ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
We generally discuss 2022 and 2021 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2022 and 2021 in the section that follows. Discussions of 2020 items and year-to-year comparisons between 2021 and 2020 that are not included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K may be found in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on March 4, 2022.
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes that appear elsewhere in this document.
Overview
We design, develop, manufacture, ship and support control and sensor technology solutions and a broad line of universal control systems, audio-video ("AV") accessories, wireless security and smart home products that are used by the world's leading brands in the video services, consumer electronics, security, home automation, climate control, and home appliance markets. Our product and technology offerings include:
•easy-to-use, voice-enabled, automatically-programmed universal remote controls with two-way radio frequency ("RF") as well as infrared ("IR") remote controls, sold primarily to video service providers (cable, satellite, Internet Protocol television ("IPTV") and Over the Top ("OTT") services), original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs"), retailers, and private label customers;
•integrated circuits ("ICs"), on which our software and universal device control database is embedded, sold primarily to OEMs, video service providers, and private label customers;
•software, firmware and technology solutions that can enable devices such as TVs, set-top boxes, audio systems, smart speakers, game consoles and other consumer electronic and smart home devices to wirelessly connect and interact with home networks and interactive services to control and deliver home entertainment, smart home services and device or system information;
•cloud-services that support our embedded software and hardware solutions (directly or indirectly) enabling real-time device identification and system control;
•intellectual property that we license primarily to OEMs and video service providers;
•proprietary and standards-based RF sensors designed for residential security, safety and home automation applications;
•embedded and cloud-enabled software for reliable firmware update and digital rights management validation services to major consumer electronics brands;
•wall-mount and handheld thermostat controllers and connected accessories for smart energy management systems, primarily to OEM customers, as well as hotels and hospitality system integrators; and
•AV accessories sold, directly and indirectly, to consumers including universal remote controls, television wall mounts and stands and digital television antennas.
A key factor in creating products and software for control of entertainment devices is our proprietary device knowledge. Each year our device control library continues to grow across AV and smart home platforms, supporting many common smart home protocols, including IR, HDMI-CEC, Zigbee (Rf4CE), Z-Wave, IP, as well as Home Network and Cloud Control.
Our technology also includes other remote controlled home entertainment devices and home automation control modules, as well as wired Consumer Electronics Control ("CEC") and wireless IP control protocols commonly found on many of the latest HDMI and internet connected devices. Our proprietary software automatically detects, identifies and enables the appropriate control commands for many home entertainment and automation devices in the home. Our libraries are continuously updated with device control codes used in newly introduced AV and Internet of Things ("IoT") devices. These control codes are captured directly from original control devices or from the manufacturer's written specifications to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the library.
We operate as one business segment. We have one domestic subsidiary and 25 international subsidiaries located in Brazil, British Virgin Islands, France, Germany, Hong Kong (3), India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico (2), the Netherlands, People's Republic of China (the "PRC") (7), Singapore, Spain, United Kingdom and Vietnam.
30
Table of Contents
To recap our results for 2022:
•Net sales decreased 9.8% to $542.8 million in 2022 from $601.6 million in 2021.
•Our gross profit percentage decreased to 28.1% in 2022 from 28.8% in 2021.
•Operating expenses, as a percent of sales, increased to 25.4% in 2022 from 24.9% in 2021.
•Operating income decreased to $14.5 million in 2022 from $23.3 million in 2021, and our operating margin percentage decreased to 2.7% in 2022, compared to 3.9% in 2021.
•Our effective tax rate increased to 96.4% in 2022 from 67.0% in 2021.
Our strategic business objectives for 2023 include the following:
•increase new product development efforts in high-growth HVAC OEM channel to grow our market penetration with existing customers and acquire new customers with the goal of achieving market share leadership in climate control channel within 2 years;
•broaden our home control and home automation product solutions with the aim of acquiring new customers that represent market share leaders in their respective channels and regions;
•expand our software and service platform, QuickSet, to deliver a complete smart entertainment and smart home managed service platform;
•invest in creating sustainable technology solutions that offer product differentiation across our global product portfolio;
•explore and expand product offerings in our core subscription broadcasting channel beyond traditional entertainment remote controls;
•seek acquisitions or strategic partners that complement and strengthen our existing business; and
•expedite our long-term factory planning strategy to optimize our manufacturing footprint and reduce our manufacturing concentration in the PRC.
We intend for the following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations to provide information that will assist in understanding our consolidated financial statements, the changes in certain key items in those financial statements from period to period, and the primary factors that accounted for those changes, as well as how certain accounting principles, policies and estimates affect our consolidated financial statements.
COVID-19 Pandemic and Supply Chain Impact
The COVID-19 pandemic, including related measures to curtail its spread, continues to be a complex and evolving situation and has and will continue to impact our business, operations, and financial results. We anticipate that the global health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to negatively impact business activity across the globe, including our business. We expect our sales demand to be negatively impacted into, at least, the first half of 2023 given the global reach and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the various governmentally imposed lockdowns, quarantine and social distancing measures put in place to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. A future suspension of our manufacturing operations would impact our ability to meet customer demand and could have a significant adverse effect on our financial conditions and results of operations. COVID-19 also continues to impact the global supply chain causing disruptions to service providers, logistics and the flow and availability of supplies and products. Our manufacturing sites, as well as our suppliers and outsourcing partners, and our supply chain have been adversely and may continue to be adversely impacted as a result of restrictions and logistics and operational challenges related to COVID-19. These disruptions have resulted and may continue to result in supply shortages and delays impacting sales worldwide. We may experience further disruptions to our manufacturing operations, supply chain and/or distribution channels in the future, and these disruptions may be prolonged.
We have also been negatively impacted by supply chain difficulties including obtaining ICs and other long-lead time components and we expect this to continue into 2023. While we are taking production and inventory control steps to mitigate the effects caused by these shortages including advanced purchasing of long-lead time components, we cannot guarantee that these steps will allow us to meet our short-term IC and other component parts needs. As such, these supply constraints continue to cause difficulty and delays in our ability to fulfill customer orders and have at times resulted in increased logistics costs. In addition, many of our products are paired with certain of our customers' products, like set-top boxes or televisions. If those customers are not able to obtain sufficient quantities of ICs for their products, their demand for our products may decrease.
31
Table of Contents
Macroeconomic Conditions
We have been negatively impacted and we expect to continue to be negatively impacted by adverse macroeconomic conditions, in particular reduced consumer spending. Inflation has increased our component and logistics costs. While we have been able to increase sales prices on certain products, there may be a delay in our ability to increase prices and we may not be able to fully offset the impact of increased material costs which would negatively impact our gross profit. Our cost of labor, materials and borrowing may continue to increase which would negatively impact our business and financial results. In addition, we expect recessionary fears in the global economy will ultimately negatively impact our sales demand.
Qinzhou, China Facility
In October 2021, Reuters published an article indicating that individuals from China's Uyghur minority, originally resident in the PRC region of Xinjiang, were working in a facility in Qinzhou, Guangxi operated by our Chinese subsidiary, Gemstar Technology (Qinzhou) Co. Ltd. ("Gemstar"). The article alleged that the presence of these workers in Guangxi was indicative of "a transfer program described by some rights groups as forced labor."
We have reviewed and confirmed that Gemstar compensated these individuals for their work at the same rates as workers of other ethnicities who had comparable skills and roles, and at a level that was above the local minimum wage. Although our review did not identify any instances in which individuals were obliged or in any other way forced to work at the Qinzhou facility or were paid less than their promised wage, Gemstar, which engaged these workers through a third-party labor agency, terminated its relationship with that agency, ended its arrangement with these workers, and paid all outstanding wages and severance directly and individually to each of the workers in question. Nonetheless, the perception that we or an entity affiliated with us might have had associations with a program described by some as involving forced labor could result in reputational damage as well as lost revenue. To date, as a result of this perception, one customer has put further business with us on hold. Should additional customers cease doing business with us, the loss of revenue could become material, which would have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. We take all allegations regarding working conditions seriously, and took a cooperative approach to responding to the Committee's letter, cooperated fully with the Committee's inquiry and provided the Committee with timely and complete responses to all of its questions.
