grepcent public filings, reorganized for comparison

AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORP /DE/ (AMSC) FY 2024 MD&A

Verbatim Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis from AMERICAN SUPERCONDUCTOR CORP /DE/'s 10-K for fiscal year 2024. Filing date: 2024-05-29. Report date: 2024-03-31. Accession: 0001437749-24-018602.

This page reproduces the company's own Item 7 MD&A text from the linked SEC filing. It is filer text, not grepcent analysis, scoring, or investment advice.

Extracted structurally from real Item 7 body heading to real Item 7A/8 boundary. Published MD&A gate trimmed front/tail over-capture. Confidence: high.

Company profile: AMSC · All MD&A years: index · Previous year: FY 2023 · Next year: FY 2025

Item 7. MANAGEMENT DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Executive Overview

We are a leading system provider of megawatt-scale power resiliency solutions that orchestrate the rhythm and harmony of power on the grid™, and protect and expand the capability of our Navy's fleet. Our solutions enhance the performance of the power grid, protect our Navy’s fleet, and lower the cost of wind power.  In the power grid market, we enable electric utilities, industrial facilities, and renewable energy project developers to connect, transmit and distribute smarter, cleaner and better power through our transmission planning services and power electronics and superconductor-based systems. In the wind power market, we enable manufacturers to field highly competitive wind turbines through our advanced power electronics and control system products, engineering, and support services. Our power grid and wind products and services provide exceptional reliability, security, efficiency and affordability to our customers.

Our power system solutions help to improve energy efficiency, alleviate power grid capacity constraints, improve system resiliency, and increase the adoption of renewable energy generation. Demand for our solutions is driven by the growing needs for modernized smart grids that improve power reliability, security and quality, the U.S. Navy's effort to upgrade onboard power systems to support fleet electrification, and the need for increased renewable sources of electricity, such as wind and solar energy. Concerns about these factors have led to increased spending by corporations and the military, as well as supportive government regulations and initiatives on local, state, and national levels, including renewable portfolio standards, tax incentives and international treaties.

We manufacture products using two proprietary core technologies: PowerModule™ programmable power electronic converters and our Amperium® high temperature superconductor ("HTS") wires. These technologies and our system-level solutions are protected by a robust intellectual property portfolio consisting of patents and patent applications worldwide and rights through exclusive and non-exclusive licenses.

We operate our business under two market-facing business units: Grid and Wind. We believe this market-centric structure enables us to more effectively anticipate and meet the needs of power generation project developers, the Navy's ship protection systems, electric utilities and wind turbine manufacturers.

Column 1Column 2Column 3
Grid. Through our Gridtec™ Solutions, our Grid business segment enables electric utilities, industrial facilities, and renewable energy project developers to connect, transmit and distribute power with exceptional efficiency, reliability, security and affordability. We provide transmission planning services that allow us to identify power grid congestion, poor power quality, and other risks, which help us determine how our solutions can improve network performance. These services often lead to sales of our grid interconnection solutions for wind farms and solar power plants, power quality systems and transmission and distribution cable systems. We also sell ship protection products to the U.S. Navy through our Grid business segment.
Column 1Column 2Column 3
Wind. Through our Windtec™ Solutions, our Wind business segment enables manufacturers to field wind turbines with exceptional power output, reliability and affordability. We supply advanced power electronics and control systems, license our highly engineered wind turbine designs, and provide extensive customer support services to wind turbine manufacturers. Our design portfolio includes a broad range of drivetrains and power ratings of 2 megawatts ("MWs") and higher. We provide a broad range of power electronics and software-based control systems that are highly integrated and designed for optimized performance, efficiency, and grid compatibility.

Our fiscal year begins on April 1 and ends on March 31. When we refer to a particular fiscal year, we are referring to the fiscal year that began on April 1 of that same year. For example, fiscal 2023 refers to the fiscal year that began on April 1, 2023. Other fiscal years follow similarly.

