UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

Commission file number 001-13601

 

GEOSPACE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

7007 Pinemont Drive

Houston, Texas  77040-6601

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

(713) 986-4444

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes    x      No    o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes    x      No   o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):

 

 

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

Yes    o      No   x

There were 13,146,416 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock outstanding as of the close of business on January 30, 2015.

 

 

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

GEOSPACE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)

 

 

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

 

 

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GEOSPACE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

(unaudited)

 

 

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

 

 

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GEOSPACE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

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

 

 

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GEOSPACE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(in thousands)

(unaudited)

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

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GEOSPACE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

 

1. Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated balance sheet of Geospace Technologies Corporation and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) at September 30, 2014 was derived from the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements at that date.  The consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014 and the consolidated statements of operations and statements of comprehensive income (loss) for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were prepared by the Company without audit.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows were made.  The results of operations for the three months ended December 31, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for a full year or of future operations.

Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America were omitted pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  The accompanying consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Company’s fiscal year ended September 30, 2014.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts previously presented in the consolidated financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.  During the three months ended December 31, 2014, the Company reclassified $4.2 million in deposits made for equipment in the prior fiscal year from prepaid and other current assets to property, plant and equipment on its consolidated balance sheet.  The equipment has not yet been placed into service.  Such reclassification had no effect on net income (loss), stockholders’ equity or cash flows.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires the use of estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.  The Company considers many factors in selecting appropriate operational and financial accounting policies and controls, and in developing the estimates and assumptions that are used in the preparation of these financial statements.  The Company continually evaluates its estimates, including those related to bad debt reserves, inventory obsolescence reserves, percentage-of-completion revenue recognition, self-insurance reserves, product warranty reserves, long-lived assets, intangible assets and deferred income tax assets.  The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.  Actual results may differ from these estimates under different conditions or assumptions.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original or remaining maturity at the time of purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Short-term Investments

The Company classifies its short-term investments consisting of corporate bonds, government bonds and other such similar investments as available-for-sale securities.  Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair market value with net unrealized holding gains and losses reported each period as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in stockholders’ equity.  See note 2 for additional information.

Inventories

The Company records a write-down of its inventories when the cost basis of any manufactured product, including any estimated future costs to complete the manufacturing process, exceeds its net realizable value.  Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value.  Cost is determined on the first-in, first-out method, except that the Company’s subsidiary in the Russian Federation uses an average cost method to value its inventories.

 

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GEOSPACE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

 

Impairment Review of Goodwill and Long-lived Assets

        

At December 31, 2014, the Company had $1.8 million of goodwill reflected in its consolidated balance sheet.  In accordance with FASB ASC 350, “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other,” we perform goodwill impairment testing at least annually, unless indicators of impairment exist in interim periods.   In recent months, business conditions have significantly deteriorated and the market value of the Company’s stock has declined. In light of the aforementioned, we concluded that it was appropriate for us to perform an interim goodwill impairment test as of December 31, 2014. The impairment test for goodwill uses a two-step approach. Step one compares the estimated fair value of a reporting unit with goodwill to its carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds the estimated fair value, step two must be performed. Step two compares the carrying value of the reporting unit to the fair value of all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit (including any unrecognized intangibles) as if the reporting unit was acquired in a business combination. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of its goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess.  Based on the results of our step one test as of December 31, 2014, management concluded that goodwill was not impaired; however, given overall market conditions, management will continue to monitor this situation.  In connection with our goodwill impairment test, management also reviewed the recoverability of the carrying value of the Company’s rental equipment and property, plant and equipment based on future undiscounted cash flows and determined that no such impairment of these assets was necessary at December 31, 2014.

Revenue Recognition – Products and Services

The Company primarily derives revenue from the sale of its manufactured products, including revenues derived from the sale of its manufactured rental equipment.  In addition, the Company generates revenue from the short-term rental under operating leases of its manufactured products.  Except for revenues recognized using the percentage-of-completion method discussed below, the Company recognizes revenue from product sales, including the sale of used rental equipment, when (i) title passes to the customer, (ii) the customer assumes the risks and rewards of ownership, (iii) the product sales price has been determined, (iv) collectability of the sales price is reasonably assured, and (v) product delivery occurs as directed by the customer.  Except for certain of the Company’s reservoir characterization products, the Company’s products are generally sold without any customer acceptance provisions and the Company’s standard terms of sale do not allow customers to return products for credit.  The Company recognizes rental revenues as earned over the rental period.  Rentals of the Company’s equipment generally range from daily rentals to rental periods of up to six months or longer.  Revenues from engineering services are recognized as services are rendered over the duration of a project, or as billed on a per hour basis.  Field service revenues are recognized when services are rendered and are generally priced on a per day rate.

