United Guardian Inc: Form 10-Q for the period ended Jun 30, 2024

The following discussion and analysis cover material changes in the financial condition of the Company since the year ended December 31, 2023, and a comparison of the results of operations for the second quarter of 2024 and 2023 and the first half of 2024 and 2023. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. All references in this quarterly report to “sales” or “Sales” shall mean “net sales” unless specifically identified as “gross sales”.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements made in this Form 10-Q which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements with respect to the goals, plans, objectives, intentions, expectations, financial condition, results of operations, future performance, and business of the Company. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of such words as “believes”, “may”, “will”, “should”, “intends”, “plans”, “estimates”, “anticipates”, or other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, and important factors (many of which are beyond the Company’s control) could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. In addition to those specific risks and uncertainties set forth in the Company's reports currently on file with the SEC, some other factors that may affect the future results of operations of the Company are: the development of products that may be superior to those of the Company; changes in the quality or composition of the Company's products; lack of market acceptance of the Company's products; the Company's ability to develop new products; general economic or industry conditions; changes in intellectual property rights; changes in interest rates; new legislation or regulatory requirements; conditions of the securities markets; the Company's ability to raise capital; changes in accounting principles, policies or guidelines; financial or political instability; acts of war or terrorism; and other economic, competitive, governmental, regulatory and technical factors that may affect the Company's operations, products, services and prices. Accordingly, results achieved may differ materially from those anticipated as a result of such forward-looking statements, and those statements speak only as of the date they are made.

The Company does not undertake, and specifically disclaims, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of such statements.

OVERVIEW

The Company is a Delaware corporation that, through its Guardian Laboratories division, manufactures and markets cosmetic ingredients, pharmaceuticals, medical lubricants, and sexual wellness products. Prior to July 1, 2023, the Company manufactured and reported sales of a line of specialty industrial products; however, this product line was discontinued after the second quarter of 2023 due to low sales volume with no growth prospects. In October 2023, the Company entered into an agreement with Brenntag Specialties, a global market leader in chemicals and ingredients distribution, for the marketing of the Company’s new line of sexual wellness ingredients, specifically called the “Natrajel®” line of products, in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and South America. Although there were no sales of these products during 2023, the Company anticipates that it will begin manufacturing and reporting sales of this new line of products in the second half of 2024.

The Company also conducts research and product development. The Company’s research and development department also modifies, refines, and expands the uses for existing products, with the goal of further developing the market for its products. The Company also develops new products using natural and environmentally friendly raw materials, which is a priority for many of the Company’s cosmetic customers. All the products that the Company markets, except for Renacidin, are produced at its facility in Hauppauge, New York. Renacidin, a urological product, is manufactured and packaged for the Company by an outside contract manufacturer.

The Company’s most important product line is its Lubrajel® line of multifunctional hydrogels, which are designed to provide sensory enhancement, lubrication, and texture to both personal care and medical products.

The Company’s cosmetic ingredients are marketed worldwide for cosmetic uses by five distributors, each handling a different geographic area, with the largest being U.S.-based ASI. In the last few years, to meet the growing demand for “green” and sustainable products, the Company has focused on developing and launching new products which only contain ingredients that are considered “natural”. The Lubrajel products in the new natural line have been certified by the Cosmetic Organic and Natural Standard (“COSMOS”). This standard is recognized globally by the cosmetic industry.

Renacidin and the Company’s other pharmaceutical product, Clorpactin® WCS-90, are distributed through full-line drug wholesalers and marketed only in the United States. Those wholesalers in turn sell the products to pharmacies, hospitals, nursing homes, and other long-term care facilities, and to government agencies, primarily the VA. The Company promotes Renacidin through a dedicated website. Clorpactin WCS-90, as well as the Company’s other products, are marketed through information provided on the Company’s corporate website.

The Company’s medical lubricants, which consist of multifunctional hydrogels designed mainly to provide sensory enhancement and lubrication to medical device products, are sold directly to medical customers, or to contract manufacturers employed by these medical customers.