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We continue to experience some inflationary pressure in our supply chain and some delays in sourcing materials needed for our products, resulting in some production disruption both of which have increased our cost of revenues and decreased gross margin. While the impact of inflation has been challenging, we continue to take actions to limit this pressure including adjusting the pricing of our products and services. Changes in macroeconomic conditions arising from various reasons, such as the ongoing wars between Russia and Ukraine, and Israel and Hamas, inflation, rising interest rates, labor force availability, sourcing, material delays and global supply chain disruptions could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operation.

From time-to-time we may undertake restructuring activities in order to align our global organization in a manner that we believe will better position us to achieve our long-term goals. In January 2023, we undertook a reduction in force that involved approximately 5% of our global workforce. This restructuring has caused us to incur $1.0 million of cash expense which has been fully paid as of March 31, 2024 and is expected to result in annualized cost savings of approximately $5.0 million, which we began to realize in fiscal 2023.

In February 2023, we completed the process of determining and verifying our eligibility and amount of payroll tax credits known as the Employee Retention Credit (“ERC”) under the CARES Act which Congress enacted as part of the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020.  This resulted in filing certain amended payroll tax forms for eligible quarters in 2020 and 2021, which, in the aggregate, totaled $3.3 million. We recognized a receivable in prepaid expenses and other current assets and a benefit to cost of revenues and operating expenses in the quarter ended March 31, 2023. In the year ended March 31, 2024, the Company received $3.0 million in payments for the initial claims that were processed. The remaining balance is expected to be paid during fiscal 2024.

On February 2, 2024, we completed an offering of 6,210,000 shares of our common stock at a public offering price of $11.25 per share under our then-existing Registration Statement on Form S-3. We received net proceeds of approximately $65.2 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses.  See Note 1, “Nature of the Business and Operations and Liquidity,” for further information about this offering.

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Results of Operations

Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023

Revenues

Total revenues increased by 37% to $145.6 million in fiscal 2023 from $106.0 million in fiscal 2022. Our revenues are summarized as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Years Ended March 31,
20242023
Revenues:
Grid$122,065$94,631
Wind23,57411,353
Total$145,639$105,984

Revenues in our Grid business unit are derived from our D-VAR product sales, Northeast Power Systems, Inc. ("NEPSI") product sales, Neeltran product sales, HTS wire sales, ship protection systems ("SPS"), government-sponsored electric utility projects and other prototype development contracts. We also engineer, install and commission our products on a turnkey-basis for some customers. The Grid business unit accounted for 84% of total revenues in fiscal 2023 and 89% in fiscal 2022. Grid revenues increased 29% to $122.1 million in fiscal 2023 from $94.6 million in fiscal 2022. The increase in revenues was driven by higher NEPSI, Neeltran, and SPS revenues than in the prior year period.

Revenues in our Wind business unit are derived from wind turbine electrical control systems and core components, wind turbine license and development contracts, service contracts and consulting arrangements. Our Wind business unit accounted for 16% of total revenues in fiscal 2023 and 11% in fiscal 2022. Revenues in the Wind business unit increased 108% to $23.6 million in fiscal 2023 from $11.4 million in fiscal 2022. The increase over the prior year period was driven by additional shipments of electrical control systems ("ECS") at increased prices.

Cost of Revenues and Gross Margin

Cost of revenues increased by 13% to $110.4 million in fiscal 2023, compared to $97.5 million in fiscal 2022. Gross margin increased to 24% in fiscal 2023 from 8% in fiscal 2022. The increase in gross margin in fiscal 2023 was due to additional revenues while minimizing fixed factory cost. Fiscal 2023 experienced a favorable product mix in the Wind and Grid business units, with increased service revenues and a sharp improvement in Neeltran project margins.

Operating Expenses

Research and development

Research and development (“R&D”) expenses decreased by 11% to $8.0 million, or 5% of revenue in fiscal 2023, compared to $9.0 million, or 8% of revenue, in fiscal 2022. The decrease in R&D expenses is primarily a result of lower total compensation expense and lower materials and consulting expenses.

