form10q.htm
 
 

 

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



FORM 10-Q

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


For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2010

Commission File No. 000-22166


AETRIUM INCORPORATED
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Minnesota
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
41-1439182
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)


2350 Helen Street, North St. Paul, Minnesota
( Address of principal executive offices)
55109
(Zip Code)


(651) 770-2000
(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 RNo £
 
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 £No £
 
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):
 
Large accelerated filer £
Accelerated filer £
Non-accelerated filer £
Smaller reporting company R

Indicate by a checkmark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes £ No R
 

Number of shares of Common Stock, $.001 par value, outstanding on April 30, 2010
10,671,116
 


 
 

 



AETRIUM INCORPORATED

INDEX

 
Page
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.
Financial Statements
 
     
 
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of  March 31, 2010 (unaudited) and December 31, 2009
3
     
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009
4
     
 
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009
5
     
 
Notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
6 -10
     
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
11 -14
     
Item 4T.
Controls and Procedures
14

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
15
     
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
15
     
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
15
     
Item 3.
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
15
     
Item 4.
Reserved
15
     
Item 5.
Other Information
15
     
Item 6.
Exhibits
15
     

SIGNATURES
16

EXHIBIT 31.1
EXHIBIT 31.2
EXHIBIT 31.3
EXHIBIT 32.1


 
2

 

PART 1. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements

AETRIUM INCORPORATED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share data)

ASSETS

   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Current assets:
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 9,311     $ 9,476  
Accounts receivable, net
    3,461       2,114  
Inventories
    7,367       7,472  
Other current assets
    343       234  
Total current assets
    20,482       19,296  
                 
Property and equipment:
               
Furniture and fixtures
    521       521  
Equipment
    1,193       1,178  
      1,714       1,699  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
    (1,614 )     (1,601 )
Property and equipment, net
    100       98  
                 
                 
Total assets
  $ 20,582     $ 19,394  

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
           
Trade accounts payable
  $ 1,431     $ 707  
Accrued compensation
    383       268  
Other accrued liabilities
    347       401  
Total current liabilities
    2,161       1,376  
                 
                 
Commitments and contingencies
               
                 
Shareholders' equity:
               
Common stock, $.001 par value; shares authorized: 30,000,000; shares issued and outstanding: 10,630,512 at March 31, 2010 and 10,605,631 at December 31, 2009
        11           11  
Additional paid-in capital
    64,512       64,311  
Accumulated deficit
    (46,102 )     (46,304 )
Total shareholders' equity
    18,421       18,018  
                 
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
  $ 20,582     $ 19,394  

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

 
3

 




AETRIUM INCORPORATED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except per share data)

   
Three months ended
March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Net sales
  $ 4,618     $ 1,751  
Cost of goods sold
    2,622       1,251  
Gross profit
    1,996       500  
                 
Operating expenses:
               
Selling, general and administrative
    1,114       1,200  
Research and development
    696       475  
Total operating expenses
    1,810       1,675  
                 
Income (loss) from operations
    186       (1,175 )
Interest income, net
    16       38  
Income (loss) before income taxes
    202       (1,137 )
Income tax benefit
          397  
Net income (loss)
  $ 202     $ (740 )
                 
Income (loss) per share:
               
Basic
  $ 0.02     $ (0.07 )
Diluted
  $ 0.02     $ (0.07 )
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
               
Basic
    10,615       10,598  
Diluted
    10,731       10,598  





















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

 
4

 

AETRIUM INCORPORATED

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)



   
Three months ended
March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income (loss)
  $ 202     $ (740 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net
               
cash used in operating activities:
               
Depreciation expense
    13       15  
Share-based compensation expense
    145       138  
Deferred income taxes
          (398 )
Changes in assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable
    (1,347 )     320  
Inventories
    105       568  
Other current assets
    (136 )     (33 )
Other assets
          1  
Trade accounts payable
    724       (275 )
Accrued compensation
    115       53  
Other accrued liabilities
    (54 )     (116 )
Net cash used in operating activities
    (233 )     (467 )
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Purchase of property and equipment
    (15 )     (18 )
Collection of note receivable
    27       26  
Net cash provided by investing activities
    12       8  
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    56        
Payments on long-term debt
          (12 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    56       (12 )
                 
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (165 )     (471 )
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
    9,476       11,629  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
  $ 9,311     $ 11,158  













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


 
5

 


AETRIUM INCORPORATED

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


1.
BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The condensed consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2009 has been derived from our audited financial statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting only of normal, recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the interim periods presented. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the operating results to be expected for the full year or any future period.
 
The accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures, normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, have been condensed or omitted, pursuant to such rules and regulations. Therefore, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying footnotes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
 
2.
CASH EQUIVALENTS

Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased. Our cash equivalents included investments in certificates of deposit (CDs) of $2.8 million and $4.0 million at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively. These CDs are classified as held-to-maturity and, in accordance with ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” represent Level 2 investments for which fair value is based on observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets. We recorded our CDs at cost, which at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, approximated fair value. We maintain our cash equivalents in accounts that, at times, may exceed the insurance limits of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
 
3.
NOTE RECEIVABLE

In connection with the sale of our Dallas operations to WEB Technology, Inc. (WEB) in 2006, we received a promissory note from WEB that provides for installment payments through December 2010. The note receivable balance amounted to $110,091 and $137,373 at March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively and is included in the caption “Other current assets” in our consolidated balance sheet.
 
4.
SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION

Aetrium uses the fair value method to measure and recognize share-based compensation. We determine the fair value of share-based awards on the grant date using the Black-Scholes option valuation model.  We also use the Black-Scholes model to determine the fair value of modifications to awards by determining and comparing the fair value of the modified award with the fair value of the award immediately before the modification.

In March 2010, pursuant to our 2003 Stock Incentive Plan, we granted a stock option to purchase 30,000 shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $2.815 per share, the fair market value of the common stock on the date of the grant. The option vests in monthly increments over four years and will expire five years after the grant date. Using the Black-Scholes valuation model, the fair value of the option granted was determined to be $1.11 per share or approximately $33,000 which amount is being expensed over the four-year vesting period. Assumptions used in applying the Black-Scholes option-pricing model to determine the fair value of the option granted were as follows:

 
6

 


Expected stock price volatility
    52 %
Risk-free interest rate
    1.6 %
Expected dividend level
    0 %
Expected life of options (years)
    3.5  

Share-based compensation expense included in our consolidated statements of operations was as follows (in thousands):
 
   
Three months ended March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Cost of goods sold
  $ 21     $ 19  
Selling, general and administrative
    98       93  
Research and development
    26       26  
Total share-based compensation expense
  $ 145     $ 138  

 
As of March 31, 2010, we had approximately $0.6 million of unrecognized pretax share-based compensation expense, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.6 years.
 
5.
INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE

Basic income (loss) per common share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares and common equivalent shares outstanding during each period. Common equivalent shares include stock options using the treasury stock method. For loss periods, the computation of diluted loss per share excludes the impact of stock options because they would be antidilutive and diluted loss per share is therefore the same as basic loss per share.  A reconciliation of the number of shares used in the computations of basic and diluted income (loss) per share follows (in thousands):
 
   
Three months ended March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Weighted average common shares outstanding
    10,615       10,598  
Potentially dilutive stock options
    116        
Weighted average common shares outstanding, assuming dilution
    10,731       10,598  

For the three-month period ended March 31, 2010, approximately 163,000 options were excluded from the diluted computations because their exercise prices exceeded the average market value of our common stock for the period and they would therefore be antidilutive to income per share.  For the three-month period ended March 31, 2009, all stock options were excluded from the diluted computations because they would be antidilutive.
 
