UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM10-Q

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended OctoberJuly 28, 20172018

OR

For the transition period from                to                

Commission file number0-13200

AstroNova, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

(401)828-4000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Astro-Med, Inc.

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the 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 and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of RegulationS-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐.☐.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, anon-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

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 Rule12b-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.

Common Stock, $.05 Par Value—6,761,099Value – 6,923,883 shares

(excluding treasury shares) as of December 1, 2017August 30, 2018

ASTRONOVA, INC.

INDEX

Part I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

ASTRONOVA, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, Except Share Data)

See Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

ASTRONOVA, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(In thousands, Except Per Share Data)

(Unaudited)

See Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

ASTRONOVA, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In Thousands)

(Unaudited)

See Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

ASTRONOVA, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In Thousands)

(Unaudited)

See Notes to condensed consolidated financial statements (unaudited).

ASTRONOVA, INC.

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(1) Overview

Headquartered in West Warwick, Rhode Island, AstroNova, Inc. leverages its expertise in data visualization technologies to design, develop, manufacture and distribute a broad range of specialty printers and data acquisition and analysis systems. Our products are distributed through our own sales force and authorized dealers in the United States. We also sell to customers outside of the United States primarily through our Company offices in Canada, China, Europe, Mexico and Southeast Asia as well as through independent dealers and representatives. AstroNova, Inc. products are employed around the world in a wide range of aerospace, apparel, automotive, avionics, chemical, computer peripherals, communications, distribution, food and beverage, general manufacturing, packaging and transportation applications.

The business consists of two segments, Product Identification, which includes specialty printing systems sold under the QuickLabel^® and TrojanLabel^™® brand names, and Test & Measurement which includes test and measurement as well as Aerospace systems sold under the AstroNova™AstroNova^® brand name.

Products sold under the QuickLabel and TrojanLabel brands are used in industrial and commercial product packaging, branding and automatic identificationlabeling applications to digitally print custom labels and othercorresponding visual identification marks on demand.content in house. Products sold under the AstroNova Test & Measurement brand enable our customers to acquire and record visual and electronic signal data from local and networked data streams and sensors. The recorded data is processed and analyzed and then stored and presented in various visual output formats. In the aerospace market, the Company has a long history of using its data visualization technologies to provide high-resolution airborne printerslight-weight flight deck and networking systems as well as related hardware and supplies.cabin printers.

Unless otherwise indicated, references to “AstroNova,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us” in this Quarterly Report onForm 10-Q refer to AstroNova, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

(2) Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and reflect all adjustments consisting of normal recurring adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim periods included herein. These financial statements do not include all disclosures associated with annual financial statements and, accordingly, should be read in conjunction with footnotes contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form10-K for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2017.2018.

Results of operations for the interim periods presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.

The presentation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Some of the more significant estimates relate to revenue recognition, the allowances for doubtful accounts and credits, inventory valuation, impairment of long-lived assets and goodwill, income taxes, share-based compensation, accrued expenses and warranty reserves. Management’s estimates are based on the facts and circumstances available at the time estimates are made, historical experience, risk of loss, general economic conditions and trends, and management’s assessments of the probable future outcome of these matters. Consequently, actual results could differ from those estimates.

Certain amounts in the prior year financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

(3) Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

(4) AcquisitionsRevenue Recognition

On February 1, 2018 we adopted Accounting Standards Update2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Accounting Standards Codification “ASC” Topic 606),” which superseded nearly all existing revenue recognition guidance under U.S. GAAP. The core principle of ASC Topic 606 is to recognize revenue when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that is expected to be received for those goods or services. ASC Topic 606 defines a five step process to recognize revenue and requires more judgment and estimates within the revenue recognition process than required under previous U.S. GAAP, including identifying performance obligations in the contract, determining and estimating the amount of any variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation.

We adopted this standard using the modified retrospective method and have applied the guidance to all contracts within the scope of ASC Topic 606 as of the February 1, 2018 adoption date. Under ASC Topic 606, based on the nature of our contracts and consistent with prior practice, we recognize the large majority of our revenue upon shipment, which is when the performance obligation has been satisfied. Accordingly, the adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our revenue recognition and there was no cumulative effective adjustment as of February 1, 2018 as a result of the adoption of ASC Topic 606.

Significant judgments primarily include the identification of performance obligation arrangements as well as the pattern of delivery for those services.

We derive revenue from the sale of (i) hardware including, digital color label printers and specialty OEM printing systems, portable data acquisition systems and airborne printers used in the flight deck and in the cabin of military, commercial and business aircraft, (ii) related supplies required in the operation of the hardware, (iii) repairs and maintenance of equipment and (iv) service agreements.

The vast majority of our revenue is generated from the sale of distinct products. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for such products, which is generally at the contractually stated prices, and is recognized when we satisfy a performance obligation by transferring control of a product to a customer. The transfer of control generally occurs at one point in time, upon shipment, when title and risk of loss pass to the customer. Returns and customer credits are infrequent and are recorded as a reduction to revenue. Sales taxes and value added taxes collected concurrently with revenue generating activities are excluded from revenue.

