12/16/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/16/2025 16:17
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
This management's discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations and other portions of this filing contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements. You should review the "Special Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" sections of this annual report for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements
contained in the following discussion and analysis. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this filing.
Recent trends affecting our financial performance
As of September 30, 2025, the Russian/Ukrainian military conflict and the Israeli-Hamas conflict have not had a direct or significant impact on revenue as we do not have any significant recurring customers in either region. However, we do have customers and suppliers in surrounding regions which may be affected and further escalation of both conflicts and geopolitical tensions related to such conflicts could adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations, by among other things, cyberattacks, supply disruptions, lower consumer demand, and changes to foreign exchange rates and financial markets. It is not possible at this time to predict the size of the impact or consequences of the conflicts on the Company and our customers or suppliers.
Overview of Fiscal Year 2025
Results of Operations
Revenue increased by approximately $3.5 million, or 6%, to $58.7 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025 compared to $55.2 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024. Gross profit margin percentage decreased to 32% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025 compared to 34% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024. We generated an operating loss of $(3.1) million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025 as compared to an operating loss of $(1.9) million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024. Other income, net was consistent at approximately $1.5 million for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2025 and 2024. The Company recorded an income tax benefit of $(1.6) million, which reflected an effective tax rate of 94.5%, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025 compared to an income tax benefit of $(0.1) million, which reflected an effective tax rate of 22.2% for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024.
The following table details our results of operations in dollars and as a percentage of sales for the fiscal years ended:
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% |
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% |
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September 30, 2025 |
|
of sales |
|
September 30, 2024 |
|
of sales |
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|
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(Dollar amounts in thousands) |
|||||||||
|
Sales |
|
$ |
58,730 |
100 |
% |
$ |
55,219 |
100 |
% |
||
|
Costs and expenses: |
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|
||||
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Cost of sales |
|
40,219 |
68 |
% |
36,364 |
66 |
% |
||||
|
Research and development |
|
3,250 |
6 |
% |
2,956 |
5 |
% |
||||
|
Selling, general and administrative |
|
18,370 |
31 |
% |
17,771 |
32 |
% |
||||
|
Total costs and expenses |
|
61,839 |
105 |
% |
57,091 |
103 |
% |
||||
|
Operating loss |
|
(3,109) |
(5) |
% |
(1,872) |
(3) |
% |
||||
|
Other income, net |
|
1,448 |
2 |
% |
1,453 |
2 |
% |
||||
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Loss before income taxes |
|
(1,661) |
(3) |
% |
(419) |
(1) |
% |
||||
|
Income tax benefit |
|
(1,570) |
(3) |
% |
(93) |
- |
% |
||||
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Net loss |
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$ |
(91) |
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- |
% |
$ |
(326) |
|
(1) |
% |
Revenues
Revenue increased by approximately $3.5 million, or approximately 6%, to $58.7 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025 compared to $55.2 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024.
TS segment revenue changes by products and services for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 were as follows:
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September 30, |
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Increase |
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2025 |
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2024 |
|
$ |
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% |
||||
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(Dollar amounts in thousands) |
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Products |
|
$ |
37,262 |
|
$ |
34,194 |
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$ |
3,068 |
|
9 |
% |
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Services |
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19,546 |
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16,871 |
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2,675 |
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16 |
% |
|||
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Total |
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$ |
56,808 |
|
$ |
51,065 |
|
$ |
5,743 |
|
11 |
% |
Our TS segment revenue increased by approximately $5.7 million consisting of an increase of $5.5 million in our U.S. division combined with an increase of $0.2 million in our U.K. division.
The increase in TS segment products revenue of $3.0 million during the period was the result of a $2.8 million increase in the U.S. division combined with an increase of $0.2 million in the U.K. division. The increase in our U.S. division product revenue year over year was primarily associated with several existing major customers as well as one new customer. The increase in the U.K. division year over year was primarily associated with two major existing customers.
