U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

 

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

 

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2017

 

 

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

 

For the transition period from _________ to _________

 

 

Commission File Number: 1-10526

 

 

UNITED-GUARDIAN, INC. .

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

Delaware

  11-1719724
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     

 

  230 Marcus Boulevard, Hauppauge, New York 11788  
  (Address of Principal Executive Offices)  
     
 

(631) 273-0900

  (Registrant’s Telephone Number)  
     
  N/A  
  (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)  

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the past 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

Yes þ No ☐

 

 

Cover Page 1 of 2

 

 

 

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

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

  Large accelerated filer
  Non-accelerated filer (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
  Accelerated filer
  Smaller reporting company

þ

  Emerging growth company

 

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

 

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

 

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

 

4,594,319 shares of common stock, par value $.10 per share

(as of May 1, 2017)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cover Page 2 of 2

 

 

 

UNITED-GUARDIAN, INC.

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Page No.

Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION  
   
Item 1 - Condensed Financial Statements:  
   
Statements of Income - Three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 2
   
Statements of Comprehensive Income - Three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 3
   
Balance Sheets – March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 4-5
   

Statements of Cash Flows – Three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016

6
   
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements 7-11
   

Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

11-15
   
Item 3 - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 16
   
Item 4 - Controls and Procedures 16
   
Part II. OTHER INFORMATION  
   
Item 1 - Legal Proceedings 16
   
Item 1A - Risk Factors 16
   
Item 2 - Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 17
   
Item 3 - Defaults Upon Senior Securities 17
   
Item 4 - Mine Safety Disclosures 17
   
Item 5 - Other Information 17
   
Item 6 - Exhibits 17
   
Signatures 18

 

Page 1 of 18
 

 

Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. Condensed Financial Statements.

  

UNITED-GUARDIAN, INC.

 

STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(UNAUDITED)

 

   THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31,
   2017  2016
Sales:          
Gross sales  $2,872,722   $2,330,576 
Sales rebates and allowances   (86,334)   (68,000)
Net Sales   2,786,388    2,262,576 
           
Costs and expenses:          
Cost of sales   1,264,096    897,725 
Operating expenses   463,480    467,556 
Research and development   189,729    177,566 
Total costs and expenses   1,917,305    1,542,847 
           
Income from operations   869,083    719,729 
           
Other income:          
Investment income   52,872    43,312 
           
Income before provision for income taxes   921,955    763,041 
           
Provision for income taxes   287,520    237,950 
           
Net income  $634,435   $525,091 
           
Earnings per common share (Basic and Diluted)  $0.14   $0.11 
           
Weighted average shares – basic and diluted   4,594,319    4,594,319 

 

See notes to condensed financial statements

 

Page 2 of 18
 

 

UNITED-GUARDIAN, INC.

 

STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

 

   THREE MONTHS ENDED
MARCH 31,
   2017  2016
       
Net income  $634,435   $525,091 
           
Other comprehensive income:          
           
Unrealized gain on marketable securities   131,671    151,068 
           
Income tax expense related to other comprehensive income   (44,768)   (51,363)
           
Other comprehensive income, net of tax   86,903    99,705 
           
Comprehensive income  $721,338   $624,796 

 

See notes to condensed financial statements

 

Page 3 of 18
 

 
UNITED-GUARDIAN, INC.

 

BALANCE SHEETS

 

ASSETS  MARCH 31,  DECEMBER 31,
   2017  2016
   (UNAUDITED)  (AUDITED)
Current assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents  $1,245,017   $424,301 
Marketable securities   10,402,505    10,218,009 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $16,943 at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016   1,872,691    1,597,997 
Inventories (net)   1,263,246    1,255,813 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets   195,969    135,320 
Prepaid income taxes   ---    82,732 
Total current assets   14,979,428    13,714,172 
           
           
Property, plant and equipment:          
Land   69,000    69,000 
Factory equipment and fixtures   4,344,234    4,342,629 
Building and improvements   2,776,602    2,776,602 
Total property, plant and equipment   7,189,836    7,188,231 
Less: accumulated depreciation   6,143,782    6,097,640 
Net property, plant and equipment   1,046,054    1,090,591 
           
Deferred income taxes (net)   ---    2,382 
           
Other assets (net)   55,588    59,295 
           
TOTAL ASSETS  $16,081,070   $14,866,440 

 

See notes to condensed financial statements

 

Page 4 of 18
 

 

UNITED-GUARDIAN, INC.