6.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In January 2010, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued authoritative guidance for fair value measurements, which requires additional disclosures and clarifications to existing disclosures. This authoritative guidance requires a reporting entity to disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 investments and describe the reasons for these transfers. This authoritative guidance also requires enhanced disclosure of activity in Level 3 investments. The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures for Level 1 and Level 2 investments became effective for Aetrium in the first quarter of fiscal year 2010 and had no impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Disclosures regarding activity in Level 3 investments will become effective for Aetrium at the
 

 
7

 

beginning of fiscal year 2011 and is not expected to impact our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In October 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance for revenue recognition with multiple deliverables. This authoritative guidance impacts the determination of when the individual deliverables included in a multiple-element arrangement may be treated as separate units of accounting. Additionally, this guidance modifies the manner in which the transaction consideration is allocated to separately identified deliverables by no longer permitting the residual method of allocating arrangement consideration. This new guidance is effective for Aetrium at the beginning of fiscal year 2011, with early adoption permitted. The implementation of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In October 2009, the FASB issued new accounting guidance for the accounting for certain revenue arrangements that include software elements. The new guidance amends the scope of pre-existing software revenue guidance by removing from the guidance non-software components of tangible products and certain software components of tangible products. The new guidance will be effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010, and will be effective for us at the beginning of fiscal year 2011. However, early adoption is permitted. The implementation of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
7.
INVENTORIES

Inventories are comprised of the following (in thousands):
 
   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Purchased parts and completed subassemblies
  $ 4,419     $ 4,550  
Work-in-process
    1,006       896  
Finished goods, including saleable demonstration equipment
    1,776       2,026  
Equipment shipped, subject to revenue deferral
    166        
Total inventories
  $ 7,367     $ 7,472  

 
8.
OTHER ACCRUED LIABILITIES

Other accrued liabilities are comprised of the following (in thousands):
 

   
March 31,
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Accrued commissions
  $ 136     $ 59  
Accrued warranty
    90       82  
Accrued health insurance costs
    15       79  
Subtenant deposits
          21  
Other
    106       160  
Total other accrued liabilities
  $ 347     $ 401  
 

 
 
8

 
 
Changes in accrued warranty are summarized below (in thousands):
 
   
Three months ended March 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
Accrual balance, beginning of period
  $ 82     $ 115  
Accruals for warranties – included in selling, general and administrative expenses
    49       (6 )
Settlements made
    (41 )     (17 )
Accrual balance, end of period
  $ 90     $ 92  

 
9.
CREDIT AGREEMENT

Aetrium has a revolving credit line agreement with a bank that provides for borrowings up to $2.0 million and bears interest at the prime rate plus 1.0% with a minimum interest rate of 4.5%. The agreement is collateralized by substantially all of our assets and expires in December 2010.  Advances under the agreement are at the sole discretion of the bank. Therefore, there can be no assurance that funds will be available to us under the agreement. At March 31, 2010 and December 31, 2009, there were no borrowings outstanding under line of credit agreements.
 
10.
LEGAL SETTLEMENT

In 2000, we vacated a leased facility in Poway, California for which the lease term ended on January 31, 2010. From 2006 through the end of the lease term, a portion of the facility was subleased to a party that defaulted on its sublease agreement with us during fiscal year 2009 for non-payment of rents. In September 2009, we filed a legal action against the subtenant in the State of California to recover amounts owed to us. During the fourth quarter of 2009, the subtenant vacated the facility. As of December 31, 2009 the receivable from the subtenant for past-due rents and related costs amounted to $318,000. In late March 2010, we reached an accord with the subtenant under which we agreed to settle our claim for a cash payment of $175,000 if received by April 21, 2010. The settlement agreement provided if we did not receive the cash payment by that date, we would be awarded a default judgment against the subtenant in the amount of approximately $423,000. At the time of the settlement, we determined that there was substantial doubt as to whether the subtenant would make the agreed upon cash payment or that we would be able to collect any amount on a default judgment if awarded. Therefore, we recorded a charge of $318,000 to fully reserve the receivable balance at December 31, 2009. In addition, we recorded a charge of $54,000 for the unpaid January 2010 rent and estimated related costs we expected to incur. The total charge of $372,000 was recorded in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in our consolidated statement of operations in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2009.
 
