Universal Electronics Inc.
Table of Contents



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(mark one)

     
x
  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
   
  For the Quarterly Period ended September 30, 2004
 
   
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
   
  For the transition period from                   to                   .

Commission File Number: 0-21044

UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Delaware
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
  33-0204817
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
     
6101 Gateway Drive
Cypress, California
(Address of principal executive offices)
  90630
(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (714) 820-1000

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, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes þ          No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934).

Yes þ          No o

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: 13,575,226 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the registrant were outstanding on October 28, 2004.




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UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.

INDEX

         
    Page
       
    3  
    3  
    4  
    5  
    6  
    15  
    28  
    28  
    28  
    28  
    30  
    31  
    31  
    32  
 EXHIBIT 31.1
 EXHIBIT 31.2
 EXHIBIT 32

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Consolidated Financial Statements

UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share-related data)
(Unaudited)
                 
    September 30,   December 31,
    2004
  2003
ASSETS
               
Current assets:
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 53,960     $ 58,481  
Short-term investment
    2,000        
Accounts receivable, net
    30,221       30,501  
Inventories, net
    26,189       19,386  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    2,022       1,108  
Deferred income taxes
    2,549       2,544  
Income tax receivable
    1,158       1,167  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total current assets
    118,099       113,187  
Equipment, furniture and fixtures, net
    3,261       3,475  
Goodwill
    3,340       3,348  
Intangible assets, net
    3,686       3,431  
Other assets
    871       1,445  
Deferred income taxes
    1,237       1,281  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total assets
  $ 130,494     $ 126,167  
 
   
 
     
 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Current liabilities:
               
Accounts payable
  $ 17,134     $ 13,754  
Accrued income taxes
    3,773       4,504  
Accrued compensation
    4,896       2,923  
Other accrued expenses
    8,678       9,815  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total current liabilities
    34,481       30,996  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Commitments and Contingent Liabilities
               
Stockholders’ equity:
               
Preferred stock, $.01 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding
           
Common stock, $.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized; 16,578,486 and 16,404,485 shares issued at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively
    166       164  
Paid-in capital
    77,508       75,805  
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income
    (150 )     298  
Retained earnings
    41,574       36,179  
Deferred stock-based compensation
          (42 )
Less cost of common stock in treasury, 3,040,400 and 2,598,670 shares at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively
    (23,085 )     (17,233 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total stockholders’ equity
    96,013       95,171  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 130,494     $ 126,167  
 
   
 
     
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENTS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
                                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
  September 30,
    2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
Net sales
  $ 40,047     $ 30,300     $ 106,669     $ 84,931  
Cost of sales
    24,254       18,467       65,333       52,111  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Gross profit
    15,793       11,833       41,336       32,820  
Research and development expenses
    1,841       1,201       4,092       3,541  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    10,656       8,242       29,451       24,006  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Operating expenses
    12,497       9,443       33,543       27,547  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Operating income
    3,296       2,390       7,793       5,273  
Interest income
    261       106       525       401  
Other (expense) income, net
    (551 )     29       (57 )     95  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Income before income taxes
    3,006       2,525       8,261       5,769  
Provision for income taxes
    1,078       858       2,867       1,961  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net income
  $ 1,928     $ 1,667     $ 5,394     $ 3,808  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Earnings per share:
                               
Basic
  $ 0.14     $ 0.12     $ 0.40     $ 0.28  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Diluted
  $ 0.14     $ 0.12     $ 0.39     $ 0.27  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Shares used in computing earnings per share:
                               
Basic
    13,496       13,751       13,566       13,648  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Diluted
    14,029       14,145       14,002       13,937  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
(Unaudited)
                 
    Nine Months Ended September 30,
    2004
  2003
Cash provided by operating activities:
               
Net income
  $ 5,394     $ 3,808  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Provision for doubtful accounts
    130       334  
Depreciation and amortization
    2,299       2,631  
Common stock issued to employee benefit plan
    341       268  
Stock-based compensation plan
    42       63  
Loss on disposal of fixed assets
    254        
Write-down of investment
    357        
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    (37 )     (363 )
Inventories
    (6,822 )     (2,931 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    (698 )     (110 )
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    4,347       5,984  
Accrued income and other taxes
    (691 )     2,056  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
    4,916       11,740  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash (used for) provided by investing activities:
               
Purchase of short-term investments
    (2,000 )     (22,000 )
Sale of short-term investments
          44,500  
Acquisition of equipment, furniture and fixtures
    (1,897 )     (1,920 )
Acquisition of intangible assets
    (800 )     (493 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities
    (4,697 )     20,087  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash (used for) provided by financing activities:
               
Treasury stock purchase
    (5,852 )     (372 )
Proceeds from stock options exercised
    1,364       3,246  
Payment on note payable
          (43 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities
    (4,488 )     2,831  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash
    (252 )     (634 )
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (4,521 )     34,024  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    58,481       18,064  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 53,960     $ 52,088  
 
   
 
     
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

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UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all subsidiaries after elimination of all material intercompany accounts and transactions. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes contained in the Company’s 2003 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The financial information presented in the accompanying statements reflects all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the periods indicated. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.

Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates its estimates and judgments, including those related to revenue recognition, allowance for sales returns and doubtful accounts, inventory valuation, valuation of long-lived assets, intangible assets and goodwill, and income taxes.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company applies the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25 in accounting for stock-based employee compensation; therefore, no compensation expense has been recognized for its fixed stock option plans as options are granted at fair market value on the date of the grant. In accordance with SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,” as amended by SFAS No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation — Transition and Disclosure,” the Company adopted the disclosure requirements of this Statement.

The Company has provided below the pro forma disclosures of the effect on net income and earnings per share as if SFAS No. 123 had been applied in measuring compensation expense for all periods presented. The following table illustrates, pursuant to SFAS No. 123, as amended by SFAS No. 148, the effect on net income and related earnings per share, had compensation cost for stock based-compensation plans been determined based on the fair value method prescribed under SFAS No. 123. (In thousands, except per share amounts).

                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,
  Nine Months Ended September 30,
    2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
Net income
                               
As reported
  $ 1,928     $ 1,667     $ 5,394     $ 3,808  
Less: Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under the fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax effects
    (654 )     (795 )     (1,998 )     (2,380 )
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Pro forma
  $ 1,274     $ 872     $ 3,396     $ 1,428  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Basic earnings per share:
                               
As reported
  $ 0.14     $ 0.12     $ 0.40     $ 0.28  

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    Three Months Ended September 30,
  Nine Months Ended September 30,
    2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
Pro forma
  $ 0.09     $ 0.06     $ 0.25     $ 0.10  
Diluted earnings per share:
                               
As reported
  $ 0.14     $ 0.12     $ 0.39     $ 0.27  
Pro forma
  $ 0.09     $ 0.06     $ 0.24     $ 0.10  

The fair value of options at date of grant was estimated using the Black-Scholes model. There were 12,000 options granted during the three months ended September 30, 2004. The following assumptions were used for the grants during the three months ended September 30, 2004: risk-free interest rate of approximately 3.7%, expected volatility of 62.1%, expected life of five years; and the common stock will pay no dividends. The per-share weighted average grant date fair values of the options granted during the three months ended September 30, 2004 was $14.54. There were no grants during the three months ended September 30, 2003.

The following assumptions were used for the grants during the nine months ended September 30, 2004: risk-free interest rate of approximately 2.9%, expected volatility of 59.6%, expected life of five years; and the common stock will pay no dividends. The per-share weighted average grant date fair values of the options granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 was $12.80. The following assumptions were used for the grants during the nine months ended September 30, 2003: risk-free interest rate of approximately 2.9%, expected volatility of approximately 63.9%, expected life of five years; and the common stock will pay no dividends.

Short-Term Investment

The Company has a $2.0 million certificate of deposit with a six-month original maturity. The deposit earns interest at a rate of 1.48% per annum.

Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk. The risk is mitigated due to the large number of customers comprising the Company’s customer base, the relative size and strength of most of the Company’s customers and the Company’s performance of ongoing credit evaluations.

The Company had one significant customer with sales of $4.6 million and $4.0 million representing 11.4% and 13.2% of net sales for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Accounts receivable with this customer amounted to $2.2 million or 7.1% and $2.7 million or 9.0% of the total accounts receivable at September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, respectively. Sales to the same customer were $12.4 million and $14.2 million representing 11.6% and 16.7% of net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

Significant Suppliers

Most of the components used in the Company’s products are available from multiple sources; however, the Company has elected to purchase integrated circuit components used in its products, principally its wireless control products, and certain other components used in its products, from two main sources, each of which provides in excess of ten percent (10%) of the microprocessors used in the Company’s products.