Selling, general, and administrative

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses increased by 10% to $31.6 million, or 22% of revenue in fiscal 2023 from $28.7 million, or 27% of revenue, in fiscal 2022. The increase in SG&A expenses is primarily a result of higher total compensation expense.

Amortization of acquisition related intangibles

We recorded $2.2 million in fiscal 2023 and $2.7 million in fiscal 2022 in amortization expense related to our core technology and know-how, customer relationships, and other intangible assets. The decrease in amortization expense is primarily a result of using the economic consumption method as the basis to amortize the acquired customer relationship intangible assets related to NEPSI and Neeltran.

Change in fair value of contingent consideration

The change in fair value of our contingent consideration for the earnout payment on the NEPSI acquisition resulted in a loss of $4.9 million and $0.1 million in fiscal 2023 and 2022, respectively.

During fiscal 2023, we issued 399,999 shares of common stock and cash in lieu of a fractional share of common stock, related to the achievement of specified revenue objectives in connection with the acquisition of NEPSI at a fair value of $3.1 million. One specified revenue objective, which would have earned the selling stockholders 300,000 shares of our common stock, was not achieved, leaving 300,000 shares of common stock remaining for potential issuance upon the achievement of the last specified revenue objective by September 30, 2024. The change in fair value was primarily driven by an increased likelihood of achieving certain revenue targets and an increase in our stock price.

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Operating loss

Our operating loss is summarized as follows (in thousands):

Fiscal Years Ended March 31,
20242023
Operating income (loss):
Grid$(2,754)$(24,615)
Wind946(2,547)
Unallocated corporate expenses(9,560)(5,847)
Total$(11,368)$(33,009)

Our Grid business segment generated an operating loss of $2.8 million in fiscal 2023 and $24.6 million in fiscal 2022. The decrease in the Grid business unit operating loss was due to higher revenues and gross margins, compared to fiscal 2022.

The Wind segment generated operating income of $0.9 million in fiscal 2023 and an operating loss of $2.5 million in fiscal 2022. The increase in the Wind business unit operating income was due to higher revenue and gross margins in fiscal 2023, compared to fiscal 2022.

Unallocated corporate expenses in fiscal 2023 consisted of a loss on contingent consideration of $4.9 million and stock-based compensation expense of $4.7 million. Unallocated corporate expenses in fiscal 2022 consisted of a loss on contingent consideration of $0.1 million, stock-based compensation expense of $4.7 million, and a restructuring charge of $1.0 million.

Interest income, net

Interest income, net was $1.3 million in fiscal 2023 compared to $0.3 million for fiscal 2022. The increase in interest income, net, was primarily due to increased interest rates in fiscal 2023 and higher cash balances.

China dissolution

China dissolution expense was $1.9 million in fiscal 2022. The China dissolution expense during fiscal 2022 was driven by the liquidation of our China entity, resulting in a foreign currency loss from the cumulative translation release of $1.9 million in fiscal 2022. There was no similar transaction in fiscal 2023.

Other expense, net

Other expense, net was $0.7 million in fiscal 2023, compared to $0.1 million in fiscal 2022. The increase in other expense was driven by the impacts of unfavorable fluctuations in foreign currencies in fiscal 2023.

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Income Taxes

We recorded an income tax expense of $0.3 million in fiscal 2023, compared to $0.2 million in fiscal 2022. The increase in income tax expense is a result of higher income tax in foreign jurisdictions.

Net loss

Net loss was $11.1 million in fiscal 2023, compared to net loss of $35.0 million in fiscal 2022. The decrease in net loss was driven primarily by higher revenues and gross margins in fiscal 2023 partially offset by the increase in fair value of contingent consideration in fiscal 2023.