Many of the contracts entered into with customers are commonly comprised of a combination of equipment, supplies, installation and/or training services. We determine performance obligations by assessing whether the products or services are distinct from other elements of the contract. In order to be distinct, the product must perform either on its own or with readily available resources and must be separate within the context of the contract.

The majority of our hardware products contain embedded operating systems and data management software which is included in the purchase price of the equipment. The software is deemed incidental to the systems as a whole as it is not sold or marketed separately and its production costs are minor compared to those of the hardware system. Hardware and software elements are typically delivered at the same time and are accounted for as a single performance obligation for which revenue is recognized at the point in time when ownership is transferred to the customer.

Installation and training services vary based on certain factors such as the complexity of the equipment, staffing availability in a geographic location and customer preferences, and can range from a few days to a few months. The delivery of installation and training services are not assessed to determine whether they are separate performance obligations, as the amounts are not material to the contract.

Shipping and handling activities that occur after control over a product has transferred to a customer are accounted for as fulfillment activities rather than performance obligations, as allowed under a practical expedient provided by ASC Topic 606. The shipping and handling fees charged to customers are recognized as revenue and the related costs are included in cost of revenue at the point in time when ownership of the product is transferred to the customer.

We may perform service at the request of the customer, generally for the repair and maintenance of products previously sold. These services are short in duration, typically less than one month, and total less than 9.0% of revenue for the six months ended July 28, 2018. Revenue is recognized as services are rendered and accepted by the customer. We also provide service agreements on certain of our Product Identification equipment. Service agreements are purchased separately from the equipment and provide for the right to obtain service and maintenance on the equipment for a period of typically one to two years. Accordingly, revenue on these agreements is recognized over the term of the agreements. The portion of service agreement contracts that are uncompleted at the end of any reporting period are included in deferred revenue.

We generally provide warranties for our products. The standard warranty period is typically 12 months for most hardware products except for airborne printers, which typically have warranties that extend for4-5 years, consistent with industry practice. Such assurance-type warranties are not deemed to be separate performance obligations from the hardware product and costs associated with providing the warranties are accrued in accordance with ASC 450, “Contingencies,” as we have the ability to ascertain the likelihood of the liability and can reasonably estimate the amount of the liability. Our estimate of costs to service the warranty obligations is based on historical experience and expectations of future conditions. To the extent that our experience in warranty claims or costs associated with servicing those claims differ from the original estimates, revisions to the estimated warranty liability are recorded at that time, with an offsetting adjustment to cost of revenue. On occasion, customers request a warranty period longer than our standard warranty. In those instances, in which extended warranty services are separately quoted to the customer, an additional performance obligation is created, and the associated revenue is deferred and recognized as service revenue ratably over the term of the extended warranty period. The portion of service contracts and extended warranty services agreements that are uncompleted at the end of any reporting period are included in deferred revenue.

Revenues disaggregated by primary geographic markets and major product type are as follows:

Honeywell Asset PurchasePrimary geographical markets:

Major product type:

Accounts Receivable

Credit is extended based upon an evaluation of the customer’s financial condition. Accounts receivable are stated at their estimated net realizable value. The allowance for doubtful accounts is based on a variety of factors, including the age of amounts outstanding relative to their contractual due date, specific customer factors, historicalwrite-off experience and License Agreementcurrent market assessments. Standard payment terms are typically 30 days after shipment, but vary by type and geographic location of our customers.

Contract Assets and Liabilities

We normally do not have contract assets, which are primarily unbilled accounts receivable that are conditional on something other than the passage of time. Our contract liabilities, which represent billings in excess of revenue recognized, are related to advanced billings for purchased service agreements and extended warranties and were $366,000 and $367,000 at July 28, 2018 and January 31, 2018, respectively, and are recorded as deferred revenue in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The slight decrease in the deferred revenue at July 28, 2018 is primarily due to approximately $403,000 of revenue recognized during the period that was included in the deferred revenue balance at January 31, 2018, offset by cash payments received in advance of satisfying performance obligations.

Contract Costs

We recognize an asset for the incremental direct costs of obtaining a contract with a customer if we expect the benefit of those costs to be longer than one year. We have determined that certain costs related to obtaining sales contracts for our aerospace printer products meet the requirement to be capitalized. These costs are deferred and amortized based on the forecasted number of units sold over the estimated benefit term, which is currently estimated to be approximately 10 years. There has been no change in the Company’s accounting for these contracts as a result of the adoption of ASC Topic 606. The balance of these contract assets at January 31, 2018 was $832,000 and was reported in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet. In the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company incurred an additional $150,000 in incremental direct costs which were deferred. The amortization of incremental direct costs was $9,000 and $18,000 for the three and six months periods ended July 28, 2018. The balance of the deferred incremental direct contract costs net of accumulated amortization at July 28, 2018 is $967,000 and is reported in other assets in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. This amount is expected to be amortized over its estimated remaining period of benefit, which we currently estimate to be approximately 8 years.

