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

~~For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2021~~
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2022

☐	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)~~

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

~~(763) 476-6866~~

(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 ~~NASDAQ~~Nasdaq 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 ☐ No

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 ☐ 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 ☒~~

Large accelerated filer ☐

Accelerated filer ☐

Non-accelerated filer ☒

~~Smaller reporting company ☒ Emerging growth company ☐~~

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. ☐

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

☐ Yes ☒ No

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 ~~July 12, 2021~~April 19, 2022
Common stock, par value $.01	~~13,742,545~~13,771,632

CLEARFIELD, INC.

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CLEARFIELD, INC.

CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS

(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)

~~CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS~~

	(Unaudited) June 30, 2021		September 30, 2020		March 31, 2022 (Unaudited)			September 30, 2021
Assets
Current Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	21,305,392	$	16,449,636	$	13,923		$	13,216
Short-term investments		10,864,831		10,582,527		739			10,374
Accounts receivables, net		16,182,713		10,496,672		21,836			19,438
Inventories, net		20,979,139		14,408,538		60,918			27,524
Other current assets		652,320		585,436		1,601			954
Total current assets		69,984,395		52,522,809		99,017			71,506

Property, plant and equipment, net		4,925,245		4,952,819		8,701			4,998

Other Assets
Long-term investments		26,721,221		25,143,000		28,448			36,913
Goodwill		4,708,511		4,708,511		4,709			4,709
Intangible assets, net		4,765,194		4,986,216		4,487			4,696
Right of use lease assets		2,515,743		2,539,100		13,414			2,305
Deferred tax asset		178,118		178,118		572			365
Other		259,548		266,857		620			419
Total other assets		39,148,335		37,821,802		52,250			49,407
Total Assets	$	114,057,975	$	95,297,430	$	159,968		$	125,911

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current Liabilities
Current portion of lease liability	$	901,063	$	665,584	$	2,758		$	915
Accounts payable		6,648,416		3,689,587		15,024			9,215
Accrued compensation		7,014,488		4,856,885		6,804			8,729
Accrued expenses		1,150,672		1,202,753		759			1,613
Total current liabilities		15,714,639		10,414,809		25,345			20,472

Other Liabilities
Long-term portion of lease liability		1,849,067		2,129,343		11,194			1,615
Total other liabilities		1,849,067		2,129,343
Total liabilities		17,563,706		12,544,152		36,539			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; 13,742,545 and 13,649,962 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2021 and September 30, 2020		137,425		136,500
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 500,000 shares; no shares issued or outstanding						0			0
Common stock, authorized 50,000,000, $.01 par value; 13,772,581 and 13,732,188 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2022 and September 30, 2021						138			137
Additional paid-in capital		58,341,635		57,502,905		58,949			58,246
Accumulated other comprehensive loss						(725	)		0
Retained earnings		38,015,209		25,113,873		65,067			45,441
Total shareholders’ equity		96,494,269		82,753,278		123,429			103,824
Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity	$	114,057,975	$	95,297,430	$	159,968		$	125,911

For the nine months ended June 30, 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
- 0 966,290 0 966,290
Restricted stock issuance, net
36,509 365 (365 ) 0 0
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan
24,750 247 383,450 0 383,697
Exercise of stock options, net of shares exchanged for payment
33,543 336 (456,460 ) 0 (456,124 )
Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock grants
(2,219 ) (23 ) (54,185 ) 0 (54,208 )
Net income
- 0 0 12,901,336 12,901,336
Balance at June 30, 2021
13,742,545 $ 137,425 $ 58,341,635 $ 38,015,209 $ 96,494,269

For the three months ended March 31, 2022								Accumulated other
	Common Stock				Additional			comprehensive			Retained		Total share-
	Shares		Amount		paid-in capital			loss			earnings		holders’ equity
Balance at December 31, 2021		13,762	$	138	$	58,505		$	0		$	55,831	$	114,474
Stock-based compensation expense		-		0		570			0			0		570
Restricted stock issuance, net of forfeitures		6		0		0			0			0		0
Withholding related to exercise of stock options		5		0		(126	)		0			0		(126	)
Other Comprehensive Loss		-		0		0			(725	)		0		(725	)
Net income		-		0		0			0			9,236		9,236
Balance at March 31, 2022		13,773	$	138	$	58,949		$	(725	)	$	65,067	$	123,429

For the nine months ended June 30, 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 ) 0 (428,654 )
Stock-based compensation expense
- 0 541,884 0 541,884
Restricted stock issuance, net
9,580 96 (96 ) 0 0
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan
30,223 302 348,474 0 348,776
Exercise of stock options, net of shares exchanged for payment
7,646 76 10,892 0 10,968
Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock grants
(453 ) (4 ) (5,799 ) 0 (5,803 )
Net income
- 0 0 4,243,623 4,243,623
Balance at June 30, 2020
13,647,005 $ 136,470 $ 57,443,281 $ 22,064,430 $ 79,644,181

For the three months ended March 31, 2021									Accumulated other
	Common Stock					Additional			comprehensive		Retained		Total share-
	Shares			Amount		paid-in capital			loss		earnings		holders’ equity
Balance at December 31, 2020		13,728		$	137	$	57,697		$	0	$	28,277	$	86,111
Stock-based compensation expense		-			0		334			0		0		334
Restricted stock issuance, net		(1	)		0		0			0		0		0
Withholding related to exercise of stock options		8			0		(194	)		0		0		(194	)
Repurchase of shares for payment of withholding taxes for vested restricted stock grants		(2	)		0		(43	)		0		0		(43	)
Net income		-			0		0			0		3,640		3,640
Balance at March 31, 2021		13,733		$	137	$	57,794		$	0	$	31,917	$	89,848

Nine Months Ended June 30,

2021

2020

Cash flows from operating activities

Net income
$ 12,901,336 $ 4,243,623
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization
1,725,509 1,824,517
Change in allowance for doubtful accounts
209,612 0
Amortization of discount on investments
(876 ) (64,327 )
Stock-based compensation
966,290 541,884
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable
(5,895,653 ) 18,912
Inventories, net
(6,570,601 ) (5,868,972 )
Other assets
(261,371 ) 190,796
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
5,042,911 1,553,798
Net cash provided by operating activities
8,117,157 2,440,231

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchases of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets
(1,275,117 ) (1,493,341 )
Purchases of investments
(11,903,649 ) (31,837,930 )
Proceeds from maturities of investments
10,044,000 30,163,000
Net cash used in investing activities
(3,134,766 ) (3,168,271 )

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan
383,697 348,776
Tax withholding and proceeds related to exercise of stock options
(456,124 ) 10,968
Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock grants
(54,208 ) (5,803 )
Repurchase of common stock
0 (428,654 )
Net cash used in financing activities
(126,635 ) (74,713 )

Increase (Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
4,855,756 (802,753 )

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
16,449,636 10,081,721

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
21,305,392 9,278,968

Supplemental disclosures for cash flow information

Cash paid during the year for income taxes
$ 3,559,502 $ 469,529

Non-cash financing activities

Cashless exercise of stock options
$ 1,269,414 $ 10,962

For the six months ended March 31, 2022									Accumulated other
	Common Stock					Additional			comprehensive			Retained		Total share-
	Shares			Amount		paid-in capital			loss			earnings		holders’ equity
Balance as of September 30, 2021		13,732		$	137	$	58,246		$	0		$	45,441	$	103,824
Stock-based compensation expense		-			0		1,010			0			0		1,010
Restricted stock issuance, net of forfeitures		30			1		0			0			0		1
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan		8			0		249			0			0		249
Withholding related to exercise of stock options		7			0		(282	)		0			0		(282	)
Repurchase of shares for payment of withholding taxes for vested restricted stock grants		(4	)		0		(274	)		0			0		(274	)
Other Comprehensive Loss		-			0		0			(725	)		0		(725	)
Net income		-			0		0			0			19,626		19,626
Balance at March 31, 2022		13,773		$	138	$	58,949		$	(725	)	$	65,067	$	123,429