The increase in TS segment services revenue of $2.7 million as compared to the prior year was in the U.S. division due to an increase of $1.3 million in third-party maintenance revenue, an increase of $1.1 million in internal and third party services, and an increase of $0.3 million in managed services.
HPP segment revenue changes by products and services for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2025 and 2024 were as follows:
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September 30, |
Decrease |
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2025 |
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2024 |
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$ |
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% |
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|||
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(Dollar amounts in thousands) |
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Products |
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$ |
487 |
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$ |
2,599 |
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$ |
(2,112) |
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(81) |
% |
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Services |
|
1,435 |
|
1,555 |
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(120) |
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(8) |
% |
|||
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Total |
|
$ |
1,922 |
|
$ |
4,154 |
|
$ |
(2,232) |
|
(54) |
% |
Our HPP segment revenue decreased by approximately $2.2 million or 54%.
The decrease in HPP products revenue of $2.1 million in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025 was primarily the result of decreased ARIA AZT revenue of $1.7 million combined with decreased Myricom revenue of $0.4 million. The ARIA revenue decrease was due to one large nonrecurring ARIA AZT software license sale of $2.0 million in the prior year, partially offset by increased total ARIA AZT software license sales of $0.3 million. The decreased Myricom revenue was primarily due to one large nonrecurring transaction in the prior year.
The decrease in HPP services revenue of approximately $0.1 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025 compared to the same period for the prior year was primarily the result of a $0.3 million decrease in repairs revenue and a $0.2 million decrease in royalty revenues on high-speed processing boards related to the E2D program, partially offset by an increase in Multicomputer revenue of $0.2 million and increased ARIA revenue of $0.2 million. ARIA AZT service revenue is from post contract support of the ARIA AZT software license and ARIA ADR revenue is all recorded to service revenue. The non-recurring AZT software license transaction discussed above was originally sold with annual post contract support, which was renewed in fiscal year 2025 for another year of service.
Our total revenues by geographic area based on the location to which the products were shipped or services rendered were as follows:
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September 30, |
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Increase (decrease) |
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2025 |
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% |
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2024 |
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% |
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$ |
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% |
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(Dollar amounts in thousands) |
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Americas |
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$ |
57,111 |
98 |
% |
$ |
53,308 |
97 |
% |
$ |
3,803 |
|
7 |
% |
||
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Europe |
|
1,362 |
2 |
% |
1,125 |
2 |
% |
237 |
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21 |
% |
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APAC and Africa |
|
257 |
- |
% |
786 |
1 |
% |
(529) |
|
(67) |
% |
|||||
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Totals |
|
$ |
58,730 |
100 |
% |
$ |
55,219 |
100 |
% |
$ |
3,511 |
|
6 |
% |
||
The $3.8 million increase in the Americas revenue for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025 as compared to the fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 was primarily due to increased revenue by our TS-US division of $5.8 million combined with increased revenue in our TS-UK division of $0.1 million, partially offset by decreased revenue in our HPP segment of $2.1 million. Sales to Europe increased by $0.2 million primarily due to an increase by our TS-US division of $0.1 million and an increase of $0.1 million in the TS-UK division. Sales to APAC and Africa decreased $0.5 million due to a decrease of $0.4 million by the TS-US division and a decrease of $0.1 million in the HPP segment.
Gross Margins
Our gross margin ("GM") decreased to $18.5 million for fiscal year 2025 as compared to GM of $18.9 million for fiscal year 2024. The total GM as a percentage of revenue decreased to 32% for fiscal year 2025 compared to 34% for fiscal year 2024.