We apply the practical expedient to expense costs incurred for costs to obtain a contract when the amortization period would have been less than a year. These costs include sales commissions paid to the internal direct sales team as well as to third-party representatives and distributors. Contractual agreements with each of these parties outline commission structures and rates to be paid. Generally speaking, the contracts are all individual procurement decisions by the customers and do not include renewal provisions and as such the majority of the contracts have an economic life of significantly less than a year.

(5) Acquisitions

On September 28, 2017, AstroNova, Inc. entered into an Asset Purchase and License Agreement (the “Honeywell Agreement”) with Honeywell International, Inc. to acquire an exclusive perpetual world-wide license to manufacture Honeywell’s narrow-format flight deck printers for two aircraft families along with certain inventory used in the manufacturing.manufacturing of the licensed printers. The purchase price consisted of an initial upfront payment of $14.6 million in cash. The Honeywell Agreement also providesprovided for guaranteed minimum royalty payments of $15.0 million, to be paid to Honeywell over the next ten years, based on gross revenues from the sales of the printers, paper and repair services of the licensed products. The royalty rates vary based on the year in which they are paid or earned and product sold or service provided, and range from single-digit to mid double-digit percentages of gross revenue.

This transaction was evaluated this transaction under Accounting Standard Update (ASU)2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business,” and determined that this transaction should bewas accounted for as an asset acquisition. Refer to Note 15, “Recent Accounting Pronouncements,” for further details on ASU2017-01.

The initial upfront payment of $14.6 million was paid at the closing of this transaction using borrowings from the Company’s revolving credit facility under its amended Credit Agreement with Bank of America, N.A. Refer to Note 11, “Revolving Credit Facility” for further details.

The minimum royalty payment obligation of $15.0 million was recorded at the present value of the annual minimum annual royalty payments using a present value factor of 2.8%, which is based on the estimated after tax cost of debt for similar companies. TheAt July 28, 2018, the current portion of the minimum royalty obligation of $500,000to be paid over the next twelve months is $1.6 million and is reported as a current liabilityliability; and the remainder of $8.2$10.9 million is reported as a long-term liability on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheetsheet. For the three and six months ended July 28, 2018, the Company incurred $0.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively, in excess royalty expense, which is included in cost of revenue in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of income for the period ended July 28, 2018. A total of $1.4 million of excess royalty is payable at OctoberJuly 28, 2017.

Transaction costs incurred for this acquisition were $273,0002018 and have been includedreported as part ofa current liability on the purchase price.Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet.

In connection with the Honeywell Agreement, the Company also entered into a Transition Services Agreement (TSA)(“TSA”) with Honeywell related to the transfer of the manufacturing and repair of the licensed printers from their current locations to AstroNova’s plant in West Warwick, Rhode Island. SubjectDuring the current year, the Company paid $0.4 million to acquire an additional repair facility revenue stream in accordance with the terms of the TSA. The additional $0.4 million TSA obligation payment was included as part of the Honeywell Agreement purchase price and recorded as an increase to the completion ofrelated intangible asset.

Under the terms of the TSA, the Company is required to pay for certain expenses incurred by Honeywell International,during the Company may makeperiod in which product manufacturing is transferred to the Company’s facilities. In the first quarter of fiscal 2019, a change in accounting estimates for product costs and operating expenses related to the TSA resulted in an additional paymentincrease of $400,000.$1.0 million in operating income ($0.8 million net of tax or $0.12 per diluted share). In addition, in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, a change in accounting estimates for revenue subject to customer rebates under the Honeywell Agreement increased operating income by $0.4 million ($0.3 million net of tax or $0.05 per diluted share). These changes in accounting estimates were the result of actual amounts billed and received differing from initial estimates.

Transaction costs incurred for this acquisition were $0.3 million and were included as part of the purchase price.

The assets acquired in connection with the acquisition were recorded by the Company at their estimated relative fair values as of the acquisition date as follows:

The purchase price, including the initial payment, the minimum royalty payment obligation, transaction costs, and the transaction costs, wassubsequent TSA $0.4 million obligation payment, were allocated based on the relative fair value of the assets acquired. The fair value of the intangible assets acquired was estimated by applying the income approach. These fair value measurements are based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market and therefore represent a Level 3 measurement as defined in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC)ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure.” Key assumptions in estimating the fair value of the intangibles include (1) the remaining life of the intangibles based on the term of the Honeywell Asset Purchase and License Agreement of 10 years, (2) a range of annual earnings projections from $3.9 million – $5.4 million and (3) the Company’s internal rate of return of 21.0%.

The acquired identifiable intangible assets are as follows:.

Trojan Label

On February 1, 2017, our newly-formed wholly-owned Danish subsidiary, ANI ApS, completed the acquisition of the issued and outstanding equity interests of TrojanLabel ApS (TrojanLabel), a Danish private limited liability company, pursuant to the terms of a Share Purchase Agreement dated January 7, 2017. Based in Copenhagen, Denmark, TrojanLabel is a manufacturer of products including digital color label presses and specialty printing systems for a broad range of end markets. Upon consummation of the acquisition, TrojanLabel became an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of AstroNova.

