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Accounting And Reporting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2012
Accounting And Reporting Policies [Abstract]  
Accounting and Reporting Policies
A.            Accounting and Reporting Policies
Organization
The LGL Group, Inc., incorporated in 1928 under the laws of the State of Indiana and reincorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in 2007, is a holding company with subsidiaries engaged in manufacturing custom-designed, highly engineered electronic components.  Information on the operations for its single segment and by geographic area of The LGL Group, Inc. and Subsidiaries (the "Company") is included in Note L — "Segment Information."
As of December 31, 2012, the subsidiaries of the Company are as follows:
 
Owned By The LGL Group, Inc.
M-tron Industries, Inc.                                                                                                                                                            
100.0%
M-tron Industries, Ltd.                                                                                                                                                          
99.9%
Piezo Technology, Inc.                                                                                                                                                          
100.0%
Piezo Technology India Private Ltd.                                                                                                                                                    
99.0%
Lynch Systems, Inc.                                                                                                                                                            
100.0%

The Company operates through its principal subsidiary, M-tron Industries, Inc., which includes the operations of M-tron Industries, Ltd. ("Mtron") and Piezo Technology, Inc. ("PTI"). The combined operations of Mtron and PTI are referred to herein as "MtronPTI."  MtronPTI has operations in Orlando, Florida, Yankton, South Dakota, Yantai, China, and Noida, India.  In addition, MtronPTI has sales offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai, China.  During 2007, the Company sold the operating assets of Lynch Systems, Inc. ("Lynch Systems"), a subsidiary of the Company, to an unrelated third party.
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and entities for which it has control.  Material intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.
Uses of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of highly-liquid investments with a maturity of less than three months when purchased.
Accounts Receivable
Accounts receivable on a consolidated basis consist principally of amounts due from both domestic and foreign customers.  Credit is extended based on an evaluation of the customer's financial condition and collateral is not required.  In relation to export sales, the Company requires letters of credit supporting a significant portion of the sales price prior to production to limit exposure to credit risk. Certain credit sales are made to industries that are

subject to cyclical economic changes.  The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts at a level that management believes is sufficient to cover potential credit losses.
The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments.  Estimates are based on historical collection experience, current trends, credit policy and relationship between accounts receivable and revenues.  In determining these estimates, the Company examines historical write-offs of its receivables and reviews each customer's account to identify any specific customer collection issues.  If the financial condition of its customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make payment, additional allowances might be required.  The Company's failure to estimate accurately the losses for doubtful accounts and ensure that payments are received on a timely basis could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value using the FIFO (first-in, first-out) method.
The Company maintains a reserve for inventory based on estimated losses that result from inventory that becomes obsolete or for which the Company has excess inventory levels as of period end. In determining these estimates, the Company performs an analysis on current demand and usage for each inventory item over historical time periods.  Based on that analysis, the Company reserves a percentage of the inventory amount within each time period based on historical demand and usage patterns of specific items in inventory.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and include expenditures for additions and major improvements.  Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred.  Depreciation is computed for financial reporting purposes using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from 5 years to 35 years for buildings and improvements, and from 3 to 10 years for other fixed assets.  Property, plant, and equipment are periodically reviewed for indicators of impairment.  If any such indicators were noted, the Company would assess the appropriateness of the assets' carrying value and record any impairment at that time.
Depreciation expense from operations was approximately $729,000 for 2012 and $699,000 for 2011.
On July 28, 2011, the Company sold certain real property located in Bainbridge, Georgia for $322,610, paid in the form of a promissory note, dated August 1, 2011, in the principal amount of $322,610, bearing interest at a rate of 7% per annum, with all interest and principal due and payable on August 1, 2013.  The real property was formerly used in connection with the operations of Lynch Systems, a subsidiary of the Company whose operating assets were sold in 2007.  The promissory note is secured by the real property sold, and if any portion of such real property is re-sold prior to the note's maturity (any such re-sale subject to the Company's written consent), the Company will recoup 85% of the net proceeds from such re-sale transaction, up to the principal amount of the note and all accrued interest thereon. The note receivable is carried at its estimated net realizable value.
Warranties
The Company offers a standard one-year warranty. The Company tests its products prior to shipment in order to ensure that they meet each customer's requirements based upon specifications received from each customer at the time its order is received and accepted. The Company's customers may request to return products for various reasons, including but not limited to the customers' belief that the products are not performing to specification. The Company's return policy states that it will accept product returns only with prior authorization and if the product does not meet customer specifications, in which case the product would be replaced or repaired. To accommodate the Company's customers, each request for return is reviewed, and if and when it is approved, a return materials authorization ("RMA") is issued to the customer. Each month the Company records a specific warranty reserve for approved RMAs covering products that have not yet been returned. The Company does not maintain a general warranty reserve because, historically, valid warranty returns resulting from a product not meeting specifications or being non-functional have been de minimis.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets are included in "other assets" and are recorded at cost less accumulated amortization.  Amortization is computed for financial reporting purposes using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range up to 10 years.  The intangible assets consist of customer relationships and goodwill.  The net carrying value of the amortizable intangible assets was $96,000 and $156,000 as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.  Goodwill, which is not amortizable, was $40,000 as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.
The estimated aggregate amortization expense for intangible assets, excluding goodwill, for each of the remaining years of the estimated useful life is as follows (in thousands):
2013                                                                                                                                                            
  
