UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

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

SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended MarchDecember 31, 2021

 

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

For the transition period from __________________ to ___________________

 

Commission File Number 0-16106

 

Clearfield, Inc.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Minnesota

41-1347235

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

7050 Winnetka Avenue North, Suite 100, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota 55428

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

 

(763) 476-6866

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

Trading Symbol

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $0.01 par value

CLFD

The NASDAQNasdaq Stock Market LLC

 

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

 

☒ YES Yes ☐ NONo

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

 

☒ YES Yes ☐ NO No

 

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

 

Large accelerated filer ☐  Accelerated filer ☐  Non-accelerated filer ☒

 

Smaller reporting company ☒  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. ☐

 

1

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

☐ YES Yes ☒ NONo

 

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

 

Class:

Outstanding as of April 14, 2021January 17, 2022

Common stock, par value $.01

13,732,806

13,762,463

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

CLEARFIELD, INC.

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION4
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS4
ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS1615
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK2119
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES2119
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION2119
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS2119
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS2119
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS2320
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES2320
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES2320
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION2320
ITEM 6. ExhibitsEXHIBITS2320
SIGNATURES2421

 

 

 

 

 

3

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

CLEARFIELD, INC.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

  (Unaudited)
March 31,
2021		 September 30,
2020
Assets        
Current Assets        
Cash and cash equivalents $22,338,721  $16,449,636 
Short-term investments  9,957,831   10,582,527 
Accounts receivables, net  13,195,295   10,496,672 
Inventories, net  14,627,176   14,408,538 
Other current assets  717,599   585,436 
Total current assets  60,836,622   52,522,809 
         
Property, plant and equipment, net  4,749,530   4,952,819 
         
Other Assets        
Long-term investments  25,565,000   25,143,000 
Goodwill  4,708,511   4,708,511 
Intangible assets, net  4,793,137   4,986,216 
Right of use lease assets  2,724,233   2,539,100 
Deferred tax asset  178,118   178,118 
Other  262,352   266,857 
Total other assets  38,231,351   37,821,802 
Total Assets $103,817,503  $95,297,430 
         
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity        
Current Liabilities        
Current portion of lease liability $887,677  $665,584 
Accounts payable  5,011,965   3,689,587 
Accrued compensation  5,496,056   4,856,885 
Accrued expenses  492,758   1,202,753 
Total current liabilities  11,888,456   10,414,809 
         
Other Liabilities        
Long-term portion of lease liability  2,080,562   2,129,343 
Total other liabilities  2,080,562   2,129,343 
Total liabilities  13,969,018   12,544,152 
         
Shareholders’ Equity        
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 500,000 shares; no shares issued or outstanding  -   - 
Common stock, authorized 50,000,000, $.01 par value; 13,732,806 and 13,649,962 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020.  137,328   136,500 
Additional paid-in capital  57,794,061   57,502,905 
Retained earnings  31,917,096   25,113,873 
Total shareholders’ equity  89,848,485   82,753,278 
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity $103,817,503  $95,297,430 

SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

4

CLEARFIELD, INC.

 

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

 
  

December 31,
2021 (Unaudited)

  

September 30,
2021

 

Assets

        

Current Assets

        

Cash and cash equivalents

 $12,682  $13,216 

Short-term investments

  10,373   10,374 

Accounts receivables, net

  16,330   19,438 

Inventories, net

  43,574   27,524 

Other current assets

  1,085   954 

Total current assets

  84,044   71,506 
         

Property, plant and equipment, net

  6,574   4,998 
         

Other Assets

        

Long-term investments

  35,192   36,913 

Goodwill

  4,709   4,709 

Intangible assets, net

  4,547   4,696 

Right of use lease assets

  1,761   2,305 

Deferred tax asset

  365   365 

Other

  572   419 

Total other assets

  47,146   49,407 

Total Assets

 $137,764  $125,911 
         

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

        

Current Liabilities

        

Current portion of lease liability

 $702  $915 

Accounts payable

  12,366   9,215 

Accrued compensation

  4,137   8,729 

Accrued expenses

  4,872   1,613 

Total current liabilities

  22,077   20,472 
         

Other Liabilities

        

Long-term portion of lease liability

  1,214   1,615 

Total liabilities

  23,291   22,087 
         

Shareholders’ Equity

        

Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 500,000 shares; no shares issued or outstanding

  0   0 

Common stock, authorized 50,000,000, $.01 par value; 13,762,463 and 13,732,188 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021

  138   137 

Additional paid-in capital

  58,505   58,246 

Retained earnings

  55,830   45,441 

Total shareholders’ equity

  114,473   103,824 

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 $137,764  $125,911 

 

CLEARFIELD, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

UNAUDITED

  Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
  March 31, March 31,
  2021 2020 2021 2020
         
Net sales $29,691,934  $20,408,509  $56,784,081  $39,786,500 
                 
Cost of sales  16,750,354   12,257,076   32,473,256   23,907,532 
                 
Gross profit  12,941,580   8,151,433   24,310,825   15,878,968 
                 
Operating expenses                
Selling, general and administrative  8,490,120   7,431,261   16,145,657   14,757,881 
Income from operations  4,451,460   720,172   8,165,168   1,121,087 
                 
Interest income  123,324   217,725   257,055   440,968 
                 
Income before income taxes  4,574,784   937,897   8,422,223   1,562,055 
                 
Income tax expense  935,000   190,000   1,619,000   313,000 
Net income $3,639,784  $747,897  $6,803,223  $1,249,055 
                 
Net income per share Basic $0.27  $0.05  $0.50  $0.09 
Net income per share Diluted $0.27  $0.05  $0.50  $0.09 
                 
Weighted average shares outstanding:                
Basic  13,730,150   13,521,172   13,711,135   13,516,608 
Diluted  13,779,779   13,521,172   13,738,090   13,571,674 

SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

5

CLEARFIELD, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

UNAUDITED

For the three months ended March 31, 2021

  Common Stock Additional Retained Total share-
  Shares Amount paid-in capital earnings holders’ equity
Balance at December 31, 2020  13,727,906  $137,279  $57,696,847  $28,277,312  $86,111,438 
Stock-based compensation expense  -   -   334,178   -   334,178 
Restricted stock issuance, net of forfeitures  (1,178)  (12)  12   -   - 
Exercise of stock options, net of shares exchanged for payment  7,828   79   (193,733)  -   (193,654)
Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock grants  (1,750)  (18)  (43,243)  -   (43,261)
Net income  -   -   -   3,639,784   3,639,784 
Balance at March 31, 2021  13,732,806  $137,328  $57,794,061  $31,917,096  $89,848,485 

For the three months ended March 31, 2020

  Common Stock Additional Retained Total share-
  Shares Amount paid-in capital earnings holders’ equity
Balance at December 31, 2019  13,657,459  $136,575  $57,383,020  $18,321,965  $75,841,560 
Repurchase of common stock  (41,796)  (418)  (428,236)  -   (428,654)
Stock-based compensation expense  -   -   87,937   -   87,937 
Restricted stock issuance, net  9,580   96   (96)  -   - 
Exercise of stock options, net of shares exchanged for payment  2,396   23   (21)  -   2 
Net income  -   -   -   747,897   747,897 
Balance at March 31, 2020  13,627,639  $136,276  $57,042,604  $19,069,862  $76,248,742 

SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

4

 

 

CLEARFIELD, INC.

 

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

 

UNAUDITED

 

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

 
  

Three Months Ended

  

Three Months Ended

 
  

December 31,

  

December 31,

 
  

2021

  

2020

 
         

Net sales

 $51,109  $27,092 
         

Cost of sales

  28,137   15,723 
         

Gross profit

  22,972   11,369 
         

Operating expenses

        

Selling, general and administrative

  9,923   7,656 

Income from operations

  13,049   3,713 
         

Interest income

  120   134 
         

Income before income taxes

  13,169   3,847 
         

Income tax expense

  2,780   684 

Net income

 $10,389  $3,163 
         

Net income per share Basic

 $0.76  $0.23 

Net income per share Diluted

 $0.75  $0.23 
         

Weighted average shares outstanding:

        

Basic

  13,743,503   13,692,533 

Diluted

  13,897,787   13,696,815 

SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

5

 

 

CLEARFIELD, INC.