The following table summarizes GM changes by segment for fiscal years ended September 30:
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September 30, |
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2025 |
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2024 |
|
Increase (decrease) |
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(Dollar amounts in thousands) |
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GM$ |
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GM% |
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GM$ |
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GM% |
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GM$ |
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GM% |
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|
TS |
|
$ |
17,635 |
31 |
% |
$ |
16,153 |
32 |
% |
$ |
1,482 |
(1) |
% |
|||
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HPP |
|
876 |
46 |
% |
2,702 |
65 |
% |
(1,826) |
(19) |
% |
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Total |
|
$ |
18,511 |
32 |
% |
$ |
18,855 |
34 |
% |
$ |
(344) |
(2) |
% |
|||
The impact of product mix within our TS segment on gross margins for the fiscal years ended September 30 was as follows:
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September 30, |
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2025 |
|
2024 |
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Increase (decrease) |
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GM$ |
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GM% |
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GM$ |
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GM% |
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GM$ |
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GM% |
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(Dollar amounts in thousands) |
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Products |
|
$ |
6,062 |
16 |
% |
$ |
6,130 |
18 |
% |
$ |
(68) |
(2) |
% |
|||
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Services |
|
11,573 |
59 |
% |
10,023 |
59 |
% |
1,550 |
- |
% |
||||||
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Total |
|
$ |
17,635 |
31 |
% |
$ |
16,153 |
32 |
% |
$ |
1,482 |
(1) |
% |
|||
The overall TS segment GM as a percentage of revenue decreased to 31% in fiscal year 2025 from 32% in fiscal year 2024. The $0.1 million product GM decrease in fiscal year 2025 as compared to the prior year resulted from a decrease in the U.S. division. Product GM as a percentage of revenue decreased 2% for fiscal year 2025 compared to the prior year due to higher volume of sales to certain customers with lower margins. The $1.6 million increase in our TS segment service GM in fiscal year 2025 as compared to the prior year resulted from an increase in GM in the U.S. division. Service GM as a percentage of revenue remained flat at 59% in fiscal year 2025 due to a proportional increase in the cost of sales compared to revenue.
The impact of product mix on gross margins within our HPP segment for the fiscal years ended September 30 was as follows:
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September 30, |
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2025 |
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2024 |
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Decrease |
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(Dollar amounts in thousands) |
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GM$ |
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GM% |
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GM$ |
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GM% |
|
GM$ |
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GM% |
||||
|
Products |
|
$ |
224 |
46 |
% |
$ |
1,863 |
72 |
% |
$ |
(1,639) |
(26) |
% |
|||
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Services |
|
652 |
45 |
% |
839 |
54 |
% |
(187) |
(9) |
% |
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Total |
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$ |
876 |
46 |
% |
$ |
2,702 |
65 |
% |
$ |
(1,826) |
(19) |
% |
|||
The overall HPP segment GM as a percentage of revenue decreased to 46% in fiscal year 2025 from 65% in fiscal year 2024. The GM as a percentage of sales from products decreased 26% primarily due to a nonrecurring prior year large ARIA AZT software license sale which was nearly all GM. The GM as a percentage of sales from services decreased 9% primarily due to decreased Multicomputer royalty revenues, which is nearly all GM and recorded as service revenue.
Research and Development Expenses
Our research and development expenses are only in our HPP segment. These expenses increased $0.3 million from $3.0 million in fiscal year 2024 to $3.3 million in fiscal year 2025. This was primarily due to increased consulting of $0.1 million, increased stock compensation of $0.1 million, and increased salaries of $0.1 million. Fiscal year 2025 and 2024 expenses were primarily for product engineering expenses incurred in connection with the further development of the ARIA Zero Trust (AZT), ARIA SDS, and ARIA ADR cyber security products.