Manufacturing Footprint
We expect to commence manufacturing operations in a new factory in Vietnam in the first half of 2023, which may result in manufacturing inefficiencies. We are currently evaluating our manufacturing footprint with the expectation that once the Vietnam factory is operating efficiently, we will reduce our manufacturing capacity, most likely, by shutting down an existing facility. If this were to occur, we would record an impairment charge and severance expense in amounts that are not presently calculable, however could be material. We are analyzing various scenarios, each contingent on the success of the new Vietnam factory, and have yet to conclude on a specific plan.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("U.S. GAAP") requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, inventory valuation, impairment of long-lived assets, intangible assets and goodwill and income taxes. Actual results may differ from these judgments and estimates, and they may be adjusted as more information becomes available. Any adjustment may be significant and may have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
An accounting estimate is deemed to be critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the estimate is made, if different estimates reasonably may have been used, or if changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur may materially impact the financial statements. Management believes the following critical accounting estimates affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. In addition to the accounting policies mentioned below, see "ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA — Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Note 2" for other significant accounting policies.
32
Table of Contents
Revenue recognition
Revenue is recognized when control of a good or service is transferred to a customer. Control is considered to be transferred when the customer has the ability to direct the use of and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits of that good or service. Revenues are generated from manufacturing and delivering universal control, sensing and automation products and AV accessories, which are sold through multiple channels, and licensing intellectual property that is embedded in these products or licensed to others for use in their products. We also generate revenues from a cloud-based software solution enabling software updates, digital rights management provisioning and remote technical support to consumer electronics customers.
Timing of Revenue Recognition – When determining the classification of over time verses point in time revenue recognition, there is significant judgment exercised by management in identifying and evaluating whether new contracts and/or products meet the criteria for over time or point in time revenue recognition. Significant judgments include the evaluation of legal terms and rights within each jurisdiction that we operate, specifically as it relates to our entitlement to gross margin at termination, and the evaluation of whether it is possible, contractually or economically, to repurpose or redirect products.
Royalty Revenue – We license our symbolic intellectual property which includes our patented technologies and database of control codes. Royalty revenue is recognized for these licensing arrangements on an over time basis. We record license revenue for per-unit based licenses when our customers manufacture or ship a product incorporating our intellectual property and we have a present right to payment. The number of shipped units is estimated based on historical royalty revenue and other known factors. If actual shipped units differ from our estimates we will record a reduction or increase to net sales in the period the actuals are reported by the licensee, typically in the following quarter.
Sales Returns and Allowances – A provision is recorded for estimated sales returns and allowances and is deducted from gross sales to arrive at net sales in the period the related revenue is recorded. These estimates are based on historical sales returns and allowances, analysis of credit memo data and other known factors. Actual returns and claims in any future period are inherently uncertain and thus may differ from our estimates. If actual or expected future returns and claims are significantly greater or lower than the reserves that we have established, we will record a reduction or increase to net sales in the period in which we make such a determination.
Sales Discounts and Rebates –A provision is recorded for estimated sales discounts and rebates and is deducted from gross sales to arrive at net sales in the period the related revenue is recorded. We accrue for discounts and rebates based on historical experience and our expectations regarding future sales to our customers. Changes in such accruals may be required if actual discounts and rebates differ from our estimates.
Inventories
Our finished good, component part, and raw material inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method. We write down our inventory for the estimated difference between cost and estimated net realizable value based upon our best estimates of future demand and market conditions. We carry inventory in amounts necessary to satisfy our customers' inventory requirements on a timely basis. We continually monitor our inventory status to control inventory levels and write down any excess or obsolete inventories on hand. If actual market conditions become less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required, which may have a material impact on our financial statements. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to, the development of new competing technology that impedes the marketability of our products or the occurrence of significant price decreases in our raw material or component parts, such as integrated circuits. Each percentage point change in the ratio of excess and obsolete inventory reserve to inventory would impact cost of sales by approximately $1.5 million.
33
Table of Contents
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets and Intangible Assets
We assess long-lived and intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors considered important which may trigger an impairment review, if significant, include the following:
•underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results;
•changes in the manner of use of the assets;
•changes in the strategy of our overall business;
•negative industry or economic trends;
•a decline in our stock price for a sustained period; and
•a variance between our market capitalization relative to net book value.
If the carrying value of the asset is larger than its projected undiscounted future cash flows, the asset is impaired. The impairment is measured as the difference between the net book value of the asset and the asset's estimated fair value. Fair value is estimated utilizing the asset's projected discounted future cash flows. In assessing fair value, we must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows, the discount rate and other factors. If the actual performance of the assets becomes less favorable than those projected by management, adjustments to the carrying values of these assets may have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
Goodwill
We evaluate the carrying value of goodwill on December 31 of each year and between annual evaluations if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to: (1) a significant adverse change in legal factors or in business climate, (2) a decline in macroeconomic conditions, (3) a significant decline in our financial performance or (4) a significant decline in the price of our common stock for a sustained period of time.
We perform our annual impairment test using a qualitative assessment weighing the relative impact of factors that are specific to our single reporting unit as well as industry and macroeconomic factors. Based on the qualitative assessment performed, considering the aggregation of the relevant factors, we concluded that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of our single reporting unit is less than the carrying value. Therefore, performing a quantitative impairment test was unnecessary.
Certain future events and circumstances, including adverse changes in general business and economic conditions in the United States and worldwide and changes in consumer behavior could result in changes to our assumptions and judgments used in the goodwill impairment tests. A downward revision of these assumptions could cause the fair value of the reporting unit to fall below its respective carrying values and a noncash impairment charge would be required. Such a charge may have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
Income Taxes
We calculate our current and deferred tax provisions based on estimates and assumptions that may differ from the actual results reflected in our income tax returns filed during the subsequent year. We record adjustments based on filed returns when we have identified and finalized them, which is generally in the third and fourth quarters of the subsequent year.
We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which we expect the differences to reverse. We record a valuation allowance to reduce the deferred tax assets to the amount that we are more likely than not to realize. We have considered future market growth, forecasted earnings and tax rates, future taxable income, the mix of earnings in the jurisdictions in which we operate and prudent tax planning strategies in determining the need for a valuation allowance. In the event we were to determine that we would not be able to realize all or part of our net deferred tax assets in the future, we would increase the valuation allowance and make a corresponding charge to earnings in the period in which we make such determination. Likewise, if we later determine that we are more likely than not to realize the net deferred tax assets, we would reverse the applicable portion of the previously provided valuation allowance. In order for us to realize our deferred tax assets we must be able to generate sufficient taxable income in the tax jurisdictions in which the deferred tax assets are located. Any changes to the realizability of our deferred tax assets or liabilities may have a material impact on our financial statements.
We are subject to income taxes in the United States and foreign countries, and we are subject to routine corporate income tax audits in many of these jurisdictions. We believe that our tax return positions are fully supported, but tax authorities are likely
34
Table of Contents
to challenge certain positions, which may not be fully sustained. Our income tax expense includes amounts intended to satisfy income tax assessments that result from these challenges in accordance with the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes prescribed by U.S. GAAP. Determining the income tax expense for these potential assessments and recording the related assets and liabilities requires management judgments and estimates.
We maintain reserves for uncertain tax positions, including related interest and penalties. We review our reserves quarterly, and we may adjust such reserves due to proposed assessments by tax authorities, changes in facts and circumstances, issuance of new regulations or new case law, previously unavailable information obtained during the course of an examination, negotiations between tax authorities of different countries concerning our transfer prices, execution of advanced pricing agreements, resolution with respect to individual audit issues, the resolution of entire audits, or the expiration of statutes of limitations. The amounts ultimately paid upon resolution of audits may be materially different from the amounts previously included in our income tax expense and, therefore, may have a material impact on our financial statements.
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth our results of operations expressed as a percentage of net sales for the periods indicated.
Year Ended December 31,
Research and development expenses 6.0 5.1
Selling, general and administrative expenses 19.4 19.8
Operating income 2.7 3.9
Interest income (expense), net (0.4) (0.1)
Loss on sale of Argentina subsidiary 0.0 (1.0)
Other income (expense), net (0.2) (0.1)
Income before provision for income taxes 2.1 2.7
Provision for income taxes 2.0 1.8
Net income 0.1 % 0.9 %
Year Ended December 31, 2022 ("2022") Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2021 ("2021")
Net sales. Net sales for 2022 were $542.8 million, a decrease of 9.8% compared to $601.6 million in 2021. Sales in our subscription broadcast channel were lower than in the prior year due primarily to lower customer demand and component shortages. Sales in our retail channel were also lower than the prior year due to macroeconomic headwinds and the loss of a customer in North America.