 6 

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

UNAUDITED

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

For the three months ended December 31, 2021

                    
  

Common Stock

  

Additional

  

Retained

  

Total share-

 
  

Shares

  

Amount

  

paid-in capital

  

earnings

  

holders’ equity

 

Balance as of September 30, 2021

  13,732  $137  $58,246  $45,441  $103,824 

Restricted stock issued

  24   1   0   0   1 

Stock-based compensation expense

  -   0   440   0   440 

Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan

  7   0   249   0   249 
Withholding related to exercise of stock options  3   0   (156)  0   (156)

Repurchase of shares for payment of withholding taxes for vested restricted stock grants

  (4)  0   (274)  0   (274)

Net income

  -   0   0   10,389   10,389 

Balance at December 31, 2021

  13,762  $138  $58,505  $55,830  $114,473 

 

CLEARFIELD, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

UNAUDITED

For the three months ended December 31, 2020

                    
  

Common Stock

  

Additional

  

Retained

  

Total share-

 
  

Shares

  

Amount

  

paid-in capital

  

earnings

  

holders’ equity

 

Balance as of September 30, 2020

  13,650  $137  $57,503  $25,114  $82,754 

Restricted stock issued

  37   0   0   0   0 

Stock-based compensation expense

  -   0   289   0   289 

Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan

  15   0   179   0   179 
Withholding related to exercise of stock options  26   0   (263)  0   (263)

Repurchase of shares for payment of withholding taxes for vested restricted stock grants

  0   0   (11)  0   (11)

Net income

  -   0   0   3,163   3,163 

Balance at December 31, 2020

  13,728  $137  $57,697  $28,277  $86,111 

 

For the six months ended March 31, 2021

  Common Stock Additional Retained Total share-
  Shares Amount paid-in capital earnings holders’ equity
Balance as of September 30, 2020  13,649,962  $136,500  $57,502,905  $25,113,873  $82,753,278 
Stock-based compensation expense  -   -   623,235   -   623,235 
Restricted stock issuance, net of forfeitures  36,509   365   (365)  -   - 
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan  15,011   150   178,931   -   179,081 
Exercise of stock options, net of shares exchanged for payment  33,543   336   (456,460)  -   (456,124)
Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock grants  (2,219)  (23)  (54,185)  -   (54,208)
Net income  -   -   -   6,803,223   6,803,223 
Balance at March 31, 2021  13,732,806  $137,328  $57,794,061  $31,917,096  $89,848,485 

For the six months ended March 31, 2020

  Common Stock Additional Retained Total share-
  Shares Amount paid-in capital earnings holders’ equity
Balance as of September 30, 2019  13,641,805  $136,418  $56,976,162  $17,820,807  $74,933,387 
Repurchase of common stock  (41,796) $(418) $(428,236) $-  $(428,654)
Stock-based compensation expense  -   -   328,523   -   328,523 
Restricted stock issuance, net  9,580   96   (96)  -   - 
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan  15,107   151   169,501   -   169,652 
Exercise of stock options, net of shares exchanged for payment  3,396   33   2,549   -   2,582 
Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock grants  (453)  (4)  (5,799)  -   (5,803)
Net income  -   -   -   1,249,055   1,249,055 
Balance at March 31, 2020  13,627,639  $136,276  $57,042,604  $19,069,862  $76,248,742 

 

SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

6

 

 

7

CLEARFIELD, INC.

        

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

        

UNAUDITED

        

(IN THOUSANDS)

 

Three Months Ended December 31,

 
  

2021

  

2020

 

Cash flows from operating activities

        

Net income

 $10,389  $3,163 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

        

Depreciation and amortization

  639   568 

Amortization of discount on investments

  (11)  0 

Stock-based compensation

  440   289 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

        

Accounts receivable

  3,108   699 

Inventories, net

  (16,049)  721 

Other assets

  (300)  136 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

  1,750   (2,860)

Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities

  (34)  2,716 
         

Cash flows from investing activities

        

Purchases of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

  (2,051)  (379)

Purchases of investments

  (248)  (3,968)

Proceeds from maturities of investments

  1,980   4,426 

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

  (319)  79 
         

Cash flows from financing activities

        

Proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan

  249   179 

Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock grants

  (274)  (11)

Withholding related to exercise of stock options

  (156)  (262)

Net cash (used in) financing activities

  (181)  (94)
         

(Decrease) Increase in cash and cash equivalents

  (534)  2,701 
         

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

  13,216   16,450 
         

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 $12,682  $19,151 
         

Supplemental disclosures for cash flow information

        

Cash paid during the period for income taxes

 $0  $17 
         

Non-cash financing activities

        

Cashless exercise of stock options

 $93  $996 

 

CLEARFIELD, INC.

CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

UNAUDITED

  Six Months Ended March 31,
  2021 2020
Cash flows from operating activities        
Net income $6,803,223  $1,249,055 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:        
Depreciation and amortization  1,139,261   1,210,961 
Change in allowance for doubtful accounts  209,612   - 
Amortization of discount on investments  -   (55,641)
Stock-based compensation  623,235   328,523 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:        
Accounts receivable  (2,908,235)  1,049,108 
Inventories, net  (218,638)  (2,675,123)
Other assets  (188,542)  98,010 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses  1,239,733   1,091,431 
Net cash provided by operating activities  6,699,649   2,296,324 
         
Cash flows from investing activities        
Purchases of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets  (682,009)  (1,183,336)
Purchases of investments  (6,448,304)  (19,076,930)
Proceeds from maturities of investments  6,651,000   16,720,000 
Net cash used in investing activities  (479,313)  (3,540,266)
         
Cash flows from financing activities        
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan  179,081   169,652 
Tax withholding related to exercise of stock options  (456,124)  2,582 
Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock grants  (54,208)  (5,803)
Repurchase of common stock  -   (428,654)
Net cash used in financing activities  (331,251)  (262,223)
         
Increase (Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  5,889,085   (1,506,165)
         
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period  16,449,636   10,081,721 
         
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $22,338,721  $8,575,556 
         
Supplemental disclosures for cash flow information        
Cash paid during the year for income taxes $2,331,002  $355,657 
         
Non-cash financing activities        
Cashless exercise of stock options $1,269,414  $7,737 

SEE ACCOMPANYING NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

8

7

 


NOTES TO CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

Note 1. Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying (a) condensed balance sheet as of September 30, 2020, 2021, which has been derived from audited financial statements, and (b) unaudited interim condensed financial statements as of and for the three and six months ended MarchDecember 31, 2021 have been prepared by Clearfield, Inc. (the “Company”) in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Pursuant to these rules and regulations, certain financial information and footnote disclosures normally included in the financial statements have been condensed or omitted. However, in the opinion of management, the financial statements include all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the interim periods presented. Operating results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year or for any other interim period, due to variability in customer purchasing patterns and seasonal, operating and other factors. These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K10-K for the year ended September 30, 2020.2021.

 

In preparation of the Company’s financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets and liabilities and related revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. As future events and their effects cannot be determined with precision, actual results could differ significantly from these estimates.

 

For the purposes of comparability, certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period classification. There was no impact to prior period net income or shareholders’ equity.

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill, which offers amended guidance to simplify the accounting for goodwill impairment by removing Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. A goodwill impairment will now be measured as the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, limited to the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. This guidance is to be applied on a prospective basis effective for the Company’s interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The new guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. The adoption of ASU 2017-04 in the first quarter of fiscal 2021 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASBFinancial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-13,Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. In November 2018, the FASB issued update ASU 2018-192018-19 that clarifies the scope of the standard in the amendments in ASU 2016-13.2016-13. This guidance introduces a new model for recognizing credit losses on financial instruments based on an estimate of current expected credit losses. Financial instruments impacted include accounts receivable, trade receivables, other financial assets measured at amortized cost and other off-balance sheet credit exposures. The new guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal 2023, with early adoption permitted. The Company is evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-132016-13 on ourits financial statements.

 

Note 2. Net Income Per Share

 

Basic net income per common share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the reporting period. Diluted EPS equals net income divided by the sum of the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus all additional common stock equivalents, such as stock options, when dilutive.