Selling, General and Administrative
The following table details our selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses by operating segment for the years ended September 30, 2025 and 2024:
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Year ended September 30, |
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$ |
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% |
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% of |
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% of |
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Increase |
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Increase |
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2025 |
|
Total |
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2024 |
|
Total |
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(decrease) |
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(Dollar amounts in thousands) |
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By Operating Segment: |
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|
TS segment |
|
$ |
13,786 |
75 |
% |
$ |
13,179 |
74 |
% |
$ |
607 |
5 |
% |
|||
|
HPP segment |
|
4,584 |
25 |
% |
4,592 |
26 |
% |
(8) |
- |
% |
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Total |
|
$ |
18,370 |
100 |
% |
$ |
17,771 |
100 |
% |
$ |
599 |
3 |
% |
|||
The TS segment SG&A expenses increased approximately $0.6 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2025 when compared to the prior year. This increase was primarily in the TS-US division due to an increase of $0.4 million in variable compensation, an increase of $0.1 million in salaries, and an increase of $0.1 million in recruiting fees. The HPP segment SG&A expense remained flat at $4.6 million for fiscal year 2025 and 2024 without any significant changes in types of expenses.
Other Income/Expenses
The following table details our other income (expense) for the years ended September 30, 2025 and 2024:
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Year ended |
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September 30, 2025 |
|
September 30, 2024 |
|
$ Change |
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(Amounts in thousands) |
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Foreign exchange gain (loss) |
|
$ |
33 |
|
$ |
(438) |
|
$ |
471 |
|
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Interest expense |
|
|
(357) |
|
|
(235) |
|
|
(122) |
|
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Interest income |
|
1,854 |
|
2,047 |
|
(193) |
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|||
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Other (expense) income, net |
|
(82) |
|
79 |
|
(161) |
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|||
|
Total other income, net |
|
$ |
1,448 |
|
$ |
1,453 |
|
$ |
(5) |
|
For the year ended September 30, 2025, there was an increase in foreign exchange gain of $0.5 million primarily due to the TS U.K. division carrying a higher U.S. dollar bank account balance earlier in fiscal year 2025 when the dollar was on average stronger than the British pound, which caused a foreign exchange gain. In the prior fiscal year the U.S. dollar significantly weakened against the British pound causing an exchange loss. Additionally, the euro strengthened relative to the British pound in fiscal year 2025 compared to fiscal year 2024 in which the euro weakened relative to the British pound. The U.K. division has bank accounts with U.S. dollars and euros. There are also transactions in both of these currencies in the TS U.K. division. In consolidation, U.S. dollars and euros are remeasured into the functional currency, British pounds, of our U.K. subsidiary. This non-cash remeasurement is included in foreign exchange gain or loss on the income statement and the foreign exchange gain or loss is primarily from the U.S. dollar and euro bank accounts.
Interest expense increased $0.1 million for the year ended September 30, 2025 compared to the prior year period primarily due to increased interest expense related to multi-year agreements with vendors in the TS U.S. division. Payments on these agreements contain both principal and interest expense. As principal payments are made the interest expense decreases. See Note 9 Accounts payable and accrued expenses, and Other noncurrent liabilities in Item 15 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Interest income decreased $0.2 million for the year ended September 30, 2025 when compared to the prior year. This is due to lower interest income of $0.1 million from Cash and cash equivalents in fiscal year 2025 compared to the prior year due to a lower average balance and lower average interest rate during fiscal year. Additionally, there was $0.1 million decreased interest income from multi-year agreements. The prime rate has decreased since the end of fiscal year 2023 resulting in customers getting better lower interest rates meaning less interest income. These agreements have payment terms in excess of one year (see Note 3 Financing Receivables, net in Item 15 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K for details) and are only in the TS-US division.
Income Taxes
The Company recorded an income tax benefit of $(1.6) million, which resulted in an effective tax rate of 94.5%, for the year ended September 30, 2025. The benefit was primarily driven by the U.S. pre-tax loss, windfalls for restricted stock awards that vested during the period, and the change in valuation allowance.
For the year ended September 30, 2024, the income tax benefit was approximately $(93) thousand, which resulted in an effective tax rate of a 22.2%. The benefit was primarily driven by windfalls for restricted stock awards that vested during the period, partially offset by the change in valuation allowance.