 

BALANCE SHEETS

(continued)

  

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

   MARCH 31,  DECEMBER 31,
   2017  2016
Current liabilities:  (UNAUDITED)  (AUDITED)
Accounts payable  $124,131   $82,821 
Accrued expenses   1,053,136    848,328 
Income taxes payable   204,788    --- 
Dividends payable   114,802    114,802 
Total current liabilities   1,496,857    1,045,951 
           
Deferred income taxes (net)   42,386    --- 
           
Commitments and contingencies          
           
Stockholders’ equity:          
Common stock $.10 par value, 10,000,000 shares authorized; 4,594,319 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively   459,432    459,432 
Accumulated other comprehensive income   262,537    175,634 
Retained earnings   13,819,858    13,185,423 
Total stockholders’ equity   14,541,827    13,820,489 
           
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY  $16,081,070   $14,866,440 

 

See notes to condensed financial statements

 

Page 5 of 18
 

 

UNITED-GUARDIAN, INC.

 

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)

 

   THREE MONTHS ENDED
   MARCH 31,
   2017  2016
Cash flows from operating activities:          
Net income  $634,435   $525,091 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization   49,849    43,036 
Realized loss on sale of investments   ---    10,180 
(Decrease) increase in cash resulting from changes in operating assets and liabilities:          
Accounts receivable   (274,694)   (360,993)
Inventories   (7,433)   (234,814)
Prepaid expenses and other assets   (60,649)   (43,233)
Prepaid income taxes   82,732    95,767 
Accounts payable   41,310    251,407 
Income taxes payable   204,788    141,883 
Accrued expenses   204,808    315,160 
           
Net cash provided by operating activities   875,146    743,484 
           
Cash flows from investing activities:          
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment   (1,605)   (5,870)
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities   ---    49,045 
Purchase of marketable securities   (52,825)   (605,840)
           
Net cash used in investing activities   (54,430)   (562,665)
           
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents   820,716    180,819 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   424,301    1,080,489 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period  $1,245,017   $1,261,308 

 

See notes to condensed financial statements

 

Page 6 of 18
 

 

UNITED-GUARDIAN, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)


 

1.Nature of Business

 

United-Guardian, Inc. (the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation that, through its Guardian Laboratories division, conducts research, product development, manufacturing and marketing of cosmetic ingredients, personal and health care products, pharmaceuticals, medical products, and proprietary specialty industrial products.

 

2. Basis of Presentation

Interim condensed financial statements of the Company are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for interim financial information, pursuant to the requirements for reporting on Form 10-Q and Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring accruals, considered necessary for the fair presentation of financial statements for the interim periods have been included. The results of operations for the current period are not necessarily indicative of results that ultimately may be achieved for any other interim period or for the year ending December 31, 2017. The interim unaudited condensed financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the audited condensed financial statements and notes thereto contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

 

3.Marketable Securities

 

The fair values of the Company’s marketable securities are determined in accordance with GAAP, with fair value being defined as the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability.  As a basis for considering such assumptions, the Company utilizes the three-tier value hierarchy, as prescribed by GAAP, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value, as follows:

 

·Level 1 – inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

 

·Level 2 – inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial statement.

 

·Level 3 – inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

 

The following available-for-sale securities, which comprise all of the Company’s marketable securities, are re-measured to fair value on a recurring basis and are valued using Level 1 inputs, which are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets in active markets.

 

Page 7 of 18
 

 

March 31, 2017 (Unaudited)

 

   Cost  Fair Value  Unrealized Gain
Available for sale:
               
Fixed income mutual funds  $9,388,871   $9,603,508   $214,637 
Equity and other mutual funds   615,851    798,997    183,146 
Total Investments  $10,004,722   $10,402,505   $397,783 

 

December 31, 2016 (Audited)

 

Available for sale:
               
Fixed income mutual funds  $9,339,352   $9,457,286   $117,934 
Equity and other mutual funds   612,545    760,723    148,178 
Total Investments  $9,951,897   $10,218,009   $266,112 

 

Investment income consists principally of realized gains and losses, interest income from fixed income mutual funds and dividend income from equity and other mutual funds.