 

9

 

 

8

The following is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the net income per common share computations for the three and six months ended MarchDecember 31, 2021 and 2020:

 

 Three Months Ended March 31, Six Months Ended March 31, 

Three Months Ended December 31,

 
 2021 2020 2021 2020

(In thousands, except for share information)

 

2021

  

2020

 
Net income $3,639,784  $747,897  $6,803,223  $1,249,055  $10,389  $3,163 
Weighted average common shares  13,730,150   13,521,172   13,711,135   13,516,608   13,743,503   13,692,533 
Dilutive potential common shares  49,629   -   26,956   55,066  154,284  4,282 
Weighted average dilutive common shares outstanding  13,779,779   13,521,172   13,738,090   13,571,674  13,897,787  13,696,815 
Net income per common share:                 
Basic $0.27  $0.05  $0.50  $0.09  $0.76  $0.23 
Diluted $0.27  $0.05  $0.50  $0.09  $0.75  $0.23 

 

Note 3. Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Investments

 

The Company invests its excess cash in bank certificates of deposit (“CDs”) that are fully insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) as well as U.S. Treasury securities and money market accounts. CDs and US Treasuries with original maturities of more than three months are reported as held-to-maturity investments and are recorded at amortized cost, which approximates fair value due to the negligible risk of changes in value due to interest rates. The maturity dates of the Company’s investments as of MarchDecember 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020 2021 are as follows:

 

 

March 31,

2021

 

September 30,

2020

(In thousands)

 

December 31, 2021

  

September 30, 2021

 
Less than one year $9,957,831  $10,582,527  $10,373  $10,374 
1-5 years  25,565,000   25,143,000   35,192   36,913 
Total $35,522,831  $35,725,527  $45,565  $47,287 

 

Note 4. Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company recorded $334,178 and $623,235$440,000 of compensation expense related to current and past restricted stock grants, non-qualified stock options and the Company’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) for the three and six months ended MarchDecember 31, 2021. For the three months ended December 31, 2021, respectively, For the three months ended March 31, 2021, $313,658$409,000 of this expense is included in selling, general and administrative expense, and $20,520 is included in cost of sales. For the six months ended March 31, 2021, $594,546 of this expense is included in selling, general and administrative expense, and $28,689$32,000 is included in cost of sales. The Company recorded $87,937 and $328,523$289,000 of compensation expense related to current and past restricted stock grants, non-qualified stock options and the Company’s ESPP for the three and six months ended MarchDecember 31, 2020. For the three months ended December 31, 2020, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, $83,140$281,000 of this expense is included in selling, general and administrative expense, and $4,797 is included in cost of sales. For the six months ended March 31, 2020, $318,928 of this expense is included in selling, general and administrative expense, and $9,595$8,000 is included in cost of sales. As of MarchDecember 31, 2021, $3,182,923$4,935,000 of total unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested restricted stock awards and stock options is expected to be recognized over a period of approximately 3.42.9 years.

 

Stock Options

 

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of options granted. During the sixthree months ended MarchDecember 31, 2021, the Company granted employees non-qualified stock options to purchase an aggregate of 62,730 shares of common stock with a weighted average contractual term of five years, a weighted average three-year vesting term, and a weighted average exercise price of $66.48. During the three months ended December 31, 2020, the Company granted employees non-qualified stock options to purchase an aggregate of 105,089 shares of common stock with a weighted average contractual term of five years, a weighted average three-yearthree-year vesting term, and a weighted average exercise price of $23.74. During the six months ended March 31, 2020, the Company granted employees non-qualified stock options to purchase an aggregate of 116,600 shares of common stock with a weighted average contractual term of 5.78 years, a weighted average 4.78 year vesting term, and an exercise price of $12.43.

 

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9

The fair value of stock option awards during the sixthree months ended MarchDecember 31, 2021 was estimated as of the grant date using the assumptions listed below:

  Six

Three months ended December 31, 2021

March 31, 2021

Dividend yield

  0%

Expected volatility

  46.952.02%

Risk-free interest rate

  0.240.97%

Expected life (years)

  53.5 

Vesting period (years)

 33

 

The expected stock price volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s stock for a period approximating the expected life. The expected life represents the period of time that options are expected to be outstanding after their grant date. The risk-free interest rate reflects the interest rate as of the grant date on zero-couponzero-coupon U.S. governmental bonds with a remaining life similar to the expected option term.

 

Options are granted at fair market values determined on the date of grant and vesting normally occurs over a three to five-yearfive-year period. Shares issued upon exercise of a stock option are issued from the Company’s authorized but unissued shares.

 

The following is a summary of stock option activity during the sixthree months ended MarchDecember 31, 2021:

 

 Number of options Weighted average exercise price 

Number of options

  

Weighted average exercise price

 
Outstanding as of September 30, 2020  337,100  $12.48 

Outstanding as of September 30, 2021

 301,514  $16.25 
Granted  105,089   23.74  62,730  66.48 
Exercised  (101,800)  12.47  (6,826) 13.57 
Forfeited or Expired  (25,309)  13.89   0   0 
Outstanding as of March 31, 2021  315,080  $

16.13

 

Outstanding as of December 31, 2021

  357,418  $25.12 

 

The intrinsic value of an option is the amount by which the fair value of the underlying stock exceeds its exercise price. As of MarchDecember 31, 2021, the weighted average remaining contractual term for all outstanding and exercisable stock options was 2.792.32 years and their aggregate intrinsic value was $890,093.$10,911,000.

 

Restricted Stock

 

The Company’s 2007 Stock Compensation Plan permits its Compensation Committee to grant stock-based awards, including stock options and restricted stock, to key employees and non-employee directors. The Company has made restricted stock grants that vest over one to ten years.

 

During the sixthree months ended MarchDecember 31, 2021, the Company granted newly elected non-employee directors elected at the Company’s 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders restricted stock awards totaling 2,120318 shares of common stock, with a vesting term of approximately one year and a fair value of $32.41$62.77 per share. During the sixthree months ended MarchDecember 31, 2021, the Company also granted employees restricted stock awards totaling 23,318 shares of common stock, with a vesting term of approximately three years and a fair value of $66.48 per share.

During the three months ended December 31, 2020, the Company granted employees restricted stock awards totaling 37,687 shares of common stock, with a vesting term of approximately three years and a fair value of $23.74 per share.

During the six months ended March 31, 2020, the Company granted non-employee directors elected at the Company’s 2020 Annual Meeting of Shareholders restricted stock awards totaling 5,830 shares of common stock, with a vesting term of approximately one year and a fair value of $10.72 per share.

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Restricted stock transactions during the sixthree months ended MarchDecember 31, 2021 are summarized as follows:

 

 Number of shares Weighted average grant date fair value 

Number of shares

  

Weighted average grant date fair value

 
Unvested shares as of September 30, 2020  109,070  $12.97 

Unvested shares as of September 30, 2021

 108,839  $17.14 
Granted  39,807   24.20  23,636  66.43 
Vested  (12,230)  11.08  (12,264) 23.74 
Forfeited  (3,298)  16.07   0   0 
Unvested as of March 31, 2021  133,349  $16.41 

Unvested as of December 31, 2021

  120,211  $26.16 

 

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Employee Stock Purchase Plan

 

The Company’s ESPP allows participating employees to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock at a discount through payroll deductions.  The ESPP is available to all employees subject to certain eligibility requirements.  Terms of the ESPP provide thatthose participating employees maythe ability to purchase the Company’s common stock on a voluntary after-tax basis.  Employees may purchase the Company’s common stock at a price that is no less than the lower of 85% of the fair market value of one share of common stock at the beginning or end of each stock purchase period or phase.  The ESPP is carried out in six-monthsix-month phases, with phases beginning on January 1 and July 1 of each calendar year.  For the phasesphase that ended on December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, 2021, employees purchased 15,011 and 15,1077,678 shares at a price of $11.93 and $11.23$32.43 per share, respectively.share.  After the employee purchase on December 31, 2020, 204,6122021, 187,195 shares of common stock were available for future purchase under the ESPP.

 

Note 5. Revenue

 

Revenue Recognition

 

Net sales include products and shipping and handling charges. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for transferring products. All revenue is recognized when the Company satisfies its performance obligations under the contract. The Company recognizes revenue by transferring the promised products to the customer, with substantially all revenue recognized at the point in time the customer obtains control of the products. The Company recognizes revenue for shipping and handling charges at the time the products are delivered to or picked up by the customer. The majority of the Company’s contracts have a single performance obligation and are short term in nature. Sales taxes and value added taxes in foreign jurisdictions that are collected from customers and remitted to governmental authorities are accounted for on a net basis and therefore are excluded from net sales.