	Six Months Ended March 31,
	2022			2021
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$	19,626		$	6,803
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		1,362			1,139
Change in allowance for doubtful accounts		0			210
Amortization of discount on investments		(21	)		0
Stock-based compensation		1,010			623
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		(2,398	)		(2,908	)
Inventories, net		(33,394	)		(219	)
Other assets		(811	)		(189	)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		3,344			1,240
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities		(11,282	)		6,699

Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets		(4,842	)		(682	)
Purchases of investments		(248	)		(6,448	)
Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments		17,386			6,651
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities		12,296			(479	)

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	)		(54	)
Withholding related to exercise of stock options		(282	)		(456	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(307	)		(331	)

Increase in cash and cash equivalents		707			5,889

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		13,216			16,450

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$	13,923		$	22,339

Supplemental disclosures for cash flow information
Cash paid during the year for income taxes	$	6,934		$	2,331

Non-cash financing activities
Cashless exercise of stock options	$	210		$	1,269

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 ~~nine~~six months ended ~~June 30, 2021~~March 31, 2022 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-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.~~

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 ~~FASB~~Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ~~ASU~~Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. In November 2018, the FASB issued update ASU 2018-19 that clarifies the scope of the standard in the amendments in ASU 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 2016-13 on its financial statements.

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.

The following is a reconciliation of the numerator and denominator of the net income per common share computations for the three and ~~nine~~six months ended ~~June 30, 2021~~March 31, 2022 and ~~2020:~~2021:

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~~securities. Historically, the Company’s investment portfolio had been classified as held-to-maturity ~~investments~~ and ~~are~~ recorded at amortized cost. During the second quarter of fiscal 2022, the Company sold investments and has reclassified its investment portfolio to available-for-sale, which is reported at fair value. The unrealized gain or loss on investment securities is recorded in other comprehensive income, net of tax. The proceeds from sales of investments during the six months ended March 31, 2022 was $14,365,000. The Company recorded within earnings for the six months ended March 31, 2022, gross realized gains on the sale of $92,000 partially offset by gross realized losses of $53,000. The specific identification method is used to determine the cost ~~which approximates fair value due~~of the securities sold. The Company’s sale of investment securities was associated with its need to respond to significant unanticipated and unprecedented growth in its sales order backlog coupled with supply chain challenges to obtain the ~~negligible risk~~inventory necessary for fullfilment of ~~changes in value due to interest rates. The maturity dates~~these orders, as well as the reevaluation of the Company’s approach to use of available capital.

At ~~June 30, 2021~~March 31, 2022, ~~and~~ ~~September 30, 2020~~ ~~are~~investments in debt securities in an unrealized loss position were as follows:

As of March 31, 2022, there were 53 securities in an unrealized loss position which is due to the securities paying lower interest rates than the market. As of March 31, 2022, there are 0 securities which are other than temporarily impaired as the Company intends to hold these securities until their value recovers and there is negligible credit risk due to the nature of the securities which are backed by the FDIC and US federal government.

The Company determines the fair value of its assets and liabilities based on the market price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Company determines the fair value of U.S. treasury securities, and certificates of deposit based on valuations provided by an external pricing service, who obtains them from a variety of industry standard data providers.

The Company’s investments are categorized according to the three-level fair value hierarchy which distinguishes between observable and unobservable inputs, in one of the following levels:

Level 2- Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3- Unobservable inputs to the valuation methodology that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the measurement of the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 assets and liabilities include those with fair value measurements that are determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow valuation or similar techniques, as well as significant management judgment or estimation.

The following provides information regarding fair value measurements for our investment securities as of March 31, 2022 according to the three-level fair value hierarchy:

During the six months ended March 31, 2022 and the year ended September 30, 2021, we owned 0 Level 3 securities and there were no transfers within the fair value level hierarchy.

Non-financial assets such as equipment and leasehold improvements, goodwill and intangible assets and right-of-use assets for operating leases are subject to non-recurring fair value measurements if they are deemed impaired. We had no re-measurements of non-financial assets to fair value in the three or six months ended March 31, 2022.

Changes in components of other comprehensive loss and taxes related to items of other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows:

At March 31, 2022 components of accumulated other comprehensive loss is as follows:

The Company recorded ~~$343,055~~$570,000 and ~~$966,290~~$1,010,000 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 ~~nine~~six months ended ~~June 30, 2021,~~March 31, 2022, respectively. For the three months ended ~~June 30, 2021,~~March 31, 2022, $~~328,710~~538,000 of this expense is included in selling, general and administrative expense, and ~~$14,345~~$32,000 is included in cost of sales. For the ~~nine~~six months ended ~~June 30, 2021,~~March 31, 2022, $~~923,256~~947,000 of this expense is included in selling, general and administrative expense, and ~~$43,034~~$63,000 is included in cost of sales. The Company recorded ~~$213,361~~$334,000 and ~~$541,884~~$623,000 of compensation expense related to current and past restricted stock grants, non-qualified stock options and the Company’s ~~Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”)~~ESPP for the three and ~~nine~~six months ended ~~June 30, 2020,~~March 31, 2021, respectively. For the three months ended ~~June 30, 2020,~~March 31, 2021, $~~207,653~~314,000 of this expense is included in selling, general and administrative expense, and ~~$5,708~~$20,000 is included in cost of sales. For the ~~nine~~six months ended ~~June 30, 2020,~~March 31, 2021, $~~526,580~~595,000 of this expense is included in selling, general and administrative expense, and ~~$15,304~~$28,000 is included in cost of sales. As of ~~June 30, 2021,~~March 31, 2022, $~~2,866,298~~4,694,000 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 ~~3.2~~2.6 years.

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to determine the fair value of options granted. During the ~~nine~~six months ended ~~June 30,~~March 31, 2022, 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 six months ended March 31, 2021, 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-year vesting term, and a weighted average exercise price of ~~$23.74. During the~~ ~~nine~~ ~~months ended~~ ~~June 30, 2020,~~ the Company granted employees non-qualified stock options to purchase an aggregate of 121,350 shares of common stock with a weighted average contractual term of 5.71 years, a weighted average 4.71 year vesting term, and an exercise price of $12.43.$23.74

The fair value of stock option awards during the ~~nine~~six months ended ~~June 30, 2021~~March 31, 2022 was estimated as of the respective grant ~~date~~dates using the assumptions listed below:

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-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-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 ~~nine~~six months ended ~~June 30, 2021:~~March 31, 2022:

The intrinsic value of an option is the amount by which the fair value of the underlying stock exceeds its exercise price. As of ~~June 30, 2021,~~March 31, 2022, the weighted average remaining contractual term for all outstanding and exercisable stock options was ~~2.55~~2.12 years and their aggregate intrinsic value was ~~$1,292,691.~~$7,482,000.