The Company undertakes a review of its valuation allowance at each financial statement period, reviewing the positive and negative evidence to help determine whether it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the future tax benefits from its deferred tax balances. The Company has determined that it is more likely than not that substantially all of its net deferred tax assets in the U.S., except for certain state tax credits, will be realized for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2024 and 2025. The Company separately analyzed the realizability of its federal and state credits and determined $495 thousand (net of federal benefit) of state credits are expected to expire unutilized and maintained a
valuation allowance against these credits. The Company continued to maintain a full valuation allowance against the net U.K. deferred tax assets.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows
Our primary source of liquidity and capital resources is our cash from operations and our line of credit.
Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $3.2 million to $27.4 million as of September 30, 2025 from $30.6 million as of September 30, 2024.
The following is a summary of our cash flows for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2025 and 2024:
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Year ended September 30, |
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2025 |
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2024 |
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(Dollar amounts in thousands) |
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Net cash provided by (used in): |
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|
|
||
|
Operating activities |
|
$ |
2,268 |
$ |
4,213 |
|
|
Investing activities |
|
|
(428) |
|
|
(256) |
|
Financing activities |
|
|
(5,036) |
|
|
1,379 |
|
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash |
|
|
29 |
|
|
32 |
|
(Decrease) increase in Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
(3,167) |
$ |
5,368 |
|
Operating Activities
Cash provided by operating activities was $2.3 million for the year ended September 30, 2025 compared to $4.2 million for the prior year period. The decrease from prior year is primarily related to a decrease in Accounts receivable of $2.5 million and an increase of $7.5 in Accounts payable and accrued expenses, partially offset with a decrease in financing receivables of $7.7 million. The remaining differences are related to timing differences in operating assets and liabilities.
Investing Activities
Cash used in investing activities was $(428) thousand for the year ended September 30, 2025 compared to $(256) thousand used in investing activities for the prior year. The increase from the prior year is primarily related to increased purchases of property, equipment, and improvements during fiscal year 2025 when compared to the prior fiscal year.
Financing Activities
Cash used in financing activities was $(5.0) million for the year ended September 30, 2025 compared to $1.4 million provided by financing activities for the prior year period. The primary difference was the timing in the net borrowing on the line-of-credit, which for the year ended September 30, 2025 we had a net repayment of $3.3 million compared to a net borrowing of $2.7 million in the prior year period. Additionally, in fiscal year 2025 there was increased repurchases of common stock of $0.9 million and increased cash dividends paid by $0.2 million compared to the prior fiscal year.
Other Liquidity and Capital Resources Items
Our cash held by our foreign subsidiary in the United Kingdom totaled the equivalent of approximately $4.9 million as of September 30, 2025, which consisted of 0.6 million euros, 0.4 million British pounds, and 3.6 million U.S. dollars. This cash is included in our total cash and cash equivalents reported within our financial statements. Due to the pension obligation in the U.K., we maintain a large balance of cash in the U.K. In October 2024, in connection with the planned
termination of our defined benefit pension plan in the U.K., we paid 8.5 million British pounds to enter into a buy-in contract. This payment is subject to adjustment as a result of subsequent data cleansing activities. Under the terms of this buy-in contract, the insurer is liable to pay the benefits of the plan, but the Company still retains full legal responsibility to pay the benefits to members using the insurance payments. This agreement has contingencies and the expected timeframe of the buy-in contract turning into a buy-out contract is within fiscal year 2026.
As of September 30, 2025 and September 30, 2024, the Company maintained a line of credit with a capacity of up to $15.0 million for inventory accessible to both the HPP and TS segments. This line of credit also includes availability of a limited cash withdrawal of up to $1.0 million. Amounts of $14.1 million and $10.8 million were available as of September 30, 2025 and September 30, 2024, respectively. As of September 30, 2025 and 2024 there were no cash withdrawals outstanding.