. The purchase price of this acquisition was 62.9 million Danish Krone (approximately $9.1 million), net of cash acquired of 976,000 Danish Krone (approximately $0.1 million), of which 6.4 million Danish Krone (approximately $0.9 million) was placed in escrow to secure certain post-closing working capital adjustments and indemnification obligations of the sellers. The acquisition was funded using available cashIn the first quarter of fiscal 2019, the Company settled the post-closing adjustments with TrojanLabel and investment securities.

The sellers of TrojanLabel may be entitled to additional contingent consideration if 80% of specified earnings targets are achieved by TrojanLabel during the seven years following the closing, subject to certain closing working capital adjustments and potential offsets to satisfy the sellers’ indemnification obligations. The contingent consideration consists of potentialearn-out payments to the sellers of between 32.5 millionrecovered approximately 891,000 Danish Krone (approximately $5.0 million) if 80%$145,000) of the specified earnings targets are achieved, 40.6 million Danish Krone (approximately $5.8 million) if 100% of the specified earnings targets are achieved, and a maximum of 48.7 million Danish Krone (approximately $7 million) if 120% of the specified earnings targets are achieved. The fair value of contingent consideration is re-evaluated each reporting period and charges are adjusted through earnings.

Total acquisition-related costs were approximately $0.7 million, ofamount held in escrow account, which $0.1 million and $0.6 million are included in the general and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of income for the periods ending October 28, 2017 and January 31, 2017, respectively. The acquisition was accounted forrecognized as a purchase of a business under the acquisition method in accordance with the guidance provided by FASB ASC 805, “Business Combinations.”

The US dollar purchase price of the acquisition has been allocated on the basis of fair value as follows:

The fair value of the intangible assets acquired was estimated by applying the income approach, and the fair value of the contingent consideration liability was estimated by applying the real options method. These fair value measurements are based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market and therefore represent a Level 3 measurement as defined in ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure.” Key assumptions in estimating the fair value of the intangibles include (1) remaining life of existing technology acquired based on estimate of percentage of revenue from 0% – 100% for each product, (2) the Company’s internal rate of return of 19.0% and (3) a range of earnings projections from $121,000 – $1,070,000. Key assumptions in estimating the fair value of the contingent consideration liability include (1) the estimated earnout targets over the next seven years of $407,000–$1,280,000, (2) the probability of success (achievement of the various contingent events) from 1.6%–87.2% and (3) a risk-adjusted discount rate of approximately 1.77%–3.35% used to adjust the probability-weighted earnout payments to their present value. The fair value of the contingent liability will be revalued every reporting period based on updated assumptions. Refer to Note 17 “Fair Value” for further details.

Goodwill of $7.4 million, which is not deductible for tax purposes, represents the excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value assignedan adjustment to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed from TrojanLabel. The goodwill recognized is attributable to synergies which are expected to enhance and expand the Company’s overall product portfolio and opportunities in new and existing markets, future technologies that have yet to be determined and TrojanLabel’s assembled work force. The carrying amount of the goodwill was allocated to the Product Identification segment of the Company.

The following table reflects the fair value of the acquired identifiable intangible assets and related estimated useful lives:

The Existing Technology intangible asset acquired represents the various technologies TrojanLabel has developed related to its series of printing presses, including hardware components of the presses and the software utilized to optimize their performance.

Beginning February 1, 2017, the results of operationsallowance account for TrojanLabel have been included in the Company’s statement of income for the three and nine month periods ended October 28, 2017 and are reported as part of the Product Identification segment. Assuming the acquisition of TrojanLabel had occurred on February 1, 2016, the impact would not have had a material effect on the Company’s results for the three and nine month periods ended October 29, 2016.receivables. The remaining escrow balance was retained by TrojanLabel.

(5)(6) Net Income Per Common Share

Basic net income per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares and, if dilutive, common equivalent shares, determined using the treasury stock method for stock options, restricted stock awards and restricted stock units outstanding during the period. A reconciliation of the shares used in calculating basic and diluted net income per share is as follows:

For the three and ninesix months ended OctoberJuly 28, 2018, the diluted per share amounts do not reflect common equivalent shares outstanding of 273,275 and 340,575, respectively. For the three and six months ended July 29, 2017, the diluted per share amounts do not reflect common equivalent shares outstanding of 609,934591,359 and 612591,309,248, respectively. For the three and nine months ended October 29, 2016 the diluted per share amounts do not reflect common equivalent shares outstanding of 406,187 and 460,667, respectively. These outstanding common equivalent shares were not included due to their anti-dilutive effect. Anti-dilutive shares consist of those common stock equivalents that have either an exercise price above the average stock price for the period or for which the common stock equivalent’s related average unrecognized stock compensation expense is sufficient to “buy back” the entire amount of shares. Restricted stock units which vest based upon achievement of performance targets are excluded from the diluted shares outstanding unless the performance targets have been met as of the end of the reporting period, regardless of whether such performance targets are probable of achievement as of the end of the measurement period.