Revenue Recognition – Percentage of Completion

The Company utilizes the percentage-of-completion method (the “POC Method”) to recognize revenues and costs on contracts having the following characteristics:

The POC Method requires the Company’s senior management to make estimates, at least quarterly, of the (i) total expected costs of the contract, (ii) manufacturing progress against the contract and (iii) the estimated cost to complete the contract.  These estimates impact the amount of revenue and gross profit the Company recognizes for each reporting period.  Significant estimates that may affect the future cost to complete a contract include the cost and availability of raw materials and component parts, engineering services, manufacturing equipment, labor, manufacturing capacity, factory productivity, contract penalties and disputes, product warranties and other contingent factors.  Change orders are included in the total estimated contract revenue when it is probable that the change order will result in additional value that can be reliably estimated and realized.  The Company defers recognition of the entire amount of revenue or portion thereof associated with unapproved change orders if there is substantial uncertainty as to amounts involved or ultimate realization.  The cumulative impact of periodic revisions to the future cost to complete a contract will be reflected in the period in which these changes become known, including, to the extent required, the recognition of losses at the time such losses

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GEOSPACE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

 

are known and estimable.  Due to the various estimates inherent in the POC Method, actual final results at the conclusion of a contract could differ from management’s previous estimates.

The Company analyzes a variety of indicators to determine manufacturing progress, including actual costs incurred to date compared to total estimated costs and actual quantities produced to date compared to total contract quantities.

Cost of sales includes direct contract costs, such as materials and labor, and indirect costs that are attributable to a contract’s production activity.  The timing of when the Company invoices its customer is dependent upon the completion of certain production milestones as defined in the contract.  Cumulative contract costs and estimated earnings to date in excess of cumulative billings are reported as a current asset on the consolidated balance sheet as “costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings”.  Cumulative billings in excess of cumulative costs and estimated earnings are reported as a current liability on the consolidated balance sheet as “billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings”.  Any uncollected billed revenue, including contract retentions, is included in “trade accounts receivable, net”.

The Company currently has no contracts accounted for under the POC Method.

Research and Development Costs

The Company expenses research and development costs as incurred.  Research and development costs include salaries, employee benefit costs, department supplies, direct project costs and other related costs.

Product Warranties

Most of the Company’s products do not require installation assistance or sophisticated instructions.  The Company offers a standard product warranty obligating it to repair or replace equipment with manufacturing defects.  The Company maintains a reserve for future warranty costs based on historical experience or, in the absence of historical product experience, management’s estimates.  Reserves for future warranty costs are included within accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.  Changes in the warranty reserve are reflected in the following table (in thousands):

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15 which provides guidance on management's responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity's ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or within one year after the date that the financial statements are available to be issued when applicable) and to provide related footnote disclosures.  ASU 2014-15 is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter.  Early application is permitted.  The Company is currently assessing the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 “Revenue from Contracts with Customer (Topic 606).” The amendment applies a new five-step revenue recognition model to be used in recognizing revenues associated with customer contracts. The amendment requires disclosure sufficient to enable readers of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers, including qualitative and quantitative disclosures, significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill the contract. The standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact on its consolidated financial statements

 

 

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GEOSPACE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

 

2. Short-term Investments

 

 

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss on the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014 included unrealized losses (net of tax) of $28,000 and $26,000, respectively.

 

 

3. Derivative Financial Instruments

At December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, the Company’s Canadian subsidiary had $25.9 million and $26.6 million, respectively, of Canadian dollar denominated intercompany accounts payable owed to the Company’s U.S. subsidiary.  In order to mitigate its exposure to movements in foreign currency rates between the U.S. dollar and Canadian dollar, the Company routinely enters into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge a portion of its exposure to changes in the value of the Canadian dollar.  At December 31, 2014, the Company was a party to a $28.0 million foreign currency forward contract.  This contract reduces the impact on cash flows from movements in the Canadian dollar/U.S. dollar currency exchange rate, but has not been designated as a hedge for accounting purposes.  At December 31, 2014, the Company had an accrued unrealized foreign exchange gain of $0.6 million under this contract.