 

Disaggregation of Revenue

 

The Company allocates sales from external customers to geographic areas based on the location to which the product is transported. Sales outside the United States are principally to countries in the Caribbean, Canada, Central and South America.

 

Revenues related to the following geographic areas were as follows for the three and six months ended:

 

 Three Months Ended March 31, Six Months Ended March 31, 

Three Months Ended December 31,

 
 2021 2020 2021 2020

(In thousands)

 

2021

 

2020

 
United States $27,743,937  $19,489,270  $53,776,138  $37,731,957  $49,118  $26,032 
All other countries  1,947,997   919,239   3,007,943   2,054,543   1,991   1,060 
Total Net Sales $29,691,934  $20,408,509  $56,784,081  $39,786,500  $51,109  $27,092 

 

The Company manufactures and sells a proprietary product line designed for the Broadband Service Provider marketplace. In addition, the Company’s Legacy business provides build-to-print services for original equipment manufacturers requiring copper and fiber cable assemblies built to their specification.

 

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The percentages of our sales by markets were as follows for the three and six months ended:

 

 Three Months Ended March 31, Six Months Ended March 31, 

Three Months Ended December 31,

 
 2020 2020 2020 2020 

2021

 

2020

 
Broadband service providers  97%  96%  98%  95% 99% 98%
Legacy customers  3%  4%  2%  5%  1%  2%
Total Net Sales  100%  100%  100%  100%  100%  100%

 

Broadband Service Providers are made up of Community Broadband, which includes local and regional telecom companies, utilities, municipalities and alternative carriers, multiple system operators (“MSO’s, or Cable TV”), which are also referred to as Tier 2 and Tier 3 customers; National Carriers, which includes large national and global wireline and wireless providers also referred to as Tier 1’s;1’s; and International customers.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

Credit is extended based on the evaluation of a customer’s financial condition, and collateral is generally not required. Accounts that are outstanding longer than the contractual payment terms are considered past due. The Company writes off accounts receivable when they become uncollectible; payments subsequently received on such receivables are credited to the allowance for doubtful accounts. As of Marchboth December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020, 2021, the balance in the allowance for doubtful accounts was $79,473 and $289,085, respectively. The allowance for doubtful accounts decreased by the amount recovered during the three months ended March 31, 2021 on an account previously reserved.$79,000.

 

See Note 7, “Major Customer Concentration” for further information regarding accounts receivable and net sales.

 

Note 6. Inventories

 

Inventories consist of the following as of:

 

 March 31,
2021		 September 30,
2020

(In thousands)

 

December 31,

2021

  

September 30,

2021

 
Raw materials $11,932,008  $12,287,134  $35,216  $23,072 
Work-in-process  2,191,469   1,033,021  3,629  2,482 
Finished goods  1,541,111   2,048,514   6,238   3,361 
Inventories, gross  15,664,588   15,368,669  45,083  28,915 
Inventory reserve  (1,037,412)  (960,131)  (1,509)  (1,391)
Inventories, net $14,627,176  $14,408,538  $43,574  $27,524 

 

Note 7. Major Customer Concentration

 

For the three months ended MarchDecember 31, 2021, Customers A, B, and BC comprised 21%15%,11%, and 11%10% of the Company’s net sales, respectively. For the six months ended March 31, 2021, Customers A and C are regional broadband service providers and Customer B is a distributor. For the three months ended December 31, 2020, Customer B comprised 20%19% and 11%Customer D comprised 12% of the Company’s net sales, respectively. Both of these customers were distributors. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, Customer A comprised 21% of the Company’s net sales. For the six months ended March 31, 2020, Customers A, B and C comprised 20%, 11% and 10%, respectively, of the Company’s net sales. All of these customers wereare distributors. These major customers, like our other customers, purchase our products from time to time through purchase orders, and the Company does not have any agreements that obligate these major customers to purchase products from us in the future.

 

As of MarchDecember 31, 2021, Customer D comprised 11% of the Company’s accounts receivable. This customer is a distributor. As of September 30, 2021, Customers A and B accounted for 10% and 14%was 17% of accounts receivable, respectively. As of September 30, 2020, Customersreceivable. Customer A and B accounted for 12% and 13%, of accounts receivable, respectively. Both of these customers are distributors.

is a regional broadband service provider.

 

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12

Note 8. Goodwill and Intangibles

 

The Company analyzes its goodwill for impairment annually or at an interim period when events occur or changes in circumstances indicate potential impairment. The result of the analysis performed as of September 30, 2020 2021 did not indicate an impairment of goodwill. During the sixthree months ended MarchDecember 31, 2021, there were no triggering events that indicate potential impairment exists.

 

The Company capitalizes legal costs incurred to obtain patents. Once accepted by either the U.S. Patent Office or the equivalent office of a foreign country, these legal costs are amortized using the straight-line method over the remaining estimated lives, not exceeding 20 years. As of MarchDecember 31, 2021, the Company has 2631 patents granted and multiple pending applications both inside and outside the United States.

 

In addition, the Company has various finite lived intangible assets, most of which were acquired as a result of the acquisition of the active cabinet product line from Calix, Inc. during fiscal year 2018. The Company analyzes its intangible assets for impairment annually or at interim periods when events occur or changes in circumstances indicate potential impairment. The result of the analysis performed as of September 30, 2020 2021 did not indicate an impairment of our intangible assets. During the sixthree months ended MarchDecember 31, 2021, there were no triggering events that indicate potential impairment exists.

 

Note 9. Income Taxes

 

For the three and six months ended MarchDecember 31, 2021, the Company recorded income tax expense of $935,000 and $1,619,000,$2,780,000, reflecting an effective tax rate of 20.4%21.1%. The difference between the effective tax rate and 19.2%the statutory tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 2021 was primarily related to excess tax benefits from restricted stock vesting during the period, Section 162(m) compensation deduction limitations, foreign derived intangibles income deduction (FDII), respectively.and research and development credits. For the three months ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded income tax expense of $684,000 reflecting an effective tax rate of 17.8%.  The differences between the effective tax rate and the statutory tax rate were primarily related to excess tax benefits from non-qualified stock options exercised during the quarter research and development credits, and foreign derived intangibles income deduction (FDII). For the three and six months ended March 31, 2020, the Company recorded income tax expense of $190,000 and $313,000, reflecting an effective tax rate of 20.3% and 20.0%, respectively. The differences between the effective tax rate and the statutory tax rate were related to nondeductible meals and entertainment, nondeductible stock compensation, FDII, andas well as research and development credits.

 

Deferred taxes recognize the impact of temporary differences between the amounts of the assets and liabilities recorded for financial statement purposes and these amounts measured in accordance with tax laws. The Company’s realization of deferred tax temporary differences is contingent upon future taxable earnings. The Company reviewed its deferred tax asset for expected utilization using a “more likely than not” criteria by assessing the available positive and negative factors surrounding its recoverability and determined that as of MarchDecember 31, 2021 and September 30, 2020 2021 a valuation allowance against ourthe deferred tax assets is not required. The Company will continue to assess the need for a valuation allowance based on changes in assumptions of estimated future income and other factors in future periods.

 

As of MarchDecember 31, 2021, the Company does not have any unrecognized tax benefits. It is the Company’s practice to recognize interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognizedunrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. The Company does not expect any material changes in its unrecognized tax positions over the next 12 months.

 

Note 10. Leases

 

The Company leases an 85,000 square foot facility at 7050 Winnetka Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota consisting of our corporate offices, manufacturing and warehouse space.  The lease term is ten years and two months, ending on February 28, 2025.2025 and is renewable.   Upon proper notice and payment of a termination fee of approximately $249,000, the Company has a one-timeone-time option to terminate the lease effective as of the last day of the eighth year of the term after the Company commenced paying base rent. The renewal and termination options have not been included within the lease term because it is not reasonably certain that the Company will exercise either option.

 

On October 9, 2020, the Company entered into an indirect lease arrangement for its originalexisting 46,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Tijuana, Mexico. The Company had previously been leasing this facility on a month to month basis after its three-yearthree-year lease expired on July 31, 2020. The new lease term is three years. This lease contains a writtenan option to renew and rent payments that increase annually based on U.S. inflation for the preceding 12 months. The renewal option has not been included within the lease term because it is not reasonably certain that the Company will exercise the option.