On April 21, 2010, we received the $175,000 payment from the subtenant. Based on the receipt of this payment, we reduced the receivable loss reserve by this amount at March 31, 2010. In addition, we reduced our accrual for estimated legal costs by $15,000 due to the early settlement. The total credit of $190,000 related to the realized settlement was recorded in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in our consolidated statement of operations in the quarter ended March 31, 2010.
 
 
 
9

 
 
11.
STOCK OPTION PLANS

The following table summarizes stock option activity under our stock incentive plan for the three months ended March 31, 2010:
 
   
 
Number
of Shares
   
Weighted Average Exercise Price
 
Weighted Average Remaining Contract Term
 
Aggregate Intrinsic Value (in thousands)
 
Outstanding, January 1, 2010
    1,721,521     $ 2.34          
Granted
    30,000       2.82          
Exercised
    (24,881 )     2.25          
Outstanding, March 31, 2010
    1,726,640     $ 2.35  
1.9 years
  $ 1,296  
                           
Exercisable, March 31, 2010
    1,292,133     $ 2.37  
1.6 years
  $ 943  

All stock options outstanding at March 31, 2010 are nonqualified options that expire five years after the grant date and of which 254,500 options were fully exercisable when granted and 1,472,140 options become exercisable over four years from date of grant. The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value (the difference between Aetrium’s closing stock price on March 31, 2010 and the option exercise price) of all in-the-money stock options that would have been received by the option holders had they exercised their options on March 31, 2010.
 
12.
INCOME TAXES

We record the benefit we will derive in future accounting periods from tax losses and credits and deductible temporary differences as “deferred tax assets” in our consolidated balance sheet.  In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 740, “Income Taxes,” we record a valuation allowance to reduce the carrying value of our deferred tax assets if, based on all available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. At December 31, 2008, our deferred tax assets amounted to $24.3 million and we recorded a valuation allowance of $21.7 million that reduced the carrying value of such assets to $2.6 million at that date. In fiscal year 2009, we incurred losses such that our deferred tax assets increased to $25.7 million. At December 31, 2009, we assessed the realizability of our deferred tax assets and the amount of our valuation allowance. Although our operating results improved in the second half of 2009, we incurred an operating loss in the fourth quarter that placed us in a three year cumulative loss position at December 31, 2009. Although we expected that our operating results would likely improve in early 2010, we determined there was not sufficient positive evidence regarding our potential for future profits to outweigh the negative evidence of our three year cumulative loss position under the guidance provided in ASC 740.  Therefore, we determined that our valuation allowance should be increased to $25.7 million to fully reserve our deferred tax assets at December 31, 2009. We expect to continue to maintain a full valuation allowance until we determine that we can sustain a level of profitability that demonstrates our ability to realize these assets. To the extent we determine that the realization of some or all of these benefits is more likely than not based upon expected future taxable income, a portion or all of the valuation allowance will be reversed.  Such a reversal would be recorded as an income tax benefit and, for some portion related to deductions for stock option exercises, an increase in shareholders' equity.

We recorded no income tax expense in the three months ended March 31, 2010 since we maintain a full valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets, including our net operating loss carryforwards. We recorded an income tax benefit of $397,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2009 based on our then estimated annual effective tax rate of 35% which reflected the federal statutory rate of 34% plus estimated net state income taxes.
 

 
10

 


 
AETRIUM INCORPORATED

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

 
Overview
 
Aetrium designs, manufactures and markets a variety of electromechanical equipment used in the handling and testing of integrated circuits, or ICs, which constitute the highest revenue component of the semiconductor industry. Our primary focus is on high volume ICs and on the latest IC package designs. Our test handler products are purchased primarily by semiconductor manufacturers and their assembly and test subcontractors and are used in the test, assembly and packaging, or TAP, segment of semiconductor manufacturing. Our reliability test products are used to validate IC designs and monitor semiconductor wafer fabrication processes. Our products automate critical functions to improve manufacturing yield, raise quality levels, increase product reliability and reduce manufacturing costs.
 