The following table summarizes the gross fair value of all derivative instruments, which are not designated as hedging instruments and their location in the consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):

 

 

The following table summarizes the impact of the Company’s derivatives on the consolidated statements of operations for the three month periods ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (in thousands):

 

 

Amounts in the above table include realized and unrealized derivative gains and losses.

 

 

4. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

At December 31, 2014, the Company’s financial instruments included cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, foreign currency forward contract, trade and notes receivables and accounts payable.  Due to the short-term maturities of cash and cash equivalents, trade and other receivables and accounts payable, the carrying amounts approximate fair value on the respective balance sheet dates.

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GEOSPACE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

 

The Company measures its short-term investments and derivative instruments at fair value on a recurring basis.  The fair value measurement of the Company’s short-term investments and derivative instruments was determined using the following inputs (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

5. Accounts and Notes Receivable

Current trade accounts are reflected in the following table (in thousands):

 

 

The allowance for doubtful accounts represents the Company’s best estimate of probable credit losses.  The Company determines the allowance based upon historical experience and a review of its balances.  Accounts receivable balances are charged off against the allowance whenever it is probable that the receivable will not be recoverable.  The Company does not have any off-balance-sheet credit exposure related to its customers.

Notes receivable, net are reflected in the following table (in thousands):

 

 

 

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GEOSPACE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

 

6. Inventories

Inventories consist of the following (in thousands):

 

 

During the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company made non-cash inventory transfers of $0.1 million and $2.8 million, respectively, to its rental equipment fleet.

 

 

7. Long-Term Debt

The Company had no long-term debt at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014.

On March 2, 2011, the Company entered into a credit agreement with a bank.  On September 27, 2013, the Company amended the credit agreement and increased its borrowing availability to $50.0 million (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”).  The Company’s borrowings are principally secured by its accounts receivable, inventories and equipment.  In addition, certain domestic subsidiaries of the Company have guaranteed the obligations of the Company under the Credit Agreement and such subsidiaries have secured the obligations by the pledge of certain of the assets of such subsidiaries.  The Credit Agreement expires on April 27, 2016 and all borrowed funds are due and payable at that time.  The Company is required to make quarterly interest payments on borrowed funds.  The Credit Agreement limits the incurrence of additional indebtedness, requires the maintenance of certain financial ratios, restricts the Company and its subsidiaries’ ability to pay cash dividends and contains other covenants customary in agreements of this type.  The interest rate for borrowings under the Credit Agreement is a LIBOR based rate with a margin spread of 250 to 325 basis points depending upon the maintenance of certain ratios.  At December 31, 2014, the Company was in compliance with all covenants.   At December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, the Company had standby letters of credit outstanding in the amount of $42,000 and $51,000, respectively.  Additional borrowings available under the Credit Agreement at December 31, 2014 were approximately $50.0 million.

 

 

8. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss:

Accumulated other comprehensive loss consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

9. Stock-Based Compensation:

On November 21, 2013, the Company issued 184,000 shares of restricted stock under the 1997 Key Employee Stock Option Plan, as amended.  The fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant was $98.68 per share, and the unrecognized compensation cost on the date of grant related to these awards, net of estimated forfeitures, was $17.3 million and will be charged to expense over four years as the restrictions lapse.  During fiscal year 2014, the Company issued a total of 13,000 shares of restricted stock under the 2014 Long Term Incentive Plan, as amended.  The weighted average grant date fair value of the Company’s common stock for the fiscal year 2014 issuances was $45.68 per share.  No restricted stock has been issued to date during fiscal year 2015.  Recipients of restricted stock awards are entitled to vote such shares and are entitled to dividends if paid.

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GEOSPACE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

 

Compensation expense for restricted stock awards is determined based on the closing market price of the Company’s stock on the date of grant applied to the total number of shares that are anticipated to fully vest.  As of December 31, 2014, we had unrecognized compensation expense of approximately $12.7 million, all of which was related to restricted stock awards.

 

 

10. Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share

The Company applies the two-class method in calculating per share data.  The following table summarizes the calculation of net earnings (loss) and weighted average common shares and common equivalent shares outstanding for purposes of the computation of earnings (loss) per share (in thousands, except share and per share data):

 

 

There were no stock options excluded from the computation of weighted average shares outstanding due to anti-dilution.

 

 

11. Commitments and Contingencies

The Company is involved in various pending or potential legal actions in the ordinary course of our business. Management is unable to predict the ultimate outcome of these actions, because of the inherent uncertainty of litigation. However, management believes that the most probable, ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

 

12. Segment Information

The Company’s Seismic product lines include land and marine wireless data acquisition systems, seabed reservoir characterization products and services, geophones and geophone strings, hydrophones, leader wire, connectors, telemetry cables, marine streamer retrieval and steering devices and various other products.  The Non-Seismic product lines include thermal imaging products and industrial products.  The Company typically has a minor amount of Seismic product sales to its Non-Seismic customers.