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 ~~nine~~six months ended ~~June 30,~~March 31, 2022, the Company granted newly elected non-employee directors restricted stock awards totaling 318 and 2,758 shares of common stock, with a vesting term of approximately one year and a fair value of $62.77 and $63.35 per share, respectively. During the six months ended March 31, 2022, the Company granted non-employees restricted stock awards totaling 3,118 shares of common stock, with a vesting term of approximately one year and a fair value of $64.11 per share. During the six months ended March 31, 2022, 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 six months ended March 31, 2021, the Company granted non-employee directors elected at the Company’s 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders restricted stock awards totaling 2,120 shares of common stock, with a vesting term of approximately one year and a fair value of $32.41 per share. During the ~~nine~~six months ended ~~June 30,~~March 31, 2021, the Company also 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~~ ~~nine~~ ~~months ended~~ ~~June 30, 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. The Company also granted 5,000 shares of restricted stock, with a vesting term of approximately~~ ~~one~~ ~~year and a fair value of $11.01 per share.~~

Restricted stock transactions during the ~~nine~~six months ended ~~June 30, 2021~~March 31, 2022 are summarized as follows:

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 ~~that~~those participating employees ~~may~~ the 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-month phases, with phases beginning on January 1 and July 1 of each calendar year. For the ~~phases~~phase that ended on ~~June 30, 2021~~ ~~and~~ December 31, ~~2020,~~2021, employees purchased ~~9,739 and 15,011~~7,678 shares at a price of ~~$21.01 and $11.93~~$32.43 per ~~share, respectively.~~share. After the employee purchase on ~~June 30,~~December 31, 2021, ~~194,873~~187,195 shares of common stock were available for future purchase under the ESPP.

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.

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 ~~nine~~six months ended:

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.

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

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; and International customers.

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 both ~~June 30, 2021~~March 31, 2022 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 7,9, “Major Customer Concentration” for further information regarding accounts receivable and net sales.

For the three months ended ~~June 30, 2021,~~March 31, 2022, Customers A, and B comprised ~~18%~~14% and 13% of the Company’s net sales, respectively. Customers A is a distributor and Customer B is a regional broadband service provider. For the six months ended March 31, 2022, Customers A, B, and C comprised 13%, 12% and 11% of the Company’s net sales, respectively. Customers A is a distributor and Customers B and C are regional broadband service providers. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, Customers A and D comprised 21% and 11% of the Company’s net sales, respectively. For the ~~nine~~six months ended ~~June 30,~~March 31, 2021, Customers A and ~~B comprised 20% and 11% of the Company’s net sales, respectively. Both of these customers were distributors. For the~~ ~~three~~ ~~months ended~~ ~~June 30, 2020,~~ ~~Customer A comprised 20% and Customer B comprised 11% of the Company’s net sales. For the~~ ~~nine~~ ~~months ended~~ ~~June 30, 2020,~~ ~~Customers A and B~~D comprised 20% and 11% of the Company’s net sales, respectively. Both of these customers are 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 ~~June 30, 2021,~~March 31, 2022, ~~Customers A and B accounted for 13% and 14% of accounts receivable, respectively.~~ Customer ~~C accounted for~~D comprised 11% of the Company’s accounts receivable. This customer is a distributor. As of September 30, ~~2020,~~2021, Customers ~~A, B, and~~ C ~~accounted for 13%, 12%, and 0%~~was 17% of accounts ~~receivable, respectively. Customers A and B are distributors and~~receivable. Customer C is a ~~telecommunications~~regional broadband service provider.

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 ~~nine~~six months ended ~~June 30, 2021,~~March 31, 2022, 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 ~~June 30, 2021,~~March 31, 2022, the Company has 2831 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 ~~nine~~six months ended ~~June 30, 2021,~~March 31, 2022, there were no0 triggering events that indicate potential impairment exists.

For the three and ~~nine~~six months ended ~~June 30, 2021,~~March 31, 2022, the Company recorded income tax expense of ~~$1,725,000~~$2,816,000 and ~~$3,344,000,~~$5,596,000, reflecting an effective tax rate of ~~22.1%~~23.4% and ~~20.6%~~22.2%, respectively. The ~~differences~~difference between the effective tax rate and the statutory tax rate for the three and ~~nine~~six months ended ~~June 30, 2021~~March 31, 2022 ~~were~~was primarily related to excess tax benefits from ~~non-qualified~~restricted stock ~~options exercised~~vesting during the period, ~~research and development credits, and~~Section 162(m) compensation deduction limitations, other nondeductible expenses, foreign derived intangibles income deduction (FDII)., and research and development credits. For the three and ~~nine~~six months ended ~~June 30, 2020,~~March 31, 2021, the Company recorded income tax expense of ~~$763,000~~$935,000 and ~~$1,076,000~~$1,619,000, reflecting an effective tax rate of ~~20.3%~~20.4% and ~~20.2%~~19.2%, respectively. The differences between the effective tax rate and the statutory tax rate were primarily related to ~~nondeductible meals and entertainment, nondeductible~~excess tax benefits from non-qualified stock ~~compensation, FDII, and~~options exercised during the quarter, research and development ~~credits.~~credits, and foreign derived intangibles income deduction (FDII).

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 ~~June 30, 2021~~March 31, 2022 and September 30, ~~2020~~2021 a valuation allowance against the 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 ~~June 30, 2021,~~March 31, 2022, the Company does not have any unrecognized tax benefits. It is the Company’s practice to recognize interest and penalties accrued on any unrecognized 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.

The Company leases an 85,000 square foot facility at 7050 Winnetka Avenue North, Brooklyn Park, Minnesota consisting of corporate offices, manufacturing and warehouse space. The lease term is ten years and two months, ending on February 28, ~~2025.~~2025 ~~Upon proper notice~~ and ~~payment of~~is renewable. The renewal options have not been included within the lease term because it is not reasonably certain that the Company will exercise either option.

The Company previously leased a 46,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Tijuana, Mexico. The Company and landlord agreed to end the lease early on January 31, 2022. The Company also leased a 52,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Tijuana, Mexico. On October 28, 2021, the Company and landlord agreed to end the lease early on February 28, 2022 which included a lease termination fee of ~~approximately $249,000,~~ $92,000.

In July 2021, the Company entered into an indirect lease arrangement for an approximately 318,000 square foot manufacturing facility 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 5 years each. The Company has a ~~one~~~~-time option to terminate~~transitioned its manufacturing operations from the above noted Tijuana, Mexico manufacturing facilities into the newly leased facility with the lease ~~effective as~~commencing in the second quarter of ~~the last day~~fiscal 2022. The lease calls for monthly rental payments of ~~the~~ ~~eighth~~ ~~year of the term after the Company commenced paying base rent.~~$162,000, increasing 2% annually. 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,~~November 19, 2021, the Company ~~entered into an indirect~~signed a lease ~~arrangement~~ for ~~its existing 46,000~~a 105,000 square foot ~~manufacturing facility~~warehouse in ~~Tijuana, Mexico.~~Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The ~~Company had previously been leasing this facility on a month to month basis after its~~ ~~three-year lease expired on~~ ~~July 31, 2020.~~ ~~The new~~ lease term is ~~three~~five ~~years. This~~years commencing March 2022 and ending on February 28, 2027, with rent payments increasing annually. The lease ~~contains~~includes an option to ~~renew and rent payments that increase annually based on U.S. inflation for~~extend the ~~preceding~~ 12 ~~months.~~

On ~~February 12, 2020,~~ ~~the Company entered into an indirect~~ lease ~~arrangement~~ for an additional ~~52,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Tijuana, Mexico.~~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. The lease ~~term is approximately 42 months and~~ commenced onin the ~~February 12, 2020.~~ second~~The lease contains options to renew for~~ ~~two~~ ~~additional consecutive periods~~ quarter of ~~three~~ ~~years each.~~fiscal 2022.