Please refer to the “Risk Factors” section in Part I, Item 1A, for a discussion of certain factors that may affect our future results of operations and financial condition.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure - Non-GAAP Net Income (Loss)

Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s performance, financial position or cash flow that either excludes or includes amounts that are not normally excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). The non-GAAP measures included in this Form 10-K, however, should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior to the comparable measure prepared in accordance with GAAP.

We define non-GAAP net income (loss) as net income (loss) before stock-based compensation, amortization of acquisition-related intangibles, change in fair value of contingent consideration, China dissolution, ERC tax benefit, and other non-cash or unusual charges. We believe non-GAAP net income (loss) assists management and investors in comparing our performance across reporting periods on a consistent basis by excluding these non-cash charges and other items that we do not believe are indicative of our core operating performance. In addition, we use non-GAAP net income (loss) as a factor to evaluate the effectiveness of our business strategies. A reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP net income (loss) is set forth in the table below (in thousands, except per share data):

Year ended March 31,
20242023
Net loss$(11,111)$(35,041)
Stock-based compensation4,6524,729
Amortization of acquisition-related intangibles2,1582,784
Change in fair value of contingent consideration4,92270
China dissolution1,921
ERC tax benefit(3,283)
Non-GAAP net income (loss)621(28,820)
Non-GAAP net income (loss) per share - basic$0.02$(1.03)
Non-GAAP net income (loss) per share - diluted$0.02$(1.03)
Weighted average shares outstanding - basic29,82527,848
Weighted average shares outstanding - diluted30,90927,848

We incurred non-GAAP net income of $0.6 million or $0.02 per share for fiscal 2023, compared to non-GAAP net loss of $28.8 million, or $1.03 per share, for fiscal 2022. The improvement in the non-GAAP net income in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 was due to an improved operating loss driven by higher revenues and gross margins.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

We have experienced recurring operating losses and as of March 31, 2024 had an accumulated deficit of $1,066.7 million.

Our cash requirements depend on numerous factors, including the successful completion of our product development activities, our ability to commercialize our Resilient Electric Grid and ship protection system solutions, the rate of customer and market adoption of our products, collecting receivables according to established terms, the continued availability of U.S. government funding during the product development phase of our superconductor-based products and whether Inox is successful in executing on Solar Energy Corporation of India Limited orders or in obtaining additional orders under the new central and state auction regime. We continue to closely monitor our expenses and, if required, expect to reduce our operating and capital spending to enhance liquidity.

In January 2024, we filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3 that will expire three years from the date on which it was declared effective, March 15, 2027 (the “Form S-3”). The Form S-3 allows us to offer and sell from time-to-time up to $250 million of common stock, debt securities, warrants or units comprised of any combination of these securities. The Form S-3 is intended to provide us flexibility to conduct registered sales of our securities, subject to market conditions, in order to fund our future capital needs. The terms of any future offering under the Form S-3 will be established at the time of such offering and will be described in a prospectus supplement filed with the SEC prior to the completion of any such offering.

On February 14, 2024, we completed a public offering of 6,210,000 shares of our common stock at a price of $11.25 per share under our then-existing Registration Statement on Form S-3. We received net proceeds of approximately $65.2 million after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and offering expenses.

At March 31, 2024, we had cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash of $92.3 million, compared to $25.7 million at March 31, 2023, an increase of $66.6 million. As of March 31, 2024, we had approximately $4.0 million in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash in foreign bank accounts.  Our cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash are summarized as follows (in thousands):

March 31, 2024March 31, 2023
Cash and cash equivalents$90,522$23,360
Restricted cash1,7582,315
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash$92,280$25,675

Net cash provided by operating activities was $2.1 million compared to net cash used in operating activities of $22.5 million in fiscal 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase in net cash provided by operations in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 was driven primarily by higher gross margins, increased cash collections, and relief of deferred revenue from prior fiscal periods.

Net cash used in investing activities was $1.0 million and $1.5 million in fiscal 2023 and 2022, respectively. The decrease in net cash used in investing activities in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 was due primarily to lower investment in property, plant, and equipment in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022.

