UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 20-F

☐ REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

OR

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

For the fiscal year endedDecember 31, 20182019

OR

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

For the transition period from __________ to __________

OR

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

Date of event requiring this shell company report _________

Commission file number 000-30394

Metalink Ltd.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Israel

(Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

c/o Top Alpha Capital Ltd., Haaliya 24, Beit-Yitzhak 4292000, Israel 

(Address of principal executive offices)

Attn: Daniel Magen, Tel: +972-72-2117400 Fax: +972-9-8877326, Haaliya 24, Beit-Yitzhak 4292000, Israel
(Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person)

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

None

Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Ordinary Shares, NIS 1.0 par value per share
(Title of Class)

Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act:

None

(Title of Class)

Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report (December 31, 2018)2019):

1,255,640 Ordinary Shares, NIS 1.0 par value per share (excluding 1,525,067 treasury shares)

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. ☐ Yes    ☒ No

If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  ☐ Yes   ☒ No

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 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, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer ☐       Accelerated filer ☐

Non-accelerated filer ☒         Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, 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. ☐

† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.

Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:

If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question indicate by check mark which financial statements the registrant has elected to follow: ☐ Item 17     ☐ Item 18

If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  ☒ Yes    ☐ No

INTRODUCTION

Unless indicated otherwise by the context, all references in this annual report to:to“we”, “us”, “our”, “Metalink”,or the“Company”are to Metalink Ltd.

When the following terms and abbreviations appear in the text of this annual report, they have the meanings indicated below:

Incorporation by Reference

Statements made in this annual report concerning the contents of any contract, agreement or other document are summaries of such contracts, agreements or documents and are not complete descriptions of all of their terms. If we filed any of these documents as an exhibit to this annual report or to any registration statement or annual report that we previously filed, you may read the document itself for a complete description of its terms, and the summary included herein is qualified by reference to the full text of the document which is incorporated by reference into this annual report.

Exchange Rate

On December 31, 2018,2019, the exchange rate between the NIS and the dollar, as quoted by the Bank of Israel, was NIS 3.7483.456 to $1.00. Unless derived from our financial statements or indicated otherwise by the context, statements in this annual report that provide the dollar equivalent of NIS amounts or provide the NIS equivalent of dollar amounts are based on such exchange rate.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical information contained herein, the statements contained in this annual report are forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws with respect to our business, financial condition, prospects and results of operations. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including uncertainty as to our plan of operation; uncertainty as to our ability to generate revenues and reach profitability; the fact that our U.S. shareholders may suffer adverse tax consequences if we will be classified as a passive foreign investment company; changes in general economic and business conditions; changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates; as well as the other risks discussed in Item 3.D. “Key Information—Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this annual report.

We urge you to consider that statements which use the terms “believe,” “do not believe,” “expect,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are based on assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties.

Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, we do not intend to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

We have derived the following selected financial data from our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP.

The following selected data is derived from our audited financial statements included elsewhere in this annual report:

The following selected data is derived from our audited financial statements that are not included in this annual report:

You should read the following selected financial data together with Item 5 of this annual report entitled “Operating and Financial Review and Prospects” and our financial statements and notes thereto and the other financial information appearing elsewhere in this annual report.

Not Applicable.

Not Applicable.

You should carefully consider the following risks before deciding to purchase, hold or sell our stock. Set forth below are the most significant risks, as identified by our management, but we may also face risks in the future that are not presently foreseen. Our business, operating results or financial condition could be materially and adversely affected by these and other risks. You should also refer to the other information contained or incorporated by reference in this annual report, before making any investment decision regarding our company.

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

We currently do not engage in any business.

Since February 2010, we conducted only limited business activities related to our DSL business, which, since March 2015, we no longer conduct. Our plan of operation is to consider strategic alternatives, including a possible business combination, other strategic transaction with a domestic or foreign, private or public operating entity or a “going private” transaction, including with any of our affiliates, and, to a limited extent, voluntary liquidation. In particular, our Board of Directors has determined to focus on exploring a possible business combination with an operating company.See also below under “We may not be successful in executing our plan of operations”.

We may not be successful in executing our plan of operations.

Since February 2010, we have not been able to identify and consummate a suitable business opportunity in accordance with our plan of operations and there can be no assurance that we will be successful in identifying and evaluating suitable business opportunities or to otherwise execute our plan of operations. While our plan of operation is to consider strategic transactions and opportunities, we have not determined to pursue any particular opportunities at this time. Accordingly, we may enter into a business combination with a business entity having no significant operating history or other negative characteristics such as having a limited or no potential for immediate earnings, or otherwise pursue a strategic transaction that will not necessarily provide us or our shareholders with significant financial benefits in the short or long term. In the event that we will complete a business combination with an operating company, the success of our operations is likely to be dependent upon the management of the target company and numerous other factors beyond our control. There is no assurance that we will be able to negotiate a business combination on terms favorable to us, or at all, or that we will otherwise be successful in executing our plan of operations. In addition, if we do consummate a major strategic transaction, such as a business combination, our shareholders may suffer a dilution of value of shares and we may need to raise additional financing because a business combination normally will involve the issuance of a significant number of additional Metalink shares and may require us to raise funds through a public or private financing.See also above under “We currently do not engage in any business” and below under “We have a controlling shareholder”.

We have a history of operating losses.

We incurred significant operating losses since our inception. Although we generated a profit from continuing operations of approximately $0.04 million$4,000 and $40,000 for the yearyears ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2015, respectively, we incurred a loss from continuing operations for each of the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2014 and 2013. Even if we are able to regain and sustain profitability, we cannot assure that future net income will offset our accumulated deficit, which, as of December 31, 2018, was approximately $145.1 million. This is likely to have an adverse impact on the value of our stock.

We hold substantially all of our assets in cash, which exposes us to decrease in the value of such funds. Even if we determine to invest part of such cash in financial instruments, we will be exposed to decreases in the value of our financial investments and may also be deemed an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act of 1940, which could subject us to material adverse consequences.

As of December 31, 2018,2019, we held approximately $1.9 million in cash (including short-term bank deposits), which represent substantially all of our assets. If we continue to hold such funds in cash or short-term bank deposit, it will expose us to decrease in value of such funds, especially if these short-term depositdeposits do not yield interest rates at levels similar to the rate of inflation. On the other hand, if we determine to invest some or all of these funds in financial instruments or securities, we will be subject to loss to the extent that the market value of these instruments decline, which will adversely affect our financial condition. In addition, in order to invest such funds in any securities, we will first need to ensure that the investment of the cash proceeds will not cause us to be an “investment company” under the United States Investment Company Act of 1940, or the Investment Company Act. This is because if we were deemed to be an investment company, we would not be permitted to register under the Investment Company Act without obtaining exemptive relief from the SEC because we are incorporated outside of the United States and, prior to being permitted to register, we would not be permitted to publicly offer or promote our securities in the United States. As a result, we may be required to take certain actions with respect to the investment of our assets or the distribution of cash to shareholders in order to avoid being deemed an investment company, which actions may not be as favorable to us as if we were not potentially subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act. If we are deemed to be an investment company, we could be found to be in violation of the Investment Company Act, and a violation of that act could subject us to material adverse consequences. We seek to conduct our operations, including by way of investing our cash and cash equivalents, to the extent possible so as not to become subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act.

We will not generate any more revenues from our DSL business.

In early 2008, we issued an “end-of-life” notice to our customers, according to which we discontinued the production of the majority of our DSL components. In March 2015, we completed the delivery of certain of our DSL products to a customer and received approximately $450,000, which we recognized in the first quarter of 2015. This order marks the last order that we will receive for our DSL products.

Products sold by us in the past may infringe on the intellectual property rights of others.

Third parties may assert against us infringement claims or claims that WLAN and DSL products sold by us in the past, including products sold under our prior DSL activities, have violated a patent or infringed a copyright, trademark or other proprietary right belonging to them.

We have received from time to time in the past, and may receive in the future, written notices and offers from research institutions, intellectual property holding firms and others claiming to have patent rights in certain technology and inviting us to license this technology and related patent rights for use in our products and methods or otherwise claiming that our products infringe on the intellectual property rights of others.

It would be time consuming for us to defend any such claims, with or without merit, and any such claims could result in among others, costly litigation; divert management’s attention and resources; and require us to enter into royalty or licensing agreements and/or indemnify third parties. In particular, we have certain indemnification obligations to customers with respect to infringement of third-party patents and intellectual property rights by our products and underlying technology. We cannot assure you that our potential obligations to indemnify such third parties will not harm us, our business or our financial condition and results of operations. The results of any litigation are inherently uncertain and any infringement claim or litigation against us, whether with or without merit, could result in the expenditure of significant financial and managerial resources.

Risks Relating to Our Ordinary Shares

We have a controlling shareholder.

As of April 1, 2019,2020, Mr. Daniel Magen, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and a member of our Board of Directors, beneficially owned 670,000 ordinary shares representing approximately 53.4% of our outstanding ordinary shares. As a result, Mr. Magen may have sufficient voting power, subject to special approvals required by Israeli law for transactions involving controlling shareholders, to elect all of our directors (subject to the provisions of the Companies Law with regard to external directors); control our management; approve or reject any merger, consolidation or full tender offer; and otherwise exert significant influence on decisions by our shareholders on matters submitted to shareholder vote. This concentration of ownership of our ordinary shares could delay or prevent proxy contests, mergers, tender offers, or other purchases of our ordinary shares that might otherwise give our shareholders the opportunity to realize a premium over the then-prevailing market price for our ordinary shares and, as a result, may also adversely affect our share price.

The limited market for our shares may reduce their liquidity and make our stock price more volatile. You may have difficulty selling your shares.

Our ordinary shares are currently quoted on the over-the-counter market in the Pink Open Market (also known as the Pink Sheets), or OTC Pink, which is operated by OTC Markets Group, Inc. OTC Pink is a market tier of OTC Markets for various companies, including those that are registered with and reporting to the SEC (like us) and others that are delinquent in their filings. Securities traded on the OTC Pink market typically have low trading volumes and reduced liquidity. Market fluctuations and volatility, as well as general economic, market and political conditions, could reduce our share price. As a result, there may be only a limited public market for our ordinary shares, and it may be more difficult to dispose of or to obtain accurate quotations as to the market value of our ordinary shares. In addition, unlike the NASDAQ Stock Market and the various international stock exchanges, there are no corporate governance requirements imposed on OTC Pink-listed companies.

Our ordinary shares are subject to the “penny stock” rules of the SEC, which makes transactions in our ordinary shares cumbersome and may reduce the value of our shares.

Rule 3a51-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, establishes the definition of a “penny stock,” for the purposes relevant to us, as any equity security that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share or with an exercise price of less than $5.00 per share, subject to certain exceptions. The market price of our ordinary shares on the OTC Pink has been substantially less than $5.00 per share and we do not currently meet any of the other rule exclusions, and therefore our ordinary shares are currently subject to the “penny stock” rules of the SEC. For as long as they are subject to such rules, transactions in our ordinary shares are cumbersome and may reduce the value of our shares. This is because for any transaction involving a penny stock like ours, unless exempt, Rule 15g-9 of the Exchange Act generally requires:

In order to approve a person’s account for transactions in penny stocks, the broker or dealer must:

The broker or dealer must also deliver, prior to any transaction in a penny stock, a disclosure schedule prescribed by the SEC relating to the penny stock market, which, generally:

Disclosure also has to be made by the broker or dealer about the risks of investing in penny stocks in both public offerings and in secondary trading and about the commissions payable to both the broker-dealer and the registered representative, current quotations for the securities and the rights and remedies available to an investor in cases of fraud in penny stock transactions. Finally, monthly statements have to be sent disclosing recent price information for the penny stock held in the account and information on the limited market in penny stocks.

Generally, brokers may be less willing to execute transactions in securities subject to the “penny stock” rules. This may make it more difficult for investors to dispose of our ordinary shares and cause a decline in our market value for as long as we are subject to the said “penny stock” rules.

Substantial future sales of our ordinary shares may depress our share price.

As of April 1, 2019,2020, Mr. Daniel Magen, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer and a member of our Board of Directors, beneficially owned 670,000 ordinary shares representing approximately 53.4% of our outstanding shares. If Mr. Magen sells substantial amounts of our ordinary shares, or if the perception exists that he may sell a substantial number of our ordinary shares, the market price of our ordinary shares may fall.

If we are characterized as a passive foreign investment company, our U.S. shareholders may suffer adverse tax consequences.

As more fully described in Item 10 – “Additional Information - Taxation” under the caption “Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations,” we may be classified as a passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes in 2018.2019. If, for any taxable year, our passive income, or our assets that produce passive income, exceed specified levels, we may be characterized as a PFIC for that year and possibly also for later years. We satisfied the corporate level test to be a PFIC during some of the years 2002 – 2018.2019. Our ordinary shares will be considered shares of a PFIC in the case of any United States person that owned those shares in 2002 or 2003 and that person has not made any of certain elections that could permit the PFIC classification of our shares to terminate in a taxable year in which we did not satisfy the test to be a PFIC. If we are characterized as a PFIC, our U.S. shareholders may suffer adverse tax consequences. These consequences may include having gains realized on the sale of our ordinary shares treated as ordinary income, rather than capital gains, and having the highest possible tax rates in prior years, together with significant interest charges, apply to substantial portions of those gains and to certain distributions, if any, that we make, whether or not we have any earnings and profits. U.S. shareholders should consult their own U.S. tax advisers with respect to the U.S. tax consequences of investing in our ordinary shares.

If we fail to maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and stock price.

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 imposes certain duties on us. Our efforts to comply with the management assessment requirements of Section 404 thereof have resulted in a devotion of management time and attention to compliance activities, and we expect these efforts to require the continued commitment of significant resources. If we fail to maintain the adequacy of our internal controls, we may not be able to ensure that we can conclude on an ongoing basis that we have effective internal control over financial reporting. We may also identify material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting. In addition, our internal control over financial reporting has not been, and is not required to be, audited by our independent registered public accounting firm. In the future, if we are unable to assert that our internal controls are effective, our investors could lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which in turn could cause our stock price to decline. Failure to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting could also result in investigation and/or sanctions by regulatory authorities, and could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating results, investor confidence in our reported financial information, and the market price of our ordinary shares.

Risks Relating to Our Location in Israel

Conditions in the Middle East may adversely affect our business and limit our ability to persue our strategic alternatives.

We are incorporated under the laws of the State of Israel, and our principal offices are located in Israel. In addition, all of our officers and directors are residents of Israel. Accordingly, security, political and economic conditions in the Middle East in general, and in Israel in particular, affect our business.

Over the past several decades, a number of armed conflicts have taken place between Israel and some of its Arab neighbors and the continueda state of hostility, varying in degree and intensity, has led to securityexisted between Israel and economic problems for Israel.certain other countries or militant groups in the region. Since late 2000, there has also been a high level ofan increase in violence and unrest between Israel and the Palestinians, including during the summer of 2014, when Israel was engaged in an armed conflictsconflict with Hamas, a militia group and political partygroup operating in the Gaza Strip. This violenceconflict has strained Israel’s relationship with its Arab citizens, Arab countries and, to some extent, with other countries around the world. SinceIn addition, since the end of 2010, several countries in the region have been experiencing increased political instability, which has led to changes in government in some of these countries and increases in violence and turbulence, including the ongoing civil war in Syria which shares a common border with Israel, the effects of which are currently difficult to assess. In addition, Israel faces threats from more distant neighbors, such as Iran (which has previously threatened to attack Israel and is believed to be an ally ofhave influence over Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah, a militia and political group operating in Lebanon) and the militant group known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. This situation may potentially escalate in the future and may also lead to deterioration of the political and trade relationships that exist between the State of Israel and these countries.future. In addition, this instability in the region may affect the global economy and marketplace. Any armed conflictsWe do not believe that the political and security situation has had a material impact on our business to date; however, there can be no assurance that this will be the case for future operations. Although the Israeli government currently covers the reinstatement value of direct damages that are caused by terrorist attacks or political instabilityacts of war, we cannot be assured that this government coverage will be maintained or will be adequate in the region,event we submit a claim. We could be adversely affected by any major hostilities, including acts of terrorism as well as cyber-attacks or any other hostilities involving or threatening Israel, might affect us, such as by deterring potential targets from effectingthe interruption or curtailment of trade between Israel and its trading partners, a business combination with an Israeli company like us. significant downturn in the economic or financial condition of Israel or a significant increase in the rate of inflation.

Furthermore, some neighboring countries, as well as certain companies, organizations and movements, continue to participate in a boycott of Israeli firms and others doing business with Israel or with Israeli companies. In the past several years, there have been increased efforts by activists to cause companies and consumers to boycott Israeli goods based on Israeli government policies. Similarly, Israeli companies are limited in conducting business with entities from several countries. For example, in 2008, the Israeli legislature passed a law forbidding any investments in entities that transact business with Iran. Restrictive laws, policies or practices directed towards Israel or Israeli businesses could have an adverse impact on our operating results, financial condition or the expansion of our business.

Provisions of Israeli law may delay, prevent or complicate merger or acquisition activity, which could depress the market price of our shares.

Provisions of Israeli corporate, securities and tax law may have the effect of delaying, preventing or making an acquisition of our company more difficult. For example, under the Companies Law, upon the request of a creditor of either party to a proposed merger, the court may delay or prevent the merger if it concludes that there exists a reasonable concern that as a result of the merger the surviving company will be unable to satisfy the obligations of any of the parties to the merger. This and other provisions of Israeli law could cause our ordinary shares to trade at prices below the price for which third parties might be willing to pay to gain control of us, since third parties who are otherwise willing to pay a premium over prevailing market prices to gain control of us may be unable or unwilling to do so because of these provisions of Israeli law.

It may be difficult to enforce a U.S. judgment against us, our officers and directors or to assert U.S. securities laws claims in Israel.

We are incorporated under the laws of the State of Israel. Service of process upon us, and our directors and officers, all of whom reside outside the United States, may be difficult to obtain within the United States. Furthermore, because the majority of our assets and investments, and all of our directors and officers are located outside the United States, any judgment obtained in the United States against us or any of them may be difficult to collect within the United States.States and may not be enforced by an Israeli court.

We have been informed by our legal counsel in Israel that it may also be difficult to assert U.S. securities law claims in original actions instituted in Israel. Israeli courts may refuse to hear a claim based on an alleged violation of U.S. securities laws because Israel reasoning that the most appropriate forum to bring such a claim. In addition, even if an Israeli court agrees to hear a claim, it may determine that Israeli law and not U.S. law is applicable to the claim. If U.S. law is found to be applicable, the content of applicable U.S. law must be provedproven as a fact, which can be a time-consuming and costly process. Certain matters of procedure will also be governed by Israeli law. There is little binding case law in Israel addressing these matters.

Subject to specified time limitations and legal procedures, under the rules of private international law currently prevailing in Israel, Israeli courts may enforce a U.S. judgment in a civil matter, including a judgment based upon the civil liability provisions of the U.S. securities laws, as well as a monetary or compensatory judgment in a non-civil matter, provided that the following key conditions are met:

Since we received government grants for research and development expenditures, we are subject to ongoing restrictions and conditions.

We have received in the past royalty-bearing grants from the Government of Israel through the Israel Innovation Authority (formerly known as the Office of the Chief Scientist) of the Israeli Ministry of Economy, or the IIA, for research and development programs that meet specified criteria pursuant to the Law for the Encouragement of Research, Development and Technological Innovation, 1984, and the regulations promulgated thereunder, or the R&D Law. The terms of the IIA grants limit our ability to manufacture products or transfer technologies outside of Israel if such products or technologies were developed using know-how developed with or based upon IIA grants. In addition, any non-Israeli who becomes an “interested party” in Metalink (e.g., a holder of 5% or more of our share capital) is generally required to notify the IIA and to undertake to observe the R&D Law governing the grant programs of the IIA, the principal restrictions of which are the transferability limits described above in this paragraph. The IIA may establish new guidelines regarding the R&D Law, which may affect our existing and/or future IIA programs and incentives for which we may be eligible. We cannot predict what changes, if any, the IIA may make.

Also, as more fully described in Item 8-A-“Legal Proceedings,” in August 2011, we received a demand from the IIA to pay it royalties in the amount of approximately NIS 940,000 (equal to approximately $251,000)$268,000), excluding interest and linkeage to CPI. While we believe the claim has no merits, there is no assurance that we will necessarily prevail in our efforts to oppose this demand, which may harm our results of operations.

Corporate History and Details

Metalink was incorporated in September 1992 as a corporation under the laws of the State of Israel. Our principal executive offices are located at Kinneret 5, Bnei Brak, Israel. Our telephone number is 972-72-2117400.

From our inception through the third quarter of 1994, our operating activities related primarily to establishing a research and development organization, developing prototype chip designs which meet industry standards and developing strategic OEM partnerships with leading telecommunications equipment manufacturers. We shipped our first chipset in the fourth quarter of 1994. From that time until February 2010, we focused on developing additional products and applications, shaping new industry standards and building our worldwide indirect sales and distribution channels. In February 2010, we sold our wireless local area network (WLAN) business to Lantiq. In February 2017, we completed our self tenderself-tender offer and purchased approximately 53.3% of the shares issued and outstanding as of immediately prior to the consummation of the tender offer, for $1.50 per share, or approximately $2.15 million in the aggregate. Consequently, to our knowledge, (1) Mr. Daniel Magen became our largest beneficial owner, owning, in the aggregate, 670,000 ordinary shares, representing approximately 53.4% of the issued and outstanding shares of Metalink, and (2) each of Uzi Rozenberg, the former Chairman of our Board of Directors, and Tzvi Shukhman, a former member of the Board of Directors, who were also principal shareholders of Metalink prior to completion of the tender offer, no longer hold any shares of Metalink (but see Item 7 – Major Shareholders for details about the stock options held by Mr. Shukhman).

Recent Major Developments

Below is a summary of theThere were no major developments in Metalink since January 1, 2018:2019.

Principal Capital Expenditure and Divestitures

Capital expenditures were $0 for each of the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 2017 and 2016.2017.

During 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2018,2019, we did not make any significant divestitures.

Overview

Our plan of operation is to consider strategic alternatives, including a possible business combination or other strategic transaction with a domestic or foreign, private or public operating entity or a “going private” transaction, including with any of our affiliates, and, to a limited extent, voluntary liquidation. In particular, our Board of Directors has determined to focus on exploring a possible business combination with an operating company.

Historic DSL Business

We previously marketed and sold DSL chipsets used by manufacturers of telecommunications equipment. In March 2015, we completed the delivery of our DSL products to a customer. In exchange therefor we received a payment of approximately $450,000, which we recognized in the first quarter of 2015. This order marks the last order that we will receive for our DSL products, which were the subject of an “end of life” notice that we issued in early 2008.

All of our sales in 2014 and 2015 were to one customer in Taiwan. We had no sales since 2016.

Research and Development

Since the sale of the WLAN business to Lantiq in February 2010, we are not engaged in any research and development activites.activities.

The Government of Israel, through the IIA, encourages research and development projects. Since 1995, we received grants from the IIA for the development of our products, including DSL products. In addition, we were engaged in a research project, under the sixth framework program of the European Commission, under which we were entitled to grants based on certain approved expenditures of a research and development plan. See Item 5.A under “Government Grants” and Item 5.C under “Grants from the IIA”.

Manufacturing

We have never owned or operated a semiconductor fabrication facility. As a fabless provider of chipsets, we subcontracted our entire semiconductor manufacturing to third party contractors. Our chipsets were delivered to us fully assembled and tested based on our proprietary designs.

We subcontracted our semiconductor wafer manufacturing, packaging and testing to semiconductor manufacturing companies in Taiwan. The selection of these manufacturers was based on the breadth of available technology, quality, manufacturing capacity and support for design tools used by us.

Proprietary Rights

We used to rely on patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, confidentiality agreements and other contractual arrangements with our employees, strategic partners and others to protect our technology. We do not currently own any registered trademarks or registered copyrights.

In addition, other parties may assert rights as inventors of the underlying technologies, which could limit our ability to fully exploit the rights conferred by any patent that we receive. Our competitors may be able to design around any patent that we receive and other parties may obtain patents that we would need to license or circumvent in order to exploit our patents.

All of our U.S. patents expired in 2018.

Government Regulations

Environmental Directives. A directive issued by the European Union on the Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment, or “RoHS,” came into effect in July 2006. The RoHS directive lists a number of substances including, among others, lead, mercury, cadmium and hexavalent chromium, which must either be removed or reduced to within maximum permitted concentrations in any products containing electrical or electronic components that are sold within the European Union.Government Regulations

A further European Union directive on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment, or “WEEE,” approved by the European Union in 2003, promotes waste recovery with a view to reducing the quantity of waste for disposal and saving natural resources, in particular by reuse, recycling and recovery of waste electrical and electronic equipment. The WEEE directive covers all electrical and electronic equipment used by consumers and electronic equipment intended for professional use. The directive generally requires that all new electrical and electronic equipment put on the market in European Union be appropriately labeled regarding waste disposal and contains other obligations regarding the collection and recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment. An additional European Code of Conduct on Energy Consumption of Broadband Equipment Conduct, or the Code of Conduct, set out the basic principles to be followed by all parties involved in broadband equipment, operating in the European Community, in respect of energy efficient equipment. The Code of Conduct requires customer-premises equipment, or CPE, and home appliances to meet certain maximum power cunsmpution targets.

While we are no longer selling any products and that we generally relied on our suppliers to comply with these requirements, if the products we sold fail to comply with WEEE or RoHS directives, the Code of Conduct or any other directive or similar regulation issued from time to time by the European Union or in other countries in which we operated, we could be subject to penalties and other sanctions that could have a material adverse affect on our results of operations and financial condition.

Israeli Innovation Authority. See Item 5.C under “Grants from the IIA”.

We currently have no active subsidiaries.

In November 2017, our offices relocated to Bnei Brak, Israel, as part of our engagement with Daniel Magen to provide CFO and CEO services to the Company, without remuneration.

We believe that the aforesaid office space is suitable and adequate for our operations as currently conducted and as currently foreseen. In the event any additional or substitute offices and/or facilities will become required, we believe that we could obtain such offices and facilities at commercially reasonable rates.

None.

The information contained in this section should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this annual report. Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Overview

General

Our plan of operation is to consider strategic alternatives, including a possible business combination, other strategic transaction with a domestic or foreign, private or public operating entity or a “going private” transaction, including with any of our affiliates, and, to a limited extent, voluntary liquidation.

Revenues in 20182019 and 20172018 were $0.

Operating loss for 20172019 was $58,000,$45,000, compared to an operating loss of $194,000$58,000 in 2017.2018. This decrease was mainly due to the decrease of our operating expenses.

As of December 31, 20182019 we had approximately $24,000$12,000 in cash and cash equivalents and a short term depositshort-term deposits of approximately $1.9 million. As of the date of this annual report, we anticipate that we will be able to meet our cash requirements in the next 12 months without obtaining additional capital from external sources.

20192020 Outlook

Revenues.In March 2015, we completed the delivery of certain of our DSL products to a customer. In exchange therefor we received approximately $450,000, which we recognized in the first quarter of 2015. This order marked the last order that we will receive for DSL products, which were the subject of an “end of life” notice that we issued in early 2008. As a result, we do not expect to generate any revenues in 2019.2020.

Plan of Operations. Our plan of operation is to consider strategic alternatives, including a possible business combination or other strategic transaction with a domestic or foreign, private or public operating entity or a “going private” transaction, including with any of our affiliates, and, to a limited extent, voluntary liquidation. There is no assurance that any of these alternatives will be pursued or, if one is pursued, what the timing thereof would be or the terms on which it would occur.

Critical Accounting Policies

Management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. A change in those accounting rules can have a significant effect on our reported results and may affect our reporting of transactions completed before a change is announced. Changes to those rules or the questioning of current practices may adversely affect our reported financial results or the way we conduct our business. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods presented. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

However, we currently did not identify any critical accounting policies that require significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements.

General

The following discussion of our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 2017 and 2016,2017, including the following table, which presents selected financial information data in dollars (dollars in thousands) and as a percentage of total revenues, is based upon our statements of operations contained in our financial statements for those periods, and the related notes, included in this annual report.

Revenues. Our revenues are generated in U.S. dollars, and the majority of our costs and expenses are incurred in U.S. dollars. Consequently, we use the dollar as our functional currency. For additional details regarding the manner in which we recognize revenues, see the discussion under the caption “Critical Accounting Policies - Revenue Recognition” above.

Cost of Revenues.Our cost of revenues consists primarily of materials and components used in the manufacture and assembly of our chips, fees for subcontractors who manufacture, assemble and test our chipsets, and other overhead expenses and royalties paid to the Government of Israel.

Operating Expenses.Operating expenses consist of sales and marketing expenses as well as general and administrative expenses (primarily salaries and other personnel related expenses for executive, accounting and administrative personnel, professional fees, and other general corporate expenses).

Financial Income, Net. In 2019, 2018 2017 and 2016,2017, financial income, net was primarily attributable to interest income, exchange rates differences and balance annulments.

Taxes.Israeli companies were subject to corporate tax at the rate of 25%24% for the year 2016.2017. For 2017,2018 and 2019, the corporate tax rate was decreased to 24% and for 2018 the corporate tax rate decreased to 23%. Israeli companies are generally subject to Capital Gains Tax at the corporate tax rate.

Year Ended December 31, 2019 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2018

Revenues. There were no revenues in 2019 and in 2018. This occurred due to completion of delivery of our last DSL products order in 2015, which was the subject of an “end of life” notice we issued already in early 2008.

Cost of Revenues. Cost of revenues was $0 in 2019 and in 2018.

Operating Expenses. Operating expenses were $45,000 in 2019, compared with $58,000 in 2018. This decrease was primarily due to cost reduction efforts we implemented during 2019.

Financial Income, net. Financial income, net was $49,000 in 2019, compared with $23,000 in 2018.

Year Ended December 31, 2018 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2017

Revenues. There were no revenues in 2018 and in 2017. This occurred due to completion of delivery of our last DSL products order in 2015, which was the subject of an “end of life” notice we issued already in early 2008.

Cost of Revenues. Cost of revenues was $0 in 2018 and in 2017.

Operating Expenses. Operating expenses were $58,000 in 2018, compared with $194,000 in 2017. This decrease was primarily due to cost reduction efforts we implemented during 2018.

Financial Income, net. Financial income, net was $23,000 in 2018, compared with $4,000 in 2017.

Year Ended December 31, 2017 Compared with Year Ended December 31, 2016

Revenues. There were no revenues in 2017 and in 2016. This occurred due to completion of delivery of our last DSL products order in 2015, which was the subject of an “end of life” notice we issued already in early 2008.

Cost of Revenues. Cost of revenues was $0 in 2017 and in 2016.

Operating Expenses. Operating expenses were $0.19 million in 2017, compared with $0.29 million in 2016. This slight decrease was primarily due to one-time expenses associated with our voluntary liquidetion plan we pursued during 2016 and the preparations we commenced in late 2016 for the self tender offer we conducted in early 2017.

Financial Income, net. Financial income, net was $4,000 in 2017, compared with $39,000 in 2016. This decrease was primarily due to $0 interest income that reduced the net income in 2017.

Impact of Inflation and Foreign Currency Fluctuations

The dollar cost of our operations is influenced by the extent to which any increase in the rate of inflation in Israel is (or is not) offset, or is offset on a lagging basis, by the devaluation of the NIS in relation to the dollar. Inflation in Israel has a negative effect on our profitability as we receive payment in dollars or dollar-linked NIS for substantially all of our sales while we incur a portion of our expenses, principally salaries and related personnel expenses, in NIS, unless such inflation is offset by a devaluation of the NIS.

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, (1) devaluation or appreciation of the U.S. dollar against the most significant currency for our business, i.e., the NIS; and (2) inflation as reflected in changes in the Israeli consumer price index.

A revaluation of the NIS in relation to the dollar, as was the case in 2016 and 2017 and 2019, has the effect of increasing the dollar amount of any of our expenses or liabilities which are payable in NIS (unless such expenses or payables are linked to the dollar). Such revaluation also has the effect of increasing the dollar value of any asset, which consists of NIS or receivables payable in NIS (unless such receivables are linked to the dollar). Conversely, any decrease in the value of the NIS in relation to the dollar, as was the case in 2014, 2015 and 2018, has the effect of decreasing the dollar value of any unlinked NIS assets and the dollar amounts of any unlinked NIS liabilities and expenses.

In 2014-2018,2015-2019, foreign currency fluctuations and the rate of inflation in Israel did not have a material impact on our financial results. However, we cannot predict any future trends in the rate of inflation/deflation in Israel or the rate of devaluation/revaluation of the NIS against the dollar. We cannot assure you that we will not be adversely affected in the future if inflation in Israel exceeds the devaluation of the NIS against the dollar or if the timing of such devaluation lags behind increases in inflation in Israel or if the NIS will be appreciated against the dollar.

The effects of foreign currency re-measurements are reported in our financial statements in current operations.

Corporate Tax Rate

Israeli companies were generally subject to corporate tax at the rate of 25%23% for the year 2016, 24%years 2018 and 2019 and for the year 2017 and 23% for 2018.future years.

In 1994, our facility was granted “approved enterprise” status under the Law for the Encouragement of Capital Investments, 1959, and consequently we are eligible, subject to compliance with certain requirements, for certain tax benefits beginning when such facility first generates taxable income, but not later than the 2008 tax year. In December 2000, our facility received an approval for extension of the “approved enterprise” status period as a result of the additional capital investment in the Company resulting from the initial and the secondary public offerings conducted in December 1999 and March 2000. Such additional capital investment was a condition of the extension of the “approved enterprise” status period. Consequently, we were eligible, subject to compliance with certain requirements, for certain tax benefits beginning when such facility first generates taxable income, but no later than the 2014 tax year. The period of tax benefits with respect to our approved enterprise has not commenced, because we have yet to realize taxable income in Israel.

As a result of the foregoing and of our accumulated tax loss carry-forwards (which totaled more than $200 million at December 31, 2018)2019), our loss in the year 2018 and based on the current tax system in Israel, we do not anticipate being subject to income tax in Israel for the 20182019 tax year.

Israeli Government Grants

We used to conduct a substantial part of our research and development operations in Israel. Some of our research and development efforts have been financed through internal resources and grants per project from the IIA. The IIA provided us grants for research and development efforts of approximately $1.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2009 (20% of our then total research and development expenses), $0.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 (86% of our then total research and development expenses) and none for the year ended December 31, 2011 and thereafter.

Since the grant program has the impact of lowering our research and development expenditures and improving our operating margins, reduction in the Company’s participation in the program or in the benefits that the Company receives under the program could affect the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. Currently, we are obligated to pay royalties to the IIA at the rate of 3% to 4.5%. Due to our manufacturing outside of Israel, our aggregate payment amount with respect to grants received in 2009 and 2010 is 100% of the dollar-linked value of such grants. In 2003, we were required by the IIA to perform at least 50% of our manufacturing in Israel. See “Item 5(C)- Research and Development, Patents and Licenses, etc.- Grants from the IIA”.

The refund of the grants is contingent on future sales (or related services) and we have no obligation to refund these grants if sales are not generated.

We paid or accrued to the IIA $0 for 2019, 2018 2017 and 2016.2017. See also Item 8A – “Legal Proceedings” regarding a pending claim of the IIA.

Historically, we have financed our operations primarily through funds generated by our public offerings in 1999 and 2000 as well as research and development and marketing grants, primarily from the Government of Israel. From 2008 until 2010, we also financed our operations through private equity investments and, on a limited basis, through short-term loans.

Working Capital and Cash Flows

We had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $12,000, $24,000 $2.0 million and $4.3$2.0 million as of December 31, 2019, 2018 2017 and 2016,2017, respectively. In addition, we had a short-term depositdeposits of approximately $1.9 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and $0 as of December 31, 2017 and 2016.2017. It should be noted that as of each of those dates we did not have any short-term (other than the above mentioned short-term deposit) or long-term investments or outstanding borrowings.

Our total proceeds from grants received from the IIA (DSL and WLAN), net of royalties paid, was approximately $28 million as of each of December 31, 2019, 2018 2017 and 2016.2017. See also Item 8A – “Legal Proceedings” regarding a pending claim of the IIA.

No capital expenditures were made in our continuing operation for each of the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 2017 and 2016.2017.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $5,000 for the year ended December 31, 2019. Net cash used in operating activities was $40,000 and $228,000 for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

Net cash used in financing activities was $0 for the yearyears ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, compared to $2,153,000 for the year ended December 31, 2017, primarily related to the self tenderself-tender offer we completed in February 2017. Since 2010, we no longer hold government treasury securities and we do not conduct interest rate or currency hedging activities.

Net cash used in investing activities was $1.9$17,000 and $1.9 million for the yearyears ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, compared to $0 for the year ended December 31, 2017, primarily related to a short termshort-term deposit renewed automatically on a half year basis.

Outlook

In light of several factors, primarily our current cash position, we anticipate that our existing capital resources will be adequate to satisfy our working capital and capital expenditure requirements in the next twelve months.

Grants from the IIA

The Government of Israel encourages research and development projects through the Israel Innovation Authority (formerly known as the Office of the Chief Scientist) of the Israeli Ministry of Economy, or the IIA, pursuant to the R&D Law. Grants received under such programs are generally repaid through a mandatory royalty based on revenues from products (and ancillary services) incorporating know-how developed, in whole or in part, with the grants. This government support is condition upon our ability to comply with certain applicable requirements and conditions specified in the IIA’s programs and the R&D Law.

Generally, grants from the IIA constitute up to 50% of qualifying research and development expenditures for particular approved projects. Under the terms of these IIA projects, a royalty of 3% to 5% is due on revenues from sales of products and related services that incorporate know-how developed, in whole or in part, within the framework of projects funded by the IIA.

The R&D Law also provides that know-how developed under an approved research and development program or rights associated with such know-how (1) may not be transferred to third parties in Israel without the approval of the IIA (such approval is not required for the sale or export of any products resulting from such research or development) and (2) may not be transferred to any third parties outside Israel, except in certain special circumstances and subject to the IIA’s prior approval, which approval, if any, may generally be obtained, in the following cases: (a) the grant recipient pays to the IIA a portion of the sale price paid in consideration for such IIA-funded know-how (according to certain formulas, which may result in repayment of up to 600% of the grant amounts plus interest), or (b) the grant recipient receives know-how from a third party in exchange for its IIA-funded know-how. Such approval is not required for the export of any products resulting from such research or development.

The R&D Law imposes reporting requirements with respect to certain changes in the ownership of a grant recipient. The law requires the grant recipient and its controlling shareholders and foreign interested parties to notify the IIA of any change in control of the recipient or a change in the holdings of the means of control of the recipient and requires a non-Israeli interested party to undertake to the IIA to comply with the R&D Law. In addition, the rules of the IIA may require additional information or representations in respect of certain of such events. For this purpose, “Control” is defined as the ability to direct the activities of a company other than any ability arising solely from serving as an officer or director of the company. A person is presumed to have control if such person holds 50% or more of the means of control of a company. “Means of Control” refers to voting rights or the right to appoint directors or the chief executive officer. An “interested party” of a company includes a holder of 5% or more of its outstanding share capital or voting rights, its chief executive officer and directors, someone who has the right to appoint its chief executive officer or at least one director, and a company with respect to which any of the foregoing interested parties owns 25% or more of the outstanding share capital or voting rights or has the right to appoint 25% or more of the directors. Accordingly, any non-Israeli who acquires 5% or more of our ordinary shares will be required to notify the IIA that it has become an interested party and to sign an undertaking to comply with the R&D Law.

A major amendment to the R&D Law entered into force on January 1, 2016. This amendment may create uncertainty in respect of the terms of our existing and/or future IIA programs and incentives we may be eligible for as it empowers the IIA to issue new guidelines in connection therewith.

See also Item 8A – “Legal Proceedings” regarding a pending claim of the IIA.

See Item 5A – “Operating Results – Overview – 20172020 Outlook.”

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements, as such term is defined under Item 5E of the instructions to Form 20-F, that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors. In addition, we have no special purpose financing or partnership entities that are likely to create material contingent obligations.

There arewere no contractual obligations andor commercial commitments as of December 31, 2018.2019, as such terms are defined under Item 5F of the instructions to Form 20-F.

The following table lists our current directors and executive officers:

Joseph Winstonhas served as Chairman of our Board of Directors since March 2017. He is the Chief Financial Officer of Finext Capital, a subsidiary of the Futureal Group, a European real estate developer. From November 2007 until June 2011, Mr. Winston worked as an analyst and portfolio manager at Erez Investments, a subsidiary of Vision Sigma Ltd. (TASE: VISN). Mr. Winston has a B.A. in economics with a minor in business from the University of California, Berkeley and an M.B.A. in finance and strategy from the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Mr. Winston earned the right to use the Charted Financial Analyst designation in 2005.

Daniel Magen has served as our director since March 2017. Effective December 2017, Mr. Magen also serves as our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. He currently also serves as the sole director of Top Alpha Capital S.M. Ltd., a controlling shareholder of the Company. Mr. Magen has a B.A. in economics and accounting from Tel Aviv University. Mr. Magen is a certified public accountant.

Roi Kol has served as our director since March 2017. He is the VP Investments of Top Alpha Investment House, an affiliate of Top Alpha Capital S.M. Ltd., a controlling shareholder of the Company. Mr. Kol has a B.A. in economics with a specialty in business management from Ben Gurion University. Mr. Kol holds a portfolio management license from the Israel Securities Authority.

Ron Mekler has served as our director since June 2018. He is the Chief Financial Officer at a large health services organization. Mr. Mekler previously served as CFO and as a Controller in several international industrial and real estate companies. Mr. Mekler has a B.A. in economics and accounting from Ben Gurion University and an M.B.A. in business administration with a specialty in finance and tax from the Ono Academic College. Mr. Mekler is a certified public accountant.

Avi Mann has served as our external director since June 2018. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Ezer Construction, a privately held company that provides marketing, engineering and technological solutions for construction projects to a number of international companies. Mr. Mann has a BSc in mechanical engineering from the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology with a specialty in energy systems and an M.B.A. in business administration with a specialty in strategic management, marketing, human resources, systems management and organizational structure from the Technion, Israel Institute of Technology.

Mor Kaniel has served as our external director since June 2018. She is the Head of Finance of the Retail Division of Alpha Cosmetics Ltd. Ms. Kaniel has a B.A. in economics and business administration from Bar Ilan University.

Additional Information

On March 9, 2017, we held a special meeting of shareholders at which Messrs. Winston, Magen and Kol were elected as new directors, replacing Messrs. Uzi Rozenberg, Tzvi Shukhman and Efi Shenhar. Following the meeting, our Board of Directors nominated Mr. Winston to serve as the Chairman of our Board of Directors.

On December 28, 2017, we held a meeting of the Board of Directors at which Mr. Magen was appointed as new CFO and CEO without remuneration, replacing Mr. Shay Evron.

On June 28, 2018, we held our 2018 annual shareholders meeting at which, among other things, our shareholders elected (i) Messrs. Joseph Winston, Daniel Magen, Roy Kol and Ron Mekler as directors until our next annual meeting, and (ii) Mr. Avi Mann and Ms. Mor Kaniel as external directors for a period of three years.

There are no family relations between the directors and executive officers named above. We are also not aware of any arrangements or understandings with major shareholders, customers, suppliers or others, pursuant to which (1) any person referred to above was selected as a director or member of senior management or (2) any director will receive compensation by a third party in connection with his or her candidacy or board service in the Company.

General

The aggregate remuneration we paid for the year ended December 31, 20182019 to our directors and executive officers (six persons during 2018)2019), was approximately $2,000NIS 19,300 (equivalent to $5,590) in salaries, fees, commissions and bonuses. There were no amounts set aside or accrued to provide for pension, retirement or similar benefits.

As approved by our shareholders, commencing June 2018, our external directors, including Messrs. Mann and Kaniel, and our independent directors, including Mr. Mekler, and such other external and independent directors who may serve the Company from time to time are entitled to receive the minimum compensation permitted for external directors under the Companies Regulations (Rules Regarding Compensation and Expenses to External directors), 2000, as amended (the “Compensation Regulations”), which currently means: (i) fixed compensation for their service on the Board of Directors or any committee of the Board of Directors of NIS 21,210 (equivalent to approximately $5,700)$5,800) on an annual basis, and (ii) compensation for their participation in any Board of Directors or committee meetings of NIS 615 per meeting attended (equivalent to approximately $165)$170), or, for attendance via teleconference, 60% of such participation fee and 50% of such fee for the approval of actions of the Board of Directors by way of written consent all linked to the Israeli CPI.

As approved by our shareholders, commencing June 2018, our directors affiliated with our controlling shareholder (namely, Mr. Kol) or that may be affiliated with our controlling shareholder (namely, Mr. Winston) are entitled to a meeting attendance fee of NIS 620 (equivalent to approximately $165)$170), or, for attendance via teleconference, 60% of such participation fee and 50% of such fee for the approval of actions of the Board of Directors by way of written consent, all linked to the Israeli CPI. 

For the sake of clarity, Mr. Magen is not entitled to any fees in consideration for his service as a member of the Board of Directors or as an executive officer.

No directors have arrangements to receive benefits upon termination of employment.

See Item 6.C “Board Practices – Management and Director Service Contracts” for information regarding our consulting contract with Mr. Tzvi Shukhman, our former director and former CEO.

Compensation of Executive Officers

In 2018,2019, we did not pay any compensation to our executive officer.  In 2017, we only had one executive officer (until his replacement in December 2017), who was engaged through a consultancy arrangement with the firm he works with. The table below reflects the compensation granted to him during or with respect to the year ended December 31, 2017. We refer to this individual for whom disclosure is provided herein as our “Covered Executive”.

All amounts reported in the table are in terms of cost to us, as recognized in our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017.

Introduction

We are incorporated in Israel and therefore are subject to various corporate governance practices under the Israeli Companies Law, relating to such matters as external directors, the audit committee, the internal auditor and approvals of interested party transactions. These matters are in addition to the ongoing conditions and other relevant provisions of U.S. securities laws.

Board of Directors

According to the Companies Law and our articles of association, the oversight of the management of our business is vested in our Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may exercise all powers and may take all actions that are not specifically granted to our shareholders. As part of its powers, our Board of Directors may cause us to borrow or secure payment of any sum or sums of money for our purposes, at times and upon terms and conditions as it thinks fit, including the grant of security interests in all or any part of our property.

According to our articles of association, our Board of Directors may consist of between four (4) and nine (9) directors. Our Board of Directors currently consists of six (6) directors.

Under the Companies Law, our Board of Directors must determine the minimum number of directors having financial and accounting expertise, as defined in the regulations, that our Board of Directors should have. In determining the number of directors required to have such expertise, the Board of Directors must consider, among other things, the type and size of the company and the scope and complexity of its operations. Our Board of Directors has determined that we require at least one director with the requisite financial and accounting expertise and that Mr. Mann has such expertise.

Our directors are elected at annual meetings of shareholders by a vote of the holders of a majority of the ordinary shares voting thereon. Directors generally hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders. Our annual meeting of shareholders is required to be held at least once during every calendar year and not more than fifteen months after the last preceding meeting. The Board of Directors generally may temporarily fill vacancies in the board.

A resolution proposed at any meeting of the Board of Directors is deemed adopted if approved by a majority of the directors present and voting on the matter.

External Directors

Qualifications of External Directors

Under the Israeli Companies Law, companies incorporated under the laws of Israel whose shares are listed for trading on a stock exchange or have been offered to the public in or outside of Israel, such as Metalink, are generally required to appoint at least two external directors. The Companies Law provides that a person may not be appointed as an external director if the person or the person’s relative, partner, employer or any entity under the person’s control has, as of the date of the person’s appointment to serve as an external director, or had, during the two years preceding that date, any affiliation with:

The term affiliation includes:

The Companies Law defines the term “office holder” of a company to include a director, the chief executive officer and any officer of the company who reports directly to the chief executive officer.

No person can serve as an external director if the person’s position or other business creates, or may create, a conflict of interest with the person’s responsibilities as an external director or may otherwise interfere with the person’s ability to serve as an external director.

Until two years from termination of office, a company and its controlling shareholder generally not give any direct or indirect benefit to the former external director or his relative.

In addition, pursuant to the Companies Law, (1) an external director must have either “accounting and financial expertise” or “professional qualifications” (as such terms are defined in regulations promulgated under the Companies Law) and (2) at least one of the external directors must have “accounting and financial expertise”. Our current external directors are Mr. Mann and Ms. Kaniel. We have determined that Mr. Mann has the requisite “accounting and financial expertise”.

Election of External Directors

External directors are elected at meetings of shareholders by a vote of the holders of a majority of the ordinary shares voting thereon, provided that either:

The initial term of an external director is three years and may be extended for up to two additional three-year terms.

Reelection of an external director may be effected through one of the following mechanisms: (1) the board of directors proposed the reelection of the nominee and the election was approved by the shareholders by the majority required to appoint external directors for their initial term as described above; or (2) a shareholder holding 1% or more of the voting rights or the external director proposed the reelection of the nominee, and the reelection is approved by a majority of the votes cast by the shareholders of the company, excluding the votes of controlling shareholders and those who have a personal interest in the matter as a result of their relations with the controlling shareholders; provided that the aggregate votes cast in favor of the reelection by such non-excluded shareholders constitute more than 2% of the voting rights in the company.

External directors may be removed from office only by the same percentage of shareholders as is required for their election, or by a court, only if the external directors cease to meet the statutory qualifications for their appointment or if they violate their duty of loyalty to the company.

Each committee of a company’s board of directors that exercises a power of the board of directors is required to include at least one external director, except for the audit committee and compensation committee, each of which is required to include all the external directors.

Committees

Subject to the provisions of the Companies Law, our Board of Directors may delegate its powers to committees consisting of board members. Our board has formed an audit committee and a compensation committee.

Audit Committee

Under the Companies Law, our Board of Directors is required to appoint an audit committee, which must be comprised of at least three directors, include all of the external directors, a majority of its members must satisfy the independence standards under the Companies Law, and the chairman is required to be an external director.

The duties of the audit committee under the Companies Law include, among others, examining flaws in the business management of the company and suggesting remedial measures to the board, assessing the company’s internal audit system and the performance of its internal auditor, and as more fully described below, approval of certain interested party transactions. An interested party is defined in the Companies Law to include 5% or greater shareholder, any person or entity who has the right to designate one director or more or the general manager of the company or any person who serves as a director or as a general manager.

Our Audit Committee adopted a written charter specifying the committee’s duties and responsibilities, which include, among other:

Our Audit Committee consists of Mr. Mann, Ms. Kaniel and Mr. Mekler.

Our Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Mann qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of the SEC rules.

Our Audit Committee meets when required.

Compensation Committee

Under the Companies Law, our Board of Directors is required to appoint a compensation committee, which must be comprised of at least three directors, including all of the external directors and whose other members must satisfy certain independence standards under the Companies Law, and the chairman of which is required to be an external director. Under the Companies Law, the role of the compensation committee is to recommend to the board of directors, for ultimate shareholder approval by a special majority, a policy governing the compensation of office holders based on specified criteria; to review, from time to time, modifications to the compensation policy and examine its implementation; to approve the actual compensation terms of office holders prior to approval thereof by the board of directors; and to resolve whether to exempt the compensation terms of a candidate for chief executive officer from shareholder approval.

Our compensation committee consists of the same members as the Audit Committee.Committee and meets as required.

Internal Auditor

Under the Companies Law, our Board of Directors is also required to appoint an internal auditor proposed by the audit committee. The role of the internal auditor is to examine, among other things, whether our activities comply with the law and orderly business procedure. At present, we have no serving internal auditor.

Approval of Specified Related Party Transactions Under Israeli Law

Fiduciary Duties of Office Holders

The Companies Law imposes a duty of care and a duty of loyalty on all office holders of a company, including directors and executive officers.

The duty of care requires an office holder to act with the level of care with which a reasonable office holder in the same position would have acted under the circumstances. The duty of care includes a duty to use reasonable means to obtain:

The duty of loyalty of an office holder includes a duty to:

Each person listed in the table under “Directors and Senior Management” above is an office holder. Under the Companies Law, all arrangements as to compensation of directors and officers in public companies such as ours, generally require the approvals of the compensation committee, the board of directors and, in the case of the Chief Executive Officer and the directors, subject to certain exceptions, the shareholders as well, in that order.

Disclosure of Personal Interests of an Office Holder.

The Companies Law requires that an office holder of a company promptly disclose any personal interest that he may have and all related material information known to him in connection with any existing or proposed transaction by the company. A personal interest of an office holder includes an interest of a company in which the office holder is, directly or indirectly, a 5% or greater shareholder, director or general manager or in which he has the right to appoint at least one director or the general manager. In the case of an “extraordinary transaction”, the office holder’s duty to disclose applies also to a personal interest of the office holder’s relative.

Under the Companies law, an extraordinary transaction is a transaction:

Under the Companies Law, once an office holder complies with the above disclosure requirement the board of directors may approve a transaction between the company and such office holder or a third party in which such office holder has a personal interest, unless the articles of association provide otherwise. Nevertheless, a transaction that is adverse to the company’s interest cannot be approved.

If the transaction is an extraordinary transaction, both the audit committee and the board of directors must approve the transaction. Under specific circumstances, shareholder approval may also be required. Generally, when a transaction is considered by the audit committee and board of directors, the interested director may not be present or vote, unless a majority of the members of the board of directors or the audit committee, as the case may be, has a personal interest in the matter. If a majority of members of the board of directors have a personal interest therein, shareholder approval is generally also required.

Approval of Office Holder Compensation

Under the Companies Law, every Israeli public company was required to adopt a compensation policy, recommended by the compensation committee, and approved by the board of directors and the shareholders, in that order, no later than January 2014. The shareholder approval requires a majority of the votes cast by shareholders, provided that either (i) the shares voted in favor of the resolution include at least a majority of the shares voted by shareholders who are not controlling shareholders and do not have a “personal interest” in such matter or (ii) the total number of shares voted against such matter by said group of disinterested shareholders does not exceed two percent of the voting rights in the company. In general, all office holders’ terms of compensation – including fixed remuneration, bonuses, equity compensation, retirement or termination payments, indemnification, liability insurance and the grant of an exemption from liability – must comply with the company’s compensation policy. To date, we have not sought shareholder approval for any compensation policy primarily because we believe that we are exempt from such requirement.

In addition, the compensation terms of directors, the chief executive officer, and any employee or service provider who is considered a controlling shareholder must be approved separately by the compensation committee, the board of directors and the shareholders of the company (by the same majority noted above), in that order. The compensation terms of other officers require the approval of the compensation committee and the board of directors. Shareholder approval is not required for director compensation payable in cash up to the maximum amount set forth in the regulations governing the compensation of external directors. The compensation terms of other officers who report directly to the chief executive officer require the approval of the compensation committee and the board of directors.

Exculpation, Insurance and Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Exculpation of Office Holders

Under the Companies Law, an Israeli company may not exempt an office holder from liability with respect to a breach of his duty of loyalty, but may exempt in advance an office holder from his liability to the company, in whole or in part, with respect to a breach of his duty of care (except in connection with distributions), provided that the articles of association of the company allow it to do so. Our articles of association allow us to exempt our office holders to the fullest extent permitted by law.

Office Holder Insurance

Our articles of association provide that, we may, to the maximum extent permitted by the Companies Law, insure the liability of officers. Without derogating from the foregoing, we may enter into a contract for the insurance of the liability of any of our office holders with respect to an act performed in the capacity of an office holder for:

Indemnification of Office Holders

We may, to the maximum extent permitted by the Companies Law, indemnify the liability of office holders. Without derogating from the foregoing, we may indemnify an office holder for acts or omissions committed in his or her capacity as an office holder of the Company for:

Limitations on Insurance and Indemnification

The Companies Law provides that a company may not exculpate or indemnify an office holder nor enter into an insurance contract which would provide coverage for any monetary liability incurred as a result of any of the following:

In addition, under the Companies Law, indemnification of, and procurement of insurance coverage for, our office holders must be approved by our audit committee and our Board of Directors and, in specified circumstances, by our shareholders.

We currently do not have director’s and officer’s liability insurance. We entered into indemnification and exculpation agreements with our directors and executive officers in accordance with our articles of association.

Management and Director Service Contracts

We receive chief executive officer and chief financial officer services from Mr. Magen, for no remunaration.

Mr. Evron, our former Chief Financial Officer and Acting Chief Executive Officer, who was appointed in June 2011 as part of the Company’s engagement with an affiliate of Fahn Kanne-Grant Thornton Israel to provide CFO and other financial and accounting services to the Company, was replaced by Mr. Magen in December 2017 as part of our cost-reduction activities. Fahn Kanne-Grant Thornton Israel continues to provide bookkeeping and other financial and accounting services to the Company.remuneration.

Except as set forth above, there are no arrangements or understandings between us and any of our current directors for benefits upon termination of service.

Since January 2012, we do not have any employees. Rather, all of our personnel are composed of the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, whom we engaged (through Top Alpha) for no remuneration in December 2017.

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the ownership of our ordinary shares by our directors and officers as of April 1, 2019.2020. The percentage of outstanding ordinary shares is based on 1,255,640 ordinary shares outstanding as of April 1, 20192020 (excluding 1,435,217 treasury shares).

Share Option Plans

We have two option plans, our Share Option Plan (2003), for our advisors and independent contractors, which is currently in use and one other plan. The expiration dates of the options granted under the plans range from 4 to 25 years from the date of grant. Our plans are administered currently by our Board of Directors. All of our employees and directors are eligible to participate in our plans. Members of advisory board, if any and our independent contractors are eligible to receive options under our Share Option Plan (2003).

In 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2018,2019, we did not grant any options to purchase ordinary shares. As of April 1, 2019,2020, options to purchase 112,500 ordinary shares, at an exercise price per share of $1.50, are outstanding, all of which are fully vested and expire on December 31, 2021. These options were granted to Mr. Shukhman, our former CEO, and to Mr. Zack, our former Director.

The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial ownership of our ordinary shares as of April 1, 20192020 by each person or entity known to own beneficially more than 5% of our outstanding ordinary shares based on information provided to us by the holders or disclosed in public filings with the SEC.

Our major shareholders do not have voting rights different from the voting rights of our other shareholders.

In May 2013, Daniel Magen, through his ownership of Top Alpha, purchased 271,600 of our ordinary shares, which constituted approximately 7.13% of our outstanding shares at that time. Since that time, Mr. Magen, through his ownership of Top Alpha, has purchased an additional 398,400 of our ordinary shares, and now beneficially owns 670,000 of our ordinary shares, which constitutes approximately 53.4% of our outstanding shares.

For a discussion of the self tender offer that we completed in 2017, including the sale of shares by our other then principal shareholders, see Item 4.A. “History and Development of the Company”.

Record Holders

Based on a review of the information provided to us by our transfer agent, as of April 1, 2019,2020, there were 2622 holders of record of our ordinary shares. These numbers are not representative of the number of beneficial holders of our ordinary shares nor is it representative of where such beneficial holders reside since many of these ordinary shares were held of record by brokers or other nomineesnominees.

For information regarding our consulting agreement with Tzvi Shukhman, our former director and former CEO, see Item 6.C “Board Practices – Management and Director Services.”Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Financial Statements

See Item 18– “Financial Statements” below.

Legal Proceedings

In August 2011, we received a demand from the IIA to pay it royalties in the amount of approximately NIS 940,000 (approximately $251,000)$268,000), excluding interest and linkeage to CPI, due to the consideration we received from the Lantiq Transaction. We objected to the demand and asked the IIA to withdraw it. In February 2012, the IIA rejected our request and informed us that it intends to pursue full payment of such royalties. Since that time, to our knowledge, the IIA has not instituted legal proceedings against us in regards to such amount. While we believe the claim has no merits, there is no assurance that we will necessarily prevail.

Except as stated above, we are currently not, and have not been in the recent past, a party to any legal proceedings which may have or have had in the recent past significant effects on our financial position or profitability.

Dividend Policy

On January 28, 2013, our Board of Directors authorized a special one-time dividend of $0.10 per ordinary share, or approximately $270,000 in the aggregate, payable to shareholders of record as of March 15, 2013. On February 6, 2017, we anouncedannounced that we have successfully completed our self tender offer and, as contemplated in the offer to purchase, we have accepted for purchase all of the 1,435,217 shares tendered for $1.50 per share, or approximately $2.15 million in the aggregate. The distribution of the dividend to shareholders and the self tender offer were subject to deduction of applicable withholding taxes.

Our Board of Directors has not adopted any dividend policy at this time, and any future dividend policy will be determined by our Board of Directors and will be based upon conditions then existing, including our results of operations, financial condition, current and anticipated cash needs, contractual restrictions and other conditions.

According to the Companies Law, a company may distribute dividends only out of its “profits,” as such term is defined in the Companies Law, as of the end of the most recent fiscal year or as accrued over a period of two years, whichever is higher. Our Board of Directors is authorized to declare dividends, provided that there is no reasonable concern that payment of the dividend will prevent us from satisfying our existing and foreseeable obligations as they become due. Notwithstanding the foregoing, dividends may be paid with the approval of a court, provided that there is no reasonable concern that payment of the dividend will prevent us from satisfying our existing and foreseeable obligations as they become due. Profits, for purposes of the Companies Law, means the greater of retained earnings or earnings accumulated during the preceding two years, after deduction of previous distributions that were not already deducted from the surpluses, as evidenced by financial statements prepared no more than six months prior to the date of distribution.

Except as otherwise disclosed in this annual report, no significant change has occurred since December 31, 2018.2019.

Our ordinary shares are currently quoted on the over-the-counter market in the Pink Open Market (also known as the Pink Sheets), or OTC Pink, which is operated by OTC Markets Group, Inc. This means there may be limited liquisityliquidity for trading in our shares.See Item 3.D “Risk Factors” under “The limited market for our shares may reduce their liquidity and make our stock price more volatile. You may have difficulty selling your shares.”

Not applicable.

Our ordinary shares began trading on the NASDAQ Global Market on December 2, 1999 under the symbol “MTLK”. In March 2009, our ordinary shares were transferred to the NASDAQ Capital Market.

As of December 3, 2000, our ordinary shares began trading also on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, or TASE, under the symbol “MTLK.” We voluntarily delisted our ordinary shares from trade on the TASE, effective June 14, 2010.

On April 21, 2011, our ordinary shares were delisted from The NASDAQ Capital Market and became quoted on the OTCQB under the symbol “MTLK” and, since January 1, 2018, are quoted on the OTC Pink.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Set out below is a description of certain provisionsCopies of our Memorandummemorandum of Association and Articles of Association, and of the Israeli Companies Law related to such provisions, unless otherwise specified. This description is only a summary and does not purport to be complete and is qualified by reference to the full text of the Memorandum and Articles, which are incorporated by reference as exhibits to this Annual Report.

Objects and Purposes

We were first registered under Israeli law on September 7, 1992 as a private company, and on December 14, 1999 became a public company. Our registration number with the Israeli registrar of companies is 52-004448-8. Our objects and purposes include a wide variety of business purposes as set forth in Section 2 of our Memorandum of Association, which was filed with the Israeli registrar of companies.

The Powers of the Directors

Under the provisions of the Israeli Companies Lawassociation and our articles of association a director generally cannot participateare filed as Exhibits 1.1 and 1.2 to this annual report. The information called for by this Item 10.B. is included in a meeting nor vote on a proposal, arrangement or contract in which he or sheExhibit 2.1 to this annual report and is personally interested. In addition, our directors generally cannot vote compensation to themselves or any members of their body without the approval of our audit committee and our shareholders at a general meeting. See Item 6(C). “Directors, Senior Management and Employees – Board Practices – Approval of Specified Related Party Transactions Under Israeli Law.”incorporated herein by reference.

The authority of our directors to enter into borrowing arrangements on our behalf is not limited, except in the same manner as any other transaction by us.

Under our articles of association, retirement of directors from office is not subject to any age limitation and our directors are not required to own shares in our company in order to qualify to serve as directors.

Rights Attached to our Shares

Our authorized share capital consists of 5,000,000 ordinary shares of a nominal value of NIS 1.0 each.

The key rights attached to our ordinary shares are as follows:

Dividend Rights. Our articles of association provide that our Board of Directors may from time to time, declare such dividend as may appear to be justified. Under the Companies Law, the declaration of a dividend does not require the approval of the shareholders of the company, unless the company’s articles of association require otherwise. Subject to the rights of the holders of shares with preferential or other special rights that may be authorized in the future, holders of ordinary shares are entitled to receive dividends according to their rights and interest in our profits. Any dividend unclaimed after a period of seven years from the date of its declaration, shall be forfeited and reverted to us, provided, however, that our board may, at its discretion, cause us to pay any such dividend or any part thereof, to a person who would have been entitled thereto, had the same not reverted to us.

Voting Rights. Holders of ordinary shares have one vote for each ordinary share held on all matters submitted to a vote of shareholders. These voting rights may be affected by the grant of any special voting rights to the holders of a class of shares with preferential rights that may be authorized in the future. The ordinary shares do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of directors. As a result, holders of ordinary shares that represent more than 50% of the voting power present at the meeting have the power to elect all the directors, other than external directors.

Rights to Share in the Company’s Profits. Our board has the power to cause any moneys, investments, or other assets forming part of the undivided profits of the company, standing to the credit of a reserve fund for the redemption of capital, to be capitalized and distributed among such shareholders as would be entitled to receive the same if distributed by way of dividend.

Liquidation Rights. In the event of our liquidation, after satisfaction of liabilities to creditors, our assets will be distributed to the holders of ordinary shares in proportion to their respective holdings. This liquidation right may be affected by the grant of preferential dividends or distribution rights to the holders of a class of shares with preferential rights that may be authorized in the future.

Redemption Provisions. We may, subject to applicable law, issue redeemable shares and redeem the same, and our board may redeem, in the case of redeemable preference shares, and subject to applicable law, such shares or fractional shares sufficient to preclude or remove fractional share holdings.

Preemptive, First Refusal and Co-Sale Rights. All outstanding ordinary shares, are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and do not have preemptive rights, rights of first refusal or co-sale rights.

Transfer of Shares. Fully paid ordinary shares are issued in registered form and may be transferred pursuant to our articles of association, unless such transfer is restricted or prohibited by another instrument and subject to applicable securities laws.

Modification of Rights

Unless otherwise provided by our articles of association, rights attached to any class may be modified or abrogated by a resolution adopted in a general meeting approved by a simple majority of the voting power represented at the meeting in person or by proxy and voting thereon, subject to the sanction of a resolution passed by majority of the holders of a majority of the shares of such class present and voting as a separate general meeting of the holders of such class.

Shareholders’ Meetings and Resolutions

Our annual general meetings are required to be held once in every calendar year at such time (within a period of not more than fifteen months after the last preceding annual general meeting) and at such place determined by our board. All general meetings other than annual general meetings are called extraordinary general meetings. Our board may, whenever it thinks fit, convene an extraordinary general meeting at such time and place as it determines, and shall be obligated to do so upon a requisition in writing in accordance with the Companies Law.

The quorum required for an ordinary meeting of shareholders consists of at least two shareholders present in person or by proxy, who hold or represent between them at least 33.3% of the outstanding voting shares, unless otherwise required by applicable rules. A meeting adjourned for lack of a quorum generally is adjourned to the same day in the following week at the same time and place or any time and place as the chairman of the board may designate. At such reconvened meeting the required quorum consists of any two members present in person or by proxy.

Under the Companies Law, shareholder meetings generally require prior notice of not less than 21 days or, with respect to certain matters, such as affiliated party transactions, not less than 35 days. However, in a company that has a controling shareholder that owns more than 50% of the outstanding shares, like Metalink, shareholder meetings generally require prior notice of only 14 days with respect to matters, such as election of directors (other than external directors), for which the requisite majority to pass the resolution is a majority that will allow the controlling shareholder to direct the outcome of the vote (i.e., a simple majority).

Under our articles of association, as amended, all resolutions of our shareholders require a simple majority of the shares present, in person or by proxy, and voting on the matter, unless otherwise required by the Companies Law.

Limitation on Owning Securities

The ownership of our ordinary shares by non-residents of Israel is not restricted in any way by our memorandum of association and articles of association or the laws of the State of Israel, except for citizens of countries which are in a state of war with Israel, who may not be recognized as owners of our ordinary shares.

Duties of Shareholders

Disclosure by Controlling Shareholders. Under the Companies Law, the disclosure requirements that apply to an office holder also apply to a controlling shareholder of a public company. A controlling shareholder is a shareholder who has the ability to direct the activities of a company, including a shareholder that owns 25% or more of the voting rights if no other shareholder owns more than 50% of the voting rights, but excluding a shareholder whose power derives solely from his or her position on the board of directors or any other position with the company.

Extraordinary transactions with a controlling shareholder or in which a controlling shareholder has a personal interest, generally require the approval of the audit committee, the board of directors and the shareholders, in that order. The shareholder approval must include at least a majority of the shares of non-interested shareholders voted on the matter. However, the transaction can be approved by shareholders without this special majority approval if the total shares of non-interested shareholders that voted against the transaction do not represent more than 2% of the voting rights in the company.

In addition, any such extraordinary transaction whose term is longer than three years may require further shareholder approval every three years, unless, where permissible under the Israeli Companies Law, the audit committee approves that a longer term is reasonable under the circumstances.

General Duties of Shareholders. In addition, under the Companies Law, each shareholder has a duty to act in good faith toward the company and other shareholders and to refrain from abusing his or her power in the company, such as in shareholder votes. In addition, specified shareholders have a duty of fairness toward the company. These shareholders include any controlling shareholder, any shareholder who knows that it possesses the power to determine the outcome of a shareholder vote and any shareholder who, pursuant to the provisions of the articles of association, has the power to appoint or prevent the appointment of an office holder or any other power with respect to the company.

Change of Control

There are no specific provisions of our Memorandum or Articles of Association that would have an effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of us or that would operate only with respect to a merger, acquisition or corporate restructuring involving us. However, certain provisions of the Companies Law may have such effect.

The Companies Law includes provisions that allow a merger transaction and requires that each company that is a party to the merger have the transaction approved by its board of directors and a vote of the majority of its shares. For purposes of the shareholder vote of each party, unless a court rules otherwise, the merger will not be deemed approved if shares, representing a majority of the voting power present at the shareholders meeting and which are not held by the other party to the merger (or by any person who holds 25% or more of the voting power or the right to appoint 25% or more of the directors of the other party), vote against the merger. Upon the request of a creditor of either party to the proposed merger, the court may delay or prevent the merger if it concludes that there exists a reasonable concern that as a result of the merger the surviving company will be unable to satisfy the obligations of any of the parties to the merger. In addition, a merger may not be completed unless at least (i) 50 days have passed from the time that the requisite proposals for approval of the merger have been filed with the Israeli Registrar of Companies by each merging company and (ii) 30 days have passed since the merger was approved by the shareholders of each merging company.

The Companies Law also provides that an acquisition of shares in a public company must be made by means of a “special tender offer” if as a result of the acquisition the purchaser would become a 25% or greater shareholder of the company and there is no existing 25% or greater shareholder of the company. An acquisition of shares in a public company must be made by means of a tender offer if as a result of the acquisition the purchaser would become a 45% or greater shareholder of the company, unless there is already a 45% or greater shareholder of the company. These requirements do not apply if, in general, the acquisition (1) was made in a private placement that received shareholder approval, (2) was from a 25% or greater shareholder of the company which resulted in the acquirer becoming a 25% or greater shareholder of the company, or (3) was from a 45% or greater shareholder of the company which resulted in the acquirer becoming a 45% or greater shareholder of the company. The tender offer must be extended to all shareholders, but the offeror is not required to purchase more than 5% of the company’s outstanding shares, regardless of how many shares are tendered by shareholders.

If, as a result of an acquisition of shares, the acquirer will hold more than 90% of a company’s outstanding shares, the acquisition must be made by means of a “full tender offer” for all of the outstanding shares. In general, if less than 5% of the outstanding shares are not tendered in the tender offer and more than half of the offerees who have no personal interest in the offer tendered their shares, all the shares that the acquirer offered to purchase will be transferred to it. Shareholders may request appraisal rights in connection with a full tender offer for a period of six months following the consummation of the tender offer, but the acquirer is entitled to stipulate that tendering shareholders will forfeit such appraisal rights.

Finally, Israeli tax law treats some acquisitions, such as stock-for-stock acquisitions exchanges between an Israeli company and another company less favorably than does U.S. tax law. For example, Israeli tax law may, under certain circumstances, subject a shareholder who exchanges his ordinary shares for shares in another corporation, to taxation prior to the sale of the shares received in such stock-for-stock swap.

None

There are currently no Israeli currency control restrictions on payments of dividends or other distributions with respect to our ordinary shares or the proceeds from the sale of our shares, except for the obligation of Israeli residents to file reports with the Bank of Israel regarding some transactions. However, legislation remains in effect under which currency controls can be imposed by administrative action at any time.

The ownership or voting of our ordinary shares by non-residents of Israel, except with respect to citizens of countries which are in a state of war with Israel, is not restricted in any way by our articles of association or by the laws of the State of Israel.

The following is a brief summary of the current tax structure applicable to companies in Israel, with special reference to its effect on us and certain Israeli Government programs benefiting us. The following also contains a discussion of material Israeli and United States tax consequences to purchasers of our ordinary shares. To the extent that the discussion is based on new tax legislation which has not been subject to judicial or administrative interpretation, there can be no assurance that the views expressed in the discussion will be accepted by the tax authorities in question of the courts. The discussion is not intended, and should not be construed, as legal or professional tax advice.

Holders of our ordinary shares are encouraged to consult their own tax advisors as to the United States, Israeli or other tax consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of ordinary shares.

Israeli Tax

General Corporate Tax Structure

For a discussion of the current corporate tax stucture applicable to companies in Israel - see Item 5A “Operating Results – Corporate Tax Rate” above.

Tax Benefits Under the Law for the Encouragement of Industry (Taxes), 1969

According to the Law for the Encouragement of Industry (Taxes), 1969, or the “Industry Encouragement Law”, an “Industrial Company” is a company resident in Israel, at least 90% of the income of which, in any tax year, determined in Israeli currency (exclusive of income from certain government loans, capital gains, interest and dividends), is derived from an “Industrial Enterprise” owned by it. An “Industrial Enterprise” is defined as an enterprise whose major activity in a given tax year is industrial production activity. We believe that we currently can be qualified as an “Industrial Company” within the definition of the Industry Encouragement Law.

Under the Industry Encouragement Law, if we qualify as an “Industrial Company” we are entitled to the following preferred corporate tax benefits, among others:

Eligibility for the benefits under the Industry Encouragement Law is not subject to receipt of prior approval from any governmental authority. No assurance can be given that we will continue to qualify as an “Industrial Company” or that the benefits described above will be available in the future.

Israeli Transfer Pricing Regulations

On November 29, 2006, Income Tax Regulations (Determination of Market Terms), 2006, promulgated under Section 85A of the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance (New Version), 1961 (the “Tax Ordinance”), came into force (the “TP Regs”). Section 85A of the Tax Ordinance and the TP Regs generally require that all cross-border transactions carried out between related parties will be conducted on an arm’s length principle basis and will be taxed accordingly.

Capital Gains Tax

Israeli law generally imposes a capital gains tax on the sale of any capital assets by residents of Israel, as defined for Israeli tax purposes, and on the sale of assets located in Israel by non-residents of Israel, including our ordinary shares, unless a specific exemption is available or unless a tax treaty between Israel and the shareholder’s country of residence provides otherwise. The law distinguishes between the real gain and inflationary surplus. Real gain is the difference between the total capital gain and the inflationary surplus. The inflationary surplus is computed on the basis of the difference between the Israeli consumer price index or, in certain circumstances, a foreign currency exchange rate, on the date of sale and the date of purchase. The real gain is the excess of the total capital gain over the inflationary surplus.

Provisions of Israeli tax law may treat a sale of securities listed on a stock exchange differently than the sale of other securities. In the past, the ITA has indicated that it does not recognize the OTC Bulletin Board or the OTC Pink as a “stock exchange” for purposes of the Tax Ordinance. However, the ITA has indicated that it will view securities quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board or the OTC Pink as listed on a “stock exchange” where such securities were previously delisted from a “stock exchange” (such as the Nasdaq Capital Market), such as our ordinary shares.

Generally, as of January 1, 2012, the tax rate applicable to capital gains derived from the sale of shares, whether listed on a stock market or not, is 25% for Israeli individuals, unless such shareholder claims a deduction for financing expenses in connection with such shares, in which case the gain will generally be taxed at a rate of 30%. Additionally, if such shareholder is considered a “Significant Shareholder” at anytimeany time during the 12-month period preceding such sale, i.e. such shareholder holds directly or indirectly, including with others, at least 10% of any means of control in the company, the tax rate shall be 30%. However, the foregoing tax rates will not apply to: (i) dealers in securities; and (ii) shareholders who acquired their shares prior to an initial public offering (that may be subject to a different tax arrangement). Israeli Companies are subject to the Corporate Tax rate on capital gains derived from the sale of listed shares.

The tax basis of our shares acquired prior to January 1, 2003 will generally be determined in accordance with the average closing share price in the three trading days preceding January 1, 2003. However, a request may be made to the tax authorities to consider the actual adjusted cost of the shares as the tax basis if it is higher than such average price.

As of January 1, 2013,shareholdersShareholders that are individuals who have taxable income that exceeds NIS 800,000640,000 in a tax year (linked to the Israeli CPI each year) will be subject to an additional tax, referred to as High Income Tax, at the rate of 2%3% on their taxable income for such tax year that is in excess of such threshold. For this purpose, taxable income will include taxable capital gains from the sale of our shares and taxable income from dividend distributions. Under an amendment to the Israeli Income Tax Ordinance enacted in December 2016, for the 2017 tax year and thereafter the rate of High Income Tax will increase to 3% and will be applicable to annual income exceeding ILS 640,000 (linked to the Israeli CPI each year).

Non-Israeli residents are exempt from Israeli capital gains tax on any gains derived from the sale of shares publicly traded on a recognized stock market outside of Israel, provided that such capital gains are not derived from a permanent establishment in Israel and that such shareholders did not acquire their shares prior to the issuer’s initial public offering. However, non-Israeli corporations will not be entitled to such exemption if Israeli residents (i) have a controlling interest of more than 25% in such non-Israeli corporation, or (ii) are the beneficiaries of or are entitled to 25% or more of the revenues or profits of such non-Israeli corporation, whether directly or indirectly.

In some instances where our shareholders may be liable to Israeli tax on the sale of their ordinary shares, the payment of the consideration may be subject to the withholding of Israeli tax at the source.

Application of the U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty to Capital Gains Tax

Pursuant to the Convention between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Israel with Respect to Taxes on Income, as amended (the “U.S.- Israel“U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty”), the sale, exchange or disposition of our ordinary shares by a person who qualifies as a resident of the United States and is entitled to claim the benefits afforded to a resident, or a Treaty U.S. Resident, will not be subject to Israeli capital gains tax unless (i) that Treaty U.S. Resident held, directly or indirectly, shares representing 10% or more of our voting power during any part of the 12-month period preceding the sale, exchange or disposition; or (ii) the capital gains from such sale can be allocated to a permanent establishment in Israel. AIsrael; or (iii) such Treaty U.S. Resident is an individual and was present in Israel for 183 days or more during the relevant taxable year. If any of these exceptions apply, then the sale, exchange or disposition of our ordinary shares by a Treaty U.S. Resident who held, directly or indirectly, shares representing 10% or more of our voting power at any time during the 12-month period preceding the sale, exchange or disposition will be subject to Israeli capital gains tax, to the extent applicable. However, under the U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty, thisthe Treaty U.S. Resident would be permitted to claim credit for these taxes if required to be paid against U.S. income tax imposed with respect to such sale, exchange or disposition, subject to the limitations set in U.S. laws applicable to foreign tax credits. The U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty does not relate to state or local taxes.

Taxation of Non-Residents on Receipt of Dividends

On distributions of dividends other than bonus shares, or stock dividends, income tax is withheld at the source. Non-residents of Israel are subject to Israeli income tax on the receipt of dividends paid on our ordinary shares, at the rate of 25%, or 30% for a shareholder that is considered a Significant Shareholder at any time during the 12-month period preceding such distribution, unless the dividends are paid from income derived from an Approved, Benefited or Preferred Enterprise during the applicable benefit period,under certain tax incentive programs provided by Israeli tax law, or a different rate is provided in a treaty between Israel and the shareholder’s country of residence. Under the U.S.-Israel Tax Treaty, the maximum tax on dividends paid to a holder of our ordinary shares who is a Treaty U.S. Resident will be 25%. However, dividends paid from income derived during any period for which the Israeli company is not entitled to the reduced tax rate applicable to an Approved or Benefited Enterprise under the Investments Law,tax incentive programs, the maximum tax will be 12.5% if the holder is a U.S. company holding shares representing at least 10% of the issued voting power during the part of the taxable year preceding the date of payment of dividends and during the whole of the prior taxable year, and provided that not more than 25% of the Israeli company’s gross income consists of interest or dividends. Dividends paid to such U.S. company from income derived during any period for which the Israeli company is entitled to the reduced tax rate applicable to an Approved, Benefited or Preferred Enterprise will be subject to a 15% tax rate, provided that the above conditions are met.

For information with respect to the applicability of High Income Tax on distribution of dividends, see - “Capital Gains Tax” above.

United States Federal Income Tax Considerations

General

Subject to the limitations described below, the following discussion describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences to a U.S. Holder (as defined below) that is a beneficial owner of our ordinary shares and that holds them as capital assets. For purposes of this summary, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of our ordinary shares who or that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:

This summary is not a comprehensive description of all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to each individual investor’s decision to purchase, sell or hold ordinary shares. We recommend that owners of our ordinary shares consult their own tax advisers with respect to the U.S. federal, state and local tax consequences, as well as non-U.S. tax consequences, of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of our ordinary shares applicable to their particular tax situations.

This discussion is based on current provisions of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), current and proposed U.S. Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, and administrative and judicial decisions, as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. This discussion does not address all aspects of U.S. federal income taxation that may be relevant to any particular holder based on that holder’s individual circumstances. In particular, this discussion does not address the potential application of the alternative minimum tax or the U.S. federal income tax consequences to U.S. Holders that are subject to special treatment, including:

This discussion does not address any aspect of U.S. federal gift or estate tax or state or local tax laws. Additionally, the discussion does not consider the tax treatment of partnerships or other entities treated as pass-throughs for U.S. federal income tax purposes or persons who hold our ordinary shares through a partnership or other pass-through entity.

Material aspects of U.S. federal income tax relevant to a Non-U.S. Holder are also discussed below. In general, a Non-U.S. Holder is a beneficial owner of our ordinary shares who or that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes: (i) a nonresident alien individual, (ii) a corporation (or an entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the law of a country other than the United States or a political subdivision thereof or, (iii) an estate or trust that is not a U.S. Holder.

Each prospective investor is advised to consult that person’s own tax adviser with respect to the specific tax consequences to that person of purchasing, holding or disposing of our ordinary shares.

Taxation of Dividends Paid on Ordinary Shares

In the event of dividend distribution, and subject to the discussion of the passive foreign investment company, or PFIC, rules below, a U.S. Holder will be required to include in gross income as a dividend the amount of any distribution paid on our ordinary shares, including any Israeli taxes withheld from the amount paid, on the date the distribution is received to the extent the distribution is paid out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Distributions in excess of those earnings and profits will be applied against and will reduce the U.S. Holder’s basis in the ordinary shares and, to the extent in excess of that basis, will be treated as a gain from the sale or exchange of the ordinary shares. The legislation until the end of 2010 provided that dividend income generally would be taxed to noncorporate taxpayers at the rates applicable to long-term capital gains, provided certain holding period and other requirements (including a requirement that we are not a PFIC in the year of the dividend or in the preceding year) are satisfied. Dividends received after 2010 will be taxable as ordinary income.

Distributions out of current or accumulated earnings and profits paid in foreign currency to a U.S. Holder will be includible in the income of the U.S. Holder in a U.S. dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate on the date the distribution is received. A U.S. Holder that receives a foreign currency distribution and converts the foreign currency into U.S. dollars subsequent to receipt will have foreign exchange gain or loss based on any appreciation or depreciation in the value of the foreign currency against the U.S. dollar, which will generally be U.S. source ordinary income or loss.

U.S. Holders will have the option of claiming the amount of any Israeli income taxes withheld at source either as a deduction from gross income or as a dollar-for-dollar credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability. Individuals who do not claim itemized deductions, but instead utilize the standard deduction, may not claim a deduction for the amount of any Israeli income taxes withheld, but those individuals may still claim a credit against their U.S. federal income tax liability. The amount of foreign income taxes that may be claimed as a credit in any year is subject to complex limitations and restrictions, which must be determined on an individual basis by each shareholder. The total amount of allowable foreign tax credits in any year cannot exceed the pre-credit U.S. tax liability for the year attributable to foreign source taxable income.

A U.S. Holder will be denied a foreign tax credit with respect to Israeli income tax withheld from dividends received on the ordinary shares:

Any days during which a U.S. Holder has substantially diminished his or its risk of loss on the ordinary shares are not counted toward meeting the 16-day holding period required by the statute. In addition, distributions of current or accumulated earnings and profits generally will be foreign source passive income for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes and will not qualify for the dividends received deduction otherwise available to corporations.

Taxation of the Disposition of Ordinary Shares

Subject to the discussion of the PFIC rules below, upon the sale, exchange or other disposition of our ordinary shares, a U.S. Holder will recognize capital gain or loss in an amount equal to the difference between that U.S. Holder’s basis in the ordinary shares, which is usually the U.S. dollar cost of those shares, and the amount realized on the disposition. A disposition of the ordinary shares will be considered to occur on the “trade date”, regardless of the U.S. Holder’s method of accounting. A U.S. Holder that uses the cash method of accounting calculates the U.S. dollar value of the proceeds received on the sale as of the date that the sale settles. However, a U.S. Holder that uses an accrual method of accounting is required to calculate the value of the proceeds of the sale as of the “trade date” and may therefore realize foreign currency gain or loss, unless that U.S. Holder has elected to use the settlement date to determine its proceeds of sale for purposes of calculating that foreign currency gain or loss. Capital gain from the sale, exchange or other disposition of the ordinary shares held more than one year is long-term capital gain. Long-term capital gains of noncorporate taxpayers are eligible for reduced rates of taxation.

Gain or loss recognized by a U.S. Holder on a sale, exchange or other disposition of our ordinary shares generally is treated under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code as U.S. source income or loss for U.S. foreign tax credit purposes, and thus a U.S. Holder ordinarily would not be entitled to claim a foreign tax credit for taxes paid to Israel with respect to gains. However, under the U.S.- Israel Tax Treaty, gains derived from the sale, exchange or other disposition of our ordinary shares generally are considered to be from Israeli sources if the sale, exchange or other disposition occurs in Israel, and a U.S. Holder who is entitled to claim the benefits of that treaty is permitted to claim a foreign tax credit for taxes paid to Israel with respect to the sale, exchange or disposition, subject to the limitations on foreign tax credits under U.S. federal income tax law. The U.S. Israel Tax Treaty does not relate to state or local taxes. (See Israeli Tax - Application of the U.S.- Israel Tax Treaty to Capital Gains Tax).

The deductibility of a capital loss recognized on the sale, exchange or other disposition of the ordinary shares is subject to limitations. In addition, a U.S. Holder that receives foreign currency upon disposition of the ordinary shares and converts the foreign currency into U.S. dollars subsequent to receipt will have foreign exchange gain or loss based on any appreciation or depreciation in the value of the foreign currency against the U.S. dollar, which will generally be U.S. source ordinary income or loss.

Passive Foreign Investment Company Considerations

If we are characterized as a PFIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, adverse tax consequences can arise for our shareholders. Generally a foreign corporation is treated as a PFIC if either (i) 75 percent or more of its gross income in a taxable year, including the pro-rata share of the gross income of any company, U.S. or foreign, in which that corporation is considered to own 25 percent or more by value of the shares, is passive income, or (ii) 50 percent or more of its assets in a taxable year, averaged over the year and ordinarily determined based on quarter-end fair market values and including the pro-rata share of the assets of any company in which that corporation is considered to own 25 percent or more by value of the shares, produce, or, are held for the production of, passive income. In general, passive income for this purpose means, with certain designated exceptions, dividends, interest, rents, royalties (other than certain rents and royalties derived in the active conduct of trade or business), annuities, net gains from dispositions of certain assets, net foreign currency gains, income equivalent to interest, income from notional principal contracts and payments in lieu of dividends.

We believe that we satisfied the test to be a PFIC in 2001, 2002 and 2003 but not in 2004 – 2018.2019. Although we will endeavor to avoid characterization as a PFIC in the future, we may not be able to do so. Although the Code contains an exception to PFIC classification for certain corporations that change their business, that exception is not available to a corporation that was, as we were, a PFIC in any prior taxable year.

The determination of whether a foreign corporation is a PFIC is a factual determination made annually and is therefore subject to change. However, once stock in a foreign corporation is stock in a PFIC in the hands of a particular shareholder that is a United States person, it remains stock in a PFIC in the hands of that shareholder, even if in later taxable years the foreign corporation ceases to satisfy the test to be a PFIC, unless the shareholder makes any of certain elections. As described below, those elections include a “qualified electing fund”, or QEF, election and a mark-to-market election.

A U.S. Holder who is subject to the PFIC rules and who does not make a QEF election or a mark to-market election will be subject to the following rules:

In the case of a U.S. Holder that made, or, as described below, is treated as having made, a QEF election for the first taxable year the U.S. Holder owns our ordinary shares and we are a PFIC (that taxable year hereafter being referred to as the “First PFIC Year”), the following U.S. federal income tax consequences will arise:

The QEF election is made on a shareholder-by-shareholder basis and can be revoked only with the consent of the IRS. A QEF election applies to all shares of the PFIC held or subsequently acquired by an electing U.S holder. A shareholder makes a QEF election by attaching a completed IRS Form 8621, including the PFIC annual information statement, to a timely filed U.S. federal income tax return and by filing that form with the IRS Service Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Continuation of a QEF election requires ongoing annual filing of the PFIC annual information statement that we provide. Even if a QEF election is not made, a shareholder in a PFIC who is a United States person must satisfy information reporting requirements to the IRS every year. During January 2002, 2003 and 2004, we sent to our shareholders the required information to report income and gain under a QEF election – a “PFIC Annual Information Statement” for the years 2001, 2002, and 2003, respectively.

We did not have net ordinary earnings or net capital gain for our 2001-2003 taxable years. Therefore, any U.S. Holder who made a timely QEF election for those periods was not required to include any amount in income in those years as a result of that election.

Alternatively, provided our ordinary shares qualify as marketable stock, a U.S. Holder can elect to mark our ordinary shares to market annually, recognizing as ordinary income or loss each year that we are a PFIC and the U.S. Holder either holds or disposes of the shares, an amount equal to the difference between the U.S. Holder’s adjusted tax basis in our ordinary shares and their fair market value or amount realized. Losses would be allowed only to the extent of net mark-to-market gain included in income by the U.S. Holder for prior taxable years pursuant to the mark-to-market election. As with the QEF election, a U.S. Holder who makes a mark-to-market election with respect to our shares would not be subject to deemed ratable allocations of distributions or gain, the interest charge, or the denial of basis step-up at death described above (except for the first year that the election applies, if that is not the first PFIC Year). We believe that our shares should be treated as marketable stock for purposes of this mark-to-market election. Subject to our shares not being or ceasing to be marketable, a mark-to-market election is irrevocable without the consent of the IRS.

As noted above, once stock in a foreign corporation is stock in a PFIC in the hands of a particular U.S. shareholder, it remains stock in a PFIC in the hands of that shareholder, even if in later taxable years the foreign corporation ceases to satisfy the test to be a PFIC, unless the shareholder makes a QEF election for the First PFIC Year makes or the mark-to-market election.

If a U.S. shareholder makes a QEF election for the First PFIC Year, and if in any later year the foreign corporation does not satisfy the test to be a PFIC, the PFIC rules do not apply to the stock of the foreign corporation owned by that shareholder in that year. However, if the foreign corporation subsequently becomes a PFIC in a later taxable year, the QEF rules once again will apply to that stock. A U.S. shareholder who or that did not make a QEF election in the First PFIC Year may make a QEF election in a later taxable year, and if the U.S. shareholder also makes another election, sometimes called a “purging” election, pursuant to which the U.S. shareholder may be required to pay additional tax and interest, the U.S. shareholder will be treated as having made a QEF election in the First PFIC Year.

If a U.S. shareholder makes the mark-to-market election for the stock in a PFIC, the stock will cease to be stock in a PFIC in any later year the foreign corporation does not satisfy the test to be a PFIC. However, if the foreign corporation subsequently becomes a PFIC in a later taxable year, the mark-to-market rules once again will apply to that stock. If a United States person makes a mark-to-market election after the First PFIC Year, his or its mark-to-market gain, if any, will be subject to the PFIC rules that apply when there is no special election, described above, but those rules will not thereafter apply in subsequent taxable years.

We believe that we satisfied the test to be a PFIC in 2001, 2002, 2003, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2018,2019, but not in 2004-2015. In that event, based on the rules described above, in the hands of any U.S. Holder that owned our ordinary shares in 2001, 2002 or 2003 and that has made, or is treated as having made, a QEF election for the First PFIC Year or that has made a mark-to-market election, our ordinary shares will not be shares in a PFIC in any year after 2003 in which we do not satisfy the test to be a PFIC. In addition, any U.S. Holder that acquired our ordinary shares in 2004, (or in a later year, if any, in which we were or are not a PFIC) will not be subject to the PFIC rules, unless in a subsequent year we again satisfy the test to be a PFIC. However, any U.S. Holder that owned our ordinary shares in 2001, 2002 or 2003 (or any later year we are a PFIC) and did not and does not make a QEF election effective for the First PFIC Year and has not made and does not make a mark-to-market election will remain subject to the PFIC rules that apply when no special election is in effect.

The U.S federal income tax rules relating to PFIC are complex. U.S. Holders of our shares are strongly urged to consult their tax advisers about the PFIC rules, including the availability, advisability and timing of, and procedure for, making a QEF or mark-to-market election with respect to their holding of our ordinary shares, including warrants or rights to acquire our ordinary shares.

Tax Consequences for Non-U.S. Holders of Ordinary Shares

Except as described in “U.S. Information Reporting and Backup Withholding” below, a Non-U.S. Holder who is a beneficial owner of our ordinary shares will not be subject to U.S. federal income or withholding tax on the payment of dividends on, or the proceeds from the disposition of, the ordinary shares, unless:

U.S. Information Reporting and Backup Withholding

U.S. Holders generally are subject to information reporting requirements with respect to dividends paid in the United States on our ordinary shares. In addition, U.S. Holders are subject to U.S. backup withholding at a rate of 28 percent on dividends paid in the United States on the ordinary shares unless the U.S. Holder provides an IRS Form W-9 or otherwise establishes an exemption. U.S. Holders are subject to information reporting and backup withholding at a rate of 28 percent on proceeds paid from the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of the ordinary shares unless the U.S. Holder provides an IRS Form W-9 or otherwise establishes an exemption.

Non-U.S. Holders generally are not subject to information reporting or backup withholding with respect to dividends paid on, or proceeds from the sale, exchange, redemption or other disposition of, the ordinary shares, provided that the Non-U.S. Holders provide a taxpayer identification number, certify to their foreign status or otherwise establish an exemption.

The amount of any backup withholding will be allowed as a credit against the U.S. Holder’s or Non-U.S. Holder’s U.S. federal income tax liability and may entitle the holder to a refund, provided that the required information is timely furnished to the U.S. Internal Revenue Service.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

We are subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to foreign private issuers and fulfill our obligations with respect to such requirements by filing reports with the SEC.

As a foreign private issuer, we are exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and our officers, directors and principal shareholders are exempt from the reporting and “short-swing” profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act. In addition, we are not required under the Exchange Act to file periodic reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as United States companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we solicit proxies and furnish proxy statements for all meetings of shareholders, a copy of which proxy statement is furnished promptly thereafter with the SEC under the cover of a Current Report on Form 6-K.

This annual report and the exhibits thereto and any other document we file pursuant to the Exchange Act are available on the SEC Internet site (http://www.sec.gov). The documents concerning our Company which are referred to in this annual report may also be inspected at our offices located at c/o Top Alpha Capital Ltd., Haaliya 24, Beit-Yitzhak 4292000, Israel.

Foreign Currency Risk

All of our sales were made in US dollars. In addition, a substantial portion of our costs is incurred in dollars. Since the dollar is the primary currency of the economic environment in which we operate, the dollar is our functional currency, and accordingly, monetary accounts maintained in currencies other than the dollar (principally cash and cash equivalents, short-term deposits and liabilities) are remeasured using the foreign exchange rate at the balance sheet date. Operational accounts and non-monetary balance sheet accounts are measured and recorded at the rate in effect at the date of the transaction. The effect of foreign currency remeasurement is reported in current operations.

Since 2008, we have not engaged in any hedging or other transactions intended to manage risks relating to foreign currency exchange rate or interest rate fluctuations.

For additional qualitative disclosure, see Item 5 – “Impact of Inflation and Foreign Currency Fluctuations”.

Interest Rate Risk

Historically, our exposure to market risk with respect to changes in interest rates related primarily to our short- and long-term investments and borrowings. At present, we do not have any short-term or long-term investments and borrowings.

Not applicable.

PART II

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, which currently includes Daniel Magen, who serves as our chief executive officer, or CEO, and chief financial officer, or CFO, is responsible for establishing and maintaining our disclosure controls and procedures (within the meaning of Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act). These controls and procedures were designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and that such information was accumulated and communicated to our management, including our then-current CEO and CFO, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. We evaluated these disclosure controls and procedures under the supervision of our CEO and CFO as of December 31, 2018.2019. Based upon that evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting that is designed by, or under the supervision of, our principal executive and principal financial officers, and effected by our Board of Directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP and includes those policies and procedures that:

Our management recognizes that there are inherent limitations in the effectiveness of any system of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or override of internal control. Accordingly, even effective internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation, and may not prevent or detect all misstatements. Further, because of changes in conditions, the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting may vary over time.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 20182019 based on the framework for Internal Control-Integrated Framework set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

Based on such evaluation, our CEO and CFO has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) as of December 31, 20182019 is effective.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the year ended December 31, 20182019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Mr. Avi Mann, an independent member of our audit committee, serves as, and qualifies as, a financial expert under the applicable SEC rules.

In April 2004, we adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) that applies to the Company’s employees and directors.

Audit Fees.Barzily & Co., Certified Public Accountants (Israel), a member of MSI Global Alliance, billed us aggregate annual amount of $15,575$15,625 for the year 2018 (compared with $15,575 for the year 2017)2019 for audit of our annual financial statements, consultations on various accounting issues and performance of local statutory audits.

Tax Fees.OurFor 2019, our principal accountant billeddid not bill us aggregate annual amounts of approximately $3,000 for each of the years 2018 and 2017, for services relating to tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.services.

All Other Fees.For 2018 and 2017,2019, our principal accountant did not bill us for other services.

Pre-approval Policies and Procedures. Our audit committee approves each audit and non-audit service to be performed by our independent accountant before the accountant is engaged.

Not applicable.

As described in Item 4A above, in February 2017, we completed our self tender offer and purchased all of the 1,435,217 shares tendered for $1.50 per share, or a total consideration of approximately $2.15 million.Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

PART III

We have responded to Item 18 in lieu of this item.

Our financial statements and related auditor’s report for the year ended December 31, 2018 are enclosed as part of this annual report.

The exhibits filed with or incorporated into this annual report are listed on the index of exhibits below.

METALINK LTD.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 20182019

METALINK LTD.

METALINK LTD.

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2018

2019

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the StockholdersShareholders and Board of Directors of MetalinkMetalnik Ltd.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Metalink LtdMetalnik Ltd. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 20182019 and 20172018 and the related statements of operations, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibilityeach of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States of America). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audits included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriatethree years in the circumstances, but not forperiod ended December 31, 2019 and the purpose of expressing an opinion onrelated notes, collectively referred to as the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statements presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

“financial statements”. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 20182019 and 2017,2018, and the results of its operations changes in shareholders’ equity and its cash flows for each of the three years thenin the period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Without qualifying our conclusion, we draw attention to Note 1 in the financial statements which indicated the lack of business activity as of the reporting date and the date of approval of the financial statements.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audit we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audit included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audit also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Barzily & Co.

Barzily & Co.

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2017.

Jerusalem, Israel

April 30, 201929, 2020

METALINK LTD.

BALANCE SHEETS

(U.S. dollars in thousands)