The Company does have competition in the marketplace for some of its products, particularly its cosmetic ingredients, some of its pharmaceutical products, and its medical lubricants. These competitive products are usually sold at a lower price than the Company’s products; however, they may not compare favorably to the level of performance and quality of the Company’s products.

As long as a valid purchase order has been received and future collection of the sale amount is reasonably assured, the Company recognizes revenue from sales of its products when those products are shipped, which is when the Company’s performance obligation is satisfied. The Company’s cosmetic ingredients are shipped “Ex-Works” from the Company’s facility in Hauppauge, NY, and the risk of loss and responsibility for the shipment passes to the customer upon shipment. Sales of the Company’s non-pharmaceutical medical products are deemed final upon shipment, and there is no obligation on the part of the Company to repurchase or allow the return of these goods unless they are defective. Sales of the Company’s pharmaceutical products are final upon shipment unless (a) they are found to be defective; (b) the product is damaged in shipping; (c) the product cannot be sold because it is too close to its expiration date; or (d) the product has expired (but it is not more than one year after the expiration date). This return policy conforms to standard pharmaceutical industry practice. The Company estimates an allowance for outdated material returns based on previous years’ historical returns of its pharmaceutical products.

In recent years the Company has elected to rely on trade secret protection to protect its intellectual property for the proprietary product formulations and manufacturing methods. The Company will file for patent protection in situations where the Company believes that relying on trade secret protection alone would not provide sufficient protection. The Company owns the Lubrajel®, Natrajel®, Renacidin®, and Clorpactin® trademarks.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

As disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations are based on its financial statements, which have been prepared in conformity with US GAAP. The preparation of those financial statements required the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the carrying value of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses reported in those financial statements. Those estimates and assumptions can be subjective and complex, and consequently actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions. The Company’s most critical accounting policies relate to revenue recognition, concentration of credit risk, investments, inventory, and income taxes. Since December 31, 2023, there have been no significant changes to the assumptions and estimates related to those critical accounting policies.

The following discussion and analysis cover material changes in the financial condition of the Company since the year ended December 31, 2023, and a comparison of the results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and June 30, 2023. This discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023. All references in this quarterly report to “sales” or “Sales” shall mean Net Sales unless specified otherwise.

In accordance with ASU-2016-13, the Company recognizes an allowance for credit losses for financial assets carried at amortized cost to present the net amount expected to be collected as of the balance sheet date. Such allowance is based on the credit losses expected to arise over the life of the asset.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Net Sales

Net sales for the second quarter of 2024 increased by $739,906 (28%) when compared with the same period in 2023. Net sales for the first half of 2024 increased by $1,424,526 (27%) as compared with the corresponding period in 2023. The increase in sales for the second quarter of 2024 and the first half of 2024 were attributable to changes in sales of the following product lines:

Cosmetic ingredients:

(a) Second quarter sales: For the second quarter of 2024, the Company’s sales of cosmetic ingredients increased by $646,487 (84%) when compared with the second quarter of 2023. The increase was due primarily to a net increase of $775,682 (59%) in sales of the Company’s cosmetic ingredients to ASI when compared with the second quarter of 2023. Based on information provided by ASI, the increase in sales was due to two main factors 1) increased demand for the Company’s Lubrajel products in China and 2) the lessening of competition from lower-priced competitors, especially those from Asian producers.

Second quarter sales to the Company’s four other distributors, as well as two direct cosmetic ingredient customers, decreased by a net of $129,195 (128%) compared with the second quarter of 2023. The decrease was attributable to sales decreases of $138,439 to the Company’s distributors in the UK and France. These decreases were partially offset by an increase in sales of $9,244 to the Company’s distributors in Italy and Switzerland, as well as two direct customers.

(b) Six-month sales: For the first half of 2024 the Company’s sales of cosmetic ingredients increased by $1,761,068 (115%) when compared with the corresponding period in 2023. This increase was due primarily to a net increase in sales to ASI of $1,993,053 (65%) when compared with the first half of 2023. This increase was combined with a net decrease in sales of $231,985 to the Company’s four other distributors and two direct customers. Sales to the Company’s distributors in the United Kingdom, France and Switzerland decreased by $250,917 and sales to the Company’s distributor in Italy, combined with two direct customers, increased by $18,932.