Net cash provided by financing activities was $65.4 million and $0.2 million in fiscal 2023 and 2022, respectively. The increase in net cash provided by financing activities in fiscal 2023 compared to fiscal 2022 was primarily due to the equity raise in February 2024.

At March 31, 2024, we had $1.3 million of restricted cash included in long-term assets and $0.5 million of restricted cash in current assets. At March 31, 2023, we had $0.6 million of restricted cash included in long-term assets and $1.7 million of restricted cash in current assets. These amounts included in restricted cash primarily represent collateral deposits to secure surety bonds and letters of credit for various customer contracts. These deposits are held in interest bearing accounts.

We are a party to many contractual obligations involving commitments to make payments to third parties. These obligations impact our short-term and long-term liquidity and capital resource needs. Certain contractual obligations are reflected on the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2024, while others are considered future commitments. We have various contractual arrangements, under which we have committed to purchase certain minimum quantities of goods or services on an annual basis. For information regarding our other contractual obligations, refer to Note 12, "Contingent Consideration," Note 14, "Debt," Note 15, "Leases" and Note 17, "Commitments and Contingencies" to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

We believe we have sufficient available liquidity to fund our operations and capital expenditures for the next twelve months. We recently raised $65.2 million, net of offering expenses, through an equity raise in February 2024. In addition, we may seek to raise additional capital, which could be in the form of loans, convertible debt or equity, to fund our operating requirements and capital expenditures. Our liquidity is highly dependent on our ability to increase revenues, control our operating costs, and raise additional capital, if necessary. There can be no assurance that we will be able to raise additional capital on favorable terms or at all or execute on any other means of improving our liquidity as described above.  Additionally, the impact of global sources of instability, including the ongoing wars between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Hamas, instability of financial institutions and political instability in the United States, on the global financial markets may reduce our ability to raise additional capital, if necessary, which could negatively impact our liquidity. We also continue to closely monitor our expenses and, if required, we intend to reduce our operating and capital spending to enhance liquidity.

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we are involved in legal and administrative proceedings and claims of various types. We record a liability in our consolidated financial statements for these matters when a loss is known or considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. We review these estimates each accounting period as additional information is known and adjust the loss provision when appropriate. If a matter is both probable to result in liability and the amounts of loss can be reasonably estimated, we estimate and disclose the possible loss or range of loss to the extent necessary to make the consolidated financial statements not misleading. If the loss is not probable or cannot be reasonably estimated, a liability is not recorded in our consolidated financial statements.

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-13, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The amendments in ASU 2016-13 will provide more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. Following the release of ASU 2019-10 in November 2019, the effective date, as long as the Company remained a smaller reporting company, was annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2022. As of April 1, 2023, we have adopted ASU 2016-13, and noted no material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In October 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-08, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Accounting for Contract Assets and Contract Liabilities from Contracts with Customers. The amendments in ASU 2021-08 will improve the accounting for acquired revenue contracts with customers in a business combination. Following the release of ASU 2021-08 in October 2021, the effective date was annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2022. As of April 1, 2023, we have adopted ASU 2021-08, and noted no material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. The amendments in ASU 2023-07 improve the disclosures about a public entity’s reportable segments and address requests from investors for additional, more detailed information about a reportable segment’s expenses. Following the release of ASU 2023-07 in November 2023, the effective date will be annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2024. As of March 31, 2024, we are evaluating the impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. The amendments in ASU 2023-09 address investor requests for more transparency about income tax information through improvements to income tax disclosures primarily related to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid information. Following the release of ASU 2023-09 in December 2023, the effective date will be annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2024. As of March 31, 2024, we are evaluating the impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2024, the FASB issued ASU 2024-02, Codification Improvements—Amendments to Remove References to the Concepts Statements. The amendments in ASU 2024-02 contain amendments to the Codification that remove references to various FASB Concepts Statements. Following the release of ASU 2024-02 in March 2024, the effective date will be annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2024. As of March 31, 2024, we are evaluating the impact on our consolidated financial statements.