 

Marketable securities include investments in fixed income and equity mutual funds and government securities, which are classified as “available-for-sale” securities and are reported at their fair values. Unrealized gains and losses on “available-for-sale” securities are reported as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity, net of the related tax effects. Investment income is recognized when earned. Realized gains and losses on sales of investments are determined on a specific identification basis.

 

4.Inventories 

 

   March 31,  December 31,
   2017  2016
   (Unaudited)  (Audited)
Inventories consist of the following:          
Raw materials  $329,162   $349,383 
Work in process   81,863    24,214 
Finished products   852,221    882,216 
   $1,263,246   $1,255,813 

 

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or current net realizable value. Cost is determined using the average cost method, which approximates cost determined by the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method. Finished product inventories at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 are stated net of a reserve of $20,000, for each period, for slow moving and obsolete inventory. The Company has an allowance of $99,060 for possible outdated material returns.

 

5.Income Taxes

 

The Company’s tax provision is based on its estimated annual effective tax rate. The Company continues to fully recognize its tax benefits, which are offset by a valuation allowance to the extent that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company did not have any unrecognized tax benefits.

 

Page 8 of 18
 

 

6.Comprehensive Income

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income comprises unrealized gains and losses on marketable securities net of the related tax effect.

 

Changes in Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income
  March 31,
2017
  December 31,
2016
Beginning balance  $175,634   $72,361 
Unrealized gain on marketable securities before reclassifications - net of tax   86,903    104,284 
Realized loss on sale of securities reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income - net of tax   ---    (1,011)
Ending balance - net of tax  $262,537   $175,634 

 

7.Defined Contribution Plan

 

The Company sponsors a 401(k) defined contribution plan (“DC Plan”) that provides for a dollar-for-dollar employer matching contribution of the first 4% of each employee’s pay that is deferred by the employee. Employees become fully vested in employer matching contributions after one year of employment. In addition, the Company has been accruing $175,000 per year toward the payment of a discretionary 401(k) contribution that is apportioned among all employees using a “pay-to-pay” safe harbor formula in accordance with IRS regulations. The Company accrued $43,750 in contributions to the DC Plan for each of the three-month periods ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016. For the first quarters of 2017 and 2016 the Company did not make any discretionary contributions to the DC Plan.

 

8.Other Information

 

Accrued Expenses

 

   March 31,
2017
  December 31,
2016
Bonuses  $300,000   $200,000 
Distribution fees   213,718    225,879 
Payroll and related expenses   203,742    151,653 
Reserve for outdated material   99,060    101,177 
Audit fee   71,968    54,868 
Company 401(k) contribution   43,750    --- 
Insurance   39,016    9,381 
Annual report expenses   34,601    63,447 
Sales rebates   21,000    23,393 
Other   26,281    18,530 
Total Accrued Expenses  $1,053,136   $848,328 

 

Page 9 of 18
 

 

9. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

In accordance with the Company’s implementation of ASU 2015-17 “Income Taxes, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes”, deferred tax assets and liabilities have been netted and presented as one noncurrent amount. The Company has applied this standard retroactively to all periods presented, and therefore reclassification was made to net a previously reported deferred tax liability of $252,135 at December 31, 2016 against a deferred tax asset of $254,517 at December 31, 2016, thereby reporting a net deferred tax asset of $2,382 at December 31, 2016. The implementation of this standard had no effect on previously reported net income.

 

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, “Inventory. Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory.” This amendment requires companies to measure inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The Company adopted this amendment in the current period, and the implementation did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

 

10. Concentrations of Credit Risk

 

Cash and cash equivalents - For financial statement purposes, the Company considers as cash equivalents all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at inception. The Company deposits cash and cash equivalents with high credit quality financial institutions and believes that any amounts in excess of insurance limitations to be at minimal risk. Cash and cash equivalents held in these accounts are currently insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) up to a maximum of $250,000. At March 31, 2017, approximately $998,000 exceeded the FDIC limit.