(7) Intangible Assets

Intangible assets are as follows:

There were no impairments to intangible assets during the three or nine month periods ended OctoberJuly 28, 20172018 and OctoberJuly 29, 2016.2017. With respect to the acquired intangibles included in the table above, amortization expense of $508,000$1,022,000 and $179,000$304,000 related to the above acquired intangibles has been included in the condensed consolidated statementsstatement of income for the three months ended OctoberJuly 28, 20172018 and OctoberJuly 29, 2016,2017, respectively. Amortization expense of $1,111,000$2,046,000 and $536,000$603,000 related to the above acquired intangibles has been included in the condensed consolidated statementsstatement of income for the ninesix months ended OctoberJuly 28, 2018 and July 29, 2017, and October 29, 2016, respectively.

Estimated amortization expense for the next five fiscal years is as follows:

(7)(8) Share-Based Compensation

We have one equity incentive plan pursuantAt the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders held on June 4, 2018, the Company’s shareholders approved the AstroNova, Inc. 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”). The 2018 Plan provides for, among other things, the issuance of awards with respect to which we grant equityup to 650,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, plus an additional number of shares equal to the number of shares subject to awards –granted under the 2018 Plan or the Company’s 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”). Under this plan, and, together with the Company may grant incentive stock options,non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, time or performance-based restricted stock units (RSUs), restricted stock awards (RSAs), and other stock-based awards to executives, key employees, directors and other eligible individuals. The 20152018 Plan, will expire in May 2025. Options granted to employees under the plan vest over four years and expire after ten years. The exercise price of each stock option is established at“Plans”) that are, following the discretioneffectiveness of the Compensation Committee; however, all options granted under the 20152018 Plan, must be issued at an exercise price of not less than the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The 2015 Plan authorizesforfeited, cancelled, satisfied without the issuance of upstock, otherwise terminated (other than by exercise), or, for shares of stock issued pursuant to 500,000 shares (subjectany unvested award, reacquired by the Company at not more than the grantee’s purchase price (other than by exercise). Following the approval of the 2018 Plan at the Company’s annual meeting of shareholders, the Company ceased granting new equity awards pursuant to adjustment for stock dividends and stock splits), and at October 28, 2017, 177,905 shares were available for grant under the 2015 Plan. In addition, as of October 28, 2017, 3,290 unvested shares of restricted stock granted and options to purchase an aggregate of 572,345 shares were outstanding under our 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2007 Plan”). The 2007 Plan expired in May 2017 and no new awards may be issued under that plan, but outstanding awards will continue to be governed by it.

Under the 2015 Plan, eachnon-employee director receives an automatic annual grant often-year options to purchase 5,000 shares of stock upon the adjournment of each annual shareholders meeting. Each such option is exercisable at the fair market value of the Company’s common stock as of the grant date, and vests immediately prior to the next annual shareholders’ meeting.    Accordingly, on May 17, 2017, 30,000 options were issued to thenon-employee directors.

The Company has aNon-Employee Director Annual Compensation Program (the “Program”) under which eachnon-employee director receives an automatic grant of RSAsrestricted stock awards (“RSAs”) on the first business day of each fiscal quarter. Under the Program, the number of whole shares to be granted each quarter is equal to 25% of the number calculated by dividing the director compensation amount by the fair market value of the Company’s stock on such day. The director annual compensation amount was $55,000 in fiscal year 2017, is $65,000 in fiscal year 2018 and will beis $75,000 in fiscal year 2019. In addition, the Chairman of the Board receives RSAs with an aggregate value of $6,000, and the Chairs of the Audit and Compensation Committees each receive RSAs with an aggregate value of $4,000, also issued in quarterly installments and calculated in the same manner as the directors’ RSA grants. RSAs granted prior to March 30, 2017 becomebecame fully vested on the first anniversary of the date of grant. RSAs granted subsequent to March 30, 2017 become vested three months after the date of grant. A total of 7,3145,370 and 5,4957,314 shares were awarded to thenon-employee directors as compensation under the Program in the thirdsecond quarter of fiscal 2019 and 2018, and 2017, respectively.

In April 2013 (fiscal year 2014), the Company granted options and RSUs to officers (“2014 RSUs”). The 2014 RSUs vested as follows: twenty-five percent vested on the third anniversary of the grant date, fifty percent vested upon the Company achieving its cumulative budgeted net revenue target for fiscal years 2014 through 2016 (the “Measurement Period”), and twenty-five percent vested upon the Company achieving a target average annual ORONA (operating income return on net assets as calculated under the Domestic Management Bonus Plan) for the Measurement Period. The grantee may not sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of more than fifty percent of the common stock issued upon vesting of the 2014 RSUs until the first anniversary of the vesting date. In April 2016, 9,300 of the 2014 RSUs vested, as the Company achieved the targeted average annual ORONA, as defined in the plan, for the Measurement Period and another 9,300 vested as a result of the third year anniversary date of the grant. Additionally, on February 1, 2014, the Company accelerated the vesting of 4,166 of the 2014 RSUs held by Everett Pizzuti in connection with his retirement.