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~~ ~~June 30, 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 ~~nine~~six months ~~ended~~ ~~June 30, 2021:~~ended:

Future maturities of lease liabilities were as follows as of ~~June 30, 2021:~~March 31, 2022 (in thousands):

The weighted average term and weighted average discount rate for the Company’s leases as of ~~June 30, 2021~~March 31, 2022 were ~~3.09~~4.71 years and ~~3.41%~~3.05%, respectively, compared to ~~4.21~~3.33 years and ~~3.48%~~3.40%, respectively, as of ~~June 30, 2020.~~March 31, 2021. For the three and ~~nine~~six months ended ~~June 30, 2021,~~March 31, 2022, the operating cash outflows from the Company’s leases was ~~$242,736~~$238,000 and ~~$722,537, respectively,~~$550,000, compared to ~~$237,726~~$240,000 and ~~$574,381,~~$480,000 for the three and ~~nine~~six months ended ~~June 30, 2020,~~ March 31, 2021.~~respectively.~~

On April 27, 2022, the Company entered into a loan agreement and a security agreement with Bremer Bank, National Association, that provides the Company with a $40 million revolving line of credit that is secured by certain of the Company’s U.S. assets. The line of credit matures on April 27, 2025 and borrowed amounts will bear interest at a variable rate of the CME Group one-month term Secured Overnight Financiing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 1.85%, but not less than 1.80% per annum. As of April 27, 2022, the initial interest rate is 2.50%.

The loan agreement and the security agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants and requirements relating to the Company and its operations, including a requirement that the Company maintain a debt service coverage ratio of not less than 1.20 to 1 as of the end of each fiscal year for the fiscal year then ended and maintain a debt to cash flow ratio of not greater than 2 to 1 measured as of the end of each of the Company’s fiscal quarters for the trailing twelve (12) month period.

Debt service coverage ratio is the ratio of Cash Available for Debt Service to Debt Service, each as defined in the loan agreement. Debt and Cash Flow are also as defined in the loan agreement for the purposes of the debt to cash flow ratio covenant.

ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’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” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements relate to future events and typically address the Company’s expected future business and financial performance. Words such as “plan,” “expect,” “aim,” “believe,” “project,” “target,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “estimate,” “will,” “should,” “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 Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, ~~2020~~2021 and Part II, Item 1A. “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 Part I, Item 2, “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 ~~nine~~six months ended ~~June 30,~~March 31, 2022 and 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.

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 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~~operations in Tijuana, Mexico.

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 sales order 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 1012 weeks or longer for certain product categories. ~~Over calendar 2021, the~~The Company ~~expects~~is working to ~~work to normalize~~manage lead times to more historic levels ~~of 4 to 6 weeks~~ from receipt of purchase order. As part of our forward-looking capacity planning in order to meet the significant demand for our products, we’ve expanded our operations with two new facilities which came online in the second quarter of fiscal 2022. Our new manufacturing center in Mexico provides us with 318,000 square feet of capacity, and our new distribution center in Minnesota adds 105,000 square feet.

THREE MONTHS ENDED ~~JUNE 30, 2021~~MARCH 31, 2022 VS. THREE MONTHS ENDED ~~JUNE 30, 2020~~MARCH 31, 2021

Net sales for the ~~third~~second quarter of fiscal ~~2021~~2022 ended ~~June 30, 2021~~March 31, 2022 were ~~$38,735,000,~~$53,495,000, an increase of approximately ~~49%~~80% or ~~$12,765,000,~~$23,802,000, from net sales of ~~$25,970,000~~$29,692,000 for the ~~third~~second quarter of fiscal ~~2020.~~2021. Net sales to Broadband Service Providers were ~~$38,098,000~~$52,832,000 in the ~~third~~second quarter of fiscal ~~2021~~2022 versus ~~$25,293,000~~$28,934,000 in the same period of fiscal ~~2020.~~2021. Among this group, the Company recorded ~~$2,925,000~~$1,450,000 in ~~International~~international sales for the ~~third~~second quarter of fiscal ~~2021~~2022 versus ~~$879,000~~$1,948,000 in the same period of fiscal ~~2020.~~2021. Net sales to Legacy customers were ~~$637,000~~$662,000 in the ~~third~~second quarter of fiscal ~~2021~~2022 versus ~~$678,000~~$758,000 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, ~~International~~international sales represented 8%3% and 3%7% of total net sales for the ~~third~~second quarter of fiscal ~~2021~~2022 and ~~2020,~~2021, respectively.

The increase in net sales for the quarter ended ~~June 30, 2021~~March 31, 2022 of ~~$12,765,000~~$23,802,000 compared to the quarter ended ~~June 30, 2020~~March 31, 2021 was driven primarily by increased sales to Community Broadband Service Providers, ~~International~~ and MSO customers of ~~$10,631,000, $2,046,000,~~$19,306,000, and ~~$704,000,~~$3,335,000, respectively. ~~Offsetting this was decreased~~The increase in sales to ~~Tier 1~~these 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 ~~$564,000.~~our fiber optic solutions and the need for high-speed broadband required in the work from anywhere environment.

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. The 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 is further limited by global supply chain issues and customer deployment schedules. 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 second quarter of fiscal 2022 was $30,331,000, an increase of $13,581,000, or 81%, from $16,750,000 in the comparable period of fiscal 2021. Gross profit percent was 43.3% of net sales in the second quarter of fiscal 2022, a decrease from 43.6% of net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2021. Gross profit increased $10,222,000 or 79%, to $23,164,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 from $12,942,000 in the comparable period in fiscal 2021. The gross profit margin for the quarter remained relatively unchanged from the prior year quarter.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $2,743,000 or 32%, to $11,233,000 in the second quarter fiscal 2022 from $8,490,000 for the fiscal 2021 second quarter. The increase in expense in the second quarter of fiscal 2022 consists primarily of increases of $1,375,000 in compensation expense due to additional headcount and increased wages and performance compensation accruals driven by higher net sales, increased professional fees of $502,000, increased travel and entertainment expenses of $228,000 due to reduced COVID-19 travel restrictions, increased stock compensation expense of $224,000 and a recovery of $210,000 related to a bad debt recovery in the prior year.

Income from operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 was $11,931,000 compared to $4,451,000 for the comparable quarter of fiscal 2021, an increase of approximately 168%. This increase is attributable to increased gross profit driven by higher sales to the Company’s Community Broadband, and MSO customers, offset by higher selling, general and administrative expenses.

Net investment income for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 was $121,000 compared to $123,000 for the comparable quarter for fiscal 2021. Net investment income for the quarter ended March 31, 2022 is comprised of $82,000 of interest income and $39,000 net realized gains on sales of investments during the quarter. The decrease in interest income is due to lower interest rates earned on investments in the second quarter of fiscal 2022. We expect interest income to decline due to the lower interest rates remaining in the Company’s investment portfolio.

We recorded a provision for income taxes of $2,816,000 and $935,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021, 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 $1,881,000 from the second quarter for fiscal 2021 is primarily due to increased income from operations. The income tax expense rate for the second quarter of fiscal 2022 increased to 23.4%, from 20.4% recorded in the second quarter of fiscal 2021, due to increased taxable income.

The Company’s net income for the three months ended March 31, 2022 was $9,236,000, or $0.67 per basic share or $0.66 per diluted share. 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 increase in basic and diluted earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to March 31, 2021 was due to higher net income.

Net sales for the six months ended March 31, 2022 were $104,604,000, an increase of approximately 84% or $47,819,000, from net sales of $56,784,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2021. Net sales to Broadband Service Providers were $103,238,000 in the six months ended March 31, 2022 versus $55,507,000 in the same period of fiscal 2021. Among this group, the Company recorded $3,441,000 in international sales for the six months ended March 31, 2022 versus $3,008,000 in the same period of fiscal 2021. Net sales to Legacy customers ~~remained relatively consistent over this period.~~were $1,365,000 in the six months ended March 31, 2022 versus $1,277,000 in the same period of fiscal 2021. The Company allocates sales from external customers to geographic areas based on the location to which the product is transported. Accordingly, international sales represented 3% and 5% of total net sales for the six months ended 2022 and 2021.