Inventories

Inventories consisting of wireless control devices, including universal remote controls, wireless keyboards, antennas, and related component parts, are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method. The Company writes down its inventory for estimated obsolescence or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the estimated market value based upon assumptions about the future demand and market conditions. Net inventories consist of the following (in thousands):

                 
    September 30, 2004
  December 31, 2003
Components
  $ 9,257     $ 7,593  
Finished goods
    16,932       11,793  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Inventory, net
  $ 26,189     $ 19,386  
 
   
 
     
 
 

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UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 inventory write-downs totaled $0.6 million and $2.8 million, respectively. Inventory write-downs are a normal part of the Company’s business, and result primarily from product life cycle estimation variances.

Investment

Included in other assets, as of September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003, is a cost investment in a private company with a carrying value of $3,000 and $360,000, respectively. The Company accounts for this investment, which does not have a readily determinable fair value, using the cost method, as the Company’s investment is less than 20% and the Company is unable to exercise significant influence over the investee, and the Company is not a primary beneficiary. Under the cost method, investments are carried at cost and adjusted only for other-than-temporary declines in fair value, distributions of earnings or additional investments. The Company performed an impairment review and determined that this asset has realized an other than temporary decline during the third quarter of 2004. Accordingly, the value of the investment was written down to its net realizable value.

Income Taxes

The Company uses the estimated effective tax rate for the year to determine its provision for income taxes. The Company recorded income tax expense of $1.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2004 compared to $0.9 million for the same period last year. The Company’s estimated effective tax rate was 35.9% and 34.0% during the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The Company recorded income tax expense of $2.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to $2.0 million for the same period last year. The Company’s estimated effective tax rate was 34.7% and 34.0% during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding and dilutive potential common shares, which includes the dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock grants. Dilutive potential common shares for all periods presented are computed utilizing the treasury stock method. In the computation of diluted earnings per common share for the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, approximately 554,000 and 1,037,000 stock options, respectively, with exercise prices greater than the average market price of the underlying common stock were excluded because their inclusion would have been antidilutive. In the computation of diluted earnings per common share for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003, approximately 993,000 and 1,041,000 stock options, respectively, with exercise prices greater than the average market price of the underlying common stock were excluded because their inclusion would have been antidilutive.

Earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 2003 are calculated as follows (in thousands, except per-share amounts):

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UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

                                 
    Three Months Ended
  Nine Months Ended
    September 30, 2004
  September 30, 2003
  September 30, 2004
  September 30, 2003
BASIC
                               
Net income
  $ 1,928     $ 1,667     $ 5,394     $ 3,808  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
    13,496       13,751       13,566       13,648  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Basic earnings per share
  $ 0.14     $ 0.12     $ 0.40     $ 0.28  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
DILUTED
                               
Net income
  $ 1,928     $ 1,667     $ 5,394     $ 3,808  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding for basic
    13,496       13,751       13,566       13,648  
Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock
    533       394       436       289  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding on a diluted basis
    14,029       14,145       14,002       13,937  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Diluted earnings per share
  $ 0.14     $ 0.12     $ 0.39     $ 0.27  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

Comprehensive Income

The components of comprehensive income are listed below (in thousands):

                                 
    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended
    September 30,
  September 30,
    2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
Net Income
  $ 1,928     $ 1,667     $ 5,394     $ 3,808  
Other comprehensive income (loss):
                               
Foreign currency translations
    717       26       (448 )     484  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Comprehensive income:
  $ 2,645     $ 1,693     $ 4,946     $ 4,292  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

Treasury Stock

The Company purchased 445,807 shares of its common stock at a cost of $5.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2004. During the nine months ended September 30, 2003, the Company purchased 38,701 shares of its common stock at a cost of $372,000. The Company holds shares purchased from the open market as treasury stock which are available for reissue by the Company.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2002, the FASB issued Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.” EITF Issue No. 00-21 addresses certain aspects of the accounting by a company for arrangements under which it will perform multiple revenue-generating activities. EITF Issue No. 00-21 addresses when and how an arrangement involving multiple deliverables should be divided into separate units of accounting. EITF Issue No. 00-21 provides guidance with respect to the effect of certain customer rights due to company nonperformance on the recognition of revenue allocated to delivered units of accounting. EITF Issue No. 00-21 also addresses the impact on the measurement and/or allocation of arrangement consideration of customer cancellation provisions and consideration that varies as a result of future actions of the customer or the company. Finally, EITF Issue No. 00-21 provides guidance with respect to the recognition of the cost of certain deliverables that are excluded from the revenue accounting for an arrangement. The provisions of EITF Issue No. 00-21 apply to

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UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

revenue arrangements entered into in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2003. The adoption of EITF Issue No. 00-21 did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

In January 2003, the FASB issued FIN 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51. FIN 46 requires certain variable interest entities to be consolidated by the primary beneficiary of the entity if the equity investors in the entity do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. FIN 46 is effective immediately for all new variable interest entities created or acquired after January 31, 2003. The adoption of FIN 46 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In December 2003, the FASB issued FIN 46R with respect to variable interest entities created before January 31, 2003, which among other things, revised the implementation date to the first fiscal year or interim period ending after March 15, 2004, with the exception of Special Purpose Entities (“SPE”). The consolidation requirements apply to all SPE’s in the first fiscal year or interim period ending after December 15, 2003. The adoption of FIN 46R with respect to SPEs did not have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations, and the adoption of the provisions for non-SPEs did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity.” SFAS 150 establishes new standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. SFAS 150 is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after September 15, 2003, except for certain mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interests. The adoption of SFAS 150 did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

In December 2003, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 104, “Revenue Recognition,” which revises or rescinds portions of its previously existing revenue recognition guidance in order to make it consistent with current authoritative accounting and auditing guidance and Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations. The adoption of SAB No. 104 did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In March 2004, the EITF reached a consensus on EITF 03-01. “The Meaning of Other-Than-Temporary Impairment and its Application to Certain Investments” (EITF 03-01). EITF 03-01 provides guidance to determine when an investment is considered to be impaired, whether that impairment is other-than-temporary, and the measurement of an impairment loss. It also requires disclosure related to unrealized losses that have not been recognized as other-than-temporary impairments. The recognition and measurement guidance was effective for other-than-temporary impairment evaluations in the third quarter of 2004. The Company considered this guidance in its evaluation of its cost investment in a private company. During the third quarter of 2004, the Company recorded a $357,000 other-than-temporary impairment in its investment. The other provisions of EITF 03-01, which principally consist of disclosure requirements, are not expected to have a material impact to the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

The Company operates in a single industry segment. The Company separately monitors the financial performance of its domestic and international operations. Further, each of these operations generally serves a distinct customer base. Based upon these facts, the Company considers the domestic and international operations its reporting units for the assignment of goodwill. Goodwill for the domestic operations was generated from the acquisition of a remote control company in 1998. Goodwill for international operations resulted from the acquisition of remote control distributors in the UK in 1998, Spain in 1999 and France in 2000. The change in international goodwill is due to currency translation adjustments.

Goodwill information for each reporting unit is as follows (in thousands):

                 
    September 30, 2004
  December 31, 2003
United States
  $ 1,191     $ 1,191  
International
    2,149       2,157  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total Goodwill
  $ 3,340     $ 3,348  
 
   
 
     
 
 

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UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Intangible assets consist principally of distribution rights, patents, trademarks, purchased technologies and capitalized software costs. Capitalized amounts related to patents represent external legal costs for the application and maintenance of patents. Intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated period of benefit, ranging from five to ten years.