As an equipment supplier to the semiconductor industry, Aetrium’s results are driven primarily by worldwide demand for ICs, which in turn depends on end-user demand for electronic products. The demand for our products can fluctuate significantly from period to period due to the direct or indirect impact of numerous factors, including but not limited to changes in the supply and demand for ICs, changes in IC manufacturing capacity, advancements in industry technologies, changes in U.S. and worldwide economic conditions and competitive factors.
 
Like many suppliers in the TAP segment of the semiconductor equipment industry, Aetrium’s business has been severely impacted by the global recession and turmoil in the financial credit markets that began in fiscal year 2008 and continued into 2009. Significant decreases in the sales of electronic products led to reduced demand for ICs and IC manufacturing equipment during this period and resulted in one of the most abrupt and severe downturns ever in our industry. According to SEMI, a semiconductor equipment industry trade association, 2008 revenues for test related equipment declined approximately 32% from the prior year. General economic conditions began to improve in mid-2009 and the semiconductor industry began to recover as the demand for ICs increased. IC manufacturers increased production levels although by the end of the year they had not returned to their recent peak levels of third quarter 2008. As a result, the TAP segment of the semiconductor equipment industry continued its decline through 2009. According to SEMI, 2009 revenues for test related equipment declined approximately 55% from 2008 levels.
 
Aetrium’s operating results generally followed the semiconductor equipment industry trend. Our net sales decreased to $1.8 million and $1.2 million in the first and second quarters of 2009, respectively. In mid-year we began to see signs of increased demand for our customers' products and generally improving equipment utilization rates. Accordingly, our net sales increased to $3.0 million and $2.7 million in the third and fourth quarters of 2009, respectively.
 
General economic and industry business conditions continued to improve in early 2010. Our net sales increased to $4.6 million in the first quarter of 2010. Semiconductor and semiconductor equipment industry forecasters are generally predicting growth to continue through 2010 and we believe business conditions will continue to be favorable. However, there can be no assurance the positive momentum we see in early 2010 will continue or that changes in semiconductor industry conditions, general domestic and global economic conditions, and/or other factors will not adversely impact Aetrium’s future operating results.
 

 
11

 

Critical Accounting Policies
 
Aetrium’s critical accounting policies are disclosed in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. There were no changes in such policies during the first quarter of 2010.

Results of Operations

Net Sales. Net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2010 were $4.6 million compared with $1.8 million for the same period in 2009, a 164% increase. Net sales in 2010 increased across all our product lines as a result of improving economic conditions and a semiconductor industry recovery that began in the second half of 2009 and has continued into 2010.  Sales of test handlers were $3.4 million in the first three months of 2010 compared with $1.2 million for the same period in 2009, an increase of 187%. Sales of reliability test equipment products were $0.5 million in the first three months of 2010 compared with $0.3 million in the same period in 2009, an increase of 97%. Sales of change kits and spare parts were $0.7 million in the first three months of 2010 compared with $0.3 million for the same period in 2009, an increase of 134%.
 
Gross Profit. Aetrium’s gross profit as a percentage of net sales can fluctuate based on a number of factors, including but not limited to the mix of products sold, distribution channel mix, price discounting, product maturity, inventory writedowns, and the utilization of our manufacturing capacity associated with varying production levels. Gross profit was 43.2% of net sales in the three months ended March 31, 2010 compared with 28.6% for the same period in 2009. Our gross margin increased in 2010 primarily due to efficiencies associated with significantly higher production and net sales levels.
 
Selling, General and Administrative. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2010 were $1.1 million compared with $1.2 million for the comparable period in 2009, a 7% decrease. Expenses for the three-month period ended March 31, 2010 included a credit of $0.2 million related to the settlement of a legal dispute with a subtenant of our former leased facility in Poway, California. This credit was partially offset by a $0.1 million increase in commission expense resulting from higher sales in 2010.
 