We do not believe that, outside of those disclosed here, there are any other recently issued accounting pronouncements that will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires that we make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ under different assumptions or conditions. Our accounting policies that involve the most significant judgments and estimates are as follows:

Revenue recognition

For certain arrangements, such as contracts to perform research and development, prototype development contracts and certain customized product sales, we record revenues using the over-time method, measured by the relationship of costs incurred to total estimated contract costs. Over-time revenue recognition accounting is predominantly used on certain turnkey power systems installations for electric utilities and long-term prototype development contracts with the U.S. government. In addition, some contracts contain an element of variable consideration, including liquidated damages and/or penalties, which requires payment to the customer in the event that delivery timelines or milestones are not met. We estimate the total consideration payable by the customer when the contracts contain variable consideration provisions, based on the most likely amount anticipated to be recognized for transferring the promised goods or services. As a result, we may constrain revenue to the extent that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur until the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved.

Significant judgement is required to estimate the total expected costs and variable consideration for projects that typically have a timeline of 12-24 months. Any increase or decrease in estimated costs to complete a performance obligation without a corresponding change to the contract price could impact the calculation of cumulative revenue to date and gross profit on the project. Similar, if we recognize revenue based upon our current estimate of variable consideration, and our estimate is later adjusted, we may be required to increase or decrease cumulative revenue to date and gross profit on the project. Factors that may result in a change to our estimate include delays in manufacturing, unforeseen engineering problems, the performance of subcontractors and material suppliers, among others.

We have a long history of working with multiple types of projects and preparing cost estimates, and we rely on the expertise of key personnel to prepare what we believe are reasonable best estimates given available facts and circumstances. Due to the nature of the work involved, however, judgment is involved to estimate the total costs to complete, and the amounts estimated could have a material impact on the revenue we recognize in each accounting period. We cannot estimate unforeseen events and circumstances which may result in actual results being materially different from previous estimates.

See Note 3, “Revenue Recognition,” for additional information.

Business Acquisitions

We account for acquisitions using the purchase method of accounting in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 805, Business Combinations. The purchase price for each acquisition is allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The excess purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Intangible assets, if identified, are also recorded.

Determining the fair value of certain assets and liabilities assumed is judgmental in nature and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions as well as the use of specialists as needed. The Company utilizes management estimates and an independent third-party valuation firm to assist in determining the fair values of assets acquired, including intangible assets and liabilities assumed. The primary intangible assets acquired include customer relationship and trade names. Intangible assets are initially valued using a methodology commensurate with the intended use of the asset. The fair value of customer relationships is measured using the multi-period excess earnings method (“MPEEM”). The fair value of the trade names is measured using a relief-from-royalty (“RFR”) approach. The basis for future sales projections for both the MPEEM and RFR are based on internal revenue forecasts which the Company believes represents reasonable market participant assumptions. The future cash flows are discounted using an applicable discount rate. The key uncertainties in the calculations, as applicable, are the selection of an appropriate royalty rate, assumptions used in developing estimates of future cash flows, including revenue growth and expense forecasts, assumed customer attrition rates, as well as perceived risks associated with those forecasts in determining the discount rate. There is inherent uncertainty in forecasted cash flows and therefore, actual results may differ and could result in a subsequent impairment charge of acquired intangibles and/or goodwill.

The consideration for our acquisitions may include future payments that are contingent upon the occurrence of a particular event. We record a contingent consideration obligation for such contingent consideration payments at fair value on the acquisition date. We estimate the fair value of contingent consideration obligations through valuation models that incorporate probability adjusted assumptions related to the achievement of the milestones and the likelihood of making related payments. Significant judgment is employed in determining these assumptions as of the acquisition date and for each subsequent period. Accordingly, future business and economic conditions, as well as changes in any of the assumptions described above, can materially impact the fair value of contingent consideration recorded at each reporting period.