Gross profit. Gross profit in 2022 was $152.3 million compared to $173.0 million in 2021. Gross profit as a percent of sales decreased to 28.1% in 2022 compared to 28.8% in 2021. Gross profit as a percent of sales was unfavorably impacted by inflationary pressures associated with raw materials and components, freight costs and wages. Partially offsetting these unfavorable impacts were sales price increases on certain products, which were implemented throughout the first two quarters of 2022.
Research and development ("R&D") expenses. R&D expenses increased 5.0% to $32.5 million in 2022 from $30.9 million in 2021. The increase in R&D expenses is due to an increase in product development activities as we continue to expand our portfolio of products and focus on growth channels including HVAC, home security and home automation.
Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses. SG&A expenses decreased 11.4% to $105.3 million in 2022 from $118.8 million in 2021, primarily due to a decrease in outside legal expenses related to a specific legal matter.
Interest income (expense), net. Net interest expense increased to $2.2 million in 2022 from $0.6 million in 2021 as a result of a higher average loan balance and a higher average interest rate.
35
Table of Contents
Loss on sale of Argentina subsidiary. During 2021, we completed the sale of our subsidiary, One For All Argentina S.R.L, recording a loss on sale of $6.1 million. The loss was primarily attributable to the weakening of the Argentinian Peso versus the U.S. Dollar resulting in a loss in equity value in our Argentina subsidiary and ultimately sales proceeds that were significantly less than the invested capital.
Other income (expense), net. Other expense, net was $1.0 million in 2022, compared to other expense, net of $0.6 million in 2021, both as a result of net foreign currency losses offset partially by miscellaneous non-operating gains.
Income tax expense. Income tax expense was $11.0 million in 2022 compared to $10.8 million in 2021. Our effective tax rate was elevated in both 2022 and 2021 at 96.4% and 67.0%, respectively, as a result of our mix of pre-tax income/loss by jurisdiction, as well as losses incurred in the U.S. which are not benefited due to a valuation allowance.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Sources of Cash
Historically, we have utilized cash provided from operations as our primary source of liquidity, as internally generated cash flows have been sufficient to support our business operations, capital expenditures and discretionary share repurchases. In addition, we have utilized our revolving line of credit to fund an increased level of share repurchases and past acquisitions. We anticipate that we will continue to utilize both cash flows from operations and our revolving line of credit to support ongoing business operations, capital expenditures, expenses associated with our long-term factory planning strategy, future discretionary share repurchases and potential future acquisitions. We believe our current cash balances, anticipated cash flow to be generated from operations and available borrowing resources will be sufficient to cover expected cash outlays for at least the next twelve months and for the foreseeable future thereafter; however, because our cash is located in various jurisdictions throughout the world, we may at times need to increase borrowing from our revolving line of credit or take on additional debt until we are able to transfer cash among our various entities.
Our liquidity is subject to various risks including the market risks identified in "ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK".
December 31,
Cash and cash equivalents – At December 31, 2022, we had $6.8 million, $15.6 million, $18.9 million, $13.0 million and $12.4 million of cash and cash equivalents in North America, the PRC, Asia (excluding the PRC), Europe, and South America, respectively. We attempt to mitigate our exposure to liquidity, credit and other relevant risks by placing our cash and cash equivalents with financial institutions we believe are high quality.
Our cash balances are held in numerous locations throughout the world. The majority of our cash is held outside of the United States and may be repatriated to the United States but, under current law, may be subject to federal and state income taxes and foreign withholding taxes. Additionally, repatriation of some foreign balances is restricted by local laws.
Available Borrowing Resources – Our Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement ("Second Amended Credit Agreement") with U.S. Bank National Association ("U.S. Bank") provides for a $125.0 million revolving line of credit ("Credit Line") that expires on November 1, 2023. We expect to renew our credit agreement with U.S. Bank, for an additional two years, prior to its expiration. The Credit Line may be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes including acquisitions, share repurchases and capital expenditures. Amounts available for borrowing under the Credit Line are reduced by the balance of any outstanding letters of credit, of which there were none at December 31, 2022. At December 31, 2022, we had an outstanding balance of $88.0 million on our Credit Line and $37.0 million of availability.
See "ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA - Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Note 9" for further information regarding our Credit Line.
36
Table of Contents
Uses of Cash
Our cash flows were as follows:
Cash provided by (used for) operating activities $ 10,926 $ (29,357) $ 40,283
Cash provided by (used for) investing activities (21,208) (4,167) (17,041)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents $ 5,927 $ 2,267 $ 3,660
Net cash provided by operating activities was $10.9 million during 2022 compared to $40.3 million during 2021. Net income was $0.4 million in 2022 compared to $5.3 million in 2021. Accounts receivables decreased by $12.8 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to a decrease of $2.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2021 largely due to a reduction in sales during 2022. Inventories increased by $9.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to an increase of $15.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2021. We still remain in a unique environment where certain components, prominently ICs, are in short supply. Although this issue is abating, the lead times associated with certain component vendors remain elevated; consequently, when an opportunity arises to procure more than what is needed at a given period of time, we are proceeding with the purchase. Furthermore, certain customers ordered fewer units than originally forecasted, causing our finished goods inventory to be temporarily elevated. Our inventory turns decreased to 2.2 turns at December 31, 2022 compared to 2.9 turns at December 31, 2021. Changes in accounts payable and accrued liabilities resulted in cash outflows of $28.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to cash inflows of $0.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2021, largely as a result of lower sales volume resulting in fewer purchases of raw materials and components, excluding, in certain situations, components in short supply. Changes in accrued income taxes resulted in cash outflows of $2.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to cash inflows of $2.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2021.
Net cash used for investing activities during 2022 was $21.2 million, of which $7.5 million, $0.9 million, $14.0 million and $6.6 million was used for the purchase of our term deposit investment, acquisition of Qterics Inc., capital expenditures, and the development of patents, respectively. Offsetting these amounts was $7.8 million received upon the redemption of our term deposit investment. Net cash used for investing activities during 2021 was $17.0 million, of which $12.6 million and $4.4 million was used for capital expenditures and development of patents, respectively.
Future cash flows used for investing activities are largely dependent on the timing and amount of capital expenditures. We estimate that we will incur between $12.0 million and $15.0 million in 2023 which includes amounts associated with our factory in Vietnam which we anticipate commencing operations in the first half of 2023.
Net cash provided by financing activities was $20.5 million during 2022 compared to net cash used for financing activities of $22.0 million during 2021. The primary financing activities in 2022 and 2021 were borrowings and repayments on our line of credit and repurchases of shares of our common stock. Net borrowings on our line of credit were $32.0 million in 2022 and $36.0 million in 2021. During 2022, we purchased 434,107 shares of our common stock at a cost of $13.0 million compared to 1,243,196 shares at a cost of $59.7 million during 2021.
Future cash flows used for financing activities are affected by our financing needs which are largely dependent on the level of cash provided by or used in operations and the level of cash used in investing activities. Additionally, potential future repurchases of shares of our common stock will impact our cash flows used for financing activities. Given the recent decrease in the price of our common stock, we may opportunistically purchase shares of our common stock. See "ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA - Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements - Note 14" for further information regarding our share repurchase programs.
37
Table of Contents
Material Cash Commitments – The following table summarizes our material cash commitments and the effect these commitments are expected to have on our cash flows in future periods:
Payments Due by Period
(In thousands) Total Less than1 year 1 - 3years 4 - 5years After5 years
Property, plant, and equipment purchases 1,742 1,742 — — —
(1) We expect to renew our credit agreement with U.S. Bank, for an additional two years, prior to its expiration.
We anticipate meeting our material cash commitments with our cash generated from operations and available borrowing resources, including our Credit Line.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See "ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA — Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements — Note 2" for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to various market risks, including interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. We have established policies, procedures and internal processes governing our management of these risks and the use of financial instruments to mitigate our risk exposure.