The increase in net sales for the six months ended March 31, 2022 of $47,819,000 compared to the six months ended March 31, 2021 was driven primarily by increased sales to Community Broadband Service Providers, and MSO customers of $75,695,000, and $16,496,000, respectively. 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 is a result of an increase in demand as purchases in the prior year were negatively affected by COVID-19. The decrease in sales to Tier 1 customers is due to a reduction in capital spending in the consumer markets for fiber to the home at one of our Tier 1 customers resulting in a slower pace of their spend with us. In addition, the global pandemic has stalled the introduction and training of our new technologies into the Tier 1 market.

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, the~~The 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 become~~is 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 ~~third quarter of fiscal 2021~~six months ended 2022 was ~~$21,598,000,~~$58,468,000, an increase of ~~$6,418,000,~~$25,995,000, or ~~42%~~80%, from ~~$15,180,000~~$32,473,000 in the comparable period of fiscal ~~2020.~~2021. Gross profit percent was ~~44.2% of net sales in the third quarter of fiscal 2021, an increase from 41.5%~~44.1% of net sales for the ~~third quarter~~six months ended March 31, 2022, an increase from 42.8% of ~~fiscal 2020.~~net sales for the six months ended March 31, 2021. Gross profit increased ~~$6,348,000~~$21,825,000 or ~~59%~~90%, to ~~$17,138,000~~$46,135,000 for the ~~three~~six months ended ~~June 30, 2021~~March 31, 2022 from ~~$10,790,000~~$24,311,000 in the comparable period in fiscal ~~2020.~~2021. The increase in gross profit ~~in the third quarter of fiscal 2021 was due to increased volume of net sales described above while the increase in gross profit percent~~margin was primarily due to a favorable product mix ~~and cost reduction efforts across~~associated with higher net sales in the Company’s ~~product lines, including greater use of its Mexico~~Community Broadband market, as well as improved manufacturing ~~plants and~~ efficiencies realized ~~from~~with higher sales ~~volumes.~~volumes, offset by higher freight and transportation costs.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased ~~$2,229,000~~$5,009,000 or 31%, to ~~$9,436,000~~$21,155,000 in the ~~third~~second quarter fiscal ~~2021~~2022 from ~~$7,207,000~~$16,146,000 for the comparable period of fiscal ~~2020 third quarter.~~2021. The increase in expense in the ~~third quarter of fiscal 2021~~six months ended March 31, 2022 consists primarily of increases of ~~$1,666,000~~$2,989,000 in compensation expense due to additional headcount and increased wages and performance compensation accruals driven by higher net sales, increased professional fees of $543,000, increased travel and entertainment expenses of ~~$181,000~~$399,000 due to ~~fewer~~reduced COVID-19 travel restrictions, ~~and~~ increased stock compensation expense of ~~$121,000, offset by decreased development costs~~$352,000 and a recovery of ~~$173,000.~~$210,000 related to a bad debt recovery in the prior year.

Income from operations for ~~the quarter~~six months ended ~~June 30, 2021~~March 31, 2022 was ~~$7,702,000~~$24,981,000 compared to ~~$3,583,000~~$8,165,000 for the comparable quarter of fiscal ~~2020,~~2021, an increase of approximately ~~115%~~206%. This increase is attributable to increased gross profit driven by higher sales into the Company’s Community Broadband, ~~market,~~and MSO customers, offset by higher selling, general and administrative expenses.

~~Interest~~Net investment income for the ~~quarter~~six months ended ~~June 30, 2021~~March 31, 2022 was ~~$121,000~~$241,000 compared to ~~$175,000~~$257,000 for the comparable quarter for fiscal ~~2020.~~2021. Net investment income for the six months ended March 31, 2022 is comprised of $202,000 of interest income and $39,000 net realized gains on sales of investments. The decrease in interest income is due to lower interest rates earned on investments in the ~~third quarter of fiscal 2021.~~six months ended March 31, 2022. We expect interest income ~~may~~to decline due to the ~~prevailing~~ lower interest rates remaining in the ~~current economic environment.~~Company’s investment portfolio.

We recorded a provision for income taxes of ~~$1,725,000~~$5,596,000 and ~~$763,000~~$1,619,000 for the ~~three~~six months ended ~~June 30,~~March 31, 2022 and 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 ~~$962,000~~$3,977,000 from the ~~third quarter for fiscal 2020~~six months ended March 31, 2021 is primarily due to increased income from operations. The income tax expense rate for the ~~third quarter~~six months ended March 31, 2022 increased to 22.2%, from 19.2% recorded in the comparable period of fiscal 2021, ~~increased to 22.1%, from 20.3% recorded in the third quarter of fiscal 2020,~~ due to increased ~~income from operations.~~taxable income.

The Company’s net income for the ~~three~~six months ended ~~June 30, 2021~~March 31, 2022 was ~~$6,098,000,~~$19,626,000, or ~~$0.44~~$1.43 per basic ~~and~~share or $1.41 per diluted share. The Company’s net income for the ~~three~~six months ended ~~June 30, 2020 was $2,995,000, or $0.22 per basic and diluted share.~~

Net sales for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 were $95,519,000, an increase of 45%, or approximately $29,763,000, from net sales of $65,757,000 for the first nine months of fiscal 2020. Net sales to Broadband Service providers were $93,569,000 for the first nine months of fiscal 2021, versus $63,102,000 in the same period of fiscal 2020. Among this group, the Company recorded $5,933,000 in International sales versus $2,991,000 in the same period of fiscal 2020. Net sales to Legacy customers were $1,951,000 in the first nine months of fiscal 2021 versus $2,655,000 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 6% and 5% of total net sales for the first nine months of fiscal 2021 and 2020, respectively.

The increase in net sales for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 of $29,763,000 compared to the nine months ended June 30, 2020 is primarily attributable to an increase in sales to Community Broadband, MSO and International customers of $27,122,000, $2,986,000 and $2,942,000, respectively. This was offset by decreased sales to Tier 1 and Legacy customers of $2,562,000, and $738,000, 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 is a result increased demand as purchases in the prior year were negatively affected by COVID-19. The decrease in sales to Tier 1 customers is due to a reduction in capital spending in the consumer markets for fiber to the home at one of our Tier 1 customers resulting in a slower pace of their spend with us. In addition, the global pandemic has stalled the introduction and training of our new technologies into the Tier 1 market.

~~Cost of sales for the nine months ended June 30,~~March 31, 2021 was ~~$54,071,000, an increase of $14,983,000,~~$6,803,000, or 38%, from $39,087,000 in the comparable period of fiscal 2020. Gross profit percent was 43.4% of net sales in the fiscal 2021 first nine months, up from 40.6% for the comparable nine months in fiscal 2020. Gross profit increased $14,779,000, or 55%, to $41,449,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 from $26,669,000 in the comparable period in fiscal 2020. The increase in gross profit in the nine months ended June 30, 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 nine months ended June 30, 2021, the Company did not experience any significant impacts on cost of sales due to COVID-19.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 16%, or $3,616,000, from $21,965,000 for the first nine months of fiscal 2020 to $25,582,000 for the first nine months of fiscal 2021. The increase in the first nine months of fiscal 2021 consists primarily of increases of $3,780,000 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 $397,000, offset by decreases in travel, entertainment and trade show expenses of $611,000 due to COVID-19 restrictions, and a recovery of bad debt expense of $210,000. In the nine months ended June 30, 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 nine months ended June 30, 2021 was $15,867,000 compared to income from operations of $4,704,000 for the first nine months of fiscal 2020, an increase of $11,163,000, or 237%. 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 nine months ended June 30, 2021 was $378,000 compared to $616,000 for the comparable period for fiscal 2020. The decrease is due to lower interest rates earned on investments in the third 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 $3,344,000 and $1,076,000 for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The increase in tax expense of $2,268,000 from the nine months ended June 30, 2020 is primarily due to increased income from operations. The increase in the income tax expense rate to 20.6% for the nine months ended June 30, 2021 from 20.2% for the nine months ended June 30, 2020 is primarily due to increased income from operations.