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Valuation of long-lived assets

We periodically evaluate our long-lived assets, consisting principally of fixed and amortizable intangible assets for potential impairment. We evaluate our long-lived assets whenever events or circumstances suggest that the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable from the estimated undiscounted future cash flows.

Our judgments regarding the existence of impairment indicators are based on market and operational performance. Indicators of potential impairment include:

Column 1Column 2Column 3
a significant change in the manner in which an asset group is used;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a significant decrease in the market value of an asset group;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
identification of other impaired assets within a reporting unit;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a significant adverse change in its business or the industry in which it is sold;
Column 1Column 2Column 3
a current period operating cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses or a projection or forecast that demonstrates continuing losses associated with the asset group; and
Column 1Column 2Column 3
significant advances in our technologies that require changes in our manufacturing process.

We evaluate recoverability of long-lived assets and definite-lived intangible assets by estimating the undiscounted future cash flows associated with the expected uses and disposition of those assets. When those comparisons indicate that the carrying value of those assets is greater than the undiscounted cash flows, we recognize an impairment loss for the amount that the carrying value exceeds the fair value. The Company has not made any material changes to the method of evaluating for impairment during the last three years. There were no indicators requiring further impairment testing on our long-lived assets during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024 or 2023.

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Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of cost over net assets of acquired businesses that are consolidated. We perform our annual assessment of goodwill on February 28th of each fiscal year and whenever events or changes in circumstances or a triggering event indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An entity is permitted to first assess qualitatively whether it is necessary to perform a goodwill impairment test. Significant judgment is required to determine if an indication of impairment has taken place. Factors to be considered include the following: adverse change in operating results, decline in strategic business plans, significantly lower future cash flows, and sustainable declines in market data such as market capitalization. The quantitative impairment test is required only if the entity concludes that it is more likely than not that a reporting unit’s fair value is less than its carrying amount. We determine the fair value of a reporting unit, using a methodology which combines an income approach, using a discounted cash flow method, with a market approach. The income approach includes estimates and assumptions about revenue growth rates, operating margins and terminal growth rates, discounted by an estimated weighted-average cost of capital derived from other publicly-traded companies that are similar but not identical from an operational and economic standpoint. These estimates are based on historical experiences, our projects of future operating activity and our weighted-average cost of capital. A significant change in events, circumstances or any of these assumptions could adversely affect these estimates, which could result in an impairment.

We performed our annual assessment of goodwill on February 29, 2024 and noted no triggering events from the analysis date to March 31, 2024 and determined that there was no impairment to goodwill. See Note 4, “Goodwill,” for further information regarding our goodwill valuation assumptions.

Income taxes

Our provision for income taxes is comprised of a current and a deferred portion. The current income tax provision is calculated as the estimated taxes payable or refundable on tax returns for the current fiscal year. The deferred income tax provision is calculated for the estimated future tax effects attributable to temporary differences and carryforwards using expected tax rates in effect in the years during which the differences are expected to reverse. All deferred tax assets and liabilities are presented as non-current in the consolidated balance sheets.

We regularly assess our ability to realize our deferred tax assets. Assessments of the realization of deferred tax assets require that management consider all available evidence, both positive and negative, and make significant judgments about many factors, including the amount and likelihood of future taxable income. Based on all the available evidence, we have recorded valuation allowances to reduce our deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realizable due to the taxable losses that have been incurred since our inception and uncertainty around our future profitability.

Accounting for income taxes requires a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if, based on the technical merits, it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We reevaluate these uncertain tax positions on a quarterly basis. This evaluation is based on factors including, but not limited to, changes in facts or circumstances, changes in tax law, effectively settled issues under audit and new audit activity. Any changes in these factors could result in the recognition of a tax benefit or an additional charge to the tax provision. See Note 13, “Income Taxes,” of our consolidated financial statements for further information regarding our income tax assumptions and expenses.

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