 

Customer concentration - Accounts receivable potentially exposes the Company to concentrations of credit risk. The Company monitors the amount of credit it allows each of its customers, using the customer’s prior payment history to determine how much credit to allow or whether any credit should be given at all. It is the Company’s policy to discontinue shipments to any customer that is substantially past due on its payments. The Company sometimes requires payment in advance from customers whose payment record is questionable. As a result of its monitoring of the outstanding credit allowed for each customer, as well as the fact that the majority of the Company’s sales are to customers whose satisfactory credit and payment record has been established over a long period of time, the Company believes that its credit risk from accounts receivable is low.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2017 one of the Company’s distributors and one of its marketing partners together accounted for 48% of the Company’s net sales, and 44% of its outstanding accounts receivable at March 31, 2017. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, the same distributor and marketing partner together accounted for a total of approximately 42% of the Company’s net sales and 33% of its outstanding accounts receivable at March 31, 2016.

 

11. Earnings Per Share

 

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period increased to include the number of additional shares of common stock that would have been outstanding if the potentially dilutive securities had been issued.

 

Page 10 of 18
 

 

Per share basic and diluted earnings amounted to $0.14 and $0.11 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

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

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Statements made in this Form 10-Q which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements with respect to the goals, plans, objectives, intentions, expectations, financial condition, results of operations, future performance and business of the Company. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of such words as "believes," "may," "will," "should," "intends," "plans," "estimates," or "anticipates" or other similar expressions.

 

Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and important factors (many of which are beyond our control) could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. In addition to those specific risks and uncertainties set forth in the Company's reports currently on file with the SEC, some other factors that may affect the future results of operations of the Company are: the development of products that may be superior to those of the Company; changes in the quality or composition of the Company's products; lack of market acceptance of the Company's products; the Company's ability to develop new products; general economic or industry conditions; changes in intellectual property rights; changes in interest rates; new legislation or regulatory requirements; conditions of the securities markets; the Company's ability to raise capital; changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines; financial or political instability; acts of war or terrorism; and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technical factors that may affect the Company's operations, products, services and prices.

 

Accordingly, results actually achieved may differ materially from those anticipated as a result of such forward-looking statements, and those statements speak only as of the date they are made.

 

The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of such statements.

 

OVERVIEW

 

The Company is a Delaware corporation that, through its Guardian Laboratories division, conducts research, product development, manufacturing and marketing of cosmetic ingredients, personal and health care products, pharmaceuticals, medical products, and proprietary specialty industrial products. All of the products that the Company manufactures, with the exception of RENACIDIN®, are produced at its facility in Hauppauge, New York, and are marketed through marketing partners, distributors, wholesalers, direct advertising, mailings, and trade exhibitions. Its most important product line is its LUBRAJEL® line of water-based moisturizing and lubricating gels, which are used primarily as ingredients in cosmetic products. The Company’s research and development department is actively working on the development of new products to expand the Company’s line of personal care products. Some of the Company’s products have patent protection, and others are produced using proprietary manufacturing processes.

 

Page 11 of 18
 

 

The Company’s personal care products are marketed worldwide by six marketing partners, of which U.S.-based Ashland Specialty Ingredients (“ASI”) purchases the largest volume of products from the Company. Approximately 22% of the Company’s products are sold to end users located outside of the United States, either directly by the Company or by the Company’s other five marketing partners. Although a significant percentage of ASI’s purchases from the Company are sold to foreign customers, all sales to ASI are considered U.S. sales for financial reporting purposes, since all shipments to ASI are shipped to ASI’s warehouses in the U.S. A certain percentage of those products are subsequently shipped by ASI to its foreign customers. Based on sales information provided to the Company by ASI, in the first quarter of 2017 approximately 66% of ASI’s sales were to customers in foreign countries. In addition, there are three customers for the Company’s medical products that take delivery of their purchases in the U.S. but subsequently ship that product to manufacturing facilities outside the U.S. Since the Company makes those shipments to U.S. locations, sales to those customers are considered domestic sales. In the first quarter of 2017 approximately 8% of the Company’s medical product sales were delivered to U.S. locations for subsequent shipment by the customers to foreign manufacturing facilities, which then produced finished products to be marketed globally.

 

The Company also sells two pharmaceutical products for urological uses. Those products are sold primarily in the United States through the major drug wholesalers, which in turn sell the products to pharmacies, hospitals, nursing homes and other long-term care facilities, and to government agencies, primarily the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

 

The Company’s non-pharmaceutical medical products (referred to hereinafter as “medical products”), such as its catheter lubricants, as well as its specialty industrial products, are sold directly by the Company to the end users or to contract manufacturers utilized by the end users, although they are available for sale on a non-exclusive basis by its marketing partners as well.