Research and Development. Research and development expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2010 were $0.7 million compared with $0.5 million for the comparable period in 2009, a 47% increase. Contract services increased $0.2 million as we increased development activities for both our test handler and reliability test equipment product lines. Research and development expenses represented 15.1% of total net sales for the three month period ended March 31, 2010 compared with 27.1% of total net sales for the comparable period in 2009. New product development is an essential part of our strategy to gain market share. Over time, we expect to invest approximately 12% to 15% of our revenues in research and development although we may exceed this range in periods of reduced revenues as was the case in the first three months of 2009.
 
Interest Income, net. Interest income, net, amounted to $16,000 and $38,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. These amounts consisted primarily of interest income from the investment of excess funds. The decrease in interest income in 2010 reflects lower interest rates and lower average invested cash balances.
 
Income Taxes. We recorded no income tax expense in the three months ended March 31, 2010 since we maintain a full valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets, including our net operating loss carryforwards. We recorded an income tax benefit of $397,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2009 based on our then estimated annual effective tax rate of 35% which reflected the federal statutory rate of 34% plus estimated net state income taxes.
 
We record the benefit we will derive in future accounting periods from tax losses and credits and deductible temporary differences as “deferred tax assets” in our consolidated

 
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balance sheet.  In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 740, “Income Taxes,” we record a valuation allowance to reduce the carrying value of our deferred tax assets if, based on all available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. At December 31, 2008, our deferred tax assets amounted to $24.3 million and we recorded a valuation allowance of $21.7 million that reduced the carrying value of such assets to $2.6 million at that date. In fiscal year 2009, we incurred losses such that our deferred tax assets increased to $25.7 million. At December 31, 2009, we assessed the realizability of our deferred tax assets and the amount of our valuation allowance. Although our operating results improved in the second half of 2009, we incurred an operating loss in the fourth quarter that placed us in a three year cumulative loss position at December 31, 2009. Although we expected that our operating results would likely improve in early 2010, we determined there was not sufficient positive evidence regarding our potential for future profits to outweigh the negative evidence of our three year cumulative loss position under the guidance provided in ASC 740.  Therefore, we determined that our valuation allowance should be increased to $25.7 million to fully reserve our deferred tax assets at December 31, 2009. We expect to continue to maintain a full valuation allowance until we determine that we can sustain a level of profitability that demonstrates our ability to realize these assets. To the extent we determine that the realization of some or all of these benefits is more likely than not based upon expected future taxable income, a portion or all of the valuation allowance will be reversed.  Such a reversal would be recorded as an income tax benefit and, for some portion related to deductions for stock option exercises, an increase in shareholders' equity.

Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash and cash equivalents decreased by approximately $0.2 million in the three months ended March 31, 2010. We used $0.2 million of cash to fund operating activities during this period. Cash generated from net income of $0.2 million and $0.2 million in non-cash depreciation and share-based compensation expense was offset by $0.6 million in working capital changes. Working capital changes using cash consisted primarily of a $1.3 million increase in accounts receivable, partially offset by a $0.7 million increase in accounts payable. Accounts receivable increased due to a significant increase in net sales in the first quarter of 2010 compared with the fourth quarter of 2009. Accounts payable increased primarily due to increased inventory purchases to support higher sales levels. Net cash flows from investing activities in the three months ended March 31, 2010 were insignificant. Net cash provided by financing activities in the three months ended March 31, 2010 included $56,000 in proceeds from employee stock option exercises.
 
Cash and cash equivalents decreased by approximately $0.5 million in the three months ended March 31, 2009. We used $0.5 million of cash to fund operating activities during this period, which included our net loss of $0.7 million plus a $0.4 million non-cash income tax benefit, partially offset by $0.2 million of non-cash depreciation and share-based compensation expense and $0.4 million in working capital changes. Working capital changes contributing to cash consisted primarily of a $0.3 million decrease in accounts receivable and a $0.6 million decrease in inventories, partially offset by a $0.3 million decrease in accounts payable and a $0.1 million decrease in other accrued liabilities. Accounts receivable decreased primarily due to a significant decrease in net sales in the first quarter of 2009 compared with the fourth quarter of 2008. Inventories and accounts payable decreased primarily due to significantly reduced inventory purchases in the first quarter of 2009 compared with the fourth quarter of 2008 in response to lower sales levels. The decrease in other accrued liabilities reflects the payment of severance benefits associated with a workforce reduction we implemented in December 2008.
 