Information regarding the Company’s other intangible assets is as follows (in thousands):

                 
    September 30, 2004
  December 31, 2003
Gross Carrying amount:
               
Distribution rights
  $ 2,938     $ 2,597  
Patents
    3,736       3,294  
Trademarks
    128       538  
Technology
    780       780  
Capitalized Software
    769       504  
Other
    1,049       1,049  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total Gross carrying amount
  $ 9,400     $ 8,762  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Accumulated amortization:
               
Distribution rights
  $ 2,616     $ 2,562  
Patents
    1,412       1,228  
Trademarks
    50       100  
Technology
    390       273  
Capitalized Software
    210       143  
Other
    1,036       1,025  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total accumulated amortization
  $ 5,714     $ 5,331  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Net carrying amount:
               
Distribution rights
  $ 322     $ 35  
Patents
    2,324       2,066  
Trademarks
    78       438  
Technology
    390       507  
Capitalized Software
    559       361  
Other
    13       24  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total net carrying amount
  $ 3,686     $ 3,431  
 
   
 
     
 
 

Amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004 was approximately $0.2 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2003 was approximately $0.3 and $0.8 million, respectively. Estimated amortization expense for existing intangible assets for each of the five succeeding years ending December 31 will be as follows (in thousands):

         
2004 (remaining three months)
  $ 159  
2005
    627  
2006
    621  
2007
    504  
2008
    465  
2009
    465  

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UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Accounting Policy for Derivatives

Depending on the predictability of the cash flows of each operating currency, the Company periodically enters into foreign currency exchange contracts with contract terms normally lasting less than six months, to protect against the adverse effects that exchange-rate fluctuations may have on foreign-currency-denominated trade receivables and other assets and liabilities. The gains and losses on both the derivatives and the foreign-currency-denominated trade receivables are recorded as transaction adjustments in other income.

The Company’s currency exposures are primarily concentrated in the Euro and British Pound. The Company does not enter into financial instruments for speculation or trading purposes. At September 30, 2004, the Company had one outstanding foreign currency exchange contract with a notional amount of $2.3 million, and an unrealized gain of approximately $30,000 which was recorded in other income. There were no outstanding foreign currency contracts at December 31, 2003.

During 2003 the Company periodically invested in 30 day Dual Currency Deposits which required the Company to convert the invested amount to another currency at the end of the contract period in the event certain changes occurred in foreign currency exchange rates. No such investments were made in 2004 and none were outstanding as of September 30, 2004 and December 31, 2003.

Business Segments and Foreign Operations

The Company operates in a single industry segment and is engaged in the development and marketing of pre-programmed wireless control devices and related products principally for video and audio entertainment equipment. The Company’s customers consist primarily of international retailers, distributors, private label customers, original equipment manufacturers, subscription broadcasting operators and companies in the computing industry.

The Company’s sales to external customers and long-lived tangible assets by geographic area are presented below (in thousands):

                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,
  Nine Months Ended September 30,
    2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
Net Sales
                               
United States
  $ 18,473     $ 17,702     $ 53,927     $ 51,021  
International:
                               
Netherlands
    9,715       3,768       19,790       10,416  
United Kingdom
    6,319       3,776       16,660       9,302  
France
    1,061       1,173       3,442       3,155  
Germany
    1,599       906       4,439       3,454  
All Other
    2,880       2,975       8,411       7,583  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total International
    21,574       12,598       52,742       33,910  
 
Total Net Sales
  $ 40,047     $ 30,300     $ 106,669     $ 84,931  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
                 
    September 30, 2004
  December 31, 2003
Long-lived Tangible Assets
               
United States
  $ 2,829     $ 3,002  
International
    1,303       1,918  
 
   
 
     
 
 
Total
  $ 4,132     $ 4,920  
 
   
 
     
 
 

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UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Specific identification of customer location was the basis used for attributing revenues from external customers to individual countries.

Foreign currency transaction losses of $181,000 and gains of $73,000 were included in other income for the three months ended September, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Foreign currency transaction gains of $309,000 and $199,000 were included in other income for the nine months ended September, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

Guarantees and Product Warranties

The Company indemnifies its directors and officers to the maximum extent permitted under the laws of the State of Delaware. The Company has purchased directors and officers insurance coverage to cover claims made against the directors and officers during the applicable policy periods. The amounts and types of coverage have varied from period to period as dictated by market conditions.

In general the Company warrants its products against defects in material and workmanship during normal use and service, and service warranty claims either directly through its customer service department, or through contracted third-party warranty repair facilities. The Company offers warranties of up to three years. The Company provides for estimated product warranty expenses when it sells the related products. Because warranty estimates are forecasts that are based on the best available information, mostly historical claims experience, claims costs may differ from amounts provided. An analysis of changes in the liability for product warranties follows:

                                 
            Accruals for   Settlements    
    Balance at   Warranties   (in Cash or in   Balance at
    Beginning of   Issued During   Kind) During   End of
Description
  Period
  the Period
  the Period
  Period
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2004
  $ 95,005     $ 232,321     $ (137,453 )   $ 189,873  
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2003
  $ 95,005     $ 94,243     $ (94,243 )   $ 95,005  

During the nine months ended September 30, 2004 there were several distinct warranty issues that came about during the normal course of business. All but one of the issues have been resolved, and the Company does not believe there is any remaining exposure relating to the other warranty issues. The increase in the warranty accrual at September 30, 2004 is due to the one remaining warranty issue, as well as increased sales.

Commitments and Contingent Liabilities

The Company and its subsidiaries are parties to lawsuits and claims arising in the normal course of its business. At the present time, there are two patent infringement lawsuits pending brought by the Company against third parties. In these actions, the Company is seeking money damages and injunctive relief. In one of these actions, the third party has filed suit against the Company seeking a declaration that certain of the Company’s patents are invalid and unenforceable. It is the opinion of management that such patents are valid and enforceable and the Company intends to defend against such suit vigorously. In addition, there is one action pending against the Company in which a trustee for the bankruptcy estate of a former service provider has alleged that the Company received preferential treatment in connection with certain payments made on its behalf by the service provider. The Company disagrees with these allegations and intends to vigorously defend itself against these allegations.

Furthermore, one of the Company’s subsidiaries filed a lawsuit against a former distributor of the subsidiary’s products seeking a recovery of monies wrongfully retained by the distributor. At September 30, 2004, these monies are primarily included in accounts receivable. The distributor filed a counterclaim against the subsidiary seeking payment for amounts allegedly owed for administrative and other services rendered by the distributor for the subsidiary. The subsidiary has disagreed with these allegations and has vigorously defended itself against this counterclaim. In addition, this same distributor brought an action against another

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UNIVERSAL ELECTRONICS INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

subsidiary of the Company seeking damages for wrongful termination of agency agreements. The subsidiary has disagreed with these allegations and has vigorously defended itself against this lawsuit.

Finally, an ex-employee of one of the Company’s subsidiaries brought an action against the subsidiary seeking damages for wrongful termination. The subsidiary has disagreed with these allegations and has vigorously defended itself against this claim.

The Company does not believe that at this time it is probable that there will be an unfavorable outcome of any of the pending actions to which the Company or its subsidiaries are parties; accordingly, no reserve against receivables due the Company or its subsidiary and no amount for any potential loss contingency have been recorded in the consolidated financial statements. While it is the opinion of management that the Company’s products do not infringe any third party’s patent or other intellectual property rights, that the claims made against third parties have merit, and that the claims made against the Company or its subsidiaries are without merit, the costs associated with defending or pursuing any such claims or litigation could be substantial and amounts awarded against the Company as final judgments, if any, or amounts claimed by the Company or its subsidiaries being rejected by a court in any such potential or pending litigation, could have a significant and material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

Subsequent Event

On October 1, 2004, the Company acquired SimpleDevices Inc. for approximately $12.5 million in cash, plus a performance-based payment of the Company’s unregistered common stock, tied to achieving certain future financial objectives. SimpleDevices, a privately held company based in San Mateo, California, develops software and firmware solutions that can enable devices such as TVs, set-top boxes, stereos, automotive audio systems and other consumer electronic products to wirelessly connect and interact with home networks and interactive services to deliver digital entertainment and information.

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

We have developed a broad line of easy-to-use, pre-programmed universal wireless control products and audio-video accessories that are marketed to enhance home entertainment systems. Our channels of distribution include international retail, U.S. retail, private label, OEMs, and cable and satellite service providers and companies in the computing industry. We believe that our universal remote control database is capable of controlling virtually all infrared remote (“IR”) controlled TVs, VCRs, DVD players, cable converters, CD players, audio components and satellite receivers, as well as most other infrared remote controlled devices worldwide.

Beginning in 2002, we began selling our Nevo software to a third-party supplier of personal digital assistants (PDAs). The current version being sold includes digital media management functionality. We will continue to invest in this software platform. Future application of this software can be embedded into third-party hardware or our own hardware.

Beginning in 1986 and continuing today, we have compiled an extensive library of over 190,000 IR codes that cover over 2,300 individual consumer electronic equipment brand names. Our library is regularly updated with new IR codes used in newly introduced video and audio devices. All such IR codes are captured from the original manufacturer’s remote control devices, or manufacturers’ specifications, to ensure the accuracy and integrity of the database. Our proprietary software and know-how permit IR codes to be compressed before being loaded into our products. This provides significant cost and space efficiencies that enable us to include more useful codes and features in the memory space of the wireless control device than are included in the products of our competitors. We have developed a patented technology that provides the capability to easily upgrade the memory of the wireless control device by adding IR codes from the library that were not originally included.