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GEOSPACE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (unaudited)

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s segment information (in thousands):

 

 

 

13. Income Taxes

The United States statutory tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was 35%.  The Company’s effective tax rates for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were 35.5% and 31.9%, respectively.   The lower effective tax rate for the period ended December 31, 2013 primarily resulted from a manufacturers’/producers’ deduction available to U.S. manufacturers.

 

 

 

 

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

The following is management’s discussion and analysis of the major elements of our consolidated financial statements.  You should read this discussion and analysis together with our consolidated financial statements, including the accompanying notes, and other detailed information appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the documents incorporated by reference herein, if any, contain “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “may”, “will”, “should”, “intend”, “expect”, “plan”, “budget”, “forecast”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue”, “evaluating” or similar words.  Statements that contain these words should be read carefully because they discuss our future expectations, contain projections of our future results of operations or of our financial position or state other forward-looking information.  Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements that we make regarding our expected operating results, the adoption and sale of our products in various geographic regions, anticipated levels of capital expenditures and the sources of funding therefore, and our strategy for growth, product development, market position, financial results and reserves.  These forward-looking statements reflect our best judgment about future events and trends based on the information currently available to us.  However, there will likely be events in the future that we are not able to predict or control.  The factors listed under the caption “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014, as well as other cautionary language in such Annual Report and this Quarterly Report, provide examples of risks, uncertainties and events that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the expectations we describe in our forward-looking statements.  The occurrence of the events described in these risk factors and elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial position, and actual events and results of operations may vary materially from our current expectations.  We assume no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that we may make from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise.

Business Overview

Geospace Technologies Corporation is a Delaware corporation incorporated on September 27, 1994.  Unless otherwise specified, the discussion in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q refers to Geospace Technologies Corporation and its subsidiaries.  We design and manufacture instruments and equipment used in the acquisition and processing of seismic data as well as in the characterization and monitoring of producing oil and gas reservoirs.  Demand for our products has been, and will likely continue to be, vulnerable to downturns in the economy and the oil and gas industry in general.  For more information, please refer to the risks discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014.

We have engaged in the seismic instrument and equipment business since 1980 and market our products primarily to the oil and gas industry.  We also design, manufacture and distribute non-seismic equipment including thermal imaging equipment and industrial products.  We report and categorize our customers and products into two different segments: Seismic and Non-Seismic.

Available Information

We file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).  Our SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov.  You may also read and copy any document we file at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on their public reference room.  Our SEC filings are also available to the public on our website at http://www.geospace.com.  From time to time, we may post investor presentations on our website under the “Investor Relations” tab.  Please note that information contained on our website, whether currently posted or posted in the future, is not a part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or the documents incorporated by reference in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Products and Product Development

Seismic Products

Our seismic business segment accounts for the majority of our revenues. Geoscientists use seismic data primarily in connection with the exploration, development and production of oil and gas reserves to map potential and known hydrocarbon bearing formations and the geologic structures that surround them. Our seismic product lines currently consist of land and marine nodal data acquisition systems, permanent land and seabed reservoir monitoring products and services, geophones and geophone strings, hydrophones, leader wire, connectors, telemetry cables, marine streamer retrieval and steering devices and various other products. Our seismic products are compatible with most major competitive seismic data acquisition systems currently in use. We believe that our seismic products are among the most technologically advanced instruments and equipment available for seismic data acquisition.

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Traditional Products

An energy source and a data recording system are combined to acquire seismic data. We provide many of the components of seismic data recording systems, including geophones, hydrophones, multi-component sensors, leader wire, geophone strings, connectors, seismic telemetry cables and other seismic related products. On land, our customers use geophones, leader wire, cables and connectors to receive and measure seismic reflections resulting from an energy source into data recording units, which store the seismic information for subsequent processing and analysis. In the marine environment, large ocean-going vessels tow long seismic cables known as “streamers” containing hydrophones which are used to detect pressure changes. Hydrophones transmit electrical impulses back to the vessel’s data recording unit where the seismic data is stored for subsequent processing and analysis. Our marine seismic products help steer streamers while being towed and help recover streamers if they become disconnected from the vessel.