~~The Company’s net income for the first nine months of fiscal 2021 ended June 30, 2021 was $12,901,000, or $0.94~~$0.50 per basic and diluted share. The ~~Company’s net income for the first nine months of fiscal 2020 ended June 30, 2020 was $4,244,000, or $0.31 per~~increase in basic and diluted ~~share.~~earnings per share for the six months ended March 31, 2022 as compared to March 31, 2021 was due to higher net income.

As of ~~June 30, 2021,~~March 31, 2022, our principal source of liquidity was our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. Those sources total ~~$32,170,000~~$14,662,000 as of ~~June 30, 2021~~March 31, 2022 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 ~~$26,721,000~~$28,448,000 as of ~~June 30, 2021,~~March 31, 2022, 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 ~~third~~second quarter of fiscal ~~2021,~~2022, our cash, cash equivalents and short-term and long-term investments ~~increased~~decreased to ~~$58.9~~$43.1 million compared to ~~$57.9~~$58.2 million as of the prior quarter end. We had no long-term debt obligations as of ~~June 30, 2021~~March 31, 2022 or September 30, ~~2020.~~2021.

Subsequent to the end of the quarter, we secured a $40 million revolving line of credit from Bremer Bank, National Association that may also be a source of future liquidity. See Note 13, Subsequent Events.

We believe our existing cash equivalents, ~~and~~ short-term investments, and line of credit facility 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.

Net cash used by operating activities totaled $11,282,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2022. This was primarily due to net income of $19,626,000, non-cash expenses for depreciation and amortization of $1,362,000, and stock-based compensation of $1,010,000 in addition to changes in operating assets and liabilities providing and using cash. The primary change in operating assets and liabilities using cash was an increase in inventory of $33,393,000, and increases in accounts receivable of $2,398,000, partially offset by increases in accounts payable and accrued expenses of $3,344,000. The Company increased stocking levels of inventory during the quarter ending March 31, 2022 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 increase in accounts receivable is due to increased sales in the most recent quarter as well as 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, decreased 3 days to 37 days from September 30, 2021 to March 31, 2022. The increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses is due to the timing of payments to vendors and inventory growth.

Net cash provided by operating activities totaled ~~$8,117,000~~$6,699,000 for the ~~nine~~six months ended ~~June 30,~~March 31, 2021. This was primarily due to net income of ~~$12,901,000,~~$6,803,000, non-cash expenses for depreciation and amortization of ~~$1,726,000,~~$1,139,000, and stock-based compensation of ~~$966,000~~$623,000 in addition to changes in operating assets and liabilities providing cash. The primary changes in operating assets and liabilities using cash include an increase in ~~inventory of $6,571,000, and~~ accounts receivable of ~~$5,896,000,~~$2,908,000, offset by increases in accounts payable and accrued expenses of ~~$5,043,000.~~$1,240,000. The increase 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 five days to 3840 days from September 30, 2020 to ~~June 30,~~March 31, 2021. The increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses is due to the timing of payments to vendors in the quarter and ~~$4,500,000~~$2,373,000 of fiscal ~~2021 incentive~~2020 accrued bonus compensation ~~accruals.~~

~~Net cash provided by operating activities totaled $2,440,000 for~~accruals paid in the ~~nine months ended June 30, 2020. This was primarily due to net income~~first quarter of $4,244,000, non-cash expenses for depreciation and amortization of $1,825,000, and stock-based compensation of $542,000 in addition to changes in operating assets and liabilities providing cash. Changes in operating assets and liabilities using cash include an increase in inventory of $5,869,000, offset by increases in accounts payable, accrued expenses and deferred rent of $1,554,000. The increase in inventory is a result of additional stocking levels to support the Company’s increased backlog and higher demand, and additional safety stock across the Company’s multiple locations due to the uncertainty of COVID-19 on the Company’s supply chain and manufacturing locations. Accounts receivable balances can be influenced by the timing of shipments for customer projects and payment terms. Day’s sales outstanding, which measures how quickly receivables are collected, decreased one day to 32 days from September 30, 2019 to June 30, 2020.fiscal 2021.

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 ~~nine~~six months ended ~~June 30,~~March 31, 2022, we received $17,386,000 on sales and maturities of investment securities and used cash to purchase $248,000 of investment securities. Purchases of property, plant and equipment, mainly related to manufacturing equipment and intangible assets, consumed $4,842,000 of cash during the six months ended March 31, 2022.

During the six months ended March 31, 2021, we used cash to purchase ~~$11,904,000~~$6,448,000 of ~~U.S. Treasury and FDIC-backed~~investment securities and received ~~$10,044,000~~$6,651,000 on ~~CDs~~investment securities that matured. Purchases of property, plant and equipment, mainly related to manufacturing equipment, consumed ~~$1,275,000~~$682,000 of cash during the ~~nine~~six months ended ~~June 30,~~March 31, 2021.

During the nine months ended June 30, 2020, we used cash to purchase $31,838,000 of both FDIC-backed and treasury securities and received $30,163,000 on CDs and treasuries that matured. Purchases of property, plant and equipment, mainly related to manufacturing equipment, consumed $1,493,000 of cash during the nine months ended June 30, 2020.

For the ~~nine~~six months ended ~~June 30,~~March 31, 2022, we received $249,000 from employees’ participation and purchase of stock through our ESPP, we used $281,000 related to share withholding for exercise and taxes associated with the issuance of common stock upon cashless exercise of stock options and used $274,000 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 six months ended March 31, 2022.

For the six months ended March 31, 2021, we received ~~$384,000~~$179,000 from employees’ participation and purchase of stock through our ESPP, we used $456,000 related to share withholding for taxes associated with the issuance of common stock upon cashless exercise of stock options and used $54,000 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 ~~nine~~six months ended ~~June 30,~~March 31, 2021.

For the nine months ended June 30, 2020, we received $349,000 from employees’ participation and purchase of stock through our ESPP and used $6,000 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 nine months ended June 30, 2020.

As of ~~June 30,~~March 31, 2022 and March 31, 2021, ~~and June 30, 2020,~~ we had the authority to purchase approximately $14,981,000 and $4,981,000, respectively, 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 ~~April 2020,~~addition, effective January 27, 2022, the ~~Board~~Company’s board of ~~Directors suspended~~directors increased the share repurchase ~~plan due~~program by an additional $10 million to ~~uncertainties caused by COVID-19 and~~an aggregate of $22 million, from the ~~Company’s desire to maintain capital flexibility.~~

Management utilizes its technical knowledge, cumulative business experience, judgment and other factors in the selection and application of the Company’s accounting ~~policies.~~estimates. The accounting ~~policies~~estimates 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,~~the fair value of investments, stock-based compensation, and valuation of inventory, long-lived assets, finite lived intangible assets and goodwill.

These accounting ~~policies~~estimates 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~~estimates during the quarter ended ~~June 30, 2021.~~March 31, 2022.