 

While the Company does have competition in the marketplace for some of its products, particularly its cosmetic ingredients, some of its pharmaceutical and medical products have some unique characteristics, and do not have direct competitors. However, these products may have indirect competition from other products that are not marketed as direct competitors to the Company’s products but may have functionality or properties that are similar to the Company’s products.

 

The Company recognizes revenue when products are shipped, title and risk of loss pass to the customers, persuasive evidence of a sales arrangement exists, and collections are reasonably assured. An allowance for returns, based on historical experience, is taken as a reduction of sales within the same period the revenue is recognized.

 

Over the years the Company has been issued many patents and trademarks and intends, whenever possible, to make efforts to obtain patents in connection with its product development program.  Most of the patents that the Company has been issued have expired; however, the Company does not believe that the expiration of those patents will have any material effect on its sales, since the Company’ most important products rely on trade secrets and proprietary manufacturing methods rather than patent protection.

 

Page 12 of 18
 

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

As disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016, the discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations are based on its financial statements, which have been prepared in conformity with GAAP. The preparation of those financial statements required the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the carrying value of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses reported in those financial statements. Those estimates and assumptions can be subjective and complex, and consequently actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions. The Company’s most critical accounting policies relate to revenue recognition, concentration of credit risk, investments, inventory, and income taxes. Since December 31, 2016, there have been no significant changes to the assumptions and estimates related to those critical accounting policies.

 

The following discussion and analysis covers material changes in the financial condition of the Company since the year ended December 31, 2016, and a comparison of the results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016. All references in this quarterly report to “sales” or “Sales” shall mean Gross Sales.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Gross Sales

 

Gross sales for the first quarter of 2017 increased by $542,146 (approximately 23%) as compared with the first quarter of 2016. The increase in sales for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017 was primarily attributable to an increase in sales of the Company’s personal care products and pharmaceutical products, which was partially offset by a decrease in sales of its medical and industrial products, as follows:

 

(a)Personal care products: Sales of personal care products increased by $404,328 (approximately 37%) when compared with the same period in 2016. The increase was attributable to an increase in purchases by ASI of one of the Company’s LUBRAJEL products for sale in China. During the first quarter of 2016 ASI had suspended its purchases of product intended for sale in China due to an overstock situation. That situation was resolved in the fourth quarter of 2016, and since that time ASI has resumed its purchases of product intended for sale in China on a more normalized basis.

 

Sales of the Company’s personal care products to the Company’s other five marketing partners decreased by $38,591 (approximately 9%). The sales fluctuations to these five other marketing partners are primarily the result of the timing of customer orders, but sales of the Company’s products in Western Europe continue to be negatively impacted by both the continuing economic problems in Europe, as well as the strong U.S. dollar relative to the Euro, which has made the Company’s products less competitive in Europe. There has been more competition in Europe and Asia in the last 2-3 years than there had been in previous years, due to other companies selling imitations of the Company’s products at much lower prices, particularly a Korean company that is manufacturing imitations of the Company’s products in China. This has resulted in a loss of some customers to these competitive products. From time to time it has been necessary for the Company to lower its prices in order to retain or attract certain customers for some of its products, and this has impacted its profit margins on those sales. To date this impact has not been significant; however, the Company expects that it will be necessary to continue to lower its prices in certain cases, at least for the near future, in order to remain competitive in the marketplace.

 

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Pharmaceuticals: Pharmaceutical sales increased by $285,387 (approximately 53%) in the first quarter of 2017 compared with the same period in 2016. This increase was due primarily to a $285,415 (approximately 71%) increase in sales of RENACIDIN. The increase in sales was due to the company’s introduction in April 2016 of its new 30mL single-dose version of RENACIDIN, which was not available for sale in the first quarter of 2016.

 

(b)Medical (non-pharmaceutical) products: Sales of medical products decreased by $135,279 (approximately 20%) for the first quarter of 2017 when compared with the same period in 2016. The Company believes that the decrease was primarily due to the timing of orders, as well as the ordering patterns of many of its customers, which order large quantities of product but may not place the same number of orders in every fiscal quarter.