Our seismic sensor, cable and connector products are compatible with most major competitive seismic data acquisition systems currently in use. Sales result primarily from seismic contractors purchasing our products as components of new seismic data acquisition systems or to repair and replace components of seismic data acquisition systems already in use.

Our products used in marine seismic data acquisition include our marine seismic streamer retrieval devices (“SRDs”). Occasionally, streamer cables are severed and become disconnected from the vessel as a result of obstacles, inclement weather, vessel traffic or human error. Our SRDs, which are attached to the streamer cables, contain air bags which are designed to inflate automatically at a given water depth, bringing the severed streamer cables to the surface. These SRDs save the seismic contractors significant time and money compared to the alternative of losing the streamer cable. We also produce seismic streamer steering devices, or “birds,” which are fin-like devices that attach to the streamer cable. These birds help maintain the streamer cable at a certain desired depth as it is being towed through the water.

Our wholly-owned subsidiary in the Russian Federation manufactures international standard geophones, sensors, seismic leader wire, seismic telemetry cables and related seismic products for customers in the Russian Federation and other international seismic marketplaces. We have a branch office in Colombia that primarily rents seismic equipment to our customers in the South American market.

Wireless Products

We have developed a land-based wireless (or nodal) seismic data acquisition system called the GSX.  Each GSX station operates independently and therefore can be deployed in virtually unlimited channel configurations.  Rather than utilizing interconnecting cables as required by most traditional land data acquisition systems, each GSX station operates as an independent data collection system.  As a result, our GSX system requires less maintenance, which we believe allows our customers to operate more effectively and efficiently because of its reduced environmental impact, lower weight and ease of operation.  Our GSX system is designed into configurations ranging from one to four channels per station.  Since its introduction in 2008 and through December 31, 2014, we have sold 325,000 GSX channels and we have 135,000 GSX channels in our rental fleet.  We do not expect to expand our GSX rental fleet significantly in fiscal year 2015.

We have also developed a marine-based wireless seismic data acquisition system called the OBX.  Similar to our GSX land-based wireless system, the marine OBX system can be deployed in virtually unlimited channel configurations and does not require interconnecting cables between each station.  Our deep water versions of the OBX system can be deployed in depths of up to 3,000 meters.  Through December 31, 2014, we have sold over 400 OBX stations and we have 4,300 OBX stations in our rental fleet.  We expect to make significant investments in our OBX rental fleet in fiscal year 2015.

Reservoir Products

Seismic surveys repeated over selected time intervals show dynamic changes within the reservoir and can be used to monitor the effects of oil and gas production. In this regard, we have developed permanently installed high-definition reservoir monitoring systems for land and ocean-bottom applications in producing oil and gas fields. We also produce a retrievable version of our ocean-bottom system for use on fields where permanently installed systems are not appropriate or economical. Utilizing these tools, producers can enhance the recovery of oil and gas deposits over the life of a reservoir.

Our high-definition reservoir monitoring products include the HDSeis™ product line and a suite of borehole and reservoir monitoring products and services. Our HDSeis™ system is a high-definition seismic data acquisition system with flexible architecture that allows it to be configured as a borehole seismic system or as a subsurface system for both land and marine reservoir-monitoring projects. The scalable architecture of the HDSeis™ system enables custom designed system configuration for applications ranging from low-channel engineering and environmental-scale surveys requiring a minimum number of recording channels to high-channel surveys required to efficiently conduct permanent reservoir imaging and monitoring. Modular architecture allows virtually unlimited channel expansion. In addition, multi-system synchronization features make the HDSeis™ system well suited for multi-well or multi-site acquisition, simultaneous surface and downhole acquisition and continuous reservoir monitoring projects.

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Reservoir monitoring requires special purpose or custom designed systems in which portability becomes less critical and functional reliability assumes greater importance. This reliability factor helps assure successful operations in inaccessible locations over a considerable period of time. Additionally, reservoirs located in deep water or harsh environments require special instrumentation and new techniques to maximize recovery. Reservoir monitoring also requires high-bandwidth, high-resolution seismic data for engineering project planning and reservoir management. We believe our HDSeis™ System and tools, designed for cost-effective deployment and lifetime performance, will make borehole and seabed seismic acquisition a cost-effective and reliable process for the challenges of reservoir monitoring. Our multi-component seismic product developments include an omni-directional geophone for use in reservoir monitoring, a compact marine three-component or four-component gimbaled sensor and special-purpose connectors, connector arrays and cases.