On October 1, 2004 we acquired SimpleDevices Inc. for approximately $12.5 million in cash, plus a performance-based payment of our unrestricted common stock, tied to achieving certain future financial objectives. The acquisition of SimpleDevices further builds our strategic vision for delivering seemless digital media connectivity. In addition, the acquisition enables us to further extend our wireless control and network technology portfolio.

The matters discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements provided in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report. Certain statements contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially. In addition, more information about risk factors that could affect our business and financial results is included in the section entitled “Factors That May Affect Financial Condition And Future Results” below.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our results of operations expressed as a percentage of net sales for the three and nine months ended September 30:

                                 
    Three Months Ended September 30,
  Nine Months Ended September 30,
    2004
  2003
  2004
  2003
Net sales
    100 %     100 %     100 %     100 %
Cost of sales
    60.6       60.9       61.2       61.4  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Gross profit
    39.4       39.1       38.8       38.6  
Research and development expenses
    4.6       4.0       3.9       4.2  
Selling, general and administrative expenses
    26.6       27.3       27.6       28.2  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Operating expenses
    31.2       31.3       31.5       32.4  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Operating income
    8.2       7.8       7.3       6.2  
Interest income, net
    0.7       0.4       0.5       0.5  
Other (expense) income
    (1.4 )     0.1       (0.1 )     0.1  
Income before income taxes
    7.5       8.3       7.7       6.8  
Provision for income taxes
    2.7       2.8       2.6       2.3  
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Net income
    4.8 %     5.5 %     5.1 %     4.5 %

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Third Quarter 2004 versus Third Quarter 2003

                                 
    2004
  2003
    $ (million)
  % of total
  $ (million)
  % of total
Net sales:
                               
Technology
  $ 27.5       68.7 %   $ 19.3       63.7 %
Retail
    12.5       31.3 %     11.0       36.3 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total net sales
  $ 40.0       100.0 %   $ 30.3       100.0 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

Net sales for the 2004 third quarter were $40.0 million, an increase of 32.2% compared to $30.3 million for the same quarter last year. This increase relates to an increase in subscription broadcasting sales and European retail sales and the appreciation of the Euro relative to the US Dollar.

Net sales in our technology lines (subscription broadcasting, OEM, private label and computing companies) were approximately 68.7% of net sales for the third quarter of 2004 compared to 63.7% for the third quarter of 2003. Net sales in our technology lines for the third quarter of 2004 increased by 42.5% to $27.5 million from $19.3 million for the same period last year. The increase in technology sales was principally due to growth in subscription broadcasting and our global OEM business, which resulted from an increase in volume of remote control sales. The increase in volume was attributable to the continued deployment of advanced function set-top boxes by the service operators. These advanced functions include personal video recording (PVR), video-on-demand (VOD), and high definition (HD) television. This volume increase was partially offset by lower prices.

Net sales in our retail lines (One For All® international and direct import) accounted for approximately 31.3% of total third quarter 2004 net sales compared to 36.3% for the corresponding period in 2003. Our net sales for the 2004 third quarter from our retail customers were $12.5 million, an increase of 14.1% from net sales of $11.0 million for the same quarter last year. The improvement in retail sales was due to an increase in sales of our Sky-branded digital accessories, One For All® remote controls, audio-video accessories as well as the strengthening of the Euro and British Pound compared to the U.S. Dollar.

Gross profit for the third quarter of 2004 was $15.8 million compared to $11.8 million for the third quarter of 2003. Gross profit as a percent of sales for the third quarter of 2004 was 39.4% compared to 39.1% for the same period last year. The increase is primarily attributable to the strengthening of the Euro and British Pound compared to the U.S. Dollar, which resulted in an increase of approximately $1.0 million of gross profit and added 1.4% to the gross profit rate. This item was partially offset due to retail sales, which generally have a somewhat higher gross profit rate, being a smaller percentage of our total business.

Research and development expenses increased 53.3% from $1.2 million in the third quarter of 2003 to $1.8 million for the same period in 2004. Reasons for the increase include continued expansion of the Nevo platform and development of audio-video accessories for sale in our retail channel.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 29.3% from $8.2 million in the third quarter of 2003 to $10.7 million for the same period in 2004. Approximately $0.8 million of the increase was attributable to performance-based employee bonuses, $0.7 million to Sarbanes-Oxley compliance efforts, $0.4 million to appreciation of the Euro relative to the U.S. Dollar, and $0.3 million to payroll and benefits.

In the third quarter of 2004, we recorded $261,000 of interest income compared to $106,000 for the same period last year. This increase is due to higher money market rates in Europe, an investment in a certificate of deposit and a higher average cash balance.

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For the third quarter of 2004, other expense was $551,000 as compared to $29,000 of other income for the same period last year. Approximately $357,000 of expense was the result of our write-down of an investment in a private company, and $182,000 of expense resulted from foreign currency exchange losses.

We recorded income tax expense of $1.1 million for the third quarter of 2004 compared to $0.9 million for the same period last year. Our estimated effective tax rate was 35.9% during the three months ended September 30, 2004 and 34.0% during the three months ended September 30, 2003. The increased rate included the impact of the expiration of the federal R&D income tax credit on June 30, 2004. Recent legislation re-instated the R&D tax credit into law, retroactively, on October 4, 2004. As a result, our tax expense included a charge of approximately $38,000 in the third quarter of 2004 and we will recognize a credit for the same amount in the fourth quarter of 2004 when the benefit of the R&D income tax credit is recorded. Consequently, this issue will not effect our effective tax rate for the year.

Net income for the third quarter of 2004 was $1.9 million or $0.14 per share (basic and diluted) compared to $1.7 million or $0.12 per share (basic and diluted) for the third quarter of 2003.

Nine Months ended September 30, 2004 versus Nine Months ended September 30, 2003

                                 
    2004
  2003
    $ (million)
  % of total
  $ (million)
  % of total
Net sales:
                               
Technology
  $ 71.9       67.4 %   $ 58.5       68.9 %
Retail
    34.8       32.6 %     26.4       31.1 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 
Total net sales
  $ 106.7       100.0 %   $ 84.9       100.0 %
 
   
 
     
 
     
 
     
 
 

Net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 were $106.7 million, an increase of 25.6% compared to $84.9 million for the same period last year. This increase relates to an increase in subscription broadcasting sales and European retail sales and the appreciation of the Euro relative to the US dollar.

Net sales in our technology lines (subscription broadcasting, OEM, private label and computing companies) were approximately 67.4% of net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to 68.9% for the same period of 2003. Net sales in our technology lines for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 increased by 23.0% to $71.9 million from $58.5 million for the same period last year. The increase in technology sales was principally due to growth in subscription broadcasting as well as our global OEM business, which resulted from an increase in volume of remote control sales. The increase in volume was attributable to the continued deployment of advanced function set-top boxes by the service operators. These advanced functions include personal video recording (PVR), video-on-demand (VOD), and high definition (HD) television. This volume increase was partially offset by lower prices.

Net sales in our retail lines (One For All® international and direct import) accounted for approximately 32.6% of total net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2004, compared to 31.1% for the corresponding period in 2003. Our net sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 from our retail customers were $34.8 million, an increase of 31.4% from net sales of $26.4 million for the same period last year. The improvement in retail sales was due to an increase in sales of our Sky-branded digital accessories, audio-video accessories, One For All® remote controls as well as the strengthening of the Euro and British Pound relative to the U.S. Dollar.

We expect retail revenue to be a greater percentage of total revenue in the fourth quarter of 2004 as compared to the third quarter of 2004 primarily due to the cyclic nature of the retail business and the expansion of our European retail distribution channel.

Gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 was $41.3 million compared to $32.8 million for the same period of 2003. Gross profit as a percent of sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 was 38.8%

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compared to 38.6% for the same period last year. The increase is primarily attributable to the strengthening of the Euro and British Pound compared to the U.S. Dollar, which resulted in an increase of approximately $2.9 million of gross profit and added 1.6% to the gross profit rate. This item was partially offset by increased inventory write-downs of $1.1 million. Inventory write-downs are a normal part of our business and result primarily from product life cycle estimation variances.