58
 
2014                                                                                                                                                            
  
38
 
Total                                                                                                                                                            
 
$
96
 

Revenue Recognition
The Company recognizes revenue from the sale of its product in accordance with the criteria in Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 605, Revenue Recognition, which are:
persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists;
delivery has occurred;
the seller's price to the buyer is fixed and determinable; and
collectability is reasonably assured.
The Company meets these conditions upon shipment because title and risk of loss passes to the customer at that time.  However, the Company offers a limited right of return and/or authorized price protection provisions in its agreements with certain electronic component distributors who resell the Company's products to original equipment manufacturers or electronic manufacturing services companies.  As a result, the Company estimates and records a reserve for future returns and other charges against revenue at the time of shipment consistent with the terms of sale. The reserve is estimated based on historical experience with each respective distributor.
The Company recognizes revenue related to transactions with a right of return and/or authorized price protection provisions when the following conditions are met:
seller's price to the buyer is  fixed or determinable at the date of sale;
buyer has paid the seller, or the buyer is obligated to pay the seller and the obligation is not contingent on resale of the product;
buyer's obligation to the seller would not be changed in the event of theft or physical destruction or damage of the product;
buyer acquiring the product for resale has economic substance apart from that provided by the seller;
seller does not have obligations for future performance; and
the amount of future returns can be reasonably estimated.

Shipping Costs
Amounts billed to customers related to shipping and handling are classified as revenue, and the Company's shipping and handling costs are included in manufacturing cost of sales.
Research and Development Costs
Research and development costs are charged to operations as incurred.  Such costs were $2,005,000 in 2012 compared with $1,878,000 in 2011, and are included within engineering, selling and administrative expenses.
Advertising Expense
Advertising costs are charged to operations as incurred.  Such costs were $42,000 in 2012, compared with $99,000 in 2011.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company measures the cost of employee services in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the grant-date fair value of the award and recognizes the cost over the requisite service period, typically the vesting period.
The Company estimates the fair value of stock options on the grant date using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model. The Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model requires subjective assumptions, including future stock price volatility and expected time to exercise, which greatly affect the calculated values. There is no expected dividend rate. Historical Company information was the basis for the expected volatility assumption as the Company believes that the historical volatility over the life of the option is indicative of expected volatility in the future. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury zero-coupon rates with a remaining term equal to the expected term of the option. The Company also estimates forfeitures at the time of grant and revises, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates. Based on past history of actual performance, a zero forfeiture rate has been assumed. Restricted stock grants are granted at a value equal to the market price of the Company's common stock on the date of the grant.
Restricted stock awards are granted at a value equal to the market price of the Company's common stock on the date of the grant.