In February 2012 we received an $18.0 million order from Shell Brasil Petróleo Ltda (“the Shell Order”) to instrument a reservoir off the coast of Brazil, and in November 2012 we received an order from Statoil (the “Statoil Order”) for $171.7 million, including amendments, to instrument two reservoirs in the North Sea.  During the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, we recognized revenue of $18.0 million from delivery of the Shell Order, and we recognized revenues of $109.6 million from the Statoil Order using the percentage of completion revenue recognition method.  We recognized the remaining $62.1 million from the Statoil Order during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014.  Also during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014, we delivered a $5.0 million permanent land reservoir monitoring system for use in Saudi Arabia.  There were no permanent reservoir monitoring systems delivered in our fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2014.

In addition, we produce seismic borehole acquisition systems which employ a fiber optic augmented wireline capable of very high data transmission rates. These systems are used for several reservoir monitoring applications, including an application pioneered by us allowing operators and service companies to monitor and measure the results of fracturing operations.

Non-Seismic Products

Our non-seismic businesses leverage upon our existing manufacturing facilities and engineering capabilities. We have found that many of our seismic products, with little or no modification, have direct application to industries beyond those involved in oil and gas exploration and development. For example, our customers utilize our borehole tools to monitor subsurface carbon dioxide injections and for mine safety applications.

Our non-seismic products include thermal imaging products targeted at the commercial graphics industry as well as various industrial products. Our industrial products include (i) sensors and tools for vibration monitoring, mine safety application and earthquake detection, (ii) cables for power and communication for the offshore oil and gas and offshore construction industries, and (iii) water meter cables and other specialty cable and connector products.

Consolidated Results of Operations

We report and evaluate financial information for two segments: Seismic and Non-Seismic.  Summary financial data by business segment follows (in thousands):

 

 

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Overview

For the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 ended December 31, 2013, we experienced very strong market demand in both North American and international markets for our wireless GSX channels and geophone sensors which contributed to record seismic exploration product revenues of $66.0 million.  In addition, although the Statoil Order was entering its final phases, we also reported revenues of $29.3 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2014 from our seismic reservoir products, including $28.0 million from the Statoil Order.  Altogether we reported seismic segment revenues and operating income of $95.2 million and $38.5 million respectively, both achieving new quarterly records.  Subsequent to the first quarter of fiscal year 2014, we began to experience a softening in the demand for our seismic exploration products, particularly in North America, as capital budgets for oil and gas producers were trending toward production and exploitation activities.  During this period oil production in North America’s unconventional shale reservoirs increased, as did oil production from non-OPEC countries, resulting in an oversupply of crude oil in the world market.  From July 2014 through January 2015, market prices for a barrel of crude oil declined from over $100 to roughly $45.  Demand for seismic services and, therefore, demand for our seismic equipment has decreased significantly over the last year.  In addition, the Statoil Order was completed in April 2014 and we have not received any new permanent reservoir monitoring system orders.  As a result of these factors, our revenues and operating income (loss) for our seismic business segment for the quarter ended December 31, 2014 declined significantly to $15.6 million and a loss of $7.4 million when compared to the year-ago quarter ended December 31, 2013.  We expect these challenging industry conditions to continue to negatively impact the demand for our seismic exploration products throughout fiscal year 2015.

Three months ended December 31, 2014 compared to three months ended December 31, 2013

Consolidated revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2014 decreased by $80.2 million, or 79.1%, from the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.  The decrease was attributable to substantially lower product demand in each of our seismic product segments.

Consolidated gross profit for the three months ended December 31, 2014 decreased $47.1 million, or 100.0%, from the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.  The decrease in gross profit in the current quarter was caused by (i) lower revenues from our seismic products, (ii) the write-off of fixed manufacturing costs due to low factory utilization and (iii) a sales mix containing a concentration of lower margin products.  We expect our seismic product gross margins to be under significant stress throughout fiscal year 2015 due to expected lower manufacturing activity.

Consolidated operating expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2014 decreased $1.6 million, or 13.6%, from the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.  The decrease was primarily due to the elimination of incentive compensation expenses, lower legal costs and reduced research and development project expenditures.  These expense decreases were partially offset by increased bad debt and stock based compensation expenses.

Other income (expense) for the three months ended December 31, 2014 increased $1.6 million from the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.  This increase resulted from $1.6 million of foreign exchange gains attributable to the ruble appreciation of U.S. dollar deposits held by our Russian subsidiary.