Interest Rate Risk
We are exposed to interest rate risk related to our debt. From time to time, we borrow amounts on our Credit Line for working capital and other liquidity needs. Under the Second Amended Credit Agreement, we may elect to pay interest on outstanding borrowings on our Credit Line based on LIBOR or a base rate (based on the prime rate of U.S. Bank) plus an applicable margin as defined in the Second Amended Credit Agreement. Accordingly, changes in interest rates would impact our results of operations in future periods. A 100 basis point increase in interest rates would have an approximately $0.7 million annual impact on net income based on our outstanding Credit Line balance at December 31, 2022.
We cannot make any assurances that we will not need to borrow additional amounts in the future or that funds will be extended to us under comparable terms or at all. If funding is not available to us at a time when we need to borrow, we would have to use our cash reserves, including potentially repatriating cash from foreign jurisdictions, which may have a material adverse effect on our operating results, financial position and cash flows.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
At December 31, 2022, we had wholly-owned subsidiaries in Brazil, the British Virgin Islands, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, the PRC, Singapore, Spain, United Kingdom and Vietnam. We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk inherent in our sales commitments, anticipated sales, anticipated purchases, operating expenses, assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. The most significant foreign currencies to our operations are the Chinese Yuan Renminbi, Euro, British Pound, Mexican Peso, Indian Rupee, Hong Kong Dollar, Brazilian Real, Japanese Yen, Korean Won and Vietnamese Dong. Our most significant foreign currency exposure is to the Chinese Yuan Renminbi as this is the functional currency of our China-based factories where the majority of our products are manufactured. If the Chinese Yuan Renminbi were to strengthen against the U.S. Dollar, our manufacturing costs would increase. We are generally a net payor of the Mexican Peso, Indian Rupee, Hong Kong Dollar, Japanese Yen, Korean Won and Vietnamese Dong and therefore benefit from a stronger U.S. Dollar and are adversely affected by a weaker U.S. Dollar relative to the foreign currency. For the Euro, British Pound and Brazilian Real, we are generally a net receiver of the foreign currency
38
Table of Contents
and therefore benefit from a weaker U.S. Dollar and are adversely affected by a stronger U.S. Dollar relative to the foreign currency. Even where we are a net receiver, a weaker U.S. Dollar may adversely affect certain expense figures taken alone.
From time to time, we enter into foreign currency exchange agreements to manage the foreign currency exchange rate risks inherent in our forecasted income and cash flows denominated in foreign currencies. The terms of these foreign currency exchange agreements normally last less than nine months. We recognize the gains and losses on these foreign currency contracts in the same period as the remeasurement losses and gains of the related foreign currency-denominated exposures.
It is difficult to estimate the impact of fluctuations on reported income, as it depends on the opening and closing rates, the average net balance sheet positions held in a foreign currency and the amount of income generated in local currency. We routinely forecast what these balance sheet positions and income generated in local currency may be and we take steps to minimize exposure as we deem appropriate. Alternatively, we may choose not to hedge the foreign currency risk associated with our foreign currency exposures, primarily if such exposure acts as a natural foreign currency hedge for other offsetting amounts denominated in the same currency or the currency is difficult or too expensive to hedge. We do not enter into any derivative transactions for speculative purposes.
The sensitivity of earnings and cash flows to variability in exchange rates is assessed by applying an approximate range of potential rate fluctuations to our assets, obligations and projected results of operations denominated in foreign currency with all other variables held constant. The analysis includes all of our foreign currency contracts offset by the underlying exposures. Based on our overall foreign currency rate exposure at December 31, 2022, we believe that movements in foreign currency rates may have a material effect on our financial position and results of operations. We estimate that if the exchange rates for the Chinese Yuan Renminbi, Euro, British Pound, Mexican Peso, Indian Rupee, Hong Kong Dollar, Brazilian Real, Japanese Yen, Korean Won and Vietnamese Dong relative to the U.S. Dollar fluctuate 10% from December 31, 2022, net income in the first quarter of 2023 would fluctuate by approximately $7.4 million.
39
Table of Contents
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID Number 248) 41
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 48
All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
40
Table of Contents
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Board of Directors and Stockholders
Universal Electronics Inc.
Opinion on the financial statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Universal Electronics Inc. (a Delaware corporation) and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2022, and the related notes and financial statement schedules included under Item 15 (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, thefinancial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Companyas of December 31, 2022 and 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2022, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB"), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2022, based on criteria established in the 2013 Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission ("COSO"), and our report dated March 8, 2023, expressed an unqualified opinion.
Basis for opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical audit matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Revenue recognition - Identifying and evaluating terms and conditions in contracts for the timing of revenue recognition
As described further in Note 2 and Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements, product revenue is generated through manufacturing and delivering universal control, sensing, and automation products, and AV accessories. The Company recognizes revenue over time for custom products with no alternative use when the Company has an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date, including a reasonable margin, through a contractual commitment from the customer. Revenue is recognized at a point in time if the criteria for recognizing revenue over time are not met. For each new contract and/or product, management performs an analysis to determine whether the asset created is a custom asset with no alternative use and whether the terms and conditions of the contract indicate the Company has an enforceable right to payment for performance completed prior to the transfer of the underlying asset. We identified the determination of overtime versus point in time revenue recognition as a critical audit matter.
41
Table of Contents
The principal considerations for our determination that overtime versus point in time revenue recognition is a critical audit matter is the significant judgment exercised by management in identifying and evaluating whether new contracts and/or products meet the criteria for over time or point in time revenue recognition. Significant judgments include the evaluation of contractual legal terms and rights within each jurisdiction in which the Company operates and evaluation of whether it is possible, contractually or economically, to repurpose or redirect products for an alternative use.
Our audit procedures related to the overtime versus point in time revenue recognition included the following, among others:
•We tested the design and operating effectiveness of key controls over the Company's new and amended contract review process, specifically those related to the identification and evaluation of terms and conditions associated with an enforceable right to payment.
•We tested design and operating effectiveness of key controls associated with the Company's classification of new products, including those associated with determination and classification of a product as having no alternative use.
•For a selection of parts from the Company's active products listing, we performed testing to determine whether products marked as custom with no alternative use are restricted contractually or economically to be repurposed or redirected. This includes evaluating management assumptions regarding the economic feasibility of repurposing a finished product and evidence to support that the final product has no alternative use.
•For a selection of contracts, obtained the contract and management's analysis over the enforceable right to payment and validated that the payment terms within the contract were properly evaluated and the contract was properly included or excluded from the overtime revenue recognition.
•For a selection of revenue transactions, we traced the products sold into the Company's listing of active products and determined whether that product was appropriately classified as custom or non-custom by applying the same testing approach noted above. For transactions selected with custom products, we also obtained and read the contract and contract amendments to determine whether the payment terms within the contract specifically identified an enforceable right to payment, including a reasonable margin, upon cancellation. The two parts to this test serve to determine whether the transaction was appropriately recorded over time or at a point in time.
/s/ GRANT THORNTON LLP
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2005.
Newport Beach, California
March 8, 2023
42
Table of Contents
UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share-related data)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 6,647 7,289
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accrued sales discounts, rebates and royalties 6,477 9,286
Long-term liabilities:
Other long-term liabilities 810 13
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (21,187) (13,524)
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 504,163 $ 510,348
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
43
Table of Contents
UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Year Ended December 31,
Loss on sale of Argentina subsidiary — (6,050) —
Accrued social insurance adjustment — — 9,464
Earnings per share:
Shares used in computing earnings per share:
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
44
Table of Contents
UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
CONSOLIDATED COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) STATEMENTS
(In thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment (7,663) (427) 4,259
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
45
Table of Contents
UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(In thousands)
Shares Amount Shares Amount
Currency translation adjustment 4,259 4,259
Shares issued for employee benefit plan and compensation 169 1 1,135 1,136
Shares issued to directors 25 1 (1) —
Employee and director stock-based compensation 9,122 9,122
Performance-based common stock warrants 686 686
Currency translation adjustment (427) (427)
Shares issued for employee benefit plan and compensation 203 2 1,090 1,092
Shares issued to directors 30 — — —
Employee and director stock-based compensation 9,969 9,969
Performance-based common stock warrants (686) (686)
Currency translation adjustment (7,663) (7,663)
Shares issued for employee benefit plan and compensation 212 2 1,197 1,199
Shares issued to directors 29 — — —
Employee and director stock-based compensation 10,013 10,013
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
46
Table of Contents
UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
Year Ended December 31,
Cash flows from operating activities:
Provision for credit losses (182) — 332
Performance-based common stock warrants — (686) 686
Loss on sale of Argentina subsidiary, net of cash transferred — 5,960 —
Accrued social insurance adjustment — — (9,464)
Loss on sale of Ohio call center — — 712
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses and other assets (917) (630) (245)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of term deposit (7,487) — —
Redemption of term deposit 7,803 — —
Acquisition of the net assets of Qterics, Inc. (939) — —
Payment on sale of Ohio call center — — (500)
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities (21,208) (17,041) (23,734)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities 20,501 (22,026) (65,964)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 5,927 3,660 (17,149)
Supplemental cash flow information:
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
47
Table of Contents
UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022
Note 1 — Description of Business
Universal Electronics Inc. ("UEI"), based in Scottsdale, Arizona, designs, develops, manufactures, ships and supports control and sensor technology solutions and a broad line of universal control systems, audio-video ("AV") accessories, and intelligent wireless security and smart home products that are used by the world's leading brands in the video services, consumer electronics, security, home automation, climate control, and home appliance markets. In addition, over the past 37 years, we have developed a broad portfolio of patented technologies and cloud-based connectivity and control software solutions that we license to our customers, including many leading Fortune 500 companies.
