 31, 2002, the Company executed a three-year Revolving Credit Agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) with three financial institutions, including LaSalle Bank National Association, as agent. In November 2005, the term of the agreement was amended to January 31, 2007. In October 2006, in connection with the PPL acquisition, the Credit Agreement was amended and restated for a five-year term and maximum loan limit of $53.6 million, including the $40 million revolver, a $7.0 million term loan and a $6.6 million delayed draw term loan. The delayed draw term loan was never activated. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement were secured by substantially all of the assets of the Company.

On February 15, 2008, the Company entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (the “LSA”) with The PrivateBank and Trust Company, as lender and agent, and RBS Citizens, N.A., as lender, for a $5.7 million term loan facility and a $40 million revolving credit facility. Both facilities mature on October 19, 2011 and replaced the previous Credit Agreement. During the transition period to The PrivateBank and RBS Citizens lenders, the Company was required to maintain cash on deposit with the prior lender to fund letters of credit; as of September 30, 2008 the cash collateral was no longer required. At September 30, 2008, the Company had interest bearing debt outstanding of $14.2 million, consisting of the $4.8 million term loan and $9.4 million in the revolver. As of September 30, 2008, availability was approximately $18.5 million under the revolving credit line based on the asset advance formulas.

Cobra Electronics U.K. Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, completed the acquisition of 100% of the issued and outstanding share capital of PPL in 2006. Under the acquisition agreement, the purchase price for the issued share capital of PPL consisted of $21.2 million paid in cash at the closing of the transaction. The former shareholders of PPL were eligible to receive additional cash consideration of up to approximately $6.5 million based on the achievement of certain performance targets by PPL for the twelve-month period ended March 31, 2007 (the first earn-out period) and up to approximately $10.0 million for the fourteen-month period ended May 31, 2008 (the second earn-out period). No additional consideration was paid to the former shareholders for the first earn-out period; the former shareholders were eligible to recapture all or a portion of this first earn-out payment should the performance in the second earn-out period exceed the performance targets established for the payment of the entire second earn-out. Additionally, the former shareholders were eligible to earn additional consideration if the performance of PPL exceeded certain cumulative targets for the combined earn-out periods.

The second and final earn-out period in connection with the purchase agreement concluded on May 31, 2008. The aggregate amount of the final earn-out payment, which totaled $8.4 million, was paid to the former shareholders on October 20, 2008.

 

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For the nine months ended September 30, 2008 net cash flows from operating activities were $10.2 million. Significant net cash inflows from operations included net income of $1.9 million, non-cash depreciation and amortization of $4.5 million, a reduction in accounts receivable of $4.0 million, a decrease in inventory of $3.5 million and an increase in accrued income taxes of $716,000. The decrease in accounts receivable resulted from collections on sales from the fourth quarter of 2007. The decrease in inventory was due to mainly lower Cobra mobile navigation inventory as a result of the change in Cobra’s North American mass market mobile navigation strategy as previously discussed and lower inventory at PPL because of higher sales. The increase in accrued income taxes was due to the strong profits at PPL in 2008.

Partially offsetting these inflows was a decrease in accrued liabilities of $4.0 million. The decrease in accrued liabilities was due to two factors. First, accrued advertising and sales promotion costs declined as payments to customers for fourth quarter 2007 advertising and sales promotion programs more than offset similar accruals made in the first quarter of 2008 on lower sales. Second, there was a large reduction in the warranty reserve established at December 31, 2007 for the Company’s change in its North American mobile navigation strategy, which reflected customer returns in the first nine months of 2008. In the fourth quarter of 2007, $7.5 million was charged to cost of sales for costs related to the change in the Company’s mobile navigation strategy in North America, including the impairment of certain intellectual property, the write down of certain mobile navigation inventory, related parts and other assets to estimated net realizable value and the disposition of future product returns by means other than returning them to vendors for credit against new products. At September 30, 2008, the total remaining amount of reserves established for this change in strategy was approximately $326,000. Of this amount, $132,000 was for a warranty reserve for the disposition of future product returns by means other than returning them to vendors for credit against new products, $178,000 was to reduce certain mobile navigation parts to their estimated net realizable value and $16,000 was for a NRV reserve, which reduced mobile navigation products returned from customers to their estimated net realizable value.

Working capital requirements are seasonal, with demand for working capital being higher later in the year as customers begin purchasing for the holiday selling season. The Company believes that cash generated from operations and from borrowings under its credit agreement will be sufficient in 2008 to fund its working capital needs.

Net cash used in investing activities amounted to $783,000 in the first nine months of 2008. $154,000 was due to a decrease in intangible assets and $642,000 was used for capital expenditures, principally tooling, both of which were lower than in prior years because of the change in the Company’s North American mobile navigation strategy.

Net cash used in the first nine months of 2008 for financing activities totaled $6.8 million due to the Company’s annual cash dividend of $0.16 per share as well as a $5.7 million reduction in long-term debt. The 2008 annual dividend payment of $1.0 million was paid on April 25, 2008 to shareholders of record on April 11, 2008.