Pharmaceuticals:

Because there are fees, rebates and allowances associated with sales of the Company’s two pharmaceutical products, Renacidin and Clorpactin WCS-90, discussion of the Company’s pharmaceutical sales includes references to both gross sales (before fees, rebates, and allowances) and net sales (after fees, rebates and allowances).

Gross sales of the Company’s pharmaceutical products for the three-month period ended June 30, 2024 increased by $51,888 (3%) compared to the corresponding period in 2023. The increase in gross sales was primarily due to an increase of $73,392 (5%) in gross sales of Renacidin due to customer’s restocking the product after sales were impacted by a short supply of Renacidin in the latter part of 2023 and the beginning of 2024. This increase in gross Renacidin sales for the quarter was offset by a decrease of $21,504 (13%) in gross sales of the Company’s other pharmaceutical product, Clorpactin WCS-90. The decrease in sales of Clorpactin WCS-90 was believed to be caused by normal fluctuations in customer ordering patterns.

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2024, gross pharmaceutical sales decreased by $320,960 (10%) compared with the corresponding period in 2023. This decrease was primarily due to the Company’s limited supply of Renacidin during the latter part of 2023 into early March 2024, which resulted in the Company only being able to partially fill many orders. During this period, gross sales of Renacidin decreased by $313,169 (13%). The Company began to fill complete orders of Renacidin towards the end of March 2024. This decrease was also accompanied by a decrease in gross sales of Clorpactin WCS-90 of $7,791 (2%), which was again attributable to normal fluctuations in ordering patterns.

Net sales of the Company’s pharmaceutical products for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2024 saw a similar pattern, increasing by $37,063 (3%) for the three-month period and decreasing by $366,838 (13%) for the six-month period, with those decreases due primarily to the reasons noted above.

The difference between the change in net sales compared with the change in gross sales for these products is due to a combination of the change in gross sales of those products combined with changes in pharmaceutical sales allowances related to these products. Typically, these allowances have a direct relationship with the sales of the Company’s pharmaceutical products.

Medical lubricants:

Sales of the Company’s medical lubricants for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2024 increased by $74,655 (15%) and $81,763 (9%), respectively, compared with the same periods in 2023. The increase in sales for both the three- and six-month periods was primarily due to an increase in orders from one of the Company’s larger customers in India.

Industrial and other products:

Sales of the Company's industrial products, as well as other miscellaneous products, for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2024, decreased by $18,299 and $51,467, respectively, when compared with the corresponding periods in 2023. The decrease in sales for both periods was due to the discontinuation of this product line after the second quarter of 2023.

Cost of Sales

Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales decreased to 46% in the second quarter of 2024 from 54% in the second quarter of 2023. For the first six months of 2024, cost of sales as a percentage of sales decreased to 47% compared with 48% for the first six months of 2023. The decreases in both periods were the result of the product sales mix in 2024 compared with the same periods in 2023. The Company’s cosmetic ingredient sales represented a larger percentage of the Company’s total sales for both the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2024 compared with the same periods in 2023. These products carry a higher gross margin than the Company’s pharmaceutical products and lower per unit overhead costs, which was the result of an increase in production of these products due to higher demand in 2024.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses, consisting of selling and general and administrative expenses, increased by $28,684 (5%) and $79,603 (7%), respectively, for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2024 compared with the equivalent periods in 2023. The increase in both periods was mainly due an increase in fees paid to the company’s Board of Directors and increases in payroll and payroll-related expenses.

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses decreased by $17,069 (13%) and $41,046 (16%), respectively, for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2024, compared with the equivalent periods in 2023. The decrease was primarily due to decreases in payroll and payroll-related expenses.

Investment Income

Investment income increased by $45,057 (82%) for the second quarter of 2024 compared with the second quarter of 2023 and increased by $95,498 (93%) for the first half of 2024 compared with the same period in 2023. The increases in both periods were primarily due to an increase in interest income from investments in United States Treasury Bills compared with the dividend income on the Company’s equity and fixed income mutual funds recorded during the same periods in 2023.

