Algorhythm Holdings, Inc.: Form 10-Q for the period ended Mar 31, 2024

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “goals,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to projections of our future financial performance, our anticipated growth and trends in our businesses, uncertain events or assumptions, and other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on management’s expectations as of the date of this filing and involve many risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include those described throughout this report and our Transition Report on Form 10-KT for the nine months period ended December 31, 2023, particularly the “Risk Factors” sections of such reports. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made in this Form 10-Q and in other documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) that disclose risks and uncertainties that may affect our business. The forward-looking statements in this Form 10-Q are made as of the date of this filing, and we do not undertake, and expressly disclaim any duty to update such statements, whether as a result of new information, new developments or otherwise, except to the extent that disclosure may be required by law.

You should read the following management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations in conjunction with our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and with our audited financial statements and related notes thereto and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in our Transition Report on Form 10-KT, filed with the SEC on April 15, 2024.

In this Quarterly Report, unless the context requires otherwise, references to the “Company,” “Singing Machine,” “we,” “our company” and “us” refer to The Singing Machine Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as well as our wholly owned subsidiaries; “SMCL” refers to SMC Logistics, Inc., a California corporation, “SMCM” refers to SMC-Music, Inc., a Florida corporation, “SMH” refers to SMC (HK) Limited, a Hong Kong company, and “MICS NY” refers to MICS Nomad, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

The objective of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation is to allow investors to view our company from management’s perspective, considering items that would have a material impact on future operations.

Overview

The Singing Machine Company, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company” or “The Singing Machine”) is a consumer electronics manufacturer of retail karaoke products. Based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and founded over forty years ago, the Company is primarily engaged in the development, marketing, and sale of a wide assortment of at-home and in-car consumer karaoke audio equipment, accessories, musical recordings and products. The Company’s portfolio is marketed under both proprietary brands and licenses including Carpool Karaoke and Sesame Street. The Company’s products are sold in locations worldwide, primarily through mass merchandisers and warehouse clubs, on-line retailers and to a lesser extent department stores, lifestyle merchants, direct mail catalogs and showrooms, music and record stores, and specialty stores.

The Singing Machine’s operations include its wholly owned subsidiaries, SMC Logistics, Inc., a California corporation (“SMCL”),SMC-Music, Inc., a Florida corporation (“SMCM”), SMC (HK) Limited, a Hong Kong company (“SMH”), MICS Hospitality Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“MICS Hospitality”), MICS Hospitality Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“MICS Hospitality Management”) and MICS Nomad, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“MICS NY”).

Recent Developments

Change in Fiscal Year

During 2023, our Board of Directors approved a change in our fiscal year end from March 31 to December 31. Our results of operations, cash flows, and all transactions impacting shareholders’ equity presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as of March 31, 2024 are for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 and March 31, 2023.

Oxford Credit Facility

On March 28, 2024, the Company and Oxford Commercial Finance, a Michigan banking corporation, (referred to as “Oxford”) entered into a Loan Agreement (the “Loan Agreement”) and related Revolving Credit Note (the “Note”) for a $2 million revolving line of credit (the “Oxford Line of Credit”). Availability under the Oxford Line of Credit is determined monthly by a borrowing base comprised of a percentage of eligible accounts receivable of the Company as set forth in the Loan Agreement.

In connection with the Oxford Line of Credit, the Company is required to: (a) Pay to Oxford a loan fee in the amount of one percent (1%) of the Revolving Loan Cap (as defined in the Loan Agreement); (b) Pay Field Exam (as defined in the Loan Agreement) expenses to Oxford; (c) Maintain an average outstanding principal balance of the loan for each month in the amount of Five Hundred Seventy Thousand Dollars ($570,000) (“Minimum Loan Balance”). If the actual average outstanding principal balance of the loan in any month is less than the Minimum Loan Balance, the Company must pay interest for such month calculated on the Minimum Loan Balance; (d) Pay an early exit fee to Oxford, in the event the Company terminates the Loan Agreement and repays the obligations under the Note in full, as liquidated damages and not as a penalty, in an amount equal to: (i) if prior to the one year anniversary date of the Note, two percent (2.00%) of the Revolving Loan Cap (as defined in the Loan Agreement) plus any fees which are due or to become due under the Loan Agreement, and (ii) if on and after the one year anniversary date of the Note, but prior to the two year anniversary date of the Note, two percent (2.00%) of the Revolving Loan Cap plus any fees which are due or to become due under the Loan Agreement; and (e) Pay any and all third party expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of Oxford’s counsel, in connection with the preparation, administration and enforcement of the Line of Credit agreements or the other loan documents.