In March 2015 (fiscal year 2016), the Company granted 50,000 options and 537 RSAs to its CEOChief Executive Officer pursuant to the an Equity Incentive Award Agreement dated as of November 24, 2014 (“CEO Equity Incentive Agreement,Agreement”), and 35,000 options to other key employees.

In May 2015 (fiscal year 2016), the Company granted an aggregate of 80,000 time-based and 155,000 performance-based RSUs (“2016 RSUs”) to certain officers of the Company. The time-based 2016 RSUs vest in four equal annual installments commencing on the first anniversary of the grant date. The performance-based 2016 RSUs vest over three years based upon the increase in revenue, if any, achieved each fiscal year relative to a three-year revenue increase goal. Performance-based 2016 RSUs that are earned based on organic revenue growth are fully vested when earned, while those earned based on revenue growth via acquisitions vest annually over a three-year period following the fiscal year in which the revenue growth occurs. Any performance-based 2016 RSUs that havewere not been earned at the end of the three-year performance period will befiscal 2018 were forfeited. The expense for such shares iswas recognized in the fiscal year in which the results arewere achieved, however, the shares arewere not fully earned until approved by the Compensation Committee in the first quarter of the following fiscal year. Based upon revenue in fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016, 33,638, 9,025 and 15,810 shares of the performance based RSUs were earned in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

In March 2016 (fiscal year 2017), the Company granted 50,000 options and 4,030 RSAs to its CEOChief Executive Officer pursuant to the CEO Equity Incentive Agreement.

In May 2016 (fiscal year 2017) the Company granted 37,000 options to certain key employees. On August 1, 2016 (fiscal year 2017) the Company granted 5,000 options to its Chief Financial Officer.

In March 2017 (fiscal year 2018), the Company granted 50,000 options to the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to the CEO Equity Incentive Agreement. In February and April 2017 (fiscal year 2018) the Company granted 52,189 options to certain other key employees.

The In December 2017, upon election to the Board, the Company granted 5,000non-qualified options and RSAs675 RSUs to a Board member. In January 2018, the Company granted March 2015 through March 2017 vest in four equal annual installments commencing on50,000non-qualified options and 15,000 RSUs to the first anniversarynewly appointed Chief Financial Officer.

In April 2018 (fiscal year 2019), the Company granted 5,000non-qualified options and 341 RSUs to a newly elected member of the grant date.Board of Directors.

In May 2018, the Company granted 40,000 options to certain key employees.

In June 2018, the Company granted an aggregate of 25,000non-qualified options to the members of the Board of Directors. Also in June 2018, the Company granted an aggregate of 126,000 options, 44,275 time-based RSUs and 38,000 performance-based RSUs to certain officers of the Company, all of which vest over three years. The number of performance-based RSUs that are eligible to vest will be determined based upon achievement of fiscal 2019 revenue and operating income targets.

Share-based compensation expense was recognized as follows:

Stock Options

The fair value of stock options granted during the ninesix months ended OctoberJuly 28, 20172018 and OctoberJuly 29, 20162017 was estimated using the following weighted average assumptions:

There were no options granted during the three month periods ended October 28, 2017 and October 29, 2016. The weighted average fair value per share for options granted was $7.42 and $7.41 during the three and six month periods ended July 28, 2018, compared to $5.62 and $4.46 during the ninethree and six month periodperiods ended October 28, 2017, compared to $3.22 during the nine month period ended OctoberJuly 29, 2016.2017.

Aggregated information regarding stock options granted under the plansPlans for the ninesix months ended OctoberJuly 28, 2017,2018, is summarized below:

		Number of Options				Weighted Average Exercise Price
Outstanding at January 31, 2018			745,270			$	12.52
Granted			196,000				18.21
Exercised			(91,375	)			11.00
Forfeited			(850	)			13.98
Canceled			(3,700	)			8.95
Outstanding at July 28, 2018			845,345			$	14.02

Set forth below is a summary of options outstanding at OctoberJuly 28, 2017:2018:

As of OctoberJuly 28, 2017,2018, there was approximately $694,000$2.0 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.42.7 years.

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) and Restricted Stock Awards (RSAs)

Aggregated information regarding RSUs and RSAs granted under the PlanPlans for the ninesix months ended OctoberJuly 28, 20172018 is summarized below:

As of OctoberJuly 28, 2017,2018, there was approximately $481,000$1.4 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to RSUs and RSAs which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 0.71.3 years.

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

AstroNova has an Employee Stock Purchase Plan allowing eligible employees to purchase shares of common stock at a 15% discount from fair value.value on the first or last day of an offering period, whichever is less. A total of 247,500 shares were reserved for issuance under this plan. During the ninesix months ended OctoberJuly 28, 20172018 and OctoberJuly 29, 2016,2017, there were 4,6572,342 and 4,7072,897 shares, respectively, purchased under this plan. At OctoberAs of July 28, 2017, 40,5672018, 36,865 shares remain available.