The United States statutory tax rate for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was 35%.  Our effective tax rates for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were 35.5% and 31.9%, respectively.  The lower effective tax rate for the period ended December 31, 2013 primarily resulted from a manufacturers’/producers’ deduction available to U.S. manufacturers.

Seismic Products

Revenues

As discussed above, revenues from our seismic products for the three months ended December 31, 2014 decreased by $79.6 million, or 83.6%, from the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.  The components of this decrease include the following:

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Customer orders for our seismic products, especially large orders for our GSX and OBX wireless systems and our subsea permanent reservoir monitoring systems, generally occur irregularly making it difficult for us to predict our sales and production levels each quarter.  Furthermore, product shipping dates are generally determined by our customers and are not at our discretion.  As a result, these factors have caused past revenues of our seismic products to be unpredictable, or “lumpy,” and we expect this trend to continue into the future.

Operating Income (Loss)

Our operating income associated with revenues from our seismic products for the three months ended December 31, 2014 decreased by $45.9 million, or 119.2%, from the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.    Our operating income declined due to the substantial decline in our product revenues which, in turn, resulted in substantially lower gross profits.

Non-Seismic Products

Revenues

Revenues from our non-seismic products for the three months ended December 31, 2014 decreased by $0.5 million, or 8.1%, from the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.  The decrease resulted from lower sales of our industrial and thermal imaging products.

Operating Income

Our operating income associated with revenues from our non-seismic products for the three months ended December 31, 2014 increased $0.1 million, or 10.9%, from the corresponding period of the prior fiscal year.  The increase in operating income primarily was the result of improved gross profit margins for our offshore cable products.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At December 31, 2014, we had approximately $30.3 million in cash and cash equivalents and approximately $19.7 million in short-term investments.  For the three months ended December 31, 2014, we used approximately $1.4 million of cash from operating activities.  These uses of cash included (i) our net loss of $5.4 million, (ii) a $6.8 million decrease in accrued expenses and other primarily due to the payment of fiscal year 2014 bonuses, (iii) a $4.0 million increase in inventories and (iv) a $2.7 million increase in prepaid and other current assets.  These uses of cash were primarily offset by (i) a $10.1 million decrease in trade accounts and notes receivable primarily due to a collection of existing receivables and (ii) net non-cash charges of $6.0 million from deferred income taxes, depreciation, amortization, accretion, stock-based compensation, inventory obsolescence and bad debts.

For the three months ended December 31, 2014, we used approximately $0.8 million of cash in investing activities.  The primary uses of cash were for (i) the purchase of property and equipment of $1.1 million and (ii) the purchase of $1.6 million of short-term investments.  These uses of cash were partially offset by $1.7 million of proceeds from the sale of short-term investments and $0.2 million from the sale of used rental equipment.  We expect customer demand for rentals of our OBX nodal products to increase in fiscal year 2015, resulting in estimated cash investments into our rental fleet of approximately $7 million and potential non-cash transfers from our inventory account of up to $20 million or more.  We estimate that cash investments in machinery and equipment will be approximately $5 to $7 million in fiscal year 2015.  In addition, capital investments related to the expansion of our Houston manufacturing and engineering facilities are estimated to range from $1 to $5 million. We expect these capital expenditures will be financed from our cash on hand, internal cash flow, rental equipment sales proceeds and/or from borrowings under our Credit Agreement.

For the three months ended December 31, 2014, we used approximately $1.1 million of cash in financing activities attributable to excess tax expense associated with the vesting of restricted stock.

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On March 2, 2011, we entered into a credit agreement with a bank.  On September 27, 2013, we amended the credit agreement and increased the borrowing availability to $50.0 million (as amended, the “Credit Agreement”).  Our borrowings are principally secured by our accounts receivable, inventories and equipment.  In addition, certain of our domestic subsidiaries have guaranteed our obligations under the Credit Agreement and such subsidiaries have secured the obligations by the pledge of certain of the assets of such subsidiaries.  The Credit Agreement expires on April 27, 2016 and all borrowed funds are due and payable at that time.  We are required to make quarterly interest payments on borrowed funds.  The Credit Agreement limits the incurrence of additional indebtedness, requires the maintenance of certain financial ratios, restricts us and our subsidiaries’ ability to pay cash dividends and contains other covenants customary in agreements of this type. We believe that the cash flow coverage ratio and the funded debt to EBITDA ratio covenants could prove to be the most restrictive.  The interest rate for borrowings under the Credit Agreement is a LIBOR based rate with a margin spread of 250 to 325 basis points depending upon the maintenance of certain ratios.  At December 31, 2014, we were in compliance with all covenants.  There were standby letters of credit outstanding in the amount of $42,000 and additional borrowings available were approximately $50.0 million.  Please see “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 for more information about the restrictive covenants imposed on us by the Credit Agreement.