Distribution methods for our control solutions vary depending on the sales channel. We license our connectivity and control solution technologies across a variety of channels, primarily to original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs"). We distribute remote control devices, integrated circuits, sensors, connected thermostats and AV accessories directly to video and security service providers and OEMs, both domestically and internationally. We also distribute home security sensors and connected thermostats to pro-security installers and hospitality system integrators in the United States and Europe through a network of national and regional distributors and dealers.
Additionally, we sell our wireless control devices and AV accessories under the One For All® and private label brand names to retailers through our international subsidiaries and direct to retailers in key markets, such as in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain, and Italy. We utilize third-party distributors for the retail channel in countries where we do not have subsidiaries.
As used herein, the terms "we", "us" and "our" refer to Universal Electronics Inc. and its subsidiaries unless the context indicates to the contrary.
Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and those of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
Reportable Segment
An operating segment, in part, is a component of an enterprise whose operating results are regularly reviewed by the chief operating decision maker to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance. Operating segments may be aggregated only to a limited extent. Our chief operating decision maker, the Chief Executive Officer, reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis, accompanied by disaggregated information about revenues for purposes of making operating decisions and assessing financial performance. Accordingly, we only have a single operating and reportable segment.
Estimates and Assumptions
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("U.S. GAAP") requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates and assumptions, including those related to revenue recognition, allowance for credit losses, inventory valuation, impairment of long-lived assets, intangible assets and goodwill, business combinations, income taxes and related valuation allowances, stock-based compensation expense and performance-based common stock warrants. Actual results may differ from these assumptions and estimates, and they may be adjusted as more information becomes available. Any adjustment may be material.
48
Table of Contents
UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022
Revenue Recognition
Revenue is recognized when control of a good or service is transferred to a customer. Control is considered to be transferred when the customer has the ability to direct the use of and obtain substantially all of the remaining benefits of that good or service. Revenues are generated from manufacturing, shipping and supporting control and sensor technology solutions and a broad line of pre-programmed and universal control products, AV accessories, and intelligent wireless security and smart home products that are used in the video services, consumer electronics, security, home automation, climate control, and home appliance market, which are sold through multiple channels, and licensing intellectual property that is embedded in these products or licensed to others for use in their products. We also generate revenues from a cloud-based software solution enabling software updates, digital rights management provisioning and remote technical support to consumer electronics customers.
Revenue - Product revenue is generated through manufacturing, shipping and supporting control and sensor technology solutions and a broad line of pre-programmed and universal control products, AV accessories, and intelligent wireless security and smart home products that are used in the video services, consumer electronics, security, home automation, climate control, and home appliance market, which are sold through multiple channels. Our performance obligations are satisfied over time or at a point in time, depending on the nature of the product. Our contracts have an anticipated duration of less than a year and consideration may be variable based on indeterminate volumes.
Revenue is recognized over time when our performance creates an asset with no alternative use to us (custom products) and we have an enforceable right to payment for performance completed to date, including a reasonable margin, through a contractual commitment from the customer. Custom products are those products for which we are unable to redirect the asset to another customer in the foreseeable future without significant rework. The method for measuring progress towards satisfying a performance obligation for a custom product is based on the costs incurred to date (cost-to-cost method). We believe that the costs associated with production are most closely aligned with the revenue associated with those products.
We recognize revenue at a point in time if the criteria for recognizing revenue over time are not met, the title of the goods has transferred and we have a present right to payment.
A provision is recorded for estimated sales returns and allowances and is deducted from gross sales to arrive at net sales in the period the related revenue is recorded. These estimates are based on historical sales returns and allowances, analysis of credit memo data and other known factors. Actual returns and claims in any future period are inherently uncertain and thus may differ from our estimates. If actual or expected future returns and claims are significantly greater or lower than the reserves that we have established, we will record a reduction or increase to net sales in the period in which we make such a determination.
We license our symbolic intellectual property which includes our patented technologies and database of control codes. Royalty revenue is recognized for these licensing arrangements on an over time basis. We record license revenue for per-unit based licenses when our customers manufacture or ship a product incorporating our intellectual property and we have a present right to payment. We record per-unit-based licenses with minimum guarantees ratably over the license period to which the minimum guarantee relates and any per-unit sales in excess of the minimum guarantee in the period in which the sale occurs. We record licenses with fixed consideration ratably over the license period. Tiered royalties are recorded on a straight-line basis according to the forecasted per-unit fees taking into account the pricing tiers.
We recognize service revenues related to our cloud-based software solution on an over-time basis, as our customers simultaneously receive and consume the benefits provided by our performance. Revenues are recognized over the period during which the performance obligations are satisfied, and control of the service is transferred to the customers.
Contract assets - Contract assets represent the value of revenue recognized over time for which we have not yet invoiced the customer. Generally, we invoice the customer within 90 days of revenue recognition.
Contract liabilities - A contract liability is recorded when consideration is received from a customer prior to fully satisfying a performance obligation in a contract. Our contract liabilities primarily consist of cash received in advance of providing our cloud-based software services. These contract liabilities will be recognized as revenues when control of the related product or service is transferred to the customer. See Note 12 for further information concerning contract liabilities.
49
Table of Contents
UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022
Other sales-related matters - Trade receivables are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. Payment terms are typically on open credit terms consistent with industry practice and do not have significant financing components. We accrue for discounts and rebates based on historical experience and our expectations regarding future sales to our customers. Accruals for discounts and rebates are recorded as a reduction to sales in the same period as the related revenue. Such discounts were $12.2 million and $14.4 million at December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Changes in such accruals may be required if future rebates and incentives differ from our estimates.
We present all non-income government-assessed taxes (sales, use and value added taxes) collected from our customers and remitted to governmental agencies on a net basis (excluded from revenue) in our financial statements. The government-assessed taxes are recorded in our consolidated balance sheets until they are remitted to the government agency.
Income Taxes
We provide for income taxes utilizing the asset and liability approach of accounting for income taxes. Under this approach, deferred taxes represent the future tax consequences expected to occur when the reported amounts of assets and liabilities are recovered or paid. Deferred taxes are presented net as non-current by jurisdiction. The provision for income taxes generally represents income taxes paid or payable for the current year plus the change in deferred taxes during the year. Deferred taxes result from the differences between the financial and tax bases of our assets and liabilities and are adjusted for changes in tax rates and tax laws when changes are enacted. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when a judgment is made that is considered more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized. A decision to record a valuation allowance results in an increase in income tax expense or a decrease in income tax benefit. If the valuation allowance is released in a future period, income tax expense will be reduced accordingly.
The calculation of tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex global tax regulations. The impact of an uncertain income tax position is recognized at the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority. An uncertain income tax position will not be recognized if it has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. If the estimate of tax liabilities proves to be less than the ultimate assessment, a further charge to expense would result.
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not, on a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction basis, that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. We continue to assess the need for a valuation allowance on the deferred tax asset by evaluating both positive and negative evidence that may exist. Any adjustment to the net deferred tax asset valuation allowance would be recorded in the income statement for the period that the adjustment is determined to be required.