(8) Shareholders’ Equity

On May 1, 2017, the Company entered into a stock repurchase agreement to repurchase 826,305 shares of the Company’s common stock held by a trust established by Albert W. Ondis at a per share price of $13.60, for an aggregate repurchase price of $11.2 million. This stock repurchase was consummated on May 2, 2017 and was funded using existing cash on hand. Following this stock repurchase, the Ondis trust owns 36,000 shares of the Company’s common stock.

April L. Ondis, a director of the Company, is a beneficiary of the trust. The stock repurchase was authorized and approved by the Company’s Audit Committee as a related party transaction. Prior to entering into the agreement, the Company obtained an opinion from an independent investment banking firm that the consideration to be paid by the Company to the trust pursuant to the stock repurchase agreement would be fair to the public stockholders of the Company, other than the trust, from a financial point of view.

(9) Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost(first-in,first-out) and net realizable value and include material, labor and manufacturing overhead. The components of inventories are as follows:

(10) Income Taxes

The Company’s effective tax rates for the period which are based on the projected effective tax rate for the full year, are as follows:

The Company determines its estimated annual effective tax rate at the end of each interim period based on full-year forecastedpre-tax income and facts known at that time. The estimated annual effective tax rate is applied to theyear-to-datepre-tax income at the end of each interim period with the cumulative effect of any changes in the estimated annual effective tax rate being recorded in the fiscal quarter in which the change is determined. The tax effect of significant unusual items is reflected in the period in which they occur.

During the three months ended OctoberJuly 28, 2017,2018, the Company recognized an income tax expense of approximately $201,000.$459,000. The effective tax rate in this period was directly impacted by $334,000 of prior periodan $82,000 benefit arising from windfall tax benefits recognized uponrelated to the completion of an R&D study, partially offset by current tax increases from the mix of forecastedpre-tax earnings to higher taxing jurisdictions.Company’s stock. During the three months ended OctoberJuly 29, 2016, the Company recognized income tax expense of $623,000.

During the nine months ended October 28, 2017, the Company recognized an income tax expense of approximately 579,000.$231,000. The effective tax rate in this period was impacted by updated projected forecasted income and updated lower foreign tax rates for the Company’s foreign subsidiaries, as well as a $12,000 benefit arising from windfall tax benefits related to the Company’s stock.

During the six months ended July 28, 2018, the Company recognized an income tax expense of approximately $639,000. The effective tax rate in this period was directly impacted by $334,000 of prior perioda $112,000 tax benefit arising from windfall tax benefits recognized uponrelated to the completionCompany’s stock and a $78,000 tax benefit related to the expiration of an R&D study, partially offset by currentthe statute of limitations on a previously uncertain tax increases from the mix of forecastedpre-tax earnings to higher taxing jurisdictions.position . During the ninesix months ended OctoberJuly 29, 2016,2017, the Company recognized an income tax expense of $1,595,000approximately $378,000. The effective tax rate in this period was impacted by updated projected forecasted income and updated lower foreign tax rates for the Company’s foreign subsidiaries, as well as a $71,000 tax benefit related to the expiration of the statute of limitations on a previously uncertain tax position and a $27,000 benefit arising from windfall tax benefits related to the Company’s stock.

The Company maintains a valuation allowance on some of its deferred tax assets in certain jurisdictions. A valuation allowance is required when, based upon an assessment of various factors, including recent operating loss history, anticipated future earnings, and prudent and reasonable tax planning strategies, it is more likely than not that some portion of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Unrecognized tax benefits represent the difference between tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return and the benefits recognized for financial reporting purposes. As of OctoberJuly 28, 2017,2018, the Company’s cumulative unrecognized tax benefits totaled $663,000$626,000 compared to $708,000$665,000 as of January 31, 2017.2018. During the first quarter, the Company was notified by the IRS that the fiscal 2015 and 2017 income tax returns were selected for audit. No adjustments have been raised at this time. There were no other developments affecting unrecognized tax benefits during the quarter ended OctoberJuly 28, 2017.2018.

On December��22, 2017, the President signed into law the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”). The Tax Act significantly changes U.S. tax law by, among other things, lowering the U.S. corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018. As a result of the Tax Act, we wrote down our net deferred tax assets as of January 31, 2018 by $1.0 million to reflect the estimated impact of the Tax Act. Accordingly, we recorded a corresponding provisional netone-timenon-cash charge of $1.0 million, related tore-measurement of certain net deferred tax assets using the lower U.S. corporate income tax rate. We were capable of reasonably estimating the impact of the reduction to the U.S. Corporate tax rate on the deferred tax balances. However, the estimate may be affected by other aspects of the Tax Act.