 

14

13

On February 12, 2020, the Company entered into an indirect lease arrangement for an additional 52,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Tijuana, Mexico. The lease term iswas approximately 42 months and commenced on February 12, 2020. The lease contained options to renew for two additional consecutive periods of three years each. On October 28, 2021, the Company and landlord agreed to end the lease early on February 28, 2022, including a lease termination fee of $92,000.

In July 2021, the Company entered into an indirect lease arrangement for an approximately 318,000 square foot manufacturing facility that is currently being constructed in Tijuana, Mexico. The lease term is for 7 years of which 5 years are mandatory, commencing March 2022. The lease contains written options to renew for two additional consecutive periods of three5 years each. We expect to begin transitioning the current Mexico manufacturing operations into the newly leased facility in the second quarter of fiscal 2022. The lease calls for monthly rental payments of $162,000, increasing 2% annually. The renewal options have not been included within the lease term because it is not reasonably certain that the Company will exercise either option. Upon lease commencement, we will recognize an additional right of use asset and associated lease liability of approximately $9.4 million. As this lease has not yet commenced as of December 31, 2021, the future payments under this lease are not included in the future lease payments schedule below.

 

On November 19, 2021, the Company signed a lease for a 105,000 square foot warehouse being constructed in Brooklyn Park, MN. The lease term is five years beginning March 1, 2022 and ending on February 28, 2027, with rent payments increasing annually. The lease includes an option to extend the lease for an additional five years. The renewal option has not been included within the lease term because it is not reasonably certain that the Company will exercise the option. Upon lease commencement, we will recognize an additional right of use asset and associated lease liability of approximately $3.3 million. As this lease has not yet commenced as of December 31, 2021, the future payments under this lease are not included in the future lease payments schedule below.

Right-of-use lease assets and lease liabilities are recognized as of the commencement date based on the present value of the remaining lease payments over the lease term which includes renewal periods the Company is reasonably certain to exercise. The Company’s leases do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. As of March 31, 2021, the Company does not have material lease commitments that have not commenced.

 

Operating lease expense included within cost of goods sold and selling, general and administrative expense was as follows for the three and six months ended March 31, 2021:ended:

 

  Three Months Ended March 31, Six Months Ended March 31,
Operating lease expense within: 2021 2020 2021 2020
Cost of sales $252,459  $218,874  $505,395  $404,502 
Selling, general and administrative  55,335   55,398   110,733   111,764 
Total lease expense $307,794  $274,272  $616,128  $516,266 

Operating lease expense within:

 

Three Months Ended December 31,

 
(In thousands) 

2021

  

2020

 

Cost of sales

 $285  $253 

Selling, general and administrative

  55   55 

Total lease expense

 $340  $308 

 

Future maturities of lease liabilities were as follows as of MarchDecember 31, 2021:2021 (in thousands):

 

FY2021 $485,717 
FY2022  986,844  $578 
FY2023  943,682  703 
FY2024  516,725  517 
FY2025  217,552  218 

FY2026

 0 
Thereafter  -   0 
Total lease payments  3,150,520  2,016 
Less: Interest  (182,281)  (99)
Present value of lease liabilities $2,968,239  $1,916 

 

The weighted average term and weighted average discount rate for the Company’s leases as of MarchDecember 31, 2021 were 3.332.82 years and 3.41%, respectively, compared to 3.56 years and 3.40%, respectively, compared to 4.78 years and 3.48%, respectively, as of MarchDecember 31, 2021. 2020. For the three and six months ended MarchDecember 31, 2021, the operating cash outflows from the Company’s leases was $240,066 and $479,801, respectively,$312,000, compared to $168,815 and $336,655,$240,000 for the three and six months ended MarchDecember 31, 2020, respectively.

2020.

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’SMANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that are not purely historical are “forward-looking statements”“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements relate to future events and typically address the Company’sCompany’s expected future business and financial performance. Words such as “plan, “plan,” “expect,“expect,” “aim,“aim,” “believe,“believe,” “project,“project,” “target,“target,” “anticipate,“anticipate,” “intend,“intend,” “estimate,“estimate,” “will,“will,” “should,“should,” “could”“could” and other words and terms of similar meaning, typically identify these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and expectations of future events and trends that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements because of the factors identified in and incorporated by reference from PartI, Item 1A, “Risk“Risk Factors,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 20202021 and Part II, Item 1A. “Risk Factors”“Risk Factors” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, as well as in other filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which should be considered an integral part of PartI, Item 2, “Management’s“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” All forward-looking statements included herein are made as the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations as of and for the three and six months ended MarchDecember 31, 2021 and 2020 should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes in Item 1 of this report and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2020.2021.

 

OVERVIEW

 

General

 

Clearfield, Inc. (“Clearfield” or the “Company”) designs, manufactures, and distributes fiber optic management, protection and delivery products for communications networks. Our “fiber to the anywhere” platform serves the unique requirements of leading Broadband Service Providers in the United States (“U.S.”), which include Community Broadband, MSO’s, and National Carriers, while also serving the broadband needs of the International markets, primarily countries in the Caribbean, Canada, and Central and South America. These customers are collectively included in Broadband Service Providers. The Company also provides contract manufacturing services for its Legacy customers which include original equipment manufacturers (OEM) requiring copper and fiber cable assemblies built to their specifications.

 

The Company has historically focused on the unserved or underserved rural communities that receive voice, video and data services from independent telephone companies. By aligning its in-house engineering and technical knowledge alongside its customers, the Company has been able to develop, customize and enhance products from design through production. Final build and assembly of the Company’s products is completed at Clearfield’s manufacturing facilities in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, and Tijuana, Mexico, with manufacturing support from a network of domestic and global manufacturing partners. Clearfield specializes in producing these products on both a quick-turn and scheduled delivery basis. The Company deploys a hybrid sales model with some sales made directly to customers, some made through two-tier distribution (channel) partners, sales agents and manufacturing representatives, and sales through original equipment suppliers who private label their products.

 

Under U.S. federal and state guidance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Clearfield’s operations are classified as part of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (“CISA”) critical infrastructure sector and similar categorization in Minnesota. In March 2020, we transitioned our corporate employees at our Brooklyn Park headquarters to remote work arrangements and they currently continue remote work.primarily working remote. In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) and World Health Organization (“WHO”) guidelines, we implemented and have continued health and safety measures for the production staff that remain onsite at our Brooklyn Park facility. We have maintained our manufacturing capacity in Brooklyn Park with these personnel at near historic levels. Similarly, we have implemented the recommended health and safety measures for the production staff that remains onsite at our Tijuana, Mexico manufacturing facilities. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has closely monitored the operations and staffing levels at its Brooklyn Park facility and its two manufacturing facilities in Tijuana, Mexico.

 

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15

 

Due to the risks to timely supply of materials to our facilities, we have taken multiple actions to ensure sufficient safety stock inventory levels at both our Minnesota and Mexico facilities. Additionally, we made the decision to maximize the availability of all product lines at all three of our plants by assuring that each location can manufacture across our broad product portfolio. These actions, combined with our historic practice of dual sourcing most of our components, has positioned us to meet our obligations to customers and to fulfill our order backlog going forward.sales backlog. However, in the event of serious border restrictions or border delays, continuing or worsening component material shortages, supply chain transportation delays, or other serious disruption in our supply chain, we may experience diminished or temporarily suspended operations, longer lead times than typical for product deliveries, or temporarily suspended product deliveries, which would result in delayed or reduced revenue from the affected orders in production and higher operating costs. In addition, due to the unprecedented lead-times and challenges in the global supply chain, we are working with our customers to place longer lead-time purchase orders to ensure availability of components and materials from our supply chain. Based on current supply chain dynamics, lead times have stretched to 8 to 12 weeks or longer for certain product categories. Progressing into 2022, the Company is working to manage lead times to more historic levels from receipt of purchase order.