The last note payable was paid in full in fiscal year 2025 of $0.4 million and no notes remain outstanding as of September 30, 2025. There is a total of $5.3 million due to vendors with financing agreements outstanding as of September 30, 2025, including $3.5 million payments to be made in the next 12 months from September 30, 2025. Each vendor financing agreement was related to a sale and has a related financing receivable. There is a total of $16.3 million due to the Company of customer financing agreements outstanding as of September 30, 2025, including $9.9 million to be received in the next 12 months from September 30, 2025
If cash generated from operations is insufficient to satisfy working capital requirements, we may need to access funds through bank loans or other means. If we are unable to secure additional financing, we may not be able to complete development or enhancement of products, take advantage of future opportunities, respond to competition, retain key employees, or continue to effectively operate our business.
Based on our current plans and business conditions, management believes that the Company's available cash and cash equivalents, the cash generated from operations, and availability on our line of credit will be sufficient to provide for the Company's working capital and capital expenditure requirements for at least 12 months from the date of this filing.
Critical Accounting Estimates and Policies
Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to income taxes, revenue recognition, and retirement plans. We base our estimates on historical performance and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements: revenue recognition, valuation allowances, specifically the net deferred tax asset valuation allowance, and pension and retirement plans.
Revenue Recognition
See Note 1 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding our revenue recognition policies. The following areas involve significant judgment and estimates:
Allocating transaction price with agreements with multiple components including leasing and/or a financing component
A financing component exists when at contract inception the period between the transfer of a promised good and/or service to the customer differs from when the customer pays for the good and/or service. As a practical expedient,
we have elected not to adjust the amount of consideration for effects of a significant financing component when it is anticipated the promised good or service will be transferred and the subsequent payment will be one year or less.
Certain contracts contain a financing component including managed services contracts with financing of hardware and software. The interest rate used reflects the approximate interest rate consistent with a separate financing transaction with the customer at the inception of the agreement. Revenues from arrangements which include financing are allocated considering relative standalone selling prices of lease and non-lease components within the agreement. The lease component includes hardware, which is subject to ASC 842, Leases. The non-lease components are subject to ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers.
When product and non-managed services are sold together, the allocation of the transaction price to each performance obligation is calculated based on the estimated relative selling price or a budgeted cost-plus margin approach, as appropriate. Due to the complex nature of these contracts, there is significant judgment in allocating the transaction price. These estimates are periodically reviewed by project managers, engineers, and other staff involved to ensure estimates remain appropriate. For items sold separately, including hardware, software, professional services, maintenance contracts, other services, and third-party service contracts, there is no allocation as there is one performance obligation.
Professional Services Sold Without Products
The input method using labor hours expended relative to the total expected hours is used to recognize revenue for professional services. Only the hours that depict our performance toward satisfying a performance obligation are used to measure progress. An estimate of hours for each professional service agreement is made at the beginning of each contract based on prior experience and monitored throughout the performance of the services. This method is most appropriate as it depicts the measure of progress towards satisfaction of the performance obligation.
Gross versus Net Revenue
We recognize revenue from third-party service contracts as either gross sales or net sales depending on whether we are acting as the principal party to the transaction or acting as an agent or broker based on control and timing. We are the principal if we control the good or service before that good or service is transferred to the customer. For each identified performance obligation in a transaction, we evaluate the facts and circumstances present to determine whether or not we control the specified good or service prior to transfer to the customer. This evaluation includes, but is not limited to, assessing indicators such as whether: (i) we are primarily responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide the specified goods or service, (ii) we have inventory risk before the specified good or service has been transferred to a customer and (iii) we have discretion in establishing the price for the specified good or service. When the evaluation indicates we control the specified good or service prior to transfer to the customer, we are acting as a principal. When the evaluation indicates we do not control the specified good or service prior to transfer to the customer, we are acting as an agent.