Research and development expenses increased 15.6% from $3.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to $4.1 million for the same period in 2004. Reasons for the increase include continued expansion of the Nevo platform and development of audio-video accessories for sale in our retail channel.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 22.7% from $24.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2003 to $29.5 million for the same period in 2004. Approximately $1.4 million of the increase was attributable to performance-based employee bonuses, $1.2 million to appreciation of the Euro relative to the U.S. Dollar, $1.1 million to Sarbanes-Oxley compliance efforts, $0.5 million to outside legal fees related to patent infringement suits, $0.4 million to delivery and freight related to higher volume, $0.4 million to payroll and benefits, and $0.3 million to recruiting and training costs.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2004, we recorded $0.5 million of interest income, compared to $0.4 million for the same period last year. This increase is due to higher money market rates in Europe, an investment in a certificate of deposit and a higher average cash balance in 2004.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, other expense amounted to $57,000 as compared to $95,000 of other income for the same period last year. Approximately $357,000 of expense was the result of our write-down of an investment in a private company. This was offset by $309,000 of income that resulted from foreign currency exchange gains.

We recorded income tax expense of $2.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 compared to $2.0 million for the same period last year. Our estimated effective tax rate was 34.7% during the nine months ended September 30, 2004 and 34.0% during the nine months ended September 30, 2003. The increased rate included the impact of the expiration of the federal R&D income tax credit on June 30, 2004. Recent legislation re-instated the R&D tax credit into law, retroactively, on October 4, 2004. As a result, our tax expense included a charge of approximately $38,000 in the third quarter of 2004 and we will recognize a credit for the same amount in the fourth quarter of 2004 when the benefit of the R&D income tax credit is recorded. Consequently, this issue will not effect our effective tax rate for the year.

Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2004 was $5.4 million or $0.40 per share (basic) and $0.39 per share (diluted) compared to $3.8 million, or $0.28 per share (basic) and $0.27 per share (diluted) for the same period last year.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

(In thousands)

                         
    September 30, 2004
  Increase (decrease)
  December 31, 2003
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 53,960     $ (4,521 )   $ 58,481  
Working capital
    83,618       1,427       82,191  

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    Nine months ended           Nine months ended
    September 30, 2004
  Increase (decrease)
  September 30, 2003
Cash provided by operating activities
  $ 4,916     $ (6,824 )   $ 11,740  
Cash (used for) provided by investing activities
    (4,697 )     (24,784 )     20,087  
Cash (used for) provided by financing activities
    (4,488 )     (7,319 )     2,831  
Effect of exchange rate changes
    (252 )     382       (634 )

Our principal source of funds is operations. Cash provided by operating activities for the first nine months of 2004 was $4.9 million as compared to $11.7 million in the corresponding period in 2003. The decrease in operating cash flow is primarily due to the increase in inventories.

On October 1, 2004, we acquired Simple Devices Inc. for approximately $12.5 million in cash.

In September 2003, we terminated our $15,000,000 unsecured revolving credit agreement with Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association. On September 15, 2003, we entered into a three-year $15,000,000 unsecured revolving credit agreement (the “Agreement”) with Comerica Bank (“Comerica”). Under the Agreement with Comerica, the interest payable is variable and is based on either the bank’s cost of funds or the LIBOR rate plus a fixed margin of 1.25%. The interest rate in effect as of September 30, 2004 using the LIBOR Rate option plus a fixed margin of 1.25% was 3.09%. We pay a commitment fee ranging from zero to a maximum rate of 1/4 of 1% per year on the unused portion of the credit line, depending on the amount of cash investment retained with Comerica during each quarter. Under the terms of this Agreement, dividend payments are allowed in an amount up to 100% of net income of the prior fiscal year period and must be paid within 90 days after the end of such prior year; we also are subject to certain financial covenants related to the Company’s net worth, quick ratio, and net income. Amounts available for borrowing under this credit facility are reduced by the outstanding balance of import letters of credit. As of September 30, 2004, we had no amounts outstanding under this credit facility and no outstanding import letters of credit. Furthermore, as of September 30, 2004, we are in compliance with all financial covenants required by the agreement.

We have authority under this credit facility to acquire up to 1,500,000 shares of our common stock in market purchases. Between the date of execution of the credit agreement and September 30, 2004, 491,543 shares of our common stock have been purchased. In the first nine months of 2004, we purchased 445,807 shares of our common stock at a cost of $5.9 million. We hold these shares as treasury stock, and they are available for reissue by us. Presently, except for using a small number of these treasury shares to compensate our outside board members, we have no plans to distribute these shares, although we may change these plans if necessary to fulfill our on-going business objectives. In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2004, we received proceeds of approximately $0.8 million from the exercise of stock options, as compared to approximately $3.2 million during the same period in 2003.

Capital expenditures in the first nine months of 2004 and 2003 were approximately $1.9 million and $1.9 million, respectively. These expenditures related primarily to acquiring product tooling each year.

It is our policy to carefully monitor the state of our business, cash requirements and capital structure. We believe that funds generated from our operations and available from our borrowing facility will be sufficient to fund current business operations and anticipated growth at least over the next twelve months; however, there can be no assurance that such funds will be adequate for that purpose.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In November 2002, the FASB issued Emerging Issues Task Force (“EITF”) Issue No. 00-21, “Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables.” EITF Issue No. 00-21 addresses certain aspects of the accounting by a company for arrangements under which it will perform multiple revenue-generating activities. EITF Issue No. 00-21 addresses when and how an arrangement involving multiple deliverables should be divided into separate units of accounting. EITF Issue No. 00-21 provides guidance with respect to the effect of certain customer rights due to company nonperformance on the recognition of revenue allocated to delivered units of accounting. EITF Issue No. 00-21 also addresses the impact on the measurement and/or allocation of arrangement consideration of customer

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cancellation provisions and consideration that varies as a result of future actions of the customer or the company. Finally, EITF Issue No. 00-21 provides guidance with respect to recognition of the cost of certain deliverables that are excluded from the revenue accounting for an arrangement. The provisions of EITF Issue No. 00-21 apply to revenue arrangements entered into in fiscal periods beginning after September 15, 2003. The adoption of EITF Issue No. 00-21 did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

In January 2003, the FASB issued FIN 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities,” an Interpretation of Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51. FIN 46 requires certain variable interest entities to be consolidated by the primary beneficiary of the entity, if the equity investors in the entity do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties. FIN 46 is effective immediately for all new variable interest entities created or acquired after January 31, 2003. The adoption of FIN 46 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In December 2003, the FASB issued FIN 46R with respect to variable interest entities created before January 31, 2003, which among other things, revised the implementation date to the first fiscal year or interim period ending after March 15, 2004, with the exception of Special Purpose Entities (“SPEs”). The consolidation requirements apply to all SPEs in the first fiscal year or interim period ending after December 15, 2003. The adoption of FIN 46R with respect to SPEs did not have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations, and the adoption of the provisions for non-SPEs did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In May 2003, the FASB issued SFAS No. 150, “Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity.” SFAS 150 established new standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. SFAS 150 is effective for financial instruments entered into or modified after May 31, 2003 and otherwise is effective at the beginning of the first interim period beginning after September 15, 2003, except for certain mandatorily redeemable non-controlling interests. The adoption of SFAS 150 did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

In December 2003, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 104, “Revenue Recognition,” which revised or rescinded portions of its previously existing revenue recognition guidance in order to make it consistent with current authoritative accounting and auditing guidance and Securities and Exchange Commission rules and regulations. The adoption of SAB No. 104 did not have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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Factors That May Affect Financial Condition And Future Results

Forward Looking Statements

We caution that the following important factors, among others (including but not limited to factors discussed below or above in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” as well as those factors discussed elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, or in our other reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission), could affect our actual results and could contribute to or cause our actual consolidated results to differ materially from those expressed in any of our forward-looking statements. The factors included here are not exhaustive. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors, nor can we assess the impact of each such factor on the business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. Therefore, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as a prediction of actual future results.