The revolving credit facility bears interest of the Prime Rate (the interest reported daily in the Wall Street Journal) plus 2.5%, but in any event, not less than 10%.

Pursuant to the Security Agreement (the “Security Agreement”) entered into by and between the Company and Oxford on March 28, 2024, the obligations under the Loan Agreement are secured by all of the assets of the Company, presently owned or later acquired, and all cash and non-cash proceeds thereof (including, without limitation, insurance proceeds).

Private Placement

On November 20, 2023, the Company entered into an agreement to sell $2,000,000 in common stock through a private placement of common stock (the “Private Placement”). The Private Placement was completed with two Affiliates, (Stingray Group, Inc. and Jay Foreman), both of which were existing shareholders with Board representation. The Private Placement was completed at $0.91 per share of common stock, with a total of approximately 2,198,000 shares issued. Net proceeds from the transaction were approximately $1,900,000, net of transaction fees of approximately $100,000. During the six-month period after the closing date, the purchasers may make a written request for registration under the Securities Act of all or any portion of the shares purchased.

Hospitality Lease

On August 23, 2023, MICS NY entered into an Agreement of Lease (the “Lease Agreement”) with OAC 111 Flatiron, LLC and OAC Adelphi, LLC (the “Landlord”), pursuant to which MICS NY agreed to lease approximately 10,000 square feet of ground floor retail space and a portion of the basement underneath the ground floor retail space in the property located at 111 West 24th Street, New York, New York (the “Premises”).

The term of the Lease Agreement is for fifteen (15) years, or on such an earlier date upon which the term shall expire, be canceled or terminated pursuant to any of the conditions or covenants of the Lease Agreement. Pursuant to the Lease Agreement, MICS NY is obligated to pay an initial base rent in the amount of $30,000 beginning August 1, 2024, with scheduled increases over the term, as set forth in the Lease Agreement.

In March 2024, the Company initiated the termination of this lease under certain provisions made available under the Lease Agreement. The Landlord and the Company are in active discussions as to the terms of the lease termination however as of this filing, it is too early in the negotiation process to estimate any potential loss, if any, related to the lease termination process.

ATM Offering

On February 15, 2023, the Company entered into an At-The-Market Issuance Sales Agreement (the “Sales Agreement”) with Aegis Capital Corp, as sales agent (the “Agent”), pursuant to which the Company could offer and sell, from time to time, through the Agent (the “ATM Offering”), up to approximately $1,800,000 in shares of the Company’s common stock. For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company received net proceeds of approximately $0 and $36,000, respectively, after payment of brokerage commissions and administrative fees to the agent. As of May 12, 2023, the Company terminated the Sales Agreement.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, certain items related to our consolidated statements of income as a percentage of net sales as follows:

Quarter Ended March 31, 2024 Compared to the Quarter Ended March 31, 2023

Net Sales

Net sales for the three months ended March 31, 2024, decreased to approximately $2,426,000 from approximately $3,383,000 representing a decrease of approximately $957,000 (28.3 %) as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to lower overall sell-through results during the holiday season, largely with our largest customer, Walmart, which in turn diminished inventory restocking need immediately after the holiday retail season.

Gross Profit

Gross profit for the three months ended March 31, 2024 decreased to approximately $502,000 from approximately $819,000 representing a decrease of approximately $317,000 (38.7%) as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2023. Gross margins for the three months ended March 31, 2024 were 20.7%, as compared to 24.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2023. Approximately $86,000 was due to lower gross margins, which was primarily caused by a $294,000 increase in repair costs during the period. The remaining $231,000 reduction in gross income was due to the reduction in sales in the first quarter of 2024 as compared to the same period in 2023.

Operating Expenses

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, total operating expenses decreased to approximately $2,789,000, compared to approximately $2,965,000 during the three months ended March 31, 2023. This represents a decrease in total operating expenses of approximately $176,000 (5.9%) from the three months ended March 31, 2023. The decrease in operating expenses was attributable to a decrease in selling expenses due to the decrease in commissionable sales.

Other (Expenses) Income, net

Other expense consisted of interest expense of approximately $28,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as compared to other income, net of approximately $663,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2023. During the three months ended March 31, 2023 there was a one-time refund of approximately $704,000 from the Employee Retention Credit program offset by interest expense of approximately $41,000 which accounted for the increase in other income, net.

Income Taxes

The Company’s income tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2024, was approximately $52,000 due to income taxes due on amended federal tax returns filed for 2020 and 2021 which took into account the one-time refunds received from the Employee Retention Credit program. The Company’s income tax provision for the three months ended March 31, 2023, was approximately $1,502,000 as the Company recognized a full valuation allowance on all of its deferred tax assets based on the recent history of losses and forecasts that suggested the Company would not be able to utilize the deferred tax assets in the future.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company incurred a net loss of approximately $2,367,000 for the three-month period ended March 31, 2024 and has a history of recurring losses.