We record revenue as gross when we are the principal party to the arrangement and net of cost when we are acting as a broker or agent for a third party. Under gross sales recognition, the entire selling price is recorded in revenue and our cost to the third-party service provider or vendor is recorded in cost of sales. Under net sales recognition, the cost to the third-party service provider or vendor is recorded as a reduction to revenue resulting in net sales equal to the gross profit on the transaction. Third-party service contracts are sold in different combinations with hardware, software, and services. When we are an agent, revenue is typically recorded at a point in time. When we are the principal, revenue is recognized over the contract term. We have concluded we are the agent in sales of third-party maintenance, software or hardware support, and certain security software that is sold with integral third-party delivered software maintenance that includes critical updates. When CSPi sells goods and services with a financing component the strongest indicator is whether the Company has discretion in selling price as many of the agreements are brought to us at predetermined price by the manufacturer.
Income Taxes
We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes whereby deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement
carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. We also reduce deferred tax assets by a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the recorded deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods. This methodology requires estimates and judgments in the determination of the recoverability of deferred tax assets and in the calculation of certain tax liabilities. Valuation allowances are recorded against the gross deferred tax assets that management believes, after considering all available positive and negative objective evidence, historical and prospective, with greater weight given to historical evidence, that it is more likely than not that these assets will not be realized.
In addition, we are required to recognize in the consolidated financial statements, those tax positions determined to be more-likely-than-not of being sustained upon examination, based on the technical merits of the positions as of the reporting date. If a tax position is not considered more-likely-than-not to be sustained based solely on its technical merits, no benefits of the position are recognized.
In addition, the calculation of the Company's tax liabilities involves dealing with uncertainties in the application of complex tax regulations in a multitude of jurisdictions. The Company records liabilities for estimated tax obligations in the U.S. and other tax jurisdictions. These estimated tax liabilities include the provision for taxes that may become payable in the future.
Pension and Retirement Plans
The funded status of pension and other post-retirement benefit plans is recognized prospectively on the consolidated balance sheet. Gains and losses, prior service costs and credits and any remaining transition amounts that have not yet been recognized through pension expense will be recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, until they are amortized as a component of net periodic pension/post-retirement benefits expense. Additionally, plan assets and obligations are measured as of our fiscal year-end balance sheet date (September 30).
We have defined benefit and defined contribution plans in the U.K. and in the U.S. In the U.K., the Company provides defined benefit pension plans for certain employees and former employees and defined contribution plans for the majority of the employees. The defined benefit plans in the U.K. are closed to newly hired employees and have been for the two years ended September 30, 2025. In the U.S., the Company provides defined contribution plans that cover most employees and supplementary retirement plans to certain employees and former employees who are now retired. These supplementary retirement plans are also closed to newly hired employees and have been for the two years ended September 30, 2025. These supplementary plans are funded through whole life insurance policies. The Company expects to recover all insurance premiums paid under these policies in the future, through the cash surrender value of the policies and any death benefits or portions thereof to be paid upon the death of the participant. These whole life insurance policies are carried on the balance sheet at their cash surrender values as they are owned by the Company and not assets of the defined benefit plans. In the U.S., the Company also provides for officer death benefits and post-retirement health insurance benefits through supplemental post-retirement plans to certain officers. The Company also funds these supplemental plans' obligations through whole life insurance policies on the officers.
Pension expense is based on an actuarial computation of current future benefits using estimates for expected return on assets, expected compensation increases and applicable discount rates. Management has reviewed the discount rates and rates of return with our consulting actuaries and investment advisers and concluded they were reasonable. A decrease in the expected return on pension assets would increase pension expense. Expected compensation increases are estimated based on historical and expected increases in the future. Increases in estimated compensation increases would result in higher pension expense while decreases would lower pension expense. Discount rates are selected based upon rates of return on high quality fixed income investments currently available and expected to be available during the period to maturity of the pension benefit. A decrease in the discount rate would result in greater pension expense while an increase in the discount rate would decrease pension expense.
The Company funds its pension plans in amounts sufficient to meet the requirements set forth in applicable employee benefits laws and local tax laws. Liabilities for amounts in excess of these funding levels are accrued and reported in the consolidated balance sheets.