 

In order to help meet customer demand and delivery expectations, we will be exiting our 52,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Mexico in the fiscal second quarter of 2022 for an approximately 318,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Mexico during second quarter of fiscal 2022.  Beginning in fiscal second quarter of 2022, we also expect to begin to use a 105,000 square foot warehouse being constructed in Brooklyn Park, MN.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Three months ended MarchTHREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 vS. three months ended MarchVS. THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2020

 

Net sales for the secondfirst quarter of fiscal 20212022 ended MarchDecember 31, 2021 were $29,692,000,$51,109,000, an increase of approximately 45%89% or $9,283,000,$24,017,000, from net sales of $20,409,000$27,092,000 for the secondfirst quarter of fiscal 2020.2021.  Net sales to Broadband Service Providers were $28,934,000$50,406,000 in the secondfirst quarter of fiscal 20212022 versus $19,642,000$26,570,000 in the same period of fiscal 2020.2021.  Among this group, the Company recorded $1,948,000 $1,991,000 in Internationalinternational sales for the secondfirst quarter of fiscal 20212022 versus $919,000$1,060,000 in the same period of fiscal 2020.2021.  Net sales to Legacy customers were $758,000$702,000 in the secondfirst quarter of fiscal 20212022 versus $766,000$515,000 in the same period of fiscal 2020.2021.  The Company allocates sales from external customers to geographic areas based on the location to which the product is transported.  Accordingly, Internationalinternational sales represented 7% and 5%4% of total net sales for the secondfirst quarter of both fiscal 20212022 and 2020, respectively.2021.

 

The increase in net sales for the quarter ended MarchDecember 31, 2021 of $9,283,000$24,017,000 compared to the quarter ended MarchDecember 31, 2020 was driven primarily by increased sales to Community Broadband Service Providers, MSO and InternationalMSO customers of $8,296,000, $1,581,000,$15,964,000, and $1,029,000,$6,081,000, respectively. Offsetting this was decreased sales to Tier 1 customers of $1,623,000. Net sales to Legacy customers remained relatively consistent over this period. The increase to Community Broadband and MSO customers was due to continuing increased demand for fiber connectivity products in response to COVID-19 driven by customers accelerating their purchasing decisions and deployment schedules of our fiber optic solutions and the need for high-speed broadband required in the work from anywhere environment. The increase in International sales was driven by government funding of deployments within those markets. The decrease in sales to Tier 1 customers is due to COVID-19 constraints limiting the deployment of fiber products into the access part of Tier 1 networks.

 

Revenue from customers is obtained from purchase orders submitted from time to time, with a limited number of customers recently issuing purchase orders for longer time frames. Accordingly, theThe Company’s ability to predict orders in future periods or trends affecting orders in future periods is limited. The Company’s ability to predict revenue has becomeis further limited by potential disruption to its supply chains or changes in customer ordering patterns due to COVID-19, global supply chain issues and the impact of government programs.issues. The Company’s ability to recognize revenue in the future for customer orders will depend on the Company’s ability to manufacture and deliver products to the customers and fulfill its other contractual obligations.

 

Cost of sales for the secondfirst quarter of fiscal 20212022 was $16,750,000,$28,137,000, an increase of $4,493,000,$12,414,000, or 37%79%, from $12,257,000$15,723,000 in the comparable period of fiscal 2020.2021. Gross profit percent was 43.6%44.9% of net sales in the secondfirst quarter of fiscal 2021,2022, an increase from 39.9%42.0% of net sales for the secondfirst quarter of fiscal 2020.2021. Gross profit increased $4,790,000$11,603,000 or 59%102%, to $12,942,000$22,972,000 for the three months ended MarchDecember 31, 2021 from $8,151,000$11,369,000 in the comparable period in fiscal 2020. 2021. The increase in gross profit in the secondfirst quarter of fiscal 20212022 was due to increased volume of net sales described above while the increase in gross profit percent was primarily due to a favorable product mix and cost reduction efforts acrossassociated with higher net sales in the Company’s product lines, including greater use of its MexicoCommunity Broadband market, as well as improved manufacturing plants and efficiencies realized fromwith higher sales volumes. In the second quarter of fiscal 2021, the Company did not experience any significant impacts on cost of sales due to COVID-19.

volumes, offset by higher freight and transportation costs.

 

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Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $1,058,000,$2,267,000 or 14%30%, to $8,490,000$9,923,000 in the secondfirst quarter fiscal 20212022 from $7,431,000$7,656,000 for the fiscal 2020 second2021 first quarter.  The increase in expense in the secondfirst quarter of fiscal 20212022 consists primarily of increases of $1,405,000$1,842,000 in compensation expense due to additional headcount and increased wages and performance compensation accruals driven by higher net sales, increased travel and entertainment expenses of $172,000 due to reduced COVID-19 travel restrictions, and increased stock compensation expense of $231,000, offset by a recovery of bad debt expense of $210,000 and a decrease in travel and entertainment expenses of $335,000 due to COVID-19 restrictions. In the second quarter of fiscal 2021, other than the travel and entertainment costs mentioned above, the Company did not experience any significant impacts on selling, general and administrative expense due to COVID-19.$128,000.

 

Income from operations for the quarter ended MarchDecember 31, 2021 was $4,451,000$13,049,000 compared to $720,000$3,714,000 for the comparable quarter of fiscal 2020,2021, an increase of approximately 518%251%. This increase is attributable to increased gross profit driven by higher sales in the Company’s Community Broadband and MSO markets, offset by higher selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

Interest income for the quarter ended MarchDecember 31, 2021 was $123,000$120,000 compared to $218,000$134,000 for the comparable quarter for fiscal 2020.2021. The decrease is due to lower interest rates earned on investments in the secondfirst quarter of fiscal 2021.2022. We expect interest income tomay decline due to the prevailing lower interest rates in the current economic environment.

 

We recorded a provision for income taxes of $935,000$2,780,000 and $190,000$684,000 for the three months ended MarchDecember 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. We record our quarterly provision for income taxes based on our estimated annual effective tax rate for the year. The increase in tax expense of $745,000$2,096,000 from the secondfirst quarter for fiscal 2020 is primarily due to increased income from operations. The income tax expense rate for the second quarter of fiscal 2021 was 20.4%, relatively unchanged from 20.3% recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2020.

The Company’s net income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $3,640,000, or $0.27 per basic and diluted share. The Company’s net income for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was $748,000, or $0.05 per basic and diluted share.

Six months ended March 31, 2021 vS. six months ended March 31, 2020

Net sales for the six months ended March 31, 2021 were $56,784,000, an increase of 43%, or approximately $16,998,000, from net sales of $39,787,000 for the first six months of fiscal 2020. Net sales to Broadband Service providers were $55,507,000 for the first six months of fiscal 2021, versus $37,798,000 in the same period of fiscal 2020. Among this group, the Company recorded $3,008,000 in International sales versus $2,055,000 in the same period of fiscal 2020. Net sales to Legacy customers were $1,277,000 in the first six months of fiscal 2021 versus $1,990,000 in the same period of fiscal 2020. The Company allocates sales from external customers to geographic areas based on the location to which the product is transported. Accordingly, International sales represented 5% of total net sales for the first six months of fiscal 2021 and 2020.

The increase in net sales for the six months ended March 31, 2021 of $16,998,000 compared to the six months ended March 31, 2020 is primarily attributable to an increase in sales to Community Broadband, MSO and International customers of $16,490,000, $2,282,000 and $907,000, respectively. This was offset by decreased sales to Tier 1 and Legacy customers of $1,999,000, and $683,000, respectively. The increase to Community Broadband and MSO customers was due to increased demand in response to COVID-19 driven by customers accelerating their purchasing decisions and deployment schedules of our fiber optic solutions and the need for high-speed broadband required in the work from anywhere environment. The increase in International sales was driven by government funding of deployments within those markets. The decrease in sales to Tier 1 customers is the result of COVID-19 constraints limiting the deployment of fiber products into the access part of the network.

Cost of sales for the six months ended March 31, 2021 was $32,473,000, an increase of $8,566,000, or 36%, from $23,908,000 in the comparable period of fiscal 2020. Gross profit percent was 42.8% of net sales in the fiscal 2021 first six months, up from 39.9% for the comparable six months in fiscal 2020. Gross profit increased $8,432,000, or 53%, to $24,311,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2021 from $15,879,000 in the comparable period in fiscal 2020. The increase in gross profit in the six months ended March 31, 2021 was due to increased volume of net sales described above and a higher gross profit percent. The increase in gross profit percent was primarily due to favorable product mix and cost reduction efforts across the Company’s product lines, including greater use of its Mexico manufacturing plants and efficiencies realized from higher sales volumes. In the six months ended March 31, 2021, the Company did not experience any significant impacts on cost of sales due to COVID-19.