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the "Tax Act") subjects a U.S. shareholder to tax on Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income ("GILTI") earned by certain foreign subsidiaries. We have elected to account for GILTI in the year the tax is incurred as a period expense.
See Note 10 for further information concerning income taxes.
Research and Development
Research and development costs are expensed as incurred and consist primarily of salaries, employee benefits, supplies and materials.
Advertising
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expense totaled $0.5 million, $0.8 million and $0.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
50
Table of Contents
UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022
Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs
We include shipping and handling fees billed to customers in net sales. Shipping and handling costs associated with in-bound freight or amounts billed to customers are recorded in cost of sales. Other shipping and handling costs are included in selling, general and administrative expenses. Shipping and handling fees and costs totaled $10.8 million, $11.8 million and $9.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Stock-Based Compensation
We recognize the grant date fair value of stock-based compensation awards as expense in proportion to vesting during the requisite service period, which ranges from one to three years. Forfeitures of stock-based awards are accounted for as they occur. Upon the exercise of stock options or the vesting of restricted stock awards, newly issued shares of our common stock are issued.
We determine the fair value of restricted stock awards utilizing the average of the high and low trading prices of our common shares on the date they were granted.
The fair value of stock options granted to employees and directors is determined utilizing the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The assumptions utilized in the Black-Scholes model include the risk-free interest rate, expected volatility, expected life in years and dividend yield. The risk-free interest rate over the expected term is equal to the prevailing U.S. Treasury note rate over the same period. Expected volatility is determined utilizing historical volatility over a period of time equal to the expected life of the stock option. Expected life is computed utilizing historical exercise patterns and post-vesting behavior. The dividend yield is assumed to be zero since we have not historically declared dividends and do not have any plans to declare dividends in the future. See Note 15 for further information regarding stock-based compensation.
Performance-Based Common Stock Warrants
The measurement date for performance-based common stock warrants is the date on which the warrants vest. We recognize the fair value of performance-based common stock warrants as a reduction to net sales ratably as the warrants vest based on the projected number of warrants that will vest, the proportion of the performance criteria achieved by the customer within the period relative to the total performance required (aggregate purchase levels) for the warrants to vest and the fair value of the related unvested warrants. If we do not have a reliable forecast of future purchases to be made by the customer by which to estimate the number of warrants that will vest, then the maximum number of potential warrants is assumed until such time that a reliable forecast of future purchases is available. To the extent that our projections change in the future as to the number of warrants that will vest, a cumulative catch-up adjustment will be recorded in the period in which our estimates change. See Note 16 for further information regarding performance-based common stock warrants.
Foreign Currency Translation and Foreign Currency Transactions
We use the U.S. Dollar as our functional currency for financial reporting purposes. The functional currency for most of our foreign subsidiaries is their local currency. The translation of foreign currencies into U.S. Dollars is performed for balance sheet accounts using exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet dates and for revenue and expense accounts using the average exchange rate during each period. The gains and losses resulting from the translation are included in the foreign currency translation adjustment account, a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders' equity, and are excluded from net income. The portions of intercompany accounts receivable and accounts payable that are intended for settlement are translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Our intercompany foreign investments and long-term debt that are not intended for settlement are translated using historical exchange rates.
Transaction gains and losses generated by the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on recorded assets and liabilities denominated in a currency different than the functional currency of the applicable entity are recorded in other income (expense), net. See Note 17 for further information concerning transaction gains and losses.
51
Table of Contents
UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022
Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive potential common shares, including the dilutive effect of stock options, restricted stock and common stock warrants, outstanding during the period. Dilutive potential common shares for all periods presented are computed utilizing the treasury stock method; however, dilutive potential common shares are excluded where their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.
Financial Instruments
Our financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, term deposit, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities, debt and derivatives. The carrying value of our financial instruments, excluding derivatives, approximates fair value as a result of their short maturities. Our derivatives are carried at fair value. See Notes 3, 4, 9, 11, 12 and 19 for further information concerning our financial instruments.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Term Deposit
Cash and cash equivalents include cash accounts and all investments purchased with initial maturities of three months or less. Our term deposit had an initial maturity of one year, but was redeemed prior to December 31, 2022. Domestically, we generally maintain balances in excess of federally insured limits. We attempt to mitigate our exposure to liquidity, credit and other relevant risks by placing our cash, cash equivalents and term deposit with financial institutions we believe are high quality. These financial institutions are located in many different geographic regions. As part of our cash and risk management processes, we perform periodic evaluations of the relative credit standing of our financial institutions. We have not sustained credit losses from instruments held at financial institutions. See Note 3 for further information concerning cash, cash equivalents and term deposit.
Allowance for Credit Losses
We maintain an allowance for credit losses for estimated losses on our trade receivables, resulting from the inability of our customers to make payments for products sold or services rendered. The allowance for credit losses is based on a variety of factors, including credit reviews, historical experience, length of time receivables are past due, current economic trends and changes in customer payment behavior.
We also record specific provisions for individual accounts when we become aware of a customer's inability to meet its financial obligations to us, such as in the case of bankruptcy filings or deterioration in the customer's operating results or financial position. If circumstances related to a customer change, our estimates of the recoverability of the receivables would be further adjusted. See Note 4 for further information concerning our allowance for credit losses.
Inventories
Inventories consist of remote controls, wireless sensors and AV accessories, as well as the related component parts and raw materials. Inventoriable costs include materials, labor, freight-in and manufacturing overhead related to the purchase and production of inventories. We value our inventories at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method. We attempt to carry inventories in amounts necessary to satisfy our customer requirements on a timely basis. See Note 5 for further information concerning our inventories and suppliers.
Product innovations and technological advances may shorten a given product's life cycle. We continually monitor our inventories to identify any excess or obsolete items on hand. We write down our inventories for estimated excess and obsolescence in an amount equal to the difference between the cost of the inventories and estimated net realizable value. These estimates are based upon management's judgment about future demand and market conditions.
52
Table of Contents
UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022
Property, Plant, and Equipment
Property, plant, and equipment are recorded at cost. The cost of property, plant, and equipment includes the purchase price of the asset and all expenditures necessary to prepare the asset for its intended use. We capitalize additions and improvements and expense maintenance and repairs as incurred.
We capitalize certain internal and external costs incurred to acquire or create internal use software, principally related to software coding, designing system interfaces and installation and testing of the software.
For financial reporting purposes, depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. When assets are retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the appropriate accounts and any gain or loss is included as a component of depreciation expense.
Estimated useful lives are as follows:
Buildings 25-33 years
Tooling and equipment 2-7 Years
Computer equipment 3-5 Years
Software 3-7 Years
Furniture and fixtures 5-8 Years
See Note 6 for further information concerning our property, plant, and equipment.
Leases
We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception and determine the classification of the lease, as either operating or finance, at commencement. Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets, other accrued liabilities and long-term operating lease obligations on our consolidated balance sheets. We presently do not have any finance leases.
ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the commencement date of the lease based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date, including the lease term, in determining the present value of lease payments. Operating lease ROU assets also factor in any lease payments made, initial direct costs and lease incentives received. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Some of our leases include options to extend with a range of three years to five years with two extensions at the then current market rate. Lease expense for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
Leases with an initial term of twelve months or less, or on a month-to-month basis, are not recorded on the balance sheet and are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. If applicable, we combine lease and non-lease components, which primarily relate to ancillary expenses associated with real estate leases such as common area maintenance charges and management fees.
See Note 8 for further information concerning our leases.
53
Table of Contents
UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022
Goodwill
We record the excess purchase price of net tangible and intangible assets acquired over their estimated fair value as goodwill. We evaluate the carrying value of goodwill on December 31 of each year and between annual evaluations if events occur or circumstances change that may reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount. Such circumstances may include, but are not limited to: (1) a significant adverse change in legal factors or in business climate, (2) a decline in macroeconomic conditions, (3) a significant decline in our financial performance or (4) a significant decline in the price of our common stock for a sustained period of time.
We perform our annual impairment test using a qualitative assessment weighing the relative impact of factors that are specific to our single reporting unit as well as industry and macroeconomic factors. Based on the qualitative assessment performed, considering the aggregation of the relevant factors, we concluded that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of our single reporting unit is less than the carrying value. Therefore, performing a quantitative impairment test was unnecessary.