While we believe that the forward looking statements made in this report are based on reasonable assumptions, the actual outcome of such statements is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the failure of our markets to continue growing and expanding in the manner we anticipated; the failure of our customers to grow and expand as we anticipated; the effects of natural or other events beyond our control, including the effect a war or terrorist activities may have on the Company or the economy; the economic environment’s effect on us and our customers; the growth of, acceptance of and the demand for our products and technologies in various markets and geographical regions, including cable, satellite, consumer electronics, retail and interactive TV and home automation, not materializing as we believed; our inability to add profitable complementary products which are accepted by the marketplace; our inability to continue to maintain our operating costs at acceptable levels through our cost containment efforts; our inability to realize tax benefits from various tax projects initiated from time to time, the continued strength of our balance sheet; our inability to continue selling our products or licensing our technologies at higher or profitable margins; the failure of the various markets and industries to grow or emerge as rapidly or as successfully as we believed; the lack of continued growth of our technologies and product lines addressing the market for digital media; our inability to obtain orders or maintain our order volume with new and existing customers; the possible dilutive effect our stock option program may have on our earnings per share and stock price; our inability to continue to obtain adequate quantities of component parts or secure adequate factory production capacity on a timely basis; and other factors listed from time to time in our press releases and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Dependence upon Key Suppliers

Most of the components used in our products are available from multiple sources; however, we have elected to purchase integrated circuit components used in our products, principally our wireless control products, and certain other components used in our products, from two main sources, each of which provides in excess of ten percent (10%) of the microprocessors used in our products. We have identified alternative sources of supply for these integrated circuit components. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to continue to obtain these components on a timely basis. We generally maintain some inventories of our integrated chips, which could be used in part to mitigate, but not eliminate, delays resulting from supply interruptions. An extended interruption, shortage or termination in the supply of any of the components used in our products, or a reduction in their quality or reliability, or a significant increase in prices of components, would have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations and cash flows.

Dependence on Foreign Manufacturing

Third-party manufacturers located in foreign countries manufacture a majority of our wireless controls. Our arrangements with our foreign manufacturers are subject to the risks of doing business abroad, such as import duties, trade restrictions, work stoppages, political instability, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and other factors,

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which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and cash flows. We believe that the loss of any one or more of our manufacturers would not have a long-term material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and cash flows, because numerous other manufacturers are available to fulfill our requirements; however, the loss of any of our major manufacturers could adversely affect our business until alternative manufacturing arrangements are secured.

Potential Fluctuations in Quarterly Results

Our quarterly financial results may vary significantly depending primarily upon factors such as the timing of significant orders, the timing of our new product offerings and those of our competitors and the loss or acquisition of any significant customers. Historically, our business has been influenced by the retail sales cycle, with increased sales in the last half of the year and the largest proportion of sales occurring in the last quarter. Factors such as quarterly variations in financial results could adversely affect the market price of our common stock and cause it to fluctuate substantially. We (i) may from time to time increase our operating expenses to fund greater levels of research and development, increase our sales and marketing activities, develop new distribution channels, improve our operational and financial systems and broaden our customer support capabilities; (ii) may incur significant operating expenses associated with any new acquisitions; and (iii) may incur significant operating expenses in our efforts to comply with various government regulations. To the extent such expenses precede or are not subsequently followed by increased revenues, our business, operating results, financial condition and cash flows will be materially adversely affected.

We may experience significant fluctuations in future quarterly operating results that may be caused by many factors, including demand for products, introduction or enhancement of products by us and our competitors, the loss or acquisition of any significant customers, market acceptance of new products, price reductions by us or our competitors, mix of distribution channels through which products are sold, level of product returns, mix of customers and products sold, component pricing, mix of international and domestic revenues, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and general economic conditions. In addition, as a strategic response to changes in the competitive environment, we may from time to time make certain pricing or marketing decisions or acquisitions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. As a result, we believe period-to-period comparisons of our results of operations are not necessarily meaningful and should not be relied upon as an indication of future performance.

Due to all of the foregoing factors, in some future quarters our operating results may be below the expectations of public market analysts and investors. In such event, the price of our common stock would likely be materially adversely affected.

Dependence on Consumer Preference

We are susceptible to fluctuations in our business based upon consumer demand for our products. We believe our success depends in substantial part on our ability to anticipate, gauge and respond to such fluctuations in consumer demand. However, it is impossible to predict with complete accuracy the occurrence and effect of any such event that will cause such fluctuations in consumer demand for our products. Moreover, we caution that any increases in sales or growth in revenue we achieve may be transitory and should by no means be construed to mean that such increases or growth will continue.

Demand for Consumer Service and Support

We have continually provided domestic and international consumer service and support to our customers to add overall value and to help differentiate us from our competitors. In March 2003, our largest customer notified us that as a result of a merger, it would conduct all of its consumer service and support activities internally and cease using our services commencing the second quarter of 2003. Consequently, revenue for consumer service and support from this customer has ceased. In light of this, we have reviewed our domestic service and support group and are marketing our expertise in this area to other potential customers. To date, we have not obtained any new customers, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to attract new customers in the future. In addition, if other

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customers decide to cease using this service, we would be unable to offset costs associated with providing this service, resulting in a significant adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Dependence Upon Timely Product Introduction

Our ability to remain competitive in the wireless control products market will depend in part upon our ability to successfully identify new product opportunities and to develop and introduce new products and enhancements on a timely and cost effective basis. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in developing and marketing new products or in enhancing our existing products, or that such new or enhanced products will achieve consumer acceptance, and, if achieved, will sustain that acceptance, that products developed by others will not render our products non-competitive or obsolete or that we will be able to obtain or maintain the rights to use proprietary technologies developed by others which are incorporated in our products. Any failure to anticipate or respond adequately to technological developments and customer requirements, or any significant delays in product development or introduction, could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

In addition, our introduction of new products may require the expenditure of a significant amount of funds for research and development, tooling, manufacturing processes, inventory and marketing. In order to achieve high volume production of any new product, we may have to make substantial investments in inventory and expand our production capabilities.

Dependence on Major Customers

The economic strengths and weaknesses of our worldwide customers affect our performance. We sell our wireless control products and proprietary technologies to private label customers, original equipment manufacturers and companies involved in the subscription broadcasting industry. We also supply our products to our wholly owned, non-U.S. subsidiaries and to independent foreign distributors, who in turn distribute our products worldwide, with Europe, South Africa, Australia, and Argentina currently representing our principal foreign markets. During the first three quarters of 2004 and the year ended 2003, we had sales to one customer that amounted to more than ten percent of our net sales for the respective period. In addition, for the same periods, we had sales to a customer and its sub-contractors, that when combined, exceeded 10% of net sales for the respective period. The future loss of these customers or any other key customer, either in the United States or abroad, due to the financial weakness or bankruptcy of any such customer or to our inability to obtain orders or maintain our order volume with our major customers, may have an adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Integration of SimpleDevices

On October 1, 2004, we acquired SimpleDevices Inc. for approximately $12.5 million in cash, plus a performance-based payment of our unregistered common stock, tied to achieving certain future financial objectives. SimpleDevices, a privately held company based in San Mateo, California, develops software and firmware solutions that can enable devices such as TVs, set-top boxes, stereos, automotive audio systems and other consumer electronic products to wirelessly connect and interact with home networks and interactive services to deliver digital entertainment and information. While it is our current belief that this acquisition will breakeven in 2004 and be accretive in 2005, such success will depend upon (i) our ability to bring SimpleDevices’ products to market in a timely and cost effective manner; (ii) the market accepting SimpleDevices’ products and technology to the extent anticipated by us; (iii) our ability to integrate SimpleDevices’ products and business into our own product offerings and business in a cost effective manner; and (iv) our ability to control the overall costs associated with SimpleDevices in the manner we anticipate. The failure of any of these items could have a material effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Competition

The wireless control industry is characterized by intense competition based primarily on product availability, price, speed of delivery, ability to tailor specific solutions to customer needs and quality and depth of product lines. Our competition is fragmented across our product lines, and, accordingly, we do not compete with any one company across all product lines. We compete with a variety of entities, some of which have greater financial and other resources. Our ability to remain competitive in this industry depends in part on our ability to successfully identify new product opportunities and develop and introduce new products and enhancements on a timely and cost effective basis, as well as our ability to identify and enter into strategic alliances with entities doing business within the industries we serve. There can be no assurance that we and our product offerings will be and/or remain competitive or that our strategic alliances will achieve the type, extent and amount of success or business that we expect or hope to achieve.

Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights

The procedures by which we identify, document and file for patent, trademark and copyright protection are based solely on engineering and management judgment, with no assurance that a specific filing will issue, or, if issued, will deliver any lasting value to us. There is no assurance that rights granted under any patent will provide competitive advantages to us or will be adequate to safeguard and maintain our proprietary rights. Moreover, the

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laws of certain countries in which our products are or may be manufactured or sold may not protect such products and intellectual property rights to the same extent as the U.S. legal system.

In our opinion, our intellectual property holdings and the engineering, production and marketing skills and experience of our personnel are of equal importance to our market position. We further believe that none of our businesses is dependent to any material extent upon any single patent, copyright, trademark or trade secret.