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Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 9%, or $1,388,000, from $14,758,000 for the first six months of fiscal 2020 to $16,146,000 for the first six months of fiscal 2021. The increase in the first six months of fiscal 2021 consists primarily of increases of $2,214,000 in compensation expense due to additional personnel along with increased wages and performance compensation accruals driven by higher net sales, and increased stock compensation expense of $276,000, offset by a recovery of bad debt expense of $210,000 and decreases in travel, entertainment and trade show expenses of $807,000 due to COVID-19 restrictions. In the six months ended March 31, 2021, other than the travel, entertainment and trade show costs mentioned above, the Company did not experience any significant impacts on selling, general and administrative expense due to COVID-19.

Income from operations for the six months ended March 31, 2021 was $8,165,000 compared to income from operations of $1,121,000 for the first six months of fiscal 2020, an increase of $7,044,000, or 628%. This increase is primarily attributable to increased gross profit driven by higher sales, offset by increased selling, general and administrative expenses.

Interest income for the six months ended March 31, 2021 was $257,000 compared to $441,000 for the comparable period for fiscal 2020. The decrease is due to lower interest rates earned on investments in the second quarter of fiscal 2021. We expect interest income to decline due to the prevailing lower interest rates in the current economic environment.

We recorded a provision for income taxes of $1,619,000 and $313,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase in tax expense of $1,306,000 from the six months ended March 31, 2020 is primarily due to increased income from operations. The decrease in the income tax expense rate to 19.2% for the six months ended March 31,first quarter of fiscal 2022 increased to 21.1%, from 17.8% recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, from 20.0% for the six months ended March 31, 2020 is primarily due to excess tax benefits from non-qualified stock options exercised during the six months ended March 31, 2021. increased taxable income.

 

The Company’s net income for the first sixthree months of fiscal 2021 ended MarchDecember 31, 2021 was $6,803,000,$10,389,000, or $0.50$0.76 per basic share or $0.75 per diluted share. The Company’s net income for the three months ended December 31, 2020 was $3,163,000, or $0.23 per basic and diluted share. The Company’s net income increase in basic and diluted earnings per share for the first sixthree months of fiscal 2020 ended MarchDecember 31, 2021 as compared to December 31, 2020 was $1,249,000, or $0.09 per basic and diluted share.

due to higher net income.

 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

 

As of MarchDecember 31, 2021, our principal source of liquidity was our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. Those sources total $32,297,000$23,055,000 as of MarchDecember 31, 2021 compared to $27,032,000$23,590,000 as of September 30, 2020.2021. Our excess cash is invested mainly in certificates of deposit backed by the FDIC, U.S. Treasury securities and money market accounts. Investments considered long-term were $25,565,000$35,192,000 as of MarchDecember 31, 2021, compared to $25,143,000$36,913,000 as of September 30, 2020.2021. We believe the combined balances of short-term cash and investments along with long-term investments provide a more accurate indication of our available liquidity. At the end of the secondfirst quarter of fiscal 2021,2022, our cash, cash equivalents and short-term and long-term investments increaseddecreased to $57.9$58.2 million compared to $54.4$60.5 million as of the prior quarter end. We had no long-term debt obligations as of MarchDecember 31, 2021 or September 30, 2020.2021.

 

We believe our existing cash equivalents and short-term investments, along with cash flow from operations, will be sufficient to meet our working capital and investment requirements for beyond the next 12 months.  The Company intends on utilizing its available cash and assets primarily for its continued organic growth including expanding production capacity and facilities as well as inventory growth to meet customer demand, and potential future strategic transactions, the Company’s share repurchase program, as well as to mitigate the potential impacts on the Company’s business due to COVID-19 or supply chain, logistics, and customer fulfillment risks.

 

Operating Activities

 

Net cash providedused by operating activities totaled $6,700,000$34,000 for the sixthree months ended MarchDecember 31, 2021. This was primarily due to net income of $6,803,000,$10,389,000, non-cash expenses for depreciation and amortization of $1,139,000,$639,000, and stock-based compensation of $623,000$440,000 in addition to changes in operating assets and liabilities providing and using cash. The primary changeschange in operating assets and liabilities using cash includewas an increase in inventory of $16,049,000, partially offset by decreases in accounts receivable of $2,908,000, offset by increases$3,108,000 and increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $1,240,000.$1,750,000. The increaseCompany increased stocking levels of inventory during the quarter ending December 31, 2021 to support the Company’s increased sales order backlog, as well as provide for safety stock for anticipated demand considering current long lead times for components and transportation within the global supply chain. We expect to maintain higher than historic stocking levels through fiscal year 2022. The decrease in accounts receivable is due to increased sales during the most recent quarter and the timing of payments from customers. Accounts receivable balances can be influenced by the timing of shipments for customer projects and payment terms. Days sales outstanding, which measures how quickly receivables are collected, increased fivedecreased 11 days to 4029 days from September 30, 20202021 to MarchDecember 31, 2021. The increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses is due to the timing of payments to vendors in the quarter. Beginning in second quarter of fiscal 2022, our cash payments on facilities leases will increase with our new Tijuana Mexico manufacturing facility and warehouse in Brooklyn Park, MN leases commencing.

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Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $2,716,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2020. This was primarily due to net income of $3,163,000, non-cash expenses for depreciation and amortization of $568,000, and stock-based compensation of $289,000 in addition to changes in operating assets and liabilities providing cash. Changes in operating assets and liabilities using cash include a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $2,860,000, offset by decreases in inventory of $721,000 and accounts receivable of $699,000. The decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses is due to the timing of payments to vendors in the quarter and $2,373,000 of fiscal 2020 accrued bonus compensation accruals paid in the first quarter of fiscal 2021.

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Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $2,296,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2020. This was primarily due to net income of $1,249,000, non-cash expenses for depreciation and amortization of $1,211,000, and stock-based compensation of $329,000 in addition to changes in operating assets and liabilities providing cash. Changes in operating assets and liabilities using cash include increases in inventory of $2,675,000 and accounts payable, accrued expenses and deferred rent of $1,091,000, offset by a The decrease in accounts receivable of $1,049,000. The increase in inventory is a result of additional stocking levels to support the Company’s increased backlog, and additional safety stockhigher utilization of inventory components due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 virus on the Company’s supply chain.increased net sales. Accounts receivable balances can be influenced by the timing of shipments for customer projects and payment terms. Day’sDays sales outstanding, which measures how quickly receivables are collected, increased one daydecreased two days to 3633 days from September 30, 20192020 to MarchDecember 31, 2020.

 

Investing Activities

 

We invest our excess cash in money market accounts, U.S. Treasury securities and bank CDs in denominations across numerous banks. We believe we obtain a competitive rate of return given the economic climate along with the security provided by the FDIC on these investments. During the sixthree months ended MarchDecember 31, 2021, we used cash to purchase $6,448,000$248,000 of U.S. Treasury and FDIC-backed securities and received $1,980,000 on CDs that matured. Purchases of property, plant and equipment, mainly related to manufacturing equipment and intangible assets, consumed $2,051,000 of cash during the three months ended December 31, 2021.

During the three months ended December 31, 2020, we used cash to purchase $3,968,000 of FDIC-backed securities and received $6,651,000$4,426,000 on CDs that matured. Purchases of property, plant and equipment, mainly related to manufacturing equipment, consumed $682,000$379,000 of cash during the sixthree months ended March 31, 2021.

During the six months ended March 31, 2020, we used cash to purchase $19,077,000 of both FDIC-backed and treasury securities and received $16,720,000 on CDs and treasuries that matured. Purchases of property, plant and equipment, mainly related to manufacturing equipment, consumed $1,183,000 of cash during the six months ended MarchDecember 31, 2020.

 

Financing Activities

 

For the sixthree months ended MarchDecember 31, 2021, we received $179,000$249,000 from employees’ participation and purchase of stock through our ESPP, we used $456,000$274,000 related to share withholding for exercise and taxes associated with the issuance of common stock upon cashless exercise of stock options and used $54,000$156,000 to pay for taxes as a result of employees’ vesting of restricted shares using share withholding. We did not repurchase common stock under our share repurchase program in the sixthree months ended MarchDecember 31, 2021.