Historically we have supported our capital expenditure and working capital needs with cash generated from operations and our existing cash and cash equivalents.  We believe our cash and cash equivalents of $9.3 million at March 31, 2010 will be sufficient to meet capital expenditure and working capital requirements for at least the next twelve months. In addition, we have a revolving credit line agreement with a bank that provides for borrowings up to $2.0 million. Advances under the agreement are at the sole discretion of
 

 
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the bank. Therefore, there can be no assurance that funds will be available to us under the agreement.  The credit agreement expires in December 2010. As discussed above, general economic and semiconductor industry conditions have continued to improve in early 2010 and we believe business conditions will continue to be favorable. However, there can be no assurance that the positive momentum we see in early 2010 will continue and that changes in semiconductor industry conditions, general domestic and global economic conditions, and/or other factors will not adversely impact Aetrium’s future operating results. Also, we may acquire other companies, product lines or technologies that are complementary to our business, and our working capital needs may change as a result of such acquisitions.
 
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
 
In January 2010, the FASB issued authoritative guidance for fair value measurements, which requires additional disclosures and clarifications to existing disclosures. This authoritative guidance requires a reporting entity to disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 investments and describe the reasons for these transfers. This authoritative guidance also requires enhanced disclosure of activity in Level 3 investments. The new disclosures and clarifications of existing disclosures for Level 1 and Level 2 investments became effective for Aetrium in the first quarter of fiscal year 2010 and had no impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Disclosures regarding activity in Level 3 investments will become effective for Aetrium at the beginning of fiscal year 2011 and is not expected to impact our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In October 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance for revenue recognition with multiple deliverables. This authoritative guidance impacts the determination of when the individual deliverables included in a multiple-element arrangement may be treated as separate units of accounting. Additionally, this guidance modifies the manner in which the transaction consideration is allocated to separately identified deliverables by no longer permitting the residual method of allocating arrangement consideration. This new guidance is effective for Aetrium at the beginning of fiscal year 2011, with early adoption permitted. The implementation of this guidance is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
 
In October 2009, the FASB issued new accounting guidance for the accounting for certain revenue arrangements that include software elements. The new guidance amends the scope of pre-existing software revenue guidance by removing from the guidance non-software components of tangible products and certain software components of tangible products. The new guidance will be effective prospectively for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010, and will be effective for us at the beginning of fiscal year 2011. However, early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating what impact, if any, this new guidance will have on Aetrium.
 
Item 4T.
Controls and Procedures

Our Chief Executive Officer, our Chief Administrative Officer and our Treasurer conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of March 31, 2010. Based on their evaluation, they concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective and designed to give reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act was made known to them by others and was recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms. There was no change in our internal controls that occurred during the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
 

 
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AETRIUM INCORPORATED

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
   
 
None.
   
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
   
 
There have not been any material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.
   
Item 2.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
   
 
None.
   
Item 3.
Defaults on Senior Securities
   
 
None.
   
Item 4.
Reserved
   
Item 5.
Other Information
   
 
None.
   
Item 6.
Exhibits
 
 
31.1 Certification by Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
31.2 Certification by Chief Administrative Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
31.3 Certification by Treasurer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
32.1 Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002




 
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AETRIUM INCORPORATED


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.


AETRIUM INCORPORATED
(Registrant)



Date: May 10, 2010
By:
/s/ Joseph C. Levesque
   
Joseph C. Levesque
   
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
     
Date: May 10, 2010
By:
/s/ Paul H. Askegaard
   
Paul H. Askegaard
   
Treasurer (principal financial and accounting officer)


 
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