Some of our products include or use technology and/or components of third parties. While it may be necessary in the future to seek or renew licenses relating to various aspects of such products, we believe that, based upon past experience and industry practice, such licenses generally could be obtained on commercially reasonable terms; however, there is no guarantee that such licenses could be obtained on such terms or at all. Because of technological changes in the wireless and home control industry, current extensive patent coverage and the rapid rate of issuance of new patents, it is possible that certain components of our products and business methods may unknowingly infringe patents of others.

Potential for Litigation

As is typical in our industry and the nature and kind of business in which we are engaged, from time to time various claims, charges and litigation are asserted or commenced by third parties against us or by us against third parties, arising from or related to product liability, infringement of patent or other intellectual property rights, breach of warranty, contractual relations or employee relations. The amounts claimed may be substantial, but they may not bear any reasonable relationship to the merits of the claims or the extent of any real risk of court awards assessed against us or in our favor.

At the present time, we have filed two lawsuits against third parties. In these actions, we are seeking money damages and injunctive relief for infringement of certain of our intellectual property. In one of these actions, the third party has filed a counterclaim against us seeking a declaration that certain of our patents are invalid and unenforceable. It is our opinion that our patents are valid and enforceable, and we intend to defend against such counterclaim vigorously. In addition, there is one action pending against us in which a trustee for the bankruptcy estate of a former service provider has alleged that we received preferential treatment in connection with certain payments made on our behalf by the service provider. We disagree with these allegations and intend to vigorously defend ourselves against them. Furthermore, one of the Company’s subsidiaries filed a lawsuit against a former distributor of the subsidiary’s products seeking a recovery of monies wrongfully retained by the distributor. At September 30, 2004, these monies are primarily included in accounts receivable. The distributor filed a counterclaim against the subsidiary seeking payment for amounts allegedly owed for administrative and other services rendered by the distributor for the subsidiary. The subsidiary disagrees with these allegations and has vigorously defended itself against this counterclaim. In addition, this same distributor brought an action against another subsidiary of the Company seeking damages for wrongful termination of agency agreements. The subsidiary disagrees with these allegations and has vigorously defended itself against this lawsuit. Finally, an ex-employee of one of the Company’s subsidiaries brought an action against the subsidiary seeking damages for wrongful termination. The subsidiary disagrees with these allegations and has vigorously defended itself against this claim.

At this time, we do not believe that it is probable that there will be an unfavorable outcome of any of the pending actions to which we or our subsidiaries are parties; accordingly, we have not recorded a reserve against receivables due us or our subsidiary, nor have we recorded an amount for any potential loss contingency in our consolidated financial statements. While it is our opinion that our products do not infringe any third party’s patent or other intellectual property rights, that we have valid claims against those parties that we have sued, and that the claims made against us or our subsidiaries are without merit, the costs associated with defending or pursuing any such claims or litigation, including the matters discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, could be substantial and amounts awarded against us as final judgments, if any, or amounts for which we made claims being rejected by a court in any such potential or pending litigation, could have a significant and material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

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International Operations

The risks of doing business internationally could adversely affect our sales, operations, earnings and cash flows due to a variety of factors, including, but not limited to:

  changes in a country’s or region’s economic or political conditions, including inflation, recession, interest rate fluctuations and actual or anticipated military conflicts;
 
  currency fluctuations affecting sales, particularly in the Euro and British Pound, which contribute to variations in sales of products and services in impacted jurisdictions and also affect our reported results expressed in U.S. dollars;
 
  currency fluctuations affecting costs, particularly the Euro, the British Pound and the Chinese Yuan, which contribute to variances in costs in impacted jurisdictions and also affect our reported results expressed in U.S. dollars;
 
  longer accounts receivable cycles and financial instability among customers;
 
  trade regulations and procedures and actions affecting production, pricing and marketing of products;
 
  local labor conditions, customs and regulations;
 
  changes in the regulatory or legal environment;
 
  differing technology standards or customer requirements;
 
  import, export or other business licensing requirements or requirements relating to making foreign direct investments, which could affect our ability to obtain favorable terms for components or lead to penalties or restrictions;
 
  difficulties associated with repatriating cash generated or held abroad in a tax-efficient manner and changes in tax laws;
 
  fluctuations in freight costs and disruptions at important geographic points of exit and entry; and;
 
  natural and medical disasters.

General Economic Conditions

General economic conditions, both domestic and foreign, have an impact on our business and financial results. The global economy remains uncertain. As a result, individuals and companies may delay or reduce expenditures. Weak global economic conditions and/or softness in the consumer and telecommunications sector could result in lower demand for our products, resulting in lower sales, earnings and cash flows.

Terrorism and Acts of War

Terrorism and acts of war (wherever occurring throughout the world) may cause damage or disruption to the Company, our employees, facilities, partners, suppliers, distributors, resellers or customers, which could significantly impact our revenue, costs and expenses and financial condition. The terrorist attacks that took place in the United States on September 11, 2001 and subsequent terrorist attacks in Iraq and other countries have created many economic and political uncertainties, some of which may materially harm our business and results of operations. The potential for future terrorist attacks, the national and international responses to terrorist attacks or perceived threats to national security and other actual or potential conflicts or acts of war, including the ongoing military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, have created many economic and political uncertainties that could adversely affect our business, results of operations and stock price in ways that we cannot presently predict. In

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addition, as a multi-national company, actions taken against or by the United States may impact our business. We are predominately uninsured for losses and interruptions caused by terrorist acts and acts of war.

Impact of Oil Prices

The company has an exposure to oil prices in two forms. The first is in the prices of the oil-based materials that the company uses in its products, which are primarily the plastics and other components that it includes in its finished remotes and audio-video accessories. The second form is in the cost of delivery and freight, which would be passed on by the carriers that we use in the form of higher rates. We record freight-in in cost of sales, and freight-out in operating expenses. Rising oil prices may have an adverse effect on cost of sales and operating expenses.

Increased Regulation

As directed by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the Securities and Exchange Commission adopted rules requiring public companies to include a report of management on the company’s internal control over financial reporting in their annual reports on Form 10-K. This report is required to contain an assessment by management of the effectiveness of such company’s internal controls over financial reporting. In addition, the public accounting firm auditing a public company’s financial statements must also attest to and report on management’s assessment of the effectiveness of the company’s internal controls over financial reporting as well as the operating effectiveness of the company’s internal controls. While the Company is expending significant resources in developing the necessary documentation and testing procedures required by Section 404, there is risk that the Company will not comply with all of the requirements imposed by Section 404. If the Company fails to have an effectively designed and operating system of internal control, it will be unable to comply with the requirements of SEC 404 in a timely manner. If the Company does not effectively complete its assessment or if its internal controls are not designed or operating effectively, its external auditors may either disclaim an opinion as it relates to management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control or may issue a qualified opinion on the effectiveness of the company’s internal controls. This could result in an adverse reaction in the financial markets due to a loss of confidence in the reliability of the Company’s financial statements, which could cause the market price of the Company’s Common Stock to decline and make it more difficult for the Company to finance its operations.

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Outlook

Our focus is to build technology and products that make easier and more enjoyable the consumer’s interaction with devices and content within the home. The pace of change in the home is increasing. The growth of new devices, such as DVD players, PVR/DVR technologies and home theater solutions, to name only a few, has transformed control of the home entertainment center into a complex challenge for the consumer. The more recent introduction and projected growth of digital media technologies in consumers’ lives will further increase this complexity. We have set out to create the interface for the connected home, building a bridge between the home devices of today and the networked home of the future. We intend to invest in new products and technology, particularly in the connected home space, which will expand our business beyond control of devices to the control of and access to content, such as digital media, in order to enrich the entertainment experience.

We will continue enhancing our leadership position in our core business by developing custom products for our subscription broadcasting, OEM, retail and computing customers, growing our capture expertise in existing infrared technology and emerging radio frequency standards, adding to our portfolio of patented or patent pending technologies and developing new platform products. We also are developing new ways to enhance remote controls and other accessory products.

During the third quarter of 2004, we continued to develop new products featuring our Kameleon interface technology, a revolutionary display technology that provides ease of use by illuminating only the active keys needed to control each entertainment device. We also continued development of our Nevo technology, an embedded solution that transforms an electronic display (such as HP’s iPaq Pocket PC) into a sophisticated and easy-to-use wireless home control and automation device. We are continuing to seek ways to integrate these platform technologies into other forms and devices. Nevo 2.0 was launched in July of 2004 as a feature on a series of HP’s handheld devices. Building on this platform, we expect to use Nevo 2.0 technology in a new product named “Nevo SL” which we expect to ship in the first quarter of 2005. This product is in a form factor designed for the home. In addition, we are working on product line extensions to One For All® audio/video accessories which include antennas, television brackets and cleaning equipment.