 

For the sixthree months ended MarchDecember 31, 2020, we received $170,000$179,000 from employees’ participation and purchase of stock through our ESPP, we used $262,000 related to share withholding for taxes associated with the issuance of common stock upon cashless exercise of stock options and used $6,000$11,000 to pay for taxes as a result of employees’ vesting of restricted shares using share withholding. We used $429,000 to repurchase 41,796 shares of our common stock under the share repurchase program in the six months ended March 31, 2020.

 

As of Marchboth December 31, 2021 and MarchDecember 31, 2020, we had the authority to purchase approximately $4,981,000 in additional shares under the repurchase program announced on November 13, 2014 that was subsequently increased on April 25, 2017.  Effective January 27, 2022, the Company reinstated its stock repurchase program that had been suspended due to COVID uncertainty in April 2020. In addition, the Company’s board of directors increased the share repurchase program by an additional $10 million to an aggregate of $22 million, from the previous $12 million.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

 

Management utilizes its technical knowledge, cumulative business experience, judgment and other factors in the selection and application of the Company’s accounting policies. The accounting policies considered by management to be the most critical to the presentation of the financial statements because they require the most difficult, subjective and complex judgments include revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, income taxes and valuation of inventory, long-lived assets, finite lived intangible assets and goodwill.

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These accounting policies are described in Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2020.2021. Management made no changes to the Company’s critical accounting policies during the quarter ended MarchDecember 31, 2021.

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In applying its critical accounting policies, management reassesses its estimates each reporting period based on available information. Changes in these estimates did not have a significant impact on earnings for the quarter ended MarchDecember 31, 2021.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

 

The Company’s management carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s Chief Financial Officer of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of MarchDecember 31, 2021. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and the Company’s Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

 

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

 

There were no changes to the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, that occurred during the quarter ended MarchDecember 31, 2021 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

There are no pending legal proceedings against or involving the Company for which the outcome is likely to have a material adverse effect upon its financial position or results of operations.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

 

The risk factor below supplements and should be read in conjunction with themost significant risk factors underapplicable to the Company are described in Part II, Item 1A “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2020.

If any of2021 There have been no material changes from the risks set forth below orrisk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year September 30, 2020 actually occur, our business, results of operations and financial condition and the market price of our common stock could be negatively impacted. Although we believe that these are most significant risk factors affecting our business, there may be additional risks and uncertainties that are not presently known or that are not currently believed to be significant that may adversely affect our performance or financial condition. Any forecast regarding our future performance, including, but not limited to, forecasts regarding future net sales, timing of customer orders, impact of government programs on customer demand, product mix, margins, expenses, or net income, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect various assumptions and are subject to significant uncertainties and risks that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statement, including the risks reflected in these risk factors.

10-K.

 

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We depend on the availability of sufficient supply of certain materials and global disruptions in the supply chain for these materials could prevent us from meeting customer demand for our products.

We purchase critical components for our products, including injected molded parts, various cabling, optical components, and connectors from third parties, some of whom are single- or limited-source suppliers.

We depend on the ability of these third-party suppliers to secure a sufficient supply of raw materials and maintain sufficient manufacturing and shipping capacity. The global supply chain for raw materials critical to our products, such as resin used to manufacture plastics and fiber optic cable, recently has suffered shortages, shipping delays and shipping shortages. This has led some manufacturers who depend on these raw materials to experience shortages, delivery delays and price increases for both the raw materials and shipping, with the corresponding consequence that these manufacturers may be delayed in delivering products to their customers or may charge higher prices for these products, or there may be increased shipping costs associated with the products. Some manufacturers have allocated short supply among their customers. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has driven demand for certain goods that have exacerbated these disruptions as supply has not kept pace with demand. We believe these global supply chain issues will persist and will likely intensify in 2021 due to the complex and compounding problems associated with shortages of personnel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, backlogs at ports, shortages of shipping containers, freezing weather in Texas affecting the petrochemical industry, the blockage of the Suez Canal affecting the flow of trade, and other logistical issues.

In the first half of fiscal 2021, Clearfield has experienced and expects to continue to experience increased demand for its products from its customers, putting pressure on Clearfield’s supply chain to meet demand amidst these global issues. While we have not experienced significant increases in costs or delays in obtaining the materials and components for our products from our suppliers, we cannot assure you that we will not experience these costs or delays in the future. Clearfield’s ability to recognize revenue in the future for customer orders will depend on our ability to manufacture and deliver products to the customers and fulfill its other contractual obligations. Our ability to meet expected future customer demand for our products will in turn depend upon our suppliers receiving timely and adequate supply of raw materials to be able to produce the critical materials and components they supply to us. Although we place a high value on long-term relationships with our suppliers, generally we do not have long-term supply contracts but instead conduct business on an order-by-order basis. Therefore, we also compete with other companies for the production capacity of manufacturers of the materials and components we need for our products. We also are exposed to potentially increasing costs associated with the materials and components we purchase from suppliers or increased costs associated with shipping generally. We may attempt to mitigate the effect of increases in our cost of goods sold through sourcing or stocking initiatives and by selectively increasing the prices of our products. However, we may be unable to fully pass on these costs to our customers.

The reduction of available production capacity among our suppliers, their failures to meet production deadlines or increases to us in their manufacturing or shipping costs may impact our ability to deliver quality products to our customers on a timely basis, make our products less competitive due to extended delivery times or increased price, negatively impact our customer or distributor relationships, and result in lower net sales and profit.

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

 

In the three months ended March 31, 2021, theThe Company repurchased shares of stock associated with exercise and satisfaction of employee tax withholding requirements on vesting or exercise of equity awards under the Company’s 2007 Stock Compensation Plan for the three months ended December 31, 2021 as follows:

 

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Period Total
Number
of Shares
Purchased		 Average
Price Paid
per Share		 Total Number of
Shares
Purchased as Part
of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs		 Approximate Dollar Value
of Shares that
May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Program (1)
January 1-31, 2021  —  $—   —  $4,980,671 
February 1-28, 2021  1,750   24.72   —   4,980,671 
March 1-31, 2021  —   —   —   4,980,671 
Total  1,750   24.72   —  $4,980,671 

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Period

 

Total
Number
of Shares
Purchased

  

Average
Price Paid
per Share

  

Total Number of
Shares
Purchased as Part
of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs

  

Approximate Dollar Value
of Shares that
May Yet Be Purchased
Under the Program (1)

 

October 1-31, 2021

  -   -   -  $4,980,671 

November 1-30, 2021

  4,122   66.48   -   4,980,671 

December 1-31, 2021

  -   -   -   4,980,671 

Total

  4,122   66.48   -  $4,980,671 

 

(1)Amount remaining from the aggregate $12,000,000 repurchase authorizations approved by the Company’s Board of Directors on April 25, 2017.

                   (1) Amount remaining from the aggregate $12,000,000 repurchase authorizations approved by the Company’s Board of Directors on April 25, 2017. The repurchase program was suspended in April 2020 due to COVID related uncertainty.

 

In the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Company repurchased a total of 1,750 shares in connection with payment of taxes upon vesting of restricted stock previously issued to employees.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

 

None.

 

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Not applicable.

 

ITEM 6. Exhibits

EXHIBITS

 

 Exhibit 31.1*–Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act
 Exhibit 31.2 *–Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act
 Exhibit 32.1 **–Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350
    
 

101

–The following materials from Clearfield, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended December 31, 2021 are formatted in iXBRL (Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Balance Sheets at December 31, 2021 and September 30, 2021;  (ii) Condensed Statements of Earnings for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020; (iii) Condensed Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020; (iv) Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020; and (v) Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements.
 * Filed herewith.  
 **Furnished herewith.

Exhibit 31.1*–Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act
Exhibit 31.2 *–Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) of the Exchange Act
Exhibit 32.1 **–Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350
* Filed herewith.
**Furnished herewith.

 

 

 

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SIGNATURES

 

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

 

CLEARFIELD, INC.

February 2, 2022

 /s/ Cheryl Beranek

 CLEARFIELD, INC.

By: Cheryl Beranek

Its: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

(Principal Executive Officer)

   
April 28, 2021

February 2, 2022

/s/ Cheryl Beranek

Daniel Herzog

 

By: Cheryl Beranek

Its: President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
April 28, 2021/s/ Daniel Herzog
 

By: Daniel Herzog

Its: Chief Financial Officer

 Its: Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

 

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