 

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The $8.4 million earn-out payment due to the former PPL shareholders was recorded as payable and as additional purchase price in goodwill in September 2008. The $8.4 million was subsequently paid on October 20, 2008. Accordingly, there was no effect on the net cash used in investing activities for the nine-month period ending September 30, 2008.

The Company believes that for the foreseeable future, it will be able to continue to fund its operations with cash generated from operations using existing or similar future bank credit agreements to fund its seasonal working capital.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The Company’s significant accounting policies and estimates are discussed in the notes to the consolidated financial statements. The application of certain of these policies requires significant judgments or a historical based estimation process that can affect the results of operations and financial position of the Company as well as the related footnote disclosures. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and other assumptions that it believes are reasonable. If actual amounts ultimately differ from previous estimates, the revisions are included in the Company’s results of operations for the period in which the actual amounts become known.

Critical accounting policies and estimates generally consist of those that reflect significant judgments and uncertainties and could potentially result in materially different results under different assumptions. For a description of the Company’s critical accounting polices and estimates refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of that term in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 found at Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. Additional written or oral forward-looking statements may be made by the Company from time to time in filings with the SEC, press releases, or otherwise. Statements contained in this report that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, projections of revenue, income or loss and capital expenditures, statements regarding future operations, anticipated financing needs, compliance with financial covenants in loan agreements, liquidity, plans for acquisitions or sales of assets or businesses, plans relating to products or services, assessments of materiality, expansion into international markets, growth trends in the consumer electronics business, technological and market developments in the consumer electronics business, the availability of new consumer electronics products and predictions of future events, as well as assumptions relating to these statements. In addition, when used in this report, the words “anticipates,” “believes,” “should,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans” and variations thereof and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements.

 

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Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified based on current expectations. Consequently, future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by or underlying the forward-looking statements contained in this report or in other Company filings, press releases, or otherwise. Factors that could contribute to or cause such differences include, but are not limited to, unanticipated developments in any one or more of the following areas:

 

   

global economic and market conditions, including continuation of or changes in the current economic environment;

 

   

ability of the Company to introduce new products to meet consumer needs, including timely introductions as new consumer technologies are introduced, and customer and consumer acceptance of these new product introductions;

 

   

pressure for the Company to reduce prices for older products as newer technologies are introduced;

 

   

significant competition in the consumer electronics business, including introduction of new products and changes in pricing;

 

   

factors related to foreign manufacturing, sourcing and sales (including foreign government regulation, trade and importation, and health and safety concerns, and effects of fluctuation in exchange rates);

 

   

the effect of increasing commodity prices on the costs of products and the ability of the Company to mitigate such increases, if any, through product design, manufacturing efficiencies, price increases or other actions.

 

   

ability of the Company to maintain adequate financing, to bear the interest cost of such financing and to remain in compliance with financing covenants;

 

   

changes in law;

 

   

ability to successfully integrate acquisitions, including PPL;

 

   

consolidation of content providers in the mobile navigation industry;

 

   

acquisition of mobile navigation content providers by competitors;

 

   

and other risk factors, which may be detailed from time to time in the Company’s SEC filings.

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements contained in this report, which speak only as of the date set forth on the signature page hereto. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after such date or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events.

 

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Item 3. Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risks related to changes in foreign currency exchange risks and interest rates are inherent to the Company’s operations. Changes to these factors could cause fluctuations in the Company’s net earnings, cash flows and the fair values of financial instruments subject to market risks. The Company identifies these risks and mitigates the financial impact with hedging and interest rate swaps.

There have been no material changes in the Company’s market risk since December 31, 2007. Beginning in the second quarter of 2008, the Company began purchasing certain products in euros to mitigate the economic impact of the declining value of the U.S. dollar.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

The Company has established disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms. The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures have also been designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

As of September 30, 2008, the Company carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures. Based on this evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of the Company have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) are effective as of September 30, 2008.

There has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the first nine months of 2008 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes to the risk factors as previously disclosed under Item 1A in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

 

a) Exhibit 10.1 First Amendment to the Deferred Compensation Plan for Select Executives.

 

b) Exhibit 10.2 Cobra Electronics Corporation Severance Pay Plan.

 

c) Exhibit 10.3 First Amendment to Cobra Electronics Corporation Severance Pay Plan.

 

d) Exhibit 31.1 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer.

 

e) Exhibit 31.2 Rule 13a-14(a)/15d–14(a) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer.

 

f) Exhibit 32.1 Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Executive Officer.

 

g) Exhibit 32.2 Section 1350 Certification of the Chief Financial Officer.

 

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SIGNATURE

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.

 

COBRA ELECTRONICS CORPORATION
By  

/s/ MICHAEL SMITH

  Michael Smith
  Senior Vice President and
  Chief Financial Officer
  (Duly Authorized Officer and Principal
  Financial Officer)

Dated: November 13, 2008

 

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INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description of Document

10.1    First Amendment to the Deferred Compensation Plan for Select Executives
10.2    Cobra Electronics Corporation Severance Pay Plan
10.3    First Amendment to Cobra Electronics Corporation Severance Pay Plan
31.1    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer
31.2    Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer
32.1    Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer
32.2    Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer

 

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