See Note 7 for further information concerning goodwill.
Long-Lived and Intangible Assets Impairment
Intangible assets consist of capitalized software development costs, customer relationships, developed and core technologies, distribution rights, patents and trademarks and trade names. Capitalized amounts related to patents represent external legal costs for the application, maintenance and extension of the useful life of patents. Intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated period of benefit, ranging from two to 15 years.
We assess the impairment of long-lived assets and intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors considered important which may trigger an impairment review include the following: (1) significant underperformance relative to historical or projected future operating results; (2) significant changes in the manner or use of the assets or strategy for the overall business; (3) significant negative industry or economic trends; and (4) a significant decline in our stock price for a sustained period.
We conduct an impairment review when we determine that the carrying value of a long-lived or intangible asset may not be recoverable based upon the existence of one or more of the above indicators of impairment. The asset is impaired if its carrying value exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. In assessing recoverability, we make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and other factors.
An impairment loss is the amount by which the carrying value of an asset exceeds its fair value. We estimate fair value utilizing the projected discounted cash flow method and a discount rate determined by our management to be commensurate with the risk inherent in our current business model. When calculating fair value, we make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows, discount rates and other factors.
See Note 6 for further information concerning long-lived assets. See Note 7 for further information concerning intangible assets.
Business Combinations
We allocate the purchase price of acquired businesses to the tangible and intangible assets and the liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values on the acquisition date. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. We engage independent third-party appraisal firms to assist us in determining the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Such valuations require management to make significant fair value estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to intangible assets and contingent consideration. Management estimates the fair value of certain intangible assets and contingent consideration by utilizing the following (but not limited to):
•future cash flow from customer contracts, customer lists, distribution agreements, acquired developed technologies, trademarks, trade names and patents;
•expected costs to complete development of in-process technology into commercially viable products and cash flows from the products once they are completed;
•brand awareness and market position, as well as assumptions regarding the period of time the brand will continue to be used in our product portfolio; and
54
Table of Contents
UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022
•discount rates utilized in discounted cash flow models.
Results of operations and cash flows of acquired businesses are included in our operating results from the date of acquisition.
In those circumstances where an acquisition involves a contingent consideration arrangement, we recognize a liability equal to the fair value of the contingent payments we expect to make as of the acquisition date. We re-measure this liability at each reporting period and record changes in the fair value within operating expenses. Increases or decreases in the fair value of the contingent consideration liability can result from changes in discount periods and rates, as well as changes in the timing and amount of earnings estimates or in the timing or likelihood of achieving earnings-based milestones. Contingent consideration is recorded in other accrued liabilities and long-term contingent consideration in our consolidated balance sheets.
See Note 21 for further information concerning business combinations.
Derivatives
Our foreign currency exposures are primarily concentrated in the Brazilian Real, British Pound, Chinese Yuan Renminbi, Euro, Hong Kong Dollar, Indian Rupee, Japanese Yen, Korean Won and Mexican Peso. We periodically enter into foreign currency exchange contracts with terms normally lasting less than nine months, to protect against the adverse effects that exchange-rate fluctuations may have on our foreign currency-denominated receivables, payables, cash flows and reported income. We do not enter into financial instruments for speculation or trading purposes.
The derivatives we enter into have not qualified for hedge accounting. The gains and losses on both the derivatives and the foreign currency-denominated balances are recorded as foreign exchange transaction gains or losses and are classified in other income (expense), net. Derivatives are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value. The estimated fair value of derivative financial instruments represents the amount required to enter into similar offsetting contracts with similar remaining maturities based on quoted market prices. See Note 19 for further information concerning derivatives.
Fair-Value Measurements
We measure fair value using the framework established by the FASB in ASC Topic 820 for fair value measurements and disclosures. This framework requires fair value to be determined based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants.
The valuation techniques are based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable or market inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs require management to make certain assumptions and judgments based on the best information available. Observable inputs are the preferred data source. These two types of inputs result in the following fair value hierarchy:
Level 1: Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical instruments in active markets.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers". This guidance requires an entity to recognize and measure contract assets and contract liabilities acquired in a business combination in accordance with Topic 606, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers". At the acquisition date, the acquirer applies the revenue recognition model as if it had originated the acquired contracts. Our adoption of this guidance on January 1, 2022 did not have a material impact on our consolidated statement of financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
55
Table of Contents
UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022
Other Accounting Pronouncements
Accounting Updates Not Yet Effective
In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, "Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting", in January 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-01, "Reference Rate Reform", and in December 2022, the FASB issued ASU 2022-06, "Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848". This guidance is intended to provide temporary optional expedients and exceptions to GAAP guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burden related to the expected market transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. The amendments in these ASUs are elective and are effective upon issuance for all entities through December 31, 2024. These amendments are not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated statement of financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Note 3 — Cash and Cash Equivalents and Term Deposit
Cash and cash equivalents were held in the following geographic regions:
December 31,
On January 25, 2022, we entered into a one-year term deposit cash account with Banco Santander (Brasil) S.A., denominated in Brazilian Real. The term deposit earned interest at a variable annual rate based upon the Brazilian CDI overnight interbank rate. As of December 31, 2022, all of this term deposit was redeemed.
Note 4 — Revenue and Accounts Receivable, Net
Revenue Details
The pattern of revenue recognition was as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
Our net sales to external customers by geographic area were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
56
Table of Contents
UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022
Specific identification of the customer billing location was the basis used for attributing revenues from external customers to geographic areas.
Net sales to the following customer totaled more than 10% of our net sales:
Year Ended December 31,
(1) Sales associated with this customer did not total more than 10% of our net sales for the indicated period.
Accounts Receivable, Net
Accounts receivable, net were as follows:
December 31,
Allowance for credit losses (957) (1,285)
Allowance for sales returns (618) (592)
(1) Other accounts receivable is primarily comprised of value added tax and supplier rebate receivables.
Allowance for Credit Losses
Changes in the allowance for credit losses were as follows:
(In thousands) Year Ended December 31,
Additions (reductions) to costs and expenses (182) — 332
Cash receipts — — (157)
Write-offs/Foreign exchange effects (146) (127) (255)
Trade receivables associated with this significant customer that totaled more than 10% of our accounts receivable, net were as follows:
December 31,
Comcast Corporation $ 15,367 13.7 % $ — (1) — % (1)
(1) Trade receivables associated with this customer did not total more than 10% of our accounts receivable, net for the indicated period.
57
Table of Contents
UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022
Note 5 — Inventories and Significant Suppliers
Inventories were as follows:
December 31,
Significant Suppliers
We purchase integrated circuits, components and finished goods from multiple sources. Purchases from the following supplier totaled 10% of our total inventory purchases:
Year Ended December 31,
Purchases from the following supplier totaled more than 10% of our total accounts payable:
December 31,
Zhejiang Zhen You Electronics Co. Ltd. $ — (1) — % (1) $ 9,862 10.6 %
(1) Accounts payable associated with this supplier did not total more than 10% of our accounts payable for the indicated period.
Note 6 — Property, Plant, and Equipment, Net
Property, plant, and equipment, net were as follows:
December 31,
Total property, plant, and equipment, net $ 62,791 $ 74,647
58
Table of Contents
UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022
Depreciation expense was $19.9 million, $22.8 million and $23.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, we incurred $2.9 million in impairment charges, recorded in cost of sales, relating to the underutilization of certain property, plant and equipment in our Mexico factory. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we incurred $3.3 million in impairment charges, recorded in cost of sales, relating to the underutilization of property, plant and equipment in our PRC-based factories, as a result of our long-term factory planning strategy of reducing our concentration risk in that region. Impairment charges were immaterial for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Construction in progress was as follows:
December 31,
Leasehold and building improvements $ 475 $ 100
Total construction in progress $ 9,888 $ 4,869
We expect that most of the assets under construction will be placed into service during the first six months of 2023. We will begin to depreciate the cost of these assets under construction once they are placed into service.
Long-lived tangible assets by geographic area, which include property, plant, and equipment, net and operating lease ROU assets, were as follows:
December 31,
Note 7 — Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net
Goodwill
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill were as follows:
(In thousands)
Foreign exchange effects (151)
Goodwill acquired during the period (1) 713
Foreign exchange effects (91)
(1) During the year ended December 31, 2022, we recognized $0.7 million of goodwill related to the Qterics, Inc. ("Qterics") acquisition. Refer to Note 21 for further information about this acquisition.