We also are seeking ways to increase our customer base worldwide, particularly in the areas of subscription broadcasting, OEM and One For All® international retail. We will continue to work on strengthening existing relationships by working with customers to understand how to make the consumer interaction with products and services within the home easier and more enjoyable. We intend to invest in new products and technology to meet our customer needs now and into the future.

On October 1, 2004, the Company acquired SimpleDevices Inc. for approximately $12.5 million in cash, plus a performance-based payment of our unregistered common stock, tied to achieving certain future financial objectives. SimpleDevices, a privately held company based in San Mateo, California, develops software and firmware solutions that can enable devices such as TVs, set-top boxes, stereos, automotive audio systems and other consumer electronic products to wirelessly connect and interact with home networks and interactive services to deliver digital entertainment and information. This “smart device” category is emerging and we look to build upon these relationships and the software’s potential in future product and customer announcements. In addition, we will continue our efforts to identify additional complimentary external investment opportunities.

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ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We are exposed to various market risks, including interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. We have established policies, procedures and internal processes governing our management of market risks and the use of financial instruments to manage our exposure to such risks. The interest payable under our revolving credit agreement with our bank is variable and based on either (i) the bank’s cost of funds or (ii) the LIBOR rate plus a fixed margin of 1.25%; the rate is affected by changes in market interest rates. At September 30, 2004, we had no borrowings on our credit line. The interest rate in effect on the credit line as of September 30, 2004 using the LIBOR Rate option plus a fixed margin of 1.25% was 3.09%.

At September 30, 2004 we had wholly owned subsidiaries in The Netherlands, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Argentina and Spain. Sales from these operations are typically denominated in local currencies including Euros, British Pounds and Argentine Pesos, thereby creating exposures to changes in exchange rates. Changes in local currencies exchange rates relative to the U.S. Dollar, and in some cases, to each other, may positively or negatively affect our sales, gross margins, net income and retained earnings. From time to time, we enter into foreign currency exchange agreements to manage our exposure arising from fluctuating exchange rates that affect cash flows. Contract terms for the foreign currency exchange agreements normally last less than six months. We do not enter into any derivative transactions for speculative purposes. The sensitivity of earnings and cash flows to variability in exchange rates is assessed by applying an approximate range of potential rate fluctuations to our assets, obligations and projected results of operations denominated in foreign currencies. Based on our overall foreign currency rate exposure at September 30, 2004, we believe that movements in foreign currency rates could have a material affect on our financial position. We estimate that if the exchange rates for the Euro and the British Pound relative to the U.S. Dollar fluctuate 10% from September 30, 2004, fourth quarter net income and cash flows would fluctuate by approximately $0.4 million and $2.0 million, respectively. Because of the foregoing factors (discussed under this caption “Quantitative And Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” and above under the caption “Factors That May Affect Financial Condition And Future Results”), as well as other variables that affect our operating results, past financial performance should not be considered a reliable indicator of future performance, and investors should not use historical trends to anticipate results or trends in future periods.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management team, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective, as of the end of the period covered by this report, to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in Securities and Exchange Commission rules and forms.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that materially affected or reasonably are likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In 2002, one of the Company’s subsidiaries brought an action against a former distributor of the subsidiary’s products seeking a recovery of monies wrongfully retained by the distributor. At September 30, 2004, these monies are primarily included in accounts receivable. The distributor filed a counterclaim against the subsidiary seeking payment for amounts allegedly owed for administrative and other services rendered by the distributor for the subsidiary. The subsidiary disagrees with these allegations and has vigorously defended itself against this counterclaim. In addition, this same distributor brought an action against another subsidiary of the Company seeking damages for wrongful termination of agency agreements. The subsidiary has disagreed with these allegations and has vigorously defended itself against this lawsuit.

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In 2003, an ex-employee of one of the Company’s subsidiaries has brought an action against the subsidiary seeking damages for wrongful termination. The subsidiary disagrees with these allegations and intends to vigorously defend itself against this claim.

The Company does not believe that at this time it is probable that there will be an unfavorable outcome of any of the pending actions to which the Company or its subsidiaries are parties; accordingly, no reserve against receivables due the Company or its subsidiary and no amount for any potential loss contingency have been recorded in the consolidated financial statements.

     In addition to the above, there were no material developments or terminations with respect to any previously reported legal proceeding, during the period covered by this report. Reference is made to the description of the legal proceedings in Note 19 contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 for information regarding reportable legal proceedings pending as of that date.

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

The Company purchased 10,517 shares of its common stock at a cost of approximately $172,000 during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2004. During the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2003, the Company did not purchase any shares of its common stock. Purchase information is set forth by month in the following table:

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES (1)

                                 
                    Total Number of Shares    
                    Purchased as Part of   Maximum Number of Shares
    Total Number   Average   Publicly Announced Plans   that May Yet Be Purchased
    of Shares   Price Paid   or   Under the Plans or
Period
  Purchased
  per Share
  Programs
  Programs
July 1, 2004 - July 31, 2004
          N/A       N/A       N/A  
August 1, 2004 - August 31, 2004
          N/A       N/A       N/A  
September 1, 2004 - September 30, 2004
    10,517     $ 16.36       N/A       N/A  
 
   
 
             
 
     
 
 
Total Q3 2004
    10,517     $ 16.36       N/A       N/A  
 
   
 
             
 
     
 
 
July 1, 2003 - July 31, 2003
          N/A       N/A       N/A  
August 1, 2003 - August 31, 2003
          N/A       N/A       N/A  
September 1, 2003 - September 30, 2003
          N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
   
 
             
 
     
 
 
Total Q3 2003
          N/A       N/A       N/A  
 
   
 
             
 
     
 
 

(1)   None of the Company’s purchases of its common stock during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2004 or September 30, 2003 was made pursuant to a publicly announced plan or program. Common stock purchases are made in open-market transactions, and shares purchased are held as treasury stock available for reissue by the Company.

30


Table of Contents

Item 6. EXHIBITS

31.1   Rule 13a-14(a) Certifications of Paul D. Arling, Chief Executive Officer of Universal Electronics Inc.
 
31.2   Rule 13a-14(a) Certifications of Bernard J. Pitz, Chief Financial Officer of Universal Electronics Inc.
 
32   Section 1350 Certifications of Paul D. Arling, Chief Executive Officer of Universal Electronics Inc., and Bernard J. Pitz, Chief Financial Officer of Universal Electronics Inc. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

SIGNATURE

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

     
Date: November 9, 2004
  Universal Electronics Inc.
 
   
  \s\ Bernard J. Pitz
 
 
  Bernard J. Pitz
  Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
  Treasurer

31


Table of Contents

EXHIBIT INDEX

     
Exhibit    
No.
  Description
31.1
  Rule 13a-14(a) Certifications of Paul D. Arling, Chief Executive Officer of Universal Electronics Inc.
 
   
31.2
  Rule 13a-14(a) Certifications of Bernard J. Pitz, Chief Financial Officer of Universal Electronics Inc.
 
   
32
  Section 1350 Certifications of Paul D. Arling, Chief Executive Officer of Universal Electronics Inc., and Bernard J. Pitz, Chief Financial Officer of Universal Electronics Inc. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

32

Exhibit 31.1
 

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Paul D. Arling, certify that:

1.   I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Universal Electronics Inc.;
 
2.   Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4.   The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

(a)   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
(b)   Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
(c)   Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.   The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors:

(a)   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
(b)   Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
         
Date: November 9, 2004
  By:   /s/ Paul D. Arling
      Chief Executive Officer

 

Exhibit 31.2
 

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATIONS

I, Bernard J. Pitz, certify that:

1.   I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Universal Electronics Inc.;
 
2.   Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
 
3.   Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
 
4.   The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) for the registrant and have:

(a)   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
 
(b)   Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
 
(c)   Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.   The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors:

(a)   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
 
(b)   Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
         
Date: November 9, 2004
  By:   /s/ Bernard J. Pitz
      Chief Financial Officer

 

Exhibit 32
 

Exhibit 32

SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATIONS

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, each of the undersigned officers of Universal Electronics Inc. (the “Company”), hereby certifies that the Company’s Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2004 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d), as applicable, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. The foregoing certification is being furnished solely pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Report or as a separate disclosure document.

         
Dated: November 9, 2004
  By:   /s/ Paul D. Arling
      Chief Executive Officer
 
       
  By:   /s/ Bernard J. Pitz
      Chief Financial Officer

A signed original of this written statement has been provided to Universal Electronics Inc. and will be retained by it and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.