 

(c)Industrial and other products: Sales of specialty industrial products, as well as other miscellaneous products, decreased by $12,289 (approximately 29%) for the first quarter of 2017 compared with the same period in 2016.

 

In addition to the above changes in sales, sales rebates and allowances increased by $18,334 (approximately 27%) for the first quarter of 2017 when compared with the same period in 2016. This increase was primarily due to increases in sales discounts, allowances for distribution fees and allowances for outdated material returns. These increases were partially offset by decreases in VA chargebacks.

 

Cost of Sales

 

Cost of sales as a percentage of sales increased to approximately 44% for the first quarter of 2017, up from approximately 39% for the first quarter in 2016. The increase was primarily the result of the increase in sales of RENACIDIN, which is manufactured for the Company by a third-party manufacturer and has a lower margin than many of the Company’s other products.

 

Operating Expenses

 

Operating expenses, consisting of selling, general, and administrative expenses, decreased by $4,076 (approximately 1%) for the first quarter of 2017 compared with the first quarter of 2016. Operating expenses are expected to remain relatively consistent.

 

Research and Development Expenses

 

Research and development expenses increased by $12,163 (approximately 7%) for the first quarter of 2017 compared with the first quarter of 2016. The increase was related to increases in payroll and payroll-related expenses.

 

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Other Income

 

Other income increased by $9,560 (approximately 22%) for the first quarter of 2017 compared with the first quarter of 2016. This is due to the Company recognizing a realized a loss of $10,180 from the sale of marketable securities in the first quarter of 2016. The Company earns dividend income from both stock and bond mutual funds.

 

Provision for Income Taxes

 

The Company's effective income tax rate was approximately 31.0% for the first quarter of 2017 and 2016 and is expected to remain consistent for the current fiscal year.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

Working capital increased by $ 814,350 to $13,482,571 at March 31, 2017, up from $12,668,221 at December 31, 2016. The increase in working capital is primarily due to increases in cash, marketable securities, and accounts receivable. The current ratio decreased to 10 to 1 at March 31, 2017, down from 13 to 1 at December 31, 2016. The decrease in the current ratio was primarily due to an increase in accounts payable and income taxes payable.

 

The Company believes that its working capital is, and will continue to be, sufficient to support its operating requirements for at least the next twelve months. The Company does not expect to incur any significant capital expenditures for the remainder of 2017.

 

The Company generated cash from operations of $875,146 and $743,484 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and March 31, 2016, respectively. The increase was primarily due to the increase in net income.

 

Cash used in investing activities for the three-month period ended March 31, 2017 was $54,430 while cash used in investing activities for the three-month period ended March 31, 2016 was $562,665. The decrease was primarily due to a decrease in the amount of marketable securities purchased in the first quarter of 2017 compared with the first quarter of 2016.

 

There was no cash used in financing activities for the first quarters of 2017 and 2016.

 

The Company expects to continue to use its cash to make dividend payments, purchase marketable securities, and take advantage of other market opportunities that are in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders, should they arise.

 

OFF BALANCE SHEET-ARRANGEMENTS

 

The Company has no off balance-sheet transactions that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future effect on the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

 

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS

 

The information to be reported under this item is not required of smaller reporting companies.

 

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Item 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

 

The information to be reported under this item is not required of smaller reporting companies.

 

Item 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

(a)DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

The Company’s management, including its Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, has evaluated the design, operation, and effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Based upon the evaluation performed by the Company’s management, including its Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, it was determined that, as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports filed or submitted pursuant to the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosures.

 

(b)CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

 

The Company's Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer have determined that, during the period covered by this quarterly report, there were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. They have also concluded that there were no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls after the date of the evaluation.

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

None

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

The information to be reported under this item is not required of smaller reporting companies.

 

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ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

None

 

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

None

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

None

 

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

31.1 Certification of Kenneth H. Globus, President and Principal Executive Officer of the Company, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
   
31.2 Certification of Robert S. Rubinger, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
   
32 Certifications of Principal Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

 

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SIGNATURES

 

In accordance with the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

UNITED-GUARDIAN, INC.

  (Registrant)
   
  By:  /S/ KENNETH H. GLOBUS
  Kenneth H. Globus
  President
   
  By: /S/ ROBERT S. RUBINGER
  Robert S. Rubinger
Date: May 9, 2017 Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

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