On March 31, 2024, we had cash on hand of approximately $4,125,000 as compared to approximately $6,703,000 as of December 31, 2023. The increase in cash on hand of approximately $2,578,000 from December 31, 2023, was primarily due to approximately $2,557,000 used in operations primarily due to off-peak seasonal settlement of accounts receivable offset by seasonal decreases in accounts payable (primarily to factories), accrued expenses related to seasonal accruals for estimated returned goods customer refunds and co-op incentive program expenses. As of March 31, 2024, our working capital was approximately $4,887,000.

On March 31, 2023, we had cash on hand of approximately $2,895,000 as compared to $2,795,000 as of December 31, 2022. The increase in cash on hand of approximately $100,000 was primarily due to approximately $1,739,000 provided by financing activities primarily due to borrowings from our credit facility with Fifth Third Bank and offset by approximately $1,934,000 in net cash used in operating activities primarily due to off-peak seasonal settlement of accounts receivable offset by seasonal increases in accounts payable, accrued expenses related to seasonal accruals for estimated returned goods, co-op incentive program expenses and customer refunds, and approximately $95,000 used in investing activities for the purchase of molds an tooling.

As of March 31, 2024, the Company’s cash balance was approximately $4,125,000. Based on cash flow projections from operating and financing activities and the existing balance of cash, management is of the opinion that the Company has insufficient funds to sustain operations for at least one year after the date of this report, and it may not be able to meet its payment obligations from operations and related commitments, if the Company is not able to obtain outside financing to allow the Company to continue as a going concern. Based on these factors, the Company has substantial doubt that it will continue as a going concern for the twelve months following the issuance date of the financial statements included elsewhere in this report.

The Company’s plan to alleviate the going concern issue is to increase revenue while controlling operating costs and expenses and obtaining funds from outside sources of financing to generate positive financing cash flows. While management is optimistic about its ability to raise funds to fund operations for at least one year after the date of this report, there can be no assurance that any such measures will be successful.

The Company’s ability to raise additional funds will depend, in part, on the success of our product development activities, and other events or conditions that may affect the share value or prospects, as well as factors related to financial, economic and market conditions, many of which are beyond our control. There can be no assurances that sufficient funds will be available to us when required or on acceptable terms, if at all. Accordingly, management has concluded that these plans do not alleviate substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. Our failure to achieve or maintain profitability could negatively impact the value of our common stock.

Critical Accounting Estimates

Our interim financial statements were prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles, which require management to make subjective decisions, assessments and estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. As the number of variables and assumptions affecting the judgement increases, such judgements become even more subjective. While management believes that its assumptions are reasonable and appropriate, actual results may be materially different than estimated. The critical accounting estimates and assumptions have not materially changed from those identified in our Transition Report for the period ended December 31, 2023.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We have established disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, with the assistance of other members of our management, have evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this quarterly report. Based upon this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are not effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the Commission’s rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to our management, including its principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Controls over Financial Reporting

During our transition period ended December 31, 2023, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was not effective due to the material weaknesses described below.

1. We lack sufficient resources in our accounting department restricting our ability to review and approve certain material journal entries which increases the likelihood that a material misstatement of interim or annual financial statements might not be prevented. Management evaluated our current process of review and approval of certain material journal entries and concluded this deficiency represented a material weakness.

2. We lack sufficient resources in our accounting department, which restricts our ability to review certain material reconciliations related to financial reporting in a timely manner. Due to our size and nature, segregation of all conflicting duties may not always be possible and may not be economically feasible. Management evaluated the impact of our failure to have proper segregation between the preparation, review and approval of account reconciliations and concluded that this control deficiency represented a material weakness.

3. Due to resource restrictions, we have not established a three-way match of documents or other controls precise enough to detect a material misstatement in revenue. Management evaluated our current process of determining the occurrence of revenue and concluded this deficiency represented a material weakness.

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Planned Remediation

We continue to work on improving and simplifying our internal processes and implement enhanced controls to address the material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting discussed above and to remedy the ineffectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. We are addressing our accounting resource requirements to help remediate the segregation of duties and plan to implement a concise “three-way” document matching procedure. These material weaknesses will not be considered as remediated until the applicable remediated controls are operating for a sufficient period and management has concluded, through testing, that these controls are operating effectively.

Despite the material weaknesses identified above, we believe that the consolidated financial statements included in the period covered by this report on Form 10-Q fairly present, in all material aspects, our financial conditions, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

During the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2024, there were no additional changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.