The Tax Act taxes certain unrepatriated earnings and profits (“E&P”) of our foreign subsidiaries (the “Transition Tax”). In order to determine the Transition Tax, we must determine, along with other information, the amount of our accumulated post-1986 E&P for our foreign subsidiaries, as well as thenon-U.S. income tax paid by those subsidiaries on such E&P. We were capable of reasonably estimating theone-time deemed repatriation tax and recorded a provisional expense of $0.1 million at January 31, 2018.

ASC 740, “Income Taxes,” requires a company to record the effects of a tax law change in the period of enactment. ASU2018-05 allows a company to record a provisional amount when it does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed in reasonable detail to complete its accounting for the changes in the Tax Reform Act. The measurement period ends when the company has obtained, prepared and analyzed the information necessary to finalize its accounting, but cannot extend beyond one year from the date of enactment of the Tax Reform Act.

During the six months ended July 28, 2018, there were no changes made to the provisional amounts recognized in fiscal 2018. While we have substantially completed our provisional analysis of the income tax effects of the Tax Act and recorded a reasonable estimate of such effects, the netone-time charge related to the Tax Act may differ, possibly materially, due to, among other things, further refinement of our calculations, changes in interpretations and assumptions that we have made, additional guidance that may be issued by the U.S. Government, and actions and related accounting policy decisions we may take as a result of the Tax Act. We will complete our analysis over aone-year measurement period ending December 22, 2018, and any adjustments during this measurement period will be included in net earnings from continuing operations as an adjustment to income tax expense in the reporting period when such adjustments are determined.

The Tax Act also established a new law that affects fiscal 2019 and beyond, which includes, but is not limited to, (1) a reduction of the U.S. corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%; (2) general elimination of U.S. federal income taxes on dividends from foreign subsidiaries; (3) a new limitation on the deduction of interest expense; (4) repeal of the domestic production activity deduction; (5) additional limitations on deduction of compensation for certain executives; (6) a new provision designed to tax global intangiblelow-taxed income (“GILTI”) which allows for the possibility of utilizing foreign tax credits (“FTCs”) and a deduction of up to 50% to offset the income tax liability (subject to certain limitations); (7) the

introduction of the base erosion anti-abuse tax which represents a new minimum tax; (8) limitations on utilization of FTCs to reduce U.S. income tax liability; (9) a new provision designed to provide a preferential tax rate for income derived by domestic corporations from servicing foreign markets (“FDII”) and (10) limitations on net operating losses (“NOLs”) generated after December 31, 2017 to 80% of taxable income.

(11) Revolving Credit FacilityAgreement

On February 28, 2017, the Company and it’sits wholly owned Danish subsidiaries, ANI ApS and TrojanLabel ApS (together, with the Company, ANI ApS and TrojanLabel Aps, the “Parties”), entered into a Credit Agreement with Bank of America, N.A. (the “Lender”). The Credit Agreement providesprovided for a term loan to ANI ApS in the principal amount of $9.2 million. The Credit Agreement also provided for a $10.0 million revolving credit facility available to the Company for general corporate purposes. Revolving credit loans may be borrowed, at the Company’s option, in U.S. Dollars or, subject to certain conditions, Euros, British Pounds, Canadian Dollars or Danish Krone. Upon entry into the Credit Agreement, the Company’s prior credit facility with Wells Fargo Bank was terminated. No loans or other amounts were outstanding or owed under that facility at the time of termination.

The Company is required to pay a commitment fee on the undrawn portion of the revolving credit facility at the rate of 0.25% per annum.

In connection with the Honeywell Purchase and License Agreement, on September 28, 2017, the Parties entered into a First Amendment to the Credit Agreement with the Lender. The First Amendment amended the existing Credit Agreement to permit the Honeywell Asset Purchase and License Agreement and temporarily increased the amount available for borrowing under the revolving credit facility from $10.0 million to $15.0 million.

The initial upfront payment of $14.6 million for the Honeywell Agreement was paid using borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility. Interest on this revolving credit facility accrued at a rate of 4.25%per annum on the outstanding borrowings and is due and payable on the last day of each of the Company’s fiscal quarters. As of October 28, 2017, the Company has accrued $51,000 of interest for this revolving credit facility, which is included in Other Liabilities and Accrued Expenses on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet at October 28, 2017.

As of October 28, 2017, $400,000 of the revolving credit facility remains available under the amended Credit Agreement.

Subsequent to the fiscal quarter end, onOn November 30, 2017, the CompanyParties entered into a Second Amendment to the Credit Agreement with the Lender. The Second Amendment providesprovided for a term loan to the Company in the principal amount of $15.0 million, in addition to the revolving credit facility for the Company and the term loan previously borrowed by ANI ApS at the original closing under the Credit Agreement. The Company borrowed the entire $15.0 million ofproceeds from the term loan upon the closing of the Second Amendment on November 30, 2017 andwere used the proceeds to repay the entire $14.6 million principal balance of the revolving loanloans outstanding under the revolving credit facility as of October 28, 2017. In accordance with the scheduled principal payments commencing January 2018 for the $15.0 million term loan, the Company has classified $2.25 million of the revolving credit facility as a current liability on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet at October 28, 2017.