We believe that the combination of existing cash reserves, cash flows from operations and borrowing available under the Credit Agreement should provide us sufficient capital resources and liquidity to fund our planned operations through fiscal year 2015.  However, there can be no assurance that such sources of capital will be sufficient to support our capital requirements in the long-term, and we may be required to issue additional debt or equity securities in the future to meet our capital requirements.  There can be no assurance we would be able to issue additional equity or debt securities in the future on terms that are acceptable to us or at all.

Critical Accounting Policies

There has been no material change to our critical accounting policies discussed in Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014.

 

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We have market risk relative to sensitive instruments entered into for trading purposes and have only very limited risk as to arrangements entered into other than for trading purposes. We do not engage in commodity or commodity derivative instrument purchase or sales transactions. Because of the inherent unpredictability of foreign currency rates and interest rates, as well as other factors, actual results could differ materially from those projected in this Item.

Foreign Currency and Operations Risk

One of our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Geospace Technologies Eurasia, is located in the Russian Federation. In addition, we operate a branch office, Geospace Technologies Sucursal Sudamericana, in Colombia. Our financial results for these entities may be affected by factors such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates, weak economic conditions or changes in the political climate. Our consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2014 reflected approximately $9.9 million and $1.2 million of net working capital related to our Russian and Colombian operations, respectively. Both of these entities receive a portion of their revenues and pay a majority of their expenses primarily in their local currency. To the extent that transactions of these entities are settled in their local currency, a devaluation of these currencies versus the U.S. dollar could reduce any contribution from these entities to our consolidated results of operations and total comprehensive income as reported in U.S. dollars. We do not hedge the market risk with respect to our operations in these countries; therefore, such risk is a general and unpredictable risk of future disruptions in the valuation of such currencies versus U.S. dollars to the extent such disruptions result in any reduced valuation of these foreign entities’ net working capital or future contributions to our consolidated results of operations. At December 31, 2014, the foreign exchange rate for $1.00 (one U.S. dollar) was equal to 56.8 Russian Rubles and 2,409 Colombian Pesos, respectively. If the value of the U.S. dollar were to decline by ten percent against these foreign currencies, our working capital in the Russian Federation and Colombia could decline by $1.0 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

Foreign Currency Intercompany Accounts and Notes Receivable

From time to time, we provide access to capital to our foreign subsidiaries through U.S. dollar denominated interest bearing promissory notes. Such funds are generally used by our foreign subsidiaries to purchase capital assets and for general working capital needs. In addition, we sell products to our foreign subsidiaries on trade credit terms in both U.S. dollars and in the subsidiary’s local currency. Because we have intercompany debts denominated in foreign currencies, any appreciation or devaluation of such foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar will result in a gain or loss, respectively, to our consolidated statement of operations. At December 31, 2014, we had outstanding intercompany accounts receivable of $25.9 million from our Canadian subsidiary which are denominated in Canadian dollars.  In November 2014, we entered into a $28.0 million hedge agreement with a United States bank to hedge our Canadian dollar exposure, resulting in the hedge exceeding our Canadian dollar intercompany accounts receivable by $2.1

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million at December 31, 2014. The foreign exchange rate for $1.00 (one U.S. dollar) was equal to 0.86 Canadian dollars at December 31, 2014.  If the U.S. dollar exchange rate were to weaken by ten percent against the Canadian dollar, we would recognize a foreign exchange loss of $0.2 million in our consolidated financial statements.

Floating Interest Rate Risk

The Credit Agreement contains a floating interest rate, which subjects us to the risk of increased interest costs associated with any upward movements in bank market interest rates. Under the Credit Agreement our borrowing interest rate is a LIBOR based rate plus 250 to 325 basis points. The interest rate at December 31, 2014 was 2.7%. As of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, no borrowings were outstanding under the Credit Agreement.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining a system of disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified under the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”).  Notwithstanding the foregoing, there can be no assurance that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures will detect or uncover all failures of persons within the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries to report material information otherwise required to be set forth in the Company’s reports.

In connection with the preparation of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, the Company carried out an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, as of December 31, 2014 of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act.  Based on that evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2014.

There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2014 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 6. Exhibits

The following exhibits are filed with this Report on Form 10-Q.

 

 

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SIGNATURES

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.

 

 

 

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