59
Table of Contents
UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022
We conducted annual goodwill impairment reviews on December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020. Based on the analysis performed, we determined that our goodwill was not impaired.
Intangible Assets, Net
The components of intangible assets, net were as follows:
December 31,
(1)This table excludes the gross value of fully amortized intangible assets totaling $43.7 million and $43.2 million on December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively.
Amortization expense is recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses, except amortization expense related to capitalized software development costs, which is recorded in cost of sales. Amortization expense by statement of operations caption was as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
Cost of sales $ 49 $ 27 $ —
Selling, general and administrative expenses 3,969 3,963 6,500
Estimated future annual amortization expense related to our intangible assets at December 31, 2022, is as follows:
(In thousands)
The remaining weighted average amortization period of our intangible assets at December 31, 2022 is 6.2 years.
Note 8 — Leases
We have entered into various operating lease agreements for automobiles, offices and manufacturing facilities throughout the world. At December 31, 2022, our operating leases had remaining lease terms of up to 38 years, including any reasonably probable extensions.
60
Table of Contents
UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022
Lease balances within our consolidated balance sheets were as follows:
Assets:
Operating lease right-of-use assets $ 21,599 $ 19,847
Liabilities:
Other accrued liabilities $ 5,509 $ 4,769
Long-term operating lease obligations 15,027 14,266
Operating lease expense, including variable and short-term lease costs which were insignificant to the total, operating lease cash flows and supplemental cash flow information were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
Selling, general and administrative expenses 4,474 4,151
Total operating lease expense $ 7,296 $ 6,659
Operating cash outflows from operating leases $ 7,427 $ 6,555
Non-cash release of operating lease obligations (1) $ — $ 654
(1) During the year ended December 31, 2021, we were released from our guarantee of the lease obligation related to our Ohio call center which was sold in February 2020.
The weighted average remaining lease liability term and the weighted average discount rate were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
Weighted average lease liability term (in years) 5.10 4.30
Weighted average discount rate 3.82 % 3.17 %
The following table reconciles the undiscounted cash flows for each of the first five years and thereafter to the operating lease liabilities recognized in our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2022. The reconciliation excludes short-term leases that are not recorded on the balance sheet.
(In thousands)
Total lease payments 22,988
Less: imputed interest (2,452)
Total lease liabilities $ 20,536
At December 31, 2022, we did not have any operating leases that had not yet commenced.
61
Table of Contents
UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022
Prepaid Land Lease
We operate one factory within the PRC on which the land is leased from the government as of December 31, 2022. This land lease was prepaid to the PRC government at the time our subsidiary occupied the land. We have obtained a land-use right certificate for the land pertaining to this factory.
The factory is located in the city of Yangzhou in the Jiangsu province. The remaining net book value of this operating lease ROU was $2.2 million at December 31, 2022, and is being amortized on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of approximately 36 years. The buildings located on this land had a net book value of $13.4 million at December 31, 2022 and are being depreciated over a remaining weighted average period of approximately 17 years.
Note 9 — Line of Credit
Our Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement ("Second Amended Credit Agreement") with U.S. Bank National Association ("U.S. Bank") provides for a $125.0 million revolving line of credit ("Credit Line") that expires on November 1, 2023. We expect to renew our credit agreement with U.S. Bank, for an additional two years, prior to its expiration. The Credit Line may be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes including acquisitions, share repurchases and capital expenditures. Amounts available for borrowing under the Credit Line are reduced by the balance of any outstanding letters of credit, of which there were none at December 31, 2022.
All obligations under the Credit Line are secured by substantially all of our U.S. personal property and tangible and intangible assets, as well as a guaranty of the Credit Line by our wholly-owned subsidiary, Universal Electronics BV.
Under the Second Amended Credit Agreement, we may elect to pay interest on the Credit Line based on LIBOR plus an applicable margin (varying from 1.25% to 1.75%) or base rate (based on the prime rate of U.S. Bank or as otherwise specified in the Second Amended Credit Agreement) plus an applicable margin (varying from 0.00% to 0.50%). The applicable margins are calculated quarterly and vary based on our cash flow leverage ratio as set forth in the Second Amended Credit Agreement. The interest rates in effect at December 31, 2022 and 2021 were 5.62% and 1.35%, respectively. There are no commitment fees or unused line fees under the Second Amended Credit Agreement.
On December 31, 2021, the process of cessation of LIBOR as a reference rate began. Between December 31, 2021 and June 30, 2023, any borrowings under our existing Second Amended Credit Agreement may continue to use LIBOR as the basis for interest rates. If the Second Amended Credit Agreement is amended or replaced during this period, any borrowings will no longer use LIBOR as a reference rate and instead will be subject to an interest rate based on either the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR"), which is deemed a replacement benchmark for LIBOR under the Second Amended Credit Agreement, or an alternate index to be agreed upon. After June 30, 2023, all borrowings will be based on SOFR or the alternate index.
The Second Amended Credit Agreement includes financial covenants requiring a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and a maximum cash flow leverage ratio. In addition, the Second Amended Credit Agreement contains other customary affirmative and negative covenants and events of default. As of December 31, 2022, we were in compliance with the covenants and conditions of the Second Amended Credit Agreement.
At December 31, 2022, we had $88.0 million outstanding under the Credit Line. Our total interest expense on borrowings was $3.3 million, $0.9 million and $1.6 million during the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2020, respectively.
Note 10 — Income Taxes
In 2022, 2021 and 2020, pre-tax income (loss) was attributed to the following jurisdictions:
Year Ended December 31,
62
Table of Contents
UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022
The provision for income taxes charged to operations was as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
Current tax expense:
Deferred tax (benefit) expense:
State and local 36 90 —
Net deferred tax assets were comprised of the following:
December 31,
Deferred tax assets:
Accrued liabilities $ — $ 6,483
Accounts receivable 5,657 —
Amortization of intangible assets 5,977 1,412
Capitalized research & development costs 4,632 —
Deferred tax liabilities:
Accrued liabilities (5,273) —
Accounts receivable — (10,919)
Net deferred tax assets before valuation allowance 48,114 37,873
63
Table of Contents
UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2022
The provision for income taxes differs from the amount of income tax determined by applying the applicable U.S. statutory federal income tax rate to pre-tax income from operations as a result of the following:
Year Ended December 31,
Increase (decrease) in tax provision resulting from:
Distribution of previously taxed foreign earnings and profits (16,776) — —
Federal research and development credits (715) (1,391) (2,119)
Foreign undistributed earnings, net of credits 6,486 6,902 3,319
Liquidation of Cayman subsidiary — 745 —
Sale of Argentina subsidiary — 2,084 —
Sale of intangible asset (3,385) — —
Uncertain tax positions — — (1,565)
At December 31, 2022, we had federal and state Research and Development ("R&D") income tax credit carryforwards of approximately $4.2 million and $12.8 million, respectively. The federal R&D income tax credits begin expiring in 2039. The state R&D income tax credits do not have an expiration date.
At December 31, 2022, we had state and local and foreign net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $50.6 million and $0.7 million, respectively. The state and local and foreign net operating loss carryforwards begin to expire in 2023 and 2027, respectively.
At December 31, 2022, we assessed the realizability of the Company's deferred tax assets by considering whether it is more likely than not some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. We considered the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, tax planning strategies and projected future taxable income in making this assessment. Due to cumulative operating losses for the three years ended in 2022, we have recorded a full valuation allowance against our U.S. federal and state deferred tax assets of $24.5 million and $20.1 million, respectively, as we have determined that it is more likely than not that the tax benefits will not be realized in the future. The valuation allowance increased by $12.1 million and $4.6 million during the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, respectively. We have an overall deferred tax liability for U.S. federal and state jurisdictions due to having indefinite lived deferred tax liabilities that cannot be used as a source of income to offset the deferred tax assets.
Uncertain Tax Positions
At December 31, 2022 and 2021, we had unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $3.2 million and $3.0 million, respectively, including interest and penalties. In accordance with accounting guidance, we have elected to classify interest and penalties as components of tax expense. Interest and penalties were immaterial for the year ended December 31, 2022, 2021, and 2020. Interest and penalties are included in the unrecognized tax benefits.