Earnings Per Share
The Company computes earnings per share in accordance with ASC 260, Earnings Per Share ("ASC 260"). Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net earnings by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period.  Diluted earnings per share adjusts basic earnings per share for the effects of stock options and other potentially dilutive financial instruments, only in the periods in which the effects are dilutive. Shares of restricted stock granted to members of the Board of Directors (the "Board") as a portion of their director fees are deemed to be participating as defined by ASC 260 and therefore are included in the computation of basic earnings per share.
For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, there were options to purchase 130,000 shares and 90,000 shares, respectively, of common stock that were excluded from the diluted earnings per share computation because the impact of the assumed exercise of such stock options would have been anti-dilutive, based on the fact that their exercise price exceeded the market price of the common stock as of December 31, 2012 and 2011.
Income Taxes
The Company's deferred income tax assets represent (a) temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amount and the tax basis of existing assets and liabilities that will result in deductible amounts in future years, and (b) the tax effects of net operating loss carry-forwards. Based on estimates, the carrying value of the Company's net deferred tax assets assumes that it is more likely than not that the Company will be able to generate sufficient future taxable income in certain tax jurisdictions to utilize these assets in lieu of cash payments for taxes due. The Company's judgments regarding future profitability may change due to future market conditions, changes in U.S. or international tax laws and other factors. If, in the future, the Company experiences losses for a sustained period of time, the Company may not be able to conclude that it is more likely than not that the Company will be able to generate sufficient future taxable income to realize its deferred tax assets. If this occurs, the Company may be required to increase the valuation allowance against the deferred tax assets resulting in additional income tax expense. The Company recognizes interest and/or penalties, if any, related to income tax matters in income tax expense.
Concentration Risk
In 2012, MtronPTI's largest customer, an electronics contract manufacturing company, accounted for $2,914,000, or 9.8%, of the Company's total revenues, compared to $3,680,000, or 10.3%, in 2011.
In 2012, approximately 15.4% of MtronPTI's revenue was attributable to finished products that were manufactured by an independent contract manufacturer with production locations in both Korea and China, compared to 14.7% for 2011.
A significant portion of MtronPTI's accounts receivable is concentrated with a relatively small number of customers.  As of December 31, 2012, MtronPTI's three largest customers accounted for approximately $1,880,000 of accounts receivable, or 42.4% compared to approximately $1,441,000, or 33.4% at the end of 2011.  The increase in concentration of accounts receivable results primarily from an increase in sales to a major customer with extended credit terms. The Company carefully evaluates the creditworthiness of its customers in deciding to extend credit, and utilized letters of credit to further limit credit risk for export sales.  As a result of these policies, the Company has experienced very low historical bad debt expense and believes the related risk to be minimal.
At various times throughout the year and at December 31, 2012, some deposits held at financial institutions were in excess of federally insured limits.  The Company has not experienced any losses related to these balances and believes the related risk to be minimal.
Segment Information
The Company reports segment information in accordance with ASC 280, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information ("ASC 280").  ASC 280 requires companies to report financial and descriptive information for each operating segment based on management's internal organizational decision-making structure.  See Note L to the Consolidated Financial Statements - "Segment Information" - for the detailed presentation of the Company's business segment.
Impairments of Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets, including intangible assets subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable.  Management assesses the recoverability of the carrying cost of the assets based on a review of projected undiscounted cash flows.  If an asset is held for sale, management reviews its estimated fair value less cost to sell.  Fair value is determined using pertinent market information, including appraisals or broker's estimates, and/or projected discounted cash flows. In the event an impairment loss is identified, it is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value of the long-lived asset.
Financial Instruments
Cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivable, short-term borrowings, trade accounts payable, and accrued expenses are carried at cost, which approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.  The carrying amount of the Company's borrowings under its revolving line of credit approximates fair value, as the obligation bears interest at a floating rate.  The fair value of the Company's long-term debt approximates cost based on its short-term nature.
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash, cash equivalents, investments and trade accounts receivable.
The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments with various financial institutions.  The Company's policy is designed to limit exposure to any one institution.  At times, such amounts may exceed federally insured limits.
Foreign Currency Translation
The assets and liabilities of international operations are re-measured at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date for monetary assets and liabilities and at historical rates for non-monetary assets and liabilities, with the related re-measurement gains or losses reported within the consolidated statement of operations. The results of international operations are re-measured at the monthly average exchange rates. The Company's foreign subsidiaries and respective operations' functional currency is the U.S. dollar.  The Company has determined this based upon the majority of transactions with customers as well as inter-company transactions and parental support being based in U.S. dollars.  The Company has recognized a re-measurement loss of $88,000 in 2012, and a re-measurement loss of $26,000 in 2011, which is included within other income, net in the consolidated statements of operations.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the "FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update 2013-02 ("ASU 2013-02"), Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. The new amendments will require an organization to present (either on the face of the statement where net income is presented or in the notes) the effects on the line items of net income of significant amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income – but only if the item reclassified is required under U.S. GAAP to be reclassified to net income in its entirety in the same reporting period, and to cross-reference to other disclosures currently required under U.S. GAAP for other reclassification items (that are not required under U.S. GAAP) to be reclassified directly to net income in their entirety in the same reporting period. The amendments are effective prospectively for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012.  The updated disclosures will not impact the Company's financial position or results of operations.
In January 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2013-01 ("ASU 2013-01"), Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. The amended guidance addresses disclosure of offsetting financial assets and liabilities. It requires entities to add disclosures showing both gross and net information about instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the balance sheet and instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. An entity is required to apply the amendments for fiscal years beginning on or after January 1, 2013, and interim periods within those annual periods. The updated disclosures will be implemented retrospectively and will not impact the Company's financial position or results of operations.

In July 2012, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2012-02 ("ASU 2012-02"), Intangibles- Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment. This standard is effective for annual and interim indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. This standard provides for an optional qualitative assessment for the testing of indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment to determine whether it is more likely than not that such asset is impaired. If it is concluded that this is the case, it is necessary to perform the currently prescribed quantitative impairment test by comparing the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset with its carrying value. Otherwise, the quantitative impairment test is not required. The Company has chosen to adopt this standard as of December 31, 2012, and it did not have an impact on the consolidated financial statements as the Company does not have indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill.