Exhibit 13.1

FORM 10-K

Table of Contents

OPTICAL CABLE CORPORATION

Annual Report

2020

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Letter from the CEO

Dear Shareholders of Optical Cable Corporation (OCC®):

Faced with significant headwinds in 2020, the OCC team demonstrated strength and resiliency, focusing on what we could control to drive cost reductions, efficiency improvements and enhanced production throughput, particularly at our Roanoke production facility. While this past year was challenging, the actions we took to mitigate the impact of COVID-19, strengthen our financial position, serve customers and protect the business have OCC positioned to grow and build on our strong market positioning as we anticipate business conditions normalizing in the year ahead.

The COVID-19 Pandemic

We have all heard the “un-” words this past year. Words extensively used, and overused, to describe the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on economies and families. Words like: unprecedented, uncertain, unchartered, unusual and unimaginable, to name a few.

Despite the significant and persistent disruption and challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the negative impact on OCC’s results in fiscal year 2020, and the more than justifiable reasons to use them, I did not hear those words used by the OCC team. Rather, the OCC team demonstrated strength, dedication, flexibility, and creative problem-solving—in their words, attitude and actions. We have maintained our regular work schedule at all three of our manufacturing facilities during fiscal year 2020, consistent with directives by the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

Throughout the pandemic, our first priority has been to protect OCC team members. We implemented safety programs and protocols at each of our facilities as well as travel and visitor restrictions to mitigate the spread of the virus consistent with U.S. federal and state directives.

I am incredibly grateful for the OCC team and their dedication and tireless efforts throughout this past year. It was the team’s perseverance and hard work that enabled OCC to provide the uninterrupted supply of our mission-critical products and solutions to our customers and end-users, including our country’s military and those on the front line against COVID-19, like healthcare facilities and hospitals, test centers and laboratories.

My sincere thank you to the OCC team and their families!

Preserving, Strengthening and Moving Forward

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted OCC’s revenues, production and operations, and finances in fiscal year 2020. Net sales for fiscal year 2020 were down 22.5% compared to fiscal year 2019, as the COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted most of our markets—some more than others. Our specialty markets were most significantly impacted—with net sales declining 30.0% compared to the prior year. Net sales in our enterprise markets decreased 11.4% in fiscal year 2020, compared to the prior year. Additionally, larger projects were most affected as customers and end-users delayed major expenditures, while OCC’s sales, business development and marketing initiatives helped mitigate the impact on other orders.

While fiscal year 2020 was challenging, we took proactive and aggressive actions to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic and position OCC for future growth and value creation:

Given our actions in each of these areas during fiscal year 2020, we are confident that OCC is well-positioned for the future.

Capitalizing on our Strengths and Operating Leverage

Optical Cable Corporation remains uniquely positioned in the fiber optic and copper cabling and connectivity industry with differentiated core strengths and capabilities that enable OCC to successfully compete against much larger competitors (often different competitors in OCC’s different targeted markets) by offering top-tier products and application solutions.

OCC’s core strengths and capabilities include:

Many of the costs we incur to maintain and build upon our strengths and capabilities (plus other costs like our public company costs) are fixed. As a result, as OCC grows net sales, gross profit and profitability tend to increase at a faster rate than the rate of increase of net sales. This is because fixed production costs and SG&A expenses remain relatively stable, but are spread over higher net sales levels—creating operating leverage for OCC. Similarly, when revenues decline, gross profit and profitability tend to decrease at a faster rate.

Looking Forward to Fiscal Year 2021

As we begin fiscal year 2021, we anticipate a return to normalcy on the horizon with the impact of the pandemic on the global economy and our markets receding, hopefully later this year. And, as it does, we believe we will see greater revenue opportunities, with an expectation that our various target markets may improve at different rates. 

But, this is not a time to wait, rather an opportunity to take actions to strengthen, improve, and control what we can control. We will continue aggressively executing our strategic initiatives to best position OCC to take advantage of recoveries in our targeted markets as they occur.

Initiatives to achieve top-line sales growth continue to be our highest priority—using OCC’s operating leverage to benefit our bottom line. And, our production improvement initiatives are intended to build on our accomplishments to date in order to further enhance the throughput and efficiency of our manufacturing operations. Moreover, our other cost control efforts continue as well, including a focus on SG&A expenses.

Our strategy is designed to enable us to operate as efficiently as possible in the current business environment, while continuing to provide the exceptional service our customers have come to expect, and positioning OCC to deliver long-term shareholder value.

We appreciate the opportunity to meet the evolving needs of our customers, installers, specifiers and end-users—and are proud to provide OCC’s top-tier solutions, products, application and technical expertise.

We believe our business is resilient, strong and well-positioned in our markets, and as we begin this new fiscal year, we are excited about capitalizing on the opportunities before us and on greater opportunities as markets improve.

Thank you for your investment and continued trust in OCC! Be safe!

Neil D. Wilkin, Jr.

Chairman of the Board,

President and Chief Executive Officer

December 21, 2020

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Forward-Looking Information

This report may contain certain forward-looking information within the meaning of the federal securities laws. The forward-looking information may include, among other information, (i) statements concerning our outlook for the future, (ii) statements of belief, anticipation or expectation, (iii) future plans, strategies or anticipated events, and (iv) similar information and statements concerning matters that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown variables, uncertainties, contingencies and risks that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from our expectations. Such known and unknown variables, uncertainties, contingencies and risks (collectively, “factors”) may also adversely affect Optical Cable Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company” or “OCC^®”), the Company’s future results of operations and future financial condition, and/or the future equity value of the Company. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences from our expectations or that could adversely affect the Company include, but are not limited to: the level of sales to key customers, including distributors; timing of certain projects and purchases by key customers; the economic conditions affecting network service providers; corporate and/or government spending on information technology; actions by competitors; fluctuations in the price of raw materials (including optical fiber, copper, gold and other precious metals, plastics and other materials); fluctuations in transportation costs; our dependence on customized equipment for the manufacture of certain of our products in certain production facilities; our ability to protect our proprietary manufacturing technology; market conditions influencing prices or pricing in one or more of the markets in which we participate, including the impact of increased competition; our dependence on a limited number of suppliers for certain product components; the loss of or conflict with one or more key suppliers or customers; an adverse outcome in any litigation, claims and other actions, and potential litigation, claims and other actions against us; an adverse outcome in any regulatory reviews and audits and potential regulatory reviews and audits; adverse changes in state tax laws and/or positions taken by state taxing authorities affecting us; technological changes and introductions of new competing products; changes in end-user preferences for competing technologies relative to our product offering; economic conditions that affect the telecommunications sector, the data communications sector, certain technology sectors and/or certain industry market sectors (for example, mining, oil & gas, military, and wireless carrier industry market sectors); economic conditions that affect U.S.-based manufacturers; economic conditions or changes in relative currency strengths (for example, the strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to certain foreign currencies) and import and/or export tariffs imposed by the U.S. and other countries that affect certain geographic markets, industry market sector, and/or the economy as a whole; changes in demand for our products from certain competitors for which we provide private label connectivity products; changes in the mix of products sold during any given period (due to, among other things, seasonality or varying strength or weaknesses in particular markets in which we participate) which may impact gross profits and gross profit margins or net sales; variations in orders and production volumes of hybrid cables (fiber and copper) with high copper content, which tend to have lower gross profit margins; significant variations in sales resulting from: (i) high volatility within various geographic markets, within targeted markets and industries, for certain types of products, and/or with certain customers (whether related to the market generally or to specific customers’ business in particular), (ii) timing of large sales orders, and (iii) high sales concentration among a limited number of customers in certain markets, particularly the wireless carrier market; terrorist attacks or acts of war, any current or potential future military conflicts, and acts of civil unrest; changes in the level of military spending or other spending by the United States government, including, but not limited to reductions in government spending due to automatic budget cuts or sequestration; ability to recruit and retain key personnel; poor labor relations; the impact of cybersecurity risks and incidents and the related actual or potential costs and consequences of such risks and incidents, including costs to limit such risks; the impact of data privacy laws and the General Data Protection Regulation and the related actual or potential costs and consequences; the impact of changes in accounting policies and related costs of compliance, including changes by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”), the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”), and/or the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”); our ability to continue to successfully comply with, and the cost of compliance with, the provisions of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 or any revisions to that act which apply to us; the impact of changes and potential changes in federal laws and regulations adversely affecting our business and/or which result in increases in our direct and indirect costs, including our direct and indirect costs of compliance with such laws and regulations; rising healthcare costs; the impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, and any revisions to those acts that apply to us and the related legislation and regulation associated with those acts, which directly or indirectly result in increases to our costs; the impact of changes in state or federal tax laws and regulations increasing our costs and/or impacting the net return to investors owning our shares; any changes in the status of our compliance with covenants with our lenders; our continued ability to maintain and/or secure future debt financing and/or equity financing to adequately finance our ongoing operations; impact of failing to receive forgiveness of all or substantially all of the principal balance of the Small Business Administration Payroll Protection Program Loan we received in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic; the impact of future consolidation among competitors and/or among customers adversely affecting our position with our customers and/or our market position; actions by customers adversely affecting us in reaction to the expansion of our product offering in any manner, including, but not limited to, by offering products that compete with our customers, and/or by entering into alliances with, making investments in or with, and/or acquiring parties that compete with and/or have conflicts with our customers; voluntary or involuntary delisting of the Company’s common stock from any exchange on which it is traded; the deregistration by the Company from SEC reporting requirements as a result of the small number of holders of the Company’s common stock; adverse reactions by customers, vendors or other service providers to unsolicited proposals regarding the ownership or management of the Company; the additional costs of considering, responding to and possibly defending our position on unsolicited proposals regarding the ownership or management of the Company; impact of weather, natural disasters and/or epidemic or pandemic diseases (such as COVID-19) in the areas of the world in which we operate, market our products and/or acquire raw materials; an increase in the number of shares of the Company’s common stock issued and outstanding; economic downturns generally and/or in one or more of the markets in which we operate; changes in market demand, exchange rates, productivity, market dynamics, market confidence, macroeconomic and/or other economic conditions in the areas of the world in which we operate and market our products; and our success in managing the risks involved in the foregoing.

We caution readers that the foregoing list of important factors is not exclusive. Furthermore, we incorporate by reference those factors included in current reports on Form 8-K, and/or in our other filings.

Dollar amounts presented in the following discussion have been rounded to the nearest hundred thousand, except in the case of amounts less than one million and except in the case of the table set forth in the “Results of Operations” section, the amounts in which both cases have been rounded to the nearest thousand.

Overview of COVID-19 Effects

Our results of operations are affected by economic conditions, including macroeconomic conditions and levels of business and consumer confidence. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on businesses and individuals in the United States and globally. Actions taken to limit the spread of the disease have resulted in an unprecedented disruption of normal activities as businesses have been forced to shut down or operate on a limited basis. Additionally, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the level of volatility and uncertainty globally and has created economic disruption.

OCC continues to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic because our workforce is classified a “Defense Industrial Base Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce” under guidelines from the U.S. Department of Defense and an “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce” under guidelines by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (“CISA”).

While continuing to operate, we have been significantly and negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic: revenues in our markets, production volumes and operations, and access to capital have all been negatively impacted. OCC also incurred additional costs in connection with employee safety initiatives and programs, and experienced some minor disruptions in its supply chain as well as delays in cash receipts from customers.

As of October 31, 2020, our facilities continue to operate at reduced production levels with personnel levels somewhat lower than those prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

OCC made a number of changes to business operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including: severely limiting business travel and face-to-face meetings, having a portion of its non-manufacturing employees work remotely, and implementing strict social distancing, symptom self-assessments, sanitation, and mask protocols within its facilities. We believe we are following or exceeding all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) and public officials’ guidelines as such guidelines have changed from time to time during the pandemic. We continue to take precautionary measures, make contingency plans and improve our response to the developing situation. We have assembled a team charged with overseeing our efforts to ensure the health and safety of all employees while continuing to supply product to our customers. That team constantly monitors the latest CDC, Federal, state and other regulatory guidance, works to secure personal protective equipment, finds new ways to help mitigate risk, and identifies opportunities for us to exceed recommendations.

We have implemented preventative or protective actions at our facilities, our corporate headquarters and with field sales personnel. In order to mitigate the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, we have instructed our employees to practice social distancing, perform symptom self-assessments, practice appropriate sanitation, and wear protective face masks—both at OCC and away from OCC. Efforts for social distancing include working from home, where possible, revising our production processes to allow for compliance with our social distancing efforts, suspending or limiting air and other travel, and utilizing technologies to allow employees to effectively perform their functions remotely. Face masks have been distributed to employees across all of our facilities and handwashing and sanitizing are being encouraged by providing sufficient supplies for that purpose. Disinfecting supplies are being provided for high-touch items and areas across work facilities.

The extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic will affect OCC in the future will depend on ongoing developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be reasonably predicted, including, but not limited to, the duration and severity of the outbreak, the timing and extent of restrictions on businesses and individuals, the timing of recovery in certain of OCC’s markets, any resurgences of the virus, as well as a variety of other unknowable factors. The longer COVID-19 persists, the greater the potential negative financial effects on OCC.

Since we cannot predict the duration or scope of the pandemic, we cannot fully anticipate or reasonably estimate all the ways in which the current global health crisis and financial market conditions could adversely impact our business in the future.

Net sales for fiscal year 2020 were negatively impacted and this trend could continue until the pandemic subsides and macroeconomics, particularly in the United States, return to pre-COVID-19 levels. At this time, it is uncertain how long the pandemic and its impact on our net sales will continue, but it is likely that we will see additional impacts into fiscal year 2021. As the impact of COVID-19 evolves, we will continue to evaluate our financial position and liquidity needs in light of future developments.

Overview of Optical Cable Corporation

Optical Cable Corporation (or OCC^®) is a leading manufacturer of a broad range of fiber optic and copper data communication cabling and connectivity solutions primarily for the enterprise market and various harsh environment and specialty markets (collectively, the non-carrier markets), and also the wireless carrier market, offering integrated suites of high quality products which operate as a system solution or seamlessly integrate with other providers’ offerings. Our product offerings include designs for uses ranging from enterprise network, data center, residential, campus and Passive Optical LAN (“POL”) installations to customized products for specialty applications and harsh environments, including military, industrial, mining, petrochemical and broadcast applications, and for the wireless carrier market. Our products include fiber optic and copper cabling, hybrid cabling (which includes fiber optic and copper elements in a single cable), fiber optic and copper connectors, specialty fiber optic, copper and hybrid connectors, fiber optic and copper patch cords, pre-terminated fiber optic and copper cable assemblies, racks, cabinets, datacom enclosures, patch panels, face plates, multimedia boxes, fiber optic reels and accessories and other cable and connectivity management accessories, and are designed to meet the most demanding needs of end-users, delivering a high degree of reliability and outstanding performance characteristics. 

OCC^® is internationally recognized for pioneering the design and production of fiber optic cables for the most demanding military field applications, as well as of fiber optic cables suitable for both indoor and outdoor use, and creating a broad product offering built on the evolution of these fundamental technologies. OCC is also internationally recognized for pioneering the development of innovative copper connectivity technology and designs used to meet industry copper connectivity data communications standards.

Founded in 1983, Optical Cable Corporation is headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia with offices, manufacturing and warehouse facilities located in Roanoke, Virginia, near Asheville, North Carolina, and near Dallas, Texas. We primarily manufacture our fiber optic cables at our Roanoke facility which is ISO 9001:2015 registered and MIL-STD-790G certified, primarily manufacture our enterprise connectivity products at our Asheville facility which is ISO 9001:2015 registered, and primarily manufacture our harsh environment and specialty connectivity products at our Dallas facility which is ISO 9001:2015 registered and MIL-STD-790G certified.

OCC designs, develops and manufactures fiber optic and hybrid cables for a broad range of enterprise, harsh environment, wireless carrier and other specialty markets and applications. We refer to these products as our fiber optic cable offering. OCC designs, develops and manufactures fiber and copper connectivity products for the enterprise market, including a broad range of enterprise and residential applications. We refer to these products as our enterprise connectivity product offering. OCC designs, develops and manufactures a broad range of specialty fiber optic connectors and connectivity solutions principally for use in military, harsh environment and other specialty applications. We refer to these products as our harsh environment and specialty connectivity product offering.

We market and sell the products manufactured at our Dallas facility through our wholly owned subsidiary Applied Optical Systems, Inc. (“AOS”) under the names Optical Cable Corporation and OCC^® by the efforts of our integrated OCC sales team.

The OCC team seeks to provide top-tier communication solutions by bundling all of our fiber optic and copper data communication product offerings into systems that are best suited for individual data communication needs and application requirements of our customers and the end-users of our systems.

OCC’s wholly owned subsidiary Centric Solutions LLC (“Centric Solutions”) provides cabling and connectivity solutions for the data center market. Centric Solutions’ business is located at OCC’s facility near Dallas, Texas.

Optical Cable Corporation™, OCC^®, Procyon^®, Superior Modular Products™, SMP Data Communications™, Applied Optical Systems™, Centric Solutions™ and associated logos are trademarks of Optical Cable Corporation.

Summary of Company Performance for Fiscal Year 2020

Results of Operations

We sell our products internationally and domestically to our customers which include major distributors, various regional and smaller distributors, original equipment manufacturers and value-added resellers. All of our sales to customers outside of the United States are denominated in U.S. dollars. We can experience fluctuations in the percentage of net sales to customers outside of the United States and in the United States from period to period based on the timing of large orders, coupled with the impact of increases and decreases in sales to customers in various regions of the world. Sales outside of the U.S. can also be impacted by fluctuations in the exchange rate of the U.S. dollar compared to other currencies.

Net sales consist of gross sales of products by the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis less discounts, refunds and returns. Revenue is recognized at the time product is transferred to the customer (including distributors) at an amount that reflects the consideration expected to be received in exchange for the product. Our customers generally do not have the right of return unless a product is defective or damaged and is within the parameters of the product warranty in effect for the sale.

Cost of goods sold consists of the cost of materials, product warranty costs and compensation costs, and overhead and other costs related to our manufacturing operations. The largest percentage of costs included in cost of goods sold is attributable to costs of materials.

Our gross profit margin percentages are heavily dependent upon product mix on a quarterly basis and may vary based on changes in product mix. To the extent not negatively impacted by product mix, gross profit margins tend to be higher when we achieve higher net sales levels, as certain fixed manufacturing costs are spread over higher sales. Hybrid cables (containing fiber and copper) with higher copper content tend to have lower gross profit margins.

Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A expenses”) consist of the compensation costs for sales and marketing personnel, shipping costs, trade show expenses, customer support expenses, travel expenses, advertising, bad debt expense, the compensation costs for administration and management personnel, legal, accounting, advisory and professional fees, costs incurred to settle litigation or claims and other actions against us, and other costs associated with our operations.

Royalty income (expense), net consists of royalty income earned on licenses associated with our patented products, net of royalty and related expenses.

Amortization of intangible assets consists of the amortization of the costs, including legal fees, associated with internally developed patents that have been granted. Amortization of intangible assets is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the intangible assets.

Other income (expense), net consists of interest expense and other miscellaneous income and expense items not directly attributable to our operations.

The following table sets forth and highlights fluctuations in selected line items from our consolidated statements of operations for the periods indicated:

Net Sales

Consolidated net sales for fiscal year 2020 were $55.3 million, a decrease of 22.5% compared to net sales of $71.3 million for fiscal year 2019. We experienced a decrease in net sales in both our enterprise and specialty markets, including the wireless carrier market, in fiscal year 2020 compared to fiscal year 2019. Our net sales during fiscal year 2020 were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic as certain businesses limited operations and/or reduced or delayed product purchases. While net sales for both our enterprise markets and our specialty markets were negatively impacted by the pandemic during fiscal year 2020, our specialty markets were most significantly impacted—with net sales declining 30.0% compared to the prior year. Net sales in our enterprise markets decreased 11.4% in fiscal year 2020, compared to fiscal year 2019.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020, net sales sequentially increased 1.8% to $13.9 million compared to $13.6 million during the third quarter of fiscal year 2020.

We experienced a decrease in net sales in the wireless carrier and enterprise markets in fiscal year 2019 compared to fiscal year 2018, partially offset by increases in other specialty markets. The decrease in net sales when comparing the two years is primarily due to the recognition of net sales totaling, in the aggregate, approximately $28.6 million as the result of a number of large orders from one domestic customer in the wireless carrier market in fiscal year 2018 that did not recur at the same levels in fiscal year 2019. Net sales to this one customer totaled, in the aggregate, $8.7 million in fiscal year 2019, a decrease of $19.9 million compared to fiscal year 2018. Consolidated net sales to all other customers during fiscal year 2019 increased 5.7% compared to last year, excluding net sales from this one customer from both years.

Net sales to customers outside of the United States were approximately 19%, 18% and 15% of total net sales for fiscal years 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Net sales to customers in the United States decreased 23.3% during fiscal year 2020 compared to fiscal year 2019, and net sales to customers outside of the United States decreased 19.1%.

We typically expect net sales to be relatively lower in the first half of each fiscal year and relatively higher in the second half of each fiscal year, and excluding other volatility, we would normally expect 48% of total net sales to occur during the first half of a fiscal year and 52% of total net sales to occur during the second half of a fiscal year. We believe this historical seasonality pattern is generally indicative of an overall trend and reflective of the buying patterns and budgetary cycles of our customers. However, this pattern may be substantially altered during any quarter or year, as was the case in fiscal years 2019 and 2018, by the quarterly and annual volatility of orders received for the wireless carrier market, the timing of larger projects, timing of orders from larger customers, other economic factors impacting our industry or impacting the industries of our customers and end-users, and macroeconomic conditions. Along these same lines, we believe our seasonality pattern in fiscal year 2020 was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in significantly lower total net sales for all of fiscal year 2020, and no typically anticipated seasonal increase in total net sales during the second half of the fiscal year. Consequently, while we believe seasonality may be a factor that impacts our quarterly net sales results, particularly when excluding the volatility of sales in the wireless carrier market, we are not able to reliably predict net sales based on seasonality because these other factors can also substantially impact our net sales patterns during the year.  

Gross Profit

Gross profit was $14.1 million in fiscal year 2020, compared to gross profit of $18.3 million in fiscal year 2019, a decrease of 23.0%, as a result of lower sales volumes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gross profit margin, or gross profit as a percentage of net sales, was 25.5% in fiscal year 2020 compared to 25.7% in fiscal year 2019, as the impact of manufacturing process and efficiency improvement initiatives during fiscal year 2019 which were anticipated to positively impact gross profit margins during fiscal year 2020, were offset as fixed production costs were spread over lower sales volumes in fiscal year 2020.

Our gross profit margins tend to be higher when we achieve higher net sales levels, as certain fixed manufacturing costs are spread over higher sales. This operating leverage, which is beneficial at higher sales levels, was the primary factor putting downward pressure on our gross profit margin during fiscal year 2020, as fixed costs were spread over lower sales. Additionally, our gross profit margin percentages are heavily dependent upon product mix on a quarterly basis, and this was another factor putting downward pressure on our gross profit margin during fiscal year 2020.

During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020, gross profit sequentially increased 21.3% to $4.2 million compared to the third quarter of fiscal year 2020. Gross profit margin sequentially increased to 30.3% during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020, compared to 25.5% during the third quarter of fiscal year 2020.

During fiscal year 2019, we took actions to reduce employee related costs in cost of goods sold anticipated to create savings during fiscal year 2020. We believe many benefits of these actions were attained during fiscal year 2020 and expect the benefits will be more fully realized as sales increase as the impacts of the pandemic subside.

Gross profit was $18.3 million in fiscal year 2019, compared to gross profit of $27.9 million in fiscal year 2018, a decrease of 34.3%. Gross profit margin, or gross profit as a percentage of net sales, was 25.7% in fiscal year 2019 compared to 31.7% in fiscal year 2018.

During fiscal year 2019, OCC experienced significant reduction in gross profit margins, primarily as a result of unintended throughput constraints and inefficiencies that we experienced in our Roanoke production facility impacting gross profits—particularly in the first quarter of the year. These throughput constraints and inefficiencies resulted from the expansion, training, and restructuring of our manufacturing workforce and from process changes during fiscal year 2018—initiatives intended to ultimately increase throughput and efficiency in order to meet increased product demand over the short- and long-term. During fiscal year 2019, we focused on cost control and correcting the impact of these unintended throughput constraints and inefficiencies that we experienced in our Roanoke facility—achieving improvements after the first quarter of fiscal year 2019.

Gross profit margin during fiscal year 2019 was also negatively impacted by increased employee related production costs and other costs, in addition to throughput constraints and inefficiencies experienced in our Roanoke facility.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

SG&A expenses decreased 17.9% to $19.2 million during fiscal year 2020, compared to $23.4 million for fiscal year 2019. SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales were 34.8% in fiscal year 2020, compared to 32.9% in fiscal year 2019, as net sales decreased at a higher rate than the decrease in SG&A expenses due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on net sales.

The decrease in SG&A expenses during fiscal year 2020 compared to last year was primarily the result of decreases in employee related SG&A costs totaling $2.9 million, decreases in travel expenses totaling $530,000, decreases in shipping costs totaling $464,000 and decreases in marketing expenses totaling $425,000. Included in employee related costs are employee incentives and commissions which decreased due to the financial results during fiscal year 2020 and decreases in compensation costs primarily due to terminations, net of new hires. Shipping costs decreased due to the decrease in net sales in fiscal year 2020 compared to last year. Both marketing and travel expenses decreased due to the decline/halt in business travel and cancellation of tradeshows during fiscal year 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The decreases in employee related costs, travel expenses, shipping costs and marketing expenses were partially offset by an increase in bad debt expense totaling $369,000 due to concerns about collectability of certain customer accounts during this unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic environment and increases in legal and professional fees totaling $242,000 primarily due to non-capitalizable fees associated with legal advice related to, among other things, various financing strategies under consideration by us as well as certain related professional services.

SG&A expenses sequentially decreased 5.4% to $4.3 million during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020, compared to the third quarter of fiscal year 2020. SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales were 31.0% during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020, compared to 33.4% in the third quarter of fiscal year 2020.

SG&A expenses decreased 10.3% to $23.4 million during fiscal year 2019, compared to $26.1 million for fiscal year 2018. SG&A expenses as a percentage of net sales were 32.9% in fiscal year 2019, compared to 29.8% in fiscal year 2018.

The decrease in SG&A expenses during fiscal year 2019 compared to fiscal year 2018 was primarily the result of decreases in employee related SG&A costs totaling $2.3 million. The decrease in employee related costs was primarily the result of decreases in employee incentives totaling $1.4 million and decreases in share-based compensation expense totaling $1.3 million due to the financial results in fiscal year 2019 when compared to fiscal year 2018.

Royalty Income (Expense), Net

We recognized royalty expense, net of royalty income, totaling $332,000 during fiscal year 2020, compared to royalty income, net of royalty and related expenses totaling $7,000 during fiscal year 2019. Royalty expense and/or income may fluctuate based on sales of licensed products and estimates of amounts for non-licensed product sales, if any.

We recognized royalty income, net of royalty and related expenses, totaling $7,000 during fiscal year 2019, compared to $33,000 during fiscal year 2018.

Amortization of Intangible Assets

We recognized $42,000 of amortization expense, associated with intangible assets, during fiscal year 2020, compared to $39,000 during fiscal year 2019 and $35,000 during fiscal year 2018.

Other Expense, Net

We recognized other expense, net of $570,000 in fiscal year 2020 compared to $513,000 in fiscal year 2019. Other expense, net for fiscal year 2020 is comprised of: interest expense totaling $570,000 related primarily to monies borrowed in connection with the acquisition of SMP Data Communications in fiscal year 2008, borrowings under our revolving credit facilities, and other interest incurred in the normal course of business; and other miscellaneous items which may fluctuate from period to period. The increase in other expense, net during fiscal year 2020 compared to fiscal year 2019 was primarily due to increased interest expense resulting from the amortization of deferred financing fees related to our new revolver with North Mill.

We recognized other expense, net of $513,000 in fiscal year 2019 compared to $688,000 in fiscal year 2018. Other expense, net for fiscal year 2019 is comprised of: interest expense totaling $521,000 related primarily to monies borrowed in connection with the acquisition of SMP Data Communications in fiscal year 2008, borrowings under our revolving credit facility, and other interest incurred in the normal course of business; and other miscellaneous items which may fluctuate from period to period. The decrease in other expense, net during fiscal year 2019 compared to fiscal year 2018 was primarily due to decreased interest expense resulting from reduced borrowings on our revolving credit facilities, including our Special Project Revolver used for working capital needs necessitated by the 37.0% increase in net sales during fiscal year 2018 and which was paid in full in July 2018 and not in place during fiscal year 2019.

Loss Before Income Taxes

We reported a loss before income taxes of $6.1 million for fiscal year 2020 compared to $5.7 million for fiscal year 2019. This increase was primarily due to the decrease in gross profit of $4.2 million and the increase in royalty expense, net of $338,000, partially offset by the decrease in SG&A expenses of $4.2 million in fiscal year 2020 compared to fiscal year 2019.

We reported a loss before income taxes of $5.7 million for fiscal year 2019 compared to income before income taxes of $1.1 million for fiscal year 2018. This change was primarily due to the decrease in gross profit of $9.6 million, partially offset by the decrease in SG&A expenses of $2.7 million in fiscal year 2019 compared to fiscal year 2018.

Income Tax Expense (Benefit)

Income tax expense totaled $18,000 for fiscal year 2020 compared to income tax benefit of $6,000 for fiscal year 2019. Our effective tax rate for fiscal year 2020 was less than negative one percent, compared to less than one percent for fiscal year 2019.

Fluctuations in our effective tax rates are primarily due to permanent differences in U.S. GAAP and tax accounting for various tax deductions and benefits, but can also be significantly different from the statutory tax rate when income or loss before taxes is at a level such that permanent differences in U.S. GAAP and tax accounting treatment have a disproportional impact on the projected effective tax rate.

Income tax benefit totaled $6,000 for fiscal year 2019 compared to $17,000 for fiscal year 2018. Our effective tax rate for fiscal year 2019 was less than one percent, compared to negative 1.6% for fiscal year 2018.

During fiscal year 2015, we established a valuation allowance against all of our net deferred tax assets. As a result of establishing a full valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets, if we generate sufficient taxable income in subsequent periods to realize a portion or all of our net deferred tax assets, our effective income tax rate could be unusually low due to the tax benefit attributable to the necessary decrease in our valuation allowance. Further, if we generate losses before taxes in subsequent periods, our effective income tax rate could also be unusually low as any increase in our net deferred tax asset from such a net operating loss for tax purposes would be offset by a corresponding increase to our valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets. The valuation allowance against our net deferred assets totals $4.8 million as of October 31, 2020.

If we generate sufficient income before taxes in subsequent periods such that U.S. GAAP would permit us to conclude that the removal of any valuation allowance against our net deferred tax asset is appropriate, then during the period in which such determination is made, we will recognize the non-cash benefit of such removal of the valuation allowance in income tax expense on our consolidated statement of operations, which will increase net income and will also increase the net deferred tax asset on our consolidated balance sheet. If we do not generate sufficient income before taxes in subsequent periods such that U.S. GAAP would permit us to conclude that the reduction or removal of any valuation allowance against our net deferred tax asset is appropriate, then no such non-cash benefit would be realized. There can be no assurance regarding any future realization of the benefit by us of all or part of our net deferred tax assets.

See also “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” below and Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Net Loss

Net loss for fiscal year 2020 was $6.1 million compared to $5.7 million for fiscal year 2019. This increase was primarily due to the increase in loss before income taxes of $428,000 in fiscal year 2020, compared to fiscal year 2019.

Net loss for fiscal year 2019 was $5.7 million compared to net income of $1.1 million for fiscal year 2018. This change was primarily due to the increase in loss before income taxes of $6.7 million in fiscal year 2019, compared to fiscal year 2018.

Financial Condition

Total assets decreased $3.5 million, or 8.8%, to $36.6 million at October 31, 2020, from $40.1 million at October 31, 2019. This decrease was primarily due to a $2.8 million decrease in trade accounts receivable, net, a $1.2 million decrease in property, plant and equipment, net and a $996,000 decrease in inventories, partially offset by an increase of $1.7 million in other assets, net resulting primarily from the addition of right-to-use assets of $1.3 million related to the adoption of ASC 842. The decrease in trade accounts receivable, net largely resulted from the decrease in net sales in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2020 when compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2019. Property, plant and equipment, net decreased primarily as a result of continuing depreciation and limited capital expenditures during the year in order to conserve cash as a result of the economic uncertainty and negative impact on OCC’s sales and operations created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Inventories decreased largely as the result of the timing of certain raw material purchases as well as lower replenishment rates due to lower sales and the timing of sales of stock inventory.

Total liabilities increased $2.4 million, or 12.9%, to $21.3 million at October 31, 2020, from $18.9 million at October 31, 2019. The increase in total liabilities was primarily due to the $5.0 million Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program loan (“PPP Loan”) obtained in April 2020 and an increase of $1.8 million in other noncurrent liabilities resulting from the addition of an operating lease liability of $1.3 million related to the adoption of ASC 842, partially offset by a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses, including accrued compensation and payroll taxes, totaling $2.9 million, primarily resulting from the timing of raw material purchases and certain vendor payments, and net repayments on our revolvers totaling $661,000.

Total shareholders’ equity at October 31, 2020 decreased $6.0 million, or 28.2%, during fiscal year 2020. The decrease resulted from the net loss of $6.1 million.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our primary capital needs have been to fund working capital requirements. Our primary source of capital for these purposes has been existing cash, cash provided by operations, borrowings under our revolving credit facilities and the proceeds from our PPP Loan.

As of October 31, 2020 and 2019, we had an outstanding loan balance under our revolving credit facility totaling $5.0 million and $5.7 million, respectively. As of October 31, 2020 and 2019, we had outstanding loan balances, excluding our revolving credit facility, totaling $10.1 million and $5.9 million, respectively.

Our cash totaled $141,000 and $537,000 as of October 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. For the year ended October 31, 2020, net cash provided by financing activities of $3.3 million was offset by net cash used in operating activities of $3.6 million, and capital expenditures totaling $120,000.

On October 31, 2020, we had working capital of $19.1 million, compared to $15.8 million as of October 31, 2019. The ratio of current assets to current liabilities as of October 31, 2020, was 4.0 to 1 compared to 2.2 to 1 as of October 31, 2019. The increase in working capital and in the current ratio was primarily due to the refinancing of our revolver with North Mill. The $5.7 million balance on our revolver with Pinnacle as of October 31, 2019 had a maturity date of less than one year and was reflected as a current liability as a result. The maturity date of our revolver with North Mill of July 24, 2023 results in the $5.0 million balance on that facility as of October 31, 2020 being reflected as a noncurrent liability. Also contributing to the increase in working capital was the decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses, including accrued compensation and payroll taxes, of $2.9 million, partially offset by the $2.8 million decrease in trade accounts receivable net, the $996,000 decrease in inventories and the $1.6 million increase in note payable, Small Business Administration (“SBA”) PPP Loan – current which reflects the portion of our PPP Loan that would be required to be repaid within twelve months if not otherwise forgiven or extended by pending or future legislation.

Net Cash

Net cash used in operating activities was $3.6 million in fiscal year 2020 compared to $284,000 in fiscal year 2019 and net cash provided by operating activities of $3.2 million in fiscal year 2018.

Net cash used in operating activities during fiscal year 2020 primarily resulted from the cash flow impact of decreases in accounts payable and accrued expenses, including accrued compensation and payroll taxes, totaling $3.3 million, partially offset by decreases in the cash flow impact of trade accounts receivable, net totaling $2.4 million, decreases in inventories totaling $996,000 and certain adjustments to reconcile a net loss of $6.1 million to net cash used in operating activities including depreciation and amortization of $1.4 million, bad debt expense of $425,000 and share-based compensation of $142,000.

Net cash used in operating activities during fiscal year 2019 primarily resulted from an increase in inventories totaling $621,000 and a decrease in accrued compensation and payroll taxes totaling $1.7 million, partially offset by a decrease in the cash flow impact of decreases in trade accounts receivable, net totaling $2.4 million and certain adjustments to reconcile a net loss of $5.7 million to net cash used in operating activities including depreciation and amortization of $1.7 million and share-based compensation expense of $981,000. Additionally, the cash flow impact of increases in accounts payable and accrued expense totaling $2.3 million further contributed to offset net cash used in operating activities.

Net cash provided by operating activities during fiscal year 2018 primarily resulted from net income of $1.1 million, plus net adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities, including depreciation and amortization of $1.8 million and share-based compensation expense of $2.2 million. Additionally, the cash flow impact of increases in accounts payable and accrued expenses, including accrued compensation and payroll taxes, of $2.8 million further contributed to net cash provided by operating activities. All of the aforementioned factors positively affecting cash provided by operating activities were partially offset by the cash flow impact of increases in trade accounts receivable, net of $3.9 million and increases in inventories of $693,000.

Net cash used in investing activities totaled $168,000 in fiscal year 2020 compared to $550,000 in fiscal year 2019 and $734,000 in fiscal year 2018. Net cash used in investing activities during fiscal years 2020, 2019 and 2018 resulted primarily from the purchase of property and equipment and deposits for the purchase of property and equipment.

Net cash provided by financing activities totaled $3.3 million in fiscal year 2020 compared to $1.2 million in fiscal year 2019 and net cash used in financing activities totaling $3.2 million in fiscal year 2018.

Net cash provided by financing activities in fiscal year 2020 resulted from proceeds received from a PPP Loan totaling $5.0 million and advances on our revolving lines of credit totaling $19.9 million, partially offset by payments on our revolving lines of credit totaling $20.6 million, principal payments on long-term debt totaling $743,000 and deferred financing costs of $252,000. Net cash provided by financing activities in fiscal year 2019 resulted primarily from proceeds from a note payable to our bank under our line of credit, net of repayments, totaling $2.7 million, partially offset by payroll taxes withheld and remitted totaling $943,000 related to the vesting of restricted stock, and principal payments on long-term debt totaling $511,000. Net cash used in financing activities in fiscal year 2018 resulted primarily from repayments on our notes payable to our bank under our lines of credit, net of advances, totaling $2.7 million and principle payments on long-term debt totaling $251,000.

We have a plan (the “Repurchase Plan”), approved by our Board of Directors on July 14, 2015, to purchase and retire up to 400,000 shares of our common stock, or approximately 6.0% of the shares then outstanding. When the Repurchase Plan was approved, we had anticipated that the purchases would be made over a 24- to 36-month period, but there was no definite time period for repurchase or plan expiration. As of October 31, 2020, we had 398,400 shares remaining to purchase under this Repurchase Plan, and we have made no specific determination whether and over what period these shares may or may not be purchased. Until future notice, we have suspended the Repurchase Plan and have no current plans to repurchase and retire our common stock.

Credit Facilities

We have credit facilities consisting of a real estate term loan, as amended and restated (the “Virginia Real Estate Loan”), a supplemental real estate term loan, as amended and restated (the “North Carolina Real Estate Loan”) a Revolving Credit Master Promissory Note and related agreements (collectively, the “Revolver”) and a PPP Loan implemented by the SBA.

Both the Virginia Real Estate Loan and the North Carolina Real Estate Loan are with Pinnacle Bank (“Pinnacle”), have a fixed interest rate of 3.95% and are secured by a first lien deed of trust on our real property.

On April 15, 2020, we obtained an unsecured PPP Loan through Pinnacle in the amount of $5.0 million. The loan was made through the SBA as part of the PPP under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”). The interest rate is fixed at 1.00% per year. Under the CARES Act and The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020, all or a portion of this loan may be forgiven if certain requirements are met. If the loan is not forgiven, we will pay principal and interest payments of approximately $560,000 every month, beginning ten months following the coverage period which ended September 29, 2020. We can repay the PPP Loan without any prepayment penalty. All remaining principal and accrued interest is due and payable two years from the effective date of the PPP Loan. All proceeds of the PPP Loan were used for permitted expenses, primarily payroll expenses, and consistent with current Small Business Administration guidelines, at this time, we believe this PPP Loan ultimately will be fully forgiven.

On July 24, 2020, OCC’s Revolving Credit Note with Pinnacle was terminated and OCC, along with our wholly owned subsidiaries, entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (“Loan Agreement”) with North Mill. As part of the refinancing transaction, we also entered into a Revolving Credit Master Promissory Note with North Mill dated July 24, 2020 (the “Revolver”) and a Collateral Assignment of Patents and Trademarks (“Collateral Assignment”) dated July 24, 2020 along with certain other supporting ancillary documents.

Under the Loan Agreement, North Mill agreed to provide us with one or more advances in an amount up to: (a) 85% of the aggregate outstanding amount of eligible accounts (the “eligible accounts loan value”); plus (b) the lowest of (i) an amount up to 35% of the aggregate value of eligible inventory, (ii) $5,000,000, and (iii) an amount not to exceed 100% of the then outstanding eligible accounts loan value; minus (c) $1,500,000.

The maximum aggregate principal amount subject to the Revolver is $18,000,000. Interest accrues on the daily balance at the per annum rate of 1.5% above the Prime Rate in effect from time to time, but not less than 4.75% (the “Applicable Rate”). In the event of a default, interest may become 6.0% above the Applicable Rate. As of October 31, 2020, the Revolver accrued interest at the prime lending rate plus 1.5% (resulting in a 4.75% rate at October 31, 2020). The initial term of the Revolver is three years, with a termination date of July 24, 2023. After the initial term and unless otherwise terminated, the loan may be extended in one year periods subject to the agreement of North Mill.

The Revolver is secured by all of the following assets: properties, rights and interests in property of the Company whether now owned or existing, or hereafter acquired or arising, and wherever located; all accounts, equipment, commercial tort claims, general intangibles, chattel paper, inventory, negotiable collateral, investment property, financial assets, letter-of-credit rights, supporting obligations, deposit accounts, money or assets of the Company, which hereafter come into the possession, custody, or control of North Mill; all proceeds and products, whether tangible or intangible, of any of the foregoing, including proceeds of insurance covering any or all of the foregoing; any and all tangible or intangible property resulting from the sale, lease, license or other disposition of any of the foregoing, or any portion thereof or interest therein, and all proceeds thereof; and any other assets of the Company which may be subject to a lien in favor of North Mill as security for the obligations under the Loan Agreement.

Prior to the refinancing of the Revolver with North Mill on July 24, 2020, the Revolving Credit Note with Pinnacle (as amended and modified) provided us with a $6.5 million revolving line of credit for our working capital needs. Under the Revolving Credit Note, Pinnacle provided us with one or more revolving loans in a collective maximum principal amount of $6.5 million. We could borrow, repay, and reborrow at any time or from time to time while the Revolving Credit Note was in effect.

As of October 31, 2020, we had $5.0 million of outstanding borrowings on our Revolver and $1.6 million in available credit. As of October 31, 2019, we had $5.7 million of outstanding borrowings on our Revolving Loan and $850,000 in available credit.

Capital Expenditures

We did not have any material commitments for capital expenditures as of October 31, 2020. During our 2020 fiscal year budgeting process, we included an estimate for capital expenditures of $1.5 million for the year. We incurred capital expenditures totaling $120,000 for items including new manufacturing equipment, improvements to existing manufacturing equipment, new information technology equipment and software, upgrades to existing information technology equipment and software, furniture and other capitalizable expenditures for property, plant and equipment for fiscal year 2020.

During our 2021 fiscal year budgeting process, we included an estimate for capital expenditures of $750,000 for the year. Any capital expenditures will be funded out of our working capital, cash provided by operations or borrowings under our credit facility, as appropriate. This amount includes estimates for capital expenditures for similar types of items as those purchased in fiscal year 2020. Capital expenditures are reviewed and approved based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, current cash flow considerations, the expected return on investment, project priorities, impact on current or future product offerings, availability of personnel necessary to implement and begin using acquired equipment, and economic conditions in general. Historically, we have spent less than our budgeted capital expenditures in most fiscal years.

Future Cash Flow Considerations

We believe that our cash flow from operations, our cash on hand and our existing credit facilities or any additional credit facilities we may originate or additional equity financing we may raise will be adequate to fund our operations for at least the next twelve months.

From time to time, we are involved in various claims, legal actions and regulatory reviews arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based on the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”). The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements provides a summary of our significant accounting policies. The following are areas requiring significant judgments and estimates due to uncertainties as of the reporting date: revenue recognition, trade accounts receivable and the allowance for doubtful accounts, inventories, deferred tax assets, long-lived assets and commitments and contingencies.

Application of the critical accounting policies discussed in the section that follows requires management’s significant judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates of matters that are inherently uncertain. If actual results were to differ materially from the estimates made, the reported results could be materially affected. We are not currently aware of any reasonably likely events or circumstances that would result in materially different results.

Revenue Recognition

Management views revenue recognition as a critical accounting estimate since we must estimate an allowance for sales returns for the reporting period. This allowance reduces net sales for the period and is based on our analysis and judgment of historical trends, identified returns and the potential for additional returns. The estimates for sales returns did not materially differ from actual results for the years ended October 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018.

Trade Accounts Receivable and the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Management views trade accounts receivable net of the related allowance for doubtful accounts as a critical accounting estimate since the allowance for doubtful accounts is based on judgments and estimates concerning the likelihood that individual customers will pay the amounts included as receivable from them. In determining the amount of allowance for doubtful accounts to be recorded for individual customers, we consider the age of the receivable, the financial stability of the customer, discussions that may have occurred with the customer and our judgment as to the overall collectibility of the receivable from that customer. In addition, we establish an allowance for all other receivables for which no specific allowances are deemed necessary. This general allowance for doubtful accounts is based on a percentage of total trade accounts receivable with different percentages used based on different age categories of receivables. The percentages used are based on our historical experience and our current judgment regarding the state of the economy and the industry.

Inventories

Management views the determination of the net realizable value of inventories as a critical accounting estimate since it is based on judgments and estimates regarding the salability of individual items in inventory and an estimate of the ultimate selling prices for those items. Individual inventory items are reviewed and adjustments are made based on the age of the inventory and our judgment as to the salability of that inventory in order for our inventories to be valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value.

Deferred Tax Assets

Management views the valuation of deferred tax assets as a critical accounting estimate since we must assess whether it is “more likely than not” that we will realize the benefits of our gross deferred tax assets and determine an appropriate valuation allowance if we conclude such an allowance is appropriate. This determination requires that we consider all available evidence, both positive and negative, in making this assessment. The weight given to the positive and negative evidence is commensurate with the extent to which the evidence may be objectively verified.

Generally, a cumulative loss in recent years is a significant piece of negative evidence that is quite difficult to overcome under U.S. GAAP. Since the amount of our loss before income taxes in fiscal year 2015 exceeded our income before taxes during the previous two fiscal years, we believed that U.S. GAAP required us to treat as significant negative evidence that it was “more likely than not” that we would be unable to realize the future benefits of our deferred tax assets in the coming years—significant negative evidence that was quite difficult to overcome under U.S. GAAP and which we were not able to overcome with sufficient objectively verifiable positive evidence.

While we believe that ultimately we will utilize the benefit of our net deferred tax assets in the future (prior to any expiration of the usability of such deferred tax assets for income tax purposes), we concluded as a result of our cumulative loss position and insufficient objectively verifiable positive evidence, it was appropriate under U.S. GAAP for us to establish a full valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets as of October 31, 2015.

The valuation allowance against our net deferred tax assets does not in any way impact our ability to use future tax deductions such as our net operating loss carryforwards; rather, the valuation allowance indicates, according to the provisions of Accounting Standards Codification 740, Income Taxes, it is “more likely than not” that our deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The valuation allowance that was established will be maintained until there is sufficient positive evidence to conclude that it is “more likely than not” that our net deferred tax assets will be realized. Our income tax expense for future periods will be reduced to the extent of corresponding decreases in our valuation allowance. There can be no assurance regarding any future realization of the benefit by us of all or part of our net deferred tax assets. 

Long-lived Assets

Management views the determination of the carrying value of long-lived assets as a critical accounting estimate since we must determine an estimated economic useful life in order to properly amortize or depreciate our long-lived assets and because we must consider if the value of any of our long-lived assets have been impaired, requiring adjustment to the carrying value.

Economic useful life is the duration of time the asset is expected to be productively employed by us, which may be less than its physical life. Management’s assumptions on wear and tear, obsolescence, technological advances and other factors affect the determination of estimated economic useful life. The estimated economic useful life of an asset is monitored to determine if it continues to be appropriate in light of changes in business circumstances. For example, technological advances or excessive wear and tear may result in a shorter estimated useful life than originally anticipated. In such a case, we would depreciate the remaining net book value of an asset over the new estimated remaining life, thereby increasing depreciation expense per year on a prospective basis. We must also consider similar issues when determining whether or not an asset has been impaired to the extent that we must recognize a loss on such impairment.

The Company amortizes intangible assets over their respective finite lives up to their estimated residual values.

Commitments and Contingencies

Management views accounting for contingencies as a critical accounting estimate since loss contingencies arising from product warranties and defects, claims, assessments, litigation, fines and penalties and other sources require judgment as to any probable liabilities incurred. For example, accrued product warranty costs recorded by us are based primarily on historical experience of actual warranty claims and costs as well as current information with respect to warranty claims and costs. Actual results could differ from the expected results determined based on such estimates of loss contingencies.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We do not engage in transactions in derivative financial instruments or derivative commodity instruments. As of October 31, 2020 our financial instruments were not exposed to significant market risk due to interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange risk, commodity price risk or equity price risk.

New Accounting Standards

In December 2019, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”), which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. ASU 2019-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2019-12 on our results of operations, financial position and liquidity and our related financial statement disclosures.

There are no other new accounting standards issued, but not yet adopted by us, which are expected to be applicable to our financial position, operating results or financial statement disclosures.

Disagreements with Accountants

We did not have any disagreements with our accountants on any accounting matter or financial disclosure made during our fiscal year ended October 31, 2020.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Years ended October 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018