In applying its critical accounting ~~policies,~~estimates, 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 ~~June 30, 2021.~~March 31, 2022.

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 ~~June 30, 2021.~~March 31, 2022. 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.

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 ~~June 30, 2021~~March 31, 2022 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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.

The most significant risk factors applicable 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 and the supplemental risk factor under Part II, Item 1A ”Risk Factors” of our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31,~~ 2021. There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K ~~as supplemented in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q~~except for the ~~three months ended March 31, 2021.~~following:

Adverse global economic conditions and geopolitical issues could have a negative effect on our business, and results of operations and financial condition.

Our business, including global supply chain is affected by global economic conditions and geopolitical issues. Geopolitical issues, such as the Russia invasion of Ukraine and related economic sanctions and tensions between Russia and NATO countries, has resulted in increasing global tensions, rising fuel costs and creates uncertainty for our global supply chain. Sustained or worsening of global economic conditions and geopolitical issues may disrupt or increase our cost of doing business and otherwise disrupt and delay our supply chain operations. These factors could negatively affect the cost and supply of components needed for our products, our ability to ship products to customers and ultimately impact our business, financial condition and result of operations.

Our planned growth may strain our business infrastructure, which could adversely affect our operations and financial condition.

Net sales for fiscal year 2021 increased 51% as compared to net sales in fiscal year 2020. In fiscal year 2022, we have experienced and expect to experience additional significant net sales growth as compared to fiscal year 2021. As we grow, we will face the risk that our existing resources and systems, including management resources, enterprise technology and operating systems, may be inadequate to support our growth. We cannot assure you that we will be able to retain the personnel or make the changes in our systems that may be required to support our growth. Failure to secure these resources and implement these systems on a timely basis could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. In addition, hiring additional personnel and implementing changes and enhancements to our systems will require capital expenditures and other increased costs that could also have a material adverse impact on our operating results.

InThe Company repurchased no 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 ~~June 30, 2021,~~March 31, 2022. Accordingly, the ~~Company repurchased shares~~Company’s purchases of ~~stock~~equity securities for the three months ended March 31, 2022 were as follows:

~~In the three months ended June 30, 2021,~~(1) Effective January 27, 2022, the Company ~~did not repurchased any shares~~reinstated its stock repurchase program that had been suspended due to COVID uncertainty in ~~connection with payment~~April 2020 and the Company’s board of ~~taxes upon vesting of restricted stock previously issued to employees.~~directors increased the share repurchase program by an additional $10 millionas reflected above.

101*–The following materials from Clearfield, Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2022 are formatted in iXBRL (Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Balance Sheets at March 31, 2022 and September 30, 2021; (ii) Condensed Statements of Earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021; (iii) Condensed Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021; (iv) Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and 2021; and (v) Notes to the Condensed Financial Statements.

104* - Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

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.

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION	4
ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS	4
ITEM 2. ~~MANAGEMENT’S~~MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS	1618
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK	2124
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES	2124
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION	2124
ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS	2124
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS	2124
ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS	2225
ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES	2225
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES	2225
ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION	2225
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS	2226
SIGNATURES	23

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Nine Months Ended June 30,				Three Months Ended March 31,				Six Months Ended March 31,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
(In thousands, except for share data)									2022		2021		2022		2021
Net income	$	6,098,113	$	2,994,568	$	12,901,336	$	4,243,623	$	9,236	$	3,640	$	19,626	$	6,803
Weighted average common shares		13,732,913		13,497,955		13,718,394		13,510,413		13,767,341		13,730,150		13,755,291		13,711,135
Dilutive potential common shares		79,597		0		44,503		36,711		135,495		49,629		144,889		26,956
Weighted average dilutive common shares outstanding		13,812,510		13,497,955		13,762,897		13,547,124		13,902,836		13,779,779		13,900,180		13,738,090
Net income per common share:
Basic	$	0.44	$	0.22	$	0.94	$	0.31	$	0.67	$	0.27	$	1.43	$	0.50
Diluted	$	0.44	$	0.22	$	0.94	$	0.31	$	0.66	$	0.27	$	1.41	$	0.50

	March 31, 2022
(In thousands)	Cost		Unrealized Gains		Unrealized Losses		Fair Value
Short-Term
Certificates of deposit		743		0		4		739
Investment securities – short-term	$	743	$	0	$	4	$	739
Long-Term
U.S treasury securities	$	16,157	$	0	$	694	$	15,463
Certificates of deposit		13,219		19		253		12,985
Investment securities – long-term	$	29,376	$	19	$	947	$	28,448

	In Unrealized Loss Position For Less Than 12 Months				In Unrealized Loss Position For Greater Than 12 Months
(In thousands)	Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses		Fair Value		Gross Unrealized Losses
March 31, 2022
U.S treasury securities	$	15,463	$	694	$	0	$	0
Certificates of deposit		8,272		158		3,373		99
Investment securities	$	23,735	$	852	$	3,373	$	99

	Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2022
(In thousands)	Total		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Investment securities:
U.S treasury securities	$	15,463	$	0	$	15,463	$	0
Certificates of deposit		13,724		0		13,724		0
Total Investments securities	$	29,187	$	0	$	29,187	$	0

~~CLEARFIELD, INC.~~
~~CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS~~
~~UNAUDITED~~

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended				Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,				March 31,				March 31,
	2021		2020		2021		2020		2022		2021		2022		2021

Net sales	$	38,735,356	$	25,970,045	$	95,519,437	$	65,756,545	$	53,495	$	29,692	$	104,604	$	56,784

Cost of sales		21,597,574		15,179,875		54,070,830		39,087,407		30,331		16,750		58,468		32,473

Gross profit		17,137,782		10,790,170		41,448,607		26,669,138		23,164		12,942		46,136		24,311

Operating expenses
Selling, general and administrative		9,435,877		7,207,157		25,581,534		21,965,038		11,233		8,490		21,155		16,146
Income from operations		7,701,905		3,583,013		15,867,073		4,704,100		11,931		4,452		24,981		8,165

Interest income		121,208		174,555		378,263		615,523
Net investment income										121		123		241		257

Income before income taxes		7,823,113		3,757,568		16,245,336		5,319,623		12,052		4,575		25,222		8,422

Income tax expense		1,725,000		763,000		3,344,000		1,076,000		2,816		935		5,596		1,619
Net income	$	6,098,113	$	2,994,568	$	12,901,336	$	4,243,623	$	9,236	$	3,640	$	19,626	$	6,803

Net income per share Basic	$	0.44	$	0.22	$	0.94	$	0.31	$	0.67	$	0.27	$	1.43	$	0.50
Net income per share Diluted	$	0.44	$	0.22	$	0.94	$	0.31	$	0.66	$	0.27	$	1.41	$	0.50

Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic		13,732,913		13,497,955		13,718,394		13,510,413		13,767,341		13,730,150		13,755,291		13,711,135
Diluted		13,812,510		13,497,955		13,762,897		13,547,124		13,902,836		13,779,779		13,900,180		13,738,090

For the three months ended June 30, 2021
	Common Stock				Additional		Retained		Total share-
	Shares		Amount		paid-in capital		earnings		holders’ equity
Balance at March 31, 2021		13,732,806	$	137,328	$	57,794,061	$	31,917,096	$	89,848,485
Stock-based compensation expense		-		0		343,055		0		343,055
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan		9,739		97		204,519		0		204,616
Net income		-		0		0		6,098,113		6,098,113
Balance at June 30, 2021		13,742,545	$	137,425	$	58,341,635	$	38,015,209	$	96,494,269