This change in the makeup of the investment income was attributable to the Company repositioning its marketable securities portfolio late in the second quarter of 2023. During that time, the Company liquidated most of its holdings of equity and fixed income mutual funds. The Company then used the proceeds from these sales to take advantage of higher interest rates by purchasing U.S. Treasury Bills.

Net (loss) gain on Marketable Securities

The net (loss) gain on marketable securities decreased from a gain of $7,479 for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, to a loss of $9,501 for the quarter ended June 30, 2024. For the six-month periods ended June 30, 2024 and 2023, the net gain on marketable securities decreased from $80,180 to $31,995, respectively. These decreases were primarily due to the factors discussed above regarding the Company’s repositioning of its marketable securities portfolio. For a significant part of the first half of 2023, the Company’s marketable securities’ portfolio was primarily invested in equity and fixed income mutual funds, and in the first half of 2024, these funds were invested primarily in U.S. Treasury Bills, which are considered cash equivalents and the carrying amount approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of the securities. The Company’s management and Board of Directors are continuing to closely monitor the Company's investment portfolio and have made and will continue to make any changes they believe may be necessary or appropriate to minimize the future impact on the Company’s financial position that the volatility of the global financial markets may have.

Provision for Income Taxes

The Company's effective income tax rate was 21% for the first half and second quarter of both 2024 and 2023. The Company’s tax rate is expected to remain at 21% for the current fiscal year.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Working capital increased from $10,718,457 at December 31, 2023 to $11,429,499 at June 30, 2024, an increase of $711,042. The current ratio decreased from 8.0 to 1 at December 31, 2023 to 7.7 to 1 at June 30, 2024. The increase in working capital was primarily due to an increase in marketable securities and accounts receivable. The decrease in the current ratio was primarily due to an increase in accounts payable.

The Company believes that its working capital is, and will continue to be, sufficient to support its operating requirements for at least the next twelve months. The Company intends to utilize its available cash and assets primarily for its continued organic growth and potential future strategic transactions, as well as to mitigate the potential impact of inflation on the Company's business.

The Company is in the process of upgrading its building sprinkler system and has incurred costs of $137,000 to date and expects to incur additional costs of $41,000 during the third quarter of 2024. The project is expected to be completed during the third quarter of 2024.

The Company generated cash from operations of $1,968,250 and $852,247 for the first half of 2024 and 2023, respectively. The increase from 2023 to 2024 was primarily due to the increase in net income.

Net cash used in investing activities was $657,533 in the first half of 2024. Net cash provided by investing activities was $4,800,208 for the first half of 2023. The decrease was due to the sale of the majority of the Company’s equity and fixed income mutual funds during the second quarter of 2023 in order to take advantage of the increase in interest rates. The proceeds from these sales were primarily reinvested in short-term U.S. Treasury Bills, which are included in cash and cash equivalents.

Net cash used in financing activities was $1,148,468 for the first half of 2024. There were no cash flows from financing for the half of 2023. The increase in cash used in financing activities was due to the Company’s Board of Directors changing the Company’s dividend declaration practice in June of 2023. Under the new practice, the Company expects to consider a semi-annual dividend declaration in January and July of each year. On January 30, 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.25 per share, which was paid on February 20, 2024, to all stockholders of record as of February 12, 2024.

The Company expects to continue to use its cash to make dividend payments, purchase marketable securities, and take advantage of growth opportunities that are in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders.

OFF BALANCE-SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

The Company has no off balance-sheet transactions that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a current or future impact on the Company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS

The information to be reported under this item is not required of smaller reporting companies.

(a) DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The Company’s management, including its Principal Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the design, operation, and effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives. Based upon the evaluation performed by the Company’s management, including its Principal Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, it was determined that, as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report, the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective in providing reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports filed or submitted pursuant to the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Principal Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosures.

(b) CHANGES IN INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING

The Company's Principal Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have determined that, during the period covered by this quarterly report, there were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. They have also concluded that there were no significant changes in the Company’s internal controls after the date of the evaluation.