For the three months ended June 30, 2020
	Common Stock				Additional		Retained		Total share-
	Shares		Amount		paid-in capital		earnings		holders’ equity
Balance at March 31, 2020		13,627,639	$	136,276	$	57,042,604	$	19,069,862	$	76,248,742
Stock-based compensation expense		-		0		213,361		0		213,361
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan		15,116		151		178,973		0		179,124
Exercise of stock options, net of shares exchanged for payment		4,250		43		8,343		0		8,386
Net income		-		0		0		2,994,568		2,994,568
Balance at June 30, 2020		13,647,005	$	136,470	$	57,443,281	$	22,064,430	$	79,644,181

For the nine months ended June 30, 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		-			0			966,290			0		966,290
Restricted stock issuance, net		36,509			365			(365	)		0		0
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan		24,750			247			383,450			0		383,697
Exercise of stock options, net of shares exchanged for payment		33,543			336			(456,460	)		0		(456,124	)
Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock grants		(2,219	)		(23	)		(54,185	)		0		(54,208	)
Net income		-			0			0			12,901,336		12,901,336
Balance at June 30, 2021		13,742,545		$	137,425		$	58,341,635		$	38,015,209	$	96,494,269

For the nine months ended June 30, 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	)		0		(428,654	)
Stock-based compensation expense		-			0			541,884			0		541,884
Restricted stock issuance, net		9,580			96			(96	)		0		0
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan		30,223			302			348,474			0		348,776
Exercise of stock options, net of shares exchanged for payment		7,646			76			10,892			0		10,968
Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock grants		(453	)		(4	)		(5,799	)		0		(5,803	)
Net income		-			0			0			4,243,623		4,243,623
Balance at June 30, 2020		13,647,005		$	136,470		$	57,443,281		$	22,064,430	$	79,644,181

	Nine Months Ended June 30,
	2021			2020
Cash flows from operating activities
Net income	$	12,901,336		$	4,243,623
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		1,725,509			1,824,517
Change in allowance for doubtful accounts		209,612			0
Amortization of discount on investments		(876	)		(64,327	)
Stock-based compensation		966,290			541,884
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		(5,895,653	)		18,912
Inventories, net		(6,570,601	)		(5,868,972	)
Other assets		(261,371	)		190,796
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		5,042,911			1,553,798
Net cash provided by operating activities		8,117,157			2,440,231

Cash flows from investing activities
Purchases of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets		(1,275,117	)		(1,493,341	)
Purchases of investments		(11,903,649	)		(31,837,930	)
Proceeds from maturities of investments		10,044,000			30,163,000
Net cash used in investing activities		(3,134,766	)		(3,168,271	)

Cash flows from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan		383,697			348,776
Tax withholding and proceeds related to exercise of stock options		(456,124	)		10,968
Tax withholding related to vesting of restricted stock grants		(54,208	)		(5,803	)
Repurchase of common stock		0			(428,654	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(126,635	)		(74,713	)

Increase (Decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		4,855,756			(802,753	)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period		16,449,636			10,081,721

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		21,305,392			9,278,968

Supplemental disclosures for cash flow information
Cash paid during the year for income taxes	$	3,559,502		$	469,529

Non-cash financing activities
Cashless exercise of stock options	$	1,269,414		$	10,962

For the six months ended March 31, 2021									Accumulated other
	Common Stock					Additional			comprehensive		Retained		Total share-
	Shares			Amount		paid-in capital			loss		earnings		holders’ equity
Balance as of September 30, 2020		13,650		$	137	$	57,502		$	0	$	25,114	$	82,753
Stock-based compensation expense		-			0		623			0		0		623
Restricted stock issuance, net		37			0		0			0		0		0
Issuance of common stock under employee stock purchase plan		15			0		179			0		0		179
Withholding related to exercise of stock options		33			0		(456	)		0		0		(456	)
Repurchase of shares for payment of withholding taxes for vested restricted stock grants		(2	)		0		(54	)		0		0		(54	)
Net income		-			0		0			0		6,803		6,803
Balance at March 31, 2021		13,733		$	137	$	57,794		$	0	$	31,917	$	89,848

	June 30, 2021		September 30, 2020
Less than one year	$	10,864,831	$	10,582,527
1-5 years		26,721,221		25,143,000
Total	$	37,586,052	$	35,725,527

	Three Months Ended March 31, 2022
(In thousands)	Before Tax			Tax Effect			Net of Tax Amount
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities	$	(932	)	$	(207	)	$	(725	)

Other comprehensive loss	$	(932	)	$	(207	)	$	(725	)

	~~Nine~~Six months ended ~~June 30, 2021~~ March 31, 2022
Dividend yield		0	%
Expected volatility		~~46.9~~52.02	%
Risk-free interest rate		~~0.24~~0.87	%
Expected life ~~(years)~~(in years)		53.5
Vesting period ~~(years)~~(in years)		3

	Six Months Ended March 31, 2022
(In thousands)	Before Tax			Tax Effect			Net of Tax Amount
Unrealized losses on available-for-sale securities	$	(932	)	$	(207	)	$	(725	)

Other comprehensive loss	$	(932	)	$	(207	)	$	(725	)

(In thousands)	Available-for-Sale Securities			Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Balances at September 30, 2021	$	0		$	0
Other comprehensive loss for the six months ended March 31, 2022		(725	)		(725	)
Balances at March 31, 2022	$	(725	)	$	(725	)

	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		(15,099	)		13.90
Forfeited or Expired		(38,709	)		13.68		0			0
Outstanding as of June 30, 2021		301,680		$	16.25
Outstanding as of March 31, 2022							349,145		$	25.37

	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		29,512			65.90
Vested		(12,230	)		11.08		(14,384	)		25.02
Forfeited		(3,298	)		16.07		0			0
Unvested as of June 30, 2021		133,349		$	16.41
Unvested as of March 31, 2022							123,967		$	27.83

	Three Months Ended June 30,				Nine Months Ended June 30,				Three Months Ended March 31,				Six Months Ended March 31,
	2021		2020		2021		2020
(In thousands)									2022		2021		2022		2021
United States	$	35,810,360	$	25,090,614	$	89,586,498	$	62,765,455	$	52,045	$	27,744	$	101,163	$	53,776
All other countries		2,924,996		879,431		5,932,939		2,991,090		1,450		1,948		3,441		3,008
Total Net Sales	$	38,735,356	$	25,970,045	$	95,519,437	$	65,756,545	$	53,495	$	29,692	$	104,604	$	56,784

FY2021	$	242,982
FY2022		986,844
FY2022 (Remaining)				$	1,395
FY2023		943,682			3,158
FY2024		516,725			3,233
FY2025		217,552			2,997
FY2026					2,844
Thereafter		0			1,196
Total lease payments		2,907,785			14,823
Less: Interest		(157,655	)		(871	)
Present value of lease liabilities	$	2,750,130		$	13,952

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⁾
April 1-30, 2021		-		-		-	$	4,980,671
May 1-31, 2021		-		-		-		4,980,671
June 1-30, 2021		-		-		-		4,980,671
Total		-		-		-	$	4,980,671

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.
~~101.INS~~		~~Inline XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document~~
~~101.SCH~~		~~Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document~~
~~101.CAL~~		~~Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document~~
~~101.LAB~~		~~Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document~~
~~101.PRE~~		~~Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document~~
~~101.DEF~~		~~Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document~~
~~104~~		~~Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)~~

	~~CLEARFIELD, INC.~~ May 4, 2022

~~July 23, 2021~~	/s/ Cheryl Beranek

	By: Cheryl Beranek

	Its: President and Chief Executive Officer

	(Principal Executive Officer)

May 4, 2022
~~July 23, 2021~~	/s/ Daniel Herzog

	By: Daniel Herzog

	Its: Chief Financial Officer

	(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)